Finally “Here”

I moved to a new apartment last week. I did not want to. When I moved into my little hole-of-a place about this time last year, I thought that would be it for two years.

But it wasn't. About a hundred bugs and dark days later (we had these icky creepy things with lots of legs) Sangi and I found a place two stops up on the Blue line that was cheaper and a lot nicer.

So here I am, sitting on a tan couch in my new living room reflecting on the summer. It has been a long time since I have written. Many full moons have passed (if you have not seen it yet, please check out the moon tonight. It is huge and yellow – one that looks like it could create a lot of havoc if you were superstitious.). Just as the moon is beautiful tonight, my summer has been beautiful. And just as it is difficult to reach the moon, it has been difficult. Well, maybe not that difficult.

As many of you know summer session is highly suggested by Adler. They said it would be the easiest semester of them all, however I found it to be the most difficult and demanding. In addition to the five classes, I have been working 24 hours a week. At the same time I learned a lot about myself and my field of study and would only have liked to have been able to spend more time learning about the topics. My favorite class was Adlerian Psychology. I grow to love his theories more every day. Adler was a very common sense down to earth type of thinker.

Earth. Down to earth. That phrase reminds me of being stationary. I am not often stationary. I do not often stay still. And even though I have lived in one city for almost a year now I still leave it often. I indeed do not like the city a lot of the time. A friend, who has lived in the city her entire life loves it, and found the country not so comforting. I on the other hand find peace outside the city. However I must stay here for at least one more year. And I do not plan to only endure it. I plan to be in it. I plan to be present. God has already helped me with this. He has recently given me stronger ties to the city in growing friendships. I have also been learning about mindfulness and reflecting on what is happening to me in the here and now (which I need a lot more practice in!), so that I can better interact with the "here and now." I have found a peace I would have never expected in the city.

No, I am not Home. I plan on never fully feeling at home till I see Jesus' face, but He has promised peace even here (John 16).

Home. That word for me does not have the same meaning as it does for most. One of the reasons is that I have moved a lot. Interestingly enough, shortly I will be meeting up with other kids who may have a different definition of home as well.

As many of you know I will be leaving for Prague the 10^th of August to work at a camp for Third Culture Kids. I am very excited about this opportunity. Thanks to many of you, I am able to go. My trip has been paid for in full with some money to spare. I will try to keep you updated on what God does there. In the mean time, pray! And think about how you can be present in the day that has been placed before you. I will be praying for you.

Prayer Requests and Praises

• The money for the Prague trip has been raised
  
• I have moved into a better apartment
  
• Pray for me as I finish up a difficult online class
  
• Pray for th Prague Team (11 people total)– to rely on Christ as we hang out with these kids
  
• Pray for my family as they continue to seek God's will on their future