Let me catch you up on my life...

I have hopes that blogging will help me help you stay more updated on my life (if you want to be). Since those of you who don't see updates and pictures on facebook haven't had an update since November - just after our open house - this seems the easiest way to do it.

Highlights since November. Drum roll please...

DECEMBER....
-Going home for Christmas
-Andrew Peterson concert
-Ski trip with friends (Thanks Megan for organizing it!!!



-Visiting my favorite professor, Dr. Moeller (the one who taught me how to teach), and amazing friends from UNL who studied Spanish Education with me, "my Emilys."


-Being a part of Ryan Cooper and Ashley Lutt's wedding
-Visits from my friends Daley and Melissa who came to Norfolk just to see me!

JANUARY
-Flying back with Chance...traveling for 48 hours is better with a friend, trust me!
-Teaching English to Lao at Candlelight to help fill a gap while some teachers were gone



-More adventures with Lisa - my only fellow female in our room at the co-op, and my best friend here...we get to hang out everyday after school for at least an hour or two. We have countless stories from this year together, and seriously, we can't even think about saying goodbye this summer without crying :(



-Getting to hang out with my roomies again!

-Having Danielle here and teaching her how to ride a motorbike...we may or may not have gotten into some trouble...including but definitely not limited to interesting interactions with the Lao police





-Hosting Janina's mom from Germany
-Hosting the Kruse family, Danielle, and Eric for a German meal made by Janina and her mom.



-Discovering food blogs and thus doing more...
-Cooking and baking



-Going to the Candlelight (the language school) Coffee House at Kruses and actually knowing Lao people!
(The two next to me and the four in front of me were my students)


-Hosting a few of my Lao students and teaching them how to bake cookies...fyi, if you plan on teaching Lao how to bake, keep a close eye on their measurements...their "no worries" perspective on life influences their ability to measure accurately :)



FEBRUARY
February was a very short and packed month! Because...
-I traveled to Luang Prabang (see below)
-We had amazing visitors from home!!!
Chance and I got to take Brooke and Lori to our favorite place, Kung's Cafe, better known as Sticky Rice Mango Pancakes because that's what they're famous for :D


-I participated in the co-op women's retreat the Nebraska women arranged.
-We had a small earthquake - not that it makes things busy since there was no damage, but I had to throw that in somewhere
-I traveled to Bangkok (see below)

March
-Marlin and Lori Seevers visited us, what a wonderful time we had!
Here we are with Verdun and Kaek eating sticky rice mango pancakes again :)



I realized that I hadn't really seen any places in SE Asia other than the capital, Vientiane, where I live. I realized that right around the same time that I realized I would be heading home for good before I knew it. Sooooooo, I felt those realizations combined with my zest for travel boost my motivation to plan some trips! I have now spent time in....

-Luang Prabang with Janina (Up in Northern Laos - the pics will speak for themselves!)

A glimpse of just some of the gorgeous waterfalls in Luang Prabang...




Feeding the elephant we rode...


Janina and I celebrating our 6 month anniversary of arriving in Laos with a boat ride at sunset on the Mekong River in Luang Prabang


Bangkok -3 days with Lisa and her mom, Kaek who was able to do business there for the restaurant Eric is working to open.




At Southeast Asia's largest aquarium, Siam Ocean World, in Bangkok. Lisa gave me the courage to do it!


At one of the palaces in Bangkok:


Lisa and I with "our" Thai aunties who spoiled us all day!





Udon Thani (a day trip to Thailand with Janina)...nothing special there to take pics of, just a nice getaway to spend a day at the mall which has a couple Western restaurants and a movie theater.



and I'm headed back to Bangkok with Lisa this weekend for 6 days over our Spring Break (Lao New Year).


CONCLUSION

There are many more things that have been going on in the last few months, but at least you can get a better feel for what life looks like here (this is where the words, CRAZY, BUSY, ADVENTUROUS, RANDOM, etc should enter your mind).

Janina and I also host people in our home a couple of times each week for different things. I really enjoy my niches in the community here creating a place for the singles to gather, helping out with youth group, and working at the co-op with the 4 high schoolers. My hope is to write some more specific stories about the more day-to-day things I do in the near future.

And, of course, I can never get too far from these unruly children no matter how hard I try!

An exciting BHL night...

Last night Dave, Jennie, Chance, Eric, and I had dinner together then walked down to the Mekong. The men headed down to venture towards the river to see how close Thailand really was. Jennie and I stayed up at the steps to sit, chat, and watch the stars, Thai skyline, and the moon that was bigger than any of us remember it ever being. We saw two shooting stars that just took our breath away.

I love sitting under the stars and thinking about life. I've only been down to the Mekong twice at night (which is pathetic when you realize that it's only about a 15 minute drive on my motorbike to get there), but I love those moments when I'm able to just BE, think, and gain perspective on how small my life and perspective are.

Anyway, last night I was just so very thankful for the life I have. I am thankful that I get to live in a place where I can sit near the river and look at another country's skyline. I'm thankful that my life here in a foreign country is so full of friends that I have a hard time figuring out how to spend time with everyone I want to. I'm thankful that I get to make a difference in 4 high school students' lives. I'm thankful for so many options when we go out to eat, and that going out to eat is an option. I'm thankful that I don't have to eat rat, dog, bats, insects, etc unless I want to (and I haven't, other than a few insects, for the record). I'm thankful for getting to ride a motorbike, and even more thankful that I haven't had any major incidents with my motorbike! I'm thankful for a very international community, where I can watch how people from all over the world live their lives so that I can really understand that there is more than one way to approach everything in life.

This leaves me with a tough question that has been on my mind for years though: Do I really see myself living in the US long-term? I guess that's one of those questions that I won't know until it's time to know...

Back to the story:

While we were waiting for the guys, Jennie started to wonder where they were, if it was safe for them to be out there, when they would come back, etc. She decided to call them. They were on their way back...with 3 Lao guards who had apprehended them. Jennie said, "Well just tell them your wives are waiting so you can go home."

Apparently Dave had already done that. After a few minutes, we could make out their shadows. When the guys reached us, the guards wouldn't let them walk away. They were trying to decide what to do with them. Dave was trying to figure out why they were having to be escorted. The guards wouldn't let Dave call a friend who speaks more Lao to help figure things out. There were a few situations that the guards could think of that might be going on: The guys were trying to buy drugs, they were wanting to cause trouble with some of the dignitaries staying in the hotels near the beach, or -most likely - they were not a problem but might get hurt by "Thai Gangstuuuhhr" (The Lao version of "gangster" that you could only hear in your head if you've heard them pronounce any of the English words they've adopted into Lao).

When they established the fact that Dave had 6 children waiting for him at home, and that we all live in Vientiane and aren't trouble-causing "falang" (foreigners...especially tourists), they let us go. We headed back to our modes of transportation and laughed about what would have happened had these 3 small unarmed men really encountered Thai gangstuuuuuhhhhrs, or if Dave, Chance, and Eric had been threatening.

We all agreed that we love the lives we live here and the stories we have from such unique circumstances.

I guess Laos is "Beyond" :)

I would suppose that if you're reading this blog right now after so long of inactivity, you are interested in hearing more about why I am moving to Laos for 9-12 months in August.

I went to a conference in Indiana with Dave, Jennie, and Chance in November. We all fell more in love with the framework, Building Healthy Leaders (BHL). I could see how we could incorporate the BHL model well in Laos. Now it's really going to happen!

Here is a pic of the Kruse family: David and Jennifer, Nate, Jack, Isaak, Hudson, Gabe, and Olivia.

Will add more later!!

It just makes sense.

I've just returned from Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb of God" concert. The only way I could describe myself in that place was by repeating, "my heart is just so full." All the non-blood related people I love so intensely were there (minus Eric, and a handfull of others, so please don't be offended :)).

While driving back to Lincoln, I was talking with a friend about identity. We were discussing the fact that we are different when we are not at home...it's like we're not ourselves...I am a distracted version of myself. Or, in her situation, maybe it's that she is more herself when she is away from everything and everyone she knows because there are no preconceived notions of who she is, and there are no expectations or pressures of who or what she can/can't be or do.

I don't know if you are following me, but I hope you are (assuming of course that someone actually will read this).

As we continued our conversation, I got to thinking (those of you who know me, know that this really means I got to talking). I was saying how it is always so refreshing to go home, because the people there really know me. After all, they have an unfair advantage since I lived in Norfolk for 20 years, and I've lived in Lincoln less than 2.5 years. And on top of that, in Norfolk we are living life with one another, doing life together; but here in Lincoln, I am literally living where I work and go to school. There is little time or opportunity for escape.

Then I got to thinking about how every time I see my "family" from home, I am reminded of who I really am because they remember, even when I don't. I have loved this season in Lincoln, but when I am here, school is my focus whether I like it or not. This has been a season of preparation. I have learned so much, but now it is time to take what I have learned and put it into practice.

It just makes sense to me that God would have me go back home where people know me deeply and intimately; where they know my passions that are far greater than reaching one campus for Christ...seeing a world transformed because they hear for the first time and "get" the fact that there is an all-powerful God, who I could not even pretend to grasp, who loves them and me for who we are, because we are who He created us to be (well, messy versions...you know, the whole sin thing and all).

So, I think it will be during my next season at home in the community of those whom I love, and who love me more than even makes sense, where God will not just tell me what the next step in life is, but He will be intensely and intentionally training me for what is next. And so I recognize the fact that the next 5 months are not just a time to coast (not that anyone who is student teaching could do so), but it is possibly the most important time in my life where I will have to be the most focused and intentional that I have ever been. It is a place and time where I could easily revert to a going-with-the-flow attitude, but I will have to fight (and have others fighting alongside of me) to use my time, talents, and energy wisely and purposefully while I'm home.

I have been asking the Lord what some of those things are that He wants to develop in me, next semester as I'm home. The very first thing that came to mind is that I desperately need a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Word. When I thought more about this, I realized that this also makes more and more sense. I asked myself why I need a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Word. The answer goes back to my conversation earlier tonight.

The answer:
I need to know who God is. (Why?) Because my identity is in Christ. I was made in the image of God, so to know myself is to know the Image in which I was made.

I need to know what God was about. I was made in the image of God, so to know my purpose is to know the purpose of the Image.

I've also decided that I don't want to take anyone's word on who God is.
[Now before you get upset, realize that I'm not rebelling against good counsel, I am just wanting to get into the Word and see who God tells me He is. I want to let Him speak for Himself. I plan on checking this with those wiser than I who can make sure I'm on the right track and not horribly theologically unsound.] So, I decided to start at the beginning. Yep, I started in Genesis 1. I wrote "God" at the top of my paper. While I read, I am constantly asking myself, "What/Who does this say God is?" Then, I just write it down. I started this last night, and I've already been completely blown away. Once again, the small box I have put around God has been destroyed...blown to pieces. I write the reference in the left margin, then I write the description that comes to mind from what I read (sometimes there are several from one verse or phrase), and then I write random thoughts/questions that I think of in the right margins. If you want to hear some of what I got, just let me know...but I think you should try it for yourself first.

If you're like me, you may want an example. Here it goes:
God
Gen. 1:1
-Already existed and was in the beginning. *What does it mean to "was"...what does it mean to never start "be"-ing?
-Creator
-etc.

Well, now it's way past my bedtime, but thanks for letting me get all that off my chest. I also apologize for all the run-on sentences I use.

***One of the next things I would like to discuss is the Purpose of the Image. (Just in case you were wondering.)

Other randomness: Tonight when I met Andrew Peterson, I realized that he was the first person this year that I have heard say, "Merry Christmas." And I like that.

The end of a season, the beginning of a season.

It's been almost a year and a half since I last posted. I think this is because I felt like I was done with the MJ season of my life, and I thought it would be better to start a whole new blog for what was next. The only problem was that I couldn't ever decide whether I was going to continue on that blog or start a new one, so I just didn't do either. (After all, the blog is called Mexico and Beyond) Then, when I decided to go back to Mexico, I felt like it would be wrong to add to the end of one season of Mexico, but anyway, hear it goes...

I would definitely say that this has been the biggest year of growth for my life. Now that I think about it, I would hope that every year I would be able to say the same. This year has been filled with many new and wonderful friendships, activities, trips, hardships, challenges, joys, heartaches, deaths, hopes, and dreams.

I am thankful that God in His incredible grace allowed me to return to Mexico this summer. I got on the plane to leave for Mexico with a lot of questions and no answers. I returned with several answers, and a whole lot more questions. This was one of the best summers of my life where I met some of my best friends, and my family grew once more. My heart is full when I think of those people. This week 3 of my Mexico Journey family members called me and updated me on their lives, and called to ask about mine. I know that I haven't gone to Mexico for the last time, and yet, I wonder if I will return this year or if it will be in the distant future.

I am home for Thanksgiving break, and preparing to move home in about 3 weeks. I will be student teaching next semester and graduating from college in May. It is so hard to believe that I am basically done with a season in Lincoln...maybe just for now...maybe forever. Every Sunday at Middlecross, I realize that I only have a limited time left there, and my heart aches. It aches every time I think of my family in Neihardt: the amazing RAs and residents who have become my family.

I am starting to realize that there just isn't enough time to catch up with all the people that mean so much to me before I leave. You see, there is a monster that dwells between now and December 20. That monster loves to take up as much of my time and energy as it can, and it is only going to get worse before it is remedied the day before I move home. The monster's name is called School. I love the learning, but I have a hard time when I realize how much time is poured into it that could be poured into people. It drives me crazy if I don't think about it as an investment toward all the people I will be able to spend time with and pour into because of my training as a teacher.

On the other hand, when I think about the opportunity to have another 5 month season in Norfolk, the place I love so much because the people I love so much are here, my heart is full and giddy. I really sense that this is the place to be when I am on the verge of beginning my life as a non-student. Although I love learning and will never stop learning, I will no longer be in school in the role of the student. Norfolk is the place for me to be while I pray and ask the Lord to continue to give me a clearer dream of what my purpose is for Him on this earth. It just makes sense that home is where I have to be to remember and be reminded of the bigger-than-life dreams I once had before I got so distracted by the task of getting a 4-year degree. *Note: I do realize that getting my Bachelor's Degree is something that I needed to do. And the past 4 years have played a huge role in who I am, and have been a much needed season of preparation for the future.*

I have ideas of what I want to do come May, but after reading Jesse and Michel Davy's blog again today, I find myself asking if those ideas and dreams are big enough. So now I am re-evaluating everything. I want to hear the Lord speak to me the mission He has set before me. I look forward to hearing those who know me speak back to me what they see as the strengths He has given me. Not in order to puff up my pride, but in order to develop those strengths and to dream of what could be done for His Kingdom when a 22-year-old girl who focused on using those specific strengths throws herself into developing them as much as she can with a specific end goal in mind.

I thank God that these are the things He puts on my mind and heart to ponder as I look toward the future and what I will do, not just what position I could take to earn the most money. I also thank Him for my amazing family and friends today who have helped make me who I am. I love you guys...you mean more to me than I could ever tell you!

Swiss Family Robinson

Here`s the view from our balcony.



Here`s Mr. Iguana, who lives on the roof, right across from our balcony.





I always loved the movie Swiss Family Robinson. I thought it would be great to live near the ocean in their cool tree house. I feel like right now I kind of get to live that life. The tree house has already been built (and thankfully we have air conditioning:), and the ocean is in our back yard. BUT, there is one downfall... when you live in the jungle, there are these things called reptiles.

I have never really been a big fan of them, and my appreciation for them has just gone downhill. Living with reptiles is no fun. It`s like they`ve never even heard of respecting people`s privacy. You`ll be taking a shower by yourself one minute, and the next minute there are two geckos in there with you. Monday night, Andria and I were walking back to our room, enjoying the evening when a slithery feller decided to join us...we ran all the way back to the room and pledged to never go out after dark again.

Other than that, we`re having a very relaxing time here...it`s such a nice way to wrap up the trip. Yesterday we went on a 4 hour boat-ish ride. Some of the people went snorkling (I decided to decline when everyone was getting stung by jellyfish), we layed out and soaked up the sun (don`t worry, I used sunscreen), we boated next to dolphins, and 2 of the ship`s crew dove into the ocean to catch a sea turtle and they pulled it up onto the boat so we could all see it and they gave it a nice bath. Thankfully we did that yesterday, because today was basically like a monsoon:) God is so good! Tomorrow we might go out to `the island` to do some more snorkling and souvenier shopping (hopefully without the jellyfish:) Then Saturday we come home!

I love Zihuatenejo...not only because it`s beautiful here and the ocean is just down a flight of stairs, but because I`m finally able to just be. I`m finishing the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I have really enjoyed swinging back and forth in the hammock on our porch, while reading and journaling, or praying. It`s nice to have a little calm before the storm of transitioning home and getting everything ready for my floor before RA training in early August. I love just being able to process everything that I´ve learned and am learning this summer.

Here are also a couple of pictures from the beach at Zihuatenejo. Hopefully I`ll take more and add them when I get home Sunday or Monday.

Oh Pachuca

Javier, Main, and Joe Cross at a café in Pachuca

And me with a donkey:)

Pachuca has been an amazing city...well, maybe it´s not the city itself, but the friends we´ve made here. We have seen God move so much as He has placed so many people in our paths at just the right times.



Javier and Main are two of our closest friends here. They are students at the main university in Pachuca. And, they are on fire for God. It is awesome to see the passion that they have to win Pachuca over for Christ. They are excited to see their church partner with YWAM Pachuca, and Enfoque México. I love seeing the body work together to accomplish the Great Commission.