I know, I broke a promise…

…I didn’t write a long list about what I learned last quarter. Instead, my spring break was spent eating delicious food, hanging with friends, sitting for about 6 hours in a window seat staring at the sun, baking (in a kitchen with no one hovering), and sorting through old baby clothes. It was reflective, relaxing and beautiful.

One thing I did explore over Spring Break was my heart towards some difficult people that God has placed in my life. I’m ashamed to admit that I am not hte most forgiving person. I think if I had space and distance, that would make it easier to let go and move on. Unfortunately, at college, there’s no such things as space. Everyone seems to be walking in and out of my life each day with no reprieve. I’m learning what it means to love generously even when it takes up my precious time and how to let go of things that have hurt me (and love that person tangibly in the middle of that process). It isn’t easy.

I joined a “community group” at our church recently. On Monday night I talked to the leader for a long time and he said some things that I needed to hear. I almost started crying, and I’ve known the man barely over a week! It was amazing the amount that God said to me through him, and he didn’t even realize it.

This quarter, I’m also applying for jobs. I have to figure out my life now, which is both exciting and daunting. Right now I’m hoping to return to Colorado. I realized over Spring Break how much I miss it. I never have thought of anywhere as “home” until two weeks ago when I stepped off the plane and marched cheerfully to the train. I giggled at the sunshine pouring in the huge windows of DIA, and I think I clapped my hands in the car for joy over the wide open spaces. But at the same time, I am being open to where else God might take me. I’m looking forward to eagerly finding out whatever plan he has–Idaho, Colorado, Oregon–wherever and whatever! Maybe it’s the sunshine and the flowers in bloom and the trees blossoming: I have rarely felt more optimistic in my life.

 

Soto Ayam and Bapak Wally

Last night I went down to Kent with Twaan. It was good, despite the mishap of getting lost and me being really angry with Twaan’s mad back seat driving skills. He was just trying to be helpful, becuase sometimes I get stressed in traffic (in an unfamiliar, borrowed car). But it had the opposite effect. Not to mention I have just been grumpy for the last 5 days, at least.

But Kent, Kent itself was wonderful. We went to see Indo people. I met Uncle Wally for the first time. We were headed for the back door, and Uncle Wally threw open the front door, calling “Tony!” We made a hard left turn, marched up the steps and straight into the arms of the most famous missionary I know. He gave me a hug, even though we hadn’t met yet. He said he feels like he already knows me, he’s heard so much from Barb (anthony’s mom). And then we went inside to join at least thirty other people eating Soto Ayam, drinking some koolaid-punch-beverage, and sitting or standing all over the house.

This is what I love about the Indo people. We were half an hour late, and Wally ignored my apology as though it had never occurred to him. People smiled and shook my hand, people hugged me and knew who I was, and some of them were excited to meet me. There was so much food, and it was still coming off the stove. There were greetings in other languages, and kisses and lots of laughter. It was like one big happy family reunion.

Except, it wasn’t just like a reunion. It was a family coming back together, even though we didn’t know half of them and some hadn’t been seen for years. This is why I miss missionaries. Because I miss having family and feeling at home in a place I’ve never been.

 

It’s a New Year!

Hello out there!

It’s a New Year, and my computer is running slower than ever.

Break was wonderful, I spent most of it in Colorado, but about a week was spent with Anthony’s family traveling around the Northwest. It was so great and relaxing–just what my heart and mind needed. I certianly wasn’t ready to come back to university and start back up with classes and homework again.

Colorado was a time of real healing and confirmation in a lot of ways. I was supposed to work a bunch, but that ended up not working out, for various reasons. Obviously, God wanted me to take a break, and learn to trust him to provide for my needs financially. I had a lot of time to knit, read books, drink lots of hot chocolate, and just spend time with my family. It was exactly what I needed, and I didn’t even realize it. I love my parents even more than I already did, and I realize how blessed I am to have such a good relationship with both of them.

The Northwest was a lot more activity, but still very good. Anthony and I had some time to ourselves, usually on walks or drives through the cute downtown of the area we stayed. But we also had a lot of time with all of his family, and that was good too. Plenty of card games, some Wii fit, and movies all made for a really good time getting to know people better.

Overall, the people I spent break with meant a lot to me. They were incredibly affirming, something I didn’t realize I was lacking in until four weeks ago. It was a huge blessing to be surrounded by people who cared about me, and to be encouraged a lot in my relationship with Anthony–it can be awkward being the only couple in our group of friends.

I don’t have much else to say. I’m back at the grindstone. I’m researching again this quarter, taking a heavy load, mentoring for a freshmen class, and trying to maintain relationships even as I’m prepping for graduation this year. break was a very encouraging time, a really boost which I think I needed to get me through the next couple of quarters.

I love you all. I hope that your New Year is full of blessings and laughter.

sara

 

Portland… Vancouver… that place on the border

Look, updating! I’m trying to make good on that promise!

Next week Twaan and I are going to Portland/Vancouver. We have friends that live down there. Jared and Teresa, who we’ll probably be staying with. And Caleb and Kat who we might help move depending on when exactly we do go down.

Vancouver/Portland is home to a lot of the missionaries from Indonesia. From Jared and Caleb as MK’s, to the Pust family, it’s like going down to see Twaan’s extended family. It’s feels even more so that way since the adults get called Aunt and Uncle. In Indonesia, it’s a sign of respect, and the missionaries adopted it.

I think we are (hopefully) going to hike Multnomah Falls. I’m looking forward to it. I saw it when we drove past in June on our way to Idaho. Even such a short glimpse was enough to make an impression, I love waterfalls, and these looked really pretty. It’s only a 1.2 mile hike, but we can go the extra 6 to the top of the “mountain.” We’ll see. I haven’t run since I’ve been back to Seattle, so I’m not sure how I’ll be feeling about 7.2 miles. (And now that I think of it, that might be one way too…)

Today is nothing exciting. If you are out there and you read this, please pray for me. There are three of us living in the apartment now, and it’s hard to not have someone feeling left out. Usually, it ends up being me. It’s actually quite exasperating, because these are two of my really good friends. But we just don’t always do very well as a threesome. Drives me nuts when I want this to work so well.

blessings.

oh! PS! I wrote a whole two paragraphs today! WOOHOO. I hadn’t written anything since June before today.

 

wow.

I just finished 24 pages on an allegory I just started about…two weeks ago. (okay, maybe it’s three, I can’ recall)

what’s surprising isn’t hte number. I mean, I’ve written more than just those 24 pages on this allegory. and I’ve been working on other things as well. so it isn’t the number at all. but it is the number, because I was just jotting down some thoughts, thinking that it would be anice easy peice to work on later, maybe during the school year or next summer even. and then I just couldn’t stop. 24 pages! when I thought I was just jotting down thoughts.

shabat shalom

 

hiya.

alright:

 Skin was really great. I enjoyed the plot twists, and I wont lie, I actually did not see the end coming at all. (By end, I mean the revealing of the villian.) I thought it was good, but my one complaint against Ted Dekker: many of his characters begin to run together. I feel like many of them are very similar. But maybe that’s because, you know, you are writing from yourself. I mean Jane Austen has similar characters and plot lines. I’m sure quite a few of my characters seem alike. Because (in my opinion) good writers write from their heart. And even as you grow and change and learn, there are some basic things that stay the same in every person. So it’s not a complaint against Dekker, just an observation.

No, I have not yet read Silmarillion. Right now I’m working through Arabian Nights and Principles on Philosophy. After that, I’m doing The Last of the Mohicans and A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. Those should be faster. We’ll see where I’m at when I finish those. I still plan to read Sex God, though I wouldn’t mind (terribly) waiting until it comes out in paperback. I’m a big fan of cheap.

shalom

 

Dear Goknertap

This sucks.

I miss you. Please, skip camp and come visit me in Colorado. I mean, it isn’t all that bad. My kids are super fun, even if they are both ganging up on me and crushing me in “Risk.” Bailey and I played in her pool yesterday. The walls fill up with water and have holes that shoot out the cool blue liquid.

I wrote about seven pages yesterday. It was lovely.

I cleaned my room and went through my first box. You know that book I borrowed from Lauren? About ending global poverty? Well it’s one of three books I’m reading right now, so I’m still in the introduction… But it really convicted me. I need to get rid of all my junk, you know? I don’t understand how I could have accumulated so much junk over one year. And it wasn’t even a year!

Isn’t that interesting? It was barely nine months, but my life has moved on so much. I don’t understand. Gok, how is it that we went so deep so fast in only nine months? Is it possible for me to do that with people here at home? I’m going back to school in three months, though, so is it even worth it? But these people were my life until last August. I still cry when I watch the Costa Rica dvd. So I guess, in some ways… they still are my life.

But you are my life now. Our emo-ness and crazy headbanging. 352 and 378 is my life. And so is Karin, and the craziness of Amanda and August. Kelliega cheers me up, always. With Kayti I can go on long walks, swear when a car tries to run us off the road. Sarah… ah Muktuk. What can be said? Krysta and Natalie and Katie and JJ. Seattle is my life. SPU is my life.

I never thought I would say it… I even miss Nick’s whinning.

Jesus come quickly.

(I am your friend… I just don’t have time for you)
sara