Thanksgiving

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen during this Thanksgiving season which I really enjoyed.  We tried out some new recipes throughout the day - a few of which turned out to be really good - and prepared our traditional turkey, stuffing, and mashed potato dinner.  My mom and uncle enjoyed the Cowboys game and then the family sat down to dig into the meal.  We all agreed it was probably the best turkey we've ever had!!!  After clean up, a lot of us went to my cousin's house to play games.  We played a variety of games to fight for prizes my older cousin provided.  It was such a fun evening!  (And, yes, we are adults playing Jenga!)

As a family, we are excited about and thankful for our newest additions.  On Monday, my younger cousin and her husband's two-month old little boy was brought home.  They had adopted two kids a little over a year ago (a brother and sister now 3 and 2 years old) and were ready to begin the process of adopting their third.  I was excited that the placement was made the week of Thanksgiving as it will allow me some time to get to know the little guy a bit before heading to India.  My family is also excited about my brother and sister-in-law's little one that is expected to arrive at the end of June!!!  They brought home the first picture on Wednesday!  My mom can't wait to get her hands on her first grandbaby and I'm really excited about becoming an aunt!  It will be such a blast watching my little brother as a dad!  We've already talked about the fun it will be having 4 little ones for the holidays this time next year!  We are indeed blessed!!!

Flashback Friday

So I decided to join in on Texan Mama's Flashback Friday.  Since I am getting ready to return to India in less than 2 months, I decided to repost one of the days from my trip last spring previously posted on Tuesday, April 7, 2009  

Free Day

Tuesday was our "tourist" day. We went to a nearby Hindu temple where we walked down a ton of steps to the river, and watched a bunch of monkeys.

We left the temple and caught a ferry across the river to go to a nearby village. We met a Christian woman who invited us to her home. When her friends and family had all gathered, we were able to pray for them. Many of the village children walked us back to the river and stayed with us until we loaded back onto the ferry.

Recognizing expressions of God's love

"Surely God has set the created order into motion as a continual witness, a voice that incessantly goes forth, a beauty that relentlessly exudes the message of His deep love and His extravagant kindness.  He has not done this without the motivation of love burning in His heart and the yearning for the eyes of the heart of men, who walk amidst this grandeur, to perceive love in all of this created life...As the heavens declare the glory of God, I (take) my place as one receiving this personal expression of God's love - a testimony of His nearness unto me (Ps. 19:1-6)."
- Excerpt from Entirety by Dana Candler

So many times as I watched the sun set, looked up into a cloudy sky, stood in the rain or followed the flight of a butterfly as far as I could track it, I have been struck deep inside with something that I could not express!  I recognized that God was speaking to me, but I did not catch the message.  I did not realize until today that the reason I am so captivated by the beauty of creation is because it gives me the faintest glimpse into the beauty of the Creator and whispers to my soul of His incredible love for me!!! 

Letter sent out today!

Dear family and friends,
I am thrilled to share with you about my first opportunity to stay for a period of time on the mission field! I am heading back to India on January 5, 2010 to stay for close to 4 months. I am very excited about serving in various ways in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Although I don’t know exactly what my time in India will look like, the pastor I will be working with cares for over 100 kids in a children’s home on the property where I’ll be staying, oversees many pastors from around the region, pastors a large church, runs a Bible college and is preparing to open a Christian primary school next year! Most recently, they have been involved in providing relief to those in the surrounding area devastated by flooding last month. I know that there are a lot of things that will keep me busy, but my main goal in going is to love these people however I can so that through me they would encounter the love of God!!!

I ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with me as I go. I am needing commitments for both financial and prayer support over the next 7 months. Financially, I need to raise about $4000 total for trip costs and monthly support while I am there. By December 1, 2009, I need to have received close to $2000 for the tickets to be purchased. If you feel led to be a part financially, post a comment requesting more information.  For prayer support, I am looking for partners that will commit to pray regularly (weekly or monthly) throughout the next 7 months. I have about 2 months to prepare and will be in India about 4 months so am asking for prayer cover from now through May. Please let me know if you are interested in praying for me whether it’s one day each week, or a specific day each month. I will be sending out more information with specific points of prayer as I get ready to go and while I am there. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you so much!
Loving Him by serving them,
Carol

Lord, send me

The song below is a great expression of my heart as I prepare to head to India.  I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those the world would easily forget or pass by.  I want my life to be used to reveal the love of God to those who have never encountered Him before! 

I Will Go - Starfield
To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cast aside
Where you want me I will be

[Chorus:]
I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me


Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

I wanna live for you
Go where you lead me
I wanna follow you

Returning to India

I'm so excited that I will be going back to India at the beginning of the year to stay a little over 4 months!!! I will be leaving on January 5, 2010 with a small team. When they leave after 2 weeks, I will stay until the beginning of May. I know that God has great plans for this time and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to serve in this place! Many in the area near where I will be staying were recently devestated by flooding and my heart has longed to be there to help demonstrate God's love to these precious people!  My heart has been heavy and my desire to be there has been intense so it was great news to hear that my time is getting close!!! Thank You, Lord!!!!