is been a great year.....

Well its been 11 years since my mom passed away from cancer and its been 3 years since my grandfather passed away from cancer as well!!

But all in all its been a great year for me. My dad, step family and i have gotten closer than i have ever thought i would. Its all God!!


Next year will be a much better year although it will be different because i wont be home everyday. i will be doing something i love to do, serve!!

REFLECTING....

So this year has been a great year for me! I am blessed to have a dad who forgave of the things that i have said to him when i was in high school and a step mom who also has forgiven me. They both support me in my decision of going into the Army full-time. God has done amazing things in my life and will continue to so throughout my life!

I met a person through the Future Soldier Training 3 months ago and we instantly became real good friends,

her name is Kayla M. AKA
~Special K(SK)
~Battle Buddy Forever(BBF)
~Best Friend Forever(BFF)

Well she recently moved back home to New York. She was my running partner and pushed me like no other! We talk just about everyday and about everything. I feel like I've known her forever I'm so grateful that we met and i have to thank SGT P for that as well!! I'm proud of how far I've come; it hasn't been an easy road, but it'll be worth it in the end. I'm determined to enlist in the Army by the New Year or at least the first week of January.

I also have another great friend who i met through Future Soldier Training(FST) and her name is
Cheryl B., AKA
~Fruit Loops(FL)
~Battle Buddy Forever(BBF)
~Best Friend Forever(BFF)
Cheryl is leaving for Basic on Jan 5! :( It's going to be sad because I'll be alone at FST and now i need someone else to push me at FST every week, who will that be? LOL


I MISS AND LOVE YA, SK!!

Soon time for me to leave...

I've been reflecting on some past events and situations that i was in.

One was developing a relationship with my dad and stepfamily. When i was in high school my dad got re-married. I wasn't a big fan of her and her children. Back then i didn't talk to my dad or the stepfamily. Today, its a totally different story!! I have a relationship with everyone like we've always been a family! I love them all. Its totally weird and its ALL GOD!! Over the years i've been doing some reading of the Bible and lots of praying. I needed to be able to trust my dad again and forgive him for the things that he has done, i needed the courage to tell him that as well. I've said things that i regret saying to this day, but my dad and stepmom forgive me. My stepsister and i do things together, we've NEVER done anything together in the past. My stepmom and i had a very good talk a few weeks ago about how much i've changed and how i've done it. She and her two young adults have noticed it and has something to their mom. She told me that i've done a complete 180 and she asked me if i've gone to counseling or something of that sort. i just told her i've been reading and praying. She was so surprised and now its so great to have a relationship with her. The thing is, i never gave her or her kids a chance, I didn't want anything to change and it was really hard for me to accept her into my life. If you asked me questions about life and such 7 years ago, i would probably give you one word answers and that would be about it. Now i love conversations!! Its crazy to see how much i've grown as a person. I've gone over to the house to ride 4-wheelers, cut the ends off of green beans from their garden, and just to hang out. I'm over there 3 or 4 times a week!!

My dad and i have a great relationship as well. I don't remember the last time i said "I love you" to my dad, but a few years ago i started saying that to him and he says it back to me! :) It feels so good to have a dad in my life and we're not yelling at each any more. I really need my dad and stepmom and family in my life. I mean, my stepmom, stepsister and stepbrother are family now!! As long as my dad is happy, thats all that matters!! :)

I've been packing my things away plastic tubs and getting rid of a ton of stuff. I'm also planning a surprise party for a 7th grader in my Life Group. She's having a tough time bc i'm leaving her for the army. I understand, so i talked with her mom and she loved the idea of me throwing her a party! I want the party to be something she remembers for awhile! I'm so stoked to see her face!! I love Ju so much!

I'm going to be writing a postcard type thing to my girls once i find out my ship out date. I'm hoping that i had some sort of impact on my girls the last two years as their Life Group leader in 56. I've done somethings for them, some involved pain; but they would get candy bc they won the game. They ALWAYS volunteer me for different games and i love it, i'd do anything for them!!

My recruiter has told me that i will most likely be leaving in OCTOBER. I can't wait to leave for Basic Training!! I got TDQ for 52 days bc of the surgery i had back in 2006 and for a cataract that i've had since i've been born.
Pro:
~it won't be as HOT in S.C.


CON:
~being away from family for the Holidays, 1st time ever!

LEAVE DATE SET...

Well my dream is finally becoming a reality!!

On Tuesday i will be enlisting into the US ARMY ACTIVE DUTY!! I'm so excite to be doing this. I've waited way to long for this. My MOS(my job) is going to be 92F, aka, petroleum supply specialist, aka re-fueler for anything that runs on gas!! i also get to ride in those vehicles. My set leave date is 20090909, in other words, Sept 9, 2009!

More to come later.....

Seeing the Light...

On Wednesday at 4pm i headed up to Harrisburg MEPS with my recruiter to take my ASVAB, if you don't know what that stands for, GOOGLE IT! lol I then went into the test taking room full with computers and proceeded to a computer. My recruiter gave me a piece of gum to help my focus and concentrate on the test. I wasn't as nervous as the first time I took it, which was good because i had an idea what was going to be on the test. The first time I took it, i got a 29 and you need a 31 to enlist. So i had to wait an entire 30 long days till i could take it again. So Wednesday, 15, i took it again, this time i got a 42, its not too bad, but wish i got a higher score, it'll do tho! I was on cloud 9 that day because it meant that i could enlist after a very long time of waiting, dieting, running, and stress!! So now i have to get back and be strict with what i eat once again, which i don't mind. I've started running more often even though it's HOT out just about everyday!

The next step in the process of enlistment is the physical part. After i pass the physical, I'll proceed to picking my MOS(GOOGLE IT), my leave date and all of the fun paper work and logistics, signing on the FINAL line; can't back out when i sign my life to the military, then its off to the OATH!

It'll be another week or so till i find out my leave date, but knowing that the hardest part is done and over with, FOREVER! i can see the light at the end of the tunnel.



Some things that I'm going to miss while at Basic Training for 3 months and leaving PA for a life on a Base in another state:
~seeing/speaking to family
~having the freedom to do whatever
~eating my gma's amazing chicken pot pie
~eating junk food
~seeing/talking to my friends
~my amazing BABE!! <3 Kautz!
~the WONDERFUL people that I've gotten to know over the years at LCBC
~the friends that have impacted my life, I've come a long way since my high school years!
~serving in a safe place for middle schoolers to come and and enjoy understanding who God is and knowing that He is ALWAYS with them NO MATTER what they may face in life, even as 5-8 graders!
~my soon-to-be Jcrew girls!! love them all, even if a few are upset that I'm leaving them.
~ after moving to my Base that I'll be live on, being able to travel home to see family and friends
~learning something totally new and seeing where God takes me and use me
~getting cheap airfare tickets! lol
~not joining for recognition, but for my own sake; I've been told that I'm a selfless person, not sure if its a good thing or not, let me know what u think about that one!!


I had a great time getting to know and hanging with some amazing people over the years, especially those that have known me since i've started going to LCBC and the life i was living. I think it's safe to say that I've grown so much since than. I owe it all to the people who were involved with my life. Looking back now, i can' even imagine me doing and saying the things i used too! CRAZY, it blows me away! lol I've come to appreciate life a little more now that i'm older and realizing its now about me but about others! One thing is that whenever i go out to dinner with friends or family, i won't let them pay for my dinner or drinks, i'm not sure why that is but its true. Also, if someone at work wants a drink from the vending machines, i pay for their drink and if they offer to buy me a drink from the machine; i'm like no thank you, you don't have to pay for me. I'm not a fan of parties of any kind because i feel like i don't deserve it or something. So i'm hoping that I don't get any parties before i leave because it's what i decided to do with my life and i'm going to get so much out of it, and doing it for my own good to be challenged and to get out of my comfort zone.

i'll be posting again once i get my leave date, so stay tuned.



thanks for all of the memories and i hope to make more before i leave and throughout my military life! I love you all.

Getting ready to leave...and CAMP MOMMA is coming back...

So I'm counting the days till i leave for BCT. My recruiter said I'll be shipping out in July!! I'm going active duty so i will be based in another state. I'm so excited to go and be challenged. I'd love to do something with computers, MP, or Chaplain in the Army. I'm praying that i'll do well on the AFQT this week! I've been studying so much over the coarse of 3 months. I can do about 5-7 pushups which is pretty good for women since we don't have upper body strength like men do. I can also pump out 60-80 sit-ups as well. I'm working on my 3 mile run now. I've defiantly come a long ways in the past year and very proud of myself bc i thought i couldn't lose the weight as fast as i did. It took a lot of discipline to get where I'm at today!! My goal would be to get down to 138-140lbs. I need to get more motivated to go running every single day!




I loved having these girls in the picture last year. It was last minute for me and i had no idea who these girls were and i was afraid that they weren't going to like me, but i left UE camp last year as "CAMP MOMMA!" How awesome is that. I decided to help out with UE camp one last time. my 6Th grade girls were disappointed when i wasn't going to UE camp, but I'm going out with a bang! lol I'm going to miss the girls so much and having that relationship with each and every single one of them. I've been with the girls for 2 years now and just seeing how much they change in a year, its pretty amazing! They absolutely don't want me to leave and knowing that, it shows how much they love me being their LIFE group leader. I couldn't ask for a better group of girls. I'm going to miss them so much and I'm glad that I'll have an entire week to build an even more closer relationship with them. I'm going to miss the people of LCBC, the friendships that have built over the years, my family, and my boyfriend (well not quite yet, but we're seeing each other).

A story from blizzard…

    On Saturday, the kids were doing their 4 stations and the 6^th graders got to do the zip line. The girls were before lunch and the guys were after lunch. I was one of the 3 helping with harnessing, giving them their clips to clip onto the line and they needed a helmet. I wanted to go down the zip line so bad, so waited to the very end to go. As I was walking around the pond to the tower, this one boy named Christian was walking back and I asked him "where are you going?" and he told me that he was scared to go on the zip line. I told him to come with me and that I know he can do it. As we're walking towards the tower, the entire time I'm reassuring that it's completely safe and that I know he can do it. Christian is such an amazing kid! I think he needed someone to come along side him and tell him that he can do it and that person was me. It was such a cool moment. He wanted me to go first and I ran and jumped off and it was a blast. I could do it all day long! Then it was Christian's turn. There were a few leaders still at the zip line waiting for him to go. We were yelling at him, "you can do it!" I told him that I'll give him some Mtn. Dew when he got jumped off the tower. He sat up there for a few minutes and I saw him jump and that was a neat moment! Needless to say we went crazy when he jumped off the tower. I'll never forget what he said when he got to the shore, "that was so fun, I wish I could do it again!" I'm so glad I had the opportunity to motivate Christian to jump off the tower! That seriously made my weekend. At dinner I gave Christian 2 Mtn. Dews and I told him that was for walking back to the tower and jumping off! He was excited and smiling ear to ear! God was in that moment!

 

A few more pictures of JAMAICA…

 

A FEW PICS FROM JAMAICA!

Journaling throughout my time in Jamaica…

I apologize in advanced because some of my writing my jump around from one thing to another!

12/27, Saturday

Flight was delayed an hour and a half because of mechanical problems. We started to board around 4pm or so. We finally left at 5pm for Jamaica. The group was tired from traveling at 645am and then had to sit longer at the airport. We then boarded a bus that took us to the Air Jamaica plane, which was out in the middle of the pad. I've never experienced that, but it was fun! We got to Four Season Hotel around 10pm, much later than expected. Our driver Joe is amazing, he likes to joke around and made us feel welcomed. Met Jim and Cheryl at the Hotel and a pow-wow before heading off to bed. I hit the sack around 1030pm. I'm going to try to be internet and cell phone free for the week!

 

12/28, Sunday

We're getting ready to head to church, Mammee River Baptist Church. I had a great time playing with the children. We handed out some clothes, hats, school supplies, beanie babies (mice), and bubbles to the younger kids. I met Joshua, Andrea, and a ton of other kids. The kids of all ages warmed up to us all very well. We went to see Mona Baptist Church; we didn't go inside because we had to get a few things in the big container behind the church. I saw some really beautiful scenery as we were driving to Mammee River Church. It has been a long day already. It's in the 80's or 90's today, because it's really eating 2 of them. Adjusting to the food has been the hardest part so far! People are really friendly here. Being able to wear shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops again is fantastic! I'm sweating like a dog as I'm writing because our AC isn't working right. I gave away some Gospel Bead Bracelets to the kids and parents at Mammee River. I've developed some friendships with some of the children. I found out that they have a gym here at the Hotel! Well I'm going to read now. PROVERBS 3.27

 

12/29, Monday

For breakfast we had toast, bacon, and the greens again. It's not a very big meal, but its food. We went to a Children's home to play with the kids and they were great. Kurt was a teen at the Children's home that was very friendly and loved everyone on the team. The kids didn't want us to leave. I could have stayed longer but we had to leave them. They seem pretty happy living there. They know Jesus and that He died for them. We were told that the children's parents/relatives would come and pick them up on Christmas and then take them back to the Children's home because they can't afford to take care of them. We later went to Mona Baptist to reorganize the big container of supplies that were shipped from Texas. We went back to the Hotel for some relaxation at the pool or just to hangout in our rooms. We hung out with Dirk and Carrol Richards kids at the Hotel pool. They are amazing kids! The weather is great today, there's a breeze going! At the Children's Home we introduced ourselves, did crafts and games, then handed out slippers and stuffed mice as well. I had fillet of snapper with potatoes, and veggies for dinner last night, it was fantastic! For lunch we had Jamaican Juici Patties. They were these pastry filled things with beef, chicken or a veggie one with coco bread on the outside. They were actually pretty good. They didn't sound good, but they were. It's Monday and I'm not ready to go home, back to reality! We stopped for ice cream at the Devon House. They had some little shops to get some souvenirs, but it was a little expensive. Now I'm sitting by the pool writing and reflecting on the day. It's been a great day/week so far. It's only going to get better. I'm starting to read Boundaries again. I never finished it before, so now I'm determined to finish it by the end of the week. Supper is at 6pm again, I might try something else or I might get snapper again. Back from dinner, I had curried chicken with potatoes and veggies. It was outstanding! I decided that I'm going to the gym everyday when I get home. I'm watching what I eat here and I'm drinking only water. I saw a guy with half of a crutch as his artificial leg because it was amputated. My first reaction before seeing Jamaica in person was that there was going to be a ton of people begging for money and such. It turned out that's how some people survive. I saw another guy looking for something to drink and there was a can of something on the sidewalk and he put that down and saw water from a sprinkler and rubbed his hand on the wall to get water. The children at the Home asked if they could have any of the bottled water and I gave 2 boys one. Jamaica a poor country, but that's how they want to live! All they want is stuff to survive living in Kingston; such as water, food, clothes, school supplies and reading glasses. It breaks my heart that I had to leave the kids at the Children's Home behind. I was told that some of the parents come to pick up their child at the Home for the Holidays and then take them back to the Home! Why would you do that to them! It makes no sense to me. The mosquitoes are very bad here. The 1^st full day, Monday, I got bit on my neck and it looks like I got a hicky! I got eaten alive already and its day 2! PROVERBS 19.17

 

12.30, Tuesday

Today we had pancakes, toast, and eggs for breakfast. We then went off to Mona Baptist to hand out reading glasses and it was so exciting to see the people's expressions when they could read a paper with small print. It felt good to be helping someone because in the States we take everything for granted. I got to hand out some 56 bags and got the child's picture with it. This one young girl was excited when I handed her a bag because she had so many things to carry and it helped her out a lot! It was rewarding to help s many people in just 3 hours. We saw 162 people at Mona Baptist, YAY GOD, but we did have to turn hundreds of people away because we were running out of time. I heard that there were people crying, yelling, and shoving to get through the gate. Last night I left the room for the debrief, about the day and it smelled like "ganja" or weed, really bad. It's weird because here (Jamaica) everyone smokes it and in the States it's illegal. For lunch we had the patties that we had yesterday. Tonight for dinner we're going out to eat, so it should be interesting. We walked up the road by Mammee River Church, and got to feel the water, it was luke warm. Ben, Cris, Pat and I went for a walk to hand out some bathing supplies, toys, and sunglasses to the kids. The kids were following us most of the way up the road. At the eye clinic this one older gentleman asked me for some money and I handed him 5$ and he was very glad because here in Jamaica 5$ go along way! It's hot today again and our AC isn't working all that great in our hotel room! So Mary, my roommate, opened our window but then all the mosquitoes attacked us during the night and this morning as I woke up I saw like 10 of them around my head! So for dinner we went to Island Grill and I had a chicken sandwich and it was very good. The AC is working now, Ben fixed it! Thanks Ben! Now it's time to relax and hangout with the team, its 652pm, we have at debrief at 8pm. Our one driver, Joe, is a character; he's been teaching us a new word every day,

~YEA, MON

~IRE (spelling), MON    

~It's just the situation!

Our other driver, Douglas, is pretty awesome as well. He asked me if I'm enjoying my time in Jamaica and I told him that I could move down to Jamaica during the winter months and he told me that I could stay with him and his wife. Such sweet, friendly people. The children here are very polite, they call us "Miss" or "Sir," just wish the children in the States did that! I'm very itchy at the moment; it looks like I got chickenpox or something. Their silent, but deadly! I feel fat right now because I haven't been able to go to the gym for the entire week, so when I get back home I'm doing double time at the gym! PROVERBS 25.25

 

12.31, Wednesday

This morning we had almond French toast, bacon, toast, and beans. I just had the French toast. It was okay. This morning we had our 2^nd eye clinic and it was at Mammee River Church. We did about 116 people today! I was handing out a few Frisbees, bags and one beach ball and the kids loved them, THANKS CHAD FOR THEM, just wish I had more to give out. I got 2 addresses of 2 boys I met. I was showing these kids my pictures and the one asked if he could have one of them and I said sure and soon enough my pictures were gone, but that's okay. This one little girl told me when she gets home; she's going to hang up the picture! LOL, so cute! These kids are so adorable. Tonight we're celebrating New Year's Eve, Jamaican style! So now we have a small break until it's time to eat and then head back to Mammee River Church for dinner and New Year's Eve celebration. Lunch we had sandwiches and such with water or juice. I'm just ready to leave the children behind when we have to go home. Jim was talking about having a culture shock when we arrive home in the States. I know it will be hard adjusting to the US culture again. We take so many things for granted, but here people grab anything they can get their hands on! We want the biggest and best thing that comes out in stores and these people just want food, water, clothing and a home! The parents or relatives can't afford the basic school supplies and these kids were thrilled when they received school supplies from us. Their eyes lit up! So NY's Eve was very long! We went to Mammee River Church for a concert, up until midnight. The kids were falling asleep on everyone's lap. This one little girl was clinging to me for most of the night. She asked me if I could be her Godmother, but I had to say no because here if you tell a kid that you would like to their Godparent, that means you would have to send supplies and such to them! I didn't want to take that responsibility, but she does call me her sister, which I'm okay with! I love her, but that's too much for me take in! Well, we rung in the New Year, 2009, Jamaican style. After we finished the last song, we went around shaking hands, but mostly hugging! I kind of got emotional and teary-eyed because I was in a different country and to see everyone excited about what 2009 will bring them/us. I'm such a softy! Mosquitoes are still bad and eating me alive! God is doing amazing things in the Mammee River village!!

 

1.1.2009, Thursday

Breakfast was at 930am since we got to bed really late. We had toast, eggs, and ham. It's a relaxing morning/afternoon, so we're going to play a Dutch blitz tournament by the pool. Then we're heading to a playground to play with some more kids till 6pm. Every store is closed because of the Holiday, restaurants are open though. I'm getting to know everyone now that the week is coming to an end. The week is going by so fast and I'm not ready to leave! We have one more full day of work tomorrow, then it's off to the airport on Saturday. Today, 10am-230pm we just relaxed at the pool, ordered food, talked, and played games. It's been fun today. At the playground we did crafts and games then Jim did a few magic tricks. We then handed out gifts for the kids of all ages. Everywhere we go, the kids tend t cling to us and the kids don't let us go, I love that! Dinner is at the hotel again. I'm having filet of snapper with potatoes, again. Tonight is another chill night, time to fellowship with the team. The kids at the playground fought over the empty boxes after we handed out all of the toys and supplies.

 

1.2.2009, Friday

In the morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed back to Mammee River to do some rebuilding of a home that got destroyed by Hurricane Gustav. Some of us did games and crafts with the kids, while others painted board games for the church to use with the kids and others did the construction. It was sad to say good-bye to the kids at Mammee River. They kept asking me "when are you coming back to visit" and I told them I'm not sure! Lunch we had Juici Patties, again! I got to hold baby Robert, who is one of the baby triplets, but the 3^rd one didn't make it. He was so adorable. For dinner we went to Dirk & Carrol Richard's place. It was catered and it was very different, but it was good. I tried curried goat, it was okay. I got sick afterwards! LOL Carrol challenged us to think about what we want to do, as far as ministry. She said that in ministry, you don't have to preach to people, just love on the people and that's one thing that stuck out to me. I enjoyed getting to know their children Christof, Andrea, and Dominique. They are wonderful kids and well grounded in life! We then came back to the hotel for a reception held by the hotel staff because of the eye clinic we held for the staff. They had little snacks for us and drinks, sodas that is! LOL It was held at the Beer Garden. We were all full from the Richard's and we tried to shove more food down! LOL We went to bed at 11pm.

 

1.3.2009, Saturday

Breakfast was toast, eggs, ham, and French toast. Today we leave for JFK at 630pm. Jim talked about how they raise money for people all around the world. Id like to do the 10 cent can for dehydrated food for the people in Africa, maybe 56 could work together and help bring food to the starving people. Just a thought! They also raise money for water filtration systems to prevent people from getting sick because they drink dirty water. I don't want to leave and go back to the freezing weather. It's going to be hard going back to reality and everyday living, stressful life.

 

1.3.2009, Late Saturday Night

We arrived in New York and went outside, was it ever cold!! WELCOME TO HOME, I guess! LOL