Marvelous March!

Hello there!
It's been awhile since I've written but I am indeed still alive! In fact, right now I am sipping a hot peppermint green tea with my feet up and am growing hungrier by the minute. So...nothing's new here :)
My work is sending me to Kenya tomorrow for a conference this weekend. It is an ACSI conference for Africa and the few teachers who are returning next year were able to go. I am a little nervous about the logistics of finding my way around Nairobi (also called Nairobbery) but hope to have fun. David is then meeting me in Nairobi on Sunday and we are going to shop, be tourists, and go on a safari and see REAL LIVE WILD ANIMALS!!! Then, off to Mombasa we go for a week of lounging on the beach. This is our spring break as it falls in line with the period of mourning in Rwanda (annual period of remembrance for the genocide) and most muzungus go away for vacation. It seems that Rwanda probably isn't the most fun (or safe) place to be around during this time.
When we return, I will be getting a new student from Japan who doesn't know much English at all. I'm sure she will fit right in though... ha ha. English everyday, French class on Friday, with the occasional Kinyarwanda thrown in...she is in for quite the ride! Perhaps I should start learning Japanese too! On second thought, hand gestures it is. ;) Then again, thinking back to my last new student from Sudan, though I can barely understand a word he is saying at times (due to his heavy heavy accent...he pronounces "chips" like "cheeps" and spells "clap" like "crap"...lol!), he is the sweetest and funniest of children!
The wedding planning is going smoothly thanks to my fantastic family and their wonderful help! Especially Mom and Dad...thank you! We are both super excited about coming to Ontario and look forward to visiting and spending time with each of you.
Well, I'm heading to dinner and then plan to watch a few episodes of LOST (we just started season 1 on DVD and it's a freaky freaky show!) before going to sleep my lovely night away. Blessings!

Isaiah 53

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows..." (vs 4)

Christ not only took our hideous sins upon himself when he sacrificed his life on the cross, but he also took our diseases, our grief, and our sadness. We can be completely free through Christ. Praise be to God!

News

My dear friends,
I have some wonderful news to share. A lot has happened since I left Ontario for Rwanda last summer. The Lord has moved in many amazing ways in my life. I have learned so much, and have had many incredible experiences. One of my greatest blessings has come in the form of a wonderful young man I met last August. His name is David Leatherwood.
On Friday the 5th of March, David asked me to marry him... and I said, "Yes!" We plan to be married this July.
When I look at how the Lord has led my life, and how he has brought all these good things about, my heart fills with joy and awe. What a good God we serve!
Thank you so much to all of you who have poured out your lives into me, mentoring me, teaching me, loving me, and praying for me. I love you all!
May the Lord's blessing rain upon each of you, and may each of you see Jesus in some way today. Much love!

Prayer Request

There have been at least 5 grenade attacks over the last couple of weeks.
There were reports of flares/tracer fire as a Kenya Air flight landed last night.
Two generals and two ambassadors have been reported missing. So, we don’t know
what is developing but it could be anything from coup attempt to tribal violence
to election discontent, etc.
Also, Rwanda suddenly declared a national holiday today (possibly to reduce the
number of people on the streets).

I have already registered with the Canadian embassy (online).
To be clear, we are fine and none of us are particularly concerned as the attacks
are not targeted towards westerners.

Something to pray about though...