On Living In Obscure Places...

"I'm from Wisconsin."

I used to be able to say that, and people at least knew that it was one of those little-known states in the Midwest. And though I'm not much of a spectator sports fan, it is rather handy to be able to say the three magic words "Green Bay Packers" and make an instant friend. And then I moved across the pond.

People noted my strange accent and asked where I was from.

"Wisconsin."

"Wi-what?"

...

"Um, the United States."

"Oh really! Where in the United States?"

"Wisconsin."

*blank stare*

"It's, uh, in the middle. Near the top. Ever heard of Canada? Yeah, it's not too far away. Relatively speaking, you know."

That was at the beginning. Now I've got it figured out. I just say I'm from the US. If they ask further questions, I use the whole "Imagine my hand is the United States" trick…and I've figured out some other helpful triggers--"5 hours from Chicago. 4 hours from Minneapolis. Ever heard of Lake Michigan?"

It goes both ways. Now when I went back to the States and people wondered where I'd been for the last 7 months, I told them "Romania."

My O'Hare friend summed it up the best. "Urania? What's in Urania?"

I think next time I'll just say, "Europe." Maybe "Eastern Europe."

Rejoice with us...

...that this beautiful girl has joined the family of God! Sham is from a Hindu background. and I don't know what her conversion will mean for her family. Please join me in lifting up Sham before the Throne of Grace as she begins her new life in the Lord.

14. That growly and potentially bitey dogs are not one of my worst fears. Really. Just ignore them, and they'll (usually) ignore you.

To my brother and sister-in-law...

Happy 1st Anniversary!

February 2, 2008

I love you both! (and Brock!)

Sharmilee is a first year medical student who'd never made cookies before.

Lilian with Ellie and Lydia at our international Christmas celebration

It's called "blow pong." The goal of the game is to blow the ball off the sides of the table and keep the other teams from blowing it off your side. We were divided by nationality and somehow the Americans had enough hot air to keep the ball well away from their edge. :P

Ropa, aspiring model, strikes a dramatic pose...

Lilian (Zimbabwe) and I at the Christmas party for people who miss their families...

Merry Christmas! I miss you all!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Flattery is saying something to someone's face that you
would never say behind his back. --Alistair Begg

I'm Thankful...

9. For godly friends.

10. For good literature.
11. That the gospel message transcends language and cultural barriers.


12. For airplanes. Very handy.

13. For health. (and Sari!)