Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Thursday, April 2, 2009

some of the past 5 years...

Lately my life has been a whirlwind of emotions and everything else....So, here goes nothing about my life lately:

I graduate in 30 days...well, in 30 minutes it will be 29 days.  Although I am super duper excited about graduating...I am also very concerned/nervous/sad/excited/every feeling you can ever imagine... about everything that is about to happen in the next 6 months of my life.  I just recently got asked to go to the interview conference for Journeyman which has been a dream of mine for about 4 years now. I know that it is what God has planned for me and I am very confident in that.  He has big plans for my life and I just have to completely drop everything and make sure that I am following Him at all times. 
As I reflect on the past 5 years of college...Yes...5...don't judge...thats what happens when you change your major 3 times...I realize that I have grown up soo much.  I cant even begin to explain how far I have come in my walk with Christ and how many relationships have changed since I have been in college.  I would definately say that my mom is my #1 best friend and I could of never said that 5 years ago.  I have met people that will be in my life forever and I am so excited that I will be spending eternity with them in heaven, too. God has placed many people along my path to challenge, encourage and love me in so many ways.  Greenwood is my home and I am going to miss it dearly. 
Okay enough of this mushy stuff....I have also experienced so many new things in the past 5 years.....TRAVELING! Wow, I have had some major experiences in my young life. First trip- Japan...totally changed my life forever ...What did I do in Japan? we went in schools and taught ESL (japanese kids are so beautiful) and we held a sports camp everyday ...plus tons of other things.  One of the biggest things that impacted my life on that trip was seeing people worship another God.  Most Japanese are Buddahist....it absolutely broke my heart when I saw them ringing a bell to "wake up their Gods" so that the God's will listen to their prayers.  I made other decisions on that trip...like, break up with my bf because he was not in God's future plans for my life.....or the fact that I wanted to go overseas again....without a team that I knew....

So, thats when I headed to Laos for the summer.  Talk about a life changing trip...this was THE one!!!! I was terrified. No kidding. When I got on the plane to leave I cried for about 4 hours....everyone must of thought I was insane because I could barely breath I was crying so hard.  But the most amazing part is that this trip is when I knew that I was suppose to serve God overseas. I had many many experiences here too....like getting worms...yeah it's gross...I know but my whole team got them.  And no...I never saw them...thats usually the next question people ask...but you know you have worms when the de-worming medicine makes you deathly ill...and believe me...I was deathly ill!! Another one....I went caving for the first time and loved it....I am not talking about caving like in America where you have head lamps and there are rails, walking paths, etc. etc. I am talking about...we climbed up a side of a mountain and literally climbed in this hole that the locals told us to climb in...well, motioned us to climb in....and we walked around.  I did get scared when I saw that we could fall down the huge cave and never be saved because you couldn't see the bottom and there was no telling where the bottom led too.  Another thing I experienced: Not getting along with the only other girl teammate....and I actually felt sorry for her because nobody got along with her.  She was one of the hardest people to get along with that I have ever met....but I learned how to deal with her in tactic/loving ways.  I learned that Laos is very hott and you NEVER know when your next shower will be or if you will get invaded on the bus by people who are against the government...yeah Laos was many of my first experiences.  Oh yeah...by the way I stopped crying and didnt cry again until I was really sick and in pain and none of my teammates could help me b/c they all had the same thing I had.  I absolutely loved Laos ...I felt in my element...I loved everything about it...even if I did smell like sweat and not take showers for weeks at a time b/c of no running water...or no water for that fact. 

Next trip: Indonesia...
I knew that this trip was going to be a trip of a lifetime.  So, before I went I thought I wanted to work in an orphanage....well, not any more.  I love kids but I dont want to raise 20 or more by myself.  So, I learned that....I also learned about Muslims and what they believe in...and that the girls are sooo cute and love flashy/pink things. Right up my alley, right? YES! I think I was suppose to be an Indonesian girl sometimes b/c I love pink so much and all the little cute kiddie things like them. it was amazing to work beside one of my best friends and see her life in Indo...and see what a missionaries life is really like.  It's not all glamorous and fun like people think....it's actually way way harder that American life....but it's totally worth it if you're sharing Christ. 

I have also had the privilege to work at North Side for the past year and a half.  It's been such a God thing to work and see all of the things that go on at that church. It's amazing how much stuff goes on behind the scenes and I am so happy to be apart of that everyday.  I am going to miss the staff there more than anyone can imagine.  It's been a great honor to work there. 

As for Lander...It has been an experience...going from being a horrible student to having over a 3.5 when I graduate is quiet an accomplishment. It has been so great to meet so many amazing people and share life with them.  

It's kinda crazy to see almost all of my friends get married off or dating seriously/about to be engaged. It makes me feel like a grown up now that all of my friends are the teachers and not the students and they are starting families of their own.  I pray for my future husband daily and for my kids.  :D It's going to be quiet an adventure and I cant wait to take it. 

Well, this is really the longest post I have ever typed...I just had to type some stuff out...so, good night.