See where He has already taken me...

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Thanksgiving Safari! =]


Yes. That is correct. While you were all eating turkey and ham and all that good stuff. I was checking out monkeys, warthogs, and all kinds of beautiful birds! But, let me back up and tell ya the whole story. =]

We left Thursday morning around 8 and picked Alossis and then we were on our way! And let me tell you, we drove on the worst road I have EVER been on. I mean. The WORST. It was a dirt road of course because Mole was out in the bush. It was an interesting drive going through the villages that have no electricity except for solar lights in the middle of the village. Crazy. We also drove by the grave of a "Great Gonja Warrior" that apparently conquered many lands. So, that was interesting and on our way to Moley just before we got there we went through the fairly big village of Larabanga. In this village is the oldest mosque in West Africa. You could definitely feel an demonic spirit in that village. We didn't stop, we just drove by the mosque cause there was no way we were getting out there. But, then we made it to Mole!!!
And we got settled in our rooms and then it was about time for lunch. We went to a little picnic area on the park to eat. So we had our Thanksgiving lunch of ham salad sandwiches, Pringles (yes, we found the name brand! Thanksgiving miracle!), and Coke! So it was quite a festive occasion. Then we went back to motel and Amy and I went to the pool for a little bit. Then it was time for the Safari!!!
Our guide was something else... He was an interesting man. We got to see lots of animals! Particularly, warthogs, different monkeys, deer, and birds. We got to get out and walk a little but we mostly stayed in the truck cause there were all kinds of flies following the truck! It was crazy! And when we went to the watering hole and I'm convinced that I saw a crocodile's eye... Seriously, it was just hanging out above the water. So cool!!! And we just drove around looking at the beautiful scenery. Very cool.
Once we got back to the hotel again I spent some time out on the observation deck when all of a sudden I heard a ruckus behind me! A monkey had ran into the kitchen grabbed some salad dressing and ran out! So there were 3 of em hanging out and one was really close for people to start taking pictures and I guess he didn't like that so he ran up to a guy and grabbed his leg! And it was crazy! So that guy ran away and then the monkey came over to the observation deck and I took a picture of him and the flash freaked him so he started coming for me!!! So I started freaking out and laughing, well apparently he didn't like my laugh either cause that scared him away! hahaha! How funny is that? Anyway, then it was time for dinner and my Thanksgiving dinner was spaghetti =] Delicious! haha! We played a couple games of Euchre then we all hit the hay! Cause the next morning we had to get up super early for our morning safari! We had an awesome guide for that... But, we still didn't get to see any elephants. =[ I was sad! But, again it was still awesome! After the safari was the long drive back to Buipe! And the road is always longer home. Especially when its terrible dirt road!
Then Friday I had my club and then this morning I had my club. Which was awesome. I love my kids. Hard to believe I only have 3 more clubs left with them. But, I don't want to think about that yet. But, keep praying for them. We are now talkin about Jesus and I'm just hoping and praying that they will see and know that Jesus died for them! So keep praying with me!

Hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving Safari! =]


Yes. That is correct. While you were all eating turkey and ham and all that good stuff. I was checking out monkeys, warthogs, and all kinds of beautiful birds! But, let me back up and tell ya the whole story. =]

We left Thursday morning around 8 and picked Alossis and then we were on our way! And let me tell you, we drove on the worst road I have EVER been on. I mean. The WORST. It was a dirt road of course because Mole was out in the bush. It was an interesting drive going through the villages that have no electricity except for solar lights in the middle of the village. Crazy. We also drove by the grave of a "Great Gonja Warrior" that apparently conquered many lands. So, that was interesting and on our way to Moley just before we got there we went through the fairly big village of Larabanga. In this village is the oldest mosque in West Africa. You could definitely feel an demonic spirit in that village. We didn't stop, we just drove by the mosque cause there was no way we were getting out there. But, then we made it to Mole!!!
And we got settled in our rooms and then it was about time for lunch. We went to a little picnic area on the park to eat. So we had our Thanksgiving lunch of ham salad sandwiches, Pringles (yes, we found the name brand! Thanksgiving miracle!), and Coke! So it was quite a festive occasion. Then we went back to motel and Amy and I went to the pool for a little bit. Then it was time for the Safari!!!
Our guide was something else... He was an interesting man. We got to see lots of animals! Particularly, warthogs, different monkeys, deer, and birds. We got to get out and walk a little but we mostly stayed in the truck cause there were all kinds of flies following the truck! It was crazy! And when we went to the watering hole and I'm convinced that I saw a crocodile's eye... Seriously, it was just hanging out above the water. So cool!!! And we just drove around looking at the beautiful scenery. Very cool.
Once we got back to the hotel again I spent some time out on the observation deck when all of a sudden I heard a ruckus behind me! A monkey had ran into the kitchen grabbed some salad dressing and ran out! So there were 3 of em hanging out and one was really close for people to start taking pictures and I guess he didn't like that so he ran up to a guy and grabbed his leg! And it was crazy! So that guy ran away and then the monkey came over to the observation deck and I took a picture of him and the flash freaked him so he started coming for me!!! So I started freaking out and laughing, well apparently he didn't like my laugh either cause that scared him away! hahaha! How funny is that? Anyway, then it was time for dinner and my Thanksgiving dinner was spaghetti =] Delicious! haha! We played a couple games of Euchre then we all hit the hay! Cause the next morning we had to get up super early for our morning safari! We had an awesome guide for that... But, we still didn't get to see any elephants. =[ I was sad! But, again it was still awesome! After the safari was the long drive back to Buipe! And the road is always longer home. Especially when its terrible dirt road!
Then Friday I had my club and then this morning I had my club. Which was awesome. I love my kids. Hard to believe I only have 3 more clubs left with them. But, I don't want to think about that yet. But, keep praying for them. We are now talkin about Jesus and I'm just hoping and praying that they will see and know that Jesus died for them! So keep praying with me!

Hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thankful =]

Well, its about that time. It's November so that means everyone is writing thankful blogs... Right? Haha. So, why not jump on the bandwagon. Man, there are so many hundreds of things to be thankful for in my life. Let's make a list.

My parents - Ok, let's be honest. They're a little nuts. But, I love em so much. Who else can call their mom the "Happy Bus Driver" and call their dad idiot and stupid and get away with it? haha! My dad always has a new joke for me and my mom has some insane story about the dog or about her "friends" (soap opera characters) every time I call home. And they are my number one fans. I am so thankful for them because they raised me up in the church and (tried) to make me behave. But, more importantly they trust in the Lord and know that He is taking care of me. And I am SO incredibly blessed to have that kind of influence in my life. They have traveled countless miles to support me in my various adventures. Spent probably an INSANE amount of money on those adventures as well. But, they still let me go and do whatever the Lord has called. They are amazing and wonderful and so stinking crazy. But, I wouldn't have them any other way.

My siblings - Again, let's be honest. They're a little nuts. haha. I know that I did NOT get a long with my siblings very much growing up. But, now that we are grown up I can appreciate them for who they are, even if it seems like we are all the same person some times. Maybe that's why its easy for me to appreciate them? haha! They put up with me and have given me so much grace for me being an idiot in the past. And I know that whenever we get together there are guaranteed to be lots and lots of laughs and movie quotes and sarcastic comments. But, I have 2 amazing sisters and 2 wonderful brothers that I look up to so much. Their ministries are flourishing and the Lord is blessing them. They are crazy and out of control sometimes, and their sarcasm is a bit outrageous, but man I love them to death. I am so thankful to have siblings in the ministry to look up to and learn from. They're a blessing.

My boo - Sorry that you're 3rd on the list love, but I mean my family would kill me if I put you first. =] haha. But, seriously, wow. God has blessed me with an incredible man who not only loves me for me, but humors me and my crazy ideas. He prays for me, lets me quote movies all the time, even if he doesn't know what movie its from, AND he's reading Harry Potter for me.  He loves me enough to let me leave the country for 3 months while he lives under my parents roof without me. If that's not love then I don't know what is =] But, he has been an amazing support and encouragement while I have been over here. I truly don't know what I would do without him. He's my other half and best friend. I am just so thankful for God giving me what I want in a man, but more importantly what I need. Because I needed a shy homeschooler in my life that is logical and thinks before he acts, unlike me. =]

Julie and Steve - My 2nd set of parents. They trusted the Lord when he called me to serve at BOC and opened their home to me. And Steve opened his office to me for the summer. His Harley office, that's no small thing =] And ever since I spent the summer of 2011 in Acworth they have encouraged me to go wherever God leads even if its away from home or my 2nd home. I know they pray for me daily and I am SO stinking thankful for them.

My friends - WOW. I have some pretty awesome guys and gals in my life. One of my friends has been sending me Facebook messages on a regular basis to let me know what new songs have come out in the States while I'm gone. Another friend will send me messages just quoting movies because she knows that will make me smile and there are countless others who are praying for me on a regular basis and I cherish them so much.

My supporters - You guys. My goodness, some of you have been supporting me in prayers and finances since God called me to Haiti in 2010 and I don't know if I will ever be able to truly thank you for what you've done in my life. Just know that I thank and praise God for you all. I am so glad that you have answered His call to support me in prayer and in giving. So if I haven't really said it to, I thank you and I thank God for you!

Terry and Amy - My word. They are amazing. We had only talked via e-mail and Skype yet they knew that God was calling me to Ghana and they opened their home to me and their ministry to me! Most days I wake up and think, I'm living in Ghana... What in the world??? But, this is their everyday life. And I can't believe I get to share in it. So amazing.

Ghana - I am just thankful for this amazing opportunity to live overseas and work with people that have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. I mean. Really, they have never heard. It blows my mind thinking about it. Thinking that God chose me to come and live here and minister to these children. WOW. I'm just so thankful.

Jesus - I mean, do I really have to explain this one... He died and gave me life. He's my Savior and that's about the best thing ever and what I am mos thankful for in my life.


I know there are so many other things to be thankful for and so much that God has blessed me with. But, I don't know if I enough time or space to write about everything. I am thankful for those of you who read this blog, even if its long and drawn out. Thanks for sticking with me =] I am just going to ask that you all continue to pray for me while I am over here. Thursday is going to be hard not being with my family and not being with Ryan on our 1st Thanksgiving "together" Also, pray for my kids, I begin talking about Jesus this week and I pray that they will hear and know that He is the Way, Truth, and Life. Ask the Holy Spirit to be preparing their hearts now and get all of the children to come out to my clubs. Thanks again for all that you have done for me! =]
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!