Today I received some very interesting news regarding my trip to Romania this summer. I had just gotten out of my New Testament class when Randy called me as I was walking back to my room.
As we talked I found that I will be the only intern this summer, which means a LOT of work for me, but I am pretty excited about it! We will be working with kids all over western Romania and Odesa, Ukraine. I found out from Randy this morning that we will be spending a week to a week and a half in Odesa leading a creative ministries camp for some of the kids there. Odesa is located in the southern part of Ukraine on the Black Sea. I remember about 10 years ago when my dad had the opportunity to go to Kiev, Ukraine to rebuild a church. I am super excited to be able to go to the same country my dad went to about 10 years ago!
I still do not know an official date when I am leaving or coming back. However, with this trip to Ukraine I may be leaving a few weeks earlier. There was not to much more information that I found out this morning but, as I find out more and more information, I will continue to post on here and hopefully I will be able to continue to keep you updated over the summer.
I never would have thought that I would be blessed in this way. God never ceases to amaze me with the opportunities and doors he has opened for me. Even though I have many, many questions about my faith and what I believe, He is still using me. It is incredibly humbling to have all these questions about what I believe and yet, some how, some way, He is using me. INCREDIBLE!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I am NOT a morning person
So last night I knew this would not be a good morning. I set my alarm for 7:15 and because I absolutely cannot miss anymore classes, I set my alarm out of reach from my bed. My first words this mornings were, "This is a BAD day." Little did I know that the worst was yet to come.
For those who know me well and have seen me in the mornings, they know I need at least an hour to wake up and comprehend words people are muttering to me. Apparently my room mate Elliot, has not learned this lesson yet.
I got out of bed turned my alarm off and then went back to sleep on the couch... good plan I know. Well, Elliot gets up and gets a shower and I have the only peace I will have for the next two hours.
He returns from the shower chattin up a storm. And, at first, just out of the kindness of my heart I try to respond with something understandable. I have no idea if it was actually English or not. But anyway I manage to pull myself off the couch to get dressed for this class that we just happen to have together. It's about 7:35 now and I am dressed and walking out the door with one eye open.. or both eyes half open equaling one eye. Anyway, I stumble to get a biscuit in the Kennel and the whole way there Elliot is rambling on and on about random stuff. Just talking his little.. or rather large head off. By the time we got to the food I was ready to punch him in the face.
I do not talk in the mornings and I do not want to be bothered in the mornings simply because I do not want to offend anyone by ignoring them. However, this morning, I had no choice. He would ask me a question and sure enough no answer from the dead peanut gallery. I just walked still 75% asleep.
So I post this blog to inform you that if I ignore you in the mornings it is not because I do not like you it is because of one of two reasons. The first being I simply do not comprehend things or words or anything for that matter for at least an hour after I wake up. And the second is that you are just talking way to much and I am frustrated with you.
For those who know me well and have seen me in the mornings, they know I need at least an hour to wake up and comprehend words people are muttering to me. Apparently my room mate Elliot, has not learned this lesson yet.
I got out of bed turned my alarm off and then went back to sleep on the couch... good plan I know. Well, Elliot gets up and gets a shower and I have the only peace I will have for the next two hours.
He returns from the shower chattin up a storm. And, at first, just out of the kindness of my heart I try to respond with something understandable. I have no idea if it was actually English or not. But anyway I manage to pull myself off the couch to get dressed for this class that we just happen to have together. It's about 7:35 now and I am dressed and walking out the door with one eye open.. or both eyes half open equaling one eye. Anyway, I stumble to get a biscuit in the Kennel and the whole way there Elliot is rambling on and on about random stuff. Just talking his little.. or rather large head off. By the time we got to the food I was ready to punch him in the face.
I do not talk in the mornings and I do not want to be bothered in the mornings simply because I do not want to offend anyone by ignoring them. However, this morning, I had no choice. He would ask me a question and sure enough no answer from the dead peanut gallery. I just walked still 75% asleep.
So I post this blog to inform you that if I ignore you in the mornings it is not because I do not like you it is because of one of two reasons. The first being I simply do not comprehend things or words or anything for that matter for at least an hour after I wake up. And the second is that you are just talking way to much and I am frustrated with you.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Romania news
Last summer, I went to Romania with my Sunday school class and a few other adults. I had a GREAT time there. Playing with kids and just watching God work through the team. Playing games and hiking and crafts and worship and small group, I had so much fun through the whole thing! At the end of the week, as most of you know, I had talked with Randy, the missionary there, about a possible internship this summer. We left and I tried and tried to get in contact with him, only to find out last month that I wont find out until the first week or so of February. I was also invited to spend a few weeks in Nairobi with Chris and Lindy so I really needed to find out what Randy's plans were. So I sent him an email yesterday afternoon and well, look at the date, February 5th, in the first week of February and I received an email back from Randy. I will be leaving for Romania the last week or so in June and coming back sometime in August, just before school starts back!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Focused on Unity
I went on a FOCUS trip to Thomasville and it hardly seemed as if I was in my hometown. I spent all of Friday night and Saturday in Calvary United Church of Christ. There were about 20 students that showed for this twenty-four hour lock in. Man, those students were WIRED. We had a GREAT time playing games and rock band and eating... and for them, not sleeping.. I did not enjoy that one so much.
The weekend was focused (get the pun?) on unity. Which is a difficult subject to talk about, but nonetheless, I think the students were able to get a lot out of it. There was one student in particular who I connected with the most, Winfield (because some may know him, and I dont know if he wants his name on the internet, this is what I called him). We talked about everything. We were partners in sardines and were definitely the best at that game. He is a mature, excited, and curious student.
I am excited to meet more students like Winfield on more FOCUS trips that are to come. Oh, and my FOCUS group is INCREDIBLE! I consider them some of my closest friends and I am incredibly blessed to know them and have the privelage of calling them my friends. For those on my team that read this, Thank you!
The weekend was focused (get the pun?) on unity. Which is a difficult subject to talk about, but nonetheless, I think the students were able to get a lot out of it. There was one student in particular who I connected with the most, Winfield (because some may know him, and I dont know if he wants his name on the internet, this is what I called him). We talked about everything. We were partners in sardines and were definitely the best at that game. He is a mature, excited, and curious student.
I am excited to meet more students like Winfield on more FOCUS trips that are to come. Oh, and my FOCUS group is INCREDIBLE! I consider them some of my closest friends and I am incredibly blessed to know them and have the privelage of calling them my friends. For those on my team that read this, Thank you!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Classroom Manners
I have always be an introvert in class. If I have the choice of sitting on the front row or sitting on the back row, I always choose the back row. When I am in class I refrain for speaking at all times unless I am called on. Generally I do not pay attention in class because I get bored with lectures VERY quickly. I usually have to teach myself everything through reading and doing the homework. I just do not learn well in the class room.
Now I know there are people that are different from me. Those who sit in the front of the class by choice, learn well in lectures, can pay attention, speak up in class, etc, are way different from me and I do not have a problem with that at all. But there is a limit that some people just blow right by. They ask a question after every sentence. They suck up to the teacher NONSTOP. These people irritate me, and if you happen to be one of those people and reading my blog... I am VERY sorry, I do not mean for this to be offensive or anything.
I have one of these people in my New Testament class at 9am. I am not a morning person so my patience for this is even shorter. This particular person happens to be about 45 with kids in high school. I am not against her being in school by any stretch of the imagination. Howevr, this morning her suck up nature particularly got under my skin. Mr. Henson, my professor, asked a question to which someone answered. Mrs. Old Lady (sorry for the old comment those who are 45+, except for my parents... I am not sorry) reiterates verbatim what my class mate said in an attempt to SUCK UP! There is a girl who sits two seats in front of me who was in my OT (thats Old Testament) class and she turned to me (in the back corner, with my head resting in the corner) and shook her head. It was at that point that I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep for the rest of th class.
Please, if you EVER have a class with me, DO NOT ask questions out the wazoo. It is not necessary to ask a question after the statement "Mark is believed to be written by John Mark, a follower of Peter." There is nothing that needs questioning in that statement. Do what you need to learn but if you need to ask questions after EVERY sentence.. please avoid me after class. I might be deadly afterward. Please use your classroom etiquette and don't tick other people off by asking too many questions. Please. Thanks.
Now I know there are people that are different from me. Those who sit in the front of the class by choice, learn well in lectures, can pay attention, speak up in class, etc, are way different from me and I do not have a problem with that at all. But there is a limit that some people just blow right by. They ask a question after every sentence. They suck up to the teacher NONSTOP. These people irritate me, and if you happen to be one of those people and reading my blog... I am VERY sorry, I do not mean for this to be offensive or anything.
I have one of these people in my New Testament class at 9am. I am not a morning person so my patience for this is even shorter. This particular person happens to be about 45 with kids in high school. I am not against her being in school by any stretch of the imagination. Howevr, this morning her suck up nature particularly got under my skin. Mr. Henson, my professor, asked a question to which someone answered. Mrs. Old Lady (sorry for the old comment those who are 45+, except for my parents... I am not sorry) reiterates verbatim what my class mate said in an attempt to SUCK UP! There is a girl who sits two seats in front of me who was in my OT (thats Old Testament) class and she turned to me (in the back corner, with my head resting in the corner) and shook her head. It was at that point that I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep for the rest of th class.
Please, if you EVER have a class with me, DO NOT ask questions out the wazoo. It is not necessary to ask a question after the statement "Mark is believed to be written by John Mark, a follower of Peter." There is nothing that needs questioning in that statement. Do what you need to learn but if you need to ask questions after EVERY sentence.. please avoid me after class. I might be deadly afterward. Please use your classroom etiquette and don't tick other people off by asking too many questions. Please. Thanks.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
I just about killed someone tonight
SO I just had the scariest thing ever happen to me. I honestly thought I was going to die. Me, my room mate, and my friend Chris had a movie night tonight. We watched four different movies. My Best Friend's Girl, which I dont recommend, Disturbia, Pineapple Express, and finally Midnight Movie were the four movies we watched. My Best Friend's Girl and Pineapple Express were comedy while Disturbia and Midnight Movie were suspense/horror. It is currently 3:25 in the morning and we just finished Midnight Movie. This movie was not that scary of a movie. However, as soon as the movie was over, someone started banging on our door. It started off as a subtle knock and gradually increased to a full shaking of the door. We were FREAKING out. Chris was sitting on the couch. He covered his face with the pillow; Elliot was on his bed, he hid under his pillow; And I was on the futon and I IMMEDIATELY threw the blanket over my face.
After about five minutes of straight TERROR, Elliot and I grabbed a pair of scissors while Chris grabbed a razor. And we slowly moved to the door. We asked who it was and to our relief it was just one of the guys from down the hall. We have the door locked and it will NOT be unlocked until the sun is up. Laugh all you want at our childlike reactions to nothing, but we were SCARED out of our minds
After about five minutes of straight TERROR, Elliot and I grabbed a pair of scissors while Chris grabbed a razor. And we slowly moved to the door. We asked who it was and to our relief it was just one of the guys from down the hall. We have the door locked and it will NOT be unlocked until the sun is up. Laugh all you want at our childlike reactions to nothing, but we were SCARED out of our minds
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
History repeats itself today
It has been said that history repeats itself. Today history has repeated itself with the inauguration of the first multi-racial president - President Barack Obama. As I have talked with my friends about this day, they are scared of what is going to happen. Morally, I do not agree with most of his stances. And I think I speak for many Christians. However, many of my friends have been calling this a bad day in United States History. And perhaps it is, but lets take a look at some Greek history.
Alexander the Great was a great militant authority who conquered most of the known world at the time. He believed in spreading the Greek culture. Most of the territories and cities he conquered assimilated to this Greek culture. When Alexander the Great died, the territories were given to four of his generals, on of which was named Antiochus IV, or Antiochus Epiphanes. He was a viscious ruler. One who tried with all of his governing to supress the Jewish faith. He did not allow sacrifices. He did not acknowledge the Sabbath as a day of rest. And seemingly most important to the Jewish men, Antiochus Epiphanes did not allow babies to be circumcised, which was a major symbol of the covenant that the Israelite people had with God.
Obviously this presented moral difficulties for the Jews of the time. They were not allowed to practice what, to them, represented a relationship with God. The same is true today. With President Obama now presiding over the United States, many challenges to the greater protestant Christian community will arise. There will be time where we will not agree with President Obama and there may be times where he limits what we can do.
The Jews still practiced their faith no matter the oppression faced. And the same is true now. History repeats itself not in the fact that we have our first multi-racial president, but rather in that I will continue to trust my God. My faith is not bound by what someone says I cannot do. My faith is not bound by anything but the blood Jesus spilled for me over two-thousand years ago. God has no limits and because of that these next four years will be completely and totally under control.
Alexander the Great was a great militant authority who conquered most of the known world at the time. He believed in spreading the Greek culture. Most of the territories and cities he conquered assimilated to this Greek culture. When Alexander the Great died, the territories were given to four of his generals, on of which was named Antiochus IV, or Antiochus Epiphanes. He was a viscious ruler. One who tried with all of his governing to supress the Jewish faith. He did not allow sacrifices. He did not acknowledge the Sabbath as a day of rest. And seemingly most important to the Jewish men, Antiochus Epiphanes did not allow babies to be circumcised, which was a major symbol of the covenant that the Israelite people had with God.
Obviously this presented moral difficulties for the Jews of the time. They were not allowed to practice what, to them, represented a relationship with God. The same is true today. With President Obama now presiding over the United States, many challenges to the greater protestant Christian community will arise. There will be time where we will not agree with President Obama and there may be times where he limits what we can do.
The Jews still practiced their faith no matter the oppression faced. And the same is true now. History repeats itself not in the fact that we have our first multi-racial president, but rather in that I will continue to trust my God. My faith is not bound by what someone says I cannot do. My faith is not bound by anything but the blood Jesus spilled for me over two-thousand years ago. God has no limits and because of that these next four years will be completely and totally under control.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)