Italia 2011

Happy New Year :]

I broke into 2011 by hopping a plane to Venice, Italy. No, I'm not privileged enough to have a pleasure trip during winter break. I took part in a three credit fine arts course through my college. Basically, I spent two weeks in Northern Italy visiting museums, palaces, villas, churches and a couple of houses. I was lucky enough to also mark two decades of life by visiting Verona and seeing Juliet's house, balcony and statue.

One of my favorite things in the world to do is travel. Every time I visit a new country and see a new culture I feel as though a part of me is being fulfilled. I've done it. I have gone off and experienced something that most people only dream of. I feel as though I am being hit lately by an astounding amount of loss and mortality. Each time it confronts me, I have an inward reaction with a need to seize the day and take opportunities I would normally deem impossible or less important. I.E. spending $2,900 that I did not have (until I made a deal with the government) to run off to Italy for two weeks. Taking steps such as that one, make me feel like I'm doing my part. I am using the gifts that God gives me and walking through His door of opportunity. Even when that door has some pot holes on the other side.

The trip was amazing. I was able to get lost in a city full of dead ends, water, boats, delicious food, and great shopping. I got to travel an hour away to experience a different part of Italy; a part that inspired an internationally famous love story. I experienced Italians' fearless driving to see the amazing work of God known as the Alps and meet a man who has literally given up EVERYTHING to do the work God has called him to.
But there were down sides also. I had to stretch my patience, adaptability, and willingness to accept complete loss of control. It wasn't a trip of complete smiles and sunshine. There was rain, freezing temperatures, and definitely tears. I got to a breaking point where I realized something extra important and seemingly obvious. The only way to take the next step forward is to give it ALL up to God. Turning my iPod to my Christian genre and giving my sanity to Him is the only thing that kept me from falling over the edge.

And now, after it is all over, I only know one thing. I am not in control and nothing in my future is absolute.

Brown Eyed and Purple Haired

Have you ever just needed a change? I mean REALLY needed a change? That's how I've been feeling lately. I'm so antsy, just staying in one place for so long. And that's not just concerning my location. I've been at school now for almost two months, so not really that long. But I certainly feel like I have been here longer. I feel as though I'm stuck and can't seem to find a way to move. 


I complain about my job, but what's truly wrong with it? I should feel lucky, I mean I'm a college student with a job within walking distance of where I live. I don't have to pay the majority of taxes due to the work-study nature. And I work in an open environment with people that I genuinely care for. And to top it all off, I'm good at the job. So why is it that I find myself constantly complaining and dreading when it comes time to go to work?


I have a problem with being content where I am. I love my friends, but I have good ones elsewhere that I want to be with. I love my family, but I have family in a different state that I want to see too. I love the view, but I have a view somewhere else that's a different kind of pretty. I like my classes, but I wish I was working on my career. I'm enjoying being single, but I wish I had someone to love. This could go on and on and on, but I'll stop here.


I think my point's been made. I need to focus on one thing at a time and allow God to work through the situation I'm in now. Otherwise, I do things that randomly dye my hair purple and chop off the a-line.


Proverbs 19:23 "The fear of the LORD leads to life: then one rests content, untouched by trouble."
Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."

"Where words fail, music speaks"

this music is really inspiring to me (and I chose the video with the clips because I happen to LOVE this move :)

Pride and Prejudice -  A Postcard to Henry Purcell

Blessed

I went from living in a place with this....

To one with this view...

I sure am blessed by God's beauty.

Relationship Thoughts

This is something I wrote a little while ago.. But it's a good way to get started.

A friend of mine asked me: "How would you define what a relationship is and what is the point of having one?" She was asking specifically about marriage-type relationship, though I did expand...

I would say that having a relationship is God's way of completing us. No one is perfect and, granted, no earthly relationship is perfect either. But, I do believe that God has someone out there for us. Someone who's personality is complimentary to our own. Life is a constant balance in every way. God created relationship between a man and a woman to complete the balance. This line of logic also applies to why humans need friends. Even a monk in a monastery isn't alone searching for God, he is surrounded by others doing the same.

I recognize that there are people in the world who are introverts or that even go extreme and become hermits. But I would pose the question: “are people truly happy when they are alone?” Yes, having alone time is important, even Jesus knew His limits and knew when to go off by Himself and be rejuvenated. I do not believe that we, as humans, are meant to be alone.

So, as I’m writing I’m beginning to think about Paul’s words to the Corinthians, that it’s better to be single. And though I want to be married someday, I think that he has some very solid reasons for saying that. With that, I believe that it is something that is chosen by God. He ultimately knows who can handle being married and who cannot. I don’t think you’re a bad person, or Christian, for staying single or for getting married. Though I would add that even if you are someone called to the single life, God will still place people in your life so that you are not alone.