New Beginnings

Mexico 2008

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:35:18 GMT

I'm back from Mexico, guys! I have so much I could tell you but I'll condense it down for you.

First of all, let me just say that if any of you ever have the chance to go on a mission trip: GO! Even it is totally outside your comfort zone, you will be rewarded beyond anything you can imagine.

The first day was all driving. It took 11 hours to get to our little "camp" which is located in Mission, TX. It's a place for missionaries who go into Mexico. It is basically a little complex of small trailers with bunk beds in them. We ate breakfast and dinner there everyday so that we wouldn't have to eat in Mexico.

The next day we went to the new site in Reynosa, MX. We drove along a bumpy, dirt road to get to the little town. Nothing was paved so the entire place was dusty and dirty.

This is their church. Zoar finished putting the roof on it last time they came. Obviously, its not very big. They don't have any lights on the inside and they don't have and plumbing. They have an outhouse.

The houses they lived in were unbelievable. Most of the were probably the size of my room, and they were made from whatever pieces of scrap tin or wood could be found. There is no trash service so there is garbage all over the ground.

I was assigned to work with the women's ministry. It was only a handful of women, and we did crafts with them. It was so crazy to see how much they enjoyed the simple things we made with them. It was as simple as sowing buttons on canvas bags and writing "Dios es amor" (God is love) on them with permanent markers. But they loved it! They hung them on their walls like they were pictures. The day we did decoupage picture frames one lady was so upset they she had to tear up her decorative paper because it was so pretty. They made also made a banner for their church and put all of their hand prints on it.

One of the days we made tacos to hand out. We ended up making 500.

My favorite part was the kids though. They were so affectionate and adorable. They just wanted someone to play with them.

That last kid was my favorite. We got to be friends on that last day. I wish I could remember his name but I never could understand what he was saying. None of them spoke English but I did remember more than I thought from Senora's class, so that helped a little.

My favorite story is about the couple we were building the new house for. They had five children together but were not married. They were new Christian's and they decided they did not want to move into their new house in the sin of adultery. So right then and there Pastor Juan gathered everyone in the church and married them. Isn't that crazy? But wow, it's awesome.

But best of all: even though their was a language barrier, love does not need words. Seeing how grateful the people were, how much they loved that we were there. You could see the light of God in their eyes. People who have nothing and still have that much faith. It's amazing. "Dios es mas grande que mis problemas." That was one of the stickers I saw at in a window. God is bigger than my problems. It's hard for me in America where I have everthing to believe that. But God is so amazing. He can work even darkest of places.

Mexico 2008

Bye, guys!

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:30:39 GMT

Well, I'm leaving for Mexico at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll be back sometime Tuesday. So bye, everyone! I'll post pictures when I get back.

Mexico!

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:37:40 GMT

I'm so happy about spring break! I'm going to be in Mexico Friday through Tuesday with Zoar. I have always wanted to go on a mission trip, and I'm so excited that I'm finally getting my chance. I have sooo much to do though. We have to have our luggage at the church tomorrow night and I haven't started packing yet. : /

So, band festival was today. We got an overall 1 on stage (1, 1, 2) and a 2 in sightreading. Not so great, but not so horrible. Don't know if we are going to state yet but I'm pretty sure we are. Mr. Bordelon likes to play games with us and not give us straight answers... *sigh*

Hehe.

Cemetery Art

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:10:40 GMT

So, I got out my dad's old Nikon camera the other day. It's such a confusing contraption but I really like the pictures it takes. You have to watch this little meter on the side to make sure the right amount of light is coming in, make sure it's on set to the right speed of the film, and adjust all sorts of knobs and such. But that makes it a challenge which is fun. I only wish it was digital so I could see the pictures right after I take them.

By the way--Emily, what is Patrick's username?

Robert Pattison is an ugly pooter

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:55:17 GMT

So, Senior Skip Week pretty much rocks. I've had soooo much fun these last few days because I haven't had school OR work. Do you hear the angels singing? Hehe.

MY COUNTDOWNS:
Days until--
Mexico : 11
Last day of school : 65
Cruise : 68
Graduation : 78
Beach Trip : 80

Any one else excited?

This is mostly for Linnie... Do you see any problem with this?
This is EDWARD

JAMES

Identity Crisis

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:47:17 GMT

I can't believe I'm actually updating my livejournal! I haven't updated in over 2 years. It's crazy to go back and see what my entries and profile looked like. Wow, I have definitely changed.

So I do miss livejournal a little because it allows you to just kind of vent all over the page. Here goes:

It's the end of our senior year, guys. My life right now is equally balanced with apprehension at one end and expectation at the other. It swings lightly in one direction and then other at intervals. So what does everyone plan on doing with the rest of your lives? I, for one, am certain that I am uncertain. I have loved my high school years. I tried not to take a single moment for granted and for the most part I've been pretty successful. I am so comfortable where I am. I love seeing my friends everyday, and the closeness that comes with being able spend so much time with them. I have a web of support that has slowly been weaved around me over the last few years. And I didn't even notice it for the longest time. Sometimes you have to fall a little to realize there's something there that catches you. A lesson I definitely learned the hard way.

So where do we all go from here? Everyone fears being average and living an unfulfilled life. Or at least I know it's something that I think about sometimes. Especially lately when I'm about to be forced to make some life-dictating decisions. I have no idea what I'm going to do. I don't know what career or lifestyle I'm going to have in the future. And lately, for good reason, that's really been on my heart. I've done my best to stay in prayer, and God has been giving me a peace about it. I'm trying to wait and see what He has for me. It is of absolute importance to me that I do not make a choice based on what I think will make me happy. The plans that a perfect, holy God has for his child cannot be matched. I know I don't know what's best for me. I'm trying to be open to anything--any turn my life may take. Even if it doesn't sound too great in the beginning, if it's in God's will for me then I know it will end up being more than I could ever have hope for.

It's just that sometimes that quiet voice is really hard to hear. I'm trying to listen.

The following psalm has always been a comfort to me for many different reasons over the years. It is such a beautiful passage. He knit us together while we were still in the womb. He got hands-on while he was creating us. That's love and devotion, guys. If any of you are going through somewhat of an identity crisis like I am, I hope it's a comfort to you.

Psalm 139

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.

You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”

even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!

They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain!

Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:16:30 GMT

... ONE MORE DAY! People! Do you know what that means??? And then a whole week off for thanksgiving... Yeah. Buddy.

I'm trying out this weird penpal website. I've always wanted a penpal. But it's really weird to just like send a message to some random person you've never met before... -_-;

Anyway.
I am better from yesterday. Lol, like totally sorry! Omg!

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 02:28:06 GMT

Yay! Livejournal. I'm going to start updating again I think. I know you're overjoyed...

Ok quick update... Band gets 1's. YAY! Almost Thanksgiving holidays. YAY! I'm going to go to Disneyworld. YAY!

ok. now.

What is wrong with everyone lately? Have they gone COMPLETELY INSANE? I swear it's about to all break down. It really is. And I'm probably going to be the first to go down. Does no one have any sort of grasp on reality?? I mean what is going on... For god's sake, wake up.

Whatever, people, whatever.

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 04:49:16 GMT

http://www.hotornot.com/r/?eid=EQB8ESO&key=MLG EMILY

Sat, 16 Jul 2005 01:00:31 GMT

LAUREN CALLED ME A BOY WHALE!!! =(

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 21:45:35 GMT