A working girl counts her blessings

My time here in Virginia is quickly drawing to a close. Tonight I took a walk with the gorgeous sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop. The temperature was almost cool, and I could just bask in God's glorious creativity and unfailing love. I was also able to reflect on some of the amazing blessings I've had this summer. My measly expectations for a humdrum summer were blown way out of the water! Here are some the major things I'm thankful for this summer:

-A challenging internship at a wonderful company
-Amazing, intelligent, and interesting coworkers and friends
-A great family that took me in and loved me
-Neat experiences on Capitol Hill for work and for fun
-Plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and playing tennis
-Well-rounded meals cooked by the aforementioned family
-Difficulties that helped me grow

And the list could probably go on and on! Here's just a couple of pictures to leave you with of some of these blessings:

The swanky building I worked in all summer.

Jim and Marion, my adopted parents, who are both extremely fun and generous.

A working girl speaks

Today was probably the most intense day of my internship experience so far. I feel a mix of relief and satisfaction about everything that happened. I know there were lots of people praying for me, and I could tell. So thank you!

My boss had made me practice my presentation several times yesterday, so I felt somewhat confident. But it's different presenting to my perpetually cheerful boss and in front of stern-faced executives. I wore the only suit and button-up shirt I own, which all felt extremely hot and heavy in the small room. I also had on a pair of new high-heels, which made my knees feel like they couldn't stop shaking (or maybe I was just nervous!)

Anyway, then I commenced to go through my presentation. I'm not the most articulate person, but I think I am somehow disarming with my charm or something, because people seem to be transfixed. Maybe they're just bored or curious about my Kansas accent. All the other presenters got grilled with extremely difficult questions, but with me they were almost ridiculously nice and easy-going.

I can only thank God for how things have turned out this summer! I really wasn't looking forward to moving out here, but now I wish I could stay a lot longer. I've learned such a tremendous amount, especially in analytical and interpersonal skills that I wouldn't trade for anything. I still have another week and a half, but it's certainly winding down. I'll keep you posted on any other developments. Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement!

A working girl reflects

I was talking with my baby sister the other day, who had some amazing stories to share about how God is moving powerfully in her life and the lives of her friends. It just made me stop and think: how have I seen God moving powerfully in my life and the lives of my friends lately?

It's easy to overlook the fact that God can change hearts and lives in America, just like in China. He does, but maybe often in different ways. It's also easy for me to get so absorbed in my own life. Andrea just started a blog called, "Becoming Less," (as in making less of herself and more of Christ). I half-seriously joked that my blog should be called, "Becoming More Full of Myself." I'm struggling right now in corporate America as a graduate student who is expected to be an advocate for promoting her own wants and desires. So far the Father has helped me resist, but it's getting more tempting, especially when you are surrounded by so many ambitious and successful people on a daily basis running in a circle. I just want to keep running toward the cross.

So I was hoping you could pray for some of these things, plus more that are on my heart:

-My baby Mom only has about 1 more week in China. Apparently all of their students are not being allowed to hang out with them outside of class (an order from the school), which sort of makes it a lot more difficult for relationship building.

-My baby sister will head back to Florida in about 2 weeks to continue the exciting work God has called her to do on the Embry-Riddle campus.

-My dear friend Reborn in China has been sharing about Him with her older sister, who is not a believer. They have been attending fellowship together, and her sister is beginning to see how these believers express love in such a different and unique way.

-My own heart is quite prone to wandering. I want to be obedient to the Father in all aspects of my life, but feel like I keep getting washed out to sea. I want to be joyfully obedient. Instead of asking "what if I obey?," I want to ask "What if I don't obey?"

Thanks as always for your thoughts and readership! Please let me know how I can be praying for you.

A working girl works stops to breathe

This is the first second I've had to sit down all alone and not be technically working. Monday I left for a Department of Energy conference in Pittsburgh. I felt a little out of place, but still found plenty of people to talk with and plenty of things to do. At night I only had about 5 whole hours to sleep. Now I'm a wee bit worn out! But I think I learned a lot and got to interact with fascinating folks.

When we got back from Pittsburgh last night we had to go straight to the British ambassador's house on the embassy compound for a little party. Wow, it was super fancy! Too bad I was almost half asleep through it all. His house is like straight out of a Jane Austen movie. It looks like it was built in the 1800s, with about a million gorgeous rooms, a huge garden, and pictures of the Queen everywhere. There are butlers and official looking servants everywhere. There was even a lady to take your hand towel after you washed your hands in the bathroom.

When we first went in we glided up a red carpeted staircase and into a ballroom, where the ambassador and his wife--Sir Nigel Sheinwald and Lady Sheinwald--received the guests.

After the fancy party, I got home quite late. I had to still get some groceries, walk the dog in the dark, and make dinner so I could get some sleep. Then today I woke up at 6:15 a.m. like usual and headed to work. I got to go into D.C. by myself for one of the last times (there's only about 2 weeks left of my internship!) So I tried to savor the long bus ride, the colorful people, the crowded Metro, and fancy luncheon at the Chamber of Commerce. The speaker at the event was the president of Shell Oil Company. He didn't seem too thrilled about the current state of affairs in the U.S. That's a common theme these days--nobody is happy with the Obama administration and everyone is unhappy about the economy.

Here are some blurry pictures from this week:

Bright lights of Pittsburgh

At Sir Sheinwald's digs

A working girl heads to Pittsburgh

Part of having a grown up job this summer is doing grown up things, like going to conferences. I have the opportunity to attend a workshop in Pittsburgh, of all places. So that's where I'll be for the next 3 days... I have no idea what to expect or what I'm doing, but at least it will be nice to get out of Dodge for a few days.

Like the rest of the country, it's been 100+ degrees here for about a week straight. It finally cooled down to about 95 today, but that means I haven't wanted to do a whole lot. The family I'm staying with is away to Italy the next two weeks, so it's my duty to keep things in order around here and make sure the dog is healthy and alive. Responsibilities! I've learned that you need to walk her first thing in the morning, or she will leave a nice little present in front of your bedroom door. :)

I did manage to see my friend Kelly again in Maryland. She grilled some awesome homemade Thai pizza and we watched my new favorite movie, "Mao's Last Dancer." Sigh... The movie was about two of my loves--ballet and China. I couldn't ask for anything more. It was about an amazing Chinese ballet dancer who defects to America and all the consequences that go along with that. It was almost worth getting lost on the way home. I ended up driving the entire loop around D.C. at night, because I got disoriented.

There's not too much more to report. I only have 3 more weeks of my internship and I want to keep using my time wisely. Happy Sunday!

A working girls turns a quarter century

My boss at work today: "Laura, you're not saying much. Are you okay?"

Me: "Yes, I'm just quieter now in my old age."

Yesterday at 7:34 p.m. on July 17th, baby Laura turned 25. Twenty-five. What a big number! People still ask if I'm in high school. How can I be in my mid-twenties? What is about turning 25 that makes you reevaluate your life and where you're heading? I'm supposed to be quite wise and have things figured out, right? Anyways, I'm thankful for another year and pray that I'll spend my days wisely for God and other people.

I did get to spend my birthday weekend up in Rochester with lots and lots of family members. The bigger event than my birthday was probably my oldest cousin JR coming with his serious girlfriend, Michelle. They are both two of the sweetest and most genuine people. They are both believers, and we're all hoping they get married!

Words can't describe how content I was being reunited with so many people, especially my baby sister. I was only there for about 2 full days, because Karen and I had a lot of driving to do, but there were plenty of fun activities and conversations. We played tennis, frisbee, ate great food, and just had lots of laughs. I'm learning to appreciate my family more in my old age... Several of us also Skyped with Mom in China. I hadn't talked to her in about 4 weeks, so it was wonderful seeing her cute face and hearing her cute voice!

JR and Michelle!! I want to move to Houston just so I can hang out with them.

Sisters!

A whole bunch of us.

A working girl becomes a capitalist

Did you know this is my 336th blog post? That's pretty intense. Thanks for sticking with me! I hope these posts are worth your read.

It is extremely hot here, probably like the majority of the country. I about melted on the pavement going on the long journey by bus, metro, and foot into D.C. today. At least I looked cute while I melted!

For lunch I sat on a shaded bench in Lafayette Park nestled in between the White House and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I had a great view of the White House, people playing chess, police riding their bikes, and about half a dozen groups of different kinds of protesters. It was mostly fascinating to watch the protesters who all had various causes such as opposition to nuclear weapons and advocates of lifting the embargo on Cuba. Oh, America, you are so free! There aren't many places like this in the world where you have such amazing free speech rights.

In the afternoon I attended a big summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I got to run a gauntlet of protesters in the front of the building protesting the speakers at the event. The primary theme of the meeting was improving the free market, while telling Washington to get out of the way. The back of the room was filled with media, and I met lots of interesting people. Another intern I met was working in government relations this summer at American Express. She is a student at a different university in Indiana and is also a native Kansan! It was like we were long lost friends...

And then this past weekend I tried to stay active. I went on an 18 mile bike ride with Jim and Marion and about half of the northern Virginia population on the W&OD trail. I also reunited with my IU friend, Jess, who is leaving for Indonesia on a Fulbright scholarship. We ate ribs at her aunt and uncle's house. They are all extremely athletic and adventuresome people. Her aunt, for example, once biked across America and lived in Switzerland, where she taught at an international school. One of her students was Elizabeth Taylor's daughter, who didn't have anywhere to be with at Christmas, so Jess's aunt spent the holiday with her at Elizabeth Taylor's empty Swiss chalet. What stories!

I also went to church yesterday like usual. It's a fairly large church, and it just struck me how strange it is that the police will help direct traffic going in and out of the church. In many countries the police will help arrest believers.

So all in all I've just been considering our blessings here in America. We have so much to be thankful for, yet many Americans are still angry, depressed, and discontent (and sometimes that includes me!)

With Jess, my favorite tall friend.

Jess and I walked all the way to Vienna in the dark!