For ten days in mid-February, I was blessed to walk in the land where God physically walked. How beautiful Israel is, from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. Now, when I read the Bible I can easily visualize myself in many places. I was blessed to spend time with wonderful Israelis and brothers and sisters in the Lord, especially those in the picture below. It was taken on the Mount of Olives in front of the gate Jesus will one day walk back into Jerusalem through.
A weekend in March, I attended the Calvary Chapel leadership conference in Tucson,Arizona where I got to meet New York Times best-selling author, Joel Rosenberg. He spoke about his recent trip to Iran and Iraq. He told us that in a town of 1,500 Muslims 500 of them have had visions of Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior. What an awesome God! He will not leave anyone who seeks Him behind.
April-- the best spring break ever. I stayed in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico for a week serving as a translator for a group of teens that came from Northern California to do ministry there. Similar to my trip to Peru last Oct-Nov, there was house-building and hospital-visiting. In addition, I was able to visit an orphanage and sing on the worship team. I got share the love of the Lord with others once more.
In May, my sister, mother and I attended a Donor Life celebration, recognizing people like my dad who chose to donate their organs. We saw the difference that decision makes in the lives of those who receive an organ and their families. I was also able to share how awesome my father was and his faith with some people at the event.
June 29th I turned the big 25. I can now rent a car and supervise teenage drivers!
Mid July, my sweet sister in the Lord, Beth, left to Nigeria as a missionary. I earnestly prayed for the Lord’s direction in changing jobs and leaving the country to be missionary.
In August, I went to Ecuador. I got to serve as a translator again, this time for a church from
In August, I went to Ecuador. I got to serve as a translator again, this time for a church from
Northern Arizona. We worked together with brothers and sisters in Cuenca to host a women's retreat and several vacation Bible schools, as well as visit children in a cancer hospital. August 12, my life became more routine in the 8-5 way, but more varied in the ideas and challenges I come across. It was my first day as high school math teacher. It was daunting to have so many eyes on me.
At the end of September, my brother, mom, and I moved into a beautiful home nearby. Felicity will be missed. It was a great three years there; I have wonderful memories of my mom and dad in that little town.
October 31, my lovely sister had a baby: Alicia Mikaela. She was born with a ton of hair (two days old on the right). She has the cutest little eyes, mouth, and laugh. I got a baby too: a 1999 Maxima.
October 31, my lovely sister had a baby: Alicia Mikaela. She was born with a ton of hair (two days old on the right). She has the cutest little eyes, mouth, and laugh. I got a baby too: a 1999 Maxima.
In November, I got three days off from school to celebrate and say thank you for many blessings: my family, a new baby and home, the opportunity to serve the Lord and travel. I am thankful for the strength the Lord has given us to be without my dad and very grateful for the time God gave us with him. Above all, I am thankful for having such a gracious God that gives us so many gifts, above all His Son.
I am ending an awesome year, and recognizing a final blessing:teaching. I have realized teaching means loving through instruction, correction, encouragement, and humility. Boy is that hard sometimes, but God has given me wisdom and strength, on a daily basis. The Lord also has given me the opportunity to be the advisor for a club the reads the Bible after school. The club's motto verses on grace (below) are favorites of mine. I had to recognize that there is nothing I could do earn heaven. It is by grace that I am saved from hell. It is also by God's grace that I am able to do the good works He prepared for me. Now, to celebrate the best gift ever-grace/Jesus. Merry Christmas!
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ~Ephesians 2:8-10
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