My Upcoming Schedule / Good Quote

So I leave NEXT WEEK!!! I can't believe it! I am SO excited and ready for this move; my heart has been living there for these past few months and I am ready to go join it!! Here is a brief summary of my travel plans, since I'm heading out there a month before needing to be in Tanzania.... here's what I'll be doing:


F, July 9th: Leave Dallas!!! (to Johannesburg, S.Africa)

M, July 12th - M, July 19th: Mission trip in Zimbabwe with a Young Life group from Atlanta

M, July 19th - Sun, Aug. 8th: Spend a couple weeks in South Africa (traveling throughout) with my brother who's living in Johannesburg and my mother who will fly out there then

Sun, Aug. 8th: Fly to Tanzania!!

Sun, Aug. 8th - Sat, Aug. 15th: Orientation in Dar es Salaam with Young Life/Getting to know my new home!

M, Aug. 16th - F, Aug. 20th: Teaching Orientation at HOPAC

M, Aug. 23rd: Start the school year!


To close, here's a favorite quote of mine (from which YL Africa got their key phrase 'Bridging the Gap'):

"To become neighbors is to bridge the gap between people. As long as there is distance between us we cannot look into one another's eyes. We forget that they love as we love, care for their children as we care for ours, become sick and die as we do. We forget they are our brothers and sisters." -Henri Nouwen

Because these ARE our brothers and sisters in Africa, I want to close the gap that now separates me from them. I cannot wait to be their true neighbor. In my journeys, I hope to bridge the gap between my friends in America with my friends in Africa and hope that you will be able to see each other more and more as your brothers and sisters instead of as a far removed people... and ultimately, as your brothers and sisters whose needs and concerns affect you as much as they would affect a "real" family. That is the desire I have for myself, and I hope it for any of you who read this as well. :)

Thanks for being a part of this with me!!

Verses

^{So I tried posting this the other day and it wasn't working well, so here it is again. These are verses the Lord has given me recently regarding the poor and regarding my upcoming move to Tanzania.... they're good stuff.... and TRUTH.... so, Enjoy. :)}

<sup>He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is not THAT what it means to know me? ~Jeremiah 22:16

Their Redeemer is STRONG, the Lord of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their cause so that He may bring rest to the earth. ~Jeremiah 50:34

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's; upon them He has set the world. ~1 Samuel 2:8</sup>

<sup>Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. ~Proverbs 16:19

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into a temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. ~1 Timothy 6:6-10

RELIGION that God our Father accepts as PURE and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ~James 1:27</sup>

The Great State of Tejas

So this past month or so has made me more proud to be a Texan than I think I've ever been in my life. Yes, I've always known there's no greater state but I don't think you ever FULLY realize that until you're leaving. And as a result, I think I've listened to more country music this month than I have in the past 10 years combined; I've had Mexican food for probably 4 out of every 5 meals I eat (ok slight exaggeration maybe....); and I've bought plenty of Longhorn and Texas flag bumper stickers, magnets, and t-shirts (and a cute straw Cowboy hat from Target :)) to make sure Texas comes with me to Tanzania and leaves it mark!

There are many, many things I'll miss about Dallas, but (besides of course the PEOPLE- my friends and family- and my dog!) these are officially the top 3 things I will miss the most (talking Dallas here, not all of Texas):

-Dallas Cowboys football (words can't express my sadness here)
-Mi Cocina in HP Village (yes, everything about it- the good, the bad, and the ugly) ;)
-TX/OU weekend (again, everything about it...!)

Dallas peeps, appreciate what you have please. Do it for me because believe me, I'll be having major moments of longing for these things (ahhhhh, Cowboys Sundays especially....!!) Yes, I'm looking ahead here (and can't WAIT for what lies ahead!!) but just reflecting on what I know I'm going to miss, too. At least now I can say I know my 'Dallas Top 3'. :)

**My next assignment: Finding authentic Tex-Mex recipes to bring with me to TZ