honorable mention goes to....

Can you hear the drum roll?? Heather is playing our game... she spotted the name change in the blog and my pic... Good job, lady!

There are more changes, however. Anyone else want to give it a go??

Blogs to come:

*Why I want to be a Sex Therapist (at least part-time)
*Mercy Triumphs over Judgment
*What a Cute Boy Can Teach You
*Dumpster Diving for Groceries
*WDA, International Happenings
*Church Life
*Seminary isn't What it Seems
*Ministry, as a Covert Operation
*My Name is Becca
*School's for Fools... and for Missionaries

Hope that wets your appetite so you keep coming back for more!

a little thanksgiving...

There is snow on the ground and the wind is howling. For the first time this morning, I’ve come to realize that I will wake up to this winter wonderland more times in the next month than I have in my entire life. It certainly is different here. But I’m thankful. I suppose Thanksgiving has that effect. I appreciate thanksgiving in that it is a slow and thoughtful holiday. Usually, my family spends the entire day together, eating, visiting, playing football outside, taking naps together, recalling what has transpired in the last year, and of course, eating again. Apart from the ominous pile of dishes in the kitchen awaiting our attention, the day passes slowly, free of agendas and stress. I wasn’t able to go home this year. Though, I did see one of my cousins and her husband’s family in Wheaton. We chatted and laughed about transition awkwardness and adjustment woes, as we both recently moved away from Georgia. It was refreshing to see a familiar face. It was refreshing to relax in community firmly established, instead of having to create it. It made me excited to go home in a few weeks and be with friends and family once more.

Though I am anxious to return home, I am thankful to be here. I am thankful to learn from professors who are wise and have renowned reputations. I am thankful for new friends. I am thankful that new places often bring challenge, dependence upon God, and humor. Whether, it’s the many strange encounters with the Starbucks boy, who thinks I am someone he knows and has a crush on; an increased awareness of my personal idiosyncrasies, sin, or strengths gained from my classes; the frustration of continually not knowing where I am on the road; silliness that comes from classroom crushes; or weariness that comes from homesickness, each aspect is part of God’s plan for my life. Each aspect is good and deserving of gratitude. So I am thankful to be here, even if I do wake up to snow each morning.

You opened the window and winter blew in...

Guess that's how I feel lately. As if I've just arrived and still need my windows open for the summer breeze. Summer has come and gone... and will soon be replaced by glimmering snowflakes.

The last few months have flown by. This week, I've made it my goal to resuscitate my blog. It will be like playing "Where's Waldo" or "I see it!"... I'll update and you can guess what's changed.

Prizes will go to the most observant and best memory. Let the games begin!

Persecution in India

Please read this when you can and pray... http://www.gfa.org/orissa-update

Thank you for your faithfulness and fervent prayers.

I'm here!! I'm here!!

I'm here!! I'm here!!

Hey Friends!! Well, this is a bit overdue, but I'm here in beautiful Deerfield and enjoying life! Thanks for all your prayers and notes of encouragement as I traveled off to a far away land. ;) This trip was fairly smooth... a few bumps in the road (or rather in my shipment that I packed), but nothing too big.

I'm learning my way around town and beginning to feel at home here... My latest accomplishments: I don't have to get on mapquest every time I want to leave campus and I have officially met all my neighbors in my apartment building. I've posted pics of my surprisingly small-- but cozy apartment. Hope you enjoy them! Come over for a visit anytime. ;)

The lasts few weeks I've been working on a church history course through Gordon Conwell-- that has been keeping me quite busy! Also, I've written a letter to give to churches in the area about possibly serving with their women's or twenty-somethings ministry. I'm currently talking to a few churches, so please be in prayer for the Lord's leading!

I love you all and miss you a lot!

Thanks for your continued support. It was so great getting to reconnect with so many of you before I left for the Windy City! I hope to update my blog more regularly since I won't have the opportunity to see your sweet faces as often... so keep checking back here for updates!

Love and gratitude!!