OH Say What?

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2011-03-08T21:41:00.001-05:00

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Hurting Hearts

2010-04-05T00:38:00.003-04:00

Tonight my heart hurts for several people I love... for a friend who is dealing with the untimely death of a mentor and friend. I say untimely because it was not by the hand of God that she passed, but by her own hand. For a friend whose life is being torn apart by someone elses addictions. Satan is trying his hardest to knock down these precious children of God's. I have the ability to reach out and love them in their times of need because they are people who I am close to... but it just makes me think and wonder. How many other people are hurting today?

Easter Sunday. Jesus ROSE FROM THE DEAD. He got up, and walked right out of that tomb, left it empty. EMPTY so that we can have life... now THAT is love!!! This day is meant to be a day that we celebrate. A day that we remember and marvel at the incredible sacrifice that was made for us... every one of us - even a sinner with a heart as black as mine. How dare satan get in the way and cast such a dark cloud over it?!?!

Friends, please look around you and consider who is hurting. Who needs a word of encouragement, a hug, a helping hand? Are you praying for your friends, that God will reveal the hurt in their lives and allow you to come along side them and build them up, loving them back to healing through Christ?

My heart is heavy, but tonight I am deciding to choose joy.

Psalm 30:10-12
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Annie in South Africa

2009-05-28T08:26:00.003-04:00

That awesome badge is a link to Annie's blog about her mission trip to South Africa with MochaClub (which is an awesome organization - check them out!!)

Step 1. Go read the blog (and watch the video - she's too funny)

Step 2. Pray for her and her team

Step 3. Read Annie's personal blog & follow her on Twitter

In sight

2009-05-26T17:30:00.005-04:00

The end. It's in sight! I only have 1 Monday left. 1 Monday of teaching, 1 Monday in Ghana. Wow. We had a big breakfast yesterday morning & they gave all who are leaving parting gifts (a beautiful necklace for the ladies & a book for Jonathan). Afterward Liz (wearing brown trousers below, 2nd from the far right) came up and gave me a hug and said "I can't believe you guys are leaving so soon! I don't think it has really hit me yet." Hearing her say those words made me realize that not only has the time FLOWN (even when the power was off), but that I really need to enjoy these last few days with my class and my friends (even if the power goes off again). There is plenty to keep me busy in the next week and a half, and I'm excited for all of it. Dinner at student's houses, a birthday party, movie nights, end of the year class party, graduation, 50's dance party, leftover's night, and a latenight party w/ Amy on the 7th, and then finally getting on a plane at 2am :)

Bible study girls :)

The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride." ~Ecclesiastes 7:8

so about that...

2009-05-24T18:52:00.002-04:00

This is neither my most eloquent nor positive post, so read it or don't, but know that I am actually smiling as I type this. Also, know that I am very well aware that there are so many people much less fortunate than I, and that I am very thankful for all that I do have... with that being said...

I just re-read the post I wrote Friday... and oh man, I couldn't DISagree with myself more right now about one thing. At this moment, I feel like I will not miss this place. The people, without question. The culture, even some food, certainly! The lack of efficiency, the ridiculous electricity (or should I say lack of electricity), and the heat... these things I will not miss. These last few weeks have been the worst of all for me in Ghana electricity & heat wise. I feel like the electricity has been off just as much or more than it has been on, not to mention the lovely situation this week when they actually came and CUT our power line because of a mistake on their part with billing. After 2 hours of running around from my house to school to the power company then getting shuffled from room to room and being scolded for different things (like not coming in to find out how much the bill that they messed up should have been... because I knew you messed it up, right...) they FINALLY sent someone (and by sent I mean we had to take him with us in the school van and I was expected to pay for his transportation back) to fix it. This all happened during the day, when I should have been teaching... thank you Jesus that I have a great aid that covered for me so I could get it all sorted out!! Well... of course the power was out even once the line was reconnected. How ironic. That was an AWESOME day... This weekend the power was off from Saturday around 3pm till today (Sunday) at like 5:30pm... ugh.

Ghana, I'm just going to be honest here, you aren't making it very hard to leave you...

KinderKids

2009-05-22T10:30:00.001-04:00

Have you ever watched a 16 year old boy read a children’s book to 5 & 6 year olds? It’s pretty entertaining! There are 2 high school boys reading to my class right now, and I am just loving watching them interact. They are being such good examples of patience and kindness, as well as reading. They are using different voices, showing the pictures, answering silly questions, and pausing for the children’s laughter.

Earlier today, I wanted the children to practice writing a friendly letter, so I let them choose who our letter would be to. They chose President Obama. Here is what they decided as a group to write:

Dear President Obama,
You are the best president! You are doing a good job, keep doing good things. We are praying for you.
Love,
Kindergarten

I guess really what I’m saying is… I am going to miss this place, but really more than anything, these kids & their families, as well as the coworkers that have become like family to me. One of my 5 roommates said this the other day and it rang so true for me… she said “We all get along so well because we just let each other be. When I am happy, you guys let me be happy & encourage me in it. When I am sad, you let me be sad. We don’t bother each other to be something we are not, and I feel like I’m really myself here.”

Only 15 days till I get on the plane… woah!

7

2009-05-07T06:55:00.044-04:00

I was tagged for this 'Kreativ Blogger Award' by Lydia, THANKS :)

The first 'assignment' for being tagged is to make a list of 7 favorite things... wow tough!!! I could make a list of 700 foods I love alone :) Getting a list down to just 7 will be tough, but I'm up for the challenge... here it goes, in no particular order, because that would be even tougher... (Lydia did it by putting up pictures, it's been a while since I've posted any, so I'm copying and doing that too!! Heads up... some of these are old!)

1. food - cooking/baking and eating

2. kids, especially these 12, and those 3

3. All of these girls

4. travel - trains, planes, automobiles, etc... & I have a thing for airports and gas stations

5. awkward moments & awkwardness in general

6. teal/turquoise/blue-green (like the shirt just above) - Melinda says thats what color I am anyway :)

7. Sincerity... as in, when someone says "How are you today?" and they actually mean it, and you can just tell... that, is my favorite :)

now I'm told I've got to tag 7 others... well, TAG! You're it, you Kreativ Blogger, you! Cherish your award and have fun with your favorites :)

1. Rachel
2. Melinda

3. Nikki
4. Mariah
5. Andy
6. Derrick
7. Kate

5 Love Languages

2009-04-02T18:07:00.004-04:00

Affirmation
Gifts
Acts of Service
Quality Time
Physical Touch

These are the 5 love languages as taught by Gary Chapman. I have taken quizzes several times, and always, my top love language is physical touch. I am a hugger, I talk with my hands, I touch when I talk, and I don't have much of a personal space 'bubble'. Quality time and affirmation (ie, words of encouragement) tie for 2nd, then acts of service and lastly comes gifts.

So here's what God shoved in my face tonight as I was trying very hard to communicate to a good friend who is back in Ohio that I am so stinkin' proud of him, and all I wanted to do was jump through the internet and give him a HUGE hug...

When something good happens to someone I care about, I get genuinely excited with them... my favorite way to show this is obviously going to be through physical touch or physically showing it... aka hugging, jumping up and down, squeezing their hands, etc... now, being in Ghana... obviously I can't do this with all of these amazing people God has allowed me to maintain close friendships with. Don't you think God might have placed me in a position where I had to use words instead of physical touch more often on purpose? I do!!! I'm thinking there is a pretttyyyy good chance that maybe, just maybe, he has been working on me in this area, and I don't know why, but I just realized it tonight.

Sometimes words are more important than a hug or physically showing someone I care... sometimes people need to hear 'I'm proud of you!', 'You are special to me', or simply just 'I love you', and while I wouldn't hesitate to say something like this to people in the past, I find that when I can rely only my words to express these things (not the ability to hug or jump up and down), I find myself being much more intentional about expressing things in words. I want to be someone who encourages those around me. I want people to know that I am excited with them, that I am proud of them, that they are special to me, and that I love them... and sometimes the best way to communicate all of those things is simply to SAY them.

Isn't God smart :)

Big hugs from Jardyn :)

Whew!!

2009-03-27T06:33:00.003-04:00

No surgery for brother!!! YAY! He has to be on crutches for 4 weeks, then they will do another x-ray and start PT, and if it's still not healing well, they will have to reconsider surgery... whew!!

Just wanted to share that good news and show you this picture that my sister just posted from her senior pictures :) I've got 2 pretty sisters and a handsome brother (Nikki, Me, Jon, Katie)!!!

I Lament

2009-03-24T18:09:00.004-04:00

So I found this lovely image on Andy's blog today... sad news for us single Ohio ladies haha :) (go visit his site for a clearer view)

On another note... the power was off for about 50 hours this weekend, and has been off at least once every 3 to 4 hours (usually for anywhere from 1 to 20 minutes) since it came back on Monday... Sunday night we went to stay with some friends so we could sleep (all 6 of us... slumber party like woah!), but of course I got super sick and was in the bathroom all night... needless to day, I didn't go to school Monday, slept all day, and was only up for about 4 hours on Monday, and now am feeling much better after a lovely round of antibiotics and lots of sleep.

Ghana is not my favorite place to be right now.

BUT I will enjoy the rest of my time here, even if it kills me... my parents will be here in 11 days (YAY!!), and my class is doing great, I just love them... I have fantastic friends (both in America and Ghana) who are helping me to keep trucking... AND I have decided what's next (although I won't share it here yet... there are still details to be worked out first)!!

Last thing - pray with me for my little bro... he broke his hip... how many 14 year olds do you know who have managed to break their hips?? Ya, didn't think so... only my Jon :) - Pray that he's not in too much pain, and that (even though the fracture is on the growth plate) he won't need surgery, especially with my parents leaving for 2 weeks - he goes to the doctor in the morning, I'll let you know what I hear.

He is mighty to save!

2009-03-18T06:11:00.008-04:00

The 4th grade class led worship at chapel today. They started out by reading the verse below & then singing a song that relates (Praying for Sunny Days by Hyper Static Union).

Matthew 8:24-26
24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

As I sat in my chair, watching them with smiles, I looked down and read in my own head the verses... and again I read it... each time the phrase "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" jumping off the page more and more. With a hard gulp, I began to think about why. I had a wave of emotion... what is that, I thought?! I don't even feel like I'm going through a storm in my life... I'm happy! I’ll be back in the US soon, my class is doing so well, I'm saving money to get settled when I get home, I'm going to have the awesome privilege of travelling to several places this summer & visiting friends and family all over the country, my parents are coming here, all the way to Africa, to visit me in 2.5 weeks, I get to take a vacation with them here in Ghana and see part of the country that I haven't been able to yet... what in the world is this emotion?! Certainly not anger... yet it isn’t happiness either. I recognized it as just what the verse is talking about fairly quickly... fear. I have been afraid.

I have been praying, and asking others to pray with me, that I would clearly see God's will for my next step in life (where to go to grad school), seeking the answer to that question the best I know how. But I have silently been afraid. I have been afraid of the answer to the very question I was asking, I have been afraid of admitting to myself what my true desires are, where I feel in my heart I want to be, and not only where I want to be, but where I feel God is calling me to be. I have been afraid to talk to certain people about it, for fear that they will be disappointed in my choice, that they will think me unwise or ungrateful. I've realized also that I was actually afraid all along. I was guarding my heart against rejection from the program by saying I didn't know where I wanted to go, when deep down inside, my heart had already been whispering its desires for some time.

2 Timothy 1:7
7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

My fear wasn't one that posed an immediate, life-or-death threat, but I was still saying to God "Save me! I'm going to drown!"... and now I think back to other times in my life when I didn't say it, but I pleaded, begged, yelled and screamed it to Him... How often we do this!!! Get caught up in some fear, and forget that not only that God has not given us a timid/fearful spirit, but one of POWER, love, and self-discipline; but also that HE IS RIGHT THERE WITH US. He is not just nearby, He is IN THE BOAT WITH US... all the disciples had to do was go and ask, and he calmed the storm immediately... but not without the reminder "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Why are we so afraid?! We place such little faith in the fact that our God is mighty to save, and yet he still steps in, and calms the storms when we finally do call out to Him.

Matthew 17:20
20 I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Zephaniah 3:16-17
16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem,
"Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

My God is mighty to save... He delights in me, and quiets me, and rejoices over ME with singing... WOW!! Music speaks to my soul, and when the Holy Spirit moves in me, it often comes through music, just like today, as I had all of these thoughts during the song that the 4th graders sang.

My kindergarteners helped me write the following… kind of… how awesome are they!!

I’m afraid when lightning comes to shake
Nightmares roar and it’s hard to take
Sometimes I’m scared the big dogs will bite
And it gets so hard to see the light

I feel the water rising
It’s all around
Lord, please save me
I’m going to drown

The answer comes, loud and clear
Your faith so small, it got you here.
This fear you hold is not of me
But of the one who wants you to be
Timid and small; but do not fall.To you I give power, boldness and love
I’ll be here to hold your head above

In God I will trust, I will not be afraid
For my God is mighty, mighty to save

brain fluff

2009-03-13T05:59:00.006-04:00

I just finished off a can of Rice Infused Pringles (cheese and onion flavor). They have 30% less fat than normal Pringles because of the ability of rice to absorb less fat during the cooking proces... sweet!

I'm going to see Slumdog Millionaire tonight... I have no idea what it's about really, but I've heard that it is very good, so I'm excited!

My birthday was Wednesday & I had an awesome day at school, my kids are great & their parents are fantastic :) I certainly didn't come home empty handed!! I got to talk to my mom & dad, Rachel, and Matt on the phone & it was so good to hear all of their voices. Talking to people on IM is great, and I'm so glad that technology allows me to communicate with so many people that way... but hearing someone's voice... that's my favorite (well, of course other than seeing them!) :)

I linked Andy Merrick's blog on my 'sites worth a look' box, but I just want to make sure you all actually go there... he is working on a series about dating (that he plans to turn into a book) called "Why Guys Aren't Asking You Out", and it is fantastic... he has really thought out the things he says & makes some challenging, encouraging, and well, true points. I highly reccommend it!!! Also the rest of his blog... he is just hilarious & every day he gives away free music... FREE!! :) I have been the recipient of some of this music, and I am so thankful for it... THANKS ANDY!! Here is the link to the series on dating.

MY PARENTS GET HERE IN 23 DAYS!!!! I am oh so excited for them to come and see my world, to spend some time with them, and to get a break from school & travel a bit.

I'm pretty sure I found a place to stay in NYC for my 2nd night... woot!!! I'm so glad that I won't have to worry about the cost of a hotle room/hostel for that night :)

I love music. It moves, inspires, relaxes, impresses, humors, intrigues, and soothes me. It makes me dance, it makes me laugh, it even makes me cry sometimes. I love finding new music, sharing my finds, and hearing about new ones... I think my next post will be a list of some of my new favorites w/ links to them & if I can figure out how, samples for you to listen to why I love them :) Before I do that, though, do any of you have suggestions for music?? I like pretty much everything, so don't leave off that one song or artist that you might love but think is cheesey :)

Lurkers, ahhemmm new friends, feel free to say hello!! Leave a comment & tell me how you found me :)

Hyo Min and I on my birthday... sometimes she gives me modeling lessons :)

New York, New York

2009-03-08T17:51:00.002-04:00

I am SO EXCITED to see NYC... I can't believe I have never been there (among other places!!) - that will all be changing this summer. Here is the problem...

My flight from here to NYC got cancelled so I have to leave here a day later, meaning I only have 1 night in NYC with my friends Amy & Jonathan, then they have to keep going to their final destination... I can extend my stay for another night, but then I'm in the city by myself for a night... which means I'd either have to pay for my own hotel room, stay in a hostel (which is still pricey) or find someone to stay with... hence the blog :)

Do any of you know someone who lives in or very close to New York City?? I want to stay longer to see more, but I'm a little nervous about doing it myself...

Speaking of never having been to other places... I've never been to NYC, Chicago, California, Texas, etc..., etc... I want to take lots of roadtrips this summer, and have a few friends who also want to go on some... any suggestions or ideas for cheap/easy roadtrips from Ohio? Anything to see or do where you live (I can cook you a killer dinner in exchange for a roof to sleep under)? Here are some of the plans/ideas I have so far:
~Memphis/Arkansas to visit a friend/go to her lakehouse
~Colorado to see my Aunt, Uncle & cousins there
~of course Cincinnati/N.KY as much as possible
~Chicago
~Nashville
~Birmingham (to see a friend working there & visit my Grandpa just north of there)
~S. Carolina
~Indiana

Ideas? Places to stay in NYC (or anywhere else)?

Dear Melinda,

2009-03-03T05:33:00.010-05:00

I cannot take you out to dinner, I cannot even call (you see, I tried... it wouldn't work, I think I have the wrong phone number), I can't text either (once again, wrong number, also it doesn't help that my phone isn't sending texts right now... lame!)... so, here is my gift to you (for now)...

10 things I love about you (because I typed 'hate' and realized I can't even make it sarcastic enough for people to understand I am being sarcastic ... but then again... you would get it...):

1. Speaking of which... I love the way you just get it. You understand my humor and sarcasm, not judging me for either.

2. I love the way you always tell me the truth. I know I can count on you to be honest with me, even if it's not what I want to hear, but what I NEED to hear.

3. I love when I'm in the middle of teaching and having random memories of you being right here next to me pop into my head, and just giggling about things such as snot fountains, and the kids begging to know what was funny :)

4. I love that you take the time to think about what peoples love languages are, and then do whatever you can to give them that type of love.

5. I love that you love without reservations. You DO have a unique ability to connect deeply, whether that is an Africa thing or not, you just do.

6. I love that you can fall flat on the floor, laugh, and just pick yourself up and start over again (dork dance, anyone?!).

7. I love that I know even if we disagree about something, that's ok... whether it's something as silly as the best ice cream, or something as deep as theology, you will always hear me out (as I hope I have done for you) & love me the same in the end.

8. I love that I can sing in front of you... not just sing, but full-on belt my heart out, and not feel the slightest bit of embarassment or fear.

9. I love your genuine curiosity. You aren't afraid to ask questions, and are always willing to hear the whole answer. You make me use my brain & think about what I really believe, feel, and think, and why.

10. I LOVE that I am going to be SO CLOSE to you and can come and take you out to dinner to celebrate our birthdays for real in person SO SOON :) :) :)

What's Next

2009-02-22T10:07:00.004-05:00

Here is what I know about what's next so far:

~Be back in Ohio June 9th (after a 2 day stop in NYC to be a tourist with Amy and Jonathan)
~Buy a car
~I have the pleasure of being in my beautiful cousins wedding on June 27th, and then will be attending one other in July
~I'll be jam packing as much travel, and visiting friends & family as possible in June, July and early August (*hopefully including* a visit to Colorado, Tennessee/Arkansas, Indiana, of course Cincinnnati/N.Ky... and wherever else I can convince someone to come along with me)
~Begin furthering my education at on of three places... and this is where I begin to have noooo clue what's next...

Depending on which school I decide to go to, there are 3 different paths my life will begin to take.
1. Stay in Dayton, work hard to get an assistantship and/or scholarships, start a job (most likely two, the one I was doing before coming here, and probably another part time), then start my 2 years of graduate school.
2. Move to Cincinnati, start a whole new life there... new friends, new job, new everything... then start my 2 years of graduate school there.
3. Move to Nashville.... start an even newer life, with even newer friends, a new job, and really... a hugely newer everything since I don't know anyone or know my way around at all... then start my 2 years of graduate school there.

Now I just have to wait to hear from 2 of the schools about acceptance, and then decide...

Oh boy...

cooking up a storm

2009-02-14T17:52:00.003-05:00

I've been cooking a lot the last few weeks, and I have really been enjoying it. I have been trying to be more intentional about actually cooking rather than eating out or buying things like bread for sandwiches. I can't wait till I'll actually have access to so many recipes that sound AMAZING that I can't try here because of the inability to find the items, or the expense of them (although, I think I'll also miss the challenge of finding substitutes and changing the recipes to fit what I can find). Just to give you an idea... tonight I made (for my 2 upstairs roommates and our friend Stacey who is in town for a few weeks for his job)... fried eggplant, roasted red pepper, and mozzarella sandwiches on toasted garlic french bread . It turned out so well, and I was so excited!!! It was very filling, had tons of flavor, and the best thing, it was pretty cheap (only about $20 for all 4 of us!) :)

I've been using these steamer bags that Ziploc makes when I can find fresh broccoli and I LOVEEE them!! They are so super duper easy to use (all you do is wash the veggies, toss them in the bag with seasonings and stick it in the microwave!) and the finished product tastes amazing with rice or noodles... great find (although I only have a few left... anyone want to send me a pack?!) :)

I also brought some bacon bits with me (the kind that are real bacon, not imitation), and made 2 baked potatoes about 2 weeks ago, one for dinner and one for lunch the next day, and I put some bacon bits, cheese, and butter on them... yum! With the leftover potatoes I made what my mom calls parsley potatoes, but to make it a little more exciting, I added a little ranch dressing and some laughing cow cheese (similar to cream cheese, but a more cheesy flavor)... all so yummy!!

Also, last Saturday Amy, Amanda and I decided that instead of going out to eat on Saturday night we would splurge on some real (and really expensive) cheese and look up a few recipes and create our own restaurant quality meal :) - we ended up making what we call turkey pie (a recipe from one of the Lebanese mom's at our school, who happens to be an incredible cook herself) and beer cheese soup (which was really more like soupy fondue, and we dipped bread in it).

I have really enjoyed cooking lately, and just thought I'd tell you about some of the fun things I've made lately :) I hope everyone is having a fantastic Valentine's Day, I sure did!!!!

25 Things

2009-02-08T14:22:00.003-05:00

There is a phenomena that is circulating around Facebook right now... here's my "25 Things" post... sorry it's not me writing, but those words, they still haven't come. Soon my friends, soon (I hope)!

1. I just watched Top Gun for the first time this week… felt like I had already seen it 20 times though - (Chris Brown totally stole the ‘hearts all over the world tonight’ line from Meg Ryan in Top Gun)

2. I have a scar that is about 1inch long on my right thigh from my bathtub here in Ghana… I know, I know… the bathtub??

3. I would really rather sing every sentence that comes from my mouth and dance every step of every journey I take than simply talk and walk… impractical?

4. Pretty much every time you speak to me there is a song that is playing in my head, the lyrics matching or coming after whatever you just said…

5. Isn’t it funny that in the US during the winter 50 degrees can feel warm, but in Africa during dry season when there is no humidity 90 degrees can feel COLD?!?! I know you don’t believe me, but it’s so true!!

6. The thought of even the possibility of moving to Nashville on my own makes me more nervous than the thought of moving to Ghana did.

7. Three days ago I had the joy of having a 20 minute heart to heart with 10 5ish year olds about why kissing people who aren’t your family on the lips is not appropriate (“Yes, when you get married you can kiss your wife on the lips all you want, but not in Kindergarten!”).

8. Once I went on a 3 mile bike ride through the African bush… might not sound very far… but I will never do that again (certain death awaits if I try, I’m just sure of it).

9. Once I went on a 4 hour hike through the African jungle… I will never do that again either… although I would LOVE to swim in the waterfall we stopped at again. Do you think I could arrange to hike down and then just get airlifted out after swimming??

10. I have athletic induced asthma. I did not have my inhaler on either of the 2 above trips… bad plan.

11. It probably wouldn’t actually be too hard to convince me to do either of those two things again...

12. I had my first ear infection at the age of 21.

13. I cried almost every day after school in first grade. I think I learned more that year than any other because my teacher pushed us so hard and was so ‘mean’ (read: I was too sensitive). I also think that year of my life has something to do with why I am an overachiever with some things but extremely unmotivated for others.

14. I love the way the antiseptic they used at the clinic in my elementary school smelled. I went there almost every day after lunch in 3rd grade. I don’t remember much about that year, even my teacher’s name (ok, now an hour later after thinking REALLY HARD about it, I *think* I remember… Mom, was it Mrs. Brown??), but Mrs. Osbourne was the nurse’s name and I can tell you the exact layout of the clinic…

15. Come to think of it… I don’t really remember much about 2nd grade either… there seems to be a black hole (give or take snippets here and there) in my memory where a majority of the memories of 2nd and 3rd grade have disappeared.

16. I wear my feelings in my eyes instead of on my sleeve… they change colors depending on my mood and emotions. If you can figure out the color that comes with a mood/emotion, you can read me like a book.

17. I love that my eyes change colors… it’s pretty much a superpower ;)

18. I feel like a bad sister/cousin/friend/daughter for missing things like showchoir competitions, graduations, award ceremonies, dances, performances, weddings, engagements, parties, game nights, birthdays, births, vacations, and road trips, but it’s really the small things like text messages just because we can, talking on the phone for 5 minutes or 3 hours, sitting down for a meal in or out, hugs, and being able to say I love you to your faces that I miss the most.

19. It takes a minimum of 20 minutes from the time I start typing a text to the time it gets sent. I will re-word it 10 times before you ever see it.

20. Unless it’s so crowded there is no choice, it stresses me out to no end to have people sit right behind me in the movie theater. Please choose the back if I go to a movie with you :)

21. I don’t like feet… not afraid, just don’t want to touch yours.

22. I am afraid of clowns. Not like I’ll go run and hide, I just really don’t like them, especially if they won’t talk.

23. One summer I lost weight even though I pretty much only ate ice cream. The Ice Cream diet… it works (or working at an ice cream shop almost every day for the whole summer).

24. I can make one killer chocolate, peanut butter, and cappuccino chip ice cream cake (in Ghana… I’ll have to re-invent it when I get home).

25. Ice cream is my favorite food. Yes, it is a food. Hence the killer ice cream cake, working at an ice cream shop, and eating it all the time. Hands down, all time best flavor ever (don’t even try to argue with me, especially if you’ve never had it) is chocolate peanut butter but ONLY if its from Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, Ohio… other than that I’m not really a one-flavor gal.

** Bonus fact… kind of like when they put an hidden track on a CD, but maybe better… It took me 4 days to complete this list.

words

2009-01-14T08:19:00.002-05:00

Sometimes they fail me...

I can't tell you how many times I've come and opened a blank post and then just sat staring at the empty screen... the words, they just will not come. For that I am sorry, but I know they will come eventually... but I didn't disappear, just incase anyone was worried :)

coming soon... maybe some... words?

2008

2008-12-11T08:12:00.002-05:00

JANUARY
1.Who kissed you on new years? that would be no one...
2.Did you have a New Year's Resolution this year? I don't remember... ha
3.Does it snow where you live? right now - definitely NOT, in 2 days - TWO DAYSSS - YES!
4.Do you like hot chocolate? mmmm yes!!!
5.Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop? No, but I REALLY want to

FEBRUARY
1.Who was your Valentine? 9 lovely Kindergartners
2.When you were little did you buy Valentine's for the whole class? of course, still do!
3.Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not? nah
4.What did you receive for valentine's day? lots of little handmade cards & a few store bought ones
5.What did you give for valentine's day? I gave my class cards, candy & some stickers :)

MARCH
1.Are you Irish? probably have some in me...
2.Do you like corned beef and cabbage? I think so
3.What did you do for St Patrick's Day? umm... was excited for it to almost be mybirthday?
4.Are you happy when winter is pretty much over? winter? what's winter

APRIL
1.Do you like the rain? I love the way the rain smells here :)
2.Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year? I probably tried to trick my kiddies somehow
3.Do you get tons of candy for Easter? Negative

MAY
1.What is your favorite flower? ohhh I like lots of different kinds... depends on what they are for
2.Finish the phrase "April showers…" make the ground really muddy & gives me red feet
3.Do you celebrate May 16th: National Piercing Day? nooo
4.Is May anything special to you? Not for any reason in particular

JUNE
1.What year did/will you graduate from high school? 2004
2.Did you do anything fun during this Month? OH YES - I went to AMERICA :)
3.Have a favorite baseball team? well I guess I'll just say the Reds

JULY
1.What did you do on the 4th of July? I think went to my grandmas for lunch, then fireworks
2.Did you go to the fireworks? of course!
3.Did you blast the A/C all day? definitely not - I was probably wearing a sweater all day...

AUGUST
1.What was your favorite summer memory of '08? oh man! there were a LOT of good ones this summer - I loved being home so much!
2.Did you have a sunburn? in the weak American sun?? nahh
3.Did you go to the pool a lot? nope

SEPTEMBER
1.Are you attending school? teaching
2.What happened this month? tried out for the pantomime

OCTOBER
1.What was your last Halloween costume? Greek goddess
2. What is your favorite candy? Reese's and Snickers
3.What was your favorite thing(s) about this month? mm... Pantomime practice, cause thats ALL I did

NOVEMBER
1. Where were you for Thanksgiving? At the Callis' house w/ all my roomies & fellow 20-something teachers
2.What are you thankful for? My Jesus, my rockin awesome family & wonderful friends :) and sooo much more!
3.Do you love stuffing? love, I wouldn't go that far... like
4.Anything special in this month? Thanksgiving, Jumble Sale

DECEMBER
1.Do you celebrate Christmas? because it is Jesus' birthday!!
2.Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe? don't think so...
3.What do you want for Christmas? to be homeee
4.Get anything good this year? I'll find out in 2 weeks :)
5.What do you love most about December? I'M GOING TO AMERICA TOMORROWWWW!!!

Mocha Club(s)

2008-12-08T08:47:00.003-05:00

Watch the video. The Africa you see here is mine... the one I see. Poor and needy people everywhere, yet people who have joy overflowing - not circumstantial, possession-based joy you see in other places, but joy that knows no limit, no bounds and has no physical value.

Join Mocha Club.

Drink Starbucks Holiday Drinks (Peppermint Mocha Twist, Gingersnap Latte, and Espresso Truffle) .05 cents from every holiday drink from now until January 2, 2009 goes to support (red), a group fighting against AIDS in Africa

gobbledy gook

2008-12-03T18:25:00.002-05:00

~ opening night of the Pantomime is tomorrow... I'm exhausted, my health is teetering on a very fine point, my body aches, my patience is waining - BUT - I wouldn't take it back for the world, and I am SO glad that I let the high schoolers convince me to try out - as my roommate Mariah just told me a bit ago, when I think about my 3rd semester in Ghana, this is what I will remember... because it's all I did :)

~ I am going to be finishing up the first semester of school and going to get on a plane in 10 days. This makes me very happy. I will also be losing a fantastic aid, who is heading back to the US for university, in 10 days... this makes me sad...

~ I need to stop shopping online (only 3 orders + 1 thing for my class... not too bad, but I still need to stop)

~ I WON SOMETHING!!! :) - I won the prize of an awesome framed print of an awesome photo for that last blog I wrote from Kate, a friend of a friend whose blog I found and have been loving (I can't wait to get it in the mail when I get home!!)!

~ Going home in 10 days means I'm taking the GRE in 14 days... eek... not so excited about this - but I am excited to get it over with, and hopefully complete the process of applying to both of the Grad schools I'm looking at right now (UC and WSU).

~ I should have been in bed a longggg time ago... I think I'm to that point where my body is on autopilot and sleep isn't something it's been doing much lately, so that's not the mode it is in... ugh.

~ My class did a rockin' awesome job on the Christmas art projects we did in class today - 3-D Christmas trees and snowman mosaics - I need to take pictures of the festiveness of my classroom... it far surpasses last years. Mom, you will be proud of my spontaneous creativity for these projects this last week or so :)

~ I found out the dates for my Katie's choir/showchior Christmas concerts, and I'll be homeeee :) - being in the pantomime has made me miss showchoir something fierce, and I can't wait to go sing Hallelujah Chorus and The 12 Days After Christmas up on stage with my baby sister for her last time doing it as a student!

~ and pretty much... basically... I'LL BE IN OHIO IN 11 DAYS (ya, the whole day-and-a-half to get there thing is pretty dumb... but hey, in the air is closer than here!!) :) :) :) :) :) :)

I need Africa more than Africa needs me

2008-11-25T16:52:00.003-05:00

the title of this blog is so true... I am here, and I am doing my best to help anyone that I can... but on the same token, that's just what I would be doing in the US as well.

I am so torn on the subject of aid... my roommates and I talk about this every now and then, and Mariah actually just posted this article from BBC to her Facebook:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7740652.stm It's a very good article - check it out if you can!!

Anyway, back to why I need Africa more than it needs me... and why the heck I'm writing this in the first place - there is an org called Mocha Club - I'm not yet a member myself, but I have lots of close friends who are, and do intend to become a member, most likely this summer when I return home and am back to having a normal salary - it's a great org that asks for $7 a month, instead of one Mocha, to go toward aid in Africa. Again, I am torn about this, but I really feel that this org is doing a great job at seeing to the money actually getting to the people who need it. There are several different projects which you can choose to have your money go toward. I found the site of a woman named Kate a few days ago, and she challenged her readers to post about this topic, to join Mocha Club, and is even offering a contest to win a print from her and her husband's trip to South Africa/Zimbabwe (the pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!). I have visited the Mocha Club site several times in the last few weeks after hearing about it so much from my friends who are a part of it, and after reading her post and accepting her challenge... well, here we are!

Ok... finally! The project that I identify most with on the Mocha Club site is the one called Orphan Care. I am drawn to this cause for so many reasons... from wanting to adopt children myself someday, to getting to know personally a house full of orphaned children here in Ghana. If only I could take them all up in my arms and keep them forever... unfortunately I can't - and even if I could adopt even one now, it wouldn't be fair to my future husband or the child. I can, however, get their stories out and encourage others to actively take some role in helping to care for orphans around the world - not just in Africa, but even in the US (orphan care is even in the Bible! - James 1:27). Here is an excerpt of the comment I left on Kate's blog yesterday to help explain why I relate to Orphan Care:

"Since I’ve been here in Ghana (I’m working as a teacher at an international Christian school) my heartbeat has been a local orphanage. The stories of the children who I’ve gotten to know and love with all my heart are incredible… sad, hopeful, encouraging, and heart wrenching all at the same time. When I visited Mocha Club last week, the first project that jumped out at me was Orphan Care. I have always felt a longing in me to have a family, and there has always been a still small voice that has said over and over again that part of that family was going to be adopted - children from around the world, a rainbow of skin, children who God has a special plan to become a part of my family - precious gifts wrapped in a different package, adoption. Until that time comes, I want to do whatever I can to stay involved with the orphanage I volunteer at here in Ghana, and others such as the ones through Mocha Club."

Please check out the Mocha Club website and seriously consider joining - only $7 a month, only 1 Mocha that you have to give up! Here is the link to their site:

https://www.mochaclub.org/mochaclub/welcome

and for real finally... why I REALLY need Africa more than Africa needs me...

Almost 2 years ago, God started me on my journey to Africa. A journey that has not always been easy, one that has shown me sides of people I didn't know could be so dark yet has shown me pure joy in Jesus at the same time. God has taught me lessons that I never could have learned in Ohio, that He had specially planned for me to learn during my time here. I have been stretched and pushed outside of my comfort zone, and been ok with it, so many more times here in Ghana that I ever would in the US. I needed Africa to teach me so many things... that I am independent, but only through the support of my Savior. That people are not always what they seem... both negatively and positively. That the passion that I talked about for orphans is a real one and that it really does come from God. That I love teaching, but am meant to be teaching Special Education. That my parents really do know what they are talking about, and that I am so grateful to them & have so much respect for them because of everything they have done for me. That I really can do ALL THINGS through Christ, because He strengthens me. And that my God is a GREAT BIG God, that He holds me in His hands, and that He will NEVER leave me. Not only these things but so much more... that is why I needed Africa so much more than it has or will ever need me.

Saturday

2008-11-16T08:44:00.004-05:00

Some days you can do nothing but throw your arms up in the air and laugh. Either that or fall in a heap of frustration born tears. Yesterday was one of those days for me... except there are two distinct halves to it... let's have story time, shall we?

I woke up late (I guess I hit snooze on my phone without really waking up) and didn't have time to shower... I went into my roommates bathroom to wash my face (because the water is off in my bathroom only because of a broken pipe in the wall which produced flood #4 - but that's another story...) and as I walked back to my room I heard a honk... oh dang! My ride was early. I threw on clothes as quickly as I could, grabbed half a bagel (ya, I got some bagels Friday - that was exciting!), and ran down to the car, hair a hot mess.

Pantomime practice was fine... nothing exciting but not as terrible as last Monday's (that is yet another story...). We did a FULL run through of the entire thing... a total of 4.5 hours sitting out in the heat w/ not much of a breeze. I was ready to go to say the least. And very hungry. The other teacher who is also in the play asked if I would like to go to lunch with her and her daughter after practice, and of course I said sure! So, off we went to drop of her son & a few other kids. Just as we got through sitting in 1 1/2 hours of traffic... the car stopped. Just... stopped. On a hill. With all of the traffic behind us. Ug. Sooo... we pushed! I'm sure it was quite a hilarious sight, 6 Obroni's pushing a huge SUV up a hill - the men in the passing trotros called out "obroni, push hard!" or "Oh, Obroni, why, why??". Thanks guys... Eventually about 5 Ghanaian men ran over and took over the pushing and got the truck off the road into a side street. Of course we didn't have any money, so the kids walked on to Youth Group where we were to drop them off, and the other teacher and I + her daughter walked to an ATM... shew - I sure am sweaty!! She was able to get some cash thank goodness, because I was plum out of it (we had to give what little I did have to her driver to be able to buy some water for the overheated car and just in case he had to get a taxi) so we took a taxi to a restaurant nearby and had lunch. Lunch was really good and her husband made the 45 minute drive to come and pick them up. They were kind enough to take me home so I didn't have to walk/taxi, but when we drove up...

The gate was locked... now the gate to the front door is always locked, and I have the key for that... but the gate to the driveway had a padlock on it - a padlock to which only the guard and one of my roommates have a key. And I remembered - the movie theater opened up and they were all going to go see the new James Bond - I couldn't go because I probably wouldn't be back in time. They took the guard with them as a treat for him... but I guess didn't think about the fact that they locked me out... crap... well... uhhhh... OK, can you drive me to... uhhh... where do I go?! I tried calling another teacher but she texted and said her and her husband were at the movie - I texted back immediately and asked if i could go sit at their house till they got back... no response... ummm... uhhh.... OK, closest missionary families house - how about there! I made a call to the daughter of the family, and she said it was no problem to come sit there.

I rang the bell and Rebecca, the intern, came to the gate. She was surprised to see me, and as I started to explain the horrible afternoon I was in the midst of she just smiled, gave me a hug, and asked if I would like a massage... umm ya! Rebecca went to school to be a massage therapist, and is so amazing for giving us all free massages as part of her ministry while she is here... not to mention she is just fun to hang out with :) - I was able to have a massage, cookies and ice cream, watch a movie, and then ended up sticking around even after my roommates got home and had homemade cheeseburgers (which were SO good) and french fries, and even got a ride home.

Isn't it funny how God can take what has been maybe one of the hardest day's I have had here and turn it into a fun and relaxing evening?! While giving me the massage, Rebecca said "I think God just likes to laugh sometimes, so he throws us off by blessing us out of nowhere" - so true!! Thank you Jesus for blessing me with friends who welcome me into their home, a roof over my head to come home to (even when I get locked out sometimes), food to eat, and especially for Rebecca!!

Stones

2008-11-05T07:37:00.007-05:00

This beautiful little lady and her rockin awesome family have blessed me in so many ways... in devotions this morning Mariah talked about 'collecting stones' like the Israelites did to remind them of the things God had done for them. They collected stones and made them into an altar to God, a memorial as Mariah put it. I just wanted to share a few of my stones - the ways God has worked in my life through this particular family :)

When I first started going over the the orphanage I hang out at every week I heard about a little one who had travelled to the US, to Southern Ohio, to have surgery & I got to see a picture of her... the little girl in that picture looked scared and distant and my heart broke for her. There was talk of me flying over with her at Christmas time, but nothing came of that. As I continued to visit the orphanage I began to develop relationships with several of the kids, 2 in particular because they were so excited that they were going to live in Ohio like me. I realized eventually that they were being adopted by the same family as the one who was caring for the girl I mentioned above.

Fast forward to the day before I was leaving for the summer... I had heard that Mrs. K was going to be at the orphanage that week to pick up those 2 kids I had gotten pretty close to & I was so excited to meet her. We got lucky (or God had a plan... ya I think that's what happened!) and were both at the orphanage at the same time that day. Phone numbers, emails and addresses were exchanged so that while home for the summer I could see about coming to visit and meet the rest of the family. Of course when I got home I had such good intentions about contacting Mrs. K soon in the summer... but I got busy and as the summer flew by I just didn't ever email or call. Eventually I smacked myself in the forehead and said "you have to email her Ashley!!!" and I did... God's timing is so awesome because just as I emailed they were trying to arrange for the girl from the picture to come back to Ghana for her final adoption process which has to take place with her here in person. It was arranged that I would come and visit the 2 children who had just been adopted, and meet the little girl from the picture as well as the rest of the family. I absolutely loved thier home and the loving atmosphere that was gushing from the walls... the 3 children that are adopted from here in Ghana are only 3 of 10 children... 3 biological and 7 adopted - amazing!! The girl I met that day in Ohio was not the same girl from the picture I had seen in Ghana - she was certianly not afraid or distant, but curious, energetic, healthy, and loved. Fast forward again... it was decided that she for sure would be flying back to Ghana with me & because of this (HERES A STONE!) I was able to check an extra bag of stuff for my classroom. You have no idea how much difference an extra 50 lbs. is when moving across the ocean!! The process of the flights and layovers was a long, somewhat tedious, and exhausting one... but she was a trooper!

Since we've been back in Ghana I have been able to help Mrs. K and her keep in contact through emails and squeeze hugs that get passed back and fourth. Mrs. K decided she was going to come to Ghana for about 10 days after all to get the adoption process moving along. We started planning and I was able to help find her a place to stay while she was here, and set up a mini-vacation for the 3 of us to go on for a weekend (STONE). Mrs. K offered to bring me items for my classroom, and my parents were actually able to buy me some things and drive them over to the K's house to bring to me (MORE STONES!!). While she was here, I got to play tour guide and learn so much about thier incredible family and even got to use the 4 extra hands in my classroom one day for an art project. Mrs. K had to return to the states and with tears and hugs we said goodbye. Since then, the process of the final adoption paperwork has been long and complicated, slow and confusing, but God is so good and it is finally all over. That girl in the picture at the top of this blog (and bless you if you've made it this far!!) is ready to go. She is ready to go HOME. Back to a family that loves her dearly and has blessed my socks off... Pray for them as they prepare to get her back - pray that the flights go smoothly and that Mrs. K doesn't get knocked out when she gets the biggest hug shes ever gotten in her life on Sunday at the airport :)

My heart (which broke for her the first time I saw her in a picture) is now overflowing with joy for her.

A few of my stones look like this beautiful girl and her family... what do your stones look like?

Happy Halloween! Errrr... Storybook Theme Day!!

2008-11-02T11:08:00.005-05:00

At AIS we have our own version of Halloween called "Storybook Theme Day". The students (and teachers of course) dress up as a character from a book (and in our class if they had the book they brought it in so we could read it). It just so happened that we had reading month in October this year, so it was the last day of this and the 2nd grade and lower classes had a party (bouncy castle and juice bar!!), and I had asked my student's parents to send in treats for our class party... and then remembered it was also bake sale Friday (the last Friday of every month) - can you say SUGAR??!?! Oh well... it was so much fun, all 9 of my kids dressed up and had so much fun all day :) - enjoy the pic's :)

My girls :)

My boys :)

Me and Meg :)

My whole class on stage for the "parade" - Nana Adjoa (the fairy w/ the wings) won a "most creative" prize!

The high school & their teachers :)

Waterfall

2008-10-28T16:19:00.008-04:00

The chorus to this song pretty much sum's up my weekend... how odd :) - I know the song wasn't written as though speaking about God, but that's the way I like to think of it... Jesus YOU are like a waterfall washing over me, YOU are a mountain top, YOU lift me up and I just want to be where YOU are!!!

Where You Are by Rascal Flatts

You're a waterfall

Washin' over me

I'm a thirsty man

Let me drink you in

I am on my way

You're a mountain top

When I reach for you

Your love lifts me up

All that I want is to be

Where you are

Getting ready to jump with Tina

Jump off!

Swimming to the island

We made it!!

Tina, Liz, Me, Emily swimming in the waterfall

Waterfall washing over us!!

View from the top...

When I reach for you...

At the top of the mountain there were hundreds of butterflies

Beautiful butterfly... beautiful weekend :)

honest, innocent, and quite hilarious

2008-10-21T08:38:00.010-04:00

"Dear Jesus, We praise you, and we bless you, and we worship you and all that stuff. In your name I pray, Amen" ~ boyA

“girl S, you are six!! You know EVERYTHING!!” girlL
“Ya, but she doesn’t know that there are pretty flowers in heaven!” boyD

“Miss Hopkinnsss!! girlS asked me if God can go through your fingernail, and I said yes.” boyL
“No, I still don’t think he can” girlS
“STOP IT girlS!! I told you he cannnn!” boyL (in a strained voice)

“In heaven there is a roller coaster with Jesus. Its true, cause it’s in a game my cousin has. It’s called Rainbow Road.” girlL

“Hey I know the best kind of gorillas. The ones that can play soccer, and I know it cause I’ve seen one! You know that, it can play soccer!!!” boyL

“Something smells.” says boyN
“That’s your breath." answers girlL

Crash Bang

2008-10-16T18:39:00.002-04:00

So I was walking across my classroom yesterday and totally wiped out and smashed my knees, one on the floor and the other against the door, creating lovely bruises on both, as well as raw skin where I skidded across the floor. I've now realized that I must have hit my ribs on the way down and landed on my hip cause they are both aching something fierce today, along with my back... which hurts a lot randomly anyway. Luckily, no Kindergarteners were hurt in the process... actually, no one even saw it cause they were outside for lunch with my wonderful aid, Tina...

just incase you need a good laugh - just imagine it with me! I am side stepping (or something like that...) my way toward the door when **SHWOOMMMM!** down I go, and suddenly I am sliding into the slightly ajar door (and apparently shelves as well), and CRASH BANG... I'm glad that no one was watching, and that I wasn't wearing a skirt anyway. I was able to laugh, which quickly turned into something much more like whimpering/wicing when I had to stand up. My sideways turning right pinkie toe (I tore the ligament or whatever is in there a few weeks ago) goes quite nicely with these I'd say... especially since that occured by way of sliding across my bathroom floor into the sink after crashing onto my back because of a miniflood in my bathroom... slip'n'slide anyone?!?

pinkie toe VS. bathroom sink = sink 1, me 0

knees, hips, ribs, and back VS. classroom floor, shelves, and door = door/shelves/floor 1, me... still 0

I Am

2008-10-09T06:00:00.020-04:00

I AM … excited, tired, hopefull, waiting, disappointed, pleased, frustrated, and so ready for a break from school this Monday!

I WANT… to do well in the Pantomime & get a copy of it on DVD for my family to see

I HAVE ... a heartstring that is being tugged harder and harder by Special Education

I KEEP... hurting my pinkie toes (one can currently turn sideways at the knuckle... eww)

I WISH I COULD … take photography classes, auditing basic ones while getting my masters is the potential plan

I FEAR … losing someone I love while I'm so far away

I HEAR … the air conditioner and kids playing on the playground

I DON’T THINK … I can wait to come home and visit in 64 days!!!!!!!!

I REGRET … not talking and praying with that woman when I had the chance at the homeless shelter this summer

I LOVE … spontaneity, even if it's rare

I AM NOT … sure how I'm going to buy a car, move out, pay for school, eat, and live in general when I come back stateside next year...

I DANCE … every chance I get! I miss Salsa...

I SING … all the time - there is a song for everything, and if not, I'll make one up :)

I NEVER … go to bed early enough

I RARELY … get embarrassed

I CRY WHEN I WATCH … the most random things

I AM NOT ALWAYS … going to be single... I think...

I HATE THAT … I'm missing important things in my siblings lives

I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … nothing - weird!

I NEED … to finish reading the first book for my online class and start the second one

I SHOULD … study for the GRE more since I bought the book...

How!

2008-10-06T08:22:00.010-04:00

I am Running Water.

You may know me better by the name Tiger Lily (in the Disney version of Pan).

I am oh so excited... there will be singing, bollywood as well as Native American dancing, and jokes a'plenty to come :)

Now I should probably go watch Pocahontas...

Hosanna by Hillsong United

2008-09-23T18:35:00.003-04:00

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

Yeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna in the highest

maybe I don't want to grow up...

2008-09-22T08:52:00.006-04:00

Saturday I went to auditions for a part in the British International Players production of...

Peter Pan!!!!

I'm really excited about it... for the 1st time in my life, I didn't chicken out because I was too nervous to sing at the try-out, I belted my little heart out, and I didn't keel over and die of embarrassment!!!! In fact, I did just fine... maybe even well :) - I really think it will be a fun thing to be a part of... I had fun just doing makeup for the 3 performances of Robin Hood last year, and it felt really good to be in the drama scene again after being out of it since high school. I'm even more excited to atually be up on stage, and maybe even saying a few lines!

I should find out by Wednesday if I made it, and if I did, if I am in the chorus or have a part :) I'll let you know ;)

Jehovah Jireh

2008-09-12T08:32:00.010-04:00

I have heard many people talk about how God reveals different parts of his character to us in different ways, at different times of our lives. Over the past year and a half, the charachteristic that God has been showing me is that He is my provider. My Jehovah Jireh, which means "God will see to it" or "God will provide". God reveals this name for himself to Abraham in Genesis 22. I've been reading up on this and hearing a lot about it lately, and I just thought I'd share some things that I found particularly interesting from a few very wise men. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warren Wiersbe writes the following in his book Be Obedient:

"Two statements reveal the emphasis of this passage:
“God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8); and “Jehovah-jireh” (Genesis 22:14), which means, “The Lord will see to it,” that is, “The Lord will provide.”

As he climbed Mount Moriah with his son, Abraham was confident that God would meet every need.

On what could Abraham depend? He certainly could not depend on his feelings, for there must have been terrible pain within as he contemplated slaying his son on the altar. He loved his only son, but he also loved his God and wanted to obey Him.

Nor could Abraham depend on other people. Sarah was at home, and the two servants who accompanied him were back at the camp. We thank God for friends and family members who can help us carry our burdens, but there are some trials in life that we must face alone. It is only then that we can see what our Father really can do for us!

Abraham could depend on the promise and provision of the Lord. He had already experienced the resurrection power of God in his own body (see notes Romans 4:19; 20; 21), so he knew that God could raise Isaac from the dead if that was His plan. Apparently no resurrections had taken place before that time, so Abraham was exercising great faith in God.

God did provide the sacrifice that was needed, and a ram took Isaac’s place on the altar (Genesis 22:13). Abraham discovered a new name for God—“Jehovah-jireh”—which can be translated “The Lord will see to it” or “The Lord will be seen.” The statement “In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen” helps us understand some truths about the provision of the Lord.

Where does the Lord provide our needs? In the place of His assignment. Abraham was at the right place, so God could meet his needs. We have no right to expect the provision of God if we are not in the will of God.

When does God meet our needs? Just when we have the need and not a minute before. When you bring your requests to the throne of grace, God answers with mercy and grace “in time of need” (see note Hebrews 4:16). Sometimes it looks like God waits until the last minute to send help, but that is only from our human point of view. God is never late.

How does God provide for us? In ways that are usually quite natural. God did not send an angel with a sacrifice; He simply allowed a ram to get caught in a bush at a time when Abraham needed it and in a place where Abraham could get his hands on it. All Abraham needed was one animal, so God did not send a whole flock of sheep.

To whom does God give His provision? To those who trust Him and obey His instructions. When we are doing the will of God, we have the right to expect the provision of God. A deacon in the first church I pastored used to remind us, “When God’s work is done in God’s way, it will not lack God’s support.” God is not obligated to bless my ideas or projects, but He is obligated to support His work if it is done in His way.

Why does God provide our every need? For the great glory of His name! “Hallowed be Thy name” is the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13), and it governs all the other requests. God was glorified on Mount Moriah because Abraham and Isaac did the will of the Lord and glorified Jesus Christ. We must pause to consider this important truth."
(Wiersbe, W. W: Be Obedient Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

C H Spurgeon states the following in the sermon he gave titled "Jehovah Jireh" on October 12, 1884 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington (England):

"I believe that the truth contained in the expression “Jehovah-jireh” was ruling Abraham’s thought long before he uttered it and appointed it to be the memorial name of the place where the Lord had provided a substitute for Isaac. It was this thought, I think, which enabled him to act as promptly as he did under the trying circumstances. His reason whispered within him,

If you slay your son, how can God keep his promise to you that your seed shall be as many as the stars of heaven?

He answered that suggestion by saying to himself,
Jehovah will see to it!

As he went upon that painful journey, with his dearly beloved son at his side, the suggestion may have come to him,
How will you meet Sarah when you return home, having imbrued your hands in the blood of her son? How will you meet your neighbors when they hear that Abraham, who professed to be such a holy man, has killed his son?

That answer still sustained his heart —
Jehovah will see to it! Jehovah will see to it! He will not fail in his word. Perhaps he will raise my son from the dead; but in some way or other he will justify my obedience to him, and vindicate his own command. Jehovah will see to it.

This was a quietus to every mistrustful thought.

I pray that we may drink into this truth, and be refreshed by it.

If we follow the Lord’s bidding, He will see to it that we shall not be ashamed or confounded.

If we come into great need by following His command, He will see to it that the loss shall he recompensed.

If our difficulties multiply and increase so that our way seems completely blocked up, Jehovah will see to it that the road shall be cleared.

The Lord will see us through in the way of holiness if we are only willing to be thorough in it, and dare to follow wheresoever He leads the way.

We need not wonder that Abraham should utter this truth, and attach it to the spot, which was to be forever famous: for his whole heart was saturated with it, and had been sustained by it. Wisely he makes an altar and a mountain to be memorials of the truth which had so greatly helped him. His trials had taught him more of God, — had, in fact, given him a new name for his God; and this he would not have forgotten, but he would keep it before the minds of the generations following by naming the place Jehovah-Jireh."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How has God been your Jehovah Jireh, your provider?
How has God been revealing himself to you lately?
What characteristic of God have you been learing about?
Thoughts??

Golden Nuggets

2008-09-08T16:06:00.002-04:00

one time at a certain missionary families house we were having dinner, and the Man of the house said "when we have parties, everyone has to share a golden nugget. Something that has happened to them recently, good or bad, something that sticks out and is worth sharing". I like that... here are some golden nuggets...

- The water was just off for 2 days... it came back on... God is good (cause He must know how bad we were starting to smell!!)
- We got a german shepherd puppy, her name is Roxy, she barks when people are at the gate... she doesn't like me (actually, she only likes our guards and the one roommate to whom she techincally belongs...).
- I am coming home for Christmas... this alone is worth my weight in gold!! After paying for this ticket, I am now officially flat BROKE, but hey... God will provide (He ALWAYS does!!)
- I am really enjoying my class so far this year - they are a great group of kids (not to mention the fact that I actually have some textbooks to use... that sure makes lesson planning go a lot more smoothly!) :)
- Everyone and their Mom (literally in some cases...) has decided to run/bike/swim a triathalon lately, ok, so I'm not that hopeful, but when I get back to the states I really want to start jogging/running and for now I'm starting with the goal of at least walking a 5k, and eventually running one... I'll get there (and Mandie said she'd run it with me!) :)
- A good friend just told me that they are taking a test for a job in a few weeks, and might be across the country when I get back to Ohio if they pass the test and get the job... yet another realization that the world goes on without me when I leave, and that my friends and I aren't kids anymore... we have to get grown-up jobs and sometimes even move away... who am I kidding... I think I took the cake for moving away... now if only everyone else would stay put for just a few more months and let me get home and convince them not to leave ;)
- Just incase I haven't informed you, I have an AMAZING family... parents and siblings who love and support me, not to mention my extended family... I hate that I am missing things right now that are SO important (weddings, graduations, shows, concerts... and the list goes on), but know that I love you all so much, and that my heart is there with you! Take lots of pictures to help me catch up :)

That was really good for my soul... you should try it sometime :)

10 Random Things...

2008-05-28T16:19:00.004-04:00

So I was tagged by Melinda to share 10 Random things about myself... here goes it!

1. I am afraid of clowns
2. Hat's look ridiculous on me... always...
3. Sometimes I spend a long time typing out a text message, revising and retyping it, and then deleting it...
4. I was in a pageant once... Junior Miss America
5. I kindof want to be a flight attendant when I grow up...
6. I can make a mean ice cream cake...
7. Speaking of ice cream... ice cream is my favorite food... I could probably live on it alone... seriously!
8. I went straight from living with my parents to living in Africa... extremes much?
9. I really want to adopt someday... now to find a husband that is up for it :)
10. I don't like being wet... including swimming, and really, showering... but I love the ocean!

Hope that was random enough :) I'm supposed to tag 3 more people... and as far as I know, only about 4 people read my blog, one of which has already done this and tagged me... sooooo I tag... Olivia, Nikki, and Dad - :) happy randomness!! A random picture to amuse you... (that's Olivia... talking? and me cutting Emily's ice cream cake... you know, that mean one I mentioned above? and Mitchell watching excitedly)

Randomocity & Happy Mothers Day

2008-05-11T14:33:00.001-04:00

I come and check my blog every day. Check for what? Good question… someone else to have magically written the words that won’t come to me, I guess. There is so much to tell… so many stories to relay, so many blessings to share. Yet I fail to have the motivation or the creativity to put these things into words here for you to read. I have really had some amazing opportunities and adventures since being back in Ghana after the Christmas break… the Cup of African Nations 2008 was held here in Ghana in January and that was INCREDIBLE to witness! I am so glad that I was able to attend most of the games that were held here in Accra. Ghana didn’t win overall, but they did great, and got 3rd place. I had a flood in my bathroom (my water heater exploded… fun!), went on a weekend adventure w/ roommates and friends to a place called Ada where you have to take a canoe to get (no cars can go there). It is on the strip of land that runs between the Volta River and the ocean just before they meet and join. I will definitely be headed back to this inexpensive getaway next year! I have rekindled my love for Salsa dancing, taking lessons and going to a hotel where they play Salsa music every week on Wednesdays with my roommate Mariah. My class has shrunk, one student not coming back to Ghana after Christmas break and another just leaving to the states a few weeks ago has taken my total from 9 to 7. Together with my 4 roommates one weekend, I fostered a 2 month old baby girl named Gifty from the orphanage that Amanda, Meg and I go to every Wednesday. She was an angel and whatever family she ends up with should feel very, very blessed to have such a special baby with an incredible story! I have watched twin 15 month old boys who look like they are more like 6 months go from stoic, seemingly lifeless infants to happy, laughing, playing ones. I went to a festival in a town not far away called Winneba with Amanda and some Scottish friends we made, but unfortunately missed all of the festival and rather spent the day at a hotel waiting 5 hours for lunch, and ended up hanging out on the beach and making some more new friends. Just yesterday I helped set up and staff a triathlon, which my roommate Jules competed in and did GREAT! She finished first of all of the women and before several of the teams.

I have also missed a lot. I missed my sister Nikki performing in her creative ministries group at college, my sister Katie performing as Jan in the musical Grease at her high school, and my brother Jon rocking at boy scouts & growing up (he is SO tall & his voice has changed… crazy!). I am missing friends getting engaged and married, finding new loves and loosing old ones. I have lost touch with friends, re-connected on the internet with others, and learned a lot about friendship, love, and me. The simplest things in life matter so much and being here, so far away, has magnified my appreciation of them. A phone call, a postcard, an email with sincere words of encouragement can have an incredible effect on someone’s day. It can take you from tired and weary to smiling and excited in a moment’s time.

All that to say… I don’t even know… And this is the problem :) I don’t write because I don’t know how to say what I’m thinking/feeling. Not so much that I don’t know how to say it, but that I don’t know how to say it without scaring someone or making someone feel bad or getting in trouble or something. So please forgive my lack of posting… I really need to be much better about it, and hopefully with a little encouragement (ahem! comments help with that) I can make blogging a more regular thing (AT LEAST once a month, if not every other week…).

And ohhhh ya! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY – I love my mommy so much, she is the best and I certainly don’t know what I’d do without her… give your mom a hug today, don’t take advantage of the fact that you can do that, I sure miss it!!!

Bbbb.. Bllllooo... Blllooooggg... BLOG... what's that?!

2008-04-07T17:14:00.007-04:00

Well dear readers (the few faithful readers that remain after my loooonng absence), I must ask for forgiveness once again... I seem to have disappeared! I have tried several times to sit down and formulate thoughts or give the effort to put up just a few pictures, but I just haven't had it in me. I have had a desire to write, but just couldn't seem to muster up the words. And still, I really want to write about so many things... about my recent trip to Spain, about the orphan that my roommates and I took care of, my feelings about school and Ghana and coming home, and just life in general. Once again, I feel myself being resistant to this and I just can't quite do it... SO I decided that some pictures of the last 3 months would be better than NOTHING... so without further ado... I present... 2008 so far in a nutshell! Enjoy!!

Walking to the stadium for the opening ceremony and first game of the Cup of African Nations (CAN 2008)... I wasn't prepared to go this day, hence my very Ghanaian, non matching style :)

Waiting for the opening ceremony to start... we were a litttlllleee early... try 2 hours! SOOO hot!

Opening game! Ghana vs. Guinea, which of course, we won :)

Video is of the crowd singing in unison... it was SO loud, but an awesome experience!!

Standing in front of our hut in Ada, the place we stayed is on the beach between where the river and ocean meet up... so beautiful!! AND how perfect is it that Amanda and I got the door painted as the Spanish flag :)

On the canoe on our way out of Ada... there is no road to Maranatha (the place we stayed at), so you have to walk on the beach or take a canoe to get there!

Happy Birthday to me! Amanda took me out for sushi, and I ended up being a very cheap date ;) - they gave me my dinner free, plus this AWESOME sushi roll, almost all of the things in it were firsts for me to try!! It was GOOOOODDD!!

They even carved Happy B-Day into a cucumber and put a candle in it :)

Playing pool at a surprise party for some surprise friends, Ahmad and Sophy, an Egyptian couple living here in Accra! (oh ya, and by the way... meet Meg! She is the one in the center, she is our new roommate as of January... we love Meg!!)

And this precious thing is Gifty. Gifty is a 2 month old orphan from Beacon House, the orphanage that Amanda, Meg, and I go to every week to play with the kids. Gifty's mom could not take care of her due to mental illness, so on a trip up to the North one of the local missionaries brought her down. Because there are several other babies at the orphanage right now, it was very tiring for the house "mom" to get any sleep. My roommates and I volunteered to be foster mom's for the weekend and LOVED every second of it... Gifty is the sweetest baby you will ever meet... so easy to take care of and love!! This was definitely not an experience I will ever forget, nor would I trade it for the world!!!!!

After this comes Spain... but there is no way I could choose 3 or 4 pictures for this post, so I think that Spain will have to wait for another day when I feel like typing more, and for now, I will just link the albums where you can see all of the Spain pic's posted on Facebook:
Album 1:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2041697&l=3e9d5&id=141300005
Album 2:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2041700&l=b9914&id=141300005
Album 3:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2041702&l=2ef2a&id=141300005

From the mouths of babes...

2008-03-12T05:49:00.004-04:00

What my kindergarteners think of me on my birthday in the form of an acrostic (thank you Miss Melinda for being creative and making my birthday wonderful!!!):

M y friend (Maxine)
I very very love her (Gloria)
S he's my best teacher (Jardyn)
S he loves me (Jardyn)

H appy (Jardyn)
O bey Miss Hopkins, I will (Gloria)
P rincess (Maxine)
K ind (Jaden)
I s love us (Noe)
N ice (Silas)
S weet (Maxine)

Let It Be

2008-01-13T17:56:00.000-05:00

This song has been stuck in my head a lot the last few evenings... it's a great song (listen to it if you haven't heard it!). It's by SuperChick. It helped to get me through some pretty tough times in high school, and continues to be a great reminder for me today to "let go, and let God" (as they say). I know it always applies to my life, and maybe right now it applies to your life too. I hope that you are blessed today and this new year, for coming here and checking in on me, for your support, and maybe it's you who needed these words today, not me...

SuperChick - Let it Be

Some people bring you gifts, some bring you bricks to weigh you down

So they can swim a little higher while you drown

Some people mean so well, their way was the best way that they've found

But any other way you choose is a brick that weighs you down

So tell me

What do I do with this backpack full of bricks

Of sticks and stones and words that stuck to me like ticks

Let it go, let it be

brick by brick we can be free

Of all the words we say til we were our own enemies

Let it go, let it be brick by brick we can believe

in the person God intended us to be

Let it be.

Some people give themselves a brick, I know most people do

When we compare, we fall short somewhere, its always true

If all we see is where we fall, weve bricked the prison wall

Instead of trying to learn to fly weve taught ourselves to crawl

So tell me what do I do with this backpack full of bricks

Of sticks and stones and words that stuck to me like ticks

Let it go, let it be

brick by brick we can be free

Of all the words we say til we were our own enemies

Let it go, let it be brick by brick we can believe

in the person God intended us to be

Let it be.

We could believe in ourselves more

We could try for unique instead of trying to conform

We could defy what they tell us

And dont buy the lies they sell us

And we're brave we can believe in what we are

Let it go, let it be

brick by brick we can be free

Of all the words we say til we were our own enemies

Let it go, let it be brick by brick we can believe

in the person God intended us to be

Let it be.

New Years Baby!!

2008-01-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

I could take this opportunity to write a sappy blog about how wonderful 2007 was, or how much my life has changed and how much I learned... buuutttt I think I'd rather show you pictures of New Years :) - maybe later I'll sit down and try to be slightly intellectual? ha... or not!

Rockin the 80's wear!!

Neon pink lips and bright blue eye shadow... 80's anyone??

the whole group (those of us that were brave enough to dress up at least!)

Love my Nel!!

Go Bucks!!!!!! (Beat LSU cake... love it!!)

Snow!!!

I got my hair cut!!!

What do you think?? (not a great picture... but hey!)

Christmas is coming!!!

2007-12-14T17:51:00.000-05:00

Christmas is coming, and I couldn't be more excited... excited to have a break from school (which is finished for 3ish weeks TODAY!!), excited to fly home and see everyone, excited to buy things in America for my new friends here, and things that I need so much for my classroom & presents to spoil my children with.

I have realized/learned over the last 5 months so many things... here is a list of a few of them:

1. I appreciate, love, and respect my parents more than ever

2. I love Ghana, it is my home now... I am going to US (as they say here) on vacation...

3. Trust is fragile, and I give mine to people pretty easily

4. Trust is fragile, and people will abuse it

5. God blesses us through other people in ways we would never expect if we allow Him to

6. There are some people who are just fun to be around and make you feel great

7. Most 5 year olds fit into the above description :)

8. There are some people who will make you feel small and inadequate so they can feel big and powerful

9. I wish that everyone agreed with us, and it really didn't matter if you were black or white, Mr. Jackson!!

10. I am extremely blessed

Through my experiences here in Ghana, I am being stretched. God knows my weaknesses and is presenting me with challenges and giving me opportunities to grow and learn. I pray that in my sinful human nature I do not take this for granted and simply place blame and point fingers, but consider the lesson to be learned, and what I can do to rectify any problems. If I never had tough times in my life, I wouldn't appreciate all of the wonderful times quite as much. If there wasn't pain there wouldn't be growth, and if there wasn't growth, I wouldn't be satisfied. As I get ready for this exciting time of Christmas vacation that is coming in the next few weeks, I will be challenging myself (and I hope that you would too) to intentionally seek out good & positive things, reject evil & negative ones, and be a light that shines brightly for Christ, one that people just know that there is something different about.

May God truly bless you over this Christmas and New Year!!

Photo Blog #3 - Bike Hike & Thanksgiving

2007-11-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago I had some friends visit from Cape Coast (I went to high school with 2 of them and the others go to college with them... they're doing a 4 month teaching abroad program) We went up to the mountains (Aburi) and did an 11Km bike hike... let me tell you that it was pretty much the most physically challenging thing I have ever done, and will probably never do it again (because I barely, BARELY made it this time!!), although I would love to go back and do a shorter version :) - I can't even begin to accurately explain to you the beauty of the jungle or the smell of anice (the spice that they make black licorice with...) permating the air... but here are some pictures for you to enjoy!! (also, Thanksgiving with the Cabreras, an amazing family that treats us like gold, and we love dearly!!!)

Looking down the crazy hill we started off with... the first thing I said was "Do we have to come back up this at the end??" the answer... YES...

Off we go... (yes, we know we look HOT in helmets!)

the view from my seat... notice how narrow the path is?? made it interesting!!
A quick stop for a photo op :)

Amanda B. got a great picture of whta the inside of coco looks like... its yummy!!!

Learning how palm wine is made from our guide, Julius (p.s. he goes on the bike hikes several times a day, 5 days a week... rediculous!!)... so unsanitary!!!

The little village we went to just off the path (there are 20 people that live here and they mainly farm and raise cattle... about 6 of them)

We made it!!!!

Roomate love... oh man were we WIPED OUT!!! (I really was trying to smile...)

Waiting in line for food at Thanksgiving... we're hungry!!

Sharing the things that we are thankful for & praying :)

Melinda had us over to help put up Christmas decorations... I just really like this pic of Amy & I!

I love...

2007-11-21T07:18:00.000-05:00

as promised... a list of all of the things that I LOVE about Ghana

~MELINDA POITRAS
~the smiling face of a child yelling "Obruni, obruni!!!" (and sometimes "give me money"...)
~trotros (tin can vans that you pack 18 people into and can ride for an hour for less than a dollar)
~fresh, all natural produce available at every street corner
~the genuine friendliness of the general Ghanaian population (of course this isn't true of everyone)
~"You are welcome!!"
~no matter how little people have, they are always willing to share it
~"its nice to be nice"
~our guards being told that we must live here, because we weren't easy to rip off :)
~having 2 wonderful gate guards who bend over backward to make sure we are well taken care of
~not being phased by a rooster/goat/lizard running under my feet while walking
~the way you can tell its going to rain because of a thousand things (the clouds, the wind, the trees & leaves, the way people suddenly disappear and run inside)
~the way it starts downpouring out of nowhere and having water up to your ankles after its only been raining for 1 minute
~the pride that the people have in their country
~watching futbol matches
~the fact that I get to attend African Cup games in January!!!!!!!!
~the way it smells when it rains
~the beautiful red dirt
~the FOOD!!!!!! (it is so yummy!)
~plantains!! (fried, grilled, chips, etc... etc... - I love plantains!!)
~the hussle and bussle of the markets, and the peacefulness of the jungle
~the way my Ghanaian friends say words like rediculous, thigh, and anything with an r (which is usually pronounced as l... so frog sounds like flog... ex: "I'm aflaid of flogs")
~Twi and the crazy sounds that you have to make & distinguish when speaking/hearing it (most of which I can't hear or make)
~Beacon House, and knowing that there are 20 or so kids who look forward to seeing Amanda and I at least once a week and who sometimes tear up when we leave
~knowing that those kids are being well taken care of while they wait for their adoptions to go through
~feeling high profile when attending events at embassies and ambassadors residences
~the fact that some things are rediculously cheap (others, however, are rediculously expensive... and this I do not love)
~being called the "big one", and the fact that its a GOOD thing :)
~walking... everywhere... which = loosing weight
~the smell of anice (black licorice) permeating the air while on an 11km bike hike through the jungle
~getting clothes tailor made to fit me
~exchanging phone numbers with an old couple on a trotro, just because they like my name and want to make sure I'm doing ok
~appreicating the small things... like getting a tube of toothpaste or a recces cup :)
~9 kindergarteners who love me & I love right back
~roomates who are here to serve Christ and have good hearts
~the fact that God is teaching me that He is all I need...

I think I might have managed to make this list even longer than the last :) so see, I really do love it here, and know that it is exactly where I'm supposed to be, and I wouldn't have it any other way!! I am soo very excited to see everyone at Christmas... there is a physical twinge of longing that I don't think I can accurately convey with words deep in my gut that I know will only subside when I am back home.

** Photo Blog to come in the next few days documenting that 11km bike hike through the jungle I spoke of up there :)

I Miss...

2007-11-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

things I miss (in no particular order):

~driving
~having a car
~Fall (pumpkin everything, colored leaves, leaves falling, hiking, hoodies, etc...)
~ice cream... GOOD ice cream
~restraunts (Red Robin, Olive Garden, Max N' Ermas, Steak N' Shake, Arby's, Wendy's, Chick Fil A, Youngs Dairy, Christopher's, etc... etc... etc...)
~Target, WalMart, Meijer, Sam's Club, Kroger...
~my mommy
~my whole family actually...
~cheesburgers & smoothies (with strawberries...)
~talking to my friends whenever I feel the urge to call (and not paying a fortune for it...)
~my church... the one where I fit...
~Focus
~staying out till 2am on Thursdays, even though we have to work in the morning
~Recces Cups, fruit snacks, strawberries, fortune cookies at Chineese restraunts
~going to the movies
~blending in... not being the big, red, sore thumb everyone points out
~voicemail
~the people that I know love me no matter what
~having potlucks just for the heck of it
~running into people I haven't seen for years
~weekends in Columbus
~friend dates
~did I already say driving??
~not worrying that the water I brush my teeth with will make me sick
~belting out Mika at the top of our lungs driving down the highway
~midnight Kroger runs because we want sprinkles, ice cream, sweet tea, and cheese...
~the predictability of having roast beef every Sunday for lunch (I love my grandma!!!)
~being there when the people that I love dearly need a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, or someone to scratch their arm
~pants that fit
~the outlet mall
~the ability to weigh myself
~my 6th grade sunday school girls
~hugs

Ok, so I know that is a long list... I just felt the need to get it out of my system :) - don't fear though, the next post shall be a list (much like this one in length I'm sure!) of all of the things I LOVE here.

2007-10-31T16:41:00.000-04:00

"Trading My Sorrows"

By Darrell Evans

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure

And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning

I'm trading my sorrow

I'm trading my shame

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness

I'm trading my pain

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

1 Peter 5:5b-11
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Life

2007-10-24T14:41:00.000-04:00

*~*Rewritten*~*

It has been brought to my attention that the post that was previously in this spot was offensive. For that I am truly sorry. In no way did I intend to offend, and if I offended you the reader, please consider this my formal apology and request for forgiveness... here is my attempt at the rewritten version, saying the same thing with different words that are hopefully not offensive.

Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes God doesn't give us answers to questions we ask, and thats ok. God is good no matter the circumstances. His mercies are new every morning, and oh how I am greatful for this. I cannot make it through this life on my own, especially when the pressure gets higher and the stress level rockets. I cannot look back on trials and say "I made it"... the only way that I am here, that I am alive, that I can fake a smile and say "I'm OK", even when I'm really not, is that not I, but God has made it possible. He has carried me.
And the purpose of the original, and this post... please continue to pray for me. Pray for patience, understanding, grace, and the ability to forgive. Pray for my students and our whole school, that I will be able to effectively reach them and their families and that God's plan will continue to be sought after.

Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Raining Relief

2007-10-09T13:20:00.000-04:00

An article on the UN's news site (http://www.un.org/) on September 18, 2007 states:

" About 260,000 Ghanaians have been affected by the floods, according to OCHA (the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), which reports that at least nine bridges have collapsed and the water supply systems in many areas have been destroyed, along with roads and schools. An unknown number of crops and livestock have also been lost.

OCHA reports that a major concern is the possible outbreak of waterborne diseases after cases of diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera were diagnosed in the Upper East region, close to the border with Burkina Faso and Togo.

The Ghanaian Government has declared a state of emergency in the three most affected regions and begun distributing relief items to the flood victims while deploying naval equipment and personnel to help with the ferrying of people and goods to and from those areas cut off by the high waters.
In total, some 200 people have been killed and 650,000 others have lost their homes because of African floods, which have hit 17 countries."

And this article was written weeks ago... imagine how the death toll has increased since then...

Our school is making an effort to do our part in the relief... we want to be part of the raining down of relief onto our brothers and sisters in the north

The following is a piece that one of the other teachers wrote for our schools website:

"This fall, Ghana has had a more generous rainy season than in years. This has meant a better electrical situation, but the blessing of electricity has come at much too high a cost. All of the rain has caused flooding in the northern regions of Ghana. This flooding has washed away crops, homes, and other belongings. Two of the AIS staff, Heather Cline, and Sally Clausel recently journeyed to the north and saw the devastation first hand. Storehouses that should be filled knee-high with grain have only a small pile. Trees have been picked clean of leaves, in an attempt to harvest any food possible. One family of nine is sharing one pair of flip-flops. We as a Christian school cannot stand by and do nothing as those in our country are starving, homeless and lacking in clothing. We have begun a drive to provide food and clothing for these in need. Will you join us in our endeavor? We would ask you to please donate money to allow missionaries in the North to provide food, clothing, and shoes for needy children and families."

If you, as my supporter, would like to help us in this effort, there are several ways to do so. If you are in the states, you can write a check to me and pass it along to my mom for her to deposit (and I will withdraw the money and donate it), or for it to be tax deductible, follow the links along the side of this page (How to support my work) and donate online through NICS (please let me know that you would like your donation to go toward the relief fund and I will be sure it makes it there!)

Thank you all so much for keeping up with me on this thing... I would love some feedback and comments :) I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post, I just wasn't able to quite find the words for this particular post, because of how serious of an issue it is, and how much I wanted to clearly convey it to you all. Thank you for your support and prayers!!!!

PhotoBlog #2

2007-09-25T09:22:00.000-04:00

PhotoBlog #2 - A day in Aburi (a town in the "mountains" where there is a botanical garden) and Boti Falls (beautiful waterfall "near" Aburi... near meaning an hour and a half away)

I love my roomates :) Amanda, Evie and I under a really cool hollow tree (no, we didn't plan to all wear blue)

Standing inside the tree looking up into its hollowness...

A beautiful view down into a valley below the gardens

A beautiful flower in the gardens!!!

Traffic on the way to Boti Falls... ohhh what a sight :)

Climbing down the stairs to the falls... it was a looongggg way!!

Standing down by the water (it has rained so much lately that we couldn't go any further than the stairs!!)

Daniel and Jonathan ventured over into the bush a ways and got quite close to the falls

My favorite picture I've ever taken :) so beautiful!!!

Amy and Evie trying Coco... it was really yummy!!

and Amanda and I... wrong camera Amanda!!!!!! :)

We had so much fun, and even though we spent hours (quite literally... about 5 in all) in a trotro (a rickety old van that you shove as many people as possible into, up to 15 or 16), were sweaty, tired, and maybe even a little cranky, it was so totally worth it!!! If you are ever in Ghana, I would totally reccomend going :)

(to view the rest of the pictures from the day, click this link to see the Facebook album!!)
http://cedarville.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032697&l=44fdf&id=141300005

Reason, Season, Life...

2007-09-19T05:30:00.000-04:00

This week I am writing about youth group again… I guess I must like it!! Julianne (my housemate from Canada) spoke this weekend and gave her testimony. Several times, she said something that has really, really been weighing on my mind. IN college she had a friend who was a Missionary Kid (MK) in Italy growing up. He must have been very wise because he said these words to her, and they impacted her greatly, and have now impacted me as well.
Some people are in our life for a reason. We may never even realize what that reason was, but sometimes God only allows us the chance to know someone for a short time, and a certain specific reason.

Some people are in our lives for seasons. The season may be short or long, good or bad, but they are seasons. For example, college was definitely a season for most people, and there were close friends there that are lost after. Seasons come and go throughout the year, and some people come and go in the same way. God has placed them in our lives for more than just a simple reason, but for a season full of them.

Some people are with us for life. You just can’t get rid of em! Of course family falls into this category, but there are a very small handful of others… God allows a bond to be created that comes from above and just can’t seem to be broken.

After hearing these things, I have mixed emotions. I am excited to think about those that are with me for life. I know that this includes my family and I am so blessed to have a family that loves me. I also think about the small handful of friends that have been with me for most of my life already, and I am sitting here welling up with tears thinking about how blessed I am to have them in my life. It is so hard to be so far away, and to feel like I am missing things and almost like I am not being a good friend… but I know that I am right where God wants me to be… and I know that they are some of the few who understand that, and love me just the same whether I’m the next town over, or thousands of miles over the ocean.

It is hard to think about those who are here for just a season also… some of these people become so dear to us and it feels unfair for them to not be a part of our lives forever. I have to remind myself that God has a purpose in this, and His intent is for good. I think about those who have been in my life in the past for a season, and smile upon the things that God used them for in my life, the lessons learned and the blessings.

All of these things being said, I want to say thank you. Thank you for being in my life, whether it is for a reason, a season, or for life. Thank you for blessing me, whether it be simply by reading this blog, even if I have never met you, by supporting my in prayer or financially, or being my friend. I am so grateful that you are allowing God to use you in my life, and that He is blessing me through it.

It is the end of rainy season here in Ghana!

Be Blessed

2007-09-11T09:38:00.000-04:00

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" ~Matthew 5:8

This weekend I attended the church's youth group, and Mr. Ike, the man who leads along with his wife, spoke about Jesus and the beatitudes. We talked about what it means to really be poor in spirit, merciful, peacemakers, and persecuted. We got the chance to break up into small groups, and I joined a group that mostly had girls of the junior high age. Mariah, one of my housemates, was in charge of that group, and had us all pick one that we wanted to strive to take personally and make it our own. At first, nothing jumped out at me, and I was getting a little nervous that I would not have anything to say when it came my turn going around the circle. I read through all of them again, and BAM, verse 8 jumped out like you wouldn't believe. All of the sudden I remembered all kinds of things that went with this verse, and I actually got a little bit emotional. In school, I remember one professor talking about how we have a vertical relationship with God and a horizontal relationship with others on the earth. If our relationship with God is out of line, those relationships with humans will therefore be thrown off. I think that these two things go hand in hand. If there are things that we are harbouring in our hearts (any sin, whether anger or resentment toward another person, some idol we are clinging onto, a plan that is not God's, etc...), we will not see God clearly. It's like these things are smoke, and when they are inside us, we can't see God through them... not that He isn't there anymore or left us, but that we have clouded our own vision. I think a lot of times we turn it around and blame Him, thinking that it is Him who is "hiding" from us, or not sharing His will with us. This is SO far from the truth! When we keep this "smoke" inside, and don't give it over to Him, of course we can't see through it, but if we breath it out and lay it down at His feet (which never went anywhere), we can then truly and clearly see Him for what He is, our Creator, Master, Provider, Father, and Friend...
That has just been on my heart, and we all made a commitment to really focus on our chosen beatitude this week... I would challenge you to read through the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and choose one for yourself to personalize and strive for!!

2007-08-27T07:12:00.000-04:00

My Street, Lilly Lane!!

the front of our lovely house

"Prison in Paradise" - the top of the wall w/ barbed wire & a palm tree

Julianne working on carrying "Junior", a random baby at the soccer game we went to

Me dancing to the beat of the drums with all of the Africans taking pictures of ME instead of the other way around as usuall :)

These are just a few pictures to let you in on a little bit of my life here in Africa :) - I will tell of all of the wonderful stories of having no water for days, no electricity randomly, sketchy internet, coffee pots on fire, etc... etc... Hope everyone is doing well... please leave comments and send emails/facebook messages to let me know how you are all doing!!!!

2007-08-20T18:56:00.000-04:00

As I write this, my students are laying down for quiet time… today has been a good day, no, an EXCELLENT day!! Mostly because I haven’t had to send anyone to the principles office, like the first three days. I still only have 6 of my 9 students, one of which only speaks and understands French, another speaks Korean and very, very little English (but understands it well enough to figure out what’s going on), I have two teachers kids (which is challenging), one who is not told no by her guardian & is not used to being told what to do, and one who is four, but is super helpful and makes my life easier by doing things like sweeping the floor voluntarily. They are all great kids, and I already love them… but they have given me a headache or two already. The first day was really tough for Noe (the boy who only speaks French). He was confused because his mother told him that after he ate she would be there to get him, meaning after lunch. Well, we have a snack at 9:45, so when she didn’t show up, he wasn’t happy. He was polite to me (I think anyway…) but I could tell he was frustrated, so I got the French teacher to come talk to him. He started freaking out and screaming, so she had to take him in the hallway, and he didn’t like that, so he hit her. He definitely got taken to the principles office (ok, technically I didn’t send him…)!! The next day, Maxine decided she didn’t want to do anything I said, and that she would ignore me… I was at a loss for what to do, so I asked Tim (the Director) to talk to her… she did the same to him & ended up having to sit in his office for a while. On Friday the Preschool teachers son (Silas) didn’t want to leave his mom, or come into the classroom. His mom took him to the office to have Tim talk to him, and he ended up falling asleep, so we are thinking he was just tired…
All that said, today has been a great day!! Noe made it all the way through lunch without even getting upset, Maxine is following directions and obeying, and Silas is his usual smiling self J. One huge prayer request though is the preschool teacher, Auntie Jean. She lives an hour away up on a mountain and she started bleeding on Saturday night. They were able to make it down the mountain and into the city in time and got her to the hospital, and praise God there was a surgeon there!! She very easily could have bled to death, but it wasn’t quite her time yet, she made it & is doing much better. Please pray for her & her family, her husband is not a Christian.
I am doing really well here; I love the people, and even the food!!! We are finding a place quickly among the teachers, the community, and the church. The church has a big futbol match this Saturday against another church in the area, and a few of us are going to root them on!! Check back later for pictures J - The Facebook albums in the last post have been updated with, more pictures, click them again to see!! Here is another with pictures of my students and classroom! Enjoy!!

http://cedarville.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030851&l=97b90&amp;amp;amp;id=141300005

Walking home from school - this is my street, my house is up on the Right.

Oh the places you will go...

2007-08-10T18:02:00.000-04:00

As I think of that statement, made by an incredibly wise man (Dr. Seuss of course!!), I am blown away by the blessings that are falling in our laps. We have already had so many amazing opportunities and met some incredible people... one example of this... there is an Italian woman living here in Accra with her son & 2 adopted daughters, and their house has been turned into an orphanage and school. These kids are some of the most amazing children I have ever met, and are so grateful for the things Romana is doing for them. I have had a desire to work with an orphanage long before coming here, and knew that there was one in the area. Romana is an amazing woman, and it just so happened that upon arriving, our house was scheduled to have its electricity off, so I stayed there at the orphanage with her. She took us in & treated us as one of her own right away. I mentioned wanting to get in and work with the kids casually. Well, about a week later, after all of my roommates had arrived (all of whom I love, and I will tell you all about them as we go), I was talking to Amanda and discovered that she was also interested in working with the orphanage. Long story short, we talked to Romana and she said she would love for us to help out whenever we can, and it just so happened that the next day they were taking a field trip to a bead making factory, and she had room for the 2 of us to go!!!! Going with these kids and visiting this "factory" was such a blessing... we got to see the process to make the glass beads, sooo much hard work goes into each and every bead. Afterward, we went to another of the teachers at AIS's house and had a snack before the hour long drive back to the house. The kids were all so truly gratefull for the small snack, and played games with the 2 other girls that came as helpers. This is just one of the experiences I have had so far... I have failed to be diligent with updating this blog, but I have been taking lots of pictures!!! The most recent adventure was a trip to the HUGE market in downtown Accra (Mikolo Market), details to come (of that trip, or maybe another!) - Please feel free to leave me comments or shoot me an email, I would love to hear how you all are doing, and chat for a few minutes!!!!

If you would like to see pictures of the bead factory click this link below, which will take you to my Facebook album:

http://cedarville.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030089&l=67699&id=141300005

For pictures of the trip to the market, click here:

http://cedarville.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030356&l=4ad94&id=141300005

I am in Africa!!!

2007-07-30T07:21:00.000-04:00

I am in Africa… I am in AFRICA… I AM IN AFRICA!!!! Everything went smoothly with all of the plane rides and layovers, only one short delay, but that didn’t cause any trouble, since I had another 7 hour layover coming up in London (after the supposed to be 7 hour, turned to 9 hour one in Toronto & 2 hours in Chicago)! I got to the airport and had no trouble in immigration or customs (the immigration officer wasn’t even going to say a word to me until I thought he asked how I was & I said “I’m good, how are you?”And he said “I’m doing well, and you?” Uhhhh… “I’m good!” I laughed on the inside J My bags arrived all in one piece, everything still inside the locks, and only minor cosmetic issues on the bags themselves (a few small scratches or stains, but nothing terminal!) After my long 2 day plane ride, I was very ready to go jump into bed, but I was also excited to see the city, my house and the school. Turns out our electricity was off that night (it goes off for 12 hours every other day, alternating between day and night each time), so were to stay at the local orphanage with a wonderful woman named Romana (she is Italian to the hilt!) I got to meet a few of the children, and I am so excited to go back and work on volunteering there! I also learned today that there is another orphanage locally that takes in children with special needs! I can’t wait to visit this one and possibly see about working there as well.
There is a missionary family here that has taken such good care of us, feeding us and letting us borrow their internet (the school has internet, but it is a little irregular), and carting us around so that we can get things set up. They have 3 kids, all of which are super fun! Their 4 year old son will be in my kindergarten class next year, and he says the funnies things, makes the funniest faces, and makes me so excited for school to start!!
We made our first meal today as a house (the three of us that are here, Mariah, Julianne and I), spaghetti and plantain chips… yummy!! Ok, so we still don’t have any food in the house, but we are going to the Medina Market tomorrow (I can’t wait to see that!!) Yesterday we went to a place called “Freddy’s Corner” to get my cell phone, and it was CrAzY!!! There were people everywhere, you could barely move, people trying to get your attention to try and sell you stuff… and have I mentioned that we have a driver for the school and he is the best driver that you will ever see?!!!?! He maneuvered our school van (not car) out of the “parking lot” (which was really just the sidewalk in front of this place) and on to the street without killing anyone… AMAZING!! J We are very grateful for William and his awesome driving skills!! It is so weird to have people doing everything for you but walk basically… there are gate guards that let us in and out, who take our bags and carry them, and take out the trash, a cleaning woman who is going to clean, iron and do our laundry, and we might even get a cook a couple times a week. They are such a blessing to us, and I just hope that we are to them as well. It is hard for me to not feel bad, but when I realize that if we were not paying them to do these things; they would have no income, which makes me feel much better!!
Today we experienced getting stuck outside in the rain for the first time… wow… it was so neat, you could see the rain coming down the street, like a wall moving toward us. It was not so neat that Daniel (our gate guard during the week) didn’t hear us ringing the bell and we had to wait a few minutes in the downpour before we were let in. Just before it started raining we took a taxi (my first EVER! And it only cost us about $1.00 total!!) to the A&C shopping mall, and then walked back and Mariah bought some super cute earrings from a street vendor for $.50… fifty cents!!! We were almost home, but stooped a few doors down at the “Fair Lady Clinic” to talk to Frances, the brother of the secretary there. He was a wealth of knowledge and gave us some good advice for taxis and getting around, as well as told us about that special needs orphanage I mentioned above, and he actually works there, so it may be pretty easy to volunteer there knowing him! Now we are hanging out at the school, waiting for William and Laurie (the driver and the missionary) to come and exchange money for us, and possibly go with them for dinner. I hope everyone is doing well, and I would love to hear from you all! Thank you for your continued prayers… here are some things you can pray about:
1. Those who still have flights coming in.
2. The director & his wife & the other couple working at the school still need housing.
3. Those in the community that we are meeting and getting to know, that we would be an example of Christ to them if they do not already know Him, and that hey would be open to accepting Christ if not.
4. Things are EXPENSIVE!! I WAYYYY underestimated my startup costs, things like electricity converters, stabilizers and transformers are very expensive, and we need them ASAP. I wanted to buy a small plastic drawer chest for my bathroom, it would cost around $20 in the states, here it is anywhere from $50 - $100 depending on where you look… just to give you an idea J With all that said, I really need more support. Thank you so much to all of you who have already committed to supporting me, but I would urge you that if you have not done so, you prayerfully consider it. If you would like to, you can get in touch with my mom for hard copies of the forms and info, or ask me, and I can send electronic copies of it.
If you made it all the way through all of that, bless you!!!! I certainly didn’t intend to write so much, and hopefully I will be better about writing more often so that the entries are a bit shorter J
Al l my love in Him,
Ashley

(Pictures to come later... when I can figure it out!!!)