my neighborhood
april 29, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Lord, I believe in you; help me to believe more firmly.
I trust in you; help me to trust more surely.
I love you; help me to love more ardently.
I am sorry for my sins; help me to deepen my sorrow.
Guide me by your wisdom, correct me by your justice.
Comfort me by your mercy, defend me with your power.
Lord, I offer you,
my thoughts to be centered on you, my words to speak of you,
my actions to do your will, my sufferings for your sake.
I want whatever you want;
Because you want it,
The way you want it,
As long as you want it.
Lord, enlighten my mind, strengthen my will,
purify my heart, and sanctify my spirit.
Lord, in your goodness, grant me the grace to love you
and to forget myself, to seek my neighbor's good
and despise the seduction of the world.
Teach me to obey those in authority, serve those under my care,
look after my friends, and forgive my enemies.
Teach me;
How trivial wordly interests are
How momentous is the Kingdom
How brief temporal concerns are
How lasting is life eternal!
Excerpts from the prayer of of Pope Clement XI
I trust in you; help me to trust more surely.
I love you; help me to love more ardently.
I am sorry for my sins; help me to deepen my sorrow.
Guide me by your wisdom, correct me by your justice.
Comfort me by your mercy, defend me with your power.
Lord, I offer you,
my thoughts to be centered on you, my words to speak of you,
my actions to do your will, my sufferings for your sake.
I want whatever you want;
Because you want it,
The way you want it,
As long as you want it.
Lord, enlighten my mind, strengthen my will,
purify my heart, and sanctify my spirit.
Lord, in your goodness, grant me the grace to love you
and to forget myself, to seek my neighbor's good
and despise the seduction of the world.
Teach me to obey those in authority, serve those under my care,
look after my friends, and forgive my enemies.
Teach me;
How trivial wordly interests are
How momentous is the Kingdom
How brief temporal concerns are
How lasting is life eternal!
Excerpts from the prayer of of Pope Clement XI
Friday, April 24, 2009
42.2km
My dear friend Pip and I have been training for the Canberra Marathon these past few months. Ever since we finished our first one last June, we have been hooked on this crazy running adventure- which is exhausting, exhilarating, and everything in between. Once again, during this race I wondered why exactly I do this-- but yet again, it was a fleeting thought which disappeared after a few minutes, and was gone completely after I crossed the line.
I didn't run as fast as I had wanted to- but I was filled with joy in the process of running this race. It was so much fun! Feeling the breeze. Energized by the crowd. Refreshed by water and cool sponges. Ready to fall over in fatigue. But just as ready to keep running and cross the line. What a blast! And now, just another reason to keep going...
I didn't run as fast as I had wanted to- but I was filled with joy in the process of running this race. It was so much fun! Feeling the breeze. Energized by the crowd. Refreshed by water and cool sponges. Ready to fall over in fatigue. But just as ready to keep running and cross the line. What a blast! And now, just another reason to keep going...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New Life
I was baptized as a baby, in the tradition of my church. After seventh grade, I gave my life completely to Jesus, but at that time I didn’t think about being baptized again.
Yet after following Christ for some time now, I felt that it was important for me to be baptized- as His daughter who fully believes and understands the decision. To declare openly my love for Jesus and my desire and intent to follow Him for the rest of my life. Because I want to be obedient to what Jesus tells His followers to do. Because I recognize my desperate need for the Holy Spirit to do dangerous and impossible things. Because I turn from sin and believe that Jesus is stronger than the strongest evils of this life.
”We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—” Romans 6:4-6
“Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Thank you Pip and Rosie, for praying for and with me- immersing me in water, and blessing me by your presence. Praise God for his gift, too wonderful for words. I am blessed to know I don’t walk this Way alone.
Byron Bay, Australia
April 14, 2009
"Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Yet after following Christ for some time now, I felt that it was important for me to be baptized- as His daughter who fully believes and understands the decision. To declare openly my love for Jesus and my desire and intent to follow Him for the rest of my life. Because I want to be obedient to what Jesus tells His followers to do. Because I recognize my desperate need for the Holy Spirit to do dangerous and impossible things. Because I turn from sin and believe that Jesus is stronger than the strongest evils of this life.
”We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—” Romans 6:4-6
“Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Thank you Pip and Rosie, for praying for and with me- immersing me in water, and blessing me by your presence. Praise God for his gift, too wonderful for words. I am blessed to know I don’t walk this Way alone.
Byron Bay, Australia
April 14, 2009
"Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Monday, April 20, 2009
April!
what a great month!
birthday, baptism, best race times...
April 5- Race for the Roses in Portland- pb half marathon time
April 8- celebrated from midnight on- complete with Annie's lemon meringue pie at 2am ;)
April 14- got baptized at the ocean in Australia
April 19- pb time for marathon #2 in Canberra
more details soon!
birthday, baptism, best race times...
April 5- Race for the Roses in Portland- pb half marathon time
April 8- celebrated from midnight on- complete with Annie's lemon meringue pie at 2am ;)
April 14- got baptized at the ocean in Australia
April 19- pb time for marathon #2 in Canberra
more details soon!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
no regrets
About a week ago I had a patient whose situation rocked me. For some reason I could easily put myself in his place. The whole night I kept thinking: If my life and his were switched, would I have regrets? I pondered this all night, and into the week.
I decided no, I wouldn’t have any regrets. Yet it was still something I needed to think about. And I never want to get out of that place of being aware. Sensitive to people. Being grateful in the day to day. Noticing the little things. Celebrating my health. Rejoicing in being alive. Only the Lord knows when things may change.
Sometimes I feel calloused in my job- or because of it. I think it is natural, but I don’t want to be hardened to the things that matter. Life is short. I want mine to count.
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion.”
Psalm 39:4-8
I decided no, I wouldn’t have any regrets. Yet it was still something I needed to think about. And I never want to get out of that place of being aware. Sensitive to people. Being grateful in the day to day. Noticing the little things. Celebrating my health. Rejoicing in being alive. Only the Lord knows when things may change.
Sometimes I feel calloused in my job- or because of it. I think it is natural, but I don’t want to be hardened to the things that matter. Life is short. I want mine to count.
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion.”
Psalm 39:4-8
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
92 bananas
Our presenter at class tonight was awesome. She left us with a slideshow of quotes by people who have changed the world for Christ. They were missionaries. I haven't totally embraced the word for myself yet; but these words and their stories were enough to bring tears to my eyes.
"If this is war," the message said, "A woman is not likely to stop it."
Back went her reply,
"You think only of the woman.
You have forgotten the woman's God."
Mary Slessor, Nigeria, 1874-1915
"I wasn't God's first choice for what I've done in China...
it must have been a man.
Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn't willing...
and God looked down and saw Gladys Aylward...
and God said, "Well, at least she's willing!"
Gladys Aylward, China, 1902-1970
"I can assure you that months and months
of heart-rending anguish are before you...
Yet, take the bitter cup with both hands.
You will learn a secret; that there is sweetness at the bottom."
Adoniram Judson, Burma, 1788-1826
"If this is war," the message said, "A woman is not likely to stop it."
Back went her reply,
"You think only of the woman.
You have forgotten the woman's God."
Mary Slessor, Nigeria, 1874-1915
"I wasn't God's first choice for what I've done in China...
it must have been a man.
Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn't willing...
and God looked down and saw Gladys Aylward...
and God said, "Well, at least she's willing!"
Gladys Aylward, China, 1902-1970
"I can assure you that months and months
of heart-rending anguish are before you...
Yet, take the bitter cup with both hands.
You will learn a secret; that there is sweetness at the bottom."
Adoniram Judson, Burma, 1788-1826
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
The words of Floyd McClung met me today, as I read his article, Apostolic Passion:
"A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, "Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you've done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger. If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I'd be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed."
"A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, "Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you've done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger. If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I'd be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed."
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Glory despite the stench
In John 11, Mary and Martha ask Jesus to come and heal their brother Lazarus. Jesus comes two days later, and Lazarus has already died.
“When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." John 11:32-44
I love this story. Jesus knows human nature; that those around Lazarus are mourning his death, and wondering why Jesus didn't do something. And the stink of the dead after four days...
But He asks; "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
It’s awesome.
It’s easy to doubt and despair in the stench of life. Evil, human need, and injustice have a paralyzing effect- a smell that it’s easier to turn from than embrace. Father, remind me that as You chose to embrace and become engaged in our world with it’s awful stench, you invite me to do the same. I fully believe that the glory of God is stronger than the worst smells on earth.
“When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." John 11:32-44
I love this story. Jesus knows human nature; that those around Lazarus are mourning his death, and wondering why Jesus didn't do something. And the stink of the dead after four days...
But He asks; "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
It’s awesome.
It’s easy to doubt and despair in the stench of life. Evil, human need, and injustice have a paralyzing effect- a smell that it’s easier to turn from than embrace. Father, remind me that as You chose to embrace and become engaged in our world with it’s awful stench, you invite me to do the same. I fully believe that the glory of God is stronger than the worst smells on earth.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
i love my family!
We don't all get together much.... but we always have time to take a few pictures, much to my dad's dismay.
He loves us, though ;)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
January 20, 2009!
LOVED the cover of the Oregonian the other day. Thought it should be commemorated on my blog...
Monday, January 19, 2009
MLK
"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
“Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right.”
"I decided early to give my life to something eternal and absolute. Not to these little gods that are here today and gone tomorrow, but to God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Martin Luther King, Jr 1929–1968
“Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right.”
"I decided early to give my life to something eternal and absolute. Not to these little gods that are here today and gone tomorrow, but to God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Martin Luther King, Jr 1929–1968
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
safe or brave?
I recently finished a book by Gary Haugen, founder of International Justice Mission. I have since been contemplating one of the questions he proposes. Would you rather be safe or brave? In following God, can we be both? What are we supposed to do when following the will of God is scary?
He mentions a colleague who recalls his journey to give up his career as a lawyer and life in the United States to move to the Philippines and work for justice. The things that held him back were the losses of comfort, security, control, and success. Yet these were the things he was forced to let go of in order to receive the life that Jesus promised. As he did, he said he instead received adventure, faith, miracles, and a deep knowledge of Jesus.
The author says, “Jesus knows I must make a choice for myself. He is inviting all of us on his great, costly expedition of transformation in the world- but we must respond. Are we coming or staying? Jesus is relentlessly issuing the invitation and forcing a choice to action. What are we going to DO? I am much more interested in telling Jesus and others what I BELIEVE, but Jesus (and the watching world) knows that what I truly believe will be manifested in what I choose to DO.”
Today I have been doing much thinking about this question of being safe or brave. It’s easy for me to say I want to be brave. But if that means giving up being safe, that is scary. What does it mean to give up safety? I don’t know if I want to really know that at this point. But day by day, I do choose to trust God. And for me, this is bigger than my fear of being “unsafe.”
As his colleague recognized the things like comfort, security, and control that he would probably lose, I am reminded that I have also known these things well (maybe too well). I like them. They make me comfortable. Sometimes I get upset when I don't have them. But may I be reminded again and again that I would rather have the life that Jesus promises even if it means I lose what I perceive to be "comfort" or "security."
As Jesus tells the young ruler in Matthew, “Come, follow me.”
Lord make me BRAVE because I want to follow You.
He mentions a colleague who recalls his journey to give up his career as a lawyer and life in the United States to move to the Philippines and work for justice. The things that held him back were the losses of comfort, security, control, and success. Yet these were the things he was forced to let go of in order to receive the life that Jesus promised. As he did, he said he instead received adventure, faith, miracles, and a deep knowledge of Jesus.
The author says, “Jesus knows I must make a choice for myself. He is inviting all of us on his great, costly expedition of transformation in the world- but we must respond. Are we coming or staying? Jesus is relentlessly issuing the invitation and forcing a choice to action. What are we going to DO? I am much more interested in telling Jesus and others what I BELIEVE, but Jesus (and the watching world) knows that what I truly believe will be manifested in what I choose to DO.”
Today I have been doing much thinking about this question of being safe or brave. It’s easy for me to say I want to be brave. But if that means giving up being safe, that is scary. What does it mean to give up safety? I don’t know if I want to really know that at this point. But day by day, I do choose to trust God. And for me, this is bigger than my fear of being “unsafe.”
As his colleague recognized the things like comfort, security, and control that he would probably lose, I am reminded that I have also known these things well (maybe too well). I like them. They make me comfortable. Sometimes I get upset when I don't have them. But may I be reminded again and again that I would rather have the life that Jesus promises even if it means I lose what I perceive to be "comfort" or "security."
As Jesus tells the young ruler in Matthew, “Come, follow me.”
Lord make me BRAVE because I want to follow You.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
inspiration to run
I came across this song as I ran this morning.
My new song to ponder...
I have been pondering, but have failed to blog. I'm working on it.
Run
Stoplights, breakdown, we cry, last try
Worlds collide, time to decide
Where you want to go in this great big world
Where you want to go in this great big world
Stuck here too long in this sad song
Lost on a street, everyone has
Vanished and you're all alone
But you don't know where to go
You're all alone
And you want to go home
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Next page, new day, finding my way
Stumble upon the strength to move on
I am not alone in this great big world
And you are not alone in this great big world
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Run now don't you look back
Run towards the light straight ahead
Where the lost souls make a beautiful sound
And new life is finally found
Run
Music and lyrics by Travis Lawerence, Jenny Simmons, and Clint Lagerberg of Addison Road
My new song to ponder...
I have been pondering, but have failed to blog. I'm working on it.
Run
Stoplights, breakdown, we cry, last try
Worlds collide, time to decide
Where you want to go in this great big world
Where you want to go in this great big world
Stuck here too long in this sad song
Lost on a street, everyone has
Vanished and you're all alone
But you don't know where to go
You're all alone
And you want to go home
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Next page, new day, finding my way
Stumble upon the strength to move on
I am not alone in this great big world
And you are not alone in this great big world
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Run now don't you look back
Run towards the light straight ahead
Where the lost souls make a beautiful sound
And new life is finally found
Run
Music and lyrics by Travis Lawerence, Jenny Simmons, and Clint Lagerberg of Addison Road
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
(snow)cover
Sunnyside Environmental Elementary School is a few blocks away. They teach kids about growing all sorts of things in their various garden plots. The kids always make colorful signs to label the things they've planted. I wonder if they ever expected nature would cover their crops... (and their sign!)
Monday, December 22, 2008
snowed in day 2- cross training
I was DETERMINED to work out today, and I didn't want to take the bus to the gym. I can't drive because my car is covered with ice and there are drifts in the streets...so I dug out my snowshoes and boots, found my ski pants and a vest, put on some gloves and my ipod, and went out to explore the streets on foot! I don't think this has been done on Portland streets by many people before. I even caught a cute older woman taking a picture of me when she thought I didn't notice. But although I felt a little silly when I left my house, after traipsing a few blocks, I spotted a woman coming towards me on skis! It was awesome. I wish the news people were out- seriously a woman on skis and another on snowshoes on the same neighborhood street is SO enough to make the news -at least here! I think this is one of the most unusal winters Portland has ever had! And the snow is still coming down...
Sunday, December 21, 2008
snowed in!
The temperature difference between where I lived last December and this December is about 70 degrees....YIKES! Portland is known for mild winters- and NOT for snow- but this winter has been crazy! I am currently stranded in my apartment, and there are SNOW DRIFTS outside my window!! I am skipping my running workout tomorrow to snowshoe at the park instead! I decided this morning after I finished running in this winter wonderland (imagine cold air, fresh tracks on 2 inches of light clean snow, no traffic, and the sun just coming up... ;) that you haven't LIVED until you have experienced winter snow! It is BeAuTiFuL!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
tribute to banya
I found out today that yesterday one of my precious little girls went home to be with Jesus. Banya was about 3 years old, and she was HIV+. Ironically, this is not what took her life. I'm sure she was off playing and being her sweet, mischievous self, and she drowned in a nearby pond. She leaves behind her mom, Sitow, who is one of the sweetest women I met while in Cambodia. She also lives with AIDS. She has now lost both of her children as well as her husband. I'm praying for her today; that she would not feel responsible, but know her daughter is being cared for in the BEST way- and that she will herself be cared for by those around her and her loving Father in heaven. I'll miss you, Banya!
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