Mi Hermanito!!

It's official: My (not so) little brother has been accepted to a christian university. He did really well on his ACT and landed a nice scholarship. What a blessing!

This is bittersweet for me though. It means my brother will be moving 8 hours away. I'm SO happy for him as he starts out on this new venture but it's like a chapter of our lives is closing. I'll be the only sibling left at home now. I guess that's not a bad thing 'cause it means more living space for me :P But I'll really miss my brother alot.

I am so proud of Danny. He is going to do great at college. I can't wait 'til he brings home a girl with a ring on her finger :)


We are strange birds. But you know what they say "Birds of a feather flock together :)


Parasailing in Key West



We went to Applebees to celebrate with a ginormous cookie sunday. Yum!

Things to Look Forward To...

There are many aspects I'm looking forward to with this trip to Chiapas. Seeing my friends and meeting their families are obviously on the top of my list. Then there are some not so meaningful ones that might make me seem a little off my rocker :)

First, I'm looking forward to getting a tan. Here in NY the sun doesn't shine too much. I'm sick of looking all white and can't wait to be sun kissed. (Let's hope it that process doesn't involve sun poisoning!)

Another thing I'm looking forward to is rambutan! What is that, you ask? It's a jungle fruit that is spikey on the outside and sweet and juicy on the inside. YUM!!!! Our Wegmans carried it for a little while and when I heard I rushed in to the store SO excited. I looked and looked and couldn't find any but then I found a few shriveled up black fruit that was $10 a pound!!! What!?! So yeah, I can't wait to eat them to my heart's content! Here's a picture of them so you get the idea what they look like.



I can't wait to be back in the jungle, smelling the tropical smells (well, the good ones anyway), hearing the noises, and seeing all the beautiful colors. The scenery is breathtaking! I thought NY was beautiful but it doesn't compare to the untouched beauty of the Chiapas mountains and jungles.







Of course where the gringas are, kids will follow. It's like we're a side show at a circus. Kids will always be pressed up close to us, wanting to look at us. They smell our hair and skin. I can't wait for this next big adventure to Chiapas!!!

Back so Soon?

Wow, I am totally in awe of how our God works. When I left Chiapas this summer I didn't know if I'd ever be back. Well, I'm going back this March with my friend Bethany to visit some amigos who live there.

This trip kinda fell into my lap. Someone offered to pay for over half my plane ticket. Then my dad gave his blessing for me to go. And when I asked time off of work, it was no problem getting people to work for me. Again, wow.... So here begins a new adventure for me and Bethany. Are we up for the challenge? I think so :)

Just another amazing scene. Breathtaking for sure!

The Big Question: WHY???

We've all asked it before at different times.When we were six it might have been "Mommy, why is the sky blue?" Or in our teen years, "But Dad, why can't I take the car out tonight?" For me the question Why has been more along the lines of "God, why is this happening right now?"

Things in life often don't make sense to me. Over the past year or so I've been struggling with the concept of prayer. Why should I pray when God obviously is going to do what He wants whether I ask Him or not. It's more that He COMMANDS us to pray. Jesus didn't say, "If you feel like praying, pray in this manner." He said "WHEN you pray...." That leads me to believe that it needs to be a daily thing. Whether I get what I want or not.

So then, is it wrong to ask God why? I honestly don't think it is. Jesus Himself asked Him when He was hanging on the cross "My God, my God WHY have You forsaken Me?" It's our attitude that determines whether it's wrong or not. I'll have to admit that often I don't have the right attitude when I ask why of the Lord. Too often it's an indignant "How could this dare happen to me or someone I love?" Oh God, that I would be able to accept whatever You have for me without question!

Oh that I could have the faith of a child. That's what the Lord delights in, our childlike faith.

Just a thought from a very confused girl who's striving to please her Savior. Blessings!!!