Reflections of 2006

I have had a very blessed year. I am so very thankful for everything.

1. Meaningful trips to NYC, OH, AR, Ghana-West Africa, and GA.
2. New, comfortable things such as apartment, job, and car.
3. New friendships/relationships.
4. Deeper commitment to my faith.

But I am filled with hope for the new year! I know God has a plan for me and I look forward to what He will reveal to me in 2007.

Happy New Year everyone! May you be filled with the same wonderful hope.

The VOH helps to rescue children from slavery

Here's another story about how The Village of Hope, in Ghana West Africa, is changing lives.

"I will give you a new name"

Many of you know that I went to The Village of Hope in Ghana, West Africa last summer. (See pictures at all 5 posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Here's a story about one of the children that they took in. It's a great example of how the VOH is changing lives.

www.kristiscorner.com

My friend Kristi makes decorative hand painted signs for children's rooms. She makes a wide variety and is always adding to her designs for children. She is also working on some designs for teachers and for pets. I would appreciate you taking a look at her web site. You might find a good gift for a child, a teacher or a pet lover. www.kristiscorner.com

Thanks for looking!

Trip to Atlanta

I went to visit some old college buddies in Atlanta October 6-8, 2006. We had a great time hanging out, playing with Tom's 3 year old daughter, catching up, going to the Georgia Aquarium and Stone Mountain.

Tom on the left, Joan in the middle, and Mike on the right.

Mike and Tom's daughter, Isabelle. She is simply adorable!

Cool Jellyfish at the Georgia Aquarium

Update

First of all, if you are viewing this blog with anything other than a PC and IE browser, you are probably not seeing this blog the way it was intended. For one thing, on a Mac using Firefox, the text does not line up correctly next to the photos. On a Mac using IE, everything is centered! I haven't even looked at Safari yet! One of these days I will build my own site that I can control. Blogger is not cross-platform friendly!

I have become aware of all this because I got a new job building websites for a university. I have been a graphic designer for print for a few years and I learned basic HTML along the way. So now I am learning a lot of cool stuff! Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to post a link to some of the stuff I'm working on.

Because of new employment, I haven't downloaded any photos to my work computers. Perhaps I will after I've been here a while. And my computer at home is too slow, old, and annoying to work in Photoshop. So, that's why you aren't seeing any photos.

I am pleased to announce that MY cousin, Jeremiah Gibson, was selected as a host at ACU's 2007 Sing Song!

I got a new car! A red 2005 Ford Escape named Cinnamon. Low mileage. I like it a lot. I got it because my truck and I were hit by a student my first week at my new job. I wasn't hurt and it took them forever to decide to total it. My sister took some pictures of Cinnamon. Maybe she'll send me one and I'll post it here later.

The week before Thanksgiving, Jeanette (a dear Harding University buddy) and family came into town (I live near their parents). I had great fun being with her, her 4 year old daugher and 2 year old son. They are sooo cute and fun. Also, Jeanette's sisters and nieces and nephews were there... a total of 6 kids between the ages of 1-4. Jeanette's dad got a bounce house for them and those kids had so much fun! They also took me geocaching for the first time. It was good to get out after being sick.

My grandmother had a mild stroke last week. So we (sis and parents) took Cinnamon up to Eureka Springs, AR and visited her after Thanksgiving. Thankfully, she is going to be okay. She has lost control of her hand, but can still move her thumb and can feel everything. They believe she'll make a full recovery after rehab. Other than the sad reason for going, we had a great trip. And it was good to see other family.

Facing the Giants

Facing the Giants is a fantastic and inspirational film that I recommend to anyone who understands the importance of relying on God. All things are possible through God.

The film was produced by a church and picked up for national distribution by Sony!

CBBE

Check out the Cutest Baby Blanket Ever.

I take pride in the fact that I was the one who started Brian Harmon on the road to crochet greatness.

HS Reunion and New Job

This past weekend was interesting. I went to my 20 year high school class reunion! I enjoyed seeing all those "old" people. But I didn't really talk to very many. I went with friends who I've stayed close to all these years and they are the ones I mostly cared about seeing. I was hoping Steve would go out of his way to talk to me, as we were friends in high school. But it didn't work out that way, of course! He's just too popular to speak to little 'ol Joan. We said hello, but that was about it.

Also, during the weekend, I had my mind on a job offer I had received on Friday. I was constantly weighing the pros and cons. Ultimately, I accepted the offer. I will be designing media projects for print, web and tv for a department at UNT. (not revealing more than that on this blog). If you know me, I'll be happy to answer questions in an email if you're interested. But it's an exciting change, one filled with opportunity!

PSD continues

oooh oooh oooh, I found Jeanette's finished FIRST ROW over on Kate's Blog. I love it! I also notice there was a preview of a beautiful square to be used on my second row! Excellent! These will be so special when we're finished.

Will Jeanette add a sixth square to it when she receives it? This is so exciting!

We have set a goal to be finished with everyone's first row by the end of October. Five months isn't that bad for our first round!

News about new employment coming soon! :)

National Shortage of Yellow

It's kinda sad, and yet kind of comical at the same time, when you're at work and have to print over 400, 4-color (which is nearly almost all yellow) 12 spread award programs (which should arrive at event in 4 days) and you're told by your Konica Minolta printer guy, "there's a national shortage of yellow toner". To your left is a partial screenshot of the printer-view of the layout of the awards event program.

Labor Day and Moving

Man, have I been busy! Dad and I drove up to Eureka Springs, Arkansas Saturday of Labor Day weekend. We had a pleasant road trip. We met my Mom and Mamou (mom's mom, my grandmother) at Mamou's House. Mom had already been there visiting for a couple of weeks. We had a nice visit!

We always enjoy sitting on her porch and taking in the scenery. This time, several deer came right up into her big yard, although I didn't get a good shot of them!

Here are Mamou and I enjoying Sunday lunch at Myrtie Mae's in Eureka.

Here's a Katydid that joined us on the porch.

Monday, we drove out to my uncle's house out in the country where it was just beautiful! We had a bbq with some of the cousins/Aunts/Uncles. It was good to see them again. But, me and my parents had to leave pretty early so we could get back to Dallas before too late that night. I had to work Tuesday!

Tuesday through Friday was an incredibly busy work week for me. But I did receive Kudos so that was nice. PLUS I had to pack at night for my big move which took place on Saturday and Sunday.

So now I am in my new place in Lewisville. I finally have cable. Now I can watch and discuss all those fun shows that everyone talks about! What do you recommend?

PSD update

As I first mentioned here, I have joined some friends in a crochet "Project Square Dance".

Here is Brian's first row. The off-white square is the one he sent me and I attached the green one.



This is Jeanette's first row. Blue/Green-Joan, Brown-Brian, Purple/Light green-Jeanette, Multicolored-Michael.



I am currently working on my square for Michael's first row. His theme is Red, White and Blue. I need to learn a new pattern for his. I'll post that photo once I attach mine to it.

Lovely Rain

We have had rain for the past two days! I just love it. However, my sinuses don't really love it.

Not much to report. Just getting ready for my move on September 9th.

And, that I made sure the comment section of this blog is no longer a pop-up window. I have learned that some people's computers have a problem with that. So some of you should be able to comment now. :)

Not moving to Little Rock, AR

Okay, it's official. I am not moving to Little Rock, AR. I didn't get the job I interviewed for. But you know what? I'm okay with that. I think I was having doubts about it anyway. I just wanted to be open to where God wanted me to go (or stay).

But I AM moving back to Lewisville, TX. I can move into my new apartment as early as September 9th and have to be out of my old one no later than September 18. It's nice to have some time to get things moved. So, if anybody wants to help me move, just let me know! :)

My 1997 Harding Graduation

I was digging around in my old negatives trying to build my photography portfolio for a potential job in Little Rock, when I found these!

I love this picture of me and my dad after the ceremony.

FREEDOM! After taking a few years off, I finally finished and it was SWEEEEET to be done... with my BA. Some day maybe a MA?

Craftspert

I have always wanted to create a new word. The other day, I called Kate a Craftspert, because she has gotten really talented with her craft-making. But now, because of her enthusiasm, I am excited to see if the word spreads.

To keep track, I will google Craftspert periodically to see if the number of links grow. Currently, mine is the only link that shows up!

Your task: Create blog. Create a page with the word "Craftspert" in it.

Thank you. That is all. :)

Little Rock and Italian Food

Well, I'm taking a quick jaunt up to Little Rock this weekend. I hope to see some old friends while I'm there. It should be an interesting trip.

On another note,why aren't there any fast food Italian restaurants in the North Dallas area? When Fazoli's went out of business here, I was very sad. One should be able to drive thru and pick up a bowl of Mostaccioli with tons of cheese on it!!!!

House for Sale in Anson, TX

Calling all investors! My friend would like to sell her house in Anson, TX. Click here to view the MLS listing. Lots of updates have been made!

Homemade Stuff for Sale!

My friend Kate is trying to scrape up money to send her kids to a private school this fall. I believe this will help her family. She is quite the Craftspert and has put some of her homemade items up for sale! Take a look here. Thanks for looking.

Lamberth Family Reunion

I went to my family reunion this weekend. It was held at the Prothro Center near Pottsboro, TX, on Lake Texoma. I had lots of fun getting caught up with extended family and winning one of our traditional games of Spoons.

Very nice facility...this is the view from our room!











When I got home, I went over to Tammie's blog and found two of my second cousins pictured here and here! Cracks me up how small this world is. I guess they all go to the same church.

Also, my grandmother's extention of the family is in charge of hosting the reunion next year. It's plannin' time! So far, I plan to have a huge bubble-blowin' contest. That's all I got so far. Any suggestions?

Project Square Dance

I am a part of a group of 5 friends that is participating in a crazy "Project Square Dance". Kate talks about it on her blog here. It's where Person A knits/crochets a 10x10 square and gives it to Person B. Person B knits/crochets a 10x10 square, stitches it to the first square, and sends it on to Person C. This goes through all 5 people and then this row is returned to Person A, the one who will own this afghan when completed. This process goes on row by row until afghan is completed. However, each PERSON started their own afghan! So it will just go on and on for quite a while. We are excited about it.

This is my very first square ever!

Village of Hope - Part 5

I went with a team of 10 people to the Village of Hope near Accra, Ghana, West Africa June 5 - 13, 2006. It is an orphanage, school, and clinic. We painted the alphabet with corresponding pictures in many of the classrooms. We also built shelves for the library. Spending time with the children was the best part and I know it meant a lot to them and to us! The following posts are filled with images from my trip and are not necessarily in order.

Here's me painting "jumprope"

Pat and Barry carrying one shelf to the library.

The shelves look great!

Here's Ken with some of the kids.

We got lots of help painting!

The house parents were VERY encouraging!

I was told there is almost always a line outside the clinic everyday. People come from miles around to the VOH's clinic.

This education center has plans for a second floor. They go ahead and occupy the first floor before the 2nd one is built.

This under construction Prestoncrest house will be the next home to occupy more children. They are hoping the VOH will be able to house 200 kids when this is open.

A beautiful tree near the village of Ojobi.

Monday, we left the VOH and went into Accra. We visited the Heritage Christian College and took a tour of the property and buildings under construction. The first floor is already used for classes!

We were asked to be careful when taking pictures outside of the Village of Hope. So when we went into Accra, we took almost all of our photos from inside our bus.

The roads were lined with things for sale. These are mops and buckets.

This is the outside of the gate at the airport in Accra. Akwaaba means "Welcome".

We went to the market to buy souviners but couldn't take photos. This is the drum Tommy helped me haggle for. The money exchange and the haggling was just too confusing for me! But I love the drum! On it, is the Adinkra West Africa symbol GYE NYAME, which means "except for God".


I had a fantastic and meaningful time while in Ghana. I encourage anyone to contact me if they would like more information about the Village of Hope or Heritage Christian College in Ghana, West Africa. Prestoncrest plans to send more teams over there in the future. Please get involved!

Village of Hope - Part 4

Sunday morning church services.

After church, we all went down to the ocean, which is about a mile away, for Inka's baptism.

Inka, Joan and Fostina.

Our group ate Sunday lunch at this resort on the beach.

Our group. (back l to r)Blair, Tiffany, Rodney, Barry, Bob, Joan, Kent (front l to r) Robin, Anna, Tommy, Pat.

Go to part 5

Village of Hope - Part 3

The Village of Hope is not only an orphanage, but a school and clinic. Some of the children pay to come to school everyday. The school and clinic are how the VOH makes money...which isn't enough.

One of the days I rode the bus home with the kids. The following were taken while I was on the schoolbus. We went through the villages of Senya and Fettah.

Everyone carries their load on their head.

Senya Police Station

The guest house where we stayed at the VOH.

On the left is Latisha. She was our cook while we were there. She made delicious foods that we are used to such as Spaghetti, Fried Chicken, and this wonderful Pizza! We had fresh pineapple with every meal. We ate very well while there. Fostina is the lady on the right. She was great! She is Fred's wife (Director) and pretty much told us what to do!

Go to part 4