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I miss Roma already. My brother, my friend.

Roma left on Saturday to go home to his long awaiting betrothed. (also a precious friend of mine) And yes, I believe Roma has gone home. 
Just as Arielle came home this summer when she ventured to this side of the ocean.

Home is not a place so much as it is a presence.  
Home is with those who love us and with those whom we love.

"Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" --John 14:23

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." --John 14:1-3
*italics mine in both verses.



 My prayer, Roma and Rel, for you:

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

 

If only I could learn languages as quickly as Dora...

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I switched on the TV and started flipping through the channels.  I paused as I saw Dora and thought, "now this should be entertaining, Dora teaching Spanish in Russian"  only I quickly learned that Dora doesn't teach Spanish here--she teaches English.  So I watched Dora and Boots learn the words red and green and stop and go as I finished tying my shoes and laughed to myself as I walked out the door.

Pray for Believers Around the World

I just wanted to let everyone know that Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Check out the Voice of the Martyrs website to find out ways to both pray and help our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted.

If you live in the South, and don’t have anything planned for Friday night, consider attending Secret Church in Birmingham.

Paul said “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty.” I can’t say that I can relate. I don’t know what it is like to be in need and I have always had a warm place to sleep at night. Last night as I sat in the cold waiting for a marshrootka to pick me up and take me to the place where I currently lay my head, my mind began to wander to those who aren’t waiting for a warm bus to take them to a warm apartment. I then thought of my friends who used to live on the street. Of Vlad; and of Max; of the young girl at Agape Church who gave her testimony, of the young boy who gave his at the tennis tournament last week, and I thank Jesus that someone at some time saw them—really saw them—and then cared enough to do something.

Emily had a worship team meeting at her house today and I couldn’t help but think, and I’m pretty sure Emily would agree, that what happens on Sunday morning as the team sings is such a small part of worship. Sunday morning songs are great, but they should be a celebration of the worship that is taking place in our lives every day all week long.

So yes, may I lift my voice in song to Him. May I meet with other believers and enjoy the incredible glimpse of Heaven that I am given each week as we worship together. I thank God for those moments of refreshment and joy. But may I also be one who sees the child on the street, the babushka by the metro, the friend who is hurting, the businessman who lost his dreams somewhere along the way, the girl who is longing for love and finding a cheap imitation, the teenager thinks breaking up is the end of the world. May my heart (followed by my time and my efforts) be focused on the ones who need a savior. (that’s all of us by the way :o) May I see them and then may I love them with the love of the One who first loved me, because He is everything. And anything I have to offer I have because of Him.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:15-16

Today is one of those days I just want to get back in bed and wait for tomorrow to come. (yes, I have them too :o)  

Luckily, it's Friday.  

Last night, while doing my homework, I watched The Flight of the Navigator.  This movie makes me smile because I can remember watching it at my grandmother's house with my cousin Jeremy...

...my grandmother used to tell us she was from another planet...it could be true...

Ok, well, I'm off to class and will see you people in blogger land tomorrow.

Just for Michelle, I will start this month off with a post. I don't know if I will be able to keep up with it EVERY day, but I will try to post more frequently for this "blog posting month" :o)

Yesterday was Halloween (in case you missed that...or you live in Ukraine where that is not such a big deal). But I love Halloween. (somewhat ironic being that I don't like chocolate). I love it because it is fun. I love it because for one day a year you can be someone (or something) you are not...the dramatist in me :o) This year I was Hermione Granger and when I rang the doorbell at the office, saying, "trick or treat," the trick was that I had the treats. Mars Bars, Snickers and M&Ms.

Hope you had a spooky Halloween!