Brilliant Epiphany

America learned a valueable lesson this weekend despite all attempts by past professors (sorry Dr. W), this was a lesson America was doomed to learn from the School of Hard Knocks. America learned what freewill is really all about, or rather, has a better understanding of what freewill really means.

It used to be that freewill meant the ability God gave us to choose and that this was given and applied to concrete things: things such as career and whether or not to believe in God, that sort of thing. As America grew up and understood more finer points of life, it became clear that freewill also incorporated the ability to choose what to do or not to do when following through on these sorts of commitments for example, following God, what exactly to do and not to do when calling oneself a Christian. Then there were the points in time where freewill meant to make any decision whatsoever with or without consulting God — isn't that what freewill is anyway???

Well, this is all very well and good, and for the most part America still believes these are important aspects of freewill but to take it one step farther, and after the weekend's events, the ability God gave each individual to freely choose, America thinks, has the most to do with feelings: not how to feel as a reaction, but what to feel proactively — God always meant us to be proactive, Paul writes about that a lot, specifically in Philippians 4:8. Freewill must mean that we have the ability to choose what we feel and as a response to that, our actions flow without choice, lest we become a hypocrite and in reality, not choosing what we said we chose (are you confused yet?).

Dispite difficult situations, if America chooses to look at situations optimistically, the actions that flow from that choice will already be chosen, just like if one chooses to follow a certain political/philosophical thought, the actions that support that philosophy calls for will also be followed based on the previous choice of following that thought. Freewill then, has less to do with our daily decisions and more to do with what we choose to feel and what we choose to commit to.

Most people who have been married a significant amount of time will be quick to say - or should be quick to say - that loving the person they are married to is frequently enough, a choice and not something they feel. As a result of that choice, the one will do things toward the spouse that reflect the choice to love. Therefore, the things they do are not the choice, the choice is what they choose to feel...not how they choose to feel. See the difference?

Today, America would like to thank, not a country, but a few States within her own country that reflect the fact that this has been told to her a number of times but thanks to this weekend, Spain, Korea, and Fiji brought home this brilliant epiphany in a much clearer light: Iowa, Michigan, and Florida (to some extent).

It Must Also Be Said

America does not say this enough. America doesn't think any parent - biological or rent-a-nation parent - can say this enough. So America is making it public record.

America loves Spain and Korea. America loves their uniqueness, their color and zest for life, and the things that drive America nuts. America can remember what life was like before Spain and Korea joined Fiji and America in the house and those days were quiet and dull and the house was too big for the two countries. And the fact that Spain and Korea have joined the UN has been an absolute gift from God, an unbelievable gift.

Has it been stressful? Absolutely.

Has America wanted to leave and find a quite place anywhere but the house? Absolutely.

Has America had no answers for something one country needed or wanted? Most definitely, yes.

But America also believes that things are both hard and easy, stressful and relaxing, good and bad to the same extent. With these countries and situations, highs are so high and America understands God works the most in the lowest lows, so getting up in the morning to embrace of all the joys and all of the challenges, even the challenge of when to leave each day — 7:23am or 7:43am — is not a problem at all for America.

America loves these kids and understands what lies under the roof of the United Nations Headquarters each night. It wasn't long after the fourth member nation joined the UN when America looked around the living room while watching a movie and realized that more hopes and dreams sat in the room with the country than could ever be imagined.

America had, sitting next to her, the hopes and dreams of one set of parents who had entrusted one of two children in their family. There, watching that movie, sat at such a tender age, a child two parents had let go of. So many unknowns, a precious gift full of possibilities and talents that had come to live with virtual strangers in a land so far away. America has often wondered what hopes and dreams the parents had for this beautiful individual.

On the other side there sat another precious gift another set of parents had let go of. Bursting into adulthood and independence, trying to grasp all the things going on in a language, cultural norms, and a physical environment largely unfamiliar, there sat a bundle of joy two people experienced taking home from the hospital so long ago, an experience they would only have one time. And what was to become of this young person? What would the next five, ten, or fifteen years bring?

And there, sitting next to me, sat two lives America (and Fiji) were responsible for. It isn't that the two countries can't take care of themselves, they are wonderfully able to manage, be responsible for, and follow through on their own personal lives and work. It is gravity of making sure their launch into adulthood and their launch into the rest of their lives is in the direction that is best suited for each of them. This is the launch that happens daily — no matter where we live, who we live with, or what our current situation demands of us. We each make decisions every day, large and small, that help define and direct who we are and where we go. We choose our values. We choose our friends. We choose who and what to serve. We choose whether or not to follow our dreams. Most importantly, we choose whether or not to demand more of ourselves. In the end these are the things that determine the quality and depth of life.

I love these two kids. And I am thankful for (leaving the names out) both Spain and Korea and I appreciate and treasure what both sets of parents have entrusted to Don and I. We do not take this lightly but we open our home and embrace it with all that we can.

"Oh My Word"

So the UN left early this morning for school. OMW...is all America has to say.

If you've been following this UN Saga then you know this is the ever present issue, all the world apparently hangs on it. America left early purposely just to show Spain and Korea what would happen if the system was ruptured. Oh yeah, like the world was really going to end. America figured that if the UN left early the UN-Mobile would just be tied up in traffic with four-hundred-million other people trying to beat the bell in an effort to start the day off right.

America was right. The UN-mobile left a whole whopping four minutes early...7:26 which probably ended up being 6 or 7 minutes earlier than normal. And we sat in the middle of the road waiting for the traffic to clear so the UN-mobile could turn into the school's driveway.

Mostly, the UN left early because everyone was ready and America didn't want to wait, America wanted the day to move along swiftly.

America wasn't bothered by it. It was way to early to be bothered by such a trivial issue. Spain and Korea were going to be to school on time. America was more concerned with that morning's cup of coffee (the alternative to a morning nap which has the chance of ruining a perfect hair day) but America also knows that of all the things going on in the world this is an important issue to some countries.

The UN, well, three member nations of the UN, waited "ever so patiently". Normal chit-chat went on about after school activities during the drive to the school and then we approached the school and saw the endless line of headlights pouring into the driveway. And then we waited for God to part the sea:

Spain voiced an opinion and so did Korea. America let it go because these are the natural responses, the natural course, of how these things go. But, these things also need to be wrapped up and done with.

Then America finally spoke up. "This is the end of the discussion." Both countries have gotten their way, everything was attempted. We now will leave at the normal time. America will just have to find something to do to fill five minutes of time in the morning.

All-in-all, Spain and Korea got to school about one or two minutes earlier than normal. Hardly even noticeable to the naked eye.

Today America is thankful for Greece. They have real problems.

Trick Or Treat, Smell My Feet

The United Nations has survived Halloween.

It wasn't difficult. Spain had been talking for weeks about anything and everything Halloween: What is it all about? Where are the greatest parties? What do you do? What are we going to do? And on and on... (America is glad it is finally over!) Halloween isn't much more than Trick or Treating here at the United Nations and when that was discovered by Spain, the country probably went through an economic depression. "But it's Halloween and it's in America! Everyone talks about going to America for halloween and you don't do anything?" Nope.

Spain finally found something to do. Spain and some allies went trick or treating, which Spain kept referring to as 'Trick and Treating'. This gave him an ear full from America: "It is trick OR treating...OR. You either get a treat or you trick, not both!" (No, Spain was not allowed to terrorize the world around him, it was treat or nothing. The UN does not promote in anyway terrorism to any extent...even if it is par for the course on a pagan holiday.)

Korea couldn't have been bothered by Halloween. Even though no homework was to be had, Korea still did not have any desire to participate in anyway other than passing candy out the door so Korea and America watched psychological thriller, Hitchcock's Psycho in between trick or treaters.

America had a great time bonding with Korea and was totally content that the evening entailed just that. Gasps were heard at every tense moment and in the end of the 'who dunit' mystery, Korea and America had closure and nothing kept us up all night. <>

Sad thing though for the United Nations: Spain donated a dish for dinner that Fiji and America made and Spain was out trick or treating during the dinner hour and missed the entire thing. Sad note also, Spain likes thriller/scary movies and wasn't home to watch. Oh well, perhaps next time.

Today, America is thankful for Japan...they always seem to be self-controlled.

Up Hill Battles

Well, the United Nations survived another week: fighting against the odds against us, choosing battles that were important, and yet still standing to fight another day.

Spain is starting to get back in the game. America thinks the country has found new purpose in being a part of the United Nations and participating in all the things Spain is participating in and even finding new things to become a apart of. The outlook is most definitely good (but obviously not without it's challenges). Spain may one day choose to trot the globe after this experience and that, to America, is most important. Spain has also found a renewed sense of vision for the future and America is also really happy about that!

Korea keeps plugging away with homework all sorts of consistency. Korea has been fantastic at not only keeping up in her homework but doing well in it also. It is hardly noticeable that she struggles with the language in this area. Korea has also been able to spend time with the countries allies in school and has been looking forward to the Freshman-Sophomore Banquet that will be happening in a couple weeks. The biggest discussion with her has been where to get the hair and make-up done so that Korea looks her best.

Both of these member countries had an International Affair put on by the Student Council (a dinner for the International Students). Both Spain and Korea thought it was a great night and they both were able to talk to and meet people. They both came home raving about the good time, Spain even mentioned something about the boys dressing up as girls and the girls dressing up at boys. America did not ask details but is sure that it was mocked.

The issue of leaving earlier in the morning was, once again, tabled by Korea. It was a bit puzzling to America as to why. The last time it was tabled and discussed, the UN-mobile was running a bit late for school. Lately, however, the UN-mobile and all member nations have been on time. No one has reported tardies or anything like that. The UN (okay, it was America) decided that this was not an issue and that the UN-mobile would continue to leave at 7:30. Korea and Spain both get defensive when this is brought up and poor America has to stand in the middle of two very tense nations (okay, when has America ever shied away from that???) but all America has to say about that is that it is different in a car. Both countries are very self-controlled, much more than America ever was at that age (and probably more than Fiji was at that age too), and not volatile so once the decision was made, that was that.

Today is EPA-Day (Environmental Protection Agency/Action) and it was the first EPA-Day that the four member nations have been home since the last incident. Spain has a 24-hour extension on his contribution to the environment because he first discussed it with the host-nations and America voted in his favor because America (and the other host nation) felt it was a good cause (Spain is spending time with the first host American and doing some much needed shopping for the colder months ahead, then off to an American College Football game with relatives tonight).

Sad day yesterday, Calvin lost their football game and now the season is over for Spain.

And today America is thankful for Japan because it is the first Saturday in many weeks America is able to spend a little time with the UN's Sony TV.

Over the River and Through the Woods...

It has been a long few/several days or week here at the United Nations. Several things have come to a head in the house, mostly regarding Spain, and America senses that the worst may just be over but is not betting the farm yet.

Oh the farm! The United Nations packed up, headed north and visited unfamiliar and "uncharted" territories owned by the motherland and uncle-land (the nation we choose is...drum roll please...the Netherlands — shocker!): the TeBos farm. This was actually Korea's second trip to the farm but first a first for Spain. It was truly a United Nations affair too! Even though Fiji did not join us, we were also joined by Germany, Sweden, several Spaniards, and my fellow Americans. Everyone got their hand sucked by calf (as posted in the last blog), nearly got pooped on by a cow milking, and some were even able to play around in the hay. Oh the fun!

Spain was able to go Kayaking with another Spain and nearly got swept away in the fun. My silly Spain handed the paddle to this America and then let go of the dock that had been keeping him from floating down the river. Well, another America yelled for this America to grab Spain and prevent him from floating away (boy what a problem that would have been!). America was able to grab Spain in time and prevent him from being too swept away but in the process Spain's kayak took on a little water and created puddles and got Spain's leg wet. It could have been worse.

Dinner that night was over a fire where the United Nations (the extended UN still) proceeded to fight the international Mafia and bring peace to the world. Every time Korea was accused of being the Mafia and Korea had to defend itself, Korea always said the same thing, "I'm not mafia!" Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't (never trust a quiet country!).

Overall, a shower took care of the stench and we were back on the road home to face the week ahead. Good times were had by all and Korea and Spain went back to school, dragging their feet as usual Monday's go.

From My Point of View

I just have to say:

• I run the dishwasher every day.
• My prof in grad school was right, I can live without coffee, though it is not preferable.
• I have found the joy of a day off.
• I like it in so many new ways when the kids go back to school.
• I enjoy shutting the TV off for dinner...so much!
• It is so nice when there are people in the house that appreciate things I do that are barely noticeable.
• I have loved changing my hair and seeing the reaction of others who never saw it coming!
• I find relief going to work and dealing with other people's problems (most of them anyway).
• I love to bake even more!
• I enjoy making ethnic foods.
• I can let go of a few things...favorite TV show and facebook.
• I don't need to watch the News.
• I like watching people be brave when they do things I take for granted.

I often smile at life because I enjoy it so much. And when I laugh at things that are mundane what I'm really doing is thanking God for the amazing amount of blessings that He has so abundantly given me...for no reason that I can tell. I see the whole spectrum of life. In the eyes of my clients there is terror and horror and in the eyes of those who live here there is great joy and a ton of love. Even on both ends of this spectrum, I find God working in the lives of everyone around me and I think that is the most amazing of all.

So today, I am thankful for everything!