Depth over Distance.

This my friends, it what I needed today.

Autobiography

So here we are again, friends. I'm back in good ol' Murica slowly adjusting to a different time schedule, different people, and a different daily life. Some days I think that I'm back to normal while others I ask myself why normal has to consist of class and work and a lack of Filipino smiles. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to try (try being a key word) to write a few posts about the trip.

 This semester, I'm taking a creative writing class- something that is far, far outside of my comfort zone. This last week, we had to write an autobiography that was exactly 500 words, no more, no less. Strugglebus. How do you fit ninteen years into less than two pages? So here it is.

I come from a father born the youngest of three boys. To this day, he still has to prove that his Bible college education was worth something by praying for Christmas dinner.

I come from a mother who walks quietly and speaks with her eyes rather than her mouth. She comes from strong German stock that used to dust the top of the refrigerator when she and my too tall father were dating. My father claims that she chased him. She says it’s the other way around.

I come from a younger brother with a mind that will someday move mountains. Until then, he is content to dream about a girl named Katie who bakes him peach pies. No, I am not kidding. His love for Jesus will blind you if you get too close.

I come from little Egypt- the fertile land captured between the Ohio and the Mississippi. It is a land of fields and accents that can only be described as hick. It is beautiful.

I come from a childhood spent with Laura Ingalls Wilder and a slew of imaginary friends. My parents once told me that if you sprinkle salt on a rabbit’s tail, it will slow down enough for you to catch it. My summers were spent building elaborate dirt piles in the outfield of the t-ball field and chasing rabbits with stolen saltshakers.

I come from a sudden move in the middle of my fifth grade year. It was an uprooting and transplant that produced bigger blooms than I ever could have asked for.

I come from an awkward stage that began too early and overstayed its welcome.

I come from a single summer relationship. It began with the thought of “We’re best friends… so we should probably date.” It ended quietly with the acknowledgement of the lessons learned. He is still my best friend.

I come from friends who watch too much British television. They are diamonds in the not-so-rough. When I come home from school, we drive down back roads for hours because they know that that’s what I need.

 I come from the “good batch” in school, somehow managing to escape a town that captures those who jinx themselves with the wish to leave.

I come from a last minute decision to attend a school five hours away. By the grace of God, I ended up where I needed to be.

I come from a time of growth, learning to live with and love others. I’m drinking too much coffee and staying up too late. I am building relationships.

I come from a sudden accident over the summer and a father who is a quadriplegic. He is learning to walk again, one day and one step at a time. My family is learning what it means to be whole again.

I come from a heavenly father that loves me more than I could ever deserve. He continues to give me grace upon grace upon grace.

I come from a story unfinished.

Song of the Post: Oblivion - Bastille

Snapshots

    

Adventures (big and small)

The last week and a half has been filled with so many adventures here in Manila.

-I've now met real life Aussies!

-The team canoed up the river where Apocalypse Now was filmed.

-We held a worship service for over a hundred children in a church with no chairs and the most beautiful stained glass windows I have ever seen.

-I've begun to realize how small the world really is.

- I've been referred to a Taylor Swift by Filipino children on multiple occasions.

-I've blown bubbles with children whose families make their living by digging through an abandoned trash dump.

-We've worshiped with people from so many different nations.

-I've had my heart stolen by street children who call me aunt in Tagalog. Tita! Tita!

-I've spent every night reflecting on a balcony porch swing.

-I've eaten little dried fish. Face, eyes, and all.

-I've realized that I'm more comfortable being called Teacher Kelsey than Miss Scott.

-We've held babies from the children's home. They have the most beautiful eyelashes I have ever seen and some of the saddest stories I have ever heard.

-We've been stunned by the diverse beauty of the Philippines. We've only been in and around Manila but we've seen everything from shacks made from bits and pieces of corrugated tin to skyscrapers to rolling mountains.

-I've ridden a bamboo raft under a waterfall... one of the craziest moments of my life.

-I've taught children who are so excited to even have the opportunity to go to school and receive an education.

-I've had the opportunity to help with feedings and been heartbroken at the knowledge that the meal that we are providing might be the only nutritious meal that these children will receive all week.

-I've seen people from all over the world become the hands and feet of Jesus. God is moving here in this place.

Song of the Post: Say Something- Great Big World

Philippines: Three Days In

I've only been here for around three days, but I can already feel the change in me and can see it in those around me. Walls (that were never very high to begin with) are coming down amongst those on the team and we are beginning to rejoice in each other's strengths and weaknesses. I keep thinking to myself, I like these people.
The Filipino people are beautiful. They are more warm and open than anyone I have ever met. Time here also moves differently. It flows instead of being split and it meanders and curls around what ever is scheduled.
The longer I am here, the more I realize that I needed this. God knew what he was doing in sending me here. I can breathe here and I can concentrate on loving the people around me. It is hard to put into words.
We don't have very good wifi here (which is honestly a blessing) so I probably will not update as much as I thought I might.  Right now I am going to focus on being present here in this place.

Song of the Post: Promise - Ben Howard