tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9150680117078734612011-10-01T03:44:14.440+01:00Follow my year as I serve SPEC in England through ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission Program.Martanoreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-48505495452518710232010-06-04T21:48:00.005+01:002010-06-04T21:57:35.167+01:00

There have been many moments throughout this year that could very well be presented to me in happy little packaging with a “This is a Life Lesson” note on top. Through a variety of indicators, I’m realizing who I am as a person and how I relate to the people around me as a result. Living in a new culture, feeling uncomfortable or confused can often be resolved by the tried and true method of

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-60136954184561079592010-04-27T22:05:00.003+01:002010-04-27T22:22:32.183+01:00

Spring is slowly but surely turning into Summer here at SPEC! The gorgeous weather, warm sunshine, and longer days are starting to produce more opportunities for fun and fellowship outside! I had a ton of fun on a team challenge session today we call SWAMP. I spent the day watching 15 yr old London lads try to get across land on tires and planks while wearing school uniforms. Entertaining

Martanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-23993813795348268942010-03-20T22:52:00.002Z2010-03-20T22:55:14.767Z

The SPEC kitchen has always reminded me of working in the Camp Luther kitchen, but this weekend this was particularly true.Kris and I volunteered to help wash dishes for a self-catering outside group using SPEC facilities this weekend. It was some Christian organization full of college aged students with real maternal English women as the kitchen staff. There are a slew of different

Martanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-22335588171532708752010-03-01T19:43:00.003Z2010-03-01T22:54:42.387Z

Hello Blog Readers!Happy March! Thus begins my 7th full month here. Incredible! All 28 days of February came and went fairly quickly- and as far as SPEC time goes- it was abnormally abrupt due in part to our week long half-term break the 3rd week of the month. That week I could be find tooling around the great country of Denmark with my cousin Katie and fellow YAGM Becca. With limited

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-964289261318528642010-02-06T22:33:00.003Z2010-02-07T13:21:37.783Z

At the start of every SPEC retreat, we go around and introduce our team. We share some things about ourselves and such.... some stick to one intro, I often randomly share whatever it is I want to that day. Oftentimes funny stories go over well- and this month brought me one I now found myself sharing in my intro....A handful of us had gone out to "Home Base", a Lowes/HomeDepot type store to

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-22670871964803081902010-01-25T11:50:00.006Z2010-01-25T22:51:01.554Z

I was asked to give a message at one of the evening worships at our Time For God Big Conference last week. I didn’t hesitate in saying yes; after all, I just spent a ton of money (sum not to be disclosed) on a Communication/Religion degree from Capital. Might as well apply my abilities to communicate religion! I received a generous and motivating response from my peers at the conference. Here

Martanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-6154632569082018572010-01-17T20:56:00.005Z2010-01-17T21:03:26.142Z

I am about to fuse together two completely different trains of thought. Consider it a 2 for 1 deal after my lack of blogging over the past month or so. Everyone loves a Twofer!! First off. I’d like to share a little story of my week. My pigeon hole (mailbox) at SPEC has 2 primary functions. It serves as a place where Mags (our office lady) puts mail addressed to me. It also serves as a

Martanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-89852045900827305302010-01-11T21:03:00.003Z2010-01-13T22:15:22.322Z

My reasons behind sharing this information are threefold:1. I believe in this program!2. This is my first January in 3 years I won't be recruiting girls for Pi Phi Epsilon. My recruitment skills would become rusty if I didn't do this!3. I forgot to add this little blurb in my January newsletter!If you know any ELCA Lutheran between the age of 19-29 currently scratching their head, looking

Martanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-20121947220140197262009-12-18T12:08:00.002Z2009-12-18T12:28:50.902Z

I love friends. I am so appreciative and in awe of the many people I have the pleasure of calling my friends.This week, the three SPEC YAGMs began their 3 week Christmas break away from SPEC. Unfortunately, this meant not only a break from work but a break from our accomodation at SPEC for which we needed to find places to stay over the holiday. Fortunately, this has resulted in one of the best

Martanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-60021643071351550402009-11-27T19:22:00.001Z2009-11-27T19:22:27.096Z

As I approached my pigeon hole (mailbox) on Thanksgiving Day, I found a rather large envelope from the ELCA. I had just received the monthly Global Mission newsletter, so I knew this was something new and different. As I ripped the envelope open, I discovered homemade Thanksgiving cards and well-wishes from ELCA Global Mission Support. An abundance of hand-turkeys and childish scribbles and

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-6338105160632067092009-11-16T23:17:00.002Z2009-11-16T23:23:33.088Z

You don’t realize how many sports analogies and phrases permeate American speech until you are in a country that knows generally very little about American sports.I have stated or nearly stated all of the following instances of the aforementioned statement during my past 3 months in England. Included are reactions of my English friends:”I really struck out on that one…” or “Strike one!”Reaction

Martanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-48151994357849716632009-11-09T23:36:00.004Z2009-11-09T23:45:49.131Z

SPEC runs alongside the English school year, and so I spent the 3rd week of October away from SPEC as part of “half term break”. Kris and I alongside another UK YAGM Dana spent our week in London and Scotland. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable week of exploring Great Britain! Dana is placed with a tutoring program called Springboard in London, so she shares a flat with some other

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-29547765416058089052009-10-23T20:20:00.002+01:002009-10-26T23:14:53.206Z

“Every step we get a little deeper…..to climb higher up some mountains…and face the storm…and be totally awesome and succeed because THERE ARE NO BOUNDARIES!!!!” -Kris AllenOk, so those aren't the exact lyrics to American Idol Season 8’s coronation song, but that’s the main gyst of that god-awful song we faithful AI viewers endured this year.Sorry to tell you, songwriter and

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-85584235283315421942009-10-18T20:41:00.004+01:002009-11-06T11:44:03.272Z

I successfully made it through my first traveling experience in England by myself! I visited my second cousin Katie in Portsmouth (southern England on the water) this weekend and had a marvelous time. While traveling by bus and train, I couldn't help but imagine the Amazing Race theme song; especially when I got on a train not realllly knowing where I was getting off. :) My iPod served as an

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-41401468380948030622009-10-18T20:30:00.003+01:002009-10-18T20:41:32.301+01:00

Wednesday October 14- Marta the American Protestant encounters English Catholicism full force….The Spec team had our first “outreach” day retreat in a school, St Martha’s, an all-girls private Catholic secondary school. I really enjoyed my assigned session, which was entitled “Lets Hear It for the Girls”- taking a look at female images in the media and the societal perceptions and expectations

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-64199552136098844442009-10-10T12:00:00.000+01:002009-10-10T12:01:23.825+01:00

“Laughing at yourself is a form of humility- and a great way to let go of control.”I seem to be relating a lot of blog posts to advice given to be at YAGM orientation, but I suppose it’s a testament to the amazing people and organization that made this year possible for me. Knowing that I prepared for this year of service for nearly 8 months, it is assuring to know that all the preparation was

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-62963298254789323902009-10-03T23:59:00.001+01:002009-10-04T00:02:42.456+01:00

Teenagers really just need you to be present. I am a month into my year serving with SPEC with three retreats under my belt. All three of these retreats varied in size, duration, and schedule. While there are many different variables that differ from retreat to retreat, one variable remains constant as a member of the SPEC team. The most important thing for Marta Diehm is to show up. I

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-65556900949575657252009-09-21T23:33:00.005+01:002009-09-22T01:13:25.336+01:00

Many great insights were passed on to the 50 YAGMs during our Orientation in Chicago at the end of August. Advice, discussions, counsel, and poignant theology made our week with presenters, alumni, and Global Mission personnel such a worthwhile week. A week for which now, a month into my experience, I’m so grateful. I’d like to share a story of how one such piece of insight has slapped me on

Martanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-56137701731935410942009-09-19T15:20:00.005+01:002009-09-19T15:28:26.269+01:00

I realize I have not blogged much about my actual job and SPEC, and for good reason. Get out your pencils and notebooks, here’s a quick lesson! The past three weeks have been filled with “formation”- basically training, community building and preparation for the SPEC year. I now know I am a part of the SPEC Centre team, comprised of 8 volunteers who will be working with young people aged 13-25.

Martanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-81523321219449586962009-09-12T21:35:00.004+01:002009-09-14T00:01:37.908+01:00

It seems fairly common for Americans to return from abroad and share lists of things the foreign country had and didn't have as a way to interest their fellow Americans about the different world they experienced. Luckily for you, that time is now and that list is here.Q: "Hey Marta! What are some things they have in England that we don't have in the US?"A: "Thank you for asking, friend. In

Martanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-21267567360267573002009-09-05T23:22:00.004+01:002009-09-06T00:47:14.979+01:00

And now its time for Deep Thoughts With Marta Diehm...I lost my control yesterday. My laptop was relaxing comfortably on my desk when my deordorant stick fell from the overhead shelf and landed on the keyboard, therefore popping off the bottom left-hand corner CTRL key. After a vailant yet unsuccessful effort from my friend Anthony to pop it back on, I am without a control key.I've lost my

Martanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-3083457369964653052009-09-05T22:41:00.009+01:002009-09-05T23:20:18.158+01:00

This past week we spent Sunday-Thursday in Snowdonia National Park in Wales for a staff retreat. It was a marvelous week of orientating, group-building, games and over SPEC fun. And I almost forgot—add some serious mountain hiking and high ropes course to that list! (More on those 2 adventures in a minute.) This coming week we start actual job/retreat training, so stay tuned on updates about my

Martanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-9254876375590920162009-08-29T23:56:00.003+01:002009-08-30T00:20:58.180+01:00

Hello All!I am happy to report I am heading into my 3rd happy and healthy night in my English bed at SPEC! We arrived here Thursday after a flight over the Atlantic from Chicago (during which I got to sit next to fellow YAGM and Ohioan, Traci!) This place, people and ministry is going to be easy to fall in love with. For this I am sure. Do you know that feeling when you can fully anticipate

Martanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-55776842523286784622009-08-26T15:05:00.002+01:002009-08-26T15:09:07.603+01:00

“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Today is the day!After a week of ELCA orientation in Chicago, it is time to bid adieu to 43 of my fellow YAGMs, Hyde Park, and the United States of America as myself and 6 London-area YAGMs head across the pond this evening. This week of orientation has been exactly what I’ve needed to prepare. Thought-provoking dialogue

Martanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-41177389677818152552009-08-17T04:04:00.004+01:002009-08-17T05:00:32.212+01:00

As I sit here on the Diehm family back porch on a gorgeous night in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA, I can't help but contemplate my adventure ahead. I leave on Wednesday for our week-long ELCA orientation, followed by my flight to London Heathrow on Wed. August 26th. Though I'm bound to be an emotional tub of goo as I kiss my family goodbye, I can't wait to be welcomed by my ELCA and YAGM family

Martanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915068011707873461.post-54813095143180329062009-07-29T01:17:00.008+01:002009-07-29T17:55:21.649+01:00

Greetings! You found my blog- yippee!! I hope you like what you see. I've spent quite some time getting things set up and playing with color schemes and such. (Which should not be surprising to those who know me well..) Don't be alarmed if throughout this year you visit an updated and different-looking set up. It's what I do. In just about 3 weeks, I leave for the next big chapter of my life-- a

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