FIVE MORE

As of yesterday, all of our students have returned! Flights and trains and cars from all over the world it seems delivered our Liel kiddos safely back to our German home. Last night, the girls floor was absolutely wild...screams and laughter and giggles and hugs and gifts were exchanged from 4:00 in the afternoon through 11:00 in the evening when our last girl arrived. It was really sweet to listen to the girls and observe them from a distance. Despite the fact that they are not "kin," they are still family. It is beautiful how much they love one another, look up to one another, and care about one another. The Lord has certainly been faithful in establishing our spiritual family here because He knew that so many of us were leaving our parents and our siblings back home. This is my most recent breath of life--having my 11 brothers and sisters back. They fill me in ways that I never quite imagined.

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This morning, before the kids left for school, we began our creative countdown...only 5 more weeks of school! Can you tell that they're excited? It was 8:30 in the morning when the picture was taken, but considering that this is the first day back and that some are still recovering from major jet-lag, I am impressed. Be sure to check out upcoming countdown pictures :)

Breaths of Life

Forgive me for taking one month to share my most recent update about life in Germany. But to be completely honest, I actually haven't been here. The Lord knew that I needed to rest...He also knew that I needed my family...so He sent me home for Easter :) My best friend from college got married in Florida on April 2 and because our students had a two-week Spring break beginning April 9...I received approval to go to the States for "holiday." My time back home was such an answer to prayer.The opportunity I had to fellowship with friends and family was rich and life giving. Thank you so much for those of who you reached out to me--your time, your prayers, your encouragement, and your affirmation meant so much. You love me so well.

The Lord certainly has a way of breathing life into us, doesn't He? He refreshes our soul with good news, good conversation, encouraging words, and delightful surprises. I thought I would take a moment to share some of the ways that God has breathed life into me over the past month....

Katie and Troy's Wedding--Their celebration was remarkable and it was all about Jesus. I think all of the single ladies and I were encouraged that a relationship like this and a groom like Troy are worth waiting for :)

A trip to my alma mater, Grove City College, to visit several very special people in my life. These fellow believers were a great encouragement to me and blessed me with life-giving prayers. The opportunity to worship at my college church, Grace Anglican, was also so refreshing...it is one thing to follow the sermons online, but it is quite another to sit in the pew and listen and hear and see and feel and worship with the people.

My sister, Julie, my cousin, Whitney, and my best friend from home, Kelsey, have all been secretly planning a trip to Germany at the end of June. When they finally revealed their plans to me on Palm Sunday, I was so touched and so incredibly moved.

We have a new addition to our family! Eric Tingue will be marrying my sister, Julie, next June in 2012 and we are thrilled. I am so happy for Julie and I admire how much Eric loves her, values her, and wants to commit all that he is to serve her.

A visit from my brother, Jake. My parents flew Jake in from Wheaton College to spend Palm Sunday weekend with us because they knew that Jake and I would not see each other for one full year otherwise. My time with Jake was so sweet and I deeply value our brother-sister time and late night chats :)

Having a movie date night with my parents to see "Soul Surfer" about the amazing testimony of Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer, shark attack survivor, and believer. It was especially sweet to hear my dad say, "Lauren, Carrie Underwood's character (Bethany's youth pastor/leader) reminds me so much of you."

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For those of you that I had the opportunity to see and meet with over the last three weeks, thank you. The Lord used you to breathe life into me. I am so grateful.

"The Spirit of God has made me, the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

Job 33:4