Christmas Break

Yes, my Christmas break is finally here! While I am glad to have a break from school, I feel a bit like I have a lot of free time that I am wasting. I have been reading books and spending time catching up with people who I haven't chatted with for a while, but it feels like I could be doing so much more. I often feel so lazy. I know that God accepts me as I am, but I want to do something big. Sometimes I forget just how much God cares about me doing something as simple as sending someone a note of encouragement. This season I may or may not do something incredible like leading someone to Christ, but I can at least encourage others and make a difference in their lives that way. This break I'm going to take the time to read through the Psalms and Proverbs & write in my prayer journal to God, as well as pray for as many people as I can think of. I'm also going to give a gift to someone needy & take the time to listen to anyone who wants me to. I'm going to be a good friend this season, instead of looking for someone to befriend me. After all, it's more blessed to give than receive and this is the perfect time of year to give of yourself.

I could call this "my break", but instead I've decided to call it "God's break" since it really is His time and He's given it to me to use wisely. :)

I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for in so doing you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ. I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God's people. ~Philemon 1:6-7

What's been happening

What have I been up to lately? Lots of things! Here's just a glimpse of what I've been doing:

Recently, on October 31st, I participated in Carnival, which is like a fair for little kids that the high schoolers put on. I was in the Barbeque Booth, and our theme was Sponge Bob. The theme of all of Carnival was Shipwreck Cove. The day was busy, and I came home at 7, exhausted and sun burnt, but pretty happy. I got my friend Becca to paint a guinea pig on my face, and that was pretty cool.

This week I've babysat twice for the families I normally babysit for. The kids have been fairly good, and we've had lots of fun. On Monday afternoon, the kids and I played Capture the Flag with some of their friends and we had a blast.

Sunday was wacky. I went to youth group and that was very good. We had a guest speaker. After youth group, one guy, Chun, went to get in his car and leave. He has to push start the car, so he was trying to do that, but it was on a steep hill, and he couldn't get it to start. It started rolling backwards, and he couldn't stop it so it swerved into a ditch, and he was pinned between a street sign and the car door. As soon as it happened, the rest of us ran out to help him. He said that his leg hurt, but besides that he was okay. We had to push the car out of the ditch into the road and thankfully Chun was able to start the car once it was in the road. The door on the driver's side is messed up, but I think they got it closed in the end and Chun drove off.

After that, the rest of us all headed over to the high school to get photos of the ferris wheel at night for Yearbook. It took forever to put the lights on the ferris wheel, get the cars in the right places to shine light on the ferris wheel, and get everything else ready. At least someone had their Ipod with them, so we had music to listen to and a couple of the guys were wrestling. It was raining, so the seats were soaking wet, but we dried them, and finally after an hour, four of us girls got on, all wearing brightly colored shirts and holding flashlights. We were on there for more than 15 minutes, and after a while it got boring, but it was fun for some time. The two photographers took tons of photos and we finally finished. Then they took all of the lights down and we left. It was a great night, besides Chun's accident.

Now I'm working on Yearbook stuff, and I need to start scholarships ASAP. Please pray that I will be motivated to do them this week. I love photography, so being on the Yearbook staff this year is a blessing! Thank you for praying!

That's all for now. :)

Love,

Jessica

Back home, but have security problems

Hi, I've been back in Papua New Guinea for over three weeks now. It's great to be back, and my classmates are awesome! Thanks for praying.

However, since we've been back, and even before that, there have been security problems. Many rascals have been in Ukarumpa and have stolen things. There was even a cow killed less than a week ago. Last night and this morning, there were more than 10 gun shots in the nearby village and rascals were sighted on center this morning. They even stole one of Guard Dog's trucks! Our center is currently on lock down, as is the school, so I'm stuck at school in the library typing this up. We aren't even allowed to go up to the restrooms by ourselves; we have to go in groups. At least we could have some fun celebrating one of our teacher's (he's also one of our youth leaders) birthday. Unfortunately, my friend Luke is stuck at the clinic where he went for a dentist appointment. We prayed for the situation, but we need your help, too! Please pray that the rascals would be caught, and that there would be peace in the valley. Pray for peace for our directors and that this problem would be resolved. Thank you so much!

Love,
Jessica

Tomorrow's the day!

Tomorrow, Monday, July 13th, at 11:50 pm (PST), my family should be on a plane about to take off over the Pacific Ocean. I'm getting nervous and excited. It's finally starting to feel real-my family is leaving the US in less than two days, and we will be in Papua New Guinea next weekend. I'm still wrapping my mind around the fact that I'm going to back to PNG for a year. I get to see my guinea pigs this Friday! Before we leave Bakersfield at 7 pm, I have to pack up my room here and clean it-I've taken a lot out of my suitcase to use while we've been here in California. I also have to say goodbye to my grandparents and aunt and uncle. My time in Bakersfield has been great, even if I have been busy. I'll miss getting up and seeing my grandparents every morning. It won't be the same without nightly walks. I won't be going swimming again for a long time, especially at my aunt's house. However, I really do want to go back to PNG. I'm willing to put up with over 25 hours of flying and 40 hours of layover time to get home.

I was just informed that we will hopefully be arriving in Ukarumpa around 1 or 1:30 pm on Friday, instead of 5 or 5:30 pm. It will be nice to get there earlier rather than later.

Well, that's about all I have to say about Bakersfield. I'm almost finished with all of my college applications. Please pray that I finish them. Please keep my family in your prayers as we travel. Thank you!

Btw, I am planning on making a movie about my life in Papua New Guinea. I will be giving more details later on. I also want to let you know that I will rarely be on Facebook after tomorrow, and I will not be able to update my blog very often. If you would like to contact me, please send me an email. My family's flight schedule can be found in my previous entry. Thanks.

God bless each one of you as you move into the future that He has for you!

Love,

Jessica

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

One week left

My family has one week left in the US! The two weeks that we have been in Bakersfield, California so far have gone by quickly. I have been busy filling out college applications, shopping, swimming, sending emails, and taking photos. I am overwhelmed by how much time college applications take to fill out and all of the work involved in completing them. I will be thankful when they are finished, hopefully sooner rather than later. I need to finish them by the end of this week, which sounds very soon, but I am pretty sure that I can do it. Please pray for me, because these college applications are really taking a toll on me.

Yet, in the midst of it all, God is teaching me more about Him and how to live for Him. My faith hasn't been very strong lately. I had been doubting that I was saved, but I just reread a devotion this morning that I had received some time ago, on June 1st, about the topic of doubt. There were suggestions of things to pray for near the bottom, so I took them to heart and prayed about them to God. The recurring doubts that I had been having for days were nonexistent today! Praise God! God is so amazing! I have seen his power at work in my life so many times, and yet, often I forget those little miracles and let doubts overtake me. But God is good, and He is always helping me to be more like Him.

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

¹⁵All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

I'm so thankful that God is renewing me on the inside each and every day. What an amazing promise!

This last week is promising to be busy with so many things to accomplish, but I know that God is here with me and He will help me to make it through. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

This is our flight schedule:

Monday, July 13th:

Fly out of LAX at 11:50 pm (Pacific time)

Arrive in Hong Kong 15 hours later

18-hour layover in Hong Kong

7-hour flight from Hong Kong to Cairns, Australia

22-hour stop in Cairns, Australia

Friday, July 17th:

2-hour flight from Cairns to Port Moresby, PNG

Several hours of waiting in Port Moresby

1 hour flight from Port Moresby to Ukarumpa

Please pray that we will have safe travels and that we will recuperate quickly from the jet lag that will certainly entail our long trip!

God bless,

Jessica

Resting in Bakersfield before the big trip!

Sorry for not posting sooner. :( I am now in Bakersfield, CA, staying with my grandparents for almost three weeks, and then I will be returning to Papua New Guinea on July 13th. While I'm here, I need to fill out college applications, practice flute, buy a fancy dress, run, and spend time with my family. Please pray that I would be faithful to do everything and that I would do it well. I have already gone shopping since I've been here, as well as swimming at my aunt and uncle's house. This is supposed to be my summer vacation, but there are so many things to do that it's not really a vacation, just time off from school! The time my family spent in Irvine was more of a vacation, but we went out to eat every day with my parents' friends, and that got to be annoying. The house that we stayed in was beautiful, though. I especially loved the garden in the backyard. It was so pretty!

Anyways, here in Bakersfield, I love the walks that I go on with some or all of the family every night. I'm also enjoying the heat and the ever-present sunshine. So far, my stay has been great, and I hope the rest of it goes well. :)

The day has finally arrived!

The day is here! My family is leaving Ohio today! I have mixed feelings. I love my Grace church friends, and I am going to miss them terribly, but on the other hand, I am so excited to spend three weeks with my grandparents, in warm, sunny, Bakersfield, CA. Thank you to everyone who prayed for my family's support. My faith has been strengthened by God's great provision and also by your loving encouragement. Thank you for all of the ways that you have helped me feel at home this year! I will be praying for all of you, and think of you often! Would you please pray for safety as my family travels to California today? We leave Cleveland at 3:10 PM and arrive at LAX at 10:05 PM (Cleveland time). We'll be staying in Irvine, CA, for a week, visiting friends of my parents there, and then traveling to Bakersfield to stay with my grandparents for three weeks. On Monday, July 13th, we'll leave the US and fly through Hong Kong and Cairns, Australia, before arriving in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea, on Friday, July 17th. Thank you once again for everything! Please feel free to email me! I'd love to keep in touch. :)

Much love,

Jessica

Jude 1 :24-25

²⁴To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.