In case you didn't know...

I have a blog for the mission trip I will be going on in September.  Creating Hope for Bondeni is listed on the right under my Labworthy Lessons.  The map above is that of Nairobi.  I got it from the CMF/Hope International website.  There you can read more about Bondeni and what will be waiting for me when I arrive.

When I was making the address for the blog, I must have been in a rush because I forgot the second "i" in mission.  If you do spell the address correctly you will go to a different blog that is about a team from Missions Hotline and their experience in Kenya.  It's worth a read if you're interested.

By nature I am an organizer and overseer, often laying the groundwork for new projects. Recently, I've had to take a major step in "releasing" projects that I've worked on for a number of years.  This endeavor has been met with resistance.  This is no surprise considering I am someone is who is wholly devoted and deeply loyal to whatever activity I am pursuing; especially if it assists another person or group.

However, having to hand over the reigns despite the best of intentions is never easy.  Suddenly I am not needed.  Questions and concerns are directed to a new leader; a position I once held. No longer am I "in the know" and at times I find myself answering with a blank stare because I don't know the answer.  I have free time that is available to me that was once filled with meetings, run-throughs, and brain storming sessions.  Mixed in there is a feeling of disappointment.  This is overwhelmingly directed toward the lack of appreciation for my efforts and the advancement of projects. Certainly, praise is not what drives my work ethic or ambition, but a genuine "Thank you" or recognition or encouragement of some sort would have been nice.  To be straightforward, there were many nights when I wondered if anyone even cared the slightest bit and times when I felt I was being used for what I could bring to the table. I often revitalized myself by remembering regardless of what people say or don't say I should only concern myself with what God says.  

So, I look at this as an opportunity for advancement.  Not only for me, but also for the new leaders in my place.  There is a time for everything and right now it's time for me to move on.

Why?

Why are we so selfish?  Why, when given the opportunity to introduce people to Jesus are we hesitant?   Why don't we allow a new believer to visit or join a small group?  A lot of the excuses I hear is because that person doesn't have anything in common with the group; they're too young or too old, not at the same life stage, don't dress like us, act like us, or my favorite: they don't mesh well with the group.   Seriously?  Here is my question:  What do we have in common with Jesus?  Absolutely nothing!  Jesus is perfect and we are perfectly flawed.   Yet He still invites us into community with Him.  What gives us any right to deny that opportunity to another individual?  Why, instead of inviting a person to feel God's love do we leave them for somebody else to take of?  Why are we so invested in ourselves and others' perception of us that we fail in being the hands and feet of Jesus?  Why?

Rants

• I found Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman on the Gospel Music Channel today!  I forgot how hot Sully was :)  Who wouldn't like a guy that can build you a house, be a father to your children, take care of you, and be firm and tender in his words at the same time?  Not to mention, who else do you know that looks good in rawhide pants and moccasins? 

                                                                   Me and Sully- (I wish)

• I met up with an old friend who I played ball and went to school with a few years ago.  She brought her son, Sean and we enjoyed a sweet dinner and good conversation.
  Sean was more interested in the doggies then having his picture taken.
  
  
  

eh, we tried.

• My patience has been stretched today.  When I am training and preparing you for a test I expect you to come prepared and to have at least glanced over the outline.  So, if I seem a little perturbed with all of your questions, it's because the answers are in the text that you were too lazy to look at.  Just sayin'.
• Don't take the back roads if you don't know how to drive on them.  That's what the main roads are for.  
• Items in my pant pockets include: car keys, cell phone, access cards, work ID, debit card, coffee zon gift card with .29 remaining on it, pen, scrap paper, chapstick (the air is very dry in the lab; and you never know who you might have to kiss up to), a dose of Aleve.  
• When I make a decision there is no discussion.  I can count on one hand the number of people who are able to successfully persuade me to change my mind and you're not one of them.  Regardless of how many perks, offers, etc. you throw in I am not changing my mind.  Oh, and to tell my co-worker that you have me pegged and that you will make me reverse my decision only adds fuel to the fire that you started.  
• Thank you for making me aware of a meeting the day before it is to be held.  I don't have anything else demanding my attention right. this. second.  
• 12 bridesmaids!  Are you freakin' kidding me?!  What the heck?!  Why invite guests at that point?
• 4:30 am wake-ups are no fun.  However, I am a fan of the 5 hour energy drink now.  I tried the berry flavor today and although it is a little bitter, it gets the job done.  I felt the effects in 10 minutes and got through the rest of the work and then some.  All the protein I ate today probably helped a little too.
• I am like goldilocks when it comes to beds.  It has to be just right or I can't sleep. I need to get over that real quick.
• sigh. I'm really, very, whelmed.  Not over or under, just whelmed.   I need my mind to slow down and my spirit to rest.  There is much to do and less time to do it in.
• Time for bed.  The alarm will come much too soon and if I don't get 7 hrs. of good sleep, it's going to take a lot more then a 5 hour energy drink to keep me going.

First Day of School

After a sweet time celebrating my birthday it's time to prepare for the first day of class.  I am taking Nursing Role Socialization I.  I've already e-mailed the instructor and told her about my upcoming trip, to which she replied "we can talk about it after class.  I look forward to meeting you."  Hmm.  I can't get a good read on that response.  I am hoping for the best though.  

To Do:

• set alarm clock for later wake-up time. (sweet)
• pack book bag-textbook, notebook, pens, snack
• look up class for updated classroom location
• write a reminder to NOT go to work first.  School first then work.

The Boys R Back!

Back to where it all began!  A HSM dance-off with Jordan and Jeff.  Notice the intense concentration they both display when pointing the controllers at the tv.

Senior Pictures

This picture was supposed to go last in this series but I uploaded it in the wrong order.  This was my attempt at an "artsy" shot.  This is a reflection of the four of us in the window of the building.  

Mar

Steph

Jess

Fleur

self-portrait

much better.