Fall Break

People told me that going to Africa would change my life. How pompous of me to think them wrong. I’m having trouble fully processing the things that I saw and experienced while in Ethiopia, but I can say with certainty that no where I have been has moved my heart as much as that place. In the past week, I have had the privilege to hang out with orphans with a passion for God and a zeal for life that is rare back home—even among people who have practically every opportunity handed to them. I got to enjoy coffee with hookers, who apparently thought our visit was special just because we weren’t afraid to look them in the eyes. I was able to hold a precious baby girl who was came into this world along with her twin brother only ten days ago—their home? A leper colony. I got to play with a little baby named Moses, who must be destined for great things because Satan seriously wanted him dead. Plus I got to meet a kid who lived in the dump and then through sponsorship, got an education and went back to his home and has helped get over 250 kids out of the dump and into a boarding school. I got to hear a choir of teenage boys sing their hearts out to God—I think it’s the closest to being in heaven singing with the angels that I’ve ever been.

And to think, this is merely a glimpse into a small portion of the things that happened over my “fall break.”

I’m guessing, my processing isn’t finished, because this is all I have to say right now. More to come.

Thoughts

Since I last posted, I have decided to go on a mission trip. What's insane about this all is that it's during Fall break (which we don't actually have at the school I work at). It feels almost irresponsible in a perfectly God kind of way. Originally, I was so wrapped up in school that I didn't get started on fundraising right away. Then, before I knew it--I had 5 weeks to raise $2,500. Yikes! God miraculously provided and now my trip is completely paid for! PLUS, I have the money to pay for the shots I am getting on Wednesday and I have shirts and gifts to take over as well from various people willing to donate stuff rather than money. Man, I am just amazed. :) In less than a month, I will be flying out of OKC headed to Ethiopia with my good friend Bre and some Tulsa friends Kevin and Sue. Sweet!

Also since my last post, my beautiful new little sister has come home from China. Maggie is 3. When I say that I mean she is very three--vibrant, loud, silly and stubborn. Only she is vibrant, loud, silly, and stubborn mostly in Chinese. It's quite an adventure, but I can't imagine a better fit for our family. Maggie is so much fun to have around, and now she finally knows my name so when she sees me she says "Toni" instead of "Hi, Maggie" :D



In other news, I had a stunning realization yesterday. I graduate in May. I'll still have a semester left, but the official ceremony is in May. Wow. Last Fall when I started it seemed so distant I didn't know if I would actually end up finishing, but now I'm just two short semesters away from having finished all the coursework for my Master's degree. Once again God is cool.

God has really been working on my mind lately. When I decided to go back to school, I chose an Elementary Education goal because I thought it would be the most fun and rewarding career path. Now something in my mind keeps saying that I'm not going to be teaching elementary, I'm going to work in a middle school. I find that thought utterly terrifying and yet, I'm slowly beginning to accept it as another suprising reality of my life. Of course, if God happened to put me in an elementary job, I wouldn't turn it down. :) hehe.

I guess this post is really of no importance. It's just a mere retelling of the goings-on. But Ok, I'm done. :)

Wow.

There are times in life where God and His hand seem so far away. You trust that they are there, but you just can't feel Him. Then there are times where God shocks and astounds you over and over in a miraculously brief amount of time.

This week has been the latter of those 2.

More to come...

I am getting increasingly bad at this...

It's currently summer break. I haven't posted since Christmas break. In case you didn't notice the pattern, it seems that I'm incredibly busy during the school year. In the past week I have wrapped up my first year working for WOCS (awesome!). I am also done working at Burcham for the school year, and I have moved from my apartment.

My new apartment is great, it's a 2nd floor unit that used to have 2 bedrooms. Now basically I have a GIANT bedroom/office and the rest of the place is fairly nice too. :) I'll try to post pictures soon, it's crazy but it already feels more homey than my other place ever did.

In other news Maggie is coming home soon, and I can't wait! I'm very sad to say I will be unable to go to China with the family this time around, but I'll be taking summer school and won't be able to miss class. :(

I think those are all of the really pertinent updates for now. I promise I'll try to think of something more meaningful and post more often.