Check out this story of God's unexpected (and humorous) provision...
...and pop by my friend-and-former-classmate Lindsey's blog, Dream No Small Dream. She recently arrived in the Asia-Pacific region, and you can read some of her fun culture/everyday life tidbits here, here, and here. She's a fabulous writer. And photographer. And a host of other things. What I'm trying to say is, you should read her blog. :)
That's all for now!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
A little dose of laughter
From the other week...
Me: That'll be $70.76.
[Customer hands me $70; I pause.]
Customer: I suppose you want the 76 cents?
Me, chuckling: Yeah.
Customer, grumbling good-naturedly: You cashiers are all alike.
...It still makes me laugh.
Me: That'll be $70.76.
[Customer hands me $70; I pause.]
Customer: I suppose you want the 76 cents?
Me, chuckling: Yeah.
Customer, grumbling good-naturedly: You cashiers are all alike.
...It still makes me laugh.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Faith
I found this in a small, worn notebook of mine (probably from a sermon I heard):
I still have a lot to learn, that's for sure.
I still have a lot to learn, that's for sure.
The End of an Era...Sort of
[This post originally appeared on my NTM blog.]
Okay, so we typically think of an era as a longer period of time, but I'm going to pretend it can work equally work to describe three months.
This Friday, after three months of working as a cashier, I turned in my orange apron. It feels a weird to be planning for a week without work. Now I have even more time to cram to the full! (Oh, dear…)
So, you may be wondering, “If you're not leaving for Senegal until August, why are you quitting your job now?” Good question! I asked myself that, too. But after thinking and praying about it, I know that now was the right time to quit. There's a long list of what needs to be done before I’m ready to leave, and I believe God wants me to focus on that.
This job was an answer to prayer. I'm thankful for His perfect timing, for great supervisors and a cool bunch of coworkers – and for also for His leading in when to quit. His hand has been obvious in each step so far, and I know it will be in this next step, too.
“So…what will you be doing with all your free time?” Another good question. To give you an idea of what is on the afore-mentioned list, here's a snapshot:
– Get vaccinations. (I still have several more to go.)
– Compile a packing list.
– Find/purchase items on packing list.
– Buy a new laptop and any other necessary tech-y stuff.
– Find tickets.
– Visit with friends and family…who I won't get to see for several years.
– Paperwork (shot records, a will, etc.).
– And more!
Please pray that I won't get so caught up in doing and checking things off my cool list that I forget to walk with God.
Okay, so we typically think of an era as a longer period of time, but I'm going to pretend it can work equally work to describe three months.
This Friday, after three months of working as a cashier, I turned in my orange apron. It feels a weird to be planning for a week without work. Now I have even more time to cram to the full! (Oh, dear…)
So, you may be wondering, “If you're not leaving for Senegal until August, why are you quitting your job now?” Good question! I asked myself that, too. But after thinking and praying about it, I know that now was the right time to quit. There's a long list of what needs to be done before I’m ready to leave, and I believe God wants me to focus on that.
This job was an answer to prayer. I'm thankful for His perfect timing, for great supervisors and a cool bunch of coworkers – and for also for His leading in when to quit. His hand has been obvious in each step so far, and I know it will be in this next step, too.
“So…what will you be doing with all your free time?” Another good question. To give you an idea of what is on the afore-mentioned list, here's a snapshot:
– Get vaccinations. (I still have several more to go.)
– Compile a packing list.
– Find/purchase items on packing list.
– Buy a new laptop and any other necessary tech-y stuff.
– Find tickets.
– Visit with friends and family…who I won't get to see for several years.
– Paperwork (shot records, a will, etc.).
– And more!
Please pray that I won't get so caught up in doing and checking things off my cool list that I forget to walk with God.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Quilt update (and more)
The top is finished! Mom and I are planning to take it in to the quilt shop next week. Can't wait to see the completely finished product!
---
And a couple random tidbits:
1. I tried a taro smoothie this week. Not bad. I really have no way of describing it other than that it was sweet and tasted like taro.
2. I am a confirmed fan of Tazo tea. Especially Wild Sweet Orange, which is quite possibly my new favorite tea - second only to Celestial Seasonings' "Candy Cane Lane".
3. I had forgotten how good Robin Mark's Revival is. Normally I'd listen to Year of Grace on my way to work, but I decided to switch things up last week. I'm glad I did.
4. My work schedule varied greatly from day to day and week to week. Now that I'm not working, and therefore can have more of a routine, I'd like to start running in the mornings again. Break out that running gear!
---
That's all for now. Happy Saturday!
---
And a couple random tidbits:
1. I tried a taro smoothie this week. Not bad. I really have no way of describing it other than that it was sweet and tasted like taro.
2. I am a confirmed fan of Tazo tea. Especially Wild Sweet Orange, which is quite possibly my new favorite tea - second only to Celestial Seasonings' "Candy Cane Lane".
3. I had forgotten how good Robin Mark's Revival is. Normally I'd listen to Year of Grace on my way to work, but I decided to switch things up last week. I'm glad I did.
4. My work schedule varied greatly from day to day and week to week. Now that I'm not working, and therefore can have more of a routine, I'd like to start running in the mornings again. Break out that running gear!
---
That's all for now. Happy Saturday!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
On the brain...
My head is dancing with visions of action packers and lists of vaccines.
Actually, dancing is too graceful a word. Playing a lively game of tag-you're-it would be a better description.
It's three months until I leave, and there is so much to think about. So. much. to think about.
When I start to feel panicked or slightly insane, I start making lists. Making lists is therapeutic for me. Then I look at the lists and everything I'm supposed to do and that's when I start feeling crazy again.
On my bulletin board, I have this quote from a lovely friend:
"I'm trying to plan for the future, and I can't see beyond today. And yet today is all I need to see. The Lord's prayer doesn't say, 'Give us this day everything we need for the next three months,' but, 'Give us this day our daily bread.'"
Ah, the perfect reminder for me right now.
Actually, dancing is too graceful a word. Playing a lively game of tag-you're-it would be a better description.
It's three months until I leave, and there is so much to think about. So. much. to think about.
When I start to feel panicked or slightly insane, I start making lists. Making lists is therapeutic for me. Then I look at the lists and everything I'm supposed to do and that's when I start feeling crazy again.
On my bulletin board, I have this quote from a lovely friend:
"I'm trying to plan for the future, and I can't see beyond today. And yet today is all I need to see. The Lord's prayer doesn't say, 'Give us this day everything we need for the next three months,' but, 'Give us this day our daily bread.'"
Ah, the perfect reminder for me right now.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The Preparation Checklist, Installment 1
[This post originally appeared on my NTM blog.]
Yesterday I went to the Dr.’s for one of the shots I’ll need for West Africa.
I don’t like needles, but I’m happy to cross something off my list. In the next week or two, I’ll go to the local travel clinic to (hopefully) get the rest of my shots.
Stay tuned for more getting-ready-for-Africa updates.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Quilts and goats and other tidbits
Progress on the quilt:
Sorry it's blurry. It's super hard to get a picture of the whole thing.
* * *
Baby goats:
I love baby goats! They have to be one of the cutest farm animals, hands down. These kids were only a few days old when I visited my friend the other weekend.
My friend's little sister. I think she's pretty cute too. :)
* * *
Mom:
So...I really think that celebrating mothers one day out of the year is just, well, not enough. My mom is amazing, and I'm thankful for her every day. Not perfect (and she would be the first to admit it), but definitely a hero and one of the most special gifts God has given me.
You can read about the best advice she's given me here.
Mom, I love you. You're the best!
* * *
Other things on my mind:
Work. I have only two weeks of work left. Then a very busy Summer. Resist the urge to panic...
Senegal. What I sometimes feel like - WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?!?
What I need to keep reminding myself - I have a Hero "who not only leads the way but also brings up the rear and holds [my] hands all at the same time." (from Grace for the Good Girl)
Heaven. I keep thinking how wonderful it will be to have no more good-byes. I think about my great-grandma Jennie (who I met for the first and only time last Fall) who passed away a couple months ago. I think about my grandma June, who is now saved. After years of prayer and tears and hoping...now we know. We know that she is safe in Jesus and we'll all be together with Him one day. My heart can't sing loud enough!
Sleep. I NEED MORE SLEEP!!! (The excessive capitalization is, I fear, a direct result of the afore-mentioned affliction.)
* * *
Good night, my friends.
Sorry it's blurry. It's super hard to get a picture of the whole thing.
* * *
Baby goats:
I love baby goats! They have to be one of the cutest farm animals, hands down. These kids were only a few days old when I visited my friend the other weekend.
My friend's little sister. I think she's pretty cute too. :)
* * *
Mom:
So...I really think that celebrating mothers one day out of the year is just, well, not enough. My mom is amazing, and I'm thankful for her every day. Not perfect (and she would be the first to admit it), but definitely a hero and one of the most special gifts God has given me.
You can read about the best advice she's given me here.
Mom, I love you. You're the best!
* * *
Other things on my mind:
Work. I have only two weeks of work left. Then a very busy Summer. Resist the urge to panic...
Senegal. What I sometimes feel like - WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?!?
What I need to keep reminding myself - I have a Hero "who not only leads the way but also brings up the rear and holds [my] hands all at the same time." (from Grace for the Good Girl)
Heaven. I keep thinking how wonderful it will be to have no more good-byes. I think about my great-grandma Jennie (who I met for the first and only time last Fall) who passed away a couple months ago. I think about my grandma June, who is now saved. After years of prayer and tears and hoping...now we know. We know that she is safe in Jesus and we'll all be together with Him one day. My heart can't sing loud enough!
Sleep. I NEED MORE SLEEP!!! (The excessive capitalization is, I fear, a direct result of the afore-mentioned affliction.)
* * *
Good night, my friends.
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