Bane Malo

Otherwise known as “see you later” in English. I’m leaving in the morning for a two week long mission trip to Panama. For those of you that don’t know, I go to the San Blas Islands off the Atlantic Coast of Panama to work with an indigenous people group called the Kuna Indians several times a year. I’m super excited to be going back. It feels like forever since last I’ve been; it’s almost like going to my home away from home. Some of the people are like my second family.

This particular trip, we are taking a basketball group with us. The Kunas live on small coral reef islands, but almost every island has some sort of basketball court – most are dirt courts with b-ball rims without nets. When the Americans come down to play it’s the high-light of their year! We get a group of mostly college players once a year to go with us to play ball. Afterward, they share their testimonies about what Christ has done in their life. This has opened up many doors for sharing the Gospel.

In case you were wondering, no, I’m not playing basketball ;). I will be working in a Vacation Bible School with the children on two villages (we’ll be having it at least five days maybe more). At night our group will be traveling with the b-ball group to have a mini one day VBS with the kids. We will be telling the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then, for a craft we’re going to make Salvation bracelets. If you don’t know what they are, each colored bead represents something different: black-sin, red-Jesus’ blood, white-forgiveness, blue-baptism, green-Spiritual growth, and yellow-heaven. Then, in our spare time, we are going to have a small little medical clinic. We’re bringing skin medicine because the children have a lot of skin problems due to the sun and harsh environment.

The third group is going to replace the roof on the church. They have to replace truces and all; the roof is completely gone. I know the church is going to be blessed by their hard work.

Please be praying for us all. We Americans are very spoiled and we aren’t used to not having running water, electricity or air-conditioner. We’ll be staying in grass huts and sleeping in hammocks (very comfortable by the way). The weather is extremely hot and humid, so please pray for our health so we can minister more effectively. We will also be traveling by canoe from island to island, so pray for traveling safety and calm water – I get sea sick.

I ask that you would pray 1 Peter 4:11 over us – “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

And Ephesians 6:7 and 19 – “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men… Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.”

And last one Colossians 3:17 and 4:2-6 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him… Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for our message, so that we may proclaim it clearly, as we should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

And any other verses you want to pray over us are welcome ;). Most of all please join me in prayer that God will be glorified by people trusting Christ as their Savior. May God make His grace so irresistible that they can not refuse Him!

I look forward to telling you all about what God did on the trip when I get back on the 6th. I’ll miss all of you! Oh, by the way, if any of you want to check out the Mission Alliance website (where I work and the organization that I'm going with), then feel free. It's still being worked on, but it'll give you some information about the Kunas.

My Car at 16

Okay, so this really wasn't my car when I was sixteen. This is a picture from the art car parade that I went to Saturday. (Thanks Tim for putting it together.) This car is dear to my heart because of the following story:

One of my friends nicknamed me Cher (from Clueless) because I was always hitting curbs. One day I was pulling into school, and I hit the curb - again. But this time, my hubcap flew across the parking lot. My friend jump out of my car after I parked and acted like he didn't know me. Some friend he was...When I was in drivers ed I was driving in the rain, and my teacher asked me to do a u-turn. When I did, half the car went up on the median. A lady drove by, and you should have seen her face! "Student Driver" was plastered all over the car. She still probably tells the story... I must say that I'm a better driver now. But for some reason, people always wave at me with their middle finger. So I wave back (with my whole hand) and smile. They get really angry when I do that; I don't know why. I'm just being friendly.

I Know He Means Well, But...

Gunnar Peterson makes me want to use profanity sometimes. I've been using Core Secrets work-out videos for the past year, and I get two new videos every other month. This month I got "A Leg Up on the Competition" and "Killer Legs: Glutes, Hams, and Quads". Each video gets progressively harder, and this one is no exception. Every time he makes me do the sitting holding squat for what seems like hours, I start thinking bad thoughts in my head. I even tried smiling through the whole thing like the girls in the video do, but as soon as that exercise comes up, a stern frown creeps across my face. But I must say, smiling through the video did made me laugh. I don't know how those girls can smile so long - my mouth started hurting! Oh well, maybe in a few weeks I'll enjoy the sitting holding squat, but I doubt it.

Fashion Advice

I received critical fashion advice from a four year old last night. I used to teach Clayton in pre-school a couple of years ago, and I baby-sit for him occasionally. Last night we were outside playing baseball, and he told me he didn't like my ponytail. I had my hair knotted up in the back (I was going for the messy look). I thought it looked cute, but he informed me that it was goofy looking and it didn't match my shirt. Humm... I was wearing an Asian shirt, and my hair somewhat symbolized chop sticks, but whatever. He told me four or five times through out the night to take my hair down. And when I tucked him in bed, he told me that next time I come over I should either wear my hair in two ponytails or down because he liked it better that way. I never knew my hair would disconcert a four year old.

Mullet Heads

Most people are glad the mullet craze is over, but some are still trying to sport the "business in the front/party in the back" look. There are countless websites designated to "mullet sightings". I would link you to some, but since this is a G-rated blog, I don't want to subject you to the horror of it all.

I was talking to some one that will remain anonymous for obvious reasons about her mullet in seventh grade. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she had a femullet (aka female mullet). I found the perfect t-shirt for her (see picture above). I dedicate this post to you, my anonymous femullet friend. And for your reading pleasure I will sum up the history of the mullet :

The term mullet was first coined in the 1967 film "Cool Hand Luke" staring Paul Newman and George Kennedy. Kennedy's character referred to Southern men with long hair as "mullet heads".

So raise your head high - you were brave enough to admit you had a femullet. (Well, you actually didn't admit it; I saw a picture, but that's besides the point.) I'm sure you were cool back in the day ;).

What Do You Do In Your Car?

I must admit, I like to people watch while sitting in traffic. Most of the time I only see people talking on their cell phones, but occasionally I get a laugh out of people entertaining themselves completely unaware that I'm watching them. However, I've been caught a few times singing and playing air drum in the car. So much so that I've had people roll down their windows and ask me what song I'm listening to. I've even had a family in a van stare at me - I mean the stare like with their eyes popping out of their head. So, I continued my show with extra pizzazz to give them something to talk about and bond over. The other day I was looking in my rear view mirror at an attractive guy around my age (in a really nice sports car I might add). I noticed a blue plastic round thing sticking out of his mouth that he kept on licking. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what he was doing, but then I realized it was one of those ring suckers. I haven't seen those in years, much less from a guy my age. But that doesn't beat the time that I saw a guy using a cotton swab to clean out his nose... Or the time I saw a couple making out in the bed of a truck laying on a mattress... Or the time I was driving down I10 (going 70 mind you) and a guy asked me for my phone number. I would of been somewhat flattered if I wasn't dressed for a costume party. I had heavy make-up and ratted hair. My friend jokes that he thought I was a prostitute (if you were wondering, no, I didn't give him my number)... But so far I think this is the winner - Some one told me they saw girl talking on her cell phone with her foot on the dashboard painting her toenails while somehow driving. Anyway, I would love to hear about what you've seen people do while driving in traffic.

My Sister has a Blog

I am proud to announce that Melanie is no longer just a blog lurker. As of today she has a blog of her own. Welcome to the blog world, Melanie!

Slowly but surely we're sucking more and more people in. Watch out, you may be next ;).

What I Learned

I've been filling in for a nanny this week, and I've learned and/or realized a few things:

1. Babies are a lot of fun
2. I like driving a Lexus
3. When you take a dog for a walk you have to pick up their poo - eww!
4. I want my kids (when I have them) to live in a house where it's safe to play outside
5. You can dress an adorable baby girl in an all pink ruffle dress with hearts, bows, and "I'm a Princess" across the front and some one is still going to ask if she's a boy
6. I'm so glad I don't have to eat baby food - praise the Lord for teeth!
7. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and great friends (I already knew that)
8. Baby Einstein is brilliant
9. I don't like the plastic butler in the bathroom holding the toilet paper ogling at me - he gives me the creeps
10. Whenever you go somewhere with a six month old it's like you're moving
11. I could get really spoiled living in a high rise
12. No matter how cute you are, you still stink sometimes
13. I want to be on "What Not to Wear" and get a new wardrobe; will some one nominate me?
14. Babies are very high maintenance, and I thought I was bad!
15. You don't realize how much you need something until you don't have it
16. If you forget you have weights in the backseat and make a sharp turn, then you can get really freaked out by the loud clanking sound
17. I like Chick-fil-a in the mornings (and afternoon and night...)
18. I appreciate what my mom went through to raise me a lot more ;) - I love you mom!

Baseball Lingo

My brother emailed this to me and I thought I would pass it along. As baseball (the greatest sport on earth) is in it's second month, I figured it wouldn't hurt to get caught up on your baseball lingo. Now next time you go to a game you can act like you know what you're talking about.

A fan's guide to commonly-used terms and phrases.

ace -- A team's best starting pitcher.
alley-- The section of the outfield between the outfielders. Also "gap."
around the horn-- A double play going from third base to second to first.
backdoor slider -- A pitch that appears to be out of the strike zone, but then breaks back over the plate.
bag -- A base.
Baltimore chop -- A ground ball that hits in front of home plate (or off of it) and takes a large hop over the infielder's head.
bandbox-- A small ballpark that favors hitters.
bang-bang play -- A play in which the baserunner hits the bag a split-second before the ball arrives or vice versa.
basket catch -- When a fielder catches a ball with his glove near belt level.
Bronx cheer -- When the crowd boos.
brushback -- A pitch that nearly hits a batter.
bush -- Also "bush league." An amateur play or behavior.
can of corn -- An easy catch by a fielder.
caught looking -- When a batter is called out on strikes.
cellar -- Last place. Also "basement."
cheese -- Also "good cheese." Refers to a good fastball.
chin music -- A pitch that is high and inside.
circus catch -- An outstanding catch by a fielder.
closer -- A team's relief pitcher who finishes the game.
cutter -- A cut fastball (one with a late break to it).
cycle -- When a batter hits a single, double, triple and home run in the same game.
dinger -- A home run.
dish -- Home plate.
fireman -- A team's closer or late-inning relief pitcher.
fungo -- A ball hit to a fielder during practice. It's usually hit by a coach using a "fungo bat," which is longer and thinner than a normal bat.
gap -- See "alley." A ball hit here is a "gapper."
gopher ball -- A pitch hit for a home run, as in "go for."
heat -- A good fastball. Also "heater."
high and tight -- Referring to a pitch that's up in the strike zone and inside on a hitter. Also known as "up and in."
hill -- Pitcher's mound.
homer -- A home run. Other terms include: blast, dinger, dong, four-bagger, four-base knock, moon shot, tape-measure blast and tater.
hot corner -- Third base.
in the hole -- The batter after the on-deck hitter.
jam -- When a hitter gets a pitch near his hands, he is "jammed." Also when a pitcher gets himself in trouble, he is in a "jam."
leather -- Refers to how good a player plays defensively or handles the glove. Ex: "He flashed some leather on that play."
meatball -- An easy pitch to hit, usually right down the middle of the plate.
Mendoza line -- A batting average of around .200.
moon shot -- A very long, high home run.
nail down -- As in "nail down a victory." Refers to a relief pitcher finishing off the game.
on the screws -- When a batter hits the ball hard. Also "on the button."
painting the black -- When a pitcher throws the ball over the edge of the plate.
pea -- A ball traveling at high speed, either batted or thrown.
pepper -- Pepper is a common pre-game exercise where one player bunts brisk grounders and line drives to a group of fielders who are standing about 20 feet away. The fielders try to throw it back as quickly as possible. The batter hits the return throw. (Some ballparks ban pepper games because wild pitches could land in the stands and injure spectators).
pick -- A good defensive play by an infielder on a ground ball. Also a shortened version of "pick-off."
pickle -- A rundown.
punchout -- A strikeout.
rhubarb -- A fight or scuffle.
ribbie -- Another way of saying RBI. Also "ribeye."
rope -- A hard line drive hit by a batter. Also "frozen rope."
rubber game -- The deciding game of a series.
run-down -- When a baserunner gets caught between bases by the fielders.
Ruthian -- With great power.
seeing-eye single -- A soft ground ball that finds its way between infielders for a base hit.
set-up man -- A relief pitcher who usually enters the game in the 7th or 8th inning.
shoestring catch -- A running catch made just above the fielder's shoetops.
southpaw -- A left-handed pitcher.
sweet spot -- The part of the bat just a few inches from the barrel.
table setter -- Batter whose job is to get on base for other hitters to drive him in. Usually a leadoff or No. 2 hitter.
tape-measure blast -- An extremely long home run.
tater -- A home run.
Texas Leaguer -- A bloop hit that drops between an infielder and outfielder.
tools of ignorance -- Catcher's equipment.
touch 'em all -- Hitting a home run (touching all the bases).
twin killing -- A double play.
Uncle Charlie -- Curve ball.
utility player -- A player who fills in at many positions.
wheelhouse -- A hitter's power zone. Usually a pitch waist-high and over the heart of the plate.
wheels -- A ballplayer's legs.
whiff -- Strikeout.
yakker -- Curve ball.

Global Night Commute

Saturday night I joined all the "tree huggers" as I like to call them and spent the night with over a thousand people at Rice University (see previous post as to why). After we parked we walked two miles to the field where we were supposed to sleep. I cursed myself for being so high maintenence. I had a bag with necessities, sleeping bag, blow-up mat, and a 50 pound tarp (I may be exaggerating on the weight, but it sure was heavy!). Melody and Carmen helped me carry it though. When we arrived we were asked to write letters to the president and our congress representatives. Then, we decorated a picture of ourselves for a book they're going to make of all the participants. I looked on the website this morning to see if they had anything to say about the commutes in other cities, but they must not have updated it yet. I know in Tennessee it rained all night. Most of the people left. Praise the Lord it didn't rain in Houston! But I was thinking, all the kids in Uganda that make that trip do it no matter if it rains or not because their life depends on it. We have it so good in America, and I know I don't thank the Lord enough for all HIS blessings. Even the poorest people here have it so better than most of the people in the world. Join me today in praising the Lord for HIS abundant blessings in our lives. I'll keep you all updated about the outcome of the GNC across the world. Please pray for the war in Uganda to end and the precious children to be protected.