Sep
Day 10.5–Birthday Countdown
by Andrea in Birthdays
Last New Year's Eve at Kami's house!
Welcome to my 30th birthday countdown. Don’t worry. There’s no Ryan Seacrest or Dick Clark. Just the ramblings of a somewhat-tortured soul trying to make sense of the beginning of a new decade. 
10.5
The number of time zones between where I live and where most of my friends and family live.
So, if it is 10:00 a.m. for me in South Asia, it is 11:30 p.m. for people at home in Central Time Zone. And if it is 11:30 p.m. for me, it is 1:00 p.m. for people at home. And just when we start to feel like we’re getting the hang of it, daylight savings will throw a wrench into the mix since South Asia will stay the same.
Figuring out the best time to talk to people can get tricky, but I am so thankful for the many friends and family who haven’t let that stop them from contacting us! (And if you just haven’t gotten a chance to call us yet, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of time left for us to figure out a phone date!
Ten and a half hours of a time difference has got to be one of the strangest things about moving to a foreign country literally halfway around the world. Everyone is going to bed just as we’re starting our day and we’re going to bed just as everyone else is starting their days. Honestly, when you move from a huge tight-knit community like the one we left behind in Nashville, it can make days feel lonely and disconnected at times. But then, other times, it does sort of help focus and quiet the soul in the midst of a loud and bustling city that rarely sleeps.
And just this weekend, I missed the start of college football season because I wasn’t willing to get up at 2 a.m. to watch it online! (Going to have to figure that one out before the Iron Bowl.)
*This should have been posted last night, but I was having too much fun with some (mostly) new friends to celebrate an early birthday since we’ll be traveling on my actual birthday. They did a great job making me feel special in my new home! I am very blessed.
Sep
Birthdays
by Andrea in Birthdays
I love birthdays! Mine, of course…but also everyone else’s! I think it’s a great excuse to make someone feel special (and I know that I have my mom and her mom to blame for this.)
That is, until 2010 came around and 30 loomed in the not too distant future…
So, I’m now 11 days away from leaving my 20s behind forever and although some days I’d rather pretend like it’s not going to happen, I’ve decided to embrace it and share some about God’s goodness to me over the next 10 and a half days. (I shamelessly stole this idea from my friend Amy G. Thanks, Amy!)
I don’t know what it is about 30 that has me so unsettled, but here I am. Looking it in the face. My dad has always said, “There are pluses and minuses to every age.” This makes me smile because the older I get the more I hear myself saying, “My dad has always said…”
So, dad, what are the pluses and minuses to 30?
Aug
We’re in South Asia
by Andrea in South Asia
I think anyone who would be reading this blog knows this already, but we’re in South Asia for the next two years. To read about what we’re doing there, go to www.thesouthasiayears.com. I may drop in here from time to time, but for the most part, I’ll be posting here.
Mar
Mar
#337
At Hillview on Sunday, we sang a an old hymn that I can’t get out of my head. I hope it will be an encouragement to you. It’s #337 in the Baptist Hymnal.
I Know Whom I Have Believed
Daniel W. Whittle (Words, 1883) & James McGranahan (Music)
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
I know not how the Spirit moves
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus thro’ the Word
Creating faith in Him.
But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him
Or meet Him in the air.
But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.