I can't help but smile at the quote that stood out to me in a recent blog post by Rachel Held Evans in her "Conversations" series...
If Christians paid more attention to the Beatitudes and less attention to Leviticus, the world would be in much better shape. - Jason Mankey (can i say "Amen" to a Wiccan?)
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Other blogs
In case you'd like to check what else I'm doing in the blog-o-sphere -
http://SPA312Trazy.blogspot.com - This is a blog for my summer SPA 312 course. It will be in Spanish, but Google Translate is a great tool if you want to know what I am interested in during this course.
http://CHAOStastic.blogspot.com - This is a blog for the youth group at Home Acres Church. Right now it's just a devotional every few weeks, but I have hopes and dreams. Just lacking on the time, I suppose.
http://trazys101.blogspot.com - This is the blog I'll be keeping for my journey through my 101 in 1001 list. This is a list of 101 things that I'd like to accomplish in 1001 days. It's an interesting list. It's an even more interesting journey.
Check them out if you'd like. Don't if you aren't interested.
http://SPA312Trazy.blogspot.com - This is a blog for my summer SPA 312 course. It will be in Spanish, but Google Translate is a great tool if you want to know what I am interested in during this course.
http://CHAOStastic.blogspot.com - This is a blog for the youth group at Home Acres Church. Right now it's just a devotional every few weeks, but I have hopes and dreams. Just lacking on the time, I suppose.
http://trazys101.blogspot.com - This is the blog I'll be keeping for my journey through my 101 in 1001 list. This is a list of 101 things that I'd like to accomplish in 1001 days. It's an interesting list. It's an even more interesting journey.
Check them out if you'd like. Don't if you aren't interested.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Broken... People, Broken... Into, Broken... Down
Last week was a week of brokenness. It's a sad thing to realize, but I also know that my God is bigger. I know that my God heals. I know that my God gives strength. These are not only things that I know, but things I need to hold onto in difficult times.
Broken people used the church to fulfill a need last week. Between the items they took and the damage they caused, it added up to about $10,000. These were all material things that can easily be replaced.
They broke into all of the offices in the church, including mine. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the church wasn't extremely destroyed. We need new doors but we don't need a new God. While this happened to us and it's very unfortunate, He has remained with us and has protected us.
Unfortunately, this has caused some painful moments in the lives of the staff. We need prayers for protection (some of the things stolen contained our addresses and personal information). We need prayers for peace (our offices were places where we felt safe and now they're kinda creepy feeling).
Moving forward one step at a time.
Broken people used the church to fulfill a need last week. Between the items they took and the damage they caused, it added up to about $10,000. These were all material things that can easily be replaced.
They broke into all of the offices in the church, including mine. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the church wasn't extremely destroyed. We need new doors but we don't need a new God. While this happened to us and it's very unfortunate, He has remained with us and has protected us.
Unfortunately, this has caused some painful moments in the lives of the staff. We need prayers for protection (some of the things stolen contained our addresses and personal information). We need prayers for peace (our offices were places where we felt safe and now they're kinda creepy feeling).
Moving forward one step at a time.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Continuity and Changes
Exams are done. I have finished my first semester back at GVSU after a 5 year hiatus and it feels so good. I raised my GPA and ended out the year (both fall and winter semesters) with A-, A-, B+, B+, B, B-, B-, C+, and a C. Not great, but pretty good for someone who just isn't a fan of school and used to have multiple F's on her transcript. With the end of this semester comes the beginning of another. Yes, I am taking summer classes. I'll talk about that more later.
Eric's birthday is done. He is officially 22 years old. I remember when I was 22... Sorry, I told Eric I'd stop acting like it's such a big deal. Anyway, I have no pictures to show for it. Apparently they were all erased accidentally when I allowed some students to take pictures on the retreat. I was more than a little sad, but stuff happens and it could have happened to anyone. Regardless, on Wednesday night, I placed a banner on his car that featured Spiderman saying "Happy Birthday" and on his front seat, I placed a bag of sour candy (his favorite). On Thursday morning, after he left for work, his roommate let me sneak into his room and cover his wall with blue post-it notes filled with 98 ways to tell him how much I love him. That evening, after my final exam, I picked him up and took him to PF Chang's for dinner. Following that, we drove around and visited disappointment after disappointment. The arcade was closed and we got to the movie theatre after the movie started because I misread the start time. We ended up at "Cabin in The Woods" at the theatre across the street from PF Chang's. It was a good night in the end, but definitely wasn't what was planned. Hopefully I'll have better luck next year.
The retreat is done. With that, CHAOS Jr has come to a close with this school year. This year will probably be forever remembered as my worst year so far in youth ministry. Due a great number of circumstances, I am really looking forward to this time of relaxation without programming for middle school students. It was rough students. It was rough volunteer situations. It was rough timing with school and stuff. It was rough stuff going on in the kids' lives. I love the kids and I still love my job, it was just... rough. The retreat itself went very well. I couldn't have asked for anything better except a little bit warmer temps on Saturday. If that's my only complaint, I'd say it was a very successful weekend.
The St. Louis trip is done. Immediately following the CHAOS Jr. retreat, I went to the airport to pick up a rental car. I got a cute little Ford Fiesta and loaded it up with luggage for a few days. I picked up Rachael, one of my CHAOS volunteers and we hit the open road very early on Monday morning. We were headed there to check out our living and working environments for a high school mission trip in August. With some Christian hits on Sirius radio, some leftover snacks from the retreat and the excitement of getting to meet our hosts, the 7.5 hour drive didn't seem too bad. We stopped in New Town, MO, a chic suburb of St. Louis to meet Stephanie, former co-pastor of Christ's Church, an RCA church in St. Louis. She showed us their ministry coffee shop called "The Bridge" and talked about some of the St. Louis sights we may want to take in on our mission trip in August. She also gave us some ideas for while we were in town this week, which was nice of her. Then we headed to the church to check out our sleeping and cooking arrangements. After checking everything out, we headed back to the hotel and got settled in there (and took a nap) before heading out on the town. We needed to make sure that the pizza was delicious enough for our teens. We also headed down to check out the arch and the riverfront for ideas on both where to park and where to wander around. On Tuesday, we got in contact with Mark, the director of Oasis International to talk about working with that organization. Oasis International works with refugees from war and helps them get settled into the USA with furniture, English classes, job help, driver's training, clothing and so much more. It was awesome to see first-hand some of the work they're doing and actually get excited about what we'll be doing in August, too! Of course, the drive home was incident free, although VERY rainy. Oh well. It was so hard to turn in the rental car again today, though, and go back to Miss Saturn. I like my car, but Miss Fiesta was much fun to drive these last couple days.
Summer classes start next week. Yes, you heard correctly. I'm taking summer classes. I have either 2 or 3 right now. In the Spring semester, I'm going to be focusing on an independent study and research project called "Latinos and Literacy in West Michigan." I'll be doing service learning with Plaza Comunitaria, an organization promoting Spanish literacy among native Spanish speakers in our area. I'll be doing some reading as well to go with it and keeping a journal. It sounds exciting to me! The other class that I'll be focusing on is Advanced Spanish Grammar, but it doesn't meet until the second half of summer. It should be good.
That, my friends, is what I call a nice, long update on my life.
Enough about me - how are YOU doing?
Eric's birthday is done. He is officially 22 years old. I remember when I was 22... Sorry, I told Eric I'd stop acting like it's such a big deal. Anyway, I have no pictures to show for it. Apparently they were all erased accidentally when I allowed some students to take pictures on the retreat. I was more than a little sad, but stuff happens and it could have happened to anyone. Regardless, on Wednesday night, I placed a banner on his car that featured Spiderman saying "Happy Birthday" and on his front seat, I placed a bag of sour candy (his favorite). On Thursday morning, after he left for work, his roommate let me sneak into his room and cover his wall with blue post-it notes filled with 98 ways to tell him how much I love him. That evening, after my final exam, I picked him up and took him to PF Chang's for dinner. Following that, we drove around and visited disappointment after disappointment. The arcade was closed and we got to the movie theatre after the movie started because I misread the start time. We ended up at "Cabin in The Woods" at the theatre across the street from PF Chang's. It was a good night in the end, but definitely wasn't what was planned. Hopefully I'll have better luck next year.
The retreat is done. With that, CHAOS Jr has come to a close with this school year. This year will probably be forever remembered as my worst year so far in youth ministry. Due a great number of circumstances, I am really looking forward to this time of relaxation without programming for middle school students. It was rough students. It was rough volunteer situations. It was rough timing with school and stuff. It was rough stuff going on in the kids' lives. I love the kids and I still love my job, it was just... rough. The retreat itself went very well. I couldn't have asked for anything better except a little bit warmer temps on Saturday. If that's my only complaint, I'd say it was a very successful weekend.
The St. Louis trip is done. Immediately following the CHAOS Jr. retreat, I went to the airport to pick up a rental car. I got a cute little Ford Fiesta and loaded it up with luggage for a few days. I picked up Rachael, one of my CHAOS volunteers and we hit the open road very early on Monday morning. We were headed there to check out our living and working environments for a high school mission trip in August. With some Christian hits on Sirius radio, some leftover snacks from the retreat and the excitement of getting to meet our hosts, the 7.5 hour drive didn't seem too bad. We stopped in New Town, MO, a chic suburb of St. Louis to meet Stephanie, former co-pastor of Christ's Church, an RCA church in St. Louis. She showed us their ministry coffee shop called "The Bridge" and talked about some of the St. Louis sights we may want to take in on our mission trip in August. She also gave us some ideas for while we were in town this week, which was nice of her. Then we headed to the church to check out our sleeping and cooking arrangements. After checking everything out, we headed back to the hotel and got settled in there (and took a nap) before heading out on the town. We needed to make sure that the pizza was delicious enough for our teens. We also headed down to check out the arch and the riverfront for ideas on both where to park and where to wander around. On Tuesday, we got in contact with Mark, the director of Oasis International to talk about working with that organization. Oasis International works with refugees from war and helps them get settled into the USA with furniture, English classes, job help, driver's training, clothing and so much more. It was awesome to see first-hand some of the work they're doing and actually get excited about what we'll be doing in August, too! Of course, the drive home was incident free, although VERY rainy. Oh well. It was so hard to turn in the rental car again today, though, and go back to Miss Saturn. I like my car, but Miss Fiesta was much fun to drive these last couple days.
Summer classes start next week. Yes, you heard correctly. I'm taking summer classes. I have either 2 or 3 right now. In the Spring semester, I'm going to be focusing on an independent study and research project called "Latinos and Literacy in West Michigan." I'll be doing service learning with Plaza Comunitaria, an organization promoting Spanish literacy among native Spanish speakers in our area. I'll be doing some reading as well to go with it and keeping a journal. It sounds exciting to me! The other class that I'll be focusing on is Advanced Spanish Grammar, but it doesn't meet until the second half of summer. It should be good.
That, my friends, is what I call a nice, long update on my life.
Enough about me - how are YOU doing?
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Brief Update
Wow.
Exams are done.
Eric's birthday is done.
The retreat is done.
St. Louis overnight trip is tomorrow.
Spring classes start next week.
It's been a good couple of weeks and I've had fun being this busy.
An update to come on all of that will happen someday, maybe even this evening. We'll see.
Exams are done.
Eric's birthday is done.
The retreat is done.
St. Louis overnight trip is tomorrow.
Spring classes start next week.
It's been a good couple of weeks and I've had fun being this busy.
An update to come on all of that will happen someday, maybe even this evening. We'll see.
Monday, April 9, 2012
He has risen. He has risen indeed.
Easter is always filled with friends, family, church, eggs, bunnies, chocolate, and pretty dresses. This year was no different.
This year lacked a little something for me, though. As I picked up my flowers after church at the empty tomb, it hit me. I've been going through the motions of Easter without celebrating the Resurrection. I NEED the Resurrection. I LOVE the Resurrection. I LIVE because of the Resurrection. And yet... it had taken a backseat in the preparation for Easter.
What was the front seat? Well, I'd love to say that His death was there, but in reality, it was a few rows back.
As I celebrate Easter Monday quietly (because this is the day that I believe Jesus overcame death), I found this poem by Kara Root, a pastor in Minnesota. Enjoy.
I need the Resurrection
because my sister is sick
and can’t afford insurance,
because I’ve told a weeping Haitian mom,
“No, I can’t take your son home with me.”
because I’ve been rushed off a Jerusalem street
so the police could blow up a package that could’ve blown up us.
Because I’ve exploded
in rage
and watched their tiny faces cloud with hurt.
because evil is pervasive
and I participate.
I need the Resurrection
because it promises
that in the end
all wrongs are made right.
Death loses.
Hope triumphs.
And Life and
Love Prevail.
I need the Resurrection
because I’m tired and worn
the hours are long, the pay not enough
the second job barely covers the costs
for the kids to eat
the rent to be paid;
because life throws you some pitches
that you just can’t hit.
Because she left, and
I stayed.
Because some days a good cup of coffee
just isn’t enough.
Because I’m tired. . .
I need the Resurrection
because night gives way to morning,
darkness. . . to light
and because one day: all things will be new.
I need the Resurrection
because this life is so wonderful
despite its fragility;
the softness of dew on the morning grass
The house quiet while all are yet asleep
The promise of a new day.
Because each day comes and goes
And so many have now gone too.
I need the Resurrection
because I want one more day
with those who have already
Gone to sleep.
One more hello
One more long afternoon on the front porch
Telling stories
I’ve heard so many times
But long to hear again.
I need the Resurrection
because the story must not end.
I need the Resurrection
Because life has never
been as it should be
for me
or, I guess, for you.
I’ve never seen a rainbow
Or a lily. . .
a mountain, or a tree.
Yet these ideas are more
than just ideas,
and one day, I shall see.
I need the Resurrection
Because I long to touch, and feel, and smell
and wonder over
forever… this
Clean earth… which has been sullied.
One day, renewed.
And one day, as I use my senses
to drink deeply of all that is,
I shall see that Creation
Crowned, with a King.
He has risen. He has risen indeed.
This year lacked a little something for me, though. As I picked up my flowers after church at the empty tomb, it hit me. I've been going through the motions of Easter without celebrating the Resurrection. I NEED the Resurrection. I LOVE the Resurrection. I LIVE because of the Resurrection. And yet... it had taken a backseat in the preparation for Easter.
What was the front seat? Well, I'd love to say that His death was there, but in reality, it was a few rows back.
As I celebrate Easter Monday quietly (because this is the day that I believe Jesus overcame death), I found this poem by Kara Root, a pastor in Minnesota. Enjoy.
I need the Resurrection
because my sister is sick
and can’t afford insurance,
because I’ve told a weeping Haitian mom,
“No, I can’t take your son home with me.”
because I’ve been rushed off a Jerusalem street
so the police could blow up a package that could’ve blown up us.
Because I’ve exploded
in rage
and watched their tiny faces cloud with hurt.
because evil is pervasive
and I participate.
I need the Resurrection
because it promises
that in the end
all wrongs are made right.
Death loses.
Hope triumphs.
And Life and
Love Prevail.
I need the Resurrection
because I’m tired and worn
the hours are long, the pay not enough
the second job barely covers the costs
for the kids to eat
the rent to be paid;
because life throws you some pitches
that you just can’t hit.
Because she left, and
I stayed.
Because some days a good cup of coffee
just isn’t enough.
Because I’m tired. . .
I need the Resurrection
because night gives way to morning,
darkness. . . to light
and because one day: all things will be new.
I need the Resurrection
because this life is so wonderful
despite its fragility;
the softness of dew on the morning grass
The house quiet while all are yet asleep
The promise of a new day.
Because each day comes and goes
And so many have now gone too.
I need the Resurrection
because I want one more day
with those who have already
Gone to sleep.
One more hello
One more long afternoon on the front porch
Telling stories
I’ve heard so many times
But long to hear again.
I need the Resurrection
because the story must not end.
I need the Resurrection
Because life has never
been as it should be
for me
or, I guess, for you.
I’ve never seen a rainbow
Or a lily. . .
a mountain, or a tree.
Yet these ideas are more
than just ideas,
and one day, I shall see.
I need the Resurrection
Because I long to touch, and feel, and smell
and wonder over
forever… this
Clean earth… which has been sullied.
One day, renewed.
And one day, as I use my senses
to drink deeply of all that is,
I shall see that Creation
Crowned, with a King.
He has risen. He has risen indeed.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Slow Down
As I was recounting my road trip from last year with a few different friends, one common theme came up: "I wish I'd slowed down."
Yes, I've been to Oklahoma City, OK. Yes, I've been to Laughlin, NV and Needles, CA. Yes, I've been to Phoenix, AZ. Yes, I've been to Houston, TX. However... I couldn't tell you about any of them except for the traffic.
I wish I could go back and actually spend time getting to know even just one thing about each city. I was in too much of a hurry to get to know anything except the friends that lived in these cities... or the back of my eyelids.
My encouragement for anyone on a journey is to slow down. Take a day or two to rest and enjoy the sights along your journey. Those small moments won't really deter you from getting to your destination, but they will make the journey more fun and enjoyable. Plus, you won't have the regret of "I wish I'd done this or that."
So, next time you see a road sign for "The World's Largest Rocking Chair" (which is one of the side trips I DID take), pull off. It may seem silly, but I know that on the inside you were wishing you could stop. Do it.
Yes, I've been to Oklahoma City, OK. Yes, I've been to Laughlin, NV and Needles, CA. Yes, I've been to Phoenix, AZ. Yes, I've been to Houston, TX. However... I couldn't tell you about any of them except for the traffic.
I wish I could go back and actually spend time getting to know even just one thing about each city. I was in too much of a hurry to get to know anything except the friends that lived in these cities... or the back of my eyelids.
My encouragement for anyone on a journey is to slow down. Take a day or two to rest and enjoy the sights along your journey. Those small moments won't really deter you from getting to your destination, but they will make the journey more fun and enjoyable. Plus, you won't have the regret of "I wish I'd done this or that."
So, next time you see a road sign for "The World's Largest Rocking Chair" (which is one of the side trips I DID take), pull off. It may seem silly, but I know that on the inside you were wishing you could stop. Do it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)