Garage sale went well. Made over $200, by God's grace. Fun story with the trumpet, but I'll get to that eventually. Also almost down to my traveling goal. Must. Get. Rid. Of. More.
Birthday for "Little" William. Best part for any Ward family birthday--crazy birthday singing!!
Saw Killers. It tried too hard to be like Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Failed, but worth a dollar.
Great conversation with Rachel H and Erin S. Gotta love Northwestern.
Lucas and Jessica are married. It was hot, yet the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens could never disappoint.
Almost halfway through season 5 of Lost. Ridiculous. Addicting. Can't wait to finish.
About to chop off my hairs.
Lunch with Porscha tomorrow!! Praying for her mom's swift recovery from surgery!
Orange pineapple banana juice is delicious.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Mmm what you wear
Perhaps it's just me that thinks this way, but I always feel that with international travel, I already have one strike against me for being American. I've heard too many stories of friends being yelled at, "You stu-peed Uh-meri-CAHN!" I'm very wary of the rolled eyes, or the cold shoulders when our group is too loud. For safety reasons, too, I want to be careful. I remember my team leader from the Russia trip who said that most Russians could just look at us and know where we were from. It's key, therefore, for me to be more of a chameleon.
Which is why, several months ago, I emailed my Argentinian team leader my concern particularly with clothes. I don't want to bring any more than what everyone else already has, I had decided. I don't want to bring too much; I also don't want to bring things I'm not willing to share. Additionally, I don't need as much any way. I had written down some personal goals at the beginning of this year, and one of them was the goal to reduce my life to two suitcases. I didn't know for sure at the time of the making of this list that I would be traveling as I am, but I had started getting rid of a lot then.
I still have too much. Nonetheless, the following list I received from my team leader helped me think more simplistic:
Clothing
2-3 long sleeve shirts
3-5 short sleeve shirts
2 pairs of shorts
4 pairs of jeans
1 casually-nice outfit
1-2 outfits that can get dirty
Enough underwear
Enough socks
Sneakers, Flip Flops, Flats (1 pair each)
Warm clothes, Pullovers, warm jacket
That's it. Seriously. Yes, for the two years. And yes, I'm thankful it uses the word "enough" for two of the items.
I've been practicing throughout this summer to live with only these items, but I'll admit right now, I have had more clothes usually. The shoe thing has worked out--I've only worn my tennis shoes or TOMs outside of flip flops (not to mention I'm a fan of being barefoot).
I have been blessed. I had a garage sale to encourage me to unload my clothes. I had already put in boxes before coming here what I was willing to sell, and I had gotten rid of at least two boxes of clothes since January (now that I mention that, I'm a little embarrassed that I had so much).
The other beautiful part of this story is that Peggy took me out shopping this week. I thought about what a God thing that she had decided to do so, "In order for you to have at least one pair of nice clothes," she had said. (1 casually-nice outfit: check!) What surprised me too, was that she insisted Banana Republic. I don't remember telling her, but I've told plenty of others that if I had the cash, all of my clothes would come from this store. Okay, I really like the jeans from Old Navy, but everything else.. Banana baby!
Not only that, but Peggy just so happens to be a whiz with the sewing machine. So, instead of buying any other clothes for myself for the trip, I can just have her make alterations on any of my ill-fitting clothing items.
The key is that it makes me even more aware of the clothing items I should keep. If it's so important for me to be unique with my clothes, then I simply need to make sure that the pieces I own are versatile. The dress, for instance, that I picked out, can be dressed down with flip flops, made fun with a scarf, or made super business-y with a blazer. So as not to go into too much detail, I will say that What Not to Wear has helped me think this through.
In the long run, what I wear isn't all that important. I'm a fan of color, but I should be thankful that I have clothes at all. I have enough to keep me cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. Many folk out there may not have the list I was given. Someone once reminded me of the flowers in the field that do not even work to be clothed so majestically. Why must I worry about what I will eat or wear? I'm worth more than those flowers in the sight of God. Just a thought.
Which is why, several months ago, I emailed my Argentinian team leader my concern particularly with clothes. I don't want to bring any more than what everyone else already has, I had decided. I don't want to bring too much; I also don't want to bring things I'm not willing to share. Additionally, I don't need as much any way. I had written down some personal goals at the beginning of this year, and one of them was the goal to reduce my life to two suitcases. I didn't know for sure at the time of the making of this list that I would be traveling as I am, but I had started getting rid of a lot then.
I still have too much. Nonetheless, the following list I received from my team leader helped me think more simplistic:
Clothing
2-3 long sleeve shirts
3-5 short sleeve shirts
2 pairs of shorts
4 pairs of jeans
1 casually-nice outfit
1-2 outfits that can get dirty
Enough underwear
Enough socks
Sneakers, Flip Flops, Flats (1 pair each)
Warm clothes, Pullovers, warm jacket
That's it. Seriously. Yes, for the two years. And yes, I'm thankful it uses the word "enough" for two of the items.
I've been practicing throughout this summer to live with only these items, but I'll admit right now, I have had more clothes usually. The shoe thing has worked out--I've only worn my tennis shoes or TOMs outside of flip flops (not to mention I'm a fan of being barefoot).
I have been blessed. I had a garage sale to encourage me to unload my clothes. I had already put in boxes before coming here what I was willing to sell, and I had gotten rid of at least two boxes of clothes since January (now that I mention that, I'm a little embarrassed that I had so much).
The other beautiful part of this story is that Peggy took me out shopping this week. I thought about what a God thing that she had decided to do so, "In order for you to have at least one pair of nice clothes," she had said. (1 casually-nice outfit: check!) What surprised me too, was that she insisted Banana Republic. I don't remember telling her, but I've told plenty of others that if I had the cash, all of my clothes would come from this store. Okay, I really like the jeans from Old Navy, but everything else.. Banana baby!
Not only that, but Peggy just so happens to be a whiz with the sewing machine. So, instead of buying any other clothes for myself for the trip, I can just have her make alterations on any of my ill-fitting clothing items.
The key is that it makes me even more aware of the clothing items I should keep. If it's so important for me to be unique with my clothes, then I simply need to make sure that the pieces I own are versatile. The dress, for instance, that I picked out, can be dressed down with flip flops, made fun with a scarf, or made super business-y with a blazer. So as not to go into too much detail, I will say that What Not to Wear has helped me think this through.
In the long run, what I wear isn't all that important. I'm a fan of color, but I should be thankful that I have clothes at all. I have enough to keep me cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. Many folk out there may not have the list I was given. Someone once reminded me of the flowers in the field that do not even work to be clothed so majestically. Why must I worry about what I will eat or wear? I'm worth more than those flowers in the sight of God. Just a thought.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Because who knows
I once played video games with a kid named Orrin. Orrin Parker. He's from middle-of-nowhere Nevada known as Walker Lake. I was in the area for a week, helping out with Vacation Bible School, and I was blessed to spend my first evening in town having dinner with his family. You should have seen how wide his eyes got when I told him my mom worked for GameStop.
For some reason, he didn't think you could be a Christian and play video games. To this day, I don't know where he got that reasoning, but I said that as long as video games doesn't come before God in his life, then it was okay. And sure, you gotta be careful what kind of games you play, but that was another conversation for another day.
So we spent the next hour playing Halo (the original), and he continued to be blown away at the fact a girl knew how to play this game. I guess it was too much for his 12 year old self to handle. I took some time to tell him what Jesus meant to me after we played. I spent the weeks after praying for his heart.
I tell this story because my heart was rejuvenated with the necessity of evangelism in all sorts of forms. This past Sunday, two women gave their stories about noticing God in their lives. They are former Muslims. Their stories reveal the tragedy of the Islamic faith as it does not allow women to be who God created them to be. Instead, they are oppressed, and forced into decisions that ruin their lives.
These women told of the long journey to come to an understanding of who Jesus really was. After all, Muslims believe that Jesus was only a good prophet, and that in his place, another man, most likely Judas, was murdered on the cross.
And during their stories, I could not help but think of Shaheen. Tears fell from my eyes as I thought about how she does not know the Lord, but that it didn't mean He was not pursuing her. I prayed for another dream, but also for a person. A real life person to come to her and tell her about Jesus!
A few weeks after I returned from Nevada, I got a home-made card in the mail from Orrin's mom. She thanked me for spending time with Orrin, and wanted to let me know that He decided to put his faith in Jesus a couple weeks after I had left.
As if that weren't enough, I think it was about a year later I got an email from someone who was praying for my trip to Nevada. Apparently, he had been forwarding my prayer request emails to his father, who wasn't a believer. He emailed me to let me know that because of my experiences, as well as present circumstances, his father had decided to believe as well!
I am not meant to change the world. That is God's business. As Mother Theresa said, "I can do no great thing, only small things with great love." Who knows what your words and your actions mean to a person. I don't think it's an accident that you ran into her, or sat next to him. I can't do it all, but I have been given the chance to pray to the God who can. I'm also not there right now with Orrin, or Shaheen, or my friend's dad. He is.
Please, pray with me.
For some reason, he didn't think you could be a Christian and play video games. To this day, I don't know where he got that reasoning, but I said that as long as video games doesn't come before God in his life, then it was okay. And sure, you gotta be careful what kind of games you play, but that was another conversation for another day.
So we spent the next hour playing Halo (the original), and he continued to be blown away at the fact a girl knew how to play this game. I guess it was too much for his 12 year old self to handle. I took some time to tell him what Jesus meant to me after we played. I spent the weeks after praying for his heart.
I tell this story because my heart was rejuvenated with the necessity of evangelism in all sorts of forms. This past Sunday, two women gave their stories about noticing God in their lives. They are former Muslims. Their stories reveal the tragedy of the Islamic faith as it does not allow women to be who God created them to be. Instead, they are oppressed, and forced into decisions that ruin their lives.
These women told of the long journey to come to an understanding of who Jesus really was. After all, Muslims believe that Jesus was only a good prophet, and that in his place, another man, most likely Judas, was murdered on the cross.
And during their stories, I could not help but think of Shaheen. Tears fell from my eyes as I thought about how she does not know the Lord, but that it didn't mean He was not pursuing her. I prayed for another dream, but also for a person. A real life person to come to her and tell her about Jesus!
A few weeks after I returned from Nevada, I got a home-made card in the mail from Orrin's mom. She thanked me for spending time with Orrin, and wanted to let me know that He decided to put his faith in Jesus a couple weeks after I had left.
As if that weren't enough, I think it was about a year later I got an email from someone who was praying for my trip to Nevada. Apparently, he had been forwarding my prayer request emails to his father, who wasn't a believer. He emailed me to let me know that because of my experiences, as well as present circumstances, his father had decided to believe as well!
I am not meant to change the world. That is God's business. As Mother Theresa said, "I can do no great thing, only small things with great love." Who knows what your words and your actions mean to a person. I don't think it's an accident that you ran into her, or sat next to him. I can't do it all, but I have been given the chance to pray to the God who can. I'm also not there right now with Orrin, or Shaheen, or my friend's dad. He is.
Please, pray with me.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Consequences
It's interesting because I'm not very good at chess.
I love the game, but I prefer playing it fast. I don't think much about my moves, and I like to challenge the other player to do the same. "Just play," I tell them. My few memorable moments include when Chris would beat me mercilessly on the chess set I bought with grandma's Christmas money; or the time James almost beat Matt in 4 moves. I love watching people play on the streets, especially when they have a timer. I'll never forget the guy who stood up from his chair, knowing he had lost, even though it was several moves away.
What makes that game best is when you can see ahead of the next move.
I think of these characters in the show Lost and I think about the different moves that brought them to the island. Beyond that, their life experiences cause them to make the decisions they do. Most of them are ridden with guilt, even more of them have trust issues. They interact with each other (and the "Others") in pretty foolish ways.
There are times we ask God for things because we think it's a great next move, but we haven't looked much beyond that. In many cases, if God were to give us what we ask, someone else gets hurt. Tolstoy wrote a short story about a woman who was angry because God took away her child. She was immediately given a glimpse of what his life would have been like, and she realizes that the world was saved by his death. That he was saved too, by getting to die in his innocence.
I thank God that He doesn't listen to me very often when it comes to the things I want. Nonetheless, it is still difficult to discern what I'm supposed to ask for. What exactly is my life supposed to look like, then?
Maybe that's what Sarah was thinking when she offered Hagar to her husband.
It's scary to think of the consequences, when everything is said and done. To look back and see, "Oh, that's what brought me here."
I play chess rather quickly, but I hate living life that way. If I don't stop to think what I've done, or what I'm doing, I might turn into something ugly and/or foolish. Perhaps having begun Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis also makes me think this way. I don't want to be so far gone that there is no hope in turning back.
On the one hand, I think God's grace is bigger than that and that there is always hope. But on the other, it's so hard to watch, metaphorically speaking, dogs returning to their own vomit. To know that I too, am just one or two decisions away from destroying myself. Praise God for being ever-present. I pray I keep listening, keep wanting to listen. Oh to have the patience to see the twelve moves played out!
I love the game, but I prefer playing it fast. I don't think much about my moves, and I like to challenge the other player to do the same. "Just play," I tell them. My few memorable moments include when Chris would beat me mercilessly on the chess set I bought with grandma's Christmas money; or the time James almost beat Matt in 4 moves. I love watching people play on the streets, especially when they have a timer. I'll never forget the guy who stood up from his chair, knowing he had lost, even though it was several moves away.
What makes that game best is when you can see ahead of the next move.
"It's twelve moves away, but it's there. You've got him."
I think of these characters in the show Lost and I think about the different moves that brought them to the island. Beyond that, their life experiences cause them to make the decisions they do. Most of them are ridden with guilt, even more of them have trust issues. They interact with each other (and the "Others") in pretty foolish ways.
There are times we ask God for things because we think it's a great next move, but we haven't looked much beyond that. In many cases, if God were to give us what we ask, someone else gets hurt. Tolstoy wrote a short story about a woman who was angry because God took away her child. She was immediately given a glimpse of what his life would have been like, and she realizes that the world was saved by his death. That he was saved too, by getting to die in his innocence.
I thank God that He doesn't listen to me very often when it comes to the things I want. Nonetheless, it is still difficult to discern what I'm supposed to ask for. What exactly is my life supposed to look like, then?
Maybe that's what Sarah was thinking when she offered Hagar to her husband.
It's scary to think of the consequences, when everything is said and done. To look back and see, "Oh, that's what brought me here."
I play chess rather quickly, but I hate living life that way. If I don't stop to think what I've done, or what I'm doing, I might turn into something ugly and/or foolish. Perhaps having begun Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis also makes me think this way. I don't want to be so far gone that there is no hope in turning back.
On the one hand, I think God's grace is bigger than that and that there is always hope. But on the other, it's so hard to watch, metaphorically speaking, dogs returning to their own vomit. To know that I too, am just one or two decisions away from destroying myself. Praise God for being ever-present. I pray I keep listening, keep wanting to listen. Oh to have the patience to see the twelve moves played out!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Run in with nature
I've been feeding the ducks at the local pond lately. Today I had a bunch of leftover hot dog buns that I, and sharing with some little ones who were playing at the park, fed to our winged friends. Little ducklings came along too, so I made sure they got some. Gotta be honest to say I got freaked out by the geese who had horns on their bills coming to get some of the bread. One of them kept squealing at me, and I think he (she?) thought it was cute. Just. Don't. Make. Eye. Contact...
The coolest part was when I got the Aflac ducks (you know, the white feathered ones?) super close to me. I notice they're more fearless. Any way, similar to the fish in Grand Cayman, they got so close, they started pecking at my toes thinking it was bread too. It didn't hurt. It tickled actually. But I also figured that was probably my sign to go, so I did.
On my runs over the past weeks, I've found a route along Morris and 3040. Last week, I looked down at one point only to see a snake! And then a little bit later to see a frog! The frog wasn't as scary to me, as I think I fall more along the lines of Indiana Jones' fear. But then the next day, I noticed the exact same two creatures still in the path, so I realized there really wasn't anything to be afraid of.
Today was a first. I took a longer route than normal and BAM!!! Spider web to the face!! It must have been spun between the trees. All I know is it made me shriek and I did what I could to get it off my face, and I brushed through my hair in hopes no spiders found a new nest! Yikes!
The coolest part was when I got the Aflac ducks (you know, the white feathered ones?) super close to me. I notice they're more fearless. Any way, similar to the fish in Grand Cayman, they got so close, they started pecking at my toes thinking it was bread too. It didn't hurt. It tickled actually. But I also figured that was probably my sign to go, so I did.
On my runs over the past weeks, I've found a route along Morris and 3040. Last week, I looked down at one point only to see a snake! And then a little bit later to see a frog! The frog wasn't as scary to me, as I think I fall more along the lines of Indiana Jones' fear. But then the next day, I noticed the exact same two creatures still in the path, so I realized there really wasn't anything to be afraid of.
Today was a first. I took a longer route than normal and BAM!!! Spider web to the face!! It must have been spun between the trees. All I know is it made me shriek and I did what I could to get it off my face, and I brushed through my hair in hopes no spiders found a new nest! Yikes!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
At least 2
I've decided that every summer there must be at least two weddings for me to attend. Something about the talk of covenant love and then all the dancing just makes me all warm inside.
The first for this summer was Matt and Autumn's wedding held at the Adolphus hotel in Dallas. It was beautiful, and of course with a little sass, as the brothers Pinckard all wore their hair in the traditional mohawk style. hehe. Well, and the amazing retro yet vintage wedding dress sported by the beautiful Autumn! Wowza.
I met up with so many people! And getting to bring Nolan along gave me a LOT more conversation starters:
"No. I'm not married."
"No. This isn't MY kid."
My favorite was probably with Lucas as at one point I had let Lauren Tucker hold Nolan while I grabbed something from the diaper bag. Lucas shouted, "Sharayah!" Hug. Then me, "I'm sorry, I have to find my baby."
"YOURS!?!"
"I mean, ah! My nephew."
It was wonderful seeing everyone. I mean just about everyone too. I still have yet to see the Lunas, but I can now include the Proctors, the Barclays, the Pinckards (naturally), Alisha Avara, Samariah and Andrea, the Saathoffs, the Adams (as in Patricia and Ken), the rest of the Bakers and Jacksons, etc. etc. Another group that could be listed in attendance I had already seen at the 4th of July celebration. In conclusion--so fun!!
Perhaps the best moment, other than everyone wanting to hold my precious nephew (understandably so), was the cupid shuffle. I brought Nolan along with me to the dance floor, and he fell asleep to all the rocking. Silly boy!!
Unfortunately, having to take care of a kid means I didn't get to snap any photos. Hopefully when the pictures are put up, I'll include one that made me laugh. But shhh, I can't spoil it!!
The first for this summer was Matt and Autumn's wedding held at the Adolphus hotel in Dallas. It was beautiful, and of course with a little sass, as the brothers Pinckard all wore their hair in the traditional mohawk style. hehe. Well, and the amazing retro yet vintage wedding dress sported by the beautiful Autumn! Wowza.
I met up with so many people! And getting to bring Nolan along gave me a LOT more conversation starters:
"No. I'm not married."
"No. This isn't MY kid."
My favorite was probably with Lucas as at one point I had let Lauren Tucker hold Nolan while I grabbed something from the diaper bag. Lucas shouted, "Sharayah!" Hug. Then me, "I'm sorry, I have to find my baby."
"YOURS!?!"
"I mean, ah! My nephew."
It was wonderful seeing everyone. I mean just about everyone too. I still have yet to see the Lunas, but I can now include the Proctors, the Barclays, the Pinckards (naturally), Alisha Avara, Samariah and Andrea, the Saathoffs, the Adams (as in Patricia and Ken), the rest of the Bakers and Jacksons, etc. etc. Another group that could be listed in attendance I had already seen at the 4th of July celebration. In conclusion--so fun!!
Perhaps the best moment, other than everyone wanting to hold my precious nephew (understandably so), was the cupid shuffle. I brought Nolan along with me to the dance floor, and he fell asleep to all the rocking. Silly boy!!
Unfortunately, having to take care of a kid means I didn't get to snap any photos. Hopefully when the pictures are put up, I'll include one that made me laugh. But shhh, I can't spoil it!!
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