Sunday, September 28, 2008
Hello!
Hope you've had a nice weekend! Mine has been active and fun. Took a swimming technique class yesterday, went to my first Cal football game (3 of my neighbors participated. . .a player, a coach, and a band player - so cool, oh and they won big time!), hung out with friends from church, helped out at the nursery at church, and went to my SNAP (Special Needs Aquatics Program) volunteer training. But, I am also rather under the weather and am feeling very low energy right now. I'm in the middle of baking cookies for my small groups this week. . .and it's my turn to clean the kitchen - we'll see what my body thinks about that. Pray that energy comes back soon! I think it's going to be a somewhat "normal" week - it's nice to have a rough schedule in place again. Friday the staff team is taking a field trip to San Fran - if you have any tips about how we should spend our time there let me know! My mom and grandma fly in from Holland this week - looking forward to seeing them at some point as well. Have a blessed week!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
And. . .
I forgot a fun highlight - I bought a pair of rain boots at Target for $5. . .super sale! They're black with while pokadots and bright pink on the inside. So cute! In the past I refused to buy rain boots because I firmly believed that would encourage the rain to come. Well, I now realize that there will be no stopping the rainy season (it even sprinkled a bit on Friday) here so I better embrace it and try to look trendy while I'm at it. Here's to still hoping for a sunny week even if that means I don't get to wear my steal of a deal!
Highlights
You just never know what a weekend might hold - here were some of my highlights! What were some of yours?
- game night at Maria's, so many students here have never played Catch Phrase -many were introduced to the game. . .and now they will never choose studying over games again!
- great time at home. . .wide-open spaces, Dutch customers, late lunch with a great friend (who just bought a house - wow!), good family time, a relatively short travel time to and fro!
- getting to share the Gospel with Kelly, she was very receptive. . .didn't make a decision for Christ in the dinning hall but said she would later - exciting, pray!
- sailing in the San Fransisco bay with my pastor and his wife!! how cool is this? As I was leaving church this morning the pastor asked if I wanted to join them - you bet I did, I am such a water girl! A very beautiful sunny afternoon, awesome views, and great conversation with an awesome couple. . .I'm so thankful for their thoughtfulness!
- changing the sheets on my bed. . .okay, this is a weird one but I just love doing this especially as I anticipate getting to crawl into a fresh, clean bed - it's always been one of my favorite things!
- homemade granola awaiting for me when I awake in the morning, yum!
- the thought of another week and the highlights it will contain - I love abundant life in Christ, we don't know what's around the corner but we do know that it'll be for His glory and our good if we are abiding in Him and seeking His will, not our own!
Have a great week!
- game night at Maria's, so many students here have never played Catch Phrase -many were introduced to the game. . .and now they will never choose studying over games again!
- great time at home. . .wide-open spaces, Dutch customers, late lunch with a great friend (who just bought a house - wow!), good family time, a relatively short travel time to and fro!
- getting to share the Gospel with Kelly, she was very receptive. . .didn't make a decision for Christ in the dinning hall but said she would later - exciting, pray!
- sailing in the San Fransisco bay with my pastor and his wife!! how cool is this? As I was leaving church this morning the pastor asked if I wanted to join them - you bet I did, I am such a water girl! A very beautiful sunny afternoon, awesome views, and great conversation with an awesome couple. . .I'm so thankful for their thoughtfulness!
- changing the sheets on my bed. . .okay, this is a weird one but I just love doing this especially as I anticipate getting to crawl into a fresh, clean bed - it's always been one of my favorite things!
- homemade granola awaiting for me when I awake in the morning, yum!
- the thought of another week and the highlights it will contain - I love abundant life in Christ, we don't know what's around the corner but we do know that it'll be for His glory and our good if we are abiding in Him and seeking His will, not our own!
Have a great week!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Week 4
Well, it's hard to believe that week 4 of the semester has come and gone. . .especially since Cal Poly SLO hasn't even begun yet! I've had opportunities to take faith-filled risks for the Lord this week, I hope you can look back and say the same as well. And I am definitely using the word "risk" loosely. . .a risk can be something so small, like saying hi to someone when you normally find your self being self-focused. I actually led my sophomore small group through Matthew 14:22-33 and it was so fun to dig deep into that water-walking passage together as well as to encourage them to get out of the boat with me!
Let's see, I took a risk with Deb and went back into the dorms for more follow up - though no one was home it was fun to at least step out in faith and be willing to be used. Now I am transitioning to hanging out with the 5 girls, thus far, that are coming to my freshmen small group with the intent of getting to know them better on many different levels. I am learning that one is not a believer (we're hanging out on Sun - pray!), one is not really walking with the Lord (though coming to small group - cool!), 2 are "fellowship hopping" (I hope they choose us. . .although the other fellowship is great as well!), and the last one seems to be committed. . .yay! I am praying that the Lord pursues these girls, and really the 500 other women in my target area, like crazy. . .knowing that His pursuit of them won't always include me, but I definitely want to keep a "here I am, send me" mentality.
I have also been trying to take some risks in my personal life. I had a handful of girls who are in my stage of life over for dinner on Wednesday night - fun! This friend-making business is hard though, I haven't really had to do it since coming to college and it was really easy then - they all lived in my dorm! Hum, I need to give it time and energy. I also am looking for ways to meet nonbelievers in the community. I think I am going to join the YMCA - fun workout classes, a swimming pool, and a great way to hopefully see some of the same faces week in and week out. . .a great place to do ministry! Also, I am going to begin volunteering with a program called SNAP (special needs aquatic program) - I am beyond excited about this! I get to be a one-on-one aid for a child with special needs while we play/swim in the pool for physical therapy/fun every week. This is right up my ally. . .I'm going to a training next Sunday, I'll keep you posted!
Well, the sun was out earlier but now it looks like it's going to rain. . .hum. Going to a game night tonight and then headed home for the day tomorrow - first time since moving here, I keep thinking that I'm at least 10 hours away because Berkeley is just SO different! The 1 1/2 hour drive will be nice. . .as well as seeing the family and helping out. Hope you have a great weekend!
Let's see, I took a risk with Deb and went back into the dorms for more follow up - though no one was home it was fun to at least step out in faith and be willing to be used. Now I am transitioning to hanging out with the 5 girls, thus far, that are coming to my freshmen small group with the intent of getting to know them better on many different levels. I am learning that one is not a believer (we're hanging out on Sun - pray!), one is not really walking with the Lord (though coming to small group - cool!), 2 are "fellowship hopping" (I hope they choose us. . .although the other fellowship is great as well!), and the last one seems to be committed. . .yay! I am praying that the Lord pursues these girls, and really the 500 other women in my target area, like crazy. . .knowing that His pursuit of them won't always include me, but I definitely want to keep a "here I am, send me" mentality.
I have also been trying to take some risks in my personal life. I had a handful of girls who are in my stage of life over for dinner on Wednesday night - fun! This friend-making business is hard though, I haven't really had to do it since coming to college and it was really easy then - they all lived in my dorm! Hum, I need to give it time and energy. I also am looking for ways to meet nonbelievers in the community. I think I am going to join the YMCA - fun workout classes, a swimming pool, and a great way to hopefully see some of the same faces week in and week out. . .a great place to do ministry! Also, I am going to begin volunteering with a program called SNAP (special needs aquatic program) - I am beyond excited about this! I get to be a one-on-one aid for a child with special needs while we play/swim in the pool for physical therapy/fun every week. This is right up my ally. . .I'm going to a training next Sunday, I'll keep you posted!
Well, the sun was out earlier but now it looks like it's going to rain. . .hum. Going to a game night tonight and then headed home for the day tomorrow - first time since moving here, I keep thinking that I'm at least 10 hours away because Berkeley is just SO different! The 1 1/2 hour drive will be nice. . .as well as seeing the family and helping out. Hope you have a great weekend!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I want to be. . .
a water-walker (like Peter in Matthew 14). A faith-filled risk taker for God's glory.
Being a risk taker does not come naturally to me. I was the girl that bashfully hid behind her mama's skirt. I was scarred of my best friend's dog. . .so much so that every time I came over (which was a lot!) they had to chain him up, poor guy. I even hated just the thought (and still do. . .) of slimy things like snakes and fish. I wouldn't climb very high on the jungle gym for fear of falling. Really, all these things stem from fears and an inability to take a risk and step out in faith.
Hum - those are small examples and there are certainly much bigger and more relevant examples too. Really, what it comes down to is that fact that I gravitate toward comfort and the things that are easy.
Thankfully there is another way to live and that's the way I want to choose daily. This afternoon I walked over to the park and began reading "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat" by John Ortberg. The sun was shining (thank you Lord!) and I was surrounded by kids - many who were flying down little hills on their bikes and who were climbing oh-so high on jungle gyms - kids who were taking risks, and seemed to do so fearlessly. Well, though I may not be fearless as I live a faith-filled life I am learning that it's worth it and that sometimes there's no other way when it comes to taking a risk and being uncomfortable. . .
"Fear and growth go together like macaroni and cheese. It's a package deal. The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life."
"Both choices - risk and comfort - tend to grow into a habit. Each time you get out of the boat, you become a little more likely to get out the next time. It's not that the fear goes away, but that you get used to living with the fear. You realize that it does not have the power to destroy you."
I can see a theme forming for this year and I've only been here (exactly) 1 month. It's faith and what the looks like in a new place. Where there are lots of fears. Lots of opportunities to choose comforts over risks. May the thought of stepping out of the boat and onto the water with Jesus be completely compelling in every area of my life. May risk-taking happen not only in the big areas of life but also in the small. May we count the cost of a faith-filled life and know that it is entirely worth it!
I'll end with the closing question of Chapter 1. . .
- Where are you in relation to Jesus these days?
a. Huddled in the boat with a life preserver and the seat belt on
b. One leg in, one leg out
c. I'm walking on the water - and loving it
d. I'm out of the boat - but the wind looks pretty bad
Currently I'm "d" and I'm learning that this hard place can be a good place to be.
Being a risk taker does not come naturally to me. I was the girl that bashfully hid behind her mama's skirt. I was scarred of my best friend's dog. . .so much so that every time I came over (which was a lot!) they had to chain him up, poor guy. I even hated just the thought (and still do. . .) of slimy things like snakes and fish. I wouldn't climb very high on the jungle gym for fear of falling. Really, all these things stem from fears and an inability to take a risk and step out in faith.
Hum - those are small examples and there are certainly much bigger and more relevant examples too. Really, what it comes down to is that fact that I gravitate toward comfort and the things that are easy.
Thankfully there is another way to live and that's the way I want to choose daily. This afternoon I walked over to the park and began reading "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat" by John Ortberg. The sun was shining (thank you Lord!) and I was surrounded by kids - many who were flying down little hills on their bikes and who were climbing oh-so high on jungle gyms - kids who were taking risks, and seemed to do so fearlessly. Well, though I may not be fearless as I live a faith-filled life I am learning that it's worth it and that sometimes there's no other way when it comes to taking a risk and being uncomfortable. . .
"Fear and growth go together like macaroni and cheese. It's a package deal. The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life."
"Both choices - risk and comfort - tend to grow into a habit. Each time you get out of the boat, you become a little more likely to get out the next time. It's not that the fear goes away, but that you get used to living with the fear. You realize that it does not have the power to destroy you."
I can see a theme forming for this year and I've only been here (exactly) 1 month. It's faith and what the looks like in a new place. Where there are lots of fears. Lots of opportunities to choose comforts over risks. May the thought of stepping out of the boat and onto the water with Jesus be completely compelling in every area of my life. May risk-taking happen not only in the big areas of life but also in the small. May we count the cost of a faith-filled life and know that it is entirely worth it!
I'll end with the closing question of Chapter 1. . .
- Where are you in relation to Jesus these days?
a. Huddled in the boat with a life preserver and the seat belt on
b. One leg in, one leg out
c. I'm walking on the water - and loving it
d. I'm out of the boat - but the wind looks pretty bad
Currently I'm "d" and I'm learning that this hard place can be a good place to be.
Monterey Market - round 2
bananas
1 nectarine
1 grape fruit
golden raspberries
1 avacado
1 green bell pepper
1 eggplant
2 yams
dozen eggs
1 bagel (random :))
guess the grand total by leaving a coment!
1 nectarine
1 grape fruit
golden raspberries
1 avacado
1 green bell pepper
1 eggplant
2 yams
dozen eggs
1 bagel (random :))
guess the grand total by leaving a coment!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Gospel
This is in addition to my post earlier today - so maybe read that first. I'm definitely experiencing/feeling/noticing/breaking in ways that I've never before. What I am finding is that the Gospel rings even truer then it ever has before. And I don't, in this case, mean in terms of sharing the Good News with others but you see, what I do mean, is the need to preach the Gospel into my own heart moment by moment. The Gospel is what satisfies, gives joy, reminds me of the freedom I have and the grace I stand under. The Gospel is deep, is desperately necessary, is sustaining, is living water for my soul. I want to share a song that comes to mind. . .it's by Jimmy Needham and it's simply called "The Gospel":
The gospel, oh, the gospel, faith-granting words.
The sea of my soul is calmed when it's heard.
Peace to the broken, the captive set free,
May the gospel of Jesus wash over me.
The gospel, the gospel, my freedom explained,
No more shall these garments I'm wearing be stained.
The old man is missing, the new man is free,
May the gospel of Jesus wash over me.
Wash over me, wash over me,
And come make me clean, yeah.
Wash.
I will be free, and I will be clean.
The gospel, oh the gospel, she's good and she's true,
She cost quite a fortune to make all things new.
So breathe in with faith, and out with his peace,
May the gospel of Jesus, may the gospel of Jesus, may the gospel of Jesus
Wash over me.
Wash over me, oh, wash over me, yeah,
And come make me clean, yeah.
Wash.
Let us never grow tired of the Gospel and let us allow it to consume and compel us to bring God greater glory in all things!
The gospel, oh, the gospel, faith-granting words.
The sea of my soul is calmed when it's heard.
Peace to the broken, the captive set free,
May the gospel of Jesus wash over me.
The gospel, the gospel, my freedom explained,
No more shall these garments I'm wearing be stained.
The old man is missing, the new man is free,
May the gospel of Jesus wash over me.
Wash over me, wash over me,
And come make me clean, yeah.
Wash.
I will be free, and I will be clean.
The gospel, oh the gospel, she's good and she's true,
She cost quite a fortune to make all things new.
So breathe in with faith, and out with his peace,
May the gospel of Jesus, may the gospel of Jesus, may the gospel of Jesus
Wash over me.
Wash over me, oh, wash over me, yeah,
And come make me clean, yeah.
Wash.
Let us never grow tired of the Gospel and let us allow it to consume and compel us to bring God greater glory in all things!
update
Well - a lot is going on in me and around me. . .not sure how I'm going to give a thorough update, but I guess this short blurp is better then nothing at all!
- Two students have come to know the Lord in the past two days!! I was not a part of either interaction but I am certainly a part of the celebration going on in heaven! One of them is an international student from China and the other is a sweet girl who came to Oasis last week as a huge seeker. . .which she is no more! Praise God for the work that He is doing!
- Fall, in all it's coolness and grayness is here. In many ways I am not ready for summer to be over, especially since I would love to see the sun shining every day!
- went to my church's post-college young adult group last night. . .kinda the first time I've had fellowship with a group of people in my stage of life since my college days. So refreshing! I am learning that so many don't like their jobs, I'm so thankful that I do. . .most of the time. :)
- on Tuesday the "honeymoon phase" of my time in Berkeley came to an end. Hard to describe on a blog but the excitement of being in a new place is rubbing off. Not seeing much fruit which can (but shouldn't be) be discouraging. Missing friends. Lack of sunshine. Hard conversations. The city life. Heart breaking for students at Cal and the people of Berkeley. Lots of tears.
- hum, overall I'm finding peace in the Lord and it is well with my soul. My faith for what He can do needs to increase. I need to recognize that working harder doesn't always produce more "results". I need to continue to find my complete joy and satisfaction in Him alone. I need to remember that He has clearly called me to this place and that no one can thwart His plans for my life as long as I am pursuing His heart and remaining in the center of His will. I need to remember that it's never about what I do for Him, it's really only about what's been done for me. I need to remember what He has done in this place in the past couple of weeks. I need to remember to praise Him in all circumstances!
What do you need to remember in this day? What lies need to be replaced with truth? What areas of our hearts does grace need to abound? How can we live fully for Him in the place that He has purposely put us? Well, I'd love your prayers and would love to be praying for you as well - give me a call or shoot me an email any time!
- Two students have come to know the Lord in the past two days!! I was not a part of either interaction but I am certainly a part of the celebration going on in heaven! One of them is an international student from China and the other is a sweet girl who came to Oasis last week as a huge seeker. . .which she is no more! Praise God for the work that He is doing!
- Fall, in all it's coolness and grayness is here. In many ways I am not ready for summer to be over, especially since I would love to see the sun shining every day!
- went to my church's post-college young adult group last night. . .kinda the first time I've had fellowship with a group of people in my stage of life since my college days. So refreshing! I am learning that so many don't like their jobs, I'm so thankful that I do. . .most of the time. :)
- on Tuesday the "honeymoon phase" of my time in Berkeley came to an end. Hard to describe on a blog but the excitement of being in a new place is rubbing off. Not seeing much fruit which can (but shouldn't be) be discouraging. Missing friends. Lack of sunshine. Hard conversations. The city life. Heart breaking for students at Cal and the people of Berkeley. Lots of tears.
- hum, overall I'm finding peace in the Lord and it is well with my soul. My faith for what He can do needs to increase. I need to recognize that working harder doesn't always produce more "results". I need to continue to find my complete joy and satisfaction in Him alone. I need to remember that He has clearly called me to this place and that no one can thwart His plans for my life as long as I am pursuing His heart and remaining in the center of His will. I need to remember that it's never about what I do for Him, it's really only about what's been done for me. I need to remember what He has done in this place in the past couple of weeks. I need to remember to praise Him in all circumstances!
What do you need to remember in this day? What lies need to be replaced with truth? What areas of our hearts does grace need to abound? How can we live fully for Him in the place that He has purposely put us? Well, I'd love your prayers and would love to be praying for you as well - give me a call or shoot me an email any time!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Oh Berkeley
So, I think I've had my most Berkeley moment yet today. Let me back up briefly though. . .yesterday was an awesome day! The Ghiradelli Festival in the city was so fun - and tasty! The weather was beyond gorgeous. . .not loosing the tan quite yet! Marlene came into town after church (which was awesome!) today. We grabbed lunch and ate it on campus - it's so beautiful! Afterwards we decided to go see how the tree-sitters were doing - this is where the Berkeley moment comes in. We had both heard about them but had never seen them with our own eyes. Definitely a sight to see, a sad sight if you ask me. Currently most of the controversial trees have been cut down, except for one. There are still 4 people up there (day and night) although supposedly this tree is coming down tomorrow and then hopefully the whole ordeal will be over, at least for a while. Marlene and I got into a conversation with one of the tree-sitter supporters on the ground (there are many). Frustrating conversation - he did a lot of talking, we listened respectfully and then when we wanted to say something he didn't let us. I did eventually say that though this is of some significance I would rather stand (or sit, for that matter) for something of ETERNAL significance. Because he wasn't in the listening mood this didn't get much of a response but it really got me thinking. How sad that these people can be so passionate about a tree that they will devote 2 years of their life trying to save the tree (even though it costs the university over $30,000 a DAY because of their choice - seems like that money could be used to help the environment in much more beneficial ways. . .). To think of their potential - if they knew the Lord and were passionate about Him so much could be accomplished for His glory. I want to invest my life (time, talents, treasures) in things of eternal significance. . .and though there are times where I am not on track (we need the Gospel moment by moment, even. . .and perhaps especially, as believers!) I pray that the Lord will always remind me of His command to store up treasure in Heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy. How will we live with purpose for eternal things this week? I know the Lord will give us many opportunities to seek first the Kingdom of God. . .let's focus on that and do so for His glory alone! 
I'm such a tourist. :) This picture gives you a good idea of how high the tree-sitters are perched. Look at the top right (slightly center) corner - you'll see the bottom part of their setup.
And here's the top of the tree - sometimes they go up to the very tip-top to prove their point, other times they hang out on the other platforms they've made.
Friday, September 5, 2008
It's Hot!
So, people here tell me that the summer months in Berkeley are September and October. . .they must be right because it's been so hot! I'm not really complaining though - I love sunny days so I guess I moved here at the right time. Things are going really well. There were so many times throughout the week where I though, "oh, can't wait to blog about that" but the week just flew by! As I look back in my planner I'm reminded of lunch with a high school friend, the first freshmen small group Bible study (3 came - yay!), having homemade pot-stickers with my friend and sophomore small group co-leader (the only pictures I took all week. . .here they are:),
This girl is so sweet and she loves the Lord so much. . . and she's such a great cook!
oh. . .and I also had Boba for the first time last night - it's a yummy drink with tapioca balls in it, very fun!
(continuing on. . .) lots of really fun spiritual conversations with all sorts of students (Christian, Atheist, Muslim, Buddhist and everything in between!), visiting with a friend from SLO who came for the day/night, having Indian food together (I'll give it a second try although I didn't love it this time, accidentally ordered an appetizer!), honest and deep conversations with my freshmen small group co-leader, our 2nd weekly meeting of the semester (called Oasis), and a staff brunch/prayer time this morning. Plus so many other appointments and experiences mixed in as well. Wish I could go into more detail but I'm off to our first social event of the year - a "taste of Berkeley" scavenger hunt. Yipee! After such a busy week I'm going to try to take some time off this weekend - going to the Ghiredeli Chocolate Festival in San Fran with a dear friend tomorrow. Fun, although we and the chocolate will probably melt! I hope you'll take some time to recharge this weekend as well!
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