Already two weeks into the summer and my life has been full! Each day has brought something new and I can truthfully say that I am genuinely excited about this summer because I know that it will be an adventure. Almost into the month of June and I have sprained my foot, used crutches, went to the podiatrist, and worn a boot, all for the first time! After 6 months of being roomie-less, I am privileged to be sharing a space with a wonderful fellow RA/ sister for three months, and am next door to Joan, a sister of my heart.
I have befriended a lovely Chinese girl two doors down who graciously cooked up a concoction of Chinese noodles and seafood magically in the microwave all for me, and I desire to show her the love of Christ in return. Workdays are workdays and there are moments where I sigh as I daydream of friends who are traveling the globe but I am quite content where I am, knowing that being on campus in Dallas, TX is exactly where I need to be.Wednesdays have been spent swing dancing; Thursdays are trips to Katie's apartment where she conjures feasts for us and we bask in girl-time and chick flicks; and Saturdays are days to go to my Indonesian church and converse with the youth, which has been such a blessing and joy! There is much variety that goes on, and I could expound on impromptu deep conversations, running/singing/dancing in the rain (which was forced to occur one afternoon right after work when it started pouring and a friend and I did not have umbrellas); saying goodbyes to older friends who have just graduated; going to my first Indian church; going to my first indoor snow cone stand with the college group at FB Irving; ISOM; moving dorms, many moments of contemplation, and ETC.
In fact, there are many thoughts that are crowding my mind right now, prodding and shoving their way to the front, and verbs, incorrect tenses, indefinite articles and a diversity of nouns leap from my mind onto the screen in a mob of chaos. Restraining these thoughts is like restraining a crowd of girls upon seeing their favorite actor and I am trying as best I can to organize my thoughts so I can convey them well.
First of all, I would like to share some summer goals that I have, although I am careful not to be overly ambitious. Due to my personality, I need to see these goals as flexible and achieveable or else my mind will either become overwhelmed just at the thought of them and not do it at all or convince myself of failure if I do not achieve a certain standard of action in doing them. My overarching desire and prayer for myself this summer is this: To grow in the knowledge of who the Trinity is and who I am in Him. As an extension to this as I find freedom in my identity in Christ (as I am, daily!) I want to "round myself out," to expand my hobbies, interests, and abilities! I grew up as a proud bookworm and did a bit of tennis growing up, but I did not enjoy the outdoors as I am now. Spending last summer in CO with Hannah and running the half this past semester have fueled a desire to do more outside and to do away with the skin-preserving cautions and sun-avoiding techniques of Asian culture (I am still lavishing quite a bit of sunblock on myself, however, but my skin has become a natural tan due to the excessive melanin in my system--my Mom would be appalled). Therefore, I want to enjoy being under the sun and go hiking around the state park, or Prayer Mountain, or a mountainous region in TX; I want to go mountain biking or just biking in general off-campus around the vicinity; I'd like to improve my sand volleyball skills and learn to be a good Ultimate Frisbee player; I'd like to improve my serving and forehand/backhand techniques. I dream of kayaking with Deanna, knowing how to properly and patiently fish with Irene; and if going through Hunter's Ed with Joan is part of the picture, then I am ecstatic! (The last one is funniest for me--I never thought I would be open to the idea of getting a hunter's license!) I also desire to run, run, run, like my sweet sister Melissa runs, with such obvious joy , at any time of day, at any place, for many miles at a time simply out of a strong desire to worship her Creator more. I pray that my body will become a beautiful temple of the Holy Spirit, not for the sake of evoking man's praise or self-satisfaction, but for the motive that I am fit for the Lord's service, wherever and whatever He wants me to do.
In addition to the physical, I also want to regard the mental and spiritual. I am currently reading 3 books on a regular basis: "Death by Love," "In the Land of Invisible Women," and a Christian Doctrine book along with the Word. I have told some that I want to go on a theological journey to make sure my faith is firm and unknowingly, I have already begun. Spending time in Scripture and constant meditation will be of uttermost importance and I know I need to do more of it. The Lord has started to put a tangible thirst within me and I want more of this Living Water! A few of my brothers have compiled an extensive list for me of sound theological books that they like so I will be feeling my way around that area. My heart has also been burdened for Middle Eastern women and children in countries who have undergone abuse and some time will be spent reading and discussing and researching, and hopefully, maybe even some interaction with refugees in the area.
I also need to get a headstart in the reading for my Fall classes. I am most concerned for Histology and Biochemistry so I am resolving to read those textbooks early as well as peeping back into Organic Chemistry. I've realized that I need to be as equipped as I can be for the calling in my life and because it might be medical missions, I want to be as knowledgeable as I can--that is my responsibility. Lord willing, He will open the doors to med school and wherever it is, whenever it is (I can easily see myself taking time off after college to live abroad and do something else), He will be faithful to see that my calling is fulfilled into "completion".
Anyway, time with my adopted grandparents this weekend have awakened in me two desires: to learn how to cook (well) and to have my own garden one day! I have come to treasure the times in the kitchen I spend with my grandmothers and this past weekend, I learned the art of making cream puffs and custard, banana bread, and blackberry cobbler with home-grown blackberries. I know how to follow recipes, yes, but I want to become inherently familiar with spices and sauces, with creative ways to use leftovers in the fridge, and how to crack an egg with one hand. I am no stranger to setting my stove on fire, on burning things in the microwave, or scorching attempted desserts to render them unedible but I want to change for the sake of becoming a good hostess whenever the occassion arise, or will arise.
Also, as I have voiced to many of my close friends, "when I grow up" (Ha! I technically am right now! I had to be reminded of this just the other day), I would be delighted to have my very own garden and fruit orchard. I've desired to do this since I was in high school and I am determined to see it through, whether that comes in the form of attempting to grow things in my dorm room! I remember how my parents planted all sorts of fruits and vegetables in our yard when we moved back to Indonesia in 2006 and for two years, they watered, pruned, and loved, all seemingly in vain. In fact, when I came back to TX for college, nothing had grown in our yard and I secretly had resigned internally that their efforts were to no avail. I was proven wrong during my visit home during Christmas, though! Coming home from the airport for the first time, i stepped out of the car to see the yard overgrowing in lush greenery and tall banana, mango, and papaya trees. My mom would tell me later that all the plants had flourished and bloomed upon my leaving and yielded such delicious gigantic fruits that the family enjoyed during the season.
Yesterday I saw Grandpa Floyd's garden and ate home-grown yellow squash and onions and today was spent maneuvering in between the thorns of Grandma Judy's blackberry patch. I would like to go blueberry picking sometime this summer and climb apple trees and read under its shade, one day.
I probably will expound more about this garden dream in a later blog, but for now, here is a cool new website that may be my next Google: click here, listen to the intro vid, and try it!
In Christ,
Shel
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