Montessori

Tonight I will be on Oregon ground, once again. Praise the Lord for Spring Break.

Anyway, I wanted to show you these videos. I've just finished my two week elective Montessori class. It has only confirmed how I've felt about education since I was old enough to have an opinion about it. Give your children the chance to flourish. Put them at the center of their education, not the teacher or the system, telling them they aren't at the right level.

Let your children follow their passions. They'll go so much further then you ever imagined.

With Love,

Trishelle

The Hardest Part

When I was preparing to leave for Minnesota, I had several people tell me to prepare for struggles. I was thankful for their warnings and advice, but see, here's the thing, they warned me against the wrong kind of struggles. They told me "it will be hard when you're sad because your friends won't be there to support you." They said, "your battle with depression will become more intense because you won't be around people you're comfortable with." They said, "when life doesn't go as planned, you won't be able to call the people you depend on to bail you out." 

I knew I would face struggles, and yes, I have, but not those ones. My friends have been there when I'm sad. Maybe not in person, but a cell phone is a wonderful thing and I know my support team is only a text or a call away. If one doesn't pick up, I can always call the next one. To be honest, my depression has almost vanished. It's amazing what seeking the Lord can do in your life. When once I felt lost and hopeless, now I feel fulfilled and more joyful then I have in years. I've had rough days, but nowhere near what I used to go through. As far as life not going as planned, I've made new friends. They will never take the places of those back home, but I'm sure they are just as capable of picking up an exhausted, emotional girl from the side of the road. When I find out for sure, I'll let you know, but I'm really not worried about it.

What nobody actually said before I left was "you'll want to cry when you can't be there for them." 

When I get a text telling me things have gone wrong, loved ones are in pain, doctors are involved, jobs may be lost. I want to cry. I want to cry because while I may not actually be able to do anything if I were there, I would at least be there, not 1,800 miles away just working on homework.

People told me it would be great, to have a fresh start. They acted like I would be set free, no longer having to worry about my near and dears. They were blind. When you love someone, you want to be close to them. You want to stand by their side and make sure they're getting the best care possible. You want to be able to hold them when they cry out in pain because if they have to be in pain, at least you've got them. They were blind to what love is. 

At this point, all I can say is, the Lord is teaching me the power of prayer. I may not be able to stand present in times of need, but God is always present and He hears my cries of protection over those I love and miss. 

With Love,
Trishelle

Please, Please, Let Me Love You

We, Americans, live in a culture where people are always rising to defend others. They want society to know that it's okay if you love cats, and it's okay if you love dogs. It's okay if you like to bike, or snowboard, or skateboard. It's okay if you like black, but if you like yellow, that's alright too. Introvert, or extrovert? Both are good. Do you like to stay inside and read, are you a geek, or a nerd? It's all good. Some of us are vegetarians, and some of us like steak. Don't worry, both of you are accepted. Do you like the cold, or thrive in the sun? Whichever you choose is excellent. Coffee is good, but tea is good too. Muslim, hindu, atheist, agnostic, buddhist, you're all okay.

I am a christian. 

That's not okay.

I get it, I really do. I've been hurt by people who have claimed that title as well. I've seen their hypocritical ways. I've watched them tear people down. I've heard them lie through their teeth. I know. 

Please, please, let me tell you. They are not christians. The meaning of christian is "to be Christ-like," and even if you don't believe the Bible was truly inspired by God, you at least know that Jesus Christ was known as a good man. A kind man. A loving man. A man who cared for others more than he cared for himself. Here's the thing, and please stay with me, I could spend all day telling you I'm a fish, but when you look at me you don't see scales. You don't see gills. You don't see fins. No matter how much I tell you I'm a fish, you won't believe me, even if I'm convinced of it myself; that's not what you see. Don't you think there are people who can knock on your door and say the word christian, and be wrong?

We're a culture of not setting stereotypes, and yet for years I have feared stepping forward and saying the words "I am a christian." I was afraid, because I knew I would be put into a category I didn't want to be a part of. I didn't want to be seen as the one who brings the Bible to you and proceeds to force it down your throat. I didn't want you to see me as the one who would turn away from you because you did something the Bible teaches against. I didn't want to be seen as someone of judgement, instead of someone with love. 

Here I am, begging you, do not put me in that box with the other "christians" who have hurt you. Let me love you. Let me walk beside you and show you what the word Christian really means. When I fall, recognize that it's not because I have a Bible, but because I forgot to open it. When you ask me for advice, or my opinion, expect real and honest answers, but know that even if it's not the answer you wanted, I still love you. I am still here for you. I still care about you, even if I don't agree with you. If you want to know why, I will gladly tell you, but be prepared to hear the answer.

I love you, because Christ loves me. 

With Love,
Trishelle

Journal Entry; 2-19-2016

What if you suddenly changed?
     What if all at once your world turned upside down, and what if it wasn't in the bad way, but the way that made you want to run around and tell everyone? To the point that they thought you were completely crazy, but that's okay because you already know you're acting like someone who has gone completely insane.
     Like you're drunk on something wonderful; because you've been drunk on hard liquor before and it's never been beautiful.
     You're running around like a lunatic, but it's okay because you know you've found your home. Not home like, where mama cooks supper on Sunday nights, no, this is a comfort so deep it was born into you. Like cherokee blood, or your daddy's small ears.
     It's always been apart of you, but you had no idea till someone told you.
     You are home; and as you fall into the warm embrace of overwhelming love, it's as if a switch has been flipped. The light has come on and you now realize you've been here all along. Here, in the arms of your Father.

With Love,
Trishelle

Life Update

This is going to be a quick update on my life thus far at Bethany Global University. Quick because I have several homework assignments I need to be working on; but while homework is important, so my dear readers, are you. I may get busy, but I do want to keep you all in the loop, so here we go.

Today we did not have class. It was Day Set Apart. This is a day that we have once a semester. The campus puts everything on hold, and pauses to praise and worship God. We spent a lot of time in prayer, lifting our school and all the mission outreaches we are partnering with, in prayer. It was peaceful for me. To be able to take the time they gave us today, and simply praise my Heavenly Father.

Call Center Team

On the normal days, you can find me either in the classroom, chugging tea and frantically scribbling notes; or in the call center. Every student is given a practical training assignment when they start at BGU. That's pretty much just an on campus job, it has several purposes, but the main ones are as follows...

1. They don't have to hire and pay people to do the things students can do. They take our pay out of our tuition. This is one of the reasons why BGU is able to be a tuition-paid school. 
2. You are able to start learning how to serve, right here on campus. Sometimes you're assigned a PT assignment that you really didn't want, but guess what, sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. 

My practical training assignment is to be an admissions counselor in the call center. (Yep, I'm that one random person you don't know who just keeps calling) When I got here, it was the one place I knew I would be the most uncomfortable in and of course, this is where I was assigned. Funny part, I never told anyone that being a caller is what would grow me the most. God just knows these things.

Minnehaha Falls

God knew I would grow, but He also knew I would be blessed. The people I work with in that office are some of the most amazing women I've ever met. They're brave. They're funny. They're passionate. They're tenacious. They're the kind of people I want to do life with.

Also, special shout out to Silvia. My amazing boss and friend back home. Her training in sales and business gave me an amazing base to launch off of in the call center. Thanks for teaching me those life skills lady!

Otherwise, I've been plugging away at homework, co-teaching a bible class to a bunch of kids every Wednesday night, and going on random adventures. Sometimes that include scrambling down frozen staircases to crawl into the jaws of a frozen waterfall (yay, Minnesota), or visiting coffee shops that have pictures of goats on the wall.

I would make this a little longer and give you all more details, but I've put off my worldview's papers long enough. I'm writing one on Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, and the other on Phoebe Buffay who is lovable and adorable, but also overwhelmingly New Age. Should be fun.

Love and miss everyone back home.  I miss Smith Rock and its beautiful red face. I miss my coffee shops, and being a nanny. I miss the girls I used to work with at Gymboree, and I miss the Old Mill. I miss my Costco people, and I miss going out with friends to talk about life. I miss so much, but I'm happy.

With Love,
Trishelle

The Moment Your Nose Hairs Freeze

I think we all knew that a post about the cold was coming. Anyone who has known me over a good course of time would be able to tell you I'm not a fan of any temperature below 50 degrees. I like warmth, I like the sun, I like country music blaring when my windows rolled down. I like ice in my coffee, and sunbathing on the river bank. I'm a summer child.

Then I moved to Minnesota. 

Before I made the (almost) 2,000 mile cross country drive, I handled the idea of moving to the north in one way. I didn't think about it. When I did I just kept telling myself that I would adjust. Bring enough layering pieces and all would be well. 

My first weekend in Minnesota really wasn't that bad. In fact, the temperature here was warmer than it was back home, which I found fairly ironic. This quickly changed however and very suddenly there was a whisper (it was more like screams, wails, and gnashing of teeth) throughout the dorm. Something akin to, "it's going to be -11 degrees tomorrow."  

I did what my best friend has taught me to do over the last couple of years when I'm unsure about something, which was shrug and say "it'll be fiiiiiiiiiiine," then promptly escort the thought out of my mind. 

Right up until I stepped outside and the hair inside my nose promptly froze. I don't know, dear reader, if you've ever had the opportunity to experience frozen nose hair. At first, you don't exactly realize that's what's happened because you're too focused on the fact that your face is in pain, simply from exiting the building. Somewhere, however, in the midst of wondering why anyone lives in a place where being outdoors causes pain to your face, you sniff once, maybe twice... and then three times. When the realization hits you that the hair INSIDE your nose has stiffened and hardened due to the cold, you really begin to rethink your life choices. Why Minnesota? 

Going to a missions school, I guess it would be expected that I learn a lot about the bible, and religion, and prayer, and I guess I have been learning a lot in those areas, but there are two main lessons I've learned about God in the last couple of weeks. 

1. He is strategic 
2. He has a great sense of humor

Bethany was founded in 1945 by five families who sold everything they had and moved into a 30 room house which they called "Bethany House." The house was in Minneapolis. Now, there are several reasons I think God thought this would be a suitable location for what He knew would grow into something so much bigger, but I think He really must have smiled to Himself when He put it in Minnesota. 

I think He was smiling because He knew 71 years later, an Oregonian girl with a summertime heart, would step out of her dorm room, her nose hairs would freeze, and she would proceed to converse with Him. 

"Why Minnesota God?"
 
"Why not Minnesota?"

"It's freezing. My face hurts because it's so cold." 

"You knew it would be cold, yet you still came." 

"You asked me to." 

He didn't answer, but I know, I just know, He smiled to Himself.


With Love,
Trishelle

First Week!

Today closes my first week at Bethany Global University. Already, within this first week, I have a quiet peace within me that tells me I am in the right place. I look out my window at the snow (yay, Minnesota), see the trees moving in the wind, and I know that when I step outside my face will hurt because it's so cold. Yet, I still know that this is where I belong at the moment. Despite the cold, despite the 1,770 miles that separates me from my beloved Oregon and all the loved ones who are there, despite it all, this is where I need to be.


My roommate and I became friends within the first day of knowing each other, and since then have continued to realize if we have to share a living space with someone, we got the right person. We've had a little more time in the last couple of days to explore the city of Minneapolis and have had even more of a chance to get to know each other.

Today we got some Indian food in the Midtown Global Market and discussed our love for Africa. Our love for the beautiful landscape, the pleasantly simple culture, the smiles on the peoples faces, and the hospitality we found there. In that moment I saw her eyes light up, and heard the joy in her words and  she was stunningly beautiful, speaking of her passion. In that moment I knew I couldn't have chosen a better roommate for myself.

Yesterday we had the chance to walk around The Mall of America. We were very much like kids in a candy store. Almost everything we saw excited us, and we snapped plenty of pictures to text to family. Also, I discovered David's Tea which made me insanely happy. We brought back childhood memories by walking through American Girl, decided when we are slightly less poor college students we will ride some rollercoasters, and visit the aquarium. We also walked until our feet hurt, but it was worth it.

Our first day of class was yesterday, and while I'm nervous to get into the full swing of things (Monday, woot woot), I'm also excited. It's been so long since I've done any schooling that I'm just ready to learn again, and I already know I will come away from each period having learned something new.

I'm excited. I can't wait to see how I grow here. What I will learn, and to see the person I will become. Already I've met so many amazing people that I know will become important figures in my life.

With Love,
Trishelle