It's amazingly easy to focus on the bad, isn't it? I've noticed that in people--but mostly myself. When I get in a bad mood, I don't want to be comforted. I'm perfectly content to stay there until I'm ready to be happy again. Then I wonder why I spend so much of my time exhausted.
Focusing on negative feelings takes up so much energy. So why is it so easy, I wonder? It's ridiculous that as I sit in one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, I can much more quickly draw up a list of bad things than good things. How selfish can one person be?
I will not have my only written memories be bad ones. I've justified myself time and time again that writing is an outlet for my emotions...and the only ones I really want to get rid of are the bad ones. Writing them out helps to expel them from my body or mind or wherever it is they reside, but it also preserves them. This can be good if I write both good and bad feelings. The bad ones can remind me of how far I've come and how far God's grace extends, and the good ones can facilitate in story-telling and in reminding me of God's goodness.
So, I'm going to write down a few awesome things in my life right now. First of all, I have a God who puts up with my roller coaster emotions with endless patience. His love consumes me, and I'll stand up again and do so willingly. I have a wonderfully supportive family who never stops praying for me. I know that I'll always have at least 7 people in my corner ready to help me in any way they can. I have fabulous friends who also pray for me and are always willing to have fun with me and aren't afraid to call me out. Then there's Alabaster who seems willing enough to put up with all my crazy, and we're not even dating yet. I have a friend who is like a second mother who prays for me as faithfully as she does her own children. I have my XA family who cares deeply about who I am in Christ and helps me grow.
I'm also in a beautiful country with my best friend with the opportunity to serve Christ and advance His Kingdom. God has provided a wonderful family to watch out for us, and I truly love them as they have become MY family. I have 13 kindergarten students whom I absolutely adore. They love me, too. I know that when they are with me, they see and experience love. I have made friends here in Guatemala that I know will last a lifetime. I got to celebrate the precious day of Valerie's birth yesterday. I have literally gone this whole trip without having a panic attack (PTL). I have had the opportunity to learn the Spanish language, patience, how to receive grace, how to give grace, how to paint a cement wall, how to choreograph dances for children, how to make Pastor Max feel awkward, how to love unconditionally, how to pray better, how to dance in the rain (figuratively and literally), how to trust God to keep His promises, how to NOT be so anal about time, how to play new games (even poker...I know. I'm a sinner)....and so many other things.
My favorite thing that I've learned: being embarrassed sucks, but it doesn't last forever. Plus, if you're wise, you'll learn from your mistakes...whether it's a word mispronounced or fessing up to doing something stupid that ended up hurting someone (physically or emotionally...), it's not likely you'll want to duplicate the feeling of being embarrassed.
I've even had the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful things ever ranging from girls in the home taking care of each other like sisters to the breathtaking landscape of volcanoes. There is so much good happening here...and there is so much good happening in me. Satan is not strong enough to bring me down because even if there were nothing good in my life (which, as you can see, there's a lot of good): My God's not dead. He's surely alive, and He's livin on the inside roarin like a lion. And that's better news than anything man can create. BOO-YAAHHH Satan!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Weekend Catch-Up
Hey!! So since my last blog was suuppper general and stuff, let's play a little game I like to call 'catch-up!'
So I went to El Lago de Atitlán last weekend (15-18) with Valerie, the Chavo (her bf), and the Chavo's friend Ignacio. Two of the days we mostly traveled because it's waaaay up high in the mountains. The lake itself is a volcano crater filled with water. It is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. There are 15 villages around the lake (it's huge), and 12 of them are named for the 12 apostles of Christ. That's pretty cool; Guatemala is very, very Catholic, but not in the Vatican kind of way. [Aside: When the Spanish conquistadors came to overtake Guatemala they had this very gruesome policy...convert or die. So all of the natives they came across converted..(wouldn't you?)...but they didn't really convert. They just re-named their pagan gods by calling them by the names of the Catholic saints. So the 'Catholics' not actually Catholic. It's a very scary thing. Most of the Natives (Mayan descendents) are 'Catholic,' and the Natives make up about 80% of this country's population. I learned how to pray more specifically for this country in learning this bit of information.] -Ahem- annyyywaaay. We stayed in the village of San Marcos, but we also visited San Pedro across the lake. Our little hotel was very cute, and very cheap. It was nice minus the stupid boys that worked the docs.
San Pedro was great. We went there one day to do some shopping. I got to see Valerie haggle, and I was very impressed. It was really fun minus the part where I came very close to a nervous breakdown. I couldn't pinpoint the reason until I got back from the lake, but I've figured it out now. I have this tendency to suppress negative feelings, and that's bad for someone with anxiety problems. See the thing is...I was really, really uncomfortable being around the Chavo's friend. The Chavo had absolutely no idea that his friend was going to be so..well awkward and just...creepy. It wasn't his fault, and he apologized a million times. His friend hit on me a lot that weekend, and I was so uncomfortable around him even when he wasn't. Anyway, I successfully avoided him for the rest of the trip after that because Valerie caught on to my discomfort sooner than I did.
After the almost-breakdown we decided to do something easy: kayaking on the very peaceful lake. Lucky for all of us, Ignacio didn't come. We had a great time just paddling and talking and picking pumice stones out of the water. Then we decided to dock because it was obvious that a storm was coming. And then something very...strange happened.
Now it's time for 'Only in Guatemala' -- a game we all have fun playing here. So we're docking our kayaks, and the dock is covered in wet munchkins...in their underwear...all of them being boys. The age range was anywhere from about 8 to 13 years old. So, if any of you have kayaked before...you know that it's pretty awkward getting out of one without getting wet. These wet, nearly-naked munchkins basically attacked us to 'help' us out of our kayaks. It was either accept their help or swim to the shore...and trust me, that was a tough decision to make. So, we allowed them to help us out of the water, and when we were all ashore, they began shouting, "one money!" Yep. I knew they were going to want money. They followed us all the way back to our room. So we gave them like a quetzal each and shooed them away. I didn't feel bad because I didn't want their help in the first place. aawwwkkkwarrrddd.
And then this weekend we went to a theme park and a water park. That was fun...minus the clowns and the staring. I generally don't like being in a swimsuit around a bunch of people, but in a world where I'm already constantly being stared at because of my hair and skin color, I felt especially uncomfortable. I'll blog about being a minority later. Anyway, the stupid payasos were everywhere with their painted faces and balloons. And they laughed at me. They knew I was afraid of them...not that it wasn't obvious when I started covering my face with my hat every time one was within eyesight. I very nearly cried...and I did have nightmares about them Friday night. boo.
But all in all, I am very fortunate to have been able to see these parts of Guatemala. On top of all that, I've seen my first black sand beach and gotten to know the culture here a little better. I love this country. I don't really have anything enlightening to say other than that. Yay leisure blog. ;) So how is everyone else's summer going?
So I went to El Lago de Atitlán last weekend (15-18) with Valerie, the Chavo (her bf), and the Chavo's friend Ignacio. Two of the days we mostly traveled because it's waaaay up high in the mountains. The lake itself is a volcano crater filled with water. It is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. There are 15 villages around the lake (it's huge), and 12 of them are named for the 12 apostles of Christ. That's pretty cool; Guatemala is very, very Catholic, but not in the Vatican kind of way. [Aside: When the Spanish conquistadors came to overtake Guatemala they had this very gruesome policy...convert or die. So all of the natives they came across converted..(wouldn't you?)...but they didn't really convert. They just re-named their pagan gods by calling them by the names of the Catholic saints. So the 'Catholics' not actually Catholic. It's a very scary thing. Most of the Natives (Mayan descendents) are 'Catholic,' and the Natives make up about 80% of this country's population. I learned how to pray more specifically for this country in learning this bit of information.] -Ahem- annyyywaaay. We stayed in the village of San Marcos, but we also visited San Pedro across the lake. Our little hotel was very cute, and very cheap. It was nice minus the stupid boys that worked the docs.
San Pedro was great. We went there one day to do some shopping. I got to see Valerie haggle, and I was very impressed. It was really fun minus the part where I came very close to a nervous breakdown. I couldn't pinpoint the reason until I got back from the lake, but I've figured it out now. I have this tendency to suppress negative feelings, and that's bad for someone with anxiety problems. See the thing is...I was really, really uncomfortable being around the Chavo's friend. The Chavo had absolutely no idea that his friend was going to be so..well awkward and just...creepy. It wasn't his fault, and he apologized a million times. His friend hit on me a lot that weekend, and I was so uncomfortable around him even when he wasn't. Anyway, I successfully avoided him for the rest of the trip after that because Valerie caught on to my discomfort sooner than I did.
After the almost-breakdown we decided to do something easy: kayaking on the very peaceful lake. Lucky for all of us, Ignacio didn't come. We had a great time just paddling and talking and picking pumice stones out of the water. Then we decided to dock because it was obvious that a storm was coming. And then something very...strange happened.
Now it's time for 'Only in Guatemala' -- a game we all have fun playing here. So we're docking our kayaks, and the dock is covered in wet munchkins...in their underwear...all of them being boys. The age range was anywhere from about 8 to 13 years old. So, if any of you have kayaked before...you know that it's pretty awkward getting out of one without getting wet. These wet, nearly-naked munchkins basically attacked us to 'help' us out of our kayaks. It was either accept their help or swim to the shore...and trust me, that was a tough decision to make. So, we allowed them to help us out of the water, and when we were all ashore, they began shouting, "one money!" Yep. I knew they were going to want money. They followed us all the way back to our room. So we gave them like a quetzal each and shooed them away. I didn't feel bad because I didn't want their help in the first place. aawwwkkkwarrrddd.
And then this weekend we went to a theme park and a water park. That was fun...minus the clowns and the staring. I generally don't like being in a swimsuit around a bunch of people, but in a world where I'm already constantly being stared at because of my hair and skin color, I felt especially uncomfortable. I'll blog about being a minority later. Anyway, the stupid payasos were everywhere with their painted faces and balloons. And they laughed at me. They knew I was afraid of them...not that it wasn't obvious when I started covering my face with my hat every time one was within eyesight. I very nearly cried...and I did have nightmares about them Friday night. boo.
But all in all, I am very fortunate to have been able to see these parts of Guatemala. On top of all that, I've seen my first black sand beach and gotten to know the culture here a little better. I love this country. I don't really have anything enlightening to say other than that. Yay leisure blog. ;) So how is everyone else's summer going?
Friday, July 15, 2011
Surprised and Humbled
As most of you know, I have been sick on and off as I have been in Guatemala. In this time I've had to ponder, I have realized something so important: this trip was and still is for me to learn and grow as much as it is for me to pour into others. As a matter of fact, I think have been more poured into than I have poured out in the month that I've been here.
In some ways it feels like I just got here a few days ago, and in other ways it feels like I haven't been in the States for a really long time. I have been in Guatemala for a month as of today, and I can't be more grateful for my trip here. Many of my friends took off for South Africa yesterday, and I hope that they have as full of an experience there as I have been having here.
Today I was praying on my way to school, and God spoke to me in His usual, quiet voice. You see, I wasn't particularly looking forward to class today because the kids are always really bad for Teacher Jorge, and they don't usually listen to me very well when Sully isn't there. He said, I don't need you here, Katie. You need to be here. There is work that needs to be done in you and through you. It doesn't matter if you want to be here for the next three weeks. Your attitude should be the same because you are serving Me.
So, here's to having an attitude that screams "I'm serving my Savior because I want to and because it is what's best for me and those in my life." I've been on an emotional roller coaster as far as missing home and loving it here--from wanting to leave and never wanting to leave--but as I look back, I know that this trip is a huge blessing to ME. I am hoping that my presence is a blessing to others, too. I know how to love, and I hope these kids see Christ's love in me. I hope that my presence in La Verdad y La Vida encourages others to go out into the world to spread the good news about Christ. I'm learning so much PATIENCE here...with myself and with others. I'm learning how to receive GRACE and to give it. It's not easy by any means, but I know it's worth it.
I know this trip is worth the countless number of times I've said "I miss you." It's worth not being able to flush my toilet paper. It's worth the flu. It's worth the tears. It's worth the strange-tasting milk. It's worth the millions of black beans. It's worth it all. I love this country, and I love the people that I've met here. My family in Christ has been just that--a family. I couldn't ask to be taken care of better. I couldn't ask for more encouraging or caring people with me. I know that this blog isn't extremely detailed, but I hope that you know that I'm safe here...because the Hands that hold the World are holding my heart...even here. I hope you know that I'm learning, and I really hope you know that I'm growing. I'm not who I was...Thank God. :)
In some ways it feels like I just got here a few days ago, and in other ways it feels like I haven't been in the States for a really long time. I have been in Guatemala for a month as of today, and I can't be more grateful for my trip here. Many of my friends took off for South Africa yesterday, and I hope that they have as full of an experience there as I have been having here.
Today I was praying on my way to school, and God spoke to me in His usual, quiet voice. You see, I wasn't particularly looking forward to class today because the kids are always really bad for Teacher Jorge, and they don't usually listen to me very well when Sully isn't there. He said, I don't need you here, Katie. You need to be here. There is work that needs to be done in you and through you. It doesn't matter if you want to be here for the next three weeks. Your attitude should be the same because you are serving Me.
So, here's to having an attitude that screams "I'm serving my Savior because I want to and because it is what's best for me and those in my life." I've been on an emotional roller coaster as far as missing home and loving it here--from wanting to leave and never wanting to leave--but as I look back, I know that this trip is a huge blessing to ME. I am hoping that my presence is a blessing to others, too. I know how to love, and I hope these kids see Christ's love in me. I hope that my presence in La Verdad y La Vida encourages others to go out into the world to spread the good news about Christ. I'm learning so much PATIENCE here...with myself and with others. I'm learning how to receive GRACE and to give it. It's not easy by any means, but I know it's worth it.
I know this trip is worth the countless number of times I've said "I miss you." It's worth not being able to flush my toilet paper. It's worth the flu. It's worth the tears. It's worth the strange-tasting milk. It's worth the millions of black beans. It's worth it all. I love this country, and I love the people that I've met here. My family in Christ has been just that--a family. I couldn't ask to be taken care of better. I couldn't ask for more encouraging or caring people with me. I know that this blog isn't extremely detailed, but I hope that you know that I'm safe here...because the Hands that hold the World are holding my heart...even here. I hope you know that I'm learning, and I really hope you know that I'm growing. I'm not who I was...Thank God. :)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
It's Not Always Rainbows and Butterflies
Man have I been super inconsistent in blogging, or what? Sorry about that. Things get crazy busy...and then I start updating pictures on facebook and trying to remember to reply to emails, so sometimes I totally forget to blog at all.
Anyway, God is still doing a big work in me here. I got the flu...the day before we had planned to go to the beach. Don't worry; we still went to the beach. I loaded up on anti-hystamines, acetaminophen, and cough syrup, slept the whole way there, and got ready for some sun. And boy did I get some sun... Now I am sick AND a lobster! But I had a really good time. I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life. It's beautiful, and the sand was black with flecks of red from the volcanoes. God is so amazing. The diversity that He's created even among beaches blows my mind.
I spent all of today sick in bed...and quite miserable, I might add. See, two of my kids came to school sick this week. It's the rainy season here in Guatemala, so sickness is somewhat abundant. Parents don't have a whole lot to do with their kids except put them in school, so oftentimes, kids come to school sick. My immune system is not the strongest. Despite my daily vitamin efforts, mono seems to have my immune system at a bit of a low point. I don't have any symptoms of mono (praise God), but my favorite little virus is quite comfortable in my body. I'm assuming that this friend of mine is partially responsible for my being sick, seeing as Valerie and Sully are absolutely fine.
So what am I learning? Well, I'm learning that God keeps His promises. I know that's a nice little cliche saying that everybody likes to quote when things aren't really going his/her way. It gives us hope. Well, I was reading Noah's account in Genesis, and I was just reminded of this simple truth. The day after I read that, I saw a beautiful rainbow after a horrific storm that had all the electricity down for a while.
I saw the rainbow the day before yesterday...the day I started getting sick. God promised me that He would use me this summer and that I would see things I had never seen before. In that moment He was whispering to me, I am with you, mija; I am with you. He keeps His promises. I know that now, sunburned, sick and miserable, I am learning. I'm learning to trust Him with my heart, my body, my mind, and my plans. He is with me. Nothing takes God by surprise. Everything that is happening and everything that will happen is in His hands. What do I have to worry about? I know that life isn't a bed of roses...why I thought this trip would be perfect is beyond me. If you've been following me for any period of time, you know that these last three and a half weeks have been far from perfect. But why would God take me into a "perfect" place to do missions? I've painted, played, taught, struggled with Spanish, sang in front of people in Spanish, rehearsed with the church orchestra, transposed music (something I'm a little proud of), hung out with the girls, grocery shopped, tried new foods, gotten sick, gotten a different sick, laughed, and cried. I love it. I wouldn't trade one moment of it for anything. God is molding me into a woman after his own heart.
I miss my friends and family very much. Mom is getting married very soon (CONGRATS to her and Mark). :) I've watched God answer the prayer of many when Alabaster got a job today. Josh is ballin at MaggieMoos, and Russel's birthday was yesterday. Derek is still at the theater, and I'm missing his lady, too. Jessica is still in China returning from her week-long camping trip. Dad and Julie made it to Canada. Caitlin, Paige, Madison, DeAnna, David, D-Rey, and Brittany (and others, I'm sure...don't hate me guys) are getting ready to head out to South Africa. The Pampell family is preparing to move out to South Africa. Jenni is preparing to step up into the director's position at LATech XA. Bri is getting ready to move to Zambia. Lori's getting ready to go to Zambia and then move to Virginia. Tyler and Wesley are already in Zambia. Bryce is at camp. Beth and Jessica are chillin in my apartment without me. Liz is working in Bossier. Jorge's in South LA. Holy cow. It looks like a lot of us have busy summers! (And those aren't even all of my friends...) It's crazy to see God working in so many places at once...keeping His promises to all of His children. :)
Anyway, God is still doing a big work in me here. I got the flu...the day before we had planned to go to the beach. Don't worry; we still went to the beach. I loaded up on anti-hystamines, acetaminophen, and cough syrup, slept the whole way there, and got ready for some sun. And boy did I get some sun... Now I am sick AND a lobster! But I had a really good time. I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life. It's beautiful, and the sand was black with flecks of red from the volcanoes. God is so amazing. The diversity that He's created even among beaches blows my mind.
I spent all of today sick in bed...and quite miserable, I might add. See, two of my kids came to school sick this week. It's the rainy season here in Guatemala, so sickness is somewhat abundant. Parents don't have a whole lot to do with their kids except put them in school, so oftentimes, kids come to school sick. My immune system is not the strongest. Despite my daily vitamin efforts, mono seems to have my immune system at a bit of a low point. I don't have any symptoms of mono (praise God), but my favorite little virus is quite comfortable in my body. I'm assuming that this friend of mine is partially responsible for my being sick, seeing as Valerie and Sully are absolutely fine.
So what am I learning? Well, I'm learning that God keeps His promises. I know that's a nice little cliche saying that everybody likes to quote when things aren't really going his/her way. It gives us hope. Well, I was reading Noah's account in Genesis, and I was just reminded of this simple truth. The day after I read that, I saw a beautiful rainbow after a horrific storm that had all the electricity down for a while.
I saw the rainbow the day before yesterday...the day I started getting sick. God promised me that He would use me this summer and that I would see things I had never seen before. In that moment He was whispering to me, I am with you, mija; I am with you. He keeps His promises. I know that now, sunburned, sick and miserable, I am learning. I'm learning to trust Him with my heart, my body, my mind, and my plans. He is with me. Nothing takes God by surprise. Everything that is happening and everything that will happen is in His hands. What do I have to worry about? I know that life isn't a bed of roses...why I thought this trip would be perfect is beyond me. If you've been following me for any period of time, you know that these last three and a half weeks have been far from perfect. But why would God take me into a "perfect" place to do missions? I've painted, played, taught, struggled with Spanish, sang in front of people in Spanish, rehearsed with the church orchestra, transposed music (something I'm a little proud of), hung out with the girls, grocery shopped, tried new foods, gotten sick, gotten a different sick, laughed, and cried. I love it. I wouldn't trade one moment of it for anything. God is molding me into a woman after his own heart.
I miss my friends and family very much. Mom is getting married very soon (CONGRATS to her and Mark). :) I've watched God answer the prayer of many when Alabaster got a job today. Josh is ballin at MaggieMoos, and Russel's birthday was yesterday. Derek is still at the theater, and I'm missing his lady, too. Jessica is still in China returning from her week-long camping trip. Dad and Julie made it to Canada. Caitlin, Paige, Madison, DeAnna, David, D-Rey, and Brittany (and others, I'm sure...don't hate me guys) are getting ready to head out to South Africa. The Pampell family is preparing to move out to South Africa. Jenni is preparing to step up into the director's position at LATech XA. Bri is getting ready to move to Zambia. Lori's getting ready to go to Zambia and then move to Virginia. Tyler and Wesley are already in Zambia. Bryce is at camp. Beth and Jessica are chillin in my apartment without me. Liz is working in Bossier. Jorge's in South LA. Holy cow. It looks like a lot of us have busy summers! (And those aren't even all of my friends...) It's crazy to see God working in so many places at once...keeping His promises to all of His children. :)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Adventure Is Out There!
So it's been a while since my last blog, and I'm happy to say I've pulled out of my funk. In my grumpy state I forgot to mention that last Thursday I sang at church. In Spanish. Valerie and Andrea were there, too, so that helped. I think we sounded pretty fabulous. ;) Then we went out for some authentic Mexican tacos, and it was quite an amazing experience.
Saturday, I made my first trip to Antigua with Sully, Andrea, and Valerie. We had a really good time, and it was even sunny for a while! I got souvenirs and took pictures with the awkward fountain, and we ate at the nicest McDonald's in the world! (I can feel you judging me for my choice of food while I'm in Guatemala, but I don't care. Sometimes cheap and familiar is the best route to take.) Then Andrea, Valerie, and I got hair wraps. :) That was super fun. It was a day full of adventure.
The Chavo also came on Saturday, and it was his birthday! So Valerie went to pick him up with Rudy and various other Guatemalans.
Then Sunday was a very different experience for me. We went to church, and after first service there is the usual "snack time." This is a hard time for me because many people say hello to me and ask me questions in Spanish. I usually understand the questions, but coming up with the answers is still hard. It's like I get put in the spotlight, and I just freeze. But they are generally very patient with me, and I'm less embarrassed to be around so many people now. Then after snack time, we had a devotional about the end of the world. Thanks, Harold Camping.
Then I was off on an adventure with the Rojas...without Valerie. Crazy, right? I didn't know how to handle myself at first, but I knew I had at least 4 people in my corner who spoke English if I got stuck. We first went to a piñata for Ian, who turned one. :) That was with Rudy's side of the family. They were very nice to me, but I felt bad for Fernando. I felt how red my face got when his aunt asked if he was my "novio," and from what I heard, more than one other person gave him a hard time about it. Then we ducked out early (which was no easy task) to go have lunch with the Lopezes. I was very apprehensive about that, but I had a wonderful time. I learned how to play a new card game. I'm just going to call it 13 because I honestly have no idea what its real name is. If any of you are familiar with ERS, it's fairly similar...and yes! There is slapping involved. ;) I also played my first game of poker, and got a royal flush in my second hand. YAY ME! I would have won, too, I think, if we hadn't played "all or nothing" in our last hand.
Everyone was very accommodating to the language barrier, especially Andrea. I should thank her for that, but being around so many people from 9 am to 5 pm was very exhausting for me, so I went home with Sully and Rudy instead of staying to watch a movie with the other jovenes. ;)
And today is USA's birthday! -firework noises- It's my first Independence Day outside the states, and I think it's only my second Independence Day outside of Illinois. Anyway, I hope that it was celebrated enough in my absence...but I could go for a hot dog...and some of Jackie Pilon's raspberry pie. YUM!
But I am looking forward to a full and productive week of painting, cleaning, playing clarinet, dancing, teaching, and praising God for His wondrous works and patience.
Saturday, I made my first trip to Antigua with Sully, Andrea, and Valerie. We had a really good time, and it was even sunny for a while! I got souvenirs and took pictures with the awkward fountain, and we ate at the nicest McDonald's in the world! (I can feel you judging me for my choice of food while I'm in Guatemala, but I don't care. Sometimes cheap and familiar is the best route to take.) Then Andrea, Valerie, and I got hair wraps. :) That was super fun. It was a day full of adventure.
The Chavo also came on Saturday, and it was his birthday! So Valerie went to pick him up with Rudy and various other Guatemalans.
Then Sunday was a very different experience for me. We went to church, and after first service there is the usual "snack time." This is a hard time for me because many people say hello to me and ask me questions in Spanish. I usually understand the questions, but coming up with the answers is still hard. It's like I get put in the spotlight, and I just freeze. But they are generally very patient with me, and I'm less embarrassed to be around so many people now. Then after snack time, we had a devotional about the end of the world. Thanks, Harold Camping.
Then I was off on an adventure with the Rojas...without Valerie. Crazy, right? I didn't know how to handle myself at first, but I knew I had at least 4 people in my corner who spoke English if I got stuck. We first went to a piñata for Ian, who turned one. :) That was with Rudy's side of the family. They were very nice to me, but I felt bad for Fernando. I felt how red my face got when his aunt asked if he was my "novio," and from what I heard, more than one other person gave him a hard time about it. Then we ducked out early (which was no easy task) to go have lunch with the Lopezes. I was very apprehensive about that, but I had a wonderful time. I learned how to play a new card game. I'm just going to call it 13 because I honestly have no idea what its real name is. If any of you are familiar with ERS, it's fairly similar...and yes! There is slapping involved. ;) I also played my first game of poker, and got a royal flush in my second hand. YAY ME! I would have won, too, I think, if we hadn't played "all or nothing" in our last hand.
Everyone was very accommodating to the language barrier, especially Andrea. I should thank her for that, but being around so many people from 9 am to 5 pm was very exhausting for me, so I went home with Sully and Rudy instead of staying to watch a movie with the other jovenes. ;)
And today is USA's birthday! -firework noises- It's my first Independence Day outside the states, and I think it's only my second Independence Day outside of Illinois. Anyway, I hope that it was celebrated enough in my absence...but I could go for a hot dog...and some of Jackie Pilon's raspberry pie. YUM!
But I am looking forward to a full and productive week of painting, cleaning, playing clarinet, dancing, teaching, and praising God for His wondrous works and patience.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Being Grumpy
I did not wake up on the wrong side of the bed; the stupid wall moved during the night! This is the day I've had. The stupid birds outside the stupid window were shreaking their stupid songs to wake me up. Did they not realize I'm 20, and it was only 8:20 in the morning? Also, I'm in my favorite kind of pain for the eighth day in a row. Whee. Then I had a "conversation" with a sleeping Alabaster while I was eating oatmeal that had too much milk in it, so it was mush. Then Mom called and I had to go because of devotions. I knew if I didn't get some meditation in, my day was going to suck.
So I finished my first day of "reading through the Bible in a Year." I should have started this at the beginning of the summer; alas, 500 meaningless excuses later, I began today. I prayed; it was good. The edge of my bad mood had been curbed, and I joined Valerie downstairs to help paint. The spiders were less than friendly, and many met an untimely demise. After we ran out of paint, we decided to eat lunch. I liked my sandwich, and I was able to watch FRIENDS, so my mood lightened all the more.
Valerie and I returned to the yellow room to finish painting after our bucket was kindly refilled. PS, have you ever painted a textured concrete wall with paint brushes? It takes a while. Two days later, and we still have touch-ups to do, but I think the girls will really like it.
She made it through her grumpy schlump. Yay! Now here comes the part where we're all enlightened!
I'm not entirely sure if that's what you were thinking, but I'm going to throw you a curve ball if that's the case. I went upstairs to talk to Alabaster since our first conversation was less than stimulating, and everything was very pleasant....and both parties stayed awake. It was wonderful. Then I decided that I needed a shower, so I gathered my things, and as soon as I finished, there was a knock on the door. Valerie was telling me we were off to get popcorn for happy-girly-fun-movie night with the girls. I assumed that we were going to be driven there, but Cindy, Valerie and I walked. Don't get me wrong, I love walking. I wasn't the least bit upset about it until about the 5th "wolf whistle."
If they weren't whistling, they were honking. Gringas don't go unnoticed here. I had to continually remind myself that flipping them the bird would be very unproductive as I am on a mission trip. Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ echoed in my mind as it happened over and over again. I stopped counting at 15 because that seemed to make it worse. Round trip, it was about an hour and 45 minutes. We got two movies for the night: Rango & Zombie Undead. Wild gap, huh? Well Rango was a hit for all 6 of us, but Valerie decided to skip out on the zombies. I can't say I blame her. She probably made the better choice. The zombie movie was horrible...it's a British film. (go figure)
After cleaning up and saying goodnight, I was really looking forward to speaking with Alabaster again. Lucky for me, it was a train wreck from the first minute. My webcam has decided to be extremely tempramental and shut off whenever it pleases. The program for the software likes to pop up on my screen randomly, too. So I'm thoroughly annoyed, and my awesome mood seeps into the conversation and spoils the whole thing.
What a day. I look at this post, and I see my whining. I see that today was not totally unproductive. I see that happy-girly-fun movie night was a success, and yet I still feel grumpy. I understand that I am the only one that can change that; I understand that it's not beneficial to me or anyone in my war path to feel this way. I understand that I'm responsible for my feelings, but for goodness sake, it's hard to control my emotions sometimes. And sometimes I just don't want to. I sound like a brat...who am I kidding? I'm being a brat.
Father, thank You for Your continued patience with me. I have no insightful ending to this day, but You have promised me that you will never leave me. You put me here for a reason; please show me how to learn from my grumpy mood. I want to take up a permanent residence in Your Presence...because that is where the fullness of Joy is. Thank You for your eternal Joy that always lingers in my heart. I love you so much, Father. Wrap me in Your arms tonight.
So I finished my first day of "reading through the Bible in a Year." I should have started this at the beginning of the summer; alas, 500 meaningless excuses later, I began today. I prayed; it was good. The edge of my bad mood had been curbed, and I joined Valerie downstairs to help paint. The spiders were less than friendly, and many met an untimely demise. After we ran out of paint, we decided to eat lunch. I liked my sandwich, and I was able to watch FRIENDS, so my mood lightened all the more.
Valerie and I returned to the yellow room to finish painting after our bucket was kindly refilled. PS, have you ever painted a textured concrete wall with paint brushes? It takes a while. Two days later, and we still have touch-ups to do, but I think the girls will really like it.
She made it through her grumpy schlump. Yay! Now here comes the part where we're all enlightened!
I'm not entirely sure if that's what you were thinking, but I'm going to throw you a curve ball if that's the case. I went upstairs to talk to Alabaster since our first conversation was less than stimulating, and everything was very pleasant....and both parties stayed awake. It was wonderful. Then I decided that I needed a shower, so I gathered my things, and as soon as I finished, there was a knock on the door. Valerie was telling me we were off to get popcorn for happy-girly-fun-movie night with the girls. I assumed that we were going to be driven there, but Cindy, Valerie and I walked. Don't get me wrong, I love walking. I wasn't the least bit upset about it until about the 5th "wolf whistle."
If they weren't whistling, they were honking. Gringas don't go unnoticed here. I had to continually remind myself that flipping them the bird would be very unproductive as I am on a mission trip. Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ echoed in my mind as it happened over and over again. I stopped counting at 15 because that seemed to make it worse. Round trip, it was about an hour and 45 minutes. We got two movies for the night: Rango & Zombie Undead. Wild gap, huh? Well Rango was a hit for all 6 of us, but Valerie decided to skip out on the zombies. I can't say I blame her. She probably made the better choice. The zombie movie was horrible...it's a British film. (go figure)
After cleaning up and saying goodnight, I was really looking forward to speaking with Alabaster again. Lucky for me, it was a train wreck from the first minute. My webcam has decided to be extremely tempramental and shut off whenever it pleases. The program for the software likes to pop up on my screen randomly, too. So I'm thoroughly annoyed, and my awesome mood seeps into the conversation and spoils the whole thing.
What a day. I look at this post, and I see my whining. I see that today was not totally unproductive. I see that happy-girly-fun movie night was a success, and yet I still feel grumpy. I understand that I am the only one that can change that; I understand that it's not beneficial to me or anyone in my war path to feel this way. I understand that I'm responsible for my feelings, but for goodness sake, it's hard to control my emotions sometimes. And sometimes I just don't want to. I sound like a brat...who am I kidding? I'm being a brat.
Father, thank You for Your continued patience with me. I have no insightful ending to this day, but You have promised me that you will never leave me. You put me here for a reason; please show me how to learn from my grumpy mood. I want to take up a permanent residence in Your Presence...because that is where the fullness of Joy is. Thank You for your eternal Joy that always lingers in my heart. I love you so much, Father. Wrap me in Your arms tonight.
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