Sad News, Hopeful News, Fun News & Big News!

My Sweet Quigley, oh how we'll miss you!

Hello friends,

It seems as if it's been too long since I have written to you. I apologize for missing last month, time seemed to pass too quickly and it was gone before I knew it! 


First, the sad news. I last wrote to you on September 1. Two short days later our beloved bulldog Quigley passed away. It was a shock and caused great heartache in our family. He had made it through surgery and was doing so well. He was past the danger period and I felt like I could finally relax. I was heartbroken to hear that the dog God had given me to keep me company and cause me joy in the midst of isolation and sickness was gone. He died very peacefully laying in bed curled up tight against my mom...in his happy place. I still look for him when I go home and want to call out to him and pet his soft head. *Sigh* How is it that a little doggie can crawl so deep into a person's heart? Part of me thinks that God knew I needed him when I was sick and now that I'm getting better his job was done. Oh, but I feel like I still need him! I'm so blessed to have a God who cares about what I care about, even when it's something that's insignificant in the grand scheme of life - for nothing is insignificant to God!

Moving on to more hopeful news...In a few weeks mom and I are privileged to see Dr. B on our Nebraska visit. This is the doctor from Switzerland who trained our Sara and it is a blessing to be able to see him while he is in the US. He is only seeing 9 patients and mom and I are two of them! He is bringing medications that Sara doesn't have access to and will most likely speed up our process of recovery. We would appreciate your prayers as we see him on November 12 & 13 down in Lincoln.

Last Year's Season Opener

Pray for energy as well, my dad and I were invited to the Packers/Eagles game on Sunday, Nov 10 - right before I leave for Nebraska. We were invited to sit in one of the fancy boxes and eat lots of yummy food (hopefully they have some we can eat)! We've done this one other time and it's so much fun! We were also invited to the Packers/Vikings game on Nov. 24 by my dad's friend and his family. I'm excited to meet them, even if they are Vikings fans ;-) It's going to be a fun filled, busy month for sure!

Did you think that was the big news? It wasn't. There's more! First, some little big news. My grandma moved into an assisted living facility in Menomonie this month and she's having a grand time there. She didn't want to go...and hasn't admitted that she likes it yet...but she's all smiles and giggles as she tells us about her new friends. It's quite the blessing for her to be in such a wonderful place with such kind people. It's a true answer to prayer!

Beautiful trees at my new place!

And now...for my big news. I'm going to be moving into a house! WooHoo!! I have found an amazing place to rent near family and not far from work. It's on a half acre lot with lots of big, beautiful trees. In fact, part of my yard looks like a park. It really does, look at the picture to the right, that's from my new yard! The best part is that the landlords are letting me paint. I've waited 32 years to have a place that I can paint and truly make my own. The outside of the house is calm and subdued, but once you walk into the house you will be met with an explosion of color that is sure to bring a smile to your face! My theme is an international market with an emphasis on Moroccan. There's even a Moroccan lantern near the front door that was already hanging there! I've got a little bit of everything from my travels around the world and the house will feel like an eclectic mix of unique items and bold, fun colors. It's truly a dream come true. 

As the seasons have been changing I've been reflecting on the seasons of life. You can read some of those thoughts Here and Here. It's fairly obvious that my life isn't what I thought it would be - but really, whose is? In some ways my life is more difficult than I imagined. I always thought I would suffer on the mission field; physical suffering took me off guard. However, my life is also more blessed than I ever imagined. I have the privilege to share Christ with thousands of people literally all over the world from my living room through Broken but Priceless Ministries. It's a blessing and a responsibility that I am still in awe of - I'm in awe that God would choose to use me in this way.

 I never thought I would live in a house that I can call home like this. I thought I would be moving about from place to place, traveling overseas, coming home every four years, sleeping on couches and bunking with friends. I never dreamed that I would be able to call such an amazing place home. It's a place where I can cook for my family and friends, have room for company and a room for someone who needs it. It will be a place of retreat for me each day and a place that, hopefully, can be a retreat for others as well. So yes, if you're ever in the neighborhood, stop on by! 

I won't be moving in for a while yet as the landlords (Have I mentioned they are amazing?!) are doing some remodeling and I haven't even begun to pack yet. I'm hoping to be in by the first of the year, but I couldn't keep it a secret any longer! I do have some other big news, but I don't know if I can share that yet...

So, until next month, let's all take a look at the blessings, small and large, that God has given us and ask Him how we can use them for His glory. 

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." 

~Ephesians 3:20-21, NLT~