Day 2: Honduras

Today was my first day doing my jobs. It was really exciting a fun. When I put on my bucket list for the summer that I wanted to learn how to cook- I didn't really think of deep in the middle of the Honduras mountains. But the Lord has quite the sense of humor. Love it. A few of the things I learned today:

1. There is an art to picking cilantro leaves. (And can be quite an exciting game)

2. I will never ever take shredded lettuce for granted anymore. I had to use a machetti, yes a machetti, to chop 10 lettuce(s)? in little bits. This might be one of the most strength required events. Totally underestimated. So when you see shredded lettuce think of someone somewhere with a machetti going at it.

3. Oh yes, they use a machetti for everything. Don't have a can opener? Not to worry...one person holds the can (that would be me) & another drives a large machetti down at the can to open it. (this is frightening)

4. Class of 2000 somewhere must have not gotten their graduation mugs because the whole Orphanage Emmanuel drinks from cups that say, "Congratulations Class of 2000"

5. When words fail (which they do often) dance. Yes, I taught the 5 girls I work with how to swing dance today. Just imagine. It's hilarious.

6.  Albertina, one of the girls in I work with, has one of the most beautiful servants hearts. I know I will learn a lot from her. She makes me want to be better.

7. The girls here love High School Musical, and think every American should know how to sing it. (they think I sound good singing, which is hilarious. but makes me feel so good)

8. When they ask you to hand them "La Tortuga" don't look around for a real live tortoise because they will laugh at you when you tell them you don't see a tortoise because that's the brand of salt they use. Salt, not a real tortoise- got it.

9. My abbrev's leave very confused looks.

10. When in Hondo, do as the Hondo's do. Watch & copy is my new sport. I'm working on perfecting that.

11. Tortilla making is an art- I don't have it.

12. Laugh at yourself, because they are definitely laughing at you as well.

I'm excited about what I am going to learn this month from these girls. They are so sweet & make me laugh a lot.

This is where the magic happens - La Cocina

Church tonight was nothing short of powerful. Having 100+ Hondurans, and other nationalities singing "Worthy is the Lamb" under one name, Jesus, is incredibly awesome. I have chills just writing this. The preacher, David Martinez, and founder is incredible and brought such truth tonight. I am thankful where the Lord has me here & all that I am learning already.

"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor." 1 Peter 5:6

Hello from Honduras!

So I have a offcially made it to Hondo, and safely even given the dramatic flight on the way here- all is good. The interesting sounds during my "sleep" last night, not so much. Nevertheless, I am so thankful to be here and I'm excited about what the Lord is doing already on Day 1. I got assigned my job for the month and I will be working in the kitchen and helping with physical therapy for the special needs children. I also have been frequenting the toddler house- those sweet little Honduran babies can make your day.

"With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you." And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land."

{Isaiah 35:3-7}

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers it means so much to me.

Hasta Luego Amigos!

to Hondo I go...

The day has finally come that I will be leaving for Honduras for the month of July to work at Orphanage Emmanuel. Wow, it's hard to believe that it is finally here. I feel I have been talking about it forever. I am really excited & I know this month is going to be really good for me. I know the Lord has a lot to teach/show me and I cannot wait! I'm excited to get back to the country that I fell in love with. It's go to be great as well to experience it in a different way that I did before, it's going to be like I've never been before. I love that I will be seeing it with new eyes.

I am praying for the Lord's love to flow through me since His is limitless and mine is limited. I know at times it will be tiring, but the Lord will provide ever-flowing strength. My prayer is to be face to face with Him all day everyday, drawing from Him, and not from myself. Because I will fail without HIM.

"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

{Isaiah 58:11}

I am praying for the precious people of that country- not only the ones I will be with everday (which are definitely on my heart), but also as a country. The Lord has broken my heart for Honduas and its people. I am super excited to actually be there and praying on their behalf.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed."

{Isaiah 61:1}

You know a lot of times we go into these trips thinking we are going to give and give, but really in the end we are the ones given to. It's an extremely beautiful thing---that we as a body can experience that. Love doesn't have certain forms or certain conditions in which it can be shown or recieved (I've been learning this a lot lately). That is so cool to me. It can come in the most unexpected ways, but it sure does knock you off your feet when you experience love like that. The joy that comes from that can't explained. That's what I really took away from Honduras the last time I was there. It just set the stage for me. Isn't that how we should love everyday? freely, without conditions? Or maybe without knowing the person at all? I pray that this will ring true in my life. Praying that the Lord will show & teach me the reality of that this month.

 I'm expectant of how the Lord is going to move there and in myself.

Peace out USA! :)

from the Wild Goose Chase.

I'm reading the Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson, and thank the Lord. I needed to read this right now- thanks to a good friend for lending it to me. But it has been SO great. Today, I read this:

"We put so much pressure on ourselves, as if the eternal plans of the almighty God are contingent upon our ability to decipher them. The truth is, God wants to reveal them more than we want to know them. And if we think one misstep can frustrate the providential plans of the Omnipotent One, then our God is way too small. Not only does God want us to get where God wants us to go more than we want to get where God wants us to go, but He is awfully good at getting us there. He may not always reveal His plans how or when we want Him to. But when we chase the Wild Goose [the Holy Spirit], our future becomes His responsibility."

Wow. I thought this was such a good reminder. And definitely something I need to focus on in the in-between. The in-between times can be the most disorienting of times, and can distract us from what we need to focus on. Myself being guilty. But instead in those times we should trust that He delights in details, and cares more about our future than we do.

Love these little revelation moments.

laughter.

So yesterday this was my devotional in the book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, which is a phenomenal one if you don't have one - you should seriously consider this one...

"Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don't take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities--things that are beyond your control. Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain.

Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly.

Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Rather, take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. My yoke is comfortable and pleasant; My burden is light and easily borne."

I just loved this & it really hit me because lately I've been taking things going on in my life and decisions to be made way too seriously. However, it's not mine to take seriously. This was just a good reminder that day by day in His Presence is the only place I can be, and I am very thankful for that- what a relief that our plans don't matter. He sets the pace in keeping with my needs and HIS PURPOSE.

"She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

{Proverbs 31:25}

inspiration.

There's just something about a beautiful picture that really inspires me. People that have the art of capturing beautiful things, stories, memories is truly captivating. To have something tangible of those moments or events is one of the draws of photography for me.

The simple things in life inspire me. One of those being light. The way light hits things can be perfect for moments. I love to capture that and to see it captured.

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" ...{Pablo Picasso}

music madness.

This summer has been full of music thus far. I've always loved music, but recently it has been insane. Good music can definitely turn a day around. But lately, I've been either singing (not so good) or listening to music at all times during the day.

One of the bands that has caught my interest recently has been She & Him (pictured above). They are so good, and have really great lyrics. Not to mention that I kind of want to be Zooey Deschanel, she's precious. Her background is jazz, and she loves Ella Fitzgerald. Ella is my girl.

I love finding new music. It's kind of like getting presents. Thanks to NoiseTrade, I have been downloading new music like it's my job. I suggest everyone check this site out because it is a cool way to discover new bands, as well get free music!

#7 Spontaneous Roadtrip

So I have this little bucket list for the summer. Honestly, it started as a joke- but has ended up being this fun little adventure that I am really going to try and finish.

That being said, #7 on the bucket list was spontaneous roadtrip. A group of friends and I decided for Memorial Day weekend we would just pick it up & go to Nashville not knowing where we were going to stay or really what we were going to do. Knowing me this is kind of funny because I'm a planner, and this was a trip that had ZERO plans. However, I LOVED every minute of it. Not to mention I kind of fell in love with Nashville-it's a GREAT city with a lot of variety.

We ended up staying with our good friend, Nathan. It's funny how we "plan" things and think they are no big deal, and the Lord really has some maticulous plans of His own. The whole weekend completely blessed me- every conversation, things we did, and the community. I am beyond blessed by the friendships the Lord is placing in my life & how He is working through them. I praise Him for it.

Monday night we all just sat around and had some really great conversations about what the Lord is teaching us and what He has placed on our hearts. This just reminded me of how important community is, and how the Lord never intended us to go at this life thing alone. It is so cool to come together and bounce things off each other, seeing what the Lord is doing in us individually and then again also as a body. His Spirit is weaving in and out & its powerful.

So, as I'm checking off this so-called bucket list of mine- it's cool to see how the Lord has also his own list of things He wants me to learn and realize too. It's funny how He reveals himself to us in the most interesting ways, even if it's a little thing such as a summer bucket list.

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." {Psalm 37:23}