Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Sigh...

Have you ever had one of those emails that you just keep putting off cause you're afraid and don't know what to say or how to say it?
Well, I just sent off one of them, but that done, I'm now breathing a sigh of relief.
It was to my XC coaches letting them know that I won't be running on the team in the fall. It was a long and labored decision, but I think that considering my senior year in school, it's probably for the best.


Solution...

to you brilliantly shutting the locked door to your friend's apartment behind you when she didn't have the key? Easy! Have the smallest person climb through the basement apt.'s 2 x 1 ft. window and hope the land lady doesn't wake up or come outside.

Friday, June 20, 2008

This must've been fun to film...

"When I look at the stars, I feel like myself....When I look at the stars, I see someone!"

Monday, June 16, 2008

Keep praying for Emily...

She is still at a level of unconsciousness, but is able to open her eyes and show some responsiveness. The doctors are running more tests on her brain. We are all praying for continued signs of improvement. They are saying she will wake up, the only question is when.
It was also said that unfortunately, as she is taken off of sedatives, they have seen that she is becoming more aware of what is going on and that she seems anxious and afraid.
That must be such a scary thing for her and I'm sure another key topic for prayer.

I personally don't know Emily, but I recognize her face from around campus and it is so wonderful that so many are lifting her and her family up in prayer. It's amazing to realize how our Lord uses this.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Updates and random reflections...


The weather has been beautiful this week, a little hot to start out with but sunshine is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately for me, I've been working in my mom's office for most of the week shut away from the outdoors. I am however, earning some much needed cash. As it stands now, I'm likely to have at least a few different part time jobs going this summer: hopefully a couple PCA jobs, gate keeping at Crystal Beach in Castleton, maybe filling in at the office, and helping dad with his onion project for the Rutland farmer's market. He's designated himself the "Onion Man."
I just returned on Tuesday from the lovely state of Maine. My grandfather built a cottage on the mid-coast back in the late 60s and we are so blessed to have it there today to visit in the summers. I've grown up spending a couple of weeks there each summer with the whole family and often had visits from cousins and friends. Times change though, and as we've all grown up, it has been quite a few years since we've all been there together. This year I spent a grand total of 4 days in South Bristol with my parents and a friend. I had to come home for working and left mom and dad up there for a week together.
Dad is on a much needed vacation for 3 weeks and he'll be blessed to also have his good friend and college roommate visiting the cottage next week. They'll be jamming on their guitars and singing Dylan songs no doubt.
I did a little bit of sailing with dad on the John's Bay, but the two days we were out the winds weren't very strong so it was relaxing but I sure do love the speed. We've never been there this early in the season and it's interesting how things are different depending on whether it's June or August. One observation was the schools of jellyfish just off shore of the rocks. I've never really seen them cluster like that and though it's kind of creepy to see them all down there, (it reminded me of a scene from the movie "Sphere") if you really look closely, you will see they are such graceful and beautiful creatures. Definitely an example of our Lord's creativity.
My brother Philip is still living in NYC and is starting to pursue his singing and songwriting "career" of late. I'm still waiting to hear his demo.
Lucas remains in Vietnam until the end of this month when he heads to France for the summer and then back to the States and Boston U. for medical school in the fall. It's been many months since I've seen my brothers' faces and since returning from Africa I've been longing for their company. Mom continues flourishing at her Town Clerk post and it is good to see her enjoying her work. I only wish she'd be relieved of the physical pain she's been dealing with.
Finally, I am here in VT for the summer and will be returning to Houghton, NY for my senior year in August. It's a scary thought to realize I will be done with my studies in a year. I think however that I am becoming ready for it. For life.
College has been wonderful and I have grown much in my time at Houghton. I have been finding however, that as much as the Christian campus atmosphere is a true blessing, I will be ready to move on from the academic corner of my life. My semester in Tanzania has left me with much to ponder and explore for the future. But to be honest I have little idea of where I will be heading after graduating. I only hope I will be spurred on to be coming to my Lord with it all in order to begin to better see what He has for me.
Well, I should get back to labelling those cabinets....

You don't scare me!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Prayer

Please pray for Emily Crikelair.
She just finished her freshman year at Houghton College and was struck by lightning this Tues. She's in the hospital and recovering slowly but is unconscious and further damage is unknown.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I don't think I could live much more than a week in an empty house.
The solitude is nice, but it's kind of a downer to wake up and remember there's no one downstairs to say good morning to.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Sometimes...

Sometimes I miss waking up to the sounds of the African birds
and crawling out of my tent to the new day.
Sometimes I miss the breakfast bell calling us to the kitchen
and rousing some from their sleeping bags.
Sometimes I miss the "good mornings" and the "habari za asabuhis."
Sometimes I miss the simplicity. Sometimes I miss Tanzania.

Nouveaux- "We Believe"

I came across this video on a tape we have of Christian music videos from the mid 90s. It's amazing how music and hair styles change, but I still find the song to be catchy and upbeat.

Hedgehog

I guess these folks have pet hedgehogs. random but awefully cute.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

$4.07

Ridiculous
This past week dear friends and Houghton alumni, Joel and Christine Tate were here and we found ourselves discussing some of the name changes that have taken place here in resent years and since their graduation in the mid-90s.
Lets see if I can remember a few....
Formerly ~ Currently
~East Hall ~ Gillette Hall
~South Hall ~ Rothenbuhler Hall
~NAB ~ Chamberlain Center
~Info Center ~ Welcome Center
~HR (head resident) ~ just another RA
~Open Hall ~ Open Dorm
~Brookside ~ Randall
~RDA ~ARD
~Freshman ~ First Year Student
~Welcome Weekend ~Highlander Connection

Born this day...

Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman)
I'm sitting in the campus center and there was just a robin on the outside windowsill confusedly tapping away... weird.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

When the mystery was revealed to Daniel

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you...."

Daniel 2: 20-23

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Last one....

Today I took my last doxy (Doxycycline), the beloved (a song was adapted for it) antimalarial med that practically the whole group was on while we were over in East Africa. I needed to take the preventative for 1 month after returning in case any of that nasty virus was somewhere in my system.

Saturday, May 17, 2008


Dear Daniel/Revelation,

oh, please don't be cruel to a heart that's true....

Luxury dessert



Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Though my Mayterm roomie and fellow Tanzanianer Bethany
and I consider ourselves East Hall girls,

we're making the other women's dorm (Lambein) our home for the time.