Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

Yep, that's right, the world was blessed by the birth of Jane Austen on December 16th, 1775!

Are you a fan of Jane Austen novels? Here's 3 fun facts about my love of Austen:

#1 - Before I was old enough to read Austen, I was watching the film-adaptations of her novels. My favorite was the 6-hour long version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth; my family would watch 1-hour a night together :)

#2 - My favorite Jane Austen novel is sort of a tie between Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, with Northanger Abbey in a slight lead. These are less-known novels by her, but they are both so amazing! Northanger Abbey makes me laugh so hard, which is something you don't always find in these romantic fictions. I relate in different ways with the different characters, which makes these books a joy to read.

#3 - This past summer, I had the most fun watching Jane Austen's work come to life in modern-times on Youtube! The Lizzie Bennett Diaries are such an amazing creation, and right now you can also watch Emma Approved on Youtube as it comes out.

So, as you go about your day, grab some dessert and wish Jane Austen a "Happy birthday!"

What is your favorite novel of Austen? Are you doing something to celebrate her today?

***Snow***Snow***Snow***Snow***

I am writing this blog post curled up in bed with the heater on and all my blankets on top of me. Outside, the world is completely white. The winds are blowing hard, and sometimes they turn to fling all the oncoming snow straight at my window. I can't see any signs of the huge city that lies right outside my home. Instead, I can only see a few lights from brave cars on the highway and the shining windows of the apartments across the street.

As I was walking home last night from a friend's house, the snow blew all around me, and even more thoughts flowed through my mind. I passed our university campus, where students had left the warmth of the library to act like kids and have a snowball fight. I passed other Turkish children and families braving the cold to play in the powdery white. The verse from the Bible that mentions "storehouses of snow" (Job 38:22) came to mind, as I marveled at how amazing God's creation is (I mean, snow, doesn't it seem like something that should come out of a sci-fi story...I mean, really, think about how crazy it is!). Ok, and there is another thing that comes to my mind too every time it snows...




My stomach is hurting right now because every time I watch that video I laugh so hard! Coming from Georgia, where it only snows maybe 1 day out of the year and even then only 1 inch or so, this is really new and exciting for me. Snow is so beautiful!

Wow, something just happened that I have never experienced. Amid the snow storm, the brightest flash of lightning lit up my bedroom and the sky is rumbling with thunder as loud as a large plane. Is that normal? Someone with snow experience let me know!

Now, please excuse me as I go put on every piece of clothing in my closet so that I can brave this beautiful, wet, crunchy mess to make it to class. Iyi gunler!

P.S. - While you're at it, click on this -> https://www.mygfa.org/faithfulnomad/ and join with me in sharing the joy of Christmas with people around the world!

Turkey Day in Turkey & the Start of Christmas

This past week I celebrated Thanksgiving with so many great friends that we had not one, but two Thanksgiving celebrations!

First Thanksgiving Celebration...and yes, that 7-Layer Salad in the top left corner has BACON ON IT!

We had turkey, which actually isn't a very common food in Turkey believe it or not, and all the other Thanksgiving favorites (and yes, I must mention again, there was bacon...my first pork in 3 months!).

We have a lot we are thankful for...

These include, but are not limited to: Turkey in Turkey, "everyone I met here, especially HIM",  music, family and friends, wassel (long story), celebrations, 7 Wonders (I think in reference to the board game..), BACON, a warm home, pumpkin, and "not falling far from the tree"(the little red leaf at the bottom left of the page).

After our meal, we did something that I haven't done on Thanksgiving before; we sang worship songs together. Our hostesses accompanied on piano and guitar, and we belted out our praises to God. It was such an amazing time, I really can't even put into words how it felt. But one thing is for sure: God has really shown me over the past few months that HE is always right by my side. I sang that night in utter awe, thankfulness, and amazement as I thought about how great HE is.

Two days later, on Saturday, we had an even larger celebration with tons of our Turkish friends as well, and it was so much fun to see them eat traditional Thanksgiving food for the first time. And, as you can imagine, "You are eating your/my country" was spoken many times that day. We also played Nertz (which I know thanks to my housemates from my summer in Washington DC), and watched "The Ultimate Gift", a really heart-felt movie that went perfect with Thanksgiving. And, to end the night, we had a bath-tub party to wash all the dishes (this only happened because the sink clogged...it was totally hygienic, I promise...we even sang The Happy Working Song while we worked, which made it so much fun!). 

If you are a reader in the USA, you are probably starting to get into the Christmas mood, and I am too. I've been playing some of my favorite Christmas songs, like "Snow Globe" and "Christmas this Year."  But, this year is really different for me because I am in a country where the majority of people do not recognize Jesus Christ as the Savior. A few Christmas trees can be spotted at the malls, and icicle lights are hanging around some larger restaurants, but these (and Santa too) have all been integrated into New Year's celebrations and festivities. Unless you are at one of the few churches in Istanbul, you won't be seeing any Nativity scenes. No crosses. No reminders of what this holiday is really all about. In one aspect, this has made it even more important to me to focus on the reason for Christmas instead of all about gift-giving and stuff that is focused in on the States. On the other hand, it has shown me what life without Christmas looks like. It seems like such a joke in the USA, you know, "the Grinch stole Christmas," and all of that, but we don't often think about the fact that many countries around the world don't have the hope that is so visible throughout the States at Christmas time. For a lot of people, like many here, there is no Christmas because there is no reason to celebrate. This hurts my heart, as Christmas celebrates the day that has forever changed my life. It's not about "keeping the Christmas spirit alive", like so many movies such as Elf seem to think is important; it is all about telling people of the hope in Jesus that makes every day worth living.

On that note, please go check out www.mygfa.org/faithfulnomad/ to see my thoughts on another country that also needs our help throughout the year - India. 

Thanks for reading, and until next time, "Gorusuruz!" (talk to you later). 

It's a Good Morning!

The Bible

Psalm 139:3
"YOU see me when I travel and when I rest at home. YOU know everything I do."

Psalm 139: 9-10
"If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there YOUR hand will guide me, and YOUR strength will support me."

GOD is faithful. It is such a comfort and encouragement to read verses like these while I am far from home. I don't just know that HE is near me from reading the Bible, though. Through taking care of me, providing for me, blessing me with an abundance of friends and people who love me here, HE continually shows me day by day that HE is right by my side every step of the way. GOD is awesome, guys! I hope these verses are an encouragement to you too. No matter where you are or what you are going through, GOD is right there by your side. Here's another one:

Lamentations 3:23
"Great is HIS faithfulness; HIS mercies begin afresh every morning."

Now, the fact that this verse comes up in a book of the Bible called Lamentations is amazing to me. The whole book of Lamentations is about the Israelites lamenting that they are being punished, and yet a whole section of chapter 3 is all about how they know that GOD is still faithful too them. GOD's promises never fail, and we know that HE is faithful to us too, in every situation whether joyful or grief-filled. I love that part of the verse where it says that HIS mercies are new each morning. Isn't that great to know that when you wake up in the morning, HE is right there to get you started on a fresh new day? In the Bible study I am doing from Beth Moore, she made a point a few weeks ago that stuck with me: The Israelites were given manna (bread from heaven) each morning, but they had to go out and gather it right away or it would disappear when the sun rose. In this same way, we are given mercy from GOD each morning, but we must go out and gather it up. We must take hold of the mercy HE gives us instead of trying to make it on our own. I have to remind myself this, and I even wrote in my Bible next to Lamentations 3:23: I must gather what GOD provides; it is partially my responsibility. Don't lay in self-pity! Gather HIS mercy!

If you are waking up right now to start your new day, this is for you! GOD bless your new, mercy-filled day :)

A Race Between 2 Continents

Today I did something so cool that I never even thought of putting it on my bucket list! Pelin and I woke up at 6:15am today in Asia (the Asian side of Istanbul that is). We hopped on a bus, then a dolmuş (in which I spent the first bit kneeling in the floor because it was so packed) and finally made it to the starting line of the 10k race in the Istanbul Marathon. This is no ordinary race; it is the only race in the world that crosses between 2 continents! What an experience! We started in Asia, ran across the Bosphorus Bridge (this is the only chance people have of crossing the bridge by foot for the entire year) and ran to Europe. So glad I was able to have this great, unique experience with such a great friend. I actually felt like a real Istanbullu today as I heard my name called out many times as I ran alongside the friends I have made over the past few months. It is really awesome to be able to spend enough time in a city that you start feeling like you belong. People are always asking me if I love Istanbul. I do really like the city, but what makes me love Istanbul is the people that I have met and built friendships with here. I am so thankful that God has led me to meet so many great people! Here are a few pics from the race. More on Instagram - @faithful_nomad    :)

Getting ready to cross the bridge!

İ am not sure which İ appreciated getting more, the banana or the medal...I mean, bananas are just so good!

We did it! Mission accomplished!

Comment below if you have suggestions for what races I should sign up for in the States come spring! Am looking forward to prioritizing running from now on and getting in on this fun racing action more often. 2014 goals will include setting some PRs :)

Starting New Things

I'm in the middle of finishing a lab report that is taking me SOOO long to finish, but I think I will take a few moments to give you an update on the new things I have started doing in Turkey. Two weeks ago, I was blessed to find out from a friend about a Beth Moore Bible study going on in her home. I went to the study, and I seriously almost started tearing up whenever they prayed in English...I hadn't prayed with someone else in my language in over 6 weeks (my church is in Turkish). It's an understatement to say that this Bible study has been an amazing gift from God. The study, A Women's Heart, is about the tabernacle and how God wants to meet with us. By reading how He sought out a relationship with the Israelites, how He brought them out of Egypt after 400 years of slavery, how He used Moses's life, I have had so many things hit home with my own personal life. I am amazed that the Creator of the Universe wants to meet with each of us, His creation, that He wants to speak with us, that He wants to show us His glory. It is awesome! Through the women leading the Bible study, I have also made more friends with Christians in my area, and it is really great to get to know them and hang out.

I also found out from another friend that there are beginner Turkish folk dance classes at our school that meet for 6 hours of practice a week. It is so much fun! We are all pinky friends now (most dances involve standing in lines or circles with your pinkies linked with the people on either side of you). I have made even more friends, and Turkish folk dances are really cool. My favorite part of practice is at the end when the whole group (30-40 students + 3 teachers) dances a fast routine together and we are all bouncing, pinkies linked, shoes clicking on the wooden floor and smiles all around. Dancing is so good for my soul :) The classes are mostly in Turkish, so I am getting really good at counting and knowing my lefts and rights in Turkish, as well as picking up some other words and phrases from the other Turkish students.

Well, got to get back to that lab report. I've got Imagine Dragons playing, and I am going to try and finish this report before the album repeats itself. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Growing Roots and Sprouting Wings

^This has been on my mind a lot this week. Roots. Wings. Roots to me means living somewhere where one of the first questions people ask me is not "So, how long are you here for?" or "When do you fly back home?". Roots is making friends that I don't have to worry about missing in a few months. Roots is getting to actually decorate my room. Roots is looking out the window and knowing that I will be able to enjoy this view indefinitely. I have not grown roots. I'm not really sure how to start. Because to grow roots, you have to pick a spot. And picking a place is that much harder when you aren't sure where God is leading you.

But that isn't to say that I don't have the wings part down pretty solid. I know how to find an adventure if I want one. I know how to make friends on a moment's notice. I can find temporary housing, and pack my life into my blue rolling duffle bag (although it still scares me to see my life wrapped up in one large tote).  I know how to look at the view and think, "I'm going to think back on this moment and remember it for the rest of my life." I know that making more friends and having more experiences makes life that much richer, but it also gives you more to miss later on.

This week I met an amazing group of Istanbullus, ex-pats and Turkish natives who love Christ with all of their hearts. They were so loving and opened up their homes to me this week as we had Bible study together and spent time building our friendships. God has really been speaking to me through the story of Moses, which we discussed this week and which I have been studying on my own in our Beth Moore Bible study guide A Women's Heart. Moses had an amazing childhood, I'm sure, as he was raised as a prince of Egypt. He had all the splendor, had all the wealth, had all the comforts, and had a loving family. But God led him into the desert, which was a far cry from the comforts of Pharoah's palace, and used him to rescue the Israelites from the country he had called home. An action, an event, that changed history forever. Moses had roots, but God called him to have wings. God called him to live a life that wasn't comfortable, but that was full of love and purpose. God used Moses.

I want God to use me too. But I don't know if that means growing roots or keeping my wings. Because I have seen this past week how amazing it is for Christians to join together in a permanent community and grow roots in their city. Where they can go through life together and not have to worry about planning good-bye parties every few weeks or months. Where they can reach those around them and really build every-day relationships that will last a lifetime. 

I would really appreciate your prayers as I make plans and try to make sure I am following God's will for my life. I am trying to graduate this spring, but right now that is up in the air because of my courses I have left for my degree. And I need to figure out what I will do after graduating so I can start applying to the right things (roots or wings part). Thanks! 

Miss all of you in the States and hope you are having a wonderful autumn...appreciate the red leaves and fall-decorating for me :) Friends in Turkey - thanks for reading :)

Your faithful nomad, 

Kaelin