On a plane

On a plane, here I go
To a place I've yet to know
Eyes are wide and mouth is tight
As I wait to take this flight
Above the clouds, across the sea
Is where this metal bird takes me
And when the ground I touch once more
I'll peer upon a foreign shore
Into the waves so big and wide
Reminding me of my great stride
Abandoned family, friends and ways
I slip to a reminiscent haze
For when return I surely make
This will not seem such a mistake
So onward plane! Here we go
To the place I've yet to know

When I get as anxious, as I was right before my flight, apparently I start to resemble Dr. Seuss.
 I'm now in Keflavík, Iceland.

The only things I knew of Iceland up to this point were anything I watched in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (shout-out to MFM for having me watch it--love you!). The movie, starring Ben Stiller, depicts Iceland as this beautiful, green, and surprisingly cultured island. I've wanted to come here ever since. Fortunately, I have an 18 hr layover here on my flight to Paris, so... Here I go!

I've been spending the past half hour that I've been waiting on this bus taking advantage of the complimentary wifi (that will be scarce from now on) to look up how I'm going to venture around town. Streets have Icelandic names like Lokastígur and Austurstræti--pronounced with that toothy, tonguey, throaty viking sound. Being that these names are completely foreign to me and rough to stick in my easily-retrievable memory bank, it was imperative that I jotted down all the cafes/restaurants/places I'd like to see in downtown Reykjavík and how to get there. Thank you Google Maps! You're on it.

What I love most about Iceland so far having been here a whopping 3 hours in the airport:
The locals look like me! Almost everyone looks like my two younger sibling and I. Button-up noses and high cheekbones included. Our Nordic-Viking side is pretty prominent in my mom's maiden Person side of the fam. These Icelandic vikings are surely 10 generation distant relatives. Surely.
I've just never been in a place where so many people could easily pass for a sibling, cousin, or uncle of mine. Funky.

I like listening to the locals speak Icelandic. They use it certainly more than English, which I appreciate. I respect seeing indigenous tongues preserved. It resembles a soft German accent.

Bee-tee-dubs, I had a fantastic week with my favorite and only nephew, my fur niece, and my big brother and sister-in-law and their families. Minnesota is a pretty neat place with those particular people living there. Can't wait to return. :-)

Half hour left of this bus journey to downtown. You might just get two posts today.
You lucky dog, you!

It's going to happen

It started with a bold statement:  "I'm moving to Spain this summer."
Flights were not booked, visas were not applied for, living arrangements had not been made--no preparation whatsoever had been considered. But I was going.

It became a mantra that I would not only tell myself, but anyone who asked (or didn't).
Where did that first absurd domino statement come from though?
I think the younger Lynda in this video answers that best:
Any time I have heard clearly from Yahweh it has been a spontaneous but strong thought in my head that seems crazy to do alone, but I foresee a strong remorse if I do not follow through. As cliché as it sounds, it's the kind of act that takes a "leap of faith"--an act that starts with a thought that I know I didn't make up in my brain.
I have a handful of personally substantial instances that I can recollect:

1. Moving to Mexico after high school
2. Praying with fervor for a man that was blind
3. Giving my car away to a missionary
4. ...and now this.

I tell Yahweh things and He instructs/comforts me (through His Scriptures & by His Spirit), but the above four moments were ones that made me sweaty and nervous and maybe a little teary, but I never for a moment regretted acting on those prompts by Him. It's obedience.

I'm not always obedient though. This year's been a rough one. I've been told I come across to people like I have my life together, but honestly I often feel only held together by Him. Even when I go through long seasons of neglecting time with Him in prayer and in His Scriptures, He still continues to bless my life with good surprises and show me unconditional love through the people that surround me.

His love has always been an unrelenting one for me. From creation, when He designed the tulip in a way He knew I would love to look at. On the cross, when He paid with His bloodshed for the pardon of the offenses I would commit at a later time. In Heaven, where even He says that He is preparing a place for me. And here, where He fills my life with wonderful opportunities and the best people simply because He loves me, no matter what I am doing or not doing.

So I am going to listen to Him on this. Even though not everything is arranged. Even though the finances aren't all there. Even though a million things could still go wrong. I am trusting in my Heavenly Father to provide because I know He is the God who sees me and who loves me unconditionally.

So I know it's going to happen.

Tickets are bought. Departure is May 24th from California, May 31st from the U.S.
I arrive in Paris on June 1st with my luggage and three months to occupy Europe.

Tentative plans:

1. Meet with my friends J & E in Italy
2. Meet with my friends A, EF, S, & C in Barcelona
3. Take my admissions test/personal interview for the nursing program in Madrid on June 13th
4. Walk the 500 mile Camino de Santiago solo for up to 30 days
5. Job hunt and sight-see
6. Come back to apply for visa in San Fran in Sept
7. Get back to Spain as soon as that finishes processing

If you'd like to pray, the following are my needs:

1. That I would trust in His provision
2. That I would be alert and protected in my travels 

I won't be on social media during the summer, but I will be posting on this blog regularly (mostly so that my mom doesn't worry herself to death in those three months) to inform the people who care or are curious what's going on with my leap.

If you care to contact me during that time I will also be using/checking my email as often as the blog is updated: davislynda@live.com
I would totally appreciate encouragement on this journey, or even just a check-in to know I'm still cared for, so don't hesitate to email if you have the desire. It could just be that I get the message on the day I'm ready to give up.

Thanks for your care or curiosity! Both are welcomed and appreciated.
-Lyn

Endure

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

14 Enero, 2011

I'm thinking that I'm really glad I remembered our inconsistent internet here at the BI and didn't sign up for any online classes... that would've been my mom's money down the John.
I'm surely looking forward to taking class this summer; I miss being forced and encouraged to learn.

I'm falling into the slacker pit again, so I followed through with my decision to delete my Facebook just last night. It'll do me good. I would spend hours on there just basically stalking people. So stealthy. So unhealthy.

Falling into the slacker pit also because I'm neglecting (in my own way) the kids that I watch by not playing with them. Especially Beteli. I act like I'm here in Mexico for myself; I'm not. I'm here for Jesus, and He has me here for the people.

Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
I’m trying to be more loving and helpful to others, but I have this problem of saying yes to almost every request with a smile, but once the request is to take place I have an uncontrollable dread on my face. I’m visibly selfish. :\ (Refer back to Matthew 22: 36-40)
I’ve been teaching and helping Rebeca with her crocheting—Abril’s mom—and we’re both really enjoying our time together.

One of the worst parts of living in Mexico is not being able to fix the poverty. Over ¾ of the students here are in need of financial help—and are studying to be missionaries and pastors. If I was a millionaire, each of them would definitely get a share. Even $10 is a lot of money for most of them. I want to help so bad. This world needs too much help.
I am so pessimistic right now.
Positives…
When I came back, I was first greeted by a little David and little Beteli running down the hill, holding hands, and enthusiastically screaming my name. I received big hugs from all of my roommates. I received hugs from some of my nonroommates.
My favorite place is sitting in Marbella’s room and just talking with Keila, Marbella, and Guilla—they adore me, and igualmente. We talk and giggle and it’s fun.
I’m sitting with Cheli and Joka in the front for Devotionals, rather than the back by myself—and I’ve been on time every day so far this term.
I had spaghetti and beans together for breakfast for the first time in my life the other morning—I chuckled to myself and happened to be the only one in the eating hall that did so.
God’s helping me so much with being more responsible.
I looked pretty today.
Some of us girls are going to start exercising together in the mornings next week—my goal is 15 lbs. and lots more energy!
I’m helping Rigo and Beti whenever they need it with computer research and software search.
I’m singing with the worship team for the graduation in May.

Cloth Diapers

I am part of an elite minority: woman who know how to change cloth diapers. Well, minority in my culture; cloth diapers happen to be commonly used throughout the world... not in the U.S, that's for sure. Cloth diaper?

It's an intriguing blessing, having the opportunity to watch these two babies experience the most rapid period of mental and physical growth in a humans life (outside the womb). They recognize objects, speak in their own baby gibberish, and our beginning the utilization of the supporting appendages that are planted at the bottom of their legs. It's some cool stuff.

I've been on time for devotionals every day so far, Praise God; and am trying my best to attend every meal.

Bible reading, crocheting, Facebook, and sun flower seeds consume my free time.

I miss my family.

And I miss Penryn.

I'm wondering what I'm going to do with myself when I go away to college and get married and officially move out. I might have to be my parents' neighbor for the rest of my life. ;)

I miss speaking English all the time, too. I get chills when I hear an English word spoken aloud.
But I would trade all the chills, all of the Hellos, to be serving God like I am right now and growing in Him as I am right now. I came to Mexico to help others, and I am being helped. I have mixed feelings about that.
It feels good being inspired and improved, but at the same time it feels selfish.
I have to brag for a moment. My roommate, Cheli, is AMAZING. The most solid, well-rounded, inspirational, intelligent woman of God I have ever known. She gets up at 4 O’clock every morning just so she’ll have enough time to read her Bible for a half hour before we head to Devotionals. And after breakfast she’ll turn on the MP3 on her phone and worships in her bed; and prays; and cries. And if she has a spare moment or any freetime, she reads--mostly the Bible. It appears her whole heart is in her relationship with God, just as He desires.
I tried to delete my Facebook a while back, but I had to get back on for a phone number and never deleted again; I have been on nearly every day since. I think I’m really going to delete it. I know God wants me to, and I have a feeling that if I want a relationship with Him that’s as fruitful as Cheli’s, I’m going to have to take initiative to eliminate my distractions. I bet that if she had distractions like Facebook or anything, that she would be just like me. But who knows?

My least favorite creature

Today started out great. Terrible night’s sleep, but I was totally tuned in with God, woke up on time, things ran smoothly in the kitchen with Elda, and then it was ruined when I looked in the mirror...

I found a head louse in my front hair line. Sad day.

So the whole day I was awkward, uncomfortable, itchy, embarrassed, and bummed. Luckily, I’m blessed with an awesome aunt who was really cool and helpful about the whole thing. I watched the three little ones together for 7 ½ hours today; it was long, but it probably wouldn’t have felt as long had I not been itching (pun kind of intended) to take care of my issue. I cleaned out and combed my hair for two hours and then started on the biggest load of laundry in my life.

So that was my day. I tried my best to keep my face and head a safe distance from the kids without neglecting them (babies and little ones sure do like to be close to you). At one point the two babies were asleep, so I put a movie on for Beteli to keep her quiet and I had her lay on my lap as I ran my finger nails across her scalp like my mom used to do. It’s kind of the most soothing thing in the world—put her to sleep. :)

And, I love Jesus. He comforts me in funny ways.

Abruptness, vacation, sugar-free donuts

I was tired of blogging. Not just tired, but ashamed. I felt like every time I posted a new post that I was infecting the world with my unnecessary vanity (I've actually discovered that it's done some good spiritually). The motive of the blog, however, has never been vanity. I'm just one of those kind of people whom assumes that others see me in a negative light--my views on myself are tinted in an awkward manner, I guess. If I sit and analyze my relations with others, I'm rather adored. God blesses me with people who love me even with my countless sins and faults--kinda cool. :)

So, that's why my blog just stopped so abruptly. That, and I could only think about going home.

My last day of watching kids was ridiculous, but I didn't mind. I can some up the craziness with a single instance: I made a makeshift diaper out of feminine products so that baby feces wouldn't contaminate any more of the room.

Uncle Kent kindly chauffeured me to the airport where I went through baggage check-in, security, and a flight all alone for the first time. It was pleasant; I crocheted. I also had my first awkward encounter with a stranger on a flight, which ended up not being that awkward. We simply conversed about his family, his job selling John Deer tractors, as well as my family, and my current "occupation" of watching children in Mexico. It felt like a scene from a movie, and therefore it felt like I would bump into him again in my life as we exchanged goodbyes walking through the terminal.

Being home was lovely, in every use of the word. I was able to attend more than half of my sister's and friends' choir concert, I got to kiss my Mama, I got to cuddle with my Pa on the couch, I got to spend time with my Steph and Jazz and their boyfriends, I got to watch my favorite movies with Jess (even though she was in writhing pain), I got to see some extended family, I got to go to lunch with my grandparents, I got to bake cookies with my siblings, I got to work at Taylors, I got to go to church and youth group, I got to spend time with Matt and Laura (bro and sis-in-law), and I got to eat french onion soup--twice!

Good times.

But something was missing. I neglected God for 3 weeks. We'd talk in the car a little, but that's about it. No Bible reading. No devotion. It really affected me. I spent most of the 3 weeks moping around the house putting off things that I promised people I'd do, like visiting with friends, visiting the old folks home, and just being happy. I felt sluggish and semi-depressed in a place where I really wanted to be. It was so ironic, but then it wasn't. Your only going to have joy in God. Real joy, I mean. And dissing Him for 3 weeks is no bueno; so I learned.

It's really easy to get distracted from God when I'm at home. Here in Tecate at the BI, it's all about Jesus. Everything is done for Jesus. It's different in Penryn, Cali. It's even different in my home. My goal is to get strong enough in my relationship with Christ here, that I'll be able to go with Him anywhere and not get distracted.

So when I was dropped off by my family yesterday, it was of course internally emotionally. I held back tears, but was still sad for the rest of the night. It's like I love them or something.

I watched a movie and fell asleep at my aunt and uncles (they were away at a conference) even though I was supposed to go back to the dorms. I'm terribly irresponsible and unaccountable and that is definitely a change that needs to be made. I tried to achieve this all last term, but to no prevail. It's a change that I definitely need God's help on. Being on time, being there to help others, getting done what I say I will, etc.

Even at lunch today at the Chinese food place with my Tios and Beto and Gloria, I was thinking how I'd be such a better person if I'd engage in conversation even if I only understand half of it (being in Spanish). Or in church I was thinking, "If only I was more friendly". Or I'm always thinking "If only I was more intelligent".

As far as the intelligent thing goes, I've been chewing on this verse:
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." 1 Corinthians 8:1

Loving others is definitely more important, according to God.

Well, the next semester begins tomorrow. I have so much more to say, but can't say it all in 3 minutes.

Pray for me, please. For guidance, especially. I'm praying for you, my reader.