ecuador

Nope, we're not there yet...
The 2 ISAS students (B&B) and I were supposed to be on our way to Ecuador this morning, but I received a call last night telling me that because of dense fog - we couldn't get to LA, our first stop. We're all rescheduled (and seated together this time) for tomorrow at oooh, dark thirty. At first panic struck when I heard the recording on the other end of the receiver, but then I started processing what this meant: another day to talk to family, another morning to spend at the coffee shop in town (thankfully running into many friends that I really wanted to see and will miss), time to pray and prepare a little bit more for the days that lie ahead, the opportunity to run the errands I was going to be reluctantly leaving for someone else, and some pretty joyous laughter and ease of mind last night as the students and I put off packing a little longer.
The more days go by, the longer I ponder and reflect on the happenings of this world, I am awestruck and confused and enamored by God. So un-knowable. I'm thankful and scared all at once. Bekah and I came to this: I can only pray that God will share His vision with me, that I may be privy to the will of God for this world and that eternity will be my focus, rather than this temporary place in which we dwell that feels so real.
I do not doubt I (or we) needed this day. I didn't know it and really didn't expect it, but am so glad our plans were shook and today was a breath of fresh (Oakhurst) air.
So tomorrow we will begin our journey in Ecuador. Something about that makes my heart skip a beat - there's part of me there that I look forward to discovering more about. I'm excited to share another place that I care for with B&B, for them to experience whatever it is God has in store for them there, and to be open to the work that is going to occur in myself, in B&B, and in those we encounter.

A little update on the past few weeks:
-the students, as I mentioned before, have arrived and we've jumped right into classes and figuring out life together. Brendon and Bekah.
-no time was a-wasted! we've already been winter camping and cross country skiing for 4 days - we visited Ostrander Lake, about 10 miles out of Badger Pass inside Yosemite. It was my first experience skiing on top of a snow-covered frozen lake and I have to say I was speechless! By far the best skiing.
-we've had a few 'family nights' of dinner and good conversation with the Summit staff and the students. Usually one of the highlights of the week.
-I say one of the highlights, because for me - a major highlight is my Katie Sue time each week, my dear friend who I absolutely cherish my time with. We went on a hike up to Chilnualna Falls last week on our day off.

A common theme in my prayers right now is preparedness. Asking to be and then trusting in the Lord that I am prepared in proportion to my students' needs, the needs of my job, and my own needs. Prayers for continued growth, safety, health, and love within my students and I, as well as the Summit instructors currently in Ecuador (Ben & Bryce) are always warranted.

I'll toss some photos up next time. Until then, cuidate mis amigos.

settling?

I've made it back. I left the southeast full of family, good'ole friends, and laziness and landed out west only to find another family of mine, work to be done, and coziness to be created. Not to mention, the motivation to do all of the above.

There's something about the place from whence I've come... it brings me to a state of laziness and subtracts all of the motivation I know I have - I don't enjoy that. It was fine and dandy to return to my parents house during a break in college and bum around playing donkey kong until 2am with my dad... (ok so that's never a problem) but when I find myself crawling out of bed to make lunch I see a change needs to happen. Here's the change - fly away.

the warmth is indescribable - I love it (most days). the heat source for my home in bass lake, california - by most people, it's known as base. hmm... graham is driving me back from the airport, or is it murphy? this can't be safe, much less legal. but one thing is true- I brought sunshine to california, look at that sky!

my companions. new years fling up to asheville, nc? yes please. I love them.

the house my mom first lived in - asheville, nc - the continuation of following my ancestry kyler, graduating from my alma mater - berry college - such a joyous friend!

same day, same place, steph graduated too - you'll never know what you'll get with this spontaneous and spunky lady

I love cooking, especially when it's with people I love this much...

I sat down one day and completed an idea that katie & I had a few months ago... who knows if my students will like them - but it's just big enough to hold air-travel essentials and not be a wallet. It was fun and it fueled my crafti-ness.

As I look out into my near future the feelings come flooding in. thankful. joyous. excited. scared. anticipatory. inadequate. hopeful... It doesn't seem possible for all of these to be milling around the same person in the same day, but it surely is. I'm so doggone pumped about this semester to come and can only pray that God has prepared me for all I am about to embark on and prepared the hearts of my students to be open to what God wants to do in their lives through the next 5 months. Feel free to pray that as well.

There's this thing I struggle with, grace. I am much more likely to have grace for others rather than myself. I want to grow. I want to change. I want to become more a Christ-like person. I want to find out more about who I am made to be. - just thinking about that gets me all excited.

There are some things that make my heart leap. You know the feeling, right? Makes you want to go run, or laugh out loud, or hug an old friend, or dance. Well, here are some of those things, the things that make my heart leap:

-reunions with friends and/or family.

-beauty that is incomprehensible, usually in the sky, or in someone else's joy.

-ecuador. being there. praying for there. thinking of all that is happening there. introducing others to it and sharing my love for it.

-realising that I am loved. by my maker and by those who share in that love.

-special ties with special people. like a handmade scarf or a letter written.

I think I'll be here for a little while. It's an interesting thought; scary in it's own right, but I'm trusting. Pray for how things change, the things we cannot see until they are sitting at our doorstep - even if it's our doorstep that's changing. This makes my heart leap, for I know that good is going to come of it, as will challenge and struggle, therefore so will strength.

Hmm, settling in.