Entitled...

So when I began this blog, I entitled it as I did because I stumbled upon John 16:33 and connected. Jesus is speaking to the disciples all through chapter 16 telling them that times aren't getting any easier and that things are actually about to get ugly...oh, and he's not going to be around. So he tells his disciples, realize, I have to leave so the Holy spirit can come and that it is going to be ok. And I tell you these things, that people are going to come after you, and threaten you, and make your life awful, so that you know when I am gone that I did warn you. And not only am I warning you, but I am going to tell you the outcome. "Take Heart, for I have overcome the world."
Take heart, because I have overcome the world. Wow. Jesus isn't lying about Christian life...he is laying it out. It is going to be hard and it is going to get ugly, but there's hope...TAKE HEART! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.

I connected immediately and knew. There is hope, there is Christ, there is the cross. That is some good stuff.
I was fortunate enough to hear a Louie Giglio talk that reminded me of these truths earlier this week. I just thought others might like to here the same.

"Take Heart, for I have overcome the world."

Thank God.

Unwritten

Sometimes, well most of the time, I find my job very amusing, even astonishing. (If you are a fellow teacher, you know where I am coming from.) The students I have this year really like to learn, and some of them are arriving at the realization that learning is a lot more than a 6 and a half hour day and some books. There are many reasons why I am amused throughout the day, but really when it comes down to it, I think it is the pure fact that we teach within four walls and through printed text. That is the last place from which I think my students are actually learning. (Did I just knock my own teaching skills...stick with me.)
Yes, the written word is powerful, but it is the topic of the words that make it so. Life is the true lesson and it is enlightening to watch a student build his/her bridges from books to reality and consistently travel upon them.

I had my grade 8 tech students utilize and analyze a new form of analysis called Tag Clouds. (They're pretty cool, you can check them out @ www.tagcrowd.com) Each student had to decide on an essential question he/she wanted answered and use a tag cloud to analyze a speech as well as a popular song of his/her choosing and explain how the tag cloud was a useful form of analysis or not, as well as the outcome of his/her analysis.

One of my young ladies chose the song, "Unwritten" by Natasha Benningfield. (I'm not sure on the spelling of her name) The results of her analysis were that the meaning of the song was about the unwritten lessons of life and the great importance of those lessons in each of our lives. I was blown away to hear a girl of fourteen confidently speak such truth-what a pleasure.

I have the opportunity to learn everyday and grow. And I enjoy everyday that I get to wake up and be honestly challenged, knowing that my students really do what to know, and they really do desire to live well. I don't challenge the value of the written word, but as I said and my students have reminded me, life is meant to be lived, and some of our most important lessons are "unwritten".

Giving thanks in Bolivia

We may be a bit early, yet never is the wrong time for approximately 20 of us to gather together, hold hands and share our blessings and give thanks. And that is what took place at Maria and Rick's home yesterday evening. It was awesome to hear the different voices, adults and children alike, speak of their thankfulness for many different things. It is not often that you stand in a circle offering thanks with students that you teach. Pretty amazing.
The food was great and I even took some time yesterday and got a reciepe for an asparagus cassarole off the internet. (Thanks mom) It was well-liked and finished when the night was done, no leftovers. Not too bad. This is actually the second Thanksgiving I have celebrated in Bolivia, the first being Canadian Thanksgiving, which was also a blessing entirely. After church today we have a small Thanksgiving Pot Luck as well.
I do have much for which to be thankful. I have amazing parents and family who love me and support me to all lengths; I have friends who will travel far distances, over land and sea to visit and get a glimpse of "my new world" and others who share themselves with me through words and gift, giving me a piece of home here in Bolivia. I am very thankful for the simple and the grand, that the Lord would bless beyond all that I know and all that I deserve. He does lead us home, yet I am coming to find that home is not a place on this Earth. He leads us to Him, to truth and better existence. it is hard to put your finger on what true home is, but God our father leads us home, to Him, through his creation, his people, His beauty. And in that, his beauty and his majesty, His workmanship...he puts you and I and smiles, for it is not, He is not complete without us. The creator of all that is God, of the Moutains that I see everyday out my windows and on my way to work, with his hand he created those, and with the same hand he made me and holds me and will fight for me. How truly blessed are we, the children of God.

Another Look; Another Perspective

Joel arrived on Monday (10-29) late, another great promotion for American Airlines, and sick from bad chicken on the plane, again another great promotion for American, yet excited and ready to experience...most of us in LaPaz already know what a spectacular airline service AA has here in Bolivia, but if you are yet to experience such wonders, don't let it sway you away from visiting. We have had the opportunity to wander through quaint San Miguel, travel up to the more bustling Uptown, and had the wonderful opportunity to visit Isla del Sol, The Island of the Sun, on Lago Titicaca with Rachel, Steve, and his parents. (They were also visiting) It was breathtaking. We visited Moon Island on the way to Sun Island, by way of Hydrofoil. We had a lesson in Inca civilaization and culture as well as the the people of Tiwanacu and their culture.
Back into Copacabana, Joel and I took 45 minutes to climb part of the Andies to the top where lies the Stations of the Cross, another breathtaking view of the city and mountains, high enough to see Peru.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we traveled up to the street markets of Sargonaga to do some bartering. Some outstanding purchases were made!

It has been awesome to have someone from home see the sights, meet the people and breathe the in the high altitude oxygen. I suppose if you know Joel, maybe you should ask him about his experience and his reflections, but I can tell you from this side of things, it was great having him.

He came to school each day, for at least a bit, and as he came, his popularity grew, I think every eighth grader knew his name, as well as some seventh graders. There were even some eighth grade girls who grew to recognize him before myself. (I think if he would have stayed longer, they may have just forgotten my name, due to his popuarity.) I do have to say that we are 2-0 against a group of eighth grade boys in basketball...and they want to know when he is returning for another rematch. Ha!
Joel also had the opportunity to meet the hs bible study girls and was kind enough to lead some worship for us, another great evening.
Throughout all this, we still had time to meet all the friends, lay low and even watch a little West Wing, to which I am now addicted...Joel left season one for me to finish. good times.
All this to say, who wouldn't want to come to Bolivia? You're all welcome.

Long Time, No Comment

Sorry for the time lapse...it has been busy around here. It is really is crazy how time flies. It's almost been three months! And I have to say it's been a pretty smooth 3 months for packing up and moving to a different continent! We just finished our first quatrer at school and have returned from our CWW trips. CWW stands for Classroom Without Walls. It is an opportuntiy for students to get out of a classroom and do some experiential learning. Seems as though we're getting back to our to our roots, the way it should be. I was on a trip to Corioco, which is south of La Paz between the mts. and the rainforest. The climate is much warmer and the scenery, much greener. 24 students, 4 adults, 4 days, 3 nights and quite bit of hiking....priceless.
I wonder what they will take away? For some, simply completing the 5 hour trek we took on day 3 to a 20 meter waterfall might be at the top of the list; for others, the waterfall in its towering entirety may be it. Quite possibly the boys would say the amazing swing that was attached to the infinately tall trees that swung us out over a breathtaking ravine would hands down, be the best to them.
I would agree with any of the above; yet for me, I think it was just talking to the students, hearing their voices and watching them interact outside of the small constraints in which I see them at school. It's nice to see them in living color, hear their stories. It is such a rare opportintunity to be able to take a trip like we did and I really feel blessed to be a part of it.
As we arrived home, the 8th graders then had one week to finalize all their plans for Middle School Madness...this is a quarterly event held by each class in the middle school and our 8th graders got to kick off the year's festivities....they went with the clsasic October, Halloween theme and really did it up....I think the Haunted House was big attraction. Groups of 5-6 we taken through the boys lockers room that leads to the pool...apparently there was a boy named Dylan Rodrigez who was ruthlessly bullied all through middle school and come October of his freshman year in 1987, he lost it. The story of course gets better, but I will save you the gory details.
It has been a been a good ride thus far...and soon that ride will take me home to be with those I miss and love...in the meantime I watch my 30 second, updating stream of the Indians on Yahoo sports...thinking of all of you. I got to see a few innings on TV Thurs evening and it almost felt like a family gathering--seeing the field, the city, our team and knowing that no matter where each family member was, there was a very high chance that we were all anxiously watching, hoping for the Tribe to pull it out....I will be doing the same this evening. Go Tribe.

Present

Holy smokes, Batman! I just finished, The Coffeehouse Gospel- Mattehw Paul Turner and it was really all that I had hoped. Of course I did think that he glossed over a few topics that I thought he could have elaborated on a bit more, but thinking about it, I am ok with it. Why, because he is speaking about the gospel, how to share it and what it is to share it. The thing is, I think the problem isn't that we don't have the answers, but that we as Christians as a whole try to have all the answers. We try (as do many in life, believers or non-believers) try to package up life into a nice gift box, intricately wrapped with a beautiful bow. Sometimes, most of the time, life doesn't have a beautiful bow, let alone a nice gift box. Life is life, what is happening when you are planning, I have been told. The gospel is the story of a man who lived life and gave up his life so that we could have everlasting life. That is a lot and not that simple. Life is real...it happens everyday and everyone living it has a similar story, but we do God, the creator of life, an injustice when we don't stop to listen and respect people's stories of life. He loves all of us, each one of us and so many times we are run by our agendas and not by our hearts (the one God gave us) and we miss....miss what, life and with it the gospel. It's everyday: Hurt, Love, Redemption, Truth. No pretty box. God has given us life and with that a story, of how he works in that life that he was so kind to give us. He also gave us two ears which is one more than the one mouth we all have as humans (unless you are a special model). Am I using my body proportionately? Not always.
Humans want to live; we want to connect and we want to be heard...all of us. So the question is, are we listening? God listens, he is the best listener of all, he knows all languages, he hears the unspoken. I don't think that I use the abilities or tools that He has given me enough or in the right ways. Sharing the gospel isn't always about giving...I think sometimes it is about waiting and taking part. St. Francis of Assisi is quoted in the book, "At all times share the Gospel and when necessary use words." Be present. The Lord is always present, and there were few times when he was present here on earth that He actually spoke to large crowds. He was relational, He was invested, He was present. Are you rushing through your day, watching the time tick by and worried about deadlines? Or are you living, flexible and present? I want to be present.

The Day to Day...

School, friends, traveling, grading, and Futbol Americano...doesn't sounds very different from normal life in the states, does it? This statement is not to oversimplify my lifestyle here, but is to say, life is life, no matter the country or culture. School is going well. Week 5 is on its way to being history and progress reports were turned in at the beginning of the week. Time does fly. I started on my travels to Bolivia 6 weeks ago, this Friday. In a way, that blows me away; how could it be that much time has passed already.... on the other hand, it does feel like I haven't seen my mother’s face in quite sometime--wait, no, that's a lie...I saw it yesterday and her and dear ol' dad even got to meet Polonia, my wonderful Bolivian maid. She was so happy to meet them. I know you are probably saying, back up...maid. Yes, it's weird to be honest, but it is part of the culture and it helps the employment and poverty levels here. If you have questions, I can answer them at your convenience. The wonders of great communication! I truly attribute quite a bit of my smooth transition to the gift of the Internet and Skype. It is great to be able to talk to you all and get your updates and hellos.
The staff at school is great. A small group of us had an hors d’oeuvres and wine-tasting party at one of my friends' home (which has a breathtaking view of the mts.) There is physical documentation of my help in the kitchen. I know many of you laugh at that comment, possibly even aloud, yet yes, you are hearing correctly that I, Lyndsey Deane, sautéed shrimp, made brueshetta,( I know I spelled that incorrectly) and more. I was not the head of this extravaganza, yet, I did contribute and others actually thought I knew what I was doing (don't worry, I did inform them that cooking was less than my forte!)

El espanol es poco y poco (it's little by little) Yo voy a ir a leccion de espanol lunes y jueves. (I go Mondays and Thursdays) I wish I had more time to study, but it will come. I also am going to yoga classes two times a week at school. They just started so I am a little sore, but it is something new to try. I even got to watch the Borwn's at Steve and Rachel's house...they don't look any better in Bolivia. The Bears didn't look too bad. I only saw a bit, Rachel made Chilli and we all hung out...I graded papers, as usual.
Church is good. It is a small American Church, made up of internationals.(American's really) Everything is in english, but it seems to be very outreach driven. I like it. The women seem pretty great and I am starting a high school girls bible study this thursday evening. I had some coffee last week with two of the girls and we are starting something up, so God willing...it will take off and we will all learn a little something.
So that is the update. I have been gone every other weekend since I arrived, but I believe that we will be home this weekend due to a little transportation issue with a friend's vehicle; yet to be honest...it is nice to be in La Paz, exploring the local area and relaxing.

Hope this finds you all well....the mountains still take my breath away.

The Bolivian Typhoon!

Well, apparently it is accustom to visiting the beautiful, towering city of La Paz to feel like death within close proximity to arrival, and I was not fortunate enough to avoid such happenings.
I missed my first day of school on Tuesday due to extreme flu like symptoms....whoa! I don't get sick often and it did pass within a little over 24 hours, but the Bolivian flu/altitude sickness is not pretty. I have been told that I need to slow down with working out and just take it easy...I have been running and feeling great and also going to a spinning class with some girls from school...there was also a lovely bug flying around ACS, so it was probably a combination of the two. Either way, most of the symptoms have passed and I am feeling quite a bit better and back into the swing of things. Many people from the school called and offered everything and anything and my amazing maid, Polonia, made me soup and corn bread, as well as some chicken and rice. All easy on the stomach. Coca tea is also a great biproduct of the coca plant that is very medicinal here.

I went to my first espanol lesson today and I will be attending twice weekly, so here we go...I even have homework. I am going with rachel and she has been going for a year now, so I have some catching up to do, but la professora says I'm bien....we shall see...as you can see I didn't put that sentence together (juantas) well, so I'm taking it step by step, hoping to learn as much as I can.
It is exciting to learn! I am headed out again this weekend to Sul y Luna, a small hippieish retreat that is in a much lower altitude of Bolivia, and with that MUCH warmer!!!! Very exciting...remember, it can be in the 30s at night here and up to 70 in the sun during the day...only in the sun though...summer begins Sept. 21!!!
chao!

"Home"

I feel like I have been in La Paz for quite some time. I find myself referring to my place as "home." I am finding myself fairly comfortable at school. It is amazing how easily one can apapt when forced. I wonder if "forced" is the right word, because I chose this and I was not forced, and do not feel that way. (I don't want to give the wrong impression.) What I am saying is, life really isn't that different here. Of course there are changes and I am not home, but home can be a choice. There is never going to be home like the safe and loving environment where I was raised--never. But as I look around and really look, I guess I realize the importance of love and being intentional with those around you. I think those are the essentials of home and I was fortunate enough to have been and continually to be blessed with. I know that I am fortunate to have that because I have seen people all my life without it, yet even more now as I am further away from that home. Somewhere along the line, not only have I been given that love and intentional living, but I was taught it and how to share it and maybe even create it. I think that is why I am ok. I know that I am loved. It breaks my heart that people don't have that. It breaks my heart that kids don't have that, yet I am blessed with the opportunity everyday to share it. I think that is why I do "my job." What's funny is I get paid to do what I think we are all called to...love. I pray that we are all feeling that love as well as sharing it, espcially with those who we least desire to share with. The world needs so much, yet if each of us were to show another love in a day, what needs might go away? I am not naively stating that the world's problems will vanish, yet I am saying love can heal wounds and there are multiple ways to love on another. When you look around, I think a little love can go a long way.

On our way...

Well, it's Saturday morning, I made it through my first week of teaching (happily, I will add) and I sit waiting in my livingroom for Rachel, Steve, J. Gado, J. Worth and her husband, Fred. The six of us are on our way to Lake Titicaca....fun times. I hope to read, relax, Kayak and just enjoy the landscape. I have only heard good reports, so I am very excited. I will make sure to add photos and get an update to all of you. Thank you for your prayers and all of your support. I know that God is hearing you; it is evident that he is here.

Curious?!

Well, school has started and things are great. The kids are doing well and things are going very smoothly. For all of the new things I have to learn, ther is always someone staopping by and asking how I am or if I need any help. The school runs on a rotating schedule so that the students will receive year round programming instead of concentrated nine week periods. We have A-H days so I don't see every class every day, but I see most 3 days a week for an hour a piece. All classes are actually 65 minutes, no matter the subject. It works well. I like the time periods quite a bit. 90 minutes could be long some days last year and this is enough that you can really get into things and apply what the student is learning, yet not get too bored. The students have been very kind and hardworking so far. I have 2 grade 7 english classes, 2 grade 8 english classes and a rotating 6/7 tech and 8 tech. I teach tech 3 days a week, but see a different group each time and see them all year long.
The ood has been good and I live in an area that I can walk to just about anything that I need. I can go "uptown" which is what we could call "downtown" if I want to get something a little harder to find. There are a couple cool coffeehouses right in the area and also lots of nice little places to eat out. It is chilly in the morning and at night, being that it is winter here. I am receiving some ore furniture for my TV/office room this week as well as my internet connection. I have been using the internet at school. I can do most everything from my laptop b/c the school is wireless. (pretty cool, eh?)
Really though, this is probably the smoothest transition I could imagine. I got to go to a spinning class at a gym on Monday night with some girls from school and went for a 20 minute run yesterday. I also went out looking around and shopping on my own too.
I will probably start my spanish lessons next week. I can get a taxi and get home all by myself, so that is a start.

I hope this finds people well in the states. I think of you all often. It is really wonderful here, I wish that you could all come exerience it. (You're more than welcome.)

Bolivia pics....

If you haven't seen pics, here are some that you can check out. Hope this works! Cut and paste these into your address bar!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3725&l=9e89a&id=505582504

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3675&l=e8c17&id=505582504

Did you build your house out of bricks?

"I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blown your house down!" Sound familiar? I bet it does and it has always made sense...in all cases, until about 8 monthes ago...really maybe before that, but it was then that this idea really came front and center for me. We are supposed to build our lives foundationally. From the beginning, be aware, make a plan, see it through. Brick by brick, you build your life. It makes sense, until someone begins to examine your bricks and want to know why you chose the brand you did? What makes us choose? How do we choose for our futures? From what we hold dear to how we do things and what we buy? Why do you live where you do and spend your time and money in the manner in which you do...why? I don't know is the scary answer that sometimes we are not willing to look at...or no one asked early enough for it not to be as threatening as it may be today. Why? We all have reasons for everything, they may not be good ones, or we may not even realize the reasons for which we act or do not, just that we know it...it is the norm in which we operate. I am asking you. Look at your life. Really look. Do you know why you are ding what you are? Why you act as you do? Why you believe or not? What type of life do you lead? Is is what yo thought? Is it what you wanted? Is it better, worse? More importantly, if you are staring into a mirror and don't know who is looking back...why not ask. It is admirable to ask and examine. It is cowardly to ignore or walk away for another day. That day any come and you truly may not know that person staring back.

I write this because I met a person who lived how she was raised and one day woke up and didn't know why. It's scary not to know yourself and the world doesn't really openly offer time to examine. I'm trying and I will continue. It is sad that our world tells us, bigger, faster, stronger; this is right, that is wrong, Do this, not that...that isn't worth it. How do we know? I don't think that isn't true sometimes, but more times than not, I just follow because I am told it is safe. Safe does not constitute correct. I don't recall Jesus taking the safe path. The path everyone else told him to. So why do we and moreover why has our church become this? Right and wrong...yes and no... Are we followers who are critical thinkers searching for truth...or rule abidding pharisees? Are you asking your God or following your church?
This isn't to say that all church is bad, but more and more I run into people who are religiously maimed, jaded and angry b/c they have been instructed and not aided and guided and discipled in a healthy, honest and open way. God didn't do this...are we the ones that continue to wided the chasm? When the bricks start crumbling what do we have left? Rob Bell in his book, Velvet Elvis, suggests springs and a trampoline instead of bricks and a house...that we should be able to stretch and be flexible...Growth, doesn't growth usually constitute change? And bricks don't change. A common saying I have heard lately is, "The only thing constant in life is change." We are not immortal. We are not all-knowing. I can not create mountains like I see everyday out my windows. A brick can not be it.
I am not proposing an anything goes motto.
I am asking, are we being real...are we living intentionally? Are we using the freewill and minds that God gave us to live as he would have us?

Are you serious, God?

Every night when I lay down for the night directly above the head of my bed (where you might hang a painting in your bedroom, above your bed) I have a permenant painting, one of mountains over 14,000 feet tall and covered in the lights of small homes and businesses. I found myself saying last night as I laid down, "Are you serious? You made those?" Wow. School was a little intense yesterday, lots to do and students arrive on Monday. More meeting the rest of the week, but time to be in our classrooms as well. Everyone at the school is extremely kind. Most of them have been to at least one other international school, so they understand what it is like to be new...in all senses. Just as I was writing this, two ladies from the elemntary (which is all the campus) cam over to ask me about church asn youth group. :) It was great to hear from them and I think we may start a book study as well (with the ladies) I told them I wanted to make sure that I could handle things before I committed to anything, but that I def. wanted to be involved....so again, I come back to the statement...are you serious, God. He is so big and such a provider. I have been praying for community, for others Christians and they come walking into my room. How awesome. Matt. 7:7, ask and it will be given unto you, knock and the door will be answered. My door was opened and these ladies came straight through it. So right when I start getting a little worried, he is right there, holding me tight. Well...time to work, i have a meeting in a half an hour. Blessings to all of you.

Settling in...

Well, it has been said that Jessica (the new guidance counselor) and I, have accomplished more than most in our first two days here. Today is day 3 and I am writing from my classroom. I have been to the crazy black market and got all my appliances, TV, DVD, Iron, Toaster, Microwave, Coffee Marker and to the grocery store...I felt like I was there forever. Everyone is SOOOO kind and very helpful. Jessica is fluent in espanol so that makes my life easier. I am looking to get into classes asap. I have already learned a lot just being here. I am posting more pics to my facebook, so if you can get on, that is the place to see some more pics....I am trying to figure our an easier way to post for all to see. I am very excited about school. we begin meeting tomorrow and the students come on Monday...can we say time crunch? There is quite a bit to get accomplished. Lucky, I can use materials from home. Peter, the principal and superintendent, invited us over for dinner last night. Rachel and Steve were there as well as jessica and the other tech teacher, his wife and kids. The food was amazing and the company was great. It was good to see how laid back and caring the community is. Also, I went to church yesterday which brought tears to my eyes. I felt so somfortable and so at home. I think I am going to find a home there. It was a great mix between tradition and contemporary worship. Take care...Adios.

Let the Adventure begin!

And it has...all of the flights were gret until the actual flight to Bolivia...there was an anouncement of a possible strike and we were told that we would not be flying to La Paz and then the airline "pulled some strings" and flew us to Santa Cruz first and then to La Paz. Our departure time was supposed to be 11:05....we left Miami @ 1:40. We ended up in La Paz around 11 am, so much for 5:35am, but we got lots of sleep, got throgh customs and to my new place...very cute. I met my maid, very nice, Polonia, and I am at Steve and Rachel's now. We just ate lunch and are on our way to the market to buy some necessities. It beautiful here...a lot to get used to. If you wnt to check out the school you can go to www.acslp.org.
Blessings to you all.
Adios!

to be continued...

The title explains it all, I guess. Even more than the words, the punctuation seems to sum it all up right now. It has been good to be home, but I know that the next step is imminent and it is needed. Bolivia is quickly approaching. I have a countdown on my facebook page...part of the reason it is there is so I can have a reality check daily of the time passing and the tasks that need to be accomplished as the time goes by. And truly, it is a reality check that it is time to go and it really is coming. Bolivia is no longer a conversation, but a reality. The Lord has provided me with an amazing, and I am sure, life-changing adventure and I am ready to embark in to the next chapter of our journey together. I think I year ago I would have used the phrase, "the next chapter of MY life," but if I have learned anything, I know now and live more confidently in the truth that this is a journey that I am not in control of. I am learning relience and dependency. (Something if you know me, I am not good at.) So here's the learning and running the race. I pray that as I go, more and more people might know the truth and grace of Jesus Christ. All I have is my life and somehow I am in a "Here am I, send me" situation. (He snuck up and got me when I wasn't looking) I praise God for it. I know that He will use me, but I know even more over that He is going to teach me.

transition and reflection

What do I take with me? How can I explain to you how important this was in my life and others' lives? I pray that God will provide those words. If you have been checking in with my journey, I sadly tell you today, that this part of the journey is over, which in turn begins another. A friend told me, "All change is loss and loss has to be grieved." This doesn't mean that the loss is bad, but change does mean that something is going away. And for me, I will never forget Chicago or these people who have left footprints on my heart.
The question still stands; as I look at my "loss" what will I take with me?
A: That God is bigger, bigger than all we know, bigger than all battles we fight, than all love we feel. I will take with me the passion I saw in my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ;Their passion for all to know the Love and Acceptance of Jesus Christ. I sometimes get scared of being "that persecting, pushy Christian" hurting someone's feelings by talking about God--How silly? God loves and provides, he offers himself to us and it is my job to let others make a decision about accepting that offer. I just put it on the table. All people deserve that offer of eternal life here on earth and in heaven. All. I hope that my words can give you even a small drop of the blessing that the Lord has poured out upon me. In doing His work and blesssing His name, He fills us to overflowing with all blessing. Thank you for coming along with me on this journey. Luckily for me, each day is another blessed journey with my God who loves me like a father, walks with me like a friend and has saved me, like only Jesus, the Son of God can.

truth

I know that truth presents itself differently to different people, but the Lord has shown me true fellowship, true love and true faith. It has been amazing being part of something so mighty. It is hard to express how my heart has been touched and my life has been changed by this experience. What intentional living can do to a person...I pray that the Lord will help me incorperate much of what I have learned into my lifestyle in Bolivia. I feel like His time is amazing (I know...of course it is) But it has been very clear as I have been here that He is giving me so much right now, so I can take it and be with Him in Bolivia. I look forward to the growth that will continue to take place as the Lord shows me who I am and what he desires for my life.

For another inside look @ The Real World-Christian Style, you can click on Ben's comment under The Real World- Christian Style on my blog and it will take you to his blog where he too wrote about The Real World- Christian Style. It has been amazing. Praise God for how He works. There is no doubt that our God is big.

update

God continues to blow me away. Interstingly enough, I have found that just by saying hello, you can get some one's entire life story, no questions asked. Sadly, the reason for that seems is possiblily be the lack of real connection and communication in our families and friendships. One thing every person has in common is life, sadly the one things that gets me through life, many people do not have in common with me. I have been almost broken by the number of people that actually have no idea who Jesus is or even what God really is. My generation has no simply heard and denied, but most people I have talked to don't really know who Jesus is, and is really mixed up about God is general. And really want to emphasis that these individuals do not know about Jesus. They have maybe heard his name, but no one has ever told them the gospel or the background or anything. Even more interesting, many people who said they did have a faith did not know really what it was or even why they had it. That is sad. The world is to difficul to not know what you believe, because if you don't know what you believe, I don't think you know who you are....does that make sense...I pray for clarity for people who are confused and lost....for truth. LIfe can be consuming and it doesn't have to be.

Thanks!

I just wanted to take a minute to thank those who are reading for all of your support. God has really opened my eyes to a global world, with global believers. The world is really full of amazing people looking to show the love of God to people who need it. (In many ways, in al areas of life.) I have been blown away. I can't wait to be able to sit down and really talk to people when I arrive home, but know that I am thinking of you all and praying for you as well. I hope this site gives you a better idea of what your support is doing. It really has made a major difference in my life, and I know that it will, if it hasn't yet made a major difference on a large scale too. Crusade is a bunch of very intentional people truly looking to show the love and grace of Jesus Christ to the world. It really is amazing. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

Campus

so a lot of you are wondering what I am doing on campuses in the Chicagoland area. Well, we are chekcing them out. Seeing where people are, what the campus is all about and looking to see if there is a need or how great of a need for Cru there. A lot of times colleges, ok all the time, everywhere, colleges/universities are full of young men and women tryng to determine what they are going to do with the rest of their lives and they don't even know who they are or what they want to do. Even worse, they are caught in a world of pressure and expectation and they don't even know that there is a God out there that loves them so much and no matter what they do or where they go, He is there, telling them that He loves them. I don't know how I would get through life not knowing that. So We are scouting out campuses to let people know just that. Looking for people that are looking for Christian community and hoping to get something started for them. We are called to be in community and sometimes a college campus can be a hard place to find that. We are trying to make sure that is untrue.

The Real World - Christian style

Yes, that is the title, The Real World, Christian style. This is amazing. the people, the place, the experience, the God that is present. I know that God is always present, it is we who are not. Christian community is a blessing. To be surrounded by other young believers in a community open to asking and seeking is awesome. If the world could look like this. We are from all over the country and we have the common ground of God. It is interesting to hear people's stories and for people to really want to hear yours and intentionally are trying to improve themselves and those around them. Like is hard, we are imperfect and we only have so much time to make it better. Why not take advantage of it. And to be in a community that wants the best. For all to be loved and valued. How can I create this in other places, a caring, honest community with people seeking truth. It's beautiful. There is less anger and less negativity, because we are all looking to God for the better. Can it continue? Can this grow? And I feel like this is such a small part of what God really has for us. I am so little and have so much to learn. I pray that God continues to blow my mind and that he can do the same for everyone else, that he would just reveal himself so that people could realize (including me) how big our God is and how much He really has for us and desires for us. It's like when you know something and you are passionate about it and just want everyone to understand and they just aren't getting it, or aren't understanding. I can only think how frustrated God must be when we aren't getting it or even more we are are then we turn and do something completely different simply because we are selfish. I only hope that I can take pieces of this with me home and to Bolivia...that God continues to widen my perspective and surround me with believers and people wanting more so that I can continue to live in such a growing and seeking community. If this sounds good to you, I encourage you to pray for this in your life. It is really amazing.

day 4 and 5

wow....i am exhausted. there is so much to say, yet it is really hard to put it all into words. The days are packed and I am learning so much. It has been awesome to spend some quality time with Matt and one of his friends from BG, Amber. One highlight I have to mention was that I was able to pray in a group with some Korean students and it was amazing....In Korean culture you all pray aloud and all at the same time. This can get kinda crazy, especially in a place of 20,000! Koreans are very passionate and have beautitful hearts. It really is moving and inspiring. SO....I was able to pray in a group with them, and worship alongside them. The whole time, the language should have been such a barrier, yet the truth of their hearts and the love of Christ was unbelievably universal. Heaven is going to be beautiful. Throughtout all this, we heard from multiple people from closed countries that are very dangerous and where it is illegal to own a bible and/or worship God. They were speaking the truth of what God has done in their lives and on their campuses and in their countries. Some of them who professed did so only through their voices. They were miced and were off stage and unseen because of possible danger. everytime these people come to the stage we are reminded that there are no photos to be taken. (Does this not show you the power of the gospel, that countries and leaders fear a book's power? It's just a book, right?) If this is not powerful enough to you, I sat and listened to a free heart standing courageously with the strength of God, while I, completely free and independent politically, sat quietly on my independence day. When the Lord is for you who can be against you? I face no real harm in sharing the gospel, yet I hesitate. These people are risking their lives, and they speak truth. Inspiring. There is word that one of these countries have sent govenmental agents to take pictures and investigate. scary. the Lord is big. pray for these people.

day 3- the koreans arrived!

wow...yesterday the Koreans came...yes, the first two days were to get us settled nad last night there was a parade of nations and 127 countries were represented and more...the more being countries that are not allowed to have photos of the them taken or have directly labels from their country because they will face harsh persecution upon there arrival in there home country. To flag after flag pass by brought tears to my eyes. I was surrounded by 18000 people from different coutries and wewere all in one place, peacefully worshipping a god that is so big. What a history lesson. amazing. There are 41 staff people in inodensia that are currenly imprisioned and their trial starts today. 41 people, jailed because os standing up for what they believe in, standing up for a god that loves. The Lorean people have been through so much historically as a country nad as individuals...and their faith and prayer is breathtaking. through prayer and faith, every college campus in south korea has a campus crusade. every one. It started in 1954, whe the country was still in destruction. If you could see it now. the people are so nice. the city is so accomodating. I listened to a korean man tell about god, his faith, his life and what he has seen...all in korean, with a translator, to hear such truth in a completely different language, and to watch as people of all countries reacted as they got the translation....there is no mistake, the gospel is true. i am really astonished. wow.

Day 2

Today I have to say was kind of a rough start. my body was tired. Really, things are good, but still getting used to things. After I had my Starbucks, (yes they do have Starbucks!) and got to worship, thigns started to come together. athe first speaker was great and it continued to get better and better! Ty on the high side, I totally got to hang out with Nick today and we heard two unbelievable speakers. I made sure to give the Bobcats a shout-out for you! One of the sessions was on postmodernism and the other on the heart and roles of a leader. The first was a UK staffer....very cool and the other was from Nigeria. WOW! They both really blew my mind. The heart and role of the leader really got my attention. He kept repeating himself...the heat of leadership is the state of the heart of the leader. Is your heart aligned with God's? It is not what is seen or done that makes a good leader, but where the heart of the leader is...and his/her heart will be seen through the relationships that he/she has with those who "follow." By the way, if this at all sparks your attention, you can get the nitty-gritty at www.cm20007.net There ARE PODCASTS! You can check all of this out. SWEET! Hey can someone make sure tat my mom is reading all this, I haven't gottne an email back from her. I love you guys.

OH! And Matt Cable and I totally went swimming in teh Sea of Japan tonight at like 10:00 pm....it might have been raining and we may have gotten whistled out, but it was completely safe, mom, I swear.... :) As Matt put it, you only get these opportuities once. ANd by the way, it was WAY warmer than Lake Erie!

Day one

wow! Korea is crazy...it has so much of is native clutlure and living, yet a block away from the most native vendors in a street market (no english, eels and fich just swimming around in front of stands so you can see they are fresh and good to eat) is a mall thatI refer to as Little America. For breakfast we went to a small street maket were we ate @ a small resturant which was strictly Korean food, and Korean speaking. Our waiter was very nice and spoke to us as he could. It was very authentic that is for sure. So directly after we stumbled through breakfast (I had steamed dumplings) we ended up basically in the middle of a mall! Crazy. It was very modern. Our hotel s directly across from the Korean Sea (beautiful) where we were able to hang out for a bit and play frisbee! In the evening we gathered toegther for teh first time at the Bexco Convencation Hall and were formally welcomed by Natiev dancers as well as the Mayor of Busan. I ahve to say the highlight of the day was worhsiping with 6,000 other people in a place where 127 countries were represented! God really is amazing. To hear people worship God in countless languages blows my mind. There were people from Taiwan and Zambia right behind me. I am going to try to post some pics on my facebook. We'll see. missing you all. praying that God is with you and you can see him as much as I am. Off to breakfast....seaweed wrap!

We're Here!

After roughly 19 hours of travel...An hour from Chicago to Detriot...13 from Detriot to Toyko and 2 from Tokyo to Busan, we are here. We really had to hussle through Tokyo, almost missed our flight, yet are here in one piece. What is funny is that even this blog site is being processed in Korean...crazy. The city seems fairly large and modern. Our hotel is very nice, except that there will be 13 people in one room. Here's to what God has in store. The group is doing well and the flights were nice. The food was even good. It is about a 13-14 hour difference. Love you all. will talk soon.

Korea Here I Come!

I arrived in Chicago very smoothly with high hopes. I met some very awesome people on my flight that helped me get from Midway to O'Hare for only $16.00! The group is a blast and we depart for Korea tomorrow. There are only 11 students and 5 staff members. I will be onto Detriot, to Tokyo then finally arriving in Busan or Pusan depending on where you are reading it. Apparently there is no direct translation for the beginning sound of the name so you can see it either way. For more info on cm2007 you can go to www.cm2007.net. Pray for safe travel and the Lord's blessing. This is the biggest gathering in Campus Crusade history: 17,000 people from 100 different countries!