Furlough 2009

On Saturday, our family arrived back in Autlan from our first furlough after going on the mission field. We spent three months in Salem, Oregon; our home in the United States.
As always, our time in Salem went by all too fast. But we had SO much fun while we were there! We got to catch up and spend time with friends and family that we hadn't seen very much at all in the past two years, and it was great! We had so many good times and memories from the past three months. I was able to spend lots of time with my friends, and do lots of my favorite things in Salem, which was amazing! I missed our church tremendously, and going to youth group was so refreshing. I hadn't had a good, strong, Christian group of peers that I was able to grow in my walk with God in over two years. My youth Pastor, Joe Castaneda, is an amazing man of God that continually challenges me to be the person God wants me to be, and to tell others about God's love. Thank you PJ for all the encouragement you gave me these past three months, it means so much.
Some of my favorite things that I did in the time that we were in Salem were: New Moon Premiere with friends, going to the cabin, youth group, Skillet Concert, Corban Experience, Movie Premiere night, TLC, Meeting Brett from Survivor! Shawn McDonald Concert, going to "the secret place", playing Settlers of Catan, visiting Jack at George Fox, sleepovers with friends, hanging out at Jack's house with friends, TobyMac concert, Eating at Adam's ribs, sleepovers at Corban with Hannah, hanging out with my family over Christmas...I have so many good memories from furlough!
It was crazy because we were back in the States for three months. We were back in the town where I grew up and called home for over 15 years. I quickly fell back into my way of life in Salem, and so it is hard for me to return to Mexico once again. I don't have the same friendships, youth group, or way of living in any sort in the US, as I do in Mexico.
However, I know that I am only going to be in Mexico eight short months before I return back to Salem to begin college. I want to fufill the purpose that God has for me in Mexico these next few months. I know that when I come back to Salem next fall I will miss Mexico a lot, and the thought of being away from my family already makes me sad.

On our way back to Autan, we stopped in Thousand Oaks, California to visit some friends for a few days. And boy did we have a blast!! We went to youth group at their awesome Church, went to Hollywood, Hung out at the beach in Malibu one afternoon, and went to Disneyland! Spending time with the Wise family, the Gallardo's, the De La Rosa's and the Judges was so much fun. I can't wait for the group from their church to come to Autlan again this summer. :)

TLC 2009

Each year our youth group goes to a Teen Leadership Conference in Antelope, Oregon. I was able to go my Freshman year, but my Sophomore and Junior year I was in Mexico. This year I was able to go again, and it was so amazing!

The theme was "Here am I, Send Me", from Isaiah 6:8 which says: "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send. And Who will go for us. Then I said here am I, send me."

I was really impacted by what the speaker talked about. I thought about missions in a different way than I had before. He talked about the different phases that people go in based on where they are at in life, and how it effects their readiness to serve. I could go on and on about all the cool things he taught and the way he presented things. I was challenged and impacted in many ways by this conference, and I am very thankful that I was able to go.

Outside from the general sessions and the workshops, there is free time where everyone can just hang out and play in the gym, go on the giant swing, play cards in the coffee shop, play in the snow etc. etc.

I really had a great time at TLC. I didn't have a whole lot of free time, because I was on the kitchen crew, along with Megan, Sarah, Hannah and Brent. But we had a fun time working in the kitchen, especially when we got to talk to this one old guy that served the food. He was very encouraging and gave Sarah and I some dating advice. :)

One afternoon when we had a bit of free time, Jack, Justin and I went on the swing together. It was the awesomest but yet the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. You are harnessed to a metal bar and a small swing-set chair is under you. the metal bar is attached to a big wire that carries you a couple hundred feet up in the air. Your feet are dangling and the only thing you have to hold is the bar in front of you. I was screaming before we even go to the top! When we did get to the top, Jack pulled the rope that released us and we went FLYING through the air, over a big canyon. I am pretty sure my stomach was at the top when I was at the other end, over the canyon. I don't know if I have ever screamed that loug before, it was so crazy!! I loved it though, it was so much fun!

It was a great week growing and being challenged in my relationship with God, hanging out and having a good time with my friends, working in the kitchen, and worshiping the Lord.

Christmas Time is Here!

It's mid-December, and it's cold outside. Hot Cocoa is a must when you're sitting by the tree, watching a movie with a warm, cozy blanket, next to your little brothers and sisters. I find myself singing Christmas songs often, and when I think about Christmas and the certain feeling this time of year brings to me, I am filled with happiness. It truly is the "most wonderful time of the year". Even with the stress of buying presents for everyone, attending all the Christmas parties preparing the big Christmas dinner, everyone still finds time to relax and enjoy the holiday season. I am so thankful for that!

Sadly, even though many take time to rest and spend time with their family, they aren't celebrating what Christmas is really about. We've talked about that every year, but this year I got a different take on it. I thought about it in a new way, and it impacted me a lot. Instead of just knowing that a lot of people in this world, and even people that I know, love, and are maybe even celebrating Christmas with, don't understand or appreciate what the holiday really signifies, and just accepting it, I should TELL THEM WHAT THEY'RE MISSING OUT ON! I should tell them what they don't understand, and how the world has twisted Christmas to be something different than what it should be. Not just knowing that they don't get it, and know that I do, so I'm all right. I should be telling them that they're missing out on the joy of celebrating and truly understanding what Jesus' birth means! I've been thinking about that a lot this holiday season, and I want to do something about it! As I try to not just know that I am one of the few that understands the true meaning of Christmas, I encourage you to think about this as you celebrate Christmas this year as well.

Another reason I love Christmas time is spending time with the people I love and care about most. Talking to my little brother Christian about the Christmas story, and seeing that he understands what the story means. The joy and excitement he gets when he learns something new about the story that he didn't know before, is so cool. Hearing him tell the story is adorable, too.

It has been so fun to get together with friends and spend time with each other, too. The youth group had a big Game night, where we all got together and played board games, ate cookies, and watched the Survivor finale. It was so much fun!

Four of my closest girl friends and I also got together and exchanged Christmas gifts. The five of us hadn't been able to all hang out toegether in a long time, so that was really great.

We get to do so many fun things at Christmas time.... exchange gifts, decorate the christmas tree, listen to fun music, make yummy Christmas cookies, spend time with family....but most importantly, reflect on the incredible, life changing story found in Luke chapter 2.

Merry Christmas!

Weekend at the Cabin with Friends

Last weekend six of my close friends, my brother, my mom and I, along with all of our duffle bags, loaded in our Suburban and headed up to my grandparents Cabin in the mountains. (see previous post)

We spent an incredibly fun weekend together up in the snow, riding snowmobiles, sledding and snowboarding, playing games, and watching movies in the warm cozy cabin. It was a great relaxing time for all of us to get away from the stresses of school and our busy lives, to enjoy a calm, peaceful weekend together. During the day it was only about 15 degrees...let's just say that we had several layers, and I mean several, before we stepped outside. Except for one time about one in the morning when I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt... I decided to step outside to watch the snow falling on the deck for a minute...Jarren thought it would be funny to lock me outside. That was fun.

I want to thank my Grandparents for letting eight crazy teenagers stay at their cabin for four days. I LOVE YOU! And Thank you Mom and Grandma for making us all of that delicious food. You guys are the best!

To all my friends that went up there with me, Jarren, Justin, Jack, Brent, Hannah, CoCo, and Melody. I love you guys more than you could ever imagine! Spending time with you guys is always fun. We have created memories that I will cherish forever.

One of my Favorite Places in the World

I wake as the bright winter sun rises just above the snow covered pine trees. I put my slippers on and peek out the frosted window to discover a new fresh layer of sparkly snow has fallen during the night. I walk downstairs and find my warm, cozy blanket waiting for me on the couch, right where I left it the evening before. As I watch a bit of TV and sip my warm hot cocoa, I gaze out the window at the Stellar Jays as they sing their morning song and perch on the deck to eat their breakfast.
Soon, one by one, the others awake and make their way downstairs and join me on the couch, and we enjoy the peaceful winter morning together.
Every moment is relaxing, and the atmosphere is amazing. Nothing is planned out, you just go with the flow. Perhaps that's what being at the cabin at the top of the Blue Mountains in Oregon does to people. If that's what it is, I like it. People should come up here more often.
After breakfast, the snow can't wait for us any longer, and the fresh powder that fell the night before is calling our name. We put on all of our snow gear and head out into the gorgeous, white, winter wonder land. Sledding, snow ball fights, building snowmen, and snowmobile rides are just a few highlights of our fun daily activities that we experience outside at the cabin.
As we go on a snowmobile ride across the mountain, it feels like we are on top of the world. The view of the white and green luscious mountains surrounding you, seem never ending. The trees still contain a layer of whiteness and as the sun gently hits it, some of it falls from the tree tops. The brisk winter air flowing through your hair and as you ride through the beautiful forest, is incredible. Often on the side of the trails in the untouched snow you will see tracks...I love it when shortly after that you spot the animal that carries those tracks.
The view is breath taking, and as we stop to enjoy it for a moment, I am captivated by God's creation. I am also reminded of his unfailing love. He created this for me, because he loved me, and wanted me to be in awe of His creation, and because he wanted me to enjoy the beautiful world that He himself made. As I stand at what has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, I am reminded of that, and so ever thankful for my Creator.
As we make our way back to the cabin, my toes, finger tips and nose are beginning to get a bit cold. I am excited to get back and eat some M&M's and enjoy another cup of hot chocolate, read my book, and maybe play a game of Monopoly.
The Cabin: One of my favorite places in the world.