The Case of the Wallet Napper

Some days you wake up, and life is awesome.

And then there are days when you wake up, and life sucks—and you can say “NO LIFE! THIS DAY IS GONNA ROCK” Because, I didn’t wake up and brush my teeth for this day to be anything but rad.

This beautiful morning in San Diego, I woke up at 6:30, made some coffee, and started journaling. I was interrupted by a frazzled Abby asking me to drive her to work. I ran to grab my wallet, but couldn’t find it anywhere. So, in an act of ‘just in case’ I checked my bank account.

Duh duh duhhhhhh.

Le bank account vas empty.

Well that’s unfortunate. Were my first thoughts I’m pretty sure.

And then I was presented with a choice.

1)   Call mom and freak out.

2)   Be an adult and handle it.

Long story short, I called my bank, and the DMV, and Mama Wats, and life goes on. But one incredible part of this whole ordeal is what a difference God makes in the choices we make. I could freak out and get upset because someone stole my money. Or I can remember, that Jesus gave everything for me; I can manage losing some money with grace.

After dropping Abby off at work I continued journaling, and I think I should share this specifically:

Thank you so much Father, that money is not my God—it will never care for me, it does not protect me, it does not provide for me. It is an abundance given from my King’s provision. And I thank you, that that is all it is!

To be real, the only downer on this day so far is that the wallet was a gift from the coolest big sister ever, it was one of those wallets that if you open it one way the straps look a certain way, but if you flip it the other way they change, and it was awesome.

So family, friends, if you’re wondering what I’m up to here, I’m learning about my Savior, volunteering, and losing wallets mostly.

God Bless,

Ris

SDSP Road Trip News!

Happy summer of 2014 everybody!

As many of you know, I am currently in San Freaking Diego! Why? For a missions project through Campus Crusade! Back in January I said goodbye to my home-body-self, and decided to apply to the 10-week trip to San Diego; where I would learn practical evangelism techniques, and what it looks like to live a life devoted to Christ.

I’ve been here for just over a week and already I’ve felt some big changes in my own heart.

I’m really bad about writing details after-the-fact, but I’ll start with the road-trip I took to get here:

I set off early in the morning on Saturday the 24^th of May, to meet up with the other three members of our caravan. Shortly after our trip began, voxer (walkie talkie app) was downloaded, and codenames were given.

Marissa’s car aka molly aka The White Stallion

Levi’s car aka The Black Pearl

Pez aka The Scorpion King

Levi aka The Bald Eagle turned Great Blue Heron

Marissa aka Ritzcracker (never have I been called ritzcracker since gaining the name)

Mirrya aka Mayonnaise

Our voyage began! On our first day we drove close to 12 or so (seemed like 80 to me) hours, past Denver to Grand Junction, CO. It was pretty awesome, like, I mean AWEsome, driving through the Rocky Mountains was incredible. Nothing makes you feel so small as standing next to a MOUNTAIN.

And then there was the time where once it got dark out, on winding mountain roads a flash snowstorm happened, that was terrifying. But the Lord definitely watched over us through it all, and we safely made it to our first stop. Which, btdubs, had NO continental breakfast (what is the point of a hotel without it!?)

On our second day we drove through Utah and part of Arizona. Utah was beautiful, and Arizona is a desert…like an actual desert…But ya know what’s in the desert!? It’s pretty…GRAND. We made a slight detour to visit that Grand ol’ Canyon; but first story time!

The tale of how Mirrya missed the Grand Canyon and all it’s Grandness:

The fair maiden Marissa lofted her delicate finger in the direction of a mountain range not far off, “My dearest Mirrya, be that the canyon we seek?”

“I am confident in my navigational abilities fair maiden Marissa, and do not need your help, so I shall heed not your excellent advice. Also, tis a canyon we seek, not mountainous ranges.”

“Since you are so wise, Maid Mirrya, I will heed your choice.” Answered the lovely Maid Marissa.

20 minutes later, as their carriage hurdled down the highway at an intense speed, Lady Mirrya speaks, “Uh oh”

“What is it?” Lovely fair and beautiful Marissa asks.

“I think I missed the turn-off” states Mirrya.

*retraces route to turn off of mountain range*

*where entrance to the Grand Canyon happens to be*

*where Marissa said it was in the first place*

And that is the tale of how Mirrya managed to miss the Grand Canyon, despite it’s being enormous. Be that as it may, we made it, and it was incredible.

The End.

Well, for that night anyway, the next day we made it to San Diego, and it’s pretty beautiful. I’m missing my big trees with lots of leaves and the smell of fresh cut grass. But the Ocean is amazing, I stood next to it once and it came up and touched me—we are not friends so far, but I have a couple more weeks to venture in!

I’m sorry this was pretty sporadic, but I’m hoping to update ya’ll some more soon. Thank you to all who’ve prayed and supported me thus far, keep the prayers coming, they are powerful!

Peace and Blessin’s,

Marissa

 Not impressed... (JUST KIDDING)