Welcome Home

When I was interviewing with the Indian school I remember being asked how flexible I am and how well I'm able to go with the flow of things constantly changing. At the time I thought I'd be able to roll with it and be able to accept not knowing things until the last minute or changing at the last minute. What I didn't take into account was the lack of settling before the changes would take place.

I haven't known how many girls I'll have and it's changed from 5 to 6 to a full house of 10 to maybe 8. I'm okay with not knowing for sure because this is something, I'm told, happens here. Even mid year there will be kids leaving because of homesickness and coming because, well, that's just how it goes some times. I'm okay getting ready for the girls, even not knowing how many I'll have exactly, but what was challenging was the different information I was getting as I was preparing for the girls. It was very difficult to try and plan (knowing it could change), but within the same day get 3 different answers that all conflict with each other is tough. Thankfully the other dorm mom and I have become friends and are in the same boat of organization. We were able to go together and get the answers we needed. We sat down and created a page long list of questions we needed answers for before we could continue our prep. We went to our supervisor and went over our questions getting answers (many of which were along the line of, "Your plans sound good... go ahead and keep planning and preparing.").

Once we got our answers we were able to get going. It was as if knowing how we could decorate was a physical block to cleaning the dorms... which would need to be cleaned regardless. There were more questions, but most of them seemed to be along the same line of regardless of that specific answer we couldn't do this other thing that wouldn't matter regardless of what happened.

One thing I'm surprised with is my lack of homesickness. Of course I miss everyone and the city life of stores being open after 9:00pm or not having to drive a minimum of 45 minutes to get to Wal-Mart (no Target's out here), but for the most part I feel like this place is starting to be home. Before the day of 3-conflicting-answers-to-the-same-question I felt like I was on a long vacation or something. I knew I was staying, but my parents and Greg were here to help me move in and unpack (although my dad went on to Texas to get my sister's car from my other sister and my mom ended up getting a kidney stone which she needed to pass before she could continue traveling). With them here I had familiar faces and wasn't really connecting with the staff and my new environment. Don't get me wrong... I loved I had a few extra days before I jumped in with both feet. However, when they left I felt like I had belly flopped and the sting hurt just a bit. Once I got up, shook myself off, spent some time with God who reminded me he's called me here and it's going to be okay I started to settle in and start making this place home.

In the end this is really what it's all about... I've been called here and I'm going to keep wading through until I'm called to leave (which I'm okay if it's when I'm called Home).

Here are some pictures from the drive.

Greg and I are so pretty.

We stopped for dinner and they had these tiaras and we couldn't help but pose for a picture.

Rest stop tea party.

My New Home

It's been a week and a half since I've been here, but I just now got internet in my apartment! WHOO HOO! Soon I'll have wireless internet, but for now I'll work with the ethernet cord and being tethered to the wall. 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I got here and figured I'd be in a small "apartment" all the while expecting something along the lines of a hotel room with a kitchenette. I was surprised when I got here and saw the size of my living room, full kitchen and two decent sized bedrooms.

At first I was thinking traditional of having the rooms as you'd expect them, i.e. walking into the living room and having the office/craft room tucked away in one of the bedrooms. However, once I started getting things moved in and realized the amount of things I had to go into the office/craft room I remembered something a friend suggested before I left, "switch the living room and craft room." After all, she reminded me, I will be spending more time in my craft room.

Thankfully I still had Greg here to help me move the two couches from my old living room to my new living room. I'm sure you would have loved being a fly on the wall watching Greg lift the couches with one hand... probably with only one finger at that... and me on the other end making all these crazy noises as I took everything inside of me to lift with two hands, arms, shoulders, legs, feet, back, hips... all the while stopping every few feet or so for me to "take a break and catch my breath." In the end we were able to do it and I can't explain the amount of success I felt as I accomplished my goal. I got the new living room settled and realized how cozy it felt compared to being in the bigger room where everything was far away from each other and cold feeling.

The other thing is the bedrooms have carpet and the rest of the apartment has tile. The other deciding factor was how the craft room will be on tile and easy to sweep up when crafting. The next thing was how I was going to arrange the craft room to be the most efficient use of space. I think I've come up with a good lay out, but who knows, I may move ti as I get working and finish going through all the drawers.

After getting most things put away I made a video of my apartment. It was late at night and I realize I look a mess, but in my defense I had been working all day and I'm still adjusting to the Arizona heat.

Click HERE to go to a video of my apartment. 

So far, I like my lay out. I love going into my new living room and watching a movie (no TV channels for two reasons, one, the satellite cable is now in my craft room and, two, I'm okay without having TV to distract me from my work). It's so cozy in there and truly gives me a break from what's going on outside. My craft room/office is FANTASTIC and quite possibly one of the best decisions I've made thus far. I was cutting poster board and as it was falling to the ground I thought, "Shoot, that's going to be a pain to clean up later," but then looked down at the tile and thought, "Actually, it's not going to because I have a broom!" By having the second desk and chair it is easy for people to come in and take a seat while I'm working. I love it! I'm excited to craft with others in my HUGE craft room.

The only downside to my apartment is the proximity to the field and the critters and bugs that seek a nice place to escape. I've been a feeding ground to the bugs and the other dorm mom has been catching mice more than we'd like to admit (after she caught a few I decided against paying for the traps because it's a fruitless effort). We have strict rules with food and storage. This is something we're going to have to live with and it's better we have a plan to live with them because there really is no way we're going to be able to exterminate the critters and bugs - even though we'd like a way to exterminate them. 

The plus side to having a field outside my kitchen and new living room window is the view. I see a barn with llamas and sheep the school owns and miles and miles of beautiful creation God has given me to appreciate.

This is one of the llamas outside my kitchen window.

I like to call her Sally (I hope if it's a boy he doesn't mind being called Sally).

So, this is my new home and I'm excited to call this home - critters and bugs and all.

Packing and A BIG THANK YOU!

It's another late night as I'm packing up preparing for my move. Unsure of how long this journey will be I'm packing up everything and getting ready to head out. I leave in three short days and feel overwhelmed with how much I have yet to finish. The thing I keep reminding myself is although this is a large chore there is a great reward. A reward of following God's path and will for my life. It helps me push through and keep going.

The blessings along the way are so encouraging and affirming I'm doing exactly what God wants me to do. There are so many things I want to share, but it's late and I should get some sleep. However, I'll share a few things just to keep you updated on how good God is and how He's providing.

There are many costs to moving as anyone who's ever moved knows. Being my first time to move my entire life and unsure of what people will donate to my endeavorer (there are SO many things I can't possibly list them all, but you know who you are and how you've helped me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!) I decided to rent a moving truck. A friend helped me find a company that is significantly cheaper than the company I knew of, but on top of that there was a special going on in addition to the coupon I found online. The cost ended up being less than half of what the original company quote I had originally found! Praise God, He is SO good!

As I mentioned above there have been many donations given to me in support of my journey. In addition to monetary donations there are many donations that have come to aide in my crafting hobbies as well as items I'll need for an apartment. The school has a few things I can use, but I'm not sure what all is available, nor do I know what I'll really need. My motto in donations at this point is if it fits I'll take it! I asked the school if I end up bringing too much or more than I need could I donate them to the school and would they be able to use the specific items I wasn't sure if I'd need them. The school contact affirmed my motto is great and very helpful to myself and to the school. She then affirmed the items I wasn't sure I'd need are good items to have and I'd want to keep them. She then reminded me the school is ran on donations and she informed me Christmas is a big time that they need donations and asked if my friends and family would want to help with donations for that time. I said I'd ask and get more information later on what exactly we need - in other words stay tuned for more ways to help.

The other day I went to my eye doctor to pick up my old glasses that had a screw messed up and was being repaired. I took my glasses in a few months ago and called a month or so ago to let them know I have been busy at work and unable to get to the office to adjust my glasses after they've repaired them. They said it was fine and to come by when I have time. Last week I figured I should go by and pick up my glasses to have them as a spare in case something were to happen to my current glasses. I remember thinking how it's my previous prescription, but something is better than nothing. I went into the office and after an hour of looking for my glasses they came to me to let me know they have been misplaced. I was disappointed because those were my back-up glasses, but at the same time I should have come in earlier to prevent them from being misplaced. I explained how I'm going to be a missionary in Arizona and unsure when I'd return to California. The office manager told me she'd replace them and to come back the next day. I was so confused and trying to understand what was going on I left the office without asking questions. Once I was on my way I realized I didn't ask what the replacement frames would look like (I wear my glasses all the time and am particular on my frames because it's part of my personality). I figured this was going to have to be something I let go of and these are, after all, my back-up pair of glasses.

The following day I return to see they've replaced the lost glasses with the same pair I bought a few months ago! I LOVE these frames and I'm SO excited to have my back-up to be the same frames. As if this wasn't enough the new frames are my new prescription (which I know makes sense, but I was expecting my old prescription). What seemed like the whole office (other patients and all) stood around to hear about what I'm doing and how I'm following God's will. I shared how trustworthy God is and even though I may not know exactly what to expect I can expect God to be faithful. The office manager then went to the back and put together a bag of cleaner, cleaning cloths and other items including designer cases to send me on my way. I left the office in total shock of what happened, but I know God is taking care of me and I'm thankful my eye doctor's office was able to be a part of that.

The love and support just keeps coming. The Nehrbass family contacted me last week to ask if they could throw me a going away party. It was going to have to be short notice and I wasn't sure who all could come, but I agreed. Sunday evening I went to their house and was so overwhelmed with how many people were there to send me off. The Nehrbass's mentioned how their house has never had so many people in all the parties they have thrown. The house was packed with love and I did my best to soak it all in! There were many friends I haven't seen in a while as well as new friends I had just met that morning! I am so grateful for all who were able to make it Sunday evening as well as those who were unable to make it due to the short notice and have expressed their love. If I didn't know I was loved before (which I knew I was) there is no doubt now! I don't have a vocabulary large enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for all everyone has done!

I'm very overwhelmed with the support and love I'm receiving and although this support and love will carry me forward it's hard to say good-bye. I've had many moments where I find myself so overwhelmed in love I can't help but let my eyes well up with tears of gratitude.

Thank you!

It All Comes Together

I know I haven't been all that great at keeping this blog going. As many of you know I've been in this period of waiting. I know God has a plan for my life, but for the time being I've been waiting. I've been waiting because I know right here, right now is not a forever moment. I know God has something greater for me. When in a period of waiting it can be understandable to find myself getting comfortable and accept the lie that this might be it... with nothing else to look forward to. I always knew I was in waiting and I tried SO hard to ignore the lies and temptation to become comfortable because this is not the promise. The promise that God has a plan for my life and I just need to wait and be patient.

Well, the time has come to move on and moving I'll do. Not half way around the world to a new country with a new language, but to Arizona to be a dorm parent at an Indian school. There will be a new culture and the challenges that come along with that, but this is where God wants me and that's where I'll be.

About a month ago my sister was looking at the job board for a job herself when she came across a job listing and said it would be a perfect job for me. In the past three years or so I've seen many jobs that would be "perfect" for me. I've applied to a few without getting the job and others heard God's little whisper saying, "This isn't what I have for you. Keep waiting, your time is soon." I was expecting to hear God's whisper, but didn't hear the same whisper I've heard so many times before. Instead I heard, "Apply." I followed God's direction. I wish I could say I followed with full trust and enthusiasm, but I'd rather not lie. I was hesitant and waiting for SOMETHING to not fit or be right which then would let me know I'm still in this period of waiting. I sent in my application, had an interview via Skype and was offered the job. I actually didn't realize I had the job until I was sharing what was talked about during the interview with family and friends.

I then began to think about all the ways God has trained me and given me experience for this position. I thought about how everything in my life leads me to this job. I think of all of my work experience, my life experience, my schooling and overall life goals and purpose (to be a wife and a mother... and if this isn't as close to being a mother as a single woman I'm not sure what will be!).

While at Concordia working on my Bachelors in Behavioral Science: Sociology I wasn't sure exactly what I would be doing with my degree and figured a broad focus would be better than a specific focus. I took classes to reflect this, however, when I was taking a class on general people groups in America I found myself in a class where the professor didn't like me. She had it out for me. There would be students on their phones in class and she would say nothing to them, but me with my book open and not on the right page would get a lecture for not paying attention. When she started taking it out on my grades I was frustrated and not sure what to do. I was doing the same thing the other students were doing, but somehow my work was not what she was looking for and theirs was okay. I tried asking what it was that I was doing wrong, but she couldn't give me an answer. Fed-up, frustrated and hurt I dropped the class.

The following semester I took the only other class offered for that section's requirement. The class was Native People of North America. At the time I thought how this is SO specific of studying a people group and when would I ever need this information again? With no other option in classes I took this class. I was pleased when I found out it was offered by my favorite professor and even more excited when I found out this was his favorite class to teach. I knew his passion was going to be even higher than his normal high passion for his classes and at least this class was going to be more awesome than his other, already awesome, classes. I was right and this class was quite possibly my favorite class.

The following semester (now a year after the first class with the professor who didn't like me) I have a class with no other option and only one professor teaching it and as you could guess... it's the professor who doesn't like me. I was stressing out about taking this class. There was no other option and I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I figured in the very least I could get the books early and start reading with the goal of trying to get a handle on the subject before the class started. I got the three required books for the class and read one and half of another before the class began. The first day of class I was so nervous of what was going to happen. I got to class early and the first opportunity I had to talk her her I took. I approached her and inside I wanted to run and cry in the opposite direction. On the outside I was holding back tears of fear. I explained to her how I got the books ahead of time to try and get a better understanding of the class, but wasn't sure what to read first (I had sent her an e-mail, but she never responded to it). She informed me she didn't get the e-mail and the book I had completed was the first book we were going to go cover. She asked me some questions and said I understood the concept and main points in the book. She then told me to stop reading the second book and read the third because that was the next book we'd be covering, but what I had read I had an understanding of the subject at hand. I left that day still not sure how she would treat me, but at least I was on the right track. The rest of the class I was one of her favorite students.  Mid semester I asked her if she remembered me in the class from the year before. I was confused how she could have hated me so, but now loved me. She looked at me puzzled and said, "You weren't in that class!" Not wanting to argue the point nor bring back any upset feelings I responded with a simple, "Oh, I must be thinking of another class" and left it at that. I was confused, but I wasn't about to push the issue.

It wasn't until now that I realized and fully understood how God had a plan for me and he was in the middle of orchestrating that plan. He knew I needed to take Native People of North America and he made sure I would take it. But, God is so kind and gracious he redeemed my self-esteem and hurt feelings by offering me another chance to face the professor of the class I didn't need. I love how God not only did what he needed to put me on the right path, but made sure my self-esteem was redeemed and I once again was a good, favored student.

I'm excited for this plan God has for me at the Indian school and I'm excited to continue to follow Him. I know there will be many challenging days ahead. I know I will have trials, but I know this is where God wants me. God wants me here to love on these children and be his hands and feet while telling them all about my savior, Jesus Christ, and what He's done for all of us!

I'm going to need help on this journey and there are two ways you can help. The first, being the more important, is to pray. Pray for me and the kids I'll be working with. Pray for strength and wisdom as I adjust to a new life style and way of living. Second, you can help by giving either as a one time gift or monthly. Please contact me and I'll let you know how you can help. I should mention this is going to be a missionary position. I will have a small annual salary (a little over $8,000 to be more specific) and although my room and board is covered, there are other expenses like insurance, internet (to stay in contact), food when the cafeteria is closed when the kids are off campus and many other expenses - including any crafts I'd like to do with the girls will need to come out of my pocket. If you would like to help sponsor me and help me on this journey I would greatly appreciate it.

My goal is to be more on top of posting to this blog. I want to make sure you are updated in my journey and know how your prayers and giving are being answered and used! I'll also send out e-mails and newsletters, so please make sure I have your contact information.

I'm excited for you to join me on this journey and I can't wait to see what God has continued to plan for my life.