a patriot afterall

I know, Independence Day is just around the corner, but I couldn't wait that long to share this.

Yesterday, I was explaining the point of the 4th to a European friend. A few statements in, tears streamed my cheeks. I loved living in the land of red and white, but I still have such a pride in being a citizen of the red, white, and blue. There may be a number of topics and issues that I am not happy about in my country right now, but to be an American; growing up with the concept of freedom bred into me, is something for which I am grateful.

And it is at this point that I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made that possible... and maintains the opportunity. Family, friends... brothers, uncles, husbands, moms, dads, sisters, wives, cousins, daughters, sons... thank you and Heaven's blessings upon you.

blog-fail

iiiiiiiiiggghhhhhuuuuuuuuhhhhhh....  pttthhhbbb

I have SO MUCH To. Write. About!! 

phew!  feels good to have that off my chest!

(excessive usage of punctuation for the sake of dialect is a direct result of reading this just prior to writing)*

fizzy meds

You know, there are a lot of things about Austrian and European life that I'm gonna miss.  Today, I'm already missing dissolvable vitamins and aspirin with vitamin C.  I mean, I'm not really a medicine taker, but I could, very easily take an aspirin with vitamin C every day by dropping the little tablet into a glass of chilled water.  or, when I have a stuffy nose, the best medicine is another tablet half the size that works better and faster (and tastes better!) than any other cold medicines I've ever ingested.  the vitamins/minerals are flavored differently.. Multi-Vitamin tastes like citrus juice, Magnesium tastes like pineapple, Vitamin B tastes like something purple.... it's genius, I tell ya!  

I'm gonna miss the little tablets... Yep, I sure am.  

The Deal Remixed!

In the summer of 2008, I worked with Grace Adventures Day Camp in Fulton, MD. That was my last job in America and will be my first job upon re-entry!

A couple weeks ago, I booked my flight to return to the Old Line State. An hour after finishing the booking process, I received an email from one of these former co-workers, asking me if I wanted a job at the camp. Without a second thought, I replied, "YES!"  We are excited.  I cannot yet describe exactly what it is that I will be doing, but it is fixed that I will be working with GADC again this summer.   It is such a joy and an honor to work with this team and I am so looking forward to what the Lord will do in the hearts of the kids this summer, as well as developing within the community.

As I wrote before, my intentions are to stay in MD for the summer. I am researching a few grad school options, and will likely take trips throughout to look into select programs first hand. Other plans: a trip to Harrisburg and Ephrata, PA is already in the works for my first weekend State-side.   A good friend was zealously willing (thanks Tschay!) to take some of my belongings back to the States with him today, and I will go to get these things and to spend time with my friends who are there at the time. These are some of the friends so highly spoken of back in this September 2009 post.. I am working on a trip to NC that will be multi-faceted, as I'll catch up with the Silvas and also check out an appealing masters program in Charlotte which will (HOPEFULLY) include time with Jo... we'll see how it all comes together.

My heart's desire is to invest everything I can into my church family there.  They sent me off with such love and blessing, and I want to return to them as much as I can with everything I've received and learned here.  This is beginning to sort out a little more specifically already, but I can't explain yet how these opportunities will appear.

I hope everyone is a little more satisfied with the details now.  Thanks for being patient!