The Wait is Over!

By now, two of my fellow YAC chairs know my dark secret. Andrew and Jannette have been told, Marni and Rachel have not. This is simply a matter of talking to certain people at certain times and being unable to fight the urge to contain this unbearably wonderful secret.

Are you on the edge of your seat yet?

Here we go: For the past seven years, my dad has worked at an educational toy company as its CFO. For the past several years, he has been looking to change jobs, for reasons I won't get into here. Last Tuesday, he officially signed a contract for a new company, which he'll most likely be starting at this August. He also resigned on Tuesday, and our house went on the market on Thursday. It's been a crazy week, my friends. But what does this all mean?

Basically, it means that my family is very, very happy right now and also very, very busy. We're running around trying to find a house in southern Illinois (the company is in a small rural town called Effingham about three hours south of Chicago and an hour south of the University of Illinois) and trying to sell our house here in suburbia. We're also beginning to break the news to friends and neighbors that, unfortunately, the Dosts will no longer be paying the ridiculously high Cook County taxes (thank you, city of Chicago; those taxes are your fault). We're thrilled and excited and sad. It's the beginning of a new adventure and the end of an era.

For me, it's sad leaving Chicago, but since I'm in college now, I'm rarely at home, anyway. And more importantly, Williamsburg has become a second home to me. Now if we were moving to Effingham and I was forced to transfer to some other college, then I would be extremely unhappy. No worries, friends--one Tribe, one family. This TWAMP is here to stay.

Maybe that secret wasn't as exciting to you as it is to me. It was surprisingly difficult not to shout it from the rooftops. You just have no idea how wonderful this is for my father. Anyway, if this post isn't deep/special/faithful enough for you, head on over the The Little Minister for my monthly post advocating for stronger gun laws. It's sure to be an interesting read!

Peace be with you.

Chicago: Where June is like January

Okay, not really. That's an exaggeration. But it's been in the 60s all week. Really, Illinois? It's June, can we have at least one day that isn't rainy or requires a sweater? But I digress.

It appears as though I am the first to post this week. I considered going along with the set pattern, but I want to write. I don't know what to write. Maybe I'll stumble onto something deep and profound as we continue. Or this will be a train wreck. We'll see. But first: I have to continue being vague. I'm so very sorry. I still can't tell you the exciting things happening in the Dost household. It's a pain to me, too, I promise. I want to shout it from the mountaintops, because quite honestly, we've been waiting for this for years. Mum's the word until Monday.

Wait. Hold on. I can hear my mom in the other room on the phone discussing it. I thought we weren't telling anyone, eh, Mom? Pause a moment; I'm going to ask her if I can tell you.

She said no. Curses.

This post has quite a bit of italics so far. Well, well. Carrying on: This Sunday is my first Sunday helping out in worship at my church. I'm going to be leading the opening prayer (the invocation, basically--too cool) and the pastoral prayer, which ends in me leading the congregation in the Lord's Prayer. As you all may or may not know (those who read my blog certainly know), I am in love with the Lord's Prayer. I'm very nervous, however, as can be expected, so prayers would be much appreciated if you have a moment to spare. Here's hoping I don't choke.

I don't know what to say. I just want to tell you already. I've actually secretly told several people already, but this is a public forum, so I can't. Wait. How did I never think of this before?

If we are friends on Facebook and you want to know (I mean, you can find me on Facebook for all I care), message me asking, and I'll tell you. But you absolutely 130% cannot say anything to anyone until Monday. For the sake of professionalism. One day (soon) you'll understand.

Quick. Before I change my mind. Peace be with you.

It was a dark and stormy night...

Well, it's been a while. And it's storming again.

I meant to post last week, but that obviously didn't happen. I was in Costa Rica the week before. I can't remember if I managed to post the Friday before that, but seeing as that was graduation weekend and my sister graduated, I doubt I did. And I doubt this is going to be a special post of any kind, because I've been driving and running around middle-of-nowhere, Illinois since yesterday and I'm quite frankly very, very tired. It's been a big couple of days for the Dost household.

That's really all I can say right now. Vague, I know, but technically what's going on isn't official yet because there's something very specific that needs to happen for it to be official and that's happening sometime this week (at least, we've been assured it's happening this week). Trust me when I say this thing is 99.999% happening, but for the sake of professionalism and the infinitesimal chance that it might end up not working out for some reason, mum's the word. Also trust me when I say yes, this is as frustrating for me as it is for you.

In other news, here's something I can tell you: My internship starts this Monday! You can read more about it here, but essentially, I'm an intern at my home church this summer. I'm going to be learning about different aspects of ministry, from worship to coffee hour to pastoral care to all the nitty-gritty things a pastor does. Monday is our first big meeting of the summer, and I think my first opportunity to participate in worship will be June 9--which is coming up fast! I'm so excited.

I'm sure I'll have more to say next Friday. Until then, peace be with you.

Long Time, No See

Hello to everyone and let me start by saying I regret not having posted in a while, but things arose that needed attention. Such is life. However, in my absence I was struck by the hole that was left in not sharing some thought or another with you all. Such a thought struck me today and seeing as it Thursday I say why not share? Contrary to what might be seen as healthy for some people, I am what you might call a good listener. It is something that I would love to talk to you all about just briefly if I may.

While I was away many things have happened, nothing life-changing or tragic don’t worry, but still event keep moving constantly forward. We in college are at a stage in life where everything is changing and new things are constantly bombarding all of our senses at once. At times this can be overwhelming. Bring about the want for the simpler life of childhood you might say. But where does the listening come into this you ask? Well I think it all links back to not only listening to others, but also listening to what you think as well. Sometimes in life, especially when in these early adult years, you will have things that will be up to you alone to decide. Listening is key. But what is it that you should listen for?

To be honest with you all I am not entirely sure at this point. I might say that prayer is good for this and I would definitely believe it, but sometimes it is much simpler. It reminds me of when Rachel Held Evans visited us in early spring and talk about doubt and how it exists with faith. You just have that feeling that what you’re thinking isn’t exactly right yet and you’re unsure. Decisions are hard my friends there is no doubt, but I find comfort in trying to keep an optimistic outlook on whatever you may hear that may sway my choice.

I think I went a little fuzzy there in the middle, but I think the gist of what I was trying to say is still there. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! I leave you with Disney my lovelies.

"Listen with you heart, you will understand." -Grandmother Willow

(P.S. Did anyone else notice that my post title is about the sense of sight, but my entire blog was about the sense of hearing. Cause I totally just did and it made me chuckle hehe)

Muy Rica es esta Costa

So I definitely meant to post last week! We had just gotten back from Costa Rica, and I wanted to share my personal experience there. But alas, I forgot. It's not too late to talk about it, though!

For those of you who may not know, a group of students from Wesley (along with our awesome campus minister, Max, and the amazing, wonderful Wesley Board Member and Missions Coordinator, Holly Walling) went on a mission trip to Costa Rica right after graduation with Costa Rica Mission Projects (which you can read more about here). 

This year’s Costa Rica trip was my first ever Mission Trip, and to be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was excited to go to Costa Rica because I had heard it was beautiful and I was eager to practice my Spanish, but I was worried that we would spend all of our time working and I wouldn’t get to “experience Costa Rica”.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. It didn’t take me long to realize that mission work like that is the best way to experience a country. The hospitality we received from the Costa Rican natives was unbelievable and by working with them side by side, we got to know people deeply involved in the mission. It also made it feel a lot more like fun than like work.

The congregation of the church in the small town of Pavones that we were helping to rebuild was incredibly friendly (we were rebuilding the church, not the town). Experiencing a service with them, we could see how full of life, joy, and love these people were, even when they haven’t had a church to worship in for months. Every single person was filled with vibrant energy and faith that served as a huge inspiration.

I also had the opportunity to work with children of the town of Pavones in several bible study classes another one of the missionaries organized. It was amazing being able to get to know so many children from the town, in addition to their mothers, many of whom stayed with the children through the duration of the classes. 

Getting to know the people is what made the mission so valuable. The people of Pavones spent a lot of time thanking us, but I felt as though they were the ones we should be thanking. Sure, we helped them some with the structure they needed, but they taught us so much- how to be optimistic in every situation and how to always look to God and be filled with His spirit.

If any of you readers have the opportunity to do mission work, take it! It is so worth it.

-Jannette

Sara and Holly working hard

Owen, a North Carolina friend (Kaylee), myself, Alexa, Sara, Meredith, and Cara
taking a quick stroll to the local store

Meredith having fun on the job

We got the awesome opportunity to play soccer
with some Costa Rican natives!

Being Brave (No Relation to the Pixar Movie)

So my plan to post more over the week that everyone else was gone didn't quite pan out...as in, I didn't even post last week. That's my bad. We're still getting even more page views though, so I'm glad that y'all are still reading our posts, both old and new.

I've been thinking about what I want to post today, and I finally figured it out last night. One of the major initiatives Wesley took on this year was called WRIP, Wesley's Revamped Inclusive Philosophy. Essentially, what we accomplished was adopting a new vision statement, which states:

We, the Wesley Foundation, the United Methodist Campus Ministry at the College of William & Mary, believe God creates a human family; every person is a recipient of God's grace; and God intends for us to be a community that embodies love, reconciliation, and justice. Thus, we welcome people of all races, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, faiths, and theological identities. Through following Jesus, we embrace God’s radical hospitality towards all.

The major focus of WRIP was to illustrate Wesley's openness to all people, with an emphasis on those of differing faiths, theological identities, and sexual orientations. As much as I would, as president, like to have the current YAC take credit for WRIP, the process of adopting this vision statement was a long one, spanning across several YAC generations. It truly was a group effort between YAC, the Wesley Board of Directors, and Wesley students.

Well, Marni, what made you realize that you wanted to talk about WRIP today? Well, dear reader, I'm glad you asked. WRIP holds a special place in my heart because it makes me feel even more secure at Wesley than I already did before we adopted it. Take that as you will. But more directly, as I locked up the church with my sister last night, I remembered a song that I had recently heard on the radio. The song is "Brave" by Sara Bareilles, and I've posted the lyric video below.

The song was inspired by a friend of Bareilles's who had trouble coming out as gay. WRIP was Wesley's decision to be brave; we're working to make sure that everyone can feel comfortable at the Wesley House.  No matter who you are, no matter where you are in life, you are welcome here. 

Before I sign off, I'd like to thank all of the brave individuals who have served this country in the armed forces and beyond. Happy Memorial Day, dear readers.

-Prezzie Marni, out

Marni Tries to Vlog, Part 2: Vlog Harder

As the only YAC member still in Williamsburg (even Max is out of the country), I felt it was my duty to give y'all a little something extra for this week. I'll try to post a few more times this week to make up for our lack of posting last week as well as to fill my own days with something to look forward to. So, without further ado, here's my second attempt at a vlog!



Also, here's a bonus picture relating to a recent sloth-naming spree:

- Prezzie Marni, out

PS I totally forgot to say congratulations to the Class of 2013! Tribe Pride, y'all :)