Lancaster County, PA

On July 13th I headed out to "Pennsylvania Dutch" Country to visit my good friend Jill (AKA Jilly Jill)..... For those of you from Micronesia Dutch is really a butchered form of Deutsch - basically German, which is my heritage. It was a great blessing to see one of my dear friends from college and her family and eat wonderful Pennsylvania Dutch food.....especially my favorite Hamloaf.

Happy Birthday Joel!

July 11th was Joel Farnsworth's 4th birthday. Many of you know that Joel is my neighbor in Guam but you may not know that His grandparents and my parents live only about 20 minutes from each other in PA - so I was able to stop by and celebrate with them. It is always good to see them.

July 4th

On July 4th, we had a big family and friend picnic at my parent's house in their back yard. It was good to see many people I missed when I was away for the previous 10 months. Most of the day looked like rain but fortunately, it held off until after the party was over.

My friend Judy

Judy is a pillar in our church. For quite a few years she has been activily involved with the Missions committee in our church. I have seen her first hand stateside, keeping in touch with all the missionaries. She follows along with each persons story and remembers important dates with cards. Now as a missionary, I have experienced it first hand. She even learned how to use the internet so that she can read my blog. :o) She is a Saint in my book. I am thankful for her continual encouragement.

Speaking at Home!

On Sunday July 1st, I had the opportunity to speak at my home church. I for just about 5 minutes. Overall I had some positive feedback, although you can't really say much about 10 months in 5 minutes. I am not sure whether to take the sermon topic for the day too personally. :o) I am thankful for all the enthusiasm and support from all the people here.

Meanwhile....Back in Guam....

Tropcial Storm Man-Yi is wreaking havoc back on Guam. If you check out Brad's blog you can see a picture of minor damage done to one of our buildings back on Guam. The storm is expected to hit Typhoon stage but only after it passes Guam. My friends in Yap may not be so fortunate.

Last year on Guam, everyone seemed pretty confident that it was time for a major Typhoon to hit Guam. Fortunately we were spared although several came close.

One thing I did learn is preparing for a typhoon can be a lot of work. Unfortunately there is very little staff or faculty back on Guam after July 15th when two Missions teams from the school will leave for Thailand. Please pray for Mohammed, our lone maintenance person, during mid-July until some time in August. Pray that he would be spared from any major disasters during that time. He is busy enough just getting the school reading for the Fall semester.

Read For Charity :o)

Apparently there is a new book site called Abunga.com. It is meant to be a competitor for Amazon.com. Apparently Brad set up the school as one of their Fans and the PIBC will get a donation from them if you purchase books and indicate PIBC as your non-profit. Below is more detail from Brad's site. I think I might just give it a try. How about you?

We're FANs!
PIBC is the newest FAN of Abunga.com! Abunga.com is a US-based family-friendly content-safe online discount book retailer with a gazillion titles in their four regional warehouses.When you sign-up to become a "member" (a very simple and quick online process) you choose a FAN -- that is, a "Favored Affiliate Nonprofit." That's where Pacific Islands Bible College comes in. If you choose PIBC the college receive a 5% commission from products you purchase through them. It is also possible to make a credit card donation of any amount to PIBC when you are checking out. So, for example, if your books cost a total of $24.30 you can choose to add a .70 donation to round it up to $25. Or if you're really wanting to bless PIBC you could add a $975.70 donation. You get the idea!This is another simple way to support PIBC in its mission of training servant leaders for the churches in the Western Pacific. Thank you!

Maggie and Elise

These are my "nieces" Maggie and Elise. They were very excited when I came home and I was excited to see them. They live next door to my big sister, Chris. Elise is only 2 so she doesn't really remember me since I was gone since she was one and a half. However, while I was gone she and my sister Chris would go to her computer and look for "Aunt Melissa" on my blog. When I finally came home I don't think she realized that I was a real person but she quickly caught on and always comes with her sister Maggie to visit when I am at my sister's house.

Times of Worship and Renewal

During our week at Schooley's Mountain, we had times of worship and renewal. Christian author, J.Robertson Mquilkin encouraged us to carry on faithfully in our mission work by messages of God's faithfulness.

Several of our PIBC family including Steve "Ringo" Stinnette, Happiness, and Rob Watt, along with Mike Galley, from Liebenzell USA headquarters provided great music.

Smore Fun! Smore Food!

One of the activities planned for Liebenzell Missionaries during our conference was a BonFire and Smores. Everyone seemed to have fun.... and of course Smores are one of my favorite foods being an old girl scout. Although toasting the marshmellows was quite a challenge with a fire of this size. You were not quite sure if you or the marshmellows would be the first to melt.

Freedom

The man on the horse is John Boville is the new Retreat Ministry Director. He brought his horse over the other day and gave the children a thrill by letting him ride his horse named Freedom. She was a very kind horse and let me pet her nose.

A Day in the Big City

On Sunday after a worship service, the whole Liebenzell team headed to New York City for a Circle Line Boat Tour around Manhattan Island. It was actually very interesting and fun.

65th Annual Liebenzell Mission Day

It was a beautiful but chilly day in Schooley's Mountain, NJ for Mission Day. We had a nice lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, and of course bratwurst (we are a German mission, you know!) with all kind of salads and desserts.

This was followed by a program where all the missionaries gave a brief summary of what we did. Followed by a message by one of our Board Members.

As is tradition at the Mission Day a Brass Band played Hymms. Then we sat around in our mission groups and shared answered questions as people stopped by our displays.

My parents and the parents of my co-worker, Ned came for the day. I was very excited to introduce them to those with whom I work in Micronesia. (At least the ones here.) I wish the whole gang were here since my parents will probably not come to visit there. However it was a super day.

I think most of us are exhausted because I know I am and the house seems pretty quiet.

Pic 1: Dave (PIBC President) and Joyce Owen.... sharing during the service.

Pic 2: Picnic Lunch

Pic 3: Dave and Joyce's display

Pic 4: PIBC Missionaries and families

Pic 5: All Liebenzell USA Missionaries and families present.

Hail Hail the gangs all here....

Yesterday most of the Liebenzell USA missionaries arrived in Schooley's Mountain, NJ for a week long conference. It was very fun to see many of my friends from Guam..... although not all PIBC staff and faculty are Liebenzell USA. Also one of our students has been traveling with Dave and Joyce, and so it was also good to see Happiness. (Yes that IS his real name.) It was also fun to meet other missionaries I have heard about from Ireland, Spain, Oregan, Germany, and even some I had met briefly on a 10 day trip to Ecuador about 6 years ago.

Tomorrow will be "Mission Day" where supporters of the mission and it's missionaries are invited to come and see and hear things going on throughout the world. I am excited that my parents plan to make the trip from Reading, PA so they can meet my co-workers from Guam. I just wish the rest of my colaborers could be here. If you are reading this and you are not doing anything on Saturday June 21st. You are welcome to join us in Schooley's Mountain at Noon. There will be lunch and a short program.

Off to Schooley's Mountain

Yes there is at least one mountain in NJ. The Liebenzell USA headquarters is located on it. It probably won't win any impressive mountain prizes but it a nice quiet place in the woods where the Mission has a quaint guest house and an expansive property for a retreat center.

Every four years, Liebenzell USA has a large mission conference in which all of their missionaries come "home" (Although many don't consider east coast home when they are in the states and not quite all the missionaries make it.) I am very much looking forward to seeing and catching up with the other Liebenzell USA members of the PIBC team and meeting the other missionaries from around the world. The PIBC team includes the Owens, the Stinnettes, the Farnsworths, and Rob Watt. (Rob works in Palau so I don't get to work directly with him.)

We will have all types of meetings and some good teaching times as well. Then there will be plenty of time for rest or other fun activities. I heard one day we will be going into New York and having a cruise around Manhattan.

And on Saturday we will have "Mission Day". A day when supporters and family can come and hear stories of the mission work done throughout the world by the Liebenzell Missionaries and enjoy a nice lunch. Last year Mission Day was my first time to go to Liebenzell and Ned and I spoke. We happened to be the only missionaries stateside at the time. I am hoping this means that most of the other missionaries will do most of the speaking. :o)

I will have my laptop and internet access from there so I will be posting pictures and stories throughout the week.

All types of friends.....

This is me and Stormy. Stormy is the dog of a previous roommate. She got Stormy as a puppy when I lived with her and Stormy is a very loyal friend. He was probably more excited than anyone to see me. I am convinced that dogs never forget their friends no matter how long the separation. This comforts me as I think about PeeVee being without me for 2.5 months as I am in the States. I am thankful for all my friends for taking care of him while I am here.

Benny in June!

Here I am with my friend, Ben Mell. He is 22 (I think). He is the worship leader at my church currently, although I knew, Ben since he was in the sixth grade.

On June 16th, he graduated from Drexel University. I am very proud of Ben.

Ben also is the leader of a band called Constant Recourse.

Great Friends! Great Food!

Last week I visited my friends at my old office, The PMA Insurance Company in Blue Bell, PA. It was so good to see everyone. Although it was weird to be a visitor at a company that I worked for for fifteen teen years before leaving last year.
I couldn't bring myself to park in the visitor's spaces.

I spent a couple hours catching up with people and sharing my pictures with them.

Afterward I went out to dinner with a small group. It was terrific.

Retro Post

Here are some fun pictures from my adventures during my last week in Guam. Some of the pictures are from our night of bowling. Not surprisely none of us are ready for the pro tour but we definately had fun. The other pictures are from Gef Pago a replica of a Chamorro Indian village. Unfortunately Tanya and Scooter and I went on Memorial Day and the exibits were closed. We did get to walk around and look at the buildings though. Hopefully you can tell which pictures are the bowling and which are the Chamorro Village.

My Little Nephew

This is my "little nephew" Andrew. I have been having fun attending his baseball games since I have been back. He is 12 (almost 13) and he has grown a foot in height since I have been gone... or so it seems. I can't believe how old he is getting either. He is going to be a real teenager and everything this Fall. Yikes.

Catching Up

It is hard to believe that it has been over a week that I have been back in PA. For the most part I am finally on the East coast schedule with my body clock. It has been good to be home visiting with my family. I have spent a lot of the first week resting with a few visits to friends and families.

Although it feels good to be home, it is amazing to take in all the changes. Some of the younger people that I knew have grown probably close to a foot in the last year and it is really amazing to see how much older and more mature they are. It is fun to notice all the changes in the neighborhoods with new stores and buildings all over the place. I also have enjoyed going to the grocery store with my Dad. The new products and the wide selection of things available in everything is really fun to see. In Guam, we have a lot of what is available in the States but never the amount of selection. For example, in Guam, they have only one type of Diet Coke as to about the 12 types available in many places. It is also nice to be at my parents where there is always a plethera of fresh produce. One thing we have a smaller selection in here in PA is SPAM. I can't imagine why they don't have a whole Isle of the stuff.

This week I have to get started in calling churches and writing letters to try and raise support for another year in Guam. On the 21st of June I will head to Liebenzell in Schooley's Mountain for the week where I will get to see many of my friends from Schooley's Mountain. I am looking forward to that as well.

I'm Back!

After about 24 hours of travel I arrived back in PA. Although I typically LOVE travelling this 24 hours of flying is kind of like torture. I can't seem to sleep when I am flying and on top of that sitting down for so long really causes an old body like mine pain. My back was killing me. My skin which is dry normally gets painful in the dry conditions on the plane.

Then there is the confusing time differences and they keep feeding you because you keep jumping time zones.

When I left it was 6am on May 31st. When I arrived in Honolulu it was 6:30pm on May 30th. When I arrived in Houston it was technically only 1 hour after I left Guam yet I had flown for approximately 15 hours already. I finally arrived in Philly at 2:30pm on May 31st. My Dad and my brother in law, Jean picked me up. I slept most of the car ride home. Then I got home hugged my mom and headed to bed. I woke up at 11pm - had dinner. Called Guam. Went back to bed for the rest of the night. I slept all afternoon today and I am planning to go to bed again soon.

I am looking forward to talking with and catching up with everyone soon.

Love you all - Thanks for the prayers.