Lia on Abortion

She says it well.

Thank you, Lia.

From the Photo Stream

I am one of the worst bloggers - if I even qualify as one. So much to tell, and so little follow through. Like Russia? Where did that even go. Today I put "BLOG" on my list, all caps, so gosh dang it I'm going to do it. Here we go.

Even though this was way back in February, it needs to be shared. Friends threw me a "100 Days to Graduation" party all the way over here in Lithuania, just like they do for us at Taylor. After some detective work, they made my favorite foods and wrote the sweetest, most encouraging notes. This is literally the only picture I have of that day. Guys, you're great.

Danica and donuts at a fair in Old Town, Klaipeda. We looked at lots of woodcarvings, knitted socks, dried fish, and jewelry. 

You already know where this is - St. Basil's in Moscow, Russia. Surreal experience standing in so much history. Our timing was incredible - the day after we left for St. Petersburg, Red Square filled with protests about the Ukraine/Crimea/Russia situation.

Probably my favorite picture of the whole Russia trip. In St. Petersburg, Russia standing inside of St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Today, we went to Nida where we explored sandy beaches, big big dunes, and red pine tree trails, making me ache for my Northwoods. Also, so thankful for Lori. What a gem.

Unbroken

Just finished this book. What an incredible story.

This Wild Season

“Let’s be courageous in these days. Let’s choose love and rest and grace. Let’s use our minutes and hours to create memories with the people we love…I pray that we’ll live with intention, hope, and love in this wild season and in every season, and that the God who loves us will bring new life to our worn-out hearts this year and every year, that we’ll live, truly and deeply, in the present, instead of waiting, waiting, waiting for perfect.” - Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine

I read Shauna's words on this sweet blog today and could not imagine a more perfect thought for right now. Recently finding myself waiting, waiting, waiting for perfect - for this and that, for this conversation to go like this and that friendship to go like that, for the perfect job to drop into my lap, I've found myself a little lost.

As the countdown to graduation marches on, the thoughts about what happens after creep closer and closer. The worries and stress distract from the adventure I'm walking now. My heart feels worn out after last semester and even this one too - too much regretting and wishing and hoping and wondering in this and that. Not enough trust.

What does it look like to accept grace, and what does it feel like to give yourself grace? What does it change?

To use Shauna's words, it's a wild season - a season where yes, I realize won't necessarily dictate the rest of my life - but a season that has a significant impact on setting the trajectory and tone of the next few years. Where are my priorities? Am I holding myself back before I even have reason to? What does a life well-lived look like?

The questions are endless: fun to consider to a point, but overwhelming as well. This has been my prayer - one of my favorite hymns, reminding me of truths, provoking thought, and encouraging the discipline to rest, allowing God to satisfy as only He can.

Hill of Crosses in Lithuania - spring break Russia adventures to be posted soon(ish).

In St. Petersburg

We are in St. Petersburg, about to go on a walking tour. The hostel is hands down the best place I've stayed ever. The city is gorgeous. I am in love.

At the train station. Peter.

Walking from train station to hostel.

View from the door of our hostel. In love.

Almost a Play-by-Play, Moscow Edition

Past two days + some pretty rad iPhone pics. 

After taking a bus from Klaipeda, Lithuania to Riga, Latvia, we hopped on a night train to Moscow. We talked, we ate, we slept, we made it through the border check and before we knew it woke up to snow covered Russian countryside. Twenty-four hours in total.

We took a minute to drop off our bags, but quickly got right to seeing the city. It began with taking the Metro (a post in itself, the metro system) to the RED SQUARE. What. 

There, we saw the Museum of Russian History, the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, a huge mall (I forget the name - there have been so many things to remember!). We've been back there since, and every time I get this feeling of awe and amazement. 

From there we made our way around to the main entrance of the Kremlin to tour the Armory and a couple churches within the walls. Everything, incredible. The riches that are in that place...and we were told we only saw 4%. The rest is hidden away. 

Anyways, to today. The first stop on our list was a string of many stops. We explored the underground, the spidery system of trains that traverse the city. They're beautiful, covered almost entirely with white, black, red, or green marble. One even looked like it had gold in the mosaic tiles. These undergrounds also served as shelter durning the Cold War - when you go down the escalator, you go dowwwnnnnnn. Far. 

After exploring we came back up to the Red Square where we toured St. Basil's. If you saw the picture I posted on IG/Facebook, that's the place. Walking in, I imagined it to open up to a huge all-encompassing view to the tops of the domes. Not the case. It's actually broken up into rooms and hallways, most of which are intricately painted of saints, church fathers and other designs. At the highest point we could go, three men stood and chanted. Amazing experience.

The next church was just as incredible. Words can't describe, and pictures weren't allowed. Dangit. But it was so meticulously created, with each piece and painting done in a way that reflected the glory and power of God. That's my take, anyways.

Arabat Street was next. In its day, it was the place to live. Rich, influential, movers and shakers of the day lived here. What day? I forget, exactly, but maybe in a future post you'll get more details.

Quick trip to Gorky Park to see the biggest ice rink I've ever seen (feet were just too tired at this point to do anything but hold me upright). This was then followed by seeing the Red Square at night, all lit up. After being those Americans we came back to the hostel. Day two, done & done. 

Tomorrow afternoon we go by train to St. Petersburg, where we walk walk walk and see all the things.

I'm so doggone tired. But cannot believe this experience. When we have little breaks, I find myself wondering how the heck I ended up here. I am in RUSSIA. Also - all of the stories that surround us - how events twisted and turned and shaped the lives of those who lived then and now. Are we products of our culture, or is our culture a product of us? How are we defined by the events and decisions happening around us?

McDonald's burger. We'll call it a cultural experience. 

Remixes and Senior-itis and Crepes

Listening to Hillsong Reunited's remixes...kind of surprised I like them, but we'll go with it.

PTL'ing for finishing an application that was hanging over my head for forever. Here's to that.

Kicking myself for throwing down two competitions: one with Danica & Joel, another with Beth & Suzanne for most miles run before leaving Lithuania/graduation, respectively.

Missing my family A LOT. Also, they're in Colorado right now having the time of their lives skiing.

Homework and school things are catching up with me. Blame it on the senior-itis.

Watched a great TED talk on design.

Walking around and seeing new things. Trying out new coffee places. Having great conversations. Continuing the never-ending process of learning about myself. Appreciating home more and more. Trying to speak Lithuanian. Eating crepes.

That about covers the last week.

From LCC to TU

We were all missing Taylor a lot. So we made a video about it to put into Nostalgia Night.