Return of a Native

I’m back.

Sorry this is as late as it is – I think it’s been the hardest post to write of any of mine on this blog.

Remember how you felt when you got home from TASP and people asked you about it and you just couldn’t put it into words? When I went home at the end of our six weeks of semi-monasticism I felt almost like I was leaving a whole world and entering another.

That’s a bit like what I’m feeling right now, but a lot more so. My level of “monastic” separation from previous life was a lot higher than at TASP (this is why I haven’t been posting on the blog) and two years is a lot longer than six weeks.

What we did at TASP was read, have discussions in seminar, hang out together, play Ultimate Frisbee, listen to music, and write papers, but that doesn’t begin to describe what TASP felt like. So when I tell you that I spent my two years inviting people to learn about the message of the restored gospel and change their lives accordingly by talking to them in the streets, on the bus, in their homes, etc., it’s true but it doesn’t really tell you the important stuff. I think part of what’s most important is that I have come to know, through personal spiritual experience, that the restored gospel is true. As that knowledge came to me, I also understood that serving as a missionary was the most important thing I could be doing with those two years of my life. I come home with no regrets.

I have also gotten to really know and love Northwest England, the people there, and the other missionaries that I worked with. Those people will be my friends forever. It's kind of sad to realize that I'm done, and that things are rolling forward over there without me.

On the plus side, I'm home and I can blog again! I still love this blog and you all despite my absence. My deepest appreciation to the stalwarts who have kept it alive. I’m eager to hang out with as many of you as are willing, especially the Bay Area ones (I’m at “home” in Jacksonville, Florida right now but will be back at Stanford in mid-September). Speaking of which . . . I need to report a TASP reunion! My sister Ruth and I went on a road trip from Jacksonville to Atlanta the other week to visit my aunt and uncle, and while we were at my aunt’s office at Emory, Ruth remembered that Sanju goes to Emory (yes, I hadn’t remembered up until then – I’ll hide under the excuse of “still adjusting to being back in America”). So we rang her up and dropped by for a quick visit:



We were on a tight schedule and Sanju had class the next day so all we did was eat popcorn and talk. But yes, Sanju is just as random as she was at TASP. Good times.

My brother Edward had an amazing time at his UMich TASP. He videoconferences with his TASPers on a regular basis and his always using his TASP's obscure lingo. A little taste of his TASP for you. I would definitely call that musicking, by the way.

Groetjes,

Sam

P.S. If you want to know more about my mission, please ask. I love to talk about it - I'm just never sure how much other people want to hear. : )

a whole summer gone and no blogging

Friends, how have we let so many months pass sans communication? Can you believe it's been four years since we were all together on Hill Street? I spent the summer growing vegetables again, this time managing a community garden, and I've decided I really love soil and plants. Someday I'd like to have a farm of my own.

Right now, I'm learning the words for various vegetables in Hungarian while I study in Budapest for the semester. Has anyone spent time here before? Adam, you have, right? And Jason? I hope to get to Vienna sometime soon, too--what should I see?

Is most everyone starting senior year? Sam! Are you back?

Love to you all,
Emma