Home by Way of Sandpoint

It's Christmas Break!  I've been out of school for a little over a week now but just recently got home to Kansas.  I traveled to Sandpoint, Idaho to visit a dear friend.

I enjoyed her company, the town, all the snow, and learning about Quest Aircraft Company.

As you know I always have to have a project to work on even when I'm on vacation.  I busied myself with drinking coffee from "all the good places in town" antique shopping, baking cookies, cooking dinner, and digging out of the snow (or playing in it).

Since I've been back in Kansas, where we have no snow and it doesn't take an hour to dig the car out, I've started and completed a new project.  I've been making all of my Christmas presents.

First sock monkey completed for a friend and her new-born.  Second sock monkey is being started.  I couldn't help myself; I found some perfect socks. 

Ready! Break!

It's Fall Break.  This means it's time to celebrate being halfway through the semester.

This semester I have accomplished:

Catching the Flu-swine or not I thought I was going to die right there in my bed.

Missing a week of school- meaning my semester grades show it and I spent the last week in over drive to get caught up.

Worrying about finding a job or what I'm going to do when I graduate- I'm working on not fretting about this.  I've got time.

Have found a Senior Design Project that I love and enjoy - Go Aero Design!

Got an on-campus job working as a teachers assistant in the CAD lab.

Am enjoying a LeTourneau Bible class- I had doubts that was possible.

Made great friends with a suite of freshman- I lived in their lounge with a fever since I was quarantined and they took care of me when I couldn't sit up.

Wandered downtown Longview.

Ate at the Lil' Thai House.

Went shopping for a new pair of jeans...and bought a sundress instead.

Costly Reconciliation

“What greater mercy is there than this, which caused to descend from heaven the maker of heaven; which reclothed with an earthly body the one who formed the earth; which made equal to us the one who, from eternity, is the equal of the Father; which imposed ‘the form of a servant’ on the Master of the world – such that the Bread itself was hungry, Fullness itself was thirsty, Power itself was made weak, Health itself was wounded, and Life itself was mortal?  And that so that our hunger would be satisfied, so that our dryness would be watered, our weakness supported, our love ignited.  What greater mercy than that which presents to us the Creator created; the Master made a slave; Redeemer sold; the One who exalts, humbled; the One who raises the dead, killed?”

Augustine, Sermon 207, cited in Albert Verwilghen, Christologie et Spiritualite selon Saint Augustin (Paris: Beauchesne, 1985), pp. 287-88 

Lessons Learned

Statement: I have just overcome the loneliest week I do believe I have ever had.

If I were in a bible class right now I would say "let's unpack that:"

I had lived here and there.  Sometimes I have known people, sometimes I haven't.  Why would the first week back at school while there are so many activities to be involved in and people to get reconnected with be the loneliest?  

I have a strong sense of accomplishment.  Trust me, this week wasn't fun and a lot of crying was involved but I have overcome and am happily starting the second week of school.  I blame part of it on deciding not to unload my car for a week.  (very unsettled feeling).  I knew this year would hold many new challenges, and I often look forward to learning more about myself and my God.  It seems that when you finally think you have mastered one topic or lesson it's time to move on even when I don't feel ready.  Instead, I'd like to sit in my accomplishment for a few day and feel good before taking the next blow.  In my life, God says, "okay good, you finally understand.  Now it's time to work on this" and the process repeats itself.

Somewhat unrelated, then again very much related:

I am very tired of attempting to void myself of emotion.  I think that most people would believe that women are more emotional.  I would agree in most cases (I know there are some exceptions).  I spend most of my time with guys and as time goes on this is more and more the case.  The school I attend is majority guys, the classes and the degree I am pursuing is almost entirely male, and the places I have worked have been majority male dominate.   This is not bad but something that needs to be addressed especially to those also in a male dominated environment.  It is vital that I (and you in a masculine environment) understand what it means to be a woman.  We have things to offer that can come from no other place, the world would be lacking without us.  I've learned a lot about this subject since I've been at Letu, if you would like to hear what I have to say please come talk to me.  

I, of course, am still learning.  Lately I have to remind myself that emotion is not bad.  It is actually very good.  It is also okay to show emotion.  It does not mean you are weak.  As for me, I have learned that sitting down and talking to someone when you need to get stuff off your chest isn't wasting their (or your) time.  It is a healthy this to do.  Not telling people how you feel and just putting on a fake smile is dishonest.  Next time someone asks you how you are...tell them the truth.

The Beginning of the End

Things that I will miss about North Carolina:

The roads steaming when it rains

Bats that will chase things you throw in the air

Trees....everywhere.

Being able to ride a bike to work

work. period. (even the wire EDM machine)

All the crazy people I work with

Julie's cooking

rain on a metal roof

NASCAR

$1 ice cream cone

Newsletter

I was asked to write a bit about my experiences this summer for my church newsletter. I thought I might post it here as well:

This summer I have been working in research and development at a missions organization called JAARS in North Carolina. My projects have been designing, building, and testing cargo pods for a Pilatus PC-6 and designing a fire detection system for the Quest Kodiak. Along with these main projects I have been working on numerous other projects as well. I designed and built a ferry tank for the Kodiak so that it can hold enough fuel to fly to Papua New Guinea this September. One of my most fun projects was building a paper airplane model of the Kodiak for the kids at Oshkosh to make (and it actually flies!) I have enjoyed receiving so many different projects and learning new skills. Each day is different and I never know what will come up. I have gotten so experience in machining and fabricating parts in the machine shop as well as creating code for computer controlled routers and Electric Discharge Machining. To see some more of the projects I have been involved or if you are interested in more information check out www.jaars.org .

That is just some of what I have done this summer but more importantly I want to emphasis what I have "learned" this summer. JAARS is a branch of Wycliffe and aids in bible translation. I have had the awesome privilege of rubbing shoulders with overseas missionaries home on furlough or retired that have dedicated their lives to bringing the word of God to ALL people of EVERY language. I love to hear their stories as much as they love to tell them and listen to how God is at work. One thing that has impacted me was how much I take the bible for granted. In the United States we can walk into a book store and choose from so many different bibles. We have big ones and little ones, NIV, King James, New Living and so many other translations, there are study bibles, picture bibles, bibles with concordances and glossaries. We can even read the bible on the computer or on our Blackberries and PDAs. I feel I have become spoiled when it comes to Gods word. I can have it anytime I want it and in whatever way I want it. The bible wasn't special anymore. It was just a book that I have already read that I have about 6 copies of. Now think about the fact that for 2,200 language groups a translation of the bible doesn't exist. That is enough to make my bible seem special. The very core of what I have been working on this summer is bringing God's word to those who don't have it. Another realization I have come to this summer is that while many people, whose native tongue still doesn't have bible translation, can speak another language that does have a bible translation. Going into this summer I felt that "well they can understand the bible, that's what's important, even if it's not in their first language." I have realized that if we are trying to lead people to Christ we need to speak the language of their heart. Peoples hearts speak their native tongue, that language they have spoken since infancy. This is the language of emotion and of love. How can a person believe and understand God's love for them when He doesn't speak their language? JAARS is partnering with Wycliffe and SIL in the Last Languages Campaign. The goal is to have a translation project started in every language by 2025. Surprisingly, this is not an impossible task. For more information visit www.lastlanguagescampaign.org . In the mean time please pray for JAARS, Wycliffe, and the people all over the world that are being reached everyday. Also, thank God for your bible today.

Friends and Family

My parents flew out to visit this past week. It was so good to see them and get to spend time with them. I don't get to do that as much anymore. While they were here went went to Charleston for a few days:

We went to Magnolia Plantation

Then to Folly Beach

The next day we took a ferry to Fort Sumter (where the Civil War started)

On Wednesday we drove up to the mountains to check out the waterfalls

And ended up hiking Mount Pisguh while we were there

My parents left on Friday as I headed up to Durham to visit Adam's sisters. While we were there we toured the North Carolina Capital building and spent some time in the Museum of Natural History. Today was Adam's birthday and we celebrated with his family. Overall I had a exciting and very busy week. I'm looking forward to going to work tomorrow and getting back to the normal schedule of my life this summer. I'm worn out.

It is Finished

Summer officially starts today! I just turned in a research paper signifying the end of my summer classes. And there was much rejoicing. I know I'll probably be glad I took them next year but right now it doesn't quite seem worth it. It was a constant battle trying to motivate myself to study and do homework after working all day. Now I can have fun and enjoy my summer!



A few weeks ago Samaritan's Purse brought their new Kodiak to JAARS. It was cool to see two Kodiaks in the hanger

This week will be a short week since I get Friday off for the Forth of July. I'm getting more and more excited for my parents coming to visit me on the tenth. I can't wait to spend some time with them.

The Risk of Following God

This is written on a old torn piece of paper posted in the engine repair shop. I thought it was kind of a cool idea.

We the willing
led by the unknowing
are doing the impossible
for the ungrateful.

We have done so much
for so long
with so little
we are now qualified
to do anything
with nothing.

It's a good reminder that we really have nothing without God leading us and providing for us. In order to get anything done we have to rely on Him.

At church we just started studying prayer. I'm excited to hear what God has to tell me through this series. I started thinking today...If I had followed my plan for the summer I would be living at home and working at Cessna again. God closed that door because He had other plans for me this summer and I'm so glad because my time at JAARS so far has been amazing. God wanted me here this summer, I shouldn't be homesick for a place I'm not supposed to be. I'm not supposed to be at camp, or at home, I'm supposed to be right where I am and that gives me a lot of comfort.

I love my job!

Look what I got to ride in today! Robinson R44 Helicopter!

It was so fun! Like a roller coaster. With the bubble windshield you could see everything and I got to sit in the front. It looked complicated to fly but was a blast to ride in. I had never been in a helicopter before. I really do love my job!

Hello World

I just finished my 4th week here in Waxhaw, NC. What a month! I keeping almost too busy with work and classes.
I spend my days running the CNC router, making parts for our PC-6 cargo pods. Today I working on engraving a placard to be put in the Kodiak while the guys drilled holes in the instrument panel for our fire detection switch/light. (I handed them tools as they crawled underneath the panel). I've also learn how to run the EDM (electric discharge machine). But after my parts where "almost prefect" the machine broke and we are waiting to hear back from a technician.
It's been exciting to hear about all that JAARS and Wycliffe are doing. The stories are just amazing. JAARS is partnering with a few other organizations in the Last Languages Campaign. The goal is to have a bible translation program started in every language by 2025. That's only about 15 years away! Being here and hearing stories of God's work has really given me a new appreciation of God's word. For more information check out http://www.jaars.org/.
The less exciting part of my day is when I come home and work on school work. Classes are going fine but I wish they were over. I just keep reminding myself that in a year I will be glad I took them.
Tomorrow is Saturday. Sometimes Saturday's get a little lonely for me. No one will be around tomorrow so I have to plan things to keep myself busy. Tomorrow I am planning on doing some baking. It's Mrs. Powell's birthday so I'm going to make a pie. I also need to get caught up on some housework, laundry, and the dreaded homework. That should be enough to keep me busy. I am truly enjoying living here...except the humidity.
That's all for now...and seriously check out the JAARS website. I wish I could tell you all about it but I'm sure you'd stop reading before I got done.

Quick Overview

For those of you in the dark here is a quick overview of where I am and what I'm doing.

The engineering department: Me and my supervisor Terry.

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This summer I am working at JAARS, Inc. (Jungle Aviation and Radio Services) which is a part of Wycliffe Bible Translators that provides technical services to bible translators overseas. I am working in Research and Development on designing and implementing modifications to mission aircraft to ready them to enter the mission field. I am currently working on 2 major projects, one is installing a fire detection system of the engine compartment of the new Kodiak in order to prepare it to go to Paupa New Guinea in August. The second is a pair of cargo pods to be used under the wing of a Pilatus PC-6. These cargo pods help the aircraft's center of gravity (CG) and allows cargo (such as food for markets like fish, rice, and dead animals) to be placed away from passengers in Indonesia.

My desk and office.

Go CNC machine, Go! Cut out those parts!

A Long Way from Home

Don't worry. I made it to NC safe and sound on Saturday. I moved into my house for the next three months. It's not much but perfect for what I need this summer and it has a nice coffee maker! Although, it has very limited cell and Internet. I went into work this morning in order to get everything worked out with HR. I got a little held up since I supposedly needed a drug test in order to start working. The person that administers the drug test is on vacation until Thursday. Luckily, my supervisor talked to them and I don't have to take it. It's been one more lesson in communication.

It's been different living on my own. It gets a little lonely in the evening. I am way out of my comfort zone here, everything is new and different and it's a long way from home or Longview. I feel like I just wander around looking lost trying to figure out where to go at JAARS. The Powell's have been great and a huge blessing in helping me out. It is going to be an exciting summer. I know I will get things figured out as I finally get into the schedule of how things work around here.

Home

The things I love about being home:
Family
Sleeping in "the cave"
Having my own bathroom
Having a relatively clean kitchen
A sewing machine
good...no great food
picking on my parents
my parents picking on me
laughing together
free laundry machines...that can do three loads in one

Oh Summer

Today I decided to find the perfect summer dress. One that was light weight cotton and you could where with out getting hot in the middle of the summer. I, of course, also wanted it to be modest, long enough and a high enough neck for me to feel comfortable in. After searching for the perfect dress I have come to the conclusion that such a dress does not exist. So I went to the fabric store to make my own. The first hurtle I came across was that the patterns aren't really my size. I decided I could take the smallest size and alter it if I needed to. Hurtle number 2: People used to make their own clothes all the time because it was cheaper. I have found that this is no longer the case. Patterns are expensive...and so is fabric. So, at the end of the day I picked out the perfect dress pattern, fabric, and everything I would need to make it. I added up the cost and decided I couldn't afford it. I left the store empty handed. In conclusion, the perfect summer dress still doesn't exist and at this rate never will.

Blog Rebirth

I know I haven't posted on here for a few years, so I doubt anyone will even read this. However I've decided to resurrect this blog. I am an outward processor, but recently I have no one around to be my sounding board. I'm not much of a writer (probably why this blog hasn't been updated in two years) but am willing to try again.



Originally, I started this blog to keep people informed on my summer travels and adventures and pass along prayer requests to those praying. This summer I am desiring the same things. In an week I leave my family to work at JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina. I'm pretty excited, but a little nervous. This will be the first time to really "live on my own."



In other recent news, I got a new haircut!



This week is looking to be busier then I thought. Besides spending as much time with my family as possible, the two classes I'm taking online this summer start tomorrow. Also, since I will be gone for my brothers high school graduation, I am in the process of drafting a letter to him giving some advice and telling him some of the things I have learned from college. My brother and I rarely see eye to eye so I'm not sure how my advice will be taken and I know that most of what he learns will be from his own experiences and mistakes. He is my only brother and I want him to know I care though. If you have any comments, stories, or encouragements that could be included, I'd love to hear them. Along with this letter I am giving him a compass. Reminding him to be mindful of where he is going and to keep him focused on God, but also remembering where he has come from.