In the beginning of July, my sister Kaylee and I went to Costa Rica with Mt. Pisgah on a mission trip. It was incredible- the Lord was so present in every moment and built wonderful relationships between our group and the Costa Ricans that we visit there. Also, Bobby and I got engaged! Overall, a very memorable trip!
My mom and little brother Adam are visiting me in Miami right now. Today is my last day in Miami; tomorrow we will visit family in Central Florida then we will head home to Atlanta on Monday.
I am quite excited to return home, and then to get back to Athens. Miami is a vibrant and fun city, but the love of money, lavish lifestyles, and physical beauty is more palpable than anywhere I've ever lived (yes, even Alpharetta). Certainly this is characteristic of our nation as a whole, but this summer I've felt especially frustrated by the attitudes that accompany this lifestyle. It's like running in a hamster wheel- I don't see the point. Jesus says that his burden is easy and his yoke is light. I am so glad to pick up his burden instead of the burden of this world. The yoke of this world is so heavy. It is so demanding and all-consuming! It says "keep working, you have to look out for yourself, watch your back, you can only be happy with more money, with a bigger house, with more, more, more, work, work, work!"
Yet if only I had held out the candle a little more into the darkness and not so much hidden it under a bowl. I agree with the words of William Wilberforce as I've read in Amazing Grace, a biography of this great British politician credited with ending the slave trade in Britain. So I will end this blog with these wise and heartfelt words of confession.
Wilberforce wrote in his diary "I am filled will the deepest compunction from the consciousness of my having made so poor a use of the talents committed to my stewardship. The heart knows its own bitterness. We alone know ourselves the opportunities we have enjoyed, and the comparative use we have made of them... To your friendly ear... I breathe our my secret sorrows. I might be supposed by other to be fishing for a compliment. Well, it is an unspeakable consolation that we serve a gracious Master, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not... Yet I am but too conscious of numerous and great sins of omission, many opportunities of doing good whether not at all or very inadequately improved."
Friday, July 24, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy
After five weeks of living here, the other day I suddenly realized that I feel settled in. I only mention it because I've never been away from home for this long and it's a good feeling to know that I can do it. Given, I'm living with family, but still- I have a small sense of accomplishment about this semi-independence!
So much has happened lately and I don't know how much of it is interesting to you, but so it goes! This journal is for you, but it's for me too. Unfortunately I have a poor memory, so hopefully writing will help preserve these memories.
Two weeks ago while my aunt, uncle, and cousins were at the Grand Canyon (where they saw Kathryn!), my cousin Julie and my grandmother came to stay with me. We went to the Museum of Science which had a planetarium, which I had never seen before. It was cool- they played a video on a dome screen about the stars and the universe with lots of pictures from the Hubble telescope. Ever since I took Astronomy during freshmen year, I have loved learning about space! And I no longer believe in gravity. Neither did Einstein (on a large scale). It's called space-time, friends! Anyway, we had a nice time and I so loved their company. We played cards and dominos at night after dinner. We have a set of cards that was my great-grandfather's! I just love card games, so my grandmother said I could have those cards.
Then last weekend, Bobby came to visit! On top of some drama about his flight times (he bought the ticket thinking it left ATL at 10am, only to discover the day before he leaves that the ticket says 10pm!), we could NOT find each other at the Miami airport. We were on the phone describing to the other everything around us. At one point I said "I am at terminal H." And he goes "that's impossible, I JUST walked all the way through there and didn't see you!" 30 minutes of circular conversation later, we find out that he is upstairs and I am downstairs. Oh man, what a day. But we had a fabulous weekend once we found each other! We went to South Beach for half a day. Actually, we are pretty sure it was a gay friendly beach. There were an unusual number of gay couples and there were rainbow flags marking off our area. But you know us, we didn't mind. It was a gorgeous day and the water is so clear- a beautiful turquoise.
The next day we went to the Miami Zoo where I got to PET GIRAFFES!! It was possibly the best moment of my life so far. Look at my Facebook pictures. There is an area at the Miami Zoo where you can feed them and they stick their heads right down to you and take lettuce from you with their looong black tongues! In fact, while Bobby was taking my picture, one accidentally bonked heads with me. Oh gosh, it hurt. But it was so funny! On the way to that exhibit, Bobby had told me that we were out of the "Africa" part of the zoo (it was divided by land areas) and since we hadn't seen them yet, he didn't think they had giraffes. Of course I believed him and was heartbroken. Giraffes are my favorite creatures- and Lord knows I love all his creatures! Haha, Bobby knows he can trick me, but it was all in good fun.
After we went to dinner that night, a man on the street asked us if we had left over food. We did, and gladly gave it to him. We stopped for a minute to catch his name, but continued on our way. Bobby mentioned that he really should have prayed for Rodger, so I told him to go on back while I went ahead to the car. He ended up getting into a really great conversation with Rodger and his friend J.D. about their lives and about things of the Lord. The two friends live on a boat in a Miami harbor and come into the city to socialize and (I assume) eat, make money, etc. At three different points in his life Rodger has been a millionaire, but in one way or another he has lost it all. I just love the mix of people here in Miami- from celebrities and models to blue-collared workers to beach "hippies," for lack of a better term. Also it is such a mosaic of cultures from all over the world! Yes, Latinos, as many people associate with Miami, but also French, Italians, Lebanese, etc.! It's fascinating and enlightening to associate with so many different types of people with their own cultures, ways of thinking, religion, food, customs. It makes me think about how big and how diverse the world is- and how, perhaps, the best thing humans can do for one another is to learn to love one another right where we are. Not label, not make assumptions, not count you out because you don't look or talk or live like me, but learn from each other's experiences and gosh, just give each other respect. Stepping off the soapbox for now...
My aunt, little cousin Raegan, grandmother, and I toured Vizcaya today. James Deering, the owner of a farm equipment manufacturing company, built the Vizcaya estate in 1916 as his winter home. It was unbelievable- room after room of ornate furniture, art, and artifacts from his life there. The home has at least 5 guest rooms, a breakfast room, a music room with a baby grand piano and a harp, a sitting room, and so many others. Everything is extremely intricate- from the fireplaces to the stained glass windows to the detailed ceilings. It sits right on the ocean and has 10 acres of gardens!
I have so enjoyed getting to be a part of my Florida family's life by living here. Sometimes I think it's hard for my family to feel really connected with all our cousins and aunts and uncles because we are the only ones that live in Georgia. But, it seems part of God's plan for me this summer is to act as a bridge for my family. The Lord is good in so many ways. In every way, actually :)
So much has happened lately and I don't know how much of it is interesting to you, but so it goes! This journal is for you, but it's for me too. Unfortunately I have a poor memory, so hopefully writing will help preserve these memories.
Two weeks ago while my aunt, uncle, and cousins were at the Grand Canyon (where they saw Kathryn!), my cousin Julie and my grandmother came to stay with me. We went to the Museum of Science which had a planetarium, which I had never seen before. It was cool- they played a video on a dome screen about the stars and the universe with lots of pictures from the Hubble telescope. Ever since I took Astronomy during freshmen year, I have loved learning about space! And I no longer believe in gravity. Neither did Einstein (on a large scale). It's called space-time, friends! Anyway, we had a nice time and I so loved their company. We played cards and dominos at night after dinner. We have a set of cards that was my great-grandfather's! I just love card games, so my grandmother said I could have those cards.
Then last weekend, Bobby came to visit! On top of some drama about his flight times (he bought the ticket thinking it left ATL at 10am, only to discover the day before he leaves that the ticket says 10pm!), we could NOT find each other at the Miami airport. We were on the phone describing to the other everything around us. At one point I said "I am at terminal H." And he goes "that's impossible, I JUST walked all the way through there and didn't see you!" 30 minutes of circular conversation later, we find out that he is upstairs and I am downstairs. Oh man, what a day. But we had a fabulous weekend once we found each other! We went to South Beach for half a day. Actually, we are pretty sure it was a gay friendly beach. There were an unusual number of gay couples and there were rainbow flags marking off our area. But you know us, we didn't mind. It was a gorgeous day and the water is so clear- a beautiful turquoise.
The next day we went to the Miami Zoo where I got to PET GIRAFFES!! It was possibly the best moment of my life so far. Look at my Facebook pictures. There is an area at the Miami Zoo where you can feed them and they stick their heads right down to you and take lettuce from you with their looong black tongues! In fact, while Bobby was taking my picture, one accidentally bonked heads with me. Oh gosh, it hurt. But it was so funny! On the way to that exhibit, Bobby had told me that we were out of the "Africa" part of the zoo (it was divided by land areas) and since we hadn't seen them yet, he didn't think they had giraffes. Of course I believed him and was heartbroken. Giraffes are my favorite creatures- and Lord knows I love all his creatures! Haha, Bobby knows he can trick me, but it was all in good fun.
After we went to dinner that night, a man on the street asked us if we had left over food. We did, and gladly gave it to him. We stopped for a minute to catch his name, but continued on our way. Bobby mentioned that he really should have prayed for Rodger, so I told him to go on back while I went ahead to the car. He ended up getting into a really great conversation with Rodger and his friend J.D. about their lives and about things of the Lord. The two friends live on a boat in a Miami harbor and come into the city to socialize and (I assume) eat, make money, etc. At three different points in his life Rodger has been a millionaire, but in one way or another he has lost it all. I just love the mix of people here in Miami- from celebrities and models to blue-collared workers to beach "hippies," for lack of a better term. Also it is such a mosaic of cultures from all over the world! Yes, Latinos, as many people associate with Miami, but also French, Italians, Lebanese, etc.! It's fascinating and enlightening to associate with so many different types of people with their own cultures, ways of thinking, religion, food, customs. It makes me think about how big and how diverse the world is- and how, perhaps, the best thing humans can do for one another is to learn to love one another right where we are. Not label, not make assumptions, not count you out because you don't look or talk or live like me, but learn from each other's experiences and gosh, just give each other respect. Stepping off the soapbox for now...
My aunt, little cousin Raegan, grandmother, and I toured Vizcaya today. James Deering, the owner of a farm equipment manufacturing company, built the Vizcaya estate in 1916 as his winter home. It was unbelievable- room after room of ornate furniture, art, and artifacts from his life there. The home has at least 5 guest rooms, a breakfast room, a music room with a baby grand piano and a harp, a sitting room, and so many others. Everything is extremely intricate- from the fireplaces to the stained glass windows to the detailed ceilings. It sits right on the ocean and has 10 acres of gardens!
I have so enjoyed getting to be a part of my Florida family's life by living here. Sometimes I think it's hard for my family to feel really connected with all our cousins and aunts and uncles because we are the only ones that live in Georgia. But, it seems part of God's plan for me this summer is to act as a bridge for my family. The Lord is good in so many ways. In every way, actually :)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Lessons I have learned so far about life in Miami...
1. If you say "y'all," people will gawk at you like you've just come from a road-kill barbeque.
2. If you wear a UGA shirt while running errands, other customers will cut in line ahead of you. Then when you finally get to the register, the employee will mutter "one second" and go do chores around the store, only returning when you've waited a good long while. I wish this was a joke, but it's not!
3. There are dozens of types of palm trees, including old man, petticoat, stone, fishtail... need I go on? (I bet a UF grad gave them those fabulously creative names. Haha!)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Faith like a very clever child
Last night, my cousin Raegan comes into the living room and announces "I have a collection in my room of things about something that's sitting right next to you." Since I am on the couch, I venture "pillows?" which is quickly shot down.
"No!! Right next to you."
"Ok... hm... couches?" I offer with a grin.
"No! Don't you even know God?! He's right there next to you on the couch."
Taken by surprise, I can only muster "Sure, yes, of course he is." Then she proceeds to interrogate me on whether I "believe God". How clever is she? Oh I loved it! And I loved that she said "do you believe God?" when she actually meant "do you believe in God".
But what a great question, Christian, to ask yourself. Sure, you believe in God. But do you believe God?
I have been wondering that of myself today. Do I take God at his word? Do I trust that he knows the number of hairs on my head and that I am of worth to him (Matthew 10:29-31)? that I can release my worries and stress into his capable hands (Philippians 4:6-7)?
God has more for us than the "transaction" of salvation. He wants us to know him intimately because in so doing, we will find rest, fullness, joy, and the greatest love we can ever know!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Bienvenidos a Miami
I have now worked two days at my uncle Ray's law firm. Yesterday afternoon (Monday), I must admit, I was almost in tears. Everything seemed so confusing, I hit a wall every time I tried to work on an assignment... My dad texted me and said "HE doesn't give us more than we can handle." While that biblical reference actually refers to temptation, maybe God promised to save me from the temptation to run out of the office into the Miami streets while pulling my hair out!
Today though, I am quite happy to report, was a much better day at work! I feel more comfortable with the jobs I am asked to do as time goes on. More than anything, I want to be helpful to uncle Ray and not a burden.
And I love living at my aunt and uncle's house! My cousins are so sweet and we have a lot of fun. Rebecca is 13, so she is with her friends a lot and I don't see too much of her. Ray Joseph is 11 and he is quiet, loves sports, and is a sweetheart. Raegan is in first grade and is a ball of energy! She always has something funny to say and never misses an opportunity to be in the spotlight. She is graciously sharing her room with me this summer.
Last night there was a bad thunderstorm here in Miami. Ray Joseph, Raegan and I played the game "Sorry!" and comforted the frightened dogs- Jasmine the golden retriever and Coco and Lola the chihuahuas. We laughed and had a great time! Rebecca was over at a friend's house and had a tough time getting home because of the rain. The land is so flat here that the streets hold all the rain water, like a mini flood.
If you are interested, you can see this clip of my uncle arguing with Terry Bollea (better known as Hulk Hogan). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMVpm1cpZsA His firm is a family law firm, so he handles divorce cases, etc.
Today though, I am quite happy to report, was a much better day at work! I feel more comfortable with the jobs I am asked to do as time goes on. More than anything, I want to be helpful to uncle Ray and not a burden.
And I love living at my aunt and uncle's house! My cousins are so sweet and we have a lot of fun. Rebecca is 13, so she is with her friends a lot and I don't see too much of her. Ray Joseph is 11 and he is quiet, loves sports, and is a sweetheart. Raegan is in first grade and is a ball of energy! She always has something funny to say and never misses an opportunity to be in the spotlight. She is graciously sharing her room with me this summer.
Last night there was a bad thunderstorm here in Miami. Ray Joseph, Raegan and I played the game "Sorry!" and comforted the frightened dogs- Jasmine the golden retriever and Coco and Lola the chihuahuas. We laughed and had a great time! Rebecca was over at a friend's house and had a tough time getting home because of the rain. The land is so flat here that the streets hold all the rain water, like a mini flood.
If you are interested, you can see this clip of my uncle arguing with Terry Bollea (better known as Hulk Hogan). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMVpm1cpZsA His firm is a family law firm, so he handles divorce cases, etc.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Ready to Go!
Very suddenly this semester, God placed a desire in my heart to go to law school. Just as soon as I grasped that idea, he put a wonderful opportunity in my path- to work for my uncle Ray's law firm in Miami this summer! I will get to see what it's like to work in a firm and will live with my aunt and uncle's family. I am SO excited about the next 10+ weeks... what a fun learning experience this will be.
Well, I don't know exactly what I will post on this blog! Maybe I'll have some funny work stories or stories about living in Miami. Hopefully the Lord has a lot to teach me this summer, and I'll share some of that.
Collige virgo rosas- "Gather, girl, the roses."
Well, I don't know exactly what I will post on this blog! Maybe I'll have some funny work stories or stories about living in Miami. Hopefully the Lord has a lot to teach me this summer, and I'll share some of that.
Collige virgo rosas- "Gather, girl, the roses."
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