Lessons to be learned

Things continue to be crazy - bank account is still a mess, car is back in the shop, homework is endless, and starting a new job is never easy. However, I'm really just constantly amazed at God in the midst of it all!!!
I can tell you though, I've learned some very practical things through all this. For example, the feeling of only having a certain amount of available cash and no other access to money . . .and still needing to get groceries and figure out how to go to the store to pay a bill because checks are not an option. I have a student bus pass that allows me to ride all bus lines for free, but I can tell you how thankful I am for this pass - because even though it's a small price to ride the bus, I would be stressed to have to use that amount of cash daily. It really has given me a new perspective on some peoples lives . . . certain conveniences that I take for granted!
And I've been quite ashamed when I begin to grumble about having to ride the bus and yet there are some people in wheelchairs or who are blind that regularly ride the bus and have to deal with more difficulites and inconveniences that I could ever even begin to imagine!!!

I've also been reminded to be thankful . . . because no matter what is happening there is still always more to be thankful for!

Back a couple weekends I did get to take a fun little break and Maranatha and I drove over to Stacie's baby shower. Unfortunately it was on the same day that I had my sunday class until 1pm in Indianapolis and the baby shower started at something like 2pm in Dayton, OH. We thought we would make it before the shower ended, but with my class running over by about 15 min. for the first time and a few wrong turns we missed the whole shower. Not so bad though because that just meant that Maranatha and I had a couple hours to spend just with Stacie =) It was a fun, quick evening and I'm glad that we had a chance to get over and see her (and "little nugget")!!!
How thankful I am for these dear friends!!!!!!!!

Praying for a safe delivery Stacie!!!!!

Recent craziness!

For some reason life has recently become very overwhelming and difficult to figure out. However, amongst the difficulties I've seen God do the most amazing things! It took me forever and ever to find an apartment that I liked, but after much waiting I've found a great one and will move in sometime in Dec.!!! Over a week ago I found out that my identity was stolen and they were able to gain access to my bank accounts, they stole thousands before I realized it and was able to freeze the accounts. The bank is in the midst of an investigation, so currently everything in my accounts is still frozen. After the investigation I'll know whether or not all the money will be refunded. The bigger problem however is the lack of security that I feel. So much is at risk when somebody has your identity, so I've been trying to sort through how to deal with that and put up safeguards so that more things don't happen. I've also started working at Riley Children's Hospital in the Emergency Department. I've mostly had orientation classes and one day in the hospital. Classes at the University continue to go well, although I've recently been having trouble keeping up with all of the assignments. My TA position at the University has been great and I just found out last week that I actually have health insurance because of working there. Thankfully they refunded me for the student health insurance I signed up for at the begining of the semester because of the insurance they provided me with. Add to all this the car problems I mentioned in the previous post and I've been a little (a lot) stressed. Trying not to be, but I have been! Right now it's just a matter of trying to take things one day at a time and praying that I can honor God through each and every day!

Here is a photos of downtown Indianapolis . . .

modes of transportation

A couple weeks ago my car began leaking anti-freeze . . . not good! I took it to the shop and it's a costly repair, so I decided to wait to get it fixed to see if I could find a better used car. In the mean time I've had to depend on other forms of transportation - mostly the city bus. Thankfully I have a student bus pass, so all my rides on the city bus have been free. Other ways I've found to get around - walking, bike, train, taxi, and begging for rides with my brother or sister-in-law . . .or any combination of them! I can't complain too much because i'm so thankful that I had other ways to get around without my car . . . but if you miss a bus there usually isn't another one coming for a long time and you usually can't catch up to the bus by running after it (i've tried!) =( , and some bus stops are not so great to wait at, especially in the dark! I finally decided that being carless just wasn't for me and will be getting my car fixed this week! However, I hope to continue to use city transportation if possible to cut down on so much wear and tear on my car and gas money!

more fun fall festivals

There were a few other festivals here in Indianapolis that I got to enjoy. Fiesta Indianapolis celebrated the hispanic culture. I only saw one sign of Guatemala which was somebody wearing a soccer jersey from Guatemala. We had some good food and listened to some music - it was a good time!

The other one was the Irish Fest. Chicago hosts the Celtic Fest which is a free event, here in Indy it costs $13 to go to the Irish Fest. Not so sure it's worth the cost, plus I had my weekend course during the weekend of the festival which means I only had a couple hours here and there anyway. So, I waited until Sunday afternoon close to time for the festival to close up and got to go in for free. Some stuff was closing up, but there was still some booths and music. So, I was satisfied just to get in for free =)

Not sure if there are any other fall festivals coming up, but if you know of any and want to go let me know!!! Or, any fall hikes or drives to see the changing leaves would be great as well!

Fiest of the Hunters Moon

Fiest of the Hunter's Moon is a festival in Lafayette, IN that everybody should experience at least once in their lifetime!!! Way back when it became a annual tradition for my family to go with another family - at the time our parents would volunteer and we would get dressed up in costume and camp out for the weekend. Since then it's become a time for my mom's friend to sell some of her crafts and so my mom continues to go with them to help.

Here is mom:

I've missed quite a few years since going off to college, but in the last couple years I've been able to go here and there. This was one of those years since I'm living only about 1 hour from there. The smell of woodburning fires are everywhere, people in costume, music drifting through the air, soldiers marching around, men in kilts, and so much more!

Here is a morning flag raising ceremony:
And one of the bands:

I arrived Sat. evening as it was closing up for the tourists. Since my mom's friends have a booth they are considered to be part of what we will call "fiesters". These are people that are registered to do something for the weekend - sell things like crafts or food, or do some kind of performance or things like that. Some of the "fiesters" are on site and everything they have must be time period appropriate. Some people really get into character and stay in it for the entire weekend (maybe their entire lives???)! But my mom and her friends are not that dedicated - so they have the motor home and set up camp in the parking lot! So, as the visitors are leaving the "fiesters" are closing up their booths and begin to cook their dinner.

Here is the fire we cooked our dinner over. We had cheeseburgers, sausages, cheesy potatoes and lots of other snack and munchies - most of the food credit goes to Ginger and Curtis!

Then as the sun goes down the music begins and there is a dance for all the "fiesters". I'm not sure what it's called - but it would be from the 1700's i'm assuming! Something like square-dancing, but different. Not everybody stays in costume, but lots of people do, so it's very fun and feels like you've stepped back in time! I took a video clip of the dancing and music on my camera, but it was taking to long to load onto the blog!

So, let me know if you are ever interested in going, it will happen again next year!!!!!!!!!!!!

decisions . . .

There are certain times in life when decisions are made without much thought, the answers are obvious. Then there are other times when a decision is much more complicated and hard to figure out . . . and right now is one of those times for me!
I've been so blessed to have some time to settle into life here in Indianapolis without having to make spur of the moment decisions. But there comes a point when eventually I have to decide where I will work and where I will live and how long I will study for. All of these decisions seems like they will have such long lasting consequences that it seems to paralyze me and I just can't make any decisions at all. For example, apartments - what kind to get? where to live? high-rise or house? how much to pay? etc. . . .yikes, i don't know!
so, i just keep looking and looking and not wanting to pay any of the prices =(
i do interview with a couple hospitals this week, so then i will need to make some decisions about the job . . . to take one of them or hold out for more interviews?
then I talked with a professor who mentioned that maybe I should study a whole different master's program altogether . . . what??? (and it's one that isn't offered at IUPUI).
just trying to figure out how to make these decisions while waiting and trusting in the Lord's perfect timing. I know that it will all fall into place . . . just not sure how or when =)
guess it doesn't help that my mind and heart often wander to Guatemala . . . or I compare everything to Chicago because I miss the city and my friends!
i think that there is a cleansing factor in giving up the comfortable and the familiar . . . but it's a process of adjustment that isn't always fun or easy. just means that life takes on a new perspective and ultimately the decision is mine on how I will deal with the changes and what i choose to do with everything God has given to me!

The Lowell Labor Day Parade

The town of Lowell, where my mom lives and where I grew up, celebrates Labor day with Fireworks and a Parade. My mom lives only 2 houses down from the main Parade route, so we had coffee and snacks for those who wanted them before, during, and/or after the parade!
Chairs started being put out along the street days before the parade - however our section is kinda reserved because it's in front of the neighbor's house, so we didn't need to put our chairs out until the night before =)
The parade starts out with the firetrucks . . .



Followed by the men and women who serve(d) our country:



And no Lowell Labor Day Parade would be complete with out the guys in these little cars:


Or the Mi Ranchito contribution of beautifully dressed Mexicans, dancing horses, and a man standing on the horse while doing tricks with his lasso



And can't forget the tractor . . .

Fun times in Lowell =) If you want to experience this tradition next year let me know - there's always plenty of room!!!