I think my days of blogspot have come to an end. It's a bit much to keep up with, as I have facebook (and myspace, but mainly for music). I think I'll come on to keep up with all you guys now and then, but for writings and better contact etc, friend me on facebook. :)
One last update, I have been formally accepted to work with Hartford City Mission this summer and can hardly wait to get into the hood and hang out with the kiddies. Please join me in prayer for all the work that is to be done and relationships that will be made. I'm jazzed. Completely and thoroughly. I get squirmy just thinking about it, squirmy in the best way possible.
By the way, Hope Aswell, your entries are always inspiring - so thank you. Deut. 30 was just what I needed to read today. :)
Grace & Peace y'all.
-c-
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Summer plans...
I think the general consensus is that I'm overdue on an update. Here's my attempt at ratifying the situation; I HAVE NEWS!! Many of you know that I have a major desire to live in an intentional community (a place designed around similar values/interests where resources and work is shared) that has a focus on hospitality and neighborhood outreach. I have developed a love for the homeless and for struggling single moms over the last year and have been praying for God to bring some people into my life that share these concerns and want to help in a similar way. Ever since my trip to Lakeland, I knew I REALLY wanted this. Prior it was an idea I had, but when I came home I was ready to make it reality, I just didn't know how, when or where.
Over winter break a few friends of mine that I've known for yrs through TIdal River and I visited a community house (The Vine) in Hartfords northend. It's the poorest area in Hartford, and Htfd is the 6th poorest city in the country (according to the last set of stats I read). The Vine runs an urban ministry called Hartford City Missions that hosts an Afterschool Arts program for elementary age students, a youth group gathering with YoungLife, they run Camp Noah, there's a womens bible study once a month at the house and they hold neighborhood blockwatch meetings, etc. It's a busy little community that's growing and I was blessed to learn alot about them through our visit in January. Since then I've been in touch with Rex Fowler (one of the board members) and Lia Lee (leads the ASA prgm) and have expressed my interest in working/learning with them. Not only do I want to see how they run their programs, I want to see what living in a community family is like and get a taste for this life choice that I know Gods calling me to.
Monday night the board held a meeting and they brought my interests up in discussion and prayer and they've asked me to join them this summer!! I will be working as staff at Camp Noah and helping to organize/run YoungLife gatherings with the other summer staffers. I also get to live in the first floor of the Vine house so I can get a feel of community life in the home as well as out in the neighborhood. This is going to be for 10 weeks from the end of May through the Aug. 8th. Depending on how the summer goes, we'll talk/pray about what it would look like if I wanted to stay. I'm sharing all of this with you because I know you will 1) be excited for me and 2) keep EVERYONE and EVERYTHING about this in your prayers. I'm filling out paper work this week, going to the WOTV bible study this Friday, attending a dinner at the house next week and meeting everyone I'd be working with except the other folks that are coming in specificially for Camp Noah.
Here's the website, follow the tabs to check out any and all information you may be curious about: http://www.hartfordcitymission.org/ There's info on the community house, info on HCM and all the other programs they offer. I wanted to give thanks to all of you who have been praying for me over the last few months and ask that it continues. I'm extremely grateful for this amazing oppurtunity - the LORD is so exceedingly good.
Love to you!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
candy hearts day
A "valentine" may love you for a lifetime, but our Lord loves you for all eternity.
beat that.
beat that.
Friday, February 13, 2009
TODD WEBB!
A cool new comic shop called Local Heroes opened up in Norfolk, VA and the local news did a spot on it. The shop owner is an awesome guy (in Todd's own words) and he gives my brother and his books a shout out on this video! He even flips through Todd's graphic novel "Tuesday Moon"! Follow the link to my bro's blog and you can watch the video! It's only 2 minutes!
http://toddbotblog.blogspot.com/
The following link is to geekdad.com who did a great write up on Robbert Bobbert that Todd's done all the artwork for. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, there's another video clip. It's Todd's hands (haha) teaching you how to draw the character! FUN!
http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2009/02/post.html
If you can't tell, I'm ridiculously proud of my brother (always). Just wanted to share!!
http://toddbotblog.blogspot.com/
The following link is to geekdad.com who did a great write up on Robbert Bobbert that Todd's done all the artwork for. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, there's another video clip. It's Todd's hands (haha) teaching you how to draw the character! FUN!
http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2009/02/post.html
If you can't tell, I'm ridiculously proud of my brother (always). Just wanted to share!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
a morsel of kindness
"suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. then GOD's love is not living in that person." 1 john 3:17
leo tolstoy, the great russion writer, tells of the time he was walking down teh street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tolstoy turned to the man and said, "I'm sorry my brother, but I have nothing to give."
the beggar brightened and said, "you have given me more than i asked for - you have called me brother."
to the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, bu to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.(from 'He still moves stones')
leo tolstoy, the great russion writer, tells of the time he was walking down teh street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tolstoy turned to the man and said, "I'm sorry my brother, but I have nothing to give."
the beggar brightened and said, "you have given me more than i asked for - you have called me brother."
to the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, bu to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.(from 'He still moves stones')
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Clearing Out
It's such an incredible experience; the act of purifying, cleansing,purging oneself from the clutter, impurities and distractions of life.
I've recently been cutting myself free from not just earthly, held-in-hand posessions, but posessions of my heart. Moments, memories and feelings that have no place inside of me anymore. There is no reason to hold onto so many of the things and reminders of yesterday. The beauty of photography and snapping hold of a memory is wonderful, I will keep many photos, but there are so many things that must go.
As I was going through a closet I found a bag of items I'd been keeping that were given to me by my ex-fiance, Ryan. I'd been told by some people to toss them away because it was part of moving on. Others told me it was ok to keep a few things because not all the memories were bad, it was only the last month of the relationship with tainted times. So, totally unsure of what to do, I kept our book of love letters, the ring, a few pictures and a scarf he'd made me. I also kept the framed proposal that he had hung in the art gallery the day he asked me to marry him. As I pulled that out, I was rushed with some intriguing emotions. A couple were sad, like the fact that I'd really missed him for a long time afterwards, but as I began to cry I realized what I was feeling most was relief and thankfulness.
The song "Control" by MuteMath was playing and as soon as I focused on what these emotions were, these words came out of the speakers "There is no better loss than to lose myself in You. There is no better find than to find myself in You. Lord, I surrender all. What a beautiful surrender." Yeah. Tears of joy, my friends.
The life I have been so blessed to live has taught me many things...the point it has brought me to is amazing. Nearly two years of singleness, and that's a big for the girl who always had a boyfriend. I am a lasting relationship kind of girl and the three honest relationships I've been in were good runs, but God's built me for something different. I have been content in these years for the most part - when I am single my focus is so much better. My purpose is clearer and I am alot less distracted from my Lord. I am enjoying the blessings that come with this stage of life.
Yes, I have very lonely days. But ultimately, I know I am loved and that God provides me with everything I need. HIS perfect love is sustaining. I felt the need to write this because I have heard from many people "You just need to find a man who shares the same vision as you. He will come." far too often. To that I say "Or I just don't need a man" and get laughed at. It's not that there isn't a part of me that would love to serve next to a true partner and share a committed to eachother and family kind of life. That all sounds lovely. But I also see what can happen with beautiful friendships and that romantic love is not necessity, but a sweet bonus to some peoples lives.
God's word is clear that marriage is not intended for everyone. I'm just finding out that I'm quite alright if that's to be my future - I love my Lord!
Some of you may laugh and be saying "You're only 24, don't be so dramatic" and it's true, someone may very well come along one of these days. As for today, nothing is standing in the way of my heart fully delighting in the place my Savior has brought me. His love carries me. I am awed.
For the record, I threw out all the old Ryan stuff. There's simply not enough room inside to share - Jesus has all of me.
I've recently been cutting myself free from not just earthly, held-in-hand posessions, but posessions of my heart. Moments, memories and feelings that have no place inside of me anymore. There is no reason to hold onto so many of the things and reminders of yesterday. The beauty of photography and snapping hold of a memory is wonderful, I will keep many photos, but there are so many things that must go.
As I was going through a closet I found a bag of items I'd been keeping that were given to me by my ex-fiance, Ryan. I'd been told by some people to toss them away because it was part of moving on. Others told me it was ok to keep a few things because not all the memories were bad, it was only the last month of the relationship with tainted times. So, totally unsure of what to do, I kept our book of love letters, the ring, a few pictures and a scarf he'd made me. I also kept the framed proposal that he had hung in the art gallery the day he asked me to marry him. As I pulled that out, I was rushed with some intriguing emotions. A couple were sad, like the fact that I'd really missed him for a long time afterwards, but as I began to cry I realized what I was feeling most was relief and thankfulness.
The song "Control" by MuteMath was playing and as soon as I focused on what these emotions were, these words came out of the speakers "There is no better loss than to lose myself in You. There is no better find than to find myself in You. Lord, I surrender all. What a beautiful surrender." Yeah. Tears of joy, my friends.
The life I have been so blessed to live has taught me many things...the point it has brought me to is amazing. Nearly two years of singleness, and that's a big for the girl who always had a boyfriend. I am a lasting relationship kind of girl and the three honest relationships I've been in were good runs, but God's built me for something different. I have been content in these years for the most part - when I am single my focus is so much better. My purpose is clearer and I am alot less distracted from my Lord. I am enjoying the blessings that come with this stage of life.
Yes, I have very lonely days. But ultimately, I know I am loved and that God provides me with everything I need. HIS perfect love is sustaining. I felt the need to write this because I have heard from many people "You just need to find a man who shares the same vision as you. He will come." far too often. To that I say "Or I just don't need a man" and get laughed at. It's not that there isn't a part of me that would love to serve next to a true partner and share a committed to eachother and family kind of life. That all sounds lovely. But I also see what can happen with beautiful friendships and that romantic love is not necessity, but a sweet bonus to some peoples lives.
God's word is clear that marriage is not intended for everyone. I'm just finding out that I'm quite alright if that's to be my future - I love my Lord!
Some of you may laugh and be saying "You're only 24, don't be so dramatic" and it's true, someone may very well come along one of these days. As for today, nothing is standing in the way of my heart fully delighting in the place my Savior has brought me. His love carries me. I am awed.
For the record, I threw out all the old Ryan stuff. There's simply not enough room inside to share - Jesus has all of me.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
some great words
"God is, even though the whole world deny him. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained." -Mahatma Gandhi
Messes Of Men
I do not exist, but faithfully insist
Sailing in our separate ships and from each tiny caravelle
Tiring and trying there's unnecessary dying like the horseshoe crab in its proper seasons sheds its shell
Such distance from our friends like a scratch across a lens, made everything look wrong from anywhere we stood and our paper blew away before we'd left the bay, so half-blind we wrote these songs on sheets of salty wood
Caught me making eyes at the other boatman's wives, and heard me laughing louder at the jokes told by their daughters I'd set my course for land, but you well understand it takes a steady hand to navigate adulterous waters
The propeller's spinning blades held acquaintance with the waves as there's mistakes I've made no rowing could outrun
The cloth blowing on the mast like to say I've got no past but I'm nonetheless the librarian and secretary's son with tarnish on my brass and mildew on my glass, I'd never want someone so crass as to want someone like me but a few leagues off the shore, I bit a flashing lure and I assure you, it was not what I expected it to be!
I still taste its kiss, that dull hook in my lip is a memory as useless as a rod without a reel
To an anchor ever-dropped, seasick yet still docked
Captain spotted napping with his first mate at the wheel, floating forget fully along, with no need to be strong
We keep our confessions long and when we pray we keep it short
I drank a thimble full of fire and I'm not ever coming backOh, my God! I do not exist we faithfully insistwhile watching sink the heavy ship of everything we knewIf ever you come near I'll hold up high a mirror
Lord, I could never show you anything as beautiful as You
Messes Of Men
I do not exist, but faithfully insist
Sailing in our separate ships and from each tiny caravelle
Tiring and trying there's unnecessary dying like the horseshoe crab in its proper seasons sheds its shell
Such distance from our friends like a scratch across a lens, made everything look wrong from anywhere we stood and our paper blew away before we'd left the bay, so half-blind we wrote these songs on sheets of salty wood
Caught me making eyes at the other boatman's wives, and heard me laughing louder at the jokes told by their daughters I'd set my course for land, but you well understand it takes a steady hand to navigate adulterous waters
The propeller's spinning blades held acquaintance with the waves as there's mistakes I've made no rowing could outrun
The cloth blowing on the mast like to say I've got no past but I'm nonetheless the librarian and secretary's son with tarnish on my brass and mildew on my glass, I'd never want someone so crass as to want someone like me but a few leagues off the shore, I bit a flashing lure and I assure you, it was not what I expected it to be!
I still taste its kiss, that dull hook in my lip is a memory as useless as a rod without a reel
To an anchor ever-dropped, seasick yet still docked
Captain spotted napping with his first mate at the wheel, floating forget fully along, with no need to be strong
We keep our confessions long and when we pray we keep it short
I drank a thimble full of fire and I'm not ever coming backOh, my God! I do not exist we faithfully insistwhile watching sink the heavy ship of everything we knewIf ever you come near I'll hold up high a mirror
Lord, I could never show you anything as beautiful as You
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I am learning.
"A man by his sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like GOD. This is man's greatest tragedy and GOD's heaviest grief."
A.W. Tozer
'When we face the holy GOD, "nice" isn't what we will be concerned with, and it definitely isn't what HE will be thinking about. Any compliments you received one earth will be gone; all that will be left for you is truth. The church in Sardis had a great reputation, but it didn't matter. JESUS said to them, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." (Rev. 3:1)
ALL THAT MATTERS IS THE REALITY OF WHO WE ARE BEFORE GOD.
"His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Cor. 3:13-15)
*excerpts from "Crazy Love" and thoughts to dwell on this day...
DO NOT LOSE HEART, remain focused on the ONE that sustains more perfect and incomprehensible than all else.
GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD THINK OF YOU AS ANYTHING LESS THAN EVERYTHING.
Amen.
A.W. Tozer
'When we face the holy GOD, "nice" isn't what we will be concerned with, and it definitely isn't what HE will be thinking about. Any compliments you received one earth will be gone; all that will be left for you is truth. The church in Sardis had a great reputation, but it didn't matter. JESUS said to them, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." (Rev. 3:1)
ALL THAT MATTERS IS THE REALITY OF WHO WE ARE BEFORE GOD.
"His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Cor. 3:13-15)
*excerpts from "Crazy Love" and thoughts to dwell on this day...
DO NOT LOSE HEART, remain focused on the ONE that sustains more perfect and incomprehensible than all else.
GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD THINK OF YOU AS ANYTHING LESS THAN EVERYTHING.
Amen.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A little Page France for the thinking
And if you talk to Jesus, ask Him if He wants me to come home
If He says He's seen us changing all His plans to suit our own
Will you apologize or stand behind the selfish moves we've made
While learning life is strange and people change and circle round again
If He says He's seen us changing all His plans to suit our own
Will you apologize or stand behind the selfish moves we've made
While learning life is strange and people change and circle round again
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
aaahhhh
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
HAHA!
Read it and Sleep: A Community Pajama Party
Friday, January 23 at 7:00 pm
The third Friday of every month, January to June, you are invited to join us for hot chocolate, cookies and a beautiful children’s book read by a guest reader. Come in your pajamas, come with your family, come enjoy the wonder of reading and the sweetness of ending a long day with the magic of story-telling.
*Oh, Hartford hahaha. I sort of LOVE this.
Friday, January 23 at 7:00 pm
The third Friday of every month, January to June, you are invited to join us for hot chocolate, cookies and a beautiful children’s book read by a guest reader. Come in your pajamas, come with your family, come enjoy the wonder of reading and the sweetness of ending a long day with the magic of story-telling.
*Oh, Hartford hahaha. I sort of LOVE this.
Friday, December 26, 2008
.
"Take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself."-- Susanna Wesley (Letter, June 8, 1725)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)