Advice from the Wise... and a game of Twister.

Currently watching: the OLYMPICS!! (love this time every four years!) 

Just finished up my two week orientation in Charlotte, NC and  truly enjoyed it! On one hand, SIMGo (because SIM is sending us to go :)  is full of information, policies, and RDM strategy and I hope to remember and use these things that I've learned. On the other hand, and more importantly, SIMGo was full of people... not only the people that are also being sent to many parts of the world to respond to need, proclaim the gospel, and equip the church, but it was full of wise and seasoned missionaries teaching, praying, and equipping us as we seek to serve our God.

Tuesday night showcased this vital relationship as we had ladies' night out :) A mixed group of single and married women, at various stages of life, went to a missionary's home (who works in the home office of SIM USA after many years on different mission fields) and had some fruit, fun, and lovely fellowship. All the women shared stories: how they fell in love with their husbands, first experiences on the mission field, and other special tidbits.

The best part of this evening: the advice the veteran missionaries passed on to us. After we had heard about all of the joys and the hardships on the field, Ruth, in her voice of experience, told us to: above all, seek the Lord. What a powerful message to send us off into all parts of the world. 


Thank you to these women and the wonderful home staff at SIM USA who cared, prayed, and equipped us to take the love of Jesus all across the globe! 

source

Oh, and did I mention that we also played Twister? There's nothing like getting sat on multiple times to really bond people :) 

A Weekend at the Beach

Currently reading: Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry


Finishing up the first week of SIMGo brought a much-needed break. Not to say that it hasn't been a great time here- it has! But having some time to process everything is definitely a necessary part of the experience and I had the privilege to do so at the beach :)

Through a mutual connection, I was invited to come hang out at the beach with one of my future Bingham colleagues~ more specifically, my fellow English teacher, Alyssa! She was so gracious to invite me to be a part of her family vacation, which meant I not only met her kind husband and sweet boys, but a caring Nana, Aunt, Uncle and cousins too! It was so nice to have the chance to talk about Bingham and what it looks like now, the changes in Addis that have occurred in the past number of years, the experience of TCKs on and off the mission field- not to mention, finding some time to relax as well. 

Holden Beach, NC

We fought the wind and  the waves at the beach, stuffed our faces with Mexican food for lunch, and attempted to eat our ice cream in spite of the fierce wind. The boys and I wanted to have our ice cream on the porch of the quaint ocean-front store. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing so hard that it proceeded to melt the ice cream all over our arms and faces. Thus, though the view wasn't nearly the same, we enjoyed the ice cream much better inside the store. 
I spent some time hearing about Bingham from current fourth and eighth graders, heard some family stories from their loving Nana, talked curriculum and support raising- we almost covered every topic! The best parts were hearing the earnest bedtime prayers, worshipping together by song and thanksgiving, and enjoying the new friendships formed. 


 I was so blessed by this family and their hospitality and grateful to them for taking me in! I am so looking forward to serving in Ethiopia together :)