Merry Christmas

Thank You for your prayers, support and generosity in 2006

We Love you all

Ronnie, Janelle & Baby Zerr +

Ukraine (OOu-krayne)

What a great time we had in Ukraine!!! Firstly it was so wonderful for me (Janelle) to get to be a part of this trip. We went to Ukraine to celebrate with the 12 churchplanter couples their graduation from the 3 year church planting project with NLI. It was so great to see them and their excitement for the growth of God's church throughout Ukraine. They were also given some assitance from NLI to help set up a small business to contribute to providing for their families and churches while they continue to establish their churches and see them grow.

We spent the majority of our time in Kiev celebrating with all the church planters together and then our team split up and went to visit several of the church planters in their own towns and attended their Sunday morning services. Ronnie preached at the church we visited in Sumy (and shared a great word I might add- very encouraging and inspiring!) It was such a pleasure to be there with the people and they were so excited to have us and spent much time visiting and praying with us afterwards! The trip went by quickly, yet its amazing how quickly you can build relationships (Some of our team have been building these realtionships for years, but we were obviously newer to these folk). Anyways, we had a lovely time as a family together and certainly ate enough potatoes to last us the year (and yummy borscht too!)!!!

We also had a chance to go to our first european football match (that's soccer) and Ukraine was playing Real Madrid Ronaldo and David Beckham were playing!! It was sooo cool- such a great game! I will try to post a short video soon.




We also took a family photo in the Armsterdam airport , with clogs for the whole fam
ily!!

Who do I look like?

Well here I am. Baby Zerr at 20 weeks old (even though I'm already 22 weeks old)! Incase you don't know how to look at these in-utero photos, in the right hand corner, half way up you're looking at my face from a side profile, forehead, nose bridge, lips, my chin is tucked right up on my chest and my eyes appear to be gazing upward. Actually gazing up towards me holding onto my toes. Yes, I'm quite flexible! So for those of you who are pro at interpreting these snapshots, you can try and guess who I look like. Now, keep in mind that no one but God knows whether I'm a girl or boy, so please lets not be too sexist. But any thoughts? Mom or dad? (To be honest, I don't think I even have an oppinion on this one!)

Encouragement in Turkey

(The Blue Mosque in Istanbul)
We have just returned from a week long retreat in Turkey with the PAOC (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada) missionaries from around Eurasia. How exciting it was to hear about what God is doing in soo many parts of the world!!! However, the connections and new friends we were able to make was the highlight of it all. We were very encouraged through all the sessions and relationships that helped renew our passion to reach the nations for Christ. We were so blessed to have been invited to be a part of this wonderful group of people walking along the same kind of journey as us!

Tomorrow we leave for Ukraine to celebrate with the body of Christ there. The church plants are celebrating their graduation from the partnership with NLI and we ask for your prayers for these churches for sustainability and strength as they continue to grow and bear fruit in Jesus’ name. It will be such a privilege for me particularly to be a part of this celebration and see the hearts of these wonderful people first hand. Look forward to letting you all know how it goes!

(Turkish Apple Tea- a must have!!)

Isn't She Wonderful!!!

I have to admit that my wife is the most amazing woman I know. I would like to take the next few sentences and celebrate her life and the person she is to so many!


On Friday was Janelle's 27 birthday and I want to honor her for the person she has become and the blessing she is in the life of all of us who know her. So here it goes...


Janelle you are the most beautiful woman I know and so very sexy (the baby belly is very hot). You have the ability to affect others by your presence, you have a joy that radiates and shines right through you.

You are:

honest, caring, sincere, true, genuine, selfless, patient (you have to be being married to me),gentle, radiant, humble, faithful, kind, compassionate and loving.

You are truly a wonderful wife, and a great friend (I know I am not the only one that thinks that!!!).


So Janelle for all that you are and all that you mean to everyone who knows and loves you!

Thank you for being you and making our lives better for having you as a part of them.


Happy Birthday!!!


All My Love

Ronnie +

Super Heroes

Why is life always so busy?! If you're anything like me, this thought crosses your mind frequently. Even in this seamingly quiet season of my life, with no official job, no schooling, no official responsibilities at the church etc, I find myself busy. Its true that my time is moreso filled with things that I've dreamed of having time for for years, like helping a friend pack up her house to move, having new people from the community over for dinner, being there for a friend when they need someone to talk to....just having time to be available to people. I love that! ButYour results:
still why is it so hard to find a quiet space in my day to sit and "be still"? I've often felt like I need super powers to accomplish all that's on my plate. Like being able to fly from here to there, 'zap' supper into existance in a moments time, or have super hearing and eyesight to see into others hearts and souls and see what they're truly needing me to be or hear as a friend. "If only I were a Super Hero" I think to myself, " then I could accomplish everything that needs to be done". Yet two truths remain:
1- I somehow know with certainty that if I were a super hero, I would just hear more cries for help, and feel more responsibility to achieve greater things.
2- I actually DO have access to super natural powers if I only tap into the power source. How often I forget in the midst of business the power I have access to if only I ask. If only I prioritize my day to tap into God's mighty powers through His spirit, rather than try and survive on my strength alone. 'Cause with His power and strength I can achieve so much more, and hear and discern the cries that I am to attend to.

Mission: to be a super hero through God's stength, not my own, and therein find peace that passes all understanding.

(I got this link off a girlfriend's blog a few months back and thought it suiting. So I'll be WonderWoman- who are you?!)
You are Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman 95% Superman 90% Green Lantern 80% Supergirl 75% Spider-Man 60% Robin 52% The Flash 50% Iron Man 50% Hulk 35% Batman 30% Catwoman 25%

You are a beautiful princess with great strength of character.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test


These are Ronnie's results, I guess he got his two favorite super heroes first. But Iwatched him he answered honestly!

Your results:
You are Green Lantern

Green Lantern 95% The Flash 75% Catwoman 65% Iron Man 65% Hulk 60% Spider-Man 55% Robin 48% Supergirl 48% Superman 45% Wonder Woman 38% Batman 30%

Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Bumpity Bump Bump

Alright, so these really aren't the best photos of me, but I said that I'd post some shots of my belly as its growing, and its certainly growing! I'm not really sure of the most flattering ways to take these types of photos, but I'm sure I'll learn. The bottom picture is from this Saturday when Ronnie and I popped in at the German Christmas Market, eating our German sausages. Yummy!! Super cute christmas boths with crafts, foods, hot ciders and great christmas decorations. I love the environment and christmas feel! I'll have to post a picture of our tree next.

Back in Jolly Ol' England.

After what seems like two days solid of sleep and laundry, it hit me today that we're indeed back in England (after a brilliant time visiting in Canada-man, we love you all soo much!!!). After the realization that there was absolutely nothing in our fridge this afternoon other than some Ketchup and Soya Sauce (and some other varying condiments) it was apparent that a quick trip to the village centre was inevitable to at least pick up a few staples before the big Tesco grocery shop to replenish our shelves. So I threw on a hoody and a scarf and out the door I went (Notice I didn't say my big winter parka and boots!). As I continued out our front door onto the sidewalk, a friendly smile and wave caught my attention before I could get too far. (Our block of row housing all faces inward towards a park, creating a nice neighborly feel. This also means that you pass all your neighbors front kitchen windows as you pass along the sidewalk, at a much closer proximity than your typical sidewalk. Therefore I always recieve plenty of waves and smiles and visits on my strolls into town.) Anyways, so my lovely neighbor Fran quickly openend her kitchen window to facilitate some nice neighborly british chatter. Of course she had noticed that I had been gone and guessed that I might have returned home for a visit. And since I hadn't had the chance to tell her our exciting news yet, I quickly proceeded to gush out that I was pregnant, as I'm sure only a newly expectant mother does... Hence proceeded from Fran's mouth my realization that I was indeed back in England...but sorry, I can't repeat what she said! No, not because it was foul, course language that a missionary should never repeat, but beacuse I had no idea what 3/4 of the words were!!! Seriously, I know that she was excited for me, and that they were good things that she was saying, but who knows what she actually said?! Jolly well...and bonny were the only ones I caught. She can't wait for me to start looking bonny...or something to that affect. Hopefully I'll look good "bonny"?! Will someone let me know when and if I start looking "bonny" and if I should be doing something about it?!

Come join us!!

If you're not in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, or have never heard of this place before and are wondering if I'm even speaking English, then this probably won't apply to you. However, if you live in Saskatoon or would like to visit, we'd love to see you this Saturday night!!! We're having a desert evening where we'll be sharing a little of what has been happening in Europe, what the future holds, and having fun while we do it. If you're interested in missions or in Europe particularly it will be a great night for you to come out. And if by chance you're just interested in Ronnie and I and want to come see us and chat, we'd still love to see you there, and bring a friend if you like...Hope to see you there!!!!

Elim Tabernacle Church
3718- 8th Street East
(Beside Zellers- Circle Centre Mall)
in the foyer at 7:30pm
Saturday evening, Nov.4, 2006

Oh Canada!

Well as you may know already, Ronnie and I are returning to Canada- for a visit. I've found it funny how many people have mistaken this as returning to Canada for good! NO. We are enjoying England and believe very much that that is where we are to be at this season of our lives. Another common question is " is everything alright with the baby or with you guys?" The answer is " Everything is very well. No problems." Well no problems other than needing to increase our financial support as my job situation (that is me not having a job) is only complicated by being pregnant. So our trip will be a quick one while together. (I am actually already in Canada at my parents in BC sharing the excitement with my family of our future newborn miracle. While Ronnie remains in the UK with work and will be going to Romania for a week early this coming week.) So once Ronnie and I have reunited in Canada, our hope is to meet up with as many of you as possible, but hope you will understand that our time is very limited and spread in a few different directions, so we appologize if we miss seeing you or if our time together is brief. I must end with saying how blessed I've been by the crisp firey bright fall leaves, the incredibly fresh fall air, the warm glowing Okanagan sunshine, the fabulous taste of turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, the finally fulfilled pregnancy craving of Kraft Dinner (you can't get it in the UK), the wide north american roads, the beautiful lake, my beloved dog Buddy, pepperoni sticks, overall great food and the BEST of course: old friends and family. I am so proud to be Canadian.

Baby Zerr

 

It's not all bad...

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, hopes, well wishes etc for me with my interview yesterday. I must regretfully report that I did not get the job. However, this news isn't just plain old bad. I received the phone call first thing this morning, and the manager proceeded to inform me that regretfully they weren't offering me the job, she however felt very obligated to tell me the reasons why. That the nurse they hired had 14 years experience with chemo and oncology and had experience setting up clinical trials from scratch!! I held no competition to that- I knew that! The funny thing however, was that I somehow had. The manager proceeded to inform me that the panel of three interviewers were all very impressed with my interview and felt that I had done an excellent job throughout the interview and that they felt that I had a lot to offer and were all very regretful not to have a position for me!!! She asked if I would be interested if another position became available ?! OF COURSE! was my reply in a far more eloquent manner. Needless to say that she said that she was wanting to pass on my details to the heamatology, oncology (cancer), and chemotherapy suite wards and wished to keep them on file! (Not just in the typical way "oh I'll keep that on file" kinda way, but very sincere and interested!) So although I didn't get this job, I seem to find myself with a great connection, and even advocate for future positions in their various oncology/heamatology areas of the hospital (very large hospital). So thanks for your prayers and please don't give up on me. I'm taking this as a huge step forward, even recieving SUCH positive feedback from a very straight forward, matter of fact manager of the department was a big encouragement. Thanks again, and I'll continue to keep you posted!!!

Good Times.

I happened to be loading some new pictures onto our computer today and decided to browze through some old memories...Wow! You know we have had some tough times over the past 5 months, but we have certainly had some wonderful times too. Not that these photos can capture all the fun times that we've had with friends, new and old, family and each other, but it was a good perspective for me to have this morning. I think I've tended to complain a little too much lately (Ronnie might tell you that its been a lot) but anyway, it was good to remember all the great things that occur along the path we journey, even if its rough terrain. Perhaps, if you've been feeling a bit like me lately, it might lift your spirits by looking through some old photos, reminiscing with a friend, reading an old journal...celebrate the good times.

trust ME

Man, I feel so panicky- when on earth will I get a job?! Each day feels like such a tease- hearing nothing, no leads, no work. What if I never find a job? Was all this nursing paper work for nothing?


Don't worry about tomorrow, it'll take care of itself.
Each day has enough problems of its own . (Matt. 6:34)


But what about the rent, groceries, our car needing to be fixed?


Look at the birds. They don't work, save and scrounge up every penny, YET I feed them! Are you not worth soo much more? (Matt. 6:26)


Yah, I know that you love me dearly and that You're more than capable of providing for us....I mean that's what you've done all along, but...


But what?! Don't spend your time worrying about what you'll eat, drink, or wear. Instead just focus on Me- on My life, My love, My ways, and I'll take care of what you need. (Matt. 6:31-33)


So what do I do? Just sit and wait?


Ask. Seek. Find. (Matt. 7:7)

Ask- Ask me for what you need, ask me the tough questions, ask me who I am
- ask about jobs, ask hospitals, ask agencies

Seek- Seek Me, My life, My love, My ways, My heart, My plans
- seek out applications, job opportunities, nursing agencies, new postings

Find- Find Me- My provision, My peace, My love, My guidance, My plans
- find a job?!


Thanks. As hard as this is right now, Your Word is really reassuring!


Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds. And seriously, if mere men know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more capable do you think I, your heavenly Father, am to give you, my children who are asking me, what is good. (Matt. 7:11)


Thank you. I love you.


I love you more than you can imagine! (John 3:16)(1 John 4:7-11)

Spontaneous Surprise

We had a lovely surprise last week when my sister Michelle and brother-in-law, Franz came to visit us. It was a last minute trip and was short, but absolutely lovely!!! (Franz's brother and sister-in-law live in Scotland and just had their first child, sweet little Micah!) So it was very much a "family visit" as opposed to a big touristy trip, yet we managed to fit a few things in. Like tea at the famous Coombe Abbey and a Shakespear play (excellent!) in Shakespear's birth town, Stratford upon Avon (within 1/2 hour away). It was really cool actually because they just so happened to have a promo on where people under 30 got free tickets!!! (And the ticket lady gave our over thirty member 50% off- just because..) Needless to say we had a great time visiting and catching up, and just being in each other's company-we miss them already, but were sooo blessed by their delightful company- "short but sweet"!

An Inspiring Story of Faith

Letter from Serbia

Please read this letter that we received from a gypsy church planter in Serbia I hope it is encouraging to you:

Dear brothers and sisters,

I want to share with you the great joy and tell you what the Lord does among His children.

We have one young man in our church who had leukemia, he was very young, only 22, but he already had two children (you know that Gypsy people get married early). He came to church with his wife and he could hardly stay for the service, beacuse of the big pain that he felt. That day we had the annointing service, as the Bible teaches. We prayed for this young man. He was crying and told me that he thought he would die, because he had leukemia, and was affraid for his children.

I asked him if he believed that the Lord Jesus Christ can heal him, and he said that he did, because he heard that the Lord has helped to so many people in the church. Few days after he came to me with tears of joy, and told me that he went to the hospital for a check-up and that the doctors told him that he doesn’t have leukemia. He brought the diagnostics from before and after the praying. Now he servs in the church, full of joy and praises the Lord for His love.

This is what the Lord does for His people.

Yours in Christ

Selim Alijevic
Gypsy Fellowship

The NHS Reality

We are just wanting to allow you all to understand the reality of the nursing situation here in the UK.

The NHS stands for National Health Services. This is the governing body that runs the public health care system here in Britian. The Britsh Health care system is very similar to the system we have in Canada (ie. publicly funded with not enough money to cover costs).

Well the reality is that in the first few months after we arrived in England the NHS fell into crisis. There were extreme job freezes and a large number of job cuts happening because of the massive over budgets in many of the hospital in the UK.

Here are some on the news articles title at that time:

NHS job cuts 'set to quadruple' - BBC

Thousands more Jobs may go as crisis hits NHS Direct - Daily Telegraph

Cuts are symptom of an NHS in crisis - Socialist Worker Online

NHS job losses 'could reach 24,000' - Netdoctor.co.uk

NHS remedies dominate papers - BBC

So that gives you a sense of how difficult it could be for Janelle. It is not an easy time to be trying to break into the nursing work force.

Now that Janelle has finally finished all of her bureaucratic requirements with excellence, she is diligently seeking employment where the option are presently very limited.

So we are asking you to pray!
Pray that Janelle would get the right job.
Pray that Janelle would get a job as quickly as possible.

We did not expect Janelle's qualification to take as long to go through as they did and did not budget for this long of a break, as Janelle's income is a good protion of our overall support.

So if you have been considering or thinking of joining us financial on this journey and becoming a partner in that way, now would be a wonderful time.

We would greatly appreciate your support and help at this time in our wonderful journey.

We are also very grateful and thankful for all those who have been supporting us so faithfully.

It has been great pleasure to be here serving and learning.

Many Blessings,

Ronnie +

The Comfort of Corn

Funny how you have to be miles and miles away from home to figure some things out. Though its always talked about, it has a new meaning to me now: comfort food. Uusally used in a negative connotation, as food that we pig out on when we're depressed or anxious, as something we unnecessarily overindulge on. However, I've discovered a more positive reality of comfort food: genuine healthy comfort. This reality occured to me the other week as I was making supper. As I was boiling the corn-on-the-cob the aroma began to stir up emotions within me. As funny as this sounds, the feelings only intensified as the corn was cooked and I rolled it through the block of butter. The creamy butter just drizzled over each golden kernel which was then crowned with crystals of salt. OHHH, AHHHH, my heart was overwhelmed as I smelled the sweet aroma! What joy filled my heart. The truth was then proclaimed: "I LOVE CORN-ON-THE-COB !!!" In truth it was soo much more than the delicious taste of sweet golden corn covered in butter and salt- it was the lane of memories it walked me down... Good ol' Canadian BBQ's with the family all around. The aroma raising from where Dad stood BBQing the meat and tinfoil wrapped baked patotoes, the steam boiling up from the corn into mom's smiling face in the kitchen, the rays of warm sunshine beating on your back, the sweet flavored breeze brushing your hair from your face, the dog wisely choosing his location from where he'll get the most table scraps...man all those childhood memories all the way to adulthood!!! Summer BBQs with corn-on-the-cob reminds me of all those years filled with love, laughter and fabulous company!!!! Man do I miss it!!! But hey, atleast we can have a blissful moment carrying on the tradition as we eat our buttery golden corn-on-the-cob! So Ronnie, consider yourself informed of why we may be eating nothing but corn in the coming months!!!

The People of Poland

I was recently privileged to join Greg and a wonderful family from Calgary on a trip to Poland to meet a number of the church planters there and see their church plants.

You see my first trip was into Romania, and there Adam (a CP regional coordinator) and I were working in the infancy stage of the project. Visiting many of the establish churches in Southern Romania and learning about the vision they have for their region. Visiting villages, meeting potential church planters and learning how they are strategically moving forward to seeing churches established in these regions.


Well Poland was much different, although very beneficial for me at this time. In Poland we travelled around to a few church plants and had a chance to meet the church planters and many of the people from their churches. We had an opportunity to hear what God is doing in their lives and churches and how they are not only establishing church but practically sharing God's love to help affect and influence the communities they live in. It was great to meet a number of wonderful and vibrant leaders who have such a passion to see their cities changed not only spiritually but socially as well.


One of the couples has found such influence and favour in their city that the mayor is helping them with the food bank program they are running and wanting to see them expand it, with his help. We had the privilege of running into the mayor on the streets of this city and he thanked us for the investment we have made into their city and Derek and Monica, the Pastor of the church and his wife, and said he was grateful for the ways that it has benefited them as a community.


We also had some opportunity to minister to the churches as Greg preached a couple of time and we were able to pray for an number of individuals involved. It was great to see God allow us to be vessels of his love and minister healing, encouragement and faith into the lives of these sons and daughters of God.



So I have now had the opportunity to see both a project at it's infancy stage and one that has just finished and it has given me a real sense of what we at NLI do and why we do it. It has been great to hear about the influence we have had and how we at NLI have helped to change lives for eternity.

Thank you all for you continued prayer and support. We are very thankful for all of you who are partnering with us to help make this a reality. It is a great blessing to serve along side such wonderful people and help see God establish his life changing power throughout Eastern Europe.

If you would like to partner with us please feel free to email us or view the Partner Information in the side apendix.

We would be delighted to hear form you and give you more information on how we can start that process.

Success

Well I have successfully completed my nursing course, and managed to do extremely well on it as well. (Thank GOD- literally!) Now comes the applying for a job part. I have begun already trying to find all the job postings and have been calling around. Not many leads, but a few. The nursing situation in my area is actually not in a employing state- unfortunately. The National Health Service (NHS) has been cutting some nursing positions and implementing hiring freezes in an attempt to deal with certain hospitals' overbudget spending. Sounds like a great solution to me- just get rid of all the nurses, that'll help things run effeciently (yah, right, not really a great idea at all!!!) Anyways, so things are a little grim. But God has seen me through thus far and I know that He has some great job for me somewhere!!! So I'm out to find it! But continued prayers from those willing would be sooo greatly appreciated. This job hunting process is not something that I view as one of my strengths, so I'm praying for patience to hold out for the right job and not to get desperate and just take whatever, yet for the perserverance and boldness to just go for it when needed. I'll be keeping you posted!!!! Thanks for all your support!

P.S. We did have a lovely anniversary together! Thanks for all the special wishes & blessings!!!

Three wonderful years!

As three great years have come and gone,
The Son's light on us has shone.
To brighten each new glorious day,
And drive our darknesses away.
He's helped us through tough times of sorrow,
To see another bright tomorrow.
New mercies are ours with each new day,
much needed at times for things we say.
Desiring for grace and mercy to abound,
For that is where great love is found.
Love is patient and love is kind,
It does not nag nor need remind
Of all the rights and wrongs we've done
But rather tames our sworded tongue.
Through thick and thin,
Through all we've been.
Great times we've shared,
with love and care.
The best of teams,
Achieving our dreams.
My love for you,
Is deep and true.
Love, peace, hope and laughter
I pray will be ours forever after.

I love you sweetpea! Thanks for three wonderful years!! Love Jae

Ronnie in Romania

As I arose Monday morning after being woken several times by the perspiration of my skin and restlessness that it brings, I thought of the day that had just passed and wondered if today would be the same. I remembered the countless hours of driving crammed into 2 rundown Fords, with the blistering sun heating us like an oven and the cold breeze from the open window fluctuating with the holes in the road. I recalled the countless number of horse and buggies we drove past and the numerous people we met.

That Sunday was 14 hours long including, 6 meetings in Romanian with translators, and 5 church services in Romanian. Village after village we visited, some leaving quite a hopeful impression on me.

Overall, that day was like none I have ever experienced before. And as I later found out, probably like none I will ever repeat. Although at the time I recalled thinking “is how every trip will be?”

As I lay there thinking, thoughts from the previous day crossed my mind. I recalled how we had had a number of similar experiences in those 2 days and I significantly recalled encountering some truly amazing men of God who had a desire and love for the people of their country. I thought of their desire and the sacrifice it cost them to come to an understanding of who Jesus really is.

One man was particularly stuck in my mind; he was a man of high position during the time of communism in Romania. After being radically saved at 34 years of age he was then challenged 10 years later to reach the people who were perishing in the villages of Romania, with the Good News of Jesus. He has been doing this now for 16 years! He met this challenge with great sacrifice and God richly blessed him. He has since started 6 churches in villages that previously had none. One of those villages began with only 2 young girls and has since grown into 2 churches with over 400 Christians in the village.

It was not until later in the day that I realized that every day on this exploratory journey would not be like the first two, where we meet the leaders of the church in Southern Romania, saw the places where they have vision to plant churches and met some of the potential church planters.

Although the first two days were long and full the trip was very fruitful and rewarding. It was amazing to meet the local leaders, hear the vision they have to reach the un-reached, visit the villages and meet the potential church planters.

It was also great for me to gain a better understanding into the fullness of what NLI does, why we do it and to hear the local churches’ gratitude for our partnership with them.

So for me going to Romania was a journey that I will not soon forget not only because of the long, hard and hot days we spent travelling throughout Southern Romania, but because of the great impact it had on my understanding of a number of things. Things such as the dynamics of the church in Eastern Europe, the need there is to plant churches and develop leaders who have a desire to see the good news spread throughout their country, as well as helping me to understand the role I play and how I can contribute to the big picture of what NLI is doing to help.

Ronnie +

If your faith is not affecting something, what is it worth?

Life Update

Janelle: Recovered from what has been titled the "24 hour plague"
Writing Essay after essay after essay for my nursing course

Ronnie: Currently surviving the "24 hour plague"
Today's progress from yesterday: transitioned from bed to couch

Trust me, you do not want pictures!!!

Sad Goodbye

Today I had to say a sad farewell to a dear friend who had to return home (my, this is starting to sound like an obituary!) after a lovely visit!!! We simply had a wonderful time visiting and drinking tea mostly!!! However we did fit in a quick, yet mavelous trip to London: Big Ben of course, the national art gallery (which is free-did you know?) where we saw works of Michealangelo, Picasso, Rapheal, Rembrant, Van Gogh, and others that Ang knew...we also fit in a lunch at Jamie Oliver's (we ate at his trottoria, not his 5 course meal restaurant) but none the less, it was splendid!Then back home we managed a last visit to our favorite posh tea at the Abbey and fit in our traditional photo shoot (if this event sounds peculiar its really not, just ask me about it!). Andrea it just wasn't the same without you!!!Ronnie meanwhile has had a fantastic visit out to Romania where he had a very busy and very hot week meeting with potential church planters. And is now currently in Poland meeting with more of the church planters there. I'll let him update you all on God's exciting work in those countries! I also have the opportunity to meet up with Ronnie in Praque, Czech Republic today. This will be my first experience out in Eastern Europe since we've arrive so I'm vey excited to finally get in there too!For those of you who are curious, I have begun my online Nusing course finally and am so pleased that it has all worked out thus far. Please keep me in prayer as I work through this course and start looking for work. Chat to you soon. 

Friendship

I have received the loveliest reminder this past week of the beauty and importance of friendships. Everything from the sermon at church to my daily readings to some CDs that I was listening to... really friendships are essential in our lives. We were made to be in fellowship and friendship. We actually need friends- we're not capable of doing life without them. Even Jesus had friends. He had a large group of people He fellowshipped with, a smaller group of 12 and those much needed intimate friends, His group of 3!
It's so true that honesty is a key element in a friendship. I think we all long for those safe places to share our hearts and still be loved. I know that it can be the hardest thing at times to open up with those vulnerable truthes, but then it always seems to be the most freeing, fulfilling thing to me to have my secrets released or my deep feelings embraced or my twisted thoughts understood.
I also believe that to have great friends we must be one first. Kinda like an example on a CD I was listening to by Helen Burns- its like a bank account. You can't always be withdrawing and withdrawing from a friendship, you need to make deposits too, or naturally there will be nothing left in your account (friendship). I find it so beautiful that God is a God of relationship. That He's designed us to NEED relationship. Although in relationships there is always risk, I find the rewards are greater and personally I LOVE needing people. I love how all my different friends fill a different void in my life. They all know me in different unique ways and are able to invest into my life in so many diverse ways.

My prayer is that I will be able to do the same in your lives! I'm asking you, my friends, if you would be willing to be honest with me, to open your hearts to me...I will be working on the same!

• Naturally I realize that it is not realistic to be ultra close with everyone, but that's why there's different circles, layers - and "everyone loves parfait"(For those who are clueless, its a quote from Shrek).