Say "Bye" Round 1

Praise Reports:

• God is good!
• Connecting with my church's mission's department is finally in the works
• Lots more- see below

Prayer Requests:

• Wisdom to finish well (Proverbs 8)
• That I will actually be able to connect with the missions department at church- pastor's schedules are insane!

I gave my kids (students) my personal contact information today. So, Cockroaches, if you are reading this, HELLOOOO!!! :-)

So many of my kids keep asking me why I have to leave. It is better to obey God than to stay. One of my kids asked if I loved someone more than them. My honest answer is, "Yes." I love God more than them. I love my students so much. They have been my life for the last three years. (Just ask any of my friends!) I think I would die for them. But in a way, I am dying for them. I would love to have them in my class forever. I would love to keep in touch stateside with them- it would certainly be easier. But I love God more than my life. And God put it in my heart over ten years ago to be a full time missionary. I've been living out that call here in America. But in January, God made it very clear that America is not my permanent mission field. And so, again, it is better to obey than to stay. I have 18 1/2 days until I go on vacation (where I will have no internet or cell phone service) and 36 days until I leave America. This is a lovely adventure!

Saying bye to my family makes this trip so much more real!!!!

This last weekend, I said bye to my extended family in Austin. Aunt Patti and Uncle Tommy arranged a little get together. We had pork loin, chicken, asparagus, squash, and zuchinini on the grill. Aunt Mary, Aunt Mona, and Grandma Moore came out. The rest of the family was busy. I wish I could have seen them all, but it was great to hang out with those who came. We had chocolate cobbler for dessert. Oh my! That was delicious!!! I wish I had thought to ask for the leftovers of it!

Aunt Patti takes care of her two great nieces (they are not related to me) every weekend. Anabel is 6 and Cara is 3. We had so much fun together! Anabel and Cara had blown up balloons for me and scattered them all over the house. We played games together, walked the creek together, and told stories together. They are such sweet girls! I was sad to say bye to them. Anabel bought me a beautiful red journal to take with me. I will be using that for sure!

I talked to my contact from the Philippines (Pat) for a while last night. I found out that with $500 (US), I will cover all of my expenses for the first 3 months including my Visa fees. With only two paychecks from my current job, I could potentially live there for 10 years! A little bit goes a long way! (Chat from Pat: actually US$500 = aprox 23,000 pesos... your first 2 months expenses including visa, nessecities, couple meals out will only be about 7,500 pesos( leaving 15,500pesos remaining for the first 2 months) so you see 500 US $ is quite a lot here.)

I also found out how to find Pat once I land at the airport. See the excerpt from the chat below:

You will come in to the old airport. We are not allowed to go into that airport to wait for you so this is what you will do. 1st. you go through immigration ( you will need your passport and papers that you will fill out on the airplane)...go thru the "foriegners stalls" ....2nd pick up your luggage at luggage area.. make sure you have your luggage claim stubs in hand as you will need it on your way out of the airport....3rd go to line of "NOTHING TO CLAIM" for exit check...give them your pasport . they will check it and then give it back to you.... 4th as you go out they will check to be sure you have your own luggage so this is when you will give the luggage claim stubs. you are now outside the airport. 5th cross over to other side go down the right side of the ramp.... 6th look for the XYZ waiting area at the far end....7th..RELAX if you don't immediately see me when you come down ..they don't allow anyone to wait so I will just be taking another turn around the airport and will be there shortly. 8th.. SMILE.........You found me !!!! we are now in the car ( light tan Ford Everest SUV) on our way to your home in the Philippines...hehehehe ...detailed enough???

I think she's gotten the picture that I like details. Haha! This week I will begin packing up my classroom, and this weekend I will hold my "Farewell Party" for my friends. It's really happening!