It's time to catch up!

It has been quite some time since I have updated my blog...Life gets away from you sometimes! I am going to attempt to summarize the last two years of my life in a short post to get everyone up to speed with where I am at:) I wrapped up my time in Mexico City and headed back to Minnesota not sure exactly what was next. I had no job lined up, no agenda, just knew I was suppose to be back in Minnesota. My time in Mexico City was amazing, hard and life changing. I met so many wonderful people and I was able to have some crazy experiences! In short what I did in Mexico City was teach at a private school helping them develop an English program. In my free time I attended UNAM for language school and I also volunteered at a home for girls being rescued out of trafficking. God used these different experiences to prepare my heart for what was next. When I came back to Minnesota I partnered with my sister to begin a non profit to bring awareness about sex trafficking in the United States. It has been quite a journey this last year learning what it takes to start and run a non profit. There have been many highs and lows on this journey! Here is our website if you would like to see what we are up to: www.united1front.org I am wrapping up the school year and preparing to head to Germany for the summer! I will be working with Steiger Ministries. I am very excited for this next experience. It's crazy the journey God is taking me on. It by far has not been boring! Sometimes it is hard to understand the plans of God but I have come to learn to trust and follow His leading. He is a faithful and good God. I will begin to update this blog more periodically about my travels and opportunities in Germany. Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts!

Josh is home!!

I am so excited that Joshua is finally home! Unfortunately, I am not there to enjoy him, but it is so nice just to know he is finally back and safe. Joshua was gone for about a year overseas with the military.
It was really hard for me to say goodbye to him when he left because I did not know the next time I would see him. I knew I was probably going to be moving down to Mexico long term and I was unsure the next time our paths would cross. Josh is one of my best friends and throughout the years he has been one of the greatest sources of encouragement and inspiration to me.
I am so thankful for technology. Skype was a saving factor this past year. I was thankful for the hours of conversation I was still able to have with my brother. Even though were thousands of miles apart we were still able to stay in touch quite regularly and encourage each other on in what we were pursuing.
This year went by so quickly! I cannot believe he is home. I have seen Josh grow so much this past year. I know life was not always easy overseas and at times it was difficult being away from family but I know God did some awesome things through him and in him. Josh I'm so glad you're home. Proud of you and of all you have accomplished!!!

Treasure...

Today as I was doing my devotions I was listening to a song by desperation called Treasure. These lines from the song jumped out at me:
"I would run for a thousand years
If I knew every step would be getting me closer
I'd swim to the ocean floor
For my Lord is the treasure
My Lord is the treasure "

Why did these lyrics stand out? Let me explain...

Many of you probably haven't realized how difficult these past few months have been for me. Life has been insanely busy and I have not been able to send out updates as I would have liked. I will give you a glimpse of my schedule these past few months. Monday-Friday, leave my home at seven, teach eight to three. Leave school and head to language school from four to seven, catch a bus and hopefully be home by eight thirty. Weekends were spent planning lessons, studying the language, helping at church, ect.
I am the type of person who likes to keep myself busy but I have realized being busy in a foreign country is a little different then being busy in the United States where everything is familiar. It was not so much the crazy schedule that got to me but the fact that everything was so new and everyday I left my house it took all my energy to push through the demands of being in a new country. Needless to say, these past few months have probably been one of the biggest challenges I have ever taken on.

So back to the lyrics. Treasure, what is my treasure? What do I value? What drives me to do what I do? Today I was once again reminded of why I am back here in Mexico. I believe it is very easy no matter what we are doing in our live to loose focus and get discouraged. Maybe we feel that what we are doing is not making a difference, maybe we are not seeing the results we thought we should have been seeing, or maybe the task at hand seems overwhelmingly difficult?
I have felt all the above. I am having to put these feelings in check and remember what is driving me: I will do crazy things, difficult things as long as I know it's bringing me closer to you God, because God you are my treasure you are the one I am running after. Everything I am going through is bringing me closer to you.

I got a kitty!

Since I have gotten to Mexico City I have wanted to get a kitty:) I have an apartment to myself and I thought it would be nice to have some company. I was not sure where I was going to get this kitty so I figured it would be quite some time before I got one.

About a week ago I was walking home and I saw a young boy sitting outside what was called a "veterinary clinic". He was holding a small kitten. I could not resist! I had to stop and pet the kitten.
The boy went on to show me six more kittens which were all kept in a very small box. I am not a very impulsive person but at that moment when I saw all the kittens I decided I was going to take one home with me!

The boy told me the kittens were free so I could choose which ever one I preferred. How do you choose? It was quite a process but finally I chose a light gray kitten with hazel eyes. The boy put the kitten in a small box and I carried her home.

I got home and it hit me what I had done! I had nothing to take care of a cat! How do you take care of cat? Well, I knew one things for sure, this cat needed a bath! After two baths she finally smelt ok. I gave her some milk and tuna and made a small litter box for her.

She is such smart cat! She consistently goes in the litter box. She loves to cuddle and purrs like crazy! I have decided to name her Stash.

Never expected to get a cat that day. What a fun surprise:)

So far...

Well I have settled in and I am getting more comfortable in my new life:) God continually proves His care for me and how He delights even in the details of my life. I have a beautiful apartment not far from my school. I walk most days to school and from school. It is about a twenty-five minute walk almost all uphill! The weather here is so interesting. It is very cool in the mornings and evenings but yet humid. I bundle up on the way to school but by the time I get to school I am sweating! Needless to say, I have been somewhat sick since my body is trying to adjust to the weather change.

I love the school where I teach. It is a great school! I definitely have my work cut out for me though. I have never felt so inadequate for a job! It constantly reminds me though of my dependence on the Lord for daily strength and energy! The school has a very demanding program and there is much work for the teachers.

I found a church here in Mexico City not far from my house! The service is in both English and Spanish! The pastor is originally from the States. I am going to be apart of the worship team and eventually I would like to help out in the children's ministries. I have met some wonderful people through my church! God is good:)

I recently started volunteering at "the well". This is a home for girls who have been brought out of sex trafficking. I am very exited for this opportunity to be with these girls! I mostly spend time with them by going to the parks and teaching them sports. They love the activities and the attention. Please pray that God will use me to pour out His love into their brokeness.

I will try and post pictures soon of my apartment and the school. I appreciate your prayers as there are many difficult days still ahead of me as I adjust to this new life.

Love you!!!

Mexico City!!

On Monday I arrived in Mexico City. Praise the Lord my travels went well. I was picked up by a worker from the school that I will be teaching at. He spoke no English so right away my Spanish was put to the test! It was quite an experience getting through the airport and then finally through the city. Mexico City is huge and there are so many people!! It was somewhat of an overwhelming experience. Octavio took me to my apartment for me to see what things I might need to buy. As of last friday I had not had an apartment lined up but praise the Lord an apartment was found for me! It is a beautiful, two bedroom apartment only a few blocks from my school.(I will post pictures on fb for all of you to see)
The past few days I have been trying to figure out transportation, where to shop, lesson planning ect. I have gotten to tour around the city a little bit and I am loving it here! It is going to take me awhile to adjust to the way of life down here and it is somewhat intimidating at times but I know with time I will adjust just fine!
As of right now I do not have internet but hopefully I will figure that out soon! I will try and stay in touch with you all as best as I can:)
Lot's of love <3

Wrapping the year up...

I finished off my first year as a preschool teacher a few weeks back. What a growing year for me! I went into this past year completely confident that I could handle a classroom of four and five year olds and...well let's just say, they gave me a run for my money! So many nights of feeling completely exhausted with no more ability to add emotion or enthusiasm to anything I did. Working with preschoolers is quite demanding! I admire those who persevere year after year. I will definitely miss all of my students. I fell in love with each and every one of them. Somehow, someway, even the most difficult of my students managed to steal a piece of my heart:)

I will not be returning to North Heights next year. God has actually called me on to a new position. I will be moving to Mexico City in the fall. I am thrilled for this next phase of my life to begin! I did not think I would be able to return to Mexico this soon. My plan was to work at North Heights a couple more years, save money, pay off student debt, ect. When I was asked to sign for next year, something in me couldn't. I spent a few months praying about it and God told me it was time for me to go back to Mexico! The past few months I have been seeking where God would have me. In the most amazing way, God has opened up the door for me to teach at a bilingual preschool. It is a beautiful school and has potential of turning into an elementary school. I am exited to think that I might be a part of growing and developing Sunrise HIlls.
This is going to a big transition for me since I am still learning the language and I will not know anyone where I am going. I am looking forward to being in one of the largest cities in the world and being immersed in the hispanic culture. Once I get down there I will keep my blog updated with pictures and info!!

Where I will be teaching: http://sunrisehills.jimdo.com/