February 22, 2009.
Grace Lutheran church opened it's doors to me to speak to the Sunday school children as well as to speak in church. I was introduced to four intelligent, inquisitive, and endearing young people. One of whom was my "ten year old twin." Children are precious. They had great questions and insight into how big God's love is for us and for those far far away. The entire congregation was encouraging and supportive when I shared during the worship hour. Many people gave hugs and wanted to know more than the snap shot I gave in the service. I felt so very humbled that this small community would open it's arms and welcome me into it and celebrate with me the place God was taking me to. Bill Stern's, my friend and co-worker, invited me on behalf of his faith family and the people there were so much like Bill that I knew instantly that they could and would be my family too. I then got to got to lunch with Bill and Miriam, which was such a joy to meet and get to know both of them better.
Sorry that it took me so very long to get this event posted. :) love you bill.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Frozen Much?
March 4th through the 9th 2009.
I was invited to go to a quaint Colorado town in the mountains by my roommate and dear friend Amanda. Every year there is a festival held there to celebrate one of our freedoms-the freedom to die and be frozen. This festival is called Frozen Dead Guy Days. Amanda, her brother David, my brother Ben, my friend Annie, and three other friends of ours travelled there. It was 70 degrees in Nebraska and it snowed there. We stayed two nights and it was a wonderful break especially since I got to play dress up, watch a race, play cards, and dee jay the car rides. Seeing Annie was refreshing for me, I met her in Colorado during a program called LifeWorkx, her situation and goals are very similar to mine and she is working at raising support also. So, we were able to encourage and uplift one another during this process. I enjoy a good road trip and when one has good company it makes the trip even better.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Anticipation
I got a phone call on March 16th from my organization asking me if I would be able to attend Transition Orientation in July. When I asked what that means Joe, my director while I am in the states, says that the finance team has calculates that by August or September they think that I could be on the field monetary wise. There is still about 500 dollars I need pledged per month, but the monthly calculations per the financial team look good. Thank you all!!! I am so excited. I hung up the phone and i just looked at the floor, completely AMAZED by the goodness of God and that He has brought me to this place where I have been headed. How do we move from being someone who anticipates an action (for so very very very long) to someone who embraces and makes the action her own?? I am not sure I know how, but I'm gonna learn!!!! PTL!!!
track fund raisers
- even
track fund raisers
- even
Simple Life
March 12th-15th, 2009.
Garage Sales are intended to either help get rid of junk, make room for more junk, or find riches that others no longer find shiny and new. My mom came down to Lincoln to share her spring break with me and to reconnect with some friends that she has here. it was so much fun. We rearranged my room and cleaned out my closet....i know funny huh....sorted through papers that i have stored for years. i was surprised and joyed by the numbers of random notes from loved ones I found, school papers and essays, and a list of 5 things i wanted to accomplish before the year 2013. It was delightful and exhausting. But the outcome was that I have quite a pile of items that need to be put on a garage sale. So if you are one of those who loves to find a treasure for very little dough let me know and when I have my garage sale I will personally invite you to it. ETA: June. I thoroughly enjoyed having my mother here. My bedroom is so clean one could actually see the floor. :)
Garage Sales are intended to either help get rid of junk, make room for more junk, or find riches that others no longer find shiny and new. My mom came down to Lincoln to share her spring break with me and to reconnect with some friends that she has here. it was so much fun. We rearranged my room and cleaned out my closet....i know funny huh....sorted through papers that i have stored for years. i was surprised and joyed by the numbers of random notes from loved ones I found, school papers and essays, and a list of 5 things i wanted to accomplish before the year 2013. It was delightful and exhausting. But the outcome was that I have quite a pile of items that need to be put on a garage sale. So if you are one of those who loves to find a treasure for very little dough let me know and when I have my garage sale I will personally invite you to it. ETA: June. I thoroughly enjoyed having my mother here. My bedroom is so clean one could actually see the floor. :)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sophomore Youth Group
February 10th 2009.
I was a Sophomore high school girl along time ago, but I had the opportunity to be with 8 young ladies on the 17th of Feb. Each one was full of life and reminded me of what it was like to be far from responsibilities and yet feel so ready for them. Sitting within their circle and listening to how their day went was so refreshing. I wanted to convey to them the awesome work God was going to use them for if only they would be obedient and follow his promises, I wanted to encourage them to follow the dreams God laid on their hearts, I wanted to entreat them to hold on tight to Christ and never let Him go. Instead I told them of my sophomore year and the time when I ran from God before I turned and embraced the call on my life that is Servitude. It was interesting to hear adult's comments come out of young girls. "I wish I could do something like that, but I am too close to my family." or "Is it safe." I am struck by questions like these. Not really by these young believers but when the sam type of questions come from seasoned faith followers I feel down trodden. Is there any place that is safe if you are out side God's will?? If God asked you to leave your family would you not? I too love my family. Some of my closest friend are like sisters to me. Do I not ache in agony the thought of leaving them behind. Do I not fear the idea of being in a place where I may not be able to communicate safely with others? And yet, I go, clinging onto the Father's out streached and stong arm. Knowing that He alone can keep me safe and that without Him I have no family. I hope that I was able to encourage these young women to follow God's path for them no matter how hard it may seem to the world's eye.
I was a Sophomore high school girl along time ago, but I had the opportunity to be with 8 young ladies on the 17th of Feb. Each one was full of life and reminded me of what it was like to be far from responsibilities and yet feel so ready for them. Sitting within their circle and listening to how their day went was so refreshing. I wanted to convey to them the awesome work God was going to use them for if only they would be obedient and follow his promises, I wanted to encourage them to follow the dreams God laid on their hearts, I wanted to entreat them to hold on tight to Christ and never let Him go. Instead I told them of my sophomore year and the time when I ran from God before I turned and embraced the call on my life that is Servitude. It was interesting to hear adult's comments come out of young girls. "I wish I could do something like that, but I am too close to my family." or "Is it safe." I am struck by questions like these. Not really by these young believers but when the sam type of questions come from seasoned faith followers I feel down trodden. Is there any place that is safe if you are out side God's will?? If God asked you to leave your family would you not? I too love my family. Some of my closest friend are like sisters to me. Do I not ache in agony the thought of leaving them behind. Do I not fear the idea of being in a place where I may not be able to communicate safely with others? And yet, I go, clinging onto the Father's out streached and stong arm. Knowing that He alone can keep me safe and that without Him I have no family. I hope that I was able to encourage these young women to follow God's path for them no matter how hard it may seem to the world's eye.
Flock by Sheep
Feb. 17th, 2009.
I was invited to share my heart at one of the small groups from my church, we call them flocks, and so I accepted the invitation. I thought I knew how to get there fairly easily. But I got lost so instead of being early as I had intended I was late. I was a clumsy mess, but everyone was so gracious and forgiving. Wendell and Marie Conover, Larry and Mary Fell, Dave and Angie Drevo, Gordon and Deb Opp, John and Linda Pankonin, and Tom and Janelle Martin were all so very welcoming. I really enjoyed opening my heart to them and being able to hear their questions gave me insight about what people want to know. I am still learning so very much about how to inform those who will be involved in this ministry. I get so excited when people come to me with their questions.
I was invited to share my heart at one of the small groups from my church, we call them flocks, and so I accepted the invitation. I thought I knew how to get there fairly easily. But I got lost so instead of being early as I had intended I was late. I was a clumsy mess, but everyone was so gracious and forgiving. Wendell and Marie Conover, Larry and Mary Fell, Dave and Angie Drevo, Gordon and Deb Opp, John and Linda Pankonin, and Tom and Janelle Martin were all so very welcoming. I really enjoyed opening my heart to them and being able to hear their questions gave me insight about what people want to know. I am still learning so very much about how to inform those who will be involved in this ministry. I get so excited when people come to me with their questions.
FECC
Feb 15, 2009.
I spoke briefly at First Evangelical Covenant Church on Sunday the 15th of Feb and was encouraged by the spirit of Outreach that I found there. The family of faith that I knew welcomed me with loving arms. I was able to speak to several children and touch based with many old friends about my plans. It was good to see familar faces and to give hugs to those I hadn't seen in a while. One boy asked me if it was okay to take one of my pictures with my prayer requests on it, because he said that his day care always prays for people. Of course I said he could have one. The next day I walked into my BSF class and saw my picture hanging up on the prayer map. The teacher from that class, Emmy Harris, saw me and we knew each other from high school and she told me that they prayed for me. I met a woman who was visiting FECC and she and I talked for a long time about China and about the language hurdle I will have to jump. I showed her Rosetta Stone and encouraged her to look into it for her own language learning needs. Boy do I sound like an advertisement. :) Then I got to go out to eat with close family friends the McGee family.
I spoke briefly at First Evangelical Covenant Church on Sunday the 15th of Feb and was encouraged by the spirit of Outreach that I found there. The family of faith that I knew welcomed me with loving arms. I was able to speak to several children and touch based with many old friends about my plans. It was good to see familar faces and to give hugs to those I hadn't seen in a while. One boy asked me if it was okay to take one of my pictures with my prayer requests on it, because he said that his day care always prays for people. Of course I said he could have one. The next day I walked into my BSF class and saw my picture hanging up on the prayer map. The teacher from that class, Emmy Harris, saw me and we knew each other from high school and she told me that they prayed for me. I met a woman who was visiting FECC and she and I talked for a long time about China and about the language hurdle I will have to jump. I showed her Rosetta Stone and encouraged her to look into it for her own language learning needs. Boy do I sound like an advertisement. :) Then I got to go out to eat with close family friends the McGee family.