Hello, mi familia y mis amigos!
Going on day four here in Buenos Aires! I LOVE THE WEATHER. About 80 degrees during the day, mid 60s in the evening, I would guess. Wonderful. Yesterday was really neat: we went on a walking tour through the Plaza de San Martin and Avenido Florida; the plazas are BEAUTIFUL-lots of trees, flowers and GREEN grass (there´s not mounds of snow covering the life down here haha). The people are incredibly kind and never bashful to say hello to complete strangers. With a mango and pomegranate smoothie in hand, I watched tango and capuera performed in the streets. THAT was definitely my favorite part of the day.
I´ve been placed in Advanced Spanish II (it´s level two here) and will begin registering for classes tomorrow. WOW! I´m hoping to take a class in the arts school here; how amazing would it be to learn tango or voice with the local portenos here? You´re correct, it´d be REALLY amazing. I´ll be taking a Spanish grammar and Spanish conversation class, too.
Being away from my Christian community back home has made me realize, yet again, the importance and value behind it. This is the first time I´m living in a world that is, well, more like the world. Not everyone lives in Holland, Michigan where God and His goodness is passionately discussed in conversation. So here´s my challenge: grow and flourish in the Christian community that you are blessed to be a part of; receive the outpour of support that you are privileged to receive and then go & pour His love and wisdom. Kapeesh? Kapeesh. God has blessed us so we can be a blessing. AWESOME.
P.S. I don´t have internet access in my house. Or a charger that works. SO my posts will likely be brief! And not incredibly poetic haha. But they´ll keep you posted. BAHAHA, good one, Jennie!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Please Pray
Hello again! Welp, I leave tomorrow. I repeat, tomorrow! If I may, I have a couple prayer requests to send your way. I've learned that this "leaving" process is a bit more emotional and overwhelming than I had been anticipating. It's a fairly big trip (in the grand scheme of life, no. but in the baby scheme of life, yes. ha.), BUT I would REALLY appreciate prayer.
Here we go:
1. Emotional stability, ESPECIALLY in the airport. I've said a fair amount of "goodbyes" (or, as I prefer, "see you soons.") BUT the physical separation from one place to the next will truly toy with my emotions just a bit more :) PLEASE pray for that. I will be driving to the airport around 9:15AM and will board the plane at 12:03PM. Bah!
THEN I have 15 hours of plane time. WOWZERS.
2. That God would take all my anxiety. Once we step off the plane, we follow a "Language Contract" where we commit to NOT speak in English again. Sheesh, crazy. AND the day after I arrive, I will meet my host family. Pray for that, too. Also, I'm going alone. Pray that I'll be comforted by and insanely aware of His presence. Like, insanely aware. Haha.
3. Confidence in God and the ability to look forward with excitement in the present moment. It's really easy to think of what you're leaving, but I pray that God will push me (gently) to embrace all that is. And that He'll take away my fears. All of 'em. I don't want 'em.
4. That He'll continue to bless my family and friends back home. And that they'll continue to bless me as they are led. That'd be swell, too.
There you have it! Right now, I'm tired, I'm emotional, and I'm ready to get on that plane.
I just need Him to hold my hand.
Here we go:
1. Emotional stability, ESPECIALLY in the airport. I've said a fair amount of "goodbyes" (or, as I prefer, "see you soons.") BUT the physical separation from one place to the next will truly toy with my emotions just a bit more :) PLEASE pray for that. I will be driving to the airport around 9:15AM and will board the plane at 12:03PM. Bah!
THEN I have 15 hours of plane time. WOWZERS.
2. That God would take all my anxiety. Once we step off the plane, we follow a "Language Contract" where we commit to NOT speak in English again. Sheesh, crazy. AND the day after I arrive, I will meet my host family. Pray for that, too. Also, I'm going alone. Pray that I'll be comforted by and insanely aware of His presence. Like, insanely aware. Haha.
3. Confidence in God and the ability to look forward with excitement in the present moment. It's really easy to think of what you're leaving, but I pray that God will push me (gently) to embrace all that is. And that He'll take away my fears. All of 'em. I don't want 'em.
4. That He'll continue to bless my family and friends back home. And that they'll continue to bless me as they are led. That'd be swell, too.
There you have it! Right now, I'm tired, I'm emotional, and I'm ready to get on that plane.
I just need Him to hold my hand.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Faithful
1 Corinthians 1:9 says, "God, who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
[Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at 12:03PM, I'll step on the plane!]
God. Is. So. Faithful. In the past couple days I have seen the Lord move in marvelous ways! I am in awe of His divine provision. Let me catch you up on what He's been up to, kapeesh? Kapeesh.
1. I got a letter from my host family! All in Spanish and yes, I could read it! There is hope! Haha. I have four siblings (YAYAY!):
Tomas is 21 and is very outgoing. He has lots of friends that often come to visit, so my host mom says that I'll have lots of friends my age around me. BLESSING!
Dolores is 17 and is going to college in the fall. She is a bit shy, she likes to study and enjoys pilates. So pumped to meet her.
Santiago is 15 and is a highschool student. He doesn't like to study, but he loves to cook and hopes to be a chef when he's older! I'm going to return to los Estados Unidos with top-knotch cooking skills, thanks to mi hermano Santiago!
Joaco is only 4 and the whole family loves to spoil him. I cannot wait!
Mariana is my host mom and she seems positively delightful. She loves music, as do I, and she is taking dance classes. She hopes to teach me when I arrive! Dream come true. Mariana assured me that she will show me around the entire neighborhood so that I will know it well. "No te preocupes," she said ["Don't worry"], she'll be sure to help me out. Thank you, God! The father is Alejandro and I look forward to meeting him, too.
God is so kind. I asked for all these things and He has provided in abundance!
2. A bundle of believers recently partnered with God to create a benefit concert fundraiser for our friend Sarah's Youth With A Mission experience. Over a period of three hours on Friday, the Lord brought in $2000! WOW. Faithful? I'd say so.
3. Joshua 1:9. The Lord has planted this verse in my heart and mind over and over again. It says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Leaving those you love isn't easy, even if only for five months. In fact, it's really hard. BUT the Lord has affirmed that He is the Maintainer and Sustainer of all things, relationships included. I expect Him to blow my mind with His faithfulness again and again, as He always has. And I am excited for Him to equip me with godly strength and courage to enter Argentina. The Lord is Sovereign; He is the God of each season and is pleased by those who run after Him with full confidence in each one. I am thrilled to walk hand-in-hand with God, bringing His love to the world. What a team we'll make!
4. Check out this song, if you have the chance. It's called "Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster.
I'm casting my cares behind
I'm leaving my past behind
I'm setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus
I'm casting my fears aside
I'm leaving my doubts behind
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus
I'm reaching my hands to Yours
Believing there's so much more
Believing all You have in store for me is good
Is good
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what You say
Today is the day
I will stand upon Your truth
All my days I'll live for You
And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm giving You my fears and sorrows
Where You lead me I will follow
I'm trusting in what You say
Today is the day
That is my prayer. Full force for the Kingdom.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Today I Broke Mom's Car
Welp, today I broke Mom's car. SHOOT. Here's what happened: I was backing out of the driveway, engulfed by 5000-foot walls of frozen snow on either side (maybe an exaggeration); I turned my car to direct myself out of the driveway, into the street. I turned slowly, yes, but my car's nose kindly scraped the ice wall to its left and tore off chunks from the bumper. Poor Lassie, the beloved Nissan Altima.
When incidents such as this occur in my life, my body would like to explode from the inside. At times, this explosion works its way to my mouth and words such as, "WHO BREAKS THEIR CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY?!" come out. It's interesting.
All of this happened before 11AM. POOP. Really, who does break their car in the driveway?
Mom was sitting in the passenger seat as I drove to the gas station five minutes down the road. Lassie's bumper and gas tank are unhappy with me now; the tank is extremely hungry, reading below E.
Opening the car door slowly, Mom places her credit card in my hands. Huh?
"Fill her up," she says.
Obviously, I don't deserve her money; especially not right now. "I just broke your car, why would you give me your money right now?" I say, bewildered and overwhelmed.
"It's a gift," she says simply.
Speechless and undeserving of her kindness after my flawed performance, I grab her card and drag myself out of the car and stare the pump in the face. This isn't fair, I think.
Next, we stop at Penzoil on the drive home; I've been neglecting to get an oil change for months. Guess who pays for my oil change? Ding ding ding! My mother! What a ridiculous deal, I think: I break her car, she pays for my gas and oil change. Hm. That is bizarre. And I certainly did not earn such kindness. Not even a little bit.
As I drove home, I was slapped in the face by God. He offered me a tidbit of insight into this unfortunate circumstance.
GRACE.
GRACE.
GRACE.
Breaking Lassie taught me grace. There were no guilt trips involved when I bashed Lassie against ice walls. And yes, I messed Lassie up--the car that wasn't even my own. But instead of condemnation, I received abundant grace. I was given the freedom to move forward, learning from my silly, human error and "beginning again" through forgiveness. Was I forgiven because my mistake was reasonable? NO. My mistake was DUMB. But I was forgiven anyway, and instantly. I wasn't meant to dwell in my stupidity.
Forgiven out of grace, unconditional love and offered freedom. Hm, doesn't that sound a bit like God, Jennie? I make countless dumb, human mistakes daily, some repeatedly. Grace seems unfair, like Mom plopping her credit card in my hands, saying, "It's okay, now let me love you as we move forward together." Because of Christ's kindness on Calvary, we are left speechless and beautifully overwhelmed--His grace isn't deserved and it's certainly not earned. That's what makes grace, well, grace.
I have learned to be extra cautious around icy walls of snow. And hopefully, I'll back out of the driveway better next time.
God has chosen me and my silly, error-filled self. Guess what else? He still loves me, just the same. What a God I serve!
When incidents such as this occur in my life, my body would like to explode from the inside. At times, this explosion works its way to my mouth and words such as, "WHO BREAKS THEIR CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY?!" come out. It's interesting.
All of this happened before 11AM. POOP. Really, who does break their car in the driveway?
Mom was sitting in the passenger seat as I drove to the gas station five minutes down the road. Lassie's bumper and gas tank are unhappy with me now; the tank is extremely hungry, reading below E.
Opening the car door slowly, Mom places her credit card in my hands. Huh?
"Fill her up," she says.
Obviously, I don't deserve her money; especially not right now. "I just broke your car, why would you give me your money right now?" I say, bewildered and overwhelmed.
"It's a gift," she says simply.
Speechless and undeserving of her kindness after my flawed performance, I grab her card and drag myself out of the car and stare the pump in the face. This isn't fair, I think.
Next, we stop at Penzoil on the drive home; I've been neglecting to get an oil change for months. Guess who pays for my oil change? Ding ding ding! My mother! What a ridiculous deal, I think: I break her car, she pays for my gas and oil change. Hm. That is bizarre. And I certainly did not earn such kindness. Not even a little bit.
As I drove home, I was slapped in the face by God. He offered me a tidbit of insight into this unfortunate circumstance.
GRACE.
GRACE.
GRACE.
Breaking Lassie taught me grace. There were no guilt trips involved when I bashed Lassie against ice walls. And yes, I messed Lassie up--the car that wasn't even my own. But instead of condemnation, I received abundant grace. I was given the freedom to move forward, learning from my silly, human error and "beginning again" through forgiveness. Was I forgiven because my mistake was reasonable? NO. My mistake was DUMB. But I was forgiven anyway, and instantly. I wasn't meant to dwell in my stupidity.
Forgiven out of grace, unconditional love and offered freedom. Hm, doesn't that sound a bit like God, Jennie? I make countless dumb, human mistakes daily, some repeatedly. Grace seems unfair, like Mom plopping her credit card in my hands, saying, "It's okay, now let me love you as we move forward together." Because of Christ's kindness on Calvary, we are left speechless and beautifully overwhelmed--His grace isn't deserved and it's certainly not earned. That's what makes grace, well, grace.
I have learned to be extra cautious around icy walls of snow. And hopefully, I'll back out of the driveway better next time.
God has chosen me and my silly, error-filled self. Guess what else? He still loves me, just the same. What a God I serve!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Baselines and Glass Bottles
Sports. I love them! Softball began at age four, basketball in fifth grade, volleyball in seventh, and soccer was thoroughly enjoyed from age five through the sixth grade. At times, I'd run for kicks n' giggles and I even tried some karate when I was young--right after my debut in Tumbling Tots! Needless to say, it's a part of me: sports have contributed to me becoming, well, me.
As a result, certain words resonate deeply within my being. Words like "conditioning." Ew. It ignites both fear and excitement within me and reminds me of the three worst words in the English language, yelled by my stern-faced coach: "On the line!" he bellows, hands on his hips. On the line. A tingling sensation begins in my toes and slowly works it's way up through my body as I align my foot to the edge of the baseline, behind the hoop. This is the portion of practice we dread; we look to sprints with an almost holy reverence.
God is taking me through spiritual conditioning, pushing me through spiritual exercises to tone and develop areas of myself that must be stronger, or developed at all. He is showing me muscles that I didn't know (or forgot) existed [Like when you play softball for the first time in months. Ouch!].
God is my life coach and, at times, my stern-faced man with his hands on his hips, blowing the whistle, declaring, "On the line!" I have the privilege of learning from the Best and, as a result, coming out stronger, and more refined. Wiser. Bolder. And with holy reverence I can approach the baseline, confident that it is good that I am challenged; it is not for my destruction. Sprints in the gym never hindered our performance on the court; they pushed us past our limits and allowed us to work beyond our perceptions of "the impossible." The same is true for me now, in my spiritual walk with my Coach.
But I have to stand on the baseline when he commands. I have to sprint when he blows the whistle. And sometimes, I have to experience discomfort in order to reap the benefits of learning beneath the Wing of the One who knows, who has the foresight to see the significance of the long stretch of sprints. He delights in my willing spirit to "stand on the baseline" and run hard for godly refining.
If you're anything like me, you might be experiencing refinement right now. You probably have moments where your new realizations (or reminders) cause you to stop and wonder why you've wasted time getting it wrong. Perhaps you are tempted to feel guilty about instructions that are so straight forward in the Bible--and, yes, you've always known them--but for the first time, they smack you in the face! DON'T FEEL GUILTY. Guilt is never of God; but conviction is. How many times did Christ have to say to his disciples, "Wow, you still don't get it?" Yet simultaneously, with compassionate eyes and abounding in grace, he says, "But man oh man, do I ever love you. I will teach you again."
Consider this: You hold an empty Jones Soda bottle in your hands and walk down a beach that is lined with hundreds of broken, colorful pieces of glass. You collect your favorite pieces and fill the bottle to the brim. You walk for miles, admiring your Jones Soda bottle that glimmers in the sunlight. However, as you continue walking, you notice cooler, more beautiful pieces of glass, that you'd prefer to have in your Jones Soda bottle. But there's no room for them. In order to have the most beautiful pieces of glass in the bottle, you must remove the good pieces and replace them with the best pieces. The old pieces weren't bad, they just weren't as awesome as they could be--but it takes time and effort to remove the old pieces. You may even cut your fingers on its sharp edges. But the final result is flabberghasting. It is awe-inspiring. It is worthy of the effort.
So stand on the baseline. Listen to our Coach. Ask that you may walk by the Spirit today, not by the flesh. And be filled with only the best, most brilliant glass on the beach.
As a result, certain words resonate deeply within my being. Words like "conditioning." Ew. It ignites both fear and excitement within me and reminds me of the three worst words in the English language, yelled by my stern-faced coach: "On the line!" he bellows, hands on his hips. On the line. A tingling sensation begins in my toes and slowly works it's way up through my body as I align my foot to the edge of the baseline, behind the hoop. This is the portion of practice we dread; we look to sprints with an almost holy reverence.
God is taking me through spiritual conditioning, pushing me through spiritual exercises to tone and develop areas of myself that must be stronger, or developed at all. He is showing me muscles that I didn't know (or forgot) existed [Like when you play softball for the first time in months. Ouch!].
God is my life coach and, at times, my stern-faced man with his hands on his hips, blowing the whistle, declaring, "On the line!" I have the privilege of learning from the Best and, as a result, coming out stronger, and more refined. Wiser. Bolder. And with holy reverence I can approach the baseline, confident that it is good that I am challenged; it is not for my destruction. Sprints in the gym never hindered our performance on the court; they pushed us past our limits and allowed us to work beyond our perceptions of "the impossible." The same is true for me now, in my spiritual walk with my Coach.
But I have to stand on the baseline when he commands. I have to sprint when he blows the whistle. And sometimes, I have to experience discomfort in order to reap the benefits of learning beneath the Wing of the One who knows, who has the foresight to see the significance of the long stretch of sprints. He delights in my willing spirit to "stand on the baseline" and run hard for godly refining.
If you're anything like me, you might be experiencing refinement right now. You probably have moments where your new realizations (or reminders) cause you to stop and wonder why you've wasted time getting it wrong. Perhaps you are tempted to feel guilty about instructions that are so straight forward in the Bible--and, yes, you've always known them--but for the first time, they smack you in the face! DON'T FEEL GUILTY. Guilt is never of God; but conviction is. How many times did Christ have to say to his disciples, "Wow, you still don't get it?" Yet simultaneously, with compassionate eyes and abounding in grace, he says, "But man oh man, do I ever love you. I will teach you again."
Consider this: You hold an empty Jones Soda bottle in your hands and walk down a beach that is lined with hundreds of broken, colorful pieces of glass. You collect your favorite pieces and fill the bottle to the brim. You walk for miles, admiring your Jones Soda bottle that glimmers in the sunlight. However, as you continue walking, you notice cooler, more beautiful pieces of glass, that you'd prefer to have in your Jones Soda bottle. But there's no room for them. In order to have the most beautiful pieces of glass in the bottle, you must remove the good pieces and replace them with the best pieces. The old pieces weren't bad, they just weren't as awesome as they could be--but it takes time and effort to remove the old pieces. You may even cut your fingers on its sharp edges. But the final result is flabberghasting. It is awe-inspiring. It is worthy of the effort.
So stand on the baseline. Listen to our Coach. Ask that you may walk by the Spirit today, not by the flesh. And be filled with only the best, most brilliant glass on the beach.
Check out 2 Corinthians 5:17, James 1: 2-5, Philippians 1: 4-6
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