Randomness is a part of life...

Directions: You have to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits or goals about you.

16. I never cooked before coming to Africa. I just thought I'd never like it. Now, I love it!
15. My dream job would be to be working in an orphanage somewhere, preferrably in a poverty-stricken place in Africa.
14. I love watching 18 Kids and Counting. I know people don't like this family for different reasons, but I honestly think it's refreshing to see a family that's not ashamed to talk about God on tv and who have good goals in life.
13. I was in college the first time I ate sour cream.
12. I love driving...just getting in the car and driving...no particular place in mind. That's why it's so hard here since I can't drive... :(
11. I've never been trick-or-treating...and it doesn't bother me...which is strange to some people...
10. My biggest fear in the world is that I'll never get married.
9. I don't know how to swim. Although...I did take one lesson at the Women's Retreat last week. So, I'm making a little progress.
8. I absolutely, positively LOVE cold weather! ...which is kind of funny, since I've NEVER lived anywhere that had really cold weather.
7. I want to learn how to play the violin.
6. I am about to start taking the Berean classes needed to get my Certified Minister's license with the A/G and I'm so excited about this!
5. I could never be a vegetarian.
4. I'm not a big fan of Obama, but I'm not going to bad mouth him.
3. Mosquitos seem to love me. There can be one mosquito in a room full of people and he'll zoom in on me. Grrr...
2. I love reading, but I have a hard time remembering what books are about...that's why I read a lot of books over and over again.
1. God has called me to be a missionary in Africa. I'm currently in Senegal (West Africa) teaching and ministering. I just feel so incredibly blessed that God trusted me with this gift of the call on my life. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me in the future.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is almost upon us. It is hard to believe that in a few days I'll have been in Senegal for 4 months. Where has the time gone? I have so many reasons to be thankful this year. Here's just a few (in no particular order)...

1) I serve an awesome God. I just love knowing that! :)
2) I am living/teaching/ministering in Africa. Wow! How absolutely positively amazing is that?!
3) I have the best group of students ever!
4) God has made my transition into life in Africa a good one. There have been minor bumps in the road, but nothing major. And I feel those minor bumps have made me better in the long run.
5) I have made some really good friends in the teaching and mission community here.
6) I have so many wonderful friends and family around the world that support me through love and prayer and encouragement.
7) My French is getting better each week. I have a wonderful French teacher. And I finally was able to carry on a whole conversation (more than just a few sentences) with her.
8) Somebody somewhere had the wonderful idea to invent Skype. This invention has not only saved me a lot of money, but has allowed me to stay in touch with my family and friends even while living thousands of miles away.
9) Cool season is finally here in Dakar. I am sooooo thankful for this one! :) This morning (Nov 24) was the first day that I said "I'm cold" since I've been here. Now, granted, that feeling didn't last all day, but it was wonderful and I was very thankful while it lasted. :)
10) I teach at a school where I'm able to freely talk about God and post scriptures on my wall. This is so wonderful and still brings a tear to my eye when I think about how great this is.

Now...what are some things you're thankful for this year?

Our Ticket in Life

This is a true story about something that happened to Corrie Ten Boom, the lady who protected and hid Jews in her home with her papa and sister, and was imprisoned in horrible concentration camps during the Hitler years.

As a small child, Corrie loved her papa. He was so kind and loving, and more jovial than the other members of the family. One day as Corrie sat on her papa's lap, she asked him, "Papa, what will I do someday, if a horrible trial comes to me? How will I handle it? I am afraid that something bad is going to happen to me, Papa."

Her papa said something like this: "Corrie, supposing I planned a train trip for you."

"Oh, papa! A train trip! How lovely!"

"Yes, but it is not time for the train trip yet. You will have to wait a few years, so I will not give you the ticket right now. You might lose it. When the time comes for your trip, darling, then I will give you the ticket. Until then, live for God and don't worry over things you can't control."

Just like this young version of Corrie, we are small children to our wonderful Father God. He knows when we are not ready to handle certain situations. He will make us ready in His time. He will give us the words to say when the right time comes. So don't worry, for the Holy Spirit will fill your mouth when that moment arrives. And this is your ticket, so to speak, to living for Christ. Each day has enough worries of it's own, Jesus says.

P.S. I got this from someone else, so I can't take total credit for this one. :)

Things I say now that a few months ago I would've never said...

Things I say now that a few months ago I would’ve never said…

1. I just bought some fruits and veggies. Let me get the bleach out so I can soak them.
2. Why’d I get ketchup and mustard packets with my pizza.
3. I’m walking to the store after I walk home from school.
4. Make sure you put filtered water in the ice trays, not straight faucet water.
5. I love going to Casino.
6. Hey – that person spoke English!
7. How do I tell the meat guy I do not want the head, feet, and other nasty internal nastiness in the bag with my chicken when he cuts it for me?
8. Can you translate this can of fruit for me?
9. Why do they keep milk on the shelf and not in the refrigerator?
10. I just paid $5.60 for a 2-liter bottle of diet pepsi and I don’t care. (only said this once)
11. I’m buying a liter of Obama.
12. I can make homemade spanish rice, salsa, sour cream, alfredo sauce, sloppy joe sauce, pizza sauce, etc.
13. She has a lot of kids in her class. She has 12.
14. How do you convert CFAs into US dollars?
15. I went to a dinner to help my new Canadian friends celebrate their Thanksgiving.
16. The smallest turkey, that will feed 3 to 4 people costs 20,000CFA (a little over $40.00).
17. How do you ask for a big bottle of water?
18. Cool season is almost here.
19. I miss driving.
20. Je voudrais un kilo viande hachee. (I would like one kilo (2.2lbs) of ground beef.)

October 2009

Welcome to the October Installment of The Elisabeth Chronicles.

~*~ Tales of My Third Graders ~*~

Student: Miss Nichols, I can't go to PE today.
Me: Why not?
Student: It's like 200 degrees out here and my brain's fried like french fries.
Me: Well, I think you'll be ok.
Student: Ok, but if my brain turns to mashed potatoes, it's not my fault.

Student: Miss Nichols, how old are you?
Me: I'm 24. Why?
Student: Wow! You're almost as old as Methuselah!

Student: Why did Bible men have two wives?
Me: Umm...Well...
Student: Well, I think it's crazy. I have two girlfriends and they drive me crazier than a cookie with no chocolate in it.

Me: Why aren't you swinging with the other kids?
Student: Back in my childhood, I liked to swing. But now that I'm old I don't like to anymore.
Me: *Thinking...He's 8 years old. When was his childhood?

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I have had the privilege of teaching my class for almost 3 months now. I am finally beginning to see their individual personalities and I am enjoying getting to know each of them. I love being able to share the word of God with these kids…some of which do not hear anything about God at home. It is truly a blessing to spend time with these 11 kids.

For the past month, I have been working one afternoon a week at Teen Bi (*bee*), a community center which teaches children English, art, music, etc., and also provides them with basic first aid and gives them time to play and have fun. I have mainly been assisting in the older girls’ class, teaching them English and crafts. These girls are so eager to learn. Even though my language skills are poor in French and non-existent in Wolof, I can still communicate the language of love. And that’s what makes a difference.

Some people have asked for a list of items that I need and want. So in this letter, I’ve included a wish list and an address for where cards and letters or packages can be sent to me. Please know I’m not sending this asking for these items. I’m just responding to what people have asked of me. Also, if you send a package, know that it’s typically cheaper to send one in a flat-rate U.S. postal box. If you have any questions about what can or cannot be sent or anything else, please let me know.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. This means so much to me. It’s so great to know that I have so many people “back home” and also abroad supporting me while I’m fulfilling the call God has placed on my life. When you pray, I ask that you specifically remember these things: 1) Pray for Senegal. This is a nation that is in desperate need of God. 2) Pray for all the missionaries in Senegal, working to further the kingdom of God. 3) Pray for Dakar Academy and its teachers and students. 4) Pray for me that I’ll continue to do and say all God wants me to. Also, pray that my French will improve.

If you already support me each month financially, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you do not, and would like to, please contact me at enichols85@gmail.com and I can tell you how to do so. Any donations you make would be tax-deductible.

May God Bless,
Elisabeth Nichols
enichols85@gmail.com

Elisabeth’s Wish List
You may send letters, cards, and packages to:
Elisabeth Nichols
Dakar Academy
B.P. 3189
Dakar, Senegal West Africa

Ziploc-type bags (all sizes – freezer and regular) – doesn’t have to be Ziploc bag (Dollar Tree brand is what I boughtJ)
Nuts – you can take them out of the can (if they’re canned) and put in Ziplocs to save weight/$$
Pepperoni
Yellow Mustard
Dried fruit
Candy (nothing that would melt too bad preferably)
Ranch dressing mix
Italian dressing mix
Seasoning packets (any kind)
Cocoa
Brownie/Cookie/Muffin mixes (usually smaller/weigh less)
Cornbread mixes
Packaged, microwaveable meals (those quick ones – nothing expensive)
Snack foods (nothing that would melt too bad preferably)
Individual packets of grits (I’m from the south and I love them…what else can I say?) JPop-Tarts (doesn’t have to be name brand – my favorite kind is the strawberry ones)
Stickers, pencils, or other small (cheap) toys to give as prizes to my students
Sticky notes (doesn’t have to be post-it brand – any brand is fine)
Lined, looseleaf paper
Cinnamon flavored gum
Note cards or stationery/envelopes (really any kind of paper/cards and/or envelopes)
Lead pencils (any size) and lead
Ink pens (I really like the SHARPIE brand ink pens and flair brand colored pens, but I would honestly be happy with any kind.)
Christmas time – candy canes
Chocolate chips
Peanut butter (I prefer crunchy, but either is fine.)
Kool-aid (any flavor) or flavored water packets
Jello and Instant pudding mixes
Clear Tape (any brand – doesn’t have to be scotch brand)
Books (no big preferences – except that they be clean and nothing sci-fi/mystery preferably)
Magazines (no big preferences)
Puzzle books
Holiday Decorations (inexpensive ones – wall decorations, plates/napkins, stickers, etc.)
Games (board games or card games – nothing expensive…just small to save on packing/$$)
T-shirts (adult XL) – clothes take a real beating here between the sun fading the fabric, and the harsh sand and water too
American stamps (There are always people going back to the US that can mail letters for us.)
Dvd’s or TV shows on dvd’s (I’m not hard to please… J If you’d like to see what I already have first, just ask…)
Cd’s (same as dvd’s/tv shows)
Itunes gift cards
Online Gift Certificates (I know Amazon.com ships overseas and many others do too…)

My Life in Shuffle Mode

1)Put your iPod on shuffle.
2)Write the first lines to each of the first 30 songs that play.
3)Post them here.
4)Make your friends guess the songs and artists.

1- You are the open door to freedom. You are the only hope I have.

2- Someday when my life has passed me by I'll lay around and wonder why...you were always there for me.

3- Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the sun does not appear, I will be here.

4- I see your mama and candles and tears and the roses I see your daddy walk his daughter down the aisle.

5- Where was the moment we needed the most? You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost.

6- Is it true today? That when people pray...cloudy skies will break, kings and queens will shake.

7- Did you forget...that I was even alive? Did you forget...everything we ever had?

8- I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time..

9- Almighty God...The Great I Am...Immovable Rock...

10- He became sin who knew no sin...that we might become His righteousness...

11- I can almost see it...that dream I'm dreaming, but there's a voice inside my head saying you'll never reach it.

12- I think it'd be much easier if I could see you...If only I had a face to put with the name I love...

13- The sun is shining everyday. Clouds never get in the way...for you and me.

14- Well she got her daddy's car and she cruised through the hamburger stand now...

15- The wind is moving, but I am standing still...a life of pages waiting to be filled.

16- Love is a burning thing...and it makes a fiery ring...

17- Wonderful, so wonderful...is your unfailing love. Your cross has spoken mercy over me.

18- I've been hearing voices telling me that I can never be what I want to be...

19- Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning? And who told the ocean you can only come this far?

20- Head under water...and they tell me to breathe easy for a while...Breathing gets harder. Even I know that.

21- Come fly with me. Let's fly. Let's fly away.

22- I am unwritten...can't read my mind. I'm undefined.

23- He was a boy. She was a girl. Can I make it any more obvious?

24- There are days...when I feel...the best of me is ready to begin...

25- At twenty years of age, I'm still looking for a dream...A war's already waged for my destiny.

26- She spins and she sways to whatever song plays without a care in the world.

28- I probably shouldn't say this, but at times I get so scared...when I think of the previous relationship we shared.

29- I got chills! They're multiplying. And I'm losing control...

30- This is the life I've always wanted...to know the Prince of Peace...and to feel my faith restored...