So, yesterday didn’t go so well.

Those 4 letters that you never want to organize into a word. L.O.S.T.  Yeah, that was me yesterday.  It was a good learning experience.  If you don’t recognize where you are, even after circling Robbinsville for 40 minutes, :/ you can use an instrument, called a VOR, to help you.  I was reminded how to do that and it told me exactly where I was.  It was great.

So… after the “learning experience” yesterday and studying Google Earth, I tried the trip again today.  I did well on the way there.  I still struggle with the military airspaces and knowing exactly where I am but I did much better finding my items along the way that I had picked out along my route.  After the flight, I thought to myself, “Well, I could do that flight 4 more times and then I would feel confident.”  There was so much to do and learn.  And then, my instructor said, “You did great! Are you ready to go to Cape May by yourself?”  I was shocked!  That was truly far from what I had in mind.  My confidence had been lowered since yesterday and I assumed that Matt was thinking the same things.  But, I guess not.  In all reality, I am confident enough to go to Cape May.  I guess that flight to PA was just a nice reality check.

So, I am thinking the flight to Cape May will happen Friday but time will tell.  I will be updating my blog as things progress so check back often.  I don’t want to flood your inboxes but I would like you to know that the updates will be here if you want them.

As a reference, I would like to share what else needs to be completed before I get my pilot certificate.

1) One solo trip to cape May and back

2) One solo trip with 3 stops (Example: Toms River, NJ- Andover, NJ- Reading, PA-Toms River, NJ)

3) More Practice (refining procedures)

4) Written Test (I am hoping to take that test next Thursday).

5) Checkride (A fancy word for the final test. The ‘final test’ includes a flight with the examiner as well as a verbal test of your knowledge.

So, there it is.  I am almost done.  I can almost smell it!

Please stay tuned.  You could also pray, as funds are getting low and I don’t want to stop now.  I am so close!!!

Thank you!

Liz 🙂

So, after three weeks of trying to get a trip accomplished, (Toms River, NJ to Cape May, NJ), today my instructor and I completed it.  It was a GREAT trip!  I kept my altitude steady almost the whole trip, found all my navigational checkpoints and even calculated my times in flight.  That was a bit challenging on the way there but on the way back I did much better.  God has also allowed me to gain an improved ability to understand some navigational and directional challenges I have had in the past.  I was so blessed with the results today and am praising God!

In order to take that trip by myself, Matt would like us to take one more flight together inland.  So, Monday will be another big day. We have scheduled a trip to PA on Monday.  Please pray, if the Lord wills, that nothing will hinder this flight.  Matt feels confident that if I do well on Monday that I can take the solo trip to Cape May soon after.  This is such a big milestone for me.  I have never done a trip to another airport by myself yet and I am so excited to do it! Thank you all for your prayers.

Thank you all for your encouragement along the way.  It has been a long journey and I couldn’t have done it without the help and encouragement of those around me.  God is Faithful.

Well, enjoy your weekend everyone!

Don’t forget to pick up your encouragement this weekend as you worship in His House.

Love you all,

Liz 🙂

Hi friends,

I am sitting at a friends house, feeling a little down.  It is probably a mixture of fatigue, uncertainty and change.  I ended my summer job at Keswick on Monday.  It was a wonderful experience that, frankly, I did not want to end.  I was blessed with housing, food and a per diem which was sufficient to meet my financial needs.  So, partnered with financial gifts toward my flight training, I could focus on my training while serving in ministry and certainly, life was good.  In fact, it still is, I am just unsettled right now and I feel that the older I get, the more that weighs on me.

I read this verse in my devotions today, and while my troubles right now are far from many and bitter, they are troubles and I found encouragement here.

“Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
    you who have done great things.
    Who is like you, God?
²⁰ Though you have made me see troubles,
    many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will again bring me up.
²¹ You will increase my honor
    and comfort me once more.” Psalm 71:19-21

I also would like to thank the MANY friends who have come alongside me to offer me housing, food, their company and words of support.  Karen and Andy Bottari, thank you for your constant source of encouragement and a place to call home when I just need a few nights of rest.  Sometimes a kind word can mean so much.  Thank you for  reminding me of His unchanging promises and the truth that we can hold on to.

May we all see His blessings around us today and thank Him for the work He is doing in our lives and most importantly, for His ever-abiding presence with us.

We are blessed,

Liz 🙂

Thank you to Jesus, WAI (Oshkosh) and those that proofread my scholarship questionnaire. Today, I received word that I was awarded a $500 flight training scholarship from the Women in Aviation chapter out of Oshkosh, WI.  I am so thrilled! This is the first scholarship I have ever received and I am excited to use it for God’s glory! (Okay, it is the first one I have ever applied to…haha! but I am still thrilled)

Hallelujah!!! Praise His Name!!! 🙂

Here is an excerpt from the email I received:

Wow!

For the last 2 months, God has shown Himself in amazing ways in my life.  He has always been there.  His peace had been a part of my life but He is giving me visions and glimpses of the future and the bright path He has ahead for me.

I am truly in awe of Him.  That He can take someone from their filth and create a beautiful destiny for them.  I love the Lord and He has heard my cry.

God has been lavishing me with His grace and favor.  He is opening doors and parting the Red Sea in my life.

I was reading the Daily Bread for today.  Two things I struggle with are fear and insecurity.  God has told me in my spirit that He will help me overcome those weaknesses in my faith, specifically within the ministry of Barbara’s Place, here at Keswick.  This morning I read the passage in Psalm 34 that says,

4″I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.

I am so blessed.  The first verse says, 1 “I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”  This, of course reminded me of the popular worship song “Ever Be” by Kalley Heiligenthal of Bethel Music.  

Our God is so good.  HE IS FAITHFUL.  Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, know that God has a purpose for everything He does.  Nothing is ever wasted.  I was talking to a friend last night.  You know, we have all heard the analogy that God is weaving a tapestry.  All I could think of is those knotted rugs that I used to see when I was a kid.  Those knots aren’t comfortable.  The fabric is being pulled, stretched and carefully guided into its place.  As my friend noted, every once and a while, God lets us get a sneak peek of the beautiful masterpiece He is working on.  For that, I am blessed.  I don’t deserve Him, never-mind His love and grace lavished on my life.  I am basking in His sunshine.  I know these good and special days are a gift and won’t last forever.  Please rejoice with me in His goodness.  He is working out something beautiful in my life.

I love Him.

Liz 🙂

Hi my friends.

Just  a little update.

I was blessed to attend two aviation conferences in March.  They were back to back, both in Nashville, so that was great.  It lasted a full week and was incredible on many levels.  There were many highlights but I must give a shout-out to Dan and Corine Brennan’s daughter, Katelynn.  It was fun to see her again and spend a couple nights with her, as she lives just outside of the Nashville area.  Nashville has definitely become my favorite place to go when I need time away from home.

The first conference was a maintenance conference.  It was good to hear the different seminars and meet new people.  I was reminded, yet again, about the seriousness of my job and it spurs me on to remain studious.

The second conference was such a blessing!  You know those moments in your life that you don’t know if you will ever experience again but so glad you were given the opportunity—yeah, this was one of those!  The conference was held in the Opryland Resort and Convention Center.  It was soooo gorgeous!  The company was awesome too;  5,400 women (and some men actually) all pursuing a career in aviation.  How inspiring!

A river that runs through the Opryland Hotel. No, I did not stay there :p

Over 5,400 people (mostly women) gather for the annual Women in Aviation Conference.

The first day, I attended another maintenance conference.  This was different though. There were about 20 other women with me.  All of them were mechanics or in training to become mechanics.  It was SO refreshing.  They thought like me 🙂  It was SUPER encouraging to know I wasn’t alone in my endeavors.

The remaining days were filled with education sessions and general sessions.  My personal favorite was a general session talk given by Jessica Cox.  She was the first pilot to receive her license having no arms!!! Yes, none of those ten digits we eat and write with!  Yeah, she flies planes without arms at all…for fun 🙂  I feel like if she can do it, anyone can!

The week was closed out with a semi-formal banquet.  I sat next to a lady in the morning session who had a ticket to the banquet she wasn’t going to use.  She had been praying that God would lead her to the right person to give it to.  And, there I was; a happy recipient 🙂  It was a $95 value.

At the banquet, I ‘just so happened’ (not really) to sit by two girls who were also pursuing or at least considering missionary aviation. Both of them were Christians! How cool is that?  I mean over 5,400 people at this event and I sat next to two young ladies interested in missionary aviation!  Incredible! God is amazing, isn’t he?  The younger of the two girls lives about 45 minutes from me and I am hoping to connect with her and her mom in the near future.

On to Easter–my favorite holiday.  I mean, I love Christmas music and all but who can compare with the celebration of Christ’s victory on our behalf, overcoming death and the grave and reigning on the throne forever!  He is worthy of all our praise!!!

Aaron, Auntie, Emma and Amber. And, the dog- her name is Maddie 🙂

I was blessed to spend this time with my sister, her children and one of her single-mom friends and her children.  I was most blessed by the wonderful way my sister incorporates God’s truth into her children’s lives whenever she can.  She is a wonderful mom and I am so blessed to be her sister.

Alright, that’s it for now! Thank you for reading.  And to all my NJ friends, see you in 22 days!!! Woot! Woot! 🙂