The man is a genius. His music speaks to my soul in ways that few musicians have. What I find so incredible about him, is he didn't initially set out to be a musician. While working in a factory, he heard Stephen Stills', "Treetop Fliers", and thought, "I could do that too," and yes, yes he can.
In a small way, Ray Lamontagne has made my life a little richer. His music feels like a warm, cozy blanket on a drizzly, foggy morning.
While listening to him this morning, I was wondering what the world would be like if we followed our hearts. What would happen if we did those things that made us happy, regardless of the risk involved?
Here's to the heart-followers....we definitely need more of them!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
God works in INCREDIBLE ways!
Ok - this is bound to be a long post, but here it goes!
I previously mentioned that I met up with my YWAM friends at the youth ministries convention in San Diego a few weeks ago...what I didn't mention is that they invited me to go on an incredible mission trip to Mumbai, India!
YWAM (Youth With A Mission) is a world-wide organization that serves the community in which each base is located as well as teaching people through their discipleship training schools (5 month long courses/outreach opportunities) and mission adventures (1 week long programs of learning evangelism/witnessing & outreach opportunities). The Las Vegas base is starting a new discipleship training school focused on human trafficking. At the end of it, they are taking 2 outreach trips to Thailand and to India. They have invited me to come along to the one in Mumbai! We are going to be working with victims of human trafficking, running a "vacation bible school" program, and teaching in schools & churches...It's going to be nothing short of life-changing.
Saturday afternoon during the youth convention, they invited me to come, but it's May 20-June 4. The 2 weeks prior to Finals. Normally, my practical self would have said, "Thanks, but no thanks." But not this time. The idea was still toying in the back of my head. I was trying to answer the question - why are we in each other's lives? Why have they made such an impact in mine when I've barely spent any time with them? Saturday night I prayed about it, Sunday morning I prayed about it. And when we went out for dessert, I told them I was going. (Bold!)
I came home and emailed my advisor & head of the graduate program at my university asking for a meeting to talk to her about how feasible the trip would be. We met a few days later and she didn't say no! She was going to present my case to the rest of the faculty at fac. meeting next week and they would either sanction the trip or not.
This past week I've wavered between being scared out of my mind to leaping out of my skin with excitement. I've prayed that God would either open doors or close doors and that He would put me where He wants me. I specifically asked God to let this faculty meeting be my "fleece" - If they said "yes" - green light, "no" meant it wasn't meant to be.
AND
I got an email this morning telling me they have approved my trip!! They are going to let me go!!
So now, comes the true leap of faith.
As posted earlier, nothing has changed in my financial status. But I truly feel that God is telling me to walk by faith, that He is going to take care of this for me, that I need not worry.
Just because I'm not worrying doesn't mean money is going to suddenly grow on trees, but I'm currently trying to come up with ways of fundraising.
So far - I've got a garage sale, odd jobs, and recycling. I might make greeting cards & thank you cards too. I'll make a few this weekend & post them next week. I could also make my tea pots (super cheap & quick to make!)
Anyways - I'm bursting at the seems with excitement and had to share! Have a fun weekend & GO GIANTS!! (National League Championship Series starts tomorrow afternoon!)
I previously mentioned that I met up with my YWAM friends at the youth ministries convention in San Diego a few weeks ago...what I didn't mention is that they invited me to go on an incredible mission trip to Mumbai, India!
YWAM (Youth With A Mission) is a world-wide organization that serves the community in which each base is located as well as teaching people through their discipleship training schools (5 month long courses/outreach opportunities) and mission adventures (1 week long programs of learning evangelism/witnessing & outreach opportunities). The Las Vegas base is starting a new discipleship training school focused on human trafficking. At the end of it, they are taking 2 outreach trips to Thailand and to India. They have invited me to come along to the one in Mumbai! We are going to be working with victims of human trafficking, running a "vacation bible school" program, and teaching in schools & churches...It's going to be nothing short of life-changing.
Saturday afternoon during the youth convention, they invited me to come, but it's May 20-June 4. The 2 weeks prior to Finals. Normally, my practical self would have said, "Thanks, but no thanks." But not this time. The idea was still toying in the back of my head. I was trying to answer the question - why are we in each other's lives? Why have they made such an impact in mine when I've barely spent any time with them? Saturday night I prayed about it, Sunday morning I prayed about it. And when we went out for dessert, I told them I was going. (Bold!)
I came home and emailed my advisor & head of the graduate program at my university asking for a meeting to talk to her about how feasible the trip would be. We met a few days later and she didn't say no! She was going to present my case to the rest of the faculty at fac. meeting next week and they would either sanction the trip or not.
This past week I've wavered between being scared out of my mind to leaping out of my skin with excitement. I've prayed that God would either open doors or close doors and that He would put me where He wants me. I specifically asked God to let this faculty meeting be my "fleece" - If they said "yes" - green light, "no" meant it wasn't meant to be.
AND
I got an email this morning telling me they have approved my trip!! They are going to let me go!!
So now, comes the true leap of faith.
As posted earlier, nothing has changed in my financial status. But I truly feel that God is telling me to walk by faith, that He is going to take care of this for me, that I need not worry.
Just because I'm not worrying doesn't mean money is going to suddenly grow on trees, but I'm currently trying to come up with ways of fundraising.
So far - I've got a garage sale, odd jobs, and recycling. I might make greeting cards & thank you cards too. I'll make a few this weekend & post them next week. I could also make my tea pots (super cheap & quick to make!)
Anyways - I'm bursting at the seems with excitement and had to share! Have a fun weekend & GO GIANTS!! (National League Championship Series starts tomorrow afternoon!)
Hope to meet little ones like her!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fantastic Day
It's incredible how sleeping in an extra hour (even if I'm still waking up at 6:30) can feel SOOO good. I think it just started my day off right.
Clinic went fantastically! I presented my oh-so-labored-over plans and my clinical instructor said that everything looked good and she presented some other materials that she was going to use and that I could conduct the therapy sessions, and she would jump in if it seemed like I needed help! Yay!! I had a BLAST. The patients were tough, but really intriguing. Speech Pathology in the rehab setting is SOO much more stimulating than in the school setting. The kids are great and I LOVE them, but the brain is beginning to really intrigue me. I would love to do my externship in an acute setting...we shall see.
I had to run over to Redlands for an errand, and since I had some time & my giftcards, I stopped at Barnes & Noble. I NEVER have time and totally enjoyed perusing the books. I picked up a book my aunt recommended to me months ago, West of Jesus. It's about a man's spiritual journey through surfing...awesome. And Len Sweet's new book, Nudge. I also bought Ray Lamontagne's newest album...currently listening to it now.
I really needed today. The past 2 weeks, I've been questioning why I'm in the Master's Program and if I'm really cut out for it. I definitely underestimated how much work it was going to be. It's not necessarily hard, it just requires a lot more critical thinking. The first clinic day was completely overwhelming. The past few weeks, I've felt like I've been barely hanging on between balancing school and work. I feel like I've been "half-assing" both because I haven't figured out how to do both well simultaneously...But tonight, I have realized that I do belong in grad school and everything will slowly figure it's self out. I just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other & do it well.
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| Sarah Von's Karma Cards |
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Break Time's Up!
I just came across this time-lapse video of San Francisco that I just had to share...2 of my favorite loves in 1! (Time-lapse photography & San Francisco)
Slinkachu, a London-based photographer, created this for his Small People Project. He uses a tilt-shift effect which makes San Francisco & San Franciscans look miniature...Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Quick Hello!
Because I was gone this weekend - Friday until Monday morning (12:30am), I have been playing a lot of catch up in school as well as trying to articulate my goals for my ministry at work and figuring out how to make this goals happen, I have neglected my blog. So this week, I am taking a break from blogging and will be posting more regularly next week! (I've got lots to say!)
But in the meantime, here are a few quick thoughts:
1) Youth Specialties was incredible! I was re-charged in my personal spiritual life and gained some great ideas for my ministry. I also got to meet up with my YWAM LV friends...blogged about here. We fed our faces at Extraordinaire Desserts and enjoyed each others' company. It's so crazy to think they are still in my life.
2) If you are a praying person, please pray for me. Please pray that God guides my ministry and that it's effective. I am stoked on working with youth & kiddos. However, I'm not quite sure how or where the rubber is going to meet the road. I am in the process of re-vamping my program and I am really hoping that somehow I find the time & energy....
Friday, October 1, 2010
Weekend!
I've got a busy weekend coming up, but it should be a great one! Today, I need to work on some school projects, study, and maybe look over some material/take a practice test for the CBEST.
Saturday, I'm taking the CBEST, then I'm off to San Diego for Youth Specialties, a huge youth ministries convention. I found out last weekend that I'm going. At first, I was kind of upset about having to go. (I have to really protect my time off, or I will get NONE) But then, I found out my friends from YWAM Las Vegas are going to be there! I started looking into the program more and realized it's going to be a really good experience for me at the perfect time. (I'm nearing burn-out) I will be there until late Sunday night...possibly Monday morning. I also heard that there are a ton of freebies...even better!
It's the last weekend of regular season baseball. So, I thought I'd leave you with a picture of my favorite!
Saturday, I'm taking the CBEST, then I'm off to San Diego for Youth Specialties, a huge youth ministries convention. I found out last weekend that I'm going. At first, I was kind of upset about having to go. (I have to really protect my time off, or I will get NONE) But then, I found out my friends from YWAM Las Vegas are going to be there! I started looking into the program more and realized it's going to be a really good experience for me at the perfect time. (I'm nearing burn-out) I will be there until late Sunday night...possibly Monday morning. I also heard that there are a ton of freebies...even better!
It's the last weekend of regular season baseball. So, I thought I'd leave you with a picture of my favorite!
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| #28 Buster Posey sfgiants.com p.s. Buster, I'm still waiting for your phone call ;) |
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