So I thought I'd do a little update as well. I am also engaged. I met Tom last summer on a missions trip to West Virginia and we started dating in January, and just got engaged. For those of you thinking, "wow anna, that's a short dating period" the answer is no, I'm not pregnent! We're getting married next October, so mark your calanders so you can participate in the fall farm fun fest.... I think we're getting married on a farm, it fits me well.
I hope to hear about everyone else's life, I really miss you guys!
Tom and I might be taking a trip to Turkey next summer for my sister's wedding, so I'm trying to talk him into a side trip to Aguza... I'd love to see whoever is there!
Anna
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
an update
I'm engaged. Jon and I just set the date for Oct. 3, 2009 (possible MESP reunion?). Jon and I grew up together and started dating shortly after I came home from Egypt. He just graduated from the US Air Force Academy and is going to be based in Florida for the next couple years. I am still planning to go to Korea for the coming year, although I am having a difficult time coordinating with the school in Korea and the Korean Consulate in Chicago to get a visa. This next year will definitely be interesting.
Well, I trust all your summer adventures are going well. May God continue to bless you and open doors for you.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Back in Cairo...Soon
I guess things are official now. I have been planning on moving back to Cairo and praying that God would provide a way for me to do so if it be in his will. God provided and a couple days ago I accepted a position at ICON Communications (Keem's company) as an executive assistant. My contract is for 1 year. I could not be any happier to be in this position; however, I would be lying if I said there was not a part of me that is nervous. Sometimes I think my willingness (or maybe capability) to for a moment suspend my highly analytical side to make decisions like the decision to move to Cairo is God's way of reminding me that I am not my own but that I am his. Often I am able to prevent situations that put me out of control by relying on my ability to think through fine details and potential problems. Whereas this ability can be good, it doesn't lend itself to allowing me to acknowledge the One who is really in control. Now that I think about my move, I am starting to realize there is no way that I will be able to prevent problems, frustrations, hang-ups, etc., but those problems and frustrations will give me the opportunity to lean on God...the One who is really in control.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Makes you proud to be an American...
I have a childhood friend who is in Iraq right now with the Marines. Recently a friend of his (also in the Marines) posted on his Facebook wall saying:
"btw- i saw a bunch of guys who got blown up in the back of a pick up truck the other day. it was funny because i said to myself "wow, they're having a bad day but my day is pretty great." then the next day i see a dead puppy and i almost cried. ps- those dead guys hated jesus."
What sort of military do we have that lets people like this join up? This guy represents ME to Iraqi citizens!?!
It is possible to attempt to explain this soldiers perspective by pointing to the fact that he is under a lot of stress. I want to be sympathetic. But, if he is under so much stress that he is no longer able to see the value of human life, then the military should be doing something to help him deal with his stress. Look at what war has done. It has turned us all into monsters.
A wise man that I deeply respect recently told me that he wants the Department of Defense to be run by a pacifist.
"btw- i saw a bunch of guys who got blown up in the back of a pick up truck the other day. it was funny because i said to myself "wow, they're having a bad day but my day is pretty great." then the next day i see a dead puppy and i almost cried. ps- those dead guys hated jesus."
What sort of military do we have that lets people like this join up? This guy represents ME to Iraqi citizens!?!
It is possible to attempt to explain this soldiers perspective by pointing to the fact that he is under a lot of stress. I want to be sympathetic. But, if he is under so much stress that he is no longer able to see the value of human life, then the military should be doing something to help him deal with his stress. Look at what war has done. It has turned us all into monsters.
A wise man that I deeply respect recently told me that he wants the Department of Defense to be run by a pacifist.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Update
In early May, Tory and I got to hang out for a while prior to her departure for Colorado. It just so happened that Tory had gotten wind of the fact that Abouna Chacour was going to be in town on the weekend, so we went to hear him talk about Ibilin. It was terrific.
More recently, I was looking at my old photos from MESP. It made me physically sick out of my desire to be near to you all again. I miss you all terribly.
I was looking at a stump outside of my house a few days ago. I had mowed arround it for years. Then, I had hacked it to pieces with an axe. The stump was not particularly important to me, but it did constitute a portion of my life, of who I am. I could talk at great length about the stump and never get close to conveying the weightiness of this tiny object within my life. Indeed it is a tiny object of no significance. Compare that to MESP and my experiences with you. You all have played a HUGE role in my life to date. I could not, even in a million years, convey the depth of your impact upon who I am today. I cannot even convey the significance of a tiny stump in my backyard. How can I hope to put my experiences with you into words? No one really understands what we experienced together except for us. Even those who went on MESP on other semesters had different experiences. (although there is a ton of common ground that makes communication SO much easier)
This is part of what is so beautiful about Matt and Suzannah Gruelkirk. They share this common experience.
All this goes to say that I dont know what to do with MESP. On one of our last days, we sat in the classroom and Dr. Dave asked us what our overall feelings were regarding MESP. I was the last to go and I honestly said that a part of me wished that I could forget what I had learned. Ignorance is bliss. A part of me wished that I had not come on MESP because I knew how difficult (it has proved impossible so far) it would be to return to life as normal. Of course I am glad that I went and learned and experienced. I am glad that I got to know all of you. Yet if Dr. Dave asked me the same question again, I would have the same answer. Ignorance IS bliss and while, being the person that I am, I can never knowingly choose ignorance over knowledge, it is a real temptation...
It is a temptation to forget. It is a temptation to "move on." It is a temptation to shove MESP aside as a "nice experience." All the while, the truth remains that I am deeply MESPed up.
I was deeply moved as I looked through the pictures. I was moved because I did not know what to do with you. You, the people with whom I share this deep bond, are so very far away. You are the ones who understand who I am, where I have been and what I have seen. As a group, you know me better than almost anyone else in the world.
What are we to do? How do you say goodbye to someone who touched you? How do you forget without forgetting? How do you let go without letting go? I have tried to keep in touch with a number of you to considerable sucess. But, is it sustainable? Can we really maintain close contact with each other? It is not going to last. The phone calls will become farther and farther appart. (By the way, I am NOT trying to guilt trip anyone. Im just trying to state the facts.) We cant continue living as though MESP never ended. We must somehow move forward without abandoning what we have learned and experienced. Im struggling to do this, but after only a year and a half, I feel as though I am being torn in two.
I have always been terrible with goodbyes.
God has asked so much of me in the past year and a half. He has asked me to give up everything that I once held dear. He has asked me to give up on hopes and dreams and ambitions. I have turned over my life to Him. He is in charge... but I still feel pain.
More recently, I was looking at my old photos from MESP. It made me physically sick out of my desire to be near to you all again. I miss you all terribly.
I was looking at a stump outside of my house a few days ago. I had mowed arround it for years. Then, I had hacked it to pieces with an axe. The stump was not particularly important to me, but it did constitute a portion of my life, of who I am. I could talk at great length about the stump and never get close to conveying the weightiness of this tiny object within my life. Indeed it is a tiny object of no significance. Compare that to MESP and my experiences with you. You all have played a HUGE role in my life to date. I could not, even in a million years, convey the depth of your impact upon who I am today. I cannot even convey the significance of a tiny stump in my backyard. How can I hope to put my experiences with you into words? No one really understands what we experienced together except for us. Even those who went on MESP on other semesters had different experiences. (although there is a ton of common ground that makes communication SO much easier)
This is part of what is so beautiful about Matt and Suzannah Gruelkirk. They share this common experience.
All this goes to say that I dont know what to do with MESP. On one of our last days, we sat in the classroom and Dr. Dave asked us what our overall feelings were regarding MESP. I was the last to go and I honestly said that a part of me wished that I could forget what I had learned. Ignorance is bliss. A part of me wished that I had not come on MESP because I knew how difficult (it has proved impossible so far) it would be to return to life as normal. Of course I am glad that I went and learned and experienced. I am glad that I got to know all of you. Yet if Dr. Dave asked me the same question again, I would have the same answer. Ignorance IS bliss and while, being the person that I am, I can never knowingly choose ignorance over knowledge, it is a real temptation...
It is a temptation to forget. It is a temptation to "move on." It is a temptation to shove MESP aside as a "nice experience." All the while, the truth remains that I am deeply MESPed up.
I was deeply moved as I looked through the pictures. I was moved because I did not know what to do with you. You, the people with whom I share this deep bond, are so very far away. You are the ones who understand who I am, where I have been and what I have seen. As a group, you know me better than almost anyone else in the world.
What are we to do? How do you say goodbye to someone who touched you? How do you forget without forgetting? How do you let go without letting go? I have tried to keep in touch with a number of you to considerable sucess. But, is it sustainable? Can we really maintain close contact with each other? It is not going to last. The phone calls will become farther and farther appart. (By the way, I am NOT trying to guilt trip anyone. Im just trying to state the facts.) We cant continue living as though MESP never ended. We must somehow move forward without abandoning what we have learned and experienced. Im struggling to do this, but after only a year and a half, I feel as though I am being torn in two.
I have always been terrible with goodbyes.
God has asked so much of me in the past year and a half. He has asked me to give up everything that I once held dear. He has asked me to give up on hopes and dreams and ambitions. I have turned over my life to Him. He is in charge... but I still feel pain.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
American University in Cairo
Just an update. I have been admitted into the American University in Cairo to pursue a MA in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies. I will probably be arriving in Cairo in early August. I look forward to seeing the rest of you who are returning as well! Thanks for all of your support! YAY!!!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Seeking Wisdom
I need your help on a decision I have to make. I've been offered a job (two actually, but the other I already turned down), with Americorps VISTA. VISTA sets up college grads to work within an NGO for about $10,000 a year and a close to $5,000 education award at the end. I have to decide to turn down or accept this position by Tuesday morning...YIKES! The job is in Lansing and it's with an organization in Michigan that encourages civic engagement for college students. I would be overseeing about 10 people who are also VISTA members but are living on college campuses setting up service learning opportunities. I originally applied for that position, but they had already filled up, so I interviewed for this one and they offered it to me.
Here are my problems: little money, not a great location, and something that has recently bothered me...the job is not exciting. I don't count it meaningful in the way that I'm reading to the blind or even helping people better their position in life. I would be acting as a leader and liason to help other leaders liason their way to helping college students do community service. It's so far removed from the ground, that I feel like I won't feel...needed, valuable. ya know? Is that dumb?
Here are the positives: not far from home or my friends from school, a good transition place, the education award helps with the loans, I could have the next 12 months decided--which would be a huge relief. and, I might be living and working with one of my best friends from school
Help me gang. You know me, I trust you. Help me. Be objective and help me decide--take it or leave it?
I love you and envy all of you with the means to return to Cairo. =) much love.
Here are my problems: little money, not a great location, and something that has recently bothered me...the job is not exciting. I don't count it meaningful in the way that I'm reading to the blind or even helping people better their position in life. I would be acting as a leader and liason to help other leaders liason their way to helping college students do community service. It's so far removed from the ground, that I feel like I won't feel...needed, valuable. ya know? Is that dumb?
Here are the positives: not far from home or my friends from school, a good transition place, the education award helps with the loans, I could have the next 12 months decided--which would be a huge relief. and, I might be living and working with one of my best friends from school
Help me gang. You know me, I trust you. Help me. Be objective and help me decide--take it or leave it?
I love you and envy all of you with the means to return to Cairo. =) much love.
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