Car blues
Category: Automotive

So, last week I was rearended, and I pretty hysterical. You work hard to pay off a car, a car that you love and have taken care of, and it's demolished in an instant. However, the damage looked fixable, so I was able to calm down and just deal with the rental car. However, this past thursday, I hadn't heard anything, so I called, and my car was totaled!!! Grrr... again, hysteria, crying, the whole bit. The worst thing was that I had saved money for grad school, and knew that I would have to dip into it. Again, worked hard to save the money, and it was taken away from me. So... the other insurance company gave me $8,000, so that was a start on a new car. So, on friday, I went to look at a toyota matrix. However, even the certified cars (2004) with 30,000 miles on them were like $15,000. The manager showed me a car though that was traded in. Its a 2007 Nissan Versa. Someone had bought it, put 100 miles on it, decided they liked it, and traded back it. It's very similar to the matrix. Sticker price $13,900. I bought it for $13,400. It's blue, 4 doors, and a hatchback. I still miss my old focus ZX5, but God provided me with a brand new car for a great deal. To Him goes all the praise!

3:52 PM - 3 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment

Texas Bound
Current mood: excited
Category: School, College, Greek

Again, many of you know this.. but I'm just updating my website... I'm moving to Ft. Worth, TX in August!!!  I started to apply to grad school a couple of years ago to UC MSW program, but decided that I was tired of school, especially since I just graduated. Plus, I didn't have any money. Well, since then I've worked in the mental health field with kids for 3 years. I've done direct care, case management, therapy groups, and now I'm a clinician for a day treatment program! The latter basically combines the first 3 positions I listed. Over the past year I've considered going back to school for christian counseling, but wasn't sure. My brother began christian counseling classes this fall, and he invited me to join him. I looked into it, but it is more pastoral counseling focused, and it only offers a certificate (enough for him in his position of ministry) but not enough for me as I need a licence b/c I do it for my career. However, this did get me exciteed to start looking at schools again. I really felt God working in this, so I pursued at full force. I looked at CCU here in Cincy, but it was like $9,000 a year. So, I kept looking. I did not want a MSW, but a masters in couseling... more specifically, christian counseling. I feel like there is no greater hope and healing than in Christ Himself.. the author of hope in joy. I began looking at seminarys through the Southern Baptist Convention since a friend told me I could go half price since I belong to and am actively involved in a SB church. The 2 seminaries that had the couseling program that prepares for licensure were in New Orleans, and Fort Worth. I found out about New Orleans first, and was happy that they prepared for licensure, but felt like I was settling with the school. However, as I continued to search, I found Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth. Not only did they have to combination degree that I wanted (that New Orleans didn't offer), Masters in marriage and family couseling and christian education, but the application was a lot simpler as well... including no GRE!! My goal was to apply before i left for Africa and I met that goal.....

Soo... I was officially accepted in December, and I will be starting school in late August!!! I will moving down to Ft. Worth at the the beginning of August though to get settled in. I visited the city and campus a few weeks ago... and i love it!! It is so authentic. God has really worked this out for me!! Another added bonus is that I've always wanted to live in another state for a few years. woo hoo!!! I've sent my housing application in already and I'm ready to go. I hope some of you come to visit me!! We'll be sure to have a big shabang before I leave. Until then.. I'm dreaming about TEXAS!!!

4:18 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Adventures in Africa
Category: Travel and Places

So as some of you know, I went to Dakar, Senegal in November. I meant to write about this a while ago, but never got it done. However, seeing as I have many changes in my life going on, I thought I'd finally update this blog.

As I said, I traveled to Dakar, Senegal in November with a group from Neosho, Missouri. It was a mission trip, and the church group from Neosho have adopted the Mandjak people to minister to as the majority of the Mandjak population in Africa is muslim. A Mandjak man had been praying for a missionary to reach his people, and he said that the church was an answer to his prayers. I was struck by how many languages were spoke in the city. First of all, most people speak French, since Dakar was "settled" by the French. Second, most people speak Wolof, which is the original tribe that is in Dakar. Other tribes have migrated into the city, so many people know at least their own tribal language, Wolof, and French. It was definitely difficult to communicate, but smiles and kind gestures, and the play of children, are universal. We were invited into many homes and were greeted with many smiles.

The second thing that struck me was the joy of the people in Senegal, and also the great pride that they had coupled with humbleness. All the Senegalese that I came into contact with had a smile on their face, and greeted everyone. Greetings are very important in the African Culture as they begin and preserve relationships. This made it difficult as we tried to learn greetings in 3 different languages. Relationship seemed to be one of the most important, if not the most important thing to the Senegalese. In fact, it is impolite to say no to someone for anything.. which made it interesting when I received many marriage proposals. I told him that my father (my heavenly father of course) has me promised to someone else : )  Even eating habits reflect the focus on relationship. A traditional meal includes a bowl of food in the center of the floor with family and friends surrounding it eating with their hand the food directly in front of them until there is no bridge of food between them and the person beside them which symbolizes there being no separation between the two people in relationship. The Senegalese pride showed in their embracement of their traditional dress among other things, as well as being happy with the few possession that they did have. It seemed that the most important things that they had were each other, and their culture. Everything else seemed to be just minor details. America could learn a lot from Senegal.

Finally, when I went to Senegal, I learned that Dakar is where slavery started.. that Gorree island is where the Europeans shipped the Africans off from to be sold as slaves in North America. It really made me think about how I might be percieved in Senegal as a white person. I was never given a cold shoulder.. only smiles and friendlyness. I also began to wonder though about the Black community now in America, and what it must be like to know that your ancestors didn't have a choice to ripped from their culture, their relationships, and the oppression that the black community has faced, and how some have lost hope and/or pride... especially in light of how important relationships and culture are to the Senegalese, how much joy they do have.

I left Senegal with my eyes a little more open, my heart softened for the Black community of our country, and for the Senegalese, and embarrassed and mostly sad for how Americans sometimes focus on everything but relationships, and culture, and true joy. I learned a lot from my short trip to Senegal, and wish that I could have stayed the second week to visit one of the villages. I definitely would love to go back to minister to the Mandjak. I learned much from them, and would love to help to teach them about the Authentic joy of Jesus Christ.

1:03 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Back from Paradise
Current mood: calm
Category: Friends

Well, as many of you know, I have been out of town for the last nine days. I was able to return to my beloved San Diego for a long vacation... and it came just in time. Isn't it wonderful how God works. It has been a rough few weeks with turmoil that has been going on at work. Most of you know about this turmoil, but I just can't say much more to the subject. I know that God is in control of the whole situation, that there are no surprises to God, and that in everything there is a plan and purpose to His glory. So, as I said, this preplanned vacation came just in time. I wish I could have taken all my co-workers with me as they are having just a hard of time with everything as I am... but we are all dealing with it in our own ways. Time and space away was perfect medicine for me. Also, friends and their support and care. I want to thank everyone for letting me vent, cry, and being the party pooper. Also, I ask that you keep our agency in prayer as we still have a long battle, and also for justice to be served. I am now ready to go back now that I have had a breather. Mom and I had a great time. We drove for San Diego to the Grand Canyon for a few days during the trip. We also went to Sedona to see the red rocks which I enjoyed even more that the Grand Canyon. We went horseback riding in the kaibab National forest, and I went kayaking in the pacific ocean, and was able to tour the sea caves of La Jolla Beach, California. Very cool!! I bought myself a hammock, among many other things.... ate great food, and just pampered  myself ;)  I think that it is a necessity every once in a while. I also received 2 calls on one day during vacation.... one from my friend Melanie saying that she had her baby, and another from my best friend stephanie who told me that she found out that she and her husband are expecting. Congrads to both!!! Now I am looking forward to my trip in November to Africa!! I almost forgot that I was going, but now it is in clear view, and I am gearing up for it. That's about it for night now. I know much of it was random. I just thank God for great friends, though. You all rock!!

2:13 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Refuge San Diego
Current mood: grateful
Category: Life

As I've reflected on this week without my cell phone, and just enjoying solitude, I am reminded of two times that I've fought and conquered this battle, but the first time really sticks out in my mind. I spend a summer in San Diego, the year after my freshman year of college, doing summer missions, which basically means I was traveling to a different church or youth camp each week with a team of 3 other girls that I didn't know. Now, for starters, I was on the other side of the country, away from everything knew, but I also was living side by side with 3 other women my age. This was also foreign territory. I ended up learning a lot about myself, and my faith that summer. I learned to really lean on God, because there was no one else there. I learned my passions, my strengths, and my weaknesses, and more of who I am according  to me, and Christ in me, not according to everyone else. I learned to think for myself, stand up for what I believe in, and believe in myself that I could do anything I put my mind to, and do anything through Christ who strengthens me. I even learned to trust women, and to learn how important friendships with women are, and how to build them.  I am such a people lover, but it was that summer that one of my teammates pointed out to another teammate (who I struggled to get along with at first, but then she was the one I most admired at the end), and was later shared with me, that I like to have my alone time, my space. This had never came to my attention until then. So, I was able to learn that I although I love people, and thrive on the energy and company of others, I also thrive on "me time" and without it, I starve and become delirious. It is a great coping skill (great word thrown in for my st. joes friends), and although at times I forget it's power and usefullness, I am glad for that summer, for all the things I learned, that I know how to pull myself back into reality..... even if it takes me a while. The beautiful thing is that I was put into foreign territory, and was forced to sink or swim. Up until that point I was only treading water. It was good to be challenged, and even sweeter to be able to swim. I was away from everyone  who thought they knew what I should be..... my church, my parents, my friends... not that all of their opinions were wrong, or meant to manipulate me.....but I needed to see for myself who I am....... and it wasn't the exact picture that everyone else painted, but it did contain some of the primary colors that were impressed upon me. I cherish that summer, and will always look back to my experiences, and my growth in wisdom, and will probably continue to physcially visit my beloved San Diego, for it is my refuge city.

11:06 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Just say no to cell phones
Current mood: thoughtful
Category: Life

Okay, so I'm just saying no to my cell phone this week..... leaving it home...abandoning it. I've never been much of a talker, but more of a texter. I love to talk to people, organize get togethers... especially since I don't have that one "special person" that I spent my every waking moment with. However, after a frustrating weekend of not being able to get anyone together.... okay..... so I wanted to go see my band, I've decided that my heart and my thought processes need a tune-up. I am again reminded that I can't rely on the company of others for my happiness. I love people, feed off of their energy, and thrive through my relationships with others. I''ve fell into the trap in the past that if someone doesn't reach back, or I can't help the person, I feel insignificant. I've fought this battle before, and conquered it, but am plagued by the same disease again. I know that its great to have friends, but I know that people will always let me down because we all have flaws. I know the only thing that can truly fill my void is God, and my personal relationship with my Savior. So, I'm going into hiding for a few days, and not allowing myself to even try to communicate with anyone over the phone, or reach out specifically to anyone, on the intent of reaching inward, to my faith, and through self - reflection for my happiness. It feels kind of nice though that I'm not constantly looking at the time on my phone, another flaw of mine, and I can not be reached by anyone. I do actually miss the actual act of texting a friend, and sending a message to someone, but I must re-impress upon my heart that my happiness and importance comes from my faith and within myself.....both of which I have been neglecting severely. I'm still checking my email and myspace, as I don't do my main communication through those venues, but if you don't hear from me otherwise, I still love ya, just need to get myself straightened out. I still want to go on the whitewater rafting trip though, so after my sobattical, I'll be working to organize that.

4:06 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment