Scrapbooks

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What do scrapbooking and Peru have in common? (I wish the answer was, “I have these great books from my trips!”).

I’m not sure there is much of a crossover between scrapbooking and Peru, but today there is!

Jeni, who has many beautiful scrapbooks documenting every important moment in her three young children’s lives, is hosting the second annual all-day “Scrapbook & Craft Day” at First Presbyterian (they started this morning at 9am and will work until 9pm). It’s basically an all day event with plenty of table space and lighting to work on a creative project, plus fellowship, ideas and great food. (This is serious business, each of today’s 40 participants have brought bags & suitcases full of papers, stickers, pens, chalks, stamps, Cricut machines, and many other supplies to set up shop on their 8 foot table!)

And, thanks to Jeni, the profits from today’s event will be donated as support for my work in Peru.

Maybe one day I’ll be like Charlie and use my photos for a scrapbook…

Alma Accents

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Last October, I was contacted by the Public Relations department at my alma mater, Alma College, asking for an interview about how I am applying what I learned – both inside and out of the classroom – during my four years at Alma to life after graduation.

After going back and forth through emails and phone calls, the article was finished and the magazine has finally arrived. Yesterday, I came home to find the newest Accents issue sitting on the counter and my article on page 24.

To read the article, click on the article image (or here) to download a PDF version.

Read the entire Winter 2011 issue of Alma Accents here.

Handmade

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I have rediscovered my love of handmade things, and Etsy has become my gateway drug.

I first heard about Etsy a few years ago and fell in love with the idea of a place online where artists and crafters could come together to share & sell their designs. It’s the perfect solution to the artist who wants to sell their work to an international audience. And for me, who is creative but lacking supplies, time or talent to do some of these things – it gives me the opportunity to still own a piece of work (and glean ideas for possible future projects).

A few weeks ago, while waiting for the three little girls at the bus stop, I made the fateful decision to check out what was new on Etsy and this is when it went downhill. While clicking through pages and pages of listings of photographs and jewelry, and everything in between, I discovered the Etsy Treasuries. In the treasuries, I found collection upon collection of the 16 newest, hippest, coolest listings created by other Etsy users. There were collections based on color themes, seasonal weather, locations, sports teams, and since our proximity to the holiday, many, many red-inspired Valentine’s Day gift items.

I was soon lost in the world of Etsy treasuries and quickly filling up my favorites lists.

The next day, again while waiting for the three little girls, I made the mistake of opening my Etsy tab and checking out the newest treasury listings. Before I realized it, I had three little girls chattering in the back seat of my car, reading the listings on my computer screen, and pointing to their favorite things. I had brought three new converts over to the wonderful world of Etsy. That afternoon, we tackled the homework, learned the spelling words and rewarded ourselves with new treasuries and creative ideas. The oldest and youngest quickly lost interest, but the middle stayed right on my lap, intently scanning each new page for her favorites.

Here are a few things that both Stella and I liked, from my very full favorites lists:

I definitely could do this – supplies: computer, design software, & a great printer or local print shop.

I didn’t even know you could sandblast text into stones or think a little bird could be so cute…

Silver earrings & ring, with a common heart theme for Valentine’s Day.

Handmade & hand printed journals & a print dripping with Michigan pride.

Want to see the listings for these items, and many more? Find them on my Etsy favorites.

Calling

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Segundo & Tercero

Martin & Ronal

It’s faces like these that reassure me of my calling to work in Peru.

Every day during the 2010 summer, something reminded me of my calling to leave my life in Dearborn and move to Peru to work with Scripture Union. It might have been something small, like being greeted by 40 smiling boys when walking into the dining room in the morning, to something more noticeable like receiving thoughtful letters from some of the older boys when I left Puerto Alegria, to even the most direct, having visiting volunteers tell me how much I truly care for this ministry and how it shows through everything I do.

To me, this isn’t a job. I have one of those – it is purely to make money so I can put gas in my car and be able to live. While it had its great days (like a $5400 sale, or being top seller for a straight month), it definitely is not my calling and some days I simply just do not want to go into work. But regardless of how I was feeling, I was there, prompt and fulfilled the task at hand.

This “job” is the complete opposite of everything I felt before at the store. I wake up in the morning excited for what the day will bring. Most days are the same, meals with some combination of rice and chicken, translating, helping with homework, making adobe bricks, but regardless, I can’t wait for the following day’s activities.

It’s about the people – not just the Girasoles, but the house parents, support staff, schools workers, directors, and medical staff that make this so much more than “just a job.” And that’s just the people I work with at Scripture Union.

I can’t begin to describe the number of conversations I have had with taxi drivers, people on the street, and fellow plane/boat/bus passengers all wanting to know why this gringa is traveling alone (or leading a larger group of gringos) in Peru. Each one of these conversations is an opportunity to share what Scripture Union and, more importantly, God is doing in their country – not just with abandoned boys, but in the schools, through medical clinics, camping programs and the deaf.

Being able to spend summers with people like Segundo or Tercero, Rosa, Augusto, Roger, Sixto, Pepe, Jose Abel, and Nancy has reassured me that this is what I am supposed to be doing.

25

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Today I turn 25. As I look back over the last year, I feel very fortunate and blessed for the experiences I had while I was 24. From leading a worship service at church, spending a week camping, three months in the Amazon jungle, becoming a LAM appointee, raising support to work in Peru, attending Detroit Tigers & Red Wings games (including my first Lions game!), becoming the Interim Student Ministries Director, taking care of three little girls after school, and many other things, it has been a great year.

As I enter into another year of life, I have many things to look forward to over the next 12 months, both here in Michigan and eventually, when I start working in Peru. So, to continue on with the fun, here are just a few things I want to do while I’m 25:

– Contribute/get published in a magazine or newspaper.
– Send “just because” packages to friends.
– Buy something off of Etsy.
– List some of my photographs on my Etsy store.
– For 1 week, go to bed at 8 and read until 10.
– Host a movie night.
– Visit a new state.
– Learn how to prepare more meals.
– Write letters to friends.
– Finally decide on a Masters program and apply for it.
– Watch 10 documentaries.
– Spend a weekend with Alma friends before moving to Peru.
– Read at least 12 books during the year.
– Rent a car and drive from Lima to Kusi through the Andes. (I’m not entirely sure this is possible, but I so want to do it!)
– Visit Puno & Lake Titicaca.

Here’s to another great year.