Welcome to the United States.

 In Morocco, there were about 4 or 5 passport checks to get through the airport.

            Those in front of us were stopped and intently checked.

     All except for the initial check, they did not even open our passports once they saw the cover saying “The United States of America”

 In countries like Morocco or Uganda, westerners are often treated like celebrities.

                                    As least, this has been my experience.

As I was going through customs in Atlanta,

I noticed signs saying “Welcome to the United States”

It took me a while to realize them, but once I did I couldn’t help but find them to be of great significance.

Although to me, it means very little.

       I am an American.

            I’m not worried if I have the next meal or if my family has to sell me to afford being alive.

            I know I’ll be taken care of.

To many around the world, the US is only a fantasyland.

                                    It’s a place where there is freedom.

                        This is something that will never be a reality to many.

            Seeing those words “Welcome to the United States” is a dream to many,

                        And yet, it’s something I don’t even notice or appreciate.

           I take too great of an advantage being from America.

No matter how messed up our government may seem or how low our economy appears,

                 we are still a land of freedom that attempts to bring justice.

            We are still considered wealthy because we have food.

                                             We have some sense of security.

We have freedom.

Seeing the words “Welcome to the United States” will never become reality to many who suffer because they were merely born in the wrong land.

I must stop taking advantage of this great wealth I was born into.

      I am so blessed just by being an American citizen and I don’t even realize it.

Can you imagine what is running through the minds of those who are desperate to make it to America and actually do? 

What are they thinking when they see the sign "Welcome to the United States"? 

Jesus, show me.

Peace.

The One with Spain.

Life moves fast.

     I’m currently on a plane back to California to begin my final semester at Biola.

           

Spain was a wonderful adventure.

                        I especially loved our side trip to Morocco!

Before leaving for this journey, my mom and I were talking and she said not to wear a cross necklace into Morocco.

I kinda laughed and just said I didn’t even own a cross necklace.

            I have no idea what prompted her to say this.

                        Fast forward.

Jenny and I were in the subway station on our way to the Madrid airport to catch our flight to Morocco, when my necklace randomly broke.

     It’s one of those long necklaces with a variety of random pieces.

What I didn’t realize was it had a cross hanging off the end.

Noticeably, the biggest part of the necklace.

                 With a simple swipe of my purse, the cross broke off.

         It wasn’t until I picked it up did I realize what just happened.

    I instantly remembered what my mom had told me a few days earlier.

                                                Crazy.

            I guess God was watching our backs. More than I realize I’m quite sure.

            I loved Morocco.

We just wandered around, met some crazy people and learned more about the culture.

Spain was random.

              During the days I wandered around Madrid while Jenny was at her internship.

     I saw most of the city. 

One early morning, I sat in the park (which reminded me of an English garden), reading Pride and Prejudice. It was a foggy morning with the sun shining.

            It was the perfect setting.

      I felt like I was in the story.

            I don’t speak Spanish.

It was pretty ridiculous trying to communicate with those who didn’t speak English.

                I think if I could watch my awkwardness, it would be pretty funny.

Jenny turned 21 while I was there.

            I loved being able to be there to help her celebrate.

 

Jenny is a pretty awesome friend; I’ve known her since I was 4.

                        I’m glad I was able to visit her in Spain.

Peace. 

The One with the Recap

I always have this great plan to blog weekly, but as you can see, that rarely happens.

So I’ll give a quick recap on these past few months.

The Villa.

I live in a house with 5 other girls and it has been a huge blessing! We are all intercultural Studies majors and get along great. We have a fabulous time together and I love going home to them.

Missions Conference.

I have the senior director position of Biola University’s Missions Conference, which is completely student run. It has been such a blessing!! For those of you who don’t know, Missions Conference is a time every spring where Biola cancels classes for 3 days and we bask in Jesus, our call as Christians and to hear what’s happening in this world. This year we are trying something new in the planning process where my co-director and I meet with every department on campus. We met with 42 professors, administers, and/or department staff throughout the fall. Such an honour! Every single one of those meetings was unique and God showed me how blessed I am to be at a school with such quality and God seeking people. I am in awe of Him and don’t deserve to be at this school studying under people who truly seek more of Jesus.

Missions Conference is coming quickly (16-18 March 2011) and there is still a lot to do as we finish planning, but we have a wonderful staff of 90 who are stepping up and going above and beyond their call as staff. Another blessing! I am so overjoyed by the people God has led to Missions Conference. It’s been a privilege to work with our staff, I wish I could personally get to know each staff member, but time limits me.

Virginia Beach.

In October, I got to fly to Virginia Beach. My brother and his fiancé are attending law school at Regent University. My mother and I both flew out there to help Liz go wedding dress shopping. It was fun to see their new lives and to help her dress shop.

Thanksgiving.

This year I spent thanksgiving in skid row. A friend and I went down the day before and spent the night on the roof of the Union Rescue Mission. We didn’t go down with intentions of being helpful or anything, we just wanted to spend the holiday in skid row. We ended up serving in the kitchen both Wednesday and the day of thanksgiving, they needed help and we volunteered. But the majority of our time we just wandered the streets. I met some new friends, my favourite, Garberville Bill. We talked with him for quite a while. He was abducted by aliens 2 years ago and told me all about the good aliens and bad aliens, he says they’re just like good people and bad people. You see there is a fight-taking place in outer space between these aliens. According to Bill, there is a battle for planet Earth because it’s the best planet in all the galaxies since we are the most resourceful planet. But the good aliens are protecting us from the bad aliens taking over. If you ask me, this sounds a lot like angels and demons. Garberville Bill has been on drugs since the 60’s so he has some interesting stories and has a big heart. He is definitely one of my favourites.

Tattoo.

I finally got a new tattoo. My housemates and I were in Hollywood to celebrate the end of finals when some of them wanted to go dancing. The other 3 of us didn’t so we decided we would get tattoos while we waited. I got the word ‘freiheit’ (German) behind my right ear. It means freedom. This word means a lot to me. There are several reasons why that I won’t go into at the moment. In the midst of getting the tattoo, it hit me that I was a getting this tattoo, one with great meaning to me, in the middle of Hollywood, a town that desperately needs true freedom.

Spain.

I am currently on a plane to Madrid (hence the long update). My oldest friend Jenny is currently living there so I am going to visit her. I am ready for another great adventure! On Friday, we are going to Casablanca, Morocco. I’ve always wanted to go there, so you can imagine how excited I am! God is good and always provides!

More later.

Peace.