Sunday, March 13, 2011

Blessed

Sitting here in the Burke Museum cafe, I am thinking about the shift in my attitude of late. Even a month ago I would spend my waking hours dreaming of being in other countries... anywhere but here. But as the trip to Peru neared, I noticed that I started to think about the things I love so dearly about Seattle. Once in Peru, the things I love about here were magnified. Although I am so glad I went to Peru, I was ready to come home. I have not felt like that at the end of a trip for a long time. Probably not since before I went to Croatia (left the U.S.) for the first time.

Now here I sit, appreciating all the things about this amazing place I call home. I am so blessed. On top of providing for my basic needs, God, you have outdone yourself giving me wonderful friends, a family that loves me, a great church family, a roof over my head - with a view of lake and mountains!, fresh air to breathe, good food, clean water, flushing toilets, health care, a good education, and a good job that allows me to serve you and your people who are in need. I am so blessed.

It is true. As stated by a friend of mine earlier today, "Once you have been outside the country, you always want to go again." I know I will always have the desire to explore new places and new countries. But for now, instead of wishing to be somewhere else, I am content to live this life I have been given and enjoy the bountiful blessings of this place.














Olympic Mountains and Ferry on Puget Sound
Seattle, WA - 2010

Saturday, March 12, 2011

You make beautiful things out of the dust

Just back from Peru, working with a team from UPC and Food for the Hungry. This song captures our time in Lima and Catorce de Febrero.



















Bird of Paradise - Chaclacayo, Peru
March 2011

Beautiful Things - Gungor

All this pain
I wonder if I'll ever find my way?
I wonder if my life could really change at all?
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground at all?

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You


You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

Oh, you make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
Making me new

You make beautiful things
(You make me new)
You make beautiful things out of the dust
(You are making me new, making me new)

You make beautiful things
(You make me new)
You make beautiful things out of us
(You are making me new, making me new)

Oh, you make beautiful things
(You make me new)
You make beautiful things out of the dust
(You are making me new, making me new)

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new