Is it that time of year again?

Well, it is that time of year again. The time of year when you look over your summer to do list and realize that you haven't done much of what was on the list. The time of year when text books start arriving in the mail, and you realize how much reading is about to dominate your life. It is also the time of year when the sound of leaves crunching under your feet as you walk in the crisp cool evening air is not far away after the summer heat. The time of scarfs, pumpkin spice lattes and glowing candles. I love this time of year!

As this new season begins and I start the last year of my Bachelor's degree, it is a good time to look back on the past few months. Summer went by so fast, I could have blinked and missed it completely. However, even those this summer was busy, with work, and things to do, it also had great moments with friends, times of travel and lessons learned.

My times of travel included going to Sterling, Kansas for a few days to help train up missionaries about to head out to 8 different countries to infuse the nations with the love of the Father. Being there, with people of like heart, caused something in me to ignite and my passion for the nations be deepened. Upon returning from Kansas, I got my mom ready for her first missions trip into the heart of Thailand, where she caught the missions bug and brought with her many stories and a heart broken for people. Next it was my turn to head to my second home for 2 weeks: Ukraine. Every time I hear the word Ukraine, I am brought back to so many wonderful memories. There is something about that nation and my friends there, that makes it feel like a second home...

Being back in Ukraine, was not all I expected it to be. I was met with moments of disappointment as I was not able to see everyone I knew and loved from years before. Instead I was in a new place, with new people. However, it was in those moments where I learned a very powerful lesson. I learned, that even when things do not go as planned, and you are not in a place of familiarity or comfort, it is then when you have to lean in and trust in the Lord more than ever. And from that place of trust, the Lord can work through you. There are many stories I can share from those 2 weeks, and maybe I will blog about them some more later, but what I really want to say is that after 3 years, I still felt at home. As I got on the Metro in Kyiv, the last day of the trip and walked the city streets that I fell in love with, I was home. It felt like I had never left. It was all still the same; the same people, the same place, the same smells, the same country that the Lord has placed on my heart. When I met up with 2 of my good friends for an afternoon lunch, it didn't seem like we had been apart at all. It is amazing how that is.

Upon me return from Ukraine, I went through a couple weeks of feeling discontent. I get that way sometimes, when I am ready for a change, yet change is not coming or when I get my focus off the Lord and instead turn it to all the other things that there are "to do." I am sure, some of you can relate. However, it was in those moments that I learned that it all comes down to my relationship with the Lord. I can't give what I have not received, and I also can't expect my times with the Lord from before to carry me through the rest of my life. (If you want to hear more about that, listen to the podcast from August 10th, by Christy Duncan.) So, after taking a few days and just spending time with the Lord, I have found my contentment in Him again and am ready for what ever this next semester holds.

So, as I end this blog, I challenge you, whoever you are, to take a few moments and reflect on these last few months. What lessons have you learned? What things has the Lord shown you? What memories do you not want to forget? But, most importantly, take some time to spend with the Lord, find your contentment and peace and strength in Him. He is always there, waiting, with His arms opened wide.

Blogrimage Day 30: finale

Ok, so today is the last day of this years Blogrimage. I must say that I have enjoyed the journey. Even though I did not complete all I set out to do, I was able to learn more about the nations of the earth.  It has also been a great experience to write a blog, as I have never done one before.

I must say, I also LOVED reading people's blogs. There were some fascinating endeavours that were embarked on and some great products wer produced. I really want to give a shout out to Seldon Music blog by Joe Schmidt...I loved the songs that he produced. I have them all in my itunes library now. Also, Pradeepan, thanks for making me laugh with your comedy! I hope you keep on writing! And to all those blogrime runners out there, well done! I can't say you inspired me to run, because I strongly dislike running, but you did inspire me to set a goal to get back in shape which I hope to begin as soon as finals are done.

Well, Blogrimage 2011 is complete...see you all next year!

A Green Plastic Token: Day 27

Well, I must say that I have not been the most dedicated to this 30 day blogrimage personally, but I have enjoyed reading everyone elses. I think next year I will try again, but will pick a topic that does not include as much research.

This afternoon in another homework avoidance session, I was scheduling out my week, going through old messages on facebook, and reading through some of the notes that i wrote on facebook...btw, whatever happened to facebook notes? It took me a few minutes to find them on my homepage, and could not find them on my profile :( Anyways, I found this note I wrote on August 24th, 2008, and it is very indicative of what I am thinking about now. It is called a Green Plastic Token and it is a reflection of my some of my time in Kiev, Ukraine. I have really been thinking and praying for Ukraine recently, as I am the Team Leader for the team going to Ukraine in July. When I get there, it will have been 3 years since I was last year. In a way it feels like just yesterday, but it also feels like it has been a lifetime.

So, for today's blog, I give you:

A Green Plastic Token

A green plastic token...to some this would seem like nothing of significance, but to me it means more than I ever imagined. When I was in Ukraine, this green plastic token was my way around the city. It was my entrance into many different adventures. Who would I see? What would I experience? These questions filled my mind as I dropped the little token into the slot and walked through the gates. As I wait for the tram to come I wonder which stop should I get off at? The Metro in Kiev was where an adventure always awaited. It was where I could sit and watch people, be inundated with culture, and a place where I would stand out just because of the smile on my face. It was a time to be like the people, to give up my seat for the elderly, to laugh with the teenagers (though I really had no idea what was so funny), and to practice some of my Russian. To most in Ukraine, this was a boring everyday occurrence but to me it was a highlight of my day.

I remember my first time on the Metro after I moved there. I had this feeling of excitement and anticipation. I was getting ready to go and see the city, the place where my heart resides. As I was on the Metro a huge smile was on my face. As I looked around at the different people, I remember feeling my heart go out to them. Then I looked at this one lady. The second I looked at her, she turned her head away. I knew she was watching me. A few seconds later a turned my head towards her again and caught her eyes. I smiled really big and nodded my head. She looked shocked and then laughed. When I got off the Metro she waved good-bye. It must be said that this happening is not an everyday event. When you are riding on the Metro, stranger’s eyes hardly ever meet, smiles are never shared and are purposely avoided…unless you are friends, know each other, tourists, or are trying to pick up a hot date. I say all this to share with you one of my experiences on the Metro

I could keep going on and on about the different things I saw and experienced while riding the Metro; since I rode it at least an hour every day. I could tell you about the times that this guy would play the guitar, sing and walk on the not so smooth ride. Or this other guy who was literally swinging from the handle bars. There was also this one time when this Babushka (grandmother) got in at this stop and in a loud voice said “stand for the Babushka” and had most of the people sitting near her offered their seat. There were also times when I would get off at a stop I had never been to before and wonder around the city. Kiev Adventures is what I called them. I am also reminded of my last ride on the Metro before leaving to America. It was late at night, the last run of the night. I had just said good-bye to my best friend, and there was nothing left to be done. So, as I took my last 30 minute ride home, I wrote these words “I want to cry, but the tears just won’t come. My heart is breaking, longing to be home. My heart is torn, because I cannot choose just one. One people, one place, one tribe, one tongue.”

I found a green plastic Metro token in my pocket today, and this is what it means to me.

Blogrimage Day 18: Madagascar

Ok, so to be perfectly honest, I am getting very bored of my blog. Being a full time student, the last thing I want to do everyday is more research. So, I am trying to decided ways in which i can still learn about these countries, but also add some variety. I do still love the nations and want to learn about them, yet doing research everyday is BORING!

Any suggestions?!

I do want to share a story. On Wednesday night at Generation Church, we were worshiping to the song "Jesus Your Beautiful" by John Thurlow and the lyrics to this song are amazing:

I know that Your eyes are like flames of fire

I know that Your head is white as wool

I know that Your voice, it sounds like waters

Jesus, You’re beautiful

At one point in the service, Pastor Dan asked the question: what does Jesus' beauty look like to you?

I then began thinking about this question, and this is what I saw: I saw myself standing outside in this open area, surrounded by kids from all around the world. I then saw their faces, and it was in seeing their faces, that I saw the beauty of God. Their smiles were like light piercing the darkness of the world, with such joy and peace. Their eyes were a deep well of knowledge and wisdom yet to be shared, and still filled with such love, that you couldn't stop looking into their eyes. Each child represented a story waiting to be told, they were full of such innocence, excitement and imagination. It was pure joy looking into their faces, all so different, yet uniquely the same. To me, the beauty of Jesus is represented in children of the world....what does the beauty of Jesus look like to you?

Madagascar:

Capital: Antananarivo

Official Language: Malagasy and French

Here is a clip from the movie Madagascar...just for fun :)

Blogrimage Tag 16: Liechtenstein

Yesterday I feel asleep before I had a chance to blog...there is something about that hour drive to and from Pueblo to school, that will make one super sleepy, not to mention all the papers and projects that are now due. Well, enough with the excuses...today, Wednesday, is day 16 and it brings me to the nation of Liechtenstein.

I pick Liechtenstein primarily because I like the way it sounds, and it reminds of the movie "A Knights Tale" (Sir Ulrich van Liechtenstein)

Liechtenstein is the smallest, yest richest German speaking nations.Liechtenstein is sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, near the Swiss Alps. Because it is mostly mountainous, it is a huge destination for winter sports activities.

Vaduz is the capital of this German speaking country, however, Vaduz is not the largest city. The castle to the right is the Vaduz castle...doesn't it look a whole lot like the castle in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"? Well, either way, this is a beautiful castle, one that I would like to add to my list! When I was living in Western Ukraine, I used to go to various castles around the area with several of my friends. It became our Mondays of Adventure, in which we would visit a castle and finish the day with some coffee and homemade food!!

Sonya, want to come with me to see this one?!

As for the flag: the Liechtenstein flag of red and blue have been a part of Liechtenstein since the Holy Roman Empire, and represent that part of their heritage, while the gold crown represents its independence and principality.

That is all I have for tonight, but since I am on the theme of movies in this blog i will leave you with a line from a movie whose title is tomorrow's country: "I like to move it, move it"

Blogrimage Day 14

Welcome Home Team Guatemala!!! After spending 8 days ministering in schools and taking food to starving families in the mountains of Guatemala, the team came home today. I can't wait to hear all the stories!!!

However, after sitting in a 5 hour research class tonight, the last thing I really want to do is any research...so, I am not going to be blogging about a new coutry tonight as my heart would not be in.

See you all tomorrow, good night!

BLogrimage Day 13: Kenya

I had a wonderful time in Estes Park, Colorado. It is amazing what some fresh mountain air can do to the body! I loved snowshoeing and playing games at night with my parents and best friend Lori. It was a perfect ending to Springs Break, which went by way to fast!

I am honestly so excited about today's country. I have dreamt of going to Kenya, Africa for years! There is something about African Villages, filled with little black children, that makes my heart smile. I pray that maybe next summer, will be there year that I can finally go to Kenya! Plus, how cool would it be to learn some Swahili

I have been watching video's on youtube about Kenya for a while now...my heart is yearning to go. Here is one of the video's I watched. It is just video clips of children in Kenya put together to music.

Kenya is a land of diversity. It consists of coastal towns, to large cities, to flatlands, to snow-capped mountains. In the picture seen above, it is the National Park of Nairobi with the Nairobi skyline in the background.

The capital of Kenya is Nairobi, with a population over 3 million. This city has thousands of street kids, left to fend for themselves, many of whom are addicted to sniffing glue. The video below is about 11 minutes, but it is fascinating because it shows how young adults in Kenya, who used to live on the streets, are now helping those who are on the streets. They offer things for the kids to get involved in, like playing music, a soccer team, and other stuff, by bringing it all to the streets. If you have a few minutes, I encourage you to watch it.Kenya Street Kids - Africa

After watching all those videos, the only thing I hve left to say, is that my heart is burning, now more than ever, for the nation of Kenya.