Hope in New Life

As I was walking along a park, from the bart train station to my apartment, I came across this tree and just had to take a picture. Seeing the buds on these branches bursting open, and unfolding in beauty, in the warmth of the sunlight brought so much peace and hope as I think about my life. Just as this tree comes into bloom year after year after year, because of Christ this can be true of my life as well. I choose, because of grace, to burst open, year after year, and more so (hopefully) day after day.

A friend just told me that when she thought about her future she used to picture a huge black hole. But instead she now chooses to picture a sun rising over an ocean with a whole bright day ahead of her. I want a similar picture to come to mind when I think about my future. What comes to mind right now this is blossoming tree. I know that 2011 will bring change. My hair will grow (and then I'll cut it), I'll get some new things, I'll try some new things, and most importantly I'll continue to take steps of faith in areas of my life. In all these things, and more, I want to have hope and peace as I put one foot in front of another. This is only possible if I keep Christ's perspective and remember that He's worth living for - life is new in Him, because of Him, and for Him daily. I am so thankful!

Cold Tangerines

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist is the first book I started and finished in 2011. It's a rarity for me to read books so quickly, but I devoured this one and highly recommend that you do likewise. The chapters are short vignettes about life, and what it looks like to embrace and celebrate it for what it is - in the midst of the combination of light/dark, easy/hard, clear/muddled, hopeful/hopeless, exciting/mundane that we experience in each and every day. I really loved the author's writing style, and she's even reminded me of my love for writing - that I'm typically too lazy to develop much past the skills I honed in the 7th grade. Here's to turning a new leaf, yet again. And I can't wait to start (and finish) her second book, Bittersweet. Perhaps there will be a book report on the way for that one as well!

Happy New Year!

With every sunset comes a sunrise - even when clouds or sleep obstruct our view, days end and days begin again - all thanks to the grace (an undeserved gift) of God toward us. I'm thankful for this new year and the 365 (well, now 351. . .) more mornings, and new mercies, that will come with it. I hope to continue to grow to walk by faith, not by sight ("out of sight, out of mind" does not and should not apply to a relationship with Jesus!) - whether I can see the beautiful sun rises and sets of each day or not.

I got to thinking about sunsets because of the beautiful one I saw this evening in the bay area. I arrived home at 5:14 to find that a package I had been waiting for (computer charger that I left at the hotel where Winter Conference was held) was actually waiting for me in Richmond since I was not home to receive it when UPS came to deliver. The postcard explained that the customer service desk would be open til 6PM and if I don't pick it up today it would be shipped back to San Diego. That's the last thing I wanted so at 5:17 I was pulling out of my drive way to make a 35+ minute drive in heavy traffic, hoping to get to UPS before they shut their doors.

Along the way I noticed a breath-taking sunset and I realized (again) that regardless of if I get my computer charger or not, it's much more about the journey rather then the destination. How I want to continue to enjoy the sweetness of the beauty and hope of life in each passing moment and how thankful I am for the reminder to do so. Though, I must say, I am happy to report that I pulled up at 6PM (on.the.dot.) and made 3 men smile as I excitedly rushed in to retrieve my package just in the nick of time. As I left, they locked the door behind me and I breathed a sigh of relief as I drove home - reflecting all the more on the beauty of the sunset and the joy found in the unexpected small things in each day.

Here's to fresh perspective on the 14th day of 2011!

Merry Christmas!

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I hope that this season and upcoming year is filled with many sweet things (like this yummy fudge), but most importantly with the sweetest thing that will only ever fully satisfy: Jesus Christ.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

2 Corinthians 9:15

*I had fun putting together a simple Christmas centerpiece for my table in Berkeley. I took a lantern (that I got as a gift for Christmas last year) and filled it with cheap-o ornaments from Ikea. I put the "peace" ornament on top; and a candle and a little bird finished it off. Inexpensive and festive!

a weekend trip

*beautiful Boston*

*so thankful to see where this girl lives*

*Newport, Rhode Island*

*this tiny state is big on donuts, yum*

*breathtaking fall colors*

Here are a few pictures from my recent (free flight!) trip to visit Katelyn; she does campus ministry in and around Providence, Rhode Island. What a sweet treat to experience her new home, friends, and the surrounding cities. This was my first visit to the East Coast and I would love to return. . .but I was also happy to leave the cold behind. According to the weather, it felt like Christmas was right around the corner; whereas it has felt like the 4th of July is right around the corner here in California. Speaking of which, I wouldn't mind seeing fireworks soon. . .Disneyland here I come! Before you think life is all fun and games, life has also been busy busy with work and pretty emotional as well. Overall, I am thankful - but looking forward to Thanksgiving break as well. . .which is when Disneyland is on the agenda. A few more days in Berkeley and then off to one of my favorite conferences for students (http://www.crossroads.psw.org/) down south - can't wait to see many staff friends and be a part of God's plan. But first, I need to work on my talk for the weekly meeting - one thing at a time. Hope you're having a good week!

Mornings

Mornings are good. . .that's why we say Good Morning, right?!

Now, not all of you agree because I know there are a lot of night owls out there (almost all of my students), but I'm proudly part of the morning club and here are a few reasons why:

- There's nothing like knowing you have a full day ahead of you

- One of my favorite Bible verses mentions the morning, Psalm 143:8

- Working out in the morning (walks, bike ride, gym, swim) helps me make healthier choices throughout the day and is a great time to pray

- It means I went to bed on time the night before and feel well rested

- Breakfast! I just love breakfast - waffles and bacon with lots of syrup, fresh fruit and scones, Dutch pancakes made for loved ones, so many excuses to have sweets start off my day. . .so much so that I've been know to say that I would serve breakfast for dinner at my wedding one day - we'll see about that :)

But who am I kidding - I usually just have a bowl of cereal, and I'm so content to do so. Lately I've been making batches of homemade granola. After making it 4 times (I can't believe that much granola has entered my tummy!) I've decided it's high time I pass the recipe on to you all. It's easy, cheap, and healthier then the stuff you buy at the store.

So, go to this lovely website for the granola recipe of your dreams. Get creative with what you add. . .I put flax, walnuts, and a mix of dried fruits (cherries, blue berries, craisins, and golden raisins can be bought in one package at Trader Joe's) along with the other ingredients. And I learned after several batches that I prefer to add the dried fruits after the oat/nut mixture has been baked.

Oh, and fun fact - I know Whitney, the blogger and granola maker. . .she goes to my church in Berkeley, is new to the faith, and is such a treat to know!

What is one reason why you like. . .or dislike. . .the morning?

Blake Garden

I was able to pull away from campus for a bit today, so refreshing! I finally made it out to Blake Garden, thanks to a dear friend's recommendation - wow, what a find. Blake Garden is this incredibly beautiful and peaceful garden with amazing views of the bay, about 10-15 minutes from where I live. There are lots of great benches and quite places to reflect on life and the goodness of God through it all. . .at least, that's what I did there! Part of my time was spent reading a page or two in "Desiring God" by John Piper. Here's a quote, that basically sums up his main point:

"Christian Hedonism is a philosophy of life built on the following five convictions:

1. The longing to be happy is a universal human experience, and it is good, not sinful.

2. We should never try to resist our longing to be happy, as though it were a bad impulse. Instead, we should seek to intensify this longing and nourish it with whatever will provide the deepest and most enduring satisfaction.

3. The deepest and most enduring happiness is found only in God. Not from God, but in God.

4. The happiness we find in God reaches its consummation when it is shared with others in the manifold ways of love.

5. To the extent that we try to abandon the pursuit of our own pleasures, we fail to honor God and love people. Or, to put it positively: The pursuit of pleasure is a necessary part of all worship and virtue. That is:

The chief end of man is to glorify God

by

enjoying Him forever."

Lots to chew on, which is what he proceeds to do for the next 300 (eek!) pages. What do you think of the progression of his 5 points? I have seen this to be true in my life. What about you?

In other news, I had so much fun "skyping" with a college roommate who is a social worker with the International Justice Mission in India this morning. Oh technology!

And my parents are en route to Holland right now. Slightly (ok, very) jealous but also so happy for them.

Well, that's it for now. I hope to post again soon, but you know how that goes. Oh, and if you'd like me to take you to Blake Garden just let me know, I'd love for you to experience this Berkeley treasure as well!