I learned that crazy bizarre things don't just happen in other countries.

The other day my friend Kyle and I were driving to Pigeon Forge and I had my hand/arm out the window (so the wind would make it go up and down....you've done it before). All of a sudden a bird came and smacked against my hand. Actually I am not positive it was a bird...but it had feathers. Needless to say, my hand stung for a little bit.

So weird. How many people do you know have gotten hit by a bird?

Love is Patient

It might take a second to load...but you've gotta see this. It was shown in my educational technology class and during my final seminar class in Costa Rica. It's crazy. CLEARLY patience is more difficult now than ever before in history.(there IS sound)




*Patience means watching and listening when you think you already know the situation.
*Patience means a change in pace.
*Patience challenges your trust in God. "Impatience is a form of unbelief. It's what we begin to feel when we start to doubt the wisdom of God's timing or the goodness of God's guidence."
*Patience lets someone else be first. Even if you think you deserve it.
*We often put "peace" and "patience" together. But times of patience are hardly peaceful. Just sit in a hospital waiting room for a little bit.
*Patience acts out faith. It makes you think "I might be wrong about all this".
*In commentaries the love of patience means "a love that never gives up" or "love suffers long" or "an enduring love" or "slow to become resentful".
*Patience is a choice. This means love is a choice...
*Patience when someone doesn't deserve it. If it was patience when they did deserve it, it wouldn't be grace or love.
*"Hurry kills everything. From compassion to creativity"
*I think patience is scary to us. We are so quick to react because we don't want to appear as if we've been walked all over or taken advantage of.

amor por el amor mismo

I've decided to become a vegitarian for the summer. Inspired by my close friend Jenelle and some friends in Costa Rica...I figured this summer would be the perfect time to start. My reason? Don't really have one yet. I thought it might make me eat healthier. I also thought it might save money? I don't really know. But I gave up meat and pop.

I've also decided to do a little study by myself this summer. You know that verse in 1st Corinthians that is read at just about every wedding you've ever been to? The "Love is patient, love is kind..." one? What a tragedy that this verse has become almost cliche, because it answers the most important question in my life. What is love?
The Bible says that God is love...and to know love is to know God...so what is love? How do I love like Jesus loves, like God loves...love like the Bible talks about? It's a very different love than what Cosmo, Tila Tequila, and Dr. Phil talk about. I think it even looks different than many churches talk about.
I learned this really cool phrase in Costa Rica that said "amor por el amor mismo" which means "love for the sake of love". That is exactly how I want to love...without condition, without an adgenda, without guilt. I want to love because love is enough.
So from now until school starts I will be going through a different part of that passage every week (for example this week I am studying how "love is patient").
So that's my next journey. Hopefully i'll be able to share some cool things I found.

I'm also working at Target this summer and helping out with a ministry for the Spanish-speakers of Knoxville. So I'm excited about that.

"Near...Far....Wherever You Are...."

Here is a random piece of information: everyone in the world knows that song by Celine Dion from Titanic. Even places where people don't know basic geography of the world...they know every word to “My Heart Will Go On”.

I'm home! I've been here for about a week (about to head down to Knoxville for the summer) and it has been really crazy to get back into this culture again. Here are some of the things I've faced getting back into the states:

I am incapable of making decisions in the grocery store. Have you ever looked at how many types of toothpaste there are? Its obscene!! The other day I just stood there like a little kid for about five minutes staring at all the different options of deodorant.

I get annoyed when people say "So you're really good at Spanish now right? Speak Spanish to me! Just say something!"

I got to sit in the kitchen with my best friend Jenny the other day and just talk. I loved it. It proved to me that I don't HAVE to go anywhere or do anything all the time. Just sitting and being with people is one of the best things I can do.

I am trying to figure out how to incorporate the lessons I learned (the ones that I listed in the previous post) in my life here. It is hard when things are so fast paced and I have to get organized again.

Sometimes I get really frustrated when I can't figure out what to say about things that happened while I was gone. There are some things that I just can't put into words and its hard. Most people just expect crazy stories and that's it. But so much more happened and it goes so much deeper...but it is sometimes so hard to explain.

I realized I have way too much stuff. I'm getting rid of a lot.

Sometimes (a lot of times) I feel guilty for leaving. Leaving for school, leaving the country, all of it. Especially after being in a culture where no one leaves...and people live with their same friends and families forever. But my spirit loves these kinds of adventures and I think that is okay. It makes me so happy when no matter where I go or how long I've been gone, people are so excited to see me and welcome me when I get back.

So all in all...I think this stuff is normal...I am still processing a lot....I am excited for the summer....and for those of you who only tuned into my blog for my trip thanks for reading!! Knowing that people were reading this made me SO happy!! But you might want to stay tuned for a little while considering my next adventure in life includes me driving down to Knoxville with all my stuff...homeless and unemployed :-)