What makes the difference?

Jesus.

Well that was simple... I guess I had better expound on that thought more or else this could easily be a complete 5 word post. :grin:

Here in Abu Dhabi, it is a Muslim country- complete with the call to prayer bouncing off the walls 5 times a day that you can hear in your sleep without even opening the windows. So what is the difference between what I believe and what they believe? How do I know that what I believe is right? How do I know it is more than just something that I believe because its what I grew up learning about? How do I know that Jesus really died on the cross and was raised from the dead instead of being saved at the last minute?

I may not know all of the technical answers but I do know these things.
1) Jesus is real, he was not made up, he was not just a prophet, and there is power in his name.
2) Jesus helps, he cares, and he has shown himself strong in my life personally.
3) Jesus listens, he responds, he is a personal God who knows just what I need.


The difference is I have the proof. The difference is I have the evidence... And even when I get so blind at times to what God is doing, and have a hard time seeing what is happening in my own life personally... What I see him doing in others, seeing new people get the Holy Ghost for the first time, seeing others being helped, blessed, guided, helps me through those times.

That's all.
~ Chelbertina.

Abu Dhabi revisited...

Yes, I can officially say now that I have traveled back to the future! It is currently 6am here, while it is 8pm yesterday where you guys are. :grin:

The layover in Chicago was perfect... We had just enough time to get off the plane, ride the tram to the international terminal, stand in line at the ticketing counter, go back through security, make a potty stop, walk to the correct gate, and board the plane. I was very thankful for that 2.5 hr layover, there is no way we could have done it if it had been any shorter.

The flight was not too bad, and the airport was a breeze compared to last time, and even though the seats on the plane were uncomfortable, it placed us first getting off the plane after first class... Which greatly helped the line be almost non existent while coming through immigrations and customs thankfully...

The kids slept for most of the flight... Which means that yes, it was 4am, and both kids were up and ready to go... :grin: the picture is what you get when you cross a 4am awake 13 month old with a doodle app... He's gonna be an artist! And now it is almost 6am, and both are hyper and more than ready to go... While Dina and I are still tired... But already up.

So let's get this day started!
~ Chelbertina

Crusader's Camp 2012- Aboard the Discipleship

Every year I go to Crusader's camp, I have to ask myself why in the world am I taking off work and skipping a paycheck, to go pay to work at a camp full of little kids who don't like to take showers, brush their teeth, or look for a clock instead of asking you what time it is every 5 minutes. Every year, once I get there I am reminded why I do go.

Because it's for the kids. Because there is nothing more awesome than overhearing the conversations like I did this year. (One little guy was hiding with his friend under the eaves of the cafeteria, and as I drove by on the golf-cart, he was asking his friend "So, what did it feel like to get the Holy Ghost" I wish I could have heard the answer to that one...) Because I love meeting my old friends all over again, and making all kinds of new ones who care about kids as much as I do (or else they wouldn't be there). Because there is nothing like seeing these little kids praying in the alters and seeking God, and being touched by God. Because there is nothing as awesome as watching the miracle of a little kid speak in other tongues with tears going down their faces and to come away knowing without a doubt that they have been filled with the Holy Ghost. Because kids are awesome, and easily inspired, and inspiring. Because I don't know all the real reasons I am drawn to work with little kids, I just know that all the years I have gone, I end up going away feeling much better than I did when I come. (minus the sheer exhaustion) Because it's worth it.

And that is why I end up paying to come to take pictures of these little kids year after year.

This year was... different. I am not sure how to describe it, other than different. For multiple reasons. The first being I was determined to have everything done (like I did last year) and looking nice (the part I didn't have done last year... lol) before the people who ordered it left on Friday. In this aspect, I have to say it did happen... but not without a sleepless Thursday (which I have self declared myself to old to do anymore... Friday was rough!), but hey, it did happen! :grin: I was able to have the ones pre-ordered available for pick up before camp let out Friday. (If you are one of the people who were not able to order your DVD set before you left, and are interested in one, please let me know, or you can order one on the side of this page.)

The only reason I was able to do this was because I had help. Thank you to the wonderful help of Michael and Tamara Boatman for their designing and photographing talents they let me borrow (and equipment), and Toni Fowler's awesome organization and secretarial work, friendship, and help in the late hours of Thursday night- Friday morning, they looked great! There is no way I could have done it this year, (or any other year) without these guys.

Another difference is that I decided to not include the Friday information on the DVD sets that are bought at camp... but rather to put them online (which is another huge reason the DVD sets were able to be finished on Friday morning before the award ceremony) If you are interested in ordering a DVD of just these Friday pictures to complete your set, please let me know, and I will add it to my options of things you can order. If you are looking for these pictures... they will be located on my Facebook site. The address for that site is www.facebook.com/chelbertina.photography

So why else was this year different? Some people got "Sea-sick" while on the Discipleship...including me.  There was a few really busy nurses, matrons, and deans taking care of some of the campers who got sick with some virus that was going around... it never lasted very long, but it looked pretty intense when it was there. I went and visited the gals stuck in dorm 8, and was totally impressed with all the head matron over there had done to keep those guys comfortable and hydrated.

Camp was awesome, thanks to all the people who pulled together and worked together to get it all done. Thank you deans, matrons, workers, teachers, cafeteria workers, music workers, and even bounce house workers! You guys helped these kids make memories that if they are like me, will stick with them the rest of their lives, especially if they are one of those 45 that got the Holy Ghost for the first time there, or even if they were one of those many others that got re-filled, and touched.

~ Chel Dubois

Church In A Day- College Station

I absolutely love these events. It restores my hope in humanity- watching people work together so seamlessly, getting things done so efficiently, knowing that there are tons of people there who have no idea what they are doing, or what the final project is going to look like... but are content just this once following instructions and trusting in the person who does know the plan and blueprint.

The general laborers are what makes this whole project work. Yes, there are teams of people who know what they are doing, and do it very well, and almost exclusively- like the framers, roofers, AC guys, etc... but there are so many other things that these awesome people grouped into the general labor category did. Like holding the walls up, handing up needed tools, hanging insulation, helping keep the grounds clean, handing out water and drinks (the kids were awesome at this one too!) putting down floor coverings, covering finished pieces getting things ready to paint,helping pick up and set the porch, carrying heavy items from one place to another, sweeping, and so many other things!

I also like these events because I always meet so many friends that I have made in past events, and always end up making a few new ones during the course of it as well... and who can't use a few new friends? :grin:

If you ever get a chance to go to one of these... you need to. Even if it's just to drive by and see a before and after shot so that you know personally that it really does happen.

~ Chel

My Want to Do list... :grin:

Things I want to do...

(I'm sure this list will be ever changing with me adding new things I want to do, and moving things to the 'done' list as I get to them)

1. Swim with dolphins
2. visit Israel, and the places I have read about in the Bible
3. Stand underneath a waterfall
4. Stand on the top of a mountain, with my face to the wind
5. Go to the beginning of the Mississippi River
6. Ride a bus cross country
7. Take a cross country train ride
8. Sail on a sailboat
9. White water rafting
10. Take an underwater tour on a submarine
11. Blow bubbles out of a hot air balloon
12. Fly in a helicopter
13. Ride in a one-horse-open-sleigh
14. Ride something bigger than a horse- like an elephant, or a camel.
15. Learn to ride on a segway
16. Become fluent in another language- Spanish or French preferably
17. Invent something useful
18. Climb to the top of a lighthouse
19. See an Iceberg
20. Go rock climbing
21. Visit Arlington National Cemetery
22. Take pictures in a castle
23. Visit the great pyramids in Egypt
24. Backpack somewhere overnight that involves camping outside under the stars
25. See the northern lights
26. Visit the golden gate bridge
27. Niagara falls
28. Redwood forest
29. Great wall of china
30. Learn how to make yeast rolls
31. Visit all 50 states, especially Hawaii
32. Yellowstone national park and old faithful
33. Grand canyon
34. Carlsbad caverns
35. make fire without matches
36. Mt Rushmore
37. Make apple butter
38. Go to the ice sculptures place
39. Hold a baby spider monkey
40. Go to Australia
41. Remodel/build my own house
42. Flatten coins on a train track
43. Fry an ant with a magnifying glass
44. Build my own computer
45. Learn how to take star trails
46. Do a light graffiti in a cave
47. Learn to say the alphabet backwards really fast
48. Drive/own a motorcycle
49. Totally complete a coloring book
50. Build an amazing tree house
51. Walk successfully through a maze/labyrinth
52. Go geo-caching and leave a note for someone else to find later
53. Learn to play backgammon
54. Carve my name in a tree
55. Make an absolutely huge sand castle with other people
56. Run a whole mile
57. Go hunting
58. Learn how to proficiently roller-blade
59. See Phantom of the Opera on Broadway when I go to NYC
60. Be able to do 100 sit-ups without having to stop
61. Learn to identify at least 15 constellations by sight, so that all year around, whenever I see stars, I can find one
62. Finally learn how to keep a hula hoop up for more than 30 seconds
63. See St Louis Arch
64. shoot a real bow and arrow
65. own a telescope
66. Make my own pizza sauce
67. Learn how to can things and make my own jelly!
68. Take a picture of my reflection in the Cloud Gate in Chicago
69. Go to Jason and Elona's wedding. :grin:
70. Go to Arkansas and See Lou again, and steal Roscoe's Donuts. :evilgrin:

Things I have already done that used to be on my list

1. Learn to type faster than 50wpm -2008
2. Go on a cruise -2010
3. Go overseas for more than a week on a mission trip -2009
4. Take a photography class -2007
5. Learn how to play racquetball -2007
6. Do a high ropes course, and go on a zip-line -2004
7. get an underwater camera, and go snorkeling -2010
8. ride a horse -2008, 2009
9. hike a volcano -2009
10. go to the Oregon coast -2011
11. learn how to swim -2004
12. meet people in person that I met on-line -2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, etc... :grin:
13. knit something -2004
14. change my own oil/tires/breaks on my car -2009
15. ride in a police car -2004
16. become a nurse -2008
17. read the whole bible in a year -2011
18. totally out of debt -2011
19. do something for someone who has no potential to ever pay me back -2010, 11
20. fly in a plane first class somewhere -2011
21. own a convertible -2009-2010
22. write a book -2004
23. write a poem -2004
24. ride a roller-coaster -2009
25. climb a tree and have my picture taken while up in it -2008, 2010
26. fast (nothing but water for 3 days) 2008, 2010
27. vote 2004, 2008
28. milk a cow -2002
29. take a picture of lightning -2010
30. raise enough money to go on a mission trip totally funded -2008
31. Go swimming at night and float on my back and pick out constellations -2009, 2010
32. take a road trip -2007, 2008
33. Go to an aquarium -2008, 2011
34. run in the rain -all the time now. :grin:
35. win first place in a cooking contest -2007?
36. tried calamari, sushi, lobster, lamb, goat, frog legs and oysters -2010
37. fired a shotgun, handgun, and shot a clay pigeon -2011
38. communicated with someone who didn't speak a bit of English, and understand everything they were saying -2009
39. write in the sand and let the waves wash it all away -2010?
40. canoeing -2010
41. 2 month mission trip-2011
42. own my own chopsticks- 2011
    

Things I do differently now that I am back from Haiti

1. Drive. I didn't drive at all when I was in Haiti, and I missed it while I was there, but was not all that anxious to drive over there due to not having any idea where in the world I was going, or how to deal with the other people on the road who drove very "Haitian-like" or the roads them selves- It's an important thing to know which pot holes are OK to go through, and which ones need to be avoided at all costs! So how does this affect me now that I am back in the USA? Well... I drive slower, and more cautiously for one thing. I do not really have any reason to do so since the roads are up-kept here, but I do. Maybe something about that last day in Haiti, and the almost falling off the cliff experience has something to do with it. :grin: I will never know.
2. Drink Milk. :grin: Before I went to Haiti, I would drink as much milk as I wanted, which was very often! I love that stuff! Since being back from Haiti, I still drink milk, but not near as much as I used to. Something about going 2 months without real milk (with the exception of that one half gallon that I broke down and bought when it went on sale for 8 dollars...) will make it OK to not get it every day like you were used to.
3. Drink more water. I drank water before I went, but now I drink more.
   
4. Use chapstick! :grin: My skin and hair and nails and such had acclimated to Haiti! Since I have gotten back to the USA, I have had to use chapstick at least 3-4 times a day to keep my lips from bleeding from cracking. I know, I know, you are thinking that I live in a really humid place compared to where you are, but let me tell you! Texas humidity has nothing on Haitian humidity!
   
5. Don't use the air-conditioner/heater near as much. Partially because I don't really need it now that the weather here is much cooler than it was when I left, but partially because I got used to not having it, and being ok.
   
6. Occasionally. I will use ice in my drinks now. I know, if you knew me before I left, you are wondering what in the world happened to me! To be honest, I have no idea, but it was probably due to the fact that it was so hot that the ice didn't really last in Haiti anyways, and it was a way to get something cold... even if it was for 10 minutes. It's like it was a mini air-conditioner, just one inside your mouth. :grin:
7. I still listen to music, and the radio, but not near as much as I used to. I think this is another thing I just got used to not having access to.
8. Text and talk on the phone. I still have as much to say, maybe more, but a different attitude towards phones, and their use.
   

~ Chelbertina

Things learned from the Louw's... :grin:

1. Baboons do not like oranges that have had Tabasco sauce put on them... Once they find one somewhere, they will stay away from wherever that was- so it's used to keep them out of your house, yard.
   
2. Elephants communicate... and leave behind elephant patties that are over 2 feet tall! That's a lot of stuff!
   
3. Baboons are cowardly if they are by themselves, but if they are in a group, they will do a whole lot of damage while there is one set up as a lookout.
   
4. Baboons like to play in pools.
   
5. There is a country that makes paper out of elephant dung... that some people order to write their resignation letter on...
   
6. I learned what a sputnik was, and what a Muppet was, and all about rugby.
   
7. I learned everything I needed to know about creating lamps. :grin: And then I made 2.
   
8. It's not good to pick up anything shiny, or anything that isn't yours in Africa- because it's probably a booby trap.
   
9. There are no benches, trashcans, or anything in the malls in Africa- so that people can't hide bombs there.
   
10. I actually learned a whole lot more from them than this... but some of it I do not feel like sharing at this time. I had some great chat's with Sis. Louw, but they were personal. I really enjoyed the time I had with him being here helping us in Haiti, and then the week I got to go over to the DR and be with them. I totally enjoyed the service I got to be at with them in the DR, and really needed it. Thank you so much for your kindness, and your advice, and for all that you did for me. I really appreciate it.
    

~ Chelbertina