The Norm

The norm that we have made up for our lives is odd. Think about it. What's the norm?
You go to school from the age of 5 (or 3 if you go the Nursery School route) to 18. Then, you graduate and go to college. That's what's expected. People assume graduates are going to college. And what's after college? Well, you get a job that probably doesn't pay much to start off, get married, and start having babies. You work the rest of your life, your kids start to grow and the cycle starts all over again. We're so predictable. And so far, I fit the mold, and my plans for the future fit the mold. Those who live in this mold, nothing is wrong with that. If God has called you to that, awesome. Follow His voice. I just think some of us hear God whispering us to go a different route that may not be the norm. We're afraid of the scrutiny that will come with not going on the "right" way, so we stop listening to the quite voice. God is calling some of us to be teachers, accountants, and those types of occupations, but He's the same God that calls some to be international missionaries, to work in homeless shelters, to start organizations to stop human trafficking. Those of you who are doing what God has called you to do, be a light in the darkness. Be a blessing because He has blessed you.
And for those who have no earthly idea what He wants for your life (I'm in this category). Listen to His voice. Don't just follow the norm because that's what everyone expects. If what He's calling you to do is scary, step out in faith, convicted that God will be faithful and will have His hand of protection covering you.

Much Love

School...

Ugh! It's here! School starts tomorrow. I don't want it to start and I'm ready for it to start all at the same time. It's probably because it's my senior year. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, amen! This year's schedule is still unfinished.. I have two periods of nothing as of today. And I praise God for that, too. Last year was hard.. and the Lord knows I already have a case of senioritis. I don't need to have too much work. So basically, what I'm saying is that I want to be lazy. ;)


Anyway.. there are many things I need to update about concerning the summer. The summer didn't go how I expected it to go, but it was still such a great time.


Time for bed since I can't sleep in.. Bah!

Crazy Times..

Hi friends! For the three of you who actually read this, here's a quick post. I just got home from a "tour".. really, it feels like it was. Sam and I have been to six states in the past two weeks. A bit ridiculous.. but so much fun.

Camp Manatawny rocked out! For real.. I loved every minute of it.. I'm already planning to counsel again next year. I'll update more about my experience another day.

Mission Trip was, also, a lot of fun. We had about 70 kids come to VBS. We went to Philadelphia and New York City, which was awesome. Sam and I left our houses at 4:15 this morning to head to Ocean City, New Jersey and watched the sunrise. It was beautiful! God is so good.. and his creation is amazing. I've become more and more in awe of his handiwork these past few months.

We got home around seven today, and headed to a party for the Larios family (Gina's family). They flew to the States two weeks ago since things are so uncertain right now in Honduras. A group of about forty of us who have fallen in love with Honduras and its people got together to pray over Papi, Mami, Gina, Chachi, Saul and the country. Please continue to pray for the country.. Like I said before, things are so uncertain right now.

Sunday afternoon, I'm headed off again to Mountaineer Christian Youth Camp. It's going to be my thirteenth year. Heck, I'm getting old! I'm so excited.. that place has been a huge part of my childhood and my journey with Christ. It's made a huge impact on this girl's heart over the years. Please pray that lives will be changed this week and that God will move in mighty ways! I think this year will be great.

That's it for now. Enjoy your summer!

Much Love

Home Is Where The Heart Is

I flew back to West Virginia last Saturday. There are government issues going on in Honduras. If you've watched the news long enough to hear about Michael Jackson, right after that is when they talk about Honduras. Honduras is a small country, obviously not important. Sarcasm? Yes. And when the media does talk about Honduras, it amazes me how they twist the story. Honestly amazing. Do your research, but keep in mind Mel Zelaya is a twisted, awful man. I do pray God can somehow get ahold of that man's heart and change his ways... open his eyes to the ways he has hurt the people he was put in charge of helping.

There are so many feelings I have right now. I long to be back in Honduras wrestling with Francisco, playing baseball and hugging Antonio, watching Alvin and the Chipmunks in Spanish with Mario, beating Marvin and Yovani at Mario Kart, playing Tripley with Gina and Chachi, having devotionals under the Jesus Statue, holding a child's hand just because they want someone to love on them. I can't begin to tell you how much this hurts. And to know that all I can do is sit in my safe, warm house in America and pray that somehow this all is resolved peacefully. I hate that I have the option to fly to a safe country while others aren't lucky enough to have that choice. Why me? I'm frustrated. I have guilt. So many emotions. And my way of handling all these feelings is to plan something for every minute of every day so I don't think about it. And that is going to bite me in the tail by the end of the summer.

As you say your prayers throughout the day, remember those of us who had to leave the country where our hearts still long to be. Pray for the world leaders, that their eyes might be open to see what the people of Honduras need. Pray that this mess will be worked out peacefully. Most importantly, pray for the Hondurans. Pray that God will put a shield around them and protect them.

Tomorrow I'm off to counsel at Camp Manatawny in Pennsylvania until next Saturday. Then, I'm going straight from camp to New Jersey to meet the youth group for a mission trip for another week. Oh, and then the 19th, I have my church camp. Like I said.. keeping myself busy. Please pray that God will use me in mighty ways on these trips, and that God will move mountains.

God Is Fighting For Us

The group has come and gone. Time flies by.. Our team this year was amazing. I don't know what else I can say about them. They made our jobs much easier and I am grateful to no end. If you want to see what we did this week, please visit our blog. Jill and EJ did a great job keeping our friends and family back home informed.

One quick story that shows how much the group did impact these people. Los Pinos is a little village in Honduras that is very poor, but has a pretty strong church. We went to church there the Sunday the group was here, did home repairs, and built two houses. We, also, had people from the village come to the Jesus Statue with us Tuesday night and have dinner and worship with us. Our group loved on those people and kids like none other. Two girls from Los Pinos told a few of our group members that they would come to the airport Saturday to see us off. Now, kids say the darnest things, you know, so we kind of brushed it off. Low and behold, Saturday, maybe a minute after we pulled up, the girls and some other kids came over to hug us and help the team carry their luggage. They had taken a bus to the airport to see us! It was crazy, really. They stayed and watched the team walk through security and cried their little eyes out. They were so upset to see them go. After the group was gone and all of us were done with our tears, they stayed until the remainder of us left. Ebony and Josalin asked me when I was leaving, and they told me they would come see me leave, too. And now, I would not be surprised in the least if they came. God connects His people in amazing ways.. I don't think our team, or those kids will ever forget each other.

Now that the team is gone, I've been doing work with Sam, Jen, and David. It has been a blessing to work with them. They give their all for these people. Please keep their ministry in your prayers.

Anyway, I'm here until July 15th. I'll update again soon and let you know what we've been up to.

School's Out for the Summer!

The last day of school was yesterday. We went to breakfast, and then to city park until noon. It was disgusting and wet, so some of us just played some games under a shelter. It was fun though. So, basically, I'm a senior now. How crazy is that?? I've been waiting to be a senior for many years, as most children do. ;)

Now is where the fun and excitement really begins! Donna and I are now trying to tie up all the loose ends and get everything prepared for our departure to Honduras early next Saturday morning. I can't believe it's already that time! This week, I'll basically be spending most of my time getting packed for Honduras. I'll be staying for an extra four and a half weeks after the group leaves. Yep, I get to be with my best friend from June 6th until June 15th. That's exciting :) I'm really excited about what God has in store for the Grand Central team, and also for the group that will be staying at Sam, Jen and David's house afterward. Heather and Amy Stewart, two longtime family who we go to church camp with, will be joining us for the last two weeks I'm there. It'll be awesome to share in their experiences for the first time.

Please keep all of us in your prayers. Pray that God will work through the team to be His hands and feet, and share the life changing story of what His Son did for all of us. And pray for Donna and me, that we will lead well and do everything God wants us to. Also, keep the people who are full time missionaries in Honduras, who do for a living what our group does for a week.

This will probably be it from me until after the Grand Central team leaves.
If you want to read what our group is doing, click the first link on the side "GC Honduras Mission Team". Leave comments if you want :)

I hope everyone enjoys their first few weeks of summer!

Much love. God bless.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.