India

The medical trip I was so fortunate to go on came up again yesterday, so the good memories came flooding back!  It also reminded me that I never did get those thank you cards out to my supporters.  Whoops!  If I had, here’s what it would have said:

The trip to India was just incredible!!  There’s too much to say about God’s goodness, protection, love, provision, and joy among many things displayed during the trip.  Some major factors that made my time in India so impactful include

1)  the team – 21 different individuals made the medical and dental teams, each with a specific job.  We got along so well!  Everyone was willing to serve and not argue.  It was absolutely refreshing.  I was on the dental team as an assistant, which was awesome because I go to see a completely different profession and got to know my Godly team members well.

2)  the team we partnered with – they fed us, transported us, and lodged us when necessary.  They interpreted for us as well and just made things seamless, which was due to a lot of work before we even set foot in country.  Seeing their work and vision along with their hearts for their own people was encouraging and special.

3)  the Indian people – each person we were able to provide services for (a little under 3,200 people in 7 different villages in 3.5 days!) were so very appreciative.  For dental, the Indians were brave.  All the long days were definitely worth it when you saw the look of gratitude and relief on their faces.

4)  you – I was blown away by who supported me (with finances and prayers) and how much people gave.  It was definitely a faith-builder to become fully funded to go!  I am so humbled and grateful to have gone and all thanks in part to you!

A lot of memories were made, new friendships forged, and a lot of personal and spiritual growth happened.  I have no doubt more will come from the trip in the future as God uses it and me!  

Aunts

I have some of the best aunts! I realized this while enjoying their company, and the company of the rest of my family, last Christmas.  Each one is amazing and brings a different perspective for me to glean from.  Not only that, they have raised some pretty great kids, whom I enjoy and am proud to call my cousins, and, more directly, they've also helped to mold me.

Whether trying to get my grandmother to sit down and enjoy the holiday meal, bringing a delicious dish to share, laughing at the family craziness, or just simply being present at family gatherings and special occasions, my aunts have been a consistent and positive presence in my life.  All of them have had different influences on me, all of which are positive.  One aunt in particular helped by being more of a mom, since my real mom had to be away from the family for a time with my older brother for his transplant.  I distinctly remember my aunt helping me and my other brother with homework, cooking us meals, and letting us watch TV and eat snacks. She definitely won "the cool aunt" award for that interim time!

Still to this day, all my aunts engage me by asking how I'm doing, checking in on work and life, and by just having good, adult conversations -- since we can more now! We talk about work (the good, bad, and ugly), about travel (always good and so fun!), and about the past (remember when Uncle ____ did ____?!), and they don't bug me about dating (hallelujah)! They are pretty great.

I actually decided awhile back that I was going to try and reach "cool aunt" status when the time came. You know, be the aunt who buys awesome gifts or goes on sweet trips with the nieces and nephews.  I mean, I'd basically just like to not be the "crazy aunt" that you wonder about.

Now that I've thought about it, I have some big shoes to fill or, rather, some super examples to go off of, and I practice with my best friend's little girls right now.  I think I'm doing alright :)  ...At least they love me ("When's Miss Jessie goin' be here?") and I adore them!  I suppose the real test will be when my nephew (!) arrives late this August!!  Yep, that's right.  The time has come, and I'm so excited!!

That Moment

 

Whether good, bad, funny, or ugly, we all have moments. They come and go so quickly. Do you relish them? Do you notice them? Do you think of them later?

I've pretty much had each moment listed below in the past few months of this crazy year. With more to come!

That moment when you...

hear the alarm go off

think of that clever comeback

smile and laugh at yourself

stood up for yourself

feel smug

see a friend after a long time apart

know someone's got your back

see a super cute guy

feel invincible

feel a fart coming but there's no escape

remember something after getting warm and comfy in bed

remember you left the laundry in the washer

see something ridiculous

think "did that really just happen?!"

shoot the breeze with unlikely people

win

eat deliciousness

quench your dying thirst

That moment when you cross the finish line

meet your goal

wear new shoes

go barefoot

get a call or text from a crush/love

finish a "catch up" phone call

almost get into a wreck

realize your friend isn't so innocent

run in the rain

let loose in the dance floor like no one is watching

speed over a bump and your stomach lurches

That moment when you want to give up

laugh so hard you cry

think it's all for nothing

realize you're liked

are surrounded by those whom you love and enjoy

realize things could be worse

That moment when you stop caring what others think

are truly yourself

need a hug

wish you were smarter

hear a tragic story

pass the test

hear another person you know is battling cancer

feel left out


That moment when you realize you miss writing. ...so I'm writing again :)