Day 21-Picture of yourself

Day 20-Nicknames

Well, for the most part, my name is one of those awkward names that doesn't shorten into a nick name very well. Since I have a double name, the main one that I get is CA. I actually  really like when people call me this, not sure why. I will respond if you call me this, so feel free.

Day 19-Something you miss

I miss China. I miss it so bad everyday. I miss it so much it hurts. I miss not being able to understand anything anyone says. I miss the stares. I miss the food. I miss my babies. I miss that big blue house. I miss eating with chopsticks. I miss the beautiful women who became my family. I miss Jim's kisses. I miss Grace's fist bumps. I miss Gabriel love "choke holds". I miss Isaac's laugh. I miss eating my food from a lazy susan. I miss finding encouraging note cards on my bed. I miss milk star cereal. I miss the ayis. I miss talking about how much God loves the orphans. I miss the smiles of the cleft lip kids. I miss worshipping on the roof. I miss the fireworks. I miss the Great Wall. I miss being greeted by Ni Hao. I miss Carter falling asleep in my arms. I miss everything about it.

Day 18-Something you regret

I don't believe in regrets. "If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Day 17-Something you're looking forward to

I'm looking forward to finishing this dreadful process called nursing school.

I'm looking forward to Step Sing.

I'm looking forward to one day going back to China.

I'm looking forward to adopting kids one day.

I'm looking forward to seeing my sweet Jesus face to face.

Day 16-Dream house

When I was in 4th grade, I wanted to be an architect/interior designer for a while. I would come up with all of these ideas in my head about what my dream house would look like. It was always big and always had a pool. Now that I'm older, I care less about what the house will look like and what it will have. All I really want is for it to be a place that honors the Lord.

 But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD
Joshua 24:15

Ever since I went to China, however, there has only been one house that I dream of. I want to be back there so bad. It's not typically what you think of when you think of a dream house but it is filled with the beautiful faces of God's little children. I would choose to be back there in a heartbeat over a mansion decked out with all of the riches money could buy.

Maria's Big House of Hope



Day 15-Bible verse

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

Day 14-A picture you love

In the spirit of Step Sing season, which begins today, I have chosen a picture from when Phi Mu got second runner up last year for "Risky Business". I love this picture because it shows how excited we were. These are our directors, it is totally candid. We didn't expect to place and I can't describe the excitement that we felt when they called our name. I can't wait to start practice this afternoon!

Day 13-Goals

Hmmmm....Goals. Well, let's see.
1. Live a life that points people to Jesus.
2. Finish nursing school.
3. Adopt a whole bunch of kids.

Day 12-What you believe

I'm stealing this from my friend Katie. She did this challenge a while back and I really like what she put for day 12 so I'm going to use it too.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only way.
I believe He died on the cross for every person, no matter how much he or she sins.
I believe that He can overcome anything we "throw" at Him.
I believe He is the ultimate Healer.
I believe He is the ultimate Romancer.
I believe He deserves all glory and honor.
I believe He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
I believe He is the Savior of the world.
I believe no one is higher than Him.
I believe in love and romance.
I believe that we are created to love and be loved.
I believe we are called to serve anyone and everyone.
I believe life is not easy, but it is wonderful when you walk with the LORD.
I believe all things are possible with Him.
I believe that family and friends are an important aspect of life.
I believe that heartbreaks can make you stronger.
I believe that God will use me and my story for His glory

Day 11-Favorite tv shows

If you thought my movie post was bad, get ready for my tv show post. My favorite way to let my mind take a break after a long day is to turn on the tv and just watch something that I don't have to think about. In high school, my dad and I would go through the dvds of different shows until we finished the whole season. We watched at least one a night and the weekend we watched way more. My family has done a lot of bonding by watching shows and then talking about what was going to happen or who was going to win.

4...8...15...16...23...42....My dad and I watched the dvds of the 1st season right after it finished, then faithfully watched every season after that live. I'm so sad Lost is over but was pleased with the way it ended.

The tribe has spoken...I don't know if it's dorky or not that I still love this show but I do. My family started out watching from season one. Now it's just my dad and me that keep up with it. We've gotten pretty good at predicting who is going to win based on everyone's strategies.

Seriously....I didn't start watching Grey's until sophomore year of college, when I saw an episode at my friend's house over spring break. I found a website that had all of the epidoses on it (with Chinese subtitles) and caught myself up in a matter of weeks. Now, my little comes over almost every night and we watch an edpisode before bed.

I've always loved musicals. Glee is perfect because I get to watch one every week! The music from this show is slowly but surely taking over my itunes.

The Office is the funniest show on tv. My friend, Lindsay, and I quote it back and forth all day. I can't believe that Steve Carrell is leaving this season though. It's sad to think about what the world will be like withut Michael Scott.

I suppose I'll end with the Sing-Off. If you've never seen it, it's an acapella group competition and it's awesome! The only problem is that it only comes on around Christmas time. It's like American Idol but way better. Go to itunes and check out some music from the contestants. You won't be sorry. 

Day 10-Something you're afraid of

As you can tell, I am quite behind on my challenge. This week has been extremely busy so I decided to use my four hours with nothing to day at work today to catch up.

I suppose I am risking sounding like I am three when I say that I am afraid of the dark. I sleep in the dark just fine when I'm not by myself but if I'm alone, I have to have some form of light on. The first thing I do when I wake up or walk into a room is turn on a light. The past three weeks, I have been leaving for the hospital at 4:15 am and before I would go outside I would hold my car clicker up to the door and turn my lights on even before I went outside. I always have this fear that something is lurking in the shadows waiting to attack me at any moment. I slept with a light on in my room for years (way longer than one probably should) but the fear was made worse when I was either a junior or senior in high school. One night, a friend and I were walking to her car one night, it was pretty dark, when out of nowhere, a huge black dog started chasing us. It was a scene straight out of Harry Potter. Luckily, we jumped in the car just in time but I still am afraid something is going to jump out and attack me, especially, when I'm walking to my car at night. So beware, shadow lurkers, I carry pepper spray and I'm not afraid to use it if you jump me in the dark. (That also serves as a warning to those of you who might think it would be funny to hide in a dark corner and jump out to scare me.)

Day 9-A picture of your friends

 China Friends- we came as strangers and left as family

This is my small group from high school. I am so blessed by their friendships and I am so lucky to be able to remain friends throughout college. 

This crazy chick, so thankful she happened to be stuck in my room at big stuf one year.

I can't find a pic with all of my school friends in it but this one has the most. I love getting to spend every day with these girls!

Day 8- A place you've traveled to

First of all, I apologize that this is a day late. Time got away from me yesterday. I'm sure that most of you are expecting me to write about China, since that's pretty much what this blog is about, but I've decided to go a different route with today's post. You've heard me talk about China a lot and you'll probably continue to hear me talk about it. My second thought was to talk about my trip to Kenya but I wrote about that trip in April (read about it here). I have decided to write about not 1 but 3 trips, all to the same place, Matamoros, Mexico.

Every spring break, the high school ministry at my church goes on mission trips. The 9th-11th grades goes to Mexico and the 12th grade goes to Peru. I went on these trips all four years and loved every second of it. When I went to Mexico my freshman year, it was the first time that I went out of the country. It was a life changing experience. I was able to see that there was a world outside of my own little suburban bubble. I gained a lot of perspective about the world on these trips.

My experience every year was different but the basic framework of the trip was the same every year. We began traing in January, where we were divided into groups of 5 or 6 people (this made for a lot of groups as over 200 people went every year). We spent time praying and preparing to share the gospel with the people we would meet. We always departed on a Saturday morning for a 26 hour bus ride and arrived in Mexico on Sunday evening. Monday-Thursday was spent building houses, putting on VBS, doing door to door evangalism, and so much more.

God showed up every year and so much impact was made for the kingdom through high school students. I was able to witness hundreds of people come to Christ through these trips, including many who were a part of our group. It was not a glamorous way to spend spring break. I was dirty, tired, and the only tan I got was a farmers tan but I am so grateful for my experiences there. This where my heart for missions was truly developed. I feel like there is a piece of me still there, and in a way there really is. Our church made a rock altar in a field at the place where we stayed. Each person on the trip found a rock and wrote there name and a verse that was meaningful to them on the trip. On day we left, we would add our rocks to the altar and spend time worshipping our God and thanking him for all he has done.

Day 7-Favorite movies

Oh boy, how do I narrow it down? I LOVE to watch movies. It's not that often that I see a movie I don't like.

I don't care if you think it's weird that this is my favorite movie...I love everything about it. I can quote the entire movie. 

This movie is such a classic, so beautiful. 

Do I really need to explain?

Another movie I can quote in its entirety. Jack Black is hilarious!

Ryan Reynolds, what's not to love?

I'm a sucker for a good rom com.

For real, who doesn't love this movie?

"Buzz your girlfriend, woof"...Classic

So funny, plus it's based on Shakespeare.

I'll leave it at this for tonight. This list is super shortened but you get the idea. 

Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy

I was scrolling through my iphoto, trying to figure out what picture I wanted to use for this day, and I came across this. I knew I wanted to use a picture of one of the sweet little babies but I wasn't sure which one I wanted to use. I LOVE this pic of Grace. This is so her...being a little goof ball. This picture is such a reminder that orphans are just like any other kid. Plus, you have to admit, it is too cute.

Day 5- Your Siblings

The Fab Four

est. 1995

I have three beautiful siblings. We have so much fun together. We joke around, a lot. It's extremely hard for us to be serious. We get well for the most part. I think that moving to college has definitely made our relationship closer. I appreciate them much more now than I ever did when we lived together full time.

From L-R

Merry Emily- deeply passionate, sassy, she speaks her mind, and loves Africa

Hannah Kate- our athlete, gets along with everyone, light hearted

Luke- the baby, so kind, funny, easily distracted but shines when he can put his mind to something

Day 4- Your Parents

My parents are awesome. My dad's a minister and my mom's a nurse. They both love Jesus a lot. I would say we're pretty close. I love coming home from school and getting to spend time with them. My mom and I like to drink coffee and watch movies (and fall asleep watching them). My dad and I like to play Ultimate Alliance on the Wii and watch Survivor. I love that my parents care so much about people and they love what they do. Their jobs make them super busy but there is always time for me and my sibs. They raised me to love God and to follow his plan. I am so thankful for their influence in my life.

Day 3-Your First Love

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4: 16

I love you, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1

As the Father has Loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15: 9

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine Song of Solomon 6:3

In third grade, I came to know a man named Jesus and I fell in love. I don't know if it's cheesy or whatever to say that Christ is my first love, but the truth is, He is my one and only. I've never really dated and for sure haven't fallen in love with any guy here on this planet. Jesus is the one I need. Without him, I am nothing. I wish I could say I've been more faithful and that I always completely put my trust in him. I wish I didn't have doubts sometimes. But in spite of all my faults, he still calls me beloved.

Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

My senior year of high school, when I was stressed because I had no idea what God had in store for next year, I came across this little verse in Hebrews 10 and it stuck with me. There are so many verses in the Bible that I love but this one is the one that I go back to in every situation I am going through. I love how it is worded here (NIV). This verse began a very  long period in my life where I was learning what God's faithfulness truly meant. He doesn't change. He always comes through on his promises. He doesn't let you down. I couldn't have made it through all that God did in my life this year if God hadn't shown me through this verse how truly faithful he is. His faithfulness gives me hope for the future. I decided to create a blog when I found out that I would be going to China last summer. My China story is such a huge testimony to God's faithfulness in my life so I knew this would be a perfect title for me.

Day 1-Introduce yourself, recent picture, 15 interesting facts

Hello, I'm Carole Ann. I'm 22. I'm in nursing school. I love Jesus.

This is me at a family wedding in October. 

15 facts about me:

1. I'm a master at Mad Gab. Don't play me because you will lose.
2. I love to travel! I've been to all continents except Australia and Antarctica
3. That being said, I'm a homebody. I love being at home where everything is familiar.
4. I'm a Harry Potter fanatic. I started reading the books in like 5th grade. All you people who are too lazy to read the books and just watch the movies are completely missing out.
5. I was the valedictorian of my 5th grade class. I'm not sure what that means for elementary school but all I remember is that I had to give a speech.
6.I'm a sucker for clothes from Old Navy. Most days I'm wearing at least one item of clothing from there.
7. I love to do crafts but I'm not creative or artistic at all. Mostly, I can copy little projects I've seen others do.
8. I love anything Asian, especially the food, especially, Chinese. I travelled there this summer and fell in love!
9. I'm really passionate about adoption and orphan ministry. I have the desire to adopt my future kids way more than I have the desire to birth them.
10. I love to laugh. I'd pick a funny movie over a sappy chick flick that has the audience in tears any day.
11. I used to be the most squeamish person on the planet then one day it went a way. Now I'm nursing major. Go figure.
12. I thoroughly  enjoy reality tv.
13. I hate eyeballs. They give me the creeps.
14. I'm a member of the Alpha Gamma chapter of Phi Mu. I never pictured myself in a sorority but joining was probably the best decision I made in college.
15. I love my Jesus more than anything in the world. If my life was up to me, I'd be completely, utterly lost.

30 Days

I have seen this on some other blogs and have decided to give into peer pressure. I figured that it would get me into writing on this thing more...we'll see. I can't promise I'll be able to get around to this every day (especially during January, as I am working a 5am-5pm shift at the hospital 3 times a week) but I'll do my best to try. 


Day 1-Introduce yourself, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite tv shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture

Harry Potter According to Danny Part 1

My dad, the self-titled Harry Potter expert, gives you a brief summary of the first 7 movies (he hasn't read the books, clearly).