yes, i'm a copy-cat

I know few people read this, my awesome blogspot, but I'm going to press on with this idea anyhow. My uber-cool friend, Racie, recently posted about Johari windows on her blog and found a create-your-own site to develop one for herself. In the (flattering?) spirit of imitation, I have decided to follow suit and let you all participate in making one of my own. It only takes a couple of minutes to do, so if you're one of the few who check this out, please take the time....

on another, completely different, note...

I've been baking like a crazed person for the last two days, and I think I would make an excellent chef, given proper training and tools. I guess, more importantly, the discovery I made was that I really like to cook! I had a hunch about this, but now it has been confirmed through scientific method-style testing, and I think my hypothesis can now safely become a theory that will likely stand additional replications and become a law. I feel like MTU should plant me a tree next to Melvin Calvin's. I think the best part of this discovery is that I now have a hobby in which to invest my time. I absolutely love that, and this is a grand hobby, because I get to treat people to some fun--and non-traditionally-college-student--cuisine. Still, I'm the only one who's tried my cookin' thus far, so after my action group gals try the dessert I made, I'll let you know if it's edible.

I'm taking unique, healthy and colorful recipies... please share!

wired!

I have internet at my house AT LAST! Our wireless network isn't up and running yet, but we can all take turns plugging into the network, so this is oodles of times better than lugging my work & life to the cafe everytime I need to do anything.

Bravo!

a cowboy's work is never done

That was for all you Sonny & Cher fans.

I am one busy gal, which means I shouldn't be posting on the blog, but it's my only vegging out time tonight at the cafe, so one takes what she can get. Tomorrow is a big day in the history of my ministry, as well as Purdue's. We're attempting to expand beyond our campus borders and launch a new movement of college students to seek after Christ and share their faith on another nearby campus... Ivy Tech State College of Lafayette.

I'm the staff person who has the most experience with such a ministry since I was involved in a "staff-less" movement (also called "catalytic" in CCC terms) as a student at Michigan Tech, so I have been planning since April for tomorrow--THE BIG DAY.

We will be gauging the student interest on campus tomorrow by passing out "freshman survival kits," doing some interest surveys, and trying to hold a small meeting of interested students during the day. Tomorrow night, we'll call EVERY contact we got during the day inviting them to our (Purdue's) big "callout" (first kick-off meeting). From there, the goal is to find key leaders from Ivy Tech to lead a Bible study on campus, be trained by our staff & students, and lead a movement at Ivy Tech! :)

Please pray for tomorrow:

• That students would be excited about getting involved in a campus ministry at Ivy Tech.
• That the logistics run smoothly... this has been a long time in planning, but there are always last-minute surprises!
• That God would raise up kep leaders at Ivy Tech--people of peace who will be effective in our attempt to reach this new campus with the gospel.
• That I will survive the day! I have been running on an empty tank lately, and it'll take the Lord alone to keep me upbeat (and awake) all day while I'm meeting new students and telling them about our ministry.

FYI: If you've tried to call, email, or reach me in any other such way lately, I'm not ignoring you. I promise. It'll be a few more days before I'll breathe, sleep, and get back with you. Thank you for your patience during this uber-busy time of year!

boiler up!

Yes, you can assume as the heading suggests, that I am back in West Lafayette and at it again on Purdue's campus. I still don't have all of my support (so this is not a usual case...), but the beginning of the year is SO important, and I will be having some extra time here-and-there to work on MPD (says Maureen).

Some interesting changes have occurred that I wasn't expecting.

1. I am no longer working in Meredith Hall.
2. I am now working in Harrison Hall.
3. I am no longer leading a cell group.
4. I am now leading an action group.
5. I have 10 girls to disciple.
6. My housing situation is very different than I expected.
7. Chipotle and Qdoba are coming to town.
8. My hairdryer is still in Michigan.
9. Still no bike. :(
10. Also no internet at my place (yet). :( :( :(
    
11. There are a lot of students who want to tear it up with ministry to internationals. :)
    

I could go on, but I won't. Kim and I are working on our prayer letters, so if you're waiting for the next one, it will be arriving shortly. Tonight I send it for printing, and it'll be in the mail by Friday or Saturday.

For those curious ones...
The pic is of me with my homegirl, Kristin, on the strassenbahn in Freiburg!

oh michigan, my michigan

Still in Michigan, and life is a little less exciting here than it seems to be elsewhere. I worked on cleaning my room yesterday (yes, that statement is just as full of disdain as it would've been when I was eight years old). WHOOOEEE!

I also ran into an old friend from high school (I didn't find her in the midst of my messy room, though)... it was a little weird, but not creepy. It really feels like high school happened 100 years ago or in another lifetime or something. I can recall some things, but overall, it's a little blurry.

I noticed while talking to Grace yesterday that I also forget some details about myself from time to time. For example, I played basketball on a travelling team when I was a kid. Somehow, I completely forgot about that until yesterday afternoon. Odd.

God bless the u.s.a.

I AM BACK!!!

Yes, that's right, I'm back from Germany, and what a wonderful/ crazy 7 weeks it's been! You can check out my other blogspot to read a little about the experience, but go ahead and drop me a line or call if you want some real details. :)

Being back means a few things:

1. I can now get free refills at restaurants AND get ice in my drinks!
2. English will always work.
3. No more Strassenbahn fun. :( (And now I can't even spell it right....)
4. Time for support-raising!

#4 is probably the one of critical importance right now since school begins soon and my report date is even sooner. I'm now at 85%, though, since I don't have to raise money for insurance through CCC for this year. Surprisingly, I have had my parents' policy all of this time, and should have just opted out of it last year! That saves me a few hundred dollars' worth of monthly support, so HURRAH! :) I now only have a few hundred dollars of monthly support to go.

Pray a lot. I really want to be done by Aug. 16.

P.S.-- This pic is from the street in Freiburg. In memory of all those that died during the Holocaust during WWII, bronze cobblestones have been placed all over Europe in front of the houses where the people had lived. This is just a bit of one site's stones... there was a whole family here that died--two grandparents, two parents, and three children.