the pursuit of perfection

I knew this vacation would fly and sure enough, it is. However, next time I need to remember that it's not just Christmas but Bowl Game/last week of NFL regular season/Fantasy Football playoff time as well. Not always the best time to try to work in quality time with your sports enthused husband. It is at this time that New England just made a 2 point conversion to go up 31 to 28 on New York.
Michael and I did have a date day on Friday where we went to the Florida Aquarium, saw National Treasure, and went out to dinner. I had also done quite a bit of reading since Wednesday- 2 Karen Kingsbury books, magazines that have built up, and completed today Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy.
In my most recent On Mission magazine there was an interesting article in regards to International students at our universities. "Open Doors reports that the 10 largest international-student-sending countries for the academic year 2004-2005 were India, China, Korea, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Germany, and Thailand. Together, these 10 countries represented 60 percent of the international student population. Take another look at this list. Now, consider this: six of these countries are either closed to the gospel or are strongly resistant to it. What an amazing opportunity for churches especially those that are close to large universities, to reach out and influence tomorrow's world leaders with the gospel of Jesus Christ." I love how God works. If the countries are closed to the gospel, He'll just have some of their cream of the crop come to the US for education. These are the students who will return back to their countries typically making quite the impact. While they are here they are lonely, away from what they are familiar with, and just looking for someone to be friendly to them. Imagine if we were to sincerely take an interest in these students and doors were open for us to share Jesus with them. What an impact could be made in foreign countries!
NE just scored to make it 38-28. Not looking good for the Giants at this point in time.

It was a Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a great Christmas like we did yesterday. After watching A Christmas Story in the morning we spent time with family and my sister even came down from Sanford to spend the day. As a child you can't really imagine Christmas being enjoyable without the presents but as you get older you really realize that they don't matter. We also got a new niece yesterday- Claire Marie was born in New York on Christmas afternoon. That makes a total of 17 nieces and nephews with 1 on the way in March. Woah.

Luke 2- Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

home again, home again, jiggety jig

Here I am, back home in Florida. It's been a long week and it's good to be here. I worked at the office on Monday and Tuesday but left Wednesday morning to fly to Atlanta. The plane was delayed slightly due to a light being out but I'm always okay waiting for something to be fixed on a plane. Made it to Atlanta no problem and rode MARTA (their rail line) out to Doraville where an associate, Dawn, was there to pick me up. We had a night out on the town in Buford, GA where we went to Target and Waffle House. The next morning we went to Alpharetta where we were meeting with the collegiate folks at NAMB. They gave us a lot of good insight and places to start in our recruitment of collegiate students for summer missions. Flew out Thursday evening to Pensacola where I then drove over to Chipley. I didn't make it in time for the viewing but did make it over there by the time the pizza arrived. The next morning we returned the rental car in Panama City and high-tailed it back to get ready for the funeral service. (For those that don't remember, Michael's Nanny died on Monday.) The service was at Leonia Baptist and Nanny was buried with her husband in the country cemetery across the street from the church. We visited with family before returning to the hotel just exhausted from the days activities. Made it back to St. Pete today in good time. Michael went out to the mall area where we had pizza, saw a few friends from church, ate ice cream, and almost finished up our Christmas shopping. Didn't see much sunshine today but it was nice to be outside without 3 layers, gloves, and a hat. It has been great seeing family again and cannot believe how fast little ones grow in a month and a half. I'm now tuckered out so even though it's only 10:30pm I'm going to get ready for bed!

life comes at you fast

We've all been there. One moment life is going along just fine and then what seems to appear out of nowhere, you are thrown a curveball. Within the past 6 days I am aware of it happening twice. Now, in both of these cases, the families are at peace and know that God is in control but it just amazes me how fast your life can change directions.
I leave for Atlanta on Wednesday but changed my flight on Thursday to fly into Pensacola. Michael's grandmother, Nanny, died today and her service will be in Panama City on Friday. Not exactly the way one expects to start their holiday vacation but I know she is with the Lord. One cool thing I found out is that Nanny's mother died while giving birth to her. So today, since they were both Christians, they met each other for the first time in heaven.

goodbye neil

As I watch my recording of The Biggest Loser from tonight I must say I'm glad that Neil has finally been sent home. But enough about that...
It's been awhile since I posted and I apologize for that. A week ago today I started not feeling well and have been battling a cold and cough for 7 days now. Yuck. On the job front, everything has been going really well. I accepted the position of Director of Mobilization 2 weeks ago so I am now in charge of the mobilization of all of the volunteers over the next two years. I'm working with an associate named Dawn. She was actually doing the job without a supervisor for about 2 months so I think together we are going to make a great team. So, if anyone is looking for a mission trip for 2008 or 2009 check out www.embracebaltimore.com and come on up!
I'm heading home on December 20th and should be there for a few weeks- can't wait to see everyone then!

rain, rain, please don't turn into snow

This past week we got to meet with some of the team from Cleveland, a strategic focus city that is winding down it's final year now. They gave us some great insight on how they did things which provided a good vision for what all needs to be done...and it's a lot. But I'm really excited to get to work to make 2008 successful for volunteers and the local churches. If anyone is interested, or knows of anyone who is looking for a mission trip location, might I suggest coming to Baltimore to partner with one of the local churches. Embrace Baltimore will help facilitate so don't be intimidated! Yesterday morning I had a lot of fun going to the pre-game festivities for the Army/Navy game that was being played in Baltimore. We went to see the cadets and midshipmen march to the stadium and then did all the free stuff in the harbor like touring the ships, seeing a helicopter, and checking out some army equipment. I didn't have any interest in watching the game so when I got back home I took a nap instead. Went out last evening back to the Inner Harbor to ESPN Zone and played some arcade games. I stunk at pretty much everything except Air Hockey so thanks youth room for the practice!
(Side note for those who watch wrestling: I just saw a preview that Jericho is on Raw. I can't believe he's still around. I thought he was so awful that I was actually embarrassed for him when he was on. 10 years later- I still am.)
Today I attended FBC Dundalk where they celebrated a baptism and the Lord's Supper. Afterwards they had their church wide Christmas dinner with everyone invited so I, of course, stuck around. I'm no fool and know better than to turn down a Southern Baptist potluck. It's been raining since early afternoon and I'm nervous about how cold it's going to get. Tomorrow is the Baltimore Baptist Association Christmas dinner for Pastor's and spouses. I'll be attending as well and hope that I will be able to meet some of the pastor's I haven't yet met.
Thanks to all who have kept in touch with emails and phone calls. I miss you!