The Duke Family

From teaching me piano lessons, to babysitting me and my siblings, to bringing us candy or taking us to the park just because, the Duke family has been a special part of my life, as far back as I can remember.
As I grew older, and they began to get married and move away, we became less connected, and didn't see each other much, especially after my family moved to Mexico.
However, this past summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to reconnect with Sherri Duke (now Wilson), and ended up living with her and her husband, Thomas in Trout Lake.
Last weekend, Sherri called me informing me that the entire Duke family, save just two people would be together for the afternoon to celebrate a few of the cousins birthdays. She asked me if I would like to come and see everyone for the afternoon. Of course, I was ecstatic at thought, and accepted right away! Though I had reconnected with her, I hadn't seen some of her other siblings since before I moved to Mexico.
Sherri asked me to bring my camera and take some pictures throughout the afternoon. This just added to my excitement of going.

Driving down the Duke's farmhouse driveway last Saturday brought back many childhood memories. It was so fun to see and catch up with all the Duke kids. I was blessed to meet their spouses and children, as well as simply be a part of their precious family reunion.

I love the Duke family so much and they have played such an important part both in my childhood, as well as into my adult life.

Here are a few of the pictures from the afternoon I spent with them:

Thomas and Sherri

I've mentioned in many blog posts now, what an incredible blessing Sherri and Thomas have been in my life.
While at the Duke's house on Saturday I was able to take a few pictures of Sherri and Thomas, and they are just too precious not to share!!
Love you "ba-way-oh", Sherri and Thomas! =)

College Students and Coffee Shops

Whether on campus or downtown, close to the school, or a little ways away, college students now flood coffee shops which seem to be located on every street corner.
With text books, laptops that beckon papers and assignments to be completed, college students trug their Jansport backpacks and warm vanilla lattes to a cozy table to conquer their dreary homework assignments that separate them from their social availability on school campus.
 As I write this, I just so happen to be one of these people. However, I have learned to incorporate this study method with my social life. My friends Katie and Sam sit across from me at the table, with their laptops and text books at work.
 There's something about Mumford and Sons playing in the background, and the other fellow "Corban-ites" we encountered upon our arrival tonight that makes homework not so dreadful.
 Needless to say, I am neglecting my open College writing book to write this, but I couldn't help but document the essence.
Soft lights, the smell of coffee beans, and the warm company of friends as I study.
For any of you who have once wondered why college students find studying and hanging out at coffee shops so appealing, I hope I have enlightened you to some extent.
Back to my homework I go...

College....Say What?!

I can't believe it's been six weeks since I've posted on here!
It has been a crazy six weeks, to say the least! I'll give you all a little re-cap of what's been happening, to get everyone caught up. =)
I moved from Trout Lake back to Salem on August 23rd, the same day my family arrived to the U.S. from Mexico! They actually came up to Trout Lake directly from the airport, ate dinner at the Cafe, and then we left as a family back to Salem.
Just three short days after arriving to Salem, I moved into the Balyo Dormitory at Corban University. I have three AMAZING roomies, Rebecca, Hannah, and Ning. We have all grown close, and really live well together. Our room is quite loud and crazy most of the time, and our hall mates often come to visit, just to see what's going on in our loco room. It's hard to focus and get homework done sometimes...okay, most of the time!
I am taking 16 credits this semester, and definitely have my time filled up to the rim. (hence the reason for taking so long to post) Every waking moment that I'm not in class or doing homework, I'm spending with my family. There are here for just a week and a half more, and I want to spend as much time with them as I possibly can! They fly out on October 6th. Please pray for them as they head back down to Mexico. Pray that this next year of ministry will be rewarding for the Kingdom of God, and they will be blessed. God is using them in so many ways!
Also, my dad has been very sick this furlough. He goes back to the doctor on Wednesday for some further testing. I have been very sad that he has been sick on this precious six weeks of rest they have each year. I love my dad very much, and want him to get better!
It is going to be extremely hard for me once they leave in a couple weeks. My family and I are extremely close, and I have loved more than anything having them close by all the time, during this time of transition into "the college life". Please pray that you would be will all of us when we are separated for another season of time.
I'm playing ultimate frisbee on an intramural time, and I am just loving it to pieces! If I get to choose one thing to do, it's ALWAYS frisbee, hands down. It's my favorite thing to do..ever! I didn't get to play much this summer because of work, but after our first game a couple weeks ago, I was ecstatic! I love frisbee so much!

Time for dinner, and some more homework, but update part two will be on the way soon!!

So Much Happens in so Little Time

Well blog world, I suppose you would like to know what has been going on in my crazy life the past month or so...

Are you sure you're ready for this? A LOT has happened, and I haven't exactly had time to process and organize it all, since it all came at me, happened, is coming at me still, and will be happening very soon. So bare with me as I categorize my life, share all my dreams, passions and experiences with you about this summer and upcoming fall. 

When I last posted, I shared with you all the incredible blessings,experiences and friendships Jonah had began to bring to my life. Those only continued to accumulate as the summer went on, and when the staff left Trout Lake two weeks ago; it was the ending to one of the best summers yet. I have learned so much this summer, it truly has been incredible. 

I took a trip to Mexico to visit my family in July. I was there for two weeks, the first 10 days on a missions trip with my home church in Salem, and the last five days just spending quality time with my family. Going to Mexico this summer was definitely different from when I lived there, and when I visited in December. I saw it a little differently, it felt a little different to be there, and my family and friends had changed more. I was told that each time I go things will feel a little different. I can't decide how I exactly feel about that, but am trusting that God will reveal both the good and bad in that to me, making me stronger through it. 

It was so encouraging to see how much of a difference my parents and siblings are making through the furthering of their ministry in Autlan. The growth is incredible! God is using them in numerous ways, and I am confident that His kingdom is being glorified as a result of their service and passion. 

 Another super encouraging thing was to be blessed with seeing the growth in the lives of my dear friends Rosa, Chavo and Vicente. Two years ago, these friends of mine and Brent's we lost in a world of pain and poverty. They had no hope or joy. Two years later, they are all completely different people. Chavo and Rosa became Christians before I moved, and Vicente became a Christian earlier this year. Chavo has recently preached his first sermon in La Roca Church, and all three of them have been baptized. I was blessed with the opportunity to be there in July for Chavo and Vicente's baptism. It is so encouraging to see the leadership role Chavo and Rosa have taken in the youth group, as well as other ministries. They are living examples of what missions is all about. The fact that God used me in a few small ways to be a part of their lives and their faith, gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes every day. When my mom was telling me about everything that has been happening in their lives lately, I couldn't help but get choked up. They are now inviting friends to youth group, and sharing the love of God with their unsaved friends and family. That is EXACTLY how the Lord wants missions to work. Chain reaction- we share our love for Christ with someone, they share it with another, and so forth.. God is using people and one by one, the people's lives of Autlan are being impacted. 

I returned to work and my life and friends at Jonah towards the end of July- during the craziest part of summer. In no time, I jumped back in, pushing past the things that I had missed while I was gone, and immersed myself as much as I could in the "here and now". I had missed Trout Lake. Missed Sherri and Thomas, missed my friends at Jonah, and missed seeing Mt. Adams every day. By day three of getting back from Mexico, I was right back to my schedule of working full time, 8 hour days at the cafe, spending every waking moment not at the cafe at Jonah, sleeping there most of the time, and getting maybe 6 hours of sleep a night. Plus trying to stay caught up on things like communicating with friends and family outside of Trout Lake, getting ready for school, etc. etc. It was a CRAZY busy summer, but I wouldn't have changed it for anything. I have made so many new friends. I get along really well with my co-workers, and have become really good friends with some of them. We spend time together outside of work, and float the creek and stuff, which is really cool and fun. I wasn't expecting to become friends with many of my co-workers this summer. I thought that they'd be co-workers and nothing more. I'm very thankful God showed me otherwise, just like He did with what how I'd be involved with Jonah, the relationships I'd develop in both places, the things I'd learn and the experiences I'd walk away with. It's been such an eye-opening, amazing summer. Going into it, I never would have imagined it would have been so amazing. The God I serve and love gives me so much more than I deserve!

Now, my summer is coming to a close, and in just a week I will be with my family again, back in Salem, getting ready to move into the dorms at Corban. My family arrives next Tuesday for their annual furlough, which I am super super excited for, by the way! I move into the dorms at Corban with my three roomies who I have never met, and become a full time student at Corban next week. I'm super excited, but nervous at the same time. It's going to be another big transition, and it's coming up super fast. 

I will miss Trout Lake, and Yaritza, Stephanie, Meghan, Corey, Jana, Jeff and Beki, and all the other friends that I've made here this summer. I'll miss the simple atmosphere of life here, and I'll miss the gorgeous creation that I've been surrounded by up here. However, I won't have to miss Sherri and Thomas, because they're moving to Jefferson for the school year! I guess now that I've lived with them for a summer, they figure they better stay close by! ;)

                                            Precious little girl, Lupita, at the orphanage in Autlan

                                  Group (minus my Dad, Dane, Morgan, & Uncle Tim) in Guadalajara

Siblings....where's Brent?! In front of our house in Autlan

                                     

Life at Jonah... =)

End of Summer Cabin trip with Justin, Daniel, Ellie & Alyssa! 

                                               

                                  Two of the biggest blessing in my life this summer! Love you guys!!