aka American Agent

For those who aren't aware, I have an American Agent (aka SUPERSTAR) to help me take care of all sorts of business while I'm living as an expat (aka EXPATRIATE) in Taiwan. Although she has a resume of wonderful skills and accomplishments, I mostly picked her because she was willing to work pro bono (aka FREE)...kidding, of course! She picked me, and I am soooooo grateful for her help!

Shannon Haugh (aka SHANNY) was my roommate for 8 years. I still say she's my "roommate," because I think that the title has stuck. I met Shanny nine years ago when I was looking for (aka DESPERATE FOR) a place to live. After being hired to teach at a school (aka MINNEHAHA ACADEMY) in the Big City (aka MINNEAPOLIS), I attempted to find a place to live that I could afford (aka GOOD LUCK!). Although I thought I would be living in my Aunt and Uncle's basement for awhile, God had other plans (aka HE'S IN THE DETAILS). Through a teacher I had never met (aka PAM, THE SPANISH TEACHER), I heard of Shanny's place in Eagan (aka 4303B CLEMSON CIRCLE). I stopped by, and after chatting for a bit about our lives (aka TEACHING and TRAVEL), looking at all the utilities, and enjoying a lovely beverage (aka TAP WATER), I was impressed. Shanny must have been too (or maybe more desperate than me) because she offered me the chance to move in (aka "IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE MY ROOMMATE, MAYBE WE COULD HANG OUT SOMETIME?!"). I said I'd think about it for a teeny bit (aka ONE HOUR), and after making a phone call to the referring teacher I hadn't met (aka "PAM, I KNOW I DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT YOU KNOW SHANNON, AND I JUST WANT SOME CONFIRMATION THAT SHE'D BE A GOOD ROOMMATE BEFORE I MOVE IN WITH A COMPLETE STRANGER--WHAT DO YOU THINK?"), I called Shanny up and said I'd take it (aka COMPLETELY LIFE-ALTERING PHONECALL).

Since that August afternoon, Shanny has become my very best friend (aka BFF) in the whole world! She's my travel buddy, counselor, cheerleader, accountability partner, and friend. We've had some lovely adventures together (aka UP NORTH, SAN FRANCISCO, IRELAND, ENGLAND, SAN DIEGO, 5,800 MILE WEST COAST ROAD TRIP, NEW YORK/EAST COAST ROAD TRIP, CRAZY 11-STATE BIRTHDAY ROAD TRIP, TAIWAN, and LOTS OF OTHERS), and I'm sure they'll continue. It's so much fun to have a friend (aka GAL PAL) like Shanny O'Haugh (aka SHANNON)!

Shannon likes Blog "Shout-Outs," so I think this one will make her smile! I am just so thankful for all the little ways she's made my life so much easier while I'm in Taiwan (aka REALLY FAR FROM HOME). I fervently thank God for prompting me to move in with a perfect stranger (aka SHANNY O) and blessing me with an Anne Shirley friend (aka KINDRED SPIRIT)!

"Welcome Home" Committee

Toothpaste and Breakfast Cereal

UGGGHHHHH!!!! Too many choices! Seriously.

The day after arriving in the US was spent shopping! It was a blast--clothes and shoes in my sizes (because a petite Taiwanese woman I am not), and Shanny was a saint. We went from store to store . . . and even hit the mall. I started to fade by 3pm, but we pressed on for as long as we could---about 30 more minutes:)

The first stop was Walmart, the "mecca" of bargains and stuff you've always wanted and needed. I needed toothpaste--simple enough OR so I thought! Do you realize that Walmart devotes an entire aisle to products that help meet the needs of your oral hygiene? I was baffled! Did I want Colgate, Crest, Aquafresh, Sensodyne, or Organic? Freshmint or cinnamon? $3.29 or $3.33? Whitening or non-whitening? Total or basic? Gel or paste? Fliptop or screwtop? Travel, small, or large size? Two-pack with bonus toothbrush or single tube?

I'm sure the suspense is just killing you...(it was driving Shannon crazy!)...

So, with that cliffhanger, we're on to breakfast cereal.
Time: 5 days later
Location: Cub Foods
Short and sweet--same story.

America is the land of opportunity, change, and CHOICE! I've only been gone 10 months...I cannot even imagine the indecisiveness that would come with a longer stay...and that's that!

PlayDough People

Willing.
Flexible.
Obedient.

Several months ago, I learned that I would be taking on a new role at Bethany--Learning Specialist. I quickly jotted off an email to Elaine Ekstedt, a remarkable woman and former colleague at MA. We scheduled a meeting for today so that I could pick her brain in person rather than email. Meanwhile, Charice (my former principal), offered to give me a tour of South Campus. So, off I went into Minneapolis for my 9am tour. It's been one year since I walked the halls of Minnehaha Academy, and after almost 2 years of construction, I barely recognized the halls that I walked this morning! South Campus looks absolutely AMAZING! Much to my delight, LOTS of teachers were also heading into school for a technology training, so I received and gave many hugs:) A bit before 10, I headed north to meet with Elaine.

I know that God puts people into our lives at just the right moment. Although I gleaned some fantastic insights and resources for my new position, I found myself soaking up wisdom from this godly woman. Elaine and her husband have given their lives in service to the King. They haven't always been in comfortable situations and stretching their resources and time has always been a necessity. We were discussing God's plan for our lives, and Elaine shared the three words that led this blog entry. First, we have to be willing to let God change our lives; however, it's not just enough to be willing. We also need to be flexible! He may ask us to try something that we've never considered before--and haven't really been willing to try. He may use what we're willing to offer, but He may ask for more, or He may even tweak it up a bit. Lastly, we are commanded to be obedient. This is maybe the most difficult, but it's when the cost becomes great. Sure, I might be willing to try something new for the Lord, and I may be flexible and ready to "go with the flow." But will I be obedient? Will I answer the call even when I don't know where the next step will take me?

I'd like to think that I'm walking in step with the Lord as a willing, flexible, and obedient servant. After spending some time at MA and having seen so many wonderful friends and former colleagues during the past week and a half (this introvert is really stepping out these days!), I'm convinced that the Lord put a little frustration into my life in order to help move me along in His process of change. During my last couple of years at MA, things didn't always go so well. I loved my job, but I didn't always like everything that was going on internally. I was getting frustrated, and at times, I even experienced a little righteous anger:) However, I'm confident that if I hadn't been so uncomfortable, I wouldn't have been willing, flexible, or obedient to the "exotic" changes the Lord had in mind for me.

I guess I'm still on a reflective mode of blogging . . . sorry for going deep, but I'm really just so thrilled to "feel" His presence in my life. I've got some fun stories about my first week back in the US, but I'll get to those later!

Willingly, flexibly, obediently yours,
Marcy:)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Home Sweet Home!

'Tis good to be home . . . sleeping horizontally! I was welcomed to MN with much pomp and circumstance:) It was soooooo much fun to see Shanny, Moni, and Pam right from the get-go. First impressions: Things are really spread out in the US of A. Americans are really diverse in appearance. It's good not to be illiterate!

More later! Thanks for your prayers for a safe journey:)

AND . . .

She's off!