adios America.

Melanie left today for South Africa. After weeks and months of packing, she finally headed overseas for a few years of working and serving with Living Hope. Its exciting to know how she will have such an opportunity to serve in Capricorn, but its bittersweet seeing such an incredible friend leaving. Which is part of why I am so excited to get to travel there for a month or so this summer! What's even more strange is that fact that summer will actually be winter there! What are you doing for summer? Winter.

Being home for so long from school has given me a lot of time to spend with Melanie, getting to help her pack her house up, pack her bags (under 50 pounds.. right), and pack her life into boxes that will wait for her patiently while she lives on a different continent for three years. Melanie has been one of the most consistent stable friends I have ever known, becoming more of a mentor and encouragement than anything else. I'll miss getting to run down the hill for coffee and visits with her precious puppy Pickles. But three years isn't too long, right?

Here are some ways to pray for Melanie: 
-For rest amongst the long travel Jan 18 & 19.
-For wisdom as she starts a new job for youth discipleship in Cape Town.
-To find friends and community to "do life together".
-For her adjusting to the time-change quickly.
-For Satan's attacks to be void and the Lord's voice to be so loud!
-For John and Avril Thomas-South African Missionaries at Living Hope.
-For Living Hope's funding and AIDS Prevention Programs.
-Growth in the Capricorn Church-new pastor and youth pastor on board!
-For strength in a new place, physically and emotionally.
Ethan had to head back to school today as well, not all of us can skip school until February! Now that my room makeover is complete, my next project I think might be making a tshirt quilt. Staying busy seems to be the best way not to miss friends! :)
Oh and ps... I FINALLY learned what my favorite pattern is called. Damask. Not toille, or "that pattern I love"... its called damask. So next time you need to look for some fabric, you can know what you are talking about. :)