Hair Gel Is Making a Comeback!

I've recently asked a friend of mine who has been to Mexico what to bring. The answer I have received so far: hair gel. Interesting, eh? Well, apparently head lice is a common fate when working at the orphanage and gel tends to keep them away. Now, let's think about this:

My straight blondish brownish hair.

Hair gel.

Wet looking, stiff hair.

Suffice it to say that any photos of me on this trip are not going to be too attractive : )

Today I am also getting my belongings together for the Mississippi trip. These items are fairly standard in comparison to the hair gel. Although, for the first time I will be wearing...dun dun dun... steel toe boots!!! They are enormous and will make me feel rather important on the job site I'm sure. How to get them to Mississippi with me is the question at hand--to pack them or to wear them in the cramped airplane... hmm. Sounds like I've made my decision.

I'd love prayers for a strong focus on our purpose of this trip--to serve. And for a good attitude no matter what the circumstances.

The kick-off to my year of serving is soon to begin! May I bear Christ's name well.

Mixed Emotions

Since this Mexico thing has come together so quickly my emotions haven't had much time to catch up with me. I am excited for sure. But now that my time at Mount Hermon is coming to a close I find myself feeling pretty sad too. A year of relationships were built here; leaving friends and family again will be hard.

A few tears have been shed this past week--for this mixed bag of emotions and for a few other personal things I have been dealing with. I'm sure more are to come.

Isn't it funny in a wonderful kind of way how as a Christian you can have so much joy and peace while still feeling sad and anxious all at the same time?

Mexico Update

I heard back from the orphanage in mexico... and I just booked my plane tickets!!! I will be going to Grace Children's Home on January 11th and staying until March 31st. Here is a link to their website: http://www.gchmexico.org/

I am excited (and a bit nervous) for this opportunity and for the way it has all come together so quickly!

More updates as they come,

Emily

A Few New Adventures on the Horizon

Here's just an intro to all the adventures (God-willing) this next year holds:

In just about two weeks I will be heading with a team of people to Pearlington Mississippi to help rebuild houses that are still in disrepair since Hurricane Katrina a few years back. I convinced my mom that this would be the best family vacation for us this year. So, as a retirement vacation for my mom we are going to work work work work to help the people of Pearlington to get back into their homes! Sounds relaxing, no? In any case, we are both excited to be doing something for some people who are in need.

Also, on the horizon is my trip to Mexico to work at the House of Hope orphanage (Casa de Hogar de la Gracia... I think that's right???). I am waiting on a bit of paperwork, but if all works according to plan I will be in Tijuana at the orphanage for three months starting early January. It is a Christian orphanage and has about 30 children from ages 4-14. This has been a dream of mine for a few years now and I am so excited that it will be a reality soon!!!

After Mexico I will be heading back to Austria to work at Tauernhof, the Bible school that I attended there in Schladming. I will be working in the kitchen and housekeeping area! I am excited to be back in the Bible school atmosphere and to see how God will change lives.

All of these adventures are exciting and a little bit scary. I know God has good things in store, but I will miss all my friends and family. It seems like right when I start to feel settled God is ready to move me somewhere new. My prayer as I prepare for these opportunities is that I remain faithful to His calling on my life--always ready to listen for His voice and to go (or even to stay) where He leads.