A Couple Pictures

Here's a picture of this year's team, they have a great spirit about them and it's been neat to get to know all of them. The other picture is one someone took of me while I was reading Danny and the Dinosaur to the 2 year olds in the nursery. During our 8-day Summit in Waller, Texas I was able to help out a little bit in the nursery. I now appreciate nursery workers more and I wish I would have sooner.

Thank you for all those who serve in church nurseries. You are being a blessing to those mothers who have very young children.

Just a quick update

I haven't really been able to be on line for a bit. But since I have time right now I just wanted to ask you all to pray. I have either broken my toe or badly bruised it. My current host dad used to work as an EMT. He said that I should wear close toed shoes and not jump and stuff like that for about 6 weeks. I praise the Lord that after the 6th week we will be going to El Salvador. But I'd like you to pray that my foot would be okay for my trip to El Salvador. Last year I enjoyed playing soccer a lot with the kids and I really would like to be able to do that again.

God answers prayer. Ye have not because ye ask not. So please join with me in prayer for my foot.

Shawntay

Happy Early Birthday!

The Lord used a boy in Base Camp to be such a blessing to me. This week in Hopkinsville, KY I asked two kids how old they were and then I asked "when's your birthday?" Come to find out one of the boys birthday was the day before mine. Well a few nights later I was greeted with a birthday card and early birthday present. He was very thoughtful and wanted to get me something because I was going to be away from my family. Last night his mother told me that they would be praying for me.

I thank the Lord that He chooses to use people to be a blessing to one another.

Our next stop will be in Dallas, Georgia.

On the Road Again

My second year of traveling with Life Action Ministries has officially started. At the end of July the new teams were all in Buchanan, Michigan to start traveling for the 2009-2010 season. Last week my team arrived in Troy, TN for our 1st 4-day THIRST Conference. The conference went very well. I am helping out in Base Camp (2nd grade to 6th grade) again. I enjoyed our Tuesday night service with the kids; they were terrific. They were so attentive to the story and were enthusiastic singing the songs. One little boy was so into the story that he almost fell off his chair while he was listening.

This week we are in Hopkinsville, KY. This morning was our Sunday service where we have the children for 3 hours. The count was over 60 kids. I hope that most of them get to come back. There are quite a few that come through a bus ministry. Please pray that things will go well for them so that the ones that minister to them all the time can take a break and be refreshed themselves.

Oh this year my team consist of 15 team members and 3 families. All but the 3 families and 6 of the girls are new to traveling with Life Action. Please pray for us as we transition with the new team and that the new team members would adjust easily to our crazy traveling schedule.

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