an actual video!

Chicago!

Last week was STINT briefing! I was shocked at how much God taught me in such a short period of time. Still processing it too. I think the biggest thing the renewing of a vision for reaching the world. I have had a heart for the world for a couple of years now and recently more specifically a heart for Australia but the passion for it had been in a bit of a slump. I have been focusing so much on Melbourne and Student Life I wasn't realizing God's bigger plan. As I looked around the room at 400 people who were going out to the world,God reminded me the power of every single person. Each person is carrying the light of Christ into the darkness.

Yeah, deep. Another part of the briefing was team bonding. I love our team! Please be praying for Katherine, a potential teammate. She was originally going to Botswana, Africa but there are not any other girls going. She expressed interest in joining our Melbourne team and I think it would be a perfect fit for her and our team (it would be nice to have an even number of single girls too). Pray that she will have discernment for what God wants.

Sadly I had to start saying goodbyes :( I have a couple of friends STINTing in other countries and I wont see them for a year and a half. It kinda hit me all at once. But I am excited to see how God will work all over the world.

The next couple of months are filled with support raising, spending time with family and hopefully some Virginia Tech football games. Its going to be a bit harder now with everyone back at school and no real community here. But I am thankful that I have experienced such great community that I have something to miss now. Better get to bed-early morning tomorrow.

-loci

My Knees Suck

Soo, these aren't really cool tights. A few weeks ago, I jumped off a 45-foot cliff and my left knee hit the water wrong and twisted. I have a hinged brace for that knee, and I've been doing physical therapy to get it to heal. It's still kinda stiff but felt a lot better this morning. Too bad as I was walking down the steps in a parking garage, I put all my weight on my right leg and that knee collapsed! There was a nurse practitioner right in front me, and she held my knee together while her husband called an ambulance. My knee was on the side of my leg! They took me to the hospital and the doctor popped it in back in place (OUCH). Now I have two braces on my legs and feel like a total loser. Cheers!

Bess

Leaving for Chicago in the morning!

So, secretly, I have judged y'all in the past for not posting on the blog enough, but I haven't posted anything since April Fools, and that doesn't even count! I fail at life. I'm sorry...but here's a quick update!

I'm leaving for Chicago in the morning for STINT briefing! I really could not be more excited. I can't wait to spend a week with the team (especially Nicole) and get trained for what we're going to be doing in Melbourne. Be praying for Nicole and I this week; I am really expecting big things from God. I am especially looking forward to being in such a beautiful place where I rest and spend some time with the Lord. I have not been seeking him nearly enough, and I want to correct that. Here's a link to the place we're staying...http://www.pheasantrun.com/. It looks amazing!

Also, this week I started nannying two adorable little babies, Davis and Lilly Claire Winn. They are 14 months old, and they were miracle children to a couple at my church who thought they were barren. I am already in love with them, and I expect it's going to be really difficult to leave them in January. Here's a picture...aren't they absolutely adorable?





Missing all of you and ever thankful for the friendship we share!

Bess