The new hair and lots of family photos

I have teased you long enough that I feel that I must deliver on posting a picture of my new hair.

It is a little darker and a little shorter. I am also going to post a few family pictures taken before going to the Christmas Eve church service. Enjoy:)

Family time in Myrtle Beach

I arrived in Myrtle Beach last Thursday to spend the holidays with family. I have gone shopping almost every day. I love to shop! I actually needed to get shoes and clothes because Thailand is not likely to have shoes and clothes to fit. The Thai people have really small feet and most are short and very small.

My nieces arrived today:) Hughes is 9 and Lillie just turned 3. They are both lots of fun. They will be here until Sunday. I was scheduled to leave Dec. 27th for Thailand but my VISA has still not come through yet. It is going to be re-submitted tomorrow morning so I am not sure how soon I will get it.

I also got a haircut today and my hair is now a bit darker. I will post a picture later this week. It isn't too dark but I didn't want to be too blonde since I will already stand out in a foreign land. You will have to just wait and see what you think of the new hair.

I hope that is a good tease for you to want to keep up with my blog (I learned all about good teases from Dana)!

Looking back

The past 8 weeks have flown by so quickly and now I am going to try and reflect on what I have learned. I am just going to include the highlights:)

1. Spiritual Warfare exists!

2. Die to self so that I can make little of me to make more of God!

3. Be a learner not a knower!

4. Be a servant (Jesus was a servant in Mark 10:45) "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

5. Remember Your Purpose (John 4:34)

6. CPM (Church Planting Movements) house churches/small group Bible studies

7. Rapid multiplication--Multiplication means I reach someone who shares it with someone else who then shares it with someone else.
2 Timothy 2:2- And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

8. Become a student of the people I am ministering to in Thailand—know more about Buddhism then they do

9. Language learning is going to be hard! Thai is a tonal language which is one of the most difficult languages. Practice, practice, practice

10. Witnessing in a person's "heart language" is the best way to lead someone to Christ!

11. There are many persecuted churches/individuals who make a stand for their faith.

12. Mobilization is important--involving churches, individuals, family members, and friends to join in my work in Thailand through prayer, going (short term trips) and giving (Lottie Moon Christmas offering)

13. Power in Prayer! Building a prayer team is necessary!

I could keep listing the many things that I have learned in the past 8 weeks but I will stop there. More highlights to come in future entries:)

Umbrella Day

Today was a really cold and rainy day. It was the kind of day where you just want to stay in bed for most of the day. Instead, I had to get up around 6 and walk to breakfast in the rain and listen to lectures all day. Actually the speakers were good and the day went by fairly quickly. I am thankful that tomorrow the week-end begins. I have some friends coming to visit on Saturday for lunch which is always exciting. I am thinking about all of these wonderful restaurants that we could eat at but I guess I will wait and see what they want to eat.

Shot day

Today I received 3 shots in preparation for my trip. I am very thankful to be finished with my shots. The tetanus shot really hurt so I have been trying to move my arm so that it doesn't get too stiff. I also took a few tylenols to ease the pain:) In about one hour I am going shopping!!! That will help me feel better:) I went with several friends to Barnes & Nobles and then to the wonderful "Short Pump" mall. I didn't really buy anything but I had fun looking. The best part was eating at the Food Court. I am not liking the cafeteria food anymore and am thankful that I only have a little more than a week left.

I also wanted to clarify that I am leaving in less than 20 days for Thailand as of today. I am really excited!! I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my family before leaving.

Be patient with me as I learn how to use this "blog thing". I want to keep you updated on what is going on across the ocean so stay tuned!