Today I spent twenty minutes staring at a bird. It all began when I went to fulfill my duties in the prayer room. We had 24/4 days of prayer this week. Which means we all had certain scheduled moments when we needed to be in a specified room praying. Anyway, during one of my prayer times there happened to be a bald eagle sitting in a tree outside the window. I watched him for a solid twenty minutes before he flew away. I used to make fun of my parents for watching birds. I am not an old man.
I was asked to lead worship at church this past Sunday. It went well except for the fact that they didn't know very many of the songs. I figured there would be a couple new ones, but I largely underestimated this churches awareness of common worship songs. Granted, they sing songs on a weekly basis that I have never heard of as well. It's like a whole different country or something... Anyway, after the service the other members on the worship team asked to play over a few of the new songs again because they really appreciated them. They were excited to have new songs added to the mix.
Also, this past Thursday Dan and I were able to have dinner at our pastor's house. It was nice to have relaxing conversation with him and his wife away from the church setting (not to mention the amazing food and hot tub). We hope to make this more of a regular occurrence. It was good to gain a new perspective on him in this way.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned anything about our training for India or not. Well, we started training for India. Almost every other day we are doing some kind of workout. Some days we do strength training and other days we do cardio work such as running, stairs or hiking. It has been good not only physically, but it's such a great instrument in preparing and uniting the group as a team. I'm looking forward to this trip more and more.
In addition to our workouts, we have a ridiculous amount of things to do. Our schedules are beginning to overflow. And somewhere in the middle of it all is homework. Lots of homework. Which is what I need to be doing right now.
Goodbye.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunshine And Snowboards
Today was sunny. This may not seem like a big deal, but let me explain. Here in the northwest there is a little thing called drizzle. It happens every day and every night for the whole winter. However, every now and then the sun seems to have its way for a time. Sometimes it lasts a whole day and sometimes it lasts 10 minutes. It really doesn't matter how long it lasts. The point is, it happens. And it's those small glimpses of sunshine that pull us through the next stretch of drizzle. I'll leave you to your own analogies.
Today was also my second week back to the Alliance church. It was a fairly standard Sunday morning experience. I'm still praying for something to spark in that place. It continues to continue like it has always continued. I wish it would move. I'm trying to figure out how I can be more effective in that place. I'm scheduled to lead worship next Sunday. I'm looking forward to that.
This past week was spent on a mountain of snow and hot tubs. We snowboarded by day and chilled in a gigantic chalet by night. I had never snowboarded previous to this trip, but after a quick lesson and a ridiculous amount of wipe-outs, I'm feeling relatively comfortable with it. The last day I was able to go to the very top of the mountain and ride down without much pain. It was so beautiful to be up there above the clouds, surrounded by mountains. The view is impossible to explain. Unfortunately, the trip managed to give one girl a concussion, break two of the girl's wrists and leave 11 stitches in one guy's finger. However, the injured are all in good spirits.
Now it is time to finish as much as homework as possible before I pass out. This is basically what tomorrow will look like as well. Tuesday we have a class and much needs to be accomplished before then. So here is the end.
Goodbye.
Today was also my second week back to the Alliance church. It was a fairly standard Sunday morning experience. I'm still praying for something to spark in that place. It continues to continue like it has always continued. I wish it would move. I'm trying to figure out how I can be more effective in that place. I'm scheduled to lead worship next Sunday. I'm looking forward to that.
This past week was spent on a mountain of snow and hot tubs. We snowboarded by day and chilled in a gigantic chalet by night. I had never snowboarded previous to this trip, but after a quick lesson and a ridiculous amount of wipe-outs, I'm feeling relatively comfortable with it. The last day I was able to go to the very top of the mountain and ride down without much pain. It was so beautiful to be up there above the clouds, surrounded by mountains. The view is impossible to explain. Unfortunately, the trip managed to give one girl a concussion, break two of the girl's wrists and leave 11 stitches in one guy's finger. However, the injured are all in good spirits.
Now it is time to finish as much as homework as possible before I pass out. This is basically what tomorrow will look like as well. Tuesday we have a class and much needs to be accomplished before then. So here is the end.
Goodbye.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Water Bottles
Home was home and christmas was christmas. I suppose when it comes down to it, most people would prefer it that way. And in many ways I'm no exception. It's good to come home to family and experience tradition and all the comfort of christmas. I have far too many friends who went home to anything but a comfortable christmas. And sure as life goes on I will probably be in their position at some point. So I will cherish my comfortable christmases.
And now I'm back. And I love it here.
Before I go any further I want to share the story of my travels back to the island.
When I arrived at the chicago airport I was greeted by an overwhelming crowd of frantic travelers waiting in the most ridiculous check-in line. It was obvious that if I had waited in that line I would not have made my flight. As I made this mental connection I simultaneously turned my thoughts into a prayer. Immediately a man walked out of the crowd and told me to go to curb side check-in. I was through in twenty minutes. Thanks man. After standing in the security line for the better part of an hour I managed to make it to my plane just as it was boarding. This was good news.
On the plane I began talking with the person next to me who turned out to be a christian military man. He found exceptional interest in the fact that I was in bible school and offered to buy me breakfast. He said that he doesn't get to talk to very many christians at the base and he would really enjoy buying me breakfast. I couldn't say no. What he didn't know was that I was traveling on a really tight budget and meals were pretty low on my list of priorities. Breakfast was a fantastic gift.
Later that day I had to take a four hour bus ride from the Seattle airport to Port Angeles, Washington. At one point on the trip we had to take a short 20 minute ferry ride on which we were able to stretch our legs or get some food if need be. It had been some time since I had eaten that breakfast so I decided to work a hot dog into the budget. I debated buying a bottle of water but in the end decided against it. Then, when I boarded my bus, the driver reached into his little cooler and offered me a bottle of water. I was a bit shocked. I must have given him the most out of place look. As if he had just handed me a hundred dollars out of the blue. I accepted the water.
After arriving in Port Angeles, I had to find a hotel because the ferry to the island only runs a couple times a day and the last ferry had been hours ago. I was completely expecting this, just like I was expecting to stay in a nearby hostel for 13 dollars. However, when I called to reserve a spot I couldn't get anyone to answer a phone so I didn't want to walk the extra distance without a guarantee of having a place to sleep when I got there. So, I decided to hit up a hotel near the ferry. After carrying my luggage up a long and painful flight of stairs, I entered a hotel only find that it was far too expensive for my wallet. When I started walking away the woman at the desk decided to take pity on me and asked me why I was in town. After a small chat she offered me a room for 38 dollars which was almost half of the original amount. I figured it was as good as I was going to get within any reasonable walking distance, and this was a very kind woman - so I accepted. Then she offered me a bottle of water. Suddenly, I found myself staring at her like a bus driver. She was confused but that's ok. I accepted the water.
That night I had dinner in a nearby diner. I had a cheeseburger and tater-tots. It was the best meal I've had in a long time. After dinner I stopped at a bookstore for a while before going back to the hotel. It was a nice place to spend time. Then I sat in my hotel room feeling exceptionally blessed. It was good day.
The next morning the woman at the hotel offered me another bottle of water as I was leaving for the ferry. She was probably testing my reaction. I just smiled this time. And accepted the water.
The ferry to the island was pretty standard. I think I took a nap. It was good to be greeted by friends on the other side. My memory of the bus ride back to camp is vivid and for some reason I feel like it will stay that way. Which is strange because it wasn't all that eventful. However, I really missed these people and it was good to see them again. Maybe that's why I will remember that bus ride.
I arrived at camp with exactly three dollars. God provided. And he kept me well hydrated in light of my cold. I'm so happy to be back.
--the end--
This blog has gone on long enough. That story took a while. I will stop now. Tomorrow we leave for Mount Washington to go skiing/snowboarding. We're spending five days in a chalet. The chalet has three hot tubs. This has potential to be incredible. It also has potential to kill me. I do not snowboard. I am apprehensive.
goodbye.
And now I'm back. And I love it here.
Before I go any further I want to share the story of my travels back to the island.
When I arrived at the chicago airport I was greeted by an overwhelming crowd of frantic travelers waiting in the most ridiculous check-in line. It was obvious that if I had waited in that line I would not have made my flight. As I made this mental connection I simultaneously turned my thoughts into a prayer. Immediately a man walked out of the crowd and told me to go to curb side check-in. I was through in twenty minutes. Thanks man. After standing in the security line for the better part of an hour I managed to make it to my plane just as it was boarding. This was good news.
On the plane I began talking with the person next to me who turned out to be a christian military man. He found exceptional interest in the fact that I was in bible school and offered to buy me breakfast. He said that he doesn't get to talk to very many christians at the base and he would really enjoy buying me breakfast. I couldn't say no. What he didn't know was that I was traveling on a really tight budget and meals were pretty low on my list of priorities. Breakfast was a fantastic gift.
Later that day I had to take a four hour bus ride from the Seattle airport to Port Angeles, Washington. At one point on the trip we had to take a short 20 minute ferry ride on which we were able to stretch our legs or get some food if need be. It had been some time since I had eaten that breakfast so I decided to work a hot dog into the budget. I debated buying a bottle of water but in the end decided against it. Then, when I boarded my bus, the driver reached into his little cooler and offered me a bottle of water. I was a bit shocked. I must have given him the most out of place look. As if he had just handed me a hundred dollars out of the blue. I accepted the water.
After arriving in Port Angeles, I had to find a hotel because the ferry to the island only runs a couple times a day and the last ferry had been hours ago. I was completely expecting this, just like I was expecting to stay in a nearby hostel for 13 dollars. However, when I called to reserve a spot I couldn't get anyone to answer a phone so I didn't want to walk the extra distance without a guarantee of having a place to sleep when I got there. So, I decided to hit up a hotel near the ferry. After carrying my luggage up a long and painful flight of stairs, I entered a hotel only find that it was far too expensive for my wallet. When I started walking away the woman at the desk decided to take pity on me and asked me why I was in town. After a small chat she offered me a room for 38 dollars which was almost half of the original amount. I figured it was as good as I was going to get within any reasonable walking distance, and this was a very kind woman - so I accepted. Then she offered me a bottle of water. Suddenly, I found myself staring at her like a bus driver. She was confused but that's ok. I accepted the water.
That night I had dinner in a nearby diner. I had a cheeseburger and tater-tots. It was the best meal I've had in a long time. After dinner I stopped at a bookstore for a while before going back to the hotel. It was a nice place to spend time. Then I sat in my hotel room feeling exceptionally blessed. It was good day.
The next morning the woman at the hotel offered me another bottle of water as I was leaving for the ferry. She was probably testing my reaction. I just smiled this time. And accepted the water.
The ferry to the island was pretty standard. I think I took a nap. It was good to be greeted by friends on the other side. My memory of the bus ride back to camp is vivid and for some reason I feel like it will stay that way. Which is strange because it wasn't all that eventful. However, I really missed these people and it was good to see them again. Maybe that's why I will remember that bus ride.
I arrived at camp with exactly three dollars. God provided. And he kept me well hydrated in light of my cold. I'm so happy to be back.
--the end--
This blog has gone on long enough. That story took a while. I will stop now. Tomorrow we leave for Mount Washington to go skiing/snowboarding. We're spending five days in a chalet. The chalet has three hot tubs. This has potential to be incredible. It also has potential to kill me. I do not snowboard. I am apprehensive.
goodbye.
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