...And Back Home

So I'm back to home sweet home and getting back into the swing of things. I had a great time in Missouri and sold more books at the homeschool conference than I thought I would but not as many as I would have liked. Some of my time was spent sitting at my booth being VERY bored and deciding that I'm not cut out for the job of selling stuff. The rest of my time was spent hanging out with old good friends and not quite as old good friends (including the screaming penguin) and meeting new friends including two wonderful girls from my dear home state (Danya and Mallory)! I also participated in a homeschool graduate panel which was a short workshop where parents could ask homeschool graduates questions. I was pretty nervous to have to talk to a room full of 20 or so parents, public speaking always makes me nervous, but in the end I was glad I did it. All in all I had a great time and look forward to going back in the very near future.

When we got back to our town we met the rest of the family at the park and took a walk around the lake there. I talked my head off to Candace and Hope, who stayed at home, the whole time we walked. In fact we walked around the lake twice and I was the only one who uttered a word the entire time. I think the girls were a little surprised at my blabbering. But, after all, I was on coffee so that explained it. Unfortunately, I'm not on coffee right now so my blog gets the short version.

Today was spent as normal as ever going to work and coming home. I plan to really kick into drawing for the 4th book in the series this week since I now have pictures to work with. I also have a dance recital coming up that I'm not very prepared for SO... I've got a lot to do and a lot to think about these next few weeks. I very much dislike being busy but hopefully, with quite a bit of prayer, I can stay focused on God and not get too overwhelmed.

On the Road...

I am sitting here in my car typing on the laptop (don't worry Mom's driving) while riding to Missouri. We are going to see our friends for the week and we're going to be VERY busy while there. So... I just thought it would be fun to post while on the road since I won't be able to for a while. Maybe I'll write about our stay when I get back to my 'beautimous' homeland. It's been a very nice trip so far except for the fact that I don't feel very well with a sore throat and a head cold. We plan on stopping for the night and finishing our trip in the morning. To my Missouri friends: Can't wait to see you soon! :)

Mission Trip!

Yesterday, of course, we all went to church. Dad, Kezzi, and I went early to help with various stuff - Dad runs sound, Kezzi helps w/ 3rd grade boys, I help w/ 2nd grade girls (Hope usually comes to help w/ preschoolers but she was feeling sick). Anyway, after church we went out to eat with some friends from church then the rest of the family went to Sam's while Candace and I stayed in town buying time - and a few things from the mall - waiting for a missions meeting at 6:30 back at church.
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We both have been interested in going on a mission trip sometime but we've never really seriously looked into it so we thought we'd come to the meeting to check out what trips were available. Personally, I was very leery of the thought since I already have a lot going on this summer/spring what with starting the 4th book in the series of "Grandmother's Hope Chest", dancing, and a couple of trips already planned. But we went anyway. It turned out that we qualified to choose between 3 different places (the other 2 trips were guys only). As soon as the leader started describing what was involved in each of these trips, Candace and I knew which ones we wanted to choose. I didn't expect to really WANT to go on one of these trips because, as you may know, I'm not your typical missionary type girl. :) I like routine, comforts of home, and frankly I'm rather a spoiled brat at times. :) So when I found myself really wanting to go on this trip to Kenya, I was a little taken off guard.

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The trip is not necessarily a hard one. If I understood it right, we will be traveling around the area of Narok telling the gospel story using a "story cloth", which is a cloth with (I think) about 20 small Bible story pictures that tell the gospel in order. The leader said that there are usually about 50 Maasai people at each stop who gather to listen to the story and that about 10-12 want to accept Christ immediately after hearing the story. The Maasai are given time with the group afterward to ask questions and hand out their original chai tea. The group leaves a Bible story cloth behind with the leaders of the village who usually can repeat the story after only hearing it once.

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Candace was immediately interested in a trip to Madrid, Spain. It sounded perfect for her personality since her group would be walking around the city and initiating conversations with perfect strangers. Madrid is very non-responsive to "missionaries" so they'll be handing out free bottles of water along with Bibles, and DVDs that tell the story of Christ. They most likely won't see as many rewarding results as we would in Kenya, but they'll be planting seeds that will hopefully grow and spread.

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The trip for Kenya is planned for one week in September and Candace's trip to Spain would be in November. We're both still praying about it and seeking the Lord for His guidance. We know that it will be no small undertaking (together we'll need to raise 4,000.00) and we pray that doors would be closed if it's not His will. Nevertheless, we are both very excited and look forward to growing in the Lord through a brand new experience.

Passover and Daily Happenings

Yes, it's been a while since I posted last and I'm sorry to anyone who got tired of visiting my blog and seeing the same old picture and post up for so long. Even though it is a purty car. :)

Last Saturday I spent almost 6 hours hanging out with a very good friend of mine driving around to all kinds of interesting places in our small town including Wal-Mart, Steak & Shake, our local coffee shop, a small local restaurant, two movie rental places, and a creepy dirt road right outside of town (for fun). All in all we had a great time.

Sunday was church and a lazy afternoon then Monday night we celebrated Passover. We had our traditional Passover meal here at home consisting of unleavened bread, lamb roast, spinach dip, a delicious cole slaw, and baked (sweet) potatoes. We celebrate the Passover not because we are Jewish, as some would presume, but in remembrance of what Jesus did on the cross to fulfill the Passover Feast. When we talk about how the Israelites had to use the blood of a pure spotless lamb on their doorposts to protect them from the Angel of Death, we remember that Jesus was the ultimate pure sacrifice and that dwelling under His blood covenant is a constant place for us to find comfort and safety.

Today, was not very unusual except that we went to the mountain lake for a swim this afternoon. Unfortunately, not much swimming went on since the water turned out much too cold. I did, however, get a bit of a sunburn and a short nap on the sand. Very pleasant (the nap not the sunburn). This evening, we went to see the Becks in their new (becoming not so new) house. Dad brought a rope and in no time was giving rides on a brand new tire swing.

Anyway, that's what has been going on in my life. It hasn't been the most interesting couple of weeks but my goal is to just sit back, enjoy what God brings, and in the meantime post about it, as boring as it may be. :)