Games, Train & Rain

I really enjoyed our day. It was busy, yet laid back. Just a go with the flow kind of day!

I headed out early this morning and saw a train stopped on the bridge over the Manzimtoti River, along with at least 15 different kinds of emergency vehicles - Police, Emergency Rescue, Hazmat, etc. I was SO curious, but you couldn't see anything because of the buildings and trees, so I just carried on my way.

I was in & out in the morning, but while I was home, I worked on taking out Mya's twists. She ever so sweetly twisted my arm into playing a game of Candy Land. Gotta love that girl! We had fun and laughed a little.

The neighbor kids - Marissa's new constant playmates - suggested going down to see the train that fell off the tracks (first I had heard about what actually happened) and I was right on that - I had been curious all day!

We rushed off to the beach - they knew where to park so we could walk down and get a good look. And just as we got to the beach it started to rain, but I still enjoyed the walk. Have I told you how much I love the beach?

Here are some pictures. They aren't the best as they were taken with my phone in the rain!

The river has been so strong that it has washed away an area of the beach where it meets the ocean. Our neighbour, Barry, said he has lived here 30 years and never seen it like this. It washed away the ground right up to and under the tracks, and as the train went through it just tipped right over. What you see is two engines and a lumber car. There were 4 men manning the engines, but they escaped with minor injuries.

 These pictures were taken when the tide was low, but if you look at the picture at the bottom of the post you'll see much more clearly how high the water can get.

Mya, Amy Jo & Marissa

 

Mya

This photo is a link to an article about the accident:

And this is a photo of what it normally looks like from behind. You'll note the train tracks on the bottom and the green vegetation to the right that has all been washed away.

Chaos

You may notice a bunch of new posts tonight. My husband and I had a multiply blog for our ministry before I started my own personal blog at blogspot. I found it convenient to post my recipes here, as they had a nice format and I could access them from anywhere around the world!
Well, they are no longer supporting blogs, and for now, I decided to import my recipes here rather than lose them or the links to them. We'll see if it lasts! In the meantime, browse and see what kind of foods my family enjoys. ;)

Warning: Easy Target

I was at Galleria Mall a few days ago loading my groceries into my car and a man appeared out of no where and asked me for help. I turned away from my trolley (grocery cart) for a moment to speak with him. He had a list of staples that he said he needed and that he didn't have enough money.

I have a policy of not giving money because I don't know what it will be spent on, but I found myself wishing I had something in my grocery bags I didn't need right away. I had just made a quick trip to the store to get last minute things for our family Thanksgiving dinner and some medicine for the girls, and didn't have anything I could spare. I drove away praying for him.  I questioned if I was insensitive to his needs and wondered about his family.
Well, when I got home I realized that I was missing a grocery bag. I am still so disappointed! I know that grocery bag was in the "child seat" of my trolley when I got to the car. I took my own bags and this was my one hot pink bag amidst the standard green ones. It's hard to miss! And I know that the trolley was empty when I put it away, which means that when my back was turned to the trolley the bag was taken. 
The most frustrating part is that it could 1). make me less likely to trust or help someone else that says they are in need and 2). make me feel vulnerable in the parking lot of that particular mall.
Guess I've learned a lesson to pay better attention! Glad my purse was around my neck and my keys in my pocket, and that everything missing could be replaced.

Crocodile Crunch

Mya was THRILLED today that we finally had all the ingredients to make Crocodile Crunch for school, from the book African Animals, Rhymes & Recipes by Tracy Going.

 

African Animals, Rhymes & Recipes

I promised her we would make it while Mickey was sleeping, so the moment he hit the pillow she was ready. She loves to bake and cook! She also likes Mommy's undivided attention.

While we were making them, she brought up Nina and Switzerland. She loved going to school with Nina while we were there, and she was telling me how they got to bake and then they got to eat it, too!

I had to take a picture of the finished product, too, because she was sure Gramma and Nana would want to see it. She thinks you would like her Crocodile Crunch! They are made with cocoa, golden syrup, sugar, butter and corn flakes.

When we were finished the dishwasher was running, so Mya offered to wash the dishes. Love that she still thinks it's fun! :)

She is such a pleasure to teach as she just LOVES to learn!

Raindrops

Just recently, on Pinterest of all places, I was challenged to start my home school mornings in God's Word TOGETHER with my children. So this week we are meeting at the table at 8h30 in the morning with our Word of Life Quiet Times. (Not that the Word of Life Quiet Time is anything magic - just a tool to keep us on the same page, yet still at our own levels, as they have a journal for each age.)

So, WOW! I have been blessed beyond measure in just two mornings! We have started the book of Job this week, and I thought, "Again?" You see, we have recently finished reading through Job in our evening prayer readings as we are reading through the Bible chronologically in a year. And, the kids have studied Job in home school this year. BUT, I guess God knows I need to hear things a few times before they really sink in, so here we are again, in Job! I'm listening, Lord!

My greatest blessing during this time with my children has been the opportunity to be vulnerable with them. We talked about how Job was "blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil." We talked about how God blessed Job - He gave him MANY blessings! And how God allowed Satan to take those blessings away - his crops, his animals, his children! And yet Job said,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 

And "Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God."

I shared with my children that I would like to believe my faith is strong enough to stand. I don't want to go through hard times and have my faith waver! But until I'm in the midst of a trial, how am I to know? We discussed those that HAVE wavered in their faith in times of trial and that we can't judge them, because we've never been in their shoes, but also our desire to be different if we experience similar trials of our own. I have to live DAILY in His Word, so that I have a solid foundation to stand on, and cling to Him in times of need!

We have been singing Blessings by Laura Story in our house a lot the last couple of days, so I'm going to include the lyrics.

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win we know
That pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
This is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

I was able to go back to our break in, almost 2 years ago now, and remind them that maybe it happened so that we might better know God. And we decided it was worth it!

We discussed many more things, and our home school day was still a bit rough - even starting with Bible doesn't make my children perfect! ;) But I'm so glad that we started TOGETHER in the Word, and I don't want to forget this LFL.

This still gives me goosebumps - "What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near". If you haven't heard the song, I urge you to listen.

And of course, when it comes to Job, I want to "Live Like That".

Live Like That

Just recently I heard this song and have been SO challenged by it! Here are the lyrics:

Live Like That
by Sidewalk Propets

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Quick Pizza Dough

For when I don't have time to wait for the bread maker.

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/quick-pizza-dough-678389/

Preschool/K links for the letter "U"

Mya turned 5 while we were on holiday, and when we got home and her older siblings started school yesterday, she BEGGED to join them. :)
 I am using the following resources for Mya to do a letter each week for the rest of the school year:
African Animals Rhymes & Recipes
ABC Fun & 1-2-3
Teach Your Child to Read in Just Ten Minutes A Day
My First School Book from Handwriting Without Tears

But that's not enough for Mya, at least not yet as her excitement is so great, and she LOVES to write, draw and colour in, so I find myself looking for printables and such after the second day of school, and this week is the short sound of the letter "U". Thought I would list the links here.
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabetp4.htm#u
http://www.first-school.ws/t/alpha2/u2_nt.htm
http://www.first-school.ws/t/alpha2/u1_nt.htm
http://www.first-school.ws/t/alpha1/u.htm
http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_seasonal/s_rain-umbrella.htm
http://www.tlsbooks.com/kindergartenworksheets.htm

http://www.animalstown.com/animals/i/impala/coloring-pages/impala-coloring-04.html (similar enough to pass for a Ugandan Kob)

Honor

I have been reading the book Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes... in You and Your Kids by Scott Turansky, and I love it! It really emphasizes to teach your kids to honor others. I knew that the Bible said to honor your father and mother, but I decided to do a search in a Bible concordance to find some other verses, specifically that I could use to encourage my children to honor each other. This is what I've found:

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men.

I'll expound more on this later, as this busy Mom's gotta run! :)

Top Secret Recipes Little Caeser's Crazy Bread & Sauce

My husband LOVES Little Caeser's Crazy Bread & Sauce! As close as we can get in Africa. :)

http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/Little-Caesars-Crazy-Bread-Recipe.html
http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/Little-Caesars-Crazy-Sauce-Recipe.html

Bread Maker Pizza Dough (1 1/2 lbs.)

1 cup water
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour (I use All Purpose flour, or in SA, Cake Flour)
2 teaspoons Bread Machine Yeast

Add to bread maker in order suggested by your bread maker manufacturer.

Optional Ingredients: (Add with flour)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon sweet basil

Yields:
2 - 12 in round (thin)
1 - 14 in round (thick)
1 - 10x15 in (thin)

Bake Pizza at 425 F (220 C) for 15-25 min.

White Chicken Chili

3 T. Olive Oil          
1 jar green chillies, drained                               
1 medium onion, chopped     
2 tsp. ground cumin      
3 T. flour
16 oz. chicken broth (or bouillion)              
1 1/2 c. chopped, cooked chicken breast                                                               
2 cans white beans
1 c. salsa                                                   
shredded cheese and sour cream for garnishing

Cook onion & chilies in olive oil until onions are cooked through.  Add cumin and flour, stir until well mixed.  Cook 2 minutes.  Slowly stir in chicken broth.  Add white beans and chicken.  Cook for 30 min. Serve with cheese and sour cream and salsa.

A Teenager in the House!!!

Well, I can't post about Mickey's birthday on April 13 and not post about Brandon's birthday, because today's THE DAY! It's Brandon's crown birthday! He turns 13 on the 13th, and as he'll quickly point out - it's Friday the 13th! :)

He woke up earlier this morning - why is it easier to get the kids out of bed when they know there's no school? And I made him pancakes for breakfast. He was able to play wii, computer, watch tv - his favourite things. ;)
He had cosmos for lunch - now I don't know about you, but I didn't know what cosmos were until I met my husband's family. Take a sub roll, melt provolone cheese on it, add mayo, italian dressing, tomatos, lettuce and onions (hold the onions for Brandon) and you have a Hawkins' family favourite sandwich!
Played for the afternoon.... We talked about lasagna for dinner, but since Brandon HAD to go to the shop and spend some of the birthday money that was burning a hole in his pocket, we ran out of time, so we had goulash
The birthday cake of Brandon's choice was Deep Dark Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing.

Now he is having a sleepover with his "weekend family", the Frosts. They stay in the flat on our property, and he and Matthew spend every possible waking moment together! (Well, sleeping, too, I guess! ;))

It was a special day today, as we had already let him choose what was for dinner last night, assuming that we were back to youth at church today after the holidays, which would involve being away from home from 2-9. Brandon felt like it was an extra birthday present to find out we weren't going back until next week!

Mickey's Birthday

Mickey turned 2 on March 24 and we had a little party for him here. It was a simple party, as he would be having a party with his Mom & Dad, Colleta & Michael, in a couple of weeks. We just invited some of our mutual friends from church. Here are a couple of pictures!

Drama and Answered Prayers

Drama started again this week. The official kind, at least. I think we have a little of the unofficial kind every day. ;)
In 2009 and 2010, the kids took part in practicing and performing drama - first The King and I and then The Fiddler on the Roof. The cast is made up of approximately 50 other homeschoolers. Last year we were unable to participate because we were in the US when the performances took place.
Since we returned from the US in November, it has been a matter of much thought and prayer as to whether the kids would take part this year. There is a fee to participate, and if Mom volunteers, it is more than half the cost. In the past I have volunteered happily, enjoying the time with other Moms and the creative outlet. However, this year, I really don't have the extra time! The ministry and homeschool have kept me SUPER busy, and with performances in September and us planning to move to Durban in Oct/Nov, I just couldn't see me adding one more thing to my already jam-packed routine! So I prayed. And I asked my husband for his opinion (he agreed, but was okay with whatever I chose). And I prayed. And I asked friends for prayer.
And then a couple of weeks ago, we found out about someone that needed a place to stay for a couple of months because her new rental fell through and she already gave her notice at her current place. We have a rondoval (a round brick building with a thatch roof) that would be perfect for her use, and she was willing to pay. One month would more than cover the drama fees, and I wouldn't even need to volunteer! Brad and I both felt this was the answer to my prayers. Thank you, Lord!
My kids are excited to be involved again, and I feel kind of awkward about the idea of just dropping them off and leaving, not because I don't trust that they'll be well looked after, but because I like being involved!
I will still have Mickey with me while they are at drama practice every week, but it's during his nap time. Now I'll just have to be sure to be self-disciplined and accomplish something every week while they are away.

Here's a pic of the kids in costume from Fiddler (I made the girls costumes):

Mickey, Visit with friends, and Lamb

This morning it was so sweet! I awoke to Mickey saying, "Mya," and went to investigate as to why, and found him tucked in her bed and her reading in the chair. It was so sweet, but I didn't go get the camera to take a picture as the others in the house were still fast asleep, and I didn't want to awaken anyone. They really love each other.

Mickey has started repeating everything that Mya says, and she has taken full advantage of it. She goes around saying, "Say ____, say ____...." He has been really fussy today, and his nose has started to run. I really hope he's not getting sick.
I really enjoyed a visit with my friend, Felicity, today while our children played. Felicity has 6 children, ages 13, 11, 9, 6, 4 and 1. Their oldest is a boy, so they make nice playmates for my children. They really enjoy spending time together and we have been struggling to coordinate our schedules!
I have been praying about whether our children would be involved in the homeschool drama this year, and it looks like God may have provided an answer! Thank you, Lord! I love knowing that you care about even the most minute details in our lives.
I made lamb for the first time ever this week, and now I am attempting lamb chops. I prepared the leg of lamb in the slow cooker and it was amazing - so easy and tender! I'm hoping the lamb chops turn out just as good.
Tonight Brad has a Deacon's meeting, so I'm planning to get some work done while he's away, starting with pricing a box of books that I have decided to part with. It feels good to declutter some things from the house, especially knowing that if we don't get rid of them we have to move them.

Life

I thought life would slow down a bit this week. Our last weekend was the normal busy - I help with Jr. Youth and Sr. Youth on Friday, then Saturday was a birthday party at our house for Mickey, who is now 2! And then Sunday was church in the am and again in the pm.
We are only doing some of school this week as a precursor to holiday next week, but I forgot all that I still needed to do! Tuesday we had friends over for the afternoon, and Brad & I both teach at our churches midweek Bible Study on Tuesday night.
Last night I went through the bookshelf and pulled quite a few books that I'd rather sell than move, so now I need to price them.
Today has been slower, but I have spent the afternoon making final plans & a grocery list for camp on Monday. We are expecting around 100 people at BattleZone Camp and we will be feeding them ourselves.
I have an assignment that I had forgotten about that needs completed ASAP, and a Bible Study to catch up on for next week Thursday.
Brad has a Deacon's meeting this Thursday night, Friday is shopping for camp, Saturday will involve some cooking for camp...
Sunday we are taking 5 of the Discipleship Training Centre students to church with us and feeding them lunch, Brad has a training at 1, we have a birthday party at 2 and back to church at 6.
BattleZone Camp starts on Monday!

It is exciting to see all that God is doing! I need to sit back and take things one at a time so that I can breathe. ;)

My goal is to start blogging more often and posting more pics. We'll see how it goes!

Memory Verses

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matthew 7:1

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

Change is in the Wind!

Here is a section of our most recent prayer letter....

Have you ever found yourself the answer to your own prayers?
For many years now we have been praying for missionaries to start Word of Life in other areas of South Africa, and specifically, in Durban. We as a staff in South Africa recently started praying regarding the possibility that Mary and I(Brad) might be the answer to this prayer!
Durban is approximately 7 hours from Johannesburg, where we are currently located. It is the largest city in the South African province of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. Durban’s population is approximately 3.5 million.
Word of Life is already working with 5 local churches in Durban. John Page and I traveled to Durban this past week for conferences and training, and to meet with many more churches that are interested in using Word of Life. We were asked more than once, “When are you sending a Word of Life Missionary to our area?” It was exciting for us to be able to answer, “Soon!”
We are still praying for God’s wisdom regarding His timing, but are anticipating this to happen around October or November 2012. Please join us in prayer as we seek God for guidance regarding every aspect of this.

Overwhelmed...

1/10/12
There has been a lot of change in my life lately. And usually I just go with the flow, taking everything as it comes, but that hasn't been as easy for me the last couple of months. I'm not sure why I'm not settling into life back at home as quickly as usual. Maybe it's because I know that there's more change to come? I just can't settle back into a routine, and doing the most mundane chore seems to take more thought process and discipline than I can handle.
There are many thoughts that are running through my mind at once. I will try to sort through them and make SOME sense, and share some of them as God leads along the way.

Change....

12/28/2011
There is change in the wind. I am excited and scared in turn moment by moment! God, I need You to remind me over and over that YOU are in control!

February's Memory Verses

Here are my new memory verses.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God.
Psalm 51:2
Wash me throughly from iniquity, cleanse me from my sin.
Revelation 20:8
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, and they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Long Way Home...

Those of you that know me well know that since the summer of 1992 my favourite singer/songwriter has been Steven Curtis Chapman. There are many things I have found in common with and/or appreciated about Steven Curtis Chapman over the years, including a passion for adoption, a passion for the lost, and faithfulness to God even when times are tough. Every time he comes out with a new album, every song speaks to my heart about my Savior and my relationship with Him! I could quote song after song to give example, but the one that is speaking to me tonight is "Long Way Home." Here are the lyrics:

I set out on a great adventure
The day my Father started leading me home
Said there's gonna be mountians to climb
And valleys were gonna go through

But I had no way of knowing
Just how hard this journey could be
Cause the mountians are steeper
And the valleys are deeper than I ever would had dreamed

But I know were gonna make it
And I know were gonna get there soon
And I know sometimes it seems like, were going the wrong way
But it's just the long way home

Some rocks in my shoes
Fears I wish I could lose
That make the mountians so hard to climb
And my heart gets so heavy with the weight of the world sometimes

There's a bag of regrets,
Should've beens, and not yets
That I keep on dragging around
And I can hardly wait till the day I get to lay them all down

I know that day is coming
I know its gonna be here soon
I won't turn back even if the whole world says I'm going the wrong way
Cause it's just the long way home

When we cant take another step
The Father will pick us up and carry us in His arms
And even on the best days, He says to remember were not home yet
So don't get too comfortable
Cause we are just pilgrams passing through

I know that day is coming
I know were gonna be there soon
I keep on singing and believing
What all of my songs say

Cause our God has made a promise
And I know everything He says is true
He promised He would never ever leave us
He's gonna lead us
He'll lead us home

Every single step of the long way home
So keep on, we're gonna make it
Were just taking the long way home
So keep on, were gonna make it
I know, we're gonna make it
Its just the long way home

Scripture Memory

First to remind others why scripture memory is important, I'll share what I shared as ONE reason for scripture memory with my Grade 3&4's in small group today:
Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:11

And here are my verses. If you wonder, "Why these verses?" Here is the answer! I am memorizing verses along with the children and teens that I minister to in youth at church. The verses are chosen by Word of Life to support the lessons that they are being taught at youth.

So here I go! These are the first of 48 for the year. Some of these will be review. Thanks for holding me accountable!!

Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

2 Peter 1:20-21
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Mickey...

We are now caring for a friend's little boy to help them out during the week. It's been interesting having a toddler in the house again!


Mickey just came back from his first weekend at home, and boy is he talking up a storm! He is just TOO cute and I could just eat him up.


When he first came to stay with us 2 weeks ago he spoke only 1 English word we could understand - Hello. Here are some of the ones that we can pick up now!

Yi-ya = Mya
Danda = Brandon
Uh = Up
Goggy = Doggy
Come = Come
Dink = Drink
Mmmm-mmmmm = Thank you (it's thank you said with the mouth closed. ;))

He quickly picked up on sign language for more (he loves MORE food!) and he will hesitantly sign please, as well.

He also loves to sing and dance. I often find him in his bed awake in the morning or after a nap just singing sweetly.

Anyway, we're quickly falling in love with the little sweetheart, and I'm thrilled that he's sleeping through the night all the time now!

Homeschool Plans for 2012

As we start our school year in mid-January in South Africa, I have been spending a good amount of time planning for the year ahead. Here is what we'll be using:

Tapestry of Grace, Year 1
Writing Aids (part of Tapestry of Grace, but new to us)
Math U See
Spelling Power
Easy Grammar and Daily Grams (New to us)
Exploring Creation through Botany (Apologia)(Marissa)
Apologia General Science (Brandon)
Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready (Mya)
ABC's & 123's along with African Animals - Rhymes & Recipes (Mya)

It should be an interesting, crazy busy year ahead, but I'm looking forward to it!

We may add Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) later this year, as a friend found the DVD's for me second hand for only $1! I just have to get it from the US to SA.

Along for the Ride

Do you ever feel like you are "along for the ride"? God is in the driver seat and here we go! Sometimes I'm so excited I can hardly wait, and sometimes I'm so nervous that I can hardly breathe! I am learning new things and "going places" I could never go without Him in the driver's seat. I don't know what I will learn, but I know that I don't want it to be any different. And I'm glad that He's the one making the decisions. I will gladly follow, trusting and reminding myself not to worry. He loves me and has my best interest in mind.
And while sometimes I don't understand, and sometimes it hurts, I know that the end goal that God has in mind for me is to bring me to a place where I am like Christ. And with that goal in mind, I am willing to go wherever He leads.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.