Focus.

Recently, I joined Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. My friends Danette and Nan are teaching the class at a local ministry, and since both of them are huge Dave Ramsey fans, I decided to see what it's all about. So far, I'm not sorry I joined the class. Granted, Dave challenges one to be very deliberate about your spending habits. That means, you've got to make a budget and stick to it...

Let me interject here and say that I'm infinitely thankful for a dad who taught us from a very young age to work wisely with money. This class, though, is helping me to be very deliberate about my spending and saving. Which is always good. "Tell your money where to go rather than wonder where it went," Dave quotes John Maxwell as saying.

The same can be said of time. Recently, working on a paper for school has been taking me a long time. Much more time than it should. I've had a hard time focusing. So today, while having the budget lesson on my mind, I decided to also budget my time for the next few weeks. I want to get my paper done (and do it well, I must add.) But I only have so many days before I leave the US again. And I refuse to be traveling with a paper still hanging over my head! So I budgeted my time. I looked at my "time income" and at what still needs to be done, and drew up a schedule.

It's going to take immense focus. But it will be good to move on. In fact, I was able to complete my book report scheduled for today--plus get a bunch of other tasks accomplished, too. Definitely a good feeling. And though other demands came up (or requests for time spent with others) I was able to evaluate the "time budget" and not feel badly about unplanned spending. Because I planned for those events.

Yes, yes. Stuff can happen. Stuff will happen. But the budgets (both money and time) is helping me to regain focus.

Which is always a good thing.

"Tell yourself how you want to spend your [time/money] rather than wondering where all the [time/money] went." Perhaps I finally have a resolution for 2009.

As for my plans for the weekend: Of course I'm also planning to join my friends for a Superbowl party on Sunday! We're all rooting for Kurt and his team to win. He's from Cedar Rapids, for you out-of-town friends. And for those of you who's going, "Kurt who?" (or even, "Superbowl? What's that?), don't worry. When I first got to Cedar Rapids, we were often praying for Kurt Warner at our Bible study since his mom was in our group. I finally had to ask a friend, "Who is this Kurt guy that we're always pray for?" At least I know who he is now and sort-of how the game of football works. But I still really only watch it to enjoy the company of good friends. Except this weekend. I'll actually have a team for which to root!

Simple math

Today, I had the chance to share at two ABFs (adult Bible fellowships) as well as with one family over lunch at their home. I really loved sharing with these groups about the work ELI is doing in Africa, to tell about life in Kenya and Sudan, and to invite them to be a part of it all. In fact, every time I tell about the work in Africa, I wish I could be back there! But not right now. For now, I still have a ways to go on support raising. I need another $1100pm to be at 100%. I truly have faith that God will bring it in, that more people will commit to support.

If...
four more people commit to $100 per month
(or a one-time gift of $1,200)
eight people commit to $50 per month
(or a one-time gift of $600)
and fourteen people commit to $25 per month
(or a one-time gift of $300)
we'd be there!

Whoa! That seems simple! (Of course, the even simpler solution would be for 12 people to commit to $100/month, but I truly love that more people can be involved even through smaller amounts. In fact, I have a number of individuals who support me with $10/month, which I appreciate equally as much as the larger contributions.)

This week, the primary task on my to-do list is to send out a mass mailing to invite people to financial and prayer partnership. Please join me in praying for the remainder of the funding.

****
So it's snowing. I'm loving it! I asked Danette to drive me to church tonight, though, 'cause I don't feel as comfortable driving on icy roads with a little Chevy. A family at church has been graciously allowing me to use their extra vehicle, which has been a tremendous blessing. Anyway, point is, though, that I might be totally comfortable navigating muddy Kenyan roads in a Land Rover, but when it comes to ice, it's a different story, I think.

There's a good 3 to 6 inches of snow in the forecast for tonight. Even now, everything outside is white. Where it's typically dark out by early evening, it seems light out because of all the snow. Maybe I'll get out tomorrow and do some sledding. Or throw a snowball or two. One thing I'd love to do is to take some pictures in the snow and e-mail them to our orphanage office in Kenya. Our kids have never seen snow like this. They'd love it!

I miss the kids. A lot.

Secure Online Giving

For my friends in faraway places who have wanted to become financial partners but have not been able to do so due to logistical challenges, or to my friends who simply don't want to have to remember to send a check every month, follow these simple steps:

1. Click here to log into a secure site.
   
2. Register. Once you've registered, you'll receive an e-mail with a password. Use that to log in, after which you can change your password to one of your choice.
3. Add a bank account or credit card to the system.
   
4. Then choose my name from the ELI list of beneficiaries.

It's that simple. If you don't want to set it up to automatically submit support payments, you can even set up so that the system e-mails you every so often (you choose how often) to remind you to make a payment.

Without the financial support of people like you, it is challenging to do the work God has called me to. I never take any support for granted. I have some supporters who give $10 per month, and some who give much more. And every bit counts. Every bit helps me to be able to go back and share Christ with children and adults in East Africa.

If you'd like to join in the work God's doing in and through me in Kenya and have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you for considering financial partnership. I appreciate it immensely!

Connections

I've been sharing at various church services and ABFs (Adult Bible Fellowships/Sunday school for grown-ups) recently, telling people about what God is doing in East Africa. It's been refreshing to step away and tell people about what's going on, yet also draining in a way. But tell, I'll tell. I'll boast in the Lord, because the good he has done cannot be left untold.

Right now, though, I'm heading to a place where I won't be doing much talking... the dentist's office. Hopefully, there's no work for him to do. Hopefully, I'll just get my teeth cleaned.

Then I'm off to Ely to meet someone from church, after which I'll see if I can get some work e-mails answered.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be heading to Kansas City for a 4-day retreat at the International House of Prayer. IHOP. Not the pancake place. I am looking forward to spending time away from the busy-ness of life in the US and simply focusing on God.

How's my support raising going? Thanks for asking. :) Slowly. Very slowly. I don't like asking for support. I have to remember that I'm inviting people to partnership, inviting them to be involved in what God is doing in Africa. But it's still not easy to ask. It's probably the part of being a missionary that I like the least.

On a different note: I just read another article on Blood Diamond, posted on World Vision's Web site. For my friends who are feeling like they have to hide their diamond rings now, don't worry... "Boycotting diamonds isn't the answer," World Vision says. The diamond mines in South Africa and surroundings provide a livelihood to thousands of people. Read the article to know what you're supposed to do then...

Off to the dentist. Open wide!