Italy!

The missions trip to Italy is gettng closer and closer. This weekend we have our team retreat. I am exited.

This is the fist international trip that i have been able to take. It was a bit difficult for me to commit to it. I have a lot on my plate here in Joplin with family, school, God's Resort and friends. But I also have this feeling that if i dont go and do now... then when else will i get a chance like this.

I am still a bit short on the money side. just $400 more dollars to get to my goal. I try not to stress about it and know that God will provide, but every once in a while i get just a tiny but stressed.

Because of the dates of the Italy trip i will not be able to join the Mt Zion youth group in the CIY summer conference. This will be the first summer in 4 years that i dont go with them. Needless to say i am very much bummed. I will be thinking and praying for them as they travel north, but most importatly take steps in their spiritual journey and hopefully come closer to Christ.

Thom and Erica have set a moving date. They will be leaving Joplin on the 30th of this month. It still hasnt become a reality, the fact that they are leaving. Im sure i will post many a tearful note on here in the future. But it is so important for them to move on and continue on this path that God has put them on.

Summer fun! we are having some fun times down at God's Resort. If you are in town this summer give us a call and come hang out!

Thankyou once again for your prayes and thoughts!

so how are you? what you up to?

i dont like questions like these. mostly because it requieres me to talk about myself for an extended time. also because most of the time i dont believe that people really want to hear the asnwer, they just know that its polite to ask the question.

lately i have had nothing to respond to these questions. usually my scapegoat was the fact that i could say school and homework and the asnwer was sufficient. Now that schools out, well what am i up to. Since you didnt ask, i will tell you.

-Im working some 20 hours at KOBC, the Christian Radio station i have worked at for the last 4 years.

-I am going to Mexico for a week with Katie and my sister. We dont know anyone else on the team that we are going with. But people tend to bond quickly on missions trips.

-I will also be going to Italy for 12 days in July (wanna send me money so i acually can go) it will be my first cross cultural-lingual experience.

-Most importantly, i am living at God's Resort. Trying to live out what i believe. To love like Jesus.

My life is simple, i live it quite simply. I dont have an amazing thing that i do everyday, i just live day to day. Sometimes i feel the pressure to asnwer peoples questions with tales of amazing youthfull adventures.

God is great, i can see Him moving all around me. Next time you run into me, instead of asking what im up to, ask what have you seen that God's is up to? i assure you that His day is full of amazing adventures.

Last night some friends and i were talking about childhood cartoons. One that i was not really allowed to watch was Captain Planet (mom had her reasons). Which brought us to the topic of the Planeteers powers. They are wind, fire, earth, water and heart.

most people want to "good" powers. Ones that actualy can do something. But as a friend mentioned, the best one is heart. Why, because its the one changes life. To love someone, that is a power that we have, and we dont need rings or super powers.

Like Celine said "the power of love"

Lets be inundaded with His love, so that in turn we can love others.

bursting forth

a guitar in the background keeps me alive.
the melody of song awakens me.

seasons have changed, people have changed,
seasons are new

time passes like water under a bridge
love grows like flowers

time changes everythings
growth is inevitable

shadows pass over me,
for a moment and then its gone.

pain is deep as a well
water coming up slowly in a pail.

pain keeps the gates closed
memories that will never be forgotten.

When Christ call us home

Today i got the news that a dear friend of mine passed away. Her name was Eunice Toga. As sit here and think of her story, how as a young teen i was able to see her life.
I dont really remember the very first time she came to Church. But i remember her coming to the Church at Campo Militar. She was very passionate, she was working at the time. A great young profecional. She fit in with the youth group so well, her leadership was a great motivator for our group.
Her passion and concept that she had of Christ was real. I remeber this because as a teen when nothing really seems real, she was, her faith was.

As time passed by she decided to attend the Bible college there is Queretaro. Not much later her sister joined us and also attended school there. Those years were her catalist. She became a leader is so many more ways, she was able to influence many of the younger students that attended the college.

Next thing i new she was getting married. To Diego, the quiet calm person. Her personality and his, were so balancing. They became the ministers at Iglesia de las Americas. It grew, she also became leadership at the Bible Insitute. She was an amazing woman.

As i think of my life, and think if the things that i am passionate about. As i look back on her life, her passions. Im exited to say, that maybe a little of her rubbed of on me. Hopefully more than i can see at this time.

My deepest condolances to her family, her husband, and a group of students and co-workers she leaves behind. May you continue in Gods amazing grace to finish the race she started.

for more info go over to her blog. Where her and her family have been telling her amazing story.

Fun spring photos

My first painting of 2008. Its a little house warming gift for the guys (eric and peter). They just moved into God's Resort. Welcome to the neighborhood guys! (this pic shows it not completely finished, i still added some detail and still have yet to seal it. more pics once im done with it)



the cut outs from the "papel picado" that i worked on for the dance party we had last Wednesday. The upstairs of Watered Gardens looked amazing and everyone had a great time dancing salsa and merengue!

I was at work one day and got to watch this car get stopped and searched by the police. I work on the third floor at the University. At the light out side we could see these two kids (in blue and red) getting stopped by the cops and sheriff. They found open beverages in the car and dumped them out. This was at about 3pm on a Monday. Seriously, its to early to start drinking and driving boys!


visiting Ela and the Starks. Shes getting so big, and when Erica and I do crazy stuff she looks at us like we are mad! Her looks are so amazing. Note her cute teeth that have come in a while back. I'm surprised that shes laying in the pics, now a days she spends most of her time walking.


The Lang's came to visit. Here is Eddie surrounded by most of the Lang sisters. (L to R: Eden, Abi, Emilie, Eddie, Emma and Esther). They all came to Joplin to be here for Vincents Baptism.

There has been a lot going on. I cant believe that its April already. The Lord has truly blessed me with amazing friends, warmer weather, and a great family.