For those in the midst of tragedy - the tragedies that make headlines or the tragedies striking your most inner core - this is for you.
Gracious and loving God,You watch the ways of all of us
and the utter destruction of which our hands are capable.We implore you to weave goodness and gracein the lives of those destroyed by senseless violence.Surround those whose lives are shattered with a sense of your present love.Wrap them in the worn quilt of your compassion.Though they are lost in grief,May they find you and be comforted.
Amen
- by Kimberly Knight, based loosely on a prayer in the UCC book of worship
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Urgent Prayer Request... and a video :)
I received this video in a prayer request that I'll mention later, but I wanted to share this with you as well. This is where I found family while I was serving in Budapest, Hungary. It's mainly in Hungarian, but the man speaking is Reverend Aaron Stevens. He first talks about how he came to Hungary (from the US) as a teacher and fell with love with his wife, Edit. Now he has two sons and is the pastor of this congregation. Then it talks about the mission of the church and how one of the biggest missions is with refugees. Two refugees are interviewed, one speaks in Arabic I believe and the other in English. In the mix are the Communion song, bilingual puppets (the worship services took place primarily in English), and a look at our coffee/tea time after the service. It makes me miss that place very much.
Video Here
Now, about that prayer request. I can't say much about it here, but please be praying for the refugees that worship with St. Columba's church. Life is not easy as a refugee in so many ways. They have gone through trauma in their home countries, sometimes trauma in their travels as well. When they arrive in Hungary, they don't speak the language and many don't know neither English nor German, which creates a whole new set of barriers. They look different and Hungarians can be very racially prejudicial, which creates another issue. Then, of course, there are the legal documents. One error can result in deportation... and deportation means returning to the country from which they fled in the first place, where they will surely be faced with even more persecution.
We are calling for prayer over the refugees in Hungary. God knows there are some circumstances that have called us to this urgent request. We need prayers of safe-keeping. We ask for prayers that immigration would have open ears to hear the stories that need to be shared. We ask for God to continue to provide for the needs of the refugees in every single way. Thank you.
Video Here
Now, about that prayer request. I can't say much about it here, but please be praying for the refugees that worship with St. Columba's church. Life is not easy as a refugee in so many ways. They have gone through trauma in their home countries, sometimes trauma in their travels as well. When they arrive in Hungary, they don't speak the language and many don't know neither English nor German, which creates a whole new set of barriers. They look different and Hungarians can be very racially prejudicial, which creates another issue. Then, of course, there are the legal documents. One error can result in deportation... and deportation means returning to the country from which they fled in the first place, where they will surely be faced with even more persecution.
We are calling for prayer over the refugees in Hungary. God knows there are some circumstances that have called us to this urgent request. We need prayers of safe-keeping. We ask for prayers that immigration would have open ears to hear the stories that need to be shared. We ask for God to continue to provide for the needs of the refugees in every single way. Thank you.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
6 months
Curious about how a couple very in love spends their 6 month anniversary?
Well, if their names are Eric and Trazy, it's going back to the location of their first date and getting their pictures taken... then getting ice cream.
Then eating ice cream in our own separate cars because we lead busy lives and that evening he had class and I had homework to do.
These are just a few of our favorites taken by my friend, Eric Stoike of "On the Run Photography" out of Allendale, MI.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
New-found Enjoyment
Please take your seat before I make the next big announcement. You're going to want to be sitting down, I promise.
I've started running.
Take a few deep breaths because I know it's a lot to take in. I'm still in shock myself. However, Jane and I signed up ourselves and significant others for a 5K (http://www.thecolorrun.com) in August and decided that we can do that. We started out by doing some walking at the GVSU fieldhouse facility and then started walking outside this summer at a park in Comstock Park.
On Monday, after a canceled walk in Comstock Park, I decided that it was time I tried to go out by myself. I was a little worried about being out on a trail alone with headphones in (I think I've watched a few too many Law & Order episodes), so I was probably over-cautious and kept looking over my shoulder (which I will blame for my slowness :P), but that will probably become more familiar in time.
The trail is about 1.2 miles (or 1.9 km) and I do one pass, which puts me at about 2.4 miles or 3.8 km. It's not overly long, but believe me, it's enough for me right now.
On Monday (day 1) - It took me about 50 minutes and I ran 6 minutes. Apparently when I'm done running and walk for a while, I walk reeeaaalllllly slow.
On Wednesday (day 2) - It took me about 45 minutes and I ran 8 minutes. There's already been an improvement!
I'll be going out again on Saturday morning with Mr. Eric, so not sure what that will look like but I find myself honestly enjoying it.
I've started running.
Take a few deep breaths because I know it's a lot to take in. I'm still in shock myself. However, Jane and I signed up ourselves and significant others for a 5K (http://www.thecolorrun.com) in August and decided that we can do that. We started out by doing some walking at the GVSU fieldhouse facility and then started walking outside this summer at a park in Comstock Park.
On Monday, after a canceled walk in Comstock Park, I decided that it was time I tried to go out by myself. I was a little worried about being out on a trail alone with headphones in (I think I've watched a few too many Law & Order episodes), so I was probably over-cautious and kept looking over my shoulder (which I will blame for my slowness :P), but that will probably become more familiar in time.
The trail is about 1.2 miles (or 1.9 km) and I do one pass, which puts me at about 2.4 miles or 3.8 km. It's not overly long, but believe me, it's enough for me right now.
On Monday (day 1) - It took me about 50 minutes and I ran 6 minutes. Apparently when I'm done running and walk for a while, I walk reeeaaalllllly slow.
On Wednesday (day 2) - It took me about 45 minutes and I ran 8 minutes. There's already been an improvement!
I'll be going out again on Saturday morning with Mr. Eric, so not sure what that will look like but I find myself honestly enjoying it.
Monday, May 21, 2012
To Be Happy...
15 Things You Should Give Up in Order to Be Happy
I've had a complete change of heart the last few months and the couple things that were still bringing me down have hopes of being turned around as well in the future. It's safe to say that I've never been happier. Part of it is because I listened to this advice without even knowing it. I hope you can get some great inspiration from this as well.
Cheers!
I've had a complete change of heart the last few months and the couple things that were still bringing me down have hopes of being turned around as well in the future. It's safe to say that I've never been happier. Part of it is because I listened to this advice without even knowing it. I hope you can get some great inspiration from this as well.
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sermon teaser...
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.
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.
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.
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