Hi All!!
I just wanted to give an update to everyone on the past three months or so of my life.
Backpedal with me to December of 2011. On December 14, my fall semester ended at Grand Valley State University. It was a successful semester and I was very happy with how I had performed academically. On December 24 I celebrated my 21st birthday with friends and family, it was an exciting day filled with many events and memories. The next day was Christmas- my favorite holiday. Another fun-filled day while celebrating the birthday of Jesus, and it was especially cool this year as Christmas fell on a Sunday, so I could celebrate this day with my church family. From December 27, 2011 until January 8, 2012 I was in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, celebrating Christmas and the New Year with the kids at the Good Samaritan’s Children’s’ Home in Trou-du-Noord, Haiti and with friends in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The trip was very successful as I was able to give each one of the kids a present or two for Christmas and they could not have been happier. Each trip to Haiti I am more humbled as I realize the kids there are so happy with receiving such small things => I should be happy with what God has given me!
I came back home January 9 at 4 AM and started school January 9 at 8:30 AM so I sure didn’t waste any time! I am currently in the winter semester at Grand Valley State University. I am in six classes this semester, which equates to 18 credits. A full-time student takes five classes (15 credits), so I am doing more than full-time. I attend five classes in the PEW campus in downtown Grand Rapids and one class in Allendale, which is about a 30 minute bus ride from downtown Grand Rapids. I am majoring in accounting and finance, so some of my classes include internal auditing, advanced managerial finance, operations management, and ethics in finance. I am at school for 13 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I also have an evening class on Wednesday nights. Below is a link to my school.
Besides taking these six classes at the university, I am currently employed by Eenhoorn and am working part-time at the Plaza Towers, which is located in downtown Grand Rapids. I try to work about 30 hours a week which unfortunately does mean putting in hours on the weekends L. For the most part I work in the apartments in the Plaza Towers, doing maintenance- type work. I really enjoy my job and have been working there for over five years now. Ever since I have resumed school and work in early January, life has been busy busy busy. Below is a link to where I am employed.
http://www.plazatowersapartments.com/
I had been accepted into the World Race already during the last part of 2011, however, before raising awareness and support I first wanted to concentrate on my last Haiti trip. As I got settled into the school and work ordeal I found time during the weekends to perfect my support letter. I sent out my first couple of support letters during the last week of January and sent them out throughout February as well. I have tried my best to follow up with everyone whom I have mailed a support letter to in case you have any questions or thoughts you would like to share with me. I really appreciate the feedback that was given to me and for the financial support that I have already received!
Life has been fairly routine until an unfortunate event about a week and a half ago. On February 24, 2012, my “Uncle” Carl passed away at his home in Caledonia, MI. After moving to the United States in 1995, my family and I left our direct family including grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins back in the Netherlands. Though he was not technically my uncle, he was an incredible blessing to my family and I; helping us with our transition to the States, helping me find employment, and has in many ways encouraged and blessed me. Uncle Carl lived a full 83 years. I will never forget the incredible impact he had on me. Although I am very saddened by his death, I know that my Uncle Carl has met Christ whom he had served throughout his life and I know that he is also in a better place; a place free of suffering, a place with Jesus. Below is a link that tells a bit about his life.
http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/02/eenhoorn_founder_build_real_es.html
Currently, I am on my spring break from the university which runs March 4 until March 11. Sadly, there is no Florida and no sunshine for me this week and no break as well, as I am working about 45 hours at Plaza and am continuing to send out support letters to attempt to raise awareness and financial support my adventure that will begin in September. A big thank you to everyone who continues to pray for me! I will continue my school and work routine until the end of April when my winter semester from school will be complete.
