Tears and More Tears

As I got onto the plane in Ulaanbaatar I had to wipe away the tears as it finally hit me that it is a reality that I was leaving Mongolia, my adopted homeland of seven years. Minutes before I hugged, cried and said goodbye to all my students, Mongolian friends and to my teammate/sister/friend Rita. I know it is God's will for me to come back to the USA at this time, but still a difficult time emotionally. I plan to visit back to Mongolia over the summer. The next six months I hope to rest and pray and seek the Lord for what His plan is for me.
All for now...sniff...sniff...
Penny

One Month

One month from today I will be back in the USA. I am filled with many different emotions as I prepare to leave my home of 7 years to return to the USA. As I clean out my apartment and give its contents away I am in awe of all the wonderful memories this place has brought to my mind. I remember first moving here in the winter of 2003. I wasn't sure I would survive my first winter, being a Florida girl and all! But, I learned the basics of layering and wearing a long down jacket! Seven winters later and I have adapted to the coldest Capital city in the world! I am not sure I can handle the heat and humidity of Florida again. Ha!

More thoughts later...
Penny

November

Wow, I can't believe it has been two months since I posted anything! My bad. Well, a lot has happened in that timeframe:

• A team from the USA came the beginning of October. Incredible people with an incredible heart for the Lord to share His love with all whom they met. That was an amazing time as they worked with 9 different meeting places in the countryside and in UB
• We held a leadership seminar for all our meeting leaders. I taught on tithing and finances
• The students are doing great and focused on the Lord and their school work. They continue to bring their classmates to the weekly meeting. Their faithfulness and commitment are such a great encouragement
• Our teammate Carol left to return to the USA last month. She will be missed greatly!

Also, some news, if you have not heard already....I will be moving back to the USA! I will live in Orlando and take a time of about six months and see what the Lord has next for me! Please keep me in your prayers to do His will alone and not mine!

All for now... :-)
Penny

Gobi, Gobi, Gobi

I took 10 students to the Gobi desert on a trip to minister to the youth in a town a few hours from the Chinese border. We had a wonderful time holding daily youth meetings, church meetings and getting to know the youth in this town. It was encouraging to see my student leaders lead the entire trip and work together in unity. Always great to see young leaders rise up and take their place in the work of furthering His Kingdom. Take a look at some pictures in the slideshow.
God is good. We serve an amazing God!
Later...

Finland

I took a vacation to Finland and had a wonderful time! It was amazing how beautiful the country is. I was visiting my friend Sanna who I met here in Finland 7 years ago when we both first arrived here. She has now moved back to Finland and gotten married! I had the privilege of attending their wedding party. It was a great time! We traveled to Eastern Finland and visited her family. Also, we went river rafting, hiking, biking, berry picking and much more. Thank you Sanna and Marko for blessing me!

Camels...

Well, we did see camels and took a ride on some, but I failed to mention that in my previous post! See the pictures in the slideshow to the right!
All for now...