Two Years...

I realized this week that it has been exactly two years since I 'moved' back to America. I really cannot believe that it has already been two years, I feel and talk like I just got back a month ago. While I know this time in America has been growing me and challenging me to see life through yet another new perspective, I find myself constantly looking forward to the day when I get to go back. I had a class assignment this week that required me to evaluate what kind of legacy I am leaving behind. Am I leaving a legacy that makes the Lord's name greater? I find myself all too often focused on today and myself. My challenge for myself today is to make the most of the gift that God has given me today. To thank Him for all that he has done, is doing and will do in my life and be content to trust in Him alone and walk by faith. I want to leave a legacy of one who walked by faith and saw the power of the Gospel in her life.

Some of you know that the Getty's lyrics are some of my favorite...

I love this new song title By Faith

By faith we see the hand of God

By faith we see the hand of God

In the light of creation's grand design

In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness

Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth

With the power of His promise in their hearts

Of a holy city built by God's own hand

A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise

We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward

Till the race is finished and the work is done

We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day

When the longed-for Messiah would appear

With the power to break the chains of sin and death

And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go

In the power of the Spirit to the lost

To deliver captives and to preach good news

In every corner of the earth

We will stand...

By faith this mountain shall be moved

And the power of the gospel shall prevail

For we know in Christ all things are possible

For all who call upon His name

We will stand...

I got this off of Heidi's blog, and since I really should be studying I thought now would be a good time to answer and blog 45 random questions.

1. Do you like blue cheese? No, yuck.
2. Have you ever been drunk? No
3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes, it's irrational I know but I do.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I go back an forth, love them cooked over a campfire.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Too many to choose; Babes in Toyland, Charlie Brown, Elf
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee
9. Can you do push ups? I can
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? All of it! I have started quite the collection from around the world
11. Favorite hobby? Reading
12. Do you have A.D.D.? O.C.D? Nope!
13. What's your favorite shoe? the brown ones Hannah left behind
14. Favorite place you have travelled to? Africa, Asia and Europe
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Diet Dr. Pepper, hot tea
17. Current worry? hmmm, I should be studying for a mid-term on Monday
18. Current hate right now? I've had a pretty good day, maybe I will think of something tomorrow
20. How did you bring in the New Year? In Canada with Mom, Dad, Heidi, Doug and a bunch of other friends.
22. Name three things you own that are near you: sitting on my rug from India, leaning on my pillow from Pier1, next to my pink backpack from L.L.Bean.
23. Do you own slippers? Yep, love them - one pair I got one Christmas years ago, and another from my old roomie Allison
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? purple
25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? I loved my old Sateen sheets so satin could only be better.
26. Can you whistle? If I concentrate really hard, sometimes
27. Favorite color? purple or yellow
28. Would you be a pirate? I'm just not that daring
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Usually I don't sing
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Love all my nieces names...Sahara, Cambria, Tirza and Selah
31. Favorite boy's name? Zebulon
32. What's in your pocket right now? nothing
33. Last thing that made you laugh? probably Ingram
34. Best bed sheets as a child? CareBears! The pillow had one side bedtime bear the other sunshine bear!
35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? Falling from a tree swing at Brackenhurst and landing on my tailbone
36. Do you love where you live? I am so ready to move on, it was fine for a couple years
38. Who is your loudest friend? ??
39. How many dogs do you have? No pets

40. Does someone have a crush on you? I wish
41. What is your favorite book? I could never decide

42. What is your favorite candy? starbursts, skittles, or M&Ms are hard to resist

43. Favorite Sports Team? I would have to watch the games to have a favorite
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? In Christ Alone, By Faith
45. What is your least favorite animal? sharks

My Weekend

I had a fabulously, though way too fast, weekend with the DeLaughters.

Didn't have time for many pictures but did get a few.

These kinds of weekends make me wonder what I am doing way over here in NC.

Look what I found!
Lady Lovely Locks and her friends

I have been telling friends about Lady Lovely Locks and no one seems to have had the joy of her in their childhood like I did. So here is a simple shout out to Lady Lovely Locks. Wish I still had the coloring books, dolls and lunch box, so many hours of fun!

I am sending out a picture
to remind my family

that I want to see pictures of them!

From the Inside Out - Hillsong
We sang this song this morning in worship and I love the lyrics.
I did not want to stop singing it, I think I have found another heart song.

A thousand times I've failed

Still Your mercy remains

And should I stumble again

Still I'm caught in Your grace

Everlasting, Your Light will shine when all else fades

Neverending, Your Glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul, Lord I give you control

Consume me from the inside out Lord

Let justice and praise become my embrace

To love You from the inside out

Everylasting, Your Light will shine when all else fades

Neverending, Your Glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise

From the Inside Out Lord, my soul cries out

Do I need to tell you all what I am suppose to be doing?
Bet you guessed, I am "writing" yet another paper and have no words.
I think I have what most people refer to as test anxiety...but I have never experienced in on test. I just can't get a paper written and this should be an easy one. The paper is going to talk about the Christus Victor theme of Christ's work in his life, his death and his resurrection. Often this theme is presented as an opposing view to the penal substitution theme of Christ' work. Was the cross necessary to appease the wrath and justice of God or to win the victory over evil and mankinds bondage to sin? Do we focus on God's love or God's power? With this in mind how do we present the good news to those still in captivity? I was challenged to present the gospel using the Christus Victor theme, and I surprised myself. I loved it! It made so much more sense to me why this girl needed Jesus! Always before I would have focused on His love and comfort for her during this difficult time. Now I can also share with her the hope of putting her trust in the One who has overcome this world. I can share with her that her decision today determines which side she will choose to fight for. Joshua 24:15 "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
And so in the paper I am going to discuss how I presented the theme, how I would improve it for next time, and how I plan to use the theme in the future among the women I serve.
So let me know your thoughts
Letha