I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was great! I was able to spend it with my parents and my sister and brother-in-law. We relaxed and played games for several days. We didn't have much of an agenda and just enjoyed visiting with each other. We were even able to get out to PA to see my grandparents. I feel so blessed that my time with my family was such a refreshing and encouraging time.
At this time of year I sometimes feel caught in a tug of war between what was and what is to come. 2010 was a great year. I have enjoyed being in Muncie and have found a place to call home here. I am thankful that I have been given a way to contribute to the work in Kazakhstan while in the States. It seems like my experience and my giftings have fit well with the current need here. I am also extremely thankful for the friends that surround me.
Although I look back at 2010 full of thankfulness and good memories, I am even more excited to see what 2011 will bring. I know that it will bring the chance to not only train delegates and interns here in the States, but also help care for them while they are in Kazakhstan. I am excited about the four months I will be able to spend in Taraz (April-July) supporting the work Interlink is doing and the staff there. I am also excited to see how my place in the community here in Muncie will continue to grow during this coming year.
Although I sometimes feel drawn by both the longings of the past and the anticipation of the future, I have been focusing more on the joy of today. I am enjoying the moments that each day brings me and trying not to live in anything except the present. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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.
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.
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