Go Karting

Last night, Danny and I met with some friends and went go karting! I hadn't done it in years and had a blast. Today, I am incredibly sore. I think I pulled a muscle in my leg. I'm also bruised on my shoulder, knee, and back from getting slammed into quite a bit by certain people (Bethany). Then we ate ice cream and dinner. I got to practice my Spanish with everyone. I had a very good time.
Did I mention to everyone that I have been accepted to a community college? My sister and I are applying to physical therapy assistant and nursing programs so we'll get to take some science courses together. I didn't get into the nursing program this year, but hopefully next year I'll be able to. For this year, I'll be taking cell biology, chemistry, algebra, pyschology, 2 Spanish courses, english, sociology, and anatomy and physiology. I'm excited but nervous to leave my high school years behind and start into my college education.
It's so comforting to know that people are praying for me and my journey to PNG and to becoming a full time missionary. Please keep praying!

100%!!!

Just thought I'd tell you all that as of yesterday, I have all my money for PNG!!! God has been so good to me! He provided $5,300 for me without my ever asking anyone for a cent! Now I'm starting to work out small details for my trip like, what kind of luggage to use? I'm only allowed 50 lbs for my checked in bag. And I'm only allowed 1 bag. For my carry on, I'm thinking of taking a backpack and cramming alot into it! For the checked in, I'll probably end up taking a duffel bag. If anyone has a tip or 2 for me about luggage, I'd welcome them!
I can't believe that my trip is in less than 2 months! I'm so excited! Please keep praying for me!

New Look

Hey All!
Katy accidentally changed my blog around so I have a new, butterfly-looking look (if that makes any sense whatsoever). It takes some getting used to but that's ok.
I have been enjoying this amazing weather lately! I think it's comical that people who have been complaining about the cold all winter have now started to complain about the heat :) Sometimes we humans are never satisfied!
I got an email yesterday about an opportunity to promote a book about BJ Higgins, the 15 year old who went to Peru and died of a disease 5 weeks after getting home. I'm really excited about this and pray that the Lord will use it to glorify Him. I'm supposed to post May 10 so it's not for a little bit.
School is...school. I have mixed feelings about graduating and going to college. I don't want to be a college student yet! I used to think 13 year olds were so old and to be 17 meant you were practically ancient! I'm finding however that I'm not as mature as I should be. God has been really showing me things about what to do with my schooling. As of now, I believe He wants me to go to a community college and get my RN degree before Bible school. He'll continue to guide and direct my steps for the future.
I mentioned about TO Every Tribe Ministries and they have a really cool missions program that is going to be 21 months beginning 2010. I got a magazine from them which has some really thought provoking excerpts from it. Here are some of them:

David Sitton, president of TETM says, "No aspect of mission is more bogged down with extra-biblical baggage than the 'missionary call'. The clear command of Christ 'to go' should be, by itself, sufficient to set you on your way to unreached regions. You can't go wrong by trying to go. Be agressive to go. THe Lord will direct your moving feet."

Here's a statistic that's really shameful from THe Traveling TEam: "According to the Bibles for All the World Prayer Map, American Christians spend 95% of offerings on home-based ministry, 4.5% on cross-cultural efforts in already- reached people groups, and 0.5% to reach the unreached."

Here's another statistic: "There are an estimated 6,400 unreached people groups worldwide, which still need missionaries to plant Christ's church among them."

Why is it that Jesus commissioned us to GO but here we sit? I realize that the Lord gives us ministries at home, but we need to be listening to His voice and be willing to go where He calls us. Ion Keith-Falconer said " I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light."
THere are so many ways to get involved in missions besides actually going! Get a list of your church's missionaries and PRAY! That is the most powerful thing that we can do. As always, thanks for listening to my heart. I pray you all have an amazing day!
Abby
Here is the website for TO Every Tribe Ministries if you want to learn more about their ministry: www.toeverytribe.com.

New Look

Update

Hey All!
Sorry it's been so long since I last wrote. All 3 of our computers crashed at the same time so we've been computerless for a while. But my family had a really nice Easter. Katy is doing alot better. She's on a strictish diet and that seems to be helping her alot. Praise the Lord!
I just had my wisdom teeth out last week. Other than swelling and bruising of my jaw, I've had a relatively good recovery.
A really awesome thing happened today that I'd like to share: I have been praying alot about going to a community college for nursing or just getting my LPN degree through a Boces program. I really don't want to go through a year of liberal arts then go to medical school. Anyway, I found out today that the next LPN program doesn't start until December 2010. I really don't believe the Lord wants me to waste 1 1/2 years not going to school so I might as well just go to the community college and get my RN degree. I've also been praying alot about going to To Every Tribe Ministries training program in September of 2010. It's an 8 month hands on training program. There are opportunities to go to Mexico and Papua New Guinea. I'm extremely grateful that the Lord answered my prayer!
On Friday, we were blessed to have a houseful of people. Our Mexican amigos and some other friends came over for dinner because our interpreter for the Bible study is in Mexico. Here are some pictures: The first picture is Jairo, Bethany, and Rudy; all very fun people to hang out with :) The next picture is Tirbercio, Cesar, Roy, and Erik. Cesar is learning guitar and Roy taught him a couple chords. The next picture is Katy playing Candy Land with young Cesar, Antonio, and Dominique. They are the cutest little boys ever!!!! I love them so much. They've been coming to Sunday School at our church for a few months now and are such a blessing. The last picture is their mom and brother, Elisabeth and Jason. All these people are so wonderful to be around. God is blessing our ministry to them in a marvelous way! Thanks for praying for me.

God is Great!

WE have had a pretty interesting weekend as a family... Mainly Sunday night. My older sister Katy has been having some health problems and Sunday evening she was having alot of trouble breathing. So Dad, Mom, Grandpa Kelley, and Katy all went to Strong Memorial Hospital to get her a breathing treatment. It worked and she's home doing well.
It's neat how when we're experiencing trials, the family of GOd steps up with us... Through the "grapevine" 4 churches heard of Katy's predicament, and countless other people prayed for her... How cool is that!
Please pray that she would get better and that the doctors could figure out what's wrong with her. Thanks so much.

Passion Seminar Results

Hello Everyone!
My younger siblings and I had an oppertunity this past weekend to attend a youth seminar in Marilla, NY. It was amazing! God worked in so many ways in our hearts... The pastor talked about our passion (or lack thereof) toward God and things of God. It's almost like a fire has been ignited in our lives to live for God. As I write this, my siblings are singing praises to the Lord. My younger brother especially is really changing which is an answer to pray! So I'm just praising the Lord for this past weekend. It was life changing for me!