Christmas in Pennsylvania has been wonderful :) It's so beautiful here! I will definitely be coming back soon....because I love the people and the beautiful country! It's snowing right now but hopefully it'll stop soon because we have to drive back to North Carolina on Tuesday so we can fly to India on Friday!!! I can't believe I'll be getting on a plane headed for India in only 5 days. This is going to be an incredible experience! So much has happened in my life over the past 3 months and I know there is so much more God wants to do in me in India! I'm so excited for all the new things I get to experience. I get to eat with my hands (well only my right hand because you use your left hand for something else....) and yes, I'm even excited about the squatty potty :) I know God is going to break my heart for the people and humble me through that experience and I can't wait! I will try to update my blog every week while I'm there. Thank you for praying!

Well, I've done it again....it's been like 20 days since my last post. I don't know what to do to change that though because I've been so busy, and I'm going to be even more so as I get closer to leaving for India.
So, I just had a nice hot shower and a cup of tea, now I'm sitting in the living room surrounded by people doing their homework and listening to my friend Emily play guitar and sing :)
We did our Thanksgiving outreach this afternoon. We gave away over 200 Thanksgiving dinner boxes and turkeys! It was so wonderful to surprise people with that and just bless them!
We spent a week in Orlando, Florida for a conference and we celebrated the 50th year of YWAM! There were about 400 other YWAMers camping out with us. It was a great time of team bonding and getting to know some other YWAMers :) And I got to meet Loren and Darlene Cunningham, the peole who started YWAM!
We bought our plane tickets this past week! We leave on December 31st and come back to the states on March 7th. We also found out what teams we're going to be splitting up into....it was bitter-sweet. My team has 11 students and two staff. It's going to be good to be able to bond more with such a smaller group, but I sure am going to miss my 10 friends on the other team.
We're all starting to get excited about Thanksgiving! We are having a family dinner on Wed. night, then a bunch of people are going home for the weekend. There are going to be about 7 of us students staying here.
I have to go now, thanks again for praying!

Okay, I really need to get better about updating this thing because there's just way too much to catch up on after waiting so long. I'll do my best to remember whats happened.....
So, on Thursday Oct. 21st at RESET, one of the DTS students named Cassie, shared her testimony and afterwards they said to come forward if you want prayer. For some reason I felt like I needed to go get prayed for but I didn't know exactly what for....a couple min. later Chris said to come forward if you need physical healing, as soon as he said that I knew that I needed to get my leg prayed for (my right leg was shorter than my left one and it caused back problems and stuff), so I told Alyssa and we went out in the hall where Cassie was praying for someone else (part of Cassie's testimony is that her leg grew just a couple months ago, so I felt that God wanted me to go to her for prayer). So, Alyssa and I run out to the hall and they start praying for me.....I don't know what to say, all I know is God healed me! My leg grew!!!! Isn't that amazing?!?!? God is so good! 16 of us were physically healed that night.
God has been doing so much in my heart,and really getting to the roots of some things. It's been good but slightly painful.
Our speaker this week has been talking about pride and an "Excellent Attitude". It's been really good.
We are buying our tickets this weekend,so I should be finding out my outreach group and where we are going in India, very soon!
Please pray that I'll have an open heart to receive whatever God has for me and that I'll be able to build more good friendships. Thank you for reading, and for your prayers! God bless you

Hey y'all! I know it's been way too long, but I've been pretty busy.
Yesterday we did Front Porch, which is like a mini VBS for kids in the neighborhood. I got to help with the worship! The kids are so sweet! I felt like I was back in Costa Rica :)
This morning we went to a church to pray and set up for a worship service called RESET, that we go to every Thursday night. After praying for a while one of the church leaders said he felt like we needed to pray for someones left foot. There were two girls in our group who were having pain in their left feet. We all prayed for them, then they ran around the sanctuary without any pain! It was amazing!!! Another amazing thing is, that as we were leaving a friend of mine told me that while we were praying she started praying words she didn't know! She got her prayer language! The funny thing is, it happened in a Presbyterian church... Ha ha :) God is good!
We have the afternoon off today, then we'll be going to RESET tonight.
Last night two other girls and I had a little prayer meeting in the attic, which was amazing!
This week our speaker is talking about how much God loves us, and relationships. She is an amazing speaker!

I'm going to INDIA!!!! We found out on Friday that all of us are going to India for our outreach, but we will be splitting up into several different groups. We are still praying about which country we'll be going to. India is exactly where I wanted to go! We watched Slum-dog Millionaire the other day because Chris said they do a good job of showing what the real India looks like. It was super sad, but it makes me so excited to go there!
We played soccer for a couple hours last night and then played card games :) I love the weekend! We went to a huge church this morning, now everyone is trying to finish up homework so we can celebrate Tiffany's birthday tonight.
I'm going to go play guitar now, then do some laundry....
Have a great day :)

Hey everyone! Sorry its been so long, I don't have my own computer and had to wait to go to the library...anyways YWAM has been so incredible so far! It's been less than a week and I've already been learning so much! I know more and more everyday that this is where God wants me to be.
There are 19 of us girl students and 3 boys haha :) The leaders are super amazing!!! I don't have much time now, because I have to get back for dinner, but I will try to give more details later. Thank you for your prayers!!!
-Amber

Well, my summer with Discovery Outfitters is over....but I'm about to begin a whole new adventure at YWAM!!! I leave in 19 days.

Yesterday I shared at church about what I'm going to be doing with YWAM. I had many people tell me they are praying for me and I also received about $1,500.!!! Thank you so much to everyone who committed to pray for me and those of you who gave financially! I was very blessed by all of you :)

I'll try to keep this blog updated with prayer requests and praise reports so you guys can know what's going on in my life, and be apart of this amazing journey I'm on! Thanks for your support!

Well, I must say I have the most incredible job ever! It has been so much fun and I've been challenged in many ways I didn't expect to be challenged.

This past week I went and scouted a kayak route on the Clackamas river, took a youth group rafting on the lower Deschutes, led a low ropes course, and in my spare time I hung out with friends and jumped off a 35 ft. waterfall!

Here are a few things I've learned so far this summer:

1) not to depend on other people to fill me up, but to be filled by God.

2) sometimes you just have to do things you don't want to do (thanks Matt for teaching me that)

3) not to worry about anything.....Philippians 4:6-7

4) I have a lot of pride.

5) I've grown up in a very sheltered home (which isn't a bad thing :)

6) I don't have much confidence in myself.

7) I'm a sensitive person (I'm not the only who learned that, and he learned it the hard way....)

8) I LOVE going on adventures!

9) good communication is always important.

10) being stretched out of my comfort zone isn't easy, but it's always worth it.

11) I never want to stop learning and growing.

12) words of affirmation is my love language.

13) I have so much more to learn and experience.

14) I'm a selfish person.

15) I'm scared of lots of things.

16) sleeping under the stars is one of my favorite things in the world.

17) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

18) Oregon is the most beautiful place I've ever been.

19) working hard makes me feel good.

20) laughter is is of my favorite things.

21) a cheerful heart is good medicine.

It's so good to be home for the weekend and see my family, but I miss the rest of my team a lot! They are amazing people and they are fun to work with.

Thanks so much to everyone who has been praying for me, it really means a lot to me!

Wow, it's been a long time! I leave for Discovery Outfitters in the morning!!!! I'll be there until the end of August. I do get to come home for 2 days to graduate though =)
This past Thursday I was accepted at the YWAM base in Charlotte, North Carolina!!! It starts in September. I'm so excited about YWAM and Discovery Outfitters! This is going to be an amazing year!
I'll try to get on here and update it this Summer, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have.....

I've been home for about a week now. It's been crazy!
I sang in the choir and played bass on Easter, then I went with my Mom to drive my brother back to college. The car broke down 4 times on the way back home! Some very nice people stopped and helped us though. They worked on our car for about an hour in the snow. But we didn't have any trouble after that.
The rest on the week I've had lots going on...the most exciting things are: I got to see my baby cousin Gracie, and I got hired to be an Adventure Guide for Discovery Outfitters!!!!
I also wanted to fill you in on the end of my time in Costa Rica since I didn't do much writing the last couple days.
Friday- we went to Los Guido in the morning to hand out invitations to the concert, we had lunch at the school, then went down town.
Saturday- we were in Los Guido all day. In the morning and afternoon we had a V.B.S. type of thing for kids, that was my favorite part out of the whole time the team was there. I love those kids so much. It was sad having to say goodbye. That evening ER did a concert, and we did our skit. There weren't as many people as we expected, and it was really challenging for the band, but it turned out good. After the concert, all the people who where helping came to Chris and Diana's house for dinner.
Sunday- we went to pastor Chino's church. We slit up in the afternoon, some of us went downtown to do a treasure hunt, and some went to Los Guido to give some quilts to kids. That evening we went to Score International to lead worship.
Monday- we headed to the Caribbean. On the way there we stopped at an active volcano and got to hike up next to it! It was so beautiful. We drove on a road that had signs that said: "do not enter" "Caution, road closed".....haha. That area is where there was a huge earthquake, so there isn't much of a road. We drove through two rivers and had to get out once because the van was too heavy. It was the most exciting and beautiful drive I've ever been on! It was around 11:00 when we got to the beach. Our group ended up staying in two different hotels. The group I was with decided we wanted to walk around town a little, so we did. On the way back to the hotel, right in front of the gate to out hotel, two young men came up behind us and one threw his bike in front of Linda while the other one grabbed her purse! She wouldn't let go, they dragged her several feet, they finally let go, because Russ was chasing them and throwing rocks at them. Linda was scraped up pretty bad, but not seriously hurt. We didn't feel very safe though, so we ended up switching hotels with some people that night. The next two days we spent relaxing on the beach and doing some ministry in the town.
Thursday- we headed back to the house and got all packed up and had our last team meeting with Jairo and Chris and Diana. =(
Friday- we woke up at 2:30 a.m. and drove to the airport. We arrived in Portland, OR around 6 p.m. and started the long drive home....
It was so hard to leave. I think that's because I felt so needed, like there was so much I could do to help. Especially in Los Guido, with Jairo. He told me (through a translator) that there are three girls that I am very important to. He was talking about Stephani, Hermania, and Paula. They are 7, 9 and 11 years old. I was with them all day on Saturday when we were doing the activities and I was also with them when we were doing Clud De Ninos on the earlier Saturdays that I was there. They are very sweet little girls. Hermania would just want me to hold her. They are so hungry for love, it breaks my heart.
I just found out that the YWAM school I want to go to in San Jose has a DTS school starting in September!!! So, it looks like I'll be going back soon!!!

Wow, there's a lot to catch up on....
On Monday I got to teach 4th grade all morning! That was really fun =) I love those kids.
The team got here Monday night! It's so nice to have friends and family here.
Jessica and I went to school with Diana Tuesday morning and helped with a couple classes. Then we went home and prepared stuff for V.B.S. and went on a nice "little hike" up the road. We found fossils and took some good pics.
Yesterday we did V.B.S. with the kids in the morning, then we did chapel with the youth after lunch. I really enjoyed doing both of those. The little kids have started calling me Ambersita, which is like a term of endearment =) They are so sweet!
We had an ER concert last night at the school!!! All my friends from the school really like the concert and they liked my brothers and friends =)there was even some moshing....haha. We had pizza and played games and talked a lot after the concert. It was a really good and sad time cause it was my last time hanging out with my new friends =( I'm going to miss them so much! More than I even know how to say. It's a whole group of friends who are all so close to each other, they're like all brothers and sisters. Even if I come back next year more than half of my friends won't be here. They'll be in Chile or Peru or wherever their family is heading.
This morning we did a worship service for the adults. Then some of us went to an orphanage! It was a really good experience. I did some face painting and got to just hold the little babies.
Now we're heading back to the school to have a chapel thing for the teachers.

I had to have a five year old translate for me yesterday...that was interesting. I also got to experience driving in Costa Rica last night! It was a lot different than driving in Prineville.
Today was a half day of school and my last time playing with the middle school band. Monday will be my last day here at the school =( I'm going to miss the people so much. They inspire me, they make me want to try harder and live life to the fullest. They've taught me so much. I came to teach but really I'm learning so much more than I'm teaching. I love these people so much! I don't even want to think about saying goodbye.

I've been really busy helping at the school this week. My favorite things I help with are; having Kindergardners read to me (they are so ADORABLE!), helping with 1st grade and practicing with the high school band! But I also help with like five other classes. It's so cool, it's like a whole school of Missionary kids and pastor kids! =)
Russ, Greg and Mike came back from Nicaragua on Thursday. It sounds like they had a pretty amazing time there.
Today we went to Camp Brittney to help a team from South Carolina with a day camp for kids from Los Guido. It was so hot, and I got a pretty bad sunburn. We helped the kids dye eggs and played soccer and had lots of other activities. I love being there but sometimes I feel so helpless because I can't really comunicate with the kids much =( It can be frustrating.
I went to youth group tonight with some friends from the school. It was fun, and we got free pizza!
It's starting to feel more and more like home here. But I do miss Prineville and all you guys!
Wow, there was an earthquake just now! At least I think that's what is was...it wasn't as big as last time and everyone else is asleep, cause it's like 11:30 here, so I'm not sure.
Well, it's really late and I'm tired so goodbye!
Buenos Noches =)

There was an earthquake last night! It was a 4.3 but it felt bigger.
Jairo and Santiago, students from the bible school, are staying here for the weekend. This morning Diana came down stairs and found them eating the molasses cookies I made, with peanut butter on them, for breakfast! They are very funny, especially when they are together.
This morning I went with them to Los Guido, to minister to some kids. We sang songs, Santiago gave a message, we played games with the kids and gave them a snack. There were 21 kids that came but they said they normaly have twice that many. I didn't get any pictures this time, but I'll try to get some next week.

For some reason the computer won't let me write under the pics, so I'll have to just write what they are:

1-Some interns from a college in the states were at Chris and Diana's church doing dental work on whoever needed it. Jario is having his teeth worked on in this pic

2-This is the group of kids I'm leading at V.B.S.

3,4 and 5 are the YWAM base

6-is Diana with her class, one of the girls isn't in the pic, and the boy towards the middle had his last day on Friday. =(

7 and 8 are the view from my bedroom

On Monday I got to go to the YWAM base here in San Jose. It was beautiful and the people were really nice, I talked to several student who were all encouraging me to go there. I would definataly like to!
I've been helping Diana at the school, she teaches at Sojourn Acadamy. Today I graded papers for 4th and 5th grade, started organizing sheet music in the music room and played bass on the high school worship team! It's been really fun to get to know some of the teenagers (and kids) at the school. Most of them are missionarry kids and they have some pretty cool stories!
I've also been helping out with a type of V.B.S. for the kids. They call it spiritual emphasis week, they have a special speaker come in and speak to the adults while the kids go have games, crafts and skits. I've been helping a group from Idaho who are doing all the stuff with the kids. It's been fun =)

This morning I was reading my bible in my room upstairs overlooking the jungle (the back yard) I read in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. This is what stood out to me: "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I have to the poor and surender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." I think God has called me here to love the people, even if that's all I can do, to love his children and show them that He loves them.

We arrived in Costa Rica at 6:00 this morning. After breakfast we headed right to church. At 2:30 we cramed 12 people into the "Los Guido Torpedo" and drove an hour and a half out to Camp Brittney for the opening ceremony of the second year of the bible training institute.
It's so good to be back, and to see some friends from last year (and meet new friends)! I've missed Costa Rica a lot! =) And I'm so excited about my time here!
I haven't slept since 4:00 Friday morning so it's been a long day since was/am so tired. Tomorrow I'm going to visit the YWAM base here in San Jose!

15 days until I leave for Costa Rica!!!! This year I'm going 4 weeks earlier than the rest of the team! While I'm there early I'll be staying with Chris and Diana Overall, and working with Diana at Sojourn Academy (a Christian elementary school). I'm so excited about all the things I will get to do while I'm there! Please pray that I will be able to finish everything I need to before I leave, like school....