Servant Style

Grandpa, Aunt, Cole and my Avalon!

2006-03-27T05:27:00.000-08:00

Almost back to normal. Last week was crazy. Monday was just a bad day. Tuesday was good until I got a phone call from my mother saying that my grandpa was in the hospital and it was serious. She dropped everything and did the 5 hour drive there. I stayed behind so I could take my aunt up (my moms sister) who was flying in from AZ on Wednesday. So Wednesday I had a half day of work.. and I missed Thursday and Friday. It was good to spend it with family... I just wish that it wasn't in the hospital.

Well, Grandpa made it home even though he is not better. He will have to come down to the cities to go to the U hospital where they have better doctors and technology.

My brother Cole came home from the Navy this weekend also. It was really good to see him. He just got stationed in Hawaii on the submarine USS KEY WEST! I don't think I will mind visiting him! haha.

Also, I got a call last week (but was unable to talk) and an e-mail from the missions department at IMF. They want to schedule my personal interview! woohoo. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I hope I am accepted and I hope it happens soon.

Well, I'm off for now. My good ol trusty Avalon car is still up at Grandpas so that my aunt can drive back down. That means I have to depend on rides back and forth to work and such. It is really a drag. But its not that bad :)

A good pace

2006-03-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

Things are moving along at a good pace. I am so thankful and so blessed!! Our God is so good!

I got an update from Carol at IMF. 4 out of my 6 references have completed their papers about me. Woohoo. Only two more to go.

Last night I came home and checked my e-mail, as usual, and unexpectedly I got an e-mail from a lady at church. I have never received an e-mail from her so I was excited just because she e-mailed me. LOL. This lady teaches 5th and 6th grade girls at our church. Much to my surprise, she e-mailed Steve (the family I will be living with in Mexico) and asked him how her small group could help their family. He replied to her by helping raise money for me to move there.

Oh, I am so thankful and so blessed. I am so overwhelmed by how amazing our God is. Raising people up all around to be senders.

2006-03-15T10:13:00.000-08:00

I DID IT!!! WOOHOOO

this is a picture I took and then created it! I'm just excited to be able to attach photos now, as I am a photographer! :)

Ok, I dont like them side by side but I cant change it! LOL! The little boy is my baby brother Ian whom I love with my whole entire heart. Isn't he adorable! Yes, real baby bunnies. This photo was done at my work! I loved the set this year!

I like my life

2006-03-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

So excited!! IMF (this is the agency I want to be credentialed (spelling!!) through as a christian worker) called my work today!! I thought they would say that I was approved but they only had a few questions and told my to call my references that haven't turned in their reference yet! haha. 3 out of 6 of turned it in and the three I thought would be slacking are the ones who have it turned in! SURPRISE!

As we all know I am on a HUGE tight budget (I think this will be true for the rest of my life). As I sit here and eat lunch, it is amazing how good the 100 calorie pack of cheese nips taste. (these have been in my cupboard for near a year... desperate times I tell you!)

I made a choice today. I have three dollars. This is true. Three dollars cash. I really really really want a pack of Diet Coke for work. So I sacrificed my laundry quarters and bought the diet coke. I guess I will be wearing clothes from the back of the closet and eating food from the back of the cupboard.

I like my life. I wouldn't change it for the most part. God has called me to serve in Mexico and if that means living on a tight budget... then I will do that. The people I will be serving dont even have an option on what to spend their three dollars on because they dont have three dollars.

Someone please share with me how to post a picture! :)

I wish

2006-03-13T18:17:00.000-08:00

I wish I knew how to post pictures. I've tried over and over and each and every time I fail.

I wish I never had to take out the garabage or do the dishes. It's always worse doing them in your own home than at someone elses.

I wish my response from IMF would come back soon. I don't enjoy waiting. but I guess it's learning.

I wish December would come soon so I could be in Mexico but I wish that May would stay far far far away as I do not look forward to a very intense, busy month consisting of overtime, wedding, graduations, brother coming home, daddinos coming home and also packing, cleaning and moving.

Oh how I wish December was here. But I know that this time is a growing time.

It is not always easy

2006-03-04T18:26:00.000-08:00

My conclusion from this day is that following Jesus is not easy. It's not always 'happy'. There are moments that stink, dry me, empty me. And it is hard. Right now is hard and truthfully I could not do it with out the Lord's help. It would not be possible. And right now I don't see how I will get through this obstacle.

I am struggling with keeping on top of my schedule and also my budget. this is HUGE for me. As being able to keep on top of my budget means I need to work more hours and babysit more frequently. Keeping on top of my schedule means limiting the hours I work, the amount I babysit and also what I do in my spare time. I need to fine the ... would it be the equilibrium point (demand and ... ugh what is it in economics? .. where the two lines cross.. who knows!)

I've been doind so good, and I've been sensing this hard, crunch time coming on. And its hard.

One of my best friends, Joanna is getting married June 3rd. I am a bridesmaid. It is in Las Vegas. I can not afford a ticket to get there.

Amelia graduates from sem school on the 2nd and the 3rd. I've been looking forward to this day since she mumbled the words 'I'm going to seminary school', years back when the boys were still so little... and I can't miss her graduation. Will it be possible to be at it and also Jo's wedding? Is it possible?

This really sucks.

To top it off my apartment lease is up on May 31st and I'll be moving into Amelia's basement.

And I'm trying to keep my schedule and my budget in a God-honoring place.

This is a hard road, a narrow road. (right now.. as I sit and cry at least.)

Whats crackin!

2006-03-01T05:26:00.000-08:00

My IMF app is off, and now I am trying to create my list of names and addresses of all my supporters. It is hard work! :) and every day I am cleaning and going through things and getting rid of things that I will not need and will not need to store. I am so excited for this time in my life of preparing for my mission from God in Mexico, and I am even more excited for the time when I will be in Mexico serving. But I am sad that this chapter in my life is ending. The time of learning how to be self-sufficient, how to budget, how to be an adult, how to really care for yourself and not be under your parents roof. Although this time was not hard for me, it wasnt filled with all joys either. As I've said time and time before, I will really miss my room mate and my kitty!! (thats weird that they are in the same sentence- haha) Here I am drinking the Diet Coke my room mate bought me and my kitty is to my left drinking the milk out of my cereal bowl. God is so good!

God is so faithful to me!!

2006-02-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for so many things.

1st of all.. God makes the impossible, possible. Simple as that!

My IMF application is ready to be mailed tomorrow!! :) I am praying that all of my references respond in a timely manner! They are all amazing people, so I am sure they will! hehe.

I had a meeting with a pastor from Lord of Life church and it went so good! He wants me to speak at a mission Sunday. They are willing to sponsor me and are willing to share my story so others will too! PTL!

Lord of Life wants to send a youth team to Mexico, where I will be. AMAZING!

The Kids Ministry Leader wants her kids to raise money during VBS this summer. They are considering me! WOW! I will be having lunch with her in the near future.

I have made a real tight budget. If it is followed, all of my debt will be paid off December 1st. I was able to make all my goal payments on all bills for the months of January and February. This is huge, because the amount I need to pay is greater than my hourly wage. God is sooooo good!

My mommy gave me extra money this weekend, just because she loves me... this provided me with gas money and also enough money to print and mail my thank you letters from my last Mexico trip! Thanks mom for sharing your blessing!

A wonderful friend of mine paid for my IMF application fee of $125.00!! It would have never been possible with out her!

You see, God is good. He is raising people up all around to share their blessings with me which then bless Steve and Martha in Mexico, which bless the children and families there, and then they can host more teams and when teams go and serve ... they are blessed and they come home with a different approach on things and then they are a blessing in our programs and our churches and our communities. .... sorry if that didnt make sense but the point is this we are all one big team for God! and God is on our side!

Oh and one more thing. I had the privledge of sharing with a group of 4th grade girls this weekend. It was great to share with these children about the children in Mexico. They were so interested! I hope God planted a seed in them!

2006-02-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

I have a two year old brother. I spent two hours with him at the slip n slide (McDonalds) and then we went to Target and bought him a Thomas the Train little backpack (two year old size) and a lunch box for when he will be going to a new daycare (school). He wears his backpack and says "Sace, I DO like my backpack) haha. He is the cutest little lover of my life! I will miss him the most when I am in Mexico. But it's days like today that I will forever cherish in my heart. When I wake up from a nap with him and he is laying on me with his hand clenching my shirt as he sleeps.

Strip me of myself

2006-02-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

It is all becoming a little more real.

I only have 13 weeks before my apartment lease is up and I move into the basement of a family. I am really excited about this move because it is one of the first large steps that is leading me to Mexico. While I live with the Houdeks I will remain working full time and will be paying off all of my debt so that it will be paid off on December 1st! woohoo! The Houdeks have really blessed me because this wouldn't be possible if I still had to pay rent.

The bad news is this: I will not have my room mate or kitty anymore. It is a little first mini departure. I have been room mates with Sammi for 2 years now and it is perfect. She is my best friend and we live together really well. My kitty-- well she likes to play attack tiger but I still love her lil chubby face with my whole heart. and my apartment in itself is sort of difficult to give up. being only 21 it is always the forbidden to 'move back home' (although I'm not- but you see what I mean) But I'm giving it up, not because I cant afford it, but because I am obeying my call to God! and that I will honor.

As I was journaling last night I was crying out to Jesus saying I'm going to miss this this this this and this .. but I am following your path, I am doing what you ask of me and that is greater. And its interesting because a few weeks ago I prayed "Lord strip me of myself so I can become more like you."

And that remains my prayer. I want to be more like Jesus

p.s. 40 weeks until December: all debt paid off and goal month to leave to Mexico if all my support is in.

Deadline approaching

2006-02-16T19:51:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the deadline (ok, my personal deadline... set by Amelio) to turn in my IMF application. (the sending agency I want to become a member of and also become a missionary through) ... so here are the 4 things i had to write about 'on seperate pieces of paper' ... which was actually more challenging than I thought it would be. enjoy!

Conversion experience

I do not remember a specific day that I accepted Jesus into my heart, as some people do. For me, my walk with Christ began when I was an infant and was baptized. That is when the Holy Spirit began to work in my life. When I was growing up my daycare lady took me took church with her children. This is how I was involved in the children programs and learned about God. She was also a singer and I can remember feeling the Holy Spirit’s presence when her words filled the air around me and I knew that this was pleasing to God.
The summer after fourth grade my family moved to Minnesota from North Dakota remember living for the hour I could spend at church because that’s where I felt free to be who I was. I could dance before the Lord and feel Him and touch Him. I felt like a child with a Father, one that loves and adores His children. All throughout kid’s ministry, junior high and high school, there has always been someone who would help chauffer me to church. God also always provided a leader who saw me, saw my heart and accepted me for who I was. This is my journey.

Call to ministry

My call to ministry began when I was in 9th grade at summer camp. Student Life Ministries at Lord of Life Lutheran Church experienced summer camp in Panama City Beach, Fl in the month of July. After an intensive day of learning, worship and fellowship I was exhausted. After a very powerful evening worship time I felt overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. I found a leader and personal friend and mentor whom I knew I could trust. I told her that I needed to pray. We sat down on the beach and the crashing waves of the surf accompanied my tears, prayers, words of worship and cries out to Jesus. I knew that God had something big in store for me but more importantly, that He was alive and was working in me and that I was meant to serve Him.
My free time throughout my years in high school was spent by investing time in families. I made myself available so God could use me when these families needed childcare. A classic example of my ministry to children and families involves a family that I have grown particularly close to. The Houdek family attended the same church as I and I had regularly babysat for their 2 small children. God called Amelia, the wife and mother, to seminary. She and he husband Chris wondered how they were ever going to make family life, ministry and seminary cohesive.
At the same time that Amelia received her call, God also called me to up my ministry to this family. Remarkably, I was enrolled in PSEO which allowed me to have Fridays off of school. I knew this was my opportunity to minister to this family. I committed every Friday to the Houdek family. Amelia would study or rest during the day and I cared for her two small children. My ministry to the family allowed Amelia to obey God to her call while honoring her family and her husband. I believe this is and was a huge ministry. This typifies the ministry that God has prepared me for: I minister not only to children, but to families as well.

Church background

When I was a child in Grand Forks, North Dakota, my daycare provider would take me and my brothers to a Lutheran Church with along with her children. When my family moved to Minnesota, we attended Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ramsey, MN. This is where I ‘grew up’ as I participated in all the programs offered for children, junior and senior high kids. This is also where I became a leader in the church.
I was a leader for sixth grade girl’s Sunday school called POWERSOURCE. I was also a confirmation leader for two years and a volunteer in the nursery. I volunteered whenever and wherever there was a need that involved children and youth.
A year after I graduated high school, I began my adult life on my own. After I established myself in an apartment in Roseville, MN I realized that the commute was too far to attend Lord of Life regularly. I visited various churches every now and then. I still felt a strong connection to God but I found my heart aching for more: more worship, more Word, more fellowship with other Christians. In January of 2005, I started attending Brooklyn Park Lutheran church and currently consider this as my home church.

Current ministry activities

I am currently involved in teaching 4 and 5 year old Sunday school. I also recently returned from a short-term mission trip to Dzan, Mexico. I am now planning a two year mission experience back to Dzan, Mexico working alongside Steve and Martha Fletcher.

Its moments like this

2006-02-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

It's moments like this that I understand why God created me the way He did. It is moments like this when I see myself at my best. It is moments like this that I see all my strange talents or things I'm good at, come together to complement eachother

Right now I am sitting in Tina's living room while baby William is sleeping. Clayton is out of town and Tina is in the ER with Jack. Tina called me and I went to the ER and picked up William and brought him home so she could focus on Jack (hit is head on the brick wall, has a big goose egg and has puked twice) Now I am not saying that I am thankful for these situations, especially my Baby Jack being in a serious situation. I'm just sayin that this is who I am. I help families. I love and adore children, and I love to take care of them... but to aide the family unit. I like to assist parents. It is my calling I really do believe. Its moments like these that make me think I wouldnt want to be any other person. Because when a mother trusts you with her child, that is the best feeling in the world.

When I am a missionary in Dzan I hope I will build a relationship with Steve and Martha, one where they will trust me with their children and the orphans. I pray God will use me to assist their family in ways that I assist my families here in America. Because it is moments like these that make it hard to close this chapter of my life.

Thank You Jesus for creating me to be who I am.

Up for the challenge

2006-02-09T05:29:00.000-08:00

I sit here as I enjoy a nice big bowl of frosted flakes (but the generic brand..haha!) as I get ready to start my day. Today, at work, we will be photographing special needs classes. The individual pictures usually go real smooth but the class pictures are a little more challenging because you can not attend to each childs needs. But all in all they turn out good I love working with the special needs children. I am the photographers assistant, so it is my job to make the child stand in the spot and stay there so they can get their picture taken. This can sometime be a challenge ... and its fun trying to figure out what technique will work for which child.

... I have to go blow dry my hair now! :) I commited to working overtime tonight, I'm already tired and I have a lot to do around the house... it might be a long day!

A hope to explain

2006-02-06T20:17:00.000-08:00

I am going to attempt to explain what I will be 'doing' in Dzan, Mexico.

The day after Christmas (2005) I went to Dzan on an 8 day mission trip with Brooklyn Park Lutheran Church. I didn't know anybody and truthfully I hardly knew what we were going to be doing. It ends up that we (21 of us) stayed with the Fletcher family. Steve, Martha and their three children Melissa, Junior and Michael. Steve and Martha host short term missionaries to come to Dzan and they coordinate their trip. Their house is designed for this. Upstairs is dorm style. It has three HUGE rooms and can hold somewhere around 30 people ... comfortably! hammock style! :) and also 2 bathrooms with multiple showers. On the main level they have their bedroom and their childrens bedroom, the dining room, living room and Martha's almighty kitchen. It is totally dedicated to hosting missionaries. Steve is an amazing man of God. He goes everywhere the team goes, translates every word for us, every body language, every tone of voice. and he coordinates the whole trip. Seriously, in 5 days of ministry our team had 4- 3 hour VBS sessions, all in different cities. I think 3 church services, all of which we were apart of. (testimonies, sermons, songs, prayers, etc) We went to a prison, a drug rehab center, delivered quilts to elderly or families with young children (who have literally nothing) and also poured concrete on an orphanage storage shed. Did I fail to mention that Steve and Martha have 7 orphans living with them and every spare minute our team had we spent lovin on these children. God was amazing! He worked miracles and more than ever before His presence was evident. Martha- can I say WOW! She is such a strong woman! I just fell in love with who she was and how she served the Lord. It inspires me.

I could write on and on about my time in Mexico being the Lords hands and feet and it seems that I only relize more clearly what God was doing. But here is something worthy of praise.

God called me to serve Him in Dzan, Mexico underneath the Fletcher family. I will assist them in caring for the ten children in their home. I will share Jesus' love with them, I will care for them, teach them, play with them, laugh with them, listen to them, grow with them and much much much more. The Fletcher family is opening an orphanage and a home for the elderly. I hope to be in Dzan in December. The Lord has been so faithful in so many ways already. Please pray for me as God is preparing me for this two year adventure. Please pray for Steve and Martha and all ten children in their home, that they would be overwhelmed with Gods love and presence.

Hopefully this summary gives you a glimpse of the journey I am on.

p.s. I'm trying to upload pics.. but I cant! :( awww

Chosen by the Mighty One

2006-02-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

I have this song in my head from when I was in Jr. High Youth group... it goes like this...

God's given us mighty weapons
to live in victory
to stomp on the devil
and walk mightily
so put on holy armor
and don't be afraid anymore
no no more
you've been chosen by the mighty one
YES
and now it's time for war!

This weekend I have spent ... well, de-gutting my closet. That means pulling out EVERYTHING and going through EVERYTHING and it's either I need it, or I dont. It takes a lot of work and for me it is actually hard. Remembering where I got this or that, reading all my cards people wrote me at my high school graduation, looking through photo albums and... aww, the memories. And one thing that is very evident as I look at the past years of my life, God has always surrounded me with strong leadership. People who are men and women of the Lord. And I am so thankful to have 'grown up' underneath them. I am speechless... that is how thankful I am. God has always surrounded me with leaders that whould support me, cheer for me, hold me when I cry, rejoice with me and accept me. It has helped me become who I am today. Our God is amazing and He knows each and every one of our needs. For this, I am thankful. because 'we've been chosen by the mighty one.'

You're it!

2006-02-04T21:44:00.000-08:00

As I sit and entertain myself why waiting for the dryer to be done and yearning to be asleep in my bed... I've been tagged as it's called. So, take a little time and get to know me just a little more! Enjoy!

4 jobs I have had.

1. Church Custodian. 2. Target Cashier 3. Photographers assistant 4. babysitter (but more than just babysitting.. its helping families in a bigger way)

4 movies I could watch over and over.

I dont really ever watch movies.. but here are some of my favs
1. Patch Adams 2. Big Daddy 3. Billy Madison 4. Ummmm... Finding Nemo :)

4 TV shows you love to watch.

1. Greys Anatomy 2. Extreme Home Makeover 3. The OC 4. The Jesus shows late at night on the channels like number 17

4 places you lived.

1. Grand Forks, ND 2. Ramsey, MN 3. Roseville, MN 4. Coon Rapids, MN

4 places you have been on vacation

Well.. it wasnt all vacation but its where I have been..
1. Dzan, Mexico! 2. Panama City Beach, FL 3. Mesa, AZ 4. Las Vegas

4 websites you visit daily

1. Yahoo to email 2. Myspace 3. missionary-blogs.com 4. twopeasinabucket.com

4 favorite foods

1. Cheese 2. grilld cheese 3. mac n cheese 4. shells n cheese

4 places you would rather be right now

Dzan, Mexico.. oh I cant wait to go back!! In bed asleep! In Panama City Beach, Florida!! In Las Vegas with my best friends Sophia and Joanna and just one more... in Japan to see George

I follow Jesus

2006-02-03T05:25:00.000-08:00

The first goal is to finish my IMF application and send it in, and ultimately to be approved membership and to be a missionary through them. All my research tells me that they are a great agency and I am very excited to be apart of them. They have a lot of services they offer to missionaries including trainings which I'm so excited about!

I read this on another blog last week and it has stuck with me:

"I follow Jesus, wherever He leads!"

BINGO!! That's it! That is who I am, a follower of Jesus.

To be able

2006-01-30T19:48:00.000-08:00

To be able to keep in touch with people, to be able to share my story, to be able to tell everyone about my adventure in following God... that's why I created this blog as I begin the adventure of becoming a missionary.

Preparing

2006-01-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

testing..