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!!!
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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!

Oh, for the love of family...and Christmas...and God things...and bargain shopping!

Today was a great day!

Actually, this whole weekend was great.  We finally had our family Christmas, and it was wonderful.  I LOVE having everyone together, and it was also the first time that Matt was at our family Christmas!  It's so fun to have a growing family, and especially fun that we're all here together. :)

First event to report - Matthew's home from Chile!  He got home Thursday morning, and by Thursday afternoon he and mom were in my music room, playing xylophones and woodblocks with the first graders.  It was SO much fun to have them there, and I'm realizing how much I've missed just having him around.  We haven't "lived life" together for 6 years....I'm so glad he's back for a while!

Second event - Family Christmas!  We went over on Friday night, had our Christmas with "Iowa Aunty" Cindy Shearer, then played games all night, and laughed Stellmaker-style.  :)  For those of you that haven't experienced this Stellmaker event, I'm talking roll-on-the-ground, can-hardly-breathe, make-fools-of-yourself laughter.  Can't get much better!   "Santa" came Saturday morning, then we hung out, played with the dogs, flew Chris' model airplane, opened presents, and watched movies.  GREAT TIME!

Third event - Church this morning was crazy cool.  We ended up going to the early service in Story City with my family, and then the second service at Cornerstone...and both sermons focused on living your life with the end in mind.  My favorite quote of the day: "What would your 'dash' say?"  He was talking about the dash on headstones in a cemetery - every life is summed up with a dash between being born and breathing your last breath...and if your dash could talk, what would it say?  Chris and I are both going through a little quarter-life crisis as we're refocusing our lives and passions, and working to align our dreams with what GOD has for us instead of what OUR dreams are.  Today was such a neat confirmation to keep searching!

Fourth event - also about church. :)  Last week at church we randomly sat next to a man named Tim.  It ended up that he was on staff at Cornerstone, and had just gotten back from a mission trip to India the day before, where he had taught the book of Titus to 40 rural-India pastors. Today, the sermon started with them playing a video about the trip, and as he spoke about his trip, he talked about how Cornerstone is beginning to "ramp up our efforts to minister to India".  Ah, okay God.  We get it. 

He talked about how awkward the trip had been at times, how they didn't understand the culture, how it was difficult to navigate the systems...and I got PUMPED.  No matter how many times you go on short-term missions to India, you'll never quite "get the hang of it."  It's a HARD country to figure out!  And - Chris and I know how. :)  We know the culture, we know how to dress and what foods to eat, how to get a taxi and how much money things should cost.  And suddenly my mind was whirling to leading short-term mission groups, trips to the Landour language school, making long-term connections with Indian orphanages...maybe this is why we're home.

AND - we made a connection with a family that went through the foster care process a couple of years ago, has adopted through them, and has lived overseas.  Hmmm...coincidence?!  I think not!

Fifth event - Today we went to this sweet furniture sale for the friends of family of this rich business man in the area...a lot of the great stuff had already been bought by his family, but we did make two great purchases!

We got a...baby crib!  I know it's a little silly (since we're not pregnant OR even trying yet!), but it was such a great deal!  We saved about $300 on what it would have cost new...isn't it cute?!

 And, we got dining room chairs!  I would have liked if there were a few more, but now I can find some other fun fabric chairs that contrast. :)   Cheap and DEFINITELY an upgrade from the black folding chairs!

It was especially neat to find these sales after the messages at church today.  We need to be willing to "give what you have to the poor and follow Christ."  I thought about which things in our house would be hard for me to 'give up', and the only things that came to mind were our nice leather couches and our T.V. - the things we've bought new!  While I'll be working to give these things up in my heart, I also want to work at being a bargain shopper.  I never want to be ruled by stuff, and it feels SO freeing to know that even though these were great purchases, I could give them away tomorrow and never look back. :) 

And on a lighter note...

I just bought this hat today, and I'm TOTALLY in love!

I saw one just like this at Carlos O'Kelley's the other night, and Chris had to physically restrain me from ripping it from the girl's head and running out the door...but I was looking on Etsy for some (late!) Christmas presents today, and just stumbled upon it.  YIPPEE!  It was meant to be! 

And - after I wrote that last post, I went to the doctor and found out I have strep throat.  

That deserves a "I'm sorry you have strep" present, right?!

Our complicated life

So, today I'm sick. :(  I came down with the flu yesterday, and swear that my tonsils are touching right now - they're so swollen!  But, despite being relegated to my bed because I'm too weak to stand for more than a couple of minutes, I'm already really enjoying the time off from life.  We've had a lot going on lately, and it seems like a good day to "just process". 

Still Transitioning...
Yesterday Chris made the comment that he feels like he's been "ruined" for life here in the U.S.  There are definitely many moments that I agree.  Life here is so completely incompatible with everything we saw during our year in India.  And the most frustrating part is that we don't know what we can do to help the transition along.  Grr!


Perspectives...
Back and forth, back and forth, but we've finally decided to take (and stick with!) the Perspectives Class offered through Cornerstone.  It's an intense study of God's Mission heart, and how he has ALWAYS (even in O.T.) been a God with a heart for the nations.  We've only been there one time, but met some really great people that are living for the nations from right here in Ames. :)  

Professional Development...
This year I'm up for license renewal - which means that I NEED some serious credits!  In Iowa you need 6 Continuing Education Credits before you can renew, so I'm finally getting after it...and it's exciting!  I like that I have to take classes.  They're so expensive that I know there would always be a reason to put it off...but I can't anymore!  Big question right now: should I just get some certifications (Work toward Kodaly Certification through Drake), or should I start a master's degree?  Both are basically a 3-summer commitment, but the certifications are only 10 days/summer, while the master's degree is about a month.

Foster Care...
We're moving ahead to get our Foster Care certification.  In all honesty though, I have NO idea what this will look like for us.  We're contemplating starting our own family in the somewhat near future, and our home right now has only 2 bedrooms...which would make it impossible to have a baby and a foster child.  There are some other things we're processing, but we're going to get certified and then go from there.  At least then the doors will be open!


Debt...
Is NOT going so well.  We've had so many expenses since moving back that we literally are living paycheck to paycheck...and neither of us are spending much money on ourselves!  Okay - take that back - I guess I did go visit Matthew in Chile. :)  But other than that, stuff seems to steal our money, and we can't do anything about it.  Hopefully things are almost settled and we'll be able to use our money the way WE want to!

My Job...
I couldn't love my job any more than I do.  I've finally gotten to a good emotional place where I'm able to do the best I can right now, while being able to acknowledge that I could get so much better.  And then, it's just exciting!  It's SO much fun to see a first grader get a concept that I never thought they'd be able to grasp...and then see them do it without any help from me!  And having a kindergarten student tell me in the hall, "Mrs. Farley, I sang Little Bunny Foo Foo for my family last night at supper!" melts my heart.  Not quite sure why, but I'm kind of in love. :)

Church... 
We decided to settle at Cornerstone Church for now.  We had been going to Grand Avenue Baptist for a while, but in the end decided that Cornerstone would be better for our transitioning period.  The biggest problem: it's HUGE!  Community doesn't happen organically, and we're having to put a lot more effort into making friends at Cornerstone than we did at Grand Avenue.  We're visiting small groups right now though, which helps us to meet people.  Hopefully we'll find one that's a perfect fit and get plugged in fairly quickly!



Dreams (or lack thereof?)...
I've been reading the book "Radical", and spending lots of time reflecting on the statement "to live is Christ and to die is gain."  What does it truly mean to "die to yourself?"  He points out that if we are dead, we have NO dreams, NO aspirations, NO goals.  Being a SERIOUS dreamer, this is a hard pill to swallow, and I'm suddenly aware that maybe my mouth and actions haven't always lined up in devotion to Christ.   Have I bought into the "American Dream" version of Christianity?  Hmmm...


Ashamed...
I have a serious confession to make: sometimes I think I am ashamed of Christ.  I can tell that slowly, slowly, I've become less able to make definitive statements out loud.  "Christ is the ONLY way", "This is a sin in God's eyes", things like that.  My heart still believes, but my mouth seems to be rusted shut by our culture's message of tolerance.  And if my mouth doesn't say it, can my heart really believe it?

All about "The Journey"...
And during all this, there have been many moments where it's just gotten to me and I've become seriously stressed out.  Then one day, I remembered my cousin Christine's advice. :)  We were traveling together in Europe, and I found myself getting anxious about utilizing our time to the fullest and seeing everything we could.  I expected that I wouldn't come back to many of these places, and didn't want to miss a thing.  Having been much more traveled than I at the time, she said "Nicole, it's all about the journey.  Just enjoy it!"  That's always stuck with me, and came back to me a few weeks ago as I was fretting about paying off our debt and becoming financially free to go where God wants.

And so I had to remind myself: there is no "finish line" in this lifetime.  You'll get There when you get There, but until then...do your best, and enjoy the ride! 

10 + 1 = 11 GOALS!

Allrighty - here are my 2011 goals!  

BEGIN IMMEDIATELY
1. Catch up on scrapbooking
      * I have 1100 pictures currently waiting to be printed...this is a SERIOUS goal people!
2. Become active/involved at Cornerstone
     *Really excited about this one, and kind of already started!
3. Get trained in foster care
     *We've gone to the informational meeting - now we just have to get our paperwork in and get fingerprinted, and we start the waiting game!
4. Become conversational in Spanish
5. Save up to buy a nice bike
     * Ragbrai anyone?!

SUMMER
6. Have a garden/do some canning
     * BRING IT ON!
7. Work through my elementary curriculum
8. Level 1 kodaly certification

FALL
9. Finish a marathon
     * I've been contemplating this and going back and forth, and am just going to go for it.  Note: I said "FINISH", not necessarily "RUN".  :)

YEAR-LONG
10. $18,000 of student loans paid off, $4,000 in savings
     *Oh, debt.  How I loathe thee!

AND: the +1....
11. Be more intentional with communication/interaction.
     *This is my big one that's going to be on-going and focused.  My goal is to e-mail quick e-mails more, facebook more, maybe get texting (I know I know, step into the 21st century lady!), call people more, celebrate events more, invite people over more....just focus on people.

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With the encouragement of my dear friend Katie, this year's focus is....

Bearing Fruit 

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P.S. I can't fit this into the 11 goals...but I do want to read one more book this year than I did last year.  Thanks for the inspiration Kelli B!