The 'itch'

So its here again... the itch to keep moving on. 'on the road again.....' Only this time I dont have a place to go yet!!! Im still praying about moving either to Chicago or Colorado Springs but as of yet do not have a confirmation on a place to live.... But having been home one month now it's time to start working. Its a weird position to feel like I have numerous options available to me but without money it's not easy to just jump into one (always good to be wise). The only place I REALLY want to be is back in the islands but that will have to wait!

I was able to present a brief overview of my time in Samoa last Sunday during my church's Sunday School hour. Showed some pictures, how to tie a lavalava, answered questions about the lizards.... It was really good. I wish there more time because there's so much to say about a six month experience but hopefully they've been able to check out the blog every once in a while too. Its nice to have this record cause Im not very good at taking the time to journal.

Ive always wondered.... "Love covers a multitude of sins". Does that refer just to my sins being covered? Or does that also mean that MY love has the power to cover someone elses' sins? Ultimatly Im sure it refers to Christ's love and sacrifice for us and the freedom found in that but it makes me curious as to if we are missing out on something BIG in our communities (families, churches etc) by not grabbing hold to that concept enough- and extending our grace onto each other.

My other topic for today: gossip. Its so deadly. Its like poison- it may stay under wraps for a moment but pretty soon the effects are felt all over the BODY. And in the case Im speaking of the body is actually the Body of Christ. Taming the tongue truly is one of the most difficult things for most of us and Im not surprised the Bible talks about it often, refering to it as a double edged sword. Having felt the negative effects of gossip it makes me sit back and watch my own tongue. If its not edifying or truly out of a genuine concern than there is no need to be talking about others. I pray I can find that balance in my life too. And forgive those who are on the same journey!! (love covers a multitude of sins right?)

Hopefully next time I blog Ill have GOOD NEWS about where I am heading.....

spending a few days with sister Meg and brother in law Matt! Right now hanging at the PD (police department). Enjoying time resting and catching up , some more, with them! And of course continuing to send out resumes!

Since I missed Matt and Meg's anniversary (ONE YEAR WOOHOO)- here is a shout out! and a big congrats!

Friday Oct 19

Just a quick update: I MISS THE ISLANDS!! Its absolutly wonderful having visited all my family. I spent a few days with the Kennedys and the highlight was helping grandpa pick pears off his pear tree. I will get to see a high school friend tonite and it will be good to catch up. Otherwise I feel a bit caught in a dilema. Do I return to what I know, who I was by returning to Chicago (despite not having housing). Or do I start over? And if I start over do I do it close to relatives, or start again in a new state? Obviously prayers would be helpful so God can open some doors for me. Any suggestions on cheap phone minutes to call Samoa would also be helpful! :)

Time in Iowa

A few shots of Iowa landscape:

The past few days Ive felt blessed to be able to serve. I enjoyed babysitting for a couple boys that I used to while I was in high school, so seeing them be 'young men' now was so much fun. Boys are terribly energetic but also lots of laughs. Ive been down visiting grandparents the past day and we've enjoyed catching up. Today I helped out at a clothes pantry (organizing, setting up, sorting) with grandma (she volunteers) and mom. Above are some pictures of setting up the clothes we sorted. We should be returning to Belmond tomorrow after visiting my uncle. Also picked up the classifieds from Des Moines to look at when I get home ! Yikes....

Recent

Matt (brother-in-law) with dad getting ready for the gun education outreach the next day. The guns were 'big', like I've only seen on TV. They had a good turnout!




Reuniting with my 'pawppy' Ricky.











Megan in the 'lavalava' I gave her

Friday

Well I still have jet lag and my body hasn't quite figured out how to get its usual sleep and stay on schedule. Im still working on trying to upload pictures and figure out the cheapest way to make copies. Yesterday a couple from church invited mom and I to go out to eat (dad had a meeting) and what a blessing it was to have steak and potatoes! Good ol' american food! I drank too much pop last night though and couldn't sleep, my body is not used to so much caffeine and sugar (mom had to make chocolate chip cookies for my return!). Last night I almost got up to open a window cause Im used to sleeping with fresh air and the coolness of night (my guess is it would have been too cool!!). Mom comments on my tan which is funny because I always felt so WHITE compared to the islanders! Ill probably update the blog again after this weekend and Matt's gun seminar (we girls have going to have 'girl' time). ~alissa

Im back in America!

Being back in America means culture shock, the other way! My flights were good except i did not sleep, even on the NINE hour one (nine some hours to Los Angeles and then another three some to Minneapolis)! So once I got home I slept at least ten hours.... Went up to the base to say my goodbyes on Monday before flying out. The new DTS has started with at least ten or twelve students. Lots of changes still going on with staff changes etc... It was hard to say goodbyes. I will miss the island culture. Once I stepped off the plane in Minneapolis I realized I was back to the coolness of the midwest. My parents were there to great me and I had to remind myself i didn't have to share ALL my stories with them in one night! Ive been sharing some of my island music, some pictures, stories to my parents while doing laundry. Already talk of me going to a job fair next week. I get to see my sister and brother in law, Matt and Meg this weekend as Matt is coming up to do a gun education thing at my church (outreach).

One more week!

My ticket is purchased and I will be leaving one week from today-- Monday Oct 2. I will be heading up to the base at the end of the week to say my goodbyes . Not looking forward to a 9.5 hour flight to LA and then another 3 hours to minneapolis. Thanks for the prayers for my travel!! ...~alissa

New week

So the new week has begun... Ive been sick the past few days (cold/cough)and have spent a lot of time just 'resting'. I must admit I get bored. The household should quite down tonite because the Fijian ministry team that has been here returns home tonite. We will miss them though. My guess is that I will be in Samoa for another two weeks before being able to head home and am comparing prices (EXPENSIVE). Trying to make the most out of being a 'tourist' (Without spending alot of money) . Hmmm Ive been thinking about Souvenirs to bring back...how do you capture an entire culture and adventure in one item? Ha! I feel I am starting to close the door to this chapter and looking ahead to the next one. Things are slowing down a bit now the South Pacific Games are officially over. It was great seeing so many cultures in one place and even hearing french (New Caledonia). I am starting to feel my thoughts go to "This may be the last time I eat... or This may be the last time I go to....". Funny things too - like Ill miss 'breadfruit', and taking taxis everywhere for cheap, and wearing Lavalavas (and going barefoot) etc... Once Im home my goal will be to rest and visit family/friends the first few weeks back and then start working until after Christmas time. Hopefully I will have more pictures and touristy info next time I write. Here is an overview of where some of the other students are after graduation:
Sai and Liti - stayed in Australia for two months in order to fundraise to send them to Asia for missions
Vinepa- back at home here in Samoa
Nuu- back at home, he is looking into opportunities to travel to New Zealand or elsewhere in the future
Jennifer- after a week of goodbyes she is flying back to the US tonite and will be working for YWAM in Colorado
Ameto- Back at home here in Samoa, think he wants to work before travel/missions
Solepoi- working at the base as base staff and looking ahead to being in Australia in one year
Akuila - working with the YWAM base until the next ministry option (australia, usa?? who knows)
Me- two more weeks in Samoa and then heading to the USA to work before off for the next adventure

Graduation!

Me dancing the Kia Kaha, a warrior song about being strong and curious, steadfast in the Lord.

Below: The graduating ladies: Jennifer, Alissa and Vinepa (stage was on dining room in background)

Finally graduated from the DTS at YWAM SAMOA!! WOOHOO. Here are just a few pictures, we dressed up in our "uniforms" because we danced two numbers. Graduation was basically a quick speaker, some worship, handing out diplomas, prayer over the students and then a series of island dances done by us, the base staff and a few guests. It was fun!

Another trip to Savaii

The picture below is of the beautiful beach in Manase, the town we stayed at in Savaii. I have never seen such diverse and bright colors in the water. The second is of me in front of one of our fales. (under the coconut tree...)

Back to Samoa

We arrived safely back from our stay in Emerald yesterday, the drive was terribly LONG. We stopped at a zoo on the way back so I can say I saw a Koala in Australia, just not in live action. Although when we got back to the base I found out there was one out in the tree behind where I am staying while we were gone and they had to call animal control. Wonder why God didn't wait another day for that one? And imagine Ive come down with a bad head cold. In fact I can't remember the last time I had a cold this bad. I slept eleven hours last night and the director here, Waqa, informed me that I had big black bags under my eyes so it was good that I slept. Unfortuntaly the leaders, against my wishes, made the decision not to allow me to perform during our last presentation in Emerald due to my sickness. What a disapointment! Im ready to be done with the outreach, and am looking forward to the next season in life, whatever that will be!! Right now I hop on the plane again tomorrow and fly into Samoa. I guess our graduation should be the following day. After that I plan on staying in Samoa a bit and catching up on all the tourist things that I couldn't do while in school. I imagine Ill be able to get to the internet shop in Apia by the weekend since they are a day behind us and update everyone. Sorry for the lack of details lately... it seems my time on the computer is limited!

Yeeehaw

So today we spent our first day in 'emerald' after a TEN HOUR drive yesterday (praise the lord we made it) and we almost ran into about eight kangaroo but god was faithful to us and our bumpers. This morning we had prayer at the botanical gardens. they have some interesting plants- one looks like a vase, with a big bottom then like a palm tree on top. We are oging again tomorrow so i might bring my camera. This afternoon we went to a REAL live Ranch. Complete with horse back riding (two of the fijians it was for the first time). Akuila rides bare back at home (and bare foot) so this was the first time for him to ride with a saddle. They cookedus stew and dumplings on the fire. on the way home we almost hit kanga, porcupine and possum . it was all in all a good day. I also found it a bit strange that their ten year old son was describing D Day to me and even brought out a book he's reading about the british and american troups. I honestly think he knew more about it than i did! This is what I imagined aussie to be--- lots of nothing, ranches that go on for hundreds of acres, lots of trees, a few rives, kangaroos. we must me quite a ways in land. Gotta run to bed, thanks for checking in, more adventures ahead Im sure! "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -- John 14:27

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More pictures

Meaghan and Pisa's wedding; both from Brisbane YWAM Base (Pisa Fijian and Meaghan Australian)

Traditional island dance, Island Breeze performers (at the wedding)

Solepoi and myself at a barbeque hosted by John's (from Brisabane YWAM) aunt and uncle

Aborigine church, some of the children before we performed our items

Pictures

Group shot in Kyogle in front of a mural in town, before we ran the kids program at church for the Aborigines

Us before Leadership Training Conference (La, myself, Akuila, Sova, Liti in the back)