Spring Break

So this last week was spring break and it flew by!

I did about nine weeks of course work for an online class that I am taking this semester. Packed up five larger boxes of stuff from my room and took them to where they will stay until I get back from Turkey. I cleaned my room multiple times (have you ever noticed how messy it gets when packing?) I also wrote and sent out about half of my support letters. Oh I also got some stuff done at the church that I had been working on.

I spoke Wednesday night at youth group. We have been doing a series on Reconciliation and so I spoke on being reconciled to God. It was really good. The kids are normally really rambunctious and I was not sure how it would go since I had a lot of scriptures and am not the most charismatic speaker... but I started by saying "hey everyone be quite and listen" and remarkably they did I was shocked!

Thursday night we had a family worship night. I was in the nursery and REALLY enjoyed the new carpet, that has padding, that some of the young men had put in during the week! I think the service went well other than a few technology glitches...if all else fails just sing Yes Lord :-)

Friday night we had a youth late nighter 7 PM - 2 AM, us youth workers did not want to do an all nighter :-) it was good the kids all really enjoyed it and we had a good opportunity to bond. I also had a great time hanging out with Nadia!

Saturday night was supposed to be college group but I kind of canceled it...It would have been the same people from all the other nights...and I wanted to just hang out with Bre...so we went to the mall with Talena. We ended the night with meeting Kent and Garret and watching Tron at the cheep theater. I would not recommend this movie there was a ton of modernistic worldview junk in it that was annoying. But then some would say I am to sensitive to such things...

I also throughout the course of the week went shopping with Marca. She took me to the mall and helped me find some really cute jeans. Got contacts, oh Mom Dad i have contacts now :-). Got a haircut and replenished my makeup supply and worked.

And yet this week has been so relaxing and now that school has started up again I think I have developed a case of seniorites...

Turkey

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you to all the people who have been supporting me throughout my life with prayer and wise mentoring. I am GRADUATING! Yes, the time has finally come when I will be able to walk down the aisle and get a piece of paper! No, not a ring. These past two years at New Hope C** College have been a whirlwind of opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen others. I will be graduating with a BA in intercultural studies.

The Lord has been laying on my heart the desire to spread His love and truth to unreached people groups. A great opportunity has opened up for me to go to Turkey with The Evangelical Alliance M**(TEAM). The country of Turkey is in great need of the message as less than 1% know our Savior. I, and another short termer I have yet to meet, will help resident workers plan and execute the Olive Grove camps. We will also be counselors at the camps and participate in outreach ministry to the poorer Turkish youth.

Olive Grove, a camp designed to help children and youth grow and develop as individuals, as friends of God and others, and as followers of our Savior, is two full weeks with well over 100 campers and 30+ staff members, representing nearly 20 nationalities! Olive Grove is located alongside the Mediterranean Sea, in the peaceful village of Çıralı, at the base of Mt. Olympos. Ex-patriot children living in Turkey attend along with a growing percentage of Turkish campers.

During the month of July we will be doing outreach clubs to poorer youth in Turkey. These will involve teaching English, playing sports, and doing crafts with the kids. We will also be teaching Sunday School and doing some activities with their youth group.

I can’t do this alone! Above all I need your prayers, for changed lives, opportunities to share, receptive hearts, and yes, safety. I also need financial help. This commissioned, minded trip will be from May 20^th – August 8^th (I might possibly be spending two of those weeks in Japan). I must have $6010 raised my May 7^th to pay for the Turkey expenses. All donations are tax-deductable and should be sent to TEAM at “TEAM, P.O. Box 969 Wheaton. IL 60187-0969.” Checks should be made out to TEAM, with a note specifying it is for Kristina Goecker. I would love to hear from you and know if you are able to be praying for me.

Cell Phone: (541) 337-7320 (will not be working after May 17^th)

Email: kokobean1@gmail.com

Blog: http://awalkinthewild.blogspot.com

Facebook: facebook.com/krista.goecker

Sincerely,

Krista Goecker

P.S. Do not use the word “m*ssi*n” or any other religious type wording when corresponding through electronic means.

Update

Hey everyone,

So the last couple of months have been a whirlwind!

But the Lord has really been blessing me. My classes are all going well and continue to challenge me to grow and lean more on Him. For one of my classes we have been studying a theology topic of our choice using all the different methods of theology. I chose the topic of redemption and it has been so eye opening to look at it in the Bible, history, and what others have said.

Bre and I were both in the school drama again and that was enjoyable.

I have also been helping a lot at my church, Lively Stone Fellowship, and the ministry is really starting to take off. We had our youth retreat and the Lord really showed up and provided in many amazing ways. I can really see the Lord moving in and through the church and it has been encouraging.

The Bible

Over the course of this Christmas break I have read two different books that dealt with the need for Bibles in communist countries after WW2. The first was Tortured for his Faith which is the story of Mr. Pavlov (spelling is probably wrong) and how he spent 13 years in prison in Romania. Over the course of those 13 year for maybe 6 months he managed to get a hold of and hide a Bible. During those six months he memorized huge sections of the New Testament. He had a very effective ministry within the jails bringing revival wherever he went. After he was released, he discovered the rest of the country was also in need of Bible's. People were copying the Bible by hand trying to get more copies available. The other book I read was The Narrow Road it was about Brother Andrew. Who among other things smuggled Bibles into closed countries.

Some of the stories in both these books about how desperate people wanted and needed Bibles is astounding. Also the fact that many people risked their lives in smuggling Bibles into these countries. Which made me think about my Bibles. I have multiple Bibles like most Christians I know. The average American household will usually have a Bible even if they never open it. We have so many Bibles that I have come to take the Bible for granted. It is so readily available that I don't think of its immense worth! My Bible, which I do appreciate and read on a regular basis, is something that people consider worth risking their life for.

Which prompted the question am I willing to risk my life for the Bible?

The answer is yes! Because inside of the Bible is found everything that we need to live. It is the WORD of GOD which makes it more valuable than anything else in existence including my life.

It is time that I start to treat the Bible like this...

Friday Night

So last night I went to a concert with Kent and Jackie. We were going to a town that is about 40 miles from Eugene. When are exit was in sight Kent's car broke down (I was also about to stump them in 20 questions hmmm maybe it was a stalling antic)...as he was talking to his dad and trying to figure out what else to try to fix the car (we had already tried all the basic stuff) Pastor drove up behind us (going to the same concert)...we ended up catching a ride with Pastor to the concert...then the three of us stole Pastors car and went and met the tow truck so Kent could sign paper work. Jackie(she took Arabic with me) and I REALLY had to use the bathroom and well we were not acting very normal because of it, people kept looking at us strange as we sat in Pastor car watching Kent's car get towed away...after we finished with the tow truck we stopped at Carles to use the bathroom and pick up dinner for Kent. They gave us numbers to hold while waiting for our food and Jackie and I walked around the place displaying are numbers...then we stood by the drive through and made crazy faces while displaying are numbers, then we (well you get the picture...) we made it back to the concert in time for the alter call and then the Skillet concert so we all joined the mosh pit and that was an adventure nothing like bad BO to end a perfect day : ) We then hitched a ride to Kent's house with some other people. Then stole another vehicle and he dropped us off at my house. I then used my car to take Jackie home...It was a GREAT evening....

So I have been rather busy doing work and school...I am working on my research paper which is all about Islam and Christianity. It has been rather interesting to study and learn what people think on the subject of Islam. I have been looking at this website that explains all about Islam and even has self quizzes, I am sure you will all be happy to know that I now know enough I could convert! Anyway... I am also working on a presentation for my mission class on the country of Pakistan...that should be fun I actually really enjoy presentations. The fact that I already know so much about their religion will help as well :)

Plans for this summer...I talked to Nancy with Brother's and she sounded hopeful that I should be able to pick up about another 20 hours a week for the summer, that plus my housekeeping job will put me at about 44 hours a week. Nancy also said that Brother's did not have an official policy about Red Cross disaster response people, but that she would look very favorably upon it and to go ahead and do the training. Ms. K helped me to find a summer class to take this summer at the U of O it is Arabic 101 it is about 4 weeks long and will be 5 credit hours when finished. I have also been looking at doing Camp Agape in Hi but I have not decided about that yet. Camp Agape is a camp for the children of people that are prison.

This Saturday was the 103rd Roddy Fest in Florence, so i invited a bunch of people to go and check out the festivities. Well two people responded that they were going to the coast so they would be unable to go to Florence :) the rest did not respond. So I invited Makayla and Piper a couple of kids of two EBC student's. They were really excited to go and then Kent said he wanted to go as well. So the four of us headed to Florence...we had a great time! There was a carnival that the girls really enjoyed (it was fun watching them). We then tried to find a bunch of the other stuff but a lot of it was missing...We did eventual find the car show and flower show though. It was humorous to me that us girls were all commenting on the color of the cars. As we left the response was I liked the blue car with purple flames, or I liked the pink car (lol). The flowers were humorous because we were expecting something spectacular after all they had had a festival for them for 103 years. So it was funny when we realized they were the same flowers that are everywhere...but through much trial i discovered that the pink flowers smelled good but the red ones did not smell at all...We then went to the coast since it had stopped raining and was then a beautiful day. Us girls had all packed lots of extra clothes counting on getting wet (there was a 70% chance of rain and a ocean the odds were good we would be wet). We all had a great time playing in the ocean and then in the sand (i am still finding sand in my ears). We decided to head back to the car to change into dry clothes and drop Kent off at a birthday party (some guys from church were all heading to Florence that evening to celebrate). When I realized I did not have my keys...I went back and by the grace of God found the keys! They were under about two feet of water and 75% covered in sand...apparently one of the times that we moved all of our stuff they were left behind. Us girls headed back to Eugene and made some necklaces at my place (using the beads G-ma gave me for Christmas - Thanks) we then went to a ten o'clock movie (there mom said I could have them out as late as I wanted). After the movie I took them home and then came home and collapsed myself.

I have also been involved with other social activities with my church and people from campus...

I am still trying to figure out fiances for next year... it is between 12000 and 13000 for the year. I have received $2250 of scholarships and about another $1000 of discounts. I am eligible for about $12000 of loans. I am hoping to raise a bunch of the money this summer and have been contemplating getting a third job but I think it might be to much with also taking that class and I would like to get more involved at my church.

Anyways this is what I have been doing and thinking lately.

Scholarship Info

Hey just to let ya' all know I have received 3 scholarships a $500, $750, and $1000. I will give you more information later...

I don't know what to title it.

So skate world on Saturday was a lot of fun.

Sunday I enjoyed church and then a bunch of us went and hung out after church it was a beautiful day! Later Bre and I went and got some TCBY (they have a Sunday special). After that Bre and I played catch then she went to work and then later I went to work it was a good day.

Monday...hmm I don't remember anything important happening on Monday.

Tuesday I had class and then went and worked at JoAnne's house (the lady I clean for). I then came home and took a quick nap. I got up from the nap and put my jacket on because I was cold, then put my shoes on, grabbed my work keys and name badge and went to work. So then when I arrived at work I signed in and went to take my jacket off and low and behold I had never but my uniform shirt on! I was already clocked in though so I put the jacket back on and zipped it all the way up and went to work hoping nobody would notice...It was very hot and there was people that worked late so I was never able to take the jacket off sigh.

Wednesday at chapel we did cardboard testimonies (Bre and I and about 16 other people) that went really well. for my mission class Kent was not there because he had hurt his ankle so it was just going to be the teacher and me which could have been fun. But Dr. B decided to evaluate her class that day...Now on Monday Dr. Burke had evaluated and he had at least participated a little bit. But Ms. Goss asked Dr. B to open us in prayer because it was Kent's turn and he was not there. Dr. B refused and told her that she could not even acknowledge his presence...So I received a very formal lecture just for me! It was hilarious! Dr. B left about ten minutes early at which point Ms. Goss checked to make sure he was gone and pulled up and chair and we talked. So next year they are wanting to do different student exchange stuff. When I told Ms. Goss that I enjoyed administrative stuff and that I was going to be a senior she said that she would use me to help plan some of the trips and we might be able to work out an internship of some sort...Bre and I then went and had dinner with G-ma, G-pa, and Michal.

Thursdays are SOOOO busy for me. I wake up in the morning and try to get all homework for thursday and friday done. I then went to class. After class I had about a half hour in which I ate lunch. I then headed to Bible Release, from Bible Release I went to JoAnn's house and did yard work (which turned my arms green those my Marshwiggle comments). I then went from JoAnn's to Brothers. After I finished at Brothers I went to college group. Then I came home and went to bed after talking to Bre for a few minutes.

Fridays are glorious days I only have four classes and no work!

Saturday was good, I went to see G-ma G, I picked up doughnuts (from Mom?) and a couple little things of ice cream for us. But when I got there she was not there :( I then came home and worked on a few projects. I went to a girls night up at the dorms and we made journals.

Another Week Done

So I have finished another week of work and school and I'm still on top!!!! It has been a good week. I have tried out a new church and I really liked it, I had gone to a communion service there a couple of weeks ago, the people our really nice and it is a smaller church. The worship was great and the sermon was good. I have not decided anything for sure I am waiting for Bre to make some decisions first.

On Monday in my missionary church I became rather frustrated about the "missionary call" I felt that people (book authors) were putting a WHOLE lot of importance into the "call" but not defining what it was. Rather they would say something and then go through the stories of Paul, Jonah, Isaiah...and then say something else and go through the stories of Paul, Jonah, Isaiah...yeah it was annoying. In class the teacher kept asking us what we thought and that just frustrated me more because I did not have enough information to make an educated assumption and I don't like looking like an idiot. So I tried to express my frustration but I don't think it worked (sigh...why can't people just understand what I am saying). So after my movie class I came home and wrote a LONG email (after praying) explaining what I was thinking and why I was frustrated. I have not heard back yet, she probably thinks I am crazy (it was bound to get out eventually).

The movie class has been a little volatile this week. Which has been fun...

Work is going on as normal.

I'm doing well and enjoying all my other classes. I went to a college group on thursday night and that was a lot of fun.

The weather has been beautiful this past week. So yesterday I went on a walk and enjoyed it after classes. I then came home and went to a tie dying thing here at EBC (we all tie dyed shirts to wear tonight to Skate World (a ASB event)) it was fun I managed not to stay my hands and I had finished my shirt and put it away and then I took off my gloves and was talking to people. Well as I was talking to people I touched the table and got stain all over my hands grrr.

Later that night we had a cast party at Danell's. We watched the video of the performance (it is not finished yet) which was entertaining. Have I ever mentioned that I really dislike seeing myself on videos? Well I do! We also chatted and ate unhealthy snacks. It was enjoyable.

So I think that is about it for this week I am going skating tonight and doing homework and other errands for the rest of today.

I can see the light!

So the school week is done and I turned every assignment in on time and so far all the grades I have received have been good (sigh of relief). Actually in one of my classes I received an email from my teacher asking to use my homework as an example of what needs to be done to get 100% because I have received 100% on three of the four assignments (that made my day). The rest of my classes are about normal...So Chancellor Wayne has a lot of new visions for EBC and especially the mission major. They contacted Red Cross about having them do disaster response classes on campus for students, because there is some rich guy that wants to be able to send out disaster response teams in cycles. The thought is that with all the increase in disasters around the world it will be really good to be trained in disaster response because it will open doors...Well the Red Cross is really excited and now want to make EBC a emergency response hub for this area. This is all suppose to start taking effect next year. I am excited about it. (This info might be private so please do not share with others, I received all this info by asking people it has not all been announced to the student body.)

The Play has been going GREAT...I love the group of people and I have really enjoyed being able to get on stage and make people laugh. Last night a bunch of the people were telling us that we were not going to have a big turn out, but we ended up having to put more chairs out! Everyone seems to really enjoy Bre and I (comic relief) last night Bre said something out of order which threw off what she was saying so she said "therefore...this is Bad" well we were face to face glaring at each other and it was so unexpected that I started to grin (so did Bre and others on stage started to fight laughter) but we recovered and kept going and then later at the climate of the scene (we are all suppose to say the same lines together) people started saying there lines out of order and we could not get together so Bre and I just started the closing line of the scene and it was recovered...But the really funny thing is first we ran this scene twice before going out and it was fine, second nobody in the audience caught the mistakes...

After the play last night a bunch of the cast came over and we talked and played games (Taboo). I was so tired that I was pretty much asleep so when they handed me the cards I stared blankly at them, the word was stock and my train of thought went something like this..."why is everyone staring at me...stock oh like Pippi Longstocking those were good books but I don't think people will get it...why are those two people in my bubble (they were leaning over to make sure I did not say something I was not suppose to)...at this point I said (first thing I had said in about twenty seconds as the timer ticked) you are in my bubble...then I started and it was all good. We had a lot of fun. Life is going to seem like it is missing something with out the play we have been working on the play since the beginning of the school year. Our last performance is tonight...

Busy, busy, busy

So my new classes have started and school is up and running again. I am taking Christian Thinking (which is all about Christian Worldviews it might be a LONG class) Gospels, Biology, Research Skills, Missionary Preparation, and Christian Worldview in Film (19 credit hours). My first four classes are Freshmen classes which means they are larger classes. But it is just me and Kent in Missionary Preparation and about seven of us in the film class. So far all the classes vary from okay to great.

We FINALLY are about to have our school play!!!! We practiced almost every night last week and we will practice every night this week. We will be having our final dress rehearsal that is open to EBC people on Thursday night and then actually performances on Friday and Saturday.

I went to a communion service Saturday night which was really good.

Oh so I received my Busyness math grade back...so I crammed a semester worth of material into about three weeks and still received a A-!!! I was excited I had been worried about passing the class because well a semester of math is A LOT to cram. I would not recommend it to anyone. Also I have now finished paying for my junior year of college and still no debt!!!! We will see about next year it might be a bit rodeo!!

Murder Mystery Night and Saturday

Bre and I hosted a murder mystery night at our place on Friday. This was the first one we did in Eugene and I was somewhat nervous, but it went really well. We had Rachel, AJ, Alisha, Kent, David, and Andrew all attend. The group mixed well and everyone had fun. The food turned out good (I only used one recipe so I was not quite sure) and Bre decorated. Everyone did a great job at dressing up (pictures hopefully to come). Afterwords Kent and Andrew helped us clean up and then we all played Imagineiff it was really fun. I was thinking about it and it was one of the first times I have actually felt comfortable enough to be myself since moving to Eugene, which made it just that much more relaxing. Saturday Bre and I went to the Huntoons for lunch and then we played a cut throat game of Phase Ten. Us three ladies all ganged up on Chris and yet somehow he managed to win at the last second (I was winning since round one).

Spring Break

So...are drama director admonished us to get as much rest as possible over the break because we will be so busy the two weeks after. I have taken him up on this advice and really not done anything the last few days. On Monday Bre, G-ma, and I went and got are haircuts at the Springfield beauty school (only $4 a hair cut). We then went and saw Sherlock Holmes at the cheap theater. I rather enjoyed the movie it is not meant for children and it is rather dark. But I thought the characters were humorous and the acting was really good. The whole thing about dark magic being used for good until corrupted and then all things spiritual were just scientific trickery spoke a lot about our culture. Also Sherlock Holmes was a lot more violent and dirtier than in the older books and movies which also speaks a lot about our culture. After the movie we all went back to G-ma and G-pa's to have tea. After tea Bre and I went to work all in all it was a very fun and full day.

Winter Term

So this last term was very good and uneventful (for me at least). I have finished my finals and am getting ready for next term. I took dad to fly out of Seattle last night and well...I knew I needed to go on the I-5 S but we had been on the I-5 N all day so when I saw the signs I just took it without a second thought. It was so dark that I did not relive I had not been that way before...So when I thought I was 1/3 of the way home I saw the signs to go through immigrations to cross into Canada sigh it was a LONG night. But I made it safe and sound (I was prepared to get a hotel if needed). So ummm yeah I will try to keep this more up to date...

Isn't it classy

Our lights

The Nativity

Stocking and nativity (the third stocking is Jesus)

Bre putting ornaments on the tree

Bre putting lights on the tree

Putting the Tree together

What's up

So this last week has been busy but good (well mostly). I have actually been sick for the past week or so and I lost my voice but I am starting to feel better and my voice is returning. All the different classes are winding down and getting ready for finals (woot). I have my last writing conference on next Tuesday and the paper is suppose to be on culture changes, so I am going to write about the differences between the military chapel and normal churches. I also have a term project in biology due on the same day and I thought that those would be the last two writing assignments, but today I found out that I have two more papers due in one of my classes on the day of the final (bummer). Yeah that is pretty much what I have been up to school work and sleeping off the bug I have had. Not all that exciting but it is life.

Redwoods

So we had an amazing trip and visit with G-ma and G-pa G's. It was Katies first time to go to California so she was excited and really enjoyed the Redwoods. We were able to get a lot done at the house for G-ma. umm yeah it was really good.

We found the road

Can you see Katie? (this picture really makes me realize how small man is)

Katie's first time to use a hatchet

Me getting ready to cut the prone tree (I was not able to get the saw working Don came over and cut it for us with his saw)

Katie waiting to pull down the prune tree once it was cut

Katie Doing dishes

Katie Putting up a curtain rod (the curtains are floor length and suppose to help stop the cold air from going from the river room into where they live)

Rock Wall

River in the morning

Backyard where it was torn up

Fence into the backyard

Happy Birthday Dad!

ok...so we really tried to make this work...it kept freezing and cutting on us. Hope it does! We love you DAD!