A Week in Wheaton.

Blogging on the Race was easy, it just sort of happened.  Before I knew it there were 1 or 2 posts popping up weekly online.  While I was home over the last 6 months I was too comfortable and/or too busy to find time to write.  Since I'm not "home" in NC anymore, maybe the blog should pick back up.  It's a great way to keep connected with those back home and to share what the Lord is doing in my life as I transition to Wheaton.

So, I'm at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL working toward a Master's Degree in Intercultural Studies. My amazing parents made the drive up with me last Monday and stayed to help set up and organize things in my new apartment.  They headed home last Thursday morning (I can't believe it's been a week!), after leaving me with a comfy couch and bed, plenty of kitchen gadgets from IKEA, food in the cupboard and a nice space heater for the bathroom.

Dad enjoying an IKEA lunch after a long day of shopping

Mom and I testing out the couch (and my winter coat!).

This has been the first week where I can say I've officially lived on my own.  During college I had mostly wonderful (and some insane) roommates.  On the World Race I was in community 24/7, developing lasting friendships with great teammates.  Here in IL, we'll just say it took a bit of adjusting for the first few days to figure out this "living alone" thing.  It's a strange feeling to walk out the door and realize that no one knows where you're going or when you'll be back.  It's also kind of freeing.

On Saturday morning I decided I wanted to go for a run around the block.  It's a nice neighborhood with plenty of sidewalks, cute houses and friendly people.  I pulled up google maps, so as not to get lost  on my first try, and mapped out a course.  It took me a while to figure out what to wear for the 30 degree weather, then I had to find a safe place for my house key so I didn't get locked out.  Finally, I realized I was just stalling because I was a nervous pansy that didn't want to leave the comfort (and heat) of my apartment.  Going out alone can be intimidating.  I finally called Caleb for a pep-talk.  I've done this before with lengthy undergrad assignments or exercising habits.  Our conversations usually go like this:

"Caleb, I need to get out and run but I'm being a bum and don't want to.  Tell me to quit being a pansy and just go do it."

"Hannahclaus, you're a bum.  Get your shoes on and get out there and run right now!  Talk to you later.  Bye."

"I'm on it.  Thanks.  Bye."

I did end up jogging most of two miles in the cold.  After two minutes outside I noticed that I forgot my gloves because I couldn't feel my hands anymore.  Lesson learned; the next time I took gloves and wore more layers on my legs.  At least I'm figuring it out.

Another big step was the grocery store.  I'd probably made 4-5 trips to Target in 2 days for various items, but I was unwilling to venture into unknown territory in the grocery store.  Target is familiar.  I love Target...most of them look the same.  (Sidenote:  Wal-marts here are far inferior to those in North Carolina and I will not be frequenting them unless absolutely necessary.  No supercenters?  No groceries?  Really, Wal-mart?)  There are no friendly neighborhood Food Lions here with familiar cashiers that ask for your MVP card.  I've asked around and there is one of each store: Dominik's, Jewel, and Ultra Foods that are all nearby for grocery shopping.  I chose Ultra and went for it.  My sticky-note list in hand and my cell phone in the other (moms are always available for food/cooking questions no matter how dumb), I took on the aisles.  Surprisingly enough these yankees have grits on the shelves.  Guess I didn't need to pack those...  I spent a good amount of time perusing the aisles and checking out deals on toilet paper and canned tomatoes.  Who knew there were so many types of canned tomatoes?  Anyway, it was a successful trip even after my awkward hesitation when I realized there was no one bagging my groceries and it was my job to do.

After experiencing life in the suburbs for a few days, I was a bit restless and ready for class to begin.  I had been to get my parking pass, student ID and textbooks, but the waiting was a bit boring.  Finally, on Tuesday night I had my first class, along with a forum on Wednesday and class most of today.  Now that I've met some of my classmates and seen their passion for Intercultural Studies it's been encouraging.  However, after looking over the syllabi and anticipating all that this semester's courses bring with it I have to say I'm still a bit overwhelmed and intimidated.

Graduate school?  What am I doing here?  I'm not qualified to be in an esteemed place like Wheaton with faculty who are internationally recognized for their work!  This is insane.  Lord, help, cause this is gonna be tough.  I sat through the first part of each of my new classes with an intense feeling of intimidation.  This is a whole new level.  Still, I find encouragement and hope in knowing that it will get better and become easier as I get into the swing of things.  Bungee jumping over the Nile river was intimidating, but I did it and loved the experience.  Leading a youth group and volunteering with kindergarteners was intimidating, but I did it and loved the experience.  The Lord is showing me that I don't have to be completely brave and comfortable in a new environment.  Getting settled and learning the new culture takes both time and effort; sometimes it can be intimidating.  Intimidation will come, you just have to choose to keep going regardless.

I'm creeping in a purple parka on the left!

I'm so thankful for one of my favorite undergraduate professors, Dr. Qualls.  I had mentioned the possibility of graduate school after the Race, but without much confidence.  She saw my hesitation and added, "You do know you could do it, right?  You're definitely capable."  Even tonight, as the course opened up, my new professor pushed us to learn, write and share.  He said that we should be writing and publishing our work to give to others.  Dr. Qualls also commented on one of my papers that I should have it published.  I thought it was a joke and never got around to tweaking it enough for publication.  Perhaps there's still time...

In a nutshell, the Lord has brought me to Wheaton.  There's no doubt about it...through the prayers, advice, conversations and daydreams, he's affirmed it over and over.  I may feel like I don't know what I'm doing quite yet, but I am certain the He knows what He's doing with me!  I'm looking forward to an enriching 18 months of learning and growing so as to be more equipped to reach the nations with the name of Jesus.  Here's to a new kind of adventure in the academic world!

A few photos of my place in case you don't get a chance to visit.  On the other hand, once you see how comfy it looks you may be making a road trip to stop by!!  This is also proof for my mother that it was clean at one point...we'll see if that keeps up once assignments get busy ;)

Look at the awesome missionary family on the fridge (The Heaths!).

Aslan and a beautiful canvas painted by my sister-in-law.  Thanks, Meg!!

I absolutely LOVE the tree canvas :)

Home-cooked meal with some NC Cheerwine (thanks to the Loves for sending a supply).

Leroy Jethro Gibbs has got my back!  Between him and Aslan I feel super safe :)