The Great Reno Balloon Race 2012

This was one of my favorite events so far!

We woke up really early (3:15 AM), loaded the vans, and headed to Reno, NV for the balloon races!

Around 5 AM they had the Dawn Patrol, where about 7 balloons lit up in the night sky!

Then, at 7 AM there was the Mass Ascension where all the balloons were blown up and began the race! 

We got to be right in the center, with balloons blowing up all around us as they lifted off!! 

It was so awesome! 

I was excited like a little kid!

This was something that I had always wanted to see!
So glad that I had this experience! 

:-) 

Around the Lake!

On one of our first weekends here, Leana (the assistant preschool director, Bama fan, and all-around awesome person), took us on a road trip around Lake Tahoe! 

A few interesting, random facts about the Lake.

It is 12 miles wide, 22 miles long, and has 72 miles of shoreline! 

It is very deep! You could drop the Empire State Building into the deepest part of the Lake and it would STILL be covered! 

The water is sooo clear and sooo cold! 

Enjoy these pictures from our trip around the Lake to all the different shores! 

First stop, Emerald Bay!

Emerald Bay

Emerald Bay

Driving through the South Shore

South Shore of the Lake

Sand Harbor

Me at Sand Harbor

Some of the girls on the rocks

Sand Harbor

Moon over the mountains

Moon in Incline Village

Tahoe Adventures in Pictures

Apparently, my style of blogging is where I write about two posts a month. 

Sorry, guys. This is going to change!

I want to share with you all what I have been doing in Tahoe! 

Work has been the same and I am still working with both preschool and the school-age children. 

Today, I really felt like our connections with the kids and families were building as we greeted and talked with one another at church. 

It is one thing to see them everyday at work, but when we are able to see each other out of work, whether at church or in the town, it just builds those relationships even more. 

I'm not able to post pictures of the kids online or on FB, so I'm sorry that I'm not able to show you their smiling, beautiful faces. But, they are so much fun and always make the days interesting!! 

:-) 

Our supervisors here are making sure that we don't miss out on what Tahoe has to offer! 

We have already been able to do some great and fun things. 

I'm going to be posting different posts for what we have done so far.
Check them out each day!

Enjoy the pictures to come!

:-) 

Tahoe Update

Hey Everyone, Happy Labor Day!! 

Well, it has been a few weeks since moving out to California. Today actually marks three weeks that I have lived in Tahoe City, CA. 

I figured that it was time for an update and to tell you guys some things that you could be in prayer for. 

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind trying to get settled into a new place and into a new ministry. The first week we had the kids was a transition time from summer into the school year. So, we did a week of summer activities which included hiking to Eagle Rock and going to the beach at the Lake throughout the week. The way that summer worked

 was essentially like a VBS. We had rec time, bible time, sang songs, and more. Now that school has started, we get kids early in the morning and then put them on the school buses. Then, we don't get kids again until around 12:45 and 2:45. We use that time to clean, make lesson plans, etc. Their after school day allows them to do homework, have a bible story, play outside. 

Meanwhile, there is the preschool! They have a full-day program for 3-5 year olds with circle time, centers, bible story, outside play, etc. So, wondering what more I do? I work in the preschool until 12:45 when I go downstairs and work with the older kids until closing. I help any of the teachers who need help keeping their ratio of teachers to students met. I have really enjoyed it, because it has allowed me to get to know most of the kids that come to the program. We also have Parent's Night Out (PNO) and My Morning Out (MMO) starting soon. I will tell more on those when they get here! :-) 

Now for some prayer requests! 

-- That me and the rest of the girls will continue to experience unity together as co-workers, missionaries, friends, and sisters in Christ. And that we will have the strength and endurance needed during the week.

-- That the children and parents involved in our ministry will continue to build relationships with us and see Christ as we love on their families.

-- FBC 

Tahoe City and it's members. The current pastor, Pastor Dan, or "PD" as we call him, will be retiring this fall. They already have a new pastor who they are very excited for, although they will greatly miss PD who has been here for a very long time! Pastor Scott and his wife Jennifer are coming in September and PD leaves in October. Pray for the church as they go through this hard transition and as they learn to love and trust Pastor Scott.

-- Pray for Tahoe and CA!! This is a big resort area, most of the people here do not live here full-time, but only vacation here. Pray that we will be able to show them the love of Christ while they are here. Pray also for CA. Around 80% of people in CA do not go to church anywhere.

-- Pray for Nell, Debbie, and Leana as they continue to run A+ and the Preschool. They are strong ladies, who have made an impact in this community and these families! 

That's it for now!
I hope tomorrow to do a post full of pictures, so be on the lookout! 

:-) 

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." -- Mark 11:24

First Day Jitters

Tomorrow is the first day of work with kids!

We are meeting all of our kids tomorrow and get to start loving on them and their families. 

Showing them the love of Christ and developing relationships with them.

This place is beginning to change me in so many ways.
I'm excited to see how God continues to use it to minister to me; the place, the people, the community, the other girls. 

One of my favorite things to come out of serving the Lord, is to see and feel how He serves and ministers to me. 

Until later...

:-)

Update and Pics from Tahoe!

Let me just say, that I will never get tired of taking pictures of this place!

 It is gorgeous. I love the landscape, I love the trees, the rivers, the Lake. It is all wonderful and I am so happy to be here. 

The other missionaries are a wonderful group of girls and we have already had many great laughs and conversations. 

This past week has been about getting to know each other and going through orientation to familiarize ourselves with the program. We will begin school and have kids on this coming Monday! 

I will be helping out in both the preschool and with the Kindergartners. 

I'm very excited, because I will get to know many of the kids as I will be floating around helping. 

We get to do a lot of fun things with them as well, like go on hikes and go to the beach at the Lake. 

Fun times are ahead! 

I can't wait to share more with you guys! 

Enjoy these few pictures!

:-) 

Heading To Tahoe City, California

In my last post (which I feel was forever ago), I announced that I was accepted as a semester missionary with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). I am very excited for this opportunity to travel and serve the Lord in Tahoe City, California. 

I will be serving at First Baptist Church Lake Tahoe as a preschool teacher in their Preschool for children ages 3-5. They also have a before and after school program for kindergartners through sixth grade children. The church also has various programs throughout the month for parents like My Morning Out and Parent's Night Out, where parents can drop off their kids for childcare and have time for themselves. The church is also involved in ski ministry, where they have church on the slopes, although this is only a spring semester ministry. 

Between both the Preschool and the School Program there will be about 90-100 children a day. Me along with the other semester missionaries will lead Bible stories, learning activities, crafts, educational centers, and games. Most the families who have children in the programs are not Christians. However, in the past these families have become more involved with FBC Lake Tahoe and some have come to have a relationship with Christ. 

The full-time population of Tahoe City is actually really small. While yearly they will have close to 9 million visitors. Tahoe City is the home of Lake Tahoe, the eighth deepest lake in the world. Most of the Lake resides in California, while the rest lies in Nevada. Lots of people come to Tahoe in the summer and winter for the Lake and the great skiing. 

Tahoe City is about 4 hours from San Francisco, 5 hours from Yosemite National Park, and an hour away from Reno, Nevada. 

I will be flying out to Tahoe on August 14th and returning home on December 22nd. 

I am so excited for this opportunity and to be in California. This is the farthest that I have lived and served from home so far, which makes it a little daunting. But, I am ready to be there, meet the people, and meet the kids. Not to mention to be in beautiful Tahoe City! Below is a picture of Lake Tahoe. 

I can't wait to share this journey with you guys!
I hope you will continue reading to learn more about the ministry and everyone involved. 

:-) 

Just a Quick Note

Hey everyone!

I know I haven't done my next post on "peace" yet, of the fruits of the Spirit. But, it is coming soon!

During the middle of this week I had my Bible Study and now this weekend I am visiting family in Memphis.

And I also have exciting news to share with you. I have mentioned it a little in a few earlier posts.

I have applied and been chosen to be a Semester Missionary with the North American Mission Board! I will be gone from August to December of this year and will be serving in Lake Tahoe, California!

I am very excited for this opportunity and for what the Lord is going to do. I can't wait to write another post and tell you more about it.

Stay tuned!

:-)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -- Romans 5:13