Bliss

Grace: Is this Katy Perry?
me: No, it's Brittany Spears
Grace: Oh... thanks for putting up with my ignorance...
Julie: It's okay. Ignorance is bliss.

Chihuly in Venice

Disciples

How come Jesus did not have any female disciples? Historical & cultural context?

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

MY FRIEND CINDY GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrNE82VIuFo&feature=share

email to-fro parents

Dad,

I get points marked off from presentations because I'm "too humorous"

=(

Mom,

I get points marked off in the clinic because I "smile too much"

=(

I think your genes are causing me to get bad grades in school......... 

------------

Cecilia,

It’s OK, as long as you can pass the courses!

On humor and smiling, you need to learn “where” “when” and “how”.  It is a good experience to pay attention to this, congratulations!  I am quite serious when I am discussing academic issues….  It is an advanced skill if you can using “sense of humor” and “seriousness” interactively with appropriateness.

Anyway, you have good genes!

God Bless!

Dad

insightful bits

I've been reading about my Brazil team leaders R & R's adventures. Below are two snippets I've c&p'd.

'Walk peacefully with Me through this day. You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you. You must traverse this day like any other one: one step at a time. Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step. The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me. This is a training experience since I designed you for a deep dependence on your Shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing my help.

'When you don’t know what to do, wait while I open the way before you. Trust that I know what I’m doing. And be ready to follow my lead. I will give you strength and will bless you with Peace.

Exodus 33:14, Deut. 33:25, Hebrews 13:20-21, Psalm 29:11

From “Jesus Calling” Sarah Young

This week we are busy in preparing for a "mini-distribution" and disability ministry training session in Jaurez Mexico. Yes, we know, Jaurez is a very dangerous place but as Jenny Hanks always says, "the safest place for a Christian to be is in the center of God's will...."

Boston Schweitzer Fellowship

Apparently a year has passed since I first took part in the Boston Schweitzer Fellowship.

One of my personal challenges in being part of this fellowship was comparing myself with the other 24 fellows. Their passions for their projects and compassion towards underserved populations overflowed, and they all seemed to have such discipline and focus. I sometimes questioned whether or not I was doing enough or even if my project were as valuable as theirs.

Today was our day-long closing retreat. We each had the opportunity to reflect and share our lessons learned from our experience as a Schweitzer Fellow.

I particularly appreciate the way the fellowship encouraged introspection - going deeper and figuring out our motivations for serving. For me personally I have to say that my ultimate driving force is my Christian faith; I believe that

1. Every single human being has inherent value
2. The world we live in is not supposed to be this messed up

It's been such a privilege to work with Chinese families affected by Autism this past year while hearing updates on 24 other projects in Boston. These grad students have been working with populations ranging from African refugees lacking access to primary care to teenage girls recovering from drug addictions.

To me, each project has been a glimpse of restoration in this messed up world. I see each fellow as an instrument used to restore a sense of worth in people who may have lost it in society. And the way we're enlivened through these new relationships remind me that we need each other. It's a beautiful thing - how caring relationships can blend "giver" and "receiver" into partnership, community, and hope.

This realization overpowers my interest in comparing myself with my fellow fellows. I just feel extremely blessed and thankful to be part of a much bigger picture.