a new opportunity...

Earlier in the week I wrote about a trip that I embarked on exactly three years ago today... but little did I know I would soon have the opportunity to experience international mission trip again so soon.

About two months ago one of my co-workers went to Haiti and Dominican Republic on a missions trip. When he returned I was able to help him with a powerpoint. I quickly fixed the pictures like he asked me to and got ready to watch his presentation. About five minutes and 20 pictures into his talk about what they had done on his trip, I was crying. Not weeping uncontrollably, but I felt a connection while looking through those pictures - one that took me back to my 10 days back in the summer of 2007. I missed it.

And then... I got a call yesterday from a friend that works with the BCM at Mercer University. I actually didn't hear the call as I was working on a move of some of our new residents. I got back to the car and saw that I had a voicemail so I listened to on the way back into the office. In short the message said, "there is a spot for you on a trip to Haiti if you want to go".

Um, YES PLEASE!

So I have this chance to go to Haiti and work with children and possibly doing some relief work, but... But-But-Buttttttt. I have job. So what am I supposed to do? Just take a week off of work and leave the country?

Well, YES! That is exactly what I am going to do! I was able to talk to my boss this morning and she was so supportive. I don't think I quit smiling all day long (well, except for when I realized at 4 pm that I had still NOT eaten lunch. no smiling then). I am so looking forward to serving alongside a team of 7 others and seeing what the Lord will do and show me.

I know that there are great and wonderful things in store!

(photo found here)

can I keep him???

I'm feelin' a little blue-ue-ue . . .

Well I am not feeling blue in the "I'm so sad" sense but rather can't stop thinking about turquoise. cyan. teal. etc.

I really don't know what to call this spread of current colors that I l-o-v-e, LOVE but can I tell you about where it all started?

Three years ago, May 14th to be exact, I travelled to a little country called Meh-hee-coh, or as some like to say, Mexico. The trip was with a team of about ten other people that I had yet to meet and we were going to be doing free medical clinics for the people who lived in the city and also some Mayan villages. I was so excited. Our schedule lasted about ten days and looking back, I have so many incredible and life changing memories from that 10 day trip.

My team that I went with - loved them.

Sharing Jesus and practical help with people in need - one of the most eye opening things I've ever experienced.

And the little girl that I held in the Mayan village while her mother saw our nurses - her laugh filled my heart with joy.

Oh and did I mention our nightly Nertz tournaments? AWESOME.

These memories all made the trip one to remember for a lifetime.

So now you're wondering... what does turquoise, cyan, teal, etc. have to do with Meh-hee-coh? Well I'm about to tell you. We were privileged to stay on the beautiful beach (pictured below) and woke up every morning to this little image God painted for us. We snorkeled around in the late afternoons and apparently even got a little to close to a "BIGGGG FEEEESH!", that's Big Fish (as in SHARK) for all of you who don't speak Spanish.

Do you see those colors? So calming. So peaceful.

Take me backkkkkk...

But unfortunately, I can't spend my weekends at the beach, so why not bring these colors into my (DREAM) home?

First, I will buy this door...

and behind that door is my fresh and airy entryway...

and inside the closet I don't use, I will create a secret but oh-so functional office...

and then here in my breakfast room which will be full of fresh flowers, white china and serving ware will be perfectly accented by this shade of blue...

and then I will sip on coffee in my loungey-living room...

before making my way to my bed that is subtly painted a pale turquoise.

And every time I enter each room, I will remember my adventure in the summer of 2007 and the image God painted for me.

(Images of my dream home found here, here, here, here, here and here.)

won•der, verb

won·der

   [wuhn-der] Show IPA

–verb (used without object)

1.

to think or speculate curiously: to wonder about the origin of the solar system.

2.

to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel (often fol. by at): He wondered at her composure in such a crisis.

3.

to doubt: I wonder if she'll really get here.

–verb (used with object)

4.

to speculate curiously or be curious about; be curious to know: to wonder what happened.

5.

to feel wonder at: I wonder that you went.

Sometimes I wonder in my head. I know I've said this many times before, but I guess that's because I wonder alot.

I am trying not to wonder because wonder leads to distractions, worry, unrealistic expectations and things of the like. Little good comes from my wondering. So when I start to wonder I am trying to remember this song below and remember who holds my plans together. Let me then wonder on this passage from Psalms:

Psalm 89:4-6 (New King James Version)

⁴ ‘Your seed I will establish forever,
And build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah
⁵ And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.
⁶ For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD?
Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD?

When my world is shaking, heaven stands. When my heart is breaking, I never leave Your hands.