Oh my... I have missed a lot

There have been so many things going on the past month, it seems. I have missed many events and great things so let me try to catch you up. I think pictures are worth a thousand words (sometimes) so that is what I will use. Oh and by-the-way, I leave in 10 days for Uganda!! (hang in there with this update, it is long)

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I went to Midland at the first of the year. As you may know, Midland Bible Church is my sending church for my ministry in Uganda. It was so wonderful to be back there. I was able to stay with the Barker family and with Julie Green. Although unplanned, Pastor Morris and Mama Aidah were also in Midland the same time as me, so I was able to reconnect with them at church on Sunday. It was so great to see them and Pastor preached that morning, so I felt like I was right back in Uganda. The church held a special pizza luncheon for me to share with the congregation what my year was like and what my plans are this comming year in Uganda. I won't lie... it was a little strange to have Mama and Pastor there, seeing as they are in some of my stories and photos and are much more of the experts on answering questions about LCH than I am. But they sat in the back and I think it was fun for them to listen to my perspective. At least I hope so :)

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OH! I just got these this past week. This is my family!! Well at least the Darling side of the family (being my Mom's side). We have a big family get together every Christmas. And it seems that the family grows bigger every Christmas as well! It was good to catch up with everyone, seeing as I missed the '07 gathering because I was in Uganda. So, I already have these photos printed and ready to hang on my wall in Uganda! I love them.

(The whole family) (The cousins and Granny)

(Talking with Bob- basically grandpa) (The Aunts and Granny-I see my Mom in all of them!)


Me and Monica for our "individual family" shots - my sis is so pretty!

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I also have been spending GREAT time with these two wonderful girls! Erin and Jac are from my team I was on at camp (the year after college) and have been dear friends since. Luckily, they go to church in Austin so I get to see them every week but sometimes they will come just to play with me (they live in New Braunfels). I think this day was after we went to lunch on my birthday... we headed to my FAVORITE place in Austin, the hike and bike trail. This day we just sat on a bench to people watch and see all the dogs. I am not a big fan of smelly wet dog and would tuck my legs up to prevent the smelly dog rub BUT jac and erin loved calling them over. I think they were secretly plotting against me.

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My 26th Birthday... Jan 7

That is right. It is weird to think that I have been alive for 26 years. As the Ugandans would say, "it is not easy making 26 years." Meaning that many people don't. So, I truly bless the Lord for the life He has given me and His faithfulness He displays everyday!

This year I feel like I made up for not being in the country last year, because I actually celebrated my birthday three times!! What a lucky and loved girl I am. I really do feel blessed.

The first celebration was in Midland with some special ladies that have impacted my life there. It was at my favorite coffee shop there. We just got together, eat, told stories, and visited. It was so great to have them all together at one place and they were so sweet to make it special by decorating the table with flowers and even some seeds that I can plant in Uganda.

On my actual birthday day, I was able to spend the day with Jac and Erin and then headed out that evening with my family to my favorite restraunt, Chuys!! (mmm I am drewling just thinking about it). We also have a family tradition to have homemade ice-cream cake, which is one of the best things I have ever had.






And the third celebration was with my WONDERFUL girlfriends that I have had since middle school. They took me out for Thai food and then we went to play BINGO. Now, I have to confess that I first went for bingo on the actual day of my birthday and liked it so much that I asked Laila, Ash, and Rach to go back with me. Maybe I am a little obsessed because then a week later I also went to play with Janece on her birthday because we learned of this great deal that you get 36 games and a computer (that plays for you) for a penny on your birthday.

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Since there has been absolutely beautiful weather in Texas (up to the 80s and it is winter!) I have been enjoying life outside. These are just for fun. I got a new camera for Christmas and wanted to see what it could do.

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And...



I ran in the

3M Half Marathon this past Sunday. It was my first half marathon and i really am so glad that I did it. It was a push at the end to keep my tight legs going, but I finished the 13.1 miles in 2hours 12min. Not bad, if I do say so myself. Monica dropped me off at 6:30am. Janece met me at mile 8 and was there with Erin and Jac at the finish line. I will do one again.

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I am trying to say my goodbyes now and will be a guest speaker at the GICF banquet in Houston on Sat. Then I am off again. Still, I think somedays how awesome of a God I serve that He would allow me to work with these 90 special children and be a voice for His faithfulness and Hope in the time I have been back in the States. What Love He has. Jesus is my all in all!