it's what i do.

before i came to london, i told everyone that i was coming here to work for my church. and, essentially, that's what i'm doing. i'm here because i am working for the salvation army.

i thought i was coming to do office work. and true, while i do work in an office, it is so much more than "an office job."

i'm a intern at the international centre for spiritual life development, which exists to facilitate the development of the spiritual lives of salvationists (members of the salvation army) all over the world. we do that by providing resources (creating, compiling, sharing); offering conferences and events (BIG event coming up in september!); and encouraging the implementation of intentional and systematic opportunities for spiritual growth throughout the international salvation army. we also are in charge of keeping up with the salvation army's global call to 24-7 prayer. since january 1, 2011, salvationists from all over the world have been continuing in 24-7 non-stop prayer for justice.

it's kinda major stuff. so much so that, when i first came, i was sure that i was not qualified to help carry out these tasks. i was completely overwhelmed with not only the fact that i was in an unfamiliar country, but also with the sizable task that my job would entail.

two months later, i feel much more confident. some of the things i've done in the past couple of months include: research, editing articles/books to be published, creating resources, formatting powerpoints, prayer focuses, and prayer station guides, sending emails, trying to navigate and edit our website, making posters, and praying.

i also work with two amazing women.

the other intern (and my flatmate) is stephanie. stephanie is from brazil and has already been here at the csld for a year and is staying for another year. she is the first intern in the history of the csld, and a lifesaver. i can't imagine coming into this situation without her. she is a dedicated, hard-worker who has a huge vision for the future. this girl knows her stuff! not only has she shown me the ropes in the office (very patiently, might i add), but she has also introduced me to london life. seriously, i'd be lost if she were not here.

our boss is janet. janet is from the U.S. as well and likes my accent :) she is the secretary for spiritual life development and is kind of indescribable. this woman speaks the Word boldly and unapologetically. i have already learned so many things the past two months from her teachings, her writings, our bible study, and our conversations. she is also funny, encouraging, comforting, and kind. i am blessed to know her and work with her.

still learning to accept that i fit into this triad and have things to bring to the table. i still have to stop myself sometimes to think, "this is pretty amazing, being here in london, working at the csld." because it is.

hopefully you have somewhat of a better idea of what i'm doing in here jolly ol' england. it feels like it is a lot more than what i just listed, but how many jobs can you just list what you do, right? i do know that this experience is going to change my life...it's already happening, and greater things are yet to come!

blessed.

i'm planning on filling you in about what i'm doing here in london exactly very soon. but until then, i just have to say...

some days i have no idea why i'm here and feel extremely unqualified and under-equipped for my job.

most days i know with every fiber of my being that i've been preparing for work like this for a long time coming.

every day, i am overwhelmed with how blessed i am that i've been chosen to come here - work with the people i do - live with the people i do - fellowship with the people i do - and learn from the people i do.

every. day. thank you, Jesus!

giving it up.

so lent begins tomorrow. this year i've decided to fast from facebook for the 40 days. i figured it was the thing i am supposed to give up when my initial thought was, "omigosh. not facebook."

(usually i've given up my biggest vice for lent -- sweet tea. seeing as i've chosen to give that up for the year of 2012, i've moved on to my next weakness...)

instead, i will discipline myself to spend the time that i would usually be facebooking to studying the Word, praying, and journaling. oh, and continuing to memorize the book of colossians. (i'm 12 verses in...)

however, due to my current living situation (as in, being so far away from home), i will choose to acknowledge sundays as days of rest from my fast. i haven't usually in years past, but things are a little different this time around!

so until then (or at least until next sunday), i'll keep you updated here. or if you feel ever so inclined to email me some encouraging words, a funny story, or just to say hi, you can. (my email address can be found in my profile, just over there to your left.)

are you choosing to fast from anything this lent season?

finally worked up the courage.

i created this blog months before i came to london. i was so excited and ready to write about every little thing that i'd be doing, and then i got here and was struck by this weird fear of writing for all to see.

it might stem from the last blog that i wrote in...which would take us back to my xanga days in college. when i go back and read that now, i get incredibly embarrassed that i would dare to write some of the things i did for anyone to read. *sigh* (note: i was considering putting in a link to my old xanga site, but deemed it far too embarrassing still. if you are lucky enough to not have read it, you are lucky enough. to those who did back then: i'm sorry.)

also, the more i think about it, the more convinced i am that i'm being super conceited in thinking that anyone would even bother to read what i have to say. i am not an eloquent writer such as other bloggers whose sites i read.

but everyone has a story, right? i mean, this is a pretty big adventure for me...i'm in london for a year. i left my supportive family, my amazing friends, my steady job (and 120-ish cute fourth graders), my spirit-refreshing church, my favorite foods, my sporty car, and a lot of freedoms to jet-set 4,000 miles away. it's been six-and-a-half weeks.

i'm surviving.

i'm learning.

i'm enjoying myself.

i know there is no where else in the world that i'm supposed to be.

there's a big part of my heart that constantly aches for home, for family, for friends, for familiarity. but i've been able to differentiate that longing from moping and wallowing. (that's a big step, compared to the "me" from a few years ago.)

so, surely i've got some things worth saying, right?

(yes, and don't call me shirley.)

(sorry, i couldn't help it.)

stay tuned, if you will, for some updates on what the heck i'm doing here in london; the crazy-awesome things that the Lord reveals to me; who/what i'm missing from home; what i'm loving here in londontown; and any other random thing i may choose to write about.