BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Well it's been a full month since I last posted something...and a few days ok give me a break val :-) and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed thinking about all the stuff I should put on here. Lets see I need to cover Christmas, New Years, etc, etc, etc. So I guess I have to start somewhere.

Dec 18 I hopped on a big 747 and spent about 14 hours in the air headed for the wonderful countryside of Nebraska. I was so excited to get to spend Christmas at home with my family this year. Last year I spent it in the Philippines, which is an experience I will remember forever. But it just doesn't seem like the holidays without family, ya know? It seemed like we celebrated Christmas for like 7 days straight! It was sooo wonderful. Going home is so refreshing to me. I love to walk in and be greeted with hugs from mom and dad. No one gives hugs and love like parents. And there's no love like the love of family.

A true example of the opposite life and culture of The Philippines compared to the states is: the day before I flew out I was laying out by the pool soaking up the sun. My first day at home I was wearing about three layers making a snowman!


A few days after Christmas I went to one of my best friends brothers wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and an awesome reception where I danced the night away and also caught the bouquet!!! Well, actually my friend Liz and I actually both caught it...but don't worry there were only a few punches, but no black eyes :-)


New Years eve was so much fun! I spent it in the small small small town of Bartley, Nebraska. A few of my closest friends were there and we decided the theme of the party would be "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party". Since my mom wouldn't let me borrow one of hers (just kidding mom) we did a little shopping at Good Will and came away with some real beauties. We sang a lot of kareoke, played cards, and ran around the house in the snow barefoot...don't ask :-)

I spent as much time as possible with my nieces and nephew. Stealing them every chance I got to go shopping, sledding, movies, and just hanging out.

One of the days we went to my brothers farm where we rode horses and shot blue rocks. I totally killed those clay pigeons!!! It was a wonderful day with Jocey, Jedrek, and Jaidyn. I love them and miss them so much!

My last few days I got to stay with my sister and best friend Misty in Omaha. Misty works at an inner city youth center called the Hope Center. Misty, our friend Kadi, and I challenged some of the boys to a few games of basketball. Although we lost a couple games, we proved us girls can run with the best of them. And after our victories we felt the need to treat ourselves to diner and a movie.


I said my goodbyes and flew the 16 hours back the the Philippines. It's been exciting since I've been back and seeing everything God has planned for the next few months. Things we only mentioned, He has set up. Ideas we've had, He has put in motion. Our feeding program is expanding to more days a week. As part of the feeding program, we will be having "classes" for kids who's parents aren't able to pay for them to go to school. Attendance will be required as well as lessons completed as a part of the program. Our next session with the womens pregnancy ministry is ready to start up again. I'm so excited to meet the women God is going to bring. The church we've been working with is also starting a youth group and a womens bible study that we're going to be able to be involved with. I also missed there girls here in the Philippines that I have gotten extremely close to. It's so fun, loving, and encouraging to be with them again. I will be thankful for and appreciate every single day I get with them these next few months.