Cowboys & Indians

Well friends, a miracle has occurred and I have a new passport and visa...and got them in less than 4 hours! My advice to repeat this process follows:

1. Like whatever sports team the security guard likes at the US embassy. If you can, mention his favorite quarterback's name and claim to be from that state it's like magic. Yesterday, the word "Cowboys" could get you bumped to the front of the line!

2. Don't argue with the passport man, even if his sports team isn't any good! Really. Even if he mocks you and the entire "Redskins" team, just agree with him...or be prepared to get in the back of the line! (No, don't worry, people were not literally moving, but there was a lot of talk about it!) Thankfully I didn't get involved in the football conversation, but let me tell you...it wouldn't hurt to brush up on the most recent game results before you go! Lol.

3. Never ever wear new shoes for a long day of city walking. Even if they are flats and a good brand and seemed comfortable in the store. Never ever! I know this has nothing to do with getting a passport or visa, but it is good advice!

4. Walk in peace. This whole process has never been controlled or carried by me. Yesterday was clear evidence of that. It wasn't what I said or didn't say or how I looked or when I did what I did. It was pure Other working to shine through these circumstances. And shine He did!

That said, here's my shout out to Mildred at the US passport agency who issued a new passport in 3.5 hours even though I didn't have evidence of a visa appointment and should have waited a few days. And here's another shout out to Raooshan at the KZ embassy who gave me a visa in 5 minutes just as the noon hour struck for her lunch break! And yet another shout out to Rekah and Druba for hosting me and to Dipesh and Katherine for offering! You guys are the best! And here's a final shout out to all of you dear people who called and prayed and called and worked so hard on my behalf to make this happen (especially Barb and Marsha!).

Jumping through hoops

No, this blog is not about the hula-hoop (as worthy a topic that might be). It's not about flaming hoops either although I'm glad I'm not a circus tiger (or a circus pig?). It's not even about hoop earrings, which is good because I don't have pierced ears.

It's about the fact that Monday I will be in DC getting a new passport (long story) and a new visa! I'm completely calm about the whole thing even though it's unexpected. The great part is that I'm going to have time to hang out with some really special friends in DC. Just keep me in your thoughts as I'm hoping to replace my passport and KZ visa in a day and, considering the bureaucracy of embassies, it will have to be a miracle to get me through two of them in less than 8 hours!

Geese lessons

It was raining both ways on my recent travels to Delaware. As I tried to make the most of my dwindling days of driving alone by listening to all my favorite songs (and yes, I sang along… loudly), the geese got me thinking. Every time the rain broke, geese could be seen, heading for the warmer south as the temperatures have dropped.

I’ve seen them every year for the past 27 years, but this year something about their journey moved me, most likely as I am about to make a journey of my own. Untrained and uneducated, geese fly in a V formation for the best aerodynamics and switch frontrunners so no one goose is too tired. They didn’t take flight 101 or hold a town meeting to decide on the best time to go and the best way to travel. They don’t have Mapquest to inform them of the detours and they certainly don’t have a GPS navigation system with a pleasant voice to sooth and direct them when a highway covers their traditional rest stop. It’s something “other,” that drives them.
Looking back much of my journey been driven by a sources not fully understood by even me. I can look at family history, friends & mentors, education & work, but looking at those things makes it even more evident that a greater power is at work orchestrating all these things so perfectly. Seeing that, even in the lives of geese, is a sweet comfort…because as thrilled as I am to be getting on an airplane in two weeks, the leaving is much more difficult that I thought. Some people I may never see again. Others I will surely see but it won’t be the same as hugs or coffee every day or every week. It’s good that it’s hard because it’s a testimony to how wonderful life has been these past years in Lynchburg, but it’s still hard at the end of the day to truly do the proverbial “letting go.”

And all those thoughts came together in a passage of Isaiah that I read last night: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts that your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (55) So good to know there’s a purpose, a plan, and a Guide.

In lighter news, my niece is simply…AMAZING! Seriously. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to spend time with her and the rest of my family this Christmas. Now with all that comfort and joy (see below), I’m going to buckle down this week to get my house cleaned and packed! After all, I only have 13 days left. HAPPY NEW YEARS!

A penny for your trip?

It's all in! My support raising is complete! :) If you want to give towards my work you are still welcome to, but I've met the goals as determined by Interlink! THANK YOU!!!!!

25 dollars 25 days

I need $25 a month and I am finished with support. I have 25 days left in the U.S.! Many of you may wonder what's going through my head right now with the dealine for departure so close? Well, I'm back to primary school trying to answer some basic questions such as: WHAT am I supposed to remember before I leave? Like Santa, I'm making a list and checking it twice! WHO do I need to make sure I talk to before I leave? WHEN am I supposed to pack, clean, shop, hang out, and sleep? WHERE is my hairbrush? Oh where is my hairbrush? WHY oh why does saying goodbye have to be some final sometimes? HOW far am I from sanity?


No truly... even with the craze, I'm trying to maintain the perspective in that I will be back in a year, that if I forget something it's likely there's some way to creatively cope when I arrive in KZ, and that I need to show myself as much grace as I would offer someone else. I'm far from perfect a (fact which is becoming increasingly obvious as pressure builds) and this is a good reminder to me though that I'm not going to KZ to teach or fix but to learn and share with humility and graciousness for myself and others.

PS: The adorable girl sharing my craziness in the photograph is my niece Kurin. :) I think she's like her Aunty Em in more ways than one! What do you think? ;)

Saying goodbye, arevderchi, ciao, ta ta, paka, adios, bayadanki...

Somehow through all of my travels, I've learned a couple of truths. One, I'll make new friends. Two, old friends will be okay without me. Sounds pretty abrupt, but both truths hinge on the faithfulness of the Creator. So I'm trusting that if I greet new people with an open heart and release my loved ones to God's care, there will be blessings to follow.

For me, this week, the final week of the semester at the university, has been a week of goodbyes as my international students fly, drive, and walk all over the globe for their holidays. I have been incredibly priviledged to meet some of the most amazing people through my job. Here's a few pictures from my student goodbye party!

I Have the Golden Ticket!!

HURRAH! I just got a copy of my itinerary yesterday! I leave January 14th around 7:00 in the evening from Dulles airport in DC. I guess this means that I will need to leave from Lynchburg by 2:00 in the morning to make it through airport security in time! Just kidding! Seriously though since I am flying internationally perhaps I should show up a few days in advance. That way all the liquids would have time to evaporate and the security officers (aka oompa loompas) could make it through my very threatening crates of thermal underpants, the overwhelming multitude of shoes, and not to forget the dangers of bulk shampoo. Oh my!

True story: On the last trip to KZ Frank, Vicki, and I (VA delegates) were pulled out of line for a special search. I guess Kazakhstan isn't so low risk you don't get noticed, but not so high risk that the security officers actually knew where we were going!

Getting my itinerary has been BIG moment for me. I think the next will have to be the day that I finish my support and/or when I clean out my office at work, whichever comes first! As for support, I am still in need of $112 per month. As for my office, well if you would like to come shovel out my drawer or help me haul a ton of decorations home, you're welcome to join in!!! :)

Please note, there's still time to support me! Donation buttons are to the right!