Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Well, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go! Haiti Trip #5 of 2011 will commence tomorrow!

Two of my very dear friends have written wonderful blogs today. Instead of filling you with my words, I would encourage you to read theirs'.

I am thankful to call Becky Memmelaar a friend and a Friend! Read her beautiful, honest sermon based on Psalm 46 - http://beckymemmsbitsandbobs.blogspot.com/2011/10/shhhjust-be-still.html.

I am also thankful to call Carl Jones a friend. These two folks have known me so long, I'd be embarrassed by the stories they could tell you! Carl wrote a great blogs the past two days on baseball. Since I do consider watching baseball a spiritual practice, definitely check out his posts here and here.

Tomorrow, I will write to you from Florida as I prepare to hop on a plane to Port-Au-Prince. Peace be with you, and I am so very thankful to have your prayers sustaining our team!

Grandmother Names...

We've been on the search for a fun "un-grandmotherly" name!

What do you think?? Will any of these fit me??

TRADITIONAL GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Bamaw, Bammaw Big Mama Bubbie DaMa Dama , Dammaw Eema, Eemaw, Ema G Gada GadGee, Gadgi Gadgy GaMa, Gamma Gammi, Gammy, Gami Ganna Ganni, Ganny, Gani GanGan G-ma Gommie, Gommy Gram Gramma, Grama Grammie, Grammy Gramommie Grams Granana Grananny Grandama Grandgran

Grandma Grandmom Grandmother Grandnan Granma Granmama Granmom Granna Granny Gumma Jamma Mamaw, Mamey Mammaw Mammy Mams Marmi, Marme MawMaw MayMay MayMay Maymee MeMa, Meema MeMaw, Mimaw MeMo, MeeMo Mimo MeeMee, MeMe MiMi

Mima Mimma Mimmy Mimsy Minny MoMa, MoMaw MoMo MomMom Momsy Mum, Mums Mumsy, Mumsey Nama, Namma Nan Nana, Nanna Nanny Ne-ma NeNe, NiNi Ninna Ninny, Ninni Nona, Nonna Noni, NoNi, NoNee Nonni, Nonny Ona, Onna

TRENDY GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Ama A-May Ami, Aimee Ammy Babe Babo Bacca Bamba Bama, Bamma Bella Birdie BonBon CeCe, CiCi Coco Dally Dandy Fancy Fammy Fo-Ma, Faux Ma Foxy GaGa GandyMom Gangy, GanGee G-Dawg Gidget Ginja G-Mom Geeda, Geda GeezerGirl Gita GeeMa Glamama Glamma Glammy G.M. Gogi Go-Go Grammar

Grandiose Grandy, Grandi, GranDee Granan Granette Granita Grani, Granni, Granee Granmanny Graylor Grea, Greah Gummy Hamma Kitty LaLa Lally Layla Leelo, Lilo Lela Lola Mami, Mammi MamaMia Manni Mayna MayMay Maysi M'dear Meemer MeMom Memot Mia Miami Minny, Mini Modie Momette MoMar Mombo MomMom Mommoo Mooma

Momsy Mona Monee Mumica Mummers MuMu Muna Nano Nanima Naunee Necie Neema Nema Noma NotherMother Nimo OtherMother Onie Pama Pebbles Pippa Pippy Poma, Pomma Salsa Soosa Sugar Sugie, Shugie Tama, Tamma Tammy Tamsy TeeMa Uma, Umma Vanna Womba Wela YaYo Yama Yana

PLAYFUL GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Abba Banana Bambi – A cuddly name for someone dear Bamboo Beemer Booma Boomie Bunny Ciaba – "cha-bah" Dizzy Dodie Doodie, Dooty Gadget Gitchey Grampoo Granny Mame – A play on 'Auntie Mame'  Grammug – Coffee, root beer, or brew  Grimmi Jamagramma – If sleepovers are a favorite  Jamma Khakie, Kakie Lolly, Lolli Lulu Mamabear Mamacita Mambo

Mayzie Momsy Moogie, Moogs Moo-Moo MoreMom, MoreMama Muddy Muffer, Muffy, Muff Mumpy, Mumps Nanamy Pittypat PomPom Nanoo Nooni NuNu Puddy Pumpkin Punky Tink, Tinky Tinkerbell Toots Tootsie Twinkles Twinkie Upsy Unni Uttermutter, Uddermudder Wicky – Makes light of the 'wicked stepmother' cliche

PERSONALITY & INTEREST-BASED GRANDMOTHER NAMES

BiggieMa – For larger than life grandmas BiggieMama Big Gram  Bubbles – An effervescent personality Cookie Cha-cha – A lively name with a bit of spice  Chatty – Talkative people know who they are Dear, DearMa Dearie Gabby, Gabbi  GoGo – Perfect for high-energy types GoMa Grancie, Grancy Grinni, Grinny – Celebrate a sunny outlook Happy Honey Huggy, Hugs, Hugme – Names demonstrative grandmas can embrace Lovey – The very essence of grandmothering LoveyDovey – Even lovier Mermie – A play on "mermaid" for swimmers Mini, MiniMa – Perfect for small grandmothers MaxiMa – Equally perfect for generously-sized grandmothers QueenB/Queen Bee – If her given name begins with B  Queenie – Another way to acknowledge a regal grandma Sew-Sew, SewMa – For grandmothers who love needle arts SloMa – The easy-going opposite of GoMa Snuggy, Snugs, Snuggums – Cuddly grandmas might cozy up to any of these  Sunny – Give this name to a grandma who always seems to shine  Sweetie – Some grandmothers are just sweeter than others Sweetums – An updated version of an old Endearment TeaMa

INTERNATIONAL GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Aborigine Australian Formal – Garrimaay Australian Paternal – Mamaay Australian Maternal – Momu Polynesian Maori dialect – Tipuna Wahine African Berber dialect – Henna Botswanan – Nkuku Shona dialect – Ambuya Swahili – Bibi, Nyanya Venda dialect – Makhulu Xhosa dialect – Umakhulu Zulu dialect – Ugogo Afrikaans – Ouma Albanian – Gjyshe American Indian Cherokee – E-Ni-Si Cheyenne – Neske'e Eskimo, Inupiaq dialect – Aanaga Navajo – Ama Sa ni Ojibway – Nookmis, Nookomis Arabic Formal – Jaddah, Jiddah Informal – Teta Armenian – Metzmayr Basque – Amona Belarusen – Babka Breton – Mamm-gozh Cajun – MawMaw Catalan – Àvia, Iaia Chinese Cantonese Paternal – Ngin Cantonese Maternal – PoPo Mandarin Paternal –Z¨³m¨³ Mandarin Maternal – Wài pó Croatian – Baka Danish Formal – Bedstemoder Paternal – Farmor Maternal – MorMor Dutch – Grootmoeder Esperanto – Avin Estonian – Va naema Farsi – Madar Bozorg Filipino Cebuano  Formal – Apohang babae Informal – Lola Finnish – Isoaiti, Mummo Flemish – Bomma French Formal – Grand-mère Informal – Gra-mere, Mémé SemiFormal – Grandmaman Galician – Avoa Georgian – Bebia German  Formal – Grossmutter Informal – Oma Greek – Yaya, Gigia Guarani (South America) – Jaryi Hawaiian  Formal – Kapuna Wahine Informal – Puna, TuTu, Kuku Hebrew – Savta Hungarian Formal – Nagyanya Informal – Yanya, Anya

Icelandic – Amma India Bengali Paternal – Thakur-ma Bengali Maternal – Dida, Didima Hindi – Daadima Southwestern – Ajji Urdu Paternal – Daadi Urdu Maternal – Nanni Indonesian – Nenek Irish/Gaelic Formal – Seanmhair Informal – Maimeo or Morai Italian – Nonna Japanese  Formal – Obaasan, Oba-Chan, Sobo (one's own grandmother) Informal – Obaba Korean – Halmoni Latvian – Vecmate Lebanese – Sitti Lithuanian – Senele, Mociute Malagasy – Nenibe Maltese – Nanna Norwegian – Bestemor, Godmor Paternal – Farmor Maternal – MorMor Polish Formal – Babka, Babcia, Informal – Jaja, Zsa-Zsa, Busha, Gigi Portuguese – Avo Romanian – Bunica Russian – Babushka Sanskrit  Paternal – Pitaamahii Maternal – Maataamahii Serbian – Baba, Mica Slovakian – Babicka Slovenian – Stara Mama Spanish  Formal – Abuela Informal Diminutive – Abuelita, Uelita, Tita, Abby, Abbi, Lita Swedish  Paternal – FarMor Maternal – MorMor Swiss Formal – Grossmami Syrian – Teta, Jadda Tamil – Pathi Thai  Maternal – Ya Paternal – Yai Turkish – Buyuk Anne, Anneanne, Babanne Turkmen – Ene Ukranian  Formal – Babusia Informal – Baba Uzbek – Bibi Vietnamese Formal – Danh tử Informal – Ba, Bà già Welsh Southern – Mamgu Northern – Naini, Nain Yiddish – Bubby, Bubbe

(Posting borrowed from http://outsidethatbox.livejournal.com/4695.html.)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29

Day 29 - A Photo That Can Always Make Me Smile

This picture is on my nightstand, and every morning, I wake up to the silly faces of myself with Carrie Delisio (AKA Dutch). Thus, after I say, "Good Morning, God," I am reminded of how lucky I am to have a friend as wonderful as Carrie, and how blessed I am to have so many people I can call "family." How could I not keep from smiling every morning when I wake up?

Today, Carrie received the good word that she will indeed be graduating at the end of the year! Woo hoo! Congratulations, Dutch! And iiiiii :)

Prayer Partners/30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 28

Day 28 - Something You're Afraid Of....

You know what I'm afraid of? Going to Haiti without Prayer Partners!

Our prayer circle on January 12, 2011,
one year after the earthquake. 

That's right, the next trip to Haiti begins on Monday. NEXT Monday! Every time I travel to Haiti, I could not sustain strength and hope without holding my friends in prayer and having them do the same for me. I have been honored to be partnered with so many wonderful prayer warriors, and they have encouraged me through each trip.

This trip to Haiti will be a bit different than the others. For one, I found out today I will be arriving a day before the rest of the team. Miscommunication occasionally happens, and yes, I'll be in Port-Au-Prince a solid day before the others. Thankfully, I have made many friends and family in Haiti, and one phone call made everything better. My dear brothers at Little Brothers of St. Therese will be picking me up from the airport and taking me to my beloved monastery. There, I will stay with wonderful friends and family until my team arrives.

Once I meet the team on Wednesday, I will be heading down to Les Cayes, Haiti, which is an area of Haiti I have never been to. It will be a new experience with a new team, most of whom I have never met in person! God always picks the right members, though, and I feel certain it will be a most successful trip with two solar-powered clean water system installations and two hygiene education classes.

So, will you partner with me through this next trip to Haiti? I'd be honored to pray for YOU!

Prayer Partners: 

(travel day) Monday, October 10 - Hogan Family
Tuesday, October 11 - Jay, Sue, Kylee & Maddy Horstman
Wednesday, October 12 - Carl Jones
Thursday, October 13 - Diana Grace
Friday, October 14 - Becky Memmelaar
Saturday, October 15 - Rollin & Linda Wycoff
Sunday, October 16 - Mom
Monday, October 17 - Becky Field Ross
Tuesday, October 18 - Sean Devolites & Pat Cooke

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 27

Day 27 - A Picture with a Family Member


This is a picture of my dear friend, Calvin Brumbaugh, who to me is family.

Calvin and I first met in the summer of 1997 at Quaker Lake Camp. I had heard stories for years about the famous Calvin, but had never met him in person. He showed up at Quaker Lake every summer from Ohio to volunteer his time to the camp and the kids he loved.

Calvin was a source of strength and wisdom unlike anyone I had ever met. His actions exuded the love of Christ for all. His words were filled with compassion and strength, and he quoted the Bible with ease. His prayers were powerful and spoke directly to the heart of God. Following the summers with Calvin, he would write letters of encouragement to all of us. He always included a Bible verse on the outside of the envelope, and when I asked him why, he said that he hoped many mail carriers would read it and it would provide hope for them.

My second summer at QLC, Calvin had an accident and his health suffered. He never seemed to recover from the incident, and after a couple of summers, he began staying in Ohio instead of traveling down to North Carolina. We, thankfully, kept in touch, and when John and I were planning our wedding, it was only natural that Calvin be a part of it.  He came down the night before the wedding and gave the most beautiful toast at our rehearsal dinner. During our wedding ceremony, it only seemed right to have him bless our marriage with prayer, as he was more godly than any priest or pastor I had ever met.

Calvin passed away not too long ago, and it was certainly a sad day for all of us who had known him personally. We know God gave him an extra special large set of wings, as he was one of HIS greatest workers. I miss you, Calvin, and cannot wait to see you again!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 25

Day 25 - A Picture of My Favorite Day 

Typically, Sundays are my favorite day. When I was a kid, we went to church, went to Nana's house for lunch and then napped and watched television.  As I got older, we went to church, went to Nana's house for lunch, and then I was back at church for youth group. As I got even older, Sundays were catch up days for school work. And as I continued to age, Sundays were mega-sized super-long workdays filled with joy and fellowship. All week long, I would spend time storing up energy and preparing Sunday's lessons and events. They were days I looked forward to and enjoyed spending time with the church members. Now, Sundays are a day off to spend with husband. It's weird, but I'm starting to like it!

This picture to the right was taken on a Sunday in 2003 (despite what the date on the photo says!). This is a picture taken at Pine Hill Friends Meeting, where I was serving as the youth & children's pastor. My dear friend, Rachel Selleck White, was volunteering her time and talents at High Point Friends Meeting. Our youth groups gathered together this particular Sunday for a bonfire worship service. We roasted hot dogs and made s'mores and had a band come out to play for us. It seems like our friends from Oak Hill Friends Meeting and Springfield Friends Meeting also joined us that night. It was a beautiful time enjoying God's creation and glorifying Him with singing and fellowship of Friends.

You may wonder what we are doing in the picture. This was our "publicity photo" for our Kazoo Band, Cort's Mission. Yes, those are Kazoos in our mouths. More on that in another blog!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 24

Day 24 - A Picture of Something I Wish I Could Change


I have not been to Africa, and I'd really like to go to Africa. Specifically, I'd like to visit Limuru Town, Kenya. Why, you may ask? That is where my Compassion Sponsor Child, Dennis, lives.

Dennis and I have been family since June 27, 2005. He is a sweet young boy, 12 years old and in 6th grade, and he shares his birthday with my husband, John! Yes, we have two special birthdays to celebrate every July 17th!

Dennis loves to go to church on Sunday mornings and during the week, and he loves to play soccer and ride his bicycle. He helps his grandmother in the house by running errands and cleaning, and occasionally he works with his father.

Dennis lives with his father and grandmother. One of the saddest days in my life was when Compassion wrote to inform me Dennis' mother and two sisters had passed away due to AIDS. It was a very eye-opening, personal experience, and since then I have been even more grateful to be a part of Dennis' life. So...one thing I'd like to change? I'd like to meet Dennis in person and give him a big ol' hug and let him know that across the world, someone is praying for him and loving him every day.