A LAURA INGALLS WILDER ADVENTURE

Many in my generation grew up watching LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and many. many more--- younger and older than I am --- have read the books that tell the stories about her life and the many adventures she had as an 1800's pioneer girl. She and family shivered through blizzards, forded flooded rivers, faced wild animals, and worked hard to just survive and have the bare basics much of the time.

Laura and her siblings were often homeschooled by their mother Caroline but were also educated at times in small, one-room school houses.

Laura Ingalls was hired to teach at her very own, small, one-room school house way out on the prairie at just 15 years of age.

I love the stories that Laura wrote, and as a child, I fantasized that I would get the chance to live her life. But that's all it was for me, a fantasy. Who knew that one day I'd grow up and my daughter would have a chance to have an adventure very similar in some ways to one of Laura's most challenging adventures?

The child involved in a Laura-like adventure is my 15 year old daughter Betsie.



She has left her family and is serving two months as a short-term missionary in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand. After about a week in country, she was given the the honor and responsibility of teaching a class of Thai students how to speak English. And like Laura's pupils, Betsie also has students who are younger than she is but also ones who are older than she is.

I am so excited for her. As I often lament with my husband and friends, so little real responsibilities or expectations are given to American teens for the most part these days. They are often treated like idiots who just need to be coddled along in an extended childhood. Here in America, due to rules and regulations and insurance issues, it is often very hard for teenagers to get much real world experience or be given challenging opportunities of responsibility and authority. In fact, my daughter at age 17 couldn't even work at a local sub shop because she wasn't allowed by the corporation to handle knives. And I've also been told that she couldn't work at the local snowball stand til she's 18 because at her age she wouldn't be old enough to use the ice shaver!

I'm so grateful that God has led Betsie there to live for two months and do some amazing things for him. Things that will grow His kingdom and things that will change her life forever. Things, that to be honest, would be hard for her to have the chance to do here in the U.S.

If some of you would like to read her blog post, she has chronicled her very first day solo teaching a class of 8 eager Thai students.


http://betsie-daredtomove.blogspot.com/2011/04/two-weeks-in.html


So what are some opportunities that your kids have had to gain experience way beyond the American or "western" norm? Feel free to brag away --- I certainly have.

BUY RARE THAI COFFEE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

While my husband was in Thailand getting Betsie settled in for ministry, he got to play tourist and had the chance to buy some items for the David and Anna to sell to raise money for their upcoming ministry trips.


He came back with scarves, jewelry, and salt-and-pepper shakers that he bought in open air market places. He did NOT buy a bottle of whiskey containing a scorpion or cobra like pictured above but he did buy coffee. And the first thing we are featuring for sale is the rare Thai coffee that he brought home. Here is what Jim has to say about this Asian Joe just waiting to be brewed:


Coffee for Missions!


Here is a rare opportunity to buy coffee and support a mission trip. Baan Athitaan coffee is Arabica coffee from northern Thailand. Arabica trees thrive at higher altitudes, which in Thailand is between 800 to 1,500 meters. In these altitudes, the beans mature at a slower pace, producing generally a richer, denser, more flavorful bean. Arabica in Thailand is still in a kind of experimental stage, which helps explain its low yearly harvest. Most Thai Arabica coffee is grown by small holders, such as hill tribe families and villages, as well as in research stations (Wawi, Chang Khian, etc.) and development programs. The few hundred tons of beans that are annually picked are brought almost entirely by local traders and roasting factories for producing roast and ground coffee. Baan Athitaan church [where our daughter Betsie is ministering] purchased the coffee locally as a way of raising funds for their ministry. I purchased the coffee from them to help support their ministry.


This coffee is a dark roast with a robust flavor. It is strong coffee and excellent for making espresso or having a good, [bold] cup of coffee from your drip coffee maker. The coffee comes in half pound bags and is whole bean. If you need it ground then let us know before we send it to you. Price is $12.


You can't buy this coffee in the US except here and now and we only have a few bags of coffee. All proceeds from the sale of this coffee will go to helping fund David's mission trip to Peru and Anna's to Thailand.

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We will be glad to ship the bags of coffee anywhere in the Continental USA but will need to charge $5 for shipping and handling.

This would make a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift if you've got a coffee loving parent. If you order within the next couple of days, we'll ship out at the beginning of this coming week.

OR...buying a graduation or wedding gift? What about a coffee maker with a bag of Thai coffee as a go along? That's truly a gift with purpose!

SHOW LOVE to THAILAND thru MUSIC and BOOKS

It has been communicated to me, that there is very, very little Christian music in Thailand. In fact, Betsie said in a recent blog that the ministry has only one worship cd to use during events that they have to just play over and over again. I am going to collect music cds to take over with me when I go in June. The cds will definitely be put to good use and any variety of Christian music is fine --- worship, rock, pop, rap, hymns, kids' praise, Southern gospel, etc. The cds will go to the church's ministry but also given to the missionaries, Thai believers, and those who don't believe in Jesus yet but are seekers.


One of the main ministries of the church is to teach English classes so cds in English are a great teaching tool. The young people especially like the sound of POP music so Christian music that is very pop in sound would be especially great (Jump5, Zoe Girl, Super Chick, etc. ). Michelle Tumes is an artist who is VERY popular in Asia.


Also, cds that have scripture memory verse songs for adults OR children would be great!


I will also take over Christian books for both the missionaries/church and the English students. Chrissy Espy, the missionary I'll be staying with, said that the top preference would be non-fiction books on Christian living and faith though some Christian fiction would be fine.


If I end up receiving more than the weight limit will allow in my suitcases, I will see that the books get donated to other Christian ministries such as a prison ministry or other groups that can benefit from them.


Books by these authors would be especially wonderful:


C.S. Lewis
Robert Morris
John Piper
Beth Moore
Elizabeth Elliot
Watchman Nee
Steve Brown
Lee Strobel
Don Richardson
Josh McDowell


Fiction books written by older authors such as Grace Livingston Hill would be especially good choices since most of the Thai are very modest people and things such as kissing in pubic and other displays of affection are not culturally appropriate.


If anyone has any contacts at Christian radio stations or Christian bookstores, maybe you could see if they have any items they would like to donate? Radio stations usually a lot free stuff from bands and publishers. And one year, I knew a guy that worked at a Christian bookstore and they donated a boxful of clearance items to a cause I was involved with.


Thanks so much and, as always, keep on praying!
Elysa

P.S. To read the post that Betsie wrote about their one worship cd, visit her blog: http://betsie-daredtomove.blogspot.com/2011/04/love-will-hold-us-together.html

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...FROM THAILAND

HE'S HOME and LOOK!

Jim is home! He flew out with Betsie to Thailand last week to make sure she got there safe and sound then spent a few days visiting with our missionary friends and learning about the Thai culture and their ministry there.



He arrived home this afternoon with amazing stories, great photos, and beautiful souvenirs...many of which we'll be auctioning off to raise money for Anna's upcoming mission trip to Thailand as well as David's trip to Peru.

I've got to keep this quick as I want to spend extra time with the husband, but here are a few photos to hold you over til I can tell you more.









Thanks to all of you who have been praying. He had a great trip and has gotten me even more excited about flying out there in June to spend a week and accompany Betsie home.

DEFINITELY MOVING TOWARD MANHOOD

My oldest son turns 14 today. In reality, I've thought of him as 14 for several months now. I've even told people he's 14 more than I've told them the accurate age of 13. Sure, some of it is the Swiss cheese state of my brain these years, but it is more than just that. The main reason is that he just seems older than what his age indicates.

The last couple of years of his life have brought about dramatic changes. He truly is already leaving the childhood stage and is passing into manhood. And it isn't just his appearances, though he is now taller than both his dad and I. His attitudes, his spiritual perspective, his opinions, his manner all point to someone who is well on his way to becoming a responsible, strong, and Godly young man. His upcoming missionary trip to Peru is evidence of that.

As is our family tradition, I wanted to interview him on my blog. For me, it is a fun way to keep up with who he is and where he sees himself heading at this point in his life.

So, without further adieu, let's get on with the questions:

Uh, I hate the questions.

David! I will try not to ask totally stupid questions. Okay. Let's see.....I know! How have you spent your birthday so far?

Slept in. Had donuts for breakfast. Opened presents at lunch.

Did you have a special birthday meal or dessert?

I had ravioli for lunch with cheesecake and garlic bread.



What did you receive as presents?

TRON LEGACY, STAR WARS THE BEST OF PC, Stratego, a fishing pole, and STAR WARS models.

What are you doing for the rest of today?

BoyScouts and eating supper. Pizza rolls and corn.

You obviously picked that meal.

Yeah.

Oh, you're also having oven fries. Unless you'd rather have Sea Salt chips.

No.

Okay. Alrightee then. Next question. What are your favorite things to do right now or what are involved in?

Playing my guitar, doing Boy Scouts, going to WE WILL GO.

How do you think you've changed the most since last year?

Well, for one, I've gotten a whole lot taller. I have to shave now. And, I've grown in God thru this last year. A lot.

What are you looking forward to the most in the upcoming year?

My mission trip to Peru.

Okay, just a couple of more questions. What do you think you'll be doing this time next year?

Getting ready to go to Swaziland.

What do you think you'll be doing in 5 years?

Probably be in the military.

And in 10? Just a wild guess.

An overseas missionary.

Happy birthday, David! I truly am blessed to be your mom. I love you so much. And I can't wait to see what God is going to do in and through your life as you catch hold of the idea that the best place to be in life is where He wants You to be and the best thing you can is what He wants you to do...wherever and whatever that may be.

A RESURRECTION SUNDAY REMINDER

"The devil has convinced so many people
that they are worthless.
Each of us needs to stop and remember the cross —
at the cross we will discover our true value —
for it is here that we discover the price
God was willing to pay for us,
the depth of His love,
and how much we are worth to Him."

--- Roy Lessin

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If you would like to know more about God's great love for you and His plan for your salvation through Jesus Christ, I would consider it a privilege to talk to you and tell you about how God has worked in my life. Please feel free to contact me through comments or facebook.

THE REALITY OF EASTER SUNDAY

It is already Easter Sunday in Thailand. All day long I've thought about what will be going on at that church in Chiang Rai far, far from Mississippi.



My precious girl has committed the next two months of her life to that community because of the reality behind why we celebrate Easter Sunday.

A couple of thousand years ago, the almighty Creator of the Universe executed a radical plan to bring His wayward children back into a right relationship with Him. He didn't come down and force us to repent. He didn't turn us all into mind-numbed robots. Instead, He made a sacrifice greater than I can comprehend. Father God sent His only begotten Son into this world to live a holy and perfect life, a life of a loving servant, and then to die on a cross and rise again, paying the price for our rebellion and conquering death so that we too could have eternal life. When we turn to Him, we can be made clean. He forgives every sin we've ever committed. None of the nastiness, shame, regrets, or scars have power over me if I allow His Holy Spirit to transform me.

Betsie is there because she has accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. She has given Him authority in her life and chosen to obey Him no matter the cost. As a result of this, He is changing her life into something truly beautiful and whole and amazing. And because He has done this for her and she has experienced the goodness and love that only God can give, she is compelled to share it with others.

And thinking of her going all the way around the world to tell His story to those who don't know it, compels me to tell it to all who would find it here.

In some ways it is difficult to comprehend. That GOD would come down in HUMAN FLESH to walk among mankind, to feel pain and know rejection and then be tortured and executed out of love for us is impossible for my brain to fully process. But though this is a deep mystery, it is also simple enough that even a little child can accept it.

It is simply this---God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

God loved the world.

God loves the world.

God loves you.

On this Easter Sunday, I thank God for new life, freedom, forgiveness, joy, and purpose. A high price was paid so I wouldn't be trapped in my sin and ugliness. He offers that same new, abundant life to any of you who will come to Him.



If you want to know more about how to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, just leave a comment, send a facebook message, or call me. I will be glad to talk to you and pray with you. Or maybe you don't need more information. Maybe you already know all that you need to know. Maybe you know that it is just a matter of confessing to Him that you need Him and you want Him to change your life, make you whole, make you His.

Please...don't let another day go by with you not experiencing the new life that can be yours if you'll only turn to Him. Make today the day you find forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. Make today the day you experience His perfect love.

GOOD NEWS BEING TOLD ON GOOD FRIDAY

We were able to Skype with Betsie in Thailand for about an hour yesterday. It was so wonderful to see her sweet face and hear how God is already using her in that nation. Upon arrival in Chiang Rai on Wednesday, about an hour was allotted for unpacking then it was onto orientation, helping out in English class (yes, the first day there!), and attending prayer meeting at the church that night. On Thursday, they rode three hours up into the mountains and lunched with a pastor who leads a congregation of thirty. They then came back to Chiang Rai and attended the night market before they Skyped us.

When we talked about the ministry she was doing, two things stood out. One, she was already working one-on-one with young Thai woman that God was already stirring up love for in Betsie's heart and she asked us to pray for that young woman. Betsie would love her to personally know the life-changing love of Jesus.

The second thing she was excited about was that on Good Friday, the church would be holding a Coffee House outreach and she'd have the chance to share the resurrection story. Surprisingly, she said she was not nervous at all. Now you gotta understand, Betsie comes across as very bubbly and at ease when she has to speak publicly in front of people, but if you know her well, you'll know that she is almost always very, very nervous and sometimes gets downright sick on her stomach due to related anxiety. But not this time. She was just so excited that she was going to get to share the powerful story of what Jesus did for us in front of a group that would have some in it who would never have heard the Easter story.

Since Thailand is 12 hours ahead of us, I woke up on our Good Friday morning to find photos from the event waiting for me at facebook. The joy and enthusiasm I saw on her face blessed this mama's heart. I haven't heard her account of the night yet, but I can only imagine how wonderful it was. Betsie is truly walking in the realization of how important and urgent it is to be a strong witness for the Lord in a very dark place.

Here is a blog post she wrote from Thailand expounding on this:

As I weaved through the crowds of jet-lagged Thais Tuesday night, I remembered what Mrs. Chrissy and Wikipedia had told me: Ninety-five percent of of the Thai population is Buddhist, four percent Muslim, less than one percent tribal religions, and the other less than one percent Christian. Everyone around me was Buddhist, possibly Muslim. Maybe one Christian for every one hundred, two hundred non-Christians. I couldn't have gotten farther away from the South, the "Bible belt", if I wanted to. Even if they aren't acting like it,--basically--anyone in the South, if asked, would profess to be a follower of Christ. (And get a little un-Christianly mad if you didn't believe them, just sayin'.) Almost no one here would.

However daunting that is, it surprisingly doesn't intimidate me. Breaks my heart, yes, but not intimidating. Rather, I feel courageous, and honored. When you are a one who makes up less than one percent of something, it immediately makes you feel more noticed, set apart. I feel that with so much darkness around me, the light that was already inside of me because the love the Lord has for me, has been made brighter, been given more strength by being here. This is silly, but I feel like I have access to more of a straight up God because I'm no longer surrounded by hundreds of people all proclaiming to worship the same God, but each actually following a very watered down version.

All this made me realize something else as well: here, my actions, words, do represent who I am. And everything I do could have the potential to impact someone.

"In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good." -Ecclesiastes 11:6

In a country in which nearly everyone around you -- the smiling college girls working at McDonald's (McThai) in the airport, the shuttle bus driver, the young children playing at Gate A --is missing out having an eternal life spent with their Creator (and they don't even know it!), that verse takes on such a different meaning.

Please continue to pray for Betsie as she sows seeds for the Lord, seeds of good news that will bear much fruit.

To read more of Betsie's writings, visit her blog at:
http://betsie-daredtomove.blogspot.com/

ON THIS HOLY, MAUNDY THURSDAY

Often, on the Thursday before Easter, we remember that Jesus ate the passover meal with His disciples and as a result, Chrisians though out history have commemorated "The Lord's Supper" which is called "Communion" or "The Eucharist" in various faith traditions. One element of that evening is still practiced in some Christian circles but not universally as is the Lord's Supper. That element is foot washing. Both of these aspects of the last supper reflect strongly on who Jesus was and why He came.



His death was the ultimate sacrifice paid to take away the sins of the world and deliver us from the wages of those sins which death. He was the perfect Lamb of God. Just as the blood of the lamb smeared on the doorpost and the faith of the people who put it there, shielded the Hebrews from the Angel of Death long time before in Egypt, so faith in Jesus and His atonement, shield His followers and bring them to abundant and eternal life.

Jesus death was the supreme act of a servant. He laid down His very life for us.

But the foot washing that occurred that night before the disciples ate with their Master is also important. Back then, roads were dirty. Sandal clad feet got really, really nasty. Someone could wash their own feet and the lowliest of servants could wash the feet of other people, but it was very, very rare for a person to wash their peer's feet. When it was done, it was a mark of great love. So for Jesus to wash His followers feet was radical! He was their Lord, teacher, and master.

But He was also a servant.

Jesus....THE son of GOD, a servant.

He left all that was glorious and perfect in Heaven to come down to this crazy, desperate, dirty world to serve us because He loved us that much.

When we say that we are Christians, we are saying that we are "little Christs". We are saying that we are followers of Jesus. And when you follow someone, well, you follow them! You do what they do. You speak the way they speak. You live the way they live.

But somehow, we have seemed to lose track of this. We have too often confused following Jesus as just being a "good person" who follows the rules and knows a bunch of Bible stuff. But it is so much more! To be a follower of Jesus means that you have put your faith in Him and then you are seeking to emulate His life of servanthood. The bathing of the disciples' feet was a symbol that He would take away their sins. He would wash them clean.

I think there must be something very powerful in the pairing of servanthood and redemption. I have often heard it said by one of my favorite Bible teachers, Steve Brown, that the lost don't care how much we know, they want to know how much we care.

I don't think we're really going to be able to impact our corner of the world til we fully realize that and then act on it. I spent years thinking that being a "good witness" for the Lord meant I followed all the rules and when I could, witness verbally about the salvation of the Lord offered them. I am seeing more and more that though living a life of Holiness is important, if I life a life of "goodness" that doesn't involve showing "goodness" to others, then my witness is not a "good" or effective one. If I am really going to be a follower of Jesus, I must lay down my life. I must tell the Lord that I will go where He wants me to go and do what He wants me to do. I must live my life not to serve my desires and needs but to serve Him and His least of these.

This quote from Jean Vanier, founder of the L'Arche Communitywas in today's reading out of COMMON PRAYER: A LITURGY FOR ORDINARY RADICALS:

"To wash the feet of a brother or sister in Christ, to allow someone to wash our feet, is a sign that together we want to follow Jesus, to take the downward path, to find Jesus' presence in the poor and the weak. Is it not a sign that we too want to live a heart-to-heart relationship with others, to meet them as a person and a friend, and to live in communion with them? Is it not a sign that we yearn to be men and women of forgiveness, to be healed, and cleansed and to heal and cleanse others and thus to live more fully in communion with Jesus?"

I challenge you today to meditate on the servanthood of Jesus and then ask the Lord how your life reflects that aspect of our Messiah. I know I'm pondering that a lot lately and quite honestly, I know that despite the strides I've made to live more for Him and less for me, I still have a long, long way to go.

COMMON PRAYER also had this:

"Lord Jesus Christ, You knelt to wash from our feet the dirt out of which You made us. Teach us to humbly serve one another so that the world may know that we are your disciples. Amen."

And I add, in knowing that we are His disciples, that the love of Christ that they see in us would cause them to want to follow Him, too.

LOVING GOD, LOVING HIS PEOPLE

"‎"Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people he has made?"

Frances Chan, Crazy Love

NEWS FROM THAILAND and LOOKING AHEAD

This morning, about 11:30 our time, we received a precious phone call from Thailand. It had to be short since the bill would be a dollar a minute, but the three minutes we talked were well worth the price...more even! The flight went well though little sleep was had. The first impressions are that the Thai people are very friendly; the Bangkok hotel, The Miracle, is very nice; the humidity makes it feel like a sauna; and overwhelmed is how it all makes Betsie feel.

It is morning there now. Thailand is 12 hours ahead of us here at home. Betsie is hoping to get some time at the internet cafe before heading back to the airport to fly on to Chang Rai. If she does, I'll make sure I pass on all the news here at Graceland and via facebook.

In the meantime, I'm missing my girl. Her sister and I are already making plans for life once Betsie and Anna are both back from Thailand. Part of those plans include celebrating Betsie's 16th birthday in August. Shh-h-h-h...don't tell her, but we're going to take her to see THE HELP when it opens a few days after her big day. THE HELP is set in our area and my son David's best friend even has a personal connection. His great-grandmother and, I believe, his great-great-grandmother have both worked for the author's family over the years.



We are really looking forward to watching it together. If it is even close to being as good as the book, it will be a great story. Plus, we'll be having good fun looking for the places that we know and love while rejoicing that in some important ways, some things have definitely changed.

TODAY IS THE DAY

Today is the day that Betsie leaves for Thailand. Months in the planning, now the time for her mission trip is here! My little baby --- wasn't it just a couple of years ago she was toddling around with big bows on her head snatching Anna's toys? --- is now a young woman, a young woman on a journey to discover what God has for her in a far, far away land.

Please pray for traveling safety but most importantly, she'll see and do and learn and hear every single thing that God has for her.

I can't wait to hear all about it.

Thanks and with love,
Elysa
A very, very blessed mama

TOMORROW SHE LEAVES TO FOLLOW HIM

In less than twelve hours, my fifteen year old daughter will be on a plane heading toward Thailand and the plans that God has for her there. Here is what she wrote earlier tonight:

COME FOLLOW ME

"Jesus said to them, 'Come, follow me! I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish.' They immediately left their nets and followed him." -Mark 1:17-18

I remember what it was like when I could say that there was only forty days until I left on my mission trip, and then thirty, twenty seemed to pass by before I even had a chance to acknowledge it, and then there was only ten. Five. Four. By this time, I began not being able to sleep at night anymore. I lay awake for hours thinking about what the next week would bring.

Last night at my going away party, as I sat among my closest friends and family as they encouraged and prayed over me, and then when the reality of the time and situation hit that there was only one single day that separated me from leaving for two months...my heart began beating like a jungle drum.

I don't understand it; last year I was more than ready to leave on my month long mission trip to Romania, and even after three long weeks I wasn't even close to being ready to come home again, either. But this time around, I'm not overcome with relief or excitement, but rather an overwhelming, immense...fear.

I'm afraid.

I'm so afraid that I can't even swallow the feeling that is so strong it's become tangible. I know, same old song, "I'm going to miss my family, I'm so inadequate, false humility, false humility, bleh." But no really. And then on top of this terror and anxieties, I'm sad. I'm sad to leave. I have been blessed with the most beautiful biological sisters, incredible brothers, and inspiring parents, and then there's my church which congregation consists of one hundred and twenty people--give or take--whom over the years I have learned to see as my family in Christ, and then you have all my close friends and acquaintances whom I also think of as my brothers and sisters. Also this emotional outlook I've developed over the past few days, that there are only a few days until I leave. has effected the way I see everyone. So in my abundance of good thoughts and appreciation towards everyone, even the random store clerk who checked me and my milk out Friday is counted as my sister in Christ. Yay.

However, through all this hesitation and even dread, the Lord has ceaselessly whispered into my heart, "Come, and follow me, and I will teach you My ways. And Betsie, through leaving and giving up, I will give you so much more."

It's not enough for me to just leave tomorrow on my flight, and it's not enough to just give up two months. It will only be enough--and not even then!--when I am leaving everything to follow the Lord every single day so as to learn His ways, to learn to be a fisher of men. Not just every day in Thailand, though, but every single day of my life beginning this moment, right now. It is my prayer and hope that all my sisters and brothers, biological and through Christ, all my friends, acquaintances, friendly store clerks, would grab my hand and that we would do just that together.

Always, Betsie

To read more of Betsie's writings, go to her blog: http://betsie-daredtomove.blogspot.com/

FABULOUS WEEKEND and THANKS

I don't have time to write a long blog post but I wanted to thank you for praying about traveling mercies yesterday. Despite the extremely bad weather yesterday, including tornadoes and terrific hail, all the alums arrived safely for Homecoming and a lot of hugs and fun and catching up happened. It was a true gift of provision and joy from the Father.



Then after a day at MUW, I drove home for Betsie's going-away party. She had a houseful of friends over for silly fun and last minute farewells along with prayers and blessings.



Tomorrow is her last full day before she leaves for Thailand. We are going to miss her so badly over the next two months but I couldn't be more pleased with what God is doing in her life and will do thru and in her life during this time.

PRAISE AND PRAYER REQUEST

The praise for today is that I'm going to my college homecoming and I'll get to see dozens of beloved friends...many I only see once a year, some every few years, and then others, this will be the first time we've been together since graduation. I also get the chance to meet new students and new members of my social club, The Troubadours, many of which become new friends.


Mississippi University for Women is a very unique college. It has a lot of the Ivy League college characteristics that make those stand-outs such as small classes, rich traditions, and high academic standards. But as a state college, it was definitely a place that the "masses" could afford and drew from all walks of life.

I made friends there with people who are still some of my best friends. In fact, the W feels more like a huge, extended family than just the place I received my degree.

As I get ready for the crazy, shriek-filled, laughter-riddled reunnions, I'm smiling. I'm praising God for a husband who is so good to let me go and children who are responsible enough to take care of things while I'm gone. But I'm also asking for prayer.

Today's weather is forecasted to be very nasty with storms that have already caused deaths in other areas.


Would you please pray not just for me but for the other alums who are all heading "home" today to our beloved MUW? Prayers for traveling mercies would be greatly appreciated.


And also, please pray that God will use me to bless and encourage others this weekend. I'm ready for some God ordained meetings.

Thanks and I pray the rest of you stay safe and have a blessed weekend!
Elysa

MORE FROM PETER PAN

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a photo of my oldest daughter Anna portraying her role as Twin 2 from a local homeschool presentation of PETER PAN. I thought y'all might like to see some other photos from the play.

Anna, as I said, played one of the Lost Boy twins. Betsie was Tinker Bell. David had two roles. He played one of the Indians and he played one of the Lost Boys grown up.

WHEN FASTING

"Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor. "

— St. John Chrysostom