Dear Diary

When I was in middle school, you were more likely to find me reading a Dear America Diary than playing video games with friends. And I would much rather dreamily read a Royal Diary about Queen Elizabeth than read celebrity gossip. 

My love of books that chronicled, even if fictitiously, the daily life of a girl my age led to another life habit: I started keeping my own journals. They started off with a journal my best friend gave me when I was about 10 years old. It had a special compartment with a lock and key. I'm pretty sure I only kept my cute pens in there. Then, I found that my parents' desktop computer had a journal application. Whoever thought that was a good idea, I will never know. Suffice it to say that you could make your journal password-protected, and I'm super good at forgetting passwords. And, as I should have seen coming, our old tumor of a computer was headed to the curb in a few years, along with it the ramblings of a girl who wrote about everything. I've learned my lesson (physical diaries are definitely the way to go). 

When I was a young high-schooler, a good friend who is like an aunt to me gave me a beautiful diary for Christmas. "Fill up the whole thing," she told me. And I did. From my life in high-school, to planning for my first mission trip, to getting nervous about my karate tests, it is all there. And, as fate would have it, I have continued to receive journals as gifts from friends, right after the other, so that my life story has been beautifully recorded in these precious diaries. My journalling fate, however, was not meant to stop at writing words on a page. For my 20th birthday, another good friend gave me my first Smashbook. I was in love. Smashbooks are meant to become a messy, mash-up of your life, filled with writings but also any knick-knacks, ticket stubs, Yogi tea tags (in my case), and whatever else reminds you of great memories. I wrote in my Smashbook for that year, through my first experience living apart from my family at GA Tech, and through turning the big 2-1. 

When it came time for me to start my Faithful Nomad adventure, I bought a travel-themed journal just like the last, and it now weighs about 10 lbs from all the momentos and memories stored inside. I have continued writing my thoughts and daily happenings in a journal my friend gave me when I left DC last year. And just the other day, I stopped by Michael's and picked up my 3rd Smashbook. Because, even if I am not on an around-the-world adventure right now, I want to remember each moment. Just as it happens. And just as I am experiencing the emotions and my thoughts are fresh, I want to be able to capture them for future reading and remembering. A page in my new Smashbook sums up my thoughts quite well: 

"THE TRUTH IS THAT IT'S NOT REALLY ABOUT THIS STUFF AT ALL.

IT'S ABOUT THE EVIDENCE OF LIVING, THE PROOF THAT I WAS HERE:

THOUGHT SOME THOUGHTS, LIVED SOME LIFE. 

THESE BITS ARE SIMPLY MEANT TO JOG THE MEMORY INTO REMEMBERING - AND REMEMBERING IS PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO RECYCLE."

Every life is worth writing about. Every person has a story to tell. These bits may turn out to be a precious jewel that you hold dear throughout the years. Are you writing it all down?

Time-Traveling!

So, this past Saturday, I time-traveled. I lived 7pm-2am on a plane, going over Scotland, Greenland, Iceland. I watched Austenland (very funny movie, FYI) and Iron Man 3, napped a bit, and ate lunch and dinner...and then I landed in Toronto, Canada, and it was 7pm all over again. And I got to live my evening all over again, this time by running through the Toronto airport, flying over the US in a 48-seat Air Canada plane, a shaky landing to bring me back into my home city, and then...an empty international baggage claim. Empty in that my family wasn't there. And for this, I blame a well-meaning but completely out-of-her-mind customer service lady at Air Canada. You see, I didn't have a working cell phone with me because I had been using a Turkish cell phone during the past 4 months. And so my parents called Air Canada to make sure that I had made it onto my connecting flight, since I had an extremely quick turn-around of 50 minutes and US Customs in Toronto to get through. Well, thank God, I did make it to my flight, was the 2nd person to board that tiny plane in fact. But the Air Canada customer service lady evidently doesn't know how amazing God is in working things out. So she told my parents that there was absolutely no way that I was on my flight home, and that at that moment she was booking me a flight to Atlanta for the following morning. So my parents, disappointed and sad, decided to go to sleep and go to the airport in the morning when I should arrive after my long journey. And they were just falling asleep when I called, having borrowed a phone for a few moments, and told them the news that, yes, I was at International Baggage Claim in Atlanta, waiting for them. So that's how my homecoming was. I mean, no one was hurt, everything turned out all right in the end, and I'm all fine and dandy. But I do hope that Air Canada lady gets her act together so no one else has the same unfortunate experience :)

Even with that rough start, it's been a great few days back in the States. I could make a whole long list of things that I miss in Turkey, but that would be pointless because when you live a full, well-traveled life, wherever you are there will be places and people you miss. But here are the things I am thankful for today, right now, where I am:

1) My family. They truly are amazing. I am so blessed. I got hiccups within the first 24 hours of being home because my sister is one of the only people that can make me laugh that hard. I have enjoyed talking about everything with mom, and having daddy&daughter time during my morning commute to the bus with my dad. Yes, I am blessed.

2) My Atlanta friends. I had an incredible welcome back to campus on Monday, including lunch with all my Tech chemistry buddies just like old times. They watched my back as I was pretty drowsy and sometimes scatter-brained in the afternoon (jet-lag is...interesting) and made my adjustment straight into 3 chemistry courses a fun experience. All the welcome-home texts and hugs have really made it great to be back.

I almost can't even write about Turkey right now. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around my life, how it was for the past 4 months, and how it changes (and can't change) as I settle into life in the States again. If you ask me how it was, I will probably say "Amazing." Because I have given up on trying to explain something that is inexpressible in words. But if you get the chance to sit down and chat with me (and I have a double teapot and Turkish çay at home, so I am looking forward to sharing convo over tea time with many of you soon), then I can try to share with you the aspects of the past 4 months that have made it a life-affirming experience that has helped me get a glimpse into what my path through life will look like and what God has in store for me.

Also, you all know that one of my favorite modes of communication is a good, old postcard :) So, send me your address! Would love to continue to keep in touch across the oceans (or just across town) in this way. Everyone loves getting some joy in their mailbox.

Until next time,
Your Faithful Nomad

Yeni Yillar Kutlu Olsun!

The past two weeks have been a blur of celebrations, exams, lots of hot cocoa, and cozy time with friends. 

A few nights before Christmas, some of my best exchange/Erasmus girls came over for a Christmas party. We all brought small presents and stuffed stockings (aka colorful knee-high socks) for each other so that we could open them on Christmas. It was so much fun :) From playing games to chatting over pumpkin soup, I had a wonderful time getting to know them better and sharing in the Christmas spirit together. Love you all!

Our Christmas tree! Needless to say, it lasted only a few hours :)

This was my stocking. It was so much fun to open on Christmas morning!

Christmas morning I met with some friends and exchanged gifts over a breakfast of çikolata borek and çay. From an English-Turkish dictionary (from which I am trying to learn at least one word a day), to a special-delivery box full of thoughtful gifts from my best friend, to the presents that my family had packed in my luggage back in September, and so many other precious gifts from friends, the love and thoughtfulness that overflowed from these special people in my life simply took my breath away. Thank you all for sharing your lives, love, and friendship with me!

The precious gift my sister gave me - "When I count my blessings, I count you twice." <3

The weekend after Christmas, I ran away from Istanbul for a few days...to Uludag! It's a huge mountain in the city of Bursa that houses several ski resorts. We got to hang out with other expats at an amazing hotel and ski down some crazy-challenging, but ultimately even more rewarding, slopes. I seriously think this winter, I have seen more snow than I have ever seen before in my life - Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Uludag! I think this southern girl is actually starting to like it.

All suited-up and ready to go!

Arama Sonuçları

1. 
   

   Hoşgeldin, 2014! May you be full of joy, generosity, and love!

By the way, can't wait to see these beautiful faces in 11 more days! Wow, time flies, right?

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 :)