Kisses From Katie: Introduction

I never meant to be a mother. I mean, I guess I did; not right now, though. Not before I was married. Not when I was nineteen. Not to so, so many little people. Thankfully, God's plans do not seem to be affected much by my own.
I never meant to live in Uganda, a dot on the map in East Africa, on the opposite side of the planet from my family and all that is comfortable and familiar. Thankfully, God's plans also happen to be much better than my own.
You see, Jesus wrecked my life. For as long as I could remember, I had everything this world says is important. In high school, I was class president, homecoming queen, top of my class. I dated cute boys and wore cute shoes and drove a cute sports car. I had wonderful, supportive parents who so desired my success that they would have paid for me to go to college anywhere my heart desired. But I loved Jesus.
And the fact that I loved Jesus was beginning to interfere with the plans I once had for my life and certainly with the plans others had for me. My heart had been apprehended by a great love, a love that compelled me to live differently. I had grown up in a Christian home, gone to church, and learned about Jesus all my life. Around the age of twelve or thirteen, I began to delve into the truths of Scripture. As I read and learned more and more of what Jesus said, I liked the life-style I saw around me less and less. I began to realize that God wanted more from me, and I wanted more of Him. He began to grow in me a desire to live intentionally, and different from anyone I had ever known.
Slowly but surely I began to realize the truth: I had loved and admired and worshiped Jesus without doing what He said. This recognition didn't happen overnight: in fact I believe it was happening in my heart long before I even knew it. It was happening as I explored the possibility of overseas volunteer work, it was happening as I took my first three-week trip to Uganda, it was happening as I fell in love with a beautiful country full of gracious, joyful people and immense poverty and squalor that begged me to do more. It was happening in so many ways, and I couldn't deny it. I wanted to actually do what Jesus said to do.
So I quit my life.
Originally, my quitting was to be temporary, lasting just one year before I went to college and returned to normal, American teenager life. But after that year, which I spent in Uganda, returning to "normal" wasn't possible. I had seen what life was about and I could not pretend I didn't know. So I quit my life again, and for good this time, I quite college; I quit cute designer clothes and little yellow convertible; I quit my boyfriend. I no longer have all the things the world says are important. I do not have a retirement fund; I do not even have electricity some days. But I have everything I know is important. I have a joy and a peace that are unimaginable and can come only from a place better than this earth, I cannot fathom being happier. Jesus wrecked my life, shattered it to pieces, and put it back together more beautifully.
During the first few months I lived in Uganda, in fall of 2007, I wrote, "Sometimes working in a Third World country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eyedropper." Today, it often still feel s that way. I have learned to be okay with the feeling because I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. I can change the world for fourteen little girls and for four hundred schoolchildren and for a sick and dying grandmother and for a malnourished, neglected, abused five-year-old. And if one person sees the love of Christ in me, it is worth every minute. In fact, it is worth spending my life for.
Many days, I am still overwhelmed by the magnitude of the need and the incredible number of people who need help. Many days I see the destitute, disease-ridden children lining the streets in the communities I serve and I want to scoop up every single one of them, take them home with me, and feed and clothe and love them. And I look at the life of my Savior, who stopped for one.
So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian. I can do only what one woman can do, but I will do what I can do. Daily, the Jesus who wrecked my life enables me to do so much more than I ever thought possible. People often ask if I think my life is dangerous, if I am afraid. I am much more afraid of remaining comfortable. Matthew 10:28 tells us not to fear things that can destroy the body but things that can destroy the soul. I am surrounded by things that can destroy the body. I interact almost daily with people who have deadly diseases, and many times I am the only person who can help them. I live in a country with one of the world's longest-running wars taking place just a few hours away. Uncertainty is everywhere. But I am living in the midst of the uncertainty and risk, amid things that can and do bring physical destruction, because I am running from things that can destroy my soul: complacency, comfort,  and ignorance. I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy.
Jesus called His followers to be a lot of things, but I have yet to find where He warned us to be safe. We are not called to be safe, we are simply promised that when we are in danger, God is right there with us. And there is no better place to be than in His hands.
For as long as I can remember, one of my favorite Bible verses has been Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." I used to believe it meant that if I did what the Lord asked of me, followed His commandments, and was a "good girl," He would grant all my desires and make my dreams come true. Today, this is still one of my favorite passages of Scripture, but I have learned to interpret it in a totally different way. It is not about God making my dreams come true but about God changing my dreams into His dreams for my life.
Today I am living the desires of my heart and I cannot imagine living any other life than the one that unfolds before me day by day. But believe me, I am by no means living my  plan. I thought that I wanted to go to college with my high school boyfriend, get married, have a successful career and children, settle into a nice house down the road from my parents, and live happily ever after. Today I am a single woman raising a houseful of girls and trying to teach others the love of Jesus in a land that is a far cry from my hometown and my culture. This is not a life that I dreamed up on my own or even knew I had desired. I am watching God work, and as I "delight myself in the Lord" by doing what He asks of me and by saying yes to the needs He places in front of me, He is changing the desires of my heart and aligning them with the desires of His. As I go with Him to the hard places, He changes them into the most joyful places I could imagine.
It sounds beautiful, adventurous, even romantic in ways, right? It is beautiful. And the crazy thing is, it is so simple. Don't misunderstand; it is not easy. But it is simple in that each and every one of us was ultimately created to do the same thing. It will not look the same. It may take place in a foreign land or it may take place in your backyard, but I believe that we were each created to change the world for someone. To serve someone. To love someone the way Christ first loved us, to spread His light. This is the dream, and it is possible. Some days it is excruciatingly difficult, but the blessings far outweigh the hardships.
I have absolutely no desire to write a book about myself. this is a book about Christ. This is a book about a Christ who is alive today and not only knows but cares about every hair on my head. Yours too. I cannot really even pretend to fathom that, but I know it is true. I know this is true because I have seen it so profoundly in the very short amount of life that I have lived. I have seen it in extraordinary  miracles and in moments so mundane that they are easily overlooked. And that is why I am writing this book. I am writing on the chance that a glimpse into the life of my family and me, full of my stupidity and God's grace, will remind you of this living, loving Christ, and what it means to serve Him. I am writing with the hope that as you cry and laugh with my family you will be encouraged that God still uses flawed human beings to change the world. And if He can use me, He can use you.

(This is an amazing video, you should definitely take the time to watch it. You won't regret it! I absolutely LOVE what she says at 2:30! SO amazing, and true!)



So, pretty much when I read that introduction of the book, I was like wow! I already love this book. And as I've been reading it each night (I'm now on chapter 6), I can see that what she said in the introduction was true. It's not a book about her. It's a book about Christ. I loved the part about Psalm 37:4. If you remembered my story about Mexico, that was a huge verse for me around that time, and I just love what she said about it, cause that's what I had to learn about it, too!
 I can so totally see myself being Katie Davis someday in the future... Doing something like she's doing. I sometimes wish I could hop on a plane right now, and go to wherever God lead me to go, and just serve... Be His hands and feet to the hurting and broken people in this world. And although, I may do that someday, right now I feel called to serve the people that surround me each and everyday, each and every week. I feel like I need to be faithful in the small things right now that God has given me to do. If I'm not faithful in those things (things like getting to bed on time, getting up at a reasonable hour, so as to have time to spend time with Jesus), then what makes me think God is going to give me a bigger task in the future? If I'm not even willing to be where He wants me to be, and do what He wants me to be now, how can I expect Him to send me somewhere different in the future? Luke 19:17 says, "And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." That's what I need to focus on right now, so that I will be prepared for whatever God calls me to do in the future! (:

Mexico Missions Trip April 2012

Okay, so here goes about my Mexico Missions trip in April 2012! A couple of the pictures are a little bit messed up, I was getting very annoyed at them, for they were not cooperating, and decided to just leave them how they were, seens how they were being very stubborn and pigheaded! :P I also wanted to write captions, but that just wasn't going to work either. :P Oh well. Hopefully you will enjoy seeing some of the pictures anyways, and maybe I'll do some more another time, or have a video up. We'll see! :) Here goes...

For those of you who prayed or thought of my sister and I while we were on this trip... I greatly appreciate it, and it means a lot. So, I want to tell you guys all about it! So, I'm going to go through each day, and tell you what we did that day (maybe not every little detail, but you know...yeah!). First I want to say something real quick. As some of you probably know, I never had a Facebook... I never really cared for one, wanted one, whatever (not that there wasn't ever a time where I thought it would be neat to stay in contact with some friends, but you know what I mean). I felt like there was so many things that were not really good, and I knew how time consuming it was, etc. I think that many people use it in a stupid way, and post bad things. I knew that it could be used in a good way, and I had seen good things come out of it, but I still didn't ever get one. Well, when we came back from Mexico, my sister and I thought it would be really neat to be able to stay in contact with some of the girls (as well as other people) that we had met down there. We talked about it a lot, and it wasn't just a quick decision. When I prayed about it, what I felt God say to me was "Keep yourself pure, and manage your time wisely." So, we both got one. We have been able to find some of the girls we met, and I actually talked to one of the girls (my "buddy" from one of the days, which I will tell you more about later) on chat about a week or so ago. It was so neat to be able to do that (even though I had to use google translate, so I hope I was saying everything correctly. :)) When I saw she was on, I said, Hola Madizzon! :) And she said olaaaaaaaaaa :) kmo estas k sorpresa. Then we said a couple more things, and I told her that I was going to put the pictures of her and me on FB. She was like siiiii!! So, I did. And she commented on one of them and said, yo iagual kmo olvidarte. When I looked it up on Google Translate, it said something about forgetting. I didn't know what it meant, so I said, olvidar, por que? (Forget, why?) And she said, jamas te olvidare. When I looked it up on Google Translate, it said, "Never forget you." I was so touched by that! It almost made me cry! I was so happy. :) I asked her if she liked the pictures, and she said she did, very much. :) So, anyways, I'm sorry for going on and on, but I wanted to share that with you, cause I loved that!! :) And, I don't know if you could tell, but I miss Mexico sooo much! I want to go back there (and I will say more about that later, as well.) :) I've also talked to Madizzon again, and one of the other girls, Lesli. :)

So, we stayed at the Church on Friday night, like I had told you we were going to. The girls were going to try and do an all-nighter, but they finally fell asleep between 1:30-2:00. For me, however, it was a different story. I wasn't able to fall asleep, at all, and all I wanted was to get up and leave! :) It was the longest night of my life. It did, however, finally end, and we got up around 4:30, ate some breakfast and left at around 4:45 in the big bus, headed to the airport. :) When we got there, we went through security, and did all the other stuff you normally do when you fly (this was my first time doing all this, so it was a whole new experience for me). We had to wait for a little bit before getting on the plane, but not too long. Then we boarded, and were off. I slept for a while, as this was a pretty long flight. We landed in Dallas Fortworth around lunch time. Our layover was a couple hours, so we ate lunch at McDonalds, and walked around before flying again. The second flight to Monterrey, was not as long (only about 1 hour and 15 minutes).  

When we landed, and passed all that we needed to, we found Lonnie, (my Youth Pastor's brother, who works with Back2Back and the people that were with him ), and headed to the campus in a big bus (coming out of that airport, it was SOOO hot. It was crazy)! When we got there, it was about time to eat, so we unpacked, ate, and then met together as a team (in the "Palapa"), with Hope (who we would be "debriefing" with each night), and talked about what we would be doing that week, what were our biggest fears, what we hoped to accomplish, got our devotion booklets, signed up for "kitchen duty", as well as a couple other things. We then just hung out that night (some people played basketball, swam, or just hung out and talked), and went to bed. [there were also 3 ladies from Ohio, and another guy from Ohio that joined us, as well on the trip... Back2Back just hooked them up with our group, since they were only individual people who wanted to come, but it would be a better price, and more worth it to the Back2Back staff if they came with a group. The ladies were really nice, and I'm glad we got to meet them, and serve alongside them!]

       

Sunday morning we ate breakfast, had our devotions, and small group time, and then had a tour of the Back2Back campus. We then got on the bus, and traveled to one of the children's homes about an hour away for a Church service, and some work projects (every morning, we left the campus at about 10:00, got on a bus, and traveled to where we were going, which was between 45 minutes and an hour away). When we got there, all the kids came running up to the bus. They were right there, ready to greet us as we stepped off the bus, shake our hands and say "Hola." It was so cute. So, we had a Church service, which consisted of some preaching and music (the kids sang a song in Spanish for us, and then we sang Mighty to Save to them in English. At one point, the people there were singing "Here I am to Worship", and they were singing it in Spanish, and we started to sing it in English. It was the coolest thing ever, it was so neat! Even though we were both singing in a different language, we were both praising, and bringing glory to the same God, our Creator, and He understands every word! That was amazing!) After the service, we ate lunch outside, while the kids ate lunch inside. (every day we pretty much had the same thing for lunch; Ham and cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, Oreos, and apples, which those who were signed up for "lunch crew" would make in the morning, as well as pack everything we would need). At some point during lunch, the kids were coming out, offering us some of there food, and persisting that we take it (they REALLY wanted to share with us). One girl took me inside and got me some tacos (that were REALLY good). One of the staff members then shared a little bit about that children's house with us, and then some people painted while others played with the kids. (I didn't paint that day, but played uno with a couple of the girls, Lala, and Lupita, and talked with a couple of the older girls). A couple of the girls from our team, knew some spanish, so they were able to translate a little bit for us, but you know what? Playing uno... even though we spoke a different language, and couldn't really understand each other... It wasn't that much of a barrier. I felt like we were able to communicate... We laughed, and just had so much fun! So, before we left, they had some Mexican candy, that they all wanted us to try... It was different, but some of it was good. We then left, and headed back to the campus. Each night, we pretty much did the same things (we ate, then had "debrief" time, then played basketball, soccer, or something like that, swam, hungout, talked, and then went to bed). During the "debrief" time, we would all tell our "picture of the day" (something that stuck out to us, and that we always wanted to remember), hear our schedule for the next day, and a couple other things. Also, Sunday night, we planned some things for my sister's 18th birthday (which was Monday). We decorated the kitchen, and made some cards and stuff.

                                                

So, Monday morning, we all sang Happy Birthday, and told Susanna something that we were thankful for about her. Then we ate breakfast, had devotion and small-group time, and then headed out in the big bus (that's what we did every morning). When we got to the children's home, we split up into a couple groups, some of which would go and work on building a chicken coop, and some that would cut and stack wood. After that, we ate lunch with some of the kids, and then again split up into a couple groups, some of which would do some more work, while the others would go on the ropes course. We only had time to do one rope, but that's okay, it was cool. I wasn't sure I wanted to do it, but was glad I did. What it was, is you would get in a "harness", be clipped to a rope, climb up the tree, and jump off a small platform, and try to grab onto the "trapeze" above your head (the rope was behind you, instead of in front of you, which would usually be normal for something like that. So, when you jumped, you couldn't hold onto the rope). So, that one was called the leap of faith. It was likened to our life... Sometimes you feel like you want to take control, and feel like you want to help God (Grab the rope), but you must let go, and take the leap of faith (jump!), trusting that He knows what's best for you, and will lead you in the right places (trust that the rope will catch you and you won't fall). That was really cool. So, then, we did some jump roping with the kids, before the guys went and played soccer with some of the boys, and the girls made bracelets with the girls. Some little boys were there too, and were playing with this bubble stuff (that one of the ladies had brought), that I'm not sure what it is, but they all loved it! :) One of the girls there, Michelle, seemed like she was really sad, and she didn't really smile that much. So when we left, I asked Lonnie if I could give her a heart rock (a guy we know from around here where we live, makes them, and he gave me about 25, and told me to give them out... to people that I thought it would mean a lot to them; they have a cross carved into them), and he said I could. I went up to here, and gave it to her, and she smiled, and said thank you. I hugged her, and said "adios, Amigo!" I thought it was really neat, and that was my picture of the day. :) So, then we left, and headed back to the campus. :) (and did the normal stuff we did each night). One of the nights, I'm not sure which one, one of the Hope program parents (which you can probably read more about online somewhere), and his kids came and shared some stuff with us, and asked us some questions. Also, one of the nights Beth Guckenberger (the lady who started Back2Back) shared with us.

 

Tuesday morning. (we're moving right along here) :) We did the normal morning routine, and headed out to what they call the "Rio 3" (people from Back2Back are the only one's that call it that... if you were to ask for directions to the Rio 3, no one would know what you were talking about). Rio 3 is a ministry area of service by Back2Back Mexico. It is a community, that is very impoverished. A while ago, there was some sort of storm, and all the houses and everything were wiped out completely, and had to be rebuilt. It was really sad to go there, and see all the houses that were basically built out of whatever the people could find (and it also smelled bad down near the river), and yet it was very humbling to see the people/kids, and how happy and giving they were, even with so little, and living in such conditions as they were! So, after the "tour" and hearing a little bit more about it, we came back to the Church (that Back2Back has provided...they are still working on it; we did some work on it, as well), and ate lunch. Then we served some of the kids lunch that had just came out of school (they have a school right there, as well). We then sat with them, and just interacted with them while they ate. Then Mimi (one of the girls from our group) shared her testimony, and Cameron, (one of  the guys from our group) shared the gospel using a wordless bracelet (Black, Red, White, Green and Yellow), and then we passed out the bracelets (they had made a bunch at Snow Camp in January). Of course the kids loved getting those! We then did some activities with them (singing, then painting nails, coloring, blowing bubbles, making bracelets, legos, soccer, etc.), while some of the others from our group did some painting in the Church. Then we went out to serve some food to the people of the community. They had some plates made up, and we took them out on trays, and went from door to door knocking on them, passing out food and water until it was all gone. When we got back, it was pretty much time to leave, I think. I have one story I want to share from this day that was so cute! When we were doing the songs, we were all in a big circle, and at one point, I was next to a small little girl. I got down on my knees, so I could be level with her, and when I did, she got down on her knees too! I almost laughed. It was sooo cute, and something I will remember in my memory forever! Also, all the kids loved taking my camera and taking pictures! They were all so adorable (and then they liked to look at the pictures they took). :) So then we said our goodbyes, and headed out. As we were leaving, I looked out the window, and one of the little girls, Kimberly, was waving. I was almost in tears! She had a huge smile on her face, and I think she was just so grateful that we took time to come and be with her, and I believe she had a great time (I took a picture of her waving, that you will see sometime). Oh, how I miss those kids! :) So, then we went to a restaurant called Ell Pollo Loco. It was very yummy! Then we headed home and did the usual "nightly routine". :)

 
 

Wednesday was basically just a work day. So, it was at one of the children's homes that they are still working on (but none of the kids live there yet). When we got there, we ate lunch, and then headed to work, for pretty much the rest of the day. This was a hard day of work! Some of us were doing cement (shoveling dirt into the mixer [not hand-mixer though :b], carrying water over to it, dumping it in, putting it in the wheelbarrows, and wheeling it all they way around to the other side of the wall to where the guys were making the sidewalk), and some of us were painting, but it was some intense heat! One of the hottest days we were there, probably between 90-100 degrees. We drank a LOT of water that day. That's pretty much it for that day. That night we got to eat dinner over at Lonnie's and Angela's house (our Youth Pastor's brother, and his wife).

Merrimack Valley Baptist Church

Thursday was, sadly, our last day here. We were going to be taking a field trip with the kids that we had seen on Sunday. We were each going to be assigned a buddy, and that's who we would stick around with, and "be in charge of" all day. We went to the home we had gone to on Sunday to pick up some of the kids. So, some people got their buddies (the kids could pick who they wanted to go with, so when we got there, they were all lined up, and when they were told, went to who they wanted). No one specific came to me (I think mainly because I was in the back), but one of the staff hooked me up with a girl named Madizzon (the one I was telling you about earlier, that I talked to on Facebook). She was 14, so she didn't need as much  "watchful guidance" as maybe some of the other kids did, so I wasn't with her ALL day, cause she went with her friends a couple times, but I was with her some of the time, and really enjoyed the time we got to be together! So then we went to a different children's home (one we hadn't been to yet) to pick up a couple more kids. While we were there we ate lunch (we had also packed 40 "happy meals"; one for each child. [they each had a ham sandwich, an apple, chips, and a cupcake] So, we had made them up earlier at breakfast while we were making our lunch. It took a while to make them all, but it was fun, and well worth it.) While we were at this home, I got out some bracelets that I had made (I had about 20), cause I wanted to give one to a girl (who had given me her headband, which was soo sweet!). But when I got them out, suddenly I was surrounded by kids! I was like agh! I don't have that many bracelets. But, I think most of the kids that wanted one got one, soo.... that was good. But it was so funny! It was like, I get out the bracelets, and all of the sudden you think you have become a huge magnet or something! :) Anyways, then we got on the bus (we got to ride with our buddies), and headed to the park. It was a HUGE park. Literally, it was sooo big. A couple of the kids played kickball, while others did sidewalk chalk, some painted their nails, some did bubbles, some painted/drew, some played soccer, some just hung out and had fun, some did skateboarding, some of the kids chased ducks, and other stuff, as well. Then, we all went to a different area of the park, where you could rent bikes. We had to wait for a while, since it opened at 4 instead of 3 (like they thought), but then we went for a bike ride. You could go anywhere you wanted, you just had to be back by a certain time. I started out riding with my buddy, but then she got going really fast (and I was watching out for another little guy who's chain kept falling off), and I never saw her again that day! I was so sad that I didn't get to say goodbye, but I have hopes of one day seeing her again! :) So, then we went back to where we originally were to collect all our stuff, and say goodbye. That was the toughest part, because I knew we were saying goodbye for the last time, and weren't going to see them again (any time soon, anyways)! One of the girls, Leslie, and her friend (who I'm not sure her name, but I want to find it out), hugged us over and over saying "God bless you, God bless you" (she could speak a little bit of English). When my sister, Susanna gave her some of the bracelets she had made (she didn't really have a chance to give any out, so she gave them to Leslie, and told her to give them out to anyone who wanted them), she was so happy! She again, hugged us over and over, saying "God bless you, I love you forever! You guys are my new best friends! I miss you forever!" It was all I could do to keep from crying! It was so heartbreaking! :'( When we got on the bus, our Youth Pastor told us to take some time, and just pray for the kids, our buddies. At that point, I was crying. Later that night, after dinner, we had Back2Back market shopping. (Lonnie's wife, and some other people go out and buy things from different places, and then sell it on the campus, so we can have souveneirs). We didn't get as much as we would have liked (cause we didn't bring enough money), but we did get something for everyone in our family, which was good (and they all loved it)! :) The last night there, was the normal routine, although before going to bed, I tried to do some packing, since I knew we would be leaving early the next morning. 

Friday morning was our last breakfast, some pictures, very sad goodbyes, and heading to the airport on the bus. The rest of the day was just flying, heading home. The first flight was good, but when we were in Dallas, we had to go through all the security again, which means we had to wait in line (and it was a very long line). Time kept ticking, and it was getting so close to our flight's departure time, and we were still in line. The time was already passed when we were going through security (and at this point we are all hoping and praying that we wouldn't miss our flight, and have to camp out in the airport or something). One of the teen guys from our group ran ahead though, and I think saved us all. He asked the lady if they could wait a couple minutes, cause he had a group of 20 coming. They called the plane and asked, and they were very hesitant, but finally gave in, and said okay, we'll wait-but only 5 minutes. Yes! Praise the Lord for that! I was so thankful! :) (now those of us who were on the plane were happy, but praying for everyone else to make it in time). We all were able to get on the plane in time (although it was just barely), and settled back for the long ride home. We arrived in Boston at around 8:00pm, gathered out belongings, and got on the bus for the ride back to the Church where our parents were to pick us up!

So, that's pretty much it! I'm sure there are tons of other little stories that I could tell you, and if I ever think of one, I will definitely let you know! Anyways, I think what struck me the most while we were down there, was just how joyful and giving the children were, even in the situations they are in. They have practically nothing, yet they give so much! And they are so happy (not that every kid is happy all the time, but I'm sure you know what I mean). It just really hit me hard. We have so much, and yet we are so selfish! We are always wanting more, and never wanting to give up anything for someone else. It's really quite sad. Anyways, I wrote the story about me getting to go to Mexico, and how I thought the Lord might be calling me to work with Orphans on here a little while ago (and if you haven't heard it, you can go and read it http://www.setapartgirl4christ2.blogspot.com/2012/02/missions-trip-to-mexico.html"Here ). Well, I really believe I got my answer while we were down there. I believe with all my heart that He wants me to work with orphans in some way or another... So, I believe His answer was yes! And, although I can't be 100% sure yet, where it will be, I believe I may have something to do with Back2Back in my future. I honestly can see myself living there and working down there (but, of course, it's nothing about me, and all about my Saviour and what He wants from me)! 

But, I'm just so happy!! ♥ I cannot explain the passion I have for orphans, and how much I miss Mexico, and working with the kids each day. It was just such an amazing experience, that I think everyone should take advantage of, if they are able of course, in their lifetime. And even though I'm writing all this to you, and you get a glimpse of what it was like.... It really just doesn't compare. You really need to do it yourself to fully grasp what it's like! :) 

The week after coming back was difficult for me, I think for many reasons. For one, I think you expect a huge change in your life or something, and that's not really how it goes... It takes time. Change just doesn't happen overnight. I also think it was hard, because of the situation in regards to my family. Coming back to a family that is broken and falling apart was very hard, especially after coming back from a time, where you practically were with all your teammates the whole time, and they were like family to you. A lot of different emotions were packed into that week, but it's past now, and there are new struggles and emotions every day, but I am trying to have a joyful attitude, knowing God is right here with me. :)

So there ya are, I hope you all enjoyed reading it! Have a great day! :)

Love In Christ, Karissa

P.S. 

I just wanted to let you all know about an awesome giveaway over at the Duggar's blog. (http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/giveaway-prize-your-choice.html"Here ) If you are chosen as a winner you get a choice of what prize you want. You can chose one of these three things: 

1. The Duggars: 20 and Counting (1st book)
2. A Love That Multiplies (2nd Book)
3. $15 Amazon Gift Card

This giveaway is open to anyone and everyone.

So, what are you waiting for? Get on over there and enter! I know I sure am! :)

Psalm 37:4-5

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.