This blog update is long overdue! I'm not even sure how to describe these past few months....a whirlwind?? I returned from the Dominican Republic on August 29th. I spent Labor Day weekend with my family and started my first class at Bethel Seminary the following Tuesday. The class was excellent! We discussed so many things related to missions and cross-cultural ministry that I've been thinking about, questioning and discovering in the past year. This class was a great introduction to Bethel Seminary.
God provided a quiet, peaceful place for me to stay in Monticello with some great friends from the Quarry, Denny and Kathy Lundquist. I'm incredibly thankful for them and all they've done to make me feel at home there.
To be honest, adjusting to life in the US was much more challenging than I expected it to be. I found myself trying to adapt to many things at once - you'd like I'd be used to it by now!!! I don't know if it was because of the cultural and economic differences or if it was adjusting to the ways my life had changed in the US since I had left - job, homelife, relationships. Throw in the assignments for Bethel Seminary, the pressure of support-raising and my new responsibilities for organizing the ImpactLives Meal-Packing events, and it's easy to see why I was a bit overwhelmed!
Things have been challenging, but I know I'm learning and growing through it all. I'm thankful for every minute I get to spend with my family. I'm thankful for the roof over my head and the food on the table. I'm thankful for the educational opportunities I have at Bethel Seminary and for the chance to be used by God to bless others through these meal-packing events. I'm also thankful for all the people who have been supporting and encouraging me through this new adventure. The bottom line is that there's nothing else I'd rather be doing!
I think of James 1:2-4....
"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18...
"16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Food-Packing Events
I'm excited to share with you about all that is going on behind the scenes to prepare for these ImpactLives food-packing events. We will be hosting two one-day events: one in Monticello on March 10th, 2012 and the other in Albany on April 14th, 2012. In each event we hope to raise the money and volunteers needed to fund, pack and ship 1320 boxes or 285,000 meals to people who are hungry in the Dominican Republic! You'll certainly be hearing more about this!
In Monticello, we have 13 churches on board along with all of the public schools. The next step is sharing this exciting news with the rest of the Monticello community and inviting businesses and organizations to get involved. Each box costs $54 and includes enough food to feed a family of six for more than a month!
The Albany Area is in the initial planning stages for the event in April. Right now, we are looking for people who would like to help us plan, promote and facilitate this event in Albany and the surrounding communities. If you're interested in helping us get this event going, please let me know!
