Passion

My apologies, this is bound to be a very long post.

I belong to an online community of others wanting to make the world a more beautiful place.  Every morning a daily challenge is sent out to the members.  This morning’s was to write a list of 25 passions and live accordingly.

passion – an intense desire or enthusiasm for something; an uncontrollable emotion

1) Loving God – sometimes it isn’t my greatest passion, but I find when it is, I truly am happiest…there’s a peace that passes understanding.

2) Loving Others –  Although I am more on the introverted side, I really do love people, making new relationships, connecting with others, playing with children, …this really probably is my greatest passion, but I find it so much easier/have so much more love when I am focused on loving God.

3) Beauty in the simple things – Every day I try to find at least one thing beautiful around me whether it is the birds singing in the morning (I LOVE SPRING!) or flowers on the side of the freeway to witnessing a small act of kindness…I believe it keeps me human, it keeps my heart open.

4) Wisdom – I am passionate about finding wisdom in nature, in words, in people, in experiences…

5) Music – I am passionate about music.  Although I am really not musical, I am surrounded by it, I love listening to it, learning more about it, and especially experiencing it live.

6) Baseball – I have an intense enthusiasm for it…especially the San Francisco Giants….especially Tim Lincecum

7) Books – I LOVE books, I love that it is such a personal experience and a book can be so different for everyone.  I love the feeling after a good book when you realize how much you have grown for having read it…or the feeling that you just made some really great lifelong friends…(if you never have had that feeling – The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society is a MUST)

8) Food – I am passionate about good food. I love eating it, I love making it, I love watching it being made, I love talking about it, I love reading about it…yes, I think that means I am passionate about it.

9) Adventure – I love to travel and experience new cultures….It doesn’t have to be exotic, but I love to explore new places…even if it’s exploring new coffee shops and boutiques in my own neighborhood or hiking a new trail somewhere nearby

10) Spontaneity – I LOVE having freedom to do what I want, when I want.  It keeps me sane to do the unexpected…I am not much a fan of routine…

Coming up with a list of 25 Passions was really difficult for me, because I realized so many fall within my first two of Loving God & Loving Others.  I am passionate about building relationships, working with children and helping them realize their potential, and nurturing their innocence…I am passionate about falling more in love with Jesus, seeing Him in the world around me, learning just really how truly Great He is…and how Grace is so much bigger, better than I could ever imagine.  I am passionate about sharing that with others just by simply loving them…I am passionate about this life I live.  I am excited to see what happens next.

my trip to vegas was cooler than yours.

Tuesday night around 10:00, my aunt asked if I would drive out to Las Vegas with her for the following night.  One of the casinos downtown had hired her to be a leprechaun for St. Patty’s Day.  She needed the money, but didn’t want to drive out alone.  Wednesday around 1:30pm, we were off.  I was not exactly excited about being in Vegas “alone”, but I figured I would make the most of it…

We got in a little before 5:30, checked into the hotel, and she started working.  I hung out in the room for a bit and then headed out to Fremont Street to check out the party and people watch.  About an hour later, I headed back to the hotel to finish my book & eat dinner.  After awhile, I heard a U2 cover band playing, so I went to check them out for something to do.  On my walk back, I saw some kids with “Free Prayer - Youth With A Mission” signs.  As they passed, I told them I had volunteered with YWAM in San Francisco and a conversation was struck up. 

They invited me to hang out with them for the evening.  My new friends were the Mission Adventure Leaders of YWAM, and they had a team from Kansas University doing outreach on Fremont last night, so they checked on them throughout the next hour, and we hung out by the pool of the Golden Nugget.  It was a surreal experience – I felt like I had known them for years.  We talked about ministry and struggles of church-going. 

I went to their debriefing, and it was a neat experience to see these kids (they are the same age as I am) talk about their first experience with 2X2’s.  It was so neat to see their views of evangelism change and see them make these connections.  I was so blessed by their sharing.  Afterward we went to In & Out, and then I got a tour of the base.  Numbers & FB info exchanged as well as invitations to come back to Vegas/visit California.

Last night was incredible.  God spoke to me in so many different ways and taught me so much, from how He takes care of even the smallest of our needs, to just simply drawing me closer to Him…

I’m not sure if our meeting served it’s purpose last night, or if it’s part of a bigger picture.  But I was reminded that God works in incredible ways and is still alive.

A Good Day

Everyone should start their day off with this little number...Lucky for me, it's what my iPod picked for my wake up song ;)


I wish I knew how to embed the video here, but I don't...sorry.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dMA5y9uWfQ

education

this makes me want to live experience life - taking everything in. meet inspiring people. build true relationships. see the world in all of its exquisite details. be filled with awe. encounter the extraordinary. recognize beauty.           





Always keep Ithaca in your mind
To arrive there is your ultimate goal
But do not hurry the voyage at all
It is better to let it last for many years
And to anchor at the island when you are old
Rich with all you have gained on the way
Not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage
Without her you would never have set out on the road
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you
Wise as you have become, with so much experience
You must already have understood what Ithacas mean
- Constantine Cavafy