Wondering what's expected...

THis is Michelle... She's a goofball and is the new gr. 5 teacher at Dalat. She can always make me laugh and is always up for an adventure.

THis is Bethany! She's the new highschool counselor and she has a husband Dave and 2 beautiful children, one named Carly (my sister's name is Carley so that is why that is interesting)

This is Vi (Jaffray Dorm Mom) and Val (REsident supervisor). We went out as a dorm staff for supper at the Batu stalls. It was a fun time! I think my resident life staff are pretty amazing.

Shauna and Annie and I went for 15$ pedicures... they are incredible. Can you tell who's who?

Well friends, I am sitting here and wondering what exactly this blog is in exsistance for. I wish sort of that I had established that earlier on in my writing process on it. Right now it seems to be serving mostly as a newsy report of some of my happenings, I think that is a fair assessment. I don't think that is a bad thing, but I am wondering in some ways what the audience who has chosen to embrace this blog (now Paul has me wondering how many I have - not as a competition I assure you) wants.

I don't want this to be just the details of my time here

I don't want it to be my bare raw thoughts either

I guess for now, unless you, my faithful few tell me otherwise, it will be somewhere in the middle...

So I just finished my first week by myself in dorms. Since I was still recovering, I had to do my morning shift (7-8:30) and come home to sleep and rest and then head back to dorm at 3:30-10:30. It was such an amazing week. I could tell you the names of the kids in each dorm I was in and am beginning to realize some key parts of my job more intimately too. I just have been falling in love with equipping ministry, dorm ministry and with overseas ministry. God has blessed me richly.

First, I realize that just like any position when youa re working with others, the first expanse of time is a banter of boundaries. SO they try to find out where yours are using whatever means they can. I was ready for them... :) Teaching for 10 years really has given me resolve to know what I expect so when that boundary is tested, I can show lovingly and clearly where the line is. I also have no expectations of having my mail goal to be that they 'like' me. I hope in time that this unfolds (and it already has in major ways) but my calling is to love the, equip them, call them to higher ground, challenge them, teach them, stretch them and guide them into a life-long, vital, growing, dynamic and fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't think Jesus just went for the popular vote either. He knew how fickle we humans are and so He sought something much deeper.

Second, As 'Aunt Lana', I am afforded some priviledge and some ins that dorm parents are not. I guess I see this more and more with my own neices and nephers as they get older too. They share differently because you are not thier dorm/parent. I will always be wise to cover and support my dorm parents (as I do my sister's and there husbands and other important kids I get to mentor's parents too) but it does give me some special times already. I have done devotions with each of my dorms. I am giving them time to get to know me and have been so encouraged by the attentiveness but more blessed by the interaction in each dorm as a result. God is good.

This job is a direct reflection of God having me where He wants me. I have not waivered on that even once. Even in the midst of 3 weeks of not being well I was sure this is where God wanted me (maybe even because of the phsyical attacks on me - Satan wanted to distract and discourage me but has been unsuccessful) Some moments have come where I have longed for somewhere else, for home, for a face to face coffee with a friend or even just a familar smell, but I have not wondered if Dalat is where God wants me for right now. That is so evident and clear. I love love love my job.

Some of you know that I have 7 ladies who are important to me who are praying for me one day a week each. I have to tell you how this has impacted me. I am so overwhelmed with blessing! I love these ladies and each loves me, differently but in so many ways exactly the same because we have one shared Father who has brought us into relationship together. These ladies have provided for me support and have freed me to have a boldness in my transition that I believe would have been harder without their prayers. I want to also thank those of you who are praying for me when I come to mind and heart. What a joy it is to serve the Lord as an extension of you...

I went to the mainland and bought dishes and a tennis racket today... I also went to the mall tonight and SPLURGED on bed head hairspray because they really do not have non-areosol hairspray here. It was a long day of chugging around Penang but I got to be in community with new friends. We laughed lots and are learning each other so it was a good day inspite of the tiredness that ensues.

K, that's all tonight folks. I need to take more pictures! I will soon soon :)

Check out my facebook if you want to see some that I have posted lanasg@hotmail.com is my address for adding on there or lana gummeson. I also have a skype address of lanagummeson for those who are asking.

Thank you for partnering with me!

Your love and prayers are felt over the vast ocean.