New Friends
---The last few weeks I have begun to make friends with some of the people in my building, mostly with two German guys named Greg and Boris. They're pretty funny, and I like talking to them. Greg has visited California once and really liked it, so we bonded over that.
---I have been co-leading a small group at church for 18-25 year olds, so I've been meeting a lot of my peers from church. The group is fun so far, and new so we've been trying to keep it casual. I've been leading worship at our meetings, just playing a couple of songs on guitar, which is fun too.
---Last week at church an American guy named Michael was visiting. He's been backpacking across NZ for the last three months, and is planning on returning to the US to travel around in a van, play his guitar, tell people about Jesus, and see what happens. Based on these facts, I decided we would be friends. I also told him that if he makes it to California or Illinois, I know people who can hook him up with a free meal. If he comes your way, help him out!
New Challenges
---It is visa renewal time again, and once again I find myself running around, trying to get things done, and worrying about getting deported (just kidding about that last one). Something always goes wrong, but for now, thankfully, the worst has passed and I should have a new visa in about month.
---My job as a tutor is going really well. I have gotten a little bit of positive feedback from my students, but mostly just I really enjoy it. It's hard to invent new ways to discuss things each week, but so far I feel like I am doing a pretty good job.
---Recently, I find myself in a bit of a spiritual slump. I've been having to learn how to remain faithful even when I don't feel like it, and trust that God is around even when he seems a bit silent. It is a good lesson to learn, even if it is really hard. I have found encouragement from reading the Bible, and from many of you--thanks for praying and supporting!
New Shoes
---I really need a pair. My red converse--my trademark, my lucky shoes--sadly, are falling apart in every possible way.
Sorry there has been a lack of pictures on this blog lately. Unfortunately, my Internet connection is temperamental which makes posting photos a drag.
Oh, and happy April Fool's to you! I have to confess now that I sent some of you a news article I made up about Sufjan Stevens' new album. I hope it made you laugh. If you did not receive it and want to read it, just let me know and I'll email a copy to you. I have to confess, I was pretty proud of the fake song names I came up with.
Later days!
Showing posts with label Spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Several Unrelated Topics
Ready to learn more Kiwi words!
sweet as! = "cool!" or, "sweet!"
chilly bin = a cooler, or an ice chest
motorway" = any highway, or freeway-type of road
heeps = a lot of, or a bunch of (as in, "There are always heeps of cars on the motorway during traffic.")
Baseball season is back! Go Sox!
I can't believe Easter is here already! The coming holiday has made me a little homesick. Good Friday at my church at home was always a big deal. Pastor Mike's concept of "The Darkest Night of the Year" was one of our church's most unique traditions. In college, I remember one disastrous Easter with Kimi at a church held in a movie theater where one of the songs for worship was by Matchbox 20. I'm not sure what this Easter will bring, but I will be sure to let you all know...
In other news, lately I am into learning new songs on my guitar (KT Tunstall, Teitur, Corinne Bailey Rae), writing a short story I just started working on (although it's turning into a novel), and listening to worship music (usually I just listen to my devil rock music). Oh yeah, and sometimes I manage to squeeze in some homework.
Had a conversation today with flatmates about the so-called differences between "Catholic" and "Christian." I am constantly being reminded of how little I know, or remember, about the Bible or church history or the world in general (if only I had gone on one less GYRAD and spent more time studying at Biola!). I keep praying that Jesus will show in my life, despite my own shortcomings and inadequacies. It is also very challenging being the token Christian--defending and explaining myself all the time. It's both wonderful and tiring. Today I was really encouraged by the song, "How Firm a Foundation"--there are some amazing lyrics in this song! I have included a few of my favorites here, but you can read the full lyrics here at: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/How_Firm_a_Foundation/
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
This past weekend, I was traveling so stay tuned for more pictures and stories.
Thanks for reading, and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers! I have gotten some very kind feedback on my blog which I really appreciate.
Happy Easter!
sweet as! = "cool!" or, "sweet!"
chilly bin = a cooler, or an ice chest
motorway" = any highway, or freeway-type of road
heeps = a lot of, or a bunch of (as in, "There are always heeps of cars on the motorway during traffic.")
Baseball season is back! Go Sox!
I can't believe Easter is here already! The coming holiday has made me a little homesick. Good Friday at my church at home was always a big deal. Pastor Mike's concept of "The Darkest Night of the Year" was one of our church's most unique traditions. In college, I remember one disastrous Easter with Kimi at a church held in a movie theater where one of the songs for worship was by Matchbox 20. I'm not sure what this Easter will bring, but I will be sure to let you all know...
In other news, lately I am into learning new songs on my guitar (KT Tunstall, Teitur, Corinne Bailey Rae), writing a short story I just started working on (although it's turning into a novel), and listening to worship music (usually I just listen to my devil rock music). Oh yeah, and sometimes I manage to squeeze in some homework.
Had a conversation today with flatmates about the so-called differences between "Catholic" and "Christian." I am constantly being reminded of how little I know, or remember, about the Bible or church history or the world in general (if only I had gone on one less GYRAD and spent more time studying at Biola!). I keep praying that Jesus will show in my life, despite my own shortcomings and inadequacies. It is also very challenging being the token Christian--defending and explaining myself all the time. It's both wonderful and tiring. Today I was really encouraged by the song, "How Firm a Foundation"--there are some amazing lyrics in this song! I have included a few of my favorites here, but you can read the full lyrics here at: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/How_Firm_a_Foundation/
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
This past weekend, I was traveling so stay tuned for more pictures and stories.
Thanks for reading, and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers! I have gotten some very kind feedback on my blog which I really appreciate.
Happy Easter!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
God, Wind, and Time Travel
Is the title of this entry mysterious enough?
It refers to the fact that 1) I am learning how windy it can get here in Auckland. It's reminding me of back in the day in Chicago... 2) Like you, we also had daylights savings here, except that we turned our clocks one hour back since we are heading into fall. So now I am only 16-19 hours ahead of you (depending on where you are in the States)...
Here is a picture from a French movie called Jules and Jim. I just had to watch it for class recently, and I thought it was quite beautiful...
The picture has no significance to what I am writing about, but people like to see pictures...Plus, I don't think I have the nerve to bring a camera to class and take pictures!
3) God has been doing some amazing things in my life lately!
I have been going to a local church called Elim and I have really enjoyed it. I think it's a great fit for me, and it's only a 20 minute walk. Also, I have been listening to sermons online from Rock Harbor, the church I was attending in CA. That has been great, not only because I really liked Rock Harbor and the teaching there, but I am getting a feeling of how BIG this whole thing called The Church really is. Even though Elim and Rock Harbor are on opposite sides of the globe, the Holy Spirit is moving in both churches and doing really great things in peoples lives. Sometimes the messages I am hearing from both churches really compliment and reinforce each other, and I can't help but think that it wasn't a coincidence, but evidence of a worldwide movement by the Holy Spirit.
Also, I was able to share my beliefs with my flatmate, Michael, recently. We were having a conversation about something else, normal type stuff, but he asked me why I am so moral. So I told him. Lately, I get the feeling he is really confused/fascinated by my lifestyle, and I have had a few opportunities to share quite openly about what I think about God and Jesus and life. It's been challenging because I also feel like I am under a microscope, but overall it has been great to know that I am being used in this way. I am excited to see what happens next!
I'll be sure to let you know!
PS Can you believe I've been here a whole month?!
It refers to the fact that 1) I am learning how windy it can get here in Auckland. It's reminding me of back in the day in Chicago... 2) Like you, we also had daylights savings here, except that we turned our clocks one hour back since we are heading into fall. So now I am only 16-19 hours ahead of you (depending on where you are in the States)...
Here is a picture from a French movie called Jules and Jim. I just had to watch it for class recently, and I thought it was quite beautiful...
The picture has no significance to what I am writing about, but people like to see pictures...Plus, I don't think I have the nerve to bring a camera to class and take pictures!
3) God has been doing some amazing things in my life lately!
I have been going to a local church called Elim and I have really enjoyed it. I think it's a great fit for me, and it's only a 20 minute walk. Also, I have been listening to sermons online from Rock Harbor, the church I was attending in CA. That has been great, not only because I really liked Rock Harbor and the teaching there, but I am getting a feeling of how BIG this whole thing called The Church really is. Even though Elim and Rock Harbor are on opposite sides of the globe, the Holy Spirit is moving in both churches and doing really great things in peoples lives. Sometimes the messages I am hearing from both churches really compliment and reinforce each other, and I can't help but think that it wasn't a coincidence, but evidence of a worldwide movement by the Holy Spirit.
Also, I was able to share my beliefs with my flatmate, Michael, recently. We were having a conversation about something else, normal type stuff, but he asked me why I am so moral. So I told him. Lately, I get the feeling he is really confused/fascinated by my lifestyle, and I have had a few opportunities to share quite openly about what I think about God and Jesus and life. It's been challenging because I also feel like I am under a microscope, but overall it has been great to know that I am being used in this way. I am excited to see what happens next!
I'll be sure to let you know!
PS Can you believe I've been here a whole month?!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
The Kiwi Way
Want to learn some Kiwi words?
biscuit = cookie (A "chocky bicky" is most likely a chocolate chip cookie.)
CV = resume, as in what you would turn in with a job application
flat = apartment
paper = a course in school, as in "I am taking 4 papers this semester."
napkin = tissue
Did you know that in NZ cars drive on the left side of the road? I am in constant fear of stepping in front of a bus.
Did you know that in NZ their money is in dollars, just like the U.S? That has been an easy transition for me.
Did you know that NZ, like many other countries in the world, gets a lot of American TV, music, movies, and culture imported? I watched American Idol on tv today actually, although I know the episode aired a few weeks ago at home.
Did you know that the big sport in NZ is rugby? It's pretty awesome--I want to try and play some time.
Those are a few of the things I have been learning. The biggest adjustment I think is attending such a large secular school. I have been at a small Christian college for quite a while now, and obviously there are some differences. There is a club on campus dedicated to drinking alcohol. The health center gives free STD testing. The number of int'l students here is greater than all the Biola students put together.
I am really excited about this chance to learn and have new experiences. I am also excited for this challenge to live and share my faith. I am already seeing how I stand out for being a Christian, and that is both a little scary, but also humbling. I take it very seriously.
Well, that's all for now. Keep checking back for more stories and fun stuff!
biscuit = cookie (A "chocky bicky" is most likely a chocolate chip cookie.)
CV = resume, as in what you would turn in with a job application
flat = apartment
paper = a course in school, as in "I am taking 4 papers this semester."
napkin = tissue
Did you know that in NZ cars drive on the left side of the road? I am in constant fear of stepping in front of a bus.
Did you know that in NZ their money is in dollars, just like the U.S? That has been an easy transition for me.
Did you know that NZ, like many other countries in the world, gets a lot of American TV, music, movies, and culture imported? I watched American Idol on tv today actually, although I know the episode aired a few weeks ago at home.
Did you know that the big sport in NZ is rugby? It's pretty awesome--I want to try and play some time.
Those are a few of the things I have been learning. The biggest adjustment I think is attending such a large secular school. I have been at a small Christian college for quite a while now, and obviously there are some differences. There is a club on campus dedicated to drinking alcohol. The health center gives free STD testing. The number of int'l students here is greater than all the Biola students put together.
I am really excited about this chance to learn and have new experiences. I am also excited for this challenge to live and share my faith. I am already seeing how I stand out for being a Christian, and that is both a little scary, but also humbling. I take it very seriously.
Well, that's all for now. Keep checking back for more stories and fun stuff!
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