CrAzInEsS!!!!

I wonder when life will slow down....I feel like it is a whirlwind and we are just perpetually moving without any coherency.  I know our girls are wanting a break.  I know I am wanting a break.  I know everyone on staff is wanting a break.  Patience is wearing thin on most people's parts.  Last night our dorm was chaos.  Girls were just trying to get away from things; tensions were high; and there were many things we had to get done.  I want to enjoy this time, but I also don't like the frustrations that arise.  But I guess you have to take the good with the bad.  

SpRiNg Is SpRiNgInG!

The other day I was sitting in our school's auditorium listening to a few of my girls perform classical pieces to an adjudicator for their end of the year review.  As they were playing my eyes kept drifting outside to peer at the aspen tree through the huge paned window.  The tree swayed to the lull of the music as gold accented its movements.  A person could not help but feel a warmness spread throughout their body as the musical piece played on.  

On my drive home, mustard, cotton candy, emerald, snow, grape hues exploded along every twist and turn in the road.  Trees are blossoming with hope for fruitfulness; blades of grass are swishing in the breeze offering a sense of freedom;  the dome of crystal clear ocean makes room for the piercing sun.  Everything about spring has reached its apex.  No one could deny the beauty...even if you do have allergies.  Lets just say I know why people endure the bleakness of winter...to embrace the newness of spring.

TrAcKiNg: AfRiCaN sTyLe!

I AM BACK...it was such a good trip. The first week I was a typical tourist; the second I was immersed in a traditional Zambian family (well traditional may be a loose term). But anyways, while I was there I was able to check three things off my goals in life...1) see Victoria Falls (one of the natural seven wonders of the world), 2) go on an African safari, and 3) eat a messy meals with my hands. This adventure was unreal. We tracked a lion in the bush. We followed him for about a half an hour and were about 10 feet away from him. We saw hippos, hyenas, zebras, elephants, giraffes, lionesses, antelope, baboons, crocodiles, and so much more. I loved that we got to camp. Being able to just sit and listen to all the noises that were taking place in the jungle was something I will never forget.
This experience was at times definitely out of my comfort zone. Throughout my time there the Zambians kept asking me what was the difference between Germany and Zambia...WOO, where do I begin. How can you compare such different places. Germany is an orderly, rule driven society; one the other hand Zambia has a free spirit about it. Yes, there is poverty, but the people are very friendly and share the little they have.
I think I talked more politics on this trip than every before in my entire life. We discussed everything and anything that dealt with refugees, the wars taking place in Africa, the relief efforts from the other nations, what it will take to free Africa from this cycle of impoverished natives, the elections, the lack of drive of the Zambian people have to reduce their 80% unemployment due to the foreign aid they constantly receive. I read articles, books, talked to passionate workers, Zambians...I think my head grew a few inches because of all the knowledge I obtained.
I had many men propose to me. Some man told me he would die for me...that is something I had never heard before, but he was at the top of my list after that statement. One man told Chris he wanted "to use me". Dirty man. Whites in their culture are held with high regard. We are walking money symbols...even if we are poor missionaries.

All in all, it was so fun getting to see how Chris lived. I respect him so much for being able to endure living the way he does. The house was crawling with insects...I got bed bugs...I beheaded a chicken...I bathed in a bucket...but Chris has been able to live in this, while remaining sane. I do not believe I could handle that with as much poise as he has. But the thing that is shocking is that people live in that environment their entire lives and know nothing else.
Well, this sounds like a pity party...but it was truly an experience and I will go back to Africa someday...there are a lot more adventures to be had and a lot more people to encounter...

Nope Haven't Left Yet...

Tomorrow is the big day! But I just thought I should tell you that one of our girls is leaving the dorm.  She is way behind in her school work.  We have tried so many different tactics to help her bring her grades up and allow her to get life in order.  For her, life is just so jumbled that she has not been able to keep up or focus on the things she needs to get done to finish her senior year; so her mom is moving to Kandern to help her finish.  It is a good thing for her sake, but it is hard to know that her mom has had to leave the mission field to help her daughter.  Yet maybe that is the only thing that will get her through this time.  Just pray for our seniors to be able to keep up their grades and graduate...that is weary on their minds.

3 MoRe DaYs

Great NEWS!!! I got my new digital camera today! I am super excited because now I can use it when I go to Africa.  I am going on a two day safari and I plan to take many pictures.  Also, we are going to see Victoria Falls.  Both Victoria Falls and a safari are on my "goals to accomplish in life" list.  Then for the rest of the time I will be seeing what my friend Chris has been up to since August.  I am excited to experience Zambian life and also to see what kind of dreams I get from my Malaria pills.  I have heard that people get very vivid dreams due to the malaria pills.  That makes me nervous, but it comes with the experience.  

Lately, I have just been feeling really young and immature compared to everyone I am working with.  Maybe it is my Californian mentality of "go with the flow", but I just feel like I am being looked down upon because I am younger.  But once again it is a fleeting feeling; and I just need to recognize that it is only a feeling and not truth (Someone wise once taught me that...my mom).

Pray for safe travels...and some time to recoup from this crazy semester.

CoUnTdOwN...

The countdown begins. The countdown towards spring break; towards a refreshment; towards AFRICA;towards seeing my good friend, Christopher Taylor;towards a new outlook on life. I have not had a weekend off in six weeks and I am just getting a little tired. I mean I know the Lord is consistently providing me the energy and strength that I need each day, but a little break will be nice!
Lately, I have been seeing the Lord teaching me about watching my tongue. I was actually visualizing how the tongue can be used to praise the Lord and then how it turns around and is used to criticize people and tear people down. I know that sounds weird, but picture what damage that can do. Also, I was looking at the freedom of choice the Lord gives us and how often I misuse this gift...how often do I choose things of this world rather than pursuing the Creator and choosing His love?
Please pray for protection through my travels and that my eyes are open to what the Lord has before me.
O...also I get to see Ellie McElroy this week. Ellie is one of my mom's dearest friends. She is visiting a student she had living with her and her husband. I am really excited.

LiFe Is SwEet!

Yesterday I was getting very cynical, sick, and focusing so much on things at home that I was missing, rather than looking at the positive in my circumstances.  Then all of a sudden I decided to get out of bed and start writing letters.  I came to the realization that as soon as I got my eyes off myself I was able to find the joy in life and appreciate more the opportunities the Lord has provided for me.  That was a good moment!  

This last weekend we went to Nuremberg for the BFA's high school retreat.  Everyone stayed in a castle with a wall that surrounded a portion of the city.  In World War II, this was Hitler's prime Nazi city.  He had been building structures to represent the Nazi's glory.  They were created in such a way to make its members feel like they were apart of something big, but realize how minor they were in comparison. 

Truly it was an amazing retreat.  I was partnered with a dorm mom and a small group of girls.  Seeing how she challenged these girls was encouraging.  She definitely challenged me.  Through this experience I came to realize how much I enjoyed working behind the scenes aspect of this sort event.  Hume has showed me that.  Camp offered me this area of involvement; it was a place to serve those and minister but in a capacity I felt more comfortable with and more effective than being the one entertained.

Well, we only have two more weeks till spring break...pray for all our girls that are going on missions trip and that we will be able to make it till then.