Category: anecdotes

thoughts on a tuesday

These past two days have been beautiful. For some reason, my alarm is not working, but the Lord has been waking me up around 4 am to just watch as He awakens the world. What a gift.

I am thankful… so very thankful for hazy light that meets me on the mountain with morning. I drink in the dew of His mercies that are new each and every day. What great love!

With my girls in Bible study tonight, we talked about the power of the Holy Spirit. Even as I spoke it, I felt crumbled in front of such a holy, powerful throne. This Almight, Infinite Creator of Heaven and Earth who conquered death has offered to make the same power alive in my life to draw others to the Kingdom and proclaim glory to His name. What a magnificent offering!

I’m overwhelmed.

Sometimes I feel foolish for not believing that this same Lord with endless power can conquer the piddly things I fear. God IS INDEED great and can accomplish far beyond what we can even fathom. I am praying that he helps my unbelief.

Along the journey, God is gracious to give new inspiration. Music is one of those beautiful things to me. Here is an artist to whom I thank for a week of inspiration and encouragement. I’m not sure how you say his last name, but Aaron Roche has for sure earned a place on my “favorites” list.

Here’s his myspace page: Aaron Roche

I might specifically suggest the “Psalm for Jon and Erin” … if you wait til the end there is a gorgeous woman’s voice reading scripture from Psalms. It gets me every time – putting me at the feet of a tender, gray-haired woman with authority in her voice. Enjoy!

Posted on by Caroline 0

rough gets smoothed

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord directs his steps.

That’s exactly how I feel about this little hold up last Saturday morning. This week has been a huge, huge blessing.

Last night, I had several students over for some fellowship, laughter, singing, and more laughter. What a wonderful blessing! I also had time to get a few things done that I haven’t given much attention in the last few weeks.

That’s all. Blessings. In the midst of much hurt, there are blessings.

Even as I read about pain and hurt from my dear friend Chelsea in S. Africa, who just experienced great loss on her team… even then I know that God is faithful and He will not leave or forsake His children.

Oh, how wonderful that God knows the ways He will bless us even when we are completely unaware. I will indeed be on a plane on Thursday, hopefully a bus tomorrow, that will take me to the place where my family will gather, pray, and love with the precious love of Christ as we celebrate His beautiful, redemptive plan.

Posted on by Caroline 1

rough morning

Man, I’m worn out.

This morning, I started packing for our little trip to the coast when I realized my passport was not where I usually keep it. I have unzipped and dumped and opened and searched every little place I think it could be and I came up with nothing.

I have a 12 noon date with a plane bound for Iowa on Thursday and this is more than a bummer. But, as I seem to be saying all day, “You are not meant to worry about the things you cannot change.” I felt like I woke up (passed out with all my clothes on after we got home from dinner… just exhausted) and God said, “remember how you said I was good yesterday? I still am.”

Whew. I do believe He is good today. In fact, as I settle in to the idea that I’ll be around this week, I am already thinking of things I can do with this time. Write. Read. Play. Run. Crafts. Clean.

I know I’ve been asking you to pray a lot lately. I hope that’s not too bothersome for you… I really believe the prayers bless those that pray as well as those who receive.

LOVE.

Posted on by Caroline 0

What are your thoughts?

I don’t have thoughts tonight.

Well, I do, but I can not put them together. I’m going to post this very raw poem and see what happens, but what I really want is to know YOUR thoughts today. What is heavy on your minds?

What is most exciting or scary for you right now? I know that sounds creepy, but no one will answer anyway, so I have to try!

This poem came after I gave the girls Bible study today on forgiveness. We are doing a Campus Crusade study on the essentials of growth and forgiveness came the second week, after assurance. I really think the girls responded well, especially to this video we showed.

VENIA
http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=10686082,t=1,mt=video,searchID=,primarycolor=,secondarycolor=

After the video, we put on some Brooke Fraser and just let the girls write. If they needed to reconcile with God, forgive someone, or accept forgiveness, this was the time to sort it out. So, all that to say, this is my poem from that little reflection.

all my dirty laundry
out for all to see
inside turned out
busted, left with nothing

written on rags
my works torn to shreds
every vain effort
to cover up negligence

a tantamount failure
desperate as the air
escaping up into clouds
demanding a trial fair

unspeakable grace
for no reason, appears
forgiveness, a rush of
life and clouds clear

diseased and unworthy
covered, tucked tightly
a beautiful warmth
held in the grip of the Almighty

I’m reminded today of my desperate need for a Savior. Knowing of the sacrifice He made for one such as me, gratitude should echo from this desperate need.. and love flow like the best wine from this undeserved redemption.

Posted on by Caroline 2

Hooray for Monday

We got back late last night and I felt like I played catch up all day, but I don’t mind. I did kind of mind the School Board meeting/parent info session I just voluntarily attended. I was thinking it would be a little more interactive. Boy, was I wrong. But, I’m still feeling okay… I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve this week and the weekend away only made me more ornery – so watch out!

I think even the two day trip revived my spirits and gave me new energies to tackle these things set before me.

On that note, here are a few things to pray for, if you are the praying kind:

  • The women’s refuge I’ve been working with is in danger of being shut down. The government apparently thinks that it is not a good use of space. Please pray that a miracle occurs and the girls are able to stay with their kids!!
  • I just finished up a few proposals for the coming year and will be meeting with superiors this week (hopefully) to talk about future plans.
  • Our contracts are out and due within the next 10 days. I am prayerfully considering signing a 2-year contract.
  • We have had very bold attacks on health here at the school. The assistant spiritual life coordinator (and my good friend) has been waking up in the middle of the night and feeling very oppressed. We know this is spiritual warfare, can you please just pray for protection?
  • Safety in travels for everyone this upcoming week of Semana Santa. The whole week is a holiday, so students and teachers will be traveling. I am hoping to connect with some students in Tela before I make my way to Iowa for a short few days to celebrate Easter with my family (thank you Aunt Jane!).

I love you all so very much. Be blessed today and walk in the Word.

Posted on by Caroline 0

long time coming

I once had every intention to slip away once a month for a solitary prayer retreat. Unfortunately, I just have a huge pile of intentions and few weekends spent away.

Today is different. Today I’m going with a few girls to a remote bed and breakfast on a lake. We are taking a little road trip (and coming back tomorrow) – bringing books, bibles, journals, and music … and just retreating for one night.

It’s been a long time coming, but I’m sure it will be sweet. I’ll check in again tomorrow when we return!

What are you doing this fine Saturday??

Posted on by Caroline 0

Personal/Professional

The craziness of the end of quarter three is upon us! Students are pleading for extra days to finish late work, teachers are planning secret weekend escapes/grading parties, and my friend Rosa (who runs the cafeteria) is having a mad dash on chocolate to keep both students and teachers pacified.

After school today, the new teachers finished up the last of three video sessions of a rather dry philosophy class (love the content, but the old man sitting by a fire for a solid hour just doesn’t invoke a whole lot of interaction. Heather and I made a quick, random dinner (most of our dinners are SO random – I’ll have to write about that another time), I went to care group, then we had an amazing time of staff worship… and finally I came back to crash.

And then this monster called

crashed my party and has me wondering where I draw the line with students. I know I have already worked through some of this and received some AMAZING advice from wiser folk than me, but I think I might be on a circular road, because I’m always coming up to this intersection.

I LOVE the opportunity to get closer to students, though for a long time I drew the line at email. I even set up a separate account name the students could use that would be re-directed to my main email. Then those plans went to pot when I realized these are people… real, broken, lovely, beautiful people that I see every single day and pray for as much as they’re on my heart. This whole computer communication thing isn’t what I would prefer, but it’s the way things are going and I’d rather have them talking to me (and having even a teeny bit of accountability for who sees their profiles) than doing something sketchy, right?

I’m not really sure. What I do know, from my convo with a stellar student tonight, is that we are planning to do karaoke next week to some High School Musical, she kinda sorta likes this guy, and she was on the computer for several hours.

Personal/professional… I feel like a youth worker/teacher/counselor/friend/mentor/sister – and it’s got that whole “job” role thrown in a confusing heap somewhere in the corners of my brain. It’s going to stay there, too, for the night… because I’m logging out!

Posted on by Caroline 0

the past two days

I should totally not be awake right now… but, since I am, I might as well share a few photos with you so you can see where my heart and strength have been for the past 48 hours.

On Friday night, we had a praise and worship night scheduled to finish up our spiritual emphasis week. Thursday, I randomly decided that it would be a good idea to invite the 10th grade for a picnic after school (in hopes that they would stay for the rest of the evening as well). We ended up having about 20 students hang around! We listened to music, played fútbol, laughed a LOT, took pictures, and ate junk food. Heather and I fully intend to make this a more regular occurrence.

The random food – everything from ice cream to chips and salsa to cupcakes to pumpkin muffins to oreos… we’ve got it all!

I may not be the best fútbol player out there, but I’ve got a lot of spirit… and I’ve made a few goals, too! The sport is kind of contagious – the States need to catch it!


These are a few of the WONDERFUL girls I get to love on every single day. I can’t believe i am so blessed!

FEEDING CENTER FOR EASTER


Since we are going to be gone over Semana Santa, we had an Easter program today for the feeding center. I finally brought my camera out again and got some good pictures of my favorite little ones. This is Kenia… oh, how I love her!


This one has tried to take my heart so many times. We always have our own little ‘jam session’ at the end.. she LOVES to strum the guitar! She’s a great helper, as well. Today she took a hair tie I had on my wrist, saying, “… to always remember.” What a darling!

Believe me, there are many more pictures! I will get around to posting them on picasa at some point! Much love to you this weekend!

Posted on by Caroline 0

Snapshots, Imprints, and Lessons Learned

Here is a collection of pictures to give you an idea as to the many happenings in my life as of late. Enjoy, comment, and question:)

These are a few pictures from our service project at the orphanage, Sociedad Amigos de los Niños.



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These are pictures from the students who translated for the mission group from Dallas, Texas. We were in an orphanage and also a public school… a first for many of my students.

The mission group had an outreach event one evening and I was able to get a group of students to go and help translate and fellowship. They were expecting about 50 local teenagers and what they got was somewhere around 150! God is so very, very good! One of my students was able to share her testimony with this group, many of whom are caught in various struggles and looking for HOPE.

We played games and hung out… it was amazing to see privileged Americans, privileged Hondurans, and underprivileged Hondurans all hanging out and having fun together!


BAGOPE RETREAT!
The theme for Bagope (the Baptist camp about 4 hours from our school) this year was “school on hill” … taken from Matthew 5. We blasted our theme song, “In the Light” by DC Talk and encouraged one another to be lights for Christ in the most dark places.

We played games!

This is my team – the awesome PURPLE POIGNANT PLATYPI!

And we had a game show – PRICE IS RIGHT – where I was Barb Barker (80s style I guess!).

Then we heard the message about how one light can shine in the darkness (and it’s rough), but many lights can bring hope and healing to the darkest of places. We wrote a drama and some of the students helped act it out to the song, “Go Light Your World.” At the end the students were invited to the front to light their candles to symbolize the light in their hearts. Many stayed after and prayed, hugged, cried, and just loved on one another in our most vulnerable states.

This is the group of us – loving, living, and shining. Now, pray our lights won’t burn out!

Posted on by Caroline 1

A Poem for Monday

Today we return to our school hallways after a craze-filled weekend at the Student Spiritual Retreat at Lago de Yojoa. I don’t know how I am functioning, but praise God I got through my first class this morning and now I’m on to counseling and grading.

I wrote this poem awhile back and I wanted to share it here. Right now it’s especially poignant after returning from such a spiritually climactic and emotional experience … deception comes at us in all sorts of sneaky ways.

DECEPTION
at first small and simple,
a careless mistake
committed in ignorance
not a habit to make

but slowly, without warning
our habits do form
and gradually we justify
without intention, we conform

like a bothersome creature
heavy on our backs
it grows only bigger
takes us from the narrow path

neither ignorance now
nor mistake can it pass
we’re stuck wondering how
it happened so fast

with great attention
and certain, steady care
we’re drawn to His side
to find solace there

with not one mention
of our frivolous retreat
we’re wrapped deep in His arms
with love on repeat

Please pray for Christina, as she is on a mission trip to Florida with her high school students! Pray that the group would grow in grace, Truth, and shine as lights for Christ!

Posted on by Caroline 0