Falling for Him in Fall

I'm so bad at this blogging thing. I constantly say that I will blog once a week but I never do!

Fall has arrived in Alabama in such a rush for which none of us was prepared. One day it was sunny and 75 and the next rainy, dreary and 50. Don't get me wrong, I love the fall and every single thing about it. I love the weather, the trees, the holidays, wearing sweaters, cold nights, fires, everything.
I just don't like Alabama falls.

God has been knocking my socks off lately with his awesomeness!
He has provided me with a wonderful job and promise and hope for the future.

I'm now employed at one of the many chick-fil-a's in Huntsville. I honestly can not complain about it because I'm working good hours and it isn't complicated work.
I'm excited to finally have a job and a constant source of income.

People are kind of floored when I say I want to move to Uganda after graduation in 20 months.

This literally happened not quite a week ago. I was using my new favorite website, pinterest.com, when I saw an advertisement for this book called "Kisses From Katie".

Being bored and interested I do what all smart people do.

I went to YouTube.

I seriously want you to stop reading and look up Kisses for Katie on YouTube RIGHT NOW!

If you are lazy like me and don't want to go to all that trouble here is the link

Kisses For Katie

Were you moved? Did that video make you cry as much as I did?

Did it break your heart?

Well all of the above sure did happen to me and that is why I did MORE research and found this website:

Amazima Ministries

and then Katie Davis's blog:
http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

and then the most exciting website of them all:
http://www.Visitingorphans.org/

So it is decided that I, Alex Worlund, will journey to the beautiful and spectacular country of Uganda in March.

My plans may not be God's plan but I have told Him that I'm going to keep going with this til he tells me to stop.

I have talked briefly with my parents and told them that I don't really want to go to college now.

Much to my surprise, my parents weren't completely against it.

I would rather graduate and move to take care of sweet, little babies in Jinju, Uganda.

 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm. To give you hope and a future."

I'm seriously trusting in God to make these decisions for me.

I ask that if you are reading this, please pray that God will give me guidance and I will have a servants heart for Him.

Sometime I look at this opportunity and plan with amazement and fear.

Am I ready to leave my friends and family to go live in a country that will be so foreign to me?

Go to a place that is so very different then the luxurious place I grew up in?

A place that I will have to humble myself to the Lord every single day or I won't make it?

I look at all this and think yeah, I'm ready.

I'm ready to serve, help, comfort, love, hurt, with the people of Uganda.

I'm ready to stretch myself to places I'm not comfortable with..

I'm ready to clean, and work my tail off everyday to serve people less fortunate then me.

I'm ready.

Here I am LORD!

SEND ME!

Return of the Blogger: Matters of DC

It has been almost a month since my last post!

I'm seriously going to have to make reminders for my to post!

So in my last post I wrote some about my life in DC (I never get over saying that!) but since I have lost that journal in the abyss that is my life, I will just tell you.

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Going to DC for a month was honestly one of the hardest things I have ever done.

By the second week, I was done.

I wanted to high-tail out of that place as fast as I could.

I cried ... a lot

and pouted ... a lot.

I felt embarrassed that I missed my family and friends.

I never miss home.

I'm always the kid pushing my parents out the door.

But alas, I missed that place with such a desire I had never felt before.

Whenever people ask me how DC was or how my summer was I always say, 'Oh, it was interesting'.

Of course that gets questioning looks and I have to further explain.

I loved being in DC,

I loved the freedom,

I loved working,

and I loved being able do something important.

But the real bummer for me was that I didn't make any real friends.

I made what I like to call 'Facebook friends'.

They are the people that you add as a friend on Facebook, but that is as far as the relationship goes.

I mean the girls that lived in my room were great and everything but I didn't really feel connected to them either.

I didn't know why, but it hurt. 

That was the one thing I was looking for, a friend.

I felt lonely all the time.

It was like I was part of the group, but really on the outside.

I didn't find their jokes funny, 

I didn't relate to their stories,

and I couldn't understand why they did what they did.

I was the outsider.

I was the Republican, Christian, home-schooler from Alabama.

The way I acted was different,

The way I talked was different,

and how I lived my life was different.

I was different.

Just once I wished someone would have got it.

I wished that I could let go of me and some how be morphed into what those people thought was cool or interesting, or part of their group.

But I just couldn't do it.

I tried witnessing and following the crowd at the same time and, no-duh, it didn't work.

I couldn't be transformed to be of the world when I was trying to be of God.

I was just longing for acceptance.

As silly as it sounds,

I wanted someone to cry with on leaving day, as we parted,

but it didn't happen.

On the last night, I sat in my room packing, and crying, calling out 'God why am I here?'

I wanted leave right then and never look back.

I wanted forget that experience.

I wanted to forget that pain.

But eventually, I sucked it up and went out and sat with the group.

The smile plastered on my face hurt because I knew it was fake.

But for some reason I got up the next morning and wished that I had more time.

I don't know if I was trying not to accept that no one cared when I left or if I really didn't want to leave.

My parents came and got me.

The next week, I went home.

Home, Alabama.

The place I longed for.

I was finally home.

But homecoming wasn't as sweet as I wished.

I came home to reality.

I came home to loneliness.

Oh, how I wanted to be greeted back by everyone I knew.

I wanted to know that this was a safe place.

But it felt like a war-zone.

I then wished I was back in DC.

I called out to God 'Why? Why can't you just give me one break?'

Then it came into focus.

I learned things about myself that I never knew.

I learned that I can't go out in the world expecting my little slice of earth to follow me.

People are going to hate me, and as a Christian, I am different and always will be.

I will stand out and in this world that isn't a bad thing but it is hard.

The funny thing is, I still keep thinking, nay hoping, that, even a month after leaving my fellow pages, I could connect with one of them.

Then I realize, it just isn't going to happen.

This time, I didn't make friends, and that hurts so bad.

I'm the kind of person who longs for acceptance and it so hard for me to deal with if I don't get it.

An issue I need to give to the Father.

When I look at them, I wouldn't take back those 4 weeks for anything.

I would make myself better prepared and I would have a better attitude.

I would have tried tuning in to God better.

I would have done a lot differently,

but I am so thankful that I got that opportunity.

So there you have it.

For everyone who was wondering about my summer and had not yet heard the tale.

Quite adventurous and hard and wonderful and frighting all in one. 

NOTE: If you have stumbled across this blog looking for info about the Page Program, please don't let this discourage you.

This was just my experience that could be completely different for you!

The Page Program is a wonderful experience that can benefit everyone who participates!

Journal Entry: Week 1

07/12/11

Day 2, complete.

A little less stressful but only slightly.

I almost got on the Senator's only elevator twice.

I get lost every almost every run and still feel like I don't belong.

Every step, I feel that I am breaking a rule, yet completing a task.

Friday is our test and I feel so unprepared.

Tomorrow I need to do flashcards.

Someone gave me some today and it made a huge difference.

I had dinner with Mom and Mrs. Paige tonight.

I really enjoyed it!

We ate at Pizzeria Uno.

It will be my last time seeing Mom for a month.

Today, we got off work at 4:30.

Tomorrow though, I work late shift and there are 2 votes.

I see maybe a 11 o'clock night in my future.

I hope that isn't the case.

Everybody has been really nice and I've enjoyed the company.

07/13/11

Day 3, complete and I'm utterly exhausted.

Today we were running the whole day.
On our way back from ethics training we got caught in the rain and we soaked by the time we made it to Hart.
Not that fun.
But we did go into the woman's bathroom and dry ourselves with the hand dryers.
That was a funny sight I'm sure.

The Senate adjourned early today so we left at about 5:15.

Tomorrow we are supposed to get off early and Friday, if they aren't in session, the same.

Tonight, after work, some of us went to Union Station to get dinner and went to Pizzeria Uno.
Good food and reasonably priced too.
We were walking around and someone asked what Bojangles was.
I was pretty much in shock.

It seems weird that every where doesn't have the same places that Alabama does.
But everybody seems open to trying and learning new things.

I'm learning too.
I'm finding that Huntsville is a lot smaller then I thought.
Also, that everybody is raised different then me.
Some, a lot differently.

They talk about things that I would never even think about and say things I wouldn't say.
I'm learning, talking isn't always necessary.
Being quite can help you.

Friday is our test, and with help of my amazing Republican coworkers, I'm going to ace it.
Some people are worried and I feel like I should be too.
But I'm not.

Home At Last

What a crazy fun month it has been.

The things I have learned, seen, heard, and tasted are indescribable.

So many firsts but not lasts.

Where to begin.

Well readers, if you didn't know, I was participating in the United States Page Program.

I was hydrating Senators, delivering Bills and Amendments and going places the average person can not go.

I met Senators, I "helped" solve the Debt Ceiling Crisis and essentially learned more about our government.

I spent most of my time between Webster Hall (my dorm), the Capitol, the Capitol Hill Super Market, and Union Station.

I met some awesome new people who were different then me.

I learned more about myself, my God, and our World.

Tomorrow, I start my journal entry blogs.

First week in DC

Hi everybody! Greetings from Washington DC!

By now most of you know where I am and what I'm doing.

Since I am working and I signed a contract I can't say specifically but if you go back a few blogs I bet you can figure it out.

I'm going to post a couple of journal entries for ya'll just so you can get a little slice of my life here.

07/10/11

I got checked in today and it has been constant rushing since.

Everyone has been very friendly since I got here.

I have 5 other girls in my room, they are from Maryland, California, Utah, Iowa and Oklahoma.

We all are in lofted bed with scary ladders and little railing.

I fear everytime I go up and down that I will fall and kill myself.

We have two showers which makes everything easier in the morning.

07/11/11

Today was our first day at work. 

The first part was a little boring but the rest was pretty busy.

We learned how to do everything and then my first job was to bring water to one of the Senators.

We ran letters and amendments and roll calls. 

Except we never run.

We walk with a purpose.

We found a letter from the girls who stayed in our room before us and then tonight they 6-way called us. 

Apparently there is a secret book that has been in our room for 30 years.

I'm sure it has amazing and interesting things I would love to read about.

They won't tell us were it is hidden but said they would call back next week.

The people are nice and the food in the cafeteria is decent enough.

Of course there is always that one girl who has a boyfriend back home that she calls every night.

That girl just so happens to be my roommate.

We get a kick out of listening to here.

Everybody is different and so I have my ears, heart, eye and mind open to enjoy every minute of it!

Day 2. Journal Entry 1

Saturday, July 09, 2011 7PM

Day 2 in DC,

 We got here with little to no trouble yesterday afternoon. Everything went fine with the plane.

We flew from home to Baltimore, from Baltimore we rode the Marc and then transferred to to the metro. Metro travel is a little interesting to say the least.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to Georgetown with Mrs, Donnie, the boys, and Emily.

We went to explore and go to Georgetown Cupcakes. Georgetown Cupcakes was so good!

I got a chocolate mocha and mom a chocolate pb.

They were phenomenal.

We waited for about 20 minutes, but it was well worth it!

We put the boys in the strollers because it started raining a bit.

Let me just say that pushing 5 year olds in strollers on brick paved streets, with crazy people rushing by, is not the easiest.

I mistakenly wore flip-flops and by the time we got home, my feet were ready to fall off

It makes me happy that my work shoe are Dr. Scholls.

Last night we went to dinner with Katie and her mom, Mrs. Wendy.

We had a little miscommunication about meeting, due to the lack of directional skills of two teenage girls.

Once we got together, though, we had no problems.

We ate at the Old Ebbitt Grille.

I had the crab cake and mom had the canntelloni and the seafood was sooooooooooo good!

I've had Southern seafood and it is nothing compared to New England seafood!

After we left, we tried to go see the White house but since they are trying to 'refurbish the grass' we could get there very fast.

We decided to go see where I am going to stay, Webster Hall, but it was pretty dark so we turned around and head back to the metro.

This morning, we left the hotel right after I woke up and then we walked over, with our luggage, to the Anderson's appartment.

After we put all of our stuff up, we went to the Eastern Market.

It was very hipster there.

You can find alot of different thngs there.

We were pretty hungry so we found this interesting resturant, Tunnicliff Cavern.

We shopped around for bit and I bought a couple of things and then I found a pellhat.

The boys got tired, so the Anderson's went home and we went to the American History Musuem.

We went for the First Ladies' dresses and other items.

After that we came home and now we are eating meatloaf for dinner.

The boys are playing with the planes that Mom and I bought them in the Smithsonian.

Tomorrow Mom drops me off at Webster Hall.

My adventure starts soon.

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Food Ratings:

Au Bon Pain - Crystal City: ** 1/2  (2 and 1/2 stars)

Good salad, fast to-go service, fairly affordable. Perfect for a quick and easy lunch that provides variety.

Old Ebbitt Grille - Near the White House: **** (4 stars)

Amazing seafood, amazing crabcakes. Great chocolate brownie desert. Pretty good service but very loud.

Tunnicliff Cavern - Eastern Market: ** (2 stars)

Slow service, onlycomes when passing by. Food is great. Burgers and fries are pretty great but the salads are pretty mediocrea.

Orange Cow - Eastern Market Truck: *** (3 stars)

Yummy, inexpensive ice cream. They were sold out of peanut butter cup and from what the cashier guy said, it was sold out the hour they are opened.

Georgetown Cupcakes - Georgetown: **** (4 stars)

Cupcakes are to die for. The Mocha was devine, lemon was dreamy, and the chocolate pb was by far the best! The icing tasted like peanut butter fudge.

The big day is here!

It's here.

The big day!

in 14 minutes we are supposed to be leaving for the airport.

Not to sound like a little Alabama girl or anything but,

this is me first plane ride.

And the first of many I'm sure.

It seems crazy that it is here all of a sudden.

It seems like it came all too fast and not fast enough at the same time.

Funny how things happen like that.

Words can not be placed to my excitement, fear, stress, hope, and happiness!

Going with no computer, this might be my last blog for a bit.

Maybe a week, maybe 5 weeks.

But trust me, I'm keeping a journal.

Everything I see, feel, hear, taste, is going in the journal and I'll report back to here when I get home!

Wow that is months of blogs!

Yes!!

So for now, as always,

Alex