The time for Spring Break is coming close. In about four days I will be boarding a plane, along with 12 students, to our final destination in San Salvador. Along with essentials and clothing, we will be carrying supplies of vacation Bible school materials and clothes to be able to perform some construction work. We will be fighting all different ranges of emotions from excitement to anxiety to nervousness to fear. For some of us, this will be our first time traveling to a different country. For the rest of us, this is another experience that we would be able to put on the list of places where we saw God working. Due to the time of the flight, some of us would be functioning on 1-2 hours of sleep or nothing at all. Three of us would have to reassure ourselves that, as leaders, we have got this and to expect the unknown. For the 12 of us, we have to trust the leadership and open our minds to what will be present to us. One of us would fight to not think about their thesis proposal that is due the day after they come back. Some of us would enter that flight not knowing that we may be the ones that got sick because we drank the water. A number of us would be grateful for the change of the scenery we would be exposed to. One of us would remember the time when they were a freshmen going on her first spring break mission trip and how that would change the course of her life.
Leading the trip to El Salvador is already stretching and growing me in so many ways that it will probably take me a couple of weeks to process. I am learning a good amount of leadership with my co-leaders. They remind me that it’s crucial to think about the details and that it is ok to have a plan. They also provide insight to the logistical aspect of the trip. I know that I’m already having an effect on them due to the trust that they continue to place on me. They ask for my insight and advice on how a certain situation should be dealt with or how a student would feel.
In four days, I would be facing a week of new lessons and experiences. I would have to make some decisions that would be uncomfortable or awkward. I would have to rely on the students and their abilities and skills. I would have to let go on what is happening back in grad school. I would have to remind myself what leadership is about. I would have to give up a couple of luxuries to fully enjoy the opportunity I have. I would have to embrace humility and vulnerability in front of my students. I would have to remind the students of the simple life lessons. I would have to remind myself to stop talking and listen.
I’m not nervous. I’m anxious. Let’s get this thing started. I want to already be there. Bring it on, El Salvador, bring it on.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
random information
Throughout my day, I always think of the random things. I always wish I could write down everything I think. Maybe when I get rich I’ll hire a midget scribe that will write everything that I verbally process. In the meantime, I’ll just stick with carrying around a journal in my purse with a little stack of post-its. The problem with that is I don’t really take the time to stop whatever the heck I am doing and write down the current event or thought that is occurring. When I actually do have a moment or two, I usually forget the comment or funny joke I made. I guess that’s what happens to scattered brained people. I just jump from one though to another. No wonder why I fascinate people. They wonder how a brain can switch over mindset so quickly and disregard the previous thought. I also think that because I get bored easily that I can automatically change my mind like that. It must be frustrating to others but I think that I’m just doing fine.
Anyways, back to my main point, I have decided that I will actually take the time to sit down and write down what goes through my head sometimes. Again, I’m going to remember everything that passed through my head but I figured it wouldn’t hurt for me to write down a couple of things. Anyways, so here are some random thoughts that I think the world can benefit or observe:
1) It has always and will always bother me when people you have a conversation before completely ignored you the second time you see them. It’s like they completely forgot that you have existed before that second time. Then when you do make eye contact to hopefully pass a smile, they divert their eyes. That just makes my blood boil. Then the whole situation brings numerous questions to my mind: Did they just forget our previous conversation about communism? Was I too forward about asking them about their interests? Was I supposed to laugh at all their jokes? Did I talk to loud? Did I have coffee breathe? Did it bother them that I touched their arm? Did they forget my name? Were they drunk at the time? Or were they high? Did I sound dumb? Or are they dumb? Do they suffer from short-term memory loss? Was I boring? Was I too much fun?
The funny thing is this happens more than once, which makes me wonder if it’s me or just the world. Then again, the people who are actually taking time out of their lives to read this blog are thinking in their heads, “Poor Lima, she has no clue.” I just don’t understand how it could is be possible to completely ignore a person after sharing a conversation about how boring the meeting was. Or is this some common rule about society that I should know about but I seem to bypass that rule when I was birthed into this world? I just would like a smile back or a little acknowledgment that I still exist in the world.
2)There is one thing that I do miss about Texas. Other than relationships with friends and great Mexican food, I miss the beautiful sunsets that we are able to see about everyday. Here in Indiana, the constant theme of gray skies seems to be the popular item of the day. In my opinion, we are all a little over it. I never realized how much I do miss those Texan sunsets that produced warm little fuzzies in my belly.
3)I don’t understand why people make their beds. I personally think it’s a waste of time. Why are you making your bed if later on you are going to mess it all up again? The five minutes that you take to make your bed, you can do so many productive things in your life. At the same time, if it takes you longer than five minutes to make your bed, then you are spending way too much time on making pieces of cloth look pretty. In those five minutes you can: make coffee, read a news article, tweet, go to the bathroom, write a little journal entry, practice a guitar cord or two, make a sandwich, eat a cupcake, write an encouraging note, make a joke up, braid your hair, scratch someone’s back, give a hug, take a shower, tie your shoes, watch about four commercials, watch a youtube video, watch a music video, make a fortune teller, write a journal entry, and…you get my point.
I’ll do admit that I’m pretty lazy when it comes to little tasks that will take up some of my time. But let me explain something, I’d rather spend sometime with people that I care about then make my bed. Life is too short to spend on making a bed. Life is too short to not take advantage of the little moments that we can share with others and God. I know I probably I should learn on how to make my bed, in case my future husband doesn’t pick up on the habit.
4)I like to chew on ice. Whenever I grace myself with a fountain drink, I look forward to the end where I can chew on ice when a hint of flavor of the drink I just had. This is probably a habit that I will lose when I experience giving birth.
5)Whoever invented the concept of a sandwich is pure genius. Put a piece of meat in between two pieces of bread = awesome.
Ok, that’s good for now. I’ll hit yall later with some more amusing information about me.
Anyways, back to my main point, I have decided that I will actually take the time to sit down and write down what goes through my head sometimes. Again, I’m going to remember everything that passed through my head but I figured it wouldn’t hurt for me to write down a couple of things. Anyways, so here are some random thoughts that I think the world can benefit or observe:
1) It has always and will always bother me when people you have a conversation before completely ignored you the second time you see them. It’s like they completely forgot that you have existed before that second time. Then when you do make eye contact to hopefully pass a smile, they divert their eyes. That just makes my blood boil. Then the whole situation brings numerous questions to my mind: Did they just forget our previous conversation about communism? Was I too forward about asking them about their interests? Was I supposed to laugh at all their jokes? Did I talk to loud? Did I have coffee breathe? Did it bother them that I touched their arm? Did they forget my name? Were they drunk at the time? Or were they high? Did I sound dumb? Or are they dumb? Do they suffer from short-term memory loss? Was I boring? Was I too much fun?
The funny thing is this happens more than once, which makes me wonder if it’s me or just the world. Then again, the people who are actually taking time out of their lives to read this blog are thinking in their heads, “Poor Lima, she has no clue.” I just don’t understand how it could is be possible to completely ignore a person after sharing a conversation about how boring the meeting was. Or is this some common rule about society that I should know about but I seem to bypass that rule when I was birthed into this world? I just would like a smile back or a little acknowledgment that I still exist in the world.
2)There is one thing that I do miss about Texas. Other than relationships with friends and great Mexican food, I miss the beautiful sunsets that we are able to see about everyday. Here in Indiana, the constant theme of gray skies seems to be the popular item of the day. In my opinion, we are all a little over it. I never realized how much I do miss those Texan sunsets that produced warm little fuzzies in my belly.
3)I don’t understand why people make their beds. I personally think it’s a waste of time. Why are you making your bed if later on you are going to mess it all up again? The five minutes that you take to make your bed, you can do so many productive things in your life. At the same time, if it takes you longer than five minutes to make your bed, then you are spending way too much time on making pieces of cloth look pretty. In those five minutes you can: make coffee, read a news article, tweet, go to the bathroom, write a little journal entry, practice a guitar cord or two, make a sandwich, eat a cupcake, write an encouraging note, make a joke up, braid your hair, scratch someone’s back, give a hug, take a shower, tie your shoes, watch about four commercials, watch a youtube video, watch a music video, make a fortune teller, write a journal entry, and…you get my point.
I’ll do admit that I’m pretty lazy when it comes to little tasks that will take up some of my time. But let me explain something, I’d rather spend sometime with people that I care about then make my bed. Life is too short to spend on making a bed. Life is too short to not take advantage of the little moments that we can share with others and God. I know I probably I should learn on how to make my bed, in case my future husband doesn’t pick up on the habit.
4)I like to chew on ice. Whenever I grace myself with a fountain drink, I look forward to the end where I can chew on ice when a hint of flavor of the drink I just had. This is probably a habit that I will lose when I experience giving birth.
5)Whoever invented the concept of a sandwich is pure genius. Put a piece of meat in between two pieces of bread = awesome.
Ok, that’s good for now. I’ll hit yall later with some more amusing information about me.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Don't need no title
During my month of January, I had the chance to work at LeTourneau as an intern. I got to work with the international students which was an amazing experience. I'm including some reflections from that experience:
On my first day at LeTourneau and I learned a very valuable lesson that I would hope to continue throughout my life. I realized that it does not matter the title that you carry, what does matter is the impact you have on people you interact with. Throughout my whole life I have watched my parents work hard at their low-paying jobs. Through that example they taught me the value of working hard without the big title. They also taught me that it’s the hard workers to keep an eye on because they are the ones that teach the sincere life lessons about humility and leadership. During my time of being a student the people who I engaged in great conversations with were the secretaries of the departments. They were the women that know my name and were always eager to hear what was happening in my life. They also knew my sweet tooth and always saved the best candy for me. Even though there may be some secretaries out there that may be grumpy, there are still those out there that are genuinely the sincerest people I have interacted with.
On this particular day I sat down with a woman that had the title “secretary” yet what others did not know is that she works as a full-time student services worker. I could feel passion for the international students while she spoke. I took the opportunity to meet with her to ask to gain important knowledge on working with the international students at LeTourneau. The majority of LeTourneau’s international students are from Korea due to the sister school relationship with Hangdong University but LeTourneau still receives other students from different countries from different continents as well. Already having a stable relationship with this woman, I had the confidence to ask some hard questions about what was actually happening in the office. She was not afraid of being honest of what she observed and experienced. She knew what was true and biblical. There was just something different about her that didn’t have me fooled. I knew that was she was actually saying was the truth and that she had a reason behind it all.
She spoke to me about how in everything I do, it must be Holy Spirit filled. God is everywhere and we cannot ignore the fact that he has total control of everything. She told me of numerous stories of how she watched different people worked with different ways. She incorporates scripture and prayer into her daily life and integrates into everything she does at LeTourneau. I know she is not alone on doing that but I can fully see it in her. She always puts the students before everything else she does. Her own sons help her out if there is a student that needs a ride or a study buddy to work with. Talking with Mrs. Higgs was not only a reminder of that valuable virtue in my life but also made me grow in appreciation of those educators that do not have the title. Throughout the rest of the time I spent at LeTourneau the door to her office was open. She was there for me to vent but also to process what was happening my whole month there.
For the rest of the week, my life was consumed with the preparation for the new students. My main focus was the preparation for welcoming the international students specifically. I immersed myself in gaining cultural sensitivity information from staff that interacts with Korean students and tried to grasp an understanding. I knew in the back of my mind that I would still have a bit to learn when actually interacting with the students. When they first arrived, I recalled my memories when I first arrived in Costa Rice during my experience studying overseas. I remembered all the anxiety and nervousness I first felt. I could just imagine myself all over again about how I was about to go on an adventure and be challenged in so many different ways.
On my first day at LeTourneau and I learned a very valuable lesson that I would hope to continue throughout my life. I realized that it does not matter the title that you carry, what does matter is the impact you have on people you interact with. Throughout my whole life I have watched my parents work hard at their low-paying jobs. Through that example they taught me the value of working hard without the big title. They also taught me that it’s the hard workers to keep an eye on because they are the ones that teach the sincere life lessons about humility and leadership. During my time of being a student the people who I engaged in great conversations with were the secretaries of the departments. They were the women that know my name and were always eager to hear what was happening in my life. They also knew my sweet tooth and always saved the best candy for me. Even though there may be some secretaries out there that may be grumpy, there are still those out there that are genuinely the sincerest people I have interacted with.
On this particular day I sat down with a woman that had the title “secretary” yet what others did not know is that she works as a full-time student services worker. I could feel passion for the international students while she spoke. I took the opportunity to meet with her to ask to gain important knowledge on working with the international students at LeTourneau. The majority of LeTourneau’s international students are from Korea due to the sister school relationship with Hangdong University but LeTourneau still receives other students from different countries from different continents as well. Already having a stable relationship with this woman, I had the confidence to ask some hard questions about what was actually happening in the office. She was not afraid of being honest of what she observed and experienced. She knew what was true and biblical. There was just something different about her that didn’t have me fooled. I knew that was she was actually saying was the truth and that she had a reason behind it all.
She spoke to me about how in everything I do, it must be Holy Spirit filled. God is everywhere and we cannot ignore the fact that he has total control of everything. She told me of numerous stories of how she watched different people worked with different ways. She incorporates scripture and prayer into her daily life and integrates into everything she does at LeTourneau. I know she is not alone on doing that but I can fully see it in her. She always puts the students before everything else she does. Her own sons help her out if there is a student that needs a ride or a study buddy to work with. Talking with Mrs. Higgs was not only a reminder of that valuable virtue in my life but also made me grow in appreciation of those educators that do not have the title. Throughout the rest of the time I spent at LeTourneau the door to her office was open. She was there for me to vent but also to process what was happening my whole month there.
For the rest of the week, my life was consumed with the preparation for the new students. My main focus was the preparation for welcoming the international students specifically. I immersed myself in gaining cultural sensitivity information from staff that interacts with Korean students and tried to grasp an understanding. I knew in the back of my mind that I would still have a bit to learn when actually interacting with the students. When they first arrived, I recalled my memories when I first arrived in Costa Rice during my experience studying overseas. I remembered all the anxiety and nervousness I first felt. I could just imagine myself all over again about how I was about to go on an adventure and be challenged in so many different ways.
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