dreams.

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I used to think this is what my life would look like when I was in my 20s-30s. I thought I would just be a beach bum. Actually, when I was little, I'm certain that I thought that was a real option for an occupation. Throughout college especially, I saw myself with dreadlocks, tattoos, driving an old aqua VW. I'm being completely serious. 

The summer after my freshman year in college, I just needed to get away. I wanted to get as far away from "normalcy" as I could. 

So, I went to Hawaii.

That's right, I spent a summer on the North Shore of Oahu. I didn't do much there. I learned to surf. I read a lot. I met some friends. I spent a lot of time at the beach. I went to a church that backed up to the ocean. I helped with VBS on the island. It was perfect. I don't think I could've had a better experience.

When I came home, I realized that all that is great, but It's better when you're not alone. I've never had a problem being alone. I actually sometimes prefer it. I'm independent, and I love peace and quiet. I've never really been into the party scene.

 If I was going to be honest with myself, I never really thought I would ever get married. You see, I have what I like to call "commitment issues." I just never saw myself married. I thought maybe I would become a missionary, live in another country, adopt a foreign baby. This was my crazy dream.

About a year later, I met Jacob. 

Then I went on a mission trip to Germany. While I was there I realized that although my heart is definitely for reaching the lost and meeting physical needs in other countries, it doesn't mean I have to do it by myself. I have never missed anyone so badly in all my life than the way I felt in Europe. It occurred to me then that I want to do all these things, but I wanted to do them with Jake. 

In an instant my phobia of commitment was cured! And now, we are finally at a place in our lives where we can start doing more mission work. And this girl is pumped. I've been in school so long it hasn't been possible. But you better believe those 3 weeks of vacation are about to start being used - as soon as they kick in! 

I still see myself as an old gray haired (dreadlocked) lady, with multiple tattoos and piercings, sitting on the beach somewhere. But my vision now has my husband in it. And maybe a few kiddos. Of course at least one of them will look nothing like me or him. They will be from another country - maybe the one we're living in. We'll see. 

I love that dreams change. I love that I realized that where I am is not nearly as important as who I'm with.

-Lace

florida 2011.

Here are some pictures from our trip! We had such a blast! Sorry there are so many, but it beats the 200 I took!  :)

love love sailboats. 

golf cart rides were the best.

grillin' out.

beach concierge. that's me.

aren't they adorable?

two peas in a pod.

gang's all here.

i had a melt down on 30-A.

dog-friendly seaside.

frost bites. yum.

he. he.

beach time.

at our wedding site in seaside.

wedding site  - almost 4.5 years ago.

wedding site.

love this man.

at the red bar. a tradition.

love me some beach.

-Lace

home sweet home.

We made it home from Florida! It was the best trip! Actually, that's the second trip I think I've said that about this summer! We have been so fortunate to see so many beautiful places, and do so many lovely things this summer. But we always love going back to Florida. It just feels like home. My family has been going to an area near Destin every year since we happened upon it on our way to Disney when I was two. So, for the last 24 years I think we have only missed one or two summers when we didn't go. Jacob and I got engaged there, and we got married there. So now it is even more special to go back and revisit those places. I am going to try to upload all my pictures tomorrow and  post some on here. But for now...

-Lace

4.19.11

Went ziplining through the canopy today!!!!! SO. MUCH. FUN! Then we got to see some monkeys, and they hopped on my shoulder! I think they are the cutest things ever! Now we are getting ready for dinner on the dock. One of the neighbors is cooking shrimp linguine! I can’t believe I only have 1 full day left here! I am so excited to see Jacob, but so sad to leave! Tomorrow we are doing a health fair at one of the extremely poor “villages” here.

Some more inspiration from “Crazy Love:”

“Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” - Tim Kizziar.

“After the apostle Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, people “were cut to the heart and said… ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (Acts 2:37). The first church responded with immediate action; repentance, baptism, selling posessions, sharing the gospel. We respond with words like ‘amen, convicting sermon, great book’… and then are paralyzed as we try to decipher what God wants of our lives. I concur with Annie Dillard who once said, “How we live our days is.. .how we live our lives.” We each need to discover for ourselves how to live this day in faithful surrender to God. ”

“Should you put your house on the market today and downsize? Maybe. Should you quit your job? Maybe. Or perhaps God wants you to work harder at your job and be His witness there. Does he want you to move to another city or another country? Maybe. Perhaps He wants you to stay put and open your eyes to the needs of your neighbors.”

As I am getting close to going home, this part of the book really meant a lot to me. Sometimes it’s very easy to do what you feel God leading you to do in a foreign country when that’s your primary reason for being there. Or it’s easy to love people in the third world who you feel actually NEED your love. And when you are in uncomfortable situations and pushed beyond your comfort zone, it’s easier to really listen and lean on God for advice and guidance. But when I’m home, with the people I love and around people who have everything they could ever need and are sometimes unlovable, that’s when I’m called. I’m called to be God’s witness THERE, even when it doesn’t come naturally. Francis Chan also says in his book when talking about the “highs” of life when you feel close to God (mission trip, camp, revival, etc.): “Memories are wonderful, but do you live differently because of them?” I hope I will.

Lace

4.18.11

This morning was spent cleaning out the clinic and organizing medicine and supplies. Then we went down to West End and walked around for a while. Then … and this is the best part… we went PADDLEBOARDING AT SUNSET. A-mazing! It was sooo beautiful! I absolutely love paddleboarding, and am currently trying to talk Jake into getting me one to use at Lake O’ the Pines. Then we ate at the Noodle Shack for dinner. Yummo.

It is so funny how things that were once so foreign and stressful have become so normal and even enjoyable. Like taking a taxi, communicating in spanish, bargaining for stuff. At first these things were so hard for me to do, and now I thoroughly enjoy them! I am so looking forward to seeing my family again, but I will really really miss this place. It has been so perfect!

I have loved every minute of my time here, and I can’t believe it is almost over! I have learned so much! I will be home in 3 days! CRAZY!

Lace

4.16.11

SURPRISE! So you know how sometimes ignorance is bliss? Well I promised my mom and jake that I would not do this. They were so worried about me being here by myself. In my defense, I really didn’t intend on doing it, but then I gave in. And instead of telling them and letting them worry, I just did it and waited to tell them after it was over….  But Dad, you’re gonna be SO proud of  your girl! I’m PADI (SCUBA) CERTIFIED!!!  The past 2 weeks I have been going to classes and doing my dives to get certified. I have kind of just been saying “I went swimming today” instead of “I went diving today.” So, sorry mom and jake.. don’t be mad! I was just doing you a favor by not making you worry k? Dad, we will have to go diving together sometime soon!!!!!

It is so incredible to see all the stuff under water! It’s like swimming in a GINORMOUS aquarium. It blows my mind that God made so much detail at the bottom of the ocean where hardly anyone will ever see it! Also, I really love that some of the coral looks like lungs, and some of it looks like brains! Seriously!

It has been over 3 weeks since I have turned on a hair dryer, put make up on, or really “gotten dressed..” and I. love. It. It’s so nice that this way of life is the norm here! J Going to the beach the rest of the day then going out to have a “goodbye party” for one of the volunteers tonight.

Lace

4.15.11

It’s Friday!!!! And .. IT’S MY LAST DAY OF ROTATIONS- EVER!! Next week is Semana Santa (Holy Week) so our clinic is closed. Which means I am DONE with clinical rotations. So crazy!! After clinic we went to West End to have dinner. Then drinks on the beach. I mean, who gets to just hang out on the beach after dinner on a Friday night? This girl! It’s so fun.

Also, today some of the volunteers told me I was the coolest “married person they’d ever met.” Apparently it’s not too common to be married at such a young age in other places. But they said I didn’t act like an “old married person.” So fun. I’m glad I have such an amazing husband!

I am still reading “Crazy Love” and I highly recommend it. A lot of things about this book inspire me, but I just wanted to share this one:

“The Bible says that when we obey God’s commands, we benefit. I think we naturally assume that if we look out for our own interests and concerns, we will be happy. But people who sacrifice for others will tell you that seasons of giving are the most rewarding of their lives. It turns out that the Bible is right - “It is better to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). People generally do find greater joy in giving freely to others than they do in rampant self-indulgence. Regarding this, the playwright George Barnard Shaw writes, “This is true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”"

And “David Livingston, a missionary to Africa during the 1800s, once said during a speech to students at Cambridge University, “People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa… I never made a sacrifice. We ought not to talk of the ’sacrifice’ when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.”"

These two excerpts just completely sum up how I feel here. I always think “I’m not where I need to be in my relationship with God, so I can’t possibly give to others.” But it’s amazing… when you give to others you relationship grows.

Lace

4.13.11

Clinic all day today - it was kind of a chaotic day for some reason! Then went for a swim for a while. Took a “back of the truck ride” with the other volunteers to a Thai food place on the beach. Very fun! Now we are all sitting around listening to beach boys and sending emails and blogging!

The stars are SO beautiful here, so last night we took some ice cream down to the dock and listened to Jack Johnson while we looked at the stars. It was so perfect!! Just wish Jake was here with me!

One of our volunteers was attacked by dogs yesterday. Completely tore her leg up. She had to fly back to the states today to get a rabies vaccine. So crazy. Keep her in your prayers if you think about it. She’s such a trooper - and has had a great attitude!

Thanks for all your encouragement and prayers!

Lace