Sweet Pea

(Photo from the train of the sun setting at 10pm in early June!)

So June 21st was this Saturday, which means we are officially well into the summer season. Although, I am currently in the cafe comfortably sipping a hot drink in a sweater and scarf...it seems someone forgot to tell Newcastle that it is June! Yes the sun is only absent from the sky 11:30pm to 3:30am these days, but shorts and flipflop weather is not an everyday reality for summer in the Northeast of England. But I am not one to complain- as a Colorado girl at heart, the cold never bothered me anyway (yes that was a shameless Frozen plug).

However, one obvious sign of summer has been all the green growth lining the streets and flowers bringing color to the neighborhood. One flower in particular I am excited to see bloom is the Sweet Pea. 

Beginning in early September, Sweet Peas have taken on a significant role in my year. 

At our very first Time For God (TFG) conference, we were each handed a different bag of seeds to write our name on, and as you may have guessed, mine were Sweet Peas. 

We then anonymously redistributed the packs of seeds to another volunteer to take home and plant-- keeping that individual in your prayers for the year.

Fast forward to a meeting with some of the JMC leadership, during a time when I was struggling a bit with stress and homesickness. And without the knowledge of my TFG flower support system, one of our stewards gave me advice and encouragement using the metaphor of a Sweet Pea reaching up to the sun for energy.

Fast forward again to a Cliff College conference-- one of the TFG field officers had been doodling a picture in the lecture, and approached me at the break saying she felt like she needed to give it to me for some reason. It was a sketch of two flowers rising up to catch the sun rays with a quote from Psalm 3.

All I could hear was Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) in my head saying, "Heeeerrrrreeeee's your sign!"

So I told our minister Rob and he planted some Sweet Peas in his garden.

As you can imagine, those seeds, that were planted this winter and have since slipped my mind, have now bloomed into a beautiful batch of Sweet Peas. These gorgeous flowers that have held such significance in my year, went unseen all winter, until suddenly there they were. Fully bloomed and smelling wonderful-- reminding me of a support that I had forgoten I had this year. 

It is a humbling lesson I experienced at Gonzaga University and truly believe we all need reminding every now and then. It is a realization that love and support are always more present than we will ever know or see. An, "invisible love," if you'd like. Even though the Sweet Peas were not in bloom all winter, even though I didn't see them until this summer, they were still there in the ground, growing and developing a root system.

Some of the Sweet Peas from Rob's garden

Just as I am that "invisible love" and prayer support for the TFG volunteer whose flowers I have, we each have those sources of unseen support we will never know exist. But when you take a moment to think about it, it can be so encouraging and refreshing. 

I realize this is a very vague reflection, but maybe part of the power of "invisible love" is that we aren't meant to fully grasp or understand it. 

So today I simply ask you to pass it on. Pray for the TFG volunteers, pray for the YAGM program, and pray for my community.

And as always thank you for your continued love and support!

Cheers for now

-Elie

*Today I would like to give a special thanks to Eagle River Presbyterian Church in Eaglevail, CO for being an amazing source of "invisible love" and tangible support!

Seconds Are A Blessing!!

UK YAGM ladies back at Cliff College.
 Gonna miss them next year!!

At Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, we have a saying to indicate when the campers are welcome to a second helping of food if desired...we simply shout out, "SECONDS ARE A BLESSING!"
This helps to let them know that everyone has had a chance to eat and remind them of how blessed they are to have the option of seconds.

This year has been such an amazing experience and being apart of the Jesmond Methodist Church family has brought me such joy from day one! Which is why I am so incredibly happy that I can now officially say, in regards to my year with JMC....SECONDS ARE A BLESSING!!!
That's right, I will be staying on for a second year with JMC (after a month back in the States this summer to renew my visa and visit home of course!!).

Although YAGM (Young Adult in Global Mission with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) is only a year long program, our sister programme here in the UK (Time For God or TFG) offers a second year option. So after putting much thought and reflection into my experience this year, and the possibility of what a second year would look like, I decided to do a second year as the student and young professional coordinator with Jesmond Methodist Church. Of course with blessings from my community, the JMC leadership, YAGM, TFG, and most importantly....my mother ;)

One of the JMC students enjoying the waves at
our Alpha Away Day on the coast

Knowing I will be back for a second year has put many plans in motion for JMC and what my job will look like when the next University year begins.
It has been wonderful watching the younger community members of the JMC family grow in fellowship and to see new talent emerge in our worship team, and I hope this growth continues into next year. Above all this, I am looking forward to helping new leaders step forward and find confidence in their role in the congregation. We may be a smaller church, but this only opens more opportunity for our members to grasp this personal importance.

Now begins another effort to make this happen. Now begins a 2nd round of fundraising!
This time around I will be collecting the fundraising, as I am now responsible for the Travel expenses and fees for Time For God.  My community here in Newcastle is going to be an amazing help over the next few months towards my funding, but it would be great to have some support from the States as well!

Regardless of if you are able to help me reach my monetary goal (Flight expenses and 1,200 pounds/2,020 dollars for TFG fees), I would love to have your prayer support throughout the next year more than anything.
Feel free to email me with any questions about how you can support me, and as always, I can't thank you enough for the love and support over this year so far!!

Cheers for now,
and remember....SECONDS ARE A BLESSING!!
-Elie 

Please Help Bring Me Back To This Beautiful City!

 

Picture Perfect Pup

 The other day I was walking home from meeting some students in town, and as I was passing some terraced houses, I spotted an adorable black lab poking its head through the fence. Her owner was a petite old woman who smiled, asking the lab, "Who's that?" So I took this as an invitation to stop, and asked permission to pet the pup....

Me: Would you mind?
Owner: Not at all!
Me: She is precious! What's she called?
Owner: Louise. She used to be able to nearly hop right through the fence when she was little.
Me: Well she is a sweetheart.
Owner: Yeah she loves the attention...

As I was petting her lab and chatting away, I had a momentary day dream about how this sweet old woman and I might meet like this again and possibly share wisdom and life stories over a nice cuppa one day; just like you see in the movies. But this image, and our conversation, was suddenly interrupted when Louise unexpectedly got sick on the pavement!

The woman apologized and explained that the lab had been munching on the grass earlier. We shared sympathy for the pup, before I turned towards home. The woman called after, insuring that I would feel free to stop by and give the Louise some attention anytime she was outside. So I agreed, thanked her and continued on my way.

Crossing the next street, I couldn't help but giggle--such a seemingly, movie perfect interaction that took an odd little turn.
Life is not meant to be picture perfect, people. But you CAN see God's beauty (and sense of humor!) in almost any situation if you have the wisdom to laugh it off. :)

Cheers for Now!
-Elie

PS- I have some exciting news to share with you all in my next post! Stay tuned :)

The Purest Heart I Have Yet Met

"Brother" Ian (who I first wrote about in November under the post "Brother") has been in hospital recovering from a hip surgery and I had the chance to visit him this week with another woman from JMC. Seeing him and his bright spirit automatically reminds you of the beauty of god's love. Just sitting with him and Jenny in the shared hospital room hearing his stories of all his visitors and seeing him interact with the other men sharing his room, it is so obvious what an amazing heart he has. 

One of the other men sharing the room didn't have visitors that afternoon and as I was Ian's 24th visitor, I felt for this man not having someone by his bedside. But then I thought, there is no need for me to feel sadness for this man....he is sharing a room with Ian!! Even if he didn't have visitors apart from that afternoon, he had the one man sharing his room that can easily remind anyone of how loved they are! When he came over to chat with us, he and Ian seemed to be life long friends, but you know it's simply because Ian has been friendly with all of them in the short week he has been in recovery: making mere hours of camaraderie in ward 19 stronger than all their years. 

Ian reminds Jenny and I that he has had 24 visitors, and we know that represents only a small portion of the people he is constantly praying for. He remembers the details of every life he encounters and has such hope for their health and happiness. He genuinely takes the time each day and has everyone he meets on his heart--the purest heart I have yet met.

He left me with a prayer and words for my friends and family back in the states, so this is for you from "Brother" Ian....

'Exalt The Lord over all the earth.
Hold the hand of He who calms the waters,
And sing songs for him'

Ian read us some scripture that he had chosen for us earlier that day.















He really loved my bright shoes :)








Cheers for now!
-Elie

Take A Short Drive With Me Through the English Countryside (Coast to Coast)

It seems as though all the roads outside the city are quaint back country roads: rhythmically winding through endless fields, scattered with sheep and the occasional lama, dipping up and down the rolling hills. The small two way lanes are lined with shrubs and tall trees whose branches reach out to each other from across the road above your head. It's a beautiful sight on this sunny winter day, leading me only to crave the view in summer or autumn. 

Every 10-20 minutes we pass through another small village perched atop a small hill or tucked away in the next valley. Each including their own brand of cottages, terraced houses, a church or two, the local pub, and in some, an old castle preserving the country's past as if the history channel was coming to life right before my eyes. From the roman ruins to bombings in the world wars- there are so many stories, there is so much culture and so many different accents for such a small island.

From the sea side (peering across the ocean to the Scottish coast), to the snow capped peaks of the Lake District...less than 30 minutes. From the west coast, back home to the east coast...less than 2 hours. In a day trip, shorter than one to cross Colorado alone, I saw life and culture older than even the country of the US itself. England begs to be explored!

Bring on the New Year!

Hiya!
Can't believe it is 2014 already, let alone February! Here is what has been happening across the pond...

1. Christmas events in Jesmond including: watching The Grinch, a midnight service, a onesie Christmas morning, an international student Christmas lunch, watching The Grinch, opening presents with my family over skype, boxing day lunch complete with penguin races, and, of course, watching The Grinch.

Meera and her sons joined Rob in wearing onesies!

       -I was so worried Christmas would be the hardest part of this year, but again God proved me wrong and reminded me I wasn't alone. Rob and his family took me in and I got to see Santa in action for the first time, bringing gifts for he and Katie's grandchildren.
   On Christmas morning, Rob wore a onesie during the service to portray a brilliant image for his sermon, reminding me of how much I love Jesmond Methodist Church!
  And skype is so amazing that I often even forgot I was in England and not in my living room at home opening presents with my family. Although it wasn't the Christmas I am used to, the Christmas spirit I know and love was ever
present.

YAGM ladies at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

2. My first trip to London to visit my cousin Kelsey, the other UK YAGMs, and my summer roommate (a former UK YAGM) joined us as well!

3. Welcoming back the students after their winter break, bringing a lively atmosphere back to the city.

4. Time in the hills of Wales for the BIG Time For God conference. As this year's YAGM volunteers, we ran a Leadership session and the final worship. Great week with great people!

All of the Time For God's volunteers in Wales for the BIG conference

5. The start of our Alpha Course that will continue for the next 8 weeks. It is a life-changing course that begs the question, "Is There More To Life Than This?" I have heard many great things about Alpha and am looking forward to see what it can give to those who are joining us! (for info- http://www.alpha.org/)

6. A Pioneer Conference Weekend, shedding light into a revival for the Northeast that is just around the corner. (for info-http://www.pioneer.org.uk/)

7. And a fun Super Bowl celebration, with a not so fun scoreboard.








Abby (another YAGM in Durham) came up for the night as we streamed the big game and munched on classic american snacks :)













In other words...It has been busy and it has been exciting and I can't say thank you enough to all those who lend me prayer and support :)

Just a thought...

"Here we may prove the power of prayer, to strengthen faith and sweeten care."

Sometimes it seems that prayer is all we have. When there is nothing we can do, when we have run dry of all resources, when we are blind to the future, or when we are halfway across the world from a hug that we desperately want to give.

But if in these moments prayer is all we have...then we have more than we know and more than we need. 

As I came trough the holidays with good memories and a warm heart, I will admit that homesickness is now making an appearance. I knew that it would happen eventually, but I didn't anticipate it to be such a conflicting experience. 

Yes, I am homesick for snow, I am homesick for the blue sky clear over the mountains, I am homesick for Zombie Nation in the Gonzaga Kennel, and I am homesick for my family and friends back in the States. Even now as I sit in the Cafe, Michael Buble's "Home"plays over the speakers, and it all reminds me just how lucky I am to have a home worth missing!

And yet in all this longing I feel such a strong pull to my new community I have found here in Newcastle.  So in these conflicting pulls on my heart, all I can do is pray. 

At first this made me feel helpless, but then I heard the words quoted above in a hymn last week, which reminded me that prayerful power comes not from simply going through the motions of talking to God, but in truly believing that he is listening and cares. Prayer pulls us to put our full trust in God to be with those we can't, and to sort out the path before our every step.

If all I can do is pray, then I can do more than I will ever imagine.

Hope you had a wonderful Holiday season and a good start to this new year!

Cheers

-Elie

The UK YAGMs in Wales. Couldn't imagine this year without them!

Christmas nights with my favorite movie, The Grinch.

I'll Be Home For Christmas...If Only In My Heart

    Again a month flies by since my last post, and yet it feels like I have a year's worth of stories to tell.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, Christmas is well under way, and I have said my goodbyes to the students as they go home for winter break.

    I was pleasantly surprised to find myself feeling sad to see the students go home for the next month. Of course I am happy that they will have time with their families and friends, to relax and celebrate the holidays, but I will also miss them and their enthusiasm each sunday and hearing their "lows, highs, and hows (God moment)" each week. It has been such a blessing watching each of them find their way to Jesmond Methodist Church, and seeing how they have settled warmly into their role as a part of this family.  I look forward to when they return, to see them reunite with the community, to hear their stories from home, and continue to watch them grow in each of their personal faith journeys.

    I have to be completely honest, and admit that facing the Holidays away from home is not the easiest part of this year.  It will be my first Christmas without snow; without reuniting with childhood friends; without hiding our nativity's baby Jesus until the 25th: without disturbing the late night Christmas Eve service in fits of uncontrollable laughter or setting my mother's hair on fire (great story to ask me about sometime); without peacefully sitting around our tree after the service; without monkey bread and mimosas and an argument or two about who gets to sit in the big chairs christmas morning; without being the designated gift distributor...without my family. Those who know me well, know that I like tradition and am not the biggest fan of change, but here I am living in the reality of change, and knowing that all my Christmas traditions will go on without me this year.

    Now before this post gets too dismal, I want to tell you about a few things that have been pulling me through the fact of spending the Holidays half way across the world.

• Getting a tree with my flatmates and decorating the flat while all singing along to Christmas music (for a moment, it was as if we were in a cheesy hallmark movie).
• Filling up my schedule with carol singing, christmas concerts, and Holiday meals with the JMC community.
• The invitations to become apart of another family for Christmas.
• The Christmas cards being sent and received each day.
• The chance to bring love and laughter to international students who will also be away from home this Christmas.
• And ironically enough, the thing that has helped the most has been the chance to learn about so many new Christmas Traditions here in Britain:  new songs, new christmas fairytales, new traditional Christmas foods, new words for familiar Christmas bits and pieces, and even new snacks for "Father Christmas" on his big night-- milk and cookies in the States, mulled wine and mince pies in England, and whiskey and mince pies in Scotland.  No wonder American tradition is milk and cookies...the man has got to sober up after being over here! Maybe a few of you back home can leave him some water and aspirin this year as well :)

Yes, this christmas I will miss the snow, the traditions and my family back home, but it is beyond explanation how worth it the trade is to have this opportunity. Christmas will be different and 8 hours earlier than usual...but with a community like JMC, I know I won't be alone.

Happy Christmas :)

...or as the Gordies say..."Calm doon an' ha' ya' sel a canny Christmas! Cause Santie is comin to toon!"

-Elie

PS: if you would like to hear about my Big Thanksgiving Meal here, then send me your email address and you will receive my next Newsletter :)

Here is a sneak peak into Thanksgiving:
-one of the 10 pumpkin pies I made for Jesmond's first Turkey Day Celebration! I was also able to celebrate down near Durham with Abby (another YAGM up here in the Northeast!)