Profiteor: December 2014

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, “Profiteor”! This will be the location where I will post updates, photos, and newsletters before, during, and after my year of service in the United Kingdom through the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), so please check in periodically to receive the most recent news.

Now, some of you may be wondering about the name of my blog (I hope you find it an intriguing title). “Profiteor” (pronounced pro-fee-tay-oar) is Latin for three different English verbs: I confess, I profess, and I praise, and these three meanings are the reason I chose “Profiteor” as the title instead of something a little more obvious. During my next year in the United Kingdom, I will be posting periodically entries and photos which will do exactly what the title suggests. I will be confessing my struggles and misconceptions; the emotions and experiences I do not yet know of. I will be professing my triumphs, learning moments, and whatever else might happen in a year. Finally I will be praising God’s glory and love experienced in the most mundane aspects of life, thousands of miles from where I grew up. These are the reasons for the unusual title, and how it will frame my future posts.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Happy Holidays

This was my first Christmas away from my family, and it was definitely a Christmas to remember. My placement was essential to the holidays this year and in keeping homesickness at bay. They invited me to their homes, included me in their families, and kept me busy with holiday celebrations. It was wonderful being a part of Christmas services, dinners, markets, and school assemblies, but I still missed spending Advent and Christmas with my friends and family.

I want to thank you for all of the well wishes you sent me this season. Coming home in the cold, rain to find cards sent from home sitting in my front hall and messages on my email and Facebook made home feel a little bit closer. So thank you to everyone for sending me love on what could have been the hardest Christmas ever. You made this Christmas a holiday I'll never forget, and I couldn't have asked for more this year. Thank you.

This is just a snippet of of the cards and love sent, not including emails and messages. The I Love You hand is my mom's version of a card.