Life is Like a Vapor

I never knew that when I casually said “see you later” that I wouldn’t be seeing my friend again till heaven. Three weeks ago we received news that Stephen Maines was in a motorcycle accident with his sister and he did not make it. He was my teammate and a close friend this past year. The first part of the year he would call me mom and later he said I was more like his sister. I sure do miss him. But I am thankful to God to have the opportunity to have him as my friend for the past year.

I will miss the conversations we were able to have. Iron sharpens iron and that’s the type of friend he was. He would encourage me to preserver and he told me the truth even though he knew it would hurt. Finding a friend that is going to tell you the truth because it’s best for you is hard to find and I thank the Lord I had that last year.

So many times we look to people to find our encouragement. Even though I will miss Stephen, through this I’ve been learning that God will never leave me or forsake me. To be honest I feel like I’m going through a dry time spiritually but I’m not going to let my “feels” dictate my life. I’m choosing to trust God at His word. Please keep me in your prayers.

“O Lord, I pray that I glorify you in every aspect of my life and that when I will see your face I will be known as a good and faithful servant.”

Summer Break: Destination- Waianae, Hawaii

June 8th to July 8th I've been on Oahu visiting my family. Haven't been home for a year and a half. I've been able to take a break and catch up with family and friends. I've spent more time at the beach this summer since I can remember.

Camp Malama Na O'pio was the camp that I grew up going to. That camp was where God drew me closer to Himself. Seeing the campgrounds brings back a ton of memories. This summer they were only able to have 3 weeks of camp and I was able to visit them and help out a little bit. During the junior camp there were many campers that recieved Christ as their Savior.

One really neat opportunity I've had while home is with one of my friends. During one of my weeks here we would walk to the beach around 7:30 and do our devotions there. It was a unique way to spend some time together and to keep each other accountable. I love being able to just watch God's creation. The ocean will never cease to amaze me. Taking in the scenery always makes me think about how BIG God is.

Next I'll be headed to Wisconsin to spend a week or so with friends and then it will be back to Life Action's Camp. Please pray that I'll be safe while I'm traveling and that I'll have opportunities to talk with people and share with them about what I do and more importantly about Jesus.

I still have financial needs for this next year. I will need around $6,000 for my ministry expense this year. It is a lot more this year because I will be needing to get insurance through Life Action Ministries. So far a little more than $1,000 has come in. Thank you so much to those of you that have supported me. I'm always amazed at how God uses others to provide for me. I know I'm just a little nobody that God choses to use. I'm not perfect but God is forgiving and I want to do what's right.

I've sent out an update letter for my 2008-2009 travel year if you would like me to send you a copy please e-mail me your address or post it in the comments.
I do appreciate your prayers and thank you for checking out my blogspot.

Smichic01@gmail.com

DC and Maryland

A couple weeks ago while in Maryland we were able to go to Washington DC on our off day. It had been rainy most of the conference but Thursday was nice enough to go site seeing. I was able to tour DC with Jess, it was awesome. I haven't been there for 10 years and it was neat to be there once again. On Friday we were able to walk around our host parent's property. It was beautiful and it was a beautiful day so we took a ton of pictures before we left.




Holly and I
























Host Mom, Holly, and Margo

















Jess and I in front of the White House










Jess and I in front of the Lincoln Memorial
















MaryBeth, Michelle, Jess, and I in front of the Natural History Museum













I found Hawaii at the WWII Memorial











Another pic of Jess and I in front of the Lincoln Memorial









Our Host Parent's property

A Substitute for a Few Hours

Here's a picture of the class except for two that were absent this morning when I had to say goodbye to them.

At our Summit in Wabash, IN I was able to fill in as a substitute teacher for a few hours. I substituted for Mrs. Monroe's 3rd and 4th grade class. I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to be back in the classroom. Mrs. Monroe was able to attend the Ladies Luncheon while I had the priviledge to spend time with her precious students. Sometimes I miss having my own class. Being a school teacher isn't always easy, but you do get the opportunity to be a part of a child's life. It's a challenge, but its worth it. I admire the men and women who are dedicated to teaching children and molding their lives. Thank you Mrs. Monroe for letting me watch your students!

6 Whole Months On The Road

Yes, it's true. I've been traveling around the United States of America for 6 months. We started in September and were on break for December and tomorrow we will start Month #7 on the road.

Since our team returned from Christmas break, we have spent most of our time in Texas with the exception of two conferences: Duncan, OK and Sulphur, LA. Currently I'm at my host home in Graham, TX, we concluded an 8 day conference last Sunday.

As I think over my life over the past few months, I realize it is quite an adventure. Life always has its ups and downs and I've been able to see God provide for me. I now own a red Sony VAIO laptop. It amazes me when I stop and look at what God has provided me with. I'm amazed to have a new laptop without having to pay a cent for it.

Another provision of the Lord was while I was in San Saba, TX. I was running low on money and we were about to go on Spring Break. Because the break was split up into two parts and only a few days I wasn't able to go away for a break. I knew I would need money to go and do things in San Antonio. Well...I shared my need with one of the girls on my team and that very day the Lord provided $140 between two different people.

Recently the Lord has provided again. I was in need of a couple of things from Wal-Mart and once again was low on cash. I was trying to trust in God's timing but that's not always easy. Well God used my host parent to provide me the money that I needed. They have no clue how much of a blessing they were to me. God used them to show me "Yes, Shawntay! I will continually provide for you." I don't know why it's so hard to trust that God will provided. He can do anything and I am continually learning that.

It seems like there's so much I could write about but it's getting late so I better get to bed. Tomorrow is another long day.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." PROVERBS 3:5-6

Where I've been and Where I'm going 2008-2009

Since September I've been to so many places and meet so many people.

Where I've been:

September

Douglas, GA
Jesup, GA Calvary Baptist Church
Tupelo, MS West Jackson Street Church
Tupelo, MS First Baptist Church
Princeton, IN Bethel Memorial Church

October

Elkview, WV Elkview Baptist Church
Gettysburg, PA Gettysburg Baptist Church
Elizabethtown, PA Mount Calvary Church

November

Winston-Salem, NC Old Town Baptist Church
Mansfield, OH Berean Baptist Church
Brownsville, TN Brownsville Baptist Church
El Salvador, Central America Shalom Children's Home and Living Waters International

January

Sulphur, LA First Baptist Church
Denison, TX Parkside Baptist Church

February

Duncan, OK First Baptist Church
Ennis, TX Tabernacle Baptist Church
Brenham, TX Brenham's First Baptist Church
San Saba, TX First Baptist Church

March

Lubbock, TX First Church of the Nazarene
San Antonio, TX Life Action Ministries: Vision Gathering
Graham, TX Oak Street Baptist Church

April

Rock Falls, IL Harvest Time Bible Church
Wabash, IN Emmanuel Free Will Baptist Church
Buchanan, MI Life Action Camp- Work Week preping the camp grounds

May

Upper Malboro, MD Riverdale Baptist Church

Gettysburg, PA Gettysburg Baptist Church 4 day follow up conference

Bethlehem, PA Calvary Baptist Church

More conferences maybe scheduled till the end of June

El Salvador November 2008 Pics

Here are the pictures that I said I would try to post up a long time ago. It was a great trip and I'd love to go back again.