Going Back to Basics: Laundry

A year ago I went on a missions trip to India. It was a very real experience. I learned so much while I was there. One important thing I learned while there is how to do laundry by hand. I think it's safe to say that most of us, being American in this day in age, have never hand washed our laundry. Well, really, is it practical anymore? No. Why should we when we have a machine to do it for us? India is a very different world. I was in a house with 10 people and we just learned how to do it. To be honest, I never thought I would have the chance to do it. But you know, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It made me appreciate what I have at home and what most of the women around me in that culture do pretty much every day.

Now this is my last year of college. I also have an apartment. Things are changing and this is the perfect way to transition out of college life. One thing I just recently had the opportunity to do was wash my laundry by hand. It was definitely a flashback from my time spent in India. I had gone all weekend avoiding my laundry. I knew the time was coming and I just couldn't put it off anymore. Our lovely laundry machines are started by a special card. Without this magical card I was completely lost. I looked all over the place and there was no trace of my ticket to clean laundry. I found myself thinking "I really wish I could use coins."

Borrowing a friends card ended up only allowing me to do one load..... and only one wash. No dryer allowed. Something is better than nothing, right? I came back to my wonderful abode with load #2 staring at me waiting to be cleaned. The search for the magical card continued. It had to be somewhere. After much searching (and praying) I realized I needed to face it. I had no choice but to wash my clothes the old fashioned way.
                                                                                       

Now this is no easy feat. I carried this pile (which was like carrying a small mountain) and dumped it in the tub. Luckily, I had just enough laundry detergent to actually clean my clothes. Praise the Lord! Now the next question comes, where do I hang everything? I have a small apartment and not really places to hang things seeing as the only doors we have in the apartment is the front door, back door, and the door to the bathroom and no closets. I ended up having my sheets dry on the table like a tablecloth. I had shirts on hangers from the bunk bed and various other places. Although I was not particularly thrilled to be doing this by hand, I learned that God has a sense of humor. He just keeps finding new ways to humble me. And, I have clothes which are now finally dry.

Be Still, Be Joyful

This is a very hard subject to talk about, especially when it has to do with death of a friend. I had just started to miss my friend, Amanda, and thought about giving her a call. I kept thinking of all the things I had to update her on, classes, being a senior, possible job opportunity, and just the usual girl talk. The morning I found out, I decided to curl my hair. This is kind of a silly detail, but it's important because as I was curling my hair, I thought "I wonder if Mandy is curling her hair too. I should really give her a call." She always curled her hair. Then I got the dreaded phone call. The phone call I will never forget, "Mandy Osborn died in a car accident."

Utter shock is the only emotion I could describe at that moment. I was in complete disbelief that my friend, at 23 years old, could be dead. Tears started flowing uncontrollably. I cannot fathom it. It is so difficult to wrap my mind around it. My friend died. I have never had a friend die before. I never wanted it to happen.

It seemed so wrong to be grieving for my friend who had only been 23 for 2 months. I shouldn't be grieving for her, I should be calling her up and updating her on my life and hearing about what is new in hers. We were on the same floor together, sophomore year. I was her honorary roommate that year because I didn't have a roommate first semester. Mandy was a special person. She was always smiling and enjoying herself. When asked how she was doing or how her day was going she'd answer "I'm doing excellent!" "Why is that?" "Because the King is still on his throne. That is a good reason to be happy." So true Mandy.

There was no question about it, Mandy loved life and wanted more than anything to follow God's plan. Mandy lived out her faith. But the question still lingers, "Why would God allow something like this to happen to such a joyful person so soon?" I don't have answers and I probably won't find out until I see Mandy again.

As I kept praying and processing, I started to really get a peace about Mandy. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is in heaven praising Jesus with all that she has, and all that she is. She is in a place where there is no turmoil, there is no shame, there is no hurt or pain. There is only joy and peace and happiness. She is in a better place.

Mandy would say, "Why are you crying? You should be rejoicing because I get to be with the King of Kings!" She is the one wearing black in this picture.

All throughout my time at college, God has been speaking to me about learning how to be still. Exodus 14:14 says "The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still." In moments like this, I need him to be my peace and comfort. Mandy left behind a legacy, a legacy to be joyful. One thing I am learning is that even though my world may be crashing all around me, my God can fight for me, I need only to be still and rejoice in the Father. Thank you Mandy for teaching me how to be joyful.

She was such a great friend who made an impact on my life in more ways than she will ever know. It seems so unfair that she should get to sit at the throne room of the Father so soon. But I will see her again someday.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9