Pace

Hi,

Its been a little over a week since I've written anything. I hope your week is starting out smooth. I just want everyone to know that everything is going fine. We've been exhausted with school lately and procrastinated on a few orders. It hits me when you guys are helping us and we begin to slack. Knowing that we have friends who care, means so much. We're picking up the pace =)

I'm so excited! I'll be sending out shirts for Joel Houston and Phil Wickham!!!©

Victoria

Mr. Ius

One of our team members told us that she and her mom gave support letters to her teachers. And we should think about doing the same. It's a great way to inform your school. We placed many letters in our teacher's mail boxes. My Biology teacher, Mr.Ius wanted to support in any way. He said he'd be happy to hang fylers in his classroom. We thought that was a great idea and surprised him with a shirt. He wore it the following day. A teacher across the hallway even ask me about "EMBRACE the Nations" that very same day.

Thanks Mr. Ius for wearing our shirt and your help.©

See you in class!!

-Vivian

Special Giving

Last Saturday & Sunday Pastor Jon had a special giving. Which updated the church about our progress and allowed contribution to be made to the missions trip.©

Reality

It was a few weeks back when Myspace BANNED me from their forum. Interesting huh? I thought of ways to let people know about the project to Costa Rica and our intentions. Well, Myspace is well known and is frequently used by many. So I decided to post some banners and write about EMBRACE the Nations in the forums.

I recieved alot of questions and criticism. I remember one guy in his 40s... He told me that the last thing Costa Rica needs is our help. They are one the richest countries in the world and they actually have a problem with American's immigration there. Another guy said that he's gone on a mission's trip to Mexico when he was a highschooler. All he did was party with the girls there. He said that what we are doing is a hoax, this is just a vacation payed by contribution.

This was such a shock. Why are some people so mean? I can see that it'll take some time for them to trust us but why do they have to say those things? What really got me was their insult about Christianity. I was really hurt with this and I really did wanted give up. But I didn't... I responded to every comment with kind words and actual information. At times I just wanted to write something horrible too but I know better. I kept my patience and I knew that the only way they'll understand isn't through anger.

I'm not looking or waiting for anybody's approval. As Student Body President I get the same feeling at school. Reality is that you can't satisfy everybody(Its taken me so long to understand this!) I don't want to sit around and dwell on people's criticism. Instead I choose to be strong and pursue what I know is right. ©

-Victoria

TubeLite

We were running low on supplies and the emulsion on our printing screen was melting. You couldn't just run to any store for the suppply. Emulsion and silk screen is rarely found in your everyday store. Our Youth Pastor is a designer and he told us about this screen supply warehouse, where you can find supplies in digital, signs, and screen printing.

We went over to TubeLite and met Pat, who was the secertery there. We brought our printing screen and showed her the problem. Pat told us the different effects some products may have. What we were using before wasn't the best quality.
Funny story! Vivian ask the price of everything there =) And our eyes got bigger each time we heard the prices of the products. We needed the supplies to continue to make our shirts but we had to go back at a different time, when we had enough money.

Pat wanted to give us some samples but she ran out. Instead she gave us the actual products for no charge. How awesome is that?? We were so surprised! My mom told us that we are doing something good and God is helping us in every unsusal way. Do I agree? ABSOLUTELY. ©




-Victoria


http://www.tubelite.com/index.html

Passport

Hey Guys,
Look what we got. Our passports finally came in and now we are one step closer. ©


-Vivian

So far...

Well hello there!

We've been on Spring Break since last Friday and it's sad to say that tomorrow will be our last day of relaxation(FREEDOM). Back to School on Monday! I'm not sure if I've spent my break wisely. There were times when I felt like I'd blow up because I was so bored. But I really did enjoy my break. I hope you did too!!

I want to take some time to inform you about whats going on. I forgot to mention earlier that our plane tickets are going to be purchased soon. During our mission's meeting, Gayle(Our Youth Sponsor) mentioned that tickets are alot cheaper when you buy in advance. I think they're about $200 a piece and non-refundable. There was a total of 30 members going on the trip but two adults stepped down. But we recently had a youth student join us last sunday, Karlen. Shes in middle school and problably the youngest in the group.

We just reached over a third of our goal. I calculated it in my head.... trust me it works. We raised and friends donated a total of $1194.89. How amazing is that? I'm so shocked, I guess I've been very negative lately.
Your boosting and motivating us to go after what we believe. Thanks!

Good Night. ©


-Victoria

Friends

I was looking around myspace and look what I found!!
Its such a nice feeling to know that your friends care.

I came across sites with banners too.
You guys are AwESoME!!
Okay!! I'm going to go search for more!! =) ©

Updates

Hi Everyone!

We had a Missions meeting after church today. Part of our money was due, didn't quite meet the goal with $500 but we did come up with $390. Our Dad's Supervisor, Larry, gave a big portion. During his many trips to Africa, he has notice that it is harder to share the gospel when he sees that their immediate needs are not yet met. In particularly, food. He mentioned that we could buy a chicken or a milk goat for a family to start a small business.I even thought about bringing my clothes, sweet treats, toiletry items, and giving it to the people there. Our Missionary team will be minstering by providing VBS and repairing housing but I'm sure there are many other ways we can affect the people there.

"Enjoy & Cherish every moment of your trip. You will never forget it."

Thanks Larry for your support. ©

At School

Because our school is brand new, the walls of each hallways are a bit bare. Leadership was asked to fill the bulletin boards with any interests. We thought about Invisible Children. How the condition there should be heard. Everybody should be aware of situations that rises in every country. Distance may be a set back but is that your excuse to not take action? Inform others! Let them know! You'd be surprise in how much you can do.


Displace Me, last year at UCF. ©

Just Thinking...

I originally made this blog to inform our friends and families about our walk throughout our missions trip, hopefully even more. I do apologize for not doing my part. I want you to be apart of every move we take.

Today, I sat down and thought about God's intentions for me during this Trip. How will HE use me? Will my church be influenced? Is it safe to be in a place far from home? Will the hearts in Costa Rica be open to us and God's word? Can we bring anybody to Christ? I'm not sure if I'm fit to go. Every Christian events that I attend, I get so touched by His Love. And at that very moment, I'm so determine that my life will never be the same. Days fly by and I slowly notice myself returning to my old habits. Everything that I've learned is rarely applied. What good is it to take this Missions Trip when this will happen again? I don't want anybody to look at me differently for doing this when my heart is not changed. I think my Youth Group is a bit the same. We attend conferences, hang-out, go to camp, and take trips together. We get so close but everything returns back to before.

This has been on my mind for awhile. I don't want this trip to be just something. But rather an experience I'll live to keep alive. ©


-Victoria

Free Rice

I was on Florida Virtual earlier and my teacher posted this website. Apparently there is a place where you can extend your vocabulary and earn rice for people who needs it. Sounds dubious huh? With every click on their page, the advertisement at the bottom of the page generates money to FreeRice, FreeRice then takes that money to buy Rice. How cool is that? I even learned some interesting words while playing. ©

How can I HELP?

"EMBRACE the Nations was created by two sisters with a goal to make a difference in the world and to help those in need. The profits will help fund their missions trip to Jaco, Costa Rica. There they will work with local Missionaries to minister to about 60 families in a squatters village. It will take place this Summer 2008 in the month of July. They need to raise a total of $3,000. This covers air tickets, food, and a place to stay. Play a big role in helping them go after what they believe."©




Yes! I would like to help.

Tell others! Word of Mouth can travel faster than a rocket!!
(Well maybe.. not too sure yet=))

Post icons on your page.

Your a big part of this project!

Morning

Around 2 in the morning I came across a website full of ways you can make a difference. Theres non-profit organizations, charities after charities. I may sound like someone that is caught up with the world's problem... I am. From my understanding, I live a life of freedom with everything I need. I dwell on school's drama and how I always want more, this may be the definition of a selfish person. But I've learned recently that theres families and kids living in places I've never even heard of, starving worldwide, living as young soldiers in Uganda, prostituing themselves, involved in child labor, drug addictions, and even the U.S. with dramatic crime rate.

It breaks me to see the world like this. Just because we don't live that life doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Don't turn your head away, you can make all the difference in someone's life.
If you lived in poverty and your starved, what could you do? Nothing RIGHT? ©


http://www.gmb-akash.com
(Here are pictures that captures a piece of the broken.)


http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/





-Victoria

Help Spread the Word!

I know that we can't do this on our own.
We need you guys to help us in anyway.


Sometimes I feel like I can take on the world by myself but I've learned that people are such a significant part of your life.
Support us by pasting this on your page or mention ETN over a cup of tea =) ©

-Victoria

<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmVtYnJhY2V0aGVuYXRpb25zLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8=" ><img src="http://a3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_7d9f292193ba220ae445f3b15c405a42.gif"0"> </a> <br />

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Online Store

I've been very anxious today, so I went ahead and made an online store. It'll be complete in no time.©

http://www.embracethenations.bigcartel.com/
http://www.embracethenations.bigcartel.com/
http://www.embracethenations.bigcartel.com/

-Victoria

Picture Day

Pictures have been taken, Screen Printing was successful, and everything is starting to come together. My friend Caleb was very kind in helping with Photography. Rachel, Rachelle, Ruthie, Mckenzie, and Johnathan helped modeled the clothings. My room was turned into a dressing area, clothes was scattered everywhere. It was a fun PhotoShoot. It was exactly how I pictured it, nothing chaotic but something enjoyable. We had a great time covering the wall with newspapers, running out of poses, and eating pineapple pizza.©

Thanks Guys!

-Victoria

Ms. Martha

We sent out Support Letters back in January but we only received one response. It was from my Prayer Partner, Ms. Martha C. She has sent cards and stickers for every holiday. I'm so glad to have her in my life. Shes been struggling with her Arthritis, help pray for her. She always has a smile on her face and thats all I need.©

-Victoria