Strength found in friendships

Wow!

Wow. What a lovely week I've been having. I got to go visit a friend at her farm in almost-Nebraska. We had a delicious time visiting about everything from the pond we walked around to what life is like living in Africa. She has been to Uganda, and I am getting ready to go to West Africa, so we did talk about that alot. She even made me an African meal, complete with posho, and we ate it with our hands! The fellowship was the best part. There is nothing like sweet conversation while swinging on a homemade swing set!

But that was only the beginning. I got to see another good friend just a couple days after I got home. My little sister had to go to the orthodontist, and a friend I've known since I was 5 lives in the same town as her dentist, so YAY! we got to stay the night with her and her family! We even made time to ride horses in the morning before going into town. If making new friends is delightful, so is hanging out with an old one. Old friends rarely misunderstand you, and you know they will continue to love you, no matter what you do or have done. Even if they aren't coming from the same place as you, they know where you come from, and love you because of it! The best part of this visit, I think, was watching the sun rise in the cool morning air, while we walked to the edge of the pasture, visiting. If you all haven't figured it out yet: I love visiting!

God's blessings are always timed just right. Now I can dig into some of the work that is set before me with the strength found in friendships. God is so good to me!

Sometimes I Write Poetry (lame as it may be)

Misery
By MillieJo

Today
I feel
Like hiding in a hole
In the ground
Like a
Badger.

Then if
I saw a
Person, I'd come out
And bite
Him.

And
I would go
Back into my hole a
Very miserable
Animal.

Reminder

I know I've posted about this before, but I just wanted to remind you all that my friend Joel is still in the process of raising funds for the Castro Church Project. Please continue to pray for him and our brothers and sisters in Christ that he is seeking to help! You can find alot more info at:

http://www.castrochurchproject.info

Please share!

MillieJo

"Bob's your uncle."

Hello to all my friends out there in blog-land! I know it has been quite a long time since I posted something significant. Things have been happening, yes, but my desire to chronicle them has left something to be desired. When I am full of many thoughts and plans change quickly I don't blog as much.

In blogs, one's life is an open book, for the whole world to see. The good, bad and ugly all could read this if they wanted. This is another reason I haven't been blogging. In some ways, my life has been private of late.

I have a lot to think about. Soon I am leaving the country. I am going to Guatemala in June for nine days to help out at a camp. It is going to be wonderful.

And then in August I am going to Africa.

I am very excited about Africa! And I have much to read and do. I have a feeling spring will bring acceleration and I'll be out of the country before you can say "Bob's your uncle."

So I ask for your prayers.

You're Here

Every step I take
You’re here.
The breath of God,
You make my life good.

Yesterday, you were there:
My peace,
My good tomorrow.

My life began
The day I met You,
And it will never end:
I believe You.

When I tremble
Love, You surround me.
Courage and Strength:
Mercy unending.

Take me away!
Lonely, I’m longing.
Forever honeymoon:
I believe you.

But if I stay
My heart is with You,
Consumed with grace
I will step again.

You are here.

Someone Turned Down the Thermostat

When I look outside it feels like today should be Christmas, not March! The wind is blowing, and the snow is drifting, sifting down and around and over, under and up. If there were more snow, it would be a blizzard. I am glad it is not.

I suppose it is really not that cold outside. It is probably only cold enough to keep the snow from melting. But yesterday was summer, and the contrast makes it very cold indeed.

Yesterday Rissa, Sully, Mo and I "took our wheels" to the courthouse and the big parking lot behind the city hall. That is what we do in the summer. Wearing shorts and tees, we enjoy the two single places in our town that a good "city" side-walk can be found. Yesterday I rollerbladed, Sully rode his bike, and Rissa used Mo's scooter. We had much fun, and got sweaty, too.

Today, someone turned down the thermostat. And I had almost convinced myself it was time to plant our garden.