Getting Ready...

• Plane ticket for South Korea - booked (We depart OHD on Sunday, August 24 at 13:00)
• Visa application - in the mail
• Traveler's insurance - in progress
• Immunizations - waiting
• TESOL course - one more unit to complete... hopefully tonight!
• Emotion level: excited and slightly nervous

List of things to do before South Korea - growing! :)

Reflections from a Barista...

Today I had someone tell me point blank to "be fake." I said no... and that I wouldn't make up stories either. It got me thinking...

It's interesting to watch how we do things in this world. When "important" people are around, I've noticed a tendency to act like things are being done right... the very best is put forward for them to see (and the non-kosher stuff is hidden away). In anticipation of an arrival from an "important" person, we prepare nervously for their arrival, doing things we normally wouldn't do... putting on a show... all in effort to impress. My question is... why?

I could probably answer that question myself... people-pleasing. sin. performance mentality. the mask. Things I've been guilty of all too often in the past. Things I'm FREE from now (Romans & Galatians).

I wonder how we would respond if we knew Christ was about to return. We talked about this in Sunday School a few weeks ago. If I knew Christ were to return tomorrow, would I be scrambling around trying to do last-minute things to try to impress him? If I were scrambling around, what would I even be doing? Praise God for His GRACE and the fact that I DON'T have to impress him... because I CAN'T.

The truth is... The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

It's easy for me to think that what I observed today is something I don't struggle with. But just this morning, I was reading the Sermon on the Mount:
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

I want to walk authentically before you Lord, in character and truth, always ready for your sweet return!

Real Power Youth Camp 2008

A week of "extreme pandemonium and chaotic madness:"

YES
Our camp speaker for the week, Dr. David Wheeler from Liberty University was full of solid biblical teaching. On one of the evenings that he preached, he challenged the students and camp staff to say "yes" to God. He handed out index cards and asked us to write "YES" at the top... allowing God to "write" whatever He wants on our cards for the rest of our lives. This challenge was a good reminder of the prayer I prayed a couple of years ago during Bethel's World Christian Action Conference: "ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE for the glory of God."

Odors
After a week of craziness, the cabin that I shared with eight junior high girls and my co-counselor, Nicole, was definitely odorous. I thought that boys' living quarters only smelled that disgusting. However, when you have to change out of your wet clothes just about every day and try to find a place to hang them... and share a bathroom between 10 people, it gets pretty disgusting. Particularly, after not having a whole lot of air ventilation. We were, however, POSITIVE & UPBEAT amidst it all! :)

Uncertain Tomorrows
The first message that Dr. Wheeler preached was about facing uncertain tomorrows. I sure needed to hear it! It's crazy how easily I've found myself worrying about the uncertainty of tomorrow... with raising gas prices, crazy world events, spending a large amount of time overseas, and thinking about finances. Dr. Wheeler's message was a good reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty, regardless of our circumstances. So encouraging!

The Questions Game
I think a few of my girls got a little tired of all my get-to-know you and extremely random questions, but we had a good time. During free time a couple of different afternoons, we played the "Ungame for Teens," basically a ton of questions spread throughout two different decks. The questions were pretty good. I think the girls were challenged to have more of a biblical worldview and the question: "How would you feel if you were your parents and had yourself as a kid?" seemed to make them think, which was good. I absolutely loved getting to know my beautiful girls throughout our random questions and crazy stories. Junior high girls can be a lot of fun.

Habits
So, I knew that I wink at my friends a lot, but I had no idea that I wink at people so much when I meet them. My girls mentioned it after we got to know one another. They said they liked it and thought it was a fun unique aspect of me... but it made me a little nervous that I wink at people so much unconsciously...


Charades & Cabin Time
During our last afternoon of free time, our entire cabin went to the Old Lounge and played Charades and made up a bunch of random skits with our inside jokes that formed throughout the week. It was funny to watch the girls imitate me and my waking-them-up-in-the-morning procedures. We definitely had lots of laughs. It was especially meaningful to me that our whole cabin enjoyed spending time together (that has not always been the case in previous counseling experiences).

Away
It was SO refreshing to be away from everything for awhile. Sometimes it's nice to take a step back and leave my cell phone off, my laptop at home, and have some time off of work and all of my ridiculous worries. Although the week was definitely EXHAUSTING, it was also quite REFRESHING for my heart.

Memorization
Something unique about this camp was the amount of time devoted to verse memorization. We spent an hour each morning listening to students say their verses. One particular highlight for me was working with a couple of students who were convinced that they were absolutely unable to memorize anything. As we worked on small chunks, they began to be amazed with how much they were able to remember. By the end of the week, they had more than two whole pages of verses memorized. That was really exciting and encouraging for me to see.

Privilege
It was definitely a privilege to serve at youth camp this past week. It's been awhile since I've done camp counseling, so it was fun to "get back into the saddle."

So... I guess that's a brief recap of my week. In the midst of the crazy games like slip & slide dodgeball, I lost a bit of my toenail, which was somewhat painful. Although we had a few medical emergencies, things seemed to go well for the most part. I didn't realize how exhausting camp was for me until last night. After I got home from an 8-hr. day of work, I was feeling achy all over and felt cold and hot all at the same time. I decided to nap... and then basically ended up being in bed for the night. I slept for about 12 hours... which is a new record for me. I'm feeling mostly better today. I guess my body really suffers when I don't get enough sleep. My mom woke up at 3 a.m. praying for me last night and I'm feeling much better this morning, just a little light-headed. Praise the Lord!

Packing & Other Randomness from Life...

[I apologize ahead of time for a SUPER-LONG update... it's been awhile...]

Today I've been working on packing for youth camp... and my goodness! I'm starting to get a little nervous about South Korea! Earlier this week, I woke up from a startling dream at 3:30 a.m. - wide awake! I dreamed that my flight was leaving for Korea within 2 hours and I hadn't even begun to pack for my year in Korea! I was rushing around the house asking my Mom what I would need for an entire year. When I woke up, my heart was pounding and I was thinking, "I'd better start packing!" Yesterday when Sara and I got together for some prayer time/friend time/vegetable omelet/walking time, we started making a packing list. Today as I've been packing for camp, I've been thinking, Oh dear, how am I going to fit everything I need for a whole year into TWO suitcases?! It seems absolutely ridiculous to be stressing about it, particularly since I don't even leave for seven weeks. I'm SO American sometimes... (I guess all the time... since I AM an American.)

Speaking of youth camp... it's THIS week! It's been two years since I've been to a youth camp as a counselor. I'm excited to return to the camp world... and maybe a little nervous. The youth pastor continues to reassure us that it will be a week that defines "extreme pandemonium and chaotic madness." I'm excited about spending more time getting to know the 6th & 7th grade girls... and everyone else from our church that is going. The focus is revival and renewal for the week. Please be praying for this week as the Lord brings it to your mind.


In other news:

I am 75% finished with my TESOL course. I hope to finish the last five lessons the week after I get back from Youth Camp. I am definitely glad that I decided to take this online course. I feel a little more confident going overseas to teach English, having had some instruction and lesson planning opportunities.

I opened for the first time at Meijer Starbucks this week - twice. The first time was planned, the second time I found out the night before at 11:30 p.m. I have decided I LOVE opening - when I am able to get enough sleep the night before! I'm still enjoying Starbucks, but definitely thankful that I will not be spending the rest of my life there. I think my silly dream of working in a coffee shop for a summer has definitely worn off... it's not quite as exciting as I thought it would be. However, I know that God has perfectly provided this job for me and I am thankful for His provision... and the opportunity to experience more of Him and His work.

Our 4th of July celebration was nice and pretty much full of feasting and family. Thursday night we went to New Life to watch fireworks, which was a lot of fun - I got to see a couple of my dear Pac Rim friends again - Sara and Josie! Friday afternoon, we went to my Nana's and got to see several of my dear family members. After Nana & Papu's, we went to have dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's and Megs joined us. We ended the evening at my Uncle Rege & Aunt Rose's house, watching fireworks again. It was a nice family day... although I was missing my brother Zac (he's in Cali for the summer and doing so AMAZING!).

Last night Josh, our "man of the house" for the weekend, built a fire for us and we finally had s'mores together! I've been craving s'mores since January when we were in New Zealand. My mom, Emma, Josh, and I had a nice time around the campfire (even if it did take awhile to get started).

I am growing in my baking skills. Over the past month, I have successfully baked fluffy chocolate chip cookies, brownies, banana bread, chocolate chip banana bread, cupcakes, and random dinner dishes. I have also put together several fruit salads and am learning the art of making a successful vegetable omelet (which is oh, so delicious)! It is encouraging to have so many successful adventures in the kitchen this summer, thus far.

I am currently reading The Heavenly Man, a book I HIGHLY recommend! It is the autobiography of Chinese Christian Brother Yun, sharing his love for Christ and the incredible persecution he endured for the sake of Christ - in the 1970's, 80's, and 90's!!! Not quite so long ago... I'm definitely learning so much and being SO CHALLENGED in my walk with the Lord. His commitment to prayer and fasting, incredible hunger for God's Word, unwavering faith, passion for the Gospel, and incredible honesty has really been causing me to reflect upon my own walk with the Lord. It is also very helpful to get some background on the recent work of the Lord in the Chinese church.

It is for freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1

It's All Because of Jesus...

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

I think I can identify with the psalmist here. God has been doing great things, and I am overwhelmed with joy!

Some of the great things He's been doing with my family...

I've had some SWEET times with my siblings lately... discipleship/learning moments, times of prayer, times of encouragement, and just plain fun. I'm so cherishing my time at home with them!

• Zac is camp counseling in California now and absolutely LOVING it! I'm excited about the opportunities he has there. It sounds like an incredible atmosphere that fits his talents so well (he's GREAT with kids).
  
• Josh continues to get sweeter and sweeter each day. He now has his driver's license and gets up early most mornings to take me to work (sometimes before 7 a.m.!). He is so thoughtful and has an incredible love for the Lord.
  
• Caleb and I have been enjoying Jr. High youth group together. God has blessed him with some sweet leadership qualities and opportunities on his baseball team.
• Emma is becoming such a beautiful young woman of the Lord. It is exciting to hear her talk about Jesus as her best friend... and to share that joy with the neighborhood girls.

This past week, we went running together, had a dessert night together, played hide & seek at the Mary Frank Elementary School playground, went on a kind-of-sort-of photo scavenger hunt, enjoyed Emma's first cake, found a bunch of my old books in the basement and had a book party, worked on budgets, made cupcakes, visited my mom at CFA, had a LOVELY breakfast with my grandparents, and had a little "encouragement fest."

It is SO sweet to see my siblings growing in their love for the Lord. All I can say is... my brothers are going to make excellent husbands someday... and Emma sure is turning into a lovely young lady.

Some of the great things He's been doing with my job [ministry location]...

I could probably dedicate an entire post to everything that has been going on at work. However, I will just say that God is SO at work!

A couple of my coworkers have agreed to go through the Experiencing God study with me, which is so exciting and encouraging! It's also amazing how God just guides our conversations at work. Although the location is not exactly what I had in mind for the summer, I am thankful that God has provided this job for me... and am overwhelmed with the opportunities to shine as a light.

There is also definite opposition from other sources, but that often seems to be the case when God is at work. I can totally see how my time in Va Beach last summer working at McDonald's was good prep. for this.

Some of the great things He's been doing... that are just random and sweet and encouraging to my heart...

• Learning to abide in Him... John 15... and Andrew Murray's book on prayer = intensely challenging and amazing!
• Finished reading Live Life on Purpose by Claude Hickman. If I could, I would have every Christian read this book! Perhaps a book review will be on it's way soon.
• My TESOL classes are going well. I'm approximately 35% finished with the course (Unit 7 of 20). I'd like to be further, but am working when I can.
  
• Provided insurance for me through Meijer beginning on July 1st - the same day my other insurance runs out! He is so faithful!
  
• Megs and I had a Taco Salad date Friday night and had a great time of fellowship and encouragement.
  
• This weekend, Jana Alexis came to visit me and we had a LOVELY time together. Strawberry chicken poppyseed salad (Panera wannabe), vegetable omelettes, late night brownies, good coffee at Bella Vita, lots of talking and laughing... it was wonderful. This afternoon, we met Megs & Nora for a "picnic" lunch and went to Barnes & Noble for coffee afterward (the weather wasn't all that cooperative).

Reunions. Wedding. Graduation. Funeral.

That pretty much sums up the past week.

Reunions
This week, I was beyond blessed with reminders of amazing friendships God has placed in my life.

Three of my four roommates from VA Beach (Summer 2007) came to visit me. I was so delighted to have them come and almost felt as if I was living a dream. Although that may sound somewhat melodramatic, it really was refreshing for my heart. We hadn't seen each other for six months... and had so very much to catch up on!!! We definitely had NO trouble finding conversation topics. It was exciting to share what God has done and is doing in our lives... and was also good to reflect on some of our best memories from our summer project with Campus Crusade. I am still in awe of the sovereignty of God... how He placed each one of us (though INCREDIBLY different) together last summer. Our reunion time consisted of pizza night at my house (compliments of my amazing mother), sleepover at Grandma & Grandpa's, a delightful brunch (compliments of my amazing Grandma), a 2 hr. visit to Bethel's Shiloh Prayer Chapel, and a lovely afternoon at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe. Rachael ended up staying an extra night because of the tornadoes in Ohio.

On Thursday evening, I had the privilege of finally catching up with my dear Jana Alexis. It was lovely and I am looking forward to seeing her hopefully in the near future.

The reunion spirit continued throughout the weekend as I spent the night last night with Miss Kate Criswell. After KatieO's "girls party," we grabbed some dinner at Steak 'N Shake before heading back to Kate's for some much-needed sleep. We definitely had lovely times at Steak 'N Shake... confusing our waitress, switching our booths a few times (the air was cold and we were trying to avoid it!), reminiscing about previous memories at S 'N S. It was definitely a time to cherish.

It was also neat to see KatieO (now Wright) and her family... which brings me to my next subtitle...

Wedding
Today I attended the wedding of David & Katie Wright. It was a nice ceremony and I enjoyed seeing Katie's family again. I am truly happy for both Katie and David. It's hard to believe how quickly the years fly by. I remember dreaming with Katie when we were in high school about weddings, marriage, and our future spouses. It is exciting to see her dream come true. It is also exciting to be perfectly content with this lovely season of life that I am enjoying completely unattached.

Graduation
Upon returning from the wedding, I went directly to my cousin Nathan's graduation party. He just graduated from Penn High School. It was a nice party and it was SOOO good to see my extended family members. These family times are truly times to cherish, particularly since they will be very few and far between over the next year(s).

Funeral
Unfortunately, my sister informed me of some very sad news (with tears in her eyes) when I got back into town. Her dear friend and companion, Chester the Hamster is now in Hamster Heaven (no, I do not have any particular theology on animals and heaven... just like the alliteration). It's been a hard day for her, which is understandable. She loved Chester dearly. We've had lots of tears today, particularly when she was cleaning out his cage for the last time. We sat down for some "sister time" over hot chocolate and reflected upon Emma's pleasant memories of Mr. Chester. She seems to be doing fairly well, but it's definitely been a hard day for her. I believe our family will be making funeral arrangements tomorrow at some point [This will be our first family funeral for a pet... I'm not exactly sure what to expect].

Misc.
I hate to end on such a sad note... so perhaps some of my readers will be delighted to hear that I will soon be "going Verizon." I think my plan will change in about 30 days and I will have unlimited texting. I am welcoming the change, after several complications and frustrations with Centennial.

It was nice to have Megs over for a visit this evening. She went to Caleb's baseball game, which turned out to be rather exciting at the end.

EXHAUSTED

I know it's been a long time since I've updated... it's been crazy. Work is going better. This week has been a hard week. I'm really tired. Every day after work this week (Tuesday - Saturday), I've had something going on that has caused me to rush home, change, and jump back in the car:

Memorial Day weekend - surprisingly quiet actually... and a little lonely until Monday. Family spent most of the time at baseball (nothing out of the ordinary). Cleaned around the house quite a bit. Made a fruit salad and brownies for visits at my grandparents houses.

Tuesday - Sweet time with Sara in the morning (running, whole wheat pancakes, encouraging prayer time). Work 11-5. Caleb had baseball practice and I had the honor of dropping him off, picking him up, and going to an impromptu baseball pizza party/trophy presentation. In between practice, I had a wonderful visit with Miss Emily Vegh.

Wednesday - Much-needed journaling time. Work 11-5. Junior high youth group - good times.

Thursday - Work 9:30 - 5. Emma's play, Geppeto & Son (a.k.a. Pinocchio). It was Emma's debut on the stage and she did an excellent job. I was so proud (yeah, I actually almost cried because I was so proud. I wonder what it will be like when I'm a Mom... thankfully, I won't have to find out for hopefully a LONG time!). After Emma's play, I worked on my TESOL Unit 1 lesson, had a surprise and MUCH-NEEDED phone date/prayer time with the lovely Kate Criswell, then finished my TESOL, going to bed a little after midnight

Friday - Breakfast at CFA with Desiree... then a visit with my Mom. Work 11-5. Youth event - the "Cereal Life." It was what I would assume to be a typical youth event with craziness, fun, and a few splotches of drama.

Saturday - that's today. Thankfully, I don't have a whole lot planned now. There are many things I need to catch up... rest, thank you notes, TESOL units, South Korea documents, finishing my room in the basement, updating my budget, phone dates, etc.

It's been a busy week. It's been a hard week... emotionally and physically exhausting. In the midst of the chaos, I have had some delightful visitors at Meijer Starbucks, which I have appreciated. Perhaps the highlight was having my Grandpa visit (I think that was yesterday... but the days are kind of fuzzy in my head). Since we weren't busy (as usual), I got to sit down and visit with him for awhile. I'm thankful for him...


Oh... I am planning to do a post about the earthquake stuff in Chengdu... and what I've been learning about abiding in Christ. I'll have to save that for later, though.