A Few Photos. . .





The Beautiful Home I am blessed to stay in!!
Best house in the village!




Their new addition to their family - Galiea.
She's a month old and a gorgeous little one!





Our "friendly" visitor we found in our classroom!
The net did it's job! Poor little bat struggled for more than 24hours to get free
until it died.
It was kind of cute, ya? = ]
Yes, I was standing that close to it - no zoom used.



Eating "the best seafood on this side of the border".
I did not realize I was going to have to chop it's head of myself.
I even had to peel the legs off! GROSS!!




Private little beach area we found around the side of the mountain.





A view from the Bible Student's classroom on Roca Blanca Missionary Base = ]
The flowers are gorgeous right now!



Fewh!

I made it through the first week!! = ]
It has been an overall amazing week.  Classes have gone very well - I have picked up on the language, that I have learned so far, pretty well.  I really like it, so that helps. My classes are vocabulary, grammar, phonetics, translation, a lab, and drills - I really love them all. Living here is frustrating, to an extent, because everyone around you speaks Spanish and once I walk back into town there is not a single soul who understands a word of English!! On the other hand, I love living in town, because it is encouraging me to learn more, to learn faster, and it helps me hear it everyday in order to force me to understand it. So God knew what He was doing when He moved me here - He saved a room in a Christian Mexican home for me to live in, where I am hearing and speaking the language daily.

Physically, the only thing I have struggled with is the bugs/small creatures.  They are EVERYWHERE, all the time.  The first night I had huge spiders that were bigger than baseballs, but not tarantulas. But after seeing them, every time something tickled or itched on my body - I freaked out. I would pray that God would take my fear away and to help me concentrate on something else, but the second I itched I'd move quickly to turn the lights on. Oh it was silly. Now, honestly, I am used to the bugs already. The thought of them keeps me from going to sleep right away, but at least it doesn't take me three hours to fall asleep like it did the first two nights.  Last night was kind of funny though - my room was infested with fleas.  I think I am going to come home permanently smelling like bug spray. But I thank God everyday that I have not come into contact with a scorpion or tarantula in my bedroom.

Emotionally, I have been great! I have not cried yet - don't be so surprised, Malia and Mom. = ] But I have not missed much from home except being clean/not sweating every second/no bugs. Other than that, my heart is content here.  I get to talk to Mom over the internet or phone nearly everyday so far so I do not feel so far away! Just feel like I am still at college - so that is a blessing.

Spiritually, God and I have had a lot of quality time together.  We actually have a set time to talk now.  I like to stay busy and with people.  Here in Mexico, I am forced to slow down for numerous reasons and have a lot of time to reflect, pray, read my Bible, and sing to Him. Alone time is something I am not good at (for many reasons), but slowly am learning to love it.  If anyone has any good passages/lessons for me to read - let me know! = ] I finished reading the two English books I brought with me by Max Lucado - so I am needing some new material!

Will write again soon.
Que tengas un buen fin de semana!
Dios te bendiga!
Me Amo Te = ]

First Day

Travel time: first flight went smooth –but the second flight’s departure time was pushed back about 45minutes.  However, we (a boy named Dakota-who is taking Spanish classes as well)  arrived just on time to meet David (missionary) and his wife Laura (missionary/nurse at the base).  Secretly, I think they were amused at how much luggage I had brought with me.

We went to a town about 10 minutes from the airport and ate our first Mexican meal. It was little sliced of “steak” – looked just like that steak they use in Chinese food, with carrots drenched in a spicy sauce. It was delicious.  After the meal they took us to Puerto Escondido (45min drive) to run a few errands with them.  Laura helped me purchase a phone to call home with – at a very low cost – so yay for finding a phone! : ) I can only use the phone in one VERY specific spot on the base. But it works so that’s all I care about!  After errands, we traveled to Cacalote to meet my house family and unpack my stuff into my new room. 

The house is HUGE – well, much bigger than I anticipated it being (especially for the village it is in - it is by far the nicest house in the village).  They have tile floors, furniture, and my room is a very nice size as well.  I have a dresser, desk, bed, and clothes rack in my room; along with two windows-no glass just bug nets over them and  with bars on the outside of the nets for safety purposes. They have an actual room for the shower and it’s about as big as my bedroom. Haha! The toilet and sink are in a different enclosed room adjacent from the shower room. The dresser & clothes rack perfectly hold all of my clothes and necessities I brought.

 The family speaks no English and has an 8 year old little girl as well as a one month old beautiful baby girl.  Seriously, probably one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen – and I still haven’t heard it make a noise yet. 

Last night was interesting – the shower was freezing (which I knew they did not have warm water) so it was refreshing after sweating a bit. I then came into my room, laid on my hard double sized bed, and reached for my phone to call my mom.  Whoops…can’t do that anymore.  That was when it hit me, I am in Mexico. I almost started to panic because I had been looking forward to talk to my mom tell her about my first day. So I quickly got out my journal (yes, the one you bought me for my birthday, Malia!) and started writing.  That is going to be my nightly routine instead of talking on the phone now. = ] Journaling and talking to God – since He knows English. ;-) He has always been my friend and someone to talk to, but now He’s really going to be my BEST friend. As it should be.  Quiet time is hard for me , so this journey is going to have some rough spots,  but it will be good. It will make my relationship with God so much better. Pretty excited about that!

I slept pretty good. I woke up a lot though because I was not sure if I was close to the edge of the bed or not, noises outside, and probably just because I am in a new place.  My room was nice and dark though. They have like only 3 street lights in the whole village so it is very dark outside of my windows. It was like sleeping in the basement, until 6am hit when the sun started to come up.

Today/Sunday I went to church here in Cacalote.  A young girl that I sat by – remembered me by NAME and during the service said “Hola Laura”. You could have imagined the look on my face. I grabbed my camera out of my purse and showed her a picture of herself I still had on my memory card from my trip in may. = ] She thought that was pretty stinkin cool. Church went well (even though I do not speak fluent Spanish BY any stretch of the imagination). During the service I swapped Bibles with the little Mexican girl so I could attempt to recognize a few words while she attempted to speak English. It was funny!

After the service I saw Adriana – a young woman my age that I met back in May.  She graduated from Bible school and is now helping with the music school at the base. She saw me, gave me a big huge, and said how excited she was to see me (in Spanish) as well as being thrilled to hear I would be here for at least 3 months.  She also offered her services to help me with my Spanish as I help her with her English!! So I will have a helper! J

David and Laura are leaving to do a Bible study about 45 minutes away and then will return, pick me up, and take me to the Bible study with the locals here in Cacalote around 7pm.  Then it’s back to the house to shower, hang out with my house family, journal, and go to sleep!

The first day of Spanish school starts tomorrow! Pray like crazy that I pick up on it fast.  I can not wait to learn!

Ps) David said “you’re defiantly not an introvert are you?” I giggled and said “No…I am defiantly not.”  I am not sure if that was a compliment or another way of saying you talk too much. = ] He later said that is a good thing because I will be open to using my Spanish with other people – to make conversation – and that will make me learn a lot quicker.

 - Figured the people who know me best would get a kick out of that! = ]

Pss) Pictures are being sent to my Mom - rklima@cox.net if you would like to see them.  Our limited access on internet/bandwidth does not allow me to upload to this site!!

Love you all & may God continue to open your eyes to your blessings = ]

Airport

It's here.
I'm in the airport waiting for my second flight to take me from Houston, Texas to Huatulco, Mexico. I should arrive there by 2:15pm & start the drive to Cacalotepec.
I can not believe it's finally here.  I knew the time would come fast - but at the beginning of September, I was starting to think this day would never come. But...here it is! I am about to leave!!
Thank the Lord for my Dad this morning. I could barely lift my suitcases as it is, let alone stay calm when they BOTH weighed over 60 pounds! haha! Whooops - it's hard to pack under 50lbs when you have to pack for 3 months including numerous towels, sheets, all toiletries, and lots of clothes - knowing you change twice a day because your clothes are constantly drenched in sweat! = ] Dad helping me calmly move over 10 pounds of clothes form one suitcase to another and into my somewhat empy carryon to make one suitcase exactly 69.5lbs and the other 50 pounds with a $50 extra carrying fee for the absurd weight.
Soo all bags are hopefully being in trnsit to board my next flight so I am not short any luggage - that would stink!! Partially because I only put extra pants in my carryon and not shirts. (hopefully, I'am not kicking myself for that later and telling mom "I should have listened to you.")
I just wrote in my private journal (Yes, Malia the pretty one you gave me for my birthday = ]) and so now I feel like I have gotten out everything I wanted to say.
A guy that is doing the exact same thing at the missionary base is going to be on this same flight with me.  I think I might have just seen him - but in the picture I was sent of him - it didn't show his height...and the guy I just saw looked pretty stinkin tall.  Guess I will find out sooner or later.  I am not scared to ask him his name - just don't want to until I finish my last PRE-MEXICO blog.

Well everyone I have a few prayer requests:
- Safe last flight
- Learn Spanish fast!
- I do not have a total culture shock and want to come home ;- )
- Financial help to come in (if you want information on where to send funds just email me laura_klima@hotmail.com)

One Week Left

One week left - little scary, little crazy, little excited, whole bunch of feelings.

Feelings that I realized I have not laid at God's feet lately.  I have been keeping it all inside and to myself.  How can I do this at such a time!? At such a time when I really can let God show off. . .and have His peace about me - I decided to suddenly take over.  Whoops. Big whoops.

I think that God finds our "whoops"es to be okay. He is not a huge fan.  But the moment we say "whoops" is the minute, as His children, remember that we can rely on Him. That is when I think He smiles at me. It is then that the "whoops" becomes an "Ahhhh" of relaxation. Remembering "I" am not in control - but "He is in control". Ahhh...so much better.

Today was a little stressful (*last post if you want details) and as I was just writing my last blog entry - I realized how much I said the word "I" and how little I said God. Today was about me.  Today was about what I could do to make MY life easier when I move to Mexico.  But now I am ashamed at how many times I said the word I/me/my/mine. Ugghhh.  "WHOOPS!"  I ended my last blog entry saying He is in control.  Funny how "my" own words had to remind me what I allowed myself to forget.

He has brought me here.  He has brought me there to this place. I leave in one week.  I leave my American life here.  God is taking me to Mexico in one week.  He is going to make my new home in Mexico.  I have to trust in Him to comfort me and to get me there with everything I NEED.  He is my ultimate provider.  It is time to step back again, be humbled by His love, grace, and mercy to surrender-even the little issues-all to Him.  Lay them at His feet and regain my peace - regain HIS peace again.  "Ahhhhh" = ]

He has been good to me.  He is good to me.

I read in "Fearless" by Max Lucado: "Putting your worries into words disrobes them.  They look silly standing there naked." *I'm smiling right now behind my computer screen.  After writing all of my worries down in a simple blog - now I realize how silly they seem. All my "fears"...gone because of Him as of this very second.


Another fear has fallen victim to trust. = ]
Love you!

Only Business Days Count

Today was an adventure.  I ran some "last minute" errands.  Errands that should NOT have been put off until a week before leaving, but now I have to deal with the remaining "4 business days" until take off. 

I'll take you through my "issues" of the day for those of you who like details. If not...skip to the bottom! = ]

Cell phone issues: Impossible to get a plan under $60 a month without extra fees.  AT & T is the only phone company that has coverage in Oaxaca, Mexico.  There is a missionary there at the base that uses AT & T and gets great coverage - at the cost of an arm and a leg. The "go phone" was going to be $60 a month plus 75 cents a minute for every call. If for some reason that call would slip into a "roaming" zone it would be about a $1.50 or 1.75 a minute.  Basically, out of control expensive. 
 - Praise God for people with prior experience.  Marcie Smith ended up having connections via phone call (you see, I could find out more information from people in Mexico - but I have to communicate with them via e-mail/internet and wait a few days for a response.) to a missionary that lives in OK right now.  He gave her advice for me and now I think we have a solution.  There is a phone company down in Mexico that is affiliated with AT & T but only charges 12 pesos for 20 minutes.  So basically a $1 for $20 talk time.  So PRAISE GOD for a possible form of communication for my family and I.  That is the only reason why I need the phone in the first place - emergencies, or a very much needed phone call back to my parents. = ]
Bank issues: My current bank does not have "any way of making my debit card work in a different country." Aka - need a new bank for the duration of me being in Mexico.  So after much searching/talking with representatives - Marcie Smith to the rescue again.  She informed me that Farmers Bank and Trust is who she banks through when in Mexico.  Long story short - they will work PERFECTLY for my trip.  ONE DOWN FALL - I will not be able to get a debit card for up to 14 business days.  I leave in a week.  Seems simple though right? They can just mail it to me in Mexico...not exactly.  There's horrible mail service where I am going, so it would be a shot in the dark to mail it to me let alone it actually be delivered to the right address/if any address for that matter.
Solution: I will exchanged enough US dollars for pesos through Farmer's Bank to get me through my first month's living expenses.  When Marcie comes to Mexico November 6th - she will HAND deliver me my debit card for further needed pesos. So Yay for a solution.

Long Story Short: No US cell phone company is going to work - they all just want my money. Money I do not have that is.  Haha  = ] So therefore, pray that the phone companies in Mexico will work (reception is the biggest concern) so I can make calls to my family while I am there and do not have to wait to travel to a different town and only talk via e-mails to my parents.
Banks...well some of them are silly and can not exchange money via debit card to a different country - however, I have found a bank that will work and due to Marcie Smith (my angel) I will be able to have a debit card in my hands a month after moving.

BUT Stress went down after finding solutions and tomorrow will be a filled day of opening bank accounts, packing, and gathering last minute supplies so I can enjoy the last few days with my family. My head hurts when I try to think about what all needs to get done before take off. Good thing God created me as an organized person and someone who LOVES to fill lists! = ] andddd thank God He is in control and I am not.

Love you!

First Blog EVER.

Here is the beginning of my blog experience.  I am told by many of my friends/family that I must start writing about what is going on in my life as I begin this crazy journey God's going to lead me through.


I leave in 30 days. That's only 4 more Sundays, 4 more weekends to split between friends/family/quiet time, and my birthday separating me from the craziest move of my life.  Ahhh! It's crazy to think that time is that close.  For some of you, a month sounds like a really long time - until you break it down and realize just how fast time goes.  I panic when I realize I only have 4 more church services to sit by my family and then from then on every service will be in Spanish and spent sitting next to strangers.  This last Sunday I just sat by my dad - started to giggle at the thought I would be watching Mexican children dancing during worship time instead of stiff necked adults too scared to even clap. :) I love my home church, but worship time in Mexico...they do it a little differently. That is when my panic emotion is calmed greatly - when I think of how great my trip was back in May.  I can not wait to be back there.

 - You can scroll to the bottom to get my scoop for today (it's heading is underlined towards the bottom) if you do not want to read the WHOLE story of how Mexico all came about!! :)

The journey to get here: aka My favorite part of the story to tell...just kind of long.

May 22-29 - Mexico Mission Trip to Roca Blanca.  Amazing. Most of you know all about that trip via letters so I won't go into detail unless you ask me!!  = ] But....I came home and told my parents all about my experience and knew it was the first time God spoke to me about WHERE He wanted me.  I just did not know when.  But I knew it was going to be soon.  But not this soon....

I'm in the purple amongst the kiddos if you can find me!

July 11th - Sunday night service where I defiantly get confirmation from the Lord to go to Mexico. Not later...but now. After church service, I go home - do not say a word when I walk in, find my mom, look at her and she speaks first, "You're not going to Mexico." It was crazy!! Funny how the Lord told her exactly what I was going to go home telling her before I even opened my mouth. Then my mom, dad and I sat in the living room from 11:15pm-3:00am discussing all the possibilities of an upcoming trip/move.

     - COMPLICATIONS: I had already signed a year lease at a new apartment in Manhattan, had a roommate/best friend all excited for the next year, enrolled and paid for fall semester, no room for me back at home (my room was turned into an office when I left), friends I'd miss dearly, an amazing job in Manhattan, and a whole lot of confusion of why now.

July 12th - E-mailed David Nelson, missionary/mission base leader/Spanish school director, my heart's desires.


July 16th - A skype phone call from David explaining everything that would happen while I was in Mexico.  We were both very excited about God working in my life and working towards me moving on with God's plan. I first had to apply to the Spanish school, be accepted, then if accepted, we would move forward.


July 16th:Later that day - David e-mailed me from Mexico, extending the invitation and acception to the missionary base in Roca Blanca.
  - PANIC SETS IN. First thing was first...I had an apartment I was moving into in two weeks. I had to be out of my current apartment in one week.  It was a hot mess to try and figure out. But one of my complications went away - my family had cleaned out a basement bedroom during all of this period of time to get new carpet - not knowing it would be because God was moving me back home.


July 16th - An hour after my acceptance e-mail...my phone rings.  Guess who it is!? A 23 year old girl asking to sublease my apartment!!!! AN HOUR LATER.  The ONE thing I was most concerned about - God had already taken care of less than an hour later.


July 17th - Turned in my two weeks notice at my job. It was a sad because I loved that job.  Funny how through me moving to Mexico to help a missionary base lead to a conversation about "following God's call" and "why I was being so crazy" with my management team.


July 19th - Roland Broeder (missionary in Great Bend, KS) called in a panic because he did not have a camp leader for August 2nd - 6th.  I laughed when I talked to him because I informed him that because of the events over the last week - I was going to be officially moved back to Great Bend the 1st of August.  A day before he needed me at camp.  I had always wanted to work at Solid Rock Bible camp, just never was in the area to do so.  And now...I was going to get to be a part of 11-13 year old's life for a week.
: )  Anyone seeing a reoccurring theme yet?  I surrendered to God's plan - and suddenly NUMEROUS things start falling into place with out me doing a thing. 


July 25th - Moving day.  My family came to Manhattan, we went to church, ate lunch, and moved all of my stuff from Manhattan to Great Bend. << THANKS BOYS!


July 25th: 9pm - after moving everything into the house and into the basement room..... I went out to Faith Community Church and asked the youth pastor if they needed a couch we were giving away.  He said, no, and quickly followed it with a question asking me if I wanted to be a leader on their trip that weekend to Colorado.

July 30-August 1st - Spent a weekend in Colorado with Faith Community Youth Group at Heavenfest!

Some kids and I attempting to jump all at the same time and capture the moment via camera...
impossible :)

August 2nd-6th - Spent an amazing week with some great kids.  This is a huge story in itself - so if you want details just ask!! Funny how when you are suppose to be the one ministering to someone, you end up being ministered to the most. 

A big thanks to all of the campers - they raised over $500 for my trip.  My flight has been paid for! Praise God!! = ]

My cabin devotion group (minus one)

August 7th-15th - Family vacation in Colorado: Estes Park, Colorado Springs, Manatou, Denver...we went everywhere.  It was a great time, but i was just ready to finally be home and relax.

About to get drenched!

Lately:  I have had two weeks at home to just relax, do things around the house for mom and dad, meeting up with friends, help out at youth groups, and begin digging into Christian books and my Bible.  There has been up and downs the last few weeks but all in all, it has been awesome to just be able to step back and really focus on what THE NEW CHAPTER of life brings.

Today: Today, I cleaned the house for my family.  That includes the following duties: vaccuuming the whole house, oiling every peice of furniture, clean off every peice of glass, dishes, scrubbing the sinks, cleaning the inside and outside of the toilets, clean the rugs, and mowing.  After that I was a little tired.  : ) Attempted to take a nap, but was only successful for about 30 minutes.  I am not sure what my deal is lately. Every night I have not been able to get to sleep until about 4:00am.  It's awful.  Makes me sleepy during the day - but naps are just out of the question. 

I am making a trip to Hays, Kansas tomorrow with my friend Kayla.  I am very excited to get out of town and just enjoy a simple day of shopping, eating, a pedicure and watching an old friend of mine play at a coffee shop later in the evening.  It will be a good day!!

I've really been getting into the book Fearless by Max Lucado. I love Max Lucado as an author...he also wrote my favorite book He Chose the Nails.  Anyway, the book is outstanding.  A lot of quotes that I have been writing down to put into memory.  It is also encouraging me to commit certain verses to memory.  It goes through a lot of steps teaching me to recognize each fear I truly have.  It is not just physical fear that he talks about - but many fears that I did not even recognize as a fear.  The book is challenging me as well as encouraging me to take charge of my faith and my life as God is two steps ahead of me while also one step behind me as he guards and protects my life.
My favorite one from last night is: Another fear has fallen victim to trust.

So funny how once we trust in God's plan and His purpose for out life there is no fear. It's taken away by trusting and placing faith in His plan and not our own. 

Jeremiah 29.11  has always been my "life verse" aka my favorite :) It still makes me laugh with pure joy when I tell how once I decided to go to Mexico....everything just sort of fell into place. 

It's not that you have planned - rather that those plans didn't include God.

 I feel like my plans have been told to God...I've always known I would be involved in missions.  He's told me that a long time ago.  But I have always told Him how that was going to play out...and when...rather than seeking Him and letting Him TAKE over.  I'd listen, but not surrender and change my life WHEN HE says to,  I'd change my life when I think it's appropriate.  NOT ANYMORE :) haha!

Soooo now I am blogging. For the first time in my life, I'm blogging.  Weird...but I can NOT believe I just wrote that much!

Love you!!
Laura K