First Haircut

There is a first for everything, including getting your first haircut in a foreign country.  Guys have it easy- they can just have their heads shaved if anything goes wrong.  But alas, girls do not have that option.  So I've been trying to put off bringing my hair to get cut (esp. with my history of bad haircuts!) But this week, I realized that it was time to tame the beast:

(eh)

So I bucked up and went with my language tutor to get my first haircut in the Big City.  I splurged with a $7 cut, but it was well worth it! 

(Yay!)

Thanksgiving

I am currently listening to "Christmas in San Francisco" over an itunes broadcast of KOIT (a classic SF station), and it makes me think about what I'm thankful for.  Actually, I started really thinking about this seriously yesterday. I realized that I had been so distracted by life's stresses that I'd neglected really sitting down and giving thanks.  So here's my list (the start of it anyway) of what I'm thankful for this year:

1. Salvation: Yes, I am thankful that although I was once lost, I am now found.  I am SO thankful that punishment that was meant for me was graciously and lovingly placed on the only sufficient substitute, so that now I not only am reconciled to God but I get to know Him and look forward to spending eternity in His presence! 

2. Loved Ones: I am thankful for my parents who have bore much through the years with me; for wonderful girlfriends with whom I can share my heart with and who remind me of truth when I'm in the grittiness of life; for my siblings who crack me up and are a constant reminder of God's grace.  

3. Provision: So many times this year, God's provided for me in special ways.  I am also really thankful that I have not had to go hungry this year, nor was I missing anything that I needed.  

4. People who pray for me

5. Wireless Internet

6. New friends in a new city

7. Nice, helpful people who don't look at me like a leper when I tell them I can't speak their language.  

8. Hot running water 

9. Hot chocolate

10. Good Music

11. Good books (specifically THE Good Book! ;-)

12.  Memories like these:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

The Building I live in

Per request of a special friend who goes by the initials of CW, here's a picture of the building that I live in:

It's situated strategically on what seems to be the loudest street in the city, complete with the local barber shop downstairs, which we're pretty sure is run by gangsters.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving though, I really am super-grateful that I get to live in this place.  It was totally a huge provision, and you've gotta love all the quirks it comes with (ie- my hawking champion neighbor, Jabba the Hut!)

Just Dance!

The other day, I had the privilege of hosting a friend's birthday party in my home.  After dinner, someone busted out some music, and soon my place turned into a dance party (actually pretty common considering their culture)!  At first I just enjoyed watching my friends go all out. Soon enough though, I found myself up on my kitchen-turned-dancefloor boogeying on down (it wasn't as pretty but at least we had a lot of laughs!)

My Guilty Pleasure

So now that I've been here more than two months, I've discovered a couple things that have helped me to adjust.  One treat is the coffee shop, but my guilty pleasure is definitely... the bowling alley!  I first found out that such a thing existed in the Big City about a week before moving here, and friends with me at the airport will attest to the fact that I tried ardently to bring my bowling shoes on the plane with me (but alas, it was not to be!)  The first time I bowled, I did not do so good. I blame it on the jetlag (because jetlag sometimes lasts about a month after arrival).  

I don't go bowling a whole lot, but the other day, in honor of my good friend's birthday, we went bowling! (YAY!)  It really warmed my heart to some of these girls take joy in that game.  I am just thankful for the opportunity to bond with my new friends while indulging in a fun pastime.  (oh, and side note: I did much better the second time around) 

Thursday Afternoons

I really look forward to my Thursdays.  After school, I get to have lunch with a good friend, with whom there's almost always some stimulating topic that comes up in conversation - very exciting!  Then, in the afternoon, I get to go relax at what's become my favorite coffee shop.  It's not quite like what I'm used to at home, but there IS a non-smoking section and coffee that's quite good (and strong).  It's the one time during the week that I really get to indulge a little, relax, and just be.  Yes, Thursday afternoons have become quite lovely!

 Going Up

 Best view in the house!

Burrrr...!!

Okay, so the view from my apartment is usually actually very nice.  The last couple of days, however, have looked like this- super dark and dreary (which on one hand reminds me a bit of SF, but on the other hand is a bit depressing).  Now, here's the situation: I'm a wimp when it comes to any kind of extreme weather.  The weather report says that it is currently 39 degrees, which apparently is the point at which my body refuses to move.  I'm thinking that insulation was NOT installed when they built my building, so it is the same (if not colder) inside as it is outside.  AND, I have to wait until the 15th for the heat to come on.  Thus for the next few days, I will be living in a fridge, unable to move.  Oh Lord let it be worth it!  ;-)

Learning through Song

There's nothing like learning a foreign language through song.  

Today, we had some visitors in my language class, and so my teacher had the bright idea of having us perform a traditional folk song!  The result...well I'll let the viewers decide!  Enjoy!  (I sure did :-) 

Heart of Compassion

Sometimes being focused on the part of the world where I'm living, I forget about other parts of the world that have need.  I've been seeing the headlines lately about the crisis erupting in the Congo, but today the reality of the desolation there hit me as I was looking at a photojournal of the people affected.  And it hit me that being a person who is after God's heart of compassion means that I must be constantly on my knees for all peoples.  I cannot be exclusive, whether it is with my own nationality or one that He has called me to.  So, if you're reading this, I do still covet your pr-rs for what's going on around me, but please do pr for those suffering from the hunger crisis in the Congo.  Please lift up the felt needs as well as the many emotional and definitely spiritual needs of the people.  Pr that in these times of suffering, those with a chance to shine for Him will be given strength, wisdom, faith, and compassion to do so. 

For more on what's going on in Congo, go to:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27511974/

Until Next Time,

M

Refreshed by the Big-D

I was visited today by two dear friends from the Big D!  It was an awesome time of catching up a bit and just spending time with people who knew me prior to the Big City.  So much has been new lately, that it was a huge relief to be in the presence of some familiar faces. We spent much of the day just relaxing at a friends' house; then later in the day, they revealed a wonderful surprise: gifts from home!

I was so delighted to get a bag full of snacks (that were soon transferred to a cupboard now full of snacks).  Really what was so precious to me though were the notes that accompanied the gifts.  After I had dropped my dear friends off, I returned home to read through them, and I was moved to tears as I did.

This week has been stressful for reasons, mostly having to do with insecurities and shock over being in this new culture.  As I look down the road, I know that there will be many more days of doubt, loneliness, hardship, and despair.  But by His grace, there are also moments like reading through those notes from folks at home, saying, "Persevere", "I'm lifting you up", "We're thinking of you", "Be strong in Him".  It comforts my soul and spurs me on to continue on.  

When my roommate came home this evening, she told me that it was nice to see me finally smiling again today.  I guess I hadn't noticed how noticeably stressed I had become; but I responded by letting her know that, yeah- I had a pretty refreshing day.  

A BIG thanks and "virtual" HUG to the folks in the Big D!  Your notes were a great encouragement and are to me a treasure that I will not soon forget!  I love you guys!