Friday, November 13, 2009

Day 1, Part 1

People make blogs to talk about their exciting lives. I lack the excitement for right now, and let's be honest, no one wants to read about my day to day activities in an office with 3 people. So maybe I'll focus more on those times when life presented awe-inspiring moments, and times of fun and excitement. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty more of those to come, but until they do...

As we descended into the rugged lands of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, I thought my ears would explode and head fry of fever. Flying with a mucus-filled head isn't always the ideal way to arrive into the Caribbean, but I did, nonetheless. Of course the airport welcomed us with the classic corralling of human cattle and chaos. Mugginess hit our faces as we trekked through the chaotic airport to customs. I wanted to pass out, I was so fatigued and weak. Chaos was overwhelming but the culture shock was almost nonexistant in my careless attitude.
Managing to pull my passport and appropriate documents out, I somehow ended up with my bags and following the group out the door of the airport into the Dominican atmosphere, where we were surrounded by a different type of chaos.
Constant horns and vehicles and a foreign language being shouted from every which way. My head spun and I crawled into an air conditioned van past jungles of seat belts that no one ever wore anyway in this country. I curled up next to a window, wrapped up in my blue hoodie, freezing as sweat oddly enough poured from my forehead.
Passing Spanish billboards and horses in the back of pickup trucks, and people walking in the road, selling fruit and candy, I enjoyed hearing the oohs and ahhs of our first time team members. It was all such a magical experience, even for those of us who had been down this highway multiple times. There was always something new to gawk at during the 45 minutes of stopping and going and close calls and mopeds weaving in the three feet that remained between you and the vehical in the next lane over. Our supposibly 4 lanes of traffic was somehow 6, as street lines were an optional suggestion.
Turning off to a bumpy, half dirt, half paved, falling apart road, we had reached the area of Los Alcarrizos. Just as many vehicles as the city and even more people and dogs running around. The 15 passenger dipped and hopped as we drove through hardcore road damage and potholes. People weaved around us in their 80s style pickup trucks with just as many people riding in the bed. Horns would beep to let the people know not to hit us, and we wouldn't hit them. Armed guards sat in plastic beach chairs, watching our van bump by. We weren't sure whether to feel safer or more alert.
Finally reaching Unto Inc.'s gate, we pulled aside and waited for it to be opened to us to enter the camp. Eyes watched us with a glimmer or curiosity, knowing full well there were Americanos in that van, since there were always Americanos staying at that camp. The van pulled up to the side of the kitchen and halted. We had arrived at our home for the next 8 days. Pin It

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Hoops, and fire, and jumping...

I'm learned that adulthood isn't that much fun this week. Maybe it was just the week I had, but I'm left here asking life "why?". "Why the hoops, and the fire, and the jumping?"
It was a fairly frustrating week, with still learning a lot about the job and then dealing with the email scam on Thursday. Still working on getting all the emails right. We switched to Gmail, which is awesome, but so far I'm not impressed with the bulk mailing. I've tried to send out announcements to our church literally 15 times and there are still a good 30 people who haven't gotten them. The emails we have still aren't declared correct from many people, and I've pretty much given up on gmail for the weekend. Probably should be working on that when I'm actually working anyway.
Today I was driving home, and went to stop to turn into my driveway, and I was pressing the brake peddle, and nothing. My brakes went and I coasted down the road, formulating a quick plan, and sort of panicking at the same time, and my brake light went on, after the fact. Luckily I turned down Gordon, and turned around to coast on home. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. Right up there with the whole dump truck incident last winter.
Frustrated and tired, I walked into the house, only to see my three weeks worth of laundry still sitting there, staring at me. The reminder of washing multiple loads of dirty, stinky clothes from weeks ago, that I can no longer remember why some of them smelt that way, was staring me in the face, and threatening to spill out of the hamper. So I started laundry and proceeded to practice songs for Sunday on a guitar that no one in church can hear anyway, because my guitar stinks.
Not my week. Maybe next week will be better. Pin It

Sunday, October 4, 2009

A Test of Faith and Reliance

The last week has been extremely challenging for me. I'm still working hard to get into the swing of the new things in my life. I love my new job and feel so blessed to have it. God has truly answered prayers there and placed me on an amazing path of my life. Finding ways to balance every aspect of my life though is one of the most challenging things I've encountered. All the things I have a passion for are hard to come by, because time is gone. With class, climbing, praise band, power point, youth group, Dominican stuff, work, camp, social life and just trying to get organized, doing other things I love is out. Writing hasn't happened in a long time and the time just to sit and quiet myself is nonexistent. I've been reading the same book for a month. Even eating is questionable some days.
I really hope God gives me the discernment to pick out the things that are important and get rid of the activities that I don't have to do. I'm too much of a people pleaser, and I know God will use this experience as a faith journey and show me how to trust in Him and the things He wants me to do.
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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

On striving for the simple pleasures...

Stepping through ankle-deep puddles and avoiding slippery mud, we made our way through the dripping woods. The path laid lined with soft, solemn, white lights and the fireflies wafted randomly against the dark woods, like gently falling, glowing snowflakes. Faint moonlight reflected off of the puddles and moist tree limbs through the thinning clouds. A light, misty fog encircled us and the dim, glowing windows are barely visible at the end of the path. The occasion felt something like an endeavor the Life or Death Brigade would pursue. There may as well have been stiff army tents, sparkling, crystal glasses of campaign, silky, long dresses and glowering candles waiting at the other side. But what was this all for? Dominion.
Yep, we were so determined to play a card game, that we would trudge through even ankle-deep, mosquito-infested trails to reach our pleasure. There's nothing like sitting with your friends around the dining room table, and playing cards that would demand a curse on them, or send yourself to the market in order to gain more gold and actions to use to your advantage.

(This is just a beginning inspiration. Hopefully more will come...) Pin It

Monday, August 3, 2009

Still Alive

So, yes, it has been indeed awhile. I have had the awesome opportunity to work up at camp for another summer as ropes director, and even though at first glance I was terrified of my position, it has proven itself worthy of making me a stronger person and teaching me how to rely and trust that God won't fail me. I made my focus word for the summer "trust", just because I have always had an issue trusting others and more specifically trusting God, and knowing that He'll take care of me when it's out of my control.
We have been 100% safe this summer, and are looking good for the next two weeks ahead. God has blessed me with an amazing staff who care about details as much as I do. He is indeed taking care of me and has my back.
I was thinking about this whole trust thing with God, and came to the conclusion that there is no reason whatsoever that we need to fear He won't have our backs. We know that God is good, so why do we have such a problem trusting Him? Because we think something bad is going to happen? It doesn't work. And if we know that God loves us, why don't we trust Him to take care of us? Remembering these things have really helped me with this summer and with my unknown future. I hope they help you too. 1 Peter 4:19 Pin It

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Anxieties

I have such a hard time knowing how loved and liked I am. I don't have a clue why this is or how to change it, but the little criticisms seem to over-rule the positive things that enter my consciousness. When the only thing someone says to me is a criticism or blame, I hurt.
I'm so scared I'm going to fail, and crash and burn and prove correct what I keep thinking everyone else is thinking. I always feel like I don't do enough, or that I could always do better, which is true to an extent, but when I feel like I have to keep going, just to show someone that I'm NOT weak, and I'm NOT ignorant, I eventually feel like I may just fall down and die of exhaustion.
I hate getting "yelled" at. I have the hardest time handling that feeling of stupidity or feeling like I lack that skill or intelligence, especially when the person standing right next to me is good in everything. I can't compete with the all-around people. When I fail and they prevail I feel pointless. I like prevailing together.
Being sensitive really stinks sometimes. On one hand I notice things quicker, and pick up on moods almost instantly. I have a keen eye for detail and can remember things well, but on the other hand I can't handle rejection. I can't know that someone dislikes me or it shatters me. If I feel like I'm in the way or a pain, I ditch the scenario completely. I would rather go unnoticed than to be there and in the way. I sound really self-absorbed right now, and I really don't like that either.
Why must everything be perfect? If I try, isn't that enough? I hate when people underestimate me, because it really makes me rain on myself. I'm really struggling with these things right now. Pin It

Friday, May 22, 2009

My Journey

Wow. What a journey I have been through in the last month and a half!
I went to Chicago for a couple of days to visit with friends and have some fun. I got to see more of Chicago, including the Millennium Park and more of the city.
Two days later, I turned back around to head to the Dominican Republic. I didn't anticipate getting much out of the trip, but I did. God still teaches me things and He still makes me grow in ways I never imagined I could.
While there, we renovated a house for a man named Pedro and his two sons. His house was unlivable and his family was forced to move 20 miles away and in an unfavorable spot. You literally have to cross a river to get to his house. We put in a floor, painted the outside, put in electricity, a bed, and walls.
We also began the kitchen project in putting in giant pipes for sewage, building up a wall around the campus and putting in a gate. It wasn't much of a start, but it was a start.
It was amazing to see how God had worked in my life as a result of the trip. The last year has felt so dead to me and everything was so dull. I wasn't passionate for the things I used to have fervor for and I could care less about the beauty around me. God really opened my eyes to see Him and is amazing light again. I can't wait to return. Pin It

Sunday, April 19, 2009

3 Days!!!

Yep, that's right. 3 days until we start making our way to the Dominican Republic. It's hard to believe that the year, months, weeks and days have gone by so quickly. God has truly done some amazing work in our team and in providing for us all along the way. We have made our team's total funds and so much more in order for us to send more funds down for donations and building products for the kitchen.
We simply ask for your prayers as we are heading there, while there, and as we return home in the end as we work to adjust back to life. Pray for safety, traveling mercies and team growth, not only as a team, but as individuals too.
Keep updated with this site! We'll do our best to keep you updated with stories and pictures daily as we're down there. Pin It

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Anticipation

For the past couple nights I've tossed and turned, thinking and anticipating. I will be on a plane, bound for the Dominican Republic in exactly a week! I can't believe where the time has gone. I remember when I started the official countdown at like 70 days, and that didn't seem that far away from today. My tossing and turning was mostly out of excitement, but I can't lie, there was some apprehension in there as well. I'm so excited to be there and serving in a way that is extraordinary and amazing. I'm apprehensive about little things, like spiders and health issues, I guess. Things I know that are in God's control and that He can take care of.
I'm also going to Chicago this weekend, which brings a whole new package of excitement and nervousness. I'm so excited to see friends and hang out with people I haven't been around in awhile, but also nervous that I'm missing our last Dominican meeting and the send off on Sunday. Chicago has always made me a little nervous, just because I'm a sensitive person and walking down the streets there sometimes scare me to death. I love to visit, but I never could live there.
These two trip, I'm sure will bring a great time of fellowship and growth though. Dominican will grow me in ways I can't even anticipate now. I always come home changed, new and refreshed though. God has amazing plans for me and the rest of my team! Pin It

Friday, April 10, 2009

Can't Live Without Him

Today there were so many times I saw the denial of God and His existence by others around me. Or even if they knew He existed, some people just don't want to get into that relationship or fully put faith in Him. I felt my heart sink at least twice tonight just reading statuses on facebook or simply having conversation with people.
I have such a hard time grasping the fact that it is possible to not put faith in God and that many people do it. My life has felt like nothing but jumping off of cliffs and knowing He will catch me on the way down. I have no other reason or person to give credit to catching me in those times of taking a leap of faith.
I think it's a bad thing that I was taken aback by this today, but realized that I knew it occurred all the time and everywhere, however I simply didn't get the same, powerful reaction from myself everytime I encountered a situation like someone not into Christ. Do I really only surround myself with ONLY Christians? I hope not.
But my heart broke a little bit today. Even more so than when I realize a guy I like isn't into me(...which has happened three times this year already...)
I simply don't know how people without faith in Christ do it. I think Christ is there anyway, but the recognition isn't.

I'm inspired by words of Lecrae:
Go Hard
Go hard or go home
Lord, use me up...

Lord kill me If I don't preach the gospel

I'm still in my 20's- but I'll die if I got to
Already dead- so forget my flesh
I done been crossed over see the full court press
I'm a full court mess if the Lord don't use me
Running from my trials thinking everythingss groovy
If the Cross don't move me then I don't wanna breath no more
If I ain't seeing Christ potna I don't wanna see no more
Rep every day with out worrying about bruising
I been to China man, I seen some real persecution
If you didn't know Him would your life look the same
Can they tell you value Jesus by the way you rep his name?
Man what's the point of living if I'm living for myself
Lord empty out my life before I put you on the shelf
So for God I got Hard I don't want to die tonight
It's too many people living who ain't heard about my Christ


Go Hard or Go Home
Lord Use Me Up...

Went to Asia had to duck and hide-for sharing my faith
They tell me water it down when I get back to states
They say tone the music down you might sell a lot a records
But it's people out here dying and none of them heard the message
Took my wife on mission trip - Central America
Shared her testimony 40 people stood and stared at her
When she said Jesus should of seen it was insane
'Cause 40 out of 40 never heard of Jesus name
Aw man we ain't focused on the war we just kickin it
Worried about our image and our space up on the internet
Take me out the game coach
I don't wanna play no more
If cant give it all I got and leave it out there on the court
Thank you for the Grace for the will and the desire
Got me living for your glory stead of living to retire
But I pray I'll never tire of Going hard for Messiah
I don't need no motivation You the reason I'm inspired.


That mean that we, should be out up in ok streets
Not just in houses with our bible's summarizing what we read
Man this ain't deep (man this aint deep)
Why we ain't doing what we read

Its like we sleep (its like we sleep)
But sinners sleepwalk when they sleep
So why can't we (so why can't we)
The redeemed of the LORD

Act out, what He said
And make a scene for the LORD

Action-cut, say what, like we was the director
But you better get a Grip like movie sets, and get to stepping
I know you done it
Done-and heard it all

You was going hard for the Lord before you heard this song
But don't play yourself to save ya self
And walk in fear

Scripture's like a mirror
The truth is closer than it appears...
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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Individuality vs. Identity

One of my challenges for the week is to figure out exactly what the contrast is between individuality and identity. After much research and brain-picking, I think I may have the answer...
Identity is "sameness". Our identity is what places us in an organized "category" if you will. For example, there are women, men, students, adults, parents, kids, etc. Their characteristics and traits make them who they are and place them in that group. Women are all the same for many of the same reasons.
Individuality is "oneness". Even though I'm a woman, I'm not the same exact woman as another woman out there. Everyone is different from everyone else in some way or many ways. Even though I'm in the category of a woman, I'm shy, I'm taller than most, I have a fear of spiders and clowns...those things make me who I am. They are the categories that go beyond the main category. Since this is for my term paper based off of A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini, I figure forming an example from that would be more ideal.
Laila is an Afghan woman. Her characteristics make her this way, thus this is the category she is in. However, Laila was raised to be independent and stand up for herself, unlike many of the women from her city. Her strength makes her individualized or different from many of the other women of Afghanistan.
I think you need identiy to have individuality. Identity is the canvas of a painting, and the paint you put on it and the way you do it is the individuality.
I'm not sure how much sense this makes, but I'm hoping it makes sense in my paper. If anyone else has another way of putting it, I'd appreciate the thoughts and feedback... Pin It

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Humbling Inspiration

I have really realized today that going to church truly inspires me. I know that this could be a cliche or even obvious statement, but I always thought that people saying that church is inspirational was just something people said. Sure I knew it gave you that feel-good and pumped up feeling, if you really get into it, but to use the word inspirational to describe the feeling you get by surrounding yourself with other believers and hearing a sermon that makes you want to make changes in your life wasn't the word that I would usually pick. Today, though, I walked out of those sanctuary doors wanting to write, wanting to celebrate the overwhelming excitement in my soul at that moment towards the Dominican trip, spring and even the snow that blew furiously outside the windows...
I think the art of seeing passion pour out of someone is inspirational in itself. Just seeing people worship makes my heart leap. Seeing a body of believers coming together in one name and one purpose to place their faith out there and just lay it all down for what they stand for is a humbling experience.
I think the fact that church is inspirational was always a thought I had in the back of my m ind, but today it truly became clearer to me. Pin It

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

True Love is a Verb

(*Inspired by Pastor Rick's sermon last Sunday)

When many go to define what love is, they would say it's that tingling, removed from earth feeling. This is true to an extent, but as many know, that tingling, excited feeling tends to fizzle out after the first couple months...So how does this love thing really work? What does true love mean? And where do we get it?

The first this we have to learn is that true love IS NOT the feelings. It's not all about the feelings that the other person gives you, or the things you expect to get from them. If you believe this, the relationship will fail. That is why so many divorces happen, why there are so many break-ups. Nobody will give you those tingling feelings for 50-60 years straight! And you certainly can't give them those feelings in return for that long! So how does it REALLY work?

Love is about putting that other person's NEEDS ahead of your WANTS. It's about caring for that person so much, that you'd do anything to make sure they have what they need. If you both do this for the other person, you have nothing to worry about. However, there is so much selfishness out there and wanting what you can get from a relationship, that there are break ups and divorces around every corner. In reality, anyone could get together and work out just fine if no one was selfish. Of course we have to think about faiths and beliefs too, but just think about all of those arranged marriages that happened years ago, and still take place in other cultures today. Most of those work somehow...

When you look at your relationships, think about what is not working, the dig back to the reason why that this isn't working...odds are it's because someone is selfish. Abuse and immorality are whole other stories however...that's selfishness, but include danger.
Is there something you can change about yourself? Are you giving the other half what they need before you're expecting what you want? Pin It

Monday, March 23, 2009

Goals and Rambling

I've tried to begin a post now since Friday, but lacked inspiration to decide on what to write...so here I am, blabbing about lacking inspiration for what I should write...

This past weekend was such a blast! I got to spend time with some of my girls from church, having slumber parties, playing crazy rounds of spoons, watching Gilmore Girls episode after episode until 1 in the morning, and sitting down and just having great discussions on what it means to have a relationship with God as opposed to calling it a religion.
I got to host a group of girls and cook for them and make fun snacks for them. It was awesome and made me realize how excited I am to get my own place someday. Hopefully sooner than later...

I've also recently been setting goals and making wishlists like crazy! I couldn't tell you if the wishlist part is good or bad, but goals usually can't hurt to set now and then. I'm going to start walking/running tomorrow with Ang for the season. I usually don't start until camp starts, but I figured, why not get ahead of the game this year? I'm hoping to also get a car soon...and I mean my very own car...so if you're selling, let me know and we'll try to negotiate...haha
As far as the wishlist goes, I've been eyeing up new guitars. I love my first guitar, and it plays well, but now that I'm playing in church and probably camp this summer, I'm going to need one that actually plugs into the sound system without a pickup... That would be nice.

I also have felt like I'm in the middle of things for the last few days. I hate when I see people obliviously destroying their lives and reputations. I don't want to get into specifics, but it hurts me and I really wish I didn't have to care, but I have no choice and no way of letting it go until I know there is nothing I can do and it's in God's hands. I'm such a worry-wart.

I guess that's the extent of things that have been on my mind lately...didn't really know what else to type up for all...3 of you. :) Pin It

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Individuality

"The apparition of these faces in the crowd,
Petals on a wet, black bough."
~Ezra Pound (In a Station of the Metro)

I just read a piece in A Thousand Splendid Sons by Hosseini, and was completely inspired to do my term paper on individuality and the importance of having that feeling of bringing a useful trait to the table of the world.
"She (Laila) would never leave her mark on Mammy's heart the way her brothers had, because Mammy's heart was like a pallid beach where Laila's footprints would forever wash away beneath the waves of sorrow that swelled and crashed, swelled and crashed." (pg 130)

This segment made me think about the struggle I live with all the time of comparing myself and trying to be good at something that I could bring to the table. I think many, if not all of us struggle with this sometimes. I know last summer I had the hardest time with this, and feeling like I was a worthless ailment to the staff I worked with and as. I saw how well someone could dance or how amazingly someone played basketball and I crashed. Everyone would find those people cool and want to hang out with them, and I felt like I had nothing to offer. I faded out behind all the shining faces.
Of course, I realized that these comparisons were ridiculous and that it was nothing but the enemy trying to bring me down for an entire summer, but I still find myself pondering what I can really bring to the table. I still tend to blend in most of the time.
I feel that this whole issue of individuality and uniqueness is universal. It's a common theme across cultures, and this is why I believe it would make a great paper topic for my comparison of A Thousand Splendid Sons and other American Literature that share this theme. Pin It

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Spontaneity

Today was quite the spontaneous day for me. It began with me having nothing to do or anywhere to go, but then one of my friends, Anthony called and we decided to go up to Manistee and have some lunch at pizza hut with Angela, since she's stuck in the office all day on a rather decent day. After a great lunch and a time of hanging out, Angela went back to work, and Anthony and I decided to go up to camp and say hey, since we were close to it already, and the weather was so marvelous.
Once there, we walked around and I showed him around camp and the different buildings we had and some of the ropes elements. We walked around the woods and checked out some of the ropes stuff, as well as watched spring bloom all around us as the creek flowed through the back 40 and birds were flocking and singing about all around us. It was a great time. On our way back, we stopped in to see Eric and found out he was headed to Traverse City with Daniel for the day, and we decided to tag along there too...
After spending the rest of the evening shopping and hanging around Traverse City, we decided to head back to camp and call it a day. It was a day that went from no plans to a full day of fun and having fun on a gorgeous day.
I love those spontaneous times in life where you have no clue what is around the corner, but you know it's going to be good. I really feel that way about the next six months of life right now, with Dominican, Camp and going into my new degree at school in the fall. I have little clue as to what to expect, but I know it's going to be an amazing journey. God has truly called me to each of the things I have to look forward to, and if He brings me to it, He'll bring me through it! I'm quite excited for what life has to throw at me right now... Pin It

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Dreamer

I realized today just how much I love to dream. I love to slumber away at night in anticipation for the dreams that will visit my creative mind. I find that I gain inspiration from some of my dreams and even spark and idea for something to write.
I love dreaming during the day about as much as I love dreaming at night too. I feel like I want to just drift away from the piles of homework and random jobs I have to do and just sit there and dream about the what ifs, remember whens and wouldn't it be nices...
Reading a really good book does this for me too. I can pick up a great novel about some far away culture and just place myself there for a good hour a day, putting myself if the situations with the characters and seeing what life would be like if I lived in another country. Not only does reading take me to those places, but they also help my writing in sparking ideas and inspirations for new techniques.
I can't wait to actually be entangled into another country for real and get my inspirations sparking again. There is nothing more inspiring that actually living out the thing that inspires you. I've been needing to discover myself again for awhile and going to the Dominican Republic will bring back those old passions and fervent longings again. It's going to be awesome. Pin It

Sunday, March 1, 2009

I long...

I long for warm embraces of faces I have never met before until the day we touched each others' hearts. It's interesting how we go to reach out and help when in the end I feel as if my heart was the one touched the most and my walk made stronger. I can't wait for nightly gorgeous sunsets and humble swaying palms as crickets and voices carry out into the moist, darkening air. Our team dynamics always made me smile. We leave as a team, but return as a close-knit family, living in agony of the absence of each other for the weeks after the journey has ended. Little do we know, the trip continues on and the family grows as we realize we still approach each other regularly, sharing things that remind us of those small moments that took place before our eyes and the experiences we all shared in our own individual, unique ways. We share things that only our eyes, ears and tongues would understand the joy to.
The rubbished, wet streets having children, dogs and random vehicles occupying them always welcome us with friendly smiles and waves and even an "Hola" now and then. There's nothing like that culture shock that really defines you. You find yourself somehow out of all the madness. Even though there are tongues speaking words that you don't understand all around you, and eyes staring and ways of life you never imagined possible, somewhere in that blur of culture and babble there is you.
Mostly, I can't wait to see the work God has for me. I never can imagine what He'll use me for and I never truly realize it until it's done and over with, and I'm back home eating my three meals a day, and sleeping in a bed with warm blankets. When I find myself underestimating me, I am able to stop and truly see that I am used by God. He always moves in the most amazing ways. Nothing can beat the smiles He shows me from those kids or the relationships He brings into my life. The Dominican Republic has already revealed God to me in amazing ways once, and I'm positive it won't let me down this time. I'm already feeling so wonderful about the ways He is moving as we had our indoor yard sale this weekend. Our team is really bonding together and getting ecstatic about the approaching climax to our journey together!
Nothing beats it. Pin It

Saturday, February 7, 2009

We are another step towards our goal of building the kitchen in the Dominican! We spent this beautiful day standing in front of Walmart, taking donations and collecting cans at the DominiCAN drive. :) I can't be sure how much we raised yet, but it was a good chunk towards our trip. Being around the people on my team was great too. I got to bond and get to know them even more. We had a good time.
I'm going to be sending out more letters soon, asking for donations and prayers. With only a couple short months left before the trip, we're really getting down to the wire on raising all of our funds to get that kitchen up in Los Alcarrizos! Prayers are even more important now too, as we are preparing ourselves in heart and mind to go minister to the people down there.
I honestly went into this trip not too excited, which could be a huge shock to some people, but I really was only doing it because I felt like God was kind of dragging me into it. After hearing the passionate excitement of many of my other team members and hearing their view on going, I'm becoming more and more enthusiatic about going.
I even read back over the story I wrote about my last experience, and it was like I was reading it for the first time. I couldn't believe how much of the vividness had faded over the last two years. Now I'm totally committed to this trip and everything it's about. God will truly do amazing things! Pin It

Monday, January 5, 2009

Solid

So it seems that there is yet another great adventure in my path. I am officially going to Kentucky over Spring Break to Appalachian Reach Out with the Sr. High kids in our youth group. My previous experience there was one that really formed a milestone in my life as I was able to watch jr. high kids reach out in ways I never have seen most adults reach out. Many of the kids going are the same from the previous trip, but older now. I'm excited to see how they've all grown and the ways God has been working in their lives.
My previous experience was amazing and interesting at the same time. It's quite intriguing how our plans don't always match that of God's. The first full day I spent down there, I twisted my ankle and was on crutches half the week, with was frustrating. By the end of the trip, the kids had poured out so much love that it didn't even matter anyway. I was blessed to have the opportunity to just stand back and watch them play music for the folks in the nursing home or fix a house for a family with next to nothing. It really opened my eyes to the things they are capable of, and things I should be capable of. I didn't go, just to be a chaperon to the kids, but to learn from them as they reached out to the people who are so commonly forgotten about.
Returning to the place that gave me this eye-opening realization will not only make my heart more fervent for missions and working with kids, but I'm hoping it will make me more compassionate towards people. I'm hoping this experience will take my introverted self and make me more comfortable with risks.
I want to be able to jump off that cliff and know God will save me. I don't want to stand back and wonder for days if I should do something then make it too late for it to even matter. Faith is huge in reaching out. I want a faith that's solid. Pin It