Contagious Chain

I serve an amazing God!! This story caught my attention and I really enjoyed reading it. It's so easy to miss links in people's lives. Take a look at how God created a chain reaction going on for inspiring people to reach the world. Read it here.

One thought to add:
How many others were influenced that we don't know about? Just something to ponder.

Not Just Pots and Pans

I brought a few pots and pans with me to North Africa. These are not just any pots and pans. These are Pampered Chef pots and pans. But that’s not the greatest thing about them. The greatest thing is the story behind these pots and pans.

When I was just out of college and teaching at a Christian academy,  I had the opportunity to be the girls dorm supervisor of a small college. I would live in the house with them. The problem was I had nothing. No household items at all. I didn’t have any extra money to purchase anything either - I did mention teaching at a Christian Academy, right??  I remember praying “how am I going to move out without even pots and pans to cook in?”

This was right around the time the fair came to town. Our church always has a booth at the fair to witness and invite people to church. During a break one night at the fair, I went to the booths and one was a Pampered Chef booth. I spoke to the ladies, got a recipe (always good, right?) and entered to win a brand new set of pots and pans. After I filled out the card, I prayed the Lord would allow me to win them. Strangest thing, I knew God was going to give them to me. I don’t know why, I just knew. I guess you can just call it confident faith. 

A few weeks later I get a phone call saying I won the pots and pans. I think the lady was a little disappointed because I wasn’t surprised. I know, what a let down. The Lord gave me a set of non-stick pots and pans. One caveat, they couldn’t be put in the dishwasher. They cleaned up so easily it really didn’t bother me. 

Fast forward to moving to North Africa. They do have pots and pans here - and I didn’t bring all the ones I won from Pampered Chef. One thing that is really nice about them: they clean up easily and can’t be put in a dishwasher. Well, that’s good since I’m not going to have a dishwasher here - the Lord took care of even the smallest detail. Ok, the guys might not care about this, but I sure do!

Each time I look at those pots and pans, I remember how the Lord provided. It’s a gentle reminder that the Lord knows and the Lord cares even about something so simple as pots and pans.

First Impressions

I’ve officially been here for 17 days. Some first impressions of living here:

• things aren’t necessarily better or worse, just different
• it takes time to figure things out
• it takes time to find things you like/don’t like (like Marwa water is the best tasting)
• traffic is bad
• there aren’t many traffic laws except don’t run a red light - our taxi driver got a ticket for running a red light (yes, the first time a friend and I went out by ourselves this happened)
• some frustration comes from just having to change. We are creatures of habit. Something as simple as there not being Aussie Volumizing Shampoo or Tresumme, or almost anything familiar. You have to try all new products.
• laundry takes longer - no dryer and the washer is smaller
• there are many restaurants and you can get food to go, since there really isn’t any fast food
• I don’t stick out as much here compared to the other country in North Africa I’ve been to - I don’t get stared at constantly.
• many things are not necessarily about NOT being in the States
• being sick is no fun in the states and it’s no fun elsewhere either
• it will be really nice when all my furniture is in place and I have somewhere to sit other than my borrowed bed and everything is not in piles on the floor. (again, this happens when you move in the States too)
• it is really nice to be able to walk to a small grocery store
• it is NOT really nice to try to carry really heavy bags of groceries home from said grocery store
• prices on many things are more expensive here
• furniture is very modern - not really my style

How Many Non-Christians Do You Personally Know?

Let's turn the above question around and make it a bit more personal. How many non-Christians KNOW you are a Christian? and not just culturally?  I read the below article and it really resonated with me. If we are indeed supposed to be salt and light, we need to be in un-salted and light-less areas. These areas apply worldwide. Mostly worldwide actually - and some in the US. What will it take for us to get out of our bubble and try to break into another bubble? (you'll understand the bubble when you read the article)

Read the article here: The Craziest Statistic You'll Read About North American Missions



**I really enjoyed this article, but of course need a disclaimer. Just because one article on a particular website it good, it doesn't mean that every single article is good. Just because I post a link to a certain article does not mean I endorse this ministry, man, website, Bible version...I hope you get the idea. Eat the fish; spit out the bones.

10 Things Every Christian Should Know About Islam

There are many misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in America. Here is a great article I just read about some things Christians should know. Pay special attention to #9.




**I really enjoyed this article, but of course need a disclaimer. Just because one article on a particular website it good, it doesn't mean that every single article is good. Just because I post a link to a certain article does not mean I endorse this ministry, man, website, Bible version...I hope you get the idea. Eat the fish; spit out the bones.

Another Travel Tip

If you wear contacts, you probably have several of these lying around...

This is great for toiletries you don't use much of...such as moisturizer, foundation, etc. If you need to fly, it's especially great! I know I just keep moisturizer in mine and throw it in my make up bag. I just refill it as needed.

**one tip: try this a few weeks before you plan to go anywhere. You can find out exactly how much you go through in one week, or how long it will last.

Travel Tips

Summertime! Time for traveling.

Whether it be a mission trip, vacation, or whatever, there is always room for improvement. Every person has their own ways of doing things, a unique personality. This applies to the way they travel as well.  I have found some very useful tips along my ____ thousands of miles driving across this country. Here is one of the most ingenious things I've done...

What??? Ingenious? Why, yes! Just throw a simple over-the-door hook into your suitcase. You'll be AMAZED at how often you use it.

• hanging a towel
• hanging freshly ironed clothes
• hanging a coat
• hanging a bathroom bag (like the one I use)

I almost always get this out and use it wherever I go. I got this one from dollar general for $2...one of the best $2 I've spent for traveling!