last few days at home

this tour...it is not good-bye, it is see you later 
*13 hours until departure...
I do not like good-byes, who does? So I am thinking of it as see you later! (it just so happens that my see you later is 27 months long!)
So this is how I spent my last few days at home.
Monday...
-Coffee with my great friend Michelle (you are awesome and I am so glad that God crossed our paths!)
-Pool time with my mom and sister (this is our home away from home during the summer)

cheese fries! our favorite snack at the pool

-Prayer walk with my dear friends Beth and Dawn (I will miss you so much!)
-Church, so this is how amazing God is...He always is in the moment! I know that this journey has been planned out by God for me. The theme in Jesus Calling for the month of June is that God is with you. (this also happens to be my theme/verse for my adventure! if you remember from my previous post this verse is inscribed in a ring my parents gave me) 

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

During worship time I was thinking of a song that I like and I knew it had to do with seeking Jesus but I just could not think of the words...guess what the next song was! That is right it was the song! (Thank you Jesus! I posted about this song before and you can check it out here.)
Our teaching was from Matthew 8, the story of when Jesus calms the storm. (everything happens for a reason, and I do not think that me hearing this before I leave was a coincidence) I know that I will have storms on my adventure, but I need to remember to have faith and that Jesus is always with me.
-Early birthday! My dear friend B gave me flowers and cheesecake (my favorite!!) 

-Dinner, homemade chicken pot pie (yummy!)

(this is our family plate, usually the plate is given to someone for a special reason, like awesome work in school or moving to another country)
Tuesday...
-Pedicure and lunch with my mom (I love you!)

veggies and hummus!

-I am all packed! So this is what my room has looked like for the past 4 or 5 months! (and anyone who knows me, knows I am a clean freak so it has been kind of driving me nuts! but packing has been such a large task!)

I was stressing over it for awhile...but it all worked out and God was in every detail! (I need to remember to have faith and He will always be with me-even when I am packing!)
So my life has been stuffed into 3 bags, that is right 3!

(I was under the weight limit (48 pounds!) and I even stuffed in a few extras that I was not sure would fit!) God is awesome!
-Dinner, my all time favorite! Enchiladas!! (best last meal ever!)

-My dear friend Carol, who I met on my Haiti trip, gave me this awesome book (Thank you! and I will miss you Carol, I am so glad that I got to know you on our trip to Haiti)

-Church, amazing! Everyone from my church got together and got me a bunch of books and wrote random messages in them! (so I will have surprise messages all along my journey)

It is so amazing to me to see God in all the little things...
-He has allowed me to pack all that I need plus a few comfort items and still be under the weight limit! 
-My last two nights at home just so happened to be church nights! His timing is so perfect! (so thankful to have such an amazing support system and church family)
-That I have been able to enjoy all my favorite things with family and friends
-To be constantly reminded that He is holding my hand (in everything I do that verse pops up!)
-That I have peace about my journey
Who knew all this? GOD DID!
and with that...
See you all later! 

the little mermaid - part 2

this weeks tour...SCUBA (part 2) and an extra day!
first i would like to mention the extra day...
as this year is leap year, i have been blessed with an extra day with family and friends before i say good-bye. i did not do anything special, but all i can say is thank you God for an extra day! (it is the little things that i notice more often...who knew? GOD DID!)
okay now back to the fun stuff!
my childhood dream of being like Ariel is a little closer to coming true. under the sea is my favorite song from the little mermaid. (why is it that we always want what we can not/do not have? Ariel wanted legs and to live on land, and i would like fins and to be under water)

part 2...
open-water certification. (complete 5 dives, with various skills)


Santa Rosa, New Mexico. a cute little town whose main attraction is the Blue Hole.


the drive down was very interesting...it was snowing...and i am thinking to myself...i am going diving! but the weather turned out to be very pleasant. (upper 50s lower 60s)
the water however...was 64*...
when i went to get fitted for my gear, they gave me three wet suits to wear, i thought that would keep me warm...not so much.
day 1...snorkel and 3 dives. a total of 4 dives for the day. (in open-water certification, it is the only time you can count a snorkel as a dive)
it was a little windy so when we were out of the water it was hard to warm up. i completed the snorkel and first 2 dives with out a problem. (funny story...since i had so much neoprene on...when i did the snorkel i could not dive down for a surface dive) the 3rd dive i was so cold (actually i was frozen!) i could not think straight and had to end my dive without completing my skills. (i was upset, but really i was frustrated because i knew i could do the skills...i was just too cold)
day 2...redo dive 3 and do dive 4.
today we started off by fixing my issue of being frozen. i got another thicker wet suit, and i wore a cap to keep my head warm. they also duck taped around my ankles so that water would not leak into my booties and up the legs of my wet suit. (another funny story...today since i was wearing even more neoprene...i could not get under the water!) i had to be weighted down with 24 pounds! even then i was still having a hard time descending. i completed my 3rd dive, yea! but it was a little tough...my feet kept on floating up because a little water did leak in my booties and since i had them taped the water just stayed in and created like a little buoy. we ended up cutting the tape off. (it was only 9 am and it was already a long day!) finally the last dive...tour dive...this is the 'fun' dive of the class. go to 30' swim around for 15 minutes, it was fun to be able to float around in water that deep.
i did it!
i am now a certified diver! yippee!!
and now my dream of being a mermaid is that much closer...Micronesia here i come! 
the part i am most excited about is getting to see God's underwater creations up close!

what would you bring?

this weeks tour...random thoughts (well maybe not so random)
my mind is in constant thought...about what to bring or not bring, what things will be like, what i am supposed to learn from this experience...(the list grows everyday)
you know the question:
'if you were stranded on an island and could only bring one thing, what would it be?'
it popped into my mind the other day (among a million other things.) 
while i may not be stranded and can bring more than one thing...i will be on an island and will be limited in what i can bring.
without a doubt in my mind i am bringing this...

my favorite item i will be packing

i am so thankful to my dear friends, beth and dawn, for sharing it on our trip to Haiti last year (this daily devotional has been the best and most important addition to my life this past year.)
it is so amazing how each day Jesus is speaking into my life in such a dramatic and particular way. after reading it i usually say to myself 'that is so true, how did You know!?' (His whispers can be really quiet sometimes, but you have to learn to listen)
the truth is that Jesus always knows! He knows what i need at that moment and how to speak to me through this devotional.
just like maybe this weeks tour was not really random, but that Jesus was using the Holy Spirit to lay on my heart (or whisper to me) that He will always be with me.
i know with all my heart that i will never be alone in my new home...my Best Friend will always be with me!
ans so with all that being said...
devotion theme for february
"look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:4 
everyday i am being gently reminded that i only need to look to the Lord for the answers to all my questions. when i read todays devotional i had a rather large duh moment!

february 5

"seek My face, and you will find not only My Presence but also My Peace. to receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust. the only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My hand. ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts. for the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.

you can have as much of Me and My Peace as you want, through thousands of correct choices each day. the most persistent choice you face is whether to trust Me or to worry. you will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what. I am an ever-present help in trouble. trust Me, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

by sarah young

who knew all this? GOD DID! 

how it all began...one year ago

one year ago, i stepped out of my comfort bubble on a journey that changed my life. i went on a mission trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
this is my story...

WHO KNEW?

Haiti has forever changed me, and has a special place in my heart.  I was excited to step out of my comfort zone, and let God work in my life in a HUGE way, but I never imagined how much He would change me in one week, who knew?  GOD DID! 

This was my first mission trip.  I knew before I left that God was huge but to see firsthand how HUGE He is, has strengthened my relationship with Him that much more.  I planned on going to Haiti to change the lives of those around me and I did but, in the end it was those around me that changed my life forever.  Who knew?  GOD DID!

The thought of traveling to a third world country was scary, but I never felt fear; I knew that God was with me every step of the way.  I had never been out of the country, nor had I flown over the ocean.  I knew that going to Haiti was exactly where He needed and wanted me at this point in my life.  I will be completing a bachelor’s degree this year and I am not sure which path God is leading me down.  I am at a crossroads in my life right now, and ready to take the next step-what could have been a better way than to let God stretch me by placing me in Haiti?  Who knew He was going to use this trip to show me how BIG He really is, by placing me in the middle of His creation?  GOD DID! 

Dan, our leader from Faith Missions International, asked each one of us to window shop for what it is that God wants to give us on this trip.  I looked at each child’s face as a window, and asked God ‘what is it that you want to show me through this child?’  Who knew I would window shop in Haiti and find the best deals in the world?  GOD DID!

Here are a few of my souvenirs…

JOY - Jesus is so alive in all the children at the orphanage!  It made my heart melt to see how much joy, love, and happiness each child had.  Jesus used each child to show me how much He loves each one of us.  To see them happy to be alive and able to praise Jesus each day was inspiring, and reminded me to take joy in the smallest of things.  One experience I will always remember and hold close to my heart was how mesmerized the children were with my feet.  The humidity and heat had made my feet swollen.  When the children would touch my feet they would turn white, and they were able to ‘draw’ on my feet and they thought it was the coolest thing in the world!  Who knew my feet would bring them joy and smiles to their faces?  GOD DID!

PRAYER - The power of prayer is one thing that I have learned from this trip.  I had an average prayer life before I left.  I have never prayed so much in my life, as I did in Haiti.  We prayed about everything, and so did the children.  To see, feel, and experience the power of prayer was amazing!  I have never felt so close to Jesus as I did when we prayed.  It was an unforgettable feeling to FEEL His power all around us.  I was also reminded to have a childlike faith.  The children are so close to God and know Him so well.  When they pray, you can see in their faces how much faith they have in Him and how convicted they are by His love.  They were definitely in the throne room and meeting with Jesus, their faith is so large and strong.  The first time I felt the power of the Holy Spirit in me was a prayer session we had as a group when we prayed over the backpacks for the children.  I knew that God was using us to bless the children.  I felt tingles from my head to toes knowing that angels were standing guard and protecting us to be able to share God’s love with the children.  To be the witness of an answered prayer for the children was a blessing.  They were not able to have Christmas, so they began to pray, all they prayed for were backpacks for their things and school.  They were so happy when that is what we brought them. God used us to answer their prayer and that is a blessing and feeling that is indescribable and unforgettable.  Who knew that a prayer for something as simple as a backpack would make their day?  GOD DID!

TIME - Serving and spending time with children is a passion of mine.  I was so blessed and humbled to spend time and serve them daily.  There are a few things in life that will always remind me of my time in Haiti.  I will never again eat a hamburger or macaroni and cheese without thinking of the children, nor will listening to Michael Jackson ever be the same.  There really is a first time for everything!  Being a part of the children’s first hamburger was amazing.  Cooking 80 boxes of macaroni and cheese-that is correct I said 80 boxes!-over a coal fire was an experience all in itself.  Everyday experiences in Haiti have become life altering memories.  Food and dancing were some of the best times I had on this trip.  Who knew ‘there is a first time for everything’ would touch me the way it did?  GOD DID!

PEACE - God used this mission trip to remind and instill in me to have a genuine relationship with Him.  To seek Him every day, and in everything I do.  To look at day to day adventures as His way of speaking into my life, and to take the time to listen to His whispers.  To slow down and take each day one at a time.  That plans change and to look at them with thanksgiving instead of irritation.  I know that when things get tough I turn away from God when in reality I NEED Him more than ever.  He showed me that true peace can only come from Him, when we hand all our troubles over.  Who knew I would experience the feeling of true peace?  GOD DID!

FAITH - Having a child preach, was a humbling feeling.  To see his passion and know in his heart that what he was speaking was coming from the lips of Jesus through him-gives me goose bumps.  The faith of a child is so amazing, I was shown the childlike faith I need to have in my life; to reach my hands up to my daddy and trust Him in everything.  Who knew I would long to be like a child again in my faith?  GOD DID!

LOVE – God LOVES us and He showed that by sending His only son to save us.  I am very blessed to be able to have taken this journey with my dad.  To see his love for me and understand that he would do anything for me, gave me a better understanding of God’s love for us.  This will be something that we can share forever and remember the fun, difficult, and happy memories.  It is a great feeling to know that I have someone to talk to everyday who will understand everything I experienced on this adventure, because he was right there with me every step of the way.  Who knew this would bring me and my dad closer together?  GOD DID!

HUMBLED - I have never seen poverty like I did in Haiti and it broke my heart.  I know that God has blessed me and my life by placing me where He did.  I will never again take that for granted.  I know that He has given me all that I have so that I may be able to share and spread His love to those less fortunate in the world.  I am grateful for all He has done and will do in my life.  Who knew I would be happy with my life the way it is?  GOD DID!

On the flight from Port-au-Prince to Miami, I was able to sit in a window seat, and God spoke to me in this time.  I was in awe at the beauty of the ocean.  It was His last little reminder, from the trip, to me that He is the biggest thing in this world and to remember this experience for a lifetime.  Some of the best memories I will have from Haiti are the gifts that God has given me through my window shopping experience with the children.  I will continue to seek Him daily through JOY, PRAYER, TIME, PEACE, FAITH, LOVE, and HUMBLENESS.  I will listen to His whispers, and be open to the path He is leading me down.

I will always remember Haiti as a turning point in my life, and that God will continue to use me daily whether it is in my own backyard or across the ocean. 

Who knew all this? GOD DID!

Elana Meitler, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 2011

that was only the beginning...

through this experience God showed me a part of who i am that i never really knew what to do with. i have always had a heart for people, but i never imagined that it would take me around the world. 

so...i began my journey to apply to the Peace Corps. 10 months later...

I WAS ACCEPTED!

with a new year ahead of me, a new journey is in store. Peace Corps Micronesia and Palau. i will be an ESL teacher and community development worker. my journey will begin in June 2012!

i am so super excited for a new experience. with Jesus as my tour guide!