Celebrate

The car is packed - somehow fuller than when I traveled here in September. I've earned a free coffee at the local coffee shop which I intend to redeem to kick off the journey. I have one last patient to see, a few more goodbyes to say, then I'm off again. This place has taken me on a journey I never expected. I am grateful to have learned new skills and gained insight from this experience. I am blessed to have developed life long friendships with people who I can call family here. I am honored to have seen tangible ways that God has worked through me here. Who am I that He would choose to use me?! It is awesome and humbling to be used by God.

As we embark on this Christmas holiday weekend, I am mindful of the great privilege it is to be a child of God. The privilege that He, our Creator, chose to send His son for us. Indeed there is much reason for celebration this weekend and everyday. God loves us so much that he made Himself accessible to us. He wants you to be a part of His work, His perfect plan. He wants to use you, will you make yourself available?

this crazy life

I do crazy things. Many of the crazy things I've done might be categorized as "dangerous", I'm sure I'll agree when I have kids.  I explore foreign cities alone, I host strangers, I have jumped off cliffs, I make long road trips in a car that doesn't always start, I still eat food even if I find a hair in it, I drive long distances to meet up with friends for a few hours, I wake up at ridiculous hours to watch worldwide historic events, I sleep in airports, I leave airports to explore the city if my layover is longer than 5 hours, I climb trees and rocks, I frequently stop on the side of the highway to take pictures...the list goes on. When I hear other people talk about horror stories with travel I can't decide if I have just been spared these dramas or if it is truly a difference of perspective. God has shaped me into who I am today through my crazy adventures.  Through these experiences I have learned to not be afraid of trying new things. I have learned to be flexible and to face the inevitable hiccups and curve balls in life as new challenges worth working through and learning from. I have learned to expect the best from people -with discretion- before I assume the worst about them. I have learned that time with people is worth the trip to meet up with them. I have learned that God does provide in more ways than we realize. I have learned that everyone has a story worth hearing and providing a listening ear is of great value to those who receive it. I have learned to not live in fear of strangers, of catastrophe or of change, but to learn from them (Prov. 3:25). I have learned that some things are worth loosing sleep over. I have learned that not everyone shares my perspective. 


I am still learning. I attribute my experiences, the lessons learned and the perspective I am gaining as from the Lord. And I am thankful. I expect and hope that He will continue to grow me and teach me through my crazy experiences. 


I am about to embark on a new adventure. In just a few short weeks my comfortable routine is about to be disrupted…again. My life is about to change. As I write, I realize that every day has the potential to be a day that changes your life forever. Something dramatic could happen or something as mundane as a conversation with an old friend could stick with you and effect your decision making, thus altering the course of your life. There are plenty of questions swimming in my head as I face the changes ahead, but my excitement outweighs my fear because I live in communion with a God who does not change despite the changes life throws at me. I worship a God who has a purpose and plan for my life however crazy or seemingly mundane it is. With excited anticipation I look forward to the crazy life that lies ahead!


Oh, and for those who are curious, I don't yet know where I am going next.


"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12


"Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath." Hebrews 6:17

"Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

“...a sweet friendship refreshes the soul...” ~Prov. 27:9 (the Message)

In Wednesday night ladies Bible class, the lesson was about being thankful for friends. As we read scriptures about friends and talked about where we make friends and the random friends that come across our path, I couldn’t help but smile. A smile stayed on my face throughout the remained of the lesson as I thought through all of the different friendships that have made and impact in my life. Some friends that I may never see again. Friends met on airplanes, trains, buses, who served as friends in transit, in times of confusion, in times of peace. When I needed a friend, a friend was provided. Friends that I’ve known my entire life, without whom I can’t imagine what life would be like. Friends from high school, college, grad school, jobs, family friends, my parents’ friends whose impact I have inherited. How can I not be thankful! What would life be like without these relationships? I pondered all this with a smile, realizing that I don’t have to wonder what life would be like, because my life is rich with precious relationships! Yes, I indeed have plenty to be thankful for.

I have just passed my halfway point for my 13 week contract in Front Royal, VA. Already God has blessed me with some life-long friends here. Some of you may recall I had a bit of a rough start with this placement, but it is these friendships that have made a difference and changed my perspective about my experience here. This will be another place that I recall fondly. I will have reason to come back here for a visit. This isn’t my home, but I have found a place and a purpose here. I have a family here.

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” - C.S. Lewis

Shenandoah National Park

"God's fingerprints are everywhere..."

Last weekend I was blessed to be able to attend the wedding of a dear friend in East Tennessee. I realized that this is the 5th October in a row that I have attended a wedding. Apparently October is the month for weddings in my circle of friends. It was a refreshing break to get away for a couple of days and be among like-minded friends. The wedding was beautiful and although I was busy for a good part of the preparation and ceremony, I was still soaking up the fellowship. Following the Saturday wedding, Sunday morning we had a small church gathering at the home of the bride and several hours of sweet fellowship followed. The group included several missions-minded, God-seeking individuals and that is what I needed to be around. I was encouraged by conversations I took part in and those I just listened to. I felt like I was among family even though I wasn’t close to very many of the attendees and I am related to none. But that is one of the joys of being a part of God’s family, being among family even when you are surrounded by “strangers”. I returned to Front Royal with a renewed sense of self and of purpose. Going away allowed me to gain a refreshed perspective on my time here and step back and get a glimpse of what God is doing. Even though I may not be able to relate to the community of believers here as easily on some levels, they are still my family, and for that I praise God. In my work, I am feeling a greater sense of confidence and purpose as I fill the role that I have been put here to complete. And as far as friends go, I am humbled by how God continues to provide for me despite my worrying. This weekend was a great example of that.

As the end of the workday approached on Friday, I was scrambling to make weekend plans to explore a new area or go for a hike. No one seemed available or interested and I have been strongly advised not to hike alone in these parts. In a last effort, I left a sticky note on the desk of the traveling PT. She is from Texas and being a fellow traveler, I know she is trying to make the most of her time here. She and her husband were more than willing to do something this weekend so we decided to check out the Luray caverns on Saturday. As we were making plans, a friend from church contacted me about the weekend and she decided to join us as well. The sights were amazing both below the ground and the fall colors above the ground. I continue to be overwhelmed and amazed by all the beauty and creativity that God put in this world! After our fun explorations we went out for a dinner filled with great conversation and lots of side-aching laughs. It was a Saturday well-spent and I was laughing at myself for feeling so pessimistic about having “no one to hang out with”. 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

Virginia is for Lovers

Upon entering Virginia by any of the interstates there are three signs that greet you. First is the friendly “Welcome to Virginia” sign complete with a cardinal perched on a lovely dogwood branch. Following this beautiful sign is a small black sign which reads: “RADAR DETECTORS ILLEGAL”. Okay, that doesn’t bother me because I don’t have one and I knew they were illegal in some places. But then there are these large black intimidating signs which read: “SPEED LIMIT ENFORCED BY AIRCRAFT” wait...WHAT?! Aircraft? I quickly scanned the sky. I’m not sure how this works, but almost as frequently as speed limit signs, these signs line the highway. Being black, I tend to take these more seriously, glancing up at the sky and in the rearview each time I passed one. Virginia has a nationwide reputation as being the strictest on traffic laws. I only saw one cop from Dallas to Johnson City, TN. I saw at least four along Interstate 81 in Virginia. 

Here is a hilarious photo I found on another blog which captures the image
I had in my mind as I monitored my speed and kept an eye on the skies.

My first two weeks in Front Royal have gone fairly well despite a few bumps in the road with work. I wasn’t able to work for the first two days because my state SLP license had not yet been issued. The time off allowed me more time to get settled in and get a feel for this place where I have landed. I live in the lovely home of a generous and kind-hearted retired couple. During the week they keep their 6 year old grandson in the evenings. This sweet little guy seems to think that my sole purpose in being here is to play with him. He knows I’m only staying until Christmas, but I think he might be heart broken when I leave. Tonight he told me that he loves me. 

Today was Front Royal's annual Festival of Leaves. My morning started with a grueling 5k on the most hilly route I have every run. I was grateful for the encouragement and companionship from a co-worker who agreed to run it with me. I caught the tail end of the parade and then perused through the booths lining the downtown streets. It was the typical festival lineup: candles, canned preserves and sauces, face painting, a few local artisans, local charities, and of course funnel cake and BBQ. There was some decent live music and then there was this other guy lip syncing Johnny Cash with a broken blue guitar. My afternoon was spent exploring the Skyline Drive, Front Royal's current claim to fame. The family I live with showed me some beautiful views along the drive through Shenandoah National Park. It was a beautiful day and one well-spent. 

The people here are friendly and have not made me feel unwelcome, however the longer I am here the more I feel the distance between myself and this culture. This is a small town and I am an outsider. The vast majority of residents here — at least the ones I have encountered — have deep roots in the area. Being 26, single and childless seems to ostracize me even more. Frequently conversations are centered around opinions on what so and so did or does or doesn’t do. I’m still trying to process it all and figure out what my response should be, if any. I want to be a positive influence, but frequently the begrudging runs deep. I want to shed some light, but I am an outsider, what do I know. My life feels so disconnected from the world I have stepped into here. In previous places, I have felt needed, I have felt used by God, despite being a “short-timer” as one previous co-worker called me.  Here I just feel like a foreigner, welcomed, but uninformed. I am learning from this experience and I hope I am being used. It is not a bad experience, just a new one. 

Shenandoah National Park

"Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

F.A.Q.

It has been about 3 months since I finished my last job in Colorado Springs and I’m about to begin another in Virginia. Three months of traveling. Three months of catching up with friends, making new friends and answering some of the same questions over and over and over again. I’m not really bothered by the questions —except that is takes away from other conversations that we could be having about life and world events— I recognize that it’s all part of the package that comes with living such a “fascinating” lifestyle. I would be asking those same questions...sometimes I do ask the same questions of other people in similar situations. So I decided that since these questions are so common, it must be interesting enough information to post for all to read. I have narrowed it down to five of the most common questions:

#1. “How long are you going to be doing this traveling thing?”  Let me offer you this perspective: How long are you planning to be a teacher, nurse, lawyer, preacher, stay at home mom [you fill in the blank]? Do you plan that out with an end date? It’s a slightly odd question in any “normal” context, right? I don’t have it all planned out, I have visions of what direction I would like to go, but I am just prayerfully taking it one step at a time. I’m traveling. This is what I do right now. (It is a legitimate question, though). Through this I have found that because my location and job changes every three months I am faced multiple times throughout the year with the sobering question of “where am I going with my life?” Each opportunity to travel or take a new job is a chance to stop and re-evaluate and seek the Lord’s guidance in my life. It isn’t the easiest way to do things, but it is a frequent reminder to be mindful of what and Who I am living for. Short answer: I don’t know, but He does.

#2. “Isn’t it hard having to change your routine all of the time?” Yes. Just about the time that I am finally feeling more comfortable and confident in a routine of sorts, I realize I need to start saying goodbye and packing up. Working out, daily time with the Lord, journaling, consistent weekly time with friends — these are all things that suffer when there is no routine. However, another perspective has also been brought to my attention through this experience. With a constant disturbance of daily routine there is freedom to live each day without your own agenda, but seeking to be open to God’s leading. I’m not very good about this, but I’ve just seen the potential that could be with this routineless lifestyle. The biggest key for me to keep some sanity, despite the inconsistency, is to work hard to build relationships and to get into a routine of sorts as soon as possible. The sooner I get into a routine, the sooner I feel more at home and more productive and purposeful with my time, while at the same time I try to leave myself open to God's redirection each day. 

#3 “Where do you live?” I believe that I have been blessed with the perfect upbringing to prepare me for this transient lifestyle. I’m certain this is not what my parents had in mind when we moved from home to home on furlough and when we hosted people in our home, but this is an example of putting into practice the lessons I learned from those experiences. There’s a place for all the mushy stuff about “home is where your heart is”, but practically speaking, I have come to believe that your earthly “home is where your stuff is.” Yes, I realize how shallow that sounds, but ultimately heaven is home (see first blog post for more thoughts on "home"). So I have found the closest thing to my earthly “home” to be the dear home of the Selby family who have graciously welcomed me into their family and their home for several years in my times of “homelessness”. For over a year now, boxes with my earthly belongings sit in a closet in their beautiful home.  A stop at their house is on the way to everywhere for me. I stay at their home (in “my” room), I am a part of the family, I unpack, I repack, and I leave again. Repeat.  When I am on a job assignment, I have the option of finding my own housing or allowing the contract company to cover housing with a cut of my paycheck. My first assignment I lived in a hotel (see blog post) — not a bad experience, but I have found a better way. For the last two assignments I have contacted one of the local churches asking if anyone has a room to rent out. I would rather be in a home than a hotel and as I learned growing up, the church is my family. In the previous job and for this current one, I have not known the individual or family I would be living with prior to my arrival, but both have been wonderful experiences (so far). Thanks, mom and dad, for teaching me how to comfortably and respectfully make myself at home in any home. 

#4 “You should write a book!” Okay, this isn’t a question, but a comment that I have gotten enough to put it on here and respond to publicly. If you stop and think about it, you'll realize that I don’t have enough drama in my life to make for an interesting book. It would just be a series of adventures and events...that sounds kind of boring to me...unless it is published in blog format...voila! This will do for now.

#5 “Where are you going next?” I arrived in Virginia to a warm welcome from the family I will be staying with for the next three months. Not more than 10 minutes into our conversation, I was asked this question. Later that evening another person asked me the same question shortly after introductions. I have found the frequency and consistency of this question amusing. The answer: I don’t know. I have a few ideas, but generally speaking, going into each assignment, I haven’t had a plan for the next step. I’m just glad to be in one place for minute. 

Where am I?

There have been a few times on this trip that I have had to stop and think about where I am. That’s pretty bad, when you’ve hit so many places in a short amount of time that you wake up trying to remember what country you are in, where your going and where you came from and it takes a good 30 seconds for it all to come to you. “I’m in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I’m going to Bangkok on Tuesday”, I rehearsed silently in my head. When I arrived in Bangkok 3 and a half weeks ago, I remember being surprised by how normal it felt. This was my second time in Thailand, but I can hardly count my brief 3-day visit 5 years ago. For practical purposes this was my first time to experience Thailand. And when I arrived I realized that experiencing new countries is becoming...old hat to me. Really? Did I just say that? Not old hat in a bad way, but in the way that it’s more comfortable than it is new and exciting (like a familiar broken in, old hat). Part of me is proud of that, and part of me mourns the naiveté I once entered new cultures with. This is not to say that I don’t still appreciate cultural variety, nor am I implying any expertise in variations of cultures. I am still fascinated by it, it’s more that I am not shocked by crazy drivers dodging tuk tuks and motos or strange “hairy” fruits or noisy street vendors lining the road at night — I’m not shocked, but I still enjoy it. To be clear, I still love and desire to know more about the variety that God has allowed to flourish in this world. Maybe I should say I appreciate it at a new level.

I have mentioned before that when leaving a place, I don’t ever leave thinking that I will never return. When I left Cambodia 5 years ago, I felt certain that I would return again someday. Ever since that 10-day visit, Cambodia has stood out to me. Returning in the same way I entered the country 5 years ago, through Siem Reap, was somewhat surreal. As we descended I admired the rice fields and canals we had meandered through on our boat trip to Battambang. I had forgotten how flat it was here. The airport routine was exactly as I had remembered it — a line of about 20 officers seated behind a continuous row of desks that pass your passport down the line, each completing his special role in the visa process (I’m told there is one guy that just turns the page). This trip was different from the last one because I was not coming as a tourist (though I had hoped to explored Angkor Wat again). I joined Katherine Gould, a friend and co-worker of my parents in China, to visit some of the street kids that she had built relationships with through a short-term mission trip in March. We spent 5 days hanging out with, loving on and just having fun with some of the street kids from Siem Reap. Many of them are the kids that go around selling postcards and bracelets to tourists. We tried to provide a chance for them to take off their pitiful vendor hat and just be kids. By God’s grace, I think we somewhat successful. With the older kids we enjoyed some good quality time, lots of tut tuk conversations and rounds of Uno. A few of them even joined us to serve at a local orphanage, and even more came to church with us on Wednesday. It was a blessing to spend time with them, but in some cases it was hard to see the reality they live in each day. I want to look away and plug my ears, but I can’t ignore it. I want to protect them, but I can’t. All I can do is continue to encourage, and to pray.

Following Siem Reap, Kat and I parted ways, she on to Singapore and I boarded a bus to Phnom Penh. I arrived in Phnom Penh, not exactly sure what I was doing there. Good friends from Harding, Chris and Casey, had invited me to come stay with them, so I had accepted. I wasn’t really interested in being a tourist in Phnom Penh (there’s not that much to see and much of it is heart wrenching reminders of the pain the Khmer Rouge inflicted—don’t care to see that twice). I arrived praying and hoping that in some small way I could be a blessing, at the very least, not be a burden to my hosts. I enjoyed spending time with this sweet family and sharing experiences from my MK background. Chris and Casey are doing such a great job raising their three children to love the Lord and the people around them. I was taking notes. Saying goodbye at the airport was hard for the kids, and it made me wonder at what point I began to understand and be okay with goodbyes. (I’ll have to ask my mom how I handled goodbyes at 3 and 5 years old). While in Phnom Penh, I also had the opportunity to observe and serve with a nutrition program that brings food and education to surrounding villages daily through GRACE for Cambodia. I also taught a 2 hour beginner English class on my last day.

As I finish this post up, the last of the passengers are boarding our B747 to Tokyo. When I boarded, I couldn’t remember if it was morning or night. It was dark outside and after sleeping in the airport, I was a little disoriented. The sun is just starting to brighten up the sky, confirming the time of day for me. It will do me good to be back in a routine, but I’m not sure when that will be as I still have at least 2 weeks of travel ahead of me upon my return to the US.

Reunion

When my brother was in college he observed that it was amazing how you could be in a room filled with good, loving Christians (such as Harding’s chapel or church), yet feel so alone. I have had similar experiences particularly when going through culture shock and feeling like no one knows, cares or can fathom where I’m coming from (...the plight of a third culture kid...). But as I have gotten older, I have also found this to be true — being in a room filled with complete strangers yet who share a common passion for the Lord paired with international experiences, and feeling quite at home. The Asian Mission Forum is an experience I tend to fit into the later category. Although this year there were far more people present that I actually knew as compared to previous years...giving it in many ways, more of a reunion feel.

The team in Chiang Mai, Thailand hosted an excellent 50th Annual Asian Mission Forum with a focus on the faithfulness of God throughout the years and the legacy of early missionaries that lead the way in Asian missions. This was the largest forum yet. I enjoyed the key notes (one of which was my father) and the classes, but my favorite part was the conversation and time spent with like-minded global nomads. It was refreshing to hear people share perspectives much like my own and be reminded that I am not alone, there are people that can relate to my story, there are people that share a global view of the world and understand what it means to have lived or grown up in another country. There were some present that my family has known from when I was very young, there were friends there that I had only just met last year, and there were new friends that I met for the first time this year. I cherish the time I was able to be in their presence and value the work that they are doing around the globe. To God be the glory!

Following AMF my parents and I, along with some good friends of ours traveled south to explore and vacation along Thailand’s coast. In our group we have four Chinese, four Americans and one stinkin’ cute Chinese-American baby...we are one big happy Chinese-American family! I am enjoying the time with both my parents and this “extended family” despite my limited Chinese. It is a blessing to have family around the globe and to get to spend time with them and travel with them.

Trains, planes, and a baby

This post comes to you from Cusco's Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete. The skies are surprisingly quiet for an airport as only one airlines appears to have the technology and skills to land and take off in the drizzle and cloud cover that is hanging over this ancient city. Every time we hear an airplane there is a pause as everyone looks longingly out the window in hopes that it is an incoming StarPeru or Taca flight, nope, just another LAN flight. The food options are becoming scarce as the airport's eateries are scrambling to accommodate for the crowds of frustrated travelers. StarPeru has given us reason to think we may have a flight today. The situation is clearly out of their control, we are appealing to the only One who is in control. "Your will, not mine Lord". Who would have thought that out of all the forms of transportation we have used on this adventure, the flight would give us the most trouble.

After our peaceful visit at Lake Titicaca, we headed north hoping to make it to the base of Machu Picchu in one day. We traveled by taxi, combi, mototaxi, bus - repeat. We made it to Ollantaytambo, a lovely cobblestoned town where we found accommodations for the night. We caught the first train out of Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, situated near the base of Machu Picchu. I had heard that the train ride offered amazing views, but that is an understatement. As we meandered through the valley next to a rapid river, we were awed by the steep peaks that were revealed as the morning clouds lifted. We began to notice thicker and more jungle-like vegetation as our train approached the destination. While taking in the sights, Megan and I had a delightful conversation with the two gentlemen across from us. Taka is a Japanese geologist living in Houston and traveling Peru and Bolivia for a month. Paolo, an Italian whom we had initially understood to be a professional clown, is taking a few weeks vacation from pursuing his degree in education. We were disappointed to learn that he just has a desk job, but he does have the personality of a clown. 

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes we dropped off our bags at the hotel and began hiking up Machu Picchu. Despite being at a lower elevation, we were challenged by the climb. Frequent rest stops provided opportunity to soak in the breathtaking scenery. Once at the top we enjoyed exploring the maze-like ruins and taking picture at the classic "I was at Machu Picchu" photo spot. I'm not sure what I expected, but I was blown away by how large and intricate the ruins were. The clouds passing between surrounding mountains made for a majestic backdrop. We opted to avoid the slippery steps down afterwards by taking the bus as the rain set in again. While waiting we noticed a bus that had just arrived was drawing a crowd. Soon we heard rumors that Jim Carrey was onboard. Before boarding our own bus we caught a glimpse of the distinctive Jim Carrey smile before he disappeared into the mob of body guards escorting him through the gawking crowd and into Machu Picchu. I would not want to be a celebrity!

Early the next morning we boarded a train back to Ollantaytambo. On our car was a large group of Japanese tourists and a few other backpackers. Last to board was a woman who looked to be in pain and two men accompanying her. All other Peruvian locals were in the other cars except for these three. Megan and I dozed for the first part of the ride, after we were served a snack and hot drinks I noticed that there was a small commotion around the Peruvian woman 3 rows up whose pain had clearly escalated. The conductor was calmly asking passengers nearby to move back a few rows while one of the men traveling with the woman put on surgical gloves. "I think she's about to have a baby!" I told Megan in shock. While we were still trying to grasp the situation before us and determine whether or not our assistance was needed, the woman was moved to the floor, a few loud groans, and then a baby's cry! Some of the passengers gasped, some began to clap, most were starring with jaws dropped thinking, "did that really just happen?!" We weren't given very long to be shocked before we had to start reacting to the amniotic fluid that was running down the aisle of the train. The conductor brought out handfuls of paper towels and toilet paper as passengers scurried to move bags off the floor and stop the fluid. After the situation was more under control, the proud papa paraded his newborn down the aisle while the Japanese tourists oo-ed and ahh-ed and, of course, snapped pictures of the precious baby. Yes, we got a picture as well. As we rolled into the station, the parents sat proudly and calmly admiring their little one latched on to mom's breast. An unforgettable train ride, to say the least.

From Ollantaytambo, we caught a combi to Cusco. The fields and pueblos that had been glowing in the setting sun on our ride in were coated in a light blanket of snow and it continued to fall until we began our descent into Cusco. Despite the rain in the valley, we tried to enjoy Cusco as best we knew how. Our hostel was conveniently located near the city center, making all of our destinations walkable. At the Cathedral, we did the audio tour which helped us understand much of the artwork and symbolism. I had two primary reactions to the decor of the Cathedral: first, appreciation for the attempts at cultural integration when Christianity was first brought to Peru. The artwork was full of slightly humorous cultural nuances, for example: llamas instead of camels, local dress, a Guinea pig on the table of the last supper. My second reaction was one of sorrow for the extensive presence of seemingly polytheistic influences still strong in the Peruvian Catholic church which draw away from the power and relationship with our Lord.

From the time I began compiling this post to now, much has happened. We boarded our plane last night, only to find out that it was cancelled. After hours of waiting we were finally given our checked bags and told to return in the morning for a 6am flight. There were no more buses to Lima by that time. Thankfully our hostel had two open beds. At dinner we had a delightful conversation with our waitress who inquired about our faith after seeing us pray before our meal. This morning we were the first people at the Star Peru desk at 4:40. By 5:30 our fellow passengers from the night before were lined up waiting for our promised 6am flight. It wasn't until about 5:45 that we were checked in and told we would depart as soon as the weather cleared up a bit. Security was late in opening and by the time we were through, they were giving a final boarding call for our flight. "Really? Are we actually leaving? No more false alarms?" The plane departed at 6:45, and there was cheering as soon as we lifted off the ground. Not long into the flight, one of our flight attendants noticed us reading the Bible and shared with us bits of his story and interactions with church and scripture. After he collected the trash, he stayed and chatted with us for the remainder of the flight. We weren't sure how much of his motivation was from talking to two American girls and how much was from talking to believers, but either way he was excited to give me his contact info to be passed on to the missionaries here in Lima. We praise the Lord for our safe arrival into Lima and for our warm welcome into the home of John Mark and Tara Davidson. God is present and active in the hiccups of life, I thank Him for reminders like this to trust in Him.

gaining altitude

I don´t know when this will be posted because I have no way of knowing when we will next have wifi, but I thought I should go ahead and document recent adventures. Today is June 28, this is our 4th full day in Peru. We started with an overnight in the Lima airport followed by an early morning flight to Arequipa. Greg and Megan McKinzie, Harding friends and missionaries welcomed us into their home for our stay in their beautiful city. Arequipa stretches across the foothills of El Misti, a snow-capped volcano, and their winter is bright and sunny with perfect temteraptures during the day and a little chill at night. My traveling companion and good friend Megan Dooley and I enjoyed exploring the city following recommendation from our hosts for the best places to eat and see. I was entranced by the vibrant colors inside the Monastario de Santa Catalina. Lonely Planet describes it as a ¨photographer´s paradise¨ and indeed it comes close. Megan and I were surprise by the spacious living quarters provided for the nuns, and pondered at the notion of isolating oneself in devotion to the Lord. Megn brought my attention to the following quote on a translated plaque at the Monastary which really spoke to us:

After more than 400 years we are still here, because our contemplative vocation is LOVE. This is our great secret of being happy: to be in love, neither with an ideal nor a project, but with Jesus Christ.

Allow that to soak in for a moment.

We enjoyed our visits with Greg and Megan about the work in Arequipa and enjoyed time with their precious kids. On Sunday we were delighted to break bread with the famiy in Arequipa. Megan and I have been trying our best to use the limited Spanish that we know. We attempted to participated in the time of sharing without use of translation - I think we were successful. Other highlights included learning aobut alpacas and llamas at Alpaca Mundo and trying fried cuy (look it up) and alpaca. 

Early Monday morning we traveled by taxi, bus, combi (local vans) and walking about 2 km to get to the lovely Hospedaje de SaMary owned by Felix Turpo on Lake Titicaca. We had read that this was a delightful place, but we were a little skeptical as our crowded combi approached the town of Llachon. Llachon is the last stop, and upon our arrival we asked where we might find the home of our host, we were vaguely directed on to the next community of Santa Maria. We had read that it is possible to just show up in one of the peninsula´s communities and be invited in for a place to stay. As we wandered around the empty plaza, uncertain what to do, I was reminded of Bible stories where travelers waited in a town´s square or at the gate until invited in. We had opted to make reservations with on of the recommended hosts from Lonely Planet, but now we weren´t sure how to find him. Soon a young man rode by on his bike, being the only person we had seen in a while, we stopped him and asked if he could direct us to the home of Senor Turpo. He smiled shyly and said ¨Soy su hijo¨(I am his son). (Another Bible story comes to mind). With prayers of thanksgiving and with laughter in our hearts we followed him down the dirt road to his peaceful home where Felix and his wife greeted us warmly.

It is from the stone patio of this humble abode that I am composing this post. We have enjoyed delicious meals, breathtaking views and good conversation (as good as can get with our limited Spanish skills). We went out on the world´s highest navigable lake this morning (3808m, 12,493ft) and hiked to a lookout point at the top of a hill. We have suffered through cold showers where the steam is coming off our bodies instead of from the water, and have felt completely out of shape in this thin air. But this has been a joyful adventure. The people ar beautiful and generously make us feel welcome with their genuine smiles and warm hospitality. Our prayer is that in some small way we have shown Love to them. 

The adventures of my Gardenia Bonsai and Me

And so we are off again into another season of traveling! Pikes Peak was looking particularly magnificent as I drove through downtown Colorado Springs one last time on my way out of town. I had been dreading the drive, knowing that with nothing but plains ahead of me, and mountains fading behind me it would be a particularly sad and boring drive. I am happy to report it was not near as bad as I had anticipated for three reasons: 1. A dear friend from the Springs sent me on my way with a fabulous music mix to keep me going (thanks, Aleta!), 2. The prospect of the many exciting things planned for this summer kept my mind occupied, prayerful and upbeat, and 3. I had a quiet, but delightful traveling companion—my newly acquired Gardenia Bonsai. It was about 2 weeks ago that I came home to a plant sitting on the kitchen table. Thinking it belonged to my roommate, Amie, I commented on how lovely it was and asked where she was going to put it. She and her mother (who happened to be there that day) quickly corrected me and explained that it had been delivered for me! For me? Why in the world would anyone send me a bonsai??? I soon discovered that it was a thank you gift for helping out with a wedding. My first thought, “How in the world am I going to take care of this while I’m traveling.?!” The more I admired the plant, the more I grew attached to it...still uncertain how this was going to work. Saturday morning, I loaded up all my belongings and carefully set my gardenia in the seat next to me and we were off. She was a good listener, but not much in the way of navigation. While staying with grandma for a few days, a few blooms appeared so the second leg of our journey was much more fragrant. As is the case with most of my traveling companions, and even when I’m alone, the trip was documented with a few stops for photo shoots.  Enjoy!

Staying hydrated, we each had our waters, I'd take a drink and Gardenia got a squirt

Crossing the state line

No Texas road trip is complete without this stop

There are more adventures on the agenda this summer, some with Gardenia, some without. For those who have been asking, here is a rough itinerary of my summer:

June24-July5: Backpacking in Peru with my friend Megan
Mid-July: Memphis and Searcy
July 29-Aug12: Thailand for AMF and time with parents and friends
Aug 13-24ish: Cambodia
Aug 26-31: Colorado for a wedding and visiting friends
Sept 2-5: Charlotte

There will be a few layovers in Dallas to unpack, repack, and visit between some of those stops and the plan is to be back in DFW, looking for another travel position (not necessarily in DFW) after Sept 5th.

I hope I get to see a few of you along the way!

Uchenna

My 3 month stay in “Colorful Colorado” is quickly drawing to a close. I leave the day after tomorrow. It is 10:30 pm, I have not yet started packing, but I feel the urge to write.  I vowed that I would post on my blog one more time before leaving Colorado, and being the procrastinator that I am, I have waited up until the last couple of days. There have been plenty of fun things I could have and should have posted about. Plenty of adventures to document — two trips up the Manitou Incline, white water rafting at Royal Gorge, Mt. Herman, the failed attempt at Pikes Peak — and plenty of fun stories from daily life — walking to work, foxes and deer crossing the street, smoke from the wildfires, the funny things my kiddos have said... I have enjoyed every bit of it (except maybe the smoke), but I have not taken the time to share them with all of you — my apologies for my selfishness. There is one story, however, that I feel compelled to share...

My dear friend Missy requested to treat me to dinner tonight. After much debate and consulting our co-worker and local ethnic food expert, Jenny, we decided on an Ethiopian restaurant in Old Colorado City. Uchenna is discretely located in a small strip between a tattoo shop and a salon. Missy and I joked about how several of the Ethiopian restaurants we have been to are in strip malls next to tattoo shops. Upon entering, we were welcomed by an enticing aroma of spices. We took a seat at one of the 6 tables in the eatery and admired the handiwork that adorned the walls and shelves. Baskets, paintings, somewhat of a hodgepodge of African, Middle Eastern and American decor gave me the sense that this place was legit. After a short wait, an Ethiopian-looking woman greeted us with a particularly warm smile and samples of the specialty teas. She helped us through the menu inserting anecdotes of cultural insight and playful comments. As other customers finished their meals and left, two things stood out to me: no one left without a warm hug from “Chef Maya” as if they were regular customers, and there was a guest book that was provided to customers along with the bill. Something was different about this place. Our food arrived and Missy prayed over our meal. Not long after we were well into the salad, Maya came by to fill up our water and adamantly thanked us for the prayer. Each time she came by, her love for the Lord became more evident in little blessings, comments, and acts of kindness. As she served each customer, she took the time to show them how the food would be eaten in her culture and served with such joy and peace that it could be felt throughout the small restaurant. We paid the bill and shared our thanks and blessing in the “Book of Friendship”. Maya did not let us leave without a warm hug and briefly sharing with us in the richness that God has brought into her life. We went on our way filled up with a deep Joy that can only be found in the presence of the Lord and yummy food. Maya is a missionary. She loves people and serves genuinely, recognizing that by serving her customers she is serving God. Uchenna means “God’s will”. I believe it was God’s will for Missy and I to meet Maya tonight. He used the encounter to encourage each of us and fill us up with His Joy. No matter where I go, whatever cultural and language barriers lie in the way, when I cross the path of a fellow follower of Christ, I am with family. We are one in Christ. What a powerful testament of His love.

I do not know what God’s will is for me in the coming months as I continue on this journey. But I know that He is present, He is active and my path is His to direct. I continue to be richly blessed by the people He brings across my path and I cannot help but praise Him.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
To HIM be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:8-11

A break in the rain clouds gave Pikes Peak a majestic glow this evening during our short pre-dinner hike at Red Rock Open Space.

"Wander wherever your curiosity takes you..."

-an information sign upon entering the “trail-less” Great Sand Dunes National Park

There are some places and experiences that stand out in my memory whether for their beauty, the experience, the company with whom I witnessed them, or a combination of the above. I was going to list a few of my favorites here, but the list just kept getting longer, so I’ll just let you think of your own. The most recent addition to my “awesome experiences/places list” is the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Southern Colorado. I cannot quite put into words the beauty that lay before my friend, Missy, and me as we stood in awe admiring the dunes while the sun sank behind them last weekend. The clouds were catching shadows of sunlight from beyond the dunes as they slowly cleared from the passing storm. When we looked to the north we could see the outline of snow capped peaks hidden from view by the clouds; as we looked to the south, there were flat plains with low clouds hovering just above them. And directly in front of us lay the dunes — calm, peaceful, looking like delicately shaped mounds of soft leather. It was in that moment that I found myself compelled to sing praises to the Lord as I witnessed more of His beautiful creation, I could not help it. I continue to be blown away by the vast variety and creativity that this world has to offer, and I’m not even thinking about the impressive creativity produced by man — although there is a good amount of that as well, which I also attribute to the Creator who made us to be creative beings.

When we woke in the morning, the sun was hitting the sand perfectly, resembling mounds of gold waiting to be discovered against a backdrop of clearing rain clouds. We spent a good part of the morning slowly making our way to the top of the highest dune. The view from the top was breathtaking as miles of dunes stretched before us leading up to the mountains in one direction and into the plains in the other. Enough of my descriptions, go and see for yourself. And if you cannot, here are some pictures to give you just a sense of the fantastic scenery. (there is also a short video documenting the fun Missy and I had at: http://youtu.be/FUFqdVhM_jU).

 

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.  

They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them. 

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world. 

                                       ~Psalm 19:1-4

I have three weeks left in Colorado Springs. Three brief weeks to enjoy the company of friends with whom I instantly bonded. Three brief weeks to appreciate the surrounding beauty and opportunities that amaze me daily. Three brief weeks to leave an impression on the families and children I work with. This week I started preparing my patients and their families for the transition to a new therapist. I have gotten a variety of reactions when I break the news. No sighs of relief, which I suppose is a good thing, but I have had a few parents be particularly upset, and I can understand why. I was trying to explain to one parent that “this is what I do, I’m a traveling speech therapist”. As I heard myself say those words I began to wonder how that sounded to her and to other parents and friends. “This is what I do, I build relationships, and then I leave. I break children’s hearts, I disappoint, I abandon.” Horrified, I wondered if that is the impression I am leaving. A friend once sent me a link to the song For Lovin’ Me by Peter, Paul & Mary, saying it reminded her of me. Although the context and the sentiment of the song is far from how I feel about my relationships and my travels, I can see where she is coming from, and it makes me sad to think that this is how some people might think of me. The lyrics include:

That's what you get for lovin' me. I ain't the kind to hang around with any new love that I've found. Movin' is my stock in trade, I'm movin on. I won't think of you when I'm gone. So don't you shed a tear for me, I ain't the love you thought I'd be, I've got a hundred more like you, so don't be blue, I'll have a thousand 'fore I'm through....But then someday when your poor heart is on the mend, I just might pass this way again. That's what you get for lovin' me...

This is the part of being a nomad that I hate. The part where I get to leave feeling like my life has been enriched by the experiences and the relationships that I’ve formed, but when it seems like no one else sees it that way. I leave expecting that I will see my friends again (see bits and pieces), I leave hopeful that I have been used in some way to bring light into someone’s life. I leave, and they stay. I have to be reminded that not everyone thinks like I do, and that disconnect is what I so dislike. I don’t mean to build false hopes, to disappoint, to leave people feeling abandoned, that is not my intention at all, and I hope I can somehow ensure that my friends here understand that before I leave.

 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.     ~ Isaiah 40:28

a lesson in topography

Seven weeks in and six and half weeks out, I'm at my half way point for my time in Colorado Springs. It's amazing how quickly time passes when living in 3 month segments! When I moved to Dallas nearly 4 years ago, I had a list of things I wanted to do while there. It wasn't a formal written list, just a few things that I had every intention of accomplishing while there. One of those things was to volunteer with Catholic charities to work with the immigrants and refugees in the area. I put in my application and went to an information meeting but by the time my background check cleared I was busy with work and grad school and kept putting off returning their call to figure out how I could be involved regularly. Three years went by and I never took the time to make that a priority. The same was true with other good intentions, including going to a mavs game and a rangers game - two more frivolous "to dos" on my Big D checklist that never happened. I did a lot of other very cool and fun and meaningful things, but my point is that I am pretty bad about putting things off — I am a procrastinator in life (as evidenced by the frequency of my blog posts). Living life in shorter segments however is teaching me to make the most of every day, every week and that is especially true with my current placement in Colorado. You know how you think of all the things you want to see and do while you are on vacation or visiting a new place and then when you go, you actually do them, or at least most of them? Well that is kind of how my life is right now. When I first arrived in the Springs, I was overwhelmed by how many things there are to do — I still am! There are endless options for hiking, biking, running and exploring in and around the city, besides all of the unique points of interest and local shops. With only three months to see enjoy this beautiful part of creation and the people that live here, there is a heightened sense of urgency. Nearly every weekend has been spent discovering a new area with a friend, everything from trying a new restaurant to going on a hike to driving across the state. The lifestyle of learning to make the most of every opportunity is one that I could stand to live with long after I leave Colorado.

a typical view of Pikes Peak from my neighborhood

the clouds coming across the city from the mountains

One of my favorite things about living in Colorado Springs is the view of the mountains from just about anywhere in the city. As I drive to work, I look to the west at every cross street to see Pikes Peak just over the trees and roof tops.  When I walk out of work at the end of the day, I turn around to see the mountain towering over the city. There have been several days in recent weeks that the mountains have been hidden from view by a thick blanket of cloud. Yesterday, as I drove home from a grocery run I could not see the mountains, but I could see clouds coming down from the peaks and rolling across the city.  I wondered what surprises the clouds held for us as they moved my direction. Less than a mile from the house, I noticed white flurries blowing into my windshield. Sure enough, it was snowing on May 2nd. It did not stick, it rarely does. And today it was sunny and warm.

The mountains are full of surprises besides sending us unusual weather.  Several weekends ago, I made the 2 hour trip to Buena Vista for a ski weekend. I expected that I would be driving on winding mountain roads the entire trip and nearly an hour into the trip I was lost in my own thoughts, admiring the mountains and expecting nothing more. Just when I least expected it, I went around a curve and was awe-struck by a vast open expanse that lay before me. I’m nearly certain that my jaw dropped as I took in the unpredicted view while continuing down the mountain side and into the high plains. I could see more mountains in the distance, but I had not at all anticipated the straight flat road that lay hiding between two mountain ranges. To people from this part of the world, this may seem entirely normal, but I have never lived in the mountains, and I am learning so much!

the "vast open expanse" that awed me

A few other tidbits that I have learned since moving to Colorado Springs include:

• Drink a lot of water when at higher elevations and allow for more trips to the restroom accordingly.
• Sealed products such as yogurt cups and lotions build up pressure when moved to higher elevation, be careful when opening.
• Hills + high elevation = running is really hard
• Always have a jacket, umbrella and sunscreen accessible, don’t be surprised by drastic weather changes.
• Baking at high altitude does require some modifications.
• People who live in Colorado, for the most part, like it just as much as those who want to move here from the rest of the country — that explains why a very high percentage of the people who live here are not originally from here. 

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil"  Ephesians 5:15-16

bits and pieces

There is a poem that used to hang in our hallway in Moscow. It wasn't until my last year of high school and continuing into college that the meaning of the words really sank in (after I had a few more "goodbyes" under my belt). The gist of the poem is that our lives are made up of bits and pieces of all the people that have crossed our paths. This poem and the many transitions I have experienced in life have shaped the way I think about goodbyes. First of all, I will confess: I love meeting people. This is one of my favorite things to do. I am constantly fascinated by the variety of stories and ideas and personalities that God has created. I love being challenged by conversations with people who hold very different views than my own, and I love encouraging and being encouraged and challenged by people with whom I share the same views. I love sharing, comparing and learning about experiences this world has witnessed. And more significantly, I love seeing how God puts people in and out of my life and then back in again. Those of you who have spent any time around me know that I don't generally walk up to strangers just for the sake of meeting new people —I'm not quite that fanatic on a daily basis— but rather, I have found that this is just something that happens as a part of life...especially when life takes me to a new place.

I had no idea how much my life would be enriched by the new friendships developed in my 15 weeks in Pennsylvania. The Lehigh Valley Church of Christ stayed true to their word that "you are only a visitor once". Within the first weeks of my arrival, I felt like I was among family. Isn't that what the church is intended to be! At work, I did not expect to mesh so well with my co-workers, but friendships were developed which I hope and believe will continue for years to come. In my parting, I cannot help but think about how each relationship has affected me as a person — I sincerely see my life as having been enriched. And that leaves me thankful, not sorrowful, as "goodbyes" are said.

As my last day in Bethlehem quickly approached, I tried to convey to my friends and co-workers the way I viewed "goodbyes". Goodbye is never terminal in my mind. When I leave a place, I assume that I will see it again some day...and frequently, this has happened. Similarly when I leave friends, I assume that our paths will cross again someday, and even if they don't, we can always stay in touch. On my journey to Pennsylvania from Texas I saw 9 friends, many of whom anyone else might have thought they would never see again. On my journey from Pennsylvania back to Texas, I saw at least 10 friends from different stages of life including a high school classmate. To me, this is just a testament to the reality that I have no idea who from my past will cross my path again in the future. That is a beautiful reality. I would rather hold on to the hope of seeing a friend again after we part ways, than dwell on the present parting.

If you are reading this, chances are good that our paths have crossed, and I am thankful for the bits and pieces of life that we have shared. If we have not met, I hope we do. I would love to hear your story.

There are many uncertainties that lie ahead. But with this reflection on relationships in my life, I am humbly reminded of God's faithfulness.  He is faithful. He provides.

   I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

   I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.

   Let the morning bring me word of your UNFAILING LOVE, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

   Teach me to do your will, for YOU ARE MY GOD; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

 excerpts from Psalm 143