Each week I look forward to Thursday evening - my friend Cherise and I get to hang out with some kids while their parents are at small group. Usually we spend the night coloring, building castles with oversized multi-colored blocks, working on puzzles, creating mazes with chairs and anything else we can find in the room, etc. Last night was especially fun because the church put some swings in the outdoor play area. We spent almost an hour (p.s. it was still hot at 2000 hours!) on the swing set, and as we went back inside Nora said, "Let's do it again, okay? Okay? OKAAAAY?!?" I guess she enjoyed it!

Within the past month a few of my friends have deployed, and I'm so grateful for email and the ability to stay in touch with them! Jerry just sent me some pictures of his new "home" and said that I could pass them along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K65CRWTaE8s

I've been in my apartment for over a week now and am still unpacking when I get a chance. Work is going well and I'm always learning more about what I am supposed to be doing. This past week I've been able to observe clubs and meet some of the Good News Club teams and that has been fun. I've also been able to attend some teacher and youth training, which I will be responsible for next fall. I have been attending Grace Bible Church (www.begrace.org) on Sunday mornings and a midweek young adults small group. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers - I still have a lot to learn and am still settling in.

I was speaking with a customer service representative on the phone and he asked what my current job was. I replied, "I'm a missionary." SILENCE. Then he mumbled, "Oh. I didn't know we had those any more." I wanted to clarify and take the opportunity to share Christ with him, so I explained, "I work with military children and share the very important Gospel message with them. Are you interested in hearing that message?" He laughed and said, "Oh, you're a missionary? Not a mercenary? That makes more sense, because you sound like such a nice lady."

I made it home to Idaho on February 15th - one day later than planned because I-80 was closed at Rawlins, Wyoming. On the way back from Texas I was able to see some friends in Colorado, as well as spend some time at the Cadence home office. Things are moving forward and it's looking like I may be in Fort Hood by the end of March.

Next week I will be driving from Idaho to Texas - time for a recon mission! I will spend almost two weeks in/near Fort Hood: living with an Army family, meeting with chaplains, and becoming more familiar with my future community.

Q: What is the biggest room in my life? A: The room for improvement. These past two weeks have proven that point – there is much room for improvement in my life, especially in the area of perspective. The week before Christmas I began to feel sick. I was unable to go to work, spend time with friends that were in town during the holidays, or enjoy Mom’s baking and the much-anticipated Christmas dinner. Instead I visited my doctor twice, had blood drawn and participated in other tests, and was eventually diagnosed with giardia. (I learned more about giardia at www.webmd.com) Walking into a local pharmacy earlier this week, I mentioned to God that His timing was incredibly inconvenient. Didn’t He remember that I had out-of-town company staying at my house? Surely He knew that my insurance wouldn’t cover all of these necessary medications. I was supposed to be spending time with my family, not sick in bed! As I approached the pharmacy’s counter, still grumbling, I noticed a nearby couple. They were smiling and laughing, obviously glad to be together and enjoying the day. They were both in wheelchairs. His legs ended before his knees. Her legs and feet were shriveled and immobile. My doctor still doesn’t know where the giardia came from. Wherever it came from, it brought a good dose of perspective with it.

Thanks to those of you who have prayed me from Japan to Idaho! I have been home for about a month now and have loved spending time with my family here. Luke and I have continued our tradition of occasional breakfasts at Bubba's BBQ (grits, eggs, and a killer biscuit). We always have great conversations and I am so grateful that he lets me be a part of his life. Mom and I have stayed up late most nights, catching up and planning ahead. Dad and I have spent some time mapping out "The Plan" - how I'm going to transition from Idaho Falls to Fort Hood, TX. He's offered some excellent perspective. Currently I am working two part-time jobs, babysitting frequently, and directing the children's Christmas play at church. Any ideas for a sheep costume?!?

I was able to teach at an after-school daycare facility last week. My team and I presented the salvation message through a lesson, songs, games and verse memory. My focus was music, and so I taught the kids a few songs that taught Biblical truths about God's character. I enjoyed getting first-hand experience with a CEF program!

I was doing homework yesterday in my dorm room when a friend knocked on my door. She said that somebody was waiting for me downstairs. I went down and another friend looked out the window and said, "Come look at something. See that truck?" It looked pretty dang familiar. Then Dad came out of his hiding place behind me and scared me half to death. After my breathing regulated I had a great afternoon with Dad - we unloaded his Harley, walked around the campus, ate breakfast-for-dinner at Denny's and went to a movie. Today we met up with Grandpa, Aunt Norma and Uncle Cecil and Dad surprised them at lunch. (I enjoyed being on the "knowing" end of the surprise that time!) Dad made the trip to see Grandpa, who just turned 85, and to get my truck out to MO. Now I have a way to get home in a few weeks when my classes are over. I'm so grateful for that and for the fun weekend I was able to have!

... don't doubt God's ability to communicate with the child." (Howard Hendricks) How encouraging to know that I am not on my own - I have the Lord on my side! The past few weeks have been busy. I have enjoyed the classes and assignments for the most part. Recently I finished a paper on the theology of child evangelism. One of the points that has been emphasized this week is the fact that children are the example of how we are to enter the kingdom (displaying trust, faith, and humility). It's pretty convicting to study the characteristics of children and realize how much closer they are to being in a right relationship with God than I am.

It was great to be in Florida for a week having fun with family and friends. Right now I'm in the Jacksonville airport and will soon be flying to Missouri. As much as I am not excited to wear "business casual" for the next several weeks, I AM looking foward to spending time with other people that have a passion for kids. I'm expecting it to be an encouraging experience.

Last night I went to the War Bonnet Roundup, Idaho's oldest professional rodeo (since 1911). I had a lot of fun watching the mutton bustin' - the youngest rider was only 2 years old! Rodeo nachos taste pretty great, so Luke and I ate some. We stayed after the riding for a Mark Chesnutt concert. When we were pretty tired and ready to brave walking down the bleachers in the dark we headed home. Fun times at an Idaho rodeo!

From Japan to Ventura to Palm Springs to La Mirada to Englewood to Colorado Springs to Boulder to the Denver International Airport ... I'm on my way to Salt Lake City, where I will see my family for the first time in 11 months. I will be in Idaho Falls for more than a week before being Phase Two of my state-side tour. I have really enjoyed Phase One, and I am fairly well rested considering all of my traveling. I now know that I (A) prefer NOT to live out of a suitcase, and (B) am very grateful for good books and music. I already knew that I liked music and reading ... they have been extremely enjoyable on long flights, drives, layovers, etc. The suitcase thing is totally new to me, though. I assumed that I would love the sense of freedom and mobility "living out of a suitcase" allowed, but I couldn't find my deoderant for three days and decided then and there that I value closets and drawers. My weeks in the USA have been busy and full of work-related things, but I have also had the opportunity to connect with good friends. This past week in Colorado I also had the chance to spend some time in the mountains - check out my pictures!

Today I spent some time with good friends (family, really). We ate a delicious lunch at Mimi's Cafe and then drove around Garden of the Gods. On the way back to the house I saw a sign that read, "Welcome Home Troops", and I was reminded again of all the children that have parents who are deployed and away from home. I am so excited to begin forming relationships with those kids and families. Hopefully my future home in Texas will be like the one I am at now - inviting, fun, and gracious.

Last night on ABC there was a report that mentioned the children at Fort Hood, TX, where I will soon be serving. On the ABC website one mom says, "Especially with the multiple, multiple deployments again and again, you just don't even have time to recover ... kids can go into crisis mode, and if you're so busy with everything else that's going on, you won't be aware of it until something tragic has happened." Check out the full story or video at http://www.abcnews.go.com/WN/HomeFront/story?id=3410308&page=1.

Tonight I was able to spend some time with the Dorns, a couple that my dad knows from his college years. I was invited to their house for a family dinner, and I felt so cared for. All of this traveling has forced me to depend on friends and their hospitality. People have continued to amaze me and offer me places to stay, vehicles to use, meals and so much more. What an amazing group of people God has surrounded me with!