It's About Time

Time fascinates me.

It just doesn't seem consistent.

Some TIME is really long. Like a bad blind date. Minutes feel like HOURS. (If you don't know what I'm talking about then lucky you.)

I really, REALLY hate wasting time.

Lately my time has been expanded in really great ways!

I keep shaking my head at the things that are getting done... so timely.

Summer hit hard and is flying by... It's July SECOND, right? Time does fly, you know.

As of today, this summer I have:

• Been to Hawaii. Rough. I know
• Moved to a new seminary
  
• Attended 2 weeks of work in-service meetings
• Completed an awesome summer session class... including a gazillion readings and 3 great projects.
• Applied for permission (and received approval!!!) to use my work in Ethiopia as research. (From A.S.U.) My dad thinks it's funny that I had an ethics committee from the Sun DEVILS approve my research... (This, by the way, happened in an unheard of amount of time... very, very fast!)
  
• Been released from the Stake Relief Society presidency. Talk about 4 years flying by....
• Raised money for a youth conference in Ethiopia (THANK YOU ALL so very much!)
• Prepared 4 talks for EFY next week
• Plan(ning) talks for Youth Conference in Ethiopia next Saturday (SATURDAY. NEXT SATURDAY! I REALLY SAID THAT. I'M GOING TO AFRICA NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!)
  

And those are just the highlights.

My point. I am forever amazed at the way time expands when we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. And planning and praying our way through.

Imagine ETERNITY. Now THAT is about TIME.

I think I'll go spend some time chillin' a little... I just visited REDBOX. (Isn't that the coolest thing?)

AND have some serious packing to do.

Tomorrow.

There's time.

I've got it good...

Sometimes I get so caught up with life that I forget how really great I have it. REALLY GREAT. My job has the greatest paybacks in the world.

Today I was able to be in the temple with a former student. I'm fairly certain he was meant to be my son ... his lack of patience in waiting for me to be a mother proves it.

I adore him.

The room was filled with young men that I've taught over the past year or two. All getting ready to go on their missions.

I loved that great big hug in the celestial room and "I love you Sister Brinkerhoff!" whispered in my ear.

Isn't this exactly the goal? Pointing these youth to the temple!? I mean, does it get much better than this?

Well maybe, because as I was walking out of the temple I ran into one of my very first students and his wife. I'll name a son for him one day. And pray like crazy that my boy will turn out to be just like him.

Man am I ever grateful for days like today... when I get to hold still for a minute or two and realize all the good people in my life! And just how blessed I really am.

Lucky me.

25 days?!

I'm not much of a blogger these days, am I?

Does anyone even read it anymore??

Tonight I was talking with some friends when someone asked about Ethiopia. Be warned when you mention that country to me. If you want to see pure passion, at it's finest... for a long, long chat... then say it. Go ahead. Ask me!

It occurred to me that I'll be leaving in less than 25 days. It's hard to believe. Especially since I've been dreaming of this trip since 1985.

There's so much to be done, all of which will miraculously come together. I just know it. That's just the way this whole thing has gone. It seems that I can't document it all fast enough! (I'm sure trying though, I constantly have a notebook and pen in hand!)

I am continually amazed at how my prayers are being answered. Recently I've been praying to wisely manage my time: I'm in summer session, all day meetings for work, Relief Society commitments... add to that planning for EFY and a trip to Africa. Not to mention "normal" life. (Um. Normal. Me? ha!)

Busy. One night I knelt wearily next to my bed and was sorting through all that had happened that day, all that hadn't, and all that needed to. My plea was for rest... efficient (and sufficient) rest so that I'd have time to get more done the next day. Man, if I could just thrive on less sleep!?

The miracle? I awoke the next morning with a list of very specific ideas and answers... all from my dreams. I probably got 3 hours worth of work done in my dreams. Isn't it awesome how the Lord answers?

And thank you for your generous donations and help! Now THAT'S a miracle. (For another post... bed beckons.)

Amazed!

I am truly amazed by the generosity of so many... I LOVE going to my mail box every day and finding another check or two. OR checking PayPal ... THANK YOU! What's even more amazing is that there are many donors that I don't even know!

These youth in Ethiopia are going to have an AMAZING experience ... thanks for helping!

My goal this week:

100 donors with a donation of $10 or more.

Will you help make it happen?

Please spread the word.

YOUTH CONFERENCE IN ETHIOPIA!

If you'd like to donate via PayPal...
just click on the link at the right.

My goal is $1500!

Youth Conference in Ethiopia!

(In case I didn't get you by email or facebook:)

Dear family and friends,

This summer I will have the unique opportunity of facilitating a youth conference for approximately 200 youth (ages 14-29) in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. I am traveling with a humanitarian organization called Hope Arising to begin some research for them ... in hopes that I will work with Hope Arising to write my dissertation. (I have just completed my first year of my doctoral work at Arizona State University. My dissertation is at least a year away!)

The youth conference will be an all day event and many of the youth do not have means for transportation. My desire is to raise funds to charter a bus and provide a meal for them. Use your imagination to try and comprehend the circumstances of poverty that they live in! This experience may be a once in a life time opportunity!

If you feel so inclined to help me by making a contribution, I would really appreciate it. Please send checks to me by July 2:

Jennifer Brinkerhoff
1801 E. Toledo St
Gilbert Az 85295

I'm working on determining how much money will be needed to fill these needs. If I raise enough money and have excess, I will donate it to the organization to help in their water project. You can read about the organization at www.hopearising.org. Feel free to respond to this message with any questions and pass it along to anyone that might be interested in helping me out.

If you are interested in a tax deductible donation, donate directly to Hope Arising and their water projects. This donation has a 1-9$ corporate match! http://hopearising.org/contact.htm

Thank you so much for your friendship and consideration in helping with this special cause.

Jennifer

Welcome Summer!

My how time flies.

I just checked in to my flight to Hawaii... leaving tomorrow afternoon, directly from school. I am so excited for this vacation and can hardly believe it's another start of summer time.

It's really going to be a great summer.

A lot of travel... with a session of summer school smack in the middle.

Plus a move.

Yup. I'm moving to a new seminary next fall.

The goal is to be in my new office by June 1. I'm in no rush. Though I've brought 4 boxes of books home today. FOUR BOXES OF BOOKS. And my office is still full. I think I need to have an "office" sale and just get rid of all this stuff. (Can you believe I found a draw of trinkets I've snatched up from students over the years? ... If you're reading this and you're one of my former students AND I took something from you once because you were distracted in class... come get it back, will you?)

I like change.

I like all of the possibilities.

I love clean slates.

And I love. LOVE. LOVE summer time. Heat and all!