Orientation Week.

It is Friday night and the evening is somewhat late. I am relaxing at my computer after one full week of meetings, activities and new friends. This past week marked the opening to this new stage of my life; it was orientation week at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. It was an amazing week and I was so impressed with the layout of the week and the welcome that new students received as we moved forward towards the beginning of our new life.

One great thing about the week was FREE FOOD! When you are waiting for the extra money to hit your bank account, free food is a great thing! This is what my week entailed: game night, round table discussions with faculty, lunch with faculty, dinner with the MFT cohort, pizza with the 2nd year MFT's, integration panel discussion, Diversity brunch and another BBQ with our All Seminary Council and concert on the campus lawn. That does not even begin include all the awesome people I have met each day. My cohort alone is 55 people and I still have two other schools to get to know people.

Being here at Fuller already has been an awesome experience and I am more than blessed with the people I have met. I am definitely worn out from all the activities and my brain is quite muddled with faces and names. So I am really ready to begin my classes which start Tuesday.

Ask me in five or six weeks if I feel the same...hahaha

Fireproof (Theatrical Trailer)

Coming soon...must see!

Evolution of Dance

This video is funny and will make you remember all those dances that we used to do or know the songs very well. Enjoy!

And four hours later...

So, I have been putting off this one last item of my move from a year ago that would completely erase my legal connection to the state of Iowa. I held off registering my car in the state of California just because I did not want to pay the registration fees for bringing my car into a new state. Since I had already had my tags from Iowa, I just did not do it.

With August rolling around, the notice came that my registration tags would shortly be expiring. I was debating about transferring the registration for several weeks, especially when I viewed the costs of registering my car in CA versus IA and of course, IA came out on the shorter end. I figured I would take care of the details once I settled into my apartment and could get online.

According to California law, as soon as I start working in the state of CA, I now become a legal resident of the state and therefore must register my car. I thought maybe I could get away with registering in IA since I am now a student and I was all ready to do that. Then one morning as I was waking up and the fog of sleep began to leave my mind, I realized that I could not, legally, register my car in Iowa. Why? Because I no longer had a residence there. My parents sold the house. So I had to register it here.

I went to the DMV today. I thought I was already to go through the details. I had the registration form filled out. I had my car smog checked. I had my current registration card. And my current driver's license. I get there. I get my number. I had to wait just over an hour. So I get to the window, hand the lady all the forms, and I was missing one item. I had to have a DMV personnel inspect my car before I could register my car. So i went out, got my car in the lane (and the parking lot was a nightmare!) and had the DMV inspect my car. I thought I was done. But no, I had to go back into the station, get another number, and finishing my registration.

Needless to say, I spent over four hours at the DMV to register my car which no longer sports the IA plates and now displays the white plates of California. But at least I will not get pulled over for expired tags and I am becoming more and more a Cali-girl.

A quick update.

I have finally arrived...I am in Pasadena. My parents and I drove down from Modesto yesterday and pulled up in front of my apartment building around 2:00 p.m. I LOVE MY APARTMENT! It is a bit smaller than I expected but it will be perfect for just me for the next year or two years. It is a total mess at the moment as my stuff was just plopped into the room but for the moment I have dishes, silverware, glasses, a bed, and towels. I have the basics until I get the rest taken care of.

So what is next? I need to settle in. I have a job interview on Monday for a work study position. I need to wrap up a few loose ends to get the basics. I do not have internet at the apartment so I may be absent for a few days but I am working on that bit of work. I hope to get registered fully into my classes and begin the reading that I know will hit me once school starts. I will need to find a church home and just relax and enjoy this new journey that God has lead me on.

I write again in the future.

The Moon.

The lesser light
that rules by
the dark of night
with its round eye
that blinks and winks
playing peek-a-boo
with the cloak of stars
now smiles down
upon me.

Blue Escape.

calm, blue waters
ripples with the
gentle breeze...
with its inviting whispers
calls me to
envelope myself
int is
refreshing depths.

Willow Tree.

branches that hang down
in gentle tears
hiding the beauty
of hidden space
that two lovers seek.
waving gently as the wind whirls
dancing upon the windy notes
whispering its secret;
this hidden space,
calling me to
invade this quiet domain
to share this secret
while the branches sway --
enclosing safely
around me.

Just an update.

WOW! The past month has flown by with a velocity I did not know time had. It is already August. My mind is running at full speed, faster than i can truly comprehend. I have so much to get done in such a short amount of time that I am stalling on some items. But the whole purpose in my move to the eternal land of sunshine is approaching fast.

Yes, I am still moving to Pasadena. Yes, I am still planning on attending seminary this fall. In fact, I recently received my class schedule for the next two years, and it will be hectic and intense. But I know that I am going to enjoy the next journey of my life. My apartment is ready and I can move in anytime. I have been in contact with my community coordinators. I have even had a job interview for a work study position. Everything keeps moving forward.

My mind is in a whirlwind of all the things yet to be accomplished. The address changes, the packing, the unpacking, the settling in, meeting new people, finding a new church home...I still have lots to do. But I hope to write a little bit more so y'all can keep up with me.

I will write more later.

Hurdle Race.

I remember my good old track days of junior high when I thought I enjoyed the sport of running. (I know that it is a complete mental thing that I do not like running.) I quickly learned in the early days of track that I do not enjoy the long distance treks around the track with distances of 200, 400, 800, or more meters. Just writing those words still makes me cringe at the thought of running those laps. The shorter sprint options did not scare me so and those I quickly volunteered for. I was assigned the hurdles and set out to learn the art of jumping over a waist-high barrier while never losing my stride or footing. Sometimes I flew over those hurdles with such precision that every jumped worked great. Other times I jumped too early and lost momentum, and other times I jumped too late and hit it. I suffered a few scrapes and bruises from those days. Red dirt definitely is not the color for me. But despite the hurdles that I could see, I always knew that the finish line was a short distance away and that finish line was my goal.

The memories of those days have come back to haunt me when I received an email from a friend. I know there is a lesson to be learned somewhere in the midst of those memories of days gone by so let me see if I am willing to learn today. My friend, who has been an amazing source of prayer and encouragement for me, wrote that he was excited at what the Lord is doing and will do in my life. Should I tell you what my first thought was? My first thought was, “well, I am glad someone is.” because right now, I am not jumping up and down with pure delight and excitement at the stage that is ahead. Do not get me wrong. I am looking forward to what is ahead but I see the hurdles that are there. These hurdles are not surprises nor are they hidden. They are plain, big, and right before my eyes. They do not hide the end; they will just make the finish line a bit more challenging to reach.

I am grateful for my friend who is cheering me on in the journey ahead. He reminds me of those teammates who would stand at different points along the track, rooting, cheering, and yelling me on during the race. As the one running, there are times that I did not want to get to the starting line. I did not want to get myself set to go. I did not want to even take a step. Sometimes I wanted to get a false start so I would not have to run, but those were the moments I closed my eyes, erasing the world before me, focused on the end, tuned my ears to the hear the voices cheering me on, and waited for the signal.

I know my race. The starting line has been drawn. The finish line has been stretched. The hurdles are placed. I have been trained, prepped, and encouraged to run it. My heart still pounds because I know I have to run it and overcome the hurdles. But I am willing. I take my place, I close my eyes, I wait for my signal.

Flying home.

The week flew with amazing speed that it seems somewhat unreal that I am already at the airport to return home once again. My week was filled with such activity that my brain is still wrapping itself around all the events of the week. But it was such a great week!

My nephew was so much fun. All he wanted was time with his “Auntie Kara.” I will admit I spoiled him just a tad. Hopefully he won’t drive too many people crazy with talk of his new Hulk toy and not hit too many people with his new green light saber. (I could not stop myself. I had to get him the toys. That is what I am suppose to do, right? I am his aunt.) I also saw my new niece Audrey and my other nephew Braedin. I loved just holding Audrey after seeing so many pictures of her. Lunches with friends and movie nights…it was an awesome week.

There are two things that I will take with me from this trip. One of them I am overwhelmed at its truth and the other one is a confirmation that is still settling deep inside. The first truth is how loved I am by the people I know. I am overwhelmed by the willingness of others to spend time with me and the desire of others who wanted to meet up with me. Truthfully, I love people and hanging out with them. So I have not thought twice about their feelings towards me. I do not see myself as more special than the person next to me so this past week was so amazing as hugs, requests, smiles, joy were expressed towards me. I wish my vacation extended longer than just this week but I am leaving Des Moines feeling so loved and special.

The second thing was the realization that Des Moines is not home anymore. I have lived in Iowa for twenty-eight years of my life and lived over fifteen years in Des Moines. I knew coming back would be a weird experience as familiarity would be around every corner yet something new would also exist. I was not fully expecting the sense of knowing that I was not home to come over me the moment I landed at the airport. This past week was fun as I visited old haunts of mine, eating at restaurants that are no longer available to me, and seeing familiar faces, yet deep inside I knew that I was no longer home. God had prepared my heart, mind, and soul for this transition. When I resigned over a year ago, it was at God’s guidance that I did so. I moved forward in the path that he has designed for me. I realized that no matter where I go in this life, home will always be the place that God has led me. Granted I would not have chosen California as my first choice of home but God’s peace rests deep inside at the truth that He led me there. This place is now my home. Now, the time has come for the major move ahead and whatever lies ahead.

Grey sheets of water.

One thing that I miss very much is the rumbling noise of the darken skies. California has rain yet it does not have the dark, gathering clouds that announce the beginning of momentary or lasting sheets of grey that pour from the skies. Last night, I heard the gentle rumble of the approaching thunderstorm. Excitement grew in me as the noise increased and the storm came closer and closer. I love thunderstorms.

I headed out to meet up with a friend when I saw an amazing sight. The sun had not yet retired for the night and it was hanging low in the horizon. Yet the skies above were dark and brooding, casting a night feel so early in the evening. I drove west to meet my friend when I caught a glimpse of an unusual site…a deep gray sky with its announcing storm and an orange-glowing sun pushing through the clouds to grant forth its last rays before the horizon called it to bed. It was so unusual yet vibrant that it caught my attention, which truly was not good since I was driving through rain and the rain was falling hard. How I wish I could have had my camera to take that shot!

Vacation blurs.

June 24th, 2008

I made it to the fair Midwest city of Des Moines. My flights were really good and quick. I even landed early in Des Moines and was able to arrive at my brother’s house in time for dinner. I was lucky to get a window seat on my flight from Minneapolis and Des Moines. As we began our descent into the area, I began to pear anxiously out the window, hoping to see familiar landmarks. It did not take long for the site below me to become known and I excitedly began to point out various sites.

This might sound crazy to some but the sight when I landed was beautiful. To the north I saw the dark grey-blue clouds of a typical thunderstorm while the sight to the south was clear, blue skies with sun streaming down to the earth. But the most magnificent sight was a rainbow that painted the darkness with its spray of color. Now this rainbow did not just peek through the clouds or dot a small section of the sky. No, this rainbow was a full arc stretching from the west to the east, vibrant in its display of colors. I was just in awe. It was beautiful.

The airport personnel was quick in the work for by the time I reached the luggage area, the luggage from our flight was already traveling on the conveyor belt and I quickly found mine. I headed to the car rental to receive the keys to the car, headed out to the parking lot, loaded my suitcase and headed on my way.

I pulled up to my brother’s house, dragged myself to the front door, heard the familiar sound of their dog Gio, and walked in the door. The first thing I heard was a voice chanting, “Auntie Kara is here, Auntie Kara is here.” My nephew was jumping up and down with excitement that I had finally arrived. Then he gave me my hug!

Sunday went by in a blur. I went to my old home church and I never made it into service. I kept getting a few feet before another friend spotted me. It was so good to see everyone and give them hugs and play catch up.

I still have plenty of week left.

Waiting for the start.

Arising out of the fog of the land of dreams, I heard the click of my alarm clock as the set time for my day started. Shaking off the fading memories of my misty thoughts, I struggled to get up, despite the knowing reason for the early morning alarm. I was heading back, back to the past, back to a time that I once lived and breathed every day for most of my life. I was going to Des Moines.

Rushing through my morning routine and packing the last minute items, I was very aware of the approaching minutes of my departure to San Francisco. I heard the rap of fingers on my door as I quickly hid in my closet to finish dressing. I knew the time was near. My father would be waiting downstairs ready to give me a hard time if I was a few minutes late. I take his teasing in jest because my father is known to be late at times as well.

With suitcase in hand, backpack slung over the shoulder, I went to the car. The drive over was with ease and the land that I barely set eyes on rose before me. It was not long before I saw the stretch of blue-gray that marked the south end of the bay, announcing my arrival to the fair and exciting city of San Francisco and thus bringing me to the point of transportation that will take me on the first leg of my journey.

The airport is fairly quiet for this early morning. Passengers are scattered here and there but it is not crowded or overwhelming for the moment. Security was a breeze and I flew right on through in a few minutes. I did set off the alarm because I forgot that my cell phone was in my pocket. But other than that, I was through and went to find my gate.

Now, I sit in the row of open seats by my gate. I have another hour before I can board my flight. I have still another flight to catch at the end of this one. But soon, I will be in my brother’s house, wrapped in the arms of a little boy who has captured my heart since the day he was born. I am looking forward to my Ashton-squeeze.

Praise or Pout.

Everyday I discover that I have a choice on the attitude that I want to have for the day. Some people do not think that we do but we do. We can choose our attitude and response to the events in our lives.

As a Christian, my desire is to be like Christ and live His example in everything I do and say. Easier said than done. The desire to be like Christ and actually act it out on a regular basis is tough. Many days my attitude of my selfish nature collides with the attitude of an eternal Saviour.

This past Saturday was another collision between my human nature and my pursuit for the divine. I had just arrived at my weekend job and the new schedule was up for the MONTH! I was not happy with the shifts I was given. I work two jobs so some weeks I work seven days a week and after awhile I just get tired. Last Saturday I was tired after working over 40 hours and six days that week between the two jobs. And both my jobs are totally customer service related so I am constantly dealing with customers, their requests and sometimes their lovely attitudes. To rejuvanate myself, I need moments to myself in order to be ready to serve.

So when I read the schedule, I was so irritated. Come on, my manager knows that I work another job and she should take that into consideration when making the schedule, right? I was complaining to a fellow co-worker when I was stopped in the middle of my conversation with the thought that I could either praise God or I could selfishly pout. (Don't you just love it when God throws a lesson right into your face?) So I stopped my tired, selfish tirade and choose to praise God that I had the extra hours which means I would make a little extra money that I thought which would help pay for my vacation home. I felt better and went to work.

Not ten minutes later was that same attitude pressed when I had to help customers who had no idea how to use a computer, how to find CD's or I had to let them into the bathroom. And that attitude was tested again a few days later when my schedule was changed and I was given another shift in an already crazy week.

I know it is not easy to praise God when I am tired or stressed. I know that it is not easy to praise God when the path does not go my way and I would rather pout in defiance and self-righteous than praise God that He is still on the throne no matter what is going on. But I find out that when I praise God for the blessings He has given me and praise Him just because He is God, my day and my attitude are so much better and I am more open to allow God to use me to touch another person's life.

So I will wake up today and I will make a decision. Will I praise or will I pout?

Switchfoot -

Loved this movie and I really like this song! AFter living in Iowa for all of my life, I feel like this new path in front of me in California is my home. Wherever I am with God, it is home.

An interesting day at work.

I am not sure if this problem is as big as it is here, but one problem that businesses have around here are bad $100 bills. Somehow someone has learned how to wash the ink off a $5 bill and the reprint the bill as a $100. I had heard about such bills because several businesses have had trouble with those bills but never saw one or touched one. That all changed this week.

I was helping a customer and I was counting the cash this customer gave me. I noticed that one of the $100 bills seemed darker and the paper did not feel right. So after inspection, I noticed that the thread that ran through the paper was marked as a USA FIVE and the watermark had the profile of Abe Lincoln.

I held in my hand a counterfeit $100 dollar bill. Not a typical thing to happen although that was the second one in a week. Sometimes the bill is so good that it is not caught until the Federal Reserve. It was cool to view it and find the faults with it. I did not know that Ben and Abe were even friends to hang out on the same piece of paper but it is also scary to know that those bills are floating around in the community.

It was an interesting moment in my normal business day.

my desire by jeremy camp

Besides being one of my favorite artists, I love this message of this song especially now as I continue forth into the path that God has laid before me.

To the Fallen and the Brave.

In memory of the military men and women who lost their lives, I say “I remember you.” Their sacrifice and service is not forgotten from the very first war to the battles we still fight today. Because of their willingness to serve and protect not only this nation but the truth of our nation, I live with a freedom that I shall not take for granted.

To the military men and women alive today, I say “Thank you.” You chose to serve with the understanding that battles and wars were a possibility. You have left family, friends, and futures to keep the rest of us safe. Those of us who have not served cannot always understand that the time you served does not die away when you arrive home for you carry with you fallen comrades, memories, and classified information that will last your lifetime. Thank you for serving and may the rest of us show you the respect and honor you are due for serving our country.

Today, I want to honor one particular sailor who took an oath to serve his country. At a time when life was not the best, his orders came through and he honored his word by accepting his orders. He left behind a family but he went. I am proud to call this sailor father and dad.

To Lt. Cdr. Phil Herrick, retired Naval Officer of the United States Navy. Served 23 years. Veteran of the Persian Gulf War, 1991. I am so proud of you!

School Update.

Okay...a lot has happened in the past few weeks regarding school. I have housing! I have a studio/loft apartment that is located near the school as campus housing. I am really excited about that bit of news. I get my own place! I can pull out my new dishes that I have not used yet. I can pull out a lot of things out of storage that has been boxed away since I moved here.

I received my financial aid package just this past week. Along side my scholarship, I have received a $1700 grant and eligibility for work study programs. God is so faithful. I will have to take out loans for the rest of the financial need but I am also believing that God will meet each need as it comes.

I have several scholarship applications out there and I am just waiting for the results of those. These scholarships range from $1000-$50,000, so I pray that I may be the recipient of one or some of them. But in any case, I praise God for His faithfulness to me and His power to meet every daily need.

Every day, graduate school becomes more and more a reality.