Deep Breaths

Hope springs eternal

We're back (but probably not consistantly as you may have already realised!)

It's crazy to think December was our last post because it doesn't seem that long. I guess time really does fly...that or we are becoming more and more forgetful as we get older!

So what's been happening?
John celebrated turning 30 last month. We had the joy of renting a cabin in the mountains with some of his college friends and went hiking, played lots of pool and air-hockey and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I will be joining him in less than a month...hard to believe. Although most people seem to shy away from getting older, I once heard from a dear friend in London (Jaqcuie) that your 30's are the best so I anitcipate an exciting new journey as a woman.

I was promoted in January to a Shift supervisor and placed in charge of managing our community involvement and donations. This job invloves supervising shifts in the cafe and making sure everything runs well and all the Partners (collegues-everyone who works for starbcuks is called a 'partner') are getting the breaks and the help they need to serve awesome coffee! My new position has just been incredible. From the first day I experienced such a sense of peace and have been able to flourish. Of course, all the communirty contacts have been a blast. We have so many organisations and schools who are trying to raise funds and they come to us for donations. I've been given the responsibility of supervising this aspect of our business and it's an awesome feeling to know that we are contributing to all these different causes. One primary school had a student write a thank you letter which we have posted on our wall in the back and it's adorable.

John and I have also started a college home group on sunday evenings for church. So far we have about 10 college kids who come and we discuss topics, arrange outings etc and just build relationships to share our spiritual journey. These are people who were in the youth group before we moved to Cyprus and have now grown up so it's a privilege to continue mentoring them. Our middle school group is still going strong and we are working through the bible with them on Wednesday nights. They are very lively but a lot of fun (most of the time!) and it reminds me of the good thing about being in the classroom that I sometimes miss.

John is working through projects for the organisation Initimate Life. In September he will hopefully enrol at the local theological seminary to get his Masters of Divinity and eventually be getting his doctorate to become a college professor. Although this is nerve-racking because of the work involved and the expense, we are excited for the future and the doors this will open for him. He has been accepted so we are just waiting for the financial aid to come through so please pray that God takes care of this burden for us. John has mentored and taught so many young people over the last ten years, and has a vast knowledge of the bible and history, it's only fitting that he has the paper qualifications to match his experience!

These past two weeks, I have been attending training sessions for Crisis Intervention with a local Pregnancy care centre which prepares people to counsel women who come to the centre for help. It's a pro-life christian organisation so it doesn't believe abortion is the best option BUT I have been so humbled and moved by the approach they take. I was a bit nervous at first because I don't tend to like Christian organisations who assert their beliefs in aggressive ways and humilate the beleifs and attitudes of Christ. However, this centre truly serves and ministers to women in trouble. Whilst, they want to preserve life, they care more about loving these women and supporting them. They are strongly against manipulating women who are vulnerable and base everything they do on Christ's extravagant and graceful love. I don't know if I have the time to volunteer at the centre right now but working with as many young women as I do (and have done) I want to be equiped with tools to minister in every area of their lives.


Well this post should keep you going for a while. Comments as always are greatly appreciated- just to know if anyone is still reading this and if we should keep it up (more consistantly!)

posted by John and Leia @ 4:43 PM