Khomo sweet home

          Home is where the heart is right? What then, if you're heart is in two? Can you have two homes? I would say that home is where my family is. I've been away from home at ballet camp every summer since I was 10 years old. I've been living away from home off and on since I was 14 years old. No matter where God took me, I always went back to one thing- my family. They were constant in a life that has been anything but stationary. Now, I live 4 plane flights, 3 continents, and 8,396.8 miles away from "home." I miss them desperately. I also love where The Lord has me in Malawi, Africa and all that he has me doing here. What I'm realizing is that one part of me will always be drawn back to my family and that home, while another part will be drawn to where God calls me. So the question is, can we call anything home if that's where God has us? Being in Gods will has got to be the greatest home. As much as I love traveling, am extremely grateful for my time in Africa, and will probably continue to travel eventually, I am looking forward to next year when I believe God is calling me back home with my family. I wouldn't trade the path God has taken me on, so far it's been an incredible journey and growing experience. I have been so very blessed to spend my life pursuing ballet, dancing with a Christian company, and using that art to do missions in Africa. Leaving my family this time was definitely the hardest of all. I kind of took it as confirmation that God is taking me back there next year to be a bigger part of my siblings lives. Without getting too far ahead, I want to enjoy this final year overseas and really do my best to leave all that God has done through the program in good hands where it will continue to grow. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to build relationships with my students for another year and pray that I can be a positive influence for Christ in their lives. For now, my home is Malawi, Africa. Next year, my home will be with my family. I hope though, that my home will never cease to be in the Lords will.

           Over my holiday this year, I got to spend a lot of time with my parents, brothers, sisters, family, and friends. It was so wonderful to catch up with each of them and see them growing and changing. It was a busy summer, but it was so encouraging to see everyone. Below are a few of the highlights that my jet lagged brain can remember right now.

1) Getting picked up from the airport by my entire family and going out for Mexican. This is mostly number one because I loved seeing them, and partly because well we got Mexican. :)

2) Mini-vacation road trips. I mean when you have 10 people in a 12 passenger van on the road for hours- you are bound for adventures. Luckily, despite the bathroom breaks (which are often when you have little sisters) food stops, and more bathroom breaks, we made it to some great places. It was super fun going to our family reunion in Fort Wayne, IN, visiting friends and the Arch in St. Louis, MO, and spending time at the lake with friends near Warsaw, IN.

3) I was so grateful to have jobs while home! Running ballet camps, babysitting, and helping my brother paint were very helpful in getting me everything I needed to come back here. I really enjoy teaching ballet to kids around the world. :)

4) Spending quality one on one time is very difficult when there are ten of us. So, I made it a priority to do so and was blessed to see all that God is doing in each of them. They taught me a lot while being home.

5) Fair is a pretty big deal for my family. All my sisters ride horses and Gab is very good at contesting. I was excited to step into their world and be a part of what they love. I'm looking forward to continue in seeing their loves and dreams come out. My brothers are still pretty into outdoor stuff. Luke was working on his Eagle Scout project and Sage an Danny were off on dirt bikes. It was so crazy to see how grown up they are- especially my brothers. I don't know when they turned into teenagers! Aren't I still one?

6) So, I have a special relationship with my car:) It was so wonderful to just drive around with the top down, jamming to country that my family somehow convinced me to love. I miss driving her already.

7) My best friend, Caitlin and I got to hang out quite a lot which was super fun. Her family invited me to go to Europe with them for Christmas this year! Planning that adventure was quite exciting! We will be traveling in England, France, and Italy. I can't wait. :)

8) Resources. Books, Christian resources, quick internet, having power, not running out of water. The list goes on of things to not take for granted.

9) Food. Oh how I will miss Starbucks, drive thrus, Mexican, chick fil a, and choices in the grocery store. I have changed a lot since living overseas, but I will always love those things.

10) Having fun things to do. Movies, shopping, food, shows, parks, lakes, gyms, coffee, etc. There's never a shortage of fun things to do and if course it helps when you're with your favorite people.

11) Because I almost forgot! 5 of my siblings got baptized this summer. It was such a special time to see them step out in their own faith. After everything God has done in them, it was beautiful. I was so thankful to be there for that.

As you can see, the break was wonderful and I'm sure I'm missing things...
I am finally getting settled into life back on this side of the planet and school starts tomorrow! Here are things you can pray for:

1) Continued learning that home is in Gods will and growth in my faith.
2) That this year will really be influential in relationships with our students and sharing the gospel with not only them, but all who come to performances.
3) Refreshment for Carrie and I as we work for the continued progress of this ministry.

I'm sure there is much more, but I'll leave you for now. Thanks everyone!
I will be trying my best to update more regularly since more of you read this than I thought. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Love from Malawi!
Em

Psalm 86

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I callto you,
    because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
    will come and worshipbefore you, Lord;
    they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
    you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered mefrom the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and graciousGod,
    slow to anger, aboundingin love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercyon me;
    show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.