Greeting to you all,
As the last year has come to a close so do many of the adventures in my life and I thought I could send you all an update and a big thanks for all the support in my life.
I am officially a college graduate. I graduated with a bachelors degree in Geography specializing in Urban, Social and Political Geography. What can I do with this degree you ask. Well actually a good deal is possible with it. What would be most exciting would be studying people. My degree is much like an anthropology degree only I use a lot more numbers and as you might guess maps! I do plan on furthering my education in getting a Masters in Early Childhood Education.
My four years at UW were some of the best in my life. I left the university with some very irreplaceable friends, experiences and knowledge. As everyone should know by now rugby was a huge part of my life in college and is far from sliding away from my grasp! I went from being a rookie my freshmen year to treasurer my sophomore year to V.P. my junior and senior year as well as captain my senior year. Though it was very hard to walk away from something that took up so much of my time I left my team in very capable hands and cant wait to see where they take it! Beyond rugby those four years were covered in different churches and missions. St. Lukes and St. Benedicts were the two churches I did voluntary youth ministry at and was blessed by the presence of so many amazing children. St. Jude was where I spent time as an intern in the Jr. High program. Blessed again by the children and challenged as for the first time I was dealing with kids that were too privileged. This I found to be my weak spot in youth ministry. Give me a dozen under privileged kids and I feel like I have great ideas on how to relate lessons to them, replace them with kids that have too much and I am at a loss. Although it was a great experience and a great time of learning for myself. Missions played a huge role in my spiritual life, from Migrant projects to retreats, catholic camp, the Dominican Republic to Alaska. I really came closer to God the more involved I was and really started to understand just who I was in this great big world.
My time in college ended with a mission to Malawi Africa. A time I am not even sure I have fully understood yet. I worked with an organization called Children of the Nations. This is the same organization I went with to the Dominican Republic my junior year of college. In Malawi I worked along American and Malawian interns. We worked in villages spreading the word of God. Though bible lessons were given we ran a lot on action. Showing Gods love to those children as well as their parents. My time there can be summed up in a few words: struggle, a broken heart, a broken stomach and Gods Amazing Grace. Struggle because that’s exactly what it was. From a different language to a different culture; struggling with being understanding and patient. Struggle doesn’t end there; I struggled with God about who I am and what it is I was doing not only in Africa but where I was headed in my life. A broken heart because during the time there in the village I was ministering in due to some circumstances out of my hands the chief asked us not to come back. Though we were told after we were back at the office about this so I never got to say goodbye to my kids. A broken stomach because I spent a solid week very ill from the village water (or that’s my best guess). It all came to an end with an IV and some good rest. Finally God’s Amazing Grace because at the end no matter how much I struggled no matter how much it seemed like things were falling apart they weren’t and God was right there to light my path.
With the chapter of my life known as undergrad behind me I have a whole lot of life in front of me. I now find myself in Austin Texas. A place I had never even visited before I packed up and moved here. I knew a whole two people in Austin and still decided this was going to be the place for me. Well it turns out gut instinct was exactly what I needed to follow in this case. I live with one of the two people I knew, Heidi. We have a two bedroom apartment and each of us have a cat. Since they really don’t like each other my room has become my cats playground, and for the most part devoted to make sure she isn’t bored throughout the day while I am at work. Speaking of work I am working as the early preschool teacher at a Christian childcare center. The center is small but growing very quickly. My day is filled with potty training, abc’s, colors, numbers, shapes and socializing skills. My kids are the best and I love them so much, though I am sure you could see that one coming! Other then work I play rugby for the Austin Valkyries. This is a Club level women’s team and I couldn’t have asked to walk on to a better team. Its amazing how quickly these girls scoop you up and make you feel like you are family. Most of my week nights are spent either playing rugby with them or just hanging out. And undoubtedly my weekends are always filled with good old rugby fun! Beyond those two things I have been settling into a church that I am liking more and more.
Other then that Austin is feeling more and more comfortable the longer I am here. The city though geographically bland is full of interesting and unique people, places and things.
I miss you all and if you find yourself in Austin give me a call! Other then that I hope to see you all very soon. Stay updated on my life via my blog: http://mylifeasiknowit-samiallen.blogspot.com
Blessings
Sami
Me and Miller on the way to a rugby match
Me in Ketchikan AK
Me and Nick in Ketchikan AK
The top of a mountain in Alaska
Vespers pit at camp in AK
First year of camp
