Oh and Just for the Record...

I could have kicked that guys ass any day!

Unexpectedly Hit

So, I never actually thought this would happen... but some guy just hit me with his arm.

Ok, let me back track a little...

I ate lunch today outside at the park near Pike Place. It was a great lunch too - perfect sandwich, perfect weather, perfect music, perfect book.

But then lunch ended and I had to go back to work... so I did. I got up and started walking up the big hill near my work place. After I crossed the first street I came upon three men standing and waiting for the same cross walk go-ahead-light that I was. Despite the fact that I was listening to my iPod, I could tell that one of the men was mad at another. 

Both men seemed a little off... but I walk next to many people in Seattle who are off their rocker and its never been a problem. So, I didn't think anything of it. I never want to be that girl who avoids seemingly scary people, because most of them are not scary and most of them notice it when others do so... and that's not fair. So, that's why I never purposefully go down to another street corner or move to the other side of the street... just because someone might be a little off doesn't mean that we shouldn't treat them like people and give them a chance. Anyway, that's why I didn't leave the corner... and it was the closest cross walk to my office too. 

Eventually, the walk light turned on and we all proceeded to cross the street when one of the men started yelling at the other man - calling him pretty harsh names - and getting physically upset. I guess I must have been in his way - even though I was walking a little behind him - because he abruptly saw me and hit me in my side. It wasn't a punch... it was more like a side-swipe of his arm to my side. And then he yelled at me to get out of his way and turned around and continued walking after the man yelling at him.

Gosh. It didn't hurt at all, I won't even have a bruise or anything. And it's really not a huge deal... it just surprised me more than anything. And now I'm sitting in my office and my adrenaline is just going strong. 

Crazy how things like that can happen. 

Lessons Learned...

1. Do not wear white shorts to a soccer game in pouring down rain... it ends up being borderline scandalous... but then again, maybe that's how to distract the other team. Hmm... 

2. Do not go to bed early when you are used to going to bed late... it will only make you more tired in the morning... why is that anyway?? I guess this is my excuse to forever stay up late.

3. It is best to make friends with the people at your bus stop... otherwise you just end up staring at each other every morning... and that's a little awkward. But FYI, the first initial "contact" can be a little entertaining too... just be prepared.

4. Sometimes it is better to plan... otherwise you realize how much you have left to do the day it is all due... and that can be stressful. Enough said.

5. A clean room really is better than a messy room. I think I'm finally learning this truth. The thing I don't understand is how can a room be messy the day after you clean it?! Its a terrible cycle... I will conquer this!

6. I don't know why, but house plants are a really great thing. Who would have thought?

7. And last - but definitely not least - did you know Lewis and Clark's dog was a newfoundland named Seaman?? Crazy! There's your random fact for the day... use it wisely :)

I don't know what to title this so I'm not going to.

I have just realized... A 6-year journey is coming to a close in three weeks.

I sit here in awe about how being a leader to Jr. High students can change, teach and impact a person so incredibly to the core... that it refines and purifies the soul unlike any other.

I remember when I first began leading Jr. High students my freshman year of college. I was nervous and scared. Would the little sevies like me? Would I be cool enough? Would relationships be built? Would I fail in serving the One I love?

The past 6 years have taught me that service is not about myself. It is about showing Jesus more... being humble enough to acknowledge the fact that what I do on my own will not last... but what Jesus does will last for all eternity. I am merely the pot that perhaps pours out His love a little.

I simply hope... and trust... that my heart has been open enough for Jesus to have worked through me, so that He may have left lasting impact and change... and of course love... in the lives of these young people.

It seems as if rising emotions will be unavoidable in the next couple of weeks as I say good-bye to my current 9th grade girls... and to this youth ministry that I hold so deeply in my heart.

Fortunately, it is not a complete good bye. God has seemed to "gift" me with characteristics that adults cannot seem to understand... but Jr. Highers do. Perhaps I'll be back in the thick of youth ministry in no time... perhaps the journey is simply taking a small detour for now...

All I know is that this detour is right, for right now.

Ask and it will...??

I read a quote today that I feel is awfully misguided...

"Pray for what you want, but work for the things you need."

Hmm... I just don't know what to think about this statement. Is it saying that God refuses to provide the things we need if we ask for them? Should we really only ask for the things we simply want? It seems to be saying that we should only ask for those things that we want so if we do not receive them, we won't then be left disappointed or lacking - we will simply be left without luxury, comfort or indulgence. 

But that is incredibly small-minded. The things I desire do not always have to do with excessive want. Occasionally they do... but I also desire to be loved, accepted, encouraged and cared for. Are these things I need? Debatably so - in order to perhaps thrive in my own skin - but to live and breath? No, not necessarily. But I desire them non-the-less. I would argue that most people do too.

And doesn't that go so totally against God's character and the providing Father that He is? Isn't it true that He desires for us to come to Him with ALL of ourselves... which of course includes both needs and wants? If we only offer him a portion of ourselves as a safety net for our own hearts, we will only eliminate the possibility of deeper relationship with Him... and the possibility for His strength and power to be known personally and deliberately.

The other thing that rubs me the wrong way is that this quote encourages self-sufficiency over dependency on Jesus. The truth is, we cannot do this thing called life on our own. If we try, it will only leave us more broken and wanting than before. Our lives were created to glorify God and reflect His glory through our lives. But, if we take the control from Him - and essentially depend on our own abilities to "succeed" (whatever that means) - then we will be clothing ourselves in the glory that God deserves. And we will be ruining any opportunity to experience the story He already wrote out for our lives.

He tells us "ask and it will be given to you. seek and you will find. knock and the door will be opened..." 

Will we take that offer to heart? Or will we only ask a little, seek when it is dark and maybe do a little doorbell ditching instead of jumping into a relationship with God so utterly and completely that it includes every part of us... the good, the bad, the ugly... and of course the beautiful too?

No, this does not mean that everything we pray for will happen in our own timing - or at all.

What it does mean is that our relationships with our creator will be so gloriously open and real - encompassing all of our hurts, joys, love - that we will truly learn to rid ourselves of self sufficiency and depend on Him. And that is where growth, knowledge and discovery really happens... in the trenches of reality.

But we must pray about all things. And He will grow us, love us, and provide for us - each uniquely and completely - despite our needs and our wants. 

Security Reminders

Were you tired this morning? Did you wake up with your eyelids fighting your alarm clock to stay shut for a few more minutes? And once you did finally get out of bed, did you want to immediately crawl back in the warm covers and sleep a little more?

That was me this morning. I did not want to wake up... get out of bed... or consequently, go to work. Ugh. However, I did... and its going to be ok... there is hope! 

When I walked into my office building this morning, I was optimistically and enthusiastically reminded by the building's security guard that...

"There are only three more wake up days left in the week!"

YES! 

When put that way, it does seem a little easier to get the day going... I only have three more wake up days left until I my eyes won't have to fight the alarm clock... because it won't be set. Instead, I'll sleep my heart away until I decide its time to get up... and that is the greatest thing in the world :)

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Also, I just have to add that my office building's security guard is absolutely amazing! He's this sweet ethiopian man who is one of the most optimistic people I've ever met. I feel like he just always laughs at me... I'm sure I look pretty entertaining each morning as I stumble into the building entry way. What can I say? I'm simply not quite a morning person. However, just for the record... he did also tell me that I'm "always happy" so at least I've got that going for me :)

So... Happy Morning!

And if you need a little inspiration for work today, here's a cool quote that I find motivating when I'm not quite sure what to do next...

"Do something. If it doesn't work, do something else. No idea is too crazy."

- Jim Hightower

I love my life!

Don't you love the hidden quirks about people? I do. They bring a smile to my face and make me laugh and appreciate who people are even more.

Well - just like everyone - there are some funny little things that I love and help make me who I am.

For one, I love Hula Ken. He was given to me by an incredibly good friend during a rough time in my life. Since then, he has always been a reminder that no matter how low things seem to be, there's always something to keep you smiling... and dancing... and singing. Yes its true... Hula Ken is just that cool :) And so is the friend who gave him to me :)

Another random thing about me that you'll notice super quick is that I love...

Diet Coke!!! Again, its the simple things in life that keep us grounded, right? 

And even though both Hula Ken and Diet Coke seem to be minor... maybe even too simplistic... that's the greatest part about it! Life gets better - and means more - when we appreciate the intricate moments and gifts that bring a little extra light into our lives. And yes, Hula Ken and Diet Coke do that for me :)

And lastly... another thing that I've almost forgotten about is... photography.

Recently a roommate of mine motivated me to take my camera out and actually - dare I say - use it. And oh my gosh! How I forgot the joys of photography! Be it flowers in my bathroom, or my beautiful roommates at Pike Place, it makes me alive and once again notice the small things that make our world more real. Its finding beauty and love (?) in unexpected places. And I love that.

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And after a great day of walking around Pike Place picking out flowers for our mom's for mother's day, having so much fun taking pictures of random things and my crazy roommates, going down to Greenlake to play some volleyball with good friends... I find myself content and happy sitting at our little neighborhood bar and grill amazed once again by how much...

I love my life!!! I hope and trust that you love yours too :)

Randomosity

Surprise, surprise.... I love Starbucks.

Fortunately, I've found small doses of self discipline here and there so that I do not order my usual tall, non-fat vanilla latte on a regular early-morning basis. In fact, rarely do I slip into Starbucks on weekday mornings to indulge in one of my most favorite things. Its all part of my "budget", so to speak. I say no to save more. That has got to be worthy of some sort of accreditation, right? Ok, maybe not :)

Anyway, today, I threw self discipline out the window. I stopped by Starbucks, and instead of ordering a tall... I ordered a grande, non-fat vanilla latte... and it is glorious! My excuse is that, one, its Friday... and two, it is my roommates birthday today and this is one way that I'm celebrating! (shout out to Renee! Happy Birthday friend!)

All of this to say, I'm having a good morning... which means I'm going to have a good day... and since it is Friday... this means I'm going to have a great weekend too. Oh, and its sunny - always makes me smile. I hope you're smiling too :)

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Oh, and just so that this post isn't completely pointless for the day, here's a little snippet of encouragement ...

Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in - but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.

- My Utmost for His Highest