waiting...

Hey all! ("All" being a figurative word that most likely means just the few people that my mom has shown) So I just thought I'd say hi! I am at my grandma's waiting for my aunt to show for her party...lol. It is snowing hardcore here. But anyway, already I have fallen behind with my posts for the Czech fact of the day. So be forewarned that that is most likely what will happen. I'm not always the most dedicated when it comes to remembering things like that, especially as I've been super busy this week. But I will eventually get to it. Promise. Other than raising support, the only things that I really have to do at this point in order to leave is transfer some of the power of attorney to my family, send my passport and other items like that to TeachOverseas. I have to get ready for the first financial deadline that will be coming up soon. We'll see how it goes! Keep it in your prayers! I'll be praying for you!

Crazy week!

So this week starts the beginning of being super nuts for a while. For example, tonight I worked at SMILES (this is the place in charge of my AmeriCorps service) putting up Dr. Seuss stuff, then I had church choir practice, then I found some old bikes at my grandparents farm to use as props in the muscial, then musical practice and set discussion, all after a full day's work. And this I fear will continue until after the production is over! Being this busy reminds me of being in school and I feel somewhat energized. Anywho...the whole point of this monologue was to say that I may not be as consistent with the posts as I hope to be in the coming weeks. So please bear with me. If you would keep in your prayers as everything is going on, I would appreciate it!
      I have begun telling more and more people about my trip this week. Some people totally get it and others :-/ not so much. Some do not seem to realize that this isn't going to be just a vacation away from the States. I am going into this to see if full-time missions is something that I want to consider. I'm not saying absolutely, but for the first time in a while I am saying I'll give it a shot. I know that no matter what I do, God has some great plans set aside for me if only I would "holy" open myself up to what they are.
      Caio, mi amicus!

Big steps for my short legs...

     About a year and a half ago, I realized that I had no clue what I was going to do following graduation from high school. Knowing that I wasn't sure just what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go, I started looking into my options of where I could teach (as my degree was in Secondary Social Studies Education), For example, I thought about grad schools to attend and private schools and public schools to teach in in different locations along the Eastern Seaboard. North Carolina was my favorite of these choices, for both.
     Then I began to feel this nagging notion in my mind that maybe that wasn't at all what God had planned for me. When this feeling wouldn't let me go, I googled overseas teaching ministries. The results were headed with a website called teachoverseas.org. Easy enough, right?
     After checking it out, I realized that this was something I really wanted to do. I began the application process and was accepted in to the program. However, once this occurred, I chickened out. I couldn't believe that I was even considering leaving the US and my home for that long. So I began applying for jobs here in the States. I did not get any of the jobs I applied for. In the end, I got a great opportunity to work as a tutor for the year with AmeriCorps. But God did not let me forget about full-time ministry.
     About a month ago, I decided that I couldn't ignore him anymore. I would be going to a place that I had always had a heart for--Eastern Europe, specifically the Czech Republic. The people of this region and all that they had gone through in the past called out to me. They suffer in a way that is different than what most in America view as a place needing missionaries. They may not need food and medical aid, but all the same they have been deprived of being allowed to hear about Christ and his love for them. My desire is to use my gifts and training as a teacher to reach out to those that I come in contact with and tell them about Jesus when I can. ;-) Sorry to ramble! Cheers!