A Fresh Start

Remember that time I stopped blogging for over a month? And stopped tweeting? And kind of quit book club? And barely kept in contact with anyone from back home?

There is a very good explanation...I promise :)

Since I've been here in the UAE I haven't had internet at my apartment. Before school started and during the first couple of weeks I was able to do stuff from the school. However, as soon as I started teaching it became increasingly difficult to keep in touch.

So I'm asking for a fresh start. I still don't have internet in my apartment but we've been told it should happen this week.

I'll write some catch up posts in order to let you know what's been going on recently. Be looking for posts about my trip to Dubai, my Eid holiday in Oman and the joys and tribulations of being a first year teacher.

It would be impossible for me to catch up on all your posts...sorry :( It seems I've missed quite a lot in the blog world this past month. However, if anything incredibly important has happened in in your life please leave a comment with a link to a post about it.

I miss you girls so much!!!!! I can't wait to catch up with everyone.

Have a blessed Sunday :)

A little bit of blog love

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My car is stuffed and I'm heading back to Michigan today!!!!! The rest of my week is quite busy so I'll be MIA from the blogosphere. However, during my absence let me throw out some reading suggestions from blogs that have been quite encouraging to me recently :)


I'm forever indebted to Annie for introducing me to the world of blogging. She got on my case when I wasn't consistent and has helped me with every reincarnation of my blog (I think I'm on number 3 right now). Her blog has always been an example for me. Not only in the design but also in the way she pours out her hearts in the posts. Her vulnerability and writing style teach me every time I read a post. When I grow up I want to be a blogger like her :)
Check out her collection of posts about how God called her to Spain. (Fair warning: I cried a couple times)

Erin's heart for encouraging young women is inspiring to me. She has a desire to "inspire women to love God, chase dreams and pursue purity". How amazing, right? When I read her posts I am encouraged by her honesty. God has consistently used her blog in my life to convict and challenge me in my faith. She's also one of the sweetest people I've met via blogging. I don't think I've ever gotten a reply/comment from her that doesn't make me smile. 
You should definitely read this post about pursuing purity, as a Disney princess fanatic it particularly caught my eye :)

I don't even know where to start with Samantha. We found each other through a series co-hosted by the two lovely ladies above with two other bloggers. Since then our friendship has grown via blog comments and numerous emails. As a fellow teaching nerd we have loads to talk about. As is true of all of the girls in this post it is her lovely heart that has grabbed me. She has a heart for the nations and is thinking about teaching overseas one day. It is such an encouragement to have her in my life...she's a gem.
Find out why she wants to be a teacher in this post...the dress she's wearing in the picture makes her look very teacher-like :)

Katie is another blogging friend with a passion for the nations. Her love story is amazing. Her posts are wonderful. Most of all, the encouraging comments/replies I receive in my inbox from her light up my day. She's also a fellow traveler and her collection of travel photos are exquisite. I'm most excited to see how God works in her life as she continues her journey with Empowering Lives International.
Learn how she got there in her series about her heart for Africa... {part 1} {part 2} {part 3}.

Whitney doesn't have a blog button...yet :) She's one of my dearest friends from college. I met her freshman year and we became acquaintances. Thankfully, God brought us back together junior year to become close friends. Recently, she's been through quite a trial and her strength and courage throughout the whole ordeal has been awe-inspiring. This blog is quite new and I can't wait to see how God uses her in this new season of life. 
My favorite post so far is about a topic close to my heart...striving for excellence in everything you do.
That should keep you busy until I get back ;)

Friday Letters

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

Dear Storage Bins,

Did you get smaller in the last 2 months? I was sure I fit more of my belongings into you the last time I packed. Are you conspiring against me? I know I have too much stuff but my current concern is getting it all back to Michigan. Then, I promise I'll get rid of some stuff :)

Dear Fellow Bloggers,

You girls are such an encouragement to me! Even though I'm not able to comment as I would like on every post, I want you all to know that your posts warm my heart and challenge me, as a blogger and a young woman. The way you share your hearts and lives with all of your readers is inspiring. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Dear Chicago Weather,

Can you please decide what season you want it to be? Preferably, something mild. Rapidly changing between blistering heat and violent thunderstorms makes it difficult for me to enjoy the Chicago summer. Is this payback for a practically non-existent winter? 

Dear Students From Last Summer,

Can you believe I'm going to be on your side of the world again in less than 2 weeks! I can't wait to visit you all and see what's going on in your life. Most of you have started university or will be entering this fall. I know you've grown into mature young women chasing your dreams. I hope you are enduring Ramadan well and spending lots of time with your families. I miss you so much!!!!!!!

Dear Macaroni and Cheese,

I became addicted to you during my recovery from my wisdom teeth extraction. You are delicious and comforting, as well as easy to chew :) However, you're not aiding in my quest to get back in shape. In fact you are detrimental to it. So, if you could find a way to make yourself less appetizing and appealing I would be greatly appreciative.

Dear Swim Students,

I can't believe my last class with you is over. I've had a blast getting to know you over this past year. It brings a smile to my face just thinking about you. You were the highlight of my week all throughout the school year. I loved the way you loved swim class and practiced so hard to get everything right. It amazes me how far you all have come. I hope a new swim teacher will come along soon.

Love,

Dear...

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

Dear Jillian Michaels,

You and I are not friends...yet. Your video made me regret having legs. I can't believe I spent so much time with you last summer. Why are you punishing me for choosing a different workout style for 8 months? I hope I can learn to appreciate you soon.

Dear HIMYM and Big Bang Theory,

Your nightly marathons on Ion television are keeping me from doing what I need to do. While you are incredibly funny and quotable I cannot afford to keep you in my life. My to do lists will get longer and longer. My productivity level will get lower and lower. Please replace yourself with a TV show I don't like.

Dear Sunday School Students,

I love you all so much! I am privileged to spend every Sunday with you and learn from you. Thank you for putting up with my poor frisbee skills, my Spanish language errors and silliness. I know God is going to use each of you in a very special way. I'm praying for you all.

Dear Future Students,

I think about you all the time. I pray for you just as much. I'm incredibly excited to meet you. I can barely contain it. I know God is preparing each of you for our upcoming class time together. I hope you're enjoying your summer break. I'll see you soon!

Dear Blog Readers,

Each of you are precious to me. I'm so glad you're joining me on this journey. Know that I enjoy reading your blogs as well and staying connected with you. Thank you for all of your encouragement.

Blessings,

The Wandering Theologian: A Map

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

So with a new blog comes a new theme, a new design and some new elements. As a result I decided that I would write a quick post about the elements of this blog:

-About me: self-explanatory

-Contact: self-explanatory also :)

-Reading List: This is where I will post suggestions that you give me (see below) and cross them out as I go along.

-Suggest a Book (so titled by Annie): This is where you get to leave a comment with reading suggestions (fiction or non-fiction) along with your blog URL so I can link to your blog when I post about the book.

-Travel Photos: This is the section where I will link to all the posts that include my photos from traveling. Find your favorite!

I hope you all are having a spectacular week (halfway there!). I look forward to hearing from you :)

I'm Back!!!!!!!!

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

My lovely and dear friend Annie has been on me for months to get back into the blogging world. I've been putting it off for a number of reasons...

It was my last semester of college

                                                    

                                                     I was in the process of applying for full-time missions work

            

           I was job, apartment and roommate hunting

                                                                       I was working 3 different part time jobs

As a result, the first thing to go was my blogging time. Along with some of my sleeping time, my workout time and leisure time. However, I'm now graduated, staying with the incredibly generous family of my pastor and I'm headed to Texas for orientation in less than two weeks. Now I have some very minimal free time.

Lucky for me Annie helped me design a new blog, all I had to do was come up with the name and give her some pictures. With the backstory out of the way, I'm going to take some time to explain the meaning and purpose of the blog.

I'm a travel addict. I blame it on the fact that I was born overseas, a military brat to be precise. I travelled all around Europe before I was three years old. I moved to the States when I was three and over the next two years I lived in Florida, North Carolina and Texas. My final and most permanent move was to Michigan, near my mom's family. However, my mom worked hard to let us travel and throughout my schooling years I traveled to Florida, Texas, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Hilton Head Island, New York, Germany and Venezuela. Traveling was in my blood.

Something I didn't realize at first was traveling could be used for God's glory. It wasn't until I went on my first overseas missions trip to Germany that I realized my relationship with God, my passion for travel, my love for other people groups and desire to learn about other cultures could all be melted together into one calling from God. I began to investigate missions which led me to Moody Bible Institute. 

It was at Moody that I began to develop a deep love for theology. My professors exercised great patience with me as I dug deeper into the complexities of Christian doctrine. They helped me foster a desire to learn all I could about God's Word. I began to read books by Piper, Grudem, Erikson and Ryrie in a way I never had before. 

Now that I have graduated I've began seeking a way to combine my two loves once again. So, this blog was born. Part of my free time will now be spent reading a host of different books (for fun!). Suggestions are more than welcome :) As I travel (T minus 11 days to Texas!) I will blog about both my travels and my reading. I'll share pictures, insights, memories and lessons from along the way. 

Today, I begin my journey as: