In honor of 20+ hours spent in the last few days, I'd like to share some tips on the blog.
Night time driving is the best, if you can handle it. I present:
10 Tips for Staying Awake All Night on a Road Trip
10. Caffeine. Sunkist has more caffeine than Coke, and take adventure of Starbucks if you can find one that's open.
9. Eat. But not too much sugar. You're already getting plenty of sugar from the sodas or coffees that you're drinking.
8. Loud Music. Especially when you know all the words and sing along.
7. Watch a Movie. Especially a musical. We chose the Phantom of the Opera.
6. Make goals for yourself. Like, no bathroom break for another hour. It'll keep your eyes on the clock but it helps with focus.
5. Scream out the window. It's quite invigorating.
4. Be ridiculous. Serious is boring and being boring makes you tired. That is a scientific fact.
3. Comfortable clothes.
2. Let go of your pride. If you're getting sleepy, let the other person drive or pull over.
1. Bring your best friend.
Enjoy this video of Honduras!
August 25, 2013
August 14, 2013
proverbs 31 woman
I used to hate the woman from Proverbs 31, mostly because she gets up so early in the morning. To me, the passage always seemed like an unrealistic to-do list that all women should strive to achieve. I even resented it, to an extent, and I didn't understand why people would strive to be like her.
And it was so silly, because I don't think that's what the passage is about at all. I was reading it in The Message, and I suddenly saw it from a different perspective. It's not about the shame and failure of a woman who fails to meet these standards, but it's a simple celebration of a woman of God. And it's been on my heart a lot recently, but I don't want to overanalyze it and give you a bunch of words from my own thoughts. But I'd really encourage you to spend some time reading this passage today, especially if you're a woman. So I'm going to pick out some of my favorites or you can read it with Bible Gateway.
"Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long."
"She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor."
'
"First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day."
"When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly."
Go, and laugh without fear of the future.
August 12, 2013
detours
Sometimes the best places are the places you find yourself by accident.
I've been neglecting to write this post because I know I can't find all the right words to say what I mean. But here it goes.
Not leaving for Haiti in May is one of the hardest things I've been through in quite some time. I struggled with the fact that I had felt so sure that God was calling me to that situation in particular; so why didn't it work out? With that in the back of my mind, I still had some really great experiences this summer.
I went to Honduras, which was lovely. Being a first grade teacher pushed me way out of my comfort zone, which is a place I love to be! But not that many things scare me, so I don't get to be out of my comfort zone that often. I learned a lot, grew, and met a lot of wonderful people. If I had gone to Haiti, I might never have been able to go to Honduras.
I lived in Maryland and got to know a lot of great people. I got to live with the Hogans and get to know their whole family better. I don't know about you, but there aren't a lot of things better than a night in, watching a funny movie with your best friend and eating stove-popped popcorn.
Meanwhile, nothing was working out in the search for other organizations to work with. It was excruciating. One organization said that there was a need for someone like me, took two months to review my application and contact my references, and then said they actually didn't need anyone. One organization somehow lost my ONLINE application as well as several e-mails that I sent them. A few other organizations somehow NEVER responded to attempts to get in contact with them. The one organization that did look good just felt wrong. It was so hard to say no, not knowing if any other opportunities would present themselves. But I just had this gut feeling that organization wasn't the answer.
And I went to Chyrsalis. Which was basically a young adult retreat filled with God and and empty of distractions. No phones. No jobs. You don't even get to pour yourself a soda. You hardly lift a finger the whole weekend. If you ever get the chance to take a Chrysalis/Emmaus weekend, DO IT. Trust me; you won't regret it.
That's where I was honest with myself and admitted that I hadn't really been trusting God since everything happened with Haiti. Everyone kept telling me that God had something better in mind, but how could it be true? How could anything be better than what I was going to have?
And I let it go. I nailed it to the cross - both literally and metaphorically. Yes, trusting God is a choice we have to make all the time, every day, but sometimes we really, really have to make it. Make the decision to trust God even more than we've ever trusted Him before. And I did. And I honestly said the next morning to one of the leaders of the retreat - that I wasn't afraid or worried at all, even though I had no idea about the future and had no prospects. And I'm really glad because it's an issue that would've gone on the wayside if I had figured out where I was going before Chrysalis.
And now in true detour fashion, I am going where I was going to go in the beginning. A different city - Port Salut, but the same lovely people - Shannon and Lena. Though the road to where I am now is not the road that I meant to take, it has been perfect. There's still more to come. I'm going to D.C. and New York in the next couple weeks! Then off to see my friends in KY and my mom in FL before I leave for Haiti in 16 days! Crazy!
Well, I hope that explains it, but you can always e-mail me if you'd like more information about any of my recent experiences.
I've been neglecting to write this post because I know I can't find all the right words to say what I mean. But here it goes.
Not leaving for Haiti in May is one of the hardest things I've been through in quite some time. I struggled with the fact that I had felt so sure that God was calling me to that situation in particular; so why didn't it work out? With that in the back of my mind, I still had some really great experiences this summer.
I went to Honduras, which was lovely. Being a first grade teacher pushed me way out of my comfort zone, which is a place I love to be! But not that many things scare me, so I don't get to be out of my comfort zone that often. I learned a lot, grew, and met a lot of wonderful people. If I had gone to Haiti, I might never have been able to go to Honduras.
I lived in Maryland and got to know a lot of great people. I got to live with the Hogans and get to know their whole family better. I don't know about you, but there aren't a lot of things better than a night in, watching a funny movie with your best friend and eating stove-popped popcorn.
Meanwhile, nothing was working out in the search for other organizations to work with. It was excruciating. One organization said that there was a need for someone like me, took two months to review my application and contact my references, and then said they actually didn't need anyone. One organization somehow lost my ONLINE application as well as several e-mails that I sent them. A few other organizations somehow NEVER responded to attempts to get in contact with them. The one organization that did look good just felt wrong. It was so hard to say no, not knowing if any other opportunities would present themselves. But I just had this gut feeling that organization wasn't the answer.
And I went to Chyrsalis. Which was basically a young adult retreat filled with God and and empty of distractions. No phones. No jobs. You don't even get to pour yourself a soda. You hardly lift a finger the whole weekend. If you ever get the chance to take a Chrysalis/Emmaus weekend, DO IT. Trust me; you won't regret it.
That's where I was honest with myself and admitted that I hadn't really been trusting God since everything happened with Haiti. Everyone kept telling me that God had something better in mind, but how could it be true? How could anything be better than what I was going to have?
And I let it go. I nailed it to the cross - both literally and metaphorically. Yes, trusting God is a choice we have to make all the time, every day, but sometimes we really, really have to make it. Make the decision to trust God even more than we've ever trusted Him before. And I did. And I honestly said the next morning to one of the leaders of the retreat - that I wasn't afraid or worried at all, even though I had no idea about the future and had no prospects. And I'm really glad because it's an issue that would've gone on the wayside if I had figured out where I was going before Chrysalis.
And now in true detour fashion, I am going where I was going to go in the beginning. A different city - Port Salut, but the same lovely people - Shannon and Lena. Though the road to where I am now is not the road that I meant to take, it has been perfect. There's still more to come. I'm going to D.C. and New York in the next couple weeks! Then off to see my friends in KY and my mom in FL before I leave for Haiti in 16 days! Crazy!
Well, I hope that explains it, but you can always e-mail me if you'd like more information about any of my recent experiences.
August 9, 2013
inspiration
I'm off to Haiti in about 19 days, woo! I'm going to have a longer blog in a couple of days to explain more about that, but there's something else I want to talk about right now.
I'm fundraising again, and support is starting to come in.
I just want you all to know what a blessing it is to receive support - whether it's a note of encouragement, a prayer, or a donation. It says that you believe that God is at work in my ministry; so much so that you want to be a part of it. And I think that is just beautiful.
It means the world to me, and it means even more when it's someone my own age. One of my closest friends from Asbury (who surely would not enjoy being mentioned by name on here) has given over $450 in support and is giving monthly as well. I'm so thankful for her, and I've been so blessed by her constant encouragement (including a book in French to read to the kids in Haiti!). But even more than that, it renews my hope in this generation.
Because my generation, every generation, has the opportunity to form the world into a more beautiful image, one that looks more like God. And it doesn't really happen through huge campaigns or giant organizations. It happens in every decision every day.
The choice to help someone, or help yourself.
To do something about a problem or let it go.
To fight for justice or to find a way to make yourself happy.
To use your time, energy, and money for something that might change the world for the better, or to use it for something that might change the world for the worse.
My prayer is that this generation will make the choices to make this world a more beautiful, just, and cooperative place. But even if it doesn't, lives are being changed by the big and small sacrifices that are made every day by those who believe that doing so just might shine the love of God on the face of another.
Thanks again, to everyone! And I hope that if you believe that God is at work in Port Salut, Haiti, that you will support this ministry in whatever way you can.
Have a beautiful day.
I'm fundraising again, and support is starting to come in.
I just want you all to know what a blessing it is to receive support - whether it's a note of encouragement, a prayer, or a donation. It says that you believe that God is at work in my ministry; so much so that you want to be a part of it. And I think that is just beautiful.
It means the world to me, and it means even more when it's someone my own age. One of my closest friends from Asbury (who surely would not enjoy being mentioned by name on here) has given over $450 in support and is giving monthly as well. I'm so thankful for her, and I've been so blessed by her constant encouragement (including a book in French to read to the kids in Haiti!). But even more than that, it renews my hope in this generation.
Because my generation, every generation, has the opportunity to form the world into a more beautiful image, one that looks more like God. And it doesn't really happen through huge campaigns or giant organizations. It happens in every decision every day.
The choice to help someone, or help yourself.
To do something about a problem or let it go.
To fight for justice or to find a way to make yourself happy.
To use your time, energy, and money for something that might change the world for the better, or to use it for something that might change the world for the worse.
My prayer is that this generation will make the choices to make this world a more beautiful, just, and cooperative place. But even if it doesn't, lives are being changed by the big and small sacrifices that are made every day by those who believe that doing so just might shine the love of God on the face of another.
Thanks again, to everyone! And I hope that if you believe that God is at work in Port Salut, Haiti, that you will support this ministry in whatever way you can.
Have a beautiful day.
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