Video Blog

Matthew West - The Motions

Today I got an email saying they forgot to send me the addresses of the people who have helped make my trip to Niger possible. I spent an hour being quiet upset. I asked for the information months ago. I love writing Thank yous, I have been dying to do it. Now, I have one day before I leave, and just spent an hour wandering around Hobby Lobby to find the perfect things to make thank yous.

As I sit here and eat my Kraft Mac and Cheese, while writing thank yous, this song began playing. How beautiful our God can be. He's given all of the ability to do more than go through the motions. He gives us something to live for every single day. All of us have special passions and hearts to serve him however we can. For some, that's walking into a cafe and telling the waiter how awesome He is. For others, it involves working extra each week to give to his Works.

So thanks God for give me an ability to love writing Thank yous, or this could be a long night. And thanks to all of you for your continued support-- God gave you wonderful hearts.

Laughter is Key.

So these past few days have been pretty exciting here in Iowa.

My sister had her baby, Brant David. He's a blessing, and I'm glad he came a little early so I could meet him. Here are some funny quotes from that experience:

Braden (4 years old): "Hey, Ashie, the baby got out of Mommy's tummy! It didn't even explode Mommy's tummy! Come, look!"

Ryanne and Tyler got married. :) Everyone looked beautiful, and my date was pretty fantastic, too.

Curtis and I met our goal of taking 190 photos together.

When Curtis was in the UK, we set this silly goal of taking 190 photos together. We didn't know we would be *together* at that point, but we still met the goal. (Thanks to 4-H for making us goal setters as well as procrastinators.)

I have some free time to...

... catch up on Good House Keeping magazines.
... eat lunch and dinner with some important people I didn't get to see over the summer.
... drink some tea.
... bake.

I'm learning to laugh at small things and take God's gifts as life's beauties that we don't come across everyday. Staying with friends in Ames has been slightly stressful and living out of bags isn't the best, but I am excited to see three little kiddos in Niger very soon!

Flight Update

I am now flying out of Des Moines on September 1st at 9:10 AM. I will be spending the night in New York and arriving in Niger around 6:35 on September 4th.

Flight Information

Here is my flight information so everyone will be able to keep track of me. Keep me in your thoughts/prayers as Hurricane Irene comes in conflict with my flight(s). The times have changed a little, but otherwise, I'm guessing I will find out later if the flight is moved.

Aug 28th

7:00 AM DSM > 1:53 JFK (New York) DL 2666

(MSP layover DL 2038)

JFK 6:45 PM > Morocco 6:10 AM AT 201

Morocco > NIM Niamey 3:00 AM AT 543

Contact Information

If you want to send some kind prayers, thoughts, or messages while I am in Niger, my google number is 563-265-5374. You can call and text it just like a regular phone from your cell phone. The messages will come to my computer. I will also be checking kinkadea1@gmail.com and facebook. Skype and other voice calls via internet won't be the best option while I am in Maradi.

For those who love sending mail:
BP 250
Maradi 4000
NIGER

Oh, and the one thing I didn't get to do in Ames that I wanted....

Ride Cy-Ride (public transportation)

One Week

I will be on a flight to Niger in one week. One week. One week.

I have less than seven days before I leave for a wonderful journey to open my heart to another place of the world.

For the first time in awhile, I have honestly felt rushed. I have loved my summer of working for Extension and have learned many things... I'm still learning a lot about myself as i wrap up this last week, but it has been great to connect with a passion for youth development with others.

Even though I have felt rushed, it will be fine. My heart (and suitcase) are ready for this trip. My lack of time spent with my family, however, makes me grateful for the Christmas return.

I thought I would also take this time to clarify some things..

1. I have withdrawn from Central for the semester. I will be student teaching in the spring. I do not get credit for this opportunity, but it is still something I feel it worthwhile.

2. Curtis & I will be fine. Most people are excited to see us together, and we will just be taking a short separation. I consider it taking one for the team. :)

3. I'm quite confident I'm being led in a direction other than teaching in the public school system.

My day off!

After getting to see Kansas and the Doobie Brothers last night, I headed to Ames for my day off. Fair has been a blast, and it's a sad count-down until it's over. I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding job this summer. I have made fantastic friends, and had the chance to really figure out what my intended purposes are in life.

In 11 days, I will be flying out to Niger. I feel like this is sneaking up on me, but I have just been throwing stuff into the "Niger" pile in the back seat of my car until I have time to pack my actual bags.

I'm starting to see how much my life slowed down over the summer. I don't rush between things anymore and I take lots of time to process changes. As for the Niger trip, I am prepared, and my heart is more than ready, the timing is pushed, but a year ago this would have been normal. I have learned to enjoy small things and let others know what I find peace in.

Anyways, I haven't blogged for quite sometime, but I wanted to let everyone know I am alive and well! Look me up in the 4-H Building at the State Fair if you can! I'm off to the tractor pull with my family!