Thankfulness

As I sit here writing "organization code: 139338" over and over and over again onto brochures for a fundraising option for CHAOS, it gives me a moment to reflect.

Something crossed my mind that has been on and off for the last few days: God's Timing.

I've been so frustrated with God's "perfect" timing lately.  It sure doesn't always feel perfect.  (if you read the follow and sound sarcastic on the italicized parts, you'll get it as I want it to sound...)

As I complete school, I look around at my classmates, who are all young and able to devote more of their life to their studies and think "yeah, God - perfect timing... why couldn't I have just stayed in school?" 
As I look at my family and see marriages and children, I think to myself "yeah, God - perfect timing.  In a few years, if I get pregnant, I'll be in the geriatric ward."
As I spend time in my home, which is a rented portion of a home owned by a single woman around my age, I think to myself, "Yeah, God - perfect timing.  I feel as though I'm a failed 30 year old woman."
As I think about the future with Eric and the possibility of our lives going down different paths, I think to myself "Yeah, God - thanks.  That's perfect timing."

Then I put down my pen and I paused...



It is perfect.

If I'd competed school years ago, I wouldn't have gotten my minor in Latin American Studies.  I often say that I wish I could major in LAS because that's truly where my heart is.
If I'd gotten married and started a family years ago, I wouldn't be going on any of the countless adventures I've gone on in the last few years.
If I'd bought a home and settled down, I wouldn't be free to serve God as He has called me to serve.
If I think about Eric, I think that at any other point in our lives, we wouldn't have met.

God's perfect timing has been the reason that I've made the friends I have.
God's perfect timing has been the reason that I'm able to be with my family - that I've been able to watch my nephew grow up - that I've been able to be around.
God's perfect timing has been the reason I am sitting at this very desk at this very moment doing something that seems so menial right now... but that it means we might be able to give more students an opportunity to experience God's love for them outside these four walls - in a retreat or mission experience setting.



And that's enough for me.

Horoscope

"All you need now is a Vision. Forget the tedious details, it's about following your hunches, listening to your instincts and finding a quiet moment in every day this week so that you can hear the still voice within. Inspiration is yours for the taking...either that or you'll be too dreamy or escapist to want to bother at all. Dreams become prophetic (if you can remember them). You want to leap without looking, take risks without forethought and pursue anything that gives you an emotional high. Artistic Aries will love this period, business types may not because nothing is solid, zero is certain and everything is just a possibility in a vast field of potential. The only limits are the ones you believe in."

As I have admitted before, I read my horoscope from one website every week.  I don't believe the stars hold my future, but I do enjoy the fact that sometimes it is simply inspirational.

Take this week's horoscope as posted above.  It's exactly what's going on in my life right now.  So, if you've read that, you know that something big is about to happen.

I have a vision.  The details are unimportant at the moment, but the end destination has always been semi-clear.  I'm leaping without looking and taking risks - and I have the reassurance that God will be with me, but not the reassurance that I will remain comfortable.  Nothing is certain and there is so much potential ahead of me.

I'm excited.  Are you?

Prayers Requested

For the last couple months, I've had a hard battle.  I've had about 3x more migraines than usual in the last month.  In this last week alone, I had 4.  Usually I can count on 1 or 2 per MONTH.  It's been hard to attend class and hard to concentrate when I do attend.

The struggle with this is that sometimes the Excedrin or store brand migraine medicine doesn't work as quickly as it used to.  I also don't always have it on me, since my migraines USED to be very predictable.

The other part of the struggle is that I have only limited options as far as insurance is concerned.  I have Plan First, which is a Michigan program for women in order to get annual exams, as well as family planning needs (if I were to decide to have a child, I believe it covers the pregnancy, but I'm not completely sure).  What I am sure of is that it doesn't cover non-family planning services.  :(  Migraines are not included.

I have spoken with one of my professors, who is also my adviser and boss for the LAS minor job.  She has offered to help me if I need it.  I just pray that they'll go away on their own.  I'm tired of fighting, ya know?

Don't Wait for the Storm to Pass...

Learn to Dance in the Rain!!!



I found this quote today and loved it and wanted to share it with y'all.
Hope you're all having a blessed day.

Announcing another Mr. and Mrs. Richter!

On September 22, 2012, Aaron Richter and Jennifer Hall were united in marriage in Rothbury, MI at the Double JJ Ranch.  It was a beautiful setting and very country-themed, which suits both of them.

Now they are away on their honeymoon, a cruise they won from the Bridal Show last year.

Congratulations to both of them and blessings for a happy marriage!

New Job!

Right before classes started this semester, I received a facebook message from my professor and advisor, Zulema Moret.  She needed an assistant for the Latin American Studies minor.  This job would be for 20 hours each week and the duties would vary throughout the year.

Prior to accepting the position, I met with Professor Moret to discuss the fact that I couldn't devote more than 15 hours per week to the position and I would only be on campus certain days.
Turns out, she was cool with that.

So far, I've been doing a lot of presentations and a few poster designs, but I expect that my duties will continue to increase as the semester progresses.

Yet another thing to add to my increasingly busy schedule and professional resumé, but I'm enjoying it so far.

~Trazy Richter
Latin American Studies Office Assistant

It is with a sad heart that I update you.

A while ago I posted a prayer request for a refugee friend in Hungary who had been detained.  I have a very sad update and still urgent prayer request to pass along.

On September 4, 2012, I received word that Ali was being deported back to Iran.  On September 5, he was deported.

The email I received stated: "No one knows what awaits him upon his return. He is strong in his Christian identity, but we don't know, and he doesn't know, if he will find any support back in Iran, or if he will simply go under arrest, or what. Nor do we know if we will be able to have contact with him after he leaves here."

We have not heard anything since his departure.

To quote my friend, Enikö:  "It is hard to accept a system where there is no mercy... where credibility and legitimacy are so narrowly defined. Please continue to hold Ali in your prayers as he is facing a very uncertain future."

Keep in mind all this went down 2 weeks ago now.  I haven't heard anything, so please keep Ali in your prayers.