Undeniable Rights of The Universe

Sometimes, life is bright and wonderful. Sometimes it's not, and when this is the case, we forget the light and shrivel up into human raisins of sadness. Why can't we find joy in all things and all circumstances? I've been thinking a lot about joy and contentment, their opposites, and their crucial role in our small but potent lifetime. Why aren't humans granted joy and contentment as undeniable rights of the universe? Why are both of these things elusive, and why must we put in so much effort to attain them? The simple answer, the easy answer that allows our brains a trivial and short-lived victory, is that we must work harder in order to attain these things, and that hard work causes us to live a fuller life. But what is a full life? Is any life lived not a "full" life? What makes it full? It became, it was, and then it ended. If joy and contentment were undeniable gifts to the human race, would we not consider every life a full one? In my understanding, the point of striving for a full life is to achieve a state of peace and lack of regrets about your life. But, if people were joyful to begin with, every moment would hold the significance necessary to generate contentment, and if we were naturally content, there would be no greed, no depression, maybe even no crime or broken families.  People would give freely of what they had, because they wouldn't be counting it and locking it in boxes they never open. Those who received it would feel blessed and thankful, because it was a gift they did not feel entitled to, given by someone who did not give it out of guilt, but out of joy. What would the world as a whole look like? I can't even imagine. Unfortunately, the chances of us experiencing this are not great. However, I am challenging myself to consider joy and contentment my undeniable rights as a human being, and whenever I am feeling dejected or greedy, I will polish the dust off these rights, reminding myself that they are mine if only I chose to use them, and exercise them to their fullest potential of the moment.

Another Step Taken.

Ladies and gentlemen, the world can be a most deflating place. I often find that hope takes more courage than hopelessness. If you do not hope, you don't feel the sharp cut of disappointment when those hopes are dashed. Hopelessness is full of sadness, but much more predictable than hoping. I was finally able to send my application for my job in Ethiopia last week, and with the hitting of the send button came a bubbling-up of mixed nerves and the feeling that this could be the thing that I've been dreaming of. I received an email today about scheduling an interview, and my heart skipped a beat as my dream took another small step towards reality. I don't know if I will get this job, but my goodness, I want it badly. They could have turned me down a long time ago, but they still haven't, and that has to mean something. It's so hard to trust God and keep hope intact when at any step in the process I could be turned down after hours of work, weeks of worry, and millions of prayers. But regardless of the outcome, it has already been an exercise in hope and faith. In a sometimes bleak and tiring world, exercises in hope are important. They teach us to strive for something better, to imagine a brighter life. Or, it teaches me that anyway. God has made the problem and solution of my life right now quite clear: Your heart is in Ethiopia. Go find it. So I said Ok, I will start the journey if you will show me what to do. And He has. Please pray for this journey that I have begun, pray that nothing would block my path, and pray that I never lose hope or the faith that God knows what He's doing.  -mads

Bon Voyage, Brother! (And Lizzy)

This morning at 6am, my brother, Walter, left for Ethiopia for the first time in his life. I am extremely excited to hear about his adventures when he returns. It is amazing to think that last year at this time, it was me getting on the plane, taking off for the happiest two weeks of my life. The two weeks that would force me to re-examine my future, and make some drastic descisions that would begin my long journey of trying to return to Ethiopia. One member of Walt's team is Lizzy, my neighbor/close friend/previous Ethiopia roomate. Last night Lizzy and I went on a long walk, and talked about all that she hoped to accomplish this time around, some ways it would be different from the previous trip, and how desperately I wished I was going with her and Walt and the rest of their team. When I came home from her house (where we like to watch the Olympics and hula hoop), the sadness I had been supressing for the majority of the evening finally built up and ruptured inside me. I wish it were me going back! People I know get to go back! Why is it so hard to just be where I so want to be? Thoughts flooded my head, I couldn't sleep, and so I lay in bed and cried, imagining that in the morning I, too, would be waking up far before the sun and boarding a plane that would take me back to the place I miss. At 11:30, I was almost asleep, but not feeling any better, my phone made the text message noise, and I looked to find a test from Lizzy, that sarcastic angel; 'just think, you'll be living there soon.' That was what I needed to hear. A reminder to be patient and keep working, because soon it will pay off and I will get to live in a place I never knew I would need to be. For now, I will work and trust and wait, and pray for my brother and friend as they encounter God in my favorite place on earth. Good luck, August team 2012! I wish I were there to learn and serve with you! I'll be praying.
-mads

Scissor Fever

You know that age-old rule, spoken from mother to daughter, and restated by children's books with hidden lessons? Thou Shalt Not Cut Thine Own Hair. It's a well meaning commandment, with the best intentions of protecting girls silky hair from scissors on the loose and keeping salons in business. Maybe I should have obeyed this rule, and not cut my hair at 9:30pm last night. But I didn't, and so...My hair looks fabulous! I did a pretty darn good job, if I do say so. Granted, I like to rock the messy hair look, and I might not have been this pleased if I had wanted something sleek and polished. How did I do this? I really just got scissor fever, and started snipping. First, I cut two inches off of the bottom, and then I cut in layers, beginning at the bottom and working my way up to the crown or the head. I cut the bangs and front in last, and then did a little extra snipping for good measure. I didn't know my home haircut would turn out this well, in fact, I thought it was going to be unbearably hideous, and so I had plans to go to the salon as soon as they opened in the morning and have a professional clean up the mess I had made of my head. I just wanted to see if I could cut my own hair, even if it looked bad. Kind of a courage thing, to prove to myself that hair is just hair. I'm actually really surprised that I don't look like a scarecrow or a ten year old. It's not the best haircut I've ever had, but since I did it myself, I'm not too picky. The picture on the top is the bathroom floor after the fact, and the second is me, post haircut.

 Ta-Da!

View From The Ferris Wheel

 

Last night, I went to the Gallatin County Fair. It was an absolute blast. Here's a picture taken from the top of the Ferris Wheel.

Future Avocado Tree

The first time I saw an avocado tree in real life, I thought it was a pretty genius invention of nature. Not only does it grow a super food, but it is a slender and lush green tree that is quite aesthetically pleasing. I found instructions on how to grow your own from a link on Pinterest.com. The one in my picture will never grow to be the size of the one I saw growing in Ethiopia, but still, it's and avocado tree. That's pretty cool. I had to write the note for it because my family is familiar with the chaos I leave in my wake, and I didn't want them to clean up after me and throw away my baby avocado tree without knowing what it was. It will take weeks to even start a tap root, but I'll try to post another picture of it when it does.

The Super-Cool Plan

Now, my friends, is the time for the great revealing of next years tentative plan. (NOTE: the plans contained herein are in no way definite or concrete, they are merely me acting on what God has told me to do). As many of you know, I had plans to go to Morocco in August, but those plans fell through on June 1st. For awhile I was overwhelmingly depressed, and had no idea of why in the world God would let me be so sad and confused. Things turned around pretty quickly, however, when I began to think, What if I just go to Ethiopia when I turn 18, like I have wanted all along? This idea seemed too good to be true, and so I just prayed about it. The more I prayed, the more possible it began to seem. About a month ago, I contacted a wonderful woman I had met in Ethiopia, and asked her if they needed any help. After a few emails, honest responses to questions, and many days of waiting, I am now filling out an application for a job in Ethiopia, doing the work of my dreams. The application process is super lengthy and involved, but I've found that one will do just about anything for something they love. If hired, the position will be volunteer only, so I will have to raise all of my own support through donations and fundraising. I don't mind though. I'm meant to live in Africa, and God will provide for me. Those two things are clearer to me than anything else in my life right now. I am really hoping to get this job; everything about it seems right, and the process that would usually seems tedious seems almost easy, and is going smoothly. I feel a sense of exhilaration and hope for the future. I am planning to leave in April, but who knows, they might need to wait a little longer in order to get everything I need done. It doesn't matter to me, as long as I am going to Ethiopia. I think about going back everyday, and everyday I seem to miss it more. When Jesus is in control, it is amazing what an impact two weeks can have on an open heart. The ugly picture you see on the top right side is a picture of my computer desk this morning, with all of the application papers so far (not including the five typed pages saved in the computer). If you any of you would be so kind as to say a quick prayer for me, and that God would give me this dream job, it would be greatly appreciated. This is the first step in a highly incredible journey. I'll keep you informed as I find out more details. Thanks for reading!