Two Years: Part 1

February 8-21, 2011 happened two years ago.  It's is really hard to believe so much time has passed by.  

But you might be wondering what I'm referring to. 

Two years ago a group of four girls and two adults went to India for a short term mission trip.  The group consisted of myself, my friend Elizabeth and her parents (Mr. & Mrs. L), and my friends Kat and (her cousin) Mykaela.  This would be the first really big experience for me going outside the country, flying (for fifteen hours...it got kinda long.), and ultimately it was one the biggest times of spiritual growth.  It was unbelievably hard for me to be separated from my family for just two weeks, especially in a country that is in such a spiritual depression.  But no matter how hard or how broken we all were, our sincerest prayer was that God was use us, and that He would be glorified in everything.  

Kovalum, India

The first place we visited was called Kovalum.  We were all quite exhausted—India being eleven hours ahead of America—and it was ten in the morning.  Needless to say, we were all jumbled up from lack of sleep.  However, I will never forget that first car ride.  We zoomed down those filthy dirt roads at breakneck speed; nearly missing it seemed like every other car, wagon, or cow that was on or near the road.  Arriving at our hotel about thirty to forty-five minutes later, us girls, barely keeping our eyes open, piled into one of the hotel rooms.  Even though we were utterly and absolutely drained, we couldn’t help cracking jokes, talking a mile-a-minute, and giggling and laughing like maniacs.  Then we crashed. :)

Us girls. :)

Nevertheless, Kovalum will forever remain near and dear to my heart.  Sitting only about one hundred feet from the ocean, this exotic town is filled with the sound of sea-gulls, the smell of spices, and a glorious view of rocky cliffs and tall trees. Us girls explored the little shops and tried on all different kinds of scarves, jewelry, and shoes—prickling our noses at the vast fishy smells.  We marveled at the busyness, and yet the tranquil peace, that this small tourist town held.  It was a wonderful, relaxing place to get over our jet-lag and prepare for the rest of the trip.  But before we left, I had an experience I will never forget:

"I remember clearly when I first saw the crippled, homeless man coming to beg from me.  He walked using his worn, dark, callused hands—dragging what stumps of legs he had remaining behind him.  As he crouched in front of me asking for “just one ‘Merican dolla,” I felt like running away.  I couldn’t bear to see him.  It tore at me from the inside.  My stomach tied in knots and I couldn’t get any kind of communication to come out of my mouth.  Again, I felt overwhelmed, but for a different reason entirely than that at the airport: I was terrified of this lowly, mutilated man.  My heart wept for him.  When he reached out his hand towards me, I felt as if he was giving me a taste of the pure hopelessness that shone through his eyes.  I had never known, truly known, what it was to be without faith or comfort.  I had never truly known what it was like to be in utter, total despair.  In the two minutes I stood there, still feeling that soft breeze from the ocean, my heart—and life—forever changed.  But this was just the beginning.  Throughout the whole course of this trip, my heart was repeatedly broken into pieces by Him who I call my Savior.  But, it was also this One who made me whole again."-taken from my journal

It really is hard to describe everything.  I mean, it's been two years and I still can't fully comprehend all that God taught us.  But it is so amazing to look back on my life before the trip, and then on my life afterwards.  To look back and see how God orchestrated absolutely everything in our lives at just the right moments, just the right times.  To look back and see how He still does this--no matter what we're going through.  

These people are such an amazing people.  But without their hearts given to God, they will be forever lost.  But you know, so will everyone.  If we do not realize the incredible sacrifice that Jesus paid for our sin, if we do not repent of this sin, we will be lost.  When I realize that all the sin I've ever committed or will commit is completely paid for, I'm overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed by His grace. 

This theme of grace continued throughout all the trip.  But it wasn't the only thing that we realized as a group--so many other aspects of God and His relationship with us continued to astonish and bless us.  And one of those many blessing, were "the girls" of the charity home we were to visit.

---

Because I tend to be quite wordy and like to explain absolutely and positively everything, and because it's realllly hard to decided between pictures, I've decided to split this into parts.  Hence, the "part 1" part of my title. ;)  Also, all photos were taken by either myself, the girls, or Mr.& Mrs. L. 

She Loves Her Horses | {Portraits}

So a few days ago I got to go take some pictures of a friend of mine and her horses.

Horses that are, obviously, absolutely gorgeous.  She adores them and I now see why. :)

Between her and her sister they have four horses (one isn't pictured), and as we kept taking pictures I just kept falling in love with them.  Chip (the first pictured and the black one) never failed to walk up to the camera, oftentimes looking straight at it.  We had to work around some bright sunlight, but soon after we started the sun started setting.  It added so much to the pictures, giving a "dreamy" feel to them.

Anyway I thought I would share, well, because I couldn't help it.  :)  In my opinion they could be some of the sweetest (and most beautiful horses) I have seen. :)

Have a great day!

-Kristin

Surprise! (We threw one at least...)

A few weeks ago right before my Dad's Birthday (Feb. 27), all of our family schemed together to throw him a surprise birthday party!  Now, it is very hard to keep secrets from my Dad--normally he can see right through me--but this time we were able to give him a big surprise!

We had planned it out to where my Nana would nonchalantly text Daddy and tell him that we could get together for leftovers at their house.  I had a violin practice that afternoon, so we planned that Daddy would come and pick me up and take me too my grandparent's house.  It was sooo hard all the way there to keep from smiling and raising suspicion.  I just kept thinking, "I hope he doesn't know, I hope he doesn't suspect anything!" all the way to their house. 

When we pulled up I had to work really hard to keep from smiling, I was so excited!  Daddy didn't have a clue about anything, and I just knew it would work out.  The funniest thing was that we had hid everybody's cars behind the house, and at the last minute he saw one!  He kept questioning about the cars as we walked towards the door, I was just praying that it wouldn't click in his mind what we were up too!

Of course, he was incredibly surprised.  The look on his face when everyone yelled "surprise" was so priceless!  Later he kept saying how he couldn't believe we pulled it off, and that he was so happy to see everyone. 

I was unable to get many pictures of him (he is an expert dodger :-)), but I was able to take a few of the party.  Pretty much all of our family was there, our Aunt Marilyn even skyped in from Colorado.  It was a great time. :-)

Aunt Kera and little Anna, plus cousin Caleb talking to Marilyn.

  

  

Besides Daddy, of course, there was another little person that everyone was quite excited to see.  Little miss Anna has now officially come to her first family get-together.  She probably won't remember it though. :-)

Aunt Sharion holding Anna.

Cousin Jonathan

I don't think Daddy minded too much having another little person steal the show. :-)  She might get just a little bit spoiled by everybody.  Only by a little bit though. ;-)

After we had finished eating cake and ice cream, Trey pulled out his guitar and played for everyone.  He has become incredibly talented on the guitar, sounding out different hymns and songs by either watching them being played, or just by ear.  His most recent song has been Amazing Grace by Josh Wilson.  I'll tell you what, it is really, really neat to watch Trey play it.  I know I just said this, but he has become so crazy good on the guitar!  I am so glad God has blessed with this ability.  It gives so much joy to others. Anyway the party was a great time to talk, just relax and enjoy ourselves. 

Us Alexander children had a surprise in-store as well, Mommy and Daddy had secretly bought tickets for Steven Curtis Chapman's Songs and Stories Tour, and finally told us that night.  We were so shocked, and soooooo excited (big SCC fans over here).  It was a totally awesome way to end the night, plus we had something to look forward too.  I personally had been feeling a little swamped with school, and so I was very, very thankful to Mommy and Daddy for giving us the privilege to go. :-) 

Anyway, I highly recommend throwing surprise parties.  They are so much fun. ;-)

Have a blessed day!
Kristin

Happy Birthday Mr. Nathan!

Dear Nathan,

You are so not supposed to be 11.  I mean you make ME feel old. Nah, just kidding, I know I'm still pretty young, but you are getting so big! 

  You are such a great brother.  You are so considerate, and you love taking the time to play with Ryan and Ashlyn.  You have also got the blue-est eyes I have ever seen, are great at many sports, but yet you don't let little things like that go to your head (and also, please, never get rid of your freckles!).

 You are a hard worker.  When you are given a task you DO it,  DO it well, and as fast as you can. Whenever we ask you to do anything, you always go at least a little above and beyond what you have been asked to do--whether it be cleaning your room, or fetching a glass of water--you try to go the extra mile. 

 

 You show great responsibility in pretty much everything you do.  Especially with the outdoor animals, and your new little puppy (now officially named Tebow ;)). 

  

 You are not afraid to face the unknown.  I mean, you will probably never see me going down the side of a cliff.  But you do it, and then do it again--even if it is a little scary.

 

 You are so sweet Nathan.  My favorite memory is when you saved your money and bought a little hair-bow for our new cousin.  You couldn't wait to give it to Aunt Kera, and you made sure that everything was perfect: buying a little bag and card so that Anna will know who gave it to her one day. 

I know I am a little late in posting this, and for that I am sorry, but I want you to know that I love you.  You are the best middle child I will EVER know, our family would not be the same without you. 

Happy Birthday Buddy-Boy!

Your big Sis' loves you.  

  P.S. So this is why you wanted my camera.  I am so glad I found this of you silly boy. ;)  You always seem to find a small way to make me laugh, even if I feel swamped with school.  Happy birthday  again you goofball. :P ;)

Fun with the Kids

 

  A few weeks ago I was babysitting for a family we know, when I decided to pull out my camera.  All the girls were playing so well with their jump-ropes, that I couldn't help taking a few snapshots of them.  These are some of the sweetest girls to take care of, plus they're lots of fun to be around!

Miss Vivian: Just keep practicing, you'll get it, I promise. :)

Lil' Miss "Milly" or Amelia: I hope you like me now. ;)

Miss Sophia: You are such a great help to me.

 (You are too Jacob, I just don't have a picture of you ;). Keep making movies by the way. ;))

I am so glad I get to babysit.  I love doing it so much! 

One of the best memories I have of babysitting was when one young boy came up to me and said: "You know Kristin, you'll make a great Mommy one day." Statements like that mean so much more to me than even the money.  I hope and pray that one day I will get to be a Mommy. Even though I know it's harder than I could imagine, it is so worth it.  

(Plus, if I am half as good as my mom, I think I 'd probably be pretty good. ;) Love ya Momma.)

Have a blessed day!
Kristin

Our New Little Addition...

We think he's pretty cute. :) We still haven't decided on what to call him, but we have a few choices picked out. He is a Great Pyrenees puppy, so this little guy will be big when he grows up. :)  Nathan paid for him with his own money, he has been searching and searching for a dog for a long time.  He is so happy we found this little guy.

Have a great day!

In Him,
Kristin

Friday For His Glory: Light

I am participating in a small photography challenge this year.  Each Friday we post on that week's theme.  I thought that I would also post my picture and thoughts from the challenge on this blog. :)


This week's theme is "light."

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'"-John 8:12

"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor 

toil in vain." -Philippians 2:12-16 

Have a blessed day!

In Him,

Kristin

My Violin

Many of you may know that I love to play the piano.  And I do mean love.  I couldn't imagine life without it. When I'm in a huff over something, and have temporarily lost my ability to reason (hehe), my Mom knows what to do: "Kristin, go pray and play the piano." :) Yep, it's true.

But, there is another instrument that has also captured my love.  However, this instrument took much longer to learn to really love, and not just for its looks.   Only through many tears, have we come to the relationship that we have today. :) 

A few years ago on my birthday, my Memaw L brought a small, navy blue case to my house.  I had been thinking about learning how to play another instrument, but I wasn't sure yet which instrument I wanted to start.  When I opened the case, it was like love a first site.  It was so beautiful in that ragged blue case, that I couldn't stop looking at it.  I had absolutely no idea how to play it, or how to tune it, or really how to take care of it, but I was eager to learn.

Now fast forward two years. :)

I didn't practice, I didn't touch it, I was so frustrated with it!  My teacher said I was doing well, but I wasn't moving forward as fast as I wanted too.  "Why don't I sound good!  Why do I get so tired!" were questions I kept asking myself.  So, when I didn't get the results I wanted, I got bored with it and quit.

Gasp I know.  Great is the journey of maturity and patience in my life. :)

Fast forward, again, and here I was a year later, greatly regretting my decision to quit.  So I started back again, willing myself to keep on.  I still struggled though.

Oh boy, I struggled.

But I at least felt like I was getting somewhat better. 

And so I would have time lapses.  I would love it for a month, hate it for a month, and so on.  But, I did not want to quit again.

And now about now.

There are still many times when I wish I sounded like so-and-so, or could play notes as fast ever, but I have at least realized three things: that I need patience, prayer, and diligence to learn how to play this amazing instrument.  Somewhere, at sometime, God gave a person the smarts to create the violin.  And while I still need to strive to get better, and to push myself, I just want to say that if there is something in your life that your are struggling in...

Learn violin.

No, not really. :)

Turn to God and pray that He gives you the patience, strength, and diligence to keep on keep'n on.

Have a blessed day!

In Him,
Kristin

Now, I need to go practice... :)