The Highlights

It is obvious that my communication skills have really suffered these days...so to catch up with world wide web on my life I thought I would give bullet pointed highlights of my life recently.... ( i am all about the bullet points these days!)

• I have cash flow!
• I finally got hired at Cal Baptiste University as International Service Project Coordinator (my first professional full-time staff job).
• My Job is sooo wonderful and my co-workers even more wonderful!
• I went to a Spurs Game at the Staples Center in LA. Spurs Won! Go SPURS GO!


• I am still training for my half-marathon. I ran 10 miles this morning... the furtherest I have ever run in my life (Alicia Life Record- ALR).
• Went to Disneyland opening night for the Christmas season with the roomies, kyle, sam, and crazy andrew. The fireworks show was definitely magical ( I don't have the pic of all of us cause it's on Sarah's camera).

• I get to love on Baby Imai. He is my nephew here in So Cal...and the cutest Asian Kid alive.

• 

• My graduate classes are almost finished for the semester. Just papers left!

• I am going home for Christmas for almost 2 weeks!!

• I am going to East Asia this summer with 9 other CBU students!

• I think those are all the highlights.... PEACE OUT!

California Party & Ethan's 22 Years of Life

So my awesome roommates decided to throw me a party to celebrate my OFFICIAL california residency AND the fact that I finally did get hired at CBUT (man there was a lot of waiting and a need to CELEBRATE). The day we planned it also happened to be on Ethan's (co-worker & seminary buddy) Birthday! So we decided to share our thunder and celebrate together!!!
Ethan and I both felt very loved by our CBU community/family. It really is the people that make this place and man everyone was ready to come and CELEBRATE!! This is what the body of Christ is for .... celebrating life and accomplishments ...and that is what we did!!



Some of the highlights of the party:-
- The California themed food
- Four men on a Couch
- Cool fall weather
- The California music mix
- The OSU/Missouri football game
- The In-n-Out french fries (for Hillary and Tessa)

-The blueberry birthday pie
- Apples to Apples
- And all the awesome people that came!!!

This picture is a bonus cause it just makes my heart so happy!!

International Service Projects Coordinator

After 3 years and 5 months of successfully avoiding the 8-5 job, Monday, I will be JOYFULLY embracing the 8-5 job! On Friday, California Baptist University offered me a full-time staff position in the Office of Global Mobilization!! Thank you for all of you who have prayed for me, asked about my job, and provided huge amounts of support and love!

I have spent a lot of time this past week and weekend reflecting on the journey God put me on to get me to California. The only words that come to mind are completely insufficient to accurately describe who God has been to me in this journey. But I declare to you that God is FAITHFUL, God is GREATER than any situation, and He is PROVIDER. God has been pursuing me to come to California since the day I started my journeyman term. And even in this time of waiting, God called me to walk in Faith and wait for the job. When surveying my life and God's plans it honestly seemed more ridiculous NOT to trust him. I am not surprised right now as I type that God was faithful to give me the job he told me I had, but I am that much more in love with my God who persistently PURSUES my future, is FULLY trustworthy, and cannot help but be FAITHFUL to His daughter.

Not come across at too spiritual, but I cannot post about my job and my excitement without declaring praises for WHAT HE DID. So my joy and excitement for this job is fully HIM and want to say...PRAISE THE LORD. If I was David in the Bible- then this is where I would insert my awesome sonnet, or song, or long stanzas of poetry BUT it's just me...so I hope this post will do!

SELAH.

Roommate Blogs

You guys need to keep up with my roomies and their blogs. I really enjoy their blogs and it will give you insight into the roomies in my life!!
Becka- http://wwwbecks.blogspot.com/
Sarah- http://sarahgonzalez.wordpress.com/

Marathon Week Training #1-

I decided to keep up with my running and thoughts on my marathon training on this here blog. I am not sure if anyone still reads it, but mostly these marathon entries will be for me and my ability to debrief my weekly marathon progress.

WHY- Every week I will choose one word to describe my weekly running experience. This week the word is "why". All week I thought... "why, I am I doing this?"... "why are my muscles so sore?"... "why do i suck so bad at running?"... and "why the heck do i want to run a marathon?" I think the answer to why is- running is hard- especially when you first start. I am reminded from past running experience that this too shall pass.

Saturdays is when we will do our long runs. For this first week the long run is only 4 miles. I actually think that running this marathon is going to be a spiritual journey for me. While living in India, I learned something about myself that I am not proud of. If I think that I am not good at something, I will not do it. I am afraid of failure. I only like to do things that I know I am good at and that I will succeed at. I am running this marathon scared to death that I will fail at it. I know that I am not a runner. But I can't let my fear of failure keep me from attempting great things like running marathons. So today, as I sucked at running (even for my record) and finished almost last, I was reminded to swallow my pride and remember that it is just the first week of running. There is another week of training and getting in shape and conquering those 4 miles with grace. So here's me saying, me running this marathon is going to be a little bit of a spiritual victory of sorts and to prove to myself that I don't have to be perfect at everything and its okay to learn and suck when you first start.

So that is where I am right now in my marathon mindset. I am laughing to myself cause I sound like a debbie downer, but I needed to process of that out loud and let you know where I am at. I need to sometimes swallow my pride and not always be so hard on myself. Thanks for those of you who care and read this. I am excited about giving my muscles some time off tomorrow, but I hit the pavement again on Monday for week 2 of 18.

Peace out A town.

Surf City Marathon

I have decided that I am going to train for the Surf City Marathon. You must know that I have NEVER trained for any type of marathon before. This is a big stretch for me. However, there is a large group of people from CBU that are running the marathon in COMMUNITY! YESSSSS!! This is how I roll. I could NEVER run a marathon on my own, but with a group of others to do it with...I am game. Starting this Monday, for the next 18 weeks I will be training for 26.2 miles!! Yikes. I do have to admit that I am a little nervous about it, but also really excited. The fun thing about this marathon is that I am running alongside the beach AND you get an awesome surf board metal when you finish!! I think this is definitely the way to go!! It is a life goal of mine to run a marathon...so here's to attempting a life goal!! Pray for me friends.

Back from the Dead

I have had several requests lately that I should blog. I haven't been intentionally NOT blogging, I just haven't been in the mood. Actually, I would say that for most part communication and me have sucked. Sorry for all of you out there that I haven't commented on your blog, responded to your email, or called you on the phone. I am thinking that I will soon get out of this communication funk and be the natural and loyal communicator that I am! So this blog entry will commemorate me bringing communication back. I should also state as a disclaimer that this could be a long post. Where to begin....????

First of all, I became an official California resident. It was a bittersweet day when I took my car down to the California DMV and got new plates and a new license. I would like to say, that my Texas plates will be proudly displayed...somewhere...just not sure where yet.


I also have my own apartment! I absolutely love it, but most importantly I love my roommates. I don't think I realized how lonely I was last year. It has been awesome to live in community again with some godly woman who are also single professionals! I also love my apartment because I can have people over WHICH I LOVE!! I have been able to have a few parties and every time my little Alicia heart has been soo very happy. I posted pictures for my non-Cali friends. The curtains and pillows were my only addition to the deco, but I did bargain for them in Sorjoni Nagar Market in India. They are Pier One, yet I got them for a ghetto Indian price.



I started graduate school this semester. After three years of being OUT OF SCHOOL I am back in! I have to agree it has been a little rough getting back into it all, BUT I am slowly getting into the swing of things. I am going to Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary at their Southern Extension Campu in Orange County. Right now, I am going for my Masters of Theological Studies. Because I served as a Journeyman, my first 24 units of my degree is FREE! God is Good. I also have seminary buddies (Ethan, Charlie, Aura, and Corrie)! It has been so fun commuting with them and taking classes together! I am thankful to not be taking classes alone. Classes have been keeping me pretty busy because I have class Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night!

I am currently unemployed...STILL. My employment with the IMB ended on July 31st and I have been hoping to get hired at CBU. The hope is not lost, but I am still waiting. Overall, my unemployment experience has been very positive considering there is no cash flow. God has provided financially for me in amazing ways. It wasn't until just this week that I am feeling the financial crunch (which I am excited to see how He will continue to provide). I have had some key people in my life here give me money which has been amazing!! God is really teaching me what it means to me that He is Provider. And not just a financial provider, but the one who provides in all areas and all needs in my life. When I was praying about taking this job, I knew that God was calling me to a season of walking in faith and expressing my faith. So here I am still waiting and hoping that I am expressing God's faithfulness in my life. I have been totally blessed and loved by the CBU community...I definitely have a lot of fans there that want to see me hired and I have been blown away by the favor God has given me at CBU. I still feel called to Riverside and am still anticipating what God has for me in this place! I am just hoping that I am honoring God in this season of waiting! In the meantime, I have been volunteering ALOT of my time at CBU. This is a picture of most of the staff that I will hopefully be working for.


Well that is a brief update of my life these days. There is still a lot ot say, but I hope you guys feel more caught up!! I will try to be better at communicating in the upcoming days. If I could some up how I am doing these days...I would just stay, "God is Greater". He is greater than uncertainty and unemployment! And honestly, God is so good in my life...I have nothing to complain about!! I love the season that God has me in right now!

Goodbye College Housing

My days of living on a college campus have finally come to an end. Believe it or not, it has been seven years since I moved out of my parents house. Of those seven years, I have lived five of them on a college campus. DBU's and CBU's campuses have served me well, but needless to say... it is time to move on. As I move on, I will not be moving far, but just 2 miles down the road on Van Buren to Canyon Park Apartments.

Sarah & Becka will be my new roomies in our two bedroom/two bathroom 1st floor apartment! I met Sarah & Becka through my friends Kim & Lindsey. They are both CBU alumni, teachers, missions minded, and single. I can honestly say that I don't know these ladies all that well, but I am very hopeful about the future sisterhood and community we will have.

We love having people over and we hope that it will be a place God chooses to bless others with! Be ready for an invite and if you are ever in Southern Cal you are more than welcome to stop by!

Sarah, Becka, and I at Disneyland at Christmas! This was my first time to ever hang out with them and at the time didn't know they would be my future roomies.

Here we are at Lindsey's wedding just last month!

Oh the Places You Will Go...

While in India, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my past 3 years as a Journeyman. When I started applying almost 4 years ago I had NO IDEA what God had in store!! I have literally been all over the globe. I thought it would be interesting to track all the places God took me in this journey. These places have pieces of my heart and are definitely instrumental in shaping who I am today. The Alicia that left Dallas, Texas 3 years ago is a different Alicia that writes this blog entry today and resides in California. God has changed me. He has intensified the desires in my heart to see the nations come to worship Him for all eternity. He has given me friendships all over the world. Many who are a part of the family of God and some who I am still praying to be welcomed into the family. I can look back at the end of my journey and all I can express is gratitude to the Father that He loved me enough to pull me out of my simple life in Texas and give me the HONOR of being a part of His work in India. What a sweet gift it was. One day there WILL BE a great movement of Christ in North India and I am honored that I was asked to be a part. I am more determined now, than ever before, that being on journey with God through pursuing a missional life is the only way to truly live. May He continue to grant me favor as I seek a life of faithfulness.

Richmond, Virginia
January 2005 – Screening Conference
August-October 2005- FPO
September 2007 (twice) – Debriefing & J3 Training
January 2008- J3 training

Washington, DC-
September 2005- FPO field trip

Concord, Mississippi
October 2005- Commissioning Service for J-man term

Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Manali, India
October 2005-August 2007
June-July 2008

Chiang Mai, Thailand
December/January 2005 & Brought in the new year- Visa Run
June/July 2006- AGM
December/January 2006- Visa run
June/July 2006- AGM

Pattaya, Thailand
January 2006- Edge Retreat

Bangkok, Thailand
January 2006- vacation

Singapore
December 2006- Brought in the New Year (2007) and vacation with Chesed & Julie

Seoul, Peoungtaek, and Sangtan South Korea
July 2006- visiting Amber
August 2007- visiting Amber

North Korean Border
August 2007- vacation

Kuala, Lumpur Malaysia
July 2007- vacation

Bali, Indonesia
July 2007- vacation

Greenville, South Carolina
September 2007- J3 training

Riverside, California
October 2007- present-J3 job

San Francisco, California
February 2008- Golden Gate Conference

Mexico
February 2008- work trip

Munich, Germany
May 2008- ISP

Salzburg, Austria
May 2008- ISP

Amnebad, India
July 2008

11 new countries & 24 new cities

Freckles

Has anyone ever noticed that I have freckles? I would say that one distinguishing characteristic about myself is that I have freckles. I have always liked my freckles. Since I was a little girl, I have always had people making comments about my freckles. There was this one old man named Phil who I used to work with that incessantly commented on my freckles. Every conversation we had was revolved around my freckles. It always humored me. When it would rain he would even say, "It looks like the rain hasn't washed them away." I used to kind of roll my eyes. But in all honesty, I love my freckles and am thankful that God made me to have them!
HOWEVER, Indians don't understand them at all! They see freckles as an intrusion on perfect fair skin. You see, Indians want fair skin and are always bleaching their skin to be whiter. On two separate occasions, once in Riverside and once yesterday, I had an Indian woman look at my face very closely and say, "What happened?" And I of course replied with, "What do you mean?" They said, "You have BURN MARKS on your face." I then replied, "Oh, those aren't burn marks...they are freckles!" They then say, "Oh. pause. Is there medicine you can take?" I then try to tell them it's normal and nothing is wrong. They look at me like I obviously don't know what i am talking about. Apparently my freckles are a very bad medical condition! Sad. I happen to like my freckles...even if Indians find them to be a skin problem!

This was quite the random post, but it was on my mind so I thought I would blog about it!

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?