* Michelle Thoughts – Page 15 – Simply Intentional

* Michelle Thoughts, Other Travels, Videos

Grand Canyon

June 23, 2011November 16, 2013 mcmeeshi

While, yes, the Grand Canyon is in fact very grand, it doesn’t quite stand up to the footage we’ve gotten from some of the other places on our trip. Highlights of our stay at the North Rim included scoring a sweet camping spot near the rim and encountering some interesting wildlife while out on our hike. Can anyone identify the large reptile on the trail?

I’m beginning to work on more videos again now that we are back in town, so look for more in the next few days!

* Michelle Thoughts, Other Travels, Videos

Bryce and Zion

June 11, 2011November 16, 2013 mcmeeshi

(Added late:) Bryce and Zion were certainly two of the most spectacular parks we’ve seen- so unique and intriguing. We loved our hikes on the Navajo/Queen’s Trail (Bryce) and Angel’s Landing (Zion).

Our next stop was the Grand Canyon, followed by Las Vegas of all places, and then Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks. Although Las Vegas was nowhere to be found on our list of places to see, we stayed there a weekend because it was on the way and my parents and brother were able to come meet us there to see some fantastic Cirque du Soleil shows. Though definitely not a National Park, Vegas is a spectacle all it’s own and will likely warrant another video post. (By the way, I probably won’t be able to finish any more videos until we’re in “civilization” again- another week or more. Stay tuned!)

* Michelle Thoughts, Other Travels, Videos

Exploring Utah

June 8, 2011November 16, 2013 mcmeeshi

We didn’t have much internet access while in Utah, so we’re doing some catching up on the video posting. First, we stopped in Salt Lake City, so here’s a real quick video of what we experienced there:

After Salt Lake City, we started our big tour of Utah’s National Parks. Since the weather didn’t permit camping in Yellowstone, the parks in Utah ended up being our first chance to camp. From one of the most unique camping sites in Arches I’ve ever seen, we were able to explore areas that seemed to be from another planet. Here’s a look at our time in Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks:

* Michelle Thoughts, Other Travels, Videos

Jackson

May 31, 2011November 16, 2013 mcmeeshi

We spent the weekend in Jackson, Wyoming with one of my best friends from college. It was the first time we were able to see her kids, so they’re the stars of this video, and you’ll also see some of the “festival” called Old West Days that happened to be taking place while we were there. We had a great time visiting and hope we will see her family again soon!

* Michelle Thoughts, Other Travels, Videos

Yellowstone

May 27, 2011November 16, 2013 mcmeeshi

Here’s a video montage of our times in the super volcano! We spent five days/four nights in a cute little cabin by Old Faithful, and enjoyed a range of weather conditions from pleasantly sunny to blustery snow.

We are now in Jackson, Wyoming for the weekend, visiting Michelle’s college friend and her growing family (we’re so excited to meet the little ones!). Until next time…

* Michelle Thoughts, Other Travels

Away we go! Our National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

May 22, 2011November 16, 2013 mcmeeshi

Roadtrip Map — Overnight stops on our Road Trip

Our much anticipated road trip has begun with a bang. Starting off with our longest driving day of the whole trip, which got us to Butte, just a few short hours from Yellowstone National Park. We are loaded up with audiobooks, podcasts, and a guitar to get us through the other (thankfully shorter) drives yet to come, and we’re excited for all the new things we will see and experience.

Check back for some video blogs along the way! (I have one started already but it will depend on when we next have internet to get it posted.)

* Michelle Thoughts

To the Students of U.P.

May 1, 2011 mcmeeshi

Dear students,

I want each of you that I’ve worked with to know that you were the highlight of my job and the biggest reason why I loved coming to work these past four years. As an introvert, I don’t often get my energy from other people, but you all energized me. Your passion, leadership, willingness to learn and grow, curiosity and outrage about issues, your abilities, and talents never ceased to amaze me. I don’t know how you think of me but in many ways I have considered myself a peer among you and have learned so much from so many of you. I would even, in forgetting our age differences, find myself “looking up to you” from time to time. The other day, I thought to myself: if I have a non-profit some day, I know there will be many of you I will be glad to have in my network because I have no doubt you will be doing amazing, world-changing things. I’ll be the one coming to you for answers.

I suppose some people might look at my “career” at the University and say that I didn’t spend enough time with other faculty or staff. But Universities are first and foremost for the students, and that’s why I was there. I treasure the year I spent living among the residents of Mehling (and the following year in Haggerty/Tyson), my time traveling with the Nicaragua and Border Plunge students, hanging out during the Service Plunge, laughing or reflecting with the Service & Justice Coordinators, and getting to know students who came through the office.

I thank you for extending me grace for the times when I was too focused on my tasks to be attentive enough to you, for failing to give you praise as often as you deserved to hear it, and for my many other weaknesses that might have affected you. You have helped me grow in numerous ways. In my last days in the office, I felt very loved by your cards, notes, toasts, “be the chang” t-shirts, and video. I am not sure everything you said was true but I was humbled and I am grateful you gave me the benefit of the doubt.

As students, I can’t encourage you enough to take advantage of building relationships with the Moreau Center staff. They are each wise and amazing mentors. I’m so glad I’ve had the chance to work alongside them and glean from their wisdom. It was not easy to give up my job but I had to trust that this was the right time and that God has a plan for a new chapter in our lives. (I have no doubt the Moreau Center is in good hands as well.)

If you’re interested, this is a link to my online Opinion piece in the Beacon addressed to the campus community: http://www.upbeacon.net/working-in-the-moreau-center-a-reflection-1.2188452

* Life Updates, * Michelle Thoughts

Why we do what we do

April 26, 2011 mcmeeshi

I thought it would be fun to take a goofy picture of our move-out process. Our apartment has basically been taken apart at this point and things are sitting in semi-unorganized piles. As we reflect on this week of “lasts” (last week in our apartment, last week for me at work, last week staying in one place for a while), I found a blog post of Donald Miller’s (Portland author of some really good books) that reminded me about why we’re going through all of this.

‘…As I read through the book of Acts, a defining characteristic of the early church is they felt joy in their work. I don’t see a lot of shame and guilt manipulation in Acts, just a bunch of people who act like they are weirdly in love with each other and with God. And I want to emphasize the word weirdly.

So, I’m debating cutting back on the ought to’s and ramping up the fun. Some aspects of service feel more like duty, and others feel more like fun. I wonder if we stopped the “ought to” aspects of loving people and got more in touch with the kinds of service that come out of our skill sets and passions we wouldn’t be more effective.’ (See more from Donald Miller’s blog post about Serving with Passion)

As Jedd mentioned in the last post, our Peace Corps journey has been delayed for now. For me, the option to go to Morocco felt a lot like an “ought to” with the biggest draw being that at least we would finally know our placement. That didn’t seem like the right motivation. I’m grateful that we are able to do the things that are uniquely fulfilling to each of us and to follow our passions. As Donald Miller says, we are pursuing this journey not because we ought to but because (in overly simplified terms) it sounds like a blast. It’s what we want to do. Why are we selling or donating almost everything we own in the process? Not because we ought to. Because it feels good, it’s freeing, and it brings us joy! (Of course, I’m not saying we should all get whatever we want or do whatever we feel all the time. In terms of things like serving and giving, though, the “what I get out of it” factor matters. Otherwise, we grow resentful or burn out.)

I believe that everyone has unique skills, passions, and gifts that are meant to be our contribution to the world. When we use those things in service, they bring joy not only to ourselves but also those around us. I hope our journey will continue to be about new ways that we can be passionate, utilize our gifts, and grow through our weaknesses. How have you found joy in using your gifts, skills, and passions through service? What good things do you do only because you ought to?

* Michelle Thoughts, * Peace Corps

The Waiting Game

April 9, 2011November 17, 2013 mcmeeshi

If anyone else is thinking about doing Peace Corps, be prepared that training actually starts as soon as you apply (Peace Corps is very upfront about this- and it’s true). We haven’t even left the U.S. and already our patience and flexibility have been tested multiple times. Our application was submitted sometime in late June of 2010. We had an interview at the beginning of August (which had to be followed up with a phone call because we ran overtime). In September, we got the surprise call that a placement opened up that matched both our job qualifications: in Africa, starting July 2011. Please decide in the next 24 hours if you want your spot held? Soon after saying yes, we received the Medical Report packet. I (Michelle) had my scheduled physical postponed twice in a row, ended up returning to the doctor’s about a dozen times because of missing signatures in all the necessary places and lab tests not being ordered all at once for some unknown reason. I thought I would have everything done by October easily but in reality, it took an additional month- not to mention the follow up medical paperwork I had to do in January once Peace Corps looked at my file. Jedd had a similar experience with the Dental portion, having to return multiple times to get the paperwork and dental work finally completed. I believe it was March when we officially received medical clearance. I feel like our patience muscles have been adequately flexed through the medical process, just one more step in preparation for life in the developing world.

Currently, we are waiting for the Placement Office to do a final review of our application, determine that we are indeed suitable for service and a good fit for our placement, and then send us the official Invitation with date of departure and country! While the medical process was tumultuous, the silence of the Placement office has quite possibly been the greatest test of patience. The anticipation is becoming nearly unbearable! On a daily basis, we check our e-mail and our mailbox in hopes of some indication that our Invitation is coming. On a daily basis we also get asked by curious friends and family if we have any news. I feel like a broken record explaining multiple times a day that we are still waiting to hear more, but it is nice to know so many people are excited for us. We are about 3 months away from our supposed departure, so we should literally hear any day now, although they could technically wait up until 6 weeks beforehand to send notice.

Your prayers for patience and peace at this point are much appreciated. Thanks for following us along this journey.

* Michelle Thoughts, Videos

Border Plunge (My Spring Break Experience)

March 28, 2011February 5, 2012 mcmeeshi

This is a video “montage” I (Michelle) have put together from my trip with 18 students and one other staff from UP to the Border of Arizona/Mexico. We learned more than we could have imagined and we had a great time along the way! I hope this video will give you a snapshot of what we did and saw. Sadly, this was the last big program I’ll advise at the Moreau Center, and I have only a little more than a month left at work before we move on to the next chapter in our lives.

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