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i just saw the movie, little miss sunshine...and, i have to say it is one of my favorite movies of all time. there was a lot of truth in it...but there were definately things i did not agree with as well...but..youll have that in every movie i suppose. i love movies that you watch and you walk out thinking about them and how the theme applies to your life and how your life will change from it. its just like sermons too...i love listening to sermons where you know the pastor has really sought the Lord about what He wants him to share with His people. you can always tell the people pleasers from the Lord pleasers.

over the past month or so, ive had the opportunity to share about my ecuador experiences with 2 groups: my grandparents sunday school class and my aunt's youth group. both experiences were great and completely different. its funny that way...when you seek the lord about what to share...he will give you something completely different...because each group needed to hear something completely different. it was a great experience with each...and the Lord gave me all the ideas and creativity for both talks. his timing is perfect.

it was interesting speaking to a middle/high school group because i remember when i was that age and i listened to speakers. i thought they were sooo cool and were perfect. but i let them know that just because i was up there talking about "heart cleaning" that it was an every day battle for me and i am still dealing with it and that even though i am up here talking, i dont have it all together. i think that is important to hear...because when i was new and learning about living for God, i thought i was going to reach this point that i didnt have to learn anyhting more, i would reach this point with God...and then i would have enough to do the important things that i wanted to do in my life...like teaching, get married...have kids, etc. but it was in college that i realized, hey, this is a life journey!! it is kind of overwhelming, but exciting at the same time, because we dont just reach one point...we keep learning and learning and growing...wow.

so..on another note :) i completed my first triathlon! it was really fun! i really enjoyed it and didnt die on the swim like i thought i was going to :) i finished the race not really being tired..which tells me i could have pushed myself more...but hey, it was my first race and i didnt know how tired i was going to be. my final time was 1:21...which is ok for my first race. i signed up for another one on sunday, aug 20 in pleasant prairie wisonsin...i am excited for that--but it is a 1/2 mile swim..so that will be a little harder...but it will be a great experience.

i finally have my ticket to go back to ecuador..september 5, and i start teaching on the 7th!! talk about no transition time :) it will be good to get back and get back into the teaching groove...

read velvet elvis. go see little miss sunshine--the more open minded you are, the better...