Okay, so it's been about 48 hours since I left Honduras, and I'm still trying to slowly piece together my experiences in a way that would make them coherently translatable into words. So far, no luck. Funny how someone can be as outlandishly extroverted as I am, and suddenly be silenced by an encounter with the risen Lord. I tell ya, I haven't been moved in such a way since my initial conversion experience.
When I'm able to articulate myself better...wait. I take that back. Once I empty me of myself and fill myself with the Spirit of the Lord I'll be able to say what needs to be said. Pray for me as I sort through my experiences this past week!!
Con mucho amor en Dios,
Cece
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
TODAY IS THE DAY!
Thank you to all of those who have been supporting this mission trip financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Departure day has finally come, and JREM and I fly out today (well, technically tomorrow) at 12:35am! Please continue to unite with us in prayer, as I'm sure there are going to be some tough times, as well! I'll be sure to post all the videos and pictures when I get back!PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL!
<3cece
Monday, March 17, 2008
ONE WEEK!
First and foremost, Happy Birthday to my soon to be godson, Jesse Burgard!!
Here we are, it's HOLY WEEK, and I'll be departing for Honduras in a matter of days. SIX to be exact! It's insane how quick this mission trip has come, and I am beyond excited to be able to celebrate my 21st birthday by offering up my spring break to HE who has saved me. Everyone, particularly my college buds, is a little confused by my decision to do this, most especially because a lot of them would kill to have their 21st birthday be the kick off for spring break. It just screams VEGAS, doesn't it?
But hey, I figure I've been gifted with 21 years of life, and let me tell you, each and every second of it is only possible because He allows it. Why, exactly, I don't know, because I know I've wasted a lot of those seconds making bad decisions, wrong choices, and hurting Him. And yet He still sticks with me... talk about consistent!
Since our departure date is getting real close, we've been getting more and more information about what we'll be doing in Honduras. The last e-mail informed us we'd be working with a priest about 25 minutes away from our compound, visiting the local schools and families. They've also set up time at a local hospital to provide occupational therapy for a few families. Lastly, there is some maintenance and construction work that needs to be done.
I'm sure everyone knows that I'm most excited about getting to visit the local schools and families. When I went to Mexico on mission last summer, the moment I set foot in the country, I ran out to the fence and met with the local children. Same thing happens in the Philippines. And it's amazing that the kids I've met in the most poverty ridden parts of the world are the ones who have touched my heart the most deeply. My fellow missioers Matthew and Jeremy always make fun of me, because whenever I tell a certain story about "mi mejor amigo" Carlos, I start to cry. Looking back at the pictures from that trip reminds me of how much I LOVED to do mission work. Never before in my life had I ever felt like I was meant to do something - except spread God's word in this way.
Who knows what God has in store for me? I guess we'll have to wait and see....
Here we are, it's HOLY WEEK, and I'll be departing for Honduras in a matter of days. SIX to be exact! It's insane how quick this mission trip has come, and I am beyond excited to be able to celebrate my 21st birthday by offering up my spring break to HE who has saved me. Everyone, particularly my college buds, is a little confused by my decision to do this, most especially because a lot of them would kill to have their 21st birthday be the kick off for spring break. It just screams VEGAS, doesn't it?
But hey, I figure I've been gifted with 21 years of life, and let me tell you, each and every second of it is only possible because He allows it. Why, exactly, I don't know, because I know I've wasted a lot of those seconds making bad decisions, wrong choices, and hurting Him. And yet He still sticks with me... talk about consistent!
Since our departure date is getting real close, we've been getting more and more information about what we'll be doing in Honduras. The last e-mail informed us we'd be working with a priest about 25 minutes away from our compound, visiting the local schools and families. They've also set up time at a local hospital to provide occupational therapy for a few families. Lastly, there is some maintenance and construction work that needs to be done.
I'm sure everyone knows that I'm most excited about getting to visit the local schools and families. When I went to Mexico on mission last summer, the moment I set foot in the country, I ran out to the fence and met with the local children. Same thing happens in the Philippines. And it's amazing that the kids I've met in the most poverty ridden parts of the world are the ones who have touched my heart the most deeply. My fellow missioers Matthew and Jeremy always make fun of me, because whenever I tell a certain story about "mi mejor amigo" Carlos, I start to cry. Looking back at the pictures from that trip reminds me of how much I LOVED to do mission work. Never before in my life had I ever felt like I was meant to do something - except spread God's word in this way.
Who knows what God has in store for me? I guess we'll have to wait and see....
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
MISSION DONATION DROP-OFF LOCATIONS!
Hi everyone!
Our departure date is set for Monday, March 24th, however, we would like to have all donations by Friday, March 21st in order to pack and prepare our luggage. Below is a list of locations that you can drop off any donations. Before dropping anything off, please email me and let me know where you will be dropping donations off, what exactly you will be donating, and what quantities. This is so we can prepare those at the drop off locations to expect packages, and to let other interested donors what we are still in need of. Please refer to the old blog posting for the mission needs list.Thank you very much for your support! Please forward this on to other people that you know that may be interested in helping us in this endeavor!
Drop Off Location #1:
25 Sharon Drive
Bay Point, CA 94565
Note: Please leave donation on bench in front of home
Drop Off Location #2:
86 Penhurst Avenue
Daly City, CA 94015
Note: Please leave donation near the front door
Drop Off Location #3:
260 Potrero St.
Suisun City, CA 94585
AWESOME POSSUM!! 10 DAY COUNTDOWN BEGINS!
THE BEST NEWS EVER!
Short and simple, prayers answered.
MY DAD HAS GIVEN ME HIS BLESSING!! (via e-mail, just like his daughter haha).
MY DAD HAS GIVEN ME HIS BLESSING!! (via e-mail, just like his daughter haha).
“Cecilia:
Godspeed on your Hondoras mission. Praying for you and may God bless you..
Always...
Dad.....”
All the stress and anxiety are gone. I couldn't be happier right now.
AMEN.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Crunch Time Before Departure
There is so much to update, but so little time. I'm blessed to have spring break fall on the mission week. Unfortunately that means that midterms are this week and next. So in the midst of intense spiritual preparation for the mission, I find myself physically and mentally exhausted. Work from 9-5, then school for class or to study. I tell you, I would kill for some free time while the sun's still out.
It's okay though, because I know it'll all be worth it. In the spirit of John Cardinal Newman, I keep reminding myself that even though my studies seem irrelevant to the Kingdom, I can still serve him through it (I'll insert the quote when I'm behind a computer). After the academic overload, I get an entire week to do what I love most - SHARE GOD'S LOVE.
Pray for me,
Cecilia Marie Flores
It's okay though, because I know it'll all be worth it. In the spirit of John Cardinal Newman, I keep reminding myself that even though my studies seem irrelevant to the Kingdom, I can still serve him through it (I'll insert the quote when I'm behind a computer). After the academic overload, I get an entire week to do what I love most - SHARE GOD'S LOVE.
Pray for me,
Cecilia Marie Flores
Monday, March 3, 2008
Love them even though it hurts.
More on this later. God is cooking up some real awesome stuff right now, and once it's ready to serve, I'll put it on the table. :)
<3CECE
<3CECE
Please pray for my grandmother.
Dear Lord,
Please grant my visitors tolerance of my confusion,
forgiveness for my irrationality,
and strength to walk with me
into the mist of memory my world has become.
Please help them take my hand and stay awhile,
even though I seem unaware of their presence.
Help them to know how their strength
and loving care will drift softly into
the days to come, just when I need it most.
Let them know that, when I don't recognize them,
I will ask them to keep their hearts free of sorrow for me.
For my sorrow, when it comes,
only lasts for a moment and then it is gone.
And finally, Lord,
please let them know how very much their visits mean.
How, even through this relentless mystery,
I can feel their love.
Amen.
Please grant my visitors tolerance of my confusion,
forgiveness for my irrationality,
and strength to walk with me
into the mist of memory my world has become.
Please help them take my hand and stay awhile,
even though I seem unaware of their presence.
Help them to know how their strength
and loving care will drift softly into
the days to come, just when I need it most.
Let them know that, when I don't recognize them,
I will ask them to keep their hearts free of sorrow for me.
For my sorrow, when it comes,
only lasts for a moment and then it is gone.
And finally, Lord,
please let them know how very much their visits mean.
How, even through this relentless mystery,
I can feel their love.
Amen.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)