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

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

Falling into place

It feels like the puzzle pieces are finally falling into place. I have a peace in the pit of my stomache that has been missing for a long time. Feels good to have it back!

I told Janette on Friday that I decided to go to Northwest and she hugged me! I told Jan today and she said, "YAY!!" Katie and my dad like the idea, too. I like that the people I love like this decision.

So here's my plan beyond coming back from Peru and running the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 marathon (plans change, but it's easier to steer a ship that's moving!):

- Save for trip to Europe in 2012 (Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and Iceland with Heather to see Brajna, Iva, Abi, John & Phyllis, Brian, and Elizabeth)

- Prepare and apply to Northwest University's International Care and Community Development Master's program, to begin in Fall 2012
http://www.northwestu.edu/social_behavioral/maiccd/

I love having goals further in the future than a couple months! Welcome back, old self.

It’s time for me to follow through

I Refuse - Josh Wilson

Sometimes I,
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright
When I know they’re not
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong

But I refuse

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move, but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of you, oh God
So, if you say move
It’s time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
And show them who You are

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move, but I refuse

To stand and watch
The weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse
To turn my back
And try and act like all is well
I refuse
To stay unchanged
To wait another day
To die to myself
I refuse
To make one more excuse

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move, but I refuse
I refuse
I refuse

So excited!!

I feel like I'm finally breaking out of hibernation. Today I ordered my Team World Vision running shirt! And I have firmly decided to apply to Northwest University's MA ICCD program in fall 2012! After years of researching grad schools, I finally feel like I have found the perfect fit. I have never been to the school so I don't know why, but it just feels right in the pit of my stomache. Finally. And Peru is coming up in 10 days!!

There is one thing to be alive for

Devotion - Hillsong

I've been running, trying to be one who sees
I've been working salvation out on my knees
There is nothing better than knowing
We are redeemed
I'm believing, trusting in creative hands,
I am praying for our world to bow to Your plan
And this one thought is unmistakable
Take up my cross and follow You, Lord

When You stand, the tall tress and mountains bow
When You speak, the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinner seek devotion
The lost become chosen
And I fall to my knees

I'm forgiven by a Savior who did not deserve death
He was blameless and I was lost in shamefulness
I'm delivered, but it doesn't seem right
Unless I keep my eyes focued on the Savior who gave His life
In the middle of a world that denies it believes
It is breaking apart at the very seams
There is one thing to be alive for
And it's to take up my cross and follow You, Lord

When You stand, the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak, the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinner seek devotion
The lost become chosen
And I fall to my knees
And I fall to my knees

I will take up my cross and follow, Lord, where You lead me
I will take up my cross and follow wherever You go

I will take up my cross and follow, Lord, where You lead me
I will take up my cross and follow wherever You go

When You stand, the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak, the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinner seek devotion
The lost become chosen
And I fall to my knees

When You stand, the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak, the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinner seek devotion
The lost become chosen
And I fall to my knees

I fall to my knees
I fall to my knees
I fall...

Rising, He justified

Glorious Day - Casting Crowns

One day when heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and
the light shined among us
His glory revealed


Living, He Loved Me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried
My sins far away
Rising, He justified
Freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh, Glorious day
Oh, Glorious day


Then one day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
Then one day they nailed Him to die on the tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my redeemer is He

The hands that healed nations
Stretched out on a tree
He took the nails for me


One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him
Rising again, rising again


One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine