Home is where the heart is.

(cheesy, i know.)

It’s late and I could probably sleep, but i dont feel like it. I’m back obviously, and ready to tell, but i dont know where to start. so just let me tell stories when they happen to come up. i dont think i could explain it all in one sitting. but i can tell you that it was amazing and i love ethiopia now more than ever. 

Even though i was gone only 5 weeks, thats long enough for me to experience slight culture shock. Only those that were there can understand.

1. Rude people. A man was rude to me in the airport in NYC. I cried (also a result of lack of sleep). This is me coming from a country of the most hospitable and service-oriented people i have ever encountered. 

2. Fat people. It’s gross, really. It was overwhelming for me to see so many at Gringos tonight. And it’s sad. Many people that i love in Ethiopia don’t even get a meal everyday.

3. Good service. One positive thing. There’s a serious lack of customer service there. I’ve actually brought up the idea of taking a trip of business people to teach them some things. The food takes forever, and somehow if you order the same thing, it’ll come out different each meal.

4. Lots of people in one restaurant. So loud…

5. Lots of white people. Annoying, really.

I’m trying hard to not be one of those mad at America people. Eventually i’ll get back into the swing of things, which sadly isnt necessarily a positive thing.

Don’t know when I’ll be back again.

So, I just took my dog to get a haircut and now I know what a mother feels like. 

We arrive at the Pet Palace and hang out outside for a few minutes to let him do his business. I know he knew where we were and I could tell he was getting anxious. We go inside; I chat with the workers for a bit. We trade leashes and I pat him goodbye before they take him back. As I’m leaving, I turn back around to glance at him and they’re pulling him to the back. The look on his face was that of sadness and betrayal. It said, “Why are you leaving me here?” I know somewhat how my mom felt whenever she took me to school in Kindergarden. (I cried almost every day). It’s kinda heartbreaking, but it’s for the greater good. 

This is my prayer for Ethiopia: 

“…that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.”  

Psalm 67:2-3

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:23-25

This will probably be my last post before I leave. Love and prayer is greatly appreciated.

Love is real. Real is love.

This post looks long, but it’s really not. This is a passage I came across the other day and I really like it.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

-Romans 12:9-13

Obviously, I like Paul a lot. But this basically sums up what the life of a Christian should be and what I want to be. I love how this version (NIV) uses words like “cling” and “fervor.” Those words have so much significance and depth. Theses statements are so simple, and yet it’s awfully hard to follow them. I just wanted to share this and hopefully it can be encouraging to someone else. It’s crazy how often you can read something and keep finding new and meaningful things behind it.

Another thing I have discovered is a really good song by Jon Foreman. If you’ve never listened to him, check him out. Like the passage, the lines are so simple but so rich in meaning.

Heavenly Father, you always amaze me
Let your kingdom come in my world and in my life
You give me the food I need to live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive the people who have wronged me
Keep me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window the birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune or out of place
I walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens, is now advancing
Invade my heart, invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens, is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself to buy the one you’ve found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

Here is a video of the song if anyone wants to hear it. It starts about 1:45.

I am ending with some of my favorite words right now: blatant, audacity, nugget, prudent

Buy me some peanuts and fortune cookies

The other day, I went to eat at Pei Wei with my family. I had many fortune cookies, and one of them said this: “One learns most from teaching others.” How ironic.

As of this past Wednesday, I needed about $700 for Ethiopia. That night, one of my friends gave me $100. The next day, my Dad showed me a check for $1000 from a family friend. Later that night, another one of my friends gave me $100. My Dad, my sister, and I have yet to pay a single dime for the multiple trips we have taken to Ethiopia. Incredible.

Both of these things are a huge encouragement to me (even though the fortune cookie is kinda silly). I know for certain that this is where God wants me and I am humbled to know that He wants to use me. I really, really want to go right now, but I still have a lot of preparation to do.

On another topic, I have had a great summer so far. I have been to the beach twice, seen a few movies (although most were a disappointment), and been to 4 Astros games. Last night’s game was awesome and I was able to be there to see Hunter Pence get 2 home runs. But I also witnessed this amazing event…

Valverde gets hit in the face

What a beast. He continues to save the game. I love baseball.

This is the story of a girl…

There was a young girl. She loved baseball, ice cream, and staying dry.

One day, she decided to go to the beach with her friends, because she loves her friends so much. 

They did many things at the beach–built sand castles, laid in the sand, and played in the water.

One friend brought a skim board, so all the friends decided to play with the skim board.  The young girl attempted,

fell,

and was left with this:

She’s so heavy

• I find myself acting more like my mom everyday; I find myself acting more like my dad everyday. This sometimes freaks me out. 
• I really hate being ignored, but I don’t like a lot of attention. 
• I am not ready to be out in the real world. I hope by the time I graduate, I’ll be ready.
• I’m not really patient, I’m just good at holding my tongue.
• I love to listen to people.
• I’m not who I want to be and I’m unsure if I’ll ever get there.
• I am socially awkward.
• I don’t know how to teach.
• I hate being misunderstood and I feel that it happens often. A lot of my words are spent explaining myself, but I don’t know how important that really is.
• I am a very slow thinker. 
• I always ask why. If I don’t understand something, I will keep asking until I understand it.
• I often carry others burdens, even when I shouldn’t or don’t have to. 
• I have started coming to terms with the fact that I am a girl who does girl things, reacts in a girl way, and has girl emotions. 
• I am somehow intimidating, but I don’t know how to alleviate that. Any suggestions?

Dang, it feels good to be a gangster.

Can I just say that I love crossing off things on lists (like Dani Beth). I didn’t think I would survive the end of this semester, but somehow I did. And somehow I got all A’s…

I want to go to Ethiopia right now.

Happy Birthday Dad.

Enjoy

These are some movies I am really looking forward to seeing this summer:

Prince Caspian (May 16)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 22)

The Happening (June 13)

WALL*E (June 27)

Wanted (June 27)

The Dark Knight (July 18 )

What to do when your burden is overwhelming

We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him–to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given to you, “on the Lord…” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.

-Oswald Chambers

This is mostly for myself. I hope this helps you in understanding.

Self distain to follow:

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But the Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

-2 Corinthians 12:7-10

I have a difficult time with trust. There are few people that I truly do trust, and sometimes it’s still hard for me to fully trust them. I also find that it is difficult for me to trust God. I have a problem with giving everything to Him and laying things at His feet. I am incredibly selfish, possessive, and controlling (only to list a few). I have a hard time letting things go, whether it’s an object, a place, or a person. I can’t let go of things because I, for some reason, think it is mine. I know that things happen for a reason, I am firm believer in that. But when I have no idea what’s going on, I panic. Therefore, I cannot trust anyone.

In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:4-5

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. Job 41:11

The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:8

Maybe one day I can be like Paul. I do not see that anytime soon, though.