I know, you are saying "finally, an update"! I agree, it has been WAY too long, and WAY OVERDUE! So here I am, for a quick update on life.
In April I was in the middle of my second 3-month term as a MAPS worker in the Netherlands. I was thinking about my future, and whether I should make it a more permanent commitment or not. I decided to do the old "walk through the door until God closes it" and see where that would take me. I would apply to come back for a 1-year commitment, and see if I was accepted and approved.
I talked to my missionary couple that I work with, and they were excited and on board with the idea. So I emailed some people and started applying... Long story short, I was accepted and approved after about 5-6 weeks of paperwork, et cetera. Woohoo!
June 1st I came back to the States and was in Minnesota for a little less than 2 weeks. I left June 13th and drove down to Missouri with a fellow MA (Missionary Associate, my new, official title) for 2 weeks of training, and one extra week of visiting. The next 3 weeks were incredible: I met and made many new friends, and had a great experience connecting with people that were experiencing many of the same things I am at this time in my life. I was also priviledged to visit several family, as well as several people that had been over to NL for missions' trips (2 different trips, 2 different groups of people from Missouri!). All in all, it was a wonderful trip. My parents and I drove back to MN together- making a stop in KC to visit my cousins, and then in ND for a town celebration and 2 church services. We got back to MN pooped out, but full of a wonderful trip!
So.. here I am, working on raising funds to go back to NL. God has continually opened doors for me, and I know He is preparing me to go back. I can't do it alone! I need your prayers and financial help to do this! With God leading us, we can all achieve what we were put on this earth for.. :)
Hugs to all my friends and family.
~A
