Worth the Read

For those who don't follow my sister-in-law's blog, here's your opportunity! My brother and sister-in-law serve in Eastern Ukraine in a small Baptist church. To read some very well written thoughts on what many missionaries struggle with when serving churches in that area of the world(and many others), click on the title of this post. He(my brother, Will) is tackling the issue of Grace, which doesn't seem to exist very much in many churches. Sadly, the doctrine of fear is taught far more than the doctrine of grace. The time that you take to read it will be so worth it!

Sat. Evening Post, 1/21

I love this old barn!

Well, my two weeks of rest is up and I've returned to Charlotte. There's nothing like being out in the middle of nowhere without a car to make you appreciate the city and all it has to offer. The first week was great, but the second week I felt a bit stir crazy. That stir crazy feeling combined with being almost 2/3rds of the way through a long fast actually got me to a good point in some of the things I was wanting to work through with God. Sometimes antsyness can really be a good thing, as long as you focus that energy into something productive. Last night my friend, Kristie, drove up to spend the night and give me a ride back to Charlotte today. We had a great time talking and laughing and started a list of Funny Fasting Facts. Perhaps I'll share those when I make it through this period of time.=-) Anyway, it's good to be back. I'm here until Wednesday and am then heading to MN and on to IM's home office in IA. I'll be in MN and IA from the 25th-Feb. 2nd. If any of you who live up that way(Minneapolis area and within a couple of hours of Clear Lake, IA)want me to stop by for a visit, just drop me a line in the next couple of days and we'll see if it can be arranged!

Sat. Afternoon Post, 1/14

Today I am writing to you from the quiet of Siloam Missionary Homes in Snow Camp, NC. Check out their website by clicking on the title of this post. They're a ministry that supplies short term housing for missionaries home on furlough or those preparing to leave. The missionaries can live here from just a couple of weeks(like me)to 2 years, while they're doing deputation work. There are 13 homes here- 2 staff homes and the rest for missionaries, with the 14th under construction right now. Missionaries don't pay rent, but pay for utilities and other services. For me, it's just been a place to get away and have time to process. I've had a lovely, quiet week. Without a vehicle and no internet in the homes, I've certainly had a lot of quality quiet time. Snow Camp, NC is out in the countryside, so I've been enjoying long walks every day exploring the beauty that is all around me. Enjoy a few pictures!

It's kind of funny that one of the largest houses they have is the one in which I'm staying. It was the only one that didn't have someone in it, though, and I have no complaints. =-)

I found the remains of a very old stone home. The entire front wall and one rear corner are all that remain. Stonework is amazing.

Look what else I found- waterfalls!

And a great old barn, complete with a cool old blue truck. I wanted to get a closer picture, but decided not to trespass. =-D

And, of course, lots of cows

Going off the grid

I'm heading out tomorrow for a couple of weeks. I'm taking some time to be alone with God. This is time to reflect on this past year and all that has happened; time to pray about important decisions and upcoming meetings; time to listen to God, far away from the noise of other voices; time to do some topical Bible studies; time to watch movies and read lots of books; time to wander outside in nature; time to pray and worship; time to pull my thoughts together; time for quiet.

I'll tell you about where I'm headed later and most likely, will post some pictures. I've got a new, nicer camera and am looking forward to figuring out how to use it. =-D I won't have much internet access, so I can't promise how much I'll get posted over the next couple of weeks. My prayer is that I'll come back refreshed and ready for everything this New Year has in store. =-)