Expect the Unexpected- A call for help

I find myself beneath a stack of papers sorting out which programs I'm applying for need what, and I'm realizing something each time I hit the 'charge' button... there is no garuntee for any of these programs, but I'm pouring money into getting my applications in, transcripts sent and being sure my ducks are in a row... this is where I ask you for help.

I am getting nearer to coming home, but I'm not comfortable with the cushion I have to come home on. Some of you may be like, "that's selfish.... come on, Michelle... you're done, we're not doing any more fund raising.' the thing is, I'm entering a whole new mission field of its own and I need your help to start getting there. I look at how much left I have from my 'mercy ships' fund that I have and think of the clothes I need to buy(a new wardrobe- both casual and more business-casual), the items I'll be needing, not to mention moving out of the house and trying to get standing on my own two feet next year with very little cushion, as I can't work during my internship phase. I also have a deep hunger to help meet the needs of some of my friends I'll be leaving behind in Guinea, which I'll do either way, but I'd really appreciate any help you can offer

If you are interested in helping me out email me at michelle.cristion@gmail.com and I'll tell you how- don't go through the website for any new donations, just email me and I'll explain it all.

Thanks for listening.... I feel a little bit like a beggar, but maybe this is the humbling moment I needed right now.

Day 21: Carrot Sticks

This may seem strange, but my blessing of the day is Carrot Sticks. It's not often we get them on board and in order to get them on your own, you'd have to go to the market, get some, bleach them, peel them, cut them and store them... not worth the effort, unfortunately. But the other night I walked into the dining room and saw them from afar... perfection... especially great for stressful days like today where you're trying to apply for jobs from Africa that require all kinds of hoops that you have no access to.... frustrated, but a little better because of CARROT STICKS!!:) I feel like I'm in college again..;)

Day 20: Lent update

Pfew... I got into the internet before it kicked me out... hoping it'll let me post this and not boot me... if you're reading this and it's still Monday- it worked!!

So, I thought I'd give you guys a little update on how my excursions through lent are going, since we're 1/2 way through.

To be frank, I thought this time would be full of butterflies and rainbows and amazing things, but it's been a grind. It's been a challenge and difficult for me. But hey- it's all about learning to lean on God, right? Funny though, none of the things I 'gave up' or added have really been difficult to me.... rather freeing truth be told.

Let me explain.... each time I get on my computer, I admit, my first impulse is to check facebook.... but I'm actually kinda thankful I'm not tied to that chain any longer, and plan on only checking it every so-often... so if you want to keep in touch, email me. I don't miss facebook... it made me jealous and bitter and made me wish I was places I wasn't, and guess what? That's not good... it's poison. So, I"m rather happy that one was a good choice and not a struggle when it boils down to it.

You may be wondering how my adventures in Sugarland are going... it's actually going AMAZINGLY well. I've stopped eating refined sugars- I allow myself honey, peanut butter(only for the good qualities it has) and natural based drinks that may have sugar in them(aka the bissap I talked about yesterday). I feel amazing.... like... really... I've changed my eating habits 100% since I"m using this awesome calorie counter app in effort to whip myself into shape- and it's WORKING... It's nuts!! Sometimes I miss cookies and coke and such- I dream about it often, but honestly it's freeing....just like being off of facebook...FREEING!!! I don't miss soda either.... Funny how that happens... not to mention the weight that's been falling off due to less sugar and more exercise... Yehaw- this girl's on a roll. Trying to  get fit so I can keep up with my kids at camp this summer(if that's what God wants me to be doing), or to go on awesome adventures hiking and such when I go home:)

I have also changed some rules- I haven't watched a movie alone in a while- I've actually pretty much stopped watching TV and movies... I know right? But... I'd prefer to use my free time as free time and zen doodle or something rather than put things in my brain that might come back in my dreams.

Overall, it's going very well- completely different than I expected and hard in ways I didn't imagine, but this was already a time of growing for me, so it's kinda great to exercise more self control and discipline now so that when I go home, I'll be ready to hit the ground running. I'll have so many more resources at home too:)


This may be a little weird- I'm tired and super relaxed because we did yoga tonight instead of the usual Zumba..... I think it may be my bed time;) Goodnight!!!!

Day 19: Bisssp

Bissap is a local drink made from hibiscus.  I was in the crew galley juicing some citrus I had that I wanted to drink and not eat, when I ran into my friend Laura. I saw she had something interesting, so I decided to investigate. It was hibiscus....and I knew exactly what it was.... and got really very excited.

Laura proceeded to show me how she thought the process to go. Now, Laura is a big of a guru with drinks- she makes the BEST chai I've ever had. So, she put the dried flowers into the boiling water and let it go, then she took it off, added lemon juice, a little ginger, and just a tad of sugar(don't worry... I've allowed myself Bissap for lent since it's mostly natural..).... she had me taste test and we added more ginger, so then we tried it again... awesome. Thennnn she gave me a bit to take back to my cabin... awesome....

I promise I'll write a deeper post later... I've got a good one for you;) 

-M

Day 18... late is better than never.... The Spontaneous Day

Sorry this is late- really not excuse other than I was BEAT once I got a moment to write last night...

Yesterday went something like this...

I woke up nice and late after almost 12 hours of sleep... because I could. Our orphanage trip was cancelled due to unrest, so I took advantage of the only morning ever to sleep in:) At first I was upset, then I realized what's going on in town is serious and I shouldn't be saying 'oh... I wanted to do this or that' but be praying for those whose lives are affected... humbling for sure.

I had hauled myself to the bathroom when the phone rang. I kept saying, 'please leave a message, please leave a message'. We don't have call waiting here, so there's NO way to tell if someone has called or not... unless they leave a message. Thankfully they did. It was one of the families I'm close with asking if I wanted to go shopping and out to eat and to the pool with them. At first I was like, 'Really...we're going out?', but then I remembered there is no issue close to our ship, so I gladly accepted the offer.

We first drove to the market area, where we found a dress for the mom of the family and a cute skirt for one of the girls, got the mom's shoes repaired, and a few other things. Then, we walked to one of my favorite restaurants- Africana- where they serve traditional Guinean Cuisine for a good price and the quality is excellent. On Saturdays they even have a kora player(see below for a pic of a kora- a traditional Guinean instrument). It was tons of fun. Then we headed to the Niger market where we picked up a few items.

The family needed a light-bulb and some hair products for the kiddos, and I was desperate for mangoes. Fruit has become my source of sweet and I loooove mango smoothies. And...I'm a good barterer... it was funny because my friend got on me for not using our translator friend, but I already had her down to the local price before he even started..:) Needless to say- mango smoothies are back on my menu;)

Then, we drove over to the Riviera. It's this incredible little resort where we have free admission to swim. The food is too expensive, so I don't really eat there, but it's a fun place. There I attempted to Skype my family. I was quite disappointed when I learned my skype wasn't working, but my friends was... when we realized I should use my friend's.. it was too late- the family was already gone. I did get to see Jordan for a quick moment and make faces with him, and most notably, he knew I couldn't hear him due to issues with Skype, so he put up his hands to say 'I Love You' in Sign language. I almost cried.... well... later  I did. I'd had a dream that Jordan and James came to the ship and I was babysitting- James a little chunker and healthy as could be and Jordan enjoying school on board, so I woke up homesick... this didn't help any... but it was nice to see them for a minute:)

We got back and the heat was on.... it was nearly time for the FILM FESTIVAL!! I'd agreed to do the hair of the girl I directed in a film as well as a friend, so I hurried to shower an eat before they came, then they came, we did hair and makeup and I made it JUST in time to take my seat. I was surrounded by people I love- it was really amazing. The films this year were very thought out and much more intricate than I remember in years past. Ours didn't win anything, and I struggled not to be bitter, as I'd spent hours recording my parody of 'I Dreamed a Dream', but realized I should've put subtitles on it... oh well... my actress was fantastic and we had fun- a cool memory to have together for the future for sure:) After a while, I calmed down and realized how tired I was and just passed out in bed:)

Overall it was a blessed day.... it was very spontaneous, as all I had planned was to lay in bed and read that day- no lunch planned- nothing ready to have a day in. Those of you who know me know that I really like having order and a schedule and knowing what's going on, but time has changed me a bit, I suppose. Now I don't mind things going off kilter as long as it's for something cooler:)

Me and Lisa at the film fest

Day 17: Safety

Thank you Lord for giving me a safe place to live whether it be on the ship or at home. I'm also thankful for having a stable government at home and people who look after us here.

As we near elections, Guinea needs our prayers now more than ever. Please join me in praying daily for Guinea.

Short but deep thanks tonight.

Day 16: Comforts of Home

Last night, I entered the dining room for dinner and saw what was for dinner and wasn't very excited... maybe because I was headed to do Taebo and was focused on that, not eating. later, I came for dinner and much to my surprise realized it felt so much like comfort food. It took me back to my grandma's old house, where I would always sit anxiously at the dining room table awaiting her amazing meals.

This is what we had for dinner...

Now, it was a little different, but pretty great for the ship:) My grandma would've made her famous baked beans, which I love with my grandpa's home-grown corn, ham bought from the amish market and bread that she baked that morning... but this was a great taste of home... and the view wasn't bad from the window either...

\

 In that moment, I truly felt blessed. God knew what I needed that day- some comfort food after a day that wasn't bad, but not wonderful either. It started with me spilling a cup of yogurt with frozen blueberries all down my front and all over the floor in a carpeted area..... our yogurt is super runny, but delicious.... and it was ALL over me and the floor and splattered the furniture... I was embarrassed and more worried for the carpet than my clothes, though I must say it was totally a great excuse to get my laundry done that morning:)  The day was full of hurdles and new roadblocks, but at the end of it, this really made my day- Thanks Ken and the team!!:) 

Today, I realized how blessed we were to have real dishes daily when I was met at lunch with this...

Small paper bowls..... I like to eat a nice salad at lunch, but today I was flabbergasted and felt like a fool- it looked like I was eating for two people, but the bowls were so tiny I had no chance of eating what my body needed with just 1 bowl.... Then I was thankful and blessed to remember our amazing silverware and crockery we normally have... my fingers are crossed we'll have it back again soon.

On a less superficial note, Here's another HUGE blessing. I got to meet these guys rather early on, but didn't get to see him post-op, which was disappointing. But- look how incredible his story is!!!! :) 

http://bergmansonboard.blogspot.com/2013/02/alsenys-transformation.html

Credit for that blog goes to Tiffany Bergman:) Beautiful story and a beautiful way of telling it;)