Some scattered highlights

An attempt at gathering my thoughts on the last few months

I’m writing this from the Chicago airport during a two hour delay en-route to Roanoke, VA. I regret that I haven’t had the time to write a full update with all that’s been happening since I last wrote but with 2 hours of waiting ahead of me, I feel like I don’t have a justification to not write. I had to return to the States on very short notice after realizing my driver’s license was expiring in a month’s time. After being told I couldn’t renew online because I needed an updated photo, I had to buckle up and fly a couple thousand miles to smile in front of a camera at the Becker County DMV. With this I’ve taken the opportunity to run a few other personal errands and visit with some local supporters over a month-long stay in the US. Surprise!

Here’s what’s been happening in the last month:

April started off with wrapping up my first course of my MA in Leadership at Wheaton. My essays on vice/virtue, imago Dei and an upcoming one on sabbath practice were all written in response to books I needed to read for my class, and I appreciate the food for thought it provided and the conversations it prompted with my coworkers, family and friends. I received my final grades today and will be continuing on with my next courses this summer. The two classes I will be taking are Biblical and Theological Foundations of Leadership and Cultural Engagement. Taking a look at the syllabi I’m excited with what’s to come!

A highlight of the last month was the culmination of my work planning the 30th anniversary reunion for GDQ. The countless hours spent gathering contact information for alumni and event planning paid off! We had about 40 former staff and students return to GDQ for a weekend of celebration and reunion. God’s timing could not be more perfect- with the upcoming move of our school to a new building, the 30th anniversary since our founding, and the work I’ve been doing to build our alumni association, having some of the early families and teaching staff return to see just how much has changed was a great opportunity to reconnect as we transition into a new era for our school. I hosted a kickoff of our alumni association with an alumni panel geared to help high schoolers consider their transition out of Albania. With former schoolmates of mine returning from their work in a myriad of workplace sectors, I thought it would be of benefit to our students looking at pursuing careers or futures in a scattering of fields. I don’t think this was only beneficial to our high schoolers, but also for us as alumni, many of whom haven’t seen each other since high school (or even middle school). I was so encouraged by the turnout and that the 30th anniversary turned out to be a great opportunity for so many people to return to Albania that likely wouldn’t have otherwise.

I’m reminded that our experience in Albania (and more specifically at GDQ) is very unique- there are very few people who understand the community and cultural dynamic we were raised in, and for many to now return to the school as adults provides a great chance to reconnect with a childhood many have forgotten. I think of GDQ’s current student body, 140 children whose stories are being written and affected by their time at GDQ. I’m hoping an alumni association can help be the connector between our students past and present, and that tighter relationships between our alumni and the school can be a win-win for all of us!

My class of 2017 friends who returned for the 30th. I hadn’t seen Elias (far-right) since 6th grade!

A couple other highlights, each of which could have an entire post dedicated to discussing but my brain is a little too full to do that currently:

1. The Doci home has been blessed with many guests! Since March family had the chance to host one of my old roommates from Wheaton, a friend living in Greece, and two friends doing study abroad programs within Europe (along with a tag-a-long roommate). God has continued to be faithful in the support he’s brought in the form of good company :)

2. I ran a trail marathon! I decided to register alongside a friend running in the same event after finishing my half-marathon race in March. My goal was simple: I wasn’t allowed to complain, and I could take as long as I needed. I finished in 7:55:00. We celebrated with a 9 hour visit to a public hospital (Asher got a bad case of heat stroke).

3. I was able to give a clear gospel presentation to a local friend of mine I’ve gotten to know over the last year. The conversation started from a discussion on a paper I was writing for my MA course and resulted in 2 separate coffees where we discussed a purposefully designed creation, order opposed to chaos, and the existence of evil. Our debates have encouraged me to consider more of my own beliefs on the fundamental principles of my faith and I’m praying God continues to teach and humble me in the pursuit and testing of truth.

4. I took part in a training for RealTalk, a coaching tool done with in a group setting to promote transparency, authenticity and safeguarding in our conversations on secrecy, shame and addiction. It was a great opportunity to participate in the process alongside some wonderful folks from around the world interested in integrating more regular, honest conversations on faith and sin issues in the church.

5. I’ve finally had time to sit down and read for my own fun! I’ve picked up Spiritual Friendship by Wesley Hill and Confessions by St. Augustine. Augustine’s Confessions came up in conversation WAY too many times over the last month for me to not pick it up. I thought now was the right time!

A couple prayer requests:

1. Because of the last-minute decision to return to the States there is a lot of planning that is happening spur of the moment, and on-the-road. Please pray for clear discernment and an open heart to where God might be leading me on this trip. He’s brought me this far, so curious what He has planned.

2. Pray for my upcoming classes in my M.A. program.

3. For good conversations with education departments, friends, supporters, and strangers.

4. For safe travels- I will be driving quite a bit this month!

If you’d like to connect while I’m Stateside, I’ll be spending a majority of my time in Knoxville, TN and Raleigh, NC (as well as visits to Dallas, Cleveland (TN), and Nashville). Hope to cross paths with you!