Blog Crushes

I was majorly into reading blogs tonight. Here are two I was crushing on. I really want to be dangerous in the way this suggest. The thought of that makes my heart want to bust out of my chest and my feet point towards the door.

http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2005/october/16176.html

I'm not sure I've ever read a more raw, thoughtful piece on someone's perceptions and struggles about Haiti and Jesus:

http://sarahbessey.com/in-which-god-doesnt-look-the-same-anymore/

Sugaring

Have any of you brave, crafty, or "I hate hair" people out there tried sugaring? A friend in my small group raved about it, so my roommate and I courageously prepared it and tried it. Here's a tidbit of our conversation as we endured the pain: "This makes me want to swear!" ~Mari. "Go right ahead." ~Brooke.

For those who might be wondering if this a sport, a method of medicating, or a way to get in touch with  God, look at this website, our resource for this (new to me) treatment: http://hairremoval.about.com/od/sugarwaxing/ss/sugar-hair-removal-recipe.htm

I sure hope the lady in the picture is not doing to this to her lips. Weird if there was a need to do that there....hmmm....

Only a small patch worked for each of us. I have my thoughts about why. We do know that for some reason the mixture didn't get hard enough. Youtube videos of the process helped us figure that out. And the videos made it look pretty much pain-free (and our friend claimed that too. She has yet to answer our emails with questions). We haven't given up hope yet, though. We and our hair will not admit defeat. A tupperware of the sugar mixture awaits in our fridge for the day we have the chutzpah and skill to endure it again.

Savor the Season Silent Stroll

I know, its been awhile....Since I do live in Seattle, I probably should post something about it here. Fall is my favorite season here. I recently realized I have not been here for a full fall season in 4 years.

Back on Veterans Day, my creative roommate planned a walk at Discovery Park, which is, according to its website: "a 534 acre natural area park operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site. The site is one of breathtaking majesty. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular views of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams."

     We were instructed not to talk while we were walking, to just absorb nature, to reflect on it and pay attention to its characteristics that we might not otherwise notice if we were engaged in conversation. It was relaxing and really did cause me to take notice of God's beauty surrounding me.

 Such crazy cool trees in that park

*All photos taken with my phone

Read with me

For Love's Sake: One young woman's trek with the world's poor and your open door to a life of experiential love, by Jessica Davis
 (this woman works with or has worked for (I'm not sure if she still does because I haven't read for enough in the book to know for sure) Rolland and Heidi Baker, who started Iris Ministries, in Mozambique.)

"This journey is for the hungry because it is about the hungry. It is about what can happen when the hungry go after that which their soul longs for. Two things can happen to a hungry man- he can starve or he can eat. This, too, is our choice. A place where hunger is married to fullness is where we can now reside."



What does your soul long for? What or Who are you passionate about? Tell me please. Share with me your experiences, readers.

Great Exploits

Maybe this is why I am always looking for adventure, for more, for something I can't quite put my finger on. More of Him in me, to not be satisfied with the "normal," to do and be more. I don't recall reading this verse ever before, but I am loving it:

Daniel 11:32b- "But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits."

This is my prayer for today. Dream, people. Dream big, because He says He will do more than we can ask or imagine. What exploits does God want to carry out through you? 

Haiti and Radical

I just left Haiti last week. And yesterday I decided to start reading Radical by David Platt (so now I start missing Haiti and forgetting all the reasons I thought I was supposed to leave). And tonight I read this post from Anne Voskamp, reflecting on her trip to Haiti: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/07/the-1-thing-you-really-have-to-know-about-your-family/

Excuse me while I go have an ugly cry then pray, "What do I do with these? What do You want me to do, Lord? Show me my mission field here, Lord."

Best Quotes from the blog post:

She puts a grass woven hat on my head and all I can think of is Job saying “justice was my robe and turban” (Job 29:14). In the family of Christ, we wear justice for the poor. In the Body of Christ, our lives should be clothed in caring like our bodies are covered in clothing.

You can turn a blind eye to the poor all you want but it could have turned out that you were the poor.

You don’t stay in the palace if you want anybody to find                  deliverance – especially yourself.

Are we entangled in Christ and loving His family or are we entangled in culture and its pressures to have all of its stuff?

You don’t forget who your brother is — when you know Who your Father                  is.

Linking you to "A House Call in Haiti"

http://www.pjstar.com/haiti_ugc_blog/x23411756/A-House-Call-in-Haiti