Doors of Portugal

I knew going to visit the Bustrums in Portugal was going to be an amazing vacation. I knew I was going to have the best time with my three beautiful nieces.

I knew I was going to see new places and try new things. I knew the history of the country was rich and exciting, and I looked forward to taking it all in.

What I did not expect was how much I would love it all. What I did not expect was that my limited Arabic would come flooding back and I would be ready to jump back in language learning.

I did not expect to find doors waiting for me.

I love doors, you could say I adore doors. They are beautiful. They intrigue my curiousity as I wonder what mysteries they hold behind them. But most of all I see them as invitations to walk into opportunities for sharing the hope that I have.

Every door stands there as if waiting and asking me if I am willing. Am I willing to go through the open doors of Europe and share the hope of Christ?

Enjoy these pictures of a few of the doors of Portugal. While you enjoy the pictures remember the people of Portugal and those who have been sent out to live among them. "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison - that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." Colossians 4:2-4

Let us rejoice and be glad in it

I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day the Lord has made (Ps 118:24)
No other reason is necessary to have joy because
My joy is found in Christ

In his atoning sacrifice

In his resurrection and power
In his completed work
May I never forget my condition without Christ, so that
I will delight in Him always!
Joy is not something I can attain for myself
Joy is only in Christ
Joy is not having all the good things I want
Joy is knowing I am forgiven and a member of God's family
Joy is not something I can give to others, but my joy in Christ
will overflow as I chose to have joy in Him, as I chose to dwell on the things of the Lord, as I live as a witness to others, my cup overflows as I dwell on the joy set before me.
Joy is a command because I must remember to chose joy this day instead of the trappings of the world.
Deuteronomy 27:7 "and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God"
Psalm 18:11 "in your presence there is fullness of joy"
Philippians 1:18, 2:18, 3:8, 4:4

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Rejoice Always, Pray without ceasing, Give Thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for You"

Celebrating the arrival of my newest niece - Selah Elle DeLaughter! What more can I say? Hope all of you out there are enjoying and celebrating new life this Easter weekend. Letha

Bday Party Pictures

A few friends at my Friday Night Waffle Dinner

Birthday Memories

Bria found the cake irresistable!

Look how little the kids are! I guess it was 5 years ago.
I love this birthday memory and am so glad I have pictures of it.

Bday in TZ with Dad and Mom - 2005

And my 26th Cupcake Birthday Party
In about an hour friends will be coming over to celebrate this year with me.
We are going to have Waffles for Dinner!
Pictures to come
Letha

"Hello out there!"
I hear this phrase in my head and I actually had to physically say it outloud. I feel eight years old again (versus the 28 years old I am as of today). Don't know how many of you had the priviledge of listening to the tape of "Down by the Creek Bank" but that is where this one phrase takes me back to. I can still see the kids, and I'm there will them yelling out and hearing their echoes return. LOVE IT! Next the songs all start coming back, if you give me a call I will sing a few with you - at least the lines I remember.
Anyways, I realized recently that I have ignored my blog and thought today would be a fitting day to return. It is my birthday and a good day to reflect and share with friends and family. My 27th year passed quickly as it was full of study, travel, new friendships, new jobs, new church family; basically new everything. The most exciting part for me is that I can see the fingerprints of God in my life. I love that I have continued to grow deeper in my love for Him and for His Word. So even though I never planned in my great self planning skills to be here at this moment in my life I have great joy in knowing that God is using this time and place to shape me into someone who looks more like Christ daily.
Ephesians 2:8-10
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Chrsit Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
I also want to give a shout out to the bible study I am now working through written by Jennifer Rothschild - "Fingerprints of God"
Thanks for being a part of my life - I promise some pictures coming soon.
Enjoy

Merry Christmas from Canada

We all woke up to a very white Christmas. We had some presents to open from Portugal, NC and Canada. Some are still stuck in Washington due to snowy weather :) There are a few waiting under the tree for Heidi and Doug to be able to come up.

Here is a picture of me and my new snowman enjoying some time by the fireplace while Dad was clearing a spot for company to park.

Here is the group who came in the snow to celebrate Christmas dinner with us and enjoy the day.

And the Snow just kept falling

It is going to be a beautiful White Christmas here in Vancouver

Having fun with Mom and Dad. We are enjoying every moment of the Christmas season in white. Merry Christmas!

I decorated for Christmas!

My VeggieTale Nativity it a hit even with the Seminary crowd

I have been waiting all year to display my three gifts of the Wisemen. Did you know the wisemen came from the Arabian Peninsula? Actually, I don't know that they did, but it is the ancient trade route for Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh. I love the image of the three gifts and the significance they represent. Let us worship the true King.

This is prettier in real life - with white lights.

Merry Christmas to all.

Here are the Thanksgiving pictures I am sure you all have been waiting for in great antcipation. And honestly, I would rather be doing this than writing the paper that must be done before I am allowed to sleep again.
Enjoy

My Yummy 1st Serving

I do believe that is some stuffing on my fork.

Me and my friend Alyson, we made a feast for ourselves

And on Saturday night we had a party with Ingram, so of course one more picture. Is it just me or do a look a bit jaundiced?

Happy Thanksgiving!
I have so much to be thankful for. Taking a look back on the last three years I am amazed at all that I have experience and all the blessings I have to give thanks for this year.

2005 in Virginia with Friends

2006 - I took the picture and love it because 6 nationalities are represented in this picture from a less than traditional Thanksgiving Celebration.

2007 - Just one year later what a contrast -from the sweltering heat to the snow! A year with a more traditional holiday of visiting family.

Remind me to post pictures after our meal on thursday - letha

Prayer Reminder
No matter how we are feeling about the election process this week, one factor is always high on my list - the sanctity of human life. This blog is a request for everyone to take a minute to lift up these specific concerns to our heavenly Father. If your not convinced that human life begins at conception take a look at Kara's blog from October 15th.
Please take note of these statements from an email I received this morning from the director of Pregnancy Support Services of Wake Forest, a ministry to young women in our community. I volunteer my time every Monday because I believe that women need to be supported in love and given knowledge about the best possible life for them and their baby!
November 5, 2008
Hello Prayer Partners!Get your knee pads out...lots of prayer needs...

~ In 2007, Obama promised the Planned Parenthood Action Fund that the first thing he would do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. FOCA basically lifts most/all of the restrictions on abortion--legal time limits, waiting periods, parental notification/consent, and possibly other items of imformed consent.
~ If he does not sign this in the 1st 100 days he will at least be making movement towards it. ~Following this action we foresee a multitude of strenuous regulations coming to Pregnancy Centers across the nation.
This is why we must become stronger than ever! In order to do that we need you praying!
Pray these things:
~God will raise up His church to do what they were neglecting to do when everyone was comfortable--feed the poor, care for the widow, defend the orphan, save babies, bear burdens, reach the lost.
~God will raise up workers for the things that really matter--that He will draw us in to narrow our focus on things that matter most to Him.
~God will raise up people with generous hearts that will fuel the fight for life nationwide so we can deliver hope to women and their families facing an unplanned pregnancy.
~Locally, pray that God will provide the facility, staffing, and a huge marketing campaign for PSSWF to grow our outreach and capacity to serve 1000s of women!
~ Pray for Obama...for his salvation...for his family...for his conscience to be moved by God.
~ Pray that we can trust God that He has raised THIS man up for HIS purposes!
~ Pray that we will see the revival of the Christian community out of this! I think we will :-)
Thank you for praying! Thank you for giving! Thank you for serving!
Fighting for life,
Amber

It's been a Year
I realized last night that it has been about one year since I came back to America. Where has the year gone? As I was using my computer bag today I found in a side pocket my October 2007 calender. The memories that all came back are almost overwhelming. I was taken back to last year just with seeing the page - scribbled on each date are the names of dearly loved friends I left behind - listed are the friends on my must see one more time to say a proper goodbye and places I wanted to visit. I never thought I would miss that strange, intense, dry land to very much. Life was hard, but it was very good. Life here is busy and I am taking it all in the best I can but it could never compare. Also on the bottom of the calender I had these references written Ps 40:10, Ps 86:9&10, Is 43:19
Letha

My Apartment

See the cute pumkin pie pumpkin - it's my roomate's

Well, I was going to post about how much I like my new haircut, the rain and school. But my sister's blog is really what you all should check out - go to http://dkdelaughter.blogspot.com/
Letha

I don't really have anything to write about, but I can't sleep and my roommate is peacefully asleep so I have no one else to talk to. Thanks for listening.

So what is up in my life? Classes are going well. I am loving Baptist History lecture and am planning on keeping that great attitude in the class even after the quiz on Thursday. I am not so much loving my Biblical Counseling class, but I learned last semester not to judge a class too quickly so I am trying to find a jewel in each class session. From the three hour "lecture" last week this was my jewel. If you read the Bible outloud it should take approximately 72 hours. I heard someone talk once about having an event and staying up all night together reading the Bible outloud. The professors idea in this class was to gather for a few hours each week and read the Bible together in a months time - both ideas sound fabulous to me.

Another event in my life, or attempts as I feels like today, is that of starting a new job. I am really discouraged right now about jobs in general. I am still hopeful that this job will end up being a great thing, I just hope I was wise in my decision to try and get involved, when it appeared that nursing was not a viable option. I don't feel wise tonight.

Positively, I am still so excited about all the new friends I have this semester. Everyday I am in one of my neighbors apartments. Monday some of us got together and had a picnic, then had a study group last night. Today I rode to class with two friends, then went to the store this afternoon. So not having a job right now is a good thing, because I have more time to be with friends!

Good Night

Ruth Bell Graham

So I am back in school and reading and listening lots which includes note taking and learning but what has been most significant to me these last few weeks has not been the classroom. First, I have been blessed with some amazing new friends. Which I can't say enough about so you will just have to believe me they are great and a huge encouragment to me.
Secondly, I was greatly challenged during the Chapel hour last week. Dr Ashford spoke, and I didn't take notes or feel anything especially working in my mind during the hour, but since then I can't get the main idea of his talk out of my mind. Has my ministry or plans for ministry become an idol? Have my plans become so much a part of who I define myself as, that I put them in a place they do not belong?
These thoughts were reinforced after last nights exciting event of a movie on the lawn. Really, it was super fun - me and my amazing new group friends all brought a feast of snacks and watched the new Billy Graham movie on a big screen outside on campus. Now the movie while worth seeing wasn't all I had hoped for, it did make me think again about Ruth Graham. I already knew I liked her, and I had been greatly impressed by the TV presentation about her life that I saw while visiting Mom and Dad soon after my return to the States this winter. But I had never considered how much I have in common with her. She was an MK, she had a passion for the nations, she went to school to prepare to return and serve God wherever He called her. Hence, the wherever. She thought it would be in the isolation of Tibet, rather it was to stay in America. The question posed to me after the movie was, "Would I be willing to do that"? Immediately I said no, I don't fit into American small church life, I would always be a misfit, I would always long for work overseas, I have been called and I will go. Wrong answer, bad attitude on my part. Rather may I have a love and passion full of Christ so that I will live in obedience to His call wherever that may be, like my new hero Ruth Graham. Now don't you worry, it is going to have to be an awefully loud and clear to keep me in America, but the point is I have to be willing. I have to love Christ first and not my comfort or my plans. So that is what I have been chewing on this week. It may still be a bit jumbled, but I hope you can be challenged as I was to look again at your priorities. And be willing to ask yourself if there is something you worship unaware?
http://www.billygraham.org/RBG_Multimedia.asp

And the Big Event
Doug and Heidi's Reception

What a cute couple
and an adorable cake
Heidi planned a beautiful event - the cakes, decor and candy were perfect

Ring Pictures

Lots of pictures

And reunions
Me and Destiny after 15 years
We have both changed and experienced a lot since 6th grade, but still friends

Pics from Longview!

4th of July
Okay, let it be said Longview, Washington knows how to celebrate Independence Day

We started the day watching a fabulous town parade.
Marching bands, cheerleaders, cars, dogs and most
importantly bags full of candy being thrown into the street
for the taking!

Lunch at Gramma Gillihan's


And then at dark the real festivities started
Fireworks everywhere, all night - way to celebrate!