I forgot to mention...
"It's not an adventure if it is perfect." -Jeanie Neumann.
Here's to ten weeks of adventure!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Europe Day 1
At the precise moment I am composing this, I sit in the FIAP, an international welcome center for students visiting Paris.
Yep, that’s right. I’m in Paris.
So far, it is grand! The plane ride was long-I watched Tangled, Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and Morning Glory, played a game of solitaire, and slept-and now I am exhausted. Jumping time zones is no fun.
But Paris is : )
Well, at least I think it is. So far, I have ridden a bus halfway around the city while a sort-of-funny tour guide gave commentary. (My favorite thing he said? “My phone is ringing; I hope it’s a woman.”) I have purchased a metro pass, consumed a pretzel (I know, given the plethora of delicious scents filling my nostrils, what would draw me to a pretzel? So many people were in the bakery and I couldn’t see all the options and was standing at the front of the line and I didn’t know how to tell the lady I just needed another minute, and I was so hungry!!), showered, and traipsed around the neighborhood, looking for a grocery store selling bottled water. I then attempted to read the homework I should have done over spring break, but I only slept two hours in the last 36, a nice breeze was blowing through the window, and the bed was so comfortable….so I had to get out of there and do something else.
So now, dear reader, I am writing to you. I have no particularly exciting story as of yet, even though everything seems so exciting, but I can tell you something I’ll bet you never would have considered possible.
You know the green man and sometimes flashing red hand that tell the pedestrian if and when they can cross the road? The red hand is not a hand, but a man, and he does not flash. Green man turns to red man, and you better hustle out of there!
As previously implied, I am exhausted. As much as I would like to give you a detailed account of my comings and goings and make something interesting out of something potentially boring, but I need to get out of this chair and wake myself up!
Yep, that’s right. I’m in Paris.
So far, it is grand! The plane ride was long-I watched Tangled, Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and Morning Glory, played a game of solitaire, and slept-and now I am exhausted. Jumping time zones is no fun.
But Paris is : )
Well, at least I think it is. So far, I have ridden a bus halfway around the city while a sort-of-funny tour guide gave commentary. (My favorite thing he said? “My phone is ringing; I hope it’s a woman.”) I have purchased a metro pass, consumed a pretzel (I know, given the plethora of delicious scents filling my nostrils, what would draw me to a pretzel? So many people were in the bakery and I couldn’t see all the options and was standing at the front of the line and I didn’t know how to tell the lady I just needed another minute, and I was so hungry!!), showered, and traipsed around the neighborhood, looking for a grocery store selling bottled water. I then attempted to read the homework I should have done over spring break, but I only slept two hours in the last 36, a nice breeze was blowing through the window, and the bed was so comfortable….so I had to get out of there and do something else.
So now, dear reader, I am writing to you. I have no particularly exciting story as of yet, even though everything seems so exciting, but I can tell you something I’ll bet you never would have considered possible.
You know the green man and sometimes flashing red hand that tell the pedestrian if and when they can cross the road? The red hand is not a hand, but a man, and he does not flash. Green man turns to red man, and you better hustle out of there!
As previously implied, I am exhausted. As much as I would like to give you a detailed account of my comings and goings and make something interesting out of something potentially boring, but I need to get out of this chair and wake myself up!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Clueless
I have no idea why I am going to Europe.
I am not saying I do not want to, but I really don't understand why!
Why would I leave the country when I feel like I have so much to contribute here? Why should I spend extra money traveling the world, when I really should be cutting costs and saving money? Why am I taking classes that do not seem to relate to my life calling? Why would God put me in this situation? Why, why why?
I do not know.
"...in the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." -1 Corinthian 2:11b
Once again, I am left walking where towards the coordinates God has set for me, without any idea why.
To all who read this; if you ever catch me doubting if I should be going to/in Europe, remind me that I am a donkey.
Relinquish, the prayer ministry I am the administrative assistant for, hosted an event called Encounter Night: a chance for students to encounter God. One room was set apart for private conversations with God, while some one led acoustic worship. I sat in that room and told God all the reasons I should not go to Europe. He directed me to Job 38.
Do you know that song, "Who has told every lightening bolt where it should go? Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?" As I read those words (Job 38:22), the worship leader was singing them. Apparently, God really wanted to get my attention, so I kept reading.
Job 39:5-8 says this:
Granted, the things happening at home are likely to weigh heavily on my mind, but God will not make it any harder than I can handle. He has instructed me to laugh and enjoy myself.
Therefore, when I ask you why God would send me to Europe at a time like this, tell me I am a donkey, (which, ironically enough, is also called an ass) and God told me to go enjoy myself. With any luck, that will squelch the doubts bubbling from my throat and remind me that God knows what he is doing, even if I am not permitted to understand it all.
With any luck, I'll remember to thank you. If I bite off your head instead, please forgive me; I'll try my best to be graceful.
I am not saying I do not want to, but I really don't understand why!
Why would I leave the country when I feel like I have so much to contribute here? Why should I spend extra money traveling the world, when I really should be cutting costs and saving money? Why am I taking classes that do not seem to relate to my life calling? Why would God put me in this situation? Why, why why?
I do not know.
"...in the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." -1 Corinthian 2:11b
Once again, I am left walking where towards the coordinates God has set for me, without any idea why.
To all who read this; if you ever catch me doubting if I should be going to/in Europe, remind me that I am a donkey.
Relinquish, the prayer ministry I am the administrative assistant for, hosted an event called Encounter Night: a chance for students to encounter God. One room was set apart for private conversations with God, while some one led acoustic worship. I sat in that room and told God all the reasons I should not go to Europe. He directed me to Job 38.
Do you know that song, "Who has told every lightening bolt where it should go? Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?" As I read those words (Job 38:22), the worship leader was singing them. Apparently, God really wanted to get my attention, so I kept reading.
Job 39:5-8 says this:
"Who let the wild donkey go free? Who untied his ropes? I gave him the wasteland as his home, the salt flats as his habitat. He laughs at the commotion in the town; he does not hear a driver's shout. He ranges the hills for his pasture, and searches for any green thing."I thought to myself, "How cool God! You care enough for a donkey, a mere beast of burden, to give him a chance to enjoy himself!" Then it dawned on me. I am a donkey. God has untied my ropes so I can wander France, Italy, and Switzerland without worrying about the things going on at home!
Granted, the things happening at home are likely to weigh heavily on my mind, but God will not make it any harder than I can handle. He has instructed me to laugh and enjoy myself.
Therefore, when I ask you why God would send me to Europe at a time like this, tell me I am a donkey, (which, ironically enough, is also called an ass) and God told me to go enjoy myself. With any luck, that will squelch the doubts bubbling from my throat and remind me that God knows what he is doing, even if I am not permitted to understand it all.
With any luck, I'll remember to thank you. If I bite off your head instead, please forgive me; I'll try my best to be graceful.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Seven Days
In one week, my life will change. (melodramatic much?)
I shall board a plane in Seattle, and exit in a part of the world my eyes have never seen before, surrounded by people speaking a language I scarcely understand, and accompanied by classmates I hardly know.
Frightening? Yes. Exciting? Even more so!
For this study abroad experience (yes, I am taking classes), the itinerary includes Paris, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Interlaken, Geneva, Avignon, Bayeux, and Paris once more. We depart on March 30th, and return June 4th.
How often I am able to share with you-and whether it will be interesting-still remains to be seen, but I am ready to begin!
Here is an undetailed map of where I intend to go! Assuming, of course, I did this hyperlink thing correctly.
I shall board a plane in Seattle, and exit in a part of the world my eyes have never seen before, surrounded by people speaking a language I scarcely understand, and accompanied by classmates I hardly know.
Frightening? Yes. Exciting? Even more so!
For this study abroad experience (yes, I am taking classes), the itinerary includes Paris, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Interlaken, Geneva, Avignon, Bayeux, and Paris once more. We depart on March 30th, and return June 4th.
How often I am able to share with you-and whether it will be interesting-still remains to be seen, but I am ready to begin!
Here is an undetailed map of where I intend to go! Assuming, of course, I did this hyperlink thing correctly.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Facebook 2.0
Almost a full quarter without facebook, and what have I learned?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It is just as easy to sit looking through people's pictures for hours on end as it ever was.
Shoot dang.
I tried.
Then again, I'm home instead of school now, so that makes a difference, right?
I suppose we'll see in another week or two.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It is just as easy to sit looking through people's pictures for hours on end as it ever was.
Shoot dang.
I tried.
Then again, I'm home instead of school now, so that makes a difference, right?
I suppose we'll see in another week or two.
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