Excitement

I haven't been writing as much, but that may be a good thing as I have become increasingly more involved with department things, new friendships (as well as old), and Bethel life altogether. This fall I am working on my senior seminar. That is a class that each major has at Bethel, but they all consist of slightly different content. For History, I use this semester for independent research, write a 30 page paper, and present my research to the entire History faculty, along with students, family, and friends. It used to terrify me, but it's a good thing. The intent is that it gives you undergraduate experience to prepare you for grad school. yikes... I am ecstatic though because I have a topic and it is actually something I am very excited to research...and it may even provide me with a job after school!

My topic is department stores in the early 20th century and class/gender relations between the women working and the women consuming, with a focus on the department store, Dayton's, which opened in Minneapolis. Suffice it to say, there is a wealth of information here for me to dig through. I am very thankful. A few of my professors have come up to at different times and told me that this research could wind up landing me a job; Target came out of Dayton's and as all know (which I didn't know), big corporations always have an archivist. For my research I will be contacting Target Corporation to dig through their archives and hopefully it could turn into something much greater than findings for my research. Who knows what will come of this! Regardless if this could turn into a job, I am very excited the things I am learning.

At the same time, I am trying to keep life in perspective; school is important, but it is not the only thing in my life. This weekend I was able to go camping with quite a few of my siblings and their families and we had a great time. I love that most of them are so close and I can be a part of their individual families and see their little kiddo's grow up.

Another blessing in my life are my roommates. How awesome is it to be surrounded by people that are excited for me and the things that are exciting to me! I love sharing life with these two wonderful women. Our little apartment is becoming such a lovely little home to come back to as we grow evermore closer.

On a side note: Since I live in an apartment, we cook all of our own meals. I'm tired of what I cook. If any of you have some solid go to meals, share them! Sometimes I think the hardest part of cooking, is simply figuring out what to cook.

So Sweet.

While at home, I finished working my way through the bundle of letters that my grandma saved from her correspondence with my grandfather. While the letters are not too full of meaningful information, my grandpa, Harvey, did include this dried tiger lily. After 87 years the lily is still intact. It was so beautiful.

I'm learning how important it is to document your life, may that be in writing or pictures, stories are important. Seasons of life are important and show how people change and grow. I am starting my final year of college and I am amazed at how much I have changed in these past few years. As I look back at past posts or read through old journals of mine, I am beginning to realize the seasons God has taken me through to create in me His purposes for my life. I love the concept of having purpose in life and that God has a calling on every person and even though those callings may change, he is constantly shaping you for the next thing. That is why stories are important. Most times we do not notice or remember where we started. Instead we should be mindful in order to continue moving forward in each new season of life. That is all.

Thoughts on JOY.

What would happen if we simply sought out joy and gratitude in every situation, regardless of how seemingly terrible it may be? That question has been transforming the way I have been thinking lately. 

Just a thought...

Bright & Early

Right now I am in Minneapolis, ready to leave in the morning for camp. However, I noticed tonight the car making a weird sound and after my brother checked it, he told me one of the brakes has to be replaced. Not a super big deal, but I didn't get the car to him until after every place was already closed. My roommate from school, Carly, who is coming to camp with me this summer, and I will still leave tomorrow, although a few hours behind schedule. It could have turned into an entire day late, so I am thankful that we can still get going tomorrow morning. Anyways, if you want to hear from me this summer and send a note my way, the address is:

Gretchen Luhmann

P.O. 657

Newberry, MI 49868

I'm reading a book titled, One Thousand Gifts, and it is totally making me rethink the concept of being truly thankful. You should read it too. Definitely a wonderful read that challenges every Christian to encounter what may seem as the commonplace, as one more way to acknowledge our wonderful Creator and Savior. 

Last summer, I wrote a list of prayer requests I had going into the summer and I have a few for this year.

1. Travel. This may seem obvious, but having a car that will get me to Michigan is a huge blessing and I am always thankful when I get there and back again. Not to mention all the driving that takes place throughout the summer.

2. Friendships. I really hope and pray that the staff melds together well again and that past grievances of any kind can be worked through to make for a wonderful staff once again.

3. Not to us. I thought about that phrase a lot before I went to camp last summer and I really think it helped me to put the entire ministry into perspective. My hope is that this phrase would define the very essence of the staff, for me individually as well as for the entire staff. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the daily tasks, but the reason we should do everything is to ultimately praise our father in heaven. 

May you be content right where you are, yet still striving to glorify Christ in all that you do.

Happy Summer!

My house.

i want this house. yes, i am the girl that dreams about houses and after watching stepmom for the 1,000,000th time tonight, i still want this one. it is so homey, so perfect. i just need $1,999,999 and move to NY and it's mine. will you chip in? thanks in advance.

Grandpa Harvey.

so while i was home last weekend for easter, which was beyond wonderful, my mother and i started going through a shoe box of letters that my grandma had saved over the years from my grandpa. we were organizing them by date in order to read them from beginning to end. for a while, i have been thinking about these letters, hoping they would prove useful for a senior seminar project. after we started reading through some of them, i got out my scanner and began making copies so that we could have them forever. they are that precious. i never knew my grandpa, but i would never have expected a farm boy in the 20's, growing up in a rural community, to express himself so. his handwriting is perfect and his grammar, a little lacking. they are a treasure. here is one excerpt from a letter dated January 6, 1924.

"Dot I'll never forget the day you and Luke (Dunn) walked past the bank in the direction of the Dunn residence (where my grandmother boarded while teaching in Nekoma). Little did I think at that time that there was a chance of me being lucky enough to win part of your love. Darling from that time on the image of you has never once left the brightest and most distinct part of my memory. For almost a year I worshiped you in silence and then one Sunday I ask you to go for a ride and then waited in suspense till you said yes. Dot I never told you all this before did I?"

i love the stories history reveals. being a history major, everyone always asks you your favorite war/event/etc. but i just like these stories i learn about the "good ole days" when life was simpler and all the stories that you hear. i am so looking forward to working my way further through these letters and to discover all the things i never had a chance to learn for myself during their lives. 

Beautiful People.

Some of the most beautiful words 

in the entire world 

have already been used 

thousands of times. 

but that doesn't make 

them any less beautiful. 

so too with people.