Here We Go!!!!!

Well Everyone,
Here we go! No one is more surprised or amazed that the ticker-thing on this blog says ZERO,-0- than me! I cannot believe how time flies. This past week I have been SO busy. Thank you to everyone that has had a hand in getting me on my way. Truly I would not be going without your help - which is why I say "here WE go" because I take all of you with me. I am heading to bed but wanted to just say goodbye for a short time. I will be traveling tomorrow afternoon thru Chicago, Brussels, and then on to LIBERIA!!! I will get to board the Africa Mercy sometime on Sunday evening. I will post on the blog as soon as I get settled and find my way.

As I prepare to head out I ask just one more thing - that you continue to pray for me! Pray that travel is as smoothe as travel can be, pray that I find my way, pray that I stay healthy.

I think I have probably said the word gratitude in almost every post. But, I cannot say it enough - I am filled with gratitude for EVERYONE that has supported me. Thank you for helping make my dream come true. Thank you for choosing to join me on this journey. I look forward to the adventure that awaits me. I am honored that God would allow me to be a part of His work. Thank you for joining me in this as well! Talk to you soon!

Thank you Beaumont Home Care

Well, God is so good and faithful...I am filled to overflowing with gratitude!! A huge thank you to my place of employment - Beaumont Home Care for your incredible support and encouragement. Yesterday my co-workers sent me off with a wonderful brunch and prayer time. Thank you chaplain Dennis Cole for your beautiful prayer. Thank you to all of my precious co-workers for rallying around me and supporting me. For praying for me, for encouraging me. Thank you for the VERY generous contribution to my Mercy Ship fund. All of your well wishes are appreciated. I will miss you all in the next few months - but I will be back soon. Each of you have played a part in getting me to Africa - thank you for sending me and I pray I represent you well.

So, my time of preparation is rapidly coming to an end and very soon I will get on a plane. I am spending these last days wrapping up final preparations and taking care of as many details as I can. I am heading to Grand Rapids this weekend - to say goodbye to my beloved West side friends. Also looking forward to a little rest and relaxation before I head out. Next week I am planning on final packing and spending time with my family - especially out on the lake fishing with my dad.

Krazy Karaoke at the Kubo...

What a wonderful and fun night at the Royal Kubo in Clawson. Last night was the Karaoke Fundraiser- and what a huge success!!! There are so many people to thank, I am filled with gratitude beyond words. I know you are probably tired of me saying that - but it is true. God's goodness has truly filled me to overflowing - because of you! Many many thanks to the amazing people at the Kubo, especially John (aka Paul) for taking such good care of us. We had a great night of food, drinks, plenty of karaoke and dancing. Thank you to the Kubo for your incredible generosity. For letting us make ourselves at home, for all the extras, and for cutting us a break. As I think of ALL the amazing things that happened yesterday - I could blog for days. But, I will spare you, and just share a few of the wonderful things that happened.

First of all, as of today I have exactly the amount needed to send me to Africa. It is an overwhelming feeling to know that God provides for us so well - through your generosity. It is truth that God loves and cares for us. When you step out in faith - God will more than meet your needs every time.

First, I must thank my precious girls who have supported me from the beginning of the whole Mercy Ship adventure. Thank you Jordon, Liv, Kate & Kendra for pulling this whole karaoke night together. For the planning, logistics, decor, ideas, etc. We all know I could not have done this without you!!! Thank you for believing in me and for supporting me in so many ways.

A BIG thank you to those of you who "worked" the event. No one worked the crowd better than MC Doug. With his cute hat and red tie - he was a true master of ceremonies and master of all rap songs that can be karaoked. Thank you to Kathy, Alli, Sarah, Tracy, Carrie & Virg for working the sign-in table, etc. Thank you Mark & Bart for all of your behind the scenes support. Also Alli & Dave for capturing all the great moments on camera. On second thought, once I see the pictures I might not be thanking you- but nevertheless I am grateful for capturing the memories.

And a huge thank you to the people out at the Waterford Hills race track. What an amazing story - my brother surprising me by fundraising on my behalf at the race track where he races his mustang. Thank you to the amazing people out at Waterford Hills Racing who raised over $1,100.00 on my behalf. Most of these people I do not even know - but I cannot wait to meet you when I return in August. Go to this link http://waterfordhills.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=4866#4866 to read the post my brother put on the Waterford Hills bulletin board that stirred the generosity of so many. I am blessed beyonds words that God gave me you for a brother, Bob!!

Also, there were two amazing stories of people coming all the way from Florida to join us at the Kubo last night. My parents friends Rose & Norm- I am proud to say they are now my friends as well. They live part time in Florida - and flew home early- changed their flight from Tuesday in order to be in town last night to be at the Kubo to surprise me. How amazing is that?? Who leaves Florida early to come to Michigan? Some wonderful people - that's who. And our beloved Kathy - who recently moved to Florida, but made it home to go camping with our small group and rock it out at the Kubo as well. Kathy thank you for coming home to us...even if it was just for a long weekend. Thank you for making this night very special by your presence.

And I cannot forget my amazing co-workers...all my nurse friends from Beaumont. I LOVE that you guys came and partied down...and some husbands too! Ok, so someone paid to get us to stop singing- but what fun it was while it lasted. Thank you Linda for making MORE jewelry and selling it too - and for bringing friends with you! I know we were all tired at work this morning - but it was worth it.

And a thank you also to the two guys sitting at the bar that were not a part of our "party". They contributed at least $20 to get some people to stop singing! The people of Africa thank you!!!

I do want to thank EVERYONE that came out to the Kubo. What a great night of fun and celebration. I love that we could come together to have so much fun and that in doing so we are loving people on another continent. By sending me to Africa, you are a huge part of God's love displayed to the people I will meet and care for while in Liberia. It takes a community of people to make things happen and I am so grateful to God for you!

Well, please stay tuned as I will post some pictures of the karaoke night - some pictures to surely make you laugh.

Love you all,
Jen

Pressing On...

Well, I can hardly believe that a dream of a lifetime is about to come to pass for me. I am excited, scared, excited, nervous, mostly excited and honored to get this opportunity. I feel like I have a lot of little things to get done in the next 3 1/2 weeks and then the real fun/challenge will begin. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me in so many ways. Especially my friend/co-worker Linda who has been making jewelry and selling it and contributing 100% of her profits to my mission. Thank you, Linda!!

This coming weekend is the blow-out karaoke/dance party fun fest fundraiser. I hope anyone and everyone can join us at the Royal Kubo!

This week I have also spent some time wrapping up some loose ends - reading my Mercy Ship info and all the fine print to make sure I haven't missed anything. Heading back to the Travel Health clinic one more time (hopefully).

I am looking forward to a short camping trip this weekend with my beloved girls of my small group. How wonderful to take a break from the hectic-ness that is going on right now to enjoy friends, nature, and have some time to be in solitude and prayer. Girls -I am looking forward to it!!!!!

Typhoid, Tetanus, and Yellow Fever too!!!

Hello friends,
Just checking in to let everyone know the progress of my trip preparations. I am now completely vaccinated against such things as Yellow Fever, Diphtheria, Pertusis, Menigitis...the list could go on and on :) Thanks to the Interhealth Travel Clinic at Beaumont for their knowledge and skills. I am now able to go almost anywhere in the world for the next ten years! Also this past week I have finalized my itinerary and purchased my plane tickets. So no turning back, which is a good thing because I am only getting more and more excited. The karaoke fundraiser events (one in Clawson and one in Grand Rapids) are also planned.
My thoughts over the past few weeks have been all over the map. I have been anxious, excited, worried, calm - all in a 24hr period. But mostly, I have this immense gratitude for everyone of my community of friends and family that are rallying around me to get me on my way. Also, my thoughts have been on the people of Liberia that I will get to work with. People that have endured years of civil war that has ended only within the past 5 years. People that are survivors on a level that I cannot even comprehend. I consider it a privilege and a gift to be able to serve them. Thank you also for being a part of serving Liberia with me. Jen

Wave of Gratitude...

Well it has been a long time since my last post. Thanks to my good friend Tracy, this blog has gotten a much needed makeover! I am filled with immense gratitude as the journey to the Mercy Ship has reached warp -speed. I have less than 2 months to go before I head out and so much to do. So, it is with a grateful heart that I say thank you to all of my friends, my family, my co-workers who have offered support, encouragement, and practical help. So many people are stepping up to the plate to make my dream a reality. I could not make this happen without you. I thank God that He allows us to join Him in the work that He is doing in this world, and I thank God for providing me with a community of people that have gathered around me to make this happen. Stay tuned for many more details and stories of my road to the Mercy Ship. Love, Jen

Diving In...

Well, here we go, ready or not...I am diving in. Diving in to the adventure that is the Mercy Ship. By now my entire world of friends and family, co-workers, acquaintances must surely know about me and Mercy Ships. However, if not here it is. I am on the edge of FINALLY realizing a long time dream of serving with the organization that is Mercy Ships. This organization is made up of ocean liner cruise ships that have been converted into hospital ships. They sail to third world countries offering hope and healing in practical ways of medical and surgical help. I hope to be setting sail on one of these ships - the Africa Mercy - sometime this year. For those of you who want to join me, I will be blogging regularly my steps in the journey to get me there. Stay tuned as we all await what God has in store for me.