A Little Late This Week...Sorry!

Sorry I am a little late in up-dating my blog this week. Last night I realized that I had been so busy on Monday that I forgot to do it, but sense it was late, I decided to wait and do it this morning.

This weekend I drive back to Charlotte for the 1st class of the only class I haven't been to yet, New Testament Survey. I have had my first sessions of Theology Survey I and Church History Up to the Reformation. I am really enjoying both of these classes, but I believe the Church History class is my favorite so far. I find it very easy to forget that the people and places in the Bible were actually REAL and this course seems to be a great reminder of that, not to mention there are tons of things that I am learning about these people and places that I never knew! At times it's a little difficult to concentrate for so many hours, especially on Saturday afternoon, but I am often thankful that I am not working 40+ hours a week like some of the students are. I don't know how they get all of the assignments done, plus sitting in class all weekend after working all week would be extra difficult! Like I've said before, I spend most of my days reading/studying. Occasionally, I run errands for my mom and on Tuesdays/Thursdays I go with my grandfather to aerobics. Not to mention I enjoy going to the YMCA on my own on Mondays/Wednesdays when I can. Next week, in between my two classes, I plan on staying with Emily and her family in Graham. I get to babysit my nephew a couple of days and Emily and I have a few things planned. Of course, I can't miss a week of studying either, so I'm sure I'll be doing a fair amount of that!

One of the requirements with the mission is that I receive a pretty extensive check-up, while I'm home, to make sure that there is nothing wrong that could possibly delay my return to the field. In light of that, I am spending a fair amount of time this week in doctor's offices getting bloodwork and other exams taken care of. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Tonight I will go with my mom to choir practice at church. It has been awhile since I have sung in a choir, but I'm enjoying it. Although I am travelling a lot, I also continue to be active in my Sunday School class at church, when I can. They recently decided to meet in the afternoons, 2 Sundays a month for fellowship. I will enjoy doing that when I am in town.

Well, I guess that's about it for me right now! I'll try to do a more in-depth entry next week, maybe even with a few pictures! Be sure to check it out!

September 17, 2007

This will be one of those weeks that I don't have a lot to share! The conference last week was wonderful! I think my favorite part was meeting retired missionaries and listening to their stories of serving in South America about 60 years ago! Pretty incredible!

Now, I'm back at my parents house. Most of my days are spent reading and studying. I will be going back to Charlotte this weekend for another class, although I plan to come straight back to Franklin after class on Saturday.

As the weather cools off a little, I'm reminded what fall is like. It has been a while since I have experienced fall weather. I love it! Last night my parents and I enjoyed a campfire on the back porch for a couple of hours. It was great!

Well, I guess that will be it for this week, I need to go get dinner started! Thank you so much for your faithful prayers!

Greetings from Winnsboro, South Carolina!

Obviously I was able to find a computer, with internet, here at the conference center so fortunately for you, my blog is being up-dated!

This past weekend I completed my first weekend of classes at Gordon-Conwell. Praise the Lord for helping me to complete all of the required reading for the first class and for helping me to arrive safely (without getting lost and with time to spare). The class itself was very intense. Thankfully, the professor gave us frequent breaks (about every hour and 15 minutes), plus we had time for lunch. I tried my best to get down the notes, the professor goes fast, but he is efficient and speaks on a level that is easy for me to understand! I was grateful for that! During the weekend, I had the pleasure of staying with Bruce and Linda Dial, friends of my parents from Abingdon when I was younger. They actually moved away from Abingdon quite some time before my parents did so it has been a while since I have seen them. Bruce was travelling so this time I was only able to visit with Linda. However, it was a wonderfully relaxing "girls" weekend! I really appreciated her hospitality! I hope to stay with them again while I am in Charlotte for class. My next class will be in a couple of weeks.

Yesterday, I left Charlotte and drove a little farther south...about 45 minutes...to the White Oak Conference Center for the South America Mission annual family conference. This is the first one I have gone to, but I am really enjoying the chance to meet people that I have only heard about by name! Many retired missionaries come to conference and I love hearing their stories of South America in the 50s, 60s, 70s! It's pretty amazing to even get to get a glimpse of this history! I will be here until Thursday, at which time I will drive up to Emily and Christophers for a night and then on to my parents on Friday! Thank you so much for your faithful support and prayers...this kind of longevity that I am seeing this week is only a brief sample of the thousands of people around the globe who are praying, supporting financially, and going! The network is incredible! Blessings to you all!

Vacationing in Florida...Visit with the HAuses

Sunday night I arrived back in Virginia after spending the week with the HAuse family in Florida. Fortunately, my parents were willing to come and pick me up at the airport, even though I didn't get in until the middle of the night!

Part of last week was spent with Jeff's family in Clearwater, FL...near Tampa. They were kind enough to put me up for a few days so I was able to actually stay with Jeff, Beth, and the kids. We did lots of shopping, and of course went to the beach!



One day we also went to a Christmas shop, which was lots of fun! That's where the picture below, of Beth and I, was taken! We also took a few other pictures, making it look like we had skipped ahead a few months!



On Thursday, we all loaded into a rented minivan (the only one you can't see here, other than myself, is Pablito) with our luggage. Keep in mind that each person is allowed two check bags and two carry-ons when flying. When returning to Bolivia (and I imagine other countries as well), you make a point to stock up on many things and use every inch of the allotted amount! I also had my luggage so there were 6 of us total with lots of bags as you can imagine! I think we used every corner of the minivan! We then went to Lake Worth, FL, stopping to have lunch with fellow missionary friends and then having dinner with other friends upon arrival in Lake Worth.



We were able to stay at the old home office, which has some housing available. That was convenient and much more cost effective than staying in a hotel! After more shopping, more packing, and again loading into the minivan, we drove to Miami Sunday morning at which point we said our good-byes. The HAuses flew out at about 3:00 in the afternoon and I then flew out at about 7:00 pm. All in all, it was a wonderful time. I enjoyed getting to see them all again and was able to send a few gifts with them for my friends back in Bolivia! Praise God for the enjoyable and safe week!

This week, since I am up-dating my blog a little late, I will go ahead and share that my grandfather celebrated his 102nd birthday yesterday, September 4th. My mom prepared a brunch in his honor and invited the ladies from his aerobics class. It was a lot of fun! I especially enjoyed it since I had missed the past couple of milestones! He continues to do well...playing the drums, going to aerobics, working on the computer, driving, etc. He talks about his memory going, but that just makes us all laugh!! His idea of his memory going is that he can't remember someones name, yet he doesn't have any problem telling you about a restaurant or place he went to 50 years or so ago! Incredible!


Well, I guess that's it for this week. I drive down to Charlotte on Friday to attend classes and then I have a conference to go to with the mission until Thursday, Sept. 13th. I'm not sure if I will have internet access next week or not, so it may be a week and a half before I up-date my blog again! Thanks as always for your continued prayers!