God's Plans :)

Classes started today with just Edith and I because the other student in my class was sick. We decided to do something fun instead of having class! Therefore we decided to watch a movie :) I think the name was A Ladron que roba una Ladron. Of course it was all in spanish but surprisingly I understood most of it. Then after the movie was over it was time for break.

During the break we all got talking about old photos of when we were little. Ray then proceeded to tell Edith that he had a bunch of photos of me when I was little. I knew what was coming next. My slideshow that Ray made and my parents showed me at my graduation party. I decided to watch it again. And OF COURSE I began to cry. I didnt think I would, but then again I am Courtney Parlin who is very emotional! It just made me miss my family and just awwww pictures and memories. Dont get my wrong I love it here but it just reminded me of graduation. It was beautiful and will be something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

After the flowing tears, we returned to our classroom. This is when God's work began to shine and really just opened my eyes. Edith began by telling me that she understood why I had the tattoo "beloved" after seeing the slideshow even though she couldnt understand what my parents were saying. She understood how much I am beloved by my parents, friends, and most importantly God. This meant a lot to me, but that was only the beginning.

She proceeded to tell me that before she even met me, she read through my exam and talked to Greg and wasnt really sure that she liked the idea of me being in a class with others just because of the level I was at. And as she began to get to know me and realized I am only 18 years she wondered why my parents let me come here. She always wondered that about her students. She then told me that she knows that my parents have faith and trust me. They know that this is God's plans for me and that they are praying for me. She told me she could tell and see how much faith I have in God.

Now she understands that God put me in my class that I am in for several reasons. Whenever we start to talk about something in class that is sometimes a touchy subject, she is always confident that God is going to put the words in my mouth that would glorify Him and give him the praise. SHe told me "Gods always puts us right where he wants us to be. We might not understand why we are where we are right in the moment, but shortly He will begin to reveal His plans for us." We even talked about how the family I am living with right now is not christian, and how that she thinks this is a great opportuinty for them to just see how a Christian lives. Here in Chihuahua a lot of people dont have a very good perception of Christians. Therefore, for them to see me could help if anything just change their perception of Christians. God works in miserious ways. I strongly believe that what she says is so true. I have been given so many opportunities here to just let God work in my life and I am truly blessed.

She proceeded to tell me that she wants her daughters to grow up like me and that I am a light in the school to everyone, and people do notice. This blew me away. I mean I am only with her 3 1/2 hours a day speaking a completely different language (and right now, not that well). I dont see how this could be possible for her to see this in me. Quickly I remembered it is because of the ALMIGHT God that we serve. I began to cry as she was telling me all of this. God blows my mind away DAILY...right now just typing this I cant believe this. She said it is very rare to meet people like me and that I am very special and that God has great plans for me and that I will bless every person I meet and she has no doubt in that because people will see the difference in me and realized who the God is we serve. She wanted to make sure that my parents back at home knew that DAILY she is praying for me. She is praying for my safety, my health, and my walk with Christ. I couldnt have felt more blessed to be her student. She has blessed my life already in so many ways. I wish I could remember everything Edith told me, but I cant. The bottom line was that God has plans for me and that he will always lead me where He wants me to be.

Today I was reminded that God always has me right where he wants me, down to every day. I am in my classes to be a light. I am in my school to be a an example of the outstanding God we serve. I am blessed. We serve a mighty God and dont let anyone tell you differently. God has plans for you and where you are now is where he wants you to be. You may not know it now, but God will use you while you are there.

I dont write this to brag in any way and I hope it didnt sound that way. I just am blown away by God's greatness and I couldnt help but share what He is doing here in my life in Chihuahua, MX. All this glory goes to God and I wouldnt be the person I am today without Him. GLORIA A DIOS! Therefore, please dont read this as me bragging but as me showing the amazing work of God. I think I was forgetting the reason I am here and was getting caught up in the daily routine. God used Edith today to remind me why God has me here. I stand amazed.

"Walk in the paths He shows you: follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts...then you'll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go"

1 Kings 2:1 (the message)

Inauguración y La Sierra y Concierto

Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend an Inauguraction. It wasnt just any inauguraction. For those of you who know Lirio, you know how special this place is to me. Two years ago a team from Chase Oaks Church helped build the kitchen for the older boys home. At this time there was 1 house for the older boys to sleep in. It held 16 boys. Sometime last year the kitchen was finished, but Lirio's dream was to have one more house to hold 16 more boys. However, they were not sure when this would happen because of money issues. But, God ALWAYS provides.

Because of this last week was the opening of the new boys home that now houses 16 teenage boys. There was a whole ceremony. Presenting of the flag, the national athem, and a school band played along. Then we all headed inside to here some very important people speak. However my favorite part was a slideshow that was put together to represent who and what Lirio stands for. It was a tear-jerker for sure. It showed all the different building but most importantly the kids there and their lives. Many of the kids have recently graduated and 4 are in college right now. There have been weddings and celebrations. This place is unique and special. Each one of these kids has amazing people who love them dearly.

After the ceremony we all walked outside with a balloon in hand. Mama and Papa cut the blue ribbon and we all let go of the balloons. The new home was open. All the boys were very excited to see their new home and a place where they can have more privacy. I am so proud of all the kids at Lirio. They each have a special place in my heart and have a special place in God's heart to.

This past weekend we went to Creel. A town fimiliar to me. Last year I went on a mission trip to Batopilas and it was indescribable. We stayed in the same place I did last year. It brought back many memories from our trip last year. RUTH, PHILIP, KELSEY, RAY, GREG, and I. I got to see the Elephant rock and the lake. Then we all went to the Barrancas del Cobre or the Copper Canyon. The copper canyon is by far the most beautiful thing to this day I have ever seen. Then Saturady we took an 1 and 1/2 hike to some waterfalls. I love God's creation. It seizes to amaze me. It was a great vacation with the school and I reallly loved just being in God's beauty. You would have thought we were in Mexico. Ahhh I loved loved it!

Now for the concert. This past sunday I went with my church youth group to a free outdoor concert. Little did I know that here this group is EXTREMELY popular. They are from spain and their name is La Quinta Estacion. They were awesome! There was about 6000 people there so you can only imagine how squished we are were. But none the less it was awesome! I LOVE IT HERE!

"For the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

El Grito

Okay. So I first have to apologize that I have not updated my blog in awhile. I guess I have just been a little lazy and we have been pretty busy. I am going to spare all of you and do a couple different blogs about significant events that happened in the last two weeks, instead of telling you every detail of every day. ENJOY :)

First off Tuesday el 15 de septiembre, we had a fiesta in our classes for Independence Day because we didnt have school the following wed. During our break we ate every typical mexican food it seemed like. During our break, my teacher Edith asked me if I would explain or tell the whole story of Mexico's Independence Day to everyone. This included all 4 teachers, 6 students, Ana (our secretary) and Greg and Paloma. Therefore, you could say I was just a tad bit nervous. But I SURVIVED and everyone told me I did a great job!

After classes in the afternoon, we headed to my church Mi Casa de Mi Padre to pray over Chihuahua and then to eat :) After we all headed to EL GRITO! El grito is an event in downtown Chihuahua where thousands of people gather. The governer starts the event by yelling things like VIVA CHIHUAHUA! And everyone repeats VIVA! and then VIVA MEXICO! VIVA! VIVA MEXICO! VIVA! It was a very neat experience. Then afterwards there was a firework show. I have to admit it was the BEST firework show I have ever been too. It probably lasted 45 min and there were fireworks shooting off bulidings in all directions towards downtown. Then there were these fireworks that were stationed on top of the buildings that would start spinning fireworks and were different designs and words. They all changed every so often. There was even a waterfall of fireworks off one of the builidings. Basically you should be jealous that you didnt get to experience this firework show (only kidding). It was amazing! After the fireworkshow there was a concert! We stayed and danced to some mariachi songs! I had a blast! Then the following day there was NO SCHOOL! It was also the first day I slept past 9 a.m.

I would have to say that I enjoyed Mexico's Independence Day a lot more than Americas! VIVA MEXICO! If you ever are in Mexico on the 15 of september...figure out where downtown is and go enjoy an amazing event!

I went back to lirio for the weekend :) amazing. Then monday was one of my teachers birthday. We had a cake and of course a pinata :) It was a lot of fun! I also talked with my sister Eva for over 2 hours just about everything. I love her and it was fun to actually be able to carry on a conversation for that long.

ILOVEITHERE :)

"If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously...And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."

Romans 12:8 (NLT)

Extrano mi familia y mis mejores amigos...pero ahora estoy en el lugar que Dios me quiere tener.

In case you didnt understand what my title meant...Its says I miss my family and my best friends but right now I am in the place where God wants me to be. I wish I could explain it better but that sentence pretty much sums it all.

Miercoles 9/9: Today was a day of encouragement. For homework the night before I had to write a one page paper. Then next day when my teacher Edith read it over I only had 2 mistakes. I was honestly shocked but proud at the same time. Then in the afternoon my teacher Laura told me that my spanish has improved termendously since I have been here. Honestly before this I wasnt sure I was learning anything or getting any better because I am around it 24/7 so its just natural. God knew what I needed to here. Thanks GOD :) Ray and I also went to the Fashion Mall to buy some clothes for one of my good friends at Lirio, Silvia. This past saturday was her 15th birthday, something every special here in Mexico. Therfore we bought here some gifts :) thanks to the help of many friends back in the states.

Jueves 9/10- Lets just say today I didnt want to learn more spanish. This was kinda unfortunate for me since I am at a Language School. haha. Therefore instead of class we went to Pancho Villas house. It def. beat having class! Then in the afternoon everyone came over to my house to have a cooking class taught by my mom! We learned how to cook paella. I cant really explain what it is but it was DELICIOUS! After class Ray and I went to Lirio to give Silvia her gifts. SHe loved them and was so thankful!

Viernes 9/11- "Remembering 9/11" Julie, Linda, Ramon y yo fuimos al Fashion Mall! Sorry random spanish thrown in there. I ate a subway, yes subway sandwich, drink, and chips for $3.75 gotta love it. We killed some time by shopping around. Then we went to see "La Cruda Verdad" or The Ugly Truth. We watched it in V.I.P which is basically amazing. HUGE seats and you can order food and everything. A little like Studio Movie Grill...but better and only for about 5 bucks. After the movie we headed to Italianissimo. Obviously an Italian restaurant where I had a ceaser salad.

Sabado 9/12- COOKING DAY! Yes basically all I did was cook. We cooked a meal in the morning like normal. Two meals in the afternoon, one normal and one for a party. Then Ramon y Linda came over to help us make 2000 yes 2000 bocadillas, which are like small sandwiches. We cooked por una boda (wedding). It was alot of work and by the end of the day we were all EXHAUSTED!

Domingo 9/13- I woke up to get ready for church but then Laura, one of my teachers forgot to pick me up. It was my fault because I didnt talk to her about picking me up. So instead I skyped with my family back home. AHHH I miss them alot. Then I practiced driving our car around Chihuahua. My family wanted to see if I was good enough to take the car out when I needed to. I PASSED! Therefore, me and my sis when to Fashion Mall to see another movie, "Reconstuyendo Mi Vida" It was very good.

Fun. Fun. FUN times here in Mexico. And wed is Independence day here so we wont have school! And tomorrow night is a going to be CRAZY. Basically the whole city with be downtown. CANT WAIT :)

I love you all very much and keep in touch. I want to know how yalls lives are going. Remember to always pursue God with all your heart.

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Genesis 28:15 NIV

Me encanta mi vida :)

Well I thought I would be updating this very often...but obviously that hasnt happend. I apologize but I will continue to do my best.

This past week was a GREAT week. Honestly it seems like every week is a good week. I am going to share with you a little about each day or the things that were significant.

Lunes- we got a new student, Linda from Switzerland and she is here for a month and is in my class :) I have really got to know her and she is really really sweet. Then my mom and I looked at pictures from Batopilas and ate filet mignon for lunch at my house. Can you say AMAZING?! Monday I had alot of doubts. Just doubts that I will actually learn spanish. Which sounds a little crazy, but satan is trying to get in my head. At this point it had only been a week, so I know things will be alright.

Martes- Classes were WAY more encouraging. My teacher Edith really encouraged me. God was using here to talk to me and tell me that I am doing well and just really lifting me up. Then tuesday night my sister Eva and I went to a drive in movie! QUE PADRE! We saw twilight..it wasnt actually a drive in movie theater but a big projector on a side of a plain wall building. It was better! Although we didnt have a car so we just sat outside while it rained! Which is seems to do EVERYDAY here. It was my sisters first time to see twilight and lets just say shes hooked. We are already getting tickets for the premire of Nueva Luna :)

Miercoles- For morning class we decided to go out and about around town just talking. A really good way to learn to communicate in everyday life. I really love the atmosphere around here and at school. Then I went to watch Ray play his tenis game, which he lost. Que triste. Then for some exercise in the evening after classes we all decided to meet up to walk around the deportiva (about 1 1/3 miles around). However its a 45 min walk just to get there so it was alot of exercise :) Then it began to POUR. So we got drenched and found somewhere to eat dinner, hoping the rain would die down. It never did so we got a taxi and headed home. First time to ever ride in a taxi. Very interesting I might add.

Jueves- For break...we ate barbacoa tacos! Que ricos. Then for lunch my family was invited over to my aunts house to eat, but not until 3:30 and so I talked to greg asking if it would be okay if I was late to my classes and he said it was fine and that my spanish was going well :) When I returned to school no one was there cause they went to eat some ice cream. So I had a good convo with are AMAZING secretary Ana. Later after my 15 min of class (hehe) Eva and I went over to a friends house to watch a movie, but before I went and saw the monument of Pancho Villas grave site. IT WAS HUGE!

Viernes- Went to the good ole wal-mart to buy a couple things. Then ate tacos camarones or shrimp tacos. They were delicious. Then ray and I made the trek back home. It only took ohh about an hour. :) Then Mama Rosa and Papa Ed from Lirio came to pick Ray and I up. I was off to one of my favorite places on earth. There is really know way of explaining Lirio you just have to go. Maybe in one entry I will just explain the way this place works. Its amazing. And Mama and Papa seize to amaze me. Did I mention they are praying about the posibility of Lirio 3 in Kenya, Africa? Well they are. Amazing.

Sabado- Basically it was the monthy clean day. This means EVERYTHING gets cleaned and deeped clean. I was put on washing down all the mattress. All the kids and I cleaned for about 3 hours. Then we basically just hung out. Later on in the afternoon we went to the boys soccer game. There were two different games. One for the younger boys and one for the older boys. They both won :) IT was muy chido! I cant really explain how much I enjoy this place and how much I love just getting to hug the kids and never wanting to let go. They are VERY special to me. And they are the reason that if its in Gods plans, I would love to adopt. Please pray for these kids and the adoption process and for you and your family and maybe the possiblity of you adopting. Trust me there are kids out there who would love to be a part of your family. I have no doubt.

Domingo- We stayed at Lirio to watch over the house and the kids that didnt go to church this sunday. Another day to love on kids while they love on you. I was only there for a short time but trust me I cant wait to go back. The kids didnt want me to leave but I know I will see them shortly and they know that too. When I got back home, my mom told me that my family here really missed me. :) I missed them too. I wouldnt change ANYTHING about my life right now and I have no doubt it is where God wants me to be.

Lunes- Another wonderful day at school. I know wonderful and school arent supposed to go together, but here they do. Trust me. During our morning class we ended up talking alot about our churches back home and the differences and our beliefs. I love talking about this kind of stuff! And we did it all in spanish! In the evening I let my family borrow my computer so they could skype with my other city in Mexico City. Evas computer doesnt have a mic or a camara so its a little difficult. To see the smile on their face when they were able to see their daughter and visa versa was amazing. It made me happy. Then after my sister Eva wrote on my wall on Facebook that she was really happy that I was her sister. I also got to talk to my amazing cousin Brian on skype. Boy do I miss my him.

Hoy- Classes were normal. I am a little sick right not. Not sure if it is a cold or alergies. I am hoping its alergies. In my morning class I got to talk alot about my diabetes and different things about my family. It was really exciting. THen for dinner, we (as in the students) decided to walk and get the most amazing hamburgers ever! They were delicious. We stayed and talked forever. It was really fun!

I want to apologize again if these entries are really long. But you dont have to read them! It is just a place where I can write about my adventures and trials while I am here in Mexico. I honestly see God here and in my life so much. He is ALWAYS faithful and will ALWAY provide. Never forget that. I love you guys and miss you. Thanks for being a part of my life story.

MI primera semana aqui :)

WARNING! WARNING!

Well since it has been a week since I have posted

...its going to be a long one!

Well tuesday was a very good day for me because I really began to be part of the family here. I talked alot with my parents here who started calling me their daughter! I also got to talk alot with my older sister who is EXTREMELY nice. I fit right it with my family! I love them. Then wed. my family and I went out to eat some tacos! Que ricos! And also me and my sister Eva are friends on facebook now :) In school on wed. we played pictionary in spanish of course! haha it was very fun and funny! I love playing games during school! Then I got to talk with my bestest friend Kelsey on skype! I miss here alot. alot.

Thursday was the really first hard day for me. I dont know why but class was just frustrating and I dont know, satan trying to kick in. I really started missing everyone. But it got better. I went to the CITY CLUB, basically Sams Club with my family to buy lots of food and then we went to My dads sister, so my tias store and they gave me a free coke and chips :) They are the sweetest. I also learned that mis padres have been married for 31 anos and were novios 5 anos antes. Que padre :) (Which means like how cool.) Camila and Guierrmos mom asked me more about my religion today. She asked me who baptized me and when I was baptized. I hope this is the start of many more conversations.

Friday NO ESCUELA :) Therefore ray, britton, and I met one of our teachers Abi downtown where we did lots of exploring and everything is decorated for Independence Day! This was my first time throughout the city. Muy Chido! (very cool) I bought a Chivas Jersey with my COURT written on the back and then we all walked for what we thought would be 20 min, for 70 min to eat Gelado, but it was worth it! If you have never tried it...do it now :) I also got to talk and see my wonderful family on skype! How I miss them terribly!

Yesterday I started the day off by cooking with my mom. But it was some serious cooking! We cooked for 40 yes 40 people! We cooked and prepared things for 2 hours. But I loved it! Every minute of it. I really got to spend quality time with my mom. We also took lots of pictures together! Then of course I took a SIESTA! Everyone needs to have one of those per day! Then it was time for youth group. We sang some songs and then the pastor spoke. I actually understood most of it! Then we all went out for ice cream together afterwards. I really love the people in the youth group they are really funny and really help me learn spanish! They make me laugh and I cant wait to get to know them even better than I already do.

Hoy! I went to church this morning with the same amazing people! It was a little harder to understand but I will get there (hopefully). After church I went home and ate with my family. You should all be jealous (not really cause jealousy is bad haha) but really because I know I am eating food that is 500x better than yours :) trust me on that one. Cada comida. Cada Dia. Then I went to the movies with mi hermana. We went to the movie theater in the mall. She paid for everything! What a great sister! I am very blessed. We saw G.I Joe of course in spanish. I liked watching it in spanish. It helps me understand more spanish because I can here the words and see the actions. Fue muy chido :) Then I went again with mi mama y papa to his sisters store where of course more food and more drinks! Then we went to my dads other sisters house where I met more family. So much family! I cant remember them all, and we all know how bad I am with names. I met someone who is 19 who is somehow related to my family here and he was very nice and said that sometime I should go and hangout with him and his friends to get to know more people and practice spanish of course! Great day!

Basically over all, I LOVE IT HERE! Yes I miss people terribly but I wouldnt change anything. God is great and loves us termendously. All the time. NO matter where we are. Who we know. Who we are. We are his beloved. And I couldnt be more thankful for that. God has blessed me with this amazing oppurtunity. Gloria a Dios. Mas escuela! Here we come. Love you guys and miss you! Stay in touch. And remember GOD LOVES YOU and you can always lean on him NO MATTER what!

Con amor.

Mi primero dia de las clases y mi iglesia!

Hola mis amigos mejores!

Let me start with church (iglesia) first. One of my teachers picked me up from my house and we went to church, La Casa de Mi Padre...The worship was amazing! We actually sung a song that I became very familiar with when I went on my mission trip to Batopilas. The song De Tal Manera is a very beautiful song and I really could feel Gods presence and really worshipped, something I wasnt quite sure that I would feel while I was here. But God is faithful and we can worship in so many ways and languages. I met a bunch of the youth there who were all VERY welcoming and actually invited me to come back that same night to look at pictures of a weekend where they went to camp. It was really neat to see that different cultures still participate in the same activities while glorifying God. I really enjoyed meeting the youth and really feels like a part of home that I miss dearly is still here. Gloria a Dios!

Y Hoy fue mi primero dia de mis clases...and to say the least...the best surprise EVER...so Greg had told me a couple months ago that there was a student from California that would be studying here...I didnt think anything of it...as we are sitting there waiting for this "mystery" student...RAY TANG...yes RAY TANG walks in the room...and most of you could probably here how loud I screamed all the way from Texas...then of course the tears start rolling...I honestly couldnt believe my eyes! I still dont know how he kept it from me this whole time we talked about me going here and everything...but it made it so much better to be a surprise! Every time I think about it, I smile. I am so happy for him cause I know he has been talking about this for years, but I am glad he waited till I was able to come here too. Its going to be a great semester...no doubt! It was going to be amazing, but now even more amazing!

As far as the classes go, I am in a class with Gregs sister Julie, and she is so sweet! And my teachers are Edith and Laura. I can already tell I am going to love them. Lots of spanish was crammed in my head today, some things I already knew, but some I didnt. I just cant believe I am finally here. I cant wait to learn more spanish and to really learn the culture because it is a huge part of me. Lots of spanish spanish spanish..it makes me want to type here in spanish but then no one would be able to read it! Well it was a great first day of school! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers! Stay in touch!

Love,

a girl loving God with all her heart and more

p.s. yesterday I read my mommys entry in my journal! I know where I get my heart to serve others from. She is a great role model and my hero. I dont know what I would do without her and of course her idea to do everything she has for me since I have graduated...especially this journal :) it is such an encouragement and i love it! I am not going to write the rest of whose I read but I want to thank all of you in advance. You truly dont know how much this means to me. Thank you!