Heat Wave

Hey everyone! 

Today I finally made it back to my home state of sunny Florida!  I promise that at the exact moment that I crossed the state border (while trying to capture a photo of the the welcome sign on my phone) the humidity and heat in the air hit me like a wave.  The interesting part is that I Loved It!  Can you believe that?!  Along with this heat wave a feeling of freedom overwhelmed me.  Jamming to a new CD with the windows rolled down and every square inch of my car loaded down with junk (including my pink bike tied to the back), I realized where the Lord had brought me from and where He is taking me.

When I made it to Memphis in the fall I was bruised and beaten up, having poor confidence in the power that lies within me. I was being overtaken by many, many lies.  But as the heat wave hit me today, I realized that I am not the same person that left Florida in August.  I return today as one whose knows her position in Christ and one who knows the calling she has on her life.  I am no longer a believer trampled by the lies of the enemy but a fierce warrior standing in the name of the Lord.  Praise God for His mighty work. 

Continue to pray that I would be diligent in my preparation for Indonesia.  He has done a mighty work in me but there is much more work to be done.  I want to be equipped in the Word of God, prepared for my classroom, and prepared to share Christ with those around me. Thank you for being diligent in prayer.  Know that I am also praying for you.  Love you all!

-Peg

Three Month Countdown

Three Month Countdown

Hold Up! Slam on the Breaks! 

The Lord is doing so much to prepare me in my last weeks in DownLine.  I can't wait until my arrival in Indonesia in a three months almost to the day.  But as I plan and prepare for the move the Lord continues to show me the people right in front of me.  I have had some of the best moments, just living in the reality that time is short with the people here in Memphis.  Roommate engaged, corn-hole tournaments, pillow chats with the girls, graduation coming, last couple weeks at work, making dinner with friends, discipleship group is amazing, how I love my church... i could go on!

Third Culture Kids

I've been reading a book that BAIS sent me to read about Third Culture Kids (TCKs)- kids whose parents are citizens of countries that they have not been raised in.  For example a kid whose parents are from England but they have spent most of their childhood in India.  Their mindset is so tough because they don't know which culture to find their identity in.  Their parents identify with their home country (England in this example) but their child grows up another culture (in this example India).  So where is their identity?  Is it with the country they spent the most time in or the country in which their parents grew up in?  I had never thought about this!  It has to be so tough to grow up in that environment.  Luckily it is not all bad news.  The great part about  TCKs' childhood is that it does instill in them an awareness of the world from an early age and they typically live adult lives in such awareness.  So positive and  negative at the time.  My hope in knowing this about some of my student is to help them understand their identity in Christ.  Our identity in Christ breaks through all cultural barriers.  I know for a fact that if I was able to sit down with a believer from Uruguay at this very moment, ignoring the language barrier of course, we could talk for hours about the Lord and what He has done and what He is doing.  I want my students to understand their identity in Christ that will never change or falter regardless of the country that they live.  He can be their constant!

Indonesia Facts

I learned this week from a co-worker that Indonesia is one of the most advanced in natural energy sources.  They have some really advanced methods in the world of "going green."  I also discovered through a game at work in which we tried to find the most unique location where things are manufactured (i.e. not China) that I can decorate my new home right from the island.  Half the stuff at Pier 1 is made in Indonesia. (I wonder if they'll still take my employee discount?)

Provision!

The Lord has provided so much already though.  My need/want list before I leave is an IPod, hammock, and a laptop.  The Lord has already provided for two of them.  Gift numer one comes from  my brother, Kevin,  who told me on the phone the other day that I he wanted to give me his IPod.  Then yesterday my boss asked me what she could get me as a going away present?  I through out the idea of a hammock and after giving me a hard time for a couple minutes she was in.  Gift number two!!  Now I'm just waiting to see how the Lord will provide my laptop.  It may just be the generous gift from the government that I'll be receiving this summer!  Who knows but I am excited to see how he provides!

Alright, time in Memphis is slipping by as I write to all of you so I'll leave you with some prayer requests and head out.

Prayer Requests:
1.  Finish strong in Memphis-Use every second to invest
2.  Trust in the Lord for working out details for this crazy summer
3.  Put someone in my life to disciple/share Christ with this summer
4.  Have awesome time with my sweet family this summer!

Thanks ya'll!  Love ya!