Sunday, August 17, 2008

Days in Dallas

I finally felt good enough to drive to Dallas last week. I have good friends in the area, so I wanted to make the most of the opportunity. First, I went to Becca’s apartment to get ready for Jennie’s shower. Now, Becca and I live in our flip flops, so we were debating what to wear. Then we thought of what Jennie would wear (so glad she sent me a picture) and figured that it was time for us to toss the flops and grab the heels. When we arrived, however, we saw a lady come out of the house wearing a casual outfit, which kinda threw us for a loop. We debated on going back to change into jeans, but instead decided to hold our heads high and walk inside like we knew everyone (knew no one). Yeah for Dallas Wedding Showers! Everyone (except Capri Chick) were looking good, so we fit right in. ;) Taco Cabana catered the meal, so we chowed down (delicately) amongst roses, candlelight, music and strangers. Jennie is a wonderful, godly woman who will be marrying an amazing man, Roy. We were blessed to be a small part of her celebration.



Christine and her family spent 2 years in Nigeria. It was wonderful to catch up with her.

Etc.... I enjoyed being a part of Prom Week at the Dallas Market. Many of the dresses had corsets. Beautiful, but difficult to lace up quickly. Got the hang of it and really enjoyed getting to know the other girls. Many of them are Christians, so that really gave the atmosphere one of laughter and peace. In that kind of environment, jealousy and competition usually reign, but we were so busy telling the models how gorgeous they looked in the dresses, laughing when we could not get the corsets tied in time and had to walk with the model to the curtain while trying to get the thing tied at the same time!, and getting to know one another, that it was a very positive experience.

Jennifer and I met for Indian food at Roti Grill. It was great to catch up with her. It's amazing how we can just pick up right where we left off. Since we've known each other since kindergarten, we have a lot of history and a strong friendship.

I was blessed to see Julie, a friend from nursing school. While enjoying incredible Kung Pao Chicken at Asian Mint, we shared our nursing experiences since graduation and laughed at memories of nursing school - oh, that time of our lives was so full of stress and fear and late nights and coffee. Lots of coffee.

Vi Hanson is such a precious and powerful prayer warrior. She is in her 80's, I think, and is just as sweet as can be. I inadvertently surprised her (miscommunication) by showing up at her door. But she welcomed me with such joy and a gorgeous smile, which stayed on her face the whole time! Christ's love pours out of her and I was so blessed and honored to be in her presence. If only I will grow up to be like her.

Much love and thanks to Jana, the Whites, Becca, and all who loved on me. It was a great trip.

Today I fly to Chicago, thanks to wonderful medicine and powerful prayers. Please pray that my lungs will hold up well during the flight (first since my surgery).

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Off to Dallas

I am so excited about my trip to Dallas. I am leaving today and will be back in Salado next Thursday. I won't get to see all my friends in Dallas, but am happy about the full schedule ahead.

Tonight - Wedding shower for a good friend from college, Jennie Clay
Sunday - hanging out with Becca Webb and watching lots of the Olympics
Monday - meet up with Jessica (Hobratsch) White at the Dallas Market. She is a model for 'Prom Week' (even though she is 30! - she looks amazing!) and I get to help dress her backstage all day Monday and Tuesday. Monday evening - dinner with Jennie and Becca
Tuesday - work all day. Dinner with Jennifer Burrows, friends since kindergarten!
Wednesday - in the morning I will spend some time with Vi Hanson and Louise White, some sweet older women who are two of my prayer warriors. For lunch, will meet up with Julie Birdsong, friend and study partner during nursing school. In the afternoon, will drive to Rockwall and crash for a nice nap at Jana Tucker's house. In the evening, will go to CAbi at Janice White's, hosted by Christine Rothchild (whose family were in Nigeria for 2 years) to help raise money for our kids! Sleep at Jana's.
Thursday - meeting with team leaders from Crazy Texas Team from Lakepointe Church in Rockwall. This amazing team has been going to Nigeria twice every year for 6 or 7 years! Drive home!

I'm so thankful for this time of connecting, encouraging, supporting and just having fun!

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Letters and Life

I know the kids and staff of City Ministries in Nigeria have been fasting and praying for me ever since I left in April - well, they have not been fasting that whole time! But, they are seriously amazing prayer warriors and I am so incredibly blessed to have them lifting me up. A couple weeks ago I wrote a letter to them, which included pictures, and made 200 copies of it. In the letter I thanked them for praying and also shared with them what God is teaching me. I sent the letters with the Chicago team. Today I received pictures that Nicky took when she handed the letters out to the girls. She said the girls 'were so excited. They were dancing around and all trying to read at once.'


The first two pictures show the girls in their yard, looking at my letter.






Here is the 'grandmother' of the girls. She's a widow, who prayed for 3 years for God to give her a ministry. God brought her to us earlier this year to help care for our girls. Here she is, returning from collecting firewood, with the girls showing her the letter I wrote. I love this picture!


Nicky said that they have all written me back already and I'll get their letters when the Chicago team returns. Yeah!!

I have not always been so good at taking action shots, and I love how these pictures show the girls in their environment. Very African. :)

Also, I am amazed at how much impact we can have on people's lives, without even realizing it. These girls have blessed me so much and I have learned many things from them. God has given me such deep love for them that it hurts - I suppose it may be similar to the love a mom has for her own children. Like these girls watched every move I made, heard every word I said, and noticed every facial expression while I was in their presence.... we are being watched every day. People all around us are seeking peace, joy, love and satisfaction. Are they seeing these characteristics in our faces and our lives? ... In the lines at Target, while waiting for our food at a restaurant, while pumping gas, during church? I definitely need to step up my personal time with the Lord. Only during those quiet moments will I really become filled with His Holy Spirit and then these characteristics will overflow out of a heart who knows her Master and worships Him through her life.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Off to school...


This time of year, many of you are buying all the things that you or your child will need to go back to school for the new year: Bags, pencil cases, pens, socks, shoes etc…

In City Ministries, Nigeria, we also have to get our children ready to start back to school... all 300 of them !!!

And so we are asking as you purchase items for your child or relatives, please consider helping us, too!

It costs us approximately $ 150 per year / per child to provide the equipment and clothing needed for school, as nothing is provided for the children at school except a teacher !!!


** GO Nigeria," a U.S. based non-profit organization, is providing a $50 matching grant for each $100 donated for school fees/books. **


Mail your tax-deductible checks to: GO Nigeria, Memo: children's educational needs

P.O. Box 1176, Rowlett,Texas 75030-1176