Ten on Ten: i love my life

guys, i really love my life.
it isn't glamorous and it's far from perfect,
but it is great.

here's a snapshot, or ten, of what life is like:

 "Humble yourself....cast your burdens on him"

 nurse life

traffic jam

laundry

 holi remnants

 business

 russian doll suitcases

because anemia

improvising

 these women.

amazing.

happy ten on ten!

cincerely,

cindy

clear eyes, full heart

i feel like the last two months i've really lived up to my blog title.
well, i guess just the crazy part.
the whole "white woman" thing kinda sticks with you.

anyway,
it's been a crazy two months.
and i'll recap maybe not so quickly.

my sister got married.

it was a crazy weekend full of laughter,

 

special moments,

 and, most importantly, dancing!

at the end of september,
 i moved out of my apartment and home

for the past three and a half years.

it was definitely a bittersweet time.

i'm back living with my parents.

who knew i'd be 28 and living at home.

weird.
{i'd prefer not to have this photo documented}

the giants made it to the world series!

i really love post-season giant's baseball.

i spent a week in socal visiting some dear friends.

after a month and a half of battling,
i finally got my visa!
i think the phrase "best day ever" might actually apply.

i've worked my last day at the VA for a while.

it's been my home away from home for the past four years.

i'm still blown away about how the Lord got me there,

but that's a story for another day.

 the giants are playing in the world series!

did i mention that?

packing.

trying to prioritize your life into two suitcases that 

weigh less than fifty pounds is proving a challenge.

i leave for india in SIX days. 
unreal.
i haven't really had much time to process it all.
in all honesty, some days i feel totally 
unprepared for all that lies ahead.

the tv show friday night lights came up recently,
specifically the famous words of coach taylor:
"clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."
i know it's completely cheesy
and completely out of context, 
but i think i have a new way of looking at this phrase.

my eyes are clearly fixed on the 

task set before me and on my prize-Christ.

my heart is full with support and affirmation 

from those around me, and full with 

the promises and love of the Lord.

i can't lose. 

romans 8:31, 37-39 says this:

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

a bit of a stretch, i know.
but i don't really care.
every girl needs a theme
and this is an obvious contender.
 
i probably won't post again until i'm in india,
and then i'll really live up to that crazy white woman thing.
so we'll see ya then!


cincerely,


cindy

 

12 days off

i love my job.
i really do.
but when they tell you that you "have" to take 12 days off,
you say yes please.
and make the most of it.
so here's how i did just that.


 

my coworker hooked me up with some wicked 

awesome seats for a giants game.

we even got to see where they do some of the KNBR radio shows!

 

went to chico with my sis
and saw some pretty skies.

we also stopped in sonoma on our way home.

wine country is the best country.

 

had family dinner.

i really love these people.

so so much.

 

threw a bridal shower with the very talented kim

for my very beautiful sister

 

complete with a mimosa bar,

 

personalized recipe box,

 

and homemade lemon scrub.

such a fun day!

 

 then my sister and i left on a jet plane...

 

...to the land of dry heat and sunspurts.

 

arizona, i think i love you.

we went shopping for flopping hats,

took selfies by the pool,

and got gussied up for a nice dinner.

i even got to see two of my favorite people from joshua.

so grateful these friendships stand the test of time!

 

We headed back to the bay
and did a little mug swap prep!
i really love swappin.
and muggin.



Ellen had another shower
and it was so lovely to hang out with these awesome peeps.

all in all, it was a really great {almost} two weeks.
going back to work today has been a bit rough.
but thankfully i got by with some help from my coworkers
and their obsession with donuts.

the next time i have this kind of break,
i'll be on my way to india!
so crazy.
so awesome.
crazy awesome.


cincerely,


cindy

 

prayer: the greater work

"prayer doesn't prepare you for the greater work;

prayer is the greater work."

my late grandmother penned that in her journal years ago.

in her later years, she would spend much of the day praying 
for lists and lists of people and ministries.

my mom must have learned the value of prayer from her
because every morning as a child, 
i remember my mom on her knees praying.

i knew that it was a sacred time.

unlike these matriarchs in my family,

i all too often trivialize prayer.

i'm all too quick to say "i'll pray for you."

and i will. a couple of times. and sometimes half heartedly.

but isn't prayer bigger than that?

i know that it is.
and i know that ministry is often futile without prayer.


as i head overseas, i'm beginning to see how crucial prayer is.
in fact, i'm craving time with Jesus.
and i've been praying for a good time of preparation, a ready heart to serve, and for the Lord the pave the way before me.

but i have a really big favor:
will you pray with and for me?
south asia is a very spiritual place and i know that i can't go and serve there without people here holding the rope through prayer.
and as important as financial support, 
i need prayer support even more.

if you are able to commit to praying with and for me, 
will you let me know?
comment below, 
send me a facebook message, 
or email me at cindymovestoindia@gmail.com.


prayer is a big deal.
it is the greater work. 



cincerely,

cindy

six months later...

hey there.
it's been awhile.

pretty sure i just needed a break from blogging 
(as unrefined as my blogging may be).
but hopefully i'm back to stay for a while.
a lot has happened since november, so let me get you caught up:


we had a no-present christmas in my family. 
it was so good for all of us.

we did do a white elephant exchange with our extended fam

 













i turned 28 and can't believe it. 
also, my friends spoil me with weekends in wine country.

 














my bff or longer from school came to visit with her sweet fam.

 




















my uncle passed away in january after battling stomach cancer. 
it was a hard time for all of us.

 



















i took a little jaunt down to socal.

 



















became a wound care certified nurse. my geekiness continues to flourish.

 














my sister got engaged! crazy. can't believe we are growing up.

took another quick jaunt, but to yosemite this time.

went to a giants game during the opening series.

went kayaking in monterey

 



















went to morocco and road a camel. i mean, why not?

such a crazy six months! 
i am so grateful for the hard times and the good times;
God is so good through it all.

what will the next six months hold?
no clue.
but this coming season is bringing much change.
sometimes i have serious anxiety about it.
other times, i am giddy about it.
despite my feelings, the Lord is constant.
and i am immensely grateful for that. 
i can't wait to see what the Lord does and how He moves.
His way is perfect, not mine.