Becoming An Agent of Change

Relocated

2010-08-25T20:54:00.002-04:00

Hey there blog readers! I have started a new "married people" blog with a new address - http://mike-and-kathy.blogspot.com/.

I won't be updating this one anymore, so you can remove your following and switch it over to the new blog! I'm going to do my best to update more often and give you some fun pics and stories from this first year of married life!

Skeleton Bones

2010-05-24T15:39:00.001-04:00

I love this song! We've been singing it at church a lot lately and the words are just awesome! I have to say I prefer Lucas Allen's version (our worship leader at church), but the song is still awesome!

No Longer Much-Afraid

2010-05-09T21:49:00.002-04:00

Recently, the Lord sent me a dream about lies that Satan feeds us. Satan tells us that certain things are cute and safe, and we believe him. It's bogus, but we do.

So, after this dream, I opened my heart for God to search it out for lies. And, surprise, surprise, He found some. And it blew me away!

It's not that I expected my heart was 100% clean and sparkly. I know there is still work to be done. But, what surprised me was the lies that I realized were in there. I mean, I knew I believed these things, but it never occurred to me that they are BIG FAT LIES!

I realized that I have so accepted fear as a regular part of my life, that it doesn't even faze me anymore. Ridiculous! I let fear wiggle it's little nose into my heart probably more than 20 years ago, and I just let it stay there warm and cozy.

Fear was able to hide out for all these years because I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE IT! I had let fear become appropriate or acceptable in my life to the extent that I thought it was NORMAL for Christians to feel that way. So, here's a list (because I LOVE lists) of all the ways I have identified thus far that fear had a hold of my life without my recognition.

1. Fear of the unknown -- Whenever something new or unexpected came along, I thought it was appropriate to be afraid. I mean, I'm only human, right! And unknown things are scary! But, letting fear have a foothold is never okay, no matter WHAT!

So, there, Fear of Unknown, you have no place in my heart.

2. Fear of man -- I'm not scared of men. In fact, I think I actually have an irrational level of confidence in my ability to defend myself against most any man. But, I am ridiculously concerned about other people's opinion of me, and it can be debilitating. Calculating the risks of a decision is wise, but letting the opinion of others prevent you from pursuing things that GOD WANTS FOR YOU is ridiculous and I'm over it.

So, yep, kicked that one out too.

3. Fear that God will take thing away -- I know God will stretch me, and that is true, but somewhere along the way I've accepted that God will probably ask me to do things I don't like and ask me to give up lots of the things I love. How often do I forget that HE ONLY GIVES GOOD GIFTS! And how often have I clenched my little tiny fists around something God wanted to take away, not realizing that He wanted to replace it with something better.

Stupid lies, you are officially uninvited to my life party.

There are a few more, but this blog seems pretty long. So, if you want to hear more, email me and I will update you! Otherwise, stay tuned for future blogs about what God's teaching me and about how I will be learning/growing in my new job! My first day in the office (just for a few hours for a meeting) is Tuesday, and I would appreciate some fear-killing prayers!

Sending love to you all, no matter where you are!

Kathy

And now back to our regularly scheduled program...

2010-04-28T20:13:00.004-04:00

Happy Wednesday, friends and family!

So, it has been brought to my attention that my previous blog post was totally random. Sorry for those who were utterly confused and thanks to all who played along. Random or not, you have to admit it was fun!

Today's note, however, is much more expected because as most of you Facebook-stalkers know, I GOT A JOB!

Yep, that's right. I am now employed! While I am positive that God is probably looking down from heaven, shaking his head in a very dad-like manner, and saying "I told you so," I admit that I was getting nervous. I mean, I had an offer a few weeks ago. My only offer at that point, mind you, and God told me to say no. I didn't really want the job, but it was a job. So, saying "no" felt difficult despite the fact that I would have rather worked at Kohl's (no offense to anyone who works/worked there.)

Anyway, I am thrilled that this was God's plan! (I also have to give some credit to my brother Andrew for helping me pick out my "power suit" for my final interview, complete with bright pink button down. haha! Thanks, bro!)

I will start at the Timmy Foundation in Indianapolis as their new Program Coordinator the end of next month! I'll also be travelling to Latin America here and there, which is clearly breaking my heart, but I think I'll manage. (Love it!)

Thanks to everyone who prayed me through the job search and be sure to check out www.timmyfoundation.org for all the details!

Little Red/White Box

2010-04-19T23:56:00.002-04:00

I would like to discuss a really horrible Sunday School song. It is called "Little White Box" or sometimes "If I Had a Little White Box." If I could make one request, please don't teach your children this song.

There are a zillion reasons why this song annoys me, but let's suffice it to say that you cannot and should not want to keep Jesus in a little box. You also really shouldn't have kids carrying around Satan in a box either, for that matter.

The whole thing is just weird and disturbing.

So, please, do not teach your children this song.

Hallelujah, with a ham sandwich on the side

2010-04-14T12:17:00.002-04:00

Okay, so here's the deal. I'm kind of excited, so please excuse any typos because sometimes my fingers punch the keys too hard when I'm excited. And then you get all kinds of extra letters. Haha. Anyway...

I was sitting here eating my ham sandwich because it's lunch time and that is what is in the fridge. I wanted to read the chapter from our Bible study last night that I didn't get a chance to read beforehand. So, I did. And then I got really excited about the next chapter, so I started reading that too...and I came across some phrases that just got me PUMPED. I mean, really, I was talking to God aloud as I read this because I felt like it resonated perfectly with some of the things God has been teaching me lately. So, here are some bits and pieces of what I got excited about, with my thoughts intermingled:

"The great majority of the Christian world is still weeping at the foot of the cross. The consciousness of mankind remains fixed on the Christ who died, not on the Christ who lives. People are looking back to the Redeemer who was, not the Redeemer who is."

I used to get so frustrated when I heard certain people preach the Gospel message. And I felt guilty for feeling cranky about the Gospel. I mean, really, I thought something was wrong with me! But, this shines a new light on what DROVE ME NUTS about their interpretation of the Gospel. In certain churches, the Gospel is all about how dirty and icky and disgusting you are without Jesus. It's about how Jesus found you in the muck and the mire and loved you anyway. But the thing is, they spend so much time on talking about the gross, sinful humans that they fail to talk enough about the brilliance of the resurrected Christ. I mean, he was transformed! He was resurrected and now "As He is, so are we in the world!" Sin is gross. I concur. But Jesus' glory should be the focus of the RESURRECTION story because without that, it's just not the whole Gospel. And to be quite frank, without the resurrection, the Gospel (or lack-thereof) would be utterly depressing.

"Jesus became poor so that I could become rich...Why then should I try to become as He was, when He suffered so I could become as He is? At some point, the reality of the resurrection must come into play in our lives - we must discover the power of the resurrection for all who believe."

Jesus didn't go to the cross so that I could spend all my spiritual energy weeping at the foot of the cross or trying to figuratively nail myself to it. Don't get me wrong, repentance is meaningful and sorrow for sin is worthy of time and attention. BUT it can't end there. It shouldn't end there. Jesus wants more. He died so we could repent and then embrace the power of the resurrected Christ inside of us.

There is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance (Eccl. 3:4). I don't know about you...but today I feel like dancing.

(Quotes are from: When Heave Invades Earth: a Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles by Bill Johnson, page 146.)

Spiritual Monuments

2010-03-30T16:52:00.004-04:00

So, I was reading our book for Bible Study (Bill Johnson's When Heaven Invades Earth) and came across a passage in Exodus that talked about building monuments or altars to remember what God has done. It happens all over the place in the Old Testament. God does something awesome, and people build a memorial so that they won't forget.

I am now trying to figure out what this means for me. What can I build/create/save that commemorates what God has done in my life. I mean, I DON'T want to forget because remembering brings joy and encourages and strengthens your faith.

My only conclusion on the topic thus far is to be more intentional with my journaling. I want to record whenever God provides, or teaches me something, or stretches me or anything else He decides to do. I know this will help me remember, if or when I actually go back and read it.

I want to remember.

And then I want to CELEBRATE!

I want to remember so that my JOY may be in Him and thus my joy may be complete! Let me know if you have other ideas of ways to commemorate intimate experiences with the Lord. I am open to any and all suggestions, and would especially welcome some creative thoughts!

Dios les bendiga,

Kathy

and the word is NO

2010-03-22T11:15:00.002-04:00

Do you remember this video from your Sesame Street years? haha. Sometimes Sesame Street still makes for the best illustrations. Old school, Sesame Street, that is. I have nothing to do with this new-fangled Sesame Street where Cookie Monster eats vegetables and Oscar isn't grouchy.

But, I digress...

Recently, the Lord has laid it on my heart that NO is a word I just don't use as often as I should. It's not just about commitments, although I easily say YES to significantly more than I should. It's also the small things. And what shocked me most was when God started telling me to say NO to things that took almost no time at all and seemed like really good things to me! Why would God want me to NOT do a good thing? Weird.

The first time this lesson emerged was when a new homeless person started frequenting the corner by my apartment. I knew the former corner homeless man. He was really nice and once told me how he was going to break the world record for some trapeze trick. I waited through a couple of stop lights just to make sure he knew that someone on this planet recognized he was human and deserved a moment's time. Even though I couldn't help much, talking to that guy was a blessing. So, I was beyond baffled when I saw the new guy and immediately heard that still small voice in my heart saying, "Do NOT go talk to him and do NOT give him ANYTHING!" It was a whispering shout, but it was firm.

Isn't that peculiar? I mean, who knows why God said NO to this opportunity to do something simple with a minimal time commitment that could mean a lot to this man. But God has his reasons and I trust that.

Then, I learned that something tragic happened in the life of a friend I have lost touch with. My heart ached for her and I wanted to at least send a card or a letter with my sympathies and prayers, but God immediately laid on my heart once again that I should do NOTHING.

I don't know why. Perhaps these NO's are a lesson in tuning my spiritual ears to hear the Lord, even when his words are unexpected. Perhaps (and I feel this is likely the case) what God is doing in the lives of these people is being accomplished in a different way. Perhaps my words/money/card/etc. are not part of His plan for this particular person in this particular instant.

And maybe, just maybe, God is teaching me that not every problem is MY problem. I have to trust that God has MANY other workers. I don't have to serve solo, and I don't have to serve everyone. I just have to listen and know that He will say YES when the time is right and He wants to use me.

Dios les bendiga,

Kathy

God Is Too BIG to Fit in Little Brains

2010-02-10T12:33:00.005-05:00

"We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper 'mystery.'" -- The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 18

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If God were small enough to fit inside my head, what kind of a tiny God would He be? If He didn't leave me with a sense of awe, wonder and mystery, would He still be the all-powerful and all-knowing God we profess?

I don't think so, and apparently neither does A.W. Tozer (the author of the quoted book).

So, God is too big to fit in our little brains. BUT, this shouldn't make us feel confused or intimidated, this fact should remind us to embrace the sense of wonder and mystery of God.

If God is really big and really powerful, then I am really not going to understand sometimes. And that is beautiful.

Happy Interview Day

2010-02-08T21:44:00.003-05:00

The job search is officially underway and I had my first informational interview today with CMF International. The people there were absolutely incredible. They were all so friendly and helpful and they generously shared the majority of their morning with me.

They also taught me a lot about the organization, which I greatly respect. I particularly appreciated their dedication to holistic aid (helping the whole person, not just physical or just spiritual, etc.). I am excited to stay in touch with the fantastic people I met today and to follow up on their recommendations! I will keep you all posted!

In honor of my wonderfully successful day, I decided to celebrate. Need you even ask what my idea of celebration entails?! That's right....NEW SHOES! hehe. And don't worry...you know they HAD to be on clearance. Ah, I just LOVE THEM! :)

Happy First Interview Day to me! :)

Dios les bendiga,

Kathy

Support for Haiti

2010-01-23T13:16:00.002-05:00

Hey all!

I just read this really insightful article on donations made to Haiti relief organizations. Check it out HERE.

It is wonderful that so many generous people are giving of their time and possessions to help the people of Haiti, but the best thing to do right now would be to provide donations for Haiti relief to one of the many organizations who are trained and equipped to most effectively and efficiently engage in disaster relief.

Check out a list of organizations HERE or if you are a SPEA student, you can also make a donation in the Graduate Student lounge to go to Oxfam International's emergency relief efforts.

Dios les bendiga....a todos aqui, en Haiti y el resto del mundo.

Themessage

2010-01-18T23:21:00.003-05:00

So, first a funny story....

A couple of years ago for Christmas I had this brilliant gift idea to get Mike a copy of The Message by Eugene Peterson. I love reading The Message in addition to the NIV and New American Standard because it creates a very personal feeling to the Word. I love the way Eugene Peterson articulates some very powerful and passionate messages of Scripture. There are times when I think his interpretation is quite different from my own, but I feel like the thought process of reaching that conclusion is also a wonderfully valuable experience.

But, back to my story. I buy this perfect gift for Mike and I am SUPER excited about it. I wrap it beautifully, because anyone who knows me well can attest to the fact that I am CRAZY about beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts. Mike (who thinks my beautiful wrapping makes one feel some level of guilt for unwrapping their gifts) carefully opened his Christmas gift and responded with a very lame, "Oh, ummm, yeah, thanks," or something to that affect.

I was pretty disappointed because I had even written a really nice message on the inside cover. So, in a heartfelt attempt to redeem this moment of gift-giving joy, I suggested that he read my special message. He complied, and then got this really perplexed look on his face. He flipped back to the front cover and it was like a lightbulb went off in his head. "OH!" he exclaimed, "It's The Message."

He then proceeded to get as excited as I originally expected. When he explained his initial confusion, I couldn't help but bust out laughing. Apparently when Mike first read the cover he smooshed all the letters together in his head (because that is the way the graphic designer laid out the cover) and read it as one word: themessage. His pronunciation sounded like a French back rub, and that is EXACTLY what he thought this massive hardcover book was, a book about MASSAGES! hahaha. Poor guy...no wonder he was totally confused.

---

Despite a somewhat misleading cover, The Message has wonderfully encouraging interpretations in Scripture that I find to be very refreshing (although again I emphasize the fact that this is an interpretive version of Scripture from Eugene Peterson's point of view, which I don't always agree with substantively). Here is a passage I read last night that really ministered to my heart:

Micah 6:8b

"It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously."

I love that.

You see, I am quite prone, as I believe many of us are, to take myself very seriously. My problems, no matter how insignificant to others (or event to myself at a later time), seem REALLY big to me at the moment they're happening.

But, they're really not that big of a deal. I am really not that big of a deal. And that is WONDERFUL! Why? Because that means that when I mess up, when I fail, when I TOTALLY BLOW IT, it's okay. Because really, it's not about me. It's about Him. It's not about Kathy's glory. It's about God's glory.

And what I can't see on this side of heaven is the beautiful tapestry he is creating of my life, despite my flaws, weaknesses and shameful failures. He is big enough to overcome even the worst of my sin.

That brings me back to a message from Kyle Idleman at Southeast Christian Church that I heard the Sunday after New Years. (You can actually check out the message HERE.) He challenged us to pray a prayer for 2010, and it really spoke to me. It's been coming back up in my heart again and again.

Lord,

More of You. Less of me. Fill me with Your Spirit.

More than anything else, that is what I want. I want to recognize that it's not about me, and to release more of myself each day, so that He can have total control. I want to live my life in a constant state of fullnesses, achieved by the Holy Spirit.

So pray for me, hold me accountable, and feel free to ask me any questions you might have about what this all means. I would love to know what God might be using this simple prayer and this little verse from The Message to say to you.

Dios les bendiga!

Fiestas, townhouses and jazzercise!

2010-01-16T13:55:00.002-05:00

Haha, that title makes me laugh. Basically, though, it's a quick list of the things I am most excited about today.

Last night was my somewhat impromptu birthday fiesta hosted by the lovely Suzzy Mangas. It was the perfect fiesta including fajitas, hilarious mustaches and LOADS of laughs. We had the BEST time and I was SO thankful for friends who share their time and funny first kiss memories with me. LOVE YOU GUYS!

Monday, since it's MLK Day, there are no classes at IU and the office I am a graduate assistant for is also closed. So....Mike and I are going to check out a townhouse that we might maybe possibly move into come August! It's a property that my landlord has coming open, and I really, really like me landlord (a rare occurrence in a college town), so we are hoping to stick with her! I'll let you know how it goes.

One final tidbit...I recently started JAZZERCISE! It's not only part of my, Look-As-Hot-As-Possible-for-My-Wedding program, but also part of my plan to discover a more sustainable work-out plan. I LOVE working out, but doing it alone on a treadmill or even alone in my apartment gets SUPER boring after a while. So...I am stoked about the JAZZERCISE! I get to go work out with lots of other women, I get to DANCE and I get my entire workout (and a good one, at that) accomplished in just one hour.

(Side note, one of the instructors asked me on my second class if I would be interested in becoming an instructor...haha. The really funny part is that I am DEFINITELY considering it as maybe a part-time option after graduation! I think it would be a BLAST!)

Also, I am hoping/planning to post on a MUCH more regular basis starting this year for a number of reasons:

1. I want to keep you updated on wedding plans!

2. I want to do a better job of keeping everyone informed on exciting things going on in my life.

3. (Probably the most important reason...) I want to start blogging on some more serious topics that come up from time to time, particularly spiritual topics. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Dios les bendiga!

It's a jolly holiday...

2009-11-30T22:36:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Last night was the official beginning of our holiday festivities as Allison and I not only trimmed the tree, but decked out the whole apartment!

Even Willy (my houseplant) got a holiday makeover...

Our happy little Christmas tree...

My very favorite Christmas ornament (Thanks, Frankie!)...

Holly, jolly bathroom decor...

You can actually see our pretty lights from outside our apartment this year! This is our best alternative to hanging outdoor lights (which we aren't allowed to do in this apartment complex).

Enjoy this holiday season!

I know Allison and I will! During our decorating fiesta, we also baked cookies and ate them with ice cold milk. Then, to top off our evening, we stayed up late to watch Elf.

I love Christmas!

Grow a Little Faith

2009-11-17T20:30:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share with you a challenge that God is walking me through. I was recently convicted about my lack of faith. I believe in God. This isn't a matter of believing in Him, it's a matter of believing Him and holding firmly to His promises. When God says He is going to do something, I am not good at trusting that He will. I know He will in my head and to some extent in my heart, but the full conviction is not as strong as I know it should be.

So, God has been challenging me to solidify my faith by remembering. That's right. Remembering. It's a part of worship that I probably neglect too often. This week in my quiet time, I have been focusing on remembering His faithfulness and the way He has exemplified it in my life and those around me again and again.

Just a word of encouragement...

and perhaps an idea that will encourage your faith as well.

---

Matthew 14: 28 - 31

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

---

I want to get out of the boat, keep my eyes on Jesus, and walk right through the wind and the waves.

Get a job and GEEK OUT!

2009-11-07T16:43:00.003-05:00

I need to GET A JOB:

Latest update: I should be scheduling a job interview with a nonprofit called FAME next week! (Check them out at http://www.fameworld.org/). The position they are searching for is Director of Missions Resources and I really feel that this is something God could use me to accomplish. Please pray that the interview goes well and that the Lord will make clear whether or not this is His will for me!

Time to....GEEK OUT:

In other news, I wrote a response paper this week on William Easterly's book The White Man's Burden, and I actually ENJOYED writing it! I know, how often does that happen when you actually get to read and write about something that gets you truly excited!? So in honor of my dorky appreciation for this book, I am including a bit of my paper below! Just to give you a brief synopsis, my response focused on Easterly's discussion of smaller, more focused piecemeal efforts for foreign aid. He makes several points as to why this would be preferable and to his list of reasons, I added two additional thoughts (the excerpt included below). I hope that you enjoy...

Piecemeal reform creates opportunities for “baby step” success, something that perhaps the Rest needs more than anyone realizes. For centuries, foreign aid professionals (from the West) have slapped their own diagnoses on the problems facing developing nations. If individuals in these countries were given a chance to claim small, piecemeal successes, perhaps these successes would pave the way for increasing improvement. Although a bit idealistic, improving the international citizens’ confidence in their ability to fix their own problems may be a key ingredient in foreign aid success. If nothing else, it provides international citizens a measure of dignity which some projects do not adequately consider.

Finally, the idea of short run and long run efforts is a concept briefly mentioned by Easterly, but not explored to the fullest extent. In order for international aid to succeed, there are long term goals that must be met. However, if these goals are to be realized or not, people still require that their basic needs be met in the here-and-now. Piecemeal efforts allow Searchers to investigate and provide for short term needs such that international citizens are healthy and stable enough to become partners in developing creative, culturally appropriate long term solutions.

My basic point was that these smaller, more focused initiatives might foster the needed confidence among international citizens to claim ownership of localized solutions to their own problems, which I feel is a more dignified response to international poverty. Furthermore, I think it allows for the creation of efforts that focus on long-run and short-run solutions as being separate, but equally necessary components for successful efforts to eradicate international poverty.

Hooray for a much needed opportunity to geek out. That was long overdue.

Back to B-town

2009-08-30T18:00:00.003-04:00

As many of you know, I am back to Bloomington! Classes begin tomorrow and I am excited to see what this semester holds. Say a prayer for Mike and me as we get settled in to our crazy semester. We will not only be working hard on our classes, we are also both leaders in multiple student organizations, we are trying to get more involved in a local church, we are seeking out premarital classes/counseling, I have a graduate assistantship, we will be on the hunt for jobs, and we'll be planning a wedding! Things just might get a bit busy.

Pray that we keep our priorities in order and make time to ENJOY this season of our lives.

Keep in touch and I will post new pics of new adventures soon!

Working on a MRS! Haha!

2009-08-10T00:05:00.003-04:00

Sunday, August 9, 2009
A very happy couple...on a very special day!

We were all grins from ear to ear!

Who knew that cheek muscles could get so sore!

That's right! Mike and I are officially ENGAGED! He proposed to me Sunday afternoon at a park near the river. There are pictures of us by the river on Mike's camera, so hopefully I can post them soon!

Isn't the ring gorgeous!
He did a wonderful job....the proposal...the ring...the prayer and thought that went into it all. I am so blessed.

Mi colega favorita...

2009-07-30T16:00:00.002-04:00

This is my very best friend in all of Guatemala, Blanqui Ordonez. Blanqui helped with both the June and July teams by taking care of the house and helping with cooking. She has the most beautiful heart and it was such a blessing getting to know her and hear about what God is doing inside her.

This is Blanqui with nuestra gorda, Adriana. Isn't she precious! She looks just like her mommy!
Me, Blanqui, Adriana, and Blanqui's sister Gabi.

I have only talked to Blanqui a few times since I've been back but I trust that God will keep our hearts close and that he will bring us back together some day. Say a prayer for my favorite colega as she determines what God is calling her to do with her life.

Traduccion: Esa es mi mejor amiga de Guatemala, Blanqui Ordonez. Blanqui ayudo con las dos jornadas en junio y julio, por cuidar a la casa y ayudar en la cocina. Tiene un corazon muy bonito y era una bendicion conocerle y aprender lo que Dios esta haciendo en ella. / Aqui estamos con nuestra gorda, Adriana. Que preciosa! Es como su mama!/Blanqui, yo, Adriana, y su hermana Gabi./ Solo he hablado con Blanqui algunas veces hasta que regrese, pero tengo confianza en Dios que El va a mantener nuestros corazones cercas y que El va a reunir Blanqiu y yo algun dia. Por favor, ora para mi colega favorita por que ella esta tratando de determinar lo que Dios quiere para su futura.

Mi hermanito!

2009-07-06T23:12:00.002-04:00

Guess who I got to see?!?! Cristian!
For those of you who don't know, he is the little boy who stayed with us during his surgeries in the U.S.
Now he is studying to be a computer science engineer! Can you believe it!?! It was such a blessing to get to spend time with him.

Here is a quick picture from our trip today to Antigua....SO PRETTY!

And just for kicks, here is a picture of Ronald McDonald by his fountain. The McD's in Antigua is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! It was really weird, but really pretty. Check it out! Ron is livin the high life!

2009-07-01T16:27:00.003-04:00

La Playa!
Bienvenidos to the beautiful black-sand beaches of Guatemala! It was absolutely beautiful!

During the drive to the beach, I took a lot of pictures of the beautiful clouds. God has made SUCH a beautiful world. Even here where there is a lot to be sad about, there is still so much for which God deserves PRAISE!

This is the shower house next to the pool. They had a gorgeous house there and it really made for a nice vacation!

Seidy and Victoria had a blast playing in the pool! I worked with Seidy and she got pretty brave with her swimming.

Running to the beach!

This was the pathway to the beach from the house. It was very close.

And here are the black sandy beaches! I had never seen black sand before and it was SUPER hot! You could only go barefoot if you were walking on the edge of the water so that the water cooled it off.

I know it looks peaceful, but don't let this picture fool you. Victoria was having a WILD and crazy time.
Seidy with her pink sombrero which kept flying off her tiny little head. Adorable!

This week we are preparing for the next team which gets here on Sunday! There is a LOT to get done and only a short time left before they arrive, so we are working hard. Once Sunday comes, I will be staying at a different house where I won't have internet access. So, if I don't post or respond to messages for a while, it is just because I haven't had a chance to bring my laptop to Judy's house. I will be sure to post again as soon as I have the chance.

Say a prayer for this next team as we prepare!

Dios te bendiga!

PINATA!

2009-06-30T01:25:00.004-04:00

Jorgito, the son of Judy's housekeeper Isabel, turned 9 on July 25th. Here are a few of the FUN pictures from his birthday.

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS, JORGITO!

Jorge with his brand new bycicle!

The life cycle of a pinata:

1. Alive and well. Meet Clifford, our big red pinata!

2. Running from all bat swinging children.

3. Attacked by said bat-swingers:

4. Se murio. Pobre Clifford! (He died. Poor Clifford!):

Clifford was a good pinata who lived a full life (of about 36 hours in Judy's house) and left lots of candy for everyone. :)

As you can see, we had a LOT of fun at Jorge's birthday party and everyone had plenty of candy and laughs!

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Coming soon -- pictures from my trip to the beach this past weekend! Stay tuned!

Panajachel

2009-06-21T11:54:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we spent time in Panajachel. Unfortunately it rained like CRAZY, so we were mostly cooped up under a shelter in a restaurant trying to stay dry. We still got some CUTE pics though!

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Seidi and Victoria looking at the rain.

Gracie (who very much resembles Dora the Explorer).

Waterfall coming down the mountain in Panajachel.

Tuc Tuc! These little death traps are EVERYWHERE! haha.

Happy Father's Day!
I will share more pictures soon. This week is mostly preparation for the next team which arrives July 4th and 5th. They are mostly medical students from Pikeville College who will stay two weeks (until about July 18). Once that team is done and wrapped up...I will be on my way back home! I get back on July 25 with pictures, stories, and hopefully some new recipes to share!

Seidi

2009-06-21T00:11:00.002-04:00

Meet Seidi!
She is the precious little handful that we are growing to love more and more every minute. She is really amazed by the fact that I live in Los Estados Unidos, and she likes to point to basically everything that belongs to me and say, "esados unidos?"
It's adorable, but she is seven and the fact that she has SO much trouble saying simple words like "fish" in Spanish makes me realize how little time has been dedicated to her education and growth. Say a prayer for our nena!

Que bonito

2009-06-20T22:11:00.003-04:00

Here are a few shots of Antigua and the beautiful flowers I have found around the country! There is a lot of poverty and many unmet needs, but Guatemala remains a historically rich and naturally beautiful country!

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The hallway of the convent ruins at La Merced.

Beautiful flowers...

Looking through a window at the ruins of Capuchinas.
The beautiful courtyard at the Capuchinas ruins.

The ruins of another convent in Antigua.

We spent a lot of time touring Antigua on Thursday and then spent today at Panajachel! It rained a lot, so the pictures didn't turn out very well, but I am sure there will be more beautiful pictures to come.

Also, I will try to post some pictures of Seidi. She is a little girl from an orphanage in Cuilapa who should be headed to the states in August for eye surgery. When we went to pick her up yesterday she wouldn't speak and she cried through half of dinner. Today, she was hanging off my shirt, dancing with me, and repeating everything we said! It is amazing to see the change that has come about after less than 24 hours in an environment where she is safe and has copious amounts of attention! The orphanage in Cuilapa does the very best it can, but because Seidi has been abused, I think she needed more care and attention in order to open up quickly. Say a prayer for her as she goes back to the orphanage in a week and will probably have to see her mom. Pray also for her safety and her operation once she comes to Kentucky in August.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers when I was sick! I am feeling 100% better now and cannot tell you how much I appreciated the prayers!

Dios les bendiga!

Chimaltenango

2009-06-17T21:06:00.003-04:00

Bienvenidos al hospital de Chimaltenango!
Here are the pictures of new friends, patients, and more!
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This little girl taught me how to say turtle: "tortuga." She also told me pink is her favorite color! :)

Post Op picture of a little girl who had a hernia. She had the cutest pink cowboy boots that she put on as soon as they told her she could go home.

This is the cutest little guy in the universe with Theresa and Hannah, two of the team members. His name was Wilson and he had the best disposition. He was so sweet and so patient. Everyone fell in love with this little guy!

This is Blanca Emerita. I got to know her Mom, Sarai, really well. She had ear tags removed. Isn't she precious!?

Sarai and Blanca

The O.R.
Doctor Cunning was working on a bone graft for a palatal fistula patient.

This little guy was hilarious! He was playing games with people in the pre-op area and cracking up like this was the most enjoyable place in the whole world. Adorable!

Hannah looking very official, yet beautiful as ever.

Doctoras Blanky and Kathy with the patient, Sara. Haha.

I will post more soon!

Thunderheads and the Market

2009-06-12T20:37:00.002-04:00

Check out the photos! These are pics from the mercado! So many colors and some delicious fruit!

This is a picture of the thunderheads that rolled in as I landed in Guate! How crazy is that!?!? (I took the picture especially for Mom, the science nerd.) I can honestly say I have never been nor do I ever hope to again be THAT close to a thunderhead. Haha.

Luckily, the landing was very smooth despite the apparent storms.

More pics to come soon...

I AM HERE!

2009-06-12T00:39:00.002-04:00

Hey all! I want to thank everyone for your prayers! I arrived in Guatemala safe and sound. Things are really busy as we had a clinic the day after I got here and then again today. The area I am staying in is really safe and the internet appears to be working okay now that I have figured out the tricks to make it work! :) So, keep up the prayers and I will do my very, very best to post some pictures as soon as I can. Get excited because the pictures are really awesome!

Feel free to e-mail me if you have time. I will respond whenever I can!

Leaving on a jet plane...

2009-06-09T00:05:00.004-04:00

Destination: San Lucas, Sacatapequez, Guatemala.

(The highlighted area on the map). I leave tomorrow morning and really, really hope I am going to have a wonderful internet connection so that I can update you all once I am there. Be sure to pass on any updates to others you know might be interested, but don't have access to my blog. I should be able to e-mail and I am going to try to Skype, although the connection may create a video feed up there with a bad voice-over. Anyway, we shall try and see. Keep me posted on how you are doing and I will do my best to update as often as possible either here or via facebook.

Say a prayer! I fly out tomorrow, Tuesday at 3:10 and then get back to the U.S. of A. on Saturday, July 25! Can't wait to share stories and pictures with you!

Destination: Bloomington - Louisville - Bowling Green - Louisville - Guatemala City - San Lucas, Suchitepequez

2009-05-16T21:38:00.005-04:00

This week I am in Louisville visiting friends and family! It was SO much fun coming to town just in time to take some pictures before my brother's prom... and then spend a wonderful evening with my cousin, Katie!

Next week, I start working in Bowling Green, KY, and I will be there spending time with Diana, Savannah, other BG friends and my church family!
I can't wait to see them all.

Then, I head back to Louisville to catch a plane to Guatemala City on June 9. I will be staying with the director of Christian's Aid Missions International for the summer in San Lucas Suchitepequez, which is south west of the capital city.
I will return to Louisville on July 25.

Get excited about all the pictures and posts to come! I can't wait to share my experiences with you all! (Prayers are also appreciated!)

He decidido...

2009-05-06T13:11:00.002-04:00

After much time and deliberation, today I accepted the offer from Children's Aid Mission International to work with their organization this summer. So, where will I be? Round one will be in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Round two....GUATEMALA! That's right! I get to return to one of my favorite places on the planet. I haven't been there in at least years! Can you believe it!? Please be in prayer for me as a finalize all the details.

For more information about the organization check out: http://www.cami-ky.com/index.html.

reminiscing...

2009-04-22T23:09:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things to do (and this is dorky, I know) is to go back to old journals or diaries and read about what God has done in my life in the past. I had one of those weeks this week where I just needed to be reminded of how God has always brought me through. I wandered through notebooks full of old poetry I had written and came across this one. It amazes me how God was cultivating a passion within me at such a young age. It makes me realize that I have absolutely no reason to doubt that He will fulfill what he has started in me.

Help This World
April 17, 1998 (age 12)

I want to help this world
And fix the pain and loss
I want to help this world
And lead them to the Cross
I want to help this world
And see them through the sorrow
I want to help this world
And create a better tomorrow
I want to help this world
And guide them with my light
I want to help this world
'Til I take my heaven-bound flight
I want to help this world
And lead them to the Lord
I want to help this world
And pray their pain will be cured
I want to help this world
So won't you take my hand
I want to help this world
I want to understand

Rally...Rallly...Rally!

2009-03-31T23:41:00.000-04:00

Last week Students Taking Active Roles Today (the SPEA organization of which I am co-president) sponsored Rally for Service Week. There were a number of opportunities for service, including Penny Wars, which raised over $400 for the Shalom Center in Bloomington and Mother Bear's Pizza Night which raised $300 for Giving Back to Africa.

I was so excited to see all the money raised for charity, all the items donated to Goodwill, food donated for Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and the number of beautiful cards made for the women and children of Middleway House!

Here's some of the START team...getting silly! Haha!

Here's the crew!

The winning rally team was....Suzzy's Shalom Center Team!
(Can't you tell she's excited! She was calling her team members to share the good news!)

Me and Andrew pulling a Vana White with the Rally sign.

Here are all the Rally penny war jugs!

It's been too long...

2009-03-19T19:09:00.000-04:00

Spring Break is here, and I finally have a chance to post an update! Things have been going well in Bloomington and have clearly been busy (thus explaining the fact that I haven't posted anything since January! gah!).

Here are some pics from Spring Break! Hope to post more of an update soon!

Visiting the Louisville Zoo:
And Jack was a man on the move!

He was SO excited to point out all the animals he saw. Here he was inside the Lorikeet Landing, showing Grandma Frankie all the birds!

Mike made friends with a few Lorikeets!

Frankie with Jack and Reese. Reese was not very excited about the birds on Mike's arm.

Feed the birds...tuppence a bag....

He thought the bird was preparing for liftoff -- straight into his ear! haha!

I think Jack would have reached out and touched the birds. He seemed really excited!

Mike kept thanking me for coming...but I don't think he realized how much fun I had! Now, I just hope we can spend some fun times with Anna and Benjamin soon!

Albert, the snow-bookworm

2009-01-28T15:16:00.000-05:00

Now presenting.....Albert the Snow-Bookworm!
(We are slight nerds...but we are excessively proud of it!)

SNOW DAY!

2009-01-28T12:03:00.000-05:00

Who knew you can have a snow day in graduate school!!!

We were very excited to receive text messages, e-mail confirmations, and cell phone calls from the automated university system verifying that IU is closed ALL DAY! Woo hoo!

We are hopeful to build a snowman, drink hot chocolate, and generally pretend we are in elementary school!

HOORAY FOR SNOW DAYS!

Tycho, the buried Toyota.

The view from my bedroom window.

The evergreens outside our kitchen window.

The apartment complex. I don't think we'll be venturing out today!

To all my friends and family, please be safe and enjoy the beautiful snow!

The Birthday That Never Ends

2009-01-18T16:08:00.001-05:00

Feliz Cumpleanos (a mi)!

The official date of my arrival to this world was January 15, but truth be told, I believe my family celebrated my birth for a few more days after that. (Despite the fact that my mother lamented how much I looked like a squinty-eyed troll immediately after I was born. I don't know what she expected. Being born is not exactly a walk in the park!)

In order to relive these birth festivities, I thought it appropriate to celebrate my birthday for a couple of weeks. :) Mike said it was the longest birthday he had ever heard of, but he still brought me flowers and made me a birthday burrito (see flower pics below).

I had birthday with the family before coming back to Bloomington, birthday with Mike on my actual date of birth and birthday dinner with Grandpa and Deb last night. :) Tonight we are going to a soiree with SPEA, which I like to pretend is a soiree in honor of me and Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born on the same day. Then tomorrow is a Pride and Prejudice Marathon (pj's required).

Although not all festivities were planned with my birthday immediately in mind, the array of celebratory events has made for a very feliz cumpleanos! Thanks to everyone for celebrating with me!

This is the afghan that my roommate Allison crocheted for me for my birthday. It is so soft and not to mention, it is TURQUOISE! (My favorite!)

Up close afghan shot:

Happy Birthday flowers from Mike (so pretty):

Feliz Navidad

2008-12-27T10:11:00.000-05:00

Christmastime! Check out all the fun!

Lily and Danielle had lots of fun doing my makeup!
Note the how the blue blends with my skin tone to create a lovely match with my sweater!
:)

What's pink and purple and fuzzy all over?
My Christmas gift from Maria!

Opening gifts on Christmas Day!

The silly ways we wrap.....
And the silly faces we make....
(all part of the celebration!)

Yuletide Festivities....

2008-12-14T20:06:00.000-05:00

This weekend, Grandpa and I ventured to Louisville to experience Portland Christian School's madrigal production including King Arthur and the Knights of the RAD Table (with Andrew as Sir Tristan)! Check out the pictures below!

Here is the star himself:

Dad and Grandpa and my wee little mom :)

Katie, (doesn't she look adorable!?)

Me and my crazy grandma

Supposedly I am related to this kid:

This makes the resemblance a bit more apparent:

And this might explain a bit of his silliness!

Silliness, however, appears to run through the veins on BOTH sides...

And trust me, Grandma looks innocent, but she is posing.Haha. She is just as silly as the grandkids! :)

This is the SS Madrigal Trash, our special madrigal creation (I blame Grandpa):

This explains why these two kids end up in the hospital more than the other cousins COMBINED! Crazy piros.

This is the part of the show where cast members pull out members of the audience and make them dance in front of everyone to some crazy Celtic chick belting out heaven only knows what. Thanks, bro.

Andrew walks in, looking quite regal, despite the fact he is wearing navy blue with a black belt.(I taught him better, I promise).

Scott.
I have no further explanation.
Although, I must say that the Monty Python t-shirt was a very appropriate choice.

Aren't they cute!

Then Katie tries to hop in on the picture with her signature two thumbs up, mom blocks the attempt, and winds up looking like a total diva.
That is glam.

See what I mean! She jumps in with her crazy two thumbs all the time!
Her thumbs must recognize how photogenic she is, and thus they drag her into random snapshots. Crazy thumbs.

This is Sir Hollow and Rusted. Doesn't he make our picture look very Madrigal-y.

Despite upcoming finals, I am so glad Grandpa and I made the trip! We had a great conversation both to and from, I got to see a lot of my family, and Andrew rocked it out as a clueless knight in a rather Monty Python fashion!
As Katie would say, "Great googly woogly," we had a great time!

Snoooow

2008-12-06T10:34:00.000-05:00

Last night we watched A White Christmas and this morning, ta da, there was all this fluffy white stuff falling out of the sky! It is still coming down pretty hard, so I may take more pictures later, but here is our pretty snow as of 10:00 AM.

Ten Things That Brought Me Joy Over the Holiday Break

2008-12-01T19:12:00.000-05:00

In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, I compiled this list of 10 things that brought me joy during Thansgiving break.

In no particular order....

10. Holding precious baby Kendall...and then finding out she wasn't as sick as we thought! So glad she is better!

9. Being Cayden's best friend...then not...then yes again...then not...then he wants to bake a cake for me and write my name on it with icing. (Four year olds are fickle! What can you do?)

8. Spending time with Becky Baker...although celtic hip hop is definitely NOT our favorite! (haha...if you have ever been to O'Shea's, then you understand!)

7. Talking to Diana whenever I had a signal on my drive back to Bloomington. I miss her.

6. Thanksgiving with my family (plus Steve and Dana Hill...so glad they came!) Highlights include: winning Disney Scene It and Buzz Word, playing Taboo, and seeing Australia with Katie and Maria. It was unexpectedly long, but a really good movie with an adorable little kid as one of the main characters!

5. Katie's grape salad + my hashbrown casserole + Dana's Derby pie = heaven.

4. Shopping with Mom and Andrew on Black Friday...wondering where all the people were...then finding them all at the mall. We're still wondering where all the good deals were, but it was wonderful spending time with them!

3. Quiet time with Mike. According to I Corinthians 11, Mike has a humongous head because he is a boy. (He said we should meditate and fast on the fact that the head of woman is man...I told him that just means he has a fat head! haha! For some reason, I found that funnier than he did.)

2. Discovering the Christmas music channel on our tv!

1. Our wonderfully festive apartment! We were SO excited to decorate! Allison and I listened to our Christmas music channel, ate snowman cookies, and decorated the tree!

(Look! It's two thumbs with a Kathy in the middle!)

It's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas!

Our Christmas Kitchen

The Living Room

My Room

Even the bathroom is feeling festive!

Merry Christmas! I pray that each of you find many things to be thankful for this holiday season!

Taboo and Turkey Time!

2008-11-24T16:04:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to all my friends and family who keep in touch no matter the distance between us!

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Things in Bloomington have slowed down drastically! It is very quiet on campus, as many students have decided to start their break extra early. I can't say that I blame them! I am oh,so ready to head to Louisville and visit my family.

Time for turkey and taboo! They are both important Thanksgiving traditions. (Taboo is actually a tradition for EVERY holiday in my family! Haha! This year I think we may be adding some new games to the mix! We will see how it goes).

I am excited to see people celebrating Thanksgiving! So many stores have bypassed Thanksgiving and are already displaying Christmas in excess. I love Christmas, don't get me wrong, but skipping over Thanksgiving in my opinion is unfortunate. I love the seasons and the holidays as they come, and rushing through any one of them just seems wrong.

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Although my brain is already racing toward the upcoming turkey time, there is still a thing or two to be finished here. The most interest project is my research for my law class. The topic involves what happens when immigration law and family law intersect (such as foster care and legal status of abandoned immigrant children). My work is not yet completed, but I will post the finished product once I am done. If anyone is interested, be sure to check it out!

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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

From grad school to grade school

2008-11-16T20:17:00.000-05:00

So, there is grade school, then there is grad school, and I am coming to the conclusion that the "e" that differentiates the two is not entirely all that significant. Why, you ask...

This past Monday is a perfect illustration. Before Advanced Statistical Analysis class, we played Heads up 7 Up. That's right. "Heads down, eyes closed, grad students." During round three of the game, the entire seven up clan (the people whose thumbs were touched) ganged up on me. They ALL blamed me for picking them! I mean, seriously! So, obviously I had to be "heads down, eyes closed" for the next round. The animal crackers I devoured during class helped ease the pain of being ganged up on by a bunch of grad kids.

Tuesday, we all discussed our favorite Disney Princess before stats lab for SPSS. Most of the boys were Jasmine, but a few of the really intelligent ones voted for Belle. (She has always been the best princess! Duh!)

It's all fun and games....until class starts! :)

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In other news, it looks like I will be helping my friend Suzzy with her ESL classes on Monday from here on out! We had a blast last week and I am really looking forward to joining the class again tomorrow! It is a wonderful opportunity for me to practice my Spanish vocabulary and it helps the ESL learners to have explanations in Spanish from time to time. I will let you know how it goes!

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Final note: The mini laptop has presented me with the "black screen of death." Thus, it is on it's merry little way back to Acer for repairs. In the meantime, my posts may be even more intermittent. (Sorry!)

It's official, but no need to panic

2008-11-05T00:34:00.000-05:00

It's official. The new President of the United States has been announced, and I have come to a few conclusions.

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert mocked gloom & doom Republican's who think the world will now crumble since this "undercover Muslim Socialist" is now our President. I admit, I was less than elated (although not for the aforementioned reasons).

But, I have come to the conclusion that there is no need to dramatize the situation, even if it's not what I chose:

1. I am poor and therefore not likely to be subject to increased taxes within the next four years since I will likely be worth a total of $.52.

2. I voted and therefore reserve the right to gripe for the next four years. (haha).

3. Democracy. The good news is, even if the new administration makes a dreadful mess, they can only do it for 4 years (unless we reelect). Democracy intended for us to try something for a reasonable amount of time, without having to live with things we don't like for too long. If it is a disaster, or even sub-par, we can always pick someone else next time.

Can four years be enough to make a disgusting and embarrassing mess? I think we would all agree this is possible. But can four years also begin efforts to clean things up? I would like to believe that is also true.

Everything is dynamic. Only God is constant. So let's ride out this change and trust the only One who is always the same and need never change.

The internship investigation

2008-10-25T12:04:00.000-04:00

As a Speon, my program requires that I locate an internship this summer in the area of public affairs. It can be paid, and doesn't necessarily count for any actual course credit, but it is still a SPEA requirement.

So...the investigation began...

For those of you who don't know, I was an intern this past summer at Childplace in Jeffersonville, IN, working with at risk youth. I love those kids and had a wonderful experience working at Childplace. But I really hope to broaden my horizons and try something new this coming summer.

Here are the options that have arisen thus far:

1. Working with Judy Schwank in Bowling Green, KY. Judy is starting a new non-profit called Kids Care in Kentucky which will work with immigrants needing foster care. She also works with Children's Aid Missions International, a non-profit that provides aid for children in Guatemala, Honduras, and China.

(For those of you who don't know the background, my familiy housed a Guatemalan baby named Cristian Eduardo Gramajo Garcia when I was about three years old. Judy at that time was part of the organization that facilitated Cristian's placement with my family.)

The internship with CAMI/Kids Care in Kentucky would be unpaid, but I would get to stay in Bowling Green and see my friends and also would possibly have the opportunity of joining with one of the teams that go to Guatemala!

2. Betsy wants me to move to Ecuador for the summer. I miss her SO much and would love to spend the summer in Ecuador, but I need an internship. So, Betsy is getting in touch with a professor she knows and he is supposed to look for something for me. I will let you know if they find something!

As you can tell, I am hoping to experience something unique this summer. This is my last internship opportunity, essentially. After this, I think I have to join what is ominously referred to as "the real world." The thought of it at present is cause for a moderate sense of fear and dread, but I know God will prepare me in His time. At present, I am excited about what this summer might hold. I will keep everyone updated as additional opportunities emerge.

For now, I am hoping to work an externship (basically an internship worked from home) with Judy Schwank and her new project Kids Care in Kentucky. I am excited to have the opportunity to help her get this new initiative started! It is such a blessing to get to be a part of what God is doing here and in Latin America!

Dios te bendiga!

Katie wuz here....

2008-10-13T20:43:00.000-04:00

Always fun to have guests....here are pictures from Katie's visit two weekends ago. Sorry I haven't updated more recently. Hopefully I will get a chance to add more soon!

Pictures of Katie's old man Halloween costume! We had fun....as you can tell...

Next up....photos of the Farmer's Market:

Katie enjoying some local produce (aka - a brownie!).

These next pictures are of a group of folk tap dancers that were at the market that day.

The pictures below are of a group of English folk dancers. The style of dance is called "Morris Dancing," but Katie called them the Mary Poppins dancers. Chim-chim-a-nee!

If you look at the legs of the dancers, you can see they had bells on their calves. I think that is why Katie said they remind her of Mary Poppins. (Even though I don't remember them having bells on the calves of their outfits, but if she says it...I will take her word for it).

Like I said before, I apologize that it has taken me so long to update. Hopefully I will get used to updating and put short updates more often.

Hope you are all doing well!

The bachelorette pad...

2008-09-28T22:56:00.001-04:00

Just so you know, you cannot earn a bachelorette degree at IU. I'm serious. Someone called the Undergrad Programs Office (that is the office I am the graduate assistant for) one day last week and asked if she could get her bachelorette degree from SPEA. Jessica (who works at the front desk) explained to her that she could get her "bachelors," but the lady continued to call it her "bachelorette." Jessica was cracking up.

Anyway, this new update has absolutely nothing to do with your bachelors degree or even about bachelorettes. I really just wanted to add pictures of my new place for your viewing enjoyment. Let me know what you think!

First....the living room....

...the kitchen....

.....bathroom.....

.....and my room....

This is a reallly awkward picture of my desk, but it was difficult to find a good angle. Grandma, please note how well my house plant is doing!

And this is a picture of the flowers Mike bought for me at the local farmer's market last weekend. I have been to the farmer's market 3 times now and it is amazing how popular it is in Bloomington to buy local produce. It is also a lot of fun. There is usually live music, and barbeque and this weekend there was even a salsa dance show and street perfomers acting like statues. There is also this guy who plays guitar and harmonica and little kids all gather around him to shake the mini maracas he has in a basket for them. It's really precious.

That is all for now. I hope to update again soon!
Thanks for stopping by!

Now that I'm a SPEON...

2008-09-19T12:15:00.000-04:00

In this new phase of my journey, I thought it might be nice to keep a record of where I am going...and where I have been. If you are interested, check here for updates on my life here in Bloomington, IN. Post messages and let me know if there are things you want to know more/less about.

Quick synopsis: I am currently a first year student at SPEA ( the School of Public and Environmental Affairs) at Indiana University. They call us Speons. Apparently this is also a particular genus of frog, but that is neither here nor there. As a Speon, I am pursuing my masters in Public Affairs with concentrations in Nonprofit Management and Policy Analysis. The program will last two years.

For more info about SPEA, check out: http://www.iub.edu/~speaweb/.

Everyone always asks, "So, what are you going to be (when you grow up)?" The question is legitimate since all the above titles can seem like just a lot of words. The answer is simple: I am training to be a super hero. Since I was born with no natural super powers, I have resorted to obtaining certain skill sets at SPEA that I believe will make me nearly as marketable as a female equivalent of Batman or Superman. The only exception is my adamant opposition to all things spandex. Thus, my super-suit will be a deviation from the typical Marvel apparel. :)

No, really, what am I going to do with my life?

The plan is to work for a nonprofit. My passions right now are diverse. I would love to work with issues of: intercountry adoption, child welfare, or immigration. The plan, however, is flexible. My experience has taught me that God should lead and I should follow. When I try to lead, I mess everything up terribly. The plan today may not be the plan tomorrow, but I know the Lord will complete his purposes for me, both now and always. I am learning to trust that His ways are not my ways because He is omnipotent and I, well, I am still trying to catch on.

On a personal note, for those of you who don't know, Mike got into IU Law and is also here in Bloomington! It is exciting to finally live in the same city! He is working hard and reading ALL the time (a slight change from his engineering undergrad experience). Fortunately, he has also been finding time here and there to come visit me and drink all the sweet tea in my apartment. (I also convinced him to watch Project Runway with me last night. Haha. If that ain't love....)

Again, if you have any recommendations of info you would like to know, do tell. I am excited to be able to use this blog as a way to communicate with the people I know, near and far. I hope you will keep me posted on your lives as well!

Dios te bendiga!