Ahhhh, a new year is upon us. We are all feeling the nostalgia of 2009 and anticipating what will be happening for 2010, right? Today I plan to pack at least three boxes: one of summer clothing I'm NOT taking to Mongolia, one of breakables that I can live without for the next 7 weeks (well, and not taking to Mongolia), and one of some books. Perhaps I'll just keep on packing and get some others done.
But, today is my last day to go running on our indoor track, so I must carve out some time to do that. Our membership runs out at closing tonight. Waaaaa! It is too cold and slippery to run outside, so I'm going to really miss running these next months!
If anyone has any great biographies to read, let me know. I was just encouraged by the book, "Living Sacrifice; Willing to be Whittled as an Arrow", by Dr. Helen Roseveare. I read somewhere that we should read a biography a month to be spurned on by the lives of others who have gone before us...to be inspired and motivated!
May we live lives worthy of motivating others toward love and good deeds and coming confidently before the throne of grace!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A Little Mongolian Lesson
I thought I might share a little tidbit every now and then about something I learn regarding Mongolia. I thought it would be exceptionally interesting for me to look back on my blog entries once I get to Mongolia, and have a good laugh at myself once I see the "truth" and compare it to what I think I understand now!
So, we've read a little bit about airag (pronounced "i-rog"--and I'm sure you need to get a little Russian guttural sound going within it). It is a fermented horse milk. Oh, yum! Mongolian yogurt. Another word for it (according to Wikipedia) is "Kumis". The definition there reads as follows:
"Kumis is a fermented dairy product traditionally made from mare's milk. The drink remains important to the people of the Central Asian steppes, including the Turks, Bashkirs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Mongols, Yakuts and Uzbeks.
Kumis is a dairy product similar to kefir. Because mare's milk contains more sugars than the cow's or goat's milk fermented into kefir, kumis has a higher, though still mild, alcohol content."
Now, back to Pam..."Thank you, Wikipedia. Please pass the airag, and I'll take mine with strawberries!"
Finding the Right Stuff to Keep Warm
I've been on the hunt for great warm stuff for a decent price. A friend is loaning us this awesome coat to see if it works for Kevin or Micah. I tried it on...a bit too big, but thought it made a great pic. I could get lost in this coat!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
.1 on the Richter Scale?
I've had a little bit of earth shaking stuff going on in my life. Well, not earth shaking. Just shaking MY life. And, I think it's all preparation for going out of the country. God is getting me ready to trust Him for bigger things.
So, this past week has looked like this: Last Thursday, (a week ago today) our oldest daughter called to say that the next day she might lose her job. It happened on Friday. A bandaid cannot fix this.
Then, Friday, our youngest came home in his car and the car quit working. In front of our house. And, the mechanic is telling us it's funeral time for the car. So, we're down one car in the household. Not traumatic...just a little shake in my life. Three drivers; two cars. These three people going to Mongolia now need to communicate together even more to become a team to get each other to their daily destinations.
This week, our oldest, middlest daughter called from college to say she has a nasty bug (you know, the kind that 30% of the U.S. citizens have right now). Some flu bug. My heart wants to take care of her. But, it's comforting to hear of her support from her boyfriend and best friend as they nurse her with juice and a thermometer and zinc lozenges.
So, I'm learning more about Matthew 11:30: "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
I also think of how Jesus had disappointments and discouragements and longings. These things which are happening are so minor (just feel major to the ones going through them)...but I think of how I can enter into learning a tiny bit more about Him as I filter these incidences through this verse: "that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...." Phil. 3:10
He wants me to look at things from His perspective. How refreshing. It sure does put things "in perspective". He has suffered deeply for me to have new life. Now, I want to walk in that new life. That's the "power of His resurrection". And, sometimes it takes a few hours or days to come around to that point, doesn't it?
So, this past week has looked like this: Last Thursday, (a week ago today) our oldest daughter called to say that the next day she might lose her job. It happened on Friday. A bandaid cannot fix this.
Then, Friday, our youngest came home in his car and the car quit working. In front of our house. And, the mechanic is telling us it's funeral time for the car. So, we're down one car in the household. Not traumatic...just a little shake in my life. Three drivers; two cars. These three people going to Mongolia now need to communicate together even more to become a team to get each other to their daily destinations.
This week, our oldest, middlest daughter called from college to say she has a nasty bug (you know, the kind that 30% of the U.S. citizens have right now). Some flu bug. My heart wants to take care of her. But, it's comforting to hear of her support from her boyfriend and best friend as they nurse her with juice and a thermometer and zinc lozenges.
So, I'm learning more about Matthew 11:30: "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
I also think of how Jesus had disappointments and discouragements and longings. These things which are happening are so minor (just feel major to the ones going through them)...but I think of how I can enter into learning a tiny bit more about Him as I filter these incidences through this verse: "that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...." Phil. 3:10
He wants me to look at things from His perspective. How refreshing. It sure does put things "in perspective". He has suffered deeply for me to have new life. Now, I want to walk in that new life. That's the "power of His resurrection". And, sometimes it takes a few hours or days to come around to that point, doesn't it?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Shedding from the Shed
I really need to learn to take pictures for this blog! Something happened this weekend that hasn't happened for something like five or six years! The yard shed was totally emptied out!
With snow actually falling last week, I had wondered if we'd get to this important job before we fly away to Mongolia for almost three years. But, alas, we had a sunny day with mild temps on Saturday, so away we dug! The shed was totally emptied so we could sort out everything and decide what to keep, what to trash, what to sell, and what to give away. How strange that we could get rid of over half the stuff. We will be selling or giving away an old canvas tent that serviced my family when I was a child and also our own children (many great memories with that tent!). We've gotten my parent's money's worth from it! Also, selling/giving away some sporting goods that don't get used very often: some old golf clubs, a baseball bat & glove carrier, and an old bike. We're throwing away some old stuff: a basketball hoop rim, a large box (why was THAT in there?), some balls that don't hold their air, and other wonderful "stuff" like that. And, we're giving away to a previously homeless couple who has been attending our church for seven months now: a couple end tables.
We will be using all that newly found space to store many items while we're gone: tools, deck furniture, good bikes, mowers, lawn care stuff, Christmas ornaments, etc.!
With snow actually falling last week, I had wondered if we'd get to this important job before we fly away to Mongolia for almost three years. But, alas, we had a sunny day with mild temps on Saturday, so away we dug! The shed was totally emptied so we could sort out everything and decide what to keep, what to trash, what to sell, and what to give away. How strange that we could get rid of over half the stuff. We will be selling or giving away an old canvas tent that serviced my family when I was a child and also our own children (many great memories with that tent!). We've gotten my parent's money's worth from it! Also, selling/giving away some sporting goods that don't get used very often: some old golf clubs, a baseball bat & glove carrier, and an old bike. We're throwing away some old stuff: a basketball hoop rim, a large box (why was THAT in there?), some balls that don't hold their air, and other wonderful "stuff" like that. And, we're giving away to a previously homeless couple who has been attending our church for seven months now: a couple end tables.
We will be using all that newly found space to store many items while we're gone: tools, deck furniture, good bikes, mowers, lawn care stuff, Christmas ornaments, etc.!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
A Little Overwhelmed!
Last night, I started to feel a little anxious as I mentally made a list of what still needs to be accomplished for us to prepare and move to Mongolia. I also felt the sadness of being separated from our girls who have been visiting us this weekend. This morning, I was "kissed" with this verse from Matt. 11:30: "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light!"
Great timing!
Great timing!
Adventure
Adventure! That's what describes last weekend! Thursday, we left home to go 6 hours west to our previous two places of friendship from the past. On the way, we had a flat tire (our tire hit some debris from an accident we were passing). That took awhile to take care of, but we had our 16 year old son, Micah, and his friend, so it was a good learning experience for both of them. It was scary, though, as semi trucks and cars whizzed past us on the interstate. It just felt very "uncomfortable" and unsafe!
Over the next three days, we saw many family and friends and told our story of hopeful future plans in Mongolia. It was a very fruitful time in terms of encouragement, finances, and re-connecting.
Then, Monday, as we travelled back home, we enjoyed a good trip home. However, 45 minutes from home, we had ANOTHER FLAT TIRE...not the same tire. This time, the tire was on the traffic side of the car, so the semis and cars were even closer to the tire-changing activity. I called 911 to have a patrol car come up behind us to warn/block traffic for us. All was taken care of without any mishap...but again, it was "outside our comfort zone." All I can think of is that this was an opportunity for us to learn a bit more about dealing with frustrating circumstances...of which I'm sure we'll experience more than usual when we are in another culture!
Over the next three days, we saw many family and friends and told our story of hopeful future plans in Mongolia. It was a very fruitful time in terms of encouragement, finances, and re-connecting.
Then, Monday, as we travelled back home, we enjoyed a good trip home. However, 45 minutes from home, we had ANOTHER FLAT TIRE...not the same tire. This time, the tire was on the traffic side of the car, so the semis and cars were even closer to the tire-changing activity. I called 911 to have a patrol car come up behind us to warn/block traffic for us. All was taken care of without any mishap...but again, it was "outside our comfort zone." All I can think of is that this was an opportunity for us to learn a bit more about dealing with frustrating circumstances...of which I'm sure we'll experience more than usual when we are in another culture!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Step by Step
It's kind of fun to accomplish one or two steps every day going toward Mongolia. Last week, Micah and I started our hepatitis immunizations. We each had either A or B, so it was time to get the other series in order to move to Mongolia.
All three of us also had our physicals. Oh, joy...it included an AIDS blood test which must be presented to the Mongolian government. The "joy" part was that a student nurse did the extraction of blood and I had the joy of a very good bruise afterwards.
Today, Micah gave blood...not so much to go to Mongolia (extra credit for a health class he's taking), but a "side benefit" of giving blood is that you get your blood type for free. That has to be on our physical report.
And, tonight I've come back from Sam's Club with 15 passport photos to submit for our visa applications and some other documents. Did you know that you can take your own photo against a white wall and use the Kodak machine to make passport photos? There's a special section which lines everything up and it cost a whopping $1.76 for 3 of us to get 5 pics each. I love finding a good deal!
Here's the verse I'm memorizing this week...and it has much to do with steps! "The steps of a man are established by the Lord and He delights in his way." Psalm 37:23--I thought it was a good thought to remind myself, that the Lord has established some steps for us to take. As we take those steps, He delights in our way! Delightful!
All three of us also had our physicals. Oh, joy...it included an AIDS blood test which must be presented to the Mongolian government. The "joy" part was that a student nurse did the extraction of blood and I had the joy of a very good bruise afterwards.
Today, Micah gave blood...not so much to go to Mongolia (extra credit for a health class he's taking), but a "side benefit" of giving blood is that you get your blood type for free. That has to be on our physical report.
And, tonight I've come back from Sam's Club with 15 passport photos to submit for our visa applications and some other documents. Did you know that you can take your own photo against a white wall and use the Kodak machine to make passport photos? There's a special section which lines everything up and it cost a whopping $1.76 for 3 of us to get 5 pics each. I love finding a good deal!
Here's the verse I'm memorizing this week...and it has much to do with steps! "The steps of a man are established by the Lord and He delights in his way." Psalm 37:23--I thought it was a good thought to remind myself, that the Lord has established some steps for us to take. As we take those steps, He delights in our way! Delightful!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Save it or Lose it?
My heart gets fine tuned by the Father every so often during this process. Here's some of what I've been influenced by recently!
Mark 8:35-36: For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the good news shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Also, Philippians 3:20: For our citizenship is in heaven . . .
Lesson being learned: This world means more to me than I realize (and, more than I wish it did). My home, my family, the food I eat, the surroundings I am ....ummmm....surrounded by...and the list goes on!
Mark 8:35-36: For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the good news shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Also, Philippians 3:20: For our citizenship is in heaven . . .
Lesson being learned: This world means more to me than I realize (and, more than I wish it did). My home, my family, the food I eat, the surroundings I am ....ummmm....surrounded by...and the list goes on!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Going to Mongolia!
Newsflash today:
Offered position to serve in Mongolia.
Plan tomorrow:
Will accept. Aiming to leave in February 2010.
Offered position to serve in Mongolia.
Plan tomorrow:
Will accept. Aiming to leave in February 2010.
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