At the end of March I was given the opportunity to step back from my work responsibilities to help my family during my mom's treatment for leukemia. These past few months have been a blessing to me - to be able to be with my family and help during this time.

My mom's treatment continues and I've asked my supervisor if I can stay in Newtown, PA to continue to help my parents. Based on her current treatment and recovery, and our day-to-day schedule, I think it's a good time for me to resume work with Wycliffe. I've asked if I could take on a new work assignment while I am at home. I am grateful that there is a need in the organization that I can meet from right here in Newtown, PA!

I will be working with Wycliffe International as a Web Project Coordinator. The Communications Team of Wycliffe International has been working on the development of two new web sites and has been in need of someone to help coordinate the efforts of the web team to bring these sites to completion.

The web team is comprised of about 7 people who are based in different locations around the world. Working with a completely "virtual" team will be a new and challenging experience for me! I will still be serving Monsoon and the Asia Pacific Area in this role! The resource of these international web sites will be serving the Bible translation movement in this area - and the other areas of the world as well.

Unfortunately, my computer recently crashed due to a defective hard drive. None of my files from my computer could be recovered. So, I'm having to rebuild my files one tiny bit at a time - salvaging what I can from miscellaneous emails and back up files that I have.

While it may take me a little time to be able to get started in my new assignment, I'm looking forward to joining this team and contributing in the ways that I can!

• Pray for patience as I get things up and running again on my computer.
• Pray that I would quickly get things in motion so that I can actively and effectively take on this new role.
• Pray that I would have great capacity to understand different aspects related to this project, have vision for what's being developed and the ability to communicate and work well with this ENTIRELY VIRTUAL team.
• Pray that I would be able to contribute much to this team.

the art of great story telling.

I have been enjoying watching So You Think You Can Dance and have found myself at times literally heart-ached or joy-filled watching these stories told in such amazing ways through dance. The stories are told so effectively that they pull emotions right out of me!

Whether the story is told through a dance, a photograph, a painting, film or words... the creative ability to not just unfold a story, but invite and draw others so powerfully into it, is just an amazing thing to me. I appreciate so much the gift that people have to do that... and the courage and generosity to use that gift to share it with others.

In watching these stories being told in dance, I'm reminded of joy that I have in being a part of telling the Bible translation story. I'm reminded of the creative struggle involved in finding the perfect words and the great image. And I'm reminded of the oh-so-cool feeling you experience when you see someone connect with the story that you get to help invite them into. Cool. Can't believe that I get to do what I get to do! :)

Well, here are some of my favorite dances from the show so far (tonight not included).

No Air
Choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha
Performed by Katee and Joshua



Bleeding Love
Choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha
Performed by Chelsie and Mark



Beautiful
Choreographed by Mia Michaels
Performed by Chelsie and Mark

Well, after my computer crashed I've finally gotten it back and I'm back up ... and slowly getting things back in shape. I'm in "crawl" mode right now.

Unfortunately, the computer folks were unable to retrieve anything from my hard drive (without me shelling out a whole lot of money to do it!). So I'm piecing my life back to together again. I'm trying to find whatever digital files I may have on random thumb drives, in my personal email account and on my external hard drive (that I obviously didn't use to its full capacity!!)

I pretty easily let this discourage me. I immediately had the feeling of "Why me??" I was upset at myself, upset at my computer and the entire technology industry ... and began to feel like everything in my life is UNFAIR.

But then perspective set in...
I lost computer files. That's it.
I lost some records of people who partner with me in ministry. I haven't lost those partners. I lost emails from friends with words of encouragement and affirmation. I haven't lost those friends... or the truths they have imparted to my mind and heart. I have lost a few photos from the last couple of months -- during my mom's leukemia journey. I haven't lost the memories, the lessons or the moments that we've been sharing together.

As I look around my circle of friends and think about the many struggles so many are facing, I begin to think... "Why, God?" "It's not fair..."

I was running those words through my mind the other night as I tried to fall asleep and the words that came to mind were these...
... you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

Oh to have a greater perspective... to recognize the fullness of just being His and the trustworthiness of Him who has me.