Everything's Fine...

Call me a positive thinker, but I don't like to dwell on negatives.  When I go out with friends and they say, "Hey, how've you been?", rather than reply with a simple, "I'm good, and you?" I'm more prone to say something like, "Excellent!", "Fabulous!", or "Top-Notch!"  Admittedly, that's partly just because I like to use big, funky words.  However, sometimes the reason I use such big, grand, positive words is because I'd rather not draw attention to the fact that I'm currently in the middle of a huge, whacked-out transition from a place that's been my beloved home for 8 years to a new place that, though I've lived here before, still doesn't feel quite like home to me.  I like to fit in wherever I go.  I like to instantly take part in society, whether I'm adapted to it or not, and I wish—oh how I wish—that I could just skip the whole "adapting" process that comes with any cultural transition.

If I'm not mistaken, this "shock" has a name, and it's one that I've heard all of my life growing up but never truly believed in.  I'm experiencing culture shock, you see, and while that may not seem like a surprise, it's surprising to me because it's something I've always firmly believed myself to be immune to.  "I can go right back and fit right in," I told myself.  "Things will feel totally normal.  I'll slide right into the USA, straight into that spot that's been waiting for me all these years, and I'll pick things up right where I left off.  It'll be the most natural thing in the world."

How wrong I was.  I should have been smarter than that, and if I do say so myself, I am smarter than that!  I, simply and truly, am not an American teen.  I'm a teenager, born in the USA, who has lived literally 78% of his life in Latin America.  By that reasoning, I'm more Latin than I am American!  I'm starting to realize this more than ever lately as I try to get out, socialize, be a part of the American culture again.  You see, there's a common illustration about third-world kids involving blue and yellow clay.  As kids raised in two or more different cultures, we've got a little bit of blue and a little bit of yellow.  The result is a clay that is neither blue nor yellow, but green.  We've got a little bit of both, meaning that while we can adapt to multiple cultures, we fit into none of them perfectly.

The problem is, there are times where I just want to be one or the other.  And there's no better way to be reminded that you're green than to go out with a bunch of blue people.  I'm usually embracive of my green-ness!  In fact, I'm usually proud of it!  There are times (such as when I wrote my very first blog post) when I just wanna' shout it from the rooftops!  "I'm GREEEEEN!!!!! :D"  (Smiley included for visual imagery.)

But, to be honest, there are times when I just wanna' take a bunch of that blue clay and smear it all over the surface of my green, cover it all up, not let anybody see it, and just have them believe that I'm content to be blue, just like them.  I'm still green inside, but you wouldn't know it at first glance.

It's not that I don't like my green self.  It's the fact that I like to fit in.  It's that I like to have it all figured out.  I don't like the awkward transition phase of moving.  I don't like culture shock.  A lot of the time, I just don't like feeling different.

It's that transitions stink, and they're hard.  And it's that sometimes I struggle with feeling like I don't fit in, like I'll always be different from my friends.  Yes, sometimes I struggle to remember God's goodness—that I am His handiwork, and that He's been in absolute control of my upbringing form Day1!— and loose myself in negativity.

But then again, I'm not one to dwell on the negatives!

That's why when people ask me how I'm doing, I say "I'm excellent!"  I say it because it's the truth!  Even on my worst day it's not hard at all to see that I'm incredibly blessed!  I couldn't count all my blessings if I had thirty hands!  As I stop and think, there's hardly a negative light to shed on my current scenario!

For one, my transition isn't that hard.  There are way harder transitions than re-adjusting to a life of total comfort and luxury!  Moreover, I'm not jumping into a new culture, but re-learning an old one—one that I already know how to be a part of.  Another plus?!  I've already got friends (however "blue" they might be!) who love me and who will be a vital part of my transitioning back in to the United States!  I've also got ALL of my college paid for in full and I've very likely got a job on-campus for the first year.

Then there's the advantages to just having been an MK!  I've got a broader worldview than most people my age, just from having lived overseas most of my life.  I've seen God take care of us every single day overseas—and every single day since we've been back.  I've seen Him provide us with cars, houses, and food for every single meal, no matter where we live.  I also speak two languages!  Even when I go looking for a serious job, I can aim higher than most.  Every time God has called us to a place, He has been more than faithful.  He's shown us infinite grace, and He's not about to stop caring for us now.

All that to say, sometimes I struggle, but if I ever feel different, I never feel like an outcast.  If anything, I feel loved and blessed!  So why am I complaining about being green?  Green is awesome.  And you know what?  Everything's gonna' be just fine.   :o)

"Search me, o God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."

Psalm 139:23

 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ...And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin... If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 6:25, 28-33 

Just Can't Keep It In!

Posting time.  It's been months since my last post (I think my last several posts have started this way), and loads of things have changed in my life since I've last written!  The biggest change has much to do with why I'm sitting in my grandparents' house chillin' with my family as I write.

But FIRST!  A disclaimer!

What follows is not intended to be my best piece of writing.  It's intended to convey exactly what I think and feel about the best thing I have ever been blessed to be a part of—Highest Praise. As the name implies, it's a musical program, so if you don't like music, well, it's not for you!  But if you do, then by all means, read on good man!    

Where was I?  Ah yes, sitting in my grandparents' house.  We are officially back in the USA—for good!  We've said goodbye "see you later" to Costa Rica and have relocated back to the United States after 8 years of paradise.

And I've gotta' say, it's a little bit weird!  It doesn't feel weird for ME to be back, but it's been just plain strange to see my family all back in the US for good!  (They need to be back in Costa Rica where they belong!)

Luckily, I've been just a little distracted.  I just finished my second and final summer of Highest Praise.  For those of you who don't know what Highest Praise is, someone once described it as "traveling church camp choir for high schoolers".    I would call it "intense music ministry camp for high schoolers".  You can read all about it right here.  Of course, I can't talk about Highest Praise and not say my piece.  I'm not going to describe exactly what goes ON (you can follow the link for that); I'm just going to tell you why it's the best!  You see, I'm convinced that, despite other churches and colleges having their traveling bands/choirs, there is none better than Highest Praise.  I'll give you a few reasons why right here, and if you're reading this as a high schooler who likes music, you can decide whether or not you think it such a great opportunity as I do.

For one, Highest Praise simply has the best people!  Now, I'm not dissing other colleges, I'm just saying that you won't find any people who are more committed to knowing you and investing directly in your life than  Mary Green, Scott Handley, and Doug Pogue, our wonderful Highest Praise directors. Secondly, no other program allows you to bond so well with other people your age. Don't take my word for it—ask anyone else who's been on tour!  We're a huge, close family; a big, personal support group.  Anyone who's been can tell you that the friends you make on Highest Praise aren't like the friends you make elsewhere in life.  They're for life.  They're a whole part of your life.

Lastly, Highest Praise is the best because, while you minister to others all tour, the program is really designed to minister to you.  There's a life-changing message at the core of each year of Highest Praise, and it's not meant just for the audience.  It's meant for you.  And it works.  You can't experience Highest Praise without growing deeper in your relationship with Christ.  Last year taught me to look outside of "my own little world" and look to those around me.  I realized that life is not about me, but about everyone else.  This year's message had to do with "the heart of the matter".  God doesn't look at the outside.  He doesn't care what we look like, if we're funny, fun to be around, or even about what we've done.  He looks at our heart.  He looks past our mistakes and our pretenses to see whether we're set on knowing Him and obeying Him in our heart.   Likewise, when you stop looking at that one annoying person as "that annoying person" and try to see them as God sees them, you will usually find a beautiful heart, "crafted by God's hand and perfectly planned to be just who [they] are".



For me, Highest Praise is more than a 12-day bus tour with incredible friends.  It's a 12 day bonding experience with brothers and sisters.  It's a challenge to grow, an environment to grow in, and the ultimate support-group all rolled up in one—and it's all tailored just for you.  For teenagers that love God and love music, that is.

It's not a just a musical performance.  It's a full blown musical ministry.  It's where you'll meet friends you'll keep for a lifetime.  It's where you'll "just sing" and change the life of a person, a family, a congregation.  It's where your life is changed and you change lives.

It's the highlight of the summer.  It's the highlight of the year.  It's the event worth looking forward to.  It's number 1 on my list.  It's better than church camp.  Better than a youth retreat.  Better than band.  Better than choir.  It's all those things combined.

It's everything worth devoting 18 days of your summer to!  It's beyond your wildest expectations.  I love Highest Praise.  If you're a high-schooler and are musically talented, this is my shameless ad—you need to do Highest Praise.

Follow the link in the sixth paragraph and try out for Highest Praise 2013!  You won't regret it.

(P.S.  The website is still currently set to Highest Praise 2012, but the application forms are still the same!)

Our Family Group (#1).  We're the best!
Thanks to Jordan Baker (seen standing and about to driver her fists into Sam, who is lying on the ground) for granting me unasked permission to use this photo. ;)  

Yoyos and Sea Horses: An Update On My Recent Life

Picture of me RIGHT NOW, in my blue striped hoodie, complete with unshaved, red goatee and acne breakout due to sunscreen.  Hot stuff.  

It’s been MUCH too long since I have endeavored to post on my blog!  I would say that I don’t have the time, but the truth is, I have dedicated the time I normally use for writing to other things (which is roughly synonymous), such as yo-yoing (yeah, yo-yoing) and my last semester of high school.  Many exciting things are coming up in my life, including just one more month of school before I move back to the USA ahead of the rest of my family. (Oh, and my family is also moving back!  But if you’re reading this, you probably already knew that.)  I highly expect this next month to be incredibly jam-packed with essays, tests, projects, and things to get done, not to mention packing my things and taking a senior trip in the middle of it all.

Luckily, I’ve had a bit of calm before the inevitable storm ahead of me.  Our family just got back from a WONDERFUL beach trip with the Twitchell’s, our long-time co-workers and practically an extension of our already-big family.  Needless to say, we had an incredible time, and it was a blessing from God to be able to rest up and have so much fun together these past five days.  During our time in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, we did quite a lot of snorkeling, swimming, and just lying around inside to get out of the sun.  We hunted some octopus, and I found a sea-horse while snorkeling, which was by far the neatest part of the trip for me.  We rented a boat that day, because Austin had just turned 17 the day before, and the first order of business was to go get some octopus around a (dead) coral reef just off a beach on a Four-Season’s resort. (In Costa Rica, it’s illegal to own a beach, so resorts must give anyone and everyone access to the sand.  This didn’t matter, though, since we came by sea.)  I say “get some octopus”, and you’re probably thinking, “Why in the world?”, so let me explain. 

The men we hired to take us out snorkeling were locals there at Hermosa.  They earn their livings not just by taking tourists like us out to snorkel, but also by going out and catching octopus, lobster, oysters, clams, and conch shells to sell to the markets—or to cut up and serve as ceviche.  (If you haven’t tried it, it’s delicious.  My second-favorite way—after sushi—to eat raw fish.)  All that to say, we went out with these guys, who kindly let us watch, and even help, as they pulled nearly thirty octopus out of the ocean—what seemed to us like thin-air (or thin water…)—all in around thirty minutes.  They caught octopus like we catch crawdads.  It was incredible.  Each guy had a simple tool, literally a small rod with a fishing hook tied onto the end of it, called a bichero. (Bichero could almost be translated as “bug-nabber” if you wanted to catch the comic effect of the word’s sound, though I’m told this is called a gaff hook in English.)   Having done this all of their lives, these dudes would literally dive about every thirty seconds and shove their bicheros under a rock or piece of coral where they suspected an octopus to be hiding.  More accurately, they usually spotted an octopus—which proved nearly impossible for us gringos to do—and then grabbed it with their hooks.  Most of the little guys (the octopuses, that is) were the size of a dinner plate when all spread out, but there were some that were even a bit bigger—probably about two feet in diameter.  Needless to say, it was a priceless experience, watching these guys do what they do best, catching invisible octopus left-and-right with their crazy hooked poles.  (They even let Austin do some of the nabbing after they did the spotting!) 

After the octopus-hunt, we went to a live coral reef, where they left us to swim around for about half-an-hour while they went to harvest some oysters.  I had never snorkeled over coral, and I really loved all the change in scenery!  (Coral’s a lot brighter than rocks.)  We saw a lot of neat fish, including many that we’d never seen before.  Puffer fish, eels, and even stingrays are fairly common no matter where you go.  This trip had a lot of new fish for us, though, including the beautiful barberfish, the French angelfish, and the rockfish.  My favorite fish, and by far my favorite moment in the trip, was the bright orange sea horse that I found blending in with the coral.  (It was right next to a big, ugly rockfish, which also blended in quite well with his surroundings.) 

Rather rough and coral-ey itself, the little sea-horse was wrapped around a protruding rock in the sand, and, had he not been as big as he was, would have certainly escaped my notice.  Further scrutiny confirmed that it was in fact a seahorse—something I had never seen and never really expected to!  My suspicions confirmed, we ventured to pick up the little guy, who, I was surprised to find, was very hard and bony—not too soft, and not too wiggly at first.  In fact, we wondered at first whether he really was alive, but he soon began squirming all around and trying to get out of our hands.  As it turns out, they’re not too fast and can only do a couple of things.  Below water, they can float up and down and sort of scoot in a general direction until they find something to wrap their long, prehensile tail around.  Above water, they can wiggle, hold still, and then look at you very steadily until they make a very audible *CLICK* by opening up their mouths, which is smaller and located closer to their head than you ever thought.  (I had just assumed their mouth was on the end of their long snout!)  This guy was a brilliant orange with thick white bands that faded and got brighter according to his mood.  Without a doubt, that little guy was the highlight of my whole trip.  Our guides later caught another one—bright scarlet this time—which we threw back into the coral after snapping off plenty of pictures.  (After some research, I’ve concluded that we found the Pacific Seahorse, one of the largest species out there.  The one we found was about half-a-foot long.) 

The bright-orange Pacific seahorse we found in a coral reef near Hermosa, Costa Rica.

Here's a better view of the seahorse's white bands.  This guy was about six inches long.

Yes, the sea-horses were by far the best part of the trip for me.  I keep thinking maybe I should be sad that I’m going back to the US in just a month, but I’m not really.  I know the feelings will all rush in during my last few days here, but for now, I’m still just incredibly impressed with the beauty of the Creation I see all around me in this beautiful country.  I love Costa Rica, and though I’m excited to be leaving for college, I’m not all that anxious to be leaving my home of the past 8 years behind me.  The way I look at it, though, what with crazy octopuses and sea-horses and all, I only have more reasons than ever now to thank God for ever having given me the chance to live in this beautiful place—and to come back as soon as possible!   Yes, I think a few more family vacations are in order for the King Family!

I yoyo in a sweet pose with the sunset behind me.  Yeah.  

Here's To Hoping Your Day Is Brighter Than My Tropical Paradise Windows!

Yes, that's a "Where's Waldo?" shirt.

I decided to begin this post with a big smiley face, in hopes that it might brighten up your day.  If you couldn't tell, I've got some brightness here to spare, both in the figurative and literal sense.  (Notice the sunshine streaming in through my bedroom window at a ridiculous rate.)   I think this picture speaks for itself.   (I'm sick, but you can't tell!)   :D

Look to the Stars

Well you could pretty much call me the worst blogger ever.  It's been months since I last posted despite the amount of free time I've had when I've done absolutely nothing or repetitively viewed my Facebook page over and over again...like a cow chews its flipping cud.

However, I've decided to try and step up my game a bit and write some more.  (I say that knowing that I will probably make this post and then neglect to write another for a good few months—did you happen to read my three measly haikus of the day?   Ha.  Did I seriously think I would find the time and consistency to write something as nerdy and clever as a haiku every single day?) 

That much being said, I now proceed to my dominant thought.

Have you ever thought about the Moon?  Yes, you read correctly, the Moon.  It's up there, and if you're lucky then you get to see it pretty often when there's a clear night.

As little kids we were captivated by it.  We marveled at its craters and shapes, its brilliant white and the grey textures that made it look so wonderful.  When I was little I would sit down at night sometimes and simply gaze at it, with all its beauty and mystery.  It's a truly wonderful and beautiful creation, the Moon.

You know, it mentions the moon in the Bible.  In Genesis 1:14-19, God creates the Moon, along with the Sun, on the fourth day;

 ¹⁴ And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, ¹⁵ and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. ¹⁶ God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. ¹⁷ God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, ¹⁸ to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. ¹⁹ And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

Now just think about this:  God created the Moon.  And the same physical moon is still right there.   On THE fourth day of Creation, the Bible says that God made the moon to govern the night!  It happened!  And there it is.


Now ask yourself this:  How many things that God made have gone completely untouched since the fourth day of Creation?!  


If you can truly wrap your head around this, it's absolutely incredible!  We know God created the earth because we've read about it.  We know He created plants and pigs and buffaloes and water and vines and stuff.  We know he made crazy things like the Grand Canyon and tiny things like cells and atoms, but how many of those things truly go unchanged through the course of time?  We can look outside and see trees, but those trees weren't there on the day of Creation.  We can see birds and fish and all kinds of incredible animals, but that same bird wasn't winging its way through the skies over the Garden of Eden, freshly made only a few hours ago.  But when the Sun first set over Adam's very first day, there was the Moon.  A little time went by.  Eve was created.  Man had woman, and together they walked and talked with God himself through the Garden He had made especially for them.  And there was the Moon.  I imagine that Adam and Eve and God all sat down together and gazed at it, and God received glory and pleasure at how man and woman were captivated by His Moon.

A little more time passed.  Man rebelled against God, and God, in His justice, cursed them and put a curse on the land.  Thorns sprouted and animals became feral.  Leaves withered and the ground shriveled.  The land was no longer a paradise.  Man would have to live by the sweat of his back.  No more Garden of Eden.  No more walks with God through the mango trees, the sound of cool, fresh water running parallel to your path, with nothing to do but bask in His presence and eat the cool, refreshing fruits on the trees all around you with your wonderful, God-given wife.  All that was now gone.  We threw it all away.

And yet the Moon stayed there.  All throughout History, the Moon has silently risen and set over every night.  Its glory never diminished, and except for a few meteor strikes perhaps, its shape has never changed.

The same Moon God formed with His very words on Day Four.  There it is.  Just outside your window.  As solid and as beautiful as on the very first night it ever rose.  A silent witness to man's every waking....night.  How then can we possibly doubt the Creation?

If you were doubting, or if you're just looking for a good reminder of how awesome our God is, take a nice walk outside tonight. Look at the Moon.  Then praise the God who made it.



ZJK

Face-Hair Madness

Haiku #3, inspired by the crazy awesome beard on my friend's crazy face.

Beard


A carpet of hair
Evenly coats cheeks and chin
Keeps your face so warm

Snotty Business

Here's Haiku #2 in my attempt to post one crazy nerdy haiku every single day...I'll be doing some more serious writing this Christmas vacation...be looking for an upcoming post on Adam and Eve...  For now, enjoy this post inspired by the bridge of my nose...well, not really mine, but it'd be weird to say 'the bridge of your nose'.

Right Between the Eyes


   The bridge of your nose
   Holding your face together
   Unbeknownst to you