Well, here comes year two. Curfew kicks in tomorrow and work starts Tuesday. It's been an absolutely insane summer. I moved, spent 2 days relaxing and organizing and started watching kids right away. Since then I have babysat Monday-Thursday, more than a few Fridays and a few Saturday nights. I also went to Mexico and Kids Camp in July. Two very exhausting experiences but so rewarding. My summer has been non stop... Late nights, a dance recital, and hey, I welcomed my niece into the world with my entire family, Mom included. Absolute insanity.
And now I'm starting classes tomorrow and I'm already tired thinking about it. I can't wait for next semester when I am only taking on half a load because I'm almost done with the institute :). This summer was more exhausting than ELN and I'm looking forward to a much better set schedule. More sleep (never thought i'd say that) and more work getting done. I'm in the children's department for the next year and I cannot WAIT to learn from Maryann.... Though I may mysteriously get sick during the Kids Karnival in October... Totally logical when your job description is "Everything!!!!!!" Cameron and I will have our work cut out for us. I have also requested more speaking opportunities.... Yes, I said MORE. I may freak out before and turn beat red as I speak but it is SO rewarding and I am not missing out on ANYTHING this year. I'm ready (I hope) for whatever God has for me. Rachel asked if I was ready to preach at Trinity campus.... Maybe next semester ;)
Here we go...
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Mexico Days 3-4
Day 3:
I'm sick. Figures. I had a headache the night before and when I woke up I almost threw up from pain. At one point I fell over. Lovely. I pressed on. I was NOT missing out on this.
Day one of VBS: a short day because of our church's feeding program. It was short, simple. Fun. So many laughs and cute kids. We weren't at the church but that didn't mean anything to these kids. God was evident.
That night our Pastoras Angelica and Nickolas spoke. Testimonies and love. They've both been through a lot. But Angelica's story brought half the team to tears. She hated her mom. She told her she wished she was dead. Told her that if God were real then her mom would be dead the next day.
She wasn't.
It took YEARS for her to forgive her mom. Torture. But God did. Before she started talking about forgiveness I felt it. A ping.
tell mom you love her
I wrote it down. At the end of her speaking there was an opportunity. Matt prayed and asked who needed to forgive their parents. A few raised there hands. I did. At this point I was shaking terribly and bawling uncontrollably. I wasn't ashamed. It's funny. In weakness, you don't care any more. I just wanted to let it go. Prayer is powerful. I had this WEIGHT lifted off my shoulders... Off my body. I wanted my Mommy.
Day 4:
Joshua 1:9
The theme for today.
Church services.
Worship was amazing. Two languages singing the same song, praising the same God? There's nothing like it.
I shared Romans 12: 21with the congregation.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NKJV)
And then our group (Except Heidi and Mark because they preached) went and taught Sunday school. It was so much fun and the beginning of the bonding experience we were going to have that week!!
That night? More tears. When your pastor starts crying.... When the room is in tears... Yeah it was bound to happen. Theme? Let it Go
Shelby, who had no idea about my family, began praying with me. I started to calm down but then she said "don't worry about your family. They'll be okay." and back to sobbing. I let it go.
PRAISE GOD!
I'm sick. Figures. I had a headache the night before and when I woke up I almost threw up from pain. At one point I fell over. Lovely. I pressed on. I was NOT missing out on this.
Day one of VBS: a short day because of our church's feeding program. It was short, simple. Fun. So many laughs and cute kids. We weren't at the church but that didn't mean anything to these kids. God was evident.
That night our Pastoras Angelica and Nickolas spoke. Testimonies and love. They've both been through a lot. But Angelica's story brought half the team to tears. She hated her mom. She told her she wished she was dead. Told her that if God were real then her mom would be dead the next day.
She wasn't.
It took YEARS for her to forgive her mom. Torture. But God did. Before she started talking about forgiveness I felt it. A ping.
tell mom you love her
I wrote it down. At the end of her speaking there was an opportunity. Matt prayed and asked who needed to forgive their parents. A few raised there hands. I did. At this point I was shaking terribly and bawling uncontrollably. I wasn't ashamed. It's funny. In weakness, you don't care any more. I just wanted to let it go. Prayer is powerful. I had this WEIGHT lifted off my shoulders... Off my body. I wanted my Mommy.
Day 4:
Joshua 1:9
The theme for today.
Church services.
Worship was amazing. Two languages singing the same song, praising the same God? There's nothing like it.
I shared Romans 12: 21with the congregation.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NKJV)
And then our group (Except Heidi and Mark because they preached) went and taught Sunday school. It was so much fun and the beginning of the bonding experience we were going to have that week!!
That night? More tears. When your pastor starts crying.... When the room is in tears... Yeah it was bound to happen. Theme? Let it Go
Shelby, who had no idea about my family, began praying with me. I started to calm down but then she said "don't worry about your family. They'll be okay." and back to sobbing. I let it go.
PRAISE GOD!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Mexico
Todo lo puedo en Cristo, que me fortalece. Filipenses 4:13
This is going to be quite lengthy so I have decided to break it down to a few days at a time.
So... Mexico. Can I say, Praise God? Seriously. My life has been changed in so many ways. I've been released from things and have realized so much.
Day 1 (in Mexico [not the day and a half of travel])
We crossed the border and drive the 2 hours to Ensenada. When we made it into Mexico, I was beyond terrified because of all the "warnings" I had been given. Driving through Mexico my fears began to subside... God was showing me that there is more to this country than bad or scary things. After arriving at the BEAUTIFUL home we were staying in, we headed out for my first real Mexico experience... Tacos!! Let me just say... To. Die. For. Nothing in the US will ever compete with that goodness. I made the mistake of starting with a torta which was even more amazing. After indulging in amazing food we went back to our host home and received a brief missions introduction.
Day 2:
Devotions started at 7 every morning and we split into personal Devo time at 7:30 until breakfast at 8. I would have to say that these times were one of my favorite parts of the trip. Today Cameron lead devotions by reading from James 1 and encouraging joy and telling us to be flexible in what we may be asked to do.
This day was a difficult day because we had a full day of training.
We split into our two groups:
Heidi: Angie, Cameron, Ryan, Carlos, Danielle, Mark, Marianna, Amandha, Shelby, and myself.
Matt: Jamee, Carina, Elania, Michael, Crystal, River, Terri, Brenna, and Alicia.
We were split and heading to two different churches throughout the week so we needed to plan our 4 days of VBS and think of Sunday service ideas. That took until dinner... We started from scratch!! Dramas. Memory verses. Crafts. Games. Intros. Clowns. Etc.
By the end of this day, honestly, I would have to say that I hated the trip. I was going crazy from people talking nonstop and working on the "easy" stuff instead of going out and doing something.
Patience
This wasn't about what I wanted.
I was beginning to understand that.
That night we had worship an Matt asked if they heard anything.
I had. In a way.
"Lead Me To The Cross"
Yeah. This song has always had a really deep meaning for me. Sentimental. This time, however, it meant something different.
This trip is about God. Not about me. Not about my hair or how my face is reacting to the water. Not what I want. There's a line in the song,
"bring me to my knees, Lord I lay me down."
Exactly
This is going to be quite lengthy so I have decided to break it down to a few days at a time.
So... Mexico. Can I say, Praise God? Seriously. My life has been changed in so many ways. I've been released from things and have realized so much.
Day 1 (in Mexico [not the day and a half of travel])
We crossed the border and drive the 2 hours to Ensenada. When we made it into Mexico, I was beyond terrified because of all the "warnings" I had been given. Driving through Mexico my fears began to subside... God was showing me that there is more to this country than bad or scary things. After arriving at the BEAUTIFUL home we were staying in, we headed out for my first real Mexico experience... Tacos!! Let me just say... To. Die. For. Nothing in the US will ever compete with that goodness. I made the mistake of starting with a torta which was even more amazing. After indulging in amazing food we went back to our host home and received a brief missions introduction.
Day 2:
Devotions started at 7 every morning and we split into personal Devo time at 7:30 until breakfast at 8. I would have to say that these times were one of my favorite parts of the trip. Today Cameron lead devotions by reading from James 1 and encouraging joy and telling us to be flexible in what we may be asked to do.
This day was a difficult day because we had a full day of training.
We split into our two groups:
Heidi: Angie, Cameron, Ryan, Carlos, Danielle, Mark, Marianna, Amandha, Shelby, and myself.
Matt: Jamee, Carina, Elania, Michael, Crystal, River, Terri, Brenna, and Alicia.
We were split and heading to two different churches throughout the week so we needed to plan our 4 days of VBS and think of Sunday service ideas. That took until dinner... We started from scratch!! Dramas. Memory verses. Crafts. Games. Intros. Clowns. Etc.
By the end of this day, honestly, I would have to say that I hated the trip. I was going crazy from people talking nonstop and working on the "easy" stuff instead of going out and doing something.
Patience
This wasn't about what I wanted.
I was beginning to understand that.
That night we had worship an Matt asked if they heard anything.
I had. In a way.
"Lead Me To The Cross"
Yeah. This song has always had a really deep meaning for me. Sentimental. This time, however, it meant something different.
This trip is about God. Not about me. Not about my hair or how my face is reacting to the water. Not what I want. There's a line in the song,
"bring me to my knees, Lord I lay me down."
Exactly
Thursday, June 28, 2012
My first "How to..." blog!
Yeah, I never "how to" anything... considering I'm not the greatest instructor and I have yet to find time to get creative! Tonight I am babysitting and was given permission to dig for what I could find ;)
Tonight's how to? S'mores in the oven... With mini marshmallows and chocolate chips... a little modification but oh well!! I made this up myself... so if you are slightly hesitant with my results, I don't recommend making it :)
Step One:
Put the children to bed :)
Step two: Preheat oven to 375... a generally used heat, so that's what I did
Step 3: ingredients!
I used:
• 2 whole pieces of graham cracker (holds the mini's on better)
• Enough foil to wrap around finished product
• as many mini marshmallows and chocolate chips that I could make fit!
Step 4: put ingredients together
1 graham cracker on the bottom
Marshmallows and chocolate chips
1 graham cracker on top
I put the 'mallows on first and lined them up (OCD and they stay on better.) I tried to just throw them all on... yeah not going to work. Then I pile chocolate chips on top.
If you find you're having difficulty keeping the treats inside, I folded the foil to make a few walls like this:
Once you are satisfied with the middle, place the second graham cracker on top and wrap the treat like a present in the foil.
Step 5: place in oven.
Step 6: patience! It took longer than I thought (actually I have been typing this whole thing on my phone since I put them in...) I looked up online recipes for the simple treat to get time estimates. Didn't help. Most said 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees. So far I am on 11 minutes and I have checked it twice. The marshmallows are melted but the chocolate chips still need some time.
Read while you wait :)
Final time: 15 minutes
Step 7: remove from oven
Step 8: enjoy!! Be careful... it's hot!!
Soooo I over cooked the marshmallows a little (but not burnt!) The graham crackers broke.... And the chocolate chips don't LOOK melted, but they melted as soon as I took a bite! It was delicious! And yes, I made a super long step by step about a really simple dessert but it was fun! And I feel like Lindsay :)
Oh, and thanks Bray family for the kitchen use, ingredients, and cute kid!
Tonight's how to? S'mores in the oven... With mini marshmallows and chocolate chips... a little modification but oh well!! I made this up myself... so if you are slightly hesitant with my results, I don't recommend making it :)
Step One:Put the children to bed :)
Step two: Preheat oven to 375... a generally used heat, so that's what I did
I used:
• 2 whole pieces of graham cracker (holds the mini's on better)
• Enough foil to wrap around finished product
• as many mini marshmallows and chocolate chips that I could make fit!
Step 4: put ingredients together1 graham cracker on the bottom
Marshmallows and chocolate chips
1 graham cracker on top
I put the 'mallows on first and lined them up (OCD and they stay on better.) I tried to just throw them all on... yeah not going to work. Then I pile chocolate chips on top.
If you find you're having difficulty keeping the treats inside, I folded the foil to make a few walls like this:
Once you are satisfied with the middle, place the second graham cracker on top and wrap the treat like a present in the foil.
Step 5: place in oven.
Step 6: patience! It took longer than I thought (actually I have been typing this whole thing on my phone since I put them in...) I looked up online recipes for the simple treat to get time estimates. Didn't help. Most said 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees. So far I am on 11 minutes and I have checked it twice. The marshmallows are melted but the chocolate chips still need some time.
Read while you wait :)
Final time: 15 minutes
Step 7: remove from oven
Step 8: enjoy!! Be careful... it's hot!!
Soooo I over cooked the marshmallows a little (but not burnt!) The graham crackers broke.... And the chocolate chips don't LOOK melted, but they melted as soon as I took a bite! It was delicious! And yes, I made a super long step by step about a really simple dessert but it was fun! And I feel like Lindsay :)
Oh, and thanks Bray family for the kitchen use, ingredients, and cute kid!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
To Be Different
"I saw the second you walked away, the second you turned away."
This was said to me yesterday. And I thought to myself "are you nuts?" But then I realized... Maybe I have walked away. No more rules, goodbye structure? Yeah, okay. So maybe I did. Have I changed that much?? Am I so far from truth that people can see? I don't feel different, nor do I feel like I'm doing wrong. But I guess I'm bias. I wish people would consider telling me these things when they notice and then maybe it wouldn't be so difficult to get "back on track"... Not that I feel like I'm "off track," but I know for certain that I am always in need of improvement... Everyone is. But am I "off a cliff"? I'm not sure. I'm not sure how I got to this point of "walking away" but I'd like to come back...
This was said to me yesterday. And I thought to myself "are you nuts?" But then I realized... Maybe I have walked away. No more rules, goodbye structure? Yeah, okay. So maybe I did. Have I changed that much?? Am I so far from truth that people can see? I don't feel different, nor do I feel like I'm doing wrong. But I guess I'm bias. I wish people would consider telling me these things when they notice and then maybe it wouldn't be so difficult to get "back on track"... Not that I feel like I'm "off track," but I know for certain that I am always in need of improvement... Everyone is. But am I "off a cliff"? I'm not sure. I'm not sure how I got to this point of "walking away" but I'd like to come back...
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Right Thing
Sometimes I wonder what I am doing. I wonder why I don't follow my heart. I know the the right thing to do... and yet I know what others will say. I know whose hearts I will break. I know how awkward life could get. But I know it's the right thing. I don't know what to do or who to talk to. I can't do it today. Or tomorrow. Or ever, it seems like. I need to do the right thing. No one knows my thought process. No one is there to make me do it. I'm not a child. Just do it. But I can't. I'm talking in circles and I know that no one will understand. I know it won't go well. And this could ruin things. UGH. Stupid right thing.
Monday, June 18, 2012
"Holy Tao!"
Addie likes to say "Holy Tao" instead of cow.. And pretty much that's what I am saying. I have never had life be SO crazy as it has been this last month.
Let's see what I have done (in a somewhat chronological order)
• Moved. In love with my new home and LOVING the Schmidt family. Ari calls me "the big sister" at least once a day and Addie loves to hang in my room with me. I get tons of time with Misty and I like to to rib Steven a little :) so happy here.
• "New" job. I'm babysitting again! I've missed my kids!! They're all old and talking. Sassy. Smart. Singing. Dancing. Practically adults. With more poopy diapers and crying. I know it doesn't pay as well as another job but I wouldn't trade it. I have had Kate and Dylan Monday- Thursday and starting this week I will have Brooke and Emily again on Thursdays. So excited :)
• BABY. My baby sister had a baby.... Okay so she is almost 20, not a baby, but still. I am in love. Sophia Anne Evagene Repair. She took my middle name as well as my Hawaiian grandmother's first name (Evagene). I cried the day my sister told me. I call her So So. So. Phi Anne. Soph. Phia. Bopper Boo. Etc. she was born on June 1, 2012 at 9:11 pm. 6lbs 12oz. 20inches long. I help my sister 4-5 days a week and I love it! She's been to church with me twice since she was born (18 days ago) and I am so excited for her to grow up at Faith Center :)
• My Mother. Yeah she came for a visit. With her fiancée. Awkward. It wasn't as terrible as I thought, but emotionally it tore me apart. Pretty much spent the entire week with her (because the baby came when she did) and with my family. It helped build my relationships with my sisters, especially with my little sister, but there were definitely emotional consequences to this visit.
• Mexico. Okay, so I haven't gone yet, but I'm leaving in 16 days. 4th of July. I'm more afraid of this than anything I have ever done in my entire life. But it will be okay... I hope. I know I am supposed to go on this trip... God has made that quite clear, but it doesn't erase my fears. Prayer is requested before and during this trip. July 4-14!!
• Kids camp. Again, haven't gone. But I am for the first time ever. July 30- August 3. I'm excited but I again really would like prayer.
• Summer. I haven't had a lot of summer experiences besides last weekend at the lake but I know how crazy July will be. I'm working Monday-Friday this week 8-9ish hour days plus uturn, a hopefully very progressive orthodontist appointment, CPR recertification, Wednesday night family dinners, and this week spoiling the boy. Each week entails different after work activities... Most of the time with my sister. We've been growing closer and it's amazing! Not to mention that my oldest sister (Vivian's mom) is officially back at church with my other niece. Mini family at church. I cry thinking about it. I've spent a lot of time with my best friend Amy and her sister, Tia, just got to Hawaii after being in Africa for 6 months on a missions study. I can't wait to have my girl back next month!! I've missed having my practically other sister around. So much happening. New friend(s). Carina is kind of hysterical and it scares the crap out of Cameron (one of my best friends and brother of Carina) how well we get along. It's great.
• Year one. Done.
More about that later.
I'm heading to bed.
Here's my So So. Amy Strombeck photography :)
Let's see what I have done (in a somewhat chronological order)
• Moved. In love with my new home and LOVING the Schmidt family. Ari calls me "the big sister" at least once a day and Addie loves to hang in my room with me. I get tons of time with Misty and I like to to rib Steven a little :) so happy here.
• "New" job. I'm babysitting again! I've missed my kids!! They're all old and talking. Sassy. Smart. Singing. Dancing. Practically adults. With more poopy diapers and crying. I know it doesn't pay as well as another job but I wouldn't trade it. I have had Kate and Dylan Monday- Thursday and starting this week I will have Brooke and Emily again on Thursdays. So excited :)
• BABY. My baby sister had a baby.... Okay so she is almost 20, not a baby, but still. I am in love. Sophia Anne Evagene Repair. She took my middle name as well as my Hawaiian grandmother's first name (Evagene). I cried the day my sister told me. I call her So So. So. Phi Anne. Soph. Phia. Bopper Boo. Etc. she was born on June 1, 2012 at 9:11 pm. 6lbs 12oz. 20inches long. I help my sister 4-5 days a week and I love it! She's been to church with me twice since she was born (18 days ago) and I am so excited for her to grow up at Faith Center :)
• My Mother. Yeah she came for a visit. With her fiancée. Awkward. It wasn't as terrible as I thought, but emotionally it tore me apart. Pretty much spent the entire week with her (because the baby came when she did) and with my family. It helped build my relationships with my sisters, especially with my little sister, but there were definitely emotional consequences to this visit.
• Mexico. Okay, so I haven't gone yet, but I'm leaving in 16 days. 4th of July. I'm more afraid of this than anything I have ever done in my entire life. But it will be okay... I hope. I know I am supposed to go on this trip... God has made that quite clear, but it doesn't erase my fears. Prayer is requested before and during this trip. July 4-14!!
• Kids camp. Again, haven't gone. But I am for the first time ever. July 30- August 3. I'm excited but I again really would like prayer.
• Summer. I haven't had a lot of summer experiences besides last weekend at the lake but I know how crazy July will be. I'm working Monday-Friday this week 8-9ish hour days plus uturn, a hopefully very progressive orthodontist appointment, CPR recertification, Wednesday night family dinners, and this week spoiling the boy. Each week entails different after work activities... Most of the time with my sister. We've been growing closer and it's amazing! Not to mention that my oldest sister (Vivian's mom) is officially back at church with my other niece. Mini family at church. I cry thinking about it. I've spent a lot of time with my best friend Amy and her sister, Tia, just got to Hawaii after being in Africa for 6 months on a missions study. I can't wait to have my girl back next month!! I've missed having my practically other sister around. So much happening. New friend(s). Carina is kind of hysterical and it scares the crap out of Cameron (one of my best friends and brother of Carina) how well we get along. It's great.
• Year one. Done.
More about that later.
I'm heading to bed.
Here's my So So. Amy Strombeck photography :)
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