~ThIs NeW yEaR~

As I look toward the New Year, I realize that 2010 will be filled with many changes & decisions, but I know that God is in control of my life and that He will lead me through whatever lies ahead! This coming year I will be finishing nursing school, starting my career & will be getting married to Jonathan! God is SO good & has been SO good to me! He has been there through everything! I thank Him so much for everything He has done for me! Without God in my life I don't know where I would be...my life would most likely be a total mess. In the past I've made New Year's resolutions only to realize that none of them were fulfilled, so instead in 2010 I want to live life to the fullest. That can't be too hard to fulfill, right? :)

Here are a few of my mottos that I want to follow in the upcoming year.

Happy New Year's Everyone!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

On Christmas morning we woke up to about 8+ inches of snow on the ground & ice also. Christmas Eve there were blizzard conditions in our area and this was the result.

We had a good Christmas though despite the frightful weather conditions. :) Sometime within the next two days we will be heading to Indiana & Michigan to spend time with Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts & Cousins! :)
I hope each of my blogging world friends had a wonderful Christmas and has a Very Happy New Year! Let's not forget all of our blessings this year & most of all for the best gift ever...Jesus!

My Latest project!

Close up of the material/pattern I used to recover the chairs.
I would do something around the edge of the table where it is currently yellow if I didn't paint it black. The top of the table would stay brown.

I was thinking about adding gold pain in the grooves of the chair legs.

I was thinking about adding a little gold paint where there are lines.

With only a few more months left of school &hopefully not that many more until Jonathan & I get married, I have been slowly trying to gather up furniture here & there. So far I haven't bought anything brand new and have found some good deals. Don't get me wrong, new things are great, but I enjoy the older looking furniture, plus most of it is made so much better anyways. Well one day I found this table & chairs at a local estate sale and couldn't pass it or the price up, so I bought it. So far I have recovered the seat cushions, but am debating on wether or not I should paint it. COULD YOU HELP ME MAKE THAT DECISION?? I could either leave it the white, creamy look like it is now (with the exception of a few touch up spots here and there), or I thought about painting it a black color (not glossy). I also thought about painting a few places with a golden accent. I'm in need of some suggestions. My kitchen is red, black and creams with a "fat chef" kinda theme.

Christmas Decorations 2009

Hopefully more pictures to come soon! Happy Holidays Everyone!

So much as been going on lately. :) I'm in OB clinicals right now & I'm enjoying it for the most part. :) So far I've been able to sit in on a few delieveries & 2 c-sections. They were really interesting! Psych rotation is the end of this month also! After this I only have a few more clinicals & 2 classes to go & I'll be finished! Can you tell I'm beginning to count down? LOL
Wedding planning is coming along great also! Things are finally feeling like they are coming together! :) Only a few more items on my "to buy" list & then I'll have just about everything for the "Big Day"! I'm just hoping & praying that everything else will continue to go smoothly. :)
It sure is beginning to get cold outside lately! I'm not sure that I'm ready for winter weather just yet, but I guess I better hurry up & get prepared like it or not. :)

I'm debating on possibly deleting this blog since I don't seem to have much time to write anymore & I also don't have a whole lot to write about. :)
So much has been going on this past month. My parents took a missions trip to Guam, Saipan & Hawaii for our church mission organization. They seemed to have a real good trip. Dad helped out in a revival or two while he was over there. The people in Hawaii also took them to Pearl Harbor, they went snorkeling several different times and did a whole lot more site seeing.
I turned 23 this month also. We went for dinner at a local Asian restaurant for the evening. I decided not to do a whole lot this year. As the years go by it doesn't seem to be a huge ordeal as it was when you were younger. :)
We've also been working on a renovation project at our church. Dad has been busy with the project and a few of the guys in the church have even helped out quite a bit too. Now only painting, and a few other things need to be done. I'll have to say it has made a HUGE difference in our church. The entryway is SO much brighter. :)
Oh, dad also broke his shoulder this month. He actually goes in for surgery tomorrow morning, finally after a long process. :)
School is REALLY keeping me busy! I have 2 more classes and a bunch of clinicals left to be finished. Boy, I really, really can't wait to be done! I'm scheduled for Maternity, Mental & Intermediate clinicals this next month. Sometimes I wonder how I'm able to get everything done each week and alot of times I wish there were more hours in my days. :) I'll have to say though, God has really been helping me in school and in everything that has been going on. There is no way I'd be able to do everything that I'm doing without His help & strength!
Everything with Jonathan & I is going real well! We're still waiting & saving up to start visa paperwork. We're just praying that God will provide in His own timing. I'm SO thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life that I love so dearly! I really can't wait to see what God has in store for us!
It is slowly beginning to look & feel like fall around these parts. :) I love the colors and smells of fall, but I'll have to admit that I'm gonna miss the warmer weather. Well I hope everyone has a Happy Fall & enjoy the sites & smells of the season!

Pondering some of life's issues...

Lately some things have really been on my mind. I've heard so many different stories of my generation and younger getting caught up in so many crazy and horrible things. I'm especially hearing and seeing various things happen with the young girls. Sometimes I keep asking myself what is going on, what is happening and why. It is then that I remember Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." I see some of these young people and I know God has BIG plans for them, but it seems like the devil tries to distract us away from what God's plans are. I have to admit, it's not just them, I've also gone through a time in my life when if it hadn't been for God's grace and two other people in my life, I don't know where I would be today. I just feel so bad looking at where some of these girls are going. I wish there was something I could say or do to help them, but will they really listen? I'm afraid too that if something isn't done now, it's not just going to stay with them, but I'm afraid that it will pass to even younger generations...our younger sisters, our younger cousins, our younger friends. What is wrong? Why is it so hard for us to stand up at times? I've been there when I knew the decision I needed to make, but I was afraid of what would happen. I was also afraid of the loneliness. However, I thank God SO much because he gave me the strength to make the right decision and even though I do have some regrets, I am SO thankful that I did make the right decision. I have no regrets of making the right decision and now I've found something so much better. The loneliness that I thought was going to be there, isn't there. To all you girls out there who may be going through circumstances in your life and are struggling. Maybe you know deep down inside what you should do and maybe you're afraid to make that decision. Please for your sake, do what is right, no matter what! Trust God with all your heart and He will help you through your problems.

Time is going by fast...

I'm having a hard time realizing that this year is almost over...just a few months and 2010 will be here! As I look towards the next few months I'm realizing that there is alot of things that will be happening in my life...alot of decisions and such that I will have to make also. I know that God will help me & show me what choices/decisions to make, etc. I'm also SO excited bc, Lord willing, I will be getting married in 2010, if we can get the visa paperwork finished in time, etc.! :D I'm so blessed and happy to have Jonathan in my life! It's so amazing how when you leave everything in God's hands, he gives you something much better than you could have ever asked or hoped for! However, we would appreciate everyone's prayers as we still have a little ways to go until that day gets here. :) It's also hard to believe that summer vacation is almost over already! I've been asking myself if I'm really ready to go back to school in the midst of the mad rush & crazy hectic schedule. I've had a good summer though! I've accomplished alot too. Oh, I finally got a new car a week or so ago! It was kind of hard to let go of my old lumina, but I am really enjoying this new car, especially since it has a/c, CD player, etc. :D

Haiti 2009 Pictures #2

Getting ready to leave Port-au-Prince airport.

Jonathan & I

A view of part of Mierbalais.

Jonathan & I with Pastor Vogley & his family. We spent last Sunday afternoon with them.

Another beautiful sunset.

VBS...boy's side. Later that day there were actually more kids than these pictures show.

VBS...girl's side.

Church in Despinos.

April Hess with Michael

The Mobile Clinic team

On our way to Mobile Clinic in Mierbalais.

Haiti 2009 Pictures

Michael's 1st Birthday
Haitian Sunset

Helping in the Clinic

4th of July Dinner...Quesadillas

Haiti Beach

I love the view of the mountains from the beach!

Where you can catch a motorcycle if you need a ride.

Road Side Vendors. They were selling melons, etc.

The front yard at the compound in Despinos.

~Haiti 2009~

Well I'm back in the states now. It was real hard for me to leave Haiti, but I had to get back for school & work, etc. My trip was really great! I got to do many different things. I helped in the clinic, went and helped with a mobile clinic, helped with a VBS, helped with 2 newborn babies, almost got to help deliver a baby and so much more! I found out on my way home on Wednesday that Maxine, the guy that got burnt, died last Tuesday morning. Please continue to pray for his family as they are going through the loss of a loved one. Last Saturday and Sunday I went with Jonathan up to the church where he helps with the youth, children and sometimes Sunday school. It was good getting to see the ministry he has. :) Sunday we spent the day with one of the pastors at the church there. It was very nice getting to know he and his lovely family! His wife made Jonathan & I a wonderful meal! For some reason almost every time I went to the church, it decided to rain...lol. Every time we had to hurry back to the orphanage in the rain because the one bridge there in town easily floods and breaks since the hurricane. Even though we got soaked several different times, I'll have to admit I was thankful for the rain because it made the day so much cooler. :) I'm finally posting pictures of my trip. Sorry I could not put any on here until now due to slow Internet, etc. Enjoy!

We arrived at the orphanage yesterday morning. Soon after arriving, Pat & Melinda had to take Michael to the hospital. He's been sick for a few days now and they thought it was mono, but the tests for mono came back negative. They are still trying to figure out what is wrong. Jonathan & I are supposed to go to Beladere today for a children's service, but we will see what happens.
Its hard for me to believe that three weeks have almost already gone by. It's going to be really hard for me to leave!
Oh, while I was in Despinos, April and I went and visited Maxine again. It seems like everyday he is getting worse in some ways. Please pray that God will help him and give him the strength he needs. Please also pray for his family, because he may not have long to live.

This week...

Wow, how the time has flown by! I cannot believe how fast this week has gone! Monday and Tuesday was spent working in the clinic. Thursday we went to Mierbalais for a mobile clinic. This was the first mobile clinic that I had been to. It was an interesting experience, and it's an awesome way to help and reach out to other communities. Friday April & Joel took all the school teachers to the beach for a special day and also for a meeting, so Jojo and I stayed and watched Michael. VBS is coming up here in the local church, so much preparation has been going on for when it starts on Monday. :) Today was a really interesting day. It was the first day that I drove down to Port-au-Prince. I have to say it wasn't as bad as what I thought it would be. :) There are much worse drivers in the states. :) I will be leaving on Wednesday sometime for Mierbalais, so I don't know when I'll be able to make another post.

Happy 4th of July!!

Saturday:: We had a good 4th of July here in Haiti. On Saturday morning we decided to take a trip to the beach for some R & R and to celebrate the day! :) The water was very nice, but the view of the mountains, palm trees and Haitian boats was awesome! Hopefully maybe this evening or asap I'll post pictures. We got to the beach at just the right time, bc a few hours later the crowd started coming and that's when we decided to leave. Instead of hamburgers, hot dogs, ect. the guys were hungry for April's quesidillas, so that is what we had for our 4th of July dinner. I'll have to say that they were much better than a hamburger or hot dog would have been. :)
Sunday:: Sunday was filled with lots of activities around here. Church in the morning and then lunch. After we finished lunch, April and I went and cleaned up Maxine's burns. After lunch, April received a call from Reynold, one of the workers here, saying that there was a lady near the clinic who was ready to give birth. Upon arriving to her house, we discovered that she had a new baby boy. The local "midwife" was there for the delivery. When asked who the father was, no one knew and the girl, only 16 years old, didn't know either.
Jeemps, a good friend from Cap-Haitian arrived yesterday also. He had been visiting his family in Cap-Haitian for a few weeks. It was good seeing him again and finding out how everyone up north was doing. :) Jonathan also came yesterday afternoon. :) It has been good to have him finally here. He came at the perfect time too, because he was able to interpret when Jesse preached in the evening service. :) By the way, please pray for the church here. There is a new pastor, etc. and some people aren't taking the changes real well. Please help pray that God will once again move in the church here and help bring this community together.

Off to Market We Go

Today 4 of us girls decided to check out a local market which we had yet to visit. It was a typical outdoor Haitian market, except there seemed to me a lot more clothing and shoes for sale compared to some of the other markets I have been to in the past. A few items were bought...and of course we had to buy a few drinks, and then we decided to leave. Joel took us to the market on his way to town for supplies. Well we finished before he returned, so we were fortunate enough that Jonathan was nearby picking some people up from the airport! He was graciously willing to give us a ride back to the house on their way back to Mierbalais. :) (Thanks honey!)
We had bible study this morning with two new converts, one who is a witch doctor's daughter. Please keep them in your prayers and please pray that God will continue to speak with her family and hopfully soon they too will become Christians. :)
On our way back from Bible study April & I decided to stop and check on Maxine (the guy I mentioned yesterday who burnt himself). He is doing pretty good, but still needs prayer and time for healing.
I can't help but continually notice that the needs here and the need for extra working hands are very much needed! I cannot wait until I am finished with school and can return to Haiti to work! Please help me pray that God will continue to show His will!
Once again, sorry that there aren't any pictures...hopefully soon. Tomorrow we are planning a fun and hopefully relaxing day at the beach for the 4th of July! Hopefully it is a cooler day!
Hope Each of you have a HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!

Finally back in Haiti!!!

After about 4 1/2 hours in the air and about 12+ hours in the airport, I finally arrived in Haiti yesterday. Jonathan surprised me and came with Joel Hess (HGM missionary) to the airport to be there when I flew in. It was a pleasant surprise even though he had to return home yesterday afternoon. :)
Today was my first day helping in the clinic. It went well. I was able to do some paperwork, filing, admitting, etc. that I hadn't done before...so that was a good experience. I also helped get the patient's vitals while waiting on the doctor and dentist to arrive. :) There was a dentist here today. For some reason she has yet to have a patient come, but we are still hopefully seeing that it is very needed in this area. :)
One man nearby burnt himself quite badly on his chest, etc. on purpose not long ago. He has some problems mentally also. I was able to go and help/observe April as he let her clean up his burns.
Another cool thing I got to do was watch April try to start an IV. There were some complications because the man was so dehydrated. He has been vomiting/diarrhea sick since Sunday and hasn't been able to keep anything down, etc. Finally today one of the helpers here mentioned something about him being sick. April went and talked to him and they agreed to let her start an IV to help with his dehydration. To make a kind of long story shorter, because he was so dehydrated it was so difficult to start the IV. Finally the wife got upset that it wasn't going fast enough I guess you could say, so she called for another lady to come and put the IV in. The lady that she called is not certified, etc., but proceeded to say a bunch of things that didn't make any sense at all. So to say the least it was quite frustrating to April and myself! Sometimes situations like this come up and can be extremely frustrating to missionaries, bc you're trying your best to help someone and they don't really appreciate it. This doesn't happen all the time, but still it's just some of the small frustrations dealt with as a missionary. :)
I am having a wonderful time here and am enjoying my time here back in Haiti! It feels SO AWESOME to be back! I really can't wait for the day to return to live and help the people here! Well the internet is kinda of slow right now and someone else needs the computer, but I will try to post another update as soon as possible as long as I can if Internet, etc. premits. :)

Summer Break is Finally Here!

At times I didn't believe that it would come true or that we'd make it, but summer break is now officially here! I just finished up Pharm/IV class today & PASSED IT!! I'm so thankful that God helped me get through that class! It was tough. :) Also our class just found out the other day that we will have a "new" teacher when we get back. The teacher we have now is taking another job nearby. It's going to be an interesting fall semester. :) The new teacher works in another part of the school, and she came and talked to us last week. When one of the students asked if she'd take a class, her response was no way...or words similar to those. :) This is going to be a big change and I'm sure there are going to be some rough spots along the way, but I really believe that if the classmates stick together, we'll make it through. We've already come so far and we'll be able to make it even farther. :)
On another note, tomorrow afternoon I board a plane to start my journey to Haiti! I can't wait! I have two layovers and one is overnight at the airport, but if all goes as planned, I should arrive on Haiti soil on Wednesday morning! :) I'm really excited about this trip and can't wait to see what God has in store!

~~SuMmEr~~

Dad blowing out his birthday cake candles for his surprise birthday party
Mom at the Memorial Day cookout with Papaw & Mamaw

Papaw & Mamaw at the cookout


Dad taking care of the meat on the grill. Doesn't he look thrilled...LOL. Actually all of us were making faces for the camera at one point during the day. :)

Just so you know, I haven't forgot about the blogging world. Things have just been a slight bit busy around here lately. :) Summer has finally arrived and my break from school is just around the corner! In these last few days I have left until break I'm finishing up some tests, etc. and hopefully I'm going to be finishing Pharm & IV class! :) Wow, seems hard to believe how far we've come at school. Seems like we just started classes yesterday. :) Let me tell you, it has been a really interesting experience being in nursing school. One of my friends at school made the statement that when we're finished with school, we will have a major in Nursing & a minor in Drama...LOL. So true! :)

So much has been going on lately outside of school too. We recently had a Haitian dinner fundraiser to help with my parent's and the church's upcoming trip to Haiti in the fall sometime. It went real well, despite the fact that not too many people came. It was nice to have some people there tho that we had not seen in awhile. :)

We have also had some missionaries come by for a pizza dinner/presentation, and we have some Bible School groups coming soon also. :)

As you can see...it has been quite busy in our household recently. :) Here are a few recent pictures for you to enjoy. ;)

Happy Birthday Abbie!

Abbie's Little Lady Bug Cake

The Lady Bug Cupcakes

Today I had the priveledge of making a birthday cake for a little girl's first birthday! I made lady bug cupcakes and a little lady bug cake just for Abbie to dig into. :) Here are some pictures of the end result. I'm very pleased at how they turned out, because I wasn't sure what would happen when I started working on it. :) I really enjoy making different cakes and "experimenting" with the different designs and decorations. :) Enjoy the pictures!

Haiti Trip 2009

A little boy fishing for tiny fish at the river.

Helping April Hess stitch up a young girl's hand.

I finally got my plane ticket for my trip to Haiti!! God helped alot, because I found a really good deal from Tulsa to Port-au-Prince!! :) By the way, it has been so awesome to see how God has been working in my life lately & even over the past few months!! I can't begin to thank Him enough for all the things He has done & has been helping with. Just like this trip to Haiti to do my school enrichment hours (basically kind of like an internship)...I felt that God had open up the doors for me to go once again to work in Haiti, but there were a few obsticles in the way. Not all of the obstacles have been removed, but in His own time, He has been removing those & I thank Him so much!!

So, I will be flying out of Tulsa for Haiti on June 30 and I will be returning on July22! I'm so excited for what God has in store for this trip! I'll be helping do some clinical work in Despinos along with a variety of other things while I'm in Haiti. Please help me pray that God will give safety as I will be traveling & also that God will use me to be a blessing & help to someone while I am there! I am so excited about this trip & I am counting down the days until I will be back home in Haiti! When I return I will update about my trip, etc. For now, I thought I would share some pictures from previous trips to Haiti. Hope you enjoy! (For some reason the pictures ended up being before the text...dunno what happened.)