Reflections of Reality

The Fins Are On To Something...

2012-01-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Education in America has become an issue of justice. Just spend an hour in an elementary school in a low-income neighborhood, and you’ll see the teachers are overworked, have huge class sizes, and a huge lack of resources. My friend who was a teacher in a local elementary school did not have access to even pencils for her students. She was expected to provide basics for her students out of her own money.

There are a lot of recent movies and documentaries (such as The Lottery by Madeleine Sackler and Waiting For Superman) that are presenting the problem and showing the flock of parents sending their students to “lottery” schools, where families place their hope in a lottery to be chosen for enrollment in a school with better class sizes and higher excellence in academics.

My main issue with this is that families are placing their hope in a system that determines by chance whether students have the chance to be successful. If they don’t get in, the common attitude is then “I have no hope for my son or daughter to do well in school or have the opportunity to go to college.”

Public schools get a bad rap. When I was growing up, I loved public school and didn’t see anything wrong with it. But I also didn’t grow up in a low-income neighborhood where the resources were so lacking for schools as well.

I recently read an article that talked about the philosophy behind education and how America is viewing it in regard to Finland…

The Fins Are On To Something…
What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland's School Success - The Atlantic

To quote the article, the main questions Americans seem to be obsessed with in order to make education better are:
• How can you keep track of students' performance if you don't test them constantly?
• How can you improve teaching if you have no accountability for bad teachers or merit pay for good teachers?
• How do you foster competition and engage the private sector?
• How do you provide school choice?

Finland differs in their perspective on education reform in the following ways:
First of all, Finland has no standardized tests.

The answers Finland provides seem to run counter to just about everything America's school reformers are trying to do.
For starters, Finland has no standardized tests. The only exception is what's called the National Matriculation Exam, which everyone takes at the end of a voluntary upper-secondary school, roughly the equivalent of American high school.
Instead, the public school system's teachers are trained to assess children in classrooms using independent tests they create themselves. All children receive a report card at the end of each semester, but these reports are based on individualized grading by each teacher. Periodically, the Ministry of Education tracks national progress by testing a few sample groups across a range of different schools.

Secondly, it’s all about responsibility, not accountability.

As for accountability of teachers and administrators, Sahlberg shrugs. "There's no word for accountability in Finnish," he later told an audience at the Teachers College of Columbia University. "Accountability is something that is left when responsibility has been subtracted."
For Sahlberg what matters is that in Finland all teachers and administrators are given prestige, decent pay, and a lot of responsibility. A master's degree is required to enter the profession, and teacher training programs are among the most selective professional schools in the country. If a teacher is bad, it is the principal's responsibility to notice and deal with it.

Thirdly, Fins focus on cooperation, not competition.

And while Americans love to talk about competition, Sahlberg points out that nothing makes Finns more uncomfortable. In his book Sahlberg quotes a line from Finnish writer named Samuli Puronen: "Real winners do not compete." It's hard to think of a more un-American idea, but when it comes to education, Finland's success shows that the Finnish attitude might have merits. There are no lists of best schools or teachers in Finland. The main driver of education policy is not competition between teachers and between schools, but cooperation.

Finally, school choice is not a priority.

Finally, in Finland, school choice is noticeably not a priority, nor is engaging the private sector at all. Which brings us back to the silence after Sahlberg's comment at the Dwight School that schools like Dwight don't exist in Finland.
"Here in America," Sahlberg said at the Teachers College, "parents can choose to take their kids to private schools. It's the same idea of a marketplace that applies to, say, shops. Schools are a shop and parents can buy what ever they want. In Finland parents can also choose. But the options are all the same."
Herein lay the real shocker. As Sahlberg continued, his core message emerged, whether or not anyone in his American audience heard it.
Decades ago, when the Finnish school system was badly in need of reform, the goal of the program that Finland instituted, resulting in so much success today, was never excellence. It was equity.

Education reform is definitely needed in America, but I wonder if we are asking the right questions. What if we started to ask, “How can we make school opportunities more equal” instead of creating schools that are better and more excellent than what is currently being offered. Of course, our whole American culture of competition would need to change for that to happen. So who knows where to start? We’ll have to start somewhere, and soon, because education is the major stepping-stone to “fullness of life” in our American culture and history.

Something 2 Eat

2011-12-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

In teaching high schoolers about money, specifically how your values impact your spending, I’ve always wanted to help students understand about poverty. Many of the students I teach struggle with poverty themselves to some degree. When you struggle in poverty, it can be difficult to see past your own dire circumstances. That is why we wanted to help students see the kind of poverty that kids are struggling with in under-developed countries like the horn of Africa and hopefully encourage compassion in the students.

I am so in awe of what happened on December 3rd. I can’t stop thinking about how much people gave of themselves, their strength, energy, money and time to make such a beautiful thing happen.

130,000 meals were packed for kids and orphans in eastern Kenya who do not have “Something To Eat”. 300 students, teachers, volunteers, friends, neighbors, baseball players and fans, and people who just heard through word of mouth came together to pack these meals. Throughout the day we stopped periodically to learn about justice and poverty issues and reflect on the condition of the poor.

I want to brag on some of my teachers and students…

Mr. Caryotakis had just come from a memorial service, and said he wanted to spend his time doing something like this, which would have a lasting impact, after going to something like that.

“If we spent the day doing this again tomorrow, I would stay for that as well.”
Mr. Skillin was the first to come and last to leave. He was at the gym before the set up team, at 7am, making sure all the doors were open and ready for us. Then he stayed late, cleaning the gym floor. He gave so sacrificially of his time. He and the other basketball coaches even had their basketball teams participate in the event as their practice that day.
Ms. Henderson worked so fast with her tables that they were among the first to finish their stack of boxes at their table. They started helping other tables finish!

Coach Poulos and Coach Uhalde came to help throughout the day.

College Track sent a bunch of students. School Board Member, Sharifa Wilson, also CEO of College Track, came to encourage her students and is excited about East Palo Alto’s involvement in this next year.

Julie got a bunch of parents and kids together from her son’s baseball team to come. There were two tables full of baseball players packing meals.

Alex loaded up his Prius with kids from his youth group and drove all the way up from Visalia to have his kids pack. They were so focused that they didn’t get a lunch break until after 3! A couple of his boys came to help flatten the trash in the dumpsters so we could fit our trash in there.

Alejandro brought a group of students from Belle Haven Community School who stayed all day to serve.

My FutureProfits Volunteers were awesome! Randy, Brad, Marc, Steve, Emily, Marilyn and Dianna were there all day constantly giving 100%. Barbara faithfully served at the registration table. Geo took conceptual pictures of the event even after breaking his finger the day before. Ivan brought a friend to help. Many came throughout the day and gave what they could.

There were countless volunteers from Peninsula Covenant Church and Highway Community who came and gave their all.

And like Jeremy Affeldt said, the students who gave are my heroes. They worked faithfully throughout the day, and for those who had to leave early, they worked up until the last minute as hard as they could. FutureProfits students from Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, and Sequoia High School all came and gave of their time. Morgan, Nehemiah, Kenia, Patrick, and Dalton are among those who came and stayed the whole day.

Here is a link from Comcast SportsNet who showed up and covered the event. SF Giants Pitcher Jeremy Affeldt was there the entire day and was wonderful as he interacted with the students.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/sportsnetBayArea/search/v/49207388/12-3-jeremy-affeldt-fights-hunger.htm?q=jeremy+affeldt

And here are some of our in house publications...

NCUD's Youtube Video

NCUD's thank you newsletter

Pictures from the day of:
Album #1

Album #2

All in all, a total success! Thanks for your support! Many of you played a vital role... it wouldn't have happened without you.

It Would Take 10 Years To Read Every Single Daily Tweet

2011-03-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

So I was against Twitter for a long time. Why tweet when you can do the exact same thing on Facebook (plus more) with the status updates? But over the past couple of months, it's become one of my favorite sites. Not only can I "follow" people I don't know and enjoy their humor or insight, but I can also hear about local events, get connected with popular bands or actors of whom I'm a fan, and get the latest information from magazines like Time and Relevant. For people with the "input" strength like me (people who like to collect information -- see Strengths Finder), this is a noncommittal and fun place to go when you're stopped at a red light or waiting in a long line.

Check out this article from Time magazine about the daily Twitter feed...
It Would Take 10 Years To Read Every Single Daily Tweet

Here are a few pieces of information I collected this morning:
Personal Random Fun:
Some people got together to "redo" Pixar's Up house in real life!

Photography Enjoyment:
Here's a cool picture I found on the blog "Jesus Needs New PR" connected to his rendition of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

Financial Education (to keep me updated for my job):
Business Insider

Good times on Twitter.

Crate Training

2011-01-30T10:17:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged anything for a while, and I was inspired by Autumn when I read her blog today.

This last week has been crazy. My dog has regressed in her potty training. She was doing fine for a while (except for little piddles here and there when she got too excited -- she's a small dog) but all of a sudden, she started pooing in my room in the middle of the night! It SUCKS to wake up to the smell of poo and have to clean it up.

So I decided...it's back to her crate. No more freedom for her. Sunday night through Wednesday night I got no sleep. She would whine...but I'm not talking normal whine. This is a hyperventilating-bark/whine that will not stop. I would even try to slowly train her not to whine for an hour or so before trying to go to bed. I would wake up angry and have to calm myself down...sometimes it would take a whole hour. I guess this is what no sleep, frustration, and irrationality mixed together do. (Plus I started classes this week so I had to be "on" almost every day.)

Thursday night, I got so angry that I put a sweatshirt on her, and put her in the crate in the garage. She's never slept in the garage because it's cold and Roxy likes being around people. When we first crate-trained her, she whined out of separation anxiety, but eventually got used to it till the crate was too small, which is why we stopped crate-training her. She was potty trained and I didn't want to have to buy a new crate.

Anyways, I sat outside the garage waiting, thinking I'm a bad and neglectful mom/owner, trying to figure out what to do....and all of a sudden, she stopped! She finally gave up! So the last couple of nights, although she whines for about 5 minutes, she'll eventually stop once she can't hear anything. I know it's not the best dog-training techniques, but at this point, it's a compromise that is going to have to work for now.

So not Roxy enjoys even more her freedom when she has it. This is her favorite spot in the house:

Rhythms

2010-11-29T12:33:00.000-08:00

God gave me a new word for this season of life. I've had it since September or so after the CCDA conference. My word is "rhythm".

Rhythm: movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements

I've been learning about rhythms in my life in multiple ways:
1) rest
2) eating well
3) exercise
4) renewing my mind with truth

Rhythms:

At that time in September, God was teaching me about the rhythms that He called his people to of consistent rest (once every seven days). See the blog entry here. I knew that I needed to learn to implement this in my life in order to be able to live a full life...not a busy life, but a full life. I also knew this would develop my trust in God.

What I wasn't expecting was learning about the rhythms of eating well and exercising. My sister asked me to join her in keeping track of calories on this app on our phones. I couldn't get the app, but I went online and started using www.myfitnesspal.com. There wasn't really anything special about this site, but for some reason, I experienced this new sense of motivation to exercise and eat well. Going grocery shopping was a joy to me and I was excited to see what healthy foods I could get (that would taste good too!).

Although I was taking care of my body physically, I've been going through a lot of transition that was difficult and discouraging. After a few weeks of living in discouragement, God reminded me through a friend that He hasn't called us to living from a weary mindset, but instead He has given us His Spirit which is FULL of life, joy, and peace. This doesn't mean that we can't ever be discouraged or struggling...there is plenty of that in the Bible. But in my situation, God was calling me to walk forward in faith and trust that God would provide and that He is faithful; to have faith that He would fill me with strength and joy like His word says, and to renew my mind in that truth. The new rhythm that God was teaching me was to renew my mind with truth.

Picture of the Day

2010-10-20T16:43:00.001-07:00

Just a random creepy antique shop picture that I wanted to share with you.

Picture of the Day

2010-10-11T12:30:00.001-07:00

This is the view of Roxy with her pumpkin outfit on from above. Just thought it was a cool picture and wanted to share.

Vote for Roxy

2010-09-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to vote for Roxy in her Halloween costume. You can vote every day if you like. If I get voted for the most, I can win gift cards and prizes. ;)
I know, it's cheesy, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do...

Video of the Day

2010-09-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

Simply amazing. I couldn't help but post it. Way to go Office. Enjoy...

Flagstaff

2010-09-24T08:46:00.001-07:00

Been thinking about Flagstaff the last couple of days, so in its honor, here is the picture of the day:

Flagstaff wildflowers with Mount Elden in the background

Strawberry Shortcake

2010-09-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

In Chicago, I went to the Grand Lux Cafe and ordered this:

due to a recommendation from my friend Bethany. It's a strawberry shortcake that will rock your world. So I had to take a picture. ;)

Chicago, Part #2

2010-09-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

The second part of my trip to Chicago was filled with CCDA. Most of you know that I'm connected with this association and have had the privilege of being part of a leadership cohort and have made some great friends through CCDA. It stands for Christian Community Development Association, and it links people and organizations all over the nation who are working to bring restoration to under-resourced communities.

This part of my Chicago trip was filled with amazing teaching from Dr. John Perkins, amazing worship led by my friend Louis Carlo and also the band, Foster, and time with amazing friends. I got to see my CCDA friends and spend time with them, along with hang out with friends from home (Kirsten, Steve, Seth, Jim) and even see Jenny Recotta (friend from PCC who lives in Chicago now). HERE is a link to pictures from the trip.

I also got to teach a workshop about teaching Life Economics, and we got to sell the FutureProfits book. (I even got to sign a couple of copies.) ;) We sold 400 books at the conference! Such an encouraging thing after so much hard work to finish this curriculum.

One highlight from the trip was my time with Sarah Magden and Noel Musicha. We did an internship together at Peninsula Covenant Church (my current church family) in 2002, and we were able to get together and catch up. It had been 8 years. I had seen both of them before that, but it was really cool to connect with them together.

Most of what God encouraged me with during my time was that I need to enter into a season of rest. I've been very busy with work over the past year. One of the things that God does with his people is establish rhythms in their lives, in order for them to experience His presence and His goodness. One of the rhythms God set in place a while ago is that his people would allow the land to rest every 7 years. His people worked the land, and as a sign of trust, he would ask them to leave the land alone, and let Him provide for them every seventh year.

I realized that I'm in my 28th year, which is a multiple of 7, so I decided to set aside the rest of my 28th year as one to experience the rhythm of rest in my life. I know I need it. Here is the passage that talks about the rhythm of the seventh year of rest, along with the year of Jubilee. I think it's really cool that God tried to set these rhythms in place.

^1-7 God spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai: "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them, When you enter the land which I am going to give you, the land will observe a Sabbath to God. Sow your fields, prune your vineyards, and take in your harvests for six years. But the seventh year the land will take a Sabbath of complete and total rest, a Sabbath to God; you will not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Don't reap what grows of itself; don't harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land gets a year of complete and total rest. But you can eat from what the land volunteers during the Sabbath year—you and your men and women servants, your hired hands, and the foreigners who live in the country, and, of course, also your livestock and the wild animals in the land can eat from it. Whatever the land volunteers of itself can be eaten. ^8-12 "Count off seven Sabbaths of years—seven times seven years: Seven Sabbaths of years adds up to forty-nine years. Then sound loud blasts on the ram's horn on the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. Sound the ram's horn all over the land. Sanctify the fiftieth year; make it a holy year. Proclaim freedom all over the land to everyone who lives in it—a Jubilee for you: Each person will go back to his family's property and reunite with his extended family. The fiftieth year is your Jubilee year: Don't sow; don't reap what volunteers itself in the fields; don't harvest the untended vines because it's the Jubilee and a holy year for you. You're permitted to eat from whatever volunteers itself in the fields.

¹³ "In this year of Jubilee everyone returns home to his family property.

^14-17 "If you sell or buy property from one of your countrymen, don't cheat him. Calculate the purchase price on the basis of the number of years since the Jubilee. He is obliged to set the sale price on the basis of the number of harvests remaining until the next Jubilee. The more years left, the more money; you can raise the price. But the fewer years left, the less money; decrease the price. What you are buying and selling in fact is the number of crops you're going to harvest. Don't cheat each other. Fear your God. I am God, your God.

^18-22 "Keep my decrees and observe my laws and you will live secure in the land. The land will yield its fruit; you will have all you can eat and will live safe and secure. Do I hear you ask, 'What are we going to eat in the seventh year if we don't plant or harvest?' I assure you, I will send such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant in the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and continue until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.

^23-24 "The land cannot be sold permanently because the land is mine and you are foreigners—you're my tenants. You must provide for the right of redemption for any of the land that you own.

^25-28 "If one of your brothers becomes poor and has to sell any of his land, his nearest relative is to come and buy back what his brother sold. If a man has no one to redeem it but he later prospers and earns enough for its redemption, he is to calculate the value since he sold it and refund the balance to the man to whom he sold it; he can then go back to his own land. If he doesn't get together enough money to repay him, what he sold remains in the possession of the buyer until the year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee it will be returned and he can go back and live on his land. (Leviticus 25, The Message)

Because Roxy and I miss Autumn...

2010-09-14T23:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a video I took the night before Autumn left for Ghana. I miss you Autumn.

She wouldn't obey my commands. She'll always do it when I have a treat...we'll have to wean her off of those.

Chicago, Part #1

2010-09-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

My trip to Chicago is over a week long, and it's really fun to be here. The first part of the trip is time with my amazing friend Debra. Debra is the kind of friend that we connected within the first 30 minutes of knowing each other, and since then, our friendship has just grown. The only way I can describe it is like she is a "heart" friend...like we were always meant to be friends.

So the first day, Friday, we went downtown, walked a mile in the wrong direction to get to Giordano's, realized we were going the wrong way and walked all the way back to the restaurant. It was well worth the walk though. Such amazing pizza.

Saturday, we went garage saling and got some matching earrings and bracelets. ;) Then we got pedicures (her first one).

Then we went to get my ear pierced (one had closed up so I haven't been able to wear earrings for years now) and went shopping at the mall. I found some cute red flats, and I got a tutu for her daughter Annabel. She is so cute and girly.

Sunday and Monday were mainly relaxing and good conversations, along with a great conversation with Sarah Magden, one of my fellow SMPs from my internship at Peninsula Covenant Church.

Now it's off to CCDA!

Lost

2010-08-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

I've been watching the TV show, LOST, and I have lots of thoughts about the show. But the one thing that I thought was interesting is that people who watch it seem to have joy in discovering it. The show keeps you guessing...trying to figure out what's going on and why. But as I watch it, I don't want anyone to tell me what's going on...I want to discover it for myself.

I found out that my friend, Charlie, is watching it too. We discovered I was a few seasons ahead of him, and he was like, "Don't tell me what happens!" It's just one of those shows where the mystery is so intriguing to figure out episode by episode.

I just finished season 3 though, and it was the most depressing ending ever. So sad.

Book Review: The Forgotten God, by Francis Chan

2010-08-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

The Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had a hard time reading the first few chapters of this book. For some reason it was hard for me to "get into." But after deciding to finish the book over the last two weekends, chapters 5-7 and even the afterword were amazing.

It really brings you to asking questions of your own life as to whether or not you truly believe the truth that the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. It calls you to a Biblical living of the Spirit in our lives rather than a cultural living. It calls you to follow God's will for your life NOW, rather than being idealistic about God moving in your life in your future, causing you to "wait" for God to move, which means putting off what God IS doing now.

And finally, Francis Chan does a great job of praising the power of God and prayer. The last chapter or two drew me to prayer, to rely on God's power and not my own control, to wait on Him for the impossible, and to pray for the Church, that we would be God's unstoppable and powerful force of love here on this earth. So powerful and so good.

I end with this quote from the afterword:

"This is not about one specific way of living radically. It is about discerning and obeying the Spirit's voice, especially when He asks you to do something that is hard, a little beyond "normal," and that requires sacrifice. This is a twofold thing: It is both about encouraging others to obey the Spirit's leadings and about listening to and obeying His leading in your own life. Do you feel bold and powerful? Whether your answer is yes or no, all of us need to ask for more courage and boldness."

View all my reviews

Familiar Flagstaff

2010-08-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I went “home” to Flagstaff for my 10-year high school reunion, among other reasons. It was interesting. Most of the people who came were people that I knew, but didn’t hang out with outside of school, mainly acquaintances. Yet they seemed so familiar…more familiar than some acquaintances in my life today. I guess that’s what happens when you spend 4-6 years in junior high and high school with the same people.

Most common questions:
Where are you at now? (living)
What are you doing? (job-wise)
I had two people to speak for since my twin sister ditched out on me. ;)

But it was also fun to spend time with my family. I got to help move my little brother in to his college dorm room.

It was great to see where he is going to live and to meet his roommate. It helps me with a visual picture of his life when he tells me about things going on. And it reminded me of when I moved into my college dorm room for the first time 10 years ago! So fun. It was great to spend time with my mom and dad too.

The biggest surprise was getting to see Matt Jo and meet his family. I wasn’t able to make it to their wedding, and they had moved to Colorado, but they just recently moved back to Flagstaff, and it was so amazing to see them in their new home.

Then Brian and Debbie were having a birthday party for their 4-yr-old daughter, Alana, and pretty much all of my friends from my Flagstaff church family were there. It was so great to see everyone.

I would have come back for a reunion with these people in a heartbeat. Much more “familiar” and wonderful to see all of them in comparison to the high school reunion, but still had a great weekend of reconnecting with people. I also got to see Renee Poginy and Jessica Probert. Good times.

Art

2010-08-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

I really appreciate the art that comes from Ryan and Holly Sharp. I first heard of them through the band, The Cobalt Season. I love their music. My words wouldn't do justice to why I appreciate them, so here is a link to Holly's blog, paintings, design, and music so you can appreciate it yourself:

Holly Sharp

Also, for those of you who read Jesus For President, they did the amazing design in that book.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle

2010-08-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

The Wrinkle in Time Quintet Boxed Set - Digest by Madeleine L'Engle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved this book when I was a kid. I was really looking forward to reading it as an adult, to see why I liked it so much as a kid. Reading these after Harry Potter was difficult because the story line was less engaging. I enjoyed reading it...it just seemed to take longer to get through the book than I wanted it to. I'll be reading the whole series and discussing it with my sister. :) She's reading them too and it was a gift from her.

View all my reviews >>

FutureProfits Curriculum Article

2010-08-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Here's an article that was written about the curriculum I have been working on so much lately. Enjoy!

FutureProfits Curriculum Article

Interesting article on pet therapy

2010-08-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Someone recently asked me if Roxy was a therapy dog. She isn't, but I thought I should post an article about therapy dogs.

Exploring The Health Benefits of Pets

Roxanne

2010-08-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

Ever since I got Roxanne in April, whom we affectionately call Roxy, I've wanted to blog about her. She is such a great dog. Here is a slideshow of Roxy pictures:

Birth Date: February 7th, 2010
Name: Roxanne
Nicknames:
Roxy (most common)
Roxy Rabbit (because of her ears, she sometimes looks like a rabbit. I even had someone who I talked to on a walk who thought I was walking a rabbit at first.)
Honey Boo (Kirsten's nickname)
Poo Face
Breed: Yorkshire Terrier mix (probably with poodle, but we're not totally sure. That would make her a Yorkie Poo...hence, Poo Face.)
Energy Level: Normal to High...she calms down when it's just us around the house, but whenever guests come over or when she's around other dogs, she has A LOT of energy, which she expresses in jumping.
She LOVES: almost any toy we get her to chew on, treats, people, dogs, jogs, hikes, playing, jumping, my bed, Kirsten's bed, our couches, etc. She loves to collect sticks, apples, and these little tree burrs that fall on our lawn outside.

She HATES: Being brushed, bathed, and left alone.

She's been growing up!
Did you know that dogs have puppy teeth and adult teeth?!?
She lost her puppy teeth recently, and got blood all over her toy.

Did you know that female dogs get periods?!?
Well we didn't have to deal with that because we got her spayed. She has been the most pathetic looking thing. She was comatose for a few days...probably thinking, "What did she do to me?! My womanhood is gone!" She's getting a little better...more herself. Here are some pictures of her after her surgery.

After her surgery I got her a new carrot because her old one was getting pretty dirty. Here they are side by side.

It's fun having a dog.

CCDA

2010-07-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

So I've been involved with the Christian Community Development Association for the past few years, and I've tried to explain it to a lot of people. It's been a huge source of inspiration for me, and I want others to know more about it. So...here is a video that describes more about the conference:

Also, here is a flier about the upcoming conference in Chicago. CCDA is the organization that co-published our curriculum book (FutureProfits - see previous post). If anyone's interested in going to the conference, this would be the one to check out. It will be amazing. Don't miss it!

Hello world...

2010-07-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

So the curriculum is finally finished!!! It has consumed my life for so long that sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. But I'm glad it's over, and I'm totally proud of it. Here is a picture of the cover and the back of the book.

Now that I'm done with this project, I intend to post some more frequently, so stay tuned...

Puppy class, Harry Potter, and Colorado

2010-07-02T00:20:00.000-07:00

This is what I've been up to outside of work...
Puppy classes have been good. Roxy "graduates" from Puppy 1 next Thursday. I'm just so proud of her... ;)

I just finished Harry Potter #7! I can't believe I read all those books. I'm so proud of myself. ;) The end was so good, and I'm so glad no one ruined it for me. I can't wait to see it in the theaters. The seventh book was the fastest to get through...couldn't put it down. Listening to audio books helps a lot too.

Saturday I leave for Colorado! I can't wait...my annual trip with my friends! So excited for the time with them.

Just wanted to give a quick update on the "little things" that have brought me some joy this week.

Interesting Quotes...thoughts?

2010-06-30T15:52:00.001-07:00

I've been absent from the blog world for almost 4 months due to the crazyness of the curriculum project (more on that later after it's actually done). I just wanted to share some random quotes that I found on my quest for quotes for the curriculum today:

Man is by nature a political animal.

-Aristotle

If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him...The people who give you their food give you their heart.

-Cesar Chavez

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Trading Lives

2010-03-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

A quote from C.S. Lewis about Christianity, and the cost of following Christ:

The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says, "Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down...Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked--the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours."

-From Mere Christianity

Picture of the Day - Cameron

2010-03-05T08:33:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of Cameron with his pink pancake. Last Sunday, Bristol and Cameron came over to exercise and have pancakes with Autumn and I. Here is one of my faves, and a link to a album of pictures and Cameron with his pink weights. (Pink is his favorite color.)

Working it out!

This weekend, my small group is going to Disneyland together. Cameron is the youngest member of our small group, and for his 4th bday, we decided to take him to Disneyland! We leave today.
I can't wait to experience Disneyland with a 4-year-old. He's so excited to see Mickey Mouse. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so that might be crazy. But Disneyland, here we come!

Dwight's Tribute to Canada

2010-02-25T22:42:00.000-08:00

This was so awesome, I had to share it with those who haven't seen it yet...I love the Office, and have been watching the Olympics lately: join the two, and...

Season Faves

2010-02-23T22:45:00.000-08:00

Every winter, I am pleasantly surprised by these beautiful trees that bloom. It's a seasonal favorite of mine, so I wanted to share it as my two pictures of the day. Now you can enjoy them as well.

Immigration Thoughts

2010-02-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

Immigration is within a stone’s throw of almost everyone in California. Although it surrounds us, many of us are naïve or ignorant on the topic. I’m in relationship with some immigrants who are undocumented, so the “stance” I take on a relational level is to love those who are undocumented and treat them with the same dignity that I would any other human being. Although I can love all people on an individual level, it gets tricky to know what that love looks like when the fact that they are “undocumented” impacts them and their future in very significant ways. (For example, many intelligent young men and women who were not born in the country, but know nothing else but the United States as their home will not have the opportunity to go to college and/or get scholarships because they are undocumented—unless someone with money can pay for their college education. Their future is very limited.) As a Christ follower, God has called me to be compassionate towards the poor, and immigrants are definitely included in the poor community. I feel like I personally do not know enough to have an educated conclusion of where I stand on the issue politically.

Many Christians are for immigration reform, and many are against it. There are sincere views on both sides. After hours of debate with other Christian leaders in our nation yesterday, we were unable to come to a “position”. Although I would say that we did come to a conclusion that we need to decide on what our posture towards undocumented immigrants can be and actually be involved in the discussion of immigration.

So I just want to open up the dialogue…let’s start with these questions:

•What do you know about immigration, and does it affect the direct community you live in? If yes, how so?
•Do you think that immigration laws should be reformed? Why or why not?

If you are brave enough to try and answer this question (because it can be so hotly debated):
•Any ideas on how laws could be reformed?

Purpose

2010-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Purpose is an interesting thing. I'm so thankful for this season in my life because I have felt like I've been "fulfilling my purpose"...doing what God created me for...since April-ish of last year. I felt a new "surge" of purpose after the Mexico High School trip last year that I was a leader on. I saw some pretty amazing ways that God moved and it brought me to a more confident place of understanding my purpose. It's funny too because the world around me puts the pressure on to know what your purpose is in regard to a job. Don't get me wrong, something I really enjoy right now is my job, and I'm sure it's because I find purpose in it. Making money is necessary in our world and we need to navigate through that. But I don't feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose ONLY through my job. It's in all the different elements of my life, and also for this season of life, because I know that my circumstances will change, and my purposes along with them. It will probably be difficult to adjust to when it does. But for now, I'm just really thankful for the ways that God has given me opportunities to live out my purpose confidently in the circumstances surrounding my life now.

The flower fades

2010-01-31T21:07:00.001-08:00

^6-8A voice says, "Shout!"
I said, "What shall I shout?"

   "These people are nothing but grass,
   their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,
   if God so much as puffs on them.
   Aren't these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
   but our God's Word stands firm and forever." (Isaiah 40:6-8, The Message)

...they are radiant!

2010-01-21T22:41:00.000-08:00

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
-Psalm 34:5

Better than red, ripe strawberries...

2010-01-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

¹⁰ God's Word is better than a diamond,
      better than a diamond set between emeralds.
   You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
      better than red, ripe strawberries. (Psalm 19:10, The Message)

God's Providence

2009-12-12T13:30:00.000-08:00

"It ought to comfort rather than upset us when our own arrangements go awry--especially if we have prayed for guidance and the accomplishment of the will of God. The disruption of our own plans is sometimes the very means of God's working out His own--not that we have disobeyed or ignored His directions, but that He may assure us of His serene Providence. Our lives are in His hands, not our own."

This is a quote from Elizabeth Elliot, that a friend David blogged about. I was encouraged, so I decided to share it with others here.

Cyber Monday?

2009-11-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

This is seriously the first year I've heard of Cyber Monday, and it seems like it's been around for years. How have I missed this? It's kind of lame that they added another day after Black Friday...Might as well make other days of the week like Thanksgiving is Thin Thursday or something.

ANYWAYS, for those who are planning to buy stuff this Christmas, check out this video:

I love Trade as One, and end up buying stuff from them every Christmas. It's such a blessing to me and others to be able to support a trustworthy organization that is bringing justice to the world, including America too! Check them out!

Happy Birthday Debra

2009-11-25T00:15:00.000-08:00

Debra is the woman who brings me inspiration. Seriously, I'm so glad she started blogging again because whenever I see her art/collages and read her thoughts, I am inspired to blog. Took me a while to pick it up again, but in honor of it being her birthday, she is my inspiration...

Debra and I met the summer of 2004. I love telling the story. I picked her up from the airport with her name on a sign because I didn't know what she looked like. I was welcoming her to the Summer Ministry Project, which is an internship that my church, Peninsula Covenant Church, does every summer. We had coffee for a couple hours while we waited for another intern to come, but as we talked we instantly connected. Although it was just a summer, we kept in touch over the distance, got to spend another summer together, and have seen each other as much as we can over the past few years.
She has been my friend through many ups and downs, but she is one of my friends that I can say God truly connected our hearts together.

With a voice that awakens the soul, and a compassion for others that goes so deep, she impacts lives around her in many ways. She was the main person who walked through one of the darkest seasons of my life, and friends that do that end up being friends for life.
At the moment, she is living in a suburb of Chicago, going to Trinity Seminary, married to Nate, and has a beautiful daughter named Annabel, with a delightful voice herself.

I could probably talk forever about the things I love about Debra, but I feel like they may mean the world to me, and not so much to the world.
Debra is insightful. When you talk with her, she listens with her heart. She cares deeply, but also has a playful spirit. She is a touch person, and speaks such wonderful words of encouragement. She delights in the small things, like twitterpaited trees, red leaves, sun and rainbows, etc. Her being a mom is so natural as she just delights in her daughter so much. She is a faithful friend, who gives selflessly to those around her. She is real about who she is and what she is thinking, even if it seems to be the "wrong" thing to think. She trusts that God is in control and communicates that abandonment of worry to Him in a way that encourages me. She is a woman of intuition and God speaks to her in powerful ways. She loves God, loves Nate, loves Annabel, and loves coffee. ;)
I got the privilege of visiting her just a couple of months ago, and one of my hopes and dreams is that some day, we'll live in the same city and get a chance to either live together or love on people together. She is a sister to me. I love her and miss her.

So Happy Birthday Debra! I'm so glad that God created you.

Katie

2009-10-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

If you were a first grader, the first three questions you would ask "Miss Majewski" are as follows:
1) Why are you so short?
2) Why are your feet so small?
3) Have you ever been to Washington?

Now it may seem like I'm describing a midget from the forests of Washington, but on the contrary...this is one of my closest friends who has never been to Washington, and her feet are proportionate to her height.

I feel intimidated even trying to write a post about Katie because words can't describe all the things I love about her. (Also, you don't want to mess with someone who can look like this...)

But seriously, that's actually what took me so long to write another post because I had planned on my post being about Katie, but I couldn't think of how to say what I loved about her. There are so many unique and lovely things about Katie, so here are just a few things for you to know about my friend:

Katie is my favorite adventurer, and I love to go on adventures with her.
She finds the most unique events and places to go, and will bring people with her. For example, we've been to Año Nuevo, a place where the elephant seals live, and a monarch garden, where all the monarchs migrate to each year. She found a little store on the side of the road where you can buy items through an "honor till" which basically means there is a cash box...you put the right amount in for what you are buying and take the right amount out. She goes to craft fairs, and we've gone kiwi picking, strawberry picking, and ollalaberry picking (well I wish I was there for the ollalaberries).

Katie is on a mission to find the best ice cream out there.
She will starve herself to have lots of the best.
She loves yogurt bars.

She loves gnomes.

Katie loves lemons (and eats the rind).

(This is Katie with the largest lemon ever.)

Katie is from Ohio and went to Bowling Green State University (and represents her home well).

She loves old people and used to work at a nursing home as the Activities Director. Old people used to follow her instead of Jesus (I know...kinda cultish, but it's true. And for the record, it wasn't instigated by Katie.)

She knows every word to about 5,000 songs...most of them being hip hop songs or musicals.

She would go in a dunk tank for you.

My favorite thing about Katie:
She is a loyal friend. She just gives and gives and gives, so selflessly. I am privileged to be one of her friends, and to call her a friend of mine. She is part of my family here (and even spent part of last Thanksgiving with me). I love my friend Katie and I hope you love her too.

Dad

2009-09-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

“Family faces are magic mirrors looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.”
-Gail Lumet Buckley

A little over a week ago, we celebrated my dad's 60th bday. We threw him a surprise party that many of those who love my dad came to. And although he wasn't completely surprised, he felt loved, which was the main point.
I had put together a book for my dad of photos and letters from his loved ones which celebrated his 60 years of life. Many of the pictures are in the slideshow below.

It was such a blessing for me to learn about my dad from receiving many different memories to put into this book. He is a man of integrity. The values that he holds to today are values that he held to when he was even a teenager, and they've gotten even better.
I'm so thankful to have a dad who listens, who loves and affirms me, and who values family. He is amazing.

Mexico

2009-09-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

(click on the picture to see a bigger version)

Will blog more later (I promise) but I wanted to post this picture of Ensenada, Mexico. Thank you to Kris for making it into a panorama! For those who went on the high school trip last year, do you miss it?

Check this out...

2009-09-10T14:21:00.001-07:00

My sister blogged about Flagstaff, and posted one of my brother's videos...you have to check it out. This is the type of fun high schoolers have in Flagstaff. So funny. My brother actually mixed the beat on garage band too (and taught himself how to do it).
Kristin's blog: http://kristingal.blogspot.com/2009/09/flagstaff.html

The fun that I had in Flagstaff growing up usually consisted of pranks on cars and high speed car chases. And taking pictures...hence my love for photography.

Tina and Funa

2009-09-07T21:15:00.001-07:00

All the way from Malawi, these girls have made an imprint on my heart. They are full of love and have hearts of gold. They care deeply for the people around them and are amazingly humble and are examples to those around them.

Katie, Christal, Tina, Funa and I went to San Francisco at the beginning of this month. It was a surprise as to where we were taking them. But once we drove past a sign that read "Golden Gate Bridge" Tina screams "The Golden Gate Bridge!!!" at the top of her lungs out of excitement to finally have seen it. She thought she wasn't going to get a chance to see it before they left to go home to Malawi.

They loved watching Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series. Tina's favorite character was Smiegel, and when she finally got a spoon ring from Katie (that she had really wanted), she ran around the forest exclaiming, "My precious! I got it!"

This whole summer, Funa would be so innocent in any jokes that were played on her fellow roommates, so everything that looked somewhat suspicious or any joke that was played on another person, whoever did it would sign a note saying "Love, Funa".

I personally love these girls so much because of the genuine and free spirits they have as they shared so much of themselves with us this past summer. I miss my new friends, Funa and Tina.

My New Blogging Project

2009-09-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." -Proverbs 27:19

I decided that I like people, and I like telling others about what I like about others. In college, some friends and I had a few months where we were the "Godly Gossipers"...yes, super cheesy, but gossiping can be so easy, so we wanted to say "kind" things about others behind their backs, and then write to them and tell them what we like about them.
Anyways, I'm going to blog about a few people here and there...about 2 or 3 per week, so that I'm blogging more often and so that others can read about people they may or may not know. AND if you know these people, you can add comments about what you like about them as well.
Enjoy my new blogging project...
;)

Julie & Julia

2009-08-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

Most would think that watching an inspirational movie about cooking would inspire the people who watch it to cook. I, on the other hand, was inspired to blog. The movie is about this woman who is turning 30, somewhat going through a crisis of meaning in life, and decides to start a project where she cooks through Julia Child's cookbook (524 recipes) in 365 days.

As anyone knows who reads my blog, I don't have a good record of blogging very often. Once or twice a month is my usual pattern. So I now have a new inspiration (and a new source of accountability) to blog more often for my friends and family, and anyone else who happens upon my blog, to read.

I actually have a specific blogging project that I'll be starting next week. Anyone who wants to be a part of my project, just comment on this post with whether or not you would be inspired to cook or to blog, and why, and I will soon make you a part of my blogging project. Thanks for your involvement!

More on the source of my accountability for blogging later...

Heels

2009-08-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I feel a new inspiration to wear heels. I think it's the image that comes with heels being more professional and womanly. They're just so uncomfortable, that I can never get to the point where my feet don't get blisters anymore. But my friend Maria would be proud. She's a heels person.
I'm intending to blog more often, so if you happen to read this today, stay tuned for more blogs. The source of my inspiration to blog will be revealed shortly.

Hermanos

2009-07-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

So good to spend time with my brothers last weekend. More to come later, but here are some preliminary pics:

Gilbert and Paula

2009-07-17T15:17:00.001-07:00

Just said goodbye to my friends Gilbert and Paula. I'm going to miss them this year, but I'm excited for them. They will be spending the next year in Mexico and Central America, mainly just living abroad, seeing what God is doing in these other countries, and serving wherever they are needed. I'm excited for them and inspired...I want to live in Central America someday.

Here is a picture of Gilbert at Starbucks. I took it a while ago, not to have a picture of Gil, but to show how funny the mac culture is at Starbucks. 4 white mac laptops in a row. We got a good laugh out of it.

Crazy Love

2009-07-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

I'm reading this book by Francis Chan and it's called Crazy Love. It's basically about God's crazy love and how as we know it more and live by His love, not only is His love crazy, but our love for others will be crazy. For those who believe in Christ, "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." p. 115
He gave an example or an idea about starting a movement called "Aspiring to the Median" where people commit to living at or below the U.S. Median Income and giving the rest away. He gave a figure from 2006 that is above my income. So you can imagine my surprise when I looked up the average income for this most recent year, and my incomhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife was actually higher than the median 1 Person Family Income:
In California:
1 Person Family: $29,172
2 Person Family: $38,149
3 Person Family: $47,125
4 Person Family: $56,101
5 Person Family: $65,077
6 Person Family: $74,053

This makes thinking about giving a little more challenging for me, as I realize what I'm making in comparison to others. I know it's even a lot in comparison to the rest of the world, but to compare it to others in CA where it is really expensive to live, helped give me some more perspective.
I think if I were to do this movement though, I'd call it the "Below Average" movement, and attribute it to the way Jesus lived His life by spending the majority of His time with the "Below Average" people and definitely made below the average in his day (being homeless and all).
Thoughts? Anyone want to join me in this movement?

God's Design and Healing

2009-05-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

God is pretty cool. I have a friend who pierced her tongue when she was in high school. She recently decided to take it out. When she did, the area of her tongue that was pierced started growing back within hours. Here is a picture of what it looked like just hours after she took it out:

I just love that God created so much of our bodies to work a certain way, that healing is always possible. It will never be the same again, and yet the healing starts right away.

Jackson, MS #2 / Recap

2009-05-10T23:26:00.000-07:00

Throughout the last couple of days, a group of us (which I’ll now refer to as the cohorts) have been mentored by men and women who are passionately following God, who are over the age of 60 and 70. They have gone through very huge trials in their lives and yet they are still living with a strong sense of hope and desire to see the Kingdom of God happen on earth. Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. And God tells us that in heaven there is no pain, no tears, joy, etc. So often, the trials that we go through make us bitter and cynical of life being hopeful in the future. Trials make it hard to ask God that his will would be done on earth as it is in heaven, because it’s so hard to hope for that when we see the works of Satan (destruction, pain, etc.) prevailing on earth.
Therefore, I’ve been so encouraged (and feel a strong sense of privilege) to sit at the feet of these older men and women who are highly respected, who genuinely hope for God’s Kingdom to grow on earth.

Some fun memories:

Best BBQ I’ve ever experienced (they know how to do it in the south)

Koinonea Coffee Shop
A group of us girls walked there one morning and enjoyed a great conversation with each other.

Sitting on porches and getting to know new friends.

A bus ride with Dr. Perkins, giving us a tour of his experiences in Mendenhall. This made the lack of reconciliation between whites and blacks so real. Growing up all my life, this was just something I learned about in school. It’s hard for things to be real to me unless I’ve experienced them, or someone who is close to me or who I care about has experienced it. Well reading Dr. Perkins’ book, Let Justice Roll Down, which gives a picture of his life testimony, and then being in the very place that so much of it took place, really helped me to experience it.

A precious picture was driving by an elementary school where all the kids were out in the playground for recess, and there were so many kids, white and black alike, running and playing together. It is so encouraging to see how far America has come, specifically in the South, and how much racial reconciliation has taken place. It’s definitely not non-existent, but things have changed, and it’s something worth celebrating.
Another great picture was when Dr. Perkins stopped on the side of the freeway at the place where he heard Martin Luther King Jr’s speech on the radio. He said that as he heard the words which so reflected his dream, he and his friend with him just started weeping.

Here is a school that was known as “the black school”. It was named after a highly respected black teacher, Mrs Annie Bell Harper..."and it kept the name of Harper School until court-ordered integration in the '70s brought in some white students and it became a junior high school. Naturally, the all-white school board and the white parents could not tolerate their children attending a school whose name honored a black person, so the name was changed to Mendenhall Junior High School." (Let Justice Roll Down, pg. 94)

Here is a picture of the cohorts in front of John and Vera Mae Perkins house in Mendenhall that has been changed to a “museum” of sorts, so that people can see pictures of what the beginnings looked like. They didn’t know how to do much, so everything was pretty grass roots. Dr. Perkins even built his first pulpit:

It was just so amazing to see how “giddy” Dr. Perkins got as he showed us all that God did in this little town. His commitment and love for the community radiated from him, even years and years after it happened, but also because it was still happening...God was still working in great ways in this community.

Here is a picture of the cohort team with Vera Mae Perkins. She has been sick lately, and just got home on Thursday so she could meet us Friday before we left.

I got to stay an extra evening and go with my new friends (and some old ones) to a Mississippi Braves minor league game, which was a great end to the week.

This is Mr. and Mrs. Lowell and Dixie Noble, who live at the Antioch House on the Perkins Center Property. They use their retired volunteer time to live here 9 months of the year and help with whatever needs help on campus. Mr. Lowell Noble is very passionate about justice, and for people to have a Biblical understanding of oppression. It was fun to talk with him and see his brilliance and passion. I was just so blessed to soak wisdom up from these older men and women who have gone ahead of me, and are living their lives in a way that reflects their love for Jesus and people.

Jackson, MS #1.5

2009-05-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

Drinking out of a fire hose...
is a good analogy for what the last couple of days were like. One of the other cohorts mentioned that and I totally agreed. Sitting in the presence of men and women that are older than me, who have faithfully and passionately followed Christ makes me think of what it may have been like to sit at Paul's feet (Paul who wrote most of the New Testament) and just be so thankful for His instruction and wisdom. I'm so thankful to see their example, and to be led into the presence of God. I'll be spending some time on the plane today, processing my experience and the things I've learned, and will be posting more on it soon. Thanks for reading, and I hope you will be encouraged.

Jackson, MS #1

2009-05-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

I'm in the south for a week. It's my first time in MS, and after being here for a day, I can say that it's my first real experience in the South. The catch phrase so far has been "We're not from around here." People look at us funny.
I'm traveling with the Liotti's (John, my boss, and his son Sam). We went to see Wolverine at the movies last night. Here is a picture of the movie theater:

Everything around here is so slow-paced...nice to experience that. I've gotten to sit on a rocking chair on a porch and read a book. :) I've already experienced some southern cooking, and it's been fun to experience some southern accents. Our waitress at Cracker Barrell today called us "baby" a couple times. And I've gotten to experience a Waffle House too.

Anyways, a lot of people have asked why I'm here, so here's the quick-ish answer:
I'm part of this organization called CCDA--Christian Community Development Association. A group of us were invited and applied to be a part of a "cohort" for the "emerging leaders" of CCDA. So we get to be in Jackson for a few days, learning about the history of the founders of CCDA, specifically Dr. John Perkins. He is one of the main leaders of the civil rights movement from a faith perspective. It is such a privilege and I'm very excited to learn from him, meet the other cohorts, and understand more about how to live in community with the poor.
We have prepared for this by reading a few books, and tomorrow we will all be here, start meeting together, and basically get to sit and listen to Dr. Perkins share his life with us.

I came early to help set up and prepare, as my boss is the leader of this "emerging leaders initiative". I just spent the last couple of hours listening to Mr. Lowell Noble share his life and experiences with us, and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

I've also gotten bit by mosquitos (7 times within a half hour!), bought bug spray, eaten a chicken biscuit and got apple butter at Cracker Barrell. It's just been a fun and restful stay so far. More to come...

Video on Healing...check it out!

2009-04-03T13:33:00.001-07:00

If I could write songs...

2009-04-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

I would write about spring:
the blossoms
new smells
beautiful and vibrant colors
light late into the night
greens
life...

Money talk...

2009-03-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

Talking about money in the household....
Money was a somewhat taboo topic in many families, but I'm thankful that my parents taught me some practical skills and responsibility. As I was growing up, there were certain things about money that we didn't know, like how much money our parents made. I did hear a lot about the budget and sticking to it...and my parents helped me open a bank account, learn how to make regular payments on my car and gas and insurance, and warned me of credit cards. I didn't know why to stay away from credit cards, but I knew they were "bad". I'm thankful for what my parents taught me about dealing with money.

It's funny to think that now, I'm teaching middle school and high school students about money. I've always been pretty good with numbers, and pretty responsible and frugal when it came to spending money. I'm a very relational person, so whenever I spent/spend money, it tends to be on going out with friends, or traveling to visit friends. But thankfully, I didn't get caught up too much in buying lots of material things and raking up credit card debt. Most of what I'm learning about money myself as I prepare to teach it to students is that money affects others within a community and it's not just an individual thing.

I found this video about parents talking with their kids about money and wanted to share it with whoever:

She gives practical advice for parents of many ages of children (not just high school and college).

Oakland SWAT team deaths

2009-03-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

I'm watching the funeral for the Oakland SWAT team officers who were shot and killed last Saturday. It's incredibly sad...I didn't know them, but I feel as if I did. I'm praying for their families today.
Here are a couple of articles about the shootings:
Three police officers killed in Oakland shootings
4th Oakland Officer Still On Life Support

Also praying for the Sandoval family in East Palo Alto too:
East Palo Alto Shooting

Story of Stuff

2009-03-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

It's incredible to think of the systems we get sucked into even if we don't like them. It's so easy to waste, and not even realize we are being suckered. Take 20 minutes of your time to check out this video...you'll be glad you did.

Some of the ways we can combat the cycle she talked about in the film are recycling, caring for the Creation surrounding us ("Creation Care" as my friend Evan introduced to me the other day), and creating Consumer Consciousness. I was talking with my friend about it, and even if I don't buy much, I tend to want to buy the cheap things (like the $4.99 radio in the film), which adds to another element of the exploitation of people and our world. We can buy products from companies we know are "fair trade" but it seems hard to figure out which ones truly are fair trade. According to a website called New American Dream, American Apparel is one of the only companies I recognize that sell clothing that is sweatshop free. So if we want to be consumer conscious, we need to be ready to spend a little more, and most likely buy a little less than we already do. Thoughts?
For those in my community, what if we tried living this out more in our community? Do you think we would look differently?

Missing the blogging world...

2009-03-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

I didn't know how much I'd like getting into blogs, but now I can read others' blogs as they post, and it inspires me to post, and I really just like hearing people's thoughts and seeing their creativity through PICTURES and VIDEOS.
I came down with something of a flu yesterday...cough and fever. It's been going around our house, and Jill is the only one who hasn't gotten it yet. As I was trying to fall asleep last night, I was half dreaming in Spanish (my final oral presentation was today) and I was half dreaming a scene from this book I read before I went to sleep: Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. I've read it once before...6.5 years ago, and have forgotten much of it...so I decided to pick it up and read it again. It's as addicting to read as before. Anyways, I asked God to at least heal the fever, and I woke up at 2am...it was gone! I went back to bed and when I woke up for the day, my fever was still gone! Thank you God.
Now I often get kind of delusional when I'm sick, where things make sense to me and not to others, so I apologize if this next part doesn't make sense:
I've been drinking tea, and Elise's blog made me think of how tea is often related (in pictures sometimes) to wilderness, open air spaces, or wild flowers in Elise's case. And as I drank my tea, and looked at the bedside table and saw Ricola cough drops, it has pictures of flowers and the swiss alpine mountains. So I decided that God made certain things to heal, and people who are advertising tea and cough drops (things that heal) are just following along with what God designed.

One of the things I was going to blog about was my last "Adventure Day" which I go on with the ladies from my Bible Study. We have a lot of fun. But Bristol already blogged about it, so if you would like to read about how much fun it was, or at least see pictures, check out her post here: http://bristolandcameron.blogspot.com/2009/03/second-adventure-day.html

That's as much as I can add for now. But hopefully I'll be back in the blogging world sooner than later. :)

Español

2009-02-10T23:52:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know, after 4.5 years of not being in school, I have gone back to a local community college, Foothill College, where I am taking a 5 unit Spanish class. I don't know if I am just a wimp, but I seriously don't know how people survive with being a full-time student and having a full-time job. It's hard enough just taking a 5-unit class. Maybe it's because I've had such freedom in setting up good time boundaries for my life over the past few years, but I seriously feel the busy-ness since starting this class! But it's been worth it, and I'm so thankful to be practicing and speaking Spanish again. I hope to keep taking classes and hopefully someday spend at least 6 months to a year in Central America to practice it and hopefully become fluent. Anyways, that is what is new with me, for those of you who didn't know.

Anyone want to leave me a comment? I would love to hear if you have a favorite word in Spanish, or in other words: ¿Qué es tu palabra favorita en español?

Christmas 2008

2009-01-22T23:32:00.000-08:00

My Christmas this year was a little different than usual. I ended up spending my first Christmas in the Bay area. It was great in many ways because I got to spend Christmas with people and families who I consider my non-blood-related family. The best part was that Jonny (my "blood"-brother) was here and I got to spend the Christmas festivities with him too. So here are some glimpses of my Christmas week:

Davidson Party
My friends Chris and Heather Davidson threw a Karaoke Christmas party...very fun!

Heather, Bristol, and I singing "Bye Bye Bye"

The group sing-a-long

My roommates, Kirsten and Jill

Staff Christmas Party
Tuesday before Christmas, our staff celebrated Christmas together by playing mini-golf and archery. It was a fun competition, and really fun to try archery again!

From left to right: Me, Maria, Cynthia, Alex, John, Gilbert

Christmas Eve
Spent some time with Carla in the morning, the Gapastiones in the afternoon, and the Johnson Family in the evening.

Isella with her animal friends:

Katie & Kelsey Johnson and I

Christmas Day
I made AEBLESKIVER!! It was my first batch ever, and I got to share the Danish breakfast food with some friends: the Gapastiones, Carla, Jenny Recotta, and Jonny of course. Jonny and I won while playing Like Minds.

We watched a movie in the afternoon with Charlie and Jenny.

We went to the Sandquist's house for Christmas Dinner and games, and then played Mat Ball afterward. It was very fun!

Southern CA Fam Time
The next day, Jonny and I drove down to Los Angeles, stopping through Fresno to visit with the Kearns family (our cousins), and then we spent some time with Mom, Dad, Robbie, and Grandmother when we got to Los Angeles. The next day, we visited my Granddaddy's gravesite. I hadn't been there in such a long time. I miss him.
Then Kristin and Sam got in town, and we all had a great time eating together, exchanging presents, and talking. We also got to see my Uncle Randal and Cheryl too! It was a great time visiting with family!

My Granddaddy, Winston Churchill

Mom and Dad

Jonny and Robbie

Me and Kristin

The fam looking at a gift

Kristin and Grandmother

Uncle Randal and Cheryl

HORSE prompt (for those who are playing the game with me): What was the highlight of your Christmas festivities?

Because it's been a MONTH...

2009-01-20T23:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've been out of the blogging world, for those who care. I've been wanting to post for a while, but I have been more busy than I'm used to, and am trying to figure out how to manage that now.
Every new year, I reflect on the previous year, and think about what I hope to see for this year. Last year, I felt like I had a very clear picture of what I wanted 2008 to look like. Here is the post I wrote about my dreams for 2008 last year: http://jenniingram.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-year-foci.html

I had 3 foci:
1) PHOTOGRAPHY: I definitely succeeded in this focus. With the purchase of my Canon Rebel Xti in January of last year, I took somewhere around 10,000 pictures and feel privileged to not only enjoy those pictures myself, but to share them with others, and see that others love them too!
2) SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP: I was a leader for the Summer Ministry Project this previous year, and it was great. I loved being in that familiar position, yet challenged to lead and serve. I feel like this focus is more of a focus for this upcoming year though...more on that below.
3) LANGUAGES or CROCHETING: Hmm...didn't really succeed in that last year, but have taken steps to succeed in the language aspect this year, so more on that below as well.

Out of the rest of the goals I jotted down, here are my thoughts on those:
-To give the Abs Diet a shot. (I tried...kind of...this one is carrying over to this year.)
-To keep in touch with my family more. (This one is a carry-over as well.)
-To grow in my understanding of God's love for me. (I really feel like I did. I'm in a different place this January 2009 than I was in January 2008. I feel more confident in God, His love, and His power. My faith has been growing.)
-To play soccer more. (I did! Loved it.)
-To hike Half Dome. (Another carry-over.)
-To decrease my "stuff". (mmm...nope.)
-To spend more time resting and listening to God. (yeah...I really grew in this after last year's CCDA conference in October.)
-To read "the green book". (I did! Loved it too.)

So this year, I don't really have foci. I have plans though.

SPANISH
I finally enrolled in a Spanish class at Foothill College, thanks to my friends Gilbert and Paula who were taking classes there too. Started with Spanish 1. I felt like I could use the review/practice. And I love the class, the Spanish language, and the challenge. I'm hoping to take Spanish 2 & 3 and be able to converse with people as much as possible this year. (P.S.-It's weird being back in school.)

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
God has opened up an opportunity for me to be mentored by some amazing men and women in my faith through this internship opportunity with CCDA (Christian Community Development Association). I can't wait to see how God grows me and shapes me in this upcoming year as I commit to growing in my leadership. More to come throughout the year...

Other small goals:
-Budget refined
-Abs Diet
-Keep in touch with family
-Encourage others faithfully

The only other thing I would add to this upcoming year is that I plan to travel a lot. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all my hopes/plans to travel, but I'm so excited to see what will come up, and the fun I'll get to spend in other parts of the country with friends. :)

Another ElfYourself Performance...

2008-12-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Brought to you by the Ingram/Gallagher family (my brothers, sister, and I)...
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/2aSUyPft5hPW5uwdeTMs

Kristin's Masterpeice

2008-12-19T12:07:00.001-08:00

This is the trailer my sister has been working on for her job. She did most of the facial animation. Check out the link, and enjoy:
http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601748

Elf Yourself

2008-12-19T00:03:00.000-08:00

For a limited time only, please click on the following link to see the Christmas disco dance my Bible Study performed for the world to see, featuring Bristol, Cameron, Katie, Autumn, and myself.
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/MAmZHqBlvcJueyykkiAE

What happens in Vegas...

2008-12-13T15:01:00.000-08:00

...well, it won't stay in Vegas during this post. Seriously, it was so worth sharing...
First, I got to spend time with my sister, and we got to trick some people into thinking that I was her. It was great fun. I really loved getting to meet and hang with her co-workers, and of course spend time with Kristin on "vacation".

I also got the privilege of seeing a close friend of mine, Maylene and her husband Jason, whom I haven't seen for around 4 years! It had been so long, but easy to pick up as close friends again. Jason was running in the 5K Charity run called "The Great Santa Run". It's one of the Guiness Book of World Records of gathering the most amount of Santas in one place. I was so excited to go and especially to capture some great shots on camera...check it out!

May is pregnant!

TV Shows

2008-12-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

I came across a new tv show that I like called Pushing Daisies. It's very funny. Ever since Kristin and Sam introduced me to The Office and Arrested Development, I've gotten back into tv shows. I watched the first 3 seasons of Alias on DVD, and I've also watched seasons 1 and 3 of Heroes. From high school through about 2 years ago, I was against tv, and didn't think I liked any shows. Maybe I overdosed on tv. One of the embarrassing things of my middle school years (except for wearing long-sleeved flannels all the time) is that one summer (I think 6th to 7th grade), I spent at least 4-5 hours (possibly more) a day watching tv! I can't believe that I could just zone out and be unproductive for that long of a time each day. I think I'm naturally lazy. Honestly, the only shows I remember watching (and loving) were Quantum Leap, Murder She Wrote, & Home Improvement. When I was really little I loved watching MacGyver with my mom and dad. Anyways, all that to say that I'm surprised now (after years of being against tv) to find when I do like tv shows. I guess the internet makes it easier to watch them whenever I want too.
What do you like or dislike about tv?
What tv shows do you like watching?

What bugs me...

2008-12-09T21:14:00.000-08:00

My friend posed to me the question, "What bugs me right now, and what are you going to do about it?"
It bugs me that every time I think of something that bugs me, I don't want to write about it because I don't want to do anything about it. It's almost like if I write about it, then I am held accountable to doing something about it. I'm sure if I gave it some serious thought, there would be something with more depth that is bothering me right now, but one thing that is bothering me is that I don't like talking on the phone for the past 2 years (on and off), and because of that, I have a hard time keeping in touch with my best friend. I've emailed her because that works better for me, but she keeps in touch best through phone calls. So what I'm going to do is call her this weekend.
The other thing that is bugging me is that I have an opal ring that broke about 3.5 years ago. It was a gift from my sister, and it's considered my purity ring because of the beauty that it reflects through the specks of rainbow in the midst of the pure white color. What I should do about it is get it fixed, but I don't know where to go or how to get it fixed. So one of these days...

Horse prompt coming soon...

Advent Conspiracy

2008-12-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

My friend, Bethany, wrote a blog about my previous "Horse" prompt question regarding Christmas. It was a thoughtful post, and I would like to share it with whoever reads my blog...click here.
Also it reminded me of a video that my church has been watching together, and wondering how we can enter into the "advent conspiracy". Check it out, and be encouraged. It's not meant to bring guilt...which is also why I am referencing Bethany's post. I think she has some great thoughts on materialism during the Christmas season. Here is the video:

2008-12-01T15:22:00.001-08:00

No words necessary:

Horse Prompt:
What is at least one creative way that you and your family/friends/loved ones have made the Christmas holiday a sacred one instead of a stressful one (either in the past or this present Christmas)?

When I was a kid...

2008-11-30T10:34:00.000-08:00

I can remember a few things from childhood that I wonder if they were true or if I simply dreamed them, but there are three specifically that I wish I could still do.
My parents have this waterbed with a hutch at the head of the waterbed that was probably about 1 foot high by 1 foot wide. I remember crawling underneath there while playing hide and go seek, and no one would be able to find me. I look at that little cubed hiding place today and wonder if I really was able to fit in there or not.
Secondly, I used to play outside all day, picking up rolly pollies and doing other things (which I can't remember), and when I would come inside for dinner, I remember my hands being black compared to the rest of my body. I don't really remember what I did to get them that dirty, but I loved getting so dirty. I don't know why. And I hated washing my hands.
And thirdly, in my old house in Canyon Country (near Magic Mountain, where I grew up till I was 12), there were 2 stories, but the stairs would go up about 13 stairs to a landing, then stop and go up the rest of the way about 7 stairs. I remember going on the other side of the railing of the landing and jumping off and landing on the couch below and not getting hurt. What bliss. It was like jumping on a trampoline. It must have been at least 10 feet high or so. But I remember before I moved (when I was 12) I looked at this landing and where the couch had always been, and I thought that my memory would be impossible. So unfortunately, I do not know if I really did it or not. I will always remember that I did.

Multiple Choice Jenni

2008-11-17T12:03:00.001-08:00

Just for fun...and in response to the new HORSE game...here is a short multiple choice quiz about myself. Please comment with your answers, and I will announce the winner after a week! No cheating by looking at others' responses to the quiz.
If you would like to make a multiple choice quiz about yourself, please comment with a link to your blog.

1. What is Jenni's favorite game to play with friends?
a) Apples to Apples
b) Scattergories
c) Boggle
d) Scrabble

2. What is Jenni's favorite TV show to watch?
a) Heroes
b) The Office
c) Alias
d) 30 Rock

3. What is Jenni's biggest distraction from getting work done at work?
a) Blogging
b) Text Twist
c) Talking with co-workers
d) G-chat (chatting on Gmail)

4. Who of the following people cannot be included in Jenni's 14 roommates (not all 14 listed):
a) Adrieanna Martinez
b) Dana Miles
c) Bethany Dye
d) Jill Farmer
e) Autumn Buzzell
f) Mara Stromberg
g) Robin La Riviere
h) Megan Garcia
i) Kirsten Grothe
j) Kirsten Devlin

5. Who is Jenni's favorite author?
a) Shane Claiborne
b) Brennan Manning
c) Francine Rivers
d) C.S. Lewis
e) All of the Above

New HORSE prompt: How are you celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday this year?

Smiling and New Things in October

2008-11-13T22:20:00.000-08:00

My wonderful friend from college, Bethany Joy, is starting a blogging game to help her friends blog more. It is a game of HORSE, and her HORSE prompt was "What made you smile in October?" Feel free to comment on this blog with what made you smile as well, and if you'd like to join the game, see the rules of the game here.

I feel like I was constantly smiling in October. I smiled while going to a corn maze, getting lost in it, and trying to make my friends get lost as well.

(Abby, Autumn, Me, Christina, Katie)

I smiled because I got to see Katty again and spend time with her:

I smiled because of a spontaneous visit from Kristin and getting to go on a hike in Muir Woods with her:

In response to another HORSE prompt from Wendi, I went to Miami in October, and I had never done that before! It was a great trip for a conference called CCDA, which I still have some posts to add soon with my reflections from that trip.

HORSE prompt: Who is a friend of yours that you haven't seen in a long time...and brag on him or her in your post.

Idyllists music video

2008-11-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

This is my brother-in-law's band, the Idyllists. He is the drummer (Sam Gallagher), and this is their song:
"I Think It's Gonna Rain"

Quality. They'll be coming up to the bay area soon. I'll keep the blog updated as to when. Hopefully you can come see them perform!

Call + Response

2008-11-06T10:11:00.001-08:00

For anyone who has yet to see the film, Call + Response, about modern day slavery, I would encourage you to see it. Here is a song that Matisyahu performs, along with clips from the movie. The whole last part of his song is amazing and spectacular improvisation. Enjoy, and go see the movie: http://www.callandresponse.com/tickets.html

Obama's win

2008-11-05T23:27:00.000-08:00

For anyone who appreciates some dry humor, check out this post from The Onion:

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

CCDA #2

2008-11-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a glimpse of CCDA...there was a youth focus night where they had this guy show off his krump skills...I'll write more of my thoughts from CCDA later, but I figured I would share a video with you for now:

The Church / "Christians"...in view of the current election

2008-10-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

So for those that know me well, I usually don't get into politics, and the only reason why I'm blogging about politics now is because I've been so frustrated and saddened by the church in America over the past month or so.
I know Christians who are striving to follow Christ on both sides of the political spectrum...many voting for Obama and many voting for McCain. What saddens me is when Christians from one side of the political spectrum believe that people on the other side are not really standing for faith in Christ. This only creates dissension among brothers and sisters in the family of God. Christianity is not found in one political party. We have been called to strive for peace and to speak the truth to each other in love. I want to encourage anyone who is a Christ-follower reading this blog to commit now to praying for the next president, that God would give them wisdom, regardless of who is elected president, and to not be so discouraged by whoever is the next president thinking that "the world is over."
It is ridiculous to believe that either of the candidates running will bring hope to America, will restore marriage in America (that is the Church's job), will "save" America or the world. It is ridiculous to believe that either candidate is perfect and will make every decision perfectly for this country. Both seem to love this country and both will try to make wise decisions for this country.
It is most important for the Church (aka followers of Christ) to stand united in Christ, our One True King, for such a time as this: to love fully, to stand by truth and speak truth regardless of what the government says to be true, and to strive for peace among brothers and sisters in the Church.
I do agree that this is a critical election, as it's true also that it is a critical time for our nation...economically, relationally, etc. Both candidates have good things to offer, and both candidates have issues that we are against, so we must be as educated as possible and vote wisely.
My pastor, Gary Gadinni, encouraged me with his words in this past week's "Gmail" ("G" standing for Gary):

As the Lead Pastor of this church I have a responsibility to encourage you to pray through political issues, become well informed, and then exercise our God-given and American-given right in this democracy by voting. You will never hear political endorsements for candidates or on issues from the pulpit for many reasons, not the least of which is I do not want to belittle your intelligence by thinking you would mindlessly take my political advice. History is replete with evidence that when the church has received state-backing, from Constantine on, it has usually hurt and rarely helped the advancement of the Kingdom of God; aiding mostly in complacency and, worse yet, coerciveness on behalf of the church.

A colleague of mine wisely put it another way: Imagine if we elected all the right people to all the right offices—Presidents, Congress, Governors, right down to the School Board and City Council. Let’s imagine all these ideal office holders instituted all the right policies. Let’s imagine all the propositions were voted for or against the right way...every piece of legislation was voted just exactly the way you know it ought to be.

Would the hearts of parents be turned towards their children? Would all marriages be models of faithful love? Would greed and pride be legislated out of existence? Would humans be, at last, able to master our impulses in areas of sexuality, anger, and narcissism? Would you finally become the man or woman you know you ought to be?

No human system has the ability to change the human heart. Government was established by God, and we are called to pray for and obey those in authority over us (Romans 13:1-7). But be careful of placing too much hope in Government. Jesus clarified it best when he said in Mt 22:21, Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. Caesar gets my prayers, taxes, and vote. God gets my whole life and my hope for cultural transformation.

Any thoughts from you of how the Church is responding to this election?

Darfur

2008-10-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

I've been watching a lot of Frontline PBS videos lately, and they did one documentary on Darfur about a year ago to communicate about the genocide happening there. For anyone who wants to be more educated on the great injustice going on in this country, you can check it out here:
The Story of Darfur
(Just click on "Watch The Full Program Online")

The Save Darfur Coalition has done a lot of work to help stop the genocide.
If you would like to be involved by being a voice for the country of Darfur, click on this link to sign a postcard to encourage the next president to take action on fighting for peace and justice in Darfur.

CCDA #1

2008-10-24T11:56:00.001-07:00

I'm in Miami, FL right now at a conference called Christian Community Development Association. This is my second year at the conference and it is always encouraging and challenging to be here. I find myself being challenged in different ways this year as opposed to last year. Much of the conference is similar to last year, as many conferences are, but I'm still enjoying my time here, and have more to add (which is why this post is CCDA #1). I must say that it is crazy to have not checked my email for almost 3 days and to have over 50 new messages. Maybe that is where all my time goes in day to day life...checking email. :( Anyways, check back soon and I'll be posting thoughts from the conference.

Economics

2008-10-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

I'm learning more about economics today than I ever learned in my high school economics class, and honestly, more than I ever thought I would need to know. Check out my boss, John Liotti's blog, for a PBS broadcast that will help you understand a little more about what is happening with the bailout and our economy today:
http://norcalurban.blogspot.com/2008/10/two-excellent-resources-to-understand.html

Top Places in America

2008-10-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Carla, Autumn, Katie and I were hanging out tonight and playing a question game. This question came up and I decided to record everyone's answers:
"What are five things every visitor to this country should see?"
(We did 6, and just so everyone knows, Carla is from Australia, Katie is from Parma, Ohio, Autumn is from Paonia, CO, and I am from Flagstaff, AZ.)

Carla
1) New York, NY
2) Santa Barbara, CA
3) Downtown Fullerton, CA
4) San Diego, CA
5) Rodeo Drive in LA, CA
6) Albany, NY

Katie
1) New Orleans, LA
2) Frakenmuth, Michigan (Christmas capital of the world)
3) Sequoia National Forest in CA
4) Disneyland or Disneyworld
5) Cleveland, OH in the fall, WITH someone from Cleveland
6) Buffalo Roundup in North Dakota
7) Alaska
8) Philadelphia, PA
9) Tour of the underground railroad

Autumn
1) Paonia, CO
2) Wild Animal Safari Park in Oregon
3) Yellowstone National Park in WY
4) Boston, MA (house of Louisa May Alcott and Emily Dickinson)
5) Washington DC
6) The Four Corners
7) Fort Point (under the Golden Gate Bridge in SF)
8) Oregon Trail with oxen and a wagon
9) Library of Congress

Jenni
1) Grand Canyon, stopping in Flagstaff on the way
2) Solvang, CA
3) Yosemite in CA
4) Seattle, WA
5) San Francisco, CA
6) Zion National Park in Utah
7) Niagra Falls (even though the best part of it is in Canada)
8) Minnesota

(Kirsten and Steve showed up partway through the game, so they joined in...)
Kirsten
1) Ellis Island
2) San Carlos, CA
3) Hawaii
4) Orange County
5) Pike Place Market in Seattle
6) Maine in the Fall
7) Vail, CO
8) Aurora Borealis in Alaska
9) The Bering Sea in Alaska

Steve
1) Mount Rushmore
2) Haight Street in San Francisco
3) Santa Cruz (check out the mission)
4) Glacier Point
5) Music Scene in Chicago

Out of these 46 places in America, how many have you been to? and how many do you want to go to?

Rosh Hashanah

2008-09-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

Learning about Rosh Hashanah today, the Jewish New Year. This year (of 2008) is the 5769 Jewish year, and Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown tonight, and traditionally was meant to last for a day.
This is when the year of Jubilee would be announced by the blowing of a shofar (trumpet type instrument made from a ram's horn). Also, all of the activities that were prohibited during the Sabbath were also prohibited on this day, so it was to be a day of rest. The activities prohibited had this in common: they prohibit any activity that is creative, or that exercises control or dominion over one's environment. Interesting...
(I'm learning all of this from Wikipedia by the way.)
Psalm 81 is a description of how Rosh Hashanah would be celebrated. A short snippet of this part of the Bible says:

"Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast. ...He says, 'I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.' Selah."

My favorite part of what God says in this chapter is this:

"If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

What do you know about Rosh Hashanah?

Boggle and Mosquitos

2008-09-25T23:55:00.000-07:00

Playing with my roommates the past two nights, I am the Boggle champion. But I don't really care...I just like to play.
I was attacked by a mosquito last night. He got me 8 times. 3 of them woke me up at 1:45am. No fun. So I slept on the couch to get away. And Jill killed the beast this morning. She said it was pretty nasty killing the little bugger.
Then when I went jogging today, a mosquito flew in my ear! Out of control.
And we had an Office party tonight. Matt, Jill, Katie, Autumn, Gina and I gathered together to watch our beloved tv show. Without ruining what happens for anyone who cares and hasn't seen it yet, I will just say that I loved the episode, and especially Andy's song he sings to Angela at the beginning (Ela, Ela, Hey Hey Hey). That cracked me up.

The Head

2008-09-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

"I'm so glad you saved that head from your past life!"
This was a quote from Autumn tonight. Last weekend I cleaned out my closet and I found this styrofoam head that I bought at a garage sale with a friend of mine, Sarah Magden, in 2002. It has sentimental value to me (that's my excuse for collecting and saving a piece of crap, which I do often). So anyways, I've decided to make it a part of our house, and I've decided to name it Jane. None of my roommates know that I've named it that unless they read this blog.
Anyways, it started in Kirsten's room in a basket, and has moved to the shower, the refrigerator, underneath my covers, on top of our heater, on our entertainment center, and this is where it ended up tonight:

This is also what happens when you clean out your closet...Autumn decided to try on my old Halloween costume, and some other things...

I love being a part of the Ivy house. ;)

Influential men I don't know personally...

2008-09-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

Rob Bell, Shane Claiborne, and David Crowder...
All of these men kind of remind me of each other. I listen to Rob Bell's sermons, and then listen to David Crowder's music and I feel like they are easily connected. It's the same when I read Shane Claiborne's books and listen to David Crowder.
Anyways I think these three men, even though I don't really know any of them personally, have had a huge impact on my life and have been a part of shaping the way I view my relationship with God.

Joy/Mother Teresa

2008-09-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

I've been learning a lot about joy lately. In our community here, we often pick a word that we focus on throughout the next season of life. My word for this upcoming season is JOY.
In the Bible, both Paul and James encourage their readers to consider it joy when they experience trials. I often find it hard to truly live with joy even when I am content. I'm happy, but I can also become apathetic, and not live with joy. But it's pretty bold to think about encouraging Christians to live in joy when they go through trials. What I'm learning is that the joy comes from a trust that God is trustworthy, faithful, and good. He has good in store, and is in control, and is intricately involved in each and every situation.
I know this can be hard to accept, and it has been hard for me to accept in the past. I often look to others who actually live it to understand what it looks like. Lately I've been reading a book about Mother Teresa called "Come Be My Light". It talks about her call to serve the poor, and how God began that passion in her. Her humble love for Jesus makes me want to love Jesus more. Here are some of her words that have encouraged me:

Now I really rejoice when something does not go as I wish--because I see that He wants our trust--that is why in the loss let us praise God as if we have got everything. ...I want to be only all for Jesus--truly, and not only by name and dress. Many times this goes upside-down...always the same proud Gonda [her name before Mother Teresa]. Only one thing is different--my love for Jesus--I would give everything, even life itself, for Him. It sounds nice, but in reality it is not so easy. And just that I want, that it not be easy.

I enjoy learning about Mother Teresa's life, the devotion with which she lived completely for Jesus, calling herself His little bride, being willing to unite with Jesus in His sufferings that others may see the Light that comes from God. When she first interacted with the poor in the slums of Calcutta, she knew she didn't have anything to give them, but she said, "I go to give them joy."

This is what another sister said about her:
"Admittedly, her deeds are entirely simple, but the perfection with which she does them, is just what Jesus asks of us."

What do you think? What does it look like to live with joy? What does it look like to love Jesus?

Youth Program Managing...

2008-08-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have asked me lately about my job, so I figured I would share it as a post so that anyone interested could read on...

Synopsis
So I work for NCUD, which stands for Northern California Urban Development (long name, I know...) which is the nonprofit organization that brought a credit union to EPA to be focused on community development. I've worked here for a little over a year and a half now. At first I was the Administrative Assistant. Then I became that AND the Youth Program Manager. As of August, God has blessed us with enough financial provision to bring another 2 people on staff (one to take admin responsibilities from me so that I can focus on the youth programs). So now my role is becoming more and more the "Youth Program Manager."

Youth History
For those of you who know me, I love students. I went to school to learn how to work with students within the church and teach them more about their faith in Christ. I worked with a church in the bay area for two years, and still volunteer with those students. I think that students have a lot of potential and I tend to see the good in people and encourage them to pursue their dreams. High schoolers are a good age for me to work with.

Youth Program Manager
The mission of our organization (NCUD) is to relieve the causes and effects of systemic and generational poverty in East Palo Alto (and surrounding low income communities). I love learning more about this community, and becoming accustomed to its culture. So for the past year we have been partnering with existing youth organizations in the area to incorporate basic financial concepts into their already existing programs. Through this, I have gotten to know some of the youth in the area, specifically at a high school that is in the same building my office is in. Last semester I taught there for 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week.
This September, we will be kicking off the youth programs at this school again, teaching about the same amount of time, with 80 students involved. With the pre-existing relationships, I've gotten to have some more one-on-one conversations with the students, getting to know them better, along with asking them what they liked learning regarding money and poverty.

I really like the students at this school. It's been interesting to get to know them, and I want to get to know them more. My co-worker, Gilbert, and I have been working hard to develop an interactive, hands-on curriculum that will not only educate the students on finances, but that will give them a big picture understanding of how money affects their life, goals, dreams, etc., and how they can be a part of bringing justice to the many injustices of the world. I'm really excited about my job right now. I'm excited about the connections that I am making with students daily, along with strategically planning curriculum to help bring depth of understanding on many levels to the lives of the students I am working with.

Because my blog "sucks"...

2008-08-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Or in polite terms, it has been boring. Therefore, here is a random entry just to fill in the space before I can write more. The olympics have been wonderful. I rarely watch tv, but my roommates and I have been enjoying these last couple weeks of relaxing and watching the olympics. Last night I moved my room around to prepare for Jill moving in. Autumn is moving into Jill's old room. My old roommate, Kirsten, is moving into her old room (which Gina has been in for the past year). So it's a switcharoo at the Ivy house.

I was impressed to hear that the Chinese invented paper money. Here are some random facts about what the Chinese have invented:
papermaking, printing, gunpowder, the mariner's compass, modern agriculture, shipping, astronomical observatories, decimal mathematics, paper money, umbrellas, wheelbarrows, multi-stage rockets, brandy and whiskey, the game of chess, and much more, all came from China.

Call + Response

2008-07-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

CALL+RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

Luminaries on the issue such as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer first hand account of this 21st century trade. Performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Rocco Deluca move this chilling information into inspiration for stopping it.

Music is part of the movement against human slavery. Dr. Cornel West connects the music of the American slave fields to the popular music we listen to today, and offers this connection as a rallying cry for the modern abolitionist movement currently brewing.
(description from website: www.callandresponse.com)

I'm so grateful to be a part of a church that is standing on issues like this one which is so close to God's heart--standing for those who are helpless and abused. I hope that everyone will go to see this film!

Summer

2008-07-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

This summer has been strange weather-wise. We've had lots of hazy and muggy days, which hardly ever happens, but it's been more common due to fires. It's been overcast every morning but then gets hot during the day. Here is a picture I took of the sun from my front porch in the evening:

Jesus For President

2008-07-08T23:48:00.000-07:00

Going to an event this Friday that is free...I would encourage anyone to come! It would be a blast. It's in San Francisco and it's free. Here's the information:

Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw launch the Jesus for President campaign tour this month. It’s hard to believe that so much fun can inspire all of us toward a more real, radical, and redemptive faith—which is what the tour accomplishes. Spread the word about this goodness. Read the book, check out the website, and please invite others to the event in San Francisco on Friday, July 11th, at 7 pm at Grace Cathedral
1100 California St., San Francisco, CA 94108

Website - www.jesusforpresident.org

Facebook Group - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9811137308

CNN - http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/29/evangelical.campaign/index.html

New Music

2008-07-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

I've really been enjoying this band called The Cobalt Season...such rich lyrics. I feel like I am listening to a story and identifying with it, not necessarily circumstances in a story, but thoughts and emotions. They've got a great sound too.
Not only do I really like their music, but I met the couple, Ryan and Holly Sharp, at a planning meeting for the "Jesus for President" event that is happening this Friday. (see the next post...)
They are both very gifted and humbly using their gifts and talents to show God's love to others. Really cool.

Conversion

2008-06-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

The Green Book has done it again. God uses it to speak to me in the midst of what I am experiencing. This past week, I had an experience of conversion. It's not like I converted to a religion...convert comes from the latin words "to turn around" or "altogether-turn". This was my experience this past weekend.
I got to see an old friend this weekend. This friend was a huge part of the first time that I really fell in love with God. We had lots of conversations about God and would encourage each other in our faith. I hadn't seen this friend for a while because of some difficult circumstances, but seeing them again reminded me of what it looks like to genuinely seek God. I think I just so often turn my eyes to myself or my situation and get caught up in all of that. I forget to look to God, to trust Him, to bring my situations to Him.
Through conversations with some other good friends this weekend, I realized that God was leading me to seek Him. I don't want to follow God because of an experience that happened 6 years ago or even 6 months ago. I want to genuinely seek and follow God in every situation I am experiencing, not just living a certain "lifestyle" because I am a "Christian". Being a Christian is an active relationship with the living God, and it's easy for me to get caught up in just living the lifestyle rather than believing it as I live it.

I read this from the Green Book this morning:

The selfish character cannot exist when the prayer conditions are fulfilled. It is by these answered prayers that human nature is enriched. The answered prayer brings us into constant and conscious communion with God, awakens and enlarges gratitude, and excites the melody and lofty inspiration of praise. Answered prayer is the mark of God in our praying. It is the exchange with heaven, and it establishes and realizes a relationship with the unseen.
-Edward M. Bounds

God answered a huge prayer of my heart on Monday night in such an unexpected God way. On the plane ride home from Minnesota, I cried in joy of how God knows my heart and cares so deeply for it. When you go through trials or pain, it's easy to question God's love or personal care. I have questioned it many times. But once I turned my eyes to seeking God, and not feeling sad about my personal trial or situation, God surprised me with showing in a tangible way that He really does care about my heart personally.

God has been showing me that He is a Redeemer. He redeems situations to bring good and beauty out of things that were ugly. This is one of the things I have had to put my faith in God for, and one of the areas I have seen God to be true. A couple more quotes from the Green Book that stood out to me and affirm this constant experience of conversion, turning my eyes back again to God, my Redeemer:

But the love of God dawns upon us, and with it comes a most amazing promise and a new hope: What we cannot redeem, God can; and what we cannot erase, God will.
-Norman Shawchuck

The important thing is inviting God to be the master potter in our lives. We may not know what the end product will be, but we do know that it will be good when we permit God to be the potter and we agree to be the malleable clay.
-Rueben P. Job

Thoughts on Marriage

2008-06-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

Well, one thought I have is that I'm excited for it some day. I've heard it said that it's time to join together in marriage when your relationship with that person will be more powerful for the Kingdom of God than your singleness. I think I generally agreed with that, but when I think about the relationships of marriage that I've seen, there is one that I have truly seen that exist in.
Tony, one of my pastors, has been my pastor over the past 6 years. I've grown closer to Christ under his leadership and am so thankful to have had that opportunity. He got married to Wendy about 3.5 years ago and then had a daughter a little over a year ago. But over the past few years, I've noticed in very subtle ways how his ministry in pastoring people has become stronger and more influential. I've been so blessed to see Tony live out his giftedness in leading and pastoring, but also put his family first. It's awesome to see how Wendy impacts his life and how they live out their calling together.
I'm going to 6 weddings this summer. Insane. I know of 10 different couples getting married. It's a season for that I guess. The last one I went to was my great friend, Travis. He got married to a woman named Sarah, who seems to be awesome. The wedding was beautiful and was a great picture of how Christ loves the Church and how the Church loves Christ, or how God intended it to be. I'm so thankful that God uses that picture of marriage as a picture of His relationship with us in the Bible. It's so full of promise, devotion, love, faithfulness, and commitment. I look forward to reflecting more on God's love for the Church as I go to all of these weddings and see the union of different couples I know.
I also got to spend some time with my great friend Debra and Nate this weekend. It was great to see how Nate served Debra and loved her. He has such a unique personality, and honestly it gives me hope that there are still more guys out there that are awesome guys. And hopefully God has one of them for me. It feels a little strange to be blogging about this, knowing that anyone could see. But it's just fresh on my mind and I'm just going to post a "raw" entry.
I went to a memorial service for Robert Wetzel today. He was one of the students at PCC's youth group. He died in a car accident at 19 years old. Such a tragedy. It reminds me that tragedies happen all the time and we never know when today might be our last day. That is kind of an exciting thought for me because I would love to be with God out of this world, but it also makes me think about how I don't want to leave anything unsaid. But there are certain situations in my life that I can't say everything I think because of how it might affect other relationships. I know I'm being very vague, again, it's just a raw entry.
Anyways, I'm not sure what else to say, and if I keep typing, it may just be nonsense. So to prayer I go, because God knows my thoughts, and I love Him.

Truth

2008-06-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

One more wedding down this weekend. Travis and Sarah got married, and more on that later. I just wanted to share the lesson that God taught me this weekend, as He showed me His love through some crazy interactions and processing. This verse is very much what God taught me this weekend, and happens to be the "petition" of the Green book this week:
"Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! "Come," my heart says, "seek His face!"
Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me.
(Psalm 27:7)

I'm thankful that God knows me and loves me, and provides the ultimate care for my heart. I am so blessed.

Graduation

2008-06-08T12:56:00.001-07:00

All of the kids that I started working with when they were freshmen just graduated recently. I am so happy for them, and a little sad too, because they will be leaving for college and overseas and stuff. Here are a few pictures of them at their graduation:

Lia and Kelsey at Notre Dame's Graduation

Sarah and her brother at Sequoia's Graduation

Hannah and sisters at Sequoia's Graduation

The girls with Kayla at Sequoia's Graduation

Mike and Luke (and friends) at Sequoia's Graduation

Kayla and I

Eppi and I

Congratulations everyone (including those whose pictures I didn't put up here). I love you guys!

New Haircut!

2008-06-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Jonny and I from last night. This is my new haircut:

Chaos

2008-06-02T00:13:00.001-07:00

This is what my room looks like when I get busy.
This is also what I spent most of my Saturday trying to organize.
It looks a little better, but I'm looking forward to more time to organize this week since I will be gone/out of town the next two weekends. This weekend was so good to be at home and to just relax, watch movies, and hang out with friends during the weekend.

Happy Surprise!

2008-05-13T23:01:00.001-07:00

Tonight I was thoroughly surprised by my friends with a Birthday Dinner! It was the best (almost every birthday where I am surprised is the best...I love surprises!). Here is the story:
I was planning on meeting up with my friend, Lauren, from high school for dinner at my favorite Mexican food restaurant in this area, La Morenita, and as I walked up to the place where we were supposed to meet, I saw a table of people holding their menus up by their faces like they were hiding. I thought "Oh, some fun people are playing a game in there! I wonder what game they are playing!" Then I saw a kid that looked like Cameron sitting next to a girl who looked like Bristol, and I realized that all those fun people behind menus were my friends!

It was Katie, T, Autumn, Bristol, Cameron, Kirsten, Jill, Gina, and my friend Lauren. Lauren didn't even know my friends before tonight, so that was really fun for me to have her meet them.

I was super surprised. I had even been planning on throwing myself a party next Tuesday, so you could imagine my shock!

They had balloons and a birthday cake and flowers and presents. Such a great birthday surrounded by people I love and who love me (and know me--that I love surprises). I have a perma-smile on my face tonight. Here are some pics Jill took of the night: