Out With the Old...

As I lay here tonight reflecting on the past year, I can't help but consistently recognize the theme of contentment strung throughout the year. I find little to complain about as I reflect over the past 365 days, and I find many experiences to rejoice for. God has stretched me, pulled me, held me, loved me, and taught me so many times this year. Not everything as been easy, but as the end of the year is fast approaching, I can say that every trial, every tear, every laugh, every adventure was completely worth the feeling of accomplishment contentment, and joy I feel at this moment. The year 2012 has been one huge adventure, I'll do my best to highlight a few of {what I would consider} the greatest things of the year.

• Lived completely on my own for the first time. - Since college I have felt very much in limbo, always waiting for the next thing, living with Mom and Dad until it came time to move away. However, I took the plunge, and admitted to myself that I was here to stay for a while, and moved into an apartment of my own. Through this experience, I have found contentment here in this town, and I began to fully feel like this place was just where God wanted me.
• Read the entire Bible in chronological order this year. - Honestly, in the past, I had a bad habit of reading my Bible two-three times a week when I had time. I participated in studies, and did book of the Bible studies on my own, but I was never super consistent. This year, I have learned the value of being in the word daily, and God has taught me so much about the Bible through my reading. I have read the entire Bible through a few times before, yet I still love that every time there is something new to take from it.
• Found a new church where I feel that I belong and experience the Lord each Sunday. - In January I began consistently attending a new church after a two year search. I have gotten involved in the young adults Bible study, made new friends, and learned so much more about the Lord and His Word. I became a member of the church in September, and we hosted a worship benefit in honor of my friend JP in October.
• Traveled to Peru for 5 weeks with the intent of it being my last trip for a while. - Going into my trip, I felt the Lord asking me to let go. I went to Peru with the intention of hanging out with friends, volunteering with Kids Alive, and saying my good-byes to all. However, the Lord wasn't asking me to let go completely, He was simply asking me to be willing to let go of certain things to experience others. This trip to Peru was by far one of the most amazing ministry experiences I have ever had. The memories I hold from the translating medical trip to Huaraz will be with me forever.
• Discovered contentment in my career. - While I have truly enjoyed my three years at NPE, I haven't felt confident of my work and my abilities until this year. I guess three years teaching the same grade and two years with the same partner does that to you. I'm truly enjoying teaching this year, loving my students, and for the first time not feeling super overwhelmed and unsure of what I'm doing. 
• Feared I was losing my mom. - So maybe this isn't the happiest of all moments this year, but it did teach me once again the amazing power of prayer. Mom left work (unbeknownst) to me on Sept. 19 around 10 a.m. to drive herself to the ER for chest pains. I found out about 11:00 after a few trips to the office and a text from my dad. I worried all day, and prayed while forcing back tears and continuing to teach my class of 25 students. Mom remained in the hospital for a little more than 24 hours at which time the diagnosis was unclear...heart failure yes, cause was undetermined. I sat with Mom and Dad in the hospital for about 5 hours on Tuesday and about 8 hours more on Wednesday. Aside from being shot at while climbing a mountain in Peru, these 24 hours were probably the scariest of my life. I prayed fervently for Mom to be healed, my parents are too young to die. This experience taught me the divine power of prayer.
• And lastly, as a result of the process I've been through this year and the contentment I found, the Lord has opened a door I thought was long closed. - After much stress, joy, uncertainty, excitement, anxiety, and cheers the Lord provided my dream come true. I firmly believe all of the above events had to happen in order to prepare me for what lies ahead. I'm moving to Peru in August!!!

I've found contentment in seeking the Lord with my entire self. I've learned what that looks like, and I've learned how to do it like never before. I've seen the work of the Lord, and I've heard Him speak to me many times. I've felt His embrace, and I've sung my heart out in praise to Him. He has sustained me this year, and He has blessed me beyond what I deserve. 

So here's a salute to the end of a wonderfully, frustrating, joyous year. It's been hard, it's been fun, it's been lonely at times, and it's been full of life during others. As the year ends in just two more days, I can't help but smile at how amazingly, challenging and adventurous 2013 will be.

I Listen to Music and Think Too Much

Sometimes in the evenings when everything is put away, after dinner is made, eaten, and cleaned up, and school work is done, I prefer not to watch the brain draining television, but to listen to music and relax. Some nights relaxation comes in the form of lying on my couch with a blanket reading a book, other nights it includes chats with friends in other parts of the world, and still on evenings like this one, I find myself just lying here; no book to read, to friends online to chat with, and no desire to do much of anything but exist and absorb the goodness of peace and quiet all while resting in the arms of my Savior.

As I lie here, the songs that are randomly playing on Pandora could not be more perfect; each one matching a current situation I am facing myself or walking through with a friend. I am overwhelmed by God's goodness, His mercy, and His perfect plan for my life and the lives of my friends. As I rest in His arms, I can't help but smile knowing that no matter what joys and trials experienced here on Earth, they are minuscule in comparison to the greatness of my God and the amazingness of my eternal home in heaven.


As "Even If" by Kutless played a while ago on the radio I couldn't help but think about JP (Juan Pedro) and the predicament he still finds himself in. He's been to doctor upon doctor, one specialist after another, yet still there has been no cure that can be done in Peru aside from prescribing more medicines which sustain his current health without really fixing anything. Last week my church was able to send $2000 to him, which was raised through the Martin's Coupon fundraiser and a night of prayer and praise benefit done at my church. We don't know what the next step is for JP. He has one doctor left in Peru that may be able to help, and if not his only other option would be to travel abroad to seek more advanced medical attention. "Even if the healing doesn't come, and life falls apart, and dreams are still undone, You are God You are good, Forever faithful One." Even if physical healing doesn't come to JP's body, we can rest in the fact that God is still God and He is faithful. His plan for JP's life is bigger than anything we as humans can comprehend.

A few songs later, I was overcome with joy, memories, and stress as I listened to "Este es mi Ano" by Tercer Cielo. This song was my theme song beginning 2012. However, the way I interpreted the song wasn't at all how my year turned out to be. In a lot of ways, this was my year. The Lord has worked overtime in my life, and I have grown so much in my faith this year. My trip to Peru was very different than any trip I'd ever taken, and I discovered a new kind of passion for missions and translating. Add to that a very different classroom dynamic this year which has been a blessing considering it's my last year at NPE (for a while), and I would say this has been a pretty amazing year. As the song translates, "This year will bring better things for me, and I am ready to live with passion and without fear. I will live an intense year because I will go in search of my dreams." In reality, I did live a very different kind of year with this song frequently playing in the back of my mind. However, rather than searching out my dream (of moving to Peru) I let it go. I taught myself to be content in the place the Lord has placed me, and for the first time in a long time, I have truly enjoyed living in the USA. Yet, just when I found my complacency here, the Lord opened the door to my dreams in a way I never would have imagined. I am thrilled to be moving to Peru in August of 2013!

Lastly, I was overcome by the song "You Are" by Colton Dixon. I've heard this song quite a few times on the radio in recent weeks; however, tonight it truly captured my attention like never before. " If I had no voice, if I had no tongue, I would dance for you like the rising sun. And when that day comes and I see your face, I will shout your endless glorious praise. You are the song I'm singing. You are the air I'm breathing." I pray that this song would be my lifestyle. I desire nothing more than to live like a fool for my Savior no matter who is watching. I want the Lord to be the song in my heart, the bounce in my step, and the joy of my smile. He is mine, and I am His and that is all that matters on this Earth.

Those are just a few of the songs that have captured my attention tonight. It seems as if every song that plays touches my heart. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, despite my freezing fingers and toes (because I refuse to turn my heat above 62 or it runs all the time).

I'll leave you with just a few more lyrics that just came on the radio. 

The fullness of Your grace is here with me

The richness of Your beauty's all I see

The brightness of Your glory has arrived

In Your presence God, I'm completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance

Rejoice in this divine romance

Lift my heart and my hands

To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You

Of deep deep love, yeah it's filling up the room

Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life

In Your presence God I'm completely satisfied

The Lord's Timing is ALWAYS Right

In August 2013, I will be changing geographical locations and moving across the equator. No, this does not come as a result of the election results; although they were unfavorable in my opinion. This decision has come after a random email one September day and nearly two months of intense prayer asking that the Lord would slam the door shut if it were not meant to be. However, He didn't slam the door; in fact, He has left it wide open!

If you have kept up with my blog, you probably already know that since my sophomore year of high school I have dreamed of teaching overseas. My dreams were crushed by a professor my junior year of college, a professor who went as far as attempting to persuade me that teaching wasn't my forte. This professor, my practicum advisor, had me in tears more than once, and my residents (I was an RA that year) always knew when I had met with this particular woman. After graduating university and a second mission trip to Peru, I was reminded of my dream to live and teach in South America, and the Lord provided an opportunity to do just that for a short time from August - December in the year 2009. Ever since this experience I've dreamed of going back; yet the more I prayed, the more I felt the Lord saying, "not right now."

I have found comfort and joy in working at New Paris Elementary for the last three years. Since acquiring a third grade position at NPE, I have always said that if I have to be in the USA there is no place I'd rather be.  However, my dreams of returning to teach in Peru never subsided. Since January 2010, I have prayed for an opportunity to return to Peru to teach making a sustainable wage while also being involved in ministry outside of the school day.

In June I quit praying to return to Peru. Having moved into my own apartment in January, and feeling confident in my position at work, I decided I would let the Lord open the door when it was His time, and if He never did, I would be content. I remember going for a run, one morning in early June. I left my iPod at home; it was just me and God. I cried out to the Lord and prayed that His desires would become my desires. I told him that I was no longer going to pray for a teaching position in Peru, but that I would wait for Him to open that door in His timing, if it were His desire.

You may recall posts leading up to my trip to Peru in which I stated this year was my year for closure and good-byes. I treated it just as that, too. I had been offered two opportunities for interviews while in Peru, both of which I turned down - one at a Catholic school and the other at a missionary school in which I would be responsible to raise all of my funds. I left Peru feeling confident that Goshen, Indiana was right where I belong, and I started into the school year by consuming myself with work as not to meditate on my time in Peru. 

On September 10, everything changed. I was contacted by a school I had actually interviewed with in 2009; however, at the time the only position available was a preschool position. This time they asked me to apply for a 3rd/4th grade position. I expressed my concern of the school year beginning in February in Peru and not being able to leave my job here until June. The response I received was exciting: "We wouldn't need you until July, in time to start our 2nd semester." I asked about the pay, and I learned that after taxes my net income would be considerably more than I am making here. At first I wanted to run, to say no, and to continue life as normal, ignoring the whole ordeal. I am supposed to be here, remember?

However, the longer I let it sit and prayed about it, the more I felt the need to apply. I talked with a few Godly people whose opinions are dear to me, all of which told me this was the perfect opportunity. Upon telling my parents, my mom freaked out, and my dad didn't say much at all. I knew that would be my most difficult conversation before I even had it. I applied for the job on September 24th, and I was offered an interview on October 29. 

The whole time I prayed for an obvious sign if this were not the right thing for me. I asked the Lord to slam the door shut or to provide complete peace. After my interview I felt very confident that this opportunity was indeed from the Lord, and I waited patiently (checking my email every hour) for a response. Finally, on Monday, November 5, I received the email I had been waiting for...I was offered the job. I accepted the offer last evening.

I am thankful that I have nearly 9 months to prepare myself for the move to Peru. I know it isn't going to be easy saying good-bye, cramming what I can into 2 suitcases and a carry-on, and packing up the rest of my belongings to sit in boxes for 2.5 years. However, I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord is going to do great things in my future. I knew all along that ...este es mi ano!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me! I would love to answer them! :)

JP Update

The first week of September, the Peruvian doctors returned from a strike, and JP was admitted to the hospital for observation. The doctors ran some more tests on his kidneys, liver, and heart during the time he was there. The doctors observed him for about a week and then he was sent home. The doctors said that because of the strike, there were many waiting for various surgeries. Due to the many waiting, JP was told they wouldn't be able to operate for a few weeks, so he would rest better (and save money) by resting and waiting in the comfort of his own home. JP returned home to wait on September 12th.

At this point, JP was feeling very down and frustrated. One evening when we chatted online, he said he felt that the devil was attacking him. He said it seemed to be one bad thing after another, and the doctors just keep him waiting with no direct answers. However, after my conversation with JP today, he seems to be in much better spirits. He was laughing quite a bit at my not funny statements, and he was much more talkative than he has been the last few times we've chatted. (Maybe it's the drugs he's taking.) Anyways...

Last last week, JP was called and admitted to the hospital again. The doctors have done more tests and discovered that his liver seems to be in normal, working condition. This is a HUGE praise, as at one point they were discussing the possibility of a liver transplant. The doctor said from here forward the timing is all up to JP's decision making. He will undergo more analysis this week with the plan to operate on his kidneys early next week. This operation will help to alleviate the swelling in his hands, feet, face, etc. as well as solve any other problems he is having due to kidney failure. At this point, the doctors believe they can save both kidneys, but there is a slight possibility that only one will survive.

After the kidney surgery, JP will remain in the hospital to heal for approximately two weeks. During this time, the doctors will continue to observe his heart. He will also be prepped for the heart operation. Doctors are hopeful that they will be able to do the heart surgery and close the hole in his heart the last week of October. JP told me today on the phone that the doctors explained to him that because he is young (32 years old) and has led an active lifestyle, he should come out of the surgery and recover quickly.

There will be a Worship Night at Living Gospel Church on Sunday, October 14th at 7pm. We will be taking a love offering to help offset the costs of JP's surgery. We will also have Martin's coupon books for sale; these contain over $80 in coupons, and you only pay $5. If you are interested in either of these events, please let me know!

Please remember JP in your prayers this month. He's got a long month ahead of him, but with an outlook like his, I'm sure things will go just fine. I am so grateful for a God who comforts, heals, and provides. I am also thankful for each of you who are prayer warriors for JP during this difficult time).

God bless you!

Little Did We Know

The Background Info

A little over a month ago, I witnessed God's protection in a way I'd never before experienced. I saw my life flash before my very eyes as gunshots were fired at my friends and I. We darted down the mountains we had spent the previous two hours climbing, and only by the miraculous protection of our Lord and Savior did all 8 of us escape without even a scratch. Did you read that post? It's titled "God is  My Protector" and is two posts prior to this one. If you haven't read it yet, you probably should.

Looking back, I can't hardly believe it actually happened. It seems so surreal, like sometime straight out of a movie. Yet it was real life; I lived it fully. I am still amazed at the protection of the Lord that day. Not that I doubted His abilities or anything; I am humbled every time I think of that day.

Little Did We Know

My friend, Juan Pedro (age 32), who went climbing with us that day, was even closer to death than any of the rest of us. You see, he'd been having health problems for a few months prior, but the doctors had done tests, put him on medicines, etc. and nothing seemed to be working. His body would (and still does) swell randomly, he gets dizzy and short of breath, and other normal body functions just didn't seem to be working properly. Being into extreme sports in his earlier years, it has been quite a lifestyle change for him to be weakened, swollen, and sedentary. 

The day we went climbing was his first strenuous activity in a few months. He had taken pills, and ensured me that he would be fine. He refused to stop for a breather, and he pushed on all the way up and back down. It was only afterwards that he was honest and said that he didn't think he was going to make it, especially once the shooting started. 

Recently, the doctors have discovered that he has a hole in his heart between the left and right ventricle. He needs an urgent operation to close the hole so that his heart will function as properly as possible once again. Without the surgery, his life looks grim, but the doctors are hopeful that this surgery will solve most of his other health problems. 

The problem is the surgery is estimated at $20,000 not including all of the prior tests and medicines that the doctors have experimented with. This price also assumes that this one operation will be sufficient. JP has exhausted his medical fund (I'm not sure how Peruvian insurance works), and he cannot afford the surgery on his own. 

What YOU Can Do

There has been a fund set up in Juan Pedro's name to help raise money for him to have this surgery. I am amazed at the uniting of the Body of Christ for my dear friend. There are two benefit concerts in Peru next week in which all proceeds will go towards JP's surgery. There have also been other donations made to help with the expenses. However, there is still a long ways to go to raise $20,000 (or nearly 60,000 Soles - Peruvian Money).

My Bible study group is planning a bake sale and possible car wash to also raise money for JP receive the necessary medical attention. Once those details are confirmed, I will forward on the information if you would like to help out. Or if you would like to help out by simply sending a donation, you can comment on this post, and I will get you the information on how to do so.

However, the most important way you can help out, would be through prayer. As you can imagine this is a very trying time for my dear friend. He is a believer, and we have had many discussions about God's plans, His protection, and His healing. Juan Pedro recognizes that whatever the outcome, the Lord is in control, and He boasts that through all of this, the Lord will never leave Him. As you pray, pray for the well-being of JP (stress, nervousness, weakness, health, etc.), pray for the Lord's will not man's, pray for wisdom in the doctors, and for the surgery -whenever it might be- to go well without any major complications. Also, keep his family and friends in your prayers as they walk side by side him throughout this process.

I must admit, it makes it even more difficult to be here, knowing my friend is passing through these trying times, but I am grateful for technology in which I am able to chat with him a few times a week to see how things are going. I am also thankful that technology enables me to help from afar not only through prayer, but by wiring money down to Peru. As I've told JP, even though I am not able to physically be by his side during this time, my spirit is with him, and he is always in my thoughts and prayers. 

Remember, if you are interested in helping with a monetary donation, please comment to this post, email, Facebook, or text me (if you have those contact informations), and I will let you know what you need to do in order to do so.

And just for fun, here's a picture of JP and I taking a break on our way up the mountain. :-)