Friday, March 30, 2007

here we go

Last night Jenny, Shawn and I looked at two apartments. And we're gonna take one of them. The previous tenants dipped out in a hurry and trashed the place. So in order to get in sooner a couple of us are headin over there today to clean it up. Oh the places you'lll go.


Then tonight Jenny, Chris, Brad and I are gonna hang out ... I'm excited ... they're fun.

Tomorrow flying out around 11am ... should arrive in Ohio around 1pm. I'm really excited to be back in Ohio for awhile.


Life's always an adventure these days.


I've gotta get myself some new shoes.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

good times had

look at how cute we are in mcdonalds!


last night was mission years last hoorah before spring break. and it was good.


first we had pizza. delicious. then shawn spoke. oh my goodness he is incredible. he talked about so many things that were so moving. it was mainly a challenge to throw the rules and the program out the window and become what it is God wants us to be. i haven't seen that kind of passion in someone in quite awhile. he told us he was proud of us.

he talked about jesus' conversation with peter. "do you love me?" then he talked about that being what matters. do we love Christ? that's what's important. not a set of rules or a list of expectations. let love motivate.

and on a personal note ... while we were eating pizza he checked up on me about some issues that i spoke with him about. he's so caring. he listens. man i think he is an incredible man of God.


so after that ... the fun times began! karaoke went over really well. we got almost everyone from mission year singing and laughing. anna and i played air hockey the way we do ... ultimate air hockey ... it's painful but really fun. i was just makin friends like crazy. chris and i are now friends on a deeper level. after our conversation last night he said, "well, i feel like i know a whole new laura." then he shook my hand. he's really great too. man it was such a great time.


okay ... today's a half day for chicago public schools ... so hopefully i'll be done real quick ... then it's takin apart beds and packin up the old apartment ... weird ...


Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
John 21:15

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

though i walk

last night most of my roommates and i hungout with the bethel team. chris, ben, lee, sarah, hailey and elizabeth. there were some awkward times but we laughed a lot. well i laughed a lot.


then i read carl's xanga and it said something about me being feisty, loud mouthed and opinionated ... i'm just gonna take that as a compliment ... but i realized it's true ... who knew?!


Kim, Kelly and Carl ... it's just not the same without you here ...


so we thought we had found a place to live ... we thought we had two for sure ... but through an unfortunate turn of events we are back down to zero ... just pray that we find somewhere soonish ...


alright ... i've gotta fill out an evaluation form before tonight ... we have one last meeting before spring break ... and luckily jenny and i talked our city director into having karaoke afterwards ... i'm excited about it ...

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

paolo nutini

Woke up cold one tuesday,
i'm looking tired and feeling quite sick,
i felt like there was something missing in my day to day life,
so i quickly opened the wardrobe,
pulled out some jeans and a T-Shirt that seemed clean,
topped it off with a pair of old shoes,
that were ripped around the seams,
and i thought these shoes just don't suit me.

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
and suddenly everything is right, I said, hey,
I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling, it so inviting,
Oh, short on money, but long on time,
slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
and i'm running late,
and i don't need an excuse,
'cause i'm wearing my brand new shoes.

Woke up late one thursday,
and i'm seeing stars as i'm rubbing my eyes,
and i felt like there were two days missing,
as i focused on the time,
and i made my way to the kitchen,
but i had to stop from the shock of what i found,
a room full of all my friends dancing round and round,
and i thought hello new shoes,
byebye them blues.

Take me wondering through these streets,
where bright lights and angels meet,
stone to stone they take me on,
im walking to the break of dawn.


over to bethel. peace.

the conclussion

well i just got in to work. got on a train at 8am ... got off my second train and walked down the street to work ... entered the building at 930am. that's why public transportation is so great. kidding.


but seriously ... had such a good time with Kim, Kelly and Carl. especially the cuddling and giggling at night.

and we got to watch TV!!!! i really wasn't that excited ... but we all know how i get around tv's ... can't concentrate on anything else.

we ate at the rainforest cafe, ihop and ginos east pizza. plus we ate car snacks a lot. i haven't eaten so much good food in a long time.

we went to the museum yesterday, and then kim and i walked around downtown. i took her to my borders and my starbucks. it was lovely.


true i remembered how hard it is for me to spend long periods of time with people (i got grumpy), but luckily for me, they still love me. and i still love them. and we're all still friends.


at one point ... well actually several points ... we group hugged in public or were all in a heap on the bed with carl jumping.


carl was really good at driving. and kim and kelly just made me laugh so much. i laughed a lot ... a lot ... thanks for coming guys! i really appreciate you and how you guys took care of me and didn't let me pay for anything. don't worry ... just keep a list and i'll pay you back someday :)


you all are wonderful!


new shoes was our theme song.


medikine.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

vacation

well currently i'm in skokie.

i'm laughing so much today.


but this morning broke my heart. this little girl was in my Sunday school class and she had cerebral palsy and was blind. broke my heart. she was so sweet.

right now kim is brushing her teeth. kelly is blow drying her hair. and carl is shaving. all within a 4ft by 4ft area. they're so familyish. i'm glad they're here.


we ran into Brian and Heather and it was awkward.


gotta go ... kim's coming ...

Friday, March 23, 2007

less angsty

"Do not stress too much the fact that love seeks to penetrate the intimate secrets of the beloved. Those who are too fond of this idea fall short of true love, because they violate the solitude of those they love, instead of respecting it."

"Our failure to respect the intimate spiritual privacy of other persons reflects a secret contempt for God himself. It springs from the crass pride of fallen man, who wants to prove himself a god by prying into everything that is not his own business. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil gave our first parents a taste for knowing things outside of God, in a way in which they are not known truly, instead of knowing them in Him, in whom alone we are able to find them and know them and love them as they are."

"We ruin others our ourselves together not by entering into the sanctuary of their inner being--for no one can enter there except their Creator--but by drawing out of that sanctuary and teaching them to live as we live: centered upon themselves."

"Do not desire chiefly to be cherished and consoled by God; desire above all to love Him. Do not anxiously desire to have others find consolation in God, but rather help them to love God. Do not seek consolation in talking about God, but speak of Him in order that He may be glorified."

Quotes from T. Merton


And this one is from Hugh Grant I think ...

"What's the point of life if Risk is just a board game?"

My mother sent me the soundtrack to Music and Lyrics the other day. I really like it. Especially this song that Hugh wrote for Drew towards the end of the movie. This line is in it, "...you've killed all my plants."


At least the work week is over.

lost the back bone

First off, last night I ate 3 dinners. Went home and ate some cereal. Went to choir practice and ate a sub. Went back home and had some shells and cheese. That's ridiculous. I still feel a little gross from it.


So here's how it happened. I'm supposed to meet with my supervisor on Friday afternoons. She and I haven't met in over a month now. So today she calls and tells me that she'll be over within the hour with this other woman who wants me to volunteer for her also. Okay alright I think to myself, we're gonna straighten things out and I won't be doing what I don't want to do. But lo and behold they come to gang up on me! My super asked me to tell them why the prospect of this new responsibility is overwhelming, so I tell them it's not something I'm not good at and I'm not comfortable with it. Then my supervisor and this woman start going on and on about things that they can do to make this thing fit in with what I'm already doing. Then I got an attitude and said something like, well from the sounds of it I don't have a choice. This isn't something I want to do but I have to. I'll do my best to work with you. They both caught on that I was upset, but no one seemed to care. They just did that, "oh someone has an attitude" face. This is ridiculous.


I'm so complainy. Here's why I'm upset. First off, my supervisor and I haven't met in over a month. This past week she was out of town but for most of the weeks we haven't met she hasn't even called to tell me she's not coming to our once a week meetings. Then she also knows that I really don't want to do this. I told her I don't. But then for her to show up like this and sorta corner me into doing this thing that she knows I'm not comfortable with just doesn't seem very professional and definitely not very Christian like. And to top it off, I was planning on telling her today that I'm cutting back my hours here so that I can do something where I'll actually be learning things from other people, rather than seeing a supervisor every once and awhile. So there goes that.


My experience here at Lawndale has changed the way I view Christian organizations drastically. As of right now I do not want to work for a large "Christian" anything. Maybe a small one, maybe. I'm just so sick of these enormous places that claim to be "Christian" while not fleshing that out. Seriously, how can an organization make that claim? That's making the statement that everyone in the organization is a little Christ. Trying to live out their faith with fear and trembling. When in reality I've seen so much here that has nothing to do with Christ. People that are discriminated against, taken advantage of, and looked over. Some of those I've experienced. I have hardly felt any love or concern from the majority of people I've met here. Oh and don't even get me started on how I've seen patients treated.


The fact that this place is labeled a "Christian" health clinic, just means that along with doctors and nurses and exec's getting bashed, so does Christ. Not all these patients are believers, we represent Christ! So why do we over book and let sick patients sit in the waiting room for hours because we don't have enough staff to take care of them? Have we grown too large? Why are numbers so important?


Oh my goodness I'm so grumpy now. Why can't people love people? Oh I wish there was something I could punch right now. Preferably a face.


Alright ... tonight Shawn is coming over. He's our new City Director ... hopefully he can help me.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

T. Merton

Recently I've been rereading Thomas Merton's book No Man is an Island, and I've been having an enjoyable time with it. He says ...

"If we are to love sincerely, and with simplicity, we must first of all overcome the fear of not being loved...We must somehow strip ourselves of our greatest illusions about ourselves, frankly recognize in how many ways we are unlovable, descend into the depths of our being until we come to the basic reality that is in us, and learn to see that we are lovable after all, in spite of everything!"

Oh and I love this one ...

"The value of our activity depends almost entirely on the humility to accept ourselves as we are. The reason why we do things so badly is that we are not content to do what we can. We insist on doing what is not asked of us, because we want to taste the success that belongs to somebody else."

This book is rather engrossing. Last night my roommates and I were talking about the Christian idea of a "calling" vs. "vocation". And I got to whip out all these fabulous things Thomas said. It's been really helpful for me, so hopefully it was helpful to them.

This conversation happened last night,

Anna: "Laura?"
Laura: "Yes?"
Anna: "You do like physical contact don't you?"
Laura: "Uh ... what do you mean?"
Anna: "Well when we first met you, you said you didn't like people to touch you..."
Laura: "Yeah that maybe wasn't totally true."
Anna: "I know! I just realized that in all your pictures you're touching EVERYONE!"

So now it's out. My roommates know that I don't mind hugs and high fives and cuddling ... well I still hate high fives.


It's also now out that two of my roommates have formed Mission Year crushes. Puhleease.


It's beautiful out today.


Guess what? My friends are coming on Sunday. Then next week I'm headed back to C-bus.

holler back

www.lauraannyoung.com

i don't get this at all. but i wish it was my site.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

out with the old in with the new

Colossians 3:5-8 & 12-14

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips...Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

To Have Not

Sexual Immorality
Impurity
Lust
Evil Desires and Greed
Anger and Rage
Malice
Slander
Filthy Language

To Have

Holiness
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Forgiveness
Love
No wonder it's so hard to do all the good things when I'm still participating in so many of the sinful things. If I pray that my love will increase but I don't take the time to deal with the bitterness that has taken root in my heart, where is the love going to grow.
Often I don't focus on the sin in my life, instead I focus on the goodness I'm trying to attain. In reality I am a sinful person. I can't forget that. There is sin that needs to be reckoned with before these virtues will have the opportunity to increase.
So, I must start with the sin that so easily entangles. Somehow I need to constantly be reminded of this. I know I'll forget. Before I ask that God would grow me in the area of kindness I need to make sure I pray against any malice that I have, or the slander that so easily comes.
Good thing God's word is living and active eh?
In other news, sometimes when you share your opinion with others, it makes them upset. It's confusing at times. Is it because I said something wrong ... or something right?
Either way, I have a craving for a protein bar. I've been liking those a lot recently.

Lean on Me

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on


Speaking of songs ... this morning Anna reminded me of the song that a little girl named Jess taught us in Sunday school. It went something like this ...

one little duck went out today
over the hill and far away
mama duck said quack quack quack
but only two little ducks came back

two little ducks went out today
over the hill and far away
mama duck said quack quack quack
but only three little ducks came back

- - at this point in the song one of the other little girls made a very wise observation. "She's singing it backwards!" Jess replied, "I am not!", then carried on.

three little ducks went out today
over the hill and far away
mama duck said quack quack quack
but only four little ducks came back

four little ducks went out today
over the hill and far away
mama duck said quack quack quack
but no little ducks came back!

- - another reason why little kids are so cute.


J.A.M. last night wasn't as discouraging as last week. Dominique snuck out again. But Felicia and Sha-Sha stayed. When I asked what we could pray about both of them had stories of close family friends that had recently killed themselves. How can these young kids handle this. Oh both guys killed themselves over girls. That's gotta distort their thinking so much. Breaks my heart.


The other night Hilary was telling me she thinks I should go to college. Not in the you're not smart enough kind of way, but the I think you'd really love learning in a more intense environment. That is something I'll have to think about one of these days.

But last night I got to hangout with Qunicy. He's hilarious. He's one of the other abstinence educators at Lawndale. When Quincy laughs there's usually jumping involved and a dropped cell phone. I love people that laugh with their entire body rather than just their voice. It was quite enjoyable.


Alright time to do that thing called sex ed. What fun ...

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

the things that i won't eat

Yesterday Kim and I went through the list of food that I don't like. It is as follows:

1.cucumber
2.coleslaw
3.tarter sauce
4.shrimp

So pretty much what we've discovered is that I'll eat just about anything(not in the fat way).


At least we both like waffles a lot. And we're going to Australia to see a platypus someday.

good morning sun

Last night I was eaves dropping on a conversation between two twenty-something fellas. It was really disturbing and made me real scared about men in this world. Terrifying. The one just kept talking about what an animal he is. Then they talked about their mutual friend whose wife is great because she'll let him go get wasted with the guys. Evidentally he's not trying to cheat on his wife, but if the opportunity presents itself he probably won't fight it. This guy thought he had a good thing goin for him. Maybe there really is no hope.


Had a good talk with Hilary last night. God is just so good. I'm trying to learn how to be patient and loving.


5 days. Count em. 5.


Oh and Mark is coming in May for 3 weeks. The next 4 months are going to fly by. Woo.


So, in the 1st chapter of Jonah alone we can see that ... sometimes God calls cowards, Jonah ran away ... He pursues us when we run, even being out in the sea wasn't enough ... He'll use anything to grab our attention and focus it on Him, even a storm ... and He can turn situations around and draw others to Him through our sin and rebellion, think of the sailors. I've really been enjoying reading stories from the Bible recently.


It's neat to look at how God's worked in the past and see that He hasn't changed. He's still faithful. Still uses nature to bring Himself glory. His mercy is still new every morning. He's patient and kind. Slow to wrath, abounding in love. My God is so Big, so Strong and so Mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do, for You!


Back, back, back it up. Gettin back to work, then workin out a little, then J.A.M.


<3 <3 <3 all you need is love <3 <3 <3

Monday, March 19, 2007

it's a beautiful morning



We're dating. Isn't he dreamy.



And there's that. Bam.


This weekend has been filled with laughter.

Friday night karaoke. i just about sang my voice away. Belted them out. Laughed so hard.

Saturday was a ball of fun. Made lunch for this team that came in to do inner city work for a week.

Sunday laughing about stupid things like boys with the roommates.


And last night Leroy made the announcement about Dara and Sean, so that's a big relief. Made the mistake of sitting with Lee and Langdon. Almost laughed a lot during the talk. Then Leroy spoke from 2 Timothy and got me all fired up. He's an incredible motivational speaker.


The other day I was hanging out with this kid named Darius. He told me I look like a boy, I objected and he said, "but you dress like a boy, talk like a boy, and act like a boy." Cool. Then he brought Brian into it and told him that I dress like a boy. Brian said, "well, it's the style for girls to dress like that." It's official, I dress like a boy.


Yesterday Anna and I taught Sunday school and it went a lot better than before. Kids actually listened and participated. Then afterwards I got myself a cup of coffee only to have one of the little girls hug both my legs and say "thank you teacher!" Ha, she almost got a face full of coffee. But I just love hanging out with those little kids. Especially Gregory. He's one of those "problem kids" Ya know the "I don't care about anything" kids. But he's sweet and adorable.


I've been listening to old Keane recently. Takes me back 2 years. What a different time in life. Laying on the couch watching stupid martial arts movies all the time. And other random movies that were dumb but it seemed like we all liked. And eating pizza and drinking capri suns and juice boxes. Ha ... we were so strange.


Now I'm going to take a walk. Talk to some peeps. I'm pretty lucky to know the people that I know.


Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Friday, March 16, 2007

danny boy

I've been reading through Daniel recently and I just think Daniel was one bang up guy. He lived his life in such a way that others changed their pattern of living. Someday I'd like to have a conversation with him. How did he become who he became. Man, he's cool.


Also, King Nebuchadnezzar, I'd like to talk with him as well. His whole bout with insanity intrigues me. How did he come out of that praising God, and proclaiming that God's ways are always right?


Oh, and Daniels friends are also pretty great. "God will save us, but even if He doesn't we still won't bow to other gods." What a statement of faith.


Alright I'm loving this. And I've been reading No Man is an Island by Thomas Merton. Man there are some really great things in it.


What I'm coming away with is that I must decrease and God must increase.


Well, it looks as if tonight is karaoke night. Mixed feelings about that one, but I'm sure it'll be great.


Have a great weekend, Happy Saint Patricks Day, and maybe read a little Daniel if you have free time.


Peace.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

sweet dreams

this morning anna informed me that i was laughing in my sleep. she said i just kept giggling. it made her happy ... and it makes me want to know what in the world i was dreaming about.


last night was good. i was hyper and lucky for me a couple of my roommates were as well. we laughed a lot last night.


tonight we have choir practice which is always a good time. always a little crazy and not much singing but a bunch of community. it's good.


get over it.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

... bunny ...



so today at work i got a little bored and started playing with my phone. there's a button on the side of my phone that, when pressed, starts recording whatever's happening. i've recorded some weird things. but my favorite was the recording of a couple of us getting into ashley's car and driving to leeno's. it was ashley, hamp, wes, abby and i. matt asked me to buckle him in. i saved that recording ... it made me feel real happy.


well only 11 days until Kim Kelly and Karl come. then after spring break jed and co. should be coming. hopefully i'll get to see mark, he's hanging out in chi-town this summer timeish. and i just found out that jimi's coming in may. we may kick it. then kim and ashley separately in may sometime. this is just great.


alright i'm about to start this lovely walk home. it's always an adventure.

it's as simple as something that nobody knows

Here's what's hard, (MLE don't panic) my church makes me want to stay in Chicago. They're so wonderful and loving. It's like a family, like the church is supposed to be. It's just hard to think of joining another church family in 5 months. And I don't even know of anything like this back in Ohio. It's been so good to experience what a living body is like ... it'll just be hard to leave it once I know how great it can be.


Katie makes me laugh so hard. I've never met her before but she has the happiest laugh and I'm so excited to meet her.


Plus, she bought me rainboots. Kim is bringing them to me in 11 days!! Can't wait.


"This is my theme song. I've got an icebox where my heart used to be."
"Wait, does that say where my heart used to be?"
"Yes."
"Oh. I thought it said where my car used to be. I thought he was trading his car for some beer. I thought you were saying you wanted some beer."

This was a lovely conversation between our soon to be ex-city director and anna. I'm glad I was present for that.


Alright. It's not as warm out today which is nice. Do you think God ever gets tired of the fact that we only think some days are beautiful? And only some warm days are nice and then we get tired of it and complain? And we say winter is beautiful and then we tell him to take it away? We're so annoying. I'm glad he loves us anyway.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

gone going gone

2 Peter 1:5-8
"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

this is pretty self-explanatory. these traits are to become more and more a part of our lives. it will help us avoid apathy. but it takes effort. Christianity shouldn't stop at faith ... it should grow. faith without actions is dead.


the weather is beautiful again. thank you.


but i did have to walk to work. only took about 45 min. if anyone has a street bike that they want to get rid of ... juss lemme kno. :)


alright ... going to do that work thing. then we've got J.A.M. tonight.

Monday, March 12, 2007

b-e-a-utiful

today is beautiful.

hungout with cara. went to lunch. walked around. took pictures. now i'm gonna go to starbucks.


it's so funny. i think it's the weather ... but i feel so free.


but there are people crawling outta the woodwork.

it's like an anthill downtown.


so now i'm going to go do some reading and some such.


oh and don't even get me started about my church. they're incredible.


and we just started a 20 + 1 less than 30 bible study. it's good.

saturday night we went to a foosball tournament. it's weird being in normal life.


i'll be home soon. can hardly wait. my time is filling up fast so book your reservations soon!


alright, peace out kids! enjoy the weather!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

rocking chair syndrom

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for the good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6&7


Alright, I'm leaving early to go hangout with Jenny for awhile. Then we've got that meeting at 5pm. Then choir practice.


I'm in a dreadfully honest mood. I need to work on loving people rather than just saying how I feel. But tonight I may be harsh.


Cara's coming on Monday, maybe Kelly Young next week, and then the KKK are also coming to have some fun. And then spring break. Things are just crazy, and I'm tired. Good thing that Jesus has my back.

untitled

i'm feelin pretty blah right now.


met with our city director last night. and tonight we're meeting with her again and the president of mission year.


i was pretty riled up last night after our meeting. jenny held a pillow so i could punch it.


tomorrow we're moving into my supervisors house until mission year finds us permanent housing.


but my church has been amazing. they're wonderful. i've never experienced a church like this before. they truly care about each individual person.


i'm starting to be okay with not being okay.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

update

i'm moving. i'll update when i have my new address.


currently you will find me residing in the Chicago Hilton. our pastor knows the wife of the guy who manages it. he's getting us a deal. man we're livin it up.


we'll be staying somewhere else until we find an apartment. who knows.


things are crazy right now. and somehow i lost my bus pass. bus pass = 70$. amount of money i receive from mission year per month = 70$. that's discouraging. oh well. it'll work out.


my roommates and i just ate at the rainforest cafe. fun. expensive. but fun.


let me tell you about these amazing guys. brian, dj, dennis and lenny. they live behind us. not only have they been super supportive and encouraging during this process, but they put money aside in a "ministry fund" each month. they gave us a wad of cash to help out with things. brian brought us down here and got us all checked in. dennis made us laugh and taught us camp songs. these guys are some of the most incredible men i've ever met.


we're in for a lot of change in the next couple weeks.


God has definitely worked a lot in the past couple days. funny how a lot of things seem a lot less important currently. God's getting my priorities in order.


and jamba juice and i hungout this morning. it was relaxing. i forgot how much i love smoothies.


but it's freezing. and since i lost my bus pass i've got a long walk ahead of me.


God is good. all the time. amen.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

the true stuff

Pastor Wolfe read this passage to us last night while we were all sitting around snuggled close to each other. It's rather comforting.

Psalm 3 (NASB)

Morning Prayer of Trust in God.

LORD, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
Many are saying of my soul,
"There is no deliverance for him in God." Selah.
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
I was crying to the LORD with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.


Psalm 118:6 (NIV)
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?


Psalm 16:1 (NIV)
Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.


But now I'm going to head home. I'm always the first home, now I don't like that. Maybe I'll go hang out at Target for awhile. Just pray.

the good stuff

so this weekend was pretty stellar for the most part.

friday night a couple roommates had family come in. we all had dinner together. so many people so much noise. met the folks. played with lauren's little sister named emily. so cute. she's 5 and can't quite say all her words yet. i think she's adorable.

saturday was awkward breakfasty things with the parents again. then escaped to target for awhile. so friday night lauren told me that brian asked if i'd drive some kids to the hiphop house. called him back and said sure. he told me i should come to this little birthday party for jaslyn(3rd grader) if i got bored. so i did. there was a hip-hop clown. ridiculously loud music and balloons everywhere. then dj said he wanted to help take the kids with me. so he told me to drive his car while he drove the kids. doesn't make sense right. so we take the kids settle in at this hiphop youth group service thing only to look up and see our little girls krunk dancing on the stage. oh man. so finally brian got there and i drove his vehicle home. so it was fun but long and loud.

the jade dragon is overrated. we're not friends. tried again saturday night with jenny and sarah, they weren't nice to me. but we broke curfew so it was worth it.

then sunday went to church. anna and i decided to start teaching sunday school for the 1st through 3rd graders. we all know how long those attention spans last. it was crazy but the kids were so cute. rihanna got mad at me for a little while but by the end we were friends. gregory did too, but he's so cute that i just had to let him get away with things. we taught the lesson, sang some songs, played games, ran around. right now i really like working with the kids. they make me laugh and smile so much.

after i left church i headed downtown to get a little alone time in before meeting up with the gang. among others i talked with anna jaskowiak. i always talk so loud with her. we always end up yelling and giggling and things. then jumped on the red line to get to this cute little cafe in a part of town that i'd never been to before. only got lost for a little bit, thanks for yelling at me moms. then we laughed a lot. ate cheez friez, it had been forever and they were delicious. i was in one of those honesty moods. which meant that dj yelled a lot. evidently he's not angry, he's passionate. also in attendance were anna, jenny, sarah, brian and 4 other girls whose names i don't remember. but it was good.

jenny's sister was in town so when we were done at the cafe the three of us hungout down town and did all sorts of laughing. i laughed so much this weekend. then i awoke in the 4 seasons and took off to catch up with some people. "i don't remember how long i've been in here. i could sit here forever and be happy." "Jenny, it's only been about 10 seconds."

sorry this is so much blabbering. i just need to record the good things that happened this weekend. it's helping me. and going home real early will help me too.

real community

this weekend has been crazy. there's a lot to write but i'll start with this.


please pray for my roommates and i. last night my roommate was robbed at knife point in our apartment building. it's hard to process through something like that, at least for me. it was a long night.


but let me tell you how incredible our church is. i got home right after it happened and my roommates and i sat around and listened to jenny for awhile. then we called our city director to let her know. then brian and dj showed up to talk to us about it. then dara got there. then pastor showed up. then mike came with about 10 guys from our church. then they all sat there and gave all kinds of advice. we had 3 alternative places to stay. they all dropped stuff to be with us. everyone said we had to take rides from now on. brian and dj wanted to spend the night. everyone was so loving and supportive. they finally headed out around 1130. it gave me so much hope about the church. they really showed us God's love last night. they showed us what community should be like.


but i feel numb. i need to process through this and the last incident with hil. hopefully i'll find someone to talk with. pray for us though. everyone's jumpy. especially since it happened inside our building.


oh ... i haven't told my mom this yet, matthew and carrie, if you read this and talk to her before i get a chance, don't mention it :) love you!

Friday, March 02, 2007

A Love Worth Giving

Recently I've been reading like it's my job, and today I started reading A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado. It's wonderful. I will now share some of my favorite quotes.

"Don't think thoughts you don't want Jesus to hear."

"Patience isn't naive. It doesn't ignore misbehavior. It just keeps the flame low. It waits. It listens. It's slow to boil. This is how God treats us. And, according to Jesus, this is how we should treat others."

"'Patient people have great understanding'(Proverbs 14:29). Could it be your impatience stems from a lack of understanding?"

"Farmers in ancient Israel used to train an inexperienced ox by yoking it to an experienced one with a wooden harness. The straps around the older animal were tightly drawn. He carried the load. But the yoke around the younger animal was loose. He walked alongside the more mature ox, but his burden was light."

"He is kind to you. Why don't you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don't you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don't you agree? He believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower, even his child. Why not take his cue and believe in yourself?"

"God withholds what we desire in order to give us what we need."

"Your place in heaven was more important to him than his place in heaven, so he gave up his so you could have yours."

"If I think you are more important than I am...and you think I am more important than you are...and he thinks she is more important than he is...and she thinks he is more important than she is...then in the end everyone feels important but no one acts important."

"We worry about acid rain in silver linings."

"Today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions."

"'Don't talk to me,' we say. 'I'm in a bad mood.' As if a mood were a place to which we were assigned ("I can't call you. I'm in Bosnia) rather than an emotion we permit."

"Rather than store up the sour, store up the sweet."

"Don't you deserve to be punished? And yet, her you are. Reading this book. Breathing. Still witnessing sunsets and hearing babies gurgle. Still watching the seasons change. There are no lashes on your back or hooks in your nose or shackles on your feet. Apparently God hasn't kept a list of your wrongs."

"A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life."

"Love doesn't tear down the convictions of others."

"Real Love Changes People."


And that's as far as I've gotten. But I'm almost done with it. I recommend it. It challenges you to love others by reminding you of how fiercely God loves you.


<3

bummed

Last night i went with my roommates to get a tattoo. I designed mine and turns out it was too small and detailed for them to do. I'm bummed a little. Two of my roommates got them, they're good. Oh well ... bigger fish to fry.


I watched Spanglish again yesterday afternoon. So good.

"You're just so drop dead crazy gorgeous!" - Adam Sandler you're so cute.

"Excuse my french, excuse HER french, Mother Hmmm Hmmm." - good one.


So let's see, Cara (March 12), Kim, Kelly and Carl (March 25/26) Then spring break starting the 31st. I just might make it.


A majority of my roommates have family coming in for the weekend. It's just hard. One of them informed us that we all need to be there tonight because her family is bringing dinner and then spending the night at our place. Doesn't sound like fun to me. I may find somewhere else to stay.


Oh well, the weather is being ridiculous currently. I'm done with it.


I need a God Hunt today. And I need someone to explode with, I'll try to wait for you Kim but I don't know if I can.


If we just take life one day at a time, there shouldn't really be anything to worry about. We can't change the past, and there's no way we can control the future, so live right now.


I'm learning to accept my emotions and ride them out.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

A God Hunt

This is cool because I've been thinking a lot about this recently. And then I stumbled across it in Tammy's book. Here's a neat idea

"...it is a spiritually healing act whenever we search for God. Learn to go on a God hunt...the idea of a God hunt is built on the belief that God does make Himself known, is involved in human affairs, and is working out the progressive plan of His Kingdom on the earth. However, because His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8), we cannot often see His movement because of our human perspective. Going on a God hunt is to look for signs and activities that align with God's character and Word, and magnify those in your perspective." - Tammy Smith, Soul Healing


"In the summer the neighbor boys won't wear shirts when they mow our lawns." - Kim Sadler


Recently I've been reading through the Sermon on the Mount and today I got to the section on the lilies of the valley. Good stuff for me right now. Especially with how much I tend to worry about the unknown, out-of-my-control future.

Matthew 6:34

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV)

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (The MSG)


Tonight should be baller with the roommates. Ashley I wish you were here to accompany me.


Today's been slow ... but it's 40 degrees here. We all know what that means eh?


The past week I've been in a consistently cheerful mood. But I think I'm supressing some things because last night was all good and fun with lots of laughter and then when I got really going it almost got to that breaking point. Kim you know that point. I just need prayer.


"Laura, what's up with you? You're all smiley and laughing. What's wrong?" - D.J.


I just wish I knew where there were some really great trees to climb. Oh man or some monkey bars ... flying acrobats anyone?


Have a great day everyone.


Go on a God Hunt ... yeah ... I dare you.