So, this week, this non-profit in Kansas that I really like, Hospitals of Hope, posted a job opening on Facebook. They are a really cool Christian medical relief organization, and work mainly in Latin and South America. Their work is really similar to that of Global Links, the non-profit I work at here. So, I checked out the job requirements, and since they didn't require any experience, I sent in my resume! I got an email back, asking me for an additional writing sample - a blog post trying to raise support for a relief organization providing relief to Japan.

As a result, I began to research different relief organizations. I wanted something that was Christian, and had medical aid programs, since these are things I am passionate about. Somehow, I came upon Samaritan's Purse, an organization similar to Compassion and World Vision, which donates aid and supplies in Jesus' name. I am also really excited about their medical aid opportunities - they send many medical missionaries, and you can donate directly to this medical aid or in support of the medical missionaries. In addition, they send people directly out of residency into the mission field for 2 years - fully supported! Even if I don't get this job (now or ever), I am super excited about finding this out about Samaritan's Purse!! And their 'gift catalog' is so cool too!

I also just wanted to share the sample blog post I submitted (and encourage you to donate to Samaritan's Purse Japan aid fund!):

Blog for Samaritan’s Purse Aid Relief for Japan

On March 3, 2011, Japan experienced a devastating 9.0 earthquake which subsequently caused a tsunami. To date, there are over 24,000 people dead or missing. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people were displaced from their homes Japanese officials are estimating the damages to be up to US $309 billion dollars. The need for aid is astounding.

Samaritan’s Purse is a US-based international relief organization which gives aid in the name of Jesus Christ. They provide emergency relief, medical aid, education, and development programs to countries all across the globe. They are striving to fulfill Jesus’ call about the Good Samaritan who had mercy on his neighbor and showed him compassion: “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37 NIV). They recently donated 93 tons of aid to Japan, which was distributed toward local churches there. Through this, Samaritan’s Purse has been able to share the Good News about Jesus Christ with many people in Japan, providing them with hope in His kingdom which will never be shaken (Isaiah 54:9-10, Hebrews 12:28).

Will you act like a neighbor to Japan, showing them love and compassion through aid in Jesus’ name? Will you pray with us that God would use this to bring people to himself and heal both their physical and spiritual needs? Will you partner with Samaritan’s Purse in the mission of spreading Christ’s name throughout the globe? Will you give to further His kingdom which will not be shaken? To donate, please visit:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/Project_donations?pc=13953

Reading & Listening

What I'm browsing:

Because all life flames with God -- hands down my favorite author. Great blog.

Got Questions

Blue Letter Bible

Shannon Primicerio Blog

Science Daily

GE Healthy Imagination

You Version Online Bible

Organizations I care about:

Hospitals of Hope

Global Links

Christ Community Health

Compassion

AmeriCorps

What I'm Reading:

Radical by David Platt

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Believing God by Beth Moore

Hebrews (in small group)

What I'm Listening to:

Breakaway Podcasts by Ben Stuart -- love love love. I cannot recommend it enough.

Blessings by Laura

Audio Bible

may you be encouraged and challenged and inspired today :)

Starting Over ... Again

I'm not sure what the next year will hold. I mean, none of us can ever really be sure, but I've applied to a ton of different AmeriCorps positions across the US. They are kind of like the PeaceCorps, except in the US, so I'd be working at a nonprofit for a 1-year term. All the while, I'll be applying to medical schools, mostly in the east half of the US. While I'm excited about being done with school (for now), and about starting something new, at the same time I am terrified. I don't want to start over again. But I do - I'm excited for new experiences and challenges. But I don't want to have to make new friends again. And find another church. And learn a new town. Life at college has seemed so permanent because it is home and yet so temporary because each year, and even each semester brings different people, different classes, and a different living space. There are people who have graduated and moved on, but it feels like they were just here. Come May, I get to become one of those people yet again. But the strange thing is if I visit, the people won't just not be the same, they won't even be there. We'll be spread back across the states and beyond, going back to both new and old places. But I want to keep life just as it is. I don't want to have to go through all the effort it takes to become comfortable in a new place again. I know I have made lifelong friends, and that there is always the internet, but it wont feel the same. Again. And I'm scared of being alone in this great big world.

But I desperately want to trust in Christ's plan! Mercifully he calms my fears each day and reassures me that I just have to chase after Him. May I continually do so and follow His perfect lead.

Consider the Bonsai Trees

So, I was considering the hypothetical lilies at the botanical garden and they had an exhibit there featuring bonsai trees, and I found this sign interesting:

Bonsai: cultivating miniaturized trees to reflect the style of full-sized mature trees

- rigor and discipline in pruning & training to achieve overall vision

- the pot is chosen for the tree

In that moment I just saw myself as that tree. I may not be fully mature, but God has been shaping me and pruning me because he has this overall vision for my life. It does take discipline, and years, and requires training. But I'm in the environment that I'm in because it fits with the overall vision for my life. I'm here at CMU for a reason. I was born into this family for a reason. And it's all part of shaping me into who I'm meant to be.

Other thoughts:

The smooth, pretty rocks are the ones shaped by the waves.

Plants rely on photosynthetic energy from the light, and grow towards it.

My prayer - May I be growing towards the light, recognizable by my fruit, and reflecting my roots.

Why Blog?

I can't believe my last post was 10 months ago, in May! Why don't I write more? Do I really have anything to say? I was asked yesterday if I would ever blog again - so I decided to think about it (in all my free time I have during spring break), and blog about it! [Thanks Ben!] Do I just feel guilty for not posting? Maybe.

I think during this time, I didn't feel like I had a lot to say, in general. I didn't really feel like I was learning anything, didn't feel like I had anything to share that would be worthwhile. Because honestly, I was ignoring God in a lot of ways. I didn't want to acknowledge some things I hadn't fully handed over to him, and I didn't want to give up control. I wasn't listening like one ready to be taught, although I wanted to be, I just didn't completely know how. I didn't want to risk it, didn't want to try. I didn't want to cease striving because I had known nothing else. The unknown is pretty scary. So, I stopped journaling, I stopped blogging, I stopped preparing for small group (our campus pastor made the handouts we used instead). Suddenly, or maybe not so suddenly, I felt like I wanted to be close to God but I didn't know how, and I didn't know if it was worth the effort it might take.

However, after much resistance on my part, and an extreme amount of grace on His part, I began to really desire to know Him, and to see that He truly is better than all the things I was (am) striving for, began to listen to Him. I feel like I have learned so much over the last 8 weeks that I really don't know where to begin! But I am so excited about what He is doing in my life. I do feel like I have things to say now, and am preparing for small group now (with Natalie, the other women's small group leader), and I am just excited to study and learn about Christ.

So my main point of this entry is why do I write? Why do I blog? What is the difference between blogging and journaling? Right now, I'm not really sure. There is something unique about putting thoughts down into words, making myself slow down and form coherent sentences, that is powerful. Do I want to gain the approval of the 4 of you that read it? Maybe. Would I do it if I knew no one was going to read it? I hope so - I know I would write down some thoughts, but to this extent? I'm not sure. I truly do want to share what I've been learning and thinking about and questioning. Is this the right forum? I share in my campus fellowship and with a few close friends - should I do more? Is it too personal? How do I be this real in real life? Am I? Sometimes, but not always. Yeah, I feel like I express myself better in writing, but does it need to be public? Somehow, it's always easier to write in a blog than to say these things directly. Even though you all know me, the internet is just this nebulous place where I can put my thoughts without any repercussions - is that what I should be doing?

I'm going to write some posts, but not publish them right away, to try and understand my motivations, thoughts, and what I'm really trying to say. And hopefully, you'll these posts soon - really do like to think and write. And not just when I'm on break or questioned about posting again :)