6 Down, 18 to Go

Here's one big post about the books I've read so far!

Book 1: Angela's Ashes

 This is such a great book about the issues and poverty in Irish history.  I especially like it because I got my dad to read it - and he SPED through it!  For those of you that know my dad, he spends years on one book, and yet has read this and the two sequels in less than 1 month.  LOVE IT!  

Book 2: Radical

This book is life-changing, challenging, and frustrating all at the same time.  I'd recommend it to ANYONE who loves Jsus and wants to respond to His call in their lives! 

 Book 3: The Eye of the World

Book 4: The Great Hunt

Book 5: The Dragon Reborn

Book 6: The Shadow Rising

  

This is actually a confession: I may be turning into a nerd.  These books are part of "The Eye of the World Series"..Chris started listening to them on audio books on his way to work, and since there are 14 books in the series, he knew he'd be entertained for a while!  Somehow he got me into them, and we are now walking around our house with phone speaker blaring loudly, talking about Isedai and Parryn Abara and the Ayeel.  Seriously, we are nerds.  But we're nerds together!  We've even started using some of the book's phrases...we call each other "Shade of my heart" now...isn't that poetic?!  I know it's not technically reading, but I am consuming books, so I'm going to count it. :)

 Here's my list of next books to tackle...

1. Revolution in World Missions, by J.P. Yohannan (almost done)

2. 'Tis, by Frank McCourt

3. Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt

4. Jesus Among Other Gods, by Ravi Zacharias

5. The Normal Christian Life, by Watchman Nee

6. The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman

7. Factory Girls, by Leslie Chang

8. Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall

Any other recommendations?!

Serious Catching Up!

So, this is a catch-up post.  I really am bad about posting since we've come home, but I guess it's because so many of the people I want to share things with are so close to me - I'd rather just tell them!  But, there have been some fun events to share, so here we go!

1. We gave our dogs to Chris' dad, Tom.  This isn't necessary (or even at all) a fun event, but it was totally necessary, and a good decision made.  While we LOVED (and still do!) our dogs, Lexi had some serious anxiety around new people, and with foster care in our future and a family coming closer (still off a ways, but we're thinking!), we thought it wise to not have a nervous, growly dog around future children.  Since Lexi and Sam have been together forever, we thought it would be cruel to split them up...and Sam sheds SO badly, that I wasn't too excited about having crawling children around piles of dog hair.  So, two Fridays ago we had our tearful goodbyes, and Tom graciously agreed to take them forever.  We seriously love these pups, and were so glad to know we'll be able to see them so often.  I'll probably cry like a baby when I see them this weekend....oh boy!

2. Amy's wedding is SO SOON!  2 weekends ago we had a wedding work day in Cedar Falls, and got SO much done!  It's seriously impressive how organized Amy is...what a girl!  I can't wait for her special day, and especially for us to have the same last name again. :)

3. We had a GREAT weekend with Rachel and Brian.  They hadn't seen our house, so they decided to come up on Saturday afternoon, spend the night, and go to church with us on Sunday.  It was a WONDERFUL time of hanging with comfy people we love, talking through serious things, and just being together.  Love you guys so much!

4. I'm on a white-sugar fast.  AHH!  There were a number of people that inspired this very spontaneous commitment (Steph, Kelly, Kim) and I'm going 'til the end of March with some friends.  I think we're up to 4 of us already, anyone else want to jump in?!  This has already been SO HARD for me...especially since my order of Girl Scout Thin Mints came 2 days after we started the fast (oh, the irony!).  We've labeled honey and DARK DARK chocolate (anyone eaten 85% cocoa chocolate before?!) as "okay", but everything else is out.  I'm already feeling better, although I'm afraid I might be replacing my sugar cravings with salt.  Hmm...

5. I decided to run the Minneapolis Half Marathon and Chicago Marathon...and even have a running buddy (yeah Laura!).  Gotta get going on these yearly goals!

6. NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!  Which would explain the ridiculously late time that I'm posting...yippee!  Here's the "To-Do" List so far...

- Run, yoga video, clean toilets, wash hardwood floor, go to library, make book list, middle school concert songs picked and ordered, plan 3/4th grade concerts, write preschool songs in music notebook, 2 weeks of lesson plans, buy white cardstock, print recipe cards, print picture for bathroom, "Community" e-mail, make arrangements for OAKE convention, make plans for taxes, make a few phone calls, make hair cut appt.

I LOVE days off!

7. We went to a Chris Tomlin concert a couple of weeks ago - and it was totally sweet. :)

8. I've officially decided to ask for money to go toward my bike goal for my birthday.  Yippee!

9. Something's wrong with my jaw, it just keeps hurting for no reason at all.  Lock jaw?  What is that even?  Dumb!

10. I auditioned for a community choir in Ames last Friday and got in - I'm SO excited to be able to sing "real" music again!  I have a feeling it's going to be such a good release each week.  Yay!

11.  We get to go visit Katie and Eli in Chicago next weekend, and I'm so excited!  We might also get to see some friends from Woodstock while we're there...and their new baby girl. :)

And, that's it!  Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Book Club Invite!

I just sent this e-mail out earlier this morning, and would like to extend the invitation to all you readers out there as well!  If you want to join in the fun just let me know...This has been God's prompting from the beginning, and those always lead to exciting places!!!
_______________________________________________

Hello to some very special ladies in my life :)

So - God has been speaking to my heart about the concept of community.  Since we've been back, I'm realizing how isolated we are as American believers, both from each other and from our fellow believers abroad.  Biblically, this is not how God has intended us to live.  Enter: an international book club :)

Mostly I see this as being a reason/excuse to gather together in community, learn about other cultures, pray for the nations and consider how our lives could be given in service to our brothers and sisters both here and abroad.  Only the first and last books in this list are officially "Christian" books, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, scripture, and "Operation World", I figure we'll do just fine.  :)

Here's the list so far...

"Radical", by David Platt (America)
"A Fine Balance", by Rohinton Mistry (India)
"Curfewed Night", by Basharat Peer (Kashmir)
"Wild Swans", by Jung Chang (China)
"A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World" (Tibet)
"Three Cups of Tea", by Greg Mortenson (Afghanistan)
"Stones into Schools", by Greg Mortenson (Pakistan)
"Revolution in World Missions", by J.P. Yohannan (Native Missionary Movement)

I've included books about the areas that God has placed on my heart over the last year and a half.  Hopefully this can be a starting point, and as we grow together, God will continue to bring the world into our homes through each others' hearts. 

I've included some people that aren't physically near to here - I thought it'd be neat to get different perspectives and increase our community beyond our local area, maybe via a blog where we could just post our thoughts?

For those of us that are around the Ames area, I'd love to meet together before we start reading - for those of you that are interested, what does next Wednesday, March 2nd look like?  It'd be neat to talk through and pray over this together with those of you that would like to jump in with me and process. :)

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.  Especially for those of you in the area, I really don't know many women in the area, so feel free to invite!  My hope is that this would be a time to encourage, challenge, and push each other in local community, FOR global community.

Much love, Nicole :)

Paperwork is IN!

It's official!  Our foster care paperwork has been sent in and received!  Chris and I definitely have some strong emotions about this process, but we're taking it all in stride pretty well.  We really don't know what we're getting into, and it's always easier to "step out of the boat" when you think you're stepping onto dry land. :) 

We're waiting for fingerprinting to go through, and then will get signed up for a 10-week training class.  We said that we're willing to foster any age, but no sibling groups (due to the fact that we only have 2 bedrooms in our house, and we're in one of them!). 

We've been realizing that we actually know a lot of people involved in foster care, and it's been fun to see how God is raising up a support system for us.  More to come later!

Top 10...in the World!

My cousin just showed me this article...and it makes me really happy. :)  

Woodstock is the school we worked at - and it is DEFINITELY one of the best!  

Miss you all!

Gospel for Asia

God is continuing to do a big work in my heart for India...I don't quite understand it yet, but it'll be interesting to see what happens.  I'm currently re-reading "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan.  At a Main Event in college they handed them out for free, asking only that if we take one, we read it.  I read it soon after, and remember feeling encouraged and challenged...but the difference between that first read and this one is dramatic.  Having been to India and learning it's stories, knowing people to shrink the staggering statistics, hiking through the "unreached northern villages" that he talks about...the Truth in the book is coming alive, and I can feel God's spirit of compassion moving as I read the stories.

Gospel for Asia is the ministry started by the author of this book.  100% of donations go to support national missionaries in Asia - and the stories of change and conversion are amazing.  Thousands of people are coming to Christ, people are being healed, demons being cast out, people are being raised from the dead.  It's like Acts all over again!  The Spirit of the Lord is galloping through Asia...and I want to be a part of it!

How many of us have considered supporting a national missionary from Asia?  Did I mention...it only costs $30 a month.  WHAT?!  These missionaries often have no home, eat a cup of rice a day, walk shoeless from village to village, and can live on less than $1 a day.  (since these are the standards of living they're used to and surrounded by, this is normal!!!!).  AND - they are infinitely more successful in spreading the Message than western missionaries could ever be.  AND - we have the resources (and probably MANY MANY MORE) to make this possible.   I don't know about you, but I think it's time American Christians jump on this Spirit-powered band wagon...'cause the train's leaving the station with or without us.

****Easiest way to donate: Change your search engine to GoodSearch - you can select "Gospel for Asia" as your charity of choice, and every time you search for something online, money will be donated.  Pretty effortless!