To Nicaragua and back.

As you know, I recently went on a mission trip to Managua, Nicaragua. Last summer I had an opportunity to go with a team from TX. Click here to read about that experience and get a bit of background info.

Anyway, this trip was super unique because it was not a “typical team.” Not only was it a women’s team, but it was also an individual team. Meaning that our group did not know each other in advance! We all met for the first time at the airport in Managua. Well, some of us met in Houston, but still. You get it.

It was an AMAZING experience. We were thrown into a situation where we needed to completely trust God and trust each other. Talk about bonding and making new friends fast!

The team

In Managua we serve in the city dump. There is an entire community within the city dump, La Chureca. Forward Edge has built a home for girls called Villa Esperanza. This home is a safe haven for girls God has rescued from the Dump through FEI. In La Chureca teenage girls are at risk. They are threatened by the garbage truck drivers, abuse, drug use etc. Many parents sell their daughters as young as 12 and 13 into prostitution either for money or for the first pick of garbage.

This team not only served women and children from La Chureca, but from other communities as well. Time was spent sharing stories, praying and pouring into each other.  We spent time at Villa Esperanza, a “new dump” in an area called Tipitapa, as well as at the children’s hospital.

This truly was a heart changing experience. Whether the team was bonding with those who are living in La Chureca or praying with the parents who have children in the hospital, relationships were built and time was dedicated to laughing, hugging and praying.

So many people think of mission trips and their minds automatically jump to “building something.” Well, we did just that. We built relationships. That was the mission, to share love, joy and Jesus.

This trip was extra special because I was there with my mom! It was beyond amazing to have my mom on this team. She was certainly out of her comfort zone, and it was incredible to watch her completely trust the Lord. She fully broke through any hesitations she may have had and she went for it! Her story isn’t mine to tell, so you should ask her about the experience yourself!

Here are some photos of the trip:

Manis, pedis and bracelet making at The Villa

My mom and Jane. Jane is like a second mother to me! You can imagine how special it was to have her there too. Not to make them sound old… but they have been friends for 40 years!

Playing with kids from La Chureca

Yard work at the Children's Hospital

Praying for the director of the Children's Hospital

My girls Kenia and Luisa. I love them so much! It has been a gift to see them change since they first started living at The Villa. The first time I met Luisa she wouldn't talk to anyone, now she doesn't hesitate to share how God has changed her heart. These girls and I DANCED! We danced and danced. They are my sisters. 

Kenia on the left, Luisa on the right

Perla and my mom dancing

If you read the post from last year, you will read about Perla. The day after we got there I was sitting by her at church and I told her that my mom was on this team. During the week, It became clear to me that she wanted to seek out my mom to show her love!  

If you have any questions about FEI, Managua or how to look so sweaty and haggard do not hesitate to ask! 

Where were you during computer class?

Umm. Have you seen this?

These kids were in 5th grade in ’95. If my reasoning is correct… I was in 5th grade in ’97? Right? Whatever.

So, while these kids were making a PSA that correctly outlines how the internet will be used by our generation (cats and all)… I was busy using the computer for one thing. Oregon Trail! Seriously, during elementary school computer class my main concern was not dying of diphtheria, dysentery or the measles.

Well, I’m off. Gotta go forge the river. Actually, maybe it would be a better call to float across? Hmmm.

Back!... and ready to Insta.

Hello my dear readers. All few of you.

I am back!! It is very exciting to be back. BUT I am far from rested. I have yet to sleep-in or unpack. It is my own fault that I spent my first day and night back from Nicaragua at a wedding and then out until last call with college friends. When some of your favorite friends are in from out of town you take advantage! In bed by 3am with some Taco Bell? Welcome home from Nicaragua! Talk about a crash course through culture shock.

My caffeine consumption has sky rocketed this week. On another note, I have recently gotten some flack for never posting on Instagram. Rude.

Honestly, my life is not glamorous enough to post on Instagram. I drink regular coffee without pretty foam, I attempt to look good for work… def not worthy of a selfie pic. and I eat a lot of hard-boiled eggs and carrots. Do you really want pictures of that? I didn’t think so.

Anywho, I decided to prove what you aren’t missing! Ha! Below you will find coffee from a Keurig, light pink nails/ hands with dry skin and an emo selfie (ps. I didn’t shower today). Take that!

This was my pathetic attempt at a blog post. Please bear with me. I am excited to dive back into the blog world and (once rested) become a contributing member of society again.

Enjoy this outrageous sunshine PDX peeps!

My weekend plans: lay in the sun.

Adios! I'm off to Nicaragua.

Okay friends, I will see you in a bit. I am off to Nicaragua!! It is going to be a fantastic trip. Try not to miss me too much!

The day after I get back there is another wedding. This one includes out of town college friends. Yes, I will be dealing with travel sickness and exhaustion. So after the festivities I will be sleeping. Posting is not going to be a priority. Don’t be sad.

I will have a lot to share when I return. So get ready for it!

[1]

Mishmash Moments: Summer addition.

It has been a while since I have done a mishmash post. It is time!!

In no particular order of importance:

The Mish:
The Fab5!!! U.S.A U.S.A U.S.A!!! (If you didn’t mentally fist pump and chant that… let me know so I can promptly stop being your friend.) I am beyond excited that our girls are taking home the gold. I am glad we only have a few more rounds of staying up for gymnastics though, my body is thoroughly sleep deprived from staying up to watch the prime time. Yes, I tracked it live, but NBC puts together those cute packages about the athletes! I can’t get enough.

I watched in true fan fashion. I mean that literally. Check the scrunchie below. Gotta suit up in solidarity!

This is my actual competition scrunchie. I know it is weird that I have it, but I use it when I straighten my hair. The soft velvet doesn't leave a dent!

Anyway, that is all I will post about gymnastics. If our girls win a ton of individual medals, I will try and refrain from boring you to death with continued excitement. Just know that I am totally stoked.

The Mash:
This past week I had to say goodbye to another friend. Seriously. I am going to have to join an online friendship site if my friends keep moving away. Does desperate_for_friends.com exist? Ms. Martha is headed to San Diego for a new adventure and I am excited to hear about her exciting experiences… even though we are all a little bit bitter.

Anyway, there were multiple going away bashes. 1.) Brewfest (which I missed out on) and 2.) A chill-sesh at The Goose.

Oregon Brewfest

Fun with friends

The Moments:
On Saturday I had the opportunity to go to the beautiful wedding of Eric and Lisa at the Lewis River Golf Club. Seriously. It was a fantastic wedding. The sermon was one of the best I have ever heard at a wedding. He talked about how in Genesis the word 'helper' is used, which has become slightly derogatory in English. When really the Hebrew word is more like partner, in a way that means necessary for existence. So beautiful! What a picture of marriage and how it means to live and love. As necessary entities in each others lives.

Here is the happy couple!

Cutting the cake

And some fun time spent with friends:

Sara was in town for the occasion and we showed up in matching outfits! 

Amanda was toasting like Phoebe. Duh. [photo courtesy of Cayly's F-book]

I will send you off with a picture that most definitely would have made it into this post. Yep, that is me. Dancing with my cake.

True love. Who needs a man when you can dance with chocolate cake?

[1][2]

USA! USA! Going for the gold.

I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!! Well, I love the Summer Olympics. We all know that the Winter Olympics is just the equivalent of a less popular, slightly uglier step-sibling.

In all seriousness, I adore the splendor and pageantry of the Olympics. I was a little worried this year because I thought I would be in Nicaragua and miss the gymnastics. BUT I am only going to miss the lame stuff (like track). I will get to see the gymnastics, which is the most important part! Duh. I also really like the swimming. Particularly men’s swimming. Especially the relays. Why you ask? Well, lots of attractive men all in one race? I’ll take it! Can we talk about how good looking Ryan Lochte is? Then can we discuss how badly he dresses and how lame his grill is? If only he had a great NW girl in his life…

History lesson: I quit competitive gymnastics when I was a sophomore in high school. Not to mention, I am 5’8”… not exactly gymnastics conducive. Let’s just say, bars was NOT my strongest event. I was really not a good gymnast, but I loved it (mainly floor and beam), had a blast and made great friends. I wouldn’t trade those years in the gym for anything. Thinking about it now, I specifically wouldn’t trade the summers. We would spend 4 hours together at practice, followed up by 4 more hours together playing and laying at the pool. When you group both hard work and fun together, especially at a young age, the rewards are invaluable. Those summers contain some of my fondest memories.

Enough about me and my non-good at gymnastics past, back to the Olympics:

Let’s note the level of gymnastics these girls are doing. Height and skills that I can’t even comprehend! I think standing back-tucks are hard (I’m tall. Give me a break). How about a perfect standing full on beam? Yeah. Beam. And that isn’t even near the most difficult skills we are seeing.

Gabby Jo is my mom's favorite. Mostly because her middle name is Jo. Priorities. 

I could talk gymnastics all day, but instead how about a more universal topic? Hair.

One thing you are allowed to trash is gymnastics hair. When we were kids we were not allowed to compete with messy buns. (Think late 90s/ early 00s when the messy bun was in the height of popularity). We of course fought back, but I will say, my ability to make a good slicked back ponytail came in handy when I was a cheerleader. Sometimes I even see lingering signs of “good hair ladies” coming through as a cheer coach. This was a blanket comment that we heard growing up from our gymnastics coaches.

Go ahead and make fun of the clips and the glitter. But it is something that has been around for a long time. And to tell you the truth, I would be a little bit disappointed to see it go. Final note: Marta Karolyi should take a call from the head coach of Mac Gymnastics. Meg could teach her a thing or two about encouraging her athletes to have “good hair.”

PS. You have no idea how obsessed my sister and I were with the magnificent seven. It was ridiculousness. I hope we will get to be equally obsessed with this team of five! 

I loved Dominique Dawes and hated Kerri Strug. I also LOVED Shannon Miller's bangs...and copied them. I was a special child.  

Alright friends, that is all from me for today. What is your favorite Olympic event? 

[1][2]

Adventures at The Antone.

Delayed post. I know… I suck. Honestly though, who has time to upload photos!!? It is annoying.

LAST weekend I was invited to go to the Antone Ranch. My discipleship leader, lovely lady Jan, took our group out there to “camp,” horse back ride, 4-wheel, boat, play, pray etc.

I place “camp” in quotes because is it really camping if there is a bed in your tent? I say not so much. BUT it was seriously the most fantastic place. It almost didn’t feel real. The ranch is a mix between Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Hey Dude, Wildhorse Canyon and Disneyland.

You know what? You can decide:

We made it! 

Everybody up for the sunrise.

Sunrise at the Antone.

Don't let the sunny smiles fool you. These ladies are speed demons!

Clearly, I do not look natural on a horse. 

Water sports 'til the sun goes down.

This was so fun! Out crazy driver, McCoy, decided to go as fast as he could on the windy roads back to camp.

Dust shield. So hood.

View from Antone point. 

It was special to be there with Lauren.

Sunset from the fire tower.

Lady Jan has a magical skill. She can do all water sports without getting her hair wet. 

Liz shreds.

Holding on for dear life! 

My favorite part about our time at the Antone was the fact that we really got to spend time getting to know one another. Before last weekend, we spent early mornings once a week, sharing our hearts and faith without having personal relationships with each other. Now we will start next year with fresh friendships and excitement. It is going to be a game changer for how we support each other in our journeys to follow Christ.

Who am I kidding… my real favorite part was playing in the sun! I can prove it. My nose is peeling.

How badly do you want to go to the Antone?!