Go Now Missions: Appointment

So, friends, family, and facebook stalkers, I have gotten this fantastic opportunity to serve God this summer and I just wanted to share it with all of y'all because I am beyond a doubt stoked to be able to do it! In the end of last semester I began the application process with Go Now Missions knowing that God wanted me to be his hands and feet. And after I truly accepted the fact that no, I was not just thinking Go Now would be cool because others that I love dearly got to go on mission trips this summer, that I needed to apply.  There were several moments where I doubted that this is what I needed to be doing but then, for some reason, I found myself feeling encouraged to finish the application process.

Towards the end of winter break, I was thinking that I was supposed to know if I got to go with Go Now or not yet, so I messaged Keith Platte, the BSM director here at HPU and asked "so when do I find out?" Apparently, I didn't fill out everything I was supposed to but, I didn't miss any deadlines so I found myself filling the pages out and hitting the submit button. I remember when I was filling them out and when I had the interview with Keith and some other people in the community that I was really adamant on admitting that I have a heart for Spanish Speakers and for kids in poor socioeconomic areas. Then I got to face the next waiting game, this time I actually knew what I was waiting for though, I got to wait for an invitation to attend Discovery Now Weekend. Which would be a time to reflect on the call, and have interviews with GoNow peeps to discover where you would best serve. (Not going to lie, as I typed that the title of the weekend made a lot more sense)

Well, I got the invite and I was oh so excited! It was going to be February 15-17th of this year in the metroplex area. I was already planning on telling my teacher that I wasn't going to be capable of attending my one Friday class and everything. So February begins, and for those of you that do not know, my Grandmother had a stroke on February 5th. At first it seemed like there was going to be improvement so I wasn't afraid and then I went home that weekend. And that Saturday the doctors suggested hospice to the adults. They were told to only expect my G'ma to hold on for a few days but, being my Grandma, she held on and passed peacefully on February 14th, 2013. Now for those of you that are reading this thinking wait a minute, this has nothing to do with your mission this summer, hold your horses! :)

When I realized that I needed to be home that weekend I emailed GoNow more specifically the contact we had been given and told her that I needed to be with my family. And this was another God moment that made me realize, okay, I am doing what I need to be doing. I got an email from a different individual, a woman that is higher up so to speak and she not only offered condolences but she informed me that even though I wouldn't be capable of attending Discovery Now Weekend I could still be a Go Now missionary. I just would either have to go to a later Discovery Now day and possibly miss the opportunity to serve several locations or I could do a skype interview with a girl that would have been my small group leader. Even though life enjoys having its more than fair share of curve balls, God still has plans for our lives. And I was able to have an interview with this fantastic student named Nycole, who would have been my small group leader.

When we had the interview, there was no freak out moment. The whole entire time, I was calm and it was perfectly normal skype time. As if I was just talking to a friend I have known for a while. We talked and she let me know that last year they found out their appointments the Thursday after Discovery Weekend.

So, Thursday came and anytime that I got an email, my fingers flew to make sure that it wasn't my GoNow appointment. Every time I got a campus email, or a coupon from Chili's I checked my phone in hopes that at that moment I would know what my summer was going to consist of. When the time finally came, I didn't hit the accept button right away, instead like a real grown up woman, I called my mommy. Not even ashamed, I was so excited! And I had to tell my biggest and strongest role model where I was appointed.

Ok so if you are still reading, you get to know the cold hard truth. I will be the hands of feet in Houston, Texas this summer. I will be doing whatever I am asked, working with a ministry in Inner City Houston, Texas.  And because there is a lot more to it than that I figured I might as well show you all that I know so far of what I may be called to do during the 2 months, June 2nd-August 2nd.
This little insert is exactly why I applied for what I will be doing as well.

Inner City Missions Summer

Do you love the city? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children, youth and adults? Mission Centers of Houston is a well-established ministry that has served Houston’s inner city for over 50 years. You’ll have an opportunity to work alongside other student missionary interns from across the country among mostly Hispanic people in underserved neighborhoods. Inner-city Mission Centers will provide opportunities for you to lead in Kid’s Clubs, preteen and teen clubs, play sports with youth, teach English to adult learners, assist with senior adult ministries, distribute food and clothing, minister alongside and supervise local and national student volunteer groups. This is a tough neighborhood and there is endless need. Prepare for poverty. Prepare for hunger. Prepare for exhaustion. And prepare to love and be loved. Houston is a challenge. Make no mistake. But, God is working in the inner city of Houston! Location: Houston, TX Special Requirements: Spanish helpful, but not required. Student should be: team-oriented, flexible, teachable, have strong work ethic, on-time & dependable, self-initiator as well as team player, respectful of authority. Dates: June 2—Aug 2 Team: 2 Students Amount You Raise: $540 (total cost of project $900)

So now here comes the crazy part, your involvement. Most importantly, I would love y'all's prayers! In the end of May I will get to go to an Orientation thing that will help get me ready hard core but I would love prayers before and after Orientation! Because well, I don't know what comes tomorrow and I do know that Satan likes to mess things up. So prayers would be extremely epic! And if you would like to donate monetarily, you can email me or message me on facebook. However, I am not gonna lie, prayers. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer because God listens to His people. God is faithful to His people and most importantly, God loves, even when we feel that we don't deserve it. I love you guys! And I am going to try, to blog a whole lot about this, partially cause I like writing, and partially cause I know it's super exciting to see God move.

Real People (Relationships Part 3)

REAL PEOPLE have real emotions, real desires, real needs, real wants, real likes, real dislikes, etc., etc. And If we are being real here it’s important to realize what all comes into the fact that people are people.  The biggest thing about recognizing that relationship is about real people comes the realization that real people have real problems, real baggage, a real past, real hopes, and real fears. When we forget that relationships involve real human beings it’s almost as if we are back in that elementary school mindset.  Now, I know that I am not the only human that has every played the game house. If I am then I feel really bad for the rest of the world because that game was my favorite. When we forget that relationships involve real people we become the child I dislike most in the game of house, the child that somehow gave instructions on how to pretend to be human.  A lot of times I have to remind myself when “dealing” with other people that I can’t control them. As much as we’d like to try to be in control of others, it’s honestly a big joke. After all, we aren’t even in control of our lives. As much as we’d like to pretend that the world revolves around us it doesn’t. I am really bad about realizing that. So much of the time, we don’t want to actually own up to the realization that life consists of real people. One of my favorite things to do while driving, aside from pretending that some of the other drivers and I are on teams, is imagining where everyone else is going. It truly is people watching at its finest.  People-watching is always entertaining to me because it is one of the few times that you allow yourself to step out of your life and look into others.  However, in relationships with others we don’t just have to watch, but we can interact with our friends and loved ones. We have an opportunity to dive into discovering out about another person’s life without having to open up a magazine, or pretending!  But we can’t just look at the lives of those around us in a manner that we are merely people watching, we actually have an obligation to interact. So often we as people tend to think the world revolves around us. Which of course we know it doesn’t but we go and assume to look at life in the service manner where the rest of the world has to serve us. If we begin to open our eyes and realize that most people have an outlook similar to that then we should go forth and serve. We should listen to people that matter to us, there hopes, dreams, past failures whatever and actually care. When dealing with real people we realize that we can’t change them for our own desires, just be along their side for the ride and being there for when they need you. 

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, been spending time with mi familia as everyone was home for a few days. But I think you can deal with that because spending time with people is part of building relationships and working on them! :) 

The Real Truth (Relationships Part 2)

THE TRUTH IS, the truth is sometimes more powerful in a relationship than anything else. The truth can be broken down into many different things first is the simple fact that you don’t tell one another lies and then there is the truth that you actually open up to one another. Being truthful with one another is an important and powerful part of a relationship. It creates vulnerability and actually allows both people to connect on a deeper and more intimate level.  When you want a relationship to be real, there must be a realm of truth that is created. Though you may think you know someone because you can tell random strangers some information about them doesn't mean you really know some one. Just knowing likes and dislikes doesn't mean you truly know a person it just means you can read their facebook page and hate to break it to you but facebook friends aren't always the truest of relationships.  What makes a relationship actually a relationship is when both parties involved are able to be open and honest about their life, their desires, and their struggles.  Being open about those things can honestly make a relationship so much stronger, it may seem unreal. It’s hard to imagine that just the opening up of life can create such a stronger bond between two people but it truly does. The important thing is when you hear the other person’s honesty you have to realize what your role is in knowing the truth. Whether or not hearing it makes you desire to pray for them, end the relationship, guide them through the hard times or even be willing to be there by their side following them and being there when they need a shoulder to cry on or a hand to squeeze. Hearing the truth does not just give you another topic to talk about, but it allows both individuals involved in the relationship to be real. It's about knowing each other's lives and not telling lies. 

FOR REAL though, life is not about just the good days, but the good and bad days. Real relationships aren't just about take, but there is give and take.  There are different types of relationships in life however for the ones that matter the most to us I realized that there are really two main categories. There are one sided relationships and then there are two sided relationships.  If you want the relationship to be a real relationship that can actually grow then a two sided relationship is necessary. Without both parties giving the same amount into the friendship or even romantic relationship then the relationship can’t truly be real. Real relationships require both parties to be involved. There has to be give and take. You can’t just expect to be given everything you want in the relationship be it gifts, advice or attention and not do anything in return. And I mainly say this realizing that I have been on both sides of relationships that are one sided. Many a times, I have had people come into my life claiming to be friends or even great friends and then getting walked all over. It’s one thing to ask a friend for advice or help but it is another thing to never listen to them when they need the same thing. At the same aspect we all know those types of people that have one main conversational topic, themselves. And I am not going to point any fingers and say “SHE IS THE ONE THAT…” or even start going on about “HE JUST NEVER SHUTS UP..” no, not at all! In fact I think most people tend to be one sided in some of their relationships.  And I am not saying that people should never talk about themselves, I am just saying when you recognize that you are talking too much about yourself, it might be a good sign to ask about the other person.  To be real in a relationship you have to be willing to be two sided. No matter how much you like the sound of your own voice, which I must admit, I love how my voice sounds to me, you need to let the other side talk.  For a real relationship you have it’s important to realize it has to be two sided. Relationships aren't therapist and patients.  I think that far too much of the time we as people forget that relationships involve two living, breathing, REAL people.  If you seek a real relationship, we have to remember that we are dealing with real people.  

(My thoughts on relationships) - The Introduction

People that have actually read a lot of these blogs have realized that I am not the biggest expert on a lot of things, and one of that happens to be relationships. But not just relationships dealing with boys but relationships dealing with friends and family as well. A few weeks ago while flying back to Texas from Thanksgiving in Arizona, I started to write. Now I am not going to copy and paste everything I wrote then because I believe some things don't have to be written. Some things can just be examined throughout watching others live. Ultimately this post is written just for you all to know, what is probably going to become of this blog. And no, the title of the blog is not going to change. I feel that the name " The Beauty of It All" still has a lot to do with what I may end up posting. That and I really like the blog name! Without further to do, here is my new blog(s). And as it was when I first started writing these things, I am not expecting anyone to read it rather I am just wanting my words on a page and if people happen to read it, awesome. :)

I LOVE YOU three little words that hold so much power and at times I’m afraid to use and then at other times I’m throwing the phrase around like an old Frisbee to a dog. I say it to people who mean little to me but I am afraid to use the phrase when it comes to people who mean so much to me. 

MY MISSION is to write about love, to learn about love and relationships. To be the best friend, daughter, sister, and girlfriend I can be. I know that it may be a bit foolish to start this quest but I think it’s needed. I don’t think this will ever be in the hands of millions but I do think that just writing this will hopefully be able to help me transform myself and hopefully help me be and if ever the day comes others to be the best they can be. My mission in this writing quest is in a sense to discover how relationships should be. Especially since relationships are not my strong suit. 

MY CREDIBILITY. If you have to know the truth, I have no credibility not in the slightest sense. If you’d like to imagine that I am a family studies major with a minor in psychology feel free to do so! After all you are free to imagine whatever your little heart desires! You may like to know though that none of that would be true. Nope! The only credibility I have in writing this is I am a human from a family and I just happen to be In various types of relationships. So if you have gotten this far into reading this and would like to print all of this off and make it a book and throw it on the ground because I am no Dr. Phil, please feel free! Actually I would encourage you to do that if you are truly that upset that I am no Dr. Phil. However little credibility I actually have, I guarantee this may still hold a little more worth than that of an issue of a National Enquirer. I’ll actually throw in some truth. And for that, you are most welcome. 

So feel free to join me on this quest! Will anything actually be of any use to anyone? I have no earthly idea! All I know is I really like the thought of doing this even though I really don't have any credibility and what I say probably doesn't matter to you. But the truth is, I like writing out thoughts, and this is a good easy way to do it. 

My Day's Soundtrack

So in case you didn't know, I have a fantastic boyfriend. I am truly blessed that he is in my life, because he is one of the greatest men I have the privilege of knowing. Now that I gave you that sweet and short introduction to the protagonist to the story I shall move on.  :)

Last night right before falling asleep I get this message saying that he was going to send me a link for me to open in the morning and that I had to open it in the morning. Not going to lie, I was a bit afraid, he finds some pretty ridiculous videos sometimes and I was anxious at what would await me at 8:30 am. So as soon as I awoke this morning I went to the link and pressed play, to find a fantastic way to start the day. 

Yeah, I would say I was super ecstatic this morning having my phone seranade me as I was getting around. But the excitement didn't stop there. No, there were also links for noon and 3pm. 

As soon as my 11am class was finished I was quick to click the link and click the play button to hear a fantastic song that truly speaks to me, sadly.

Now I did admit I was really getting anxious! And honestly might have had a countdown to 3 o'clock. However around 3 I was in a car on my way to Abilene with some fantastic people and much to my demise, I lost all service of every type with the clock struck 3pm. So on and off again, youtube would work, and by 3:05 the song appeared on the screen! Sadly enough though, the video itself didn't load until 3:16. My countdown didn't work 100% in the end apparently. :) However at 3:16 I got to hear a fantastic song that's music video happens to introduce my second favorite vehicle.

Even though it may have took me a little longer to hear this song, it definitely put a smile on my face. 

I have said it before and I will more than likely continue to say it, there is just something powerful about music. It makes a person who they are and it can change a person to be stronger, more empathetic, what have you. And sometimees music can just wake up that part of you that has been asleep for far too long. Music is powerful, and music is wonderful. And I was lucky enough to have a personalized soundtrack for my day. 

Enjoy the music of life. 

My Public Diary

So I am more than certain that the only person that reads this blog any more is me and I am perfectly fine with that. It has almost become like my own public diary, I write what's on my mind or heart and put it on display for all to see and the only eyes that view it are mine. One of the things that does really crack me up though are the two blog entries previous to this one. Both are about love, and they both fully reflect who I am. 

The truth of the matter is, I think I am falling, rather I know I am falling and I don't want to get back up. I really do like this kid, and I really do. And I know that it's simple to say that I like this boy because we technically are still in the beginning of the relationship but the truth of the matter is, if I had to redo this summer, and this semester I wouldn't. 

On August 4th, 2012 I ended something marvelous and got to begin something fantastic. Thankful for BCBA, thankful even for the rules about Summer Staffers not being able to date, but more importantly thankful that I got to be introduced to one of the most incredible men I have ever met.

The List

So, I know that it has been forever since I have last post on here, but I don't mind one bit. I just am a terrible blogger and I know it. However I did want to post something that makes me super ecstatic. I love life. Life is fantastic. Even though I have no clue how my life is going to turn out in the end I do know that it's beautiful and will continue to be because I am not in control but God is.

I also know that I may happen to be smitten a bit by a guy, but I don't mind that one bit. A while back in my head I wrote a checklist of what I want in a guy. Wow,  a woman having thoughts of what would make the perfect guy? NEVER.

Anyway, here's my list:
1. Single (unless I am dating them)
2. Love God
3. Love people
4. Good looking
5. A Happy singing voice
6. Funny
7. Loves God
8. Older than I am
9. Loves God
10. Good looking

Now, I understand that it isn't the most realistic thing to make a list of traits or qualities that you want in your future spouse or other relations but I just would like to point out, that I may be smitten with someone that only fails to meet one of these. Now I am not saying I am going to try to pull all the stops to form a relationship with the guy that meets all but 1 item, but I am happy with what is going on between us. And more importantly I am praying that God does what he wants. If he wants the relationship to grow to be more than friends, AWESOME! If he wants us to just remain friends, then AWESOME! Because God has a plan for me, and it is far better than anything I could even imagine.

So here's to The List, and here's to hoping that I'll be wise enough to know what the end result should be!  But as for me, I am also hoping for the best. :)