Leaving...

I used to read in books about someone having a lump in their throat the never went away and I never understood how that could be.  But now I do.  I thought I was getting sick or something.  I have that about to cry pain all the time now.  Leaving forever is hard.  I'm ready to be done with it now.  2 more weeks to go.  And then begins the insecurity of arriving and the mountain of beginning.  Yet, 

"I have a shelter in the storm

when troubles pour upon me

When fears are rising like a flood

my soul can rest securely

Oh Jesus I will hide in You

My place of peace a rest

No trial is deeper than your love

that comforts all my sorrows

With faithful hands that cannot fail

You'll bring me home to heaven"

My migrant life

I talked to my future roommate today on skype and found out that she has family visiting the first week I will be there so she asked me to stay with our team leader for that week.  It was a surprising turn of events but I always say that home is where I sleep so I will be flexible.  It is not ironic that my first week in the country will be one of transiency and variability.  This life and job is like that.  He will not let me forget that.

I'm enjoying my last adventures in Eugene with friends and family.  It's hard to leave everyone but I know this is what I am supposed to be doing.
Saying goodbye is harder for everyone else than for me.  I am going off to a new adventure and they are staying here.  But I am immensely thankful to have so many people who care about me so much and are supporting me in this.

 My gramma came to visit this weekend.  She witnessed us moving the computer from Rose's room to mine and getting rid of more of my stuff.  My suitcases are half packed in our living room.  I want to be packed early so I can focus on spending time with people.

A Challenge

Last week I had lunch with a good friend and she told me she had a challenge for me.  She said, you need to write more, from your heart, about what's really going on inside of you, what the Father is teaching you.  People need to have a way to get to know YOU while you're gone.  "That's hard for me," I said, "but I'll do it.  I need to do it."  And it will be good.  I want to be more transparent and real.  And I want people to know, so they know what to ask for me.  Thanks to all you who do read it all.  It encourages me to write.

Welcome to Our World

Listen to it on YouTube

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting

Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home
Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence

Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile fingers sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy

Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

When I heard this song on Christmas Eve, I cried thinking about the tiny baby whose hands and heart would serve and save us.  And the part that says, "Rob our sin and make us holy" really made me think.  That's what Jesus did.  He robbed the sin and punishment that should have been mine.  And He's not giving it back, ever.  It's gone, and I get holiness instead.  What a Christmas present!

Brrrr!

This last week here we've had sub-freezing temperatures and I've gotten a taste of what the weather will be like during the winters where I am headed.  I am thankful for a good coat and scarves and gloves!  I know I will need them when I get there!

On the Road

Last month I shared at my home group, and also in Springfield, Gates, and Portland.  On my way home I visited Silver Falls with a friend.  We enjoyed hiking to all 10 waterfalls and standing behind them in awe.  The power of crashing water is my favorite display of God's power through nature!

I've a had a very full schedule, speaking at different groups each week.  I have 6 more places scheduled all over Oregon in the next 3 months.

I love my new computer and am so thankful to being going far away in a time when I can have a webcam conversation anytime (except that I will be 10 hours ahead of you all, which makes it kind of difficult).

My langauge study has slowed to almost a halt and I can't wait until I will be able to devote all my attention to that for a time.  But God has had other important things for me to be doing.  A good friend asked me to tell her about the peace I have in Christ, which is my favorite thing to do in the world!