Baja, Mexico

Jake and I will be taking a mission trip to Baja, Mexico for our Christmas break from Dec. 27th - Jan. 4th.

If you think of it, say a prayer for us. We will be leading a team of 20+ teenagers while we build houses and teach Vacation Bible School to the local kids there. 

This is some of what we will be seeing:

If you'd like more information about this trip, you can go here.

Boy Scouts

I joined the brave and the few back in August:

I am a female Boy Scout (BS). Yes I have a uniform. Yes I know the Scout sign. I know... it's hilarious. But I enjoy it. A typical day with BS includes teaching boys and girls different games, sports, etc. My position is different than the typical BS leader; I work with inner-city, low-income schools and do programming for them. Every day is a new challenge and adventure. 

Yesterday was a great day with BS. It was a day that reminded me that even thought this is a part-time, temporary job while I'm in grad school, I love it. I was at a school and was talking with a 3rd grade girl who didn't know who to give her Christmas card that she was making to. I suggested her parents, but she said she didn't have any. I suggested a brother or sister and she said her brother was in jail. I just wanted to give her a hug and take her to a warm, loving home where someone would brush her hair and tell her she's lovely. I'm so thankful to get a few hours every day with this girl and others like her who need some extra love and hope for a better world. 

I'm also so thankful because the Boy Scouts have a Christian heritage and I am allowed to mention God, Christmas, etc. in these schools that ban teachers from the freedom to teach any Christian-minded programs. 

Lastly, I am thankful because I am a now officially famous because of the BS's. I called into a local radio station (Alice) yesterday that was featuring calls from people in opposite-gender dominated fields. As a female Boy Scout, I won them over and ended up getting a VIP package to a downtown hotel and the art museum! 

I guess all the comment like "You're a BOY Scout?!? But you're a GIRL" have finally paid off. 

Cheers to my future! :)

An early Christmas gift...