big weekend. (katy perry's mom and more)

I feel like every post I write should just start with wow. You don't know how many times i've unconsciously wrote that and had to delete it over and over again;-) Anyways...

I met Katy Perry's mom. Definitely "one to go down in the books." I think half of her husbands sermon I was caught staring at her and her similarities to Katy Perry. Just think shorter hair... and a wrinklier neck. ;-) haha But seriously, very astounding the similarity. Mr. Perry (Hudson) held back tears the entire sermon as he encouraged parents who have children that don't believe. He concluded the sermon asking for prayer, knowing that, his daughter not only doesn't believe, but is leading thousands of people away from the church. He said how he sits on the stages watching her concerts, seeing all the people raising their hands and singing with his daughter as if they were in a church worship service. But then he is reminded by all the glitter and glam that it isn't God they are praising- it is his daughter.

 Idolatry.

Probably one of the saddest and most touching things I have ever heard.

I learned a lot of things that night.

Listen for Gods voice. In the midst of the sermon and the parents crying, God told me that this "divine" appointment with Katy's Parents wasn't for Holly's Music, it wasn't even to get a simple picture with them. Meeting those parents was all about them. About praying for them. I literally got antsy in my chair as I thought of how intimately close they are to affecting MILLIONS of people. And right there I realized that the pressure they must feel to save there daughter must be tremendous. So... pray for them if you have the chance. In my time speaking with them, I reminded them how many people are praying for them; that they would not give in to what is easy because in the end LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS... ALWAYS.

In the end, I spent about 8 minutes talking with the mom about about a bunch of random things (including holly's music), until she had to go back and take pictures again with all the peruvians who didn't speak english. It was a very surreal moment. And I learned that praying for Katy Perry here in my bedroom is equally as powerful as praying for her in a church with her very own parents.

We need to recognize that. Or at least I do... Prayer is powerful from wherever it may be, and whenever.

Here's a pic to enjoy. More to come in my video;-)

Blessings,

Lucas

Meeting Katy Perry's Dad...

If you've ever been generally near a radio the past couple years, or had any connection with electronics whatsoever, you may be familiar with the Pop Superstar named Katy Perry. Yes, I'm certain you have heard of her haha. Anyways, I met her dad tonight.

Through a friend of my mom, I was able to go a watch him preach at a church (basically a Spanish replica of Hillsong) close to my house. It was... interesting. To say the least, the music was incredible at the church. The speaking, well, I'll just say I don't understand a sermon that doesn't include a single reference to the Bible. A sermon that referred more to non-christian popstar and the ways she thinks than the ways God thinks. But anyways, nonetheless, Mr. Perry, real name Kieth Hudson, was there. And not only was he there, but I was there... happening to be the only gringo in the building. A perfect opportunity.

I started by speaking to the pastor. The conversation obviously shifted towards holly's music and me handing him a c.d. Before I knew it, Mr Perry was at our side asking me questions which led to him finding out we have mutual friends. Holly's manager is Jaci Valasquez's mom (also a christian/latin superstar). The whole thing ended with the pastor taking the c.d. and Mr. Perry giving me a good 'ole white man handshake and telling me to say hello to his friends for him.

I'm shooting more for charming his wife tomorrow. And by charming, I mean, trying to warm her up to Holly's music more ;-) haha. They will both be at the church tomorrow. I keep telling myself if my mom were here, she'd be taking them out to dinner within 5 seconds of meeting them haha. Nonetheless, God has placed me here and if a door will open, He will be the one doing it.

Anyways, finished the night getting to know a very cool church that is very excited in the possibility of having Holly sing there... following bands such as Hillsong and Leeland who just came this past June. How strange.

Anyways, in the end, the experience was very... strange but entirely awesome. One thing he did continue to push thought was praying for Katy Perry. With her divorce and everything falling apart, God is breaking down some wall in her life, and she will have to fill them with something. Lets just hope it is Christ. ;-)

ALSO! I read through my entire book last night. All the notes from all my friends and family wishing me well at my 6 month mark in peru. It really was special. Considering I read through the entire thing like 3 times until I fell asleep at like 3 in the morning. I just want to thank you all. I know we may not talk. I know we may not write. But I am still be affected and supported by you guys even when you don't know it. I hope you would feel the same from me. All I have to say, I will treasure those notes forever as I will treasure my friendships with each of you all forever. Thank you all for caring so much.

Blessings,

Lucas

someone slap me...

IT BEEN 6 MONTHS. I'm flipping out a little bit. I have lived in a foreign country for half a year now. Who would have thought that 6 little months could do so much in a persons life. I feel like I should do something incredible today... and I think I have.

I skyped with Holly as we talked through my 6th month mark... as she driving with the band through California. Here's a pic...

 And here's another one just for fun... Holly posted it on her twitter;-)

Anyways, beyond that... I have painting classes today as well as going to a MegaChurch for a youth group. This church hosted the amazing band Hillsong last year and this year... will be hosting KATY PERRY'S parents!!!!! In whom I am hoping to meet tomorrow. It will be very strange to think that the only gringo's in the building will be me, and Katy Perry's parents. They aren't coming to talk... just to watch... with some friend that goes to the church. And considering they don't speak spanish (and I do)... I don't think it will be too hard to get in to talk with them;-)

We shall see. Anyways, don't know if you guys know but my mom had a bunch of people write in a book for me before I left. Notes, greetings, goodbyes, drawings. You name it. Well, I promised I wouldn't open it until 6th months... and I have been faithful. So tonight, I might be up just a little bit longer ;-) haha.

In the meantime my lovely followers, I want to thank you for sticking in there with me these 6 months. It has definitely been a fun ride for me and I hope for you as well. Tomorrow begins the 2nd half of my exchange. What lies ahead, I have no idea. But I hope you will all continue on the journey with me. I have appreciated you comments, support, and prayers.

Even Holly has noticed how much support has gone out for me. Concluding in her conversation with me that more people read my blog than hers. ;-) haha I highly doubt that, but to make her feel just a welcome... here's her blog...www.hollystarrmusic.com/blog Love you Holly. Can't wait to show you all around.

Blessings,

Lucas

sing. sing. sing.

Wrote a song the other day. Thinking about putting it in my next video, but I'm not really sure. So here's some things going on in my life right now.

1) My parents are COMING with HOLLY from February 20-March 3. I stayed up last night till 3 am figuring out their trip. It's going to be so awesome. That's like less than a month away;-)

2) Gave Holly's C.D. to my host uncle tonight. Turns out he's a Christian and goes to a MEGA church (20,000 people) here in Peru. So, I think I'm going to church with him on Sunday to see about getting Holly to be able to sing a bit there;-)

3) Went to my Rotary meeting tonight and was the ONLY exchange student there. Very weird. Made me feel like I was at the end of my year and all the exchange students had already left.

4) I continually miss India as do all the exchange students. We recently received the new exchange student, Hedley, from Australia. He's very cool as well. He speak with a way thicker accent then India did and literally didn't even know words like "hola" or "gracias" before he came. Just said their is no Spanish at all where he lives.

5) Super tired. Went to bed at 3, left at 8 for my sound classes, got back at 1230 to eat lunch, went to the track to find probably the hardest workout of the year, and finally got home to take of to my rotary meeting at 9. Now I'm back, and almost collapsing at my computer. ;-) Shows you how dedicated I am to filling you all in. haha.

Still, I am so happy I have been given this opportunity to be down here. I try not to take advantage of the fact that I am always surrounded by beautiful striking buildings. By little kid street vendors who make you want to cry. By the sounds of 9 million people outside my window... but it is hard sometimes. This exchange has been so much more than learning a language, but learning a new way of life. Of learning patience. Love. Understanding. And all the rest of those glorious Fruits of the Spirit.

The lessons are all around you.

Blessings,

Lucas

dad stop talking!!!!

I decided to ignore telling you guys a dream I had two nights ago because it was so ridiculous... and then I had it again. When you are an exchange students, languages sometimes malfunction in a dream (or sometimes when your awake as well.) That goes to say, I had the pleasure of being swept into a dream last night and the night before of a business meeting. The culprits...

My dad (real) and one of the rotary club members here who happens to be a doctor.

Anyways, it was like a game show almost. As if the two each had rules how to talk. My dad (knowing almost no spanish) was only allowed to speak in my new second language (Spanish). The doctor (knowing almost no english) was pressured to only speak in my native tongue. It was VERY interesting to watch and honestly hilarious. Very strange... so wished it was real. I think my dad managed (in a very thick gringo accent) as much as hello and his name. The other guy just busted up laughing so hard that the dream just eventually ended there.

But in the end I was very proud of how my dad handled the situation... however awkward and impossible it may have been haha.

In other news;-) I went to my host grandma's house today and learned how to make an incredible almond cake. My host grandma has cancer in almost all of her body. She is one of the sweetest lady's ever and makes a toothpick look fat and today while the cake was in the oven... she tottered her way over to turn on the radio and asked me TO DANCE! Definitely a new move right. Dancing with an 89 year old grandma who has cancer. I would definitely say that she had better dance moves than me and i would also go to say that she still has the spirit of someone younger than me;-) It was awesome. Definitely a "crap how could I possibly have left my camera at home" moments;-)

Anyways, the cake turned out great. Oh, went to church today and for the first time felt like I actually knew the words to the songs (instead of just singing them in English). And after my date tonight with the grandma...;-) I got to talk with my sister camille through skype. She always knows how to get me thinking straight again;-) We also talked about when she is coming which almost got me so excited that I almost threw my computer. Almost.

Anyways, today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year. So happy new years!!!!

Blessings,

Lucas

beaching it;-)

so got back from the beach... again. I love peru. Go to the beach in the morning, run, swim, WATCH A SURF CONTEST, and come back to Lima by 2 in the afternoon to still have time with friends. I'd say it's  pretty much the best thing ever;-) But like I was saying... we went to the beach. For our training today we had to run up the SAND dune literally 20 times. It was incredible. Well, at least it was incredible after it was over. ;-)

By the time it was over, my sun tan mixed with sweat mixed with pounds of sand all combined to turn me into one very black man;-) I felt pretty good about that. Then we went, did a bajillion water exercises as I continually got pummeled by gigantic waves. Then I felt really stupid as I looked up from getting shoved down by a wave only to see 2 like 70 year old women gracefully taking on the ocean as well. Talk about a bit embarrassing. But hey, I'm a gringo... everything I do is embarrassing. ;-) The beach is called San Bartolo... and definitely a must see spot if you come to Peru. Here's some photos;-)

 Beautiful San Bartolo... or at least part of it.

 ;-)

 My house will probably look something like this one day haha.

 Little chinese dude fishing with just a long string... that was literally all. Don't know how he did it but He was successful. Beyond that, literally, are the professional fishermen in their wooden boats;-)

 More fisherman...

 My buddies. After we got done training. (Me, Jeka, Luis... order obvious;-)

 Me being ridiculous sportin my American Flag Swim trunks;-)

 Respect the Locals;-) thought it was cool.

Just a great random pic of my friends showing their Holly Starr pride;-)

Blessings,

Lucas

sink or swim.

so basically my sister is in this huge radio competition and last night she won the first round!!!;-) (against phil wickham!) Soo... if you are reading this right now... go online and vote for her!!!!! ;-) please.

http://goo.gl/FQg1p

 Blessings,

Lucas