Thought I was leaving didn't ya?!?!?

So hey everyone!
Yeah yesturday was the start of 8 months...or so we thought...he he he. We got to the airport and found out our plane was delayed! We got on about 640. We arrived in Newark, NJ just in time to wave goodbye to our plane leaving for Belfast. So we went to the ticket counter, and the best they could do is put us on standby for a 925 pm flight! he he he. So they gave us a hotel voucher and food vouchers! So we good....

But I was thinking about things. We had everything planned out. We had all the little details figured out, but then God said um...hold it I got a plan. It is amazing how God is just...the boss. I love it, sometimes. he he he. Other times I am "grr...can't this just work!!!" he he he. But they main thing isn't what is happening and not happening in YOUR plans. It is your attitude and your response to GOD's plans!

-Amen~~~

Oh snap...do you want a freaking idea?

So I have not written in a long time, I am so sorry! My bad: I will give you highlights of what happened from Oct. 2nd till now and then bring you to the present thoughts.

~Jon's Mom came....loved her

~ Mr. Dell H. came-he is so freaking cool!

~got my nosed pierced

~Finished Blue Like Jazz- Thought it was really good. I enjoyed someone else's perspective..so now I don't feel wierd admiting things now.

~Kevin had a minor surgery, but is fine and doing good. Took him and brought him from the airport.

~Service assignments went well. Finished 8 rooms in total. Franky and the administration gave us tons of food.

~Jon, Melina, Rachel, and I helped put ghost up at Bishop Conway's place.

~Some fights.

~Figured out we are going to Northern Ireland!!!1 HAVE A FREAKING IDEA!

~Good convos!

~Amazing hospitality meals!

~Learned about Anabaptist history.

~Helped Krista move.

~Found out I did not have all my money.

~Stressed just a tad.

~Went to the hospital-ok promise.

~Let someone freak me out...when I should have been stronger.

~Strongly pushed to take baby steps....

~Greektown.

~Commisioning service....

And now I am home. It is Wed. and I leave Friday for Ireland!Sunday I talked at church and saw my grandparents. That was hard because I don't get to see them as much as I should. Grandpa will probably not remember me when I get back. And Grandma was sad it was such a long time. Monday went shopping with mom for stuff and saw ex-co-workers, and then went to spend the night with BFF Ali!! Tuesday went out to lunch with some good friends. Today I went to school...it was odd because I miss them so much and it was just a hi and goodbye thing!

I am freaking a bit...8 months... but it will be ok. I am also excited!!! I will write thinking later....

Compassion

Twice in one day...man, crazyiness!!
Today I finished the book my chior teacher gave me: Women on the Front Lines Series; Compassion.
It was a very good book. I loved learning about women who stood up for the love they had in their hearts. A lot of it was focused on service to poor and sick. It was hard to relate to these women some of the time though because they where from the past, and delt with different times and cultures. But it was still so encouraging to read about sticking up for even faith.
I learned a lot about being compassionate to people. Learing to be out of my comfort zone is needed. Dieing mentally, emotionally, and spiritualy is needed to completely allow God's love and compassion in you, and therfore flow through you.
Tears- are really important. Tears move people, heal people, show people love...which brings me to there has to be love in compassion~compassion is a language of love that know no limits! Mother Teresa said something that touched me, 'you have to see Jesus in every person you meet' >WOW what a statement. I am going to strive for that! How amazing would it be to see Jesus every where you go????
Forgivness is a strong component in compassion. You must be willing to think of the now and future and not focus on the past. I feel like our world today hinders us from looking at the past.
Compassion must be personal. It has to be more than feelings but also actions.
Again the most important aspect of compassion is~LOVE!!! Jesus' cross is a cross of compassion and love!
On my discussion of the book and topic of compassion I leave you with two items-
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Gal. 5:6)
and
"So let us open our heats wide to love. Love is the mightest thing in the world. Love makes us to love and to do. God is love. I can do all things through Love which strengthen me." -Amy Carmichael, 1867-1951

On another note- One of my tema members had to leave on Sunday. It was sad to see him go but he is coming back....so its all good. I just am worried...I am a worry-ier. But I trust God..

Today was a tough-y. My mood went up and down, but I mean it went out good. The day ended ..well is going on right now-girl talk. Plus just great friends that are not girls, or not here!

I have a prayer to end this blog:
Dear Lord,
Thank you Father for given me this day. Thank you for the joys and the blessing, thank you for being in my heart and caring me in hard times. Thank you for the people and events you have been placeing in my heart. God, I pray that you fill me with this love and passion you went the world to know!!! Set my heart on fire God. I just pray you open my eyes to the people and seeing you in them. I give you my troubles Lord. Please be with all the concerns on my heart...
I love you with all my heart and am open to your will.
In your name we pray~
Amen

God bless
and love you all ~ go out in passionate compassion!

Walls....

hey you,
I have started missing people really man. Just little things. Hugging Caleb in publications everyday. Seeing people in band. Going to work and haveing fun makeing subs. Just all around...oh and Ali....miss her like crazy. Teachers...yeah, I miss just the presence of teachers.

But its all good. Jon's mom came Friday night. We had a really good time. Plus she taught us a lot about what is happening in Israel and Palestine. There is many things that I didn't realize where going on! For one thing the wall, there is a wall going up and makeing life very difficult.
I started thinking about this wall...
Walls just are so negative. When we think of homes, we don't think of the walls...But there are some, but when it is just one wall, or the wall- there is a negative conotation to it. Walls in our minds, hearts, physical walls-Berlin, walls in our bodies that harm our health, walls between peoples. We need to break all sorts of walls- but some walls are just so hard- incrusted with pretty looking diamonds, but those pretty looking diamonds hide the fact that they are actually makeing it harder to knock it down. The thought of a wall as good- makes it harder to break down. It is a denial that this wall is blocking something and needs to be changed....

Well just thought I would just jot down some thoughts- I gotta go to class, but will write more later.
Luv you all!