2 Timothy 4:7
Last Newsletter
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: THOUGHTS
I can hardly believe that I have been in Scotland for eight months now! And, it is even harder for me to imagine that I will be home in a month! I look back and wonder how time has flown by so quickly. There were times when I thought this day would never get here and there are times when I realize that it is right around the corner. It was one year ago on June 2nd that I left for Port Elizabeth, South Africa and I spent three months there. I came back to the States and worked on getting my visa for Scotland. Three weeks later, I moved to East Kilbride, Scotland to be on a team with Melanie Huggins, Justin Kellar, and Zach Yarbrough. Eight months have past and by the time I get home, I will have been here for nine months and five days.
I was trying to put things into perspective about my time away from Canadian, Texas and I will have been away from the States for a total of forty-nine weeks. That’s forty-nine weeks without seeing my family. And, that is forty-nine weeks I would never take back due to all the wonderful experiences, the horrible experiences that made me stronger, the Christian family I came to know and love in South Africa and Scotland, the new friends I have made, and seeing the difference God has made in the lives of those around me.
I have really enjoyed my time here in Scotland (well, excluding my least favorite part: the weather!!). I loved the people I worked with at ShopMobility, Meals-on-Wheels, Kirktonholme Primary School, and West Mains Church of Christ.
THEY WILL BE MISSED
Unfortunately, we had to stop going to Meals-on-Wheels last month due to the lack of people attending the lunch club. There were four elderly we had lunch club with, but it dwindled down to one person due to hospitalizations, sicknesses, and one death. I miss going every Tuesday, but everything happens for a reason. And, I will definitely miss those who attended lunch club.
I absolutely adore the elderly who ride the ShopMobility bus. One of the men (Mr. Graham) is on the bus every Monday morning and calls me “Miss America,” which is actually correct because I am a “miss” and I am from “America.” So, I guess it fits! I will really miss hearing that every Monday. I will miss seeing the “regulars” and chatting with them about their weeks, their families, or even what they bought while at the center. I will really miss being with all the volunteers at ShopMobility as well. I have become really close to all of them and it will make it really hard to leave them behind. They have bright personalities and made me really feel at home here.
The children and staff at Kirktonholme Primary School were wonderful and very friendly. I worked with Lindsay Gregory and Fiona Robertson (both primary one – or, what we know as, kindergarten – teachers) as a teacher’s aide and did anything from playing reading and math games with the children, assisting with grading papers, painting or making clay structures with the children, and other things like that. The children have really opened up to me and every time I walk into the doors I hear my name being yelled, “NEYSIA!!!” and they all run up to me and give me huge hugs. That is something I will definitely miss every Wednesday and Friday when I move back to Texas. The children are adorable and I have gotten incredibly attached to each and every one of them.
Being a part of the West Mains Church of Christ has really changed my life. I have met people who have influenced me in ways I didn’t think possible. God worked through them in ways that really encouraged me in the low points of my time here and they also encouraged me to live the Christian life and not just say things, but actually live it. The people at West Mains really live in a way that influence and encourage people around them at all times. I was able to get really close to the church family here.
I am so thankful to God for sending me here to Scotland to get to know all the people I have met while living here. It has been nothing but one huge adventure from the minute I started AIM. I guess that’s where the “A” in AIM came from: Adventures in Missions. I will be spending the last four weeks saying goodbye to everyone, trying to finish strong, having to go through all sorts of emotions as I approach my last days of work with ShopMobility, Kirktonholme Primary School, and West Mains Church of Christ, and doing lots and lots of packing.
COMING HOME SOON
Melanie and I will both be leaving Scotland on Wednesday, July 1st, but on different flights. Luckily, Kayla Graham will be flying back with me on the same exact flight. Melanie booked her flight quite a bit later than I did, so we weren’t able to find the same flight I had. I will be leaving from the Glasgow airport at 6:50 am (12:50 am Texas time) flying into Manchester, England then to Chicago, Illinois and on into Dallas, Texas which will then take me to Amarillo, Texas. I will be landing in Amarillo sometime around 10:00 pm. Lots of flight time, but the layovers aren’t long at all (two hours at the most). Pray for safe travels for Melanie, Kayla, and I on July 1st!
MANY, MANY THANKS TO YOU!
None of this would have been possible without God and your support, encouragement, and prayers. God really blessed me by putting each and every one of you in my life. I am so very thankful for you! I am so glad I was able to share this part of my life with you and even more grateful that you wanted to be a part of it. God has been able to use you and me to make a huge difference in the lives of the Scottish people in East Kilbride. I can never thank you enough.
Upcoming Events:
* May 31-June 8: Melanie’s mom and brother visit
* Mid-two weeks of June: Jarad Johnson and church group from Florida visit for a mission trip
* June 13: Millport trip with West Mains church group
* June 15: My last day at ShopMobility
* June 19: My last day at Kirktonholme Primary School
* June 24-July 1: Kayla Graham visits
* July 1: My flight back home to Texas!
Prayer Requests:
* Our families
* Scotland team and the work being done in East Kilbride
* Zach and Justin (teammates Melanie and I will be leaving behind in Scotland)
* 2007 AIMers preparing to leave the field
* West Mains Church of Christ
* 2007 AIMers on the field:
New Zealand
Mexico (3 teams)
Honduras
South Africa
Grass Valley, California
Childress, Texas
Shawnee, Oklahoma
* The 2008 AIMers who have started their field time and are being sent out all over the world
* The upcoming AIM class who will be starting in August
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Preparation for Memorial Day
It is the
VETERAN
not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the
VETERAN
not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the
VETERAN
not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the
VETERAN
not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the
VETERAN
not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the
VETERAN
not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the
VETERAN
who salutes the Flag.
It is the
VETERAN
who serves under the Flag.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. God Bless them all!!!
VETERAN
not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the
VETERAN
not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the
VETERAN
not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the
VETERAN
not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the
VETERAN
not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the
VETERAN
not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the
VETERAN
who salutes the Flag.
It is the
VETERAN
who serves under the Flag.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. God Bless them all!!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Why Women Cry
Another email I have received [from my Nanny], thought it was good! :)
A little boy asked his mother, 'Why are you crying?' 'Because I'm a woman,' she told him.
'I don't understand,' he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, 'And you never will.'
Later the little boy asked his father, 'Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?'
'All women cry for no reason,' was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, 'God, why do women cry so easily?'
God said:
'When I made the woman she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,
yet gentle enough to give comfort
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue with out complaining.
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.
And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.'
'You see my son,' said God, 'the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.'
A little boy asked his mother, 'Why are you crying?' 'Because I'm a woman,' she told him.
'I don't understand,' he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, 'And you never will.'
Later the little boy asked his father, 'Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?'
'All women cry for no reason,' was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, 'God, why do women cry so easily?'
God said:
'When I made the woman she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,
yet gentle enough to give comfort
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue with out complaining.
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.
And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.'
'You see my son,' said God, 'the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.'
Lessons of Life
An email I received from a relative of mine... thought it was good enough to share. :)
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an! answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an! answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Rome?!
So, today is the day that I'm headed off to visit Rome. I'll be there until Tuesday, May 19th. I'm pretty excited and will try to post a few pictures on here of the trip... I also need to post some pictures of my trip to Barcelona as well. But, things are going really well with the work here in East Kilbride and it's hard to believe my time is coming to an end! I'll definitely be writing again soon! Have a blessed weekend!
Until next time, love to you all...
Until next time, love to you all...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Time flies.
I had my first official week back after the 2-weeks the schools had off for Easter/spring break, and I will tell you one thing, it is GOOD to be back into the normal schedule I've had! It was difficult for me to sit around from Wednesday-Saturday for two weeks straight. I enjoy having busy weeks, not only because it makes time go by quicker, but I can't just sit and do nothing. That's one thing I've found out about myself while being here. I'm the type of person who has to be busy all the time. I have to be doing something. It's hard to believe that April is almost over and May will soon be here (this Thursday)!
Melanie and I will be leaving for Barcelona, Spain on April 30th and will be returning May 4th. We wanted to have a little vacation away from the clouds and coldness for a few days. We both wanted to visit Spain and it's a warm place too, which is exactly what we were looking for... and a relaxing time. We'll be taking one last trip May 14th through May 19th to Rome, Italy. We were told we'd be dumb if we didn't take a trip to Rome while being over here because flights are so cheap, so we're definitely taking advantage of that. We'll be back for a few days and then Melanie's mom and brother arrive on May 31st and will be staying for about a week. Once they leave, Jarad (my best friend) will be here on a mission trip for the middle two weeks of June, which I'm really excited about because I haven't seen him in two years! Way too long to not see him! Then, the final week in June, which is the very last week I will be here, my best friend in high school (Kayla) will be coming on the 24th and flying back home with me on July 1st, which is really exciting and good for me to have someone with me when I have to leave the people here behind. I think May and June are really going to fly by since there are so many things going on between now and then. If time is already flying, it really will with more scheduled things!
I haven't been this excited about coming back to Texas, coming back home, in a while. I'm so ready to see my family it's unreal! In the 12 months I'll have been gone, I've been seen them for 3 weeks (last week in August to the third week in September). And, as the family person I am, it has been incredibly hard to be away from them, but in all this time, I know and feel like I have grown closer to my family even though I'm an ocean away. I'm really excited about going home and seeing everyone again! It's been far too long! I'm looking forward to my homecoming!! I miss my family so much!!
My experience here has been nothing but a good experience for me. I've had some really good times and some really horrible times where I didn't think I'd be able to make it through, but I did and was strengthened through that. I've learned that living in the same town as my family isn't near as bad as I thought it was. I mean, I'm moving back to Canadian. It's seriously where I want to be. I'm too much of a family person to not be really near to them. I've realized that I really despise cold weather. I mean, I already knew I did, but this cold weather from the minute I stepped off the plane until now is just a bit ridiculous. I've seen nothing but dead plants for the past 7 months and FINALLY things are starting to green up and it's the end of April! haha.
I've become more independent than I ever thought I could be. I've learned that I absolutely love children and want to work in the school system. I used to think I didn't make a difference in people's lives, but have realized that I have and I do make a difference. I've never fully relied on God more than I have while being here. I've made drastic changes in my lifestyle. I've learned that I don't want to get married until I'm over 35-years-old, or if I do, the guy I'm marrying will be moving to where I am because I'm not leaving my family again until my little brother, Landon, graduates from high school (hehe). I'm serious. :) I've learned that I really enjoy having alone time and have picked up a new hobby: reading, which is something I NEVER did before coming here. I realized that there were a lot of things back home in Texas that I took for granted.
Like I said earlier, things here are going so well and so quickly! I remember it being December and thinking, "July is NEVER going to get here." And, it's almost here. Just around the corner! I'm so ready to be home!!
Until next time, love to you all...
Melanie and I will be leaving for Barcelona, Spain on April 30th and will be returning May 4th. We wanted to have a little vacation away from the clouds and coldness for a few days. We both wanted to visit Spain and it's a warm place too, which is exactly what we were looking for... and a relaxing time. We'll be taking one last trip May 14th through May 19th to Rome, Italy. We were told we'd be dumb if we didn't take a trip to Rome while being over here because flights are so cheap, so we're definitely taking advantage of that. We'll be back for a few days and then Melanie's mom and brother arrive on May 31st and will be staying for about a week. Once they leave, Jarad (my best friend) will be here on a mission trip for the middle two weeks of June, which I'm really excited about because I haven't seen him in two years! Way too long to not see him! Then, the final week in June, which is the very last week I will be here, my best friend in high school (Kayla) will be coming on the 24th and flying back home with me on July 1st, which is really exciting and good for me to have someone with me when I have to leave the people here behind. I think May and June are really going to fly by since there are so many things going on between now and then. If time is already flying, it really will with more scheduled things!
I haven't been this excited about coming back to Texas, coming back home, in a while. I'm so ready to see my family it's unreal! In the 12 months I'll have been gone, I've been seen them for 3 weeks (last week in August to the third week in September). And, as the family person I am, it has been incredibly hard to be away from them, but in all this time, I know and feel like I have grown closer to my family even though I'm an ocean away. I'm really excited about going home and seeing everyone again! It's been far too long! I'm looking forward to my homecoming!! I miss my family so much!!
My experience here has been nothing but a good experience for me. I've had some really good times and some really horrible times where I didn't think I'd be able to make it through, but I did and was strengthened through that. I've learned that living in the same town as my family isn't near as bad as I thought it was. I mean, I'm moving back to Canadian. It's seriously where I want to be. I'm too much of a family person to not be really near to them. I've realized that I really despise cold weather. I mean, I already knew I did, but this cold weather from the minute I stepped off the plane until now is just a bit ridiculous. I've seen nothing but dead plants for the past 7 months and FINALLY things are starting to green up and it's the end of April! haha.
I've become more independent than I ever thought I could be. I've learned that I absolutely love children and want to work in the school system. I used to think I didn't make a difference in people's lives, but have realized that I have and I do make a difference. I've never fully relied on God more than I have while being here. I've made drastic changes in my lifestyle. I've learned that I don't want to get married until I'm over 35-years-old, or if I do, the guy I'm marrying will be moving to where I am because I'm not leaving my family again until my little brother, Landon, graduates from high school (hehe). I'm serious. :) I've learned that I really enjoy having alone time and have picked up a new hobby: reading, which is something I NEVER did before coming here. I realized that there were a lot of things back home in Texas that I took for granted.
Like I said earlier, things here are going so well and so quickly! I remember it being December and thinking, "July is NEVER going to get here." And, it's almost here. Just around the corner! I'm so ready to be home!!
Until next time, love to you all...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Easter Sunday
These are just a few pictures of the Scotland team on Easter Sunday. We haven't taken a picture together as a team since the first day I got here, so, it was definitely time to update and take a team photo. I thought I'd share them with you; they turned out great!
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