Laughter

For all of those out there who know about the many cultures in my family..... (JAI, KAREN, MICHAEL, TERRY, CRYSTAL!)

Let me introduce some of the best members of my family here in San Diego. From left to right :

My cousin, Lea. She got her degree in Culinary Arts. She also has her Bachelors in Business Administration.

My Uncle Eddie. My mom's brother. Fun & extremely intelligent! Too many accomplishments to list here.

My beautiful Aunt Nida. (This whole post is dedicated to her.)

My cousin, Dina. She also has a degree in Business Administration and another in Forensic Science.

Oh wow! My family in San Diego is pure hilarious!! My uncle Eddie and his beautiful Filipino wife, Nida have kept me laughing incredibly hard the last two days. First of all, Filipino's are stinking amazing..and constantly giggling about something. Take a fun Filipino and my crazy giddyness...Phew, that's just constant stomach-wrenching laughter. Aunt Nida is a RN. She has taught nursing school, raised two beautiful girls, and is such a great wife to my sweet uncle. I love her so much.

Today, she worked hard with all her patients in San Diego. She came home and said in her precious voice, "Oh, I want to paint your toes!! You've got the cutest toes! Sit here. I will make you relaxed!" She went on to tell me that she'd love to just sit in an Asian shop and paint nails for a living. :) Ha. So cute.

She painted my toenails and even designed little flowers on them--"So people would know I had been in California." Sweet girl. I really hate when people post pictures of their feet on blogs, but in honor of her hard work...I must! Here's a close up. hehe.

Not only can she paint toes perfectly, be a hard working nurse, mom, and wife...She has a huge rose garden. Here are just a few pictures from the garden today.

I think I could move here one day........

Emergency Trip to California

Old Grandpa + Sick Grandma + I need a break + God's Provisions = Sunny California!!

Im here in San Diego with my grandpa. If any of you remember stories about him, he is the grandpa who looks like a member of the Mexican mafia/ninja turtle! :) He was the first man I ever loved. In the first several years of my life, he was the dad I never had. He's one man Ive always been deeply burdened for spiritually... Right now, he's talking to me in the background as I type about planning his funeral.... Devastating. I cannot even imagine having to bear such loss. My prayer is he comes to know Christ first so he can live a part of life bringing glory to a worthy King.

So, here I am. God provided a way. And Im here.

This morning, grandpa and I woke up at 6 am to go to a Mexican infested flea m 'arket. I was the only person who spoke English! Then, we drove all over San Diego running errands. Grandpa treated me to an 'old pasttime' of a fattening chili dog at Wienerschnitzel. Humble Motto:

Ole Gramps lives about 15 feet from the sandy beach. I took a walk to enjoy the desperately missed ocean. Here are some pictures to enjoy.... Im heading back out to soak up some sun and enjoy God's creation! The third picture is a picture of where I grew up in San Diego...the ocean was my personal backyard and the pigeons my pets. Oh sweet days.....

Orphan Annie

My life experiences lately have seemed to dance along with the soundtrack of the grand ole movie, Annie.

Here's my 'Annie' experiences lately...

First months here were best described by the song, "It's A Hard Knock Life".

From moving and starting school...to waiting for God to send money to pay bills..The first song is sooo appropriate. :)

However, the last two weeks have been sunshine to my soul! Just like when the Hard-Knocked Annie went to have lots of adventures with Daddy Warbucks and Grace. She sees all kinds of extraordinary, unbelievable things. Her life is finally looking up. My life is finally to the 'part' of the soundtrack on the song of "I think Im Gonna Like It Here".

Thus far, four tests have been completed in nursing school. I made over 97% on each of them. Unbelievably, I made 100% on two of the tests!! What a personal victory! And somehow, I've still had much play time.

Girls weekends with my best friends from college. Workouts galore. Meeting new friends. Finding a bamboo garden. Thrift store window shopping. Going to a black church this last Sunday! (Oh wow. It was extremely and wonderfully different! I can't wait to go back..even if I am the ONLY white person there! I looovvvveeedd it. 15 people were baptized!! Started at 11 am...Didn't get out till 2! But, I thought it was only the 'standard' hour. Time flies when you're having fun.)

I also have a new friend named Matt. He and I just instantly hit it off. I don't know about Matt, but I feel like we've been pals our whole life. My stomach has hurt since we met because we've been just dying laughing about everything. Crystal knew Matt from her high school days. She is gracious (or maybe just has to) to share her old friends with me now. Matt has introduced me to this wonderful relaxing fun world of local live bands. Holy cow. Great muscians here. The calender looks full with dates to check out these bands at local hole-in-the-walls. Racquetball, tennis and running are becoming a planned adventure of ours too. Im just so glad to have a 'Brad Harris' or "Brian Crigler aka Baller" type friend here. The gym saw the likes of us last night too. We worked out really hard...then drove around to all the historic places downtown and listened to his favorite local bands. We stayed up till 2 am laughing about I who knows what. I even scored a CD of a local legend, Johnny Rocket.

I think Im gonna like it here!

Continued...

In the last post, I was documenting the recent life events of which I am extremely thankful.

18. Arriving to Haiti safely despite airport setbacks and trials.

19. No kidnappings, no riots, no dangerous detours, etc in the capital of Haiti. Such things must be anticipated due to the current situation in this country.

20. Surviving the first night in the capital. Im always anxious to get into the mountains of Haiti. Staying in the main city is very frightening and irritating to me due to the crime and the extreme heat and insects.

21. Safe flying...landing on rocky/sandy 'runway' in the single engine-six passenger cessna.

22. No broken bones or head injuries during the rugged 3-hour mountain climbing truck ride with a whopping 15-17 people in the back of a small Nissan style truck...phew.

23. Just being in the mountains of Haiti was more of a blessing than I can even express. To be chosen to help these people is an honor beyond description.

24. Last year when I went to Haiti, I fell in love with a little 6 year old boy named Anderson. I saw him as soon as I entered into my 'home' for the two weeks. He was clinging to the gate..saw me...smiled from ear to ear...and then ran to me..and I ran to him. Oh, how much JOY this sweet child has brought to my life. And I wish I could adopt him so badly.

25. God allowed our medical team to 'find' the sickest of the sick people waiting for free medicine. This wasn't easy. Screaming, anxious, begging, desperate, hungry people fighting for the chance to get free medicine for their families. God gave comfort and patience and a vision for these people like He sees these people.

26. We lost a child in the clinic the VERY first day. I say "we" because not only did a Haitian mother experience grief, but our team did as well. I was devastated to say the least. God offered comfort and wisdom and even joy in knowing He was holding this child now in heaven.

27. The relationship-building with friends in Haiti. One in particular, a friend named Stefenal.

28. The trip to Haiti after I was sick and recovering from Thailand a week before was phenomenally better than I could have ever imagined. In fact , it was one of the greatest trips of my life. I cannot, cannot, cannot wait to be back in Haiti.

29. Arriving home okay at the end of July.

30. Getting settled in Central Arkansas. Actually having time to unpacking from the Northwest Arkansas move in May.

31. The blessings of the Young family I was living with.

32. God provided money at the very precise minute for school and even an option to obtain my school books. Without these provisions, I would have been dropped from school. There are still deadlines to meet financially...and I don't have a job...so all I can continue to do is trust. Its quite fun to just trust. Trusting allows my mind and heart to be free from the burdens of such impossibilty on my behalf--and such power on God's behalf.

33. I had to move to Conway. Crystal wanted to move to Little Rock. I didn't. Little Rock is very uncomfortable and completely out of my non-existing budget. God provided a great house in Conway with my sister and another roommate. God is continuing to provide just enough for rent at just the right time.

34. My friend, Kelli came over Friday to the house to hang out one night. Our bathroom toliet was constantly running. In the morning, I woke up to find Kelli in the bathroom...with her laptop...discovering what makes the toliet function properly. Yep...She was online researching how to fix my toliet!! HAHAHAHA! I took pictures but she took my camera home with her. Kelli diagnosed the toliet. Made a prescription for the hardware store. We both went boldly into the intimadating LOWE'S and found the correct 'FLAPPER' for the toliet. Kelli installed the hardware and saved me bunches of money on the upcoming water bill! What an amazing woman! I love you, Kel. Thank you soooo much for fixing the toliet. The house is now quiet as a mouse!

35. I started nursing school yesterday! I love it, I love it, I love it. Im part of the largest nursing program in the NATION! Not only the largest RN program in the nation, but the most historic! How cool. I drove to nursing school smiling most of the way. People must have thought I was crazy. But for me, the truth about what God wanted for my life and my stumbling faith collided. I arrived 1.5 hours early! I didn't know yet how to gauge my travel time in Little Rock. :) I sat with my class of 150 students. The happiness in the room was so thick. I wanted to hug everyone in sight.

36. The lessons set out for me to learn are so intricate. I adore the privilage of getting to be there, where God distinctly led me, and prepare for such an adventure.

37. Bonus number one. Cute guy. I haven't talked to him yet as we've been busy..but I sure plan to be friends soon! :)

38. God provides such amazing things all the time. Im still training for the 5K. I know this may not be big to some people..but I ran 8 miles last week! (Most runners do this feat in one setting. Im not 'most runners' yet.) Ive lost almost 10 inches off various parts of my body combined. Im thrilled! This week, Im pushing for 10-12 miles! Eating healthy and feeling good.

There is much more I am thankful for. I could blog forever on this topic, but will spare you anymore long reading agony.

I promised pictures...and lied. My apology. My camera is out with a friend for a special event.

Shifting Sand

What phrase best describes your summer thus far?

A friend and I were discussing this very topic yesterday. There is a song called Shifting Sand by Cademons Call. The chorus truly expresses my every thought, every adventure, every joy, every waiting moment...just every aspect of this summer. I knew starting this blog I was going to document my journey of faith this summer. Its been more than Ive ever imagined. And the journey is far from over. God is still God throughout each season. Though plans seemed concrete--they suddenly shift. Yet, God is still constant and solid with grace.

The chorus is as follows:

My faith is like shifting sand

Changed by every wave

My faith is like shifting sand

So I stand on grace

Everything changes. Even our level of faith. But God's grace stays the same.

Nursing school starts for me on Monday at 8:30 am in Little Rock!! I cannot believe the time is so near. Ive had the best summer of my whole entire life. God has moved and I've held on as tight as I could. What a wild, blessed, and joyous time of life.

I just want to take this time as personal journaling and remember what God's done this summer. Im just going to write as the events come to mind all over again.

1. Directed me to a nursing school.

2. I got in! Miracle. Miracle. Miracle.

3. Left a wonderful group of friends in Northwest Arkansas. I still get choked up about this move. I deeply miss the conversations, love and joy I always felt in this place. I thought I would be utterly depressed alone here in po-dunk, but God gave me grace and comfort once again.

4. God gave me a wonderful place to live...Rent and Utilities Free with Southern Cooking!

5. I got one of my best friends back again...Kelli, I love you dearly and am so glad to be here spending time with you and Jason!

6. Even with a job..I struggled financially. How would I make it with NO JOB and EXPENSES???

God's grace and provisions through a young couple who just moved to the Jonesboro area. (May God bless them increasingly for what they generously did for me.) I wouldn't have made it without their love and obedience to God. One time before church I told God I had no idea how I would pay my car payment. He provided with in the hour. Amazing Grace.

7. A trip to northern Thailand to the most remote area I have even been. I didn't know this remote was really a possibility. Souls saved there. A house was provided when we thought we'd be sleeping on the open ground with the jungle snakes and various critters. I personally got to check in over 100 Thai children one day to the clinic. I got to look into the eyes of all those children. Ahh.. It still brings me extreme joy!!! More spiritual and intellectual and emotional and physical blessings than could EVER be documented with words.

8. We almost slid off a mountain in Thailand, had ants in our pants and other places during the night, ate rice variations every meal, we're burning up, banged up and exhausted. Safety and endurance---and always joy despite the circumstances. Really. There was such joy.

9. Spending time with a close doctor friend from Asia whose name I won't mention for safety. He poured his heart out to me about the issues facing him in his life in Asia. These times were priceless.

10. I turned 25 in the jungle of Thailand. Natives gathered around at night and sang beautifully in three languages, "Happy Birthday To You". Overwhelming. I felt such joy to be looking at all those people and knowing how much I loved them before I came, and how I fought to be there with them. Tears were pressed so hard on my eyes and in my throat as I was soooo blessed to hear such a wonderful chorus of voices amongst the quiet and darkness of the nighttime jungle.

11. Met an inspiring Filipino missionary named Sunny. What a joy. And he wants me to hook up with his son...double joy. hehe. I would adore this tremendously because they are so entergetic and happy all the time. It would be joy joy joy...almost like Almond Joy all year round. (almond shaped eyes for those of you who've never seen a Filipino.)

12. Went to "L". Flight safety. Safety from Communists and possibly spies...sounds silly, but Im serious. Safety during riots and wild people wanting medical care desperately.

13. One day in "L" the townspeople held a ceremony for the team as a "Thank You". It was held in a Buddhist temple. The monks dressed in orange and dusky reds performed a special ceremony. Hopefully one day, the ceremony can be held in a church once the nation comes open to the gospel. I enjoyed being there to meet people and secretly pray.

14. After the ceremony, the Buddhists fed us tons of food. I didn't want to eat because there were hungry children around us. In this culture, adults go first...then children. This part of the culture hurts my heart....so I strategically gathered as much food possible...signaled the little rascals to gather by the temple steps quietly...while hoping the adults were shoving their faces with sticky rice and wouldn't stop me with the food...I got my close friend on the trip to join the effort. She was thrilled as we had been refused to give the children anything. We starting shuffling out this wealth of food to the children faster than the average lunch lady. Oh, they were wildly excited and their eyes and wide bright smiles expressed so much gratefulness. The commotion caught much attention, but not before we rid ourselves of all the foods and the children scattered very far across the temple grounds until they consumed and enjoyed their food. They came back--immediate best friends ready to play--and we got pictures with them. Love them. The best time for me in "L".

15. God sustained a sickness I got in "L" and couldn't keep anything in my body. When I look back on some of the days and how extremely fatigued I was--Im surprised I made it. God's grace.

16. Flight back home mixed with extreme fluid loss due to a parasite...and that unforgettable sweet Asian stewardess who didn't understand the term "anti-diarrehea medicine" even with sound effects and rump signals..hehe. God's grace and humor. And God literally sustained my body to the SECOND when relating to the bathroom availability.

17. Rest and recovery time at home before I had to go to Haiti.

.....More to come in the next post...This is really long, but I want to share everything and pictures....Please look for the next one tomorrow. There truly is so much more and even news on this weeks sudden living changes, school, jobs, and training for a 5K and more.

Vacation!

Hello!! I am on vacation and have not been able to update here. Err...

Crystal and I have been getting ourselves into trouble of course. We've been gallivanting (sp?) around the town of Branson. In a couple of hours, we are going to get into some more trouble. hehe. No, we are being good.

Im really upset right now because I tried to access Michael's blog and COULDN'T get to it. Sadness. Hopefully, I can view this soon!!
Scoops, you know Im true to ya my brotha! Can't wait to see the pictures of little Santana and Dante! (...I hope I meet a grown carmel/chocolated colored man named Dante tonight!)

I love you guys and will get pictures posted of the Branson adventures ASAP.

Letter to the President (informal)

Dearest President (of my fan club) Karen,

I apologize for not keeping up with the online journal as I should. Let me explain. Im going to hit you with this big 'excuse'.

Death in the family. A death in my family in San Diego hindered me from writing about life in podunk. My uncle passed away. His daughter who lives in IOWA needed someone to keep her 3 children. My mother and I made an emergency trip to IOWA to get the children while their parents were away with the funeral proceedings. I don't know what is worse: Death in the family or 8 hours in the car with my mother. just kidding--sort of.


After a week of fun motherhood, Im back in podunk. Even better, Crystal is now home!! We are having some redneck adventures. I will post these ASAP. Tomorrow, I will be in a meeting at the nursing school all day. (boring.) Life is just staying busy. Everyone is greatly missed.

Lots of Love Sent With This Message!