Birthdays and Hiking

So since the Biltmore, our home has been a little bit more quite. We spent most of our time cooking, watching movies or tv shows, having birthdays, and hanging out with friends. Having Birthdays?! Haha. Yes. We celebrate two within a month of each other. Carolyn's on Dec. 26 and Dad's on Jan. 13. Carolyn wanted carrot cake for her birthday so Mom and I made a dance for her (but not a cake, we bought that! haha). Its called the "Carrot Cake." And for Dad's birthday we played board games and listened to some very old comedians. I am beyond blessed to have both of them in my life. I think God gave us an extra helping of blessings when He formed our family. To say the least I have a wonderful father, a joyful mother and sweet sister, all of whom I have been able to share some wonderful memories with.

Next, hanging out with friends! Oh we had so much fun!!! For example:

At a friend's wedding with a bunch of CIU'ers'

L-R: Mrs. Day, Me, Carolyn and Millie :)

Today we hiked a little of Congaree National Park but were presented with a small challenge.

Oh look what a beautiful day

The sun is shining, the is air is crisp...

...and the board walk is WET?

Oh its not just wet, its submerged.

We walked in this cold mess for about 15-20 minutes

We had fun despite the numbness in our feet.

And made it out alive!

Well that about does it for our recent adventures. Here is one of those old comedians we listened too (on Dad's Birthday): The Chauffeur and The Professor by Jerry Clower (this is one of my favorites)

6 Months Later

I can hardly believe it has been 6 months since I arrived back in the States after an amazing summer in South America. I want to reflect on how the time spent there has impacted me.

1. Prayer. I am often not sure how to pray for my South American friends. So many of my prayers sound like some silly person rambling off names and places then saying "Lord, you know what they need, whatever that maybe, please provide it. Amen."

2. Finances. I give to short term missions, Inca Link or other mission related ministry when I can and do my best to hold nothing back. After all it is not mine to handle as I wish but God's, who decides where it goes.

3. A changed Heart. In these past few weeks of being home for (my last) Christmas break, God has opened my eyes to see that my gifts and talents are not mine but His. And He has given them to me so I might bring Him glory. For example, I love to crochet and am a semi ok photographer. Both of which God has used to bless my family. In addition, there are ministries that would love someone to crochet baby blankets or donate blankets and so on. 

These 3 things God has placed on my heart in ways that I can serve short term missions in a long term way.

Luke 12:34 " For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Here are a few links and videos to see what is happening with Inca Link:

There are new soccer teams and sports being formed in Ecuador: Click here for a promo video

One of my friends in Peru visited the Jungle taking skim boards with him as a ministry tool: click here for his video or  here to check out Inca Thakhi's facebook page

The Biltmore

Such beautiful landscape

Can you tell we are sisters?

After the Biltmore we went to a place called Elk Garden...

... and saw these guys on our way out

And of course since we were so close to downtown Asheville...

...we had to pay visit to one of my Dad's favorite restaurants...

...It's now a favorite for the whole family

It was a cold in Asheville but we had a lot of fun.

Our trip to the mountains was packed full of adventures. Everything from touring the Biltmore to seeing old high school friends to shopping in the Biltmore village. Not only did we have lots to keep us busy we also found time to relax and enjoying spending time together as a family.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here we go head first into 2014! I can't wait to see what God has in-store from our family this year!