Prayer needed

Over the next two months or so I am going to be making one of the most important decisions of my life, and I will be making it while in the midst of many other happenings. Lots of travel plans: first I hit Rhode Island this weekend to visit my sister and the babies; then I go to California for a week at Thanksgiving; and finally spend two weeks in South Africa for Christmas! Whew! I don't know how I will manage it all, but God has so faithfully provided the means for me to be able to visit some very special family and friends, as well as partake in ministry at Christmas. What a privilege and joy to spend Christmas away from the hustle and silliness of all the materialistic aspects of this ridiculously westernized holiday. It amazes me how all my students at school have been talking about Christmas since we started in August, they have been counting down the days and eagerly discussing and comparing all the items they have asked for from their moms and dads. I may tend toward a legalistic conservatism, but it frustrated me to see the amount of time and money and even mental energy that goes into this holiday. I anticipate being in Africa where the people are simply thankful to have a roof over their heads and just one meal a day. More on this later...

It's been a while...

Life has been so busy, it amazes me how fast time is going by! There are big decisions looming in my near future, although I guess I shouldn't say "looming" because they could be some really exciting things. God has been reminding me lately of His constant faithfulness despite my lack of faithfulness at times. He is always good to me and I know He will not deprive me of any good thing simply because I am not a perfect kingdom daughter. There are so many strange twists to life and ways that God has for us that we could not have ever possibly imagined. I am so thankful that "His ways are perfect" and meant for my good and His glory. While I consider some more specific things to write about, here is a picture from our recent "Autumn Gala" at the school. It was a fun night out, although I must say that it reminded me of how much I really enjoy the international missional life that I have become more accustomed to. Dressing up is fun for about five minutes, and then I want to be back in a t-shirt with a fresh-scrubbed face. I think our society has definitely misinterpreted God's desire for femininity. Instead of just being naturally beautiful in the way God created us, we think it means primping and spraying and toning as much as we possibly can. Obviously there's nothing wrong with beautifying ourselves, but I just don't really enjoy all the excessive lengths we go to in order to accomplish that. It ends up feeling fake or showy. Oh well...

Catching Up

These past two weeks have been so crazy. Between my job, ministry stuff, a conference in Minnesota, and moving...well, where do I begin? I don't have a lot of time, but wanted to catch you up with my happenings. I guess the biggest news is that I went to Minneapolis to a Desiring God conference, where I heard John Piper, John MacArthur, Randy Alcorn, Jerry Bridges, and Helen Roseveare. I cannot begin to do justice to what I heard over those two days! The theme was "Stand - A Call for the Endurance of the Saints". My highlights included MacArthur's firm preaching, Jerry Bridges practical admonitions, Piper's compasstionate pleas, and Roseveare's riveting testimony, as well as just traveling, which I love to do (you can see me above hanging out at the airport!). A special privilege was meeting Helen Roseveare, as well as a young couple who have their own missions organization and they are trying to mobilize young people to go to Africa...right up my alley! I wish I could share so much more, but it will have to wait for later. In the meantime, I have included several photos from the conference, as well as a humorous one from our move (finding space for all my books is next to impossible:)!