I always told myself that I would never date long distance. Of course, then the boy I was sweet on didn't ask me out until the day before I left for Lithuania for 5 months...so I guess rules we set for ourselves don't always work out! ;)
5 months was a long time, even with daily emails and skype. But long distance is always the worst the 2nd time through, because at that point, you know how much being away from each other will suck. Bjorn and I experienced this last summer when I, again left, to study in Guatemala for 6 weeks.
Poor little sis, Jillio, is now going through the 2nd time post-dramatic loss of Mike leaving again to finish basics in Georgia. Mike, a.k.a. Private Lange according to the US Army, enlisted last September and left for basics a month later. He was not allowed to contact Jill for one month. Since then, all they could do was write letters, until he finally had a 24-hour leave for Thanksgiving.
Although, everyone is proud of Michael's commitment, Jill is not enjoying having an Army boyfriend. Mike finishes in two weeks, when Jill and my dad will fly out to Georgia to watch him graduate, and then all three will return to Beautiful and wet Oregon. Go Mike! (and hurry home!)
Wouldn't it be loverly?
So, I decided to take on the one-year bible reading that Peter recommended.
Today, the most interesting verse I read was from Proverbs 1:4, in which a list of reasons for reading the Proverbs is given:
"To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth..."
As a youth, I found this specific instruction to be speaking directly at me. This was a significant reorientation for me as I am at an age and place (university) where I am surrounded by knowledge and learning and many temptations and choices. And people my age make a LOT of very dumb and sometimes damaging choices.
I was reminded this morning, that it is in proverbs and in God's word that I should seek not only for knowledge of the mind, but for guidance as to what is right and healthy to pursue, in contrast to what may be harmful or wasteful.
What better way to bring in the always overdone, way too corny and yet "festive" Christmas season than the classic Ugly Sweater Christmas party?! I can think of nothing better.
This is exactly what Jana, Amy and I attended Saturday evening at the Brown House (in Milner next to where Bjorn lived last year). The evening started off with the awkward 40 min. phase of waiting for the party start, which eventually led to the traditional white elephant gift exchange (which I definitely won w/ a ultimate disc and leather journal). The gift exchange naturally transitioned into a Christmas dance party featuring a circle, in which people performed "Christmas themed" dance moves. On the list of moves that Jana and I performed was: reindeer, elf, candy cane and pregnant Mother Mary (with Jesus under the sweater). After this, 20 of us climbed onto the very slanted roof and sang Christmas carols to Glover Rd, all of which were led by Michael Harloff, our honorary choir director.
After this party, we returned to the Fort (Langley) and had more fun at Bjorn, Dan and Mark's house. By the end of the evening Jana, Amy and I agreed that we all successfully pulled off a Christmas mother look from the mid nineties. Talk about a way to take a break from papers and finals!
So, it's true, the snow has hit Canada, and it's been here for A week and a half now--this is major for BC! And for TWU students, who due to cancelled school have now had time to make up all of their work, it has been quite a nice experience.
I am rejoicing because I just had my last class and have finished 7 papers in the last 7 days (ranging from 2-12 pages) and now am ready to take at least a 2 day break before finals-writing!
Anyway, just wanted to put up a little Greeting Card my TWU friends and I made to get the Christmas spirit going, so much love from Ft. Langley.
--Jenny
I haven't written here for awhile, because it seems impossible to me to write about life in East Van. So much happens in just one day. And moods change so much. One day I am ecstatic and overwhelmed with hope over what's going on in our youths' lives and the next day, everything has come crashing down.
But alas, hope is the one consistent here. As long as I have that, I can do well here. God is showing me on a whole new level what it means to hope.
Tomorrow afternoon, I will load my luggage along with 12 other youth and 2 leaders to drive down to Seattle to begin our newest adventure: a mission trip in Ensenada, Mexico.
The challenges we face on this trip:
6 of our kids have never been on a plane
None of our kids have travelled past the state of Washington
this is our all of our kids first mission trip
unity isn't a common theme in East Van
All of our kids battle against the welfare mentality (everything should be given to them)
meaning they also struggle with giving to others
Why this trip is going to be so XTRA awesome with our kids:
they get to give when they have so little
they will see that there are other people more needy than themselves
they will see that $ doesn't = happiness
Most importantly though, the success at every level will be all the greater because of what they have to overcome.
God loves the East Van Youth.
