End Of A Chapter, Or End Of A Book?

     Today was a milestone in preparation of my journey. This day marked the end of classes at Sinclair Community College. As I walked out from class I felt, scared, exhilarated, a bit sorrowful, and most of all, glad to be done with ALH 104.
     The reason for feeling a bit scared is, well, Sinclair has become a home of sorts. When I needed a haven to study, relax, meet up with friends, and get Starbucks, to the main campus library I would go. It's became a familiar friend. Moving into the unknown is a bit frightful. Many memories were made at SCC, and I believe I grew up a lot while attending classes.
     I felt exhilarated because I have the opportunity of a life time. Really, how many people are able to say at twenty years old they moved across the globe to learn more about Jesus? God has blessed me beyond what I ever though possible. While serving in a different land has always been a strong calling, I always wondered if it would really happen. Now I'm getting a chance to learn how to effectively serve, share, and bless others!!! :) My hearts desire is to glorify my risen Lord by serving, and sharing Him with others, no matter what the cost.
     Sorrowful, because I'm going to miss out on so much time with friends and family. Morgan, Tanner, and Vienna will grow up so much while I'm away. Friends will move on in life. Carson will be taller then I, when I get back. Over time things change, and if I'm not around to experience the changes, it will be different when I arrive home.  Nevertheless, this is what I want to do. This is what God blessing me with.
     Never have I had a class I was so ready to be done with. ALH 104 is the most boring class I  have ever taken. As much as I love to learn new things, this class was just not interesting. So, as I walked out of class, I felt super glad to put it behind me. I felt like my IQ would start to go up, simply because I was out of the dull, time-wasting class. Yes, it really was that bad.
     I have started to wonder, is this the end of a chapter, one that may be returned to in the future, or is this the end of a book never to be opened again? I don't know what God has in store next. Maybe I will get done at IGo and finish my education, or maybe I will go serve somewhere indefinitely, or perhaps, I will go back to IGo and do an internship. Right now I have no idea what is next, and I'm surprisingly okay with that. As much as I want to be a nurse, I want to follow my Father more. Probably, I say that over and over, but its what He is teaching me, COMPLETE SURRENDER!!!

The journey begins in...

34 days!!!

Freedom

     Life. In one word so many things come to mind. Life is breathing, eating, sleeping, working, and for most of us FREEDOM. Yet, so much more is associated with these letters. What about service, care, love, faith, hope, joy, they are also part of life. Beyond that there is stress, studying, school, family, friends, shopping, sorting, checking off lists, paying bills, packing, exercising, and again FREEDOM.

     Last weekend, for the first time, I was truly made aware of what life looks like without freedom. It was heart wrenching, tear jerking, and life changing. We all hear about slavery in school, in the news, and in great literary works. Nevertheless, seeing it displayed in a museum, dedicated to sharing the plight of those once in and still in slavery, gives a whole different look at the tragic, money making industry of human trafficking.  

     A few weeks back I was told that Mom, Dad, and Carson wanted to take me away for the weekend. They wanted me to come up with a fun way to spend our time. I have always wanted to spend time in Cincinnati down by the river so, to the city we went. After some research I found the Freedom Center. This museum is the most saddening museum I have ever been to. It started with slavery back before the Civil War, and ended with slavery that continues still today. 

"There is a spark inside all of us to stop slavery, fan the flame"

FREEDOM CENTER 

The eternal flame

The museum is built right across the river where many freedom seekers crossed 

This was an amazing quilt like thingy. A lady, who is still alive, made it to represent her families lives in slavery. 

She put the Emancipation Proclamation on it, as well as September 11, 2001. It is an amazing work of art.

"DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN"

This is the only slave pen still around. Most of them were demolished after the war. They were called a pen because no one wanted to admit the slaves were human. The slaves were considered animals that were to be exchanged for money. Going inside that building brought tears to my eyes. It was really used to store men, women, and children. 

I'm not an art person, but there were some AMAZING works portraying the lives of slaves. This one starts in Africa, and ends in the grave.  

The slaves who were granted freedom had to wear these tags saying they were free.

     What broke my heart more than anything was the modern day slavery exhibition. Yes, slavery was ghastly before it was Abolished in 1833 (England), and 1865 (USA). However, nothing breaks my heart more then the men, women, children who are still living in bondage. There was a sign that said "the United States is one of the worlds busiest destinations for sex traffickers. 

We don't see it, and its all around us 

     As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to tell others about the FREEDOM He offers. Here are just a few verses in the word of God about FREEDOM. 

"So if the Son sets you FREE, you will be FREE indeed."

~ John 8:36

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM"

~ 1 Corinthians 3:17

"For you are called to FREEDOM, brothers & sisters. Don't use your FREEDOM as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

~ Galatians 5:13

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim LIBERTY to the CAPTIVES and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at LIBERTY those who are OPPRESSED, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor".

~ Isaiah 6:1-2 & Luke 4:18-19

    The way the above verse is lived out is found in Matthew 28:19-20 & Mark 16:14-18 

"Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

     How are the captives going to be set free, the blind given sight, the lost saved, the poor taken the good news, the oppressed given FREEDOM if someone does not GO? How is someone going to go unless they are sent? We all have a part in seeing those in captivity brought to the wonderful thing called FREEDOM. Not just physical freedom, but also the real FREEDOM in JESUS CHRIST!!!!! 

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of who they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”

~Romans 10:14-15a

Changing Times

     I walked into Boston Stoker in Englewood just now. Glanced over at two girls talking, and much to my shock was one of my besties from High school. We have had no contact for years. Seeing her got me to thinking about how things change.

     Last time I saw this dear girl I was a confused teenager. Now I'm an adult seeking after the heart of Christ. When we were together I was still trying to understand the call I was feeling. Today, it may be hard but I know what I'm supposed to do with my life. 

     There is nothing I can do to slow time down, and really I would not want to. My time here on earth is so short. Its a tiny dot on a huge line. During this flash of time I get the choose what I do. Who will I choose today? Joshua 24:15 says, "Choose this day whom you will serve". I choose to serve the Lord God Almighty!!!!! 

Adventures with Marcia

     I have found a new friend. Perhaps, it would be better to say I have renewed a very old friendship. When I was eight I took a trip out west with Grandpa Lavy’s. Marci and I spent much time together during this trip. Still to this day I remember the fun we had.

     However, time moves on and its hard to stay connected when you live on opposite sides of the country. We never did a good job of staying in touch. When I found out about this trip I was looking forward to spending time with Marci again.

     What a blessing she has been. From bringing me sprite when I was so sick, to laughing until tears spilled down our faces, the time has been joy-filled. I’m finding we have more in common then I would have thought. Mayhap, we get it from our Boone blood! :)

     I’m sure Marci is going to have many stories to tell on me when we get home! Stories like my melt down over a paper snake, eating hairy creeps, cutting off a car and bus…in the same night, fish spa yelps, and drinking the most amazing smoothies ever. Needless to say the memories will be many.

Trying to be calm as our feet and toes were surrounded by FISH

Yes these really are fish eating our skin cells

Died peeps in the market...I wanted to bring some home for Mama, Morgan Beth, and Tanner Brandt

The Hairy Creeps were soooo yummy! :)

I think they are crepes with sugar cain

Yummy smoothies...

...With our Crepes

     Please keep my friend in your prayers. She has been serving here in Thailand for a year. The time has come for her to go back to the states. Pray that her transition is smooth and that God gives her the grace she needs for the many changes. God is totally able to help her through this time! Also pray for Martin’s as their wonderful helper and friend goes home! 

The Hungry, Hungry Crocodile

     One of my favorite books growing up was called the Hungry Caterpillar. It was about a little caterpillar that ate and ate until he was so full he made a bed and went to sleep. When he woke up he was a beautiful, beautiful butterfly. Before I left for Washington I bought some games for the children to play on the plane. One of them was called the hungry caterpillar game. Lacy has had lots of fun with it! What fun to share some of my childhood memories with these kiddos! This post is called the Hungry Crocodile because of one of the photos below.

     Today we went to the Chaing Mia Zoo. It was only a few dollars for each person to get in. Unfortunately, everything inside cost extra. There were even a few animals we did not get to see because it cost more! What a bummer that the panda bears were one of these animals. 

The skyline is simply beautiful!

I have ALWAYS called them Koala Bears

They are really cute animals

I think I would love their schedule...they are only awake four hours a day

The globe...Asia was up...not the USA

This think was very smelly

A rabbit dog?

In awe of God's creations

Goats

Little tiny monkeys that were so cute...I thought about bringing one home in my pocket

The real monkeys at the zoo!

He just laid there with his mouth open waiting for something to fall in. I decided he was truly the hungry, hungry crocodile. 

Darling baby elephant

A real live Hippo. I have never seen one in real life

Bebe

They really do open their mouths all the time!

Polly want a cracker? 

All the closer I got to a panda

I am going to miss my girls!

     I have loved going to the zoo ever since I was little. In fact, grandma and grandpa M get a zoo pass every year for their grans…this year I did not get to go because of class. However, before I left for Washington they made a special trip and took me, Corrie, and Melanie to the zoo! It was so much fun!! God has blessed me with a wonderful, loving, Christ-following family.