like the ants

Sometimes I am so intent on understanding the big picture that I forget to slow down and analyze the small, crucial things. This small realization occurred one evening on a bench as I bent over to tie my shoe. I scanned the patterned brick below me, admired it for a brief second, then went back to lacing. But at a second glance, I focused in on one area and noticed small ants jiving and zigzagging carrying leaves and ducking between spaces in the bricks. As an Animal Planet/Discovery Channel fanatic, I found this way cool. Applying this to my everyday life, I discovered that if I never take time to direct my attention towards where I'm needed I'd miss out on a lot more 'way cool' things. Take time, slow down, appreciate and concentrate on the small things; because this will help in piecing together the ever-confusing, big picture.

pictures

Picture Links!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022568&l=d7dab&id=1398690197

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022570&l=24529&id=1398690197

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022572&l=abb17&id=1398690197

what we did in jamaica

To go through day to day and list what we did would be a) boring b) difficult c) lengthy

So! If you would like to know details about Jamaica and our day to day happenings, PLUS other mission trips Grace Community Church is taking, check out http://www.gymsoxsummermissions.blogspot.com (Read the titles to make sure its about JAMAICA, not to be confused with Brooklyn or Mexico)

But! Every night, in our room, the girls would get together and we'd compile happy memories from the day. Feel free to scan through our inside jokes, behind the scene stories and true feelings, and what you won't find in the Grace blog. Here is what we came up with, we call it:

THE JAMAICA HAPPY BOOK:
-Meeting the Street Family – Margaritaville - Kerry sliding down the slide - Eric being outside while we talked about him - Warming ourselves with towels in the airport - Emily crossing the bouncy thing - Hillary's Celine performance - Emily's Grease performance - Raff leading worship - Group having a "cool vibe" (Kerry)- "Bookworm" - Capturing the lizard - Other "Book" innuendos - Taking beautiful pictures - Beautiful view from cloisters - Meeting 3 women & kids - Juice at dinner - Being able to flush toilet paper/drink water - Good brunch on Sunday - Tamborines/jammin' hymns - Meeting the Streets - Beach & pool time - Taking jumping pictures at the pool - Bra & panty parties/B&P status - Playing water polo with Jamaicans - Kirby graduating - Girls' pics on the pool deck - Sketchy black spots in the ocean - "Hot" tub - Awesome concert at Hoolebury - Little Eric dancing - Hillary & Colleen dancing with Jamaican women - Conversations with David & Leroy - Ice cream at concert - Hanging out with the Streets, Kerene, & Celine - Little girl (Tory) who said "come, come" to Amy over and over while dragging her to the car - Amy & Colleen's showers came back on! - Would You Rather/The Book of Questions - Singing every song from every genre/the 90s - Riddles/"In My World..." - THRUST! - Richie with a machete - Eating fresh mangoes - Beautiful view from roof of fellowship hall - "You two have a thing." - Jamaican girl - Gin Rummy - Doug making up an "In My World..." - What women want conversations with Hunter - Girls all ordering the same thing (Tequila Shrimp) - Cute puppies at Street house - Tracy got Mountain Dew - Emily realizing she likes wearing no underwear - Being hyper & eating candy - Taking fun pictures in ocean at dinner - Blueberry muffins - Tuna sandwiches at the church - Hillary making PB&J sandwiches with Goober - "Super uncool." – Kerry - Part of the group going to the beach - Dancing to songs at group time - Salad Fingers - Caitlin got a shoutout from Judson - Guava jelly - View at dinner - Caitiln's headache medicine - BOBBY! - PB&J high fives at the Streets - Getting a lot done at the Street house - Pouring the roof more efficiently - BEN GLENN - Going to the beach - Hop saving the puppy (Marley) - Brooke's laugh - Gas station stops for candy & ice cream - Hearing about Brooklyn - Children squealing at Jesus at Ben Glenn - Pump trucks at the church - "That just happened." - Sleeping in on Friday! - Getting pranked - Boys eating first - Brad mooned the Jamaican police - Dunn's River Falls - "Congratulations! You have completed the climb of the World Famous Dunn's River Falls!" - Duck shoes - Ocho Rios market - Inviting people to Ben Glenn - Name bracelets from David Gayle - Amazing chalk drawings - "Hips Don't Lie" during serious group time – CRYING - Amy & Colleen's awkward chin/collarbone bump hug - "Is it Frank?" - Pastor at Ocho Rios - "Roses are red, violets are blue. Reverend Chris Sasser & his group, I will always love you!" – Kerene - David M.: "Kerry, did you fill out the form?" Kerry: "No, I picked my butt." - Being punchdrunk - Sad pictures on the porch - Danny making it on the plane - "This is the trip that never ends..." - "The only other person here is the floor sweeper!" - Cheering for the zamboni - Frisbee in the D.C. airport - Kirbs Irish Dancing - Elevator music - British accents - True Life: We're Stuck in An Airport - Where is Dulles? - Wheelchairs/Smarte carts
- Amazing beds at the Sheraton – Being Home –Telling others about our amazing trip!!!!

hope

The moment we open the door, they’re always smiling and have welcoming arms for good Jamaican hugs.

On my mission trip to Jamaica, I finally got a chance to meet with the Street Family. Eight members of the humble family pack into a small cinderblock ‘house,’ way below anything they truly deserve. I was fortunate enough to be able to help dig and pour a foundation, and begin with columns, on an extension to their bare dwelling.
Her name is Hope. She’s stunning. She’s 26, with a 6 year old son named Eric, and her goofy wit will have you hooked the moment she smiles.

Hope and her two brothers, David and Leroy ate, stayed, worked, and went everywhere with us throughout the week. It was awesome, seriously; the time spent with that amazing family will stick with me forever.

As the week progressed, Hope and I began talking more and more. She’d tell me of her cute Spanish boyfriend, view on religions, and how thankful she was for everything. She reminded me that when you have nothing, your everything, is Christ. When darkness beings to takeover, Abba will shine his light for you. And even when all seems lost there’s hope, Jesus.

The word hope has meant a lot to me over the past few years. Hope for the future, hope for healing, hope to grow and love. When I think of Hope, I do think hope. She’s strong, faithful, and happy. Hope, along with the rest of the family, is accepting. She knew nothing of what I’d done, of who I was, and yet she was willing to be my friend-stay up late giggling, hold my hand as we talked with Ben Glen, and loving me for me.

Hope is there waiting, smiling and ready to embrace all who come knocking.

... as yourself

The time is almost here! Soon, (on the 14th), I’ll be heading to the unfamiliar Island of Jamaica where hard work with construction, white beaches, and God’s people (with awesome accents, mon) await. But what have I discovered about myself during the time leading up to this trip? Have I been still enough to hear God; to retain a concept from Him that I'm supposed to carry with me to Jamaica? The message that seems to keep streaming in is to:
1) place my cares and worries in the hands of God
2) be comfortable with myself, and to be myself

“So be content with yourself, God’s strong hand is on you: he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; for he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6

The most malleable of things don’t wear a hard covering, nor carry any extra baggage or weight. I’m learning to trust more and accept that God loves, no matter what. God wants to love all that you are, spirit, body, and mind. Likewise, we are to do the same. The medium by which we love and worship God varies, but for me, it’s through service.


The verse, “Love your neighbor as yourself” takes on new meaning with me. Be true when you love. Don’t pretend or hide behind a façade of things you busy yourself with. Be yourself. Love purely…

SparkNote version:(Be open, trusting, be grateful, be yourself, place worries on Christ, accept love, accept yourself)

go

This awesome guy I know, Jeff Cash or J-Money, made this video to further illustrate our Call… to GO! It fits beautifully as a theme for me this summer. I’m off to be Christ’s ambassador to all I cross paths with; even if “its your next door neighbor Jack”.



I've been thinking and praying a lot about the people we'll meet. God puts people in our lives for a reason, and I've been meditating on how to be receptive and amenable. Then a lightbulb went off one night: This is how I have been hearing God... through people. Through their pain, smiles, stories, laughter, and hearing bits and pieces about their lives. I've experienced this at South Wilmington Men's Shelter, church, and at home. What God wants me to hear is often said by people I'd least expect it from.

Tied with the theme of 'Go' is, I feel, a sense of urgency. We don't know what tomorrow will hold. My goal was this summer was to not sit back and watch, but take action in what I belive is a just cause. This being teaching about sustainability, peace, and God's word in Costa Rica, and sharing hope and loving on the Jamaicans.

Like J$ says,

"People need hope, and when Jesus spoke, he said go, go, go...."