Christmas Letter

I just emailed my Christmas letter.  If you didn't receive one, and would like to, let me know and I will add you to my list.  I am guessing that as I compiled my list from past lists there were some people that I accidentally left off.

These last few weeks have been busy, but good.  Yesterday I turned in my final assignment for my class this semester.  I have one final left, but that is all.  I have enjoyed the class as it has given me an overview of different types of diseases that cause a wide range of disabilities.

Work has been going very well.  We are in the midst of beginning delegation planning for 2011.  Team meetings have already begun for the youth delegation and the Savva delegation.  We are still accepting applications and are moving towards forming complete teams.  I thoroughly enjoy this part of my job.  It will be especially fun for me as I will have the opportunity not only to prepare them, but also to see them in Kazakhstan during their delegations.

Another project I have been working on is our yearly Christmas project.  This year we are raising funds to purchase 250 wheelchairs for the people of Kazakhstan.  It has been fun to work on the promotional materials for this and set up Christmas trees to make donation locations Christmassy.

Thanks to all of you that continue to support my work financially and through prayer.  I am very thankful for your partnership in the work continuing in Kazakhstan.

Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I got to spend the weekend with my parents at their home in Ohio.  It was nice to have time to relax with them.  I don't think we had ever had Thanksgiving dinner with three people before (always having had guests join us), but it was nice to do that this year.  It was a low key weekend with lots of game playing involved.

I have so many things to be thankful for including family and friends.  I am also very thankful for the work God has provided me with Interlink.  I have enjoyed being able to support the work taking place in Kazakhstan while still here in the States.  I am enjoying what I learn in my class as well.  I also find myself very thankful for the youth that I have the opportunity to work with here in Muncie.  They have such a heart to make a difference in their world.  Several of them will be going on a delegation to Kazakhstan next summer and are so excited.  It is fun to see them catch a vision for the world around them.

I will be updating you more on this in the near future, but I will have the opportunity to spend four months in Kazakhstan next year (April-July).  I will be helping the staff in Taraz facilitate delegations.  I am looking forward to being back in the country that I love and am waiting patiently for the day I get to return for good.  Until then, I am thoroughly enjoying where I am at this moment.

Update

Thank you so much to all of you that both prayed for and gave financially towards my last trip to Kazakhstan.  All the one-time funds needed to help cover my costs were raised.  The side of my blog gives un update on how things are coming along related to monthly contributions.

I have had a crazy few weeks since returning from Kaz.  Two weeks ago I was able to go to Taylor University and participate in my 10th year reunion.  A friend that I played soccer with at Taylor came up for the weekend.  It is hard to believe that I graduated 10 years ago.  I really enjoyed the weekend filled with catching up with friends and spending some time on Taylor's campus.

Last weekend I was able to go down to Oklahoma and spend time with my extended family.  We celebrated grandpa's 80th birthday and my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, which is coming up in January.   Mom, Dad, and Comfort all went as well, so we had a mini-family reunion within a bigger family get-together.  It was a great time of celebrating the love that my grandparents have for each other and the way they have passed that love down to their children and grandchildren.

This weekend I spent 2 days at a YMCA camp with about 100 youth from Muncie.  We had a lot of fun while learning so much.  Although I expected the late nights and busy days to cause me to be tired, they ended up doing just the opposite for me.  The time away filled me with a sense of peace and rest that I had been lacking these last few months.  I am convinced that these youth will end up leading the world in amazing ways.  How fun to see them continue to grow!

I have a busy week of schoolwork this week, so that should keep me busy.  I should be getting out another update in a few weeks related to my plans for next year.  Thanks again for the blessing you are to me.

Back in the US

I am back in the States now and trying to get settled back into life here.  My stomach has been a little upset, but other than that I have adjusted well so far.  My last week and a half in Kaz were pretty hectic, but a lot of fun as well.  The trip continues to confirm to me that one day I will be returning to live in Kazakhstan.  The main question now is "When will that be?"

I had the chance to visit all of the orphanages that I worked in.  It was fun to see the children and staff.  I especially enjoyed a trip to Savva where I got to see my boss, Barb, meet her sponsored child for the first time.  It was also a lot of fun to spend a couple hours playing and talking with the children that live at the House of Hope in Vanofka.  The current Interlink staff are doing a great job working with the kids at the orphanages.  It was fun to see them continue building relationships.

One of the things I enjoyed most during my last week was having the opportunity to see Kazakhstan through the eyes of three people that had never been before.  It is always fun to observe the things that I now take for granted, through new eyes (horse meat, cows walking down the middle of the road, sewers being cleaned out in the middle of the sidewalk, the pleasure of a good cup of coffee, the bazaar, the wonderful hospitality, etc).

I am looking forward to the day that I will be able to return "home" to Kazakhstan to live.  Until then, I plan to continue enjoying every minute that I am given here in Muncie.

Fun Times With Friends

Here are some pictures of some of the fun things I have been doing during my time here.  I am loving being back!

Dinner with my Kazakh family and the American team!

Time with Marina and Yura and their family!

The joy of being a human jungle gym!

Visiting My Kids

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit some of "my kids" at the youth house.  The youth department here was hosting a birthday party for children with August and September birthdays and I was invited to go along.  I was able to see some of the kids from Savva and from Ulan.  It was fun to hear what they are doing.  Some are working, others are going to tech school, and others are studying at the local University.  It was fun to see the surprise in their eyes when they first saw me.  

Today is the first day of Ait (the holiday following Ramadan). Yesterday was food preparation day, so my family was working hard to prepare food.  When some unexpected guests came by, I was asked to finish frying the bread.  I was a bit concerned that I was trusted with such an important task.  I was a bit nervous about messing it up, but I think it all turned out okay.  It would have been kind of sad to have guests over today and serve them burnt or raw bread.  Beth, Vicki, and Barb are coming over to my host home tonight to celebrate together.  It should be a fun evening!  We might just have to get out "Just Dance", the wii game I gave my family.  That would be pretty entertaining.  

Update

Yesterday I had the joy of surprising someone that I used to work closely with.  She is a mother living in Taraz that has taken in four orphans as if they were her own.  Over the years we have helped her financially and spent time with her children.  I was in the office asking Beth a question when one of the youth department staff in our office mentioned that they were going to Rakhym.  Barb and I had finished our meetings early, so Beth suggested I go along (when she saw my eyes light up at the mention of Rakhym).  I hadn't been expecting to see any of "my kids" until today, so this was a special treat.  

When we arrived at their house Shirinkul Apke (the mom) saw me from the window and came running out of the house without even taking the time to rinse the soap off her hands.  The youth department staff were taking the boys to buy suits and suggested that I could stay and visit with Mom while they were gone.  I had a great visit!  I got to catch up on their lives and catch her up on my life and all her friends in the States.  Today I get to go to one of the orphanages in the morning and to a birthday party at the youth house in the afternoon!  I can't wait!

Barb and I have arrived safely in Almaty and have the shortest leg of our trip to go. Here are some of my observations from the trip so far.

• I am a much better traveler than I used to be. I have learned how to keep myself entertained during the long trip.
• It is unwise to serve cabbage in an airplane meal.
• Traveling to Kazakhstan in September is far better than traveling in July. I had a whole row to myself on the second leg.
• I sleep better when lying horizontally than sitting in a chair.
• When the majority of the world (drive/walk on right side) and those in the UK (drive/walk on left side) collide in one airport collide can be the appropriate description.
• Playing slap games on an airplane when you are over 18 can be found slightly annoying by other passengers.
• An airport is a good place to get homework reading completed.
• The trip through the UK (one six hour flight, a seven hour layover, and a seven hour flight) is much more efficient than my past trips through Amsterdam. It also helps that it was cheaper.
• I am ignorant when it comes to the coins of the UK. I had a handfull of coins that I had received in change and needed to buy something that I thought was half a pound. I finally held up a coin and asked the seller what it was. When she said a pound, I guessed that it would cover the item that she said was 50 something (which I have figured out is similar in meaning to cent).
• I am also ignorant when it comes to the rules for tipping a waiter in the UK.
• Mary Poppins is still a great movie, especially the “I love to laugh” song!
• Knowing the end of a movie decreases the stress/anticipation of the rest of the movie and is a little challenging out of context. They started the movies on our first flight about 30 minutes from the end. Since I had never seen “Letters to Juliet”, I didn’t know that it was not near the beginning, although I had my suspicions when people started falling in love and having weddings.
• The letter “r” and the word aisle, can sound similar when spoken with a rich accent. At five in the morning I found myself trying to figure out how big a plane was that would have “r” as a seat position until I figured out she had asked if it was okay that I had an aisle seat.
• If you work the check-in desk it is useful to know that most of the rest of the world puts their month in the middle when putting dates on important documents. As the passenger I shouldn’t have to explain twice why my visa is valid.
• The UK takes their tobacco warnings seriously (see picture below).

Two Days and Counting

On Friday afternoon Barb and I will get on an airplane headed for Kazakhstan.  I finished packing today (other than my carry-on).  By this point I am just ready to get on the plane and go.  However, I do have several things to finish up before I go.

We are making preparations for a Delegation Celebration on October 14th.  We will gather people together to hear about the delegations from 2010 and celebrate the great work that they did while in Kazakhstan.  It will be fun to hear all of their stories.  I have been working to help create a brochure, display board, and some other items that will be used to promote 2011 delegations.  The display board was a fun challenge.  I had never worked on something as big (size-wise) as that.

We have already heard that our flight from Almaty to Taraz will be delayed about 3 hours (not arriving until 11pm).  As a result, we will have about 15 hours in Almaty when we first arrive.  However, this is still a luxury compared to taking the train into Taraz (we will arrive at about the same time we would have if we took the train).  Hopefully the internet will be working as I will be trying to join in my fantasy football draft that morning.  :)

I will try to update regularly and let you know how things are going.  Thank you for your prayers.

Eight Days

In eight days I will be on a plane back "home" to the country that I love to see my family, friends, and children in Kazakhstan.  I am asking God's blessing on this time.

A few weeks ago I had the joy of being able to attend the wedding of good friends, both of whom I got to know in Kazakhstan.  Ember, was an intern with us and while in Kazakhstan she met Kiikzhan, who worked for our company.  Many of you might recognize Kiikzhan's name, since he, Ken, and I worked together on Kid's Connection for several years.  During our time working together we all became very good friends.  Joy radiated from their faces as they went through the evening.  It was extremely fun to spend time with so many people at the wedding that I had not seen for a while.  I look forward to going back to Kazakhstan and being able to tell his mother all about the wedding and how happy Kiikzhan and Ember are.

Side note:  I ended up getting the bouquet ... so be prepared for a wedding sometime soon in my future ... I guess I just I need to find the man to go with the bouquet.  :)  

I have been working full-time at Interlink this month and enjoying it thoroughly.  Thank you to those of you that have supported me either in finances or prayer.  I wanted to go ahead and give you a quick update on where things stand (you can see the sidebar of my blog for a more detailed account).  I have raised about 50% of the funds needed, both for the short-term trip and my full-time employment here at Interlink.  I am thrilled to see God's continued provision in my life.  Thank you for partnering with me so that I can continue on this journey.  I am very blessed!

September Trip

Quick Update:  Recently I purchased my plane tickets to visit Kazakhstan this fall.  The definite dates are September 3-27th.  I am so excited that I will be able to spend time with family and friends in Taraz.  I have a lot to do here in the office to prepare for being gone for three weeks.  Also, I started working full time with Interlink here in Muncie as of August 1st.  We are beginning preparations for next year's delegations already!

One Class Down Nine to Go

It seems kind of bad that I am already counting down the total number of classes before I can graduate.  Last week I finished my first class.  Although at times it was boring, I really enjoyed the information that I learned.  My favorite lecture was on adaptive technologies.  It was fun to hear about all the free things available that I could see helping the kids in Kazakhstan.  The whole way through the lecture I kept thinking of specific kids and how certain types of technology would allow them to have a fuller life.  I am going to take one class this fall in order to gage the amount of work required for one class.  I am looking forward to it, since one of the more interesting lecturers from my last class will by my professor.  

Both of our delegations returned home safely.  It has been fun to hear about their time in Kazakhstan.  This week has been a bit crazy with a lot of meetings at work.  I am looking forward to seeing how we implement some of the concepts we have been talking about.

This morning my mother came out of her bedroom to find me sitting on the couch in the living room.  Since there was a light behind my head, she had a hard time figuring out who was in her living room working on a computer.  Her reaction was priceless.  This is only the third time we have succeeded in surprising mom.  I will spend today and tomorrow with them before heading back to Muncie.  I'm looking forward to hanging out here.

More Changes

It seems like this has been a year or two of change.  I am currently at another set of crossroads in my life.  As you know, I have started grad school courses.  Although I'm not sure yet if I like having to do the homework and prepare for tests, I am really enjoying what I am learning.

Even more exciting to me right now is the opportunity I have to work full-time for Interlink starting in August.  I will continue taking one class, while I spend my days in the Muncie office.  I look forward to the ways that I can continue to be a help to the work taking place in Kazakhstan.  It will also be really refreshing not to be jumping between three different part-time jobs.  It also looks like I will be able to travel to Kazakhstan for a couple weeks in September.  I had just resigned myself to the fact that this would be the first year in 8 years that I would not return to Kazakhstan when my boss approached me with this opportunity.

I just mailed a newsletter that goes into a lot more detail about my more immediate future.  If you did not receive one and would like to, please contact me and I will get one in the mail.  I have also updated the sidebar on my blog to show the funds I will need to raise in order for this to all be possible.  I can't wait to see how things takes shape.

Summer Fun!

I had a great time at SERVE.  My group was such a fun group.  We worked really well together.  The culmination of the week was something called the "Party in the Parking Lot."  All the youth help put on a carnival-type event in the parking lot.  There were inflatable games, food, live entertainment, and all sorts of other free fun.  This year our group was in charge of inflatable games.  This included putting the games away in record time.  A storm appeared quickly and we had to clean up about 10 different inflatable games (with several other groups) in about 20 minutes.  It was fun to see everyone pull together all week and accomplish so much good in our city.

My favorite project was building a short rock wall to accent a park area that we worked on.  It was fun to try to fit the rocks together like a puzzle.  Below are some pictures of my team.

My first graduate class is going well so far.  I survived my first test and paper.  Also, God has provided places for me to stay this summer.  It is fun to see how God continues to provide for my every need.

Graduate School

Once I catch you all up on life here, I won't be posting every day.  :)  I will try to post at least every other week though.  I'll also work on sharing some entertaining stories from life in Muncie.  I do start SERVE on Monday, so I probably won't be updating next week.

Earlier this week I wrote that I will be starting graduate school.  I will actually be starting classes on the 21st of June for a Master's in Special Ed.  I am really excited about this.  I have wanted to gain more experience in this area ever since my student teaching, but it has never seemed like the right time.  Some of you may remember that three summer ago I helped with a camp for children with Cerebral Palsy.  Since then, my heart has continued to break for these children that are often shunned by society.  Before I left Kazakhstan, some of the mothers shared their desires for their children to receive quality education.  My mind continues to go back to that request.  During the spring I did some research about graduate degrees at Ball State and found one that will fit my desire to work with children like these in the future.  I have no idea what God has for my future, but I sense that the next step is getting a degree that would equip me to work with these children in the future.

I am both looking forward to and a bit anxious about my first class.  I'm not sure I am really ready to start studying again, but I guess I will have to.  Hopefully, I can remember how to read a textbook.  The entire degree is online, which allows for a lot of flexibility in my schedule.  I will take one course this summer and then determine the work load I will be able to maintain in the fall.  I can't wait to see where this all leads.

Memories

Today I had the joy of spending some time with four of the youth that I worked with back before going to Kazakhstan.  Several of them just graduated from high school and are moving on to University.  It was so fun to have the group back together and catch up on life and share memories of the past.  I look forward to seeing the choices that they will all make with their futures.

Starting Sunday I will be making some new memories with a new group of youth.  Last year I helped with something called SERVE for the first time.  Over 200 children and youth participate on teams that go out and serve the community.  I had such a good time last year and am looking forward to the memories that will be made this year.  My co-leader is the same one that I had last year and we will be working at the same location.  We begin Monday morning and don't finish until Friday night (including spending the nights).

We will be doing yard work, cleaning up a neighborhood park, swimming with children from a community center, and many other things.  I look forward to getting to know everyone in our group better.  I know we will spend a lot of our time laughing as we work hard to serve our community.

Today also marked the packing party for the first delegation that I have officially helped prepare to go to Kazakhstan.  They leave on Saturday and will be gone two weeks.  Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything important.  :)  Although my heart breaks not to be returning this summer, I look forward to the memories that will be made here.

Long Overdue Update

A lot has happened since I last wrote. I figure I will write several short updates, since I don’t like reading long updates that people write and am guessing you might be the same.  Overall life is going great!

I am loving the moment.  I am going to be living in the same house in the fall.  I will need to stay somewhere else during July and August, as he will be back from Spain for a couple months before returning for the next year.  I am still working out the details of this.

Here are some random things that have been going on ... I will work on giving some more details for them in future posts for those that want more detail.

• helping at a week-long service project for youth in Muncie next week
• sending off two delegations in the next week for Kazakhstan
• completed a handbook to prepare delegates for travel to Kaz
• completed paperwork for 25 visas and received them with minimal problems
• playing on a summer softball league
• finished an 8 week leadership course that really challenged me in so many ways
• applied and was accepted to begin grad school at Ball State - my first class starts June 21st
• continue to be involved in a great small group at my church
• 5th graders that I worked with before moving to Kaz graduated from high school this year, so I have been going to a bunch of open houses

My church had a "small group olympics" recently.  Our small group triumphed in a close put-off tie breaker.  Here is a picture of four of us competing in a corn hole relay.  

Purpose in the Present

This is definitely my busier time at work with Interlink (and with my other jobs as well).  Not only am I thoroughly enjoying my work with Interlink, I feel like I have been very productive.  Some of my recent tasks have included:

• training and sending my first intern to Kazakhstan - from this side of the world
• finishing the delegation handbook (used to train delegates before they go to Kaz)
• submitting visa applications
• periodic preparation meetings with delegations
• meetings with delegation leaders
• preparing for ticket purchases and visa applications for summer delegates (about 25 people)
• helping re-develop an application process for those wanting to live in Kaz
• preparing for the return of interns and delegates

I still have days when I long for the day that I will be able to return to Kazakhstan.  My heart hurts sometimes when I think of the friends that I left behind.  Yet, at the same time, I am completely enjoying life here.  Each day I see how things in my past prepared me for this moment.  It is fun to see how each step in our lives has a purpose.  Sometimes I have to step back and remind myself that this stage in my life is not just a placeholder but is actually a specific stage that I have been brought to for a reason.  I have appreciated the reminder to see the purpose in the present these last couple weeks. 

Reflections Through Transition

I have done a lot of reflecting over the last several months.  One thing that keeps coming to mind is how blessed I am and how much I enjoy the moment I am currently living in. 

I remember a friend asking me what was holding me back from moving away from Colorado (the year before I moved to Kazakshtan).  As I thought about it the things that I didn't want to leave were my friends and my kids (the ones I taught at the Denver Street School and the ones that I worked with at Riverside).  My friend reminded me that my friends would always be there and God would give me new kids and take care of these kids.  Although I have lost touch with this friend, the words he said have never left me.  They have been a constant reminder through all of the transitions.

One thing that I continue to marvel at is friendships.  I continue to be blessed with great friends.  My new friends do not take the place of my old friends, but each has a unique role.  Each time I get to spend time with an old friend I am reminded of how strong that friendship is even though our interaction is limited by location and the busyness of life. 

When my friend said that God would give me new kids, I kind of feared that in giving me new kids He would take my old kids away or somehow forget them.  It is fun to look back at "my old kids" and then look at all the kids he has given me in each transition of my life.  I moved away from "my kids" in Denver and was afraid that I would loose touch with them.  I have lost touch with some of them, but others have popped back into my life in different ways.  My relationship with them is different, but is still very special.

Before moving to Kazakhstan, I moved to Muncie for a year.  During that year, I had the privilege to work with a group of fifth graders.  Those fifth graders are now seniors in high school.  I had the joy of watching one of them experience Kazakhstan last summer.  I have also enjoyed watching others participate in sports.  Although they were only "my kids" for a year, they will always have a special place in my heart. 

Then I moved to Kazakhstan and was inundated with so many kids that touched my life over the years.  Leaving them was very difficult, but my friend's reminder came back to me.  I am encouraged by the new staff working with Interlink that love these children.  I recently received letters from some of "my kids" and they reminded me of the special place they will always have in my life. 

Upon returning, I should have expected that I would be blessed with yet another group of kids that would impact my life, but somehow I had forgotten to hope.  Some of these kids are the ones that went to Kazakhstan last summer.  Others are kids that I have met through subbing and helping out with a group of youth.  I know that one day, God will move me on from here and I will once again be blessed with another group of "my kids".

Instead of thinking about the next transition, I hold tight to the moment.  I enjoy every second I get to spend with my friends and kids (new and old alike).  I remember the special place that each person has in my life that can never be replaced by another.  I hold on to the hope that I will get to see each one again, no matter how long from now. 

Joy of Friendship

Delegation season is kicking off.  Although the first delegation that I am involved in doesn't leave the States until mid-June, preparations are already underway.  Last night and tonight I was able to be a part of team meetings for two delegations that will be going to Kazakhstan this summer from Muncie.  The  first part of the new handbooks were completed in order to provide them with resources as they begin their adventure.  I am looking forward to walking through this process with them.  It is times like this that I can look at being here in the States and realize that God has placed me here right now and is using me to do the things that He has prepared me for during the last several years.  I am learning to enjoy this period of uncertainty.   

I am also in the process of purchasing the first round of plane tickets for interns.  We will send away for a visa later in the week.  It is exciting to see steps being completed in the projects that I am working on. 

On a side note, I continue to be reminded each day of how blessed I am to have such good friends.  Since returning I have been surrounded by people that care for me (both near and far).  Tonight, as I got together with some of my new friends, I was reminded of how all of my needs have been provided for.  One way has been through these friends. 

Funny Story:  This week I was reminded of some things that I forgot were done easily here.  As I prepared the delegation handbooks, I needed 32 sets of dividers for the binders.  I went to Staples and was unable to find the product that I had found online.  The man at the store helped me to order it in the store and have it shipped to our office for free.  When I opened the dividers I found that they came with a template that made it possible to print the tabs instead of hand write them.  Yay for the little things in life!  I continue to be thankful for the things that I used to take for granted. 

Work with Interlink

I started my new part-time job with Interlink on February 1st.  I have loved my first month.  Although a lot of it has been detail work, I am enjoying seeing the improvements I have been able to make to the delegation and intern processes. 
One of my big projects has been revising the delegation handbook.  This is a book that we give to each delegate in order to prepare them for their trip to Kazakhstan.  I have enjoyed going through it and adding pictures and content.  Before I went to Kazakhstan, I had helped update the same handbook.  It is kind of funny to look back on it now and think about how much I thought I understood about life in Kazakhstan before I even went over there to live.  I am looking forward to adding more about the culture that I grew to love.  I have also been working with two interns that will be traveling to Kazakhstan in the next few months.  I especially enjoy being able to share my love for the Kazakh people with them.

I continue to sub a couple days a week.  I just finished two days of subbing Kindergarten.  That age is pretty entertaining, but is also fairly tiring.  I forget how much they need constant help.  I think I only had three children cry today - not too bad. 

I have recently picked up a part-time job answering after hours calls for a plumbing company about 7 days a month.  I still find it kind of funny every time I have to answer a phone because I have to say "It's a great day."  I'm just waiting for the day that someone with a plumbing problem informs me that it is NOT a great day for them. 

Well, now that I have updated you on the general things I am doing, I will try to post more regularly with stories and entertaining things that are going on in my life.  I am thoroughly enjoying life and looking forward to a restful weekend. 

Clarity

I have some very exciting news to share with you.  After waiting and praying about my future, some doors have opened for me to continue with Interlink part-time here in the States.  I am thrilled about this opportunity because it seems to combine my strengths and Interlink’s current needs.

As some of you may know, Interlink currently has three long-term US staff living in Kazakhstan.  This number has decreased significantly over the last several years.  At the same time Interlink’s work had continued to increase in the country of Kazakhstan (both in Taraz and in Shymkent).  There are some areas that we would love to expand, but our lack of staff has made this challenging. 

I will be working part-time with Interlink, here in Muncie, as the People Resource Development Manager.  Some of my responsibilities will include preparing people to travel to Kazakhstan (both long and short term), debriefing them when they return, and finding ways to promote our staffing needs.  My experience in Kazakhstan will bring a dynamic to the job that I am excited about.  It is fun to see how doors have opened for me to help others experience the country that I am so passionate about. 

It is my desire that this position will contribute to the growth of the staff of Interlink and thus impact the lives of many youth in Kazakhstan.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have.  Thank you for your encouragement over this last year as I have spent time evaluating what the immediate future holds.  I can’t wait to see where this will lead. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I am writing this from a room in NIH where I am staying with a friend's daughter undergoing cancer treatment while her mom returned with the rest of the family for her dad's funeral.  Mom will be returning on Sunday, so until then I am enjoying getting to know Karly better.  Today I got to hear about a cruise they took as a family.  It was fun to hear about the special time that they had. 

I had a wonderful time with my family at Christmas!  It was so much fun to be with my parents and their foster girls.  Even though Comfort and Steve couldn't be there, we were able to touch base with them through Skype and even got to have a video tour of their new apartment. 

On Wednesday morning I left my parent's house and traveled across Ohio to PA to visit my grandparents.  I had a nice visit with them and even got to join them in the cafeteria for dinner.  It was so nice to see them.  I also got to visit with some good friends in PA and down here in MD.  I am so blessed with good friends. 

New Years is a big holiday in Kazakhstan and I have missed being there to celebrate with the kids and with my Kazakh family.  Even so, I feel so blessed by this last year and look forward to what this year has to offer!  I hope this year is a year of joy and peace for each of you!  Happy New Year!