Long Overdue Update

A lot has happened since I last wrote. I figure I will write several short updates, since I don’t like reading long updates that people write and am guessing you might be the same.  Overall life is going great!

I am loving the moment.  I am going to be living in the same house in the fall.  I will need to stay somewhere else during July and August, as he will be back from Spain for a couple months before returning for the next year.  I am still working out the details of this.

Here are some random things that have been going on ... I will work on giving some more details for them in future posts for those that want more detail.

• helping at a week-long service project for youth in Muncie next week
• sending off two delegations in the next week for Kazakhstan
• completed a handbook to prepare delegates for travel to Kaz
• completed paperwork for 25 visas and received them with minimal problems
• playing on a summer softball league
• finished an 8 week leadership course that really challenged me in so many ways
• applied and was accepted to begin grad school at Ball State - my first class starts June 21st
• continue to be involved in a great small group at my church
• 5th graders that I worked with before moving to Kaz graduated from high school this year, so I have been going to a bunch of open houses

My church had a "small group olympics" recently.  Our small group triumphed in a close put-off tie breaker.  Here is a picture of four of us competing in a corn hole relay.  

Purpose in the Present

This is definitely my busier time at work with Interlink (and with my other jobs as well).  Not only am I thoroughly enjoying my work with Interlink, I feel like I have been very productive.  Some of my recent tasks have included:

• training and sending my first intern to Kazakhstan - from this side of the world
• finishing the delegation handbook (used to train delegates before they go to Kaz)
• submitting visa applications
• periodic preparation meetings with delegations
• meetings with delegation leaders
• preparing for ticket purchases and visa applications for summer delegates (about 25 people)
• helping re-develop an application process for those wanting to live in Kaz
• preparing for the return of interns and delegates

I still have days when I long for the day that I will be able to return to Kazakhstan.  My heart hurts sometimes when I think of the friends that I left behind.  Yet, at the same time, I am completely enjoying life here.  Each day I see how things in my past prepared me for this moment.  It is fun to see how each step in our lives has a purpose.  Sometimes I have to step back and remind myself that this stage in my life is not just a placeholder but is actually a specific stage that I have been brought to for a reason.  I have appreciated the reminder to see the purpose in the present these last couple weeks. 

Reflections Through Transition

I have done a lot of reflecting over the last several months.  One thing that keeps coming to mind is how blessed I am and how much I enjoy the moment I am currently living in. 

I remember a friend asking me what was holding me back from moving away from Colorado (the year before I moved to Kazakshtan).  As I thought about it the things that I didn't want to leave were my friends and my kids (the ones I taught at the Denver Street School and the ones that I worked with at Riverside).  My friend reminded me that my friends would always be there and God would give me new kids and take care of these kids.  Although I have lost touch with this friend, the words he said have never left me.  They have been a constant reminder through all of the transitions.

One thing that I continue to marvel at is friendships.  I continue to be blessed with great friends.  My new friends do not take the place of my old friends, but each has a unique role.  Each time I get to spend time with an old friend I am reminded of how strong that friendship is even though our interaction is limited by location and the busyness of life. 

When my friend said that God would give me new kids, I kind of feared that in giving me new kids He would take my old kids away or somehow forget them.  It is fun to look back at "my old kids" and then look at all the kids he has given me in each transition of my life.  I moved away from "my kids" in Denver and was afraid that I would loose touch with them.  I have lost touch with some of them, but others have popped back into my life in different ways.  My relationship with them is different, but is still very special.

Before moving to Kazakhstan, I moved to Muncie for a year.  During that year, I had the privilege to work with a group of fifth graders.  Those fifth graders are now seniors in high school.  I had the joy of watching one of them experience Kazakhstan last summer.  I have also enjoyed watching others participate in sports.  Although they were only "my kids" for a year, they will always have a special place in my heart. 

Then I moved to Kazakhstan and was inundated with so many kids that touched my life over the years.  Leaving them was very difficult, but my friend's reminder came back to me.  I am encouraged by the new staff working with Interlink that love these children.  I recently received letters from some of "my kids" and they reminded me of the special place they will always have in my life. 

Upon returning, I should have expected that I would be blessed with yet another group of kids that would impact my life, but somehow I had forgotten to hope.  Some of these kids are the ones that went to Kazakhstan last summer.  Others are kids that I have met through subbing and helping out with a group of youth.  I know that one day, God will move me on from here and I will once again be blessed with another group of "my kids".

Instead of thinking about the next transition, I hold tight to the moment.  I enjoy every second I get to spend with my friends and kids (new and old alike).  I remember the special place that each person has in my life that can never be replaced by another.  I hold on to the hope that I will get to see each one again, no matter how long from now. 

Joy of Friendship

Delegation season is kicking off.  Although the first delegation that I am involved in doesn't leave the States until mid-June, preparations are already underway.  Last night and tonight I was able to be a part of team meetings for two delegations that will be going to Kazakhstan this summer from Muncie.  The  first part of the new handbooks were completed in order to provide them with resources as they begin their adventure.  I am looking forward to walking through this process with them.  It is times like this that I can look at being here in the States and realize that God has placed me here right now and is using me to do the things that He has prepared me for during the last several years.  I am learning to enjoy this period of uncertainty.   

I am also in the process of purchasing the first round of plane tickets for interns.  We will send away for a visa later in the week.  It is exciting to see steps being completed in the projects that I am working on. 

On a side note, I continue to be reminded each day of how blessed I am to have such good friends.  Since returning I have been surrounded by people that care for me (both near and far).  Tonight, as I got together with some of my new friends, I was reminded of how all of my needs have been provided for.  One way has been through these friends. 

Funny Story:  This week I was reminded of some things that I forgot were done easily here.  As I prepared the delegation handbooks, I needed 32 sets of dividers for the binders.  I went to Staples and was unable to find the product that I had found online.  The man at the store helped me to order it in the store and have it shipped to our office for free.  When I opened the dividers I found that they came with a template that made it possible to print the tabs instead of hand write them.  Yay for the little things in life!  I continue to be thankful for the things that I used to take for granted. 

Work with Interlink

I started my new part-time job with Interlink on February 1st.  I have loved my first month.  Although a lot of it has been detail work, I am enjoying seeing the improvements I have been able to make to the delegation and intern processes. 
One of my big projects has been revising the delegation handbook.  This is a book that we give to each delegate in order to prepare them for their trip to Kazakhstan.  I have enjoyed going through it and adding pictures and content.  Before I went to Kazakhstan, I had helped update the same handbook.  It is kind of funny to look back on it now and think about how much I thought I understood about life in Kazakhstan before I even went over there to live.  I am looking forward to adding more about the culture that I grew to love.  I have also been working with two interns that will be traveling to Kazakhstan in the next few months.  I especially enjoy being able to share my love for the Kazakh people with them.

I continue to sub a couple days a week.  I just finished two days of subbing Kindergarten.  That age is pretty entertaining, but is also fairly tiring.  I forget how much they need constant help.  I think I only had three children cry today - not too bad. 

I have recently picked up a part-time job answering after hours calls for a plumbing company about 7 days a month.  I still find it kind of funny every time I have to answer a phone because I have to say "It's a great day."  I'm just waiting for the day that someone with a plumbing problem informs me that it is NOT a great day for them. 

Well, now that I have updated you on the general things I am doing, I will try to post more regularly with stories and entertaining things that are going on in my life.  I am thoroughly enjoying life and looking forward to a restful weekend.