What a great God we have!

Ephesians 3:14-19 --For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

God has been preparing me in a variety of ways for my Peace Corps experience. I've welcomed many of the lessons; but lately it has become difficult to understand God's plan for us all. Last night, during the prayer/worship service for Haley Chaney and Alyssa Shutt at Lutheran hospital, I saw high schoolers, college students, parents, teachers, etc. humble themselves before God. Let me tell you it is an emotional experience to see the Lord working in so many hearts. I guess what I'm wanting to say is that the world is flawed, but God is perfect! That's why I put part of Paul's letter to the people of Ephesus...God's love for us surpasses the level of our own understanding. His purpose for our lives surpasses our understanding. Do I know what is going to happen in the future, in the Peace Corps, tomorrow?? NO! But I believe that God will lead me as a disciple onward to spread his message of love.

Thank you all for the prayers you've said for me. Please pray for Haley Chaney and family, Angie (Bennett) Brinneman and family, the Krinn family, Alyssa Shutt and family; and for our community, our country, and our world.

Turning 24

Twenty-four years ago today it was -13 below, which is not too far off how cold it is today.

On this day in history: the Iranian hostage crisis ended in 1981, Indira Gandhi was elected as the first female prime minister of India (why is it taking the U.S. so long to respect female politicians/presidents.), William Pitt became the youngest prime minster of England at 24 yrs. old...Those are pretty lofty accomplishments, but I hope to make my own.

William Pitt became prime minister at 24 yrs. old...what have I done?? Today I turned 24! It's such an arbitrary number that I'm not exactly sure how to respond to this feeling of urgency. It all depends on my current stage in life; I have just graduated college, I've joined the Peace Corps and am waiting to go to Romania, I'm single but most of my friends are married, and today I became another year older. I feel like I'm on the edge of what my life is to become. In May I'll take a leap of faith (think Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and forever be changed. That's so exciting, and I'm smiling because I'm thinking about what my next birthday will be like. Perhaps I'll be in Bucareşt, Istanbul, or Prague...maybe I'll be on a train to my next adventure...maybe I'll be in a classroom looking into the eyes of the future...or just maybe I'll be doing something that I don't even know exists yet.

When I'm 24 -- I'm gonna say goodbye to my family, friends, and Indiana. I'm going to move to Romania for 2 years to serve in the Peace Corps!! I'm going to teach people English to help them increase their chances of success in this world of globalization. I'm going to travel extensively throughout Europe. I'm going to volunteer in an orphanage. I'm going to do my part to stop the genocide in Darfur. I'm gonna watch a few of my best friends get married. I'm gonna continue to grow in my relationship with Christ! And so much more...

Wow! Now that I think about it...24 and 2008 is going to be awesome! Here's to hoping that you have a great year too no matter what your age!

Thoughts from the Norwell library

Sitting in the Norwell library/media center, I've recently had several epiphanies about life and growing up. This, by no means, has anything to do with the fact that I am going to be 24 in two days! Here is a list of some of those thoughts:

1.) I was a slacker in high school. I should have worked harder! (thankfully I made up for that in college)
2.) Students really can surpass your highest expectations. --That's awesome!
3.) It's still freezing in Norwell High School and the water still tastes like blood.
4.) No matter how much I've seen, achieved, or grown up...I still feel like I'm 17 when I walk into the school everyday.
5.) I am a teacher now...my perspective has totally changed! The teachers at Norwell really are nice, fun, caring, and sometimes crazy people. I'm glad I graduated from a high school with terrific teachers.
6.) READING IS VERY IMPORTANT! The intellectual difference between students that read and those that don't is astonishing.
7.) It's a great feeling when you find out a student shares your passion for something!
8.) You would not believe the conversations that go on in the teacher's lounge!
9.) There is a certain solidarity between current athletes and alumni (I'm mostly talking about basketball)...we've gone through the same things and understand.
10.) I miss the classroom!! The highlights of each of my days involves talking about history or government with a student! I know I'm a nerd!

Growing up is awesome! I always thought I wanted to go back to high school because it was such a great time in my life, but the present is so much better! I miss a place that no longer exists...that happens sometimes. Once you've left you are never the same! Experiences, failures, successes, friendships, relationships, education...they all change us. The home, school, etc. that we miss is just a memory. Live life by using those memories to give you the confidence and ambition to go make new ones!

Learning Romanian

I had my first official language session online. Romanian is going to be difficult to learn! However, I think that as long as I work hard and concentrate it is definately doable. My teacher, Sorin, is very knowledgable about teaching and learning languages so that is comforting. My first session consisted of getting aqainted, setting up class times, and learning the Romanian alphabet. Most of it is entirely different from English. Some of it is a little like Spanish, but for the most part the closest language to Romanian is Italian. I'm just hoping that these classes give me a bit of an advantage when I leave in May.

Besides language training, I've been collecting things to take with me for Peace Corps service. For Christmas I got my backpack, survival radio, Swiss Army Knife, etc. I've also been trying to choose books and things for others to send me while I'm gone. So if you know of any great books or authors please let me know! I have my times when I am super excited and other times when I am scared to death. But I think that any great experience in life has to incorporate a little fear and a little excitement. With risk comes opportunity...so hopefully I can make the most of it!

I hope you all had a great Christmas and Happy New Year. I can't believe it's 2008!