As I begin the first few lines of my blog post this afternoon, I'm having a hard time focusing. 2 weeks from today, I will be in San Diego, California, gearing up and training for our trip into Tijuana, Mexico. I almost can't stand the wait. And THAT, my friends, is making the time move oh, so slowly. I've been counting down the weeks and days, not believing how slowly time is moving. I'm sure you know the feeling, the anticipation, the excitement that makes time seem to stop still. I know that eventually, the time to board the plane will dawn upon us, and we will be on our way. In the meantime, I'm taking it one slow day at a time.
It seems to help to fill my time with other things. I am still actively working with the Boys & Girls Club kids every day with 1st Graders, and occasionally 2nd or 3rd graders if they need an extra leader in the room. They are great kids, and the activities that are planned for the kids make the day flow a little quicker. In the afternoons, I try to dedicate some time to my garden. I am replacing my dying tomato plants with new ones, and I'm not sure what caused them to die. I have 3 that are flourishing beautifully, and I'm sure that any day now, I'm going to see a tomato. I have a slightly smaller one that looks promising, and about 4 that need more time. I guess the upside is that I'll have tomatoes later in the season. The pumpkin vine is looking very nice, and growing quickly. The other things I've planted are so-so. I've not had the best of luck with gardening here in my yard on Avenue A Street. My yard on Main was vibrant and active. Maybe it will take a few more seasons to get into the groove. However, my first garden on Main took off like a rocket! I keep trying different things with the soil; fertilizers, manure, etc. Hopefully it will flourish as the Summer wears on. In the evenings, if I'm not working concessions at the ball fields, I try to take it easy and let my body rest. I'll listen to the radio, play games on my computer, or watch some TV. I feel my day is pretty rounded out. If I could just make the days move faster.... :-)
Still nagging at me is what God may do with me after the trip is over. I kind of have an idea of where God may be leading me, but I won't reveal what that is, because once a person says that, God can change that in an instant. After last year's trip, I was ready to head back there the very next day. In fact, I was ready to just stay there in Tijuana when it was time to leave. All I know is that God did an amazing work in my last Summer, and I'm eager to see what He will reveal to me after this trip is over.
Such is my quandary. I really covet your prayers as I consider this major life-changing decision. Not going back to Tijuana would be very hard, and leaving the U.S. to go live in Tijuana would be very hard as well. In the meantime, my heart and mind are always thinking of a little orphanage called Colina De Luz in Tijuana, Mexico that continues to call my name. In 2 weeks, I'll be there!
If I had to make a living by writing a daily blog, I'd be destitute. LOL. I just rarely find the time to sit down and pound out an entry. The posts are pretty sporadic, but when I DO get a chance to write, I know that you'll be there to read what I have to say. Those of you that actually take the time to read, like, and comment are a blessing to me. I have changed the look and format of the page, let me know what you think.
On Thursday, I returned from an amazing week of camp with our Junior kids from church. This camp week is one of the highlights of my year. To get kids away from TV, the city, media, and saturate them in the things of God is truly where my heart is. I am still pretty wiped out, and it takes a few days for me to bounce back. In addition to corralling the kiddos and getting them where they needed to go, I also assisted in the chapel services. I portrayed "Wacky Wally," a misfit superhero wannabe, who, through the help of the emcee, learned valuable life lessons in being wise in making life choices. Our camp theme was "Wise Up," and we drove that point home with the help of our camp speaker, also a missionary to England, Justin Rhoades. We played insanely crazy and fun games, and the camp food was off the charts as always! Best of all, 18 kids made decisions for Christ! 16 kids came for first-time salvation decisions, and 2 re-dedicated their lives to The Lord! There may have been other decisions that were made in secret, and all of the kids have had seeds planted in their hearts. Who knows what's next in the lives of these kids? I can't wait to see what God does in their lives. That's what camp is all about, and that's why I believe in the camp ministry with all of my heart. If there was such a thing as year-round camp, I'd be on board.
My second adventure of the summer (camp was the first adventure) takes place in 4 weeks when we jump on the plane for our Mexico trip. I'm crazy excited to go back there and see those awesome kids again. I can't help but think about what kind of work God may do in my heart while I am there. I still continue to wonder if God may one day call me there full time. It's in the back of my mind all of the time. I shared with God that if He wants me to go, He'll have to make it pretty loud and clear, because I can be pretty thick-headed. Would it be easy for me to leave my family, friends, church, job, and go live in a poverty-stricken city? It would be dreadfully hard! But who ever said that following God's will is an easy thing to do? I think about those missionaries who are ministering in far-away countries. I'm sure that there are days (especially holidays) that they would love to sit down for a face-to-face visit with their families. Facebook, Skype, and phone calls are nice, but there's nothing like a warm hug from someone you love. BUT these missionaries also know that they are called of God to be where they are. They understand that if they were not there, the people of the land would not have the Gospel presented to them, and thus, die without Christ. What will God do with me this Summer in Tijuana? Please pray that God makes His will abundantly clear to me.
Since my last post I have begun my summer job with the Boys & Girls clubs. I am so thankful for the hours I am able to pick up there. (The school doesn't pay me during the summer). I work with the 1st Graders in the morning and early afternoon, and then I may drift over to 2nd or 3rd grades. I sure love those kiddos. I enjoy getting to know them and hanging out with them. They really missed me while I was gone at camp this past week, and that made me feel good, knowing that I was missed. They are great kids. (Even the onery ones, LOL)
I've also been able to pick up quite a few hours working at the ball diamonds this Summer. I sure enjoy this job. I get to chat and joke with the customers, and I get along pretty good with my co-workers. I am mainly working the Hutchinson Monarchs games, and it's a pretty fun atmosphere. I am thankful for these hours during the financially dry Summer months.
My garden is doing okay, but I have lost some tomato plants. I'm not sure what happened, but I'm going to try to find some tomato plants at a local grower, and replace the dying ones. I am also going to find some flats of flowers and plant them strategically so that they will attract bees and butterflies, thus providing pollination. Hopefully, my hard work and planning will pay off in a good harvest.
It's time for me to jump off of here and get some stuff done. I thank you for taking the few minutes to stop and read. I pray that your weekend will be a blessed one!
