Changing of Seasons

When the cold weather comes...
my sock drawer isn't full for long.
my storage trunk is filled with capri's rather than sweaters.
my bed has 3 comforters and flannel sheets to keep us warm at night.
clean undershirts are hard to find because they've all been used recently.
my front hallway closet is covered with coats on the coat rack.
our towels don't dry without help from the dryer due to the humidity.
my cupboard is stocked with hot chocolate.
my morning tea is no longer an option.
any drop of Sunshine is a blessing rather than a nuisance (sp??).
my flannel jammies and warm cozy slippers are ready at the drop of a hat.
the falling leaves remind me of the new life that will come in just a few short months.

An AMAZING VIDEO!!

Please take the 4 1/2 minutes to watch this video. I share this because at times we feel alone down here. Doug shared with me that only $5000 has come in to ABWE for Chile relief. That saddens me. I know things are rough all over the world, but there are people who still have no water. We still have needs to meet. We still have Christ´s promises to share. Please continue to pray for Chile and for our brethren in the South!

Different

So, one of the ladies at church approached our pastor about how she believed that something had changed with me. That I was different with her. Nothing with her has changed, but there are some people here that if you don´t greet them personally then they are offended. Can you imagine having to greet EVERY person BEFORE and AFTER the service! When I see her tomorrow, I will clear things up with her.

However, that got me to thinking, am I different? The last month has been trying at best. Since the earthquake, we´ve been shaken again and again. Normalcy has not returned to our lives here, but will it ever? Since the earthquake, Doug made a trip South to share the gospel with many ravaged by the earthquake. We´ve all been battling with a SEVERE cold/respiratory illness that continues to hang on with cough and some minor congestion after 3 weeks. Doug´s grandfather at the age of 94 is loosing his battle with so many illnesses. We are just waiting for the call to say that he´s past on to heaven.

To top off all of this, Doug has found out that he has cancer of the skin AGAIN!! He´ll be having surgery soon. He plans to run the SANTIAGO MARATHON on the 11th and then he´ll go in for the surgery.

I do feel different! I feel more subdued. I feel more, more caught up in my family. I feel more concerned about my ministry in our home. I wish I could go ¨home¨ to visit with Doug´s family during this difficult time of waiting for Grandpa to pass. I feel like a stranger here sometimes, and I miss worshipping GOD in my own heart language. I feel excited to be here. I feel blessed to have the church family that we do. I feel blessed to be used of God to share His example to not only my children but to those around me here in Chile.

So, yeah, I guess I feel different. I feel conflicted and then I think....
As I mature and grow in life and my relationship with Christ, I do hope there is a difference! I hope and pray that that difference makes an impact in others´ lives. I hope that by being different, God receives the glory!