...wow....What a Year

I thought I would post a short update since Cmas is just a few days away.  I hope that many of you are enjoying the snow that is currently dumping on about half of the US.  Those of you like me in the Southern hemisphere, I hope are finding something to help you through this season of being apart from loved ones.  Here in Camel Land there are actually some Cmas decorations to be seen even though here, Cmas is traditionally celebrated on Jan 7.  I have enjoyed going to a local coffee shop here that did a bang up job of decorating, and as I sit by the window sipping a macchiato, with a cool breeze blowing at night, it almost feels like Cmas should :).  Yes, this below the equator girl confesses she misses her cold Cmases of the past 3 years. 

It has truly been a year for our family.  Many of you know of the hurt and loss we experienced as we welcomed our family member Karston in October 2010, and had to quickly turn him over into the hands of His Father.  Dad has been so good in bringing our family through a year of healing, and he has blessed Karston's mom and dad (my sister Lydia, and brother-in-law Clay), welcomed Karston's little sister, Kylie Hope at 8:00AM on December 15.  She is doing great, and she is beautiful.   I miss her so much and long to hold and snuggle with her.  Continue pr that Lydia and Clay would adjust to being new parents, stay healthy and enjoy the help of our parents while they are with them this month.  Pr that my parents would stay healthy and enjoy all the grandbaby time with Kylie and my nephew Elijah.

Our family has once again been spread onto 3 continents in this year, and this spreading has had its challenges for all of us.  Continue to lift us up in this, and pr He would allow times and places for us to be together this coming year. 

Finally, you all know how this year has been going for me....whew.  Someone asked me the other day how I was doing now, and they commented that I seemed to be doing better.  I agreed I am doing some better, but Dad is still grinding me.  I hope that you will ask with me for strength to sustain during this process, and that I would persevere and be obedient to Him alone.

I have now been in the capital for a month, and it looks like I will have a house to live in by the first week of January.  Please pr that everything will be finished on the house a lot of repairs need to be made before I move in.  Also pr that He will provide what I need to be able to live in the house (a stove, a fridge, a washing machine, a sofa, etc...).  I have to purchase these things, and I ask that you pr He would provide the money I need for these things.

I hope that you have a wonderful Cmas.  Please write at racfarmer@mailboxwiz.com for my mailing address, and if you are interested in sending a care package :).

Rachel

Pictures:  The pictures are obviously of my niece, Kylie...as you can tell my mind has been kind of one track lately :) . 

1. The first picture is of my dad (Kylie's granddaddy) holding her.

2. The second is of Kylie with Lydia and Clay.

3. The third is of Kylie herself.

4. The last picture is self explanatory....

5 Months In the Land of 13 Months of Sunshine

Many of you have been asking for a new update on my blog.  I know it is a few days overdue.  My transition and move to the capital has been pretty much hitting the ground running.  I have been at language full time for the past 2 weeks, and this is week 3.  So far language is going well, but I have to confess entering week 3 I'm getting tired.  Please pr that I would press on in language, which is my main responsibility right now.  Pr for my language helper to be patient with me and for me to be patient with her.  There is the chance that I will have to change language helpers after December because my current helper might be moving, so I ask that you would be pr for the right Sister to take her place.  Also continue to lift up the need for Dad to show me how I am to serve Him here in these 3 years.  Pr also that a house or apartment will be found for me to live in soon, and that it will be the right place at the right time not just a quick fix.

Since I have last updated everyone Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Our Thanksgiving here was good.  I was able to talk to some of my family members through Skype, and those of us here in the capital were able to eat meals together as we gave thanks.  The Advent season is now upon us, and I would ask for your pr during this time.  Ask that we would seek out opportunities to be His salt and light during this time.  For the most part Camel Land does not celebrate this time of year at the same time we do, so ask that we would have opportnity now and later share the GN. 

I would also like to ask that you be lifting me up personally during this time.  This time of year is always difficult for our family, and this year we will be on 3 different continents.  Please be pr that skype, electricity, and internet will work, and we will be able to communicate on two very important days:  December 15th (the day that we welcome the newest member of our family; my niece Kylie Hope Steelman), and December 24&25.  Continue to lift up my request that He will bring my spouse and helpmate into my life in this year. Please consider joining us in this part of the world in April 2012 as we seek to have 1 million strong lifting up the Horn.  Go to dark2light.org for more information.

Pictures:  1. Top left and bottom right:  These were taken in my last couple of weeks in DD.  As the Advent season is upon us I thought it appropriate to ask for your pr for mothers & children in this part of the world.  This has been a difficult year for them as many mothers have lost children due to starvation and other symptoms from malnutrition.  Pr they would find healing and comfort in HIM.

2. The picture in the middle is taken from an overlook outside of the city that I now live in.  Please be lifting up the people of this city, which is called the New Flower.  Pr for your brothers and sisters here to be bold and unabrasive in their encounters with their families and friends during this time of year, ask that many would chose to have a true relationship with Him, and not just traditions & rules.

3. The final picture was taken at a wedding I attended on the first weekend that I was here.  I am with a fellow friend in the picture.

Rachel