A Few Single Thoughts

The wonderful Velvet Ashes blog I follow is doing a series on singleness. I recently read some excellent articles on the Gospel Coalition website about singleness. And here I am, in the middle of Mexico, a single woman, wanting to build into the conversation. I'm no polished blogger and I won't pretend to be, but here goes.
Right now, I feel there there must be something contagious going around: My facebook feed is full of people getting married, pregnant, and having children. I can name you at least ten people I know off the top of my head who are either expecting or gave birth in the past 2 weeks. No joke. Is the water I'm drinking too filtered? Is the air so contaminated here in Mexico City that love can't make it through? Ok, I'll confess I'm not actually looking for love here. I know I'm not in any condition to start a relationship right now. And I know true love isn't caught like a disease. But, I am writing from an accumulated experience of six years on the field as a single missionary, and this is not the first time my facebook feed has been full of engagement announcements, wedding pictures, creative birth announcements, sonograms, gender reveals, baby bumps, and baby pictures. After graduating from college over 7 years ago, I am still single. And that's ok.
A number of these articles I recently read have talked about how being single is different from being married and the multiple unique struggles and opportunities we as singles have. I highly recommend heading over to these blogs and reading a few articles, especially this one about the Purpose of Singleness and this one by my college friend about singleness neither being harder nor easier than married life on the mission field. The first one was an absolute game changer for me. I would like to add some of my own thoughts to Krista's article: how I feel singleness is a challenge for me.
I see that couple holding hands walking down the street. I see that mother with her baby on the metro. All around me, there are couples, families, and children: my dreams. It's easy to feel like they are being rubbed in my face. Sure, there are a lot of people without a significant other or a little one in tow, but of course it's those who do who grab my attention. And my heart cries, I want that! Yeah, I hear ya, girl. I do. I am happy these people have their significant others and children. I'm not angry that I don't have it. But there's just that longing there, hoping that maybe someday... If not, it's ok, due to the reasons cited in the other article I mentioned. The whole idea of fasting as a single really hit me.
One of the benefits of marriage I long for is the ability to dream, process life, and make big decisions with my husband. If you've been reading my blog at all this year, you probably know it has been one of the most difficult, tumultous years of my life. I know I haven't been alone in this time, yet I haven't had that someone to snuggle with at night, whose life is deeply intertwined with mine, who has concerns that must be factored into the decision. Maybe some married people would think it is simpler to be in my shoes. I think it's just another example of singleness and marriage just being different.
It is hard living in a huge city and not having someone with whom to explore it. I have had the privilege of traveling a bit of the world with my mom and so far, she is the best travel companion ever. Exploring a city, enjoying beauty, discovering new places: I'd much rather do so with a buddy. It's more fun, and it is a great way to make memories and bond together. But, she's not here. Again, maybe some wife or mom with littles (or just some introvert, regardless of her marital status) disagrees, and that's ok. I'm just speaking for me, and maybe some other single extroverts out there.
Singleness is a challenge. It can be painful. It can be fun. I'm sure the same can be said about marriage. Let's keep the conversation going and keep learning from each other.

Tico Tuesday, July 28th

To the moon and back

This is me on the moon, with the sun behind me. Ok, pyramids named after the sun and moon at Teotihuacán, Mexico. I joined the Avance crew for an excursion to the hot, sunny pyramids made by the Aztecs a long long time ago. The pyramids have received a lot of maintenance and concrete, so they aren't exactly as they once were, but this way, people can still climb up them for a great view. That was really nice, because I can never have any kind of view but buildings around me unless I happen to be in a vehicle on an elevated highway. Living in a big city impacts life in so many ways I had never even considered before!
Going to the pyramids was also nice because last week was a very full, intense week with multiple meetings and activities every day. Doing 7 spiritual mentoring sessions in 5 days as a beginner was intense--it was good, and full of both challenges and blessings. I'm grateful for them all, and excited to keep learning and growing as I accompany people on their walk with God.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support. I can't tell you how much I need them! Please also be praying for the Avance participants and facilitators as they prepare for their re-entry to the States. Once they leave, I will continue monthly spiritual mentoring sessions with the 7 girls via Skype and start dedicating more of my attention to the Centro Latino de Movilización.
God's blessing and peace be with you,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, July 21st

Happy Tuesday!

Yesterday I had the amazing experience of spending 8 hours at the airport helping welcome delegates who are coming from 159 countries to the World Assembly of the International Federation of Evangelical Students (IFES). This student movement is called Intervarsity in the USA and Canada, and the vast majority of my time and evergy in college that were not dedicated to my studies went to IV. So, IV/IFES has a special place in my heart. IFES only has a World Assembly every 4 years, so it is amazing that it is here in Mexico while I am here and that I was able to be involved somehow! (A fellow missionary who is a former IV staffworker and who's roommate works for the IFES movement here got me in the loop). I only wish I could go to the assembly and actually participate. That would be amazing! Yesterday I got to welcome people from every continent, practice my near-extinct French, be a model as a Hungarian practiced some photography, hear pesos be called peesos, spend time getting to know this fantastic girl (pictured) Isabel who is a facilitator for the Avance program and was on duty with me, and apologize to random people a hundred times for not knowing where things were in the airport (AirFrance, customs, migration, an elevator, buses to Puebla, etc.) It was an amazing experience! I only wish I had time to go back today or tomorrow, but this is a jam-packed week.
As always, I thank you for your prayers and ask you to continue to pray for me as I seek and serve the Lord. Please pray especially this week as I am starting spiritual mentoring with several girls in Avance.
Thank you!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, July 14th

Happy Tuesday!

I wore some sweet Aladdinesque pants!

This weekend was Portal a las Naciones, a one (full) day missions conference with Mexican missionaries that serve in Asia, North Africa, Honduras, India, and Mexico (including a really cool outreach ministry to Jews). It was beautiful to see how missions really is becoming from everywhere to everywhere. Each country/people group had a room that was decorated with typical things, served typical food, and shared about the work God is doing where they serve. It was exciting to see so many people interested - the rooms weren't very large, but each one was full all 5 sessions! I helped with a lot of logistical details, but was still able to be present for a few sessions. I also participated with the rest of the Avance participants and facilitators in a singing a song in Swahili, Spanish, and English: we marched in wearing costumes from all over the world and doing motions to the song. It was really fun. Then we had people pray in different languages for the missionaries there. I always love that! I love seeing how God is at work in the church here. And I love the enthusiasm of the Avance crew. They know no shame and are always willing to help in any way they can. And they are hilarious--I get to laugh a lot with them around. Last night we had a girls night for all the Avance facilitators and staff and had an absolute blast. It was like a good ol slumber party, except that most everyone went home by 11 and got a relatively good night's sleep in our own beds. We definitely made some good memories. 
Thank you so much for continuing to pray for me. I'm still battling some cold/laryngitis stuff and am dealing with the overwhelming-ness of life here, as well as fulfilling several different ministerial responsibilities. And of course there's that ever present wondering regarding the future and what I will be doing and where I will be doing it. I'm trying to enjoy this time though and not stress through it.
May we each delight in the work God is doing around us and around the world and consider how we can best join him in it!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, July 7th

Happy Tuesday, everybody!

In my new room!

Wow, I feel like I haven't written a traditional one of these in a while. For those of you who are wondering, YES, for now I will continue to call it Tico Tuesday until I have some greater clarity about where I will be in the future. I'm not sure when that clarity will come, but I'll be sure to let you know when it does!
Today I have a couple exciting things to share: first, I have moved into the place where I hope to stay until I leave the country in October! It is in a very central location (about a mile from 3 different metro lines and), in a safe neighborhood, close to a pretty park with a 2k loop running path, not far from the mobilization center, and down the street from a fellow missionary. A very kind woman I met at the church I went to a week ago Sunday has taken me in at a price that is cheaper than what I told I would be able to find in this neighborhood, so I am deeply grateful to God for answering our prayers!
Second: I went on a prayer retreat with the Avance ministry on Thursday and Friday. It was sooooo good! I hadn't been on a retreat like that in way, way, way too long. AND, a big reason I was there was to start bonding more with the female participants and facilitators and offer them spiritual mentoring as a followup to the retreat. Today we passed around the signup list at a meeting and 7 chicas are interested in receiving spiritual mentoring! WOW! Thanks be to God! I need to mentor 5-8 as part of the 2nd module of my training, so this is fantastic! Please pray for me (and these gals) as I start mentoring them. Walking with someone in this way is treading sacred ground, and I consider it a real privilege to serve this way.
Thank you so much for your continual prayers for me! May God continue to teach us to pray and draw us ever closer to himself!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, June 23rd

A New Adventure

Did you know Mexico is about 3x the size of Texas?

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I embark on a new adventure. Another chapter of my life story will begin. I fly to Mexico! I will be in Mexico City (known as the DF--Distrito Federal) for the next 3.5 months, working with Avance and the Centro Latino de Movilización (Latin Moblization Center). Avance is a ministry, language, and cultural immersion program for young adults who are considering a future in missions (generally from the US or Canada). The Moblization Center (known as the CLM) is a coffeehouse that provides coaching and spiritual direction to Mexican youg adults who are feeling called to missions and helps them get get involved in missions. I met the leaders of both of these ministries when I was in Austria for Spiritual Direction training in April. I am glad to have connections with a couple people in Mexico already and look forward to seeing my new friends again!
By the end of my time in Mexico (mid October), I hope to have clarity on whether or not God is calling me to move to Mexico and serve Him there. Will you join with me in seeking God over the next few months and asking him for guidance and clarity regarding my next step?
This has all been a big surprise for me...I never thought I would serve in Mexico, but God has made it clear to me I should check out a few of the ministries there. I know that God knows all, and that He is good and in control. It is my desire to grow closer to him in this time and for my will to be one with his.
Thank you so much for walking alongside me and for your support, encouragement and prayer!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, June 16th

Artfulness

When I was little, I wanted to be an artist. My parents got me a few art lessons and actually still have the framed painting of my take on Van Gogh's Sunflowers on the wall. My painting/drawing skills haven't improved much since then, sometimes I think they have even deteriorated, but 8th grade art and the Arts in Civilaztion course I took in college have given me an enormous appreciation for art. In college, our InterVarsity staff worker gave those of us on the leadership team notebooks one year, and allowed us to select if we wanted one with lines or without. I, of course, chose a lined one since I am a lines and structure kind of girl. But, our staff worker also encouraged us to draw in our notebooks: we started with Ephesians 1 (that's a rich one!). I am now surprised at how many sketches of spiritual reflections I have in there...not many, but enough that I wish I'd chosen a notebook with no lines in it! Like I mentioned in my Chronicle, the trip with my mom really did leave me wanting to express myself in a more artistic fashion, and I guess my point today is that doing artistic things like writing a poem or making a drawing are good and can be very worshipful. I know some of you already know this far better than me. I have a friend who often includes poems she wrote in her missionary updates. I'm not sure I'll be so bold to do that, but I want to encourage you today: what is that thing that you keep in the back of your mind that you like to do but don't do hardly ever? How can you worship God through your hobbies and other things you like to do? Or maybe you need to cultivate a new hobby. Will you take 10 minutes today to consider this and worship God in a creative way?
I leave for Mexico a week from tomorrow! Please keep praying for me as I prepare to enter a different (but related) culture, different Spanish vocabulary, and meet with potential future coworkers! Thank you!
Love,
Carrie