In love with a new man...

This is my new nephew Rylan Lucas Kring. My sweet sister Amy gave birth on Thursday. I was in the middle of a biblical studies course when I got a text message from my brother. I left the class to call her. I had my priorities. :) Sorry professor.

I have sure enjoyed the pictures and stories so far but I can't wait to get my hands on him on July 23.

What a precious little guy!

On Missions

If you are reading this, you are probably under some understanding that my full time job is a missionary. I've been doing this for about 5 years after graduation from college when God radically did some things that pointed me directly to Him and I obeyed. Now I live in Mexico as a 27 year old single lady and am having the time of my life doing it.

But the word missions has really hit a nerve with me recently. Yes, I'm a missionary. I'm not special. Every believer has a call on their life to missions. Some people just don't do it as their full time job. Even if I were to leave Mexico tomorrow (Oh Lord, please not yet!) and move back to the states and work at Target, I still am a missionary. It will just look different. Because the things I love and am passionate about will not change. I will still intentionally talk about a God who transformed my life. I will still walk beside younger believing women and invest in them so they have a foundation to know Jesus in a more clear way and I will still help others be more equipped to be "missionaries" as well.

I'm not sure how this affects me or my future. I just know that my hands are open. If this missions organization isn't the best fit for me, I am completely confident that God will show where my next missions assignment is. I just hope that it might still be on Mexican soil.

_________

In other news, I'm currently taking a Christian Life Theology class this week in Spanish. It has been very interesting and challenging due to the language and content. I'm learning a ton, being humbled in my ability and grateful to apply some things from this week.

Is this kid ever coming out?

My sister's due date was July 3, 2009. She is still pregnant today.

Dear Baby Kring,

Auntie Em is coming home to meet you soon. I would appreciate it if you would work around my busy schedule and be home and ready to see me by July 23.

With love,

Emily :)

Rainy Days in Mexico

It rains every day in Mexico these days. I often find myself with this outfit on...rolled up jeans and flipflops. I have discovered that I absolutely hate wet socks and shoes so I wear sandals a lot. And my friend Suzanne brought me handy fold up umbrella that fits perfectly in my purse so I can take it anywhere.

I just wanted to share what I'm up to these days and how I look doing it!

I am so grateful for the month of June for many reasons. I am resting, laughing, and enjoying life. July I will be traveling a lot but until then, I'm enjoying the hot sometimes rainy city.

On another note, Mexican systems such as light companies and banks. I still after almost 2 years don't understand most processes and what hoops that you have to jump through to get what you want. It's been a frustrating day and doesn't look like it's over anytime soon with the light company.

I am learning patience and how to roll with the punches in the Mexican system.

Things I'm Thankful For...

- my friend Suzanne
- chai tea
- the ability to speak two languages
- laughter with friends
- 2 cookouts in one weekend!
- my new nephew who is coming so soon
- knowing that God has all things in control--finances, team situations, and my future

The Education of Angie Dexter

Living with Angela Ruth Dexter has been an adventure the last 9 months. I would like to share with you some of the educational things I have learned from her.

The Amazing Work of White Vinegar
Being the sweaters that we are, we often find our shirts with armpits that are yellow. Shortly after moving in, she informed me of the miracle of spraying straight up white vinegar on the pits and letting it soak. Amazingly removes the stains.

Make up Brushes
Angie and our friend Lola are in beauty school to help prostitutes find other jobs. Angie has been learning all kinds of helpful information that is bettering our selves as well. Angie recently taught me the magic of brushes. My eyes are so much more bright and vibrant...watch out Mexican men, these baby blues are getting even hotter.

Zumba
Beto and the Zumba crew made some workout videos a couple of years back. In fact, my dear sister Amy I believe owned them once for 30 days. Angie and I often have some time with Beto early in the morning before taking off for our days.

Mexican Pop Music
I have never met a gringa like her...she sings pop music like everyone else. Last weekend on our way back from Queretero, she made it her mission to pass her knowledge on to me.

Although these things seem somewhat silly, Angie has been a dear friend and roommate. We'll be staying in our apartment for at least the next year-together. I'm so glad that I don't have to move!

Bye Bye Swine Flu

Yes, these are pigs on the highway in Mexico and I picked the most tasteful of a series of three to share with you.

I enjoyed (for the most part) the quarantine at the beginning of May. Then I snuck home to surprise some family for Mother's day and I honestly don't know where the rest of May went. Hello June!

I'm not sure what normal is but I think I'm in it. I have time to blog, rest, laugh, dance, pray and journal.

I like this. Resting, loving, healing and helping is better than controlling, enabling and making things look pretty even when it's hard inside. It's worth it.

More to come shortly...

Flashback

So in 2003 I was on a summer project with Campus Crusade for Christ in Myrtle Beach. I had 7 other roommates in a hotel room. One of the roomies at 3am woke me up to tell me she had a stomachache. I promptly told her to take some tums and go back to bed. Not thinking it was anything serious I rolled over and fell back asleep. About a half an hour later, things got a lot of worse. We were in the ER and her appendix were removed by mid-morning with no one really knowing what all had happened.

Well the times of dealing with appendicitis returned last night about 1:00am when my teammate from Holland fell ill. We originally thought he had the swine flu and we took him to the hospital. At about 5:00am we received official word that his appendix was inflamed and would be in surgery by 9:00am. My roommate Angie and I had a sleepless, yet memorable 12 hours at ABC hospital as we hung out with Joram.



From this recent crisis, I learned the value of my sweet family. Man, I missed those guys as I was the stand in family for our friend. Pray that he recovers quickly and is released from the hospital tomorrow.


This is a pic of me about 4:30am with some snacks to keep Angie and I awake.

The last 24 hours have been difficult in my life. The fun of the quarantine is wearing off. We still have a ton of stuff that we want to do while we are stuck inside but we aren't exactly motivated to do it.

All Restaurants are "Take Out Only". Chili's is usually where we hang out on Thursday nights as US staff women.


And here I am trying to send a couple of faxes at Office Depot. In this picture, I'm rocking a "cubre boca" (a mask). We don't go into stores very often these days.



So we are here in the houses until May 6. If you have any ideas to keep us busy, leave a comment!

Influenza plus an earthquake...

So yesterday morning at about 11:30 am, we had an earthquake hitting 5.8 on the Richter scale. I was sitting in my bedroom on the phone with a friend from the states. At first I thought I had come down with the swine flu and was dizzy but really it was that my chair and everything around me was swaying for 20 seconds. Everyone was fine. I think it just shook people up a little more than they already were.

I hear the news is calling Mexico City the "epicenter" or "ground zero" is a little outlandish. Don't get me wrong, we are on quarantine in our apartments until May 6 but the city is running almost normal. People still are working but just some are wearing masks which people say don't even protect from the flu. I guess it takes a lot to shut down a city of 20+ million. The flu hasn't done it and that earthquake didn't do much either.

Pray for us:
- that our staff would find things to do in their apartments and not get itchy to leave.
- for the baby that was born to our staff couple Ale and Beto. All are fine and at home.
- for continued safety for us as we stick it out in the city.
- for God to use this to reach people.


What a Birthday it was!

In the meantime, we are throwing birthday parties for our friend Lola (who lives in the same building so we didn't break any rules) and watching 24 and reading Twilight. We do a little administrative work every now and then too. :)

Thanks for reading!

Mision Acapulco Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTKHXC1QZ0g

Enjoy this link of pics from Acapulco.

Swine Flu Influenza in Mexico

Have you heard about this? I'm fine but here's what the news is saying.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/25/swine.flu/index.html?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCText

We are taking precautions...hanging out inside, avoiding transportation, public places and practicing hygiene. I will keep you updated from Mexico City.

"Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love." Lamentations 3:32

This week is my late Grandma's birthday. She passed away last year on Mother's day. Her life ending has been a rough spot in my heart the last year. I have learned a ton about the character of God and the way he continues to ask my heart to be willing to go to the hard spots in life and heal. It hasn't been an easy year in a number of areas but I can safe I am grateful. Transformation sometimes comes in the valleys of life.

Today I celebrate my Grandma. She was a great woman. She loved people deeply and she took care of her family.

On Mision Acapulco

I can't say much but Jesus showed up. He annointed registration, ballrooms, programs, testimonies, students to share their faith and lives to be changed.




Above is a picture the night the 200 students went to the beach to release helium filled balloons. The message was that just as balloons were meant to be filled with helium, we were meant to be filled with the Holy Spirit and soar. It was a beautiful night.



I spoke on the last day giving a training on how to launch movements on their campus. It had been a stressful, emotional week but Jesus showed up.



And I lost a bet when we were bowling a couple of days before and I had to twirl baton for the students. A little scary and embarrassing. I guess that is what I get for making a bet with the conference director!

New Hope in New Life

We just celebrated Easter here recently. It was a good day. We went to church, had brunch at teammates apt (someone even made egg casserole!) and then Angie and I were going to walk home. April begins the the rainy season here in Mexico. Just about every afternoon it dumps on us. Here I am standing in my easter white dress and it starts pouring.

I don't usually like rain. I feel like it's inconvenient and just is kind of annoying at times. But this day as we stood under the awning, waiting out the rain or for a taxi--which ever came first, I was so grateful for renewal. That things could be washed away and made new. You see, this has been a hard year for me both personally and in my job. I'm sure that it's nothing that was out of Jesus' hands even for a minute but I am reminded that even though rain is inconvenient, it brings a fresh slate, a clean start, a new flower- hope. I have hope for a fresh start in Mexico and in Jesus.

I bought a basketball yesterday. I think with all the long hours of working, I have had a high need to be outside doing something active. Yesterday, I caved and Caitlin and I walked to the local Marti (sporting goods store) to buy a ridiculously overpriced basketball. New joy has come to my life with this guy. We went and play at a local court again 3 kids from Chiapas. I can't say that Victor, Caitlin or I dominated at all. The only advantage we had was our height. It was a blast...we laughed so hard and made some new friends.

A new #1 way to relieve some stress? Pick up my basketball walk a few blocks and shoot around for a little bit.

What I love about my life these days

These days, things are hectic but going well.

Here are some things that are bringing me great joy:
- My friend Caitlin from last year is back for three weeks helping us plan our annual student conference. She's great and fun and makes me laugh all the time.
- My sweet roommate Angie. She has been such a blessing and great friend this year.
- Knowing that that there is joy in sadness and sadness in joy. It's messy but Jesus is somehow good in the middle.
- Listening to my Mexican guy friends singing pop music in the car in falsetto voices. So hilarious.
- Getting long phone messages and emails of random thoughts from my pregnant sister.
- Seeing Jesus move on campuses and in the lives of students and staff...it's just priceless.
- My international Bible Study at church. I love the women and the countries they represent.

Confession Time

Hi, my name is Emily. ("Hi Emily")



and I am addicted to work. (APPLAUSE)

I've been learning a little bit about myself the last couple of weeks. Mostly that I take on more than I can handle. That I will do anything to not let things fail and make my life and work look pretty.

So I've been re-checking my priorities. Let me share them with you.

Love
Galatians 5:6b says, "The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love." I have realized that sometimes I become so focused on the task at hand that I forget that my job is to love people first and foremost. So I'm switching my priorities so I'm freed up to love people and students more than finishing the next task at hand.

Rest
Now that I can admit my 'issues', I can start learning to rest. So I'm setting up some boundaries. I am going to observe the Sabbath, enjoy my evenings in community, sleep, work out and find valued time with the Lord.

I started that resting and relaxing in Cancun a couple of weeks ago with my friend Kathryn and my parents. It was a great time.




I mean who couldn't relax after looking at this for 4 days?

Christianity these days...

I don't want to be luke warm...in anything really. I don't want to sit on a fence or confuse people by my words or actions. Especially in my faith.

I went to a student meeting this past weekend. It was great. In just 4 months, students are leading meetings and ministries without a ton of help from staff. It was impressive but I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the way we as Christians tend to separate ourselves from everyone else. We use a different language, take our kids to different schools, listen to a radio station that only plays music that is wholesome and uplifting…the list goes on and on. And honestly as those things were probably put into place to help us Christians grow closer to Jesus, what I really think it has done is make the chasm of us v.s. them a bridge that I wouldn’t even want to cross. I just don’t think we are very approachable. God calls me to live not of the world but I think that Jesus would have gone to a New Kids concert or out to a bar to watch the Pumas play futbol or maybe even have voted for Obama. I think our legalism in trying to boil down our faith in ways that we as humans can micromanage it has made faith something not adventurous and life changing but just one of those things that people “fall into” to supposedly make their lives better. I don’t want to be lukewarm by any means. I just want to be someone that is approachable to understand and know in the context of me knowing Jesus. Is that too much to ask?

Some Random thoughts

I find myself walking down the street here or on transportation and thinking about something and say to myself, 'I should really "blog" this' and then never get around to it. So I'll just catch you up with some of my thoughts now....

The girls and I went to see Mary & Me last night. Cute movie and well done however it left me feeling like I never want a dog cause they are ton of work and I don't know if I want kids either cause they seem like even more work. I cried a couple of times (a couple of things hit close to my heart) and I laughed out loud.

There has been some rare days in Mexico. Now I don't know exactly what I mean when I say rare but I'll try to explain. I was coming back on a bus to the city on Friday night and I was engrossed in a book (we'll get to that later) and I look up and around and for a minute the book had taken me to another world and I forgot that I lived in a foreign country. It was surreal and weird. I heard the horns honking and rain was falling down as Mexicans scurried around trying to find transport to get them home on a late Friday night. I thought...'what had happened in my life that I really would be living in another country?' and then I thought about how Jesus had radically changed my life and nothing was off limits when that happens. Yesterday was rare too cause I saw a woman carrying a poodle down the street like a baby. That was no small dog either and I saw a grown man relieving himself on the street. I quickly moved past him.

I made a sacrifice yesterday. I threw away a pair of beloved pajama pants. They were purchased from a Wal-Mart in South Bend, IN in July 1999. That was a good summer. I ran around with a crowd that I worked at Target with. It was the closest I have ever gotten to being truly rebellious. Anyways, the pants had been through everything with me and it was starting to show...so much that my roommate called them my wedding pants because strips of fabric just followed behind me when I walked. They were not attractive and probably at least 2 sizes too big. Me and the pants had a private good bye near the dumpster in my building.

I just finished the book "The Shack" last night. This the book that I got lost in when I was riding the bus. It was really good. Makes you think about life and faith in a completely different way. Doesn't mean it's all doctrinally sound but still good. Check out this link to hear more: http://theshackbook.com/

Back Home.

Back in Mexico

I must admit my time at home was really good but quick. I flew in to Chicago on December 22 with bronchitis and hit the ground running. My sister Amy and I shopped our faces off, I got to see a ton of close friends and supporters of my ministry, spent time with my family for Christmas, and saw Wicked on Broadway. And that was all in 5 days. :) I slept a little while I was home too.

Two sweet friends that lived and worked on the same team with me in Mexico were willing to commit to a road trip from South Bend to Denver, CO. It was such a fun way to catch up.

It was a blast to see friends from Colorado as well. The conference in Denver was great. Jesus worked in my heart and I enjoyed connecting with staff too.

I'm back in Mexico City now. Starting work back today with training some new volunteers in the city. The teams from last semester starts again on Jan 12.

Here are some things you can be praying for:

• wisdom, direction and clarity for our long term ministry
• that I would set good boundaries and not be a workaholic :)
• for sweet time with my friends here in Mexico
• that I would connect deeply to the heart of God and experience the Gospel daily

Happenings in the last couple of weeks...

I've been bad at updating you all on life. So I'll give a quick overview of the last couple of weeks.

We hosted a great Thanksgiving once again for all of our friends...

As you can see, Caitlin couldn't miss another pavo party in Mexico so she came on back.

That weekend, me with some of the staff girls went exploring in Taxco.


And then the following week, we were able to see the "New Kids on the Block" when they came to town. This was by far a highlight of my time here.

(l-r) Sandra, Angie, Me, Kathy and Katie
(l-r) Danny, Donny, Joey, Jordan, Jon

Please note five of them and five of us...this was not a coincidence!

And just last week, I went to my friend Jessica's house for the women's christmas dinner from her church. Here is a picture of Jess and I.
I made it home by 2:00 am. It was a fun party :)

Last Saturday night, we had our final student meeting where at least 50 students showed up. We were not expecting that many...or we would have gotten a bigger place. Not a bad problem to have.

So that has been me the last couple of weeks. I'll be home on the 22nd for a few days to celebrate Christmas for my family. I hope you have fun celebrating Jesus as well!

Lost Items

The other day I lost my Bible. Now, I don't lose a lot of things and it drives me crazy when I can't find something. I looked all over on Monday morning before needing to leave for a meeting. My dear friend Caitlin is here visiting and she was sleeping in my room when I was searching. I left for the meeting feeling disappointed about not knowing where my favorite brown bible was. I have a couple others but this was the one that has the marks all over it and I feel at home when I read it.

Coming back Monday, it was still on my mind even though I successfully read another Bible. When I finally found it, I literally jumped up with joy and ran in and told my roommate.

It reminds me when the woman loses the coin.

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neigbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 15:8-10

Have I told you how much I love this woman?

I've been thinking about how much I like my sister Amy. She's my best friend, my biggest fan and biggest confidant.

Just recently she was awarded "Teacher of the Year" at Kennedy where she teaches. So proud of this lady. Thought you should celebrate with me!

Celebrating my Birthday in Mexico!

If you have known me longer than ten minutes, you know that I like to celebrate my birth. I turned 27 years old on November 5 and had my third birthday fiesta tonight. I thought I should share some pictures from previous ones.


Experiencing the Mexican mordida tradition. This is when the one celebrating takes a "bite" out of the cake and their friends smash their face in the cake. I got double "mordida'ed" this year.

My roommate Angie as we celebrated in Acapulco at a conference.


And yes, I got yet another version of one of my favorite games called Mall Madness but the girls on my team bought me "Vamos de Compras" the game in Spanish! Here are my friends playing with me. Daniela and I won!

Last week when visiting the Museum of Anthropology, I was asked to give my feedback of why people should visit Mexico City. Of course I asked the guy to send me the video when they were done.

Let me know what you think. Do you want to come to Mexico City? :)

Transitions are still a way of life here in Mexico. We are continually saying good-bye and welcoming new people.

Kat who served the last two years with Enfoque Mexico left just a few weeks ago. We gathered to throw her a "despedida" that she had no idea about.

And even though we are just finishing October, we are already planning for new arrivals in January. We have 5 new American staff who will be joining our team.

As we talk about the teams, here are some things that you can be praying for:

- team unity; we have 5 missional teams here in the city and pray that the enemy would not try to divide teams due to conflict or not believing the best in each other.

- Passion Ministries follow up; we are continueing to meet with students who came to Passion Oct 7 and 8. Pray that we would see movements start all over the city.

- balance between rest and work-->that the entire team would embrace both and trust Jesus for ministry.

- Pray for me that my heart would be renewed over and over again and I would desperately chase after God's plan for my days not my own.

Thanks for praying!

Remember this face?

This is Main. We met a year ago when I went to visit her campus in Pachuca (which is outside of Mexico City). This weekend at Passion, Main came running up to me and says, "Emily do you remember me? I'm Main from Pachuca!" And of course I remember her...going to Pachuca was one of the highlights of my fall semester. I loved the students there and their creativity to share the Gospel with their friends. Main and Javo said that they have a new group of students that want to grow in their faith. So now they are working with the former group and the new group...launching movements in Pachuca.

What a sweet blessing it was to see Main. I can't wait to go back to Pachuca and meet the new students.

That This Generation of Students....

I hear these words and (once again) it sends my heart beating quickly. Standing at Passion Mexico City this weekend was a sobering for me because sadly I am no longer in "this" generation of students. My generation has passed.

My prayers for this university generation in Mexico is:
- they would not just have an emotional experience with Jesus Christ but that they would know him and would be wrecked to move in the direction of changing the world because of that experience.
- that students would know that faith is more than a list of do's and don't's
- that the universities would be awakened to the glory of Jesus and their peers would be the carriers of that light.

Christy Nockels sang on the tour and Jesus met me in the middle of these words.

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love

Like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours

Everything I am For Your kingdom's cause

As I walk from earth into eternity

What a sweet refresher of how good Jesus is.

Celebrating another Mexican Independence

A year ago I spent Mexican Independence Day at Six Flags Mexico City and then went to Centro Coyoacan. It was a great night but this year's Independence topped it.

Some friends came from Puebla, Mexico and we went to the Zocalo this year to celebrate. Covered with bubbles and surrounded by my favorite people, I heard Calderon yell "Viva Mexico!" as the people shouted back "Viva!" And we watched as fireworks exploded into the sky from all directions. After that, we went back and had a dance party. I fell into bed about 3:30 exhausted but thankful for another fun independence.

Here are some pictures...

My new roommate Angie and I in our new apartment before heading out.

The group and I in the Zocalo after being covered in bubbles and enjoying the evening.

Starting Fresh

Sometimes I think I'm still in school. Because so much changes in my life in the month of August. Working with college students has that effect on me.

We are starting again in ministry. There are new faces...a lot more faces actually plus new apartments, new neighborhoods and a new role. Sometimes change scares me. I like consistency in my life but I love it when I figure out how to make things even work better than before. So here I am starting again. I wanted you to be a part of it with me.

I went to briefing last week to meet up with the new Americans coming on our team. While I was there, I had the opportunity to be the emcee for the week. What a new and fun experience.

I'm going to be honest. I came back to the States for a conference last night and I have been glued to the television since then watching the Olympics. I have always been a fan. I'm not sure exactly why. I root for the USA but it's not because I am this great patriotic but because these athletes have worked so hard and have given up so much for the pursuit of what I think is the greatest sports competition ever.

I just watched the swimming 4x100 men's relay where they not only won the gold but came back from behind and quieted the talks of a rival team. I was literally screaming with them in my hotel room.

I just wish they would have put baton twirling in it a long time ago. That is way more than a sport than clay shooting.

I wish they all could be California girls...

We just had a really sweet group from San Diego come down and spend a week doing ministry with us for two weeks. They came through a college group at a church. I love watching groups come and believe God for big things, move in faith and have extreme flexibility.

I had such a sweet time getting to know the group of 11. These are the girls and I above when we went to the state of Mexico to serve in a local church. (L-R) Summer, Crystal, Me, Diane and Jenni.

Safe travels today friends!

My dear friend Andrea left Mexico City today. She and I have been on STINT (a Short Term International trip) for the last year. I never thought that I would find such sweet community with her.

I'm so honored to be a part of her life. We've gotten to grow together this year. I've watched her struggle through hard things and she has sat beside me as I grew with Jesus.

I often talk about how God uses people in my life to change and mold me. Andrea has definetely been one of those persons.

Her ministry and life has left an impact in the lives of college students. Andrea made her life count this year in Mexico. In the process, she too has been changed. It's funny how those things work.

Even though today is bittersweet, I eagerly anticipate the next group that comes to Mexico City. Not only our we engaged in a mission and vision that is much grander than ourselves but we participate in this vision with people from all different backgrounds and stories.

Good-Byes

I'm not so good at good-byes. I have said a lot this summer. Some to people that I won't see this side of heaven and others for a while.

I spent 5 weeks with some pretty cool people in Florida going to cultural training. We had some really fun times and built some sweet community but we are all following God's call to take the gospel to the nations so the chances of me of running into my new sweet friends is highly unlikely.

That's the funny thing about community. We live life in a way that's real and vulnerable and with purpose and I think that is what makes good-byes so hard. I don't want those things to end. I remember being on a summer missions opportunity for 10 weeks one summer and having a hard time choosing to even show up to say goodbye to my best friends of the summer. I just thought it would be easier to just leave.

My friend Betsy wrote a song about how she hates goodbyes too. Here are some of my favorite words of it.

If I could have anything, I'd have control

cause I don't like change and I hate to let go

hate watching cars drive away

with not enough reason to stay

On the same path still but now I feel lost.

When I said hello I did not know the cost

but I know it now, I feel it now.

Tell me you'll see me tomorrow

that way I don't have to cry.

If we keep pretending it's not really ending

I hate the word "good-bye".

Yes, it's hard but I totally believe that it's worth it. I've said "adios" to some cool people in my life and I'm looking forward to much more "hellos".

I arrived back in Mexico yesterday. It's strange that Mexico is home. I missed it and my house and the food. It's good to be home.

I was feeling suffocated yesterday. We are living in these condos kind of in the boonies in Kissimmee, FL. Not really the boonies but we don't have enough cars to go wherever I want. So it makes Americans feel trapped when they can't do what they want to do. So I freaked out yesterday morning and my friend and I decided to figure out the Lynx bus system that goes all over Kissimmee and Orlando area.

We waited for our first bus for an hour...in the heat of Florida. I think I sweated off 2 pounds. Then we got on the bus and took a big loop because we got on the one going east instead of west. We met some great people including some latin men that my friend winked at and Tony a cook at Chili's who rides the bus because he got a DUI. Tony was extremely helpful telling us that the mall we were going to wasn't so stellar. So we switched buses and went to Barnes and Noble.

It's hard to describe the freedom that I felt when I got on the bus. I think mostly because I didn't have to rely on anyone or be back at a certain time. I could be me--slightly neurotic at times with my sweet friend. We spent some really good time with Jesus in a coffee shop and began the trip back.

Riding the Lynx bus around Orlando area was probably one of the funnest days here. Just wanted to share what a typical Saturday is like here in Florida.

On the Move...

I'm in Orlando, FL again for cross cultural training before going back to Mexico in July. Training has been interesting and I'm learning some new things as well.

My mom and sister came to visit last week. Here is a picture of me with them and my dear friend. She and I interned in Colorado before I left for Mexico. It's been really fun spending the summer with her.

I'm terrified of spiders. I'm not afraid of a lot of things but spiders is at the top of the list. I become pretty hysterical when they are around me too. One of the only times my sweet timid stepfather raised his voice at me was when he thought I was yelling "FIRE!!!" from the basement instead of "SPIDER!!!"

I have had my run-ins with these pests since coming home to good ole Indiana too. I was driving down the street and a nice jumping spider wanted to get out of the car. I later after a small anxiety attack on the street successfully killed that mutant. That evening I felt it was appropriate to bug bomb my ford explorer to rid my friend of all his little eggs.

But the kicker of the car spiders came on Tuesday when I was driving my mom's car down the Indiana toll road. A spider of greater size decided to make his presence known as I drov 75 mph down the highway. I calmly pulled over, put the car in park, flashers on and annihalated that creature.

I'm not sure why I'm so afraid of spiders or why God feels it's necessary for me to continually be greeted with my enemies in small confined places while I'm operating automobiles. Nonetheless, it has brought thrill back into my driving ability.

**please note if you are my state farm agent reading this, it's all made up. I didn't stop my car on any busy highways or put myself in danger while driving :)**

LASIK

I had LASIK eye surgery last week. They numbed my eyes up and wrote with a surgical marker on where they were going to cut. It was a pretty cool experience. Here is me before sugery. A shout out to Melissa Pierce for the rad pictures!
The night after the surgery I was awake most of the night just thinking. I didn't have any pain in my eyes but I had a headache. My sister was with me at the hotel and of course I woke her up mainly because I was bored. It reminded me of when I was young. We used to go visit my dad (my parent's divorced) and I would stay up all night. I just couldn't sleep. I remember just talking to my sister Amy so she would have to stay awake with me. I hated to be alone in a house and neighborhood that was unfamiliar to me and she was my safe haven. So here were were about 12 years later and the story was the same but we were in a hotel in Dayton, OH. How grateful I am for a sister that will stay awake all night with her brat sister when she can't sleep.

I've been on a lot of planes lately. I like to people watch while in transit to different places. Everyone is talking on their phones or emailing someone for work or something...I'm not really sure. On Thursday I began to think that all of these people have different agendas, different jobs and unique passions that fuel them to keep going. For instance my brother Ryan loves art. He's passionate about it. It takes him places that I will never go- sculpture classes, art shows with wine, cheese and crackers that include a bunch of other artists that are passionate about art too. I don't fit in there at all but I love to visit it. And my cousin Kim is working on an initiative in Indianapolis to make the city more accesible by walking so that the people of Indiana are healthy. How unique and fun! Yesterday I was on some more planes. I sat next to this woman who is a web designer for Samsung. She talked about how she wants to help Samsung be the biggest selling cell phone company in the US and man is she passionate about cell phones. It was almost silly to me.

Then on the next flight I sat next to this couple that works for a flavor/ingredient inventing company and they were testing new kinds of gum. They had a doctorate and masters in food science. Their main purpose was to help food taste better! Who knew that was actually a job where people studied and were excited about it?

That made me start to think about my job and my passion. I'm so thankful that my job gets to line up directly with what I'm passionate about. I sometimes think that my passion is more important than others..because it has an eternal purpose. But even someone that works at Samsung or a Gum tasting company can still be eternally minded and love coworkers and customers that way that Jesus does. Just some thoughts that I wanted to share.

I am at home in South Bend now and it's not necessarily what I expected to say the least.



I'm learning to wait. God is teaching me that He is in control of my life and schedule and my coming and going. I hate it. It comes into fruition watching the dying process. I don't want to be morbid but most days I don't think it can get worse and then it does.




This has led me to think a lot about heaven. How does one cross from life to death? Can my grandma "see the light"? Is she waiting for someone else to come and say good-bye? I have a lot of questions and the Bible doesn't exactly answer them. I just know that there is a God who loves us and his ways don't always make sense to us.

Grandma and I at Thanksgiving 2006

I remember many summers ago I was in Myrtle Beach and when I was stressed a friend would whisper in my ear a verse that has to be my focus today.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" Jesus speaking in John 14:27

Michelle and Becky headed back to the States last week to transition to new things in ministry. Our house is quiet and feels empty. The nature of our jobs in ministry calls for lots of transition and goodbyes. I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Their time here was fruitful and great.

Next week, I will be transitioning back to the States for the summer. I'm bummed about leaving Mexico already but excited about my summer.

O tested soul, perhaps the Lord is sending you through this trial to develop your gifts. You have some gifts that would never have been discovered if not for trials. Do you no know that your faith never appears as great in the warm summer weather as it does during a cold winter? Your love is all too often like a firefly, showing very little light except when surrounded by darkness. And hope is like the stars--unseen in the sunshine of prosperity and only discovered durning a nigh tof adversity. Afflictions are often the dark settings God uses to mount the jewels of His childrens's gifts, causing them to shine even brighter.

Wasn't it just a short time ago that on your knees you prayed, "Lord, I seem to have no faith. Please show me that I do"? Wasn't your prayer, even though you may not have realized it at the time, actually asking for trials? For how can you know if you have faith, until your faith is exercised? You can depend upon the fact that God often sends trials so our gifts may be discovered and so we may be certain of their existence. And there is more than just discovering our gifts--we experience real growth in grace as nanother result of our trials being sanctified by Him.

God trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury but by causing them to endure lengthy marches and difficult service. He makes them wade acroos streams, swim through rivers, climb mountains, and walk many tiring miles with heavy backpacks.

Dear Christian, could this not account for the troubles you are now experiencing? Could this not be the reason He is dealing with you?

--Charles Spurgeon

Last week on vacation my sister and I received word that my Grandma was in the hospital with pneumonia. She has battled Alzheimer's for 10 years now. We rushed home to be there with my mom and family. She's back in the nursing home now and stable but not better. I'm learning about grief, mourning, closure and the order of those things when someone isn't actually gone. My life is really confused right now but I did ask for trials and a deeper faith just a few weeks ago. This was my devotional yesterday. It spoke right to my soul. Thanks for reading.

Peru!

I got back last week from going to a women's conference in Lima, Peru. I had a blast with staff from Mexico. I heard from women all over Central and South America and how we as women can walk with Jesus through anything.

We even got a chance to take a picture with the wife of the president of Campus Crusade for Christ. Here is Judy Douglass to the right of me.

Overall, it was a great experience. But I'm so glad to be back in Mexico City. There's no place like home!