School

It's hard to believe I've been home almost a month and half. I'm back to Miami next week, and already dreading it. It seems like summer was so short. I'm eager to go back next year. I'll be going to Mexico in October this year, which I am way excited about. God continually makes a way for me to back to the place I fell in love with. I would ask for your prayers with continued adjustment as I go back to school.

Yo tengo tanto tanto tanto!

Ana

My last day in Mexico with Ana

I met Ana at the start of my time with Back2Back. She was very shy and sat over in the corner at church. She did not really want anything to do with me. The following Tuesday I spent two days, at Douglas and really got to know her. It took a long time for her to warm up to met. She feel, and scraped her knee. She cried for almost an hour. After, our overnighter Ana and I had a bond. Everday I came over to Douglas she ran up to meet me. I met her siblings, and learned about her life. She is five years old, and has only lived at Casa Hougar Douglas since spring. Every Sunday at church, I entertained while we sung songs I did not understand. I held her in my hands with all the strength I had. I prayed over her, and was just with her. She started crying one Sunday, and I just took her out the deck. I sat there with her. It was a strange concept for her, I think she expected me to just walk away. I poured my heart in to Ana over this month. About midway through I felt God calling me to sponsor her. I needed that personal connection. She views me much like a mother, and I view her like my daughter. On our last day together, I gave her a doll and wrote her a letter. She was crying when I left. I wish she could just come home with me. I prayed layer of blessing over Ana, and hope to come back to see her really soon. She is definitely one of God's gifts to me.

Update(:

Hard to believe my time is half way over here. God has really been stretching me with new experiences here.

Here's a brief update of what I've been up to

-Intern outing to Chimpique. Encountered a baby bear, from ten feet away.

-Had a mystery dinner here with Interns

-Visited Plaza Sesamo with Del Norte. Made a friend named Kevin, and rode the same roller coaster 10 times!

-Gave our new groups a tour of B2B.

-Had a pool party, and grill out with Del Norte.

-Led the Hope Church kid small group everyday this past week.

-Used a pick axe to prep an area for a new concrete pour.

-Douglas' stove was replaced, and we power washed the comedor.

-Definitely improving my Spanish. Ordered at many resteraunts, this has forced me to get better.

-Slept 3 hours due to a broken air conditioner and a room full of tweleve girls. awful.

-Had a pool party with Imperio de Amor.

-Met the sweetest 5 month old baby named, Lupita. It broke my heart to have her go back to the Children's home.

-Went to see Pirates of the Carribean 3 today. Pretty cool.

I'm working on really listening to God while I'm here. There are so many great supportive people to be around here. It's amazing to live in a Faith Community. We have worship every night, and get to pray with each other.

"And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us and if our God is with us then what could stand against?"

Love. xoxoxo.

Douglas

Tuesday morning I left for a sleepover at Casa Hougar Douglas. This entitled taking care of all the 60 orphans there with the help of Back2Back so the workers could go on a retreat. This was the experience. I'm gonna give you a brief synopsis of what this looked like.

9 am- Arrive at Douglas. Start laundry. 16 loads in one day for the home.

10 am- Encounter about 100 cockroaches while cleaning out an old kitchen. Officially freaked out.

11 am- Pre-schoolers arrive.

12 am- Middle school and high school arrive.

1- Lunch for all.

2-Time with my girls. I'm with little girls ages 2 to 11.

3-Homework time for older girls, swingset with my little ones.

4-English class.

5-Play time.

6-Dinner.

7-Shower time

8-9 Try to get all 8 girls to fall asleep. this ended around 10.

10:30- I try to fall asleep while being eating alive by mosquitos and fleas. Meanwhile, I'm being infested with head lice.

5:30 am- Wake up. Today my youngest four don't have school.

6 Desperate-spanish for wake up. Get the girls out of bed

6:30 Comb all their hair. Brush teeth. Send them to breakfast.

7-Breakfast.

7:30am- Little ones get up. Feed them breakfast, and watch more barney

9 am- Take the little girls swiming at Back2Back.

11- Go back to the orphanage. Prep lunch.

12-Older girls get home.

1-Lunch

2-Chores

3-Homework time.

4..Ice Cream Party. I have a sweet little girl named Wenday asleep on me, some of the older boys started a fire in the Bell tower. Quite the event. We literaly burned the place down

5 start preparing dinner

6-Caregivers finally arrive.

I was completely worn by this experience. God made grow. Thats all for now. AllthingsNew.

The Real Work Begins!

Our first group arrived yesterday, while the interns where preparing dinner for Casa Hougar Douglas! We made pica de gallo- cliantro, tomatoes, onions, and lime all blended together. Along with guacamole. You heat up a torrito, put a hot dog on and a scoop of guac, and pica de gallo and eat it. Quite interesting. Today I also went to a little taco place, with Molly and the all to fabulous Kathy Couch.

Friday was filled with training. Learning how to give tours to the group, and a mock trial with the staff. The evening ended with a community grill out.

Saturday was more mopping of the dorms for our groups. I feel like I'm a pro at mopping now seeing how I've mopped every dorm at B2B. Our first group arrived yesterday, while the interns where preparing dinner for Casa Hougar Douglas! We made pica de gallo- cliantro, tomatoes, onions, and lime all blended together. Along with guacamole. You heat up a torrito, put a hot dog on and a scoop of guac, and pica de gallo and eat it. Quite interesting. Today I also went to a little taco place, with Molly and the all to fabulous Kathy Couch.

Today I'm off. I enjoyed church at Casa Hougar Douglas. I love seeing those kids there. I will be spending the night there Tuesday night, with one of my favorites know as Gabrielle. Tonight, I'm headed for Pollo Loco, another one of my favorites here in Monterrey because of the unlimted chips and salsa. Along with Pespi Kick!

I'm working for the rest of the week, will talk as I'm able(; Much love, and thank you for helping me be where God leads!

Bodega

Bodega pretty much sums up my day. The bodega is a tractor trailer that is a permanent part of the property where we keep all the construction materials. Unfortunately, during the year it has got quite messy. Armed with four interns, and Todd Gukenberger we began to clean up the bodega. Molly and I sorted screws for 3 hours. It was quite the task. The bodega is in good shape, and I mopped all of the main room. And cleaned the chairs. Can't forget the big rock pile Molly, and I made by moving rocks from one end of the campus, to the other.

However, relxation has set in now in the evening. Pina Colada's were served compliements of Kathy Couch. Pool party with the interns and nannies set for tonight.

It's pretty chill tonight(:

Here!!

I'm here in Mexico.

With the rest of the Interns, we are living in a house of our own. Well,y more like a floor. Tomorrow is a general work for staff here to get ready for the groups. I'm so happy to be here, and looking forward to some much need rest.

Subway and Dominos were the food of choice for the day. No Mexican.

I'm at peace here, even in the sweltering heat.

Internet is very shaky. My day off is Sunday for all of you at home. Not sure skype will be possible because the connection is so bad.

Love you all!

I will go

"Where you lead me Lord,

I will follow

Where you lead me Lord,

I will go"

these are lyrics of one of my favorite songs. I've been singing since I was in grade school. Unfortunately, I do not think people always grasp what they are saying. These simple words have power. God is waiting to lead you, as long as you listen. In our society, it's all about fulfilling our dreams, and wants-but after you've done all that I'm sure no one would be satisfied. God is ready for you to surrender, and give Him control. He could lead you to a new job, state, city, or even a world away. See where God leads you in your daily life. You'd be surprised what you've been missing.

God lead me to Monterrey this summer. I can only imagine what He has in store for me there.I'm feeling quite sick, and if everyone could pray for my immediate healing. That'd be fabulous. Much love. MEXICO TOMORROW(:

Packing

The packing has begun and the pile is huge. I can't believe I will no longer be in America in two weeks. This is my first time packing for being away so long, and this is my first time being away for a month. It's exciting, but also nerve wracking.

I'm completely distracted however, by my aunt and uncle's house. My family and I have put on a little "home makeover." He have had over 50 volunteers come show up over the past week to help out. We have literally restored there house. Every room has been painted. The kitchen has been redone. New plumbing, and new electric. The trees have been trimmed, and the backyard has gone from a jungle to looking more like a park. The floors are being refurbished. It has been amazing to show them God's love in such a practical way. God kept putting "radically bless" in my mind, which I believe is exactly what were doing. The project is not finished yet, we still have to put the house back together. If your free this Sunday, please come be a part of what God is doing in Cincinnati!

Off to make some more visits, then continue this packing!

13 days(:

30 Days

Well, it seems like I started counting down in October to go to Mexico. 30 days left in the USA. It is very close. I have two finals, and two more papers due then I'll be done with my first year of college. Pretty excited about becoming a sophomore! Prom was this weekend. Lovely Night.

Please be praying for me, as I prepare for Mexico. Also, please pray for my heart when I come back. God has put a lot on it, and it just doesn't seem fair. Why do some children live in slums, while I live here in America? God gave me the chance to stand up for Mexico this past week, in class on a paper about Mexifornia, and illegal immgration. I defended Mexicans, and Mexican-Americans. I ended up with a grade of 100% and am exempt from the final. It would have been easier to agree with the books opinion, but instead I stood up for what I believed in even though it could of hurt my grade.

God is showing me more and more ways to be a light in this world.

Love to you all. 30 days.

Bring me there

I am so sorry I've neglected you all for a month. I came home from Mexico, and just dropped off the world wide web. Welcome to Nursing School. God is constantly challenging me inside, and outside of the classroom. I'm trusting that God wants me to stay in nursing, and He will just have to figure out everything if I actually get in the program. (Freshman students are accepted on a pre-nursing basis). I'll just continue to do my best with 15 credit hours english, communication, mircobiology, political science, and chemistry. Yucky semester. I'm also a professional workaholic on the side. this does not help my life.

God has been bring me back to a place over, and over again. He brings me back to walking through the squatter village in Monterrey. Let me do my best to take you there. Imagine getting off a bus after about and hour ride. Your excited to get out, and smell the fresh air. We begin to take small tour of the slums. Suddenly the smell of animals is overwhelming. In this area of the city, the goverment allows people to make houses out of whatever they find. Small shacks are built out of alunium, and tarps. Our host Olga knocks on people's door which are simply just covered with a blanket of some sort. She invites them to come to our medical clinic. The next house is about 10 feet big, and just like in the snow white, 3 little kids lean out of the door. The dusty road and climate is overwhelming. I start praying for these people who have nothing. I use my little bit of spanish to communicate with the children. We play soccer, and the ball hits me pretty hard. All the children apologize in Spanish but I don't understand them. I shake it off, and play with my new friends. I meet a little girl who just clings to my side. She plays with my camera, and sunglasses. At this moment I know I'm exactly where God wants me to be.

God has fully support me again to go to Mexico in June. I'm amazed at His Faithfulness. I'm so excited to be going home in June. Where I belong.

Isaiah 30:21

MEXICO!

Hello!
I had an incredible time in Mexico the past weekend. I am sorry to keep you all hanging. I got the flu and was out for a complete week. I have been drowning this week making up exams, and working. I am about 95% recovered and almost finished with unbearable school work. Anyway, I really wanted to talk about Mexico.

Friday February 11th I met 8 fabulous strangers would soon become friends. My dad presented me off with ladies who were nervous to be responsible for me in Mexico. Lisa Stanken MD legally became my "mom" for the trip according to the affidavit. Flew to Houston, and met the rest of our team. James and Randa from Lexington and Mark and Andrea from LA--the non-medical part of the team. We also met up with Lisa RN from Florida. As a team, we all flew together to Monterrey. I made it through customs fine, but the doctors and the nurse practitioners had some trouble with all of the medications. Through a bit of pleaing eventually everything made it through customs. We met up with Oscar who calls me "baby face." Tim and ran into Beth Gukenberger the founder of Back2Back coming back from a KLOVE Cruise. We boarded a bus and made the trip to the compound. I was amazed just looking around in Mexico, actually being there. Everyone shared remarkable stories of how John the sponsor of our trip had impacted our lives. Pulling into the compound of Back2Back I finally felt at home. I had an incredible sense of peace being right where God wanted me. I jumped right into action our medical staff were running the clinic at Back2Back. The children from Casa Hougar Douglas were all over me, and the language barrier become very apparent. For the sake of your interest and my homework I'll end it here from now. I can't even explain the perfect peace I experienced in Mexico.



And a quick note to my supporters. Nearing the end of this month my deadline for raising support is near. If you have any questions please email me saralovesyou93@gmail.com.

Much love to you all!

AllthingsNew

Here it is. The golden flight schedule. Please pray for me to make all these connections, and go smoothly through customs. I would hate to be stuck in Houston along the way to Mexico.

CO 2549E 11Feb FR CVG IAH 9:00A 10:54P

CO 2108E 11Feb FR IAH MTY 12:55P 2:23P

CO 3139E 14Feb MO MTY IAH 12:40P 2:04P

CO 2276E 14Feb MO IAH CVG 4:55P 8:11P

With school on halt till Tuesday. I finally feel like I can breathe. The stress is lifting. The packing is almost done. I am really ready for God to blow my mind this weekend. I am ready to fall in love with Mexico. I am on an adventure a thousand miles away from home in pursuit of His Kingdom. I have begun to ask Why am I called to Mexico? I don't know, but there is no doubt in my mind I am definitely called there. Maybe just for the summer, maybe for longer.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me." Isaiah 6:8

In the words of Ten Avenue North Matthew 10:309

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go.

Here I am God. Standing arms wide open. I surrender. Take it all. You make beautiful things out of dust. In awe of what You have done, and what You are going to do. Here I am at your feet ready to serve Your kingdom. Wherever you send me. Amen.

Anticpation

Hey Blog Readers! Didn't want to forget about you during my big days of ancitpation.

I am finishing up everything at school tomorrow, to leave on FRIDAY(: My last class is over at 7:30 and I will have such a feeling of relief. Please be praying for me as I have had many exams this week, and more when I come back. I feel like the enemny is defnitely attacking me with stress. I will post again before I leave, and more than you can imagine when I get back.

I'm leaving for Mexico in 30 hours(:

Thank you soo much for praying for me. It means the world to me!

"With God All things are Possible"

Sara

Long Live

This weekend has been filled with work and Vineyard actitives. I worked twenty hours this weekend. I'm officially a work-a-holic.

A friend of mine from church mom passed away this week. On Saturday, I went to her funeral. It didn't feel like a funeral though. It was truly amazing to hear about how someone lived their life completely sold out for God. Her mom was involved in planning her memorial, and it was breathtaking. She simply wanted Philippians to be read and for everyone to go home. Through brain cancer she used her life to be a light for Jesus. My heart goes out to my friend's family. I truly had a break through during her service. At the end, everyone sang. Matt Mccoy came from Chicago and led worship. It was incredible. Truly beautiful. I'm running into Marvelous light, and sometimes I just need to take a step back and enjoy the view.

Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."

MEXICO ON FRIDAY(:

Strangers

A week from today, well more like 6 days. I will be getting off a plane in beautiful Monterrey, Mexico. Hopefully at a sunny 80 degrees. Please Jesus. A new country, unlike places I've been to before with children who my heart already breaks for. At 7 o'clock in the morning on Friday I will meet 10 random strangers who are all medical professionals to travel with to Mexico. I have talked to the lead doctor a few times, but for the most part I don't know these people. It is a little bit frightening. I will be the only "minor" at 17 too among the trip. I will also be the only medically unqualified personnel. However, with my new scrubs I feel pretty legit. I'm excited to meet these people, and about going to Mexico. I have been praying for God to open my eyes, and to help me when I return. I am going on this trip truly because God told me to. That is what makes it a journey. God provided for me to be a part of this team, and I know His planning is perfect. As I embark upon new experiences so I must just look to God.


Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

Pray for my team, and adjusting please. Pray for God to open my eyes to what He wants for me. Pray for my week next week, that I can get everything done before I leave town, and too many things will not pile up for me to do when I come back. I will be missing a full two days of college.

Thank you all. Much love!

this is definitely an AllthingsNew type experience(:

Purity

After a long, and tiring weekend of the middle school sexuality retreat here on Monday, I'm still tired. I love middle schoolers really. Waiting for marriage is challenging, but I'm glad to say my friends and I are making it. Does it restrict who I date? Yes. Am I made fun of for it? Yes. but is it worth it? Definitely.

"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 2:12.

I stick this verse by my heart because I think temptation now, is higher than ever. Both genders are struggling to remain pure, not to mention its not considered "cool." However, I am waiting for that day when my dad walks me down the aisle, and I can truly give myself away to the love of my life. What an accomplishment that will be. I plan on giving him my purity ring I've worn since 6th grade. Saying, hey I made a comitment to you, before I even knew you. I pray for my future husband out there, wherever he may be. I pray He is being brought up by great parents, and waiting for me.

I love hanging out with these middle schoolers. Truly. However, as someone said it I'm not there to help them with their guy problems. Were in 7th grade, so we probaly should not be dating anyway. I want to help you with your God problems. I want them to know that they are Beautifully Crafted by a Creator who will be more to them, than any guy ever will be.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your Heart" Psalms

allthingsNew.

Mexico in 11 days(:

Set backs

I'm surviving my first couple weeks of the new semester. Or, trying too.

My marathon training is in the fourth week. Unfortunately, I have a knee injury. I injured my knee disc some how. Either from running, or other weights. I have had to take the week off from training, which is a real bummer. I'm praying for the Lord to heal me. I need to be running farther, and working on getting distance.

Support is coming. I'm so thankful for each and every one of you for so generously supporting me. It means so much to have you all praying for me.

I'm headed of to Monterrey in a little more than two weeks. I'm estactic. I'll be on a medical mission trip. Gods calling into the health care field? I'm not sure. Please pray for God to be guiding my future or more for me to be open to it. He has big plans for my life. I just struggle to figure them out some time.

Much love xoxo

allthingsnew

No Snowdays

When your in college, you do not get snow days. It is quite upsetting. It's even worse to have to drive to work and school in the snow, while clinging on for dear life.

I sent out some support letters early last week, I have not had any responses so I'm just being patient. "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord."

This post was intended to be short, but to just let you all know I am alive. I had to take a break of thinking of Mexico because I have been so busy with school. 14 Credit Hours is really kicking my butt. Next week I have to work 25 hours as well. :( Today, driving home I was just so overall excited about it. I get to go in a month, and love on orphan children with a medical team. I am trying to decide if it is God's calling for me to work in a medical setting, since I happened to end up on this medical trip. But analizing things too soon is not the way God works. I am just going to have to tough it out in mircobiology with my long eyelashes!

Excited to spend some Jesus time this weekend(:

AllthingsNew

Manna

God provided for the Israelites by sending down manna for their hunger. They had to depend on God to satisfy each of their needs.

Exodus 16:15
And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.

I have never had God provide food for me, or been in a place where He needed to. However, I certainly to do not doubt that God does provide for me. He has given me a job, educational choices, and spiritual gifts.

God provided for me to go to Northern Ireland last year through several generous people. I was amazed of the outpouring of support from friends and family. Going to be an intern in Monterrey this summer was just in my budget from my part-time job. It seemed like a perfect fit. It would not even be a stretch for me. I learned though I was losing sight on relying on God for my needs. When I interviewed with Back2Back it became evident that they require a short-term mission trip before an internship to better prepare interns. I did not know how I was ever going to raise the support for both trips between my job and fundraising. I thought I was God ways of saying Mexico is not where you are suppose to be this summer. I was upset, but just kept asking God to make a way.

God surprised me when I completely ruled out Mexico as an option. TWICE! First time around my dad was talking to his previous boss from Calvary Chemical just to catch up. He mentioned Back2Back and my dad told him my situation. I was invited to go on a trip to Monterrey with a Medical Team(of all the different groups really?) in February. I was so excited because God worked through my dad, and him to make a way for me. I had to commit to the trip in February before I knew I would get my internship. That was the scariest move of all. Because I felt like I could be doing the wrong thing.

I was accepted into the internship program with both of these trips. The finical aspect was pretty scary. Last Thursday, I was sitting in my bed thinking of supporters and calculating out numbers. I did not know how I was going to do it. But prayed for God to make a way for me.

Friday afternoon, I called someone at Back2Back to discuss details of when money was due for each trip. I knew my internship money was due in March, so the short-term trip money was due right around the corner. I asked her a few questions, and she looked some things up. She informed me my whole February trip was paid for including plane tickets and a single donor. I started crying on the phone, she could not believe I was just finding out.

God does provide. Just as he did for the Israelites. If you seek him, He will provide for you.

AllthingsNew

P.S. i am totally getting Buff. (:

Be Buff

This is my official motto for the pig. I'm just trying to "be buff" pretty much enough said. I still cannot believe I am signing up for a Half Marathon but here I am. 13.1 miles ahead of me. I ran/walk over 2 miles with Shane today. At times, I did not think I could make it. I can wait till the day I can say I've run 10 miles. That will be a true landmark. I have transformed every aspect of my life through my relationship with Jesus Christ, and here I am running marathons.

Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

AllthingsNew

6.25.2010

I probaly should of started a blog long ago. I just never decided to take the time and the effort. I am sorry if this is incredibly boring for you. It's more for me. The joys of electronic media.

6.25.2010 Marks a date that is etched in my heart. It was a Friday, the last day of Sumer of Service a big youth conference that my church puts on. SOS for short. I was beyond excited for Friday, because we always have baptisms. I baptized seven people on 6.25.2010. It was incredible to be a part of their descions to go public with their Faith. However, the day had even more significane. I heard from God for the first time in my life. Other people heard from God for me. I knew God was calling me, although I could not decifcer just what. I had put so much into the life of my girls during SOS, I had not even been thinking about what God had planned for me. I was radically blessed during that June day.
A simple song lyric from that night sticks in mind:
"And if Our is for us, then who could ever stop us, and if Our is with us then what can stand against"

Later, during the summer. I made a trip to Northern Ireland with my church. I learned there were people 5,000 miles away who had the exact same Faith I did. God was calling me to missions, long term I thought.

Through people I knew, I found out about internships with Back2Back. And you did not have to be 18, which is usually a requirement for things of that nature. I felt called to apply. Over much prayer, i interviewed. I found out I need to go on a short term mission trip before I could be an intern in Monterrey. I was accepted for the internship after much prayer, tears, confusion, and really trusting God. Of course, God wants us to trust Him, and not get to do things are way.

However, I may go back in detail but I'm going to Monterrey Febuary 11,2011, and back in June for a month. I'm also running a Half Marathon along the way. Here is to trusting God with my future, body, money, and more.
AllthingsNew.