Kinda my life summed up!

I'm in the process of reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's a nonfiction book on the Trinity...very thought provoking book.

Before each chapter he has quotes. When I found this quote it verbalized how I feel into words I'd never have been able to produce...until now:

Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping for the known to the unknown.

-Author Unknown

Pretty much sums up my life!

God is calling me out to move (aka make a CHANGE) to Swaziland to GROW more into the likeness of Him. I've always felt as if moving me to Africa is God's way of fully getting my attention. He is moving me so much out of my comfort zone (there is huge RISK in this) and out of the "KNOWN" that I can do nothing but fully with my whole being depend and trust in Him.

Nursing school was one of those times that I was fully aware that I was unable and incapable of doing life on my own. Nursing school was beyond me...and I was fully aware of my short comings. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL! He provided me with the strength and wisdom and knowledge to endure the school load. He gave me amazing friends that came around me and supported me and uplifted me. Without God's provision I would have been unable to make it through nursing school!

Now comes Swaziland...I am fully aware that I am unable and incapable of doing this life...African life on my own. Being a missionary to Swaziland is beyond me...and I am fully aware of my short comings.

(2nd verse same as the 1st).

BUT HE IS FAITHFUL and WORTHY OF MY TRUST!

He desires for me to continue to GROW in my relationship with Him...which involves some RISKS. Ya know? The risk of stepping from the KNOWN to the UNKNOWN?

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit..."

2 Cor 3:5-6

"But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

2 Corinthians 3:18

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved.."

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Praise be the One who is a God to be Known intimately!

Be strong and courageous...

Be strong and very courageous.

Be careful to obey all the law

my servant Moses gave you;

do not turn from it to the right or to the left,

that you may be successful wherever you go.

Do not let this Book of the Law

depart from your mouth;

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do

everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the LORD your God will be with you

wherever you go."

Joshua 1:7-9

Mission Medicine Intensive with Equip Inc.

I just got back from the 2 week medical intensive in Victoria, Canada. It was created as a program that medical and non-medical people can take to acquire some medical knowledge to use when medical help is far away while living as missionaries in rural communities.

As Barry liked to remind us, "If you didn't come into this course a nurse, you're not coming out of here a nurse." But when the time comes and their is no one around to diagnose or treat an illness or accident you will be able to do what you can.

We learned how to make splints for broken bones, how to treat dehydration, how to place foleys, how to put in a feeding tube through the nose (NG tubes), how to suture a wound closed, give shots, and many many more skills!

This was such a wonderful course to be taking. I learned a ton and have increased my medical knowledge when in a jam. I would recommend this class to anyone who is moving overseas for any length of time or who plans on going on short term medical trips.

The medical information and classes where great, but I believe I was more blessed by the people who I took the course with. To be living with and surrounded by people that are mission minded, following where God was calling them overseas, was such a wonderful experience. I will forever remember and pray for them. And hopefully I'll be able to visit a couple overseas...

Here is our class of people with Ann, the nurse, who helped teach the course. I believe it was about half Canadians half Americans.

Crystal and Dena working hard on their case studies.

Nurses had to finish 50 case studies and non-medical people had to finish 40. The case studies where scenarios of people who are sick from around the world. We had to figure out what was wrong then decide how to treat them...not as easy as if sounds...sometimes they might have club feet! (That one's for you Tilley...thanks for all your help! ;) Many had worms, vitamin deficiencies, Malaria, and the strangest diseases you've probably never heard of!

Barry and Tilley are the directors of Equip International. Barry did devotions every morning and Tilley, a Nurse Practitioner Midwife, cook amazing meals for us and taught us how to help deliver babies.

Thank you for all that helped to make this trip possible!

Love you all!

Splints, NG's, and stiches...oh my!

Andrea was such a trooper. They attempted 4 times before they were able to get the tube down!

My hearts cry

Lord, guard me from the power of wicked people; protect me from cruel people who plan to trip me up. The proud hid a trap for me. They spread out a net beside the road; they set traps for me.

I said to the LORD, "You are my God." LORD, listen to my prayer for help. LORD God, my mighty savior, you protect me in battle. LORD, do not give the wicked what they want. Don't let their plans suceed, or they will become proud...

I know the LORD will get justice for the poor and will defend the needy in court. Good people will praise his name; honest people will ive in his presence.

PSALMS 140:4-8, 12-13

My Swazi grass hut...

I thought that you would be interested to see where I'll be living in Swaziland and who my roommate will be!

I will be living in Mbabane the capital of Swaziland. I will have three other roommate. Sandra and Natalie have been living in Swaziland for the last year. Sandra helps at the care points and with some clinic things. Natalie has been working in the Children's Cup office, helping with the youth group, and is involved in Swaziland Healing Place Church.

Sarah will be moving to Swaziland a week before I do. It will be nice to have someone else who will be new at this whole Swaziland missionary thing! We also have people who come stay with us on shorter 4-6 week trips.

Can't wait to finally meet you my future roomies and do ministry with you!

Praying for you guys!

Sandra and Natalie are living their currently.

Here is my running water, electricity pulsing, flushing toilets house!

Sarah is moving to Swaziland a week before I am.