January- 29th I returned to the USA from a 5 month mission to Swaziland, Africa. After seeking God's will for my life I discovered that the next chapter is to return to Swaziland to serve long-term (at least 2 yrs) the orphans and widows affected by the AIDS pandemic. I will continue to be involved in community outreach, counseling, teaching, helping facilitate small groups and Bible studies, hospital visitation. I'm blessed to be part of this ministry. To check out more about Swaziland Teen Challenge, the ministry I'm serving with go to http://www.swazitc.com/
February- I was approved as a Missionary Associate with Assemblies of God World Missions. I adjusted (hope to not get too comfortable) back to the fast pace of life in the U.S. and spent time catching up with family and friends. I found reverse culture shock to be quite overwhelming at times. The main challenge was the amount of stimulation here in the States... lights, sounds, the ordinary multi-tasking activities were a little much for me for the first few weeks. I also had to get used to driving on the right side of the road again! (In Africa I was used to driving on the left side of the road and driver's seat on the right side!!!)
my sister & I
March- I was commissioned as a Missionary Associate in Springfield, MO and enjoyed a week of orientation. It's official! :) Picture of our fun group below. Also took my GRE and applied for grad school, counseling degree.
April- I began working a temporary full-time job, speaking to various groups sharing my passion to serve the Swazi people, and preparing to move.
May- I attended Ohio District Council (gathering of pasters, had a table w. my missions info) near Columbus, Ohio the week of the 11th and a support raising seminar in Indianapolis, IN over Memorial Day weekend. Began planning fund-raiser events and speaking at new area churches. Held resteruant fund-raiser @ the Mongolian Grill (almost $1000 raised)
June- Texas Roadhouse fund-raiser night (approx. $500 raised), organized and spoke at a women's gathering ($1840 raised), shared at Dayton A/G sectional meeting of pastors, and a long awaited family vacation.
July- Continued sharing the passion to be hands and feet of Christ to Swaziland, many new friends joined my support team and held 2nd fund-raiser @the Mongolian Grill ($850 raised). Rejoiced with my cousin who welcomed her 1st child, Nadia Shea, the 1st of the new generation in my family. :)
August- Attended a wonderful family reuinion in Columbus Ohio (great to catch up!), enjoyed speaking at a women's Aglow group, began a women's Bible study group at my church, and found out I am the recepient of a full Presidential Scholarship at Regent University Masters in Counseling program (praise God!!!) to begin August 2010 - will go online from Africa :)
September- celebrated my 25th bday (I'm a quarter of a century!), attended American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) international conference in Nashville, TN (a GREAT event, learned new things), sold Swazi photographs @ Chocolate Festival
October - continued to share my testimony and call to missions (including at Mercy St., a women's event at CLC), attended a Voice of the Martyr's seminar- very inspiring, attended Aglow conference and had a great time being poured into by great speakers
November- sold t-shirts at my home church and the craft festival (see pic below), served in Thanksgiving Basket Ministry (feeding around 8,000)
December- my mom's surprise 50th bday party a success :), continued selling t-shirts and helped pack meal packets for Swaziland to feed approx. 250,000 meals.
And the year is not over yet!
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