Trials and Smiles of Danette Ann

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-15T19:35:00.009-06:00

Family and Friends!

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) from the Big Island of Hawaii!

It hardly feels like Christmas is around the corner with all this sunshine I’m experiencing on the beach. It’s fantastic!

I hate that I take for granted how blessed I am. It usually takes me sitting down with a pen and paper reflecting, before I recall all the amazing things in my life. I always forget how many things I have to be thankful for.

I kicked off this past New Year living in Missouri with my little sister Sarah. I was working freshly out of cosmetology school as a brand new hairstylist. It was pretty intimidating the first several months. Shampooing men’s hair… That was way out of my comfort zone! Or trimming a cute guys beard… Especially intimidating after they’d asked you out and you’d declined with a lame excuse. It was all a bit much. You’re up in their face and they have nowhere else to look but at you. I probably could have avoided some of the awkwardness if I didn’t first start out by saying, “this isn’t awkward at all”, and then nervously laughing. And no matter how I try to avoid it, I will inevitable always stick the clipper guard up their nose. It’s a site to behold for sure.

So, other than having to get used to all that, I absolutely love being a hairdresser! I am so very thankful I took time out of my travels to go to school.

After living in Missouri for a solid year and a half. (I know, record breaking.) I moved up to Kenai, Alaska where I have always wanted to live. It’s such a breathtakingly gorgeous place! My best friend Amanda lives there and I finally got to meet her baby Malachi. He’s such a doll! I was working in a salon with some amazing ladies. They taught me so much and I am just so thankful to have met them.

When I wasn’t at the salon I was either bundled up on the beach with a fire or out on a boat fishing with one of three beach sites I know.

I moved up there in April, stayed through the “warm” part of the year, and then when I had to start scraping ice off my windshield in October, I decided it was time to migrate to warmer grounds. I love Alaska, and I feel like I can’t say that enough. Because it really does feel like home. My heart is in Alaska. And one day I might be able to move back, but for now, I just feel I need to be somewhere else.

I’m in Hawaii at the moment working as a Mission Builder for the University of the Nations. I have been here about two and a half months and have met so many incredible people from around the world. It has been so refreshing. It just feels like a little break from life. Like the world has stopped spinning for one second and I can stand up again and breathe. Everyone here is just so encouraging and uplifting. It’s been a blessing for sure.

As for right now, I’m in the process of getting yet another cosmetology license. Each state requires a different license, so it is a bit of a pain to move around. I’m spending Christmas with my family in Arkansas and I hope to get a place close to my little brother Luke until summer. Possibly back to Alaska for fishing in July and then I’m thinking maybe California would be a great place for me to live. I might be able to make it in the Geniuses World Record for most held cosmetology license after all this. =]

I hope this New Year is full of joy –real genuine joy for each of you. And I hope you will know the love of God.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Danette

Psalms 139

2011-11-15T00:12:00.002-06:00

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Epic Day!

2011-10-17T23:51:00.003-05:00

(Not the best picture ever, but I wanted a surfing one.)

I had the most amazing time surfing day!!! Life in Hawaii is really starting to look up. The first time I went out (which this picture is from) wasn't totally phenomenal. Still fun, but I was a little disappointed because the waves were so small it was impossible to catch one. I kind of figured they were always like that. And I was at the "best" surfing spot on the island. But today, nothing short of amazing! They were perfect! I think I will go now every free moment I have! I feel as though I've had a dose of happy medicine. You know the feeling you have when you fall in love and you're just walking around with a stupid grin on your face? Yeah totally that. =] Only so much better! No huge risks really. I mean, drowning could be a problem, but that's so minor. =]

So, the first week of moving is always so rough for me. Meeting so many people, and trying to figure out what your supposed to be doing when and where. It's stressful. And first impressions are such a big deal. You can't risk messing it up. It's a lot of pressure. Seriously. I'm happy that's over with. I've already met so many amazing people from all over the world. It's so refreshing to be surrounded by so many Christians. So many positive and happy people in one spot, it's amazing.

I take back all the negative things I said about Hawaii in my last post. It's not quite as hot and miserable as I first thought. Still horrible to dry your hair -but perfect for surfing! I think coming from Alaska it was just a little bit of a shock.

So, I just wanted to let everyone know I'm doing much better than when I first arrived. Thank you guys so much for your comments on my last post.

My little "Missionary Heart"

2011-10-13T00:16:00.004-05:00

It has not even been 48 hours since my arrival here at the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. So many things I want to say simultaneously.

When I was 18 I was blessed with a year of scrubbing toilets, everyday. Literally, everyday. For a year. It was quite a humbling experience. I would like to think that it stretched me and made me a better person. I definitely grew from it. And I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am if it weren’t for all the trials I endured at Friend Ships.

So coming here I was all ready to “serve”. I said I would do whatever. However, I did email them before I came just to kind of feel the waters. They said I would be working in the finance office and the boutique. Yeah, I could do that. Sit in an office for the day and then go down to the beach afterwards. Why not?

To be quite honest, I was struggling a bit in the first place as to whether or not I wanted to come. Leaving Alaska was very hard. I love Alaska! I think I could actually hear my heart tearing. And seriously, working for free? Does that even really make sense?

I’ve done this before, in Louisiana. Best years of my life, and some of the hardest. But I’m in Hawaii now! This should be easy! A piece of cake! A little time to regroup and rethink life. Lie in the sun and relax! Recover from the trials life throws at you! This will be amazing!

What I’ve pictured in my mind is not actually what reality is. It’s HOT here. People do not tell you this about Hawaii… It is humid. People do not tell you that. It’s not as bad as Louisiana. But it’s oh so hot. And I don’t know a soul! Why do I do this to myself, seriously? Not one friend. (yet.)

I was thinking about having myself a little melt down last night. Tuesday night is a mandatory meeting. Worship and teaching. I was sitting there with I’m sure, a dazed look, and my mind was just wandering. I was wondering where I was going to put my things because I didn’t have enough drawers or hangers. I like everything neat. Neat and tidy. And I like my seven pillows on my bed. Made very neat and perfect everyday. I was trying to figure out when I was going to shower, how many times I was going to have to apply make up in one day, where there were enough outlets by a mirror so I could fix my hair. I’m a hairdresser. I have to have nice hair! I was starting to freak out a little. If you shower before work, then you get all hot and sweaty and then you have to shower after work… There aren’t that many hours in a day.

Then I thought to my self, “wow, Danette, when did you become so high maintenance?” That is the definition of high maintenance right? I’m totally fitting that description… I’ve always thought of myself as a “missionary girl”. Hey, I did spend three months in Africa! That’s got to count for something right? But wow reality sometimes is a bit much to swallow.

Then this morning at our morning meeting, which starts at 6 in the morning. That is 6 am. Before the sun comes up. I had to get up in front of about 50 people and tell them about myself. Generally I’m terrified of getting up in front of people and talking but I felt pretty good about it this time. Even made them laugh a little. So when they asked were I was going to be working I said that I had received an email a while back saying I would be working in the finance office and the boutique, but that I hadn’t heard since I'd arrived.

Now imagine my face for one second as I’m standing up in front of this sitting crowd. They’re all staring at me as one of the leaders say to me, “oh no, you’re going to be working in housekeeping and dishwashing.” My response, “Oh ha ha okay. I knew it was a trick!” I think I fooled them all into thinking that I could just go with the flow, but really, I just wanted to cry. I can’t believe that news was broken to me while I had a crowd of people watching me. I wanted to just lie on the ground and sob. I cannot do this! Seriously! I have to scrub toilets again!!!!! I thought I did my time.

That’s when I start thinking about plane tickets. How will I escape paradise?

It was like deja vu all day today. I had a pretty crappy attitude this morning. I was just mad. I always have the “how dare they” attitude when anything happens that I don’t like. I want to do the little head bob as a shake my finger saying “seriously!” I was even “taught” how to fold a fitted sheet today. No, I am the queen of folding fitted sheets! I have folded thousands of fitted sheets. Really. Thousands. I do not want to be taught how to fold a fitted sheet!

Eventually I talked myself into being okay with housekeeping. (let’s remember that that was just for today. Tomorrow I might have to talk myself into it again.) But the three girls I’m working with are the sweetest! And plus, I had lunch dishes to dread all day! I was not a happy camper about lunch dishes! I’m talking dishes for 1000 people. A thousand. Getting my hands all wet and nasty and having to pull my hair back out of my face in an ugly bun. No no no… I want to cut hair.

Most people wont really understand fully when I say “ratty ol ship girl”. But that’s what I felt like. Back in my Friend Ship days there was not much you could do to make yourself presentable. All of us wore torn up, stained up, used up cloths. Didn’t fix our hair because it was just too hot to run our blow dryer and didn’t wear makeup because it literally ran off your face. And what sticks in my mind is one of the guys saying “I don’t want to end up with one of those ratty ol ship girls”. It was that bad. Oh man, I was so happy when I got back into the real world and became presentable again.. And now… Against everything in me, I have no choice but to surrender to being a ratty ol island girl. Ah, it’s going to be dreadful, but I am going to try and do it with a smile.

These three months might be a little rough. I know I have some things I need to deal with but I’m not sure exactly how to go about doing that.

Being a hairdresser, it’s impossible to have a crappy day. Okay, I definitely had crappy days all the time, but no one would ever know. People expect you to be bubbly and cheerful. “Hi! How’s your day? Mines the best ever!” So that is what I have been these past several months in Alaska. Fine. I have pushed things so far out of my mind that I can’t even be alone and think about things. Otherwise I’m not fine. But if I don’t let my mind go any deeper than surface stuff, I’m okay. But that is so unhealthy, and I know that.

On my way here, I had a 12 hour layover in California. I got a hotel and I was going to process everything. It was going to be like my little transition period. From Alaska to Hawaii. My old life to my new life. I don’t know where I get these amazing ideas. But I always think they’re great at the time. Two of my best friends told me very nicely that I might want to be a little bit more realistic about the processing time. But I was sure that I could just do some sort of switch over.

Oh man, I was so wrong, I didn’t get anything accomplished in California. What in the world! Now I have to deal with things in Hawaii. I don’t like dealing with things. Tears happen when you deal with things. But I am smart enough to know that if I don’t process things and let things go that it will be baggage in my life. And I don’t need to drag anything along behind me in my life.

So, to the next three months, may they go quickly... No, but really, may they allow God to bring healing in my life. And may I again put God first in my life.

Oh, I can already feel the pain. I don't like to be taught things.

Sarah & Joey's Visit to Alaska

2011-08-30T00:16:00.000-05:00

Sarah's first time halibut fishing.

A little halibut

Clam digging.

Joey's first clam

Hugs from my little man!

Alaska to Hawaii

2011-08-23T17:45:00.008-05:00

Life is a roller coaster! And I cannot believe it has been five months since I last updated this. For starters, I LIVE IN ALASKA! And I love it! I have been here now for nearly half a year! I love this beautiful state, I love the mountains and the trees and the gorgeous flowers and just the beautifulness of it all. It literally takes my breath away. The air is so fresh and crisp and no matter what things I might be dealing with in my life, I can just sit on the beach with my fire, close my eyes and breath. And I know life is going to be okay. If God can put all this beautifulness in one place, I know he can take care of me.

My Alaska adventure has been just that. And adventure. I wish I could say it has been amazing, but it has been a rough road. Thankfully, most of the times, rough roads are the things that you can look back on and see how it helped shape you and make you into a better person.

Things have not turn out quite exactly as I had hoped them to. I moved to Alaska with the hopes of living here the rest of my life. Hoping that I would finally be able to settle down and actually stay for a while. I'm just longing for that place to call "home". And Kenai has always been my "safe haven". When I feel lost in the world, I can always come to Kenai and it feels like home. It feels like I belong.

I'm not sure how to go about explaining this so it makes a little sense. But basically, my neighborhood is emotionally draining. (I know, try to understand that.) But I can't stay were I'm at. And now technically I could move to a different neighborhood and things would be a little different, but it's almost to the point where I just need to get out of town to be able to clear my head. To be able to think clearly.

And honestly, what better place than Hawaii right? A little surfing and sun is so good for the soul! I decided to take a little break from everything to get my life back on track. Collect my thoughts, remember who I am and what I am here for. God has a purpose.

For those of you that have read my blog along the way, you might remember me talking about going to Australia to be a part of Youth With A Mission. Well, I ended up not doing that but going to cosmetology school in Missouri instead. Anyway, YWAM (Youth With A Mission) has a base in Kona, Hawaii and I applied to go as a Mission Builder for a couple of months. Just found out I got accepted and am pretty stoked! I'll be in Alaska for another month to watch summer give way to winter and give the girls at the salon some time to find my replacement. But then I'll be on my way. I'm hoping after Hawaii I'll have a little direction as to whats next. God hasn't ever left me hanging, so I'm guessing He has something amazing for me ahead.

Six Years Ago...

2011-03-26T22:49:00.008-05:00

(A and I's message in a bottle. And in the background, our Christmas tree)

...I made my very first trip up to Alaska. I was only nineteen. I have many stories from that trip, but let me just tell you one.

As a setnetter, it's very important to pay attention to the tides. There are four tides in a day. Two high, and two low. And if the current if running to hard, you can't pull your nets out of the water to pick your fish. So you want to pick your fish as the tide is getting slack. (Just as the tide is turning). Well, on this particular beach site we were fishing for, the beach was especially muddy and there was no way to get the boat into the water when it was low tide. So, in order to be able to pick our fish before the tide changed and washed our fish out of the nets, we had to push our boat out into the water WAY before it was even close to "picking time". If the tide was going to be really low that day, we would sometime have to sit out in our boat for around four hours, (freezing our butts off some days) just hanging on a mooring waiting for the water to get a little slack. Now Amanda and I were pretty inventive with our time. Besides the "live concerts" we threw for eachother, we had picnics in the rain, painted our nails -if it were a nice day, decorated a Christmas tree -yes, in July, and tried to get our neighbors attention. Now if we had a visitor from one of our fishing neighbors, oh man, for the next several hours, we would get to talk about how excited we were that someone came to see us. Let me just say it was a Highlight!

Well, during this time out in the boat, Amanda and I would send messages in a bottle to our neighbors. We'd address our letters depending on which way the tide was going. Some days we'd send a message to the hot fisherman on the right, and other days we'd send messages to the sweet family operated site on our left. But the hot guys are not what I'm writing about... So... let me get back on track. There was a girl fishing on the site to our left that would send us stuff back! One day, Amanda and I go out and check our nets and there is chips and salsa waiting for us in our net! Can someone say SCORE! A girl gets hungry when she's out on the water.

So now, lets fast forward six years to the present time...

I had the cutest apartment picked out that I wanted to rent in Kenai, Alaska. I found the add like an hour after they posted it. It was like a studio house. And it was adorable! And I wanted it... And even though I offered to pay rent while I was still here in Missouri, they rented it out to someone else... The nerve I tell you.

Anyway, even though it was still a month before I was moving up there, I was starting to freak out a little bit... "Oh my gosh! I'm going to be homeless. I think that was the only apartment Alaska has!" I'm not sure why my mind thinks like that, but it does.

So, of course, when the end of the world is nearing, I call my all knowing best friend Amanda. And she had an idea, "Why don't you email all the churches in Kenai and see if they know of anyone that is looking for a roommate or something?" What a good idea! So I did just that. And everyone was so helpful too! So, long story shortened just a bit, I got put in touch with a girl that was was looking for a roommate. And so we were emailing and realized we had met six years ago while we were fishing. She's the girl that sent us the chips and salsa by way of water!

So, as it turns out, I was once again freaking out for absolutely no reason. Not only will I not be homeless when I get to Alaska now, but I also probably wont have to get a second job because rent is much cheaper.

...I guess God really does know what He's doing...

And now, if I can just remind myself of that and not freak out that I'm going to be in Alaska in two and a half weeks and don't yet have a car, I'll be in great shape!

San Diego!

2011-03-10T18:03:00.004-06:00

I LOVE California! And as much as I love the quietness of the country, I think if I were rich, I would pick up and move to Cali right smack dab in the middle of everything. =] Though living on the beach as a bum renting out surfboards sounds pretty exciting too. And I could totally do that right now!

I have no idea why I love this picture so much. But I bet this (random) guy (I was taking pictures of) is a happy guy! He was out there all by him self surfing his heart out.

(beautiful flowers at the wedding!)

I love my job! And not only do I get to do hair everyday, I also get to go on vacations and I can transfer my job to wherever I feel like moving! Anyway, I was able to take a trip out to San Diego for a dear friends wedding. Susannah and Will. And it was like a mini Friend Ships reunion! It was so great to see some of my friends I hadn't seen in years. I had no idea Captain Stan and his wife Sharon were going to be there! And I was just SO excited!

Sharon, Jake, myself, Capt Stan!

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T15:31:00.010-06:00

Usually I start a Christmas letter around the beginning of December. But I just can't even believe Christmas has already come and gone. Wasn't it just summer like yesterday?

This year has gone by so incredibly fast that I'm not even sure what happened. I think this will be more like a little recap than an actual letter. Usually I will go back and check my blog to see what had happened in my life the last year. But with 5 post it doesn't look like a whole lot went on. And yet I was so busy.

In January of last year I was one month into cosmetology school. Was going forty hours a week and then working a waitressing gig part time. It didn't leave much time for anything else, but I was still able to squeeze a couple trips into my schedule. Nothing foreign or exotic, but Alaska was definitely on the list, along with California, Nebraska and of course Arkansas.

It was my fifth trip to Alaska, the most beautiful place in the world! And I was so blessed to have my dad come along with me. We did a little halibut and salmon fishing, bear watching, site seeing and we got to hang out on the boat I fished on the previous year, the Early Dawn. Even though I didn't get to commercial fish this past year, I did get to show my dad a little bit of what it was like.

California was awesome! I had been to Los Angeles a couple times but this was my first time to San Fransisco. It was beautiful! I made some new friends, got to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, and went wine tasting in a limo. I felt like a rockstar! And I'm pretty sure I saw Matthew Maconahay too. But if it wasn't him, I'm going to pretend like it was. :)

I finished cosmetology school in October and am now working at a salon in Missouri. I've been there almost two months now and already am working by myself. I still feel like I need supervision of some sort, but so far I haven't messed anyones hair up or waxed anyones eyebrow off. Cross my fingers. I'm really loving it though, I think in about a year when I get more comfortable with everything it will be even more enjoyable. It is nice not to dread going to work, since a majority of your life is actually spent working.

Still trying to get my cosmetology license transferred to Alaska. This has been a bigger ordeal than I had originally thought. I'm not in any hurry to go anywhere right now though. Missouri is actually starting to grow on me. I'm thinking about getting back into dance. Not ballet this time, I think I'm going to try a couple different forms of dance and see what I like. There are some Zumba classes starting the beginning of January, so if I can get my sister Sarah to go with me I think this will be fun.

I hope that this next year is full of blessings and joy for every person I know.

Love always,

Danette

A little song and dance from the Bjornstads:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/c5ZFTZi1o7vBPMi9?cmpid=ey_fb_self

My dad fishing his heart out in Alaska

My friend Kelley and I at the Golden Gate Bridge

The older sibling

I'm a Cosmetologist!

2010-10-30T18:30:00.003-05:00

Hello! It has been so long since my last update. Life isn't quite as interesting to write about, or I image read about, when every day is pretty much the same.

It is one year today that I moved to Missouri. Had never cut a persons hair in my life! Didn't know a thing about coloring or foiling. And definitely didn't know anything about perming or waxing. Now, a year later, a have a cosmetology license and I really think I'm going to love the work! I am so excited to get a job in a salon and continue learning.

I'm looking for a job right now in Alaska. But as of now, I'm just hanging out in the south until after Christmas. Still working as a waitress in Missouri. Getting pretty excited to get on with my life now that I'm finished with school.

Fall is Here Again

2010-10-30T18:18:00.004-05:00

San Fransisco!

2010-09-29T19:09:00.002-05:00

I don't really have an update except to say, I love California! And here are some pictures from my week long trip to San Fransisco!

Grapes =]

Chris, Kelly, myself and Abe at a beautiful winery!

Abe and I at the Golden Gate Bridge! So beautiful! I love bridges!

Trip to Alaska #5

2010-07-25T20:10:00.007-05:00

I have officially broken my record of "not being able to stay in one spot for more than three months at a time". I have lived in Missouri now for NINE months! It seems crazy to say, because it honestly feels that I've just moved here.

I only have 2 1/2 months of school left and I then I will actually be a cosmetologist. (If I pass my boards that is. :D) And then I'm going to have to make decisions about where I want to go and what exactly it is I want to do. That's always a bit scary for me.

But, as you all know, love and miss Alaska and fishing. And because of school I wasn't able to fish this year so I was very excited just to take a two week trip up and hang out. My dad had never been to Alaska so I was very blessed to be able to bring him along and show him the most beautiful place in the world. And he got to see what I did fishing.

So, we'll just skip right to the pictures. :D

My dad and I on our way to Alaska.

Snug Harbor. This place is amazing! It's across the inlet, away from town and the world. The most perfect place in Alaska to be able to take it all in! There's salmon fishing, and halibut fishing. Bears, mountains, fossils, history, crabs, boats, awesome people and an awesome hot tub. I mean, it's all here.

Dad, Abe and Aaron. Bear watching.

Drifting. Gill net full of fish.

Abe and his deckhand Aaron picking fish. (I would like to pretend that I made the best deckhand ever.. But I must say, Aaron probably did everything just a little better and faster than I. As much as I'd like to think that I work as hard as a guy, it's just never going to happen. Guys will always be able to give just a little more than me.)

There wasn't enough room for me to help pick fish. So I just pitched them in the hold for the guys.

A boat full of fish!!! I have never seen this many fish in all my life! The hold is plumb-full! The deck is overflowing with fish! This was a great day! (Even though I was a bit sick...)

A happy moose

Cosmetology School

2010-05-04T21:11:00.009-05:00

Hello to anyone that might still be reading my blog! I have not died, just been super busy.

There's not been too many exciting things happening in the past six months. I definitely haven't gotten to travel anywhere exciting. And though I did take a trip to Nebraska for a couple of days, I'm pretty sure that does not fall into the "exciting places" category.

I'm going to school full time, then work nights and weekends. Only about five and a half more months to go and then I will be finished with school! I don't think just saying the word "excited" could really get my point across. But I am super excited to be over half way!

I think there are about sixty of us girls packed into one building and I'm pretty sure I've heard enough drama to last me the rest of my life... I love cutting and coloring hair, waxing, pedicures and all that jazz but I was not expecting the drama that came along with it... What was I thinking?

So... I thought I'd put a few pictures up for you...

My School BBF Jessica. :D

Cutting Jessica's hair. (And as you look through these pictures, you may notice that it's basically just Jessica and I... Jess really is my only friend... I'm not even kidding. I find it's much easier to stay out of all the drama this way. :D)

Jessica and her awesome red hair. I totally did that. :D

We made a Jack Sparrow doll out of a bald mannequin. Each group had to make someone when we were going through the "Design Decisions" chapter...

Jessica, myself, Stephinie and Lydia.

And my first set of acrylics! (Jessica's hands, but we felt she needed a little bling for this hand model picture... So that is my ring. :D)

Happy 3rd Birthday Joseph!

2010-02-05T13:26:00.000-06:00

Joey's third birthday!

Blowing out his candles

Joseph, Rebekah and Emma

Little Helper

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-15T20:59:00.010-06:00

Merry Christmas from the Missouri chicks!

Well, we decided that since we were both going to be sending out Christmas letters this year to practically all the same people, saying practically the exact same things, we would go ahead and just send one. We knew with all the excitement our lives contained, most people could probably handle only one of those letters. :D

Danette

Well my year started off with round two of American Cruise Lines. It was quite uneventful compared to the previous time I was employed by them in 2007. When I finished my contract with them, I made a quick stop in Arkansas before flying up to Alaska for my third year of fishing. This year was quite a bit different and much more enjoyable. Not that I didn’t love fishing before, but this year I was working on a drift boat apposed to working on a beach site and having to run in the sand. (Not a big fan of running in the sand in my rubber boots). The only downside to drifting, I didn’t get to fish with my best friend Amanda; but I did get to meet a lot of really amazing people this summer and see more of beautiful Alaska.

I know the last Christmas letter I sent out said I would probably be going to Australia to a Discipleship Training School in September. I did get accepted, got my visa and had everything in line, but at the last minute kind of decided to go a completely different direction. I guess the biggest thing was how the US Dollar continued to drop and school (in AUD) continued to get more expensive every time I checked… So, I guess there’s no need to say it, but I didn’t go to Australia. Instead of traveling all the way to the southern hemisphere, I decided to stay a little closer to home and move a couple hours north to Missouri.

One may ask “why Missouri?” (because of her fabulous sister… duh - SB) And that is a good question. Basically it was another one of my “dart at the dart board” decisions. But I decided to go to cosmetology school. It’s something I had wanted to do since I was 17 but had always kind of thought it was a vain thing to get into. You know, mission work verses beautifying the outward appearance. But, the more I thought about it the more I realized I could use it overseas with missions as well. Hard to believe at 24 I’m still in search of my talent, but I’m so hoping it is hair cutting! I’ve been in school now for a month and a half and I am really loving it!

Sarah (I’m the shorter one. :D)

My life is definitely not as exciting as Danette’s, (not true - DB) but I’ll go ahead and fill you in on what I’ve been up to. I’m sure most of you already know, but as of February, Joseph became an official Bjornstad. I’m very excited to have him as a brother, although I would have liked to adopt him myself. He is such a sweetheart, and I feel very blessed that God chose him for our family. Mom and Dad sure have their work cut out for them!

In June I turned twenty-one, which means I can now legally have my pistol in Missouri, although I still have no place to shoot it… very sad I know. I still haven’t been able to find a place for Liberty (my horse), and I’m thinking of selling her, which makes me pretty sad. Along with the fact that Tiffany (my puppy) died several months ago, I got her when I was eleven. I still have Squeaker (my flying squirrel) though, and he is a lot of fun.

Okay enough on the pets. I’ve been living in Missouri for three years in April; it just amazes me how the time flies. I’m still working at the church full time and going to bible school. I’m very excited to have Danette as a roommate, I try to keep her in line but it’s not an easy task, believe me.:D I’m sure some of you are wondering... so NO I do not have a boyfriend. :D (I just thought I would throw that in there.) I have the most wonderful friends and family anyone could ask for I feel very blessed.

We’re both glad you guys made it to the end. Well assuming you did, if you’re reading this and didn’t just skip right to the bottom. :D We wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you have a fantabulous new year!

Love always,

Danette & Sarah

Thankfulness

2009-11-22T15:05:00.005-06:00

I get so consumed with the day to day grind of things throughout the year that I, most of the time, forget about all the amazing blessing I have in my life.

It really is a shame that I take the time only once a year to write down some of the things I'm thankful for. Maybe I'll remember to do it more often this next year.

First of all, I have the most amazing family in the world! I wanted to say how much I love and am thankful that Joey came into our lives. Then I also wanted to mention how much I love my brother Luke and am so thankful that he's one of my very best friends. Well, then there's Sarah, and Lynn and my nieces and my parents... And then extended family, so it starts to get extremely long. I think I better just leave it as, I'm so thankful and so blessed to have the family that I have. Love them all!

Also, I don't know how a girl can come across as many amazing people as I have.. But I'm pretty sure I have some of the coolest friends EVER. Yeah, totally amazing friends that I absolutely love and am so thankful for! I have so many amazingly wonderful friends it's actually some times hard to keep track. So thank you friends for always being there for me and just being who you are.

I'm thankful for the organization Friend Ships Unlimited. I learned so much while I served with them! So many amazing experiences. Yes it was difficult, but such a growing opportunity.

I'm so thankful for all the traveling I've gotten to do. The places I've been so blessed to see and the different cultures I've gotten to experience.

For the different seasons of the year. Just the beauty that comes with each one.

Flowers. I love flowers! And snowflakes! If only I could keep them in a jar for decoration!

I'm thankful that I'm an American. I'm thankful for a job. And I'm thankful that I really look forward to going to cosmetology classes in the morning.

Smiles. How smiles can truly brighten a day! And laughs. My favorite.

I'm really thankful for Alaska. I love Alaska! It's so flawlessly beautiful!

The ocean, the beach and the stars! Rain on a tin roof!

Scarves. Randomly enough. I'm thankful for scarves. :D And jeans.

I'm thankful for the ability to learn different things. I'm thankful that I've had the opportunity to "learn" how to surf.

I'm thankful for art. And diversity. Uniqueness. Being different.

I'm thankful that Missouri is starting to feel like "home" and that I'm getting settled in and making new friends.

But mostly I'm thankful for Jesus. For the salvation I have in Him and for His continual forgiveness. For His unending love and mercies. And for NEVER leaving me. I'm so thankful for second chances.

Oh and also... I'm so thankful for stuffing and green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. Which I will be eating in three days. :D

Turns out the list could actually go on. I keep thinking about more things that I'm thankful for.

I wonder if it would actually ever end? If I just continued to write things down. Even little things like my colored sharpy markers I use to highlight my notes and such with. Turns out there is SOO much a person can be thankful for... I think I'm just a happier person after writing this. I would suggest everyone make a list... It's amazing how many things a person has to be thankful about.

Can a person be thankful for Facebook? I think that I am. Did I just say that? ...Yep. I like that I'm able to stay connected with old and new friends.

Cosmetology School

2009-11-04T20:11:00.005-06:00

So it turns out you actually have to be smart to get through cosmetology school. What was I thinking? Anatomy and Physiology? Jeez, I don't want to be a nurse, I just want to cut and color some hair. I mean I can hardly even spell those words.

Today was only my second day at school, and already we have a test on Monday. It's like I don't even feel I've had time to learn anything yet. Weird.

Before class had actually started this morning, I was sitting in my tiny little desk making myself sick just worrying about all the stuff that I don't know and I actually thought about dropping out right then and there. Just calling it quits. But... that would be dumb. Giving up? Not really my thing. They'll have to fail me. But I'm not quitting.

We only have one hour in the morning of theory, then the rest is practical. And I love the all the practical stuff, I can actually do that. It's just the book work. Oh man. This is not going to be an easy 9/10 months. But I guess all I can do is give it my best shot.

Trip #4 to Alaska

2009-10-29T18:34:00.008-05:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Alaska? I have never seen anything more beautiful! I swear, as I fly through the Alaskan sky there's a song that's on repeat up in the clouds. It goes, "take my breath aaawaaaaaaay".

I just returned from there a couple days ago. The 3 previous times I had been up in Alaska was always in July/August. It was kind of strange to be there in October. I thought maybe it would be fall. But nope. It was winter. Not a leaf on a tree. But it was still beautiful.

This is Homer.My beautiful friend Amanda and I in Homer!

The Kenai River. Looks so bare without all the boats and bouys.

My friend Abe and I.

Well, I think most everyone has heard that I'm moving up to Missouri and will be starting Cosmetology school soon. But let me just make it official by saying that that is definitely true. :D

My little sister Sarah lives 20 minutes from the school so I'm moving right in with her and starting on the 3rd of November. The school is only a year long. And I know that sounds like a short time, but I spend an average of three months in one place. I always get antsy and just have to go somewhere. But I'm determined to get rid of the travel bug if only for nine months.

I'm so excited! I've wanted to do this since I was 17. But I'm also really nervous because I have never cut a persons hair in my life. I think "God help me" is about all I can say.

Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog! Hugs!

Family

2009-10-29T18:19:00.003-05:00

I've gotten pretty bad about updating my blog these days. Seems I just do the picture thing here lately.
So... Here are some pictures. :D

The siblings! First time we've been together since last Thanksgiving I believe. (Love my family!)

My Grandparents! They came to Arkansas to visit on their way to Arizona.

I love my grandpa!

My little niece Rebekah

My brother Luke and my youngest niece Emma.

Gone, But Not Forgotten

2009-10-05T14:35:00.004-05:00

In remembrance of my uncle Carl Bjornstad who departed us one year ago tomorrow. October 6th 2008.

You will always be loved and greatly missed.

Hello!

2009-09-12T21:06:00.013-05:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last wrote. They say time fly's when you're having fun and that is the truth!

Fishing ended about a month ago, so I (sadly) returned to Arkansas and am now plotting my new adventures. I sure do miss Alaska, because it truly does feel like home. Maybe someday I'll even get to live there. I guess one can only hope.

I took a trip out to Virginia a couple weeks ago to see my dear friend Janna marry the man of her dreams. I had such a great time seeing a bunch of my Friend Ships friends and hanging out with my best friend Debi! Such good times!

Most have probably heard that I canceled my trip to Australia. The dollar is still dropping even as I type, so school was starting to cost way more than I was willing to pay. Who knows, maybe when I'm old and gray I'll be able to take a little trip Down Under for a vacation. But for now I think I'll probably stay in the states for a while.

I have a couple different directions I'm heading in at the moment. All I know right now is that I need to make a definite decision on what that is before I go completely insane.

Hopefully in the next week or two I will have a solid plan. Who really knows though? I like to reserve the right to change my mind about anything, at any time, whenever I feel like it. :D

So for now, here are some picture from over the past month.

Canoeing with my baby!

Taking a rid on the carousel. 2009 Fair.

Joey Loved this fire truck! He must have ridden on it 20 times!

My beautiful sister Sarah and my cute little brother Joseph

Janna and David
Sweet Debi! If only she didn't live so far away!

Just Some Pictures in Alaska

2009-09-11T22:36:00.005-05:00

I thought I would share a few more pictures with you of my time in Alaska.
So, this is picking fish on the Early Dawn. Or watching Abe pick fish anyways. :D

Abe is a phenomenal Captain/fisherman. There is no way in the world that I could ever even hope to be as educated about "things of the sea" as he is. Generally people scare me on boats. Like we're going to run into something or just flip right over in rough weather. But I don't think I was ever frightened even the slightest while working for/with Abe. I think it runs in his family because his dad is probably the saltest person I've ever met.

Chad and my best friend Amanda halibut fishing!

MY FIRST HALIBUT! I was so excited! (And to think, all those clothes in JULY!)

Abe and Chris or Brandon (they're twins and I had the HARDEST time telling them apart!) filleting halibut in Seldovia.

Snagging for Salmon! Oh my gosh! This was so fun! Everyone was just pulling salmon out of the water right and left! It was crazy! I only caught a humpy, but I was still happy!

Fishing

2009-07-26T01:22:00.005-05:00

Oh surprise! I am actually working while I'm in Alaska! Ha ha, but it hardly seems like it! I'm just loving life up here!

On the Early Dawn. Looking over the port quarter.

The net

Kiss a fish!A couple fish in the hold. I believe the hold is about 5 foot deep.

After ice down.

A Little Bit of Alaska

2009-07-26T01:05:00.003-05:00

On the beach at Snug Harbor

Cuddly little bear I wanted to take home with me.

And a moose up close and personal.

Caribou! Gosh I love Alaska!

Beautiful Alaska

2009-06-26T18:56:00.005-05:00

I had a three hour layover in Fairbanks that I was super excited about. It created the perfect opportunity to see my cousin and his family. They came to the airport to pick me up and then took me out to dinner and ice cream. It was so great to see them again!

Thanks so much Adam and Kimberly!

This is on the drive from Anchorage to Kenai. At around 12:30 at night. I love how the sun just stays around. :D

Some of Abe's beautiful flowers!

Dandelions LupineOne of the nets we've been working on.

picture music playing

2009-06-23T17:39:00.004-05:00

and singing "Take My Breath Awaaaay" (as I'm flying over the Alaskan mountains)

(not my photo. What I was seeing was WAY more beautiful!)

I cannot even believe how beautiful Alaska is! Yes I've been here twice before, but it has been three years. And I must have forgotten what I had seen, because there aren't even any words that can describe the site my eyes are seeing! This has got to be what heaven looks like! ...Just has to be!

I've been traveling now for, I guess you could say, five years. And I've found that generally the average amount of time I spend in one place is three months. Not really long enough to make it my official home, but long enough to be away from my last "home" to make it, well, not so homey anymore.

I call Arkansas home for obvious reasons. Because it's where I grew up, that's where my parents are and also where I have an address and a drivers license from. But Arkansas doesn't just feel like home. I feel out of place kind of, or maybe just out of my element. It's almost like I feel 16 again, like everything I've learned and experienced in the past years was just merely a dream. And this is not a good feeling.

Anyway, I don't know if anyone knows what it's like to move around so much that you always feel lost... Yes, I generally feel lost, like I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just weird.

Well, Alaska let me tell you. It's like I found myself! Like I came home! Who knew you could be so far away from what you call home and yet feel so content and joyful.

I think everyone should move to Alaska! Or at least come up and experience it! Though probably by the time winter rolled around, my bags would be packed and my ticket booked for the south.

But for now I'm going to soak up every moment of pure flawless extraordinary beauty! Gorgeous!

Joseph

2009-06-23T08:28:00.003-05:00

Pictures of my baby before I head off to Alaska.

My Little Fisherman!

2009-06-16T11:25:00.006-05:00

I missed Joey SO much when I was away! And just when I thought he couldn't get any cuter... He did...

He LOVES to go fishing!

I was out fishing with Joseph for about 30 minutes when my parents decided to come join us. I hadn't even gotten one nibble in the whole time I was there. Then they both cast their lines in the pond and BOTH caught a fish! Within like a minute! I couldn't believe it. They gave me quite a bit of grief since I'm supposed to be the fisherman of the family.

A Good Friend

2009-06-15T10:19:00.006-05:00

My friend Gabe was in Arkansas for a week again for the track and field competitions... Or something along those lines. It's all pretty confusing to me. I don't know if it makes sense to say he coaches heptathletes and pole vaulters... But it's definitely somewhere along those lines.

I was pretty glad I was able to catch an earlier flight when I departed Baltimore. There were 14 of us on stand-by. Myself being number 9. And there were exactly 9 seats available. That was the first time I had been overjoyed to have a middle seat.

Anyways, I flew in and then about 45 minutes later Gabe had to fly out. It was a short visit, but I'm glad I made it home in time to at least see him.

Homeward Bound!

2009-06-13T09:50:00.002-05:00

Three months at ACL (American Cruise Lines)... Finished! It seems almost to good to be true

Once again they managed to drain me of all my energy and I feel almost to tired to be excited... But not quite! I have way too many exciting things in the near future not to be totally thrilled.

Though I wouldn’t use the word “enjoy” to describe my time onboard the M/V American Spirit, I will say that it was much better than my first experience in 2007.

The deck crew this season was pretty great.

Actually ACL was still talking about the deck crew I was on two years ago as the “A team”. They were always saying how it was the best crew the company’s had. I just figured it was a motivational speech they gave to everyone that came through. But I guess they weren’t joking, because when I came back this year they were still talking about that crew.

Well, our crew this year blew the other one out of the water. Or gave them the place of second anyways. I’m pretty excited that I had the privilege of making it to both of them. The crew this year, for the most part, really was amazing.

I don’t want to sound as though I think it was me that was “so great”. Because I do know that it was a team effort. I was just super blessed to have been able to work with the people I did.

A Gift to Me!

2009-05-26T00:16:00.008-05:00

I've been meaning to post an update on what's been going on in my life, but I just can't seem to find the time or the words. Life is crazy and I can't wait to get off this boat. I've gotten to the point where I've put up with about as much as I can. And that really only means one thing, that everything gets on my nerves and makes me so mad! Anyways, I'm not writing to go into all those details, I just wanted to share a short story with you.

So, I got up the other morning at 0330 for my 0400 watch. (The time really is irrelevant, but I thought maybe I'd get an "awe, poor dear, has to be up working at that hour". You know, a little sympathy. Ha ha)

Anyways, so there I am standing at the sink brushing my teeth. And I look in the mirror and think to myself, "wow, I really need to whiten my teeth". Then I go on thinking about how I'm trying to save money for Australia and that whitening my teeth really isn't something I must do but only something I want and therefore is not really important at all.

So, off to work I go. When I returned to my room a couple hours later, I noticed something odd in my bed. Weird I thought. What is in my bed? ...You'll never guess... Teeth Whitening Strips! Oh my gosh! Where did they even come from!?

So at breakfast that morning I asked all the girls if someone left their whitening strips in my bed...

Everyone stared at me strangely with the look of, "why would I put whitening strips in your bed?" I mean, it is kind of an odd question. Who would put whitening strips in my bed? hmmm maybe God? He does like to give me little gifts like that. Just to make me smile.

So, that's my story. And now I have nice white teeth again! YAY!

Australia + Alaska = Smiles

2009-05-07T18:16:00.006-05:00

This is my happy face!!!!

Well, as most of you know, I put my application in with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) for their Discipleship Training School in Australia… And… I just found out that they accepted me! So, I don't think I need to say it, but I’M SUPER EXCITED! The school doesn't start until the end of September so hopefully by then the exchange rate doesn't change a whole lot and I'll still be able to afford it. I can't wait!!!

Also, I just got this amazing deal on a plane ticket to Alaska. (I'll be going there July-August for another year of salmon fishing). I was going to pay $600 for a round trip flight and I was pretty excited about that because I spent over $1,000 the first time I went. But my amazing friend Amanda found this guy on Craigslist that was selling his air miles for $200. I wont go into all the details of the whole process but I thought for a while there that I had been had. And so did everyone else on the ship I'm working on. They kept telling me that you just can't trust anyone and that everyone is out to scam you these days. But I said that you just have to take risks sometimes and that there are still some trust worthy people out in this world. Not very many, but still, you can't live your life in fear that everyone is just out to get you. (Don't worry I don't just go around trusting everyone, I will definitely use my good judgment when hitchhiking.) :D

Anyways, after hours of being on the phone and computer I finally got a round trip ticket to Alaska for $200! YAY! I think it's safe to say that I've had a pretty amazing week.

Oh and I also only have five weeks left here on M/V American Spirit! Then I get to go "home" to Arkansas and see Joey, my family, see some friends, go camping and swimming for a week and then I'm off to Alaska!

*smiles*

It's a Small World!!

2009-04-26T17:33:00.004-05:00

(The picture didn't turn out great, but it will have to do.)

Oh my gosh! I'm probably pretty much the most excited person EVER!

Well, I've actually been sick (not seasick, just to clarify) and grumpy for the past couple of days and that makes for a pretty miserable time. I suppose unlike being sick, the grumpy part was an option; but I feel the two go together quite well. Also I've been kind of homesick lately. Not so much for home, but for familiarity, Joey or even just a good friend.

So, I got up lastnight from my hour and a half nap to stand my 2000-2400 (8pm-12am) watch at the gangway. I wasn't exactly thrilled to say the least, because standing for four hours when you're sick seem more like, well, an eternity.

So, as I'm standing gangway in the random little town of Beaufort, South Carolina, up walks my very dear friend Doris!

We met in Arkansas when I was like 17. It seems so long ago, but I guess that was really only like 6 years ago. (Wow, I'm still so young :).

She moved to Florida several years ago and though we try to make plans to see each other when we're both in Arkansas, it just never seems to work out. So, it had been a couple years since I last saw her.

I'm pretty sure this is one of those God things, Him just wanting to brighten up my night. Doris lives in Florida, was on a road trip with Dennis to Virginia and just happened to be in Beaufort the same day as I. On the same pier, at the exact same time, with out even knowing I was in South Carolina. I just can't even hardly believe it! It really is a small world!

So, needless to say, I'm still pretty excited I got to see her and meet Dennis. I still wonder if I dreamt the whole thing up or not, but I guess the picture makes it pretty believable.

Love you Doris! :D

A Friend on M/V American Spirit

2009-04-13T19:29:00.002-05:00

Well, the previous time I was employed by ACL (American Cruise Lines) I mainly remember the theme being about "Being an Example". As a Christian I feel it is my responsibility to set an example to those around me. And this is not always an easy task I've found.

When I decided to return, I was really dreading the swim upstream I would be making basically alone in a downstream kind of environment. Life is obviously much easier when there's someone else swimming along side that can help keep you afloat.

So, when I was departing Arkansas to come to the east, my parents prayed that there would be another Christian aboard that could help me along in this day to day battle of survival.

And guess what! God really does care about the small things! There is a guy here, Daniel, that is in fact a Christian, has been to ALERT (the program my brother went through and also the same guys that would come help Friend Ships out when we did our outreaches www.alertacademy.com). And as it turns out we also have several mutual friends! I'm am just amazed!

We're thinking about starting a bible study at some point and I'm super excited about that. I'm not sure when it will be possible seeing as how we both work completely different schedules, but I'm sure we can work something out.

Life on the East Coast

2009-04-04T18:18:00.005-05:00

Well, I must say that my favorite part of the day is when I actually get to crawl into my cozy little bed and I take my pen and mark a big line through a day on my calendar. Oh the satisfaction I get! It just brings a little smile to my face, to know that I am one day closer to the last.

Now I realize I make it sound as though I’m just totally miserable and hate it here, but that actually isn’t the case. Honestly the worst part about it is the lack of sleep. But also because of this, everything is absolutely hilarious to me! I seriously laugh all the time!

When I decided to come back to American Cruise Lines I said to myself that it was only three months “out of my life”, and that I would just try to survive the duration; as if it wasn’t really part of my life but only something I would have to do to get to Australia. But in actuality these three months aren’t just a couple weeks or months out of my life. Right now this is my life! So, as of now, I’m looking at all the amazing things I’m privileged to get to learn about and experience. And as it’s said, “The road to where you’re going is just as important, or more, as the final destination”.

I really hope I can always find time to look around and see the blessings in my life. Because I have a boatload!

South Carolina

2009-03-29T00:19:00.003-05:00

I did make it safely to South Carolina with minor delays. I'm overjoyed to say that I didn't make the same first impression as the one 2 years ago (when I first started with American Cruise Lines) Refer to post "2007 June, A Trip to Bangor Maine" for more details.

Thankfully that's not the story I'm remembered by, but it seems as though I've gone down in ACL history as "The girl who changed the light bulb in the middle of the night." I don't know, I guess that's not a bad reputation to have. Ha

I love sailing (in the blue ocean), but brown river water isn't much for excitement. I also love sleep, and the two simply do not go hand-in-hand. Maybe if I weren't on the 0000-0400 watch as I write this, I would say I liked to sail more. But at this point, sleep is way more important to me than any amount of adventure... Remind me of this when I consider running off to get another job at sea again...

Being an officer is much to stressful (in my opinion) for enjoyment and I'm not much for being just a regular deckhand with no authority. Plus, I don't even like being a helmsman anymore. The first 200 times may have been exciting, but now, I find it actually rather boring... I'm kind of tired of doing a mans job. You know, I think I'd really like to be an esthetician.

Sleep is about to take over now, and thankfully my watch has nearly reached it's end. I'm going to go get some sleep for the night, but I'll be getting a call in about an hour and it's time to get up again to cast off lines. 1 down and only 83 days left to go. All this for Australia, I hope it's worth it.

The Next Leg of My Journey

2009-03-20T15:42:00.001-05:00

(Photo by Danette Bjornstad -Edited by Daniel Hudson)

Well, I generally start running my mouth (out of excitement) before things are actually set in concrete and then find that I have to deviate some from my original plans. Everyone is then left wondering what it is I'm actually doing or where I'm going...

There's been a bit of a lull for the past couple of months so I've not had many things to write about. I thought I would be long out to sea by this time, but as usual things didn't go quite as planned. I've been in Arkansas for several months now and am definitely ready for some change.

I kept thinking I would get the job I applied for with Cruise West, but I made the mistake of telling them I couldn't work the whole season. I guess that was a problem... But the whole point of the job was to save money to go to YWAMs (Youth With A Mission) Waves DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Australia. So, I guess if I had to work past the starting date of the DTS, it really wouldn't have been worth it. (And I really want to go to this Waves DTS.)

I worked for American Cruise Lines two years ago and swore I would never return... Unless it was near the end of the world and nothing else seemed to be working out. I was thinking more like 10-15 years down the road, not 2... Well, I am again employed by ACL and start in exactly one week. I wouldn't say I'm exactly thrilled to be going back, but I am pretty happy to have a job that will allow me to hopefully save most of the tuition for YWAM. I figure, I did it once, I can do it again. And a person can do practically anything for three months... We'll see how all that goes; I'm sure I'll have lots to write about.

And now that I have a job (other than Mossy Creek) I can finally send in my application to YWAM. It's been quite a process filling it all out, but I'm finally finished with it; for the most part anyway. I have to get a physical on Monday and then I really will be able to send it off.

So, just to clarify, it's not definite that I will get to go to Australia this fall. I have to wait and see if they accept me and also what the price of airfare does...

All Who are Weak - By Michael J. Pritzl

2009-02-21T12:49:00.004-06:00

(Photo by Danette Bjornstad -Edited by Daniel Hudson)

All who are weak, All who are weary
Come to the rock, Come to the fountain
All who have sailed, On the rivers of heartache
Come to the sea, Come on be set free

If you lead me Lord I will follow
Where you lead me Lord I will go
Come and heal me Lord I will follow
Where you lead me Lord I will go
I will go, I will go

All who are weak, All who are weary
Come to the rock, Come to the fountain
All who have climbed, On the mountains of heartache
Reach to the stars, Come on give Your life

If you lead me Lord I will follow
Where you lead me Lord I will go
Come and heal me Lord I will follow
Where you lead me Lord I will go
I will go, I will go

Heal me, Heal me

It's a Boy!

2009-02-05T20:34:00.007-06:00

Joseph is finally a Bjornstad! Yay! The adoption went through yesterday so he's now officially my little brother!

He had his 2nd birthday on the 3rd of February, the adoption went through on the 4th and then two years ago we got him when he was two days old on the 5th of February... So, for the rest of his life he can celebrate a three day birthday. I think that's pretty cool.

Joey was so excited on his birthday when he woke up and saw the streamers and balloons!

He loved playing with his balloons

and his guns!

Cupcakes for the birthday boy!

Sweet little man blowing out his candles!

Frosting face.

Ice Storm

2009-01-31T22:26:00.005-06:00

Well, if you haven't heard it on the news, NW Arkansas and the surrounding areas got a bit of ice this past week. We were powerless and phoneless for four days... I know that doesn't sound very long... But it was... Gosh I love electricity. Ha

The pond in the upper-field.

I love how the ice cycles are hanging sideways.

This is looking up the driveway. Ahead is the shop and then over to the right is the house. That tree landed right on the metal gate and smashed it.

This is the house where I live... And I'm pretty glad that tree didn't fall on the roof.

Behind the house.

Looking at the tops of the trees... Or what used to be...

Chad and Amanda

2009-01-22T19:38:00.006-06:00

Well, Amanda and Chad got married in December so this post is a bit out of order. But they just got their (amazing) pictures back and I wanted to make a post just for them :D Because I love A so much!
The beautiful bride A looking as gorgeous as an angel.

And Chad looking as handsome as always.

Lighting candles.

It was such a beautiful wedding as you can probably tell. Snow, lights, candles. Awe, it was beautiful.

Chad with the ladies.

Awe! Mr and Mrs Chad

And then.... There's A and I laughing per usual. I think it was at Steve's toast, because that was hilarious!Awe.... I would like everyone to take a glance at the lights on the poles in admiration.. :D Because I spent a lot of time up on a ladder. :D

And guess who caught the bouquet!... But I'm hoping the "three times a bridesmaid never a bride" cancels that out. Ha ...Acutally the truth is, there were two bouquets and only two single girls (me being one of them), so I was hosed from the start. ha

The Love of My Life!

2009-01-21T15:39:00.004-06:00

Joseph was helping me make a cake the other day and I just had to add these pictures so you could all see his cute face. :D

Just so you all know... I had already taken the batter out of the bowl before letting him freely eat as he pleased. :D

This picture makes me laugh so hard!

He loves Chocolate as much as I do!!!!!!!

Climbing!

2009-01-07T18:23:00.006-06:00

Well, I thought I'd post a few pictures of my new found addiction.. Well, I don't know if it's an addiction yet, but it looks as though it may be headed in that direction. Ha Fun times!

La Casa in Fayetteville

My Brother LukeAnd then my friend Daniel.

Debi Came to See Me!

2009-01-05T19:23:00.006-06:00

Well, not much has been going on with me, I'm still waiting to hear back from Cruise West and filling out the long application for the YWAM Waves school. In the meantime I'm just trying to enjoy life as much as possible.

But as you can see from the picture above... *drum roll please* Debi and I were together again! Yay! We had not seen each other in a whole year. And that, in my opinion, was way too long! So, needless to say, I was pretty excited! :D

And actually because neither of us has a reliable car, our friend Jonathan was sweet enough to drive Debi all the way to Arkansas and then back to Texas again.

(Jonathan, Debi and Luke)

I actually met Jonathan at Friend Ships and I must say that when we arrived home from Israel I never expected to see him again. Ha. Who knew two years later he would actually come to my house...

So, thanks so much Jonathan!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T23:23:00.008-06:00

(Farmer Joe in his overalls. :D)

Happy Holidays to the people I love most! My family and my friends!

It’s hard to believe that no matter what situations are thrown your direction, life keeps on going without even skipping a beat. It almost seems unfair.

For me, this year started out with a flight to Nigeria in January. I had a long layover in London so was able to take the underground sub into town and see a bit of England.

Let me first explain why I was on a plane to Africa in the first place…

After my two trips to Haiti, I had big dreams of starting my own orphanage there (Haiti). I had no idea where to start or even what everyday life at an orphanage was truly like. So I said to myself that before I go trying to start my own orphanage, I might just want to volunteer in one first. Anyway, for those of you who don’t know, my patience with large quantities of children wears thin quicker than most. “But I’ll be all the way over in Africa, I will love those children there as if they were my own,” I thought to myself. Did you know that regardless of which continent you are on you’re still the same person? I had no idea.

Anyway, I ended up at the largest one I could find, 200 children out in a village called Xtutulu. I was under the impression it was English speaking, but most spoke broken English or Xgalla. Very hard to communicate and I’ve always been horrible at charades anyhow.

My first day in Nigeria started out with a broken tooth and a scar on my chin that will last me the rest of my life. I wont go into those details because it is all written in earlier post. It didn’t take me long though to figure out that starting an orphanage was no longer my dream in life. I ended up staying at a bible college there in Xnyigba and helping out in different areas.

My best friend Amanda eventually joined me there and we have so many great stories. I must say that those three months were some of the most difficult times in my life. But I learned so much about God, myself, and just the world in general; that any tough situation will make you a better person if you let it. I am so blessed to have experienced Nigeria as I have and I wouldn’t change one day for another.

When Amanda and I returned to the U.S. in April we took a trip to Mexico with our friend Randy. For years I had said I wanted to learn how to surf, but I never made it a priority because I just figured I would “do it later”. I came to the reality while in Africa that later might not come and that I shouldn’t always count on having a tomorrow. So off to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico we went for sun, surfing, and relaxation. I think that was probably the best week of my life!

In August I traveled with the Friend Ships crew from Lake Charles, Louisiana to Los Angeles, California to help out with a yacht that was donated to them. We were supposed to sail the new ship that Friend Ships has in Seattle around the Panama Canal and back to the home port in Louisiana, but hurricane Ike hit before we ever made it that far and plans were altered. I did have a great couple of months in Cali working on the hull of the yacht and surfing my little heart out! Have I ever mentioned how much I love surfing?!

It’s December 14th today and I just returned from a trip to Idaho. My best friend Amanda, whom I’ve mentioned above, just got married yesterday and I was able to spend a bit of time with her and be a part of her beautiful wedding. I of course was happy to see her marry the man of her dreams, but also wish life could have stayed the same and we could have gallivanted around the world for the rest of our lives.

I’m looking forward to this upcoming year and all it will hold. If everything works out accordingly I already have plans that will last me until 2010. I’m hoping to go to this YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Discipleship Training School in Australia this next October. It’s a five-month program and I’ll be able to surf and learn about God all at the same time. Now I can’t think of anything better in life than that! I’m super excited and am hoping to make enough money this winter/summer to have it paid for before I even go. Between working on a cruise ship (which I hope to be starting in January) and fishing in Alaska this shouldn’t be a problem.

I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas and a better year than the one before.

Love and Hugs,

Danette Ann

(The siblings and my two nieces.)

Amanda & Chad

2008-12-16T17:29:00.005-06:00

Well, I was planning on having all these beautiful pictures of Amanda and Chads wedding to post, but I didn't really have any free time to be taking pictures. Hopefully later on down the road some good pictures will show up and I'll be able to post some more.

Amanda and I pre wedding. She was the most gorgeous bride EVER! They had such a beautiful white wedding, with tons of candles and lots of friends and family.

I was so happy to be there to see her marry the man of her dreams! Of course I wish we could have forever gallivanted around the world together, but all seasons in life change as time goes along.
A assured me that she wasn't going to fall off the face of the earth just because she's gotten married. So our DnA of God ministry shall continue on. Whew, that was a close one!

I thought I would add one of their engagement photos since I didn't get any good wedding ones.

My 23rd Birthday!

2008-12-11T18:11:00.001-06:00

I have just had the best birthday of all the twenty-three years I’ve lived! For some reason I usually hate my birthdays and I’m not quite sure why. Anyways, this was definitely my best!

Before I left for Idaho my parents got me the COOLEST laptop case EVER! My mom made me my special birthday cake that I have every year and then my best friend Debi sent me a present in the mail.

I just wanted to tell you all how amazing Amanda is. She is getting married in three days, yet she set a whole day aside just for me, because it was my birthday and she was determined to make it special for me. And that she did indeed.

To start the day off, Amanda’s parents Bill and Christy came over to the house A and I are staying at and left me a gift. Then we went out to lunch at Chapalas Mexican Restaurant and had a great time. I got to sport the sombrero hat while listening to the “happy birthday” song and eating fried ice cream. :D

We went tanning; A got us a pedicure, hot tubing and so much more! Then we went out for pizza and A’s grandma made me this cake in the picture!

(Wishing for all my dreams to come true.)

I’m just amazed at the incredible people I have the pleasure of knowing!

I wanted to say thanks to everyone for the phone calls, texts, e-mails and all the facebook/myspace messages! I had close to a hundred messages! You all have no idea how much that meant to me! So thanks so very much for making my birthday so special! Love you all!

Idaho!

2008-12-08T20:51:00.004-06:00

I just wanted to let you all know that I’m in Idaho with Amanda having a blast! A is getting married next Saturday (December 13^th) so we’re working on the final details and decorations of the wedding. Fun! (And I’m not even kidding! I love weddings!)

A with her “Bride to be” crown, Andrea and I.

This was A’s super cool bridal shower cake that her friend Lori made. Absolutely amazing! And check out the super cool mice! I loved them!

Amanda and I laughing over the bouquet I think. I’m not sure what exactly was so funny, but I like this picture. It’s so happy. :D

So, I have to tell you how excited I was last night! We were hanging out in the hot springs, in the dark, there were tiki torches and it was snowing! Hanging out in a hot spring while it was snowing was incredible! I have pictures, just not at the moment. I'll post them later...

And I’ll have wedding photos to come… :D

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-24T19:53:00.007-06:00

(My two B-E-A-U-tiful nieces! Rebekah and Emma!)

Well, I haven't made a post in a while because my computer had been typing backwards on me. I know, imagine how frustrating that is! It gets old rather quickly.

Anyways, I love Thanksgiving! I always make a list of the things I'm most thankful for and it always reminds me of how truly blessed I really am! I really don't have many things to frown about if I think about it.

There for a while I was starting to hate life, or actually not starting, but hating life... After my uncle Carl died, it made me realize that seasons come and go in life and that, yeah sure, it's not all enjoyable, but that life is NEVER that bad... Period... The more you dwell on the things that aren't working out for you the worse it seems to get. However, it does work both ways, so when you dwell on the positive things in life, the more you start to realize how many good things you actually obtain...

So, I for one am starting to count my blessings, and I now walk around with a huge smile on my face for no apparent reason.. :D Gosh, I love smiles!

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ~Philippians 4:8

Beautiful Arkansas

2008-10-30T17:07:00.006-05:00

In the last year or so I just haven't been sure which direction to go with my life. When I was in California I said if I could just surf and be a beach bum for the rest of my life, I would be pretty happy. So a couple of the guys there would talk about my "Beach Girl Ministry". I'm not sure what it all entailed but it sounded like a good idea.

Anyways, there obviously aren't many beaches in Arkansas so that kind of flew out the window.

A couple weeks ago I was talking to one of my friends online and he was telling me about this YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Waves DTS (Disciple Training School) in Australia.

It's five to six months of training where they teach you about God and surfing all at the same time! How cool is that!

I don't know at this point how serious I am about going. But I think I might start working in that direction and see where I end up.

My best Friend Amanda is getting married in December so I'll be in Idaho for a couple weeks for that. Then in January I plan to have a job lined out, probably on a cruise ship again, to start saving for this school or the Dream Center program in California. Who knows what will happen.

As for now I'm working at JC Penneys again. It's obviously not a bad job because this makes three times now. I was so happy my (wonderful) boss Rusty hired me back and only for a month too! I'm so blessed!

I did move to Springdale (which is about an hours drive from my parents) and am living with one of my friends here in town. It works out nicely for me now because I get to go "home" and see Joey on my days off.

Well, I think that's all for now, we'll see where the wind takes me from here. Ha!

How Patriotic...

2008-10-26T21:43:00.007-05:00

Well, election is only eight days away... And I hope you're voting. Because as they say, those who don't vote can't complain.

Huntly Brown says, "that whoever wins this election will have his prayer support", and I would have to say the same.

I have been so very interested in this election. Normally I could care less about anything political, but these last couple of months I have been doing a little research; mainly on our man Barack Hussein Obama. Who accidentally said "my Muslim faith". Oops, that happens to me all the time when I'm talking about my Christian faith.

Did you know that he is friends with Mr. Ayers? If you don't know who Bill Ayers is; in 1969 he co-founded the radical organization the Weather Underground. Ayers and the Weatherman were responsible for 30 bombing aimed at destroying the defense and security infrastructures of the U.S.. "I don't regret setting bombs," said Ayers in 2001 after 9/11, "I feel we didn't do enough"
Hello! And he's buddies with Obama?

I received this forward from one of my aunts and thought I would share it.

'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts!

If you're interested in reading what Huntly Brown has to say about "Why I Can't Vote for Obama", here's that link:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/huntleybrown.asp

In Loving Memory of My Uncle Carl

2008-10-13T21:44:00.011-05:00

This is a very difficult post to write so I'm going to keep it fairly short. If you saw my previous post you would have seen the obituary for my uncle Carl Bjornstad. He lived just four miles down the road from my family in Arkansas, so even everyday life won't be the same without him.

My earliest memory of Carl was when I was about 3 or 4. He was playing ball with my older sister Lynn and I up in North Dakota. We were in the hallway of my aunt Laona's house and I just remember having such a great time.

When I would come home to see my parents in Arkansas, Carl would always ask about what I had been up to and what I was doing next. He always listened to my stories about life and would tell me that he was proud of me.

He is already greatly missed by his family and friends. There will always be an empty hole where he should have been.

A lot of family came down for the funeral so I thought I would post some of those pictures.

(Uncle Ronnie, Aunt Sheila, Aunt Laona, Dad, Mom, Uncle Bobby, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Norman, Brother Luke, Cousin Travis, Brother-In-Law Robert, Grandpa Pete, Grandma Joyce, Sister Lynn, Niece Emma, Cousin Bobby, Niece Rebekah, Me, Sister Sarah, Cousin April and Brother Joseph.)

(The cousins, or some of them anyways.)

(I love my grandpa!)

(Joey taking time to smell the flowers)

If you think to remember the family in your prayers, it would be much appreciated.

Carl Dwayne Bjornstad

2008-10-13T17:39:00.009-05:00

Carl Dwayne Bjornstad, 50, of Wesley Arkansas passed away 06 October 2008 at his home. He was born 05 November 1957 to Pete and Joyce Bjornstad in Cando, North Dakota

He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior in 1982. He worked in construction and loved the outdoors. He was a hard worker and always enjoyed visiting with people. He would always go out of his way to help people when it was needed.

Survivors are his wife of 26 years Mary Lue Bjornstad; One Son & Daughter-In-Law, Dale and Sarah Knott - Cotter, AR; One Daughter Kelsey Bjornstad - Fort Smith, AR; One Son of the home Casey Bjornstad; One Granddaughter Melody Knott – Cotter, AR; Parents Pete & Joyce Bjornstad - Cando, ND; Karen and Monte Anderson - Perham, MN; Norman Bjornstad – Maricopa - AZ; Bobby & Nancy Bjornstad – Carrington, ND; Sheila & Ron Hartl – Dickinson, ND; Laona & Garth Eggl - Cando, ND; Royce & Charlene Bjornstad – Wesley, AR

Funeral services were held at the Brashears Funeral Home in Huntsville Arkansas.

Back in Arkansas

2008-10-02T21:10:00.003-05:00

I find it difficult to keep track of my life and what I'm actually doing, so I can't even imagine how confusing it must be to try and follow along... What am I doing anyways?

Well, I'm not sure exactly, but I'm back in Arkansas again... ...I never made it to Washington or the Panama Canal like I thought, but spent the last two and a half months in California working on a yacht Friend Ships has there.

Did I say working? ...I meant surfing. Well, on the weekends at least.

(Have I mentioned how much I love surfing? ...This is actually a picture of my friend Damien.)

Anyways, I decided to return to Arkansas for a hundred different reasons. And none of them I feel like discussing here at the moment.

But instead of Seattle being our next stop, the trip was postponed and Friend Ships decided to do disaster response for hurricane Ike in Galveston. That means all the crew in California are now on their way back to Louisiana. I opted not to go this time around, but who knows what will happen in the future... ...Not me...

Here are a couple pictures of the love of my life!

(My little pumpkin Joey!)

(Isn't he a cutie! He just loves playing in the leaves.)

Pulling Through...

2008-09-17T00:04:00.007-05:00

Wow, life is tough…I know in my last post I said I’ve been going through a tough patch in life, but gosh, I’ve really been struggling since my trip to Africa.

While I was in Nigeria my life was flipped upside down. And that is an understatement! I went to Africa to tell the Nigerians that God loved them. And as it turned out, I didn’t even know that myself.

I was in my room one day (in Nigeria) searching my bible for something that said God loved me. Well, I ran into a scripture in the sixth chapter of Genesis. It was right before God was going to flood the earth and He said He was sorry He ever created man. I was angry! I was so angry at God and asked why the heck He even created us then… Why would God have created us when He knew how everything was going to turn out? And knew He was going to be sorry He created us?

…I didn’t get an answer…

I’ve been trying to figure out how God –the King of the universe could be Love when there is so much hurt in the world.... The kids at the orphanage in Nigeria, the ladies working the gravel pit or even a broken heart… How could God see that and not do anything about it?

…I don’t want to have my own children because I believe it is greater love for my unborn children (if that makes any since) that they are not brought into the world at all. (I'm not talking about abortion, I'm talking about not having kids at all.) I would never wish the pain of this world on anyone! (This is simply my own personal opinion that is liable to change next year or even tomorrow, because it seems I’m capable of changing my mind about everything more than the average person.)

So, how can God, being Love, send us to the world to deal with this pain? And how could a loving God send people to hell?

Well, I read awhile back in a book titled “A Time to Dance” that going to hell is our/my choice. God does not send people to hell. We make the decision for ourselves of where we go when we die and God simply just honors our choice… He didn’t make us robots, but actually loved us enough to give us a choice to follow Him or not.

We are given a free gift of eternal life with Christ (that we certainly don’t deserve). But it’s our choice whether we take it our not. God loves us so much that He gave us a choice!

I don’t have the answers to my questions above (so any input would help me so much!), but I do know that there are MANY people I love dearly. And I ask myself, “how do they know I love them?” Besides the fact that I have told them, do they have proof of my love? Or is it simply just believing? Is it just trusting even?

How do I know that Debi, Amanda, Rebekah or even my family love me? And I guess I know because they say they do and I trust them. Because we have a relationship and I can see it in their actions that they care…

So if that’s the case, than why would I not believe God when He says He loves me? (Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 3:17-19, 1 John 4:10 & 16, Romans 5: 5-8, Jeremiah 31:3, 2 Thessalonians 2: 15-17 and the list continues.) Especially when He is unable to lie and actually sent his Son to die in the place of MY sins. Is there a greater love? ...I haven't heard of any.

So, I guess that's where the faith thing comes in. I know God loves me because it's evident in my life. But I wanted to be able to explain how I knew God loved me, to be able write it all out in some sort of a formula or something. But as I hear it's like trying to explain how God IS, always WAS and always will BE. And I won't even go there.

It seems like I would have had these questions figured out by now. But I guess it took being in Nigeria with nothing but God to realize that I really knew nothing about Him for myself, but only what I had been told.

SURFING!

2008-08-24T18:38:00.031-05:00

(My first surf board!)

Wow! Can I tell you all that I love surfing!

Life has been getting to me these past several weeks. Well, actually ever since returning from Africa, but these past couple of weeks especially. I wont go into the details because it’s really beside the whole point of this particular post. I’m writing because I can hardly contain my excitement about surfing!

Since arriving in California I’ve been able to surf every weekend, 3 of them actually, and just love it! Yesterday I was able to buy my own board and had such a wonderful time out on the water! I was out there surfing away and having the time of my life! I couldn’t not smile!

If you’ve been around me recently at all, you’d know that I write on my arm with a huge sharpy marker the word “smile”. It’s because I actually have to remind myself to do so.

Did you know that in Proverbs 29 it says, “where there is no vision, the people perish.”? I went to a church this morning called the Dream Center. Some of you have probably even heard of it before, they do huge outreaches in L.A.. But the pastor gave a message this morning about having a vision and a dream, that you will die without one. I’m not talking about a physical death, I’m talking about being dead while you’re still alive. The message hit me so hard and I realized that I have lost my dreams in life and I have lost my vision. You could ask me what I want to do with my life, and I will tell you that I have no idea. You can ask me where I want to go in life, and I will tell you that I have not a clue. You could even ask me what I love to do, and again I would tell you that there is absolutely nothing I love to do.

Well, I've found that surfing truly makes me smile, and I'm not going to stop there... I'm going to find a dream for my life and go after it! I'm going to find a passion in life and I want it to be built around God. Because He is my first love!

Friend Ships Crew

2008-08-24T18:38:00.030-05:00

I just wanted to post a blog dedicated to all the Friend Ships crew out there, past, present or even future.

(Eating lunch on the stern of the Pearl 2008)

I was sitting down for lunch the other day with the 12 other crewmembers that are here in Los Angeles, and we were having a great time just laughing at everything and anything. It was just like having an overly large family.

So as I was sitting there it just dawned on me that I have met and know some AMAZING people!

It’s not every day you run into a fairly large group of people that, for the most part are walking the same path as yourself and that will except you just the way you are. Sure we have our bad days and don’t get along all the time, but in the end the situation is usually resolved and both have come to an understanding somewhere in the middle.

So, to all the Friend Ships crew, thank you for being you, for being real, for being a friend and for making my life so much better.

Love you all!

Danette

(Spirit Messhall 2006)

(Hope lounge 2007)

(Israel 2006)

I wish that I could add everyones picture to this post! But I know so many wonderful people and the pictures would just go on...

Los Angeles, California

2008-08-08T20:40:00.007-05:00

Wow, I almost forgot how much I loved the beach/ocean. Is that not the most amazing thing you have ever seen? It’s absolutely beautiful! Gorgeous!

The waves were crashing on the shore and the sound of the rocks hitting each other and rubbing together was so beautiful. I could have stayed there forever and just listened to it.

There wasn’t any surfing that I saw but I’m not giving up that easily. California and surfing just go together like cake and icing. I actually dream about surfing every night, and the good thing about it is, is that I just continue to improve. I’m nearly a professional now. (In my dreams only.) :D

Well, I have obviously departed Lake Charles, Louisiana, because you wont find this scenery anywhere close. I was there for two weeks helping Captain Stan with odd projects before the Integrity (vessel in Seattle) crew is able to journey west. Teri, Stuart and I made the 26hour drive yesterday and have been resting up today. It was actually a good trip and we only had one blowout. We came earlier than the rest of the crew (who will be here in three or four days) to get the Friend Ships warehouse here in Los Angeles cleaned up a bit.

Teri took me out so see the Pearl today. Which is the yacht in the middle pictured above. We’ll be here in Los Angeles for a while (hopefully no more than a month) giving her a little TLC and then we’ll be towing her to Lake Charles with the Integrity. Integrity also needs some love so we’ll be working on here for probably longer than I’m imagining.

In a previous post I said I would be putting in my request to name the vessel in Seattle the Pink Pearl, but it was to late by the time I did, because Friend Ships had already picked out their names. I thought it was kind of funny though that they happened to name the yacht the Pearl. Anyways, I told Capt. Stan I would be referring to her as the Pink Pearl from here on out because it is such a better name. :D

My Little Surfer/Sailor Man!

2008-07-23T16:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I wanted to post one more blog with pictures of my sweet-little-man Joseph before heading off in another direction.

At midnight tonight I'll be departing Arkansas and on my way to Louisiana. It takes me nearly 10 hours to make the drive when I do, but I'll be on my first greyhound bus ride and wont arrive in Lake Charles until nearly 20 hours later. I'm not looking forward to the ride but am going to be on the lookout for interesting stories.

This is Joey watching the dog run around the yard. He really gets a kick out of that. And he's wearing his little pirate outfit that I think is just the cutest.. :D

Playing in the creek is an everyday activity; that I'm going to miss very much! We have so much fun!

Smiles from Joe!
And my little surfer man! Before going to the pool.

I hate that life is full of goodbyes! Because one cannot possible know my much I'm going to miss Joey while I'm gone! (tears).

"No matter where you go or what you do, around the corner is yet another goodbye."

Hello Lord ~ By Sara Groves

2008-07-09T12:42:00.002-05:00

(Debi's photo of the Ashdod beach in Israel)

Hello Lord, it's me your child
I have a few things on my mind
Right now I'm faced with big decisions
And I'm wondering if you have a minute, cuz
Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.

I don't doubt your sovereignty
I doubt my own ability to
Hear what you're saying
And to do the right thing
And I desperately want to do the right thing
But right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.

And somewhere in the back of my mind
I think you are telling me to wait
And though patience has never been mine
Lord, I will wait to hear from you
Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you

Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I think you're whispering

Just an Update

2008-07-02T19:57:00.009-05:00

(Joseph and my littlest niece Emma)

Well, I was going to wait to post a new blog until I had my life all planned out... But it's turning out to take longer than I was expecting.

I'm still sailing through the Panama Canal as officer at some point this summer/fall. We have to be back to the USA by the end of October, so the time is drawing near... I be feel'n it in me bones...

Amanda's in Alaska fishing near Bristol Bay (different than where we fished the previous years). Unfortunately the site was only hiring one person so I'm still in Arkansas working for my dad (Ha, sort of). I still have my fingers crossed in hopes that I'll be getting a call this week from one of two "Fish-site-owners" that are keeping their eyes open for a job for me this summer.. (Salmon commercial fishing season started this week.) Fred, the owner of the site I originally worked for said I could just show up in Alaska and he was sure I could find a job. He assured me he wouldn't let me starve. I don't think that's the best way to go about getting a job though, especially because Capt Stan wants me in Louisiana right now.

If things work out like I am wishing for, I'll fish until the beginning of August and then meet the Friend Ships crew in Seattle to sail around to Lake Charles. I'm guessing that things aren't going to work out quite that nicely though. But I guess can always hope.

So, here are some pictures of "my" baby that I'm going to miss SO much while I'm gone!

Joey getting a little beard trimmage. :D

And Joey being Joey!

This picture is for Amanda... Because she thinks it's so cool my family has a pet deer... Her name's Jasmin and Joey always calls her when he sees her. It's so cute...

Ting Ting *Ting

2008-06-12T16:50:00.011-05:00

(Special sunset in Lake Charles)

I have an announcement! (No, I'm not getting married!)

I'm hitting the road/sea again... I'm headed down to Friend Ships once again (in Louisiana) where I'll then travel to California with a crew to dry dock (I believe) a yachtish-boat-sea going thing (I really only have a vague idea)... Anyways, from there we'll either sail or drive (again, I really have no idea what I'm talking about) to Seattle where we'll spend some time (no idea how long) preparing to sail our "new" ship through the Panama Canal. I'm super excited about the Panama Canal and can't wait to experience it!

I don't think the vessel has a name yet, so I'll be putting my request in that we name her the Pink Pearl. :D

Then from there, to the island Roatan for some time.. (Don't know what were doing there or how long will be there)... ...And now that I think about it, some more information might be a good idea... ...But like it's always said (with a Kiwi accent),"you need to remain flexible". Because plans are always subject to change...

Anyways, I was assuming it would take about a month to sail around and through that Panama Canal and we'd be home around the end of July-beginning of August. Capt Stan actually laughed at me and then began to assure me he would probably have me home by Christmas.... "Christmas?!" I say. I was kind of thinking of settling down somewhere this summer/fall, you know, grow some roots and stay awhile.. But here I am, again, blown with the wind and off to another adventure... ...How does this happen?

I am excited... A little stressed... Five months is a very long time. Especially without seeing my little brother Joseph... And though I am trying to sweet talk Capt Stan into letting my friend Amanda go, I don't know how that's all going to work out...

Life's crazy... I guess you just have to take everything with a smile...

As time moves along, I'll fill you in on what's really going down... Thanks for taking the time to read this...

Arkansas Fun!

2008-06-01T14:20:00.008-05:00

My little sister Sarah came "home" for a couple days (from Missouri) and gave Joey his first horse ride!

As you can see, they both had a great time!

Joey! He loves three-wheeler rides! Dad usually gives him a ride everyday and he was a little sleepy this evening.

My friend Gabriel from Oregon came to Fayetteville with a team for a Track and Field meet. He's a coach so was here coaching a pole vaulter.

We actually met in Alaska a couple years ago when we were commercial fishing. Gabe was fishing for the site neighboring the one Amanda and I were working for, and by the messages in a bottle A and I sent out we made a couple of friends. It was great to see him again and I was able to watch pole vaulting for the first time... It's actually very cool.

(Trent and Ashley)

A couple random pictures for you of some of my friends and I hanging out at the "Old Post Office" in Fayetteville.

(Ashley and Nick)

It's all About Joey!

2008-05-26T13:00:00.008-05:00

I'm one of those people that never understood how EVERYONE had the cutest kid in the world. And I'm actually not a huge fan of looking at thousands of baby pictures of the same kid... ...Because it's just another kid to me. Well, I may have turned into one of those people that think they have the cutest kid EVER... He's not actually mine, but he does call me mommy and I would take him in a heartbeat. (He calls our mom, momma and it's just so cute.)

Sweet? ...Or not so sweet? (You've got to love the raised eyebrows!)

He's definitely sweet!

You are not going to believe that Joey actually loves onions more than anything else. As you can see from the picture we were trying to bribe him with a Reese's bar, but he wouldn't even take the bait.

I broke a jar the other day and apparently didn't get all the glass off the floor. So a couple days later Joey got a piece of it stuck in his foot. I gave him a couple suckers to "make-it-all-better". (I know, I know, I would make such a horrible mother...) But it did take his mind off his foot for a second, until I took the suckers away anyways. He has this thing with smelling everything.

Joey's first real bubble bath! He wasn't quite sure what to do.

Did I mention he loves lotion?

Joseph LOVES being outside! So anytime he's indoors he will bring me either his shoes or mine, and then grab my hand and try to pull me outside. The face he gives it's practically impossible to say no to... So we spend a lot of time running around outside.

Hiking in Lost Valley!

2008-05-19T17:23:00.008-05:00

Well, I've returned from Mexico as most of you already know and this leaves me back in Arkansas. My little, or I guess maybe not so little any more, brother Luke moved to Alaska 4 days ago to work with our cousin doing construction. He's living in North Pole and will be gone for six months (tears). When I'm home in Arkansas I always make him do everthing with me, so I guess besides the weekends I'll be a lone ranger... Sad story I know....

So, on a lighter note, a couple of my friends and I went hiking/caving yesterday and had a blast! (This was one of those weekend things I was talking about.)

(Keith and I)

This is a portion of the cave. And I don't know which either because I didn't actually have a flashlight with me. I know right. Who goes caving without a flash light? Well, actually all of us except Matt. It was quite interesting to say the least; all six of us bumping into everything and eachother.

(Michelle and Matthew crawling on their hands and knees.)

These are some of my dear friends: Keith, Juli, Matt, and of course myself, Michelle and then Danielle is taking the photo. (And I'm sitting in-between the couple.... Awkward!)

(This is a more relaxed photo. Matthew, Keith Dani, Juli and Michelle.)

Rhythms of the Night

2008-05-10T13:06:00.004-05:00

The last picture before we had sea hair. We’re on our way to a beach covered with flickering torches to dine beside the moon lit ocean. A rhythmic drumbeat beckoned us into the wild jungle where we enjoyed a performance of dance and music.

High heels on a boat? …Hope everyone brought their sea legs along.

A Wild Day in the Jungle!

2008-05-10T13:01:00.005-05:00

Amanda and her wild jaguar! I may have ended up with surfing wounds, but A is leaving Mexico after being attacked by this ferocious killer cat. She nearly lost an arm, but she’s still smiling and would have taken the thing home with her if she could have gotten away with it. (Did I mention that this thing has not been declawed?)

Okay, so we were at a zoo… Not just a normal American zoo. This is anything but tame! You can buy a bag of food at the entrance gate and then you’re left to fend for yourself. Camels look all sweet and nice when you’re about 10 feet away, but watch out! You can ask Randy what happens when you’re feeding one and the other gets jealous. A kiss that nearly took his whole face and his shoulder. A and I were both laughing until we saw the blood on his chin.

My favorite part was watching A in the petting zoo, I didn’t have the heart to tell her that she could come visit me in Arkansas and experience the same thing.

Probably the Best Week of My Life! (by DnA)

2008-05-10T12:56:00.008-05:00

Danette: I don’t think I could have planned out a better week if I tried! This was just what I needed, a little R&R.

We had so much fun I can’t even start to tell you all what we did. And I was so excited about drinking a strawberry daiquiri on the beach, but it just wasn’t all I had hoped it to be… My absolute favorite now is a mocha frappuccino (no alcohol). There was this guy pushing around his little ice cream cart ringing his cute little bell and out of the little box he makes the best frappuccino in the whole world. That’s right, better than Starbucks or anywhere else. And it’s beautiful too. Chocolate on the edge of the cup and on the whipped cream, and the best pirouette cookie EVER! And the greatest part is, is there only 20 pesos (2 dollars).

Amanda and I didn’t want anyone to travel all the way to Mexico and miss out on the best coffee in the world, so in-between surfing breaks we walked the beaches selling Ice cream and coffee because our friend couldn’t speak English. The best part of it was that because of Amanda’s Spanish translation, we ended up buying a few locals frappuccinos instead of selling them. We had people laughing, dancing and running from us on the beach. This one couple that was from Colorado celebrating their 60th anniversary couldn’t figure out why we would be in Mexico, on vacation, selling ice cream. We’re making commission right? One girl said she would like coffee if we would buy it for her, and she was shocked when we actually did. You might say we’re not your average tequila drinking beach girls. As we were leaving the beach the couple celebrating their anniversary came up and asked to take our picture. And if it was possible to bottle our laughs to take home as a souvenir.

Amanda: Today was our last day surfing the waves. As I start to write about the awesome waves and wonderful time in Mexico, D is telling me she reserves the right to edit and change all that I write in this blog……..hopefully you will read it in its original version.

When we first started surfing I reassured D she did not need an instructor and that I could teach her all she needed to know. It didn’t take long, as in the amount of time it takes to walk from the rental shop to the water to see that wasn’t the case. I dropped my board in the water and as I was strapping on my ankle strap that has about a ten foot cord on it, the waves came crashing in and my surfboard became a ginormous torpedo that almost cut off both D and Randy’s feet before they even began. They did not follow my same techniques and I was concerned we had gotten off to a bad start. D decided she would be better off watching the locals and following their advice verses mine and soon she was teaching me. With each wave we would stand up on, we would raise our hands up and shout and laugh with happiness. One guy told us we better turn down our fun meter. I think we only turned things up from there.

The second day was a big improvement because we made it to the waves where the big kids or you could also call them the pros surf. The bottom of the ocean isn’t the nice grainy sand, but sharp rocks with barnacles and sea urchins. D surfed more than Randy and I put together and came out of the water with a huge smile and a bloody cut up foot. The sight of her wound scared me away from wanting to surf the big waves over the rocks, but I couldn’t admit that so instead I explained how important it was I work on my tan. Well today was the last day of working on my tan and surfing. I think I over did it a bit….not the surfing, but the tan. I am a nice shade of beautiful red. Today D didn’t even go over to the sandy spot she paddled straight out into the surf over the rocks and all and sat in the middle of the pack of mostly guy surfers. She became friends with everyone out surfing and was even nicknamed Arkansas. She was being cheered on and told several times how brave she was to be out there in the middle of everyone riding the big surf. Randy was out surfing some of the time as well, but neither of us had the same dedication and passion as D. It was a wonderful way to wrap up our surf trip though when at the end of the day we all caught the same wave and rode in together laughing.

Surfing in Sayulita, Mexico

2008-05-05T21:25:00.006-05:00

I awoke to the sounds this morning of crashing waves on the beach and Michael Buble singing a sweet melody somewhere just outside my window. I knew with a day starting out like that, our (Randy, Amanda and I’s) week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was going to be wonderful.

Surfing today was everything I had hoped it to be! I actually have a sunburned face except for the smile lines. I think I must have smiled all day today! I don’t remember having so much fun in all my life!

I wanted to leave you all with a couple of photos of the surfing trip. We plan to go back in two days, just enough time to get rid of the board rash. I didn’t write much because I didn’t want to miss a moment on the beach. Love you all!

DnA in Mexico!!!!!!!

Look! I´m a surfer! Oh Yay!

Home Sweet Home (Arkansas)

2008-04-27T18:55:00.017-05:00

(These are my two favorite brothers in the whole world... Luke and Joseph. They're actually a big percentage of why I came home from Nigeria early. I missed them so much!)

(I take Joey out to the creek most days and he loves to throw rocks in the water. I can't wait til he's old enough to catch crawdads because that was always my favorite when I was a child.)

I never realized how much I just love green grass! And spring! I wake up in the mornings, look out the long window that runs along the headboard of my bed (in Arkansas) and can't help but smile. There are Dogwood trees and Redbuds and everything is just so beautiful! How could you even wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

So, this past week has been crazy. I spent a couple days in Pennsylvania then a couple days in Virginia with some of my best friends. I had a blast hanging out with the girls but missed my best friend Debi who is in Israel for six months. I'm in Arkansas now with my family, but already have plans for another (short) adventure.

...For over three years now I've said I was going to learn to surf... Well, after Africa I thought that chance may never come. I honestly thought I was either going to die in Nigeria or lose a leg or something. And surfing is one thing in life that I want to do for myself, so I'm going to do it... ...I'm going to Mexico in 5 days! I know there aren't huge waves there, but I just want the little-baby-ones to start on. I'm going with my best friend Amanda and another friend and I'm so excited! We'll be there for a week and my goal is to just be able to stand up on the board... I'll post a picture if I succeed! Anyways, I'm so excited and just have to smile!

America! America!

2008-04-16T12:03:00.008-05:00

I knew I had been in Nigeria too long when after arriving in the London airport I said agba (hello in Igalla) to this lady from India. I'm still laughing about it.

I flew out of Abuja yesterday morning leaving Amanda alone in the airport until her flight out that evening (13 hours later). I still feel terrible about the whole situation, but there were no other choices. I won't find out until tomorrow if she was even able to change her flight or not.

I would guess that the question is going to be as to whether or not I'm going to miss Nigeria. And the answer is going to be both a yes and a no.
I'm grateful to be back in America and don't have any plans of returning in the near future. But I even surprised myself with the tear on my face when I said goodbye and departed Anygiba.

I have a feeling I'll be writing more about Nigeria as time moves along and thing come to mind. But for now I just wish to leave you with some of my favorite photos that will tell a story in themselves.

(I did arrive safely in America last night and Rebekah is taking wonderful care of me.)

(Market) (Amanda)

(Mercy and Heruna)

(The best night I had in Africa was spent dancing around this fire.)

Goodbye Africa...

2008-04-09T07:18:00.002-05:00

(African Queen of the Night)

As I write this blog you all are just going to have to imagine the smile on A and I’s face.

We have moved our departure dates up a month and will be returning to the states on the 15th of April. Amanda will be flying to the west coast and I to the east, but we will catch up with each other again in a couple of weeks for another adventure.

I have learned a lot, cried a lot and laughed even more. And I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience Nigeria as I have. I think it’s impossible to go through a season that’s uncomfortable without learning valuable lessons. Like I always say, I wouldn’t trade these past three months I’ve had in Africa for an easier time.

I just realized the other day as A and I were walking through the market that I really am going to miss it here. It's a crazy life here but you can't help but grow to love it.

Our Life In Nigeria (by Amanda)

2008-04-08T05:11:00.006-05:00

(Amanda and Hope)

D and I left to the xrphanage with a small bag and returned with a child. Heruna is such a sweet little boy my parents have taken care of since his birth. His twin brother died and Heruna was very sick. He is over a year old and much stronger. It is so fun having him around the house. One child in a house is not as overwhelming as 200. The first day Heruna was here we ran out of diapers. We tried using cloth, but after a short time we decided to send Dad to town again to search the market. Everyone at home decided we should pray without ceasing until we had the diapers. Thankfully God provided and we now have a huge supply. In D’s first blog of the orphanage she described very well the way of life at the orphanage. Right before we were going to bed we were walking around in the dark greeting the Aunties. I was thinking that I was finally in Africa away from the village, off some dirt trail, with nothing but the sky full of stars. As we headed off to bed the boys started chasing something through the dirt and I soon found out there were many scorpions. That was the end of my peaceful night of sleep. I was happy to find out that our only ride out was bright and early in the morning. I would have liked to bring more children home, but Heruna alone is a handful.

D and I have made a calendar to schedule things throughout each week. She has taken me to the gravel pit, where we were stocked by some guy that was determined D was his wife. My dad had to go back with us and tell the guy he was not in love with D and that he needed to go home. It was rather intense and hard to convince this determined love struck Nigerian, but thankfully he finally left. We have also gone early in the morning to play soccer. It is much more difficult to play in a skirt. D has many friends here so we have taken some afternoon’s to take them out to lunch. We ride a motorcycle to a place where we have some rice and a cold drink. On our way home the other day the street was closed because of the Muslim’s prayer. Our driver started down some trail weaving in and out of ditches and in between little wood houses. I thought the trail was bad and was sure it wouldn’t get worse until is crossed in front of several hundred Muslims in prayer. I tell D all the time that if we make it back to the United States alive it will be a miracle.

(Danette: The Beautiful little girl is Ebay. I would take her home if I could.)

Our other project we finished was painting our neighbors house. It was like painting in a boiling room, but worth every moment of it to see the smile on the families face. I think I shocked Martha when she came in to open a window and I had pulled my long skirt up and turned it into a bathing suit. The ladies will walk around without a shirt on, but to show your thigh is like having nothing on. When Martha turned around and saw my outfit she let out a scream (almost as loud as the one I let out when I moved the bags under the bed and a big lizard ran out) and shut the window.

(Martha in her freshly painted house with Asha, Ebay and Heruna)

No matter what we are doing it seems D and I continue to laugh. Even at night when we are trying to sleep we will end up awake and laughing. Usually it is a situation so out of the ordinary all we can do is laugh. The other night I kept hearing something and she was sure it was me moving around. I kept telling her I was laying still. After about the third time I flashed my light on and caught a rodent in one of our bags. Each night we examine new bites and keep a collection of the insects for evidence in case we need to take them with us to the doctor. There are many things that could never be understood unless you came here to Nigeria.
D and I have had a good time, we have lots of fun memories, but we have realized how grateful we are for our lives back in America.

Election is over....

2008-03-31T05:25:00.001-05:00

The last few weeks the talk of the town has been about the election that took place on Saturday. The last official election year was 2007, but because of all the corruption they decided to have another one this year to make it fair. Last year they didn’t bring boxes out for the people to put their ballets in and they had people waiting to shoot anyone that came out to vote. They call them thugs and wonder if we have those in America too.
Sadly this year was not much different from the last. We were told not to leave the house on Friday or Saturday and everyone locked themselves in their homes and the town was quiet other than gunshots and sirens.

On Wednesday we (Amanda and I) decided to go to Internet to post some blogs before everything got too crazy. The trip to the Internet was normal; we got on a machine, crammed into a hot little room and waited 30 minutes for one page to come up on the computer. After the Internet we decided we should buy some cabbage and bread for dinner, so we stopped at the “garage” on the way “home”. It isn’t a very far walk from the garage to the house, so instead of taking a machine we decided to walk.

So, as we’re headed down the road, here comes what we call a “parade-gone-bad”. Instead of handing out candy like a normal parade, they give out bullets instead. Amanda and I are walking down the road and after seeing this guy hanging out of his car window and shoot a gun over our heads, we were having a difficult time deciding what we should do. Do we stay? Do we find cover? Head for “home”? Keep walking? We decided to dart across the street and take a short cut off the main road. Well, Amanda was carrying the head of cabbage and avocados and tripped. The plastic bag broke and so everything was laying all over the ground in the dirt. This brought laughter to everyone around! The antifoos running across the street because of the shooting and then all their groceries laying in the dirt as they’re scrambling to pick them off the ground. A and I were just laughing! I thought for sure A was just going to leave our dinner in the dirt, but we managed to get it picked up and made it home in one piece.

Today is Sunday, so the election is over. This afternoon they announced who the new governor is, so now they have what they call “jubilee” to celebrate. This consists of more gunshots and bad parades. We’re all glad the election is over with and look forward to peaceful days following.

Bad Hair Day (by Amanda)

2008-03-31T05:13:00.003-05:00

Danette: This blog was posted against my will. I was left with no choice but to post it after being threatened by A to stay longer than one night at the xrphanage.

Amanda: Saturday seemed to be a good day to have one of the students braid my hair, seeing as how we couldn’t go anywhere due to the election.

Rose came over at about 9 in the morning and started putting braids in my hair. (Danette had warned me never to get braids and that I should not get my hair braided.)

For those of you that do not know me, I usually have to find things out for myself. When I came to Nigeria a friend of mine told me that two weeks would be plenty, but being stubborn, I insisted that you need to be somewhere 2 months to really experience it.
I have definitely changed my mind and feel like one week would have been sufficient. I thought at least I have learned to listen to good advice and won’t make a mistake like that again.
Well, of course I was sure braided hair would be the easiest to manage and a lot cooler. After four and a half hours of sitting in a chair, Danette could not have described better how I felt. It felt like someone just threw a heavy rug on my head. I thought, “well, if I look better, it maybe worth a little suffering”. When I looked in the mirror I saw an alien with what looked like snakes coming out of my head!

I asked D how long she kept her braids in for and she told me, 2 long miserable weeks. I decided after less than an hour I just couldn’t do it. Being the good friend that D is, she helped me start taking them out.

We talked about how when we are in so much discomfort, why do we stay when we are capable of taking it away. Why do we have to prove something to others and ourselves? Why do we stay in misery that is pointless (braided hair) when it doesn’t effect anyone but ourselves?

Well, similar to the hair situation, I have to find out for myself how the xrphanage is. Danette has warned me that it will be nothing like I expected, but after two weeks of “resting” I think I am ready. After leaving the Internet today, we will be talking a car to another village where we will take a motorcycle the rest of the trip to the xrphanage. We will stay only one night and return with the baby Haruna on Tuesday.

I am sure I will know this even more so after leaving the xrphanage, but I can say with certainty Danette is an amazing person. No one will ever be able to understand her time here in Nigeria without being here to experience it. I could not imagine having the strength or endurance to stay four months. I don’t think she can either so it is a true testimony of God’s strength that is carrying her.

As we sat through a four-hour church service in the heat this morning and I wondered how she had survived. This question comes to mind all throughout each day. As we walked through the crowded market over piles of trash and by horrible smelling fish covered in flies, I couldn’t imagine Danette walking around alone. God knew I needed her here when I came to Nigeria because if she wasn’t here I may have never left the airport.

Today after getting home from the market we went into the bathroom to wash our feet. I was lying on the tile on my back with my feet in the tub trying to keep it together. Danette took the shower head and began washing my feet. I have never had anyone wash my feet and after walking on a dusty road through garbage it changes your thoughts about Jesus washing His disciples feet. Today I didn’t see Danette washing my feet, I saw the love and servant heart of Jesus. I know her time here isn’t what she expected it to be, but I know that the Nigerians have seen the love of God in her smile and willingness to serve.

(Danette is trying to convince me that the large hole behind us, where we draw water with buckets is a washing machine, and that by dipping our clothes in water they will actually become like new.)

Laughter! And Malta! #3

2008-03-25T06:45:00.004-05:00

(A random picture for you all of the Niger River.)

I hate to make three new blog posts at a time, but there’s been a bit of complication with the electricity situation and I haven’t been able to write for a while except by pen and paper.
The reason I hate to make multiple posts at a time, is because I know this post will be read first, then the next and then finally the following one. But that’s kind like reading a book, getting to chapter 9, then reading chapter 12, 11 and then 10… It just seems like the first thing you should read right now is, “Oh Yay! Oh Yay! Oh Yay! Amanda has arrived!” But all that excitement comes in the first (yet at the same time last) of these three blogs.

I’m writing because I just never realized how much I laugh when I’m with A. My stomach actually aches. It could be from the 500 (yes that’s two zeros tagging along behind that five) sit-ups Amanda made me do, but I think it’s from laughing so hard.

Anyways, I have two stories I want to share with you all. I’m sharing them because when I think about these two events, I can’t help but laugh. You may or may not find them funny. But keep in mind that I am hanging on to every last ounce of sanity I have left here in Africa.

On Sundays, we (Bill, Christy and I. This is pre-Amanda) travel to nearby villages and Bill will preach. Well, after church they will usually feed us rice and red-sauce.

Side note: And I was all gung-ho about making rice and red-sauce for everyone when I returned to the states. And then I was like, “why?... When you could have pizza or lasagna, why would you want to eat rice and red-sauce?” So, I’ll make you all (and when I say “you all” I mean my family in Arkansas. Sorry to everyone else.) a good ol fashion American dish like mashed potatoes and gravy and maybe some pork chops.

Okay, so back to the original story. So, with that rice and red-sauce comes either Coke or Malta. Now, these people are just so happy we’re here; they like to serve us the best… Now my own opinion would be that coke is the best, but the Nigerians believe that Malta is the best. And it costs more, so it must be better.

Well, have you ever drank like a bottle of molasses? I haven’t, but I could imagine what it would taste like (Debi, and you can call my Cordillia.) And that is what Malta tastes like, only about 20 times worse. It’s enough to make you gag.
Well, as strange as it is, it’s their culture to serve you food and then just not eat with you. It would be like me inviting you over for dinner and having you sit in the living room while I just come and check on you. Yeah, I don’t understand either.

So, we’re given our lunch and our yummy Malta drinks. (Three of them to be exact.) And we’re trying to figure out how were going to drink them. Bill doesn’t mind them so Christy and I are trying to make him drink ours as well. I think any more than one would probably make a person sick, so there wasn’t really any way he was going to finish all three. Christy and I are pretty concerned about a plan to make the drinks just vanish. But it was going to be pretty difficult with all these new people coming in and out to meet us, and the hosts coming to check on our lunch.

So, there was a toilet. (Actually the first one I’d seen outside of our house and Xbuja.) And I would like to say this was Christy’s brilliant idea, but I’m not quite sure that I didn’t come up with it on my own. Anyways, she had a cup in her bag and after much discussion the final decision was made to dump as much as possible into the cup and dispose of it. So who was going to risk getting caught dumping this in the head/toilet? I’m young and spry, so the job was on my head.

I dumped it in the head/toilet only to have it foam nearly over the top. Ahhh. I’ll just flush this puppy down and my worries will be over… Except that they don’t have much running water in Nigeria. Oops, that must have slipped my mind. So after waiting for the host to leave the room, who was now talking to Bill and Christy, I dart back to my seat at the table… “Christy…” I lean over and whisper… “It’s kind of foamed up a bit and there’s no way to get rid of it.” Just as I’m saying this, this sweet little lady comes walking through with a bucket of water to flush the toilet and has no idea what awaits her.

She never said anything to us, but I fear the whole village knows we flushed (or attempted to flush) our Malta down the commode…

So that’s my Malta story… …Maybe I'd better save that second story for a different time... I don’t think it’s quite as funny…

A Post by Amanda. And Prison. #2

2008-03-25T06:36:00.004-05:00

This is Amanda and I's room... No, actually not really.

Amanda: So where do I start? I don’t know where the beginning is, but I’m scared I see the end. Where am I? In Africa of course, but not in my bed sleeping peacefully like I pictured a week ago when I was safe and sound in the United States. Other than the extreme heat, I thought everything was normal (whatever that is) when I went to bed tonight. I woke up to what sounds like a train running through my room. When I ask if everything is okay, I’m informed the roof over my head is nothing more than a thin sheet of tin, which is at this point flapping in the wind. I turn on my flashlight and notice Danette is not sleeping in her regular pajamas, but has pants on. I question, “where did those come from and maybe do I need some?” She informs me, “it may be a good idea just in case we lose the roof”. So, here I am, I have just gone from a peaceful sleep to wondering at what moment I will be laying under the open sky. My logical response is to go downstairs so that I wont get blown into the Sahara desert. Quickly I learn that much like the roof, the walls are not strong and the trees could come crashing through.

Perhaps not everyone is aware that I’ve had a fair amount of anxiety and thought surely I can go to Nigeria and rest. You can only imagine at this point my anxiety level is being tested. I think it is when Danette joined me downstairs (I thought I should eat all the chocolate in the house since morning didn’t look too promising) and decided to tell me a bedtime story that is everything but peaceful.

Now, let me back up a few steps. Before coming, a pastor from Guatemala had three dreams about my parents coming to Nigeria and warns them to have great caution. So, here I am downstairs, waiting for the house to blow apart when Danette tells me shortly before arriving she happened to go to a random church. The speaker prayed for her specifically, not knowing a thing about her, and said that she may end up in prison one day, but that God would always be there. She thinks, “well, I better prepare, because I’m headed to Africa”. So here I am stuck in Nigeria, in a house full of people that have recently been told of possible unpleasant events. Only one thing could distract me from the thought that I have come here to die, and it is the bugs (D calls them rock bugs) I feel crawling in my pants. I am wide-awake wondering if I will live or die, and Danette looks at me laughing or crying, I’m not sure which and says, “welcome to life in Africa”.

Someone once told me to wiggle my toes when I am stressed. But for some reason, wiggling your toes just doesn’t seem to cut it here in Africa.

Well, I took a break from writing and attempted to close my eyes and dream I was anywhere else, but I am wide-awake again. It is not because of the storm, but because of the vigilantes that are having some kind of shoot out in our back yard. Danette reassures me it is only gunshots. The first night she was startled, it was by a bomb. That is so reassuring, now I can go to sleep in peace knowing I wont be blown to pieces by a bomb, only shot.

Danette: So, about that prison thing Amanda’s talking about… I didn’t tell anyone about that because I didn’t want anyone to be worried about me… Well, coming to Africa, I actually thought I would be okay in prison. I mean, maybe I wouldn’t have been okay, but if I ended up there I would know that that was where I was supposed to be for the time…

Well, one day at Xtutulu brought me to the reality that prison wasn’t the place for me, and I was pretty stressed about spending the rest on my life in Nigeria…
Well, a couple of weeks ago it hit me that it wasn’t actually lock-and-key prison, but it was more of a prison with the mind.

I feel like my world has been completely turned upside down! My trip to Africa is nothing like I could have imagined it to be. My summer plans fell through. I mean, I don’t even live anywhere for crying out loud. (How does that even work?) I’ve been trying to figure out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. Do I even want to be a missionary anymore? Do I have a passion in life? Heck, do I even like to do anything at all? What makes me smile? …Hahh, going crazy one could say…

I often ask God if He realizes I’ve even come to Africa. “Did You forget about me? Do You know that I’m here? Are You even here with me at all?” And the answer is, yes… GOD IS HERE WITH ME!

I wish I could tell you all that I’m in Africa helping these Nigerians… But I’m not… I’m actually here “filling up”… I’ve been reading the book “Waking the Dead” by John Eldredge for the second time now. He talks about how you can’t just continue to pour or give into peoples lives. How you have to take care of yourself too… And I never really thought about that. I just figured if I wasn’t giving or doing something for someone, God must not be happy with me… But I’m starting to think that that isn’t necessarily true.

John says at one point in the book: Caring for our own heart isn’t selfishness; it’s how we begin to love. Yes, we care for our heart for the sake of others. What will you bring to others if your heart is empty, dried up, pinned down? Love is the point. And you can’t love without your heart and you can’t love well unless your heart is well.
When it comes to the whole subject of loving other, you must know this: how you handle your own heart is how you will handle theirs.

When I was at the xrphanage in Xtutulu and trying to love, it was like trying to give someone a glass of water with nothing in it. I wanted to show love to all the kids, but I didn’t have any left to give…

So here I am in Nigeria, empty. Not the best place to find that out, but Amanda is here with me now and things are starting to look brighter.

When I ask God what he wants me to do. Several times now it has been “Love My People”. So I came to Africa, to suffer and love His people… But He actually didn’t say to me, “Suffer and Love My People”. So why did I come to Africa exactly? He’s people are in America too… And I’m so happy about that. I was thinking about seeing how I like that American life… Amanda and I say everyday now, “I’m an American girl, I’m it's okay to like the American ways”.

DnA Together Again! #1

2008-03-25T06:26:00.006-05:00

(DnA. I told Amanda that I didn't look the best in this picture, and she told me in return that I am in Africa and I look as good as I'm doing here.)

I don’t even think I need to tell you how excited I am! But I believe I will be able to make it two more months. Thank God for Amanda! She’s a lifesaver! (Though one week seems even questionable for her.)

A arrived safely in Nigeria on the 18th of this month. We spent three days in Xbuja waiting on her luggage and it arrived on the 20th.

I took her to the Internet on Friday and then to the “garage” to buy avocados. Now I thought one young white blond chick drew a lot of attention, but the two of us together turns some heads. Yikes!

On our return trip from the Internet, we stopped at the bread lady first and this guy kept bothering Amanda for some bread or anything else she would give him. I told her to just keep walking. We were weaving our way through the market area and I figured the guy was long gone. Amanda looks at me and is like “the bread dude is still following us”. So we stop to get our avocados and the guy would not leave us alone. I didn’t want to give him anything because it was like a little game and I didn’t want to lose. “I’ve been here for two months, and you can follow me around however long you want, it’s not going to change anything!” Well, I have to say, he had more endurance than I, and we were left with no choice but to hand over an avocado. Amanda was grateful that I finally decided an avocado was a small price to pay in exchange for her life.

I felt so bad that the first time I take Amanda around to see the village, she gets stalked by a crazy man. There just must be something about the first day in the market. Next time will be better…

Rain! Rain! Rain!

2008-03-11T06:31:00.005-05:00

Well, yesterday was the first rain! I was so excited you wouldn’t even believe it! I ran out the door to soak it all up, and was in hopes I would run into other people out enjoying it as much as I. But nope, I was the only one out splashing in the puddles and running around like a child. Apparently they don’t play in the rain much here. I don’t quite understand that.

So, as I was outside enjoying this wonderful rain, out of nowhere the wind started blowing like mad. When the tops of the very tall but thin trees started to touch the ground, I made a safe assumption that it was probably a good idea to go inside. As I was headed for the door I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to get blown away or not. But as you can tell, I managed to make it okay.

Well, I have never seen such a storm! Winds blowing harder than I have ever seen in my life. And though I wish I could tell you the windspeed, I will not even attempt a guess at it. Captain Stan will tell you that it is just not something I do well at all.

But as we were inside wondering how bad it was actually going to be, large tree limbs starting coming down all around and tin (including some off our house), was flying off of roofs. It was a bit frightening to say the least.

So after it was all over with, I went out walking around the compound to see just how bad the damage was. I couldn’t take the road due to very large branches in the way; but as I made my way through, people were pointing out parts of the brick fence that had blown down, roofs that were missing and then they pointed to this tree:

I was just shocked! I wish I had pictures of the nearby primary school building, and other buildings around the village. But I can’t bring myself to walk around and take photos of the damage. These are peoples homes and businesses and I don’t want to offend them by taking pictures.

(The little baby on Rachels back is Haruna. He’s from the xrphanage at Xtutulu and has been living with Bill, Christy and I since we arrived. That antifoo to the right is Bill.)

The next morning we were out clearing the trees from around the compound. It was pretty cool just to see everyone working together to get the place cleaned up. But it was definitely the first time I had ever moved wood around in a skirt and flip-flops before.

I feel like after being with Friend Ships and going specifically to the areas that have been hit by a natural disaster, it just seems like there should be more that I can do here. I’m right in the middle of it all, with nothing really to offer. I was wishing for some vinyl today to use to patch some roofs, just so that when the next rains come everything in these homes wouldn’t be completely destroyed. … I don’t really know what I can do, I guess for now, helping to collect the firewood is the best thing.

Bruchko

2008-03-06T05:45:00.001-06:00

My parents have a book titled Bruchko. It’s about a missionary who traveled alone to South America when he was only 19. I remember reading it when I was about eleven or twelve and thinking that this guy, Bruce Olson, was probably the most amazing person (besides my mom) I had ever heard of.

Well, since my arrival here in Africa I’ve been thinking a lot about missionaries and their work. Wondering if they always knew exactly which direction they were to be going and if God was just basically walking by their side talking with them. And also if they too struggled with each day or if everyday was filled with joy because they were doing Gods work.

And for some time now I’ve been in search of that book here in Africa. I’ve checked the books at the house I’m staying in, I’ve checked all the books in the library here at the college and I’ve even asked Mrs. Gross for it. But no one has seen it or even heard of it before. So, I basically said forget it and moved on. I would read it when I returned to the states, I said.

Well, yesterday I was in my room pondering life and it’s trials and Christy walks in and hands me a book… It was Bruchko… I couldn’t believe it! Once again, a little gift directly from God.

So, I opened it right then and didn’t put it down until the sun had set and it was to dark to continue. I hung on every word and was captivated by the trials and struggles he had to face each day. Though I have gone through nothing like him, I could identify with the feelings and thoughts he had. And I actually understood the questions he had swimming around his head, like how did I get myself into this?

Well, in the book, after being near death countless times and his wife-to-be dieing, life still continued on. Then in the last chapter his best friend dies and you think to yourself, “why does life have to be so tough?” This guy has given his whole life to serving God and yet nothing was ever easy. And as I was reading this I was like, “nope, I don’t believe that his friend is dead. They’ll find him downriver and he’ll still be alive. It’s supposed to be a happy ending.”… But this idea comes straight from Hollywood, that life ends up perfectly the way you had imagined it to be. And this is not known to always be true in the real world.

So on the very last page he says, “So life has to be like this. It has to be struggling and crying, and even dying”. And he wasn’t even bitter or resentful. It’s the simple truth that situations you dislike are a part of life… For the most part, they cannot be avoided and life still continues on, no matter how much you dislike the season you are in… A friend once said to me, that the trials won't last forever. That the bad times don’t and the good times won’t either. And maybe the next series of bad times will be even worse than before. But will I be able to be confident of a coming spring when I’m in winter again? Will I be able to hang on and praise God even when the world feels as though it’s caving in?

And I can actually say right now, that though life in Africa isn’t necessarily a “happy party” everyday; it is a very important stage in my life… And I have a choice as to whether I’m going to smile everyday or not. I can dwell on the down side of things, or I can look at the bright side and remember that I have more blessings in my life than I can actually count. No matter where I am at, life will always have another trial around the corner. So my joy has to be found in the Lord and not my day-to-day situations.

I have been inspired by the life of Bruce Olson and would recommend that you too read it. You may find that you enjoy it as much as I… …Sorry I have already told you the ending…

Another Day In Africa

2008-02-27T09:22:00.003-06:00

With Jesus everything will be alright…

Whenever I want to go to the Internet or anywhere else, I take a short little walk down the dirt road until I reach the pavement. Then from there wave down a machine (or motorcycle as we call them) and get a ride to my destination. After trying to explain in English where I’m to be going and having no such success. I hop on and hope that the guy will follow my directions as I point them out.

Now, it does say in Thessalonians to pray without ceasing, and this is an area I’m still working on. But can I tell you that when I’m on a machine, I pray like I’ve never prayed before. There are cars that are traveling way to fast, people and other machines all coming at you from every direction. And you are just praying that God will give you one more day to live. It also doesn’t help much that most people have never seen an antifoo (white person) before, so instead of watching the road they are looking at you. The children are so cute though. They yell out “ANTIFOO! ANTIFOO!” and all the kids around come running. They just get so excited and are laughing and laughing. These deep beautiful belly laughs!

So anyways, yesterday as I’m traveling down the road, this car, like every other one on the road, swerves in front of us to miss a pothole. And I once again, think to myself that my short little life is coming to an end. So once again I’m asking God to save me one more time (which He did). And I look over the drivers shoulder at his handlebars and see a sticker. It said, “with Jesus everything will be alright”. It was kind of crazy, like a message from God, saying “don’t stress, you’re in My hands.”

(Can someone tell me if this picture is just dark? Because now that it is on my blog I can hardly see it. Thanks.)

On Saturdays Christy and I walk to the next village over and play soccer with the kids. You cannot even imagine what kind of a crowd two antifoo can draw. It’s pretty amazing.
So last Saturday when we arrived at the little field, and were a bit shocked to see only five kids playing ball. I’m not sure how news travels around here, but 15 to 20 minutes later there were about a hundred children. They just love it when we come; it’s all of them against Christy and I. And all the adults come out to watch and cheer Christy and I on. Even people passing by on their machines stop to watch, we all just have a great time.

Watermelons and Bananas

2008-02-27T09:12:00.002-06:00

So, I was a bit discouraged the other day about the gravel pit ministry. I went out to market and bought several watermelons. Christy and I were going to slice them and take them to the ladies the following day. Well, two of them turned out to be the worst thing you had ever tasted in your life. And this left us short handed. Now, I don’t expect to get perfect fruit every time I bring something “home”. But I was disappointed because we were trying to be a blessing to these ladies and the fruit turned out to be bad. Why couldn’t God have made it good fruit?

So anyways, the next day Christy went up to the “garage” and got some bananas that we would take. I think we had about 30. “It’s better to have more, than to not have enough” we said. So as we’re walking up to the site we start seeing these women. Then more, and more, and lots of children and more women. Well over 70 women and children. And we’re like “oh dear God, You have to multiply these bananas, we don’t have enough.”

I think Christy was expecting them to just start growing right there. But I was thinking that as people took them, there would just be more. But we were both saying how we knew without a doubt that God could multiply them.
The second time I was in Haiti I saw where God multiplied the food, so I know that He still does it. So if we have enough faith and do not doubt, God would multiply them, right?

Both of us were like, “we leave it in Gods hands and we believe that there will be enough bananas for everyone.” But instead of handing them out as before, we decided that we would give them to the lady that runs the site.
So after greeting all the ladies and spending some time there, we started to journey home. And on the walk, we were talking about what had happened and were wondering if God was going to multiply the bananas or not. And then we were wondering why we didn’t start handing them out. What was the reason for giving them all to Jennifer?

And what it came down to was, we didn’t want run out. We didn’t want some of the ladies and children to receive bananas and then the other half upset and wondering where theirs were.

So what kind of faith is that? Were we really believing God was going to multiply them when we didn’t want to take a chance on handing them out? I think not.

So, besides taking more fruit, the next time we go to the pit we’re going to pass it out whether it looks as if there’s enough or not. If there’s not enough and God doesn’t want to multiply it, then that is in His hands. I don’t think He needs me to watch His back. He probably had it under control and can look after His own reputation.

Chocolate In Africa!

2008-02-22T08:37:00.004-06:00

I have a little story to share with you about some chocolate banana bread…

Mrs. Xross is an 84-year-old American lady that traveled to Nigeria by ship in 1945. Her late husband Mr. Xross and her are the ones who started the xrphanage here and also several of the churches. She is quite an amazing lady with incredible stories.

Every night for supper we go to her house to eat and visit. We rotate cooking duties every other night and Christy and I have managed to be able pull something eatable off when it’s our turn. Except for the desserts; our custard could have killed someone the other night (and yes we served it). But I must say, our plantain pudding was actually a hit.

Well, the very first night I was in Nigeria, we went to Mrs. Xross’ house for supper and besides greeting me, the very next thing she did was to look at me and say, “you’re too thin, if you get malaria you’re going to die!” I was thinking, “Oh Dear God! This lady hates me! I haven’t even been here a day and she already told me I was going to die…”

A month has passed now and she, I believe is still trying to fatten me up. She makes this AMAZING chocolate banana bread! I think it comes straight from heaven and lands directly into her kitchen. But she hasn’t just made it once; she actually makes it quite often. I think it’s because nearly every night before we journey over to her house, Christy and I say a quick little prayer asking God for a piece of CBB (chocolate banana bread). I can’t even tell you how amazing it is! And EVERY time I see it; I am just so thankful and know that the next day will to be okay.
Some nights, Christy and I will get our CBB and we will be so happy and just laughing, I mean teary-eyed laughing. Just the other night Christy had about three bites left on her plate and was like, “wow, I’m so full.” So I reached over with my fork and stabbed all three pieces like I was going to take them. (And at this moment I am bent-over laughing because I can just picture you all with a question mark on your face as you read this and just sit and wonder about me. …I haven’t gone crazy. Really! But I cannot stop laughing!) So anyways, the look on Christy’s face will not soon fade from my memory. She was speechless at first, and then I thought she was going to come across the table for me. She looks at me and is like, “I’m not that full!”

So that’s the chocolate banana bread story and another day in Africa… I just had to share this with you because it makes me smile.

Thank God for chocolate in Africa!

(Mommy Mom, I will make you some when I return in May.)

One Month Later ~ February 08

2008-02-18T04:25:00.005-06:00

(See, I really do like children. I just don’t have the patience yet to deal with them for days on end.)

Well, I’ve sat down now about 20 times to write this update. And every time I do, I feel as though it must be discarded because it makes absolutely no sense at all. I’m having a really difficult time trying to figure out what stories are appropriate to have online and also which part of my journey I can talk about without scaring everyone back home.
I feel that my family would probably better receive the stories I do have to share when I am no longer here. But praying for God to grant me another day to live doesn’t just happen to be a once-in-a-while occurrence.

It’s the 14th of February today and nearly a month has gone by since my arrival here in Nigeria. It seems as though I’ve been here a lifetime; but then at the same time it feels like I’ve just arrived.

I’m on my way to Xbuja now; and if I had changed my flight to go home on the 15th of February, this is the exact same day and same trip I would have been making. But I’m on my way now to extend my visa for another three month. Of course I have mixed feelings and wonder if I should have brought my luggage along just in case. But once again, God has given me just enough strength to continue on. I’m glad that He cares enough about me to give me trials that I can’t handle on my own.

I was hoping Amanda would be here by now, but as it’s looking she may not come for another month or so.
In the states we have our “DnA of God” ministry, so while she’s not here, Christy’s filling in for her. It’s basically random acts of kindness and living by example. Just trying to show God’s love by loving others.

Just down the road from us, there are about twenty ladies that are out working in this huge gravel pit, digging with picks and sifting out the sand to make these piles of gravel they’ll sell for 200 naira (less than 2 dollars). The weather here is unbelievably hot, and they’re moving all this gravel around with buckets. When I first walked out to this site, I couldn’t believe my eyes! It looked like a concentration camp you would see in a movie. But this is real life! The picture you see now or the words I’m attempting to write can’t even start to tell the story. Every time I go there I’m just shocked at what I see. Ladies working while they carry their children on their backs and ladies just like your grandmother, all out there with a pick and a bucket. I cry just thinking about the struggle for survival here. How hard these ladies are working just to feed their children. Christy and I go down there every once in a while to bring fruit or something and to hopefully give them a little encouragement for that day. But it seems like such a small thing when you look at the whole country of Nigeria, and then all of Africa. I wonder what kind of difference a piece of fruit is actually going to make. And a lot of the time I think “why bother? What can one person actually do? The need here is just so great.”
But then I’m reminded of the story of the “little boy and the starfish”. How thousands of starfish had remained on the beach after high tide and a little boy was throwing them back into the water. A man comes along and is like, “are you kidding me child? Look at all these starfish; they’re as far as the eye can see! You can’t possible make a difference here!” But the little boy reaches down and picks another starfish up and tosses him back into the sea, and he looks at the man and says, “I made a difference for that one.”
I know that I can’t change the world; I can’t save all the children in the world or feed all the hungry. But I want to make a difference in one persons life today.

Orion's Belt ~February 08

2008-02-08T03:23:00.001-06:00

Well, a person could say that I’m being pulled in two totally different directions. Everything within myself wants to return to the comfort of the states, where I don’t have to see the suffering of these precious people, where I can go about my merry way and pretend life is a piece of cake and is all about having fun. The other part of me, and unfortunately the desire is much smaller, wants to stay and try to help even just a little. It just seems as though the need is so great, and what am I actually going to do that’s going to make any sort of differents?

I keep reminding myself that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity I’ve been handed, that I have always wanted to come to Africa, and here I am right in the middle of Nigeria. My best friend Amanda will be coming in a couple of weeks so I plan on staying until my original departure date of May 15th. We don’t have any scheduled plans of what our ministry will be, but there is so much need here and there isn’t one good reason for me to return to the states. I also see some great opportunities to learn some things from the Nigerians as well.

The three years I spent with Friend Ships were some of the hardest times in my life. But it was also the best thing that ever happened to me, it was actually the best time of my life. Fishing in Alaska is hard and I hate it, but it’s also one of the things I love and some of my best memories. American Cruise Lines was a terrible time, but I learned a lot and met some amazing people, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. I wouldn’t trade anything I’ve ever been through for a smoother time.
I am always one to say that the hard times are the best in the end. They are the things you remember for life, the things that make you strong. That when things come easy, you don’t really appreciate them all that much.
I have been here now 3 weeks and already have memories I will never forget. I know this journey won’t be easy, and I’m not even saying that I’m going to love every minute of it. But for some strange reason I happen to be all the way over here in this place called Africa; and I’m going to try and take something out of each day that I will have for the rest of my life.

God truly is amazing! Here in Africa its harmattan, or the dry season as we call it. The winds are blowing sand/dust from the Sahara dessert and I haven’t seen sky since leaving London. Well, tonight as we were walking outside, Bill pointed out that you could see a couple stars… I looked up and saw Oran’s Belt… I couldn’t believe it. Several of these stars happen to be very special to me, and it was just a sweet little reminder that even though I am so far from home, I am still under the same sky as everyone back in America. It felt as if I were near to “home”. God always knows what you need and when you need it. I just don’t know why I can’t seem to trust Him all the time.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I didn’t run through the market in my bikini, somehow Christy managed to twist my arm enough and before I knew it I was standing up in front of her class giving a little spill about a chapter in the bible. Sometimes it seems as though God just likes to see me out of my comfort zone. I feel like I’ve spent a majority of my life there, but then I guess I’m not supposed to be comfortable in this world because I’m just passing through.

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has sent e-mails and left me comments. It has meant the world to me! I wish I could send each of you a personal message back, but it takes me about 20 minutes to even log into my mail account. I love you all and appreciate your prayers! Rebekah, thank you so much for posting my blogs! (And I love your baby girls so very much! …I really do!)

Xtutulu, Nigeria ~ Jan 08

2008-01-29T12:26:00.004-06:00

*Note Posted 04 June 2008:

I have recently been informed that this blog has been found offensive and critical and I wanted to apologize and hopefully explain where I was coming from when it was written.

I had always dreamed of starting my own orphanage in Haiti and knew a good place to start would be to see for myself what one was actually like. I think it was a bad idea on my part to go to such a large orphanage when I had never set foot in one before. I was overwhelmed because of situations in my life and the fact that I can't deal well with children. (You may ask -why on the orphanage in Haiti? And I have no idea).

Xinstry of Xercy is a WONDERFUL xrphanage and they are doing an amazing thing in Nigeria. But at the stage of my life I was in, an xrphanage was not a good place for me to be. I thought that by being on the other side of the world it would be almost like starting a new life. But as it was, my life remained the same.

I don't feel as though I was criticizing anyone or anything but only explaining that my heart was not in what I was doing. That I was not capable of spending four months (alone) in a culture I didn't understand, with a language I did not speak. I'm not saying I didn't like the culture, I'm simply saying that the timing was not right (for me) and I was unable to give-my-all without first getting things with life in order.

Please except my apology and realize that nothing was written with evil intent but only with a broken heart.

I don’t even know where I am to start at explaining my time here in Nigeria… It has been just over a week now since my arrival here in Africa. On Monday the 21st I made the hour and a half journey from Xnyigba to Xtutulu where I was to spend four months working with the 200 and some orphans at the Xinistry of Xercy Xrphanage.

I’m just going to be very honest with you all, because it seems as though that is all I have remaining… I can’t do it here… Anyone who knows me very well at all, knows that I don’t even like large quantities of children… My parents do foster care and I seriously lose every ounce of patience I ever had when there are about three kids running round the house. My two nieces and my 11-month-old brother are the exceptions of course, because they are family. But I had this crazy notion that as soon as I stepped off that plane from the UK, I would get into missionary gear and would love those orphans as if they were my own. Well, let me tell you that I still don’t have the patience to deal with children. I’m still the girl Danette who gets aggravated when there’s a lot of noise and who is terrified of speaking in public! …And I think to myself “But I’ll be all the way in Africa and I’ll just get over my fears there. I’ll love those children. It will be completely different, I’ll be completely different.” …But it’s still me, I’m still here with myself, and I still have the same situations to work through.

I went out to the xrphanage on Monday and spent almost three days there. Two days and a night of which I spent simply crying every tear I had. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. I’ve tried to write what my days were like, but there are no words that could possible even start to tell the story.

Yes, I’ve seen poverty before… While in Haiti we’d drive about an hour to the site where we were doing outreaches. From the vehicle I’d watch Haiti go by, I’d watch the ladies carry huge amounts of things on their head, I’d watch them cook over an open fire and I’d watch the children running around without any clothes on. “It’s such a different culture,” I’d think to myself. But try living like that! Try spending just one day watching over four sick babies who have malaria or some other sickness that you’re not even really sure what it is. There are no diapers left to use because they have a total of about six, for four kids. And now they need to be washed out again. You don’t just stick them in the washing machine, you wash them by hand. These sick babies need to be held, but they have no diapers and what happens? Shit everywhere! So you spend all day cleaning these babies, not just one baby, four babies, trying to clean their clothes, trying to get water so that you have something to use to wipe this stuff up with. You don’t have any rags, so you use your hands. And now there are flies on everything, the ground, the dirty clothes and the babies. And they have to eat, but you can’t hold them all at once so you sit them back on the ground in the dirt and try to feed them whatever is available. And then they throw it up allover themselves and the other babies. And it goes on and on, again and again. Try living like that! Imagine having your child shot because he stole a cell phone or some money, or wondering if you are going to eat that day! Imagine going to a prayer group and thanking God that everyone from the week before is still alive or not naming your child until he/she is a year old because the chances of survival aren’t that great!

I CAN’T DO IT! I can’t do it.

I can’t believe I am saying all this to practically everyone I know; but I was holding one of the little girls and there was no love behind it. I was sitting there wondering what I came for. It wasn’t because of a skill I was trying to teach or an art; I was coming to love the children. I came because God said to love the orphans, because of Matthew 25 where it’s talking about the sheep and the goats. And I couldn’t even do that, I left my heart in America and I had nothing to give… Nothing… I feel as though it would have been evident to everyone around me, that my heart was not in it, and though I may have learned something myself, I believe I would have been doing more harm than good to the people around.

Thursday morning I packed my bags... I didn’t just pack all my stuff up, I packed up the things I would need in America and left the rest. All I could think of was getting home and I didn’t care how I got there. I have never once quit anything in my life; I usually always find a lesson to be learned or a growing opportunity. But I did not want to learn anything! It was going to be too hard and I wasn’t going to do it. I was sitting on my bed waiting for my ride back to Xnyigba and just bawling. I couldn’t believe I was quitting and was trying so hard to think of one reason to stay. My motivation should have been the children, but it wasn’t, I was thinking about everyone back in America, wondering what you all were going to say about me, and wondering how disappointed you all would be. And I thought that if I could just stick it out for four months maybe you all would be proud of me. If I could just stick it out maybe I would be something special, I’d be considered a “good missionary”. But I was so broken. On the opposite side of the world of everyone I love and all alone. I have never felt such loneliness! Why did I travel all the way to Africa alone? I can’t even talk to these people, I can’t even talk to these children, I don’t even speak Xgalla! The handful of people who do even speak English, I can’t even understand them. What was I thinking?

Someone please go look at a globe and tell me that I am a young lady and I should not be this far away from home alone! (Christy laughs and says, “we’ll do a whole lot better if you quit popping that map up on your computer”).

I’m at the Bible College now with the Bill and Christy, and my visa expires on the 15th of February. And unless I decide to teach a class at the college (which would be less likely to happen than me running through the market in my bikini), I don’t really have a reason to stay… So as of now I will be returning to the states on the 15th of February. I’m disappointed in myself for not sticking it out and I feel as though I’ve failed everyone I know. But I do not want to try to prove anything to anyone. I keep reminding myself that I will always come short, that I will never be perfect and that God is my judge. I don’t know what comes next in life, but I do know that even though I can’t hear God at the moment, He will always be with me.

Nigeria ~Jan 08

2008-01-20T12:43:00.003-06:00

Day 2 in Africa and already I have a story to share. I can imagine this trip will be anything but uneventful.

After meeting up with Bill and Christy in London two days ago, we landed in Xbuja, Nigeria at about 0500 on the 17th (2300 on the 16th central time). After making the six-hour drive to Xnyigba, we arrived safely at our destination.

I slept the rest of the day and that night away trying to get rid of the jetlag from the three days of travel. When I awoke that morning about 0715 I wondered what the day would hold.

Well, let me tell you…

I got out of bed and spent the morning talking with Christy and my new friend Mercy. Around 1100 we decided to walk to the market so we’d have some food for the week. We picked up some rice and fruit and I mentioned that I wanted to get some bread, so Mercy took us to a place that actually made fresh bread. It was still part of the market, but a little way from the crowd. On the way up the hill this guy was yelling at Bill and had his arms around him, we weren’t quite sure what he wanted so Christy and I kept walking. This other guy came up and managed to shoe him away… Away to me anyways. He grabbed my arm and was still yelling, I have no idea what he was saying because it wasn’t English or Xgalla, not that I would have under stood him if it were Xgalla anyways. But none of the Nigerians knew what he was saying either.

So, after that was over with, I buy my bread and am waiting on change, but I start to feel a little dizzy. (When I left Pennsylvania it was in the 20’s and snowing and now here in Nigeria it’s 80-90 degrees and I hadn’t eaten or drank anything all day. And I just found out I was overdosing on my Doxicyc for malaria, the doctor I went to in America had no idea what she was talking about.) So I lean up against this poll and have my hands behind my back hanging on to it, thinking to myself, “this will go way. I never pass out, except for that time on the American Star Cruise ship, and if I don’t walk for a bit I’ll be fine.” Well, my mistake was as I’m told, is letting go of the poll to receive my change… …Face first I go into the concrete. I had no idea what happened until Bill had me on this mattress telling me to say something. I felt something hard in my mouth… A tooth… Or a piece of a tooth I should say. I remember sticking it in my purse, seeing Christy on the ground and then I was out again.

Christy tells me that she dropped to her knees and is praying for God to resurrect me, and wondering how she’s going to tell my parents I died on the second day.

It’s kind of hard to tell a story when you really don’t know what happened, but some nice Nigerian guy drove us “home” and It’s been pretty calm proceeding “the day at the market”.
So I have a broken and a loose tooth, and thank God it wasn’t my front ones! I don’t know how that worked out, but I am so happy I don’t have to be toothless from here on out. I have a nice deep cut on my chin, but that will just be a great story opportunity for life, and I’m trying to clean my cuts so they don’t get infected. (Thanks dad for sending the big bottle of Peroxide and the expandable pill sized towels =). They’ve been wonderful!) Christy says, “didn’t I tell you to watch out for cuts while you’re here?!” We just laugh and wonder what the next four months will hold. I can barely open my mouth, but in a couple of day’s I’ll be as good as new!

I’m still embarrassed. As it is, I already stick out being white, but now everyone at the market is going to remember me for life. Dumb American can’t stand the heat… I don’t know what it is about starting something new and passing out, but this has got to stop!

Just know that I am perfectly fine! But as you can tell, you’re prayers will be much appreciated.
I am at the school with Bill and Christy now and will head out to the xrphanage in Xtutulu on Monday. I’ll try to keep you all updated on any exciting adventures.

London ~ January 08

2008-01-20T12:40:00.002-06:00

On my way to Xbuja, Africa I had a 12-hour layover in Heathrow London so was able to take the Underground subway into town and see a bit of the city.

It took me a while to figuring out which subway to catch and where I needed to go see Big Ben, but after an hours ride from the airport and having to switch subways, by some miracle I landed at the destination I was hoping for. I spent a couple hours in London wondering around by myself and took as many pictures as my camera would hold.

I hate that I have to keep this so short, but I wanted to share these pictures and also make another post about my arrival in Nigeria.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-22T18:14:00.001-06:00

My older sister Lynn and Rebekah.

My sweet niece Bekah helping with the sugar cookies.

Greetings to my Beautiful Family and Friends!

Well, as much as I hate to begin this letter the same as everyone else’s, it just seems so appropriate to say that I can hardly believe how quickly this past year has gone by. It seems as though it were yesterday I was sailing home from Israel/Canary Islands.

I guess the beginning of this year was the end of a long season in my life. January 2nd The Spirit of Grace ship returned home from a four month long voyage to Israel. Then after nearly three years at Friend Ships I packed my bags and said goodbye to all the beautiful faces I had the opportunity to work alongside. I moved out to Blacksburg, Virginia and was living with three of my best friends in a little duplex out in the country. I lived there for a couple of months and was working at a bakery called Our Daily Bread. I couldn’t have asked for a better setup than what we had at the duplex, but after being in the Friend Ships “bubble” for three years and then just returning from Israel, life back in the “real world” was a very difficult time for me. I was trying to figure out what the next step was? Where did I go from there? And what did I actually want to do in life?

Well, after traveling, sailing and doing missions, I knew it had to be somewhere along those lines, because I loved ever bit of that. But I just wanted to hop on the next plane and head to some foreign jungle far far away, unfortunately that required planning and more money than I had in the bank. So obviously a job was going to have to be the first thing to look into.

I was able to go to the Coast Guard in Baltimore and get an MMD (Merchant Mariners Document), which allows me to work aboard some vessels. Following that I took a trip down to Texas where I did a week of BST (Basic Safety Training) with Mercy Ships. The first couple of days were firefighting classes, then we had first aid and CPR, sea survival, radio communications, personal safety and pollution prevention. You’re required to have BST along with 540 days at sea to get an Able Body-Limited license. I have enough sea time now for that; I just need to do some studying for the Rules of the Road/ColRegs test. Hopefully sometime this next year I’ll get that.

In June I flew to Baltimore and made my way to the Constitution Pier in Inner Harbor where the American Star cruise ship was moored. This was my first job aboard a vessel outside of Friend Ships. And upon seeing the ship what I should have done instead of hopping aboard was to run for my life, but unfortunately I couldn’t see into the future. …I actually shouldn’t say that, because I did meet some amazing people while I was there and was able to further my knowledge in the vessel/sailing area.
American Cruise Lines only hires crew for three months at a time; I thought this a little strange at first, but then came to realize the real reason was that they can’t actually keep crew for a longer period of time. I started as a deckhand, and though I know nothing about the engines was promoted to ERA (engine room assistant) after about eight weeks. We didn’t actually sail with an engineer; so I was able to start the mains, switch generators and do the fuel soundings everyday. They even let me do oil changes! I’m still not exactly sure what they were thinking, but I was happy for the new challenges. After working 12-16 hour days everyday for three months I was never happier to finally reach September 1st. I have so many stories as you have probably seen on previous posts.

Toward the end of September I took a trip up to Idaho to see my best friend Amanda, who’s also my Alaskan salmon fishing buddy. Since we didn’t get go fishing this year and hang out, I had to go up and see her. After spending a couple weeks with A, I flew down to Lake Charles to sail as second officer to Nevis and then Roatan for Medical and Childrens ministry. The trip however did not go as planned and as we were about to make our way through the Yucatan Channel we lost our engines and the decision was made to alter course back to Louisiana. It was a crazy couple of weeks making about 2knots through the water and knowing nothing could be done about it. But there was also a lot of peace about returning even though we never made it to the beautiful islands we were headed to. We had a couple swim calls and were able to put the shore boat over once to go tubing. Being able to swim in the middle of the ocean is enough to put a smile on nearly anyone’s face. All in all it was a wonderful little trip out in the Gulf with a lot of friends I hadn’t seen in a while.

As most of you know already, I will be flying to Africa in January. I’ll be in Xtutulu, Nigeria for four months working in an xrphanage with Xinistry of Xercy. It’s the largest orphanage there with over 200 children. I’m looking forward to all God will show me in these upcoming months and know I will come back a changed person.

I think that’s all for now, I hope each of you have the most wonderful Christmas and the happiest New Year to come. God bless you and love always!

A granddaughter, a niece, a cousin, a sister and a friend,

Danette Bjornstad

Emma Nicole ~ 15 December

2007-12-21T05:56:00.000-06:00

Emma Nicole Mason

My beautiful niece! She was born on the 15th of December 2007, weighs 9 pounds and is 21 inches long.

Proud parents are my brother-in-law Robert and sister Lynn.

On the go again...

2007-12-05T23:08:00.001-06:00

Hello to all my beautiful family and friends,

I hope each one of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great weekend!

I wanted to make the official announcement that I will be going to Africa in January. I bought my ticket about a month ago and had been waiting on my visa to go through. It finally arrived about a week ago, so I am all set to catch my flight and head out. I’ll be in Xtutulu, Nigeria for four months working in an xrphanage with Xinistry of Xercy. XOX is the largest orphanage in Nigeria with over 200 children and youth living there.

I will be flying to London alone, then from London to Xbuja, Nigeria my best friend Amanda’s parents will be with me (or I guess I should say I’ll be with them seeing as how this is their second year). Anyways, after we arrive, Bill and Christy will be living at the school and I’ll be living at the orphanage about an hours ride away. I’m looking forward to the challenges I’ll be faced with being pretty much alone out in the bush, but also very thankful that Bill and Christy will be there if I need them. Hopefully Amanda will be able to join us on this trip, but I wont know for sure until she gets back from Guatemala the beginning of December.

I am so excited to get away from the “American way”. I’m working at JC Penneys for six week’s while I’m in Arkansas with my parents, and though I worked there four years ago, it’s just not what it once was. I used to love walking around with the rest of the crowd in my cute little cloths and clicky shoes, but that’s just not the life for me any more. I guess I prefer hot, sweaty and miserable. :)

Anyways, hot and sweaty is what I’m going to be getting I believe, because Xtutulu is closer to the equator than I have ever been in my life.

I’m so excited for this trip! I know that if I let Him, God will teach me more than I can imagine.

I don’t know how often I will be able to get to an Internet café while I’m there, but I will try to keep my blog page updated as much as possible.

I love you all and you're in my prayers,

Danette

Happy Thanksgiving ~ Nov 07

2007-11-22T17:20:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

My very sweet niece Rebekah. I love her so much!

I am so thankful for second chances. For Gods forgiveness and everlasting love. For lessons learned, no matter how hard they were or how long they lasted. I'm so thankful for my family always being there for me. For opportunities to go and see amazing things. For the ability to work, to travel and to sail. For feet to dance with and arms to give hugs with. I'm thankful for friends to love and laugh with and for the ability to make more. I'm thankful for ice cream and pizza. For flowers and their beautiful smell. For rain and sunshine and for all the seasons of the year. For smiling faces and a babies laughs. I'm thankful for the open ocean while sitting on the bow of a ship and for the salt water in my face. I'm thankful for silence and for ears to hear. For the stars in the sky. For jeans and flip-flops and for everyday life. I'm thankful for YOU!

In the Gulf ~ October 07

2007-10-25T15:22:00.001-05:00

Captain Stan, 2nd Mate Danette and Chief Engineer Wally Barber. The two greatest guys a girl could ever want to be standing between.

Well, like I said in my previous post, we never made it to Nevis or Roatan. So instead of a mission trip it turned into more of a pleasure ride.

Pictured above are some of the crew tubing out in the gulf. It was so beautiful and so much fun! The Hope was still underway going about 2kts when we dropped the shore boat into the water. I never thought Captain Stan would let us swim while the ship was still moving, but after much begging, pleading and smiling he finally said yes. :D

(Tami, Capt Jake, Dan, Jordan and I)

Jake, Jordan and Dan, once known as the Black Ops were on the 12-04 watch, then myself, Tami and Shay (not pictured) were on the 04-08.

So it all started one morning about 0345. One never quite knew what to expect when coming up to the bridge after three guys had been together for 4 hours and had eaten every piece of sugar there was available. Well, our watch (the 04-08) came up to relieve the 12-04 watch and Jordan was somehow hanging in this rain jacket we kept on the bridge to scare us. ...It was kind of funny...

(Tami and Danette)

Tami and I decided to entertain the Black Ops guys one dark night by dressing up like pirates, rappelling off the flying bridge to the front of the bridge windows then sword fighting with each other like... ...well... pirates. I don't know how funny they thought it was, but Tami and I laughed about it for several days.

After our great display of skills and talent, the best the guys could come up with was locking them selves in the bridge for four hours while they proceeded to eat cans of bean and waited for us to come up to relieve them.

By the time we arrived, you can just imagine what it smelled like. It wasn't very pretty. They made the unfortunate mistake of taking a very unflattering picture with my camera. So the next morning I had the ships manager, Murray, show it to the entire crew and make an announcement about gas and needing to see the ships nurse.

It basically went straight downhill from there.

The next time we went up to the bridge, the guys, now known as the Black Oops, hauled 5gal buckets of salt water up to the flying bridge. As hard as we tried, there was no hope of escaping that one. I was drenched from head to toe when it was all over with!

I guess seeing us sopping wet wasn't good enough for them. So the rumor around the ship was that they would be doing their "victory" dance at 0500 the next morning. We assumed (which is never a good idea) that after they relieved us and left, that they would think we thought they went to bed and we'd let our guards down. Well, it was night so we were going to shrinkwrap everything leading up to the bridge so they couldn't come up very easily.

It didn't work as we hoped because when we showed up that night this is what the bridge looked like:

Every window had trash bags inside and out, there was line and tape on absolutely everything. Sticky side out. I mean they took light bulbs out of the sockets and covered up lights the size of a grain of sand. It must have taken them hours to set the whole thing up.

So we show up, it's pitch black, auto pilot's on so the helm looks like a ghost is steering and everything else on the bridge is shut off. There wasn't a soul in sight. We figured they must be outside watching us somehow. So after I finally weave my way through all the line and make it out to the bridge wing, there was still no one around. Of course the only place left to look was the flying bridge, I climb up the ladder only to be greeted with a bucket of flour in the face... I mean you would think blacking out the bridge would be enough, but no, they just had to add a nice little touch of flour.

I hate to say that the guys had the last prank, but we couldn't think of anything to get them back with.

What fun times at sea!

To be at Sea! ~ October 07

2007-10-23T12:40:00.000-05:00

Life still goes on…

~
…I’m in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on the ship Hope with 35 other people. We got underway the 1st of October to sail to Nevis and then Roatan for medical and children’s ministry. Four days later and 55 miles from Cuba as we're about to go through the Yucatan Channel we lose our engines and the decision is made to return to Friend Ships in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We’re making 1.4kts through the water and know that God is still on the throne. Though we never made it to Nevis or Roatan there is such peace about going back. A lot of people have said they feel like the mission is over and that what was needing to be done was in fact completed. I don’t know why, but I feel the same way also…

~
Maybe I will never know the reason for being at sea without getting to see the beautiful souls on the islands we were going to, but I know that ALL is for the glory of God! I thank Him so much for His peace and for his timing for everything, even when we can’t see the end.

Trust… …God has said go, so I’m going. I’m not sure where to but I know that God has great plans ahead. Trust is always the word... My heart aches but I know that God is in control. I know that all is for His glory! I know that trials bring me closer to who I need to be in Him. I know trials give me strength that I will one day need. GOD LOVES ME SO MUCH and I’m so happy that He will never leave me.

~
My name means “God is my judge”. For as long as I can remember, I've always looked to others for my self worth. Depending on how well I’m liked or loved by others is how important I am. But what I have been realizing this past year is that God is my only judge. Yes, obviously people are going to judge me, but that’s not what’s important. God’s judgment is all I need to be concerned with. That I am worth so much more than what man says. God is enough!

Idaho ~Sept 07

2007-09-23T19:50:00.000-05:00

I was working with American Cruise Lines this summer so wasn't able to make it up to Alaska to go commercial fishing. Well, I guess Amanda and I actually swore we would never do it again, but after so much time has passed you kind of forget about all the hard times. So because Amanda and I didn't make it to Alaska I decided to take a trip to Idaho to see her. And we had so much fun!

This is a cabin we stayed at one of the nights I was there. We of course had a blast! There was a hot spring there so we spent a good amount of time in it. And it was my first time in one too.

The cabin was about a 45 minutes drive from town so you would think there were be nobody around. Wrong... Turned out there was a forest fire two miles from where we were staying, so there was a ton of fire fighters everywhere. They had hoses EVERYWHERE! Below is a picture of some of the fighter men. They all came by our cabin and were waving and stuff. It was a lot of fun!

This is Amanda and I the night we stayed on a sailboat. Did you know that you have to have your toes pointed to sleep in one of these things? It was bad! So our whole plan was to run an extension cord to the boat and watch a movie and then go to bed. Well our cord didn't reach so we just hung out on the dock. It was pretty funny, because all the rich sailor dudes that came by thought we were pretty crazy.

My first time sailing! Yay!

Now I love big ships, but this little thing was a bit different! It was freezing cold out so we had like two pairs of pants and four shirts on.

We get out there and there's like no wind.. We're just kind uh bob'n around wondering how the heck we're even going to get the thing back to where we started.

So, of course the best thing to do in a situation such as that is to pray for wind. Well, Amanda decided that we didn't just need a little wind but that we need a near storm, so she prayed for big white caps.

And what do we get? Lot's of wind! We have no idea how to sail the thing so when the first little breeze came we nearly lost it. We're both screaming and it gets to the point where you just know you're going to go in no matter what, so no amount of yelling is going to help. But by some miracle we stayed in the boat.

We were out there for several hours and didn't even realize it. By the time we returned (putting it perfectly into shore because we are professional sailors at this point) we were completely sopping wet! We nearly went in every couple of minutes but managed to keep most of our selves in the boat. Such good times! And so many good laughs!!

Arkansas ~ Sept 07

2007-09-21T21:41:00.000-05:00

The longer I’m away from Arkansas the better I like it when I return to see my family. Maybe that’s because I’m growing up, but I’m not sure. And every time I go “home”, I plan to take a picture of the whole family to post on my blog page, but it just never seems to happen.

So, I just wanted to let everyone know… I have met and seen so many parents as I’ve traveled around. I actually like to watch families wherever I may be to see how they work together. And as hard as I look I have NEVER seen any parents as great and (I use this word lightly) cool as mine. So yes, I must say that I do have the best parents in the world. (Daddy dad! You better leave me a comment and tell me how much you love me too.) :D

My brother-in –law Robert was at work so didn’t make it into the photo either. Robert is married to my oldest sister Lynn who’s 23 and they have a sweet little girl Rebekah who is 2 ½. She’s the cutest kid you have ever seen. My favorite niece ever! Lynn is expecting another one in December. Hopefully the 10th so we have the same birthday. But I don’t think it will be so. The three of them live about 30 minutes from our parents.

Then there’s my little sister Sarah who I believe is 19. And I’m not sure how she’s catching up to me in age but I think she is. But she’s living in Missouri now and is working in a church up there.

My brother Luke who’s only 17 and has already moved to Texas. He joined the ALERT program. And I really have no idea what they do. It’s a Christian program and they do search and rescue stuff, but he is going through basic training right now. I’m actually feeling kind of bad that I told him about it to begin with, because I know that it’s pretty hard. (Sorry Lukey Luke, guess I should have mentioned I didn’t actually know what they did. Oops).

And then there’s baby Joseph. And no, just because I’m holding him in the first picture does not make him mine, though I would take him if given the opportunity. He’s 7 months old and super cute.

So that’s my family. The best family I might add. I wouldn’t want a one of them to change.

These are a couple of my friends in Arkansas. And I love them all. I guess I’m just blessed with knowing and being related to such cool people. (And if you are reading this you must fall under the super cool category also).

Myself, Cameron, Matthew and Nick.

Trent, Cameron, Matthew, Juli, Randy and Nick…

Final Day on the Star ~ Sept 07

2007-09-02T17:35:00.000-05:00

Wow… And I say that with the last bit of energy I can muster. I can’t even believe September 1st has finally come. 12 hours or more of work a day everyday for 12 weeks. If I were asked to work another day, I probably would have died. I don’t think God ever intended us to work that long without a day for rest. This job has taken everything I had out of me.

I’m on a plane now headed for Northwest Arkansas. I’m in tears and about to break. I should be jumping for joy that I will never see the American Star again. But my heart is breaking for all my friends I left behind. So many are going to hell and are happy about it. I don’t even know what I should do.

I hate religion… I hate when people try to force God on you. I don’t believe that it has to be that way. I’ve talked to so many people that have been completely turned off from God by people shoving the gospel down their throats. I have even witnessed it myself!

While aboard the Star I talked to several people about God. But how do you tell them the Truth when they believe something completely different? One example is a girl I was talking to, she said she would go nowhere when she died, that once she took her last breath on earth that that would be it. And I asked what if that didn’t happen? What if there was a heaven and a hell, what then? She says, well, I guess I will be wrong. That she can’t believe in something she can’t see. What do I say? I have nothing. I want her to know that God really will help her when she calls on Him, but how do I prove it to her?

This happened countless times. Countless times. I was so unprepared. How do I get hope out there if I can’t even remember what the Bible says about anything?

What about the guy who served God with his whole heart for seven years? Every morning he spent an hour praying and reading the Bible before he started his day. Now he just doesn’t want to serve God because he has to give up things like drinking, smoking and living with his girlfriend. I tell him that he can still serve God and that with time God with give him the desire to change. He says he just doesn’t want to.

How can you serve God and then not? Once you know the truth how can you turn your back?

What am I supposed to do? I feel completely helpless! And I call myself a missionary? What am I supposed to do?

Life aboard the Star ~Sept 07

2007-09-02T16:19:00.000-05:00

(Chief Mate Max Taber, Danette, Captain Henry Thorpe)
~

Everyday aboard the Star was pretty much a struggle for me. I did get to make some really good friends and had some good time, learn quite a bit and even had some great experiences. But besides my commitment of 12 weeks, Captain Thorpe and Max are the only reason I stayed. They are amazing people and I loved working with them! I can't say enough about them.

Most people are pretty excited when they get to leave American Cruise Lines, including myself. Well, Max, Ned and I had a count down going on the bridge window of when we were leaving. This is mine, three days left to go. Captain and Max drew faces for me so I drew my own also.

(Independence Shore boat)

My last week, both Captain Thorpe and Max let me drive the launch. I had so much fun! I love the launch anyway, but then even with passengers aboard to get to pretend to be a captain! So much fun! And they even let me dock it, or attempt to dock it anyways. I almost hit a couple of boats, but either the captain or mate was there to give me good directions to get out of the mess I found myself in. I think I was getting the hang of it towards the end. But it could have all just been in my head. I never actually hit anything though, so that was good!

(Lobster pots)
~

I wish these lobster pot buoys showed up a little better in this picture. I just wanted to give you a bit of an idea of what we were dealing with up here in Maine. It was so much stress yet so much fun to try to get through these things. I could usually make it through a two hour watch and manage to only hit one (or two). If it was foggy out though, forget it. Didn't even try, we'd just mow them over. There was no hope for navigating around them when you could hardly even see past the bow.

ACL's Deck Crew ~ Aug 07

2007-08-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

Well, I’ve given you all several pictures of the scenery and stuff but no people pictures. Just thought I would post a picture of the deck crew I’m working with and also the two coolest people ever Heather and Peter. We (the deck crew) like to call ourselves the “dream team”. But the word nightmare is often heard coming out of the captains mouth when in reference to the crew. I don’t understand why…

I also get so many complements from the passengers about my uniform… They usually go something like, “ohhh, you are actually cute when you’re not in uniform.” I smile and say, you’re so sweet, thanks. Thinking to myself that I spend 80% of my time in the stinking things!

(The Dream Team)

So first here in the picture is Will, he will be leaving the crew tomorrow. He’s our “jumper”. Meaning he jumps out the hatch when we arrive at a dock to take our lines to a bit. He’s also our expert towel folder and has his own personal condiment fanny pack. Well, it’s probably not a fanny pack, but we all think it’s a better story.

Next we have Ned. Ned is my partner on the stern, we are often referred to by the captain as the “A team”. I believe that’s because he watches everything going on on the bow, but only sees what we want him to on the stern. There is also a list going in the laundry room of how Ned will injure himself, he is know as the one to always slip on or get his hand caught in the gangway.

Max, He’s our fearless leader and the Chief Mate. He’s totally cool and a great guy to work under.

Bill is our #1 Deckhand/ERA (Engine Room Assistant). I will be taking his place when he departs in a week. He’s totally cool also. I spent the most time with him when I first arrived, he looks out for me. I think.

Then there’s me… I get made fun of all the time because I always “hog” the launch/shore boat. I would like to say in my defense that it is not my fault though, the Mate always asks if I want to go for a boat ride. And I can’t very well say no can I? I totally have to much fun on the launch; Wednesdays are definitely my favorite days.

Lindsey’s a line handler on the bow with Bill. She’s going to the Maine Maritime Academy to be a real sailor. She's my roommate... Or I guess all 11 girls are my roommates but Lindsey and I share a bunk and a small space.

Then there’s Tom… We like to make fun of him also… He’s the “doorman”, meaning he watches the door as the jumper hops to the dock. But Tom is usually the first out. He also likes to point out to Max when he’s on the launch all the boats or buoys that could possible be hit. He doesn’t realize that Max is way taller and can see just as much as him. We just laugh…

(Peter and Heather)

These are the two coolest people ever. Peter and Heather. Heather reminds me of my best friend Amanda and Peter is just sweet like my brother… They are both stewards.

Trials and Smiles of Danette Ann

Merry Christmas!

Psalms 139

Epic Day!

My little "Missionary Heart"

Sarah & Joey's Visit to Alaska

Alaska to Hawaii

Six Years Ago...

San Diego!

Merry Christmas 2010

I'm a Cosmetologist!

Fall is Here Again

San Fransisco!

Trip to Alaska #5

Cosmetology School

Happy 3rd Birthday Joseph!

Merry Christmas!

Thankfulness

Cosmetology School

Trip #4 to Alaska

Family

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Hello!

Just Some Pictures in Alaska

Fishing

A Little Bit of Alaska

Beautiful Alaska

picture music playing

Joseph

My Little Fisherman!

A Good Friend

Homeward Bound!

A Gift to Me!

Australia + Alaska = Smiles

It's a Small World!!

A Friend on M/V American Spirit

Life on the East Coast

South Carolina

The Next Leg of My Journey

All Who are Weak - By Michael J. Pritzl

It's a Boy!

Ice Storm

Chad and Amanda

The Love of My Life!

Climbing!

Debi Came to See Me!

Merry Christmas!

Amanda & Chad

My 23rd Birthday!

Idaho!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Beautiful Arkansas

How Patriotic...

In Loving Memory of My Uncle Carl

Carl Dwayne Bjornstad

Back in Arkansas

Pulling Through...

SURFING!

Friend Ships Crew

Los Angeles, California

My Little Surfer/Sailor Man!

Hello Lord ~ By Sara Groves

Just an Update

*Ting *Ting *Ting

Arkansas Fun!

It's all About Joey!

Hiking in Lost Valley!

Rhythms of the Night

A Wild Day in the Jungle!

Probably the Best Week of My Life! (by DnA)

Surfing in Sayulita, Mexico

Home Sweet Home (Arkansas)

America! America!

Goodbye Africa...

Our Life In Nigeria (by Amanda)

Election is over....

Bad Hair Day (by Amanda)

Laughter! And Malta! #3

A Post by Amanda. And Prison. #2

DnA Together Again! #1

Ting Ting *Ting