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Reflection.

Dissection.

Reasoning.

Sifting.

Restructuring.

Purification.

Clarity.

Healing.

This process of "what was", to "why it was", to "how is it now", to "how will it be", is something I think we all need to go through: and believe it or not, this can happen with God as the center of it all. We can ask the "why's" and even the "why me's" and discover ourselves all while asking God to be the center of our focus. We can revolve these moments completely around Him by referencing scripture, praying, as we dig deeper into who we are and why we are who we are.

I think it's so incredible that while God wants us to be followers of Christ and live Godly lives, that He wants us to be the unique individuals that He created us to be. It takes me back to the "one body, many parts" section of scripture that talks about us all being different, and how those differences work together to create one body: a unity that, without the diversity would serve no purpose.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ" (1 Cor. 12:12). "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body" (1 Cor. 12:18-20).

Individuality is discovered through a true, honest evaluation of self. We need to dig through the muck and grime of our pasts, resolve the hurts, the regrets, the pain, the unforgiveness, and the guilt and the shame before we can truly take on His breastplate of righteousness - and believe that we are forgiven.

It is definitely not an easy road to take, but it is far more rewarding than to continuously make the same mistakes and open the door to the same hurts over and over again. God has blessed me with an amazing support system so that I might take this road less traveled and find myself along the way. But most importantly I'm finding more, and more... and more of Him along the way: and He is the whole reason I began searching in the first place.

From the Mind of a Writer...

As I float around or "blog surf" through my friends' pages, it seems that there is a common theme popping up here and there which made me laugh, as I am experiencing the same thing: writer's block.

I guess for me, it's situational though, as I could pretty much write about any one of many things I have going on in my mind these days. No, my writer's block has more to do with a song that began flowing from my heart as I played a chord progression on my guitar the other day: I just picked it up and began playing, and what came out of my mouth as I began to sing along with it was none other than my heart speaking in song. But there was only one problem. About halfway through, I lost it.

I really can't say I'm all that good at the whole song-writing bit quite yet. It's one thing to write lyrics to a song that has no melody. It's even another to write poetry that flows freely from the mind to the pen, and then back to the eyes and then out the mouth to be interpreted many different ways by the listener as he takes in each line... each word... and each thoughtful breath. But it's quite another thing to play a melody and let your heart fall into a delicate rhythm with the music; releasing from deep within you what you're feeling at that exact moment - your passions, your desires, the very essence of who you are - letting each word flow as you create a harmony of heart, mind, spirit, and sound that together will perfectly capture your soul in that very moment.

I found myself in that very place the other day: in a moment of genuine worship and reflection on my salvation, purity, and sanctification. As I picked up my guitar and began playing a simple melody that was easy on the ears, this is what came forth:

You make everything new

My heart aches for you

Take me as I am

Make me whole again

Your grace is sufficient for me

Your love sets me free

Shape me, mold me, and make me new

I desire to be like you

If I could reach up

and touch the sky

I would

If I could take my Fathers hand

and walk for miles

I would

Then it happened: ROAD BLOCK!!! The unfortunate part about this process (for me anyway), is that while I'm in that mode, I absolutely CAN'T be interrupted, because if I am, I lose it. So, I lost it. So now I'm massively frustrated because this is the cry of my heart, and I want to get back to that place so I can finish this thought, and in turn, finish the song.

But the silver lining in all of this, is that as I go through this process, I'm beginning to refine my skills on the guitar, which in turn, makes it easier (and more fun) to write music, which in turn, helps me to release all that is within me through song, which results in a very.happy.Stephanie. See? It's all very cyclical.

So while I'm suffering from writer's or... song writer's block, I pray that I continue down this bumpy yet gratifying road because while yes, it can be frustrating, it can be oh-so-cathartic at the very same time: and everyone could use a little *purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension*.. from time to time.

* Webster's definition of "catharsis". Isn't God cool?

A Thank You Letter

A letter to a lost soul who I pray will one day be found...

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I have written so many letters to you that you have never seen, that it almost seems futile to write yet one more pouring my heart out to you: especially considering that no matter what I say, you won't change for me. Worse yet, you won't change for yourself and the betterment of your own life, or for God.

I have discovered you to be the most arrogant, insensitive, manipulative, and controlling human being I think I have ever met; and unfortunately for me, despite the constant stream of disaproval from my friends and family, I let you in. I let you in, and I let you destroy me.

In the beginning, I really thought you were something. I really thought you were this amazing person who I could TRUST. I thought you had a heart of gold, with everyone else's best interest in mind. I thought you had it all going for you : and I couldn't have been more wrong.

I don't know who you think you are. Really! I just think back sometimes on what once was: the way you talked to me... the way you treated me... how you manipulated me time and time again: all while keeping me at arm's length. All while putting me down, discouraging me, and holding me back from being who I really am.

I wish I could tell you to quit hiding behind that mask of yours: to let down your guard, realize that you're NOT the authority figure that you think you are in people's lives, to let go of the control, and humble yourself before the Lord, but I can't. You are so stubborn, that there is absolutely no way you would listen to me anyway.

But what I really wish I could say to you, above and beyond what I could say to you for your own benefit, and the benefit of others, is that YOU HURT ME. You hurt me beyond anything that I EVER thought I would allow from ANY MAN. You were downright TOXIC for me: and I deserved so much better than you. I really did. I still do! Now more than ever I know that I deserve so much better than anything you could have ever given me. While the initial shock of it all has passed, when I really think back on your arrogance, your decietfulness, and your manipulative nature, it still makes me so angry. I just really don't understand how one human being could be so heartless.

But I want you to know that regardless of how much you hurt me, and how I agonized over you for the past couple of years, that I still pray for you. I pray that God will humble your heart: that He will bring you to a place of complete and total submission to Him and His will, so that you can begin a healing process of your own that will bring about a resolution to your childhood that makes you the man that you are today. I pray that you will be set free from the spirits of control, manipulation, and anger that have bound you so tightly for all of these years.

I just pray that someday you can become the man that still, deep down inside, I know you can be: and in the meantime, I pray for myself, that I'll eventually be able to forgive you and be able to finally come to terms with it all. I have already become a stronger woman on account of this experience:

* When once you shattered my spirit, I am now more confident.

* When once you broke my heart in two, I finally allowed GOD to repair it.

* When once you made me believe I was worthless, I now know that I am priceless.

* Where once you stood in the gap, now NOTHING stands in the way of me and my Lord.

* Where once you made me lose all confidence in men, I now know that there is a man out there waiting for me who will treat me with the love, respect, and adoration that I deserve: and I will settle for NOTHING less.

Thank you for being yourself and not holding back from me: I learned who I was in the process. Thank you for mistreating me: because in the midst of that darkness, I learned that I was worth so much more. Most importantly, thank you for pushing me away: because as I left you in my most vulnerable state, I found God waiting for me with open arms.

His Forgiveness

Did you ever do something that, at the time you thought was a good idea, but after you really sat down and thought about what you did, you felt totally and completely the opposite of good about the decision you made?

I'm pretty sure that I can safely assume that every single person who reads this will answer with a resounding, "YES!!"

It truly amazes me how immediate gratification seems to cloud our better judgement so often: it's as if common sense takes a first class flight right out the window when we're faced with something that will provide us with temporary feelings of satisfaction.

In the Garden of Gethsemene, in His final hour, Jesus said to His disciples,

"watch and pray so that you will not fall into tempation. The spirit
is willing, but the body is weak" (Matthew 26:41).

The body is weak indeed! We as Christians, even in our daily efforts of striving to be more Christ-like, stumble.

"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault for what he says, he is a perfect man" (James 3:2).

We fall into traps set up by the enemy in our daily lives.

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

Spiritual warfare is all around us, and we have to stand strong and be ready for every temptation that we might face.

The beautiful part about all of this though, is that even if we do stumble, God is there to catch us and help us back up to our feet so we don't fall:

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he
stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand" (Psalm
37:23,24).

This tells me, that if I'm delighting in the Lord and I am otherwise staying within His will, He will lift me up if I stumble! There is serious comfort in that, isn't there? This doesn't mean that we can deliberately sin or go against God, but if we do for some reason trip over our own two feet, which will undoubtedly happen over and over again in this life, He will be there to lift us up!

I also take comfort in the fact that the Lord uses our mistakes as a tool to teach us lessons, as well as others:

"...Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help
those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).

I love that our God uses even the things that we are ashamed of to lift us up and bring us into a greater place of understanding, and a closer relationship with Him. Did you ever notice that when you do something that you know was displeasing to God, that you find yourself in a place of mourning if your heart is truly in the right place? We tend to engage in serious prayer and supplication over our wrong-doings which is exactly where our hearts should be if we have sinned against the Lord: and it is in these times that the Lord takes us in our humble state and refines us:

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold
and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold
Pure gold

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be Holy
Set apart for you my master
Ready to do your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within.

Praise God that even in my sinful times, He loves me enough to hold me near to him like a small child, wiping away my tears, teaching me right from wrong, washing all of my fears away.

God IS good!

So What Does It All Mean?

The Sunday after we returned home was okay for me: I was surrounded by my church family and all my new friends from my trip. Everyone everyone was so pumped for me that I was able to experience serving the Lord like I did: and they all wanted to hear all about it. I couldn't really talk about it as much as I would have liked at that point, because there was so much to process, and I was having a bit of trouble readjusting to being back in the states. But the one thing I did know, the one thing I responded with when asked, "so how was your trip?!" was simply this: "It was amazing. I'm going back."

One person in particular that I talked with that day, Andy (who happens to be one of the most amazing men of God that I know), told me that within 3 minutes of talking with me about my trip, he could tell that my heart was still there. I agreed.

So he asked me what I'm going to do about that.

I began to share with him about the all the temporary missionaries on staff there (for generally three to six months at a time) that I got a chance to talk with rather extensively about thier assignments: picking thier brains, for lack of a better expression, to figure out how I might do the same thing. Unfortunately, as I told Andy, this could very possibly be the most ridiculous idea that I've ever come up with. Going back to Jamaica for... months? No way. I couldn't afford it! I'm too old! My parents would kill me: they'll tell me that I have bills to pay! I'm generally not this spontaneous... but there's something about the idea that's just drawing me in.

Andy reminded me of something that I apprently had forgotten about: or worse yet, I didn't give God the respect He deserved in acknowledging that He could do such a thing: he told me that if God wants me to go to Jamaica, He'll soften my parent's hearts. He'll work it all out.

I went to my parent's house later that afternoon, and decided to delicately bring this up to them: to test the waters and see if this was even going to be an option for me. The responses that I recieved literally floored me. My mom simply said, "well, I've kind of known for awhile now that you'd eventually be a missionary someday in some capacity or another: so if this is something that you need to do to get your feet wet, then more power to you." My step-dad asked, "how long would you go for? How would you afford it?" I told him likely three months in the fall, and I would have to raise the funds. He pretty much shrugged his shoulders and said okay.

Stunned is the only word that I have for what I was feeling at that very moment: and the affirmations kept coming in like a flood.

Anyone who I talked to about this: family, friends, mentors, were all incredibly supportive of this idea. Monday morning I couldn't stop crying: I was crying for what I left behind. I cried for all the children I couldn't spend time with anymore. I cried because of how messed up everything seemed here at home: how mixed up our priorities here suddenly seemed to me. I was experiencing a bad case of the "re-entry blues". I called my roommate to do lunch as a way to get my mind off of my miserable-ness momentarily, and while we were out together, I shared with her my desire to return to Jamaica for a few months. I really was expecting her (my very logical, grounded rooommate, as well as one of my closest friends) to tell me that I was crazy. She said, "Stephanie, you have always been a dreamer: and I'm pretty good at deciphering what you are and aren't serious about: what will and won't actually be carried through. I have to tell you: I think this is one of the best ideas you've ever come up with. I absolutely think that you should go. GO!"

Again. Stunned.

Hula Doula told me that while she and her family were praying for me one night, that her daughter began praying me back into Jamaica before they had even known that I was considering it. Friends all over the place were praying for me on this very issue, as was I: with a fervency and passion that I almost forgot existed in prayer. It all started to come together as I prayed: the simple fact that I didn't want to leave, that stirring that I felt while still in Jamaica, the the revelation in the bus on the way to the airport, the endless prayers over the past year for the possibility of mission work in my future, as well as the confirmations from all my family and friends: all signs seemed to be pointing to ---> GO!!!

I think the clincher was when I had called down to the City of Refuge (after I had sent an email expression my interest in coming back and not recieving a response) one afternoon. I had left my favorite Bible there, and was hoping that I would at the very least be able to talk to thier receptionist: from what I had heard, it is nearly impossible to get a hold of anyone down there, due to a lack of consistency in thier communications abilities, as well as thier busy schedules. Well, wouldn't you know it? I got a hold of the head.missionary.himself.

So, after a short conversation (he's not much of a talker), he told me that I was more than welcome to come down, during the time that I wanted, gave me a few details, and it was settled. I'm going to Jamaica.

I'm going BACK to Jamaica for THREE MONTHS.

From that point on, it's been preparation: spiritually, mentally, and physically. Right now, I'm in the middle of filling out my missionary application which will allow me to be officially registered and insured. So, pending my application, I'm there. I'm really really there! My senior pastor and I will be getting together in the near future to go over my schedule, my budget, etc..., and I will begin my fundraising efforts shortly thereafter. In the meantime, I'm praying for favor with the world missions committee: but knowing in my heart of hearts that this is God's plan for me right now in my life, I'm sure things will go rather smoothly. They've otherwise been seamless thus far.

So there you have it! The conclusion to the "Jamaica Missions 2006 Saga": and I'd really just like to thank each and every one of you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. You all have been such a blessing to me throughout all of this, and I can't even begin to express to you my gratitude. Just know that in very many ways, you all have helped (through prayer, financial support, and your general words of encouragement) to see me through to a brand new, very unexpected place in my life. Had you asked me two months ago if I could ever see myself living in a third world country, working with children in a place where running water and electricity comes and goes at will, I would have said "absolutely not!". But now, as God has worked in me and through me and changed me in some unbelievable ways, I stand in awe; looking both back at where I once was, and now ahead of me, marvelling at what will be.

I truly feel these days like a small child hanging onto the back of Jesus' shirt while he leads the way. I've really learned lately to step aside and let Him do all the leading. I want to go where He's going: because no plans that I make could come anything close to being as fruitful, rewarding, and nearly as amazing as what He would have me carry out if I just let Him show me the way. I'm truly blessed to be following His lead these days, because without His direction, I wouldn't be going where I'm headed right now: and I'm SO excited to take the ride. SO excited and blessed.

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On a completely separate note, as I mentioned earlier, I was able to meet fellow blogger, Shenna, who came down with her daughter to see our Easter musical this past Sunday. Just click on her name and check out her site, as she has shared with the land of Blog, a detailed account of our meeting. Stop by, say hello, and see our oh-so-dimply picture together: the proof that we did indeed hang out. That was a pic from our lunch at the Red Lobster: yummy yummy seafood! Anyway, I'll make sure to tell you more of my rendition very soon!

Have a blessed Easter everyone!

I Can't Believe This...

Stupid Blogger ate my post.

Stay tuned for the conclusion with a little extra tonight.

Have a blessed day everyone!

Day 8

Hello all! Please forgive me for being so absent-minded and neglecting my blog. It's just that we had our Easter production at my church this weekend which we performed on Friday night and then again for all of our Sunday morning services. So as you can imagine, being that it was an all-out production, we had practices every night this week, and therefore, my blog suffered in the process. But have no fear! Day 8 is here!

But before I launch into that, I would just like to give a shout-out to my friend Shenna and her daughter, K, who came all the way down from her hometown to see our Easter production and have lunch with me! There were great times had by all: make sure to stop back for the play-by-play of my visit with these two wonderful ladies!

So anyway, without further adeiu, I give you... Day 8!

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Oh how I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave despite the mutant cockroaches and the "squiggly leezards".

I didn't want to leave despite the cold showers that I took all week: and yes, even despite the one that I had to take out of a water bottle on this particular morning because while there was water in the bathroom sink, there wasn't any in the shower.

I didn't want to leave because of the beauty of the landscape.

I didn't want to leave because of the serenity and peace that I found on this mountain.

I didn't want to leave because of the amazing relationships I made while I was there.

But more than anything, I didn't want to leave because I found God everywhere in this place: in this ministry, and in the hearts and lives of every person and every child that I met there. It was so hard to leave and let go of something that I never really had in the first place. I never thought it would be this tough.

The tears began to fall as I sat here and prayed for the last few precious moments that I had on the compound, thanking God for the whole experience: an experience that, rather than cherishing only a few precious moments and forgetting the rest, I would bottle up all together as one amazing and incredible moment - a moment that will have changed my life, my perspective, my vision, and my heart forever.

I think a part of me stayed in this spot overlooking this view, almost hoping, praying that I wouldn't be found: that they would forget me and I would be able to stay. But alas, I was discovered, and after a few more goodbyes with the staff, soon found myself taking one last bus trip down the Blue Mountains, heading back to Montego Bay to catch our flight home to the states.

As we made our way down, I couldn't help but feel as if I had left a little part of me behind...

And as I looked up toward the place that had so captured my heart over the last week, I realized that I already missed it: it almost seemed that there was a place within my spirit that was just not going to let go of this. It was a stirring: and at the time, I didn't quite understand it, but it would only be a matter of one day, and I would actually start to "get" what God was trying to say to me that day....

We had passed this place a few times heading up and down that mountain... I still haven't figured out what, if anything purchased from that store could honestly be considered, "Premium Quality". Yeeesh!

As we passed through Kingston, heading back towards the Fern gully, we saw more poverty that would literally make me catch my breath: it was as if it pierced me to the core of my spirit.

As we were passing more and more devastating scenes like the one pictured above, I was chatting with a friend and shared with him that I was rather disappointed: that I didn't feel like God taught me anything on this trip. And then it hit me. I looked around myself for a moment, and then suddenly turned to him and exclaimed, "I just realized what He taught me! You how people come back from these trips and say how it 'really made them appreciate everything they have here at home', you know, the conveniences, the cleanliness...? Well, while yes, I do appreciate those things a little more now, I realized something even greater about myself. I realized that I don't NEED all those things that I have at home to survive! I could happily live in a place like this, and be perfectly okay! I did it for a whole week, and to be completely honest, it didn't really phase me when we didn't have water (although I DID appreciate the showers when we could get them!), it didn't phase me that we would just lose electricity once in awhile. I didn't even mind the creepy crawlies that would have normally sent me screaming in the other direction. God showed me that I am much stronger than whatI had been giving myself credit for all along! I mean, why do I get to have all the conveniences that I have at home when these people might not even have clean water to drink from one day to the next? I could totally live in a place like this..."

It was right then that I made a connection: "could this possibly have something to do with that "stirring" that I was feeling a little ways back...?"

Naaaaah! It couldn't be!

*******************

We stopped in Ocho to do a little "speed bargain shopping", which was such a treat! "Hey pretty lady! Would you like to take a look at my jewelry? I give it to you for a veeeeeery nice price! Come on pretty lady! Come take a look!" If ever I had self-esteem issues, they were washed away with all the "pretty lady's" I recieved while shopping in Jamaica. I did discover some great finds though! I got a couple of necklaces, t-shirts, and a great jewelry box that was carved out of bamboo. Very pretty!

The rest of the trip home was rather uneventful. A couple of flight delay here, some 'customs action' there, one looooong bus ride home from Chicago, and we were packing up our cars and heading home at 2am Sunday morning.

Goodbyes are never easy: especially after spending such mass quantities of time together, and developing awesome relationships with people that you might have otherwise never known. But we did it as quickly as we could, seeing that we all had to be back to church in six hours: and it was sad. I hate goodbyes. Even though I knew I'd see them all the very next day, I just knew that it was never going to be quite the same as it was in those Blue Mountains...

... sipping some of the world's best coffee, playing with the world's greatest kids, and making some of the most incredible friendships; all while doing God's work. There truly is nothing quite like it.

Goodbye Jamaica, I'll miss you...

...but not for long...

It's Coming!

I know you're all dying to know why I haven't been keeping up with my travel journal as of late; well, to be completely honest, up until recently, business had been slow, so I was able to blog rather consistantly. But I've been a little busier, so my journaling has been suffering a bit. But have no fear my friends: day 8 is well on it's way. Keep an eye out for it either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Have a great day everyone!

Day 7

Ahhhhh, Friday. Day 7: fun day. This was a morning unlike any I had seen thus far. Even though we were allowed to sleep in today, I arose at the usual 6:30am, and decided to make good use of my time. So, I grabbed my camera and my Bible, and headed out my front door, only to realize that I was standing in the middle of a cloud. I made my way up to the veranda and found that I couldn't see a thing. But what I did notice, is that with every passing minute, the clouds would settle lower...

...and lower...

...and lower.

I was one of the fortunate few to bear witness to this unbelievable sight, and just marveled at God's incredible artistry. What a way to start the morning!

The sun seemed just a little brighter today and the air just a little more pure: maybe it was because I knew there was no work ahead of me today, rather, a lot of relaxation. Whatever the case, it was a beautiful morning. After breakfast and devotions, we had a little time to go down and check out our work. This is the door I helped make on day 4, and the guy who helped me make it. ;)

And we were able to spend a little time hanging out with the kids before they headed off to school.

We then all headed back up to our rooms to throw on our suits, pack our bags for the day, slap on a little sunscreen, and get ready for our day! of! fun! The bus arrived around 10am, and we were soon making our way back down the mountain for our fun-filled day in the sun. Well, no sooner did we get half-way down, and we recieved a phone call that we were to run back up to the compound to pick up a package that needed to be delivered to the head missionary who was working in the city that day. So, turn around we did, and we were headed back UP the mountain - another 15 minute ride.

**Now, I should point out that my incredible fear of heights that I had when I first got there; that paralyzing fear that I had of these "zippy" rides up and down the mountains that I had nightmares about before I even left for Jamaica - were gone by this point. I found these rides absolutely amazing on account of the view, the landscape: so what if there's a thousand foot drop only twelve inches from our bus's tires as we're flying down the mountain? Big deal! Seriously. God worked those fears out that week, let me tell you! God is so good!**

Anyway, so we picked up the package, and headed back down the mountain again. So we're half-way down, my friend and I are sight-seeing and enjoying the different views as we veer right, then left, down, and around, when we suddenly notice some commotion coming from the front of the bus. We're making our way into what looked like a little mountain town, when suddenly I hear our driver shout into his cell phone, "no, really- they're out. The breaks are completely gone. I'm not quite sure what we're going to do!"

Are you freaking kidding me?!

As he's saying this, mind you, we're coming up to a little bridge, and I'm having visions of that scene in the movie, "Beetlejuice", where they lose control of the car and wind up going over the side of the bridge - and DIE?!! (Yeah, leave it to my and my brain... lol) Well anyway, by none other than the miracle working power of the HAND OF GOD, we somehow manage to not hit the car that we should have totally plowed into, and stopped - a BUS with just the emergency break. THANK YOU JESUS.

Well so now we have to sit in the middle of this super scary little mountain town outside of Kingston where, only a half mile up the road, we passed a half-naked gentleman with dread-locks, holding up a machette, staring at us as we drove past. Marvelous. But again, God was watching out for us, and we wound up landing right in front of the town's police station. Surprisingly enough, though, that still didn't quite comfort me as much as I would have liked, because on the front porch of the police station, stood this scary dude that kept staring at me through the bus window and grinning. Eeeew. Luckily, we were totally outnumbered guys to girls on this trip, so there was security in that. And of course, the peace of God and His hand of protection, so we were all good. We just had to sit for a half-hour until Paul came to rescue us (unfortunately for us and our day of fun though, he had a bus-load of MAPS kids that were working at the other orphanage that he needed to drop off at the airport.)

So, after a few *ahem!* set-backs, we finally dropped everyone off, ate some lunch, and made it out to the docks where we would catch our boat to get ourselves out to Lime Cay for an afternoon of fun in the sun!

Helloooooo Lime Cay! Well... it didn't go as smoothly as we would have hoped. We got half-way there in the boat, only to: you guessed it... turn around and go back to pick up a few more people that apparently arrived right after we left. This was just... quite a day. But the wait was SO WORTH IT, as you can see, as the island was just beautiful. It was PERFECT.

We did a little swimming, snorkeling, lots of sunbathing, and had an all-around amazing afternoon!

The end of our day on the island came way too quickly...

... and we found ourselves packing up to catch a boat back to the docks before we knew it. Once we got back to the docks, we all got to rinse off, quickly dry off and change, and began our next journey through a very congested Kingston, to meet the missionaries for dinner at the finest restaurant in town (and this is no joke: this place was incredible! And it was, obviously, gated off, complete with little shops, a coffe house, and ice cream parlor. It was adoreable!)

These are the missionaries who hosted us for the week: an amazing couple: very sweet people, with incredible hearts for God.

The whole gang: celebrating our last night in Jamaica. The night was beautiful and still, balmy and tropical. We dined out on the lanai, and the ambiance was so relaxing: we enjoyed amazing food, incredible fellowship, and a lot of laughs.

After dinner, we enjoyed a variety of different ice creams and coffees out in the shop area, however, due to all of our little debacles throughout the day, found ourselves short on time. So we gathered together for a time of prayer, and shortly thereafter, headed back to the orphanage for the evening.

Once we arrived, we quickly settled in for a good night's sleep in anticipation for another long day of travel which awaited us in the morning.

Good night, Jamaica.

Day 6

Today was a day of hard work, and yet, lots of reflection on the days past... the experiences... the memories that we'd hold in our hearts for years to come...

This is by far one of my favorite pictures from the trip...

...as well as this one.


Thursday was our last day of work, so we worked tirelessly to finish all the projects we started, and to make sure that everyone on the compound was taken care of before we left. I started out the day by helping to construct a new vanity for one of the temp. missionaries who was in desperate need of anything but the blob of rotton wood holding her bathroom sink up. However, as I was working on said project, I was suddenly pulled from my post and forced down the side of the mountain by all the guys (who all knew of my fear of heights by the way), to be the second to last person in line to recieve the concrete to finish up making the stairs.

Let me tell you: I have never worked so hard in my entire life!!! I thought my heart was going to come flying out of my chest at any given moment! I don't know how you guys do it, but I think I learned that day, that unless I am in top physical condition, that I will not be doing that again any time soon. OW! But no matter how taxing on my body it was, it doesn't change the fact that it was still very rewarding, and kind of fun! (Now, ask the guys who worked on it all week how fun it was, and they may not agree with me!)

The room that we gutted on day 1 had the finishing touches put on it, because the new missionaries were to fly in that evening. Unfortunately, I don't have an "after picture", but it looked great!

In the afternoon, I helped with the vanity a little more; and only feet from where we were working, the boys were entertaining themselves outside thier dorm with a little game of swords before VBS.

My friends.

We made bracelets with the older kids for VBS today, which was much less hectic. They were able to weave words like "faith", "Jesus", and "WWJD", and they seemed to have a great time learning how to put these together! I made one that says, "Jamaica". I wear it everyday.

Love these girls. Natalee is the one on the left, and Oshane is on the right. Natalee is just drop-dead gorgeous. She's eleven years old (one of the oldest in the orphanage), and as you can see, takes her role with the other children very seriously. She has a sweetness and a softness about her that is just such a blessing to see, and I never heard her speak one harsh word to anyone while I was there. She's so precious. And Oshane. hahaha This little girl is smart and has such a curious little personality. She craves love, attention, and the spot light: if even just a little bit. This one will definitely be a doctor, or a pastor: no matter what though, she's definitely going far someday.

Scrabble was the game of choice for a few of us tonight, and my goofy little friend Lindsay of course had to put her own little twist on things, and lay down the word, "butty". When asked to use it in a sentence, she simply said, "When I walked into the room, it smelled butty". How can you say no to that?! hahaha So, she was given points for creativity.

Believe it or not, we are grown-ups. Really. But we just had to do this - it was huge! So, we were simply scaling our roach-friend with scrabble tiles to demonstrate it's enormity.

And this little guy is just one of many who would camp out outside our bedroom doors and windows at night. They're fast and "squiggly": so when a few of the guys had one in thier room one night, it was hilarious trying to watch them catch it: they move so fast!! It's on account of these little monsters that we can't sleep with our windows open - because they'd march right in and sleep with us!

After we tortured our roach friend, and blinded our "leezard" friend (as we so affectionately called them), we headed off to bed in anticipation for our "free day" at "Lime Cay": an island off the coast of Kingston, where we would spend the day swimming, snorkeling, sun-bathing, and doing a whole lot of nothing: or so we thought...