First Assembly and Much More

Oh goodness me! I haven't posted in a week! So much has happened, so where do we start?

Erin and I spent the majority of last week practicing our assembly and learning how to set up the stage and equipment. After a few trial runs, I have become the electronics guru, hooking up the computer, projector, and speakers for each assembly. We spent numerous hours setting up the stage, taking it down, moving to a different space in the church, and setting up again. All of our practice may have helped as today was our first assembly! Aside from being a little nervous and speaking a little too fast, I believe we did quite well. Apparently our American accents will take a little getting used to for the kids, just another reason to slow down our speech.

This past weekend, after our long week of rehearsing, Erin and I welcomed our friend and fellow YAGM, Jess, to Potters Bar. As a treat, we journeyed to this spectacular place on Saturday. Although we got hailed on and spent the remainder of the evening quite soaked, it was definitely a worthwhile experience. We finished the weekend off with a trip into London to worship at St. Paul's Cathedral and bid Jess farewell before getting on our train back at Kings Cross Station, the same one in Harry Potter. :)

Act 4 has a busy week ahead filled with two more assemblies as well as three days of performances and workshops to finish the week out. I can't wait for my nerves to settle down and to actually start enjoying all of these performances!

As we finish our assembly, "Thanks for listening!"

Act 4

Hey all,

I know that when I left, I was still a little uncertain about what exactly I would be doing this year. Thanks to some time spent in Shropshire, England with Sam, the director of Act 4, I now have a better understanding of Act 4's foundation. Funny enough, Act 4 is based on Acts 4. :) With each assembly Erin and I perform, we are hoping to communicate with children through music, drama, and conversation. Even though we're ordinary people, we can still make a difference.

If you'd like to check up on what Act 4 is all about, you can peruse the website at www.act4.org.uk .

Happy Monday!

A Lesson in Humility

Psalms 149:4
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

While I would hardly consider myself a world traveler, I have to say that I have been a few places and have experienced various cultures. Throughout those travels, however, I knew that I was the fortunate one, where my one American dollar was worth three Peruvian Nuevo Sols or twenty Honduran Lempiras. For once in my life, my precious dollar is worth less than the currency and I have to seriously consider where and how I spend my money.

As part of my year in Young Adults in Global Mission, I agreed to "live simply", something I thought was going to be hard living in the United Kingdom. Little did I know that due to the exchange rate, I would have no other choice than to live simply. Each week, I receive a modest stipend to spend on food, an amount not to be squandered but to be used wisely. Without even knowing it, I have been taught a lesson in humility, in simple living.

As an independent person, I have also struggled to remain humble throughout this transition period. From home to home and meal to meal, Erin and I have constantly been cared for, receiving from others but unable to return the favor. While I may not be able to repay those who have been so kind, I know that I can give in other ways through my work at Act 4 and within the community. I have become quite good at asking how I can help and doing the dishes after meals, any small gesture that will help me feel as if I've earned my meal.

 I came to England thinking I would be able to be in charge, take care of myself, and make a difference. Yet, these past few weeks have been an intense lesson in humility. I can only imagine how much more I have to learn and hope that everything I do in these next few months will help me truly understand what it means to be humble.

Hertfordshire = Home

'Ello!

Erin and I officially moved to Hertfordshire this past Thursday to settle into our host homes after a week in Muswell Hill, a suburb of London. We were picked up by Luisa, a woman who works for Act 4, the charity Erin and I are both going to be serving with this year. As soon as we arrived, Luisa treated us with tea and biscuits before a home-made meal for dinner. Over the past few days, Erin and I have been truly blessed to receive such warm hospitality in various homes, around town, and especially at church this past Sunday. I know I had been eager to start making connections and building relationships, but soon came to realize that through all these meals and simple errands, I was already getting to know people.

Just as the academic year is starting up in the States, things will soon start to get busy here in England. I look forward to having a chance to do something and to find purpose here. With all of this transitioning, I have struggled to find a solid reason why I, of all people, am here. I know God will use me just as He has planned, but my impatience and desire to get started has clouded my ability to stand back and let God do His work. There are still many unknown aspects to the kind of work we'll be doing with Act 4, but I am confident that everything will work out in due time.

Erin and I will be traveling up to Shropshire sometime today (yet another unknown) to learn more about Act 4 and what we'll be doing this year. Please pray for safe travels as we continue to our journey and grow as children of God. I have already seen God work in so many ways and am excited to share my experiences with you here.

As always, I'll leave you with a picture!

This is the right side of St. Paul's Cathedral, located near the center of London. Erin and I had the opportunity to worship here this past Sunday and wish we could go back every week. Being away from our home congregations, Erin and I are excited to "Church Shop" around England! Wish us luck!

Alyssa

My Sincerest Apologies

Friends!

Life has been so busy with YAGM Orientation in Chicago and a week of being in limbo while our housing in Hertfordshire gets ready that I have not had time, or an internet connection, to update my blog. Since I last wrote, I flew to Chicago with my life packed in a few (one too many) bags. Orientation in Chicago was a lot of fun, but also a serious time of reflection and preparation for what is to come. I was surprised to find that, despite my pessimism, my fellow Young Adults in Global Mission and I began to create our own community in such a short time. By the end of the week, I was sad to say goodbye to everyone before leaving on a jet plane.

After an eight hour flight, of which I did not sleep, Angie, Britney, Emily, Erin and I safely arrived at the Heathrow airport and were met with smiling faces to whisk us away to our destinations. With a six hour time difference, our first Thursday in England was a blur, but we managed to stay up and get into a normal routine. Erin and I have spent the past four or so days taking buses into London to explore before the real work begins. I will make sure to update everyone as we settle into Potters Bar and our new routines for the year. I can't believe how fast time flies!

In Him,

Alyssa

Seeing as I am unable to post every picture I have taken, here's a snapshot of my London experience thus far. Enjoy! :)

Saying Goodbye

These past few days have been filled with family, friends, and lots of packing. On Saturday, I was serenaded by my friend Katie while in the Ikea parking lot. After pulling her guitar from the trunk of her car, she sang me John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane". We finished the night hanging out with my friend Bill, visiting from Idaho, and his friend Joe. I would include a picture of the aforementioned serenade, but the pictures are on Katie's camera.

Sunday was my family "Bon Voyage" party at Grandma Suppes' assisted living apartment, complete with a barbecue chicken pizza and Dairy Queen ice cream cake. (Again, a picture was taken, but not on my camera.) It was a nice time to clear up any questions about what I'll be doing next year and where I'll be, even though I had to keep repeating myself as new family members came in. Hopefully I won't have to wait a whole year to see my family again, but that some of them may be able to visit! We'll see what happens.

Monday I said my goodbye's at camp and finished the day in Owatonna, visiting my friend Sara. After eating lunch with Jessie and Kari at The Blue Door, I am officially out of time for any further goodbye's and only have a few more hours until takeoff. This entire process of getting ready for a year abroad has been so exhausting, making me really excited to just get on the plane already.

In the meantime, Elise, Bailee, Mom and I are spending the evening watching The Office as I prepare to leave and Elise recovers from her oral surgery. I have more stories to tell and pictures to share, but they'll just have to wait. Only a few more hours in Minnesota! Peace out.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Crunch Time

Blessings to you on this beautiful Thursday!

SIX days until my flight to Chicago! I spent last week at camp, counseling with my good friend Emily, and then elected to spend this week at home, preparing for departure. As I type, there are forty-nine other YAGM's around the globe who are all trying to tie up loose ends and get ready for the adventure we're about to embark upon. So exciting!

After eating my last Chipotle burrito bowl, I felt that now would be a good time to finally update my blog. I have been so busy this week running errands and getting my bags set. I would, most importantly, like to thank my friends Katie and Megan, both world travelers, who helped me pack. This past Tuesday night, we went through each piece of my wardrobe to decide what I should bring. Armed with their "Brilliant" and "Bullocks" cards, I am now confident in what I should pack for the next year of my life. It's crazy to believe that I won't be back and I don't think I've fully wrapped my head around the idea. Each time I do get nervous, however, I keep going back to Matthew 6:25-34 , knowing that God has everything covered and that I should just relax, which is easier said than done.

All worries aside, I am thankful for the supportive communities I have, at home, at church, at camp, and with my friends. I know that what I will be doing this year is not about me, but is beyond me and for a much bigger purpose. I just pray that I can be flexible and learn to take things as they come, again, easier said than done. 

To end this on a good note, I have included one of my favorite pictures of the summer. I will dearly miss my camp "community" at the end of the summer, but know that I have been richly blessed to have met such wonderful people this summer.

As the summer comes to a close, please lift up the travels and transitions of camp staff throughout the country. I know they could use your prayers.