Breakfast at the hotel was interesting. I didn't really know what I was eating and it all tasted weird. It scared me to think that every meal on this trip would be like this. I ate as much as I could but I couldn't eat much.
Shortly after breakfast we loaded the bus. It was very interesting cramming into the tiny elevator along with other Ecuadorians to get our luggage down to the lobby. Almost had a panic attack from feeling clostraphobic, but thankfully, I didn't. Driving through through the town was fun, the town was so neat, it reminded me of our main street but older, more broken, and dirty. Instead of barbed wire at the top of fences, they had shards of glass bottles lining the tops of the walls to protect their property. It was so gorgeous looking out and seeing the city covering the hills and valleys.
Our first stop was the equator. they have bathrooms there, but you have to pay $.10 for toilet paper. We toured the little town near the Equator after a group picture, the food smelled wonderful! we visited the little shops and tried to communicate while buying things. I bought a hammock for $18 and some cool pants for 5. The lady at the shop where I bought the hammock was so nice, she gave me a free coin purse because of my purchase. Most times Americans purchased something in Ecuador they gave you back silver dollars instead of Bills or change. While walking around with Karen and Lauren, Dave approached us With an attitude of panic and was saying that he had to tell us something. we followed him around while he seemed to be trying to find something. Eventually he told us that he found Lauren's cousin who was on site missionary there and it was neat that she was reunited with him. Dave told us to be careful because he noticed a man watching us and as he started towalk over, Dave Pulled us away. Later we were taking more pictures of the equator and Kara slipped and fell over the equator. While laughing, I noticed the man up on the balcony still watching us. I told Sara about it and she looked up at him and he beckoned us to come up there, we ignored him and eventually he approached us and started to talk. When he figured out we didn't speak Spanish or Russian he told us in English that the balcony would be a much better place to take pictures. We kindly refused in order to avoid being kidnapped...or worse.
After that we headed to the mall for lunch it was very much like our malls but it was outside, well parts of it were. It was very nice. We ate in the food court which had both foreign and familiar restaurants. we were told not to eat any fresh veggies or salad as well as not to drink any fountain drinks or water not bottled. My group went to tropi burger and ordered chicken strips with bottled water, it was pretty hard to communicate and It took us a while to order. Sarah wanted ranch for her chicken, so we went on an adventure to find it. And an adventure it was. first, we had to figure out how to say ranch in Spanish, then Sarah tried asking this Cajun place and was having trouble, so she had to ask the guy next to her help her out. It turns out he was Ecuadorian but had lived in Texas for a while. We took the ranch back to the table, but when we tasted it we unfortunately discovered that it tasted like tartar sauce/ mayonnaise and it was gross. So we tried again, we asked Quiznos for "salsa de ranch" and she thought we wanted a meal, we had to explain that we just needed it on the side. Sara tried asking for it "à la carte" and she still didn't understand. so I said "solo". finally, sara had her ranch. After lunch we walked the mall a little. we needed to get downstairs, but the escalators only went up. we had to take the elevator which was tiny and packed with people, it was super cramped and the people inside just stared at us. Awkward.
We got back in the bus and rode for many hours, maybe five? it was a gorgeous view and atI one point there was a valley with a river and the clouds came very low and we were basically driving through clouds and when you look down you could see the clouds below you. It was stunning! We slept a lot on the bus and took pictures of poppy with sleeping victims. at one point, bus surfing was our form of entertainment. we would stand sideways in the isle and try to balance along the rough path and around curves and turns.
We arrived at camp UNPES after dark. we set up in our rooms --I shared a room with Andra, kayla, Sara, Kara, and Taylor and Emma, the two interns-- Which had a small bathroom and a small shower room.
Dinner was amazing!! it was roast with gravy, rice, and vegetables. and juice! we had juice every day and I discovered I don't like papya. Eating that wonderful food relieved all my fears of having to eat strange foods for the rest of the trip.
I slept in my hammock. it got very cold at night and trips to the bathroom were tough. Eventually it got so cold that I took up Sara's offer and hopped in bed with her.
I didn't live down the fact that me and Sara cuddled, it was brought up through the rest of the trip.
P.S. I will add pictures to these post when I get my laptop fixed. It won't connect to Internet and I'm having to use my phone.
Anxiously I prepared for my journey. Getting ready, I was so excited as well as nervous for my first ever trip overseas. We met as a group at the garage at 6:30 AM to get baggage ready, pray and say goodbye to family. My mom and sister would be joining me, so I didn't have any tough goodbyes. Soon we loaded a bus and headed towards the airport. Poppy the gnome joined us, we started a new tradition where we take pictures of him with anyone who fell asleep. That, Along with our anticipation, kept us entertained for the ride. At the airport we ate breakfast and awaited our flight to Atlanta. It was about a two hour flight and I was in a middle seat between Mrs. Carolyn and a man I didn't know. Looking out the window is my favorite part of flying, as well as take off and landing. I love to fly, but being Rebekah's first flight she was very scared. She shed a few nervous tears at first, but by the second flight she warmed up and was dancing to music with her friends. We had a layover in the airport in Atlanta. We had lunch and played games of UNO and Mad Libs while waiting for our flight to Quito. I was super excited that there was a Panda Express in the airport, so that's where I chose for lunch. Her after a little layover we begin to board the plane but only a few were able to board before they closed the ramp to storming. After a slight delay we boarded for a five hour flight. I was in the middle again between Jacob Blackman and a girl who I later learned was from France. It was a very nice flight, we were supplied with a pillow and a blanket, we watched a movie and TV shows to pass the time, but eventually Hey got bored and tired I tryed to sleep, but being in the middle made it difficult because Jacob was a guy and I didn't want to lean on him or the stranger next to me. Eventually out of desperation I asked him if I can use his shoulder, he said it was okay but once I lay down I could sense we were both uncomfortable with it, so that didn't last very long. They fed us sandwiches for dinner on the plane, I was easily impressed. My very favorite part was our descent into Quito. it was dark outside and seeing the lights of the city was so gorgeous! I broke the rules a little and tried taking pictures out the window, but the movement made the lights blurry. the airport in Quito was intimidating. it was overflowing with culture and diversity, everyone speaking different languages. the line through immigration was very long and it was hard because we were all tired and some were feeling sick. At one point we just heard a blood curling scream. we looked back and behind us a little boy's shoelace had got stuck in the escalator and had made him trip. it was sad and scary, but he was just fine. It had only scared him. Rebekah thought it would be funny to pop a balloon, the ones we used as markers for our bags..oh my! Everyone turned to look what had made that loud noise, and we were all like "oh dear! she's not with us.". After that it was quick and soon enough we met with Steve and rode the bus to the hotel where I shared a room with mom and Rebekah. I crashed pretty quickly.
Wow. I don't even think words can describe this feeling. I can't describe my feelings. My thoughts just run and conflict and I can't get them straight. Just stop.
I'm worried
I'm anxious about my future and my life. I don't know what I want to do and I am running out of time to decide. Where do I go to school? What do I study? What do I major in? I want to be a missionary. I want to teach kids about Jesus. I want to be a photographer. I would enjoy some sort of counseling job. I am behind on college placing tests and I'm not on level with other kids. I don't know what I'm going to do, I don't have a job, I am NOT a successful AP student.
I just can't breathe. I feel like thinking is sucking air out of my lungs.
Then I remember that Christ says not to be anxious about anything but to pray and trust him. I feel guilty for still being overwhelmed with unknown feelings
If only he could help me make plans.
I don't have plans for my schooling, my future, my life. I can't even make plans for my future dwelling because everything's up in the air. My future is just up in the air. And my living situation.. I can't be sure of anything. I just don't know. I have no plans I'm not sure of anything. I want to go do things and I can't, I'm stuck here. In America. After traveling to Ecuador. I hate it here. I feel like if I could just make a plan I'd be okay.
Then I remember Peter. Peter had his own plans, he got upset with the guards and cut someone's ear off. Jesus told Peter to put down his sword. In the same way, I'm supposed to put away my plans. Because God has a perfect plan, and he commands is to follow it. I feel ashamed that I am still having trouble dealing with it.
I'm just struggling. I just am so confused. I wanna do something, accomplish something, be something, do something. I'm tired of just sitting, existing. I want to live.
I just wanna live, breathe, and share my Jesus. But I'm only 17 and I don't know where to begin. I just don't know anything.
I was just thinking about life and all it includes. Well all it has included for me. I don't know... You know, people could go around sulking and being upset all the time; mourning over their past. But I choose to learn from mine. I've learned the power of forgiveness, the cost of selfishness, and the affect of manipulation. But I don't wanna sit around and mope about it; I want to love, help, act. I wanna use my story to better the lives of others. I wanna start today.
As a side note, I would like to know if you read my blog, check in occasionally, or follow via email. Please leave me a comment letting me know if you stop by. I wanna know if people actually read these awkward ramblings of mine. Thanks so much!
I can't wait to upload some pictures. I have been working on photography a little, but I miss it. Be keeping an eye out for some posts soon with photos. :)
Wow, it's been awhile! I miss writing, I really do. But I've been doing so much I haven't had much time. It's the last carefree summer ill prolly have in awhile since next year ill be worrying about colleges, scholarships, and whatnot. This summer is passing quickly, but there is still so much more it holds. I'm extremely excited for my trip to Ecuador and Church camp, as well as a wedding I'm helping to photograph. But soaking in the NOW has been very nice. Seeing family of all ages and relation has been wonderful!! Grandparents, great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, distant cousins and their kids as well as my own younger cousins and aunts and uncles. It's great getting away and just taking it slow and being with family. I'm sad it's ending but being away from my church home and friends I have a loneliness that stings. I miss having friends. So heading for home in a week will be very bittersweet and may drag out a few tears. Bye for now my internet friends
and soft murmurs of the people celebrating in the house.
Seeing:
cute baby noses and toes
puppies on the porch
The pretty green grass
Lilly pads on the water
Smelling:
the clean smell of the approaching summer
the lingering scent of hamburgers carried with the wind.
Feeling:
soft baby skin,
sticky heat of approaching summer accompanied by the cool breeze that lifts my hair and cools my skin,
puppy fur on my bare feet
and sloppy dog kisses on my arm as they come to discover what this thing called "baby" is
Tasting:
sweet Lullabys
baby heads as I kiss them gently.
The lemonade crime icing made from scratch
sweet fruit
Today we celebrated my Great-Grandmother's 89th Birthday. It was a beautiful way to spend this memorial day weekend.,the day was pretty and the weather beautiful. Family time with the gang was a nice treat, the crazy cousins and sweet babies. I am so thankful for another year with my sweet Mimi and I pray for more to come.
Grand children, great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
As I walked into history class and set my lunch down on the empty desk across from me I quickly got working on the mountain of worksheets that were assigned to be due at the end of class. I was still working a few minutes before the bell and was so focused that I didn't realize that the class discussion was about how these boys ate a lunch that someone left in the classroom. Of course it was not JUST anyone's lunch, it was mine. When I realized the location of my missing lunch, I acted like I was not bothered. I quickly walked to my next class because I did not want to bring attention to the fact that I was inadvertently the topic of the class discussion. In reality I was appalled at the lack of respect for the property of other people, what would make people think it would be okay to eat someone's lunch? Whether they left it in the class or not, they would havemost certainly returned to get it once they realized their mistake. I kept thinking about what would have happened if it wasn't my lunch and the poor kid could not afford to replace the food and had to skip a meal because someone thought it would be funny to eat the lunch. It wasn't until a few weeks later that I learned that: God uses our experiences to impact others. Today in yearbook class I overheard a discussion that seemed all too familiar: "who's is it?" "I don't know, Its been here all class period" "should we eat it?"
I stood up. I explained how my lunch had been eaten and how it had ruined my day, and that the kid would most likely be back once he/she realized it was missing. I saved a kids lunch that day. Not on my own of course, for if that hadn't happened to me only a short while before, I would not have even realized what was going on. And as small as a paper sack of food may be, I have a feeling that God used it to make some kid's day a tiny bit better.
Sometimes it takes experiencing something first hand to open our eyes to how it effects others. Often we wonder why we go through the things we do, why God allows good people to go through hard things. Through this experience, I learned that God uses these trials(yes even the small things like getting your lunch stolen) to impact the lives of others. whether having lost a child, or lost a lunch, someone around you is probably going through something similar. Open your eyes and use that experience to make an impact. Now GO and see how God uses the tough things in your life to impact someone else!
As spring comes and passes, my dreams bud with the flowers.
As a child and growing up, I wanted to be a teacher. I loved the feeling I got after teaching something to someone as they understood was so rewarding. But I was home-schooled and had yet to experience the public schooling system. I enrolled in public school in the 7th grade, it was there in the public schools I discovered the disrespect of students and just how awful teachers have it. I decided that wasn't really what I wanted.
Somewhere between these years, I got really into Photography and decided that was what I wanted to pursue. I figured I would major in business and photography so I could start a free-lance photography business, and If things didn't work out, I would have the business degree to fall back on. This was my plan for quite sometime, but recently I had been getting sort of discontent with photography, don't get me wrong, I still had a passion and a love for it, I just felt like it wasn't enough, just being a photographer. Looking back, I think It was God preparing me for the fact that he may have other plans for my life.
I am a very shy, reserved person. I have trouble gaining the courage to step in front of anyone to speak, sing, or even introduce myself. One recent Wednesday our youth pastor, Dave, decided he would have us teach. We were each given a small group of Jr. High students and a list of questions to discuss. I was terrified. But, with God's help I made it through and it went very well. We also played a game which was built with a lot of leadership training. After Jr. High, Dave asked that we now lead the High school students in the same discussion.. I was petrified. Most of these kids were older than me and I did not feel I was adequate to be leading, but I stepped out of my comfort zone, trusting completely in Christ to give me the right words. At the end of the night I felt totally filled by the spirit. It built my confidence in several ways. I wasn't as nervous as usual while singing either. It was as if God was holding my hand all night! The best feeling ever!
The weeks after were joyous. I was having trouble, but I would pray and God would take care of it. I was having issues balancing school, church, and home life, but as I began to put God first and just give it all to him, he gave me extra time for school and chores. none of the bad went away, God just helped me to see it with a joy in him, and he helped sort out the details. It was so neat seeing God work.
As the regular church mission trip to Equador came around, I felt compelled to sign up. I remember how great of an experience the trip to Montana had been and I wanted to be a part of that again. I still was unsure of why I had become so Interested in missions, I would have never thought I would/could ever do something like that.
My friend Tiffany goes to Zambia sometimes to help run a girls self-esteem camp. One day I sent her an email asking if next time she made the trip I could go with her. I have no Idea why I asked, I've never wanted to be a missionary, but something just compelled me to ask if I could go.
The next week at Youth Group Dave told us a missionary from Africa had come to speak with us about missions. After the meeting, I turned to my mom and told her about Tiffany agreeing to take me with her to Zambia. She had this weird smile and replied:
"That's so cool, I was praying today about missions, my heart has always been missions, but i'm not sure that will be a reality anytime soon, but God kept bringing you to mind and how great you would be at it. I think God has been preparing my heart for this."
but I still wasn't sure I wanted to "Be a missionary" I'm not brave, or bold or anything.
As I sat and listened to Sara speak about her job teaching kids in Tanzania, I became drawn in. She talked about how God told her that's where he wanted her and he spoke to her, so I asked her how she knew it was God speaking to her and not just her heart, but I couldn't quite understand what she was describing.
At the end of the night, I felt like the light bulb came on! That's what he wanted me to do. I WAS supposed to teach, but over in Africa where they hunger to learn, not here. I still wasn't sure if that was what God wanted for me, or if I was just excited by Sarah's speech and wanted it for myself.
I cannot remember if I prayed for God to reveal His will, but I'm certain He did.
As I drove home that night, pondering all of this new information, I began to hear what was on the radio...
and it was this song:
I was blown away! and continuously this song seemed to play every time I was in the car.
Ever since I started blogging, back in the beginning, I've been following Katie's blog. I thought her story was so neat and inspiring, but it didn't really sink in what she was doing. After God began bringing all of these new hopes into my life, it finally made sense. This girl is doing and blogging about exactly what I want to be doing! I knew I had to read her book, but I didn't have it yet, so I decided to watch all of her videos on YouTube.
They always bring me to tears, because her heart is so beautiful, and I know that is what God wants me doing; loving and teaching those little children.
All my life I've wanted to be a mother. But, being completely honest with you, I've always been terrified. Adoption has always lingered there in the back of my heart, so seeing this, brought a smile to my soul.
I have started a new Bible Study called Foundations. It's purpose is to teach the basis of the Christian Faith and equip you to share it with others. It is led by the sweetest woman. I was talking to this leader, Mrs. Colvin, about this new desire God has given me to go teach in Africa. She was happy to hear, then she informed me that it was really neat because she planned on giving us all a book as we finished the class and she thought I would really enjoy it. I started thinking to myself..I wonder If it is the book Katie Davis had written about her ministry, but it couldn't be. At that moment, Mrs. Colvin asked if I had heard of the book "Kisses from Katie", of course I had. It was the exact book I had been longing to read, and now I cannot wait till the end of the class so I can have that book as my own.
For awhile now I've had a dream to travel overseas to England, Ireland, Scotland. I want to explore and take pictures. I guess you could call it my goal to visit after I graduate. Though I've always wanted to visit England, I was beginning to feel that Africa was where God wanted me most, so I sort of gave up the Idea of Europe.
I got called down to the school counselor one day to discuss my courses for next year, and She asked me where I planned on attending college. Although I never really had a strong idea which college I wanted to attend, I thought for sure I wanted to major in business and photography, that is until recently. I explained that I wasn't really sure which college, but I was thinking about business. Then, out of nowhere, I just felt compelled to add "..But now I'm not so sure, because I feel like God Is calling me to go teach in Africa."
She gave me this weird stare and smile, which I interpreted as "you are crazy to throw away your future like that" but what she said next surprised me completely! She explained how awesome she thought it was that I wanted to do that, and she told me that her daughter and her daughters husband are over in Africa right now, visiting their sponsor child, and how they were thinking about staying over there for awhile. I was ecstatic. She smiled, "It's so cool the way God works!" WOW!
Before I left her office she told me about one of our assistant principals, Mr. Metz, and how he was in school right now getting his degree so he could go over and start schools in Africa. Once again I am amazed by God, the perfect director of our lives.
Weekend before last, I attended a retreat with the women of our church. The speaker was really sweet and I wanted to buy her book on constant prayer. As I bought the book and walked up to her to have her sign it, we started talking, and the subject of missions came up. She told me about a friend of her's who sent her daughter to a really good missionary prep school over in England. It made me smile, Even though the school is most likely too expensive and far away, I was grateful to God. I believe he was rewarding me for letting go of my England trip before.
similarly, as I began to accept the fact that photography may not be the career that God has for me. I began to realize there are ways that I could use it to strengthen my ministry. For instance, I could use it to raise funds for my trips. I could take pictures and use them to raise awareness. Even start blogging about the work God is doing. I feel like God is really revealing the meaning of the verse in Luke to me.
"But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." -Luke 12:31
As I start letting go of what I want and pursuing what He wants for me, He allows me the other things I wish for as well. I would have to be an idiot to say that none of this had to do with God, I believe 100% that this is something God is putting on my heart, and not just something I want, because truthfully, I would have never have chosen this for myself, but now I can hardly think of not going through with this. I am willing to follow whatever God has planned for my life. Whether over in Africa, or here in the U.S. I just want to serve him.
Finally, While attending a concert this past Friday, I was presented the opportunity to sponsor a child overseas through Compassion. With the help of a friend and a very generous teacher, a little girl from Africa will be able to get food and an education. I am so excited to be able to write and get to know this little girl and It is my hope to one day get to meet her face to face and wrap her in my arms and tell her how much I love her, and how much more Jesus loves her.
This is my Journey, hope, and passion,
Here I am, Lord. Send me.
For the last day of spring break we decided to road trip down to the zoo... So we woke up early and began our journey. I was like a small child on Christmas...
Listen while you scroll!!!
we got there just before the gates opened
It was funny because the squirrels were so crazy and brave that I found them at times more interesting than the animals.
Bear watching
I think this was the prettiest animal there.
Gorgeous Cat!
They fed the animals green Ice cubes for St. Patrick's day
Timon
why would you eat that? I guess if you're happy..go ahead
pumba
Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Oh my!
I Got to feed a giraffe!!!
This Giraffe was weird and kept licking its nose.
Crazy (mean) crow that kept yelling at us.
woah
we had to find all the hidden signs of the legendary beast
hanging out in a hammock
wonder
speared by a rhino horn
baby giraffe.. two weeks old i think
sleepy cougar
freak of nature...
zebra giraffe...okapi
yumm
this two year old elephant was soo cute
It was so very sweet to see her feed her mommy
monkey Elephant see, Elephant do
I like to move it, move it,
I like to move it, move it...
I like to
MOVE IT!!
he looked a bit stuck
haha
a picture of a picture
This monkey must have been very bored...or his leg was quite interesting
this monkey was my favorite
the Einstein monkey
umm...okay
his name was really Johnathan, but we changed it to David...
David in the lion's den
this was all we could see of the sea lions through the huge crowd.
I saved the best part of the zoo for last. This was the highlight of our trip...
The Laughing Kukaburra
Here is the account of Megan's encounter with the Kukaburra
all the people who had casually passed by the bird, uninterested came flocking back quickly to see whay was making all the racket and we couldn't stop laughing..everyone kept asking how we got the bird to do such a thing. Folks, here is the answer:
Before heading home, we stopped by the sculpture garden near the museum and walked around, but we got yelled at for touching the art..whoops. We were tired, so we left shortly after.
This mirror cube was so cool
We made a quick stop at Smashburger for fries and shakes and drove home.
