Kristy's wedding and Christmas

Kristy and Chase's wedding was beautiful. It was really good to see my extended family and good friends. It was a candlelight service. Pastor Karl Johnson gave the most beautiful wedding sermon I think I've ever heard. Kristy of course looked radiant. It's still hard to believe there is no longer a Kristy Jan Sullivan. She is Kristy Jan Thoring. Wow. I think because it was such a short engagement, and I was in Africa for most of the preparations, it's taking a while for it to sink in for me. They are so happy and I am so happy for them.
I made the cake, and it was a success thanks to much support from my family. Breanna and mom helped me at home with baking the cake; my cousins Allison and Rachelle helped me with icing it and putting it all together; and Uncle Doug, my Dad and Mom helped me with final decorative touches. I honestly couldn't have done it without them this time! I was, and still am, quite exhausted from mono, but I'm hopeful for improvement soon!
Christmas with my family was nice and relaxed. We went to a nice Christmas eve service, had Christmas dinner and then opened presents. Some of my favourite gifts were: a painters easel from my parents, the radio dramas of the entire Chronicles of Narnia from Breezy, and some new CD's from Mike.
Since Christmas, I've been trying to rest up so I can return to Africa feeling back to my normal self. I've been staying at home mostly, reading, resting, and spending time with my family. I'm making Breanna a quilt from African materials. It's looking quite nice, if I do say so myself! Hopefully I'll finish the top of the quilt in the next few days.
I'm going to attempt to work a few shifts this weekend if I'm not too tired, and then it's only 2 weeks until my date of departure for Benin! Oh my goodness!!!

Here's what's up...

Okay, I'm too lazy to retype what I just wrote in an email to some of you, so I'm copying and pasting it! Sorry-o!

It’s been about 3 weeks since I stepped off the plane from Africa back into the bitter cold of an Edmonton winter. I’ve really enjoyed being home with family and friends and familiar things. I definitely experienced a bit of reverse culture shock stepping into the materialistic season of Christmas after the poverty of Liberia. We really have a lot to be thankful for! In my time home I’ve caught up with lots of family and friends, got over jet lag, helped my family move into a house they just bought in Edmonton, been to Provost, Saskatoon, Meadow Lake, and enjoyed some of Mike’s concerts.

I’ve also been to the doctor quite a few times. I had not been feeling myself for about the last month that I was in Africa, and I’ve finally just found out why. I have mono. For those of you who don’t know, mononucleosis is an infection, which causes people to experience extreme fatigue, and can last for months. It takes a lot of rest and fluids to recover from it, and also a lot of time. I am relieved to finally know what has been causing me to feel so tired, but I also realize that my plans are to return to Africa in just 5 short weeks (January 20th)! That is potentially not long enough to recover from this. However, I believe that God wants me in Benin next year to continue on this amazing, life-changing journey. I know He is the Great Physician who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask for or imagine…” (Eph. 3:20). I would ask for you to pray with me for my recovery within this next month, and if not, for God to reveal what else He’d like for me to do with my time this winter.

I was encouraged this morning as I read a familiar passage. I know that in all circumstances, God’s word remains true and unchanging.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40: 28-31

I am resting secure this Christmas season, knowing that the Creator of the Universe holds me in His hand. I pray that you will all experience the perfect peace that only the Prince of Peace can give.

So in these next few weeks I have to do as much resting as possible in the midst of the flurry of activity of Kristy's wedding, Christmas, New Years, and preparations to return to Africa. I'm still tired, but I'm excited for all that is to come! I might just have to learn to nap, which is what I'm off to do now.