For those of you who may not know the newest news, I have decided to move back to Texas on July 1st. That’s the earliest we can leave the field to prepare for college, a job, etc. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the field here, I’m just ready to get back to the States and start a job. I have several opportunities that lie in front of me, so I’m trying to keep my options open at the moment, but realize I have to make a decision soon because I’ll be leaving in less than five months!
I have been looking into getting my teaching certificate through a program called iteachTexas. It’s web-based and takes 6-months to complete. During the 6-month period, I’ll be taking different courses as well as working a full-time job as a teacher. It’s a probation-certificate which just means, “I’m working on my certificate and will have it very soon.” So, that’s an option and will probably happen this year or next depending on how things work out.
Another option is to work as a substitute teacher where I’ll be able to sub anywhere from three to five days a week and with having a college degree, I’ll be paid more than a sub without a degree would. Kind of strange because I don’t think subs really do all that much, but hey, I’m not complaining! :)
I’m also looking into subbing as well as doing something else on the side, but nothing I want to really bring up at the moment until I get the “official” word that it’s do-able! If it’s possible, I’ll for sure jump into it and then let you all know what it is I’ll be doing! :)
It’s been the most stressful and overwhelming time of my life; the time where I have to decide what I want to be when I grow-up. Haha. I’ve experienced the social work part of my degree that I actually went to college for, but unfortunately, during my internship I realized that I probably made the wrong decision, but it was obviously way too late to change my mind and go a different direction because I had three months left until graduating from college.
What I realized about social work was that there was way too much paperwork involved and not enough interaction with the people around me. I’m a people-person and this job spends more time in the office than with people. It wasn’t for me and probably never will be. The difference between a teaching certificate and a social work degree is that with a certificate, I’ll be around kids all day long. It will be my job to be around people and I love that!
I’ve been working with primary one here in Scotland. Primary one is the same as kindergarten. It’s just a different name for it. I have really fallen in love with the children and it has opened my eyes to the world of teaching. I think it’s something I would love, enjoy, and look forward to each and everyday. Children can be a handful sometimes, but that’s a known fact already! :) I’m really looking forward to seeing where God places me and how He’s going to work through me in the next few months.
So, my flight back to Texas will be with a really good and old friend of mine from high school. Before I planned on moving back for good on July 1st, I was planning to visit July 1st – 24th, so my ticket was already bought and so, I got to thinking, maybe someone could come visit that last week of June and fly back to the States with me to surprise my family (no one knew I was planning this “surprise” trip other than my mom). I messaged Kayla Graham and she was so excited and we jumped on this idea of her coming to visit that last week in June and it worked out great, because she doesn’t like to fly alone anyways, so luckily I was able to plan the flights back on July 1st to where we could sit by each other on each flight (Glasgow to Manchester to Chicago to Dallas to Amarillo). But, now that I’m leaving for good on that day, it still worked out perfectly. Sure, I bought a roundtrip ticket, BUT come to find out, this ticket is $500-$600 cheaper than a one-way ticket would have been. I guess it worked out in a good way!
My high school buddy, Kayla, will be arriving in Glasgow on June 24th and leaving with me on July 1st at 7am from Glasgow. We’ll be arriving in Amarillo on July 1st at 8:10pm. During the week she’s here, I’m hoping to be able to take her to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, and possibly one other place that I haven’t decided on where we should go yet. It’s exciting and I can’t wait to see her!
Because we have three weeks worth of vacation/holiday time while we are here in Scotland, Melanie and I have decided to take 3-days off and head to Paris, France for my birthday. We’ll be leaving March 23rd and arriving back here on the 26th. We plan on visiting the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, a couple other churches, the Louvre, and no telling what else! It will be really neat to see the sights and have a few days of rest and a break.
So, I guess that’s all I really have for now. :) I’m actually thoughtless right now! I hope each of you know how much you’re loved, missed, and thought of by me! Have a blessed day!
Until next time, love to you all…
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
January Newsletter
NEW HAPPENINGS.
There are a couple of things that have just begun this month that are new to me and I haven’t been a part of while being here. The ladies of the church have decided to meet every other Wednesday at Alex and Gillian Gear’s home (our coordinators). For the two times we met this month, we first discussed what we would like to study and had a prayer night on the other night. We will be studying out of a book that goes along with the books: Ruth and Esther. The book we decided to read is called, “Be Committed: Doing God’s Will Whatever the Cost.” It sounds like it will be an interesting study and I’m really excited about learning more about the books Ruth and Esther. I’ve never actually sat down and studied these two books of the Bible, but it’s about time I did! I’m looking forward to it.
The youth nights for the high school and college aged kids are held every other Friday (the Fridays that don’t fall on the same weeks we meet for ladies’ study). For the past two weeks, we have had several youth from our church come, but they’ve also invited friends to come along as well. We’ve really had a great turn out each time. We hold these nights at the community hall, which is the building the church meets at every Sunday and Tuesday. We play ping-pong, foosball, Wii, Xbox, card games (Uno, spoons, etc.), Jenga, chess, and lots of other things. Snacks and soda are provided at each youth night at a very low price. There’s talk of holding a movie night some night and having pop corn and soda. It really seems like this is a great outreach to those out in the community and everyone seems to have a great time as well.
BURNS SUPPER.
Because I don’t really know much about Robert Burns or why there is a Burns supper or Burns night, I researched it on Wikipedia and found this.
Robert Burns (also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favorite son, the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire and in Scotland as simply The Bard) was a poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. A cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world, celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
Burns Night, effectively a second national day, is celebrated on January 25th with Burns suppers around the world. The format of Burns suppers has not changed since Robert's death in 1796. The basic format starts with a general welcome and announcements followed with the Selkirk Grace. After the grace comes the piping and cutting of the haggis, where Robert's famous “Address to a Haggis” is read and the haggis is cut open. The event usually allows for people to start eating just after the haggis is presented. This is when the reading called the "immortal memory", an overview of Robert's life and work, is given; the event usually concludes with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
We celebrated Burns night at Vicki Onsaturday’s home. There was a crock pot full of haggis, mashed potatoes, and mashed turnips/carrots. Tom Brydson did the piping and cutting of the haggis. He did, indeed, read “Address to a Haggis” where he got so into it and right before cutting the haggis, his dentures popped right out of his mouth and onto the floor! We had a good laugh, as did he, but continued on and cut open the haggis. However, we didn’t sing Auld Lang Syne at the conclusion of the night, but we did sing along as Drew Phillips played his guitar. Mixtures of Scottish and American tunes were played. It was an amazing night of fellowship!
WHAT’S HAGGIS?
There are many recipes, most of which have in common the following ingredients: sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet (which is raw beef or mutton fat), spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours. That’s exactly what we had at Burns night. It’s quite good mixed in with mashed potatoes! Another modern haggis-based dish is 'Flying Scotsman', which is chicken stuffed with haggis. I have also tried this with a peppercorn sauce and it is absolutely delicious! I’ve had haggis only three times while being here.
UPDATES ON THE WORK.
While working at the primary school, I’ve started to learn the teachers’ names (almost all of them, and there are quite a few), which has been difficult because I’m in one area of the school all day. But, it has gotten to the point where teachers will ask for me, by name, to come and help every afternoon with their class. Every Wednesday afternoon, I work with Miss Robertson’s primary one and two class with painting. I have never seen kids so excited to see me and always asking, “Can I be with you?” I have a blast painting with them and getting to know them better each time. They’re such a joy and so innocent. They serve as reminders for me to always be child-like in faith.
ShopMobility is such a blast! The elderly have really gotten to know me and vice versa. It’s been a pleasure working on the bus and I couldn’t imagine myself being stuck in the office part of the job! A lady named, Nancy, was on the bus one Monday (she’s normally on Wednesdays and Fridays), but she had said something to Alex (driver of the bus) and Louise (worker/driver of the bus when Alex isn’t there) that, she “can tell that she [Neysia] loves her job by the way she smiles all the time. She’s good.” Being like Jesus really does make a difference and I can only give him credit for the way I am in everything I do. People are watching you all the time.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I can never thank you enough for all that you have done and continue to do for me and for the work being done here in Scotland. God is really being glorified through your support! Thanks for making a difference with me!
Prayer requests:
* Our families
* Our team and the work being done in East Kilbride
* Michael Todd still recovering
* West Mains Church of Christ
* 2007-2010 AIMers on the field:
-Albania
-New Zealand
-Mexico (3 teams)
-Honduras
-South Africa
-Grass Valley, California
-Childress, Texas
Until next time, love to you all...
Friday, January 23, 2009
December newsletter (sorry I'm so late posting on here!)
NEW SCOTLAND TEAM ANNOUNCED.
For those of you who haven’t heard, Scotland will be receiving another AIM team. The team consists of four young ladies: Cassey Clayton from Lovington, New Mexico and she is nineteen years old; Ashley Bolm from Idaho Falls, Idaho and she is nineteen years old; Sommer Centeno from Clovis, California and she is eighteen years old; and, Jessica Rusher from Mustang, Oklahoma and she is twenty-one years old. We will be adding on a great group of girls and we can’t wait to have them here with us!
CASSEY CLAYTON
JESSICA RUSHER
ASHLEY BOLM
SOMMER CENTENO
KIRKTONHOLME PRIMARY PRESENTS: “SPARKLE” & “WHOOPSY DAISY ANGEL”
On December 16-17, the school I volunteer at performed two plays with the same basic story line: the birth of Jesus. I was surprised when I found out that the school would be performing something that has to do with Jesus and IN the school. You would NEVER see that happen in America and for them to have done something like that over here was mind-boggling to me. The nursery (age 4) performed, “Whoopsy Daisy Angel.” It was about the angel who went to tell the shepherds that Jesus had been born, but this angel was the type of angel who was never on time and something wrong always happened when she was around. Her one shot was to complete this task and she did.
The primary 1 – 7 performed “Sparkle,” which was about the Star of Bethlehem leading the way to where Jesus was. There was one particular star that was young and didn’t out-shine all the rest. The stars were arguing over which star the Maker was going to choose. “I’m brighter so the Maker will choose me.” But, the make chose “Sparkle” and her name was changed to “Star of Bethlehem.” She showed the shepherds and wise men the way to Jesus.
I wasn’t able to watch them perform “Sparkle,” because I was working somewhere else that day, but was able to watch them rehearse several weeks before the actual performance. I did, however, get to watch the nursery perform “Whoopsy Daisy Angel” and they did a fantastic job. I still find it fascinating that they performed stories that were based on Jesus. I guess I shouldn’t be so fascinated, but something like this wouldn’t be allowed in America especially in the schools.
WORK UPDATES.
This month was a pretty slow month. The schools were released for holiday for about two weeks, lunch club was off for those two weeks because the lunch comes from the schools and with the schools being closed, there were no lunches, and ShopMobility went on as usual, for me at least. Those who work on the days that the holidays fell on didn’t have to work.
The ShopMobility bus wasn’t all that busy because most of the elderly had already finished their shopping and didn’t want to face the holiday rush and crowds in the town center. I don’t blame them. It was hard enough for me to walk through the center and I can’t imagine what it was like on a scooter or power chair.
I’m really looking forward to getting back to work, especially with the primary school. I’ve really become attached to the children there and have really missed them!
We still meet as a team every Tuesday at Starbucks to have a Bible study. The neat thing about having it in a more public place is that people really start to wonder what you’re doing there every Tuesday morning and those who sit around you stare, listen, and look down to see what book you’re reading and studying out of. I think there will come a time when someone will come up to us, sit down, and start asking questions. I’m patiently waiting for that day. :)
CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS.
We had a Christmas youth club and church party on December 16th, which was a lot of fun. Santa Clause came and gave the children boxes of chocolate; we played lots of games, listened to Christmas music, and enjoyed each others’ company.
ShopMobility hosted a Christmas party on December 18 at a hotel called, The Bruce, which is right beside the town center. We had dinner and a night filled with music. There were several other groups there, other than ShopMobility; people from schools and other organizations.
There was a girls’ night out on December 20th for the women in the church. We went to The Wishing Well to have dinner, play games, and play Secret Santa. I had a blast with all the women and got to know them a little better.
A SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS WITH THE PHILLIPS’.
I wasn’t real sure how this Christmas was going to turn out because it was my very first Christmas to miss and I wasn’t even in the same country. I was surprised when I woke up Christmas day and found myself happy and not the slightest bit homesick. It was truly a blessing because I would rather be cheerful than upset and tearful all day.
Melanie and I made a tent in our living room on Christmas Eve with our couch and two chairs and sheets. We placed our top mattresses from our beds underneath the tent and placed our television on the floor so we could watch Christmas movies all day and through the night, at least until midnight. The tent is a tradition me and my brothers and sister do every Christmas Eve, so I wasn’t about to go this Christmas without sleeping in the traditional tent.
We sprinkled magical reindeer food out our window onto the grass outside our apartment that night and to our surprise, it worked! Santa came and filled our stockings with lots of goodies! Melanie and I opened all our gifts we had received from home and from our friends here in Scotland. I think it took me about two to three hours to finally straighten the living room and organize all the gifts I had received!
That afternoon, we went to Drew and Sheena Phillips’ home to have a Christmas dinner and watch a few movies together. Our team was invited to spend the Christmas day with them, which made it really nice. We had a wonderful dinner and had a great time together watching movies and chit-chatting.
I was able to talk with my entire family on Skype, again, which made it really nice. They ate pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, Christmas cookies, and drank tea for me. Wasn’t that thoughtful? I did miss my family on Christmas day, but there was something about this holiday season that didn’t feel like Christmas. Maybe it was the fact that I’m overseas and it just seemed like any other day because I wasn’t around my family or maybe it was just because it really didn’t feel like Christmas had come. Despite the fact that it didn’t feel like Christmas, I still counted my blessings and thanked God for Jesus and my family.
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR *2009*
We spent New Years Eve at our coordinators’ home, Alex and Gillian Gear. Several members of the church were there and most of the youth group. We played Taboo and Pictionary, had a table full of finger foods, and watched the fireworks go off on the television at Edinburgh as we rang in the New Year. Once the clock struck midnight, everyone went around hugging everyone and telling them, “Happy New Year!” Even after the New Year was over (a few days later), people still hug you and kiss you on the cheek and tell you “Happy New Year.”
TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
I am constantly grateful for your support and prayers for the work my team and I are doing here in Scotland. Thanks to those who sent Christmas cards and gifts. It truly made Christmas in Scotland feel more like Christmas at home. You all are such a blessing to me. Again, thank you for helping me make a difference in the lives of the Scottish people.
For those of you who haven’t heard, Scotland will be receiving another AIM team. The team consists of four young ladies: Cassey Clayton from Lovington, New Mexico and she is nineteen years old; Ashley Bolm from Idaho Falls, Idaho and she is nineteen years old; Sommer Centeno from Clovis, California and she is eighteen years old; and, Jessica Rusher from Mustang, Oklahoma and she is twenty-one years old. We will be adding on a great group of girls and we can’t wait to have them here with us!
CASSEY CLAYTON
JESSICA RUSHER
ASHLEY BOLM
SOMMER CENTENO
KIRKTONHOLME PRIMARY PRESENTS: “SPARKLE” & “WHOOPSY DAISY ANGEL”
On December 16-17, the school I volunteer at performed two plays with the same basic story line: the birth of Jesus. I was surprised when I found out that the school would be performing something that has to do with Jesus and IN the school. You would NEVER see that happen in America and for them to have done something like that over here was mind-boggling to me. The nursery (age 4) performed, “Whoopsy Daisy Angel.” It was about the angel who went to tell the shepherds that Jesus had been born, but this angel was the type of angel who was never on time and something wrong always happened when she was around. Her one shot was to complete this task and she did.
The primary 1 – 7 performed “Sparkle,” which was about the Star of Bethlehem leading the way to where Jesus was. There was one particular star that was young and didn’t out-shine all the rest. The stars were arguing over which star the Maker was going to choose. “I’m brighter so the Maker will choose me.” But, the make chose “Sparkle” and her name was changed to “Star of Bethlehem.” She showed the shepherds and wise men the way to Jesus.
I wasn’t able to watch them perform “Sparkle,” because I was working somewhere else that day, but was able to watch them rehearse several weeks before the actual performance. I did, however, get to watch the nursery perform “Whoopsy Daisy Angel” and they did a fantastic job. I still find it fascinating that they performed stories that were based on Jesus. I guess I shouldn’t be so fascinated, but something like this wouldn’t be allowed in America especially in the schools.
WORK UPDATES.
This month was a pretty slow month. The schools were released for holiday for about two weeks, lunch club was off for those two weeks because the lunch comes from the schools and with the schools being closed, there were no lunches, and ShopMobility went on as usual, for me at least. Those who work on the days that the holidays fell on didn’t have to work.
The ShopMobility bus wasn’t all that busy because most of the elderly had already finished their shopping and didn’t want to face the holiday rush and crowds in the town center. I don’t blame them. It was hard enough for me to walk through the center and I can’t imagine what it was like on a scooter or power chair.
I’m really looking forward to getting back to work, especially with the primary school. I’ve really become attached to the children there and have really missed them!
We still meet as a team every Tuesday at Starbucks to have a Bible study. The neat thing about having it in a more public place is that people really start to wonder what you’re doing there every Tuesday morning and those who sit around you stare, listen, and look down to see what book you’re reading and studying out of. I think there will come a time when someone will come up to us, sit down, and start asking questions. I’m patiently waiting for that day. :)
CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS.
We had a Christmas youth club and church party on December 16th, which was a lot of fun. Santa Clause came and gave the children boxes of chocolate; we played lots of games, listened to Christmas music, and enjoyed each others’ company.
ShopMobility hosted a Christmas party on December 18 at a hotel called, The Bruce, which is right beside the town center. We had dinner and a night filled with music. There were several other groups there, other than ShopMobility; people from schools and other organizations.
There was a girls’ night out on December 20th for the women in the church. We went to The Wishing Well to have dinner, play games, and play Secret Santa. I had a blast with all the women and got to know them a little better.
A SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS WITH THE PHILLIPS’.
I wasn’t real sure how this Christmas was going to turn out because it was my very first Christmas to miss and I wasn’t even in the same country. I was surprised when I woke up Christmas day and found myself happy and not the slightest bit homesick. It was truly a blessing because I would rather be cheerful than upset and tearful all day.
Melanie and I made a tent in our living room on Christmas Eve with our couch and two chairs and sheets. We placed our top mattresses from our beds underneath the tent and placed our television on the floor so we could watch Christmas movies all day and through the night, at least until midnight. The tent is a tradition me and my brothers and sister do every Christmas Eve, so I wasn’t about to go this Christmas without sleeping in the traditional tent.
We sprinkled magical reindeer food out our window onto the grass outside our apartment that night and to our surprise, it worked! Santa came and filled our stockings with lots of goodies! Melanie and I opened all our gifts we had received from home and from our friends here in Scotland. I think it took me about two to three hours to finally straighten the living room and organize all the gifts I had received!
That afternoon, we went to Drew and Sheena Phillips’ home to have a Christmas dinner and watch a few movies together. Our team was invited to spend the Christmas day with them, which made it really nice. We had a wonderful dinner and had a great time together watching movies and chit-chatting.
I was able to talk with my entire family on Skype, again, which made it really nice. They ate pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, Christmas cookies, and drank tea for me. Wasn’t that thoughtful? I did miss my family on Christmas day, but there was something about this holiday season that didn’t feel like Christmas. Maybe it was the fact that I’m overseas and it just seemed like any other day because I wasn’t around my family or maybe it was just because it really didn’t feel like Christmas had come. Despite the fact that it didn’t feel like Christmas, I still counted my blessings and thanked God for Jesus and my family.
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR *2009*
We spent New Years Eve at our coordinators’ home, Alex and Gillian Gear. Several members of the church were there and most of the youth group. We played Taboo and Pictionary, had a table full of finger foods, and watched the fireworks go off on the television at Edinburgh as we rang in the New Year. Once the clock struck midnight, everyone went around hugging everyone and telling them, “Happy New Year!” Even after the New Year was over (a few days later), people still hug you and kiss you on the cheek and tell you “Happy New Year.”
TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
I am constantly grateful for your support and prayers for the work my team and I are doing here in Scotland. Thanks to those who sent Christmas cards and gifts. It truly made Christmas in Scotland feel more like Christmas at home. You all are such a blessing to me. Again, thank you for helping me make a difference in the lives of the Scottish people.
Don't go through each day thinking you'll get another one.
>> Live in the moment <<
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Bad days better
Because with God, things are better...
You have made my day
Even in stormy weather
I’m dancing in all the rain
Cause you make bad days…
Great is the way
When you come to mind
I am smiling ear to ear
Sweet thoughts of you
I’m always in the mood
To twirl around with you
While it’s raining
Even if it’s a dream
Great is the way
That I am unafraid
When I see you
All my fear goes away
Bad days are coming
Rainy days are always around
But if I can see you
One glance upon you
The sun comes out
I’m dancing in all the rain
Cause you make bad days better
By: Shane & Shane
You have made my day
Even in stormy weather
I’m dancing in all the rain
Cause you make bad days…
Great is the way
When you come to mind
I am smiling ear to ear
Sweet thoughts of you
I’m always in the mood
To twirl around with you
While it’s raining
Even if it’s a dream
Great is the way
That I am unafraid
When I see you
All my fear goes away
Bad days are coming
Rainy days are always around
But if I can see you
One glance upon you
The sun comes out
I’m dancing in all the rain
Cause you make bad days better
By: Shane & Shane
Friday, January 2, 2009
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve... already?!
So, today is Christmas eve. I was, of course, woken up by the neighbors who live right above us with their loud stomping and constant yelling, but I looked past that with ease and began to work away in the flat. The floors needed to be swept and mopped before we could start anything. I was in the middle of mopping and there was a knock at the door. Melanie signed for the package and yells, "It's for you!" I immediately ask, "Who's it from?" And, she replies, "Bobby Cooper." Hooray! My package that I didn't think I'd receive until after Christmas came on Christmas eve! It was from my Aunt Carol and Uncle Bobby who live in Canyon, Texas!
On with opening the package to find several wrapped gifts that I immediately placed underneath the tree, smiled, and continued mopping until I finally finished. I moved the sofa and the two chairs around to where we could place the top mattresses of our beds beneath a tent we would be building for tonight. Every Christmas, the tradition is to build a huge tent for Hadley, Marcee, Landon, and I to sleep under. And, because I can't be home for the holidays, Melanie and I decided to build one in our living room! We won't be sleeping on the floor, which is a good thing since it's a wood floor. Pretty uncomfortable! Well, it's finally up and taped up pretty well. (Don't worry, pictures will be coming soon!)
To conclude our day, we'll be enjoying veggies with ranch dip and a pizza! We're excited about Christmas and honestly can't believe it's here. It hasn't really hit us yet that it's actually Christmas. It really seems like it's going to be another day except a day with gifts, haha. It could be a really big blessing for the two of us that we don't really realize that we're missing out on family time back home. Otherwise, we'd be two crying girls.
It's been a really huge blessing being here in Scotland. I still can't believe I'm here and I fall in love with it more and more everyday. Melanie and I have received gifts from the elderly off of the ShopMobility bus, some ShopMobility staff, and members of the church as well. We've been really blessed to have a Christmas home away from home and to be so welcomed by everyone. We'll be having Christmas tomorrow with the Phillips' family. They go to church with us and have a son, Robert. He's 16 and in my previous newsletter, I mentioned him and how he was baptized sometime in August. Anyways, they are a fantastic family and have opened their home up to our team, which is another 4 mouths to feed. I'm looking forward to that time with them.
I will also be Skyping my family tomorrow night (afternoon, Texas time). All the family will be there and I'm really looking forward to that! I can't wait to see them again! I was able to chat with them over Thanksgiving and it was really neat to be able to see everyone. Not everyone was there, but they will be this time and I'm overly excited about it!
That's all I have for now... until next time,
Love to you all!
P.S. -- thanks to everyone who have mailed us Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, and for your endless prayers, love, and care. Just know that I love you all very much and you will all be missed during Christmas and New Years!
On with opening the package to find several wrapped gifts that I immediately placed underneath the tree, smiled, and continued mopping until I finally finished. I moved the sofa and the two chairs around to where we could place the top mattresses of our beds beneath a tent we would be building for tonight. Every Christmas, the tradition is to build a huge tent for Hadley, Marcee, Landon, and I to sleep under. And, because I can't be home for the holidays, Melanie and I decided to build one in our living room! We won't be sleeping on the floor, which is a good thing since it's a wood floor. Pretty uncomfortable! Well, it's finally up and taped up pretty well. (Don't worry, pictures will be coming soon!)
To conclude our day, we'll be enjoying veggies with ranch dip and a pizza! We're excited about Christmas and honestly can't believe it's here. It hasn't really hit us yet that it's actually Christmas. It really seems like it's going to be another day except a day with gifts, haha. It could be a really big blessing for the two of us that we don't really realize that we're missing out on family time back home. Otherwise, we'd be two crying girls.
It's been a really huge blessing being here in Scotland. I still can't believe I'm here and I fall in love with it more and more everyday. Melanie and I have received gifts from the elderly off of the ShopMobility bus, some ShopMobility staff, and members of the church as well. We've been really blessed to have a Christmas home away from home and to be so welcomed by everyone. We'll be having Christmas tomorrow with the Phillips' family. They go to church with us and have a son, Robert. He's 16 and in my previous newsletter, I mentioned him and how he was baptized sometime in August. Anyways, they are a fantastic family and have opened their home up to our team, which is another 4 mouths to feed. I'm looking forward to that time with them.
I will also be Skyping my family tomorrow night (afternoon, Texas time). All the family will be there and I'm really looking forward to that! I can't wait to see them again! I was able to chat with them over Thanksgiving and it was really neat to be able to see everyone. Not everyone was there, but they will be this time and I'm overly excited about it!
That's all I have for now... until next time,
Love to you all!
P.S. -- thanks to everyone who have mailed us Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, and for your endless prayers, love, and care. Just know that I love you all very much and you will all be missed during Christmas and New Years!
Friday, December 5, 2008
November Newsletter
THANKSGIVING.AWAY FROM HOME?
Everyone, who knows me well enough, knows that I’m really big on being with the family for the holidays. The thought of spending Thanksgiving away from my family boggled my mind and I was unable to grasp it. But, Thanksgiving came and went and I didn’t find it as hard to be away as I thought it would be. My true test will be when Christmas comes.
As a team, we thought it’d be really neat to get together and cook our own Thanksgiving feast. There wasn’t a “real” turkey involved. Melanie and I didn’t think we’d be too good at carving around the bones and… cleaning out the guts that came along with it (eww). We found a boneless turkey breast and decided that it would be perfect for us. I cooked the usual, mashed potatoes and corn. Because, what’s Thanksgiving without those two things? :)
I was able to Skype with my entire family on Thanksgiving Day. It was so neat being able to see my entire family in one room! Technology is an amazing thing. That day, I counted my blessings and thanked God for each and every one of them. I am so blessed!
The best part about Thanksgiving is really being with family. I was blessed to be a part of a Thanksgiving tradition that a few Scottish-American couples have. Brittney Cameron, a young lady who attends our church every Tuesday evening, invited the team to spend time with her family, as well as several other couples and families. I met a man named, Mitch. He’s from Texas and knew Dean English. And, by having that connection, I already felt somewhat at “home.” Unlike the Thanksgiving we had as a team on Thursday, the Thanksgiving celebration on the Saturday following included pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, my two favorite things to have over the holidays. Lots of laughter filled the rooms of the house and it will be a memory that will last a lifetime.
WORK, WORK, AND MORE WORK.
I am still busy working with the primary school two days a week, working with ShopMobility, helping with youth nights, going to craft club, going to WRVS (lunch club every Tuesday at an assisted living place), and being with the youth of the church whenever they have free time!
At the primary school, I am still working with the primary ones (5-6 year olds). They all know me by name and have definitely warmed up to me, which is such a blessing. I absolutely love hearing my name being shouted at the end of the hall and having a wee (little) one run up to me and give me a hug. My basic “duties” while being at the school include: helping the children during structured play (learning activities), cutting, gluing, or painting anything the teachers need help with, assisting the children with their class work, and being a monitor during play time. I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing there at the school and can really begin to see that I can and I do make a difference there.
On the ShopMobility bus, I have been on my own for the past three weeks. I rode with Melanie for the first month, while I waited for my disclosure to come in, and was actually taught by a lady named, Ann, on how to make things work on the bus. I took over on Mondays, while she went to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ann was able to show me and tell me the different disabilities the elderly had that rode the bus on Mondays and also how to “lock-in” a wheelchair in the bus. The elderly have learned my name, which can be hard to remember after only a few weeks and me only being on the bus once a week. I am also blessed to be riding the bus with Alex. He is such a patient and kind man. I really have gotten to know him and he has a great heart.
Tuesday lunch with the elderly is still going really well. One of the elderly ladies had been hospitalized and stuck at home due to a serious injury to her leg. She’s finally back to having lunch with us and it really is a joy to have her back. The people there are wonderful to be around and have a great sense of humor. The best part about the Scottish folks is that when they pick on you, you can pick on them back. :)
Youth club and craft club are going along smoothly as well. It seems like we may be increasing in numbers for youth club, only every once in a while, and we’ll have a few that show up that I haven’t ever seen there before. In the craft club, we’re making Christmas themed decorations. The children are doing wonderfully and sometimes I think their artistic abilities put mine to shame!
GOD IS GOOD.ALL THE TIME
There have been three baptisms in the West Mains Church of Christ since August. Robert Phillips was baptized in the month of August. He is part of the youth. He is a wonderful asset to the Kingdom. Isabel was baptized in the month of September, right before I arrived in East Kilbride. She is such a joy to be around. Merana was baptized in the middle of this month. She has a young and youthful spirit, has the heart of a servant, and an attitude like Christ.
MY FIRST VISITOR
This month was definitely a month full of “firsts.” About one year ago, I met Ashley Fletcher in California. She is currently enrolled at Harding University in Arkansas. She has been in the European area for the past three months and is returning to America on December 6th. She had some time to where she could visit for her last week to two weeks while she is overseas. She decided to come and visit Scotland! I met up with her at the end of this month. It was truly a blessing to see a familiar face at this time of the year when I am missing everyone during the holidays. She’s currently in England. Please pray for her safe journey home.
WEATHER CHANGES.BRR.
We had our first freeze/frosted night on November 29th. It was so cold and honestly, I don’t think it got over thirty degrees. I remember waking up and looking at my computer weather-bug and it said it was twenty-one degrees and this was at 8:30 in the morning. The sun was out that day, but that never phased the frost. It stayed on the sidewalks, trees, grass, and shrubs all day long. It makes walking a challenge! With the icy sidewalks, I have to leave a little earlier and be prepared for about thirty to forty-five minutes worth of walking! Luckily, it hasn’t been too bad so far. :)
THANK YOU.
Thanks again for making this possible for me to be here in East Kilbride, Scotland. I have really found my place here and really starting to get to know new people outside of the church. I’ve been meeting young high school and college students that work and volunteer some of their time at the primary school and I have also met a few people at the gym I go to. I am really enjoying it here and thanks to you, you’re helping me make a difference. I appreciate all you’re doing and all you continue to do. Please continue praying for us while Christmas is approaching and we’re starting to feel a little homesick.
Prayer requests:
* Our families
* Our team and the work being done in East Kilbride
* Michael Todd will be having surgery on December 5
* West Mains Church of Christ
* 2007-2010 AIMers on the field:
-Albania
-New Zealand
-Mexico (3 teams)
-Honduras
-South Africa
-Grass Valley, California
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