my wedding ring holder

Wow today is the last day of Blogtember. Day 20 to be exact. Participating has been a lot of fun. What do you all think about it? Was it fun to read? I'd love some feedback. It definitely taught me that having somewhat of a structured plan for blogging can be super beneficial. A big shout out and thanks to Jenni over at 'story of my life' for hosting Blogtember all month long.

Today's blog prompt is to 'share a photo of something old. Something that has personal history for you, that was passed down to you, and that has special meaning for you. Tell us about it and why it is so special.'

This is my wedding ring holder that my sister-in-law made for me. It is by far one of, if not the most, thoughtful gift I have received. All of the items are from her Mom and Grandma. It has jewelry, shells and some material from a bridesmaid's dress that was used in her Mom's wedding.

I also received this gift when I came home last year for Christmas which is another reason it meant a lot. Giving a gift that sentimental to someone who hasn't been around, in my opinion, is kind of a step of faith. I'll cherish these gifts because as most of you know my mother-in-law passed away this past February. This ring holder is something that I will cherish and remember her by.

Culture shock of a small town life

Welcome day 16 of Blogtember  - review a book, place or product. Oh Blogtember, this post is so perfect. I've seen and heard some jaw dropping and country things here in Woodward and I've been looking forward to telling all about it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy life here and the people make it great but these are just some things I had to share. 

First off, Woodward is located in western Oklahoma. I'm 2 1/2 hours away from a OKC and 3 hours from my home town of Wichita. We are the big city in the area. Sometimes on the weekend people come to Woodward to hang out. I'm not sure what they do, perhaps they chill at Walmart. 

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For some reason, this little town has given me a dose of culture shock that I didn't know could happen in my own country. I expected culture shock when I moved to Korea but not when I moved to western Oklahoma. Here are some of the odd things I have seen and heard of around here. 

First off - cowboy boots. Everyone has them here. I've seen kids where them, ladies in Sunday dress, they are all over. A few weeks ago I took a floor length bridesmaid dress to get altered and the seamstress was beyond thrilled when I told her we would be wearing champagne heels. She told me everyone now in days wears cowboy boots with wedding dresses and formals. I had no idea but wasn't too surprised either. 

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Every cowboy needs a pick up truck, right? I think 85% of the cars here in this town are pick up trucks. I don't mean the small trucks either, I mean the big diesel ones that take up 1 1/2 spaces when they park (great fun when you live in an apartment). Sometimes I have to look a while to find where I parked because big trucks came and parked next to me on both sides. Apparently people love their trucks a wee bit too much here because even the local jewelry store has a sign that says "if she wanted an engagement truck you wouldn't hesitate". um, really? My jaw, for real, dropped on that one. I still read it when I go by because I think it is funny. 

Anybody like frogs? Well, the nice lady who was shellacing my nails told me all about gigging. Once again, jaw dropping. Here is a definition of gigging: "for the uninitiated, frog-gigging goes like this: You wade into a pond or patrol the banks by foot or boat, searching for the reflection of bullfrog eyes. Once you spot a big croaker, you shine the light in his eyes to blind him. Then you sneak up on behind the frog, and using a 7-foot pole with a trident attached to the end, stab the sucker." (source via here) I also got a run down on how the frog legs will continue to jump after they are dead. You have to cut some tendon or else they jump all around in your sink. Then they fry them up and eat them. So foreign to me.  

Another random thing I think is quiet fun here are all the cows. You just drive down the road to go to Walmart and the cows are right there. They are fun. One time when Dave and I drove home a cow had escaped and was just standing on the side of the road eating. (might be scary to hit one! eeek!) We have also seen law enforcement herding cow escapees, it's pure entertainment. They're funny little big creatures. I keep telling Dave if I have a cow I'm going to name him Mignon. I know, mean of me, but it would be funny and delicious. 

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That's all I got now for the 'weird Woodward update'. As shocking as some of it has been I honestly do enjoy living here. I've come to like small town life and believe it or not, sometimes when I go to Wichita I almost feel a bit claustrophobic. The best part of living here are the genuine nice people. All those people that where the boots, have the hat and trucks are some of the kindest people I know and kindness goes a long way now a days. 

Have you been 'culture shocked' in your own country? I'd love to hear about it. 

Life Updates

Blogtember 9/23 - A "life lately" post. What you're up to, how you're feeling, how you're doing on your goals, etc. Thank you Blogtember for suggesting this post. I know I do the 'lately' posts every other Thursday but I wanted to give a more updated life post. 
First off, tomorrow will be month 6 of marriage! hooray! I'll have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised at how great marriage is. So many people warned me of the 'first year', where you fight and realize Mr. prince charming isn't so charming and blah blah blah... Well, so far marriage has surpassed my expectations. Dave is my best friend and life with him has been great. No we aren't perfect but I can honestly say that we are growing and learning. I've learned that communication, prayer, reading the Bible together, and being patient while we both learn how to love each other are necessary for success. 

Life in Woodward - well, as many people know, moving here sent my emotions into wack-o mode but six months here have been good to me, I'm not so wack anymore and I'm enjoying small town life =). What do I do now in Woodward? First off, I still don't have a full time job and I'm ok with that. Yes, you read that right; no full time job. I know our culture is very big into work, building a resume, etc and that is fine but sometimes when I tell people I don't work full time, have asked me if I am 'soul searching' or they are just kind of surprised. Honestly, it felt weird to not work full time but one night at dinner Dave and I were talking about what we had read in the Bible and I told him that God showed me that being a wife, and focusing on loving Dave and living simply is exactly what I'm to do now...back to the point of what I do ... Tuesday mornings I go to the Senior Center. I visit with the people there, sing with them during their choir hour and play the piano when needed. Those people are a blessing to my soul and some of them are Christians who have a love for Jesus that amazes me. Also, every other Tuesday I am cleaning a house for a family in the area. 
On Wednesday's and Thursday's I am watching a cute little boy. His parents go to our church and both work. It's a long story but God worked it out where I can watch him two days a week and another lady from church watches him three days a week. He is one of the most laid back and happy babies I know. Also, when his Mom comes home from work we usually visit for a bit. It's been a big encouragement to visit with another Christian who loves God and is a lot of fun too - so, Kinzie, thanks a bunch!!!

Dave and I recently started working with the kids from church. We volunteer every Wednesday. There are about 150 kids and they feed them dinner, play games, share the Bible with them and have a class time. We are only into the third week so we are still getting to know the kids but so far we have enjoyed it. It's good to be serving. I'm also going to crossfit 2-4 times a week. Crossfit has been great because not only am I getting a killer good work out in but I am getting to know and meet some wonderful people who build a great fitness community.  

So, there you have my life, all written out. It's sounds so much busier written out! I'm thankful for my life in Woodward. It's simple. I have time to spend in the Word, time to spend with Dave and enough work to do to feel productive but not overly busy. 

Comfortable - the most dangerous place you can be

Blogtember day what? Yeah, I missed a bunch of days due to being sick but today I’m posting two blog posts.. Today’s blog prompt is to react to the word ‘comfort’. My brain immediately had zillions (okay not that many) but a lot of thoughts about this.

First thing that came to my mind is the quote by Neale Walsch that says ‘life begins at the end of your comfort zone’. Honestly, when speaking about life I don’t think comfortable is a term we should ever get used to. If you are comfortable in life, that should be a big red waving ‘danger flag’ and you should become uncomfortable.

Let’s give some real life examples. Climbing a 13,000 foot mountain isn’t exactly what I call comfortable but the view at the top is worth it.  Packing my bags for Korea and saying bye to Dave, my family and knowing I wouldn’t get to meet my newborn nephews is not what I describe comfortable but my year in Korea was beyond worth it. Dating long distance and getting married after several major life changes wasn’t comfortable but you better believe being married to Dave is worth it. I guess what I am saying is that we need to get uncomfortable to grow. God has bigger plans for us than our comfort zones.

More than that though I started thinking about Jesus. What if he would have stayed comfortable? He would of stayed up in heaven where He had every right to remain. Where would I be if Jesus would have stayed comfortable? I’d be a lost mess. You know what though? He got uncomfortable. I don’t think leaving heaven and being born in a manger was comfortable but he did it. Living with brothers who didn’t believe He was the Son of God was probably super uncomfortable but Jesus did it anyways. Telling the Pharisees, the religious people of the day, that their religion was sending them straight to hell had to be uncomfortable. The Bible tells us that Jesus had no permanent place to call home on this earth,  again - uncomfortable! Last but not least Jesus was beaten beyond recognition and hung on a cross. Uncomfortable is such an undeserving term to describe what He went through but he did it because he saw beyond discomfort. He saw you, He saw me and He became uncomfortable for us. He saw our lost souls and saw redemption. Was it worth it? I think resurrection morning screams a thousand times over YES! My heart is thankful! Thankful! Thankful! Thankful, that Jesus became uncomfortable for me! I hope we are willing to do the same for Him, no matter what the cost.

on-line stores

blogtember day 7 - share some of your favorite on-line stores.

Well, living in the middle of no where Oklahoma, I must say Amazon has become my new best friend when it comes to purchasing lots of items. However, I'm sure everyone already knows about amazon so I'll share some other fun sites I use.

Have you ever heard of Emergen-C? They are little packets filled with tons of vitamins. You add it to a glass of water and drink away. Blueberry-Acai is my favorite flavor. They are perfect for fall and winter when all those nasty germs float around. Dave is sick now and I feel it coming my way too so today I ordered a box of my favorite Emergen-C. It is immune+. You can log onto their website here for a free sample.

Cute Tape - I already mentioned this store in a previous blog pospt but they have some great products that are affordable. It's a great on-line store to order washi tape, party favors, stationary, stamps as well as other various great gifts. You can check them out here

Remember my amazing chemex coffee maker??? Those make amazing gifts too plus their website is just fun to read. Check out Chemex here

Where is your favorite on-line store? Do you shop on-line very much? Anybody know of an on-line store where I can order some cute floral leggings??

2 years and 1 month ago

Welcome to day 6 of Blogtember - 'describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn'. Honestly, I'm glad this blog post is in here. I thought about writing this last month and 'blogtember' brought this topic it back up so I'd figure I'd share.

Well ... 2 years and 1 month ago my life took a big turn. I had dated someone long distance for way too long. The whole situation was a big mess and I knew God had better plans for me. Honestly, I felt trapped and had tried and tried to get out and I just couldn't do it. I distinctly remember a phone conversation that went terrible. I got hung up (rude!) and after that I stood in my room and decided 'no more'. I didn't know if I would follow through because I had said that so many times but I thought I'd try again. The only thing that changed me and pulled me through was God himself. Have you ever read all of those verses in Psalms that talks about God setting a prisoner free? That was me and I'm so thankful God set me free.

However, I'm not here to report to you about my lame past I'm here to report to you what God did these past 2 years and 1 month! Here it is:

I went to Korea where my whole mind was renewed and my heart was healed. That's huge! I got to fellowship among Christians from all over the world, study the Bible with them, laugh, craft, cry travel and spend quality time.

Dave - I don't even know where to begin on this one. Dave loved me through those hard times. My broken and messed up heart had some major healing to do and I've never seen someone choose to practice Christ-like love when it was hard and something he didn't 'feel' like doing.

I got to spend a year with a great friend who loves Jesus. We had a grand time.

a new name to a face - Have you ever heard of a name and just didn't like it because you knew someone bad who had that name? Well ... when I stepped into my class in Korea I had two kids by my ex's name. I cringed for about 2 split seconds and then thanked God that I had new faces for a name. Let me just say that those two little boys were some of the sweetest and most intelligent people I have ever met! 

I got married

I'm an Aunt, two times now

I live in Oklahoma - ha! I know, you might be laughing but this little community here is growing on my heart in a way I never expected. Many people here love Jesus and live it out. I'm thankful for that. 

I don't know who will be reading this post or what is going on in everyone's life but I do know, no matter where you are in life or what situation you are in Jesus can and wants to deliver you. He wants to give you the most abundant life that even you couldn't think of! 

I'll leave you with these two verses 

Psalms 126:3 - The LORD hath done great things for us; where of we are glad. 

John 10:10b - I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

be kind

Day 3 of Blogtember - 'pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered'. The two words of advice ... be kind. Simple yet hard to continually practice.

picture taken in Geoje Korea with no filter

This advice comes from the Bible and is engrained in me thanks to my Mom. Remember how I told you I grew up in Brazil? Well, our house there had a cute little entry way, a walk in area followed by two steps. Remember also how I told you that there were 4 siblings in five years? Well, if you can imagine we had our fair shares of fights. Nothing terrible just the normal kid stuff. My siblings and I would fight and of course, being the youngest, I made sure to tell on them. =) Often times my Mom would make us go to the entry way, up those two steps and recite the following: 'Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' I despised that as a kid and thought it a ridiculous task. 

You know what though? It must have stuck with us. Last year when in Korea, I called my brother and told him how naughty Justin was. You know what my brother told me? "be kind, Beka". My reply?? "I was kind!" He told me it isn't a one time act but repeated kindness that was needed. 

Doesn't he just look like a cute bundle of trouble?

People need kindness. I know during the lowest times in my life a drop of kindness made all the difference. We need it continuously. 

What's your best advice? Did your Mom ever do any things like this to teach you something good? 

What I would do with 3 'free' months

Welcome to day two of blogtember : 'if you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?' This was a no brainer for me.

First off, Dave would be with me, because we are best friends and I wouldn't go without him. We would start out by hopping on an airplane to Brazil. I have an adopted Aunt and Uncle that live in Bahia, Brazil. I'd visit them, take them supplies and help in their work. There is also another missionary family in Brazil who maintain the airplanes that go into the jungles. I'd visit them too.

I'd then hop on a plane to India. After meeting Indians in Korea, hearing about their culture, eating their food and learning about what God is doing there I've had an itch to go. 

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Then, I'd fly right on over to Korea and visit my cute kindys. I'd hug them and give them loads of candy and them some more candy. I don't teach them anymore, so I could load them with sugar and then head out. I'd also visit my Korean chingus as well as some sweet Koreans I met during my year there. 

Hopefully the jet lag wouldn't be bad because after flying all over I'd fly on over to Israel and visit all the places that Jesus went to. I'd like to visit Golgotha followed by the empty tomb. 

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Then, I'd visit my nephews because they are cute and I love them. I'd spend one week with each of them. 

Those three months would be full. I'd probably have to take a fourth month just to recover. What would you do with three months? Would you travel the world? Would you stay at home for some R&R? 

Where I come from

Can you believe we are in September??? I'll be married 6 months on the 24th ... wahoo! I recently found a blog called Story of My Life who has challenged other bloggers to do a Blogtember. The host has given several topics outlined for various days and I thought it would be great to join in. I probably won't be writing on every topic but thought I'd give it a shot on some of them.

Today's topic is 'describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.' I'm going to divide my 'where I come from' into three little areas.

My family at our house in Brazil 

1. Brazil - I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil to American parents who did missions work. I lived my first 9 years of life there. Those years still effect who I am today. Living abroad gives you a new perspective on how you see the world. Some things from Brazil that molded me into the person I am today are:

• the culture - I'm not sure how to describe it because to me it is just 'Brazilian'. They can be laid back, they walk a lot, you have to wait in line forever for business related things, etc. 
• race issues - I don't remember these one bit in Brazil. The culture is diverse there and I didn't notice it. In fact, my best friend growing up there was black and we called ourselves twins. 
• food - amazing!!! rice, beans, meat, bread, fresh fruit and veggies and sugar cane! I think I ate too much sugar cane as a kid because I had 8 cavities in 4 teeth when I returned to America. 
• coffee - let's be real. I've never had a better cup of coffee than when I lived in Brazil. It takes coffee to a new lever. When my parents visited people from church it is customary for them to offer you a little espresso loaded with sugar. You better believed I grew up drinking those. One time one a visit my brother (probably 9 years old) drank 9 of those espresso drinks. ha! 
• missions - growing up as an MK gave me a love for missions. One of my biggest hearts desire is to eventually help missionaries on the field. They don't get breaks, have regular babysitters, gyms with AC, fast food at every corner, etc. It's hard work and sometimes they need relief, a card, a care package or an e-mail. Growing up in a family who did ministry abroad let me see first hand how it can be hard and how people need encouragement. 

2. USA - I moved to the USA when I was 9. Honestly, I cried my heart out when I found out we weren't going back to Brazil. I didn't want to be a prissy American who wore makeup and was scared of bugs ... and now I am one. Also moving back to America my parents had to start over from scratch. To say it was hard is an understatement. My parents worked and worked and worked to buy us food, put us through school and to pay the bills. Those times were tough but seeing my parents hard work and dedication helped me to work hard at life too. I respect them for what they did, as I know it wasn't easy.

3. Family - of course my family molded me but I thought I'd elaborate on it a little more. I talked about my parents some already but other family that molded me were my siblings and my granny. There are four of us siblings in 5 years. Yep! You read that right. With that being the case we were all (and still are) really close. Living abroad and traveling to lots of churches where people pinched our cheeks and told us how we grew helped us be a team. My granny ... I could write a whole book about her! She is awesome. I spent tons of time with her growing up. She lived 5 houses down from us and I took full advantage of spending time with her. I spent the night at her house 3-4 times a week. I can still remember her teaching me verses from Proverbs and Psalms, playing old movies and music from her era, eating at all kinds of restaurants and laughing at so many things.

That is what molded me into who I am today. We aren't a perfect family and we for sure have our struggles but I can say that God has blessed me with a great family and I'm so thankful for that upbringing.