Can't you just hear His belly laugh now?

Have you ever been waiting for a phone call or an email that you know is going to change things? I've spent a great deal of my summer waiting on two - an email whether I got CLUES mentor or not and whether or not my second major (International Studies) had been declared or not. I got both forms of communication this week. While I did get the opportunity to be a CLUES mentor (yay!), I was informed that no major declarations are being put through until October. How uncool.

All summer I've been doing a lot of questioning about this whole declaring a major thing. It just seems so definite, unchangable. I was hoping to take the easy way out with this decision as I've been hoping it just going through and my advisor would put me in a certain class I really need to take this semester but most likely won't. Then I wouldn't have to worry so much...

I do though and now I'm stuck scrounging around to figure out what I'm going to do this fall. I'm stuck. Howdy has just bailed on my search by letting me know at 7am it will no longer work until it opens Monday for registration. Okay, well, at least it can still help me for the next few hours. No. Howdy just turned its back on me by not loading. I've got some options I researched last night, but it all comes down to if I really want to stick with these majors or not.

Options:
Spanish & International Studies (Government & Diplomacy) majors
Spanish & International Studies (Communications & Media) majors
Spanish & Journalism minor
Spanish & Journalism & History Minors*

*If you're wondering, I'm not really planning on dropping any classes that I already have for this semester due to me having to add more classes already and I'll be 3 hours away from a History minor no matter what.

The "plan" (Man, I love when I can practically hear God's deep gut-wrenching belly laugh whenever he hears me say that. It reminds me that I'm not really in control.) is to get my teaching certificate after I graduate no matter what which will take about a year. Then I'm hopefully going to grad school for Journalism.

If I declare both majors though, I'll be in undergrad an extra 6 months causing me to graduate in December. That's not bad. Then there's the year of becoming teacher certified which is kind of my back up for everything (although if I chose the Span/Jour/Hist option, I'd have more choices). Grad school looks like it's about 2 years for a MA in Journalism. Sigh.

This is mainly just a written flow of the thoughts that have been weighing upon my mind this summer as I question everything I've done for the past 2 years. Having said that though, if you have any advice, I'd love to hear it.

Needing a Good Read? Great!

The last few days have been really sweet with seeing some amazing friends of mine. However, I have something different to share with you today.

I was just reading the latest blog on Blood:Water Mission's site. It got me to thinking of a novel I read earlier this year. I've been wanting to do some book reviews for awhile and I think this is a good time to start and a great novel to start with.

The Calling by Elizabeth Hankins is a book that captivated me on my December travel to Acuña, Mexico. Here's the synopsis which you can find on the authors website:

Chicago Tribune columnist Mera Kaine has overcome tremendous abuse and pain — experience that’s made her a passionate champion of human rights. But when her best friend’s religious ambition turns to violence, Mera is left with a dark secret that keeps her running — right into the war-ravaged villages of Southern Sudan where she uncovers an epic conspiracy at the hands of a militant government and its sponsoring energy consortium. Then, just as unexpected hope finds her, Mera must choose between the life she’s always dreamed of and a final, deadly act that could help liberate a people.

I strongly suggest that you go read this if you have any interest in Africa for sure. I really enjoy reading, but rarely get drawn into the point where I'm captivated in such a way that I can't put it down. I must attempt to do every other daily routine action while engulfing myself in the literature. That is how I felt about The Calling. I finished in January. It is almost August and I'm still seeing the images I conjured up in my mind as I was reading and meditating on the words Elizabeth Hankins penned that cut down to my soul. Incredible. Go, grab a cup of tea and sit in your favorite comfy chair and read this. You won't regret it.

Surviving Life as a Princess is Hard Work!

I survived both Princess Parties with 30 minutes of sleep going into the first. I'm not going to be talking about them here. Something happened at one of them that literally breaks my heart. Please pray for that. Please pray for the situations that daughter of the King is in.

Coming out of them though, I feel like I have a lock-in hangover. I spent the greater part of today curled up on the couch watching Monsterquest on the History Channel. I was perfectly content to sit there unmoving for hours on end as I rested.

Better rest up, I'm going shopping with Maryum tomorrow and I'm falling asleep writing this. Goodnight.

I Really Should be Asleep...Why Am I Awake?

Edit: It's 4:08AM and I can't sleep. This just can't be good.


I'm working two Princess Parties (Girly Lock-Ins) back to back. Exciting. Will I survive? We'll find out Friday morning at 6AM.

If you haven't been to a Borders lately, go. I've got some great book suggestions if you need a good read. Also, try their Cold-Brewed S'mores Mocha. I'm not always a fan of iced coffee because like most beverages with ice, the amount of ice versus the amount of beverage is wildly unequal. I enjoy a good Cold-Brewed S'mores Mocha though. It's currently my favorite coffee beverage.

I'm slowly succumbing to the idea of getting Twitter. To tweet or not to tweet? Thoughts?

Also, I finally added all my Nicaragua photographs to facebook. You might want to check them out. I miss it there.

Breakfast Cereal Breakup

Dearest Fruit Loops,

As you know, my favorite time of day are the wee hours of the morning when no one else is awake except by force of having to go to a class. During this time, I meet you with a tea in the 12th Man and usually my planner to go over what needs to be done. Well, over the past month I have met a new friend. I know some mornings I wouldn’t eat breakfast with you and you’d get jealous of my other choice, Cheerios. Well, Cheerios and I met at Target a few weeks ago. Since then, we’ve been inseparable.

Don’t get me wrong, your fruity taste is still great. However, Cheerios has made me an offer I can’t refuse. Cheerios has changed for me and gotten a fabulous new fruity taste itself and is winning my love like no cereal ever has before. I know you have put up a good fight with your golden bars, but it just didn’t resonate with my taste buds as much as we both would have liked.

Don’t think of this as the end of all breakfasts together, but know that there is a new cereal that is satisfying my taste buds for the time being. Fruity Cheerios and I are great new friends.

A Firm Believer in Breakfast,
AKarlen



Is it weird that I really do feel like I’m cheating on Fruit Loops?
Fruity Cheerios are just so good though!

Sunshine through the Rain

The last couple of days have been really good:
+ Enchiladas Verdes at El Dorado with Mom, Lori and Aunt Pat. Yum!
+ "24th" Sleepover with TeeJay, Lori, Angie and Erinn. Painting, White Elephant and The Long, Long, Trailer. Oh, and quite a bit of food.
+ Mom and I have been cleaning out the "baby" toys from Lori's closet. She's been reading us stories like the 6 Chinese Men that she finds in there. It's been fun(ny).

Went up to CS today to check on two potential roommates. I had a peace leaving CS, now the peace has subsided. There is a lot of prayer in its place though as I am anxious to find out who will end up in the room.

On the bright side, it was sunny and rainy when when we were driving into my neighboorhood when we got home. There was even a rainbow. How beautiful!

My Heart Has Been Stolen By The Band

Things lifeplanwise are looking up. I still don't know what I'm doing, but I'm more okay with that tonight. Coffee, friends and a bit of Jesus are all great things.

Some of y'all know, or do y'all?, that I am a David Crowder Band fan. [As well as a fan of blogspot and the way that your internet can shut down on you in the middle of writing something, but it saves your entry, so you don't have to start over. How thoughtful.] They are just plain cool. They have a xanga and a keytar. Need I really say more?

I'm even a fan of theirs on facebook, which is saying a lot because I'm not a facebook fan of just anything - although I do enjoy hot showers and chocolate chip cookies. I think I'm a fan because of their humor. It's very me. I'm going to stop rambling with how I love DC*B so much, because it's starting to be a tad embarrassing. Almost as much as me just going to look up the spelling of the word "embarrassing" to make sure it's correct.

Either way, you should really watch this video: DC*B's Rockumentary 4: Twitter Will Kill You:


Ironically currently listening to: Home - Shawn McDonald

What to do, What to do, What to do...

I just want to scream.
I've been rethinking my major (International Studies & Spanish) for the last week. These thoughts of doubt came from out of nowhere. My result? I have no idea what I'm doing. I mean, I'm going the right way if there was just one path. There's not though. There's a series of paths that are branching off, options that I should have already realized, but I failed to realize them. Now what?

I need to remember the future is in God's hands because I've got no clue where in the world it is taking me.


"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD ,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Just a Thought to Ponder

I didn't plan on posting today, but this was on one of the blogs I have been perusing lately and it caught my eye, especially the bolded.

The call for unity in the SBC is a call to move past generational and
methodological differences in an effort to partner together for gospel
advancement in our cities, our nation, and around the world. We can do far more
together than any of us could do apart. And when we display gospel unity to the
world, they see and believe in the One we love, worship, and preach (John 17).

The flip side is also true…when we bicker, compete,
fight, slander, gossip, and act like fools, we do serious damage to the gospel
work God has called us to locally and globally.
-Jay Hardwick

After reading that, all I've got to say is think about it and praise the Lord for the words he spoke through Dan that I am clean. I am free.

Happy Birthday America Day!

It's the 4th of July. Nothing too exciting was planned. I got to hang out with Tina Bandyopadhyay before we both watched fireworks on TV with our families. Yay for 40 years for NASA and double yay for the Star Wars theme song being the intro for Shell's fireworks display.

Here is my pondering of today:
How in the world do firework displays happen in Alaska? Do they?
I hope Addy Esco knows and tells me.

& Congratulations to some friends of mine on their engagement! They haven't announced it yet and that's why their anonymous for the moment. :)

Haiku, what would we do without you?

I read a blog called Stuff Christians Like. It cracks me up. One of the points for today is giving a sermon in haiku. I haven't written a haiku in quite awhile. Here's my day to come in haiku:

Five seven five yay!
Haikus are in syllables.
Be delighted now:

Today I eat lunch
Italian with Maryum
To discuss our lives.

Then Grandmom's kitchen
Will be sorted through for me
To own kitchen stuff.

Later, Disney shows
Lori and I, a tea cup
my sketchbook to enjoy!

La Chureca is Holy Ground

Nicaragua is going to be told through a series of posts I believe. It's hard to just sit down and know where to begin. I looked through all my photographs of the trip yesterday and have selected a few that I just feel are captivating in a certain way. (The picture of the tire was taken from Leah Wakefield though.)

Driving into the dump was best explained by Patrick Brown as heading into a warzone. I couldn't find a picture of that, although this is just after before heading into the bulk of the dump. In the background, a dump truck is on its way out. This is a world that is just unimaginable to our minds as people line up in the trash waiting for the dump trucks to dump their goods for the people to go through and get out anything they might be able to salvage and sell. This is how they make their living. Think about that.

This is probably alongisde the "road" of the dump. The dump is called La Chureca and was difficult for us to get through because of the stench. It's difficult for me to think that our brothers and sisters live here. I met one lady, who introduced herself as a lady of God instead of her name, whom didn't have any family members and was just so happy to see us although we weren't working on our house. She just loved the fact we were there. She was really sweet.

The people collect all the trash into bags to sell. I believe that's what's going on in this picture. The water in the back is most likely contaminated beyond all reason. I'm not certain whether it's Lake Nicaragua or Lake Managua, but one is contaminated with mercury. This lake with its' location of being in the dump, I fear is far worse off. People drink and bathe in it.

This is just the land or garbage. I'm not sure if you can really separate those words. They've become one. We were looking at photographs on different cameras and in some, they looked beautiful because when they are small, it just looks like a landscape.

Thse are two of three children who were bathing in the yard next to one of the houses we worked in. These kids were precious. The children are standing in the midst of houses.

This is kind of a rooftop view of a group of the houses. During our time out in La Chureca, we put five tarps up on houses. This will enable the families to be able to stay dry at night. The primary reasons children who go to school often miss days are because they are helping their parents wade through trash to get money for food or because they are wet from the last nights' rain and dont' have a change of clothes to attend school in.

This is the front yard of the last site we worked at and these are some of our workers. I believe they are sorting through the two types of nails we had. Meanwhile, I am holding a very unsturdy ladder for two Nicaraguan boys who were helping us lay the tarp on the roof of their house. Aren't those flowers beautiful?

One of the girls at worship one night reminded us of the hope of La Chureca that she'd seen throughout the day by seeing butterflies everywhere. This picture took awhile to get, but hope is there just as this butterfly is.

This little girl is adorable. This was taken at the school in La Chureca during one of our puppet show/coloring times. I'm not really sure what she's gazing at. During this time we also performed a few songs for the kids.

This is the group of children and teachers that were at the school. There is about 350 of them I believe. Unlike most schools, they don't have to have uniforms or supplies to attend school. Oftentimes, costs such as these prevent many students from attending school altogether. They also get a lunch at the school, sometimes the only meal the child will get that day.

Bubbles. Burbujas. I believe this is almost as international as the smile. Someone started this at the school and the kids went wild over it. They loved it. I just love how the joy on their faces was captured in this photograph. They've got a tough life, but they can still find joy.

I had to put this in. Shower time. "Sweet shower time. Scrub! Scrub! Scrub!" These were fun times. You'd be surprised at the deep conversations that take place in the girls' bathroom. Haha.

Yes, that is a squirrel in a cage. Squirrels aren't native to Nicaragua so they are exotic pets and in the zoo. We worked in the afternoons doing VBS and painting at Casa Havilah, a girls' home. The girls' in this home were taken out of their living situations for a variety of reasons. These girls are all from the dump and I can't even begin to explain the horror of what they've lived from. The girls' ages range technically from 3-16, although the 3 year old (Anacelli) was getting lost in the shuffle, so they moved her to Casa Robles, the boys' home that was just started a year and a half ago. While we were there, Maria Elena, got the chance to celebrate her 8th birthday. It was her first birthday to actually celebrate though. It was a really sweet moment and Brian Coats has a video that you should check out by clicking this.

This is Lily. She's from Casa Havilah. The last night wee worked, the girls and boys came over to the Buzbee's complex and we had a puppet show and concert followed by a pool party for them. It was a really sweet time. Lily was exhausted but she loved her pizza.

The last day of the trip, we went to the beach to kind of process the last few days and get ready to come back to the USA. The bus ride was amazing with the scenery that flew by of towns and Ometepe, the volcano island the '06 team went to. At the beach, Don Macune, Shelley Harwell, Jessica Sarpu and I explored the town of San Juan del Sur and investigated what these men caught in their boat that day.

This is Guillermo and Kristen Jones. They are two of our fearless leaders. Guillermo or Sr. G is our fearless bus driver who is so much more than a bus driver. He was amazing.

This is Cathlyn Leonard and Leah saying goodbye to the girls and boys from Casa Havilah and Robles. One of my favorite memories happened a few minutes later as much of our team ran after the bus trying to catch it, just as children always do for us. I can't explain it.

Amidst all the garbage, one of the families planted these flowers. There is hope. There is hope in La Chureca. It is Holy Ground. La Churecha is Holy Ground.