This past week Wendi, Alisa and I lived with the Madesto family in a barrio that is within a short walk from our home on the Nueva Vida missionary compound. We have been visiting the Madesto family for about two months now, and last week they welcomed the three of us into their home for five days. I feel as though I could write paragraphs upon paragraphs about the genuine sense of hospitality they showed us or the joys of living in a home with 23 Nicaraguans but I honestly don´t feel like elaborating on any of those topics right now. As much as I feel alive right now, I am also...

As I sit in a quaint cafe sipping freshly brewed coffee I find myself in a position of complete vulnerability and wavering emotions. This is a small look at my heart and the present circumstance that has led me to a deeper evaluation of the woman I am and the life I am moving to leave behind. At the beginning of this week I recieved some news that would challenge a hidden desire and hope I have been clinging to for many years of my life. A hope that rested on a wrong belief. This belief was centered on a goal that was unattainable and unrealistic. I don't know about...

I am a bird.  There's nothing special about me.  I’m just a regular bird. I was born with brown and white feathers and an orange beak. Regular size wings.  Regular size body.  At one time I couldn't fly too high or I would be scared, and I couldn't fly too far or I would get lost.    But all of that changed when the storm came.   I have always remained close to my family.  I love them and respect them.  Of course, they are the ones that taught me how to fly.   I learned throughout my short life that all the other birds...

"In the cradle of His Arms" Screaming was heard throughout the delivery room. I was finally out my mother’s womb. In nine months I had grown into a healthy baby. The nurse gives me to my dad, and my dad's eyes were brightened with joy and pierced with love. All of sudden his world had stopped and now his world was right in the cradle of his arms. His purpose was to take care of me, to watch me grow, and my purpose was… well let’s just say to be just like him. Months had passed and while I desired to be in my dad's arm and not have a care in the...

One sunny Sunday morning I was driving my family to church in our old worn-down minivan. I'll have to admit that It's not my first pick of transportation. Sometimes its an embarrassment to be seen in. I stopped at a stop light, lost, needing to ask for direction. There was no one in sight. The road signs passed, and the compass spun. Every turn I took would lead us right back where we had started. Every piece of input given would cause more chaos and confusion. Yield signs, green lights, yellow lights, red lights, pot holes, helpless pedestrians, incorrect GPS's, nothing...

So, it’s Wednesday morning and I’m currently sitting in a coffee shop. We had bible study here this morning, which I was thrilled about. It’s so chill, being here makes me feel like I’m back in the states, music, coffee and pastries. But the pastries here are much better here than in the states, that’s beside the point. As I was thinking about what I’d blog about, (since it’s been so long) I recalled this little note I’d saved on my computer. The one you’re about to read, but at the end of my thoughts I put some italicized quotes from...