Ever Learning

A Visitor

2008-11-10T16:47:00.003-07:00

Hey All,

The school year has been crazy busy, and has flown by. I am so excited to graduate from college, for the second time, but am regretting a little killing myself taking 18 credits this semester. It will all be worth it when I graduate in May though, and am finally free from school and homework and group projects and tests. What a wonderful life that will be.

So, I had a visitor here in Missoula about a week ago. My boyfriend, Tobias, finally came to visit after the almost two months we've been apart now. It was his first time in Montana and we had a great time hiking and sightseeing and just hanging out, and let me tell you, a week was not enough. He'll be back in December though, and I can't wait.

It's been a while

2008-08-07T15:35:00.002-06:00

It has been a little while since I have blogged. I'm sure we can all relate to how fast life seems to go sometimes. My internship is one week from over, and as some of the other interns get ready to leave tomorrow, I can hardly believe it's almost over. I have learned so much not only about microfinance, but also about how a Christian organization should be run, with a sincere heart for people and a devotion to excellence in business combined. Some may think this is difficult or that compromises have to be made, but HOPE has taught me that this is simply not true.

Maybe another reason this summer has flown by is that I have started dating someone. This is another reason I haven't given much attention to keeping up with this blog. I met him at the international house I am living at this summer and he is from Germany. I will be going back to Montana in a week and he will be staying here, so if you think of it you can pray for me (and Tobias). Life is funny, all I can say is that God knows why he has the timing he does, even if I don't.

Pennsylvania is beautiful!

2008-07-02T20:38:00.002-06:00

2008-06-30T20:53:00.002-06:00

Hhhhmmm...Do I have any good stories to share? Well, last Thursday a couple that works with one of HOPE's partner organizations in Afghanistan came into the office. They have been in Afghanistan for something like 18 years. I have to tell you that I have been very interested in Afghanistan lately, I picked up Inside Afghanistan, by John Weaver, at Jessica and Ian's and loved reading about his experiences there. That country has been in turmoil for so long. I have no idea what it would be like to live in a place where there is war and uncertainty all the time. This couple had done that. They seemed filled with so much quiet strength, I was very impressed. If the Lord allows me to have served like them someday, I will be happy.

I'm going to Boston and Montreal this next weekend, so hopefully I will have some great stories to share then.

2008-06-20T08:46:00.002-06:00

I have been here in Lancaster for a month now. The time has gone by so fast, but it also feels like I have been here forever and this is almost home. I am missing the outdoor activities of a Montana summer (although we did float a local river last Sunday). Living at the Millersville International House (MIH) I feel like I am living in a dorm again. We get home from work and there are always people to talk to and hang out with. There are good things about dorm style living and there are bad things, but being new in this area it is great to have people around and to be able to make friends quickly and easily.

As far a work goes, most of the programs team has been at a conference for the last two weeks. I will be very excited next week when they get back, but I have had plenty to do while they have been away. I have been learning about all kinds of practicle stuff in the field of microfinance that is so interesting to me, but I don't think would interest most of you, so I won't go into detail. Let me just say that I have been very impressed with how intentional HOPE is in trying to help people in the most effective way possible and in being responsible with what they have been give. Most Christians feel called to help people, to give to the poor, but few put the effort into making sure that the way they are helping is a way that maintains dignity for the poor, does not foster dependency, and makes the gospel an integral part of it all.

My Birthday

2008-06-08T14:43:00.002-06:00

So last Tuesday was my 25th birthday, that's right, I am a quarter century old now. It is hard to believe sometimes, it seems like such a short time ago that I was turning 21. I don't really mind getting older though, in fact, I enjoy having the added experiences and knowledge that come along with turning another year older.

This year was a good birthday. The other interns that live in the Millersville International House with me, Caleb & Rashawna, went out of their way to make sure I had a good birthday. They, along with the help of another intern, suprised me by decorating my desk at work. We went out for vietnamese food at this cute little, very authentic vietnamese restaurant near where I work. You all know that I love asian food. Then we went out for dessert at a little cafe where I, of course, had cheesecake. At MIH they also made a cake for me which we ended up eating the next day because of the cheesecake, so my birthday got to last for another day.

On Friday Caleb, Rashawna, and I went to NYC for the day. It is only about three hours away from here. We bought day passes for the subway and did a little exploring. For lunch we had some awesome chinese food in china town. We stopped by time square, central park, grand central station, the UN, and a few other places. NY is a cool place to go and visit, but I think this Montana girl would have a very hard time living in a place so massive and crowded.

Farmer's Market (Amish co-workers)

2008-06-02T19:19:00.002-06:00

On Saturday one of the other interns, Caleb, and I went to work at an indoor farmer's market about an hour from Lancaster. Apparently indoor farmers markets are all the rage in Lancaster County. We worked at a produce stand in the market and sold fresh produce. It was a long day, we had to leave the house at 6:30am and didn't get back until about 9pm, but it was kinda fun. Sometimes it was very busy, with lines of people waiting to tell you what they wanted and sometimes there was time to stand around and chat with the co-workers. There is an elderly amish lady that works in the back preparing produce. She is one hard working woman, and so sweet.

The amish lifestyle is mysterious in a way, and oddly appealing. I struggle to think of what life would be like without the internet and cell phones and vehicles, yet there was a time when these things did not even exist and people still thrived. Wanting a simpler, less complicated life is something I believe many of us want, but does getting rid of material things bring the kind of simplicity we are looking for? I do wonder if my priorities and values would change if I lived my life as the amish do. Something to think about.

First Day

2008-05-27T21:01:00.003-06:00

First off, let me say that Millersville International House (MIH) is a very fun place to live. On Sunday night Rashawna, Caleb (the other interns), and I went to coffee with some of the people who live here and later Rashawna and I went bowling with them. Everyone we have met so far has been friendly and invited us along on all the group activities they do together, which seems to be a lot. I am sure I am going to have fun living here this summer.

On Sunday morning we went to church at Calvary Church, a bigger church here in Lancaster. Apparently HOPE is the rock star organization of the Lancaster church circuit because everyone we met knew about HOPE and acted really impressed that we were interning for them. It was a pretty solid church teaching wise, and I think we will go back sometime.

So finally, today was the first day of work. All day I felt like there is just so much to learn that I don't know where to start. One of my first jobs is to assess country risk for the investment arm of HOPE. It is a job that really makes me feel like I am contributing in some way to HOPE and to decisions that may be made in the future. I am HOPE now, as Peter encouraged us to say during our orientation.

This morning I read a passage from the psalms that talks about how some trust in horses and chariots, but we should put our trust in God. I feel like this passage relates to this internship in some ways. I would like to put my trust in my capabilities and in my knowledge, but I know the only thing that will help me succeed in this internship is God, and only as long as He is being glorified by it. There is a place for knowledge and a place for skill, but only in the midst of a heart that is humbled before the Lord.

Lancaster

2008-05-22T18:57:00.002-06:00

I am in Lancaster, PA, finally. . . after about 2,300 miles and three entire days of driving. Of course I did stop and see some friends along the way. I stopped in Minneapolis, where I went to school at Bethany. I always feel at home when I go to Bethany, there are still so many familiar faces. Bethany is one of those places you can leave for years and still feel at home when you come back, it has changed in so many ways, and yet it is still so much the same. I think it is because the heart of the place never changes, everyone still wants to see God glorified through missions, they still want to delight God's heart and extend his kingdom :)

I got mostly moved into Millersville International House yesterday, I have a dorm style room with two roommates. It has been a while since I have shared a room with people, one girl is a fellow intern at Hope and the other is an international student from Colombia. There are about 15 people living in the house now, mostly international students. I have met people from Germany, Greece, Kenya, Albania, Colombia, and Japan so far. It seems like everyone hangs out pretty regularly and we eat all our meals together.

I had a day of orientation today at HOPE International. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so excited. We heard the president talk about the mission of Hope, which is to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the poor through micro-finance programs that are couple with both the word of the gospel and its practical living out and integration into every part of the organization. Can I just say that I am so excited to be here working with this organization. Every time I hear people talk I get all tingly with excitement. God has been so good to me this summer. Anyway, I will keep you all updated as time goes on. You can always check out the Hope website, www.hopeinternational.org. I may even be on the current interns page sometime soon.

Change is in the Air

2008-04-26T23:23:00.002-06:00

I love spring! It is a time to newness, and this year a lot of new things have come my way. So many things were/are going on. I am meeting with one of the ladies in my church to go through Life Builders, a Campus Crusade discipleship program (it is basic stuff, but so good to be reminded of and a great way to get to know someone who is so much wiser than I). Anyway, each week she would ask what is new, and I would always have something pretty big to share. So much change, it makes me nervous.

For starters, I got an internship for the summer which I have already mentioned, and am sooooo excited for, but also nervous. I am also moving out of my house, which I have lived in for two years now. I have tentative living arrangements for next year, but it is still scary and a lot of work to move. And one of the biggest blessings, I have gotten some pretty amazing scholarships for next year from the UM general fund and the business school. To be honest, in this respect God has done abundantly more than I could have dreamed. It will make not getting paid this summer no big thang. Now school is almost out and my summer adventure is about to begin.

I love spring!!!

2008-04-07T21:20:00.002-06:00

Hhhmmm...I guess it has been a while since I have done this. It is so difficult for me to keep up with these kinds of things because I never know quite what to write about. Life can seem so mundane sometimes, but I guess it is the mundane things that people usually write about and somehow make interesting.

Anyway, I should be keeping up with my blog this summer because I got an internship with a Christian Micro-Finance Organization called Hope International, and they would like all of us interns to blog about our experiences. I am so incredibly excited about my internship I can hardly express it. It feels like I am finally getting somewhere after spending these last couple years here in Montana in school. I know the journey is just as important as the end result, but really, this internship is some much need encouragement to me from the Lord that I really am on the right path.

The other thing that is going on right now, and probably the reason I am writing this blog, is that I am starting at 30 day media fast along with some of the students from the youth group I help out with. No TV, no movies, and only Christian music. I think this is going to be a hard one. Thank Jesus I like to read. Really I shouldn't care so much about these things, but I have to admit that after a long day of school and work, it is nice to come home and veg out in front of the TV for a little bit and turn off my brain. Is that what God really intended for us to do though? Anyway, I am excited to see what comes from this.

Youth Group

2007-11-17T00:16:00.000-07:00

I have started helping with the youth group at my church. I guess I have been going on Wednesday nights for about six weeks now. I have to tell you, I love it. I think I get more out of it than I give. School and work and everything have been a little overwhelming this semester. Wednesday nights are my night off. I get to hang out with some pretty awesome high school kids, worship God, and have a little teaching too. I have been amazed at how strong the youth group at my church is. They don't exclude people, they are all willing to share their prayer requests and pray for each other, and they even accepted and loved on me the very first time I came. I didn't really picture myself working with youth, but I have to say, I love it. Now I understand, Angie.

Sunshine

2007-11-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

I got a new pet, actually about a month ago. It is a beta fish. Some of you may remember Little Lee Ray from the cleaning warehouse. This fish's name is Sunshine in English, Mooshmiss in Arabic and Anh Sanh in Vietnamese. If you know how to say sunshine in any other languages, let me know. I am sad though, because my fish is a coward. Beta fish are supposed to flair up when they see another fish or even a finger usually, but Mooshmiss doesn't do that. He just runs away. I am trying not to be disappointed in him and love him the way he is, but it makes me sad. Maybe God is trying to teach me something about loving people (fish) the way they are.

movie

2007-10-13T13:37:00.000-06:00

Here is a movie about myself I made for a class. Check it out if you want. I had to save the file small, so sorry about the quality.

2007-10-09T16:20:00.000-06:00

Have any of you seen the pizza commercial where there are three guys sitting around the table eating pizza? One of the guys has a huge nose and says it is the smell that makes it so good. One guy has a huge mouth and says it is the taste that makes it so good. And one guy has huge eyes and says it is the great looking crust that makes it so good. I decided this is a good analogy for the church and denominations. A lot of the time it isn't necessarily that denominations disagree on the important issues. Instead they each have a different focus and a different reason for thinking God is so good. Maybe God uses denominations to bring attention to the different qualities in himself, each one gets to appreciate and give glory to God for a different facet of who he is. Maybe.

bad attitude

2007-10-03T12:38:00.000-06:00

This semester has been incredibly busy. I know that I am taking a lot of credits (20) but it is actually no more than I have taken for the past few semesters. It has just been a little overwhelming for the past few weeks, which has made me stressed, and unfortunately a bit cranky. I hate it when I start acting short with people, especially because it is the people I am closest to that I end up being the meanest to. Why does that happen? Anyway, it has all just been a reminder that I really need God's help to be a nice person, because I am really not one naturally. Especially when I try to blame my bad attitude on other people or the circumstances in my life, and not on my own sinful nature. Lord, help me out here, change my heart and my attitude.

Intro

2007-09-30T16:09:00.000-06:00

My first blog. I was feeling left out, so here goes. I am sitting in a packed coffee shop, sharing a table with two people I don't know, lost in my own world listening to music and reading. Everyone around me is doing the same thing. Student culture. I love watching all the activity going on all around me yet being separated from it by my computer and headphones. Is it wrong to love being around all these people but glad I don't have to interact with them?