Take A Stand against Injustice

Last night I went to A Night to Honor Israel. We learned about modern day Anti-Semitism and our role as Christians. I got extremely pumped up and really compelled to think about the modern day injustice that is happening all around us. For the next week, every day I am going to highlight an injustice that is going on and how we can help.

Today I wanted to talk about the AIDS epidemic. We think about the cost of $4 prescriptions that we have. Most of those prescriptions will last us two weeks and cure infection. We go to the drug store and have easy access to the drugs we need for the most part.

Did you know for 40 cents a day we can help people with their fight against a life saving agent? What can you do with 40 cents? I saw this video and it made me think. A piece of gum, a party blower, a hat... Or a person's life? The reality is there is a silent epidemic sweeping the nations in country's like Africa. There is a loss of a whole generation that is no longer living due to the HIV/AIDS virus. And it makes me wonder... What are we doing?

I am not asking that you travel to Africa and bind up the broken wounds of our brothers and sisters. But I am asking you to search your heart... And commit to take a stand. Do not just sit around, commit to do something.

On Friday at 5:00...

The voting will end...The votes will be counted and a winner will be named. I am hoping that Jude and Julianne will be in the #1 victory seat on this day. You can make this happen by voting here. And posting this link to your blog. This couple is from my college and our whole school has been backing them in this contest. It would be incredible and mean a lot if you helped bring them up to the number one spot. I voted, it takes like 10 seconds! And your vote means a lot it has been a neck in neck race. So take a few minutes and vote and send this out to others as well! If you facebook, put it as a status. Do something, they will be forever grateful.

So go ahead and VOTE

Thanks guys!

Rita's

Have you ever had Rita's? If not, you're totally missing out. The photo above is from the Washington DC trip: as a treat our whole group was treated to Rita's! We were "good". I was so very thankful. THEN: I went home this past weekend and Rita's was giving away FREE ice! I was totally pumped and of course we went and got some. And of course, I could not make up my mind and ended up getting three flavors in one cup. It was spectacular. So I may have jokingly said: Rita's has changed my life. But no really, I think it's probably a favorite summer treat for me. And since the one back home just opened again... It's beginning to look a lot like summer! I cannot wait to go running in warm weather again! I am really excited about the prospect of the months to come. And if you haven't had Rita's.... You need to try it. It just might change your life too. 

We were born to embrace not accept it...

I heard those lyrics and it made me think of a lot of tough things that Christians are faced with. What do we do in response to this sin or that sin? We must embrace and love our neighbors but not accept what they do...

Stuck.

So it seems as though for the first time in a long time... I have not really had any difficulties with my Lyme disease in quite awhile. Things had been going really well for a few months. Well, much to my dismay things have been increasingly difficult in the last month or so. It started with a conversation while studying for a test with a pretty good friend of mine... We were talking about the test and I began to lament about how slow my brain felt... And how it might even feel like it did back when I was in high school.

Granted, I was still getting above average grades in most of my classes... I was still doing pretty poorly for me. Today one of my professors took me aside and asked me if I was okay. She told me that she was concerned because my writing had dramatically changed from last semester. She said she didn't understand it. I told her I felt like I was a smart person stuck in a stupid person's body. I have had these very complex thoughts and really understand concepts but I cannot adequately convey them or tell others about them.

I have been very frustrated this semester as I have devoted tons of time to my studies and working hard and it just doesn't seem to be paying off. I continue to work hard but I can't get my thoughts clearly out. I am left in a mess. I feel stuck. I don't know how else to explain it other than I am stuck in a stupid person's body. Hearing someone else notice my difficulty was comforting because I knew it was something real that I was struggling with... Now I believe I will defeat it and I am really praying God will continue to stand by my side as I conquer these new battles.

I just wanted to write a note from my old point of view... And touch base with the fact that though it has been much better there is still a process that must be worked through. However, I am so blessed to be running and biking and doing things. This is minor in the grand scheme of things but frustrating none the less.

Sweet Puppies

Today is an absolutely gorgeous day. You still are in need of a jacket but the weather is remarkable. The sun is shining and I wish I had more air in my tires so I could go on a bike ride. Anyways, here is a little puppy love to enjoy the day.

I think of puppies and spring because people are always out walking their dogs during this time of the year. Ahh! I want a dog when I get a house of my own. I think I will get another one just like the dog I currently own, since after a runner's world magazine article: she was reported to be the best dog all around... I mean who could resist a face like this?? Except for maybe my mom...

Suffering passes, while love is eternal. That's a gift that you have received from God. Don't waste it ! (paraphrase of Kezia's words to Laura, 4.01 Castoffs)

Comes to the save

This website comes to my save more often than it should. If you don't know where your phone is 90% of the time... You should definitely check it out.

Eye Glasses

It has been almost one year to date... The day that my eye glasses took a turn for the worst and I lost a bow off them.

They experienced someones destructive buttocks meeting them front and center. It was a crushing experience. And after that moment, they were a one bowed bandit. It was a traumatic event and after that, I wore my contacts every day. Until one day that my eye turned red and a friend loaned me some weak prescription old glasses...

Well folks, I would just like to inform you that I am no longer on the prowl for a new pair of glasses. While my mom was up here for my birthday, we got new glasses. Now granted, they are nothing like my old faithful one bowed bandits, and they are my prescription... So there is no real adventure in them. However, now I can see! This is monumental. I am pumped.

Thanks Mom!

Growing is Forever

Growing is Forever from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

May we each be life long learners because: growing is forever.

"Became. The gospel in one word-- redemption's story shrunk down to six amazing letters. Do you see it? Became is a compound word, meaning it is comprised of two words- the word be and the word came. Wow, now do you see it? ...

... BE came flesh.God arrived with skin, the Divine in the form of a sweaty, laughing boy playing with other kids in a narrow street on a summer afternoon. That's how God chose to connect with us, to deliver us, to come for us. He didn't send a note, an e-mail, a check, a cosmic event, a mandate, or an image on a toasted cheese sandwich. When God came to man- when BE came- BE became flesh. The God of the world in a body like yours and mine.

Why does it matter? Because you can touch flesh. You can identify with flesh. You can wrap your arms around flesh and feel its heartbeat. You can hear the voice of flesh and look into its eyes. And if you're searching for a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, you can pierce flesh and it will bleed. You can nail flesh to a cross."

- Louie Giglio (I am not but I know I AM)

I can't wait for Spring...

This back yard is Sheryl Crow's. I cannot wait for the green grass and the flowers to grow.

The best feeling...

Is when I sign in here thinking ah, I will just check my blog real quick and see if anyone has stopped by it. (expecting no one has) And seeing I have two new comments. Thank you God for sharing my blog with others to inspire.

In an effort to keep people informed...

I was told I needed to keep my blog updated more because when people get into it... I tend to de-rail and lose my intense focus on journaling and documenting what's happening. I suppose here I go, back to blogging... I didn't know anyone really paid any attention!

Farewell!

With the opportunity to go to Washington DC for a class trip, I debated the opportunity. At first it didn't seem like too big of a deal since my sister has moved down there and I have gotten to see many of the tourist attractions. However, when I got the opportunity to go meet the woman I have been talking to about a potential Senior Field placement... I jumped at the opportunity! I am so stoked to see what God has in store for me. And also very excited to have this opportunity to hang out with some incredible people from the Social Work division.

Farewell, I will post photos as I am able. For now, I am off to Washington DC for a class trip...

"Today our way of living and our schools are much different. It has been many years since I beat eggs with a fork, or cleaned a kerosene lamp; many things have made living and learning easier. But the real things haven't changed; they can never change… Great improvements in living have been made because every American has been free to pursue his happiness, and so as long as Americans are free they will continue to make our country even more wonderful." (Laura Ingalls Wilder, letter)

Psalm 24


Of David. A psalm.

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it on the seas

and established it on the waters.

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?

Who may stand in his holy place?

The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not trust in an idol

or swear by a false god.[a]

They will receive blessing from the LORD

and vindication from God their Savior.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.[b][c]

Lift up your heads, you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

the LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, you gates;

lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

The LORD Almighty—

he is the King of glory.

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

-Galatians 6:2

The loneliest whale in the world

So I was browsing the blogosphere today and I came across this post.

I thought, how incredibly awful. I have felt very lonely at times and really alone with many people around me. At least they could hear me! Imagine thinking you're communicating with people but they really have no idea that you're even speaking!

I couldn't imagine... oh, the despair.

Deeper

I have been praying to go deeper with God.

I wanted to find my relationship with God to be more intimate. I wanted to know Him more. I just didn't know how this could become a reality. Slowly I have found that as I continue to become relationally involved with others with the same goals I am learning the true meaning of iron sharpens iron. I have learned more, been challenged more, and really am falling in love with God all over again.

Isn't it so cool that we have a God that loves us so much He's jealous for us. He wants to spend more time with us and never tires of us. I want to serve Him so I can know true love, joy, and peace in a fuller way.

I am so excited to see where God takes me!

"I know every answer to every problem in the world. If men would only ask me, I would give them the answers" - God (From Bill Johnson in dreaming with God)

Brought me back

Can I just say how incredible God is? He has brought me back to His heart and something else I am excited about, He brought me back to running... So very incredible. It's awesome and I feel so blessed. I love it.