Changes...Nowery.blogspot.com

Hi all,

Internet speed is not conducive to xanga blogging so I've jumped to a blogspot thanks to a stateside connection who will do the updating.

I still get the emails with your updates and enjoy hearing the ins and outs, ups and downs of your lives.

You can find our updates at:

http://nowery.blogspot.com/

 Nowery being my new last name...it is ok to still call me "Mathis" for those that know me no other way.

love.

Currently Reading The Shack By William P. Young see related

This is probably four posts in one...

I just read a phenomenal book and am now recommending it to EVERYONE.

It’s called “The Shack”.  I read it on a recent flight—it’s a quick read, but I’m going to have to read it a few more times to really soak it in.  In a nutshell, it’s a picture of a man’s encounter with God after a devastating tragedy.  It’s written by a third-party, but based on a real experience.  It’s one of those books that will put a twist on your understanding of God and help to break open any box you’ve tried to squeeze him into.  I cried and cried—and I am usually not a crier ☺

We spent Friday at the airport loading a 747 with goods for China.  Our team reported that the plane landed Saturday night—the distributions began right away.  We focused on shelter and water.  The news reported that 400k plus homes were lost, the good in this is that our team is working with the military who are streamlining the process to get shelter to the people.

My beloved comes home on Saturday:  6:05p, Dulles Airport to be precise.  When he leaves again I’ll be with him headed towards our new home in S. Sudan!!

Here is a picture of “our” land in Sudan.  It’s very green there, those are pineapple bushes, lime and mango trees.  I told him I want to be surprised when I see our tukul (cottage), so I don’t have any pictures of it—but those will come.

Thanks to all of you who chimed in with an “un-biased opinion”.  My friend followed closely and the ball is in his court.  I told him he couldn’t get feedback from a better group of beautiful, wise women!

Last, but not least, here is a picture gallery of an orphanage next to where Matt and I will live in Sudan.  The pictures are wonderful--I can't wait to meet these sweet people!   CLICK HERE

Currently Listening Bach: The 6 Unaccompanied Cello Suites see related

Planning: Disasters vs. Weddings

We are hearing encouraging things from our team in Burma--in spite of a very discouraging situation God is sovereign.

We've been invited to send a team and goods into China.  The team hits the ground Saturday and the aid goods will get there as soon as the "powers-that-be" decide they've made us jump through enough hoops.  Again we remember that God is in control...and keep praying for open doors and healing for the hurting. 

In the midst of this, I've managed to nail down 98% of the details for our wedding!  There are more details involved than I ever imagined...give me international disaster planning over tulle and ribbon colors any day   I am excited about our beautiful Montana wedding--75 days and counting!

Matt's in Sudan building our "cottage" (think upgraded grass hut).  He'll be back in the US in 16 days. After the wedding, sometime the end of August, he'll take me to our new home in Sudan for our first year of marriage.  This promises to be a great adventure, but we couldn't be more thrilled.  I feel like the most blessed girl in the world to be marrying the man I love and admire most in this world 

Here's a fun picture my dad just gave me; he took it the night we got engaged.

Burma, China, and Georgia...

The large-scale recent disasters have been shocking.  We are currently responding to the cyclone in Burma, the earthquake in China, and the tornados in Georgia.  Our largest response is to Burma.

The amazing thing about responding to these disasters is to step back and see the Lord's hand open doors.  You've probably seen or read about all the difficulties aid organizations have had in gaining access to Burma.  We are no exception.  We happened to have two water/sanitation engineers in Rangoon for a routine visit the day after the cyclone hit--we really don't believe this was coincidence.  In addition, we have been given favor with the  Ambassador in DC.  We currently have a team in Rangoon and supplies on the way.  The first goods have arrived and we have the planes lined up with more to come.  We still have many hurdles to jump through and the demands of the host government are ever-changing...but praise God for his faithfulness!  There is actually a strong network of Burmese Christians in the hard-hit region.  We believe they are the key to getting aid distributed quickly.  Please pray for continued favor, open doors, and wisdom for our team.  Moreover, pray for the families that have been devastated and pray that this situation will open more hearts to the Love of our Father.  Amen.

The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.  He says in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it." 

Arise, O Lord, O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. 

Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"? 

But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpfless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. 

Psalm 10:10-14

Lydia called me so excited saying, "I met Martha Washington, I met Martha Washington!  Oh wait, I mean Laura Bush, I met Laura Bush!"

Apparently mom took Lyd to a book signing by the First Lady and Jenna Bush and Lyd "chatted" them up.

Then C-span interviewed her.

My sister is a 12-yr old DC rockstar.