and more creative than i could ever dream to be. i am always blown away by the work they do. one of those friends is candace, and she made a stop-motion short thingy (i'm not sure what the technical language is) about creation for one of her classes. she did everything (staging, filming, editing, etc.) but the narration. i thought it was pretty awesome and wanted to share it with all of my blogger stalkers out there.
you can find the video here.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
My iPhone Ran Away...
Yesterday, in the hustle and bustle of finishing my legal research final thirty minutes before it was due, I somehow misplaced my iPhone in the time it takes to print off my paper and turn it in. I was about halfway through my torts class when I realized it wasn’t with me. After torts, I hit up every lost and found in the law school and was eventually able to call myself. I took it as a bad sign that my fully charged phone had been turned off, as it is unlikely that I will be able to get a hold of the new “owner.” I then rushed over to AT&T where I waited an hour to suspend my line, and then made it back to the law school with enough time to once again scour the lost and found boxes before my last class of the day.
Needless to say, it was one of those days…
Pastor Rob’s sermon on Sunday was about the blessings of generous giving and that the best way to cure yourself of materialism is to give everything away; he asked us if we were really spending our money in a way that reflects what we value. Now while I ordinarily wouldn’t call myself overly materialistic, I can see the irony in the whole thing. Granted, had I been a little more proactive and diligent in doing my paper ahead of time, I probably never would have been in this little pickle. I wouldn’t have forgotten my phone had I not been worrying about finishing my paper and turning it in on time. And losing that expensive little thing has shown me just how much I depended on it. I mean, seriously, I have felt disconnected from the rest of the world simply because I don’t have it at my fingertips. I even think I had the thought that I would have rather not finished my paper than lose my phone.
This morning, still phoneless and surfing World Magazine in class, I read: “our darkened hearts are capable of bottomless hunger. If someone places something attractive before us, even though we were content before, the very existence of it will open up a hole, a want, a craving. And the worst thing we can do is give in to the craving, because we’ll only train ourselves to want more and more…I’m starting to see the value of denying our wants. I’m not talking about moderation, about denying ourselves things we don’t really need, whatever that means. I’m talking about denying ourselves things we might actually have a good use for, solely for the sake of keeping our flesh in check.”
So while losing my phone has been VERY inconvenient and somewhat painful to swallow, I think it’s time for this lesson. Maybe it’s time to go back to the old school Nokia?
And to the new “owner” of my phone: check out the Texas Penal Code, section 31.03.
Needless to say, it was one of those days…
Pastor Rob’s sermon on Sunday was about the blessings of generous giving and that the best way to cure yourself of materialism is to give everything away; he asked us if we were really spending our money in a way that reflects what we value. Now while I ordinarily wouldn’t call myself overly materialistic, I can see the irony in the whole thing. Granted, had I been a little more proactive and diligent in doing my paper ahead of time, I probably never would have been in this little pickle. I wouldn’t have forgotten my phone had I not been worrying about finishing my paper and turning it in on time. And losing that expensive little thing has shown me just how much I depended on it. I mean, seriously, I have felt disconnected from the rest of the world simply because I don’t have it at my fingertips. I even think I had the thought that I would have rather not finished my paper than lose my phone.
This morning, still phoneless and surfing World Magazine in class, I read: “our darkened hearts are capable of bottomless hunger. If someone places something attractive before us, even though we were content before, the very existence of it will open up a hole, a want, a craving. And the worst thing we can do is give in to the craving, because we’ll only train ourselves to want more and more…I’m starting to see the value of denying our wants. I’m not talking about moderation, about denying ourselves things we don’t really need, whatever that means. I’m talking about denying ourselves things we might actually have a good use for, solely for the sake of keeping our flesh in check.”
So while losing my phone has been VERY inconvenient and somewhat painful to swallow, I think it’s time for this lesson. Maybe it’s time to go back to the old school Nokia?
And to the new “owner” of my phone: check out the Texas Penal Code, section 31.03.
Friday, November 28, 2008
thanksgiving?
Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I confess that I spent some time trying to come up with an ‘obligatory’ post of thanksgiving, where I talk about the things I’m thankful for and how I love that there’s a holiday dedicated to food, family, and football and that we should really be thanking Jesus and not the Pilgrims.
But then I started thinking about how I was not thankful that my legal research final is due Monday. And that I have to study over Thanksgiving break. And that I have a voluminous amount of work to do before I can even begin to think about Christmas shopping. And underlying all those complaints was the thought that I’m not thankful that I am in law school.
And so I abandoned my thanksgiving endeavor.
But today, as I was (thinking about) writing this paper on North Carolina trade secret law, it dawned on me that a year ago, I was praying that I would get into UT Law.
Ooh. Right.
I forgot. I forgot?
Um, did someone say revelation?
But then I started thinking about how I was not thankful that my legal research final is due Monday. And that I have to study over Thanksgiving break. And that I have a voluminous amount of work to do before I can even begin to think about Christmas shopping. And underlying all those complaints was the thought that I’m not thankful that I am in law school.
And so I abandoned my thanksgiving endeavor.
But today, as I was (thinking about) writing this paper on North Carolina trade secret law, it dawned on me that a year ago, I was praying that I would get into UT Law.
Ooh. Right.
I forgot. I forgot?
Um, did someone say revelation?
Monday, November 3, 2008
So I Was Tagged...
I was tagged by Jamie and Foshizzle...and since there has been a noticeable lack of blogging recently [due in no small part to the fact that I am an indentured servant to UT Law], I figured this would be a good update!
Here goes my seven random facts:
1. I have a slight case of OCD with my sheets. I won't get into my bed unless I have had a shower, nor will I let anyone lay down unless they too are clean. I feel sorry for the poor man who marries me, because this woman loves clean sheets!
2. I love sugar. Cookies, ice-cream, brownies, cake, all of it. Fortunately for me, I spend a lot of time with Shannon, who also happens to share this vice, and she keeps my sweet tooth pretty well satisfied. And as much as I love sugar, I hate peanut butter. Some might deem this un-American, but I can't stand it--I think most of it has to do with the smell, but in any case, the taste of it makes me cringe.
3. Some people are shocked to find out that one of my dreams is to be a stay-at-home mom. Yes, all that post-modern feminist thinking encouraging women to pursue successful, professional careers was lost on me. This college grad currently pursuing higher education would much rather be at home with five kids playing monster trucks than CEO of her own company.
4. I can recite, in order, all of the presidents of the United States.
5. I love my DVR. Seriously, it is one of the greatest inventions EVER.
6. My biggest goal in college was to win a t-shirt in intramural football. Sad, I know, but if you did your undergrad at UT, you know how competitive flag football is. I never accomplished this goal--I made it to finals several times, but the elusive prize always escaped me. Maybe that's why I'm in law school--it gives me another three years to play!
7. I chose to go to UT for undergrad because I thought the buildings were prettier than at A&M. Seriously.
Here goes my seven random facts:
1. I have a slight case of OCD with my sheets. I won't get into my bed unless I have had a shower, nor will I let anyone lay down unless they too are clean. I feel sorry for the poor man who marries me, because this woman loves clean sheets!
2. I love sugar. Cookies, ice-cream, brownies, cake, all of it. Fortunately for me, I spend a lot of time with Shannon, who also happens to share this vice, and she keeps my sweet tooth pretty well satisfied. And as much as I love sugar, I hate peanut butter. Some might deem this un-American, but I can't stand it--I think most of it has to do with the smell, but in any case, the taste of it makes me cringe.
3. Some people are shocked to find out that one of my dreams is to be a stay-at-home mom. Yes, all that post-modern feminist thinking encouraging women to pursue successful, professional careers was lost on me. This college grad currently pursuing higher education would much rather be at home with five kids playing monster trucks than CEO of her own company.
4. I can recite, in order, all of the presidents of the United States.
5. I love my DVR. Seriously, it is one of the greatest inventions EVER.
6. My biggest goal in college was to win a t-shirt in intramural football. Sad, I know, but if you did your undergrad at UT, you know how competitive flag football is. I never accomplished this goal--I made it to finals several times, but the elusive prize always escaped me. Maybe that's why I'm in law school--it gives me another three years to play!
7. I chose to go to UT for undergrad because I thought the buildings were prettier than at A&M. Seriously.
And yes, I posted this while in Constitutional Law. Maybe I should be paying attention.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
it's somebody's birthday...
on september 17, 1985, God decided jamie kim could enter this world.
on january 14, 1986, God decided i could come into this world.
in septemberish 2004, jamie kim and i were assigned to a bible study that met on this campus of 50,000. it is up for debate as to whether our purpose was to become friends or torment our beloved b.s. leader meg ryan, but i like to think we did both...
by septemberish 2007, there was no debate as to why we were assigned to the same bible study as wee little freshmen. God had crossed our paths, bringing this AZN from katy into my life, and making her a 'cornerstone' in my community.
by mayish 2008, we had celebrated four years of living life together...we had gone through ups and downs, "out-of-body experiences," and had even survived traveling together.
on september 17, 2008, our paths no longer joined in the same city. separated by 1669.03 miles, we can no longer sit on our senior couch and drop osteen jokes, or eat sno-beach together, or watch jon and kate plus 8. we can't drive around and shuffle the ipod to our emo music [relient k] or dcb, or go out to lunch after church, or celebrate 23rd birthdays together.
so today, september 17, 2008, my dear friend whom i dearly miss gets to be front and center on my blog. happy birthday to you, mischevious jamie kim, my sour-patch eating, excessive coffee drinking, joel osteen 'loving' friend. because of you, i know it's okay to buy 'your best life now,' or have 'out-of-body experiences,' or to bring things back to me. because of you, i am daily challenged by our dear Lord who brought our paths together, challenged by the way you devote yourself to prayer and to his ministry. because of you, i am blessed with deep friendship and the experience of knowing what it's like to live in community. because of you, i am better than i was four years ago.
i so wish we could have dinner tonight to celebrate your day together, but even more so, i wish you were here to live life with me.
on january 14, 1986, God decided i could come into this world.
in septemberish 2004, jamie kim and i were assigned to a bible study that met on this campus of 50,000. it is up for debate as to whether our purpose was to become friends or torment our beloved b.s. leader meg ryan, but i like to think we did both...
by septemberish 2007, there was no debate as to why we were assigned to the same bible study as wee little freshmen. God had crossed our paths, bringing this AZN from katy into my life, and making her a 'cornerstone' in my community.
by mayish 2008, we had celebrated four years of living life together...we had gone through ups and downs, "out-of-body experiences," and had even survived traveling together.
on september 17, 2008, our paths no longer joined in the same city. separated by 1669.03 miles, we can no longer sit on our senior couch and drop osteen jokes, or eat sno-beach together, or watch jon and kate plus 8. we can't drive around and shuffle the ipod to our emo music [relient k] or dcb, or go out to lunch after church, or celebrate 23rd birthdays together.
so today, september 17, 2008, my dear friend whom i dearly miss gets to be front and center on my blog. happy birthday to you, mischevious jamie kim, my sour-patch eating, excessive coffee drinking, joel osteen 'loving' friend. because of you, i know it's okay to buy 'your best life now,' or have 'out-of-body experiences,' or to bring things back to me. because of you, i am daily challenged by our dear Lord who brought our paths together, challenged by the way you devote yourself to prayer and to his ministry. because of you, i am blessed with deep friendship and the experience of knowing what it's like to live in community. because of you, i am better than i was four years ago.
i so wish we could have dinner tonight to celebrate your day together, but even more so, i wish you were here to live life with me.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
top 10 things i've learned in law school...thus far.
1. You can pretty much sue anybody for anything at anytime. As my torts professor told us, when approached with a possible tort, you must think about anybody connected to the defendant who you might be able to hold liable---mom, dad, boss, dog. Once you've done that, sue those people, too, just in case.
2. Insanity is pretty much a ‘get out of jail free card.’ Plead insanity and you have a good chance of getting off. I mean, if a guy can be acquitted for killing three people because he "blacked out" and doesn’t remember doing it, then the insanity defense has to be pretty legit. Moral? No. Legal? Yes.
3. There are always those people who think they’re smarter than everyone else. We like to call them ‘gunners’. They're also the people who raise their hands to answer questions the professor has specifically directed at someone else, or try to show that the professor [who is probably a legal genius in their own right] is wrong. So far, three have been identified in my section. All I can say is that it must be hard being the smartest person at the 16th best law school in the country.
4. People don’t like it when you talk in the law library. They're quick to give a hostile ‘shhh’ to anyone who speaks above a whisper. As Ty likes to say, you’ve got to be as quiet as a mouse.
5. The law is not completely devoid of morality. Only most of it is. [See above discussion on torts and insanity.]
6. Law school professors don’t like to answer questions. Any question you ask will be answered with another question. As I have found, it is quite frustrating for those of us who just want the answer and not the twenty minute discussion that comes with it.
7. I am officially a nerd. When you begin to justify not doing the reading because you think a possible defense in court would be that a ‘reasonable person’ would not have done the reading either, you know you’ve sold out. [For those of you who haven’t had the distinct pleasure to scour thousands of cases dating back to the 1600s, the reasonable person standard dictates what should be acceptable behavior in the eyes of the law].
8. Pretty much any professor you run across is some sort of legal genius in some field. For example, I was doing my Con Law reading the other day when none other but my Con Law professor himself was quoted. Crazy. [And for the record, Con Law has nothing to do with being a felon. Or, at least a 'criminal' felon. You might be a Constitutional felon, but I suppose that's a different subject for another day.]
9. Law school is pretty much like being a high school freshman again…you don’t know anybody, the same kids are in all of your classes, people congregate around the lockers, and everyone wants to be the best.
10. Law school is hard. These people weren’t joking when they said we’ve entered the house of pain.
2. Insanity is pretty much a ‘get out of jail free card.’ Plead insanity and you have a good chance of getting off. I mean, if a guy can be acquitted for killing three people because he "blacked out" and doesn’t remember doing it, then the insanity defense has to be pretty legit. Moral? No. Legal? Yes.
3. There are always those people who think they’re smarter than everyone else. We like to call them ‘gunners’. They're also the people who raise their hands to answer questions the professor has specifically directed at someone else, or try to show that the professor [who is probably a legal genius in their own right] is wrong. So far, three have been identified in my section. All I can say is that it must be hard being the smartest person at the 16th best law school in the country.
4. People don’t like it when you talk in the law library. They're quick to give a hostile ‘shhh’ to anyone who speaks above a whisper. As Ty likes to say, you’ve got to be as quiet as a mouse.
5. The law is not completely devoid of morality. Only most of it is. [See above discussion on torts and insanity.]
6. Law school professors don’t like to answer questions. Any question you ask will be answered with another question. As I have found, it is quite frustrating for those of us who just want the answer and not the twenty minute discussion that comes with it.
7. I am officially a nerd. When you begin to justify not doing the reading because you think a possible defense in court would be that a ‘reasonable person’ would not have done the reading either, you know you’ve sold out. [For those of you who haven’t had the distinct pleasure to scour thousands of cases dating back to the 1600s, the reasonable person standard dictates what should be acceptable behavior in the eyes of the law].
8. Pretty much any professor you run across is some sort of legal genius in some field. For example, I was doing my Con Law reading the other day when none other but my Con Law professor himself was quoted. Crazy. [And for the record, Con Law has nothing to do with being a felon. Or, at least a 'criminal' felon. You might be a Constitutional felon, but I suppose that's a different subject for another day.]
9. Law school is pretty much like being a high school freshman again…you don’t know anybody, the same kids are in all of your classes, people congregate around the lockers, and everyone wants to be the best.
10. Law school is hard. These people weren’t joking when they said we’ve entered the house of pain.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Time for an Update...
Law school is hard. and tiring. and more work than I have ever done in my entire school career. and surprisingly quite similar to the movie Legally Blonde.
But God is so good. and faithful. and full of strength and mercy. and He gives me enough to get through each day. He gives me time to get it all done [even on nights like tonight when I forget that I have Con Law homework, despite the existence of a comprehensive to-do list]. He gives me time to enjoy things I love, like ministry and watching One Tree Hill and having dinner with friends new and old. He gives me wonderful people who speak truth into my life and without whom I would not have survived the last two weeks.
and for however much legal knowledge I have acquired in the last two weeks, I have learned that despite my weaknesses, tiredness, doubts, and complaints, He will draw near to those who seek Him. He is Emmanuel, my God who is with me, and that is more than I will need for today.
But God is so good. and faithful. and full of strength and mercy. and He gives me enough to get through each day. He gives me time to get it all done [even on nights like tonight when I forget that I have Con Law homework, despite the existence of a comprehensive to-do list]. He gives me time to enjoy things I love, like ministry and watching One Tree Hill and having dinner with friends new and old. He gives me wonderful people who speak truth into my life and without whom I would not have survived the last two weeks.
and for however much legal knowledge I have acquired in the last two weeks, I have learned that despite my weaknesses, tiredness, doubts, and complaints, He will draw near to those who seek Him. He is Emmanuel, my God who is with me, and that is more than I will need for today.
Monday, August 18, 2008
the times, they are a changin'
Law school starts in exactly one week. Seven days. 168 hours. 10,080 minutes. [in case you were counting]
I was buying my books the other day [and dropping enough money to buy a nice television, a very nice watch, or lots of things from Fossil] when it hit me that my books look like the ones in movies. You know, those ginormous, leather bound books that sit on the shelves of libraries in movies like Meet Joe Black. It sounds completely ridiculous, but I think that the deeper message protruding from that inane thought was that life post college is real. That Jamie and Kara really did move away. That I really am going to law school. That my life in Austin is already becoming something I don’t really know.
It’s happening. And I can’t stop it.
I think most of you who know me well know that I love control. I’m the type-A planner sort, that girl who would add things to a to-do list that are already completed solely for the purpose of crossing out said completed task [issues, I know]. And however much I love to be in control, thriving off of a completed to-do list, I am on a long journey that is showing me that control is not my responsibility.
It has proven to be a very difficult lesson for me to learn, but I am realizing that control is not a responsibility I have to bear. I know that when control is something I try to carry, I am easily overburdened. And disturbed by things like spontaneity and uncertainty. And when those winds of change start to blow me out my comfort zone and into some place where I don’t know how I fit in, I feel completely lost and unsure of who I am.
But this is not the life I am called to lead, burdened by the unseen forces of change and uncertainty. When I release this load to the One who can carry it best, I can live as I was originally created to be. I can take hold of this life I have been given, living in full confidence of who I am and where I am going. The One who has given me life has gone before me, intricately preparing my way, longing to carry the heavy burden I so often wish to carry myself, and gently whispering in my soul that there is a better way. 'Take up my burden, my yoke, and find your rest in me.’
Though change seems to be blowing into my life with hurricane-force winds, I can find my footing in Him who is unmovable, unshakeable, and unconquerable. And though life right now is adorned with anxiety, uncertainty, and loneliness, a twinge of excitement propels me forward into this newfound adulthood. ‘Because He promises that He will never leave me or forsake me, I can boldly say I will not fear.’
And so while it seems like I went to bed a kid and woke up an adult, there is hope in knowing that His mercies are renewed daily. That He promises new experiences, new joys, and life to the full. Maybe, for right now, I can just enjoy the grace He has already given me. I can be thankful for those dear friends that I desperately miss, deeply grateful for the people who are still here, and confident because I know that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
but he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you…” [2 corinthians 12:9]
I was buying my books the other day [and dropping enough money to buy a nice television, a very nice watch, or lots of things from Fossil] when it hit me that my books look like the ones in movies. You know, those ginormous, leather bound books that sit on the shelves of libraries in movies like Meet Joe Black. It sounds completely ridiculous, but I think that the deeper message protruding from that inane thought was that life post college is real. That Jamie and Kara really did move away. That I really am going to law school. That my life in Austin is already becoming something I don’t really know.
It’s happening. And I can’t stop it.
I think most of you who know me well know that I love control. I’m the type-A planner sort, that girl who would add things to a to-do list that are already completed solely for the purpose of crossing out said completed task [issues, I know]. And however much I love to be in control, thriving off of a completed to-do list, I am on a long journey that is showing me that control is not my responsibility.
It has proven to be a very difficult lesson for me to learn, but I am realizing that control is not a responsibility I have to bear. I know that when control is something I try to carry, I am easily overburdened. And disturbed by things like spontaneity and uncertainty. And when those winds of change start to blow me out my comfort zone and into some place where I don’t know how I fit in, I feel completely lost and unsure of who I am.
But this is not the life I am called to lead, burdened by the unseen forces of change and uncertainty. When I release this load to the One who can carry it best, I can live as I was originally created to be. I can take hold of this life I have been given, living in full confidence of who I am and where I am going. The One who has given me life has gone before me, intricately preparing my way, longing to carry the heavy burden I so often wish to carry myself, and gently whispering in my soul that there is a better way. 'Take up my burden, my yoke, and find your rest in me.’
Though change seems to be blowing into my life with hurricane-force winds, I can find my footing in Him who is unmovable, unshakeable, and unconquerable. And though life right now is adorned with anxiety, uncertainty, and loneliness, a twinge of excitement propels me forward into this newfound adulthood. ‘Because He promises that He will never leave me or forsake me, I can boldly say I will not fear.’
And so while it seems like I went to bed a kid and woke up an adult, there is hope in knowing that His mercies are renewed daily. That He promises new experiences, new joys, and life to the full. Maybe, for right now, I can just enjoy the grace He has already given me. I can be thankful for those dear friends that I desperately miss, deeply grateful for the people who are still here, and confident because I know that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
but he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you…” [2 corinthians 12:9]
Sunday, August 10, 2008
It's Olympics Time!!! [part 2]
(an edit to this post):
Okay, so I have pretty much been watching the Olympics 24/7, but the best moment by far was watching the US relay team come from behind to break a world record and silence the French in the 4x100! My roommates and I were jumping up and down, yelling and screaming at our television as we watched one of the greatest sporting moments I have ever seen. It sure brings a ton of national pride, especially when the French have been talking trash! I don't know about you, but I totally feel like singing Lee Greenwood's 'Proud to be an American'!!! GO USA!
(an edit to my previous post):
After a somewhat intense conversation with some friends after church as to the legitimacy of ping-pong and badmitton as sports, I have decided that taking up either of those (or maybe skeet-shooting) might allow me to achieve my Olympic dreams without too much physical strain or sacrifice of sugar.
And for the record, I still do not consider those 'leisure activities' real sports. But, I just might change my mind if playing ping-pong gets me a gold medal in the Olympic games.
Okay, so I have pretty much been watching the Olympics 24/7, but the best moment by far was watching the US relay team come from behind to break a world record and silence the French in the 4x100! My roommates and I were jumping up and down, yelling and screaming at our television as we watched one of the greatest sporting moments I have ever seen. It sure brings a ton of national pride, especially when the French have been talking trash! I don't know about you, but I totally feel like singing Lee Greenwood's 'Proud to be an American'!!! GO USA!
(an edit to my previous post):
After a somewhat intense conversation with some friends after church as to the legitimacy of ping-pong and badmitton as sports, I have decided that taking up either of those (or maybe skeet-shooting) might allow me to achieve my Olympic dreams without too much physical strain or sacrifice of sugar.
And for the record, I still do not consider those 'leisure activities' real sports. But, I just might change my mind if playing ping-pong gets me a gold medal in the Olympic games.
Friday, August 8, 2008
It's Olympics Time!!!
I think for all of us who once called ourselves athletes, there is something about watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics that excites you. From the comfort of your couch, the opening ceremony seems magical enough to give you a rush of endorphins via your high-definition television screen. The athlete inside of you remembers what it is like to compete on the highest level, to feel the thrill of playing in front of a crowd, the agony that comes with a hard-fought loss. Your muscles remember the motions you used to make a thousand times over, and that competitor inside of you longs to feel the exhilaration of constantly putting your body to a test.
You watch the men and women march in to an athletic stage of the highest kind, and part of you feels like you could be there if you really tried. You tell yourself that tomorrow will be the resurrection of your athletic career. No more sleeping in late; morning is the best time to run. Forget that strawberry ice cream that you polished off after a barbeque dinner. It sure won't help you get your body into competitive form again.
But...the ceremony ends, and you remember that you don't really enjoy getting up for an early morning jog anymore. And that strawberry ice cream seemed especially delicious last night. And if you were busy training to be an Olympic athlete, you'd miss most of your shows and probably wouldn't be able to hang out with your friends as much. Granted, you might have to pass up a deal with Nike or Speedo, but maybe it's okay to be a has-been too. Maybe, remembering what you used to be will be enough to get you through the 17 days of non-stop athletic competition.
And so I will continue to wear in my spot on the couch, eating ice cream after dinner and sleeping in too late. But man, I sure do love the Olympics.
You watch the men and women march in to an athletic stage of the highest kind, and part of you feels like you could be there if you really tried. You tell yourself that tomorrow will be the resurrection of your athletic career. No more sleeping in late; morning is the best time to run. Forget that strawberry ice cream that you polished off after a barbeque dinner. It sure won't help you get your body into competitive form again.
But...the ceremony ends, and you remember that you don't really enjoy getting up for an early morning jog anymore. And that strawberry ice cream seemed especially delicious last night. And if you were busy training to be an Olympic athlete, you'd miss most of your shows and probably wouldn't be able to hang out with your friends as much. Granted, you might have to pass up a deal with Nike or Speedo, but maybe it's okay to be a has-been too. Maybe, remembering what you used to be will be enough to get you through the 17 days of non-stop athletic competition.
And so I will continue to wear in my spot on the couch, eating ice cream after dinner and sleeping in too late. But man, I sure do love the Olympics.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
lyrics for a tired soul
when Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see Him there
who made an end to all my sin.
because the sinless Savior died
my sinful soul is counted free,
for God, the Just, is satisfied
to look on Him and pardon me.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Africa
You cannot escape her.
As you step off your plane and onto her land, she immediately overwhelms your senses. The sights, the smells, the sounds…it is a new and stimulating experience. The eerie stillness of a Nairobi night is much like the aura of Africa herself—vast, unknown, uncertain. You drive through the streets, struck by the paradox that is Africa: small pockets of wealth (advertisements for Sony LCD televisions and BMW cars) surrounded by immense poverty.
You forget what you see and close your eyes for much needed sleep.
The next morning, you board a plane to yet another unknown place. As the small plane takes off, you wonder what more does Africa hold. Where will this ‘large mosquito’ drop me off?
And then you land. And you are immediately greeted by smiles. Verbal communication is nearly impossible without a translator, and thus interaction becomes feeble attempts at Didinga, or laughter, or your own smile. As you ascend the mountain to the compound, children are eager to tickle your ear with grass, hoping to arise a giggle from a koaja (white person); the koajas, however, are eager to make it up the mountain without passing out.
You cannot be unaffected by the people. Their beauty and joy overflow, and your arrogant American mind wonders how it is possible for joy to exist amidst such destitution. You have never seen poverty like this, nor could you even fathom it in a place like America. And then you see them worship. And pass the offering plate—no money, just three avocados. And then you know. Their joy is the joy that can only come from the Lord, a joy unknown to those of us who have been raised with all of our daily needs met. In this war-torn place of utter poverty, He is the only hope that the people can have. They cannot depend on a government to provide or protect, nor on what their own hands might create. In Africa, in Sudan, He is the only thing worth depending on.
And so you go about your week, trying your best to live the culture as you crave the conveniences of home—showers, beds, electricity, macaroni and cheese. The days are long and hard, and just like America did in her pre-electric years, you sleep when the sun sets and rise when the rooster crows. Each day, you greet the ‘Peters-Roses-Elisabeths-Josephs’ with a smile and an ‘abuna,’ and each day you are struck by how hard they work to make you feel like family. Their care and service to you is humbling, and at times, overwhelming.
By the end of the week, you have grown to love these people. But here, you cannot trade email addresses or even mailing addresses; you know that when you board that plane to go home, you will have to love them from afar. As the plane takes off the grass airstrip amidst smiles and waves, you leave knowing that God seems more real in this place. His presence seems closer to His people here, and you know it is because their only hope is Him. They are sans distractions, the modern conveniences that disillusion our need for Him.
And while you are excited to come home, to take a shower, to devour pizza, you feel that a part of your heart was left in Africa. Now, you cannot forget what you saw. Your heart continues to beat for her, for her people. You long to know their joy, to be immersed in it. More than anything, you long to know the God they know, the God who is Creator, Father, Protector, Sustainer.
"Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." [Psalm 4:6-8]
As you step off your plane and onto her land, she immediately overwhelms your senses. The sights, the smells, the sounds…it is a new and stimulating experience. The eerie stillness of a Nairobi night is much like the aura of Africa herself—vast, unknown, uncertain. You drive through the streets, struck by the paradox that is Africa: small pockets of wealth (advertisements for Sony LCD televisions and BMW cars) surrounded by immense poverty.
You forget what you see and close your eyes for much needed sleep.
The next morning, you board a plane to yet another unknown place. As the small plane takes off, you wonder what more does Africa hold. Where will this ‘large mosquito’ drop me off?
And then you land. And you are immediately greeted by smiles. Verbal communication is nearly impossible without a translator, and thus interaction becomes feeble attempts at Didinga, or laughter, or your own smile. As you ascend the mountain to the compound, children are eager to tickle your ear with grass, hoping to arise a giggle from a koaja (white person); the koajas, however, are eager to make it up the mountain without passing out.
You cannot be unaffected by the people. Their beauty and joy overflow, and your arrogant American mind wonders how it is possible for joy to exist amidst such destitution. You have never seen poverty like this, nor could you even fathom it in a place like America. And then you see them worship. And pass the offering plate—no money, just three avocados. And then you know. Their joy is the joy that can only come from the Lord, a joy unknown to those of us who have been raised with all of our daily needs met. In this war-torn place of utter poverty, He is the only hope that the people can have. They cannot depend on a government to provide or protect, nor on what their own hands might create. In Africa, in Sudan, He is the only thing worth depending on.
And so you go about your week, trying your best to live the culture as you crave the conveniences of home—showers, beds, electricity, macaroni and cheese. The days are long and hard, and just like America did in her pre-electric years, you sleep when the sun sets and rise when the rooster crows. Each day, you greet the ‘Peters-Roses-Elisabeths-Josephs’ with a smile and an ‘abuna,’ and each day you are struck by how hard they work to make you feel like family. Their care and service to you is humbling, and at times, overwhelming.
By the end of the week, you have grown to love these people. But here, you cannot trade email addresses or even mailing addresses; you know that when you board that plane to go home, you will have to love them from afar. As the plane takes off the grass airstrip amidst smiles and waves, you leave knowing that God seems more real in this place. His presence seems closer to His people here, and you know it is because their only hope is Him. They are sans distractions, the modern conveniences that disillusion our need for Him.
And while you are excited to come home, to take a shower, to devour pizza, you feel that a part of your heart was left in Africa. Now, you cannot forget what you saw. Your heart continues to beat for her, for her people. You long to know their joy, to be immersed in it. More than anything, you long to know the God they know, the God who is Creator, Father, Protector, Sustainer.
"Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." [Psalm 4:6-8]
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I'm Baaaccckkk....
....and extremely jetlagged. I'm pushing to stay up to a decent hour though my body is desperately craving sleep. As poor Shannon found out today, I'm not worth much when my body is sleep-deprived and therefore incapable of processing the last two weeks. So until I can really think about what I've experienced, don't expect too many intensive blog posts. For now, you will have to settle for a picture [sunset at Maasai Mara/Serengetti National Park].
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
t-minus 7ish hours.
No blog posts for a while, seeing as how I'm going to be sleeping in a tent in the middle of Africa.
I am praying for God to do big things in the Didinga Hills and in my own life. When I get back, I hope to be able to put my experience into words that will do it justice. Until then, I will pray the words of Paul, which just so happen to be one of my favorite pieces of Scripture:
"To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ...For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Thanks to all for their commitment of prayer. It is a great encouragement to know that you will be praying half a world away.
I am praying for God to do big things in the Didinga Hills and in my own life. When I get back, I hope to be able to put my experience into words that will do it justice. Until then, I will pray the words of Paul, which just so happen to be one of my favorite pieces of Scripture:
"To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ...For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Thanks to all for their commitment of prayer. It is a great encouragement to know that you will be praying half a world away.
Monday, June 23, 2008
I am Known by God
I leave for the Sudan on Thursday. It’s hard to believe that it is finally here, and that it only takes a couple of plane rides to be transported from a place of familiarity, comfort, and excess to a place where indoor plumbing and Starbucks have yet to arrive. And while I am ready to just go, I know I am going through those days that usually accompany the final preparation for a mission trip; I question my adequacy to serve, my ability to share this Gospel of truth and grace. Will I be able to articulately describe a love that is incomprehensible and yet so palpably real in the same breath?
Recently, though, I have been trudging through J. I. Packer’s Knowing God. And however challenging it might be, it has also served as an encouragement to me over the past couple days as I prepare to leave. In it, he describes the beauty of being known by God:
“what matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it—the fact that he knows me…There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself...”
How beautiful it is to describe God’s love as utterly realistic---that it overwhelms us despite our fears, failures, and flaws. That despite my own disillusionment, good or bad, His love is unchanging. That despite my own feelings of inadequacy, He will use me to His glory, and His purpose will prevail.
So I don’t have to worry about knowing what to say or being able to overcome culture and language, because the beauty in following Christ is that His love will transcend my human folly. As I prepare to love a people presently unknown to me, there is comfort in knowing that they are already known by Him.
Recently, though, I have been trudging through J. I. Packer’s Knowing God. And however challenging it might be, it has also served as an encouragement to me over the past couple days as I prepare to leave. In it, he describes the beauty of being known by God:
“what matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it—the fact that he knows me…There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself...”
How beautiful it is to describe God’s love as utterly realistic---that it overwhelms us despite our fears, failures, and flaws. That despite my own disillusionment, good or bad, His love is unchanging. That despite my own feelings of inadequacy, He will use me to His glory, and His purpose will prevail.
So I don’t have to worry about knowing what to say or being able to overcome culture and language, because the beauty in following Christ is that His love will transcend my human folly. As I prepare to love a people presently unknown to me, there is comfort in knowing that they are already known by Him.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
father's day
because today was father's day, i dragged myself (or maybe was pushed) out of bed to go fishing with my dad at 4:50 IN THE MORNING. the morning sunrise was beautiful, as you can see.
happy father's day, dad. i love you!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Come, and Follow Me...
I suppose those of us immersed in the Christian circle have heard a sermon on transformation once or twice…or three times. And as often as we hear it, I wonder how many of us truly live transformed.
I see it in my own life, where the familiarity of the old comes easier than walking in newness of life. It’s easier to not love enemies, easier to change lanes to avoid contact with a homeless person, easier to consume myself with things---well, of myself.
But this is not the life I have been called to. The journey to the Cross is one that begins with death---death to self, to earthly passions and lusts, to anything less than His holiness. I so easily sing ‘lead me to the Cross,’ but do I really behold the gravity of that phrase? Do I truly understand that I cry out for a death to myself?
Most of the time, probably not.
If I did, maybe I would be a little more like salt and light rather than just another face in the crowd.
But there is always more to the Cross than what is seen at face value. And while the journey begins with death, it ends with life. Life changed, life restored, life to the full. And the beauty that pours from the Cross is full of grace and truth.
So while for me death to myself is a daily battle, I will continue to cling to this Cross. And though there are times [many] when I fail to die to myself, I can rest in His promise that He will carry on His work in me to completion. He will continue to transform me, change me, love me to the person I was created to be. The only thing required of me is that I meet Him there.
And so daily, I will continue to walk the path to the Cross. Because the path that begins with death ends at the One who conquered it all.
The hard part, I suppose, is taking that first step.
I see it in my own life, where the familiarity of the old comes easier than walking in newness of life. It’s easier to not love enemies, easier to change lanes to avoid contact with a homeless person, easier to consume myself with things---well, of myself.
But this is not the life I have been called to. The journey to the Cross is one that begins with death---death to self, to earthly passions and lusts, to anything less than His holiness. I so easily sing ‘lead me to the Cross,’ but do I really behold the gravity of that phrase? Do I truly understand that I cry out for a death to myself?
Most of the time, probably not.
If I did, maybe I would be a little more like salt and light rather than just another face in the crowd.
But there is always more to the Cross than what is seen at face value. And while the journey begins with death, it ends with life. Life changed, life restored, life to the full. And the beauty that pours from the Cross is full of grace and truth.
So while for me death to myself is a daily battle, I will continue to cling to this Cross. And though there are times [many] when I fail to die to myself, I can rest in His promise that He will carry on His work in me to completion. He will continue to transform me, change me, love me to the person I was created to be. The only thing required of me is that I meet Him there.
And so daily, I will continue to walk the path to the Cross. Because the path that begins with death ends at the One who conquered it all.
The hard part, I suppose, is taking that first step.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
sunday morning
i love Sunday mornings when i can feel the Spirit moving through worship...and through a message wrought with truth, wisdom, and genuine humility.
podcast Matt's sermon here (it might not be up until later in the week). it was more than challenging and beautifully graceful.
'For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.'
podcast Matt's sermon here (it might not be up until later in the week). it was more than challenging and beautifully graceful.
'For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.'
Saturday, June 7, 2008
He Asked, She Said????
After driving the 400 miles from Oklahoma City to Austin, I got a phone call Thursday afternoon that put me back in the car. This time, I was on my way to College Station to see my best friend get engaged. And with a little deception on both my and Dane's part, she opened the door shocked and surprised to see this:
He asked, she shook her head, and a giant rock was placed on her finger.
After all these years of our 'hypotheticals,' fake Wal-Mart rings, trips to jewelry stores with pretend fiances, and probably hundreds of hours of conversations about marriage and what our weddings would be like, one of us will actually be walking down the aisle. Wow.
So congratulations bestest friend. I have a feeling this is going to be more fun than watching you play softball...
He asked, she shook her head, and a giant rock was placed on her finger.
After all these years of our 'hypotheticals,' fake Wal-Mart rings, trips to jewelry stores with pretend fiances, and probably hundreds of hours of conversations about marriage and what our weddings would be like, one of us will actually be walking down the aisle. Wow.
So congratulations bestest friend. I have a feeling this is going to be more fun than watching you play softball...
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
ET Phone Home?
[note: this is in direct response to an unnamed friend’s blog post.]
As friends begin to move away, and life continues to change, I have been thinking about what home means. Four years ago, I never thought I would be able to call Austin home. I hated every bit of this city, and as most of you know, I spent most of my freshman year in College Station.
But time passed, and by some miracle, I remained a Longhorn. And Austin began to feel like home.
As I think more about it, Sugar Land never stopped being home either. It’s home because it’s home to my family and home to people who knew me way back when. But now, Austin is home too. And it’s home because there are people here that I can’t imagine my life without, people I would call family. Granted, none of us are related. But I suppose that in this life, it really doesn’t matter if you share the same DNA. What matters is that we choose to live life together. We choose to bear each other’s burdens, to listen on bad days, to rejoice in God’s blessings, to mourn when things go wrong. We choose to be each other's family.
Home, I’ve learned, is not about bricks and mortar. Home is about people.
And so while it might seem scary to leave the family we’re most familiar with, to move somewhere unknown to a place we wouldn’t necessarily call home, we can take comfort that in each new place await new additions to our family. New people to sharpen, encourage, and enjoy life with. And because we know that our loving God has prepared the way for us, we can be certain that this new place will eventually begin to feel like home. Sooner or later, we will find those people we can’t imagine our lives without.
So go my dear friend and find your new family and make your new city home. This one will be waiting when you’re ready to come back.
As friends begin to move away, and life continues to change, I have been thinking about what home means. Four years ago, I never thought I would be able to call Austin home. I hated every bit of this city, and as most of you know, I spent most of my freshman year in College Station.
But time passed, and by some miracle, I remained a Longhorn. And Austin began to feel like home.
As I think more about it, Sugar Land never stopped being home either. It’s home because it’s home to my family and home to people who knew me way back when. But now, Austin is home too. And it’s home because there are people here that I can’t imagine my life without, people I would call family. Granted, none of us are related. But I suppose that in this life, it really doesn’t matter if you share the same DNA. What matters is that we choose to live life together. We choose to bear each other’s burdens, to listen on bad days, to rejoice in God’s blessings, to mourn when things go wrong. We choose to be each other's family.
Home, I’ve learned, is not about bricks and mortar. Home is about people.
And so while it might seem scary to leave the family we’re most familiar with, to move somewhere unknown to a place we wouldn’t necessarily call home, we can take comfort that in each new place await new additions to our family. New people to sharpen, encourage, and enjoy life with. And because we know that our loving God has prepared the way for us, we can be certain that this new place will eventually begin to feel like home. Sooner or later, we will find those people we can’t imagine our lives without.
So go my dear friend and find your new family and make your new city home. This one will be waiting when you’re ready to come back.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
live from the women's college world series....
courtesy of graham hays, espn.com:
Player to Watch [in the Women's College World Series]: Jamie Hinshaw
There's nothing flashy about Hinshaw's game, but she's exactly the kind of player likely to come up with key RBIs if Texas A&M ends up making a run in Oklahoma City. A starter in every game Texas A&M has played in her four years in College Station, she hit .305 as a freshman and somehow just kept getting better. A perfect 18-for-18 on stolen bases this season, she hasn't been caught stealing since 2006 and gets on base by virtue of more walks than strikeouts and a .361 average. To top it all of, she is slugging a career-best .519.
_______________________________________
pretty cool. also pretty cool when you're an all-american. congrats best friend!
100 degree weather and lots of softball in my immediate future. catch it on espn.
ps: kelsey told me secretly loves blogs.
Player to Watch [in the Women's College World Series]: Jamie Hinshaw
There's nothing flashy about Hinshaw's game, but she's exactly the kind of player likely to come up with key RBIs if Texas A&M ends up making a run in Oklahoma City. A starter in every game Texas A&M has played in her four years in College Station, she hit .305 as a freshman and somehow just kept getting better. A perfect 18-for-18 on stolen bases this season, she hasn't been caught stealing since 2006 and gets on base by virtue of more walks than strikeouts and a .361 average. To top it all of, she is slugging a career-best .519.
_______________________________________
pretty cool. also pretty cool when you're an all-american. congrats best friend!
100 degree weather and lots of softball in my immediate future. catch it on espn.
ps: kelsey told me secretly loves blogs.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
life recently and upcoming.
recently:
sunbathed on a beach in mexico for a week. walked across a stage and received a 'business card portfolio' for completing four years of education at UT [apparently, diplomas are no longer the customary item you receive at graduation]. sat on the main mall at UT to take part in what could be the best graduation show ever [i'm pretty sure there's no fireworks show at other colleges]. planned a (somewhat) surprise honeymoon for some awesome people getting married in july. watched my best friend earn a second trip to the women's college world series. hung out with some pretty awesome people.
upcoming:
watch aforementioned best friend compete in the women's college world series. hang out with those pretty awesome people. have my life changed by a pretty awesome God through some pretty awesome sudanese people. go on safari in kenya. watch a couple of friends get married. continue to hang out with those pretty awesome people doing lots of fun stuff. begin law school.
_______________________________________
happy birthday roomie. i am thankful for your twenty two years of life and more than a decade of your friendship.
sunbathed on a beach in mexico for a week. walked across a stage and received a 'business card portfolio' for completing four years of education at UT [apparently, diplomas are no longer the customary item you receive at graduation]. sat on the main mall at UT to take part in what could be the best graduation show ever [i'm pretty sure there's no fireworks show at other colleges]. planned a (somewhat) surprise honeymoon for some awesome people getting married in july. watched my best friend earn a second trip to the women's college world series. hung out with some pretty awesome people.
upcoming:
watch aforementioned best friend compete in the women's college world series. hang out with those pretty awesome people. have my life changed by a pretty awesome God through some pretty awesome sudanese people. go on safari in kenya. watch a couple of friends get married. continue to hang out with those pretty awesome people doing lots of fun stuff. begin law school.
_______________________________________
happy birthday roomie. i am thankful for your twenty two years of life and more than a decade of your friendship.
"He said hello, and I said hi."
So I have become one of those people who blog. I never really thought I would blog, especially after Kelsey declared that people without children have no reason to blog because nobody cares what they are doing. Despite whatever truth there may be to that comment, I have decided to blog. Maybe it's because I have exactly eighty nine days left with little [some might argue no] responsibility, and I've got to fill time somehow. Maybe it's because in exactly eighty nine days, my life as I currently know it will cease to exist, and this medium might be the best way for people to know what's going on in my life should they be interested [however boring that may be Kels]. Secretly, I want to keep Jamie Kim occupied during her Contracts I class next fall...
Honestly, I don't know why I've decided to blog. I joked with Shannon the other day that I should write my treatise; I'm sure all good treatises started as blogs, right?? In any case, I think it might be fun, and as some of you might be shocked to find out, I actually like writing. With the amount of writing I am sure to do in the next three years, writing something other than legal briefs could be a good distraction.
So we will see how this goes. Maybe I'll love it. Maybe you'll love it. Maybe you'll love it, but I'll be tired of writing after my first month in law school and this blog ceases to exist. Maybe that will make some of you happy [Kelsey]. But for now, maybe I'll do this for me and let you read along.
Honestly, I don't know why I've decided to blog. I joked with Shannon the other day that I should write my treatise; I'm sure all good treatises started as blogs, right?? In any case, I think it might be fun, and as some of you might be shocked to find out, I actually like writing. With the amount of writing I am sure to do in the next three years, writing something other than legal briefs could be a good distraction.
So we will see how this goes. Maybe I'll love it. Maybe you'll love it. Maybe you'll love it, but I'll be tired of writing after my first month in law school and this blog ceases to exist. Maybe that will make some of you happy [Kelsey]. But for now, maybe I'll do this for me and let you read along.
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