Days 2 and 3

Day 2 - After staying the night at a church in Minton, FL, the men arrived safely at the location where the boat is docked. Once there, they were welcomed, given the low down, and were assigned duties. Andrew and Evan were assigned to help one of the nurses on board as well as a couple other things. Andrew said that they all will be sleeping in the same room however I am not sure where on the boat. The tone is his voice was pure excitement...I don't blame him...to have this opportunity is amazing, and to be used in such a way! Another piece of fun info is that along on the trip is someone from TBN to do a documentary.

Day 3 - Heard from Andrew again today. They have been loading the boat and preparing it to set sail tomorrow. He has asked that the trip be successful and safe...and that none of the guys, including himself, get's sea sick. The boat's name is Integrity.

Andrew's Trip to Haiti

We decided to post updates from Andrew's trip to Haiti and if you think about it, I know that he and the rest of the men would covet your prayers. I am not sure how frequent the updates will be due to the limitted communication but will try to post as much as possible. The first is an update from my Dad:


Day 1 – Andrew left this morning from the ALERT Campus, at 5:30 am, with 13 other ALERT men on their way to Miami, FL to help load a cargo ship bound for Haiti. They will spend tonight in the Panhandle of Florida. When they arrive in Miami, they will spend a day or so loading the ship. Once the ship is loaded, the ALERT men will board her to take the two day journey to Haiti. Pray for their safety and that the Lord will use them to serve and be a testimony for Christ.

Andrew's Perspective on the Surprise

My parents and I received multiple letters from Andrew, Nate, and Josh this week and amongst them was Andrew's perspective on my surprise visit to TX. I thought that it gave great insight on the whole thing, especially since it was from his point of view. Almost takes place of a picture since a camera was unavailable at the time of arrival. Enjoy!

"So here's my side of the surprise. I was at the sink scrubbing away while talking to Evan [a fellow paramedic] when Nate came up to me. He told me that cadre pushed him out the door saying that I really needed his help. I can't imagine the puzzled face I must have given him. But I started thinking and I remembered that some guys were going to be playing football that evening. So I told him that of course I needed his help because I needed him on my team. "That's it?" He asked with a puzzled look. (Because it was his turn to have a puzzled expression.) "Uh...Yeah. That's it," I replied just as Josh came rushing in asking what's going on and why did I need his help. He brought the other EMT's along to help. Okay, so it was obviously my turn to have a puzzled face again. I didn't ask for help. I thought us paramedics had the kitchen well under control. But a few extra hands won't hurt so I told them to get to work as I took some dishes to the dish pit. As I was going, I heard some commotion and I turned around to see one of my fellow paramedics smiling. I thought that he must have pulled some crazy prank to get both of my brothers here at that same time. So as I was returning from the dish pit, Matthew Zupke [another paramedic buddy] said I really needed to get on the other side of the wall. "No way!" I thought, "My brothers are beating people up and I had nothing to do with this prank." But I walked over there anyways to see if my fellow paramedics truly did pull a prank on my brothers. And I rounded the corner, I saw the sweet face of the sister that I know so well. I pretty much screamed. I can't remember but I'm sure I squeezed Elisabeth's lungs out. That was the best surprise that happened to me and everybody pulled it off beautifully. I won't be forgetting that anytime soon..."

Surprise Visit to Texas :D

The Lord blessed me with the opportunity of surprising my brothers who are all in Texas at the ALERT Academy for a week. They all had NO idea. :D So it pulled off quite nicely. A friend of mine, Betsy Marr, picked me up at the airport and as we were headed back to the campus, she was able to contact a few fellas that were able to get all the guys in the kitchen...the ultimate surprise spot. Upon arrival, I hid to the best of my ability in the back of the van until Betsy gave me the cue. I waited in the van for a while which was a good thing because Nate pulled up minutes after we parked and parked right next to us. A short while after that Josh walked up. Once they all were in the kitchen, I headed for the kitchen. When I walked in, I heard Josh say something to the effect of, "So why did you all call us to the kitchen?" And there I stood. Nate saw me first and Josh soon to follow. Andrew was on the opposite end so it took him a little longer. That moment with all of them was a little piece of Heaven on earth. It was truly amazing. :D I wasn't able to actually get a picture of their reaction but I did get lots of other pictures!

Together at last! :D

That's my baby brother! :D

A beautiful sunset one evening

Watching the guys play football was a hoot :D

My little buddy...I called him pumpkin even though his name was quite different

Practice makes perfect! Josh is taking my vitals and is doing a fine job too!

I made posters for my brothers before I flew out. Something for them to hang on their walls so that whenever they saw it, they'd not forget how much they are loved. They were so much fun to make! :D

Our last day together

My handsome men. My buddies forever. My favorite brothers. The three joys of my life. My best friends... Oh how I can hardly wait for you all to come home!

Howdy all! :D

Wow it's been a REALLY long time since I have seen a posting template on Blogger!! Way too long to be exact! Many moons have past, much has occured and life has gone on but nothing reported! So sorry!!

For those of you wondering if I am still alive, I truly am. :D My hope is to bring my blog back to life as much as possible and often as possible to inform those, whom I guess check it and have read the same sad story for forever, of life in Elisabeth's world, thoughts, ponderings, and best of all....pictures! :D

Keep an eye out! =)

Howdy! :D

It's been awhile since I have posted, which consequently I have ton's to post and have not a clue where to start. :D Well, I did say that I would post regarding adventures, so this shall be the other post to it....what shall I call it...hmmm....The Four Gangsters and TPing raid...yes yes, I like it...especially since my mind can't think of anything more witty. :D

One night, a long while ago, a beautiful and very tired girl was awoken in the middle of the night by what she thought was laughter or the howling of coyotes. Half awake, she couldn't decide for sure, so she chose to blame it on the coyotes and fall back asleep, for after all, she needed her beauty rest. The next morning, she awoke before any one else in her castle and chose, very quietly and sweetly to walk down the hall and do as maids would do, let her dog out. Once this task was accomplished, she walked back in the direction of her bedroom, but shimmering of what seemed to be white rays of sunlight caught the corner of her eye. Taking a better look, her curiosity was up and after investigation, it appeared that someone had TP'd the castle, (a very small one that is :D). Now for those that are not sure of what TPing may be, let me enlighten you before I continue. TPing is a short way of saying Toilet Papering. It is accomplished when hoodlums, or people that have nothing else better to do perform this duty by throwing each roll throughout one's property achieving their desire to decorate it in a very interesting fashion. To some, it may be called a love gift and to others (namely those that clean it up :D), it may be called frustrating...and then there are those that are amused by it and think it quite funny :D

Ok back to the story now that is settled. This sweet gal's investigation was right and whoohooo, the game was on! She tossed aside her sweetness and gentleness she portrayed that morning and placed upon her face the biggest smile ever made and along with it laughter. She ran upstairs, and to my memory, I think she yelled non formally, "Someone has TP'd our house!" This arouse everyone else living within these confines and all were outside in a jiffy through the side door of course for fear of messing up the beautiful job :D They did however open the front door seeing then a little tiny brown bag with a yellow piece of paper as the note. "Careful" was the word coming from the father of the home, once this mysterious package was touched. The note read:

And chocolate was nestled in the middle of the bad. So their minds were spinning, but not for long, for the handwriting was recognized and the puzzle solved, the TPing Gangsters were found out, it was their good friends and another who traveled from far to TP their house :D For they did have a "Storrie" to tell and one that will be remembered but before I finish, I must say, that the TP was not TP at all, for these Gangsters are sophisticated, for they used Crape Paper to do their trick which created the effect only messy it was not.

Now fear as they, the Gangsters should, for the game is not done, these recipients are wise and think very long. They have lots of knowledge in this particular game having learned much through years passed. They may take this as a warning but they shouldn't fear for nothing shall happen too very dear. For kindness and graciousness is between them, this they should know and nothing will be done to harm this or them.

Now you all know the story, I hope it was told well. If I forgot anything, the pictures shall tell :D

Hello All! :D

Hey, I don't have time to post a long post or even post what I want to post at the moment but just wanted you all to know that I am still alive and well! For a while there, my computer would not at all let me post or even access my blog! Twas very frusterating as I had and have tons to post on! Praise God, I think and hope that the problem is fixed! :D I shall try to post more later on this week and if not this week, know that somethings coming!

May Blessings abound for you all!
Elisabeth :D:D