World on a String: October 2012

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

More Bitter Than Sweet Tonight

I lay here, clinging to my childhood teddy bear, bawling. A lot of things were packed tonight. A lot of memories were put in the "sale" pile. Tomorrow I'll me digging into the kitchen, bathroom and finishing the living room. I have one week from today to be completely out of my apartment, out of my sanctuary, out of my place, out of my home.
I always knew this day would come, just not like this. I dreamed of moving to be with a spouse, not back with my parents. I dreamed of having my things go with me to make a new place "home."
I had to find my bear, she had been packed into a bag. I had to find that something that held me too; that sense of comfort. It may seem somewhat childish, but I'm okay with that.
All this being said, I am thankful my parents are supportive enough to let me come back....after nine years out. I am thankful God is sending me on a venture greater than my craziest imaginations. I am thankful that in the morning I'll wake and know that God's peace surpasses my understanding; that His joy is my reward.
My bawling has ceased. I'm ready for sleep. The new day of bitter sweet emotion awaits me. Friends and family coming to help share these emotions with laughter, tears and comforting words.
Nobody said this would be easy.
Nobody said it would be so hard.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Thanksgiving is less than six weeks away!

My college roommate came to visit this past weekend. While here she went through some of my recipes and requested one. It was home made cranberry sauce (I mean, lets face it, no one actually likes the stuff out of a can...there's not even cranberries in it!). I thought I would share my recipe. Even though, I do tweek it, I'll give you a bit of insight to what I did. I also thought I had a picture, searched my entire computer, and finally just googled a picture that was close to what mine looked like...in fact, quite close.

1 c. water
1 c. white sugar
1 (12 oz.) package fresh cranberries (I used Ocean Spray, I think)
1 orange peeled, and pureed (I didn't have an orange so I did Orange
Juice 1/2 cup-with lots-of-pulp!)
1 apple peeled, cored, diced
1 pear peeled, cored, diced
1 c. dried fruit mix (I had dried apricots, cranberries, and raisins.
I think any dried fruit combo works) chopped
1 c. chopped pecans (I used walnuts)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (I use more :) )
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Boil water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Reduce to simmer and stir
in all other ingredients. cover and simmer 30 min stirring
occasionally until cranberries burst. Remove from heat and cool to
room temp.

I had it on simmer for about 2 hours because cranberries didn't burst,
I actually think this was better for the flavors to blend better. Obviously this recipe is subject
to change at cook's choice :)

Since the holidays are just around the corner, I thought I would get you all started on planning. What are some of your favorite recipes?

Monday, October 8, 2012

Sitting on a Rainbow

About a year ago I really felt like God was calling me to do a mission; little did I know He was calling me to the mission field, nor did I realize at the time that there was a difference between doing a mission trip and going to the mission field! In January 2012 I emailed a wonderful friend, "K," who lives in Liberia, Africa, about how I felt God calling me to do some mission work. K emailed me with some encouraging advice and things concerning if I would join him in Africa.
As time passed I felt that Liberia is not right for me; not right now at least.
About a month ago I was having one of my "my life has no purpose" meltdowns to my college roommate "J." In our conversation she told me (again) that maybe I just need to get out of Piqua; stop letting things get in my way and hold me back. Just GO. I think she was maybe talking about moving but the more I thought about it, the more I thought about how I had been called to GO!
I started Google-ing mission organizations. I started looking for a month or two mission trip. I started searching for my place to GO! I found an organization that seemed awesome and the more I read about it the more it seemed fit for me, starting with their opening line:

Have you ever wondered if there's something more out there? If

there's more to life than empty traditions, routines, and working 9-5

everyday to achieve the impossibility of the American dream?

YES!!! This is what I had been saying! I was so excited! I called J and she knew people who had been on the trip. I asked a pastor friend to be a reference, he agreed and hooked me up with a girl he knows who had done the trip! So with J I now had my two references; I applied two days after I had found out about THE WORLD RACE.

This was something God told me to do on my own, not to tell my friends, not to tell my church, not to tell my FAMILY! Whoa! This was big for me! My family knows everything! So, I was obedient. It was hard! A week after applying I had a phone interview that lasted an hour. They got down to the nitty-gritty low times in my life, they heard my entire past, they got to know me better than some of my family and friends know me. A week later, I had a follow-up call just to clarify things and four days later I got the call. They told me I was "a perfect candidate for their team" AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! My response: "That's So Awesome!"

Now I had to tell my family. I had to ask my parents if I could move back in with them. I had to commit to moving back in with my parents, selling all my possessions and dedicating my next (at least) year and a half to the mission field!

The World Race- 11 countries in 11 months!!!! In July I will be leaving for 11 months to Ireland, Ukraine, Romania, India, Napal, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Thailand, Cambodia, and Taiwan.

God has definitely opened doors for me. My family has been so supportive! I'm moving back 'home' after nine years of being on my own! I am so excited for the opportunity to bond with my parents before I leave. I am selling my earthly possessions; which is such a freeing opportunity! I am saving and raising money, which is very hard for me. I am a very independent person and have trouble asking for help; financially or otherwise, but I know this is what God has planned for me and I will stop at nothing to achieve His plan for my life.

I am so excited for the next ten months before I leave. I will be growing in so many ways! God has already started to stretch who I am. I can't even begin to imagine what the following eleven will be like! I will be dirty, stinky, and poor; in return I will be growing immensely, loving the "un-lovable," and sharing God's love in ways some have never seen. I will be witnessing to other religions, rocking babies who are never held, building churches and schools where the Gospel is just being shared, teaching English, doing VBS, and becoming friends with "the least of these."

Never questions God's plan for your life that does not match your plan! His is so much better!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans

to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Never fear! A concept all through His word, yet the hardest for me to grasp!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:28-29

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (Chelsea's favorite!)

Love God. Love People. Serve God. Serve People.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

God's Handy Work!

As I'm getting into the swing of things with blogging, by looking at friend's blogs and just snooping around, I have decided this post will be some of my photography. I'm not claiming to be an amazing photographer, but I do enjoy taking pictures; particularly of sunrise/sets and nature. I love nature, God's landscape and paintings make my heart flutter :).