" He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy" Job 8:21

Updates:
-Living in libertyville Il and working
- Grandma Kennedy recovering well; still in hospital with my mom helping grandpa
-broke off engagment to Junior
- researching possible missionary organizations in the Caribeean

SOOO if you hear of any exciting opportunities please let me know as I am praying God guides me to a place to serve!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

So it's been forever since I blogged,I guess not traveling doesn't allow for as many unusual updates. I am now living in Libertyville, IL and working part time at Lambs Farm (a residential for adults with developmental disabilities) and also as a nanny/babysitter with the fabulous family I worked for before leaving for missions. It seems a good opportunity to catch up on some finances and explore future options. I wont be home for christmas (so sad!) but mom and dad might stop in next weekend for a few days.

Haven't heard much news from YWAM Samoa; alot of the staff have left. I believe there is a focus on a dance team that would do outreach to other countries.

right now is to be connected with a church nearby. I wouldnt mind going to a few different churches if necessary but want to make sure that I am serving somewhere.

Merry Christmas everyone.... remember Jesus is the reason to celebrate, all year round actually....

Here is a picture of the pond from the window of my apartment (before snow and after).

Moving

So Good news all around- I got the part time job in Libertyville, just north of chicago, that will provide me with a free apartment. I also have an interview set with another company for another part time job. Am praying GOd continues to lead me where he wills....
I am also now LEGAL again and can drive. They extended the emissions and I am officially valid again, and my car registration is updated, and I have insurance (I find great joy in small things!)
I dont have orientation until the 26th which leaves me some extra time with family.
My newest deal: facebook on the internet. Its facinating to catch up with people I haven't talked to in years and wouldn't otherwise have a way to trace! Some are now married with new last names, with kids etc.... Its great!!

Sat- looks like Chicago

First of all my driver's license: Apparently while I was away they sent an emissions notice and in the state of chicago they can apparently suspend your license if you dont have it tested!! So I spent hours on the phone figuring out who to contact (believe it or not even the local police departments in a nameless suburb in Chicago couldn't tell me who to go to in order to figure out why it was suspended-that doesn't make any sense to me). Finally got it figured out, explained my out of the country situation and they gave me an extension. I should be legal by now, will check it later today.
In the meantime I had interviews on Monday in Chicago so mom drove me out. Despite complaints of traffic she had a good time. The interviews went well and I should know by middle of next week. Its just a part time job but offers a free apartment in exchange for some 'oncall' time, which would leave my day open to another part time job.
I also got to see my two godsons; jayden and josiah. Jayden is almost walking now and has a crazy head of hair. Josiah is talking very well and I can't believe what a big boy he is!! Six months during the life of a child under four is ALOT of change!
My newest time filler: facebook. Its addicting trying to track down old friends. If only my internet connection were better I could upload more pictures.
Anyways, so Im back in Iowa, just waiting for the green light , and if I dont get it IM back to square one in the job search!! God is good right?
Verse for today is from Galatians: I will boast in nothing but the blood of Christ. Really I see so many people trying to find their worth or purpose in their relationships, in their career, in their 'stuff', in their activities....but really it boils down to one thing: discipleship with Christ. All else in meaningless, just take atrip around the world and it will set it in stone for ya.
Have a great weekend!!

Kink in the plans...

Sooo after having a good time with Meg and Matt again (thanks for the hairdo meg) we hit a snaffooo. I am scheduled to be in CHicago On monday for some interviews, with the plan to drive on Sunday. However it was discovered that my drivers license is legally suspended!!! I had no idea. Id rather not go to jail so am now trying to find out why my license is suspended when Ive been out of the country for six months, and also Plan B for heading to Chicago. Prayers please :)

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!