Happy 2008!!!!

...crazy how it's already January...how time flies!

I move out on Saturday to go to school...definitely bittersweet, but it's exciting too.  I'm not ready at all--packing wise--but I think I have most of the things I need.  I've been asking all my college friends what to bring to the dorms since I'm living in a dorm for one semester.  We'll see how this goes.....!!!!

I turn 21 in 23 days!!

Do you talk behind people's back?

Check:    

__ True     __ False

Quickly, I checked "False".  "Me? Talk behind others back? No way, I'm sooo much better than that."  I thought.  "I don't do anything like that."

As I continued the rest of my test, my conscious was growing.  "C'mon, Victoria.  You know you do.  What about last night at work? Who were you talking about?  Would those people like it if they knew what you and your friends were talking about?"  I tried to ignore what I was thinking.  "Oh, please, it was just that one time.  And, I mean, I didn't really start the conversation, so really, I'm off the hook."  "Ok, then..." my conscious continued..."Well, what about last week, in the car, you and your friend were talking about that girl you didn't like.  Or when you were gossipping about your good friends' relationship with her boyfriend?  Huh? I'm pretty sure those would count." 

Ughhh.  I instantly knew I'd been caught.  But still, I was taking a test for a new job, and I didn't want THEM to know about this!  I mean, wouldn't that mean they would think differently of me?  Or maybe I wouldn't even get the job?    But, no one would really know if I kept it as false.  And it would make me feel better. 

I continued with the rest of my test--trying to push my conscious out of the way.  Whatever, I thought, I can keep my answer however I'd like.

But... I knew... they did say to answer the questions truthfully.  Deep down, I knew my answer wasn't true.  I HAVE talked behind people's back, and as much as I've tried to stop (and I do feel I've gotten a lot better), sometimes it's just tough. 

So, quietly and humbly, I changed my answer.  TRUE - I have talked behind people's back.  I wish there was a fill-in-the-blank section though, where I could say: "But I'm not gonna do it anymore."

fall.

so. this fall has been interesting so far, as i had to take a semester off of school. i never knew how much i would actually MISS being in school. it's weird. it's like, when i'm in school, i can't wait to be done, but once i'm out, i just wish i could be back! next semester i'm going to illinois state university for elementary education.  i visited again two days ago and got registered for classes - i love the campus!  it seems more real now that i'm actually going.  the original plan was to go this fall, but they didn't have room in their education program for me, and it was pretty much pointless for me to go if i wasn't in their program. so basically they told me, "defer your application til january and we'll guarantee you a spot in january".  kinda ironic huh, how they didn't want my money for fall. i honestly haven't really seen it yet, but i'm sure God has some plan and reason why i'm delaying my education by a semester.  i guess i just need to be more open to it. 

i have been working a lot, and honestly i need to do better at my budgeting. dq has given me lots of hours, but i'm getting sick of being there at times. i'm thinking of looking for a nov/dec job. i'm really excited for november 7-11th as i will be heading out to california to visit my dear friend katie (who i went to ethiopia with!) i'm sooo happy that worked out.

i have found myself thanking God for the friendships He has placed in my life over the last 20 years. many of my friends i have been friends with since i was born...or close after that. and i'm so glad we've kept in touch and stayed so close, even after i moved from california to illinois. God is good. and then friends here, God has given me so many here in Illinois that i'm incredibly thankful for and don't know what I would do without. And there are my missions trips friends - friends all over the country, or the world even, and that is such a blessing. i miss so many of them, and i think when you are leaving a trip like that you have these high hopes that you will see all of them in the near future but life goes on, i know in heaven we will be reunited and that will be such a sweet time.

so that has been my fall semester thus far. i'm also taking one online class that transfers over to ISU which has been nice to keep me somewhat educated :) it's interesting too, it's about students with disabilities and next week i'm observing my neighbors classroom monday-friday.

ethiopian thanks.

Dear Family and Friends,

As summer is coming to an end and school is quickly approaching, I would like to take the time to thank you for your support on my one-month trip to Ethiopia this summer. On June 20^th, I traveled to Ethiopia with a team of 6 other people from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Initially, most of us did not know everyone, but it was incredible how quickly we all became close like family. We lived at a guest home in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where we spent most of our time.

In Ethiopia, we partnered with an organization called HOPE Enterprises and had the opportunity to participate in a variety of serving activities throughout our month’s stay. HOPE has been serving the needy people of Ethiopia since 1971 through many different projects. HOPE runs two different feeding centers and breakfast is served to the children at both locations. We were able to spend time with the kids, teach Bible and English lessons and share breakfast with them. They were so adorable -- testing us in our Amharic skills, while they were practicing their English phrases. I was touched by the joy these children had and their willingness to share their breakfast with us, even if that may be their only meal all day. In addition to the breakfast program, HOPE headquarters serves lunch to 700 people every day. People receiving lunch must first have a lunch ticket, which could either be purchased for a very small amount, or they may have received a ticket from people on the street. We were able to give many tickets out as we were walking the streets or traveling by bus. We were always excited to recognize the people and serve them later at the feeding center. Many times, the people at the lunch program heard Bible stories and messages before they received their meals. Throughout our time there, we witnessed many of these people accept Christ.

We also partnered with the HOPE Addis School branch and taught English and Math to the students attending summer school. I had the opportunity to teach 50 rambunctious and sweet fourth grade students and it was quite the learning adventure! It was very rewarding when the students understood and comprehended the lessons we were teaching. Every day, we left with hundreds of hugs, handshakes and kisses from kids of all grades. We also visited the HOPE Roggie School branch (about 5 hours away) and spent time with the locals and students there for two days. In addition to teaching at the HOPE school, we taught English and Math to many students at the Sisters of Charity Orphanage, Mother Teresa’s order.

The women on the trip visited the girls’ Joy Home twice a week. These girls have been rescued from the streets, and are now living in a home with about 10-12 other girls and two women who run the home. Seeing the girls’ faces light up as we baked, read books, talked and laughed made our weeks so much brighter! The language barrier certainly didn’t stop us from sharing lots of laughs and fun times together. I’m so excited to know many of these girls have accepted Christ through their time at the Joy Home. The hugs and goodbyes were very difficult for me, but we promised to write each other and I look forward to keeping in touch with them as well.

In addition to the ministry activities, we spent one weekend in Lalibella, which is known for its Ethiopian Orthodox churches carved from stones dating back to the 11^th and 12^th centuries. We also took Amharic lessons in Addis and it was fun attempting to speak with the locals throughout the area.

The relationships I built with the people of Ethiopia and my team has impacted my life in tremendous ways. Even a month after the trip, I can honestly say that my life has been changed. I feel as though I have seen and experienced God in brand new ways – in the city, through the team, as we were traveling, and in our everyday adventures. It is clear that God is working in Ethiopia and He is working in me. This summer has been an absolutely incredible and life-changing time for me and I could not have had these experiences without you. Your prayers and financial support mean so much to me, and I am extremely grateful for your generosity. I pray that your summer has been blessed as well. Amisaginalo! Thank you!

In Christ, Victoria Gorman

Check out our blog for stories and pictures from the trip – http://www.ethiopiasummer.blogspot.com

“We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It’s not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it.” –Mother Teresa

As I am nearing the end of my first full day at home, I have taken some time to reflect on the past month spent in Ethiopia. I struggle trying to find the right words to describe some of my experiences, as the past month has been an absolutely incredible and life-changing time for me. I feel as though I have seen and experienced God in brand new ways – in the city, through the team, as we were traveling, and in our everyday adventures.

A few highlights for me include our great quality time at the girls home. Seeing the girls’ faces light up as we baked, read books, talked and laughed made our weeks so much brighter! The language barrier certainly didn’t stop us from sharing lots of laughs and fun times together. On the last day there, the girls braided Katie’s hair and mine…and attempted to braid Susan’s. ;) What sweet, cuddly girls they are – and we certainly treasured the time we had with them. I’m so excited to know many of these girls have accepted Christ through their time at the Joy Home. The hugs and goodbyes were very difficult for me, but we promised to write each other and I look forward to keeping in touch with them as well.

Another memorable time for me was our lunches at the feeding center. It was quite a humbling experience to serve them, and know this meal might be their only food all day or week. It was so neat to recognize and talk with many of the people there.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I knew my time in Ethiopia had come to an end. I will never forget the smells, the sights, the people and the joy of Ethiopia. The experiences and friendships with the locals and the team have impacted my life in tremendous ways. I ask you to continue to be in prayer for the people of Ethiopia as well as for Katie, Joe and Josh as they are continuing their ministry in Ethiopia until August 18th.

Thank you, Victoria