Surprise Number One

How is it that I am sitting here, only two and a half months into 2015, watching the past six years collide into a seamless reality right in front of me? Well, I'm not sure that there is a different answer to that question other than by the grace of God. You see, my sights have been set on a specific place now for a long while. For those of you that know me, you may be thinking that this place is Mexico. Contrarily, it is not. Mexico is indeed near and very dear to my heart, but that love has grown out of my long-held dreams for this other destination. It is almost comical, really, when I think about it. How a thirteen year old wide-eyed wonder was enamored and completely surrendered at the viewing of one missionary-based movie still baffles me. She didn't know pain, or passion. She didn't know suffering, loss, confusion and loneliness. She didn't know compassion, or love. Yet, she committed herself to the unknown. A commitment that would take her to the depths of her being, and a commitment that would see her to the peaks of mountains. It was her guide for every decision; if it didn't help her get there sooner, then it could be easily forgotten. But as the years ensued, she realized that "there" wasn't exactly where she originally thought it was. Not that a land mass spontaneously relocated or that she relinquished any part of her commitment, but that "there" was deeper than a soil. "There" wasn't rooted in a ground nor did it blow through an air. "There" was rooted in hearts and blew through its whispers.

"There" is God's love calling out for his people.
"There" is the place where redemption is found.
"There" is the Cross, the Christ, and the Christ-followers.

And everyday, Christ beckons me There, right in my own home, to that same commitment of surrender to Him. He invites me and brings me to His heart; he whispers, I love you. This is where There begins. And when I have swallowed His Words and absorbed his unfathomable grace, that is the moment when I am compelled to go forth into the world. "Like sheep among wolves" Jesus said, "you will go forth and preach my message to the lost. Take care of the widows and orphans, the sick and the tired. Make disciples of all nations. Never forget that I am with you always, to even the end of the age."** Now, now is the moment my Father God calls me There. Out There. 

I'm going to Ecuador.

The plane ticket is finally bought for the place that called my name so long ago. Having now the understanding of what There means, I see God's perfect timing in this ministry endeavor. And I can confidently go as a "sent-out one" and join in the work that God is already doing in Ecuador.


**Taken from Matthew 10, Matthew 28, James 1:27




>>> To read more about my upcoming trip go here
>>> If you feel led to financially support me in this trip, you can donate a gift on this page

This Whole CollegePlus Thing...

Okay, so there's this thing called CollegePlus, and it is awesome. Period. What is it exactly? Well, in essence, it is "a distance, accelerated learning program designed to aid students in obtaining their fully accredited bachelors degree while equipping them to launch into life."  <<<(debt free).

Oh but it is so much more...

Firstly, I study at home in the comforts of my own room. Right off the bat here, I am saving thousands of dollars on room and board. Even as great as I see that, the benefits continue! I work part time (I have also worked full-time while in CP), I am currently pursing many other interests that are not in my degree plan, I participate in numerous ministries, I can work my schedule to participate in internships, AND I have the freedom to go on mission trips and other adventure extravaganzas. 

--Sounds good, but like, is it a "real" degree?-- 

YES! Let me tell you about it. The whole process starts when I'm matched with a coach who not only helps me academically, but also in every other way possible. Like seriously, we have the BEST conversations. EVER. Over phone calls, this coach helped me through the beginning stages of studying skills and figuring out just what degree I wanted to pursue that aligned with my life purpose. 

Now that I have made my degree choice, an English BA from Thomas Edison State College, (no, CP isn't the degree-granting school. I know- confusing. We'll get there in a minute), I have begun gaining all of my general education credits by taking credit-by-exam examinations. The most popular is called CLEP. These CLEP exams can be taken at most universities and colleges for a barely a fraction of a normal semester-long class. So, with the continued help of my coach, I independently study for a specific exam with various resources, and then take the the exam. Upon a passing score, I can receive 3 to 12 credits depending on the exam. This CLEP process can take me anywhere from 10 days to four weeks and only cost me from $100 to $150 (including books/study resources, the exam itself, and testing proctor fee). 

All of this to say, that I am moving through my general ed classes quite rapidly without having to take out any students loans. That's right, zippo. 

Once I have completed the various exams, as well as other signature courses by CollegePlus, I will transfer all of my work to Thomas Edison where I will finish my degree as a "normal" (ha..."normal"...) online student (still studying from home with the continued freedoms said above). 

psst... still debt-free. 

--Okay, well maybe that would work for you, but what about a social life? or the "college experience"? or "the campus life"?-- 

Let me just begin with that when I have the ENTIRE world to explore and discover, being confined to a college campus no longer seems appealing. And secondly, there is an amazing student community all over the US and beyond! Sure, some of us are only identified as an avatar, Facebook friend, or Google Hangout buddy... but seriously, this community is the BEST. And there are various opportunities for gatherings to meet and collaborate with fellow CP students. So I, in no way, feel like I am "missing out" on any social aspect of the traditional college experience.

If you have actually made it through all of these ramblings of mine, you may be able to tell that I am rather thrilled about this time in my life. Know what? I should be! This is the prime time. Sure things around me might be going a hundred miles an hour, I might be sitting at my desk for hours on end, or grueling over piles of flash cards, but CollegePlus has given me the freedom to live the life that God has given me to live.

Taking a deep breath in- It's go time. 

Coffee, Schedules, and Blessings :)

Plans. Schedules. Goals. Calenders. Alarms. Charts. Graphs. Chocolate stash. Clean desk. *Check* -- I am SO ready for this year.

I love having my calender set up and ready to go, but my most favorite thing throughout the years are all of the surprises. The things that were never "penciled in," the things that the alarm was never set for, and the things that could never be charted even if I tried. Whether good or bad, those surprises are what remind me that life is still alive; that the air is meant to breathe; that some things need only be felt.

So... Now that 2015 is in full swing, I can wonder at the things that I hope to fit into my fifty-two weeks. CLEP tests (don't know what those are? check out next week's blog for a Krista's college run-down), work (which can't really be defined as "work" because I absolutely LOVE it), and varying ministries from after-school programs to camp counseling to Mexico. I can't forget to keep my creativity running so I'm sure that there will be plenty of pictures, music, stories, blogs, and dances.

Oh, and coffee. Of course.

Tea is spectacular as well.

Speaking about tea; As normal, at the beginning of this January month, I chose a set of verses to dedicate this year. Committing the year to specific verses has become a tradition since the beginning of my journaling days. I do this mainly because I want to have a set focus for the nearing months; I want this year to have purpose. And secondly, I want to take the lessons I will learn this year, compare them to where my understanding of those verses began, and see where the Lord will have brought me during that year.

The choosing of the verses for this year was brought on by an article I recently read about blessings. That article is <here>. It got me thinking about what the blessings of God really are. Just because I might have a nice house, or a good job, does that mean God has blessed me more than suffering Christians in other countries? I don't think so... When I read Matthew chapter five, it gives me a much better focus on what God calls blessings.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

It is my prayer that this year through each of my activities and circumstances, those scheduled and those that are not, I will experience the true blessings of God and know the joy that is found in Christ. 

2014 Recap

I always tend to be a bit late on the whole New Year's resolutions things, being that it is already the twenty-fifth of January... But that's OK, because this blog post isn't about resolutions anyways. Rather, I'd like to take a look back on the amazing year of 2014. One of my favorite things about entering a new rotation around the sun is sealing up the previous year by reflecting on the ups, downs, smiles and spin-arounds. It is with great pleasure that I present to you Two Thousand and Fourteen by Me.

1. Committed the year to these verses: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil: Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

2. Became a CollegePlus Student!

3. Spent 40 hours a week saying, "Would you like to add two apple pies for a dollar?"

4. Celebrated my first Valentines with someone other than myself and 1 John chapter 4.

5. Had the big 18th birthday.

6. Spent said birthday eating tacos. 

7. Began position as a care-giver to the sweetest lady EVER. 

8. Photographed my brother's wedding.

>Random fact #1: It was at a ski resort in June.

>Random fact #2: It was at a starting-line of the Savage Race. 

>Random fact #3: Which contained 6+ miles of 28 obstacles up and down the ski mountain. 

>Random fact #4: Me and my camera kept to the bottom of the hill. 

9. Gained another sister!

10. Became a camp counselor! 

>Random fact #5: My camp bird-name is Pica. 

11. Survived my fourth trip on the Ausable River.

>Random fact #6: I co-lead the five-day kanu trip. 

12. Found myself yet again flying to Mexico. 

13. Spent 10 days with an amazing work-team! 

>Random fact #7: Copied, cut out, and glued hundreds of English flashcards 

>Random fact #8: Took a walk up the mountain to see one of the most beautiful sights my eyes have ever beheld.

14. Participated in Spanish conversation for the first time!!!

15. Spent four of the most amazing days of my life with one of my best friends. 

>Random fact #9: Attended a Pentecostal church for the first time. 

>Random fact #10: Ate the MOST DELICIOUS TAMALES EVER. 

>Random fact #11: I love Mexican food. 

>Random fact #12: Learned how to correctly pronounce Popocatepetl.

>Random fact #13: Explored the underworld of el metro. WARNING: Not for the faint-of-the-claustrophobic. 

>Random fact #14: Saying goodbyes remain to be the most difficult thing I've endured. 

16. MY SISTER IS GOING TO HAVE A BABY!

>Random fact #15: *tear* *sniffle-sniffle* I'm going to be an aunt :') 

17. Dangerously came close to crossing over borderline-crazy-cat-lady. 

>Random fact #16: Official update- I remain cat-less and only tolerant of the fuzzy creatures. 

18. Saw the Piano Guys in concert! 

19. Between work and school the "-ember" months are really just a blur... 

>Random fact #17: I currently cannot remember what I did for Thanksgiving...

20. Began Kid's Club ministry at the local elementary school. 

21. Wrote and directed an interpretive movement for the Christmas night at Church. 

22. Led the Christmas choir at four different nursing homes. 

23. Had my wisdom teeth removed. 

24. Had the easiest, most relaxed Christmas EVER. Literally, my whole family stayed in pajamas all day. No guests, or fancy intricate meals. Just movies and ice cream. 

25. Officially ended my two-year employment at the wonderful McDonald's. 

26. Gained 21 college credits!

27. Spent so many moments drinking coffee and mountain dew and eating licorice and jelly beans while watching movies with my bestie :) 

>Random fact #18: We FAILED miserably at our last attempt at an all-night movie marathon. 

>Random fact #19: ^^ one word: 6am work shifts. 

>Random fact #20: ^^^ three words, rather. 

28. Went to CANADA for the first time!

>Random fact #21: it was actually January 2-3. But that isn't of importance. 

>Random fact #22: IT WAS WITH CAMP FRIENDS. 

>Random fact #23: 'nough said. 

29. Began piano lessons with a new teacher! 

30. Purchased my new CAMERA!!!! 

>Random fact#24: I can't leave lists on odd numbers other than 25.

>Random fact #25: After my first year of CollegePlus, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I cannot wait for what the next year brings. 

And with that, my two-thousand and fourteen is complete. 

Blessings, dreams, and inspirations,


Goodnight, 2014.

Refuge Ranch 2014- CHANGE

Change. 

What a full word that can be...

Recently, I returned to one of my favorite places: Refuge Ranch. A beautiful, dear home set in the mountains of a small town in Mexico. For this third trip, I had the joy of joining with a group of nine other brothers and sisters in Christ to serve together at the Ranch. 

How did this trip differ from the other two? Simply because of the friendships the were formed between the members of the group in such a short amount of time. To see the way that God worked through each of our individual talents, then unified us to allow tedious tasks to be completed, was awe-striking. It was something I had never experienced before. 

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

What has changed since the last time I was there? Definitely growth. Not only in the flowers and trees, but the children are growing bigger. Their faces are maturing, hearts softening, and their roots are deepening. Two of the children that were in my English class in 2012 came up to me and saying all of their new English vocabulary words! They were speaking sentences, not only sentences, but were showing confidence in their ability to speak English. Compared to when they would hardly speak to me in Spanish before. 

Talking about Spanish... God abundantly blessed me with recall of the Spanish I learned in previous years. That transparent wall that separated me so sharply before was finally shattered. I held conversations, I taught, I laughed, and I understood all in Spanish. This language that was once foreign to me is slowly becoming homely and normal. Even now, after I have returned to my life in the States. 

Change... what else has changed? 

There is a looming emptiness that feels like hope. There is a constant reminder of reality that constantly reminds us of redemption. After making a visit to the cemetery at the bottom of the mountain, these words flowed. Whether they make since to you, the reader, or not, I wish to share them. Just to give a glimpse into an effect of change... 

But what has change brought?
It has brought others to Christ. Changes have changed lives. It has strengthened in the nights and bought hope every morning. Change has brought hope, and hope has pointed over and over again to Christ. We are just passing through this land, to know that our eternity is still ahead is the hope that we all cling too.

What change did our group make in our time at the Ranch?

Cleaned the music shelves and organized the sheet music binders!

Sorted the bookshelves! 

Helped pour the foundation for the new house!

Alphabetized medicines for the medicals crusades!   

And I, once again, was able to teach and work in school. Studying practice tests with the students, giving spelling tests, practicing flash cards, and giving English lessons were a few things that occupied my time in the schoolhouse.

Change was also made when we had a ladies' night and served the seven ladies that are full-time staff. We mimicked that act of Jesus when he washed the disciples feet by painting their nails and giving them manicures. Afterwards we had a time of testimony and prayed with each other. It was truly a time of blessing and encouragement, not only to the staff, but also to the team. 

After 10 days of serving, cleaning, organizing, teaching, playing, befriending, speaking a foreign language, and living in a foreign community, the time came to return to our own homes back in the States. Each member came from a different walk of life, and each member brought a uniqueness to the group. I believe that the Zaragoza family was blessed by our visit, and I know that our group was changed by our time there.

So... How was I changed?

I was able to see change from an outside perspective.

One of the major projects was to clean out the warehouse. Everything you see in this picture was piled in back of the warehouse. By cleaning it out, we sorted the good, the bad, and the expired. Then by sweeping and making new shelves, we returned the good.

But when everything was exposed, it made an ugly mess, and it was vulnerable. Being the rainy season, we were worried about rain, so we wanted to make a covering for all of it. Finding a holey tarp, some people spent a large amount of time using duct tape to repair it, and even more time trying to string it above the large pile. Only to find that when the rains came, that tarp was just slightly short of successful.

A lot of times, when change happens, issues of the heart are exposed. God sometimes uses new seasons, or new situations to 'clean out' our hearts. Those issues are brought to light and may become vulnerable.

We don't like to be vulnerable.

We don't like to be exposed.

We become fearful of storms ahead, so we use holey, duct taped-repaired tarps to make a covering. But what if God wants to use those storms to cleanse us? What if we let those storms rid us of what is bad and expired, and see what is strong enough to endure the storms? What if we trust God through the vulnerability?

Take the time to read 2 Corinthians 4:

4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Thou, dear sister, excellest them all

 Grace adorned her hair

Each whisp

A reminder of God’s faithfulness

Peace glistened from her skin

Every hug

She embraced with friendship

Long suffering streaked her cheeks

Each tear

Fallen with obedience

Wisdom arrayed her lips

Every word

Was filled with loving truth

Kindness enthroned her tongue

With each tiding

She esteemed all others

Gentleness were her hands

Every encounter

She handled with steadfastness

Endurance marked her feet

Each step

Taken in the will of God

She wore the robes of strength

Joy were her coverings of tapestry

And love were the pearls about her neck

Still,

Above all this,

Her fear of the Lord beautified her

Every day

She trusted in the hand of God

Her children rise up and call her blessed

Her husband also,

And he praises her.

Give her of the fruit of her own hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

In loving memory of

Kay King

She battled long and she battled hard.

Blessed be the name of the LORD. 

Scripture taken from Proverbs 31 KJV

New Beginnings

How does one simply organize thoughts in a manner of understanding to communicate to an unknown audience? 

How does one return to writing after being incapable for the past year? 

Where does something end, and another begin? 

~~~

Welcome to Inks, Impressions, and Ivory, the place where I share my thoughts of the world through my eyes. I don't know you, and even if I do, I don't know you at this moment as you read these words. I may go the rest of my life not knowing you read this, or you might have gone your whole life with never knowing I wrote this. Either way, it is of little consequence. But rather, the importance should be spent on the moment now, as I write, and the moment then, when you read.

My moment now, is that of contemplating things past, and of things present; trying to join them in a common place for a new beginning. Why a new beginning? Well, why not? I know it is a little late for a 'New Year's' theme, but I still seem to be in that mind set. Not of New Year's resolutions, but just pure excitement for a new year and what it will hold. I have just begun college studies, my eighteenth birthday is soon arriving, my God is ever teaching me, and my ideas, thoughts, visions, hopes and opinions are slowly forging from a little girl's mind into those of a young adult.

I have started on my college adventure with CollegePlus, a distance, accelerated learning program that helps students gain their accredited bachelors degree without debt, gives them the freedom to work at their own pace, thus allowing students to pursue other interests, and giving them coaching and guidance to prepare them for the next steps of life.

Saying this, the gap between homeschooler and college student was just short of definable. I didn't have the stress of being accepted into a university or institution. I didn't hang the acceptance letter on the fridge. I didn't spend the summer shopping for new cute things for a dorm room. I never had an orientation, or peppy thing to do with a student body. I didn't have the moment of saying goodbye to my family on the day of move-in. And I didn't have to worry about finding the right buildings on time on the first day of classes. Nope.

So now, as I sit here, typing, eating a ham sandwich in a quiet kitchen, I embrace this moment. I have chosen to make this my defining moment.

Krista, welcome to the college years.

~~~

Just keeping writing in this moment, and not worry about their moment. 

Realize it's time for a new beginning. 

Right here.