Africa Update!

I had an africa meeting last night and have to say I am getting so excited. I feel this trip is of God and everything will fall into place the plan so far is that we will be gone from July 8th- July 22nd. We will do 2-three day vacation bible schools at 2 of the schools there. Vacation bible school will be in the AM and so in the afternoon we will be going into homes where the parent/s have AIDS. We will give them food baskets and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Tears come to my eyes as I write this. These people need Jesus so bad. I feel blessed that I can be there and share it with them. We will also go on a 2 night/3 day safari. I get asked a lot about whether I am scared of the AIDS issue. Truth is I am not at all. God has totally placed this trip at my feet and I feel that I am just along for the journey and I can't wait to see what God has planned. That is all for now.

update!!!!

So it has been a really long time since I have blogged. Life is really crazy right now. What can I say. I am not really even sure. I started full time at Portland State it is definetely and adjustment. I am sort of in a funk right now. While I know there are a lot of people who care about me I feel really alone right now. I don't know if it is being unsure about school or just life in general. I am trying ot fight the funk.

Days like today make me really miss my Dad. I have been trying to deal with all this car stuff since I got rear ended. My dad would have handle a lot of that. I took for granted all the things my dad used to take care of until he his not here. People used to say it would get easier and in some ways it has in others it is much worse. So many things lately have happenend that I know my dad would have loved to see. Some examples is that Alyssa is a Senior this year. Alyssa held a special place in my dads heart. My dad would be so proud of her. Then I look at Ammy. That little girl has dified everything the doctors thought. She is running around happy and healthy as we can all tell. My dad would be proud of all his grandkids.

Sorry I know that is probibly not the blog you wanted to read but that is where I am right now. I know that God has plans bigger than I can imagine and life will get better.

I will try to post tomorrow about Africa!!

OMSI

I have never been to OMSI. I always wanted to go to omsi but it never worked out. Brian and Michelle recieved free passes but had such a busy weekend that they couldn't go. Beth and I took the tickets and took A and C with us. I thought I would share a few photos. At the very bottom is a video of Ammy and youhave to listen to Colin's answer He sure does love his ammy.

Graduating

I got the official email a couple days ago! I have successfully recieved my associates degree!!! Yeah me. Now I wait on PSU. Hopefully I will find out soon. Now for FAFSA. When will school ever end.

update

So I know It has been a while!!! Life just seems to get busier and busier. I am still working both jobs but one is very part time now:(. I wondered what I would do with the time but have seemed to fill it up quite fast.

Im on my final term at PCC. I have applied for graduation and should find out in a couple weeks. With that I have finally taken the plunge and applied to PSU. I will also find out about being accepted in a few weeks. It seems so weird that the PCC chapter of my life is closing I have been taking classes there for so long it seems like a part of me. But I guess as one door closes another opens.

I have been enjoying spending time with my nieces and nephews. Wow they grow up fast. I can't believe the youngest one just turned 2. As I don't have kids of my own I love hanging out with these little ones and watching them grow.

Future plans: Work, Wallowa, help with VBS, Africa in 2010!!! I am really excited about the last one. I will try to post more this summer. I am also training right now with Bethany to do a 5k this summer. That should be fun.

Update

As you can see my blog is very outdated. The picture thing has not worked so well for me. A little update on my life. I am in the last term of the year. Im taking Accounting, Typing, Oregon History and Speech communication. I just celebrated little A's 6th Birthday she is so big. I have loved hanging out with my sisters and starting a little mini bible study with Michelle. We are going through the book Jesus by Beth Moore. There's not a lot else going on. My hours have gone down a little with Nanny. So bad side not making as much, good side I now have Monday and Fridays off. I am enjoying the sunshine and life in general. Miss A has an MRI coming up in June but we are hopeful and trying to take it just one day at a time. I will try to be better at bloging it just gets hard sometimes.

Behind

So I know that February is over pretty much but I will think of 28 things to post. Just guve me time. For March My idea is things that are green. It should be a tough one. Starbucks will be in there. Join me if you want. I am going to try and post one a day. Ammy is doing good her spirits are down but hopefully not for long. THANK YOU all for your prayers

February -Things I love.

I have decided that from looking at other blogs I would do a picture a day. I am not the best photographer but want to get better. So for the month of February I am focusing on love. Here are the first 4 I will try and get on to one a day soon but here it goes!

#1 This is a picture of my papa bear and a Monkey Ammy made me. When my dad passed away my sisters, my mom, and I all went and made papa bears. It helps to be a daily reminder of him. The monkey ammy made me when she was about 2 or 3. She knew I loved monkeys and wanted to make it for me.

#2 This is a picture of a rainbow I saw out my window today. I love the promises God gives us to never leave us. The rainbow was his biggest promise. With all that is changing in life. Some great some not so much the rainbow today just reminded me that he is always there.

#3 Is some books I own. I love reading. I could just curl up and read all the time. Karen Kingsbury has been a long time favorite of mine. I have read almost everyone of her books. They are the type of book that make you laugh, cry and ponder all in what little book. Jodi Picoult Is one of my new found favorites I started reading her over the summer and Love her books. Finally Beth Moore. Her books are made to inspire. I haven't read any of these books yet. So don't ruin it. I got them for my birthday and with school haven't had a chance to read them.

#4 is Starbucks. I Love my starbucks. I drink it all the time. Let's Just say the little snow storm we had in January was really hard with out my starbucks. I really should stop drinking them but they are oh so yummy. If you want something really good try and Carmel Sauce, no whip, mocha Frappachino. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know these are all superficial but I will do more special ones later.

Me in Africa

So hear is a send out to any of you who read my blog. Pray for wisdom. Since I was in Highschool I have wanted to go to Africa. Well in a shortened version of a long story, God has contiunued to lay that on my heart. While at work last week a guy from my old church stopped by to let us know they were planning a missions trip to Africa and opening it up to others. It is exactly what has been laid on my heart for so long and the door through it self wide open. So I am asking that you pray for wisdom and discernment to make sure this is God's will and not mine. The trip would be Summer 2010. I don't know specifics yet but the first meeting is on February 8th.

As we age

So I just went to visit a nursing home for my death and dying class. It really reminded me that I am getting older. I couldn't help while in there thinking of how much life has changed since highschool. I know it's been a while but sometimes I forget just how long. From friends being married to my friends having babies, time seems to be flying by. I had coffee the other day with and old friend. we are about ten years apart but she was my mentor. We talked about when she was pregnant with her first. Her oldest daughter is going into 6th grade next year. I don't really feel older it's just that life keeps changing so fast.

Thank you's

So I read a blog the other day writing about the things they are thankful for. While I am thankful for so many of you I just felt I needed to give a shout out to those who have really changed my life this past year. So here goes:

Brian- Thank you for being my big brother. When my dad passed away you really stepped up. I know I have other brother's but you really took on big brother role and have supported me through all of lifes big changes. Thank you for supporting me in my school decisions and encouraging me to finish it.

Michelle- Thank you for being my Best friend. I couldn't go through life with out you. Thank you for being proud of me. Life has really sucked at times but no matter what I know that I have you to help me through. You never sugar coat things for me. You tell me how it is and I love that honesty. You and Brian have given me the greatest blessings to be in your lives. Thank you for your support of my Africa idea. We'll see where it goes.

Julie- I know you don't read blogs but maybe you will one day. You have encouraged me grow deeper and stronger in my faith. You have helped me to see the good in the storm. We have had our ups and down but through it all you have taught me how to fight through the hard parts and come out a little stronger and a lot closer to God.

Beth- You have taught me the strength I want to have. Thank you for being my sister and friend. I love that we can have out and just be us. No fakeness. I love our late night chats and your encouragement to get through school.

I love you all and if you aren't on the post it doesn't mean I don't appreciate you, it just means I didn't have time to put everyone on there.

iIlness

I was saddened to find out that an old pastor of mine has pancreatic cancer. I feel like there are so many people I know with cancer. It is hard to understand why. Miss A is doing great but we find out in February what they are going to do for her. It seems every way I turn more people are sick. Maybe this is hitting me hard because I am taking a class on death and dying but I am having trouble finding the joy all the time when so many around me are sick.

Sort of a side note Bethany and Michelle are meeting with A's school tomorrow to figure out her going back to school. The meeting is at 3:00 ish. If you think about it please be in prayer for them. Bethany is really nervous, and I think A is too. This is just the begining of major changes for her. She is doing great but we are not sure what February holds.

Back to School

School officially started Yesterday. Life seems overwhelming at times. I know this to shall pass. I am currently taking 16 credits so pray for me as working 30 hours and going to school washes out all social life. I will try to be better about updating but not sure how often it will be. I will update about christmas on Saturday.