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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Hours!!!

This is my last post from the United States for a while! Super Mom stayed up with me to help me pack - two 50lb bags, a very full carry on and "one personal item such as a purse or laptop case" :)

Happy news from the week! My school loans are paid in full! God honored my desire to get them out of the way before I left ... within 4 days! haha

Anyway... see y'all next time from Jimani! :)

Bendiciones y mucho amor!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Count Down! - One Week!

I keep thinking that I should have flourishes of profundities in order to write a new post, but really, I am running out of words as the day of my departure draws nearer.

Last week was amazing as I was able to spend time in Massachusetts to visit and spend quality time with some dear people - former roommates and amazing ENC friends, my Scherdell family who gathered to bless me with some cash to spend on "my kids," and last but certainly not least, my best friend's wedding (I keep thinking about Julia Roberts every time I say that ^_^). We had some crazy adventures in preparing for the wedding day (snow storms, for example), but it was all SO worth it and resulted in an amazingly beautiful day and gorgeous bride. ;)

Rommates Michelle and Brittney (photo 2011)
Hadn't played with snow for a while... couldn't resist :)
The newly wed Kaeley and Sterling McNeill
My favorite picture of the day :)

Just today, Kaeley sent me a message with a link to a blog post titled "Single, Satisfied, and Sent." At first glance, a label like this makes one think of the "Jesus is my boyfriend" or "I don't need no man!" type trends that really serve as a cover-up for deeper emotional issues, but I trusted Kaeley to not share with me that kind of fluff. She said, "I hope that God has a nugget for you in it."  What I found was more than a nugget. I got a whole chicken sandwich with all the fixins! Read the whole article here. It is worth it, even if you are married.


The author writes about being in the "not-yet married" stage of life and making the most of it for the Kingdom, because even though marriage is good, the fact is that there is way less flexibility once you get to that point. 

"With the Spirit in you and the calendar clear, God has given you the means to make a lasting difference for his kingdom. You’re all dressed up, having every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3), with literally everywhere to go."
 Whoosh! What freedom! This does not mean that I do not long for that relationship which will make me a Mrs., but I am so much more motivated to focus so much more on Christ and make the most of this time. Please pray for me in this area. I have forever been the dreaming girly girl, but I do not want my personal (and God-given!) desires to be a distraction from my focus now.

Lord, may I use the mother-heart you have given me to pour out your unconditional love to everyone I meet from here to Jimani next week and through the year. I believe that you have a greater plan for me than I have for myself and I trust you to use me in ways I could never plan. Help me to be as clay in your skillful hands. Fill me with grace and patience, a gentle spirit, and cover me in your armor as I face each day. I love you, Father.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The Littlest People make the Biggest Prayers

Since I being in Tennessee, I have been serving in the 2year-old Sunday school class during the first service. Last week was my last Sunday with them and I wrote a note to the parents letting them know why I wouldn't be showing up any more. Yesterday I received this message on Facebook from one of the mothers: (click "Read more")

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Twenty-One Days

Twenty-one days is not a very long time. In fact, it is a very short amount of time in which much needs to happen. Three pieces of the "much" that are on my mind at the moment? - best friend getting married, taxes, packing for a year. (How does one pack for a year with a couple of suitcases?? I will find out soon enough.)

I am currently in Massachusetts - had the smoothest travel day EVER on Thursday, a lovely visit with friend Liz who picked me up at the airport, delicious dinner (homemade chicken soup) with my grandmother, and a blessed, necessary time with "bffl" Kaeley which included laughter and tears, hugs, and lots of sharing of hearts. And to think I almost chose bed instead... :)

So 21 days is not a very long time... I have spent almost and entire year waiting and wishing for these days, and now that they are here, there are pieces of me that wish they would slow down a little bit. Isn't that how it always goes. But for me these last few weeks are going to be pretty hectic... Every once in a while, this thing called "stress" threatens to come at me, but then I think about how good God has been to me these last months and about "my kids" in the DR and all negativity fades away. I have been having dreams about when I arrive, but now it is really happening, and it is beginning to sink in... my "open-ended year" ...

The next week, however, is focused on Kaeley's wedding and marriage preparations and I am just so thankful that I am able to be here to support her and celebrate with her. :) As I wrote in her card today, we are each "leaving" each other in different ways - my moving out of the country, her getting married and beginning a new chapter of life - but I know that this friendship is one that will last. I love you, Kaeley!

Celebrated Kaeley's soon-to-be "bridehood" this evening with a bunch of the girls. We had a taste-full "bachelorette" gathering which involved decorating these delicious cupcakes. :D