The Big 2-5

1. I was born in Greensboro, Alabama...the same place as the character Forrest Gump. :)
2. I played one year of t-ball and was a peewee cheerleader for one year. I hated both.
3. I worked at a vet's office for almost 5 years and I loved it!
4. I watch the movie, Sweet Home Alabama, about once a week. I can quote it now.
5. I have a hard time memorizing things. ...scripture verses, test information, etc.
6. ...but I can always remember birthdays and phone numbers. In fact, I remember my phone number from when I was in Kindergarten.
7. I've flown lots of times, but I get really nervous checking in at the airport. I can't calm down until I get to my gate. I'm just so afraid something will happen...they'll lose my reservation, they'll change my gate at the last minute, something...
8. I really want to go skydiving.
9. I really want to ride a bull. Why? I guess it's an adrenaline thing. ...although I think I should probably start with a mechanical one.
10. My biggest fear in the world is that I'll never get married. ...what's funny, is I know that God specifically said that I'd work with my husband on the mission field...to me and someone else. But still...
11. I like regular coke and diet pepsi. I do not like regular pepsi or diet coke.
12. I am absolutely terrifed of going to the dentist. I dread the time leading up to going. I dread being at the office. But once he's done cleaning my teeth, I love it and always wonder why I dreaded it.
13. I'm almost 25 years old and I've only dated one guy.
14. When I was little, I dreamed of becoming Miss America. I'd watch any pageant that came on tv. Then I grew up and realized why that'd never be a reality. :)
15. I love lively debates/conversations. ...but I refuse to get involved in one myself unless it's something that I 1)feel strongly for and 2) can actually have enough facts to back myself up with.
16. I write/type a To Do List every night and email it to myself to check at work the next morning.
17. I hate touching raw meat, eggs, and anything slimy like those things... I love eating them cooked though. :)
18. I've lost 30 lbs since coming to Dakar. Yay! ...I'm a little worried about the temptation of fast food and mountain dews and all kinds of other yummy American foods I'll be presented with this summer when I'm in the States.
19. I hate talking on the phone!
20. I love being from Alabama. I absolutely love it! And I really hate it when people criticize my state.
21. I've dislocated my knee twice. ...same knee...both times in July...exactly 5 years apart. Hopefully, that won't be a trend starting.
22. I spent my 18th birthday in the orthopedic surgeon's office...who was absolutely HORRIBLE. If you want to know why, just ask and I'll tell you.
23. I failed my driver's test twice. I guess the saying, Third time's a charm, rang true for me.
24. When my brother got married and moved out, I cried myself to sleep the first few nights because I missed him so much.
25. There's this one dream that I keep having over and over again. ...5 times to be exact. And I really hope it comes true!

Keep the Candle Burning

I've had a great day. I woke up to the AMAZING smell of roast, carrots, and potatoes cooking in the crock pot. I went to church where I felt God ministering to me from the beginning of worship to the end of the sermon. I came home and had 3 friends over for dinner and received compliments on my food. I went driving on the highway for the first time (in a standard) and did pretty well (except for that darn 3rd gear...). :) And then I started working on some grad school work...which was actually interesting and not boring for a change. I felt great. I felt like this was a great day.

Then... I tried Skyping my parents, but they weren't home. I made a few calls about setting up services for this summer and came up with a bunch of answering machines or no answers at all. I hit the cut on my finger, causing it to break open, and then I got vinegar in it. OUCH! I could go on and on, but there's no point...

The reason I'm writing this is to say that I was having a great day and then a few little things got me discouraged. That's how the devil works. The devil is not happy when Christians are happy. Therefore, he'll use any means necessary to erase that happines...hence, my discouragement.

But Praise the Lord, He's still in control of my life and the minute those thoughts of discouragement set in, God reminded me of an older song by Point of Grace...Keep the Candle Burning. One of the verses says...

When you're down and you're discouraged...When the darkness clouds your view...You've got to gather up your courage...You know the Lord is gonna see you through.

That's a promise we have in the Lord. And I, for one, am so grateful of that promise.

Talibes

http://allafrica.com/stories/201004150114.html

Read this article to find out about the Talibe boys I see everyday begging for money and food. The stories behind these boys just breaks my heart. Why does this go on? Why isn't something done to stop it?

#44 -- Check

#44 on my 101 in 1001 list was...Make a new Life Goals list.

I made a Life Goals list in Sunday School about 4 or 5 years ago. It was a list of 10things I wanted to accomplish before I died. I thought it'd be a good idea to make a new one, since 1) I lost the first list and 2) I've changed quite a bit in that time, so my goals are different too. So, now for your reading pleasure... Here are my life goals (in no particular order).

1. Visit Europe. (done)
2. Visit Africa. (done)
3. Graduate with my teaching degree. (done)
4. Become a teacher. (done)
5. Fall in love.
6. Get married.
7. Become a mommy.
8. Live in Africa with my husband and family doing what God's called us to do.
9. Work in/run an orphanage somewhere in Africa.
10. Do what God wants me to do with my life.

Driving and God

I learned to drive when I was 15. I remember riding around the parking lot at the church with my mom, learning the basic skills needed to drive an automatic. I loved driving! I was so happy when I got my learner's permit and I would beg my mom to let me drive her to the store, to the school, anywhere just so I could drive. I loved it when I saw my schedule 10th grade year and saw it had Driver's Ed. on it. I thought I was in Heaven. I could go to school and drive there too! It was awesome! When I turned 16, my mom took me to get my driver's license. The third time’s the charm, right? After the third attempt, I finally possessed that wonderful card. After an unsuccessful attempt (due to my inherited strong will and occasional stubbornness) at learning to drive a standard from my dad, I decided I would stay in my comfort zone, and only drive automatics. I knew automatics. I knew they were easy. Life would be simple.

Then…

God called me to Africa. …more specifically, to Senegal, the land of non-automatic cars. Upon arrival, I realized that my choosing to not learn how to drive a standard created a problem. I would have to become dependent on others. If I wanted or needed to go anywhere farther than my legs could take me, I’d have to ask someone to take me. And I did that. I would either wait until someone was going that way or if I absolutely had to, I’d ask someone to drive me somewhere. It’s hard asking for help. It’s hard going from being totally independent to being totally dependent. Plus, my biggest stress reliever used to be getting in the car and driving…with no particular destination even in mind. …just get away from it all. And here, I can’t do that. I’m out of my comfort zone. And let me tell you…it’s hard sometimes.

But then…

A friend offered to take me for a driving lesson here. On the one hand, I was excited. I would finally start learning how to drive a stick. But on the other hand, I was nervous. What if I messed up? What if I couldn’t handle using a clutch? What if I stalled out? What if I got nervous while driving? What if I got frustrated? What if…and the list went on. The day (today) came. And you know what… I messed up quite a few times. I kept forgetting to push the clutch all the way in. I stalled out twice. And I did get nervous and frustrated with myself at times. But all in all, I did ok. I wouldn’t say great by any means, but I did ok. And I didn’t totally freak out my “teacher” …probably only just a little. :)

So…

My point is this… Sometimes we get stuck in a rut. We get stuck in our comfort zones, where everything is easy and comfortable. And we just stay where we are. We don’t try new things because *gasp* it might be hard. We only drive automatics because they’re easy. :)

But…

That’s not always what God wants. I truly believe that God wants us to (in the words of some song) step out of our comfort zones into the unknown. We need to learn to rely on God. And sometimes that means doing things that are a little “scary” or “nerve-racking” (like driving a stick). So, my second point is... Don’t get stuck at a point in your life where you feel that life is going to easily and perfectly that you don’t need to rely on God. Always rely on God. Always put your trust in Him. Never become so confident in yourself that you lose confidence in Him.

Here I am not long after I got my license, driving my first car (an automatic, of course.)

Here I am learning to drive a stick for the first time -- at the "Cow Crossing." :)

101 in 1001

A lot of people are doing this 101 in 1001 blog, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and do it too. :) All you do is make a list of 101 things you plan to do in 1001 days and then blog about your adventure(s) completing your list. I'll be blogging about mine at http://elisabeth101in1001.com if you want to check it out. I will, however, post my list on here...just to show you what my plans are...

1. Start a new blog solely for this list & 1001 photo journal.
2. Make a web timer thing for the blog for completing this list & photo journal.
3. Read the Bible all the way through (again).
4. Become a fully-appointed Missionary Associate with the Assemblies of God
5. Go skydiving
6. Go bungee jumping.
7. Meet my future hubby :)
8. Fall in love (maybe even get married)
9. Learn to drive a standard
10. Make a Senegalese meal
11. Visit Goree Island
12. Visit an orphanage
13. Get prayer card pictures taken
14. Go back to South Africa for a visit.
15. Learn to swim
16. Go on a road trip in the US
17. Visit Washington D.C.
18. Visit New York City (airport layover’s don’t count)
19. Visit Canada
20. Get my teeth professionally whitened
21. Read or reread (and write/blog about) 101 books.
22. Read at least 5 “classics.”
23. Read at least 5 biographies or autobiographies.
24. Ride a motorcycle (maybe learn how to drive one)
25. Spend one month trying out a new recipe every week
26. Get a pedicure (maybe even more than one)
27. Make album of my first year in Senegal
28. Make album of my second year in Senegal
29. Do a devotion, Bible Study, lesson, etc. totally in French
30. Get down to goal size/weight
31. Then get a tattoo
32. Keep a food diary for one month.
33. Bargain for something totally on my own (in French)
34. Teach kindergarten
35. Try 5 new flavors of ice cream (already have 2 – Obama and guava)
36. Go on a picnic
37. Start a journal (and actually stick to it)
38. Make Scripture verse cards for purse
39. Make a pie from scratch
40. Make a cake from scratch
41. Learn sign language (more than what I already know)
42. Start over on Year of Thanks
43. Make a list of 20 things I like about myself.
44. Make a new Life Goals list
45. Compile recipes into a book
46. Make a pizza from scratch
47. Make homemade bread
48. Take a photo a day for 1001 days.
49. Make a 1001 photo book.
50. Write a thank you note to a teacher that’s impacted my life.
51. Stop biting my nails
52. Organize songs on iPod into playlists.
53. Get re-certified in CPR.
54. Get certified in 1st Aid.
55. Learn Wolof (more than just greetings).
56. Carry on a conversation in Wolof.
57. Learn to play the guitar.
58. Learn to play the violin.
59. Go on a cruise.
60. Start exercising (and actually stick to it).
61. Deposit at least $10 in my savings acct each month.
62. Write at least one new blog post every week.
63. Read the dictionary from beginning to end in English. Why? to expand my vocabulary.
64. Read the dictionary from beginning to end in French. Why? To expand my vocabulary.
65. Finish Global University/Berean courses to get Certified Minister’s License with the Assemblies of God.
66. Put an extra $5 in savings for every goal not completed.
67. Learn more about my country’s history.
68. Go camping.
69. Learn how to hold/shoot a gun.
70. Go hunting.
71. Learn how to fish.
72. Go fishing.
73. Create an updated address book.
74. Plan weekly menus and shop from those, rather than just sporadic grocery shopping.
75. Wear hair down every day for one week each month.
76. Pay for the person behind me in the drive-thru line once a month (when I’m in the States, obviously).
77. See/experience/take a photo in snow (more than the sporadic flurries AL gets every couple years).
78. Take goofy photobooth pictures.
79. Write (and send) at least one handwritten note/letter a month.
80. Learn how to yo-yo.
81. Create a wallet size 101 in 1001.
82. Learn and understand the rules to football.
83. Learn and understand the rules to soccer.
84. Go horseback riding.
85. Ride a mechanical bull.
86. Do a photoblog of my meals for one week.
87. Make a hard copy “scrapbook” of my blog(s).
88. Purchase scrapbook materials while in the States to take back to Senegal.
89. Give up soft drinks for one month.
90. Give up caffeine for one month.
91. Try 5 new cheeses.
92. Eat Ethiopian food.
93. Memorize one Scripture verse a week.
94. If the process was enjoyable, do a new 101 in 1001.
95. Make popcorn (non-microwaveable)
96. Eat sushi.
97. Eat cow tongue.
98. Buy a waffle maker.
99. Start writing my book (possibly even finish it).
100. Inspire someone else to do a 101 in 1001 challenge.
101. On the 1001st day, start a new 101 in 1001 challenge.

March 2010

Welcome to the March 2010 Installment of the Elisabeth Chronicles.

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The month has been extremely busy. We finished our third quarter at school, participated in SIPS (Sports Invitational for Private Schools), Junior Carnival, Parent Teacher Conferences, along with the normal day-to-day school routine activities.

Also, during Spring Break I had the opportunity to go to the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Conference in Kandern, Germany. I was so blessed that my school paid half of our way there, making it possible for me to go. It was so nice to get to spend time with and learn from Christian school teachers from all over Europe, Africa, and even Asia. I came away with so much valuable knowledge about teaching in a Christian school and in an international setting with such diverse groups of students. Plus, there were awesome worship and devotional times in which God taught me so much about myself and Him.

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Prayer Requests for March:

• I truly believe that when God is doing a work in His children’s lives, that the devil will use any means necessary to attack them. I have never felt such a strong attack of the devil as I have this past month. Please pray for myself, and for all the Christian workers in this spiritually dark place.

• I still need to raise the rest of my AGWM budget. As of today, April 7th, I need to raise $282 more in monthly pledges and $5877 in cash donations to meet my budget requirements. I am not allowed to come back on the field as a Missionary Associate (MA) until my budget is completely raised, so please pray that this happens soon.

• I am in the process of contacting pastors, family members, and friends to raise support and/or schedule services to speak at while I’m back in the States during the summer. Please pray that everything falls into place with this.

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For those of you that 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 or call my parents at 620-886-3586 and we can tell you how to do so. Any donations you make would be tax-deductible.

Happy Easter from Senegal,

Elisabeth Nichols
enichols85@gmail.com

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Here are some pictures from the last few months...

See! I supported BAMA during the BCS Championships too! :)

In January I went to Tambacounda (8 hrs from Dakar) with 3 other A/G missionary ladies. We led a Children's and Ladies' Service at the oldest A/G church in Senegal while there.

I just love this picture of my class. I feel so blessed to get to spend time with this fabulous group of kids every day. They are awesome! :)

"Look at the grass Emily!" This is what I exclaimed to my friend when we were walking around Kandern, Germany. It's amazing how much you miss the beautiful green stuff when you don't see if for such a long time! :)

Happy Easter

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Why? It reminds me just how much my Savior loves me. He loved me so much that He sent His only son to die for me...undeserving me. Thank you God for the sacrifice you made and please help me to continue to never take it for granted!

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. So in honor of this special day, I thought I'd list a few good things going on in my life right now (in no particular order)...

• I have a Savior who loves me so much that He sent his one and only son to die a painful death for me!
• I'm living/working/ministering in Senegal, West Africa, where God called me to go! I just celebrated my 8 month anniversary of being in Senegal!
• I have a family that loves and supports me!
• I get to work with some pretty fabulous missionaries!
• I get to spend each Monday through Friday with the most awesome group of kids EVER!
• I have a really great group of friends that are there for me when I need them.
• I'm getting closer and closer to finishing raising my budget to be a Missionary Associate with the Assemblies of God. ** I only need $282 more in monthly pledges and $5877 in cash donations if you'd like to support me too. :)
• I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get good pictures for my prayer cards, since I was in Africa and didn't have the liberty of going to a professional studio and absolutely HATE having pictures taken of myself, but all those worries went away tonight. I had the most fabulous pictures taken by a really talented photographer. I've only seen the pictures on his camera so far, but I was really happy with them.
• I just got back from an awesome conference (and vacation) in Germany. And as part of this trip, I also got to spend time in Switzerland and Portugal. Plus, the weather was cold/cool the whole time...which if you know me, you know cold weather = good in my book. :)
• I get to see my parents in 2 months and can't wait! I love it here, but it's so good to know I'll get to see them again really soon! :)

The list could go on and on. I really have a good life. I just feel so incredibly blessed by all God's given and done for me so far and can't wait to see what else He has in store for me down the road.

Happy Easter Blog Readers! :)