Memorable Moments in Ultimate

I love playing Frisbee. And I might even say that I'm actually pretty good at it. But there are two things I don't do. Or don't do often. And that is jump and dive for the disc. I'm somewhat vertically challenged. And I just don't dive. I will say though that jumping does happen more often than diving.

But this week I had two amazing dives! It really was just that. Amazing. For the first dive I just went for it. One of my teammates threw the disc a bit off and I knew I needed to get it! So I did! And in the process I took one of the guys down with me. Oh well. He was fine.

The second dive was even better. It rained most of the day today. So the field was somewhat wet and there were puddles in various areas. I went to catch the disc and it skimmed off the tops of my fingertips. In the following split second, I realized that it was totally reachable. So I dove for it. And ended up in a HUGE mud puddle. I was covered head to toe. But I got the disc! And it felt great!

So this is me documenting my first two notable dives AND catches. Yay for Ultimate!

Being Directed

I am still meeting with a spiritual director once every three or four weeks or so. Depending on my travel schedule and his availability when I'm home. Anyways, we met earlier this week and it's always such a relaxing and refreshing time. In the beginning of the meeting I never know quite what to say or how to start. It's hard to just launch into the thoughts that are swirling around in my head. So I usually find myself just sitting there and looking at David waiting for him to ask me a question. Which he will. And then an hour and a half later I find myself with nothing more to say. It's always amazing to me how this happens. I just open up and the words begin to flow out of me. Often times my mouth isn't able to keep up with my thoughts. But things always come out. Things that I didn't even know I was thinking about. Realizations are made. Questions are asked. It's a very healthy thing for me to be doing. And I consider myself extremely lucky and blessed to have found David. After our meetings I feel light and free yet challenged and motivated. It's great.

Swinging

So I found myself with a free hour this afternoon. And I asked myself what I should do with it. Should I take a nap? Or should I take a walk? Keep in mind that it is an absolutely gorgeous day outside. The moment I remembered that there was a park just down the street I knew what I had to do.

I went for a walk. When I set out I had hopes for a swing set to be somewhere along the path. I was not let down!

I walked into the park, crossed over a bridge and started down what looked to be a brand new sidewalk. Then the sidewalk ended but I just continued on around the edge of the water. I made it around to the other side and that was when I saw the swings. They were beckoning me to come to to them. And so I did.

There weren't other people in the park. If I was back in Elgin at Wing Park there would be dozens and dozens of people everywhere playing soccer or basketball or tennis, children would be playing on the playground with parents nearby talking with friends. You'd hear kids screaming as they chased one another, or laughter from the games.

But not in this park. It was silent. I could hear the birds. The water hitting the stone edge. I crossed a large empty field towards the swing set. There was no one else around me. After I rolled up my pant legs so that I could bask in the sun I sat down and began pumping my legs.

Back and forth. Lean in and lean back. I can't even remember the last time I sat down just to swing. I found myself going higher and higher. Focusing on the squeakiness of metal on metal. I just wanted to touch the bright blue sky.

I couldn't keep on going forever so I decided it was time to stop and continue on my walk. Yes, walking was a much better idea than taking a nap.

Youth, Camp, and the Environment

So this weekend I have found myself in McPherson, Kansas for a Regional Youth Conference. And I found myself spending time with the youth in the Western Plains District, leading them in camp games and learning/remembering about environmental issues.

These happen to be three things that I like a lot. Youth. Camp. The Environment.

Youth happen to be a passion of mine. I could see myself working with youth full time in the future.

I've spent several summers at camp and I know lots of crazy camp games. And now thanks to this weekend I know more!

Some of you may not know this, but I was an environmental science major at college. I forget how much I really enjoy the concepts and ideas and various aspects of environmental awareness until I participate in weekends like this.

So this has been a good weekend for me. Maybe all these realizations are something that I should be paying attention to. Maybe I will...

Your Story, My Story

What is your story? What is my story? What is the story of the person in the room with you right now? What is the story of your co-workers? What about the people you pass on the street every day?

I just started reading What is the What? The story of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Even after the first few pages I started asking myself these questions. We each have a story, our story. But how often do we let our own story be heard? Or take the time to hear where other people have come from?

If someone asked you right now, this very moment, to tell your own story what would you say? How would you begin? Would it flow together and make sense, or would it be fragmented and out of order?

One night after dinner and a long hard day of work, one of the young Nigerian workcampers asked for the elders among us to share stories from their childhood. Ralph, a 76 year old gentleman who grew up in Nigeria shared several humorous stories. Something about a spitting cobra in the outhouse... Then this young man, Isau, shared his story. His entire story. I wish I had been able to catch more than I did. He was very passionate in his sharing. Then my dear friend Anthony shared his story. It was one of hope and happiness and trust and love and faith and determinaton. His story flowed and it left me wanting to hear more and to learn more about this man and his family.

It seemed to me that the men and women that I was able to work with and get to know, knew three things. They knew:

1. Who they were.
2. Where they came from.
3. Where they are going.

Now, while that may be a very generalized statement, I find that it is not the case for me. I struggle everyday with who I am. I struggle everyday with where I am going from here. I have no idea. Sometimes I think that maybe I know. But I find myself becoming almost paralyzed from all the options and opportunities that I have.

But each and every day I find myself thinking about my own story. And how, when asked, I might tell it.

Care Free Me

Last night I was hanging out with the girls. Nothing new. Nothing out of the usual. But at the same time something was different. I was talking. And laughing. And acting somewhat crazy. Some might even think that something had been put in my water.

The last few months have been stressful. And emotional. Many highs. Many lows. Lots of thinking has been involved. I dare to say that opinions have been formed. Conclusions reached. Goals made.

There are many questions still to be asked. Many thoughts to process. Experiences to recall.
My future is unclear. Unknown.

But for one night. I was care free. And happy. Weights were lifted from my shoulders. I could breathe. And laugh. And listen. And smile. And be in the moment.

And it was good. No, it was great.

Letting God Bless Me

Tonight many from the HACoB gathered together for a time of remembering and thinking about what Christ would have gone through on this night before His death. It's a hard thing to think about. And strangely enough I'm not sure if I ever have in great detail before. What this night meant to Him and those he spent it with. To have taken the time to wash the disciples feet and break bread with them. Knowing what was to come the next day. I think for myself, I tend to look past the events that lead up to Easter and focus on the hope and the renewal of life and the gift that Easter brings to us. But without the events leading up to Easter Sunday, there would be no reason to celebrate. It would simply be another day in the year. It's good to be reminded of what it is that Christ did for us. 

I find myself growing more and more each and every day. I just thought to myself, "is this really me talking?" Sometimes I have to wonder where these thoughts come from. But then I think to myself, I'm just getting older and maturing and starting to really think things through. Instead of simply going through the motions, I'm beginning to think about why I am going through the motions. And this is true in many senses of my life, not just with my faith.

It could very well be that this little girl is growing up. Finding my place in this world. One question that I have been asking myself over and over again, is wondering if the decisions I make are based on what I want or if it's what God wants of me. I've been talking with several people about this and some wisdom has been shared. What if what I want and what God wants of me are one and the same? Maybe God just wants me to step up and do what I really want and allow God to bless that. Definitely something to consider. 

For now, Happy Easter.

Blessings

washing the feet of a young girl and hearing her giggle because it tickles, always thinking of friends in other parts of the world and constantly transposing time, Emmee and Wasaka, the power of positive thought, reading to understand and not to simply enjoy, being in one place longer than a few days, being around passionate people, alone time, bright smiles and contagious laughter, my wonderful housemates, the hope of Spring, blue skies and green grass,  having friends and family to miss, ability to question and wonder, choice, knowledge that maybe what I want and what God wants for me could very well be one and the same...

A Baby Dedication and a Special Preacher

On our last Sunday in Nigeria we worshiped at the EYN Utako church in Abuja. There were several very special things about worship that morning. Firstly there was a baby dedication that took place. It was very special to see this child presented to the congregation and dedicated to God. Throughout the trip it was sometimes hard to see the similarities between EYN and the Church of the Brethren here in the states. While the roots of EYN are in fact Brethren, it isn’t always apparent. Here was a time when it was apparent. To see this small child dedicated and to be part of the group that accepted the child into the church was a very special moment for me. We rose up as one people, as Nigerians and Americans and Europeans, and to accept our part in this child’s life. In my case, through prayer. It gave me chills. God was moving in that moment. Secondly that morning the sermon was delivered by one of our leaders, Reverend Anthony Ndamsai. I grew to love this man and his family during my short time in the country. To have had the opportunity to hear him preach is priceless. And for me especially because the text he used was from Esther 4. A few days before I knew he was going to be preaching he showed me something he had written based on this text from Esther. In fact he had written it with me in mind. It was very humbling to read and to realize that God was speaking to me through Anthony. In many ways I feel as though I am being called to go back to Nigeria and this message from Anthony is part of that calling.

Two Host Family Experiences

I was able to stay two nights in the homes of families of the congregations we visited on the weekends. The first night was in the small village of Lassa. We arrived for a fellowship meal with the EYN #1 Lassa congregation and afterwards we were told to wait outside and someone would come and take us to their home for the night. I was the first person to leave the church. I guess you could say that I was snatched up immediately! I went with a woman named Hajara and the first thing she asked me was, “can you trek?” and I said, “yes!” So we trekked (walked) for about 20 minutes to get to her one room home that was on the outskirts of town. Everything she needed was in this single room. There were two beds, a television (although there was no electricity to use it), cooking items in the corner (the kitchen itself was on the front porch). We went in (after leaving our shoes outside the door) and started getting ready for bed. Hajara offered me a wrapper (a piece of cloth to wrap around myself) to wear to take my bath that I accepted and I put on. Then she walked me out to the ‘toilet/shower’ which is a small space with cinderblock walls, no roof with a hole in the middle. I was able to wash up under the stars that night and I loved it. I felt free. We then spent some time talking with one another about our families and our lives. Hajara is a mother of four and her husband lives in Lagos with the children while she is working in Lassa, many hours away. She hasn’t seen her family in two years but is hoping to spend two months with them soon. We then looked at her photos that she has of her family and friends and colleagues. I could tell that those people were very important to her. In the morning, Hajara heated up some water so that I could take a warm tub bath, which consisted of me dumping water on myself and it felt so wonderful to do just that! We then trekked back to the church greeting many people as we went because I’m sure they were somewhat surprised to see a young white woman walking down the street!

My next experience of staying with a family was extremely different but at the same time similar. It was different in that I stayed with the family of John and Esther and their daughter Awa who is my age. We left the EYN Polo church in Maidugari in a Mercedes and drove across the city to their home. We drove through the gate at their home and inside I saw a large, ranch style house. We sat outside and enjoyed the last of the day light before the generator was turned on for the evening. I was immediately ushered to Awa’s room, where the TV had already been turned on. If people had televisions, they were always on to show us as a way to show wealth to those who visit. I waited there while Awa heated up some water so that I could take a tub bath before going to bed. After cleaning up I went out to the living room and we sat down together for a late meal before sitting down to watch CNN. John and Esther both had the opportunity to study in the states in Kansas. John attended McPherson College and Esther went to a nearby university. They have six children, five boys and a girl. They were incredibly warm and welcoming to me. Now I can say that I have a home in Maidugari.

Naming Ceremony

We were able to spend one afternoon attending a baby naming ceremony in the nearby village of Uba. When a child is born in Nigeria, a naming ceremony takes place a week later. This child’s name is Jacob. The difference between Jacob and the other children is that both of his parents are HIV positive. While Jacob is not infected himself, he is very much so affected by this disease. His mother (whose name unfortunately I forget), had lost all sense of hope before she began attending a HIV support group that the EYN HIV/AIDS Program sponsors. She was then able to receive medical help as well as find a supportive group to share with. It was through the HIV/AIDS Program that she was introduced to her husband, who is also HIV positive. We were able to take some time immediately following the ceremony to talk with the couple as well as several women from the support group. They seem to be a happy, healthy couple and have been incredibly blessed by their newborn Jacob. (Note:EYN has decided to take a stand and do what they can to help the fight against HID/AIDS.)