Oh Olympics, how I love thee

The year I was an RA (2001-02), the Olympics were going to be held in Salt Lake City, so there was never a question in my mind as to how I would decorate my hall. Giant rings hung on the end wall surrounded by laurel wreaths and pictures of athletes doing their thing. The girls' names were etched into fake medals for their doors, and between February 8 and 24, viewing parties were held nightly in the TV lounge, where the girls graciously allowed me to fly my Austrian flag for the skiing events.

I love the Olympics. And as I’ve watched my fair share already over the past week, I’ve tried to put my finger on why exactly I love them. It isn’t as if I’m a hardcore athlete or all that patriotic. When people speak of the enduring human spirit of the games, I work hard not to roll my eyes. I’m also not ignorant of the fact that abuses, scandals, and economic debts have followed most games and some beloved athletes. Still, the lighting of the unique Olympic Torch and the joy with which participants wave their nation’s flags gets me. I cheer when a race ends well, whether the final result was exactly as everyone predicted or a surprise upset (I’m looking at you, Anna Kiesenhofer). 

The “internationalness” of the Games is one thing I love. Yesterday I witnessed an archer from Nepal go up against one from Bhutan - the two nations with the coolest flags on Earth. For the most part, I like that, at least for a moment, politics are put aside, and the Mainland Chinese table tennis player can show respect when losing to the Chinese-Taipei (Taiwanese) player. Sometimes we have to practice on the outside what we wish was true on the inside. Another aspect I enjoy is the heart-pounding thrill of a race well run. Swimmers thrash in the pool for 90 seconds, and suddenly my heart is pounding for the lone Austrian in Lane 8, willing her forward to a place in the round of 16. It’s also fun to see sports I know practically nothing about, like handball, and to suddenly find myself invested in the outcome and learning all the team members’ names from Sweden.

For two weeks the Olympics allow me to dive into a world that is beautiful and diverse and feeds an ache in my heart that I know will only be perfectly fulfilled in heaven. Maybe I have on blinders to some of the negative parts, but I will continue to celebrate the victories of the many nations, praying for their ultimate good to be recognized in the true Victor, Jesus Christ.

Cheering on some of the countries I love.

A Year in Review

It’s July 15 - exactly 365 days since I left Germany! 1 day more and I have fulfilled the legal Totalization requirements in order to return, and let me tell you: I’m thrilled. My bags are (somewhat) packed as I prepare to return on Monday. Reaching this longed-for milestone is causing me to look back over the past 12 months of Home Assignment and get all mushy. God’s goodness is evident in the many miles, relationships, and explorations I got to travel despite it being a COVID-Home-Assignment. Below I’ve selected personal highlights by month. (This may be more for myself so that I have a record in the coming weeks when people ask “how America was”).

15 July - 15 Aug, 2020

two weeks of quarantine, reconnecting with friends, moving in with Amanda and her family, going to Grace Church’s outdoor services, having fun with Andi/Jen and family, vacation with my sister-in-law’s family, joining a Grace Small group on zoom

15 Aug - 15 Sep, 2020

driving to Colorado with Ellen, being with the parents, attending a Debrief with Barnabas Ministries, hiking Black Canyon, starting to teach my online History class, seeing extended family in Nebraska, settling into routine

15 Sep - 15 Oct, 2020
Wednesday zoom calls for Grace Kids ministry, meeting with friends and supporters in Minnesota, making the decision to join ACSI’s Paths to School Improvement Team AND return to BFA, designing new prayer cards, hiking in Duluth with Ellen, volunteering for Walk for Water

15 Oct - 15 Nov, 2020

10-day road trip through Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan with Ellen to see many friends, BFA students, and supporters, volunteering for Pumpkin Carving Night, Amanda’s cancer diagnosis, driving the niece/nephew to Colorado, starting regular PSI Zoom calls, getting Cardigan donuts for Amanda’s post-surgery

15 Nov - 15 Dec, 2020

routine of seeing people I love, weekly zoom calls with kids and colleagues, volunteering for Thanksgiving distribution, watching Huskers games with Kristin, Thanksgiving with Amanda and family, computer problems start, decorate for Christmas, limousine tour to see lights, Christmas Around the World at Grace

15 Dec, 2020 - 15 Jan, 2021

stocking up on German goods from Aldi, falling love with my Small Group, driving to Colorado, Christmas with the family, visiting family and supporters, New Year’s, speaking on two panels for WorldVenture training, going to the dentist, solving computer problems, exploring Colorado parks

15 Jan - 15 Feb, 2021

driving to Texas to see family and supporters, leading first PSI trainings on our App, fun memories with niece/nephew, hot springs, second-semester teaching and Grace Kids ministry, driving to Arizona, speaking at Palmcroft Church, car break down, fly to Hawaii, WorldVenture Debrief on Zoom

15 Feb - 15 Mar, 2021

exploring Oahu, time with Scott/Fiona and nieces, weekly zoom calls at early times of the day, Amanda and Lizzie visit, celebrating 40, chasing sunsets, learned to boogie board, in love with hammocks, vacation on the Big Island, Manuela’s visit, luau, making new friends at International Church

15 Mar - 15 Apr, 2021

special flight around Molokai for Scott’s birthday, Becca’s visit, hiking Oahu, fly to Arizona, car troubles, drive to California, visits with friends, BFA peeps, and supporters, Easter with Jim/Lori hike through Yosemite National Park, drive to Oregon

15 Apr - 15 May, 2021

speaking at Treasure Valley Baptist Church, wrapping up online history class, visits in Portland and Seattle, new BFA staff, hike through Glacier National Park with Ellen, 4-day drive back to Minnesota, more connecting with friends and supporters, Grace Kids in person, vaccine, loss of car due to catalytic converter theft

15 May - 15 June, 2021

prayer weekend in Hibbing, meeting my Small Group people in person, new pastor at Grace, puzzling, fly to Colorado for Custer reunion, weekend at The Barn, tea party with the nieces, time with Grandpa and Nana, becoming IT person for PSI

15 June - 15 July, 2021

Up North cabin time, fly to Chicago for 24 hours to see Rachel and fiancé, hear Andi speak at camp, fireworks for July 4th, Shakespeare in the Park with Kristin, adjusting KLM flight, many many good-byes, 40th Anniversary celebration at Grace Church with bouncy slide, kayaking

Wow, if you're still reading, I'm impressed. Thanks be to God for all the safety and fun that was had this Home Assignment year and also for the hard the lessons learned. I wouldn't have chosen COVID, cancer, or catalytic converter theft, but I'm grateful for generosity and goodness I experienced because of it.

Germany - here I come!