La Última Clase :(

Wow. I cant believe that tomorrow is our last day of classes. Honestly, it feels like I have been here for about 2 months, but 4 no way! Time flies...and I really do believe it now. Dont get me wrong I am so excited to see my friends and family back home. I miss them all dearly and I cant wait to give them all a VERY BIG hug! However, my time here has just felt so short.

I keep telling myself that I am not really leaving and that its not really our last day of classes, but reality is...it is. As most of you probably know, I am not very good with change. It was hard to come here and leave behind everything I had known for 18 years, and now its going to be REALLY hard to leave behind what I now have known for 4 months. I know it doesnt sounds like a lot of time but I have really gotten used to my life here. Things are so much simpler and its not always go go go and do do do. Things just kind flow around here.

Bueno. Right now I am just going to talk about school and then I will update one last time before I make my journey back home. I wish you could all meet my teachers. They are so amazing. They are not just teachers but they are my friends. I can talk to them about anything. Yes classes were tough sometimes and sometimes I just didnt want to learn anymore spanish. But when those times came, as a class, we would go around the town and explore the culture and just talk about life. I mean honestly sounds like my kind of school, and it def. is. Towards the end we started just talking about different themes during class or different topics, that way we could practice using ALL the different verb tenses. I would have never thought I could actually carry on these conversations for so long and really be able to state my point or my opinion. Now, I can talk and talk and talk. Trust me, I can talk just as much in spanish as I can in english, and we all know that is alot. The joke around here is that I never stop talking and I can always talk about anything, anywhere, at anytime, and I am not going to deny it because I know its true. This is prob. why I also write alot.

Wow. I could just keep typing and typing and typing about everything that has happend and about how you all should come to Interaction and learn spanish because there is no better or faster way, or how amazing my experience is...but I will save that for when I get back and we can go get some coffee or dinner and I can talk your ear off :)

I love you guys very much and I cant wait to share my experience with you guys. I would love to get together with each and everyone of you just to share everything...but only if you have the time and are interested!

SEE YALL IN 1 WEEK

p.s be prepared to here me speak a lot in spanish cause I kinda dont want to speak spanish...and my english...well its pretty bad...haha love you guys!

Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias

Wow. Sorry I have been really bad about posting new blogs. I am probably going to post a couple here just to get some things out there. First of all I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.

I had an amazing thanksgiving. Yes it was different because I wasnt with all my family, as a matter of fact, I wasnt with anything of my family. However, I quickly realized I was here with my family in Chihuahua. As students and teacher, we have all become a family. I mean, honestly how can you not after being in class 6 hours a day 4 times a week and then hanging out on the weekends?

We were invited to spend thanksgiving with The Tarrants and their family. I felt very special to be invited to celebrate this special day with people who I love. Greg began by saying all that he is thankful and how he was thankful for each and every person that sat around the table. Of course, I began tearing up...but that is normal. We then all dug in the food. We ate all the typical food for thanksgiving and let me tell you I could have eaten 10 rounds, but I stopped at 2 rounds to save room for the delicious pumpkin pie. I have so much to be thankful for and I know I dont say it enough.

First off, I am very thankful for this opportunity to be here in Mexico for 4 months to learn spanish. I cant even being to explain this experience that I have had, but I wouldnt change it for THE WORLD. I am very thankful for the family here in Chihuahua who offered to host me for 4 months because I am not just another person staying in their house, I am part of the family. One day we got back to the school and my dad here was outside. I yelled "Hola papa! como estas? and he said to me Hola hija! muy bien! Afterwards, my teacher was telling me how she thought that that was really neat to see and really special that we called each other daddy and daughter because its shows the type of relationship we have. SHe told me that if people would have seen they would have thought that he was my real dad and I was his daughter. I am also very thankful for my real family. They have allowed to be here and to follow my dreams. They have always encourged me to follow Gods plans and my dreams. When I told them "Hey. I am going to live in Chihuahua for 4 months to learn spanish, there was never a moment where they told me I couldnt because they knew how much this meant to me. I love yall and miss yall!

Obviously I am thankful for all my friends, new and old, and just the life God has blessed me with because I am blessed. I pray I always remember that.

Well I hope you all had a great thanksgiving, and remember we should be thankful everyday for the things God has blessed us with, big and small, not only on one day out of the year.

Love you guys!

Nos faltamos poquito...

Where to begin.

We are coming down to the wire. I will be leaving here in about a month. We only have 3 more weeks of classes. Wow. I cant believe how fast it has gone by. I dont like to think about how short of a time I have left...because I want to be able to enjoy the days I have here with my family, at the Lirio, at school, and with my friends.

I went to Lirio this past weekend. I wish I could adopt everyone of those kids because they deserve to be shown how much they are loved. I wish I could hug each and every one of them all day every day just to show my love for them. The love I have for them in unconditional because that is how God has taught us to love. Yes at times it gets tough being constantly asked can I use your IPOD, your phone, your backpack, your camara but then God softens my heart and reminds me that they just want to feel loved and this is one way they can see that we care because we trust them. Honestly.....its going to be extremely hard to leave next time. It will be my last time to be able to go out there and it breaks my hearts when they just plead for me not to leave. After spending some much time there I dont know what I am going to do next time. Please pray.

I was able to stay out at Lirio an extra day this past weekend because we didnt have school on monday. We spent 5 hours cooking for a going away party for Greg and Paloma. Let me tell you, the food was AMAZING! You can ask Greg and Paloma themselves. When we arrived, there were tons of pastors from all around the city. Each and everyone of them spoke about how much of an impact Greg and Paloma have had on their lives and churches. It was so cool to sit back and watch and listen to the stories and the encouragment as they move on to Africa next year. I am so proud of them, not just because they are going to Africa, but because of the impact they are making here in Chihuahua with so many people. They will for sure be missed here, but tons of people will be praying for them daily. All the pastors and friends have decided to get together every month to just have a prayer time. How cool is that?!

Prayer request- My diabetes. I dont know what is going on right now but my body just isnt doing well with the insulin. Usually at bedtime my blood sugar level is really good, but without eating anything or doing anything, I wake up with a high blood sugar level. My mom sent me 2 months worth of insulin and I am almost out. THe thing is I am not taking excessive insulin or I would be low all the time. When I read the box of my insulin it said to inject with 60 units every day. In the one box (which is "worth 2 months") there are 5 pins each with 300 units. Basically if I took 60 units a day...the box would last 25 days. I am not sure how that equals 2 months. It is frustrating because it is so expensive and I hate putting the burden on my parents. At times I just feel like not doing anything..checking or taking insulin...just cause I am tired of it. But dont worry I am taking care of myself here so much better than when I was at home. I have gotten back into the habit of testing EVERY TIME I eat and before I go to bed and I am taking all the insulin when needed. Just pray that I can continue to get under control. Thanks guys.

See yall soon!

CON AMOR :)

Oremos Chihuahua...Las Grutas...Cuatrimotos!

LAS GRUTAS

Friday all the students went to visit some caves. Yes there are caves in Chihuahua about 15 min from my house. Is that not really cool? Well even if you dont think its cool...I do :) Although it was really humid it was fun! It ended up just being us students in a group together with our guide. Not to mention he was cute :) haha sorry! But anyways there were TONS of stalagmites and stalactites! There was a part that we went through without light to get a feel of what it was like forever ago when the miners worked without light! That was a little scary. But after sweating for o about an 1 it was over and we headed downtown and hung out there all day!

OREMOS CHIHUAHUA

This has to have been one of the coolest things :) At my church this past sunday I recieved a flyer that said Oremos Chihuahua. Honestly my first thought was this kinda sounds like the God of This City event back in Dallas. I told everyone I really wanted to go. So we went! When we first got there I got the goose bumps. It was so amazing to see how many people showed up to this outdoor event. Yes it wasnt as full as the concerts I have been to here, but it was still so amazing to see everyone worshiping God. In this city there are few Christians compared to Catholics. Therefore, I didnt expect that many people to be there. When we got there, it felt just like the "God of The City" event that I went to this past spring. We all stood worship our God and praying for Chihuahua. Praying to take away the terrible violence through out the state. We prayed that there would be Justice. Peace. Joy. We all live in a lost world, but our God saves. They invited all the pastors that were there to go up on stage so we could pray for them. How powerful. God was so powerful and I felt his presence there. Then we ended with one of my favorite songs, and it happened to be the same song that "God of The City" event ended with to. And of course that would be God of The City or Dios de Esta Ciudad. Purely Amazing. I love how no matter where you go...God is there.

CUATRIMOTO

Yes thats right. Today I got to ride a 4-wheeler in the mountains of Chihuahua. Britton's family invited all the students to hang out with them today. They own a farm with land and a house but we decided to go more into the mountains to have more of an adventure! And boy did we! We drove about 2 hours on mountain road! Then we started riding the 4 wheeler. There was only one so we took turns! Ray and I drove really fast of course and the view was absolutely gorgeous! I loved it. Then we all cooked out and had a great time! However one of the trucks got stuck in the mud and sand. So we spent about 2 hours trying to get it out. Meanwhile though we climbed things, took pictures, and talked! Finally a tractor came to the rescue! It was a great adventure!

Good time in Chihuahua!

Prayer

Okay I promise this one will be short. Well at least shorter than most. I am not going to write about what I have been up to or how much fun I am having. Just wanted to talk about whats been on my mind lately.

We recently started subjunctive form of spanish. It is difficult because we dont have anything like it in English to compare to. Therefore...it is stressful. On top of that I am starting to get really stressed about where to go to college this next fall. I will be going to CCCC next spring but only for the spring. Then I will be transfering...just dont know where. I have a couple in mind but I really need Gods provision right now. I ask that you could just pray that God continues to lead me where he wants me to be. Just pray as time is nearing an end here. I dont do well with change therefore...I am not even close to being ready to leave. I feel that time has gone by way to fast. Just pray that God softens my heart and prepares me for another big change.

I also have the opportunity to go to Guatemala in the spring time. Pray that if God wants me there he will put everything in place for me to be able to go. I would love to go because it would be a chance to use my spanish. I am always looking for changes to use it. If you have any ideas of how I can keep up with my spanish when I get back let me know :)

Continue to pray for my family. Today I read my sister here status on facebook and it was discouraging. They read

"los misioneros salen al mundo a cristianizar a los salvajes, como si los salvajes no fueran ya suficientemente peligrosos" and "dicen que la fe mueve montañas, pero en realidad la dinamita ha resultado más útil"

These say that missionaries go aroud the world christianizing the savages as if they werent already dangerous enough. The other reads they say that faith can move mountains, but reality is that dynamite actually is more useful. This is discouraging and sad to see people perseption of Christians. Some people just see it as one big joke. Please help me pray for them and that I can just continue to be a light.

A little fun new...i ate cow testicles today. Yes thats right cow testicles. My family told me after I had eaten them and I cant lie but they were really good! :) I didnt get a picture though! How sad! Cause I prob wont eat them again! But hey thats okay! ANd a new baby cousin was born today! He is precious!

I just ask for Prayer right now. I am getting tired really easily and I think its just really heavy work cause I am at school from 9 to 1 and then 4 to 7. Then its dark and not much happens. Therefore its school all day. And ALL SPANISH!

Thanks for your prayers and please let me know how I can pray for you!

Me Di Cuenta Algo :)

Honestly I could sit here once again and write forever about my life right now. Its amazing and God is blessing me constantly. I am amazed by him daily.

Recently I got to go to the Circus in Mexico. Yes lets just say it was an AMAZING experience! Belen (britton) and I got to go last sunday night. The tickets were 125 pesos which is less than 10 dollars...and we sat in the front row! YES I SAT IN THE FRONT ROW AT A CIRCUS IN MEXICO! Not to mention it was my first circus to ever go to! so that made it that much better!! I got chosen to be part of an act. I WAS REALLY NERVOUS! So one of the guys pulled me into the middle and then saddled me up. I was the second person to go but basically the goal was to jump of the horse and then try and stand up. There is a video and I will be sure to post it on here. ALL yes EVERYTHING they did was part of the act! It was so much fun though! There were 3 different people that were choosen and all had the same task. However...the circus people did different funny things to the 3. At the end of the circus...after I thought everything was over with...they ask us to stand up. So we did. Then by cheering the audience had to choose who they wanted to win....I WON! haha and won 2 free VIP passes to go again! However...the next day was the last day of the circus...but Belen and I decided to go again! It was awesome! jaja and enjoy the video! Hope it makes your day!

I also wanted to let yall know that I did ask my sister to go to church with me. AND she said YES! I was so excited but then sunday came around and she was not feeling well at all. At first I was really confused and just frustrated...not with her and not with God..I guess just was really looking forward to her coming to church. However when I went to church we read Eph. 2:7-10 and in the message it reads "Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. Its Gods gift from start to finish! We dont play the major role. If we did wed probably go around bragging that wed done the saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." This immediatly reminded me that God is in control! And that everything is under his control! Now though I have no fear in asking her to go with me again!

However something that I realized a couple days ago while I was talking to my love and amazing friend Samantha. We started talking about just my time spent here and how fast life flies by. Then I dont remember how we got on the subject, but we started talking about Churches. As most of you know one of my biggest fears was having to change churches and leaving the Yard and Chase Oaks Church. This church has been a part of my life since I was born and means a lot to me. That was one of the hardest things I had to go through. I also kept thinking about when I go off to college and trying to get involved in a new church and just how hard it was going to be for me. However, I have started to realize something as I have been here. Well I have realized a lot of things but one in particular and that is my church. The first weekend I was here I went to church...not knowing anyone and just hopped in the car of one of my teachers, who I just met at that time. I was scared for a couple different obvious reasons. However, the people were so loving and welcoming! I felt welcomed and loved right when I walked even, even though my spanish was iffy. The church was really small compared to Chase Oaks. When we started worship though...I recognized so many songs that we sing at Chase Oaks and songs that I know. I felt Gods arms just wrapping over me. This church is very special to me. Basically everything that I worried about was quickly forgotten with my new church. I love going their on Sundays and seeing everyones face and just the smiles and excitement that everyone has. I also love attending the youth group on Saturdays! Everything is so much fun!

I realized that its not the "church" or the "building" but its about God and when He is being worshiped, it is all that matters. No matter where I go I will meet new people, friends, and churches. I realized that it is possible to find other churches...yes they might be compeltley different but everyone is there for the same purpose, and that is to worship God. Therefore, no matter the size, look, people, the way church is done...God is There and God is being Worshiped.

I honestly am not sure if I would have realized this if I had not come here. I have a different perspective on things and still stand here amazed at what God has done in my life. Gracias a Dios que estoy aqui ahora. :) Le extrano mi familia, amigas, y todo pero yo se que estoy aqui por una razon y por Cristo.

I love you guys ALOT!

Here is the video of me at the circus if you would like to see it.....

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=180588229852&subj=618732952#

God Spoke to Me

Once again sorry I havent updated in awhile....I have been lazy. I will try my best to keep updating. I did want to mention that I was blessed to be able to see the Maulis Family two weeks ago. Most of you know that I went to Batopilas last summer for my mission trip. This family was the family we actually helped while we were there to build a church floor. They are a BEAUTIFUL family and I honestly thought after last year that I would never see them again because getting to Batopilas isnt exactly the easiest thing....God once again amazed me and showed me his power by allowing me to see the whole family again. I see Luis everyday because he works in the school, but I finally got to see Mickey, Flor, and Victoria.

I have really been enjoying my life here. Yes a lot of it is very different than in the states, but at the same time a lot is the same. The things that are different are things that I really enjoy. Life is simple. A typical week, I wake up and walk with my mom in the mornings, eat an AMAZING breakfast, go to school to learn some espanol, take a 3 hour break where once again I eat an AMAZING lunch talk with my family and take a nap, head back to school to learn some more espanol and then basically every night is something different. These past two months there have been free concerts almost every night! The concerts are really fun and actually really popular people! Streets shut down and car park wherever they want! I love it here! Then they are all the little "puestos" which is basically really cheap good food! As students we love to go out! Then some nights its salsa dancing with my sister and others going to the movies and others just spending time with my family.

I have been blessed with an amazing family here who treats me as their daughter. They call mi corazon or heart which is translated weird but here its is someone special. I feel loved and a part of the family. I am not just somone living in the house. Every time I meet someone knew my mom introduces me as the child they have adopted for 4 months to live with them. I just smile every time I hear that. They are amazing. I am blessed. They surpised me the other night and took me to one of the concerts without telling me and then afterwards we went and ate tripas which are basically cow intestines or cow guts. I know I know sounds discusting and trust me I thought it would be...but they are really cooked and crispy and just looks like regular meat, and you eat it like a taco. I usually dont like strange foods but I must admit I LOVE IT :) If you ever get the chance....face your fears and try it! You wont regret it!

Now to my story about how God really spoke to me this past week. Thursday night I read Sara Garza's entry in my journal that my mommy gave me. It was really good to here from here, but most importantly it was exactly what I needed to here. After reading her entry there was one line that stuck out. "Rember this is not only an oppoutunity to go live in Mexico and learn Spanish...but this is an opportunity to bring Jesus to people that dont know Him. Maybe thats even the reason He is putting you there-Remember you purpose of being there!" Immediatly I thought of the family I am living with because they are not Christians...they are Cathloics. Yesterday in class I got to talk with my teacher a lot about Cathloicism because I knew that it was very different here than in the states, but boy was I shocked.

Basically they believe that "La Virgin de Guadalupe" or the mother of Jesus is more important that Jesus. Also there are 1000 of different saints that they pray to or ask for help from. All their prayers are recited and from different books or things. They believe the way to Heaven is by good works, which the bible clearly states otherwise. They believe the way to talk to God is through the saints or "la Virgin de Guadalupe" and that you cant talk to Jesus to get to God. I was very shocked about this because before I honestly didnt really understand much about this religion here just knew it was very different. Also every time someone speaks all they do is read from a piece of paper or book. It is never actually being preached....just read. Pray for Mexico and the people here who have a skewed view of God and who Jesus is. "You're the Light in this darkness...You're the Hope to the Hopeless...You're the Peace to the restless...Your the God of this City...Better things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this City." I lift Chihuhahua up to you God.

I am not sure if my family here are very strong Catholics because I have never seen my mom go to church but there are things they say and things around my house that show that they are. Here in Chihuahua the majority are Catholics and if your not anything...you just say you are Catholic. However I have seen this as a huge opportunity to share my faith with my family. There have been a couple of times where they ask me questions and I answer them with the spanish I know. I have been able to talk to them about what I learned in Church and things like that. After I read Sara's entry I knew that God was pushing me and challenging me to go further. I would love to invite my older sister to CHurch one sunday. I ask for continued prayer to push myself and for God to continue to push me. Pray along with me for the salvation of my family. Since I have read this entry I have really been pushed and have reached out more and prayed more for my family. I just ask for help in this.

I was reminded I may not every see a change in my family. I may never be able to witness the work God has used me for. But I have faith in God that he will use me just how he wants me and will continue to put people in their lives to show them who God is and what Christianity is. I just want to be a seed for God and I have no doubt he will use me and that is why I am here. Once again just pray for my strength and the salvation of my family.

We all need a little reminder from God sometimes because we can get so caught up in the routine. God spoke to me and in the past week I have already seen a change in me and the way I pray for my family and for my strength to be a light! God is GREAT! ALL THE TIME! No matter where we are at!

Love you guys very much!