Merry Christmas!

My lovely family (L-R back): Emily, Dad, Mom, Joella, Eric
(L-R front): Jenny, David, Me, and Jami

Christmas morning with our stockings: Jenny, me, Jami, Joella, and Emily

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and extended family. Jami's boyfriend, Eric, also joined in our Christmas celebration this year. It was so nice to share Christmas with him this year. We also had family from OK and PA here with us - making our Christmas even more special!! We always enjoy company and are so glad they drove the long distances to see us.

As soon as 2010 comes around, I will be taking several days to pray and fast. I know I am supposed to be right where I am, but would love some clear direction regarding a job...when or if I am to get one...as well as focus on missions, midwifery, etc. I have also been thinking about starting a Bible study here. So, as there are lots of thoughts and many desires, I want to have clear direction from GOD as to what His plan will be for me in the near future.

My desire for missions and the unreached continues to burden me. Please continue to pray for God's complete will for my life! May God continue to bless and lead you in His complete will! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Me and my nephew David playing in the first snow of the season.

For Such A Time As This...

My mom right after surgery for her broken arm

For the past several months, I have been diligent in looking for a job. Although I have many applications filled out and resume's posted, I have not had any calls or offers. I have not been feeling apprehensive at all, only a peace within my spirit.

In the middle of Nov, while on the way back to PA, I decided to do some serious praying about the job situation and what I was to be doing. God reminded me of something. While in Pakistan, I was praying about what He wanted me to do after coming back to the states. He said I was to go home, and I felt it had something to do with helping mom out. As He reminded me of this, I had such a peace in knowing that I was still in His will and doing what He last told me to do...I was home and helping out.

Then December 5th came along and I got a phone call that mom had fallen outside her client's home and had broken her right wrist. We were all hurting for mom and wishing it hadn't happened...then God put these words in my heart: "For Such A Time As This". This song has been very special to me from the beginning of my call to YWAM -- and still is! I know I am supposed to be exactly where I am! Maybe this is why I haven't had any 'luck' in finding a job...He had other reasons. Sometimes we don't understand why things happen, but He has a purpose for everything! God is good!

Here is the lyrics to this wonderful song:

For Such A Time As This - Lyrics

Words and Music by Wayne Watson
Dedicated to Ken and Cheryl Ruettegers

Now, all I have is now
To be faithful, To be holy
And to shine, Lighting up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days he gives
I am here, I am here
And I am his
For such a time as this

You--do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
But right here, right here
For this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days he gives
I am here, I am here
And I am his
For such a time as this

Can't change what's happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days he gives
I am here, I am here
And I am his
For such a time as this

Sharing

I recently had the privilege of sharing about my mission experience while visiting PA. Thanks to Pastor Scott, I shared at Fourth Dimension, the young adult group that I attended before moving back home. I was able to give a slide show presentation and share a little. It was wonderful to be back and to see so many of my friends. Thanks Pastor Scott, and thanks Jenn for all your hard work in getting the presentation viewable!

I also had the opportunity to share at the Salt& Light Bible study. I used to attend this Bible study when I lived in PA. I had the entire evening to share what God did in and through my life while at YWAM. Thanks Damar, for the wonderful opportunity to share what God has done! Thanks Nikki for all your help in getting the projector to work -- that was a great help!

My life since YWAM

I wanted to update you on my life since coming back to the ‘real world’ from YWAM in June. Those 6 months have been one of the most difficult experiences of my life…LOTS of soul searching, learning, growing…learning to trust a faithful and loving GOD…learning to trust Him no matter what my circumstances look like, what others say, or what others may think of me…learning to hear His sweet voice and sharing the Gospel to the unreached.

I moved back home with my family in Indianapolis, IN and went through a very long transition process. Thanks to my family and friends who didn’t give up on me and put up with my emotions during this long process! I had so many questions from those 6 months and NO answers. My life was confused with decisions that needed God’s direction and leadership. I was in the valley after coming down from the mountain and was groping around in the darkness for HIS will. God showed me that I had to trust Him…HE knew best…I may never get answers to my questions…I just had to TRUST!…I have to wait for Him to open up doors…all I have to do then is follow.

I have been doing my part in pursuing my future and asking God to close all doors except for the ones He wants me to walk though. I feel a strong desire to continue in mission work and use my nursing skills in the unreached nations. My desire since I was little was to be a midwife, so I am pursuing that goal. I have been researching different apprenticeship midwifery programs that concentrate on the underprivileged people groups. I am not looking into getting my masters of nursing in midwifery (though not opposed to it), but just the practical, hands-on midwifery experience that will help me in mission work around the world.

Not only have I been looking into the midwifery apprenticeship programs, but have been inquiring into several different medical mission organizations. However, I want to get experience in midwifery before I get very serious about signing up with a mission organization.

I have been looking for nursing jobs here in IN or in PA. It has been 2 years since I have been working full time in the hospital, so I have had quite the challenge at finding a job. I have also wanted a change from working in critical care to doing something less stressful. I have been looking into Labor and Delivery positions, as this may be able to help me on the mission field. So far, I have put in several applications to different facilities but am still without a job.

I have not been discouraged as I know that He is in control and will open the right door. I am doing my part in looking for jobs, researching the midwifery apprenticeships and mission organizations….HE will do the rest!

If you have any ideas regarding medical mission organizations that take nurses OR midwifery apprenticeship opportunities, please email me at: Nursesa03@yahoo.com. Thanks so much! I appreciate your prayers!

Graduation and Welcome Home Party

After coming back from Pakistan we all went back to Cimarron for debriefing. We only had 2 days after coming back to the states before our graduation. It was filled with unpacking from outreach and then packing up again to go home, debriefing, and graduation. I was SO happy to have Kasey & Dyal and their lovely daughter, Kayden come to my graduation!! Seeing them made my night! Thanks guys for coming...it meant a LOT!!

Cimarron's base director, David Horn, introducing the guest speaker and one of our lecture speakers, Doug Sparks.

Michelle and Ian handed out the DTS certificates of completion

Looking at my certificate

The Winter 2009 DTS students: (L-R back row) Ian, Korine, Jenni, Josiah, Aaron, Nick (L-R Middle row) Sophie, Michelle, Erin, Me, Craig (Front row) Martha holding Daniel and Tim holding Andrew. We spent 3 months together.

The four best friends: (L-R) Aaron, Josiah, Me, and Jenni

Waiting to be picked up from the airport with all my bags.

Cathy and Royce Cole welcomed me with a vase of flowers. Thanks guys!!

Emily planned a welcome home mumu for me and invited all our PNG friends here in the states as well as relatives and friends of ours. It was SO wonderful to see everyone again!! Thanks Em and ol PNG lain for a wonderful party!!

Watching the unveiling of the mumu

Cooked to perfection!

Ready to enjoy the mumu. Just the smell of the cooked food took me back to PNG again! Maybe that will be my next mission trip?! Only God knows...

Goodbye Party

The girls planned a small goodbye picnic for me down by the river. They spent a lot of time planning this party to make it extra special! It was a very memorable time for all of us...

(L-R) Me, Saleema, Zahida, Nasreen, and Farzana

Beautiful Zahida

Me and Shamsi goofing off...I was showing off my name-sake-to-be, Lisa.

The girls brought me down a path to the picnic spot. As I approached the girls, they all came running over to me, showering me with presents! Zahida put a clip into my hair and gave me a purse, Nasreen grabbed my one hand and placed bangles that matches hers onto it, while Farzana placed another bracelet onto my other hand! They were all so excited to give me their presents!

This is the bracelet that was from all the girls.

Me and Zahida with the purse she gave me.

Me and Nasreen with matching bangles.

Saleema had nothing to give me, so she grabbed a spoon that was laying on the mats and gave that to me as a present. We all got a great laugh out of that!

Here comes the food!!

Cholay...chick peas, onions, and spices served cold

Some kind of sandwiches...had a little zing to them...though I have no idea what they are called or what was in them!

Very spicy ? meat ?

Naan

Sweet dessert: made out of sugar, flower, and water...fried.

Passing out the dessert

Enjoying the food!!

Sheroo -- the greatest cook

They kept my plate full!!!

A group photo... (L-R) Nasreen, Shamsi, Saleema, Me, Naheen, Sheroo, Zahida, Farzana, and Robina. They were arguing where I should jump into the picture...

...SO we had to take two, with me in another spot...notice how Zahida claimed me?! :) I just LOVE those girls!!!

I didn't realize how much Pakistani people are all about photos!! We had many photos taken!! This is me with all the girls.

Of course the guys want their pictures taken too...me with the guys. (L-R) Naheen - the van driver, and Sheroo - the cook.

Zahida

Nasreen

Farzana

Saleema

Shamsi

Nasreen carved my name into the tree...so I will always be there with them!

"Lisa 10-06-09"

Thank you girls for a wonderful goodbye party and for the amazing memories I will forever have with me! Thank you to all you who prayed for me and supported my trip to Pakistan. I could never have had the opportunity to share and make amazing friendships had it not been for you. Thank you!!

Yasin Project

The last week I was in Pakistan, my team and I went with Shining Light and another team to deliver tables, chairs, school and art supplies, and paint for a new school makeover! This trip has made a lasting impression on my life! I believe that this trip was the most memorable time in Pakistan for me!!

The Pakistan Flag flying over the school building.

Students with their school books...

...they have classes outside under one of the fruit trees in the school yard.

The Principal, staff, and students were overjoyed to have us come and help their school out! They had all the students line up outside and several sang, gave speeches, and danced. There were speeches by Shining Light and part of my team who had taught in the school for a week. The gospel was presented as well!!

Sharing

Interpreting and presenting

Singing a song she wrote for this special occasion

Dancing

Handing out cherries to everyone

The female students

Male students

The whole student body

During the speeches, songs, and dances, one of the men fainted! He was standing up on a table to boot. Luckily he didn't get hurt in his fall, and ended up being okay after a few minutes.

The teachers and one of the students.

Some of the students and staff carrying the tables and chairs that were given to the school.

And some children just watching...

These men were working on putting electricity into the very dark school building.

Inside the school. All the light they get is from the hole in the ceiling.

Uncovering the tables

Mixing up the paint

Whitewashing the walls

Changing the doors and frames from green to blue...the colors of Shining Light school.

They had so much fun painting!! Their clothes looked a sight after they were done...I sure hope it comes out!!

Craig enjoyed painting as well...as you can see!! He worked till the painting was completed!

Jenni, Korine, and I helped to teach the teachers a craft they could teach in art class...well, we started teaching the teaches, then it ended up being the entire student body!! They just loved it! All we did was have them write their name on a piece of paper, color and decorate it with glitter and sequence! You would think we just gave them a piece of heaven! It makes me think of how fortunate we are and how much more we need to be grateful and thankful for everyday things we have!!!

Helping the girls with writing their names in block letters.

Overseeing

Helping with the glitter and glue.

Standing with the girls and their finished project! Great job girls!!!

We were invited to the Principal's house for an amazing lunch and dinner!! The food was amazing and the hospitality was even better!!

Inside the room where we ate. Notice all the pictures on the wall for decoration, and the hole in the ceiling for light. They cover it with plastic when it rains.

(L-R) Me, Jenni, Korine, and Laura

Enjoying an amazing dinner spread! This is the traditional way you eat...on a small cushion with the food in the middle.

Several of the girls attached themselves to me for the entire day. They gave me some beautiful bangles, took me around their village holding my hand, gave me different fruits to eat, etc. The love and appreciation they showed me is unexplainable!! I have never felt so loved and accepted in my life like I did on that day! When we had to leave, I was so torn inside. They hugged and hugged me and held onto my hands so tight. They didn't want me to leave, and all cried...I had to fight the tears from running down my cheeks as I said goodbye. It was a sad ending to a wonderful day, but a good sad. I know they will benefit from the donated supplies, and will remember our kindness and love we showed to them...I on the other hand will never forget the love they showed toward me!

One of the girls giving me a gift of bangles.

The girls were so happy as they gave us a tour of their village. Here they are dancing while picking green apricots for us to eat!

The principal posing with the new sign we brought for their school.

The team group photo in front of the sign.

This village was definitely a place that I would love to return to. I have never felt so at home in a place before. It was as if I belonged there! I think that is what broke my heart the most...that I was leaving the place when I just discovered it! Maybe I will return? Only God knows! I am at His will. God bless the people of Yasin!!