For the third straight spring break in a row I had the opportunity to go to Mexico with CSF (Christian Student Fellowship). I thought last year would be my last trip as I was graduating and preparing to live in Costa Rica. But, now that I am back in the states I knew that if there was any way possible, I had to be on this trip. For me, it's not really a question, I really simply assume I'm going. I am so grateful to Dan and Jenny and the CSFers who allow me to come on this trip.
In 2006 we went to Reynosa, Mexico, but last year and this year we went to the same place--Saltillo, Mexico. So this year was great because I got to see a lot of the same Mexican kids that I met and formed relationships with last year. It was also such a blessing to go with lots of the same people from here in the states, but also meet new people who go every year.
Here are some pictures of the trip:
http://community.webshots.com/album/562876260XTMnCc
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Praise You in this storm
I came accross (coincidence?) this video today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O-IiHCrsK8
The song playing in the background is "Praise You in this storm" and that reminds me of my sickness before leaving for Costa Rica, but also somehow during that time I saw the "beauty from pain." Lately I've been struggling with spirituality and trusting God. I wish I could "just" accept God at His word, for what He says. Is anything in life simply "just..." Just pray more, just help these people, just listen for the still small voice, just study more? I wish I could come to God like a child.
That video is very powerful and although I have doubts and sometimes suck at life, I know I was led to it. Many people know my heart and passion for things like this, for trying to help the victims of these crazy storms (crazy tornados or hurricanes to crazy groupings of poverty).
Check out the conversation going on in the comments section below the video. It's really interesting.
At the very least, and I'm sure many are, we could be praying about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O-IiHCrsK8
The song playing in the background is "Praise You in this storm" and that reminds me of my sickness before leaving for Costa Rica, but also somehow during that time I saw the "beauty from pain." Lately I've been struggling with spirituality and trusting God. I wish I could "just" accept God at His word, for what He says. Is anything in life simply "just..." Just pray more, just help these people, just listen for the still small voice, just study more? I wish I could come to God like a child.
That video is very powerful and although I have doubts and sometimes suck at life, I know I was led to it. Many people know my heart and passion for things like this, for trying to help the victims of these crazy storms (crazy tornados or hurricanes to crazy groupings of poverty).
Check out the conversation going on in the comments section below the video. It's really interesting.
At the very least, and I'm sure many are, we could be praying about this.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Signing off?
It’s been a crazy two and a half weeks since I arrived in Omaha from leaving Costa Rica. I didn’t want to put too much on here about my thoughts over possibly staying home because the decision wasn’t final. However, I had been thinking about staying here in the U.S., as some people know.
There are many reasons for it, but in the end I have decided not to go back to Costa Rica. Many of you know my struggles but I felt that I was too alone down there and didn’t have enough support in Costa Rica. I think many people would have been alright, and are more than alright down there, but the people who know me well know that I really need a lot of support and interaction with friends and family. Relationships are very important to me. Of course I thought this through for over a year before actually leaving for the Peace Corps, but you can never know for sure how something is going to be. I know Peace Corps would be very hard, and very rewarding, but I never knew how that would manifest itself.
I really do think Peace Corps is a great organization and I’m so glad I had that six months there. I wouldn’t change that. I learned so much and it was a great experience. But I couldn’t see myself continuing under those conditions so I had to make the tough choice to stay here in the states. I have so much respect for all the volunteers in Costa Rica, because I’ve met almost all of them and some are good friends, but for volunteers around the world.
Thank you so much to everyone for your support. I was overwhelmed and had so much joy in receiving so many letters and emails. I never thought I would receive so much love and encouragement! People taught me so much about sacrifice and giving and selflessness. Thank you for that. Thank you for taking the time to think of me, pray, write, send packages...
Maybe I will write more if people want. One thing I have discovered, or been discovering, is I don’t understand anything about my life. As a good friend said to me, "life is never, ever, ever what we think it's going to be or should be or has been. I've given up trying to understand it as of a couple days ago, and everything is a lot easier!"
Signing off, for now.
P.S. I really can’t thank people enough for all the support, and I hope just because I’m now not living in an exotic location we will still be friends.
There are many reasons for it, but in the end I have decided not to go back to Costa Rica. Many of you know my struggles but I felt that I was too alone down there and didn’t have enough support in Costa Rica. I think many people would have been alright, and are more than alright down there, but the people who know me well know that I really need a lot of support and interaction with friends and family. Relationships are very important to me. Of course I thought this through for over a year before actually leaving for the Peace Corps, but you can never know for sure how something is going to be. I know Peace Corps would be very hard, and very rewarding, but I never knew how that would manifest itself.
I really do think Peace Corps is a great organization and I’m so glad I had that six months there. I wouldn’t change that. I learned so much and it was a great experience. But I couldn’t see myself continuing under those conditions so I had to make the tough choice to stay here in the states. I have so much respect for all the volunteers in Costa Rica, because I’ve met almost all of them and some are good friends, but for volunteers around the world.
Thank you so much to everyone for your support. I was overwhelmed and had so much joy in receiving so many letters and emails. I never thought I would receive so much love and encouragement! People taught me so much about sacrifice and giving and selflessness. Thank you for that. Thank you for taking the time to think of me, pray, write, send packages...
Maybe I will write more if people want. One thing I have discovered, or been discovering, is I don’t understand anything about my life. As a good friend said to me, "life is never, ever, ever what we think it's going to be or should be or has been. I've given up trying to understand it as of a couple days ago, and everything is a lot easier!"
Signing off, for now.
P.S. I really can’t thank people enough for all the support, and I hope just because I’m now not living in an exotic location we will still be friends.
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