I´m sitting in a casita in Puebla, Mexico, writing this blog because I have been dying to write all day. I´m here on vacation with my childhood friend Erika Wright. We came with our backpacks, passports, and excitement for a little adventure. It didn´t take too long. We arrived in Mexico City and boarded a bus for 2 hours to Puebla. We were supposed to stay the first 2 nights with a woman named Lorna that Erika had lived with when she studied abroad. On the bus Erika told me that Lorna hadn´t returned her emails or calls in about a month, so she wasn´t completely sure she knew we were coming. I smiled and said we´d go with the flow.
Sure enough, we arrived at the bus stop, caught a taxi to the families house, knocked on the door, and no one answered. It was dark, the streets were pretty much empty, and we were two gringas with backpacks looking slightly lost. So, we walked to a main street and started looking for a bus to a downtown area where we could find a hostel. We walked for awhile and decided to go back to check, just to be sure. Knock. Nothing. Erika started yelling, "mama, mama," and by God's grace eventually disturbed the neghbors enough to come out and see what was going on. We told her, and she called Lorna´s cell phone. She found out that Lorna had completely forgotten that we were coming, and that she was with a bunch of people at a bar about 15 minutes away. We left our backpacks with the neighbor and climbed in another taxi to hunt them down. We found them without much trouble, and I just thought, 'I love this.'
I love the unexpected! I love this part of being out of my comfort zone. We got to the bar at about 10, stayed till 12, and then went to Lorna´s daughters house with random family members and friends. and stayed there until 2 in the morning. I was absolutely dying, though, of exhaustion (I had woken up at 6 to drive from Dallas), and of cold (there is no heat or air conditioning in Puebla, and the house we were in was probably 55 degrees. And I thought my dad was torturing us at 70°.) But we sat and talked about anything and everything, ate and laughed while they drank and smoked. Thankfully, my Spanish was returning quickly so I could participate and laugh with them. By the time we got back to Lorna´s house I was so tired I could hardly see straight, and it was too late to get our bags so we just went upstairs and fell asleep, no toothbrushes, no big deal. While we went to bed, Lorna and her daughter in law stayed up to start making turkey for the next days festivities. I could not believe it. The Latino culture is so great in this way. It seems totally chaotic and spontaneous to me.
Today we woke up and toured all around the city, cathedrals, markets, parks, etc, and tonight we are going to celebrate the new year with the family. Right now I am sitting in Lorna´s bedroom while her 35 year old son plays Halo on the xbox, his wife combs their sons hair, Erika eats candy on the bed, and Lorna waxes her upper lip. This is so different and fun, and good for my heart.
Erika and I have been praying a lot for the family, the town, and ourselves here. It is hard to see emptiness in a culture that is so full of life and love for their families, but both of us together have been reminding each other of His word, and praying for Eternal focus, even on this little vacation. God has been graciously giving us opportunities to love on the family, and we are praying that we would be bold to obey Him, and that His light would shine through us. We´d love your prayers.
Un beso, Abby
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
It is better to give than receive
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47
I didn't want to write this. No, I did want to write it, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to write it well enough to do it justice. But I gave up waiting for divine inspiration, sat down on my couch with a pillow and a few Triscuits, and set myself to the task of telling you all about the beauty I have been a part of this week.
Last Thursday I was out to eat with my Youth Minister in Dallas, and when I left and drove to work, I reached back under my passenger seat to grab my backpack. To my shock, it was not there. I knew immediately that someone had broken into my car and taken the bag, containing my laptop computer with pictues, creative writing, and a semester of Seminary, none of which I had backed up. In just a few moments I had lost so much! I cried, talked to policemen, cried some more, talked to my dad and a good friend, cried more, and went home. There I had some time to sit and think about what had happened.
The policemen had said to me, "It's just things. They can be replaced," and I thought, "No, it isn't just things. It's pictures and all of my creative writing, poems, stories, and my notes from 3 months of class! How can you say 'just thing?!'" But as I sat and looked over the city of Dallas and prayed and cried, I realized that I was wrong. Those are just things. Just because something is irreplaceable doesn't make it any more eternal. I lost things, that's all. As I sat there, my Lord comforted me, and I knew it was okay to be sad for awhile about the things I had lost, but never to pity myself or to let my eyes fall away from what is eternal.
I had a lot to do that night in terms of getting notes from people, emailing my professors, figuring out how on earth to afford a new computer, etc. Instead, I baked banana bread for my roommates and neighbors. Baking was good therapy, you should try it.
The next morning, just before chapel, a friend of mine approached me and told me that she, along with 6 other of my good friends, wanted to do something for me. The eight of us had been planning a roadtrip to Colorado in which we would all pile into one car and live on PB and J, stay with my uncle, and just enjoy one another. They decided to cancel the trip and instead donate the money we would spend on gas to helping me get a new computer. Instead of going to Colorado, we would plan 3 full days of community and fun in Dallas. You can imagine my total shock. I didn't want to take it, to be honest. It is better to give, and difficult to receive. I mean, I need a computer, but surely God would provide in another way. As I prayed about it I asked, "Really, Lord?! Is this how you want to provide?! These are SEMINARY students! They do not have excess money!" But as I prayed alone and with them, we decided that this was the best decision. We cried and hugged, and the joy and love in this group was incredible. Later, another saint called to say that whatever we could not pay for he would help with. How can I express how humbled I was? I can only pray, and never repay.
It was worth it, to lose the computer, and all of the files on it, to see Acts 2 lived out in these people. I lost some pictures, funny movies, some writing. But I've never taken a picture as beautiful as the love in their eyes. And I've never written a poem that moved anyone as much as the words, "We want to help you," moved me.
God has given me so much. A computer is great, but He owns everything! He has given me something better- supportive friends, the chance to go to an incredible school to learn how to handle His word better, and most imporantly, a redeemed, restored relationship with Him. I pray this story gets used up. I pray that my friends have needs soon that I can help meet. I pray that because of this, people will come to know my God. I am so in love with Him, it hurts.
May He cause His face to shine upon you,
Abby
I didn't want to write this. No, I did want to write it, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to write it well enough to do it justice. But I gave up waiting for divine inspiration, sat down on my couch with a pillow and a few Triscuits, and set myself to the task of telling you all about the beauty I have been a part of this week.
Last Thursday I was out to eat with my Youth Minister in Dallas, and when I left and drove to work, I reached back under my passenger seat to grab my backpack. To my shock, it was not there. I knew immediately that someone had broken into my car and taken the bag, containing my laptop computer with pictues, creative writing, and a semester of Seminary, none of which I had backed up. In just a few moments I had lost so much! I cried, talked to policemen, cried some more, talked to my dad and a good friend, cried more, and went home. There I had some time to sit and think about what had happened.
The policemen had said to me, "It's just things. They can be replaced," and I thought, "No, it isn't just things. It's pictures and all of my creative writing, poems, stories, and my notes from 3 months of class! How can you say 'just thing?!'" But as I sat and looked over the city of Dallas and prayed and cried, I realized that I was wrong. Those are just things. Just because something is irreplaceable doesn't make it any more eternal. I lost things, that's all. As I sat there, my Lord comforted me, and I knew it was okay to be sad for awhile about the things I had lost, but never to pity myself or to let my eyes fall away from what is eternal.
I had a lot to do that night in terms of getting notes from people, emailing my professors, figuring out how on earth to afford a new computer, etc. Instead, I baked banana bread for my roommates and neighbors. Baking was good therapy, you should try it.
The next morning, just before chapel, a friend of mine approached me and told me that she, along with 6 other of my good friends, wanted to do something for me. The eight of us had been planning a roadtrip to Colorado in which we would all pile into one car and live on PB and J, stay with my uncle, and just enjoy one another. They decided to cancel the trip and instead donate the money we would spend on gas to helping me get a new computer. Instead of going to Colorado, we would plan 3 full days of community and fun in Dallas. You can imagine my total shock. I didn't want to take it, to be honest. It is better to give, and difficult to receive. I mean, I need a computer, but surely God would provide in another way. As I prayed about it I asked, "Really, Lord?! Is this how you want to provide?! These are SEMINARY students! They do not have excess money!" But as I prayed alone and with them, we decided that this was the best decision. We cried and hugged, and the joy and love in this group was incredible. Later, another saint called to say that whatever we could not pay for he would help with. How can I express how humbled I was? I can only pray, and never repay.
It was worth it, to lose the computer, and all of the files on it, to see Acts 2 lived out in these people. I lost some pictures, funny movies, some writing. But I've never taken a picture as beautiful as the love in their eyes. And I've never written a poem that moved anyone as much as the words, "We want to help you," moved me.
God has given me so much. A computer is great, but He owns everything! He has given me something better- supportive friends, the chance to go to an incredible school to learn how to handle His word better, and most imporantly, a redeemed, restored relationship with Him. I pray this story gets used up. I pray that my friends have needs soon that I can help meet. I pray that because of this, people will come to know my God. I am so in love with Him, it hurts.
May He cause His face to shine upon you,
Abby
Saturday, November 03, 2007
The Good Life?
If some people (Brent McKinney), think that I am going to post every day my musings on life, those people are mistaken! Surely you have better things to read daily than my thoughts (try Brent's blog, the BBC news, or Till We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis)... so I am going for once a week! And that is pretty dang good if you ask me.
DTS has been good, and hard. But honestly, I am thriving here. My respect for and reverence of God's word is growing so much, and I am more convinced than EVER (in spite of very difficult questions) that I am serving the one true God, and that his Bible is inspired. At the same time, I am filled with questions about this life I am living, and how to live it WELL. There are so many needs in this world, in this country, in Dallas, in the library I am sitting in right now, that my heart hurts. Just this week I read about forced prostitution in Thailand where girls and boys younger than I had fathomed are sold into the sex trade. Later I read about how 1500 languages in Africa still have not one book of the bible. Then I think about my neighbor, a full time student who has four kids, a wife whose health is faltering, and is unable to find a job... it can get overwhelming...
"Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." My friend Bill prefers to say "in" Christ, and I think I like his revision. My heart breaks for the people in need around me, and I commit my life to loving others as best as I know how, but always, ALWAYS for the sake of, and IN, Christ. God did not create me to run around like a chicken with my head cut off "meeting needs." He created me to LOVE Him, and to love others. I cannot do the latter when I neglect the first, and furthermore, there is no joy in it.
I heard someone once say, "The only Christian leader I know of who didn't have a 'gottago gottago gotta save the world' Messiah complex was, in fact, The Messiah!" Jesus rested. He talked, he had relationships. He went away by himself for awhile. He did not life a frantic life. But lest we read this and use it as an excuse for "selfishness," let's remember his sacrifice. He created the world, and then entered into it as a man. He knit people together, and they crucified him. No, Jesus did not live a frantic life. But he did lead a life of loving sacrifice. Oh, how I long for my life to look like his! For today, the only thing I know is I must spend time with him, and pray as I try to love others well.
Please pray for me as I look for direction and guidance, and as I seek to put Christ first in all I do. Pray for yourself too! Also, please look up around you, at the woman in the checkout line in the grocery store, at your neighbor, at your children. What needs to they have? Could God be calling you to serve them by helping to meet them? Oh, how I love Jesus! If you know him, I pray you walk closely with him today. If you don't, please email or call me and we can talk, or ask someone you think might know.
I'm sorry for this being a bit preachy! It was more like "thoughts" than an update. But whatever!
May God be glorified in all we say and do!
DTS has been good, and hard. But honestly, I am thriving here. My respect for and reverence of God's word is growing so much, and I am more convinced than EVER (in spite of very difficult questions) that I am serving the one true God, and that his Bible is inspired. At the same time, I am filled with questions about this life I am living, and how to live it WELL. There are so many needs in this world, in this country, in Dallas, in the library I am sitting in right now, that my heart hurts. Just this week I read about forced prostitution in Thailand where girls and boys younger than I had fathomed are sold into the sex trade. Later I read about how 1500 languages in Africa still have not one book of the bible. Then I think about my neighbor, a full time student who has four kids, a wife whose health is faltering, and is unable to find a job... it can get overwhelming...
"Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." My friend Bill prefers to say "in" Christ, and I think I like his revision. My heart breaks for the people in need around me, and I commit my life to loving others as best as I know how, but always, ALWAYS for the sake of, and IN, Christ. God did not create me to run around like a chicken with my head cut off "meeting needs." He created me to LOVE Him, and to love others. I cannot do the latter when I neglect the first, and furthermore, there is no joy in it.
I heard someone once say, "The only Christian leader I know of who didn't have a 'gottago gottago gotta save the world' Messiah complex was, in fact, The Messiah!" Jesus rested. He talked, he had relationships. He went away by himself for awhile. He did not life a frantic life. But lest we read this and use it as an excuse for "selfishness," let's remember his sacrifice. He created the world, and then entered into it as a man. He knit people together, and they crucified him. No, Jesus did not live a frantic life. But he did lead a life of loving sacrifice. Oh, how I long for my life to look like his! For today, the only thing I know is I must spend time with him, and pray as I try to love others well.
Please pray for me as I look for direction and guidance, and as I seek to put Christ first in all I do. Pray for yourself too! Also, please look up around you, at the woman in the checkout line in the grocery store, at your neighbor, at your children. What needs to they have? Could God be calling you to serve them by helping to meet them? Oh, how I love Jesus! If you know him, I pray you walk closely with him today. If you don't, please email or call me and we can talk, or ask someone you think might know.
I'm sorry for this being a bit preachy! It was more like "thoughts" than an update. But whatever!
May God be glorified in all we say and do!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A New Way of Updating
Beloved Family and Friends,
In my ideal world, I would be able to sit with each of you, a bible, and a cup of coffee, and talk with you about what God has been doing in my life, as well as listen to what God has been doing in yours. But I am forced to give up that little fantasy, and for now I have decided to make use of technology, and update you all sporadically via posting on the web. I will still continue the once every couple of months emails, but will hopefully put up more stories of what God is doing, as well as prayer requests.
I don't like it, not one bit. Virtual communication is not my thing. But phones are difficult too. YOU, on the other hand, are important, so if this honors God and blesses you, then I'll keep it up. Hopefully it will do both.
I hope to hear from you all soon!
Abby Jane
In my ideal world, I would be able to sit with each of you, a bible, and a cup of coffee, and talk with you about what God has been doing in my life, as well as listen to what God has been doing in yours. But I am forced to give up that little fantasy, and for now I have decided to make use of technology, and update you all sporadically via posting on the web. I will still continue the once every couple of months emails, but will hopefully put up more stories of what God is doing, as well as prayer requests.
I don't like it, not one bit. Virtual communication is not my thing. But phones are difficult too. YOU, on the other hand, are important, so if this honors God and blesses you, then I'll keep it up. Hopefully it will do both.
I hope to hear from you all soon!
Abby Jane
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