In Focus

Thanks for all your prayers! The girls have made it back safely from India yesterday and are slowly getting adjusted back to US time. Today was their first day back in the office. They told me that they were all awake at 3 this morning, but I slept through it all.

We've got 7 weeks until graduation -- pray that we would all stay focused on what God has called us here to do and that our focus would remain on the Lord even when we don't know what's coming next.

Random notes:
Tonight's activity: L.A.'s birthday party. (Happy Birthday, L.A.!)
Today's coordinating color: Red (apple, lunch bag, shirt, barrette)
Today's highlight: Seeing GFA's Christmas Catalog banner on AFR's home page (More on this tomorrow...)
Today's over-used grammatical element: italics

To camp and back

L. and I had a great time camping at Turner Falls at the end of last week. We pitched a tent, created campfires, toasted marshmallows, melted chocolate, smooshed s'mores, cooked pancakes and eggs (over a Coleman cookstove), hiked, climbed, laughed, and photographed. There really is a 77' foot waterfall there which cascades into a natural swimming hole. With morning temps low enough for us to see our breath, we opted out of the swimming. But the falls sure were beautiful to see. And the time with my sister was wonderful!

Thanks, L! I had a great time with you.

Camping here we go

It's been a busy week with my sister L. visiting. My parents are off for an anniversary trip to Branson. Hopefully they'll enjoy their time away.

L. and I are preparing to go camping this weekend. I think my little car will be completely stuffed full with our camping supplies. No backpacking for us. :)

Let's see... where's that checklist? Machete, axe, firewood, tent, oreos...

It changed their lives

I was praying this morning about the internship and the seven weeks I'll have with my three girls after their return from India. I have things that I want to believe for in my life and for their lives and for our unity and journey together as the year ends. But sometimes I fear that unity and camaraderie will never happen. And how/why should I believe and praise God for something that may not happen?

Then I hear Brettin's voice from a discussion we had two years ago: "Jesus asked the disciples to believe He was returning soon. And he didn't - at least not in their definition of soon. But [their belief] changed the way they lived their lives."

It changed the way they lived their lives.

Homecoming Hangout

Thanks for your prayers for Dee - she's in India and we didn't end up having to go to the doctor. Her foot was still swollen, but she could walk on it without a problem. Continue to pray for the interns while they're in India.

I've been visiting supporters and friends in Anthony and Sterling the last few days -- it's been such a joy to share stories from the mission field and hug people's necks. It's also been a privilege to hear just a few of their prayer requests and hear what the Lord is doing in their lives.

Homecoming highlights: 5 year reunion with classmates, Ultimate Frisbee with students, musical with my sister, conversations with friends.

Really sore

I said I was sore from Ultimate Frisbee? No, call that really sore! Sore muscles and a sore left shin from tangling with the Kiwi. (translated: running into a New Zealand staff member) I would said it was a reminder not to play Ultimate Frisbee with rugby players, but I'm afraid I was the one who caused the collision.

Also really sore: Intern Dee. She slipped and twisted something in her foot this evening. She's getting ready to go to India tomorrow morning. We're praying that everything is okay. Ice and ibuprofen. Pray for her healing and that we'll know whether we need to visit the dr. in the morning.

Headache

In college, I would get a headache when running a 5K in under 24 minutes. I wouldn't get one when running the race in 26-27. Known by many as a "runner's headache," the dull ache usually shows up when I have pushed my body hard in physical exercise. I looked forward to the getting the headache after a race. It was a sign that I ran hard.

The good news: I got a runner's headache today. After a fun game of Ultimate Frisbee.
The bad news: We only played for an hour or so. I'm out of shape. And sore.

Verse to hold on to

Here's one verse I'm clinging to as the internship year enters its final months:
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. -Isaiah 40:5

Would you please pray this with me for my house?

When your child swallows glass

I stumbled across this (very real) postscript from an email a close friend sent me a couple years ago. I laughed so hard as I re-read it. Maybe you can enjoy it too. Semicolons, commas, and parentheses are in their original locations.
...
Love,
A.

PS. Someday when you are a mother, and when your child swallows glass, (because that's what 2 year old kids do when they are faced with either throwing away their blueberry banana smoothie, or eating it after the rim of the cup shatters); so anyway, just stop and pause and remember this, that even though every mother and grandmother you ever know told you that you would have to have abdominal surgery or you would die if you swallowed glass, that there is yet hope. I know this because I asked the ER doctor and the rule of thumb is "Let it pass, my friend, let it pass." Also, if you must go to the ER after you child as swallowed glass, do not be afraid to refuse the x-ray because "Sometimes you can't see the glass, anyway." Also, one last tip. If you must go to the ER, always try to aim for 4:00 am to 6:00 am because that is when they are the least busy and can take care of worried mothers whose children have swallowed glass. I know that out of all the people in the world, you are the mostly likely to remember this seemingly trivial information to save for future use!!!

Yep, A. You're right. I saved it for future use. You just didn't know what use that was going to be. :)

Prayer for love

Six days left before my interns leave for India. Please continue to pray for us to grow in unity with each other and that the Lord's love would flow through us.

Celebration List

Several things to celebrate:

• I'm getting better and was in the office working on Friday.
• Auntie Candy's poison ivy is dead - ending an eighteen month saga! (see picture)
• Cousin SS and his new wife Jen moved into their new apartment. I spent a brief five hours today assisting with the assembly of their new office desk.
• Awesome story on the GFA website about a family who found Jesus as the one true God.
• YOU - thanks for your constant prayers and support. I hope to see some of you in October.
  

Excuse me, have you seen my... never mind.

I'll mention one thing that hasn't been seen this week. Me at the office. :( The sinus infection got worse and a trip to the doctor ensued. The antibiotics were a little strong and the instructions slightly misleading... It was 14 hours later before I could hold down food again, but I promptly took the second dose. The discomfort was less this time; in fact, it only made my stomach uneasy and took away my appetite.

The good news: people have been praying for me and loving on me and taking care of me. And my doctor has switched me to something that my body should handle easier. Hopefully my stomach will be ready to eat a full meal tomorrow morning so I can take my new medicine and get better!

But while I'm moaning about a sinus infection, people in Myanmar/Burma are in the midst of a military crackdown. I can't find the news article that I previously read describing the devastating physical attack from the military on the Bhuddist monks marching through Rangoon/Yangon. But this article provides a timeline overview.

Please pray for Myanmar. The government has doubled fuel prices, shutdown outside phone and internet, blockaded tens of thousands of monks inside their monasteries, and is conducting nightly raids. Journalists are not allowed in the country -- the one Japanese journalist who was already there was shot during one of the protests. His body has been returned home to Japan, but not his camera.

Sources also tell us that the Christians are not able to meet in groups larger then four or five and are closely watched. Please pray for safety, boldness, wisdom, and steadfastness.