As usual, I’m supposed to be writing for an academic purpose and instead have decided blogging is more appealing. Blogging is more freeing than thesis proposal writing. Wonderful!

 So anyways, it’s been a while. January has flown by and I really have no idea what I’ve done. I don’t have much to show for it…besides going to Germany/Switzerland/France and writing a final paper and hosting an Obamafeestje. That’s enough for a month, right? Actually, the roadtrip to the Mosaic conference was a treat! So fun to spend a whole weekend with good friends in a small hotel in southern Germany. And the conference was incredible. Despite our skepticism and cynicism, I think we all left feeling radically encouraged and inspired! It was a comfy fit to everything I’ve been learning over the past few months. How to break down barriers between people who follow Jesus and people who don’t. How to make Jesus real and natural and available to everyone, not an esoteric Jesus only alive for those of us that love reading books on theology and talking about the kingdom of god as poetically as possible. I love to be reminded that we are ALL created for Him, to be given life. I’m amazed at how gifted people are that don’t know Jesus. How creative and kind and brilliant! Doesn’t seem fair. But I’ve been reading through Genesis and Exodus and feel like shaking my head at times at the people the Lord chose to reveal himself to and do big things through. He seriously chose some of the most jacked up people. People that hadn’t even proven themselves as righteous or even smart! I always feel I have to prove myself, and what a taste of humility and grace to realize that it doesn’t matter. We should please the Lord- yes! And we love to because we love Him. And that’s it…it’s really all about Him. And His deep love for us as his creation, his children. So anyways…what a gift we’re given to participate in the redemption of the world through the Lord’s redemption of our lives.

 On another note, I’m obviously pleased by last Tuesday’s events! The freshness of having a new leader, with new creativity and insight to the problems we face. There’s so much to do, and so much to learn and consider, that I feel overwhelmed even imagining what President Obama must be experiencing. Sure, I could pick apart his every move in the past few days…but I think we should all be a little gracious for the time being. Right…?

 This historic event has gotten me thinking an awful lot about black emancipation in the States as well. I realize it may be a little controversial to mention the Civil Rights’ Movement as unsuccessful, and I don’t believe that at all. BUT…I do think there’s a lot more to be done. There’s been a lot of talk regarding the new opportunities this is creating for black children. Yes, I agree this is a big step, but electing a black President cannot be the only solution…just as allowing black and white integration in schools and buses was not the only solution. There’s a lot more to be done! There’s a real change that needs to happen. In fact, the NY Times had an opinion article I thought was particularly right on. He lists the statistics regarding black children in the US. Shocking statistics that we’ve all known for a while, yet fail to address. I really have no idea what the ideal solution is, and obviously no one else has either as it’s been a problem for ages. But I think a change of heart, and an awareness of the problem is a good place to start. I’m praying that the change in the white house will bring change to communities, and families, and children’s lives. Have a read: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/opinion/24blow.html?ref=opinion.

It's 2009!! Incredible. I don't think I've accomplished one thing in the past few days though...and love it! I've spent several hours a day reading/praying/reflecting/crossword puzzling/La Blogotheque-ing/movie-ing/etc. A dream, huh? I'm forcing myself to begin working tomorrow though, as the countdown for one paper's deadline is offically 2 weeks come Monday...shoot.

With all the reflecting I've been doing, I'm overwhelmed with the way I'm loved. I feel so thankful for the way the Lord's intertwined my life with unexpected people this past year. And the majority of them being some of the most selfless, warm people I've ever met...on both sides of the Atlantic! I am being wonderfully supported and cared for by friends in Ohio (receiving packages, emails, big hugs in columbus) and have been amazingly welcomed by friends in the Netherlands (dinners, sharing holiday traditions, providing day-to-day sanity). I'm just beaming with thankfulness.  

We celebrated the New Year well over here. Friends, lots of kids, even more food, mafia, the Dam on tv, and fireworks! It was such a treat. New Years' Eve fireworks cause quite the frenzy over here. Supposedly they're only legal for one day (and only a few hours at that). During New Years' Eve day I was convinced that this was one of the major downfalls of Dutch culture, as it sounded like we were being bombed from 9am on. I should also mention that on my way to the grocery store I was almost hit with a firework, seeing my life flash before my eyes...and later on almost hit with Brooke after someone threw a lit one out a window. Now, I'm a girl that loves fireworks. But I also happen to be terrified if they're being ignited nearby or coming from unexpected directions. HOWEVER, this tradition of fireworks on New Years' Eve was completely redeemed at midnight. We went to the Pickerill's roof to check out the firework display just a few minutes after 12, and it was absolutely amazing. The whole city lit up! And it lasted for almost an hour. Shivering in the cold with friends on a roof at the beginning of 2009 watching Amsterdam be lit by thousands of fireworks...something to cherish.

We had a sleepover at Eric and Julia's, and rounded out the celebration with crepes, coffee, a devotion, and confessing our answers to the question "what is the crisis?". It was special to begin the new year sitting at a table with good friends, confessing our pain and hoping together. Again, beaming with thankfulness.