Thanksgiving Vacation part 1...plus a prequel

The Tuesday before our Thanksgiving-week-plus adventure, I was driving home from a Bible study wondering what in the world I was doing. Literally--why am I in south Arkansas, deep in the Bible belt (if such a thing exists anymore), where there are churches galore and few people who don't know about Jesus, and not somewhere in the world telling people who have never heard?
That night was our Thanksgiving feast/share time at the BCM. One of our girls who has been with us from the beginning is graduating in December, so people were telling her good-bye as well as just sharing what God is doing in their lives.  I was happy to see another senior girl there, since she's been scarce this year. Then she stood up and started talking about that very thing--how she regretted not spending more time at the BCM this year, and encouraging the freshmen to stay faithful. She said she had been resisting God and trying to force her own plans, but that she finally gave it up to Him and is going to be involved in missions. It was very emotional, especially when I remembered other students we've known and loved with who are now serving in pioneer areas here in the States and overseas. I felt so reassured that God has us right where He wants us, and that what we do is meaningful.

It was a perfect warm-up for the missionary appointment service the girls, my mom, my brother, and I went to in Springfield, Missouri, two nights later. I expected the service to be nice, but my word! I didn't expect to cry practically through the whole thing! It was in a very nice church, with a huge choir and orchestra (We laughed at the drummer in his cage. Hey, we're from a small town!) and some great songs. The way the appointees presented their testimonies was dramatic and touching. So touching my nephew couldn't say his lines! (Ok, maybe he forgot them. Maybe both? Maybe he was choked up because he forgot his lines!) I loved how different all the appointees were, in how they presented themselves and what they'll do and where they're going. We had a special time when we gathered around Jason and Kelli to pray, and it all became very real, that they are really moving across the world. Happily for us, we get to keep them around until the baby is a few months old. :) I couldn't help but think how thrilled my dad would have been that night.
We got bookmarks in our programs with all of their names, so we can continue to pray for them. I'm keeping mine in my One Year Bible, and hopefully will get more consistent in using it now that we're home and getting back in our routine!
More on the rest of our adventures later...