Missions trip updates are always so hard. How do you fit seven days of ministry into a few short paragraphs? One of the benefits of going on a domestic mission trip is there is no "re-entry culture shock". Granted, I saw a lot of things that were different than what I am used to, but nothing like shacks with tin roofs and starving children. And there was always this sense that even though the culture around me was very different at times, I was still in America. It felt American in NYC. Maybe that is the beauty of our nation, you can be a minority in one part of town and yet still know that this is America. The nations have been brought to us.
Our First Missions Trip
The title is sort of misleading because really this isn't our first missions trip. But tomorrow morning we will head out, with our bags packed, for our first missions trip together as a married couple. And we are super excited! And of course, a little overwhelmed by all of the little details that need to be taken care of before we leave.
Activists for Women: A Review of Half the Sky
A Safe Place for Loss
It is not a shock that in many circles miscarriage is a taboo subject. I have recently noticed a rise in famous people bringing up their own pregnancy losses in public arenas. In some ways this is good. It brings voice to a silent sorrow for many women. But it can't stop with celebrities. Today, the Christianity Today women's blog has an interesting post titled "What Celebrity Miscarriages Teach Us." They link to an interview with Lisa Ling on The View about her recent miscarriage, and her thoughts are worth listening to. Her final solution to the pain of miscarriage is Christ-less, and ultimately unhelpful. But her premise, that miscarriage needs to be talked about, is right.
Missions Wednesday: Congo
Africa is a continent riddled with conflict, poverty, and HIV. The Republic of Congo is one of these countries. Congo (not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo) is a former French colony, like many countries in Africa. Upon gaining its independence, it has faced civil wars and poverty, lived two decades as a socialist state, and is struggling to live under democracy with an authoritarian leader.
2010 in Pictures
This blog has been kind of silent for over a week. Thanks for reading even though I have been absent. We had a great time at my parents in Florida relaxing, enjoying sweet fellowship, and just spending time with my family. It was a treat! I got this idea from a blog friend and decided to start the new year with a picture review of 2010. It was a big one and a sad one. We love Jesus more because of it. And we love each other more too. For that we are thankful. So here is what our 2010 looked like.
All Time Favorite Christmas Memory
Countdown to Christmas
There is a lot of Christmas cheer going on around the Reissig apartment right now. The tree is lit. Presents are wrapped. Candles are burning. On Thursday night (after Daniel gets off work) we begin our trip to Florida to stay with my parents for Christmas. We are staying the night in Atlanta and will make it to the Sunshine State just in time to go to the Christmas Eve service on Friday night. We only go to my parents once a year, so I am practically giddy about it.
Jesus is the Fulfillment of Our Longings
For the last couple of years I have read through the short book Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus during the Christmas season. Even though I have read these short meditations on Christmas before, every year brings fresh truths to light for me. Each chapter brings me closer to the Savior and causes me to wonder in the fact that God came to earth. To win us back. It is astounding.
Friday is for a Favorite Christmas Memory
Thanksgiving and Christmas are filled with traditions in my family. My brothers and I love all of the various traditions our family does, and it is even more exciting when we have invited other family or friends into our traditions on Christmas morning. We didn't grow up around our grandparents or extended family, so our Christmas' were just us 6 Tarter's. I can think of two particular years where we had family or friends as "guests" on Christmas morning. Christmas can be a lonely time for many people. For older people with grown children it can be a time of great sadness and longing for what once was. For others it might just be that you can't afford to get home this Christmas. It just makes me so sad when I think of people being alone on Christmas Day. But that's another post. Back to the memory.