Christmas Break, but don't worry, it's not a Break from Christmas

Here's one think I've learned since August. College REALLY DOES make you extremely busy! I heard those words said over and over before I began school myself, but I didn't actually believe it, until it hit me that it was too late. It had already happened to me. My life was, and still is, crazy busy. However, this paragraph does not make up for a valid excuse for my lack of posting on my blog. It's something I think about often, and my lack of more consistent posting is not due to a lack of interest or care, but rather because my life has become so incredibly busy, that I often don't even have enough time to sleep at night.


LOOKING BACK


Finishing my first semester of college as a full time student, here are a few of my thoughts in reflection:
I didn't realize how close 21 girls that just so happen to live in the same hall could grow so close in just three months. I figured that second semester we would get to know each other and grow closer, but already I feel like my entire hall has connected and all become good friends. I am so blessed to have such an amazing group of girls in my hall, and an absolutely incredible RA, Jen.
College professors, can actually be cool, and POSSIBLY even become your friend, once you get past the initial intimidation of them being your scary Professor that you must please 110% in order to receive an A on your transcript. I was blessed with some really awesome Professors that I have got to know, and gained a lot of respect and insight for/from. You learn more in college than just the materials your professors are required to teach you for each class. You learn so much more than that.
Next, I couldn't be more thankful that I attend a Christian University. Yes, there are some annoying things about it at times, but I am so thankful for things like Chapel, weekly Bible Studies, Outreach Events, Christian professors, classmates, and RA...etc.
I am in a quad this year, so I have three roommates, Becca, Ning and Hannah. It's 3x more fun, but it's also 3x more effort at times, especially when  trying to actually be productive and get homework down. Let's just say the library is a very homework-friendly place that get's frequent visits from me.

CHRISTMAS BREAK

Though it was a great semester in which I grew immensely, made several new, awesome friends, and had a good start to my college education, I was more than ready for the much anticipated CHRISTMAS BREAK. The first few days I spent in Salem, relaxing at my Auntie's house, and reconnecting with friends. After that, I made my way down to the much loved town of Thousand Oaks, CA. I enjoyed three absolutely wonderful days with my second family, the Wise's. It was so fun to be reunited with all of them, plus my other TO friends. Glen, Reilly, Harrison, mcKensey and I make quite the fun group of five friends, if I do say so myself. However, we always greatly miss our 6th member of our awesome group, Brent. Some of our events of the week included ice blocking, Santa Barbara, ice skating, shopping, movies, adventures in the airport, and fun car rides and many fun memories along the way. ("cool story bro!" "that is a FAT ticket" lol!) My next stop for Christmas vacation was none other than my beautiful home in Autlan, Mexico. I boarded my plane in LAX at 1:00am, and flew all night. Upon my arrival, I was a little tired to say the least. My tiredness however, did not surpass my excitement to see and be with my family again in any way. It was one happy family reunion, that's for sure.
I arrived in Guadalajara at 6:30am, and that same evening, the youth group in Autlan was having their Christmas party. Right away I was reunited with my family, home, friends, and constant fluent Spanish, all in one day. Let's just say, it was a lot to take in. My Spanish is coming back more and more every day that I'm here, and I realized that I forget how much I absolutely love speaking Spanish.
Seeing my friends again has been super fun, and I look forward to spending more time with them in the next couple weeks I'm here. Hanging out with Chavo, Vicente and Rosa is a blast; I miss them so incredibly much while I'm gone. Their faith is growing in ways that bring me more joy than I could ever explain in words. I'm speechless with gratitude before God for their faith and all He has and will continue to do in their lives. I believe this is exactly how God desires for one to feel when they can see His incredible handiwork played out in such indescribable ways. I can't wait, nor can I imaging what great things He is going to do, and how He will continue to change them in the future.



JUSTINIANO 

Today we got to go out to the Media Luna Migrant camp. I had been waiting for this activity since I arrived in Autlan. Okay, actually, for months, but especially since I got to Autlan. haha. Why have I been wanting to go there so bad, you might ask? Well, if you have read some of my previous blog posts, you will know that one of the children closest to my heart lives there. Justiniano. Just before we went to the camp, my friend Barbara, who knows just how much I really love this kid, told me that he talks about me often, and had been asking when I would be coming for quite some time. This just boosted my excitement to finally see him even more. I hadn't seen him since July; it had been far too long. A reunion was a necessity. The past couple times I have gone to visit, he has been quite timid and hesitant in giving me affection, partly, I think, because he knows how much I really like him, and the other part, because the other kids tease him for getting so much attention from me. I try to be chill and low key about it, but I only have so much time that I actually get to spend with him, so I have to make the most out of it.
 Once we got to the camp, Rosa and I headed straight toward the column of houses is that he lives. He was already out playing, but I knew I would get to see him too. Children began running up to me yelling, "Yessi! Yessi!" and began following us to the playground. I heard one girl in the background say to her friend, "Yessi is here! She has come back!" I didn't even know they knew who I was, let alone remember me so well, and be excited to see me! God gave me instant joy.
Instead of Justiniano being timid this time, HE came running up to greet ME! He gave me a big hug and we began to talk. Other kids swarmed around us and began to say things, but he didn't seem to mind this time. I told him I had brought a Christmas gift for him, but I wanted him to take it home so the other kids wouldn't take it away from him. He took the bag with a smile on his face, and much protection in his eyes. With the bag almost dragging on the ground, due to how short he was and how the bag hung when he held the strings in his hands, he began walking toward his house. I asked him if he wanted me to go with him, and he said "si". We walked together to his house, and he cautiously opened the door, walked in, safely placed the back in a corner, and secured the door on his way out, the bag safely in his house. He told me that he didn't know today was the day I was going to come, but that he was happily surprised. We chatted throughout the afternoon, with pictures, piggy back rides, and fun little conversations scattered through it all.
After the activities were over, he came to find me once again. He said he was leaving, and without me even having to ask, clutched onto my knees, giving me a big hug that instantly warmed my heart to an even higher level. I told him Merry Christmas and that I would see him next week.
About five minutes later, I was standing in a circle of friends talking. Suddenly Justiniano was right by my side. He patiently waited for Chavo to finish talking, and then got my attention. He said, "I went home and saw the note you wrote me on the little paper." Talking about the tag on the gift bag I had given him. I asked him if he liked what it said, and he smiled and said yes. My little note that said, "Merry Christmas, Justiniano! I love you and think about you every day! Hope you had a good Christmas! Love Yessi" really meant a lot to him. And he had come back just to tell me that. It really touched me that the little note that I had written, not knowing if he would even notice it on the side of the bag, meant so much to him. More than the toys  that were inside for him.
When I asked him how his Christmas was earlier in the day, he said good, but that he didn't get any presents. The gift I gave him, with some cars toys from the dollar bin at Target was the only Christmas present that he received. The only one. Yet, he appreciate the note the most. This little 9 year old boy, never ceases to inspire and amaze me. My love for him just continues to grow. Sometimes, I wonder why God has given me such a great love for this little boy. He's not someone I could adopt...he has a family. I get to see him twice a year and attempt to bring some joy and love of Christ into his life, but is that really fulfilling the amount of compassion God has given me for Justiniano? I don't have the answer to theses questions. But I know for sure that I care about him and love him so much. He makes my day in a way that no one else ever could. I'm going to keep trying to express to him in the ways and few times a year that I get the opportunity to. I will continue to pray for him and his family, and think about him often. And I will continue to trust in God, that he will fulfill his purpose for this little boy that he has placed specifically on my heart.

This makes day four or five of my time in Autlan over break....who knows what God will do by the end! I love being home. Can't wait to see what awesome stuff happens during the rest of break.

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!!