TOMORROW!

Tomorrow is the day. For a long time I've been really excited about this trip, but my nerves started to set in last week. I really don't know what it is that I'm nervous about. Whether it's overcoming cultural barriers, or being in a boldly different environment then I'm accustomed to. This really is a giant leap that I'm making in this trip and it has just set in that this is really happening. In less than 24 hours I will be boarding a flight to San Francisco Airport to meet a group of people that I've never met before but that I will be calling my family for the entire summer. A few hours after meeting them, we'll each be spending a long 14 hour flight to Thailand where we'll be challenged and trained for what we're about to be experienced. After three days of that we'll all be in Manila, living with host families and working with at risk youth in Manila.

I don't know about you, but there are A LOT of first that are going on in this trip. I try to tell myself that I like change, but in reality, I can't stand change. This is going to be drastically different then anything I've ever experienced and it makes me very nervous. It's funny that I'm writing this and the only thing that comes to mind is this scene from the movie, "Garden State."

I attempted to look for the scene on YouTube but I couldn't find it. But, anyways, the scene had the two main characters chatting in a room, and Natalie Portman's character, Sam, encourages Zach Braff's character, Largeman, to do the most random action/noise ever in order to say that you were the first person ever, to do that exact movement, at the exact time, in that exact location. Sam goes on to do a random motion/noise/dance and says, that was the first time I've ever done that in this spot. I don't know if you guys are getting this, you might need to see it yourself to understand, but anyways, what I'm trying to say is that often, when we think of ourselves doing something new, we are nervous for it, but in the scene, Sam embraces new moments and enjoys it.

I think in the same way, this opportunity leaves me with the opportunity to tell a story about how God challenged me to break the mold, and do a crazy new thing. And instead of being nervous about it, I should be excited to tell that story and come out laughing and enjoying myself because of it.

So, with that, I just want to thank each of you for being a part of this journey with me. This blog really is a reflection of what God has been showing me and I'd hope that each of these blogs may have spoken something to you as well. Thank you for all of your love, support, and prayers.

While I won't be able to update the blog while I'm gone, feel free to check out the InterVarsity Global Urban Trek website at

http://www.urbana.org/trek/2009/manila-philippines

There should be updates and pictures posted while I am gone.

Please continue praying for this trip and for everyone else who is attending. That God would rock our worlds and shape us into the people he has intended us to be.

Thank you again and may the God of hope and peace and love bless each of you as you yearn deeper for his presence in your lives.

Tabo Shower

Tabo (n.) according to Filipino-English translator: dipper

So, basically, a tabo is a small bucket with a handle that can be used to shower. So, in my house, we've discovered recently that we have a leak in our hot water pipes. For the past couple days, my step-dad has been trying to repair it, but it's only gotten worse. This morning, this meant that I would not have a hot shower, but that instead, I'd be using a tabo to shower. My first initial thought was that, "I am NOT in the Philippines yet, why am I using this tabo already!"

Of course, the first splash of water across my back was absolutely freezing and I felt all the warmth that I had stored in my body quickly fade out of it. But, upon showering, I realized how economical and efficient it was to be using a tabo. I then realized, how smart it is to be using a tool like that in order to save water, time, and money. I then looked deep into my heart and realized that for others around the world, this is the only alternative. Where there isn't hot water, or shower heads.

I think this moment is a moment that will not only prepare me for cold water showers, but it will really prepare my heart for the idea of what it looks like to live the simple life. To see what it's like to enjoy living economical, and finding joy amidst having to do certain things. After awhile, I had a lot of fun using cold water and couldn't help but smile at the fact that I was freezing. I guess you could call it cold shivers.

May the God of hope and peace and love show each of you the beauty of living life simply. May we each live life with joy amidst circumstances and trials because we live for a God who loves us.

Leaving a Legacy

For the past month or so, the idea of leaving a legacy has really been on my mind. The theme has popped up everywhere for me. This past Sunday the idea of a legacy really came true for me. When I was at Southwestern College, I remember doing a large group series about leaving a legacy, and on the first large group, Chris Wheatley mentioned that he had a teacher in high school that left a legacy, or finger-print, in him as well as many other students the teacher worked with. And, although the program he was in wasn't meant to be a Christian program, it taught many of the students the character of God's love. This teacher for him, was someone who left a legacy in him, and was one of the earlier things that taught him to love.

This past Sunday at church I was given the opportunity to share my plans for this summer with the congregation. As I was sharing, I couldn't help but notice that my fourth grade teacher was sitting towards the front right side of the congregation, and all I could see was tears in her eyes. Afterwards she gave me a hug and said how proud she was of me for going on missions this summer.

I really feel that, as Chris had someone to leave a legacy in him, my fourth grade teacher is someone that has left a lasting fingerprint on me. From fourth grade, all the way until I found New Hope Church, I had no idea that she was a Christian, but seeing her at my job was a crazy experience, and once I knew that she was Christian, everything seemed to come together for me. It makes complete sense that fourth grade was the grade that I started actually getting A's on my report card. It was the grade where I received super citizen and super scholar awards multiple times in the year. And, it was the grade where I had an amazing teacher, that instilled a good sense of character in me, with encouragement and partnering. I look back and see that the reason I love writing, was because in the fourth grade, I had trouble with a short story, and she gave me a good start, and I was able to finish it, and she encouraged me so much with how much she enjoyed the finished product.

So, it makes complete sense to me now, that this person was in my life at the time she was. To leave an amazing legacy and to plant a finger print for God to use in the future. A lot of who I am today, is based on what I learned in the fourth grade.

It means so much to me, to know that throughout this entire journey, she would be there, so proud of me, 12 years later, as I'm taking a new journey in my life. So, thank Mrs Sanders, so much for planting the fingerprint on my spiritual walk and identity.

May the God of hope and peace and love bless each of you as He uses each of you to plant your own legacy in this world in His name. Would God's love be planted like a tree, branch by branch, among His beloved children and may these legacies leave fingerprints of spiritual identity in you all.