So I thought I would be learning a lot about people on here, but as it turns out only 4 people care about this :( Sad day. Just kidding, I'm going to just assume a lot of you are busy doing homework and the real kind of work, not that homework isn't hard, but you should procrastinate like me and contribute to this so I, we can all know what's going on in your lives.
I currently have 9 days left in Peru, and it has been a roller coaster of time. There has been a crap ton work, I mean when I'm not procrastinating from doing my homework (which I'm doing right now, I have 3 papers due tomorrow) then I'm trekking through the Andes!! Yea that' right, I trekked for about 20 miles over three days, up 4000 m above sea level. It was super intense! My perspective on cultures has changed, but my love for people hasn't. I now no longer believe that the way I was raised and the culture I live in is not necessarily the right or best way to live life and I shouldn't impose my culture on others. If anything, this trip has helped me to realize how much I love the United States and I am SO thankful for the things I have and what God has blessed me with.
I was stupid and prayed a dangerous prayer before leaving: Hey God, challenge me in my faith while I'm on my trip, help me love you better. If you ever want to know how to pray a dangerous prayer, please consult me, I am a master at it and can guide you in the right direction. If you want the full low down read my entry from June 9th here.
But the simplest story is God answered and he rocked my world and bow now do I love him better, and am realizing how much I need him in my life. It's like I'm on a God high all the time, it's FREAKIN SAWEEEEEEET!!!
And I have prophetic dreams, not sure if I've shared that with any of you before, but that is one of my spiritual gifts. Not long after that encounter I had a dream that I was at camp. I wasn't planning on returning to camp this year, but when you know something is of God, be obedient! So I'm going to be going back to the same Christian outdoor activity and sports camp in good old Marble Falls, Texas for 3 weeks.
I'm then planning on on going to Miami to hang out with Brittany and Auna!!! Woooo!!
Ok, a couple questions for those who are active readers and participants of this blog:
1) What's you're favorite image of God?
2) Favorite restaurant in Cville?
3) Ooh, what classes are you taking next semester?
4) Song you can't get out of your head?
And my answers are as follows:
1) Warrior, with bow and arrow in hand, ready to rush to my aid and save and defend me
2) Rise Pizza Works is growing on me
3) I'm signed up for: Latin American Literature from Colonial-1900, Spanish Texts and Interpretation, History of Christianity 1, Christianity in Africa, and I'm thinking of also signing up for Chinese
4) "Faithfully" - Glee Cast Version can listen here and also "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Glee Cast Version, listen here and see if either get stuck in your head.
Me quito (That's Spanish for "peace out")
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
On the Moh's hardness scale, how hard is soft jazz?
who are you? I am Lydia, the ranking old timer of the folks that are a part of this blog. I am honored to be a member, and really, I couldn't imagine not being a member. Actually, I can. It'd be pretty lonely. Probably the saddest thing I've EVER experienced. Haha...just kidding. I just graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (woot woot!) and I have a job starting here in just under a month in Charlottesville, so y'all can't get rid of me yet.
But apart from what degree I received, which doesn't define me, who am I? I am, first and foremost, a daughter of God. I am a citizen of his kingdom, and that defines me. I am not a Virginian, a Floridian, a New Yorker, an Arizonian, an engineer, a young woman, an outdoorsy person, or anything else. I think it's important to remember that, that we are not defined by what we do or where we come from - what defines us is where we're going.
why are you at uva? Well, like I already said, I'm not actually at UVa anymore, but I will be living SOOOOO close to Harmon that I want to be there a bunch, for joy-rides, late-night conversations, Friends, etc. I chose UVa because it was a good public school at the time, my dad actually went there, and it was in-state. I knew Kady Fredstrom from high school - some of you don't know her (she's now married and has the last name of Webb), but she lived in the Lighthouse from her second through fourth year, and she was part of the reason it is a Chi Alpha house now, and that we have house prayer at the Lighthouse. Anyways, when she came home from her first semester, I grilled her with a million questions regarding UVa and student life (because I'd applied early decision, also to only UVa), and all she could talk about was Chi Alpha in her life. I spent many a weekend at the Lighthouse my first year, and I have Kady to thank for making my first year so much better than it could have been. Christ's love is the mustard seed, and Kady showered me in it.
what is God doing in your life this summer? I'm currently in Florida just kinda hanging out with my family, and it's been hard getting re-adjusted to living at home. I'll only be here till July 9th-ish, or maybe the 8th, when I head back up to Virginia for my job. A lot of what God has been teaching me has to do with my parents' home church, which is the denomination that I grew up in but which I may end up leaving (b/c of XA), and learning to love and work with people who are very legalistic and don't live in the love of God but in the judgment of God. Also, I'm learning how to have an adult relationship with my youngest sister, Molly, who is 8 years younger than me. I never, before college, considered how far apart that is, but she is just about to start high school, and I am going to LIVING away from her. I'm reading Primal with Auna, and I just want to share this with y'all. Mark Batterson talks about how we can easily put up a facade of ACTing like a Christian, but it's in the REACTion that our true colors are exposed. So I've been trying to figure out what that looks like, and focusing on myself showing compassion, not my family or people at church.
what random thing happened today that made you laugh? Well, by way of laughing, I haven't had anything particularly hilarious happen today, but saw two really awesome things. I saw a giant fish-hawk, called an osprey, carrying a HUGE fish in his talons from the ocean inland. It was SWEET. Then, on the way home from the beach, there was a real, live 4-foot alligator crossing the road. It was fan-flippin'-tastic.
Oh, funny story. Yesterday, there was a family of geese walking across a 8-lane highway, and they were moving at their own sweet slow pace, and traffic was stopping all over the place to allow them to cross. It was funnier yesterday...
I look forward to returning to Virginia. Florida's 100-degree heat is a little much, even for me, a heat-lover.
But apart from what degree I received, which doesn't define me, who am I? I am, first and foremost, a daughter of God. I am a citizen of his kingdom, and that defines me. I am not a Virginian, a Floridian, a New Yorker, an Arizonian, an engineer, a young woman, an outdoorsy person, or anything else. I think it's important to remember that, that we are not defined by what we do or where we come from - what defines us is where we're going.
why are you at uva? Well, like I already said, I'm not actually at UVa anymore, but I will be living SOOOOO close to Harmon that I want to be there a bunch, for joy-rides, late-night conversations, Friends, etc. I chose UVa because it was a good public school at the time, my dad actually went there, and it was in-state. I knew Kady Fredstrom from high school - some of you don't know her (she's now married and has the last name of Webb), but she lived in the Lighthouse from her second through fourth year, and she was part of the reason it is a Chi Alpha house now, and that we have house prayer at the Lighthouse. Anyways, when she came home from her first semester, I grilled her with a million questions regarding UVa and student life (because I'd applied early decision, also to only UVa), and all she could talk about was Chi Alpha in her life. I spent many a weekend at the Lighthouse my first year, and I have Kady to thank for making my first year so much better than it could have been. Christ's love is the mustard seed, and Kady showered me in it.
what is God doing in your life this summer? I'm currently in Florida just kinda hanging out with my family, and it's been hard getting re-adjusted to living at home. I'll only be here till July 9th-ish, or maybe the 8th, when I head back up to Virginia for my job. A lot of what God has been teaching me has to do with my parents' home church, which is the denomination that I grew up in but which I may end up leaving (b/c of XA), and learning to love and work with people who are very legalistic and don't live in the love of God but in the judgment of God. Also, I'm learning how to have an adult relationship with my youngest sister, Molly, who is 8 years younger than me. I never, before college, considered how far apart that is, but she is just about to start high school, and I am going to LIVING away from her. I'm reading Primal with Auna, and I just want to share this with y'all. Mark Batterson talks about how we can easily put up a facade of ACTing like a Christian, but it's in the REACTion that our true colors are exposed. So I've been trying to figure out what that looks like, and focusing on myself showing compassion, not my family or people at church.
what random thing happened today that made you laugh? Well, by way of laughing, I haven't had anything particularly hilarious happen today, but saw two really awesome things. I saw a giant fish-hawk, called an osprey, carrying a HUGE fish in his talons from the ocean inland. It was SWEET. Then, on the way home from the beach, there was a real, live 4-foot alligator crossing the road. It was fan-flippin'-tastic.
Oh, funny story. Yesterday, there was a family of geese walking across a 8-lane highway, and they were moving at their own sweet slow pace, and traffic was stopping all over the place to allow them to cross. It was funnier yesterday...
I look forward to returning to Virginia. Florida's 100-degree heat is a little much, even for me, a heat-lover.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
who are you? Hi Everyone!! I'm Melissa and I live at the Lighthouse with Auna-banauna. I'm a fourth year (woah!) and I'm majoring in Sociology and minoring in Media Studies. When I graduate I hope to change a part of the "media world" to make it God-centered... basically I want to glorify God through my job and I'm not sure what that will look like but I'm excited to see what He wants to do with the skills He's given me.
why are you at uva? I'm at UVA because I knew I'd go to college and so I applied early decision to UVA because my sister was there and she liked it so I thought "why not?"... so I got it and didn't apply to any other college. And now I'm here. :) I feel soooo blessed that God let me into UVA, it's changed my world and my expectations for my life. The activity I'm most involved in at UVA is CHoosE (Christian Hoos Exalt) a cappella group. I love to sing, so if you ever want to come sing with me please do! I don't just sing for people easily because I'm kind of shy when I'm first getting to know you, but I love it when people sing with me!!! :)
what is God doing in your life this summer? This summer God is teaching me many things. 1) How to be a servant for Him and how to serve in love 2) How to love on all people, especially my family and people I don't particularly like to spend time with 3) How to live out His will for me and be a light in my media-centered jobs (I have two media internships this summer) and finally 4) How to be patient and wait for Him to show me His will (because I tend to be a go-getter/do-er but that attitude can sometimes prevent me from seeing or doing His will).
what random thing happened today that made you laugh? I was in D.C. on Memorial Day and I was sitting on the Lincoln Memorial steps with friends and someone was running up the steps and kind of slipped, they were totally fine. However it was somewhat comical because my friends and I were trying to think about what would possess someone to run up the steps of a monument that has been there for decades. Lincoln wasn't going anywhere. It was funny... but you probably had to be there. :)
why are you at uva? I'm at UVA because I knew I'd go to college and so I applied early decision to UVA because my sister was there and she liked it so I thought "why not?"... so I got it and didn't apply to any other college. And now I'm here. :) I feel soooo blessed that God let me into UVA, it's changed my world and my expectations for my life. The activity I'm most involved in at UVA is CHoosE (Christian Hoos Exalt) a cappella group. I love to sing, so if you ever want to come sing with me please do! I don't just sing for people easily because I'm kind of shy when I'm first getting to know you, but I love it when people sing with me!!! :)
what is God doing in your life this summer? This summer God is teaching me many things. 1) How to be a servant for Him and how to serve in love 2) How to love on all people, especially my family and people I don't particularly like to spend time with 3) How to live out His will for me and be a light in my media-centered jobs (I have two media internships this summer) and finally 4) How to be patient and wait for Him to show me His will (because I tend to be a go-getter/do-er but that attitude can sometimes prevent me from seeing or doing His will).
what random thing happened today that made you laugh? I was in D.C. on Memorial Day and I was sitting on the Lincoln Memorial steps with friends and someone was running up the steps and kind of slipped, they were totally fine. However it was somewhat comical because my friends and I were trying to think about what would possess someone to run up the steps of a monument that has been there for decades. Lincoln wasn't going anywhere. It was funny... but you probably had to be there. :)
I started my first day of work yesterday. I'm working for a media company in Washington D.C. It's really exciting and fast-paced and I'm enjoying it so far. Prayers are always needed for me to keep focused on Him, so if you get a chance and you think of me during your prayers, pray that I stay focused on His will and Him every single day.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tiempo Peruano
Ha, have not blogged in a while but glad you got this started Auna. And thanks for including me despite the fact that I'm leaving Harmon, but that's where the extended comes in.
I'm gonna be brief with my responses.
I am Eric.
My dad made me go to college and I'm paying and it was cheap(er than other schools) and good for business. Now I'm glad I'm here, still paying for it, it's good for friends and relationships.
God is really putting my love for him to the test while I am studying abroad in Peru, he's giving me the opportunity to love: him, myself, and others
Today I was in the Chinatown in Lima and there was a Peruvian dressed like a clown who said (in English) to Sarah Ann, "Hello Hannah Montana, welcome to Peru." - That made me laugh.
Anything I want to share: I may not be able to speak English well when I get back, but am super pumped for the kitchen floor talks and some Kenyan tea
I'll hopefully check in soon with another update. Can't wait to hear from y'all.
I'm gonna be brief with my responses.
I am Eric.
My dad made me go to college and I'm paying and it was cheap(er than other schools) and good for business. Now I'm glad I'm here, still paying for it, it's good for friends and relationships.
God is really putting my love for him to the test while I am studying abroad in Peru, he's giving me the opportunity to love: him, myself, and others
Today I was in the Chinatown in Lima and there was a Peruvian dressed like a clown who said (in English) to Sarah Ann, "Hello Hannah Montana, welcome to Peru." - That made me laugh.
Anything I want to share: I may not be able to speak English well when I get back, but am super pumped for the kitchen floor talks and some Kenyan tea
I'll hopefully check in soon with another update. Can't wait to hear from y'all.
Monday, May 31, 2010
What in the world ... ?
hey y'all,
in case you're wondering what this is, it was suggested by the delightful ms. stacy hollins that we make a blog to keep in touch over the summer. everyone from harmon street has been invited to post plus a few friends who practically live on harmon street. but as i was making this, it occurred to me that some of us have never even met. so not only can we keep in touch through this blog this summer, but we can more importantly get to know each other since we are gonna be neighbors anyway (if we aren't already). so join in and share away!
who are you?
why are you at uva?
what is God doing in your life this summer?
what random thing happened today that made you laugh?
and anything else you want to share. no limitations.
as for me, i live in the lighthouse (111a harmon) with some amazing women of God. if you ever need a cup of sugar or want to just do some work at our kitchen table, PLEASE come on over! we also have a pretty nice kitchen floor that is delightful to hunker down on with some tea and chat about life. we would love if you'd partake with us.
and a random thing that happened today that made me laugh: my mom reported to me that a black bird flew right into our glass door and killed itself. don't get me wrong, it's not funny that it died because of this, but it IS funny that a windex commercial played out in my back yard.
looking forward to hearing from y'all!
eyes up,
~auna
in case you're wondering what this is, it was suggested by the delightful ms. stacy hollins that we make a blog to keep in touch over the summer. everyone from harmon street has been invited to post plus a few friends who practically live on harmon street. but as i was making this, it occurred to me that some of us have never even met. so not only can we keep in touch through this blog this summer, but we can more importantly get to know each other since we are gonna be neighbors anyway (if we aren't already). so join in and share away!
who are you?
why are you at uva?
what is God doing in your life this summer?
what random thing happened today that made you laugh?
and anything else you want to share. no limitations.
as for me, i live in the lighthouse (111a harmon) with some amazing women of God. if you ever need a cup of sugar or want to just do some work at our kitchen table, PLEASE come on over! we also have a pretty nice kitchen floor that is delightful to hunker down on with some tea and chat about life. we would love if you'd partake with us.
and a random thing that happened today that made me laugh: my mom reported to me that a black bird flew right into our glass door and killed itself. don't get me wrong, it's not funny that it died because of this, but it IS funny that a windex commercial played out in my back yard.
looking forward to hearing from y'all!
eyes up,
~auna
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