Where will I be Living?

A lot of people have asked me where I will be living.  I do plan to stay in Muncie for now.  I have gotten involved with a great small group and am building good friendships here (as well as continuing old ones).  Being in Muncie will also allow me to be a part of Stateside operations related to Interlink. 

During the last few months, I have been staying with a couple that went on my first trip to Kazakhstan.  I am so thankful for the way that they have opened their home up to me.  It has been such a blessing and encouragement. 

Right now I am looking for an apartment that I can move into starting in July.  Since I am looking at taking some classes and am processing through a lot right now, I am looking at finding a place where I can live on my own for the time being.  If anyone knows of an apartment for rent that is a reasonable price in Muncie please let me know.  I have looked at a couple places, but am still waiting to see what God has for me. 

Update

I wanted to give you a quick update on me.  Some of this is fairly new, so I am still working out the details, but I wanted to keep you posted as I go forward.  As many of you know, this last 3 years in Kazakhstan was difficult for me.  I love Kazakhstan and feel that it is my home.  I did however get to a point of being burnt out and overwhelmed, not specifically by my work with orphans, but with a lot of the other changes that were going on around me.  As a result, I returned to the States tired and exhausted. 

As many of you know, I have finished my initial 5-year commitment to Interlink in Kazakhstan.  I  have fallen in love with the people and truly consider Kazakhstan home.  Even so, I felt God asking me to evaluate whether or not I was supposed to return for a longer period of time.  I feel that God has clearly impressed on my heart that I am.  Even so, He has made it just as clear that right now is not the right time.   

About three weeks ago I made the decision that I am currently not ready to return to Kazakhstan for many different reasons.  I feel that God is asking me to take some more time here in the States so that when I return to Kazakhstan I am better able to thrive.  It was difficult to make this decision, especially because I am leaving my team short-handed.  Even so, I still have complete peace as I look at the near (and far) future.  

During my time here, I plan to continue meeting with wise people who can help guide me through this time.   I plan to work for Interlink here in the States to shore up some of the details related to Kids Connection.  I am also looking into the option of furthering my eduction in order to be better equipped for my continued work in Kazakhstan.

A Giant Surprise!

I traveled up to Ohio this weekend to surprise my mommy for mother's day.  Dad and I were able to pull it off - mom had no idea it was coming.  I think she really liked the surprise.  I have had fun hanging out with them and two of the girls that they care for.  Today we went to an art exhibition, decorated flip-flops, and went to the zoo.  I will travel back to Indiana on Sunday afternoon.  Here are some pictures from the day.

 

What is it?

I saw something on the way down to Oklahoma that I had never seen before. I actually had to read instructions in order to figure out how to use the sink. The sink was not just a sink. It dispensed soap and water and then dried your hands. I had seen each of those on their own, but I had never seen them all together in one unit. It was kind of funny watching people try to figure out how to use them. Thankfully, there were instructions above the sink.

Family Reunion

Today we had a Champeau family reunion.  There were over 20 of us here (grandma, grandpa, and all the kids and grandkids).  This was the first time we have all been together in at least 3 years, if not longer.  It was fun to talk about great times we have spent together in the past.  Some of the memories are hilarious - at least to us. 


Highlights:
-having everyone together
-watching the younger kids hunt eggs (I got to help hide them)
-hunting the eggs that the younger kids hid for the adults
-watching one of my younger cousins play soccer
-going to dinner and to see Slumdog Millionaire with some of my older cousins
-getting to watch my grandpa play wii bowl
-laughter during our picture taking adventure

My grandma and grandpa

 

Playing Battling Tops

 

In Line for Food