Thursday, February 16, 2012

look out the window!

So here I am at Sed...sitting at one of my favorite places in the whole shop...looking out the front window.
I loveeeeeee people watching so much!
I look forward to flying places because airports are the #1 spot in the whole wide world to people watch.
It's true...and if you've never done it - you're totally missing out.
I actually have a little black notebook I keep with me when I'm traveling and, in it, I write down all of my thoughts while people watching.
It's super entertaining to go back and read. 
If we're ever together while traveling - you should probably have a look at it.

There are two little boys looking at my book display right in front of me.
It's always funny to watch people on the street read book titles from the window 'cause they have to squint their eyes and cock their heads to read the binding right.

Magdalena has the most interesting people.
Interesting as in...yeah...interesting.
About 60% of the cars that pass by are barely functional...
the other 40% of vehicles are nice. Some are like...super nice.

It's interesting because (in many cases), in Mexico, you are wealthy if you were born into a wealthy family who have been wealthy forever.
Same goes for the more impoverished family.
You're poor 'cause your family has always been poor and many lack the initiative to be forward thinkers.
{as you can imagine, this is crazy frustrating for someone like me}

'Kay so, at my shop, there is like...no parking.
Like...at all.
Which can be annoying 'cause we're between all of the government offices, two banks, a shoe store, a bike shop & a computer appliance store.
There's never any parking on our street. 

...

well....right now there is 'cause it's a lazy, cloudy thursday afternoon.
you heard right...cloudy!
cloudy? cloudy. that's weird for magdalena.
and on days like today...everything slows down even more.
It's been a good day for Sed so far. 

Ok...back to people watching.
The shoestore lady just got back from lunch. 
She's really funny.
She's got super curly hair (like Tess!) that she dyes black. 
She walks really fast & it's always comical when short people walk fast 
'cause their little feet are always shuffling. 

Recently, one of the major political parties set up shop in the building on the corner. 
Most of the people are nice...but I'm a lil' miffed 'cause I really wanted that empty building for my children's museum. Now it seems less possible 'cause the hot shots moved in.
Maybe they'll lose the election & move out!!! 
keep dreaming, katie...they always win.
awh. man!

green SUV. grey truck. blue car. police truck. white car carrying water jugs. police van. middle aged man. nicer police truck. red car. middle aged man. red car. ...... red car. red truck. {popular color!} red truck. blue car. red jeep. idon'tknowwhattocallthatcolor SUV. boy with sucker. mom with two boys. mom in blue car dropping off two little girls. they came to pick up a purse they left behind the other day. they said "thank you"...that's nice. nice girls. 



Tuesday, February 7, 2012

La Santa Biblia & José

BEWARE: It's highly likely that this jumbling of thoughts isn't very coherent. Sorry.

Sometimes, I just have to strangest encounters with very interesting people.
Sometimes, I share stories with you all.
Right now is one of those "sometimes."

All right, I need you to settle down now...
Guess what?
"WHAT?!"
I got a story to tell..it's about a little girl...are you ready?
"YES!"
"Once upon a time, in a distant land...far beyond the sea..."

Even though I know you're all dying to read the rest of the lyrics to "Penelope Judd", that's not the story I'm going to share with ya'll.

My story has to do with a guy named José.
I was going to type his whole name out ('cause it sounds cool), but I'm scared that he'll google himself, see that I wrote a blog post about him, come to my shop & shoot me or something.
So we'll just call him "José". Common enough. He'll never know.
I don't really know José...I met him about 30 minutes ago, 
had about 2 minutes worth of interaction with him and that's it.
But those 2 minutes were hilarious, worrying & thought provoking. 

[finally] The Story:

Like most quiet afternoons...
I was on Pintrest  working like a machine, making cappuccinos and pleasant conversation, when the door opened and a young (early to mid 20's) man got in line.

At first glanced, he seems like a normal guy. Maybe a little nervous, but nothing else out of the ordinary.
But as soon as he decided to talk, it became very obvious that something was wrong.
He talked slooooooooooow....thenreallyfast...then paused, lifted his chin & closed his eyes before continuing with everything he wanted to say. 

It went something like this...
(When Melissa is talking it'll look like this, I'm like this, and, if you were to type out the way he spoke...
it was pretty much all hash tagged...so that's how I'm going to type his side of the conversation. Enjoy.)

"#ExcuseMeAreYouBusy?"
"No...How can I help you?"
"#Well.....See......#IWantedToChangeOutThisBible"

Everyone is watching this man, who's obviously high or drunk or something...Meli looks to me for help and I step in..

"What's wrong with the Bible?"
#ItsRipped

The guy shows me the bible...it was one that we give away here at the Café,
 and it was...badly damaged...

"Well...how did that happen?"
#IRippedIt #CanYouGiveMeADifferentOne?

Obviously, Since there are only three characters to this story and two of us are girls, this guy is José.
He was a decent looking guy...bad haircut but, besides that, there was nothing wrong with the way he looked. However, in the state he was in, He looked ridiculous. 
He'd open his mouth really big, almost like a yawn & shut his eyes before he'd talk.
He seemed über nervous and was sweating profusely. Poor guy.

"Are you drunk?"
#No #IWantADifferentBible #IHaveAProblemWithDrugs #ImAlmostDoneWithDrugs #IveAlmostQuit
"Are you going to rip this other Bible?"
#NoNoNoNo #ImAlmostDoneWithDrugs #ImAlmostDone #IveAlmostQuit #GodIsHelpingMe
#ILikeMarijuana  #IveAlmostQuit #ImAlmostDone

At first, the way he talked was almost comical. I actually had to hold back my smile. Now it was just pitiful. I asked God to heal this man and handed him the new bible...

"Don't rip it."

He just stood there for about 20 seconds. Looking around. Closing his eyes. Opening his eyes.
Finally, He extended his hand to shake mine. 
I looked at him straight in the eyes and shook his sweaty hand.
He left and I breathed a sigh of relief. I went to wash my hands and started laughing...a little hysterically..a girl that was doing homework with her friends came up and looked at me and said "I thought he was going to pull a gun out of that bag of his!"
I laughed & told her that it's a good thing it was a Bible..
but it only took me about 5 minutes of reflection to realize that it COULD have been a gun. Now, I don't want you to freak out and be like 
"MEXICO IS SOO DANGEROUS!"
The truth is, is that it could have been a gun in Peoria too. Or Phoenix. Or Catalonia (I don't even know where that is, but apparently someone from there reads my blog!)
...but it could have been a gun. It could have been anything.
But it WAS a Bible. And everyone is safe, and could laugh about the encounter.
The End.


Pretty much the moral of that story is that...Magdalena is a town, like a lot of the world, that has a lot of lost people. It's a dark town because it's in a dark world ruled by a dark lord.
But in the midst of the darkness, Christ's light is able to shine...and shine brightly!!!!

I know this man's name is José because it is written in the destroyed Bible he brought back. 
I don't know why he ripped the Bible, but I know that Satan likes having him where he is and doesn't want him to read, know & be saved by the ever gracious blood of Christ. 
But Christ is stronger then the devil!

I think José knows that there's something different about Jesus. 
Apparently, he cares enough to come make a fool out of himself in public..just for getting a new Bible.
Jesus knows José. He loves him & my prayer is that He brings José (and people like him) on his knees before the cross & cleanses him with His blood.

Please pray with me for all the lost people of this world.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
-Titus 2:11-13

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I'm not Whit, but Jesus is still Jesus.

In a far away land, there is a town in which everything works out perfectly.
In this town, there is a discovery emporium and ice-cream shop (which is adorable). 
The kids there misbehave (sometimes) but a reasonable, mature adult is never too far away.
This adult always manages the children with grace and has at least three bible verses to encourage and steer the kids in the right direction. 
The kids, with the exception of a few, take everything to heart and really desire to do better.

aaahhhhhhh. Sounds great, no?

Obviously, I'm talking about Whit's End in Odyssey.
The awesome adults are Whit, Connie, Eugene, Bernard, Tom, and Wooten.

But. (you knew it was coming)

In a not so far away land, there is a town where drugs, violence, single-motherhood & the alike are the norm.
In this town there is a bookstore and coffee shop (which is adorable, if i do say so myself).
The kids (with exception to a few) in this place have no respect for anything that isn't their own. They don't know how to behave in public places and get nasty when they're told to settle down. They break things, litter, scream/yell, play offensive music on their phones, tear out flowers, climb on the roof, talk back to adults, etc.
They're completely out of control, and sometimes I feel like the adults at this shop are the only ones that care.


Obviously, I'm talking about Café Sed in Magdalena.
And these stressed-out adults are Melissa, Isela, Keila, and myself.


I don't want this blog post to have a complaining tone to it, I just want to let you all know what life is really like running a missionary-type business. It's the most conflicting thing I've ever done.

On one hand, I want to have kids in the shop. Mr. Whitiker is my hero and I really want to be like him.
(I don't care how dorky that sounds - it's true!)
I would LOVE for kids to enjoy the shop, the games, the patio, the art, the books!
I would love to get to know these kids & to be someone special in their lives who can always steer them towards the One who will change them from the inside out.
Like Whit. :]

On the other, more realistic, hand...the majority of kids in Magdalena are out. of. control.
It's like we need to start from square one with them!
"Square one" being how to treat everyone besides yourself.
They all need a kick in the buttocks and be told to shape up.
They desperately need to know that they're not the center of the universe and everyone else isn't dying to please their every little wish. 
30 pesos for a frappé doesn't justify your actions, kid.

So. What do I do? 
Rules.
ahh. the dreaded word!
It started with simple things like...
asking for permission before you play games and no games or books on the patio.
But today, we took it to a whole new level...
No kids under 14 are allowed in the patio without being accompanied by an adult.

oh snap!
This means that if the kids want to enjoy the patio, someone's parent will have to come along.
WHICH MEANS....
I don't have to be an unpaid babysitter for jr. highers any more!!!
Yippie!

We'll see how it goes. 
It really stinks that, because of some kid's actions, I have to put restrictions on everything.
But maybe this will sink in with some kids and they'll learn that we will not tolerate their disrespect.

More thoughts (this is the part of the post when my brain just kind of vomits up all the other thoughts I have regarding this topic..sorry!):
 I realize that Café Sed has become a haven for people needing to put their feet up a little and enjoy quality time with their friends or with a good book.
But because it's the only place in town that encourages people to sit & stay awhile, kids come and want to spend time together too. 
Like I said, in Odyssey...it would be wonderful.
But in Magdalena...it isn't.
It turns out being loud and the things I pour my love into end up getting 
smashed to pieces (literally).
So what we need here is a place 
MADE FOR KIDS.
Somewhere where they can go, have fun and spend time.
Some place where they have a chance to be productive.
Like a discovery emporium.
Or a bowling alley.
Or a roller rink. (...this is starting to sound like Morton...)
Or music lessons.
Or horse back riding lessons.
Or a great park.
Or a funny farm with padded walls and straight jackets.
(disregard the last suggestion. it was typed out of a sudden burst of frustration.) 

Seriously though...there are 50,000 people in this town!
The closest towns have a little less people and a lot less to do.
 Who better to start up valuable businesses then people that love Jesus and want to spread his gospel and pray that He would penetrate their businesses with His love & grace?!

*sigh*
So there you go.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

rawr.

be fierce. 

Monday, January 9, 2012

that moment when...

Tonight I was asked by a friend where I would be if I'd never started Café Sed...

It was weird 'cause I've been asked similar questions before I started the café 

"What would you do if you didn't live in Mexico?" 

"Where would you be if you had the opportunity to choose?"

...and have always come up with an answer. 
One that sounded good to me & made me wish, for a moment, that I was at said place doing said thing.

So, I was surprised that, when asked "Where would you be if you weren't at Sed?", I answered...
"Out of God's will."

I mean...I could (and did!) think of things I could be doing instead of the café...things I had planned on doing...but none of those things were desirable to me.
Which is so different because, they were great things!
•Working in Illinois and/or studying at ISU
•Maybe studying design in California
•Working at a christian camp in England

...I mean, seriously! Those things sound fun & great & all...

But God didn't call me to any of those things.
He called me here.
And I'm happy with that!

I know where he wants me right now...and that's kinda a big deal, you know?
At least I feel like it is.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

videos/songs that make me happy...

just a bunch of videos that make me smile...and why.


first, Ry Cox's video of Brandon Heath singing one of my favorite songs. i mean..listen to that cello!!!! what a beautiful sound.


then..."Flower, Flower" by The Vespers. 'cause they're so cute...and they played this on my birthday.


ok. then there's Evan Wickham & his boys. 'cause who doesn't love the Wickhams?


SPEAKING of which...i just found THIS video & it makes me happier then pretty much everything else, 'cause i got to be a part of this BEAUTIFUL night with my darling friend, Kali.
Phil Wickham's concert in Tucson this past August was just...so wonderful.
The Spirit was present and working and loving and stirring a holy passion for His praise within us...it was beautiful and, of course, the video doesn't do the night justice. But you get a taste.

Friday, December 30, 2011

take it all down...christmas is over.

HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS YEAR GO BY SO FAST?!
...what the world. 2011 is OVER when the clock strikes 12 tomorrow night.

Christmas is over.
It was a very sickly Christmas for me...but I still enjoyed it immensely.
Like always, my family spent the 24th out at CVE with our CVE family.
What a wonderful Christmas tradition. Seriously. It's always a blast.

Starts with food, then singing, then the Christmas story, then games, then presents, then just hanging out/playing around/listening & enjoying some Christmas tunes/more food.

After wishing everyone a "feliz navidad", we all hit the hay around 12 a.m.

sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

WAKE UP!

CHRISTMAS MORNING!

actually. The 25th is SUPER chill.
Presents in the morning & breakfast with the family.
Since this Christmas fell on a Sunday, we had a special service out at CVE...pretty much just sang the morning away, praising our Lord and Savior for his goodness & grace!
'Twas wonderful.

Then we had food at the Schick house and invited whoever wanted to come over.
The menu consisted of...tamales, beans, chili and coke-a-cola. :]

That morning my parents gave me THE BEST PRESENT EVERRRRRRRRR...


My very own ukulele! His name is Don.

Now I can spend the money I'd saved up for other things...
(like a trip to the midwest. :])

So guess what I've been doing for the past week.
Learning all of my favorite songs on the uke of course!
Yippie!

My mom is totally getting into it.
She was watching videos of The Vespers with me last night and
totally thought they were totally adorable. totally.

This post was supposed to be a wrap up of sorts for my year.
Eh. How un-original would that be!?
Besides...anyone who has read this before knows what they're getting themselves into.
it's just a bunch of rambling-nothings from yours truly.

....
yeah.
anywho's.
....

I'm going to Phoenix tomorrow! WOOHOO!
Friends!
I love friends.