Costa Rica Mission Trip Day 1

Hello friends!  Here's some details from my first full day (Monday) in Costa Rica!

{Written in my journal Monday, typed and posted Tuesday}

Woke up at 5:30 am to some crazy motorcycle driver outside.. The driving here is absolutely insane, pedestrians don't have the right of way, there are no street signs, the list goes on!  One of our leaders through 6:8 Ministries (Chipper) actually says it's one of his favorite things about Costa Rica...it's an adventure, I'll give him that!  

After getting up and getting dressed (maxi skirt and t-shirt :) I went downstairs to get some coffee.  Now, at home, I'm actually not particularly a coffee drinker.  But Costa Rican coffee is super fresh!  I'm already completely addicted.  It's actually farmed right on this mountain near the place we're staying!

These pictures show the view outside of our giant garage-door-window thing upstairs!

After breakfast, we did a prayer walk around Alajuelita.  The craziest thing I saw was a place called Café Tal.  It was a coffee farmin field back in the day, but now, it serves as a center for a dump, drug dealing, and prostitution, as well as a place for homeless people (many of them here in Alajuelita) to get some cover from the rain under the plants.  In the words of Alix, one of our leaders, "coffee plants have a good structure to hide things".  Empty lighter fluid containers were strewn everywhere...we were told that it's not even for getting a "buzz" or anything like that; it's to die faster.  Our leaders here in Costa Rica have known many a person who has passed away due to drinking lighter fluid.  It was, by far, the darkest place I've seen in my entire life. Heartbreaking. Google it, learn more, and PRAY for the people's safety in the surrounding areas, and of course, the people who are directly involved in the goings-on of Café Tal, Alajuelita.

The rest of the prayer walk was eye-opening as well.  We prayed over many wonderful churches and schools, including the Catholic Church here in Alajuelita.  In every single Costa Rican city, there is a beautiful ornate cathedral right in the center of every single town.  About 75% of the country is Roman Catholic.  It is interesting to see the kind of impact this has on the culture!

After returning to our house and eating lunch, we headed to a local market to buy five bags of fresh frutas for some families in Verbena.  Basically, Alajuelita is the ghetto of all of Costa Rica, while La Verbena is the ghetto of Alajuelita.  It's like the projects.  This neighborhood (el barrio) consists of slums made from whatever scrap materials that can be found: plastic, small boards of wood, or tin.  I really don't have words to explain how different it was from anything I'm used to... However, these kids are the happiest, most joyful kids I've seen in my life.  These women (almost always single moms) are the strongest people I've seen in my life.  I had a blast praying for them, blessing their homes, and giving little children piggy-back rides.  I also got a lot of Spanish practice, which was awesome!  I would consider day one a complete success!

(Here's me with one sweet little Tica Amiga) 

Tomorrow, Wednesday, I'll share about my experiences today, Tuesday!  Hope that isn't too confusing!  Anyways, love y'all, and I appreciate your prayers so so much!

Caroline :)

Finals Week, Freshman Year

Just a little update:

Ooooookay well this has been a super crazy week!  6 major tests in 4 days?!  I'm pretty sure I spent more time studying in this week alone than I did in all of middle school combined...haha!

PTL it's over!  Today was my last day of ninth grade year. Summertime is upon us and I am officially NOT a freshman anymore!

I'm leaving for my Costa Rica mission trip in two days.... I can't wait!  We are going to Alajuelita, just outside of San Jose.  This is the poorest part of the country with a 65% unemployment rate and 70% high school drop out rate.  Our team is going to be visiting schools and orphanages and telling the youth about Christ, so they can have true hope for their future!  Prayers would be greatly appreciated! :) 

Jeremiah 29:11 in the message translation says "I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."  I think it's uncommon for people to be able to get it through their minds that God knows more than we know...especially about ourselves.  His plans will always be greater than ours, and he knows the exact path to lead us on in order to reach our destinies.  In Costa Rica, I want to be able to show the little kids that even though they live in rough conditions, a hundred times worse than what I'm used to, and they don't know what it's like to feel safe, God has a perfect plan for their lives.  In fact, he's promised it. He gave us his word, literally, and he will come through with it.  All we have to do is have faith and trust him!

Anyways, that's my little rant!  God bless, and I'll talk to y'all after I return!

Caroline

Stand Up, Stand Tall, Stand Out

Stand Tall.  That's a word I've heard from God my whole life.  Now I'm 5'1" and have definitely noticed he didn't mean it literally!  Bummer!  Hahaha.

However, although it wasn't in his plan for me to be able to wear maxi skirts without getting them altered or look normal height in flats or ever be taller than my little sister, "stand tall" has played into my life in so many different ways.   I'm not sure who first prophesied that phrase over me, but it has constantly been relevant.

To me, to stand tall means to not be afraid to be different.  We, as God's children, are called to be different!  Diane Grant said "It's better to walk alone, than with a crowd going in the wrong direction."  This is soooo true... I want to be the kind of girl who speaks up and stands up for what is righteous when everyone else is silent and motionless.  I'm not called to be passive!

Not only do we stand up for what we believe in, we stand tall.  Passionate, strong, with everything we have.  We do NOT try to hide it, we are not ashamed.  There's a difference in those who quietly whisper "I am different" from those who shout "I AM DIFFERENT" from the rooftops without caring if people disapprove, only caring if God approves.

What if Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego hadn't stood up for the Lord?  They would be forgotten in history, just a few guys who weren't anything special.  The fact that they refused to be the same as everyone else and worship the idol as the king had ordered makes them STAND OUT.  They stood up, stood tall, so now they stand out.  That's how it works.. We make a stand for something, we stand for it strong, and then we will stand out as children of a King.  

“People of all nations, races, and languages! ⁵ You will hear the sound of the trumpets, followed by the playing of oboes, lyres, zithers, and harps; and then all the other instruments will join in. As soon as the music starts, you are to bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. ⁶ Anyone who does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Daniel 3:4-6

This decree was made, and those three dudes knew in their hearts what was right, and they contradicted that king to obey the true King.  The threat of the blazing furnace was carried out, so Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were expected to be burned alive.  Instead, the angel of The Lord appeared in the fire, and King Nebuchadnezzar and his people could see four figures in the furnace instead of three.  God delivered the guys completely unharmed, and because of their faith, the king realized the greatness of God and lead his people to praise the true Lord instead from then on.  How incredible is that?  Because of those three, a whole nation is saved.  That's how I want to be...I want to be someone who will walk into the fire trusting that God will deliver me from it while also teaching others about salvation.  I am called to STAND TALL, just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

-Caroline

SUMMER IS APPROACHING

3 more Mondays until school's out and we are free! SO SO SO ready...

I'm missing summer of 2013 way too much.

It began with graduation: we attended my not-really-brother-but-basically's high school graduation... yay Ryan!  

Then came his graduation party... here's some pics.  I love this one of my dad and me!

My sister's birthday is in June, and we took a few of her friends out to a resort on Lake LBJ in Marble Falls! Sooo fun!

Ivy and I had a little photoshoot in the pretty Texas sunflowers with my second mom, Marisa Rickerson.  She did such a great job!  It was lots of fun :)

I had a blast with my friend Mary-Catherine on vacation to Virginia and Washington DC!  Here are some of the highlights.... our first plane ride without an adult accompanying us, fun car rides with her sweet little brother, Blake, and DC CUPCAKES!  YUM! Yes, they make gluten-free!  Also, we had a lovely little excursion to a restaurant called Founding Farmers... it was a true adventure that can't possibly be explained here. It deserves it's own blog post sometime! Haha!

After returning from VA & DC, I headed to church camp! I had a great time, overall perfect experience.  Can't wait for this year!

Following youth camp, I sat in the car for the long 13 or so hour drive from central Texas to a lake in Alabama where my family spent one relaxing week of fishing and wakeboarding and tubing.  On this same trip, we went on the world's longest garage sale! We also drove through West Monroe, Louisiana, so of course we had to take a picture at the Duck Dynasty headquarters!

 

It was a crazy busy traveling summer!  But I wasn't finished vacationing yet... my friend Anna (also pictured above in the camp photo) took me to Orange Beach, Alabama with her fam!  One day we got so super sunburnt that we were addicted to aloe vera for the rest of the week!  Hahaha memories!  We vowed to take extra good care of our skin this summer...hopefully we live up to that!  Ironically, this sunburn selfie is the only picture I can find from that whole trip!

Anyways, I guess my purpose for this post is just to reflect on last year's amazing summer.  I'm praying that this one can be half as good!  

Happy Summer wishes, y'all!  We can make it through the end of the semester!

Love love love,

Caroline

"He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy" Job 8:21

Slamming Insecurity

You wanna know something I hate?

"Woah Caroline, hate's a strong word..."

I know, I know, but this is something I really really can't stand and it deserves to be hated.
Starting off a little harsh today, aren't we?

YES! Yes we are, y'all.  INSECURITY. There, I said it.  INSECURITYYYYY.  It's absoulutely positively from the devil.  Apparently, 70% of teenage girls struggle with it in some way...
"I'm not good enough"
 "I'm ugly" 
"I don't measure up"
"Nobody likes me"
"I'm weird/an outsider"

FALSE.  INCORRECT. If you're a child of God, then you should know that you're absolutely  beautiful according to the One Who Matters.  I mean, YOU'RE A PRINCESS!  Or Prince, of course!  Our Father is King!

The other day, I got a text from one of my best friends who has been struggling with feeling unhappy and stressed for a while now.  She told me that she thought she had discovered the root of her problems....it was insecurity.

"But then I realized that I AM WHO GOD MADE ME! God doesn't make mistakes! And I can't compare myself to other people...because...well they aren't me!"

That's what my bestie said about it, and she's SO right!  Isn't that awesome?!  God created us.  Who are we to say something HE MADE WITH HIS OWN HANDS isn't good enough?!  He's the supreme, perfect artist, so everything he makes is just how He wants it.  WE are flawless in His eyes.

In fact,  it's not okay to feel like we are undesirable, because it's not even about us.  In a perfect world, an insecure Christian wouldn't exist because we would really understand and believe God's word and what it says.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 NLT)

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalms 56:8 NLT)

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin ? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT)

Why would we choose to disagree with God after hearing what He says about us?

MIRACLE

Hey y'all!

"He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you." Psalms 91:4

"I will make you well again; I will heal your wounds..." Jeremiah 30:17

These are the promises I gripped tightly to this past weekend!  My God is my Savior and my Deliverer.  He DID cover me and protect me.  He IS healing me.

Y'all wanna hear the story? Here it goes:

Our last day in Lake Tahoe was BEAUTIFUL and we decided to rent some bikes and ride around the lake.  Of course, I end up leading the way excitedly with my family behind me.  The bike trail in front of me made a sharp 90 degree turn that I wasn't ready for, so I ended up biking down a flight of concrete stairs, flipping over and slamming into my handlebars and the railing, and tumbling down a cliff-type thing the rest of the way.

I'll spare you the details, but there was soooo much blood and I remember honestly not knowing if I was going to be okay and even make it.  Suddenly, lightbulb moment, I thought to myself, "Wait, of course I am.  I've got Someone with me right now who is shielding me and hugging me, keeping me safe."  I knew He had it covered.  It's His desire to heal and restore.

After an ambulance ride, seven stitches for my forehead gash, CAT scan, neck stabilization, concussion diagnosis, pain medication, and blood cleanup, I was able to leave the emergency room.  I'm so so so grateful it wasn't worse, because it easily could've been.  Praise The Lord!!!

I would sooooo appreciate prayers for a fast recovery and a stress-free school experience.  Love y'all, and so does He!

Caroline :)

lovely thinking

Hello darlings!

Today, I saw this picture on an Instagram post and was inspired.

May seem like just an uplifting quote, but it's SO BIBLICAL.  Do y'all know how true this is?  God desires for us to fill our minds with lovely, pure, and true things.  Satan wants the opposite... he'd give anything for you to think only on hateful, dirty lies.  I don't know about y'all, but I wanna do what God wants for us, and kick the devil to the curb.

As the Message version puts it, we should think "on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philippians 4:8)

Please don't spend time thinking about horrific things, or gross things, or unclean things.  I definitely struggle with anxiety, so sometimes I find myself stuck in a rut of thinking about all the things that could go wrong in a situation, or all the bad, nightmare-ish things that could happen to me or people I love.  Our Father hates that; He hates to see us worried.  Instead, fill your mind with good things, like how perfectly your Savior loves you.  Or how incredible your Lord's kingdom is.  Or how powerful His grace is, and how it covers anything and everything as long as we love Him and put our faith in Him.

Later in the passage, the bible gives us a promise: "Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:9).  This is from the Message version again, and I love how beautiful and poetic it sounds. But to simplify it a bit... In the NLT translation it says "and the God of peace will find you".  So, basically, back to what the quote says, good will find us.  God is the ultimate good!

I definitely think that my generation struggles with this sooooo much.  Teenagers have so much access to evil, right at their fingertips.  Technology makes it easy to lie and be sneaky, drugs are a bigger problem than ever, and everything has been sexualized and perverted to a point of destruction.  We need a spiritual revival, and personally, I think changing our minds to think in a lovely way will do it.

DON'T think about how that girl made fun of your outfit in front of everyone in 2nd period.

DON'T stress about how terrible you think you are because you probably failed your geography test.

DON'T fill your mind with worries about the kidnapping that happened yesterday in the next town over.

DON'T think about the boy who made nasty, degrading comments about you.

DO think about how someday, we will see our Father face to face.  We will get to touch Him.  And we will praise and worship him, in person.  There will be no tears, no worries, no fears.  It will be beautiful.

DO think about how even though He's not physically with you right now, you have His Holy Spirit inside you. How insanely incredible is that?! I have a part of The Lord inside me.  Wow!  He loves us that much!

Stay positive, y'all!  Anytime you catch yourself thinking about something the devil would want you thinking about, shoot it down and think Godly thoughts.  Be a WARRIOR in your thoughts!

Much love and encouragement,

CJ