girl staff minus Al
ocean sunset
at estero on the coast
the ladies at breakfast
fish taco stand -- so good!
THE la bufadora!
our campsite, haha so sketchy
there's some pictures for now. more later
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
no way...
today started out with Brad speaking. He was amazing this morning. he always does a really good job but i just felt like today was excellent. then me and three other staff headed over to the property next to the dorms to work on an expansion. we were having a great time. listening to tomlin, crowder, hillsong, hall, stanfill, etc. (only allowed to listen to christian music for the summer- one of our disciplines), having fun together, and just busting away at our job. Had a lunch break then resumed our work. I went in to grab a ladder and shortly after something hit my head really hard. i looked up first, being on the first floor of a build site but the floor was on then i looked down and saw a hammer lying on the floor. the other two girls asked me if i was okay, blankly i nodded in confirmation. they asked again, "yeah i'm fine." i walked into the "room" where i was working with one of the guys and the pain was a bit overwhelming. i rested my hands against the wall for a second then touched my head. When I pulled my hands away my fingers on both hands covered in blood. i very calmly, mostly because i was in shock, walked out and said, "i'm bleeding i'll be next door(in the dorms)." Mary, on of the administrative staff, had just returned from a build site with Nan who use to be an emergency room nurse. Nan washed off my head and realized that the hammer had only scrapped my head so i wouldn't be needing stitches. She put some medicine on it then told me to go lay down. Where i remained for the next 5 hours. i was dizzy and in pain but now i'm doing fine. i have a massive headache but i'm good.
but as i was laying down with nothing to do i read James 2 and 3. Our discipline this week is to write down two chapters of the Bible and those are the only scripture we can use the whole week. So i read my handwritten James 2 and 3 and in the last couple of verse in chapter three i came across this thought process or pondering. verses 17-18: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. and earlier in chatper 3 it talks about the other kind of wisdom that is of the devil. but as i came on verse 17 and 18 it just struck me. wisdom that is good, of heaven, of God is laid out in those verses. And those adjectives of the Godly wisdom are simple but so deep. i don't know exactly how to put it into words but i just was really taken back by those verses wondering if i could say i have that wisdom.
so maybe God had a plan for me to get konked on the head so i culd slow down and just get to know him better. which makes me think of Frank Drown (Book: Missions to the Headhunters) when he got sick same thing. it was a time for him to get to know God better.
but as i was laying down with nothing to do i read James 2 and 3. Our discipline this week is to write down two chapters of the Bible and those are the only scripture we can use the whole week. So i read my handwritten James 2 and 3 and in the last couple of verse in chapter three i came across this thought process or pondering. verses 17-18: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. and earlier in chatper 3 it talks about the other kind of wisdom that is of the devil. but as i came on verse 17 and 18 it just struck me. wisdom that is good, of heaven, of God is laid out in those verses. And those adjectives of the Godly wisdom are simple but so deep. i don't know exactly how to put it into words but i just was really taken back by those verses wondering if i could say i have that wisdom.
so maybe God had a plan for me to get konked on the head so i culd slow down and just get to know him better. which makes me think of Frank Drown (Book: Missions to the Headhunters) when he got sick same thing. it was a time for him to get to know God better.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
back to coffee
mostly i've been writing about the activities but not as much as the depth of anything. and i wrote in the first entry that i would be coffee shop real so let's have some D'volada (coffee shop down here).
last thursday night two of the girls and i went out for mainly laundry but got some d'volada (amazing smoothies. plantano y mas esta muy rico!) but we struck up good conversation. we were talking about oh we're having a hard time trying to figure out the balance in MCM schedule. How we are taught to constantly be growing in our relationships with God but yet we are busy with building from 7 to 4:30pm (essentially. some food, sessions, etc in there as well). Then we have to hang out with the groups more and invest time in them which none of that is bad it's just on top of that theres laundry to do, chores, book studies, getting to know the current staff, etc. In this conversation we dug deeper into just relating our struggles and went off into different topics. we talked about the staff as a whole and how we can work on being closer. this topic continued as we sat parked in rally van with a minuscule interruption of a mob mentality hiding, one person suggests it so others don't see us then the rest comply then as you lay on the floor you wonder why are you are. but any way after a good laugh we continued and decided that we could at least start with accountability with each other. real accountability too. where, out of love we approach the other person if they are acting, saying, etc. things that aren't glorifying to God. real accountability. i found myself being able to open up to these two girls very easily and trusting them.
this vulnerability continued into orientation weekend. saturday evening i had to tell my life story with all its glory and i did it. completely allowed myself to be vulnerable to these people (staff). i was scared to do so because for so long i was held and held myself to this reputation of "i'm a pastors kid, nothing bothers me, i don't struggle, i've got all the answers." that being vulnerable was the worst nightmare but it has been awesome just being me and not worrying about that stupid reputation. and the atmosphere here, just being able to be completely open and real with each other is awesome. i had several people thank me for being vulnerable and real, thats never happened to me before. Then getting to know everyone else on a deeper level was very cool (lame adjective) as well.
i have definitely been (being) stretched in my faith already:
"falling on my knees offering all of me Jesus your all this heart is living for." - can i really sing that?, don't shut up be bold and speak, worship means sacrifice, there is no plan b, don't be luke warm, where Jesus takes us that's where we need to go, "I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light."_John Keith Falconer
In my character:
patience, being me with no reputation, learning to live with different personalities, being open, etc.
even today as i went out around TJ checking the properties (where we will build) and getting acquainted with more cultural places i was being less timid about using my spanish (slowly) and just being me. Learning as much as possible or at least trying to and just be willing to learn as much as possible.
so now that this is kinda long, you received a glimpse of what's going on, on a more coffee shop level.
last thursday night two of the girls and i went out for mainly laundry but got some d'volada (amazing smoothies. plantano y mas esta muy rico!) but we struck up good conversation. we were talking about oh we're having a hard time trying to figure out the balance in MCM schedule. How we are taught to constantly be growing in our relationships with God but yet we are busy with building from 7 to 4:30pm (essentially. some food, sessions, etc in there as well). Then we have to hang out with the groups more and invest time in them which none of that is bad it's just on top of that theres laundry to do, chores, book studies, getting to know the current staff, etc. In this conversation we dug deeper into just relating our struggles and went off into different topics. we talked about the staff as a whole and how we can work on being closer. this topic continued as we sat parked in rally van with a minuscule interruption of a mob mentality hiding, one person suggests it so others don't see us then the rest comply then as you lay on the floor you wonder why are you are. but any way after a good laugh we continued and decided that we could at least start with accountability with each other. real accountability too. where, out of love we approach the other person if they are acting, saying, etc. things that aren't glorifying to God. real accountability. i found myself being able to open up to these two girls very easily and trusting them.
this vulnerability continued into orientation weekend. saturday evening i had to tell my life story with all its glory and i did it. completely allowed myself to be vulnerable to these people (staff). i was scared to do so because for so long i was held and held myself to this reputation of "i'm a pastors kid, nothing bothers me, i don't struggle, i've got all the answers." that being vulnerable was the worst nightmare but it has been awesome just being me and not worrying about that stupid reputation. and the atmosphere here, just being able to be completely open and real with each other is awesome. i had several people thank me for being vulnerable and real, thats never happened to me before. Then getting to know everyone else on a deeper level was very cool (lame adjective) as well.
i have definitely been (being) stretched in my faith already:
"falling on my knees offering all of me Jesus your all this heart is living for." - can i really sing that?, don't shut up be bold and speak, worship means sacrifice, there is no plan b, don't be luke warm, where Jesus takes us that's where we need to go, "I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light."_John Keith Falconer
In my character:
patience, being me with no reputation, learning to live with different personalities, being open, etc.
even today as i went out around TJ checking the properties (where we will build) and getting acquainted with more cultural places i was being less timid about using my spanish (slowly) and just being me. Learning as much as possible or at least trying to and just be willing to learn as much as possible.
so now that this is kinda long, you received a glimpse of what's going on, on a more coffee shop level.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
otra dia en Mexico
so i´m at an internet cafe right now with some other girls (staff) and i never really thought about the fact that the keyboards would be different in a different country, they are! haha anyway. my weekend was really fun. the staff decided to go camping. we drove about an hour and then stayed at a ¨camp site¨ - it was a place on the side of the road haha, it was a lot of fun. we slept right next to the ocean. it was gorgeous. we were next to this place called the la bufadora its where the water hits the side of the ¨cliff¨ and shoots up really high. that morning we also saw dolphins and whales. it was really cool. i´ll try to get pictures up eventually. sunday we went up to the states and listened to Brad speak at Eddie´s(director) church. orginially eddie was going to but then switched so we went and then we picked up the next group. they are still here. they´re from wisconsin. one of the girl staffer´s family, friends, and community. and this weekend we have orientation so we wont be able to go to church this weekend either so i haven´t had that experience yet.
i had my third bulid today. it went a lot better then yesterday. Hayley (staff) put me in charge of the side walls on a 12x16 and i had one measurement off an inch and it screwed that up so we had to pull up the plywood. kinda annoying but its okay i made sure i learned from my mistakes today. by the end of this week is when i should be leading. i´ll find that out tomorrow at the staff meeting. the whole group is here now. i love the girls and the guys are cool too. i´m just trying to stay open and teachable and just love others.
i had my third bulid today. it went a lot better then yesterday. Hayley (staff) put me in charge of the side walls on a 12x16 and i had one measurement off an inch and it screwed that up so we had to pull up the plywood. kinda annoying but its okay i made sure i learned from my mistakes today. by the end of this week is when i should be leading. i´ll find that out tomorrow at the staff meeting. the whole group is here now. i love the girls and the guys are cool too. i´m just trying to stay open and teachable and just love others.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Estoy aqui!
It is about 7 in the morning right now in TJ. everyone is just beginning to think about getting up. Still being on Michigan time i've been up since 6. but yesterday got in around mmm 3 i think and got the tour of all the sweet staff areas that groupos aren't allowed in and got settled in. the staff down here is great. everyone is every welcoming and helpful. they do have a close-nit bound already so hopefully i'll be able to slip in soon. It's not that they aren't friendly they have just been together longer so it would make sense that its there. I'm not exactly sure what i'll be doing today but i'm excited. I love this place.
emotionally and physically i'm doing alright. all the nerves and fears subsided once i stepped into the dorm. I'm trying to stay aware though because i know that getting to comfortable isn't always good either. but just be praying for the staff to become a community (another newbe next week) and for me specifically? um just getting adjusted and being an encouragement, loving, teachable person.
emotionally and physically i'm doing alright. all the nerves and fears subsided once i stepped into the dorm. I'm trying to stay aware though because i know that getting to comfortable isn't always good either. but just be praying for the staff to become a community (another newbe next week) and for me specifically? um just getting adjusted and being an encouragement, loving, teachable person.
Monday, June 9, 2008
surreal
I'm off to Mexico tomorrow morning! I'm anxious and eager. please pray! thanks guys- i'll try to keep up with the blogging as much as I can.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
rant
disliking very much how i have to schedule time in for friends and the fact that it is extremely stressful doing so. I don't want to be unfair by having more time with one individual than another. I don't like that almost my whole week is scheduled either. I'm fearing that I'm not going to have time to relax before i leave. if only people could do things in the morning and by that I don't mean 1pm. there was one person who took the initiative and called me and then came over and just hung out with me while i was working on other things; that was nice. it let me know that they cared and took away stress big time! plus it didn't cost anything. i don't have money to do everything that everyone wants to do. blah. plus...I'm scared that I won't spend enough time with my family. friends are important yes but family is really important...huh maturity?
stressful.
stressful.
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