Dear Spring, please stay forever.

Earlier this week, when I woke up and looked out my 3rd floor, south side, Balyo window, there was a thin layer of white snow covering the ground of our campus. This morning, I woke up to the brightest, warmest Oregon sunshine I had seen in a loonnnggg time. Dear Spring, please stay!
As I gathered my backpack, keys, and ID card to leave the room, I kept walking past my wardrobe where I usually grab a jacket before heading down the stairs. Though I hadn't been outside yet, I knew it was just too sunny outside to wear a coat; even if it was cold.
The sun got warmer and brighter as the day went on, and as a result, the exciting, lively and happy buzz increased around campus. Every time I walked around outside I saw shorts and frisbees, people studying in the lawn, classes happening outside, people carrying the first picked daffodils of the season, sunglasses and shorts, and LOTS of smiles. The atmosphere of campus was more chipper than I had seen it in a long time. It felt so good.
Through all my classes I couldn't wait to be done so I could go and soak up the sunshine. My friend Kayli and I decided to put on shorts and a t-shirt, grab our iPods and go for a jog. Though I've been trying to work out more, it's not been near warm enough for me to have enough courage to run outside. It felt so good to be out in the fresh air and enjoy the incredibly beautiful day God gave us while running and letting my body function and get in shape, just like God designed it to do. =) I LOVE that feeling.
I could go on and on about the blissful things that happened today, but I won't. Just know it was a beautiful day, and I love the sunshine, and love spring!

Time to Escape

{Escape} - To break away. Why? To remember you're alive. To take the time to perceive the beauty you're constantly surrounded by, but oh-so-often forget to take in; forget to enjoy.
 So much happens in a day. From the time you wake up, until the time you lay down to go to sleep tonight, countless, and I mean countless, thoughts, decisions, actions, movements, perceptions, people, sights, sounds, and feelings fill our day. Life in general, but I have found especially since I began college, is really busy. Classes, homework, eating, people, errands, reminders....so many things fill our day. Amid all this, how often do we take time to step back and soak in everything that's surrounding them? How often do we forget to remind ourselves not to stress or get too caught up in our "busy day" and enjoy and embrace everything that's going on. The sights, the smells, the feelings, the smiles, the trees, the wind, the lights....
IMPACT. Every little thing impacts our day, whether we take the time to soak it in or not. Whether we take the time to notice it or not, they impact us. WHAT IF we took the time to soak in all those things though. All those things that happen throughout the day that we don't even notice...what if we did? How much more would we take from each day? How would we be impacted? What more would God teach us? How would we grow closer to Him by it? Maybe we wouldn't...but knowing just the small bit I do about the God I serve, I am pretty confident it would make a big difference.

This weekend, I'm taking some time to escape. To break away. Not from anything bad, I love Corban, I love my friends and I love my life. But I need to take some time to reflect on all the things God has been showing me, that I haven't taken the time to notice. I want to see what more He has to teach me.
 Thanks to all of our great president's, we don't have school on Monday. I also only have one class on Friday's, which is quite nice, if I do say so myself. All that being said, tomorrow morning my buddy Meesh and I will pile our hats, gloves, sweats, scarves, hand warmers, and snow gear into the back of my cousin's classy Oldsmobile and head up to my grandparents wonderful cabin in the breathtaking Blue Mountains. Along with my cousin Kristin, along with her kids and a few other cousins, we'll enjoy a chill weekend snowmobiling, playing games, watching movies by the fire, snowball fights, taking pictures, and drinking hot cocoa. Not to mention eating my grandma's wonderful cooking, which will be extra glorious not coming from the school dining hall, just sayin'.
6 hour car drive? We're prepared. It's more like the Dutch Bros., stereo system, snacks and passing cars that should be prepared.

Peace. Sunshine. Contentment.

I was talking with a friend this week about sunsets. She's from Montana and gets the privilege of witnessing spectacular sunsets every night. Blues, pinks, purples and oranges fill the sky, filling clouds with luscious color as another day in this world comes to an end. She told me when she first arrived to Oregon, there was a "mediocre"  sunset one evening, but people were everywhere around campus stopped mid-step in wonder of the sky. Taking pictures, commenting, squealing, etc. At first she was utterly confused at what they were all drooling over. She found out the reason behind all the commotion was the sunset that she thought was nothing out of the ordinary, especially in comparison to what she was used to seeing ever night growing up.
Being the typical North-westerners we are here in Salem, Oregon, this time of year, if there's even one day without rain, and you can feel the tiniest bit of heat from the rays of sunshine, your day is instantly better. For some reason, God has decided to bring us a little bit of spring in February here in Salem this year. This past week we have had gorgeous weather, with sunshine and blue skies, as well as breathtaking sunsets almost every night. With the high of maybe 60 degrees, our college campus is still bursting with joy and energy from this irregular amount of sun this time of year. I have played Frisbee twice this week, which has made me happier than a puppy dog with a chew toy (you can ask my roommates!).
 Our long, relaxing days of Christmas vacation seem like they were forever ago, even though school has only been back in session for what, three and a half weeks? The first weeks were fun and easy, lots of catching up with buddies and goofing off. Those days are also, long gone now. Homework the past two weeks has been crazier than ever, and everyone seems to be exhausted. Beginning last weekend I found myself overwhelmed, tired, stressed, and unsure of how to handle it all. I think this is one reason God has given us the sunshine the past week. He knows how intense life can be, and He gave the beautiful spring weather as just one reminder that amid all the stress, homework, and restlessness, He is there. He's walking right with me. He's still providing blessing. He's still wanting me to draw near to Him.
Even though there are many many things that are overwhelming to think about in my life right now....finding a job for this summer, homework load, being away from my family, friendships at school, getting enough sleep, working towards my new years goals.....I am choosing to be at peace. I'm choosing to find contentment with where God has me right now, knowing that He will provide for my needs. He's walking by me every moment of every day, and He feels the same stress I feel. The same restlessness I feel.
The Scripture passage that has been on my heart lately is Proverbs 16.

Proverbs 16:1-4, 9:

 "To humans belong the plans of the heart,
   but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
   but motives are weighed by the LORD.

 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
   and he will establish your plans.

 The LORD works out everything to its proper end....

 In their hearts humans plan their course,
   but the LORD establishes their steps."

Last night Christian worship artist, Phil Wickham came to Corban and led our monthly worship night. During my time there, worshiping and connecting with my Savior, coming from some of Phil's lyrics from one of his songs, this is what He laid on my heart: Be ready. Be ready for when He comes again. Live in a manner that daily, momentarily prepares for His coming. 

This semester is only going to get busier, but I need to stay rooted in His word and love. I need to continue to build up my friendships with my outstanding friends here at Corban who encourage, inspire and motivate me. I also need to do my best to play an active positive role in their lives as well. I am so incredibly thankful for my AMAZING hall, my wonderful RA, and all the beautiful, life-long friendships I have developed with the girls I live with here. I am so blessed! 

How are you finding contentment? How are you finding God working in your life? Is it through the sunsets? Is it through what a friend is going through? Is it through going on a walk and just thinking about God, throwing all else aside? 

Whatever you do, live your life in a way that prepares you for when He's coming. We'll do it together. Let's go. 

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: