ran 8 miles this morning!!!!!!
Thank you.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Never Forget
I will never forget 2 years ago today. I remember every moment. 33 people lost their lives. The University that God used to prepare me for the rest of my life, was invaded, attacked and changed forever. The world finally learned what a Hokie is.
I am proud to be a Hokie.
You will never be forgotten:
- Ross A. Alameddine
- Christopher James Bishop
- Brian R. Bluhm
- Ryan Christopher Clark
- Austin Michelle Cloyd
- Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
- Kevin P. Granata
- Matthew Gregory Gwaltney
- Caitlin Millar Hammaren
- Jeremy Michael Herbstritt
- Rachael Elizabeth Hill
- Emily Jane Hilscher
- Jarrett Lee Lane
- Matthew Joseph La Porte
- Henry J. Lee
- Liviu Librescu (holocaust survivor)
- G.V. Loganathan
- Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan
- Lauren Ashley McCain
- Daniel Patrick O'Neil
- Juan Ramon Ortiz-Ortiz
- Minal Hiralal Panchal
- Daniel Alejandro Perez
- Erin Nicole Peterson
- Michael Steven Pohle, Jr.
- Julia Kathleen Pryde
- Mary Karen Read
- Reema Joseph Samaha
- Waleed Mohamed Shaalan
- Leslie Geraldine Sherman
- Maxine Shelly Turner
- Nicole Regina White
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
My First Protest!!
11 trillion dollars in debt; to CHINA. Spending money to get out of debt. Passing a $787 billion dollar "stimulus" bill WITHOUT EVEN READING IT. Allowing American tax dollars to fund overseas abortions. All of this (and so much more!) finally sent me over the edge. I just can't sit idly by and watch as the government moves the country closer and closer to a fascist society of big government and a loss of individual rights. I won't get too political with this post, except to say that I have done A LOT of research and paid A LOT of attention to what is going on with the government, and I feel it is necessary for me to speak out. And I won't stop speaking until someone listens. I will also say that this ridiculousness did not start with President Obama. It didn't even start with President Bush or even Clinton. Its not just the democrats, or just the republicans. We have been moving in this direction for decades and I admit ignorance and apathy...until now.So, my first step (after sending countless emails to all of my congressmen and senators...and getting no response) was to attend the Philadelphia Tax Day Tea Party. If you haven't heard about these, check out the website here or read this article about the whole movement here. There were hundreds of rallies held all over the country today, with several hundred thousand Americans protesting the government's irresponsible and self serving use of our tax dollars. It was cold and rainy here in Philly, but it felt REALLY good to not only have a voice but to know that I was not alone. There were probably about 500 people at the rally in Philly, from all religious and political backgrounds. People weren't hostile, but were angry. In all, it was definitely a good experience for my first protest. :)
It has taken me pretty much the rest of the day to warm up (it was in the 40's outside and raining nonstop), but it was absolutely worth it. I will continue to be educated and speak out. My kids' (if I ever have any) future depends on it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Supernatural
I really like the TV show, "Supernatural". Before I continue with this post, let me make it clear that I am NOT recommending the show to you. I really don't know if you would like it or not. Its definitely not a Christian show, though I have been learning a lot from it. But again, that's just me...I have no idea what you would think of the show.
The show started 4 years ago, and originally it was just basically scary movie cliches each episode (I like scary movies). The basic (VERY basic) story behind the show is that its about 2 brothers who fight evil. They battle against the evil in the world that most people don't really recognize as evil. They can see the evil in someone, but recognize that its not the person, its the evil inside of them ("We battle not against flesh and blood...").
When the second season started, the show began to explore the back story of the brothers' lives. Why do they fight evil? How do they know things that others don't? Etc.
The third season really started to ask the question, if there is evil...then is there good? Neither of the brothers believe that there is a God, but in this season they started to see that there was more to the battle than just them and the demons.
That brings us to this season, the one that is really increasing my faith (I know, sounds ridiculous, but its true!). This season, they introduced angels...angels who serve the Most High God and are an integral part of the battle. Like I said, this is NOT a Christian show, but each season seems to line more and more up with scripture. (In the first season they would hold crosses and speak in latin to get rid of demons....totally ridiculous. Now they are looking to a "higher power" that is necessary to fully defeat the evil).
Okay, so how is this TV show increasing my faith? Well, each week this show explores the hard realities of good vs. evil. It doesn't sugar coat it, or make it seem simple or pretty. Its dark and gritty. It gives me a visual of what is going on in the spiritual realm. Its kinda like the Left Behind series, or Frank Peretti's books. It's probably not exactly what is happening, but it gives me a picture to take the the scripture...and it brings me closer to the Lord.
Last week's episode really opened my eyes. Last week we were introduced to a prophet. This guy had no idea that he was a prophet, but he was. He goes to sleep at night and has intense dreams that he doesn't understand, but has to write down. He feels alone and rejected, but can't stop the dreams...and can't stop writing what he sees. He doesn't even understand what he is writing, has no idea that he is writing about real people...he just writes.
After watching that episode, I spent some time reading through the Old Testament prophets. They didn't understand what they were writing, they just wrote what they had to write. They longed for the understanding that we have today. They didn't see their prophecies fulfilled, they just wrote what they saw.
Being a prophet wasn't a happy go lucky thing. They were despised, rejected, hunted and even killed. They didn't live lives of luxury, often they were secluded and crying out to the Lord, not understanding what was going on. They were absolutely honored by God, but certainly not by men.
I don't know why I never really pictured it that way, its so clear in the scriptures that the prophets struggled and suffered. Yet, I really didn't see it until this TV show gave me a picture.
I am surrounded be evil. There is so much sin, addiction, anger, struggle...just evil all around me. Its so easy for me to get caught up in what I can see and forget about the battle going on that I can't see. The battle that I must always fight...but will never fight alone. I know its weird to say that I am learning all of this from a TV show...but I suppose the Lord knows the best way to get my attention. :)
The show started 4 years ago, and originally it was just basically scary movie cliches each episode (I like scary movies). The basic (VERY basic) story behind the show is that its about 2 brothers who fight evil. They battle against the evil in the world that most people don't really recognize as evil. They can see the evil in someone, but recognize that its not the person, its the evil inside of them ("We battle not against flesh and blood...").
When the second season started, the show began to explore the back story of the brothers' lives. Why do they fight evil? How do they know things that others don't? Etc.
The third season really started to ask the question, if there is evil...then is there good? Neither of the brothers believe that there is a God, but in this season they started to see that there was more to the battle than just them and the demons.
That brings us to this season, the one that is really increasing my faith (I know, sounds ridiculous, but its true!). This season, they introduced angels...angels who serve the Most High God and are an integral part of the battle. Like I said, this is NOT a Christian show, but each season seems to line more and more up with scripture. (In the first season they would hold crosses and speak in latin to get rid of demons....totally ridiculous. Now they are looking to a "higher power" that is necessary to fully defeat the evil).
Okay, so how is this TV show increasing my faith? Well, each week this show explores the hard realities of good vs. evil. It doesn't sugar coat it, or make it seem simple or pretty. Its dark and gritty. It gives me a visual of what is going on in the spiritual realm. Its kinda like the Left Behind series, or Frank Peretti's books. It's probably not exactly what is happening, but it gives me a picture to take the the scripture...and it brings me closer to the Lord.
Last week's episode really opened my eyes. Last week we were introduced to a prophet. This guy had no idea that he was a prophet, but he was. He goes to sleep at night and has intense dreams that he doesn't understand, but has to write down. He feels alone and rejected, but can't stop the dreams...and can't stop writing what he sees. He doesn't even understand what he is writing, has no idea that he is writing about real people...he just writes.
After watching that episode, I spent some time reading through the Old Testament prophets. They didn't understand what they were writing, they just wrote what they had to write. They longed for the understanding that we have today. They didn't see their prophecies fulfilled, they just wrote what they saw.
Being a prophet wasn't a happy go lucky thing. They were despised, rejected, hunted and even killed. They didn't live lives of luxury, often they were secluded and crying out to the Lord, not understanding what was going on. They were absolutely honored by God, but certainly not by men.
I don't know why I never really pictured it that way, its so clear in the scriptures that the prophets struggled and suffered. Yet, I really didn't see it until this TV show gave me a picture.
I am surrounded be evil. There is so much sin, addiction, anger, struggle...just evil all around me. Its so easy for me to get caught up in what I can see and forget about the battle going on that I can't see. The battle that I must always fight...but will never fight alone. I know its weird to say that I am learning all of this from a TV show...but I suppose the Lord knows the best way to get my attention. :)
Long Time No See!
Wow, I can't believe its been almost 2 weeks since I have blogged!! That's practically unheard of! I have been pretty busy, though I have also had a million things I have wanted to blog about, I just couldn't seem to find the motivation, haha. I have a few posts in my head, though, so you might get a few from me today. Doing my best to make up for lost time. :)
I will start with a general update on me. If you couldn't tell from my last post, I am pretty tired. :) The spring semester at Cornerstone is the longest one of the year, and every year about this time I really start to feel it. This is the longest stretch of time where I don't leave Philly, which is always hard for me. While I am used to 8 weeks worth of Kids Club lessons, in the spring I have 13. Plus, it is definitely the busiest time of year for AIM as well. So, while I have been plugging along, I am definitely ready for a break. And I will get one in just about 3 weeks! Wooho!!
This last week I helped out with another AIM group that was here. I wasn't leading it, but its a group I know really well, and REALLY like, so I spent a lot of time with them. It was a GREAT week. Bonita was on Spring Break from school, so our schedules were much more flexible, and I didn't have to worry about bed times with her, which we both enjoyed. So, when I wasn't doing my normal work, I was with the group. This was their 3rd year coming to Philly and I am really hoping that they will work with Cornerstone next year. They are a great team, very encouraging and a lot of fun! I had people to hang out with for a week, and we laughed A LOT. I loved it!!
Unfortunately, I have been battling sickness since the football team left. I have good days and bad days, and this week constituted several bad days. Its not the kind of sickness that totally knocks me out, its just enough that I feel like I'm living at about 65% of my normal self. I finally (very reluctantly) decided to take a few days off from running to hopefully let my body recover so I can get back to 100%. I'm just praying it doesn't put me too far behind on my training because the Broad Street is in 3 weeks!!!! Its also been challenging for me because I feel like I'm being lazy and gaining 15 pounds a day. Obviously that's not true, but to go from exercising as much as I had been to almost nothing, even for a few days, kinda gets me down. Exercise helps keep me in a much better mental state, so I really want to get back to that asap!!
Bonita and I continue to do well. We're about a month in and still liking each other! We have had a few "parental" issues (like her learning the different between asking permission to do something and telling me that she is going to do something...that's a hard one...), but we've been able to work through them. I definitely don't think I treat her the same way I would my own daughter, but there are times I need to pull the "mom" card. Its interesting to try and figure out our relationship. Interesting...challenging...and worth it. I'm still praying that everything works out for her to do Cyber School in the fall, and the more time we spend together, the more confirmed I feel in that decision. We won't know anything until the end of May though...
Now I'm really just counting down the days until I head to NC for vacation with my family. (26 days!!). I have 3 Kids Club lessons to get through, plenty of AIM work to continue with, and my running training to fit into the schedule. God is VERY good and faithful, however, and giving me everything I need, even when I don't know that I need it. And if I ever get really down...Bonita isn't far away to remind me why I am here. Of course, there is also baby Selah Varaso who is already my bff, even if she doesn't know it yet. And in the next week, Carisa and Marcella will be giving birth to 2 babies I can't wait to meet, love and spoil!
I will start with a general update on me. If you couldn't tell from my last post, I am pretty tired. :) The spring semester at Cornerstone is the longest one of the year, and every year about this time I really start to feel it. This is the longest stretch of time where I don't leave Philly, which is always hard for me. While I am used to 8 weeks worth of Kids Club lessons, in the spring I have 13. Plus, it is definitely the busiest time of year for AIM as well. So, while I have been plugging along, I am definitely ready for a break. And I will get one in just about 3 weeks! Wooho!!
This last week I helped out with another AIM group that was here. I wasn't leading it, but its a group I know really well, and REALLY like, so I spent a lot of time with them. It was a GREAT week. Bonita was on Spring Break from school, so our schedules were much more flexible, and I didn't have to worry about bed times with her, which we both enjoyed. So, when I wasn't doing my normal work, I was with the group. This was their 3rd year coming to Philly and I am really hoping that they will work with Cornerstone next year. They are a great team, very encouraging and a lot of fun! I had people to hang out with for a week, and we laughed A LOT. I loved it!!
Unfortunately, I have been battling sickness since the football team left. I have good days and bad days, and this week constituted several bad days. Its not the kind of sickness that totally knocks me out, its just enough that I feel like I'm living at about 65% of my normal self. I finally (very reluctantly) decided to take a few days off from running to hopefully let my body recover so I can get back to 100%. I'm just praying it doesn't put me too far behind on my training because the Broad Street is in 3 weeks!!!! Its also been challenging for me because I feel like I'm being lazy and gaining 15 pounds a day. Obviously that's not true, but to go from exercising as much as I had been to almost nothing, even for a few days, kinda gets me down. Exercise helps keep me in a much better mental state, so I really want to get back to that asap!!
Bonita and I continue to do well. We're about a month in and still liking each other! We have had a few "parental" issues (like her learning the different between asking permission to do something and telling me that she is going to do something...that's a hard one...), but we've been able to work through them. I definitely don't think I treat her the same way I would my own daughter, but there are times I need to pull the "mom" card. Its interesting to try and figure out our relationship. Interesting...challenging...and worth it. I'm still praying that everything works out for her to do Cyber School in the fall, and the more time we spend together, the more confirmed I feel in that decision. We won't know anything until the end of May though...
Now I'm really just counting down the days until I head to NC for vacation with my family. (26 days!!). I have 3 Kids Club lessons to get through, plenty of AIM work to continue with, and my running training to fit into the schedule. God is VERY good and faithful, however, and giving me everything I need, even when I don't know that I need it. And if I ever get really down...Bonita isn't far away to remind me why I am here. Of course, there is also baby Selah Varaso who is already my bff, even if she doesn't know it yet. And in the next week, Carisa and Marcella will be giving birth to 2 babies I can't wait to meet, love and spoil!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Kinda Pathetic
My life is kind of pathetic right now. Actually, its really pathetic. I'm not quite single (I have a 12 year old living with me), but I'm certainly not a family (no man, and the 12 year old is not mine).
This means I don't really get invited to anything. If there are family events going on, I'm not invited because I don't really have a family here in Philly. On the other hand, I do have a 12 year old living with me, so I don't get invited to young adult/single stuff. Of course, part of that is the fact that I only have 1 single friend in Philly, and she is pretty busy. The rest of my friends are busy with their families, new babies, pregnancies, etc. (Not that my friends are ignoring me, they all have so much going on!) I feel VERY blessed to have a network of people in my life, many of whom are here in Philly, that I know care about me and would be there for me in a crisis, no questions asked. Its just kind of challenging to not really have anyone to talk to. I can easily go a week without a real adult conversation. (Which means I tend to unload when the opportunity arises...gotta work on that, haha)
Of course, I am part of the problem as well (shocking!). My days are actually pretty busy, and people constantly need things from me. So, when it comes to the few times that I might actually get invited to something, I am often too tired to go! Its a sad cycle...
Plus, I'm pretty sure my former roommate is still upset with me. She had a bonfire at her house last weekend that that many people (pretty much all of our mutual friends) were invited to, except me. She also held an event for teen girls and while I am the only other leader of the teen girls, I was not invited.
So, my sad life consists of working at a computer from 9-3 every day. Then, I pick Bonita up from school, help get homework done, cook and eat dinner, head out to evening ministry, come home, watch some TV and then head to bed. Exactly what you would expect from a single 28 year old woman, right? Oh, and my exciting weekends consist of grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning, and preparing for the week ahead. This weekend will also include doing my taxes!! (And before you start to think, "hey, that's what I do too!", let me remind you that I am SINGLE).
Things with Bonita continue to go pretty well. She is becoming a teenager, so she spends a lot of time in her room. I was EXACTLY like that when I was a teen! I spent more time in my room than out of it when I was home (maybe that's when my patheticness started...), so I understand her need to be alone. Linda continues to be one step forward, then two steps back. Still running that race...
I have an appointment for Bonita, her mom, and me to meet with PA Cyber and hopefully get her registered for next year. Its not a guarantee, her grades and attendance aren't great, so I will be praying a lot up until the meeting (its not until the end of May). I do feel very confirmed in my decision as Bonita keeps coming home with more and more stories about things that go on at school. The other day they watched a video on gang rape in her science class. Yeah, I'm not kidding...
I HAVE gotten back on track with my exercising, which is helping me feel a lot better. I actually start my day no later than 6 a.m., which I NEVER thought would happen. I made the commitment at the beginning of January to stick to an early morning schedule for at least a month; that's how long they say it takes for something to become a habit. Turns out, that habit thing is true! Not only that, but it turns out I am really enjoying the time, and feeling better about myself as I (very slowly!) get in shape.
There's the update! Not very upbeat, sorry about that. Just kinda where things are right now. I am pretty excited that my friends Marcella and Carisa are due to have their babies in the next 2 weeks or so. I'm really starting to like babies!! I'm also excited because next week is Family Night AND my month of leading Children's Church is over (although this last month went really well!), so I don't have ANY lessons to plan this week! What ever will I do with all my free time?? :)
This means I don't really get invited to anything. If there are family events going on, I'm not invited because I don't really have a family here in Philly. On the other hand, I do have a 12 year old living with me, so I don't get invited to young adult/single stuff. Of course, part of that is the fact that I only have 1 single friend in Philly, and she is pretty busy. The rest of my friends are busy with their families, new babies, pregnancies, etc. (Not that my friends are ignoring me, they all have so much going on!) I feel VERY blessed to have a network of people in my life, many of whom are here in Philly, that I know care about me and would be there for me in a crisis, no questions asked. Its just kind of challenging to not really have anyone to talk to. I can easily go a week without a real adult conversation. (Which means I tend to unload when the opportunity arises...gotta work on that, haha)
Of course, I am part of the problem as well (shocking!). My days are actually pretty busy, and people constantly need things from me. So, when it comes to the few times that I might actually get invited to something, I am often too tired to go! Its a sad cycle...
Plus, I'm pretty sure my former roommate is still upset with me. She had a bonfire at her house last weekend that that many people (pretty much all of our mutual friends) were invited to, except me. She also held an event for teen girls and while I am the only other leader of the teen girls, I was not invited.
So, my sad life consists of working at a computer from 9-3 every day. Then, I pick Bonita up from school, help get homework done, cook and eat dinner, head out to evening ministry, come home, watch some TV and then head to bed. Exactly what you would expect from a single 28 year old woman, right? Oh, and my exciting weekends consist of grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning, and preparing for the week ahead. This weekend will also include doing my taxes!! (And before you start to think, "hey, that's what I do too!", let me remind you that I am SINGLE).
Things with Bonita continue to go pretty well. She is becoming a teenager, so she spends a lot of time in her room. I was EXACTLY like that when I was a teen! I spent more time in my room than out of it when I was home (maybe that's when my patheticness started...), so I understand her need to be alone. Linda continues to be one step forward, then two steps back. Still running that race...
I have an appointment for Bonita, her mom, and me to meet with PA Cyber and hopefully get her registered for next year. Its not a guarantee, her grades and attendance aren't great, so I will be praying a lot up until the meeting (its not until the end of May). I do feel very confirmed in my decision as Bonita keeps coming home with more and more stories about things that go on at school. The other day they watched a video on gang rape in her science class. Yeah, I'm not kidding...
I HAVE gotten back on track with my exercising, which is helping me feel a lot better. I actually start my day no later than 6 a.m., which I NEVER thought would happen. I made the commitment at the beginning of January to stick to an early morning schedule for at least a month; that's how long they say it takes for something to become a habit. Turns out, that habit thing is true! Not only that, but it turns out I am really enjoying the time, and feeling better about myself as I (very slowly!) get in shape.
There's the update! Not very upbeat, sorry about that. Just kinda where things are right now. I am pretty excited that my friends Marcella and Carisa are due to have their babies in the next 2 weeks or so. I'm really starting to like babies!! I'm also excited because next week is Family Night AND my month of leading Children's Church is over (although this last month went really well!), so I don't have ANY lessons to plan this week! What ever will I do with all my free time?? :)
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