Great News!
Lord willing I will be going to Bolivia this upcoming summer. I say Lord willing because I am currently in the process of writing the support letters and things are not set in stone yet. "We can make our plans - but the Lord determines our steps."
Why Bolivia? Last Fall I reached out to a long-time friend from Alpine Chapel to meet with and learn about his experience with International Teams. I also told him that I had no direct plans over the next year and would really like to get involved in international service. He told me about various places in Latin America but Bolivia caught my attention with what they are doing there. There are a couple of orphanages set up and they are supported through micro-businesses there in Bolivia.
As time progressed I became more excited about the possibilities. I watched youtube videos online and talked with family and friends about it; but something was holding me back, money. I didn't want to have to ask people for money. If I had my own way I would pay for the trip myself and completely deplete my savings. The idea made me uncomfortable, especially with knowing how much I would enjoy this trip.
Than in February I attended the rock and road worship show (with Lecrae - an awesome christian rapper) and Compassion International was there as a partner. Two weeks earlier Wes Stafford, the CEO of Compassion, had spoken at Willow Creek Community Church. He spoke about his experiences growing up and the impact that a moment can leave on a child. I completely agree with the impact that moments can have on our lives, especially as children. As he spoke I thought about the kids I see daily at the Chicago Public School I work at, and the kids I might meet in Bolivia, and wondered if God might use me at different moments, for his glory, in their lives. Fast forward to the concert and a Compassion representative was talking about supporting a child from across the world. I felt compelled to raise my hand; I had always thought about sponsoring a child, but what was holding me back? My hand raised and I walked to meet a volunteer who handed me a packet with a child inside. As I walked back up the steps I took a peak at the name and location and exclaimed "Bolivia!" In that moment, I knew. "I'm going to visit this boy." There was a feeling of peace and no more indecision in my mind to move forward with International Teams and to go to Bolivia.
So here I am today - working on the letter of support. I'm excited to see what happens and grateful for the guidance I've received from friends and family. Perhaps now, this blog will turn into a real blog, with real interesting updates - or not. :)
On a completely different note - I have this horrible cold and have gone through an entire box (and more) of tissues within the last day. it's insannnnne. I'm actually pretty amazed by this cold and how crazy cool our bodies are with these immune systems and its ability to recover. YEP. latas,
OH, and of course, here is a video of Lecrae. GO HARD!
Go Hard - Lecrae onnnn youtube
Alison G
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Passion Conference
In about 2 hours I will begin the drive to ATL (Atlanta, Georgia) for the Passion Conference. I am psyched - kind of. If I wasn't so tired I think I would be much more excited. I feel like I should write on the blog only when there is sustenance to what I'm saying, but considering the new year, and the big event that I am about to embark on, I figured the night must be blog worthy.
The new year began...yesterday. Although somebody made a good point that we can start new whenever we want, sometimes we're just too lazy. I concur. I've thought about making a new years resolution but than again I've also heard that it's not a good idea to go around spreading ideas about what you're going to do because than you receive affirmation from people about your "goal" or whatever it is and get some of those feelings you get from reaching that goal ( a slight sense of accomplishment or approval), and than it becomes less likely that you will actually go through with the goal. That was a terrible paraphrase of the whole thing, but I read it once online to be honest, it was an article about people who tell others they're going on a diet. This is strange, as I'm typing I'm recalling more details to the article - how many compartments do our brains have to store things?
Moving on. So anyways, I'm not sure I have a new years resolution. I have so much to work on I wouldn't know where to begin. If 2011 accomplished anything, which it did, it would be that it pointed out a TON of flaws. I think that happens every year but the flaws are pointed out in a much more subtle manner. So, I'm 23, on the verge of spontaneous combustion woa is me (incubus), haha no but really. I need to get moving. Always need to be moving. Never complacent and always uncomfortable. Uncomfortable with the injustices, which I will admit is very ambiguous phrase, but it doesn't take away the value or the need to realize it time and time again. I also need to keep moving while taking away the me in everything. I think I heard from somewhere once that somebody prayed to be humbled no matter what it takes, and than told the usual store of despair and redemption, but something like that. Talk about ambiguous and making on sense at all. Well, to whomever might read this. Please excuse my incoherent babbling. It is 12:30 in the morning the day after New Years Eve celebration. Have a wonderful day.
The new year began...yesterday. Although somebody made a good point that we can start new whenever we want, sometimes we're just too lazy. I concur. I've thought about making a new years resolution but than again I've also heard that it's not a good idea to go around spreading ideas about what you're going to do because than you receive affirmation from people about your "goal" or whatever it is and get some of those feelings you get from reaching that goal ( a slight sense of accomplishment or approval), and than it becomes less likely that you will actually go through with the goal. That was a terrible paraphrase of the whole thing, but I read it once online to be honest, it was an article about people who tell others they're going on a diet. This is strange, as I'm typing I'm recalling more details to the article - how many compartments do our brains have to store things?
Moving on. So anyways, I'm not sure I have a new years resolution. I have so much to work on I wouldn't know where to begin. If 2011 accomplished anything, which it did, it would be that it pointed out a TON of flaws. I think that happens every year but the flaws are pointed out in a much more subtle manner. So, I'm 23, on the verge of spontaneous combustion woa is me (incubus), haha no but really. I need to get moving. Always need to be moving. Never complacent and always uncomfortable. Uncomfortable with the injustices, which I will admit is very ambiguous phrase, but it doesn't take away the value or the need to realize it time and time again. I also need to keep moving while taking away the me in everything. I think I heard from somewhere once that somebody prayed to be humbled no matter what it takes, and than told the usual store of despair and redemption, but something like that. Talk about ambiguous and making on sense at all. Well, to whomever might read this. Please excuse my incoherent babbling. It is 12:30 in the morning the day after New Years Eve celebration. Have a wonderful day.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
To Digest
A Franciscan Benediction
"May God Bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God Bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God Bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.
And May God Bless you with enough foolishness,
To believe that you can make a difference in the world, So that you can do what others think cannot be done.
To bring justice and kindess to all our children and the poor. Amen."
And this song: Oh my God by Jars of Clay
Read it, Listen to it, and Digest.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Testing photo upload
Photo upload failed so here is a second attempt:
this blog spot not so nice. can only upload one photo at a time. may be last message you see form me :D
To Begin - - -
Greetings,
I"m trying this blog out, just because. It's a late Sunday afternoon and I am chillen listening to whiter shade of Pale taking in the night. I have no idea if this blog will serve as any sort of purpose but I have considered traveling abroad in the near future and suppose that a blog wouldn't hurt. So here it is set up and ready to go. I'm testing features so the following photos will most likely be from a recent trip throughout the United States (beautiful country). Have a wonderful day - to whoever might come across this - or future readers if I actually take end up traveling (wouldn't that be rad?) :)
Alison Garza
wow, photos failed to upload - might consider changing blog host. laammmmeee.
I"m trying this blog out, just because. It's a late Sunday afternoon and I am chillen listening to whiter shade of Pale taking in the night. I have no idea if this blog will serve as any sort of purpose but I have considered traveling abroad in the near future and suppose that a blog wouldn't hurt. So here it is set up and ready to go. I'm testing features so the following photos will most likely be from a recent trip throughout the United States (beautiful country). Have a wonderful day - to whoever might come across this - or future readers if I actually take end up traveling (wouldn't that be rad?) :)
Alison Garza
wow, photos failed to upload - might consider changing blog host. laammmmeee.
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