Hub Camp 2019

Praise Jesus for a successful Hub Camp 2019!

Though I’d only officially been in Texas a few weeks I decided to take the leap and sign up to be a Hub Camp leader for the Valley Creek Church youth group. I honestly thought I would be the one pouring out into these 6th grade girls’ lives, but never expected them to pour truth into me.

It all started when I watched Ethan, a 6th grade boy complete this high ropes obstacle course fondly called, “Stairway to Heaven.” My heart was pounding as I cheered for him and watched him complete the course. I knew I needed to face my own fear of heights once again and overcome it; I needed to show my 6th grade girls’ that Jesus is their overcomer.

So I ran back to the cabin and yelled out, “Who wants to come see me overcome a fear?” A small group of my 6th grade girls and one leader set out to be my cheering squad for my turn on the Stairway to Heaven. I was nervous to say the least but was determined more than ever to finish the course.

As I began my climb up the pole to the first platform, I pulled my way up using the spokes poking out of the pole and one of the spokes broke off just as I stepped on it. I bear hugged the pole for dear life. OMG. Was I really doing this? My trusted belayer reassured me that that wasn’t supposed to happen and that he would make sure I was safe the rest of the course.

My insides wanted to explode. I felt nauseaus. “Stop it,” I told my body. “Calm down, you just jumped out of plane a few months ago, this is no big deal. Remember, Jesus is with you.”

I began the bear crawl up the slanted rope ladder with metal rungs. Okay, one foot, one hand, one foot, one hand. I tried to breathe, but a third of the way up, my legs started shaking, and the rope ladder started swaying along with the vibrations of my legs. “Jesus!” I declared the only name I knew could banish my fear and doubt. Suddenly, I heard my cheering squad from below:

“L-A-URA-Laura is brave today!” The voices of these precious 6th grade girls reached my ears, and I looked down at them waving and cheering for me to keep going. I felt tears in my eyes. Wow. Last night’s service was focused on how Jesus was our freedom, and we could defeat the lies that held us back from following Him and walking in our purpose. Wasn’t fear a lie? 

With every cheer from my girls, I felt Jesus take away my fear and replace it with holy confidence. “L-A-URA-Laura is brave today!” I started to redefine my identity.

Still stranded on the rope ladder, I forced myself to keep going with the same confidence, declaring Jesus’ name as I went. My 6th grade girls kept cheering. The ladder felt like it went on forever, then I heard them yell, “You’re almost there!” One hand, one foot, one hand, one foot. Slowly I made my way to my first platform. I wanted to burst. I screamed for joy and my cheering squad screamed with me. 

But I wasn’t finished. This course was something out of American Ninja Warrior or something, because following the endless rope ladder, there was a log you had to cross, then a suspension bridge with uneven boards. I held onto the belaying rope above me and tried to find my center of gravity. The log was round, and you had to do a tightrope style walk in order to keep your body centered on the log. I was uncertain, but I knew I had to be obedient and keep moving forward. I needed to show these girls that Jesus could help them even in uncertain situations. 

As I thought about them, the cheering squad from below yelled out my favorite verse in fearful situations, “There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out all fear.” (1 John 4:18a)

I was so encouraged by hearing those words, and especially by hearing those words being recited by my 6th graders! Bolstered by these truths, I made my way rapidly across the log section and found rest on the next platform. Just a little bit more!

We cheered together again, and, having found my center of gravity as well as remembered those truths in Jesus during the log part, the last section wasn’t as difficult as I imagined it to be. I just focused on those truths, internalized the girl’s cheers, held onto the rope above me, and focused my steps on the uneven planks. In only a few minutes, I was standing on the final platform, the one that would lead to the victorious zipline descent from the top of the climbing wall. 

Adrenaline coursed through my body as I stepped onto the platform, and I screamed, “Praise Jesus!” Then I turned to my faithful cheering squad of 6th grade girls, and thanked them profusely. It was truly their presence and specific cheers full of truth from Jesus that got me through the Stairway to Heaven challenge. 

Afterward, one of my girls ran up to me, “You know Jesus is kind of like that rope you were holding onto. He’s all you got, so you have to hold on tight!”

And I have to agree, these girls reminded me of many important truths during this challenge:

1. Hold onto Jesus like He’s the only thing you’ve got!
2. Declare your true identity over your fears: I am brave. I am God’s daughter. I am loved. I am never alone.
3. Your cheers and encouragement can mean more than you realize, and your words just might be what they need to keep on running the race.
4. You never know what impact your example will have, whether it’s your willingness to be obedient and step out in faith or your willingness to walk in truth and confidence even when you don’t know what the future will hold. Several of my girls went on to not only complete the Stairway to Heaven challenge, but conquer their fears in Jesus’ name!

Other major highlights of the week:

-Getting to serve with my husband, Jovanni; even though we were with our different teams most of the time, we were able to find each other occasionally and swap mind-blowing God stories

-Watching girls who didn’t know each other at the beginning of the week, become close friends and pray/encourage each other specifically throughout the week

-Themes: Jesus is our forgiveness. Jesus is our friend. Jesus is freedom. Jesus is our future. 

-Having our girls ask us to get up early and watch the sunrise and spend time with Jesus

-Cheering the Blue Magellan team on during all the team games and being creative together 

-10 of our girls asked Jesus to be their Savior or rededicated their lives to Jesus and 8 want to be baptized in the fall!

-Many truths spoken over our girls and watching them be Generation Hope to each other!

A Life of Legacy

Some of you know that my life-long hero, my Grandpa Hall, went to be with Jesus this past February. Bob Hall was someone I greatly admired: because of his zeal to share the gospel with everyone and his childlike faith that God would always provide.

My family waited until I was home to hold a memorial service for my Grandpa down in Pomona, California, where he grew up. My mom read his life story, my dad gave a message, relatives and his close friends shared memories, and we sang my Grandpa's favorite hymns together.

I shared a poem I had modified, originally written for my Grandpa's 80th birthday. The poem references many phrases my Grandpa would say, as he was extremely witty and had an extraordinary memory. My life's circle include many similar steps as my Grandfather: both graduating from Westmont College, both attending language school at ILE (Instituto de Lenguas Espanolas) in San Jose, Costa Rica, and both serving as missionaries in Panama City, Panama. His legacy lives on.

A Poem for Grandpa Hall, by Laura Diaz Ortega

Full of years you contemplate

And impart this sweet music

Of wisdom, words that resonate

With life I want to mimic

Relying on God, firm tower, your rock

Strong in His power you stand

You can say “That was easy,” and walk

Knowing your life’s in His hands

A long journey of sacrifice

Countries crossed over the decades

Humbly point to Heaven’s sight

Where the heart’s treasure never fades

The crown of splendor you wear

Is not faded gray, but bright white

Through the trials and sorrows you bear

You shine before men as God’s light

Now you experience His glory divine

His providence seen many ways

Praising His name, “Hooray for our side!”

Serving Yahweh all your days

Summer 2017

This was the first summer in many years where it was pure relaxation and time with family. In previous years, I've been traveling, working on my masters, studying for tests or most recently wedding planning. But this summer I truly was blessed with a breather.

A chance to read, relax, play flute, travel with family, and step away from my busy life in Panama. I just finished my first year teaching at Balboa Academy in Panama City, Panama. Teaching in my passion area of world history (ancient to modern) and learning new skills with teaching AP World History for the first time, I had so much fun in my job this year! From planning a Medieval Fair with my freshmen, to sponsoring the Model UN debate club and getting to chaperone a field trip to the Netherlands/Belgium, I felt incredibly spoiled in my new position.

On top of that, entering the adventure of marriage with Jovanni Ortega on December 18, 2016, was another incredible experience. In just a few days we'll celebrate our 7 month anniversary as a newlywed couple, and I cannot believe how the time has flown by. We've grown so much since the first month and have been able to serve together in ministry to the young adults and teenagers in our local church. Marriage has exceeded my expectations, as I have the most patient, loving and creative husband who models for me the daily choice of serving the other person first. My (and your) prayers have been exceedingly met and Jovanni and I pray together about what the future may hold. But I will tell you that I have profound peace knowing we have submitted everything to the Lord first. The Lord is the Master Planner, and we can reflect on the astounding ways He's provided in the past.

One mind-blowing experience I was gifted this summer was getting to walk along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We took an entertaining train ride into the canyon, complete with a French man leading sing along songs on the banjo and a simulated armed robbery, but the train ride was nothing compared to what we would witness once arriving at the Canyon.

We walked up the stairs from the train stop and I froze for a second. Here we were. Grand Canyon, Arizona. One of my bucket list dreams.

It was expansive, to say the least, and the colors were so many varieties of red and brown as they were exposed through time into the valley, that it looked almost like a fake Hollywood backdrop. But, no, it was real, and we were standing near the edge.

My husband took my hand and led me along the South Rim "Walk Through Time" hike. My head ached and my stomach wasn't too happy either--Was it the altitude or the heat? Was I nervous walking the rim or dehydrated from lack of water? I didn't know, but I had to sit and rest at one point. I breathed deeply as I crouched down in the shade. I looked out at the immense canyon, this masterpiece, and tried to think grateful thoughts. Here I was not only getting to fulfill an item on my bucket list, but also getting to walk hand in hand with my husband and getting to share the experience with my Mom, Dad, brother and sister in law, who all took time out of their schedules to make this family trip a reality.

I asked God for humility. Who was I to take this experience for granted? How often do we miss out on the beauty and people around us because we ourselves are uncomfortable or we're preoccupied with our own worries?

I stood up and chose to treasure the moments on the hike. To smile more and stop complaining. To give thanks. To be humble. To be still.

My husband kept an optimistic attitude the whole time, and served as an inspiration to me. He sang to me and twirled me as we walked. He caught my arm when my heel slipped off the path and my heart beat twice as fast. I looked into his loving eyes and saw the heart of Jesus reflected in them, in his life; serving others before himself and always living present and ready to obey God's direction.

Jovanni led me to a different lookout point of the Rim. The Canyon walls were a deeper red color and you could even see part of the river below. I saw a sign posted on the entrance to the gift shop nearby that made me pause and reflect:

I love the word manifold. It means "many and various," which perfectly describes the variety of color and life displayed in the Grand Canyon. The Bible talks about how nature declares the praises of the Creator; how if men stopped praising God, the stones would start to cry out! I always thought that was a funny image, but now I can picture it.

The beauty of this place makes an impact on everyone who visits. But it's not the beauty itself, but the grandeur, the immensity, the stillness and timelessness of the place that draws people in. This place that invites people to sit down, reflect, and listen, because if you listen close enough, you can hear the canyon singing.

Psalm 19: 1-3

1The heavens declare the glory of God,

   and the skies announce what his hands have made.

2 Day after day they tell the story;

   night after night they tell it again.

3 They have no speech or words;

   they have no voice to be heard.

4 But their message goes out through all the world;

   their words go everywhere on earth.

Photo Credit: TreCreative

Wedding Day

Photo Credit: TreCreative 
(aka: my amazing brother and sister-in-law)


Link to official WEDDING VIDEO produced by TreCreative

Wedding Credits:
Our wedding website with our story

Photo and Video: The Trecreative Team: Stephen and Chelsey, joined by photographers Brittney and Caleb
Dress: Always Elegant Bridal
Earrings: Clarice Aleman de Garcia

Decoration: Mynt Eventos

Audio/Visual and Decoration: The Ten Tu Evento Team: Luis, Juan, and Veni Cabareda, and Jovanni Ortega

Catering: Ruben Tribaldos

Cake/Dessert table: ilimoncake and Franybek Rojas

DJ: Vox Sonido, Gerry Gonzalez
Photo Booth: Go Media

Translator: Eduardo Garcia

Hotel for the bridal party:  Hotel Riu Panama

Site: Panama Viejo
Personalized tumblers: Titi @faithstore.pty

It was the best day of my life, and I think it will remain the best day of my life forever.

It was a day of dreaming, a day of preparation, a day of collaboration, a day of celebration. It was a day where your heart is brimming and your soul is smiling, and you try to cup every minute in your hands to save for later. It was the day I said “I do” to Jovanni Jose Ortega.

A day much believed in and prayed for.

A day filled with miracles and surprises.

A day when even I wanted to dance--the joy was too great to stay still.

Miracle #1:

It did not rain during the wedding.

You have to understand--we live in Panama. Panama is tropical, and it rains everyday except during dry season Dec-March when it doesn’t rain at all.

Well this particular dry season, it was raining, and, in fact, downpouring the first half of December. Planning an outside wedding in Panama Viejo, we circled that day in prayer. Please Jesus, don’t let it rain during the wedding day.

We prayed and prayed. Our church prayed. My parents’ church prayed. Complete strangers prayed.

And God answered!

There was a little sprinkling the morning of the wedding day during set-up, and then it didn’t rain the rest of the day! In fact, praise God, it was a gorgeous evening, complete with a breeze that cooled off the bridal party after our sunny mid-afternoon photo shoot. The skies were clear and the colors of the sunset radiant as our hanging decoration lights flickered on and we shared our first kiss as husband and wife.

photo credit: Go Media

Miracle #2

My Dad’s voice came back!

My Dad is a pastor, and I’ve always dreamed about him walking me down the aisle to give me away and then turning around and leading my wedding ceremony.  This dream was almost shattered when, my Dad, who never gets sick, woke up the day after he arrived in Panama with a gravelly voice and sore throat. He was losing his voice and could barely speak. I looked at him in disbelief: The wedding was just one day away!

My wise fiance prescribed him to gargle lime with vinegar and salt, and we all prayed. Restore his voice, Lord.

The rehearsal dinner came, and I had to lead the rehearsal while my Dad rested his voice. It was strange for some of my friends to meet him for the first time and not hear his deep voice, a huge part of his personality and difficult on him too.

We continued to pray, and everyone rested on Saturday night.

Sunday morning, the day of the wedding, I awoke early to prepare for the makeup/hair artists to arrive. My mom came by to check on me first. “How’s Dad?” was the first question I asked.

My mom reached out and took my hand. She smiled. “It’s a miracle. His voice is back!”

Praise the Lord my Dad was able to walk me down the aisle, give me to Jovanni, and perform the half hour ceremony all with his strong voice and not even needing to pause to cough or clear his throat.

I couldn’t believe it! God completely restored his voice and fulfilled my childhood dream.

Surprise #1:

When I arrived to the venue, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was better than I could have ever dreamed. My carefully printed Pinterest ideas were brought to life in every single detail. From the lanterns and mason jars to the gorgeous arrangement of delicate pink and white bouquets by Mynt Eventos, to the handmade signs with scripture on them designed by Veni, Jova and Linda, to the perfectly arranged flower arch (Mynt Eventos) at the front of the stage, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of it all and so incredibly thankful to the team that put it all together.

Credits:

Photo and Video: The Trecreative Team: Stephen and Chelsey, joined by their team Brittney and Caleb

Decoration: Mynt Eventos

Audio/Visual and Decoration: The Ten Tu Evento Team: Luis, Juan, and Veni Cabareda, and Jovanni Ortega

Catering: Ruben Tribaldos

Cake/Dessert table: ilimoncake and Franybek Rojas

DJ: Vox Sonido, Gerry Gonzalez

Translator: Eduardo Garcia

Hotel for the bridal party:  Hotel Riu Panama

Site: Panama Viejo
Personalized tumblers: Titi @faithstorepty

The paella turned out fantastic, and there was more than enough to feed our guests! Ruben explained that “Everything will be done in love.” And we saw that so evident in the reception, as each guest was served the most delicious food and each person was taken care of by his incredible staff.

The dessert table was a vision in itself with a four-layer “naked cake”, resting on a beautifully decorated table with layers of different delicacies: mini pies, cupcakes, and even mini orejas.

Each table was decorated differently, but followed the rustic style I had described to Carlos Obaldia at Mynt Events.

Ten Tu Evento’s sound and audio worked flawlessly as they provided hands-free microphones, spotlights for the band and bridal party, and gorgeous lights illuminating the ruins. Gerry the DJ played all my requests, plus some that fit my preferences as well. Perfectly timed music and well in tune with the crowd.

As evening descended, the bulbs strung above came on and Ten Tu Evento lit up the ruins with purple and pink lights that created a sense of magic in the air.

After our first dance, there was another surprise, as Luis had prepared a live band made up of our talented church friends to sing our favorite songs. I love live music, and I was overjoyed to be dancing with Jovanni to this gorgeous music created by our dear friends: Maritzel, Angel, Max. Thanks Luis!

The surprises kept coming as Ten Tu Evento (Luis) projected our names on the back wall behind the dessert table and “happily ever after” on the outside walls.

I was floored. The collaborators had come together to create a masterpiece wedding. A setting that fit Jovanni and I so perfectly.

The best man and matron of honor speeches during dinner almost made me cry. Pastor Nelson arrived just in time to pray over us, and my brother and sister in law were there to capture it all.

Surprise #2:

One of Jovanni and I’s biggest prayers for the wedding was asking for God’s presence in that place.

And He was there.

I noticed Jesus in big ways as the bridal party prayed over us and as my dad challenged us with scripture, that our marriage would be a reflection of the gospel. I saw Jesus in the hugs and wishes we received from friends from both our church family in Panama and friends who traveled far to be a part of celebrating with us (Kelly, Audra, Bill & Melodie, Chelsey & Stephen, Julie and Casey, Mami!). I saw Jesus as I told Jovanni to turn around for our “First Look” before the ceremony, and we both cried from amazement and awe of the beauty of two becoming one.

I saw Jesus as I walked down the aisle to “Ever Be” by Kalley Heiligenthal, looking into Jovanni’s eyes and reflecting how we were preparing each other for Heaven.

I saw Jesus when the bridal party held a spray-painted hula-hoop around the two of us and prayed specific prayers over our marriage and new life together. We claimed God’s goodness and promises for our future family and worshipped him as a couple.

In that moment, with the bridal party praying around us, and the song “En Tu Presencia” playing, a tear of utter gratitude leaked out of my squeezed eyelids, and I looked heavenward.

My soul prayed, “Jesus, how do I deserve this?”

He responded gently and truthfully, “You don’t. But I love you, and I know the desires of your heart. Trust me.”

I looked down at my fingers, interlocked with the fingers of my now husband, and slowly raised my eyes to look at Jovanni. His eyes were closed, praying, worshipping with all his heart, lost in the adoration of Jesus. This is the man who will lead me, the man who will father my children and teach our family to be more like Jesus. A man worthy to be respected and looked to. A man who daily recognizes God’s presence, no matter the situation. A man I deeply love.

I looked heavenward again. When we had invited the Lord to be present at our wedding ceremony, we were unaware how much He would make himself evident, how much he would open our eyes to see him, in every detail, in every moment, in every person.

“Thank you, Jesus.

You are here.”