Geales finally arrived at the airport in Accra at 9:15 Accra time. Geales and Anne did not take a car to the village because it was too expensive. Instead they patiently waited for the 2:30 bus to take them to Kakumdo Village. The drive took about 3 hours, so they arrived in the village around 4:20. Their duplex has running water, electricity, and windows with bars on them. Thank goodness! Geales said that it is hot as hell but she is super excited and relieved to be there! The people there are also very kind.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
And we're off!!
So after far too many complications, which will definitely be explained later, haha, Anne and I are off on our adventure! Keep us and those we are working with in your prayers, and hopefully I'll be able to update when we get to Cape Coast!
Love,
Geales
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Love,
Geales
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Almost didn't make it!
So thankfully right now I'm sitting in the airport terminal waiting for Anne's flight from NOLA to get in. That almost didn't happen.
So I get to the airport with about 3 hours before my flight. Excellent start. Say my goodbyes, attempt to calm my butterflies that have grown to the size of large geese inside my stomach. I walk over to the self check in kiosks, like always, and attempt to check in. I scan my itinerary, passport, and everything is fine. Then, though, it asks me for the credit card with which I purchased the tickets. Uh oh. That credit card, which I ONLY use in the US is sitting on my desk. At home. I had noooo idea I needed it.
Ok, I think, this is probably just at the kiosk. So I wait in the international line for about half an hour, talking to all the people around me and of course making new friends (sorry, Andrew, haha). I finally get up to the desk, still cheery and polite, and the attendant asks me for my card. I let her know what's going on, and she informs me I cannot fly without that card. CANNOT FLY. I tell her I have another card and she tells me I'll have to repurchase tickets! Really, Delta?? Also, unfortunately she speaks only a little broken English so I'm sure she thought I was a fraud fleeing the country. Luckily, she called someone else over who said that I would be able to essentially re purchase the tickets with a new card and be just fine. Well that attendant left and the original one attempted to do just this, and then informed me that the price of the ticket had changed, therefore I owed Delta about $300. Um no thanks. After another 15 minutes, and another attendant, though, everything was sorted out. Hopefully. We'll see if I make it back :). Haha. Oh yes, and then she informed me that I needed a visa to go to Ghana. Yes, I replied, I have one. Her: no you don't. Yes, its right here, I said, pointing to the bright yellow card in my passport saying VISA. Oh. Ok. But anyways, I made it. And now I'm on the plane to new york! Woooo!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
So I get to the airport with about 3 hours before my flight. Excellent start. Say my goodbyes, attempt to calm my butterflies that have grown to the size of large geese inside my stomach. I walk over to the self check in kiosks, like always, and attempt to check in. I scan my itinerary, passport, and everything is fine. Then, though, it asks me for the credit card with which I purchased the tickets. Uh oh. That credit card, which I ONLY use in the US is sitting on my desk. At home. I had noooo idea I needed it.
Ok, I think, this is probably just at the kiosk. So I wait in the international line for about half an hour, talking to all the people around me and of course making new friends (sorry, Andrew, haha). I finally get up to the desk, still cheery and polite, and the attendant asks me for my card. I let her know what's going on, and she informs me I cannot fly without that card. CANNOT FLY. I tell her I have another card and she tells me I'll have to repurchase tickets! Really, Delta?? Also, unfortunately she speaks only a little broken English so I'm sure she thought I was a fraud fleeing the country. Luckily, she called someone else over who said that I would be able to essentially re purchase the tickets with a new card and be just fine. Well that attendant left and the original one attempted to do just this, and then informed me that the price of the ticket had changed, therefore I owed Delta about $300. Um no thanks. After another 15 minutes, and another attendant, though, everything was sorted out. Hopefully. We'll see if I make it back :). Haha. Oh yes, and then she informed me that I needed a visa to go to Ghana. Yes, I replied, I have one. Her: no you don't. Yes, its right here, I said, pointing to the bright yellow card in my passport saying VISA. Oh. Ok. But anyways, I made it. And now I'm on the plane to new york! Woooo!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Last hello from Georgia!
First of all...
Some things that are making me smile:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxjOwcIbcjw
Ok, so this may not be as funny if you don't know Laurie, but I thought it was worth posting. Background: Laurie (who I know, this isn't creepy), mother of two awesome girls, serenades the volunteers of her girls' school. If you haven't seen it, watch it, and congratulate her on her pending record deal :)
2. http://www.buttersbrownies.com/
Seriously-best brownies. EVER. They handed these out at the 26.2 with Donna Marathon and I've never tasted a better, richer, but not too heavy brownie. I'll be ordering a life supply ASAP.
3. Eric Hutchinson. Listen to him. Fall in love with him. You'll thank me! :)
4. Fruit snacks. Veggie Tales characters in wonderful, fruity flavors? Who could ask for more??
5. Summer thunderstorms.
Anyways, I can't believe that I'm about to leave tomorrow! Shout out to my sister, Grace, who ran around Atlanta with me all day on random errands and kept me calm when I was over-caffeinated and almost over the edge, haha. I guess I should get some sleep, but I just wanted to say ADIOS before I head off! I'll try to update as often as I can, and if I can't, Grace will be posting some updates when I call home, and I'll post more when I arrive back in ATL! See everyone later!!
Love,
Geales
Some things that are making me smile:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxjOwcIbcjw
Ok, so this may not be as funny if you don't know Laurie, but I thought it was worth posting. Background: Laurie (who I know, this isn't creepy), mother of two awesome girls, serenades the volunteers of her girls' school. If you haven't seen it, watch it, and congratulate her on her pending record deal :)
2. http://www.buttersbrownies.com/
Seriously-best brownies. EVER. They handed these out at the 26.2 with Donna Marathon and I've never tasted a better, richer, but not too heavy brownie. I'll be ordering a life supply ASAP.
3. Eric Hutchinson. Listen to him. Fall in love with him. You'll thank me! :)
4. Fruit snacks. Veggie Tales characters in wonderful, fruity flavors? Who could ask for more??
5. Summer thunderstorms.
Anyways, I can't believe that I'm about to leave tomorrow! Shout out to my sister, Grace, who ran around Atlanta with me all day on random errands and kept me calm when I was over-caffeinated and almost over the edge, haha. I guess I should get some sleep, but I just wanted to say ADIOS before I head off! I'll try to update as often as I can, and if I can't, Grace will be posting some updates when I call home, and I'll post more when I arrive back in ATL! See everyone later!!
Love,
Geales
Monday, May 25, 2009
What's in a name?
So, if you're reading this, you obviously got the memo about the address change--Good! Sorry about that! But, onto other business... As I'm getting ready for this adventure, I can't help but think about all the OTHER incredible places I've been blessed to be able to visit. I've put up pictures on Facebook, but I've also added all of my South Korea pictures to Shutterfly. You can see them at...
http://beautifulviews.shutterfly.com/
The password is "katherinegeales."
Happy viewing :)
http://beautifulviews.shutterfly.com/
The password is "katherinegeales."
Happy viewing :)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
T-minus FOUR DAYS!
So as most of you know, I'll be heading off to Ghana in a few days for about four weeks and then Peru for about three weeks after that! I keep a blog besides this, but decided to just go ahead and make a new one (sort of, this was the one I planned on using in Europe, but that didn't really work out haha) to keep everyone updated. Maybe I'll even keep it up after the summer? We'll see, haha.
So, here's the plan:
May 28th: leave my sweet little house in Alpharetta for the airport. What time, you ask? Oh, just 6am. Whatevs. Flight leaves at 9:45am, we arrive in NYC at around noon, add in a 5 hour layover. We leave NYC at 5:50pm.
What time do I arrive in Accra? Oh, you know. 8:10am. On Friday. Twenty-eight hours of traveling.
Ok, so actually because of the time change it's technically just 24 hours. But add in the getting our bags, and riding to Ghana, and we'll be on our feet for about 26 hours.
(If you didn't catch this from above, there is surprisingly just a four hour time difference between Atlanta and Accra. It'll hopefully make jetlag a bit easier.)
Sarcasm aside, I'm INCREDIBLY excited. UNBELIEVABLY excited.
When we arrive in Accra, Anne and I will take a car from the airport to Cape Coast, technically Kakumdo Village, where we'll be spending about four weeks working with CEJOCEP. It's an awesome organization we found out about through some Fellows who graduated a few years ago. They worked with them and had a fabulous experience. Anne's been in communication with Lawrence, the head of the organization, and we really feel like this is where we're supposed to be. You can find out more about the organization here, but in short, Anne and I will be teaching and helping out with construction. Not to mention having incredible adventures on the weekends.
So, here's the plan:
May 28th: leave my sweet little house in Alpharetta for the airport. What time, you ask? Oh, just 6am. Whatevs. Flight leaves at 9:45am, we arrive in NYC at around noon, add in a 5 hour layover. We leave NYC at 5:50pm.
What time do I arrive in Accra? Oh, you know. 8:10am. On Friday. Twenty-eight hours of traveling.
Ok, so actually because of the time change it's technically just 24 hours. But add in the getting our bags, and riding to Ghana, and we'll be on our feet for about 26 hours.
(If you didn't catch this from above, there is surprisingly just a four hour time difference between Atlanta and Accra. It'll hopefully make jetlag a bit easier.)
Sarcasm aside, I'm INCREDIBLY excited. UNBELIEVABLY excited.
When we arrive in Accra, Anne and I will take a car from the airport to Cape Coast, technically Kakumdo Village, where we'll be spending about four weeks working with CEJOCEP. It's an awesome organization we found out about through some Fellows who graduated a few years ago. They worked with them and had a fabulous experience. Anne's been in communication with Lawrence, the head of the organization, and we really feel like this is where we're supposed to be. You can find out more about the organization here, but in short, Anne and I will be teaching and helping out with construction. Not to mention having incredible adventures on the weekends.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Nothing to do...
Alright, so one of the few up-sides of having absolutley nothing to do at home is that now when I get bored, I run. So, I've gone from out of shape (for me, yes, this is different but whatever, go with me) to back to the shape I was in January-ish. And my body just feels RIGHT again. I'll refrain from putting everything up here, but I've included a few three a days. Yep, that's right. That's how bored I've been. But it's like it takes up twice as much time, because the more I exercize, the more I sleep. And eat. It's fabulous, haha.
In other news, I really REALLY shouldn't be allowed to go to the doctor anymore. Every single time I go, I get sick. Or pass out. Here are my past visits to the health center/hospital/doctor:
September #1: This is post-concussion. Long story short, I walked into a gas station sign. Yes, hahhaha. Very funny, I swear I'm smart. Swear it. I was walking, talking, and texting, and all of a sudden I heard this loud BANG and fell backwards. I hit the front of my head on the sign and the back on the concrete sidewalk. At first I felt fine, embarassed, but fine. Fast forward 15 minutes. I'm sleepy, nauseous, and dizzy as anything. The doctor assures me I'm fine, no concussion. Five minutes later, he comes back and changes his mind. Great, thanks for being competent.
September #2: Three days later, I get a migraine. A few hours later, the migraine spreads. Throughout my body. Worst. Pain. EVER. I slept for about fourteen hours, during which I apprently moaned (according to my sweet roomie, who was amazing and caring through all of this). A day later, I still feel AWFUL. TERRIBLE. So I let my roommate take me to the Health Center, where they give me pain killers that they give cancer patients. First, they give me two pills for the pain and a pill for the nauseau they promise will follow. This has no effect, so the doctor then kindly puts me through a great deal of pain. Read: four shots. Like, I'm talking I feel like there's fire coursing through my veins. After the last shot, though, I'm out. For the rest of the day. Sweet Roomie drives me to get various scans, tests, etc. My only memory is making her pull over so I can throw up for ten minutes on the side of a quite busy road. FAB-U-LOUS.
Fast forward to May, the month of doctor visits.
May #1: Two shots. I pass out.
May #2: Two more shots. I throw up on the way home.
May #3: Dentist. Let me tell you, they LOVE me here. Not. Not only do I not floss as much as I should, I also get sick every single time I come. It's a combination of all the fingers in my mouth and the fact that my mouth is about half the size of a regular adult. No lie. So the molds don't fit, the xray pads don't fit, and everything extra gets shoved down my throat. Add that to my weak stomache, and you have one sick me.
Anyways, I have ANOTHER appointment tomorrow. To get a cavity filled. AKA, it involves shots. And fingers in my mouth. And disgusting drills and pain. FAB-U-LOUS.
In other news, I really REALLY shouldn't be allowed to go to the doctor anymore. Every single time I go, I get sick. Or pass out. Here are my past visits to the health center/hospital/doctor:
September #1: This is post-concussion. Long story short, I walked into a gas station sign. Yes, hahhaha. Very funny, I swear I'm smart. Swear it. I was walking, talking, and texting, and all of a sudden I heard this loud BANG and fell backwards. I hit the front of my head on the sign and the back on the concrete sidewalk. At first I felt fine, embarassed, but fine. Fast forward 15 minutes. I'm sleepy, nauseous, and dizzy as anything. The doctor assures me I'm fine, no concussion. Five minutes later, he comes back and changes his mind. Great, thanks for being competent.
September #2: Three days later, I get a migraine. A few hours later, the migraine spreads. Throughout my body. Worst. Pain. EVER. I slept for about fourteen hours, during which I apprently moaned (according to my sweet roomie, who was amazing and caring through all of this). A day later, I still feel AWFUL. TERRIBLE. So I let my roommate take me to the Health Center, where they give me pain killers that they give cancer patients. First, they give me two pills for the pain and a pill for the nauseau they promise will follow. This has no effect, so the doctor then kindly puts me through a great deal of pain. Read: four shots. Like, I'm talking I feel like there's fire coursing through my veins. After the last shot, though, I'm out. For the rest of the day. Sweet Roomie drives me to get various scans, tests, etc. My only memory is making her pull over so I can throw up for ten minutes on the side of a quite busy road. FAB-U-LOUS.
Fast forward to May, the month of doctor visits.
May #1: Two shots. I pass out.
May #2: Two more shots. I throw up on the way home.
May #3: Dentist. Let me tell you, they LOVE me here. Not. Not only do I not floss as much as I should, I also get sick every single time I come. It's a combination of all the fingers in my mouth and the fact that my mouth is about half the size of a regular adult. No lie. So the molds don't fit, the xray pads don't fit, and everything extra gets shoved down my throat. Add that to my weak stomache, and you have one sick me.
Anyways, I have ANOTHER appointment tomorrow. To get a cavity filled. AKA, it involves shots. And fingers in my mouth. And disgusting drills and pain. FAB-U-LOUS.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
grace.
Grace:
2 simple elegance or refinement of movement : she moved through the water with effortless grace.
AKA: something I will NEVER have. Not so much on the gracefulness. :)
3 (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
Grace.
- Pronunciation:
- \ˈgrās\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit gṛṇāti he praises
- Date:
- 12th century
2 simple elegance or refinement of movement : she moved through the water with effortless grace.
AKA: something I will NEVER have. Not so much on the gracefulness. :)
3 (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
Grace.
Friday, May 15, 2009
La vita è bella.
my life is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. bella, bonita, schön, belle. beautiful, gorgeous, breathtaking.
I had coffee this morning with a lady whose girls I used to babysit, and whose girls my sister now babysits since I'm at college. She's probably the most amazing lady I know. She's confident, absolutely gorgeous, caring, and strong in her faith. Being around her makes me want to do life-changing, world-shaping things.
What amazed me today, and actually, I knew this already, but my eyes opened and saw it again like it was new, and now this is an awful, incoherent sentence, but whatever. Point is, she cares a ton about not only my sister and me, but my family. She really cares about my sister and me. Every Friday morning, she meets my sister and another Freshman at a local coffee shop, for about an hour before school, just to talk. This year, they didn't really get into really deep topics, they just built trust. But basically what this (awesome) woman wanted to do is provide a place for my sister and these other young women to come with... everything.
[This was actually written on Friday morning. At this point, I actually went on a run with said Wonder Woman, and I'm now resuming writing on.. Sunday night. Whoop.]
Anyways, point is, this woman's incredible. She's got gifts galore. And I was talking about this to MD, she can somehow work her faith into discussions without seeming all "holier-than-thou." In fact, she's one of those people who, after talking with her, I WANT to get closer to God and deepen my faith. One of the things we talked about for most of our run was GRACE, which is such an incredible topic when you think about it.
This afternoon I went over and visited with another woman I used to babysit for. She's another pillar in my life, a cross between a second mother and psuedo-older sister. We literally talked for three hours. I always leave feeling so, SO blessed after talking to her. More later.
Another person I'm eternally thankful for: my high school cross country/track coach. I went on a great GREAT run with him this morning. We talked the whole time, and I left feeling like we could talk for longer--about running, life, relationships, everything.
Ironically, its these adults who are among the people I feel like I can be myself. I don't feel like I have to put on a show or act differently to impress them. This post isn't nearly what I want it to be. But whatever. Point is: kudos to these people. And to everyone else, I hope you have these people in your life, too.
Also, one more thing I love: unexpected phone calls and texts from friends. Just those little reminders that someone loves you, cares about you, and makes you smile.
Also: sorry for using the phrase "point is" so many freaking times. Oops.
I had coffee this morning with a lady whose girls I used to babysit, and whose girls my sister now babysits since I'm at college. She's probably the most amazing lady I know. She's confident, absolutely gorgeous, caring, and strong in her faith. Being around her makes me want to do life-changing, world-shaping things.
What amazed me today, and actually, I knew this already, but my eyes opened and saw it again like it was new, and now this is an awful, incoherent sentence, but whatever. Point is, she cares a ton about not only my sister and me, but my family. She really cares about my sister and me. Every Friday morning, she meets my sister and another Freshman at a local coffee shop, for about an hour before school, just to talk. This year, they didn't really get into really deep topics, they just built trust. But basically what this (awesome) woman wanted to do is provide a place for my sister and these other young women to come with... everything.
[This was actually written on Friday morning. At this point, I actually went on a run with said Wonder Woman, and I'm now resuming writing on.. Sunday night. Whoop.]
Anyways, point is, this woman's incredible. She's got gifts galore. And I was talking about this to MD, she can somehow work her faith into discussions without seeming all "holier-than-thou." In fact, she's one of those people who, after talking with her, I WANT to get closer to God and deepen my faith. One of the things we talked about for most of our run was GRACE, which is such an incredible topic when you think about it.
This afternoon I went over and visited with another woman I used to babysit for. She's another pillar in my life, a cross between a second mother and psuedo-older sister. We literally talked for three hours. I always leave feeling so, SO blessed after talking to her. More later.
Another person I'm eternally thankful for: my high school cross country/track coach. I went on a great GREAT run with him this morning. We talked the whole time, and I left feeling like we could talk for longer--about running, life, relationships, everything.
Ironically, its these adults who are among the people I feel like I can be myself. I don't feel like I have to put on a show or act differently to impress them. This post isn't nearly what I want it to be. But whatever. Point is: kudos to these people. And to everyone else, I hope you have these people in your life, too.
Also, one more thing I love: unexpected phone calls and texts from friends. Just those little reminders that someone loves you, cares about you, and makes you smile.
Also: sorry for using the phrase "point is" so many freaking times. Oops.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Good morning, world :)
Morning morning morning!
So, yesterday, I wasn't even up at this time. Today, I've been up for 5 hours and thirteen minutes (at the start of this blog). So far, I've...
-Completed a 1 hour circuit workout (kicked my butt)
-Came home, checked blogs and returned emails for 15 minutes
-Helped set up for field day at Wilson Creek with Coach and some HS friends
-Came home, took a hot bath and a cool shower
-Read lots and lots of blogs
-Cleaned my room
And now I'm sitting here, at 9:17am, pretty content with life. :-)
So, yesterday, I wasn't even up at this time. Today, I've been up for 5 hours and thirteen minutes (at the start of this blog). So far, I've...
-Completed a 1 hour circuit workout (kicked my butt)
-Came home, checked blogs and returned emails for 15 minutes
-Helped set up for field day at Wilson Creek with Coach and some HS friends
-Came home, took a hot bath and a cool shower
-Read lots and lots of blogs
-Cleaned my room
And now I'm sitting here, at 9:17am, pretty content with life. :-)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Things I'm Loving...
1. Eric Hutchinson
2. Coffee
3. Joshua Radin
4. Legal pads
5. Wonderful, incredible friends and deep relationships
6. Having a 5 minute conversation with a random stranger
7. Laughing
8. Running
9. The collegiate-ness of sitting in a coffee shop studying and blogging
10. Looking back on this incredible year and wanting to capture it all :)
11. Fruit snacks
12. Twitter
2. Coffee
3. Joshua Radin
4. Legal pads
5. Wonderful, incredible friends and deep relationships
6. Having a 5 minute conversation with a random stranger
7. Laughing
8. Running
9. The collegiate-ness of sitting in a coffee shop studying and blogging
10. Looking back on this incredible year and wanting to capture it all :)
11. Fruit snacks
12. Twitter
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sex God
Right now, I'm rereading Sex God. I was going to start a new book, either Four Loves or Mere Christianity or something, but I think the first time I read Sex God I whipped through it. So this time I'm really trying to take my time, soak it up, etc. One verse that really stood out to me today is Genesis 28:15. Jacob has fallen asleep on the side of the road, just a normal, everyday road, and in a dream, God says to him:
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
And keep in mind this is after Jacob has lied to his dying father, cheated his own brother out of his inheritance. I mean, that's something pretty serious. It's not like it wasn't premeditated, either. Anyways, I think the point is to reinforce that no matter what, God won't desert you. No matter how many people have, no matter what you've done. End of story. Pretty powerful.
4:8.
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
And keep in mind this is after Jacob has lied to his dying father, cheated his own brother out of his inheritance. I mean, that's something pretty serious. It's not like it wasn't premeditated, either. Anyways, I think the point is to reinforce that no matter what, God won't desert you. No matter how many people have, no matter what you've done. End of story. Pretty powerful.
4:8.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Patience
Patience is something I know I should work on. Patience and control. I get stressed out in situations when I don't know exactly what is going on, exactly why it is going on, and what the timetable is. I know it is an issue of trust. I think many people in general are so used to being "in control" of their lives that they forget a sense of peace should not come from being in control, but in knowing GOD is the only one who IS in control. My devotion from DEVOG explains this really well, I think:
TODAY’S VERSE
“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.”
Colossians 1:11 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is - patience!”
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Patience can be a very difficult to come by and yet what a powerful attribute to have. Think of all that could be done if we acted with patience instead of haste and pressure. Think of all the aggravation that could have been avoided had we waited just a little longer. Think of all the headache and tension that could have been obsolete had we just had patience. Patience is a sign of God’s presence in our life. It is the result of His Spirit living in us, strengthening us with His might! Today, when difficulties come, when plans get foiled or someone else’s urgency becomes our emergency, let us ask for patience. Let us cry out to God for strength and endurance and by His grace, patience will be a fruit of the Spirit that is alive in us.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your presence in my life. Thank You for the strength and endurance that You give me. I pray that it will produce the patience that I need for today.
AMEN
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I Can Only Imagine.
This song just gets me all the time! It's like the lyrics echo inside of me, love the feeling:
I Can Only Imagine lyrics
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
[Chorus]
I can only imagine [x2]
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine.
I especially love the line "surrounded by Your glory," because think about it, we always are. ALWAYS. No matter what is going on in our life, we are surrounded by Him. I was walking home from a coffee house today thinking about how today, as opposed to the past few weeks, I felt content. But the thing was, I was content because I felt like I was in control. Which first of all, is totally wrong--I am NEVER in control. And my peace should come from knowing that GOD is in control. Just some food for thought. :-)
I Can Only Imagine lyrics
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
[Chorus]
I can only imagine [x2]
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine.
I especially love the line "surrounded by Your glory," because think about it, we always are. ALWAYS. No matter what is going on in our life, we are surrounded by Him. I was walking home from a coffee house today thinking about how today, as opposed to the past few weeks, I felt content. But the thing was, I was content because I felt like I was in control. Which first of all, is totally wrong--I am NEVER in control. And my peace should come from knowing that GOD is in control. Just some food for thought. :-)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
2:25am
So, it's half past two. I still have about half a paper to work on. But I am STILL so freaking happy. Three reasons:
1) Good music: Matt Wertz, Matt Nathanson, John Mayer, Paste Sampler...
2) I got two midterm grades back. The verdict--98 and 95. WOO!
2) My God. My Jesus. My Savior: "They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." (Isaiah 61)
How can I not be full to the brim of joy? I am up alone with God, who is giving me peace and uncontainable happiness. And I'm looking at a picture of South Korea, which I miss dearly but was so blessed to visit.
1) Good music: Matt Wertz, Matt Nathanson, John Mayer, Paste Sampler...
2) I got two midterm grades back. The verdict--98 and 95. WOO!
2) My God. My Jesus. My Savior: "They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." (Isaiah 61)
How can I not be full to the brim of joy? I am up alone with God, who is giving me peace and uncontainable happiness. And I'm looking at a picture of South Korea, which I miss dearly but was so blessed to visit.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
existence, yo.
I absolutely, positively love my bed. It really is just like my nest, which is perfect, considering I sleep cocooned next to my bright green wall, with quilts and pillows surrounding me, creating a small, dark space where I can curl up to escape until morning. The egg crate cushion between my mattress and sheets has conformed to my egg-shaped sleeping style after 196 nights in the house. Add in the softest, best heating blanket ever, and you have a me-sized envelop of cushiony, heated goodness.
I also rediscovered my love for the library today. I had only wanted to save some money by checking out Rousseau's treatise instead of buying a copy of it, and I not only found the book quickly thanks to good ole Dewey and his Decimals, but I also relished in the smell of VERY old books and the sound of perfect quiet that only the fourth floor of the library can provide.
(Sigh.)
Perfection.
You know what else I love? I love the early afternoon. When I can slant my shutters just the right way so that my room is lit, but that grey-early-afternoon-lit, where you could sleep if you wanted to but it's just light enough. Not bright, like a light is on. But seeable. In between squity and WHOA turn the lights off. Natural, beautiful, peaceful, SOFT. SOFT is the perfect way to describe it. It's almost the same soft as a really REALLY dark night. When you can see the stars and that's about it.
So interestingly, we're studying identity and the self in both my philosophy and my social psychology classes. If I didn't have to wake up for these classes in 6 and a half hours, I would blog forever about them. Instead, you'll have to settle for a brief description of what I love (see above) and the cliff notes version of EXISTENCE and IDENTITY.
In my social psych class, the interactionists believe that society greatly affects your definition of your identity and therefore your actions. So your actions reflect certain societal structures. One of the questiosn this brought to my mind was: what do your actions say about society? what do they say about how society affects you? Another question I'd like to blog more about is the question of the three measures of identiy--which I can't remember right now. Oops.
Anyways, I also want to talk about my unexpected reconnection with a friend. A friend who actually lives about three feet from me. Gotta love it.
Also, best thing of my day: falafel.
I also rediscovered my love for the library today. I had only wanted to save some money by checking out Rousseau's treatise instead of buying a copy of it, and I not only found the book quickly thanks to good ole Dewey and his Decimals, but I also relished in the smell of VERY old books and the sound of perfect quiet that only the fourth floor of the library can provide.
(Sigh.)
Perfection.
You know what else I love? I love the early afternoon. When I can slant my shutters just the right way so that my room is lit, but that grey-early-afternoon-lit, where you could sleep if you wanted to but it's just light enough. Not bright, like a light is on. But seeable. In between squity and WHOA turn the lights off. Natural, beautiful, peaceful, SOFT. SOFT is the perfect way to describe it. It's almost the same soft as a really REALLY dark night. When you can see the stars and that's about it.
So interestingly, we're studying identity and the self in both my philosophy and my social psychology classes. If I didn't have to wake up for these classes in 6 and a half hours, I would blog forever about them. Instead, you'll have to settle for a brief description of what I love (see above) and the cliff notes version of EXISTENCE and IDENTITY.
In my social psych class, the interactionists believe that society greatly affects your definition of your identity and therefore your actions. So your actions reflect certain societal structures. One of the questiosn this brought to my mind was: what do your actions say about society? what do they say about how society affects you? Another question I'd like to blog more about is the question of the three measures of identiy--which I can't remember right now. Oops.
Anyways, I also want to talk about my unexpected reconnection with a friend. A friend who actually lives about three feet from me. Gotta love it.
Also, best thing of my day: falafel.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
So, I'm pretty much going crazy here in Oxford. The work is ri-freaking-diculous. Making me go crazy, fearing a break in the sacred 4.0. But one of my friends sent me some of these verses that are reall helping, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to post them.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Ephesians 5:2
Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Psalms 40:11 (NIV)
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.
I Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Ephesians 5:2
Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Psalms 40:11 (NIV)
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.
I Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
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