I've made it! I'm safe! The place I'll be staying in even has flush toilets! One of my roomies is from Folsom, CA! Only like 20 minutes from my hometown. How crazy is that?
This has been posted by Andrew. Amanda should be able to start making her own posts in a couple of weeks.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Tomorrow is the day!
It's my last night in the states for two months! Tomorrow morning I'm meeting most of my closest friends for breakfast in PB at the Broken Yoke. I have a stop to make at the closet in PB and then to my house for last minute details. We're meeting half the team at my place at 2:30 and hopefully on the road by 3. Thanks to our friends Ryan and Tyrone for driving us up to LA. We'll check in our baggage and grab some dinner before our first of three flights. We head to London, then South Africa and into Lilongwe, Malawi.
Tonight has been hard. I'm not feeling fully one emotion or another I think I'm just fully overwhelmed and feeling a total release at the same time... if that's possible. There has been so much planning and preparation that is finally over. Some loose ends may not have tied up but at 2:30 tomorrow things will have to work out without me. I wish I could just fast forward to when we will be in country. Too bad it doesn't work that way! I know though that God is using each step of this process to mold me into a woman of strong character and that it is all a part of the journey He intends for me. God is good.
This will be my last post for 2-4 like I said before. Again, thanks so much for all your prayers and support. You are precious to me and I value your support tremendously!
Tonight has been hard. I'm not feeling fully one emotion or another I think I'm just fully overwhelmed and feeling a total release at the same time... if that's possible. There has been so much planning and preparation that is finally over. Some loose ends may not have tied up but at 2:30 tomorrow things will have to work out without me. I wish I could just fast forward to when we will be in country. Too bad it doesn't work that way! I know though that God is using each step of this process to mold me into a woman of strong character and that it is all a part of the journey He intends for me. God is good.
This will be my last post for 2-4 like I said before. Again, thanks so much for all your prayers and support. You are precious to me and I value your support tremendously!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
the countdown begins!
Yesterday was spent entirely on preparing 6 50lb boxes full of supplies for our team to take over to Malawi! It was crazy but a good day spent with my teammate Dan and really helped me feel the reality of the trip!
We leave San Diego about 3pm on friday and our plane leaves from LA to London at 9pm! My roommate and good friend's mom is here right now and she helped me roll my clothes last night for packing. Im so stoked to see what God is going to do in Malawi but at the same time totally overwhelmed by it! He IS good and that's the bottom line so we'll see what comes!
Amy (my sister in law) got back from Sierra Leone, Africa on saturday. She posted all her pictures online! I looked at every one and they got me all excited to go! My way is fully paid (thank you a million times to you guys who sacrificed to make this happen!) our house is secure for when I return and I have all of you guys, a great team and our HUGE God on my side! What else could a girl traveling across the world ask for?!
When I arrive safely in Malawi (possibly before) I will be able to make one phone call. I will call my mom who will call my brother who will post on this blog for me. He will be my contact for the rest of my trip. I will email him and he will post the email on here for all of you to read! This is the way COTN wants us to communicate with home. Please continue checking and lifting us up in prayer!
Here are some things on my prayer list...
Safe travel and ease with customs and what not (we'd like to keep all of our bags and supplies)
That our hearts would be prepared for what is to come
For the hearts of the people we will encounter in Malawi- that they will be soft and drawn to God's heart
Physical safety and healthy bodies
For you guys and my family (general safety, health and well being but that my family especially doesn't feel anxious but can trust fully in the Lord's provisions... easier said than done, yea?)
Thanks again for all your love, support, and prayers! They are very precious to me! It makes it a million times easier to go knowing I have so many people praying for me here!
We leave San Diego about 3pm on friday and our plane leaves from LA to London at 9pm! My roommate and good friend's mom is here right now and she helped me roll my clothes last night for packing. Im so stoked to see what God is going to do in Malawi but at the same time totally overwhelmed by it! He IS good and that's the bottom line so we'll see what comes!
Amy (my sister in law) got back from Sierra Leone, Africa on saturday. She posted all her pictures online! I looked at every one and they got me all excited to go! My way is fully paid (thank you a million times to you guys who sacrificed to make this happen!) our house is secure for when I return and I have all of you guys, a great team and our HUGE God on my side! What else could a girl traveling across the world ask for?!
When I arrive safely in Malawi (possibly before) I will be able to make one phone call. I will call my mom who will call my brother who will post on this blog for me. He will be my contact for the rest of my trip. I will email him and he will post the email on here for all of you to read! This is the way COTN wants us to communicate with home. Please continue checking and lifting us up in prayer!
Here are some things on my prayer list...
Safe travel and ease with customs and what not (we'd like to keep all of our bags and supplies)
That our hearts would be prepared for what is to come
For the hearts of the people we will encounter in Malawi- that they will be soft and drawn to God's heart
Physical safety and healthy bodies
For you guys and my family (general safety, health and well being but that my family especially doesn't feel anxious but can trust fully in the Lord's provisions... easier said than done, yea?)
Thanks again for all your love, support, and prayers! They are very precious to me! It makes it a million times easier to go knowing I have so many people praying for me here!
Friday, June 15, 2007
a great end and a better beginning
As is the story of my life- I moved... again. Sarah and I are staying at our good friend Mailes for the end of June and the beginning of July. Sarah, Kara, Brittni and I start renting at our new house July 15th! Horray! Two GREAT friends Mark and Tyrone will move my stuff while I'm in Africa so I can come home to my own house! Thanks boys! ... er big strong men.
Tomorrow is my last day of work at Polinsky as a student worker (an important distinction because I applied to work the same job in a different position when I get back from Africa). I turned in my uniform and my key. The women in my cottage (and Mr. Steve) threw me a pot luck during our monthly staff meeting today. There are some of the most inclusive and loving women I've ever met. I have absolutely loved working with them and I will miss them greatly! Because the women are all from different countries we had quite the collection of food! It just geared me up for new African foods! From the pot luck I brought home a sticky rice/seafood (i think...)/chicken/sweet raisin dish thing miss melen made (she's from the Phillipines), a Philippino fruit dessert/coconut milk thing miss loida made, a tamale from miss consuelo and a homemade dessert tamale (pineapple) from miss myrna, an overnight staff. So fun! Polinsky has given awesome experience in the system, gave me a more realistic view of the world, given me endless people skills and allowed me to give my heart to countless children. I totally appreciate my time there!
The countdown for africa is t minus one week... or something like that. I leave a week from today on June 22nd at 11pm out of LA. After I finish at Polinsky I have 5 days to get ready (packing, planning, errands, prayer and thought). I'm stoked to have a little down time!
Amy, my sister in law gets back in the states tomorrow! I'm excited to hear about her trip!
I'm headed to bed (a common activity after blogging) because we have a support breakfast for the team in the morning and then I work from 2-10. I'm enjoying living with Maile, trying to see as many people as I can and attempting to prepare for who knows what!
OH! And... great news! I have reached my support goal! My friend Curt called to see if he could help me out with my trip and his contribution will complete my payments! Thanks for all your support! I love you guys!
Tomorrow is my last day of work at Polinsky as a student worker (an important distinction because I applied to work the same job in a different position when I get back from Africa). I turned in my uniform and my key. The women in my cottage (and Mr. Steve) threw me a pot luck during our monthly staff meeting today. There are some of the most inclusive and loving women I've ever met. I have absolutely loved working with them and I will miss them greatly! Because the women are all from different countries we had quite the collection of food! It just geared me up for new African foods! From the pot luck I brought home a sticky rice/seafood (i think...)/chicken/sweet raisin dish thing miss melen made (she's from the Phillipines), a Philippino fruit dessert/coconut milk thing miss loida made, a tamale from miss consuelo and a homemade dessert tamale (pineapple) from miss myrna, an overnight staff. So fun! Polinsky has given awesome experience in the system, gave me a more realistic view of the world, given me endless people skills and allowed me to give my heart to countless children. I totally appreciate my time there!
The countdown for africa is t minus one week... or something like that. I leave a week from today on June 22nd at 11pm out of LA. After I finish at Polinsky I have 5 days to get ready (packing, planning, errands, prayer and thought). I'm stoked to have a little down time!
Amy, my sister in law gets back in the states tomorrow! I'm excited to hear about her trip!
I'm headed to bed (a common activity after blogging) because we have a support breakfast for the team in the morning and then I work from 2-10. I'm enjoying living with Maile, trying to see as many people as I can and attempting to prepare for who knows what!
OH! And... great news! I have reached my support goal! My friend Curt called to see if he could help me out with my trip and his contribution will complete my payments! Thanks for all your support! I love you guys!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The Calm Before the Storm
Last weekend was my party! So fun! What a blessing to have so many people that love me and support me! It was a blast seeing everyone- I wish I could have spent more time talking with each of you! Thanks for coming and for helping with the last bit I need to raise! I'm only a few hundred dollars short now! Score! Here are some pictures from the party...
Paul, Chrissy, April and Laura chatting in the sun room.
These are my beloved Battenfields +1 -2. Josh and Julie we missed you! I have LOVED watching the Batts grow... ew... I sound old... but it's true! Josh and Ben are taller than me and quite the gentlemen (but mostly cool). Abby (blue suit) got old instantly with her deceiving bangs and I think might be more mature than me. I didn't think it was possible but Anna (pink suit) is getting sweeter and more gentle as she grows up. Ellie (purple) is as pure, transparently beautiful and just as fun as ever! Scott and Julie thanks for being great models of a Christ-like family and for treating me as one of your own. I love you guys!
My cousin Julia stayed for most of the party and for a while after! So good! I miss her like crazy when I'm in SD and can't wait to spend time with her! She's such an encouragement and just so much fun! Love you J!
As my sister in law Amy is in Sierra Leone, Africa with COTN I get to be in Sac with my brother and nephew! We're missing Amy a lot but I'm loving the time with Noah and Andrew! It's been a slow week- what a change! It's nice to just relax, nap with Noah and visit with nor cal friends and family.
Here's a praise! Brittni, Kara, Sarah and I have a house for next year in San Diego! It's perfect for us! It's in our price range, a bike ride from Mission Bay, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, practically brand new, has a spa and is just beautiful! Some friends in San Diego will move us into the house in mid July while I'm in Malawi. I'm stoked that I'll a place to come home to when I return from Africa! Here's the house!
Speaking of Africa... our departure date- June 22nd (I checked) is fast approaching! We're getting final emails and wrapping up lose ends! Crazy! I'm starting to freak out a little considering what it would be like if I died there or decided I never wanted to come back to the states but I every day I'm feeling more ready to go. I think by the time we leave I'll be more than ready and antsy. I have no idea what to expect but I can't wait to embrace what God has in store for me, my teammates, and the nationals.
After Noah wakes up we're going on a La Bou run. I miss La Bou. Thanks everyone for reading this! I really doubted that people did but you all told me you did at the party! Woo!
Remember this is where I will post in Africa so check here for updates! I can start posting two weeks after I arrive.
Paul, Chrissy, April and Laura chatting in the sun room.
These are my beloved Battenfields +1 -2. Josh and Julie we missed you! I have LOVED watching the Batts grow... ew... I sound old... but it's true! Josh and Ben are taller than me and quite the gentlemen (but mostly cool). Abby (blue suit) got old instantly with her deceiving bangs and I think might be more mature than me. I didn't think it was possible but Anna (pink suit) is getting sweeter and more gentle as she grows up. Ellie (purple) is as pure, transparently beautiful and just as fun as ever! Scott and Julie thanks for being great models of a Christ-like family and for treating me as one of your own. I love you guys!
My cousin Julia stayed for most of the party and for a while after! So good! I miss her like crazy when I'm in SD and can't wait to spend time with her! She's such an encouragement and just so much fun! Love you J!
As my sister in law Amy is in Sierra Leone, Africa with COTN I get to be in Sac with my brother and nephew! We're missing Amy a lot but I'm loving the time with Noah and Andrew! It's been a slow week- what a change! It's nice to just relax, nap with Noah and visit with nor cal friends and family.
This is Noahs response when you ask him, "How big is Noah?" After he puts his arms up every adult in the room squeels, "SO BIG!" and claps. It's more like Noahs trick to get the adults to look silly...
He's just cute. It's hard to get a picture of him without a finger in the way. He likes to poke the camera.
Here's a praise! Brittni, Kara, Sarah and I have a house for next year in San Diego! It's perfect for us! It's in our price range, a bike ride from Mission Bay, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, practically brand new, has a spa and is just beautiful! Some friends in San Diego will move us into the house in mid July while I'm in Malawi. I'm stoked that I'll a place to come home to when I return from Africa! Here's the house!
Speaking of Africa... our departure date- June 22nd (I checked) is fast approaching! We're getting final emails and wrapping up lose ends! Crazy! I'm starting to freak out a little considering what it would be like if I died there or decided I never wanted to come back to the states but I every day I'm feeling more ready to go. I think by the time we leave I'll be more than ready and antsy. I have no idea what to expect but I can't wait to embrace what God has in store for me, my teammates, and the nationals.
After Noah wakes up we're going on a La Bou run. I miss La Bou. Thanks everyone for reading this! I really doubted that people did but you all told me you did at the party! Woo!
Remember this is where I will post in Africa so check here for updates! I can start posting two weeks after I arrive.
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