Time Winding Down....

Where to start? So much to share!

To quote Julie Andrews in the movie The Sound of Music, “Let´s start in the very beginning, it´s a very good place to start.” ...Imagine me singing that as you read it please... it should make you smile... it did me.) I mention that song, as the musical is showing this week at the Rubín Darío National Theater in Managua, Nicaragua. :)

So, in July and August I went to the states to visit family & friends, I went to my 15 year high school reunion, I was able to share with the church I grew up in about my work in Nicaragua and I was able to go to my cousin´s wedding. Here are a few photos of those fun and eclectic adventures. :)

Here I am at St. Paul´s Lutheran Church in Cassopolis, MI.
Each table group studied different sections of verses about what "Justice"means.

My parents, myself and my niece at Silver Beach in St. Joeseph, MI.

Happy 33 to me!

Hanging out with some of my favorite little people.

At Ottawa Beach with Nancy & Bob. :)

The local pub in GR. Oh how I miss the DB. Soon! :)

Spending time with some amazing friends.

Visited the Bodies Revealed Exhibit while in GR.

Pool Party at Kelly´s families place. Such fun with Kate, Lynn, Eleanor and so many others. :)

15 year high school reunion. I think we all look pretty great! :)

The girls!

My parents at Biltmore Estates in North Carolina.

My head is smaller than this flower.

Carolina Beach family vacation with my parents, my brother Todd, his wife Laina and my newest niece, Kysa. So good to finally meet her. :)

Sunset on the wharf.

Dancing with Kysa at my Cousin Lauren´s wedding to Will. Congratulations guys!Visited the YMCA of the USA in Chicago starting to check out possibilities of work for when I come back in a few months.

At the Willis Tower (formally Sears Tower) falling from the observations deck.

First time ever in front of Buchingham Fountain in Chicago. Reminded me of the show "Married with Children" and Al Bundy. hahaha

I have lots more photos to come and even more updates since this was posted last week. So, be looking for those soon. Until then, here are some....


....Deep Thoughts By Beth Jerdon (there are a couple this time, so bear with me :)

Deep Thought #1:
It may be interesting to hear this, but over the last three years, my life truly has been here in Nicaragua. Although I am from the US, being here in Nicaragua has not just been a “mission” for three years. It has been my life. I have friends that I consider as close as family here. I have my apartment, my taxi and bus routes, my favorite restaurants and movie theaters. I have a daily routine, which, in three months will have some drastic changes. I will be moving from “summer” to “winter”. I will go from having a job and studying a masters to just doing the masters program. I will go from my family and friend here in Nicaragua to my family and friends back in the states.

It is a time of both excitement and sadness. You may say, BETH! You have three whole months left, why are you thinking about this now. Well, because I am already feeling the effects: emotionally, physically, spiritually, intellectually. So, please keep me in your prayers about that. But, I do know that it is part of the process. The mix of joy and sadness is part of ending one season of my life and beginning another season.

During this time of transition and change I seem to be more focused now more on God than I had been over the last year and a half. I am hearing that I need some renewal and rejuvenation. And oh, how I am looking forward to that renewal. :) It has even already begun as I begin to transition out of my life here in Nicaragua.


Deep Thought #2:
Recently I have been reading through a Henri Nouwen book called “The Return of the Prodigal Son” (1992). Nouwen relates this parable to the Rembrandt painting by the same name. Why do I share this?? It´s not that I´ve been away from my “Father” squandering my inheritance in the large sense of this parable, but in a sense we all squander it every day when we choose things of this world over Christ. I think it´s an opportunity during this HUGE transition that I have to be able to re-center myself on Christ. As I leave my friends and work here in Nicaragua into a time of renewal and rejuvenation, I truly do find myself at the feet of my Heavenly Father and He, with his arms gently on my shoulders welcoming me back with joy and celebration.



Other news in my life here in Nicaragua:

What I can tell you is that I am excited for what the Lord has here in Nicaragua these last few months, not only for me personally, but to see what he has in store for my work at AMC and for Alex Devoid, the Methodist Mission Intern, who will be assisting the volunteer program at AMC between now and the end of 2012. The Lord is so faithful and I know that there is an amazingly eclectic adventure just around the corner. :)


Praises & Prayer Requests:

• Praise: For a wonderful trip back to the states to be with my family
• Praise: That the Lord has been closing some doors and opening others in His faithfulness.
• Praise: God is drawing me into Him more during these transitions and that he is healing my heart as I learn to let go of things that he is closing the door on, and excitement for what is ahead.
• Prayer: For my transition from Nicaragua back to the states (culturally, work, friends, family...everything)
• Prayer: For Alex Devoid and AMC as they transition the Volunteer Program
• Prayer: That I would be present and focused my last few months here in Nicaragua
• Prayer: For my masters program that I would be focused in that and trust that God is using it to prepare me for my next season of life.
• Prayer: For my decision as to if I should come home before Christmas or just wait until the end of January.
• Prayer: Trip with Living Waters for the World (October 24-26) for assessing where clean water systems are needed. There has been a lot of flooding and rains in the area that we will travel to even some bridges that were washed out, so many prayers here please. Gracias. :)
• Prayer: Trip with FUMC of Grand Rapids to Boaco, Nicaragua for medical consults.
• Prayer as I continue to work on my masters: Only 4 more classes to go!
  

Thank you again to each of you for all your support over these almost three years. I would not have been able to do it without you and the faithfulness of God. :)

Bendiciones (Blessings),
Beth