Friday, January 4, 2013

Five Things


Some days, change seems to be the only constant thing in my life. 
I have not written on this blog in ages. . . six months to be more specific. Why? Lots of reasons, actually. I have been busy. I have not had much to write about other than traveling. More than anything, though, I have had trouble coming up with a single, cohesive theme on which to write.
As a result, I have decided to do a list of several loosely related ideas. 
So, without further ado, here are five things that have changed in my life since I have written last.

  1. I have a new job. Well, sort of. I left my full-time position as the primary art teacher at Lexington Christian Academy and am now substitute teaching part time as my schedule allows. I have even subbed in my old job for the new art teacher. The kids were mildly confused and thought I had returned and Mrs. Wolfe was now gone. Oops. However, it is wonderful to be back with the kids I have known and loved for the past four years, even if it’s not every day. In the rest of my time, I am focusing more on working with partners for my ministry in Kenya and traveling to speak at churches. If you would like to know more about that, let me know!
  2. I have new roommates! After my cousin Ivey ran off and got married (not really--she had a gorgeous and well-planned wedding), her sister and I found two more friends to share our house. Jayne and Audrey are amazing and, surprisingly for four kitchen-savvy, opinionated women, we all get along really well. I am incredibly blessed by their friendship and their laughter. There really is no place like our home.
  3. I have new students! I have recently learned there will be at least three new young families coming to Tenwek through Samaritan’s Purse and they all have kids. I learned that when I ran into a guy from Samaritan’s Purse at the Global Health Missions conference in Louisville about a month ago. Through my conversation with him, as well as numerous other conversations with parents who are interested in missions, I have a renewed sense of the need for more educators for missionary kids. It is one of the top questions parents have when they start feeling God’s call into missions and it is one of the reasons many families never leave the U.S. It’s also one of the primary reasons (many agencies will say the #1 reason) families leave the mission field and return home. Many times, they just don’t think they have enough educational options for their kids. If you are interested in solving that problem in Kenya, follow this link and support my ministry. Or ask a question in the comments section below. If you are a teacher who is interested in serving overseas, let me know that, too! I’d love to help you connect with ministries that could use your teachin’ talents.
  4. I have a newsletter! I am trying to improve my communication with the people who want to be a part of the ministry of Tenwek Hospital, so if you are interested in receiving my monthly newsletter, email me. 
  5. We lost a roommate. Back in February, Mari, a family friend, came to live with us while she recovered from brain surgery to remove a tumor and started chemotherapy. In short, the cancer did not respond to the treatments and Mari passed away on October 28th. She was young, beautiful, and creative and we miss her terribly, but know she is finally out of pain and at peace. Thanks be to God. 

Thank you all for you partnership--in prayer and resources. You all are a blessing to me.