Que Barbaridad - No Hubo Juego Gringo-Catracho

Lame. Let me just say that United States television really dropped the ball today (no pun intended). Or maybe it was Comcast that was responsible. Anyhow, at 3pm today I turned on the tv to watch USA vs. Honduras. Well, it wasn't on Uni, nor Gala, nor Telem. So I thought, "Oh, it must be on an english station since the US is playing." NOPE. The United States was in a SEMIFINAL game of the the Gold Cup soccer, and it WASN'T TELEVISED. What the heck kind of place is this?!?! It's pretty easy to find D.C. United vs. Galaxy and non tournament games on a regular basis, but not a semifinal US NATIONAL game?!?!?! But, thanks to the CONCACAF website, I was able to read the play-by-play. I really thought the Catrachos were going to win, but the Gingos scored 2 in the last like 10 minutes. So it was a victoria Gringa. I'm not sure how I feel about the outcome of this game. In any other sport, I'd be hands down rooting for the US. But... we're just not a soccer country.

Well, I appologize for this blog being mostly Copa Oro stuff for the past several days. But honestly, that's about the most exciting thing in my life right now. Well, give me a couple weeks and moving out of the country will set in. I still feel like it's just a dream and that I'm not REALLY going. But I am! Yay!

I'm outie. Todavia les amo catrachos.

Ya Me Voy!!

I'm leaving! No not really. But it looks like I really will leave in September!! I am almost all the way funded, and I hope to be able to get my visa in August, although there's a little snag with that, so I'm not sure. But I'm very encouraged now, I really am leaving! Soon! My probabe last day at work will is Aug. 30 or 31. As soon as a rather large check that is on it's way enters my account, I'll be able to talk with my advisor about setting a date, which I hope will be September 5! Please continue to pray with me that I will become fully funded in August - I need to have all my supporters giving starting in August so I.T. knows that my supporters really ARE planning to support me! Thanks to all you who by prayer and finances have made this possible!!

More to come as I get more info about finances, visas, and airline tickets!

Noticias de la COPA

Just an update.... Honduras BEAT Costa Rica 3-2 this morning, putting us in the SEMIFINALS! United States beat Jamaica today, so the CATRACHOS and the GRINGOS will be playing the semifinal game on Thursday at 3pm. MEXICO plays Colombia for a spot in the semi's Sunday at noon (PDT). I wonder how many people will be at la iglesia tomorrow......

Mi Cucaracha y Mi Amigo "Mejicano"

I sold the car! Yay! People are coming over tonight to drive off in my bug. I learned how to drive a stick shift on that car... in all the 3 weeks that we had the thing. It was nice, but nicer to be almost 70% funded for MEXICO!!

Also, as of July 3, I now have one friend in the country of Mexico. Emil, a catracho friend from Los Robles, moved to Mexico City. He moved for his job with Unilever. I don't yet really know anyone from my mission team yet, but it is nice to know that even before I move, I at least personally know one person in Mexico! haha!

Here is one of my favorite pictures - Fernando, Chepe, Emil, and Katy. Emil is the guy in the yellow shirt.

Estoy Mejor, Digo He Sido SANADA

I'm better. WAY better. I had to go through crap to get back on my way to being what God wants me to be. I told God that I was ready to do whatever I needed to do to be ready to leave for Mexico. That's a scary thing to tell God. Probably no one would guess, but monday and tuesday were two very hard days for me. I realized why I feel messed up so much lately. There were things that I needed to get out of my life. It's weird, I'm reading THREE books right now. And the combination of those three books is amazingly EXACTLY what I needed to hear these past few days. The books? Boundries (learning how to take control of your life so you still help people, but realize that you can't do everything - written by a Christian perspective - ultimately GOD is in control, but the point is that OTHER people are not), Lady in Waiting (Being single and serving God - this one me and Luisa are going through together more or less, I sent it to Honduras, then I decided to read the spanish version too, and it's been great), and El Abrazo del Padre In the Arms of the Father (Being in a love relationship with God, being in God's loving embrace - Emil gave me this for Christmas, and I put off reading in because I knew it would take a long time to read it in spanish). So basically it's been amazing to learn truths from God that I needed at the EXACT time that I learned them. And learning God's truths isn't always easy! I was sick yesterday and slept most of the morning, and spent the afternoon laying in my bed and reading. Man, God really has a captive audience when you're sick and can't sleep anymore but can't really be up doing things. I have this feeling that I was sick specifically so I'd be lying in bed unable to sleep just so God could finally get into my stubborn head. It was nice to have a prolonged conversation with the Lord, even if not everything was super pleasant. I still felt icky last night, so I called in sick for work for today. I was doing better by 8am when I got up, so I laid outside to read - more of those books. I have it in my head that when I get to Mexico I need to take one day a month and set aside at least half the day, hopefully the whole day to receive from the Lord. So, why didn't the thought cross my mind that I should be doing that NOW?! I refer to the day with God as "Going to Santa Lucia," as Michelle was the first person to let me know just how important a day away is. Santa Lucia is her place (or at least it was in 2003) and I want to find a place like that in Mexico or I should say in Queretaro or by Queretaro. So, starting yesterday, I will "Go to Santa Lucia" one day a month, or more if I feel led. So now, I am not sick, and I feel very refreshed and very healed. Well, in the healing learning process. I also had this euphoric feeling yesterday that I'm going to Mexico. I felt free to start my visa process, and to think about packing (for those who know me well, you know that moving away for 2 years will mean I need about 2 months to start packing or I'll complain about how bad packing sucks. I think of you Jess, and how I hated packing to go home for Christmas, or otherwise. Travelling would be perfect if it weren't for the packing aspect.) I'm just about at 70% for my support, and it's coming in rapidly - did I mention I sold the "Cucaracha?!?!?!" The VW Bug!!! That helped a lot. So, while the past few days have been anything but pleasant, I would go through it again to come out okay like this, to be obedient to the Lord.

Just a side note, because I can't help myself....... HONDURAS beat Panama 1-0 last night, making their THIRD win for the Gold Cup (against Trinidad, Colombia, and Panama). That's big. We'll be playing Costa Rica (Yikes!!) at 10am this saturday in the Quarter finals. Yep, see the picture below? That's Tyson Núñez, one of the best players for the Catracho Seleccion. Too bad he regularly plays for Marathón! Figueroa, Palacios, Tercios, and Velazquez are the REAL catrachos, they play for Olimpia!!

Michelle, Tyson, and I sipping granitas in Toncontin INT'L Airport. Yep, good ol' Ty, we go way back. HAHAHAHA! But I do know he speaks english more or less, and I could guesstimate that he's about 5'5"........ And that is truely all I know! But this is my only celebrity picture, except the one at PDX with Arvydas Sabonis' back after he scoffed at me asking for a picture with him! (Sabonis played for the Blazers late '90's and until like 2003)

Dia de Aprender

Today really sucks. I had a not-fun conversation with a friend today in which I found out that I was lied to about something that I am really upset about now, finding this out. I am mostly mad at myself for believing what was told to me, and for taking it seriously. I am frustrated at the person who this conflict is with, because I don't think I deserved this. No I won't go into details, because I don't want to de-face this individual, although I may be stepping over the line even mentioning this on this blog. But right now I really don't care. I am upset, and the person knows it. But I will be okay.... eventually. I don't want to hold a grudge, I think we will still be friends even after this incident. I think it's harder to forgive myself for getting myself into this whole mess. I can think back now, now that this is all over and done, of what I could have done differently to avoid how I feel now. I am scared for myself that I will pull away from people more now (and many of you, especially my first-floor roomies from 2001) know that I do NOT need to go back into the "pull away from people around me" mode. Especially when I'm so close to leaving for Mexico! Yay! Please pray for me, that I will not avoid building relationships with people now. Right now, I don't want to make any new friends, I don't want to let myself be hurt by them. It sucks. So I hope that I will bounce back quickly and get on with leaving here and going to Mexico. I know that leaving will not solve anything, so I hope that I am leaving the situation with no loose ends so I am not constantly pestered with wondering if everything is okay between me and the other person. I think I come at this with a healthy outlook, but I don't know. So I could use to prayer and encouragement now, honestly.

Palabra Gringa

Desmocarse = quitar mocos, sonar la nariz.

(Un-booger-yourself)

Also, I started a "story blog" where I am posting som random things that I've written, some memories from my childhood. It's weird, but hopefully interesting. And it's a peak inside my head. Click on "My Story Blog" on the right under "Links."

Soccer Poll Results... Plus a Whole Lot More

Ok, time's up on the soccer poll. Of the whopping 6 of you who respondes, 2 were correct. Yes, I will be fanatically rooting for BRASIL in 2006. And I'm not surprised that two people said Mexico. The other 2 votes were for Costa Rica and United States. Heads would have rolled if anyone would have guessed England or France. Haha! Come on, England has a team called "Chelsea." That puts the "Queretaro Gallos Blancos (white roosters!)" to shame. For those of you who care, I am a Chivas fan when it comes to Mexican league, but I can feel good about going to gallos games too, they're in a lower league than Chivas.

Back to the poll. In July of 2002, I found myself in a crowded living room at 5am decked out in my Brasil jersey and bright blue soccer shorts hearing "Copa do Mundo, 'dios-mil-dois,'" and the Brasilian World Cup theme song. I watched with glee as German Khan horribly missed Ronaldo's shots, giving Brasil a 3-1 win over Germany. About five minutes later, after our barrage of fireworks, the we heard the roar of motorcycles. I stood on the brick wall looking out onto the street as an innumerable amount of motorbikes drove by to down town Cruzeiro do Sul. Soon they were followed by cars and trucks with people hanging on to any available space, weilding Brasilian flags and beer cans.

No, I won't get that same joy in 2006, but I hope to be in a crowded living room in a Brasil jersery and my blue shorts waving a Brasilian flag, at 5am. (Is the World Cup in the eastern hemisphere again?? I should know....) I figure Mexico won't make it past the quater finals, so once they're out, I can safely show my "Orgullo brasileiro." If Mexico makes it past the quarter finals, that's when I'll run into problems. It could be dangerous to root for a country other than the one I'm living in!

So, for all you non-soccer (FUTBOL!) folks, just memorize this (the good teams are first, the enemies are in parenthesis):
Mexico - Guadalajara Chivas (America Aguilas D.F.)
Spain - Real Madrid (Barcelona)
Brasil - Flamengo (São Paulo)
Honduras - Olimpia Leones (Montagua Aguilas)
El Salvador - Usulutan Firpo
And Brasil beats all when it comes to international competitions between "Selecciones Nacionales."

Emblems of Flamengo, Olimpia, Chivas, Firpo, and Real Madrid

Una Foto Nueva!

Franklin sent me this, isn't it Great!?!?! (The gringa is Michelle.)

Hey people!! Take my POLL! It's three entries down, still on this page.

El Cumpleañero y La Independecia

I had a good weekend.

Friday, I did nothing after work. It was good. Saturday, I went to see "War of the Worlds," then to Red Lobster. Sunday, I taught Sunday school, went to church, then went to church in Spanish. Then I went to a taqueria with my hispanic friends. On sunday night, I called Franklin for his birthday. Interesting timing, it was during his birthday party, and they brought in the cake like 5 minutes after I started talking with him. So I talked also with Marlia for a few minutes, Iván, Ronald, Omar, and of course Suyapa. It was nice! And I got to hear everyone sing "Feliz feliz cumpleaños" and Hah-pee bearth-day-ee in English.

Here's a picture from Fran's 19th birthday in 2003, the time I was there! (Luisa and Karlita are the girls in the back, then Fran, Vivian, Michelle, and Teagen).

Monday I went to Silver Creek Falls with the hispanic church. We ate breakfast, then ate lunch about an hour and a half later, played a lot of volleyball, talked a lot, and ate "comida." I got to meet some people that I hadn't yet met, and to get to know people better! It was a great 4th of July! Only the second 4th that I can remember when I didn't personally do fireworks. The other time was in Honduras in 2003. Yes, we did do fireworks in Brasil in 2002 - HUGE ones actually, it was freaky because they're the kind that fly in the air, and you hold them in your hand! This was probably the last 4th of July that I'll actually celebrate for a while. But come September 15 at midnight, I'm sure I'll be doing something fun! (well, not this year though).

El Vaso... Hoy Es Llena a la Media

Happy 3-day weekend! I'm proud to say that I too have a 3-day one!

I must say that support-raising for missions is an emotional rollercoaster. Some days I feel like there's nothing more to be done, I give up. Other days it's more like I'm getting really close to being ready to leave. It guess it depends a lot on my attitude. Is it half empty or half full? Today is a half full day. I was encouraged by talking with two wonderful ladies yesterday about more support-raising options. I just needed some fresh ideas. So there IS more that can be done, and I am excited to see what other weird ways God uses to help me out! One of those weird ways is sitting in my driveway right now..... in fact, I am in the process of teaching myself to drive it. My mom was in the car with me when I first tried to drive it, and she FREAKED out. I've driven a stick before, but not for like a year, and I don't drive very well. So today, I took the bug out and drove it down Sunnyside to Delany and back twice. I did that because I could use all 4 gears, not have to battle much traffic, and not have to stop on a hill. hahaha! I'm getting to the point where I'm almost street-worthy, I hope to be able to drive it to work soon. It's the driving home at noon through downtown that makes me nervous.

So then, I got this email from Franklin today saying that their family is waiting for me to come the end of July to stay with them and go to camp. What is that all about? I WANT to go, but I didn't tell them that I'd be ABLE to go. So now, since that's only about the 5th email I've gotten like that, I really want to go. But it seems like a waste of money. I mean, not to me, but to just spend a bunch of money to "hang out for a week?!" I think I'm gonna have to postpone that 'till Christmas........ then maybe I can "hang out" for 2 or 3 weeks! It's nice to know that they love me and haven't forgotten me though!!

Soccer Poll (Take 2)

Here's the soccer poll, again, seeing as it didn't work before......
So vote away, keeping in mind that there IS a VERY correct answer!

One year till World Cup time!!!!! What country will I be fanatically rooting for?
	Costa Rica
	United States
	England
	Mexico
	Brasil
	Argentina
	France
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Sigo Adelante

I'm okay guys! I got a few emails today after people read my yesterday's blog, encouragement emails! It was nice though - really nice to know that people are plugging along with me and encouraging me. I needed it. I'm still very much lacking in the support-raising world, so that is a big source of stress and icky-ness for me. Will I EVER get to leave!?!? I hope so!

I burnt myself TWO TIMES today at work, litterally like within ten minutes of each other. I burnt a finger grabbing a hot pan of cheeses sticks - that one blistered right up. Then I spilled a customers' coffee all over the back of my hand. Luckily I know the customer. That one didn't blister, but it's been about 8 hours ago, and it still burns. My other counter person - a new guy who started last week - spilled coffee twice too, one time just on himself, the other time on himself and under the cash register. Today wasn't a good day for coffee for us. I would have rather overflowed the coffee pot twice in one day that have us get burned! Althouh I don't know if I can ever top the time I overflowed the coffee pot twice in a row the day before Thanksgiving when there was a TON of customers in the store. Hahahahaha!

Me at work

Soccer Poll!

I just got this poll thingy so I decided to make a poll about World Cup! I'll post the correct answer (and yes, there IS a correct answer that EVERYONE should be rooting for!) later this week or sometime.

One year till World Cup time!!!!! What country will I be fanatically rooting for?
	Costa Rica
	United States
	England
	Mexico
	Brasil
	Argentina
	France
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Nadie Me Entienda - Parte 2

I don't have a culture. White people don't understand me. People at the Mexican church, they understand me. But I still just don't know them all that well. I'm getting there though - my adventure yesterday was going to a baby shower for a lady I didn't know. It was fun though!

Anyhow, today hasn't been such a good day for me. I'm cranky. I even talked for quite a while on the phone to one of my "gringa friends" in the area, and we just don't have a lot in common I guess. That's okay though, it's still nice to talk to her. Then there's "la situacion" as I will call it - the one that me and Elsy have in common. Franklin was the victim today in listening to my rants about it. I've thought about maybe not even writing anything about it because I have no intention of EVER telling anyone about it in this blog, so it's weird to write about it since I'm really not explaining myself. But Franklin understands me, like Elsy and Luisa. Go figure, 3 of my closest latino friends. In fact, I guess you could say Fran has a similar situation as me. I'll bet many people have a "la situacion" but just different.

I keep hoping that when I move to Mexico, I'll love it sooooo much that I won't miss Honduras as much, and my "situaciones" will work themselves out. Especially "LA situacion." But I have a feeling that I'm still here in Oregon because my "situaciones" aren't worked out. That and the fact that for litterally the past 2 years - more now probably - every single day I miss being in Honduras. Even last summer when I was there, I dreaded the day I had to leave. Now I am playing with the idea of going back in like a month - several people have asked me to come to camp and I want to just go as a participant, and to hang out with my friends. But I'd have a problem of where to stay - my homes are already full of gringas. Fran said the boys would move into the hallway room so I could stay there. Ha! That would sick for them, plus it would really be bad for Marlia's team dynamics to have a foreign gringa staying there, I think it would be really weird for everyone. Then there's the whole "I'm raising financial support and my supporters very well may think that I'm wasting money paying $600 to go to youth camp." $600 is for the airplane, then add $25-$30 for the camp, and everything else is basicaly free. But I don't think I'm going. Luisa told me I should buy a ticket to get there, then they'd raise money to send me back home. Too bad that doesn't really work.

Ok, I feel like a mental case today. I need to go to bed, get a good nites' sleep, and go on with my life.

Mis Amigas MUY Amables...

Yesterday, I wrote about my friend Elsy and that I am encouraged by her. I got an email from Luisa, my next-door-neighbor/good friend from Honduras yesterday. She is another friend who I am so blessed to know. I can write to her (or talk to her when I'm there, or on the phone) and she listens and is just somehow really encouraging. Not really sure how to explain that. I have some "gringa" friends who are very encouraging too though, I really tend to pity-party myself for "not having many friends" sometimes, but it's just that my best friends are not in Salem. But they are still my friends! And I am blessed to have some really neat co-workers - even though they don't always understand where I'm coming from, they're great to work with none the less!

I wish I were there with Luisa now though, she wrote about some stuff at work that just makes me sad. I wish I were there to tell her that I am her friend and that she is loved, even if not everyone treats her with the respect she deserves. I hope that Suyapa or Belinda or some other lady who actually IS in Honduras can be an encouragement to Luisa this week!

Luisa's family also has 2 gringas (from Marlia's team) living with them. I don't think they realized that people from the united states are not all acostomed to living in the same manner as they do - it sounds like it's been an interesting experience watching gringas adjust to a new culture, and for the family to adjust to the gringas! But I'm sure in just a short time, they will become near and dear to Luisa's family's hearts! I keep thinking of serving gringas "cuajada" for the first time - a white cheezy substance that Luisa's family makes at home - they have a big bowl of it in their living room, and just pull the cuajada out of the liquid that it sits in. It was an interesting experience for me the first time I saw that happen, and I'm a pretty adventurous eater. Cuajada is now one of my favorite foods!

Anyhow, I guess the point of today is - again - that I love that God has blessed me with some great girls who encourage me so much, even if they live so far away!!


Belinda (another wonderful young lady from Honduras!) and Luisa

Nadie Me Entienda

Who reads this thing anyways? Some people have told me that they read my "blog." It almost wants to make me write differently in it. Not that I don't want people to read it - that's what it's here for! haha! I've thought about putting titles to entries in english, but I'm not going to - it's just part of who I am. And too bad for you if you don't "get" my catchy titles (catchy in my opinion!).

So yesterday, I was talking with my salvadoran friend, Elsy, online. Seriously, we are living the exact same life! Looking at each of us from the outside we are totally different. We live in different countries, attend different styles of church, and have different daily activities. Her house is the size of my living room. There are four (I'm embarassed to say) cars parked in front of my home right now (one is the one that was given to me to sell for fund-raising for Mexico). There might be one car in front of her home, but it's her uncle's. So in those ways, we are totally different. But, we are the same age (oops, missed her birthday last week), and we both are going to be missionaries. We have both wanted to leave for the mission field since we met 5 years ago. We are both raising financial support. We are the same in those ways.

Yesterday, well the past week or so I guess, I've had this situation that I've been dealing with that no one will understand. Not that I've really given anyone else the chance to hear me and try to understand, I am just assuming that no one will understand so I never said anything to anyone. Great, huh? So when me and Elsy were talking, she brings up this situation that she's been dealing with, kind of to get my opinion, and it's the SAME exact thing that I've been going through! After she told me her story, I told her mine, and we laughed (I could see her on webcam) as we marveled at how similar our lives always seem to be. What would I ever do without Elsy? What would I ever do without cheap/free ways to communicate with my "montón" of friends that live out of the country? Another weird way that God provides, no?

La Mejor Ciudad del Mundo

So this post is for all you who didn't have the joy of being in Salem Oregon this past friday...

This is a city of 200,000 people, more or less. The Willamette River runs through the west side of Salem, kind of making west Salem it's own city, but not really. There are two bridges connecting West Salem to the rest of us, and those two bridges are downtown one block apart from each other - one heading west and the other heading east. So Friday (the day I was sick, so I didn't get the joys of experiencing all this) a little after noon, there was a car wreck on the eastbound bridge. By the way, downtown rush hour here is from about noon to 6pm on Fridays. Then some genious decided that he shouldn't live anymore, and wanted to end his life by jumping off the westbound bridge, during the afternoon rush hour, the same time as the car wreck. So half of the eastbound bridge and the ENTIRE westbound bridge were shut down about 12:30. People were stuck in non-moving traffic for 1-3 hours. Apparently, people stuck on Court street were leaving their cars in the road and coming to (my) work to get snacks. The jumper was on the bridge all evening! One person told me he fell asleep at 1am, and someone else said 3:30am. Either way, it was over 12 hours. So, in the evening, they opened the eastbound bridge to westbound traffic. Also, the next closest ways to cross the river are: 1. Independence - about 20 away from downtown if you drive fast and there's no traffic. 2. Wheatland Ferry - I think it's even further away, and it's a really small ferry that only operates for a few hours a day. Those routes were totally blocked too. Then, to top it all off, a storm rolled in, downpouring all the people who were stuck in traffic north of town trying to cross the ferry. There were predicted "nickel-size" hail stones (don't think that ever materialized though). Call me insensitive, but as I was watching this all on the news from the comfort of my home with nowhere to be, I had to shake my head and laugh at our city. I love living in a city of 200,000 that has a capacity to accomodate about 50,000 people. And no, I'm actually not being sarcastic, I really do like it here! :-)

Enfermita

Today was quite possibly the worst day I've had in a long time. I stayed home from work (came home early yesterday too) because I felt crappily sick. The bronchitis kind of sick, not the barf kind. And you know how when you're sick, stuff seems like out of proportion or something? I mean, sometimes it seems like everyone is yelling at you or talking in a really low voice, or like everything looks distorted or far away. Well, I was dreaming much of the time I was sick in bed. And guess what I was dreaming about. Yep, Honduras. I was in Tegucigalpa walking around, but it wasn't really Tegus. I went to Pollo Campero, and there were all these stupid gringo high schoolers complaining about anything and everything. I was trying to cross the road with several people (it was Blvd. Morazan, a major road there) and we got stuck in the middle of oncoming traffic and cars were swerving to miss us, but wouldn't let us get to the other side. Omar was on the other side of the road yelling at us to get out of the road, and I started crying becuase we couldn't. And I was blaming the whole thing on the gringos. Somehow, I ended up safe at Michelle's house (which isn't Michelle's real-life house) and it was SO nice. There was this little boy with me, I think it was Denis from Germania, and he kept wanting me to take pictures of the house so he could remember it. I told him to come in the house, but he wouldn't because he was afraid he'd get into trouble.
So, I went in the house and there were 3 bedrooms. And that's all the rooms. Jessica was in one room asleep, and Omar was in another room asleep. Then somehow, they both disappeared and I KNEW they were both, uh, gone for good. I woke up so sad and scared, and since I was sick, I couldn't make myself know that they are both really still alive and well.
I HATE dreaming when I'm sick and not being able to make myself know it's fake. When I was a mission team leader, I had bronchitis, and I took a nap on a sunday afternoon. It was a dream about Teagen, one of my girls. I saw her die in my dream, and I woke up crying. Luckily my roommate wasn't there. I looked at the clock and saw that I was about to be late to our Honduras team meeting. So I went. All the girls were there except Teagen (which shouldn't have been surprising, she isn't known for being on time..... but I love you anyways!). I couldn't stop thinking that she was dead. It was terrible, and in real life I knew she was just late, but since I was sick, it didn't make sense in my head.
So tonight - no more nyquil!!
And hopefully non more dreams about people I love dying!!

¡LKM! Con Cariño

Hey guess who I saw tonight! Justin! (No, not the kid that died - Justin my childhood friend...)
He is back from Kansas/Missouri for like a week or something. He was at the church BBQ tonight, I went there to mooch free food.... I'm glad I did now. He is on summer break from Naz. Theological Seminary.

Sometimes, like right now, I miss my teenage years. In high school, all I ever had to do was go to school, work, do homework, and live at the Lanes' house every weekend (by choice). I had lots of friends at school, but I rarely ever did anything with them outside of school, I hung out with my church friends. Started out as the people my age and the guys older than us. Then it turned into being the people my age (Andria, Justin, Emily, Kristine...) and the little brothers of the older guys. Man, when Justin and Emily were dating, it seems like all of us would hang out all the time. I remember frequently running the red light left turn signal at Aumsville HWY and Cordon coming home from the Wadsworths' because it was hecka late at night and the lights are on timers not sensors. Dude, I'm in bed at 9pm now, closed to wakeing UP at 2am than getting HOME then! Lame. I miss Cindy's house. I miss spending every weekend doing absolutely nothing with Andria. I miss us laughing at ourselves for liking the same guy. I miss going to Shari's at midnight. I miss getting junk food at WinCo to take home and curl up with like 7 people on the big bed in the green room to watch a lame scary movie. I miss BACKPACKING (the highlight of my summers!!)

But the 2 and 1/2 years after that - the ones I spent in NorCal - I love those so much too. My wonderful new friends brought me back to being myself after several months of messed-up-ness. Jenny, you were HUGE in that. Joana too. Remember when I had to go to the doctor because I had lava dust in my eye and the doctor made me wear an eye patch? Jess, you taught me how to live with other people long-term after having been an only child. I'd be screwed if I had to leave the country never having had a roommate! ("I'm a spoiled-brat only-child!!!" hahaha!!!!) Jennifer and Sarah, you were influential roommies too - still got to experience the only child girl! haha! Leah Tortilla, I love that I could talk to you about messed-up stuff and you never acted like I was messed-up! I HAVE to mention all 4 other members of the Brasil team - I'm sure I wouldn't be where I am today without your guys' blunt wisdom (and the fact that I heard about I.T. from Ben on that trip). Marlia and Katy, thanks for walking me through Honduras withdrawals, and listening to my hopes and dreams. Yeah, those were good years too.

Going back a LONG ways, before my teenage years... I must thank Danny for the "big-brother" that I desperately needed. And Andria, I would have been bored out of my mind without you and the Orphan Boat. And Apryl, thanks for 23 years of craziness in harassing me like a big sister, and being the greatest friend EVER! Just remember - red and blue together make a purple horse. And next time you make a copy at work, please make an "It's a hand! AAAHHH!" in my honor! hehehehe!

And the past year and a half? Well......... I quite possibly missed out on having more friends influence my life because of my lack of willingness to accept being here in Oregon and getting involved. But I've still been so blessed everywhere I go by people God puts in my life! Keep 'em coming! And I'm glad I'm not still a kid, a teenager, or even a college student. I get to move to Mexico and start a whole new adventure in who-knows-where God will lead me!


Some of my girls from school


The "Simpson 5" - Brasil folk

(My computer pictures only go back so far, hence no pictures of my childhood friends, or even from my teenage years.)

Atracción Mas Popular en la Zoologica - Los Misioneros Gringos

Ok, fine. My last post (the one right below this one) made me think of something else (go figure), that I didn't want to junk up my blog with. Is it possible to "junk up" a blog? But I decided to write it anyways.

When you're a gringa living out of the country, you get stared at. All the time. As of now, it doesn't bother me tooo much, just sometimes. When I was in Queretaro to visit like a year and a half ago, I went for a short walk by myself. I was wearing jeans and a sweater, the same kinds of things the other girls my age wore. But everyone stared at me. I walked past the bus stop, and people did double-takes. It's not as if I were dressed differently, and I wasn't speaking so they weren't hearing a different language. I don't think we stare at hispanic people here who are dressed in west coast modern clothing. Maybe if they're speaking spanish people might stare, but not normally. If we stared at every latino we saw here, we'd now be staring at 1/3 of the people we see aroung town (more or less depending on if you are in North Salem or South Salem).

When I go to La Dispensa Familiar in Loarque (Tegus) to buy chicharones or CocaLight, the cashier doesn't talk to me, but kind of stares. The waiters at Pizza Hut...... Holy moly, they STARE. I'm sure it doesn't help to be THE white girl with a group of Luisa and 5 or 6 obnoxious rich guys. So why am I the one picked out of that group to be stared at??! David and Franciso are GIGANTIC TWINS and no one gives them a second look.

Then there's Ciudad Delgado El Salvador. If you don't like to stand out in a crowd DON'T go there while white. Lots of people from Chimaltenango there - the white people of El Salvador. That sounds like I'd stick out less there, but I have yet to see any Chimaltenangan who has hit the 5'3" mark. Elsy told me that people should stare less if I always spoke in Spanish because they might think I'm just from Chimaltenango. But I'm a bit large, I said. We died laughing! I stopped a soccer game in Delgado just by walking past one time. There were about 8 boys (like ages 10-14) playing, and all of a sudden the game stopped. They all stared at me and whispered. I can still distictly remember hearing the words "gringa" and "giganta."

So, I hear that the things that bother you a little bit will bother you a lot more when you actually move out of the country. I'm thinking this will be a big one for me. On one hand, I like it when people want to meet me, only having noticed me because I'm different. I feel like I can start up a conversation more eaisily, as we can always talk about how life is in the States, things I don't know about their culture, and english. Just as long as no one asks me how many cars we have at my house. (My house isn't too big, so I was able to tell the Delgados that their house, even without the grandma's section, is bigger than mine, but I always avoid the car question.) So there are pros and cons to being different. I want to learn to love it!!


Elsy and I in El Salvador. Her dad is from Chalentenango, he is the same height as her.

Rarita

Am I weird?

Sometimes when I think about my thoughts, I think I'm kind of messed up. If people knew what goes on in my brain, I'd be scared for them. Not that I'm schitofrenic (?) or anything, I'm not suicidal or homicidal, in fact, my thoughts are more about helping people. When I talk to myself in my head, it's usually in spanish. About half my dreams are in spanish. Sometimes in dreams, people who don't speak spanish are even speaking spanish. Everytime I imagine what I will be like or where I will be in the future, why am I in Honduras and not Mexico? It just seems logical that in several years I'll have a home (I can even tell you exactly where!) in Germania Tegucigalpa Honduras. I want it to be across the street from the Delgados, down the hill past the charismatic church, but before the alley road. Where the horses are now. Maybe it is because this is what I know. I'm familiar with Central America. I guess it's just like when I was in Europe and I imagined going home, I thought of my old house, the one we had moved out of two weeks before I went to Europe. I thought of that as the house I'd go back to because it was what I knew. En route to Mexico in 1997, I pictured that things would be just like in Puerto Barrios Guatemala, since that's what I knew of LatinAmerica. Well, Tecate Mexico and P.B. Guatemala are worlds apart! So maybe that's why I think of Tegus as being my future. Because I can't see myslef living in the States for the rest of my life, and Tegus is what I'm most familiar with. It's the only city besides Salem, Redding, and Portland that I can find my way to most places that I need to go. I even know bus drivers in Tegus - Rodolfo (aka Ceijas) I know because we rented his bus services for a short term team, and then the "mariposa" bus with the two enamored males who drive. The tall light skinned guy with black curly hair in the ciber cafe in Loarque know me, he even remembered me from a year before! If the immigration officials ever needed to find me, it would be easy. All they's have to do is go to Germania, stop at most any house up the hill from the escuela, and ask where the gringa lives. Everyone knows because everyone knows my family. Although, I don't know if I'd always WANT immigration to be able to find me...

So that is what I think. All the time. But lately, I figure, even if I am weird, I'm not alone. I read several other peoples' blogs - people that I know - and they are just as weird as me. Maybe in different ways, but weird none the less! Who's blogs have I been reading? The world will never know!

Casamiento? Eso Lo Dudo... ¡Por Ahora!

Hi. So I haven't written in a while. hehehe

Today I went to Iglesia de Cristo again. It seems like I can never go two weeks in a row for various reasons. But it was cool, as always. I am starting to get to know people better, and I am starting to remember names....... which is something I wish I could do better! haha! Some of us went to a little Real Mexican Food restaurant on Fairgrounds Rd. after church. It was really good, and they have gorditas there - quite possibly my favorite Mexican food. I had those for the first time (I DO NOT count Taco Bell's gorditas as really being gorditas) at Taco 57 in Queretaro. They looked like pupusas there, so I had to try them.

Anyhow, after the Fairgrounds restaurant, we went to Bush Park and the women played volleyball and the guys played soccer, but we only played volleyball for a little while, then sat and talked for a long time. I am starting to be able to understand Mexican spanish better, but I still have to smile and nod a lot. I was talking with Sylvia the pastor's wife, and 3 siblings - Nora, and I can't remember the guy or other girls names... They are ages 22 - 34. the 22 year old (the girl who I can't remember her name!) is married and has a little boy - the second cutest kid EVER (Trenton Lane is THE cutest!!). It seems like pretty much everyone there over 20 is married. So I, not thinking about who I was talking to, said that I must be an old maid to them since I'm 24 and not married. They proceeded to barage me with what I call "Los Robles Questions" (Marlia, use your imagination, these have to do with Fernando "Feo" Nuñez and the rest of the guys bugging me about him...) such as "So, would you rather marry a Mexican or a Gringo?" "Does it matter how old your husband is?" "How many kids do you want to have?" And luckily they kept it more toned down than real "Los Robles questions," but it was still like they were trying to figure out if they knew anyone that they could fix me up with. But then the sisters (whose husbands were out playing soccer) proceeded to tell me how lucky I am to still be single because I can do whatever I want and I don't have to wake up early to fix breakfast and pack a lunch for my husband, and I can eat whatever I want whenever I want, and no one will tell me that I don't cook as good as his mom!

Anyways, I'd actually been thinking about this a lot lately - if I could ever marry a Latino. As my co-workers would glady tell you, I just don't seem to be interested in white guys. But I'm also pretty strong-willed and independent. It would be a lot harder than I think to be married to a Latino. My Honduran friends tell me that I shouldn't marry a Mexican, then today the Mexicans told me I shouldn't marry a CentralAmerican. They all have their reasons. But seriously, it would be hell to be married to most any of my latino guy friends. If I get married, which I certainly might not, I wish my husband and I could like be mentored by Delmer and Suyapa. Weird, but I don't think I've seen any marriage - latino or gringo - be just what marriage should be, like theirs is.

So don't think that I'm all desperate to get married as soon as possible or anything. I fully plan on leaving the country single, and staying single for at least my first two years - the Mexico years. I can do whatever I freakin' want to, without having to worry about if my husband will "give me permission."

This is a weird journal entry. hahahahahaha!!!

Sábado

Today was a good saturday. Not that most of them aren't...
It was "Church Work Day" today. We went to do yard work at church. It was a perfect day for it - not too hot, but not rainy, and a little sunny. My dad and I turned barkdust and weeded, and I got to drive Dan's ATV around a lot to haul pine needles, weeds, etc. I love driving that thing. I'm kind of sore now though. Not from driving the ATV... hahaha!

I sent off a package of stuff to Marlia to take to my catrachos in Honduras yesterday. When she was here last week, I gave her A BUNCH of stuff to take - picture frames, books, Old Navy sandals, candy, and Great Harvest cookie dough mix! It was all cheap things, because I am cheap and I got stuff on sale (or for free). But it's things that I think people will like. So I just sent the letters to her in the mail. I'm really missing being in Honduras now. I think it's beacuse I know what I'll be missing this summer. I think that once I get to Mexico it won't be too bad though, because then I'll be busy with lots of things (well, AFTER language school!) and meeting new people! And then I go to Honduras for Christmas! And so far, Luisa and Omar have both decided that we are going to Roatan. It's funny because they aren't really super good friends together, but those two are probably my two best Honduran friends, with the exception of my brothers! But between Luisa and Omar, we should have somewhere to stay for free in Roatan - Omar's sister or some family member lives there, and Luisa knows some church people there pretty well. I doubt that the two live in the same town though. Anyhow, I hope that I'll be in Mexico before Christmas time! It would be really cool to finish up language school then go to Honduras (losing my Mexican spanish for Honduran slang!) then on to Queretaro!! That would put me at actually ending up in Queretaro not until December though. But I'll be in Guanajuato for school for 3 months...

Happy June. Happy summer!

Hi Apryl!

Una Mezcla de Todo

It was 92 degrees (34) INSIDE work on Friday. That was the last day I worked. It seems like this is a HUGE time off work, but it's really only 3 days! Relaxing thhough.

I've had a good weekend. I did a lot of nothingness on saturday, but sometimes you just need nothingness. I rather enjoyed it. Yesterday I went back to Iglesia de Cristo... finally!! It had been 3 weeks since I last went, because of Mother's Day, then they went to church in Newberg, then it was my church's celebration Sunday for end-of-40-days-of-purpose. Then next week is Iglesia de Cristo's family retreat. I could technically go, since I don't have to work on saturday, but I decided not to. I like that church. They are cool. There was another gringo, or I guess I should say "huerro" because that's what the Mexicans call us gringos! I don't know where the other guy came from, but I think he speaks spanish pretty well.

Last week Marlia was here. We talked a lot about her upcoming trip to Honduras, I want to go back so bad... right now. Este MERO minuto! But I'll just have to wait until Christmas... when I can hopefully have a few weeks there and go see Elsy & Carolina in El Salvador, and go to Roatan with my Germania friends. Marlia's team leaves (for Tegus) on the 14th of June!

So today I will go to my annual family reunion. I didn't think I'd be going to another one for a long long time because I'd be in Mexico, but here I am! ha!

Anyhow, that's it for now!

Hi Marlia!!


Marlia and me

---

I can't even put a title on this one.

I just got home from the officially most depressing funeral I've ever been to. I've only been to maybe 5 funerals before. 3 of them were for Christian people, and two of those were old Christian people who were happy to be going home. The other 2 were my grandma and uncle, they at least had some symbolance of Christianity in their catholic rosaries and funerals. My uncle's funeral was hard for me because I saw how much the people thought that they were all going to heaven because they did all the good catholic things, even though they didn't have a relationship with the Lord.

But today, I went to a funeral for a 21 year old boy who was shot by an angry man. Justin used to work with me at the pizza place. Did I always enjoy working with him? No. But he was nice to me. His life wasn't the picture of perfection by any means. In fact, I don't think I realized that there were really people who lived the life of the typical super-dysfunctional family shown on COPS or CSI or other shows like that. Well, there really are people like that, and Justin was one of those people. I don't know how he was so smilely all the time. I guess drugs help a lot with that as long as you keep taking them. One time, Justin randomly told me, "I wanna get baptized." I was like, "huh??" He said that he wanted to get baptized so he'd go to heaven when he died. I told him that getting baptized won't get you to heaven. That you have to live for the Lord. He didn't like that idea, and decided to talk to pastor Colin about just baptizing him anyway. (He lived right next to my church). I don't think he ever did. I left for college the next week, and never saw him again.

Justin's family was very distraught. His relatives were yelling at Colin when I entered the church before the funeral. I don't think there was a reason for that, just that they don't know how to react to this death. How do you react to a sudden death from an act of violence when the victim is not going to heaven? Well, there was no pretending that we're all going to see Justin in heaven after we die like there was at my catholic relatives' funerals. Just that he's gone and everyone was crying. His friends who used to come in high to the pizza place were bawling.

2 people younger than me died suddenly through acts of violence in the last couple months. Laurie was an amazing Christian young lady who acted on a terribly misguided thought that she shouldn't live anymore. Justin was a fighter and was going to duke it out with his friend's dad, but the dad didn't play fair - he brought a gun and didn't give Justin a fighting chance. The two young people couldn't be more different. Laurie - an example to many in their walk with the Lord, she was from a good family (well, every family has some problems) with parents and siblings who love her and love the Lord and who were law-abiding citizens. Justin was a live for the moment kind of kid, loving others but not thinking through the effects of his actions before he acted, with friends who helped him find drugs at a younger age than I was when I first heard the "F" word. But they both died at age 20 and 21. And both deaths could have totally been prevented. Can Christians care less about others? I don't think it's possible. In reading though Laurie's families blogs, I've seen them write several times, "If we'd loved and cared about Laurie like she loved and cared about us, she would still be here." Could someone have influenced Justin in the ways that drugs and violence is not the answer? Maybe. But no one did. Laurie still had the relationship with her Heavenly Father. Justin didn't. I'll never see him again, and maybe I could've done something about it. It's easy to say that nothing I could've ever done or said would've changed the path of his life, but maybe it could have. Did I do all I could when I knew him? What about the people I work with now? What about Amanda and Erin, and the other people who live normal, moral lives, but haven't received God's gift of salvation? Am I doing all that God asks of me for them? How can I use my position as a "normal, non-eccentric" co-worker and friend among my co-workers to tell them about my Lord?

I have no answers to death and how things like this can be prevented. But I'll bet that if we all actually did what the Lord asks of us, things might be different. Or at least we wouldn't have any regrets.


Laurie


Justin

Huracán Adrián, Guerras Galácticas, y Todo el "PIE" Que Se Puede Comer

El viento sopló
El lluvia cayó
El agua fluyó
Y todo se inundó
Chorus to “Honduras” by d.c. Reto. It is a song about Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

Thankfully, this was not the case in Central America this time. At least from what I can tell it wasn’t. I was worried on Thursday afternoon when none of my catracho friends were at work, and things were looking bad for El Salvador and southern Honduras. But I talked with a friend in Tegus on Friday and he said things were ok, just lots of wind and rain. Of course, this guy lives in América, and I’m sure the homes there are a bit sturdier than in Germania where I live. But I figure worst case at my house – the bathroom ceiling might have fallen in (if it hadn’t already), and water probably came in the back door. Thanks to God that a repeat of 1998 was avoided!

So yesterday, I went to see Star Wars episode III. Karl bought several tickets to it, so the morning crew from work and the Scheels went. It was SOOOOOOOOOO good!!!!! I never even saw episode II because episode I was terribly pathetic. I’m definitely an old school Star Wars fan – especially with Harrison Ford in his glory days. Haha! But if you like Star Wars, episode III is a must see – it ties together a lot of loose ends, and explains a lot about the original 3 movies.

Tonight we had the chili feed & pie auction. This is one of the 2 days per year that I don’t eat most of the day, then eat a freaking TON at night (the other day is Oktoberfest). I had 2 bowls of chili, 4 pieces of pie, and an Italian soda. But my all time record is 2 chilis, and 6 pieces of pie! I hope to never do that again! Hehe!

Bendito Sea El Señor En La Creación

I'm not sure why, but I was recently thinking about the Mid-West U.S. I spent some time there (in the Chicago suburbs) last fall for my misison training. That was the 2nd time I'd been to the MidWest. Honestly, the first thing I remember thinking upon my first time in Illinois was that the land is flatter than anything I'd ever seen, and there were no pine trees, too many buildings, and basically that it's a not-so-pretty over-built grassland. Yes, I am very spoiled living in the Northwest! I remember at I.T. we had daily time built into our schedule the busy first week of classes to have personal devotion time. I went outside pretty much every day. And one of those days I remember thinking, "you know, it is kind of pretty here, just in a different way than the West Coast." Looking around me I could see lots of green grass, a small hill that led up to a water treatment plant, some deciduous trees, and I knew that there was a river about 1/2 a mile away. Somehow, God made that all seem beautiful to me. I also thought about Northern California, and how just north of Redding, it's about the most beautiful place ever, but once you go south of there (on the I-5 corridor anyway) it's grassland, but brown grass. Blah. But I think that could be pretty too.

It's a good thing that God is giving me a different view of beautiful scenery, and taking joy in His creation. That day in Illinois, I thought, "Hmm, I'm moving from the most beautiful place on earth (sorry, I'm biased) to the middle of the desert." Maybe Queretaro wouldn't seem like the middle of the desert to everyone, but it did to me. But it's still pretty in it's own way. Especially the centro of Queretaro, there are nice old buildings and sculped trees. I think they are green all year even though they are deciduous. But I am glad to have a bit of a change of attitude about the whole "scenery" thing. My college friends, especially those of you from the Brasil trip, know that that was a much needed change for me! ha! So I am thankful for a change of heart. We all need those once in a while.

Volví a Brasil!

Today, I had a long day at work. I was tired and it just wasn't the best day ever.
On the way home, I remembered that I still have Jamba Juice money on my gift card from Christmas, so I decided to go there to get a drink for lunch. They have a drink called Acai Energizer (or something like that). Açaí is a berry-ish type fruit from Brasil. I had açaí ice cream in Brasil, and it was just about the most wretched stuff ever, but its not the flavor thats bad, its the texture. It is like eating blackberries with a mouth full of sand. Anyhow, I was curious about how Jamba Juices Açaí is. So I got that drink. And it tasted good, and only has the ever-so-slightest inkling of sand. The funniest thing to me was that the Jamba girls told me that its ah-KAH-ee is how the fruit is pronounced. They thought it was funny that I pronounced it ah-sah-EE. But isso e o pronunçaõ portugues. That is how its supposed to be pronounced. Not that Im a Portuguese expert! Ha! I can somewhat read it, and maybe understand it if its spoken slowly, especially if the speaker tries for a spanish accent! You know, it was weird in Brasil to talk with people because many of them understand spanish, and I can pretty much understand slow portugues, so I talk to Brasilians in spanish, and they talk to me in portuguese. Once, the phone rang at the mission house where my short-term team was staying, and there were no portuguese-speakers in the house at that time, but usually it was another missionary on the phone, so someone answered it (who didnt speak portuguese). I was elected to find out who it was and what they wanted. Luckily, it was a guy that we knew, so he knew that none of us speak portuguese, and he knew who I was and that I speak spanish, so he went easy on me with incredibly slow portugese pronounced with a spanish accent with spanish and english words thrown in every now and then!

Speaking of talking on the phone in a different language... Sometimes I can talk really well on the phone in spanish - Paty didn't know who I was when I answered the phone at the Delgados. Marlia and I didn't recognize each others' spanish voices on the phone! But, then sometimes I really suck at talking on the phone. For example, my brothers always like me to answer the phone, partly because they don't feel like it and partly because they want a reason to laugh at me. So one day, all three of them were in the living room, and I was elected to answer the phonce. I couldn't understand much of what the lady was trying to say, other than the fact that she said that she was Karla, and I KNEW it wasn't my friend Karla because I'd recognize her voice, but she sounded like she knew me. A pillow flies across the room at me. I let out a little yelp. My brothers laugh. Karla gets frustrated and tells me she needs to talk to Suyapa if Michelle's not there. I tell her I can give her Michelle's phone number. But she already tried it. a DART flies across the room at hits me. I scream and drop the phone - wouldn't you freak out if you got hit with a dart?! Then I realized that it didn't hurt because it's a magnetic dart. I feel like crying from frustration. Iván has mercy on me and takes the phone. I hear him explain that I'm a gringa and I don't hear well on the phone. Thanks a lot. I was actually quite frustrated with my beloved brothers at that point, but I laugh about it now, and I still love them!!

La Vida Misionera

I was just writing an email to a professor of mine about missions. I was telling her about how surprised I am at some Christians' lack of knowledg when it comes to missions/missionaries.

Here are my ideas of what some common missionary misconceptions may be.

• All missionaries live on a "compound" with their other co-workers from the United States.
• They all wear pastel plaid skirts from 1983.
• That they go door-to-door handing out black and white tracts in the national language... which by the way, the missionary family does not speak, only the dad/husband does.
• The mom homeschools all the kids.
• In their spare time, they read the KJV Bible and sing old hymns.
• They come home once every 4 years, and think that everything in the States will be the same as it was in 1983, when they left for their new country.
• They will always consider the United States their home and always love going there.
• Their kids can't wait to go to college in the States when they're 18.
• They don't own any electronic equipment, except a rotary phone and a radio, maybe one with a cassette player.
• They don't know what a CD or a DVD is.
• When they come home on furlogh, someone at church puts their pictures on the computer and makes a power point presentation for them to share in church, because they don't know how to use power point, or a scanner, and definitely don't have a digital camera.
• They only interact with the people in their host country when they are saying the "sinner's prayer" with them.
• The women sew their own clothes.

So, those are some of the things that maybe people think about missionaries. Although, that's kind of a stretch, I give people a bit more credit than this! :-)

Although, some missionaries "didn't get the memo." I was in the San Salvador airport last summer, and I saw another gringa. She was sitting behind me in the airport, our backs to each other. A salvadoran woman struck up a conversation with her in english, wanting to know where she was from and why she was there. Since I didn't have anything else to do, I eavesdropped. The woman said "her husband" is a missionary in La Union (a more rural part of El Salvador). She homeschools her kids, and she doesn't really speak spanish because she lives only with her family and other missionaries. Did I mention she was wearing a lavendar jumpsiut with matching lavendar heels? That's where I got the year 1983 for an example in the above list. For those of you who don't know, salvadorans generally dress a lot like we do here, but maybe a little less casual. I didn't feel like I particularly want to grow up to be Mrs. 1983 jumpsuit.

When I think of a missionary who I'd like to be like, I think of my friend Michelle in Honduras. She is very up-to-date with popular youth culture (a good thing since she works quite a bit with teenagers). She dresses like Hondurans (like they do in 2005, not 1983), or maybe a little more casual. She uses technology and pop-culture in relating to young people. She LIVES among other Hondurans, in a similar manner that they live in.

That is more how I want to be. If I can't relate to other people my age in Mexico, it will be detrimental to my ministry. I want to be up to speed with Mexican pop-culture and style (while not spending my whole existence trying to keep up with the Joneses). Anyhow, I've gone on long enough about this, so the bottom line is that you must live AMONG the people in a culturally similar way or they probably won't be too keen on hanging around you.

By the way, Feliz Cinco de Mayo!


Here is Michelle, a real live missionary who doesn't wear pastel plaid. (She's the very front lady in the picture)


Young people hanging out in the ministry center / coffee house in Queretaro. See, they like to do the same stuff that we do here! And the room is decorated "hecka tight!"

Rinconcito de MEXICO

Well, I had a really good Sunday (2 days ago!!) I went back to Iglesia de Cristo (wasn't able to go the week before...). It was so nice to be remembered and welcomed back. After the Una Vida Con Proposito sermon, we all went to Bush Park in a celebration of children's day. It was a potluck, I felt kind of bad because I didn't know about it, so I didn't bring anything. Then we played a lot. Again, I didn't know about this, so I was in tall shoes and a skirt! ha! We hadd 4, yes FOUR piñatas! It is always so much funner (great use of english, huh?) to do piñatas with latinos, they are way more into it that gringos. Even the adults dove for candy. Now, I don't mean that people were running up to the candy spilage and bending down to grab pieces, the kids literally go head first for the candy, using their arms, not fingers, to grab as much candy as possible. Yes, this did result in some minor injuries. But just minor ones. So I was not as agressive as the other adults, an ended up with just a few pieces of candy. But someone felt sorry for me, and let me choose some of their prized pieces of Mexican candies!

It is strange to me to be considered more or less an adult among this group of people. In Honduras, I am still a teenager. Heck, my good friends Luisa and Omar are still teenagers. They are two years older than me. There was a 33 year old at youth camp last summer as a participant because he is single and still a 'teenager'. Anyhow, I guess it's different in different places. I just think that I'm not in the States when I'm with my new Mexican friends! It's my little piece of Latin America. I can pretend that I really am there! hehehe!

Provisiones

I think I should title this entire blog over the past few months - "Wacky Ways God Thinks Of To Provide For His People." Today, I went to this man's home who just lost his wife. He is a neighbor of my youth pastor, Colin, and was telling Colin the other day that he's like to give his wife's clothing to someone who could really use them. Colin thought of me, and that I may like to have some new clothes as I prepare to leave. So I went there today, and many of the clothes were litterally new! Many of them did not fit me, so they will go to the other Nazarene church, as they like to provide women's clothing for women who are coming out of a life on the streets. So I found a few shirts, a nice jacket and 2 pea-coats! I've always wanted a pea-coat so I don't have to wear my casual jackets to church with a dress, and I never bought one because they tend to be expensive. Now I have 2! So that was a random surprise, and what a blessing also!!

I must say, this week I've been quite busy. I have things going on weeknights monday though thursday, plus, sundays have been really long with two churches.... and the essential fellowship and food that goes along with going to the Mexican church! I didn't even look at my Bible Study Fellowship this week... so here I am on the computer 10 minutes before I must leave, typing instead of doing my "homework." Anyhow, I'm kind of looking forward to next month when BSF and choir end - that will free up monday and wednesday evenings! Maybe I can be more social in a non-structured way then.

Futbolista

This is the best futbol team in the Honduran league - Viva Olimpia!

And the best Mexican team - Las Chivas de Guadalajara!

Mi Iglesia Mexicana

Recently I started attending a hispanic church here in Salem. It's been a real blessing to worship in spanish again, AND that church is going through The Purpose Driven Life, and they are one week ahead of how we at South Salem Naz are going through it. So I've been able to hear the sermons first in spanish, then in english the next week. I've also decided to read the book in spanish. This is a big step for me, as it is the first book I've read completely though in spanish (I'm not counting the Clifford the Big Red Dog books as real books! haha!) It's been going really well so far.

Anyhow, last sunday, I went to dinner after church with three of the families from the hispanic church. It was so cool! They are all from Mexico - in fact, all but 3 people in the church are either from Mexico or born here in the States. The Pastor's wife is from Queretaro! So they were teaching me some new Mexican words, and laughing at my Honduran slang and my use of words that they've never heard before. So I've really been blessed the past few weeks worshiping at this church and fellowshiping with new friends! They usually play soccer after dinner too, so maybe next week I'll go also. But I think that it's a spectator thing for the women, it seemed like they were saying that the men play and the women watch, which is how it would probably be in Latin America.

I hope that in the next few months I'll be meeting new people at some evangelical church in Guanajuato!!

La Linda Hermana Linda

So I realized that I never said anything more about the "support-raising breakthrough" that I mentioned a while ago on this blog. Linda, a woman from my church, recently lost her husband Joe to a respiratory disease. He was not very old, and it was quite devastating. The morning that his obituary appeared in the newspaper, at the bottom, you know where they put which charity to donate money to in honor of the deceased... It was for me! So there are many people who were relatives of Joe or long time friends of his who I've never even met who donated funds in honor of their loved one to me. I am so blessed and so touched that Linda did this. It means so much to me! So, now my set-up costs for going to Mexico are pretty well taken care of. I don't yet have an exact figure as to where I am on that, but with my pay checks also, I'm moving along quite well!

God Bless My Instant Messenger!

Technology is great sometimes. Of course it can be annoying, misused, and expensive. But God can also use it as a blessing. I was thinking about chatting (with people who I have really met besides on the computer!) and I realize how much of a blessing Instant Messenger has been to me over the last 2 years! Weird, huh?! But seriously, sometimes when I’m in a really bad mood, or just really need some encouragement, I end up talking with someone who really helps me out. I’ve learned some important truths via Instant Messenger from my friends over the past couple years. I have also had a few opportunities to encourage others via I.M. It is also really easy to start gossiping over the computer, but I’ve caught myself before doing that recently – I have more time to actually think about what I’m saying than when I’m talking! Haha!
So I hope I can continue to be blessed and encouraged by my friends who live far away, and can be an encouragement and a blessing also!

La Tragedia de Padres Mojados

I had a sad conversation on the Instant Messenger today with a friend from Honduras. Ever since I met this girl (we'll call her Maria because she'd probably not appreciate me telling things about her) about 2 years ago, there has been a special place in my heart for her. She seems to be a typical 19-year old Honduran girl. I learned after having hung out with her for several weeks that she lives with her grandma, not her mom. (I'm not sure where her dad is, or if she ever knew him). But her mom left Honduras to come to the United States many years ago. Maria says she never lived with her mom, but she must have for a while because her younger brother is her mom's kid too. Anyhow, last summer, I asked Maria about her mom. She said they talk on the phone about once a week, and her mom sends her money for school and to help the grandma out with living expences for Maria and her younger brother.

So today, Maria said she was really sad, so I asked why. Recently her mom called and said that she is getting married in the States, and won't be sending any more money. This potentially means that this is Maria's last semester at the University. She is a bright girl, and in pre-law right now. Her mom also said that she wishes she never had Maria as a child. My heart broke that a mom who isn't even around to take care of her kids would say such a horrible thing. I really didn't know what to say.

I learned about 2 years ago that there are many children and young adults in Honduras who live with grandparents or aunts because their parents came to the United States, and can't come back to Honduras or they won't be able to go to the U.S. again. I believe that many of these parents see coming to the United States as a way to help their families out financially. I have a really hard time understanding this, but so many people have such a warped idea of life in the States. They find out that job (legal ones) must pay at least $7.25 per hour (or whatever the min. wage is in a particular state), and that is a dang good hourly wage in Honduras. But they fail to realize that rent is at least $400 (in Oregon) for a not-so-nice apartment. Food is more expensive, even wiring money back to Honduras can be expensive. Then there's extra fees to pay for stuff if you are illegal and want these services. I have been to Maria's home, and in my opinion, they have everything they need. They have food, clothes (stylish ones at that), go to university, etc. It blows my mind as to why her mom felt the need to come to the U.S. when I imagine they weren't really poor to begin with. Maybe they have a better life now with the money from the States, but they lack a real mom. I want so bad to go there again and give Maria a big hug and tell her that she is loved. Her mom may be messed up, but there are people who love her! And God loves her!! I told her to go to Suyapa and tell her that I said Maria needs a big hug. I hope she goes.

La Vida y El Muerto

A while ago, I wrote about hard things happening in the lives of friends. Well, today I was looking at the website set up by the family of Laurie, Harper's friend who took her life. It is unreal how much of an impact this girl has made of the lives of so many people. I mean, I never even met her, and I still feel like I knew her and knew that she genuinely cared about people. There are people in several different countries and states that have been impacted by Laurie... and by her death. I am sure that some of the young ladies I will meet in Queretaro have been friends with her and learned from her. I can't even imagine what daily goes through the minds of Laurie's family, fiance, and friends. Although I have a tiny idea from reading their blogs. One friend of hers wrote a pretty detailed account of the three days when they thought Laurie was missing/kidnapped. It really tore my heart out hearing about when they found out what really happened. I'm not really sure why this situation is on my mind so much - thank God it wasn't one of my close friends that died. But, I know all who are impacted have something to learn from Laurie's life and death, including me.

No Hay Dios Tan Grande Como Tu...

No lo hay, no lo hay
No hay Dios que pueda hacer las obras,
Como las que haces Tu!

God is good!
This has been a very encouraging week for me in the ministry area.
First of all, I received two phone calls in the same day from people from International Teams. The first from my advisor, and the second from a Querétaro team member! Both gave me much needed encouragement!

I also had a great meeting with a family last night about the Querétaro ministry, and have gained more prayer partners and financial supporters because of that.

Then, this morning, I got another really unexpected, but amazing breakthrough in financial support. But, I have been on the computer litterally for hours today writing emails to people who have been praying for me this week, and to some who I just have neglected to email in a while. So that story will have to wait... Choir practice is awaiting my presence.

I just want to give glory to the LORD for His goodness and faithfulness to me!!

Trabajito

So I haven't written on my blog in a long time. I had a good time with Apryl when she was here like a week ago. We went out to lunch 3 times!

Easter went well at work - it wasn't as busy as I'd thought, and we only worked at night until 9:15, so I was there for like a little over 3 hours, AND I didn't have to open the next morning, just came in at 8. We went to the Lanes for Easter dinner, then loafed around the house for the rest of the day. I called Papi for his birthday that day too, and Suyapa answered the phone, ans she couldn't hear me hardly at all, but realised that it was me, and that I must be calling for Delmer's birthday. He couldn't her me either, so after repeating "Espero que tenga un feliz cumpleaños" about a half million times, I gave up and said goodbye. Well, it's Ronald's birthday this sunday, so hopefully the connection will be better!!

This week at work has been interesting... Nicole is downtown baking this week, and she's training a girl from the GHBC franchise to bake sweets. It's weird in the first place to have Nicole downtown because she's not used to having the sweets ready by the time we open, so I get stressed out because things aren't ready. So add training on top of that. It's been hectic ' yesterday we had to dump 3 dozen cookies and 40 fruitbars because they weren't good. But today was better. So next week, we're training Andrew for sweets (with Nicole again), I think it will be a little better as he is somewhat familiar with how things go around here.

So tonight I'm going to dinner with Mike & Julie, and the franchise girl, and some of the managers. It should be interesting. I feel a bit out of place in that crowd! haha!

Tomorrow, I will sleep in and not wake up to an alarm. Happy day!

Que Dificil

Things have been going well recently, in MY life. So that's nice. However, it seems like a lot of not so good stuff, ok, just bad stuff, is happening in the lives of friends and other acquaintances.

There are two main things that I just don't understand. A couple weeks ago, my friend Harper (works at International Teams and used to be part of the Querétaro team) emailed and said that one of her friends, who also used to be part of the Querétaro team, was missing. It sounded like she'd been abducted or something. Well, as it turned out, she took her own life (the friend, not Harper). It was so sudden, and it sounds like no one saw it coming. She met with her fiancee earlier in that day, and everything seemed normal. I never met this girl, but I have heard so much about her through Harper and another friend. I know that she was very involved in various ministries, and had been a great addition to the Querétaro team while she was there. It's just something that I don't understand, and I know that it was so unexpected and devastating.

Another thing that blows my mind is that one of my Honduran friends, who is 27 and not married, is now pregnant. I don't know all the situation behind this, but I'm so shocked. I talked with this friend's sister on the phone last night, and I didn't know how much I could ask about this without being totally offensive, so I didn't ask much or find out much. But I know that this will be a big change for the family, this friend is still living with her parents, sister, and brother. I know that this will also change the course of her life - probably keep her from graduating from college, and taking her from her job. I know that my friend isn't the only Christian girl who has gotten pregnant outside of marriage, but this just hit me harder than anytime else. Also, the dad and brother in this family are not Christians, and I do pray that this situation will not further turn them off toward Christianity.

So, those are two things that have been weighing on me lately. I guess anything can happen to anyone, even Christian young ladies. It just saddens me.

Dibujo Lindo

My friend Carolina in El Salvador drew this picture for me. It's good to have friends in other countries!!

Frisbi Macizo

This week has been such awesome weather! It's been about 70 degrees (22) every day this week. I've gotten to enjoy it a lot. Last night I went to play Ultimate Frisbee with people from work at Riverfront. We didn't even start until about 6pm, but it was light enough. Well, we had a frisbee with a light in it too. It was really nice to get some good exercise, I now know how out of shape I am - I woke up sore this morning just from an hour of ultimate frisbee (for those of you who don't know that game, it's like football, but with a frisbee and you can't run with the frisbee). Michelle (my missionry friend in Honduras) told me that when she was a youth pastor in the States, they used to play ultimate frisbee with like a rotten banana or some other weird thing like that. Sounds cool. Anyhow, it was nice to hang out with people my own age outside of work. Sometimes I feel like I don't do enough with people in my own age group. Pretty much everyone I hung out with before I went off to college either doesn't live here anymore, or has moved on in some way. But I think that God is teaching me to be content in any and all circumstances. I would rather be in Mexico - or any latin american country for that matter - and being here is not really easy, especially when you add support raising to it. But I am learning to be content with being here. To get involved and to get out and DO stuff with other people! It's not that I'm not a social person, but for the past year, I never really wanted to get involved in anything because I'm leaving soon for Mexico, right? Well, now I'm facing the possibility that I may never end up going, or if I do it may still be many months before I go. So I want to not only "make the best of" being here living with my parents, but to ENJOY it!

Yessica la Giganta

One day weekends are fun. I slept for a long time yesterday afternoon, and it was so nice and sunny and warm out. Bummer. I hate it when I do that on a nice day! So today I think I will go for a nice walk. Maybe a LONG walk, or a JOG. Yesterday, I pulled out a skirt that I hadn't worn since September, and I put it on to wear for church, and it was too tight. I've been noticing that lately. One of my favorite shirts, I put on, and it looked icky on me. I'm wearing that same shirt in a photo of me up on El Picacho in Tegucigalpa, and I enlarged that picture for my parents for Christmas, and I look good in that shirt then! So I think working at Great Harvest is catching up with me. That's bad. I guess weight gain happens to the best of us... I'll try to stave it off, as I really don't want to buy an all new wardrobe in larger sizes before going to Mexico. You know, I was told by a girl who used to live in Queretaro who is about my height, that pants and shoes for people over 5'4'' and wear shoes bigger than size 7 are basically non-existent. Good to know before I leave. I already have hard enough time trying to find long enough pants here! Haha! Maybe I'll find a good Mexican friend who is as big as me, like I found Luisa in Honduras! (As BIG as me, you ask? Well, although I'm not tall of large particularly here, pretty much females aren' taller than 5'4'' in Mexico/Central America. Luisa is about 5'5'', and built about like me, so I don't feel like such a giant around her. We even share clothes!) Anyhow, I guess I shouldn't be self-concious about my height/size. I can't do anything to pretend I'm really a latina! And I can always remember going to the Marubo tribe in Brasil with my friend Joann - she's 6' tall, and has bright red hair and really white skin! She stands out here in the States, so going to a tribe where everyone has dark skin & hair and the tallest man is shorter than me was really interesting! Fun times!


Here is me with Luisa and Omar in Honduras. I'm really not THAT much taller than Luisa, I'm wearing tall sandals that day!

Tiempo MIO

Yesterday at Bible study, the topic was totally on giving, and how many Christians don't give muvh, give cheerfully, or even give tithe! It surprised me at some people in group saying that they should start tithing. I guess I didn't realize how many people don't thithe. Anyhow, I think with me, it's not as difficult to give money (strange that I don't feel like that's changed even though I'm now trying to raise support). But it is difficult for me to give TIME. In Sunday school the other day, Diane, a missionary to Romania who's needed to come back to the States permanently for family reasons, said that she needed to find someone with a truck to help clean out the garage of the house she is living in with her niece (who she's now the guardian of). Well, I had monday and tuesday off, and we have a truck, so I blurted out "Oh, I can help!" Then monday, I didn't want to go because I wanted to relax more, and to work on a paper for post-training for I.T. But I went to help today, and I'm really glad I did. Was it a pleasant job? No. But I enjoyed it because it was nice to socialize with some church people who I don't normally spend time with. I enjoyed it because I knew it was helping Diane, and she was VERY appreciative. So I think maybe I can be less stingy with my time. If I go with a cheerful attitude, things usually turn out good. And God expects us to help others, evn if we're kind of busy doing things to please ourselves! ha! Anyhow, I am in the process of learning lessons about many things, including giving of my time!!