Testing, Testing

This is my first post from my iPod.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Knitting Kitty

So really, I am just trying out Picasa and seeing how I like it. Also, Muffin is learning how to knit. If you are following me on Facebook, let me tell you that the Radio Theater last night was wonderful! I'm praying for another great night tonight!

Working on my next e-mail letter!

So, I was on the phone tonight with a friend and realized that it had been almost 6 months since some people had heard from me. Unacceptable. So, I got down to it and typed an e-mail. Now, I just have to get it approved and get it sent out. It would be so much easier if I could just press send once. I wonder if I should sit down and analyze one of these days what exactly makes a prayer letter hard for me to produce. I have a couple of ideas already:
(1) I am the only one pushing myself to get it done. We are held to an honor system, which is wonderful, except I never remember to remind myself to get a prayer letter done.
(2) Then once I start writing it, I realize how few pictures I take. I'm like Franco Salvatori - I don't want to stop life in order to take a picture. And I never think to ask people to take a picture with MY camera with ME in it. So, I end up in lots of other people's pictures and never my own.
(3) I don't feel very expressive in my writing. I wish I could just call everyone up and talk to them. I'm a much better talker.
(4) Then there's the whole process of getting one to print and into enveleopes . . .

So, I am going to do better!

It works, It works!

My internet phone is back up and running, folks! I'm so thankful for Fernando Hinojosa, our school IT specialist. He got it all fixed for me :) So, now I have wireless, my packet 8 phone, and all I'm waiting on is my cable. Am I really a missionary? The internet I can justify b/c of my school research, the phone was a present from my extended family so those things are easy to reconcile. But I struggled with cable. Then, I thought, I'll give it a shot for a year and see what I think :)
So, call me!

Isaiah 50:10

I woke up this morning and was in tears pretty quickly. I hate the emotional mess I am (and know I will be) during the first week of transition. Ever since college, the first week of separation has been a miniature version of hell for me. But there is one HUGE difference. Here, I have a God who walks beside me, shoulders the burden alongside me, and purposes all of it to make me more of his perfect ideal. So, in my tears I picked up a book on God's names and was determined to take at least one verse away with me for comfort. And I found Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys the word of his servant?
Let him who walks in the dark,
who has no light,
trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God.

I felt like one who had no light this morning. Why had I come back? How was I going to make it without my family back home and friends who were once the majority of my Bolivia? Where was I going to find the strength to get all of my stuff unpacked? It was such an encouragement to see that the Psalmist says we will have darkness. But when we do, we are to walk as if we have light - I don't have to see where I am going, because I see the one who does.

Rushing, Rushing, Rushing

No, I am not revisiting my college days by joining a sorority. :) I'm talking about my last 13 days in the U.S.

I spent my morning trying to pack as much as I could while keeping out my toiletries and clothes for my IL trip (July 24th-Aug 1st). It's so hard to think about what HAS to go this time, what I would LIKE to go this time, and what can be stored for LATER trips. Any more decision making and my brain might ooze out my ears. On top of all that, American Airlines has a summer embargo (sp?) in place, so my bags absolutely cannot weigh more than 50 lbs. At other times you can pay a hefty sum for 20 more lbs. allowance, but not in Aug.

So, I decided to share my angst and take a break all at the same time :)

My brother came out for a few days and a wonderful time was had by all! The kiddos are really loving their Uncle Matt, and he is so good with them. God love him, though, he's not used to how much energy it takes to keep up with them! Kimber might be coming out sometime this week to spend the night (bringing the kiddos, of course). I'm always up for a little more sister time!

Good to Go - the authorized version!

Whelp (which is just a happier way to say "well") I finally am released to return to Bolivia! This always makes me laugh, b/c I will forever associate "released" with L. Lowry's "The Giver"

BUT, bad association aside, I am heading back to Bolivia on Aug. 2nd. HQ records show that I still need $40/month to be pledged, but already God is providing for that need. I am amazed again by His faithfulness and the love and support of others. I'm surrounded, and I know it.

So, now I have a few weeks to pack, although I'll be in IL for the last week of July, and my brother is coming to visit for 4 days. I have to remind myself that I don't have alot of time left :)

Thanks, everyone, for this year of love, prayers, encouragement, and fun. I have loved being on HMA this year and spending time with you.

Just found

So, for some reason, I love this picture. Maybe it's the biter coming out in me. Just thought I would share the love.

FULLY FUNDED (the unauthorized version)

I can't believe it! I just can't. I went to AL 3 weeks ago, and I asked God if He would just take a $100 or $150 chunk out of these monthly pledges. It seems like I have been saying , "I still need $450/month" forever! And today, because of His faithfulness and the prayers and obedience of His people, I am sitting on $450 worth of monthly pledges. Not to mention over $1000 in love offerings!

So, not only did He meet all my monthly pledges, He also gave me an awesome time of fun and fellowship with other believers. If you ever have the chance to hit Beulah Camp in Excel, AL, you really should. It's amazing.

And now, I am only waiting on being able to turn in all those pledges and read the "official version" of my release from Homeland Ministry Assignment. Bolivia, here I come!

Oh, and for those of you that are interested, I'm looking at leaving Aug. 2nd or 3rd. Haven't bought the plane tickets yet. I'll let you know for sure once I've bought them.

Homeland Ministry Assignment

As you can see from the sidebar, my schedule is pretty full the next month. When I come back from Bolivia, it starts up again. I'm relieved, actually. As busy and tired as I know I'll be, at least I will know that I am doing all I can schedule-wise to get back to Bolivia by Aug. 2nd. I still need around $700/month to be pledged. God can do it - He rose from the dead, $700/month is a piece of cake!

4:50 AM

So, what am I still doing awake. Well, for starters, I tend to love sleeping in until noon, so I am gradually staying up later to make sure that happens. BUT, the real reason is LOST. My sister has me watching all the seasons so I'll be caught up with the rest of the family. I have 3 more episodes until I finish season 3. So, now, instead of falling asleep at 4:15, after the 5th disc finished, I decided to check facebook and revamp my blog. I never write here, and I am pretty sure that Mandy is the only one who reads it. But, I feel guilty having everyone who checks up on Baby Robbie knowing that I never update my blog. :) Guilt, it's the gift that keeps on giving! I'll give you an HMA update maybe in the next couple of days!