Learn, Enjoy, Serve.

So, I'm here! 

I had a good flight over, mostly due to the fact that I bought one of those travel pillows in the airport and was actually able to sleep most of the way! I also sat next to a man who was a total hippie, who had moved to NZ 30 years ago. We didn't talk much except for a little at the beginning and about 2 hours at the end, but in those 2 hours he told me all about why he believes we are here on earth: to learn, to enjoy, and to serve. He wishes people would go beyond their little bubble to help other people, and hates the hold that money has on so many. He believes that we are all a part of a huge energy force (not personal, not God), and that there is eternal life, but no judgment. Everyone goes to the same place. I was so intrigued by what he had to say that I just listened and asked him questions for the majority of the time. He was obviously not going to be moved by any theological discussion about it, and even if he weren't so deeply set in his ways, I wouldn't have really known what to say. It's funny how all of those arguments I learned in Bible classes seemed inadequate when face to face with a very intelligent person who has very good reasons for what he believes. It gave me something to think about even after I'd left the plane. 

Rob picked me up from the airport around 10:00 yesterday morning, and we went straight to the church building. One of the cool things I got to help out with was their after-school ministry for girls ages 9-12 called Shiloh. They provide snacks, play games, and do either crafts, or art, or baking, or sewing, stuff like that. Today we made bread and played a LOT of jump rope. It was fun, and it helped keep me awake throughout the day. After that, Rob and I picked up his girls from school and he dropped me off at Robyn and Eric's house, where I took a shower and went to bed. Jet lag hasn't been as bad as I expected, and I slept a good 11 or 12 hours last night.  Robyn and Eric are really, really nice and have made me feel right at home.

So far, I love the culture here. I think I've finally gotten all the meals sorted out... breakfast, a cuppa ("a cuppa" means a hot drink, could be coffee or tea, usually served with a snack of some kind around 10:30), lunch (called dinner on Sundays, or if it is a hot meal), afternoon tea (this is more optional, and is usually a snack), tea (dinner, but a little on the lighter side) and supper (if you are hungry after 7 or so). The hardest one for me to remember is that "tea" means dinner. and "dinner" sometimes means lunch. it's funny because it all really depends on the context, and you just figure it out. I love that everyone stops in the middle of the morning for a cuppa (every time I hear that, I want to say "a cup of what?" the funny thing is they actually spell it "a cuppa", as if that is a real word). it's like a universal break from whatever is going on that day. I also love the way they talk. It just makes me smile.

Oh, one more thing... it is really cold here. Kind of like Heidelberg in December, except they don't have central heating, so if you are lucky you find room with a space heater on the wall or ceiling. I didn't realize how cold I had been until I got in the hot shower and my body started to thaw out. But all that kind of makes it fun... more interesting at least. Plus I have an electric blanket in my bed, which is so nice (and probably a big reason why I slept so well!)

Anyway, I've got a couple days to take it easy before I start working, so I'm going to read for a bit and then go to the grocery story with Robyn.

Learn, enjoy, serve.

The Road Goes Ever On And On...

And I'm off. In one hour my mom and I will drive to SF, and at 9:45pm, my plane will leave for New Zealand. This came so fast... I mean, I knew it would, but still. 48 hours is just not enough time at home.

I'm really tired already (I had this great idea of staying up really late and sleeping in to start getting off East Coast time and inch my way toward NZ time... which would've been great if I hadn't succeeded so well at staying up late and failed at the sleeping in part). All that to say, the idea of a 13 hour flight overnight where I will probably not sleep doesn't sound like the greatest thing. But that's ok, everything in life doesn't have to be fun. Besides, I'm going to a place that I've wanted to see ever since middle school (I think that was about the same time Fellowship of the Ring came out... huh. must be a coincidence).

I am so blessed to travel as much as I have. I'm just not ready to go yet... I'm homesick and I haven't even left.

"I Now Present To You: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Westman!"

Well, I just gave away the most interesting and exciting part of this post, so I guess you don’t really have to read the rest.

As I write this I am sitting in the Washington Dulles airport waiting on my direct flight to Sacramento. I’m pretty sure we don’t even get peanuts now, so I’ll probably have to grab an over-priced and over-processed snack to bring on board with me.

Hold on a sec...

~ * ~

... So after writing that last bit, I was informed that my plane to Sacramento had been switched out for a smaller plane and that if enough people didn’t volunteer to give up their seats, I would be kicked off. At first I was anxious about it, but then I realized even though I leave for New Zealand in less than 3 days, it’s not going to kill me to get home tomorrow. It actually started to sound kind of fun. A small adventure! 

Half an hour later I was standing outside with my half-eaten starbucks muffin, waiting for a shuttle to the hotel… and am now sitting on a huge bed, about to go to sleep – praise the Lord!

Ok, back to the important stuff.

The last week before the wedding was insane. There were masses of people (mostly the bridal party, but also some friends and family) at the Spann’s house during the day, and countless projects to delegate and complete. Somehow, of course, they all got done, and I even got a strange sort of exhilaration out of the craziness – again, praise the Lord. It was probably one of the most fun weeks of my life.

Yesterday was the day of the wedding, and around 10am the bridesmaids, make-up artists, hairstylists, babies, babysitters photographer, and other helpers all arrived. I won’t go into the details, but lets just say that after a few hours, several cans of hairspray, a few hundred bobby pins, a few layers of makeup, dresses, shoes, and bouquets, we were ready to go. The ceremony was amazing, and the reception was a blast. It went by so fast. Congratulations to Dan and Linzy Westman!

I have to pause here to say that Linzy was without a doubt the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. She sparkled and glowed and radiated... simply flawless. 

Goodbyes were hard… especially because I don’t know for sure when I will see many of these people again (lucky for me, Chicago weather can’t beat California, which almost guarantees me a visit from Linzy sometime in the not-too-distant future). The Spann family was so gracious in letting me stay with them, and for the entirety of my two-week visit I felt like I was part of the family. I will miss them, and I hope it won’t be my last visit.

Summer Adgenda Item #1 - Wedding: COMPLETE.

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Dress... or T-Shirt.

Day 3 - A sunshiny day at Linzy's hosue, and between jet lag and helping to plan a wedding, I am exhausted.

Ok, so I shouldn't really blame my tiredness on the wedding prep - that's been a blast. Lucky for me, I love doing tedious little jobs to keep my hands busy, like assembling earrings for the bridesmaids and creating place cards for all of the guests. This morning we went to the house of a cute German lady who is doing the alterations of the dresses, and I got to see Linzy in her gown for the first time... talk about breathtaking! I can't wait to see her in 11 days, wearing the glow of a bride on her wedding day... I'm pretty sure she will outshine even her dress.

We even learned a cool trick while we were at the seamstress' house. Apparently, she uses a damp cloth with a dab of Dawn to rub off marks and stains on all her dresses. She cleaned up a couple spots on Linzy's dress, and said she had even used it to get blood off of a wedding dress! Amazing! My T-shirts, on the other hand, have not been so lucky. I don't think I've gotten through one meal here so far without spilling something on myself... between spaghetti sauce, cherries, syrup, and more spaghetti sauce, my two white tanktops and v-neck t-shirt have taken a beating. Oh well, better get used to it. Everyone gets old someday.

Day 1 of Summer Adventures

Delayed flights, standby tickets, and short-tempered gate attendants.

About an hour ago I took my last sip of McDonalds orange juice, said goodbye to my chauffeur (sometimes known as Tibbers, Boyfriend, or occasionally, Evan Thibodeau) and made my way into the jungle. I guess traveling wouldn't be the same without a few bumps in the path... but God is faithful. In the midst of the confusion and my own impatience, He let me overhear the phone conversation of Rachel Brown telling her husband how the Lord had just provided a way for her to fly home with him. The same booked flight that was about to cause me a three-hour wait in Sac-o-tomatoes International had just become a blessing to this woman and her small family. She saw the stress in my eyes as they met hers, and struck up a conversation, sharing how her traveling experiences as a military wife had taught her to trust in the Lord. I met her infant son, Barrett, which, combined with the meaning of his first name, Matthew, means "Bringing God's Gift to Others" (Barrett means "trader"). She encouraged me that God would provide a flight for me, as he had for them, and that they would be praying for me.

I was struck with her boldness and compassion. Here I was, at the beginning of the conversation unsure if I wanted to tell her that I was a Christian too (nervous, even!) And yet she spoke with confidence and joy, encouraging me in the Lord before she even knew I shared her faith! Why am I so concerned with what other people think of me? Why do I hesitate before speaking the name of Jesus in the very world that He created?

Lord, help me to be faithful to share Your love every minute of every day. Let me be ready and willing to speak of You at every opportunity. Thank You for providing me with a flight, as well as with a trying situation where You displayed Your faithfulness. Open my eyes to see You working in all situations - good or bad, exciting or mundane.