TNU Cribs: Houses of the Rich and Famous

Hey, here are some pics of my new crib. For the MTV: Cribs show, they want to do an episode on my crib since it's so incredibly luxurious. I turned them down though because I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. My apartment is right inside the entrance of the dorm so HOPEFULLY, it'll be a good place to hang w/ my girls if they think I'm cool enough to hang out with! Oh yeah, and there is a porch swing outside the dorm, yeah!!!

Pics of my Crib. . .

Look how grown up I am, my own name thing...whatever it's called...name plate? AND I do have a 24 hours reserved parking! Here are some updated pics of my apartment! It's so fun decorating however I WANT! I love it! I have a few more things I want to do, but. . .

Made in Taiwan

No, I was not made in Taiwan, but a lot of things were. . .and it's a FABULOUS country! I just returned from a mission trip to Taipei (the capital) of Taiwan. Taiwan is a little island close to China. I was a youth sponsor for the senior high youth group from College Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, ID. I will REALLY miss those students and youth leaders!
So, our main project while there was teaching an English Camp for some 150 neighborhood elementary aged kids. They were priceless and it was a joy to teach them. The kids and parents were so gracious and appreciative of our camp. The youth group did a great job teaching and preparing and loving those kids.

Our sister church in Taiwan, Faith Church of the Nazarene, is amazing. I have never felt so loved and taken care of. When you go to this church, you do not leave with any doubt that they and God loves you. They are extremely intentional in everything that they do. They have a heart for reaching people for Christ and actually do something about it!
While we were there three of our English Camp, Taiwanese assistants came to accept Christ's love. That was the coolest thing ever to be a part of that. And as a result of this camp, several families were introduced to a church that will love them and show them what Christ's love is all about!



This church is also extremely dedicated and passionate about prayer. I have never been so
challenged to take my prayer life more seriously. When these people pray, even though you can not understand their language, you can not miss the passion and boldness that they pray with. It was a priveledge to learn from them in this way.

We did a ton of sight seeing, Taiwan is absolutely beautiful: big cities, amazing mountains, the ocean. . .a little of everything. We shopped a ton, saw some beautiful architecture, rode lots of public transportation (the taxi drivers are WAY worse than NY city ones), hung out with the youth group, danced in the rain. . . .played some ultimate frisbee. . .even a little ROOK.

As cliche as it sounds, I hope that I truely am a different person because of this trip. I learned so many things and saw how wide and universal God's love really is. Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Five things I will miss:
The people in Taiwan
Faith Church, massages , using chopsticks for every meal, my new friends (especially my new Christian friends and the other ones who want to learn more about God), and the shopping!

Five things I will NOT miss:
squatty potties
Pearl Milk Tea
Having random people take pictures of me with their picture phones like I'm a movie star
The humidity
The bugs

On my way to my first Country record. . .

I'm here in Nashville now after a busy summer of moving, vacation, a family reunion, and a trip to Taiwan! I've had a WONDERFUL summer, but I am glad to be in one place that I will be in for more than a few weeks!

I am very excited for students to come and for everything to start here at Trevecca! I am living in an apartment in my dorm and will post pictures soon so you can all see what it looks like! My sister, Melanie, helped me move in and decorate! It was SO fun having her here!

Ok, so the real reason I moved out to Nashville: yep, I'm here to cut a country music record. The rumors are true. I'll let you all know when my first world tour is and will get you each a backstage pass. I'll be interviewing for some back up dancers and vocalists so if you are interested, please send me a short video displaying your skills.

Can't wait for you all to visit and to send your audition tapes!!!!

Music City, Here I Come!

So, I'm moving to Nashville, TN at the end of June '06!!! I am moving out there to work at Trevecca Nazarene University as a Resident Director in a dorm, Johnson Hall. I am very excited about this new adventure although I will have a very hard time leaving my friends and all that I have come to love in Nampa!

I believe that this is where God wants me to be so I know that it is going to be an amazing experience. I am excited to see how He works in and through my life down in the South! I'm hoping I can pick up a good Southern accent because I've always loved them. . .and wouldn't be too disappointed if I also picked up a good Southern young man with a great accent too!

My plans. . .

So, I've been at my current job since August 2005. . .I love it, but I am starting to look into other options especially looking toward grad schools. I'm hoping to go back to school in the next year or two. . .I'm trying to decide exactly what I want to study. At this point options include a Masters in Social Work, Speech Therapy, or Elem. Ed Yeah I know, three very different things. . .that is exactly why I have not gone yet!

This summer I am going on my first international mission trip to Taiwan! I am extrememly excited for this opportunity! I've always had a passion for missions, but have never had the opportunity to go on a trip! I am going with the youth group at church as a sponsor. We will be running an English camp for elem. students and working with a youth group out there on some outreach ministry stuff! I'll post some pictures and stuff after the trip!

BFFA

Sarah and Me. Sarah has been one of my absolute best friends since freshman year of college. She is incredible. She is most definitely one of the people that knows me best and yet still loves me. She is a ton of fun and knows exactly what I need at just the right time. In 2004, she married an amazing guy, Zach Marble. God could not have more perfectly put two people together. Their love for each other is fun to watch and the jealousy of all my single girl friends!

Katie Kate Kate Kate

Me & Kate. I have LOVED living closer to Katie this year. She's amazing. She has made this last year in Nampa so much fun. She has been a wonderful friend. She is one of the most honest and real people I know!

My First Real Job

So, I'm here in Nampa. Working as a behavioral therapist w/ kids with developmental disabilities. I really love my job. The kids are GREAT. So funny and so cute. It's a cool job because I'm able to be creative and I work with kids. My job is sort of a blend between being a teacher, a mom, a speech therapist, a behavioral therapist. . .and. . .a ton of other things. So basically, I never get bored and I'm learning a ton!

My typical day includes going to the library, stores, playing at the park, art, story time, playing games, singing the ABCs about 50 times, imitating all the animal sounds I know. . . .yeah sounds like it's not a job that I just play all the time. . .and I do play alot, but that's whats cool about my job. I'm teaching my kids through everyday life stuff!

My sister, Melanie came to visit this weekend! We had a ton of fun! She is one of my best friends! I am so lucky to have her!