BEACH TRIP

This trip has been so CRAZY.

From the wild road trip to the kids running circles around us.

Our first real adventure was the beach trip.
We arrived at the orphanage Saturday night and left Thursday morning for the beach.
    * Just enough time to get settled in one spot.
At 5:00a.m. we piled  all of the children into a big van.
After a long drive, we were in Puerto Vallarta.

We stayed in a rental home from Thursday to Sunday.
Anna and I helped with meals and watched the younger ones.
It was nice to see everyone playing together, having fun!

In addition to swimming in the Pacific ocean, we went whale watching.
How beautiful.
Along with 12 other girls, I got to see these beautiful creatures.
That was an experience I was not expecting.

You would think that a beach trip would be relaxing...
While it was a nice get away, it was not relaxing.
The children have a lot of energy and included us in everything.
We had so much fun playing with the little ones in the pool and on the beach.

 

ORPHANAGE - DAY ONE

We got to the orphanage very late Saturday night.
While we got to meet the children briefly before bed... Sunday was a fresh start.

First, we met the youngest one. She was ready for her morning diaper change.
We are sleeping in the staff bedroom so, we were a part of the morning routine.
The older girls were out for the day so, we went to church with the younger ones.
After a few hours with them, we had their names and could see personality.
It was a great way to start these new relationships.

After church, we spent the afternoon playing with the children.
We watched movies, played volleyball, and learned some Spanish.
What a great way to get to know the little ones.

That was day one... church and chillin' !
Up next... Wild children running circles around us !


* I am very sorry for the limited information.
* We are getting settled into our volunteer schedules.
* I will take time to write more very soon!
* Pictures... I hope...

MEXICO

Our arrival in Mexico was much different than what I had expected.

We crossed the border on Friday.
It was almost too easy.
No questions... nothing!
Although we had to back track to get immigration papers, we were in Mexico.
We were able to see our destination getting closer.

Little did we know, we picked the back roads to get to our first stop.
We followed the narrow, empty roads late into the night.
At one point we were stopped by a group of officials.
    *this would have been scary if we were travelling without God's protection.
In Mexico, they could have been pretending to be officials.
Thankfully, they let us through with no problems.

By 9:00p.m. we were lost in a BIG Mexican city.
After passing multiple "sketchy" hotels, we found a Best Western.
Our prayers had been answered.
June had been driving too long and there was no place to rest.
Once we gave it all to God, a wonderful hotel was placed in our path.
This hotel was one of my favourites.
I have never appreciated a hotel as much as I had that night.
We needed a safe place to rest!

On Saturday, we got back in the van for our final stretch.
Once again, we found ourselves off of the main highway...
    *what were we thinking?
The back roads brought us deep into the mountains.
We passed through many small villages.
    * a wonderful opportunity to recognise the Creator's creation.
After passing through a HUGE city in Mexico, things became familiar for June.
She was home bound.
By 9:00p.m. we were at June's Mexican home.
We stopped for a short break.
At 10:00p.m. we arrived at the orphanage.

We were greeted by a number of beautiful faces.
At the time, we had no idea who these little children were.
The children brought us to our room and went a little crazy.
It was time for bed so, that was the end of that.

In the following days, we would have plenty of time to be with these children.
We would learn who they are and what they have come from.

This experience is going to be challenging yet very rewarding.
A month with go by too quickly.
I hope to embrace each moment joyfully and thankfully.
God has given me yet another opportunity to fly.
To be a part of something much bigger than I could ever imagine.

 

 

ROAD TRIP

On Monday morning we left our homes in Canada.
On Saturday night we arrived at the orphanage.
In total, the trip took 6 days.

We spent one day in Texas so, we were only on the road for 5 days.
There was a large amount of time spent on the road.
Starting early in the morning and stopping late at night.
We became very familiar with June's van.

We were blessed with wonderful sleeping arrangements.
Although we struggled to find them at times, the hotels were always nice.
After a long day of driving, we really appreciated a place to rest.

Our time on the road was crazy to say the least.
We had our share of obstacles.
Driving through busy cities at night, making wrong turns, getting tired...
At the same time, we had a lot of fun.
We would sing, tell stories, and laugh together.

I learned a lot about my travel companions on this trip south.
You sure can learn a lot when you are together non-stop for 5 days.
It is a pretty cool experience.

My Firsts:
*driving for 7 hours straight
*driving in the United States
*eating nachos from Oxxo convenience
... many more

What a great experience!
A road trip from Canada to Mexico.

TEXAS

After a long day of driving, we arrived at a friend's home in Texas.
Believe it or not, I drove for 7 hours straight.
The sun was in my eyes, the darkness quickly filled the skies.
We eventually made it to this beautiful home in Texas.
What an experience.

We had a wonderful evening, full of rest.
Our friend provided us with a nice snack and a warm place to sleep.
She was so kind to us.

She has two very cute dogs.
There names are Ralph and Little Bit.   *how cute*
Anna and I really enjoyed there company!
They brought so much joy to our stay.

We decided to spend one full day in Texas.
While June and her friend went out for the day...
Anna and I stayed back at the house.
We watched the dogs, played cards, and walked to the library.
This was a memorable part of our road trip to Mexico.

We stayed a second night at our friend's house before moving on.
I had so much fun in Texas.
What will be next on this trip south?

 Little Bit + Ralph

 

Texas Y'all

 

 

OUR NEXT ADVENTURE

One months ago I said good-bye to my "Expedition" friends.
Not that we wouldn't see each other again but, things would be different.
The program had finished and we were going our seperate ways.

Little did I know that, one month later, I would be travelling again with Anna.

On Monday, we are leaving for this new adventure.
I continue to pray that we will be able to serve God in each thing that we do.
~Praying for travelling mercies and opportunities to grow.

God has blessed me beyond what I could have imagined.
My trip to Thailand was absolutely AMAZING!
Now, one month later, I am travelling again.

I can't help but compare the two opportunities.
Since I have already been to Thailand, I know that it was an wonderful experience.
Moving on, I don't know if I will ever be able to experience that again.
Thailand was too good to me... This next trip will not even compare.

I was reminded today of Isaiah 43:18 which will help me alot on this journey.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

 

I had it all wrong...
This next trip will not even compare to Thailand?

God gave me this wonderful opportunity.

When I think about the past, I begin to limit His abilities.

He is doing a NEW thing.

Who am I to put limits on the One who created the world.

 

I am ready!

We leave on Monday morning...

It's time to LIVE for the One who DIED for us!

2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Another year is over and a new one has just started!

A couple minutes ago, I counted down those final seconds with my family.

We spent the last few hours of 2012 sitting in the living room together.

Simple yet very entertaining!

 

I can't help but wonder what my Thailand friends were doing for the new year.

They reached the count down 12 hours before us!

It is quite possible that they were enjoying 2013 while I patiently waited.

That got me to thinking.

Some people are still waiting for the new year.

This time difference thing is so exciting.

It gets me every time!

 

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great start to this new year!

May you choose to spend your time wisely!

Let worry and fear disappear.

Use this opportunity to reach out, expand your heart, and learn!

While time continues on like usual, the new year symbolises a fresh start.

Now is the time. Start fresh. Be the change that the world needs to see!

 

Personally, I am hoping for a year full of challenge and change.

In 2012 I was blessed with the opportunity to be on an "Expedition" team.

This was the highlight of my year.

Looking back, this was preparation for what is to come.

I will no longer sit back and do nothing.

While I learned a lot on "Expedition," the learning does not stop there.

Living for God should not stop when you leave bible college...

I still have a lot to learn and want to embrace each opportunity to grow.

"Embracing opportunity"...
There is something that I need to tell you!

In January, I will be leaving the country yet again.
Anna and I will be living and working in an orphanage for 1 month!
We will be travelling with a lady that I know from church.
She is a wonderful person!

This opportunity fell from the sky...
We were not expecting to leave so soon after our trip to Thailand.
It is going to be another wild adventure.
At least God knows what He's doing!

I AM VERY EXCITED THAT I AM GOING WITH ANNA!
... I told you our "journey" was not over.

At this point, I am still missing Thailand...
If the flight itself did not take a full day, things might be different!
But...
God is leading me in a different direction and I am prepared to follow.
I will serve Him in everything that I do!
Or, at least that is what I am learning to do. 
I am human... I make mistakes... I try again...

Happy New Year!
Spend your time wisely.
Love God, love others, love yourself!

Updates coming soon...