The Duchess Gloriana XII of Grand Fenwick

Off-stage, she is Miss Britta Parsons...

But on-stage, she is the Duchess Gloriana XII of Grand Fenwick!

This past weekend, five of our middle schoolers performed in the middle school play, The Mouse that Roared. Luke had the lead male role and Britta had the lead female role. In the play, they fall in love and are engaged to be married...in real life, they are dorm siblings--brother and sister, both members of our Liel family. Bob, Sue, and I were incredibly impressed by their performances. Though I wish you could have seen them in action, I must leave you to use your imagination.

Since I introduced Luke two weeks ago, it seems appropriate to recognize Britta today after her stellar accomplishments on-stage...

Not only is Britta a lovely and confident actress, but she is a wonderful neighbor, a motivated student, a compassionate friend, and a generous resident at Liel.

Britta joined us after Christmas when her family moved back to the States after seven years on the mission field, working at Black Forest Academy. Her parents are both doctors and her dad was quite well-known in the community, wearing multiple hats as 'Doc Parsons' and the highly respected biology teacher.

Before joining her parents in the States, Britta wanted to finish 8th grade and I am so glad that she did.

Britta has been a wonderful addition to our dorm. Though she has never been a dorm student, she has transitioned so well, which was an answer to our prayers. Thank you for praying on her behalf.

A few interesting facts about Britta...

-Britta's favorite tea is blueberry-vanilla

-She loves to paint her nails

-When she needs some affection, she just asks... "Lauren, I just need a hug" :)

-She can turn on a fantastic British accent

-She is incredibly artistic (I love watching her doodle)

-She is fascinated by people's names and the meaning of these names

-She doesn't like to drink plain water

-She loves going for walks and running down hills (while also giggling and shouting)

-She loves to talk and tell stories like her dad (who is one of the best story tellers! When asked about his "love story," he shared for the next 45 minutes about pursuing and finally marrying his wife on a medical mission trip to the Philippines. Our entire Liel family was in stitches by the end of his story)

A special memory of being touched by Britta...

About a week before Valentine's Day, both Britta and Joyce stopped to buy a bouquet of flowers after school--it happened to be Britta's 14th birthday. After arriving home, Britta and Joyce came to me, giggling, while also clearly concealing something behind their backs. For no special reason or occasion, they gave me this special bouquet of flowers with three red roses. Hidden in the flowers was a note that read...

"Dear Lauren, Here are some lovely roses to reflect on your inner and outer beauty =) You're an awesome RA and we love you so much! We love your laugh, your open ready heart, your tea parties, and special conversations. Thank you for everything.

Lots of Love,

Britta & Joyce."

..........

I must confess that it is sometimes so easy for me to think about and dwell on what is difficult about being a missionary, who is thousands of miles away from everything familiar. I have a fierce love for these children under my care, but I continue to struggle with being disconnected from my family. I find myself sometimes overwhelmed by what I have left behind. I feel like there have been too many moments of loneliness and emptiness.

And then, He reminds me that the greatest remedy for my hurt is to fill my mind with Him. Just as He has compassion on the Japanese who have been shaken by an earthquake, just as He has compassion on the Libyans whose country is imploding, so too does He care for me, a 22-yr-old Amercian missionary who misses her family. He comforts all who mourn, not just those suffering from natural disasters, political uprisings, and war.

And so, as I am gently reminded of who He is, I am also encouraged to recall some of

the simple and wonderful things about being a missionary at BFA:

-Receiving encouraging notes and flowers from the girls

-Being prayed over in moments of need by a sweet new friend here

-Right now, G.I., Josh, and I are enjoying seaweed wraps and Korean rice, while also jamming to some "K-Pop" (Korean pop music)

-This afternoon, I watched "The Little Mermaid" with Kate, who was home from school and sick with the flu

-Learning about the healing that some of the missionaries here have experienced

-Seeing how diverse and beautiful is the family of God

-Being invited to learn how to cook a French dinner with one of the art teachers

-Coming to understand God as 'Potter' from another art teacher

-Hearing that one of the girls in my small group from the high school retreat finally talked to her dorm staff about some of her hurt

-Seeing Laura bow her head and pray so reverently before receiving Communion at church

-Receiving a special cup of coffee today with a note letting me know that I am appreciated by my dorm dad, Bob

Yes, these are such good things.