MKs will be MKs...

The morning started off like any other boring Tuesday at school. We're all just getting ourselves through Consumer Ec until...
My best friend went down to the lockers to retrieve her forgotten notebook. She took a particularly long time and upon returning she stated she has caught a preying-mantis!
No one knew what kind of excitement this would bring to our class. We quickly declared him "class pet" and named him...Stevey. (btw- this thing is huge. Like 4" long). We dug out a small aquarium Mr. Johnson has that has a mesh net lid and found leaves to put in it. During break the boys decided that it needed something to fight against, and us girls decided it needed some food. We all scattered and searched and soon we had a whole insect zoo. The boys put a LARGE (1" diameter) black spider in it- Derakula (sp?). I put in a moth for snacking and Scott put in a damselfly as well. Then they put in a LARGE wasp- Benadick- to fight Stevey.. The boys took "bets" on the winning insects and ALL huddled around we watched them go at it! (which they really didn't...)
until lunch...Kae witnessed Stevey devouring Derakula for lunch. Bye-bye Derakula.
(Sorry Gura, you lost that one...)
During my free I went and found another spider, for him to eat tonight! and during soccer Mandy adopted a beetle to add to the collection- Xamier.
We made a welcome sign out of a balloon and helped decorate his "home".
Oh what thrills an MK. People in the states might have a hamster as a class pet...we go find wild insects to watch them duke it out. It was very exciting day for us. And if Stevey keeps eating then we might actually get to keep him for a while!!!
I can't wait to see who's still left standing tomorrow morning. :)

the epicness of a class lock-in.

I love this senior thing :)
Last night our class put ourselves through the ridiculousness of having a lock-in, which consists of depriving yourself of much needed sleep, over-dosing on caffeine, playing crazy games (that guarantee injuries) and watching so many movies your eyes start going crossed.
The only lock-ins I've been to were the all school ones @ the PC...which don't compare. I had so much fun last night.
The night, for me (after cleaning up & collecting myself at home after a long day at school and at work) started off with a crazy game of "spoons" - where the spoons were placed through out the room so you all had to go running around to get your spoon!
LauraLee and I played a ridiculously hopeless game of pool in our already slap-happy state at around 11.
And at midnight a game of soccer in the gym began. It seemed harmless at first, but when the teams rapidly doubled and the boys started booting it- it was INTENSE! I had a blast but I don't think there is one of us that didn't leave with some sort of bump, bruise, scrape or gash. My whole body ached after running around the hard gym floor for an hour. My ankle still aches and the side of my foot is covered in bruises from twisting it and being stepped on by big boys feet...but oh so worth it.
At 2:00 we played a game of "sardines"- hiding through out the dark Teen Center. Pretty much...it was epic.
3:00 we transitioned to X-man 2 (where I got a power nap in) and afterwards Cars 2 (to get a cartoon in) until the sun was shining.
Intertwined through out that you had the wii games, cards, little conversations, watching people be ridiculous cuz it's way past their bed time, games of cricket etc.
In the morning muffins, coffee and a trashed Teen Center waited us. Quick clean up and breakfast and it was time to break.
It was probably the first lock in that I really enjoyed myself and didn't regret staying up "all" night. I really did have a fun time with all of my class and am glad we can have times like these, to make memories like these, before we leave.

And that's not all...tonight we're off to Seung Jun's house for a Korean dinner together (which I've been craving ever since I heard about the one I missed out on in 10th grade.) If you didn't already know, the best food in the world = Korean.

Didn't know if this day of actual class bonding would make it here...but here it is. Welcome, I'm glad to see you showed up in time :) Lets make the most of it class of 2012. 135 days till grad ;)

*I sure did use ridiculous a lot :P

skipping...

...for joy.
There is so much I could blog about right now. My term is so busy and there is so much on my mind that I wish to share with all you lovely people, but it'll have to come in chunks.
The first big news is that I got accepted to Lee Uni!! :) This is the one I've had my heart set on for so long and it always felt like all the arrows were lining up that way, but there was some major road-blocks in the way. This, of course, was just God to get me to pay attention and trust Him. I told God that if I didn't get the letter within a week I'd abandon that dream and look into something else, like YWAM. I got the letter less the 24 hours later. God just keeps amazing me in this whole process.
Now we just gotta work on this whole scholarship/financial thing...

All the PRAISE goes out to YOU! :)

Letting go...

This is me right now...at the point in my life where I have so many things tightly gripped in my hands that I have to let go of. Not easy stuff.

*Currently listening to "Let it Go" by Tenth Avenue North. Pretty much sums it up. Good song.

What makes my Fridays fantastic...

There are just those little things I have in my life that never fail to make my days a little brighter. Some I have in my life purposely for the soul reason of making me happy and others pop up randomly through out my days. More then often those ones that pop up are little blessings from God to help me get through a rough day...like a gorgeous sunset at the end of a trying day- to keep me focused on Him and what really counts.
Today I had a GREAT day and I felt like all these little things were everywhere I turned. So here is a list of the things that bring a smile to my face...really, it's the small things that do it for me :)

Well of course, getting 2nd free so I can sleep in is fabulous!

Item #1 of the day. This is what really gets me going in the morning:

...the multi-nutritiounous fiber cereal? NO way - the cute turtle bowl!!! How can you not have a good breakfast when that guys looking at you? :)

VERY special days (like today) include things like this:

This morning I received the email that I've been accepted to Bryan College. This of course was very exciting news.

Something I praise God for:

...technology! I always love catching up with friends from all around the world. This morning I was able to both voice chat and type chat with two friends that graduated last year. One in Texas, the other in London. It was great to talk a bit and get re-filled in. It helps me miss people less <3 Everyone needs a shirt like this:

A SVS special...I can't help but smile, and if I'm in any other mood- then my shirt fits that too!! Definitely a Friday shirt!! One of my new favorites...goes next to my neon pink shirt :)

"Every" girl loves their shoes, right?:

For me, it's bright colored flip-flops for the sunny mornings (today's color of choice was PINK) :)
and then when the rain comes in the afternoon, these puppies come out...

I LOVE my boots. They keep me dry and I feel so un-stoppable. My inner child comes out and all I wanna do is go jump in a puddle. Best, most useful Christmas present (from a couple years ago) EVER (cuz it's rained here every single day for the past couple weeks. the ground here lately = to mush. end of story.)

Double rainbows:

Today God blessed me with a BEAUTIFUL one. The bottom one was SO bright!! No...I didn't take this picture, but I l-o-v-e-d it ;)

Other things on my list could include: special moments with my great friends, doing awesome labs in Chem. that make you feel super smart and science-y, random people randomly sharing Skittles and Air-heads with you!! YUM. , finishing a task (I'm a slave of my to-do list), and knowing you are wanted and loved <3

I hope you were able to have a great day too and have some of those little items in your life that make you stop and smile...I'd love to know what they are, leave comments below :)

Over and out.

handprints on my heart

Last week I had the opportunity to help out with a valley wide VBS. The theme was "Kamup Nupela" --- Become New (talking about becoming a new creation in Christ). We had over 550 kids come from all over the valley, from different churches, different villages and unite in the name of Christ. It was so sweet to stand admits a sea of young brown faces singing their little hearts out to our God.
I helped out with snacks, so I pored hundreds of glasses of water each morning. At first it felt like a insignificant job, yet the passage in the Bible where Jesus says that if you give a cup of water to them, you are really giving it to me kept playing in my mind.

Later I led groups in games. The little kids LOVED playing What's the Time Mr.Wolf? With wide eyes they counted out each big step, and always squealed in excitement as I declared "dinner time!!" I couldn't get enough of running around in circles with them playing Duck-duck-goose or holding their little soft hands. The older kids were a little harder to entertain but God kept our creativity juices flowing and our bodies strong. He always provided just the right helpers when they were needed most. After games I was involved in some drams. It was so fun to here them erupt into laughter at a joke during the skit.

Many kids showed signs of accepting Christ as their Lord and it was incredible to see Him move. These are HIS children and they are so precious.
It was such a blessing to help.

Today, I went down to Lae with a group of 12 other teens to give the donations from carnival to the hospital. (we were able to get them blankets, towels, tp, flashlights, electric hot water pots, clocks, scissors, cotton balls, soap, etc. + a check...God provides!) God was with us every step of the way. The safety on the unpredictable roads, the perfect timing, the good finds at stores, just the right amount of money, the willing helpers, the right connections to the people at the hospital, preparing our hearts etc. (get the point...He's a God of details! :) )
The nurses were so touched by our gifts and thanked us from the depths of their hearts...I could truly feel the genuineness. I don't know if much could prepare us for the next step...we went and visited the children's ward. I don't think any of us will forget the images of the the tiny sick figures laying on the small over crowded beds. Laura generously brought stuffed animals, so each kid got a little gift and we prayed with the family.

It was such a dear time, and I praise the Lord for this opportunity. I didn't go back into the more critical care section, but I can only imagine what was back there from all the misty red eyes that left that room. You can't help but be thankful for the health and care we have...how much we take for granted. It was impossible to go into that room, and not have your heart moved. After reading some story books to the kids and talking some more we split up and went to different sections of the hospital to pray over the wards. The prayers spoken there struck my heart and the soft tears began to gently fall. We prayed for all the different parts of the hospital, but mostly we prayed that God's name would arise through out the hospital, that these patients would have a future and a hope like promised in Jeremiah, and that we would not forget the images we saw- so that we would remember them always in our prayers, not take anything for granted and be more quick to love and serve. We packed up and headed into town for some lunch and a bit of time in some shops before we made the 3 hour drive home.
I feel deep inside me, this is why I'm really here. I'm actually doing something, and not just going to school while my parents work here. This is what a MK gets to do.
I'm so thankful to God that I had these chances to serve the people of PNG before I get caught up in the busyness of leaving and can't find a time or opportunity.

Through this week I've been stretched outside my comfort zone, in places I don't necessarily like going, in a language I'm actually not too familiar with, but God was there and helped me grow so much through it all. And with out a doubt, all these little children I encountered this week left little hand prints on my heart. <3

*more pictures to come

sent out of my way

Last Sunday I decided to join my parents in going to my yardman's (the guy who take cares or our yard) church. I truly felt like a MK as I made the journey through the river and bush, along garden trails and up the muddy roads. Once we arrived to the small church building the singing had already started. We "slipped in", though all eyes were on us, the white skins and joined in on the song. As I got comfortable the next song started. Sweet Joy (the girl who gave me my bilum, which I made sure I had with me ;) ) turned to the right page and handed us a hymn book. The number (as well as the next one) was highlighted, circled AND stared so obviously someone thought it was a good one, and rightfully so. As I carefully held the small book that was falling apart as the seems well loved, the simple message surprised me. It was something I'd been struggling with all week and needed to hear.
The title was "Mi no save long tumaro" meaning "I don't know about tomorrow".
The message was basically that we don't know what will happen tomorrow, or what trials there will be, but we must just pray and trust. The chorus struck it home when it said "We don't know about tomorrow, what trials there will be, but God will be there tomorrow, and He is able to help me". From there I didn't follow much of the sermon but that's ok...God got across to me what he wanted to- but he had to send me out of my way to do it. God's timing is perfect and guess what...He'll be there tomorrow, to guide me to the next thing I need :)

You know you are in a village church when:
-the little girl in front of you is playing with a 3" long cricket, which includes putting it in and out of her mouth (*gag*)
-you hear dogs fighting in the door way
-and in the list of things you need to commit to the Lord, pigs is like number 1.

Lae: taking a step away

I just got back from a great vacation to the coastal town of Lae.
I admit I wasn't too thrilled to go before we left but it was so nice to take a break from life here but I've had to work on different things all break so it was a nice chance to just relax.
It was great to go shopping :), eating out (btw- the chicken club pizza @ the Melanesian is excellent!), getting some treats and snacking WAY too much. Swimming tons in the always refreshing pool, playing games with my parents, watching TV, and spending time with some really fun people.
I DID go and meet with the PR from the Angau Hospital concerning our donations from Carnival, which was very good to get accomplished- so it wasn't just all fun and games. There is ALWAYS business to be done. But afterwards I was able to have a nice lunch with my dad at a little cafe. (@ Brian Bell)
I felt so old after I had a morning like that and then sitting by the pool by myself, soaking up some sun and drinking a "Peachee" (which ironically looks like a beer bottle, so I got a few comments ;) ) and journaling. Then the next day drinking coffee while talking on the phone to the hospital, dealing with more business there and getting a news paper from Papindo's (free, because it was a day old- and I'm white) and reading up on the latest news around PNG (and the world).
I rather enjoyed feeling old and tricking myself in to thinking I'm mature. :P haha

I came home to reality...and it struck hard. I was hoping to get a move on my college app's & have heard back from Lee (been waiting since Nov.), among accomplishing other things, but everything was still stuck on hold due to things out of my control and I'm just still (frustratingly) waiting. Various other things also arose, and in my "tired, peopled out, fun drained" state it was hard to swallow. But I've tried to pick myself back up. Tomorrow I get to work to get lots off my to-do list and help get VBS going.
A verse God encouraged me with this week when I was in Lae and anxious about doing stuff at the hospital is found in Psalms 29 & and I'll cling to it as my as I continue facing each challenge and all my tasks I need to do.
"The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace."

Thanks God for my much needed time in Lae and the chance to take a quick step away. :)

Happy New Year :)

I spent my night ringing in the New Year out on dirt mud mounds blowing up deo cans and cruising around in the back of a dina. Not as typical and glamorous as I dressed up for, but it was a fun evening with some friends...No fancy food (except the pan of brownies passed around), no glasses to clink, lost the heals at the house - but it came none the less. Glow sticks and sparklers were passed around, the beats were played and we welcomed in 2012. A fun, memorable way to start the year. :)

It's gonna be a great big year :)