for the thirsty

Africa Bound

2009-09-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

It's actually happening. I'm really going...

I paid my tuition.

I booked and paid for my 1st and 2nd flights.

I got my shots, all 4 of 'em.

I bought everything I need to go.

(Including a really great tent which I'm really excited about.)

Now I've started packing my bags and reading the books I have to read for the school.

I still have to raise a good chunk of money, but I've done all I can do.

It's in the Lord's hands now.

I'm ready.

Africa

2009-08-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

I've gotta go.

PTL

2009-08-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

So my 'new' 97 Buick LeSabre is by far the coolest thing I've ever owned. I wish I could tell you how free I feel driving it. Yesterday I drove it around town blasting any radio station that would allow my car to buzz when I turned up the bass all the way. You wouldn't believe how many looks I've gotten already in the past 2 days. It's been a ton of fun.

Unfortunately today my car broke down.

It started with it riding a little bit rougher than it did the day before, then the check engine light came on, and finally it was having trouble starting let alone accelerating. At first I was really bummed. I just payed a pretty penny when I had it in the shop a few days ago....and now I was going to have to pay for another repair. I called the mechanic who originally fixed it and he said:

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

For some reason when I heard him say this it was as if the Lord was speaking through him.

Why did my car break down?

Why don't I have a job after searching for one every day for 2 months?

How do I know what job to take if I do get offered one?

Do I just take a job that pays the bills or do I pursue what I love?

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

I felt really silly for worrying about all of the things I've been worrying about for the past few months. I know that things are out of my control right now. Naturally I try to take care of myself and right now I have to believe that the Lord is going to take care of me. I know that He will.

I am loved.

Note to Self: PTL PTL PTL PTL PTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I GOT MY CAR TODAY!

2009-08-03T13:29:00.001-07:00

I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY! I GOT MY CAR TODAY!

GIRL TIME!!!

2009-08-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

Recently I went to Pensacola, FLA to visit one of my dearest friends Raz

with a few of my dearest friends (Bernie, Karis & Thom).

Here is a little taste of our GIRL TIME!!!

Oh, um...

2009-08-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

Lately I've had so many questions rolling around my mind...

-Should I go back to school for music?

-Where am I going to work next?

-Where am I going to live next?

-How am I going to pay off all of my loans?

-What am I doing with my life?

-How come things are always crazy with my family?

-What is the Lord doing right now?

...and I don't really know the answer to any of them.

When everything gets crazy and life seems out of control, I try to remember that He knows the plans that He has for us. You always here the verse Jeremiah 29:11 quoted by people who are trying to give others encouragement about their lives.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This is so powerful.

But look a little further...

Jeremiah 29:12-13

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I think it's easy to believe that God has good things in store for us when things are looking dim and confusing; especially if we believe that God is good. But I think it's even harder to realize that we actually have to seek Him with all of our hearts to actually find Him and His plans for our lives.

I'd really like to know what His plans are...

2009-07-09T09:21:00.001-07:00

Just hanging out in Boone.

No big deal...

2009-07-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Catherine Makenna Smith

What a sweet roommate I have.

She's moving out next Wednesday and I'm going to miss her like crazy.

I love this girl so much...she's so very beautiful.

2009-06-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

So...

I've been hanging out at Nova's a lot lately and I love it there.

Awesome coffee, freshly baked breads, sweet neighborhood friends and free internet.

Amen.

2009-06-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

God has spoiled me once again.

Allow me to introduce you to:

MY NEW/FREE CAR!!!

2009-06-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

I played out with Simeon the other day @ Jackson's Java.

We opened for Rachel Merchand.

It was a blast!!!

Hopefully I'll be playing out more frequently this summer...

2009-06-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

I packed up my classroom.

I packed up my books.

I've fulfilled my duties as a teacher and now...

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-29T11:15:00.001-07:00

One of my local artist friends drew this of me and gave it to me as a gift.

Thanks 'DAG'.

2009-05-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

Just look at him.

2009-05-21T05:06:00.000-07:00

There is something very special about twins.

It's kind of like magic.

2009-05-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

In school we've been learning about exercising our 'spiritual muscles'.

I think they're getting bigger...

As cliché as that might sound, it's such a helpful concept.

SO...Practice using the spiritual strength you've received in specific areas in your life and

watch those muscles grow!!!

2009-05-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

I miss you.

2009-05-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Jesus-

I really would love a husband sooner than later.

Sincerely-

Alicia

2009-05-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Bernie, I love thee.

2009-05-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a taste of a day in the life of a 1st grade teacher...

2009-04-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is where I've been spending a lot of time lately.

I have to admit that I'm kind of in love with this place.

It's the 24-7 prayer house in uptown Charlotte.

There is something so magical about the peace of the Lord here.

It's wonderfully different.

2009-04-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

Road trip.

On this specific day I went to Wilkesboro with the Clarks to play a show at Talia.

I must say that this was my best show yet.

I loved every minute of it :)

2009-04-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is Jasa Woods. She is beautiful. This is a sweet hair-do that I did for her.

Mmm, HAIR.

2009-04-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Pensacola Beach = Where I am right now.

2009-04-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been realizing how observant my kids are. Recently I've really been enjoying wearing yellow nail polish and after a little paint session during Bible & Worship Class, my kids are enjoying having yellow nails as well.

(Don't worry, it's only watercolors; and yes they did this themselves without me knowing!)

2009-04-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

2009-04-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

So I decided to turn this into a photo journal / blog of sorts. I might write occasionally but I've been so busy lately that I figured I would be more successful at uploading images of my life verses trying to put everything into words.

Here's today's image: (I could get use to this weather.)

lately

2009-01-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

Lately I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of sorts. Emotionally up, spiritually down, physically up, relationally down...it's starting to make me feel dizzy. Right now I feel like everything is up in the air (or maybe it's always been this way). I am really frustrated by the idea that I can't actually take care of myself. I'm assuming (I know) that this is a control issue.

I am in love with the atmosphere of my job. There is so much support and love and spiritual wisdom everywhere you turn. On the down side, teaching at a private school doesn't necessarily provide the income that I need to pay my bills. I am frustrated that my loan payments are getting higher, interest is accumulating, and I am finding myself buried deeper and deeper beneath a debt that I'm not able to pay. So do I leave and get a new job teaching at a public school? Where I can live comfortably financially, have the security of health insurance, but sacrifice the community that I have at my current job? I don't feel the Lord telling me to leave but I feel a certain responsibility to pay my debt that I've been pushing off for months at a time. I'm guessing I just need to give this burden to the Lord and stay where I am until He tells me to move. Waiting can be so hard sometimes and I'm not sure I know exactly how to give this to the Lord...

What does trust really look like?

I'm finding myself becoming more and more dependent on people and hearing the Lord through people that my ability to hear the Lord for myself seems less important. There is nothing comparable to hearing the Lord for yourself with your own ears. There's such power and peace that comes with His words. I'm finding that I need His love more than I thought I did, and every second I can't feel it becomes overwhelming and lonely.

I need a refreshing wind to scoop me up and carry me to a place of peace and trust and Love.

thinking out loud

2008-08-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can't get over how blessed I am and other days I feel like I've never been blessed with anything. I think that it's really easy for the devil to get into our heads if we aren't secure in who we are, a child of God. If we don't know who we are and where our strength comes from then we won't be able to stand up and reject ideas that get into our heads that don't bring life and encouragement....sometimes it's so hard to believe. I hate that it sometimes takes something good to happen for me to experience the joy of the Lord. It's hard to remember that it's available even when we don't feel joyful ourselves. The Lord is ALWAYS joyful! He offers so much and I feel like I only take advantage of bits and pieces of what he has to offer.

I wish that my faith was stronger but I know that it's growing stronger every day, even when I don't feel like it is!

Lately I've been seeing so much beauty around me. Children come into the coffee shop that I sit in almost daily and I can't help but smile, almost to the point where I feel like I'm glowing and I think it's the Lord! He loves children so much and for some reason I feel so close to Him when I'm around kids. I wonder if kids can see the Lord in me. I wish I was more like a child.

More beautiful things...white mochas, antique furniture, pink & white bows, pastries, dim lighthing, fingers, voices, music, people....double seated strollers seated with twins.

I love feeling happy.

sorry....

2008-08-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

HEY EVERYONE!!!

I'd like to start this blog off my saying that I'm so sorry that I haven't written in so long. I realize that it's been 2 months since my last post, but I hope that you haven't given up on me and are still interested in my writings...

So last time I wrote I spoke of my far away future adventures to South Korea...and as most of you already know, my plans have changed. I now live in Indian Trail [South Charlotte] with my family and am looking at a couple places in Chantilly [where Court & Stu just moved] and am hoping that I will have a new roommate and a new home shortly.

Currently I am waiting on receiving my first credit card. I should get it in a week. I feel so grown up! Also I am taking out a loan...if I can get approved for one....I feel like the Lord is really asking me to trust him with money right now, more than ever before. I feel like I'm constantly being pushed to my financial limits and am having a hard time letting go of the idea that I NEED to support myself. I think in this season I'm going to learn how to let go of a lot of things that I've been holding onto for a long time....

Life lessons can be so painful but after you learn them you have so much authority and understanding of why you went through the things that you did, that it makes it all worthwhile.

If you are reading this...I love you a whole lot. I can't tell you how thankful I am for you! I have the best friends EVER. Seriously...I think if people knew how awesome my friends are they would be somewhat jealous. Even though I don't wish jealousy upon anyone...I still think they would be!!!!

[RACHEL McEACHERN--please move to Charlotte immediately after your return to America!]

almost there

2008-05-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I have almost all of my documents together to go to South Korea in August. All I have to do is take one of my documents to an apostille to get it sealed! Things are becoming a little more real...

I still can't fully process the fact that I'll be living in a foreign country for a year by myself!!!

If all goes well, I will be leaving August 11th.

I hope that I can fit everything in two suitcases!

Sincerely,
Alicia Camarata

a new day

2008-05-27T05:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Lately I have been struggling.

I want to make good decisions all the time but I find myself not making them, or at least all the time.

I know that I need to go to bed at 10pm in order to safely drive an hour to work in the morning and be awake for my kids the rest of the day; but I often times find myself staying up until 11pm or later.

I know that I need to spend A LOT more alone time with the Lord in order to function more properly and be able to walk in the Spirit and deal with the things that I need to deal with; but I often times find myself squeezing a quick time with the Lord in before bed, when I'm already exhausted.

I know that I need to speak life into my family to break down some barriers that have been put up in order to block out His Spirit; but often times I find myself getting frustrated and not saying anything at all.

I want to trust in the Lord for my future, for my future family, for all of my current and future endeavours.

Sometimes it's so easy to forget that He loves us regardless of what decisions we make, whether we trust Him or not. Sometimes it's so easy to say "He loves me, so it doesn't matter if I make a bad decision or not..." but that's not right!!! I need to stand firmly in Him and in the way that He sees me. I need to show Him love by making good decisions even when it's really hard.

I am so sick and tired of 'the old me' being thrown in my face.

I NEED TO GET FREE!

So Lord, help me to be free in you. Help me to look beyond my feelings and my circumstances. Help me to keep my eyes on you and my feet on a straight path. Let my heart be trusting and unafraid of disappointment. Let my life be in you and my choices be yours.

I am ready.

Alicia Camarata

rosetta stone

2008-05-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Future Korean Speakers,

This past weekend, I bought a program called Rosetta Stone to learn basic Korean. If anyone who is reading this would like to learn Korean as well. Please let me know! I will begin daily sessions as soon as my package arrives!

Everything is becoming a little more official!!! I haven't officially signed a contract yet but buying this program was a leap of faith for me and allowed me to focus on where I'm at and where I'm headed. I now have a new goal, to learn basic Korean, and this will help me to prepare for my coming year in South Korea. I can't believe that this is really happening but it is...

I still have to figure out what I'm going to stash in my 2 suitcases that I'm allowed to bring with me!!!!

Contemplating getting a bigger suitcase,
Alicia Camarata

lost in translation & post script

2008-05-14T05:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Translators,

WE REALLY NEED YOU IN SOUTH KOREA!!! [Or at least I do!]

Sincerely,
English Speaking Alicia

Post Script: I had my first interview the other day with a principal in a South Korean school called Wonderland. I was feeling kind of discouraged because Joy Recruiting, the recruiting company had told me that the school was going to call me for an interview but I didn't get called until 10pm. I forgot that there was such a big time difference! It was like 9 or 10am for them when they called! Any way... the principal asked me a lot about my hobbies, diet and religion. I found out that it is really common for principals to ask a lot of questions [which might seem personal] when interviewing for a teaching position. He was really glad to hear that I didn't have any dietary problems or restrictions. Apparently one of the teachers he has right now is a vegan and it makes things a little tougher when having faculty gatherings. Something else I found out about South Korea is that food is often times used as a gesture of love. Meals that are shared together in public are only payed for by one person and at birthdays the birthday girl/boy pays for all of her/his friends' meals! If you don't eat something that is served it can seem disrespectful. All this to say that it was a very unusual/interesting/informative interview and I was offered a job position! The hours are a little bit weird so I'm hoping that I will hear from some other schools so I will have options on where I want to teach. One thing is for sure and it's that I'll definitely be in South Korea this fall!!!

everything's changing, everything's rearranging

2008-05-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Life-Long Friends,

I concur with Court the Clark when she said in her latest blog that "...it's time for something new..." and for each of us that means something different. Some of us are approaching another year of college, others have finally graduated. A lucky couple [COURTNEY & STUART!!!] are getting hitched and some of us are beginning our over-seas adventures.

I don't know why, but I guess it's never hit me before that I can't keep all of my close friends in one place. I kind of always imagined myself being surrounded by my friends. Now, I am really excited for those of you who are starting a new chapter of your life, but it's sad to see this chapter ending. I can honestly say that I have never felt such true love and support like I have now in my circle of friends. You all really are my family and I can't express how much you mean to me and how often I will think of you all. I can't believe that we are really growing up!!!!!

Courtney, Stephanie, Bernie, Rachel, Stuart, Harry, Kevin, Tim, Laura, Tom, David, Karis, Jessie, Jenks, Justina; [just to name a few] mean the WORLD to me :) I love you all more than you'll ever know!

On a happier note....

I am suppose to have my first phone interview with one of the schools in South Korea today! I will definitely be keeping everyone updated. If you are reading this, pray that it goes / or already went, well :)

Holding back tears,
Alicia Camarata

the funk

2008-04-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Future & Current Musicians,

Today my first grade glass went to the gym to watch/listen to the high school and 8th grade bands play. They played a wide variety of songs including "My Girl", "On Broadway", and "The Storm"; as well as a few other that I can't remember their names. The 8th grade band had a sweet sound but they weren't as well trained or disciplined as the high school band. Part of this comes from practice and the other part is experience. They haven't had as much of either as the high school band.

Now...when listening to the two different bands it was obvious which band was considered "better" and which band the audience preferred to listen to. Even thought nobody came out and said it, there wasn't much encouragement in the clapping for the 8th grade band, but when the high school band played the kids clapped wildly and you could sense the discouragement in the 8th graders minds.

What this tells me is that we have been trained to 'prefer' or to 'encourage' someone who has done better [in our opinion] than someone else, while a better-luck-next-time attitude is given to the other person, or in this case band.

I believe that we've been taught wrong!!!

Most of the time someone who receives mostly discouragement because they always come in second place, is probably going to give up eventually. If this same person receives encouragement and constructive criticism [when appropriate], I could only imagine how far they would strive to reach a higher goal and improve tremendously! In the case of a young music student, this would make them have a more positive attitude as well as perk up the parents' attitude [especially because they would have a more pleasant experience at home when their child is practicing]! Just think of all the important people in history that have achieved tremendous goals simply because they were encouraged to do better and told to never give up!

Being positive and encouraging can really change your atmosphere. If your first reaction to every situation becomes a smile and a positive word of encouragement, just imagine how many people's days you could brighten! I know that this may sound a little silly, but I really do believe that one positive attitude at a time, we can really make a difference. It's just going to take practice. I know that I would have never achieved the things that I did when I was little if I hadn't received positive encouragement from my friends and family; and I'm sure it wasn't always a pleasant experience for them when I first started playing violin.

Not to drag this blog on too long, but I believe the same goes for Christians. Sometimes when you meet a 'new' Christian it can be easy to distance your self or think negatively of them because they haven't had as many experiences or just seem to be walking in some things that you don't agree with. I would encourage everyone to remember that we are all in different places and one day we are going to really have to lean on each other. So lets build the bridges now and restore the ones that need it.

Hoping you know how wonderful you are,
Alicia Camarata

a super-natural day

2008-04-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends & Family,

The past few days are so surreal to me...I know that everything that has happened is very real, even if it doesn't feel like it was. Everything is changing.

On Sunday, while at church, I went to the front to pray. I was praying that the Lord wouldn't let me have any fear about going to South Korea by myself, if that was his will. When I was praying someone came up to me and started prophesying over me. He said...

1) He saw me overseas on foreign soil surrounded by children of different skin colors.
2) I was in school right now to be trained.
3) The children that surrounded me spoke a foreign language but language wouldn't be a barrier.
4) I'd be teaching overseas but not in a normal school.
5) He also saw me in a land of dust and mud huts [Africa].

The man who prophesied over me didn't know me at all. He didn't know that I was praying at the front about direction for going overseas. He had no idea that I was a teacher right now and that it was in preparation to teach abroad. He also didn't know that I am about to sign a contract to teach English in South Korea for a year and was worried about the language barrier. He also didn't know that my heart is for Africa and someday I want to be over there, in a mud hut mothering abandoned children. Only God knew all these things about me!

I can't explain how incredibly blessed I felt in that moment. It was like the whole world stopped and Jesus's eyes were on me and only me. I felt so special. Jesus gave me specific direction in a time when I really needed it and I am just overwhelmed and so grateful.

You can't get any clearer than that; I'm going to SOUTH KOREA!!!

Supernaturally changed,
Alicia Camarata

scam scum & seoul

2008-04-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Internet Shoppers & Nigerian Coppers,

I would have never thought that this could happen to me...

Several weeks ago, I posted a classified saying "Certified School Teacher Seeks Summer Job".

I waited a week and no replies. The next day, still no replies. Then I went to Charlotte for the weekend. When I came back to Boone I checked my e-mail to find that someone had FINALLY replied to my cry for a summer job. They have a 2 year old son named Peter and were willing to pay me $500.00 a week! They asked me several questions about myself in their e-mail. I replied back asnwering their questions with a hopeful attitude, reassuring myself that the Lord had pulled through and that this was the summer job for me!

We continued e-mailing back and fourth for a couple days until I had secured my spot as their summer nanny. I was extremely excited and couldn't wait to interview in person, that is until I recieved their last e-mail....

It had poor spelling compared to the other e-mails I had recieved and there was no proper punctuation. Something wasn't right. This time the wife was the one writing me and she signed her letter "John Scott", when I was told in previous e-mails [by the 'husband'] that her name was Lisa; Lisa Fele. Not to mention the fact that they needed me to cash a check for them in order for them to move from the UK to BOONE, and all I had to do was FALL INTO THEIR TRAP to secure myself a phony summer job. That's right, I was scammed.

After getting some advice from a friend I googled "Lisa Fele" on the internet. It just so happened that 'Lisa' was scamming people all over the place. Same situation, different stories. Apparently this is a Nigerian scam that after you deposit a $3,700 check for them [that they send you]. They will tell you that their wife and child have died in a car accident and they will no longer need your services, asking that you would so kindly send them a check back for $3,000, keeping the $700 for your help. The trick is that they do this before their check even clears and now they have your money and your account number and the rest is history...

NEW STORY...hopefully this one will have a happier ending.

I have applied for to teach English abroad in Seoul, South Korea for the fall! I have submitted all of my papers and letters and such and am waiting to set up an interview time.

The deal is this: You sign papers agreeing to teach for 12months in South Korea. They pay for your flight there & back, your housing and pay you $2,200.00 [starting off] a month. You will live in walking distance to your school and will have an interpreter in your classroom, not to mention that your lesson plans are already planned out for you!

I have a good feeling about this job, especially after talking to someone who has gone through the program and had a great time. I believe that this is an opportunity of a life time and things seem to be falling into place. I hope that I get this job and am on my way to Seoul!

Keeping my fingers crossed,
Alicia Camarata

three of my friends

2008-04-13T20:38:00.001-07:00

the importance of sleep

2008-04-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog Readers & Carbohydrate Eaters,

So, it's approximately 11:08 on Sunday night and I am about to get ready for bed. I have just created my first blog...

I think that it's really important that I start getting to bed earlier than 11:00 to be a responsible teacher. Which is something I am learning how to become...I have noticed that the days that I get a respectable amount of sleep [7-8 hours], are the most enjoyable for my kids and myself. If I come to work [currently: Roaring River Elementary School] well rested I find that I am more patient. Also, the quirky things about my kids, that I might find frustrating or irritating on days when I didn't get much rest the night before, become more tolerable and most of the time enjoyable.

It is now 11:14.

It took me a whole 6 minutes to write my first blog. Time well spent. So...to everyone reading this, treat yourself to a good night's sleep tonight. It'll make you and the people around you a lot happier.

Taking Baby Steps,
Alicia Camarata