The end-of-the-year survey tradition continues for a fifth year.
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
1) What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Co-led a team of High School students to Kenya. Led worship in the main service at Mariners Church. Moved to Irvine with Bre. Created our own version of Guess Who. Attended the charity: water charity: ball. Threw an Oasis of Hope breakfast.
2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I've made the same resolution for the last five years: be smarter. I'm fairly certain that I have finished each year a little wiser...and a little smarter. I think 2010 is no exception.
3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
Sue had a sweet new baby. So did Erin.
4) Did anyone close to you die?
No, but I did mourn the loss of Andrew Koenig.
5) What countries did you visit?
Kenya. I know, surprise, surprise.
6) What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A more gentle spirit. And a more tender heart.
7) What date(s) from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
We had a big Fall at work...I could list off the date of every Sunday from Labor Day to Halloween and tell you what was important, but mostly 10.10.10: When we launched our small groups (that date was so planned and promoted, I will never forget it.)
8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I think one of my most proud moments was hearing a girl in my small group, Ryanne (who has spent this year wrestling with and coming to a better understanding of God's incredible and undeserved love for her) articulate why she wanted to be baptized. She said, "Because He is my Father and I am His daughter." I love it.
9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
I thought I had malaria. (I did not.)
10) What was the best thing you bought?
Dinner for ten.
11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
The students of the Kitale Leadership Institute.
12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My own, in some moments. But this year, I think I wrestled with the thought of human traffickers and child abusers...their behavior makes me nauseated and so sad.
13) Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Food. Gas. You know, awesome grown-up things.
14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Our High School Ministry raising money for a charity: water well. A trip to D.C. and New York with my mom.
15) What song will always remind you of 2010?
"The Dog Days are Over" by Florence and the Machine. "Firework" by Katy Perry. "Marry You" by Bruno Mars. And, of course, the Cee-Lo Green song.
16) Compared to this time last year, are you:
Wiser? Yes. Healthier? Yes. Richer? Maybe?
17) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Read. Practice Swahili.
18) What do you wish you'd done less of?
People-please.
19) How did you spend Christmas?
With two sets of grandparents, both parents and my brother...in three different homes, but all in one day.
20) Did you fall in love in 2010?
Ummm...I don't think so.
21) What was your favorite TV program?
Modern Family. Dexter. 30 Rock.
22) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.
23) What was the best book you read?
The Millennium Trilogy. East of Eden. The Hunger Games Trilogy.
24) What was your greatest musical discovery?
Brooke Fraser: Flags
25) What did you want and get?
A super awesome small group of High School girls. A kick-a roommate. Some friends at work.
26) What did you want and not get?
To see Taza in D.C...or The Sartorialist in New York.
27) What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception. Oh, and HP7 Part 1.
28) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28 and spent my day talking about Kenya, leading worship for High School service, eating cake during small group and then carving pumpkins...
29) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
I really like Kristen Bell. I love that she cares about humanity.
30) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I love dresses...and leggings...and, more recently, my charity: water sweatshirt.
31) What kept you sane?
Jesus.
32) Who did you miss?
My Kenyan friends.
33) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
I can not do things based on the opinion of others.
34) What did you gain this year?
Some wisdom. Some peace.
35) What did you lose this year?
Some weight.
36) Who was the best new person you met?
I sure do like Becky.
37) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Please still my anxious urge toward rebellion. Let love keep my will upon its knees"
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Things That Make You Go Mmmmm....
1. Sprouts
2. Orange Juice
3. Sourdough Bread
4. Green Grapes
5. Eggs
2. Orange Juice
3. Sourdough Bread
4. Green Grapes
5. Eggs
These days, I'm unable to stick to my previously-noted food likes and dislikes. Some items that I used to love, I no longer care for (funfetti cake, for one, as much as it pains me to say) and many things that I would have turned up my nose at for years, now have me wondering what I could make simply so I can add them to the recipe.
As you grew, which foods made the jump from "yuck" to "yum" on your palate?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I'm Just Being Honest
I have the best of intentions when it comes to this blog...but I just can't keep up with my daily posting.
I intended to post about pumpkin carving...but did not.
I intended to post pictures of all of the home improvements we've made recently, but I have not.
I'm trying to practice the discipline of doing only what God wants me to do, not what others expect me to do...and that (for me) is a very difficult thing to do...
This blog, at least in my head, feels like something I would do because it's expected of me...not because I have so many important things I want to say or because I love the consistent place to write my thoughts and feelings.
And so, I haven't been posting.
Maybe I'll pick it up again soon...but only if it becomes something that helps me to breathe, instead of causing me to feel pressure.
I intended to post about pumpkin carving...but did not.
I intended to post pictures of all of the home improvements we've made recently, but I have not.
I'm trying to practice the discipline of doing only what God wants me to do, not what others expect me to do...and that (for me) is a very difficult thing to do...
This blog, at least in my head, feels like something I would do because it's expected of me...not because I have so many important things I want to say or because I love the consistent place to write my thoughts and feelings.
And so, I haven't been posting.
Maybe I'll pick it up again soon...but only if it becomes something that helps me to breathe, instead of causing me to feel pressure.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
This Feels Right, Right?
I wonder what it would be like…to write.
To write without inhibitions…to write with intense emotions and little concentration. To write without constraints of spelling, sentence structure, punctuation.
To write without fear of critique or mockery.
To write without fear of rejection or shame.
————————-
I wonder what it would be like…to right.
To right without inhibitions…to right with intense emotions and single concentration. To right without constraints of money, time, previous attempts.
To right without fear of critique or mockery.
To right without fear of rejection or shame. Or failure.
The world would be a remarkably different place.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
I've Been Searching the Streets For Ya...
Wow. Six whole weeks later.
If I were you, I would have moved me to my "Hardly Ever Blog" folder in Google Reader.
If you work in youth ministry, or around youth ministry, or know someone in youth ministry, you know that Fall is always a whirlwind. As summer winds-down and school ramps-up, you'll hear the term "launch" over and over and over and over again in the halls of a church office.
Around September 7th, normalcy returns to the schedules of families in the church just as quickly as it leaves those of the employees of the church.
My life, for the last 8 weeks, has been overtaken by my job.
We went through a massive restructure, relaunch, revitalization this summer/fall...which meant long hours, lots of conversations (tons of conversations), but not much rest.
Our ministry is awesome right now. Our new Sunday Night service (Sunday nights only--no more Saturday night or Sunday morning. No service time to coincide with "big church" service times) is thriving. We have a majority of our current students in small groups (which now run entirely on-campus, in the second hour of our Sunday Night Experience.) Tons of students plugged-in to a small group community, who have the opportunity to be heard and known and cared for. I am really, really excited about all that God will do in the lives of these students over the next year.
All of these great pieces were written, presented, launched, trained, ordered, organized, programmed and checked-off during the last two months...and the rest of my life was put on hold. I'm proud of all that has happened in the ministry, but I'm not entirely proud of my lack of boundaries during the process...
We should be slowing down a bit now...at the very least, I will be slowing down a bit now.
Which should mean a return to writing here.
News that, I know, will be pleasing to my Papa.
If I were you, I would have moved me to my "Hardly Ever Blog" folder in Google Reader.
If you work in youth ministry, or around youth ministry, or know someone in youth ministry, you know that Fall is always a whirlwind. As summer winds-down and school ramps-up, you'll hear the term "launch" over and over and over and over again in the halls of a church office.
Around September 7th, normalcy returns to the schedules of families in the church just as quickly as it leaves those of the employees of the church.
My life, for the last 8 weeks, has been overtaken by my job.
We went through a massive restructure, relaunch, revitalization this summer/fall...which meant long hours, lots of conversations (tons of conversations), but not much rest.
Our ministry is awesome right now. Our new Sunday Night service (Sunday nights only--no more Saturday night or Sunday morning. No service time to coincide with "big church" service times) is thriving. We have a majority of our current students in small groups (which now run entirely on-campus, in the second hour of our Sunday Night Experience.) Tons of students plugged-in to a small group community, who have the opportunity to be heard and known and cared for. I am really, really excited about all that God will do in the lives of these students over the next year.
All of these great pieces were written, presented, launched, trained, ordered, organized, programmed and checked-off during the last two months...and the rest of my life was put on hold. I'm proud of all that has happened in the ministry, but I'm not entirely proud of my lack of boundaries during the process...
We should be slowing down a bit now...at the very least, I will be slowing down a bit now.
Which should mean a return to writing here.
News that, I know, will be pleasing to my Papa.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
It's Been One Week Since You Looked At Me...
It's been a week since my last post...and I don't think I even realized it.
I spend quite a few days of the last week moving homes...it was madness...and completely exhausting...but my new place feels just that: new. And so clean that it's almost like a hotel.
Monday: packing the house, moving refrigerators (yep, plural), mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom (with a one of my small group girls)
Tuesday: rented, picked-up and packed a U-Haul with the contents of my entire house (with the same HS student and a great friend)...drove and parked the U-Haul and waited for Wednesday to come.
Wednesday: picked up my new keys, dropped off my old keys (and grabbed a left-behind TV), unloaded the U-Haul (with the help of two incredible dudes), returned the U-Haul, picked up a minivan for loading and moving all of Bre's furniture, then unpacked the kitchen and DVDs, set-up two beds, two TVs with DVD players and most of the living room.
Thursday: unpacked most of my closet, moved a bookshelf or two, went to work and college group...Bre went grocery shopping (thankfully!)
Saturday/Sunday/Monday: slowly, little-by-little unpacking the rest of the junk, moving furniture over and over again to maximize our space, inviting friends over to see the place
This morning, a week later, it still feels like a hotel...but at least it feels like a home, too.
(Pictures to come)
I spend quite a few days of the last week moving homes...it was madness...and completely exhausting...but my new place feels just that: new. And so clean that it's almost like a hotel.
Monday: packing the house, moving refrigerators (yep, plural), mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom (with a one of my small group girls)
Tuesday: rented, picked-up and packed a U-Haul with the contents of my entire house (with the same HS student and a great friend)...drove and parked the U-Haul and waited for Wednesday to come.
Wednesday: picked up my new keys, dropped off my old keys (and grabbed a left-behind TV), unloaded the U-Haul (with the help of two incredible dudes), returned the U-Haul, picked up a minivan for loading and moving all of Bre's furniture, then unpacked the kitchen and DVDs, set-up two beds, two TVs with DVD players and most of the living room.
Thursday: unpacked most of my closet, moved a bookshelf or two, went to work and college group...Bre went grocery shopping (thankfully!)
Saturday/Sunday/Monday: slowly, little-by-little unpacking the rest of the junk, moving furniture over and over again to maximize our space, inviting friends over to see the place
This morning, a week later, it still feels like a hotel...but at least it feels like a home, too.
(Pictures to come)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tatturday Night
On Saturday night, a large group of us went to watch Delia get her second tattoo. It is a quote she heard at Gilgal, a secondary school in Kitale. I love Kitale...and I love White Lotus...and I love Delia. So I was excited for the evening.
She was a little nervous beforehand...mostly about the pain that would be involved, but her artist, Osh, was a big help when it came to calming her nerves.
Torie and I stood with Delia for most of the time, while everyone else took turns coming back to check-in, video or distract her with a story.
It was a little sad to sit in White Lotus for so long and not leave with a new tattoo...
Maybe it's time for another Tattuesday?!
She was a little nervous beforehand...mostly about the pain that would be involved, but her artist, Osh, was a big help when it came to calming her nerves.
Torie and I stood with Delia for most of the time, while everyone else took turns coming back to check-in, video or distract her with a story.
Less excited once it's going
At one point she said, "It only hurts when he touches the needle to my arm!"
At one point she said, "It only hurts when he touches the needle to my arm!"
Osh sanitized the finished piece with some alcohol.
Delia's response: "What are you doing to me, Osh? Alcohol on a fresh wound!?"
Delia's response: "What are you doing to me, Osh? Alcohol on a fresh wound!?"
It was a little sad to sit in White Lotus for so long and not leave with a new tattoo...
Maybe it's time for another Tattuesday?!
Desk-guise
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Everyone Loves Williams, Arizona
I spent last week at Lost Canyon (a camp in Williams, Arizona) with 150 high school students from Mariners Church. The facility is run by Young Life and is, easily, the most beautiful camp I've ever been to.
About a week before camp, we had a few leaders drop out (sicknesses, vacation-time, etc). Luckily, Torie and Delia came to the rescue. They called up two friends from Biola (Jon and Sam) to join us at camp. We had an amazing group of leaders at camp this week...but these four stuck out most to me!
The camp band (l to r): Steven, Chris, Nick and Trevor. We played quite a few covers throughout the week (including Muse and Justin Bieber) not to mention songs for club, country night and the coffee shop concert. All-in-all, we learned about 30 songs. They worked the pool and zip-line during the day and then played at night...little sleep, but lots of fun.
Sunday night was Country Night. After dinner, we headed to the Clubhouse to sing a few folk tunes together...and then came the line-up: boys at one door, girls at the other. They would be released one at a time to meet their "partner" for the line dance. The anticipation (and anxiety) was very fun to watch. I know that I would have felt the same if I were a student.
The theme of camp was Boy Bands. BP, Tim, Taylor, Mike and Jared made-up The Lost Boys who were on their reunion tour at Lost Canyon. Pre-camp I got to help plan costumes and even choreograph a music video...I felt like I was a sophomore in high school again.
Can't wait for Lost Canyon 2011.
The band unloaded and went to wait for students to come to the Clubroom. Luckily, there were rocking chairs on the patio.
Trevor, Steven and Nick
My friend, Josh Pease, was our camp speaker. I told him this, but you should know, too: he did a great job. It was fun to sit in the back of the room and watch as he shared stories, both serious and funny, as he helped to spark questions in their brains that would force students to wrestle with what God was trying to say or do in their hearts.Josh speaking in the Clubroom
About a week before camp, we had a few leaders drop out (sicknesses, vacation-time, etc). Luckily, Torie and Delia came to the rescue. They called up two friends from Biola (Jon and Sam) to join us at camp. We had an amazing group of leaders at camp this week...but these four stuck out most to me!
Jon (white shirt, scowl) at the breakfast table with his huge cabin
The camp layout is really well-designed. They have a giant field in the center of camp, boys dorms on one side, girls on the other, dining hall, lake and pool on one end and the clubroom on the other. It would only take a few minutes for a student to find the rest of the kids from his cabin during free time...and I could walk a lap around camp and interact with tons of students.The camp band (l to r): Steven, Chris, Nick and Trevor. We played quite a few covers throughout the week (including Muse and Justin Bieber) not to mention songs for club, country night and the coffee shop concert. All-in-all, we learned about 30 songs. They worked the pool and zip-line during the day and then played at night...little sleep, but lots of fun.
Sunday night was Country Night. After dinner, we headed to the Clubhouse to sing a few folk tunes together...and then came the line-up: boys at one door, girls at the other. They would be released one at a time to meet their "partner" for the line dance. The anticipation (and anxiety) was very fun to watch. I know that I would have felt the same if I were a student.
Two freshman boys hoping for senior girls
Tuesday night was fancy night: everyone was decked-out in fancy dresses or sport coats for dinner. Most of the upper-classmen cabins went as "dates" so I had dinner with a bunch of abandoned leaders and three date-less students.Fancy Night
The theme of camp was Boy Bands. BP, Tim, Taylor, Mike and Jared made-up The Lost Boys who were on their reunion tour at Lost Canyon. Pre-camp I got to help plan costumes and even choreograph a music video...I felt like I was a sophomore in high school again.
The Lost Boys signing autographs
I could have stayed at camp for another week. We came home on Wednesday night and our whole team came back to the office on Friday saying, "Okay, we've slept and showered, let's go back!"Can't wait for Lost Canyon 2011.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Subjecting Yourself To A Subjective Subject
Productive is a very subjective word.
The word changes meaning with the day, as far as I am concerned.
On a work day, my productivity-meter is well above-average...so much so that I have (many times) been chastised for berating others on their lack of productivity. (As a result, I have calmed down quite a bit in the last few years.)
However, on Mondays (my day off), my definition of productivity is completely different. On any given Monday, I base the success of the day on: how many magazines I can read in an hour, or how many episodes of TV on DVD I can watch without getting up to go to the bathroom, or how long I can lay in bed before taking a shower. If I'm really crazy, productive becomes putting away a load of laundry, painting my nails, and plucking my eyebrows. (But most Mondays I intend to do these things and never get around to them.)
And so, as I sit here tonight, I think back on the many magazines read today, the full disc of The O.C. completed and the fact that I was only out of my pajamas for 5 hours all day...and I know that today was a very productive day.
The word changes meaning with the day, as far as I am concerned.
On a work day, my productivity-meter is well above-average...so much so that I have (many times) been chastised for berating others on their lack of productivity. (As a result, I have calmed down quite a bit in the last few years.)
However, on Mondays (my day off), my definition of productivity is completely different. On any given Monday, I base the success of the day on: how many magazines I can read in an hour, or how many episodes of TV on DVD I can watch without getting up to go to the bathroom, or how long I can lay in bed before taking a shower. If I'm really crazy, productive becomes putting away a load of laundry, painting my nails, and plucking my eyebrows. (But most Mondays I intend to do these things and never get around to them.)
And so, as I sit here tonight, I think back on the many magazines read today, the full disc of The O.C. completed and the fact that I was only out of my pajamas for 5 hours all day...and I know that today was a very productive day.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Healthy Habits
I've been home from Kenya for about 10 days. In these 10 days, I have been trying to develop some healthy routines {eating vegetables, flossing, taking vitamins, spending time alone...to name a few.}
There are a few reasons for these recent developments, but that is not what this post is for. Though, I would imagine a post on such things is coming sooner than later.
The new adjustments simply served as a reminder of my 30 Things to Do Before I'm 30 list that I made on my 26th Birthday.
Here's the list.
*The red denotes completion. The others...well, let's just say they are "in motion"
It should also be noted that I have made a few tweaks to the list (for reasons such as: I no longer wear jeans).
1. Read over 100 books (I'm at 27...I should step this up)
2. Get a giant tattoo
3. Perform somewhere (in a club, bar, coffee shop)
4. Go on another vacation with Katie Edwards
5. Fit in the green dress*
6. Read through the entire Bible
7. Buy a Louis Vuitton overnight bag
8. Watch at least 75 of the 100 Best Films of All Time (I'm at 53. It speaks to my lifestyle, but does not reflect my college degree that I am closer to this goal than number 1.)
9. Throw two giant costume parties
10. Visit:
12. Take a ballet class
13. Go golfing with my Papa
14. Fluently speak a second language
15. Make a mosaic table for my house
16. Run a 5k
17. Invite at least 20 people to church
18. Write a book (even if it's never published)
19. Own some high-heeled boots
20. Bring at least 10 people to Kitale, Kenya* (I'm at 2. We took 8 to Nairobi, but I don't think that counts)
21. Learn to read music
22. Dress up and have dinner at a fancy restaurant
23. Watch 9 new complete series of TV on DVD* (So far: 5 completed)
24. Skydive
25. Live in New York
26. Kiss someone (a really good kiss)
27. Make a delicious--from scratch--dinner for friends
28. Spend an evening in a room lit by dozens of candles
29. Buy a dress from Bottega Veneta
30. Learn to play an instrument
To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm more embarrassed by the lack of progress I've made in almost 2 years or by the list itself. It's funny to read through and think about the person I was when I wrote it...I'm such a different person now.
There are a few things on the list that I would not include if I wrote it today. Maybe it's time for a re-write?
There are a few reasons for these recent developments, but that is not what this post is for. Though, I would imagine a post on such things is coming sooner than later.
The new adjustments simply served as a reminder of my 30 Things to Do Before I'm 30 list that I made on my 26th Birthday.
Here's the list.
*The red denotes completion. The others...well, let's just say they are "in motion"
It should also be noted that I have made a few tweaks to the list (for reasons such as: I no longer wear jeans).
1. Read over 100 books (I'm at 27...I should step this up)
2. Get a giant tattoo
3. Perform somewhere (in a club, bar, coffee shop)
4. Go on another vacation with Katie Edwards
5. Fit in the green dress*
6. Read through the entire Bible
7. Buy a Louis Vuitton overnight bag
8. Watch at least 75 of the 100 Best Films of All Time (I'm at 53. It speaks to my lifestyle, but does not reflect my college degree that I am closer to this goal than number 1.)
9. Throw two giant costume parties
10. Visit:
a. Japan11. Score over 120 in a game of bowling*
b. China
c. Australia
d. Ireland
e. Sweden
f. Ukraine
g. Costa Rica
h. Italy
12. Take a ballet class
13. Go golfing with my Papa
14. Fluently speak a second language
15. Make a mosaic table for my house
16. Run a 5k
17. Invite at least 20 people to church
18. Write a book (even if it's never published)
19. Own some high-heeled boots
20. Bring at least 10 people to Kitale, Kenya* (I'm at 2. We took 8 to Nairobi, but I don't think that counts)
21. Learn to read music
22. Dress up and have dinner at a fancy restaurant
23. Watch 9 new complete series of TV on DVD* (So far: 5 completed)
24. Skydive
25. Live in New York
26. Kiss someone (a really good kiss)
27. Make a delicious--from scratch--dinner for friends
28. Spend an evening in a room lit by dozens of candles
29. Buy a dress from Bottega Veneta
30. Learn to play an instrument
To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm more embarrassed by the lack of progress I've made in almost 2 years or by the list itself. It's funny to read through and think about the person I was when I wrote it...I'm such a different person now.
There are a few things on the list that I would not include if I wrote it today. Maybe it's time for a re-write?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
It Was A Beautiful Countdown...
There are a few things that I know, for certain, about myself:
1) I love to countdown to exciting events
2) I don't wait very well
Yesterday, my day off, was the worst. I just kept thinking, "Maybe I should pack-up all of these books now." The italicized phrase is simply a sample of the multitude of items in my home that were almost packed yesterday...yesterday...with 35 days to go.
In my head: it's happening...so let's make it happen! Why wait? Sitting and thinking about something that will, eventually, have to be done, but I can't do it yet...Ugh. There are few things in life more frustrating.
1) I love to countdown to exciting events
2) I don't wait very well
I am moving in 35 days.
My current roommate (Emily) is headed off to school and my new roommate (Bre) and I will be moving about 10 miles from my present home to a place that is more central for each of our lives.And now that this is certain, I can't wait.
Yesterday, my day off, was the worst. I just kept thinking, "Maybe I should pack-up all of these books now." The italicized phrase is simply a sample of the multitude of items in my home that were almost packed yesterday...yesterday...with 35 days to go.
In my head: it's happening...so let's make it happen! Why wait? Sitting and thinking about something that will, eventually, have to be done, but I can't do it yet...Ugh. There are few things in life more frustrating.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Good Day Sunshine
I was just driving home and thinking, "Today was an incredible day...like unfair amounts of incredible."
It began with Taffy and 40 High School students from Saddleback leading worship at Mariners.
Leading worship with Taffy is undeniably one of my favorite things in the whole world. I love Taff. I love his heart. I love the freedom with which he leads people (of all ages) in worship.
So I laughed...and danced...and sang. It was really, really fun.
After church, I came home and had a sandwich. (I'm in love with turkey sandwiches right now...seriously, they are delicious as lunch or dinner).
And then I drove to the Orange County Fairgrounds. I had volunteered to fill one of the shifts at the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force Station...let me tell you, it was not on the top of my list of ways to spend my afternoon as I sat in traffic at 3pm.
But once I was inside (and my booth partner was an hour late), I was happy to be there. An hour alone meant I could just watch and think--no conversational pressures. A few people came to the booth to ask questions...including one woman who shared that she had been a prostitute for 10 years and was now volunteering at Juvenile Hall and even with current prostitutes. What a life story!
Three hours later, and our shift was over...time for the best parts of the Fair.
A plate of Australian Potato Cakes and a chocolate covered banana (both of which I dropped half-way through...dang it!)
And now I'm laying in bed (watching Dawson's Creek...surprise, surprise). Every few minutes I'm receiving text messages from High School girls about meeting up this week for coffee or ice cream...
I know it doesn't seem like anything special, but this was a day filled with moments of God's obvious movement and presence and provision. A day that could have been planned specifically for me...that's how much I loved it.
It began with Taffy and 40 High School students from Saddleback leading worship at Mariners.
Leading worship with Taffy is undeniably one of my favorite things in the whole world. I love Taff. I love his heart. I love the freedom with which he leads people (of all ages) in worship.
So I laughed...and danced...and sang. It was really, really fun.
After church, I came home and had a sandwich. (I'm in love with turkey sandwiches right now...seriously, they are delicious as lunch or dinner).
And then I drove to the Orange County Fairgrounds. I had volunteered to fill one of the shifts at the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force Station...let me tell you, it was not on the top of my list of ways to spend my afternoon as I sat in traffic at 3pm.
But once I was inside (and my booth partner was an hour late), I was happy to be there. An hour alone meant I could just watch and think--no conversational pressures. A few people came to the booth to ask questions...including one woman who shared that she had been a prostitute for 10 years and was now volunteering at Juvenile Hall and even with current prostitutes. What a life story!
Three hours later, and our shift was over...time for the best parts of the Fair.
A plate of Australian Potato Cakes and a chocolate covered banana (both of which I dropped half-way through...dang it!)
And now I'm laying in bed (watching Dawson's Creek...surprise, surprise). Every few minutes I'm receiving text messages from High School girls about meeting up this week for coffee or ice cream...
I know it doesn't seem like anything special, but this was a day filled with moments of God's obvious movement and presence and provision. A day that could have been planned specifically for me...that's how much I loved it.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
In The Year 2000...In the Year 2010
Tonight is my 10-year High School reunion.
And I'm at home, sitting on my bed, having eaten a turkey sandwich while watching Dawson's Creek.
This morning, I awoke feeling slightly below average--slightly above disgusting, is more like it.
I went to the doctor's office, all the while fairly convinced I had malaria...
If you had told me ten years ago that I would not attend my 10-year reunion because I would have malaria, I never would have believed you.
My thoughts went on from here...
Had you told me that this contraction of malaria had come from a trip to Kenya...not my first trip to Kenya...but a trip that I had desperately wanted to extend...I would never have believed you.
That this trip was actually my heart's deep desire because of the longing I had felt from not living there after experiencing that place every day for seven months, I never would have believed you.
And then, Kenya aside...
If you had told me, on my High School graduation day, that I would be 27 and unmarried, living in Corona del Mar, and set on a life without children...I never would have believed you.
You see, 18-year old me was certain that I would be married by 21 and a mother by 23...I remember saying both of these (now obviously ridiculous) statements:
"I don't want to wait until I'm 26 to be a mother...that's so old!"
and
"I will never go on a missions trip"
Little did I know that God's plans for my life would be remarkably different and infinitely better than my little American dream for myself.
And so, here I sit, on my bed. Not at my reunion. Unmarried. Childless. Potentially malarial (the test results will take a week). Devastatingly homesick for Kitale.
And completely happy to be exactly where God wants me to be.
There is no place better than that.
And I'm at home, sitting on my bed, having eaten a turkey sandwich while watching Dawson's Creek.
This morning, I awoke feeling slightly below average--slightly above disgusting, is more like it.
I went to the doctor's office, all the while fairly convinced I had malaria...
::: which made me think :::
If you had told me ten years ago that I would not attend my 10-year reunion because I would have malaria, I never would have believed you.
My thoughts went on from here...
Had you told me that this contraction of malaria had come from a trip to Kenya...not my first trip to Kenya...but a trip that I had desperately wanted to extend...I would never have believed you.
That this trip was actually my heart's deep desire because of the longing I had felt from not living there after experiencing that place every day for seven months, I never would have believed you.
And then, Kenya aside...
If you had told me, on my High School graduation day, that I would be 27 and unmarried, living in Corona del Mar, and set on a life without children...I never would have believed you.
You see, 18-year old me was certain that I would be married by 21 and a mother by 23...I remember saying both of these (now obviously ridiculous) statements:
"I don't want to wait until I'm 26 to be a mother...that's so old!"
and
"I will never go on a missions trip"
Little did I know that God's plans for my life would be remarkably different and infinitely better than my little American dream for myself.
And so, here I sit, on my bed. Not at my reunion. Unmarried. Childless. Potentially malarial (the test results will take a week). Devastatingly homesick for Kitale.
And completely happy to be exactly where God wants me to be.
There is no place better than that.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
It's Been One (Month) Since You Looked At Me...
Wow...it's been a full month since I posted on this blog.
Sorry about that.
I did write quite a bit during those 30 days, just not here.
You can read all about it HERE, if you'd like.
For now...can you name the song that this post title comes from?
Sorry about that.
I did write quite a bit during those 30 days, just not here.
You can read all about it HERE, if you'd like.
For now...can you name the song that this post title comes from?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wiener You Gonna See This Again?!
Last night, my friends Jeff and Amanda had the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in their alley.
Seriously.
This is one of a half-dozen trucks driving around America to say Thank You on behalf of Oscar Mayer for America's help in donating 3 million pounds of food in their Good Mood Mission.
You can read more about it here.We took a dozen pictures for their blog
And were each given a Wienie Whistle
Seriously.
This is one of a half-dozen trucks driving around America to say Thank You on behalf of Oscar Mayer for America's help in donating 3 million pounds of food in their Good Mood Mission.
You can read more about it here.We took a dozen pictures for their blog
And were each given a Wienie Whistle
After a delicious dinner (disappointingly, not supplied by the Oscar Mayer Mobile Team), we (a select few) were taken on a ride in the Wienermobile.
Dylan was the most excited
Dylan was the most excited
My favorite part (well, aside from the license plate, which read "RELSHME") was the fact that the dashboard was shaped like two hot dogs. (And the passenger seat is called Shotbun"!)
I think we ended up with a few more whistles than we need...
and definitely many more than we want to listen to!
Amanda said, "Wow...I didn't think it could get better than the White Trash Trampoline...I was wrong!"
You never know what will happen in that alley.
You never know what will happen in that alley.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Arabian Nights...Like Arabian Days
in hopes of marking something off of THIS LIST.
And so, last night (and part of this morning) I watched Lawrence of Arabia.
If I'm completely honest, it was too long for me to love it.
I really did enjoy pieces of it...and the storyline, as a whole, was very interesting...but with a running time of 3 hours and 47 minutes, I'm pretty sure I had lost interest before it even started.
What is interesting about this movie:
It is reportedly the longest film not to have any dialog spoken by a woman
(which I read on IMDb while looking up Peter O'Toole during the movie to see what else I might have seen him in...typically I would hit 'pause' while searching, but I could not bear the thought of making this movie last any longer.)
I read this about an hour in to the movie and I hadn't even noticed that there had been no women in the film. Then I began to watch for it...and was so curious as to how the movie did not seem to be any worse sans female roles. I was also curious as to whether or not I would ever have noticed this without having read it first. My guess: nope.
Interesting, but not enough to ever watch it again...or recommend it to others.
Sorry AFI...I would not put this movie in my Top 100.
And so, last night (and part of this morning) I watched Lawrence of Arabia.
If I'm completely honest, it was too long for me to love it.
I really did enjoy pieces of it...and the storyline, as a whole, was very interesting...but with a running time of 3 hours and 47 minutes, I'm pretty sure I had lost interest before it even started.
What is interesting about this movie:
It is reportedly the longest film not to have any dialog spoken by a woman
(which I read on IMDb while looking up Peter O'Toole during the movie to see what else I might have seen him in...typically I would hit 'pause' while searching, but I could not bear the thought of making this movie last any longer.)
I read this about an hour in to the movie and I hadn't even noticed that there had been no women in the film. Then I began to watch for it...and was so curious as to how the movie did not seem to be any worse sans female roles. I was also curious as to whether or not I would ever have noticed this without having read it first. My guess: nope.
Interesting, but not enough to ever watch it again...or recommend it to others.
Sorry AFI...I would not put this movie in my Top 100.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
So Much Time and So Little To Do (Strike That, Reverse It)
I am so much more productive when I have too much to do.
I know this sounds obvious (and, quite possibly, masochistic), but I find that the days that I accomplish the most are the days when I have a seemingly impossible amount to accomplish. And, on the other side, the days that I have three or four things to do, I find that I probably only complete one or two.
I'm not sure if this is a sign of something bigger, or if it's just something I've developed over time.
Either way, I'm not too concerned about it...I was just noticing the difference between my yesterday and my today.
I know this sounds obvious (and, quite possibly, masochistic), but I find that the days that I accomplish the most are the days when I have a seemingly impossible amount to accomplish. And, on the other side, the days that I have three or four things to do, I find that I probably only complete one or two.
I'm not sure if this is a sign of something bigger, or if it's just something I've developed over time.
Either way, I'm not too concerned about it...I was just noticing the difference between my yesterday and my today.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kenya Feel The Love?
Seriously...I plan to milk those awesome Kenya puns for all they're worth.
It's such a gift that these students have never heard them before!
Here are a few more photos from our Kenya Team dinner on Sunday night.
It's such a gift that these students have never heard them before!
Here are a few more photos from our Kenya Team dinner on Sunday night.
Our entire team around the dinner table
{well, except for me: I'm taking the picture...and Matt, who was watching the basketball game}
It's getting closer...it's so fun to say "Next Friday" instead of using a date...that means it's really getting close!
{well, except for me: I'm taking the picture...and Matt, who was watching the basketball game}
Monday, June 14, 2010
Happy Fourth Birthday, Blog
Today is Flag Day.
Thank you, Ryanne, for reminding me every year!
Today, when I received my Happy Flag Day text, I remembered something:
My blog was born on Flag Day!
Here is my first post:
And here I am, four years later...now with two blogs.
And a combined total of 1,978 posts.
I love you, little blog.
Thank you for being a place that has captured my thoughts and feelings...my moments of excitement and even my heart breaks (of which there have been quite a few in four years!)
Thank you for reading...or, more likely, subscribing.
There is definitely more blogging to come.
Thank you, Ryanne, for reminding me every year!
Today, when I received my Happy Flag Day text, I remembered something:
My blog was born on Flag Day!
Here is my first post:
And here I am, four years later...now with two blogs.
And a combined total of 1,978 posts.
I love you, little blog.
Thank you for being a place that has captured my thoughts and feelings...my moments of excitement and even my heart breaks (of which there have been quite a few in four years!)
Thank you for reading...or, more likely, subscribing.
There is definitely more blogging to come.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Karibuni
Tonight, we took our Kenya team for "A True Taste of East African Food".
We (me, three other leaders, and 8 High School students) are leaving for Kenya in just under two weeks. They will be there for about 12 days and then I will fly to Kitale for another 10 (!!!)
So, as our final team meeting, we joined together for dinner and discussion and prayer.
8 students, 4 leaders and 6 other Mariners Staff members around a gigantic table. Christian (who is Kenyan) ordered all of the food for us...so there was plenty of mbuzi (goat) and ugali (cornmeal). But, thankfully, he also ordered lots of chapati and green grams!
As an added bonus, these students had never heard ANY chapati puns. "Chapati in the USA" got a great laugh. I can't wait to pull out my YEARS of over-played Kenya puns! They won't even know what hit them!
I could--without a doubt--eat chapati and green grams every night for the rest of my life. Especially if they are Rebecca's green grams (the House Mom for the Oasis Girl's House)
At the end of the night, Jeff prayed over each of our students (in English) and then Christian prayed in Swahili. I began to cry almost instantly. My heart loves the sound of Swahili...I think it just feels like home. But there is also something so moving about the fact that our God speaks all languages...that Christian was praying to the God who loves each person--United States, Kenya, Afghanistan, Antarctica--and knows each of their hearts, thoughts, fears and failures...that is overwhelming to me.
I could leave tomorrow.
I mean, I have things to do before I go...but I'd be willing to leave tomorrow.
We (me, three other leaders, and 8 High School students) are leaving for Kenya in just under two weeks. They will be there for about 12 days and then I will fly to Kitale for another 10 (!!!)
So, as our final team meeting, we joined together for dinner and discussion and prayer.
8 students, 4 leaders and 6 other Mariners Staff members around a gigantic table. Christian (who is Kenyan) ordered all of the food for us...so there was plenty of mbuzi (goat) and ugali (cornmeal). But, thankfully, he also ordered lots of chapati and green grams!
As an added bonus, these students had never heard ANY chapati puns. "Chapati in the USA" got a great laugh. I can't wait to pull out my YEARS of over-played Kenya puns! They won't even know what hit them!
I could--without a doubt--eat chapati and green grams every night for the rest of my life. Especially if they are Rebecca's green grams (the House Mom for the Oasis Girl's House)
At the end of the night, Jeff prayed over each of our students (in English) and then Christian prayed in Swahili. I began to cry almost instantly. My heart loves the sound of Swahili...I think it just feels like home. But there is also something so moving about the fact that our God speaks all languages...that Christian was praying to the God who loves each person--United States, Kenya, Afghanistan, Antarctica--and knows each of their hearts, thoughts, fears and failures...that is overwhelming to me.
I could leave tomorrow.
I mean, I have things to do before I go...but I'd be willing to leave tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)