Imagery

This summer I want to teach those girls that we are all made in the image of God. This being said the truth would hold that we are all actually made in the image of God. This is where the Love Your Enemies statement comes into play. It was today that I realized no matter how much I dislike someone or how much stress they are causing me, they are showing me something about God. As a Christian, it is my job to find whatver it is and learn more about my Creator and have a greater appreciation for the person. Caution: this is much harder than it seems.

Stewardship

Dear God,

Please help us to be good stewards of your blessings. I know we don't deserve it but You have graciously bestowed it upon us. Sometimes it is so hard to love your enemies but God teach us what that means. Show us how to give unconditionally while loving unconditionally and give us the strength to be those kinds of givers.

I love you.

In the spot there will be an entry I wrote in my journal- the end

A Blank

I had something really interesting that I was going to write about tonight but as I sit here I am drawing a blank. I really don't understand where this came from. I was so happy earlier today. I mean ridiculously happy and stress-free and everything was so good. And then tonight I came home and I sat and watched TV alone and then did the dishes alone and then folded laundry alone...and well I guess when its nighttime and I'm doing all those things in the dark alone, it makes me feel, well really lonely. And then lonely leads to depressed. And well there ya go. And I'm trying really hard not to be this and there really is no excuse and its really not fair for me to use the fact that I am a girl...but I just feel needy and depressed right now. And I want to tell Chris to buy a plane ticket but I know better than that and I know that we need the money for Germany and "the future" and I know that tomorrow I will feel a lot better (hopefully), but right now I just feel a little selfish. Maybe its because of where I live, everyone is pretty much selfish all the time. Maybe it is finally rubbing off on me. Or maybe I am just maintenance needy. Or maybe I just needed a little attention.

Dr. Seuss

I said what I meant and I meant what I said. An elephant's faithful 100%.

Horton hears a Who is one of my new favorite movies. It is hillarious, precious, witty, and has a great moral message in the end. Horton will teach your children faith, love, how to believe in yourself and other people, how to love your enemies, and forgiveness. And that a person's a person no matter how small. 5 stars and 2 thumbs way up for Horton!

Case Study Part 5

This study of the East German culture evolved from a personal passion for the people of East Germany and a desire to inform the world of a culture that has not received much attention in its short life. However, as I have continued to study and interact with the East German culture I have learned a greater importance in studying. The German Democratic Republic and the culture it enforced was a brief time in the history of the German people and yet, the effect that it had proved to be lasting. By studying the culture of East Germany before the GDR and after the GDR, we can more easily understand to what degree people are affected by their culture. During this time we saw a sharp change in the government and a culture forced upon the people. By understanding how the culture and the people were affected by this, we can better understand how sharp changes in government will affect other cultures. Currently, it could help us to better understand how the change to democracy will affect the traditional culture of the Arab nations that is also rooted in many centuries of history. So, although this was a short time in the history of the German people, studying it could prove to be a useful tool in a world that is becoming more global daily.

Case Study Part 4

Perception is reality. This basic theory continues explain the problems people face when communicating, especially across cultures. Perception is defined by Gamble and Gamble as “the process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting sensory data in a way that enables us to make sense of our world.”[1] A person interprets his world based on the way he sees it which is affected by past and present constructs. It is this definition that supports the phenomenological tradition of communication which places the individual’s experience and interpretation as the utmost authority.[2] When studying cultures, this means that knowing how individuals in a culture interpret their experience is crucial for understanding the totality of the culture itself.

Based on this evidence it is important that we take another look at the culture of former East Germany. As Americans, we believe that the fall of the Berlin Wall which marked the end of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) saved the people of East Germany from dire oppression. However, the people of former East Germany voice a different opinion. Their conditions appeared unbearable when the world saw what was on the other side of the Wall in 1989, but the East German citizens, in general, reported living “perfectly ordinary lives.”[3] Although the East Germans had lived under what Americans consider cruel and unusual conditions, aspects of the communist culture had been adopted as the people’s own and helped to shape their new sense of identity. This paper will compare the culture of traditional Germany with the culture of current East Germany to show the influences that communism as a governing power had on the identity of the former citizens of East Germany.

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[1] Larry A. Samovar, Richard E. Porter, and Edwin R. McDaniel, Communication Between Cultures: Sixth Edition. (Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007), 129

[2] Com Com Com

[3] Mary Fulbrook, The People’s State: East German Society from Hitler to Honecker (London:

Yale University Press, 2005), xiii

Case Study Part 3

Germans also are a much more literal culture. This means that they will directly answer the question that is asked to them. For example, if someone asks an American “Do you have the time?”, he/she would answer by giving the time. If a German is asked “Do you have the time?”, his answer will be, “Yes, I do.” This is also seen in the German language. Oftentimes, if a person knows some basic German words, they can figure out the meaning of larger more complex words because most German words are smaller words put together to create new words. Things are also often called just exactly what they are. A good example of this is Flugzeug which means airplane. The two words put together to create this word are “flug” which means fly and “zeug” which means thing. An airplane in German is literally a fly-thing.

This will be another journal entry.

Case Study Part 2

The GDR introduced what seemed to be a new world for women. In their political ideology, women were equal members of society just as men. The new policy had three major differences from the past treatment of women. They were “(1) the realization of legal equality between men and women, (2) the promotion of working women, and (3) special protection of mothers and children” [1]. Women were granted the rights to government funded childcare, abortion, and employment. Emancipating women was part of the socialist ideology. The Socialist Unity Party passed laws that gave women more rights and allowed them to work outside the home. The Familiengesetzbuch (Family Book of Law of the GDR) that began practice in 1965 had many clauses that treated women as equals to men specifically in the home. For example, the book instructed women and men to have an equal partnership in marriage. Men took just as responsible for the children as the women. Also, the law allowed women to have joint ownership of property with their husbands. The emancipation of women seemed to be a reality in the GDR according to their standards of allowing women to work and supporting them in the home[2].

However, as true with many ideas written down by the GDR, in practice this was not necessarily carried. Women were allowed to work, yet they were given special treatment. They could only work during they day and given tasks that were less difficult than the men. Women were also put into specific types of jobs that supported the traditional stereotypes such as education, health care, and textiles. Ironically, women in East Germany brought home 40 percent of the average household income whereas women in West Germany only brought home 18 percent of the household income[3]. However, they were far from being equal to men. There were deep-set expectations as to the role that women were to play and in a society that continued to be run by only men, the stereotypes that said women were less than men continued to play a major role.

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[1] Kranz 70

[2] Kranz 74

[3] Kranz 73

Talent

I have always said that you fall in love with people onstage. Tonight I finally realized why that is. We watched the movie "Once" which is a really well made independent film by the way, if you are into that sort of thing. And its about a girl and a guy who connect through music. And there is this amazing part where she is playing this grand piano- and he has asked her to play one her songs for him and she gets embarrassed but ends up doing it because when you write music you want to share it and you want someone else to be interested in it. Writing music is not a selfish thing at all. It's meant to be shared.
So anyways it shows a shot from his point of view- the way he is looking at her and I realized that the reason that you fall in love with people when they are onstage or while their playing music or while they are singing or whatever talent it is that they have is because they are doing what God has truly created them to do. By witnessing someone showing their talent you are witnessing a part of themselves that God has created for uniquely them, a deep passionate part that can't be fake or deceptive. You can truly see the person and you can truly see God. God manifests himself through our talents. God shows His majesty, His love, and His beauty through out talents.
And we can't help but watch in amazement and adoration.

Case Study Part 1

German culture dates back over 1500 years and is rich with tradition. Although, the country is smaller than even some states in the United States of America, events throughout history have affected the culture in a way that makes the country uniquely diverse. The twentieth century only accounts for a small percentage of the culture in Germany, and yet the events that occurred have been significant in shaping the German people that the world knows today. The even that had the largest effect on the culture of Germany was the split of the country into two disconnected territories governed by two separate Allied Powers. At the time, the world viewed this as the safest tactic in order to prevent a third World War. West Germany was controlled by America. East Germany was controlled by Russia which at the time was the Soviet Union. Although this seemed fair in the terms of war, the Allied Powers did not realize the lasting effects that this decision would have on the people of East Germany.

Peer Pressure

There is a big difference in what society deems as acceptable as opposed to what an individual thinks is acceptable. If I tell you that society would say that this is true about you, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is true about you. It means that society- the culture that you live in that you are product of- says that you are okay.

Do I really want society to say that I'm okay? Do I really want to live on my own for a year just because I need to learn how to be independent because the individualistic society that I live in tells me that as a person and especially as a woman I need to prove myself? Because in almost every other culture of the world, they would call a person who moves away from their your family and living on your own disrespectful and lonely.

Just something to think about- but just because you have a certain experience in society doesn't mean that it is a universal truth. There is only one universal truth. Everything else is just nurture from whatever environment in which you currently reside....

Girls' Night

I love One Tree Hill night. Yes its true. I love you. And I adore Traci and long talks with her. I love having girlfriends even if they are crazy and dramatic. I can TOTALLY handle the draaaaamaaa.

Love.

SauberMachen

I love German! However, by marrying Chris I don't get to be a German citizen. Deal-breaker much?

Dear Blog, You are getting to be more troublesome than you are helpful. Where were you when I needed you to help me with my Humanities test today? Listen, we have a 25 page paper due by next Wednesday so I'm gonna need your A game. Got it?! Good. Now get some sleep because tomorrow we play with the big dogs.

Love,
Me

Wickedness

Wicked with my Brother
Beach with Barbara
Amazing Palm Sunday Service
Penelope
English Pub with Erin and Barbara
That Thing You Do while studying
Cheesecake Factory
Kidnapping with Lauren
Santa Monica Pier

From back to front, it was an amazing weekend. How did I do all that and study for my test that is at 8am tomorrow morning? It's called Time Management people. That's right. Learn it. Love it.

Now if I could only figure out a way to keep my room clean...

It's not lying. It's looking at things in a different way.

Feel Good Movies

Tonight we saw Penelope. Such a good movie with such a good message.

Its nice to see that Hollywood can produce a really well done movie, with good characters, amazing costumes, incredible set and a message about liking yourself and falling in love with someone who loves you for exactly who you are.

It makes me think about my girls this summer. I would love to show them this movie and talk about the message.

I don't want to change, I like myself just the way I am.

It was similar to the Beauty and the Beast type message. And you know in the end when the Beast turns into the Prince and he's very handsome but then the character that you have actually grown to love is the Beast- so its almost like not the same character anymore. You know thats its good but you've grown to be in love with the other character.

But then ending was perfect- and the music was really good.

The Way It Should Be

This is the way it should be. This is what they meant when they said best time of life.
I'm having the time of my life. I can't wait for what comes next.

Contentment

Had a good talk with Barbara.

Chris saw the Rocket Summer.

Humanities is going to be okay.

I'm going to rock my Case Study paper.

Life is good.

God is so amazing.

Moving Out

I never realized how stressful a poor living situation really can be. Especially when my whole life I have had a really good living situation. But it is extremely uncomfortable to be a place where you are walking on eggshells all the time. I finally realized today as I was drawing my greatest struggle that this apartment is my greatest struggle. And maybe it is my fault. Maybe I don't live well with other people. Or maybe its just the nature of the business. Maybe people in general just have a hard time living together. But I feel like this situation is just really bad.

On a happier note, I've had some really good talks with some really great people in the last few days. And it makes me feel refreshed spiritually- and helps me to see that its okay...this is the important stuff, as opposed to worrying about my horrible awful humanities test on Monday which I totally don't want to take and I'm just going to have to suck it up and do it. If I get a D in that class I will be happy. I mean I don't get D's but still...and I really could use like a B...or an A but that seems a little impossible. Anyways, in the end it all doesn't really matter. 3.4 is not so bad. And in the end One Tree Hill nights, midnight cupcakes, coffee talks, late night talks, praying together- all that is way more important.

Besides, I'm just going to be a missionary, I don't need a degree for what I want to do :)

Renewal

Today was exactly what I needed. I didn't get a whole lot done school wise but I feel really good about life in general with a renewed sense of focus and calmness. However, I have been having a problem speaking the English language. Good thing I am learning German so that I will have two languages to draw from.

My Favorite Things

1. Campus Ministry Kids- Traci, Lauren, Shayla, Tomi, Reuben, Ron, Catherine, Kala, Kayla, Tatiana etc.
2. The Ocean
3. My Small Group- Ryan, Daniel, Aaron, Jessica, Kala, Leann, etc.
4. Coffee Bean
5. Spruzzo's
6. Linda and Thomas
7. My room/bed
8. My car (for argument's sake)
9. Santa Monica (Hear Music store)
10. Dr. Stivers

Okay I don't hate it here so much. :P

Simple Sentences

Tonight I wrote in German- and after not have spoken it for a week I sounded like I didn't know anything. Then I realized that I don't know anything. I sound like a child when I speak it. So I thought I would write my blog in that style tonight.

I am home from break. I am very tired. I would like to go to sleep. I would really like to go back to Oklahoma. I would like to be in Germany right now with my boyfriend. I would like for it to be summer. However, I will finish school soon. I am happy to be home tonight. I will try to make the best of it. My apartmentmates are already stresssful. I am stressed out where I live. I would like a break even though I just had one. I would like a long break and a new start. However, I am really happy with my relationship. I have the best boyfriend in the whole world. It's true. I do not lie.

The End. Love.

Role Models

Its amazing how things in your life change when you know someone is watching. Yes, obviously things are different when you have an authority figure breathing down your neck. But I'm talking about when you have someone looking up to you. They are watching your every move to see how to live life- to see what's cool and what's not, to see what's okay and what's forbidden. This summer I am going to be blessed with the opportunity of holding a position in which a bunch of girls are going to be looking up to me. So as you can imagine, this changes everything- and will change everything.

Is what I'm doing okay? Are they going to look at me and see right through me? Who am I to accept this position? Is my sin too great that I'm going to ruin their lives? Who am I?

But then again, God always picks the least likely for the job.

My power is made perfect in your weakness.

Imperfection

Tonight we learned that we are still learning. And its okay. We made it through. We are a team now and thats whats important. We aren't always going to impress each other or do everything completely right but we have (or will) sign the contract that says we are playing together. AndI love that.

When you fail, I fail. When you succeed, I succeed.
When I'm happy, you're happy. When I'm sad you're sad.

This week has been amazing...and is not quite over yet. It really has given me the energy to finish out this semester. Just a few more weeks. Piece of cake. and then Germany and then summer. I can't wait.

Unconditional Love

There is such thing as unconditional love in this world. Tonight I got a little reminder of that. But sometimes, when the world walks out on people, you shouldn't. And when the world tells you that you should walk out on people...you still shouldn't. I've lived by this philosophy most of my life and people have always told me that I let people walk all over me or I shouldn't take it. I think they are wrong. I am not a doormat. I am not even passive. But I do have this thing inside of me that tells me that no matter what people do to you, you shouldn't give up on them. And I really think that is what God is trying to teach us. Its not the people that you don't know or the lost or whatever...its the people that you love most, the people that you are with everyday...the people that you have to choose to love. These are the people that know you and you know...the people that you invest your time and energy into...the people that you invest yourself into. Those are the people that God has put in your life to love unconditionally, just as He has loved you unconditionally.

Unconditionally- without condition, no matter what. I love you no matter what. No matter what you do I still love you.

And honestly, I have suffered a lot of heartache from this. But doesn't God cover that, too. To persevere and at the end you will receive the crown of life. Run the good race. Endurance. These are all things that we are taught in the New Testament. Its not going to be easy. In fact, you are going to have much tribulation. But take heart! Because I am on your side. God is taking care of it all. And we are called to give to others the way that we have been given to. Its so hard and in the world's eyes it doesn't make sense at all, and they will challenge you to the bitter end. But in God's eyes, its the way humanity was intended to be. To love each other unconditionally. God calls for a collectivist society, not individualistic. We are supposed to give completely of ourselves for the good of each other- no matter what the cost.

So in the end, a little heartache and frustration seems like nothing.

Childhood

Chris and I went to play in the park today. Its moments like those that I wish that moments like those could happen all the time. Its how I know that I'm ready to be done with college. I'm not done learning, I'm not done reading or writing or actually being a student but I'm done with the pressure that 16 hours puts on you, especially when the world also requires you to have a job, be a minister, and have a social life at the same time. I understand that one day I'm going to have a job and a family and responsibility but for some reason I feel like that not having all the extra pressure that school causes is going to make the rest of life really nice. I want to have park days, and reading at Barnes and Noble days, and making dinner together days. I have one year left and I am going to make the most of it while I can. Its going to be fun hanging out with the girls and planning a wedding, etc. But the days of exploring the world because I want to not because I have to are going to be welcomed with open arms.

All of this to say, I'm considering going to grad school.

Homeade Pizza

Dear Blog,

Today Chris and I made a pizza. We made two different kinds of crusts. The first crust was Pillsbury. It tasted really good but didn't make that big of a pizza. However, once loaded with sausage, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, oregano and tons of cheese!!, it was delish. The second pizza was the "Just Add Water" kind. It didn't work out too well (hard to work with) but in the end turned out tasting really good and made a huge pizza. I realized tonight how much I like to load my pizzas with toppings. It really made all the difference. And the best part was most of them were veggies. Good deal. Tomorrow night we are making pasta or chicken or having leftover pizza.

Okay so I know you didn't need an extensive description of the pizza that we ate tonight but I gave it to you because Chris told me to write about the pizza so that I wouldn't forget. Clearly he meant the night that we had together but...well, I was amused with myself.

Anyways, I love Chris and I love "playing house" with him. In fact, I'd like to play house with him permanently. I think that we will. Today I also researched our trip to Germany. I love sitting in Barnes and Noble and reading for hours. I guess the point is that I love having the freedom to sit there for hours and just look through books. Especially travel books. Hopefully, I haven't found my new addiction. Because being addicted to travel books means being addicted to travel and frankly, that could get expensive.

So, a lot more happened today but I'm done writing for now. End.

Better Things To Do

Dear Blog,

It's not that I don't love writing in you, but frankly right now I have better things to do.
Those things are:

1. Be with Chris
2. Watch Boy Meets World
3. Be with Chris
4. Cuddle with Chris
5. Talk to Chris
6. Sleep
7. Be with Chris

Romance

Today was Valentine's Day.

Dear all the Women of the World,

If there is nice a guy out there that has always just been the "best friend" or the "little brother" to multiple girls in his life- he's the one. You should get him. He's the one who respects women so much that he has taken on those roles because of how much he cares for the women in his life. However, he is also searching for companionship. Therefore, you should become his companion as soon as possible because then you will fall in love like you never have before and be loved like you never have before and never will again. Trust me. I know this from personal experience. The nice guy is the one who doesn't show it on the outside but has another whole world on the inside that you should do whatever it takes to get to know. Plus, in addition to everything above it also results in nights full of steak dinner, red wine, and chocolate covered strawberries while watching the Notebook. No joke. :)

I wanna stand on the rooftops, stand on the mountaintops, scream and shout- I want the whole world to know what I'm all about...

Overseas Trips

We booked our tickets to Germany tonight...officially, which means we are going. We are absolutely, for sure, going to be on that plane in May. I am ecstatic. I can't wait. And I also can't help but think that Chris and I are going to be even more in love after this trip. I know. You didn't think it was possible but yes, I think it will be true.

Also, tomorrow is Valentine's Day...well, our Valentine's Day. And, honestly, I didn't really care about Valentine's Day until Chris got so excited and into it. And now I think I'm going to love Valentine's Day because, well, let's just say he always does really good. And it makes me feel good that he gets so into the planning and everything.

Everyone knows that I'm his favorite girl :)