Hello Friends! I have a lot of big news this week:

1. I am finally an official Servantworks missionary! which means I can receive Tax Deductable Donations. I do have some money saved up from my waitressing days to help cover immediate costs, but because I will not receive pay for the work I will be doing over these next 14 months I am in need of financial assistance. I have posted how to donate under "How You Can Help," which is just to the right of this text.

2. I have bought plane tickets! I will fly out of Los Angeles on January 17th (after driving across the country with my college friend Sally who is moving there for a different kind of mission. Check out her blog: http://sallyamorson.blogspot.com/)

3. I am soaking up every minute of the holiday visits with friends and family! This week I have spent such wonderful time with college and high school friends and of course, mom, dad, sister, brother reid and the heard of dogs!

In the Begining

Hello All! I am timidly breaking into the world of blogs. I'm irrationally opposed to all things impersonal and technological... but I am trying to curb my irrationality enough to keep updates on my constantly changing status for you who are hopefully a person that I know and love dearly. You probably have heard my situation by now, but here's an overview:

I graduated from Auburn University's nursing school in May 2010 (FINALLY!!!) And have been relatively unfocused and unplanted since then.

I moved to a community in North Carolina

where I spent much of my childhood called Turtle Island Preserve. The idea was to help out an old family friend on his farm while I rested and rejuvenated from two sterile years of nursing school.

Then I moved around for a month visiting family and friends until I settled in with my paternal grandparents in Montgomery, AL for two months of volunteering at a couple of local clinics: 1. Women's Hope - an unplanned pregnancy clinic 2. Montgomery AIDS Outreach.

I have enjoyed breaking into the medical world and am ready to jump in head first. So, I am still working out details, but here's the idea: In January I'll fly to Bangkok, Thailand. I'll spend two months on an "exploratory visit" with an organization that deals with past and potential victims of the sex trade. I'll be learning and considering joining the ministry full time in the future.

http://www.servantworks.com/well

http://narimon.org/

Then I will head to Kenya where I will work on securing a Kenyan nursing license and joining a team of medical professionals at Wamba Catholic Hospital. My plan is to spend a year in Wamba working for room, board, and the patience of my peers and patients.

I am looking forward to a family and friend filled holiday season: A wonderful farewell to the states!

I would be a fool to say I am strong enough to face any earthly situation on my own! Though I will be seeking the love and guidance of He who has been a constant and faithful provider throughout my life, my Heavenly Father, I also need the love and support of my friends and family at home and abroad! If you are willing to support me these next 14 months, there are many different ways. The most important way to support me is through prayer. If you are a praying person and would like to be a part of my "prayer team" please let me know! Also, through communication! I remember when I was away for six months a few years ago how important it was for me to receive emails, letters, any communication from home! Last and least, I will soon post instructions on how to support me financially if you feel led to do so.

With humble thanks for your interest in my life's path enough to read this short novel,

Skye

skyelc@gmail.com

"'Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.'" - Matthew 10:8