I have to admit that it felt strange to think that my last day at Smiths Medical was going to be last Friday… at first it was pretty unnerving to consider giving them my resignation letter. But you know what? It was REALLY COOL to do it on the third anniversary of the day that this journey began! Although it still feels strange to quit my job without having a different company/building to drive to the following Monday; it feels good. I’ve not been unemployed in the past 20 years or so with the exception of being in between jobs after the trucking company filed bankruptcy and then moving from Colorado to Ohio in 2000.

It could feel strange… it could feel unnerving… it could feel scary… but God. I love those two words, don’t you!?!? But God has it all under control. If I ever have doubts that I am in the center of His will with this journey, He does something and makes it crystal clear to me and to everyone that I share with… that I am in the center of His will for my life right now. So, with that in mind… I was ready to leave my current job last Friday! I am off to bigger things 😀 I look forward to being able to get my homework done and get things packed up and stored.

Things are going well in my Mission Theology class. There is a lot to learn! People are so different in our own cities, let alone all over the world. I am so grateful that I am learning some of the drastically different things here in the comfort of Hooper House. I love it here; have I told you that? I have the door to the Hooper Florida Room open and it is raining a little… absolutely perfect! So I sit here and learn of things that I would never dream of, while sitting in the comfort of Hooper House. Lord, I’m grateful. There will be enough to learn when I get to Papua New Guinea to fill my days/nights.

A bit of fun news; my friends Jan and Angie hosted a going away party for me on Aug 2 at a nearby restaurant so I could say goodbye to everyone and vice versa. Oh my goodness!! So many sweet friends came by, grabbed a bite to eat and some fabulous “Jamie cake” and chatted until we all parted ways. It was wonderful; thank all of you!! I really had fun :o} I only wish that I had gotten the camera out sooner as I missed getting pictures with some really special people.

Angie & me

Ken, Judy and me

Ravi & me

Jen Patty & me

Kimmy, Ann, Bob & me

Speaking of sweet… you guys, wow! Ali brought over all of the fabulous gift cards for Buca Di Beppo, AMC Theaters, Target, Zoombezi Bay, Starbucks, BP, Shell… not to mention a boatload of cash to pay for snacks at Zoombezi Bay…because you know how much lunch for 6 will be! THANK YOU VERY MUCH for donating to bless me and my family. I pray that God blesses you for your generous hearts and kind loving care of me and my family. Thank you for your kindnesses. You amaze me.

I recently found out that I need to have a car in Papua New Guinea. I was hoping that I wouldn’t need to buy one. It’s pretty expensive. I talked about it with Joni and Jim (my friends who are headed to PNG at the same time) and we decided that we could share a vehicle. I’m not done with my Partnership Development (monthly financial commitments), so I was pretty concerned about adding more. I still need about $300/month to cover my monthly expenses. If you can help with that, I would certainly appreciate it! Just drop me a line or follow the directions on my Support page. A gracious friend has covered the expenses of my portion of the car, so that is no longer consuming my thoughts. God is SO good!

I decided that I like posting something fun for you to read at the end of my blog. This was written by one of my future teammates in Papua New Guinea. I told some of you that I was warned that I would “glow in the dark.” Well this is what I can look forward to during the day :o}
When You’re a Sore Thumb

Prayer requests:

• Good health for my family and for me
• That I comprehend what I am learning in Mission Theology and end well
• Safe travels for Jodi and me as we leave for Florida to take my car to my sister, Suzy
• Safety for Jim and Joni in their travels with their final destination being Dallas at the same time as me AND for their house to sell!
• Peace when my family and I have to say “see ya” before I leave for PNG… I don’t look forward to that… but at least it isn’t “goodbye.”

This journey to be a blessing that draws all of us together ~ closer to each    other ~ but more importantly ~ closer to God

My sweet friend, Jodi Garcia, is going to drive to Florida with me on August 19. I am leaving my car there so my sister and mom can drive to Dr. appointments and grocery shopping. On August 31st I fly to Dallas to begin my four months of training. I’m still on track to leave for Papua New Guinea in January 2014. God willing, it will happen 🙂 Are ya ready??

Thank you for your love and prayers. I am so happy that you have chosen to go on this journey with me! Let’s do what we can together to draw others into His saving grace.

2 Sam 14:14
14 Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.