Evidence

See the circle of empty chairs...evidence that a work team was here recently, doing morning devotions.



See the empty ladderball box, evidence of a game that was brought by a work team member, enjoyed by many kids here...and I think taken home by the work team member. This box remains. It will be a fun toy, maybe enjoyed as much as the ladderball itself.



See the idle volleyball...evidence that volleyball games were recently played here. Many. Loud. Volleyball games. :)



See the abandoned flip-flops and digger toy (in the background), evidence of Mexican children who I watched a few days last week, but haven't been around...for hazy reasons...



More evidence of those children.



See the poor, flat football, Evidence of the work team's good intentions of bringing down a football, only for said football to land in a cactus its first day here...a familiar tale. :)



And see the pile of stinky, abandoned shoes, evidence that 37 ish people from Taylor came, worked, perspired.... And deemed some of their shoes unnecessary to take home to the U.S. The shoes will be deeply appreciated by some lucky people around here.




See the satellite dish on this little house...a common sight. I didn't want to be seen taking pictures of this neighborhood, so I just snuck a picture of this one house... Evidence of culture? Evidence of priorities?? Not sure...




Last but not least... See this BEAUTIFUL rainbow! Evidence, as from the time of the first rainbow, of God's enduring faithfulness.

Leaving on a jet plane....

In 3 days!

Going to Magdalena, MX, returning August 11.  I've never been away from Illinois for more than a couple weeks, but at age 24, it's probably about that time. :)

I'm a little nervous, but I know it will be great.  I'll just take confidence that it's where I'm supposed to be.  Prayers appreciated!

Jump

I wish I could dive into a pool of transparency.

Not a transparent pool, rather, a pool that makes ME transparent.

When I stand on the edge and look over the water,

I am scared, but I know the refreshment that awaits.

Is it the jump that I fear—

 Or that moment of shock when my flesh hits the surface?

Is it the cool water that I long for—

Or the thrill in my heart when I launch myself, liberated, into the air?

Will either bring refreshment?

 Will either bring pain?

Will I ever find out?

(Splash)

This is not in reference to anything in particular...just something I think about a lot, and the topic was brought up in Bible Study tonight.  Another good reminder to walk in the light.

As a general rule...

Big brothers out there, never underestimate how important you are to your little sister.

No matter how old you get, no matter how old she gets...

Don't forget it.

Some things never change.

I love you guys. :)

One reason I sometimes miss El Paso a lot:

City of Champaign Calendar of Upcoming Events:

ci.champaign.il.us/

City of El Paso Calendar of Upcoming Events:

 

www.elpasoil.org/

Mmmhmm...... :)

Summer Plans....

...are beginning to come together.

www.cvemx.org


And also, not particularly related but maybe a little bit, this is one of the best things I have ever seen:

Some things that have been happening

April 22, Tina's birthday and a visit from the fabulous Witzig clan!

Sean and Whitney

Xueting and Tina

MUSICAL CHAIRS!

Pin the tail on the donkey...

The Lord's Prayer

:)

And THEN, this past Saturday, a lovely gathering of some old (but not THAT old) friends :)

Londyn likes to be in pictures. :)

gotta keep your eye on this crew...

And that is, well, two things that have happened.  Never a dull moment. :)

quick thought

This world contains a lot of cool people, for the record.  Just when I think I surely know them all, more pop into my life.  It helps that most people can be cool (or at least worthy of respect) if you find out where they're coming from...  I've always wanted to stretch my introverted self to make room for all these cool people, to be as much of a blessing to them as they are to me...  Not really going anywhere with that statement; it's just a statement.  I'm still working on being pliable in that way. For some reason it's been especially difficult lately, but it's worth the effort.  My loved ones are the only things I can hope to take to Heaven with me.

JOY

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my JOY might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

If you're ever having a blah sort of a day, search the New Testament for every verse containing the word "joy".   Like so:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?criteria=joy&page=5&t=KJV

It's a breath of fresh air. :)

In the words of Caedmon's Call (yes, this song has been referenced here before), 

“You won’t give me something that gives me more pleasure than You.” 

 If Jesus Christ doesn’t fill me with joy, than how can I expect anything else in this world to make me truly happy?  Why would God be inclined to let something else fill me with joy if I am not allowing HIM ALONE to do so?

Lonely

I am not lonely.  I am blessed to pretty much never have that problem and more often have the "problem" of people claustrophobia (aka crowd panzishness).  However, I have been home alone this weekend (a rare occurrence) and frankly, I don't like it.

I have always known that lonely people exist, but a part of me cannot comprehend loneliness.  After all, how could someone with a big, loving family and loyal friends have a clue what that is like?  What it's like to maybe not say a word to anyone all day except for at work (if you're lucky enough to have a job), or a bank teller or grocery store cashier.  To sit at home alone with only the sound of the TV or the people you facebook stalk for company.  Night after night.  Not because it's what you really want... simply because no one is there.  Buh. 

Lonely people are everywhere, and the problem is overwhelming for oh so many reasons.  The situation begs a couple of questions.  1) Why has God given ME, with my introverted personality and many quirks, a never-ending supply of loving and supportive people, and 2) What can I do to share that love with someone who desperately needs it?

Happy Easter.