My first blog :)

So these are my first steps onto the unknown terrain of the social network that burst from every seam of our society… (Sorry, I felt like my first sentence for blogging/social networking should be magnificent or something, but that’s all I’ve got L)

One more thing before I get “profound”

I’m very humbled to find out that magnet is not spelled “magnete”, which is what I wrote on numerous cards. It’s not a big surprise because I obviously can’t spell and I’d actually go out on a limb and say my Spanish spelling is better than my English. Just thought I’d throw this out there for anyone wondering about my academic level after getting the card :).

…ok, so I’m beyond excited about the next few months and how crazy it is going to be to actually move to Chile. I’ve been madly in love with the Latino culture for about 6 or so years now and its finally coming true. The ability to really get involved and serve in South America is something I’m continually thanking the Lord for providing. Christine and I sat down a few days ago with some Missionaries who just got back from Uruguay; by the way I think this is one of the funniest country names to say especially with the proper Spanish pronunciation.

Its right up there with Djibouti.

After talking with them I came to a strong realization that we’re truly going to be “walking away” from so many strong and vital relationships that we’ve taken for granted to a degree. I guess we only know the extent of the relationships when they are out of hand’s reach. Christine and I are trying to make the most of the next 6 months, but over all it’s a bit of strange mix of emotions, super excited to finally live out a life long dream along while putting a physically barrier between my friends and families that I love so much. It also doesn’t help that I dislike like electronic communication so much, (text message, facebook, blogs, twitter) and yet here is my first post. Aaron and Tracey (the missionaries) really encouraged us to keep up with the “blogging” and stuff, so I’m getting some practice in early.

I feel like this is sufficient.

I’ve incorporated high level vocabulary (thank you little red squiggly line and auto correct), two different smiley faces, various profound thoughts that the world should be made aware of, and I’m attempting to steal the quite catching sporadic spacing of Rob Bell (is it working?)

…just kidding.

Have an amazing day and thank you for your prayers for Christine and I. We truly appreciate them.

Big News! (No, we're not pregnant...)

If you’ve known Tracey or me for any amount of time, you won’t be surprised to hear we are moving to South America!  Many are asking details and we thought we’d take some time to present the little information we have to those inquiring or interested.

Fortunately for me, all my “big” decisions in life have been made before I realized it.  I can’t tell you how I came to know Christ, want to teach, love to travel, yearn for Latin America, or wind up in Charlotte, NC.  And meet and marry Tracey?  If that’s not divine intervention in a near-sighted girl’s life, I don’t know what is.  All this to say, I am beyond grateful for the ways God has shown me my heart’s desires in an order I wouldn’t have planned myself.  It also makes these “big” decisions much easier :)  Now, ask me what type of peanut butter to buy and I’ll go back and forth for days; as far as moving to another continent in a few months, I feel comfortable and confident about it all working out the way it should. 

Tracey and I are like-minded in this whole “God’s will” mentality.  We believe God gives us opportunities to know Him and His heart through prayer, the Word, and the other infinite ways He speaks to people.  Undoubtedly He gives us all direction in life, but we’re also not gonna sit around and pray about what color socks to wear each morning.  Because He also gives us passion and drive towards certain things over others.  And if we love Him first, we can trust that our passions align with His “will” for us; and if they don’t, we won’t have a problem giving them up. 

So we both happen to love Jesus.  And Latin America.  And traveling to new countries.  And speaking Spanish.  And being totally put out of our comfort zones.  And learning.  And serving the marginalized.  And working for social justice.  And teaching… most days. 

The direction’s looking pretty clear, huh?

Well it did to us as soon as we saw it.  Thanks to a friend from my childhood church, we found IAM.  Once we talked with the founding missionary of the group, we felt that peace that only comes with the realization that God actually figured something out WAY before you did.

I’m not gonna lie, we were hesitant about investigating any path that included support raising.  Maybe it’s pride, maybe it’s supporting the whole tent-making philosophy; but you realize when that peace comes the insignificance of figuring out the why.

So we’re not trying to figure out the why.  And we don’t really know exactly what we will do when we get to Chile.  We have some ideas and a team that is willing to wait patiently and pray alongside us as we figure it out!  So we are excited in the waiting.  Just like Oswald says: 

"To be certain of God is to be uncertain in all our ways, you never know what a day may bring. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation."