In the past few days it has really hit me hard that I am leaving. These next four weeks are going to fly by. Then life as I know it will be drastically different! And I'm not just going to be gone a short time, but 7 months!! Seven months in Haiti. Wow.
No family get togethers, no car to drive...my close friends will no longer be a short drive away and my family will no longer be in the next room; I will miss my home, church, co-workers, cell phone, chocolate, the clouds, my favorite foods, etc. I could go on and on!
However, this is the cost.
I was reading this article a few months ago entitled, This is the Cost, on Pioneers Media. It is the conversation between two women who have moved overseas, with their families, to do mission work-
"The cost-benefit ratio of following God's lead and moving overseas is complex and varied. Are there benefits? Absolutely! We can count abundant benefits to our family, our marriage, our kids and our spiritual lives. There are many, many benefits to living a life of service overseas.
But, are there costs? Of course. Yes, absolutely. There are painful, daily, humiliating and difficult costs on our lives.
I think, that said, there is a cost to any God-following obedience. ...taking up our cross, He calls it in Scripture. There is always a cost to following Christ.
The cross...although it brings innumerable benefits...is painful and heavy.
The costs of moving out of your home culture to serve alongside the Good Shepherd, though, are unique. And, these costs are heavy.
...missing your sister's wedding.
...having your young child ask you again, "Now who is that person?...What is his name?" And, he is referring to your brother, his uncle.
...missing that graduation, that 40th birthday party and the Thanksgiving dinner.
...being forgotten. Or instead, being so deeply missed that you are the source of someone's pain. Which is better?
...not having that youth group, that Grandma's mentoring, or that Christian friend for a young budding daughter.
...missing it...not being there...not having.
"This is the cost," she says to me. And, I hear her heart. And, I can only agree. I nod. And, I smile with small tears brimming. "Yes, this is the cost."
Is it worth it? ...What a crazy, silly question, we both know. Even with brimming tears we know- of course it is worth it! We hardly have to ask each other the question. We know what He has asked of us. And we know His will is for His glory and our best. We know the benifits. We know our Good Father and His blessings. So, of course it is worth it!
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68
The benefits most definitely outweigh the cost. Always. Where else are we to go!?
But, there is a cost. And, there is a cross.
And, we must carry it. and, yes, this is the cost."
We know what He has asked of us. And we know His will is for His glory and our best!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
APPROVED!!
Yesterday I found out that I am officially approved by the CRWM as a volunteer! This means that I can begin the fundraising process. I am still hoping to leave November 1, so that means I have exactly 4 weeks from tomorrow to get everything together!
My total budget came out to be around $6,500-7,000. This seems like a staggering amount of money to raise- but with God, ALL things are possible.
As for the online class, I am not going to finish that. Recently, I did work hard at it, but there is no way with the time frame I have that I would be able to complete 10 more lessons and take two exams. My mom calls it one expensive lesson I learned; not to procrastinate and just get 'er done! However, now I can focus my time fully on preparing for Haiti- learning Creole, reading up on my cultural books, fundraising, and coming up with an art program.
"Would you like to be depressed or have an upset stomach?" That was the question of the day! I have to get all my immunizations for Haiti. To start, I need the Hep A shot, along with typhoid and malaria pills. Then they have to draw my blood and test it to see if my Hep B shot is still effective; hopefully it is cause I don't want one more shot! The doctor called today and asked me what malaria pills I would prefer to take. One of the pills is taken everyday and has a side effect of an upset stomach. The other pill is taken once a week and has a side effect of slight depression. I said to the doctor, "Really??" And in my head I was thinking, "I'm going to a foreign country.....neither!" He told me not every one experiences these side effects. So, since I am already worried about getting an upset stomach, I told him to order me the ones with the side effect of depression. I figure I'm normally a happy person so I can beat the depression!!
The shots are scheduled for Tuesday- yay!
Psalm 139: 7-10
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
My total budget came out to be around $6,500-7,000. This seems like a staggering amount of money to raise- but with God, ALL things are possible.
As for the online class, I am not going to finish that. Recently, I did work hard at it, but there is no way with the time frame I have that I would be able to complete 10 more lessons and take two exams. My mom calls it one expensive lesson I learned; not to procrastinate and just get 'er done! However, now I can focus my time fully on preparing for Haiti- learning Creole, reading up on my cultural books, fundraising, and coming up with an art program.
"Would you like to be depressed or have an upset stomach?" That was the question of the day! I have to get all my immunizations for Haiti. To start, I need the Hep A shot, along with typhoid and malaria pills. Then they have to draw my blood and test it to see if my Hep B shot is still effective; hopefully it is cause I don't want one more shot! The doctor called today and asked me what malaria pills I would prefer to take. One of the pills is taken everyday and has a side effect of an upset stomach. The other pill is taken once a week and has a side effect of slight depression. I said to the doctor, "Really??" And in my head I was thinking, "I'm going to a foreign country.....neither!" He told me not every one experiences these side effects. So, since I am already worried about getting an upset stomach, I told him to order me the ones with the side effect of depression. I figure I'm normally a happy person so I can beat the depression!!
The shots are scheduled for Tuesday- yay!
Psalm 139: 7-10
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saying NO...
I must say that the hardest lesson I have had to learn through all of this is saying, "No." I am a yes person- I want to do everything! And I do usually do everything... This summer I said yes to too many things and that is why I am so behind on my class work :) And now I have so much to plan for my trip that I have hardly any free time.
Now I have to say no to friends when they want to hang out, no to people at church when they ask me to do something, no babysitting, and no to many other things! I've been staying home from some of brothers football games because I don't have time to go- even though I'd much rather be there supporting them.
Slowly I am learning... but it is sooo difficult! God always finds a way to teach you everything you need to learn, even if you have to learn it the hard way.
Matthew 6: 30-34 (Message)
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Now I have to say no to friends when they want to hang out, no to people at church when they ask me to do something, no babysitting, and no to many other things! I've been staying home from some of brothers football games because I don't have time to go- even though I'd much rather be there supporting them.
Slowly I am learning... but it is sooo difficult! God always finds a way to teach you everything you need to learn, even if you have to learn it the hard way.
Matthew 6: 30-34 (Message)
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Summer...it's not over yet!
I work three days a week- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I am off the other two days to prepare for my trip and complete my classwork. Today I sat outside and read my textbook, soaking up the sun! At one point I seriously considered cutting down the daisy plants and trimming the stalks on the hostas and day lilies, instead of doing my school work.... It is so hard to focus sometimes!
10 lessons to go!!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Planning and Procrastination!
While in Haiti I will be staying by my relatives; my mom's cousin and his family are missionaries there. I will be teaching art to kids in the community and probably graphic design to the kids at the Christian School. I am very excited to teach art to these kids who are not currently involved in art classes and may have never had an art class! Art has always been and still is such a big part of my life- I cannot imagine not having the opportunity to do art!
"All around us God's creation shouts of his beauty and his goodness. The silhouette of lace on a barren tree draped with ice, the rays of sun streaming forth from a billowing cloud, the sound of a brook trickling over smooth stones, and the face of a child anticipating the arrival of the ice cream truck all speak of God's good heart if we will but have the eyes to see. The coming of spring after a hard winter is almost too glorious for a soul to bear. God's beauty is lavished on the world.
Creation itself is a great work of art, and all works after it are echoes of the original."
~Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge
I will also be working with the missionary organization, designing for them. My purpose is:
- To introduce underprivileged children and youth to use their creative energy for God’s glory.
- To assist Sous Espwa’s partners in producing attractive web pages and brochures that will enhance their ministry in Haiti.
I have the opportunity to be a youth group leader and Sunday school teacher at their church too!!
The preparations for this trip involve:
~Learning Creole (the language spoken there)
I am currently learning from an online program that I downloaded to my computer. It's really nice cause there are flashcards and they pronounce each word for you!
~Being approved as a volunteer with Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM)
I am finding out CRWM is very helpful :) I wasn't going to go through an organization at first but then I decided to partner with CRWM to assist me in the process. I am in the process of being approved as a volunteer; I had an interview yesterday and it went VERY well! Right now we are waiting on my approval in Haiti and for my budget to be approved.
~Fundraising
After I am approved, CRWM will assist me with the fundraising process. However, I am the one who has to make the connections with people! I'm making a list of all the people I know that would be willing to support me :)
~Putting together an art program and gathering art supplies
First of all I have to come up with an art program; this is going to be a bit of a challenge because I am not a teacher. I am trying to wrap my mind around how this will work! I know I can do it though :) Then I have to get art supplies. I will have access to a few things in Haiti. Other supplies will be cheaper to buy in the US and so I hope to get them now and ship them to Haiti before I leave.
~Preparing myself mentally and spiritually for what I will encounter
I was given a few books yesterday from the CRC to read about understanding people of other cultures and what short term missions looks like. I have also never been to a third world country and so I will be coming into contact with a poverty stricken people for the first time! I've heard this can be challenging.
And now for the procrastination... I am taking an online history class that I was supposed to have finished this summer :/ I chose instead to enjoy my summer and hang out with my friends! Now I am facing the consequences (imagine that)! I have until December to finish this class but if I leave in November I obviously have to finish it by then. I have 12 lessons to complete and two exams to take, a mid-term and a final exam. I am struggling with this class because I cannot stand history and therefore have no motivation to do the lessons!
Please pray for the rest of the plans to come together quickly so that I can continue preparing for my trip! Also for me to have the motivation to finish my class :)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Going Forth
Going Forth, the title of an article in Saturday's Press. I usually browse through the paper and look for interesting articles; I don't read many, but this one caught my eye.
"With the back-to-school season upon us, today's Religion section is sharing the stories of three young people from West Michigan who are crossing the globe and encountering life lessons that can't be taught in the classroom. Two young men have put their college careers on hold to help children in Africa. Meanwhile, a young woman from Rockford is using her newly earned Calvin College degree to teach children in Honduras, but wonders if perhaps she is the one who is learning the most."
McMillin, Zane. "Going Forth." The Grand Rapids Press 3 Sept. 2011: C1+. Print.
Click on the links below to read their stories:
Former GVSU student serving in Uganda
Moving to Honduras is not just a "Bucket List" trip
US Naval Academy football player taking hiatus to work in Africa
These stories struck a nerve with me because I will be doing the same thing this fall. Instead of returning to college I am planning on going to Haiti in November. I have relatives in Haiti that I will be living with while I volunteer in a school, in a church, and in the community.
I have wanted to do mission work for years and now the Lord has called me to serve alongside Him in Haiti. So, instead of reading blogs about college, I invite you to journey with me and read my blogs as I prepare for my trip and while I am away.
"With the back-to-school season upon us, today's Religion section is sharing the stories of three young people from West Michigan who are crossing the globe and encountering life lessons that can't be taught in the classroom. Two young men have put their college careers on hold to help children in Africa. Meanwhile, a young woman from Rockford is using her newly earned Calvin College degree to teach children in Honduras, but wonders if perhaps she is the one who is learning the most."
McMillin, Zane. "Going Forth." The Grand Rapids Press 3 Sept. 2011: C1+. Print.
Click on the links below to read their stories:
Former GVSU student serving in Uganda
Moving to Honduras is not just a "Bucket List" trip
US Naval Academy football player taking hiatus to work in Africa
These stories struck a nerve with me because I will be doing the same thing this fall. Instead of returning to college I am planning on going to Haiti in November. I have relatives in Haiti that I will be living with while I volunteer in a school, in a church, and in the community.
I have wanted to do mission work for years and now the Lord has called me to serve alongside Him in Haiti. So, instead of reading blogs about college, I invite you to journey with me and read my blogs as I prepare for my trip and while I am away.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Christmas in July
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Granted, it's July 25, but it is a good date to remember Christmas. It's Jesus' half Birthday! If you hadn't noticed, I have Christmas music playing on the blog. That is partially because my brother started this; he would play Christmas CDs randomly in the middle of the summer. I always thought it was a good idea but my mom made him turn them off right away. Then on the radio the other morning a lady called in and asked for a Christmas song to be played. The DJ actually played a song for her! And, a couple of mornings later he played another Christmas song! I was thrilled :)
Isaiah 9:1-7
Granted, it's July 25, but it is a good date to remember Christmas. It's Jesus' half Birthday! If you hadn't noticed, I have Christmas music playing on the blog. That is partially because my brother started this; he would play Christmas CDs randomly in the middle of the summer. I always thought it was a good idea but my mom made him turn them off right away. Then on the radio the other morning a lady called in and asked for a Christmas song to be played. The DJ actually played a song for her! And, a couple of mornings later he played another Christmas song! I was thrilled :)
Isaiah 9:1-7
1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—
2The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of deatha
a light has dawned.
3You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,b Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The BEAUTY of YOUR MAJESTY
Displayed for all the world to see
Is it any wonder
Is it any wonder
Great are You Lord
For we adore You
Lift up Your name
And fall before You
We stand in awe
And sing great are You Lord
Lyrics: Great Are You Lord, Phillips Craig & Dean
Psalm 19: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
I'M BACK...! (Part 1)
It's been a long time...a very long time! A lot has happened since I last blogged. First of all I finished my freshman year of college! Yay. Here is a picture of my sculpture project that I finished. This is the piece that I welded.
We made a high rise building as a class. The bottom floor was mine, the lobby. The second floor was a safe, the third floor a desk with a computer on top, the forth floor was a barred room with a glass roof, the fifth floor a clock, and on the top a deck with a pool and lounge chairs. It turned out pretty sweet!
After I got home I spent a few days unpacking my stuff and eventually reorganized my room. I also went to quite a few open houses during the end of May and the beginning of June. I helped out with my cousin Dani's open house. We picked out decorations and then my grandma, mom, aunt, cousin and I set up. The open house turned out very nice!
I have been keeping busy working this summer. I am working full time at the same assisted living center that I was at last summer. So far I have planned about 40+ flats of flowers, put MiracleGrow on the flowers twice, pulled many many weeds, painted a bit, got a nice tan, and am currently staining a fence! I'm really really enjoying my job this summer!
Lately on Thursday nights I have been playing softball with our work team. The first time I went to a game they were short on players so I had to play. I struck out and walked- not too great! I have played in two other games since. We won all three of those games. The second game we won with only 8 players (the other team had at least 10)! Although I'm not very good I enjoy doing what I can. This involves not catching the ball and walking as much as possible! :)
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| The cardboard mock-up is on the right side. |
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| The front door revolves! |
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| Our teacher next to all the pieces stacked on top of each other |
All the COUSINS together.
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| Front: Alex, Anna, Andrew (Dani and Taylor's cousins on the other side), and Lindsey Back: Collin, Taylor, Dani, Me, Jessica, and Codi |
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| The girls: Taylor, Dani, Me, and Lafawnduh :) |
Lately on Thursday nights I have been playing softball with our work team. The first time I went to a game they were short on players so I had to play. I struck out and walked- not too great! I have played in two other games since. We won all three of those games. The second game we won with only 8 players (the other team had at least 10)! Although I'm not very good I enjoy doing what I can. This involves not catching the ball and walking as much as possible! :)
I'M BACK...! (Part 2)
Over the fourth of July weekend I went camping with my friends. We went up to Mackinaw City where my friends' family was camping. This was the first time I had camped in a tent and it wasn't that bad. The bathrooms closest to our lot were outhouses. The nearest bathrooms with running water were a good 4 minute bike ride away; thank goodness we brought our bikes up with us. It was quite the trip! We arrived late Friday night, unpacked a few things, and then sat around the campfire till 2am sharing our deep dark secrets.
Saturday morning we went for a bike ride around the whole city. We followed gravel and paved trails. We stopped in the downtown Mackinaw City to walk through the stores. The guys had the brilliant idea to stop in every single fudge shop we came across and sample their fudge. We must have gone into 10 or 12 shops. The fudge was getting sickening by the end. By the time we made it back to the campground we had biked just over 20 miles! Saturday afternoon we went to the beach; thankfully the weather was very nice all weekend long. After dinner we played games and ate lots of candy.
Sunday night...Tori, Kaden, and I decided to stay up all night. The other three of our friends were smart and went to bed! We sat around the fire with the little bit of wood we had left, trying to keep ourselves warm. Around 4:30am the sky was getting lighter and the starts were disappearing. Then we thought the sun was going to rise soon so we went and sat out by the beach. From 4:45-6:00 we waited...and waited...and waited. Around 6 the sun finally rose! It was beautiful and totally worth the wait.
Monday morning we packed up our stuff once our friends woke up. We still hadn't bought any fudge, so we went into town one last time to make our fudge and souvenir purchases. In the afternoon we played mini-golf before going home. The mini-golf course was pretty lame but it was free! We got home about eight o'clock and then I went to bed! I was just a little tired ;)
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| The ladies outhouse! |
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| Me and Alicia biking! |
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| Tori! |
Sunday morning the girls went for a 4 mile run around the campground. Then we went to church in town and...after church we went to some of the same fudge shops to sample the fudge AGAIN! Apparently we needed to know what the best fudge was before we made our purchases. Next we went to this old lighthouse that is currently being restored. There we some rooms that we got to walk through and then we went up to the top of the light. It's a pretty small lighthouse. Late afternoon we went to the beach again. At night we went on a boat cruise around the Mackinac Bridge. The boat ride was sponsored by the church we went to in the morning. A pastor gave a short sermon and another man sang hymns during the ride. One woman also told us the history and interesting facts about the bridge.
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| Tori and I on the boat ride |
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| Mackinac Bridge, the sunrise Monday morning, sailboat passing in the front of the bridge |
Monday morning we packed up our stuff once our friends woke up. We still hadn't bought any fudge, so we went into town one last time to make our fudge and souvenir purchases. In the afternoon we played mini-golf before going home. The mini-golf course was pretty lame but it was free! We got home about eight o'clock and then I went to bed! I was just a little tired ;)
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| Ben, Me, Emily, Alicia, Tori, and Kaden For a different take on our trip visit Kaden's blog- http://www.superyooper.blogspot.com/ His blogs are usually quite funny! |
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