a year in reflection

As I was getting ready this morning, I was thinking about the changes that have happened in my life in the last year and how far I've come. I was also thinking about the changes in my life that will be happening in this next year and how different I will be a year from now and decided to write a reflection blog about this past year.

Ukraine:
A year ago, I had barely started my support raising. I knew that I was hoping to go to Ukraine in August (which obviously didn't happen), but it was way off in the distance. Now, it is 16 days away! I will be on a plane to spend many months of the next year in Ukraine in 16 days! Reality is hitting me and honestly it's a mixed emotion. I am so excited for the unknown. To do something that is not familiar to me and to get to love on kids that haven't been loved before. I am also sad to leave my friends, my boyfriend and my parents. I know my relationships with them will be a lot different this year while I am away.

Relationships:
A year ago, I was single. Then after a month or 2 into the new year, I started dating someone. The relationship didn't work out but a blessing came from that relationship. I dated another guy who had his heart set on another girl, so that obviously didn't work out either. After those 2 failed relationships, I wasn't sure if I could endure anything else for a while, but that blessing from the first relationship came back into my life. I met Craig when I was dating the first guy and kept in touch with him, but in August...we decided to meet up for our first date. And the rest is history. We have been dating for almost 5 months now! He has helped me heal from my past rejection and has helped me learn that I can truely trust people again...especially guys. I am so thankful for God placing Craig in my life.

Friendships:
I have realized who my true friends are this past year. Many people have aquaintances and maybe even friends, but I have been able to have a few very good/best friends.
Lindsay: I've known her since college and every single time we are together, we can pick up and just have fun. Lots of laughs together!
Jamie: We are brutally honest with each other. We share about our struggles and things we are going through and thinking. It's amazing how similar we are. I can't believe that I've only known her for 2 & 1/2 years!
Bethany & Amanda: yes, I combined them, because we were like the 3 amigos at work. We have been through a lot together these past couple of years. Stupid boys. Work stuff. And just life. I'm so glad I met both of you & I wish we were able to hang out more like we used to!

Jobs:
I ended almost 2 years of working at Southwestern Mental Health in June. It was a difficult transition since I had grown to love the patients there, but I knew I needed to be done to concentrate more on going to Ukraine.
I was unemployed for a while, but realized that I wasn't leaving for Ukraine as early as I expected and knew I'd need some sort of income before I finally did leave. So I applied to different places, but ended up getting a job at Kohl's! I worked in the intimates/accessories area and spent a lot of shifts on the registers and jewelry. Even though it wasn't my dream job, I am thankful that it was a job! Once again, I am now unemployed!

Church:
It's weird to think of all the transitions that I have gone through in this past year with my church. Last year, I was very involved in EVERYTHING...youth, praise team, choir, kids klub, Bible studies. But this year has been a gradual turn of events. Because of traveling and speaking at churches, I have had to minimize my involvement in those activities. It's been hard to do this as well, but once again, I knew I needed to if I was going to get to Ukraine. I haven't stopped caring for the teens or the kids at all, but God is leading me to another place. I hope and pray that I can continue to be an example to the teens, kids and my church as I take this leap of faith and embark on the adventure that God has for me in Ukraine.

New friends:
Because of going to Ukraine, I have had opportunities to meet lots of new friends! I have had 2 trainings this past year where I met many other missionaries. It has been great getting to know these other missionaries and relating to each other since we are all in similar stages in our lives. I have met lots of new people at the churches that I've gone to to raise support. It was scary at times traveling alone and speaking to unfamiliar people, but God blessed me with encouragement and new friends at each place!

Family:
Last year on Dec. 27, my uncle (dad's brother) passed away suddenly. I had no clue the impact that his death would make. Since then, my family has been able to get closer to my uncle's family. We've been able to spend more time and have lots more laughs and tears together this year. Also, my dad went to get checked out. We had a few scares after his checkup, but so far so good. He doesn't have to go back to the surgeon again until next August! Praise God! Even though my brother has now been gone over a year, I have definitely continued to get closer to him! I love that we can relate about missions and just talk about life in general. I miss him a ton!


In some ways, this year has gone fast, but in a lot of ways, so much has happened and it has seemed like a decade! I sit here and think wow...I'm not as thankful for these blessings as I should be. I have had tears. I have had stresses. I have had sad times. I have had times that I've been angry. But I've also had laughs. Tons of laughs. I've had hugs. I've been able to see smiles from others and give my smiles away. I have felt love. And I've been able to love. I have had many happy times. These good things have definitely outweighed the bad. And with God, I know that even when I have those bad times, He will never, ever leave me.

I wish you all a Happy New Year. May 2008 bring you many laughs, smiles, and good times. But most of all, I hope that we all grow closer to God and find comfort in Him. That He knocks your socks off this next year with the blessings and paths that He has for you.

Please Pray!!!

Dear friends,
I have been approved to leave Jan 15 to go to Ukraine, but there are still several hoops to get through! The Visa requirements are changing in Ukraine in January and The Allisons (missionaries serving in Ukraine now) are coming back to the USA for Christmas. They are running into a couple problems with getting Visas for themselves. If they have more problems, this could delay their arrival back in Ukraine & also mine!
Please pray that they will be able to get everything worked out for themselves and that I will also be able to arrive in Ukraine Jan 15!

Fall Newsletter

Still Striving for the Goal:
Ukraine Update
Fall 2007
By Stephanie Boardman




Summer is basically over and it never seemed to slow down for me (even when I wasn’t working)!

Let me fill you in on things that have been going on in my life since June! The biggest news is that my new target date to go to Ukraine is January 17, 2008. Of course, I would love to be there sooner, but I feel at peace about waiting!

Since my target date has been postponed, I decided that I needed to get a part-time job. I work at Kohl’s about 20 or more hours a week. I’ve only been there a couple months, but I have enjoyed it so far!

I have been able to spend some time with my extended family this summer as well. My aunt and cousin came out from Missouri for the 4th of July. My parents & I also met another cousin (who is from British Columbia, Canada) in St. Louis for a few hours! It was great to get to visit with each of them.

Some of you may have known that my dad was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm in February. He was told to come back after 6 months to see if it had grown. That 6 month appointment just happened to fall a few weeks ago. My family was pretty anxious about that appointment, but God showed us once again that He’s in control! The aneurysm did not grow any in the past 6 months, he will not have to have surgery (as of now) and doesn’t have to get it checked out again for another year!


I have also been busy traveling! Since the beginning of July, I have been to Forest Hills Wesleyan (Evansville, IN), Miamisburg Wesleyan (Miamisburg, OH), Boonville Wesleyan (Boonville, IN), Blue River Wesleyan (Arlington, IN), Salem Wesleyan (Salem, IN), Walker Chapel Wesleyan (Columbus, IN), Shepherd of the Hills Wesleyan (Bloomington, IN), Wellman Memorial (Louisville, KY), Norwood Wesleyan (Norwood, OH). I was also able to share for a few minutes at the missions service and Indiana South’s District camp. The main speaker was John Croft. The service was very encouraging.



What’s going on in Odessa?

Information taken from Kerry & Carole Allison’s updates from Oct 19, 2007:

Things have been hopping this week in Odessa as we batten down the hatches for the colder weather that will soon be upon us. The numbers coming to First Step Center are way up and we are seriously overcrowded with new children coming every week. This is wonderful news because it means that we are reaching more children than ever, but worrisome news as we don't have the facilities to meet the needs of these children properly. However, our motto here has always been "This is God's work" and He has always provided - we will continue to trust Him.

We are always pleased to report on our Shepherd's Home girls. We cannot begin to tell you how the girls have grown physically, emotionally, and spiritually and to see them making mature decisions just thrills us. This week two of our girls who are "true orphans" were given gifts from the government offices. Vica was given enough money to purchase a winter coat and boots and Katia was given a special voucher so that she could get all of her lunches free at the college cafeteria where she attends. We are encouraged that the government is taking responsibility for some of these children. Please pray for our Shepherd's Home girls as many of them are beginning their "college" life with all its temptations and the added stress of college classes with the heavy homework.

Out at Hope House we have just about finished with the Extreme Makeover and our best friend Decorator Dawn (smiley face) finished up all the bedrooms for the kids with new bedding, bedspreads, and bulletin boards for each child, new pillows, a rug, etc. The kids were so excited to see the finished product. On another note, fourteen year old Kostia is in hospital facing surgery to remove a large kidney stone that has been causing him to have lots of pain and infection. Kostia was born with major kidney and bladder problems and has had multiple surgeries in his short life. He is frightened as he faces another so please be in prayer for him this week.



Prayer Requests

• The ministries already taking place in Odessa: First Step Center, Shepherd’s Home, and Hope House
• Kostia as he faces surgery and the recovery time.
• I am hoping to leave for Ukraine by January 15, but there is still a lot to be done before I can leave.
• Also keep me in prayer while I continue to learn the language. Russian can be a bit tricky!

Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Life Verses
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Are you interested in supporting me?
I need to raise at least $5,000 more! This means that if 42 people gave a faith promise of $10/month then I could be in Ukraine!
Just go to www.praygivego.com and sign up to support me!


Check out these Web sites:
• My Blog: http://striving4thegoal.blogspot.com/
• World Hope Canada: http://www.worldhope.ca/
• World Hope Ukraine: http://www.worldhopeukraine.com/
• Global Partners: www.wesleyan.org/gp/
• My email address: striving4thegoal@hotmail.com

June Newsletter

Still Striving for the Goal:
Ukraine Update
June 2007
By Stephanie Boardman
Let me start by saying, this has been a very busy month! I finished up my job at Southwestern Mental Health on June 1. It was hard to leave everyone there after almost 2 years, but it feels good to be a step closer to going to Ukraine!

The first full week of June, I spent in Indianapolis, IN at MTI (Missionary Training Institute). I really enjoyed meeting the other missionaries going to various places in the world! We also heard different missionaries and pastors share their hearts and important information as we prepare to go to the mission field. My favorite part of the week was the last afternoon we were there. Dr. Jim Lo was leading the group and instead of lecturing, he spent the time talking about the importance of prayer. We took a while after that to just spend in prayer. I am not sure if I have ever experienced a prayer time that powerful.

I spent the weekend after MTI in Ohio. I was able to re-connect with friends and family. I also had the chance to share about Ukraine at Mulberry Wesleyan and New Miami Wesleyan in the Cincinnati area.

The second week of June was spent at teen camp. It turned out to be better than I imagined! God continued to teach me about the power of prayer during this week. The best news of the week was that one of our teens from my home church became a Christian! That made the whole week worthwhile!
North Park Wesleyan and Grant City Wesleyan youth groups at teen camp

Now I am home and spending time getting things ready for when I leave! It’s almost hard to imagine that in just a few months I will be on my way to live in Ukraine for a year! There is still a lot that needs to happen before then, so please continue to keep me in prayer!




What’s going on in Odessa?Information taken from Kerry & Carole Allison’s update in May: Thanks to the help of different teams, the roof of the new garage/workshop for the Hope house is now up. One team also raised enough funds to purchase 12 new mattresses for all the beds at Hope House. Before this, the children slept on a heavy pad that was lumpy, uncomfortable, and in some cases worn down to the fabric. There was also a professional carpenter and his daughter (who is a professional chef) that came to help out. The daughter has been helping the girls at the Shepherd’s Home learn how to cook! Sheryl has joined the team! She is already working in preparation for counseling these kids. Her work is already bearing fruit!

Check out these Web sites:
v My Blog: http://striving4thegoal.blogspot.com/
v World Hope Canada: http://www.worldhope.ca/
v World Hope Ukraine: http://www.worldhopeukraine.com/\
v Global Partners: www.wesleyan.org/gp/
v My email address: striving4thegoal@hotmail.com

Prayer Requests

· I am scheduled to go to Ukraine in August, but there is still a big need for financial and prayer support which needs to be met before I leave.
· I am also in the process of letting go of responsibilities at my church.
· Sheryl, who will be working with the street children in Ukraine and counseling them. I will be living and working with Sheryl when I get there. Pray that she will be able to start connecting with some of these kids.
· Also keep me in prayer with language learning. Right now, I'm just doing it on my own at a slow pace, but it will be picking up once I get to Ukraine!

My Schedule

July 8 pm- Forest Hills Wesleyan
July 22 am-Miamisburg Wesleyan

July 28-District Camp
August 12- Boonville Wesleyan

Life Verses
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)
Each time he said, “ My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Busy month!

It has been a busy few weeks! The week after I quit my job at Southwestern, I went to MTI (Missionary Training Institute). This was such an encouraging week for me. I was able to meet about 30 other missionaries and learn some valuable tools from former missionaries and pastors. It was great to be around others who are basically in the same boat as you and trying to just follow God's leading.

I ended the week in Ohio where I got to spend time re-connecting with friends and family. I also got to speak at Mulberry Wesleyan and New Miami Wesleyan in the Cincinnati area.

The second week of June was spent at Frankfort, IN for teen camp. My home church just got a new youth pastor and he really wanted us to go up for camp. I decided that I would help and take the teens up there for that week. It turned out to be a really good week!

Since I've been home, I have basically just been focusing on getting things ready before I leave. I still have a ways to go in support raising though. Please continue to keep me in your prayers!

I am planning on posting my newsletter soon!

This is our youth group combined with Grant City Wesleyan at teen camp

Unemployment

I am officially done with my full time job at Southwestern Indiana Mental Health! It hardly seems real! I have been there for a little over 1 & 1/2 years! Many of you may ask what I plan to do now that I am done with my job. Good question!

Next week I have MTI (Missionary Training Institution) in Indianapolis area. I will be there from Sunday until Friday. Then I will travel to Ohio to go to my cousin's baby shower, see a few friends and then I am speaking at Mulberry Wesleyan in the AM and New Miami Wesleyan in the PM on June 10! Then I travel home and repack for teen camp! I will definitely be busy the next 2 weeks! In July, I speak at Forest Hills Wesleyan in the PM on July 8th and I will be up at the Southern Wesleyan District's family camp for the mission evening. I think I may share a few minutes and set up a booth. I am also hoping to get a part time job this summer to get some income and to make sure I don't get bored sitting at home all day! Let me know if you are from Evansville and hear of anything!

I am still hoping to leave in August, but a lot has to happen before then! Please keep me in your prayers as I travel and try to get partners for the ministry going on in Ukraine! Let me know if you are interested in supporting me!

Stephanie

My schedule

I wanted to share my schedule so far. It is still pretty open, so if you are at a church and would like to have me speak there, just let me know and I will work on it!

April 22 (afternoon): North Park Wesleyan Church (Evansville, IN)-Missionary Conference
April 29 (evening): Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church (Marion, IN)
May 6 (evening): Trinity Wesleyan Church (Evansville, IN)
June 4-9: MTI (Missionary Training)

I am still working full time at Southwestern Indiana Mental Health, but will be finishing up my time there in May. It will be hard to leave after working there for almost 2 years, but I am looking forward to having more time to concentrate on the call that God has placed on my life! I am still planning on leaving for Ukraine by August!