Parting for Portland!!!

Dear Prayer Warriors!

Much has happened these last few weeks! So, I’ll try to be brief…What have I been up to? I’ve condensed a house full of “life” into 2 ½ bags! They are HEAVY mind you, but not much heavier than my heart at saying goodbye! (Sniff… Sniff…)  

The Going Away Party was a huge success! For those of you who weren’t able to make it… I have posted some fun pictures of it for you to enjoy. I’d guess at least 60 people came and ate, swam and said goodbye! It was a bitter-sweet joy! Thanks for making it so special!
 
Chicago is… my kind of town… Chicago is…. MY KIND OF TOWN!!!!!!!!!!! I have spent the last few days in Chicago visiting family. They have given me a much needed vacation from everyday packing and preparations. Frankly, they spoiled me rotten! I loved every minute of it! While I was there, we saw, “Wicked”, ate great food and laughed tons!  

Orientation for the Orient! My first stop on the ORIENT EXPRESS will be Portland. I arrive Friday, August 31st for 4 days of orientation where I will be meeting many of my classmates to bond then to fly ‘en masse’ to Davao. I’m grateful I have travel mates to the Philippines. It makes the journey less frightening having comrades to (commiserate) commute with … (he he he!)  

Fly me to the moon… or Davao City (will do!) At this point, I think the moon might be closer! Come September 5th I head out with the other KA-WA-ZEE (Crazy) KOOKS to Destination Davao! We will start in Portland, fly north to Seattle, head west to Taipei, then hop over to Manila… then finally land in Davao City 4 PLANES AND 3 DAYS LATER! Pray for us!!!!  

Newlife Perspective: It’s at the start and the end of a new path that gets me thinking. Before embarking on a path, I tend to over think the ‘what ifs’ and long after the good ‘ol days. I have no idea where this path will take me! But God has told me, “Go!’. So, I will go! But, I’m not going alone. All of you are coming with me. So grab your sandals and let’s boogie… we’ve got a NewLife to discover! Archipelago Ho!

Love and Blessing,
Stephanie

July update

Dear Prayer warriors,  

So much has been going on this month. I have many praises to share with you! God is taking care of all the details of my trip and doing it with such ease… that I’m often floored in awe! 

One generous soul has blessed me with several digital thermometers and another bought my car! I gave away a lot of furniture and feel 300 lbs lighter as a result! I even found a new home for my cat! PTL!!!! I did some research on grants and scholarships for the Midwifery school and it turns out they have a “Funds matching” program. They will match up to $500 dollars a year if the church donates toward my tuition! What good news!  

The Prayer Potluck was delightful! Thank you all for coming out and praying with us! I was able to answer questions, take pictures and spend sweet fellowship! The food was great too! Yummy! 

Last newsletter, I mentioned that I would need to raise $900 dollars a month in support. Well I’ve re-crunched the numbers and it looks as if $500 a month will be much more in line with my needs. So far I’m at about 75% of this! 

Things you can be praying for now: Please pray that my monthly support would come together and that I’d trust God for the rest! Pray that i'll be able to see my family before i head out and that my trip would go smoothly! 

Going Away Party: Sunday August 19th we will be having a Church BBQ/going away party at the Oasis Golf Course pool from 12-4pm. Come eat, swim and say goodbye! That's the skinny for the moment. Thank you for your continued prayers!!! 

~  Stephanie

The Crunch is on!

Dear Prayer warriors,  

June has almost come and gone! And as August approaches the crunch is on! A lot has happened since last I wrote! And much is yet to be done!

I have been blessed with a suitcase, a number of scrubs, two feteoscopes and I got the fetal Doppler at ¼ of the regular price! Thank you so much for praying! I’ve been approved and will be working with Shepherd’s Staff- a missionary facilitating organization! They will be handling all my finances for me while I’m away. Praise God I’ve been able to earn all the money needed for my two years of tuition at Newlife International School of Midwifery! 

However, my monthly living expenses still need to be covered. Many of you have expressed interest in supporting me financially and have asked how you can help. Now I finally have answers to your questions. There are a few one-time start up costs such as plane tickets, visas and exam fees. Then there are on-going monthly expenses which include health insurance and personal spending money. All in all, this equates to a monthly budget of $900.00 dollars. At first this seemed a bit daunting, but I’m confident that God is going to provide for all of my needs! And in the process, increase my faith! Please pray that this too would fall into His perfect will!! If you’d like to be a part of my support team, please contact me and I will give you details on how to donate. Or you can send your support directly to: Shepherd’s Staff Po. Box 27220, Albuquerque, NM 87125-7220  

Things you can be praying for now: What to do with my car and my cat. (One cat has disappeared… An answer to prayer but not what I was hoping for… ) Also that i'm able to tie up all the loose ends before i go. I'd like to see my family too. Pray that I'll be able to spend some time with them before I go. Also save a Few dates!!!! Prayer Potluck: July 21st at Rick and Marie’s house we’ll be praying as a team, getting to know one another and chowing down! Starts at 6pm! Going Away Party: Sunday August 19th we will be having a Church BBQ/going away party at the Oasis Golf Course pool from 12-4pm. Come eat, swim and say goodbye!

God's Beautiful Provision

Dearest friends! Thank you so much for your prayers! I'm excited to say that God is providing so beautifully! I'm often awed at the way He does it too. So far, more than 30 people have signed up to be part of the prayer team! That is more than half of what i hoped for! I'm hoping for at least 50 prayer warrior teams! Would you continue to pray for prayer warriors? :-) Answers to Prayer! People have stepped forward with watches, tape measures, and scrubs. God is making sure that I'll be a styling, timely, measuring midwife!!! I also got a brand new shiny Stethoscope! I had forgotten to mention it in my last newsletter. But God didn't forget! He covers ALL things! Also, the Fetal Doppler you all prayed for has been purchased! Normally they are over $500 dollars but God provided one (slightly used) for only $150.00! He is so good! I figured out how to put a picture on the blog... as you can all see for yourself! This is no small thing!!! I fiddled with this thing for weeks before i got it on here... hopefully more pictures will be coming... I was able to go get an annual check up with a doctor. She gave me a clean bill of health. I'm going through the application process with a missionary facilitating organization called Shepherd's Staff! They help missionaries stay on track of their finances, keeping accounts and accountability. I'm so glad to have their support!!!!! Current Needs! Pray that my application with Shepherd's Staff goes well. I need to put together Prayer Cards. I still need a feteoscope, thermometers and Suitcases. My Cats still need homes... but I'm toying with the idea of letting my Dad adopt them. :-) He doesn't know this yet... he he he! My car didn't sell after all. So pray that I'm able to sell my car. Last but not least is "What to do with July of 2008?" I normally don't plan my vacations a year in advance but this one will need a little extra time. You see, i only have one month off in the two years I'll be in the Philippines. I won't be coming back to the states since it takes three days to get there and at least four lay-overs! I will have to leave the Philippines for visa reasons. So where to go? I would really like to be involved in some kind of missions work. This will take some forethought, planning and prayer! That's where you all come in. Would you pray for some direction and guidance. And if you have any suggestions by all means.....!!!!! Lovingly in Him, Stephanie

May update-

Dear prayer warriors!

Let’s see…. A lot has happened these last few weeks. I’ve purchased my tickets and the rest of my text books. I got to speak in front of my Church, Calvary Chapel Mesquite and tell all the ‘Family’ what I’m up to… It was great… but I guess I sounded a bit nervous! Oh well!!! I’ve had wonderful people step forward wanting to be a part of my prayer team. That’s You!!! If you are reading this!!! I’m thrilled to have you on my side in this battle!!! I’ve had two people step up to help with logistics and another handful of warm hearted souls interested in encouragement and communications support! I feel so blessed and loved on!!! Knowing you stand with me is so very exciting!!!

Some have requested updates but cannot be praying for me daily/weekly. So I will be sending out two types of newsletters. If you only want monthly updates just let me know. The rest of you will hear from me a bit more often. Also I got to pick the brain of a recently returned missionary from the Philippines. He is lending me a book on understanding the culture and may even be buying my car from me.

Things you can be praying for now: - That I sell my car - That I can buy a fetal Doppler at a discount - Putting together a proper blog - To find a home for my cats - For my finances to come together - That I’m able to pack up my belongings Ways to Help: If you like to sew I need scrubs made. If you know design programs, I need help designing a Prayer Card.

Needs/Wish List: If anyone has any of these items I could use… Solid Luggage set Watch with a second hand (preferably one that will be able to pin on my smock jacket) Digital Thermometers Scrubs Feteoscope Retractable tape measure

What's what!! :-)

God is sending me on an awesome adventure. I have been accepted into Newlife School of Midwifery which is located in Davao City Philippines. I leave in August and will be spending two years learning everything I can about being a midwife and setting up a clinic anywhere in the world. This blog is to keep those who delight to pray for me along the way updated on this wonderful adventure. Thank you for joining in on this exciting time.