A new journey...

Since Robby and my road has taken a new turn, I have stared a new blog. No, we are not missionaries in Supai....YET. That is down the road 3-4 years, but the path is strong.

Supai Gypsy
Look forward to seeing everyone there.

Rain...

Drip...drip.....drip.....splash!

Rain has come to the high country up here in the San Fransisco Peaks. Spring is budding and blooming all around. Yes, it is May and college is out for the summer, but up here in the mountains, our last hard freeze can hit in May.

It was so sweet to wake this morning to the sound of rain falling and the wind playing with our willow tree. It is the first weekday since college has been out and we are preparing to go shopping for food. There is a nice farmers market and also a natural food store called, New Frontiers. Most of our foods now come from these two stores (almost as cheep if not cheaper on some items as normal grocery because most comes from local sellers), with a few supplement items from Wal-mart/Sam's club.

It is just a few weeks Robby will be heading to Broken Arrow Bible Ranch in Vanderwagen, NM for most of their camp season. I am going out for some weekends, but sticking around to get a job as there are bills to pay, and we wont be getting official support (except scholarships) until college is over.

What road is before us? Outside of college, that is unsure. Yet considering there are 3-4 years left before we have to know that, there is no rush. This is time for us to focus on learning all we can and prepare ourselves for whatever journey among Native American God has for us...

Easter Weekend...

Seven years... hard to believe it has been that long since one of the darkest times in my life. I grew up in a world of safety and security. Strong in my faith, at least so I thought, and dedicated to my calling. Then came the darker times, and my world was shattered. Only now, 9 years after the deaths, and seven years after the "dark times", am I again restrengthening in my faith. I have safety and security in God and as much has humanly possible here with Robby.

This weekend, which is annually suppose to be a celebration of our Lord Jesus' resurrection, for me at times is haunted by dark memories of things that never should have happened. Even now, I trust people little. Maybe it is because I am Irish, or Bedouin, or Choctaw, or maybe because I was so wounded, or maybe because I had three different mothers in the first 6 months of my life. What ever the reasons, 7 years ago did not help things any.

I watched the 80's TV show, Beauty and the Beast- Season 1, this past weekend. It first of all showed me where a lot of my tastes in decor and clothing have their roots. Secondlly, it showed me something I have never really realized: I am a servivor...date rape, multiple deaths in 6 months, betrayal by close trusted friends, none of these hold me down. True, their shadows may haunt me in my dreams and flash backs at times, but they do not hold me bound. I am free to live my life. I am free to dream. I have the right to dream again, here, now, with my husband. Thirdly, it has reconfirmed just how deep and speically of a love Robby and I have. What a blessing!

Seven years, and at last the no longer holds me captive! ^_^

New paths, and no time for facebook...

God is such a good and loving God!  He saved us, He redeemed us, and He is coming back for us.

So much to share so much to do.  And so little time to do it all.  Because of this, Robby and I are taking a brake from Facebook for the next 3 months.  A fast of sorts, while we prepare for this next phase of life and ministry. 

We know God has called us out here among the Navajo, we know we are to work with youth.  But for now we are focusing on the training we need to prepare for that stage of our lives.  Some times that might mean short term trips to other tribes, that might mean interning with a ministry, that might even mean taking a break from ministry or school for one of us, so that one can work and the other take classes.  Who knows?  ^_^  But how ever it looks it is leading to full-time ministry in the future.

Defrag Youth Leaders Retreat...

What a weekend it has been up in the cool Rocky Mountians around Durango, Co.  We gathered here at the Silverpick Lodge with 60 other Native Youth Leaders and Missionaries.   What a time of worship, learning, and rest!

This will become an anual event for Robby and me... that is for sure.

A day without shoes....

Yesterday, was international day with out shoes.  Some of us here at college went all day without shoes.  From day light to sunset, I walked everywhere shoe less, even acrossed the sharp red lava rocks that make up our drive way and the parking at college.  It was hard!  And here I am someone that goes barefoot every chance I get....  My feet were killing me by the end of the day... but I did not give up and did it.

Why would a nice American woman do this for a whole day?  Because there are 100's of  Millions of Children around the world at risk of injury, infections, and sole transmitted diseases that they cant afford to treat.  Why?  Because they cannot even afford a simple pair of shoes!  I don't have a lot of money, and live below poverty level myself.  But I can do this to raise awareness for these children.


But Jesus said,  "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." - Matt. 19:14

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Dont let anyone tell you just because you have issues you cant serve God... people use to tell me that.  You see I have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder stemming from the tragic lose of 5 friends/family, (2 to illness, 3 two car accidents) and some horrible things that happened to me outside of that as well. 

Many things can cause PTSD, from war, to sudden death of loved ones, to natural disasters, to rape, to abuse, to terrorist attacks, to childhood neglect, and many other reasons.  What exactly triggers it and how to prevent it, is still vastly unknown.

PTSD is a strange thing, for some it passes in just six months, for others it does not set on till six months afterward.  It can last for 6 months or a life time. It has been over the past 9 years, and yet it still haunts me.  The flash backs, still come unbidden during the night.  Still I struggle connecting with people, and freak if I am trapped in a corner with no way out, but that is kinda expected.

Yet, though at the time I could not see the good in it, now out here working with teens who have gone through many of the same issues I have, can offer the hope I have found in Jesus to them.  Not the casual, "He will fix everything.", but the He is there through it all holding out His hand to help us through the valleys of the shadows of death.

Week of Travels

What a week it has been, traveling all over the eastern side of the Navajo Reservation.  From Kinilidi (Flagstaff) to Naʼnízhoozhí (Gallup), up to   Shiprock then  Chinle and Window Rock, what a trip!  Most of the time I was sleeping on a hard floor or an old sofa bed with the springs poking out, but sharing at churches and seeing the young people and adults getting excited about what they can do to help.

Naʼnízhoozhí

Naʼnízhoozhí, as we call it in Dine, was founded in 1881 as a railhead camp, and called Gallup after David Gallup, the paymaster of the railroad.  It is surounded by Native lands, both Dine and Ashiwi, and has long been a center of trade.

Located on the famed Route 66 and imfamous Route 666, which was recently renamed Route 491.  Naʼnízhoozhí is home to al ot of Native American shops, one of the largest flee markets consisting of mostly Native American arts and crafts, and many outreaches to Native American.  This  week,  Robby and I, along with many of our fellow students will be in Naʼnízhoozhí on our college missions trip.

Home for the summer..

Here I am, about to reach the first day of spring, and we have just learned that unless God changes things we will not be traveling back east this summer.  With the rising cost of gas, and with having to fix the truck, we are stuck for the summer.  Robby most likely will work at BABR for the summer, and I will seek a job of some sort... to save for next school year and future support trips.   May haps we can met family in Tucumcarrie, NM over thanksgiving.  Yet, what ever why and when ever we get back home... God is with us and we will continue to serve Him.

To be a Christian... how does that look?

When you think of the word Christian?

• Do you think of people who sit in a church, keep the pews warm, and look down their noses at anyone who does not live up to their standards?

• Do you think of someone who embraces a lifestyle dedicated to intimacy in and with the Father, provoking extreme obedience, manifesting in radical stewardship, here "...on earth as it is in heaven."?

This is something I have been wrestling with for a long time. I first went to the missions field when I was just 15, and served in Chihuahua, Mexico for two weeks. The scriptures that came to my heart then, and have not left me were Luke 9:3 "And He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics." and the Rich Young Ruler from Luke 18:18-30, and Acts 2:44-47 "And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

What do those mean? I know that that is how the early church was, and that Jesus was giving instructions to his disciples. But for me, now for 13 years, these have been the scriptures weighing heavy on my heart. By 19, I was was ministering among the subcultures. I had no drivers license, worked odd and end jobs, as long as they would keep me, and giving from the little I had to those in need. That summer to winter, I lost 5 friends, three to car and motor cycle accidents. Depression and PTSD from that and another event my 20th year, became my closest friends. I had bought a house when I was 24, to fix up and become a safe haven for at risk youth... but lost it 6 months later due both my house mate and I glossing our jobs. On the bright side, I gained a husband out of it, for a friend had come to help, and we grew to love each other..something neither of us were looking for.

Robby and I have never owned our own place. In fact, now 3 years married....our largest place is our small 1 bedroom apartment here at college where we have a bedroom, bathroom, living room, dinning room, and kitchen of our own. Normally, we have had only a bedroom and bathroom, and we have never been unhappy with either little or much. We were married just as the economy fell apart, and jobs have not been easy to come by. We have lived in 8 states since we were married, and traveled to many more, some for jobs, some for ministry. At 26, I finally got my drivers license and a truck. A year later, Dad and I swapped trucks... my 1984 F-150 for his 1997 Dodge Dakota, and Robby and I headed out to Dine Bikeyah as missionaries to them.

Now here I sit, 9 months later, wondering still... how is this suppose to look? Which type of Christian am I: one they hate or one who draws others closer to Him? I am still not sure, and the search continues.

Update...

Greetings friends and family,

We have now been in Dine Bikeyah for 9 months, since July 2010.  Now in March, we are happily settled.  Not that is without issues; in fact, right now we are stuck in Flagstaff most of the time, due to issues with our truck battery and possible other complications with the truck.  But that is not getting us down.  We leave with the college in a little over a week for the annual trip.  This year we will be going to Gallup, NM and helping out at many churches in the area.

We have just a little over a month of this college year left.  For the summer, Rob is thinking of working at Broken Arrow Bible Ranch. I am looking for a summer job, to catch up on school bills and put Rob in good shape for next year.  Late July and early August we are planning a quick trip to Kentucky and Kansas to visit supporting churches, prior to Rob returning for his second of four years.  I will be finishing up a few classes, then doing distance learning.

Prayer Requests:
* For the truck, that it wont cost much to repair.
* For both of us to finish out the college year well.
* For the Navajo youth we work with in Kayenta, while we are gone.

Needs:
* Rob - Good projector with computer hook ups.
* Me - Bicycle for Flagstaff travel (cut on future gas expenses)
* Gas Funds (with rising costs, travel is harder and needs greater)

Blessings all!

Wiic'ita

Wiic'ita means, as close as we can tell the tattooed people, and today is translated Wichita.  Wiic'ita was the northern camp of the Kitikiti'sh, who were called Wiic'ita by neighboring tribes, and Quivira by Coronado and his men in 1541.  As early as that, 1541, the Kitikiti'sh were already settled in their summer homes, at the conecting of the Little and Big Ar'Kanazi Rivers (Arkansas, said in Kansas as Ar'kansas, which is closer to the correct Ar'Kanazi).  The first settlements here were the grass lodges of the Kitikiti'sh.  By 1870's Wiic'ita became known as Wichita, or by it's nick name "Cowtown".  And was a major stop on the Cimeron Trail of the cattle drives.

To this day, Wiic'ita is the largest city in Kansas, having quickly surpassed Topeka and Kansas City, KS (not to be confused with Kansas City, MO, which is larger).   Know still as the "Cowtown" and also as the Air Capital of the World", as it has more airplane plants than any other city in the world.  These days, Emerald City Expo, a steampunk festival, is held here, in part at the Historic Wichita Cowtown Museum; many of who's buildings date to the 1870's and 1880's and were moved to this site for preservation. As well, the Great Plains Renaissance Fest and Sedgwick County Zoo are not to be missed.

There are so many more neat things to tell about Wiic'ita, as I grew up here, but those must wait for another day...

No Battery and Coming Rain...

Last summer, I traded my beloved 1984 Ford F-150, Tsalagi, with my Dad, for his 1997 Dodge Dakota, Gypsy.  Thursday, I went out to pick up food for our weekend trip to Toh Di'neesh Zhee (Kayenta), but Gypsy would not start.  I checked the connections, but they were tight.  I jumped her, but she did not jump.  So now, we have to get a ride in to the shop and prayerfully, they honor the warranty, and trade us batteries.

The truck being down, has us walking about town more, and for the first time in our 9 months here, I am beginning to feel like I am beginning to know our neighborhood.  We live in Sunnyside, which is in east Kilinidi. We are just a few blocks from our grocery store, a short walk to the barber, a long walk to the indoor Farmer's Market, and long walk to wal-mart.  Even more fun though, we are a short walk to Big Lots.   Soon, I will go hunting for parks, so we can spend more time outside.  I am looking for seeds for our garden, and trusting the spring rain that is coming will melt the snow on the raised beds.

How I long at this time of year, that I had a good bicycle.  My last bike, Meg, had to be left in Shikaakwa when we moved.  I so miss the wind in my face and the puddles spashing under my wheels.  That, and with the cost of gas these days, I could sure save alot...

Coffee, Rugs, and Shades...

Early spring, and we have been settled in a one bedroom apartment for 9 months.  Wow!  It has been a while since we were on the move.  It is hard to believe, or get use to having a place this big, and a WHOLE lot harder to keep it clean.  With spring here though, we went to get some nice roman shades and a rug from World Market. When not on the road, World Market is one of my top shops to visit. With so many styles and choices it was not easy but quickly we settled on the Kimono Rug and the Henri Floral Roman Shades.  Now with new rug down in the living room, the old plain rug under the dinning room table, and the Henri shades up with the cool spring evening air blowing in, it is starting to feel more like a home than just a temp apartment.

Back at home, we settled in for an evening of coffee and home work; this past week was mid-terms and with having been ill the weeks before, we are still behind on homework.  Blah!  But, as soon as this last paper is done, we are planing to watch Iron Man 2.  Yes, it is good to be home... at last.

Shikaakwa

Called Shikaakwa, meaning wild onions, by the Mihtohseeniaki and Illiniwek, but it became known as Chicago, a mispronunciation of the original name for the place.   Based on Lake Michigan, it has always been a natural port location, and remains such to this day.  After the devastation of the Chicago Fire of 1871, the city rebuilt to become now in 2011 the third largest city in the USA.

In my journeys, my husband and I settled for 14 months in Chicago, doing inter-city and homeless ministry.  We dwelt in an old 1920's hotel in Uptown Chicago, and were a short walk from Graceland and Saint Boniface Cemeteries.   It is well worth touring on foot the cemeteries, to see up close and personal the lasting monuments of Chicago's history and periods of architecture.  If shopping is your thing, check out the Unique and Salvation Army thrift stores and the shops of Little Thailand, Little India, and Chinatown.  Lakeshore's bike paths are a joy, and the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free, is a blast, but for two travelers with a heart left in Dine Bikeyah, Shikaakwa is no place to stay for long.

Kinlinidi

Called Kinlinidi, meaning many homes, by the Dine, but the pioneers called it Flagstaff after the make shift flag staff they made out of a tall tree in 1876.  Nested in the remains of a ancient volcano at a height of nearly 7,000 feet, a tent city was formed in 1881, and by the coming of the railroad in 1882, it was officially a town called Flagstaff. 

It is this dreamy little mountain town is where I have settled down for a time, as my husband attends college here.  Flagstaff is the home of NAU, as well as some small private colleges, like the one where my husband attends.  I love going downtown and shopping at all the unique shops, with bicycle shops and camping stores everywhere around town, and about as many antique shops to explore, I adore this town!

Snow...

Here I sit in the scared mountains surrounding Kinlinidi.  I have been snowed in all weekend, with over two feet of snow, and a horrid cold on top of that.  Ahh, such is the life of a steam gypsy.  Soon a friend should be able to rescue me and I can get out to get cold meds at last.  Ran out prior to the roads being good enough to get out.

I have been settled for nearly 8 months now, not traveling more that a weekends trip from home.  I am getting restless.  Even when I was a child, we traveled more than this.  But it looks like I might just get to graduate with my certificate this May, at least that is the goal.  Then some travel this summer, a job, and saving up for more traveling.  ^_^  With what my journey-task is, this should not be a surprise.

What is this about?

I am a wanderer, modern gypsy of sorts.  I am a steampunk, a follower of Jesus, and a missionary.  This blog is to tell the story of those travels, adventures, sorrows and joys from my honest view points.  I will also tell the history of areas, and many times use the local tribal names for locations within my blogs.  Photos, culture, and history for me is a given.  Also, great online shops, thrift stores and antique stores might find their way on to here, not because they ask me to, but because I adore them or something I found at them.


If you have any ideas or subjects you would like to see me post on, feel free comment here.

A new journey...

It seems that before me is a new journey, with new places and new faces to see and meet.  Kayenta, Deennihotso, Tuba City, Flagstaff, Gallup, Window Rock, Ft. Definace, and so many more... and that is just in Dine Bikeyah.  While my beloved commits himself to the training of the youth, shall I commit myself to raising awareness of the needs of natives in ministry?  What good will it be to train the youth, if all they can do once trained is sit and warm a pew?  Things have got to change...

Morria, who is she?

Morria the quiet one sitting in the shadows typing.  Just who is she?  Her name means "strong in bitter sorrow" or "dark queen", yet she knows not if she is either.  She knows more of the history of history and missions, than she does of sitting in a room conversing with others.  She is mixture of cultures; a stranger even among her friends...

She dwells in Kilinidi, on the western Mogollon Rim, in the San Franciscan Peaks, during the week, and in the shadow of Black Mesa on the edge of Monument Valley, come weekends.  No where is truly her home, though Dine Bikeyah, is more so than anywhere else has ever been.  There she can help others with the Love of Christ.

Morria is a writer, a thinker, and an artist.  Once she was a dreamer, but now she fears to dream...least they be dashed again.  Yet, a glimmer of a dream is creeping over the horizon; so may haps, dreams they shall awake again...

Just who is Morria?  That is a search...