a crazy week

i usually try to be susinct when i post - but this week has been anything but susinct...so here are some random thoughts/happenings from my week.

it seems winter has decided not to let me go without one last really good show of it's force. On wednesday the wind chill was 10 below zero (my car door froze shut and i had to climb over the console to us the passenger door all morning, which wouldn't have been that big of a deal expect that i was running errands all morning and quickly lost count of the number of times i maneuvered myself in and out...not to mention the cold walk across the parking lot to my car which made me think, "I will NOT miss this!").

Last night we got 5 inches of snow...its really beautiful, and the temp was higher than that frigid wednesday....that's the good news. The bad news is that i'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer and insist on wearing shoes without heels in michigan in the winter. I was at my parent's house overnight and only had heel-less shoes here. just in case you were wondering - walking on un-shoveled sidewalks and driveway in 5 inches of snow without backs on your shoes is a really bad idea. you are garanteed to get wads of snow in your shoes and it will be cold.

I've had great time with great friends this week. in the midst of the never-ending list of things to do, i've had some really good time with people who are treasures to my heart (I figure the list will get done somehow - it has to...i'm not going to sacrifice all my time to tasks...). my mom commented the other night that i have some great friends - and i agree, God has blessed me with a lot of people who share my heart...who are fun to be with - and are just faithful friends.

It feels a bit like finals week. i haven't taken a final exam in 8 years or so...but this is sure what it felt like...you just work and work and not matter how many things you cross of the list, there is still something more to do.

my trailer has had a few issues this week...just to make my week a little more exciting...perfect timing. both issues seem to be resolved - at least for now...

i had a bunch of cavities that needed to be filled. not exactly what i wanted to do...but it did seem like a good idea to take care of there now rather than later! (thankfully the fillings didn't interfere with my plan to eat as much good american food as possible between now and tuesday).

I've been staying at my parent's house - and have been soaking up little conversations here and there, as well as some great meals...and mealtime conversation. as well as taking over the dining room table as my base of operations/papers, piles, and lists exploding all over. I also went walking with my mom tonight :)

I had lunch with my friends Jana and Betsy. At one point my friend Jana said, "this may seem like a weird question, but how do you prepare yourself for the weight you carry, and for entering into such darkenss." - and i quickly affirmed that i knew exactly what she was talking about and that it was a great question. i responded that its through continually offering my heart to Jesus, asking Him to hold it...and keep it soft...and that its through the prayers of believers...but we then had this great conversation about the personal cost of entering into the broken world that Jesus calls His followers to engage in. (this is something i could go on about for quite awhile...and i'm sure i will at some other point in this whole adventure).

I can't believe that i leave on tuesday. i'm certain everything will get done...at least everything that absoluelty has to. in some ways is very surreal that i'm leaving for south asia for a year. i feel like one day (thrusday morning to be exact) i'm going to wake up...and i'll "suddenly" be in South Asia...and then it will be real...in all its beauty and struggle, hope and hardness, joy and sorrow. And by God's grace - it will be good.