Breaking News!

My sister Amber moved back to America!! Amber has been faithfully serving in South Korea as a high school math teacher in an International Christian School!! But she has decided to try something new and will be moving to Missouri! I wish that it was either Texas or California, but at least our whole family is in the same country and almost the same time zone! Amber will be moving to Missouri in August to pursue a year of intense discipleship with a program called Lead Time which is based out of Branson. She will spend her days in classes and her evening pouring into the lives of troubled youth.

Amber, I am glad to have you back on this side of the earth with me again. See you in a month!

Impact

Yesterday, I had the joy of going back to Deepa's house. Deepa lives in a low-income community or slum area only about 10 minutes from where I used to live. I spent most of the last year of my term catching rickshaws to and from her house. The road to her house is very eroded which always made for an incredibly bumpy ride and it's pretty ghetto; therefore, we got lots of stares. What was at one time incredibly awkward and uncomfortable became commonplace. Eventually the community just came to know us as the white girls that came to visit. That didn't mean they stared less, but I didn't feel quite so misplaced. There is also some ownership in a community when you are walking down their overcrowded markets hand in hand with an Indian friend...or more appropriately.... Indian family. I love what that communicates... yes, I am white and I look different BUT I genuinely love your people too.

It was so wonderful being in Deepa's home today. When I stepped out of the rickshaw, I was greeted by Deepa who hugged me for literally one minute. She didn't let go. Love tank filled. Then she had me sit down and she laid at my feet and just stared at me. It was soo awkward! This went on for about 15 minutes...I would talk and she said she didn't hear what I was saying because she was just staring at me.

I have been thinking a lot about the huge impact I personally had in the lives of Mona & Erica and Deepa's family and community. The impact I made what NOT because I am great, but because God's love is deep and satisfying. I walked into Mona's house and on the wall hanging was the cross my family left for her. On the coffee table was the photo album Lindsey and I had made for their family before we left. It was weird to see such a visible presence of my time there. In Deepa's house still remains the family portrait of my family and Lindsey's family. There were all these physical reminders of my time there. But even more are the memories. So many memories were exchanged in our short visits. I know that I am not great, but what made the impact was their encounter with the LIVING GOD. God inhabits his people. There were so many prayers, conversations, tears, and laughs that were covered in the presence of Christ. So when I come back and visit I am reminded of the beauty of Christ in this place. I am thankful that God allowed me to be a visible and tangible presence of who He is.

Deepa is a believer and hungry. Mona however is still seeking and searching. Pray for my time here as I have opportunity to disciple Deepa and opportunity to share the gospel with Mona! Mona and I are really close and I really feel like there are some great spiritual conversations ahead of us!! Please pray!!

A Texan meets California and California meets India

One of the highlights of my trip to India this time is the fellowship I have had with the "South Asia B" ISP team!! It was fun to send the CBU students off at the globe in Riverside and know that I would eventually see them on the other side of the world. I have spent the last several days with these students and it has been so great! It's soo fun when your worlds collide. Here are some fun pics for you Riverside readers. They are not headed your way....

Julie & I on a cycle rickshaw in Chandi Chowk.

More fun pics in the heart of the city.

The India ISP team! Love you guys!

India...my true love

Well the rumors are true....I am in India!! I arrived here late Wednesday night and all I have to say is.... "it feels good to be home." I do have to admit, the first night I came in I thought to myself...oh yeah...it's HOT, humid, smelly, and I can't breathe. For just a few hours I kind of hated the place. But then I woke up, got myself a rickshaw, and then I became a little giddy! It has been soo much fun being back. It's weird. A different part of me has become alive again. This place and these people encompass so many tender memories and a place of growth for me!! So needless to say.... I couldn't be happier than if I was any other place this summer!!!

I have spent lots of time since I have been here just hanging out. Believe it or not, Lindsey Ruthart (my very first roommate) is in town also. So we have been shopping together and hanging out. I have been staying in the East side with Laura (my last journeyman roomie) and it has been sooooo wonderful! I love hanging out with Laura and being in my old stomping grounds. We have watched several movies and ordered pizza and spent lots of time doing "nothing" together. It has been beautiful.

I have spent my last several days just visiting people while they are still in country. Most of my American friends are about to flee to Thailand. I am soo jealous. Everything within me wants to go with them! I have seen the Rivers, Robert & Mindy, Debbie, Mona, the CBU South Asia B team (go ISP!), and random new j-man!! I feels like coming home for summer vacation to family.

Ok....here are some pics....these are mostly for you Lindsey! India is definitely not the same without you!

It's the sweaty/sticky India Alicia look again! Here is Laura & I at the Big Chill... a classic.

Lindsey, Caskeys, & Emily these are for you. We had to get the delicious cokes from the office. Lindsey and I even sat in our "spots" from training!! Good times.

We went to dinner with the Rivers at a new restaurant "Mystic in Bali"! It is a delicious Thai and Balinese restaurant! It is where the old Big Chill used to be. I think it's the same owners cause the desserts are the same as Big Chill! It even had the Barong idol everywhere...it was really like being in Bali...impressive.

Us ladies at NJP!! I have eaten here 3 days in a row. I have definitely been loving the Indian food!! It is soo good and sooo cheap!

One of my favorite loves in India...Ericka.

Mona!!! She cooked the best food ever for us. I plan to see her SEVERAL more times this stay...and hopefully go live with her for a few days!

I am back

I am back from Germany and settling into Riverside again before I leave for India on June 17th. I will be posting some pictures soon....

I uploaded all 600 plus to my picasa website...so if you are bored...feel free to click away...

http://picasaweb.google.com/namaskarsa

International Service Projects

CBU is starting their summer team send offs today! This May we have 10 teams going all over.

If you are interested in hearing and reading about what God is doing then go to ....

www.calbaptist.edu/isp

Teams in May:

• South Asia A
• Argentina
• East Asia Language A
• East Asia ESL
• Germany Sports
• South East Asia A
• Middle East: Arabic
• Switzerland
• Russia A
• Panama
• Germany Sports (that's my team!)

What is International Service Projects.... See a video and click here....

http://209.242.151.13/CBU/WM/CBU_ISP_Intro.wmv

We covet your prayers!!!

Munich, Germany

I am leaving today for Munich, Germany!! I will be leading a team of 9 students to do Sports Camps and to do a cultural exchange with German students. We will be back May 26th.

I will be posting updates on our website....

www.calbaptist.edu/isp and then click on Germany Sports

Things to be praying for:
- travel safety
- intentional and bold in sharing
- salvation
-unity amoung our team of 10
-spiritual and personal growth
- divine opportunities and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministries

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Aspring to Be a Runner

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to start running 15-20 miles a week. The beauty of a New Year's Resolution is that you have the whole year to accomplish it. I attempted the whole running thing in January, but honestly it was just too cold, so when it started warming up here in Southern California I got excited to start running.

Just for a little background on me and my running history...there is no history. ha. I have kind of always aspired to be a runner, but honestly I hate running. Mentally, I get bored and it just isn't really the funnest sport...especially for the extrovert. But here I am today to tell you that for the past 3 weeks, I have been consistent in running!! The most amazing thing is that I actually LOVE it. I find recently that it is kind of becoming addictive.

I have found a very diligent running partner, Julie, that actually LIKES to run in the mornings! Believe it or not, I love running in the mornings (shock i know) I just know myself well enough to know that I won't get up on my own. So Julie and I have been running Monday's and Wednesday's at 6 AM. I actually really love it. Who knew?

So anyways...maybe soon I won't have to aspire to be a runner any longer...and I can just say that I am a runner!! Wahoo. The best thing about this whole running thing is that I am actually really really enjoying it!

Pre-Wedding Fun

I have made it back form the wedding state Missouri! I had such an amazing time with Julie and all of my friends!! Julie was a radiant bride!! There ceremony was beautiful and I really liked it because they both wrote their own vows to each other. Julie and Jared have a heart to live alongside the poor and I can't wait to hear all that God does in and through their lives! God has been blessed to bring them to each other to partner in ministry together!! This is such a beautiful picture of what God intended marriage to be!!

Journeyman!

Chesed and I in the car singing!

Look we are in dresses!

The bride and her bridesmaids had henna put on their hands!

This is definitely a framer!

Travel

Tomorrow morning, I am boarding a plane to go to Richland, Missouri where I will be greeted by my best friend Julie. Julie is getting married this weekend! I can't believe the time has finally come. I am honored to be in her wedding and to be a part of the celebration. I am getting a little sentimental thinking about all that we have been through.

Julie and I met at our Field Preperation Orientation for Journeyman. We bonded over Curtis Jones (at the time my current student minister that was best friends with her youth pastor...small world) on the bus ride from the airport to the farm. Then to our suprise and excitement we were paired up as roomies for those next 8 weeks...and the rest is history. Julie became coined as "my best friend in India". I feel like a part of me is in this woman...at least the India part of me. This Saturday she is getting married! She is marrying an amazing man of God (also a journeyman) who is perfect for her!!

Julie and I at the Taj Mahal just a few days after we arrived in India.

Julie & I well into our term and being very indian (we were making chocolate chip cookies).

The friendship continues even after India...us literally on Hollywood Blvd this January!

So to switch topics a little bit.... I have been traveling like crazy since I got back from India. I had someone today ask me if the people at the airport know me. I just want to say that I am thankful for the season of travel that God has given me...it is such a sweet blessing from him. Here is a recap of my flying schedule since I got back...

September 2007-

• Richmond, Virgina- J3 Training
• Richmond, Virginia- J-man debriefing

October 2007-

• Drove out to Cali

November 2007-

• Bulverde, Texas- Angela's Wedding

December 2007-

• Bulverde, Texas - Christmas

January 2008-

• Richmond, Virginia- J3 training
• Julie comes to visit

February 2008-

• San Fransisco, CA- Golden Gate Missions Conference
• Enseneda, Mexico

March 2008-

• Dallas, Texas- Criswell Conference and personal vacation

April 2008-

• Richland, Missouri- Julie's Wedding

May 2008-

• Munich, Germany- ISP team

June-July 2008-

• Delhi, India

Julie's wedding this weekend will be a J-man reunion of sorts...I get to see all these ladies sorounding Ronald and then some. These ladies were my family in India...and I get to hug there necks tomorrow!! Can you tell i am excited?

Tag...I'm It

Tagged by Kim.

4 Jobs I have in my life:

• Hostess at Olive Garden
• A Rebate Clerk at Friedrich Air Conditioning Company
• Life Skills Specialist- basically a babysitter for kids in da hood.
• Worked in undergrad admissions at DBU for the Director of Admissions ( i organized his life)

4 Movies I have watched more than once:

• 13 going on 30
• Never Been Kissed
• Little Mermaid
• Father of the Bride

4 Places I have lived:

• Dallas Texeas
• Bulverde, Texas
• Delhi, India
• Riverside, CA

4 TV shows I watch/watched

• Prison Break
• Chuck
• Fresh Prince of BelAir
• Home Improvement

4 Places I have been

• Tegucigalpa, Honduras
• Kishinev, Moldova
• Bali, Indonesia
• Singapore

4 people who email me regularly

• my mom
• facebook
• Amber (my sister)
• field workers with their updates!

4 of my favorite foods

• burritos (chipotle style)
• Loredo Lasagne
• chicken and rice
• a california cobb salad

4 places I would like to visit

• Egypt
• Indonesia
• Africa
• Ireland

4 things I am looking forward to this year

• Starting Seminary
• A date in 2008 ;)
• Having my sister moving back to America
• Going to India this summer to see my Indian Family

Now its my turn to tag: Kelley, Andrea, Emily, Amanda, Janelle... Enjoy ladies!

sex trafficking, 3 guys, kayaks, & opportunity

DID YOU KNOW....

• Human Trafficking is the world's THIRD LARGEST criminal enterprise after drugs and weapons.
• Worldwide there are nearly 2 MILLION children in the commercial sex trade.
• There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 children, women, & men trafficked across international borders annually.
• Approximately 80% of human trafficking victims are WOMEN and GIRLS and 50% are minors.
• Sex trafficking is an engine of the global AIDS epidemic.
• The total market value of illicit human trafficking is estimated to be in excess of 32 BILLION.

Let me introduce you to my Cal Baptist friends Justin, Tim, and Ethan...

These three guys have a passion for justice and want to do what they can to bring justice for the victims of human trafficking. They have partnered with the International Justice Mission (an organization that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression) and are kayaking 1,700 miles down the Mississippi River for the purpose or creating awareness and raising $20,000 for the International Justice Mission.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You might not be able to Kayak the Mississippi, but there IS something you can do...

• GIVE today. Help support the caseworkers that work to free those entrapped in the sex industry.
• EDUCATE yourself. Go online to http://www.ijm.org/ and read the facts and the stories of lives affected by this issue.
• MOVE OTHERS. After you learn this truth, do something with it and inform others in your circles of influence. THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BLOGS...SHARE THE LINK LOVE.... TAKE THE TIME TO LINK TO THIS POST OR MAKE OR OWN POST. http://upstreambattle.blogspot.com/

Tim (Junior, math major), Justin (Senior, history major) Ethan (Cal Bapt Alumni and Staff).

These guys could really use your support in any way! If you are interested in giving to the International Justice Mission or supporting these guys email me at adivers@calbaptist.edu . If you are some where along the Mississippi River and are interested in hosting them in your church or along the way let me know!

Thanks for taking the time to read this post! Don't forget to give these guys your LINK LOVE!!!

You can follow their journey here.... http://upstreambattle.blogspot.com
leave some comment love if you are excited about what these boys are doing!

I am a 10

I don't know if I have mentioned this enough...but I have an absolutely amazing supervisor here in California. She could seriously be one of my most favorite ppl in the world. She is brillant, incredible at managing and administration, and she is an awesome friend. I seriously think I have a woman crush...Kristen White...you are amazing.

Anyways...so she has made me get into this habit of rating my current situation. Many times in staff meetings, she makes us all go around and say where we are in life. 1 being you would like to die and a 10 meaning life is great! I have also kind of adapted this and use it with my Germany team as well (I don't know if I have mentioned it on my blog...but i am leading 9 students to Germany this may... a post is soon in coming). It is soo great cause you really get a feel for how people are doing pretty quickly.

So currently I am a TEN! Yay for me. I am ten because I just got back from Wicked with my amazing supervisor Kristen, I am leaving for Texas tomorrow morning and get to see my family and college best friends, the stuff the Lord and I have been dialoguing about (future and singleness) is being settled in my heart and gaining a lot of clarity, my job is awesome, and my church is awesome. So yeah... I am a 10!!! This is of course all because of Jesus! He ROCKS my world!!!

Wicked and Dallas

Tonight I got the amazing opportunity to see "Wicked" the broadway musical! It was absolutely amazing and it was also my first broadway musical of my 24 years of existance!! I am officially cultured. You can congratulate me if you feel it is necessary.

It is 2 AM and I have to leave for the airport in about 3.5 hours for Dallas, Texas!! I am soo excited. It is a buisness trip with a little bit of personal vacation tackeled on to the first and last part. I honestly haven't really made any specific plans with anyone...it's kind of wierd. I am hoping to take a road trip and see some of the college roomies!

God bless Texas....I can't wait to be on some Texas soil soon!!!

Ministry of Singleness vs. Ministry of Marriage

I have been thinking a lot about my singleness. ha. It's not really hard to do when you are graduated and single and you spend a lot of time by yourself. The weird thing about singleness is that you can't really do anything to get un-single. It's one of the few things in life you can't really work hard and diligent towards resulting in spouseage. I find that my season of singleness is an opportunity for a good battle.... a fight to keep contentment! There are days that I succeed beautifully and days where the battle is lost without even a struggle.

This week, I was reminded of the ministry of marriage. Voddie Bauchman came and spoke at CBU last week about Biblical Womanhood and Manhood. He talked mostly about the man's role in marriage and the standards we as women should have for our future spouse. It kind of reminded me while I am single...cause I haven't settled for an idiot! He also talked a lot about the ministry you have changes when you are married. Then I began to really think about the ministry that I have right now because of my single status. I realized more and more what amazing opportunities I have to pour into people because I am single and I have time to give differently than those who have responsibility to there families. One day, my priorities and ministry will change when I get married and then it kind of made me sad. (I know...silly). So basically...I was reminded that the ministry I have currently is so special and unique and I need to just enjoy it!! I need to be content.

I have talked to several other single peeps and honestly I find that contentment and singleness don't always go hand in hand. And it's not because we don't want to be, but because the enemy wants to still our joy. So...I am fighting for content and joy in the ministry of singleness that I have until God one days decides to change my ministry....

I hope this makes sense....if not...ah well...i wrote it more to get it off my mind.

Fearful Yet Trusting

These days I have been really really restless. It has actually been kind of ridiculous. It is mid semester and recently I have been asked "what are you doing next year?" multiple times in a day. The problem with this question isn't so much that I don't have an answer, but rather that there are so many variables to the question and each variable is completely out of my control. I could be honest with you and say that my future kind of freaks me out... Alicia is fearful of her future. I am fearful that I will be uprooted from my CBU community that I have come to know as home, I am fearful that my future will be filled with many more lonely nights (i hate being alone), I am fearful that I will never have a partner in ministry (spouse), I am fearful of being truly known, I am fearful of where God might send me and the sacrifices that are ahead, I am fearful that I will miss God's will for my life and not be used of God. Like I said, I am fearful of my future...it's that plain and simple. And I realize how rediculous some of these fears are, but they are reality in my life these days.

But then suddenly I am reminded of something absolutely amazing... God's FAITHFULNESS. I can testify to each one of you that God is Faithful in my life!! He gave me two amazing years in India. God let me be a part of the amazing work that He wanted to accomplish there! What an honor and privilege that was! And now I am Southern California living out my dream job and operating in my spiritual gifts and being loved by the family of God! He has always given me everything that I need and blessed me more than I can ever have imagined! God's faithfulness is woven through out my 24 years of existence. His faithfulness is one of the most beautiful and obvious things in my life. God spoke to me very clearly and told me to be excited about my future because HE IS GOOD and HE IS FAITHFUL. He reminded me that He has plans to prosper me and to give me a future!! So...though everything within me wants to fear the unknown... I am choosing to be excited and trust God with my future!!

So basically I have no idea what my future holds, but I know that my Creator is more than capable of it and I am just praying for increased amounts of trust! Honestly, God has done pretty amazing things in my almost 25 years of life...I am curious what He has in store for the next 25!!

Hey Strangers!

Oh Wait...I think I have been the stranger! Where has February gone? Seriously. So here is my February in Pictures....

January 31- February 6- Lindsey Came to Visit!

My time with Lindsey was awesome! We had sooo much fun together. We traveled all over Southern California and even spent a whole day in bed watching Season 1 of Chuck. We used to love to watch full seasons together in India...so it was appropriate that we watch something. And Chuck is so up Lindsey's alley...it's where Alias and The Office meet together in one hilarious and wholesome show!! I tried to convince her to move here, but unfortunately it didn't work.

We Went To Disneyland....

We went to the infamous San Diego Zoo (this is us on a double-decker bus that we rode to tour the zoo).

We went to Santa Monica and did some shopping. Yep, we got our big Cali sunglasses here.

We also made it to the beach, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, and other really awesome Southern Cali sites!

February 8-10- Intensive Training Weekend

I absolutely LOVE my job here at Cal Baptist. I have never had a job that has fit my personality and my giftings so perfectly. I am also having great opportunities to grow professionally and in leadership roles. We have about 325 students here going on overseas trips this summer. Part of their training is that they have to do a weekend of training on campus. Yes, we made them sleep in classrooms! It was a great weekend. Our staff put a lot of work into the event, but God blessed our efforts. The picture below is all the participants of the International Service Projects this summer! This is why I have been so busy and not blogging...that's a lot of students!!!

February 15-17- Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Missions Conference in San Francisco, CA

This past weekend, me and our staff took 8 students to a missions conference! This was my first time to ever go to San Francisco and it did not disappoint! I loved it!! We got to spend Saturday exploring the city, however, we couldn't find parking for the 15 passenger van...so instead...Ethan and I drove around looking for a parking spot for two hours while the others got to see the city. It was kind of a bummer, but at least I got to see the city and I was in good company! I definitely want to go back. The conference was really good, but I think the fellowship was just what I needed. I didn't take any pictures but I stole these from others....

The Golden Gate Bridge is behind us...you just can't see it...sad.

This Weekend.... Friday and Saturday....

I am going to Mexico. Ha. I have actually never been to Mexico before. I am pretty excited about crossing another country off my list. It is a work trip to see a possible location for next years Intensive Training Weekend.

So that is kind of what I have been up to on my weekends. This year has been really busy. I have been meeting with lots of students on campus. God is doing amazing things in the hearts of students here and it's such a privilege to be a part it!! I am in a season of such great joy and just excitement for what God is doing in my life and hopefully in my future. I am soo thankful for this season...God is soo good.

Intramural Basketball

Something that I learned about myself while I was in India is that I have a really pretty deep fear of failure. I only like to try and so things that I think I will be successful at. It takes a whole lot of convincing for me to try something new especially if I think I will be lame at it. This is a horrible way to go through life. I think that I have missed out on some great opportunities in life because I was too afraid to fail.

This has always played out in sports. In high school I was a cheerleader. I never played sports even though I really enjoyed them. I was always afraid that I would be the one player that sucked and caused everyone to lose. I think even once I told my friends I wanted to join the track team, but they laughed at me and told me I wouldn't be any good at it. So I thinked I really missed out!

First of all, I love basketball. I don't know the rules or the plays I just like to play. The only experience that I have with basketball is playing street ball with a bunch of african american kids. I have never played on any organized team, but I love it. So anyways...CBU has intramural basketball teams. I saw the sign that they were forming teams and secretly I really wanted to do it, but didn't pursue it because I was afraid of being the LOSER player. Well God knew my desires and well somehow I got signed up and I am on the STAFF team! We played our first game last night and I had a blast. I was definetly overwhelmed by words like "screen", "block" and all the other technical terms....but I played and really enjoyed myself. We even won my first game!!

So anyways...I am learning to try new things even if I suck at them. Life is too short to not try new things! As I was playing basketball, I was remembering how much I really do love the sport!!

4 DAYS AND COUTING TIL....

SUG COMES TO SEE ME IN RIVERSIDE......

Virginia is For Lovers

I kind of feel like bloggers in America start their blogs with "Man- it's been forever since I have blogged and I am going to get so much better at blogging in the future." Well this is me today, but I am not making an excuses or any promises!!

My time in Virginia was really wonderful! I was slightly sad to think that I wouldn't be returning to the "farm" or to Richmond before my employment with the IMB ends. So I enjoyed it for all it's worth. Here are the highlights....

1. It snowed!
2. I got to room with Chesed, a kindred spirit, and we laughed into all hours of the night. She is the type of friend that I can be sharing my heart through tears and praying together and then three seconds later laughing at something absolutely ridiculous and probably scandalous a few seconds later. Do you have a friend like this?
3. I ran into Debbie! Debbie is a friend who lived in Delhi with me and I didn't know she was going to be there. She tapped me on the shoulder in the cafeteria and I screamed, hugged her neck, and got all teary eyed.
4. I also ran into a guy named Jeff. I met him at a missions conference in South Carolina and we had some significant conversations about him doing journeyman. And there he was...in Virginia...at a Journeyman screening conference!! I was able to see some fruits of my job!!
5. I got to see a little bit of Cali in Virginia...Juliana. She was also a journeyman with me in India and is from So Cal ( you never know who you are going to see there!).

Those were the main highlights! I love that place. It has a unique place in my heart!!