Yes

I have been learning a lot of things since I started at Missouri Western. I can surely say that I've learned more about and from God than anything I've learned in my classrooms from a professor. Since my first day here, I had wondered if this was where I was supposed to be. I asked God to show me, somehow, someway, that He is at work here. Of course, in hindsight, I understand that this is kind of a stupid question. God is doing work everywhere. But I was so caught up in emotions and fear of the unknown that I had to ask anyway. There was one night in particular, though, that I was so frustrated and scared and concerned about this whole college thing that I just cried out to God. I just asked Him to show me something. Anything. I needed, in the depth of my humanity, something to see. Well, He showed me that He is, in fact, working here. (Imagine that!) And here's the story:

The next day, I was walking from my music class to my psychology class with this girl (who happened to be in both of those classes) that I had spoken to maybe once or twice. It was kind of weird that we were walking together considering it was a couple weeks in and neither of us had really made an effort to make a connection. But who was I to refuse a possible friendship? As we were walking and talking, we discussed what our majors were. I was basically an English Ed. major at the time, but I was officially undecided because I don't like paperwork. I had been thinking and heavily praying about taking that English Ed. degree into the mission field, and I saw this girl wearing a Christian t-shirt once so I mentioned it. I told her, "Yeah. I've been to the Dominican Republic a few times for missions and my heart is really there." As we were walking into Murphy Hall, she stopped as we were moving through the door together. She looked at me and laughed. "You've been with Rick and Carie too," she said. I stopped dead in my tracks. Here's my thought process: WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY? ..Rick and Carie? No way. There has to be more than one Rick and Carie in the Dominican Republic, right? Right. Okay. No. Wait. Maybe I misheard her. 

We kept talking, and sure enough, we had both worked in the same orphanage, stayed in the same house, and lived with the same people...just hundreds of miles away. This was my first "yes" from God. 

I was reading 2 Corinthians yesterday and I came across something that I've never really caught before. 2 Corinthians 1:19 says this: "because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, never waivers between yes and no. He is the one we preached to you about, and he is the divine Yes - God's affirmation." 

How awesome is that? He is the Divine Yes. He is the ultimate Yes. I have heard so many names for God before, but Yes is one I've never seen until just yesterday. Jesus is Yes. This just totally blew my mind! 

I am going to keep blogging about how God has been my Yes. I ask that you pray for me as I seek out my Yes for an open door and a way to the Dominican Republic. 

Thanks! Stay tuned for more blogs. :)

Oh! P.S. Me and the girl are really good friends now. God's really cool. 

The Summary of the Summary

Here's the shorter short version of what I'll be doing in the DR:
For the long version, scroll down and read "Dominican Republic: I'M GOING BACK!!"

I will be working in an orphanage which is jointed with a feeding program, which reaches about 115 kids. Loving on them, playing with them, serving their food, and even putting on a VBS! (So fun.)

I will be ministering to a refugee camp in the area. Praying, praying, praying, and putting on a medical clinic. (So humbling.)

I will also be visiting a nearby hospital, delivering basic baby supplies that these new mothers probably do not have, and praying over their newborn children. (ADORABLE.)

I will be visiting a paraplegic man who has a huge heart and understands how to see past his circumstance to see straight to God. (Quite a blessing.)

And, I will be (as an intern) helping teams who come to the DR to function, process, and adjust to the DR life. (Yay, responsibility.)

I am so excited to go on this trip and I ask that you will pray for me as I start to prepare. I am asking my Rich Father to provide what I need to go on this trip and I am also asking him to prepare my heart so that He can mold me any way that He wants.

If you are interested in supporting me, keep checking out my blog! I am selling cookie mix to help raise money and all of the information for that is on my Facebook: Facebook.com/krisclem

If we're not friends and you can't access this page, please feel free to add me!

Also, don't feel pressured, but I have set up a paypal account through this website, and if you want to donate some money to support this trip, feel free to click the "Donate" button at the top right of my page and it will take you to the paypal website and you can donate whatever you feel comfortable with. Anything helps!

Thanks for looking at my blog and check back soon for an update! :)

Dominican Republic: I'M GOING BACK!!

Hey everyone! I know it's been forever since I've blogged, but I am going to pick it back up (I PROMISE!) and try again. I am so excited to say that I am going back to the Dominican Republic this summer for a six-week internship! There are so many exciting things about this trip.

If you don't know or just love hearing about it (because I love talking about it), here's what we do in the DR in a (larger than I first assumed it would be) nutshell:

(If you would like the shorter shortened version, I'll put up a second post of that just for you who would like a summary more than an essay. :) What can I say? I'm an English kid.)

The missionary family I stay with runs an orphanage which is jointed with a feeding program. Kiddos off the streets get to come in (about 115!) and play and get loved on and then eat. The feeding program is typically the only time these kids get a meal due to their horribly poor circumstances and family backgrounds. It is so cool to be able to pass out their food and watch as they silently devour their portions for the day. An even cooler part, though, is getting to love on them, play with them, and see them open up during my stay there. Of course, I have gotten attached to a special few but every time I seem meet a few more who totally captivate my heart.

This is so cool because I learn more and more about the love God has for me through these kids. When I see how open they are, I get a glimpse of how open God is to me. These kids don't care about what I've done or who I used to be, they want me, there, in that moment to love them with all that I have, and it's a constant lesson that God teaches me with.

Another awesome thing we get to do is minister to the refugee camp. We pray over the camp as a whole (which is the coolest and most humbling experience) and minister to the people there. Many babies have bands around their arms, showing that they have been "blessed" by a witchdoctor. My first trip there, we met a woman whose baby had one of these bands on. We asked if we could replace that blessing with God's blessing, and although she was hesitant, she agreed and cut off the band! It was an awesome experience.

Something else we get to do is put on medical clinics. Sometimes this takes place in the refugee camp, but we go to other places, too. The areas that we've ministered to are so poor, but the people there are so happy. The culture in the DR is amazing. It seems like every street you walk down, someone is singing. People are so friendly and are very gracious when our American Spanish fails. I was so blessed when I came in contact with a woman that I had met once before and barely spoken to. She looked at me (I recognized her) and turned to her friend, mumbled something, turned back to me and said, in spanish, "I remember you." That was so cool!

This woman lives in Rick and Carie Bernard(the missionaries who live there)'s neighborhood. They are doing a lot of outreach in their neighborhood as well. They've redone a small barber shop, rebuilt a house/roof,  completely renovated a community park (which I got to be a part of!), and have restored a colmado (like a small convenience store/market) which I also had the blessing to be a part of.

It is so amazing how God is using this family and, through this family, using me to further His Kingdom.

There are even more things that I have the opportunity to do while in the DR, including visiting a paraplegic man with the sweetest heart I've ever known and we also get to minister to new mothers in the maternity ward at the hospital. Praying over these people is amazing and I know that God watches over them everyday just like we ask Him to.

So, I ask that you pray, too. Pray for the people in the Dominican Republic and that more missionaries would follow the call to minister to this hurting country. Pray that I will get all of the support that I need to go (because I am really trusting God on this one) and that He will start preparing my heart now!

If you are interested in supporting me, keep checking out my blog! I am selling cookie mix to help raise money and all of the information for that is on my Facebook: Facebook.com/krisclem

If we're not friends and you can't access this page, please feel free to add me!

Also, don't feel pressured, but I have set up a paypal account through this website, and if you want to donate some money to support this trip, feel free to click the "Donate" button at the top right of my page and it will take you to the paypal website and you can donate whatever you feel comfortable with. Anything helps!

I will continue posting about the journey of getting there and keep every one of you informed. :)
Thanks!

Day Twelve:

Peer Mentor.

I've been struggling with my math class. Ohhhh, Finite Mathematics has just been the death of me. BUT...

My residence hall has this really great program..peer mentoring! So, there are two RAs in my building (one is a math major and the other is some kind of science major) and they just hang out in the lobby and wait for kids (like me) who are struggling through homework. 

Ever since I started going, I've raised my grade quite a bit.. from seriously struggling to decently achieving. This is great because I never want to take this class ever again. They have been so helpful and extremely understanding. 

I have a math assignment due tomorrow, so I was going to go to peer mentor tonight, but there's a sign up and the hours changed! (Ohhh nooo!) But I'm going to work through it as best as i can.. and Linnea (the math major) is just down the hall from me, so if i get stuck, I'll just prance on over to her room. :) 

And the fun begins.. 

This accurately depicts my excitement. 

Day Eleven:

Studying. 

Tomorrow marks my first college exam. I know that I should be studying..and I really need to, so I'm going to keep this short. I've always been quite the procrastinator (as I find just about everyone is) and am seriously struggling with that now. 

It's 1:30 AM and I need to work on these darn notecards. Fortunately, I don't have class til 12:30...but I do have to participate in a psychological research thing, so that'll have me from 10:00-10:30. ...why did I choose an exam day to do that..? The whole time, I know I'm going to be thinking about my exam. Dang. 

Well, off to the notecards for me. 

Also, today (Sept. 19th) is my mama's birthday! I made her a video. Feel free to check it out! 

(P.S. the vocals aren't the best ever..so don't hate.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM4T6Nwk30o&feature=plcp

Day Ten:

Papers. 

I love to write. Obviously, I've been doing this blog, which is great, but it's not the kind of articulated writing I truly enjoy. I love writing poetry and I love writing essays. I was SO excited for college because I was under the impression (because everyone and their mother told me) that all college is is writing papers. 

Most people grumble over that idea, but I embraced it. My senior year, I had a free hour every day. I could have been a TA or done something else, but I decided to make my own class just so that I could write papers. Call me crazy, but I love it. 

My view on writing is this: It's like a puzzle, you pick out what pieces you want, and then you get to rearrange it so it fits together perfectly. This applies to all kinds of writing...music, poetry, essay, etc. I just love it. 

Anyway, since I've been at MoWest, I haven't had ONE paper assigned! This is my fourth week here! BUT FINALLY, my Women's Chorus teacher assigned us a paper..kind of. 

We are singing a piece about perspective in time and aging. He wants a response/relational story to the song. He said we could just write it out and it just needs to be half a page long...BUT he said that we could type it if we want (....ohhh mann!) and it could be longer than a half page! OH MY LANTA. I AM SO EXCITED.

I just can't wait. :)

Day Nine:

Space.

The very first day I was here, I was scared out of my mind...for many reasons. One being that I hadn't realized how tiny my room was. I was planning on bringing a futon, but I soon found out that space is limited here. At first, I felt like there was no hope. I felt like this place was smaller than a jail cell and just going to be horrible. Three room rearrangements later, and I am so happy with my space! I think I've made the most of this space. 

I have a bed, a dresser, a big comfy chair, a desk, a refrigerator, a bookshelf thing, and a tv in here. AND IT ALL FITS. My lovely friends, Kayla and Sha'Rron, helped me move everything around last night at about 11:30. Haha. They are great. 

I've also cleaned my room, organized everything, and finally have settled in. It feels good. 

I think I'm at a point, now, where i could fit two air mattresses on the floor (a twin and a full)! Now that's what you call maximum floor space! BAM!

Ha. Well, that's pretty much the most exciting thing in my life right now...which I'm totally okay with. 

Like I tell my friends all the time, if you can't get excited about the little things in life, what can you get excited about? :)

P.S.

Mama - I taped your nickel on my fridge. I think of you every day!

Day Eight: 

Sick. 

I've heard that what goes around comes around, but before I lived in a dorm, I never understood it fully. I have witnessed a horrible cold float from hall to floor to wing of this building. Unfortunately, I've become a victim. For the last five days or so, I've been dealing with a cold - stuffy/runny nose, coughing, fatigue, off and on fever, and achy-ness. Basically, an overall feeling of bleh. 

I was told that one of the hardest parts of your first year away from home is being sick for the first time. Mom's not here to bring me food or check in on me. ...I'm all alone...there's no one here besiiiiiiiiiddee me... (Ahem...Shrek reference). Anyway, it's been weird being on my own and sick. I skipped a math class because I had my head over the toilet. And the weirdest thing happened.. My teacher didn't email me telling me what we covered or even that she was praying for me and hoped I'd get better! WHAT?! I don't even know if she realized I wasn't in class. Anyway, missing that class is kind of kicking my butt right now as far as homework goes..so that's great. 

On another note, I'm all out of sunny d. And that is a very bad thing. 

And on my last note, I'm joining the Black Student Union! :) 

so soft. :)

Day Seven:

Laptops. 

I was under the strong impression that everyone uses laptops everywhere in college. This idea was due to the scene in Legally Blonde when Elle goes to class and she's the only one without a laptop. 

When I got my mac, (thank you mom and dad!!!) I was expecting for my classrooms to hold the same atmosphere as in Legally Blonde. Holy dang was I off.. 

We don't do any computer-work in my math class. Electronics aren't allowed in either of my English classes. We don't need computers in my Vocal Chorus class, and laptops are optional in my Psych class. I think one person uses a laptop in that class. 

Such a disappointment! Fortunately, I am literate. So, I can write. That's a major plus in these classes and I've been going through paper like it's nobody's business. :) 

Hey hey!

Day Six:

Home. 

I am a proud aunt of 3 (soon to be 4) beautiful nieces. Being an aunt is my favorite part of life. As I always tell people, being an aunt is great because you get all the perks of having a kid without the responsibilities. Yay! 

My first blessing of a niece was Annalise, my brother's daughter. She's four years old and has quite the personality. She's a blast to be with and I love hanging out with her. Her mama, my sister-in-law, is expecting another little girl and we are SO excited. The more pink the better. :) 

My other two beautiful nieces are Kate and Grace. They're twins and came forth via my sister, Sara. SO cute! I love them lots. Sara, Austin, Kate, and Grace live in Chicago and about every month and a half or so, I get to see them. :) I love spending time with them and I soak up every chance I get to see them. 

Sara and the girls are in KC this week! This is so great and I'm so happy that they're close. The plan was for me to see them Friday and then go home to spend the weekend with them. Well, I was talking to my mum on the phone today and I just hated that I was so close (45 minute drive) but I wasn't taking advantage of it. So, right now, I'm in my house and I have been soaking in all the baby time I can get. :) 

Fortunately, I have late classes on Tuesday/Thursdays (see blog: 12:30) so I can stay here tonight and drive up in the morning with no problem! 

Also, I love the free food. Definitely a plus. 

The real babies are sleeping, so this was the closest thing I had.

...it's Annalise's. 

Day Five:

Homework. 

It has officially started. Homework. We're past the fluffy syllabi and introductions. This is real college now. I think I spent two and a half hours on my first math assignment, bearing lots of question marks, crossed out equations, and "I don't know how to set this up"s. Frustrating. Homework in college isn't a joke...unfortunately. 

I've also started embarking on my English homework, which I don't mind at all. I've enjoyed the book and poems we've been reading and analyzing and it's been a breeze. The only problem I've had thus far is a confusion about my latest assignment. It's too late to email my teacher, so I have a choice: wing it or don't do it. Of course, I'm going to do it...but it's frustrating. 

A great resource I've been able to use is our hall's study lounge, which is just an isolated room with a table, chairs, and a window, that is available to any students in our hall at any time, day or night. I used it today for the first time, and it was wonderful. I turned the air down and put my math stuff all over the table. It was a great space to be able to use and just get away from the cramped-ness of my room and little desk. 

Yay college. 

Day Four:

Naps. 

Just in general, I'm the kind of person who likes to sleep. I always have and I'm convinced I always will. If I have an option between hanging out with people and sleeping..I prefer sleeping. In most cases, I either get guilt-tripped out of this or just plain pulled out of bed. Since I've been at school (MoWest) I have started sleeping even more. This is probably due to responsibilities and what not. 

My suite-mate, Danielle, is much the opposite of me (in many many ways). One way is that she loves going out and being social. I'm all for having friends and hanging out, but...she would definitely rather hang out with people than sleep (weird, i know..).

If you didn't know, I don't have a roommate. Danielle and I both have single dorms and share a bathroom. There are locks on both sides of both doors, but we keep them unlocked the majority of the time. 

All that to say that I enjoy my personal space and being able to take a nap at anytime of the day without worrying about someone coming in. Ohhh waiitttt...

Every single day, I take a nap. Every single day, they (primarily Danielle, but sometimes Sha'Ron and Kayla) wake me up. Every single day. 

Of course, they wake me up because they want me to have a social life..so I am happy about that. :) 

my wonderful bed. :)

Day Three:

Cookies. 

There are three girls that I've been hanging out with for the most part. Danielle, Sha'Ron, and Kayla. They are hilarious. I love hanging out with them and they've made sure I come out of my shell and help me meet new people. 

For instance, tonight we went out and played basketball at the outdoor courts. We have played before but tonight, it was for real this time. I got my basketball shoes on and shorts and a tshirt. I was serious about tonight. Well, as serious as I could be. 

Anyway, it was great to play again and I had a lot of fun. But this post isn't about basketball! It's about cookies. 

Most nights, we've been having desert nights! SO much fun. We've made chocolate chip cookies, nutella/peanut-butter/crescent rolls (via pinterest), and tonight we're making peanut butter cookies with hershey's bars in the middle. 

They're just about done and I am so excited! 

family photo!

Day Two:

12:30

At this very moment, I am thoroughly enjoying myself. I woke up this morning at 10. I'm in sweats and a hoodie, and I have over an hour until I have to be anywhere. (Except that I have to go check on my laundry in ten minutes.) I knew I'd enjoy not having to go to class until 12:30 (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) but I didn't realize how glorious it really would be. 

Yesterday morning, I was up at 7:45 (which I understand isn't horribly early) to start getting ready for my 9am (also not terrible) class. But when I compare 7:45 to 10...DANG. 10 is nice. 

I also realized how much time I actually have. The thought has crossed my mind to do the little bit of homework I have from yesterday, but I am saving that idea for later. For right now, I'm relaxed and happy and just hanging out. I have become a solid acquaintance of the lady who cleans my hall and warned some people of our horrible dryers (which do not  really work, so i'm using the third floor's). 

As 12:30 approaches, I'm actually excited. My 12:30 is a women's chorus class and I can't wait! So, it's like a double whammy, except for in a good way. I get alllllllll morning to myself AND THEN I get to go sing. 

Dude. Yes. 

60 Blogs in 60 Days. 

Day One:

The Start. 

This is going to be a challenge. This is a challenge that my sister, who is a mom of twins, has taken on. Surely, I can do this. I am going to be doing a day-to-day account of my life in college over the next two months. 

The first reason I'm doing this is because my mom thought it'd be a good idea. This way, whether or not I call her that day, she gets a glimpse into what's going on. 

The second reason I'm doing this is because I think it'll be cool to see how everything progresses over two months. 

The third reason I'm doing this is because I love to write, and it'll be fun to write out all the things going on in my life (pertaining to college). 

I'll also be adding random pictures (and maybe not so random) with every post. 

This is going to be ggreeeeaaaaatt!

(wooooooooooooo.)