This was the last night of the conference. It is nice to be back home resting, but in a way it is sad that tonight was the last night. Even though busy at times, it has been a nice and refreshing past few days.

I have truly enjoyed getting to know the other missionaries--especially the dear, sweet couple who seem to have "adopted" me. :o) I have their email address and plan to keep in touch with them.

And I feel the Lord answered our prayers for tonight -- hearts seemed to be touched; I even had someone ask me how to give for tsunami relief. Yippee! :o) I've decided that in many ways there is just about nothing that thrills me more than getting to share with God's people what He is doing on behalf of those who have never heard His name. It is so encouraging to me when people want to be a part of that work.

The last several days have been a blur of yummy food, speaking engagements, fellowship, things to prepare for the children, yummy food, listening to other missionaries share, and more yummy food.

We have had luncheons and suppers. Now, we only have one session left -- a potluck supper tomorrow night, followed by a closing ceremony I have the privilege to share at. In a way, I'm sad it will be over.

It sure has been a nice time. There has been one missionary couple in particular that I have so much enjoyed getting to know better. They are really sweet and encouraging. So of course I wanted to sit by them at lunch yesterday. I have kind of "adopted" them. :o)

Yesterday I shared at the lunch program, and I think it went very well. Of course, that was the Lord! I was thrilled when a lady came up to me with $4 she and a friend had gathered between them -- She wanted it to go for Gospel tracts and said she wished it were more. I told her it meant 1,000 people hearing the Gospel and she was happy. : )

I was thinking again yesterday how there's nothing like getting to be with God's people, sharing about the work of His kingdom. It's one of the best feelings! I pray the Lord will touch hearts during tomorrow night's session -- and that I won't be nervous as I'm not naturally a public speaker -- and that there will be much fruit for the harvest. :o)

Today I had one of those moments where everything stops.

For the conference at my home church this coming week, I will be sharing several times with the "grown-ups" and children. My mom had the idea that I could have pictures of children from SEND! magazine on a posterboard, as a visual.

When I saw one of the pictures, the whole world seemed to stand still. I started to cry. It was a small picture of three little children --the youngest couldn't be more than 3 or 4 -- with round cheeks and big brown eyes. But what jumped out to me were the sweet (but in a way somber) looks on their faces and their mismatched, disproportionate clothes. I felt in a way that my heart was breaking for these precious children.

Even when I went back to the posterboard and looked at the picture again, I felt sad all over again for these little ones. Though it can be a little painful in a sense, I am so thankful for moments like these -- They show me that my heart isn't too hard yet -- that the Lord is giving me, even if in ever the tiniest measure, a piece of His heart and burden for a lost and perishing world.

Now I am about to get ready so I can attend a missions fellowship supper with my parents. But I know I won't soon forget what happened today.

Okay, so I haven't written here in a while. Guess I've been being a goober. :o) Nah, really, things truly have been quite busy ... been working on many writing projects related to the tsunami ... not to mention preparing for when I will be sharing at my home church missions conference. I am so thankful --the Lord has really been going before me these past couple days and giving me much grace -- I feel like things are beginning to come together for the conference, in a relatively short amount of time.

I haven't felt up to much these past couple weeks -- shoulder and neck pain off and on, and been unusually tired. But ... these past couple days, overall I haven't really had much pain at all and have felt pretty well physically -- and today I've had so much more energy than I've probably had at any other point in the past week or so. Very thankful for that!

I feel bombarded by the attack of the enemy (Ephesians 6) --but, yet, so encouraged at how the Lord is helping me in amazing ways as I prepare -- And excited about what He is going to do. I truly believe that the fact I have encountered so much spiritual warfare lately means He is going to move in incredible ways. Truly, what a privilege to be rendered His ambassador -- to beseech and encourage others to be a part of reaching precious souls on the other side of the world. Thank You, Lord. I so much don't deserve it.

I had an incredible moment as I was walking and praying just now. It felt like it was just me and the Lord -- nothing else mattered but Him. My circumstances, my desires, my uncertainties -- none of that mattered at that moment. It's all about Him. He is so good to us! We can trust Him. It was a wonderful moment, one that I don't want to forget. (The peace I felt was immense.) And I want to live that way throughout this year! Truly we can rest in Him. He is our dwelling place, our Rock. Thank You, Lord.

I joined my dad for worship at our home church this morning. A high schooler, the daughter of one of my supporters, sang a special. She has a beautiful voice. But more than that, the Lord used the song she sang, Breath of Heaven, to touch my heart.

I was quietly weeping as I was reminded of a sacrifice I may need to make, in view of God's unique calling on my life to serve on behalf of the unreached.

Even though any sacrifice I may make is puny compared to Christ's ultimate denial of self and the horrible pain He suffered for me-- AND I know that if He has me make the sacrifice in this particular instance it will likely mean something better in the future--it doesn't mean it's not still really hard at times.

O Lord, work in me, I pray, that I would cry tears, not of self pity, but rather of weeping for a lost world and people on the other side of it that still need to hear of Your precious gift for them.

Today I received word of a tremendous earthquake and resulting tidal wave, causing the deaths of thousands-- more than 10,000 people, and close to 2,500 in Sri Lanka alone, and 1,600 in India. It broke my heart to think of the many lives lost, just like that--precious souls that may not have had the opportunity to hear about Jesus before they died (Hebrews 9:23).

O, how I wish everyone on this earth would embrace Jesus and His salvation, so that not one person would suffer for eternity in hell. (2 Peter 3:9)

Christmas Day. To think, about 2,000 years ago today, Jesus came to be born in a manger and walk this earth and give His life to atone for sin so we could be saved by putting our trust in Him. How often do I truly grasp the wonder of this? Of His great love for me -- His great gift. How reassuring it is to know that I can trust Him -- no matter what. That His plan is always good and perfect. I love You, Lord. Thank you for coming to this earth ... for loving us so very much. Help me to more and more grasp this wondrous love and live my life in view of it.

Tonight we drove in from my grandmother's, where we were yesterday and today. I got together with my friend Heather and we exchanged gifts. We also went by and saw my cousins for a few minutes, at my aunt's and uncle's house. :o) And I got my combined birthday and Christmas gifts from my parents -- a food processor, a vacuum cleaner, and a crockpot, which I opened last night. I'm very excited about using these things in the new apartment!

Today I drove the nearly 600 miles back home to my parents. :o) It was a long drive, but around lunch time I stopped to see an old friend. We met up at Applebees and ate together. We even shared some yummy brownies and icecream. It was a blast! Too bad we don't live in the same town so we could hang out more. :o) The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful ... I did have some goofy photos taken to use up my roll of film. That was fun!

Tonight was our staff Christmas party. As I looked around at the faces of all the people sitting at round tables throughout the room, I realized just how much they had become like family to me. I was reminded of what a special thing I have.

There were some funny skits that I really enjoyed -- especially an interactive one where we would make donkey noises and say things like "gold, frankencince and myrh" and "no problem" at different points in the Christmas story.

On a more serious note, later in the program we dimmed the lights and were each challenged to think of what it would be like to go through our lives unreached with the Gospel. At first I couldn't grasp or feel this in my heart -- but then I imagined myself being married and then having a child, and that somehow that child was taken from me, and sent to a remote village where he or she would grow up and live to an old age and die, without ever hearing about Jesus. I can't imagine!

I had such a nice weekend. My friend from work and I had such a good lunch on Saturday afternoon. Without even knowing it, she said some things that were so encouraging to what I was specifically going through at the time. From then on, the weekend was great!

The message was good Sunday. The Lord really used last week's message in a powerful way in my life -- I look forward to how He will use this week's. After church, a group of us from our S.S. class went and ate together. Quite fun!

I can't believe it's Friday already. This week has gone by so fast! There have been some struggles throughout it, although some good times, such as really nice fellowship over lunch, as well. I'm sooo looking forward to the weekend.

I'm so thankful for the Lord ... and for friends. Last night I went to a Christmas production with my S.S. class, and we'll all be hanging out for a game night this Saturday. : ) I can't wait! And tomorrow I'm going to lunch with a friend from work. I am so thankful for this close friend and how the Lord provided her at just the right time in my life! What an answer to prayer.

Our move this past weekend went well. I never would have guessed there was so much to the moving process! Preparing and packing definitely involved some long nights with less sleep. But it all came together and my roommate and I could both so much see the Lord's hand at work in the whole process. We want this new season of our lives to glorify Him.

Saturday was the actual day of our move. More than 30 people on staff at the ministry showed up to help us. I noticed something I'd maybe never noticed before. Usually I help with other people's moves, and enjoy it so much, but this time I found myself standing and watching everyone as they got boxes together, made an assembly line out the balcony, and joked and laughed good-naturedly. It was quite fun ... and incredible to watch. Looking back, I felt like I was watching a well-orchestrated symphony. One that had been rehearsed in a general sense, but not the specific piece that was being played. Yet the notes seemed to just flow and come naturally and in their place. More than anything, I think, I so much felt how much people cared for me.

It was a nice time, even if my roommate and I were both pretty tired from staying up late the night before with extended prayer at the ministry and then last-minute packing. It was a pretty day out, and the fellowship was good. The Lord has really been watching out for me, because I very quickly caught up on my fatigue. He even woke me up this morning with an alertness uncharacteristic of me. :o) (especially considering how late I stayed up last night!)

I like the new apartment SO much! It's really cute. :o) It feels homey and peaceful, and there is a gorgeous view outside the back balcony! I'm so excited. :o)

This week has been good ... even if I've been a bit tired. ;o) Not too bad! This morning I have been so much having the Lord's peace ... and a sense of abiding with Him moment by moment. When I was driving in to work, I heard a worship song (Michael W. Smith) that starts out with really pretty instrumentals. I felt my heart fill with love for Jesus, yet at the same time a sadness that lately (past few weeks maybe?) I haven't been spending the time with Him that I know He would love us to spend together. Amazing, isn't it? That the All-Knowing, perfect and complete God of the universe would actually desire to spend time with us. Pinch me, I must be dreaming?

I'm having a good day today! I was kind of afraid it would be hard to get back into the "real world" after the nice holiday weekend, but it's been going so well! It's such a privilege getting to serve here.

I had an incredible Thanksgiving weekend. As I was telling my roommate today, "It felt surreal". (I think I'm using that word in the right context? If not, oh well, I just thought it'd be fun to use a big word on here. :o)) The weekend was filled with a yummy meal on Thanksgiving day, several nice times of fellowship with friends in my S.S. class, a walk each day at the park right down the road (beautiful days!) and ... SLEEP. :o)

I also made a "spur of the moment" turkey soup tonight, using leftovers that were sent home wtih me from Thanksgiving dinner! After tonight, I've decided I can somewhat do "ad lib" cooking after all ... several things I've tried in the past to be "creative" with, making up as I go, ended up not being that good. But the soup tonight turned out pretty well! :o) My roommate tried it and seemed to think so, too. We are moving this Saturday. Hard to believe! We're excited. I'm looking forward to this weekend ... even if it DOES end up being a lot of work. ;o) Hard to believe that a week from now, we will be all moved in!

I've been having such a good week! I think it all started with a nice weekend. :c) Sunday after church I went to eat at The Corner Bakery with a group from my S.S. class. Then I headed over to the mall to purchase a cell phone -- It will be my phone when I move. A blue and gray flip phone, it's a cutie ... but I keep telling it it will be grounded for life if it doesn't stop misbehaving. ;o) For starters, even when I change certain audio settings, they don't respond accordingly.

Tomorrow I eat Thanksgiving dinner with my S.S. class. And some of us (not me) will be watching football, while others will be watching movies (maybe me? or I may just hang out and talk with people!). I'm looking forward to that! I can't wait. :o) I will be making a salad to bring -- I hope it turns out well. It will have lettuce, dried cranberries, chicken, pecans, and mandarin oranges. The fun part is all the ingredients were either gotten free or almost free with a coupon, or given to me or offered for me to use.

Today was such a good day! :o) A friend came over to work on some bikes and grab her stuff, and we enjoyed chatting. Then I went walking and rollerblading at the park nearby.

I got together with Maggie, a new lady on staff, tonight. We had so much fun! :o)

Hi again! It's me. We had our staff ladies meeting tonight ... a much-needed reminder of how we can give thanks in ANY circumstance and also how we can thank God, by faith, for things we do not yet see. Amen.

This was a very timely reminder for me, and I'd imagine for many of us. For me, parts of the two weeks before this one were times of being "in the valley". And this week in some ways feels like the process of getting "back in the swing of things" after having been in the valley. Yet, overall, it's been a rather good week, I think, for which I am so glad! : ) The weekend was good and set a nice tone for the week, I think. There are still things I need to lay before the Lord and trust Him for by faith, but I am so thankful for the time I had after the meeting tonight of catching up/praying with a friend and then driving around on my own, talking with and singing to Him.

On a different note, things have looked bleak this week for us writers, as our "resident walker" is on vacation (must be?) and hasn't paid us our daily visits. We miss seeing him out the window! A coworker and I were joking that we should make a big sign to put in the window for when he passes by -- something like, "We missed you" or "Welcome back". :o)

Oh, the little joys of life!

The lunch went well. I had some opportunities to share the ministry. I enjoy getting to do that!

I enjoyed Sunday school as usual. We all are eating at our teacher's home for Thanksgiving! I can't wait. :o)

My room's been pretty clean lately -- that's a good feeling. :o) I think I've been able to get rid of quite a bit as far as papers I didn't need anymore, etc. And I have a little pile of things that can go "up for grabs".

When you serve at a ministry, those three words are special indeed. :o) I am so very thankful for all the nice furniture the Lord has provided for the new apartment. Hard to believe we're moving in less than a month. Wow.

Hello, dear blog. Do you remember me? :o) I know I haven't written since Tuesday. The rest of the week was kind of hard. Yesterday was especially rough ... quite a lot of crying. It's been quite a while since I've been emotional like this.

Today was a good day, though. I was given "a hot dog, a piece of cake and $10" to help out with a birthday party for fraternal 5-year-old twins! Can't beat that. :o) I had the trail mix "station", and it was the kids' favorite one! Probably because it involved food! We didn't stay for the "piece of cake", but it sure was a pleasant time!

I also spent a couple of hours at the home of a friend on staff, and met up with another friend for supper. We had buy-one-get-one-free coupons! Can't beat that. :o) Tomorrow after church is a lunch for all of us who are in full-time ministry.