the world's worst blogger EVER...

So, do you notice anything strange about my blog today?? Could it be that I'm BLOGGING! Sheeeeesh, I'm pretty sure that only posting every 6 months qualifies me as the very WORST blogger EVER.

But it's weighing heavy on my mind that I should probably post a wee something about my new life. "My Next Step", as it were...

I'm back. Back in the good ol' USA since Christmas... The land where

• our economic/political (in)stability is 'slightly' less talked about on CNN than that of the Greek economy,
  
• I encounter much less tear gas,
  
• my airport is always open,
  
• people around me at Starbucks speak English,
  
• TP is flushable (WaHooo!),
  
• grocery store chicken breasts are HUGE (yikes! what happens to that American chicken!!?!) and produce lasts A LOT longer in my fridge (hmmmm?),
  
• snow skiing is a popular sport but no one plays Tavli (backgammon),
  
• people hit the sack at 10:00PM and show up for work at 7:00AM vs. the late-night culture I finally adjusted to in Athens,
  
• my local restaurant's menu offers 6 different cuisines but rarely has lamb souvlaki,
  
• my neighbors haven't learned the art of sitting at a street cafe for hours on end with friends,
• I drive a car,
  
• I never roam the streets at 3:00AM,
  
• and 20th century architecture is considered "old".

Now with 6 months of reflection under my belt, I can say that I really miss these praying co-workers...

...the good work continues in Athens...visit www.neazoi.org

and being a part of something so much bigger than my little life. I also miss being on the front lines of God's action...seeing Him miraculously coordinate logistics in crisis situations. One thing the Lord really pounded home for me in 2010 was that He is at work everywhere; every nation, every life. Even when individual situations seem hopeless.

During my year in Greece we saw 3 girls fully come out of prostitution and make risky, but better, decisions for their futures. That probably sounds like "JUST THREE" to you. But it's 3 that were specific answers to prayer. We also learned to celebrate other victories. It was worth it just to tell a girl that...

• what happened to her is illegal,
  
• that there are people and a police force that want to help,
  
• that God cares about her mind, heart and body.

Many we met didn't know those simple truths.

So now my next step? I am in Idaho enjoying the time with my family, staying busy with many-a-project, selling cards and plants at the Farmer's Mkt, and trying to navigate the sometimes overwhelming question of what adventure the Lord has for me next. The unknowns are many and vast and wide...where to go? what to do? and the world is my oyster... or whatever....

snowshoeing w my fam...

But God has proven Himself faithful time and time again in my life and I'm learning to trust that 2011 is not different! My new "cling-to" verses are

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD...For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought
nor cease to yield fruit. " Jer 17:7-9

I can't sign off without telling you I'm so, so thankful for you. Those that have read this blog, prayed for me, supported me or sent notes of encouragement. The Lord used you to point me toward His open doors and then to give me the courage to walk thru them. I am humbled and will be forever and ever and ever and ever grateful.