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!

Summertime in Vancouver

I got to celebrate some more June birthdays with the Bustrums!

Along with lots of fun in the sun!

I had forgotten how beautiful the northwest is, not only the nature but the weather. You can enjoy every moment outside in the sun

I look like I helping, don't I?

Did I mention before that these two are the cutest boys ever?

You can just imagine how amazing this palace once was

We are pretty sure we found the "secret passageway"!

The view from the gates looking at the fort

Golkonda Fort

Exploring the ruins

I found another great "door" picture to add to my collection- the view at the top of the fort looking out at the city was more than impressive.

The DeLaughter's

I had the best visit, next year I may have to visit Europe but then I will be back!

Some Pictures from Around Town

Lunch at KFC - We also ate at great Indian restaurants, but sadly I was more interested in the yummy food than taking pictures for later.

I am so glad I will never have to drive in India. I was very happy to sit in the back and watch the crowds go by. David has excelled in the art of pushing his way through. David is the one who originally taught me to drive - in a wood paneled station wagon - for those of you who remember "Woody", but I wasn't about to get lessons in this new art of driving.

See how much fun the back seat was?

And this was taken at another western food stop - Pizza Hut - Wesley slept through the event. Now I can say I have also tasted Pizza Hut in three countries.
Enjoy - I have one more set of pics from India then I will travel to Canada and Washington. For great pictures of Heidi's reception - she just posted some at www.lovelyfelix.blogspot.com/

A Little bit of culture
We spent a fun night out

Riding Camels

Watching a puppet show

And enjoying dinner.

As you can well imagine Kara excelled at the dance lesson. I kept getting told to listen to the music and stay with the beat. There was also a play, a magic show, henna art, and more dancing - this is India. It was a fun evening with Kara as we left the boys at home.

Fun for the whole family!

June 14, 2008
Isaiah's Birthday!

I was so excited to be there for Isaiah's birthday. We decorated the room and surprised him with a fun Transformer themed party. Go Bumblebee. Then we decorated cupcakes, sang happy birthday and opened presents. Uncle Mark and Auntie Hannah had sent fun transformer toys for both boys.

I am back in North Carolina. I have had a wonderful summer traveling about the globe. So let me start from the beginning. The first week of June I traveled to India to see the DeLaughter family. The first week we jumped on the train and headed for the beach! Fun times. Enjoy the pictures - I will share more soon - I have about 400 pics from India, and just as many from my trip to Canada and Washington so there will be more - Letha

Out for lunch. So sad we can't go back to this restaurant. At least until the next visit to India!

The cutest boys anywhere! Enjoying the train trip.