Friday, August 29, 2008

you got me (i think)

ok republicans. with a pick like sarah palin, how could i say no? a woman and wife of the all american family, conservative to the max, (especially where it matters), an eighty percent approval rating in her home state, and well, she sounds like she has integrity.

feedback please!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

summer of firsts

this has been a summer of firsts to be sure.

  • -this is the first summer since jr. high (thirteen years!) that i haven't been to hume lake. and ya know, i didn't really miss it. sure, i missed my friends and the sights, but i don't miss the inevitable drama or poorly represented gospel. chapter: closed.
  • -i finally learned how to ride a bike!!! yes, old news for consistent readers, but honest, this has been something i have wanted to conquer for years. to get on a bike for the first time since i was-seven?-is pretty awesome. chapter: beginning
  • -i didn't get injured at the pool this summer! the other injuries and issues are piled high, but uh, yea...
  • -this is the first summer i am totally serious about not working at the pool next summer and the first time i actually had good conversations with my co-workers about Jesus.
  • -i finally branched out and went overseas with a group other than cbu or church. there were still connections with school and think i need those kind of connections in life, but what a great "experience."
  • -for the first time i've been so grieved to leave my friends from church. i mean, i always miss them and what's been going on, but really, this time, i'm going to miss their company and conversations.
i'm sure there are more firsts, but these are some of the major ones. i love firsts. can't wait to see what God allows me to experience for the first time this next semester!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

joe biden

he's been choosen to represent the democrats as the "presumptive" next vice-president of these here fine united states. i don't know. i've only looked at a few of his issues, but he's written a few books on international issues, (an obvious reason of why he was chosen by the obama camp for this illustrious position). however, my parents were so shocked by the choice of this man. i want to know why? what have been his votes in teh senate on moral, economic, and international issues over the past decades to cause such a reaction. ok, i admit my parents and i do not hold the same political values, nonetheless, it seems odd.

any thoughts, reactions, or rubtles?

Thursday, August 21, 2008

russia?

i don't understand them. they risk political security and stability by invading their neighboring country of georgia, their president inevitably tries to discuss the issue with our president at the olympics (a place of peace and agreement), they have no seemingly legitamit reason for such an invasion except the desire for more power, they refuse to agree to a cease fire, and then announce a "pull back" of troops for tomorrow, a sign of weakness if you ask me, (and probably any military bigwig).


my question: russia-what's the deal?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

FAITHFUL!

God always blows me away with His faithfulness. you think by now i would be completely content and trusting of this incredibly faithful One, but i'm not.

in india we met a lady who's sister was dying of chronic renal failure. they had money for doctor's appointments and some meds, but not enough for the essential care. however, death seemed inevitable. we prayed for her and asked for healing, but when i didn't see God heal her while we were there, i didn't think that was what he had ordained. i went on my "merry" way, but was so anxious for what God was going to do in the lives of this muslim family.

today, i got an email from my supervisor. the woman is doing MUCH better and can even go "out" for visits. i don't know in what capacity she is healed, but God has CLEARLY been the faithful One to work!!! how amazing is our God?

Friday, August 15, 2008

what.

so my good friend rachel wrote a blog and she mentioned that she had been home from her summer "m" trip for a month. it hit me-i've been back for one month and four days!! what!?!? i mean really- WHAT?!?! i have no capacity to understand the privileged that i had to serve God and bring His glory to the nations. i'm still struggle with all the time we wasted and the missed opportunities, with thoughts of the future and if india is really a place i want to go again, with the ever-thought question, "what the crap do i do now?"

i hate work because i succom to the things of the world, but i love it because God totally reveals Himself to me in ways i would never expect. i hate being home because i feel like i'm in this stupid rut, scratching to get out sometimes, while nummingly content at others. i hate not being with friends as they grow and move, but realize that as soon as i go to them, my friends here will grow and change.

i'm a spoiled child. i hate that, too.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

weekend wrap up

in the midst of the serious blogging, i thought i'd take a break to let you know about the CRAZY (ok, not so crazy) weekend i had.

it all started friday after i got off work and headed over to a friend's house to get my hair cut. i got a trim, but it took a while and i had somewhere else to be. i rushed home and got cookin. i needed to make some indian food for an opening ceremony party. each person attending the party was to represent a country and i was to represent india (quite obviosly). i hurridly made the food, packed it as well as chai, and got dressed. an hour and a half later we finally arrived. the night was SO fun! i ended up winning first place, (we had our own competetion going on) and yea...it was awesome! here was the podium ceremony.




on saturday, ellen and i left early because we were headed out to redding the next day. and that we did. alarm: 5:19am. four hours and three cups of coffee later, we make it to redding for a day of fun. we accompany my aunt to the farmer's market and a really yummy bread store. we get back to her place and, feeling kinda adventurous, i ask her if she has a bike. "why yes!" she replies with some enthusiasm. fear and excitement swell inside me. i know that this is the moment for me to learn how to ride a bike! (yes, it's true. i've spent most of my life not knowing how to ride a bike, but now, i hopefully have a better grasp on it!). here's the video.



i also had my aunt look at a small injury on the bottom of my foot. i stepped on something at the beach a couple of weeks ago and its...well...weird. that's all. she seems to think it's infected and put a hecka cool colliod bandage on it. but it defiantely seems to be that it is infected. oh joy.


that night we ate yummy burritos (first mexican food since being home) and ice cream (always a winner). sunday we headed home. five hours, one cup of coffee, and one venti carmel light frap later, we are back in san mateo. this is the traffic circle be our house; apparently someone dislikes it as much as i do.




so uh, that's my weekend.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

prayer please

i so hesitated in posting this, but i am so weak and need prayer. so thank you in advance.
so i've been struggling with being back at work-the same place i've worked for the past seven summers. most people know i'm a follower of Jesus, (or at least the Christian), so they stay away. conversations about Jesus are hard to have because my co-workers simply don't want to have them.


God is simply amazing. the last two days i've had conversations with people about Jesus and "religion." the conversation usually ends with "well, how do you feel about gays?" or "what about the tribal people?" but they still seem fairly "open."

i'm amazed by God's faithfulness to provide obvious opportunities for me to let people know about Jesus. i'm amazed that God would allow someone as unworthy and unfaithful as me to share His truths with others.

what i ask is this: i am so not used to this. i know what i believe, but i haven't shared with people who don't have a "religious" background in some time, (another failing). i would ask that you pray that God would give me wisdom, that i would attentive to the Spirit and would not lean on my strength and knowledge, but remember that the Lord is made strong in my weakness.

thank you again.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

145

145 were killed today, (or yesterday, or something), in India as the went to worship at a Hindu temple. here's the article.

145 people were lost and will never have the chance to worship King Jesus on earth, but will now worship Him as they bow before Him in judgment, (Phil 2:9-11).

145 people who could have had a chance to know Jesus, the Christ, the King.

how many more lost people have to die before believers are willing to tell them the truth? i know, i'm not perfect. i know i don't tell everyone i meet about Jesus, but i pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to stir in my a passion and drive to do so. maybe i'm mad at the world because i'm really going through some reverse culture, but legit, what in the world do we think we are doing? what do i think i'm doing?