It's been awhile since I've written on my blog. . . okay, so it's been more than awhile since I've written on my blog, it's been a year! It's not that I haven't had stories to share . . . for crying out loud, I got married last June. I think that I haven't written because I forgot about my blog and because I figured my stories weren't exciting any more. Granted, the stories I had to tell from Nigeria were exciting, out of the ordinary, fun to write and I hope entertaining to read, but i sadly no longer live in Nigeria, and that doesn't mean that all of my life is boring now. (If you didn't get a chance to write my blog while I was in Nigeria check out some of the posts in my archive below. I guarantee there are some funny stories and great pictures!)
Anyways, my newest adventure besides getting married, working at Richmond Beach Coffee Company and becoming an aunt is signing up for the Seattle Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon!! For those of you new to the running world, a half marathon is 13.1 miles . . . I don't know about those crazy people who run full marathons! 13 miles is plenty for me. Sarah, a friend and co-worker is undertaking this crazy adventure with me! After coming up with the idea of running the race, we decided that if we are going to spend this much time training we had better make it worth more than just a crazy thing for us to do. So we decided to make our half a fundraiser for World Vision.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Since I have spent time in Ethiopia, The Dominican Republic and Nigeria this is right up my alley. I have seen poverty and injustice up close and know what a real problem it is in this World and even for some of my friends across the globe. Therefore we are asking any of you who can to make a small donation to our race, to help raise money for World Vision. You can donate on our World Vision Team page by clicking on the link on the right hand side of the page, labeled Donate to Jamie and Sarah's Half Marathon. If you are unable to donate at this time, we would love you to pray for us as we train for the half marathon . . . so day's it's hard to run! :) Thanks for your donations and prayers! Together we can all make a difference!
"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other and each of us needs all the others." Romans 12:4
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Information about our wedding!
Who: Jamie and Sean
When: June 6th 2009 1:30pm
Where: St. Luke Parish
322 North 175th Street
Shoreline, WA 98133
Map Quest Link to St. Luke's Parish:
*Reception to follow ceremony in St. Luke Auditorium
Jamie and Sean are registered at Macy's, Target and REI:
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Find joy in the "Normal"
It has sure been a while since I have posted a blog . . . life just doesn't seem quite as exciting here at home as it did when I was in Jos . . . sure aren't as many unbelievable stories to write about! :)
Even though the stories might not be as exciting, there are a lot of new things going on in my life and God is continuing to teach me every step of the way.
I have been studying Matthew lately, and the words in Matthew 11:28 have really helped me remember to find joy all of the time, and allow God to be in control.
Wedding planning is sure an adventure of it's own . . . we are learning more and more about each other each day. We are learning how we each make decisions (or don't make decisions), how we relax, how to communicate better and many other fun things! :) We have been blessed by wonderful friends and family who are more than willing to lend a hand in the planning, so I don't feel like I have had to do hardly anything at all!
Along with wedding planning I have been working at our local coffee shop. What a blast it has been to see old friends and customers and have the opportunity to share with then how God is working in Nigeria. People are always so interested and love to share their stories with me once I share a little bit with them! I have been able to meet people from all over the World, even a man from the town in Ethiopia I worked in several years ago.
Along with sharing my adventures in Nigeria with my customers at the coffee shop, I recently was able to speak after Mass at St. Luke! It was wonderful, to share pictures and stories with so many people! That experience opened up the door for me to be able to speak in a class at St. Luke this coming week!
Along with speaking in the classroom this week about Nigeria, tomorrow I will be speaking at my brother's Church in Bellingham! I was blessed with the opportunity to share with them before I left, so I am really looking forward to reconnecting with people and being able to share with them, how their prayers and support worked.
If you could please keep me in prayer as I speak this week that would be wonderful!
Even though the stories might not be as exciting, there are a lot of new things going on in my life and God is continuing to teach me every step of the way.
I have been studying Matthew lately, and the words in Matthew 11:28 have really helped me remember to find joy all of the time, and allow God to be in control.
"Then Jesus said, come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light."
Wedding planning is sure an adventure of it's own . . . we are learning more and more about each other each day. We are learning how we each make decisions (or don't make decisions), how we relax, how to communicate better and many other fun things! :) We have been blessed by wonderful friends and family who are more than willing to lend a hand in the planning, so I don't feel like I have had to do hardly anything at all!
Along with wedding planning I have been working at our local coffee shop. What a blast it has been to see old friends and customers and have the opportunity to share with then how God is working in Nigeria. People are always so interested and love to share their stories with me once I share a little bit with them! I have been able to meet people from all over the World, even a man from the town in Ethiopia I worked in several years ago.
Along with sharing my adventures in Nigeria with my customers at the coffee shop, I recently was able to speak after Mass at St. Luke! It was wonderful, to share pictures and stories with so many people! That experience opened up the door for me to be able to speak in a class at St. Luke this coming week!
Along with speaking in the classroom this week about Nigeria, tomorrow I will be speaking at my brother's Church in Bellingham! I was blessed with the opportunity to share with them before I left, so I am really looking forward to reconnecting with people and being able to share with them, how their prayers and support worked.
If you could please keep me in prayer as I speak this week that would be wonderful!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Come See!!!
This weekend after the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses at St. Luke's I will be sharing about our Ministry in Nigeria with long-term Missionary Erin Rigsby!! Come ask questions and see pictures!! We would love to share with you!
St Luke Parish
322 N 175th Street
Shoreline, Wa 98133
Hope to see you there!!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
She said Yes!! :)
Although I am home from Nigeria, the adventure hasn't ended, it has just changed a bit. The adventure no longer involves driving down muddy roads, or navigating the busy market place, hiking mountains with orphans kids, or living with constant political tension. Instead, it now involves learning how to communicate clearly, learning how to make decisions with another person, learning how to put someone elses needs way before your own, navigating the commercialism of our society and seeking God's direction for the next steps in my life . . . Preparing for marriage is definetely an adventure of it's own!!
Sean proposed the Saturday after Christmas during a hiking trip up Rattle Snake Ridge, one of our first date spots. We hiked to the top of the ridge, in the snow and the rain . . . and boy were were soaked and cold when we arrived at the top! So after getting down on his knee and proposing, we took a photo and ran down the hill as fast as we could to warm up!! :) It was fun, and a good Sean and Jamie story!! Here are a few pictures from that day . . . as you can see we were pretty wet!! We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we embark on this adventure of marriage togther!
Sean and I are now offically engaged!! Yay!! :) This is a huge adventure, and one that I am so excited for (even with it's huge challenges)! Each day I wake up and am so thankful that God has put this amazing man into my life. A man who loves me so unconditionally, who supports me no matter what, who is so patient and kind, who is full of life and energy and fun, and a man who is has such a humble heart. I know that it is God loving me through Sean, and I am so grateful for that love.
Now, we had talked about getting married for awhile, but decided that it was best if we waited until I got back from Nigeria to get engaged, to see how God directed us individually for the six months apart and see what God did our relationship during that time apart. As difficult as those six months were, neither one of us would trade them for anything. Our relationship was challenged and strengthened in ways that it wouldn't have been otherwise. We learned to communicate more clearly and in new ways, and were challenged to give all control over our future to God, hard lessons, but good ones. So we waited until I got back to make that committment . . . a whole 3 days after I got home :) (I think somone was excited! :)
Sean proposed the Saturday after Christmas during a hiking trip up Rattle Snake Ridge, one of our first date spots. We hiked to the top of the ridge, in the snow and the rain . . . and boy were were soaked and cold when we arrived at the top! So after getting down on his knee and proposing, we took a photo and ran down the hill as fast as we could to warm up!! :) It was fun, and a good Sean and Jamie story!! Here are a few pictures from that day . . . as you can see we were pretty wet!! We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we embark on this adventure of marriage togther!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Home . . . is where the heart is?!?!?
If it’s true that home is where the heart is, then I have a lot of homes. My heart isn’t just in Seattle anymore; a huge part of it is definitely in Nigeria. Although I have really enjoyed my time at home so far, especially the time I have been able to spend with my family and friends I really miss my family and friends in Nigeria. I spent a few hours sorting through photos today, trying to pick out which ones I am going to print and boy that is a challenging task. I love all of my photos, because each photo is so much more than a photo to me, it is a memory of someone and some place that I deeply love.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in a steal. Store your treasures in Heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there you heart and thoughts will also be.”
– Matthew 6:19-21
Monday, January 5, 2009
On the way home . . .
Friends and Family,
I apologize for my delay in updating my blog . . . I have had many people asking if I am going to keep my blog update even though I am home and the answer to that is YES! Although it seems like I have been home for a long time already (since so much has happened), I have only been home for a week and a half . . . that is CRAZY to realize . . . so in short I am still slowly adjusting to life back home. I have plenty more to say about adjusting back into this western culture and believe me that will all come soon, but I have left out a very important part of my trip home . . . my time in Bosnia!! So before I update you on my adjustment and how things are at home and what my future plans are and all of that good stuff, I need to share with you a bit about my time in Bosina . . .
As most of you know, before heading back to the states I flew through Europe and met up with one of my best friends Jessica who is doing two years of mission work in Bosnia . . . Bosnia?!? You might say . . . well yes, Bosnia. Jessica has always had an interest in this area of the World and during college she had the opportunity to travel to Bosnia several times. During these trips, God developed a deep passion and love for this country and the people, and now God has called her back to minister to college students.
Similarly to Nigeria, Bosnia is a country of contrasts. Sitting in a nice warm coffee shop, decorated with Christmas lights and sipping on a cup of coffee (what EVERYONE in Bosnia does) you can look out the window and see a bombed out abandoned building left from the war. Although life goes on normally each day, walking down the street you have to avoid the holes in the sidewalk that were left from when the city was shelled . . . Despite the tangible reminders of the horrible things that happened to the people of this beautiful city, the people keep right on living.
I so enjoyed getting to meet the students in the English classes Jessica is helping with and meeting the students at the church Jessica is working with. They are all full of life, funny and thoughtful. I loved getting to go to coffee with all of them and trying out all of the wonderful Bosnian food with them! I ate a lot of great food! J Besides eating a lot and drinking a lot of coffee, we also went up to the mountains where the Olympics were held and explored the very culturally diverse city. The city is beautiful, with all the cobblestone streets and little coffee shops and restaurants tucked away in the corners.
What a gift it was from God to have the opportunity to go and visit Jessica. It was a good transitional period for me. It was really helpful to have a friend who knew me so well asking me questions and helping me process my time in Nigeria, especially after such an intense ending. It was also great to have a first hand experience of what Jessica is doing so that I can pray for her better and support her better from far away. I would have NEVER in my life thought I would ever fly to Bosnia . . . but God always has different plans! And I am ever glad that he does because his plans are so much greater than mine would be!
Please be praying for Jessica that God would continue to encourage her and direct her ministry, and also be praying that the Holy Spirit would light a fire in the hearts of the people in the Church of Bosnia!
I apologize for my delay in updating my blog . . . I have had many people asking if I am going to keep my blog update even though I am home and the answer to that is YES! Although it seems like I have been home for a long time already (since so much has happened), I have only been home for a week and a half . . . that is CRAZY to realize . . . so in short I am still slowly adjusting to life back home. I have plenty more to say about adjusting back into this western culture and believe me that will all come soon, but I have left out a very important part of my trip home . . . my time in Bosnia!! So before I update you on my adjustment and how things are at home and what my future plans are and all of that good stuff, I need to share with you a bit about my time in Bosina . . .
As most of you know, before heading back to the states I flew through Europe and met up with one of my best friends Jessica who is doing two years of mission work in Bosnia . . . Bosnia?!? You might say . . . well yes, Bosnia. Jessica has always had an interest in this area of the World and during college she had the opportunity to travel to Bosnia several times. During these trips, God developed a deep passion and love for this country and the people, and now God has called her back to minister to college students.
Similarly to Nigeria, Bosnia is a country of contrasts. Sitting in a nice warm coffee shop, decorated with Christmas lights and sipping on a cup of coffee (what EVERYONE in Bosnia does) you can look out the window and see a bombed out abandoned building left from the war. Although life goes on normally each day, walking down the street you have to avoid the holes in the sidewalk that were left from when the city was shelled . . . Despite the tangible reminders of the horrible things that happened to the people of this beautiful city, the people keep right on living.
I so enjoyed getting to meet the students in the English classes Jessica is helping with and meeting the students at the church Jessica is working with. They are all full of life, funny and thoughtful. I loved getting to go to coffee with all of them and trying out all of the wonderful Bosnian food with them! I ate a lot of great food! J Besides eating a lot and drinking a lot of coffee, we also went up to the mountains where the Olympics were held and explored the very culturally diverse city. The city is beautiful, with all the cobblestone streets and little coffee shops and restaurants tucked away in the corners.
What a gift it was from God to have the opportunity to go and visit Jessica. It was a good transitional period for me. It was really helpful to have a friend who knew me so well asking me questions and helping me process my time in Nigeria, especially after such an intense ending. It was also great to have a first hand experience of what Jessica is doing so that I can pray for her better and support her better from far away. I would have NEVER in my life thought I would ever fly to Bosnia . . . but God always has different plans! And I am ever glad that he does because his plans are so much greater than mine would be!
Please be praying for Jessica that God would continue to encourage her and direct her ministry, and also be praying that the Holy Spirit would light a fire in the hearts of the people in the Church of Bosnia!
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