Homework Shmomework

Well only 7 more days for me and I am done and done with homework! Even though this idea is very exciting there is still the homework that must be done within the next week in order to finish my classes. If I had the opportunity to design a college class schedule I would make all the final assignments due before Thanksgiving break. This would be ideal because then one can actually enjoy their thanksgiving vacation, and then upon returning not worrying about burdening assignments. Anhow, that is my own idea of what it should be. Looking back over the past 4 and a half years of homework makes me think about how far I have come since entering Concordia as a Freshman. I guess all I would like to say that homework and finals can be very stressful, but as I am facing the end I can say that it really isn't all that awful and believe it or not will be beneficial in the end.

15 Days...

In 15 days I will officially be done with my classwork for completion in the DCE program, as well as done with classes. It is hard to imagine that nearly five years is coming to an end, and it definately snuck up on me. Most of the time I am too busy thinking about all the assignments, papers, certification paper work and other steps needed before I can graduate, to even comprehend the idea of nearly being done. Even though this is an overwhelming time in regards to what I need to have done before I graduate, this is mostly an exciting time. Excited to start the next chapter of my life and see what God has planned for me and what role I will play in his master plan. Excited to not be doing homework until early hours of the morning. Excited to be an official, real deal, certified Director of Christian Education. Excited for life!

Oh the places you will go!

Today I had my meeting with the church careers placement director. It was at this meeting that the call process really became real for me. We talked about my gifts and talents, what I would like to see in a future congregation and staff and where I would like to go as far as location is concerned. Only a few weeks ago I was feeling overwhelmed by the whole call process, and now I am feeling a sense of peace in which I feel ready to take the next step toward being a DCE. I am very excited to start the process and see where God has planned for me next. Just a few things remain before I can take this next step in my life: graduation, certification, and passing those wonderful OT & NT tests! It is hard to believe that my college days are coming to an end, in a little over one month I will be a CSP grad!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

DCE Small Groups

I remember the first week of college. I recieved this schedule with all the activities happening during welcome week, with the time and place in which these events were taking place. There was always something going on. I went to every single activity that week and it wasn't until the following week that I found out that the vast majority of Welcome week activities were optional. I was under the assumption that all the activities were mandatory. This is when I learned that one of the more significant differences between high school and college is the ability to pick and choose which activities you want to attend and whether or not you want to go to class. Of course there may be consequences for your actions, but there is no one so called "disciplining" you for missing an activity or class. The responsbility is no longer anyone else's but your own. Now to get to the point of this story, connecting with people and building relationships is a very formational aspect of college. It is through these relationships a person becomes part of a community, a community of suppport and friendship. Just yesterday we started our small groups for the DCE community. I am reminded of how important it is to connect with others who are in a similiar boat as you, to support one another and share experiences. I highly recommend anyone who is in the program or entering the program to consider joining a small group!

Picking Trash

Every morning, Monday through Friday, I wake up at 6:20 a.m., eat my oatmeal and head to work. Starting at 7:00 a.m. I begin my hike around the campus with trash picker in hand. I am part of the grounds crew and my responsibility is picking trash and changing gargage cans now that the flowers are no longer existent. Now as much fun as picking trash may be, I am counting down the days to graduation, when I will no longer have to pick trash (or deal with homework). On internship I had the opportunity to spend a year in DCE ministry, doing what I love. Now I am back to homework and trash picking. I have to say that I am very anxious to get my feet back into the parish ministry setting. If I have learned one thing from trash picking it would be that my passion in life does not lie in waste management! Just a little something to get you thinking about what your passion is in life and how are you pursuing it, or are you even pursuing it?

Listening to God's Call

I had the chance to go home this past weekend for fall break. During Sunday morning worship at the church my parents attend there were guest missionaries from Chad. Something that is still resonating through my head is the idea that each person is called, regardless of their profession, education, race, age, etc. Some may be called to travel over seas and share the Gospel, others may be called to Hawaii, and even more importantly each of us is called to share the Gospel in our homes, work, schools and communities. God has placed us where he needs us to use our gifts and talents. I had mentioned in an earlier blog about the pressure I am feeling about the call process. As I continue to drag my feet hesitating to take the next step in getting my paperwork ready for the call process I am realizing that God is going to use my talents and gifts in ways that I have never imagined, my role is to "go" where God calls me.

Culture Transition

When you think of Hawaii what do you think of? Palm trees? The beach? Perfect weather? Volcanoes? Paradise? When I was first assigned to serve in Hawaii the next day I pranced around CSP in a sirong, Hawaiian t-shirt, slippers (flip-flops), and a lei. I was a victim of the Hawaii stereotype. Many would be surprised to discover that Hawaii, in particular the island of O'ahu (Honolulu) is not merely mai tai's on the beach and surfing.

Last year I entered a culture that had no majority and the Caucasian population was definitely in the minority, representing 10% of the total population. I grew up in small town Minnesota and I have definitely never been in the minority. I was surrounded by people speaking languages I couldn't even begin to understand, walking into a restaurant and sticking out like a sore thumb. I even joined a tennis league in which I was one of two white people amongst mostly Japanese- I soared over everyone by at least 3 inches. I quickly learned to adapt to the culture. I took on surfing, ate the local food, studied the culture, and simply spent time with people from the various cultures.

Another cultural aspect that makes Hawaii unique, in particular O'ahu is the military influence. With every branch of the military stationed on the island I served in a congregation that consisted of 70% active and retired military and their families. The church was very transient because of this military influence, so much so that the congregation can completely change from one year to the next as the results of deployments and families being transferred elsewhere.

This blog is getting long and I apologize, but the point I am getting to is that living in and amongst another culture for a year and then returning back to the place, people, and things that make you who you are should seem simple, but in reality just like a transition of weather, the transition of culture takes time. The transition of culture plays an effect in nearly everything you do. Living in Hawaii taught me to not fear the unknown, don't let distance or fear hold you back, and always trust in the Lord for he knows what He is doing and will be with you every step of the way!