And he will be called...

"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-

The people walking in darkness 
       have seen a great light; 
       on those living in the land of the shadow of death
       a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation 
       and increased their joy; 
       they rejoice before you 
       as people rejoice at the harvest, 
       as men rejoice 
       when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian's defeat, 
       you have shattered 
       the yoke that burdens them, 
       the bar across their shoulders, 
       the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior's boot used in battle 
       and every garment rolled in blood 
       will be destined for burning, 
       will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, 
       to us a son is given, 
       and the government will be on his shoulders. 
       And he will be called 
       Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace 
       there will be no end. 
       He will reign on David's throne 
       and over his kingdom, 
       establishing and upholding it 
       with justice and righteousness 
       from that time on and forever. 
       The zeal of the LORD Almighty 
       will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:1-7

Two Weeks Notice

I know it has been longer than two weeks, but this crazy month has sure felt like it. After Thanksgiving I put my two weeks notice in at work. I had mixed emotions about leaving- sad to leave my roots. I started at Mother Frances OR two and half years ago. I had finally got comfortable with most of the doctors and surgeries. Most of my life was spent up there and my coworkers were my friends for the past years. At the same time of the sadness, I am so excited about new adventures and relationships made with Mercy Ships. It is what I've been looking forward to for a long time now- and its FINALLY here! 

One week was emotional for me and stressful of everything I needed to get done. Then this past week was better because of prayer, encouragement from others, and just keeping my focus on God and what He is doing in my life right now. So last weekend I packed up my place and said good-bye to friends and my life in Tyler to move home to my parents in DFW for a month. It will be a good time catching up on reading, my scrapbook, and with friends & family before I leave for Africa in 35 days.  I made one of those paper chains from elementary school days to help me with the count down! 

This passage encouraged me during my "roller coaster" month: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 & 16-18

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." 

"Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."