I've Been Tagged...

Alright, I'll fill this in for the sake of being bored and curious. Ok:

Rules consist of:Link to the person (Smithy) who tagged you.

Post the rules on your blog.

Write Six Random Things about yourself.

Tag a few other people at the bottom of the post and leave comments on their blogs to let them know they've been tagged.

And also let the person who tagged you know when you've written the post.



1. I get confused when it snows in OCTOBER such as today. (It hasn't done that here in my time)

2. I am afraid of needles, hospitals, doctors,etc. But not afraid of dying or actually getting hurt.

3. I am pretty sure that my little sister Kira is my favorite person.

4. I wish people wouldn't judge when others decide to be bold and be themselves for a change.

5. My family and I are obsessed with the movie National Treasure and could quote it.

6. Sometimes (a lot actually) I wish I could be in Mexico, cuz that's where my heart is. (I forget it last summer) =]



There ya go! =] Umm..... I can tag anyone cuz I don't really know of anyone who has a blog.... So I'll just end. Oh, and quote to go with # 4. "Yes, I am one of those people who secretly wonder why we can't just all get along..." And.." I'd rather be hated for who I am, then loved for who I'm not." K, I'm done.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua......Saw it and cried.

Wrote this on Facebook on Friday.
Tonight was a reunion of the Phillies. No not the baseball team, but the outgoing, fun-loving, mission trip group from Philly region. Though we see each other often tonight was a special night in which we honor the memories of Mexico. Yes, Miami and GI is included in that. We decided to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua dedicated to my "little brother" Austin from Miami. If you are in on these Mexico "jokes" you would know (especially if you were in red van) that every chihuahua follows the "Austin Code." That is that they: have a short tail, under 30 pounds, pointy ears, and FOUR little legs. (Dogs with 3 legs might not count, sorry). So off we went, Liza, Ms.April, and I....We thought this movie would be a stupid kid movie not worth our money, but we were wrong. We laughed and cried. If we had not been to Mexico with our team/family we probably would have thought that it was not worth it. But we were in Mexico with our team/family and it was worth it. Some things that we remembered and laughed/cried at: crossing into Mexico, wanting a road trip, chihuahua's in general, in mi corizon, Manzana Lift (saw it in a store), stray dogs, and lots more. Then at the very end as the two main characters were going separate ways one of the ones that acted as a protector/ friend said "its not a good bye...." That's the last thing Allan said to us before we separated at the airport. We said if there is a dirty mattress mentioned we would have to leave. So yes, we did cry. And we're proud of it. Right when it was over I stood up and said alright lets go buy some plane tickets. Yes, I am a Jesus Freak. Yes, I am obsessed with Mexico. Yes, I am in love with four little girls that I may never seen again. Yes. Alright, I am done now.~Kacie

*Sigh*

I am sad to say that the "it sucks" feeling Vale described is still with me. My heart is on fire for Jesus, Mexico, and anyone I encounter and yet Satan keeps finding ways two dampen it. He's having a party or something. Anyways, I've been trying to do ANY community outreach projects at church, but they are all shot down. I express concern about evangelizing and I "get in trouble." So yea, I have good days and bad, and on the bad days I'm frustrated and depressed. On Sunday when I was playing with Sarah and Sambu (two kids from Cambodia) I felt like I was on top of the world. Then someone tried to ruin it, but I didn't let them get to me and made the best of their time there. Mexico, Miami, memories, outreach, evangelism, kids, broken and needy people... the list of things running through my head goes on and on. To top it all off I am having a not so great school year. But again, I put on a happy face and try to make the most of the good days. I cant even talk face to face with my "accountability partner" and close friend because she lives so far. Yet, I can tell her close to anything because of that. I know I'm rambling but... I'm overwhelmed and well... bored. =] So yea friends in Miami, Georgia, Tulsa, Houston, Tennessee, etc. To far. Need a road trip. Pray please. =)

Revelation Generation

Well, last Saturday I went to Revelation Generation with some church people. 4 teens, 2 adults. SO much fun. There were bands from Flyleaf to Bethany Dillon. Which April just so happened to really want to go to the interview for. So while April, Emma, and I were through the merch tent some lady stopped us with the tickets for the interview. Needless to say we were pretty excited. At 6 the three of us went in and listened to the questions, then at the end we had the chance to talk to her one on one. Or in our case three on one. We told her how April used her song for our mission trip video and typical questions to ask were, "Where, and for how long?" "Juarez, Mexico and for a week, we wish it was longer." Then I said maybe someday I'll just move there." Then Bethany Dillon said GO, Just do it. So that was confirmation that God really was telling me to go. Thanks Bethany Dillon!!! I prayed the other day and told God I'm now his hands and feet. =]

If Anyone deciedes to read this...

For all you people who might decide to read this..
I tried to go back and fix spelling and grammar errors, but had to stop. I might go back another time but not tonight. As I read my words, I started to laugh a little about some inside jokes we shared, but then I started to cry. Not a lot. But enough to know I miss um a whole lot. Yeah, defiantly a whole lot more then I can describe. My babies in Mexico, the people we helped and prayed for, Team Miami, and the GI staff. Even "the Phillies" if I don't see them often enough. To top it off, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of the kids from last year, the people we helped last year, Team Miami 1, and last years GI staff. So yeah, basically sorry for all the errors. I type to fast for me to go back and fix. Haha. I just wrote a pointless paragraph. Jeez, I'm tired. And hungry. =] See ya around.

Oh, and check out the song Trading My Sorrows on youtube or I like it in Spanish better... "Cambiare Mi Tristeza."

August 5, 2008

I'm back to life but once again, I left my heart in Mexico. We talked about reverse culture shock, and mission trip high in Mexico. Vale described the feeling as "it sucks."I talk to a couple people online but. Well that "It sucks" feeling hit really hard today. I made it through church without crying but.... I just want to be there more than anywhere else in the world. ='[ =]

Teams and Thanks

Thanks! =]

Thank you sooo much to anyone that supported "The Phillies" this year with thoughts, prayers, and financial donations.

Thank you to Team Miami 2 for "absorbing" us into their team. [words of Roger]

Team Miami: Stephanie, Sylvia, Ruth, Pam, Yani, Aimee, Ashra, Modesta, Ruth, Antonette, Antonne, and Vale [amazing friend]. All my amazing friends.
Roger, Rick, Danny, Andy, Matt. And Allan, Carl, and Austin [the 3 of you truly felt like family, fathers, and brother, and friends]
Both Team Miamis are my second family, I hope to visit you at the Vineyard in the future.

Thank you to the AMAZING Global Infusion staff: Philip [Phillipe], Summer [Verano], Liz, Danielle[Daniella], and Larry. You guys were amazing leaders, Christians, and friends. =]

To GI's Staff

Saturday August 2,2008

Team Miami



Most of us woke up at 5:30 ,but went back to sleep. We were supposed to have our bags at the "curb" by 6:30. Chocolate chip pancakes were deliciously made for breakfast. Thanks Hannah and Jonathan! We took another group picture in front of the rainbow since Modesta and Yani didn't climb the mountain with us. Of course, not everything can run smoothly so when trying to load our luggage into the trailer they found out that they lost they keys. Next option was to saw it off, electrically by Jon and Matt. Sparks were flying and pictures were being taken. Larry drove the red van and acquired some revenge from the Van Wars. Hitting about every bump there was. This year we got across the border much quicker though.

Adrian started to cry as Miami walked over to Delta air check in so Liza and I started to cry. We were left alone for a few minutes at we got our tickets and we just stood and cried. When Adrian appeared out of nowhere again, I told him that HE made me cry,but he just shrugged and said sorry. When he came by a few minutes later though he saw I was serious and tried to comfort me and hug me which made me know I was going to miss everyone more. uhh. We then gave Miami and Vale our cards and said goodbye with more more more tears. Vale was the hardest as I felt and still feel close to her. I could go to her for anything and she'd try to help me out.It took at least a full 20 minutes [maybe more] for Liza and I to stop crying because every time we looked at each other it would start again. Allan told us, "Don't worry. This isn't a goodbye, its a see ya later."

Me and Adrian
As we were waiting for our flight we fantasized that the GI staff would come walking down the hall and we'd maul them with hugs. Our flights were uneventful and we were greeted to our family at the Philly airport.

Friday August 1,2008

• Last full day! ='[


• We headed to the mountain!! My favorite place to pray and think!


• SO beautiful up here. Life Larry said, in a sense, this is how God sees the world. He sees the lost, needy, and broken people. But he know that hope that it holds. And my favorite devo. Needs so explaining first.

Ok so when your on the mountain and you look right to left you see the whole city of Juarez, Mexico. Straight out you see El Paso and the wealth that it holds. So Larry gave this devotion and thought right before our quiet time: The people of Juarez keep looking there,[at El Paso], as the source and answer to all their difficulties. But, [this made me cry], if they would just turn around and seek the cross it would all resolve. Ms. April said it like a box of crayons, some are bright,some are dull, broken, etc. But we all live in the same box.

Before we went down Ruth came up with this idea. Larry was going to play Moses,bang his stick down three times and at the top of our lungs we were to scream "Jesus Te Ama!" Repeated 3 times!

• I didnt fall on the way down this time. Just a couple of cactus pricks! [one right in my finger]


• Lunch at the market


• Market shopping! Liza, me, Carl, and Austin, sometimes Vale and Roger in a group.

MORE FUN

Summer and Liz were Red Van flight attendants. "If you feel you cannot handle this procedures. Get out"

Carl, Austin, and I were backseat buddies.

My Vale accent.

Larry hitting the fence. "It was killing the centipede!"

Manazana Lift

Many Andyisms y mas!

Thursday July 31, 2008

• slept real good


• EVERYONE got up late so we were all late for breakfast. opps!


• cereal for breakfast!


• devos


• We put a sign on the back window of our van saying "Red Van Rocks!" "Help Us-No AC" We actually were very lucky as the other van didn't have windows that open. Every time we went through a puddle everyone would scream hurry close the AC! And whoever sat next to it would have to pull it closed.


• Sifting Sisters +Adrian


• We had to sift through the sand to get the rocks out. Carry 6 buckets of the sifted sand inside, spill one packet thing of maurter (big not little) into it, 3 shovel fulls of cement, and buckets of water. You make a volcano with it then mix it all up.


• Roberto told me and Liza to follow him and then told me I was strong. It surprised me! Later I attempted to maurter the wall but could so I left Liza to it. (who couldnt).

Sifting Sisters! Grrrr!!!!!!

Stephanie started to fling maurter at Adrian who flung back and her and Aimee. We all stuck our hands into it [thanks Ashra] to get rocks out. Then all of the sudden we were all flinging it at each other. Adrian so kindly wiped his hands on my back so I of course flung some! It covered us, but we soon cleaned up in the water buckets. Only to fling water at each other. But heyy, it was soo much fun!! =] Oh, and for some reason Adrian cant remember my name. Every time he says hi he calls me Lily. Why? I don't know. Everyone always corrects him,so today I gave him my permission to call me Lily.

Yesterday White Van blocked us into our van and we had to have an Emergency Drill out the back and drivers seat. So today Red Van had a Congo line around ours doing our SI SE PUEDE chant. A team that drove in from Canada did some praise and worship with us after lunch too.

• A new favorite song of mine is "Trading My Sorrows" in both Spanish and English. Si Senor, Si Si Senor, Amen!

At VBS, there was a little girl who didn't want to participate in singing or clapping or anything for that matter. So Liza and I went over and talked to her and her older brother. I played peek with her for a little bit, then pulled her to sit on my lap and clap. After that she was mine! She clung tight, just like Avelana did last year. I asked her if Jesus was her friend. A little boy came out of nowhere said he was and ran away.She asked about my cross, Jesus, and about coloring. We sang, danced, clapped, "slept," played,jumped, and colored together. Her name was Michelle and she wanted me to come home with her. Michelle is 3 years old. Back at her house she now has a picture of Jesus that I colored with her, a note that says Jesus Loves Michelle and Kacie Loves Michelle, a small picture of me, and a piece of my heart that went to her as she begged me to go to her house. She gave me a hug goodbye and then she was gone. Though I might not see her again, I know I planted a big seed of love into her heart.

Planting Love Me and Michelle

• Later we went to see the Talahumara Indians again. Beautiful people out of the mountains and canyons. We went to the park with them and found a see-saw type thing which Aimee and I tested out. So much fun, but probably illegal here in US.


• Closer friends with Stephanie, Aimee, Ashra, and Adrian today.


• Cake for Roger's B-day. And according to Mexican tradition smashed his face in the cake.

As I was writing in the van I said, " This ride is bubbly for me to write in." Tired anyone?

Oh and the Andyism of the day, "The Talahumara's can really run 100 MPH??!!"

Me n Aimee on the swing thing &&& the Talahumaras

Wed. July 30, 2008

• Pancakes!


• Bathroom duty =p


• Red Van to Chivida


• I was in the back with Austin and Vale


• We flew everywhere hitting my head on the ceiling several times.


• Construction we made door stoop dirt stopper things.


• Dig the hole armed with shovel and pick axe. =] Go Liza Go!


• Mix the cement,carry it to the hole, pour it in, and even it out!
Mixin Cement

• VBS was very hectic! They were very hyper and at least 1/2 the little boys were probably high. There were only 2 parents there and 1/2 the kids weren't wearing shoes. It settled out near the end and we let the kids do our face paint. I had a heart on face, a ring, a flower, and an iguana.


• Its weird while I'm there I talk with an accent. Vale said I talk like I'm from Miami, then I realized I talk like her!


• Park to debrief.


• Told Carl my whole missionary testimony. Then he said "You and Vale seem really close, ya know tight?" I had to laugh at his wording but I agreed that I could and have gone to her for advice, laughs, etc.


• At dinner there was chicken that reminded me of China so I didn't eat a lot.


• More praise y worship.


• I am a Miamian! 305!


• While I was sitting in bed, Vale in hers across from me, we were just talking. She turned to say something to someone else, they walked out, but by the time she turned back to me I was half asleep. Sitting up, on my hand, shes like KC? Hello? Your falling asleep? haha it was quite funny.[if u were there]

Praise and Worship

July 29, 2008 Tuesday

Breakfast was eggs and sausage. Yum. Today Team Dirty Mattress went to roof a house. We literally had to chisel the roof off with the back of a hammer. My muscle's are thanking me for that now. Then I swept the whole house's roof, then Liza swept the add-on thing. I developed a blister on my thumb will probably have a scar. Yay, another to my collection.
Funny Stuff
When passing an open manhole thing. "Its like ninja turtles. You can cool off. I'm the travel agent."-Phillipe ..... "Turtle in the half shell!"-Liz

After construction we returned our sodas bottles in to get one free. But there was no Manzana Lift! Its like my favorite drink, kind of like apple cider but lighter(?). Yummy,yummy! At VBS we had 65+ kids. I had a group of about 9. It was hard to tell where one group started and another began. We did a hard Oriental Trading Co. craft, lesson, balloon animals, and Vale did this one game where you have to reach,spin, and crouch when she says. All of us that did it, regretted it because our muscles yelled. It was fun though. Liza had this one little girl cling to her the whole time, while I had my Niellie! Adrian, Aimee,Ashra, Liza, and Me hangin out

After everything, the people we knew from last were the last ones to leave. We prayed with them and said goodbye, with some of them crying. Which made Vale cry, which made me cry. So yeah the whole way home I just laid down in my lap thinking,praying, and crying. When we were getting out Vale and I saw each others faces and decided to talk about it. It was really bittersweet with more tears. About how those kids saw how we really cared and how Gods not gonna give up on them.And even though we knew it was going to suck, we came back anyway.
=] I miss them all sooooo much. ='[ Carl and Rick show their Moves
Later that night, we went into the community and invited people to the Tapias for an outreach thing. We sang songs for the little kids than put on rap for the teens. They got up and started dancing. It turned into a dance off!! Carl, Rick, and Antonne all "battled out." Miami also did a skit based off of the well known "Life house" skit. When everyone went home some of us stayed up and sang praise and worship with Vale on guitar! It was amazing again!

Funny Quotes so far

Dont worry, if you dont understand them... you really had to be there to get them.

• "Si se puede, si si se puede, What?!"
• Ms. April points behind, I look up.
• Someone asks liza for a cup, she hands them hers with her name on it.
• "Ask the Red Van"..ICECREAM!"...."SHHHHHH!!!!"
• "Its so pretty"(about sunset)-me, Roger-"thats 'cause its a Mexican sunset"
• Allan talking about how the kids remembered me and made me cry.
• Allan,"how do you make the camera turn back on?" me- just tap it"so he pokes the side of the camera
• Liza told 3 ppl," No hablo Englies (No understand English). The last time Pastor Pacencia's daughter corrected her in English saying "You mean Spainish?"

Monday--After VBS

Red Van Rocks! But on the way back from VBS we noticed that all the traffic was coming towards us. Yes, we were on the wrong side of the road! We thought we were ok because someone else was behind us, until we realized it was Pastor Paciencia trying to get our attention! Since we had time before the White Van returned from Kilo 27 we stopped for ice cream! I got Pineapple Coconut. Later Aimee, Ashra, Liza, Allan, Matt, Adrian, and I walked to the corner store for some coke.
At dinner we has spaghetti soup thing with guacamole stuff. And Kayla became me and Liza's buddy. At dinner every night she would come and find us! We played "Hola" again and also played with stickers. Later at debriefing Aimee taught some of us how to make balloon animals.

My Chihuahua dedicated to Austin. Under 30 lbs. Little Tail. 4 little legs. Pointy Ears. Yep. Definitely a chihuahua! =]

July 28, 2008 Monday

• Vale volunteered to wake us up at 6:30.


• Breakfast- french toast and oranges


• Pastor Joel's group= "The Phillies-Liza, me and Ms.April", Stephanie, Sylvia, Philippe, Summer[Verano], Liz, and Adrian

On the way out we chanted "Joels, Joels, Joels" which then turned to chanting "Best Team Ever", but then we saw a stray dog and chanted that. Now if you think that's weird... we saw a dirty mattress and thanks to Summer we chanted "Dirty Mattress!" And that's how we got our construction team name. We became "Team Dirty Mattress." You really had to be there. Oh, Philipe isn't apart of the team. He's our 'manager, he books us.'

So yeah, we roofed the church! Ya know, pull nails, take off old, tar on new, nail down. Oh, I did a mini interview for GI, Pastor Joel, who remembered me, bought us all sodas. Then we took an amazing picture of us with our feet hanging off the roof.

Lunch was "pizza." Then we just hung out for a little bit waiting for VBS.

At VBS Pastor's daughter and Lisette were the first there and they both greeted me and Vale with tight hugs. Pastor Paciencia, some kids, and moms remember us! We played volleyball with the kids to kind of break the ice. The 3 yr. old from last year came and found me right away. Beautiful. Again, she wouldnt talk to anyone but me. Just plopped down on my lap. This year I could make out her name though. Niellie. (pro. Ni-elly) The lesson was the story of the 10 lepers and how only one came back to thank Jesus. Then the kids had draw something they were thankful for.

Another cool story.Well, its cool for me anyways. A mom of a 13 year old girl who came both years remembered Vale and I. She had gotten a cellphone during the year and wanted us to take a picture with her on it. So we did. Yeah, big deal right? Well, the next day she told her daughter to take a picture of someone. I just so happened to be sitting next to her so when she flipped open the phone, I saw me, her, and Vale! Its amazing that she care so much that me and Vale came back, to put us, 2 girls from USA as her cell phone background so that's who she looks at everyday. It may not seem important you,but it really makes me feel.. I don't know. Special, worth it, like I'm doing the right thing. It was an awesome day with an AWESOME team!

My Niellie

This Week's "Flexable" Schedule

-Lights On 6:30-
-Breakfast 7:00-7:30
-Devotional 7:30-8:00
-Construction 8:00-12:00
-Lunch 12:00-12:30
-VBS 12:30-2 or 4
-Dinner 7:00-

July 27, 2008 --Travel Day

32,000 ft. in the air...
Today is the day! Ms. April and Liza slept over last night. Well, Ms.April slept a couple hours. Liza and I did not sleep at all. At around 3:30 we loaded up and stopped at Dunkin Donuts. After getting tickets and saying goodbye, we were on our own. We waited at the gate for a half hour. Then at boarding Liza got a little nervous. [it was her first flight] Some of her faces during boarding and takeoff were priceless! =] Up in the air now, anticipating arrival.
Later that day-- App. 25,000 ft. in air...
We're done our first flight. It was pretty much uneventful. After landing we grabbed some food from Auntie Anne's. After more wait we got on the flight to El Paso. Liza go the window right next the motor/engine thingy and she was afraid it would shoot fire or something. When we get there I gonna' start looking for Vale right away.

Arrival!
Well... we got there. When we did, I spotted Miami but figured we would meet up with them after we got our luggage. Then I passed Tim too. So after waiting for our luggage, it was one of the last, Vale and Tim came over and I was greeted with hugs!! In the "new" vans we met Larry, Pam, and Roger. Philip aka Phillipe also greeted me with a hug. This year we drove straight into Juarez. We put our stuff down at the Tapias (meaning "unfinished work"), and left for church at Pastor Joel's. It was long and exhausting but you could just feel God there. We got to sing in Spanish and English and then listened to a sermon about not being afraid. After was lunch with the congregation like last year. Mashed beans, chicken thing, and rice. I saw Marcella, Nicole, Keisey, Miguel, Claudia, and Ave. [They remembered me!]
Then we headed out to the park. Different from last year because the other was over grown. I chased some little boy around but soon got tired and sat on the swings next to a girl and GI staff member Danielle [or Daniella]. I found out the girls name was Adrianna and we started this game where she screams one of our names and we shout hers. Later I played with Paoula and Jennifer on the swings. And even later I got to play with 2 year old Kayla in the sand. I developed a game called "Hola." Its just like peek-a-boo just following her and saying hola every time she peeks. She is the same baby from last year in my album that says "Precious" underneath of it. Her mom is 16 and lives at Centro Victoria.
I am also very excited because I get to go to the same VBS church as last year with Vale!! =] [Pastor Paciencia]

Me and Kayla Our Buddy

July 26, 2008 [Day Before]

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =]

2 Weeks Before Trip

Remember how I said my heart stayed in Mexico? Yeah, well I finally started to like life here in the US during the school year. It was hard but I got my heart (most of it) to come back and live with me here. Now that I have two weeks left my heart couldn't wait. It left without me! I wanna go now! =]

Last year's blog can be found at krloucks.com