deep breath

"In order to be at peace, it is necessary to feel a sense of history - that you are both part of what has come before and part of what is yet to come. Being surrounded, you not alone; and the sense of urgency that pervades the present is put in perspective: Do not frivolously use time that is yours to spend. Cherish it, that each day may bring forth new growth, insight and awareness. Never allow a day to pass that did not add to what was understood before. Let each day be a stone in the path of growth. Do not rest until what been intended has been done. But remember - go as slowly as is necessary in order to sustain a steady pace; do not expand energy in waste. Finally do not allow the illusory urgencies of the immediate to distract you from your vision of the eternal." In Spiritual Crisis: surviving trauma to the soul.

casuality in the country

this greeted me at the front door.
first, i screamed, then i couldn't stop laughing. poor guy!

people in socal

...don't carve pumpkins for halloween. how do i know? well, a friend and I both come from a place where you do carve pumpkins so we thought we would bring some of the halloween cheer down south. what happens to carved pumpkins in southern california, the heat melts them and mushifies them in two days. i already had to put jack the softie in the dumpster.

...go through the dirtiest windstorms. we have windstorms, but not windstorms that turn the horizon and air brown. my roommate and i tried to walk to the store, but we were attacked by the first tree we came to. we turned around with dirt in our eyes, leaves in our hair and headed for the car.

paralyzed

When I couldn’t move
Your prayers
Kept me
In His reach

When I couldn’t speak
Your words
Fell on
His ears

When I couldn’t reach
Your hands
Grabbed onto
To His.

When I couldn’t believe
Your steps
Walked me
Towards Him.

When we couldn’t
Your love
Left me
at His feet

It is your prayers
That lowered me
Before a
God that heals.

thought of the day

you can have community, but not use it. and until you use it, it isn't really community. but once you use it, then you have people. and having people is a big deal. everyone shoud have people.

so fresh and clean, clean

i spent the last few hours deep cleaning my apartment. i get so messy when i live alone. i started in the bathroom and covered the kitchen, living room and bedroom. I reorganized some of my things to make sure the new roomie has plenty of room. She is going to think I'm so anal cuz all my stuff is on one side of the room. I swear its ok if it isn't symmetrical. I got to go to the beach today for work. The weather was perfect; warm but breezy. My face even got a little sunburned. Tomorrow my new roomie comes so i'm excited about that. It will be nice to have some company, but of course its the last week of summer class and i have a paper and final exam due. This class feels like it has drug on all summer so it will be nice to get it done, but i'll probably have to be the bum roommate who is studying. After that though, a friend from home is coming to visit for a few days. I really want to check out this beach spot my coworker told me about. Its a bit elusive to the newcomer, but I hear its worth the adventure.

Have i told you about my neighbors? They are from northeast India and they are the sweetest. They just moved in this summer. It is a couple and their son who is in high school. They remind me of india. They always invite me to stay and eat or have tea. Instead of saying "here" or "there", they say "this side" or "that side". When they mean homey, like comfortable, they say "homely" and if they go out to eat they say they "ate outside." But besides the fun english we are becoming fast friends. They cook for me and make me wonderful tea. I drive them to costco or the store and drop them off for appointments. Like, next week I'm taking their son to the doctors and then to school. how cute. but really these people are amazing. they love jesus. they are invited to speak like everywhere. they have a heart for the church and for the poor and for india. and when they pray, watch out. really, i think they are great. its been a blessing to have them so close since living on my own this last month.

if you pray, could you pray for some good reflection/process time before classes start up again. I feel like God wants to say something, but i'm still in the other room shouting, "coming, coming." i need to make time and be open. this summer has been a ride. i don't know if its a new season, but its a new school year and my last one i think. so if you don't mind joining my prayer through this year...

Lord, you not me.
yours, not mine.

we are better, together

we are raising money for my friend. She is going to India in just over a week to work with a development agency who is working with the poor in both urban and rural settings. She will be there for 3 months. God has opened some amazing doors so far, so we are relying on his faithfulness. My friend's passport was lost by the Indian visa people and just found today so we are praying that she can still receive her visa to India in time.

If you ever had to raise money for a missions trip, you are aware of the frustrations and the blessings that come with it. I want my friend to know that she is not alone. For anyone to do missions or ask people to support their work, is an invitation to join what God is doing around the world. God can use your money for his glory.

I know I have amazing and generous friends. I have been supported in so many ways by all of you. So yes, i'm asking if you would possibly help someone who you might not even know, but i'm asking because she is family to me. And she is willing and able to serve the poor in India. And i believe in the work God is doing in her life. pray first. don't give without prayer and don't decide without praying. then, keep praying...

scheduled departure date: September 16th

funds needed: $3000

want to help?