Thursday 27 November 2008

Giving thanks

I am sitting here at my brother's place in Nashville... Mom is napping in the corner, Dad is watching football, Aaron studying on the couch.  The turkey baking in the oven with smells of dinner starting to fill the air.  Our day has already been filled with holiday traditions, such as watching the Macy's parade, leafing through the sale adds, and making sweet potato casserole.

Ami and Darren are celebrating a time zone away in Phoenix.  Wish they could be with us today; I am happy that we will all be spending a week together over Christmas!

As I think about this being my last Thanksgiving in the States for who knows how long, it is quite a mosaic of emotions.  Funny?  Sad?  Strange?  Excited?  Certainly being far away from friends and family will be the most difficult during holidays and other special times.  But I am also looking forward to becoming part of a new family and adopting new traditions, PNG style!

So here is what I am thankful for today:  my family and the time we have gotten to spend together over the past couple of years, the blessing of forever friends and opportunities to catch up with them during deputation travels, my "sabbatical," for my call and it's fulfillment, for the invitation to serve in PNG and for the great team I will work with, for God's provision.  And most of all for the Lord Jesus.  He, too, left home and all that was familiar to go to a far off place and new culture!  All because of God's love for us.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Monday 24 November 2008

Doenges Family Vacation

Start:     Dec 26, '08
End:     Jan 1, '09
Location:     Florida

Livingston Christian Schools

Start:     Dec 10, '08
End:     Dec 11, '08
Location:     Pinckney, MI
The kids from LCS are taking part in Operation Warm Baby, collecting blankets and clothes and other items for the new moms and babies at Kudjip Hospital. I will share about PNG and the hospital during the elementary and secondary chapels.

Tuesday 18 November 2008

One last quick trip to Fort Worth!

Start:     Dec 15, '08
End:     Dec 17, '08
Location:     Fort Worth, TX

Tuesday 11 November 2008

November praise & prayer

God is good...  Deputation travels have been such a blessing as I make new friends and catch up with old ones :).  My work permit for PNG has gone through, now waiting on the entry permit.  Here are some requests for November...

* two intern couples are still waiting for houses to sell
 
* awaiting entry permit for PNG... Please pray that this comes through quickly!
 
* this week is the semester crunch for school
 
* continued travel safeties, deputation services