Hello, Turkey!

Merhaba!

I’ve made it safely to beautiful Antalya, Turkey. The journey was long and did not consist of much sleep, but I’m feeling well. Currently, I’m sitting in a cute Turkish villa hotel in a town that resembles Italy... so beautiful! I ate at a cafe in the village for dinner with some members from my team who also just arrived. Though it is 11:00pm and I have yet to have a good night sleep, the excitement of absorbing all this newness is keeping me awake!
Fortunately, we have an easy morning tomorrow before we are taken to camp in the afternoon for training. Apparently eighty degrees in California and eighty degrees in Antalya are very different... I was not expecting this humidity. Turns out I might be buying a few more tank tops while I’m here; not only because of the crazy hot weather, but also because it seems totally appropriate. There are definitely conservative women, but the majority of women my age are dressed like westerners without much concern for extreme modesty.
When flying in, I was shocked by how many mosques I saw... more that I could count, really. I have never heard the so-many-per-day calls to prayer in "real life", only on TV and through media. In a way, it's exciting to hear this aspect of culture for the first time, but then I am immediately saddened by the spiritual deprivation of this nation. More on that to come, I'm sure.

I’d better wind down; big days ahead. Thank you for praying for my while I journeyed! The Lord certainly had his hand of blessing upon me.

p.s. I accomplished my goal of recycling in Germany! I respect their savy waste management system. :)

TESEKKURLER! (THANK YOU, IN TURKISH)

I'm getting a crash course in Turkish tonight! My dad and I drove over to Barns & Noble this evening and the best phrase book I could find was Mediterranean Europe with a big chunk of Turkish... hey maybe if I master it, I can move on to Sloven, Italian, and Greek (not likely)!

Praise the Lord for bringing me this far... this morning in my journal, I wrote: "I'm anxious to get this show on the road!". And it's true. I feel very well prayed-for; many thanks to those of you bringing me before the Lord.

As I sit watching the world cup and listening to the horns that sound like bumble bees, I think about just how many cultural differences I will experience in Turkey. It is inexplicably exciting to me. When I'm hit with the awkwardness of a cultural clash, I hope and pray that I can maintain this curious, learner's attitude. I know I will face plenty of difficulties while I'm away navigating, counseling high schoolers at camp, and taking in the country as a whole. Nonetheless, I am ready. Thank you, Father for calling me to this exciting adventure. Bless those at home who have helped to get me where I'm going.

Hoscakal (goodbye) everyone! Hope to be back soon (we'll see if Turkish internet is compatible with blogspot).

It's been a while! These first couple weeks of summer have been busy... in a great way. Finishing up work as an RA was a little sad and exhausting, but very fulfilling. The beginning of summer has looked like: catching up with friends, eating BBQ with my family, and getting ready for my trip to Turkey!

I just wrote this to my (now X...sad)roommate:

When I was little, I would get overly excited about trips to the point where waiting for the day of departure to arrive (ironic) was nearly unbearable. So, in my old age (hehe), I think I've developed a coping mechanism to think casually about my trip until a day or two before it arrives. Unfortunately, there's a lot I need to do for Turkey: shop, write a prayer letter (check!), call my doctor, read up on the female presence in a Muslim country, and oh yeah PACK... so I can't do the whole "delayed anticipation" thing this time.

Yesterday, I bought travel snacks from Trader Joe's. Yes, I use stressful and/or exciting times as an excuse to treat myself! Really good trail mix, dark chocolate-covered almonds (I don't care what people say about traveling with chocolate... it works for me!), dried mangoes, Luna bars... Yum!

Though I'm a sucker for fun pre-trip details, I am striving to keep my focus fixed on the Lord. This morning, I enjoyed a great prayer walk where I talked with him about my campers in Turkey, asked him to let the camp run smoothly, and tried to listen to what he has for me at this time. My God is so patient with me which is such a blessing.

Over and out; I'm off to more detailing! (shrugs shoulders and giggles with delight... then spell-checks shoulders)

LESSONS LEARNED AND MORE TO COME...

So how about a few key lessons from the semester?

I've learned:

1. The importance of building trust: I learned this lesson in my intercultural adjustment class, which I've talked a little about before here at myHandH. To build trust with someone, you must be willing to both be vulnerable and to accept their vulnerability. Mutual respect is ideal in an interpersonal relationship, but grace often "trumps all" and gives room for one party or the other to be pardoned (oh if only my professor could read these thoughts and put them toward my grade). Trust is necessary in foundation building when trying to bring someone to the Lord...it's also necessary for good friendship.

2. The Lord does not work by our time frame (and we should be glad): Being an RA this year has been a blast and a challenge. I did not expect God to work out difficult emotional struggles while I was in the position. In fact, I was often frustrated by the Lord's choice in time frame for my soul's deep cleaning. I, however, came to realize in a practical sense what it means to trust that God knows what's best for me.

3. The beginning of life is really an incredible thing: I saw this as I spent a bit of time with Levi. He is precious and the way God's used him to bring the family together in a stronger sense is incredible.

4. Little mistakes don't mean I'm "kicked out" of the kingdom (by any means): Our God is a God of grace. I'm still learning this lesson. He does not condemn me with statements and thoughts full of blame; he does not shake his head in hopelessness over my blunders. My God loves me!

Thanks for joining me for the semester... more thoughts, wonder-ings, inspirations, and passions to come this summer.

WHERE I AM

A quick post before I head to study for finals...

Today ends the 30 day coffee fast I have been on. So this morning I had a decaf vanilla latte with an extra pump of vanilla. Thanks, Starbucks! I thought buying a treat was called-for. And what did I learn during this time? That the joy of the Lord really is my strength. He provides for me in times of stress, exhaustion, and craving... during the times I would tend to turn toward a warm bev for comfort, I instead repeated that scripture to myself. "The joy of the Lord IS my strength..." (This verse always reminds me of my sweet niece, Keilah Joi- whose name meant strength and joy.)

I received some very exciting trip details for my quickly approaching trip to Turkey! As I read more about Paul, I can not wait to stand where he stood, hang out where he hung, and be challenged be the extraordinary way he preached in the most unlikely of cities. Of course this fun Pauline tour will come after three weeks of hard work at camp, which I'm also looking forward to.

While sippin' the coffee with Marianna and Brit this morning, we perused a garage sale. And I am currently sitting in my find of the day: an old director's chair! (I'm sitting toward the right side because the left has a big rip and needs some mending). I plan to distress it, stain it a darker wood color, and sew on some fun canvas fabric patches on. If that doesn't work, I'll just resell it at my garage sale!

Peace and blessings... especially if you too are preparing for finals!

GREEN LIVING...OK?

There are a couple of issues looming in my mind. Firstly, I've been thinking of my ideal household; the household where I want to be a wife and raise my children. Ideally, I want to raise my children to live simple, green lifestyles (this is second, of course, to instilling in them the spiritual convictions and passions my husband and I will share). I want our household to be one in which we recycle everything possible, buy as much slave free food and clothing as we can, practice composting and bulk gardening, never buy a dryer but air dry all our clothing to save energy, use insulation and windows for temperature control whenever possible, and use low watt light bulbs... I dream of this!

However, I also dream of (and feel called to) living overseas for at least a major season of life. Being a missionary is what I want to "do" when I grow up... but I also long to be a wife and mother who is able to raise her children in (more or less) an American home. I'm not worried about these contrasting goals because I know the Lord has placed both on my heart for a reason. I do, however, wonder how my future look... as we all do.

Thought #2: Since I've become more and more passionate about green living in the past couple of years, I really want to get people on board with me! It's one thing for me to practice a low energy and recycling lifestyle (which I'm not perfect at, and that's ok!), but I don't feel like I'm making much of a difference for the earth unless I get people to join in! I spent a good chunk of time with this dilemma before the Lord yesterday. I said, "God, why can't I admonish others to recycle? Recycling is so easy!" He brought me through a journey in scripture and I finally sat on the example he gives us regarding creation.

God loves us more than the bird of the air, the beasts of the earth, and the flowers of the field... but he still loves them! People are, and will always be, more important than things. I need to practice that. It's fine and dandy for me to encourage others to join in the green living frenzy, but if it becomes a hindrance on a relationship, it is not worth it. Thank you, Lord, for humbling me. I truly am called to be a good steward of your plant, but I am firstly called to be a good steward of your people!

100 THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR

Yup, today is one of those days I just need to write down a big, fatty list of things I'm grateful the Lord has given/done for/blessed me with. In coming to the end of a year of hard work, service, and good friendship it seems hard to say goodbye... but I want to use these last few weeks to be thankful to the God of all! Here goes... I'm thankful for:

1. The Holy Spirit... who interprets my sighs

2. My parents

3. The way my best friend Jamie knows how to make me feel appreciated

4. My sister's creativity

5. Christmas... trees, lights, and desserts

6. (speaking of which) Chocolate!

7. The accessibility of chocolate

8. My friend Brittany, for stretching my mind

9. Knowledge of social injustices... and the power to pray against them

10. An opportunity to travel this summer

11. The fact that I was not allowed to watch PG-13 movies until I was 16

12. My brother's level head

13. My sister-in-law's love for her son

14. Greeting cards

15. Psalm 1

16. The ability to sing

17. The ability to hear... if I didn't have it I couldn't sing

18. The way our crappy or embarrassing memories get covered by grace

19. My friend Marianna's honesty

20. My roommate Anna's light heart and soulful intentions

21. My health

22. A staff of RAs who love me

23. My boss, Katie, who has given me so much stinkin' perspective this year!

24. The fact that my brother-in-law feels like a real brother to me

25. My mom's ability to put on a holiday... and to hold the family together, even when she doesn't know she's doing it

26. Seasons of rest

27. The cross

28. Freedom to worship Jesus openly

29. Yosemite

30. Art... doing it and looking at it

31. The way little kids make things simpler

32. The hope of a future that is already taken care of

33. My ability to lead

34. Being the youngest child and often getting the permission to revert back to that

35. Our family's house

36. My old roommate and friend Lydia, for challenging me to choose what's right in the Lord

37. My GEM girls... for having fellowship together weekly

38. The Duggars... they truly are an encouragement to me when I watch them on TV

39. Recycling

40. Composting!

41. My high school friend Stephanie, who calls once a month

42. My other old roommate and friend Eileen, who makes me laugh about high school

43. Food to eat multiple times a day

44. A journal to write in

45. Culture

46. The fact that I was a minority growing up

47. Makeup

48. Feel-good movies

49. The Chariots of Fire song

50. My Dad's emerging reminiscent side

51. Prayer

52. Biblical teaching at school and church that is sound

53. My past with ice skating

54. Ice cream cones

55. Clean water to drink, bathe in, and cook with

56. Nicknames

57. The ability to read

58. The getting-to-know you process

59. Daydreaming

60. Plenty of clothes to wear and choose from

61. A great minivan to drive!

62. The fact that thinking of 100 things is a challenge... and a reminder that the list should never end!

63. My dear nephew Levi

64. The beauty of differing ethnicities.

65. Dancing

66. Dancing in the rain! And just the rain itself

67. Los Angeles

68. Many opportunities to serve in my area

69. A new church

70. Missionaries to pray for

71. A comfortable bed

72. A chiropractor

73. Birthdays

74. My friend Josilynn's sense of humor

75. Boring classes made for doodling and note-passing

76. Interesting classes that wiz by!

77. Valentine's day

78. Owning a printer

79. Dude! Owing a lap top

80. Scrapbooks

81. Paved streets

82. Hot showers

83. God's love

84. Orange poppy flowers

85. The miracle of pregnancy, birth, and infancy

86. National Geographic magazine

87. The Catcher in the Rye... for stretching me and for developing my empathy

88. The StrengsFinder

89. Sticky notes

90. The Lord's presence and Fatherly touch... especially on a rough day

91. Coffee

92. Giving up coffee for a bit

93. God's financial provision for me and my family

94. Owning a cell phone

95. The sequins on the back of Sparklettes trucks

96. Beautiful landscape

97. The accessibility of the beach and mountains

98. Farmer's markets

99. The Word of God

100. Any reader who made it this far!