A Full House

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year and a full house with Dave and Roni, JC and his new fiancé Kristie, Ryan, Sam and Landyn, Mom, Dad and Jean, Larry and Joanna, Jon,  Leah and David, and Our new friends Alexis and Jeff.  We had so much food it was ridiculous, really, I think I made enough for 60 or 70 people.  Everyone took leftovers and we still have a full fridge.  I think everyone had a good time together.  Mom stayed last night.  I got up early and cooked all morning.  We ate and the boys played football at old stadium and brought home a stray puppy.  We played some bananagrams and then finished off the evening getting stomped by Leah and David at pictionary.  Talked to Joel and Hannah on the phone, too.  Can't wait to see them at Christmas.  

Now for a very needed three day weekend.  

I'm proud of you!

Leah was named Bethel College Secondary Teacher of Promise!  We went to the Kansas Teacher of the Year banquet last Saturday night to watch her be awarded.  It was a very fancy banquet and a big deal!  I am so proud of her bit not surprised as I know she will be an amazing teacher!

I am also proud of Adelle! I went to a planning meeting for Adelle a week or so ago and they said, yes, she is capable of college level work!  She is going to take community college classes next year and do a job placement and continue some great experiences at Manhattan High.  And we found out she's been writing for the student newspaper and had articles in almost every edition this year!  

Cambodia

This last summer, our missionary to Cambodia came to Homestead to give a talk about the work she is doing in Cambodia with the girls rescued from prostitution.  At the time, they mentioned that they would like to put together a group of women to go.  It seeming impossible, I said yes.  A few emails came out after that and I didn't respond.  I truly didn't feel like it was something I'd be interested in or was led by God to do.  I casually put "renew my passport" on my to do list and then didn't do it.  Some info came out and I read it, but didn't feel like this was for me.  Then a couple of weeks ago, emails came out about meeting to talk about a trip.  I basically ignored the emails.  But a week ago Friday, I went to the meeting.

Ken Black, our missionary to Kenya, who has returned from the field led the meeting.  It was myself, Deb Kluttz, who is one of our Pastors and the Director of Homestead, and another volunteer with homestead, Loretta.  When Ken started talking about how lonely it is on the mission field and how encouraging it is to have visitors from home, I felt my heart begin to change.  I receive the private prayer requests from Angela, our missionary in Cambodia, and pray for her regularly.  We have talked about the difficult work they do and I feel a special connection to her in terms of understanding the toll that what they do can take on a helper.  So as Ken spoke, it became clearer to me that we need to go, and that I, specifically, need to go.  

As we spoke through some of the details, shots, and tickets and passports, I found myself saying "when" not "if" and began to feel not just sure about this, but excited.  I even felt confident about raising the huge amount of money needed because He's done it before on many occasions.  It became quickly apparent that my training and experience on the mission field is going to be invaluable for this trip, even though I've never traveled across the ocean and the International time line.  Then Ken asked Deb and Loretta if they've ever been on a mission trip or even traveled internationally.  No!  Two first timers!  

Obviously, I left the meeting completely on fire for this trip, excited beyond belief, all fears and doubts are gone, and I know without a doubt that I need to do this, that He wants me to go and that He will organize all the details.  I came home, got my passport renewal together and sent it off, drafted my support letter, and started researching.  

We have begun communications with Angela and she has sketched out what we will do.  Our main purpose is to encourage she and the staff, to come alongside them, build them up, assess and treat any compassion fatigue or even secondary trauma, and just love on them.  We will do some travel and learn about the country and sex trafficking there.  We will learn about all they are doing and the girls, and their healing journey.  We will spend some time with the girls but it will be limited because it isn't good for them to form attachments to people who are only in their lives temporarily.

So go with me through this adventure by reading this blog.  I will label all the ones about Cambodia accordingly in case you don't want to read my entire blog.  But I decided to include this adventure into my regular blog so people can see who I am overall.  Anyone can go on the mission field!

Update and Out Of Town

Scott went out of town this whole week.  I enjoyed the independence and challenge for about two days but by Wednesday I texted him that he could come home now.  Monday night I hurried home to let Rex out then went to fit ball and step at the gym.  And surprise!  They had a BBQ dinner there for member appreciation.  I ate with a friend from class then zipped home.  I went to bed and read at 8 because I could!  Tuesday we had a KAY club meeting after school so I had to zip home again then went to total body circuit at the gym.  My favorite teacher, Ryndee, was subbing and she worked us out hard!  It was super cold out so I went to bed to read early again.  I'm reading a good book about a social worker by Lisa Wingate.  Wednesday I actually got a short nap after work then went to step on the east side.  Watched tv, The Voice and Chicago Fire, in bed, of course.  Thursday after work I did my homestead group.  We have 8 women at Homestead now and all 8 were at group!  It went pretty well.  I'm using sentence starters.  I also had them fill out an evaluation to get some feedback on how it's going.  On Friday I broke with tradition and went to "choir practice" after work with a couple of teachers.  No singing involved.  I had diet coke.  Then I went to the church to meet with a couple of people to discuss a possible trip to Cambodia over spring break.  This last summer when our missionary to Cambodia was home and mentioned wanting us to come, I said I would.  Ever since then, I haven't felt a call or even a curiosity, more like, really did not want to go.  I put renewing my passport on my wish list but never did it.  I didn't have a good attitude going into the meeting but as we got talking, I realized the purpose of going and that we really do need to go.  The missionary gal tp really needs encouragement and because Deb and I also work with girls recovering from themsex industry, we can relate to her in ways others couldn't.  And we could learn a lot, too.  Neither of the other two women have been on a missions trip or traveled internationally, either, so my experience is needed.  Deb and I went to Chipotle afterwards and talked about Cambodia and Homestead for two and a half hours!  This morning I got up and leisurely cleaned and did my quiet time then did my passport renewal online and took Rex for,a long walk.  It was strangely warm out with a cool breeze.  I ran errands and bought some new boots and leggings.  Then I picked up Adelle.  I took her with me to get my haircut and she took a nap in the barber chair by the window.  She looked so sweet I had to take a picture.

We went to the grocery store and cam back here.  Now were are going to tuna few more errands then grab a burger somewhere then take her home.  I am ready for Scotty to come home tomorrow night!

TRU Boo, Red Ribbon, and a Birthday, too

Thursday was Halloween!  Scott and I and our friends Alexis and Jeff volunteered to help with our church's Halloween alternative, a carnival at St. george elementary school which is in the area where we will be starting a new church campus, called TRU.  

Scott helped with set up and clean up and Alexis and Jeff worked in snacks.  I volunteered for the petting zoo!  There was a poy belly pig,

three goats,

and a cute, soft bunny that the kids loved holding.  

My job was to keep the pig from escaping (which he did once and squealed like a pig when they picked him up to put him back), to keep the goats from eating the costumes and to help the kids hold the bunny.  I actually had a great time.  Other cool things that went on were a fire pit, a miniature train, and a huge pumpkin launcher in addition to tons of carnival games.  I dressed as a skiier.  

On Friday at school was the culmination of Red Ribbon Week which is planned then carried out by the Kay Club.  We judged the door decorating contest, and awarded the plants, then cut up tons of fruit and popped popcorn for the all school party.  At the party, the kids signed a pledge to be healthy and drug free, police officers gave away bracelets, and the SADD students from the high school did fun activities with the kids.  When I got home that night, I slept 12 hours!

This weekend, my Dad turned 85!  

We gave up watching the k state game and drove to Olathe but listened to the game in the car.  We met Dave and Roni at Aberdeen and surprise, they brought my Mom!  I gave Dad some suspenders and Dave gave him a Japanese scabbard from 1945.  I think he really liked his gifts.  Then we took Dad and Jean to Houlihans for dinner and dessert.  I did some serious carb loading.  Yum.  

Today I felt like poop so other than going to the grocery store I've been hanging out in bed.  I'm gonna fight off whatever this is and win!  Hope your week and weekend were event filled and fun.

October Joy

It is Sunday afternoon and I am at Radinas in aggieville with Leah.

 Went to church this morning and had an awesome Sunday school lesson with the TRU group then a great service and sermon by Dave Romero.  It was called Be Still and Know I Am God.  What I got out of it most was to get in an unforced rhythm of grace with God.  I want to be more conscious of God and listen to His leading all throughout the day, to see others as He sees them, to respond to the needs of others.  All I need to do is to stay in rhythm with Him and accept His grace to do this.  It was very inspiring.

I have to take a time out and mention the conversations around me in this coffeeshop.  There is a small group of young people nearby who are planning a film shoot.  There is a lady behind me talking about voice training for a choir.  There are some ladies also behind me doing a Bible study.  Another table is talking about people they hate.  Humm...

Last night we went to the wedding celebration of Josh and McKenzie Garcia, the son of Mary who is in our small group.  We always love spending time with these people.  

Yesterday Leah and I went to Topeka.  We spent some time with my mom in law, Julie, and met Ian and Season at Chipotle.  I wish id taken a picture of them.  They are such precious people.  It was so good to spend time with them.  Ironically, in walked Larry and Joanna who don't even live in Topeka!  

Leah and I then went to the soccer fields and watched Scott coach his U10 girls.  So fun to watch and they did really well!

I enjoy having Leah home.  

Friday was a work day and I had meetings most of the day.  I got done some of the things I needed to, but not all.  Oh well!  This week was also school safety week so we had a reverse evacuation, severe weather drill, enhanced fire drill complete with smoke, a lock down drill, evacuation drill where we walk the entire school to a church five blocks away, and a lock down drill.  

Also this week, I took Adelle to a movie event called Surge put on by acquire the Fire.  We ran into a former student of mine, Tedi, and she was thrilled to see us.  She was totally into the music and message.  At the end, Adelle lifted her hand and prayed to accept Christ as her Saviour.  She said she's done it before but it was still very cool.  

They have their eyes closed due to the flash in the dark theater.  

I love weekends

I do love weekends.  

Friday nights I am exhausted but relaxed and looking forward the the weekend ahead.  I always take a nap after work then have a snack and go work out at 5:30.  Step class plus some weights.  Good stuff.  Then I order our Chipotle and go get it and bring it home.  If its nice, we eat on the back deck.  Then we just chill.  This Friday night we watched a movie about a guy in the fifties who wanted to prove that Polynesians were settled by Peruvians so he and a group of guys built a raft and put it in the ocean and drifted all the way across.  It was cool.  I never make it very late on Friday night before turning in.

Saturday mornings I get up after sleeping as late as possible which is now around 9 am.  I take my time with my morning devotions and prayer journal.  Then I make my to do lists and plan the weekly meals and make my grocery list.  I love doing that!  The best part of weekends is filling the pantry and fridge, cleaning to make everything shiny, fill the gas tank, getting the stinky laundry all clean and folded and put away, doing my nails, pick up new library books, and just take care of all the little things that have bugged me but I've ignored all week.  I also like spending time with Scott.  And Adelle.  Adelle likes helping me grocery shop and run errands.  

Last night we had some friends, Fedra and Jose and daughter Maya over for homemade enchiladas that I bought from an old friend.  We met Fedra and Jose at the gym.  They've been in my step classes for years and we've wanted to have them over for a long time.  We had a nice dinner and drank chocolate wine, yum.  We turned on the dance kinect game and danced until we were sweaty.

On Sundays, we've been getting up earlier than usual to go to Connection Hour at 9:45 because our TRU group has been meeting to "learn" how to be evangelical in our relationships and intentional,as we prepare to launch small groups and a church.  

This afternoon I wrote a hands blog for Leah's blog, A Clover and a Bee, and then repotted a begonia plant to bring inside and made a flower thing for the front door.

The rest of the afternoon I want to talk to the kids and the parents on the phone and read my latest book.

Then Sunday evenings we meet from 6:30 to 8:30 with our small group of friends who've become very precious to us, the Funks, Turners, Ridders, and Quintanars.  We have been meeting together studying the Bible and sharing our hearts for years now.  These are the people who help us carry our burdens, who know the most about us, who hold us accountable and who love us unconditionally (and we do this for them, also).  

I hope your weekends are as amazing as mine.