The past couple of days I've felt like Bella in the Twilight series when she has to constantly drink out of her cup…all my avid Twilight buffs know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I felt like her in the sense that she has to have that cup of liquid to sustain her and to give her energy. Well, the past couple of days I've been living in a dorm type setting, and I forgot how hard it is living without a kitchen and frig, and with a big glass to fill with water. So, anyway I've been really thirsty so I got a styrofoam cup, with a lid and straw, from the cafeteria and I walk around all day long with this cup filled with water. I've been extremely thirsty, and I'm not sure why. I drink water at breakfast. Water at lunch. Water at dinner. It's water, water, water, yet I thirst for it all day long.
I can't help but think that as a Christian I should be just as thirsty for Him, and His living water. So many times as Christians we walk around all day long with a thirst for Him, but we do not always fill that thirst with the much needed liquid. We fill it with dr pepper or my favorite diet coke, when truthfully the only thing that will make the thirst lessen is water. How many times do I need Him, but fill myself with the diet coke of the world, and not His word, and seeking Him daily in continuous prayer?

My Adventurous Saturday Night

Well, I am doing the same thing I did tonight as I did last night...I'm in the library!!! Sounds like fun huh? For all my high school and junior high friends who complain about staying the weekend at the house with their parents, well at least you have your television, almost any dvd you want to watch, and you have a great cell phone signal to be able to talk with your friends. To get on the internet, I have to hike up the hill. To get cell phone service, I have to hike up the hill. To get television, I have to hike up the hill, and then check out an educational video. That's my television!!! Ha! :)

I'm tired of staring at my grayish-white walls and sitting on my twin size bed looking at the trees outside my window, in the complete silence of my room. So, I hiked up the hill, it's 27 degrees and extremely windy.

Ahh but the good thing is that we are walking constantly and with much walking, up and down hills, one usually loses weight!

I've Got Good News, Good News, Good News

Wow, so the information is continuously being given out to me here at training and I am officially overwhelmed. Actually, I'm at the point where I'm past overwhelmed, but I'm going to take one day at a time and I know that I will get things done. I feel like I'm taking Master courses because of all the reading that I will be doing for the next two months. But, I'm working on it a little at a time, so I know that I'll get it done. Plus, I have an amazing future roommate Julie, who is great at keeping procrastinators like me on task. :) Father knew what He was doing when He paired us together!

Anyway, I'm having tons of fun and meeting people that I love hanging out with, so it's all good. It's amazing knowing that we are all called for the same purpose and job, and that our Father is here to guide us. Keep on lifting me up and asking Him to help me stay on task, and to be focusing on Him above all else.

Oh and I will have a newly remodeled bathroom by the time I get to Russia...well hopefully! Anyway, that is my GOOD NEWS!!!

Speechless!

Wow! I am speechless by all the love shown to me by my family and friends! Thank you for the support and prayers, and really, I'm just blown away.

When I came to Lakeside, I knew that it was where I was supposed to be because I could feel the Spirit working in that place! I'm so grateful to call Lakeside my home, and I feel privileged to serve and represent the family!

I'll make sure to keep this thing updated so that all my brothers and sisters can keep up with my travels!

Again, thank you very much!

It's All About the Timing

Well, I received an email from the Regional Office today, letting me know that I will need to come home after training for about two weeks. I hadn't planned on this, and I wanted to leave directly from VA to Russia, but it looks like it's not going to work that way. The reason for this is that out of all of the countries I could work with, Russia is usually the one that is the slowest in returning the passports and visas. The last couple of groups the company sent to Russia, had to wait about two weeks after training for their visas to come in.

So with all of that being stated, my plans have changed. But does my plans really matter? Our Father, knows what's best for me! He has it all planned out, I just need to sit back and enjoy the ride, and that's exactly what I've decided to do from now on!

By the way, I received photos of my new apartment, obviously for those are the pics up above. For the most part, I expected it to look this way, but the toilet situation is a little weird. But to tell you the truth, I have lived in weirder situations than this(Don't believe me, ask me about Guatemala)!

Coldness

I was curious about the weather this week in K-Town, so I googled it. This week is was pretty cold, well cold at least for a Texas girl like me! The high today is 0 degrees with a windchill at -13! I know the coldness is something I will have to adjust to, but I am ready for snow!

I spoke with Jen, she is in K-town now, and I will be living in her apartment when she leaves. She has a ton of photos from her two years and she will be sending me pics of the apartment. The photos help me know what to expect, how the locals dress, and what the town looks like, and that makes it easier for me to pack! Out of all the things that I should be concerned about, I'm just worried that I'll bring the wrong clothes, not that I'll get lost and won't know how to communicate, or will have problems getting a visa or anything like that. I guess I'm a typical girl, but hey, when the weather gets below zero, a Texas girl has to figure out how to dress for that!

It's Official!!

I have been accepted and am going for sure to Russia!! After I got my acceptance letter, I thought back to the time when I first read about this job opening. Our Father is so faithful and loving, and He knew back, almost 6 months ago, that this was the perfect job for me (I'm just glad that the company agrees). Father even knew back then that I would need a roommate while there, and he provided an amazing sister who is totally ready to serve Him.

I was talking with a friend last night telling her how I can't wait to get over there, and she responded by saying, "I know, it's in your eyes. They sparkle when you talk about it." I didn't know that my eyes sparkle when talking about Russia, but I do know that I am called to this people group and culture...I think I might have a little Russian in my blood! :)

Yes, I know that I will be challenged, especially by the opposition, but I know that Father will be with me every step of the way!

Okay things you need to know/pray about:
-I'm leaving late January for training for two months and then will leave straight from VA for Russia around April 6th.
-Pray that I will pack everything that I need...packing for two years is a very daunting task!!
-Pray for my roommate Julie and I, that our Father will be in the middle of it, and that we will be used in many amazing ways.
-Pray for training...I'm kinda nervous about it, and I feel like I'm going back to school again...yuck!

THANK YOU everyone for your thoughts on my behalf! Oh, and I should be speaking to the company before I leave, so you'll want to be there for that!

Much much love!!
Your Russian Chick