Returning Tidbits

Tonight we have the opening dinner for a new school. Each semester always brings an amount of excited energy for me, because each one is so unique. I can never really imagine what the students are going to be like beforehand, nor how I personally am going to grow and be stretched.

We had staff meetings, and a lot of cleaning last week. I have three jobs as staff this year: accounting, worship, and pastoring girls (I'm one of three pastors). I also get to teach one day the first week of the school on Intercession. It has been amazingly affirming to see the staff help me developed my giftings. Although learning accounting has been like learning a new language all over again, there are so many words that weren't in my Spanish vocabulary before.

Today was my frist day back at my church, which I really enjoyed besides getting hit on! Some 40ish-year-old guy sat next to me, asked broad questions to find out if I was married to Jorge or not (Jorge and I go to the same church. He is our base director, much older than me, and a quiet, respectful kind of personality in public... who could mistake him for my husband?). Right before the end of the service he asked me for a piece of paper, and of course I gave it to him trying to be nice, not knowing he wanted it to write his phone number down for me and the best time to call him. So ladies: always watch out for the desperate middle-aged men that show up at your church, and don't sit alone!

As always, please pray for the process the new students are just starting. And please pray for wisdom, unity, and integrity among the staff. Happy New Semester!

2008!

Leaving on a jet plane, tomorrow. So much happened over break, but it just ended too soon, as normal happens with good experiences. Each semester is unique and a challenge, so I'm sure this one is going to be the same. I find that I will have a lot of responsibilities in the base and in starting our new ministry, Esperanzas de Vida. And in the midst of all of those things to be doing, my new years goal is to firstly focus on being. Like being the person I want to be, being in the right relationship with God. I think I've had that goal many times in my life, and have yet to accomplish it. But I will definately attempt to getting closer this year. But before that busyness and priority struggle begins, let's reflect on some of the most wonderful moments from the holidays.

-My sister invented this game called "Rachellium" for my Christmas present. It involves my dad trying to sound like a blow dryer, or even more complicated, a dying bunny (not dead, dying. I know, tricky). And my mom humming old Greese songs. It's wonderful and hilarious. Stilll learning the art of being a llama.

-Skiing by myself one day and totally marveling and God's work: snow capped mountains, sunsets over the Amazon, God's pretty amazing.

-About a 30 hour road trip with 5 people in the car :)

-Customs in Houston... enough said.

-Playing spoons with 3 generations of my family. I would never have survived without my cousin/teammate (no, spoons does not normally require teams)

-Seeing Steph's first impression of snow

-Team-Preaching with my Dad

-Mom's fudge.

So, with a load of good memories and good cookies to give me enegry for the new year, we're off to another foreign adventure. Happy 2008 all! Good luck with your goals for the new year!