My girl...

Was looking thru our Jamaica team pics from Ric and came across these two pics that brought tears to my eyes as I saw it for the first time. This is my girl... Makeda. She and I spent the better half of last week Tuesday together. I fell in love with her the first day we went to the orphanage and found her when we went back to the orphanage. I love this li'l girl as if she were my own... I wish she was. But right now, God is telling me I'm not ready yet. So life goes on. She's sitting on my desktop right now. I sure do miss her. Her eyes are so captivating... God is teaching me a lot about waiting on his timing right now and this is just one example of those teaching moments...

Getting back into the swing of things (no pun intended :D)...
Played softball for the first time in over a year yesterday and again tonight. Last night was the team I play on with my mom and sister in a women's-only league. Tonight I played for my work as the NICU got a team together which is a co-ed league. Very low-key league as many of them play like they need to go back to little league ;) So they have never seen me play before and the majority of the women play like girls. So having never seen me play before and being a "girl", they started me out at catcher. That quickly changed once they realized I knew what I was doing (as I've played since I was 10 y/o). I was then placed in left-center which is where I play on Tuesday nights. My norm and comfort zone. My first time in this position for this team, a guy hit a high pop up to me and while everyone held their breath waiting for the ball to hit the ground, I carefully placed my glove under the ball as it gracefully fell into my glove for the 3rd out of the inning. Next inning, a guy hit a line drive out my way and as it was just starting to make it's descent to the ground, I snatched it out of mid-air for the 3rd out of the inning. Let's just say the "coach" of the team said, "Amanda, you don't need to play catcher anymore!" :) I had asked him at the start of the game if I could play outfield instead of catcher, but he insisted that I had to at least start there... Well, let's just say I played the rest of the game in left center. Then there was another line drive that I went for and short-stop went for it too. We collided as neither of us called for it, but he caught it. He was more than floored that I came from the outfield and would have had it had he not gotten in the way! That was again the 3rd out of the inning. He gave me several looks after that as he was more than shocked that I almost had that ting! I think he was also shocked by how hard we collided as I was more than serious about catching that ball. I ended up on the ground with the wind close to being knocked from me. (Some of you know I tend to be on the competitive side ;) ) He then coached 3rd base while we were up to bat and just looked at me in disbelief. Ya mon... this girl can play ball!! I was also told tonight that I throw like a boy... Now THAT is a compliment (as most of these women throw like girls!)... Good times :D

Hangin' Out On The Runway

Here we are hanging out on the runway of Montego Bay, Jamaica. The audio is hilarious!!

This is of a plane coming in right over our heads... Definitely an adrenaline rush!!

Jamaica 2007

All my pics from Jamaica have been loaded to my flickr account. I am still working on editing the title and description area, but feel free to check 'em out by clicking here:

Jamaica 2007 Pics

I also updated the WaYfm blog, click here to read it: WaY.fm

Hey Mon, No Problem!!

Check out our trip so far in Jamaica -> Live updates on www.WaY.fm. I'm in charge of the blog! Check out all our pics!!! On the homepage of WaY.fm, click on the third banner down that says Jamaica mission team! -> www.Way.fm

Our First Jamaican Sunset

The mission: To reach the Jamaicans with the love of Jesus and the Gospel of Christ.

The time: 4:30am. The destination: Montego Bay, Jamaica. Time to get up: 2:30am. Average number of hours of sleep per team member last night: 2 hours.

That’s how we started our morning. Most of us received very little sleep last night in anticipation for take off this AM. Some of us did last minute packing last night before hitting the sack – well, those of that actually made it to bed that is. Some of us decided that by the time the packing was done, it was almost pointless to go to sleep. As in what’s the point of going to bed for an hour… Some of us spent the night in the dorms at Cornerstone enjoying a “slumber party” with an hour and a half “nap” for a good night’s rest… Yeah, not the best way to start a mission trip, but as we’ve been planning and anticipating this trip for the last 2 months, sleep was the furthest thing from our minds. And actually, for those of that tried, sleep was almost impossible to come by. The adrenaline had kicked in to full swing and there is no desire to sleep. But, in spite of the lack of sleep, we are all in very good spirits and smiles. We’ve been joking around, teasing to no end, pulling out one-liners and all around having a good time …as we have become a family.

Drawn in...

Have you ever been drawn to do something even if it's dangerous? I was tonight. I went to visit some friends out in Holland, and after I left, I knew I was extremely close to Lake Michigan. I was so close that I could feel it calling my name. Actually I think it was God telling me to go in the stillness of the night to be still before Him.

The time was 10pm, Holland State Park had just closed and security (or the Coast Guard) had just closed the gates. I was like, I can't be this close to Lake Michigan and not go! I don't get out this way too often. So I thought, I could just drive around a few minutes and go back. When I was debating what to do, I saw the Coast Guard leave. I turned my car around ...time to move. I found a place to park on the street and walked the quarter to half mile to the beach. Now you may think I am crazy being a girl by myself going to the beach alone w/ all the freak stories seen on TV. Even I thought I was crazy. As I was walking out to the beach, I freaked out at anything that resembled human form b/c it was dark and hard to see. But no matter how scared I was, something was drawing me out there. I just kept walking. There was no turning back. I was too close. I had to touch the water.

I made it to the sandy beach. I couldn't hear the waves. Nothing. Still freaking out at anything that resembled human form, I kept walking. Kept my wits about me, looking all around for anything that moved. Did you know seagulls fly around at night? Saw a couple of them... (Sorry, random) I walked the 50-100 yards of beach till at last, I reached the water. Once I made it to the Lake, a wave of peace swept over me. I was still scared, but I was at peace. I knew it was where I was supposed to be.

The water was so still. The mild, sweet-scented breeze from the east. I put my feet in the icy cold water. My feet almost went numb. I continued walking down the beach as the gentle waves lapped up around my feet. It was refreshing. It was peaceful. God's peace filled me. I was scared, but His peace filled me. It was just what I needed. To be filled w/ God's peace. His spirit. His presence. Him.

When I stand on the beaches of Jamaica next week, I will remember this moment w/ God. This moment on Lake Michigan ...my home.

Less than 7 days!

The official countdown begins... Less than 7 days till we leave for Jamaica!!!

So what are my roles on the team you may ask? I have just a few ;) I'm the official nurse (or only nurse) and will be in charge of the team's meds (yikes, don't think that will include Versed... sorry to he who requested ;) ) and aiding in any injuries incurred along the way - you should see my arsenal of bandages and wound care! I'm fairly well stocked - just need Rich to buy the first aid kit :) I'm also in charge of the bubbles (yes! ...lol...). I'm on the music team, and I also have a role on the puppet team - puppets lip syncing to music - I picked out the music for it and am also a puppet :). My favorite puppet is a li'l boy who looks like a carrot :D. Oh, and I'm also in charge of the blog for WaYfm -> be sure to check it out starting June 10th at www.WaY.fm! I will be updating it at least daily with pics!!

Yeah, I guess you could say I have a few key roles on this team :) Some that came to me very recently - as in last week. I gotta tell ya, when I first started going to team meetings nine weeks ago and after finding out that there was no medical part to this trip, I felt very lost - wondering what my role would be on this team. I didn't feel as though there was a place for me since the parts that were emphasized (music and drama) were my weaknesses. But I chose to trust God's guidance that He placed me on this team for a reason. There were several nights that I went home saying to God, "I don't know what my role on this team is, but I'm trusting in You. You placed me on this team for a reason. I'm looking to You to show that to me." Initially I thought I'd join the drama team, but after 2 weeks realized this wasn't where God wanted me. I had several ideas for the music team and therefore God laid on my heart to join the music team. I hesitated at first b/c singing was never a real strong point for me, but as I've listened to music all the time for the last 6-7 years, this part of my brain has become more strongly developed and God has blessed me w/ a stronger singing voice. Though far from perfect, He is challenging me in my faith to rely on Him in this area. And I feel at home on this team and love it!! As I started to follow God's guidance and stepping out in faith, I shared my testimony and watched as that opened a whole new world for me on this team. My teammates have embraced me, and we are becoming a close-knit family. God then continued to open my eyes and provide key roles for me - leadership roles I had been longing for - but He wasn't willing to give them to me till I completely surrendered to His will and followed His lead. Once I was willing to follow, He gave me leadership roles. It has taken 8 weeks to get to this point - yes, 2 months! - but it's a journey that I would not have any other way as I've learned a lot along the way. You know, I love learning from God and watching Him work before my very eyes! God is good and never ceases to amaze me.

Would you pray for us? Please pray for us as we lay down the final plans for the trip and prepare to leave Sunday morning at 4:30AM!! Thank a bunch! I will keep ya posted via WaYfm's Jamaica 2007 Team Blog.

Chris Rice, Sunrises, Jamaica, NICU

Working at a Christian Radio station has its major advantages... When artists come thru to see us, I have the unique opportunity to meet them and at times enjoy private concerts. This past Tuesday, Chris Rice came thru b/c he was visiting friends and family in the area for Memorial Day Weekend and wanted to stop by to see us. He gave us a private concert in the student corum at Cornerstone University. Very cool, indeed. He was very good. He sang w/ just a guitar. No amps, no voice editing or processing. Just Chris. It was very cool. I also got to say hi and shake his hand :) He debuted one of his upcoming songs, Sneakin' Into Heaven, on his new record, What A Heart Is Beating For, due out July 17. He said he's never played it for anyone yet, so we were the first :D Good times. Good memories.

Has anyone been paying attention to the sunrises lately? Every morning that I go into work, they have been absolutely astounding. It makes it so worth getting up that early. There are times I just wanna cry for the beauty that God has placed before my eyes, but I usually hold back b/c I'm not a big crier unless I'm extremely upset or stressed out. Or I'm watching a DVD of a meeting for our mission trip to Jamaica and our contact is showing pics of the orphanages we are going to be going to and discussing how these orphans got there - they were abandoned by their parents on the streets. They were not dropped off at the orphanage. They were just abandoned. That breaks my heart to the point of tears. I wish we could spend much of our time in the orphanages. I think if they'd let me, I'd choose to stay there for at least half the day at least twice a week, but it doesn't look like our itinerary is going to allow that. So we'll see. They keep saying we need to be flexible, so maybe we will get more time there. I hope so.

Oh, hey!!! I get to manage the WaYfm blog for our mission trip while I'm in Jamaica! So be sure to check it out b/t June 10-20th -> www.WaY.fm. I will be posting pics on this blog as well, and my friend John Balyo will be posting video blogs. Plus, we will be doing broadcasts from Jamaica! Listen at 8:40am as we will be calling into the morning show giving Rick an update on what we've been doing and what we plan to do that day. Also listen from 10a-2p as John Balyo will also be broadcasting his entire show from Jamaica!! For those of you who live in the area tune into 88.3 or 89.9 WaYfm. For those of you who live outside this listening area, you can listen online!! Go to www.WaY.fm and click on the link on the upper left hand corner to listen online. Or for the best online listening, you can hear WaYfm in mp3 mode by clicking on this link... WaY.fm mp3 Player, then click on the WaYfm link here - second one down.

As you can tell I'm pretty excited to go. Just a li'l stressed as I'm working a full 12 hour shift at the hospital the day before we leave, and we are currently caring for around a hundred babies again - that is very stressful. Then the next morning, we leave at 4:30am for Detroit to fly out. Not looking forward to that b/c that means I have to be all packed by Friday night as I'll have no time on Saturday. Plus after working a 12+ hour shift the day before we leave, I'll be exhausted and probably won't sleep much at all that night as the adrenaline will be in full swing hoping I don't forget anything and anticipating having to get up at 2:30-3am to leave... Yikes... but God is in control. Please pray that all will go smoothly, that I'll be at peace with it all and that I'll be able to stay focused at work as I care for these li'l ones.