I love my job

I love my job. It almost seems like a dream job. I get to supervise and assist with the taste testing at Wells Blue Bunny. Who could imagine that getting paid to eat ice cream was a reality? It is amazing. The best part is, you can help. We are always looking for taste testers. Go to www.bluebunny.com/tastetesters to sign up.

I leave on Tuesday to go to West Virginia for a training. And I am excited! It will be a great trip. Three days learning about "How to See the Market through the Eyes of the Consumer".

PS We still have 5 puppies for sale!

Puppy Love

Puppies! We are the proud 'grandparents' of 11 pure-bred yellow pointing labs. They are so precious! They will steal your heart. If you are interested in purchasing a puppy. They are $500 and we have 6 boys still available for sale. If you want to come and see them in person, let me know. They are only 2 1/2 weeks, and we will keep them until 8 weeks. So you will not be able to take them home yet. They are so precious. Both the mother (our dog) and the father are smaller built labs, around 65-70 pounds.

Home from HAITI

Bonjou! I cannot count the times I uttered this word as I passed by the Haitian people; knowing very little Creole, this word along with a smile was about all I could do to communicate with them. I just want to say thank you for being a part of sending me to Titanyen, Haiti to work with Mission of Hope (MOH). The week I spent down there went so quickly, and was very eye opening.

After a very long day travelling, and grabbing a few hours of sleep in Miami, we made it to the Mission of Hope campus. We were very lucky because all of our luggage, supplies, and even the hula hoops made it to Port au Prince. The expansive campus includes a church, school, orphanage, medical clinic, prosthetics lab, staff and guest housing, and a large kitchen to feed all the groups that come. Our first two days in Haiti were relatively calm. Sunday morning we attended church, and as soon as getting close were surrounded by dozens of kids wanting to hold our hands and sit on our laps during church. Their desire for attention and love was heartbreaking. I only wish that would have been more of us there to love on them.

After we finished church and lunch we were able to take a drive out to the two new properties MOH has acquired lately. The first, Bersy, is right on the ocean and plans to build there include a school, an agriculture college, a pastor’s retreat center, and more. The second, Leveque, is the location of 500 new homes being built for the Haitian families whose homes were destroyed in the earthquake. We spent quite a bit of time at Leveque doing work on the grounds to prepare the homes for the dedication and giving away ceremony.
It was very cool to be part of such a monumental event in Haiti. Local, national and international governmental leaders were present at the ceremony giving away the first 100 homes.

Every morning we had Vacation Bible School. Talk about disorganized chaos. 400 – 450 kids every single day. The kids were so precious and just like the kids on Sunday, they wanted love. We each had our own jobs assisting with VBS. Danielle and I were part of the group doing crafts. Each day the kids made something new. Monday was bracelets, Tuesday – tie-dye shirts, Wednesday – picture frames, and Thursday – crowns. We were able to feed all the children lunch every day before sending them home. For some of these children, this was the only meal they had all day. It was so sad to see the kids that were malnourished, clearly visible with distended bellies, and their hair color changing.

Because the VBS had been running every week, all summer, it was to the point where it was completely Haitian run. It was really encouraging to see them running the camp, with us only needing to assist. It was challenging not being able to speak their language, but we had amazing translators. The shocking thing is that they were all teenagers. So great to see God moving in the lives of such young people! Many of these young men were interested in going to school for ministry, or going into the medical profession. They wanted to make a difference in the lives of their fellow Haitians.

Our afternoon activities varied quite a bit. Mostly we spent them at Leveque picking up trash, sweeping out homes, touching up the paint on the exteriors, or playing with the kids. On Wednesday however, we were able to stay on the MOH campus and the women on my team went down to the orphanage to play with the young kids, while the men went down to help build a warehouse. It was heartbreaking to hear the stories about how some of the children came to live there. One such story is about a little boy who is now 3. Pierre is handicapped both physically and mentally and was abandoned at the clinic by his parents over a year ago. He has since received medical treatment and I hear is much improved to where he was a year ago. While it isn’t certain how much he can actually comprehend, when you pick him up and smile at him, his face lights up. That was the face of an angel. His little smile would melt any heart, and did mine.

Haiti was a completely different world than anywhere I’ve been before. Seeing individuals living in cardboard boxes, or makeshift homes is a stark comparison to the comfortable life I have here in Iowa. I had never realized how easily we have it here, with access to clean water and food, showers, comfortable beds, and health care. The thing that stuck out the most to me was the heart of the Haitian people. While we could not communicate very easily verbally, you could feel the gratefulness they tried to express, and their warmth. They have so little, and therefore are so grateful for what we can provide and give to them. Even if it is only a warm smile or hug. They have such a hunger to learn more about Jesus and tell others about him.

To unwind from a physically and emotionally taxing trip, we spent our final day at a beach resort about 45 minutes from MOH. Wahoo Bay Beach Resort was absolutely beautiful. And if I hadn’t just driven through garbage filled towns with homes falling down, I never would have believed I was in Haiti. The white sand beaches met by crystal blue water were breathtaking, not to mention the mountains that loomed in the background.

After a perfect day swimming, snorkeling and playing in the surf, some of us were a little red, myself included. But it was a great day and the much needed relaxation was a perfect way to end our time in Haiti. It was my first experience snorkeling, and I had an amazing time. For only $5 we were rowed out to a large coral reef and swam for over an hour. It was amazing to see God’s handiwork in the dozens of different fish.

While I do not know if God will ever call me to return to Haiti, I am very thankful that I went. God used the time there, the frustrations, the heat, the heart of the people, to work in my own life. I came home with a greater appreciation for what I have in my life, which is truly blessed. I was also able to learn more about the areas I still need to pray about and seek His assistance in. Thank you again for being there for me both in prayer and financially. This trip would not have happened without your help. God bless!

Lobster Revenge!

Today was my parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary. And to celebrate Dad wanted to attempt to make our own lobster pot for dinner. Knowing that the lobsters are boiled alive, I chose not to be in the house during the preparation of dinner. When it came time to sit down to dinner, we had quite a feast prepared, including one bright red lobster per person. Having never eaten a lobster before, I was nervous to give it a try.

Dad demonstrated how to crack open the tail to get to the meat, and I thought I had done it correctly. Apparently not, as green liquid poured from the inside of my crustacean. I looked across the table to my sister and asked if the lobster had just pooped on my plate. Her response, “Do you want me to tell you the truth?” My lobster had sought his revenge. I looked to my Dad who was turning red from laughing, almost resembling the lobster on his plate; and started to gag. I ran from the table to the bathroom and gagged until Mom had cleaned up my plate and rinsed out my lobster. I am happy to say that I made my parents’ anniversary memorable. The act of eating the lobster was more work than I think it was worth.

Because of the house we are staying in, we were able to add the shell of our lobsters, along with potato skins and corn cobs to the compost bin in the backyard. At least the lobsters served their purpose in life, and are being returned to the earth. Maine has so far been quite an adventure. I believe that tomorrow night we are going to have lobster at the restaurant, where it has already been de-‘pooped’.

I am just happy that I could make Mom and Dad's anniversary one that they will remember for years to come.

Impact

God is doing great things! I felt called to start a college ministry at Central Baptist Church in Sioux City. And God is moving in this idea and ministry. Two days ago I held a meeting to see who at CBC would be interested in being a part of this ministry and I ordered pizza to serve to encourage people to attend. I got really nervous that no one would show up to my meeting. But they did! We had a decent turnout of ten people, with other people telling me that they wanted to be involved but couldn't make it.

You know the saying, two brains are better than one? Well ten are better than two! The people who came had great ideas and questions about the future of Impact College ministry. Things that I had not thought of and did not necessarily have answers for. But things are even better than our thoughts and ideas. Because God has placed similar desires and dreams in the hearts of several of us which only shows me that God is going to bless this ministry.

Things are still in the planning stages, but it is going well. We are meeting twice a week until we can get the first event launched! We are shooting for June 12th. If you click the name it will link you to our new Facebook page. We hope you will support us and pray for the ministry.

Kairos

So today I was having a little chat with God while I was walking to class. And I was upset that I hadn't been told "yet" about what my plans were supposed to be once I graduate, since the time is scarily approaching. I wound up thinking about Reign Ministries which is an organization that I have done missions trips with during high school back in the summers of 05 and 06.

So I noticed on their website that they have Discipleship Training Program that is 10 months long and it totally sparked my interest. I have known of this school for awhile, like since 05 but never really given it much thought. But it peaked my interest, and so I have started praying about it.

The ten month program about digger deeper into the Bible, learning and growing in faith, pushing boundaries, stepping out of your comfort zone, all sounds like something that I really need to do in my life. I need to get into a good place. I feel like as if I have gotten in a rut. As I was listening to a sermon today on Galations 3, it really stuck out that righteousness and being a "good Christian" is not about what we do, at all. If it were, we would be doomed. It is all about Christ. Because of Him, we can go before the God in Heaven. So amazing. When you think about, I mean really think about it. How blessed are we. Christ went through excruciating pain and agony, and death, because He loves us that much. Wow. To be able to love like that. There is so much that I don't know about the Bible but I stand in awe of who God is, and what He has done for us.

I am seeking to get all the Christ-centered people in my life to pray about this with me so that I truly know what God wants for my life. I really want to follow God's plan for my life, but it is super hard for me to give up control, I am an extremely detail oriented person and do not really like to not have a plan. (Something I am trying to work on...)

Click on the title for a link to the website of the program in which I am referring to. I don't know if this is God's plan for my life, but I don't think that it is an accident that I stumbled upon that site, and wanted to know more. Do more. Be more. Maybe God does want me to go into full-time ministry. Maybe I am called to be in missions. That is definitely not what I thought my life would be. But maybe it is.. Hmmm. Lots to pray about.

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

I have applied for so many jobs I have lost count. The hardest part is not hearing back from the places that I apply. Or if I do hear back from them, they don't explain why you do not get the job. That is tough! If you don't know why they don't want you? How can you improve?

I recently put in an application for Wells Dairy in LeMars. My contact there told me that they have offered the position to someone, but have not heard back from the person so it is not closed yet. Here's hoping!

I am going to start looking for internships and maybe part time, temporary positions.

Well I have to head to work, at least I have this job for the time being. Really hoping and praying that I will find a career soon. I am thinking about posting a link with my resume so that it is more readily available.

Midterms

It is Midterms week starting tomorrow. Truthfully I don't understand why universities have one set week for exams in the middle of the semester. Because let's face it, it just makes for a lot of cranky, unhappy, unclean college students. And then once the week ends, Spring Break starts!

Personally I have three exams and a research paper due this week. None of which I am looking forward to. But seriously, whom ever looks forward to tests.
1. My Renaissance History class midterm is going to be insanely hard. It is a complete essay exam over everything we have learned over the first half of the semester. But he did not give out an form of potentially questions that he might ask. That is ridiculous.
2. My Earth Science lecture exam is going to be challenging, but hopefully not more so than the first exam. The first exam in that class kicked my butt, so I need to do awesome on this second exam.
3. My Earth Science Lab exam. This test makes me nervous because it is just identifying rocks, and to me these rocks are not all that different in look, feel, or composition. So identifying 40 rocks correctly is going to be so not fun.
4. Research paper due in Integrated Marketing Campaigns, yuck.

Since today is Sunday and my first exam is Tuesday, I escaped Vermillion for the day to study at Panera Bread in Sioux Falls. So far I have been here for 2 hours, and feel like I haven't gotten anything accomplished. Perhaps it is time to take a short break from studying and do some devotions. That would be a good way to recharge my batteries.

I am looking forward to moving to a city larger than Vermillion so that I can come to Panera more often. I'm ready to start the next chapter in my life. I love coming here to work, it has a great work atmosphere. But for two more months I will just have to stick it out in the smallness of Vermillion and making occasional trips to Sioux Falls or Sioux City to work at Panera.

LinkedIn

Just created a LinkedIn account. After attending the Job Fair yesterday in Sioux Falls, I was strongly encouraged to pursue that social media tool. I had always been told in my classes that it is a good idea to have one, and I always told myself I would do it eventually. I guess that means now. I am almost done with school, and then out in the real world I go.

If you want to connect with me on LinkedIn, that would be wonderful! Click the link above to be taken to my website.

If you have a letter of recommendation that you would like to include on my profile that would be wonderful also! I am beginning my job search, have sent out dozens of resumes, and I am praying God opens the right doors.

Thoughts..

I am sitting in my kitchen looking out the window on this absolutely beautiful day, I can't help but thank Jesus. Why is it that it is always the hardest to thank God on gross days for the blessings in our lives, but when the sun is shining and the birds are singing in the trees we praise Him.

To me this makes sense. The weather affects our moods. True. But the weather should not affect our relationship with God. I am often reminded in the most unusual ways how blessed I am.

I am getting an education. I have a job. I have a very nice place to live. I have plenty of food to eat. I have great friends, and a wonderful family who supports me in everything. So why is it that I still find myself lacking in my relationship with Christ. I have so many blessings from Him, but it isn't enough. I wonder if this is just a societal thing, an age thing, or perhaps, a mood thing.

Any suggestions?

I suppose it is about that time that I head to class. Another beautiful day and another reason to be thankful.

P.S. I submitted 9 job applications yesterday and already received my response. Yay! Praise Jesus!

Jobs

Ronald Reagan once said, "Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we've ever known."

Submitted my first job application for work in the Real World today! A little scary thinking of graduation and stepping out into the world, but so excited! Praying that it is well received despite my inability to start until August of this year. Would appreciate your prayers on this too! It would be my dream job. Event Planner for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library. I love planning, I love throwing parties, I love lists, and I love Reagan! How could any job be more perfect?

For anyone who knows me would know that I love to plan events, as small as personal dinner parties or Super Bowl Game day events, to date nights for friends, Campus Crusade parties, or even high school proms and winter formals. My internship this year with Aramark (U.Dining) has been great because I get to plan events for JAM. It has been a bit difficult because of the very limited, non-existent budget, but absolutely great experience.

When I took this internship last September I didn't realize that it would be such great experience for this other full time position with the Reagan Foundation, amidst others. Working on a tight budget, being detail oriented, raising awareness, etc.

I know that getting this job may be a bit of a long shot, but with God all things are possible, right? But I am optimistic that if it is meant to be, I will be called for an interview. Then California, here I come!

My Story

We all have a story about our lives. Some of us may think that ours is not as important as the person sitting next to you in Biology. But that is not true. We each are creations of God, and as such we have a unique story to tell.

Below you will find a link to my story. Myself, along with 73 other individuals from 5 surrounding universities compiled our stories together with the assistance of Campus Crusade for Christ Ministries. These stories are from the heart, and each one is different. I encourage you to read mine, and the other stories on the blog. And then tell your own story.

http://www.stories.siouxempirecru.com/laura-as-story/

I was shocked by the number of responses that I received almost immediately after publishing my story. Classmates, previous employers, friends that had moved away, even relatives I hadn't seen in months sent me messages and encouragements. What an answer to prayer! This was something I didn't even want to do, but God used it for good.

So, I ask you, what is your story? And are you willing to share it with the world?

Almost There

Almost there. I can hardly believe it. Only 116 days until graduation. But as exhilarating as that is, I am also terrified. I have no idea what I am doing after graduation. I have looked at a few jobs and internships and have applied for a few of them, but it doesn't seem like there are quite a few jobs out there, if you look.

I don't really think that going to France is God's plan for me right now. I feel like I was right in applying and following God's leading, but things have changed. I think that it is not the right time to move to a different country.

So now I will just continue praying that God will show me His plan in my life, and that I will be open to whatever He wants for me. That is the hardest part, just living in the unknown. But it is exhilarating.

But there is an amazing thing to praise God about. My friend John and I having been praying about a revival on campus and really bringing Jesus to campus. We have been watching these awesome podcast sermons from Reality Carpinteria church out in Santa Barbara. Its awesome. The pastors are so filled with the Spirit you can't help but be captivated. Praise Jesus! It has only been the two of us, for all of last semester, but suddenly people were really interested in coming. And these were non-Christians. Praise Jesus! I can't express my excitement enough. Glory to God's kingdom.