In January I finished up working at the Evangelical Free Church of America Short-Term Missions office. This was a sad time for me as I enjoyed my time there and learned so much. However, God was moving me along, and where He leads I must follow. That month at church I had the privilege of planning an authentic Korean dinner party when Korean missionaries to Mongolia came to our church for a visit!In February I began working full time at the Alliance Church of Menomonie. I had been working mornings at the EFCA office and afternoons at the church. Now that I was full time at the church, I was able to put more time into the International Student Ministry. One of the things we started was an International Student Bible study. Every Friday night we would start out by serving a meal and teaching the students a new English idiom or talking about new words the
y had heard that week. We would then have a 30 minute Bible study and end the evening by playing games or talking more in depth about what we had studied that night. This was an amazing time for me where I learned what it might be like to start such a study overseas in the future. I was able to use my apartment for ministry - one of my goals wherever I am living!The big event for March was again with the International students and families at our church. We decided to have a mock wedding to show students what an
American wedding is like. We went all out and decorated the church sanctuary for the wedding and the gym for the reception. We had everything from the flower girl to the grandparents of the bride and groom. Our bride and groom had been married for about a year and still had a lot of things from their wedding we could use. And who says a bride doesn't get to wear her wedding dress twice?!
April was a month that was packed full of activity. I attended the Alliance Women's retreat in Green Lake, WI with a group of women from my church. It was a great time to relax and catch up with friends from around the district and my church. This month was also our Spring Missions Conference. We had our annual Great Commission Race (similar to the Amazing Race on TV) and heard from another missionary couple to Mongolia.In May things slowed down a little bit. I began thinking about graduate school and looking for a place that would be a good fit for me. I celebrated turning a quarter of a century this month and got to spend some time with an amazing missionary to Mali, Africa who came to speak at our church. And, I finished up teaching fifth and sixth grade Bible class at our Christian school. It had been a fun year where I am pretty sure I learned a lot more than my kids!
June was a great month! I got to do something that I had always wanted to do, but never thought I would have the opportunity. I went on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I went with a team from my church and spent a week canoeing and camping. It was so amazing - God sure is a great artist!
In July we had beautiful weather and I got to spend some time riding my motorcycle and fishing. I was accepted into Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions and was busy trying to get things arranged for this fall.August was full of firsts and lasts. I was able to preach my first sermon (besides in preaching class) for one of our Thursday night services. I finished up working at the church. I packed for school, and I was able to cross another thing off of my "things to do before I die" list. Yup, who would have guessed it that I got to ride in a monster truck at our little county fair?! It was great fun! Too bad they wouldn't let me drive!
In September I was starting to get settled into classes and life in South Carolina. I was able to go to Charleston with some friends and we had a retreat for all of the graduate and seminary students on campus. This month was also the first meeting about North Africa where God grabbed my heart and began to open up a new door for me.
In October I got to go to my second ever state fair and see Casting Crowns in concert - they were amazing! Also, my parents came to visit me and it was great showing them around and introducing them to my new friends!
In November part of our team that is going to North Africa this summer was
able to take a road trip down to Florida to learn more about the country and people we will be working with. This month was also Thanksgiving. Last year I was in Latvia, and this year I was in South Carolina. I was able to do some cooking with a couple of friends and then spend the afternoon with International and American students. I even met a Chinese girl named Josie!
December came all too quickly. I finished my first semester and am now half way to a Master of Arts degree. I flew home and the next day left for my dear friend Elizabeth's wedding in Iowa. I was able to spend a week with her before her wedding and have some special sister time! The wedding was beautiful and it was great to see friends that I haven't seen for years.I head back to South Carolina this Sunday. I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for me this next year. What will He do in my life? Where will He take me? I would love for you to pray for me this next semester as my classes are going to be more difficult. Pray that I would learn what God wants me to learn and that I would be open to experience all that He has for me.
I treasure each one of you and your prayers. May you know the Lord deeply in 2007 and walk the path He is laying before you.
