Good Memories: True Missionary Confessions

This is a video of three of us on a bus in Asia late '05. We were coming back from the beach and waiting for the bus to fill up and take us back to the capital. The food vendors kept bugging us to buy food (I think we sat there waiting for well over an hour or two). G had the great idea to convince them we were really into the karaoke that was playing on the screen in the front of the bus. So, what did they do? They decided to sit down and join us in some singing. Then, when other vendors boarded the bus they told them they were blocking our view and we were all singing together. Gotta love it.

The Big Day: Tomorrow

Tomorrow is MOVING DAY!!! I move into my little efficiency! Grab the soap and let me scrub my new Ikea dishes. (and the fabulous shower curtain I found at Big Lots)

An Amazing Night...

Since moving to my new town I've been looking at church websites online and praying about where I should visit my first Sunday here. While looking for a church I happened to find a nation-wide reformed university fellowship which has a local meeting near where I'll be living. Listening to the online messages and music I really felt like I should check it out (though hesitant to join a college group where everyone would be younger than me). All day I wrestled with whether or not I should go to the Wednesday night study. As I maneuvered through the crazy university campus (or "mini-city) I figured if I got lost maybe I'd just be so late I wouldn't have to go. I tend to like my hermit status, but know God is often nudging me to reach out.

I arrived right on time and walked right into the campus intern who had e-mailed back and forth with me. They sing old hymns with updated tunes and they included some of my most favorites. As the sounds of the violin and guitars intertwined I suddenly felt so at home even though I knew no one in the room. And this was just the worship! Another reason I almost didn't go was the semester topic. They normally go through a book of the Bible, but wouldn't you know that they were going to pause it and do a topical study on Dating, Sex & Marriage! I mean growing up in chuch WHAT SERMON HAVEN'T I heard on this? I had visions of little 18 year-olds jumping for joy.

Once again I was surprised and God used the message to hit me deep inside. As I've moved out on my own I've had to search the Scriptures more for myself in the last few years. In the religious movement in which we were involved I had a full stack of verses for each subject and 13-step answers. However, I realize that it was often taken out of context or out of the spirit of the passage. For almost 7 years I was constantly being taught in this movement that you should delay dating/relationships/marriage as long as possible (if ever).

But as we were searching the Scriptures and I was referring back to other sermons I've studied recently, I'm not sure that's God's design. It appears from Genesis that God's design was for the man and woman to be together. Before the Fall, the time God said it was "not good" was when the man was alone. What we have now is a generation jaded with the idea after seeing little hope even in a Christian marriage.

Ok, so this is not new to most people, but it seems new to me. There was something so deep in the message that it's hard to describe. What also hit me was how I need to reach out in a variety of relationships. Fellowship in many aspects is a theme of the Scripture.

Maybe you just had to be there....

Fun With Chemistry

I haven't enjoyed a class this much in a LONG time. After having a crazy science teacher this summer, I learned to check them out on RateMyProfessor. So, even though I was starting school over a thousand miles away, I could get recommendations. My chem professor is a hilarious, enthusiastic, little Chinese man. Chemistry is one of my worst subjects, so I was really scared about taking a more advanced class. However, after one period I was actually excited and thinking that this time maybe it WILL sink in.

Some of you from large universities will probably laugh, but at 100 students, this is the biggest class I've ever attended. Seats are assigned and I'm stuck in the 2nd to the last row. Behind me is a quiet sulky guy that never says a word or moves from his slouched position. On my left is a friendly girl who spend time texting on her phone. On my right is an odd fellow who throws out the random comments. (Ok, so what guy really asks a girls blood type when getting ready to ask her out?!? I mean it's one thing if you are a bored midwife wondering if you're going to have to take Rhogam one day, but what does some random skin head in Texas care?)

First Day of School...AGAIN

Tomorrow I start yet another semester at another school to finish up my pre-reqs. It feels like a whole different world down here...people talk to you...no one has honked at me. I still laugh at the some-what cheezy homemade signs for the school dance (tomorrow) that are posted. I assume its not classical ballroom, so no I'm not going.

Here's to the pursuit of higher education! (and all its widing twists down unexpected country roads)

Adventures With Georgia Part 3

Post your idea of what happened!

You Know You're in Oklahoma When...

...you get stung by a scorpion. Yes, I am now a proud owner of the "I Survived A Scorpion Sting" badge of honor. The event took place last night about 1am. I thought there was a bug on me so I tried to flick it off. Suddenly I felt this sharp pain just below my scapula.

Georgia Leads Me Astray...Again

This weekend I made the treck up to Oklahoma to visit Georgia before she goes back to her beloved tribal home country.

Getting our kicks on route 66...yep, that's us under the sign. Georgia you got like 3 inches of air that take. We just finished a big night of shopping at the local Walmart.

The first round of drinks at Sonic...

And then the inspiration for the title of this post. =))

On A Serious Note

It's 1 am and I'm wide awake. I grabbed some water and a snack and decided it was time to post something serious.

This year I've been going through a new version of the Bible and enjoying the freshness of discovering things when they are put in a new way (ESV). Just before I left MI I was in Hebrews 11 and was struck by the description of Abraham and Sarah. While their move was probably a little bit more significan than mine (no cell phones or email), I am still inspired by their faith. Abraham went to a land he didn't know and it was all a part of the inheritance God had for him. (10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.) Sarah recieved power to concieve even when she was past age and trusted God was faithful.(hmmm maybe God's not finished with me yet)

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

So, the little things are just a little piece of the plan...right? I can get flustered with red tape when applying for jobs and start to worry I won't find something OR I can remind myself that this is all a part of God's plan and he sees what's ahead. The question that hits me is "how did I live my life this week...did it reflect the fact that I'm looking beyond just this temporary home?"

I Am Normally Against Bobble-Heads...

But this one caught my eye...







Coming September 12...only what, 18 days from now...

Don’t Believe Everything In the Movies

I remember talking to Asians about America and how not everyone lived in houses like those pictured in the movies. At time it was frustrating when people overseas just assumed the movies portrayed all Americans. (Especially that random guy in the elevator of the 5-star hotel who leaned over to me in perfect English saying “Kiss me”) My conversations always assumed I never believed what I saw. =0)) It was not until I followed much of the route from the movie Elizabethtown, that I had opportunity to laugh at my own gullibility.

I had driven much of the route pictured on the road trip before and I had no reason to doubt. The way the town of Elizabethtown, KY was portrayed to me in the movie was that of just one of those old tiny cities tucked away. Imagine my surprise when, just after the big highway exit sign, I found multiple fast-food restaurants, mega-pharmacies, supermarkets, and random sprinklings of commercial office buildings. Sure, there were signs to a historical district, but the exit looked just like many other bustling exits on the highway. Why didn’t Orlando Bloom stay at his choice of one of the hotels that resembled motel-6 just down from the MASSIVE visitors center. Hmmm...maybe I need to watch it again to see if this was just my perception.

My Ship Has Landed

I've been moving about every 6 months or less for the last three years. Living out of a suitcase has become second nature as I have traveled to so many states. Arriving in my new city just feels like another stop on a road trip. After enjoying 2 nights with Charity I moved further west. I won't have my appartment for another 10 days, so I will be crashing with Andrea and her roommate. (with a little trip to visit Georgia in there). School starts next Tuesday, so I'll be running around getting ready and applying for jobs. Crazy to think this is "home" now...well who knows maybe in 6 months....nah

Wide Open Spaces

Well friends, I'm about to head to bed so I can get an early start tomorrow. I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have until next week, but you can be sure I will chronicle my experiences driving to the southern plains. Please keep me in your prayers! Thanks to Sarah I have a new "wind in your hair" driving mix. =0))

BTW...if anyone can tell me how Michael got his foot burned in a George Forman Grill and Dwight got a concussion I'd be quite grateful. I came in late and missed the first minutes. (thankfully the DVD for season II is coming out soon!)

NARM Day

Today is the semi-annual day for midwives around the US to take the 8-hour written portion of their certification exam. Please keep them in your prayers. We need some more rockstar global midwives. Here's a short list of people I know that will be taking it all day.

Sorani, Patrica, Heather, Christy, Leah, Katie, Liss, Sarah

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Reset the countdown clock...3 days!!!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...where's that paper bag

Parents and the Stress of Saying Goodbye Again

Mom deals with saying goodbye by:
Going to Walmart to make sure my tool box is stocked, getting a list for Office Max so I have school supplies, making trips to 7-11 for slurpees, and making me promise I will not be cheap about my personal health care and see a doctor if necessary.

Dad deals with saying goodbye by:
Wailing loudly in the foyer of Ikea, "My baby's leaving me...she's going without me" While concerned passers-by stare at me.

"Nobody can force a single soul...to turn to Christ. All that [we]...can do, is to lift up Christ before the world, bring Him into dingy corners and dark places of the earth where He is unknown, introduce Him to strangers, talk about Him to everybody, and live so closely with and in Him that others may see that there really is such a Person as Jesus..."

Elizabeth "Betty" Stam 1906-1934
(Missionary to China, both she and her husband were killed)

Hark! A Silver Lining?

What? Could this be true? Could I be having a moment of optimism? Could it be that I got an offer of a job interview and confirmation of my lease with a wood floor not on the ground floor all within minutes of each other? (Just a few hours after Dad told me he got a job)

We won't discuss the fact that I locked my keys in my car far from home this morning.

COMMITMENT

My team of friends, especially Andrea, have recieved quite a few calls from me recently midly freaking out asking, "should I do it?...are you sure your plans are set?...does it sound like a good thing? But now the lease agreement is in the office. AHHHHHHHHH! A real bonified contract! Yesterday I was out looking for a woven bamboo mat. Just seems appropriate after living in Asia to make sure I have the necessities like a mat and a few pillows until I can save up and go to Ikea or fish some treasure out of the trash and reupholster it.

2 weeks...time has sure flown by this last week!

Baby Kate

I spent the weekend at my friends house after they came home from the hospital.

Killer Llamas

Check out the story on Joy's blog...

http://jjoyful.blogspot.com/2006/08/kosher-killer-llamas.html#comments

Back To Birth

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning my friend's husband called me to say his wife's water had broken and they were at the hospital. I assured him I'd be right over to take up my duties as the doula. When I arrived he said he was surprised I sounded so awake and answered on the first ring. That's all the midwife facade! I can answer and sound coherent at any hour...but that doesn't always mean I am. (just ask my teammates and apprentices)

This would be my first birth since coming home from Asia and I was a little nervous. However, it was the most amazing experience and God used it to show me more and more of the vision he is birthing in my heart. I've cringed over the past few months as people spout off the Christianeese about God's plan being the journey not the destination. Easy for them to say I think when they aren't back feeling like they are starting from scratch.

The second nurse my friend had for most of the day was the most amazing OB nurse I've met and couldn't have been more helpful and encouraging. I got to chat with her throughout the day and was just reminded what an amazing impact these women have in helping moms who have more complicated births. In the midwife community I've found there can be a lot of discord and prejudice against others in the medical community and it makes me sick. Working for so long without strong backup has made me appreciate others in the medical community.

As I head toward nursing I'm not, as some have suggested, turning my back on what I've done before. God's just showing me a bigger vision in working as a team both in the US and abroad. I'm excited for the ways God is going to let me minister in my own country for the next few years. I still see the faces of women dying around the world, and hope returning oversees is in the future.

I was reading back through Romans 11 &12. I've memorized 12 before, but forgot the preceding verses. They establish the wisdom of God and His plan for his people and the Gentiles. That's the foundation for offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. There is so much more to life than the work. I'm slowly seeing how the hurts and bends in the road have prepared me for this time and nothing was a waste. God is good.

What Happened BEFORE the Last Post

I should have posted about the exchange which took place just before that shopping trip mentioned in my last post. After class I spent a good while teaching my A&P teacher and lab partner about the art of thrift store shopping. Here are a few of my tips.

1. Check the European catalogues for upcoming trends so you can start looking ahead of time

2. Most thrift stores have rotating 50% off sales every week based on the color of the price tag. This is normally on a rotating schedule so you can figure out what color will be put on sale and on what day of the week. This way the day BEFORE the sale or first thing you can scope out the goods.

3. Thrift stores can be overwhelming. When going through racks fast, just look for labels of dependable companies. Then, if you have more time you can go back for the random finds.

4. Get discounts on damaged goods. It may only need a quick sewing job, but most often they will discount it

5. Shop in the mens section too. Sometimes stuff gets mixed up.

6. If something is supposed to be dry cleaned or in gentle cycle you can wash it in your gentle cycle with a bottle of $1 conditioner and its about the same as Woollite and it will smell fabulous.