Giant Crickets & Mosquito Hawks

I have a certain roomie whom I believe God handpicked for me. Where I am crazy, frustrated, or confused Carol is calm, peacemaking, and brings clarity into any situation. There's been quite a few times when she has educated me in the ins and outs of Texas, especially when it comes to the insects.

My first night here, I stared in awe at the world's largest mosquito. I couldn't believe it! It was the size of a half dollar and I about died. She responded to my enthusiasm with a smirk, a calm and quiet voice and said matter-of-factly, "That's a mosquito hawk." I had never heard of such a thing in my life!! Apparently, they grow large, look like giant mosquitos, and--amazingly enough--THEY EAT MOSQUITOS!!!! This explains why I have only seen one mosquito since I have moved Texas.

Tonight, I am wide awake and can't seem to sleep. After prayin and counting didn't work, I went to the bathroom. There I was face to face with the largest cockroach I had seen in my life!!! I froze and tried not to scream bloody murder. I gently woke up my awesome roomie, Carol, and shared our unwanted guest being discovered. Carol gets up, grabs a shoe, walks in and kills the nasty bug. As she comes back into our bedroom she says, "You might want to mentally prepare yourself for cricket season." In my defense crickets are so tiny in Minnesota, they never leave the "cute fun bug" stage.

I am thankful for the calm, steady friend I have been blessed with. We have had a few awesome conversations that have proven to be eye opening. It has been so great to talk to another gal who understands random fears, but who can calmly become grounded in God again. We have had a few laughs too, even if they are 1 am when we can't sleep. As I navigate this very foreign land of Texss, I am thankful God had a hand at bringing Carol into my life.

Authentic Worship.

I call out You...
He don't listen. He don't care. He don't want to know what ya gotta say.

I silently form words in my head only You can hear....
Yeah. That's right. Stay quiet. Telling him anything is a waste.

I stand with my arms stretched outward impulsively...
Why are you standing like that?! Do you really think posture matters?

Words come out from my mouth, forming a melody....
WHAT A HORRIBLE SOUND! You have no talent at all.

My hands are raised upwards now, towards the sky above me...
No. No. NO! Why are you wasting your time?

My body feels the rhythm now, my classic sway begins...
Focus on the technical aspects. You really can't dance!

My voice utters a single name repeatedly...
NOOOOOO! NOT THAT NAME!!!

I claim my authority with confidence and conviction....
[SILENCE IS HEARD]

"My heart will sing.... No other name.....Jesus.....Jesus!"

New Church. New Town. New Community.

Since I moved down with the intention of attending a discipleship training school in the fall, I knew which church God was calling me to attend right away. There's been some cultural differences at my new church which have been pretty funny. I also am experiencing funny differences in other areas in the town of Waco. I thought I would share a few by way of dialect differences from the north to the south. Please know I mean no harm or stereotyping.

YOUNG ADULT:
Minnesota definition--- noun, person who is 18, in college, and single..Hey! Would you like to come to my young adult small group?! We are all 18-20s and love to chill!!
Texas definition--- noun, person who is 20-30s...Hey! We have a young adult worship night the first Tuesday of every moth!! You should come.

Funny story. I wasn't going to go because I was thinking I was too old. What's real funny is my church has a college ministry AND young adults ministry and I was so bummed I couldn't go to either until my roommate cleared the confusion up for me!

PEN:
Minnesota pronunciation--pəəən...noun, something you write with
Texas pronunciation--p-inn (2 syllables)...noun, something you write with

Funny Story. While working assisting a nurse with a dressing change, she asked for a pen, but is Texan so how she said it I thought she meant pin, something pokey. The look on my face as I asked her why on earth she needed a pin was hilarious I guess. I was picked on all day by my nurses!

PORCH:
Minnesota definition: noun, place in which you go to retrieve items in the winter that you want to chill quickly but doubles as a relaxing space or additional eating area when it is not winter that us typically enclosed with screens and or windows
Texas definition: noun, place just outside your front or backdoor that doubles as another living room area and comes complete with at least 2-3 ceiling fans and some form of lighting in the ceiling

Funny Story. My new life group friend hosted a BBQ at his home. When I arrived he said, "Hey! I'm hoping we'll all mostly eat on the porch since it is so nice out." Not saying anything, I looked around for a potential porch location, not finding one I waited quietly for a lead from another person. After getting nothing, I turned to the gal I had just met and said, "Hey! I think I'd love to go sit on the porch! Will you join me?" After she said yes to my offer I said, "Great! I will follow you!" I love the Texas porch so much better than the Minnesota version!!

These are just a few cultural things I have been experiencing. I have 5-10 daily. It is all mostly hilarious and makes me laugh. The accent down here is so challenging, it really sounds like a whole other language!!!

The Rainy Season

"You have to have rain in order for rainbows to come."

I read this quote on facebook the other day. It is perfect for my life the past three weeks. I have been bringing a lot of things to the Lord and our convo has gone like this...

ME: Lord, it has been so hot. I get you called me here, but can't you make it colder for me? I believe you can do ANYTHING, so can't you do this?

GOD: (pats me gently on the head) I could make this region colder for you but then it would destroy a lot of the ecosystem I have created in this region. Would that really be fair?

ME: Well I guess not God.

GOD: When I created it all and saw that it was good, I was happy and thrilled to share this world with you one day. Do you not think it is good?

ME: Lord, I am sorry. Forgive me for my selfishness. It is so good and beautiful..so much more than the dead of winter turning to Spring. I just am not adjusting well. It is a HUGE change!

GOD: (envelopes me in a hug) I know it is and I knew it would be, but you know this is only a season, right?

ME: (laughs) Well, yes, I know the heat is just a season, but it is so drastically different than Minnesota.

GOD: No, you don't understand. Remember your complaint of not having a social life last week, your tears shed over feeling alone yesterday, or even this lamenting about the heat today??

ME: Yes, Father, I remember those.

GOD: Well, these things are all a part of this season. It is only temporary. You are making friends and meeting people all the time. You will feel alone, but I am always here for you to turn to and fill that void. And eventually, you will visit Minnesota and wonder how you ever survived a winter there!! Do you not trust me and my plans for you?

ME: OH, LORD! Yes! I DO!

GOD: Then, stand firm knowing I have prepared you for all seasons--good, bad, trying, or thriving. I saw it all and I know what's best.

ME: Okay, Lord, I will.

This constant reminder and patience I have been given from God has gotten me through this hump. I really think the reality of my move didn't hit me until 3 weeks ago when I put the AC on in early March for the first time in my whole life!! I am thankful to grow in these challenges and know God has a greater plan than I could ever imagine. Every rainbow is a promise of His faithfulness! Only rain will bring a rainbow, so my tears and sweat falling like rain will one day show a beautiful image of God's faithfulness to me.