::A Dragon Named Okmulgee::

"We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship." ::C.S. Lewis::

There once was a dragon named Okmulgee, who was allergic to ducks. One day he crashed into a duck pond and soon fell in love with a duck. He heard of a wizard who may have the cure and gathered his friends (including a unicorn, griffin and giant) to begin a quest which would lead them on a journey far from home...and so begins an epic road trip story four of us created together as we traveled around Texas and Oklahoma. It may sound a little ridiculous to you reading this, but inventing this story is one of my absolute favorite memories of my time in AIM.

One of my teammates decided that it must be a metaphor, and while I think that is a bit of a stretch, there are certain elements that ring true for me. For one, I am about to begin on my own journey, an adventure of a different kind. I'm taking some friends with me, but I have to leave others behind to wait for me as they are on different journeys. The four of us who created the story of Okmulgee never got the chance to finish it. We are still right in the middle of the story, and none of us know what will happen to Okmulgee or how it will end. And I think maybe that's how it should be. At least for now. Much more like real life.

And so in March to the beginning of April, we spent three weeks traveling around Texas and Oklahoma before splitting off into our AIM challenge weeks. It was our last trip as a class and wound up being my favorite trip of them all because of the friendships that were deepened. We handed out flyers in Arlington, sat in on challenging lessons at the Tulsa workshop and gave our last flag presentation in Yukon, Oklahoma. We also helped to begin an extreme home makeover project in Childress, Texas which is worth its own blog post!

My team worked with the Greenville Oaks congregation in Allen, Texas for a week which was encouraging and challenging. After we returned to Lubbock, our last week was filled with goodbyes and fun memories. I have been blessed with so many wonderful friends. God gives us people in our lives to challenge us and help us to grow closer to Him, and I am so grateful.

Here are a few pictures from the last month:

SINKING BOAT ON A LAKE IN CHILDRESS

OUR "TEAM UKRAINE" CHALK SQUARE AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING MEMORIAL

A NON-DRIVE-THRU SONIC IN OKC

OUR ASSISTANT JANE AS ME IN A SKIT OF OUR TEAM

Exactly one week ago was the official end to our time in Lubbock for training and classes. It's been an incredible journey since August. Part of me wishes I could stay longer in Lubbock, but I know it's time to get ready for my next adventure! Which brings me now to Searcy, home of my alma mater. I'm here to visit and say goodbye to more friends who I'm not sure when I'll see again. It could be a sad time, but in true Okmulgee fashion, I'm going to keep looking ahead toward my own quest. I am so thankful for friendships that last distance and time. Goodbyes are simply a part of the journey, but when God is leading your way, the adventure is always worth it.

ME WITH FRIENDS AT HARDING, ONE WEEK AGO

Living each day for Him,
-ej

::Mexico, Part 3::

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." ::Colossians 3:15::

One of our last days in Mexico City, we headed down to Cuernavaca to work with the church there. We split up into smaller groups, and my group headed to an orphanage. This isn't the usual kind of orphanage, because most of these kids still have parents who are unable to take care of them.

"RIVER OF LIFE," INSIDE THE CHURCH BUILDING

ROMANS 10:9

JORDAN AND ME, WAITING FOR THE KIDS

A LITTLE KICKBALL

SOME SINGING IN SPANISH--AND ENGLISH

SPINNING ROUND AND ROUND

SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST

LUIS, A LITTLE BOY WHO WASN'T FEELING WELL

FACES OF MEXICO:

SAYING GOODBYE

Our last day in Mexico we went to a market and ate nearby in Mexico City, then made our final stop at the Teotihuacan pyramids. This is a site with archeological and cultural significance. Many different ethnic groups lived at these pyramids, and it was a worship site with human sacrifice. There is a pyramid dedicated to the Sun and another to Moon, connected by the Avenue of the Dead. Now thousands of years later, it's a tourist site.

KATELYNN AND ME ON THE PYRAMID OF THE SUN WITH A VIEW TO THE PYRAMID OF THE MOON

ALEJANDRO, OUR AMAZING GUIDE!

UKRAINE TEAM AND TRAVEL GROUP IN MEXICO CITY

Following where He leads,
-ej

::Mexico City, Part 2::

"Let my lips utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes. Let my tongue sing of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness." ::Psalm 119:171-172::

While in Mexico City, we were able to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It's an important pilgrimage site in the Catholic church. There are numerous churches built around this area and the biggest basilica houses the icon of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

DURING A SERVICE BY THE PRIEST; THE LADY OF GUADALUPE IS FRONT AND CENTER

VIEW OF THE ICON WITH VIRGIN GUADALUPE FROM UNDERNEATH

IT READS, "QUEEN OF MEXICO. REMEMBER OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE."

OVERLOOKING THE OLD AND NEW BASILICAS

STATUE OF THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE

OLD AND NEW

We were also able to visit the historic main square in Mexico City, known as the Zocalo Capitalino. This is where the Presidente of Mexico gives speeches.

STANDING IN FRONT OF THE PALACIO NACIONAL (NATIONAL PALACE), WHERE THE PRESIDENT WORKS

Mexico City was built upon a lake and parts of it have been sinking, as evidenced by the Metropolitan Cathedral. There has been a lot of work done to build up the foundation of this cathedral from damaged caused by sinking.

CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA

TOYS AMONGST SHRINES

A SHRINE TO A SAINT THANKING FOR GOOD GRADES

ALL THAT GLITTERS REALLY IS GOLD

When the Aztecs founded their city of Tenochtitlan, they built it on an island in the middle of a lake that seasonally. After Spanish colonization, they began to build drainage canals, but despite the efforts in 1629 the city was buried under water for 5 years. The problem continues to this day.

Many buildings show evidence of the sinking, including this yellow building down the street from the main square. Follow the main horizontal lines, and you can clearly see that the building is not level.

SINKING IN THE MUD

We were able to go up into the Torre Latinoamericana (the Latin American Tower). From here it's possible to see the sheer size of the city.

PALACIO DE BELLAS ARTES (PALACE OF FINE ARTS)

COUNTLESS BUILDINGS AND SOULS IN IN EVERY DIRECTION

ME, 45 FLOORS INTO THE SKY

All for His Glory,
-ej