To Colorado, California, Wisconsin

On the way to California, I took advantage of a 9 hour layover and stopped off at my friend's school in Loveland Colorado. What incredible fun! Thank you friend for letting me share my heart with your and your co-workers' students! 

How are we going to reach Bible-less people?

In California I protected the first week, spending time with only my family. How sweet it was to connect with them in the flesh.

Cousin!

Niece and Brother-in-law keeping their bees

Me and my parents

The next two weeks were filled with: church missions' board meetings; dinner, lunch, coffee, walks, and hangouts with numerous friends and partners; sharing with a Sunday School class; and  a weekend away in my friends' home. 

Fun Visit!

Amazing Prayer Warrior and Friend

Thank you for your prayers! God gave me immense peace, joy, and enthusiasm for each conversation. He built my passion for our work and for my partners.  

I returned to the Carolinas* for one week and took off again for a last-minute trip to Chicago.

From there, I headed up to Watertown, Wisconsin to celebrate my friends' 30 years of marriage. 

My friends taking pics before they renew their vows

I enjoyed a week with them and their kids, including my friend and her family. God was so good giving me meaningful time to catch up with her and another close friend! Plus I was able to briefly connect with 2 churches.

Rediscovering 'The Creek' from my childhood with my friend and her son

To top off the last-minute trip, God set a divine appointment. I went to photograph a gorgeous sunset and bumped into a woman from my Wisconsin church.

Breathtaking

Bless my Aunt who picked up and hosted me for my first and final nights and her friend who took me back to the airport.
 

Yes, we are related

While both trips were full of visits, I did not get to see everyone that I wanted to. To you I say, I'm sorry. Let's talk, text, email, skype, Instagram, or Facebook.   

What's Next?
From the Carolinas:

1. Inviting individuals and churches to financial partnership.
2. Attending Intercultural Communication Course (ICC) in July/August
3. Lord-willing, working with the ICC team in August (when 100% of my budget is met- I can't wait!)

Want to know more? Email me! Want to partner with me? Follow link
*I live in South Carolina and work in North Carolina

How Jaars Influenced My Work

I ran into someone working in the equivalent to the Jaars PR department. She asked me to write a brief story about how Jaars helped me do the work I did in PNG. I thought I might as well post it:

When I was preparing to go to Papua New Guinea in 2012, I assumed that I would teach using fewer supplies than I do in the US. However, I spied a stash of quality markers in the background of some photos my principal sent. So I asked her what kind of supplies I could expect. As far as consumables were concerned, almost everything I was used to having in a US classroom would be in my PNG classroom.

This is because the organized men and women of the jaars purchasing and shipping department know how to skillfully get supplies such as markers, stickers, microscope slides, and dozens of other consumables from the US to PNG. Which makes teaching the kids of missionaries, translators, and Papua New Guinean’s possible. Of course the consumables that are available in-country we purchase in-country. 

Besides shipping the supplies to PNG, JAARS-trained pilots bring supplies from the capitol to our center. Some materials come via land transport from the port city of Lae. Either way, JAARS plays a vital role in supplying our school.

I taught in PNG in 2013 and 2014.

Right now I'm sharing my story and the story of what Wycliffe does. We call it Partnership Development. After sharing Wycliffe and my story, I ask people to partner with me financially, in prayer, and with encouragement. When the budget Wycliffe has set for me is met through partners giving, I'll continue Partnership Development on the side and work full time in the United States with the Intercultural Communications Course Team as an intern.

Moving Right Along

As I prepare an update for February I looked back at the one I sent in November. One of the prayer points is for "the perfect long-term residential situation." God answers every pray. This time it seems to be a "Yes." Thank you, Papa God for letting me use this amazing place. It is a furnished one bedroom loft above the garage. The owners had it built for missionaries to use, thinking, "what would I like to live in?" I can't believe how blessed I am.

1 friend helped me do the deep cleaning at my JAARS space and then 9 friends helped me move. It took them only 20 minutes to pack up their cars! After another 20 minutes of carrying up boxes, they stayed and helped me settle in. Here are some photos from moving day:

Putting some utensils away in the kitchen

Friends putting together a cart in the living-room

Friends unpacking into my bedroom

Incredible view of backyard from kitchen window

 As you can see from the photos, the apartment lets in plenty of light-huzzah!