Valentine's Day

This is, admittedly, not my favorite holiday. However, it has never troubled me so little as it has this year. Weird. Probably had something to do with being snowed in so much the last few weeks that I didn't make it to the store much. Or maybe my scatter-brainedness has now reached new levels.  Whatever the reason, Valentine's Day came kind of quietly this year, and I was intending to pass it right on by without notice it much at all. But I got some great valentines this year, so I thought I would share:
From God: on Sunday- I found a new pair of jeans for a fabulous price! I have been praying for one forever- it was such a special blessing!
In class: a couple of people wished me Happy Valentine's Day (I'd kind of forgotten it was until I got to chapel, honestly). And then- a secret somebody got all the single girls on campus a rose and little box of chocolates. Aw....
From my roomate: I got a very fun Valentine's Card
From Mom and Dad: a hillarious e-card about the attack of warm fuzzies
From some friends: I got the chance to babysit- I haven't gotten to hang out with kids in forever, so I thought it was really fun! and I got chocolates from them too. LOTS of sugar....
From God: and then, on my walk home... there was a beautiful moon rainbow! Have  you ever seen a moon rainbow? I've only seen one that big once before! It was gorgeous- what a beautiful end to a very nice day!

What I've been up to....

Work!! Lots of work! Classes, lots to do with Missionary Kids (MKs) right now- classes like Biblical Parenting,  MK care and education, and, at the moment, Child Protection. Right now we're also taking Field Health which is about how to assess and treat basic stuff when you're a zillion miles away from the nearest doctor. Super practical stuff. 

One of the big classes we're taking this semester is called "Missionary Technology". It's about how to set up water filters that will help you not die from disease in a remote location... and about how to get water into your house so you can wash your hands and shower and stuff. And how to set up a solar panel system so that you can use a laptop to help you translate the Bible and have lights in your house and stuff like that. 

For your amazement or amusement- here is some of the stuff I made in missionary technology class. I'm sad to say, I did not inherit my dad's awesome "fix everything" skills. nope. Not a mechanical genius. However, my teachers are amazing, and amazingly patient. Some of the stuff we're learning to use and build they've actually invented specifically for missionaries in the tribe. They build all this cool gadgets- in order to build God's Kingdom. Tim See (lead teacher) reminds us often to use this stuff to free up your time so you can learn the language and culture and share the gospel. 

In what we chose to bring, or not bring, or have or not have... it is still all about Jesus, and being God's mirror to reflect Jesus to a lost and horrible and hopeless world. Because Jesus is ... wow. yeah. Jesus is ....amazing.