maybe it's just me

Romans 14:1 (the message)
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.


Thank you Kim Sadler. This passage is such a good reminder that I don't have to give my opinion all the time. Sometimes I just need to listen. God's working is everyone's life so who am I to determine what they should or should not be learning at any given time. True I'm willing to speak God's truth when He wants me to. But I really want to stop always having to know the correct answer.


Hey Kim, wanna come hang out with me in March? Like the 25th or something? Yeah? Okay! bring Carl and Kelly too. Remember the trash cans? Hopefully in a year or so we'll look back at this post and wonder what in the world we were doing with trash cans. We're underrated.


"If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it's time to water your own grass." - I like that a lot. Stop complaining. You're right where you're at. And it's okay. I'm mainly talking to me. I'm trying to be more optimistic with my life.


No matter where you go, there you are.


Also I was reminded the other day, as I sat in Starbucks, about how much I used to love Feist. A year ago, maybe longer, I listened to it obsesively. When I heard little XM radio playing Inside and Out I recalled my long lost love but couldn't remember the name of the band. Then I checked Robby's xanga last night and there it was. And that's another reason I'm thankful for friends like Robby. Good taste in music.


Earlier this morning I was sitting at my desk reading and watching this cute little boy. His older sister was also keeping an eye on him. I smiled and laughed at him and so did she. She was probably 11 or 12. She had one of those containers of mini m&m's. She walks over to my desk and says, "want some?" How could I say no. She then dumped them into my outstretched hand and walked away. True I can't eat them, lent, but she was so sweet. I was just reminded of how much God loves me. It just felt like she was strategically placed to brighten my day.


Plus her little brother was adorable. And he made me miss my little brother Clayton so much. I'm looking forward to going home so much these days. But I'm enjoying myself here too.


Tomorrow night all the roommates and I are going to Home Run Inn for a little deep dish action. Brian says it's better than Giardono's. Man I do love Chicago style pizza. But when I'm home can we go to either Hound Dog's or that other place? Whose name I can't remember ... Ashley help me out ... the place with the ranch?


Okay, this is sufficient. Kinda like God's grace, only different. Whoa.


I think God is really great.


Shalom.

"it's like colorado"

realized the other day that i eat things i never thought i would. weird stuff.


but last night i was talking to this girl who goes to school near vancouver and she just made it sound beautiful. ive never had a desire to go to canada before, but maybe i'll add it to places i need to live before i die.


tomorrow's thursday and crazy things are goin down. be jealous.


4 weeks. excited.

eggsaucedead

this not sleeping nonsense is frustrating. can't figure out what's happenin. today has been long. luckily i brought tylenol. tonight's gonna be longer.


this weekend is what we call "come and see" weekend here at mission year. several of my roommates have family and friends coming and seeing. not i my friend. but hopefullly that will mean that i'll get to enjoy some peace and quite. or something along those lines.


"...if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, yoru Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:14&15


shalom and my wrist will hopefully get aquainted during spring break


www.therefinersfire.org/meaning_of_shalom.htm


last night i watched spanglish. man i forgot how much i love that movie. and i love adam sandler. emotional.


May you live in anticipation of the day when God makes all things whole again.
--ancient meaning of Shalom greeting

walkin on sunshine

it's snowy, cold and wet ... but i'm surprisingly upbeat.


the "secret admirer" is no longer a secret. thank you.


and now i'm so excited about spring break. i can't even tell you.


i was reading the Lord's prayer this morning. so simply. so good.


also have i mentioned how excited i am to live with MLE? i'm excited. her and i. her and aaron and i. it's just going to be quite wonderful and i'm happy about it. so is mom.


yesterday was quite delightful as well. church and a black history month luncheon with new canadian friends. i felt like a mom though, these little girls wanted to sit with me and there mom told me to make sure they ate. well like all little girls they just wanted to show off and have me admire everything they did. they hardly ate at all. oh well. they were cute.


still gotta call ash, hamp, kfoulis ... i'm pretty blessed.


now i have a headache. gotta go. keep those chins up kids. love.

bravo

last night a roommate made a really good point about the deception almost necessary for those living in poverty. i said "bravo!" and then i got judged a lot.

Sacred Romance

"The reason the mass of men fear God and at bottom dislike him is because they rather distrust his heart, and fancy him all brain, like a watch." - Melville

"The Gospel says that we, who are God's beloved, created a cosmic crisis. It says we were stolen from out True Love and that he launched the greatest campaign in the history of the world to get us back. God created us for intimacy with him. When we turned our back on him he promised to come for us. He sent personal messengers; he used beauty and affliction to recapture our hearts. After all else failed, he conceived the most daring of plans. Under the cover of night he stole into the enemy's camp incognito, the Ancient of Days disguised as a newborn. The Incarnation, as Phil Yancey reminds us, was a daring raid into enemy territory. The whole world lay under the power of the evil one and we were held in the dungeons of darkness. God risked it all to rescue us." - The Sacred Romance


Finished it. Beautiful.


Us Mission Year kids have a field trip to the Dusabo Museum tomorrow. African-American History Museum. Should be baller.

I'm just really blessed

Is it more interesting to eavesdrop on a conversation about people you know or don't know?


Yesterday at work was tough. This girl is going through so much. I just wanted to cry with her.


But then I got home and had only been there about 15min when Gregory knocked on the door. He's a cutie, I wrote about him already. He's 8 it turns out. But we all know that I'm going to think he's 8 no matter how old he gets. We played clue jr. and the toy story version of yatzee. And we all know how I feel about games but he's so cute that I just couldn't resist.


Then the roommates got home. We did a little book discussion which was more lively than normal. Had a good talk with one of the girls. We're in the same spot in a lotta ways.


The weather is beautiful. It just makes me want to take off and do some exploring and things. Find an enourmous park of some kind. And I love when Chris works here, cause he always opens the window. No matter what kind of weather it is. But today there's a lovely breeze floating in through the clinic. God is really great.


So is my mom. She sent a picture to my phone yesterday. It's of an excoworker and his comical facial hair. Who knows how a conversation got started between them that resulted in his mug on the screen of my phone. But I'm really blessed by my friendship with her.


It's probably the weather but I'm in a wonderful mood. I think they call it joyful.