From the time I made my final decision to take an assignment overseas, I've known that I can't take every personal possession with me. I purposefully sorted and sifted. I packed things away and shipped them home to store (intending to pass them on to my sister for when she gets a place of her own). I tossed things and gave things away.

I'm still left with a lot. I have to decide what makes the cut. For the most part, most anything I need for daily living I'll be able to get there. So, unlike friends who are moving to more remote locations, I don't need to worry about packing pots, pans and such. And, it's quite possible that for some things it will be more cost-effective to buy it there than pay to ship it or pay the baggage fees.

As I look through things I find myself asking... "Do I need this? Can I get this there? Is it better to get it there or bring it with me?"

Thankfully with the invention of the iPod / iTunes I don't have to worry about lugging my CD collection. I love that I have almost all my music loaded onto iTunes!!! I've done a preliminary narrow down of movies, and I figure I can get most any other DVD in Manila. And, thanks to the age of digital photography and my cousin's gift of a digital photo frame ... I won't have to pack boxes of old-school photo albums.

Probably the most challenging part of packing will be sorting through my books. I don't even know where to start. A friend told me this weekend that there's a great bookstore in Manila where I could find pretty much any book. Good to know!! That little tidbit does help.

But, there's something about my book collection. The book that so-and-so gave me for Christmas. The books that I bought when I was going through such-and-such. The book that made me laugh when I needed it. And then there are the books that have marginalia in them. The little notes I wrote to myself remind me of certain things. The underlinings and exclamation marks that scream out to me with each reading. While I could, borrowing or buying another copy when I get there just probably won't be the same.

But, I have to face the fact that I can't lug a ton of books to the other side of the world. So, the elimination process must begin. Which books will make the cut?

What books would make your packing list????

I was reading through some of my old journals and saw that this week in September has had some significant happenings through the years.

Taking a look back and remembering God's faithfulness ... awed by His goodness.

One year ago...September 16-21, 2007
Learning that Lasts Training - Dallas, Texas

After about a month of training in North Carolina, I travelled to Dallas, Texas. I began my two months in Dallas with one week of "Learning that Lasts" training (Training for Trainers). The course has changed the way that I approach developing training sessions and how I hope to develop myself when I am in a "trainer" role. My entire time in Dallas was a huge blessing. I got to spend really good quality time with my cousin and her husband as I stayed with them during my time there. And, I got to spend special times with other family members in the area as well.

Two years ago...September 17, 2006
Wycliffe USA Training Camp - Orlando, Florida

Along with 32 other new Wycliffe workers, I began two weeks of training and orientation. By the time I attended Training Camp it had been over four months since I had received the phone call letting me know that I had been accepted to serve with Wycliffe.

Training Camp was a great time for me to step away from my regular daily life in Orlando and focus on this HUGE thing that was happening in my life. It was a great time for me to be with others who were along a similar journey and to begin taking very concrete steps forward. It was a wonderful time for me to just be renewed and recharged -- re-energized about what was ahead.

It's amazing to think back on that group... some have been overseas in their assignments for almost two years now. Some have recently completed their preparations and are settling in and adjusting to their new homes. Some are still preparing and developing their ministry teams with great hopes and expectations to move into the roles that are waiting for them. And I know that some have gone in new directions outside of the organization.

What a journey. Two years ago I'm sure none of us were sure of where we'd be today, but one thing we focused on during the two weeks we had together was GOD... HIS GLORY... AND WORSHIP OF HIM. Praying right now that each of our hearts continue to be refreshed by knowledge of Him and our hearts and minds turned to Him in worship.

I loved those two weeks and the people that God gathered together for that time. TC 29!!

Fun, random memory: A few of us went to Downtown Disney. While visiting Virgin Megastore we dedicated a song to fellow training camper, Tracy. Here's Tracy in the purple shirt realizing the song was for her. Tracy is now in the Chicago area coordinating one of Wycliffe's programs for youth, Jungle Jump Off.

Three years ago...September 16, 2005
Process began with Wycliffe

It took a looonnnngggg time for me to finally begin the process of applying to serve with Wycliffe. It was something that I began seriously considering in 2003. It seemed that applying to join Wycliffe was something that I was endlessly thinking, journaling, and wondering about. I had lists of questions. I had journals of all my ponderings. I just wasn't making a decision.

Eating lunch with a friend of mine one afternoon she asked the waitress for a piece of her ordering slip. Pulling out a pen my friend wrote out what things I needed to do to finally move ahead. There in the restaurant on a dining order slip was my deadline... by my birthday (August 20th) ... I would decide if I was going to apply.

(This is me and Maralee -- my friend who had lunch with me that day. This was actually taken a couple if years later when she was getting ready to move to D.C.)

Before my birthday even rolled around it was clear. (The photo is of me and my home group celebrating my birthday that year.) Actually, everything had been leading and pointing me in this direction all along... but I was finally ready to put faith and trust into action and say, "Yes." Okay, so maybe I wasn't that BOLD in my decision making. My actual words in my journal were:

"Whoa. This is scary Lord -- and yet at the same time, so peace-giving. I think this is it, Lord. I am yielding to you and trusting you Lord as I take this next step. Father, there hasn't been one question I've asked that you haven't totally answered directing me to make a move....God this is scary because I'm not exactly sure where this step is going to take me. But, I have to remember - I may not know where I am going, but I do know who I am following. And Lord, you are so trustworthy..."

13 years ago...September 18, 1995
"Come to Jesus"

It was my second year at the University of Florida. It was right before my Writing for Mass Communications class. I sat outside on the Reitz Union Colonade with sweet Beth from Alabama. Everything about her oozes Jesus' sweet love. That afternoon she told me about His love in a way I hadn't ever understood it before. We talked for a while and before I knew it I was late to class. So I ran across the lawn and into Weimer Hall late... but filled with joy and a new relationship with God.

December 1995 - Celebrating Christmas with new meaning with Beth and the other precious chickadees of her Bible study.

"So, you're stranded on a desert island, what 5 movies do you want to have with you?"

Okay... so moving to Manila is not at ALL like getting stranded on a desert island. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I'll probably be able to find most any movie / DVD I would want to have, but I do have a few that I will make sure to take with me. I probably would be able to find them there... but these are the ones I want to make SURE I'll have.

I love watching movies so this list took some time to develop. From the time I decided to go to Manila I knew that I wouldn't be able to take all my stuff with me... especially not my whole movie collection. When I began moving around from place to place I started to cut down my collection and I kept a mental list of the movies I wished I had with me to watch or the movies I actually did watch over and over again.

These are the movies I never tire of watching.

These are my Top 5...

Anne of Green Gables (the collection):

The first time I watched this I was in high school. My dad and I were home alone over a long weekend (Thanksgiving?). We flipped on the TV and somehow landed on PBS while they were airing the Anne series. Little did we know we would be glued to the TV the rest of the weekend long to follow the adventures of Anne of Green Gables. Oh, I love watching this one!!!

Pride and Prejudice (A&E version):

I'm trying to remember the first time I watched this, but I can't. I'm thinking it must have been sometime during college?? But, ever since I first saw it... I loved it.

I tried to be educated and cultured and actually read the book but, I haven't been able to get through it. I think I've watched the movie too many times.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy:

I had some fun times working with the folks in the Communications Department in Orlando. When the 2nd movie came out a bunch of us went to the midnight showing at the movie theater in Downtown Disney. Fun experience. There were people dressed up, there was picture taking in the theater and there was even an announcement requesting that all staves be placed under the seats.

I was enjoying the movie, but it's a long movie... and it started at MIDNIGHT. So, I started to doze off. Okay, I fell asleep. When I woke up it was the end and the credits were rolling. I thought ... awww...that was a nice ending. At work the next day we were talking about the movie. It was only then that I realized that I missed A LOT of the ending. For me the movie ended with beautiful green scenery and happiness. Not at all how the movie ended. Not at ALL. HA!!

A Knight's Tale:

Great music, great story... Heath Ledger. What else is there to say??

Braveheart:

Action, romance... a man passionate who takes action.

Okay... some may consider picking trilogies cheating, but obviously I don't. hehehehe!!

Musicals???

Where are all my musicals? Meet Me in St. Louis? Music Man?

Old movies?

Where are all the great old movies?? Audrey Hepburn? Doris Day? Jimmy Stewart? Cary Grant? Katharine Hepburn?

I know that there are many more movies that I'd put on my packing list... so hopefully the ones that don't make the list will be found in Manila.

Hmmm... this list may still change before my boxes are packed.

So I guess this is My Top 5... for now.

What DVDs make up your TOP 5???

This upcoming Saturday I have the opportunity to join colleagues of mine from Wycliffe at an Explore Wycliffe event taking place in Philadelphia.

This one-day event gives participants the opportunity to learn about Wycliffe, Bible translation and explore ways they can get involved.

I'm looking forward to meeting fellow Wycliffe folks AND especially excited to meet the people who are choosing to spend a Saturday to "Explore Wycliffe." I think that's so cool!

When I really think about it... while I was casually exposed to Wycliffe at a music festival in PA and through the Web, my first real in-depth introduction to Wycliffe was when I went to Orlando, Florida to interview for a job at Wycliffe USA's headquarters. It was only after meeting real live Wycliffe workers, heard their stories, learned about what they did and why, that I actually "got it."

I remember sitting in the rental car at the end of a very long interview day thinking that I had no clue whether I would get the job or not. But, this I did know... I needed to make a change in direction in my life AND... whether or not I got the job, I would have to get involved in the work of Wycliffe somehow.

I remember having that "unbelieveable" feeling. Unbelieveable that so many didn't have the Bible in their own language. Unbelieveable that I never knew until then.

Because of my own experience I'm usually not at all surprised when people tell me that they've not heard about Wycliffe or about Bible translation before.

BUT, because of my own experience as I've gotten involved in this work... it's something I want to change.

I want to be surprised when people get that puzzled look on their face. I want to be shocked when people ask why the Bible is still being translated. I want to be startled when someone says, "Wycliffe, what's that?" These reactions don't surprise or shock me now. It's what i've come to expect. But, I want things to change.

I want for Bible translation to be as understood and known a need among churches as other areas of mission work. I want for Bible translation to be received as key and foundational to missionary work of the Church. I want for people to be as familiar and invested in Wycliffe as they are with other organizations that meet the deepest needs of people around the world. I want for kids and young people to be so exposed and involved in various aspects of Bible translation as they grow up that they just continue to seek God for their next next step of involvement.

In April 2002 I moved down to Orlando, Florida and began working with Wycliffe USA's Communications Department. The years that followed became my in-depth exploration of Wycliffe and the world of Bible translation. It's a learning experience that never ends.

I'm thankful for opportunities like "Explore Wycliffe," "Check IT Out," and other events that people can participate in to learn about this organization, Bible translation and ways to get personally involved.


Pray for the events taking place this week around the U.S., people who are sharing about Bible translation, and those who are participants in these opportunities.

One day during my mom's first round of consolidation therapy we were in her hospital room watching one of the few TV channels on the hospital TV -- CNN. One of the news items that day in May was about a 5-year-old girl who was accidentally hit by a car and died. The little girl ... a daughter of one of Contemporary Christian Music's popular, Steven Curtis Chapman.

The accident was tragic... their youngest daughter was accidentally hit by the car driven by her older brother.

At the time of Maria's death, I was still very much dealing with the questions and hurt in understanding why my Mom/we were having to go through cancer. I remember that as I watched the news story I subconsciously thought... "I wonder how they will go through this?" I remember feeling like... "keep your eyes and ears open and learn from them."

I've been reading the blog of Jim Houser who works with Steven Curtis Chapman. Over the last couple of months I've read about this family's moments of sadness, moments of joy, moments of hope, moments of moving forward. I've read about their faith being lived out.

Last month Steven Curtis Chapman, his wife and their older children were on Good Morning America and Larry King Live. Now I know that what this family has been going through is completely different from my own family's experience, but as I watched clips of the Larry King interview online, the words I heard expressed by the members of this family often echoed my own over the past few months. It was an encouragement hearing their testimony of faith.

God glorified in the hard times is often recognizing just that HE IS GOD and turning to Him with our questions, turning to Him seeking hope, and leaning hard on the one who gives strength and comfort.

I also think God glorified in the hard times is others seeing faith walked out during that time...maybe even when you're just hunched over and barely limping. My heart and mind have turned to God as I've listened to and watched this family. God glorified.

Over the last few months I've been encouraged in watching, reading, hearing about the faith journey of others. Not just this family, but my own friends and family as well. As others have permitted me to watch and listen along their journeys, I have seen God. What a gift of grace.

Steven Curtis Chapman had written a song, "Yours," and following the death of his daughter wrote an additional verse. These words provide such a powerful testimony of faith.

"And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours"

"I've walked the valley of death's shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I've had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even herein this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you."

GOD, we belong to you.

Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)
Sanctus Real

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

Chorus
Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

Chorus

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

It's time. All I can do is surrender.

"Whatever you're doing inside of me It feels like chaos but I believe You're up to something bigger than me Larger than life something heavenly "

Three major TV networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) joined in an effort to raise money for cancer research this past Friday night.

"Stand Up To Cancer is more than a rallying cry. It is a galvanizing force created to urgently move cancer research forward.

This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer."

One person every minute. Cancer.

For the 60 minutes that the program aired, I was in the hospital with my dad and my mom. My mom, who has cancer. She was in the hospital because of a fever -- the visit was more of a precaution because the chemo she had the other week has virtually wiped out her immune system. Cancer.

While we were in the ER room watching SU2C, family friends were heavy on my heart knowing that the next morning, they would remember and celebrate the life of their husband, father, uncle, friend. Cancer.

And yet there was hope as I thought about friends who have thankfully been cancer-free for years now. And, grateful that my mom's cancer is in remission. Thankful, that research has been done that has likely improved treatment and prognosis for my mother's type of leukemia.

And hope... remembering that God is our ultimate HOPE and HEALER.

It was inspiring listening to the stories of people who have been affected by cancer and to see the entertainment industry -- so influential in our society -- stepping in to do something about it.

During my mom's very first stay at HUP back in April, I was in the nourishment getting my mom's morning cup of coffee. There filling up his coffee mug was a fellow patient with a baseball cap fitted over his head. On it the words... CANCER SUCKS.

One person every minute? Yes, it does.
But, things can change.