Briell's Blog

My new home in Bakersfield...

2009-09-15T16:05:00.029-04:00

It's a beautiful house...

These are my roommates: Anu is on the left with her dog Lexi (girl), and Erin is the right.

The cutest dog ever!

My room....

The kitchen

The backyard

My beautiful and faithful car with NO air conditioning! Thankfully the weather is starting to cool off here, in Bakersfield, at least a little.

My apartment

2009-07-13T13:55:00.013-04:00

First of all, this post is honor of my dear friend, Amanda Hemperly who is a missionary in Thailand and lovingly persistent to keep on me to finally post on my blog:-)!!

So this is my cute little room in my apartment! I'm all about the antique look:-). I painted the room pastel yellow, I love my room:-)!!

My roommate, Chiho and I painted our bathroom, that we share, lime green on two walls and white on two walls. The color of my room and the bathroom before we moved in was an ugly salmon color. It was hideous!!! The bathroom is 110% better than what it was before.

Thankfully we didn't have to paint the kitchen or the living room because the house has really high ceilings which is nice because it gives the 3-bedroom condo a deceiving look of a huge house.

I think the backyard is my favorite about the whole condo. It's really cute and quaint.

Well, my stay at this condo is short because I'm moving to Bakersfield at the end of August to go to school! I'm moving into a brand new house with 2 other girls. I will have my room again but the room is alot bigger than my room above. I will post pictures of the new house once I move and hopefully be better about doing it in a timely manner:-).

C.N.A. Registration

2008-06-17T12:36:00.010-04:00

I GOT IN!!!!!! ...and that is bigger news than you think. I was number six in line and I was the last one to get in; and as you can see, the line was out the door. There were probably 150 to 200 people in line and SIX people got in!! The C.N.A. (Certified Nurse Assistant) class is an R.O.P. (Regional Occupational Program) class that lets high school students into the program FIRST and then IF there's room, they let those who are in line first, in. I had no idea how small or big the class was and how few people they were letting in. I went the night before to check and see if people were starting to line up at 10:30p.m., and no one was there and then I went at midnight and one person was there; so I wasn't too worried, but decided to go earlier then planned. I planned to be there by 6:00 a.m., but instead I was there at 5:15 a.m. and boy am I glad:-)!!! Thank you to all of you who prayed for me that I would get. I definitely feel like God is watching over me and opening doors in this field.

Happy Father's Day! (for Sunday)

2008-06-17T12:31:00.005-04:00

Happy Father's Day dad!! I love you and I had a great day with you on Sunday:-).

T.M.J. Update!

2008-05-26T14:39:00.009-04:00

So this is the most recent picture I have of me. I went to a wedding last night, but I'm not going to post about the wedding, I'm giving you guys a T.M.J. update. First of all, T.M.J. stands for Temporal Mandibular Joints which are basically your jaw joints right in front of your ears.

In January I started the 2nd part of the treatment which is reconstruction of my jaw through braces and retainers. I currently have a wire on my top teeth that is slowly expanding my mouth. And I'm wearing a retainer on the lower teeth until I get a wire there as well. Eventually I will have braces on all my teeth but right now I only have two on my upper teeth to hold the wire in place. The dentist is moving slow because it is very painful and hard to eat with teeth constantly moving, because of the wire expanding my mouth, which makes my teeth very soar and tender. But it has gotten easier and I've slowly been feeling better.

With the expansion of my mouth though, I've still been having headaches off and on. So I started to experiment with the foods I eat. I knew caffeine was adding to my headaches, so I haven't been drinking coffee for several months now, but after reading a book about healthy foods and harmful foods, I realized that chocolate can have just as much caffeine as a cup of coffee can. I knew chocolate had caffeine, I just didn't realize how much. So I went off chocolate, and immediately my body reacted- for the good! The last of my headaches went away within a day! I honestly couldn't believe how much my body reacted to going off chocolate. I told my doctor's and they had said that I probably have an allergy to chocolate by the way my body was so happy to be without it:-). So it's been about 4 weeks now that I've been off chocolate AND all caffeine products and I've been feeling great! There's still some pain from the jaw joints that I've consistently have had throughout the last year, which will go away as the dentist corrects my jaw; but as for my headaches, I finally figured out the last thing that was contributing to my headaches and it's been great to be without them now!

So there's my update. Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-12T01:27:00.010-04:00

Today we had breakfast on the beach at the Salt Creek Beach Park by the Ritz Carlton! It was mom, dad, Simon, me and Hanna (my cousin in the 2nd picture). We had a nice relaxing day.

We also stopped at the Montage Spa & Resort Hotel to check out the view:-)- beautiful!

These are pictures from my cousin's wedding (Natasha- the Bride) in Texas. The second to last picture is a picture of all my cousin's (besides the 2 who are spouses) from my mom's side, and of course the last picture is me with my brothers.

What have I been up to...

2007-12-08T13:27:00.001-05:00

...I went sailing in San Diego last month. It is so peaceful and relaxing. Obviously I wasn't steering this sail boat alone, my dad, mom and 2nd cousin, Hanna, were with me.

No we didn't sail on the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' ship, but it would have been cool:-).

What's new...

2007-10-16T23:06:00.000-04:00

So I've finally started my job at Wachovia Bank:-). The job is overwhelming since everything is so new and I have lots to learn. Please pray that I will learn quickly but more importantly that I will manage stress well. I have actually not been feeling too well lately, it might be due to stress or it might be something else. God is definitely taking me on a journey that is teaching me to take only one day at a time and trust that He really does know best. Thank you for praying for me when you think of it.

So here's a question for those of you who read my blog: what have you done lately that was fun? I haven't done anything like my cousin Brandon lately, who went to Iceland, but maybe sometime soon I'll be going to Hawaii to visit a friend:-). So post a comment about your fun activity.

San Diego Training

2007-09-13T00:31:00.000-04:00

So I'm am now working for Wachovia Bank. In 4 weeks I'll be a bank teller! Yea, four weeks of training!

The bright side to that 4 weeks of training is that it's in San Diego. Not only is Wachovia paying me for working, but they are also paying for my hotel, gas AND all my food while I'm here in San Diego. It's really quite a life, but a lonely life as I'm pretty much eating on my own and being away from friends and family. So if you think of me these next 4 weeks, please pray that the time will go by fast and that this alone time will be beneficial to my walk with God.

So what's new with me...

2007-08-18T15:33:00.000-04:00

I got new glasses!!! They are red frames and I love them:-)!! I also have a new car now too! It's a Toyota Corolla Wagon, 92' and it's in great shape:-). What I don't have yet, is a job! It's been hard to get someone to hire me when I'm not available to work on Mondays as I'm going to L.A. for my T.M.J. appointments. So please be praying that God will provide soon. I have 2 interviews this coming week, one with a bank and the other one is through a temp agency. As for my T.M.J., it's been getting better. I'm so glad that I'm finally able to see someone who can fix the problem. Thank you to all of you who continue to pray for me through this jaw problem, I appreciate your prayers tremendously:-).

Summer

2007-07-12T18:54:00.000-04:00

I'm back home again in southern California! I've missed the palm trees and the ocean. I've been enjoying the luxury of having the beach so close to my house.

A beautiful Magnolia flower!

This is my friend Nicole who's my beach buddy often.

As for me, I have actually been feeling really good. It's been about 3 weeks since I started the 4-month treatment with the T.M.J. specialist and this 3rd week has been the best so far!!! I'm so glad that I'm able to be home for awhile to get this pain to be permanently gone. As of now, I'm looking for a job and a car for the year before I head out to Papua New Guinea. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for me and continue to pray for me.

Quilt & Graduation

2007-05-30T23:28:00.000-04:00

I finished my quilt today!!! I'm very excited that I finally finished it. Thanks to my fantastic sewing teacher, Eleanor, who actually did the quilting part (which is bringing the 3 layers together) my quilt looks beautiful. I'm so pleased with how well it turned out, especially since this is the first thing I've ever sewed in my life! Pretty cool, aye?

Also, graduation is this Saturday; which means that good-byes are also this Saturday. I can't believe that I've been in Canada for 2 years already and now I'm graduating and leaving. I'm definitely going to miss the friends I've made here and the staff that I've really gotten to know so well. It's been an awesome 2 years:-)!
P.S. ~This picture was taken after the 3 of us girls threw each other into the lake.

Sewing Class

2007-05-06T19:54:00.000-04:00

Amongst the business of classes this semester, I joined a sewing class! It has been a very busy time and probably not the best time to start a quilt, but the class was offered to me and I decided to take it. I've always wanted to make a quilt and now I was going to have a chance to. So today I just finished sewing all my rows together which completes the entire pattern for the front. Now I just need to add the borders and then the padding for the middle with the back fabric and then I'll be done:-).
My teacher has been a staff lady here on my campus, Eleanor. My class has been every Thursday as one of my P.T.C. (Practical Training Course) classes. I have P.T.C. class Monday -Friday from 1:30-4:30. I definitely would say that sewing has been a very practical class to have! Thanks Eleanor!!!

What am I doing?

2007-05-01T10:41:00.000-04:00

You guessed right! Snowmobiling in the springtime.

My neighbor, this morning, asked me if I could do him a favor, so I said, "sure." After hearing the favor, I thought my neighbor was kind of odd. He wanted me to just sit on the snowmobile and steer it while he pulled it:-). It was fun, you should try it sometime.

Hammocks

2007-04-25T15:40:00.000-04:00

I'm studying hard for classes in my new hammock chair that I got in Mexico! It's a great chair, if you ever go to Mexico you should pick one up:-).

Annual Pig Roast w/Alma Bible Church

2007-02-24T20:36:00.000-05:00

Every year Alma Bible Church (which is the church I have been attending here in Canada) gets together to enjoy snow activites and have a pig roast. It was quite a sight to see an entire pig on a stick! But it was great and very juicy and tender! I've enjoyed getting to know the people at Alma Bible Church and appreciate all the activities they plan.

This is Yvonne DeBoer who goes to Alma. Yvonne and her husband, Alan, decided to go through the training with New Tribes Mission this past year. It's been nice getting to know them since they're fellow classmates now from Alma Church.

Snowmobiling!!! It is soooo much fun, especially in Canada since we have so much snow! I'm just thankful I haven't hurt myself yet or better yet, wrecked a snowmobile. Just so you know, I didn't drive this snowmobile because it's just simply too nice and I don't trust myself:-).

Grammar Class

2007-02-13T12:58:00.000-05:00

The Grammar Problem:

My Answer:

So I just finished a 3-day GRAMMAR problem!!! The problem itself was 5 pages long and my answer was 5 pages long as well. This problem was given to us (my classmates) on Friday. The problem was basically a summary of all the things we learned in grammar from this semester and last semester, so it was long. Even though it was long and frustrating, it was still cool to see how much I have learned in grammar.
The purpose for studying grammar is so that I can take advantage of language learning helps when I'm overseas when studying a foreign language. As well, it will help me improve my accuracy in the language and even avoid "language shock". And most importantly, it will help me speak more clearly and write more accurately. Pretty cool, aye?!

SNOW

2007-02-08T12:17:00.000-05:00

YES, we have more snow:-). Isn't it beautiful? It is kind of nice to not have a car to take care of during the winter time since they do require more maintenance.

As for me, yes, I am feeling better. The past two days have been pain-free, which is quite amazing! I believe I am feeling better because of prayer. Thank you to those who have lifted me up in prayer the past two days, God is answering your prayers. I did get the medicine I needed on Tuesday, which is also an answer to prayer. Please continue to pray that I will continue to feel better throughout the rest of the semester. Thank you again for praying:-)!!!

Some more beautiful scenery shots of God's creation. This was taken on my campus here in Durham, Canada.

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11

Health & Wellness Class

2007-01-24T12:21:00.000-05:00

Our International Health & Wellness class finished last week. Our teacher was Faye Brown who has been a nurse for 30 years. We learned several practical things for the field. We learned about different diseases and the symptoms that come with a certain disease and then how to treat it. For example: malaria. Malaria would be a good thing to know how to treat and what the symptoms are, since it is so common for missionaries to get overseas.
The highlight of our learning was of course our labs! We learned how to give injections, how to check blood pressure and how to check the eardrums for ear infections. My classmates were excited to look into my ears since I have man-made eardrums. They said that my right eardrum looked like a sparkling diamond or a piece of aluminum foil, whereas normal eardrums don't sparkle at all! Pretty cool, aye? As for the injection, I was a little nervous being the recipient of the injection, but my partner, Amanda, did a superb job:-)!!! I didn't feel a thing!

Hollywood, CALIFORNIA

2007-01-17T22:17:00.000-05:00

2007-01-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

Isn't it amazing how much a hug can affect someone? And how many people were willing to participate in Hollywood, California? What an amazing way to show Christ's love for the community! My dad sent this video to me awhile ago, it's great! If you've already seen it, then watch it again. If you haven't seen it, then enjoy and hug somebody afterwards:-).

Short film

2007-01-11T17:22:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and any time off (if you had any). Over my Christmas break I had a family reunion in Indiana. My cousin, Brandon, made a short film that is hilarious. Some of the jokes are only funny to my relatives and I, but I thought I put the link on my blog for those of you who are interested in seeing it. Hope you enjoy.

Click Here for: "Christmas at the Dodgen's" Video

"Black Friday"

2006-11-24T19:47:00.000-05:00

*What is "Black Friday"?

Supposedly "Black Friday" is the day when stores make up for all the bad sales throughout the year by having one really good sale.

*Why do I even know this?

Last night, I was one of those crazy people standing in line at Best Buy waiting for it to open @ 5:00 a.m.!!! I pretty much went for the experience, and all I have to say, is that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that doesn't need to be repeated:-).

We left at 11:00p.m. Thursday night from Durham, Canada and arrived in Buffalo, New York at 2:30a.m. Friday morning, to be #200 in line!!!

The popular items at Best Buy were the laptops. Since there were only 20 laptops at discounted rates, being #200 in line was discouraging. So we stood in the line (in the cold) for 2.5 hours and came out with some cd's & dvd's. All in all, it was a shared experience I'll always have with those I went with:-).

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T13:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

~Mom & Dad,

Wish I could be home with you for the holiday. I love you both and I am so grateful for you.

~Briell

Now YOU take the test...

2006-11-18T23:31:00.000-05:00

See if you can connect the right "Naso" phrase with the correct "English" phrase:

Naso phrases and English phrases:

***(Click inside the box to enlarge the phrases.)

P.S.~ This is an audio clip of the "Naso" phrases #1-10. This is so you can actually hear the language for yourself. The voice you hear in the audio is my language helper. ENJOY:-)

Click To Play Audio

*Click here for: Answer key to "Naso" phrases!!!

Culture/Language Acquisition PRACTICUM

2006-11-04T09:56:00.000-05:00

"CLA" is short for Culture/Language Acquisition which is the process of learning a new culture and language through building relationships with those who are within the culture and language that I'm learning. For me, the culture and language I will be learning for the next 6 weeks is Naso. Naso is a tribe located in Panama (see below for a map of Panama and Panama's flag). Since I obviously can't fly to Panama to learn Naso for 6 weeks; my language helpers will be Simon and Lavonne Challinor, who are the missionaries who have lived among the Naso people for the last 10 years. So for the next 6 weeks I will be using certain techniques that I have learned in class and building relationships with my language helpers to acquire the Naso culture and language. The purpose of this practicum is to practice what I have learned in class so that I will know how to go about learning a new culture and language when I go overseas.
*Thank you for your prayers during this time:-).

Cat Videos

2006-11-01T20:54:00.000-05:00

Here's some funny cat videos, just for fun:

(Don't worry, the cat is ok.)

...and this is MY cat, Yoda, isn't he cute:-)!!!

Building a fence...

2006-10-25T16:32:00.000-04:00

Today, during P.T.C. (practical training class), I learned how to make a jig, and how to use a router; as well as what a jig and
router are:-). The project I am working on is a fence. When the project is done I'll show you more pictures.

Here I'm sitting on the wood so the cut will be even for the other pieces to slid in (see next picture). Jim Abbott is the one who is teaching me. Jim and Joy Abbott (see last 2 pictures of their family) are fellow classmates here at New Tribes Mission. You can check out their blog too @ http://abbottcouple.blogspot.com.

Fall is here...

2006-10-11T22:53:00.000-04:00

...isn't it beautiful?

My Soccer Team

2006-09-25T15:24:00.000-04:00

This is the girl's intramural soccer team at New Tribes Mission of Canada: Here we are preparing for the picture:-), especially Amanda (who's in the front demonstrating how one might hold both arms and one leg up while balancing on the other leg). Thanks Amanda- love ya girl:-).

Now the real picture:

Phonetics

2006-09-13T14:59:00.000-04:00

Phonetics has begun!!! Of the 24 students in my class, 7 are in my class. We've been divided into three groups for more one-on-one teaching. The picture above is my group: (from right to left) Ruth, Ben, James, John, KayZue, Joy, me and my teacher, John Challinor. For the next 3 weeks these are the people I'll be seeing and spending most of my time with.

For those of you who have no idea what phonetics is, here is a definition: "Phonetics" is the study of speech sounds; each letter stands for ONE speech sound and each sound is represented by ONLY ONE letter.

For example: English has problems!

A.) Same sound, but different spelling:

boo too

bo to

bew new

B.) Same spelling, but different sound:

"Though he pulled through a cough and a hiccough, he still had a rough night on a bough!"

The Purpose of Phonetics is:

1.) To be able to write down an unwritten language.

2.) To be able to read material that others have written phonetically.

3.) To be familiar with sounds that I will find in the new language that I will be learning once I head overseas.

4.) To help me sound "more native" when I speak another language.

* Please keep me in your prayers during this time. Right now phonetics feels like one big hearing test everyday. Everyday after class I am exhausted mentally from concentrating so hard on hearing the sound correctly and then re-producing it back onto paper.

Family

2006-09-12T22:23:00.000-04:00

I found this adorable picture of my mom and my little cousin, Annaliese. So I decided to put it on my blog for others to enjoy.

Went to the beach...

2006-09-04T21:09:00.000-04:00

...actually Lake Huron would be the correct way to say it. It was a beautiful day today. Nice and sunny and not crowded at all! Totally different my normal "Labor Day" weekends in California where it's crowded everywhere I go.

3rd Picture: KayZue and I
4th Picture: (left to right) Amanda, Erin, Penny and KayZue.
5th Picture: James and Julie
*All are in the training with me at New Tribes Mission.

Yes, another wedding!!!

2006-08-30T23:27:00.000-04:00

I have had the privilege of being in four weddings this past year. I'm grateful that I was able to be in all of my friend's weddings, since I will be overseas shortly. The first picture is me with all the other bridesmaids at my friend's wedding, Natalie, who was the bride (see last picture). The second picture is Mrs. Jen Vincent. I was in her wedding in December:-). Both Natalie and Jen are good friends of mine and both have married Godly men!

P.S. ~ You can click on the picture to enlarge the photo.

Mammoth, California

2006-08-13T20:45:00.000-04:00

I went to Mammoth this past weekend to fish, and hang with family and friends. I took some pictures of God's beautiful creation as well as some fun pictures while driving:-). The second to last picture is my dad, fishing obviously.

Jungle Camp~ Day 10 and 11

2006-06-17T12:03:00.000-04:00

We now have a table:-)!!! YEA

As well as a door, pantry shelves with a wall...

...fully equipped shower and lovely curtains for our kitchen counters,

...and a nice, big loft with carpet!!!
I'm so looking forward to being all moved up and getting some rest. This past two weeks have been long and hard but totally worth the effort and energy:-).

Jungle Camp~ Day 8

2006-06-13T22:40:00.000-04:00

So we now have some foam cusions on our benches but no table yet. The main job, as you can see, was putting up our walls which are all plastic. We're not quite done with all the walls yet though. But as we were putting up our walls, I got excited because our house feels like a home now, and move-up day is just around the corner- this Saturday. I'm so looking forward to having this once in lifetime experience called "Jungle Camp."

Jungle Camp~ Day 5

2006-06-10T16:54:00.000-04:00

Day 5 was all about the oven. First we piled dirt underneath the steel drum and then put dirt inside the drum/oven. The tricky part is that we had to follow specific instructions on how to lay the dirt inside the oven so the heat can flow properly to cook our food:-). After we put dirt down, we started laying the clay. The clay had to go 2 inches around the entire oven, inside and out. Needless to say, it was a long and hard day, but I was so pleased to light a fire in it and see smoke come out of our pipe. As well, I re-contructed our kitchen counters so that they can be a little lower, and Patty (my roommate) started working on our pantry shelves (last picture). We got alot done and we were proud of all that we accomplished and called it a day at 7:00p.m., we started the day at 7:00A.M.!!! So we worked for 12 hours! It's quite an experience to put so much work into something and actually have a chance to test it out and live in it. Move-up day is Saturday, June 17.

Jungle Camp~ Day 4

2006-06-08T23:07:00.000-04:00

Day four included: kitchen counter, sink and pantry shelves. As you can see from the first picture I was the one working on the kitchen counter and sink. It's not completely done, things will look better once we move up and decorate:-). Today was a bit of a slow day because we were interrupted by rain and heavy hail. The last picture shows the size of the hail that was pouring down on our plastic roofs! Most of us were a little worried that the hail would tear a hole in the roof, but it didn't:-)! I enjoyed the rain and even the hail, considering I had never seen hail before. It was pretty cool to be out in the woods in the middle of a rain storm.

Jungle Camp~ Day 3

2006-06-07T20:36:00.000-04:00

Day three of jungle camp!!! Today the main job was the oven/stove. We made the cradle for the oven which is the 2nd and 3rd picture. Then we put plastic lining in and filled it with dirt and placed the barrel (that has been cut in half) on top of the dirt. The oven/stove is only half done, we still have to put clay inside the oven and around the oven. The roof and oven are the two biggest jobs, so my roommates and I feel like we are making good progress. As well, today our ladder for our loft was made! We decided though, to add a little femine touch to it by binding the steps with pink duck tape:-). People around us seem to like it because it's different. After today my roommates and I got very excited about move up day. I love building the house I'm actually going to live in. It's so cool to see what you can accomplish with wood, plastic and some colorful duct tape:-)!

WELDING!!!

2006-06-02T18:12:00.000-04:00

I have had the awesome privelege of learning how to weld! Now I'm no professional but it's pretty cool to say that I have welded and know at least how to go about it. In the afternoon we have what's called P.T.C. (Practical Training Class) and this last week I learned how to weld, and grind metal. It was a great experience because I learn best with hands on classes. Enjoy the pictures!!

Technology Tips

2006-05-24T20:48:00.000-04:00

The past 2 weeks of class have been on technology tips. Everything from soldering to wiring and setting up solar panel for electricity on the mission field. The class was extremely helpful since I will be building a jungle camp house in about a week and half! In class we wired a halogen light for our jungle camp home (see picture to the left). During classtime we also made a battery charger, fuse kit and shunt. To say the least, I learned quite a bit about electricity and technology- things I need to grow in knowledge in:-).

Yurok Culture Presentation

2006-04-10T13:18:00.000-04:00

On Friday, I presented "Lesson 6" of the Chronological teaching. Right now my classmates and I are studying church planting and how to go about teaching the Bible Chronologically. Teaching chronologically means that you go through the Bible according to the order of the events. So when presenting the Bible to people who know nothing about God or His attributes and character, then starting at the beginning is the best idea. Laying the foundation of who God is and then presenting the need for Him is the purpose of chronological teaching. So my classmates and I where given a lesson to study and present audible. But it's not as easy as it sounds because my audience was not your typical American church, but instead the Yurok tribe. As a class we have been studying the Yurok culture to give us an idea of what it's like to study someone else's culture. So my homework assignment was to study "Lesson 6" which was when God created the land, sea, vegetation & plants, sun, moon and stars; and then apply to the Yurok culture. For example, when telling them (Yurok people) that God created the plants and trees, then I would point out a Redwood tree! This would be a specific example from their culture so they can apply what I am saying personally.
*Note: My classmates pretended to be Yurok people:-).
This was a great homework assignment because it gave me a realistic idea of how much time it takes to study someone else's culture. As well, it opened my eyes to the difficulties missionaries go through when presenting something that's so foreign and unknown to them which is God. His attributes and character are sometimes hard to grasp because His love is unconditional which is hard to to comprehend and then explain to people who are not of the same culture as you.

Good Friends!

2006-04-04T08:56:00.000-04:00

Lauren, Melanie and I are all at Melanie's bridal shower. We all graduated from New Tribes Bible Instiitue in May '04. Now Lauren and I are both in Melanie's wedding on May 13, 2006! Melanie was my roommate during Bible school and we became good friends:-).

Moose Tracks...

2006-03-31T08:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning, during class, a moose walked right by our classroom and around the whole campus! It was pretty funny because my teacher says, "there goes a moose!" Unfortunately I didn't believe him so I didn't turn around to look and missed seeing him. But half of the class got up and chased him!!! Pretty cool- ah! So walking around campus I've been a little anxious because I don't really want to run into a 10 foot moose!

Answer Key

2006-03-19T13:52:00.000-05:00

Answer key to the "Naso" phrases:

***Click inside the box to enlarge the answer key.

2006-03-05T17:55:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, the 2nd of March, I received an Olympus Digital Voice Recorder!!! A gentleman (whom I don't know) decided that he wanted to help me and my class out financially. The way he did that, was by purchasing 18 digital voice recorders for our entire class!! Next year my class and I will be learning "how to" learn a language and a digital voice recorder is a must for the course. It's pretty cool to see how God provides all the way down to the detail.

...more snow!!!

2006-02-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we got more snow! As you can see we are up to 33.5 inches of snow, but we probably have 3 feet now. I have been in awe since I've really never seen this much snow in my life; it's quite a different lifestyle from California.

Where did the sign go?

2006-02-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

What a difference!!! Hopefully this gives
you a slight idea of how much snow we
have right now:-). Pretty crazy, isn't it?

What a snowy day!!!

2006-02-05T16:56:00.000-05:00

In the past 48 hours we have accumulated 18 inches of snow!!! Can you believe it? I certainly can't. I don't think I have ever seen this much snow! I can't stop smiling, because the sight of all this snow is breath taking and magnificent:-).

The three pictures of the stream and trees where taken at the entrance to my school. The pictures really don't do it justice compared to what it's like in person.

As for me on the snowmobile, a friend was gracious enough to allow me to take it for a spin. I had a blast!!

Painting

2006-02-03T11:24:00.000-05:00

Monday through Friday I have what's called P.T.C. or Pratical Training Classes from 1:30-5:00 p.m. For the next 3 or 4 weeks I will be working in the brand NEW apartments that have been built for us students! As you can see my job has been painting with my painting partner who is Julie. Her and I have become good friends as we have lots of time to talk and get to know each other better.

SAILING!!!

2006-01-18T16:45:00.000-05:00

I had the awesome privelege of going sailing over Christmas break with my family. It was the FIRST time I had ever gone sailing. It was so relaxing and enjoyable to just sit back and enjoy God's amazing and beautiful creation. If you ever get the opportunity to go sailing, GO, you won't regret it:-).

San Diego, CALIFORNIA

*The top picture was taken while I was laying on my stomach gripping the side of the sail boat hoping that I wouldn't fall into the ocean, but the front of the sail boat is the best seat on the boat!!!

My Christmas Vacation!

2006-01-15T18:25:00.000-05:00

Newport Beach, CALIFORNIA

My Christmas vacation was spent in beautiful, sunny California. It was pretty tough to leave the snow and have to settle for going to the beach instead:-). In all honesty, I actually did miss the snow, but just a little bit.

Well, I'm grateful for the time I did have at home as I was able to rest and spend some quality time with my parents and my brothers. I'm so grateful for my family as I believe each person in my family is always willing to be honest with where they are at in life and I never want to take that for granted as that can be a rarity in families. It was also nice to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in awhile.

Here's another picture of Newport Beach,CALIFORNIA:

Practical Skills:

2005-11-12T15:00:00.000-05:00

I learned how to drive a tractor that's manual, and not only is it manual but everything is backwards (as if I was driving an English car)! It was a great learning experience. This is just one of the many pratical skills I have been learning during our P.T.C. (Practical Training Class) time.

The Fall Season!

2005-10-25T17:30:00.000-04:00

Growing up in California and not experiencing the fall season makes me appreciate this season 10x more. I absolutely love the fall season because it is so gorgeous!!! Right now the school campus is covered with red, yellow, and green leaves. This picture is for all my Californians friends who are deprived of a thing called "seasons". Hope you enjoy:-).

My first week here.

2005-09-13T13:05:00.000-04:00

The realization of becoming a full-time missionary has never hit me harder than it has in this first week of moving to Durham, Canada. Moving away from my family and the comforts of living at home are hard to leave. Being here in Canada has created fear, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty. I fear that I’m not ready to make such a big move in my life and say that I’m ready to enter into a mission organization full-time! I feel inadequate to cook for my self, let alone for a family (if I ever have one). I have anxiety that my needs won’t get met; like needed a hug once in awhile, or wanting to cry with my mom sometimes. But after going through my list with the Lord, He reminded me of who He was and what His role is in my life. He reminded me that abiding in Him means recognizing that I have everything I need through Him and that it is Him who brings those to Him through a person who is nothing (God plus nothing). He is the one that has brought me through my hearing loss and the trials that came from that. He has revealed Himself and His love and grace to me in Romania and as well in Papua New Guinea. Looking back at my life and thinking about where I would be if I never trusted the Lord and never went to places that scared me, then I wouldn’t be the woman that only God has formed me to be. God and I have had our ups and downs and He has been the faithful one throughout my life so far; and knowing that, I can take a deep breath and recognize that He will continue to do the same. God has been encouraging me with the book of Lamentations. In chapter 3:22-23 “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness,” and verses 55-58 “I called on Your name, O Lord, out of the lowest pit. You have heard my voice, do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, from my cry for help. You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not fear!” O Lord, you have pleaded my soul’s cause; You have redeemed my life.” As I was crying in my room over leaving my family and fearing whether or not I’m ready for such a big step in my life, God comforted me with His Word and I was encouraged to know that He will take care of me.

This is my new home:-)

2005-09-12T20:15:00.000-04:00

This is my cute kitchen, then take a few steps and then there's my living room! The picture in the upper right-hand corner is my bedroom and of course an up close picture of my bed to the right.