Well, its official. I'm going to Jamaica in less than two weeks! I just bought my plane ticket, and for ten days, I'll be trading in this icebox for the land of sunshine. Joe and Cheri, two of my oldest friends, just moved there a month ago to run a retreat center that hosts short-term mission teams. Along with serving through hospitality, they will be busy connecting to local churches and orphanages so that the groups that come to Jamaica can get plugged into meaningful, on-going ministries. If you know Joe and Cheri, you understand how perfect this opportunity is for them. I can't wait to visit them there!

In other news...
During school yesterday, I talked to my first graders about how God has given us the responsibility of caring for the widows, and we talked about what this could look like (James 1:27). It was Valentine's Day, so I told them that if they wanted to, they could make cards for the elderly people at the local nursing home. Their cards were so precious.
That night, I went to the home with one of the kindergarteners. His mother often takes him there, giving him an opportunity to show love to the residents. It was so beautiful.... Kemper passed out the valentines my students made with a rose for each person ("be careful of the thorns" he would say), and then he would go around and kiss each one on the cheek! He even said a prayer of blessing over these elderly people, one-by-one. He also entertained them for a while by singing spontaneous songs about love and "playing" his child-sized guitar. I was energized by spending time with the people at the home and completely overwhelmed by the way God used this willing five year-old. Of course, every person there, including all of the staff, simply adored him.
Kemper's family has shown unreasonable kindness to me since I moved in. They have me over for dinner and pray with me and care for me. Its helping to fill some of the emptiness that I felt after leaving my community in Cincinnati. I have really connected with Kemper's mom who deeply loves people and spends big amounts of time visiting the widows, teaching the foreigners in our community, and praying with the homeless. Plus, she has three great kids who serve and pray right alongside her. I feel very blessed.