My Adventure to Naco, Mexico

I'm alive! I am so tired, but it was well worth it. About 20 college kids from the Refuge went to help out at an orphange in Mexico. We cleaned up the place, and played various games with the kids. Going down their always makes me realize that I have so much that I don't need. The Spanish that I forgot came slowly back to me, which was cool.

One of the Freshmen, Shawn, locked my friend Joes's keys in the trunk of his car (both are friends) and the director of the orphange and about five other kids spent an hour using coat hangers to "break into" the car. We didn't have cell phone reception so we couldn't call Joe's roommate to bring the keys down. Then one of the kids road his bike into town and got a locksmith to come out. In about 2 seconds he had the door open and only asked for 10 bucks. God is good. It was really funny watching everyone try to get the car open. It was like Breaking Into Cars 101.

Good memories. Many to laugh over later, after I take a shower. I feel like a have a layer of dirt on my skin. It was so funny. We were crossing the border over to the American side and the guys asked each of us if we were Americans. When he asked me everyone in the car turns around and smiles at me cause it's obvious that I'm not from Mexico. Great times.

Yo estoy muy cansada

I am really tired. I haven't gotten much sleep this week and just feel like my tanks are low. I've got four more papers to write in the next two weeks and a lab to do. Thinking about it gives me a headache. Taking things one day at a time really helps. I'm helping to organize a trip to Naco, Mexico which is happening this Saturday (which would explain the spanish title). After two weeks, I will be so happy.

God is good and only gives me what I can bear. Sometimes I wonder if he over-estimates my ability to "bear" things. He doesn't, I just need to have more faith and believe Him. I think I just need sleep. That sounds nice. I think I'll do that. Love you guys!

80s, 90s, 100s...and beyond

Two weeks ago the temperature in Tucson was perfect. Perfect. The perfect weather is now gone and is replaced with dry heat (no moisture) and wind (no moisture either...just hot air). It reached the 90s last week and our local weather stations are having bets as to when it's going to be 100. I am so glad that I'm going to be in Elgin where I can be "cold."

Four more weeks of school (including finals), 3 weeks if you don't include finals. I think 3 sounds better. I just got may major officially changed and all the paperwork filled out. I'm excited! Not excited about taking four english classes next semester. The one classics class is going to keep me sane. I'm officially a English lit major (with a British emphasis) with a Classics Minor (emphasis on Classical Civilizations). I have one class devoted to Chaucer and one to Irish literature. Both of those classes make up for the tortures I endured in Chicano Studies this semester. I know most of you reading this think I'm pretty strange to be so zealous about my love for literature, but it's what floats my boat. Anyway hope everyone has a great week.

Woman 2 Woman

I just returned from the Woman 2 Woman conference in Phoenix, Arizona. About 15-20 girls from the Refuge went up together on Friday afternoon and we got back tonight. It was the first time that I drove to Phoenix. I only got lost once...I missed my exit. But God gave me some grace and I was able to get us where we needed to be.

The keynote speaker was Liz Curtis Higgs who has written Bad Girls of the Bible. She is a HOOT! I have never laughed so much. And she can cleverly sneak in the really serious topics and tie them together. It was a great weekend. Some of the classes that I went to were "How to love Muslim Women," "Purity for Young Women," "The Power Of Blessing," and "Confessions of an Imperfect Mom." Now the last one was the best! My friend Shannon and I went to this one because when the speaker for this session gave her summary of her class in the big group, I just knew that it was going to be interesting. I could've gone to all the "being content being single" sessions, but I knew that going would make me dwell on my singleness the rest of the week. So I didn't and I am so glad that I went to "Confession of an Imperfect Mom." Kelli, the speaker for that session was very honest and forthcoming about her sucesses and failures as a mother and how she could see God in her life. The great thing was that after my group had left the conference and stopped at In and Out Burger that we ran into her and her family there, which was really random.

I was so glad that I went this weekend. It was a really great time to get away from school and all the craziness and really focus on what matters: my relationship with Christ and my relationship with other people. Anyway, I got no sleep last night and sleep really sounds good right now.

Good Night!

The Engagements Keep Coming!

So many people that I know at Refuge are getting engaged. I'm genuinely really excited for everyone, but my really good friend Alicia just got engaged and I am ecstatic for her. I've known her since the 8th grade (she was a sophomore in high school) from youth group. She really took the time to mentor me and basically took me under her wing. She had been such a blessing to me and I am truly honored that she asked me to be one of her three bridesmaids. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for her. God truly put a gem in my life when he had us cross paths.

This will be the first wedding that I've been a bridesmaid in so that is really exciting to me! I think it's going to be such much fun. I love to help organize things and plan so it's going to be very fun for me.

On another note... I was officially accepted as a leader to Project Impact this summer. I am so excited! I know that it is going to be hard, but I know that God is going to do something amazing this summer and I am so thankful that He's allowing me to be apart of it. God Is So Good!

I hope you all have a great week!