A Lot to Process....So Here's a List!

Hello All!

I am happy to report I am heading into my 3rd happy and healthy night in my English bed at SPEC! We arrived here Thursday after a flight over the Atlantic from Chicago (during which I got to sit next to fellow YAGM and Ohioan, Traci!)

This place, people and ministry is going to be easy to fall in love with. For this I am sure. Do you know that feeling when you can fully anticipate totally awesomeness and good things to come in the future, although those feelings are down the road a bit? Thats me now. This is for sure where I'm supposed to be. I know I will be able to thrive, contribute, learn, be challenged and fulfilled. This environment is suitable for all those things. And yet, these first couple of days in my new home and culture have been such a whirlwind of emotions and components, it really is taking me a while to process it. Perhaps its not something TO fully process--- and yet, I think it is human nature to take stabs at it the best I can. We are headed up to Snowdonia (a national park in Wales-- google it!) for a week of community building, training, and orientation. Should be a lovely experience!
Instead of rambling to you all any more, I shall leave you will a bullet-pointed list of some random things in my head worth sharing:

1. I will never forget the excitement and look in Rebekah's (a SPEC team member from New Zealand) face as she ran to me and Kris in the international arrivals area in London Heathrow with a SPEC sign. Pure happiness and comfort.
2. The sun was SHINING down on the English countryside and SPEC grounds when we arrived. Like out of the movies!
3. Experiencing the glow of candlelight on people's faces during evening prayer reminds me of Camp Luther- and keeps me inspired by all my brothers and sisters in Christ.
4. A sink in my bedroom means not having to brush my teeth publicy. Score one for Marta!
5. There is Sweet Chilli Sauce in the UK. There IS a God! :)
6. When having difficulty being about to converse with a Slovakian male, bring up Marian Hossa and soon that broken English will be chatting your eye off!
7. Getting to know you games, team builders and skits are a WHOLE different experience once you add in various elements of cross-cultural communication. I will come out of this year a better leader, listener, and empathizer for SURE
8. Nothing beats learning the swear words of your host culture. The pained-with-laughing looks on the faces of Germans, Hungarians, and Slovakians as they clearly discussed 4-letter words was priceless.
9. Steven Segal is a big deal in Hungary. Haha.
10. I miss my fellow YAGMs worldwide and think of them often. Bringing us together for orientation during a vulnerable/exciting time in our lives only to split us up feels like being snatched up from the puppy litter. :(
11. I'm back to having about 4 different pronouciations of my name- all which make me smile-- and are welcomed a helluva lot more than the lazy America "Marddda".
12. I'll look forward to experiencing London for the first time. Probably within the next couple of weeks.


Gotta go pack my backpack for Wales! Happy September to you all!

Shining my light,
Marta

More pics to come (a link out to anoher site eventually). But until then...

Ohio on the plane:



A few SPEC ladies:



My winning team during a recent "Cross the Swamp" Challenge: