Bali, Indonesia -- I'm just taking a time out from my beautiful sunny gorgeous, warm, sweat yourself away Bali trip to write a few moments... :)
Let's just say that this bed is the most beautiful thing I've felt in a loooooonnnng time. Since yesterday.
Well, I've arrived. Obviously. The flights were good...The 13.5 hour one from Dallas to Tokyo was well... long.. but the guy I was sitting next to was really cool and is somewhere in Taipei right now, if I'm correct. But he's a Chinese Christian, very involved in ministry and doing stuff in Dallas.
Landing in Tokyo was rather anti-climatic, I'm sorry to say. I think that's because it was all brown, and we didn't fly over the city. But watching all the boats and stuff in the water was cool as we were nearing Japan. We flew over the Rockies, past the Alaskan archipelago...? Is that what it's called? Anyway. And then over the sea to the east of Siberia. In that kind of an ark. It was nice to watch on the screen.
Somewhere around the second flight I began to lose my sanity... It was a really nice flight though... there was noooo one... so in between them feeding us a million times, and after watching Mamma Mia, I stretched out and slept for four hours.
Chris, a friend, picked me up at the airport, and I was never so happy to check into my room... my roommate was already sleeping and she got up, answered the door, said, hi, welcome, you must be tired, you should go to bed. And then she laid down and went back to sleep.
And I was still standing there.The bathroom and shower is outside (there's a wall for each room) and it only had cold water. I didn't mind, I just wanted to get clean and get to bed.
Slept for a few hours and got back up. Did I mention it's really hot in Bali? Well, it's not so much hot as it is humid. Anyway, we went up a volcano on the day before the conference started on the ridge that goes along the cone top and saw the lake inside... it was cool. Lots of shopping... which I haven't bought much but they do have a lot of neat stuff... but still, it's cool to see everything. We changed rooms yesterday, which was nice and I changed roommates. She's a single missionary working in Thailand and she's from the Philippines... she's great! I like her!
Oh, and the bathroom AND shower is inside in this room. And has hot water. I like this room! Oh, and it has a balcony. Beautiful!
The food is really good and there's a place right around the block that we've been frequenting, beside the meals we eat together at the conference.The conference is also really good-- the teachings have been really applicable and very moment right... even the theme! Dale preached tonight and it was a very, very good message... and another guy that I really look up to taught on the phases of planting an indigenous church, and Chuck taught on persevering... Phil. 3:13-14... It was all very good!!! Still 2 more days of the conf... it's very relaxed and there is a lot of fellowship which is a big thing for us. It's REALLY cool to meet all the people who are working around here... well, in this continent... They're all VERY cool, and I love to listen to their stories... That's one of the best parts about it all... a lot of important stuff goes on during those times.
Well, I need to get to bed. I know it's like 9am for you all, but it's like 11pm for me, and I have to get up at like 6....Blessed sleep! I really could use a LOT more sleep, but.. it's Bali. BALI. Sleep is not that important when there's so much to see and do and people to talk to.
More individual stories to come when I have freer internet and more stories to come... which! I think I'll get to carry on the tradition and ride on a motorcycle tomorrow. How fun!
ALSO- if you could pray for me... I'm fine, and I really just need to drink more water, but I've been dizzy... which I know is dehydration. We're the slighest bit south of the equator and it's hot and humid and you sweat a lot!Apart from that, I'll be back soon! Updates will be more regular in Japan where I don't have to pay for internet... I bought a card for 2 hours for this week which I'm trying to regulate in short times!Yeah, yeah, I'm going!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
My Soil
Dallas -- It is COLD in Dallas. I'm sure it's colder in stl, but dear goodness... isn't Texas supposed to be at least warm? But Dallas has heat, so that makes up for it.
I continue the sleep deprivation today. While yesterday I did sleep for an hour on one of the buses, at 1am this morning I was still wide eyed and thinking about how much I needed to get some sleep before 4:30 rolled around. It did, and it seemed really unfair and loud the alarm.God knows me, and I'm so glad that at no point yesterday did I have people to have to sit right next to. Let's pray that it continues to be that way for the next 21 hours of flying time.
However, there was a guy a seat away from me on the flight to Dallas last night who spoke really good Spanish and I wouldn't have expected it of him. He looks like the kind of guy who would have the horrendous pronunciation and thick accent. But he grew up in Argentina and now works for Radio Shack and spends a week in DF (Mexico City) and a week in Fort Worth, where he lives. But he was a nice guy and complimented my Spanish and also said I don't have an American accent. I said my kids still make fun of me when I mix up my Spanish.
Which is what I did last night. You know, I KNOW I'm in the States, but it still confounds me every time I arrive back. Why does no one speak Spanish? (Don't answer that one)... Dear goodness, the people in general are tall and large... What do you MEAN we don't have room for one more in the hotel shuttle??? WHERE THE HECK ARE WE????
And then I realize, oh, you can't pile people on top of another here. Oh, there are rules for the road and people freak out when the driver is the slightest bit spastic in his driving.
This is my world people!
And by the way, it's not fair to put a trash can right next to the toilet... Actually though, it's worse if there is no trash can because that's just like playing mental games with me. Eventually (this morning) I remember that you can flush the tp here... although it kinda feels like sin.
Last night, I became "friends" with the hotel shuttle guy who was from Somalia. I kept speaking Spanish to him (and to everyone else... couldn't control it)... and I don't know exactly what he was thinking, but I suddenly became his "sweetheart". He was altogether a nice guy though...
I got to the hotel and took a blessed shower. Water pressure... this is another thing that never ceases to amaze me. What, I can finish a shower in 2 minutes? I got in and decided, oohhhh... I need to do this again in the morning. I don't want to leave!! And then later that night, the covers did not weigh 10 pounds to keep me warm, but were all light and airy and the bed was soft. You may think I'm exaggerating, but these differences you note.
One other cool point... I happened to slam my foot in door last night and lost the shoe, which Mr. Somalia picked up for me... but my arch throbbed all last night. At one point I was laying in bed feeling the painful throbbing and I began to pray, Dear Lord, if You could please heal my foot... and AS I WAS PRAYING IT, the pain, right in the middle of a throb, went away. My eyes opened wide in the darkness and I was like, WOW. THAT was cool. Thank You, Lord. And it feels great this morning!Well, I'm going to go check out and see what they have for the continental breakfast and catch the shuttle back to the airport. And at some point this morning, get a coffee from Starbucks... it's been too long, precious one.
I continue the sleep deprivation today. While yesterday I did sleep for an hour on one of the buses, at 1am this morning I was still wide eyed and thinking about how much I needed to get some sleep before 4:30 rolled around. It did, and it seemed really unfair and loud the alarm.God knows me, and I'm so glad that at no point yesterday did I have people to have to sit right next to. Let's pray that it continues to be that way for the next 21 hours of flying time.
However, there was a guy a seat away from me on the flight to Dallas last night who spoke really good Spanish and I wouldn't have expected it of him. He looks like the kind of guy who would have the horrendous pronunciation and thick accent. But he grew up in Argentina and now works for Radio Shack and spends a week in DF (Mexico City) and a week in Fort Worth, where he lives. But he was a nice guy and complimented my Spanish and also said I don't have an American accent. I said my kids still make fun of me when I mix up my Spanish.
Which is what I did last night. You know, I KNOW I'm in the States, but it still confounds me every time I arrive back. Why does no one speak Spanish? (Don't answer that one)... Dear goodness, the people in general are tall and large... What do you MEAN we don't have room for one more in the hotel shuttle??? WHERE THE HECK ARE WE????
And then I realize, oh, you can't pile people on top of another here. Oh, there are rules for the road and people freak out when the driver is the slightest bit spastic in his driving.
This is my world people!
And by the way, it's not fair to put a trash can right next to the toilet... Actually though, it's worse if there is no trash can because that's just like playing mental games with me. Eventually (this morning) I remember that you can flush the tp here... although it kinda feels like sin.
Last night, I became "friends" with the hotel shuttle guy who was from Somalia. I kept speaking Spanish to him (and to everyone else... couldn't control it)... and I don't know exactly what he was thinking, but I suddenly became his "sweetheart". He was altogether a nice guy though...
I got to the hotel and took a blessed shower. Water pressure... this is another thing that never ceases to amaze me. What, I can finish a shower in 2 minutes? I got in and decided, oohhhh... I need to do this again in the morning. I don't want to leave!! And then later that night, the covers did not weigh 10 pounds to keep me warm, but were all light and airy and the bed was soft. You may think I'm exaggerating, but these differences you note.
One other cool point... I happened to slam my foot in door last night and lost the shoe, which Mr. Somalia picked up for me... but my arch throbbed all last night. At one point I was laying in bed feeling the painful throbbing and I began to pray, Dear Lord, if You could please heal my foot... and AS I WAS PRAYING IT, the pain, right in the middle of a throb, went away. My eyes opened wide in the darkness and I was like, WOW. THAT was cool. Thank You, Lord. And it feels great this morning!Well, I'm going to go check out and see what they have for the continental breakfast and catch the shuttle back to the airport. And at some point this morning, get a coffee from Starbucks... it's been too long, precious one.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Spare Hour
Mexico City -- For an insanely long period of time, I've been waiting for this very moment... I happen to be sitting in the food court in the Intl Airport of Mexico City Benito Juarez... on my way to various stops in North America and Asia.... A LOT of thought, prayer, planning and saving has gone into this moment.
From where I'm sitting, you can see all the people coming out of customs and the people who are waiting behind the posts for them to arrive. People moving around, standing on tip toes trying to see through the frosted glass doors. It reminds of me of when my family comes and I'm trying to figure out if they're going to come through E1 or E2... running back and forth, checking the monitors that are only reliable for being wrong. I can also see offices in the high ceiling and a new screen that shows the same 3 commercials repeatedly... a new flight to Madrid, a new flight to Sao Paolo and a Telcel commercial.
Anyway, there's still about 40 minutes before I need to head through security and I've had the whole morning to sit on buses and think about everything that has led up to this trip and I'm eager to see what God will do and hear what He will say and meet all the people that I'll meet.
What a ride since last September... so much has happened... ... Whatever happens... good or ugly, the only thing you can really do is give thanks and walk forward.
The cutest little boy just walked up to my table and his mom came up to smile apologizingly and take him away.
Back to the point. Walk forward. There will always be good things and things that we don't like as much, but either way you can get stuck. Keep walking... always giving thanks because we know that God is leading us to somewhere good.
So, I'm about to head to the pharmacy here in the airport. Can you believe that? I don't remember seeing pharmacies in other airports. Maybe I don't pay enough attention. But I only need some bandaids to put on my heels. I have a pair of utterly cute shoes but that are rubbing against my heels.
Well, here I am in Mexico City, beginning a huge adventure for me... Indonesia... Japan... And I'm really excited for what this will bring into my life. I'm excited to learn, see, smell, meet... eat weird things... and be on the beach! You can't ask for much better in January.
Speaking of eating, I know it's obvious, but how expensive is food here in the airport! And large, large portions. I wanted some pizza, but decided $5 wasn't worth a slice and a drink and so headed to McDs. More choices: hamburger or chicken? Went with a chicken sandwich... Ate about 3/4 of it and maybe 1/2 of the fries and not near all of the soda. And I was hungry too!
What is this all about? The chicken sandwich was incredibly disappointing too, with only a pieces of plastic-y looking cheese and round shaped bacon. Round.
I should have stuck with the hamburger.
Bon voyage.
From where I'm sitting, you can see all the people coming out of customs and the people who are waiting behind the posts for them to arrive. People moving around, standing on tip toes trying to see through the frosted glass doors. It reminds of me of when my family comes and I'm trying to figure out if they're going to come through E1 or E2... running back and forth, checking the monitors that are only reliable for being wrong. I can also see offices in the high ceiling and a new screen that shows the same 3 commercials repeatedly... a new flight to Madrid, a new flight to Sao Paolo and a Telcel commercial.
Anyway, there's still about 40 minutes before I need to head through security and I've had the whole morning to sit on buses and think about everything that has led up to this trip and I'm eager to see what God will do and hear what He will say and meet all the people that I'll meet.
What a ride since last September... so much has happened... ... Whatever happens... good or ugly, the only thing you can really do is give thanks and walk forward.
The cutest little boy just walked up to my table and his mom came up to smile apologizingly and take him away.
Back to the point. Walk forward. There will always be good things and things that we don't like as much, but either way you can get stuck. Keep walking... always giving thanks because we know that God is leading us to somewhere good.
So, I'm about to head to the pharmacy here in the airport. Can you believe that? I don't remember seeing pharmacies in other airports. Maybe I don't pay enough attention. But I only need some bandaids to put on my heels. I have a pair of utterly cute shoes but that are rubbing against my heels.
Well, here I am in Mexico City, beginning a huge adventure for me... Indonesia... Japan... And I'm really excited for what this will bring into my life. I'm excited to learn, see, smell, meet... eat weird things... and be on the beach! You can't ask for much better in January.
Speaking of eating, I know it's obvious, but how expensive is food here in the airport! And large, large portions. I wanted some pizza, but decided $5 wasn't worth a slice and a drink and so headed to McDs. More choices: hamburger or chicken? Went with a chicken sandwich... Ate about 3/4 of it and maybe 1/2 of the fries and not near all of the soda. And I was hungry too!
What is this all about? The chicken sandwich was incredibly disappointing too, with only a pieces of plastic-y looking cheese and round shaped bacon. Round.
I should have stuck with the hamburger.
Bon voyage.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
On the Road
Altotonga, Mexico -- For you computer people, I have a problem with my lap going on screen saver (black)... but I have it to not go on screen saver. It didn't before I "calibrated" my battery as HP said I should. If anyone has any idea why it's doing this and what I can do to not have it go on screen saver, let me know!
Ok, on to business. Tomorrow I leave for the big trip!!! Yay! I'll be travelling until Sunday, so keep me in mind and pray for me if you would.I'll be keeping this thing updated as much as possible... from Bali, from Tokyo, possibly Kyoto... all the places that I go. This week has been a bit busy... but today was more relaxed. I woke up with a cold but I'm feeling a bit better now. Thank God! I really didn't want to be feeling ugly for the whole ride.
So, please be praying for me during this trip for:
- For travelling (safe, that I don't get lost!, to not have lots of jet lag, no lost luggage, no problems in customs or immigration... all 6 times!)
- To be in great health for the trip
- That I could clearly hear God's voice while travelling and know the direction He is giving me.
- That I could learn a LOT, by all kinds of methods... and connect with the culture.
- That it'll be a rockin experience! I know I'll enjoy the trip.Well, I think it JUST hit and I just got that rush of excitement that wow... this trip I've been thinking about since July of 2007 is here!
With all the other things I've had this week-- discipleship, meetings, going here and there to see people, all kinds of things... leaving the house clean and everything organized and in its place, I've known that I'm going, but I've been very calm.
Even as kids came tonight to say goodbyes and tell me a MILLION times to take care and to please come back, I was still calm. And I reassured them that I had paid the ticket back already so I'd be sure to come back. :)
Well, I really need to get some sleep tonight, so, until soon!Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Without you guys, this trip wouldn't be happening. Thanks for being part of the team! You are wonderful... many blessings!
Ok, on to business. Tomorrow I leave for the big trip!!! Yay! I'll be travelling until Sunday, so keep me in mind and pray for me if you would.I'll be keeping this thing updated as much as possible... from Bali, from Tokyo, possibly Kyoto... all the places that I go. This week has been a bit busy... but today was more relaxed. I woke up with a cold but I'm feeling a bit better now. Thank God! I really didn't want to be feeling ugly for the whole ride.
So, please be praying for me during this trip for:
- For travelling (safe, that I don't get lost!, to not have lots of jet lag, no lost luggage, no problems in customs or immigration... all 6 times!)
- To be in great health for the trip
- That I could clearly hear God's voice while travelling and know the direction He is giving me.
- That I could learn a LOT, by all kinds of methods... and connect with the culture.
- That it'll be a rockin experience! I know I'll enjoy the trip.Well, I think it JUST hit and I just got that rush of excitement that wow... this trip I've been thinking about since July of 2007 is here!
With all the other things I've had this week-- discipleship, meetings, going here and there to see people, all kinds of things... leaving the house clean and everything organized and in its place, I've known that I'm going, but I've been very calm.
Even as kids came tonight to say goodbyes and tell me a MILLION times to take care and to please come back, I was still calm. And I reassured them that I had paid the ticket back already so I'd be sure to come back. :)
Well, I really need to get some sleep tonight, so, until soon!Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Without you guys, this trip wouldn't be happening. Thanks for being part of the team! You are wonderful... many blessings!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Update
Today I took the kids to Teziutlan. We had just a fun time where we bonded, did something different. So, we went by bus to Teziutlan, about 40 minutes away and had lunch there and saw a movie. It was a good time and I think it was nice for them to get out and have some fun too!On the way there, Karen got a message from a friend that her other friend had passed away about a half an hour beforehand. She was riding her horse on Thursday, I believe, and something happened and the horse jumped up, and she fell off. She ended up with 6 fractures in her skull, a couple of broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken ankle.It was very sad for Karen as the girl she was talking about was a friend-- a smart one that colleges were wanting, one with a future ahead of her. So, we talked about it, she shared her memories and this will be an impacting moment for her for sure.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy Merry Christmas
Altotonga, Mexico -- Hey there! I just wanna wish you all a Merry Christmas! Sorry I've been MIA lately-- Everyone's in vacation mood around here... The brain just doesn't work.
Well, I'm going to be heading to one of the teen's house-- she invited me for the Christmas Dinner which is on the 24th. And if I am correct, I think I'm staying the night...?I gotta get. Have a very Merry Christmas!!
Well, I'm going to be heading to one of the teen's house-- she invited me for the Christmas Dinner which is on the 24th. And if I am correct, I think I'm staying the night...?I gotta get. Have a very Merry Christmas!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Gone Missing: Me
Altotonga, Mexico -- Apparently. No, not really. Just a multitude of things to do around here. Things are in a constant state of change here, but we keep focused on the goal...
Well, in the last-- however many days since I've last written-- a lot of things have happened. There's been a lot of working with the kids-- dealing with their issues and helping them work through it. One girl who wants me to disciple her, which we're starting this week. Another girl who wants to get baptized, which is really cool. So, I have to talk to the pastor about that, because she wants me as her y.p. to do that. So, we'll see! That would be a spring-time activity, since we usually do it in the river... and I prefer not to die of hypothermia.
Also, crash coursing guitar. The need has come up for a guitar player... which I'm going to do what I can, but if not, well-- we'll see what can be done. It's not my first priority, but if I can help the kids out with this, then I will.
I've also been chatting with missionaries overseas-- particularly in Japan ;)... and they recommended to me to get this thing called a JR pass-- which when bought (it's for tourists, so you have to buy it outside of Japan) you can travel as much as you want for free. Even on some bullet trains! So, I'm going to get one for one week to see some of the rest of Japan-- in particular Kyoto, which has a rich history. I'd like to get to Osaka if possible, but we'll see. I was going to ditch the idea; but as I've read in many places, Tokyo doesn't represent all of Japan-- and since it is a scouting trip... Apparently there are some places in Mexico City that sell the passes (they're about $300 for a week-- which when you consider how much it costs to travel in Japan, this is a good deal!) so I'll make my way there at the end of this month to do the necessary purchasing.
Beside Kyoto, I'll spend most of my time in Tokyo (which is Kyoto, just with the letters rearranged!)... Tokyo is ginormous and there are a few missionaries that I'd like to meet and see their work, which doesn't happen in a half-hour meeting. I'm certainly excited for this trip-- I don't know if it can be said enough.
I've been counting the days since 60-- and we're down to 38 right now. Very slowly but surely we're getting there.Well, I need to get... there are quite a few things left to do today... people to meet with...So, until later!
Well, in the last-- however many days since I've last written-- a lot of things have happened. There's been a lot of working with the kids-- dealing with their issues and helping them work through it. One girl who wants me to disciple her, which we're starting this week. Another girl who wants to get baptized, which is really cool. So, I have to talk to the pastor about that, because she wants me as her y.p. to do that. So, we'll see! That would be a spring-time activity, since we usually do it in the river... and I prefer not to die of hypothermia.
Also, crash coursing guitar. The need has come up for a guitar player... which I'm going to do what I can, but if not, well-- we'll see what can be done. It's not my first priority, but if I can help the kids out with this, then I will.
I've also been chatting with missionaries overseas-- particularly in Japan ;)... and they recommended to me to get this thing called a JR pass-- which when bought (it's for tourists, so you have to buy it outside of Japan) you can travel as much as you want for free. Even on some bullet trains! So, I'm going to get one for one week to see some of the rest of Japan-- in particular Kyoto, which has a rich history. I'd like to get to Osaka if possible, but we'll see. I was going to ditch the idea; but as I've read in many places, Tokyo doesn't represent all of Japan-- and since it is a scouting trip... Apparently there are some places in Mexico City that sell the passes (they're about $300 for a week-- which when you consider how much it costs to travel in Japan, this is a good deal!) so I'll make my way there at the end of this month to do the necessary purchasing.
Beside Kyoto, I'll spend most of my time in Tokyo (which is Kyoto, just with the letters rearranged!)... Tokyo is ginormous and there are a few missionaries that I'd like to meet and see their work, which doesn't happen in a half-hour meeting. I'm certainly excited for this trip-- I don't know if it can be said enough.
I've been counting the days since 60-- and we're down to 38 right now. Very slowly but surely we're getting there.Well, I need to get... there are quite a few things left to do today... people to meet with...So, until later!
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