"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
-Acts 5:58-39
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Day 14-A picture you love
These three girls are my (soon to be) little cousins in the Philippines. Left to Right.
Her first name is Zoe, but her nickname is just Oe, pronounced "o"-"e". She's 7 years old, and the sweetest little girl. She was pretty much our mini translator the entire trip, and spent time teaching Sal and I filipino vocabulary. She told us in English what other Filipinos were laughing about when they were speaking Bicolano. It was awesome. Not just her translating, but so much about her was brilliant. Oe is such an intelligent girl, in a wise-beyond-her-years sort of way. She has an awesome personality and a great sense of humor! :)
Next is Kirk, also 7 years old. She's a sweet, beautiful little girl, who spoke very VERY little English. One of my favorite memories with her was her running up to me and asking, "where's the DS?" referring to the handheld Nintendo game Sal brought. I found it funny that one of maybe 10 things she could say in English was that. :)
Lastly on the right is 4 year old little Alex. This girl is something else. She loved to hold my hand and when she wasn't she was sneaking up behind me to smack my butt, haha! Alex and I enjoyed playing a hand clapping game together, and we pretty much were the fastest and best at it out of anyone there. She also couldn't speak English, yet we enjoyed playing and spending time together anyway. :)
These girls were probably my favorite part of the trip. I know that sounds weird, but they just reminded me of happiness, simplicity, and joy.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 13-Goals
Short term:
-get married!!!! :D
-finish grad school
-save up some money
-go to the Philippines again
-work on being a great wife
-make sure I support Sal and his goals 110%
Long term:
-have a big family
-be the best wife and mom I can be
-open at least one free/low-cost health clinic
-help as many people as I can
-get married!!!! :D
-finish grad school
-save up some money
-go to the Philippines again
-work on being a great wife
-make sure I support Sal and his goals 110%
Long term:
-have a big family
-be the best wife and mom I can be
-open at least one free/low-cost health clinic
-help as many people as I can
Monday, March 21, 2011
Day 12-What you believe
I believe that Jesus Christ died for us to take on the sins of the world, because without him, we are not good enough to reach God. He showers His mercy, love, and grace on us if we believe in His Son.
I believe that true belief in Jesus Christ causes a transformation of the heart in two really big ways:
(1) One will repent from their sins
(2) Obedience to God increases...this means spending more time with God reading His Word, praying, and listening. It also involves doing things for His kingdom like helping and loving others, and sharing His story.
I don't think doing these deeds gets us to heaven, but that the deeds will just begin happening as the above transformation takes place, with true faith.
I also believe in the Bible, wholly and completely...the true Word of God.
---
It's hard to sum up beliefs in a few little statements, but that's what I think, generally!
I believe that true belief in Jesus Christ causes a transformation of the heart in two really big ways:
(1) One will repent from their sins
(2) Obedience to God increases...this means spending more time with God reading His Word, praying, and listening. It also involves doing things for His kingdom like helping and loving others, and sharing His story.
I don't think doing these deeds gets us to heaven, but that the deeds will just begin happening as the above transformation takes place, with true faith.
I also believe in the Bible, wholly and completely...the true Word of God.
---
It's hard to sum up beliefs in a few little statements, but that's what I think, generally!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Toms Shoes
I'm excited to buy my first pair(s) of Toms shoes this evening!
I got my tax return today, so a tiny bit is going to these shoes, and ALL the rest is going to the credit card that is being used to pay for most of our wedding stuff.
One pair of Toms is for my wedding (http://www.toms.com/womens/bridal-white-women-s-glitter) and the other pair is just for fun/everyday use (http://www.toms.com/womens/ash-canvas-classics-shoes)...although of course once the wedding is over I can wear those Toms for any occasion.
If you don't know Toms shoes, it's basically this company that has this "1 for 1" campaign: for every pair of shoes you buy, they make a pair for kids in 3rd world countries that need them. It's a good cause. :)
I'm excited!!! I've bought Sal two pairs in the past and we have a lot of friends that own multiple pairs, so I'm excited to have some of my own...and help kids out!
I got my tax return today, so a tiny bit is going to these shoes, and ALL the rest is going to the credit card that is being used to pay for most of our wedding stuff.
One pair of Toms is for my wedding (http://www.toms.com/womens/bridal-white-women-s-glitter) and the other pair is just for fun/everyday use (http://www.toms.com/womens/ash-canvas-classics-shoes)...although of course once the wedding is over I can wear those Toms for any occasion.
If you don't know Toms shoes, it's basically this company that has this "1 for 1" campaign: for every pair of shoes you buy, they make a pair for kids in 3rd world countries that need them. It's a good cause. :)
I'm excited!!! I've bought Sal two pairs in the past and we have a lot of friends that own multiple pairs, so I'm excited to have some of my own...and help kids out!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Terrified.
By the grace of God, a life was saved.
Today on my way to work, I saw a man beginning to climb and shuffle his way along a fence, dangling over I-75. The car in front of me was stopped, and the driver was interacting with the man. I couldn't hear what the driver said, but as I was rolling down my window, I heard the man say, "I am going to kill myself."
I was shaking, sitting in my car, and began to dial "9-1-1". This was my first time ever typing those numbers into a phone. It felt like an eternity of silence had passed before I started to hear the ringing noise on the other end. After several rings, it went to an automated voice stating, behind a fuzzy, hard-to-hear connection, "You have reached 911 Emergency of Detroit, no one is available to take your call at this time, please remain on hold....". In disgust, I hung up. I looked up to notice the driver, a woman, had gotten out of her car and approached the sidewalk opposite of the man hanging on the fence. I immediately turned off my car and ran out to join her.
We were pleading with the man to come down. I told him this is not what God wants for him. I asked him his name, his name is Randy. I told Randy that we would help him and that we care about him. He said that no one cares, and that if he didn't kill himself, "they" were going to kill him. The woman asked if who was going to kill him? Randy stated, "the voices".
The woman asked him if he had any children. He began to tear and said, "yes". She told him that he can't do this, there are people that care and need him. I began to talk to him about God and pray aloud for Randy. The woman also began to pray. We held our hands up to him, crying. He just kept saying he wanted to die, and the woman kept telling him the Spirit had us there for a reason for him. We begged for Randy to walk the other way. In midst of all of this, two things had happened: the woman had gotten a hold of 911 while helping me speak to Randy, and two other men had joined the scene (I'm not sure at what point they showed up) but they began trying to talk to him as well to tell him that we would find him help.
Thanks to God, many police showed up along with some sort of professional/negotiator, a cop had blocked the right lane of the freeway so that in case he were to let go it would not be harm to other people below (imagine if he fell and someone had hit him...and what that would do to that person as well, mentally), and an ambulance. The police sort of took over speaking to Randy. I hugged the other woman and asked her name...Tia. I told Tia I would be praying for her as well, and thanked her for praying with me earlier. She thanked me for giving her the courage to. We were both so shaken; Tia went to sit in her car but I remained nearby. I didn't want Randy to think we had just left. The other two men also stood back, by me.
The cops kept telling him they could get him help. That they could get him the medicine he needs, that no one was going to hurt him. Probably about 3 minutes later, what felt like agonizing hours, Randy climbed over the fence and collapsed on the ground.
I somberly walked back to my car. Tia was still in hers, and I grabbed her hand. She blessed me. I sat for a moment, with tears in my eyes. I praised God for the timing of everything. That Tia and I were there for Randy. That I left my house 10 minutes later than I had planned. I'm not sure what God's plan is for Randy, but I know and believe it's not our job to decide when our life is done. I have no words to describe what I'm feeling. I had nothing to do with any of that, and I hope I can use this to claim God's mercy and grace. I am also terrified because He used me. I am grateful, but scared. My role in His story is becoming evident to me, and I am afraid to face what else He has in store, but I know I can handle it because He is with me. It's not even me who does anything It is Him.
Please pray for Randy, his family, Tia, the two men who were with me (I didn't get their names, wish I could have) and the Detroit Police Department. I don't know what else to say except God is gracious and good. Let it be known that He works through all His people, and His timing is perfect.
Today on my way to work, I saw a man beginning to climb and shuffle his way along a fence, dangling over I-75. The car in front of me was stopped, and the driver was interacting with the man. I couldn't hear what the driver said, but as I was rolling down my window, I heard the man say, "I am going to kill myself."
I was shaking, sitting in my car, and began to dial "9-1-1". This was my first time ever typing those numbers into a phone. It felt like an eternity of silence had passed before I started to hear the ringing noise on the other end. After several rings, it went to an automated voice stating, behind a fuzzy, hard-to-hear connection, "You have reached 911 Emergency of Detroit, no one is available to take your call at this time, please remain on hold....". In disgust, I hung up. I looked up to notice the driver, a woman, had gotten out of her car and approached the sidewalk opposite of the man hanging on the fence. I immediately turned off my car and ran out to join her.
We were pleading with the man to come down. I told him this is not what God wants for him. I asked him his name, his name is Randy. I told Randy that we would help him and that we care about him. He said that no one cares, and that if he didn't kill himself, "they" were going to kill him. The woman asked if who was going to kill him? Randy stated, "the voices".
The woman asked him if he had any children. He began to tear and said, "yes". She told him that he can't do this, there are people that care and need him. I began to talk to him about God and pray aloud for Randy. The woman also began to pray. We held our hands up to him, crying. He just kept saying he wanted to die, and the woman kept telling him the Spirit had us there for a reason for him. We begged for Randy to walk the other way. In midst of all of this, two things had happened: the woman had gotten a hold of 911 while helping me speak to Randy, and two other men had joined the scene (I'm not sure at what point they showed up) but they began trying to talk to him as well to tell him that we would find him help.
Thanks to God, many police showed up along with some sort of professional/negotiator, a cop had blocked the right lane of the freeway so that in case he were to let go it would not be harm to other people below (imagine if he fell and someone had hit him...and what that would do to that person as well, mentally), and an ambulance. The police sort of took over speaking to Randy. I hugged the other woman and asked her name...Tia. I told Tia I would be praying for her as well, and thanked her for praying with me earlier. She thanked me for giving her the courage to. We were both so shaken; Tia went to sit in her car but I remained nearby. I didn't want Randy to think we had just left. The other two men also stood back, by me.
The cops kept telling him they could get him help. That they could get him the medicine he needs, that no one was going to hurt him. Probably about 3 minutes later, what felt like agonizing hours, Randy climbed over the fence and collapsed on the ground.
I somberly walked back to my car. Tia was still in hers, and I grabbed her hand. She blessed me. I sat for a moment, with tears in my eyes. I praised God for the timing of everything. That Tia and I were there for Randy. That I left my house 10 minutes later than I had planned. I'm not sure what God's plan is for Randy, but I know and believe it's not our job to decide when our life is done. I have no words to describe what I'm feeling. I had nothing to do with any of that, and I hope I can use this to claim God's mercy and grace. I am also terrified because He used me. I am grateful, but scared. My role in His story is becoming evident to me, and I am afraid to face what else He has in store, but I know I can handle it because He is with me. It's not even me who does anything It is Him.
Please pray for Randy, his family, Tia, the two men who were with me (I didn't get their names, wish I could have) and the Detroit Police Department. I don't know what else to say except God is gracious and good. Let it be known that He works through all His people, and His timing is perfect.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 11-Favorite TV shows
I'd say I have three favorite TV shows, at this time.
There are series' that have finished that I could call favorites (ie Lost), but I will stick with ongoing right now. :)
Parenthood
Parenthood is an American Family comedy-drama television series based on the 1989 film of the same title. The show revolves around the Braverman family, which has expanded to three generations, featuring patriarch Zeek Braverman and matriarch Camille Braverman, their oldest son Adam and his wife, daughter, and son, their daughter Sarah and her two kids, their second son Crosby, his ex-girlfriend Jasmine and their young son Jabbar, and finally their daughter Julia Braverman-Graham and her stay-at-home husband and young daughter.
the Office
The Office is an American comedy television series broadcast by NBC. An adaptation of the BBC series of the same name, it depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. To simulate the look of an actual documentary, it is filmed in a single-camera setup, without a studio audience or a laugh track.
(2005-present)
Bleach
Bleach is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Noriaki "Tite" Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Shinigami—a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. His newfound powers force him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits and guiding departed souls to the afterlife.
(2006-present)
There are series' that have finished that I could call favorites (ie Lost), but I will stick with ongoing right now. :)
Parenthood
Parenthood is an American Family comedy-drama television series based on the 1989 film of the same title. The show revolves around the Braverman family, which has expanded to three generations, featuring patriarch Zeek Braverman and matriarch Camille Braverman, their oldest son Adam and his wife, daughter, and son, their daughter Sarah and her two kids, their second son Crosby, his ex-girlfriend Jasmine and their young son Jabbar, and finally their daughter Julia Braverman-Graham and her stay-at-home husband and young daughter.
the Office
The Office is an American comedy television series broadcast by NBC. An adaptation of the BBC series of the same name, it depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. To simulate the look of an actual documentary, it is filmed in a single-camera setup, without a studio audience or a laugh track.
(2005-present)
Bleach
Bleach is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Noriaki "Tite" Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Shinigami—a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. His newfound powers force him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits and guiding departed souls to the afterlife.
(2006-present)
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