That's all for now.
Peace.
9.21.2009
Wyoming Love
This weekend I went camping with the McHenrys. Now, when I say camping I mostly mean staying in portable Hotel de McHenrys. They camp in luxury! I've never slept better camping due in large part to the air mattress supplied for me and for the 0 degree mummy bag I recently purchased. So cozy! We traveled up to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park. I've never been to Jackson or seen the Tetons. They were incredible, and I couldn't have asked for better company. Here are some pictures. If you want to check out the rest you can click here. The big bummer was not spotting a moose. I guess that will have to wait for next time!
That's all for now.
Peace.
That's all for now.
Peace.
9.17.2009
3for5... just five dollars!
Some friends of mine launched their nonprofit this week. The name of the organization is 3for5. Check out their website! Their goal is to provide clean water in the developing world. The idea is simple: Donate $5 and then ask 3 friends to do the same. Then, before you know it a huge difference has been made. It is so simple, but we just need people to donate. I strongly urge you to check out their website, read about their vision and consider donating $5 to the cause. If you can't do that at least go to this website and vote for 3for5. Thanks!
What am I reading? Well, I blasted through Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and am now on to Prisoner of Azkaban. Our first Harry Potter movie screening went well. Heidi posted about it on her blog and added some pictures of our snitch and lightning bolt cookies. You can look here. Since I finished The Much Too Promised Land (good read, interesting insight into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) I picked up another book called Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. About 50 pages in I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I like it, but the writing style is a little different after reading so much Harry Potter! The novel is about one man's life in Nigeria and how he and his family deal with the influences of British colonialism and Christian missionaries as they arrive in Africa. I've heard good things. I'll let you know how it goes.
Peace.
What am I reading? Well, I blasted through Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and am now on to Prisoner of Azkaban. Our first Harry Potter movie screening went well. Heidi posted about it on her blog and added some pictures of our snitch and lightning bolt cookies. You can look here. Since I finished The Much Too Promised Land (good read, interesting insight into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) I picked up another book called Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. About 50 pages in I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I like it, but the writing style is a little different after reading so much Harry Potter! The novel is about one man's life in Nigeria and how he and his family deal with the influences of British colonialism and Christian missionaries as they arrive in Africa. I've heard good things. I'll let you know how it goes.
Peace.
9.06.2009
Yurts
I finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Great read! I'm halfway through Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. So far just as entertaining and fun to read. Heidi and another friend have also just completed the first book so tomorrow we are celebrating the holiday by watching the first Harry Potter movie. Should be fun!
Last week I had my first ever experience camping in a yurt. Our yurt looked something like this:
The camping event was a retreat for the leaders of Vertical, the middle school ministry at K2. It was really fun to get to know the leaders better and have some great bonding moments. We fell out of a canoe not only once, but twice. Good story. Anyways, it was great to just sit around a campfire, undistracted, eating s'mores, and talking about what we see God doing in this upcoming year in regards to Vertical and our students. Let me tell you, we have high hopes and BIG dreams and we know that God is more than capable! Next week is our fall kick off at Storm Mountain where we will enjoy another campfire and eat more s'mores. I'm pretty excited!!
Other than that, I'm more than ready for fall to take over Salt Lake City. We've had a couple of cool, breezy days. And nothing says fall like college football and overpriced Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks! Before we know it Halloween will be here! And I'm pretty excited about my costume. But you'll just have to wait for that one...
Peace.
Last week I had my first ever experience camping in a yurt. Our yurt looked something like this:
The camping event was a retreat for the leaders of Vertical, the middle school ministry at K2. It was really fun to get to know the leaders better and have some great bonding moments. We fell out of a canoe not only once, but twice. Good story. Anyways, it was great to just sit around a campfire, undistracted, eating s'mores, and talking about what we see God doing in this upcoming year in regards to Vertical and our students. Let me tell you, we have high hopes and BIG dreams and we know that God is more than capable! Next week is our fall kick off at Storm Mountain where we will enjoy another campfire and eat more s'mores. I'm pretty excited!!
Other than that, I'm more than ready for fall to take over Salt Lake City. We've had a couple of cool, breezy days. And nothing says fall like college football and overpriced Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks! Before we know it Halloween will be here! And I'm pretty excited about my costume. But you'll just have to wait for that one...
Peace.
8.23.2009
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
I am still not through the other books on my list, but my sister recently sent me the first in the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In under 24 hours I made it through almost half the book. I know I'm years behind in the Harry Potter craze, but this summer my cousin and his girlfriend took my sister (who has read all the books) and I to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The movie was good, but I was really interested in the characters and it made me want to read the books. So my sister, being awesome and everything, sent me first one. I'm hooked...
Peace.
8.11.2009
Love
Apparently, living in Utah has had some effect on the frequency of my blog posts. So here's one for you...
First of all, being back in Salt Lake has continued to be wonderful. I moved into Heidi and Daniel's home the Tuesday after I got here. Getting settled into a place, hanging up clothes, unpacking boxes was pure joy! Living out of a suitcase and being shuffled from one bed to another for a month is just not fun. I am so grateful. I also started working at PF Chang's again. I am happy to be back with my coworkers. I missed many of them very much.
Secondly, as I had predicted, I've been reading both The Much Too Promised Land, by Aaron David Miller and No Man is an Island, by Thomas Merton. Both are excellent reads. The first time I sat down with No Man and dug in I was taken aback. Merton just goes for it. He speaks a lot of truth. There's one passage in particular that I've made quite a few people read so instead of hunting some of you down to share it with you, I'll just post it here. As Heidi put it, it is the best description of how to love someone.
"It is clear, then, that to love others well we must first love the truth. And since love is a matter of practical and concrete human relations, the truth we must love when we love our brothers is not mere abstract speculation: it is the moral truth that is to be embodied and given life in our own destiny and theirs. This truth is more than the cold perception of an obligation flowing from moral precepts. The truth we must love in loving our brothers is the concrete destiny and sanctity that are willed for them by the love of God. One who really loves another is not merely moved by the desire to see him contented and healthy and prosperous in this world. Love cannot be satisfied with anything so incomplete. If I am to love my brother, I must somehow enter deep into the mystery of God's love for him. I must be moved not only by human sympathy but by that divine sympathy which is revealed to us in Jesus and which enriches our own lives by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
"The truth I love in loving my brother cannot be something merely philosophical and abstract. It must be at the same time supernatural and concrete, practical and alive. And I mean these words in no metaphorical sense. The truth I must love in my brother is God Himself, living in him. I must seek the life of the Spirit of God breathing in him. And I can only discern and follow that mysterious life by the action of the same Holy Spirit living and acting in the depths of my own heart."
Since not much more can be said to follow such powerful words, I'll end with that.
Peace.
First of all, being back in Salt Lake has continued to be wonderful. I moved into Heidi and Daniel's home the Tuesday after I got here. Getting settled into a place, hanging up clothes, unpacking boxes was pure joy! Living out of a suitcase and being shuffled from one bed to another for a month is just not fun. I am so grateful. I also started working at PF Chang's again. I am happy to be back with my coworkers. I missed many of them very much.
Secondly, as I had predicted, I've been reading both The Much Too Promised Land, by Aaron David Miller and No Man is an Island, by Thomas Merton. Both are excellent reads. The first time I sat down with No Man and dug in I was taken aback. Merton just goes for it. He speaks a lot of truth. There's one passage in particular that I've made quite a few people read so instead of hunting some of you down to share it with you, I'll just post it here. As Heidi put it, it is the best description of how to love someone.
"It is clear, then, that to love others well we must first love the truth. And since love is a matter of practical and concrete human relations, the truth we must love when we love our brothers is not mere abstract speculation: it is the moral truth that is to be embodied and given life in our own destiny and theirs. This truth is more than the cold perception of an obligation flowing from moral precepts. The truth we must love in loving our brothers is the concrete destiny and sanctity that are willed for them by the love of God. One who really loves another is not merely moved by the desire to see him contented and healthy and prosperous in this world. Love cannot be satisfied with anything so incomplete. If I am to love my brother, I must somehow enter deep into the mystery of God's love for him. I must be moved not only by human sympathy but by that divine sympathy which is revealed to us in Jesus and which enriches our own lives by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
"The truth I love in loving my brother cannot be something merely philosophical and abstract. It must be at the same time supernatural and concrete, practical and alive. And I mean these words in no metaphorical sense. The truth I must love in my brother is God Himself, living in him. I must seek the life of the Spirit of God breathing in him. And I can only discern and follow that mysterious life by the action of the same Holy Spirit living and acting in the depths of my own heart."
Since not much more can be said to follow such powerful words, I'll end with that.
Peace.
7.23.2009
I'm baaaack!!!
After sitting in the Detroit airport for 2 hours, sitting on a plane for seven and a half with a stop in Chicago, a stop in St. Louis, entertainment from an 8 year old named Macey (who drew me a picture of an ice cream cone and adamantly believes in the Tooth Fairy and the omniscience of the Easter Bunny), I finally arrived in Salt Lake. I'm home!!!
Last night, Laura took me to K2's softball game where I got to see a lot of people that I had dearly missed. Today, we hung out for a bit, went to lunch at Cafe Rio, got my car and some belongings from the Rogers home, went to RoCo and went to watch So You Think You Can Dance at the McHenrys. All in all, I've really enjoyed my first 24 hours in Salt Lake. It feels good to be back. Tomorrow is Pioneer Day. If you have no idea what Pioneer Day is then you need to spend more time in Utah... I'm just excited because I get fireworks, one of my favorite things...
Laura and I did compose a list of things to do before the summer is over. Here are some of them...
. LOTS of hiking
. Park City
. Lazy day at Sugarhouse park
. Farmer's Market
. Air conditioned dollar theater
. SLC Library
. Summer concert series at the Gallivan Center
. Tea Grotto
. More hiking...
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and love during this crazy transition. It's good to be home!!
Peace.
Last night, Laura took me to K2's softball game where I got to see a lot of people that I had dearly missed. Today, we hung out for a bit, went to lunch at Cafe Rio, got my car and some belongings from the Rogers home, went to RoCo and went to watch So You Think You Can Dance at the McHenrys. All in all, I've really enjoyed my first 24 hours in Salt Lake. It feels good to be back. Tomorrow is Pioneer Day. If you have no idea what Pioneer Day is then you need to spend more time in Utah... I'm just excited because I get fireworks, one of my favorite things...
Laura and I did compose a list of things to do before the summer is over. Here are some of them...
. LOTS of hiking
. Park City
. Lazy day at Sugarhouse park
. Farmer's Market
. Air conditioned dollar theater
. SLC Library
. Summer concert series at the Gallivan Center
. Tea Grotto
. More hiking...
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and love during this crazy transition. It's good to be home!!
Peace.
7.08.2009
So close, yet SO far away
Well folks, here we are... Down to TWO WEEKS before I'm back in Utah as a permanent resident. The end is in sight, and what a beautiful end it is. It's strange to think back to my first post on this blog. I would say my attitude has changed considerably since then and these past six months have felt long, but have been good for the soul.
So as we arrive at the final countdown (cue Gob from AD), here's what's been happening on the moving side of things and what the next two weeks will look like:
July 3rd: My cousin, Brandy and my Uncle Keith arrived in California to help pack us up and move us out.
July 5th: Last day at Moorpark Pres, lots of tears over my mom leaving and goodbye party with church family/friends.
July 6th: Sequoias. Those trees are really, really, really, big. I had forgotten...
July 8th: My mom's last appointment at UCLA medical center. She has appointments lined up in Ann Arbor, MI, but the good news is that her cancer is in remission. PRAISE GOD! Brandy and I went to Santa Barbara in the afternoon. Brandy got to put her feet in the Pacific and we walked the pier, had ice cream, looked out over the water. Very relaxing and a part of California I will definitely miss.
July 9th: We're going to Disneyland tomorrow. I'm not sure what to expect from the Happiest Place on Earth. It hasn't always lived up to it's name, but despite my extreme exhaustion, I'm thinking positive! My Uncle Gary arrives tomorrow night to help move us out to Michigan as well.
July 10th: I finally get some down time. The introvert within is having some serious over-stimulation problems with so many people around. I'm eagerly awaiting being alone in the house for a bit with boxes to pack...
July 11th: We get the U-Haul and WE PACK
July 12th: WE PACK
JULY 13TH WE MOVE!!!!!! And our first night will be in Salt Lake City dropping my car and all my stuff off at the Rogers (who, by the way, are AMAZING people. If you don't know them... you should... And I'm not just saying that because they read my blog!)
July 14th-16th: We drive long, arduous hours across the country to Monroe, Mich.
JULY 22nd I MOVE BACK TO UTAH!!!
See you in SALT LAKE!
Peace.
So as we arrive at the final countdown (cue Gob from AD), here's what's been happening on the moving side of things and what the next two weeks will look like:
July 3rd: My cousin, Brandy and my Uncle Keith arrived in California to help pack us up and move us out.
July 5th: Last day at Moorpark Pres, lots of tears over my mom leaving and goodbye party with church family/friends.
July 6th: Sequoias. Those trees are really, really, really, big. I had forgotten...
July 8th: My mom's last appointment at UCLA medical center. She has appointments lined up in Ann Arbor, MI, but the good news is that her cancer is in remission. PRAISE GOD! Brandy and I went to Santa Barbara in the afternoon. Brandy got to put her feet in the Pacific and we walked the pier, had ice cream, looked out over the water. Very relaxing and a part of California I will definitely miss.
July 9th: We're going to Disneyland tomorrow. I'm not sure what to expect from the Happiest Place on Earth. It hasn't always lived up to it's name, but despite my extreme exhaustion, I'm thinking positive! My Uncle Gary arrives tomorrow night to help move us out to Michigan as well.
July 10th: I finally get some down time. The introvert within is having some serious over-stimulation problems with so many people around. I'm eagerly awaiting being alone in the house for a bit with boxes to pack...
July 11th: We get the U-Haul and WE PACK
July 12th: WE PACK
JULY 13TH WE MOVE!!!!!! And our first night will be in Salt Lake City dropping my car and all my stuff off at the Rogers (who, by the way, are AMAZING people. If you don't know them... you should... And I'm not just saying that because they read my blog!)
July 14th-16th: We drive long, arduous hours across the country to Monroe, Mich.
JULY 22nd I MOVE BACK TO UTAH!!!
See you in SALT LAKE!
Peace.
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