So, I'm not sure this blog will even be read anymore, but even if it isn't...at least I can write whatever!
Covenant has been great so far. As a senior, I'm trying to enjoy all of the extracurricular activities while I'm still a college student. So far, I've been able to 1. have a hall get-together/omelet making party with my hall's brother hall, Sutherland.
2. Go to a Sady Hawkins costume dance with a friend. The theme was 'Kiddo Kilter' and we went as a barrel o' monkeys (see fb pics)
3. Go to my first drive in movie with the 5 points (a guy hall two floors below us)and my hall
4. Go to Chicago with a great group of people for a Christian Community Development Association conference.
Academically: I'm enjoying my classes and love all of my professors. I have also started my SIP process (Senior Integration Paper).
so to explain the title of this blog: as a senior I have been pondering what to do with my life. Do I want to pursue a graduate degree? Can I even get into a graduate program? What do I want to do with my life? What do I actually like doing? I began to think of how easy life would be if I could just shake a magic 8 ball and let it tell me which direction to go. I've NEVER liked making up my mind. Ask anybody who really knows me and they'll confirm that. However, I suppose that if a magic 8 ball did control my life decisions life would be pretty boring and restricting. I really need to take Jesus' instructions of "Do not worry" in mind. I guess I just need to be faithful in following whatever He has planned for me.
-Anna Bacheldor-
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Em's new blog...
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I decided to create a new blog for my travels in AFrica, so here is the link for those who would like to follow: http://emilyhaas.wordpress.com/
Emily
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I decided to create a new blog for my travels in AFrica, so here is the link for those who would like to follow: http://emilyhaas.wordpress.com/
Emily
___
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Welcome to Covenant!
Hello my dear friends and family (if any of you are still reading this blog!) =)
I have been back at Covenant for about 5 days now (since Sunday night) preparing to be an Orientation team leader. As we prep, we've been able to assemble info packets, listen to the unfortunate candidates put on the hot seat (something I dread something fiercely), worship together, learn ice breakers to do with the new students, etc. One of the best parts of being on o-team though is participating in the o-team talent show... or as one core team member put it: the o-team smorgasbord. This show consists of our group of leaders lip syncing to various types of music, typically relaying some story on romance and break ups concerning to Covenant College. It is quite amusing to watch, fun to be in, and viewers should be ready to laugh a LOT.
After all of these long days of various activities, all of our prep time is ending tonight, for the new students arrive tomorrow! It's been great to see some returning students in the past two days (returning or new fall athletes and the discipleship coordinators). Tonight was ended with a worship time in Mills 2nd Lobby where the echo is amazing to sing with! It made me really excited for when the entire collection of Christians will be singing together with the angels praising our Lord Jesus. After singing, we all walked single file throughout the campus on a prayer walk. It was fun because I got to see all of the new name tags on the doors, but it was also very good for me because I haven't just talked to God for that long of a time in a LONG time. I love having a God who is both worthy to be praised and someone I can just talk to at the same time. We ended the prayer walk at the lookout point between Probasco and Brock (two buildings) and a few students/staff members popcorn prayed as we all stood in a circle with joined hands. Then, someone led us as we closed by singing the Doxology.
I'm so glad to be back at Covenant!
I have been back at Covenant for about 5 days now (since Sunday night) preparing to be an Orientation team leader. As we prep, we've been able to assemble info packets, listen to the unfortunate candidates put on the hot seat (something I dread something fiercely), worship together, learn ice breakers to do with the new students, etc. One of the best parts of being on o-team though is participating in the o-team talent show... or as one core team member put it: the o-team smorgasbord. This show consists of our group of leaders lip syncing to various types of music, typically relaying some story on romance and break ups concerning to Covenant College. It is quite amusing to watch, fun to be in, and viewers should be ready to laugh a LOT.
After all of these long days of various activities, all of our prep time is ending tonight, for the new students arrive tomorrow! It's been great to see some returning students in the past two days (returning or new fall athletes and the discipleship coordinators). Tonight was ended with a worship time in Mills 2nd Lobby where the echo is amazing to sing with! It made me really excited for when the entire collection of Christians will be singing together with the angels praising our Lord Jesus. After singing, we all walked single file throughout the campus on a prayer walk. It was fun because I got to see all of the new name tags on the doors, but it was also very good for me because I haven't just talked to God for that long of a time in a LONG time. I love having a God who is both worthy to be praised and someone I can just talk to at the same time. We ended the prayer walk at the lookout point between Probasco and Brock (two buildings) and a few students/staff members popcorn prayed as we all stood in a circle with joined hands. Then, someone led us as we closed by singing the Doxology.
I'm so glad to be back at Covenant!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Western Heights, Knoxville, home, Rwanda, and beyond
___
I've said goodbye to Knoxville, Western Heights, and Anna (for now)! Its been an incredible summer. The past 12 weeks have been full of growth, challenges, laughter, and hard work. I've grown exponentially relationally, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, community developmentally, etc. Now that it is over and I am home, I'm exhausted, but I'm getting more excited by the day for my next step: Kigali, Rwanda!
Emily
___
We said goodbye to Western Heights--our home away from home for 12 weeks. We became attached to so many people here. I changed our blog picture from this WH picture to the respective countries/state that we will be in for the next 4 months.
Anna and Emily: the KGs (Knoxville Girls). What an eventful internship we had together! Thanks for all the laughs and good times Anna!
I've said goodbye to Knoxville, Western Heights, and Anna (for now)! Its been an incredible summer. The past 12 weeks have been full of growth, challenges, laughter, and hard work. I've grown exponentially relationally, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, community developmentally, etc. Now that it is over and I am home, I'm exhausted, but I'm getting more excited by the day for my next step: Kigali, Rwanda!
Emily
___
We said goodbye to Western Heights--our home away from home for 12 weeks. We became attached to so many people here. I changed our blog picture from this WH picture to the respective countries/state that we will be in for the next 4 months.
Anna and Emily: the KGs (Knoxville Girls). What an eventful internship we had together! Thanks for all the laughs and good times Anna!
Friday, July 30, 2010
So long dear friends, but please keep reading!
Dear family and friends,
Today is my last day in Knoxville for the summer. Emily left bright and early this morning for her 10 or so hour long drive home. As you know she will be going to Africa this fall semester for 16 weeks and I will be returning to Covenant College- both our last years as undergrads. My mom flies up tonight and we will start our 11.5 hour drive home tomorrow morning.
Emily and I are going to try to continue this blog for those of you who'd still like to keep updated with us. The posts may not be very consistent, but we'd like to share our senior year with you, although in different continents for half of it.
Knoxville has been an incredible experience. I've grown personally and have learned more about the complexities of working alongside a community. The Frazers, my host family, have been the kindest and most welcoming family I could've ever asked for and have absolutely loved staying with them this summer. I hope to see them again soon, or at least keep them updated on my life. I have been blessed to have such amazing people to work with and Bill Goosie was great to work with.
It's hard to believe that the internship is basically over. I still need to go back to FBC and print off my internship work and I need to touch up some things, but after all of the worrying and researching, it's done. Coming here I didn't know what to expect and now I'm leaving with a LOT of new friends.
I'm about to start another new branch of my life, I just hope that I can continue to recognize that and enjoy every moment of it.
Prayer Requests:
1. Keep Emily and I safe in our travels
2. Pray that I will work hard my senior year, but enjoy it to the full
3. Pray for Western Heights, the Western Heights Community Alliance, and all those willing to give their lives towards the community
4. Pray that Emily and I will put our complete trust in Jesus in everything we do.
Today is my last day in Knoxville for the summer. Emily left bright and early this morning for her 10 or so hour long drive home. As you know she will be going to Africa this fall semester for 16 weeks and I will be returning to Covenant College- both our last years as undergrads. My mom flies up tonight and we will start our 11.5 hour drive home tomorrow morning.
Emily and I are going to try to continue this blog for those of you who'd still like to keep updated with us. The posts may not be very consistent, but we'd like to share our senior year with you, although in different continents for half of it.
Knoxville has been an incredible experience. I've grown personally and have learned more about the complexities of working alongside a community. The Frazers, my host family, have been the kindest and most welcoming family I could've ever asked for and have absolutely loved staying with them this summer. I hope to see them again soon, or at least keep them updated on my life. I have been blessed to have such amazing people to work with and Bill Goosie was great to work with.
It's hard to believe that the internship is basically over. I still need to go back to FBC and print off my internship work and I need to touch up some things, but after all of the worrying and researching, it's done. Coming here I didn't know what to expect and now I'm leaving with a LOT of new friends.
I'm about to start another new branch of my life, I just hope that I can continue to recognize that and enjoy every moment of it.
Prayer Requests:
1. Keep Emily and I safe in our travels
2. Pray that I will work hard my senior year, but enjoy it to the full
3. Pray for Western Heights, the Western Heights Community Alliance, and all those willing to give their lives towards the community
4. Pray that Emily and I will put our complete trust in Jesus in everything we do.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Pray for the persecuted Church
A quick blog:
The other night I had a dream that certain Christians were being persecuted in the United States. In my dream there were certain people that you knew if they came to visit you, you'd either be killed by them or they would send someone to kill you soon after the visit. At the end of my dream, although I didn't see it, I knew that some Christians who didn't convert were tortured to literal death by being cut with pizza cutters (I realize it sounds silly, but in my dream it was scary).
It took me a while after the dream to apply this to real life. I think God sent this dream to me because of my previous lack of concern and empathy for the persecuted church. I now realize that there are Christians out there today who have to fear for their lives every day. The Holy Spirit gives them strength, but I'm sure the spirit of fear can still be overwhelming at times!
Please remember with me to pray for those who are living each day not knowing whether they'll live or die for Christ. Pray that they may have Paul's mentality of "to live is Christ, to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21) and to remember Jesus' blessing: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Mat. 5:10-12)
Pray that they will be bold for Christ and that I will do the same.
-Anna-
The other night I had a dream that certain Christians were being persecuted in the United States. In my dream there were certain people that you knew if they came to visit you, you'd either be killed by them or they would send someone to kill you soon after the visit. At the end of my dream, although I didn't see it, I knew that some Christians who didn't convert were tortured to literal death by being cut with pizza cutters (I realize it sounds silly, but in my dream it was scary).
It took me a while after the dream to apply this to real life. I think God sent this dream to me because of my previous lack of concern and empathy for the persecuted church. I now realize that there are Christians out there today who have to fear for their lives every day. The Holy Spirit gives them strength, but I'm sure the spirit of fear can still be overwhelming at times!
Please remember with me to pray for those who are living each day not knowing whether they'll live or die for Christ. Pray that they may have Paul's mentality of "to live is Christ, to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21) and to remember Jesus' blessing: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Mat. 5:10-12)
Pray that they will be bold for Christ and that I will do the same.
-Anna-
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The end is coming.
___
Tomorrow I will have 2 weeks left till I leave for home--crazy!
Then, when that happens, I will have 2.5 weeks till leave for Rwanda--even crazier.
I'm starting to get more excited about Africa as the time approaches, but also more overwhelmed, which I guess is to be expected.
I've been super busy with Africa work and internship work and trying to balance it all on top of just being a friend to the people I'm around everyday.
Anna and I have a secret goal of getting 100 interviews (or listening conversations) before we leave, and right now, it looks like we might, just might, reach that mark...we should have about 97 by the end of next week. But, that just leaves us one week to try and get 3 more, so we'll see...its attainable. I'm certain of it. Maybe Anna and I will just interview each other to get 2 more. :)
Our resource directory has been coming along. I've had several spontaneous field trips to different organizations this week to interview people and get a list of all the resources and services they offer so I can put all this information into the directory so that when Anna and I leave, the directory will be as complete as we could get it so that it is ready to be used to connect, engage, and mobilize. How's that for cliche. But for real, our boss really wants it complete with all the information we can gather so that he knows what's out there for him to use to connect people to what is already offered. Because my time here is winding down, I'm running out of people to call to set up interviews and have run out of things to enter into the asset base, so this lady, who knows everyone in Knoxville I'm convinced, takes me on these outings and we just stop by different ministries, she drops the name of the person we need to say to get in, and then we end up getting an impromptu tour of the facilities, an overview of their programs, an interview on the spot, and connections and networking to help for the future...getting the Alliance name and vision out to as many people who they should be connected to as possible. Its great to be out and about everyday, but I'm falling behind on my office work now because I'm getting all this information. I'm learning about how its sometimes so much more efficient to go out with someone who knows people and the right thing to say in person instead of calling and trying to get information over the phone as a summer intern because so often people won't give you the time of day, and I don't blame them. I wouldn't talk to me either. But, when you drop in, sometimes people are so willing to show you around and talk and I get all this great information. But, I'm kind of on information overload and have so much to enter into the database, but its a good thing. I thought my work would wind down towards the end, but its kind of picking up. Its going to fly by and then it will be over and I'm sure that there will be loose ends that I won't have tied up, but I know that what Anna and I have done this summer has been helpful. I wasn't sure about it for awhile, but now I'm beginning to see the bigger picture for this Alliance and have seen my place in it this summer and am thankful for what I have learned and for how I am growing. Its probably been the toughest 10 weeks of my life, but I know that God is working.
Some prayer requests:
-Rest: sometimes I work 15+ hour days...I'm going to bed really late and getting up really early, so I'm just really tired all the time.
-Perseverance. Some days I just want to quit, because I'm tired, frustrated, or just weary.
-God's love: for me to show God's love to all those around me, both near and far.
Emily
___
Tomorrow I will have 2 weeks left till I leave for home--crazy!
Then, when that happens, I will have 2.5 weeks till leave for Rwanda--even crazier.
I'm starting to get more excited about Africa as the time approaches, but also more overwhelmed, which I guess is to be expected.
I've been super busy with Africa work and internship work and trying to balance it all on top of just being a friend to the people I'm around everyday.
Anna and I have a secret goal of getting 100 interviews (or listening conversations) before we leave, and right now, it looks like we might, just might, reach that mark...we should have about 97 by the end of next week. But, that just leaves us one week to try and get 3 more, so we'll see...its attainable. I'm certain of it. Maybe Anna and I will just interview each other to get 2 more. :)
Our resource directory has been coming along. I've had several spontaneous field trips to different organizations this week to interview people and get a list of all the resources and services they offer so I can put all this information into the directory so that when Anna and I leave, the directory will be as complete as we could get it so that it is ready to be used to connect, engage, and mobilize. How's that for cliche. But for real, our boss really wants it complete with all the information we can gather so that he knows what's out there for him to use to connect people to what is already offered. Because my time here is winding down, I'm running out of people to call to set up interviews and have run out of things to enter into the asset base, so this lady, who knows everyone in Knoxville I'm convinced, takes me on these outings and we just stop by different ministries, she drops the name of the person we need to say to get in, and then we end up getting an impromptu tour of the facilities, an overview of their programs, an interview on the spot, and connections and networking to help for the future...getting the Alliance name and vision out to as many people who they should be connected to as possible. Its great to be out and about everyday, but I'm falling behind on my office work now because I'm getting all this information. I'm learning about how its sometimes so much more efficient to go out with someone who knows people and the right thing to say in person instead of calling and trying to get information over the phone as a summer intern because so often people won't give you the time of day, and I don't blame them. I wouldn't talk to me either. But, when you drop in, sometimes people are so willing to show you around and talk and I get all this great information. But, I'm kind of on information overload and have so much to enter into the database, but its a good thing. I thought my work would wind down towards the end, but its kind of picking up. Its going to fly by and then it will be over and I'm sure that there will be loose ends that I won't have tied up, but I know that what Anna and I have done this summer has been helpful. I wasn't sure about it for awhile, but now I'm beginning to see the bigger picture for this Alliance and have seen my place in it this summer and am thankful for what I have learned and for how I am growing. Its probably been the toughest 10 weeks of my life, but I know that God is working.
Some prayer requests:
-Rest: sometimes I work 15+ hour days...I'm going to bed really late and getting up really early, so I'm just really tired all the time.
-Perseverance. Some days I just want to quit, because I'm tired, frustrated, or just weary.
-God's love: for me to show God's love to all those around me, both near and far.
Emily
___
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Hi-ho Hi-ho it's off to work we go (lots of whistling) Hi-ho Hi-ho Hi-ho Hi-ho
I have been one of the few lucky interns who actually get to see familiar people during their internship. This last weekend I was able to go to a family reunion in North Carolina. The Bacheldor family has gotten together for about 30 years now, once every three years. I've only been to one or two of these reunions before, the last one being six years ago. The highlights of my trip:
1. Seeing my sister, brother-in-law, 6 nephews, and 1 niece. I got to re-meet my second to youngest nephew for the 2nd time and meet my youngest 3 month old nephew for the first time. Those kids stole my heart. One of my favorite things in the world: to hear them call out for their "Aunt Anna".
2. Seeing my parents, brother, and cousins. My dad flew into Knoxville last Thursday. I enjoyed showing him around old Knoxville, Western Heights, and my workplace at FBC. We drove over to NC on Friday, leaving bright and early a little after 6am. I had a lot of fun driving the 8 1/2 hour drive over and back again with my dad. On the way back to Knoxville this last Tuesday, we had a surprise stop at a Revolutionary War historic park site. We ate at the provided picnic tables and watched a quick 15 minute video on why Camden, SC is historical.
There is both a positive and negative side to my going to the reunion
Positive: I got to see my family, which can be a rare occurrence. Seeing my sister and her family was a chance in a life time and I am so grateful I was able to meet my newest nephew while he was still young. It had also been a while since I'd seen my brother and parents, and it's always great to see them! The time will henceforth fly by and the internship will be done before I know it....and I'll get to see them again for a bit before going back to school.
Negative: At first last night and this morning, it was slightly difficult getting "back into the game" mentally. I hope I can start focusing again. I slipped into a meeting last night and found myself wondering what it was that I am supposed to be doing. At the reunion I let myself forget about internship work, so coming back was initially a bit hazy. I only have 3 1/2 weeks left of my internship before returning home. I am going to miss my host family - they have been so wonderful to me and I hope to visit them sometime this school year or at least once before I graduate. However, I haven't been home since March. It's something I am eagerly looking forward to while dreading at the same time. As much as I want to go home and see my family and friends, I don't know if I'm ready to see all the change that's been going on as I've been gone to college and/or if I'm ready to soften my heart to being home just to leave 2 weeks later.
Prayer requests: Please pray that I will stay eager towards Western Heights. God did provide me with a good day today. The FBC staff opened their arms to Emily and I and we were invited to go to two staff meetings, a root-beer float party, and a Missions staff/family party next week.
Pray that I will be passionate for God and that I will love my neighbor as myself and put others before my own selfish desires.
Pray that I can accept change and be open to it.
And please pray that I do not get sick or get anyone else sick. Yesterday and today it's sounded like my voice is going in and out. It could just be allergies or a pre/light-cold, but please pray that I'm not getting laryngitis.
Thanks to all!
~Anna B.~
1. Seeing my sister, brother-in-law, 6 nephews, and 1 niece. I got to re-meet my second to youngest nephew for the 2nd time and meet my youngest 3 month old nephew for the first time. Those kids stole my heart. One of my favorite things in the world: to hear them call out for their "Aunt Anna".
2. Seeing my parents, brother, and cousins. My dad flew into Knoxville last Thursday. I enjoyed showing him around old Knoxville, Western Heights, and my workplace at FBC. We drove over to NC on Friday, leaving bright and early a little after 6am. I had a lot of fun driving the 8 1/2 hour drive over and back again with my dad. On the way back to Knoxville this last Tuesday, we had a surprise stop at a Revolutionary War historic park site. We ate at the provided picnic tables and watched a quick 15 minute video on why Camden, SC is historical.
There is both a positive and negative side to my going to the reunion
Positive: I got to see my family, which can be a rare occurrence. Seeing my sister and her family was a chance in a life time and I am so grateful I was able to meet my newest nephew while he was still young. It had also been a while since I'd seen my brother and parents, and it's always great to see them! The time will henceforth fly by and the internship will be done before I know it....and I'll get to see them again for a bit before going back to school.
Negative: At first last night and this morning, it was slightly difficult getting "back into the game" mentally. I hope I can start focusing again. I slipped into a meeting last night and found myself wondering what it was that I am supposed to be doing. At the reunion I let myself forget about internship work, so coming back was initially a bit hazy. I only have 3 1/2 weeks left of my internship before returning home. I am going to miss my host family - they have been so wonderful to me and I hope to visit them sometime this school year or at least once before I graduate. However, I haven't been home since March. It's something I am eagerly looking forward to while dreading at the same time. As much as I want to go home and see my family and friends, I don't know if I'm ready to see all the change that's been going on as I've been gone to college and/or if I'm ready to soften my heart to being home just to leave 2 weeks later.
Prayer requests: Please pray that I will stay eager towards Western Heights. God did provide me with a good day today. The FBC staff opened their arms to Emily and I and we were invited to go to two staff meetings, a root-beer float party, and a Missions staff/family party next week.
Pray that I will be passionate for God and that I will love my neighbor as myself and put others before my own selfish desires.
Pray that I can accept change and be open to it.
And please pray that I do not get sick or get anyone else sick. Yesterday and today it's sounded like my voice is going in and out. It could just be allergies or a pre/light-cold, but please pray that I'm not getting laryngitis.
Thanks to all!
~Anna B.~
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Africa, books, police, interviews, & the halfway point
After many deliberations and working through different obstacles, I decided to study abroad in Uganda and Rwanda in the Fall with a program called Go ED. Making this decision has added a whole new load of work for me this summer on top of my internship work, as I have books to read, homework to complete, and lots of paper work to fill out. I am excited as can be, but at the same time, it’s a bit overwhelming and scary.
I read a book "And you call yourself a Christian" by Robert Lupton which was a great book. I also read through a devotional book by Amy Sherman called "Sharing God's heart for the Poor" which was great too. I recommend both.
Embarrassing story: I was going to do an interview with the Boys and Girls Club. Unbeknownst to me, the club is in the same building as the police academy. I walked right through a door into the training room of a bunch of police cadets. I just stood there awkwardly with them staring at me in their short shorts. After freezing and blushing, one guy asked what I needed and as I stood there stuttering for a few seconds not saying anything coherent, I saw the lady I was meeting at the other end of the hall and just kind of pointed at her and mumbled something to the guy as I rushed past him and then I had to walk the whole hallway through the guys to get to her.
As far as internship work goes, one of Anna's and my jobs has been to set up interviews (listening conversations) for the Alliance we are working for and notetake for (and sometimes conduct) them. So far, 63 have been done with about 10 more to add to that list by the end of the week. We came into this summer with only about 5 being done and my boss wants hundreds to be done. So, I am excited about 63 (soon to be 70) being done, even though this isn’t near the hundreds yet. But, it’s a start and I celebrate the little successes.
One interview I was a notetaker for was a spontaneous stop-by at a resident's place. I know it was the Holy Spirit's prompting the person I was with to go to this resident's house because part-way through doing this on-the-spot interview, this person prayed with us and made a profession of faith right then and there. It was the neatest thing I have been a part of on my internship. This is the heart of community development: having people come to Christ.
On top of setting up interviews, Anna and I are trying to find more interviewers who will carry on our work when we leave so that this momentum that we have created will not stop cold in August. I was at a dead end on this front, until a breakthough was made and we got 3 more people on board. This is a big deal, even though it is only 3--3 is better than 0.
Another job has been for us to do asset mapping/data entry/research about the assets. This work has been slower going, but I’m slowly finding my way to figuring out the best way to research assets and then “map” them in a way that is helpful for the Alliance.
Last Friday marked the halfway point for our internship: 6 weeks we've been here, 6 weeks to go. I continue to learn everyday. I am growing a lot and being challenged in my assignments and the work I do in the community, but I am seeing growth and I'm thankful for all that I am learning on this internship.
Emily
_________________________________________________
I read a book "And you call yourself a Christian" by Robert Lupton which was a great book. I also read through a devotional book by Amy Sherman called "Sharing God's heart for the Poor" which was great too. I recommend both.
Embarrassing story: I was going to do an interview with the Boys and Girls Club. Unbeknownst to me, the club is in the same building as the police academy. I walked right through a door into the training room of a bunch of police cadets. I just stood there awkwardly with them staring at me in their short shorts. After freezing and blushing, one guy asked what I needed and as I stood there stuttering for a few seconds not saying anything coherent, I saw the lady I was meeting at the other end of the hall and just kind of pointed at her and mumbled something to the guy as I rushed past him and then I had to walk the whole hallway through the guys to get to her.
As far as internship work goes, one of Anna's and my jobs has been to set up interviews (listening conversations) for the Alliance we are working for and notetake for (and sometimes conduct) them. So far, 63 have been done with about 10 more to add to that list by the end of the week. We came into this summer with only about 5 being done and my boss wants hundreds to be done. So, I am excited about 63 (soon to be 70) being done, even though this isn’t near the hundreds yet. But, it’s a start and I celebrate the little successes.
One interview I was a notetaker for was a spontaneous stop-by at a resident's place. I know it was the Holy Spirit's prompting the person I was with to go to this resident's house because part-way through doing this on-the-spot interview, this person prayed with us and made a profession of faith right then and there. It was the neatest thing I have been a part of on my internship. This is the heart of community development: having people come to Christ.
On top of setting up interviews, Anna and I are trying to find more interviewers who will carry on our work when we leave so that this momentum that we have created will not stop cold in August. I was at a dead end on this front, until a breakthough was made and we got 3 more people on board. This is a big deal, even though it is only 3--3 is better than 0.
Another job has been for us to do asset mapping/data entry/research about the assets. This work has been slower going, but I’m slowly finding my way to figuring out the best way to research assets and then “map” them in a way that is helpful for the Alliance.
Last Friday marked the halfway point for our internship: 6 weeks we've been here, 6 weeks to go. I continue to learn everyday. I am growing a lot and being challenged in my assignments and the work I do in the community, but I am seeing growth and I'm thankful for all that I am learning on this internship.
Emily
_________________________________________________
Monday, June 14, 2010
Let me tell you about a day in Knoxville
So, I still haven't really gone into detail about what I do on my internship. Thankfully, Emily has given updates on specific things, but I figured I need to step up to the challenge and do the same. So, here's a few things I do in Knoxville:
1. Type up notes - well, first I have to write notes... although Emily and I have done a few listening conversations (interviews) ourselves, it is preferred if the Alliance members lead the interviews while we note-take for them. Last week, I got to take notes for a high school coach, a Western Heights resident (I did this one over the phone. It was totally unexpected. I called for the wife, but the husband picked up and wanted to know why I couldn't just ask him the questions...so I did. Very loudly I might add), a Knox Police Department Officer, a husband and wife who provide a traveling Sunday School program to all of the low-income housing projects, a lady who works for a non-profit based out of its home church, and a man who used to live in Western Heights
2. Random events - last Saturday I got to go to Beardsley Farms. It's a farm where they grow fresh vegetables and flowers, etc. They also have a few chickens and a park for kids to play on. They provide 30 plots every year to volunteers who can commit a certain amount of time each week for helping out at the Farm. A few of the Western Heights residents take up this opportunity. They love it there, as do their kids, and get to get community service hours (which they need to stay in Western Heights) and get to learn about growing vegetables (which I know nothing about). Oh there's also a butterfly garden there. This last Thursday they were having a festival with some local artists, entertainment, and food. I got my face painted like a butterfly.
3. VBS - First Baptist Concord, where I have my cubicle, has one of the biggest VBS programs ever. I saw 1 1/2 of their skits and it was amazing and very professionally performed! If you can imagine mixing a Broadway musical with a rock concert, that would be their skits. The only thing I did to help out with the VBS is hold up signs, help kids out of their cars, etc. but I got free lunches pretty much every day that week and two free VBS t-shirts!
4. Another VBS - this time in Western Heights. First Baptist Concord is joining with I think two other churches to do an all summer long VBS program in Western Heights. I helped some other college kids pass out some flyers in WH last Saturday and then attended the kick-off party yesterday (Sunday). While we were at the party, we were able to get some more quick interviews done.
5. Resident's Association- there are a good handful of Western Heights residents who are on fire in getting a Resident's Association started in their community, which would be a HUGE resource for them, finally giving them a voice to get things done. I got to attend the first half of their first meeting last week and helped pass out flyers for their next meeting while we were passing out flyers for VBS. Three of the "on fire" ladies helped us pass the flyers out.
So, that's a brief look at my life in Knoxville. This is the start of our 6th week here! Hard to believe we're half way done!
I have to go now, my host brother has been waiting for us to play basketball and I told him I'd be out there like 5 minutes ago!!!!
-Anna
1. Type up notes - well, first I have to write notes... although Emily and I have done a few listening conversations (interviews) ourselves, it is preferred if the Alliance members lead the interviews while we note-take for them. Last week, I got to take notes for a high school coach, a Western Heights resident (I did this one over the phone. It was totally unexpected. I called for the wife, but the husband picked up and wanted to know why I couldn't just ask him the questions...so I did. Very loudly I might add), a Knox Police Department Officer, a husband and wife who provide a traveling Sunday School program to all of the low-income housing projects, a lady who works for a non-profit based out of its home church, and a man who used to live in Western Heights
2. Random events - last Saturday I got to go to Beardsley Farms. It's a farm where they grow fresh vegetables and flowers, etc. They also have a few chickens and a park for kids to play on. They provide 30 plots every year to volunteers who can commit a certain amount of time each week for helping out at the Farm. A few of the Western Heights residents take up this opportunity. They love it there, as do their kids, and get to get community service hours (which they need to stay in Western Heights) and get to learn about growing vegetables (which I know nothing about). Oh there's also a butterfly garden there. This last Thursday they were having a festival with some local artists, entertainment, and food. I got my face painted like a butterfly.
3. VBS - First Baptist Concord, where I have my cubicle, has one of the biggest VBS programs ever. I saw 1 1/2 of their skits and it was amazing and very professionally performed! If you can imagine mixing a Broadway musical with a rock concert, that would be their skits. The only thing I did to help out with the VBS is hold up signs, help kids out of their cars, etc. but I got free lunches pretty much every day that week and two free VBS t-shirts!
4. Another VBS - this time in Western Heights. First Baptist Concord is joining with I think two other churches to do an all summer long VBS program in Western Heights. I helped some other college kids pass out some flyers in WH last Saturday and then attended the kick-off party yesterday (Sunday). While we were at the party, we were able to get some more quick interviews done.
5. Resident's Association- there are a good handful of Western Heights residents who are on fire in getting a Resident's Association started in their community, which would be a HUGE resource for them, finally giving them a voice to get things done. I got to attend the first half of their first meeting last week and helped pass out flyers for their next meeting while we were passing out flyers for VBS. Three of the "on fire" ladies helped us pass the flyers out.
So, that's a brief look at my life in Knoxville. This is the start of our 6th week here! Hard to believe we're half way done!
I have to go now, my host brother has been waiting for us to play basketball and I told him I'd be out there like 5 minutes ago!!!!
-Anna
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Welcome to the real world
Before this internship, I pictured working with non-profits as a time of helping people out through fun activities. In fact, one of the main reasons I started getting interested in working with non-profits was because I had so much fun serving food to the children and their families at Give Kids the World in Orlando, FL. Today I realized that there is always a behind-the-scenes picture to everything "eventful" that happens. Throughout my classes at Covenant, I have learned that community development is a very slow process and is always complicated, which echoed the workings of tonight.
Tonight the leaders of the Western Heights Community Alliance had a 3 hour long meeting. Of course, it didn't just "happen". It took the leader of the leaders a couple of times just to find a date that the other leaders could come and even then one three people couldn't join. Emily worked alongside another key Alliance worker all day preparing documents that needed to be given out during the meeting. Someone had to make sure the catered food got ordered. Documents had to be printed out. A power point had to be prepared and approved. All of this to say: non-profits don't just involve working with the community, they also involve inside the non-profit agency. There has to be a business-like voting consensus, a meeting facilitator, a note-taker, people willing to take time out of their life to come, etc...
Before this internship I never imagined this summer to be filled with such normal day business activities. I guess I was expecting some sort of surreal experience of working hands-on with the community, but I have now been introduced to the regular world. Even non-profits have to go through the technicalities of meeting together and discussing the next move, it doesn't happen on its own.
I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or not about this wake up call. I'm kind of bummed out to find that there will be business meetings no matter what field of work I enter into after college. To be honest, I don't really like meetings. But, I am grateful that I now realize that community development is not surreal.
Before I stop writing, you must know that there were positives to tonight's gathering. 1. it gave the leaders opportunity to get to know each other a bit more and to hear each others' opinions 2. People started to volunteer. We got people to give us their schedules so that they can start getting more involved in the Western Heights Community. This was VERY exciting to both Emily and I.
Tonight was a great success I thought. It took many people to bring it together, but that's a good thing (people working together).
I hope that the business-like formalities won't discourage me about continuing in this line of work, or any line of work for that matter! I hope that God will give me a love for His people, even though working with people is long, complicated, and can be stressful. People are God's creation and therefore I need to care and love for my brothers and sisters because God loves both them and me!
-Anna-
Tonight the leaders of the Western Heights Community Alliance had a 3 hour long meeting. Of course, it didn't just "happen". It took the leader of the leaders a couple of times just to find a date that the other leaders could come and even then one three people couldn't join. Emily worked alongside another key Alliance worker all day preparing documents that needed to be given out during the meeting. Someone had to make sure the catered food got ordered. Documents had to be printed out. A power point had to be prepared and approved. All of this to say: non-profits don't just involve working with the community, they also involve inside the non-profit agency. There has to be a business-like voting consensus, a meeting facilitator, a note-taker, people willing to take time out of their life to come, etc...
Before this internship I never imagined this summer to be filled with such normal day business activities. I guess I was expecting some sort of surreal experience of working hands-on with the community, but I have now been introduced to the regular world. Even non-profits have to go through the technicalities of meeting together and discussing the next move, it doesn't happen on its own.
I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or not about this wake up call. I'm kind of bummed out to find that there will be business meetings no matter what field of work I enter into after college. To be honest, I don't really like meetings. But, I am grateful that I now realize that community development is not surreal.
Before I stop writing, you must know that there were positives to tonight's gathering. 1. it gave the leaders opportunity to get to know each other a bit more and to hear each others' opinions 2. People started to volunteer. We got people to give us their schedules so that they can start getting more involved in the Western Heights Community. This was VERY exciting to both Emily and I.
Tonight was a great success I thought. It took many people to bring it together, but that's a good thing (people working together).
I hope that the business-like formalities won't discourage me about continuing in this line of work, or any line of work for that matter! I hope that God will give me a love for His people, even though working with people is long, complicated, and can be stressful. People are God's creation and therefore I need to care and love for my brothers and sisters because God loves both them and me!
-Anna-
Friday, May 28, 2010
Someone asked me this week: how is life in da 'hood?
___
And this is my response:
You have no idea how great your timing was for that question.
You see, I was in an interview on Monday with an African American man who works high up in an organization. I was the note-taker and a bi-racial man with me was doing the interviewing. The guy we interviewed pretty much sandblasted white people, rich people, rich, white churches, etc for 3.5 hours straight and I had to takes notes on everything he said. I was blown out of the water. I have never experienced such frustration and anger directed at my race before so directly. His feelings were palpable towards me, or more my race and status I guess.
So, that's how life is in the 'hood. It has taken me the whole week to type up the interview and process what I went through. I have never felt so ashamed, embarrassed, humiliated, incredulous, stunned, amazed, and angry all at the same time. Oh, and also the the feeling of wanting to sink through the floor so badly, I felt at times more than I ever have in my life. It was an experience like none other but I learned a lot. I told Professor Corbett that it was my three years of my Community Development major summed up in 3.5 hours in real life experience. This was what I learned about in the book "Being White." The raw material and emotions that are often experienced by minorities on a daily or even hourly basis that I could only read about and try to comprehend, I was blasted with in my face. There was no running, but you know what? I realize even more that I could run if I wanted to. That's part of the privilege I have and if I did run, this man would have been just all that much more correct with how he was pegging me and my race.
-Emily
____
And this is my response:
You have no idea how great your timing was for that question.
You see, I was in an interview on Monday with an African American man who works high up in an organization. I was the note-taker and a bi-racial man with me was doing the interviewing. The guy we interviewed pretty much sandblasted white people, rich people, rich, white churches, etc for 3.5 hours straight and I had to takes notes on everything he said. I was blown out of the water. I have never experienced such frustration and anger directed at my race before so directly. His feelings were palpable towards me, or more my race and status I guess.
So, that's how life is in the 'hood. It has taken me the whole week to type up the interview and process what I went through. I have never felt so ashamed, embarrassed, humiliated, incredulous, stunned, amazed, and angry all at the same time. Oh, and also the the feeling of wanting to sink through the floor so badly, I felt at times more than I ever have in my life. It was an experience like none other but I learned a lot. I told Professor Corbett that it was my three years of my Community Development major summed up in 3.5 hours in real life experience. This was what I learned about in the book "Being White." The raw material and emotions that are often experienced by minorities on a daily or even hourly basis that I could only read about and try to comprehend, I was blasted with in my face. There was no running, but you know what? I realize even more that I could run if I wanted to. That's part of the privilege I have and if I did run, this man would have been just all that much more correct with how he was pegging me and my race.
-Emily
____
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Burritos and Fried Chicken
If you didn't know this already, I like food a lot. So, I decided that this post should be dedicated to two types of food that I have eaten in the last week. Last Friday we ate at a local Mexican place in Western Heights called Taco de Mexico. I had just interviewed the owner a day or two before, so she recognized me and chatted easily with Emily, Bill, and I as we ordered. Our burritos were huge and somewhat bland. I liked it with hot sauce, but Bill didn't agree with the whole burrito thing. It has since been the joke of the week.
This week has gone by incredibly fast. Honestly, I've always had a disliking for Mondays and am usually glad when they're over with, but if feels like it was yesterday. We've had a few enjoyable listening conversations and have been able to set up a few more, but it has been somewhat of a struggle to get a hold of people lately. Emily and Rhyan (a member of the Alliance/ another intern) had an INTENSE 3 1/2 hour long interview that has taken days to muddle through. whew. that's a long time to talk to someone.
I feel like Emily and I have learned a new description of flexibility: driving out to places just to have things canceled on you. Emily gave me wise advice: call before you go out. huh. who would of thunk it...that's actually quite helpful.
Today we got to see a friendly face: Professor Corbett. He's currently advising the Alliance in their actions so that they can get involved as humble outsiders. He reminded us that we need to approach these people with the knowledge that they have existed in the community before we even knew about the community. We need to ask them how we can help them, not ask them to help us.
So my story ends with fried chicken. Why you may ask? 1. The topic of soul food has been very popular this week between Emily and I 2. I ate chicken wings today.
This is the end of our third week. A fourth of the way done. I feel like we've just gotten started! Please be in prayer because our focuses did get shifted a bit today as things are being discovered and worked out. Pray that we would have patience, a true heart for the community, and the realization that we are here but for a summer and we need to work for the Alliance and their goals and not the goals we think should be done.
This week has gone by incredibly fast. Honestly, I've always had a disliking for Mondays and am usually glad when they're over with, but if feels like it was yesterday. We've had a few enjoyable listening conversations and have been able to set up a few more, but it has been somewhat of a struggle to get a hold of people lately. Emily and Rhyan (a member of the Alliance/ another intern) had an INTENSE 3 1/2 hour long interview that has taken days to muddle through. whew. that's a long time to talk to someone.
I feel like Emily and I have learned a new description of flexibility: driving out to places just to have things canceled on you. Emily gave me wise advice: call before you go out. huh. who would of thunk it...that's actually quite helpful.
Today we got to see a friendly face: Professor Corbett. He's currently advising the Alliance in their actions so that they can get involved as humble outsiders. He reminded us that we need to approach these people with the knowledge that they have existed in the community before we even knew about the community. We need to ask them how we can help them, not ask them to help us.
So my story ends with fried chicken. Why you may ask? 1. The topic of soul food has been very popular this week between Emily and I 2. I ate chicken wings today.
This is the end of our third week. A fourth of the way done. I feel like we've just gotten started! Please be in prayer because our focuses did get shifted a bit today as things are being discovered and worked out. Pray that we would have patience, a true heart for the community, and the realization that we are here but for a summer and we need to work for the Alliance and their goals and not the goals we think should be done.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Boss: "How are you?" Me: "I'm a little overwhelmed." Boss: *huge grin* "BUT THAT WHAT YOU WANTED!!"
I am finally sitting down to write my first a blog post. Anna and I created a joint blog so that between the both of us, we would actually keep it up, but Anna so far has 5 posts to my 0. Time to remedy that and start pulling my weight on this blog. I promised her I'd try to make it long to catch up on all that's been happening the past 10.5 days.
The first week, we eased into our work, scrambling a little to find our way and figure things out, at least for me. We toured the community we are working in the first day and started to figure out our way around town.
However, this week has more than made up for last's week's ease, as I feel like I have been working 24/7 and still feel behind. I'm not sure if behind is the right word, because I'm not sure half the time if I'm doing the right thing, but things are slowly falling into place and I'm beginning to understand my place here on this internship. However, the more I understand, the more questions I have and then my understanding changes, but the picture is slowly coming into focus.
Anna and I have been learning to delegate and work together. She and I have a hard time giving work to the other person but we are learning how to work together and balance each others work out and not overlap.
We have been going to neighborhood association meetings where we talk with residents and introduce the Western Heights Community Alliance to the community and explain what they are all about. At these meetings, we try to find people who would be good to interview (or do what the Alliance calls a "listening conversation.") A lot of the members are interested in getting interviewed because they really want to share their thoughts about their community.
At the first meeting, we participated in the group activities and we did this personality survey. Anna was a "People person" and I was the "Processor." So, now I have an excuse when I don't want to talk, I make Anna do it because that is her profile. Its great. Actually, that is not working out so well, because a lot of what I have been doing this week is talking...a lot. Its been stretching me and is really uncomfortable oftentimes, but I guess that's a good thing.
Anna and I did our first interview of a lady we met at the association meeting. Anna did the talking and I did the note taking. It went really well, but now my job is to get members of the Alliance to be interested in becoming more involved in the community. Because I am just here for the summer, my boss wants me to create momentum in the Alliance to continue after I leave. So, I've been making more phone calling, emailing, and spontaneous visits with people than I have ever imagined I could, but its been fruitful. Frustrating too as I have hit a lot of walls. But today I had a break through of sorts and made some progress in getting through to people. I would like to say the more I talk and put myself out there to try and get people on board, the easier it gets, but, so far its still a struggle, but a good struggle.
I have been relying on the power of prayer. Even for the "little" things, I have to remind myself to bring them to God because only he can take what I do and create something out of it. I need to constantly be reminded of this because all too often I catch myself working hard and forgetting where my strength comes from.
The response to Anna's and my presence in the community has been mixed, as to be expected, and I am learning to put on my "tough skin" as Dr. Mask talked about last semester. These are the times when I have to trust that God indeed knows what he is doing and that even through my fumblings, he is still working. Because the Alliance is already established at many places in the community, we have been able to come in on their coat tails and be accepted because of the people before us. However, a lot of this week has been forging new trails and Anna, bless her heart, is blazing a trail like you wouldn't believe and is stepping right into the community full steam ahead and is making connections all over the place. I just like to stand back in awe and watch her sometimes.
While she has been talking to open businesses and introducing them to the Alliance and hearing their opinion on the community, I have been going around to closed businesses. Today I drove for 3.5 hours making a list of all the closed buildings I saw. I am going to research what they were so we can find out what sort of asset they were and can be to the community. People person and processor at our finest. In the next two days, I have 4 interviews though, but I think I'm just the note taker and Anna has one next week. Our boss has crazy goals for us, but he is pushing us. I'm glad they are high. I'll never reach them, but I'm already pushed further than I first imagined possible.
Another thing we have been doing besides getting to know residents and businesses, is getting to know the churches in the area. We have attended Sunday School, Sunday worship, Wednesday night service, and a Thursday night street evangelism outreach at different churches. After each one, we each write up a reflection paper of our thoughts, feelings, and experience at/with the church. Its been great doing these papers because they cause me to reflect and think about what I hear and see and not only do I learn a lot, but my boss says that he is learning a lot from them too, so hopefully they can be/are of some use.
Yesterday, at the last neighborhood association meeting, some ladies shared their testimonies about what the association meetings have meant to them this past semester and I was so blessed to hear the testimonies and see how, just like we always talk about in our community development classes, my story is joining in with the community's story. I'm already weary and frustration and fear are continual struggles, but I'm excited to see where this summer takes me. Its already been a crazy ride, but I know its only going to get crazier. Hallelujah that God is the leader and will be until the end.
We covet your prayers.
Emily
The first week, we eased into our work, scrambling a little to find our way and figure things out, at least for me. We toured the community we are working in the first day and started to figure out our way around town.
However, this week has more than made up for last's week's ease, as I feel like I have been working 24/7 and still feel behind. I'm not sure if behind is the right word, because I'm not sure half the time if I'm doing the right thing, but things are slowly falling into place and I'm beginning to understand my place here on this internship. However, the more I understand, the more questions I have and then my understanding changes, but the picture is slowly coming into focus.
Anna and I have been learning to delegate and work together. She and I have a hard time giving work to the other person but we are learning how to work together and balance each others work out and not overlap.
We have been going to neighborhood association meetings where we talk with residents and introduce the Western Heights Community Alliance to the community and explain what they are all about. At these meetings, we try to find people who would be good to interview (or do what the Alliance calls a "listening conversation.") A lot of the members are interested in getting interviewed because they really want to share their thoughts about their community.
At the first meeting, we participated in the group activities and we did this personality survey. Anna was a "People person" and I was the "Processor." So, now I have an excuse when I don't want to talk, I make Anna do it because that is her profile. Its great. Actually, that is not working out so well, because a lot of what I have been doing this week is talking...a lot. Its been stretching me and is really uncomfortable oftentimes, but I guess that's a good thing.
Anna and I did our first interview of a lady we met at the association meeting. Anna did the talking and I did the note taking. It went really well, but now my job is to get members of the Alliance to be interested in becoming more involved in the community. Because I am just here for the summer, my boss wants me to create momentum in the Alliance to continue after I leave. So, I've been making more phone calling, emailing, and spontaneous visits with people than I have ever imagined I could, but its been fruitful. Frustrating too as I have hit a lot of walls. But today I had a break through of sorts and made some progress in getting through to people. I would like to say the more I talk and put myself out there to try and get people on board, the easier it gets, but, so far its still a struggle, but a good struggle.
I have been relying on the power of prayer. Even for the "little" things, I have to remind myself to bring them to God because only he can take what I do and create something out of it. I need to constantly be reminded of this because all too often I catch myself working hard and forgetting where my strength comes from.
The response to Anna's and my presence in the community has been mixed, as to be expected, and I am learning to put on my "tough skin" as Dr. Mask talked about last semester. These are the times when I have to trust that God indeed knows what he is doing and that even through my fumblings, he is still working. Because the Alliance is already established at many places in the community, we have been able to come in on their coat tails and be accepted because of the people before us. However, a lot of this week has been forging new trails and Anna, bless her heart, is blazing a trail like you wouldn't believe and is stepping right into the community full steam ahead and is making connections all over the place. I just like to stand back in awe and watch her sometimes.
While she has been talking to open businesses and introducing them to the Alliance and hearing their opinion on the community, I have been going around to closed businesses. Today I drove for 3.5 hours making a list of all the closed buildings I saw. I am going to research what they were so we can find out what sort of asset they were and can be to the community. People person and processor at our finest. In the next two days, I have 4 interviews though, but I think I'm just the note taker and Anna has one next week. Our boss has crazy goals for us, but he is pushing us. I'm glad they are high. I'll never reach them, but I'm already pushed further than I first imagined possible.
Another thing we have been doing besides getting to know residents and businesses, is getting to know the churches in the area. We have attended Sunday School, Sunday worship, Wednesday night service, and a Thursday night street evangelism outreach at different churches. After each one, we each write up a reflection paper of our thoughts, feelings, and experience at/with the church. Its been great doing these papers because they cause me to reflect and think about what I hear and see and not only do I learn a lot, but my boss says that he is learning a lot from them too, so hopefully they can be/are of some use.
Yesterday, at the last neighborhood association meeting, some ladies shared their testimonies about what the association meetings have meant to them this past semester and I was so blessed to hear the testimonies and see how, just like we always talk about in our community development classes, my story is joining in with the community's story. I'm already weary and frustration and fear are continual struggles, but I'm excited to see where this summer takes me. Its already been a crazy ride, but I know its only going to get crazier. Hallelujah that God is the leader and will be until the end.
We covet your prayers.
Emily
Monday, May 17, 2010
Suicidal animals, Fast cars, Bursting Brains, and Basketball
Some found out facts about Knoxville:
1. I'm pretty sure that there is a high suicide rate amongst the fair critters of Knoxville. The other day I watched as a bunny crossed the road. As a car was about to drive in front of it, I thought it was safe (it would've gone in between the tires, under the car), it decided to jump up... getting smashed into the front of the car and dropping to the ground dead. A tragic ending to such a small animal, but honestly, it was a stupid move by the bunny. I did mutter against the killing car however, calling them bunny killers... but the bunny did make the jump. I find the birds drive awfully low to the ground right in front of the cars as well. It's not like the squirrel commercial where they just try to wreck the cars. My thoughts are that, like the bunny, they are trying to kill themselves. I think Knoxville veterinarians need to begin getting degrees in counseling as well so that the Knoxville animals may start getting hope in their animal world.
2. People in Knoxville don't like to follow the speed limit. Now I admit, I like to go over the speed limit, enough said. However, the common speed seems to be 30 mph here... like everywhere. Which to my eyes is quite ridiculous and slow. However, when there are cars behind me and I purposefully try to go 30mph, they are at the butt of my car and I can mentally feel their angry car eyes glaring at me.
3. Bursting brains of information. After about 3-4 hours of talking things over today with a couple of people, my brain feels overloaded. The meetings were extremely helpful and they gave us good goals to go towards for this week and the weeks to come... but my brain felt so empty as the information came! It reminded me of how limited I am. Please pray that God can still use me!
4. Thankfully, my two host brothers love to play basketball and are thoughtful enough to invite Emily and I to join them. Sometimes I am not sure if I'm getting better or worse as the games go on, but I enjoy every minute of it!
-Anna-
1. I'm pretty sure that there is a high suicide rate amongst the fair critters of Knoxville. The other day I watched as a bunny crossed the road. As a car was about to drive in front of it, I thought it was safe (it would've gone in between the tires, under the car), it decided to jump up... getting smashed into the front of the car and dropping to the ground dead. A tragic ending to such a small animal, but honestly, it was a stupid move by the bunny. I did mutter against the killing car however, calling them bunny killers... but the bunny did make the jump. I find the birds drive awfully low to the ground right in front of the cars as well. It's not like the squirrel commercial where they just try to wreck the cars. My thoughts are that, like the bunny, they are trying to kill themselves. I think Knoxville veterinarians need to begin getting degrees in counseling as well so that the Knoxville animals may start getting hope in their animal world.
2. People in Knoxville don't like to follow the speed limit. Now I admit, I like to go over the speed limit, enough said. However, the common speed seems to be 30 mph here... like everywhere. Which to my eyes is quite ridiculous and slow. However, when there are cars behind me and I purposefully try to go 30mph, they are at the butt of my car and I can mentally feel their angry car eyes glaring at me.
3. Bursting brains of information. After about 3-4 hours of talking things over today with a couple of people, my brain feels overloaded. The meetings were extremely helpful and they gave us good goals to go towards for this week and the weeks to come... but my brain felt so empty as the information came! It reminded me of how limited I am. Please pray that God can still use me!
4. Thankfully, my two host brothers love to play basketball and are thoughtful enough to invite Emily and I to join them. Sometimes I am not sure if I'm getting better or worse as the games go on, but I enjoy every minute of it!
-Anna-
Friday, May 14, 2010
Our first weekend!
Bill Goosie has been kind enough to give us the weekend off, though I still have homework to look over! But, I'm looking forward to going to our host brother's baseball game tomorrow =)As for right now, Emily and I are house and dog sitting for a friend.
Anna
Anna
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Arrival...
We are officially in Knoxville and at our host's house. Our host family is incredible! We were welcomed with such joy and love that we can tell it is going to be a great summer. We start tomorrow with a tour of Western Heights and will continue the week with some meetings. We will also start noting the businesses and places around the Western Heights community.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Now for the future...
Finals are done! Emily's home and I'm hanging out until the college's graduation. We're destined to arrive to our new home in Knoxville on Sunday evening, May 9th, 2010.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
One week in counting...
wow. where did this semester go? Only one week and we're off to Knoxville! Right now, we are trying to distract ourselves with a fun movie... trying not to think of finals!
-Anna-
-Anna-
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