Tweet I am finished!! Grades are posted and I finished out the semester maintaining my 4.0.  Apparently, the 72 pages I wrote between Thanksgiving and December 7th were alright. I am thinking I should consider a career in writing, although few people are probably interested in the effects of bureaucracy on the country of India.  The more exciting fact is not only am I finished with this semester, I am half-way through my master’s degree. One year is officially D.O.N.E!   I wish I could say after one year I have a clear direction and know exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life and have…

Tweet “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10   For the past several years, Malachi 3:10 has been one of my favorite verses. I have given until it hurts at times and constantly tried to stretch myself in the area of giving and being generous of my finances, time, and talents. Never for personal gain, but because I genuinely believe we cannot out-give God.   In taking…

Tweet I will be the first to admit I am not a political person. In fact, I do my best to avoid politics. However, during an election year, avoiding politics is about as easy as living under a rock. It is everywhere-the TV, the newspaper, my Twitter and Facebook, and even in many of the conversations people want to have. However, I have always struggled with how involved Christians become in politics. As I read my Facebook feed this morning I was utterly disappointed in my Christian brothers and sisters. One post referred to Obama as the anti-Christ, others were speaking of how “disappointed” they were Christians failed to vote…

Tweet I have $1545 raised towards my Myanmar trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     God is soo good!!!  In a month, I have raised half the funds I need to go!  I have spent the last month researching grants, organizations already working over there, and praying.  I am getting so excited about the trip and more importantly the spiritual journey I am embarking on. God is daily breaking my heart and teaching me to trust Him for each and every detail of my life. Even down to things like raising money and paying bills.   I still need to raise $1,455 so if you would like to support my trip, I would love…

Tweet I am going!!!  Please read below for all the details:) Dear friends and family,   I hope this letter brings with it some cooler weather and finds you healthy, happy, and enjoying all the wonderful things fall has to offer! Some of you, I talk to and see every day and some of you are constantly in my thoughts despite distance and schedules separating our ability to communicate daily.  Life has changed a lot over the past several years, and I am about to embark on a new exciting adventure! Four years ago this time, I was sending out a similar letter in preparation for a trip to Africa.…

Tweet Seriously.   Normally I write blog posts after much thought, contemplation, and serious reflection.  Today, however, I just need to write because right now I am not sure I could tell you which way is up.   Three years ago I spent a very transformative two months in Africa. Life-altering is perhaps a better word. I mean, literally, the direction I thought my life was going in took a 180 degree turn. And while I could share with you story after story of why, it really boils down to one 30 minute home visit in which a naked child sat on my lap. In that moment, I felt helpless, out-of-place, and…

Tweet It started with a story from a book. About a community that participated in an experiment. For everything they had two of, they gave one away. Like it says in Luke 3:11,  “If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.” As I began looking around, I realized I have way more than two coats. I have like 7.   Add on the fact I am moving yet again and despite having just moved a year ago, have accumulated quite a good bit of stuff. Granted I have spent very little on all that stuff-in fact, one of my favorite claims is I…

Tweet ..begins with a single step. Lao-tzu   This has always been one of my favorite quotes. Perhaps because I so often struggle with the whole “taking-a-single-step” thing. I want to take 50 or 100 and climb mountains in a single leap and tackle the impossible in 5 minutes instead of taking one step.    I have had to remind myself a lot lately to take that one step. Once the whirlwind of two summer classes ended, my idle mind gave me lots of ammunition for emotional breakdowns and depressed moments. Whether it was over relationships, work, or life, it seems lately there have been more bad days and more phone…