Christmas musings, etc.

I'm having a little bit of a slow day at work today, so I thought I'd try to update!

I've been getting excited about Christmas this year...partly because I'm going home! I've been away for over nine months, which is the longest chunk of time away so far. I leave for the US next Sunday. It's going to be so hard to focus at work until then!

This weekend I've got lots of things to do. I have to finish (read: start) Christmas shopping. I've been singing in a Christmas choir, and our first "gig" is Saturday. Followed by It's a Wonderful Life viewing with some friends Satruday evening. Sunday is looking to be busy too. I wonder when I'll fit the 20 miles I'm supposed to walk in? I highly doubt I'll do a full 20. I'll be lucky if I can get in half that.

During all the busyness, its easy to forget about the reason we celebrate Christmas. Don't forget to take time to stop and thank God for the wonderful Gift He has given us in His Son!

Thankful.

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving everyone!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, so its a little weird being an American in another country on the day...because its just Thursday. My boss was awesome enough to give me the day off, which was really nice. It was gloomy and raining steadily all day, so I just stayed in and puttered around the house and altered some pants and a shirt that are now too big. In the evening I had a nice video chat with my family as they were putting the finishing touches on The Meal. They all sat down and put the laptop in the empty place where I would sit and we chatted for a bit. It was really nice to share in the day a little bit with them.

There are a decent number of Americans on the team, so we are having a Turkey day lunch tomorrow (Saturday).

Things I am thankful for (in no particular order):
Family
Skype
Sewing machines
Friends
A snug warm house in this rainy country
Sunshine

What are you thankful for?

Recruiting Emphasis Month

I cannot believe it is the end of October already, and November is nearly here! The fall seems to have come and gone here in England. The leaves are on the ground as soon as they change color, and the temperatures have dropped significantly. I am now wearing my winter coat, and can see my breath outside! The clocks went back an hour on Saturday, so now it is getting dark before 5pm.

Other than all that, November is also Recruiting Emphasis Month, where our Personnel department is encouraging everyone to promote OM's critical needs to their supporters, friends and family. There are so many great ministries across the world that need workers! There are especially lots of admin-type positions open. These behind-the-scense people are so crucial for keeping things running!

I'll be posting more as the month goes on. Go to om.org/critical-jobs to see what the needs are and keep them in your prayers!

Transform 2013: the beginning

I just received the fliers I've designed promoting Transform 2013...and wow! I am so pleased with how they turned out, and humbled as well. I look at them and think "Wow God. You are so good. This has come from You. There is no way I could have done this on my own!"

22,000 copies of the English version are going around the world...and I'm working on various translations of the fliers and posters as well as other items for the promotional package. So really, we're just getting started folks! But seriously, what a privilege to have a part in sharing the Good News this way, to help excite and motivate believers to go and tell the story of Jesus to the Mediterranean region.

And you are a part of this story too! This is just one way you are involved as you support me with your prayers and finanical support. Thanks everyone, and God bless!

yay for sisters!

Hello blog world! For the past two weeks I've had a houseguest, and one I'm extremely happy to have--my sister! I've been looking forward to this for a while, and am so happy that she's been here, not just for all the American goodies she brought me, but because I've missed her! I've missed all my family really, but I did not get to see her much when I was home, so I'm chuffed to bits that she is here, and we've had lots of adventures already.

We've walked a bit of Hadrian's wall in the wind and rain, walked around lakes through fields of cows in the Lake district, and climbed up hills and spiral staircases up castle towers in Scotland...and watched lots and lots of Community and Pushing Daisies. She's been the navigator in the passenger seat on our journeys, and I'm happy to say we haven't gotten permanently lost. I take her to the airport on Saturday...she hopes! I might just keep her. Mwahaha.

checking in

Hello, just a quick update in the midst of my world travels this summer! The past week or so has been a whirlwind, packing and getting ready for Transform in Rome, the conference itself, flying back to England, moving the rest of my stuff into my new house, doing laundry, packing, and leaving the next day for TeenStreet in Germany! We left Sunday at noon and drove to the south of England where we took an overnight ferry across the Channel to Rotterdam and then drove the rest of the way to the site where we arrived yesterday. Most of the team I'm on hasn't arrived yet, so I thought I'd take the time to check in on the 'ol bloggy blog.

Transform was wonderful, if a bit overwhelming. I really enjoyed the worship the most: praising the Lord with hundreds of believers from all over the world. The teachings were good and energetic but very challenging as well. It was a little overwhelming being around so many people I don't know, but by the end of the week it was a little better. For some great pictures of the event and outreach in Rome, visit Transform's Facebook page: facebook.com/OMTransform.

it was a beautiful day at the Trevi Fountain!

meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Hey there folks! Thought I'd update the 'ol bloggy blog while I'm waiting for my lemon cheesecake bars to be done baking.

We last left our heroine in sunny England, where she had been optimistic about walking miles and miles, always in the sunshine. Well, soon after that, the clouds rolled in and have pretty much been dumping rain ever since. She had a wonderful time for a long weekend in Ireland, in June, but even there it was rainy (not a surprise). At least its not cold anymore. I don't know if I would say warm...but not cold.

Anyway, I have an actual newsletter coming out soon, in which I give a small glimpse into my life since I've been on radio silence. It will be going out Monday morning, UK time, so if you are interested, sign up in the bar on the right!

And, for your viewing pleasure, a few snaps from the past few months!

Sycamore Gap, Hadrian's wall

beach at Lahinch, Ireland

Alpacas from Woolfest, a celebration of all things wooly! I really want one, they are so cute!

oh hello sunshine. good to see you again!

Stop the presses! The sun has been out for three days straight! I have been taking advantage of the lovely weather, and have been wearing skirts into the office. Its so nice to wear something other than jeans for a change! I've also been getting outside and walking.

A few weekends ago, some friends from the States stopped by on their grand tour of England, and we went to the Lake District and climbed Catbells. This "fell" (aka mountain/really big hill) is nearly 1,500 feet high, and for me, a really big accomplishment! All leading up to the adventure, the weather was awful. The day of the hike, the sun came out and it was absolutely beautiful. Ah, the power of prayer!

This past Saturday, I went with a group of ladies in the office to walk all the way around Derwentwater, a lake in the Lake District. The nine mile walk took about four hours to walk, plus about two hours of stopping for lunch, photo ops, and a scone along the way! It wasn't sunny too much that day, but it was a nice temperature and didn't rain, so I'll take it!

photo courtesy of Christine! We were about half way around the lake at this point I think...

On Sunday I went some friends from work to Sycamore Gap, which is along Hadrian's wall. It was a bit more walking, which I survived easily even though I had gone nine miles the previous day. I think I am getting in shape, slowly but surely.

I have a goal to walk all of Hadrian's wall in one week. Seeing as it is 84 miles from one coast of England to the other, I have my work cut out for me getting in shape. This is something I really want to do for fitness reasons, and to have a goal to work towards. I am starting to have to ramp up the miles I walk every week, and it is taking time. So today's blog prayer point is that I would continue to be disciplined in my walking routine...and the weather certainly helps!

when He appears

"Now little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming...Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." 1 John 2:28, 3:2

I've been thinking a lot about these few verses for a little while now.  In Focus (our weekly training session), we talked about Jesus' second coming, which was an interesting discussion. I find eschatology fascinating, and have done several studies on Revelation. But the thing that gets me every time is when it hits me anew: He is coming back for me. He is coming back, and I will see Him face to face. I know for some people this would inspire fear and trembling, but for me, my heart jumps and I smile. The longing to see Him face to face increases as I realize, this is not my home. God gives us things to enjoy and to show us Himself while we are on this earth, but soon we will be Home.

All the more reason to "abide in Him". I want to live a life that is pleasing to God. I don't want to "shrink away from Him in shame" when He comes. That image is just so pathetic. Like a dog with his tail between his legs. I want my heart to be pure, and to know that my life was not waisted on things that don't matter, but was spent running after the Lord and His ways. And I'm not there completely (really, who is?), but I still look forward to His coming with joy and excitement!

How do you feel about meeting Jesus?

God cares about the little things.

This past week I have been adjusting to my life back in the UK. When I was back at home in the US I began making an effort to eat more healthfully, exercise more, and drink more water. These are things that I really want to continue doing while I'm here, so even though my schedule has been crazy some days, I've been trying to make these things a priority. Its pretty difficult, especially when eating healthy food can sometimes be costly...and since I'm still slightly under-supported, I've been extremely conscious of the money I spend.

So anyway, part of healthy living is drinking more water. I find that if my water is in a bottle I am more likely to drink it than if I have to get up and keep re-filling a glass. I didn't have any room in my luggage to bring one, so have been on the lookout for a nice big one for a nice price, but had been pretty unsuccessful. I was looking for a nice Nalgene type, but those are pretty pricey so wasn't sure what kind I'd end up with.

Then, on Friday, I just happened to peek in Charlie to see if there was anything good in there. (Charlie is where people on our team put things they don't want for other people to just take if they need it.) I had looked at the beginning of the week and didn't see anything useful, but on Friday I saw FOUR Nalgene water bottles! I took a big one and a small one... and I'm pretty sure I did a little happy dance on the way back to my desk.

In those moments I felt God speak to my heart, "see, I do care about you. I care about the little things, and I care about the big ones." God knows our hearts. He knows about the little things we're searching for. He knew I needed some water bottles, even if it seems silly to us that He would bother about those things. If He cares enough to provide the small things, how much more faithful will He be to provide for our every day? I may still be a little under-supported, but God knows exactly what I need and He will get it to me when I need it. If only He didn't have to teach me this lesson a thousand times.

I'm here!

I arrived safe and sound in Carlisle Wednesday afternoon after a long but uneventful journey. England greeted me with a cold, windy, rainy afternoon. And I realized I forgot to pack my umbrella.

Hello house! Nice to see you again.

Wednesday evening I was entertained by some friends so that I wouldn't fall asleep too early...but due to my sleep deprivation it is a fairly safe assumption that I entertained them! When I finally did make it to bed on Wednesday I had been awake for roughly 32 hours. Sleep was much welcome!

Thursday night I wasn't too tired at bedtime, but convinced myself to go to sleep anyway. I fell asleep quickly, and only woke of a few times but was able to go back to sleep. So I think I'll get over the jet-lag pretty fast.

Today I came into work, and it hasn't been very busy graphics-wise yet, but I've had to do some admin things related to coming back. And then tomorrow is the weekend. I could get used to one-day work-weeks...

11 Days!

Sorry for taking a while for another update. In case you haven't heard, I have set a date to go back to England! Hooray! I will be leaving on March 6, and arriving in Carlisle the afternoon of March 7.

I am still not fully supported, but after talking to my boss (who really needs me back to work) and my mom (and praying about it some more) I decided to go ahead and set a date and purchase a plane ticket. This was about 10 days ago, and I still needed around $400/month. Since then I have made some cuts in my budget and had a couple more supporters come on board, and now I'm only short $167/month. So I know that the funds will be there, one way or another in 11 days when I leave!

So some prayer requests:
-Even though I'm excited to go back to England, leaving my family is going to be hard. Pray that the last few days are good quality time.
-Pray for my [future] supporters, that they would be excited to partner with me and would be obedient to God's call on them.
-Logistics: last minute meetings, packing, travel, etc. Please pray for smooth, safe, and uneventful travel!

another day, another visa

I got my visa today! Yippee! One less thing now on my mind. I am still $800 short of my monthly budget, however, so I won't be on my way to England until that support comes in.

"What?" you say, "they don't pay you a salary? What's all this support business about?" No, they don't pay me a salary.  Being a graphic artist for a missions organization is basically doing graphic design for Jesus.  It is an awesome opportunity to use all the artistic skills He has given me to help share about Him all over the world! I love that He has allowed me to create things to share about what He is doing to others, and to create things that are a blessing to His workers in far-away countries.

Doing this kind of work means that I rely on the prayers and financial support of friends and family in order to have a place to live, food to eat, and do the work that God has called me to do. My supporters are such valuable partners on my team to minister through graphic design to a world that needs to hear about Jesus!

So my friends, please continue to pray that God would bring in the financial support to accomplish what He has started. To learn more about supporting financially, please click on the "support" tab!