Ohio & the Baptism

What a blessing it was to see Mary, Joe, and the fam in Ohio! I'm the proud godmother of little Jacob Daniel and Johhny was reunited with his goddaughter Lily. What fun!

Introducing...

...the newest LBT candidate!

Thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray as I seek the Lord's guidance and will. There are many steps in the application that I need to go through, such as interviews and tests. I'm somewhat nervous, but God's grace is really evident and I'm excited! Praise Him!

Daring to Dream

My dream and call is becoming more of a reality every day. I ask that you will partner with me in prayer as I make my application to Lutheran Bible Translators. I just sent in the first part of the application for candidacy trusting the Lord for His guidance. I praise Him for laying this burden on my heart, and I'm grateful for the grace He has poured out on me in allowing to know my call. It's hard to believe that in six months, I will be graduating from Northwestern; and in about eight months, I will be moving to Texas for additional linguistic training, Lord willing! I have had countless frustrations and feelings of inadequacy, but Christ is my refuge. I am hesitant in posting the bulletin, because my plans are not set in stone, but I NEED prayer. There are many decisions to be made, and I get confused. For example, do I want to partner with WMPL or Wycliffe? Where should I go? Who should I go to? Pray against Satan's attacks and that I do not allow him any footholds in my life. I'm so excited to know what God has in store, so it's difficult to keep my mind on present tasks such as Greek and Hebrew studies and the like. Thank you for all the support and advice I have received, and please keep them coming.

The Latest

Hysterically Ironic!

My last first day of school!

I was sitting in Environmental Science on Wednesday, and a friend behind me reminded me of the fact that that day was my last first day of college! Incredible. It has gone by so fast, yet I have a whole two semesters to go. This semester is going to be a heavy load, but I'm looking forward to all that I'm going to learn. My class schedule is full:

Intermediate Greek I
Classical Hebrew I
Environmental Science & Lab
Music in World Cultures
Portfolio
Directed Study focused on Bible Translation Theory

The Lord is teaching me so much in discipline, patience, and priorities. I was just offered a nanny job which starts this Wednesday. Hopefully I'll find a second one after a few interviews. I thought about going back to Baker's Square, but my knees could use a break for this semester at least. Recovery has gone suprisingly well, and my therapist is happy. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. I pray the results are noticeable improvement.

In my last post, I mentioned that Esther (my sister) was in an immobilizer from a work related injury. She had surgery a couple weeks ago on her left knee (same as mine), and the recovery isn't going as well as we anticipated. Please keep her in your prayers through this time of pain and frustration.

Our family is having a wonderful time together in seminary housing. Mama is hoping to substitute teach this upcoming year, Daddy is helping the Bible Schoolers move in today (He's the new Director of Student Outreach at AFLBS.) and preparing for seminary classes to begin this week, and John is going to finish his last year through online studies and the public high school. The Lord is really working things out and putting pieces in place. Praise HIM! We sure miss Esther, Joe, Mary, Lily, upcoming Baby, and the Rosemead compound though.

Changes!

Brief Summary: Moving!!! Daddy's in seminary, I've had surgery, the family is together, and God is working.

PRAISE THE LORD! I have no complaints with how life is going, and I am ashamed as to why I ever doubt the Lord's provision and guidance. Though uncertainty still clouds my vision, my confidence in HIS leading has grown.

FAMILY: Big Changes.

My daddy has decided to attend AFLTS here in MN. He, Mama, and Johnny (brother, 17) drove out at the end of July. Who would've thought that this was in the plan of the Almighty? Just after I had made the last post, I got a call from my parents informing me of their plan to come to the seminary. The next day, they called and asked if I would like to move into the third bedroom in the seminary housing! Many prayers have been answered. I not only have my family near me daily after three years of being away, but I have a place to live at minimal expense. I'm going to miss my dear house and roommates of this past year, but it's a wonderful opportunity that I must not pass up. It's going to be such a fun time to live with my brother as he finishes his last year of high school and as he anticipates spending two years at AFLBS here on the same campus where I was for two years. Incredible!

As some of you know, I'm in recovery from knee surgery. I had open patella realignment. They went in with a scope on the outside of my left knee, and made about a 5'' incision. They loosened outside ligaments and tightened inside ones. Thanks to prayer and support, I am having a speedy recovery, and I feel great! I am confident that the Lord provided Dr. Arendt, who happened to be a leading specialist in patella realignment, as a tool to heal me. They plan to do the right knee in six months to a year.

My sister Esther was planning a trip out to MN, and ironically, she dislocated her left knee at work just before she came out. It was quite a humorous sight having both of us hobbling around in immobilizers. She's moved into the house my parents left in California, and she is still working security and going to school at APU.

My other sister Mary and my niece Lily surprised us with a visit this week. It's wonderful having the whole family together, but we miss Joe. Joe, 7 month pregnant Mary, and Lily are living in Ohio now while Joe is doing his seminary internship this year.

TRAINING & WORK: Pressing on.

Obviously from the above, I'm learning that though I plan constantly, I must be open to the Holy Spirit's leading. I plan to graduate from NWC in the spring and attend GIAL in the fall of 2007. I am still uncertain as to which mission organization to join, so it's hard to know what step to take next. Applications are in my hands waiting to be filled out. I trust that all will fall into place according to God's plan in HIS timing, but patience is hard to come by.

Due to my surgery, I am still not working. I miss waitressing and and being a nanny desperately, but it is nice to have a break. I hope to return to work within a few weeks, Lord willing.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT DURING THIS TIME!

Only a girl named Ruthie....advisers needed.

Brief Summary: Home, Christy and Josh's wedding, Knee Surgery, and Proverbs 12:1; 15:22.

I went home for five days! What a wonderful visit I had with family and loved ones. I don't know how, but I love them more. Daddy and Mama are getting ready for big changes, and we're all excited to see where the Lord takes them. Esther is working, taking summer classes, and living at home temporarily. Johnny is now a handsome young man finishing one more year of high school through online studies. (Joe, Mary, Lily, and coming Baby have moved to Ohio where Joe is doing his internship this year.)

I had the opportunity of being a bridesmaid at Christy (Nelson) Mohr's wedding on Saturday. What beauty and love! Their theme verse was from Ruth 1:16b: "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and you God my God." They are in Hawaii for their honeymoon and will be living in Oregon. "Thank you Josh and Christy for including me in your lives." The Lord undoubtedly has his hand on this marriage. It was fun to reunite with dear friends and make some new ones.

My expected uneventful summer has proved otherwise. After a second opinion in California, I am scheduling to have knee surgery as soon as possible. The recovery is at least 6 weeks of no work, so I hope to get it done within a month so it doesn't conflict with school. Please pray for surrender in this issue. I am very nervous and uncertain about the whole thing. Also, please pray for me financially as I go into my last year at Northwestern with little to no savings.

With Bible translation organization applications in my hands, my great courage has suddenly dwindled to that of a little girl. I continue to remind myself of the song I sang as a child: "Only a boy named David, only a little sling." I ask that you prayerfully consider advising me through this whole thing as I long to listen to the verses in Proverbs.

12:1

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."

15:22

"Plans FAIL for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they SUCCEED."

UPDATE

I only have a few assignments and a couple exams left, before I hed for summer.... school. Yes, I must take summer school. It's only going to be two weeks of Argumentative Research Writing. I don't know exactly what I'm going to write about yet.

As some of you know I have been in search of a nanny job, and I have found one. Praise the Lord! I am starting on Monday to watch a 7-ish week old baby named Angelo! I am looking forward to smooching, cooing, and diaper changing. It's only going to be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I will continue to waitress on Fridays and Saturdays.

Prayer!

-knees:

I am now wearing a knee brace on my left knee. I will be seeing the doctor in a few weeks to see if surgery is in my future.

-work:

I am beginning a new job on Monday.

-school:

This last stretch is making me drag my feet, and I need to end strong.

-future:

Exciting things are happening, and I need widom and discernment to know what is of God and what steps to take in the upcoming months and years.

-relationships:

My work relationships have become quite personal, and I just pray that the Lord's hand is on these and that he might use me to somehow display a little bit of Christ.

For the Love of Life

I had an amazing time in Minot. Rhoda was the most gracious hostess and the Jore family once again were very welcoming. It was so nice to get away for a few days and catch up on rest and sanity. Though I had many experiences along the way, I am alive and well. I went in the ditch and am so grateful for the Lord's hand of protection on me and my car. How fun it was to visit, play some games, and do lots of laughing. What a joy and blessing this family has been to me.

After Minot, I went to Bemidji and had a wonderful time visiting my dearest Ellie. We (she, her boyfriend-Corey, and I) ran around and did so much like taking pictures under Paul and Babe, thrifting, studying, walking, touring OHCC (Oak Hills Christian College, where I was going to go), spending time with SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics) classmates, late night conversations, Finding Nemo, and so much more. What a dear partner in crime and fellow linguist-geek.

It's been a while since Spring Break. I am looking forward to 2 classes ending and having an easier schedule. I really enjoy my Bible Customs and Geography class, and I'm sad it's over. Hopefully, I'll be able to work more on my major requirements. I just had a wonderful Monday and Tuesday with Karen Olson, my cousin, who was here for choir tour with CLBI. How nice it was to remember how close I feel to her and how dear she is to me. Though we didn't have much time, we were able to get some talking and hugs in. I love her dearly.

These are just a few prayer requests if you think of me. Please pray:

• that I might be a better witness at work and find joy in all things
• for my knees (healing, discipline with therapy, wisdom for doctors)
• patience for the Lord's guidance
• that I might be more disciplined with school
• for total surrender and hunger for God

Praise the Lord:

• for the Bible Study I've joined with a co-worker
• healing process of work relationships
• good health (so far this winter I haven't been sick)
• for his protection over break
• for his unending provision

Teehee.

Mission Accomplished. Well, sort of. I am facing Mission Impossible II now. My major is approved. I am officially in the Interdisciplinary program with a major entitled: Linguistics, Ancient Language, & Historical Texts. Whew. It's a mouthful, but I really trust it's going to be worth it. I wrote out all my classes several times and it has also been approved that I can finish in the spring of 2007! Only one more year!!! After that... I am really hoping to get accepted to GIAL (Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics). Moving to Texas and completely clueless. Teehee. Just a little info--I really have no clue what I'm doing. I just keep taking my steps with my eyes closed and hoping that I don't fall... to much that is. The future is a mystery, but that's what makes it exciting.

Well back to the moment. I am officially on Spring Break. Spring cleaning is coming, I feel it. Possibly after I publish this post. I'm heading up to see Nate, Rhoda, and 2 little shnookums (Elijah & Judah) on Sunday/Monday. Then down to see a good friend, Ellie!!! I'll be driving, resting, visiting, and playing for a whole week! Oh what joy.

5 days of fun!

I had a wonderful visit with my parents when they came up for 5 days! What a great little break and bonding time.

Back-Translation

Life is good. Extremely busy and full, but I find moments to enjoy myself. Right now, I'm taking a break from homework. I have chicken curry on the stove finishing off the potatoes and waiting for the vegetables. The lentils are sitting beside it waiting for the rice in my cooker. All my roommates have places to go and things to do, so it's nice to have an empty house for a moment, though I enjoy their company always.

I have a full plate this semester, as I expected, but it's looking positive. I have the first draft of my proposal done and I've switched my title to "Linguistics, Ancient Language, & Historical Texts." Hopefully that will be approved along with my arguments for it. I am still trying to figure out what to do for my senior project. My latest interest and desire is to work with a back-translation (ideally from Bangladesh). A back-translation is something that has been translated and then translated back into the original (e.g. English to Santali and back to English). This would allow me to see the translation done, and study why things were translated with the culture, people, and background in mind and not just word for word. Oh, I hope it works! If not, back to square one, so I'm still very open to any ideas or advice you might have.

Greek is finished!!! I finished it the Saturday before 2nd Semester classes started. I am very excited that it is done, and I'm happy with the results. I almost want to go back to that craziness and get away from 2nd Semester Greek, but I must move on, right? I am enjoying the class. Biblical Customs and Geography, 2nd Temple Judaism, Speech, and Biology are my other classes. I am finding that the BC & G and 2nd TJ classes are really helping me to understand and appreciate the Bible more, and are helping me toward my career goals. Wow! Praise the Lord for his guidance.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers as the homework load is heavy, and I am working 4 days a week still at Baker's Square. I enjoy my work, classes, and all, but I'm having a hard time with the quiet times because there really aren't any. I pray that God will help me prioritize and multiply my time through diligence and focusing. Thank you so much for your love and prayers.

FAMILY