I was actually planning on typing a new post in my blog before checking out the blogs of my siblings, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that two of my three siblings had also posted new info since last time I looked at their blogs.
I finished my first week of classes and things are going pretty well. I am still not back into the school thing yet. I am completely unmotivated to do school stuff and my schedule with work and His House activities and such is still up in the air. But it has been a good week with some good chances to connect with people.
First of all, as I think I mentioned, I am going to be leading the international ministry with His House this year, so I connected with some international student organizations. Dave and I also became friends with a Chinese student, playing basketball with him on our way back from Main Stage...much better than staying at the concert with the lead singer dropping f bombs left and right and talking about getting drunk.
I also had a good conversation today with a guy I met last year in racquetball club. We talked some about community and what is really important in life and then a little about spiritual beliefs. He is a cool guy, really down to earth. Be praying for him.
Tonight I reconnected with a friend who was in a singing group with me my senior year of high school and her freshman year, so now she is a freshman here and I am a senior and we hungout after His House with some people and had fun.
Classes are alright. Spanish class is pretty fun. My HEV classes are pretty boring so far, but not too bad. Also, I still haven't gotten everything going with my senior research project but I am working on it.
Praise God. He is doing some sweet stuff. Oh, I forgot to mention prayer. I have had some good prayer times this week. We have a 24/7 prayer room that I have gone to a few times, and I also went to the prayer meeting on Tuesday which was really good.
Anyway, I love you all. Have a great day and/or night. Adios
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Mount Pleasy
Yup, you guessed it. I am back in Mount Pleasant at the Men's House (also known as the His House - mom and others, and the Men's Room - Kelsey).
I got back aroudn 2 today and got caught up in some kind of whirlwind. After Dan, one of my new roommates, helped me move my stuff to my room, some of my friends came over and we went rope swinging into the Chip (Chippewa River). From there we came home and hungout for a bit before deciding to go out to Los Palominos for my dinner (my first meal of the day). It took a whle to get our food so by the time we were done we were a few minutes late for His House. After the service I saw and talked to a bunch more people I didn't see all summer. It was pretty great.
Then I came home for about 20 minutes and tried to start unpacking before a few of us went on a prayer walk down Main St with a bunch of parties and drunk people and cops. Despite the sadness of the scene, God gave me a sense of hope and anticipation for what he is going to be doing in these peoples' lives. I am excited to see him work this year. Now, I must get some sleep to wake up and go rope swinging at 9 tomorrow before Brenna, my house sister from last year, has to leave.
Adios
I got back aroudn 2 today and got caught up in some kind of whirlwind. After Dan, one of my new roommates, helped me move my stuff to my room, some of my friends came over and we went rope swinging into the Chip (Chippewa River). From there we came home and hungout for a bit before deciding to go out to Los Palominos for my dinner (my first meal of the day). It took a whle to get our food so by the time we were done we were a few minutes late for His House. After the service I saw and talked to a bunch more people I didn't see all summer. It was pretty great.
Then I came home for about 20 minutes and tried to start unpacking before a few of us went on a prayer walk down Main St with a bunch of parties and drunk people and cops. Despite the sadness of the scene, God gave me a sense of hope and anticipation for what he is going to be doing in these peoples' lives. I am excited to see him work this year. Now, I must get some sleep to wake up and go rope swinging at 9 tomorrow before Brenna, my house sister from last year, has to leave.
Adios
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Family Time
I am not sure if it is just because we weren't allowed to dance in the DR or for other reasons, but I have started to enjoy dancing since returning from the DR this summer. I guess you might not really call what I do dancing but it is fun nonetheless.
We are having our family gettogether. Everybody else is asleep now. It has been pretty good. We haven't really done anything too exciting as a family but it is nice to see everybody. Tomorrow we are expecting some more visitors, some family and some like family.
I finally got all the photos from the DR on facebook, at least enough of them, and tagged and captioned.
I can't really think of anything exciting to share. If something exciting has happened to me recently, you probably already know or don't care.
One thing I have been realizing lately is the freedom of life with Christ. Of course I have heard it talked about throughout my life, but I am starting to realize that I am excperiencing some of it. I feel like there are many people, even people I think of as good Christians, who do not really have the same freedom I have. Some of it is situational, but one thing I am realizing is how much we worry about things that don't matter and stuff, so that is one thing I am trying to get rid of in my life. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7. There is also a good section at the end of Matthew 6 that talks about worry too. I especially like 6:33 which talks about seeking God first and everything else will fall into place. God wants us to let him take care of many things we spend time worrying about. He wants us to focus our time and energy on him and his will rather than our own worries.
Alright, I'm out. Time for some sleep. Freedom and Peace in Christ.
We are having our family gettogether. Everybody else is asleep now. It has been pretty good. We haven't really done anything too exciting as a family but it is nice to see everybody. Tomorrow we are expecting some more visitors, some family and some like family.
I finally got all the photos from the DR on facebook, at least enough of them, and tagged and captioned.
I can't really think of anything exciting to share. If something exciting has happened to me recently, you probably already know or don't care.
One thing I have been realizing lately is the freedom of life with Christ. Of course I have heard it talked about throughout my life, but I am starting to realize that I am excperiencing some of it. I feel like there are many people, even people I think of as good Christians, who do not really have the same freedom I have. Some of it is situational, but one thing I am realizing is how much we worry about things that don't matter and stuff, so that is one thing I am trying to get rid of in my life. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7. There is also a good section at the end of Matthew 6 that talks about worry too. I especially like 6:33 which talks about seeking God first and everything else will fall into place. God wants us to let him take care of many things we spend time worrying about. He wants us to focus our time and energy on him and his will rather than our own worries.
Alright, I'm out. Time for some sleep. Freedom and Peace in Christ.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Me Olvido
Well, I kind of forgot about this thing, my blog. But here I am, back for more. I had an awesome summer in Dominican Republic. I learned some Espanol, met many awesome people, and God taught me some things about true love.
I learned about seeking love primarily from him, rather than from other people and the importance of spending time with and receiving love from God in order to pour that love out to others.
I am enjoying my time back with my family. I miss the DR but am excited about what God has for me here this year.
Speaking of which, there are a couple things I am particularly excited about. I just went through the twelve lessons on the Travelling Team website and I suggest them for everyone. One thing they talk about is welcoming, which is basically becoming friends with international students. I feel like i have a pretty good opportunity for that since i will be leading the international ministry with His House this year.
Also, something to keep me accountable on is being a mobilizer. A mobilizer is basically somebody who informs and motivates people to do their part to fulfill the great commission. I want to maybe talk at life groups or something about missions and have a daily or at least a few times a week prayer meeting, specifically focusing on missions. I might try to do some other things as well.
Basically, please be praying that I don't lose focus when I get to school and forget about all of this but that I can stay motivated. Also, if you want to join me with any of this, I would love your help.
If you want me to change anything about my blog writing other than making it more frequent, which I am going to try to do, let me know. If you have specific questions about my life, just ask. I love you all. God bless.
I learned about seeking love primarily from him, rather than from other people and the importance of spending time with and receiving love from God in order to pour that love out to others.
I am enjoying my time back with my family. I miss the DR but am excited about what God has for me here this year.
Speaking of which, there are a couple things I am particularly excited about. I just went through the twelve lessons on the Travelling Team website and I suggest them for everyone. One thing they talk about is welcoming, which is basically becoming friends with international students. I feel like i have a pretty good opportunity for that since i will be leading the international ministry with His House this year.
Also, something to keep me accountable on is being a mobilizer. A mobilizer is basically somebody who informs and motivates people to do their part to fulfill the great commission. I want to maybe talk at life groups or something about missions and have a daily or at least a few times a week prayer meeting, specifically focusing on missions. I might try to do some other things as well.
Basically, please be praying that I don't lose focus when I get to school and forget about all of this but that I can stay motivated. Also, if you want to join me with any of this, I would love your help.
If you want me to change anything about my blog writing other than making it more frequent, which I am going to try to do, let me know. If you have specific questions about my life, just ask. I love you all. God bless.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
It's Back, and Better than Ever
I'm back from New Orleans, and I had a great trip. So many great stories to tell.
One cool thing about the trip was that from what I understand United Saints (the organization we worked with down there) is similar to OO in how it is operated with a few administrators, some long term volunteers and some short term volunteers, so I got to see a little bit about how that worked. I am sure OO will be much different, and I will be in the long term volunteer position rather than short term, but it was cool.
So many stories to tell. Our team did a special project on the last day. We cleared an area and put in benches and planted grass and flowers and painted a mural. It was pretty sweet. On the first work day, Monday, we worked on painting a house but around lunch time there was a shooting nearby so we went on lockdown and cleaned the church.
when we were getting ready to go out, Dave asked a few of us to help move some of Rev's boxes. so first the four of us drove over to the street of the Rev's new house and waited for a while before the Rev came with his uncle a little ways down, where the house actually was. we played whiffle ball with a kid named Montgomery while we were waiting. Then we looked at a little of the house and left to get some boxes. We found out we had to get empty boxes, and then go to the old house and pack them. Then we ate some pizza before moving the boxes to the new house. Dave took the three of us out to ice cream after it was all done and we went into the nice ice cream place with no shoes and work clothes and decided to be more conspicuous by doing a bollywood dance. Anyway, by the time we got back to the church it was about 6 hours later or something. Pretty crazy day.
We worked on several projects, including painting a house, building and painting a fence, cleaning out a shed, sanding caulkind and painting stairs, etc. When we werent working we went into town several times. We went to the lower 9th ward one time where the levy broke and everything was pretty much destroyed. It is basically barren now, other than a few dilapidated houses and a few new ones along with weeds and scrapwood and such. Igor stepped on a nail there and so we had to find a place for him to get a tetanus shot. That was a long ordeal as well, because the first place we went to wasn't going to workout so we went to another place which didn't work out and then another place that referred us to another place that had moved. Throughout all of this we got lost several times, making it take longer. Finally Nik and Igor dropped us back off at the church while they went back to one of the places and got in about 40 minutes later.
Other times we hungout with the volunteers both in the French quarter and around the church and stuff. They were pretty sweet, including Marcos, Daryl, Leann, Cory, Dave, Andre, Jessica, Adam, Chet, anybody else I might have missed.
The drive back was also an adventure with tornadoes in Arkansas and pouring rain from there to Michigan. We had to stop for about .5 hours for the tornadoes and then got back on the road. We dropped Nik off at her home in IL, Mitch and Emily in Grand Rapids, Kristen near Grand Rapids, and Igor in Lansing, ending with Michelle and I making it back to Mount Pleasant about 24 hours later.
Yup, there's probably more. I have photos (4 albums) on facebook. Feel free to take a gander.
One cool thing about the trip was that from what I understand United Saints (the organization we worked with down there) is similar to OO in how it is operated with a few administrators, some long term volunteers and some short term volunteers, so I got to see a little bit about how that worked. I am sure OO will be much different, and I will be in the long term volunteer position rather than short term, but it was cool.
So many stories to tell. Our team did a special project on the last day. We cleared an area and put in benches and planted grass and flowers and painted a mural. It was pretty sweet. On the first work day, Monday, we worked on painting a house but around lunch time there was a shooting nearby so we went on lockdown and cleaned the church.
when we were getting ready to go out, Dave asked a few of us to help move some of Rev's boxes. so first the four of us drove over to the street of the Rev's new house and waited for a while before the Rev came with his uncle a little ways down, where the house actually was. we played whiffle ball with a kid named Montgomery while we were waiting. Then we looked at a little of the house and left to get some boxes. We found out we had to get empty boxes, and then go to the old house and pack them. Then we ate some pizza before moving the boxes to the new house. Dave took the three of us out to ice cream after it was all done and we went into the nice ice cream place with no shoes and work clothes and decided to be more conspicuous by doing a bollywood dance. Anyway, by the time we got back to the church it was about 6 hours later or something. Pretty crazy day.
We worked on several projects, including painting a house, building and painting a fence, cleaning out a shed, sanding caulkind and painting stairs, etc. When we werent working we went into town several times. We went to the lower 9th ward one time where the levy broke and everything was pretty much destroyed. It is basically barren now, other than a few dilapidated houses and a few new ones along with weeds and scrapwood and such. Igor stepped on a nail there and so we had to find a place for him to get a tetanus shot. That was a long ordeal as well, because the first place we went to wasn't going to workout so we went to another place which didn't work out and then another place that referred us to another place that had moved. Throughout all of this we got lost several times, making it take longer. Finally Nik and Igor dropped us back off at the church while they went back to one of the places and got in about 40 minutes later.
Other times we hungout with the volunteers both in the French quarter and around the church and stuff. They were pretty sweet, including Marcos, Daryl, Leann, Cory, Dave, Andre, Jessica, Adam, Chet, anybody else I might have missed.
The drive back was also an adventure with tornadoes in Arkansas and pouring rain from there to Michigan. We had to stop for about .5 hours for the tornadoes and then got back on the road. We dropped Nik off at her home in IL, Mitch and Emily in Grand Rapids, Kristen near Grand Rapids, and Igor in Lansing, ending with Michelle and I making it back to Mount Pleasant about 24 hours later.
Yup, there's probably more. I have photos (4 albums) on facebook. Feel free to take a gander.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Break
Well, I have a break now. I am done with school for the year. So, from today until Saturday I don't have much going on. Yeah, about one and a half days. Saturday I work and then go to Louie, which will be sweet. My roommate Mitch is going too. Then I will come back and pack up and go home and then pack up and go to the DR for eleven weeks or so.
I am really excited about the summer and glad to be done with school. However, I am ready to just be in the DR and not doing all the prep stuff and everything. Oh well. Death is a part of life. That doesn't really have anything to do with it, just so you know, so you're not racking your prain for possible ways that it could connect, although there are some you could think of.
Anyway, I am hungry so I think I will eat before going to His House.
By the way, soccer is a good way to have fun and stay in shape, so if possible, get some friends who like to play soccer everyday. Some people from His House have been playing almost every day lately, and I have joined them most times. It's fun. On the other hand, if you like cheesy movies and don't necessarily want to stay in shape, get friends who like Bollywood movies (That's the India version of Hollywood in case you didn't know). First of all, they are really cheesy. Second of all, most of them are over three hours long. Fourth of all, people have been watching them at our house quite frequently lately, too.
Triple peace. Duga ruqa
I am really excited about the summer and glad to be done with school. However, I am ready to just be in the DR and not doing all the prep stuff and everything. Oh well. Death is a part of life. That doesn't really have anything to do with it, just so you know, so you're not racking your prain for possible ways that it could connect, although there are some you could think of.
Anyway, I am hungry so I think I will eat before going to His House.
By the way, soccer is a good way to have fun and stay in shape, so if possible, get some friends who like to play soccer everyday. Some people from His House have been playing almost every day lately, and I have joined them most times. It's fun. On the other hand, if you like cheesy movies and don't necessarily want to stay in shape, get friends who like Bollywood movies (That's the India version of Hollywood in case you didn't know). First of all, they are really cheesy. Second of all, most of them are over three hours long. Fourth of all, people have been watching them at our house quite frequently lately, too.
Triple peace. Duga ruqa
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