Merry Christmas from Knoxville

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas, full of joy and longing! 

I got to celebrate our great Emmanuel with my dad, mom, and grandmommy. 

So thankful for family time as my leaving date draws closer and closer. 

A dear friend shared this with me yesterday, and I thought I would share it with you all today. 

"I have family coming for the holidays, and it feels good... 

All other homecomings are foretastes. And foretastes are good. 

Unless they become substitutions. 

Don't let all the sweet things of this season become substitutions of the 

final, great, all satisfying sweetness. 

Let every loss and every delight send your hearts a-homing after heaven." 

That is my prayer for me this year, and my prayer for you! 

May every loss and every joy draw us into deeper communion with the Word.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, my friends! 

Our Little Trip

We made it! We spent the past week traveling around and sharing with friends and family about what we will be up to in Jordan. And for two introverts, you can imagine the victory we feel in defeating our fear of public speaking. 

 

We traveled through different cities, speaking to people who love us and know us. The entire trip was so encouraging for us! We felt so loved and supported by those who came to hear us share and by y'alls prayers. Honestly, thank you! It is a beautiful thing to be sent out by the bride! 

In the middle of the trip, I looked up and there was a road sign that read,  "Raggedy Point." I laughed and told my two friends traveling with me that it was descriptive of where we were at. 

Raggedy. 

Not raggedy because it wasn't enjoyable or something. Raggedy because we are so rich- so loved! Raggedy because leaving a place only enlarges your desire for home. Raggedy because saying goodbye makes me hunger for eternity. Raggedy is ok, because He himself wept. Its ok because he took on flesh and allowed even the emotions of humanity to be redeemable.

So:) thanks for all the love. 

I'm blessed by you all! 

You invite deeper hunger into my life. 

Moving to Jordan

January 26, 2015 I will be moving to a village on the Northern border of Jordan. There, my team and I will work primarily with Syrian refugees. My first couple of months will be focused on language learning and working my way through culture shock. I am joining a small NGO called The Hope Project. They do three kids clubs throughout the village, in total serving 180+ children.These clubs are a place for laughter, games, relationships, and learning stories. The kids we are working with have been through traumatic displacement due to the war in Syria. Part of our role is to help them with school work and English classes. All of The Hope Projects programs are ultimately intended to build lasting relationships. Because of the culture that we are serving in, we know that trusted relationships will take time to build.

This will be my first time in Jordan. The truth of the matter is that I do not know exactly what I am stepping into. I believe that I will be in situations that are very uncomfortable for me, that invite me into more growth, and that constantly invite me to put all my trust and hope in our Father. I also know that I am not going to Jordan for some grand adventure in the desert, but that I really do sense His leading and calling over my life. 

I will be moving to Jordan with a dear friend, Maddy Daniels. We are both very excited for all that is in store for us over the next two years! We are just trying to not stress out and simply remain in Him who is forever faithful. So thankful for your prayers and for your interest in what is coming up! 

Much love friends!