Time with friends

Last week I had the opportunity to spend some time with three wonderful women. We had such a good time together that we hardly noticed the SIX hourse went by! From left to right: Anna Stepanian, Christina Stanton, me and Laurel Jenkins.


A few weeks ago I introduced you to Christina. She is back from Slovenia and was spending some time in the Portland area. Anna also lived and worked with Josiah Venture in Slovenia - in fact she and Christina were roommates over there for 4 1/2 years. She moved home at the end of the summer and just recently moved to the Portland area. You might recognize Laurel from our photos taken in Colorado. She and her husband were at the language training we went to there.

I first met all three of these ladies while they were students at Multnomah. They were all RA's while I worked as a Residence Director there. Anna and Laurel were both Head RA's and Christina served as a Head RA the year after I left Multnomah. So, we go way back and have spent a lot of time together over the years. So many stories I could tell. :-) While I'm sad that Anna and Christina won't be in Slovenia when we go over, I'm so excited for the doors that the Lord is opening for them here.

I thought about posting some photos from long ago . . . but unfortunately, those were the days before I owned a digital camera and most of my photos are in storage. Might have to save that post for another day. :-)

32 Weeks and counting. . .

It's been while since I posted a belly shot so here's a photo of me today:

Seems kinda surreal that in just a matter of weeks our lives are going to change so dramatically. I find myself thinking about all the things I hope to get done before our baby arrives . . . and then just trying to relax and enjoy the whole pregnancy process.

Staying Warm

One of the best gifts I got this season came weeks before Christmas. My wonderful husband made these for me to survive the cold winter nights:

A little background for you: Before we lived in Lithuania, I used to own a very nice bean bag type thing made by Bath & Body Works. I would heat it up every night before bed and it would keep me so warm and toasty. Matt's favorite thing about it was that eventually in the middle of the night I would let go of it and it became a "speed bump" between Matt and me. You see, I like to snuggle with Matt to stay warm, but he couldn't do this for too long cuz he'd get so hot. (tmi? :-) In my my sleepy state I thought the bean bag was Matt and I'd snuggle up. I'm happy. Matt's happy.

Soooo. . . since I no longer have my Bath & Body Works "Beanie" Matt gave me a couple of homemade ones. What a thoughtful guy!!

To make your own Beanie:

Buy some rice (flax seed works best but it's kinda spendy) and some cheap socks. Fill one of the socks about 2/3rds full of rice and tie a knot in the end of the sock. Then slide the rice filled sock into the second sock. Microwave for a couple of minutes, then put the sock in your bed a few minutes before you go to bed to get it all toasty warm. So nice! You can also put mix a few drops of aromatherapy oil into the rice before you put the rice in the socks for an extra spa-like experience. My fave is a couple drops of peppermint and a couple drops of eucalyptus. Aaahhh! So nice!

Connections

Today I'd like to intrude you to two very special young ladies. One I have known for about ten years, the other I am looking forward to meeting next summer.

Christina, the girl on the left, was a student at Multnomah while I worked there as a Residence Director. Not only did I have the pleasure of having her as an RA one year, but she went on to be a Head RA the next. I had the opportunity to meet with her EVERY WEEK for two years. (What an amazing job eh?) During that time I got to watch her become a very strong, wise, and fun leader. She really has a gift for pouring into other young ladies . . . which led to the Lord taking her to work with high school girls in Slovenia with Josiah Venture. She has worked there for almost five years and right now is getting ready to come back to the States. (In fact, I get to hang out with her in just a couple of weeks!! I can't wait.)

Ok, so the second young lady in the photo is Naja (pronounced Nigh-uh). Naja is one of the Slovene high school girls who has been hanging out with Christina. When Matt and I get to Slovenia, Naja will be in the college group we will be starting. Like I said, I can't wait to meet her! It's amazing the connections that the Lord is putting together.

So, would you be willing to take a moment to pray for these two ladies?

- For Christina as she prepares to say goodbye to people that she loves and has invested in for 4 1/2 years, and also for her transition back to life in the States.

- And for Naja as she prepares to say goodbye to her friend and mentor, and also that the she will be able to rest in the fact that "the Lord will continue the good work He has begun in her."

Books . . . in English!

One thing I've (Sharon) really enjoyed since being back in the States is the opportunity to have access to so many books - in English! :-)

Here are some of the books I've read over the past few months. If you've read any of them, I'd love to hear your thoughts.


He Loves Me by Wayne Jacobsen
Like I mentioned in my last post, I am on my second reading of this book since July. It has really given me a fresh view into what it means to walk in and rest in the Lord's unconditional love.







The Selfless Way of Christ
by Henri Nouwen
Of course you gotta love anything by Henri Nouwen. My favorite book by him is still In The Name of Jesus.










The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg
To be honest, it's been a while since I read this book and I finished it just because I like closure :-) But I know of others who really enjoyed it.






The Shack by William P. Young
Ahh. . . the book that has prompted so much discussion and even controversy! My two comments are: first, I loved it. And second I think it is important to remember that Young did not write this book to be a theological treatise. He wrote it to help his kids understand how he has processed through a lot of pain and mistakes in his life.





God's Blog by Lanny Donoho
Another book that I read a while ago. Honestly this book didn't impress me too much.







What Your Childhood Memories Say About You by Dr. Kevin Leman
A fascinating read!







Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
This book comes with a code you can enter online to take the Strengthsfinder test. But since I borrowed this book from my sister, no test for me. Still, I found myself resonating with about 7 or 8 of the strengths listed. Great read!



Christ-Centered Coaching by Jane Creswell
While I enjoyed reading this book, I have to say that I learned more about HOW to coach from taking Creswell's class at Western Seminary. This book seems more aimed at outlining the benefits of coaching. Still - it's always fun to read a book written by someone you respect and with whom you've had the opportunity to interact.



Scientific Progress Goes "Boink"
by Bill Watterson
Last but not least, everyone needs a little brain candy! :-) I like the way that Watterson makes his readers laugh while still provoking their thoughts.



I love how books can challenge and stimulate thinking! If you've come across any must-reads (especially ones that have come out in the last two years) I'd love to hear about it!