On the move again

I am preparing to move back up north on Sunday. I'll be driving to Wheaton, IL on Sunday and then hitching a ride even farther north up to HoneyRock in Northern WI the next day. I'm going to spend some time catching up with friends and playing in the snow for 2 weeks. Then, I'm making my home in Wheaton while I raise the rest of my support for Japan. I'm planning on working part time so that I can dedicate a big chunk of time to making new support contacts. I also need to find some time to finish my final paper to officially graduate from grad school...

Please pray that my car makes it to Wheaton. The transmission is making a funny noise. I just need it to last a couple more months...

Merry Christmas!!

Hello all! I write this after an exhausting day of holiday retail. whew... I work a shorter shift tomorrow and then dash home for an evening of food with the family. Mom and I have been working on the food all week. The fudge is wonderful...but don't ask me how much I tried this morning.

I pray you all will have a Blessed and Holy celebration of our Lord and Savior. YOU are a blessing to me and I'm so thankful to count you as a friend!

Merry Christmas!

support update

Oh yeah! I forgot to give you the latest numbers for my support raising.

Monthly support raised: $452.50
Monthly support left to go: $2643.12

Start-up support raised: $2,419
Start-up support left to go: $3609.68

When I reach 100% of my start-up expenses (about $6,028.68) and 85% of my montly pledges (about $2,720), I can apply for a VISA to enter Japan. Then I will depart for Japan about 5 months after that goal has been reached.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

The Christmas season is in full swing at my department store. I'm surprised that I haven't been overwhelmed by the commercialism like I was when I worked at the Christian bookstore last year. That was a terrible experience that I plan to never experience again. Working for a secular company has been surprisingly uplifting. I have had some amazing opportunities to serve my co-workers and the customers who come in. I've even had some spiritual discussions with one of my friends there.

I have started making plans for moving back to Wheaton. Looks like I will leave here on the 1st of Jan. to make the 11 hour trek to Chicago-land. Then, the next day I board a bus from Wheaton College to HoneyRock for 2 weeks. I'm desperately in need of some play time in the snow and catching up with my friends Meg and Andrea. I'll be helping out with some winter retreat programming and probably some kitchen duty. Lots and lots of dishes....and cross-country skiing.

When I am done at HoneyRock, I'll be making my new home with David and Aimee Walford in their new home in Wheaton. David and Aimee were fellow HoneyRockers with me last year. They have so generously volunteered their home to me until I leave for Japan. I'm sooooo excited about living near my good friends, church, etc. Nicole's getting married in March. RJ and Jeff's baby is coming in March. I'm going to be involved in a new ministry at Christ Community. It's going to be a busy spring!