a lot of coleslaw...

Cabbage is a key part of meals here in Kosova. I am always amazed when I see several of these trucks parked in a row...selling huge bags of cabbage. 5 euros will purchase 15 kilo of cabbage, which is what one of those bags in the photo weighs. ($7.50 for 33#) I personally don't buy cabbage, because just one single head of cabbage is huge and it would take me forever to eat by myself. I do enjoy cabbage though when it is served, often with a vinegar sauce, along with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and white cheese.

Time for lunch...

Life back in Malishevë...

I left the US on the 9th of November to return home to Malishevë, and arrived at my apartment 3 days later. It was raining, and of course there was a lot of mud. The highway was still under construction, some parts were very nice, other areas had horrible potholes due to the rain. Other than the rain the first day, the weather has been quite mild with the lows at night only about 7C, (45F). So I have been able to adjust slowly to a slight chill in my apartment.

The first morning I woke up to the sound of generators, which meant the power was out. Each day the power has gone off for about 2 hours, which is the norm. I am quite sure it won't be off at all today because today is Bajram, a big holiday for Muslims. Bajram, Eid al-Adha, commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead. (Of course the Bible states it was Isaac and not Ishmael...) There is no bus service, all the stores are closed, the streets are very quite. Yesterday, the streets and the market were comparable to the day before Thanksgiving or the day before Christmas. So many people, it was intense.

I am sleeping well. I plan to return to the clinic next Monday and Friday. I also want to check on the special ed. students at the school as well as visit my little Çlirim and his family.

Life seems pretty familiar being back in Malishevë, and there is some comfort in that. I know that the Lord goes before me each day, He is faithful in directing my steps and providing exactly what I need.

It feels so good to be a part of this community once again...

Political Tsunami sweeps America, 5.3 earthquake in Serbia...

It has been interesting for me to be in the US during this political season. I didn't have a television so I was spared all the political commercials, that was a blessing. I did keep up with the campaign issues, I did vote.

I voted from Kosova during the election 2 years ago, and although I was saddened by the changes I have seen in our nation since that time, I still know and believe that God is in control.

There was a 5.3 earthquake in Serbia last night, the epicenter about 80 miles northwest of Prishtina. I have friends in Prishtina that were awakened by the shaking of their beds, no injuries or damage has been reported.

I think that yesterday was a time of "shaking" for all of us! I think the time is short, and there is much work to be done. God has called each of us to share His gospel to the world, to love our neighbors, to stand boldly and declare the truth of Jesus Christ and His completed work of salvation.

The election is over...now is the time for each of us "to get to work"...be obedient to what God has called you to do. Be bold in sharing who God is, be bold in standing strong in His Truth. Our nation and world is in a season of change...

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." I Corinthians 15:58

Going back to school...

Yes...! I am going back to school to complete my Doctorate in Physical Therapy, DPT, degree.

God provided this opportunity for me through Hardin-Simmons University Department of Physical Therapy. Hardin-Simmons is a Christian university.

I was able to meet with a group of physical therapy students and faculty during my trip to Abilene, Texas at the end of September. It was an opportunity for me to share with them the life and ministry of a physical therapist on the mission field in Kosova. One of the faculty asked me afterwards if I had ever considered completing my transitional doctorate degree in physical therapy. My response...no, that I didn't see a benefit to the time involved or the expense. She proceeded to share with me the doors that a DPT could open for me in ministry. Then she suggested that there may be an opportunity for me to complete this degree while serving in Kosova, through Hardin-Simmons. I never saw this coming, you could have knocked me over with a feather!

After prayer and counsel, I decided to "get my feet wet" and see how this whole thing would work and find out more information. The short version is that God has opened the doors, and taken care of all the details. Hardin-Simmons will allow for a significant tuition discount, will record class sessions and send me the video, and will allow me to complete the 2 year program completely from Kosova.

So...I have requested my college transcripts, completed the applications and they are in the mail, and the first semester text books are on the way to NM for me to take back to Kosova. I am trusting God to provide the tuition and technology fees for each semester. He is faithful, He will provide where He has called me to go...!

I never ever considered returning to school...especially for a doctorate degree. Yesterday it occurred to me that I was going back to school, for the next 2 years, while on the mission field. I am excited and nervous as well...there will be tests, papers to write, and lots of studying!

But God...has shown me the opportunities a DPT will provide for me in Kosova. I will be able to teach at the PT school in Prishtina, a door that has been closed to me because I currently have a Bachelor's Degree. Also Hardin-Simmons has asked me if I would consider taking PT students for a clinical study rotation in Kosova...students that have a heart for mission work in the area of physical therapy.

At the bottom of my emails I have a quote from Dr. Bob Cook..."If you can explain what's going on...God didn't do it!"

It makes me laugh and smile at how amazing and BIG our God is...how He directs our paths, how He goes before us, how He prepares us for the work He has called us to do.

What an adventure...!

Falemnderit Shumë...(thank you very much....)

I want to let everyone know how grateful I am for your friendship and the outpouring of love and support I have felt. I have been greatly blessed to have the opportunities to share about the life and ministry in Kosova. I am thankful that the Lord allows me to be a part of His work in Kosova, and Malishevë. Often I wonder what He was thinking in sending me...

I do know that the Lord has put an amazing group of saints in my life...to pray for me, to encourage me, to hold me accountable, to be a part of the work in Kosova.

Words alone can not express what I feel in my heart.

I am blessed beyond measure by your friendship...

Falemnderit Shumë !

Mornings...

I love the early mornings, I guess I always have. It is a time of quietness before the rest of the world wakes up and gets noisy. I have greatly enjoyed the early mornings here in New Mexico, especially in the fall. The air is crisp and you need a jacket when you first start out, then the sun warms you and the jacket gets tied around your waist. When there is a thunderstorm during the night...the air smells of freshness, sage, and other desert plants just freshly washed.

Last week while I was in Abilene, my morning walk was around the perimeter of Abilene Christian University. The air was cooler and moist, but the blessing was in what was under my feet. As I was walking and praying...just meeting the Lord and saying "good morning", I discovered scripture engraved on the sidewalks. When I saw the first one I thought, "wow, I really needed to hear that right now." So I continued walking and praying, and came upon more scriptures in the sidewalk. I believe that each of those verses were put there just for me. My heart was so greatly encouraged when I returned to the apartment.

But maybe the best part about mornings is that the Lord's mercies are new everyday.

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" Lamentations 3:22-24

So, each new day brings a special blessing for my heart. It is a fresh start to a new day...

My Kinship Family...

I have been greatly blessed by a very special group of people...my kinship family in Albuquerque. They listen to my heart, they support me in prayer when I am struggling, and they rejoice with me as God works among the people of Malishevë. Last night it was such a blessing to see each of them, to worship and pray with them. God in His faithfulness knew that I would need such a special "family" in my life and ministry in Kosova.

I am thankful for His provision.

And they give the best hugs...!