London Calling

Well, I leave in t-minus 4 hours on a flight to London.  To say I'm excited it definitely an understatement.  I cried last time I left London just over three years ago - now, I can see myself crying upon my return.  I can't really explain what it is about London (and England in general) that has such a hold on my heart.  It's practically unexplainable.  It's something about my heritage coming from there - the type of people that would strike out for an unknown world in pursuit of freedom and adventure.  It's also something about a whole group of people who lived through two world wars, with fighting on their home front, and still persevered.  And then there's the fact that England is the setting for so much great literature and film (Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Shakespeare's plays, etc etc). 

I am finally packed and just about ready to go. Grandma and Grandpa just stopped by and brought me some cookies for the flight and we spent a little time together.  Hugging them goodbye was the first time I think it's really struck me that I'll be gone for 1/12 of a year.  In some ways it seems like a long time, but then, compared to the last time I was in Europe, it seems like nothing.  I'm sure it will go by in an absolute flash, and I'll be back here, writing a blog about reflections on my trip.  Time does seem to fly so very quickly these days.  Before you know it, it's just...gone. 

How Blessed Thou Art

Bethany in El Salvador, one of her first stops.

Tonight at Life Group, my dear sweet friend Bethany skyped in from Thailand.  It was 7 a.m. her time - 104 degrees and high humidity. She'd just woken up after sleeping on the roof because inside was too hot and she kept apologizing for her morning hair - as if we'd care.  She is now in her 4th month of mission work through The World Race after spending the first three months in South America.  Her next stop is Cambodia, then three countries in Africa, then Nepal and India.  And honestly, I don't know how she is doing it.  I am so very proud and in awe of her willingness to follow God's plan to the literal ends of the earth.  I know she is touching so many lives in ways we can't even imagine, but seeing her made my heart ache for her, and hearing about her struggles made me want to give her a hug (or at least a clean shower and some new clothes).  Just try to imagine - living in the same six outfits, with the same group of people 24/7, in all third-world countries, none of which speak English, working your butt off - for 11 months.  Ok, give up.  You can't imagine it.  But if you want to get a better idea, read her blog: http://bethanywaddell.theworldrace.org/.  I have to say, it's way better than mine. lol Mostly because it's so absolutely fascinating. Almost every entry makes me either laugh or cry. 

Recently, one of her temporary teammates went back home (former "World Racers" spend the first 3 months with the new batch, then leave once they've gotten the hang of things).  Anyway, when her friend Becki arrived in the airport, her boyfriend met her there and proposed.  The photo she posted to her blog showing their reunion made me cry.  The love, joy and thankfulness on both their faces was so tangible.  The shot should be on the cover of a magazine...it was beautiful.  So beautiful that it made me cry.  That, and the fact that Bethany and I both know what it feels like to watch all our friends get married one after another and wonder if perhaps there is something to "different" about us. (Though I agree with her statement in the blog that this feeling of inadequacy comes from all the social media that rubs all the good stuff in our faces but which often lacks the truth of people's lives). 

So anyway, even though it made me cry and made me feel a little self-pitying, it also gave me hope.  Hope that one day, I'll be the girl in that photo.  That one day, someone will really see me for me.  I know it will happen - it's all about God's timing.  And right now, His timing is for me to go to Europe and have a fabulous time filled with new foods and friends and beautiful sights.  To say I'm excited is an understatement.

Tonight I feel so grateful.  So grateful for my family and my friends and the opportunities I've been given. Sometimes, we start to take these things for granted - but then talking to someone like Bethany and listening to all she's gone through and how foreign everything is and feels; how the only breakfast food in Thailand is pork flavored oatmeal - it makes you so thankful for what you have. 

My new 102 year old friend - shopping at Stein Mart.

Oh, and I also went shopping with a 102 year old lady today who I'm writing a story on.  102 and the woman goes shopping 2 days a week, standing the whole time.  Today she bought a sparkly pair of low silver heels.  I showed her a pair of more practical silver Sam & Libby flats, but she wanted the heels.  I had to sit in awe of her energy and gumption.  And I felt so thankful that I got to meet her - that my position allows me to meet amazing people like this.  I've met so many amazing people during my time with the paper in the last year and half.  Truly, I am ever so blessed. 

The silver shoes she had to have!

Now, in Europe, I'll get to meet a whole bunch more brand new people to learn even more about life and how to love the world.  What a joy!

The 80s are Back!

Crazy ladies at the clothing swap!

I had such a good weekend!  Friday night I went to my friend Bill's art show.  He was my first Argentine Tango teacher and is also an amazing artist, painting scenes primarily of Argentina and tango dancers. After there I met up with my friend Vanessa at her place in Concord and we went (with her adorable son Isaiah) to Olive Garden for dinner.  Afterward, we watched her favorite movie: "Life is Beautiful."  It is in Italian (which she speaks fluently) and they speak so fast I could barely read the subtitles in time during much of it, but I really enjoyed it.  It has such a unique mix of humor,sentiment and tragedy (it takes place during the Holocaust).  It reminded me a little of a Woody Allen film.  Anyway, I recommend it if you haven't seen it.

With Angela before the 80s party.

On Saturday evening after teaching my little girls Bible study class, I went to a clothing exchange party.  Basically, about 20 women brought all their old clothes/accessories over to one's house and we spread everything out over every piece of furniture in the house and then just started "shopping" for new things.  It is such a great/fun idea because you walk away with a whole new wardrobe for free.  I was able to find some accessories to dress up my 80s outfit (which I brought with me to attend an 80s themed b-day party at The Breakfast Club) and my friend Angela found a whole outfit to wear to the party.  It was so much fun!

At The Breakfast Club, they play all 80s music and the big screens on the wall play scenes from 80s movies.  Most people dress up and it is such a riot!  My friend Josh met us out, as did Vanessa.  As one of my friends put it, "The great thing about the 80s is that you can dance like an idiot and no one cares!"  lol

I had such a good time, though my knees and toes were aching the next day.  I do not remember feeling like this after dancing for 2 hours in heels when I was 22.  I'm getting old......lol.

At The Breakfast Club: L, Brent, Jess, Ben.

On Sunday after church and lunch, a bunch of my friends and I went to Freedom Park and the weather was out of this world!  It was high 70s with a nice breeze.  I played one round of volleyball, but I'm incredibly terrible at it. lol  I don't have depth-perception or something because I can never tell where the ball is going to land until it's in the sand. I felt bad for my team.  The one time I did something right and smacked the ball to another one of my teammates, they were all congratulating me.  That's when you know you're really bad. haha

I'm sad I'll have to miss four weeks of Park Day (as we call it) while I'm gone...but not TOO sad. ;)

I'm getting ever more excited about Europe and my return to CouchSurfing.  I miss meeting exciting new people all the time and setting out on my own, with no one's schedule to adhere to but my own.

Poem I Wrote

With my cousins and grandparents.

Reflection

It's on a quiet night
like this one here,
when you think about all
that you hold dear.

The extended family
who helped you grow;
the brother you love

Mom and Dad - my first birthday.

even when he doesn't know.

Parents who did everything
to make sure you were well;
whose love poured out
in every story they would tell.

Friends who have known you
from the time you were small,
who will be there for you always

My brother and me with Grandma and Grandpa.

no matter what time you call.

The army man on the plane
who talked away your fears,
though he hadn't slept
in what seemed like years.

All across the world
the lost sisters that you found;
though they didn't speak your tongue
their heartbeats shared your sound.

With my oldest friend.

The red rocks of the west
so vibrant in hue;
the snow-capped mountains
reaching into the blue.


The way the stars shine
on a moonless night;
diamonds on black velvet
- a breathtaking sight.

Thunder rolling just outside
with the summer smell of rain
- reminds me of childhood,

With lost sister Anna in Greece.

memories free from pain.

Sometimes growing up
feels strange and scary
but when I count my blessings
I never feel wary. 

Surely my life will be
something more than I can see;
for I have been given the keys
to unlock the very heart of me.

Red rocks of Utah.

The Grand Tetons.

 

Stars in Capitol Reef National Park, UT.

Summer storm in Tucson.