Mandy Stephens

Today is my sisters birthday. Our birthdays are only eight days apart so there were plenty of times when we had a joint birthday party. When I was a kid I hated having to share my birthday...these days I would be honored to have a joint birthday with my sister. If anything that would mean that I would get to see her.
This particular week (May 31-June 8) reminds me of a few things...
the start of summer
matching outfits
sun bleached hair
freckles
fun times with my sister

Happy Birthday Mandy (Van Wyk) Stephens. I love you.

ps...Mandy, let us make a vow to never look "sexy" while taking a picture again.

Paris in the Spring

Paris in the springtime….amazing. Weeks before I went on vacation I started praying for good weather and God delivered the perfect week in Paris. The entire time I was there I saw nothing but blue skies and felt 80 degree temps.

My friend Kim was at the airport to greet me and immediately started introducing me to Parisian culture and showing me around. After a quick shower we stepped out to see the sights. There is so much to see but first on the list was the Eiffel Tower.

Every day was full of sight seeing, eating good food, lots of walking, and good conversation.

We would start our day around 10am and then head for home just as it started to get dark (around 9:30pm) Even though I was stuffing my face with bread, creeps, and cheese I managed to loose weight from all the walking.

At times I felt overwhelmed at the immense beauty as I gazed on the art that surrounds the city. From the Louver to Notre Dame it was art on such a grand scale. My pictures do not do it justice.

The Eiffel Tower was just as I had imagined it. Big. I loved how the rough metal was formed into such an amazing piece of art.

Notre Dam took my breath away as I rounded the corner and saw it in it’s full glory. The inside did not disappoint. I can’t fathom how man could create such beauty…I like to believe that it was created with a little bit of magic.

 

The Louver was overwhelming. So much to see. We went there the day before Easter. What an amazing opportunity to ponder and meditate over Christ’s death as I gazed at it through the eyes of some of the greatest paintings ever known to man.

The park was one of my favorites. Kim and I picked up a couple of “pink lady” apples (my absolute favorites) and headed to a park famous for the little boats that kids push around with long sticks and . There we people watched, ate our juicy apples, and talked about our lives, Paris, and God.

Some of the other things that I loved where:

The pastry shops

The chocolate shops

The beauty of Parisian people…they know how to dress

Sitting at coffee shops

Crepes

Saying “bonjour” and “Merci”

It was everything that I had imagined and more. I could not ignore the fact that God had just given me an amazing vacation. His gifts are truly lavish.

Youre Beautiful

I'm currently on vacation and LOVING IT! I'm amazed at how God has blessed every step of the way as I explore Europe. There is a song that has become my theme song during this week.
It is called You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham.
http://youtu.be/QGlTzH9xkXQ

"I see you there hanging on a tree



You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me


Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne


Soon we will be coming home


You're beauti'ful, you're beautiful"

This song not only summs up my feelings as I see God in the beauty of Europe but it is also perfect for this Easter Sunday
Happy Easter Friends!

Vacation

“YOUR FEET WILL LEAD YOU TO WHERE YOUR HEART IS”

I’m not exactly sure what the artist meant by this statement. I suspect it had some sort of romantic connotation but for some reason I liked it.

You see, I love to travel. I love to see the world.

The first time I spent a summer over seas I had no idea the wanderlust that would grow inside of me once I caught a glimpse of the world.

It’s been a year since my last trip and today I’m taking off on a two-week adventure that will take me to Paris, Prague, and Vienna.

Aside from seeing the “world” I will be seeing good friends and eating good food…two things required for a good adventure.

You may wonder how someone in my financial position can manage such a trip. Well, there are a few perks to living in a 3^rd world country.

1. I don’t spend much money
2. I’m already on the other side of the world so “foreign” destinations are not so foreign.
3. I’m staying with friends in each destination.

So, off I go on my two week vacation..

Don’t worry, I will be sure to take lots of pictures. I’m also packing my “fat” jeans so that I can east as much as I want. 

friends

The majority of my American friends here in Nepal work with people groups that are located in the Mountains. Due to our jobs it is common for multiple people to be gone at the same time.

This week alone 5 of my friends headed for the mountains. They are scattered throughout the different mountain ranges of Nepal. Their main goal is to be a light in the darkness. By the end of this week 4 more of my friends will be headed up to different areas as well.

Pray for my friends as they go to places and meet people that have never heard the name of Jesus. Pray for good weather and safety. Pray for boldness and clarity as they communicate in another language. 

so I go...

To be perfectly honest with you there is NOTHING glamorous about going to the village. In fact when my supervisor mentions that I will need to go, there is a little bit of me that groans inside. I think about the “bed” or wooden boards I will have to sleep on. I remember the lack of water and showering and the heaps of rice I will have to eat. Most of all I agonize over the actual travel (bus rides and walking uphill are my two least favorite things).

There are three ways to get to the village of Bhandar.

1. 12 hour bus ride
2. 12 hour private jeep ride
3. 20 min flight and 2 days of walking

Thankfully the volunteers I was in charge of could afford a private jeep. So early Thursday morning my teammate, three volunteers, and I started out on our journey. The first 8 hours of travel were on “paved” roads that afforded us amazing views of the Himalayas. The last 4 hours however were on a dirt road cut through the mountains. Needless to say it was twisty, dusty, and bumpy.

This sort of all day journey takes a toll on you. Once we arrived in Bhandar we ate a large plate of rice and lentils and then headed off to bed.

The following days were spent with fellow believers who had come from all over to receive training on how to share their faith and start house fellowships in their home village. Meeting these believers instantly reminded me why the 12 hours of travel is worth it. Their faith is big. For example a 7-month pregnant woman walked 8 hours from her village and an older couple walked 4 hours in the sun to come.  Their spirit exudes a kindness that I can only describe as Christ like and the hospitality that they show humbles me.

Every day after training everyone would come together to eat, sing, and fellowship. We would take turns singing in English and Nepali. There were times when we would sing the same song but in our own heart languages…giving me a small glimpse of the rejoicing that goes on in heaven. 

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head back to the city.

Rather than taking a private jeep through the mountains our only option was to take the bus. That’s right just when you think only a private 4 wheel drive vehicle can go through the mountain, Nepalese pile into a bus and go….it’s insane. The bus was packed and the ride was rough to say the least. The motion of the sharp curves and bumps nauseated the majority of passengers and there seemed to be a person throwing up no matter where you looked.

So what makes me go to the village? Obviously it’s not “me” that is the motivating factor. Plain and simple, it’s God. He called me to this place, to this life, and to these people. So I go.

…although I still hate riding the Nepali bus. 

MOM

Today is my Mom’s birthday. It’s been a while since I was around to celebrate with my Mom. As a matter of fact I can’t remember when the last time was that I was home on April 2^nd.

Mom, I wish I were in Zillah WA today. If I were, it would be your day! We would only do stuff that you like. I’m thinking eat a great lunch at a cute café and then get a pedicure. If the weather were nice then maybe we would grab a drink at Sarbucks and hang out at a pretty park or look at plants. If the weather is not so great then we could head in doors for a chick flick. The evening would include the rest of the family…what’s a birthday without your grandkids.  

Being that I am currently in Nepal it is impossible to do these things today but I want to publicly proclaim that IOU when I come home this summer. Don’t forget! Sometime after Aug 2011 you and I are spending the day together…my treat!

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you.