Changing Seasons

I cant believe it is almost October! From what people tell me this is the best time of the year in Oklahoma, and so far I would have to agree.  Today for instance is sunny and beautiful but with the wind blowing it makes it feel like fall is approaching.  I was thinking about this today, that in Washington, the seasons are marked by the change of weather.  About now the rain would be more prevalent and sweaters and sweatshirts are more acceptable because the warmth has begun to move on.  However, here in Oklahoma it is still very warm during the day and moderate during the evening.  I have also learned some bad habits that I have developed by living in the Seattle area, in Late September until about April, when it is dark or overcast outside that means you should probably wear a jacket or a sweater of some kind.  So when I leave the office most nights and it is dark outside I automatically put on my jacket and walk outside and realize I don't need this at all!! It has made for some pretty silly moments!

However, Oklahoma is treating me well I have begun to really hit the wall of 'Oh wow, I will actually be living in this new place for a long time' but then my mind contradicts itself and says 'but you have been here a month, that went pretty fast'.  Like I have nothing to worry about and the next two years will speed by and I will be changed in my faith and work etc.  But I am still anxious about starting this program.  I am worried about disappointing people and not making this program the best it can be.  After a meeting with the Principal of the elementary school we are working with we have finally developed a target group of students.  In Oklahoma, there is a new law that states a third grader has to pass a reading test determining if they are in the correct reading level to continue to Fourth grade.  However, many of the students in this area have immigrated from outside the US and are illiterate in English as well as Spanish.  Many of these students never fully learn to read and with the law that is now in place, a new stress to parents and students.  Our after school arts program will target students that have low reading scores.  We will assist in reading with them each day as well as have an artist teach them different mediums for art projects.  I am really excited for what the church is doing in Oklahoma City.

Tomorrow, Wednesday September 25, I am traveling with  three other leaders in the church up to Kansas City for a leadership conference.  Apparently a lot of people know about this and are excited that I am attending, however I barely know what is going on! From what I hear this conference/training event will be beneficial to my work here in Oklahoma City and will be an asset to St. Johns and we revitalize this ministry.

I am going to add pictures to this blog so hopefully it will be more interesting then just words.

Thank you for reading!! As always donations to my project are appreciated and accepted.  Anything helps and it goes to future missionaries here in Oklahoma as well as all over the world! Go to this link to donate directly to my advance number and to help missionaries everywhere!!   http://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Thorson--Kristina

   St. Johns had a car seat fitting for the community.  I snapped some pics of the car seats before they were given out and placed in cars.  They filled the back few pews of the sanctuary.

    My friend Hannah also runs and after school arts program.  I got the chance to visit her at work and join her students in some games.  The three pictures above are of parts of the church were she works with the students.  I got some great ideas about my program from visiting with her.

 The beautiful color I got to paint in my office.  We ended up painting a file cabinet the same color.  I had some fabric that matched the paint very well and we used modge podge to adhere it to the cabinet as well as to a bookcase.

 Lake Hefner! I get to pass this beautiful large lake on my way to church some Sundays and a few weeks ago I decided to stop and see it up close.  The red dirt is clearly visible in this picture.  It is the most fascinating thing, red dirt.

The difference between a Clydesdale shoe and a regular shoe!  

 The rest of the pictures are of the Clydesdale farm that we went to the first Saturday I was here.  It is a beautiful farm with amazing horses!

Hey!!
 I am finally around internet long enough with enough free time to actually post another update for those who are interested in what I am doing.  I arrived in Oklahoma City about two weeks ago.  I almost wrote one week.  I am constantly humbled by the wonderful people in this conference, and because of that I feel like my time here has been way shorter then it actually has been.  Some days I feel like I have been here for a very long time.  However it has been a really fun time being down here and learning a new way to live on my own again, in a new place.  It is also a weird concept to remember that if i needed to get home I would have to plan it out and it would take a lot of travel time to get home, but being the optimistic person I am, this concept kind of adds to the adventure of being down here.  However, it sucks to not have any Safeway's down here because I feel like I can't find anything I need or usually buy from the grocery store.

Anyway, my job.  I have to come up with my own job title so we can make some simple business cards and we cant seem to come up with anything so far except "Divine Awesomeness".  But I don't think that many people will understand what that means except for me.  Anyway, I am working to put together an after school program for Hispanic/Latino students in the northern part of Oklahoma City.  The drop out rate is really high as well as the Hispanic community in the city so together with St. Johns UMC and Church of the Servant (also a UMC) we are hoping to grow the congregation of St. Johns and help students after school and hopefully keep them in school.  However, I get to come up with the plan, talk with the principle and teachers and more or less start this with volunteers and support from the surrounding churches.  Its kind of overwhelming because it is pretty much on my shoulders, but at the same time I am super excited to see where it goes. Like my supervisor Carlos always reminds me of, "Its great because you are the first, but its unfortunate because you are the first".

I have noticed that this area of the world is a lot more relaxed then Seattle in many respects.  For instance its the weirdest thing, when the light turns green, it takes about 5-10 seconds or more for many of the cars to go.  I always feel like I'm jumping the gun.  But on the other side of things, the highways seems to be super speedy.  Its a very interesting place.  One of these days I plan to get some pics of the beautiful sunset.  Since it is so flat around here you can see the sun all the way until it sets on the horizon.  The sun is a blazing orange with beautiful reds and oranges around the setting sun.  I am always captivated by it every time I see it.  Its unfortunate that a beautiful place like Oklahoma (never thought I would say that) would be so torn by natural disasters.  I feel like I am always comparing here to Seattle, but the only thing that would make an impact in Seattle would be rain or an earthquake which can cause damage but not every year.  I haven't seen much of the tornado path, but its quite unfortunate that every year there is such a threat to this area and there isn't much that can be done about it.


Anyway, to sum up my long/short two weeks here in the beautiful OKC, I love it.  My work is quite fun! Yesterday, I did some work online and got to hang out the the office with many of the other people in the congregation, they are such a hoot.  At St. Johns there is an older couple who remembered my name the second time they met me and they remind me of the couple in the swiffer commercials. Just a darling couple!  I will add a link on here to my bio page on the Global Ministries page.  It has info more about what I am doing and my advance number to help support me and future Missionaries doing great work around the US and around the World.

http://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Thorson--Kristina

Well, that's all for now folks!!!
God Bless!!

ISAIAH 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me.