Going Away Party

I just bawled all the way home from the going away party thrown for Karla (missionary to Venezuela) and I.

I really can't write more because there are not words to express how overwhelmingly loved and privileged I feel. I told the Lord on the way home..."I am in over my head, but I trust You to accomplish what You've started." Simple. He will do it.

Many are promising to pray...and I know they will. I need them to!

• The food spread was unreal! Coconut shrimp, 7-layer dip, brownies, lemon bars, chips w/mango salsa, trail mix, cream cheese covered in raspberry chipoltle sauce, chicken on skewers, bowls and bowls of gummy bears (my favorite!)...displayed beautifully on tables downstairs and upstairs...an over the top gift from Miss Sims.


• Several gals from my college small group were there. We prayed and sang together in an empty room, like old times!


• People wrote goodbye notes in a journal for me to take and read!


• Casey and Roxy, the beautiful young ladies that I moved to Houston in 2004 to "nanny" came with tons of individually decorated cupcakes to share!


• Several were moved by God to contribute financially...each a generous gift.


• Lots of hugs, lots of almost tears, lots of "remember when?"'s, lots of excitement about what is to come and deep encouragement...and honestly, lots of stomach churning.

Living Out of Two Suitcases

This weekend my parents drove to H-Town to pick up all my belongings except for what fits in two 50 lb. bags! Friends joined us at 8am (on a Saturday!) to knock the trailer loading task out in no time. It was a precious and humbling gift that they shared their time, effort, and hearts in serving me as unto the Lord.

God is giving me the grace to:

• keep my focus as many sad goodbyes are said
• receive people's sacrifice of time and money with a glad heart (instead of a faithless heart that longs to be self sufficient)
• have more time with my best friend/roommate, family, and old friends than I expected before leaving
• testify to our Lord's glorious grace as waiters, nurses, bank personnel, random strangers, and more ask about what I'm up to. (I love to tell the story! It shall be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love! --a hymn)

SO Excited

I am SO eager to get started in Brazil! The Jefferson's (whom I'll be working with) call or email almost every day, so I feel very informed and supported from their end too!

Prayer Request

Please thank the Lord with me that He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him! He is also a shield, my glory, and the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3). This truth will bring me courage when the discomfort of a new culture, and lonliness, etc. hit very soon. Please ask the Lord to so strongly support me that I will be surprised by an unexplainably smooth transition and love for the culture and people! Muito Obrigada!

My Life: Nothing to Me? Oh, to Complete the Task!

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

This passage speaks for itself and has become my theme.