Missions Conference

Uplifting. Impactful. Encouraging. Inspiring. Blessed. Those are just some of the words that described the week. Missions Conference at Marimont is my all time favorite week of the year. Yes, I said WEEK. It is not very common to hear of a week long conference anymore, and I sure am thankful that they do it that way, despite how draining it can be. God allowed me to be able to come up and be apart of it, and it was so amazing. The theme was Commissioned, and we had a great group of missionaries this year, including Scott and Lorna Muha, the couple who invited me into their home back in 2000 so they could talk me into talk to me about Venezuela and what an amazing place it was. Well, it worked, and I spent 2 months in Venezuela with them on my first missions trip that following year. I can't believe that was over 11 years ago!! Wow. Because of their love for Christ and passion for serving others, I was changed. And I wanted to dedicate my life to Missions & serving God full time. So I applied to go to Moody. I didn't get in. Thought I'd try again. Also thought that if I got in, I would want to go back to Venezuela and see the people that impacted and blessed my life so much, knowing that I may not be able to return. And so that is what I did. I went back in October of 2003 for 10 days. And I found out there that I was accepted, before any of my family/friends even knew. Confirmation that I was doing what God wanted me to be doing? I think so. That began the journey. Venezuela. Australia. New Zealand. South Africa. Swaziland. Mozambique. What lies ahead? I'm not sure--but I'm thankful that the God I love does. I'm ready to go--just waiting for His leading!

Scott and Lorna-Spain

 

Nate and Elizabeth See-appointees with WorldVenture

Roger, Allison, and Bethany See-NTM headquarters

Rices

Jean Wunsch-MAF headquarters

Bo, Michele, Grace and Faith Columbine-Senegal

Thank you Jesus for these people who are serving You in hard parts of the World. May we all be missionaries wherever the Lord has us at and be used by you for your glory.

Craving the familiar

I made the move to Tennessee (for the time being) a few weeks ago. For some reason, God gave me complete peace to come here. Still trying to understand that one, as it has been a very hard adjustment. Much harder than I even anticipated. Not working at the moment does not help, as I need to find ways to keep myself busy. (please pray I find a job!) And I've been sick for about 2 weeks with sinusitus. The antibiotics seem to have helped a little, but it has been a SLOW process. I find myself missing some things.

I crave the familiar.
-friends
-Bible Study with my gals
-familiar roads
-Chipotle
-Marimont CC
-Panera
-walks in the neighborhood
-Fall and all of the ambiance
-the Detroit Zoo
-Parisian

Although I miss these things very much, I look at this list and see that almost every one of those things can be found here.

-friends-I have a few here, and have got together with one. Hopin' to get together with the other one when I get back from my MI trip. And making new friends takes time.
-Bible Study--need to jump on that when I get back
-familiar roads-this one will just take time, but everything seems to connect here in a circular way. I can go one way and find that it connects to the place I was at the day before....kinda crazy.
-Chipotle-just 35 miles to the closest one. :(
-CHURCH. This one is a BIG deal. Do you know there are a BAJILLION churches to choose from here? 43 within 5 miles from me to be exact. You would think finding one would be easy. NOT hardly. I know there is no such thing as a perfect church, but good grief. I sure hope I can find something SOON. I loved the 1st one I went to, however it was 50 minutes away, and I just cannot do that and be involved. So I am praying that God leads me to one where I can really get involved.
-Panera. They have a brand new one in Clarksville!! It should be opening in the next month. Thank you Lord. (I need some broc/cheese soup!)
-Walks--this one improves here. There is a wonderful state park 5 miles from here that has a 1.1mile and 1.9 mile trail. Yep, TRAILS. Not much in length, but they are uphill and produce a great workout. Along with amazing scenery and wildlife. (deer, turtles, ducks, snakes, squirrels, wildflowers, changing leaves, etc) And its free. Score.
-Fall-it happens here too. I just miss the cider and donuts. And jeans and sweatshirts.
-The Nashville Zoo--both the D and the Nash Zoo have unique features. I sure did enjoy the baby giraffe at the Nashville Zoo this past week though-what a cutie! :)
-Dillards. Ok, not as good as Parisian, but I did get a fossil purse for super cheap b/c of the amazing sale they were having. (a little one I might add--J, you won't believe it!)

So there ya have it. Just some things that have been going through this wandering mind of mine.

I've been clinging to Lamentations 2:22-24:

 

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself,

"The LORD is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him."

 

 

I've also been singing along with the Maranatha singers here.

What does that last verse say? The Lord is my portion; therefore I will WAIT for him. Waiting sometimes feels like a storm. And it is in those storms that I need to CRAVE Him. Crave His word. And spend my time growing in His grace. I have to be honest--I wish I could say that has happened everyday the last few weeks. But I can't, because I allow the distractions to get in the way. It's a struggle sometimes to be consistent. My prayer for myself this week is that I will be diligent as I seek time with my precious Savior.

What things are you craving?