"At the moment when you feel like you have reached the point of absolute exhaustion, inspire yourself to take one last step, and that is when you have successfully arrived to the next level."
Master Jin Kwon
"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me... For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2Cor. 12:9 and 10b
The Wired Staff, Interns and me (the tag along) half way to the bottom of the volcano, Boqueron. You can see the crater behind us.
Hello Everyone!! I feel as if I am deserting myself and you all if I don't keep up with this blog every few days, so I apologize that it has been over a week and a half since I have written. Things have been busy, or shall I say, occupied, even if there is not much going on. That probably doesn't make much sense, but I will try to explain what all I've been doing since the last post.
My daily routine on a normal day has pretty much stayed the same, (although the term "normal" is ready to take on a new form at any moment's notice) - giving baths, dressing little people, fixing hair on little heads, then playing with whoever is necessary while Jen and Felice do school, help get kids ready for whatever may come up to go to during the day, build legos, play play dough, and have a blast in the process. My routine was kind of juggled around due to being sick for a few days. I had a stomach bug that didn't seem to want to let go, and just feeling physically and mentally drained. I'm still trying to get back to myself, as I now have some kind of really wierd throat thing going on. I don't know if it's due to an infection, allergy, or what's going on. But exhaustion has been a major hurdle for me over the past week. Hence - this whole blog, including "inspiring" quotes, about exhaustion. :) I'm definitely feeling better, and my "tiredness" is not due to anyone here at all, I still continue to love the people I spend every day with, but my body just doesn't always respond the way I want it to.
Another absolutely amazing, fabulous thing I did this week was hike a volcano with some amazing people. I am so glad I did it, but it is definitely at the top of my exhausting, brutal, physical things I have ever done. Hiking the Copper Canyon in Mexico used to be at the top, but it has been moved to second now. The staff at Wired (the C&MA Envision site here in San Salvador) has been having their staff training, competition, bonding time this week. Hiking Boqueron, the volcano was one of their challenges. Wednesday was one of my days off, so they graciously let me go with them. Standing at the top and looking at the bottom where we were headed, and then coming BACK UP had the same affect that looking over on the side of Copper Canyon where we were headed had on me - daunting : intimidating : challenging. I like challenge ;)
Halfway there!!
I don't think I've been quite that physically exhausted before, but, what other option is there, when you're at the bottom of a volcano, than to get out??? :) As one of the challenges the teams had to do, I ended carrying around 20 lbs. or rocks in my backpack almost the whole way out as well, and there were times I thought I was going to die. Not literally, but I was hurting. Part of the climb is like hand over hand, over rocks and stuff. The leader of my team, Elijah, began to ask us to think of verses that were describing how we were feeling, or that were encouraging us. That gave us strength for one more step, then one more, then one more. And, at last, that final step put us in the van. I love vans!!!! :) I loved that hike, and how it reminded me again, of how powerless I really am, and how UTTERLY dependant I must be upon my Lord for every breath, every step, every direction in life. Apart from Him, I AM NOTHING.
I would like to ask for prayer for this throat thing that is going on. Originally it started almost like an allergic reaction to some kind of poisonous (to a degree) leaf that brushed on my arm during the hike and left hives and a rash, although it was only when I would eat something. Almost like my throat was closing off when I would try to eat. That has now stopped, thank God, but the roof of my mouth and my soft palate feels like it has a DEEP bruise. The wierdest thing, I know. It's not like I'm writhing in pain, but it's just there. I'm thinking maybe it's some kind of virus, as others were having the same thing a couple of days ago. I'm taking some stuff I brought with me, so pray that that will be enough to get rid of it. For God's healing. For rest. For energy. I so appreciate having so many people that I know are praying for me. You don't know what energy that alone gives me, knowing that God has put people in my life that don't just say they will pray, but actually do. Something I definitely need to be for others. You challenge me. Thank you.
My time here is ticking away, with a month and a half now. I miss my family, and things about home, but it is going to be hard when the time comes to part ways with the Mullinax tribe whom I have grown to love. Also pray for direction when I do get home as to exactly what God would have me to do from there. I love you all.
"Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward."
Arrow, Alton, Me and Felice. Raquel wasn't too fond of the idea :) I think I'm having too much influence on them ;)
That's an inspiring and amazing testimony, Laura! Thanks for taking time to write it. I'll be praying for you as weel, esp with the sickness - I know that is not fun to work with. ~Blessings~
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