My Friend Shannon

Today I visited one of my best friends in her new apartment with her newly wed husband. It took about 45 minutes to drive from Pasadena to Arcadia (Little India) to where they are living. Both of them are Biola grads, who know that they are called to missions, particularly among Muslims. Most people who graduate want to go live in some hip neighborhood with a whole bunch of people who are similar to them. Not Shannon and Joel. They are living in the heart of Little India among a lot of people who are well... not white. They definitely stick out, but that is not going to get to them. I am inspired by them. They have intentionally placed themselves in a place that might not be the most comfortable, but they are doing it to meet people other then themselves and to learn from them. I am praying that they will come to know people in their neighborhood and develop lasting loving friendships. Way to go Shannon- I am proud of you (even if you do watch Jersey Shore behind closed doors).

jesus, people & love.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. Luke 9

I think that there are some hidden secrets in this passage. Jesus tells us over and over again throughout the gospels that there is power in His name. We will sing about it at church and talk about, but sometimes I forget that there truly is power in Jesus name. When I pray and truly feel like God is listening, despite my emotions of the moment, and say "in Jesus name," there is a power that comes over me. There is a lot of power in Jesus name.

I also struggle with the fact of saying "Oh yeah- let me just leave all my food, my money, and make absolutely no plans." That stresses me out, especially because I am a crisis-oriented person. For most kids in America we grew up hearing "be responsible" from our parents daily. Making plans is what we do for the future and if you are not already saving for your retirement by age thirty, then something is terribly wrong. You should just say "adios" now because you will be dying by the time you are sixty. Or at least that is what it feels like. The fact of the matter is that most of us aren't going to leave all of our things and go preach in villages, but God desperately wants us to be in a place where we are fully reliant on Him. It is in that place where joy comes. It is in that place where we realize that God truly does care and wants to care for our needs- emotional, physical, spiritual, social, etc. If we believe that God created this Universe, if God created us, if God knows all history (past, present, and future), than why on earth don't I rely on Him more for the little things- let alone the big things?

Since some of us are not going to be going to the rural bush of Africa, to the high desert mountains of Pakistan, or the jungles of Peru. We can make friends right here in Los Angeles. There are people everywhere. Did you know that there are over 100 recorded languages in LA and way more that are not even recorded- due to the influx of immigrants and foreigners? P.s. Got that figure from a Professor- not sure where he got it so do not quote me on it. I just love this, so much. I get so excited meeting people- probably due to my personality. If I could make it a goal, I would meet someone new every day. There is always a way to relate with someone- you just have to find the common ground.


Sorry I am going on a tangent. I just get really excited about these things. Last weekend I went to Echo Park with a friend and to my surprise we were the only white people in the midst of hundreds of Latin American families. I was in love. It was so comfortable- despite my lack of Spanish. The same thing goes when I go to Arabic Festivals. Maybe something is wrong with me. P.s. Recently I feel like my life is going to turn out like the lady in "Pray Eat Love."

So ending point: Jesus' name is strong. He wants us to rely on Him- which really is worth it. He wants us to be a light because after all we are imagine bearers.

tiny update

I think I am due for some updates about summer and some realizations (random), as I haven't touched on it much. Here is a brief list:

1.     Jesus needs to be first. 

2.     Prayer is essential.

3.     I don't want to work in a Christian Organization- at least for a while.

4.     I really do love Muslims.

5.     I feel more comfortable around a bunch of people who are not my same ethnicity.

6.     I love that Los Angeles is full of Spanish speaking people.

7.     I need a people oriented job.

8.     I can't sit for more than 30 minutes. Might have A.D.D.

9.     I love communication- need it. I did not realize how strong of an “E” I am.

10. I have a strong friend force- so thankful for them.

11. I have no idea what I want to do with my life. All I know is that I love people, cultures, and development.
12. I have been having crazy dreams almost every night. I wake up pushing the snooze button multiple times because I don't want them to end.
13. I miss stars a lot.
14. I am convinced that dancing cures any sadness.
15. I am ready for school to start and live a "college" life again- that does not involve paying rent and working 8-6. 
16. I think about Washington D.C. daily.

17. I am falling in love with Henry's Farmer's Market. 

That is a tiny update. 

love

Monday morning I woke up with the realization that I had to do lead my department in devotions that morning. I had precisely two hours to come up with an idea, figure out what I would like to say, get ready, and drive to work. It was not the best timing on my part. Some of you may think "Oh, that's easy... it's a devotion, just open the bible and figure it out." My mind does not think like that. This goes for most things in life... I cannot just come up with a devotion if it has no meaning to me. I cannot just talk about freewill or grace if I have not been thinking or experiencing it recently. Same goes for a speech, I cannot just come up with a speech out of no where... it has to come from the heart. So I wanted this devotion to come from the heart. I sat on my bed for a few moments and pondered on where I was in life- which can be quite tricky at times.

Got it- I have been trying to figure out what love means. What does it really mean? Does love have strings attached? Can we give it freely? Are we able to give it freely? Do we treat it like money or some kind of commodity where we expect something in return? Do we even attempt to love- or do we sit in our own pride all the time? Do we only chose to love people when they will love us in return? Do we have an agenda with people- or do we let life happen and love along the way?

These are just a few of the questions I have been asking myself recently. The reason this has been brought to my attention is because I want to intentionally love others. I really do, but I struggle with how it looks. If anyone has read "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller, he spells it out pretty clearly.

I do not want to just say I love someone. I want my actions to be an outpouring of my love for them. I want my mind and heart to align my work. That is so much harder then it sounds. Try it for a work day- then tell me how it is.

Anyways, I talked to my group about love as a commodity in the Church. Love has become something that has strings attached to it- or at least it does sometimes. Do we just hang out with non-Christians so we can tell them about Jesus? What if they already know but aren't interested? Is it not possible to just love? Some people would probably say that loving people is sharing about Jesus and if you do not share about Jesus then you really are not loving. I agree with that to a certain extent. But what if someone already knows where I stand, I have shared, and my life (hopefully) reflects that... would you continue to hang out with them? Of course you should.

I am getting off track- but my point is that love is something that should be given freely- as much as humanly possible without being stupid or careless. It should have no bounds. I wish we could love regardless of opinions, political views, religious views, and economic backgrounds. Most of the time it just does not work out like that.

Just a few random thoughts. I have met a lot of people who love deeply, so do not get me wrong. I just think our world needs a lot more love- which I am sure everyone agrees on. I need to start loving more too, so do not worry we are in this together.

if i had the money...

i'd open my own tea room and sell lots of tea from all over the world. i'd travel to all the different locations to get to know the farmer's and learn about them and the history of the tea in their country/region. very random- i know. but that thought excites me.

 John Muir once said: "Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Here grow the wallflower and the violet. The squirrel will come and sit upon your knee, the logcock will wake you in the morning. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill. Of all the upness accessible to mortals, there is no upness comparable to the mountains."

My sister is backpacking in the Sierra's right now. I wish I sent her this quote before she left. Can't wait to hear about her stories!

best friend meghan

Meghan wrote this to me today in a messsage...

"p.s

i climed a cherry tree today. and picked some cherries. so pleasant."

That is how I know we are best friend soul mates. She is coming back to America from the country side of Germany in 5 days. I am kind of dying inside that I will not be at the airport to run and give her a hug hug. If anyone wants to go to the bay area next week let me know :)

kiddos

i am babysitting right now. all three kids are asleep, or at least pretending to be. there is a 7 month old, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old. 2 boys and 1 girl.

that might be enough right there to convince you that babysitting is the best form of birth control, but probably not. i have thought this for quite some time now. i have been  babysitting/nannying since i was in middle school. i have made the same amount of money, without a pay increase, since i was 12. lets just say i was rolling in the dough when i was a youngster and still get good pay today.

i say it is the best form of birth control because if any guy/girl spent time babysitting like i do... they would either a. not have sex or b. use condoms/birth control. it really is that simple. kids are a lot of work, which is why i will not have them until i am AT LEAST 30.

when you are 12, you love babies. when you are 21 its a whole different story. alright, i am just going to say it... i do not like babies.

some people would probably be shocked by this statement because i've been described as "super friendly" and a "kid magnet, " which i like to think are both true, but i really do not like babies. i know that sounds horrible, because of course they are precious gifts from God, but i just cannot get myself to love hanging out with babies.

i am convinced that the best age group is 1-3 grade. that sounds like an incredibly small time frame but its the truth. in 1st grade kids are starting to learn math and already know the abc's. in 2nd grade they love their teacher and start making best friends. in 3rd grade kids are eating up knowledge and loving science. once 4th grade hits, the kids get the advantages of the 5th grades and instantly get snottier. 5th graders think they own the school and middle schools are just awkward.

i think this all may be a result of not babysitting for 3 months. i also think loving kids is conditional. i love the kids i babysit at home. if someone came to me telling me i had to adopt them i would. i love my cousins- because there is something special about loving people who are related to you. watching random kids is a little different. thank goodness God's love for children is unconditional... he is the ultimate babysitter, that is for sure.

morning

there is something so beautiful about morning when it is still pitch dark out. i can hear cars driving by and wonder who is up at this hour. people are probably sleepy, but it is def a time of reflection.

city lights are dimmed, people are in their slumber, and people are resting because a chaotic day set before them.

i think a lot of things are beautiful. almost anything involving creation and the routine of the universe. yesterday i had the joy of being in both laguna and venice in one day: two completely different beach cultures. as i looked out at the ocean i could not help but think about how vast,  beautiful, strong, victorious, and mysterious it is. there is something about the ocean that makes one feel free and liberated, or maybe that's just me.

i could just stare out into the ocean, watch people surf, and look at the cliffs for hours. luckily, most of the people i care about in my life could do the same.

my dad, stepmom, and i hiked through laguna canyon yesterday. once i set foot on the dirt path and was hiking up the canyon through the brush with wildflowers beside me i could not embrace myself. it was so beautiful and needed. you cannot keep me in a concrete city for too long. never ever.

there is something beautiful about people who can appreciate nature with you. i have been on plenty of hikes with people who just see it as a hike. i have been on even more hikes with people who genuinely love being in God's creation. throughout scripture God tells us to love His creation, take care of it, and to see that its the work of His hands. i am pretty sure we should all take hold of that.

the sun is suppose to rise at 5:47am. gotta go find a place to see it.

i realize i used the word beautiful a bunch of times, but there really is no other word to use in this case.

p.s. this is cute (from post secret):