Tuesday, November 11, 2008
90 to the third with
90 to the third with easy access. 9 to the third with access. 1 to third without any access. This is why it is good to go.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Some thoughts on Mark 5:25-34
“[the woman] had suffered much under many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse” –Mark 5:26 esv
This year our cell groups in Cru are going through the book of Mark and last week we were in Mark 5 (it has been slow and interrupted progress) and as we were talk verse 26 stood out so much.
This is in the introduction to the account of a woman who had “a discharge of blood for twelve years” – in other words she spent 12 years being ritually impure and suffering all of the unpleasant jank of having ones menstrual cycle in a world before sanitary napkins. This is an account that has always evoked a pretty vivid response from me, perhaps because this woman is one of the healings that I can most relate to. Lets be honest I wouldn’t begin to know what it is like to be paralyzed, or blind, or leprous, or possessed by a demon that caused me to throw myself into fire … I have an overactive imagination so I can definitely conjure up what any of those conditions would be like but this is a woman whose condition I have brushed up against in the tiniest way (although I think a good case could be made that I don’t have any more ability to practically empathize with her – it at least feels that I do and for better or worse feelings are a big part of my perceptions)
Verse 26 had never really struck a deep cord before, I had always just considered it to be a way of clarifying that this was no small ailment that any healer could address. While that may be true, I also think this woman is a picture of how we try to deal with jank in our lives. We try to fix it ourselves – or at least I know I do.
I wonder how much extra hurt and hardship we bring upon ourselves because we go to people to fix our problems instead of just taking them to the one who can and desires to heal us and make us whole. Unlike this woman we don’t have to wait for Jesus to walk through our town.
Jesus has completed his walking ministry and now he makes himself touchable to all. It isn’t that God will zap away all of our physical ailments – that just isn’t biblical (turn back to Mark 4:35-37 and observe that it was by obedience to Jesus that the disciples found themselves in the middle of a “great windstorm”) but I think that God desperately desires to heal our hearts, to make us whole, to make us clean and holy.
The other thing I think this interchange teaches us is that, I don’t think God is content to let us be healed in the shadows. Jesus made a point to stop and have the woman come forward, which must have been so hard for her.
First of all she was a woman, whose very condition rendered her “unclean”, if she had a husband he would not have been legally able to touch her in any way for the past 12 years. Yet in spite of being a woman, and being unclean, she reaches out to touch a famous, male teacher without any sort of consent.
Second she had to publicly admit something that would have been so shameful – even now in a much more open society it is awkward and even scandalous to talk about menstruation in mixed company (which might be why a surprisingly high number of people I talked to never realized what sort of bleeding had gone on unabated the 12 years). Add to that the label of unclean and a society that blamed any hardship in your life as punishment from God against your sin and honestly I would have had a lot of trouble saying.
Yet Christ would not have called her out to shame or terrify her, in fact he sends her away with a commendation – so maybe this is an indication of how we should respond to the ways we have experienced the healing only God can give.
It is so awesome how God can reveal new lessons no matter how many times I have seen the same material – I keep realizing that what I understood before were like trees walking while people were actually in front of me …
This year our cell groups in Cru are going through the book of Mark and last week we were in Mark 5 (it has been slow and interrupted progress) and as we were talk verse 26 stood out so much.
This is in the introduction to the account of a woman who had “a discharge of blood for twelve years” – in other words she spent 12 years being ritually impure and suffering all of the unpleasant jank of having ones menstrual cycle in a world before sanitary napkins. This is an account that has always evoked a pretty vivid response from me, perhaps because this woman is one of the healings that I can most relate to. Lets be honest I wouldn’t begin to know what it is like to be paralyzed, or blind, or leprous, or possessed by a demon that caused me to throw myself into fire … I have an overactive imagination so I can definitely conjure up what any of those conditions would be like but this is a woman whose condition I have brushed up against in the tiniest way (although I think a good case could be made that I don’t have any more ability to practically empathize with her – it at least feels that I do and for better or worse feelings are a big part of my perceptions)
Verse 26 had never really struck a deep cord before, I had always just considered it to be a way of clarifying that this was no small ailment that any healer could address. While that may be true, I also think this woman is a picture of how we try to deal with jank in our lives. We try to fix it ourselves – or at least I know I do.
I wonder how much extra hurt and hardship we bring upon ourselves because we go to people to fix our problems instead of just taking them to the one who can and desires to heal us and make us whole. Unlike this woman we don’t have to wait for Jesus to walk through our town.
Jesus has completed his walking ministry and now he makes himself touchable to all. It isn’t that God will zap away all of our physical ailments – that just isn’t biblical (turn back to Mark 4:35-37 and observe that it was by obedience to Jesus that the disciples found themselves in the middle of a “great windstorm”) but I think that God desperately desires to heal our hearts, to make us whole, to make us clean and holy.
The other thing I think this interchange teaches us is that, I don’t think God is content to let us be healed in the shadows. Jesus made a point to stop and have the woman come forward, which must have been so hard for her.
First of all she was a woman, whose very condition rendered her “unclean”, if she had a husband he would not have been legally able to touch her in any way for the past 12 years. Yet in spite of being a woman, and being unclean, she reaches out to touch a famous, male teacher without any sort of consent.
Second she had to publicly admit something that would have been so shameful – even now in a much more open society it is awkward and even scandalous to talk about menstruation in mixed company (which might be why a surprisingly high number of people I talked to never realized what sort of bleeding had gone on unabated the 12 years). Add to that the label of unclean and a society that blamed any hardship in your life as punishment from God against your sin and honestly I would have had a lot of trouble saying.
Yet Christ would not have called her out to shame or terrify her, in fact he sends her away with a commendation – so maybe this is an indication of how we should respond to the ways we have experienced the healing only God can give.
It is so awesome how God can reveal new lessons no matter how many times I have seen the same material – I keep realizing that what I understood before were like trees walking while people were actually in front of me …
Saturday, November 1, 2008
October Reflections ....
It has been a crazy month (like usual) and I thought I would take a few moments to share some of what happened ...
FALL RETREAT
The very first weekend of October was spent at a somewhat local camp with a bunch of Cru kids for our fall retreat. It was an awesome opportunity to get to know some of the fabulous freshmen who have been getting involved.
The speaker, Dave Patchin, taught on Colossians and it was just really straightforward but awesome stuff about the practicalities of living for Christ. I think the most personally impactful thing he spoke on was when he was talking about 3:13-14 and he talked about the importance of waiting for God to start the work and then jumping on the bandwagon - i.e. we don't have to be the ones fixing people even if we are an influential tool in how God goes about addressing things in their life.
ART CRIT
One of the two classes I have to take this semester is my intensive writing class, art critisim. Although sometimes I feel that it perpetuates the snobbishness that it is really easy for artists to fall into, I definately feel that it has been an area leading to a lot of growth for me. I am realizing that I am a very global thinker and the structure of the class is one that lets me make the broad connections between things like how art can change a place for the better, how rehumanization can happen, and how God's love for the world can be expressed in powerful ways through art ... this happens in snippets all over the place, but one thing that really brought this to the forefront for me was watching a film about an artist in Detriot who has literally transformed his nieghborhood through these crazy pieces of art he has made. Already I feel the Heidelberg Project meanadering around in my head, looking for a point to break out an apply.
SAVANNAH
Was a really great week, hard sometimes but great. Of course seeing Courtney was wonderful beyond all reason, but it was also good to get yet another taste of what my life may look like if I am able to go on staff with CCC like Chris and I are planning (even if it is not at SCAD).
STARBUCKS
I still absolutely love my job. Some days it is harder than others and I am definately still trying to figure a lot of things out. I love my co-workers, all of them really even though I may have some pretty substaintailly different worldviews. I am just incredibly thankful to have the job and work environment I have (even when I don't always feel like being there)
METRO
The once monthly metros are almost always a highlight - in part because it is a chance to see Kelly Lee (who has been one of my deepest friends since coming from from East Asia over a year ago). This month one of the staff kids talked about the importance of discipleship and what that looks like. Although it was stuff I have been exposed to before, refreshers are always nice.
HALLOWEEN
This is the first holiday since starting at starbucks. Since halloween has not really been a big deal to me in a long time (I haven't celebrated it in years) I didn't think I would mind working ... well less than half-way through my shift I was really bummed about being at work versus being with my friends (which doesn't really boad well for Thanksgiving and Christmas which I also have to work). I was totally blown away with happiness when a huge group of my friends moved their party literally to me (even though I still had to be working so I couldn't do much more than exchange a few quick words periodically). It made me feel super valued.
All in all it was a good month ....
FALL RETREAT
The very first weekend of October was spent at a somewhat local camp with a bunch of Cru kids for our fall retreat. It was an awesome opportunity to get to know some of the fabulous freshmen who have been getting involved.
The speaker, Dave Patchin, taught on Colossians and it was just really straightforward but awesome stuff about the practicalities of living for Christ. I think the most personally impactful thing he spoke on was when he was talking about 3:13-14 and he talked about the importance of waiting for God to start the work and then jumping on the bandwagon - i.e. we don't have to be the ones fixing people even if we are an influential tool in how God goes about addressing things in their life.
ART CRIT
One of the two classes I have to take this semester is my intensive writing class, art critisim. Although sometimes I feel that it perpetuates the snobbishness that it is really easy for artists to fall into, I definately feel that it has been an area leading to a lot of growth for me. I am realizing that I am a very global thinker and the structure of the class is one that lets me make the broad connections between things like how art can change a place for the better, how rehumanization can happen, and how God's love for the world can be expressed in powerful ways through art ... this happens in snippets all over the place, but one thing that really brought this to the forefront for me was watching a film about an artist in Detriot who has literally transformed his nieghborhood through these crazy pieces of art he has made. Already I feel the Heidelberg Project meanadering around in my head, looking for a point to break out an apply.
SAVANNAH
Was a really great week, hard sometimes but great. Of course seeing Courtney was wonderful beyond all reason, but it was also good to get yet another taste of what my life may look like if I am able to go on staff with CCC like Chris and I are planning (even if it is not at SCAD).
STARBUCKS
I still absolutely love my job. Some days it is harder than others and I am definately still trying to figure a lot of things out. I love my co-workers, all of them really even though I may have some pretty substaintailly different worldviews. I am just incredibly thankful to have the job and work environment I have (even when I don't always feel like being there)
METRO
The once monthly metros are almost always a highlight - in part because it is a chance to see Kelly Lee (who has been one of my deepest friends since coming from from East Asia over a year ago). This month one of the staff kids talked about the importance of discipleship and what that looks like. Although it was stuff I have been exposed to before, refreshers are always nice.
HALLOWEEN
This is the first holiday since starting at starbucks. Since halloween has not really been a big deal to me in a long time (I haven't celebrated it in years) I didn't think I would mind working ... well less than half-way through my shift I was really bummed about being at work versus being with my friends (which doesn't really boad well for Thanksgiving and Christmas which I also have to work). I was totally blown away with happiness when a huge group of my friends moved their party literally to me (even though I still had to be working so I couldn't do much more than exchange a few quick words periodically). It made me feel super valued.
All in all it was a good month ....
Monday, October 20, 2008
Life of Late
The time in Savannah wasn't precisely what I was expecting (but really who knows where my silly expectations come from anyway) but it was good - and Bonnie informs me that we accomplished the goals of the trip.
On the last day I had some time alone in one of the multitude of squares which downtown Savannah boasts and I got a really cool idea about a possible tweaking to Soularium.
Carlee and I shared at Manchester on Sunday. I was a little sad that not many of the college kids were there but it was good and the Pastor who was visiting knew some of the research and development people who had helped take soularium out of tribecca. That was cool and unexpected.
I have been in a weird, not circumstance related, place sporadically since NY and I would totally appreciate prayers about it. Really that I not be so bound to my emotions in general i.e. that I not let my feelings entirely dictate my actions.
On the last day I had some time alone in one of the multitude of squares which downtown Savannah boasts and I got a really cool idea about a possible tweaking to Soularium.
Carlee and I shared at Manchester on Sunday. I was a little sad that not many of the college kids were there but it was good and the Pastor who was visiting knew some of the research and development people who had helped take soularium out of tribecca. That was cool and unexpected.
I have been in a weird, not circumstance related, place sporadically since NY and I would totally appreciate prayers about it. Really that I not be so bound to my emotions in general i.e. that I not let my feelings entirely dictate my actions.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Still relevant
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My plans this week ...
Carlee and I are at SCAD trying to help this precious woman get a Friday Arts Project type thing. Please pray for our time here!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Oh 9th Month - how full you were!
Since September is finished (and what a month it was) I figure an update here is more than overdue.
To be frank I cannot really think much of September beyond the fact that Chris, who has been my friend for almost as long as I have been at Winthrop and my boyfriend since February 07, asked me to marry him on my birthday right before a surprise birthday party he had waiting for me (surprises abounded that night to be sure). Although our story does not include anything that looks like love at first sight I am super excited at the prospect of spending the rest of my life with him. It will be hard sometimes to be sure, but sanctification never is easy.
I watched my 'baby sister' graduate from boot camp for the army national guard and then had to ship her off for even more training. I am so proud of her for making it through and still loving it.
Things at starbucks have been going well. I love to work there and last week I became a certified barista - I even have a pen in my hat, which may not be precisely as festive as a feather in my cap but perhaps an altogether more appropriate coffee shop accoutrement.
The man who has been pastoring my church up here for the entire time I have lived here stepped down and preached his last sermon (for now) on Sunday. This is a somewhat sad transition, but change is a part of life (often good and necessary).
Things continue to go well at the outlet, but as one might expect bumps do come when five people share one house. It is good, but not easy.
I enjoy my Spanish classes for the first time but I have had zero creative productivity (for the first half of the month I had basically zero productivity, thankful God seems to be pulling me forward from that) and that is more or less it.
Also, (although technically part of October) this past weekend was our fall retreat for Cru and it was good. We had four freshmen, six seniors, and one wonderful and enthusiastic sophomore come and we learned about colossians while growing together. Always lovely.
To be frank I cannot really think much of September beyond the fact that Chris, who has been my friend for almost as long as I have been at Winthrop and my boyfriend since February 07, asked me to marry him on my birthday right before a surprise birthday party he had waiting for me (surprises abounded that night to be sure). Although our story does not include anything that looks like love at first sight I am super excited at the prospect of spending the rest of my life with him. It will be hard sometimes to be sure, but sanctification never is easy.
I watched my 'baby sister' graduate from boot camp for the army national guard and then had to ship her off for even more training. I am so proud of her for making it through and still loving it.
Things at starbucks have been going well. I love to work there and last week I became a certified barista - I even have a pen in my hat, which may not be precisely as festive as a feather in my cap but perhaps an altogether more appropriate coffee shop accoutrement.
The man who has been pastoring my church up here for the entire time I have lived here stepped down and preached his last sermon (for now) on Sunday. This is a somewhat sad transition, but change is a part of life (often good and necessary).
Things continue to go well at the outlet, but as one might expect bumps do come when five people share one house. It is good, but not easy.
I enjoy my Spanish classes for the first time but I have had zero creative productivity (for the first half of the month I had basically zero productivity, thankful God seems to be pulling me forward from that) and that is more or less it.
Also, (although technically part of October) this past weekend was our fall retreat for Cru and it was good. We had four freshmen, six seniors, and one wonderful and enthusiastic sophomore come and we learned about colossians while growing together. Always lovely.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Whatever became of August?
You may have noticed that the whole updating once a week thing has not been working out in such a stellar fashion. I think I will amend that to once a month so that I have a goal that actually might be accomplished (which may or may not be a philosophy - but really I do not need to make my blog s source of stress).
Things are going well in the Outlet. All of my human roomates have moved in and we are trying to get settled - my canine roommate decided this weekend that he will no longer be living with us so he moved back.
I did get the job I had been pursuing at Starbucks and I am thrilled about it. I started last Wednesday and it has been just as good of a fit as I was thinking it would be. Currently I am exhausted beyond all reason because I have been working opening (which is what I wanted) and my body has not yet learned how to fall asleep at a time that is reasonable for someone whose shift begins at 4:30a.
This is a big week with CCCi on campus. We have out first weekly meeting (woot cell groups which will hopefully be followed by pancakes and hanging out) then on Friday the first metro (hopefully followed by a women's slumber party and some sort of man thing - apparently guys don't do sleepovers - who knew?). It is very exciting! Hopefully Caitlyn and I will be able to follow up with the seventy something freshmen ladies we met at convocation before these things. It will be tough but life is like that sometimes.
Things I would love prayer about:
Unity in love among my roommates & discernment as we deal with our landlady.
That I will build strong and loving relationships with my co-workers (both at Starbucks and in Res Life).
That our first Cru meetings will propel us toward the direction God is leading our movement this year.
Things are going well in the Outlet. All of my human roomates have moved in and we are trying to get settled - my canine roommate decided this weekend that he will no longer be living with us so he moved back.
I did get the job I had been pursuing at Starbucks and I am thrilled about it. I started last Wednesday and it has been just as good of a fit as I was thinking it would be. Currently I am exhausted beyond all reason because I have been working opening (which is what I wanted) and my body has not yet learned how to fall asleep at a time that is reasonable for someone whose shift begins at 4:30a.
This is a big week with CCCi on campus. We have out first weekly meeting (woot cell groups which will hopefully be followed by pancakes and hanging out) then on Friday the first metro (hopefully followed by a women's slumber party and some sort of man thing - apparently guys don't do sleepovers - who knew?). It is very exciting! Hopefully Caitlyn and I will be able to follow up with the seventy something freshmen ladies we met at convocation before these things. It will be tough but life is like that sometimes.
Things I would love prayer about:
Unity in love among my roommates & discernment as we deal with our landlady.
That I will build strong and loving relationships with my co-workers (both at Starbucks and in Res Life).
That our first Cru meetings will propel us toward the direction God is leading our movement this year.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Outlet.
Since I firmly believe that as we are going through our 'normal' lives we should be doing ministry just as much as when we are at something specially focused on missions. Therefore it is my intention to continue keeping up with this blog on a semi-weekly basis to share what sort of things I feel like God is leading me to and how those who may be interested can be praying. However thus far I have been doing a rather shoddy job.
As you know I am back in Rock Hill and I have been trying to settle into the house I am renting with 4 other women (who are also all students). That has been a bit of a saga in itself because of some construction that is underway but it is overall exciting.
We have been blessed with a house so close to campus that you can see it from our student center and it is my hope that our house will become a blessing to our community. I am praying our year in the outlet (the name we have given our house) will be one of transformational community and that we will be an active part of what God does with WU - specifically what he does through Cru.
Two of my roommates are moving up today (and one jack russel terrier) and hopefully we will be getting off to a lovely start.
Ways you can pray:
Pray that we be united in love and seeking God's will, that we treat each other with a balance of love and truth
Pray that we practice hospitality even when it is inconvenient
Pray for the weekly 'family dinners' and devotionals we want to do, and that they further the above purposes.
As you know I am back in Rock Hill and I have been trying to settle into the house I am renting with 4 other women (who are also all students). That has been a bit of a saga in itself because of some construction that is underway but it is overall exciting.
We have been blessed with a house so close to campus that you can see it from our student center and it is my hope that our house will become a blessing to our community. I am praying our year in the outlet (the name we have given our house) will be one of transformational community and that we will be an active part of what God does with WU - specifically what he does through Cru.
Two of my roommates are moving up today (and one jack russel terrier) and hopefully we will be getting off to a lovely start.
Ways you can pray:
Pray that we be united in love and seeking God's will, that we treat each other with a balance of love and truth
Pray that we practice hospitality even when it is inconvenient
Pray for the weekly 'family dinners' and devotionals we want to do, and that they further the above purposes.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Show...
I am not sure what it looks like to have finished processing, and while I am pretty sure I have not reached that point (although I have a sneaking suspicion that processing is one of those things never truly finished) I thought I can at least do a quick overview of the show and the end of project (especially since I no longer feel constantly exhausted).
The show went well. It wasn’t as highly visited as the MET or MoMA by any means, but we did have over 160 people come through during the four day run of the show, about half of them came on opening night which is awesome because all of the artists were there and able to talk about their work.
One person in particular was Yura. Yura is a student Desiree and I did Soularium with at Columbia University. That conversation alone was one of the best I had all summer. Although he was not a Christian by any means, nor did he express much concern over it, he was very willing to dialogue about his beliefs and upbringing in the Russian Orthodox Church. As we walked away we prayed for him (especially that he meet up with Kevin C – who will be part of the NYC stint team this year) but that was the end of it.
Yura took the night off from work to come to the show. He came in almost as soon as it started and stayed until we were kicking people out (over two hours). He talked with nearly half of the artists about their work and as he left he said that he had many things to think about now. It was exciting.
For me personally nothing else was as exciting as that, but I know there are many other stories of the people who came to see the art and talk about it.
After the show came down (and we figured out how to get our vast variety of pieces home) the only thing left to do really was say our goodbyes. It was a hard time, but it was made sweeter by several opportunities to really love on each other by speaking of the beautiful things we have seen in each other this summer and challenging each other to grow. I feel like we reserve such times for trips like this, and it is such a lifegiving experience – I wonder what it would be like to be more intentional about incorporating such things into our daily grind?
Tribeca Arts Track (photo by Alicia Hansen)
Yura talking with Brian Dang
The show went well. It wasn’t as highly visited as the MET or MoMA by any means, but we did have over 160 people come through during the four day run of the show, about half of them came on opening night which is awesome because all of the artists were there and able to talk about their work.
One person in particular was Yura. Yura is a student Desiree and I did Soularium with at Columbia University. That conversation alone was one of the best I had all summer. Although he was not a Christian by any means, nor did he express much concern over it, he was very willing to dialogue about his beliefs and upbringing in the Russian Orthodox Church. As we walked away we prayed for him (especially that he meet up with Kevin C – who will be part of the NYC stint team this year) but that was the end of it.
Yura took the night off from work to come to the show. He came in almost as soon as it started and stayed until we were kicking people out (over two hours). He talked with nearly half of the artists about their work and as he left he said that he had many things to think about now. It was exciting.
For me personally nothing else was as exciting as that, but I know there are many other stories of the people who came to see the art and talk about it.
After the show came down (and we figured out how to get our vast variety of pieces home) the only thing left to do really was say our goodbyes. It was a hard time, but it was made sweeter by several opportunities to really love on each other by speaking of the beautiful things we have seen in each other this summer and challenging each other to grow. I feel like we reserve such times for trips like this, and it is such a lifegiving experience – I wonder what it would be like to be more intentional about incorporating such things into our daily grind?
Tribeca Arts Track (photo by Alicia Hansen)
Yura talking with Brian Dang
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A teaser ..
The show went well. I am back home now. I think I want to process some before I post for real ... so check back soon?
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
TONIGHT!!
The show, rehumaniz, opens tonight.
Please pray for the opening (from 6-8) that we finish tying up the loose ends in time and that we be prepared for good conversations with those who come.
Also pray for the run of the show (from tonight until Saturday) that people's hearts would be prepared and that they would come and encounter God in whatever way they are ready for.
Specifically pray for Za-Za and John (two film students I met yesterday); Darryl (our doorman who plans to come on Friday); Jamey (who I met and shared with the very first week but haven't been able to reconnect with); my Chinese friend; and Lauren (who I also met and talked with at length yesterday).
My group hard at work
Please pray for the opening (from 6-8) that we finish tying up the loose ends in time and that we be prepared for good conversations with those who come.
Also pray for the run of the show (from tonight until Saturday) that people's hearts would be prepared and that they would come and encounter God in whatever way they are ready for.
Specifically pray for Za-Za and John (two film students I met yesterday); Darryl (our doorman who plans to come on Friday); Jamey (who I met and shared with the very first week but haven't been able to reconnect with); my Chinese friend; and Lauren (who I also met and talked with at length yesterday).
My group hard at work
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Our Last weekend before the show ...
We are still working on our art ... this morning I will work on my collaborative piece with Tiffany, Rachel, and Carlee. Then Megan and I will get snacks for everyone and I can try to finish up my individual piece. Things are coming together, but there are still a lot of pieces that need to be glued in if you will.
Thursday after I updated we had our arts track time which includes dinner and then a professional artist will come in and talk about how they integrate their faith and art. This week we heard from this couple Ryan and Diana Warner. He is a dancer/singer/actor and she is a trained as a painter but works as a jewelry designer. They were a lot of fun to hear from. I think we all benefited from hearing how they make marriage work when they have careers that are somewhat in opposition at times (running a business and touring are two different lifestyles for sure) and from how Diana uses her business to help improve life for people, specifically she does a lot of job development stuff in South Africa.
Yesterday we had some mandatory fun to celebrate the 4th of July. I wasn't really looking forward to it (because of all of the work that still needs to be done) but I think that was a sign of just how much it was needed. We had a blast camping out on a pier in Queens to watch a fireworks show. It started raining and we made a massive tent under several tarps and our umbrellas - it was a blast (although we were a bit of a spectacle I suspect).
Ways you can pray:
-This weekend as we work on our art. Pray that we have the strength and wisdom to do what is best
-Overall health. We have just had a lot of issues with people getting sick or injured.
-That we will continue to seek quiet times with the Lord
-For the performance pieces that will be done this weekend - that they may impact people
My collaborative group at City College after a long day of soularium-esqu conversations
Thursday after I updated we had our arts track time which includes dinner and then a professional artist will come in and talk about how they integrate their faith and art. This week we heard from this couple Ryan and Diana Warner. He is a dancer/singer/actor and she is a trained as a painter but works as a jewelry designer. They were a lot of fun to hear from. I think we all benefited from hearing how they make marriage work when they have careers that are somewhat in opposition at times (running a business and touring are two different lifestyles for sure) and from how Diana uses her business to help improve life for people, specifically she does a lot of job development stuff in South Africa.
Yesterday we had some mandatory fun to celebrate the 4th of July. I wasn't really looking forward to it (because of all of the work that still needs to be done) but I think that was a sign of just how much it was needed. We had a blast camping out on a pier in Queens to watch a fireworks show. It started raining and we made a massive tent under several tarps and our umbrellas - it was a blast (although we were a bit of a spectacle I suspect).
Ways you can pray:
-This weekend as we work on our art. Pray that we have the strength and wisdom to do what is best
-Overall health. We have just had a lot of issues with people getting sick or injured.
-That we will continue to seek quiet times with the Lord
-For the performance pieces that will be done this weekend - that they may impact people
My collaborative group at City College after a long day of soularium-esqu conversations
Thursday, July 3, 2008
6 days until the opening
It has been an amazing week overall. Sy Rogers spoke to us on Thursday and Friday. He shared a lot of how God has brought him through the sin in his past and some of the process of dealing with those really ingrained sins, which for him involved a lot of sexual sin. It was really good stuff to hear, I feel like he had a really good sense of balance between the fact that we are a new creation in Christ and yet the physical consequences of our sin (including our inclination to continue it) are not usually just wiped away.
Most of our other time has been focused on our collaborative projects and getting ready for the exhibition next week (all of our work is due on Monday and Friday is a lost day) so things are a little tight right now.
In truth I probably wouldn't have updated if it wasn't for the fact that I just wanted to share the praise of how good and perfect God's organization is. As any regular reader may have noticed I have definitely felt ups and downs here - but I have to say the good is so good. I have just been really struck by how perfect God's organization of our discipleship groups are. Last night as our larger group was talking through things one of the girls was expressing some of the same things I have been feeling all year and in listening to her I finally felt a sense of clarity in how to interact with it. And it was just really good. (I am not sure if this makes sense - please to forgive if it doesn't)
Ways to Pray:
Our art - with the deadline on Monday, these last couple of days will be hard core.
Growth in unity.
That we may all make opportunities for one-on-one time with God - for those of us who focus poorly in noisy environments it is a hard thing to do.
The show - that we can have good conversations with the people that come and that people we have talked with will be able to come (specifically Abby, Josh, and Jamey)
The small dgroup that I am in at the outdoor graffiti section of the PS1 gallery. Apparently the random bloke who took the photo for us is a graffiti artist, Apollo 5.
Most of our other time has been focused on our collaborative projects and getting ready for the exhibition next week (all of our work is due on Monday and Friday is a lost day) so things are a little tight right now.
In truth I probably wouldn't have updated if it wasn't for the fact that I just wanted to share the praise of how good and perfect God's organization is. As any regular reader may have noticed I have definitely felt ups and downs here - but I have to say the good is so good. I have just been really struck by how perfect God's organization of our discipleship groups are. Last night as our larger group was talking through things one of the girls was expressing some of the same things I have been feeling all year and in listening to her I finally felt a sense of clarity in how to interact with it. And it was just really good. (I am not sure if this makes sense - please to forgive if it doesn't)
Ways to Pray:
Our art - with the deadline on Monday, these last couple of days will be hard core.
Growth in unity.
That we may all make opportunities for one-on-one time with God - for those of us who focus poorly in noisy environments it is a hard thing to do.
The show - that we can have good conversations with the people that come and that people we have talked with will be able to come (specifically Abby, Josh, and Jamey)
The small dgroup that I am in at the outdoor graffiti section of the PS1 gallery. Apparently the random bloke who took the photo for us is a graffiti artist, Apollo 5.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Mailing address in NYC
I have been meaning to post my address here for sometime yet ... so here it is
ATTN: Tribeca -Brandi
144 E. 44th, Suite 710
New York, NY 10017
ATTN: Tribeca -Brandi
144 E. 44th, Suite 710
New York, NY 10017
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Prayer Request
One of the girls on our project was sent to the hospital tonight. She's been feeling bad for a few days and the doctors aren't sure what's wrong with her so please be praying for her.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
New days ...
Last night as I was about to fall asleep (in our dorm that has spotty internet at best) I remember that I haven't posted anything since asking for prayer about the indistinct funk ... so here goes.
Things have been a lot better. Thursday we spent some time on campus and I got to do Soulariums at City College with Emily (the woman who is discipling me) and it was just such a good time. The group of us shared sack lunches and really good conversation then went our separate ways. Emily and I got into several good conversations and Stephanie and Kaitlyn were able to see a girl who had been sort of experimenting with prayer recently come to Christ.
Friday most of my time is spent doing staff things and then spending the evening in the Union Square area with Tiffany (the other intern) and Carlee (a friend from WU) and then relax and sleep until Saturday - which was the most therapeutic day ever. Basically I spent the day wandering through Queens (where we live) and Central Park with frequent pauses to read and journal and just reflect.
Since then God has just opened my eyes to how much of the frustration and anxiety I was experiencing was the result of spending more energy focusing on these high expectations of all of the great things I was planning to be (and the consequent high opinions people would have of me) instead of focusing first on seeking him and letting him lead me to the actions which will make me who he wants me to be. This has been a really freeing revelation and it has been coupled with some really good heart-to-hearts within the context of our discipleship group (both the small group that I lead and the slightly larger group Emily and I lead together). God has been breaking through some of the walls that were between all of us and already it is beautiful and exciting.
Yesterday on campus at Columbia university I was able to talk very in depth with a Chinese student, and even share a bare bones gospel presentation (boiled down because of a prior engagement) after she expressed how much she was hurting and desiring peace and hope. She isn't sure if she wants to talk further about it, but she has my email address and said she will let me know if she wants to talk. It was the most natural experience of sharing the gospel (with any clarity) I have ever had, and although I would love to talk with her further, I have a lot of peace in her just having space to digest until God brings another person into her life.
Today Tiffany and I were able to begin collaborating on the second project in earnest and we have come to an idea that we are both super excited about (that includes Carlee and Rachel [who are also both excited] and possibly Lady Liberty [who hasn't expressed her opinion])
Ways to Pray:
For continued growth in unity (particularly among collaborative groups) and growth in openness with each other.
Thursday and Friday we have a guest speaker, Sy Rogers, coming to speak and because he is talking about some heavy stuff (a lot to do with sexuality from his highly personal and rather unique perspective) - please pray that our hearts be sensitive to what he says and how that may effect our project mates
The seeds planted through Soularium and all of our other interactions in the city, especially my Chinese friend who is going through a lot of hard times.
My next journal ... smaller than what I normally use but a great size for my NYC living.
Things have been a lot better. Thursday we spent some time on campus and I got to do Soulariums at City College with Emily (the woman who is discipling me) and it was just such a good time. The group of us shared sack lunches and really good conversation then went our separate ways. Emily and I got into several good conversations and Stephanie and Kaitlyn were able to see a girl who had been sort of experimenting with prayer recently come to Christ.
Friday most of my time is spent doing staff things and then spending the evening in the Union Square area with Tiffany (the other intern) and Carlee (a friend from WU) and then relax and sleep until Saturday - which was the most therapeutic day ever. Basically I spent the day wandering through Queens (where we live) and Central Park with frequent pauses to read and journal and just reflect.
Since then God has just opened my eyes to how much of the frustration and anxiety I was experiencing was the result of spending more energy focusing on these high expectations of all of the great things I was planning to be (and the consequent high opinions people would have of me) instead of focusing first on seeking him and letting him lead me to the actions which will make me who he wants me to be. This has been a really freeing revelation and it has been coupled with some really good heart-to-hearts within the context of our discipleship group (both the small group that I lead and the slightly larger group Emily and I lead together). God has been breaking through some of the walls that were between all of us and already it is beautiful and exciting.
Yesterday on campus at Columbia university I was able to talk very in depth with a Chinese student, and even share a bare bones gospel presentation (boiled down because of a prior engagement) after she expressed how much she was hurting and desiring peace and hope. She isn't sure if she wants to talk further about it, but she has my email address and said she will let me know if she wants to talk. It was the most natural experience of sharing the gospel (with any clarity) I have ever had, and although I would love to talk with her further, I have a lot of peace in her just having space to digest until God brings another person into her life.
Today Tiffany and I were able to begin collaborating on the second project in earnest and we have come to an idea that we are both super excited about (that includes Carlee and Rachel [who are also both excited] and possibly Lady Liberty [who hasn't expressed her opinion])
Ways to Pray:
For continued growth in unity (particularly among collaborative groups) and growth in openness with each other.
Thursday and Friday we have a guest speaker, Sy Rogers, coming to speak and because he is talking about some heavy stuff (a lot to do with sexuality from his highly personal and rather unique perspective) - please pray that our hearts be sensitive to what he says and how that may effect our project mates
The seeds planted through Soularium and all of our other interactions in the city, especially my Chinese friend who is going through a lot of hard times.
My next journal ... smaller than what I normally use but a great size for my NYC living.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Part of me was hoping that the hard times here wouldn't be THIS hard (whatever that means)
We have finally started in on what our 'normal' schedule will be. That has been exciting, but things have been kind of hard lately. No drama per say but their is a certain disconnect that is very uncommon for summer projects. Curtis (who is on staff in Denver and the husband of my discipler) addressed it during our first training time and I think some progress has been made. Please pray that we would grow in love and unity.
I think this city can be hard. Ironically, I feel like I have been experiencing more 'culture stress' here than I ever did in Asia, and as I have talked with some of the other women here, I have discovered I am not the only one.
On top of all of that, so many little things are happening to various members of the project. And (yes I know this is silly) my lap top and the wireless network seem to be united against me blogging because one of the two (and often both) tend to crash every time I try to update - at least once. Annnd subways are a blessing, but sometimes they can add their own stress, like when Sarah and I misread the map and missed meeting with our mentor because we ended up in the Bronx or this morning when I was late to meet with the girls I am discipling because I didn't realize that the E -line has 2 stops that are on 23rd street (one in Manhattan and the other in Queens)and when you get off of the one in Queens you can discover that their is a 44th Avenue, parallel to 44th Street, parallel to 44th Road all in a neat little row .... generally I think that NYC is well designed - that is not an example of that generalization (although I share those anecdotes primarily because I think they are kind of funny - they will be even funnier when I have more distance from them).
Don't get me wrong, I really love it here. This is a beautiful place and it is so exciting to be near so many people who don't like and think like me. It is also exciting to be living with people who love God and want to glorify him in all the crazy ways, but life has been hard for me here - sometime exhausting, sometimes overwhelming, and sometimes just an undefined feeling of funk.
This afternoon I was reading in John Eldridge's "Walking with God" and it really resonated with how I have been feeling here, he talks about how we are to use the idea of fruit Jesus talks about with reference to false teachings in a diagnostic way with the events of our life as well, "What is the fruit of what you are experiencing? What is its effect? If it continues, what will the results be? What will be lost?" I feel like the fruit of so much of what I have felt lately is not the fruit God desires for me personally or our project as a whole.
So I guess what I most covet as far as prayer goes is that the events surrounding us and our heart's responses to them will be the ones which most glorify God.
But as an evidence that not all has been bad (by any means) this is my dgroup family sharing dessert and dinner together. It was delightful.
I think this city can be hard. Ironically, I feel like I have been experiencing more 'culture stress' here than I ever did in Asia, and as I have talked with some of the other women here, I have discovered I am not the only one.
On top of all of that, so many little things are happening to various members of the project. And (yes I know this is silly) my lap top and the wireless network seem to be united against me blogging because one of the two (and often both) tend to crash every time I try to update - at least once. Annnd subways are a blessing, but sometimes they can add their own stress, like when Sarah and I misread the map and missed meeting with our mentor because we ended up in the Bronx or this morning when I was late to meet with the girls I am discipling because I didn't realize that the E -line has 2 stops that are on 23rd street (one in Manhattan and the other in Queens)and when you get off of the one in Queens you can discover that their is a 44th Avenue, parallel to 44th Street, parallel to 44th Road all in a neat little row .... generally I think that NYC is well designed - that is not an example of that generalization (although I share those anecdotes primarily because I think they are kind of funny - they will be even funnier when I have more distance from them).
Don't get me wrong, I really love it here. This is a beautiful place and it is so exciting to be near so many people who don't like and think like me. It is also exciting to be living with people who love God and want to glorify him in all the crazy ways, but life has been hard for me here - sometime exhausting, sometimes overwhelming, and sometimes just an undefined feeling of funk.
This afternoon I was reading in John Eldridge's "Walking with God" and it really resonated with how I have been feeling here, he talks about how we are to use the idea of fruit Jesus talks about with reference to false teachings in a diagnostic way with the events of our life as well, "What is the fruit of what you are experiencing? What is its effect? If it continues, what will the results be? What will be lost?" I feel like the fruit of so much of what I have felt lately is not the fruit God desires for me personally or our project as a whole.
So I guess what I most covet as far as prayer goes is that the events surrounding us and our heart's responses to them will be the ones which most glorify God.
But as an evidence that not all has been bad (by any means) this is my dgroup family sharing dessert and dinner together. It was delightful.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Mako and NYCSalt
It should come as no surprise that it has been an amazing couple of days. We got to hear from Mako Fujimura, who is a Japanese painter and the founder of IAM who has been hugely instrumental in helping artists to engage the culture through their craft and this summer project.
After we got back Jenn Buell, one of the directors who lives in the city to work with transFORM (an arts ministry in NYC with Campus Crusade for Christ), introduced the theme of this year's show - re-humanization. Then we did a show-and-tell of each our art. That was really cool. I especially enjoyed getting to see the paintings Sarah R did - their are a ton of talented artists here but she just blew me away.
As wonderfully thrilling as it has been to start really digging into the art side of why we are here, the highlight of my past couple of days was actually this afternoon when a few of us went to the other end of Manhattan (literally - just for the record this takes a while) to see an art show put on by about 8 high school students involved in an after school program called nycsalt. This is an incredible program that is giving inner city youth an opportunity to spend their time and energy pursuing art instead of the myriad of other choices the city offers. I was incredibly impressed by the quality of work these students created, the dedication they have to the program, and the way they were able to articulate the technical aspects of their work. Even if none of them go into photography, it prepares them well for going into something. In fact, because of his involvement with nycsalt, Ruben, has been able to get a job at the mac store. It is just an awesome approach to intervention - a practical way of using art to rehumanize. It was also exciting because it gave me a chance to meet the woman who will be mentoring me this summer (part of the project involves interacting with a professional artist in your field who is also a believer and sort of learning how they work through that), Alicia Hansen. She seems to be the one who has spearheaded getting the equipment and teaches them every Tuesday. She has even taken them up to Syracuse University which really opened their eyes to the availability of higher education. It is just sooooooooo exciting.
Ways to Pray:
Pray that we be diligent in working on our art. It is easy to feel like we have lots of time that all of the sudden disappeared (nothing new about that).
Also pray that God lead our creative endeavors as we consider what we want to communicate about re-humanization and how best to that.
A lot of people on project (not just our track) have been experiencing unusual and unexpected health problems (including one of my roommates) - so please pray for our health.
Tomorrow we are buying art supplies and officially meeting our mentors over dinner. Pray that we make wise choices as we shop and that we connect with our mentors that we may grow together as children of God and artists.
Ruben explains his piece "No Dumping Allowed" at the nycsalt show.
After we got back Jenn Buell, one of the directors who lives in the city to work with transFORM (an arts ministry in NYC with Campus Crusade for Christ), introduced the theme of this year's show - re-humanization. Then we did a show-and-tell of each our art. That was really cool. I especially enjoyed getting to see the paintings Sarah R did - their are a ton of talented artists here but she just blew me away.
As wonderfully thrilling as it has been to start really digging into the art side of why we are here, the highlight of my past couple of days was actually this afternoon when a few of us went to the other end of Manhattan (literally - just for the record this takes a while) to see an art show put on by about 8 high school students involved in an after school program called nycsalt. This is an incredible program that is giving inner city youth an opportunity to spend their time and energy pursuing art instead of the myriad of other choices the city offers. I was incredibly impressed by the quality of work these students created, the dedication they have to the program, and the way they were able to articulate the technical aspects of their work. Even if none of them go into photography, it prepares them well for going into something. In fact, because of his involvement with nycsalt, Ruben, has been able to get a job at the mac store. It is just an awesome approach to intervention - a practical way of using art to rehumanize. It was also exciting because it gave me a chance to meet the woman who will be mentoring me this summer (part of the project involves interacting with a professional artist in your field who is also a believer and sort of learning how they work through that), Alicia Hansen. She seems to be the one who has spearheaded getting the equipment and teaches them every Tuesday. She has even taken them up to Syracuse University which really opened their eyes to the availability of higher education. It is just sooooooooo exciting.
Ways to Pray:
Pray that we be diligent in working on our art. It is easy to feel like we have lots of time that all of the sudden disappeared (nothing new about that).
Also pray that God lead our creative endeavors as we consider what we want to communicate about re-humanization and how best to that.
A lot of people on project (not just our track) have been experiencing unusual and unexpected health problems (including one of my roommates) - so please pray for our health.
Tomorrow we are buying art supplies and officially meeting our mentors over dinner. Pray that we make wise choices as we shop and that we connect with our mentors that we may grow together as children of God and artists.
Ruben explains his piece "No Dumping Allowed" at the nycsalt show.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
They have arrived!
Just a quick update….
The students arrived Tuesday. It was HOT (even for a South Carolina girl) but otherwise things went well. I am looking forward to getting to know them all – still working on the names and such.
Yesterday we turned them loose to familiarize themselves with the city and navigating it and then met up with them at the Rockefeller Center to get a bit of an aerial view of the city. And then the arts track scattered to eat (we can’t often dine out together because there are just too many of us).
Tiffany and I went with a small group to Chinatown (where I tried a dish with steamed frog and as my Grandpa Ray would say – I’ve had that) before making our way back to the dorms.
This morning we had the extraordinary privilege of have Reverend Peter DeArruda (one of the facilitators of NYSUM where we are residing) giving us a brief overview of the history and mission of what they are doing. It was such a great perspective adjustment – especially now as we feel as cramped as ever.
He talked about how we need to be candle lighters rather than darkness cursers, and then about Numbers 13-14. He reminded us that although God gave the Israelites the land – there were bumps along the way, God doesn’t give us everything on a silver platter because he wants to develop us (it was a lot of the same stuff that was taught at Stacey and Michael’s wedding – it was really great).
We still have a bit more orientation to go through before we get really involved in our ‘regular’ schedule … but before I scamper off –
Ways to Pray
That the perspective that Brother Peter gave us will really sink in and that we will be thankful for all that God has provided for us – even when it feels cramped and hot.
That we will be willing to relinquish our rights/plans for the summer and focus first on God and his purposes.
That we will be of one accord – unified with God and each other, and that we exercise wisdom and grace in the weeks to come.
Also one of the Inner City staff, Michelle, has been having some dizziness and headaches since our arrival. She went to a Doctor who sent her to a specialist and tomorrow she is getting an MRI. Pray that they have wisdom in figuring out what is going on and how best to treat it.
Winthrop at New York ...
The students arrived Tuesday. It was HOT (even for a South Carolina girl) but otherwise things went well. I am looking forward to getting to know them all – still working on the names and such.
Yesterday we turned them loose to familiarize themselves with the city and navigating it and then met up with them at the Rockefeller Center to get a bit of an aerial view of the city. And then the arts track scattered to eat (we can’t often dine out together because there are just too many of us).
Tiffany and I went with a small group to Chinatown (where I tried a dish with steamed frog and as my Grandpa Ray would say – I’ve had that) before making our way back to the dorms.
This morning we had the extraordinary privilege of have Reverend Peter DeArruda (one of the facilitators of NYSUM where we are residing) giving us a brief overview of the history and mission of what they are doing. It was such a great perspective adjustment – especially now as we feel as cramped as ever.
He talked about how we need to be candle lighters rather than darkness cursers, and then about Numbers 13-14. He reminded us that although God gave the Israelites the land – there were bumps along the way, God doesn’t give us everything on a silver platter because he wants to develop us (it was a lot of the same stuff that was taught at Stacey and Michael’s wedding – it was really great).
We still have a bit more orientation to go through before we get really involved in our ‘regular’ schedule … but before I scamper off –
Ways to Pray
That the perspective that Brother Peter gave us will really sink in and that we will be thankful for all that God has provided for us – even when it feels cramped and hot.
That we will be willing to relinquish our rights/plans for the summer and focus first on God and his purposes.
That we will be of one accord – unified with God and each other, and that we exercise wisdom and grace in the weeks to come.
Also one of the Inner City staff, Michelle, has been having some dizziness and headaches since our arrival. She went to a Doctor who sent her to a specialist and tomorrow she is getting an MRI. Pray that they have wisdom in figuring out what is going on and how best to treat it.
Winthrop at New York ...
Thursday, June 5, 2008
I have arrived!
I am safe and sound in New York City. The flight and taxi ride (the latter of which I was irrationally concerned about) both went smoothly and it didn’t take long for me to settle in. Today and the next couple of days are a time for the staff and interns to get everything set up before the students arrive and get a little familiarized with the city (turns out I am not the only one who has never been here before).
Today we spent a good chunk of time in small groups going around the city to pray and kind of gain some comfort and confidence in our ability to navigate. I was with Bonnie, Puc(both Arts Track), Michelle (Campus Track), and Dave (Inner City Track).
I don’t want to go too crazy with the details (I am trying to avoid any more 3-pagers) but suffice it to say it has been good and I am very excited. We are sleeping 6 to a room which should ensure lots of bonding (only one of my roommates, the other Arts Track intern, Tiffany, is here).
Areas of Prayer:
-Continued support raising. A lot of students are hovering around the $2,000 mark of the $3,600 they need before they come on June 10th. Pray that they continue to seek God in this and be proactive and trusting. Also that they have wisdom on Saturday when they have to make the final decision about if it is wise for them to come.
-Bonnie’s (one of the directors) debit card information got stolen before she left Atlanta and $600 of fraudulent charges were made. Thankfully her bank caught it so she won’t loose that but she is kind of in a bind because currently she can’t access her cash – and as it turns out a lot of the restaurants in the city don’t accept credit cards (apparently it slows things down – contrary to the commercial) so just pray that this issue be resolved soon so that she can not have to worry about eating and not be distracted with trying to sort this out.
-Grace and patience as we live so close together.
-Energy for our team – we all feel a little exhausted right now, even those of us not having to deal with jet lag.
This would of course be a more exciting picture without the fencing in the background but all of the good ones are on Mike's camera (I don't get super excited about passing mine off for strangers to take pictures with it - even if it is held together with rubber bands currently)
Today we spent a good chunk of time in small groups going around the city to pray and kind of gain some comfort and confidence in our ability to navigate. I was with Bonnie, Puc(both Arts Track), Michelle (Campus Track), and Dave (Inner City Track).
I don’t want to go too crazy with the details (I am trying to avoid any more 3-pagers) but suffice it to say it has been good and I am very excited. We are sleeping 6 to a room which should ensure lots of bonding (only one of my roommates, the other Arts Track intern, Tiffany, is here).
Areas of Prayer:
-Continued support raising. A lot of students are hovering around the $2,000 mark of the $3,600 they need before they come on June 10th. Pray that they continue to seek God in this and be proactive and trusting. Also that they have wisdom on Saturday when they have to make the final decision about if it is wise for them to come.
-Bonnie’s (one of the directors) debit card information got stolen before she left Atlanta and $600 of fraudulent charges were made. Thankfully her bank caught it so she won’t loose that but she is kind of in a bind because currently she can’t access her cash – and as it turns out a lot of the restaurants in the city don’t accept credit cards (apparently it slows things down – contrary to the commercial) so just pray that this issue be resolved soon so that she can not have to worry about eating and not be distracted with trying to sort this out.
-Grace and patience as we live so close together.
-Energy for our team – we all feel a little exhausted right now, even those of us not having to deal with jet lag.
This would of course be a more exciting picture without the fencing in the background but all of the good ones are on Mike's camera (I don't get super excited about passing mine off for strangers to take pictures with it - even if it is held together with rubber bands currently)
Monday, June 2, 2008
2 Days ...
I just wanted to drop a quick reminder to be praying for my projectmates as they continue to raise support. Although I have been incredibly blessed by a church family and network of friends who have been able and willing to enable me to reach full support, many are still very far behind and they have to have it all raised when they report on June 10th. Please pray that they be persistent in seeking it, and that God brings to them people with a heart for missions and/or art. Pray that God will give them courage to ask people and to make phone calls to follow up with letters and that he will give them wisdom to know what to do.
Raising support can be both the scariest and most rewarding part of the summer project experience. I have found that each time, although it can be scary and so hard to ask for money (which sometimes feels like the most burdensome thing to ask), it is so awesome to be able to experience the body of Christ coming together and functioning as many parts of one thing. So please remember them in your prayers.
Below is a message I recieved from Carlee this morning about her need ...
Hi friends, I hope you are all well.
So, I have about a week and a day until I am supposed to fly out to NYC for Summer Project. My support goal is $3600, and right now I have $2000. Praise God for getting me this far! Relatives I have never met and who don't send money to people (according to my mom) have sent me money. My grandmother alone raised $700 by passing around my letter where she works. My third grade teacher, who I haven't seen since then, is sending me support. It's been pretty amazing and I am so excited and encouraged to see all of this happening.
If you're awesome at math like me, you can see I have $1600 left to raise. I've sent letters to everyone I can possibly think of so I don't know where the rest of it is going to come from. I've heard dramatic stories, some of them yours, about God coming through at the last minute ("at the 11:59th hour," said my support coach), and I know that if God wants me to go to New York, He will get me there.
I just need you all to pray for me- most of you are already but this is so we can be on the same page I guess-
-that my faith is strengthened by all that God is doing (instead of me focusing too much on what hasn't happened yet)
-that my parents' eyes are opened by this and their faith is strengthened, and they turn to God more and more
-that my sister's heart is opened to God and she sees that God is orchestrating this
-that I can 'let' God handle the big stuff, the little stuff, and everything in between
-for the people I will meet in the city
-that I will focus more on what's going on in my heart and the hearts of the people I'm praying for in preparing for this trip than what's going into my suitcase
Raising support can be both the scariest and most rewarding part of the summer project experience. I have found that each time, although it can be scary and so hard to ask for money (which sometimes feels like the most burdensome thing to ask), it is so awesome to be able to experience the body of Christ coming together and functioning as many parts of one thing. So please remember them in your prayers.
Below is a message I recieved from Carlee this morning about her need ...
Hi friends, I hope you are all well.
So, I have about a week and a day until I am supposed to fly out to NYC for Summer Project. My support goal is $3600, and right now I have $2000. Praise God for getting me this far! Relatives I have never met and who don't send money to people (according to my mom) have sent me money. My grandmother alone raised $700 by passing around my letter where she works. My third grade teacher, who I haven't seen since then, is sending me support. It's been pretty amazing and I am so excited and encouraged to see all of this happening.
If you're awesome at math like me, you can see I have $1600 left to raise. I've sent letters to everyone I can possibly think of so I don't know where the rest of it is going to come from. I've heard dramatic stories, some of them yours, about God coming through at the last minute ("at the 11:59th hour," said my support coach), and I know that if God wants me to go to New York, He will get me there.
I just need you all to pray for me- most of you are already but this is so we can be on the same page I guess-
-that my faith is strengthened by all that God is doing (instead of me focusing too much on what hasn't happened yet)
-that my parents' eyes are opened by this and their faith is strengthened, and they turn to God more and more
-that my sister's heart is opened to God and she sees that God is orchestrating this
-that I can 'let' God handle the big stuff, the little stuff, and everything in between
-for the people I will meet in the city
-that I will focus more on what's going on in my heart and the hearts of the people I'm praying for in preparing for this trip than what's going into my suitcase
Sunday, June 1, 2008
3 short days ...
It feels unreal how quickly New York is approaching. Only a few days left during which I need to pack; finish up Thank You notes; finish reading a library book I have; and tie up the other loose odds and ends.
Woo. Intense. But good.
I wasn't really planning to update again before I arrived, but I read something in Katie's (one of my Freshman residents who is spending her summer interning at a church in Dublin through Mission to the World) blog while she reflected on the stateside briefing she just finished up, and I just had to share it ...
"Do you believe that the Gospel is powerful to use you? Do you believe that God is powerful enough to bring about His kingdom through you?" Woah. This work set out before is not about our gifts or what have you. This work is about God and we just have to believe that He is powerful enough to use us
It is such a great reminder - these things never are about us anyway. While that is humbling (because I will be honest sometimes I want the world to be centered all about me - it is the same part of me that always wanted to be the prima ballarina when I was little) it is so relieving. Just because I fail at life sometimes doesn't mean that God can't still use me. More and more he reminds me that nothing is ever wasted.
Prayer things:
-Travel on Wednesday (the only part I am nervous is procuring a taxi to take me from the airport to our dorms in Queens - I have never done the big city thing alone before)
-Soulariums, I have done all but 3 and two of them I have set up to do with one of my co-workers and her boyfriend. So overall that is a matter of praise.
-All of the other short term mission kids. I am not at all unique in doing this, in fact off of the top of my head I couldn't tell you how many people just from my circle of friends at Winthrop are leaving home to try and spread God's love the whole world round and that is exciting. A few of them are, Katie in Ireland; Summer in Sweden; Laura in Argentina; Hannah in Honduras; Grace in Barbados; Emily in Gatlinburg; Kelly Lee in Daytona; Cameron in Asia; Courtney in Disney; Amanda in Colorado; Lauren in North Africa; and Julie, Daniel, Heyward, Carlee, Lawana, & Jennifer who will all be in New York with me. The specifics of each of our summer vary, although most of us are focusing on university campuses or peers in the work force it will be an intense summer all around. (I do not by any means to neglect the many others whose mission field is their summer job or even just being in class or with their family - truly we all are called to be missionaries whereever we are placed - but it could be a little excessive for me to list every Christian I know so I limited myself to those who are affliated with some manner of oragnization and even so I am sure I omited someone).
Woo. Intense. But good.
I wasn't really planning to update again before I arrived, but I read something in Katie's (one of my Freshman residents who is spending her summer interning at a church in Dublin through Mission to the World) blog while she reflected on the stateside briefing she just finished up, and I just had to share it ...
"Do you believe that the Gospel is powerful to use you? Do you believe that God is powerful enough to bring about His kingdom through you?" Woah. This work set out before is not about our gifts or what have you. This work is about God and we just have to believe that He is powerful enough to use us
It is such a great reminder - these things never are about us anyway. While that is humbling (because I will be honest sometimes I want the world to be centered all about me - it is the same part of me that always wanted to be the prima ballarina when I was little) it is so relieving. Just because I fail at life sometimes doesn't mean that God can't still use me. More and more he reminds me that nothing is ever wasted.
Prayer things:
-Travel on Wednesday (the only part I am nervous is procuring a taxi to take me from the airport to our dorms in Queens - I have never done the big city thing alone before)
-Soulariums, I have done all but 3 and two of them I have set up to do with one of my co-workers and her boyfriend. So overall that is a matter of praise.
-All of the other short term mission kids. I am not at all unique in doing this, in fact off of the top of my head I couldn't tell you how many people just from my circle of friends at Winthrop are leaving home to try and spread God's love the whole world round and that is exciting. A few of them are, Katie in Ireland; Summer in Sweden; Laura in Argentina; Hannah in Honduras; Grace in Barbados; Emily in Gatlinburg; Kelly Lee in Daytona; Cameron in Asia; Courtney in Disney; Amanda in Colorado; Lauren in North Africa; and Julie, Daniel, Heyward, Carlee, Lawana, & Jennifer who will all be in New York with me. The specifics of each of our summer vary, although most of us are focusing on university campuses or peers in the work force it will be an intense summer all around. (I do not by any means to neglect the many others whose mission field is their summer job or even just being in class or with their family - truly we all are called to be missionaries whereever we are placed - but it could be a little excessive for me to list every Christian I know so I limited myself to those who are affliated with some manner of oragnization and even so I am sure I omited someone).
Thursday, May 29, 2008
just 6 days...
In less than a week I will be breathing big city air. I am a little nervous but overall excited. I know this summer will be both hard and good.
I have started narrowing down what I want to take (funny how much harder that feels now that I know I can only take one checked suitcase - which is all that I took to Asia and I did just fine) and so long as I can resist the impulse to bring a thousand books and/or old journals it shouldn't be too bad.
I have full support which is always an exciting feeling but I still have 6 soulariums (an image survey originally created to help us gage what people are thinking about spiritual things) I need to do and that is a little daunting (especially since there are not so many people around with summer school and all).
Ways you can be praying:
That I find people (particularly guys since 5 of those 6 are supposed to be people of the male persuasion) who are willing to talk about life and God through images.
That all of my team members reach their support goals and that our hearts be prepared for the ways God will use and stretch us.
I have started narrowing down what I want to take (funny how much harder that feels now that I know I can only take one checked suitcase - which is all that I took to Asia and I did just fine) and so long as I can resist the impulse to bring a thousand books and/or old journals it shouldn't be too bad.
I have full support which is always an exciting feeling but I still have 6 soulariums (an image survey originally created to help us gage what people are thinking about spiritual things) I need to do and that is a little daunting (especially since there are not so many people around with summer school and all).
Ways you can be praying:
That I find people (particularly guys since 5 of those 6 are supposed to be people of the male persuasion) who are willing to talk about life and God through images.
That all of my team members reach their support goals and that our hearts be prepared for the ways God will use and stretch us.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
More introductions .... who I am (the not nearly so brief as I had intended version)
Now that you know what this blog's purpose is, I suppose now would be a good time to clarify who this mysterious "I" is (although I assume that most visitors to this page know me a little, it never hurts to bring clarity).
I am a third year student of photography and anthropology (prior to which I spent two years oscillating between studying math and physics at a tech school close to my home).
Within the first two weeks of my transfer to my current university I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and it became one of the most significant parts of my college experience (followed closely by being a Resident Assistant).
I had grown up hearing about Jesus my whole life (living on a Christian camp with do that for you) but it wasn’t until 7th grade that I started to make that knowledge a personal thing. Even then I don’t think I really started to understand what it meant to live life for the author of life until high school, and that was largely under the influence of my best friend and her family.
During this time I began to understand that being Christian was more than just going to church on a mostly regular basis. I started to see the value of spending regular time reading the bible and reflections on it. I started to learn that God was someone who was worth sacrificing for – even if they were good things because his things are better. These six years (from my freshman year of high school through my sophomore year of college while I was living with my grandparents) were a foundational time for me.
When I transferred to a university far enough from home that I would have to live on campus and find a new home church I was a little nervous but absolutely determined to make the best of the much anticipated college experience. At our convocation picnic I gather materials for every college ministry and local church I could find. That night I dumped them all on my bed where I sort through them and vowed to visit everyone and then decide where it would be best to make my niche.
That didn’t play through precisely as I had planned for it to. Of the churches I don’t think I visited more than six before I found a small church with a wise and down to earth pastor, and a Sunday school led by a man who reminded me of C.S. Lewis (except that he was Australian) and I knew that was where I wanted to be.
And as far as trying all of the campus ministries went, lets just say that after my first night at the weekly meeting for Campus Crusade for Christ I just didn’t desire to go anywhere else (particularly anywhere that met at the same time).
That first year went well, but it was a time of many changes. I left the math program to become an art major, I became an RA, and I spent my Spring Break in Mississippi trying to help people get their lives back together in the aftermath of Katrina.
I left Mississippi that week feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things still left to be done, so when I heard that there was an opportunity to do a summer project there I jumped at the chance. Prior to that week I had made up my mind that I couldn’t possibly go this year, too many things to work out, I would just go next year (in fact I was beginning to be annoyed with our staff lady every time she brought it up) – but that week made me realize that next year just wasn’t soon enough.
I got home and started filling out my application, and in the process I began to look at all of the other options for summer project there are and as a whim I decided to fill all the five blanks it leaves for project preferences and my fifth choice was the most whimsical of all – Seattle (fact: my knowledge of the west coast was so poor I don’t I could have told you it was in Washington state prior to all of this). I wasn’t planning to go to any place but Mississippi, but I still put them all down.
When school let out I still hadn’t heard back so I decided that clearly it wasn’t ‘God’s will’ for me to go, but seeking some official closure I called the director of the Mississippi project. She very apologetically informed me that the project was already full and somehow my application had slipped through the cracks before I was told this. All but two of my other choices were also full – would I like her to forward my application to either Chicago or Seattle?
I was still pretty certain I wouldn’t go, but I figured no harm in letting her forward it, Seattle’s dates were more convenient and prison ministry sounded cool so I told her she could pass it along.
It wasn’t long before that project director, Tom Durrant, was calling. He wanted to know if I was serious about the project, I told him I wasn’t. He kept talking to me anyway. He told me they needed an official photographer and that I would be well suited for it, and I started to warm to the idea.
I don’t know precisely what pushed me out of my indecisiveness, but about a month before I was supposed to arrive I knew I had to go so I bought my plane ticket and sent out my support letters. Despite all odds, everything worked out perfectly. While I was in Seattle I was nudged a little bit out of my comfort zone and I was able to experience some beautiful things in the prisons, on the streets, and in our dorm. I learned a lot about everything and God taught me so much about how to rely on him for everything – even loving.
I came back, continued working as a RA, took more art classes, declared a minor of anthropology, and knew that I wanted to spend the following summer doing a summer project in East Asia. I learned a lot about letting go of fear and then found myself spending about 5 weeks in a closed country talking about Jesus with people who could very well loose their physical life as soon as they accepted that eternal life.
More nudges out of my comfort zone, particularly when it came to sharing the gospel in clear direct terms. I was able to realize that the gospel really is so precious and it needs to be shared – always. Some of my friends listened eagerly and asked tons of questions and some avoided me for a week or two after I shared. But it was all so good.
I came back again. I was an RA in a freshmen hall and I was able to co-lead a small bible study with some freshmen and sophomore women. I got to watch them grow throughout the year and I learned how to love the women on my hall who I initially assumed would be the bane of my existence. I was given a glimpse of the excitement God must feel when he looks at the lives of these precious women, some who had accepted him and were seeking him, some who were still running away. In some ways I feel like the entire 22 years I lived were a preparation for this one year of living with those 40-plus women.
But I feel like that often. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if I left this summer feeling that ways again. Funny how God doesn’t waste any part of our past and prepares us for the places he calls us to.
This summer, I have been couch hopping and working anticipating Jun 4 when I fly up to New York City to make my home for 6 weeks among artists seeking to use their calling to the arts to glorify God and help bring some healing to our broken culture. As a student intern I will be able to really pour into other women and grow together with them.
I am excited and scared out of my mind all at once. This summer will have hard times, but I am confident it will ultimately be good. I know God will do big things because that is just how he operates.
I also know that this was supposed to be a brief introduction and it is now fifty years long, so I shall stop.
(I promise I won't always be so longwinded)
I am a third year student of photography and anthropology (prior to which I spent two years oscillating between studying math and physics at a tech school close to my home).
Within the first two weeks of my transfer to my current university I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and it became one of the most significant parts of my college experience (followed closely by being a Resident Assistant).
I had grown up hearing about Jesus my whole life (living on a Christian camp with do that for you) but it wasn’t until 7th grade that I started to make that knowledge a personal thing. Even then I don’t think I really started to understand what it meant to live life for the author of life until high school, and that was largely under the influence of my best friend and her family.
During this time I began to understand that being Christian was more than just going to church on a mostly regular basis. I started to see the value of spending regular time reading the bible and reflections on it. I started to learn that God was someone who was worth sacrificing for – even if they were good things because his things are better. These six years (from my freshman year of high school through my sophomore year of college while I was living with my grandparents) were a foundational time for me.
When I transferred to a university far enough from home that I would have to live on campus and find a new home church I was a little nervous but absolutely determined to make the best of the much anticipated college experience. At our convocation picnic I gather materials for every college ministry and local church I could find. That night I dumped them all on my bed where I sort through them and vowed to visit everyone and then decide where it would be best to make my niche.
That didn’t play through precisely as I had planned for it to. Of the churches I don’t think I visited more than six before I found a small church with a wise and down to earth pastor, and a Sunday school led by a man who reminded me of C.S. Lewis (except that he was Australian) and I knew that was where I wanted to be.
And as far as trying all of the campus ministries went, lets just say that after my first night at the weekly meeting for Campus Crusade for Christ I just didn’t desire to go anywhere else (particularly anywhere that met at the same time).
That first year went well, but it was a time of many changes. I left the math program to become an art major, I became an RA, and I spent my Spring Break in Mississippi trying to help people get their lives back together in the aftermath of Katrina.
I left Mississippi that week feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things still left to be done, so when I heard that there was an opportunity to do a summer project there I jumped at the chance. Prior to that week I had made up my mind that I couldn’t possibly go this year, too many things to work out, I would just go next year (in fact I was beginning to be annoyed with our staff lady every time she brought it up) – but that week made me realize that next year just wasn’t soon enough.
I got home and started filling out my application, and in the process I began to look at all of the other options for summer project there are and as a whim I decided to fill all the five blanks it leaves for project preferences and my fifth choice was the most whimsical of all – Seattle (fact: my knowledge of the west coast was so poor I don’t I could have told you it was in Washington state prior to all of this). I wasn’t planning to go to any place but Mississippi, but I still put them all down.
When school let out I still hadn’t heard back so I decided that clearly it wasn’t ‘God’s will’ for me to go, but seeking some official closure I called the director of the Mississippi project. She very apologetically informed me that the project was already full and somehow my application had slipped through the cracks before I was told this. All but two of my other choices were also full – would I like her to forward my application to either Chicago or Seattle?
I was still pretty certain I wouldn’t go, but I figured no harm in letting her forward it, Seattle’s dates were more convenient and prison ministry sounded cool so I told her she could pass it along.
It wasn’t long before that project director, Tom Durrant, was calling. He wanted to know if I was serious about the project, I told him I wasn’t. He kept talking to me anyway. He told me they needed an official photographer and that I would be well suited for it, and I started to warm to the idea.
I don’t know precisely what pushed me out of my indecisiveness, but about a month before I was supposed to arrive I knew I had to go so I bought my plane ticket and sent out my support letters. Despite all odds, everything worked out perfectly. While I was in Seattle I was nudged a little bit out of my comfort zone and I was able to experience some beautiful things in the prisons, on the streets, and in our dorm. I learned a lot about everything and God taught me so much about how to rely on him for everything – even loving.
I came back, continued working as a RA, took more art classes, declared a minor of anthropology, and knew that I wanted to spend the following summer doing a summer project in East Asia. I learned a lot about letting go of fear and then found myself spending about 5 weeks in a closed country talking about Jesus with people who could very well loose their physical life as soon as they accepted that eternal life.
More nudges out of my comfort zone, particularly when it came to sharing the gospel in clear direct terms. I was able to realize that the gospel really is so precious and it needs to be shared – always. Some of my friends listened eagerly and asked tons of questions and some avoided me for a week or two after I shared. But it was all so good.
I came back again. I was an RA in a freshmen hall and I was able to co-lead a small bible study with some freshmen and sophomore women. I got to watch them grow throughout the year and I learned how to love the women on my hall who I initially assumed would be the bane of my existence. I was given a glimpse of the excitement God must feel when he looks at the lives of these precious women, some who had accepted him and were seeking him, some who were still running away. In some ways I feel like the entire 22 years I lived were a preparation for this one year of living with those 40-plus women.
But I feel like that often. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if I left this summer feeling that ways again. Funny how God doesn’t waste any part of our past and prepares us for the places he calls us to.
This summer, I have been couch hopping and working anticipating Jun 4 when I fly up to New York City to make my home for 6 weeks among artists seeking to use their calling to the arts to glorify God and help bring some healing to our broken culture. As a student intern I will be able to really pour into other women and grow together with them.
I am excited and scared out of my mind all at once. This summer will have hard times, but I am confident it will ultimately be good. I know God will do big things because that is just how he operates.
I also know that this was supposed to be a brief introduction and it is now fifty years long, so I shall stop.
(I promise I won't always be so longwinded)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Introductions ....
I feel like it is always good for things to begin with some manner of introduction or preamble or such thing. So here it goes.
This is my blog, it is not my first blog but it is a special one, it is one devoted to recording my exploits with summer project (and hopefully ministry/cru stuff at home after I get back). When I began preparing to go on the New York City: Arts track project I started a different blog that was supposed to be summer project and art - but it became so arts focused that I felt like it might be a little overwhelming for people to keep up with if they only wanted to know what was going on and how to best pray for me. Thus this blog.
It is my goal to update between 1-2 times a week while I am in the city ... we shall see what happens.
This is my blog, it is not my first blog but it is a special one, it is one devoted to recording my exploits with summer project (and hopefully ministry/cru stuff at home after I get back). When I began preparing to go on the New York City: Arts track project I started a different blog that was supposed to be summer project and art - but it became so arts focused that I felt like it might be a little overwhelming for people to keep up with if they only wanted to know what was going on and how to best pray for me. Thus this blog.
It is my goal to update between 1-2 times a week while I am in the city ... we shall see what happens.
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