So I think this is it

Life is so busy I don't know if I can actually keep this show on the road. I mean the BLOG show. I must say it have been a pleasure seeing so many of you since I've been home. I've been home for almost 12 days now. WOW. But seriously if I were to really just to bow out gracefully I wouldn't be Scott. So I'm going to do it with a twist. Maybe some homework, maybe some food for thought, maybe a kick in the pants, maybe a moment of reflection, maybe a desire for berry cobbler, or maybe to become a cobbler.

I've learned so much from my trip(LIFE) that your going to have to read the full blog to really gain perspective on all the areas of growth in my life. The only thing that is a guarantee in all this is my life will never be the same. My life is forever changed and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've experienced the refuge of the Lord, I've experienced the protective hand of the Lord in may ways, I've experienced the Lord's will for my life, I've experience frustration, sadness, and an outpouring of PURE JOY.

It's a beautiful thing giving all my pressures and concerns to God, not having to touch or manipulate what will happen because it's all in his control. The protection part has multiple facets but the one that I feel is a real answer to pray, is my medical situation. I wasn't supposed to make it the full 4.5 months. With my medical history it was a leap of faith to only take down herbs and basic boosters. No Pharmaceuticals. Medically I've never been able to go this long without pharmaceuticals, last time I went this long without, I woke up and couldn't move one side of my body. Added to that I had a pickline in my arm for 2 month. Call that a leap of faith and proving the power of the Lord when we follow his guidance for our lives. He wasn't done shaping and molding me in Mexico and he wasn't going to let me run back home for a a disease that has haunted me for the last 11 years. An exciting new opportunity and calling from the lord has opened up since I've been home. I'm going to be teaming up with my Good friend David Knepprath and all the guys of Barberrian Villagers Just click the hyperlinks if these are 2 blogs perk your interest as I duck out of Blogging world. Life is full of frustrations, fear, sadness, anger, hurt, and joy. The trick I have found most helpful in the last 6 weeks has been "WHAT TYPE OF JOY TO I WANT TO BE EXPERIENCING" Whoa little complex that deserves a new paragraph.

What type of joy do I want to be experiencing. Could that be more obvious, AAHHH, GOOD JOY. I'd like a heaping plate of Joy with extra gravy. Yes and No. The sweet spot of Joy that I have found is becoming a threat and making the evil one get stress headaches from me searching out and fallowing God's plan for my life. The joy I am finding is when Satan is trying to crush me the most, because I know that is when I am right in the Center of God's will. When I am most in line with God, I give Satan the shakes and that is where I'm finding the most Joy. That is the joy that isn't just momentary, that is the joy that I can feeding from for weeks upon weeks. How sweet can it be to be in the center of the will of God. You should try it some time it will change you life for sure. Seriously chew on that one for a while. Your changing already aren't you. I can feel it, wow you are glowing with Joy. I can only imagine, the fear and nervous anxiety that your feeling. That fear is multiplied by the power of ten in the heart of the evil one as step out in faith to fallow the will of God.

This is the reflection and Berry Cobbler part of my final blog post. Where was I for the last 4 month. In Mexico. Correct, what was I doing in Mexico. Teaching, Coaching, Working, "Playing"(But just a little bit) The school I was teaching in is amazing. The unfortunate part about it is that it's not fully funded right now. Money is just as tight down there as it is up here. The director's sallary is actually paid for by a guy who lives in the states. Thing are tight in every ones pockets but they provide an excellent and a christian based education to a 60 kids in the area. About 6 actually ride a taxi 45 minutes every day to get to school on time 7:00. The school was ranked 6th in it's last state wide exams. That isn't a number game, like only 7 schools were involved in the test. Hundreds of schools in the STATE had to take these exams. The sad thing is Ometepec isn't as wealthy an area like Acapulco. So the school can't charge high prices for a high quality Christian education. Almost 95% of the student receive a discount or scholarship. To help minimize the financial stain. If the school didn't give out scholarships they would be completely funded. But with the final situation of the area it's not possible So keep this in mind. 25 bucks sends a kid to school for a month and lessen the financial burden on the school. Plus this help the school because they are able to pay the teachers salaries. Talk about a win, win. Kids get a great education, the school is a beacon of Christian morals in a Catholic driven culture(Some kids in the school are Catholic and parents don't care if there kids take a bible class every week because their kids have an advantage in their future), teachers and the director of the school get paid, the school building is used for multiple outreach events and purified water.

Here aer some other web sights that might keep your brain clicking and maybe motivate you to get involved

Donations to the school in Mexico

The blog of the missionary family I stayed with

So Check out the blogs above if your interested. If you have any questions call me on my cell. 5039264321. Keep the challenging yourself to grow and try everything you can to get in the center of God's will for you life.

Scott Ekstrom

We'll I'm back and I wonder if I should keep doing this blogger thing. It's a lot of work so I think I'm just going to test the waters and try it out for at least December. I have gotten some encouraging words from everyone and how much they have enjoyed the blog. I'll try to keep you up on the happenings of life. But I don't know waht more I can say. I"m doing my best to adjust back into American living. I am finding great joy in not having to live by water conservation habits. I can flush the toilet after I go to the bathroom. I don't have to put my toilet paper in the waste basket next to the toilet. I don't need to drive so defensively because I don't have stray kids, dogs, or pigs in the road. I don't have to drive on the other side of the road because the both sides of the road are drivable. I don't have to sleep with a fan on my face to keep the bugs and mosquitos away. Even better is now I get to sleep with 5 sheets instead of one paper thin sheet. Mostly because I'm freezing and need 5 sheets to stay warm. But also I am sleeping in "MY" bed and I don't much more I slept with a beanie on the first night to stay warm. But warm and toasty is better than hot, sweaty, and sticking to my sheets. It's great to be back.

I will try to post a couple pictures tomorrow but for now I will just be posting one more little story. What is the first thing any normal person wants to do when they get back after a 4 month vacation to Mexico. EAT >>>>>>>>>>>>> WRONG. Get a haircut and a wax. Yup those eyebrows have a tendency to get a little out of control, and I didn't have enough faith in my spanish to risk getting a bad haircut in Mexico. I didn't have enough faith in the family I was living with to translate either. After all I loved playing games and tricks on them what would stop them from playing a mean trick on me. Exactly, I am so much smarter than that. I touched down December 9th at 10:35 P.M. what was I doing at 10:36 A.M. the next day. Walking in to my favorite hair salon in Gresham and getting my haircut. I don't 10:36 seems like a strange time to be walking in but that was because I was later for my appointment. I forgot that I was in the states and people usually show up to appointments on time. That will be a big adjustment.


Life is full of new and exciting relationships that are being re-energized and I love sharing all the stories and adventures of Mexico. Although I'm spending a lot of time with family and close friends I'd love to talk to anyone of you. I'm starting work tomorrow because I'm getting the itch and I want to get started and start talking spanish. How excited am I.


Scott Ekstrom

Pastel de Tres Leche

Did you really think I would not get another post of me without my shirt on. Sorry mom you "son" knows better and you taught him better.
I took a quick bath in the drinking fountain after all was said and done. If you read my blog post from back in September you may remember one about me saying they shove peoples faces in cake. They call it a (Mordita) Which is a little bit. Everytime the person goes down for that little bite they get more cake than a little bite. I promised myself 4 months ago that I would not get a mordita. Guess I shouldn't make those types of promises to myself. I guess you can never really plan for the future.

More pictures I'll have to explain later

How about some more pictures

I spy a Boli.

I spy a Boli
She says both of these pictures of her are of her smiling but I'm not convinced. I think people down here have a different perspective of what is a "SMILE"
.

Can I just say I can pop that thing out.
These are the guys that had after school detention.
This is apparently how you flirt with girls in Mexico. You lean against a post and eat a boli. A boli is shaved flovored ice that is in a plastic baggy. Very popular with the kiddies.
If you have any questions about my pictures don't hesitate to comments I will try to answer them before I leave or in person when I get home

Kinda had a crazy hair night my last night at church

I have to some time tonight I guess

Here are some more pictures I've dug up out of the archives. These are mainly November activities like Soccer, Eye Doctor Group, and a Church Party

Some more pictures for your enjoyment