Two dear friends prayed these things for me:
"Lord, I pray that she would be resting comfortably in Your arms."
"Lord, help her embrace the pain."
Those simple prayers are branded on my heart and they've been coming to mind a lot the past week or so. Interesting, isn't it - we really can't rest comfortably in His arms unless we're willing to embrace the pain. So we can have His arms along with the pain, or we can fight the trials and miss the blessing of knowing Him better.
So Lord, please give me grace to embrace whatever You send me.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
A Weekend Post
Ah...
Saturdays are wonderful. Really, really wonderful.
There's something about fresh, clean laundry hanging on a clothesline...
I'd planned to take more pictures and give you a tour of the new-and-improved apartment. But it still has a bit of work left, so the virtual tour will have to wait.
Today is my sister Rebecca's birthday. And I'm not there. :(
Happy Birthday across the miles!
---
That's all I've got, folks! Until next time...
Saturdays are wonderful. Really, really wonderful.
There's something about fresh, clean laundry hanging on a clothesline...
I'd planned to take more pictures and give you a tour of the new-and-improved apartment. But it still has a bit of work left, so the virtual tour will have to wait.
Today is my sister Rebecca's birthday. And I'm not there. :(
Happy Birthday across the miles!
---
That's all I've got, folks! Until next time...
Friday, August 26, 2011
Today I'm thankful for...
"...you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13
Called to liberty, to freedom. Wow. I am so thankful for how the Lord has been working that out in my life the past few years. Grace is SO freeing. It doesn't free me to do whatever I want, but frees me to know HIM better. And oh, the joy that understanding grace brings.
Celebrate God's beautiful grace!
Called to liberty, to freedom. Wow. I am so thankful for how the Lord has been working that out in my life the past few years. Grace is SO freeing. It doesn't free me to do whatever I want, but frees me to know HIM better. And oh, the joy that understanding grace brings.
Celebrate God's beautiful grace!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Super Ling Woman
Said Lindsey about her homework: "I made some of this up as I went along, and I don't have a really good reason for it. Except that I wanted it to be that way, and because I said so." And she ended up being right.
How does she do that?!
How does she do that?!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Of Fire Extinguishers, Friends, and Foes
Yesterday evening while dutifully inspecting fire extinguishers (don't laugh – it's my work detail on campus)…
I found the tiniest, most adorable kitten.
She was so playful.
Then I found the tiniest and completely UNadorable snake. It was so small, it took me a minute to realize I was staring at a snake. (Shudder.) I can no longer say I've never seen a snake in real life. Okay, so it wasn't as scary as it could have been (or as I thought it would be). But I still hate them. I'm still not going to mess with them.
And yet at the same time, I was quite proud of myself for not completely freaking out when I saw it. That's why I had to get my camera. A little boy walked past and asked, "Why are you taking a picture of the snake my dad found?" (I wanted proof, that's why!) He eyed me curiously and continued, "…It's not real, anyway. I mean, it's dead."
Oh. I wondered why it hadn't moved even a centimeter when I went back home to grab my camera.
Uh…does it still count???
I found the tiniest, most adorable kitten.
She was so playful.
Then I found the tiniest and completely UNadorable snake. It was so small, it took me a minute to realize I was staring at a snake. (Shudder.) I can no longer say I've never seen a snake in real life. Okay, so it wasn't as scary as it could have been (or as I thought it would be). But I still hate them. I'm still not going to mess with them.
And yet at the same time, I was quite proud of myself for not completely freaking out when I saw it. That's why I had to get my camera. A little boy walked past and asked, "Why are you taking a picture of the snake my dad found?" (I wanted proof, that's why!) He eyed me curiously and continued, "…It's not real, anyway. I mean, it's dead."
Oh. I wondered why it hadn't moved even a centimeter when I went back home to grab my camera.
Uh…does it still count???
Monday, August 22, 2011
Lunch Break
So they say.
Peanut butter is a pretty sweet invention. :)
I think we're going to get another storm.
...That's all for now!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
This Week in Review
To start right off, this is not going to be a short post. So you might as well get up and make that cup of coffee. (And no, not all my posts will be this long. Promise!)
We left CA's dry summer and now it's back to the heat and humidity of Ozark-land.
It's SO GREEN!!
And this, friends, is an "in-between thunderstorms" sky.
Tuesday morning my alarm failed to wake me up, but an hour later…FLASH! BANG!!! Yes, a real thunderstorm. How I've missed them! I closed my eyes and enjoyed God's beautiful "Welcome Home."
Three cheers for real thunderstorms!!
---
"Everything is in order within the chaos." – A Jewish saying I've adopted this week
It looks like a tornado went through, but slowly…
…progress.
By Day 3 I had the coffee pot set up, the floor swept, and the couch and easy chairs cleared. It felt so wonderful.
This is my favorite piece of decor. :)
---
We went shopping the day after arriving. Whew! I think I've had my fill of shopping for a while. Don't get me wrong, it was good. I just honestly don't remember the last time I've had to buy so much stuff.
I was looking everywhere for a couple of houseplants. Finally, I found some at Walmart, of all places. Score!
All set for bread-making - which is one of the things I'm doing today.
---
And here's some pictures of dear Michelle and I. She's seen quite a lot of me this week. Sorry, Girlie!
(This shot was her idea – really!)
---
Random thoughts from the week:
"Best excuse not to wash dishes – no dishcloths!" A sponge works in a pinch, but it's not a long-term option.
"When necessary, a small plate and a butter knife can stand in for a cutting board and a sharp knife." (I was dicing tomatoes.)
"Yup, I'm back in MO. The crickets are everywhere. I caught one in the apartment already [day 3]."
"I've added a new item to my road kill list – a rabbit." :(
"Went to wash my face, and a huge Daddy long leg-ish spider fell out of the wash cloth into the sink. No, I didn't scream, but I did quickly (and sharply) inhale. SMASH! Score: Rachel, 1. Spider, 0."
There's nothing like snail mail from home…
"I wonder how Arla and I are going to get along this semester?"
---
This week has been a good time to learn more about faith.
Faith isn't warm fuzzies. It isn't even always a strong peace in God's sovereignty. Sometimes it's simply putting one foot in front of the other when we don't know why or how.
God is sovereign even when my faith is weak. And He never changes – He's always Himself no matter what I do.
On that note, I'll close. Thanks for stopping by!
We left CA's dry summer and now it's back to the heat and humidity of Ozark-land.
It's SO GREEN!!
And this, friends, is an "in-between thunderstorms" sky.
Tuesday morning my alarm failed to wake me up, but an hour later…FLASH! BANG!!! Yes, a real thunderstorm. How I've missed them! I closed my eyes and enjoyed God's beautiful "Welcome Home."
Three cheers for real thunderstorms!!
---
"Everything is in order within the chaos." – A Jewish saying I've adopted this week
It looks like a tornado went through, but slowly…
…progress.
By Day 3 I had the coffee pot set up, the floor swept, and the couch and easy chairs cleared. It felt so wonderful.
This is my favorite piece of decor. :)
---
We went shopping the day after arriving. Whew! I think I've had my fill of shopping for a while. Don't get me wrong, it was good. I just honestly don't remember the last time I've had to buy so much stuff.
I was looking everywhere for a couple of houseplants. Finally, I found some at Walmart, of all places. Score!
All set for bread-making - which is one of the things I'm doing today.
---
And here's some pictures of dear Michelle and I. She's seen quite a lot of me this week. Sorry, Girlie!
(This shot was her idea – really!)
---
Random thoughts from the week:
"Best excuse not to wash dishes – no dishcloths!" A sponge works in a pinch, but it's not a long-term option.
"When necessary, a small plate and a butter knife can stand in for a cutting board and a sharp knife." (I was dicing tomatoes.)
"Yup, I'm back in MO. The crickets are everywhere. I caught one in the apartment already [day 3]."
"I've added a new item to my road kill list – a rabbit." :(
"Went to wash my face, and a huge Daddy long leg-ish spider fell out of the wash cloth into the sink. No, I didn't scream, but I did quickly (and sharply) inhale. SMASH! Score: Rachel, 1. Spider, 0."
There's nothing like snail mail from home…
"I wonder how Arla and I are going to get along this semester?"
---
This week has been a good time to learn more about faith.
Faith isn't warm fuzzies. It isn't even always a strong peace in God's sovereignty. Sometimes it's simply putting one foot in front of the other when we don't know why or how.
God is sovereign even when my faith is weak. And He never changes – He's always Himself no matter what I do.
On that note, I'll close. Thanks for stopping by!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tomorrow should be a "home day", as dear Esther would say.
Well, "home improvement day" might be more like it. I'm looking forward to a day without classes to tie up some loose ends around the apartment. More organizing, putting pictures up, moving furniture around…
And hopefully, (some of) this week's pictures for you. :)
Well, "home improvement day" might be more like it. I'm looking forward to a day without classes to tie up some loose ends around the apartment. More organizing, putting pictures up, moving furniture around…
And hopefully, (some of) this week's pictures for you. :)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
First Official Day of Class (more or less)
Today was the first official day of Linguistics (yesterday we shared our testimonies).
A few quotes to summarize the class thus far -
Linguistics Teacher (hereon referred to as LT): Linguistics is a field of science.
Rachel [thinking to self]: Oh no. What have I gotten myself into?
---
LT: It's easy to fall in love with your first hypothesis, but don't do that. You're trying to disprove your hypothesis, so you want to distance yourself from it.
Rachel [thinking to self]: Hmm…I hadn't exactly planned on falling in love with my first hypothesis.
---
LT, after distributing books: This is "A Resource for Language Analysis". We call it "Arla". Arla is going to be your new friend.
Rachel [thinking to self]: I hope she's nice and helpful!
Until next time...
A few quotes to summarize the class thus far -
Linguistics Teacher (hereon referred to as LT): Linguistics is a field of science.
Rachel [thinking to self]: Oh no. What have I gotten myself into?
---
LT: It's easy to fall in love with your first hypothesis, but don't do that. You're trying to disprove your hypothesis, so you want to distance yourself from it.
Rachel [thinking to self]: Hmm…I hadn't exactly planned on falling in love with my first hypothesis.
---
LT, after distributing books: This is "A Resource for Language Analysis". We call it "Arla". Arla is going to be your new friend.
Rachel [thinking to self]: I hope she's nice and helpful!
Until next time...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Just a look back...
I'll miss the California poppies, the real palm trees, and the 100+ rosebushes I see on my daily walks around the block.
I'll miss the luxury of a shower in my own home.
I'll miss being able to drive myself around.
I'll miss Friday night pizza.
I'll miss Mom saying, "Rach, do you want me to make you some coffee?" (Which she knows is a ridiculous question. Of course, coffee!)
I'll miss singing with the girls. And hearing lines like this: "Can I paint your nails?" "Hey, you should borrow a pair of my earrings!" "When we go out shopping…" You know, sister stuff. :) (Although, for the record, I'm not generally a shopper.)
I'll miss my darling munchkins: Jeremiah, Merry, and Elijah. Having been gone for much of the past two years, I feel like I'm missing out on their growing up. It's been fun this summer to get to know them again. (Side note: we went over for dinner last night, and it was funny to observe their unique personalities coming out. Six-year-old Jeremiah was enthusiastically throwing a cloth Frisbee and his "aim" is something else. Four-year-old Merry sat down against me with her coloring book. She's quite a cuddle bug. :) Elijah practically never stopped moving until we sat down for dinner. Oh, the energy of a two-year-old boy!)
---
It's really been a beautiful summer that the Lord has given me. But it's time to start something new. Joshua 1:9, one of my all-time favorite verses, comes to mind:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
That's the promise I cling to.
I'll miss the luxury of a shower in my own home.
I'll miss being able to drive myself around.
I'll miss Friday night pizza.
I'll miss Mom saying, "Rach, do you want me to make you some coffee?" (Which she knows is a ridiculous question. Of course, coffee!)
I'll miss singing with the girls. And hearing lines like this: "Can I paint your nails?" "Hey, you should borrow a pair of my earrings!" "When we go out shopping…" You know, sister stuff. :) (Although, for the record, I'm not generally a shopper.)
I'll miss my darling munchkins: Jeremiah, Merry, and Elijah. Having been gone for much of the past two years, I feel like I'm missing out on their growing up. It's been fun this summer to get to know them again. (Side note: we went over for dinner last night, and it was funny to observe their unique personalities coming out. Six-year-old Jeremiah was enthusiastically throwing a cloth Frisbee and his "aim" is something else. Four-year-old Merry sat down against me with her coloring book. She's quite a cuddle bug. :) Elijah practically never stopped moving until we sat down for dinner. Oh, the energy of a two-year-old boy!)
---
It's really been a beautiful summer that the Lord has given me. But it's time to start something new. Joshua 1:9, one of my all-time favorite verses, comes to mind:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
That's the promise I cling to.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Hello, Friday!
We had company last night. Visiting missionaries (and good friends) with three adorable little girls.
Introducing...
Four-year-old Esther who, by the way, is even cuter in person.
She was fascinated by the camera and asked to try it. Aim and snap!
Lois, a chubby 14 months.
She's a pretty smart cookie, that Esther-girl. She figured out how to use the camera without any help. Although her photography skills are still developing...
---
We ended up with pictures like this:
?!?
...pictures like this...
...and this...
Hold the camera a little farther away, honey.
That works. :)
---
This is her big sister, Hannah, also quite willing to take pictures, but rather less willing to have them taken of her. So when we were playing hide-and-seek, I waited behind the bedroom door, camera poised and ready. Sneaky, but...
Success!
Oh, Esther.
She was smiling sweetly only seconds before. Why do kids do that, anyway?!
I don't remember which of the girls took this picture.
---
I wonder what I'll be doing next Friday...? Probably NOT making pizza.
But here's the crust recipe I use, just for kicks. After last summer's experimentation with all sorts of flours (not white), I was all too happy to find this recipe. And my family was happy I found it, too. We've decided that some things are just better with white flour.
4-5 cups flour
1 1/4 cups semolina flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups warm water
Combine the dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Stir and let rest for an hour. Oil two 16" round pizza pans well and pat dough into pans. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes, then add sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Bake until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Tasty!
---
Happy Friday, friends!
Introducing...
Four-year-old Esther who, by the way, is even cuter in person.
She was fascinated by the camera and asked to try it. Aim and snap!
Lois, a chubby 14 months.
She's a pretty smart cookie, that Esther-girl. She figured out how to use the camera without any help. Although her photography skills are still developing...
---
We ended up with pictures like this:
?!?
...pictures like this...
...and this...
Hold the camera a little farther away, honey.
That works. :)
---
This is her big sister, Hannah, also quite willing to take pictures, but rather less willing to have them taken of her. So when we were playing hide-and-seek, I waited behind the bedroom door, camera poised and ready. Sneaky, but...
Success!
Oh, Esther.
She was smiling sweetly only seconds before. Why do kids do that, anyway?!
I don't remember which of the girls took this picture.
---
I wonder what I'll be doing next Friday...? Probably NOT making pizza.
But here's the crust recipe I use, just for kicks. After last summer's experimentation with all sorts of flours (not white), I was all too happy to find this recipe. And my family was happy I found it, too. We've decided that some things are just better with white flour.
4-5 cups flour
1 1/4 cups semolina flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups warm water
Combine the dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Stir and let rest for an hour. Oil two 16" round pizza pans well and pat dough into pans. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes, then add sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Bake until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Tasty!
---
Happy Friday, friends!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
In a week, I'll hopefully still be alive.
Scratch that. "To die is gain." :) Alright, joking aside, it is good to know that whatever comes in life or death, God's will is always the absolute best thing for me.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21
So...let's see what the next few weeks and months hold. It won't be dull, I'm sure of that.
Scratch that. "To die is gain." :) Alright, joking aside, it is good to know that whatever comes in life or death, God's will is always the absolute best thing for me.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21
So...let's see what the next few weeks and months hold. It won't be dull, I'm sure of that.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Countdown
[This post originally appeared on my NTM blog.]
Howdy!
Well, the summer has come and (just about) gone. Classes start in exactly a week!
This semester I’ll be taking the Linguistics course – one semester at the Missionary Training Center, followed by seven weeks on a Cherokee reservation. This will complete my training with NTM, and after that…well, I’m not exactly sure where God will lead me.
One step at a time.
More details on classes later, when they start! I’d greatly appreciate your prayers in the coming weeks and months – not necessarily that everything will go smoothly, but that I’d be quick to listen to and obey the Lord’s leading.
Thank you. And thanks for stopping by today!
Kept in His grace,
Rachel
Howdy!
Well, the summer has come and (just about) gone. Classes start in exactly a week!
This semester I’ll be taking the Linguistics course – one semester at the Missionary Training Center, followed by seven weeks on a Cherokee reservation. This will complete my training with NTM, and after that…well, I’m not exactly sure where God will lead me.
One step at a time.
More details on classes later, when they start! I’d greatly appreciate your prayers in the coming weeks and months – not necessarily that everything will go smoothly, but that I’d be quick to listen to and obey the Lord’s leading.
Thank you. And thanks for stopping by today!
Kept in His grace,
Rachel
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Another Monday post (with pictures from Sunday)
Rachel went to church yesterday armed (with a camera) and dangerous.
A surprise from family friend Patty (on the right). She came to visit our church and brought her friend. So good to see her!
Addison, trying to look serious.
The most angelic face of mischief.
Practicing for a puppet show...and having entirely too much fun.
My adorable nephew, Elijah.
---
Sweet Abigail (who is a very good friend of my sisters' and mine) decorating for our August Bible Club.
Way to go, girls!
The registration table was my first assignment. Let the Gold Rush begin...
---
Craft supplies
Yay for crafts! And a chance to get messy...
---
My favorite shot of the day:
My "Auntie Rachel" name tag was edited by the afore-mentioned Addison to read: "Auntie Rachel's adopted. And no one really loves her, even her dog." Since everyone at the table found it so amusing, I put it back on. The laughter it drew from my friend Jessica when she saw me later made the humiliation well worthwhile. (Okay, okay, it wasn't really that humiliating.)
---
Is that enough inspiration for you, joyfulsqueak? Can you find your name in any of the pictures?
A surprise from family friend Patty (on the right). She came to visit our church and brought her friend. So good to see her!
Addison, trying to look serious.
The most angelic face of mischief.
Practicing for a puppet show...and having entirely too much fun.
My adorable nephew, Elijah.
---
Sweet Abigail (who is a very good friend of my sisters' and mine) decorating for our August Bible Club.
Way to go, girls!
The registration table was my first assignment. Let the Gold Rush begin...
---
Craft supplies
Yay for crafts! And a chance to get messy...
---
My favorite shot of the day:
My "Auntie Rachel" name tag was edited by the afore-mentioned Addison to read: "Auntie Rachel's adopted. And no one really loves her, even her dog." Since everyone at the table found it so amusing, I put it back on. The laughter it drew from my friend Jessica when she saw me later made the humiliation well worthwhile. (Okay, okay, it wasn't really that humiliating.)
---
Is that enough inspiration for you, joyfulsqueak? Can you find your name in any of the pictures?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)