Hey everyone!

I am just finishing up orientation in Istanbul and am finally preparing to actually head to my place of service tomorrow! Yay! The past week and a half has been different than I had thought it would be. I think most of us like to feel like we have some kind of control over everything that happens (I know I really do) and I've spent most of the last week and a half at the mercy of someone else, completely unable to control anything. Our internet wasn't working, I don't speak Turkish, this city is enormous and I have no idea how to get around, and I have no idea what my schedule looks like. All of that was kind of difficult for me at first, but I've gotten over it and this has really been a great way to start off this semester! I've had fun, gotten to see this amazing city (I will have pictures up on facebook soon), and have learned a lot (a snippet of which I will be sharing momentarily). But I'm pretty excited to get out of here and head over to the M.E. so I can unpack my suitcase (I HATE living out of a suitcase) and actually start working. Please continue to lift me up. Being in another culture is extremely tiring, even more so when you're trying to learn in addition to everything else you're taking in . I am also about to begin work on another language, and am getting ready to start teaching. Lift up my students, my partner Stacy, and myself, and ask that we would have open doors! As I said last time, also try to keep Is. 40 and 55 in your thoughts!

Now for the snippet I promised...I have (understandably) been thinking a lot about "m" work in my time here. I have heard (and probably said) so many times "I can be an m just as well here in the U.S. as I can in another country." I agree wholeheartedly with statement, but I don't think most of us live that way in the U.S. (I know I certainly don't). I've been observing a lot of the m's here. They aren't different from any of us; they have regular jobs, families, all kinds of different friends, and they live much like we do. The only difference is that they live intentionally, where we often get so comfortable we don't even realize that we're not living the way we have been called to live. It would be just as easy for an m in another country to forget their calling and live life selfishly as it is for us, but they see being an m as a part of their literal and figurative job description; oftentimes we don't. This has certainly been a challenge for me to live intentionally wherever I am; to think carefully about what I say and do and to follow the leading of the H.S. I hope this challenges you as well! Thank y'all for lifting me up!

One week before...

Hey everyone!

Just thought I'd update everyone on what's going on with me before I leave (which is in 8 days...by the way). These last few weeks have been much more difficult than I expected. I am really being tested emotionally, spiritually, physically, and even academically. It hasn't been easy so far, but I am thriving by relying on His power. Just remember me as I will be leaving soon; this next week is just as crucial as the weeks that I will be overseas. This is a week of intense preparation! Lift me and my teammate up as we prepare. Ask that we would be ready, full of peace, and not fearful or overwhelmed, and of course, for safe travels. Also ask that our friends and families would be full of peace and not fearful or overwhelmed; I know they'd appreciate that!

Also, I have been reading Isaiah 40 and 55 a lot recently; think about these passages as you lift me and my teammate up.

Thank you all so much!