to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
waiting
waiting is such a difficult task for so many of us to have a positive attitude about. our society portrays an almost inability to be able to wait... to sit, stand, or be quiet before or for a moment in time.
the parking lot of the mcdonald's near my parents' house is being torn apart and reconstructed so that there can be two lines for the drive thru. many mcdonald's have this convenience already implemented... mostly to serve more people in a shorter amount of time. because supposedly, people can't wait. people get frustrated or annoyed or completely give up on the task at hand if they have to wait for it.
moreover, in the past few weeks, i have developed a great dislike for car horns. because people rarely use them to warn another driver, but rather to scurry along another driver who is in front of them. mr/miss horn honker just can't wait. everyone is going somewhere, and most often has to reach their destination in a timely manner. i personally think honking, when used in an inappropriate way, is such an annoyance.
my prayer, for myself and all of us, is that we would find the goodness in waiting. that we wouldn't be in such a hurry all the time... to get away from where we were or to get to where we are going. but to go with the flow, wait, and be content in that time.
this morning, dave jane (campus pastor @ Riverside's downtown campus) made a true point in regards to the gifts that God gives through a reference to a video of one man's testimony about God's goodness. he said, "God only gives good gifts. No gifts from Him are bad."
waiting should be seen as a gift. so many of us are so busy with everyday life and tasks and duties and caring for people or children or doing schoolwork, that we don't really have time to spend doing nothing... such as waiting. but waiting is something. it's something to be taken full advantage of. to not be a moment of absolute frustration, but a moment to breathe. a moment that we are given to let ourselves clear our minds and be content in a moment where we technically don't have to do anything, except wait.
maybe we're waiting for a stop light, or for a program or video to load on our computer... or maybe we're waiting for the next season/chapter of our lives. but let's rejoice in this waiting. have peace about it, don't honk horns or in reference to the mcdonald's lines, speak your order faster so that you can can get your food quicker and do less waiting.
take your time. you've been given time. and honestly, not a ton of it. take it. take full advantage of it. enjoy the waiting. it's a good gift.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
22
last year at this time, i was feeling so grateful for what the days of 20 held. i toasted my year of 21 to be just as great... another year in which i could experience the teachings and blessings of the Lord and to live this life with others. my year of 21 was wonderful. and now, at 22, it is on my heart to ask and seek out new adventures that this year will hold.
having a birthday to celebrate on a tuesday was fun; i was simply hoping that the day would have more to it than any other tuesday. and it did. i had small expectations that stemmed from that hope, and at the end of the day, i declared that yes, it was a good day.
love hopes. and just as we should live in love, we should live in hope. a hope that's based off of faith. i have been able to do, see, and experience so much since my twenties began. but so often, we only focus on the big things or the things that are yet to come in our lives. after talking with some of my sweetest friends last night, we concluded that we need to remember the past and how the Lord has already worked in our lives... and the present and how the Lord is currently working in our lives. without the past, we wouldn't even be close to where we are now. and without the now, we could very well take the future for granted once it becomes the now.
so at 22, i am drowning in grace. i am overwhelmed by love in small and big ways and i am excited for this moment in time. this day. i am hopeful that what is to come in the next year will be greater than i can dream of, but i want to relish in the right now. each day can hold an adventure, and just as i hoped my birthday day would have more to it than a "normal" day, any day can be more.
i'm sure that i'll learn a lot at 22. and i'm sure that 23 will be here before i know it. so with today, marking day 2 of 22 and revealing that there are 363 days left til 23, i am ready. for more opportunities to explore, dream, and discover... more of Him, more of life, and more of the world.
so here's to 22, my third year of "twenty", i trust that you're going to be awesome.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
— Mark Twain
having a birthday to celebrate on a tuesday was fun; i was simply hoping that the day would have more to it than any other tuesday. and it did. i had small expectations that stemmed from that hope, and at the end of the day, i declared that yes, it was a good day.
love hopes. and just as we should live in love, we should live in hope. a hope that's based off of faith. i have been able to do, see, and experience so much since my twenties began. but so often, we only focus on the big things or the things that are yet to come in our lives. after talking with some of my sweetest friends last night, we concluded that we need to remember the past and how the Lord has already worked in our lives... and the present and how the Lord is currently working in our lives. without the past, we wouldn't even be close to where we are now. and without the now, we could very well take the future for granted once it becomes the now.
so at 22, i am drowning in grace. i am overwhelmed by love in small and big ways and i am excited for this moment in time. this day. i am hopeful that what is to come in the next year will be greater than i can dream of, but i want to relish in the right now. each day can hold an adventure, and just as i hoped my birthday day would have more to it than a "normal" day, any day can be more.
i'm sure that i'll learn a lot at 22. and i'm sure that 23 will be here before i know it. so with today, marking day 2 of 22 and revealing that there are 363 days left til 23, i am ready. for more opportunities to explore, dream, and discover... more of Him, more of life, and more of the world.
so here's to 22, my third year of "twenty", i trust that you're going to be awesome.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
— Mark Twain
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
recognize
To recognize is to acknowledge the existence, validity, or legality of.
It is awesome to me when people recognize the things and work of the Lord, whether they specifically recognize it as His doing or not. I think recognizing is the first step to believing something. Recognizing a need or a desire comes before you pursue fulfilling that need or desire. Recognizing how much you need a savior and to be covered in the purest love, leads you to believe that somewhere somehow that savior and love do exist. Because why would your heart desire something that would never be attainable? Why would there be a lack in your life, a place for something to come, if your life was full and complete?
Lately, I have been so captivated by God's recognizable work in my life, in the church, in the hearts of my friends, and in the hearts and lives of people I meet and interact with perhaps only for a second. For example, customers at JCPenney.
Let me first point out, that along with dressing the mannequins and working with fun girls, interacting with customers and helping them save money, are what I like most about my job. At times it saddens my heart when we go over the morning goals or a report of previous sales is shared, because SO much money is spent. And obviously it is a business and that is how it operates, by sales... But that is one reason I never really wanted to work retail - because of the concept behind the job: promoting the purchase of items which people probably don't need.
In the past (almost) 9 months that I've had this job, I have experienced so much though. And I recognize that. Not only am I a master clothes folder (ha!) but I have had the opportunity to interact with so many different people - from Indian families to African mamas, from elderly men looking for their wives in the store to kids destroying straightened stacks of shirts (annoying!), from rich to poor, from intelligent to challenged, from joyful to depressed - authentic diversity.
Friday night, I worked for 4.5 hours and in those few hours, I was inspired to write this blog, because so many customers recognized a simplicity as something more. And I really think if we did just that in our own lives, recognizing the simplicities as something more, we would be revealed to the intricate details that the plan holds for our lives and days.
recognize the goodness
A weekly JCP ad is often a part of newspapers which are delivered to many homes and businesses. The information and coupons in the ad are free to the public and hopefully people would take advantage of them because they are good deals - if you're gonna buy something, why not save a little of the money you are going to spend!
A family was buying "walking" shoes for their twin, a week from turning one, children. The shoes were almost $30 a pair... but with the coupon "$10 off $25", I knew that they were eligible of saving some money on their purchase. So I applied the coupon and having not even known there was a coupon circulating at the time, surprised the family with a little blessing. The mom recognized it and said, "Oh thank you so much, that really helps us!" as she thumbed through her cash and handed over $50 to pay for the shoes her babies needed. As I placed her change in her hand, she looked me in the eyes and said, "That was such a blessing, thank you." I smiled and wished her a good night. I may have done the work of blessing but I surely do not consider myself as the blesser. There was a coupon and a customer and I simply put the two together.
I pray that woman and family see that blessing as a work of the Lord - a providing-out-of-love blessing from His very own hands.
He gives us gifts so we can sow them back into His work.
recognize the reality
One opportunity that we are given to serve the customers is to order an item for them if the size they are needing is out of stock or simply unavailable at our store. When customers order the item through the actual store and not through JCP online, they are able to get the price that the item is in the store.
On Friday night, a lady needed a size 8 of black Reebok princess shoes. She just wanted a plain ol' size 8, not 1/2 or not wide. So we needed to order her a pair, and apply the aforementioned coupon to her order. I went through the process of ordering the shoes and then forgot to apply the coupon. She paid and then questioned how the total of her purchase was so similar to the sale price of the shoes. I apologized for completely blanking on applying the coupon and went through the process then of completing a return, giving her money back, repurchasing the shoes, applying the coupon, receiving her money, and giving her change and a new receipt. Phew! Not a hard process, but just a long one. I apologized and she simply responded with a smile and "It's okay honey, it just shows you're human." And it totally does! I simply forgot about the coupon. People forget things. People make mistakes.
So often we are quick to judge people on their imperfections, on their simple human-ness. And yet we sing and ask for the gift of God's eyes and to see people how He does. Do we receive that gift? Do we see the soul behind the flesh? I pray that we will. It's a daily, moment-to-moment choice we should make.
Let the Holy Spirit work in your heart and life and raise you to your feet.
recognize the calling
Sometimes we question why we are where we are. It's a natural tendency to wonder I think, whether we are in a place of contentment or not. After returning to America from Italy, where I felt that I was living days that were so purposeful, I had a few thoughts as to why I was in Bloomington-Normal, IL, USA pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and working part-time at JCP.
However, as pieces of my heart continue to be spread across nations, I know that for this season I am exactly where I am supposed to be. My community of friends here has grown so strong just within the past few months and I feel so blessed in this moment. I love Kenya, I love Italy, I love Peoria, and I cherish my past, present, and future callings to those places - but for now, I am called to be here.
Many of us are called to several places, cultures, or kind of work in our lifetimes. I think it shows our dedication to those callings when we speak of and are passionate about them. Maybe now is not the time for a specific calling on your life to be fulfilled, but since it's a desire of your heart, believe that the season and time will come. We need to recognize our callings, embrace them, and live them out. No matter how small you feel a calling is, trust that it was placed over you for a reason.
You've been called to a cause, whether it's across the street or across the sea.
Acknowledge the existence of the Lord's work in your life. It's there if you open your eyes. If you ate a meal today, He has provided for you. Recognize it and be grateful. You'll become overwhelmed by his loving kindness towards you.
It is awesome to me when people recognize the things and work of the Lord, whether they specifically recognize it as His doing or not. I think recognizing is the first step to believing something. Recognizing a need or a desire comes before you pursue fulfilling that need or desire. Recognizing how much you need a savior and to be covered in the purest love, leads you to believe that somewhere somehow that savior and love do exist. Because why would your heart desire something that would never be attainable? Why would there be a lack in your life, a place for something to come, if your life was full and complete?
Lately, I have been so captivated by God's recognizable work in my life, in the church, in the hearts of my friends, and in the hearts and lives of people I meet and interact with perhaps only for a second. For example, customers at JCPenney.
Let me first point out, that along with dressing the mannequins and working with fun girls, interacting with customers and helping them save money, are what I like most about my job. At times it saddens my heart when we go over the morning goals or a report of previous sales is shared, because SO much money is spent. And obviously it is a business and that is how it operates, by sales... But that is one reason I never really wanted to work retail - because of the concept behind the job: promoting the purchase of items which people probably don't need.
In the past (almost) 9 months that I've had this job, I have experienced so much though. And I recognize that. Not only am I a master clothes folder (ha!) but I have had the opportunity to interact with so many different people - from Indian families to African mamas, from elderly men looking for their wives in the store to kids destroying straightened stacks of shirts (annoying!), from rich to poor, from intelligent to challenged, from joyful to depressed - authentic diversity.
Friday night, I worked for 4.5 hours and in those few hours, I was inspired to write this blog, because so many customers recognized a simplicity as something more. And I really think if we did just that in our own lives, recognizing the simplicities as something more, we would be revealed to the intricate details that the plan holds for our lives and days.
recognize the goodness
A weekly JCP ad is often a part of newspapers which are delivered to many homes and businesses. The information and coupons in the ad are free to the public and hopefully people would take advantage of them because they are good deals - if you're gonna buy something, why not save a little of the money you are going to spend!
A family was buying "walking" shoes for their twin, a week from turning one, children. The shoes were almost $30 a pair... but with the coupon "$10 off $25", I knew that they were eligible of saving some money on their purchase. So I applied the coupon and having not even known there was a coupon circulating at the time, surprised the family with a little blessing. The mom recognized it and said, "Oh thank you so much, that really helps us!" as she thumbed through her cash and handed over $50 to pay for the shoes her babies needed. As I placed her change in her hand, she looked me in the eyes and said, "That was such a blessing, thank you." I smiled and wished her a good night. I may have done the work of blessing but I surely do not consider myself as the blesser. There was a coupon and a customer and I simply put the two together.
I pray that woman and family see that blessing as a work of the Lord - a providing-out-of-love blessing from His very own hands.
recognize the reality
One opportunity that we are given to serve the customers is to order an item for them if the size they are needing is out of stock or simply unavailable at our store. When customers order the item through the actual store and not through JCP online, they are able to get the price that the item is in the store.
On Friday night, a lady needed a size 8 of black Reebok princess shoes. She just wanted a plain ol' size 8, not 1/2 or not wide. So we needed to order her a pair, and apply the aforementioned coupon to her order. I went through the process of ordering the shoes and then forgot to apply the coupon. She paid and then questioned how the total of her purchase was so similar to the sale price of the shoes. I apologized for completely blanking on applying the coupon and went through the process then of completing a return, giving her money back, repurchasing the shoes, applying the coupon, receiving her money, and giving her change and a new receipt. Phew! Not a hard process, but just a long one. I apologized and she simply responded with a smile and "It's okay honey, it just shows you're human." And it totally does! I simply forgot about the coupon. People forget things. People make mistakes.
So often we are quick to judge people on their imperfections, on their simple human-ness. And yet we sing and ask for the gift of God's eyes and to see people how He does. Do we receive that gift? Do we see the soul behind the flesh? I pray that we will. It's a daily, moment-to-moment choice we should make.
recognize the calling
Sometimes we question why we are where we are. It's a natural tendency to wonder I think, whether we are in a place of contentment or not. After returning to America from Italy, where I felt that I was living days that were so purposeful, I had a few thoughts as to why I was in Bloomington-Normal, IL, USA pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and working part-time at JCP.
However, as pieces of my heart continue to be spread across nations, I know that for this season I am exactly where I am supposed to be. My community of friends here has grown so strong just within the past few months and I feel so blessed in this moment. I love Kenya, I love Italy, I love Peoria, and I cherish my past, present, and future callings to those places - but for now, I am called to be here.Many of us are called to several places, cultures, or kind of work in our lifetimes. I think it shows our dedication to those callings when we speak of and are passionate about them. Maybe now is not the time for a specific calling on your life to be fulfilled, but since it's a desire of your heart, believe that the season and time will come. We need to recognize our callings, embrace them, and live them out. No matter how small you feel a calling is, trust that it was placed over you for a reason.
Acknowledge the existence of the Lord's work in your life. It's there if you open your eyes. If you ate a meal today, He has provided for you. Recognize it and be grateful. You'll become overwhelmed by his loving kindness towards you.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Famous, Rich & In The Slums
The videos below are of a recent documentary made by BBC in the Kibera Slum in Nairobi, Kenya. To watch all of the videos will take nearly an hour. I hope that you would find the time to watch them though, and to be revealed/reminded, through one example, of the physical poverty that so many of our brothers and sisters live in.
Join me in prayer, asking for continued strength, provision, and protection over these lives. Decree and declare freedom... that people all over the world would be set free from bondage in their lives... and that children would be true witnesses of the transformation power of the work of the Lord in their parents' circumstances and lives.
Join me in prayer, asking for continued strength, provision, and protection over these lives. Decree and declare freedom... that people all over the world would be set free from bondage in their lives... and that children would be true witnesses of the transformation power of the work of the Lord in their parents' circumstances and lives.
Friday, February 25, 2011
roots
I want to be unmovable and unshakeable so that my roots grow down deep,
Unmovable and unshakeable in You. (x4)
I want to be like a tree, planted by the streams of Living Water. (x4)
This will be my song God, this will be my prayer:
til the end, til the end
'In the midst of the coming storm, in the midst of the coming blessing,
That my life would be built upon the rock,
That I will not be moved,
Not be shaken.'
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
undeserving
my days are consumed with school. the schedule for each of my days is written down and crossed out once finished. i am busy, but not overwhelmed. i am volunteering to get mandatory diversity hours, meeting with groups to plan a professional development session and organize a booklet for subplans, reading chapters and writing reflections, writing lesson plans, reviewing instructional resources, researching topics in the library's catalog, writing lesson plans, creating anecdotal notes, learning about soundscapes and pantomime and tableaux, and writing more lesson plans. phew.
i am taking 18 hours of class this semester so i knew there could be a heavy workload, so i'm not surprised in the least. but in all honesty, i didn't think i'd be this busy. i would hope my time managing skills are improving, and i feel they are because i am tackling assignments like it's nobody's business and acing quizzes and reviews. however, every day is so busy. non-stop, take a big breath, let's go! kind of busy. there is always something i could be doing when i'm not doing anything, but there is never a minute where i'm not doing anything. so what, this is life, right? true, but with busy comes balance and with balance comes that pure true joyful spirit for living life attitude.
and i want that. so i'm working on balancing all of the intricate interlaced aspects of my life. my planner looks pretty organized and my life feels pretty organized, but my heart and mind seem at times to be all-over-the-place. i went to a 1hr yoga class today to help with the mind part of that matter, but instructor girl worked more on stretching legs (which btw, don't think our legs need to be worked out anymore because we've all been trekking through snow for the past 5 years in freezing temps... think we're good) than relaxing my whole body and mind and loosening up this neck tension. but no, i still feel the need to crack my neck as i sit here writing this. boo yoga girl.
with the heart part, though, it's a work in progress. and although schoolwork is sometimes tedious and trying, i am gaining so much knowledge. my heart is focusing on school, an experience i know it should be. but my dear heart, i know that you must also be focusing on Jesus and His lovingkindness and simple grace and all the dreams i've been having that could possibly be prophetic.
when i think about it, i know that am working toward the next part of the story. whether that next part has me teaching in a school of my choice or not, this now is for then. and at this moment, i am in the heart of this part. the deep down so-close-to-the-core-hot extremely intense part. i love it here, but i think i may just love it more once we come up a bit and get rollin' with the good stuff thats still to come. isu is helping to prepare me for teacher life, but at the same time, i must also be letting the Lord further prepare me for the prayerful, evangelistic, justice-seeking, passionate loving, discipling, leading aspects of life. i yearn to be in the complete midst of that.
i am looking forward to spending full days with the bruer kids while their parents soak up some cali sun (confession, i'm jealous!) and then spending four days at IHOP next week. i do believe that the absence from this here good ol' bloomington-normal will bring me to a place of being not so "busy" because for a few days i'm going to have four little lives to care for and my focus will be completely off of me. and then i will spend a few days where (i pray) my focus is completely on the Lord. i cannot wait.
i also cannot wait to be in Italy. we leave for that adventure less than a month from now. i'm holding on to promises and truth and i'm excited to see the Lord at work, breaking chains and bringing freedom.
i am busy, but i am blessed. and i don't deserve any of it. but i am oh so thankful for all of it.
i am taking 18 hours of class this semester so i knew there could be a heavy workload, so i'm not surprised in the least. but in all honesty, i didn't think i'd be this busy. i would hope my time managing skills are improving, and i feel they are because i am tackling assignments like it's nobody's business and acing quizzes and reviews. however, every day is so busy. non-stop, take a big breath, let's go! kind of busy. there is always something i could be doing when i'm not doing anything, but there is never a minute where i'm not doing anything. so what, this is life, right? true, but with busy comes balance and with balance comes that pure true joyful spirit for living life attitude.
and i want that. so i'm working on balancing all of the intricate interlaced aspects of my life. my planner looks pretty organized and my life feels pretty organized, but my heart and mind seem at times to be all-over-the-place. i went to a 1hr yoga class today to help with the mind part of that matter, but instructor girl worked more on stretching legs (which btw, don't think our legs need to be worked out anymore because we've all been trekking through snow for the past 5 years in freezing temps... think we're good) than relaxing my whole body and mind and loosening up this neck tension. but no, i still feel the need to crack my neck as i sit here writing this. boo yoga girl.
with the heart part, though, it's a work in progress. and although schoolwork is sometimes tedious and trying, i am gaining so much knowledge. my heart is focusing on school, an experience i know it should be. but my dear heart, i know that you must also be focusing on Jesus and His lovingkindness and simple grace and all the dreams i've been having that could possibly be prophetic.
when i think about it, i know that am working toward the next part of the story. whether that next part has me teaching in a school of my choice or not, this now is for then. and at this moment, i am in the heart of this part. the deep down so-close-to-the-core-hot extremely intense part. i love it here, but i think i may just love it more once we come up a bit and get rollin' with the good stuff thats still to come. isu is helping to prepare me for teacher life, but at the same time, i must also be letting the Lord further prepare me for the prayerful, evangelistic, justice-seeking, passionate loving, discipling, leading aspects of life. i yearn to be in the complete midst of that.
i am looking forward to spending full days with the bruer kids while their parents soak up some cali sun (confession, i'm jealous!) and then spending four days at IHOP next week. i do believe that the absence from this here good ol' bloomington-normal will bring me to a place of being not so "busy" because for a few days i'm going to have four little lives to care for and my focus will be completely off of me. and then i will spend a few days where (i pray) my focus is completely on the Lord. i cannot wait.
i also cannot wait to be in Italy. we leave for that adventure less than a month from now. i'm holding on to promises and truth and i'm excited to see the Lord at work, breaking chains and bringing freedom.
i am busy, but i am blessed. and i don't deserve any of it. but i am oh so thankful for all of it.
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