Cathedrals in My Heart

As soon as school was out, I packed my bags and headed for Europe for an 18 day tour with my choir. It was an experience of a lifetime, and I learned a lot, and saw a lot. A reflection will also be coming for this trip, but here are some pictures meanwhile.

(Some of these photos are credit to a few of my choir friends with nicer cameras than I)

California Dreamin'

I just returned from spending the last 16 days in LA as a part of a service trip with Mennonite Missions Network. I spent the first week at an Indonesian church, organizing bible school, and the second week at a Belizean Church, helping with their bible school. My group consisted of three girls, and two guys, and we clicked like no other group. This experience filled my heart, soul, and mind in an amazing way. Here are some pictures, with reflections and thoughts to come

Assorted Thoughts As of Late

Thought #1
      I love the God of the small things, as the title of the book goes. I have some big God moments, and some big events that leave me in awe of God, and feeling blessed, but lately, I see Him just as much in the small day to day events. A word from a friend, a moment of community, a smile from somebody, a joke shared, little things going right, a thrill of anticipation or excitement, small spiritual moments, God is there. He is present in our lives.

Thought #2
     Life is kind of like my car. Recently I jumped a few curves, and one of my friends pointed out to me that my steering alignment was a bit off. In life, when we go over the bumps in the road, or stray to the side of the road or something, it can mess us up for a moment, but also it can make things harder in the long run. It makes it harder to stay on the narrow path, because you can't just drive and expect to stay on the road anymore, you have to actively steer and keep your hands on the wheel. Life is like that, you go through something rough, and it is hard and distressing for a short time, but it also affects you in the long run in that it can be a recurring temptation or hurt, or just something that makes it hard to stay on the narrow path to God.

Thought #3
     Appreciate the moment. Like they say, you only live once (YOLO :D). That doesn't mean that you should drink and hook up and get high and party. If you only live once, is that really how you want to spend your time? Be present in every moment. Soak in the joy, the sorrow, the awkwardness. Keep your phone away when you're with others. There's plenty of time for that when you're alone. When you're with people, make them your focus. Learn how to appreciate a moment and be present and be human. Spend your time wisely, live your life well. "Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one, wild and precious life?"

"Can you understand? Someone, somewhere, can you understand me a little, love me a little? For all my despair, for all my ideals, for all that - I love life. But it is hard, and I have so much - so very much to learn." Sylvia Plath

"Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories" Ray Bradbury

"Earth's crammed with heaven... But only he who sees, takes off his shoes" Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"She seems so cool, so focused, so quiet, yet her eyes remain fixed on the horizon. You think you know all there is to know about her immediately upon meeting her, but everything you think you know is wrong. Passion flows through her like a river of blood..." Neil Gaiman