Singing Mountains and Clapping Trees

Within the past year or so, Isaiah has quickly become one of my favorite books of the Bible, if not my very favorite. It has provided encouragement and support in countless situations. A few nights ago, I turned to chapter 55 and started reading. If you have time, read the whole chapter because it is wonderful.

But one verse stuck out to me that night. Isaiah 55:12 says, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the moutains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." As amazing as the image of trees clapping their "hands" is, I focused in on the first part of that verse.

As someone who loves to-do lists and planning (far, far in advance), it can be easy for me to dwell on the future rather than today. Most of the time, I am happy to look forward to all the things I have planned before leaving for Uganda as well as the excitement of actually going! But there is a "logical" part of me that also realizes that everything won't always be rainbows, unicorns, and butterflies all the time in Uganda. Sometimes it can be hard to find a balance between having realistic expectations and negatively dwelling on what could go wrong.

But back to the verse--I thought it fit perfectly. As I leave for Uganda, it will be an exciting and bittersweetly joyous time. When I first arrive and see those beautiful mountains, I don't think it will be hard to picture them bursting into song. But what is even better is that when those days inevitably come when the rainbow has changed to just plain old rain and the unicorns look like ugly horses, God promises his peace will lead me forth. How wonderful! God isn't sending me to Uganda with just the promise that I'll go in joy but is sending me with the additional promise that I will continue to be led forward in His gracious peace.

Stocking Up on Fireworks

I celebrated my first 4th of July in America in about three years just a few days ago. I'm not a particularly patriotic person and never really saw the 4th as a holiday that I just had to be with my family. So I wasn't upset when I got to spend it in London two years ago. I wasn't sure how Independence Day would be celebrated in the place which we Americans had defeated to gain that independence. But it was fun to see the British view of Americans as they "celebrated". The British Museum hosted a party with all things American including hot dogs and cotton candy, line dancing, and American football being played quite pathetically on the front lawn.

Last year I spent my 4th on a sand dune in Senegal. Quite a different celebration for sure! It was a fun and memorable night with sparklers and an American barbecue atop a mountain of sand. We all forgot flashlights so the hamburgers were cooked by the light of one headlamp and the full moon graciously guided us back to our cars after the festivities. The 4th landed on the week when we had our homestay. As much as I absolutely loved the women we were staying with, it was so exciting to join fellow Americans (and two Canadians and a New Zealander) to celebrate our American-ness and to speak English again rather than stumble through a conversation in Wolof!

This year was fun too in a different kind of way. I had a relaxing 4th of July weekend and didn't do much other than hang out with my parents and take a nap (or two). But, I was determined to go see some real fireworks. Family friends invited us to go along with them to a "secret location" where the show was guaranteed to be incredible. And was it ever! There were firetrucks stationed next to the field we sat in. Just in case a stray spark came over. I had never seen fireworks so close! I had to lay back in my chair to see many of them. You could feel each boom in your chest and hear the crackle. While the other spectators were mute in their awe (or maybe just weren't really that impressed), I just couldn't stop declaring how amazing the show was!

The next night we decided to also go to our local fireworks display right down the street. While it wasn't quite as awe-inspiring as the previous night's show, it was picturesque on the waterfront and reminded me of the many times we had gone when I was growing up.

I was wishing I had my camera to remember the American fireworks fun. But, I think I'll remember and I'm kind of glad I got to see it with both eyes open rather than behind a viewfinder. I'm glad I stocked up for two years worth of fireworks! I'm also so excited to see all that God has done between now and July 4, 2011. I know it is going to be amazing.

Blessings of Rest

I have been able to enjoy real, quality rest lately. After returning home from college, I found it difficult to give up the busy, busy pace of school life. I began working at a job that I really didn't like (waitressing) and support raising like crazy, making phone calls and mailings constantly. It was an okay period of life. Who am I kidding? I was miserable. I enjoyed getting to talk with my supporters but other than that, I was pretty unhappy and missing my friends from school.

In the beginning of this month, God began to rain down blessings on me. First, I received a job at my home church working as a fill-in secretary. I had been praying since about January of this year that I wouldn't have to waitress yet again. When nothing came through, I figured that God wanted me to waitress and that it would be a sanctifying experience. Which it was. But, God, in his goodness, decided to bless me with this job. I now have a job I enjoy in a pleasant environment and I'm getting to know my home church better in the months before I leave for Uganda.

A few days after hearing that I had gotten the job, I was able to spend a week in Ocean City, NJ with my family and some friends from school. This was an incredible time of decompressing and rest for me. A whole week of sitting on the beach reading good books was truly fantastic. I spent time with my family and was unbelievably touched when my 2 year-old niece asked for Aunt Chrissy to come kiss her good-night. Later in the week, a few of my closest friends from school came from NY, CT, and PA. We had lots of laughs and even got in the freezing ocean.

Time on the boardwalk with my college friends.

Sweet N hanging out in the stroller.

E doing in the same.

A showing off her goofy personality.

M showing off his beach hat.

That week also gave me some time alone to think and process. My support has been coming in fast (over 75% of my monthly support is pledged!) and the reality of leaving America and moving to Uganda has started to hit. The vast majority of the time, I only feel excitement and eagerness to go when I think of Uganda. But when I'm really enjoying time with my family or an American comfort, it can be easy to think of what I'm leaving behind. Thankfully I can trust God and know that His calling is true and that my support flowing in is concrete proof that He wants me in Uganda. Being in the center of His will isn't always the easiest thing but I know that it is the best!

After returning from the beach, I began my new job and my support raising has slowed down from its previously frenzied pace. I have been enjoying afternoons basking in the sun while floating on a raft in our pool. I have taken the time to enjoy the cornfields that spread far on both sides of the back roads I drive every day. I have been blessed with real rest and relaxation. I am a person that likes to be busy and is often uncomfortable with an empty day planner. But God has been showing me that it is okay to enjoy a season of rest. I know that my life will speed up again in a few months as I attend orientation, begin packing, and start my new chapter in Uganda. But for now, I think I will just enjoy basking in the glow of God's rich blessings. And in the sun while I swim in our pool :)

25%

Unfortunately I don't have much time for a creative entry. But, for those that are reading, I have reached 25% of my monthly support! God is so good and his faithfulness is being shown to me in very concrete numbers the past few weeks. Please continue to pray that the remaining 75% would come in just as quickly!

Graduation

Well, I did it! I officially graduated last weekend. It was a great time filled with friends, family, and lots of great food. I was really sad as we drove away from the campus for the last time. I hate good-byes. But, I know that this was good practice for the many bigger and longer good-byes I will have to say in a few months.

Three of my very best friends that I made at Nyack drove from Connecticut and Pennsylvania to watch me graduate. I think the picture above provides a good visual for our highly entertaining relationship. While the picture is a tad ridiculous, these girls have become a whole new family to me and I will miss them dearly as I move to Uganda.

Endings. And Beginnings too!

I'm sitting here in Christie Room 201 and it is my last night in a Nyack dorm. While I should be studying for a test I have at 8 am tomorrow and memorizing facts about Hindu philosophies and Zoroastrian beliefs, I am instead writing my first blog post. You can't blame me for getting a little sentimental, right? And avoiding studying isn't such a terrible thing either. I hope.

Anyway, as I sat on my bed, knitting instead of studying, and looked at all the half-packed bags, my i-Pod began playing a song about not wanting to grow up. While I hate good-byes and avoid being overly sentimental, this song made me reflect. I have been somewhat sad about all the lasts and endings of the past few weeks as I finish up my college career here at Nyack. I love making lists so I've decided to do just that. The first list:

Reasons I am Sad for the End of Nyack:

• Leaving the friends I have made over the past 3 years. I have learned more from the relationships I found at Nyack than anything else. I will always have a special place in my heart for my Nyack friends.
• Leaving the spiritual atmosphere of Nyack. Going to chapel several times a week and being able to worship with so many other people is unique. I have loved that my professors not only taught practical information but they taught us spiritual lessons too.
• Leaving the beauty of this campus. Nyack is gorgeous in the springtime! Everything is green and beautiful and the air literally smells of lilacs. I will miss the Hudson River despite the many times I cursed it for its wintery winds.
• Leaving the student phase of my life. As much as I am THRILLED to be finished with school, there is a part of me that fears growing up. It's a small part. But as I think about adult things like health insurance, paying school loans, and who will do my taxes while I'm in Uganda, I am realizing that I have more to learn about being a real grown-up :)

Ok...on to list #2. If I only remained sentimental about Nyack, it would be too hard to leave. So...

Things I Will Not Miss About Nyack:

• The food! Oh dear. The food here at Nyack is legendary and the topic of many conversations. I am grateful that the Nyack Cafeteria has sustained me physically throughout the past 3 years. But it has also given me a whole new appreciation for good food. Nyack Caf food, I will not miss thee!
• Dorm life. Communal hall girl's bathrooms can become gross. Quickly. Enough said.
• Winter. As much as I love Nyack's beauty in the spring, I am more than excited to move to a warmer location where winter is basically non-existent. Snow is pretty but it is cold. And even when there isn't snow at Nyack, it is cold and gray and makes me beg for the sun.
• Academics! I love learning. But, the idea of not having to write a paper, read a textbook, or research anything because a syllabus tells me to is wonderful! I am going to read a book that I choose this summer. And it will be entirely for fun and I can take as long as I want to read it. It will be wonderful :)

So as Nyack is coming to an end in my life, I am finding reasons to cry and reasons to dance. Tomorrow when I finish my last final, I think it will take quite a bit of effort to not scream and dance in the front of the room. I will try to restrain myself.

In addition to Nyack ending, I have so many new beginnings to look forward to! God has placed an incredible opportunity before me and I could not be more excited to move to Uganda. I am hoping that support raising will provide me with the time I need to adjust and move smoothly into this next chapter of my life. I have a bad habit of being afraid of the unknown. I like to have my ducks in a row. But as I prepare for the next step, I am excited to see all that God has to teach me and how he will work out all the unknowns. He is faithful and loves me--whether I am finishing, beginning, or somewhere in between.