moving on.

I haven't blogged in forever, so... Yeah. Anyways.
I've been thinking a lot about life lately. Mostly, because of the end of the school year, and all the changes that are happening suddenly. I don't like change. They don't understand why I don't want to be a Senior. Today was the last day of school for the class of 2012. I'm in the class of 2013. How did I ever get to be this old?


The worst part about this year, even though it was absolutely amazing, was that my camera broke before the school year started. I feel like a ton of awesome things have happened and the memories haven't been preserved at all. 


I feel like I'm ranting right now, but it's leading up to something.

So.. I didn't really realize this whole year that I have quite a few friends who are seniors and that they would be leaving at the end of the school year. It was a long school day Friday today, the seniors last day of school. Class got out and I was waiting for one of my best senior friends to come to her locker so I could say bye to her, until graduation, which is in a week. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks that this was her last day of high school and sort of the beginning of the end for me and I cried a lot for the next hour. 


I don't want to be a Senior. I don't want my friends to leave. I don't want things to change. They're great the way they are.


When I was younger I remember when my sister started to drive and I thought, wow! I wish I was old enough to drive! that would be the coolest! I wanted to grow up too quickly. And I did. And I wish that I had enjoyed life more when I was younger rather than always thinking things would be better in the future. Well, I do drive now, I am older, and even though I'm only 17, I feel like this school year has been the greatest time of my life. I don't want it to be over. What if next year isn't as good?


I guess the most important thing to remember is what God says to His people in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." I know from the past that things do eventually get bettter. So even though the road ahead looks rough I know that God will pull me through in the end, just like He always has.

The Kumari Project: Mission Trip 2013

As many of you may know, I attend Portland Adventist Academy. At PAA we do some things a little different, one thing that we do differently is that we have a 2 week spring break. "Not fair!", you say, well there is a special reason for this. Each year at PAA during spring break several mission trips are organized as a way that students can be a blessing to others during their breaks in stead of just staying home and sleeping in. Having two weeks off provides us the opportunity to go out of the country on mission trips that we wouldn't have time to do in just one week.

I really wanted to go on one of the mission trips this year. But on the day that I was supposed to have money for the mission trip I wanted to go on THIS spring break, God laid before me another opportunity.

On March 17-April 10, 2013, Mountain Leadership Institute has planned a mission trip to Nepal. Not only is this an opportunity to help the native people there but it is also a great opportunity to see and enjoy much of the natural and beautiful scenery in Nepal. The mission part of the trip, The Kumari Project, is going to be focusing on providing medical care and health education to the community. We will be teaching the kids the basics of hygiene and health and will be done in an interactive setting with games and pictures that will impact both my life and the lives of the children being taught. In the Kumari region the life expectancy isn't nearly as high as it is in the US mosty due to poor health education. To get to Kumari, we will travel by Land Cruisers for about six hours. This journey will take us through rice paddies, potato fields and rhododendron forests. This time of year, it is often, hot, smokey and humid with temperatures in the eighties to nineties and cooler in the evenings. Water and food will be provided.

The second part of the trip will consist of an 18 day trek to Everest Base Camp, and a summit attempt on Lobuche East. During this trek we will be learning more about Jagat, the man who envisioned bringing medical care and health education to the Kumari people, and how he went about doing this.

As you can imagine a trip to Nepal would cost a lot more than say, a trip to Central or South America. The total cost of the trip is going to be somewhere in the area of $5,000. The ideal goal right now would be for me to get around 100 people to donate $50. Any donations made for the Kumari Project will be tax deductible. 

The cost of this trip is expensive and much planning is needed in order to make this trip a success. As a result of this to reserve a place on the expedition $400 is needed by June 15, 2012. And the rest is needed by October 15, 2012. I know this all sounds like a lot of money but I can only make this trip a reality with YOUR help! If you can't afford to give $50, find a friend who would be willing to donate and split the sum, although ANY SIZE donation will be greatly appreciated, it all adds up.

Donations can be made directly to Mountain Leadership Institute and noted that they are for my fund.

online at: https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=%20711022664&vlrStratCode=V94OO9%2bvWYnyCpoXscXI6OKN2eSAGLxihucVrNgqJiTkemUYHH%2fsDpj4Xca6i%2beu

If you have any questions you may call/text or e-mail me at:

cell: 618-218-8001

e-mail: kimlass20@gmail.com

Thank you for your support and God bless you! :)

for more information visit: http://mountainleadershipinstitute.com/himalayan-expeditions/everesttrek/