I just had a client come in and say, "Hi, How are you this morning?....You always look so happy!"
And then, "That's a good thing I guess..."
He has no idea how good that really is!! It made me really happy to hear that! That means that I am actually not doing as bad as I think!!! =)
Now, if I could just be as happy and patient with those who come in and nag and are rude to me....Though maybe, hopefully, they don't perceive my being extremely annoyed with them....God blind their eyes! These broken people need to feel loved and accepted.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Excerpts From A Small Book
" Fear magnifies our weakness and it hides our potential. Only God knew the real me and the path I needed to be on. Only God could lead me into the future that was right for me.
I've also learned that my first response to just about everything is fear. If I listened to the voice of fear, I would do basically nothing. But part of what it means for me to move from being a nice girl to being a good woman, is that I choose to talk down fear. When fear says, "What have you gotten yourself into now?" I say, "I think I've gotten myself into the will of God, and I'm not going to back down."
When fear says, "You are not smart enough, experienced enough, or strong enough to do what you're trying to do," I say, "Well, I serve a God who specializes in using people as flawed as me, so you might as well give up."
When fear says, "You are going to disappoint people so badly," I say, "Well, maybe so, bit I guess I'd rather take the risk of disappointing people by not being good enough than disappointing God by not being brave enough." "
From "Nice Girls Don't Change the World" by Lynne Hybels
Have a nice day =)
I've also learned that my first response to just about everything is fear. If I listened to the voice of fear, I would do basically nothing. But part of what it means for me to move from being a nice girl to being a good woman, is that I choose to talk down fear. When fear says, "What have you gotten yourself into now?" I say, "I think I've gotten myself into the will of God, and I'm not going to back down."
When fear says, "You are not smart enough, experienced enough, or strong enough to do what you're trying to do," I say, "Well, I serve a God who specializes in using people as flawed as me, so you might as well give up."
When fear says, "You are going to disappoint people so badly," I say, "Well, maybe so, bit I guess I'd rather take the risk of disappointing people by not being good enough than disappointing God by not being brave enough." "
"Dangerous women. World-changing women.
That's what I want to be and that's what I hope
you will be. All of us. Together.
May we be dangerous women.
May we be women who acknowledge our
power to change, and grow, and be radically
alive for God.
May we be healers of wounds and righters
of wrongs.
May we weep with those who weep and
speak for those who cannot speak for
themselves.
May we cherish children, embrace the elderly,
and empower the poor.
May we pray deeply and teach wisely.
May we be strong and gentle leaders.
May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.
May we never hesitate to let passion push us,
conviction compel us, and righteous anger
energize us.
May we strike fear into all that is unjust and evil
in the world.
May we dismantle abusive systems and silence
lies with truth.
May we shine like stars in a darkened
generation.
May we overflow with goodness in the name of
God and by the power of Jesus. And in
that name, and by the power, may we
change the world.
Dear God,
Please make us dangerous women.
Amen."
That's what I want to be and that's what I hope
you will be. All of us. Together.
May we be dangerous women.
May we be women who acknowledge our
power to change, and grow, and be radically
alive for God.
May we be healers of wounds and righters
of wrongs.
May we weep with those who weep and
speak for those who cannot speak for
themselves.
May we cherish children, embrace the elderly,
and empower the poor.
May we pray deeply and teach wisely.
May we be strong and gentle leaders.
May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.
May we never hesitate to let passion push us,
conviction compel us, and righteous anger
energize us.
May we strike fear into all that is unjust and evil
in the world.
May we dismantle abusive systems and silence
lies with truth.
May we shine like stars in a darkened
generation.
May we overflow with goodness in the name of
God and by the power of Jesus. And in
that name, and by the power, may we
change the world.
Dear God,
Please make us dangerous women.
Amen."
From "Nice Girls Don't Change the World" by Lynne Hybels
Have a nice day =)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Making Food
Yesterday Bethany and I made food together and had fun (as always).
I made kind of a risotto with zucchini and mushrooms and she made bruschette (bread with olive oil, garlic, basil, and tomatoes).
The rice would have been better with some white wine in it, and the bruschette would have been better if we had had better ingredients to make it with....but it still was better than what was in the dining room and we enjoyed what we had.
When we sat down Betty (Bethany) said "Oh! We should pray!" and then, after looking at her hands said "Umm my hands are really oily so...let's hold pinkies". So, after some giggling from me, we held pinkies and prayed. Then, Bethany took out the little zip lock bag with Portuguese olives (which I had given her a while back, but mysteriously disappeared and then reappeared yesterday) an
d started eating them. They were even stronger than they usually are, 'cause they had been sitting in the bag for a while, so she desperately looked for something in the kitchen to use as a cup so that she could drink some water. Alas, there was nothing in my kitchen (my floor has a pretty bad kitchen), so she ended up using a bowl, her "drinking bowl". I laghed a lot and had to take pictures =)
I made kind of a risotto with zucchini and mushrooms and she made bruschette (bread with olive oil, garlic, basil, and tomatoes).
The rice would have been better with some white wine in it, and the bruschette would have been better if we had had better ingredients to make it with....but it still was better than what was in the dining room and we enjoyed what we had.
When we sat down Betty (Bethany) said "Oh! We should pray!" and then, after looking at her hands said "Umm my hands are really oily so...let's hold pinkies". So, after some giggling from me, we held pinkies and prayed. Then, Bethany took out the little zip lock bag with Portuguese olives (which I had given her a while back, but mysteriously disappeared and then reappeared yesterday) an
d started eating them. They were even stronger than they usually are, 'cause they had been sitting in the bag for a while, so she desperately looked for something in the kitchen to use as a cup so that she could drink some water. Alas, there was nothing in my kitchen (my floor has a pretty bad kitchen), so she ended up using a bowl, her "drinking bowl". I laghed a lot and had to take pictures =)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Why Is Education Not A Priority Anymore?
It's so sad to hear stories like these...
In Zimbabwe
In Germany
Why do people not think education is important?!?
In Zimbabwe
In Germany
Why do people not think education is important?!?
Monday, January 26, 2009
I Have Discovered Camille
I like what I've heard of her French songs so far, but I can't say that I like the songs she sings in English...
What's The Puppy's Name Gonna Be?
Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night, at 5/5:30am because of a bad dream and couldn't fall back asleep. My roommate then got up at 6 (I think) 'cause her, a few other teachers, and the high schoolers were leaving (they're going to be away on a ski trip all week). I think I then sort of fell asleep at 6:30 when she left, but then woke up again, when, at 7 am Kolya (our 9 year old neighbor who shares a bathroom with us) went to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I then had to the get up to go downstairs for Devotions (though I'm glad that I did 'cause I really liked what was tought) and never got to go back to sleep.
After devotions, I had breakfast and went up to my room where I started feeling really sick. So, I've spent my morning mostly in bed reading, doing stuff on the computer...It hasn't been too bad.
I hoped to be feeling better by now, but I'm not. And I really don't want to force myself to go outside in the cold and walk to work.
Anyways...I just got an email from my mom about an hour ago, saying that they have found a puppy and that they are going to get it on Thursday. They are really excited about it. He is really cute and is only 2 months old. I wish I could see him!
I can't wait to hear how Alana's cat Tummy and our 9 year old dog Maya will react to having a puppy in the house!
Here he is:
After devotions, I had breakfast and went up to my room where I started feeling really sick. So, I've spent my morning mostly in bed reading, doing stuff on the computer...It hasn't been too bad.
I hoped to be feeling better by now, but I'm not. And I really don't want to force myself to go outside in the cold and walk to work.
Anyways...I just got an email from my mom about an hour ago, saying that they have found a puppy and that they are going to get it on Thursday. They are really excited about it. He is really cute and is only 2 months old. I wish I could see him!
I can't wait to hear how Alana's cat Tummy and our 9 year old dog Maya will react to having a puppy in the house!
Here he is:
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Another Beautiful Person
Today I got invited to a girl's 19th birthday party. It surprised me to get an invitation from her 'cause I hardly ever hang out with her...It always surprises me to find out how many people actually like me and care about me. I realize this whenever I come home from being away for a little bit and people that I would never think would realize that I've been away, come up to me and say "Welcome back! We missed you! How are you?" and they really mean it.
Anyways...I went to the party, and the girl's sister (who's a few years older than me) was there. I had never really talked to her and was hoping to get to know her since she decided to do Project 12 this year. Unfortunately, she had to quit P12 after a few months due to her health conditions.
Her and I talked for 2 hours this afternoon, during the birthday party, and I'm really glad I did! She told me about all of her different illnesses that she's had ever since she can remember, and which keep getting worse the older she gets. She's anemic, asthmatic, has fibromialgia, she has some kind of condition that makes her sweat all the time, she has some kind of problem with the muscles in her face and throat which sometimes provent her to speak, smile and swallow. She said she used to go swimming and that she loved it, but then she had to stop 'cuase she got some kind of infection that would contaminate the water if she went in it. Her dream is to travel, to go to collage, to have a job, her own house, a dog, and to serve God. That's all she wants. But she can't do any of those things right now, 'cause she can hardly go up a flight of stairs and can't lift things, or get off the floor if she falls. Also, the medication for her muscle condition has made her gain tons of weight and has led to her having diabetes. And she has so many more problems that she couldn't remember. So, for now, she lives on our 7th floor, hardly ever gets out of her room or the building, except for when she goes to the doctor, and spends most of her time with her parents, sister, and a few friends that come to visit her every once in a while.
Again, I felt guilty of not realizing how blessed I am...but I didn't feel sad. It was hard to be sad when she was so happy! She just emanated happiness and strength and I loved the way she talked about life, about God, about the things she likes...She's such a beautiful person!
I told her I would come and visit her again. I want to make sure that I do that.
Anyways...I went to the party, and the girl's sister (who's a few years older than me) was there. I had never really talked to her and was hoping to get to know her since she decided to do Project 12 this year. Unfortunately, she had to quit P12 after a few months due to her health conditions.
Her and I talked for 2 hours this afternoon, during the birthday party, and I'm really glad I did! She told me about all of her different illnesses that she's had ever since she can remember, and which keep getting worse the older she gets. She's anemic, asthmatic, has fibromialgia, she has some kind of condition that makes her sweat all the time, she has some kind of problem with the muscles in her face and throat which sometimes provent her to speak, smile and swallow. She said she used to go swimming and that she loved it, but then she had to stop 'cuase she got some kind of infection that would contaminate the water if she went in it. Her dream is to travel, to go to collage, to have a job, her own house, a dog, and to serve God. That's all she wants. But she can't do any of those things right now, 'cause she can hardly go up a flight of stairs and can't lift things, or get off the floor if she falls. Also, the medication for her muscle condition has made her gain tons of weight and has led to her having diabetes. And she has so many more problems that she couldn't remember. So, for now, she lives on our 7th floor, hardly ever gets out of her room or the building, except for when she goes to the doctor, and spends most of her time with her parents, sister, and a few friends that come to visit her every once in a while.
Again, I felt guilty of not realizing how blessed I am...but I didn't feel sad. It was hard to be sad when she was so happy! She just emanated happiness and strength and I loved the way she talked about life, about God, about the things she likes...She's such a beautiful person!
I told her I would come and visit her again. I want to make sure that I do that.
Friday, January 23, 2009
I Want To Walk Around Barefoot Again
I kind of wish I didn't have to wait another 3 months (or more) for it to get warm outside...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
What I Don't Understand Is Consumerism And Wastefulness...
I find it weird that people here think it's funny that I'm "so green" or "such a hippy".
Why don't people care for our Earth? For this beautiful planet that God gave us to take care of?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Lady Time =)
A dear woman (Lena) who lives in Jesus People told me last night during a meeting I was having with her and a few other women (Sandy A., and Julie A.) , "You can't just keep surviving, you need to LIVE!"
She's obviously right.
I need to change a lot of things in my life. I realized that these past few days. Hopefully this change will happen!
I'm both scared/worried and excited!
I guess that's normal human reaction to change...
While having the meeting I just mentioned, where I talked about a few of these changes, I just kept crying and crying. Some of my being emotional was because I was tired, some of it, I'm sure, had to do with hormones, and the rest of it was just simply because I am an emotional person.
Then, however, when I went to my room to go to sleep, my roommate was already in bed, but fortunately she wasn't asleep yet. We ended up laughing really hard about something really silly (can't remember what), and after that we couldn't stop and just kept laughing and laughing about everything. I was laughing so hard that I had to lay down on the floor, gasping for air, with tears rolling down my cheeks. Those laughs are the good ones and I needed it. =)
I love laughing and I hadn't had a "slap happy" episode in a while.
Before all of this, Monday night, after the women's worship meeting (which was really good!), I went over to talk to two ladies (Chrissi who lives in my community, and Julie who doesn't) and another lady (Coleen D.) came over to us and said "I want to go out! I want to do something spontaneous!". Since Julie had Starbucks giftcards and a car, the three of us who live in the building ran up to our individual rooms, got our coats and boots on, and then all went out. It was really nice to just hang out with them! =)
It's good to have some lady time =)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
I've Never Watched A President Inauguration Before
I'm sitting in my office with my jacket, cut off gloves, and scarf on. It's not that cold outside (20 degrees F), but it's kind of cold in my office...and I guess I didn't dress warm enough. And I'm listening to/watching Obama's inauguration while I work. If you don't have a tv available and you have a good internet connection, you can watch it here like I'm doing. =)
Look at how many people are down there! (And this picture only shows some of the crowd!)
Look at how many people are down there! (And this picture only shows some of the crowd!)
Monday, January 19, 2009
My Heart Breaks Again
The News has that affect on me...
(Here are the links to the picture I just saw and the article I read)
Women in India making cow dung cakes (with their bare hands) which will then be used for fuel.
Little girls in Pakistan go to school every day wondering if this will be the day that they get attacked by the Taleban.
(Here are the links to the picture I just saw and the article I read)
Women in India making cow dung cakes (with their bare hands) which will then be used for fuel.
Little girls in Pakistan go to school every day wondering if this will be the day that they get attacked by the Taleban.
Happy Martin Luther King Day!
Check this video out.
I still can't believe that all of this happened only 
over 50 years ago....it should have been earlier.
At least we're slowly making progress!
Sort of...
(The pictures, in case you didn't know, are of the Little Rock Nine, Ruby Bridges, and, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
over 50 years ago....it should have been earlier.At least we're slowly making progress!
Sort of...
(The pictures, in case you didn't know, are of the Little Rock Nine, Ruby Bridges, and, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Complaining About Helping People
Right now I feel like a total jerk. I am constantly complaining about my job and I realize how stupid I am. Yes, my job is pretty crazy, yes, the paperwork is a mess, yes, some of my co-workers drive me crazy, yes, I sometimes find myself working crazy hours to get everything done, and yes, sometimes I feel very uncomfortable and disrespected by the clients...BUT my job is helping others, my job really isn't as hard as other people's, almost all my co-workers are Christians and are nice and there for me when I have a meltdown or need to leave for some reason, and the people we are helping are broken people who didn't have a family like mine, don't have a house to live in and the things they need, and some don't have a good education and/or aren't mentally stable. Who am I to complain?!?! Honestly, I'm surprised that God doesn't just come down here and give me a big, hard, smack on the head! What's wrong with me?? Why should I be complaining when I have a VERY GOOD LIFE and others all around the world are in desperate conditions??
For example, I just found out that Mongolia is currently experiencing its highest inflation rate in over a decade, mainly as a result of rising fuel and food costs.
Here's a picture I found on BBC NEWS of a family sleeping in a garage home huddling together as much as possible in order to keep warm.
I am so embarrassed.
For example, I just found out that Mongolia is currently experiencing its highest inflation rate in over a decade, mainly as a result of rising fuel and food costs.
Here's a picture I found on BBC NEWS of a family sleeping in a garage home huddling together as much as possible in order to keep warm.
I am so embarrassed.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
80s Girl Night Coming Up!
A few days ago Carolyn gave me my Christmas present which, she said, is a group present that she also had for Betty and Hannah. The present consisted of a bunch of little things wrapped up individually. When I opened the first one she handed me I was very confused. They were pink and fuchsia hoop earings! I never wear pink or hoop earings. Once I was done opening every little gift, I was told that the gifts are accessories for an 80s movie night that us girls are going to have at some point! She had gotten me everything pink 'cause she wanted to give me Pretty in Pink. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to find it, so she gave me Breakfast Club instead. =) Hannah got Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Betty got an 80s' movie that I've never seen....I think it might be Valley Girl.
We love the 80s! =)
I am so blessed to have such great friends!
Yesterday, one of the things that were talked about in our Redeemed Lives class was that we need to have healthy affirmation in our femininity/masculinity. And that the best way to do this, is first of all, to have good friendships with same sex members and second, to ask God to bring our femininity/masculinity out and bless it. During my small group meeting after the class, I realized again how I really have been affirmed in my Christianity and femininity by moving here! Before living here, in Italy, I didn't really have any close girl friends or any good Christian friends who lived near by and with whom I could talk to about anything. Now I'm surrounded with SO MANY Christian women with whom I hang out all the time and with whom I can talk to about anything.
THANK YOU LORD!
We love the 80s! =)
I am so blessed to have such great friends!Yesterday, one of the things that were talked about in our Redeemed Lives class was that we need to have healthy affirmation in our femininity/masculinity. And that the best way to do this, is first of all, to have good friendships with same sex members and second, to ask God to bring our femininity/masculinity out and bless it. During my small group meeting after the class, I realized again how I really have been affirmed in my Christianity and femininity by moving here! Before living here, in Italy, I didn't really have any close girl friends or any good Christian friends who lived near by and with whom I could talk to about anything. Now I'm surrounded with SO MANY Christian women with whom I hang out all the time and with whom I can talk to about anything.
THANK YOU LORD!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Prayer Requests
My good friends Josh and Erica Davenport left yesterday for India. They will actually be arriving at their destination (Kolkata) on Thursday, so they will be traveling for 4 days! They'll be returning here on Feb 1.
Please pray for their safety, for good health, for their emotional and spiritual state, etc. And
pray for Carlton and Heather Rixon (Indian missionaries in Kolkata), their family, and everyone in the Lord Jesus Ministry whom Erica and Josh are visiting to talk about working with them, their church, their orphanage/school and other ministries they have. (The picture on the right was taken by my good friend João who was with the Rixons at their orphanage/school last summer). Here's another picture (I think Erica gave it to me) of the Rixons and the kids =)
Also pray for all the people in India who are persecuted for their faith (both Christians who are persecuted by the Muslims, and Muslims who are persecuted by the Hindus!).
In addition, please pray for our shelter (where I work). This week the temperature is really dropping so we're going to be trying to get as many people off the streets as we possibly can, even those people that we kicked out. We're probably going to be very crowded and chaotic, but at least we'll be saving people from dieing!
Then, next week, we'll have the extras and the problematic people leave.
Thanks!
pray for Carlton and Heather Rixon (Indian missionaries in Kolkata), their family, and everyone in the Lord Jesus Ministry whom Erica and Josh are visiting to talk about working with them, their church, their orphanage/school and other ministries they have. (The picture on the right was taken by my good friend João who was with the Rixons at their orphanage/school last summer). Here's another picture (I think Erica gave it to me) of the Rixons and the kids =)
Also pray for all the people in India who are persecuted for their faith (both Christians who are persecuted by the Muslims, and Muslims who are persecuted by the Hindus!).
In addition, please pray for our shelter (where I work). This week the temperature is really dropping so we're going to be trying to get as many people off the streets as we possibly can, even those people that we kicked out. We're probably going to be very crowded and chaotic, but at least we'll be saving people from dieing!
Then, next week, we'll have the extras and the problematic people leave.
Thanks!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Blessings In The Midst Of Crazyness
I don't know what I'd do without God, friends, and music!
I would probably not be here.
I would probably not be here.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Scuba Diving Must Be Fun
I just found this out on NationalGeographic.com:
There's a Christ of the Abyss which stands 30 feet (9 meters) down in the Atlantic in Florida's John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park! And here's the picture.
That is very interesting! Now I'm going to find out what the story is behind it...
Ooook, apparently, according to Wikipedia it all started with an Italian who decided to put a statue of Jesus in the Mediterranean and the one in Florida is the third "Christ of the Abyss". Weird....
This picture is cool though!
There's a Christ of the Abyss which stands 30 feet (9 meters) down in the Atlantic in Florida's John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park! And here's the picture.
That is very interesting! Now I'm going to find out what the story is behind it...
Ooook, apparently, according to Wikipedia it all started with an Italian who decided to put a statue of Jesus in the Mediterranean and the one in Florida is the third "Christ of the Abyss". Weird....
This picture is cool though!
Slumdog Millionare
I just watched Slumdog Millionare, the movie that credits say is the best picture of the year (2008).
I had actually never heard of it before till some days ago when my aunt mentioned to me that she really wanted to see it. I wasn't so sure about it. But, as my friend Dave said, it's a good movie to start the year with!
It's a rated R movie about a boy who's had to struggle to survive on the streets of India with his brother and who, at the age of 18, with no money and no education, ends up on "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?".
It's really good and I encourage you to go and see it! =)
I had actually never heard of it before till some days ago when my aunt mentioned to me that she really wanted to see it. I wasn't so sure about it. But, as my friend Dave said, it's a good movie to start the year with!
It's a rated R movie about a boy who's had to struggle to survive on the streets of India with his brother and who, at the age of 18, with no money and no education, ends up on "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?".
It's really good and I encourage you to go and see it! =)
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