The other night I watched the movie "Serendipity". Of course, as a girl...I LOVE girl movies. If you are familiar with the picture, you know that this film is based on two strangers meeting strictly by fate. They separate after meeting only taking with them the knowledge that fate will bring them back together if it is DESTINY. Throughout the rest of the movie each character is greeted by various attempts from fate to bring them back together and clearly, as a hopeless romantic, I cannot give away the ending. As I was watching all of these things "happen through fate" I realized that I consider myself to be a girl who does not believe in serendipitous events. The meaning of serendipity that came from my dictionary is as follows:
serendipity (noun)
the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
Well, last week, I had what our world would call a serendipitous event/thing happen to me. During the last few months, two of my roommates have been planning to go to Germany and Austria for our 10 day spring break. Germany is a place I've been wanting to go for a while now. It actually started in elementary school when we had a "learn about your heritage" week. All the students of German descent got to hang out together in the library, and once I saw another student with his little lederhosen on and tasted the yummy treats that came from Germany, I knew someday I would have to visit. Last year, if you followed my blog you read that my friend Kristy (the other Young Adult Volunteer in Ghana) lived with German housemates whom I was able to get to know/become life-long friends with UBER-fast. We of course always spoke English with each other because mine and Kristy's knowledge of the German language was ZERO (except for "Keulshrank" = 'refrigerator'). However, to hear them speak to each other and to hear their stories from their homes was SO GREAT and piqued my interest just a bit more. Trumping all of this was in October, during Mission Month for the Presbyterian church. Apparently, at Northbrook, my home Presbyterian church, a man came to speak from Black Forest Academy. Immediately, I received word from my mother. "There's a school that I think you would love!" A missionary (boarding) school in the Black Forest area (South-western corner of Germany-right where the country meets with Switzerland and France). Little did my mom know, that this school's name is actually thrown around quite often in international circles. I had heard of this school because everyone has a friend who either attended there, worked there, or had their children sent there, while they worked on the mission field in an area with a less-than-par school. I did a little research and that little flutter in my stomach felt the same way it did before going to Ghana. One of the best parts is I would be able to go through the Presbyterian CHURCH!! That would be FANTASTIC! Anyway, that was October, and it might sound silly but I've seen little whisperings and signs about Germany since then. The major one, of course, would be the fact that my roommates were building their spring break plans and continuously including me in the whats and whens of the trip, it was constantly fun to dream. However, I had told them a few times that I could not afford to go (especially with next year's round trip ticket for Ghana coming so soon). It was torture knowing how much I loved those girls and how much I desperately wanted to go and see Germany (especially knowing that my friends would be going and what a perfect opportunity this was). When I shared these things with 2 of my closest friends, I had no idea that they would take those comments so seriously. In between that, and what happened next is the crucial point of the story.
On January 21st, we had a chapel speaker at school, whose name I sadly can't remember (sorry :-/), who asked us to close our eyes for a moment and think of something we NEEDED. In a high school group it's interesting to think of things that would be going through their minds, but I knew THIS game...I'm a grown-up so I know that he means, not a new game for my x-box, or a jungle gym in my backyard, but something that I NEED. Automatically, my mind started filing through the INCREDIBLE LIST of blessings that have been given to me lately. Refocus. What do I need? The next thing that popped into my head, I swear without me putting it there was "funds for Germany". Confused and frowning with my eyes closed, I asked my mind...do you mean funds for Spring Break, or Black Forest? Serious? Is that what I NEED? Should I be going to Germany, truly, as my next school? Still I'm not sure to this day what my brain wanted. However, that was Wednesday the 21st, the reason I know that date is because I wrote/typed about it in my computer journal later...here is a copy, word-for-word (including spelling/grammar errors), of what I wrote:
oh germany. this morning in chapel a guy asked us to close our eyes and think of something we NEED. the first thing that came to my mind was funds for Germany. weird? in my mind i wasnt thinking about spring break with the girls (which would be a blast but definitely improbable-i hate making them wait to buy their plane tickets-they need to just buy them because honest i dont think i can come) but i was thinking about funding for NEXT SCHOOL GERMANY. yikes! was that subconscious thinking? not sure.
...and the evening of the 22nd was when...
I RECEIVED WORD FROM THOSE TWO CLOSE FRIENDS THAT THEY HAVE DECIDED TO PAY FOR MY PLANE TICKET TO GERMANY FOR SPRING BREAK!!! WHAT!?!?!?!?!? Who DOES that? Who buys plane tickets for people??? Moms and Dads...Grandparents....but NOT FRIENDS!!! NOT friends. Sheesh! Holy crow! As if the fact that they BOUGHT the tickets isn't AMAZING enough, HOW did this happened the DAY after this prayer came to my mind???
Serendipity?
no...I think GOD-DIPITY.
With that line of things that came together...you can see it would be hard for me to believe in something as fragile as DESTINY or CHANCE. No, my future has been left in the sweet, strong, immaculate hands of my pal Jesus. I need a new definition if you please:
God-dipity (noun)
the occurrence and development of events directed by heaven in a usually happy or beneficial way
I added usually, because when God directs something it's not always in this happy lottery-ticket winning fashion. However, I do believe it's all been done as a step towards something that will bring happiness and IMMENSE benefits.
To finish, because we're studying limericks in school in 6th grade, I decided to write one for my friends who wish to remain anonymous...
There once were two friends named Fantastic
Who stretched their bank accounts like elastic
The third was lost for words
While their hearts fluttered like birds
They ended up paying with plastic
You two make me speechless. Thank you for being so incredible and allowing Jesus to use you and your bank accounts to make me BLISSFULLY happy. I don't think you'll EVER know the weight of my gratitude. Love you!!
So, I would like to wish/hope/pray that all of your lives be filled with happy God-dipity moments. And if you think of it, say a prayer thanking God for His Amazing Grace in all of our lives. AMEN!
27 January 2009
11 January 2009
Communication
Communication:
Hi everyone!!!!
So if you HAVEN'T heard of 'Skype', it's this great tool that people can use to call from computer to computer or computer to phone! Great huh? Well...if you go to
skype.com
you can download this program for free! It's a great way that we can talk for FREE! You don't HAVE to have a microphone for it to work, because we can just type back and forth to each other. However, if you do want that option to talk using your sweet voices, you will need a microphone. Otherwise, let's just chat!! My skype name is
meggembay
This is just one more option of communication for all of you out there.
Also, a few of you have asked for my address here in Ghana again, so here it is:
Megan Bauhof
c/o American International School
P.O. Box 16177 K.I.A.
Accra, Ghana, West Africa
A few quick tips for sending things to Ghana:
-Stuff gets to me faster if it's in an envelope-be it bubble or regular. Boxes usually take longer.
-If a package rattles when you shake it, that might entice an opening in the customs office because it could possibly be medicine, which they would like to have.
-When they ask what the contents are WORTH on that little green sticker, you MAY say "No Commercial Value" or $5 because normally what you are sending me, I am not buying from you. The higher the value is labeled on the package, the more money it will cost for me to pick it up from the post office.
Little things our class could use that are easy to send:
Cool pencils
Small kid-calendars (puppies/kitties/cartoons/disney movies)
Stickers!!
Small bouncy balls
Gelly Pens
Tootsie Rolls
Jolly Ranchers
Bracelets
If you need any other ideas let me know. Otherwise, I would TRULY like to thank all of you who have sent things to me (packages, letters, cds, and prayers :). I've got some INCREDIBLE people supporting me. You have no idea how much love arrives with the letters and surprises that were sent. Thank you for everything!
Love,
Meg
Hi everyone!!!!
So if you HAVEN'T heard of 'Skype', it's this great tool that people can use to call from computer to computer or computer to phone! Great huh? Well...if you go to
skype.com
you can download this program for free! It's a great way that we can talk for FREE! You don't HAVE to have a microphone for it to work, because we can just type back and forth to each other. However, if you do want that option to talk using your sweet voices, you will need a microphone. Otherwise, let's just chat!! My skype name is
meggembay
This is just one more option of communication for all of you out there.
Also, a few of you have asked for my address here in Ghana again, so here it is:
Megan Bauhof
c/o American International School
P.O. Box 16177 K.I.A.
Accra, Ghana, West Africa
A few quick tips for sending things to Ghana:
-Stuff gets to me faster if it's in an envelope-be it bubble or regular. Boxes usually take longer.
-If a package rattles when you shake it, that might entice an opening in the customs office because it could possibly be medicine, which they would like to have.
-When they ask what the contents are WORTH on that little green sticker, you MAY say "No Commercial Value" or $5 because normally what you are sending me, I am not buying from you. The higher the value is labeled on the package, the more money it will cost for me to pick it up from the post office.
Little things our class could use that are easy to send:
Cool pencils
Small kid-calendars (puppies/kitties/cartoons/disney movies)
Stickers!!
Small bouncy balls
Gelly Pens
Tootsie Rolls
Jolly Ranchers
Bracelets
If you need any other ideas let me know. Otherwise, I would TRULY like to thank all of you who have sent things to me (packages, letters, cds, and prayers :). I've got some INCREDIBLE people supporting me. You have no idea how much love arrives with the letters and surprises that were sent. Thank you for everything!
Love,
Meg
07 January 2009
Guest.
Tonight we had a visitor. I had just come in from an evening run with my buddy Jules. I was laying on the floor doing some abs and OUTTA NO WHERE comes this THING. This THING that slithered SO RAPIDLY FAST past my head on the floor, looked as if it had no legs. Amanda, who was sitting nearby, catching up on some correspondence, and I quickly leapt up onto the nearest piece of furniture while shrieking without telling our throats to do so. We both had different stories. "It has no legs!" "It must have traveled at least 35 miles an hour!" "It was ORANGE and BLUE and HAD NO LEGS!" "It MUST be a baby SNAKE!" "...at least a foot long!"
Hearing the commotion, Elyse (who was being given a relaxing-massage in the next room by our good friend Rebecca who takes it upon herself to use her massage therapy education to bless the people around her-THANK YOU LORD) ran out with Rebecca to save the day. Immediately, we recounted the terrifying tale to the both of them. They quickly grabbed flashlights and took an aggressive approach to getting that thing out of our house, so we might sleep this evening. After 15 minutes of searching around the couch under which it had taken refuge, we had just about given up. We slowly moved the couch back to its original position while Amanda thoroughly explained that she wouldn't be able to sit on the couch for the next few months. While taking one last sweeping look at the room, Elyse and Rebecca spotted the what we had decided was a Salamander (because of it's slimy looking qualities, dark blue body and orange tail) in the corner of the room by the front door!!! Grabbing the box from her newly transported, from the States, Bible (one side in each hand) she frantically tried to push it towards the door. After an EXTREMELY long and jumpy minute, we watched as the salamander slithered faster than NASCAR into a thin curtain rod that has been laying near the front door ever since it had fallen down a few months ago. Rebecca seized this PERFECT opportunity to grab the tube and CHUCK it outside before it had any opportunity to escape. VICTORY!!!! Mice/cockroach/insect/lizard/and now Salamander sightings (as you can see) quickly become collaborated floor events.
While I used my camera to videotape the celebration, my eyes diverted to the 17 bread-roll size holes in our screen door. Maybe we should get that fixed soon?
Hearing the commotion, Elyse (who was being given a relaxing-massage in the next room by our good friend Rebecca who takes it upon herself to use her massage therapy education to bless the people around her-THANK YOU LORD) ran out with Rebecca to save the day. Immediately, we recounted the terrifying tale to the both of them. They quickly grabbed flashlights and took an aggressive approach to getting that thing out of our house, so we might sleep this evening. After 15 minutes of searching around the couch under which it had taken refuge, we had just about given up. We slowly moved the couch back to its original position while Amanda thoroughly explained that she wouldn't be able to sit on the couch for the next few months. While taking one last sweeping look at the room, Elyse and Rebecca spotted the what we had decided was a Salamander (because of it's slimy looking qualities, dark blue body and orange tail) in the corner of the room by the front door!!! Grabbing the box from her newly transported, from the States, Bible (one side in each hand) she frantically tried to push it towards the door. After an EXTREMELY long and jumpy minute, we watched as the salamander slithered faster than NASCAR into a thin curtain rod that has been laying near the front door ever since it had fallen down a few months ago. Rebecca seized this PERFECT opportunity to grab the tube and CHUCK it outside before it had any opportunity to escape. VICTORY!!!! Mice/cockroach/insect/lizard/and now Salamander sightings (as you can see) quickly become collaborated floor events.
While I used my camera to videotape the celebration, my eyes diverted to the 17 bread-roll size holes in our screen door. Maybe we should get that fixed soon?
04 January 2009
Catching Up in '09
As you can all see it's been awhile since I have updated everyone. So, I decided to use pictures to do a fast forward starting before Christmas! (Don't pictures say 1000 words anyway?)
Our last day of school here in Accra was on the 12th of December. This meant Christmas parties had to be early! Bummer right? haha...so our Women's Bible Study group decided to have a rockin' party and gift exchange. The picture on the left is evidence of a good woman party...
The mini tree with awesome lights, along with the plastic nativity set (all from "Christmas in March" last year thanks to my Mother and Target) were crucial for this season's classroom set up. If you pay close attention to the red tree blanket, you will see that it is actually a shirt that has been in our classroom 'Lost and Found' corner for at least 3 months. :)
And of course we had to have a good party day in 6th grade. Reindeer ornaments anyone??
My home church in Michigan had bracelets made with the words "Live the Love of Jesus Christ" printed on them. I asked for a bag full for the kids I visit every week at the orphanage and on my last visit before Christmas I brought them with me. The kids LOVED them :)
Then I came home! Right away I was able to go with my family to 2nd Mile and have ANOTHER Christmas party, yay! We sang carols, had a great meal, played games, participated in a sweet-prize raffle, and took a ton of funny pictures!
Then I can't remember what night it was, but there was a 3-inch snowfall!!! My first winter in 2 years! So I had to make my first snowman. Don't make fun of me, it's been awhile and I didn't have any carrots or coal.
Then I got to play with my abominable snow-dog because there was a 10-inch snowfall!! Thanks for THAT present Jesus!! Sorry to all of you who didn't appreciate my present as much as I did. He was just trying to be nice to me.
The snowfall did try to prevent the best annual party of the season (The Bauhof Christmas Party), but it didn't of course, because nothing can stop the blast that is had at the Bauhof household. I LOVE LOVE LOVE coming home when I'm able to see so many people that I care so much about.
My brother and sister and I went on a date to Salvation Army. Hannah came out with a sweet pair of shades and a PATAGONIA, while my brother....
...came out with a "Bad Santa" costume, so he and his friends could go CURLING in Canada disguised as movie characters! haha, who goes curling in Canada?? Aren't they awesome?
And another amazingly, awesomely-fun Christmas party was had! One of the best parts? ROCKBAND!!!! Definitely my favorite video game of all time. It brings tears to my eyes knowing I won't be able to play until June. I guess another good part was hanging out with a bunch of my best friends to celebrate Christmas...I guess. :-P
Great news! I was able to escape to Spring Arbor to have lunch with my college soccer coach and his family. Cutest little family of four huh? :)
Finally, Christmas was here. My family was asked to light the candles at the Christmas Eve service because we were all together again. *sigh*
CHRISTMAS MORNING! Christmas is DEFINITELY my favorite day of the year, and I bet it was Toby's favorite day as well!
I have to say unwrapping presents with family, wearing pajamas all day, eating dad's famous breakfast, listening to Mom's annual reading of Luke's version of the Christmas Story, watching a marathon of the latest sitcom, eating mom's amazing dinner, and spending the day with my incredible, awesome, hilarious family was quite amazing.
Maggie and Sam have to be the cutest part of my incredible, awesome, hilarious family that I was able to share Christmas day with.
My dad and I got to go snowboarding!!! It took a few tries, but we were finally able to get out there. We had a blast! And does everyone know that my dad is hilarious?
New Years Eve was a BLAST! My best friend and her husband (of just over a month) decided to host a fancy cocktail party at their super cute house! I got to go early and watch them MAKE SUSHI (I'm not cool enough to help with something THAT fantastic)...YES my friends are UBER talented (especially with their niece-and-nephew-made aprons). So then everyone showed up dressed in something fancy-pants, ate a bunch of sushi and had an EXPLOSION of fun while we counted down to the New Year. :)
Somehow I didn't seem to get pictures during my shopping and movie dates with my momma, but those were pretty awesome too :)
There were so many other things I was able to experience without pictures that meant so much like Northbrook and Panera and Champps and Starbucks and Guitar stuff and Red Lobster and more movies and dinners and lunches and even breakfasts! You all made Christmas break so INCREDIBLE for me. I hope you all really know how special you are to me. You're the reason I can stay here in Ghana for so long, because no matter how long I'm away you still welcome me home with comfy, open arms. So thank you all SOOO much (especially to those of you who put up with my last minute changes or my ability to be late to everything).
Love you all!!
MegbackinGhana
Our last day of school here in Accra was on the 12th of December. This meant Christmas parties had to be early! Bummer right? haha...so our Women's Bible Study group decided to have a rockin' party and gift exchange. The picture on the left is evidence of a good woman party...
The mini tree with awesome lights, along with the plastic nativity set (all from "Christmas in March" last year thanks to my Mother and Target) were crucial for this season's classroom set up. If you pay close attention to the red tree blanket, you will see that it is actually a shirt that has been in our classroom 'Lost and Found' corner for at least 3 months. :)
And of course we had to have a good party day in 6th grade. Reindeer ornaments anyone??
My home church in Michigan had bracelets made with the words "Live the Love of Jesus Christ" printed on them. I asked for a bag full for the kids I visit every week at the orphanage and on my last visit before Christmas I brought them with me. The kids LOVED them :)
Then I came home! Right away I was able to go with my family to 2nd Mile and have ANOTHER Christmas party, yay! We sang carols, had a great meal, played games, participated in a sweet-prize raffle, and took a ton of funny pictures!
Then I can't remember what night it was, but there was a 3-inch snowfall!!! My first winter in 2 years! So I had to make my first snowman. Don't make fun of me, it's been awhile and I didn't have any carrots or coal.
Then I got to play with my abominable snow-dog because there was a 10-inch snowfall!! Thanks for THAT present Jesus!! Sorry to all of you who didn't appreciate my present as much as I did. He was just trying to be nice to me.
The snowfall did try to prevent the best annual party of the season (The Bauhof Christmas Party), but it didn't of course, because nothing can stop the blast that is had at the Bauhof household. I LOVE LOVE LOVE coming home when I'm able to see so many people that I care so much about.
My brother and sister and I went on a date to Salvation Army. Hannah came out with a sweet pair of shades and a PATAGONIA, while my brother....
...came out with a "Bad Santa" costume, so he and his friends could go CURLING in Canada disguised as movie characters! haha, who goes curling in Canada?? Aren't they awesome?
And another amazingly, awesomely-fun Christmas party was had! One of the best parts? ROCKBAND!!!! Definitely my favorite video game of all time. It brings tears to my eyes knowing I won't be able to play until June. I guess another good part was hanging out with a bunch of my best friends to celebrate Christmas...I guess. :-P
Great news! I was able to escape to Spring Arbor to have lunch with my college soccer coach and his family. Cutest little family of four huh? :)
Finally, Christmas was here. My family was asked to light the candles at the Christmas Eve service because we were all together again. *sigh*
CHRISTMAS MORNING! Christmas is DEFINITELY my favorite day of the year, and I bet it was Toby's favorite day as well!
I have to say unwrapping presents with family, wearing pajamas all day, eating dad's famous breakfast, listening to Mom's annual reading of Luke's version of the Christmas Story, watching a marathon of the latest sitcom, eating mom's amazing dinner, and spending the day with my incredible, awesome, hilarious family was quite amazing.
Maggie and Sam have to be the cutest part of my incredible, awesome, hilarious family that I was able to share Christmas day with.
My dad and I got to go snowboarding!!! It took a few tries, but we were finally able to get out there. We had a blast! And does everyone know that my dad is hilarious?
New Years Eve was a BLAST! My best friend and her husband (of just over a month) decided to host a fancy cocktail party at their super cute house! I got to go early and watch them MAKE SUSHI (I'm not cool enough to help with something THAT fantastic)...YES my friends are UBER talented (especially with their niece-and-nephew-made aprons). So then everyone showed up dressed in something fancy-pants, ate a bunch of sushi and had an EXPLOSION of fun while we counted down to the New Year. :) Somehow I didn't seem to get pictures during my shopping and movie dates with my momma, but those were pretty awesome too :)
There were so many other things I was able to experience without pictures that meant so much like Northbrook and Panera and Champps and Starbucks and Guitar stuff and Red Lobster and more movies and dinners and lunches and even breakfasts! You all made Christmas break so INCREDIBLE for me. I hope you all really know how special you are to me. You're the reason I can stay here in Ghana for so long, because no matter how long I'm away you still welcome me home with comfy, open arms. So thank you all SOOO much (especially to those of you who put up with my last minute changes or my ability to be late to everything).
Love you all!!
MegbackinGhana
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