Mighty Adventurer

I HAVE A NEW BLOG

2015-03-30T18:43:00.001-07:00

https://mightyadventurer.wordpress.com/

neither death nor life.

2013-07-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today, July 17th, is a day that will forever be a horrible day in my life. July 17th, 2011 the day I got home from a missions trip and got a phone call from my best friend telling me to go bring my phone to my mom. It was only after that, that I found out my friend and her unborn son were died. I still to this day do not know how she died and I highly doubt I will till I get to heaven. All I know is its only been 2 years and I and everyone who knew here are still torn and grieving. A lot has gone down since 2011. Nathan is 4, I have graduated high-school, gone to madagascar and gone to college. I miss the talks she and I used to have with her when she would come visit my family. She would come visit at the most random of times and sadly most of the time I would think of it as a bother but now I miss those random visits, I miss driving around with her and laughing and watching bones and eating ice cream.
Two years later and everything has changed. But today I read Romans 8:38-39 and it gave me a weird peace just letting me know that no matter what, neither death nor this so called life, can take us away from God's love for us. His Son, Jesus still came and died for us on a cross. NOTHING can change that no matter what.

19

2013-07-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

So I am 19 1/2 years old. The top three questions I get are as follows.

1. Are you in school?
2. Whats your major?
3. Are you dating anyone?

The first two, I don't mind at all I ask them all the time my self. I mean it is normal to wonder. However, the third question is the one that always gets me. I mean just cause I am 19 do I have to be dating someone? I am 2 quarters into college, I don't plan on getting married anytime soon I mean I have like 8 years of college left. Possibly after that I will get married and MAYBE MAYBE MAYBE have kids. It bothers me to no end that just because I am "adult" that means I have to be dating/getting ready to be married. But as far as I can tell God has not placed those cards in front of me, in fact he has given me a peace about being single. I enjoy it in fact. I just have to worry about school and trying to get a part time job. I know women are expected to get married and raise the kids. But I believe sometimes God calls some of us to be unmarried, maybe for life or maybe even just part of it. I mean Paul was not married and he was the greatest missionary for christ EVER. With out him we wouldn't have most of our bible. Paul him self said it is better to remain unmarried than to just get married because that is what people do. (1 Corinthians 7)
I am a people watcher and subsequentlyI have watched so many young men and women date and get their hearts broken because they are merely dating because that is what people our age do. However, a wise woman once told me I was a popsicle, weird I know. But thing about it you don't just share your popsicle with anyone who walks up and wants one. You share it with people you love. Now I am not saying I am against dating, nor am I saying I condemn those who do date. I honestly think everything happens for a reason, every heart break, every mistake, and ever good choice. my personal conviction is just that, PERSONAL. God give us each different goals, tasks, and paths in life. Does mine involve marriage? Maybe, I don't know. Until the day I find out it does I will continue to focus on school and God.

Wait what time is it?

2013-06-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Well its June 5th, 2013 at 8:25pm. I am sitting at the kitchen table making plans for the VERY long car

trip I am taking with my Mother, Sarah, and Nathan. Dad, Jay, and Peter get to miss out of this lovely

trip. But, as I am sitting here I am thinking about what all has happened since I got back 6 months ago.

So much has happened since I left africa, and since that day all I have wanted to do is go back. I miss

africa more and more everyday. I love collage and everything its way better than high-school and I

have even made the deans list both quarters at GMC. It is still not the same. I would rather be out there

doing something not just sitting in a class room 1/2 bored out of my life. But lets rewind a little.

December, came home and it was good, had christmas and that was good. Then school started.....I was

kind of freaking out but I knew Kelly was there so I would be fine. I took Math, English, Bio, and Per

101. It was a good quarter, I got 2 A's and 2 B's, even made the deans list. Then I had two weeks off

which was like a mini taste of summer which made going back all that much harder. To make it worse

we went to school for a week and then had spring break. But I still made A's and B's. Which is so

much better then I ever did in HighSchool. Now school is over, I am signed up to take 4 classes 2 of

them are with Kelly which makes me so happy. I get to take my first psychology class. I hope I like it

other wise I have to change majors. Well back to what I started this post with. The long car ride. I was

debating taking classes this summer. But decided I wanted a break. Two days later, Aunt Annette

contacted my mom offering me a job for the summer. So I said yes then my mom said we are going to

drive across country. Friday Night we start our journey and we head to Nashville, Tennessee, Omaha,

Nebraska, Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, Bozeman, Montana and then finally Cashmere Washington :)

college, life, dang it happens fast.

2013-03-16T20:45:00.002-07:00

Well Monday I start my second quarter of college. I made two A's and two B's the first quarter and made the deans list. For anyone this would be a big deal, for me its an even bigger deal because growing up if I got a B it was a miracle, and some how I pulled of 2 A's and 2 B's, I mean I got a 84.55 in BIOLOGY 123, the class that it looked like I was going to have to drop out of because I was failing so horribly. Also Ryan left for boot camp. I have gotten two letters from him so far. I wrote him another one today. I love getting hand written notes in the mail so I love and hate the fact that he is away. But I love getting mail and since he is gone I get mail :) If any other boy wanted to win me over sending me ANYTHING in the mail would be the best way, for gets texts, email, phone calls, twitter, or facebook. I love hand written notes, I mean the person can just hand them to me and walk off they don't even have to mail them. Kelly and I used to do that in 11th grade. Since she hates texting, it was fun we would read it when we got home and give a reply the next time we saw each other .... usually the next day. I also got a job, I make web 2.0's for Paul and I get $4 a website and I have made over $220+ worth of websites :) My photography business has also taken off and my babysitting business, which is AWESOME. I can't wait to get my new camera, when I finally get the new camera I will start taking even better photos. I can not wait for school to start back up monday, even though I wont see Kelly basically at all this quarter. But its okay Dad said we can't be friends anymore before she 1. has never had apple pie, 2. hates fruits in her desserts. It boggles the mind how she and I could be friends, let alone best friends, but it all works in the end.

I miss Madagascar SO SO SO SO SO much. I mean sometimes I want to just cry I miss it so much. I will be saving up to go there again. I miss my cousins, my aunt and uncle, the workers, the students, and my friends I made there. Don't get me wrong I love college, and my mom made me promise to come back and go. But I miss Madagascar SO much. I can not wait till the day I get to see them all again, and make no mistake I will see them again. Maybe not for 3 months but I will be going back. I don't think I could live if I never went back. My heart aches to go back and I know I will. I was not made to live in the USA, I was made to be born here to give me the chance to go ANYWHERE and I will go to as many countries as I possibly can.

college

2013-02-22T22:18:00.000-08:00

College. You know its a lot different then I expected but I actually really love it. I am getting all of the boring core classes out of the way right now. I am about to finish Bio 123, Math 109, Eng 101, and Per 101. I am pretty sure this is my last lab science class. Also possibly my last math class. I have actually made a lot of new friends. I may have hated high-school but I am loving college. I am so excited to get to my psych classes in a few quarters. Next quarter I am taking PLS with Courtney and my new friend Jenna and I am taking PER 102 with Kelly and Jen, and English 102 with some of my class mates who are in my English 101 class :)

whoa 9 months

2013-01-26T09:21:00.001-08:00

9 months. That is how long its been since I graduated high-school But it feels like it was years ago. So much has happened, so much has changed. Its really hard to explain. I have been to Africa and back, lost friends and gained some, and in 2 weeks Ryan leaves for basic training. I am so proud of him but I am also kind of sad he is leaving. I have also have taken my first college class, taken my first college test, and written two papers......and I am only in my third week. Nathan turns 4 in 10 days. its crazy, he should only be like a few months old, but he is so big now. I still miss Africa everyday, I don't think I was made to stay in one place for long periods of time. I am going stir crazy but I do enjoy classes.

life moves on.

2013-01-21T09:50:00.001-08:00

Well I have been home a month and 1/2, Christmas has come and gone and I started college. I am starting week three of eight this week. I have written and turned in my first paper to English, and I have a test in Math and Biology this week. Its been completely crazy since I got home. Between catching up with friends, christmas, and pulling of a surprise birthday party for Ashley. Christmas was good I got a 120 gb ipod and les mis 10th anniversary. But after that was when my fun began because I was surprising Ashley, and just so ya'll know that is hard to do. One because Ashley is my best friend and I tell her almost everything and I was excited about this so I wanted to tell her. Also because she is highly suspicious and while she knew I was up to something she had no clue what that something would end up being. I got about 20 people up at Jacobs house, which is a lot of work since he lives about an hour away from where we live. But what made it better is this meant she was in my car blindfolded for an hour, and Jay who is normally quiet was filling her head with all these sonorous of how everything was going to go down, and none of the ended well lol. But we got to his house and she was surprised and even admitted that I did in fact "get" her. It was a lot of fun and a a lot of our friends came even ones I didn't know where coming because they weren't sure till that day, and a lot of them were home from college so it worked out. It was just fun. But that day way my last day of freedom. Two days later I started at GMC, I really like this college. However I not a fan of tests which is what I am procrastinating from right now. I do not want to do homework right now just not in the mood. Plus my math teacher was sick this past week so we never had class yet have a test wednesday so its kind of crazy. I also hate biology and I have a test in that class too.

I am really missing Africa. I miss the food, the people, and the environment. I miss seeing my cousins every day. I miss the craziness of all the sick people. lol Life in america is so different, if someone is sick we go to the doctors. Also we don't have all these crazy problems like them have there. Now to save money and either get them home here or get me back there. But if I do get to go back I wont to bring a friend with me, someone to experience things with me.

plans change

2012-12-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

Well looks like I will be staying in WR till april........ At which time I will hopefully be heading to Washington.

life goes on.

2012-12-08T13:45:00.003-08:00

Well I have been home a whole week and a day now. I have been babysitting since Monday, pretty much everyday. I am babysitting right now. Last night is the one night I hadn't babysat but I got to go see a play with Kelly, Mom, and Peter. This 11 year old I babysit was in it and did an awesome job:). But the main new news is that I will most likely be gone by December 30th, 2012. I am taking a nanning job in Washington State. I am very excited about this because I get to live with one of my favorite families in the world. I will also be starting college online hopefully January 7th. I am VERY VERY excited about school, and life and everything. It will be 6 months till I come home when I leave though. That is two whole quarters of college, but I am very excited to see what God does with my life in the coming months.

Jerimiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you you," declares the Lord, "planes to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

jet lag

2012-12-01T18:53:00.001-08:00

So I made it home yesterday night. It was a LONG flight, but I did get to take a shower after the LONG flight. Then my dad and I took the short flight to ATL and then Dad drove us home. Mom made us tacos and Kelly came over. She most have really missed me cause she even hugged me. Even though we are best friend neither of us really like hugs lol. Then today I spent the day at barebulb :) and got to see Ashley, Auburn, Mrs.Tara, and Mrs. Donna :) I also got yummy coffee and quiche (my favorite kind). Then tonight I got to talk to Amy :)

my trip

2012-11-27T04:42:00.000-08:00

Well I head to Tana in a few hours. This is the beginning of a long trip. Uncle Colin and I take a bus then spend tomorrow in Tana, shopping for a few more gifts and such. Then thursday we have the morning then I go to the airport and get on plane #1, then fly for like an hour and half then RUN to make my next flight and stay on said flight for over 18+ hours. But when that flight is over I will be in AMERICA and after customs I will go meet up with my Dad :). Then at 12:30 we will both be on a plane home to GA :)

monday,

2012-11-25T23:23:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was Sunday. We went to the Tarzan restaurant because I really like it and it has amazing fries and pizza (very american eh). Then the boys when swimming at the beach and I stayed with Uncle Colin and Aunt Kim in the car and we talked. Note we could see the boys at all time. It was an amazing way to spend my last Sunday here in Madagascar. It so weird to be leaving, I can't wait till I can come back here. I also can't wait to hear about where all these "kids" grow up to be, and where they get in life.

Today is Monday I went into town to the bank and to go to the bank and a few other places.

time flies when you're having fun.

2012-11-24T01:35:00.001-08:00

Wow, I have Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday left here in Tamatave. Tuesday night I will get on a bus and go to Tana with uncle Colin and spend wednesday in Tana and then Thursday is the start of my long flight home. This as been a truly amazing trip and I am so glad I got to come. I have had so much fun getting to know my cousins, the staff, and the students. I have gotten to see so many lemurs and other animals I would never get to see otherwise. I have gotten to spend one on one time with all three boys. I can't wait for the day when I can come back here and the day we get all of them home. Thank you to everyone out there who supported me on this trip either with prayers or with your donations I couldn't have done it with out you. Now my next adventure will start, I take the placement test for GMC in 10 days, then I will start college. Best part about that is its the same college as my best friend :)

Three months I have been here does it feel like it? No it does not. Time has just flown by almost to fast. I miss my friends but I am going to miss this place.

thanksgiving

2012-11-21T23:49:00.000-08:00

Well its thanksgiving morning here in Madagascar. If I was in georgia I would still be asleep lol. But I would be getting up soon. Then I would eat breakfast and get dressed. Then I would go down stairs to help Baba get all the final preparations together before everyone starts showing up at 2pm today. Its kind of a bittersweet because thanksgiving is one of my top 3 favorite holidays. But no one is horribly sick in my family (just sarah's broken leg), none of my family was horribly effected by Sandy, and I do have food to eat. I will be home in 8 days. If there was a way that Nathan could come live here with me I don't think I would go home, well that an the fact I don't have enough money to stay here. I am thankful that I got to come here to madagascar for 3 months and I hope to come here again or better yet get $15,000 and get all my cousins here home. Can't wait to show everyone all my photos though.

notes from church

2012-11-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

Mijoroa 'ho an' andriamanitra = To be a witness for God. This was the title of Jeffery's message.

Isaiah 60:1-2

Stick on the straight and narrow.

Numbers 12:1-3, 13:30

2 Corinthians 11:14

Daniel 3:17

James 1:12

Zechariah 4:6

stage fright.

2012-11-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

Well today was interesting....... Went to church which is normal it is sabbath. But Uncle Colin sat in front of me so he was able to share his bible with me and tell me what Jeffery was talking about and I took notes :). Also fell in love with Uncle Colins bible, I might have to buy it. Then after Uncle Colin asked me if I knew some easy english songs to teach them as he usually tries to teach them a few and they wanted me to teach them some. I came up with Jesus Loves Me and Deep and Wide. But next week I am going to sing a song by myself for them to just listen to. Like I do every week. But did you know I HATE singing in front of people? There is a reason you never see me on stage anywhere well not in the past 13-15 years at least. I just don't like it. But I shall but as I learned to do I can not look at the crowd as soon as I did I messed up.......

15 days till I come home.

2012-11-15T10:34:00.000-08:00

So today started with a local story tellers coming to the school. They were pretty cool, and no I didn't understand any of it. Then I went and hang out in the house for a while, ate lunch. Then went and helped make the chameleons for this group who ordered like 30 of them. Then when we ran out of power and things I could do Aunt Kim sent me on a mission to try to find some fabric (note she offered me this job jokingly but I took it). Sadly I didn't find the right fabric as they don't have it either right now or anymore. So then I did what Uncle Colin told me to do and walked down to bizarre bay. Which is a area specifically for selling things, like an over crowded flee market/open air market. I have gotten a few gifts there and got a few more today. Which is always fun. Then I took a pousse'pousse home. As Uncle Colin was in a meeting and still had more places to go. But I had the dumbest driver EVER, I told him where I needed to go. He took me to a photo copie place. Whats worse his the landmark I told him is just that a land mark and I said it in gasy (actually its a restaurant and I called it by its name, and everyone in town knows this place). I did however finally get home as you can tell from me writing this post. Tomorrow I am going with Kitika, Rafily, and Angelo and about 17 other kids to see the storie tellers again, see that Kitika as begged me to come. But this time it will be a bigger production with dancers and everything so tomorrow should be interesting.

HELP help

2012-11-13T04:38:00.001-08:00

An African proverb says, "When the elephants fight, it's the grass that suffers." The World Food Programme is suffering from a lack of donations from international donors. We learned today that the school canteen project that HELP oversees for 26 centers & affecting almost 6000 students was cut. We now have one staff out of work, one staff on a reduced salary, one staff who was not promoted & about 5000 students who will not be able to eat a healthy lunch at their school. HELP is currently going through 41 kg /143.5 lbs of rice PER DAY which now will need to come 100% from HELP's budget. Ouch, ouch, ouch.... We are hurting.

a photo

2012-11-12T05:27:00.000-08:00

Me, Uncle Colin, Aunt Kim. Angelo, Kitika, and Rafily.

So you've heard of sticky rice?

2012-11-11T06:49:00.001-08:00

My weekend.
Saturday : Started with church in the AM. First we sing for 30-45 mins, then some announcements. Then Sabbath school, which I went with Kitika to his. That lasts a good 30-45 mins again. Then finally church service. Uncle Colin happened to be preaching this week. He did on revival and missions. Uncle Colin also did the whole colors thing but instead of beads he used string. Then lunch then "nap" time. Suddenly around three I can hear singing, which isn't that weird but it sounded REALLY close. Angelo was outside and came it to get rice for the turkeys and I looked at him and said "Angelo where is the music coming from?" He looked at me puzzled and said in the school building...... I didn't know they came back for afternoon church. But we were waiting for a guy, "foot guy" to come so he could go to Tana for surgery. He came and Uncle Colin, Angelo, the HELP worker that went with him, and "Foot Man" went to the bus stop. While Uncle Colin was there he got a text about some concert at 6:30pm. Uncle Colin fwd it to Aunt Kim and that was that. Then around 6:15pm Aunt Kim informed him that it was the nice lady who lived down the street. Well then at 6:30pm he came downstairs and said he and Angelo were going if I wanted to. So we all did and got there at 7pm. I am so glad I did, it was TRULY amazing they did an awesome job and when I get home I will upload them.

Sunday : 10am we leave to head an hour up the road for lunch with Aunt Kim and Uncle Colin's friends, their son, and "un"granny. We had a great lunch by the beach. Then we spent the afternoon in the beach. Even though I really don't like beaches (I HATE SAND). Speaking of sand, this sand sticks to you like no other sand. Even in the shower it took FOREVER to get the darn stuff off my body. Its all over the car too. But it was a really fun day. Oh yeah this is also my 1st time to go in the Indian ocean. Did I mention I am going home in 18 days? lol I waited a little while.

Not lucky, Blessed.

2012-11-08T03:01:00.000-08:00

Well 22 days from now I will be home. Kind of a happy sad thought. But I really want to see my baby brother and my best friend. But the part I am not looking forward to is going to the dentist for a filling on the 4, the college placement test, and sometime around/after that having to get my wisdom teeth out. But the fact that I can go to college is like a miracle to the kids here. After my trip here I don't think I will ever be able to complain about school EVER again. I am so fortunate to be able to go to college. Something I have seen a lot of boys and girls who are older then me here not be able to go yet if ever. So to all you college students who HATE going to college every time, just once stop and think about all the kids who weren't born in a place like america where we can go to college for free if we need to. Its amazing I see kids here in Madagascar who don't want to be in school, but then there is that one who LOVES it and to watch that one kids face light up when my Aunt tells them they can go to school this year makes me just thank God I was SO blessed in my life. I will do my best to never take my life for granted.

rain rain go away.

2012-11-05T10:20:00.002-08:00

I apologize, I haven't really posted in a while. The main reason is, cause we haven't done much. From the time I got home from berenty till yesterday it was rainy so we just sat around the house. Because Kitika is sick, he has a fever and cough. I get head aches and stomach aches at random times of the day and my lower back is out from all my adventures. We have just sat around and watched movies. But today Angelo, Rafily, and I went to brunos to just get out of the house. Poor Kitika still can't leave the house but we brought him back a tart. Also I lost my pinky nail, man does a finger look weird with out a nail. But its been good none the less, got to talk to my best friends for a while (at separate times), got to see a video of my little brother, and got to hang out with my cousins.

Thanksgiving

2012-11-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well its November which means thanksgiving is on the 24th and even though I will not be home for thanksgiving I am doing the month of thanks thing so I will be updating this specific post everyday.

Day 1 : I am thankful God opened up this trip to Madagascar.
Day 2 : That I got to go to Berenty.
Day 3 : for Facebook because it helps me stay connected with friends and family while I am half a world away.
Day 4 : My amazing friends and my amazing BEST friends - <3 Amy, Kelly, Abbey, Shannon, Emily <3 -
Day 5 : I am thankful that its not raining and the sun is kind of out.
Day 6 : I am thankful that no matter where I have lived God has blessed me with an amazing church family.
Day 7 : I am thankful God has a plan even when I don't.
Day 8 : I am thankful that God blessed me enough to be born in America. No matter who is running it or what people say. It is still amazing and I have gotten so many opportunities to do WHAT EVER I want.
Day 9 : I am thankful for cars.
Day 10 : I am thankful for church services. It doesn't matter if they are in english, french, or gasy. It's a good reminder and focuser.
Day 11 : I am thankful for small children. They make life interesting.
Day 12 : I am thankful for Jennifer who put up with all of us girl for 3 straight years.
Day 13 : I am thankful that I am blessed with AMAZING grandparents. Grandma's who can cook, and Grandpa's who play games with us.
Day 14 : I am thankful for bread makers.

Back from Berenty

2012-11-02T02:42:00.000-07:00

Well I am back from Berenty and it was awesome. I had an amazing time.

The trip started with a LONG bus ride with my cousins and Uncle. We got to Tana at 2amish slept for about 2 more hours then I had to get in a taxi to the airport. I flew to Fort Dauphin nice short 1 1/2 plane ride. Then when I landed I had a driver, a guide, and a hotel worker waiting for me. They took me to the hotel for lunch and to go ahead and pay for the room/car ride/guide. Then we went on a LONG 3 1/2 hour car ride. But it was fun, because if I wanted to stop and take photos or buy something we would stop. So in that aspect having the car to myself was awesome. I bought a ton of lychees. Saw 2 chameleons, a rainbow, rice fields, and a bunch of people/animals. Then we got to berenty. My guides name was Ben he was awesome, spoke almost perfect english and knew about everything but rocks :) When we got there he showed me to my bungalow and said we would head on our first walk in about 15 mins. But before we every started are walk I looked up in the tree by my bungalow and there was a mom and a baby ring-tailed lemur. Then Ben took me on a walk around and we saw a ton of brown lemurs, some ring-tailed, sifika, hissing cockroaches, sleeping white-footed sport lemur, and a ton of different birds. By this time it was about 5pm so I had a hour and 45 mins in between my next little walk. We went to the spiny forest to look for more white-footed sported lemurs, mouse lemurs and what ever else we could find. We were out there for about an hour. Then dinner. I was so tired I feel asleep by 8:30pm good thing to because the birds/lemurs wake you up at about 5:30am. Then we went on a morning walk in a different part of the spiny forest, then a hour break then lunch then at about 3:30pm we went on a walk in the gallery saw a bunch of lemurs, bats, birds, zebu, lizards, skink (sp) tortoises, crocodiles, and bunch of cool trees. Then that night we went backwards through our earlier walk and looked for more mouse lemurs and white footed sport lemurs. We did find them but they were like 20ft-40ft above us so no good photos. Then dinner. Then to bed again by 9pm. Then the next day we went on a morning walk to yet another part of the spiny forest. Then I had the rest of the day "off" as in we didn't have any more walks planned. Which was a good thing because the heavens opened up and it stormed the rest of the day. Then I got up at 5:30am and I ate breakfast then by 6am we were on the road. But I didn't sleep well that night so I slept for most of the car ride back. Then we got the airport and the plane got delayed by an hour and a half but we didn't find this out till I had been at the airport for an hour. Then I finally got to Tana, met Uncle Col, Rafily and Kit at this amazing little bakery and then got on the bus to come back and slept for a good part of the trip then we got home at about 3am.

Now I know I did a horrible job telling about this trip but I will just have to tell you stories by word of mouth/through my photos. As I am very sore and still not feeling good.