news. bleh.

i don't receive the newspaper or watch any kind of news on tv. i rarely know what is going on if the people around me don't talk about it. sometimes i get curious and check the headlines on the internet, but i often get so discouraged and sad. today i had time, and i regret reading the main KATU stories. my heart breaks for the two year old that was beaten to death by her parents, who were trying to teach her "manners". i can't fathom the families of everyone affected by the shooting in downtown portland, and hearing about a 93 year old man freezing to death in his home frightens me. i see so much pain and heartache in the lives of the people around me and i really don't see any reason to subject myself to more depressing stuff. my mind is boggled with all of the "what if..." scenarios.

what if someone had mentored those young parents or modeled how to raise kids to them?

what if someone had reached out to that lonely man?

how many people have guest bedrooms empty, but are too afraid or selfish to open up their homes?

as i was babysitting last night, the little girl was offering to give me some of her prized possessions. i politely declined, and thought briefly about what the parents would've said. i remember trying to give things away generously when i was younger, and my parents telling me not too. i understand why they limited my generosity, but how does God want us to live? if i lived that generously, i may not have very much...but what do i really need?

how much of my time, love and my blessings have i given freely? these stories could have had drastically different endings if people around them had been generous. that blows my mind!

little acts of selflessness can change the lives of many.

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25

news. bleh.

i don't receive the newspaper or watch any kind of news on tv. i rarely know what is going on if the people around me don't talk about it. sometimes i get curious and check the headlines on the internet, but i often get so discouraged and sad. today i had time, and i regret reading the main KATU stories. my heart breaks for the two year old that was beaten to death by her parents, who were trying to teach her "manners". i can't fathom the families of everyone affected by the shooting in downtown portland, and hearing about a 93 year old man freezing to death in his home frightens me. i see so much pain and heartache in the lives of the people around me and i really don't see any reason to subject myself to more depressing stuff. my mind is boggled with all of the "what if..." scenarios.

what if someone had mentored those young parents or modeled how to raise kids to them?

what if someone had reached out to that lonely man?

how many people have guest bedrooms empty, but are too afraid or selfish to open up their homes?

as i was babysitting last night, the little girl was offering to give me some of her prized possessions. i politely declined, and thought briefly about what the parents would've said. i remember trying to give things away generously when i was younger, and my parents telling me not too. i understand why they limited my generosity, but how does God want us to live? if i lived that generously, i may not have very much...but what do i really need?

how much of my time, love and my blessings have i given freely? these stories could have had drastically different endings if people around them had been generous. that blows my mind!

little acts of selflessness can change the lives of many.

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25

fundraising ideas???

here are some of the fundraising ideas that i have found online that our Poland team probably won't use, but they made me laugh...


Traveling Hobo Band This is a great fundraiser and is super easy to set up. All you need is a pickup truck loaded with some tacky yard decorations. Think plastic lawn chairs, pink flamingos, an old toilet, and a stone goose. Get a banjo and a harmonica and a group of willing ‘hobos.’ Make sure that you dress the part in raggedy clothes. Print up an information sheet about your group and what you are raising money for. For a small donation take nominations of people that your Traveling Hobo Band will visit. When you visit each house, you will want to set up in the front yard with all of your decorations. Sit down and start playing songs and waving at cars driving by. Knock on the front door and explain to the homeowner who you are, hand them your information sheet and that for a small donation you will take your Traveling Hobo Band elsewhere. Most people will be more than happy to get you to go away!

Flamingo Flocking Purchase 10 pink plastic flamingos (lawn decorations). Pick 10 yards in your community to be the lucky recipients. Attach cards to the flamingoes' necks with a phone number along with all the pertinent information regarding your group. State that for a $10 donation, the flamingos will be removed but for $15 they will be moved to the lawn of their choice. Make sure you also place a sign that has a contact name and phone number among the flamingos for those who drive by and would like to have the flamingos placed in a friends yard. (Also give the option to simply pick up the flamingo gratis, since some people have no sense of fun.) It takes some organization, but is lots of fun. An additional fundraising idea is to sell "Pink Flamingo Insurance" for $10 to protect yourself from the invasion of these pink pests.

Egg and Beg Fundraising For this fundraising idea, have volunteers go to area homes, asking for an egg. Have the volunteers explain what they are raising money for and then they ask the donor how much money they will give to perform various "wacky" acts with the egg. For example, "Will you give me $5.00 to crack the egg over my head?" or "Will you give me $5.00 to eat the egg raw?" The volunteer escalates the act until they get the most money they can from the donor.

fundraising ideas???

here are some of the fundraising ideas that i have found online that our Poland team probably won't use, but they made me laugh...


Traveling Hobo Band This is a great fundraiser and is super easy to set up. All you need is a pickup truck loaded with some tacky yard decorations. Think plastic lawn chairs, pink flamingos, an old toilet, and a stone goose. Get a banjo and a harmonica and a group of willing ‘hobos.’ Make sure that you dress the part in raggedy clothes. Print up an information sheet about your group and what you are raising money for. For a small donation take nominations of people that your Traveling Hobo Band will visit. When you visit each house, you will want to set up in the front yard with all of your decorations. Sit down and start playing songs and waving at cars driving by. Knock on the front door and explain to the homeowner who you are, hand them your information sheet and that for a small donation you will take your Traveling Hobo Band elsewhere. Most people will be more than happy to get you to go away!

Flamingo Flocking Purchase 10 pink plastic flamingos (lawn decorations). Pick 10 yards in your community to be the lucky recipients. Attach cards to the flamingoes' necks with a phone number along with all the pertinent information regarding your group. State that for a $10 donation, the flamingos will be removed but for $15 they will be moved to the lawn of their choice. Make sure you also place a sign that has a contact name and phone number among the flamingos for those who drive by and would like to have the flamingos placed in a friends yard. (Also give the option to simply pick up the flamingo gratis, since some people have no sense of fun.) It takes some organization, but is lots of fun. An additional fundraising idea is to sell "Pink Flamingo Insurance" for $10 to protect yourself from the invasion of these pink pests.

Egg and Beg Fundraising For this fundraising idea, have volunteers go to area homes, asking for an egg. Have the volunteers explain what they are raising money for and then they ask the donor how much money they will give to perform various "wacky" acts with the egg. For example, "Will you give me $5.00 to crack the egg over my head?" or "Will you give me $5.00 to eat the egg raw?" The volunteer escalates the act until they get the most money they can from the donor.

actual pics of tree!

so, this is the tree outside of my church that i was watching sway in the wind. it was amazing that it didn't really hit or break anything other than the curb next to the trunk!

actual pics of tree!

so, this is the tree outside of my church that i was watching sway in the wind. it was amazing that it didn't really hit or break anything other than the curb next to the trunk!

new hair and poland...

random thoughts. i got my hair cut and dyed brown the other day! i love it! it feels great to have something different. pictures to come later. for now, a picture of what it doesn't look like...

and POLAND! i am going back to Poland this summer. YEAH! i have been busy lately and haven't really taken the time to reflect on that until last night as i was falling asleep. so, in total chaotic order, here is a list of things i was thinking about last night before drifting off to la-la-land:

• my polish friends (especially my host families!)
• hearing people pray in a different language (and not knowing when they start praying in tongues...)
• being pushed out of my comfort zone and loving the results
• pierogi
• oscypek (smoked sheep cheese, yum!)
• tribeca (cafe)
• finding cool cafes or restaurants in underground cave feeling places
• seeing a metal statue dragon that breathes fire when you send it a text message (aka a sms)
• what is the weather going to be like this time?
• ahhhh! i can't wait!

here is a picture of some of our group at an awesome polish restaurant. the atmosphere was incredible and we got to see parts of a polish wedding celebration!

well...Do widzenia! (aka GOODBYE!)

new hair and poland...

random thoughts. i got my hair cut and dyed brown the other day! i love it! it feels great to have something different. pictures to come later. for now, a picture of what it doesn't look like...

and POLAND! i am going back to Poland this summer. YEAH! i have been busy lately and haven't really taken the time to reflect on that until last night as i was falling asleep. so, in total chaotic order, here is a list of things i was thinking about last night before drifting off to la-la-land:

• my polish friends (especially my host families!)
• hearing people pray in a different language (and not knowing when they start praying in tongues...)
• being pushed out of my comfort zone and loving the results
• pierogi
• oscypek (smoked sheep cheese, yum!)
• tribeca (cafe)
• finding cool cafes or restaurants in underground cave feeling places
• seeing a metal statue dragon that breathes fire when you send it a text message (aka a sms)
• what is the weather going to be like this time?
• ahhhh! i can't wait!

here is a picture of some of our group at an awesome polish restaurant. the atmosphere was incredible and we got to see parts of a polish wedding celebration!

well...Do widzenia! (aka GOODBYE!)

just for fun!

pictures of me when i was younger... enjoy!

just for fun!

pictures of me when i was younger... enjoy!

roots and strength

so, this picture is not from the storm we are currently having, but a random picture illustrating what i have seen so much of the last couple of days. the wind is still blowing fiercely and i'm praying that it will subside soon.

with all of the broken and fallen trees, i am reminded of one of Jesus' parables. in matthew 13, He talks about the farmer sowing seed on different kinds of soil and later He describes them to his disciples. verses 20 and 21 deeply terrify me because i have seen this in my own life.

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. Matthew 13:20,21

the ability of the massive tree in this picture amazes me. i can't imagine the weight and the glory contained and anchored down by so shallow of roots. a lot of my focus in life has gone towards improving the outward appearances or growing in ways that are obvious to those closest to me. that should not be my top priority. i need to invest time into my roots.

how do you invest in your roots?

roots and strength

so, this picture is not from the storm we are currently having, but a random picture illustrating what i have seen so much of the last couple of days. the wind is still blowing fiercely and i'm praying that it will subside soon.

with all of the broken and fallen trees, i am reminded of one of Jesus' parables. in matthew 13, He talks about the farmer sowing seed on different kinds of soil and later He describes them to his disciples. verses 20 and 21 deeply terrify me because i have seen this in my own life.

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. Matthew 13:20,21

the ability of the massive tree in this picture amazes me. i can't imagine the weight and the glory contained and anchored down by so shallow of roots. a lot of my focus in life has gone towards improving the outward appearances or growing in ways that are obvious to those closest to me. that should not be my top priority. i need to invest time into my roots.

how do you invest in your roots?

a promise from God

today marks a year since i received a beautiful promise from God. sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago, other times it seems like it was yesterday. i am still waiting for this promise be fulfilled in my life, and most days i don't have any faith or patience regarding this. other days, i hear God whispering words of encouragement in my ear.

i love reading about noah. God let noah in on a secret and had him prepare and work hard for years and years. his friends and probably EVERYONE doubted and laughed at him. was he the paranoid weirdo of the century or what? then came the storm. i cannot begin to imagine the ferocity of a storm that would flood the entire world. after the storm ended, noah and his family floated around for more than 150 days! i have always wondered why they had to wait. what needed to transpire during that time? what growth or changes in the land or the people in the ark? anyways, when they finally stepped foot on renewed, clean solid ground God promises to never flood the entire earth again. He sent a rainbow. I LOVE RAINBOWS! (not silly man-made things with rainbows on them, but the real thing. in fact, if i am driving and i see a rainbow i get really excited and extremely distracted.)

one of the things i have learned this year is that God definitely has a plan. His plans often entail me to prepare, be doubted (by myself and others), go through gut-wrenching storms and chaos, and wait longer than expected. there are changes and growth that need to happen before the promise comes to pass. sadly, sometimes i drag my feet and resist the change that God wants for me, to set me free. but tonight i choose to place my life in His loving hands and wait faithfully for His plans to unfold like a beautiful flower. i know that there is a process of healing and growth that God is wanting to go through first, and i choose not to be discouraged or frustrated, but strengthened and motivated by His word.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:18-21

a promise from God

today marks a year since i received a beautiful promise from God. sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago, other times it seems like it was yesterday. i am still waiting for this promise be fulfilled in my life, and most days i don't have any faith or patience regarding this. other days, i hear God whispering words of encouragement in my ear.

i love reading about noah. God let noah in on a secret and had him prepare and work hard for years and years. his friends and probably EVERYONE doubted and laughed at him. was he the paranoid weirdo of the century or what? then came the storm. i cannot begin to imagine the ferocity of a storm that would flood the entire world. after the storm ended, noah and his family floated around for more than 150 days! i have always wondered why they had to wait. what needed to transpire during that time? what growth or changes in the land or the people in the ark? anyways, when they finally stepped foot on renewed, clean solid ground God promises to never flood the entire earth again. He sent a rainbow. I LOVE RAINBOWS! (not silly man-made things with rainbows on them, but the real thing. in fact, if i am driving and i see a rainbow i get really excited and extremely distracted.)

one of the things i have learned this year is that God definitely has a plan. His plans often entail me to prepare, be doubted (by myself and others), go through gut-wrenching storms and chaos, and wait longer than expected. there are changes and growth that need to happen before the promise comes to pass. sadly, sometimes i drag my feet and resist the change that God wants for me, to set me free. but tonight i choose to place my life in His loving hands and wait faithfully for His plans to unfold like a beautiful flower. i know that there is a process of healing and growth that God is wanting to go through first, and i choose not to be discouraged or frustrated, but strengthened and motivated by His word.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:18-21

an amazing breath of fresh air

so, after a wonderful night of fellowship and hanging out with friends, i drove home anticipating a warm bed and sweet dreams. instead i was distracted by the strange sight of something glowing behind mt. hood. the air was crisp and the sky was crystal clear as i stepped out of my car. i put my purse in the house and added extra layers for warmth. i found a cozy place to sit in an open field and watched in amazement as the ENORMOUS moon rose over mt. hood and illuminated the sky. thousands of twinkling stars shone down on me, and i was captivated by the breath-taking picture God was painting. a shooting star raced briefly across the dark sky. i wondered if anyone else in the universe was observing this miraculous moment, and sadly realized that no one else saw what my eyes did tonight. i wish i could rewind back and somehow capture the moment or post a picture of what i saw. i can try to explain it, but words can not express the atmosphere of those few minutes. i feel honored that God orchestrated that beauty for me to gaze upon, and i feel like He just reached down and gave me a hug.

an amazing breath of fresh air

so, after a wonderful night of fellowship and hanging out with friends, i drove home anticipating a warm bed and sweet dreams. instead i was distracted by the strange sight of something glowing behind mt. hood. the air was crisp and the sky was crystal clear as i stepped out of my car. i put my purse in the house and added extra layers for warmth. i found a cozy place to sit in an open field and watched in amazement as the ENORMOUS moon rose over mt. hood and illuminated the sky. thousands of twinkling stars shone down on me, and i was captivated by the breath-taking picture God was painting. a shooting star raced briefly across the dark sky. i wondered if anyone else in the universe was observing this miraculous moment, and sadly realized that no one else saw what my eyes did tonight. i wish i could rewind back and somehow capture the moment or post a picture of what i saw. i can try to explain it, but words can not express the atmosphere of those few minutes. i feel honored that God orchestrated that beauty for me to gaze upon, and i feel like He just reached down and gave me a hug.

taking a step... ahhh!

God's working on a theme in my life right now. (i'm sometimes a slow learner, so He has to remind me of things over and over and over and over...) yesterday i blogged about how i need to take action and use the gifts and abilities God has given to me. last night i watched american idol. (it is so hard for me to watch that show at times, because i feel that some people's passion is being unnecessarily crushed and mutilated.) anyways, it got me thinking about singing again. i LOVE to sing.

well, tonight at church, Pastor Jason spoke about his vision for our church for 2009, and he asked us to pray about how God wants us to take a step towards His plans for our life. he even spoke about needing to take the promises that God has given us and to pursue them. take it off of the shelf that we placed it on in hopes of staying comfortable and safe, dust it off and TAKE A STEP! after church, i was talking with a friend and the conversation took an interesting turn. God was TOTALLY directing this talk. one of the members of the worship band walked by and she told him that she enjoyed hearing him play. that led into me saying that i love seeing people on stage who are clearly passionate and are fully worshiping using instruments or their voices. then she asked me if i sing. she encouraged me to pursue singing at the church on a worship team. ahhh. now i am feeling a little overwhelmed.

like i said, i love to sing. i was in choir in middle and high school and i helped lead in worship at my Dad's church. in the time that has elapsed since then, i have felt less confident of my abilities. BUT, one summer during high school, God gave me a vision. i was at camp crestview for church camp, and one evening after some worship, we were silently waiting for the Lord to speak to us. i immediately got a vision of myself in front of a gigantic crowd, with my arms stretched out in full abandoned praise. it was breath-taking, the image of my passionate love for God touching hundreds or thousands of people through songs. i was ecstatic but afraid. i couldn't imagine me, an insecure and shy girl doing anything amazing.

fast forward to today. some things have changed, others haven't. i am still blown away that God might want to use me to do anything that BIG. i still feel insecure about my abilities. but then i remember the lesson mari helped me learn just yesterday. i don't know how i will get there, or when it might happen, but i know that God is wanting me to take a step. He wants me to sing.

taking a step... ahhh!

God's working on a theme in my life right now. (i'm sometimes a slow learner, so He has to remind me of things over and over and over and over...) yesterday i blogged about how i need to take action and use the gifts and abilities God has given to me. last night i watched american idol. (it is so hard for me to watch that show at times, because i feel that some people's passion is being unnecessarily crushed and mutilated.) anyways, it got me thinking about singing again. i LOVE to sing.

well, tonight at church, Pastor Jason spoke about his vision for our church for 2009, and he asked us to pray about how God wants us to take a step towards His plans for our life. he even spoke about needing to take the promises that God has given us and to pursue them. take it off of the shelf that we placed it on in hopes of staying comfortable and safe, dust it off and TAKE A STEP! after church, i was talking with a friend and the conversation took an interesting turn. God was TOTALLY directing this talk. one of the members of the worship band walked by and she told him that she enjoyed hearing him play. that led into me saying that i love seeing people on stage who are clearly passionate and are fully worshiping using instruments or their voices. then she asked me if i sing. she encouraged me to pursue singing at the church on a worship team. ahhh. now i am feeling a little overwhelmed.

like i said, i love to sing. i was in choir in middle and high school and i helped lead in worship at my Dad's church. in the time that has elapsed since then, i have felt less confident of my abilities. BUT, one summer during high school, God gave me a vision. i was at camp crestview for church camp, and one evening after some worship, we were silently waiting for the Lord to speak to us. i immediately got a vision of myself in front of a gigantic crowd, with my arms stretched out in full abandoned praise. it was breath-taking, the image of my passionate love for God touching hundreds or thousands of people through songs. i was ecstatic but afraid. i couldn't imagine me, an insecure and shy girl doing anything amazing.

fast forward to today. some things have changed, others haven't. i am still blown away that God might want to use me to do anything that BIG. i still feel insecure about my abilities. but then i remember the lesson mari helped me learn just yesterday. i don't know how i will get there, or when it might happen, but i know that God is wanting me to take a step. He wants me to sing.

a new perspective

today while taking care of my beautiful niece, mari, i was kinda frustrated at her lack of motivation. not really upset, but it was making me sad how she wasn't using her ability to sit. she has made so much progress lately and is getting so strong compared to even a couple months ago. she can sit for a few minutes at a time...if she stays focused and wants to. :o) she usually enjoys just flopping over and laying on the floor to play.


God used this to teach me something. He is frustrated with me. not upset, but sad. He sees my full potential and knows who i can reach with the specific gifts and abilities He has given me. why do i settle for mediocre? why do i let fear or LAZINESS get in the way of His plans? He has good plans for me. maybe i shouldn't fight it so much...

1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Psalm 33:1-11

a new perspective

today while taking care of my beautiful niece, mari, i was kinda frustrated at her lack of motivation. not really upset, but it was making me sad how she wasn't using her ability to sit. she has made so much progress lately and is getting so strong compared to even a couple months ago. she can sit for a few minutes at a time...if she stays focused and wants to. :o) she usually enjoys just flopping over and laying on the floor to play.


God used this to teach me something. He is frustrated with me. not upset, but sad. He sees my full potential and knows who i can reach with the specific gifts and abilities He has given me. why do i settle for mediocre? why do i let fear or LAZINESS get in the way of His plans? He has good plans for me. maybe i shouldn't fight it so much...

1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Psalm 33:1-11