Week's End

I know, I have been seriously slacking on posting blogs and definitely posting any kind of video, but this week has been a not so nice week. Much of this past week meant dealing with death and being a support system, and also dealing with some mishaps in my bank account which have been dealt with and resolved. Things have been not working such as our washing machine does not work at the moment and so our clothes are turning into a pile only restrained by the basket that holds it all. There have been other things, they only add to frustration.

But we have gotten through a lot of it together. This weekend has been a more uneventful weekend, one which I am hoping charges us up for a new week full of unknowns and surprises that we must go through. This week was tough and it was long, and I'm glad it's over but I'm ready for another beginning of another week. There is a lot to look forward to and a lot to do!

I know you are praying for us, and it is what keeps us here. I like to and want to continue thanking you for your love and support. If you are on my newsletter list be looking out for a newsletter coming soon! Again, thank you for your prayers they are such an important piece to the work here. I love you all, thank you for all you do!

All to God

Here We Are Today

I can remember my life three years ago today. I was a summer intern in the exact city and country I am in now, just staying with my summer coach, Beth, and her family for 10 weeks while I simply got a taste of what this whole "living outside of the U.S. and studying another culture for higher purposes" was all about. Three years ago today was a rare day, I've written about it before, the news came that Beth had been diagnosed with cancer.

I remember how unimportant I felt to this family in such an intimate moment. I had spent less than a month in that house, only a couple of weeks had I known them. But a funny thing happened, and it really shouldn't be so funny, it should be common and yet still awe-inspiring;

God used this situation.

As an intern I saw firsthand how to deal with tragedy so far away from all of the family members that you want surrounding you. I learned, and even now it seems, that when the heavy moments stop for a while, you laugh. He showed me that you can make family in another culture who will be with you and support you through the small celebrations and in the moments that seem like defeat. He even used me in the healing process (so I'm told by Beth). Most importantly he showed me that his strength is unending and he will give it to us if we truly believe that he will. 

Today, I call it "No Cancer Day" or more poetically "The Day the Nugget Sought Defeat" and today we will celebrate it! I'm so glad I am able to celebrate this with Beth today. It's good to celebrate a life sustained for the goodness of the Lord's work, a love not lost on this earth, and the perseverance of a great friend. 

Three years ago today I didn't fully see my purpose, now through the circumstances that have been over the past three years I see myself more clearly. It's moments like today that we celebrate God's goodness and his strength. We are all so blessed by our Father every single day, blessings rain on us and ironically...it's a little rainy today. Happy No Cancer Day, Beth!

All to God

Malo Po Malo

I walked home tonight I was a ways behind and a ways in front of my other four roommates. I was by myself, but not really, and all I could do is pray. I prayed for families close to the good man who died last night, one whom I had the pleasure of knowing in my lifetime. My heart was heavy for the love lost on this earth. I prayed that God would spread out his Spirit that can only bring absolute peace, I prayed for everlasting life for those who can choose salvation.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Matthew 5:4

Thank you, friends, for your prayers. There is little time to waste, and after this experience I emphasize that my goal here ("here" as in on earth) is for eternal purposes and I feel that urgency. I know this has been short, I apologize, but I had to write something. Today has been tiring in many ways for many people, but here we are, and we have made it through today... "Malo po malo."

All to God

Little Over a Week

Ok guys, I know it's been forever but as I last said I am now writing you from Europe! I've been here a little over a week and we have been busy. We have raked hay, gone into town to get stuff for our apartment, washed rugs, painted a room, and done random things here and there. I love this place and every time I come around I seem to find so many different things about it that I love.

I'm excited to start finding out where I am needed most and many times I think that it doesn't matter how specific you get with ministry, if you are a light then you need to be wherever the darkness is. I love this place and I want to light it up, just like most other missionaries here. Since getting here a little over a week ago I've been very tired but it has been some of the most satisfied tired that I can remember.

I get nervous, I get tongue tied, I get red in the face embarrassed when I mess up or can't understand sometimes. However, I get more excited to speak to people these days...in their language. So stay tuned because I may have some cool stories to tell, or some not so cool stories, who knows really.

Thank you guys for praying for me as this year continues to peel away month by month. I love you guys, thanks for all you do, and I'll keep you posted!

All to God

Extending Family and Other Bits.

Ok, so I couldn't wait to write until I was in Europe...BUT next time I write I will definitely be in Europe because I bought my tickets there yesterday! I will be leaving this Tuesday and arriving on Wednesday and I'm PUMPED.

I'm not pumped about packing.

Packing for a summer is one thing, but packing for a year is another. I want to pack as little as possible but I also don't want to miss anything important. Plus I'm packing my faithful winter jacket, and a hoodie or two and they take up a lot of space. Plus, plus, I always have to stay within the regulations of the airlines with their weight limitations and all that jazz. It's a delicate line I'm walking but no matter! 

It is fortunate that I am a girl who can live without a lot of things and leave a lot of things. I'm excited, nervous, a little sad, and very ready to be where I want to be. I will miss the security of my family surrounding me and having friends...close-ish by (by close-ish I mean not across an ocean). However when thinking about it yesterday a thought popped into my mind.

It's OK Emilie, you will add onto your family when you get there,

and then family will surround you again.

It's true, I already have people I like to call family there, and friends that definitely fit the bill. I am excited to extend my family in such a way, and maybe even extend our family through Jesus, that would be the ultimate extension because that last for eternity. I am very excited to write to you from Europe and give you updates and happenings that go along with being uprooted and then planted again. It'll be fun, glad you are coming with me!

All to God

Vlog on a Blog

Shall we?

All to God

Exclamations pt 1

In not such a long time I will be off. I'll be on multiple plane rides to get me to a place where I have been racing to get to. It is slightly surreal that I will be living an entire year in another country, and that beginning is so close I can smell the ćevapi from here. I think about how close I am and a thundercloud of excitement builds up until I remind myself that I am not totally in the clear just yet. There are still a few things to tie up like the last 4.5% of my budget  buying plane tickets, packing some things up, getting some extra things done.

I am excited for the things I know will happen, and for the things unknown. Let me apologize in advance, this week will prove to be a busy one, so if I do not write you for a while, please don't fret...I'll be slightly busy but I will write you again.

What is extremely cool about this thing (and I'm not trying to jump the gun) is that the next time I write, I may be in Europe! I'm so excited to write from Europe, bring you with me, experience things through a lens or through newsletters, e-mails, letters, or right here on my blog posts. Also, if you want to support me or receive newsletters please click here and there are ways to contact me and information on how to support me if you so wish. Aaaannnnndd...done with the plug.

So here's to the almost beginning of a very busy, potentially strenuous week. I am excited for all the things! God is good, and he has made so much happen!

All to God