Why 32 is Better Than 28

Just a couple of reasons...


1. My job doesn't suck the life out of me. 


2. I have time to invest in friends and family.


3. My relationships are stronger - probably as a result of #2.


4. I have time to volunteer with one of my favorite organizations - International Justice Mission.


5. There have been a small handful of people I love who have intentionally tried to make this birthday a good one. (In all fairness, there were people who did the same thing 4 years ago, but it feels different this year.)


6. And I get to spend the day watching this cutie pie...how can that be a bad thing?

Passion 2012 - The Final Post

Here are the final pictures from Passion. You know you want to come volunteer next year....!

Every person at Passion (including volunteers) was given a flyer with a specific minute during the conference to stop and pray. Each flyer had a sticker with a specific word on it around which to pray. After praying, you were to take off the sticker and put it on the big black letters that were all over the place. (On the final day, they put the letters together on the plaza and it read "Together We Are A Force For Good.")

Volunteers working hard to hang all of the white flags.

Me and a teammate zip-tying wood chips for the Freedom Art Installation. 

I just really like this picture of me and thought I'd share it with you all. =)

Passion 2012 - Part Two

This year the focus of Do Something Now was ending slavery. Students were challenged with a goal of giving $1 million, supporting 6 organizations who work to prevent, rescue and restore modern day slaves. After they gave toward the cause, they received a white flag and went outside to the International Plaza to participate in creating the Freedom Art Installation. The Freedom Art Installation was a 103' structure that was covered in objects typically made by slaves - christmas ornaments, jeans, candy bars, shoes, soccer balls, etc. Throughout the conference, teams of men worked on erecting the structure and on Wednesday night, they had an unveiling. After the community groups, the students participated in a silent walk to International Plaza where they stood, in a reverent silence for close to an hour. At midnight, they lit candles and the Freedom Art Installation was illuminated. They cheered, chanted FREEDOM, sang songs of worship and celebrated the hope that we can end slavery in our lifetime. It was unbelievably profound and moving. Words fall short to describe what we all experienced there. Not that this is the point, but including a gift of $500,000, the students gave over $3.3 million dollars toward ending slavery, not to mention all of the towels and socks they brought and all the money they gave toward the World Tour stops taking place later this year. 

The arm being built.

They hung 27,000 white flags all over International Plaza. Each flag represented 1,000 slaves that current exist in our world. (In case you can't do the math, that equals 27 million slaves!)

Candles lit and awaiting the unveiling.

Passion 2012 - Part One

As always, Passion 2012 was an amazing experience. Our team (Logistics) was all over the place throughout the conference - building Community Group backdrops, serving lunch to students, helping to build the Freedom Art Installation, crowd control, helping collect $ for Do Something Now, Load-Out. The hours were long but it was so much fun. We also got to experience a little bit of the conference this time and I'm thankful that I actually got to sit in on a full session (with Charlie Hall and Francis Chan leading) and one full late night (Hillsong United). Perhaps my favorite part of volunteering with Passion is serving alongside other people who love Jesus and college students. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of most of our team, but here are a few. I cannot wait for next year.

 Better is one day in your courts
   than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalm 84:10

Me and My Mama - she was working in the 268 Store

Me, Suzanne and Jennifer - we've been on the same team for the past 3 years.

I consider them my Passion family.

100 Days of Pictures is Over!!!!

Here are the final photos from my 100 day challenge. I'm so thankful it is over and no longer the pressure of having to find something new each day. Overall I really enjoyed this challenge. I've taken a ton pictures of things I wouldn't normally photograph. And I've learned that you can choose to see beauty - you just have to be intentional about it. It may sound a little dramatic but I feel like I'm learning to see the world through a different lens and by choosing to see it that way, I am more engaged with the world around me. 

Thanks for joining me on the journey. 

Day Ninety-Two

Acclimate

There's something special about knowing people all over the world are 

reading the same verses of scripture you are.

Day Ninety-Three

 Christmas Tree

Day Ninety-Four

 Quinn Opening Presents

He is the sweetest little man. I just want to eat him up. 

Day Ninety-Five

 Rose

Day Ninety-Six

 Cross

 

Day Ninety-Seven

Cold, Blustery & Beautiful Day

I love living in a city on the water. Even better, I love walking along the waterfront. There's beauty in the city when you choose to see it.

Day Ninety-Eight

 Hands

There's something sweet and special about a baby holding your finger. 

Day Ninety-Nine

 Shimmery

Like any girl, I love things that sparkle. =)

Day One Hundred

 Happy 2012

My friend Cristen all decked out & ready to celebrate the New Year. 

Close to the End!

Day Eighty-Five

Little Town of Bethlehem

Day Eighty-Six

 Harbor East

I love everything about this photo - the trees wrapped with lights, the tall buildings, the perspective. I also enjoyed the walk I took that day to get this photo.

Day Eighty-Seven

 Ice Sculpture

There was a festival in Harbor East this day called "Let It Snow." Usually street 

festivals are a lot of fun, but this was the absolute worst one I've ever seen. We dubbed it a "festi-fail." There were a couple of positives however - fun with some friends, lunch at James Joyce pub and the ice sculptures. 

Day Eighty-Eight

 Kisses

Day Eighty-Nine

 Snowflake

Day Ninety

Safe House of Hope Drop-In

This is a small glimpse of what life at the drop-in center looks like. Women can drop by for a bit, eat lunch, get some clothes and toiletries and just hang out. Some days we run depression skills groups or cooking classes. Some days there are nurse practitioners helping the clients with some of their health issues and questions. They can always find a friendly face and listening ear - a safe place.

Day Ninety-One

 Leela Jane

I couldn't let the rest of the 100 days go by without posting another picture of little Leela. She is so cute and sweet and I absolutely love watching her each week. And, seriously, who can resist a baby this cute?!?!

Favorite Christmas Songs

Last week my roommate, Annie, and I were discussing our favorite Christmas songs. We had two categories - hymns and non-religious. Both of us agreed, hands down, that O Holy Night is our favorite Christmas hymn. The lyrics and message of the song are so powerful. I actually cry every time I sing the second verse. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother and in His name all oppression shall cease. Seriously, I cry every time. I think it is because I believe with all of my heart that God’s plan for setting the oppressed free is us - His children, the slave’s brother/sister. And it is only in His name, the name of Jesus, all people are truly set free. I could go on and on about all of the things that I love about this song. I could go verse by verse and break it all down for you, but I won’t. Instead, here are the lyrics of the song. Read them. I mean, really read them. Ponder them. Let them sink in. I guarantee that if you do, you’ll never think of the song the same way again. It’ll take on a new meaning and it will move you every time you sing it. 

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His Gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His Name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine

For the record, my favorite non-religious Christmas song (I think - I mean there are a LOT of great Christmas songs out there) is Christmas Tonight by Dave Barnes. It’s not that well known yet, but it should be. And I should tell you, that for the purposes of our conversation we decided that All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey does NOT count because everyone loves it.

What about you? What are your favorite Christmas hymns/songs?