Summer of love (and Amish)

I just spent the last week in Goshen, IN at a friend's wedding and I must say that I have fallen in love with the mid-west. I used to often think why anyone would ever want to live anywhere other than California (I guess I'm a bit of a snob). But after spending some time in the beautiful Amish countryside, I would be happy to set up residence in the lovely state of Indiana. (If only it wasn't so far away from the ocean!!)



Here is a picture of Liz and I:

Pike's Peak

Yesterday a few of us had the opportunity to drive (yes drive, not hike) to the top of Pike's Peak. It was an amazing drive that took about 1 hour to get to the top, but it was a beautiful trip, full of breathtaking vistas of snowcapped mountains, crystal clear lakes and luscious valleys. Once we got to the top we were hit with thin air, 30 degree temperatures and strong winds to match. It was definitely a change from the 80 degree sunny weather in Palmer Lake.







Standing atop such a high mountain looking down at the miniscule town from where I just came, I was struck by the vastness of the world. I felt so small standing on top of Pike's peak, a seemingly enormous mountain, yet it is just a small dot on a map of the world. What an amazing God we serve who has created a world so big, so grand that it is unfathomable to the human mind, and yet He cares for each individual nation, each individual city, and each individual soul. There I was, on top of that huge mountain, enjoying God's amazing creation and I felt certain that He made it just for me. Just for me to enjoy it at that very moment. Just for me to look out on those beautiful mountains, decorated so delicately with snow. Just for me to feel the cold bite of the wind to remind me that I am alive. To remind me that God is strong and powerful, yet He cares. Cares so deeply for each created thing. Each tree, each bird, each child. He reminded me why I go, and why I live.

It is because He loves.

Colorado

I am currently here in Palmer Lake, Colorado for 3 weeks attending Missions Training International. Aside from adjusting to the dry air and high elevation I am having a great time. It is amazing how after only 1 week of being here I feel like I have connected deeply with many of the other participants. There are about 30 people here, including children, participating in the training session. So far we have discussed issues regarding integrating cross-culturally, conflict management styles, maintaining spiritual vitality and managing stress. I feel like I am learning a lot of skills to help me on the mission field, but mostly I am learning a lot about myself. All of the sessions have focused greatly on arriving at a greater self-awareness, acknowledging that the things we know about ourselves we can change, but the things we don't know can control us.

Please pray for me as I continue the next two weeks of this training. Pray for my tired body and mind as I often feel exhausted after each session as my mind and emotions get worked to the core. Pray also for the tight community that is forming here at MTI. Pray that we would be encouraging to one another as we walk this journey together.

Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers and support. Each day I discover more and more that missions is such a team effort and I greatly appreciate you teaming with me in this process.


God Bless!!


Here's a picture of me on the top of a big rock that I climbed in the Garden of the Gods. ( for those of you who know about rock climbing ratings, it was a 5-8. I was pretty proud of myself)