Sabbath

This is the cover of my art journal. This journal is one that I am starting to help me honor the sabbath. To find rest in my Creator. The words on these words describe why I need Sabbath in my life. Unwind: A chance to unwind. To relax and be rejuvenated. To take a break from being productive. Freedom: Freedom from being productive. Knowing that God is in control. If I do not get my to-do list done, the world will go on. Trust: Trust that God is the one in control. That only he is in control and not me. Rest: Rest in my Savior. Rest from being productive. Rest from this world. Release: Release control. Be at peace with who I am. Who I am in Christ. Create: Take time to Create. A task that is relaxing for me.

Learning to Reconnect

When I was in College, the pastor at the church I attended encouraged us to each year pick one word that we would focus on instead of making New Year resolutions. The word is supposed to be back up by scripture. His view was that New Year resolutions don´t last, usually focus on selfish things (loose weight, exercise) and if we fail we feel even worse or guilty. If you pick a word, easier to remember, and easier to apply.
This year I have decided to pick the word ¨Connect.¨ I have noticed I have become disconnected in many areas of my life with myself, God and others. This year I a going to spend more quality time alone either creating something or doing something I enjoy. I am going to reconnect with God in doing something for a quiet time instead of just reading. I have created a blog called ¨Learning to Reconnect¨which everyday I have a quiet time I will post something either re-writing scripture notes, re-writing the scripture in my own words, taking or finding a picture that represents the passage or verse, etc. The scripture I will base it on will be the scripture from the sermon on Sunday. This way I can really learn and apply what I learn on Sunday throughout the week. Then the last is to reconnect with others. I think for now that will be to write letters to people I have lost touch with and send them a card. I miss sending and getting mail. People don´t even write anymore everything is emailed or texted. I want to take time to reconnect with good old letters. We will see if I will be successful. I am excited and optimistic!

Car Talk

Every Sunday we meet at Drew and Diane Henley`s house in Vine City, a neighborhood in Atlanta, to eat pancakes and hang out with kids that live here. After pancakes we caravan over to church.

During this journey to and from church I have participated in many random and hilarious conversations. One morning Ron was telling me about this lady who he saw on a talk show that would sit done and eat toilet paper for a meal.

One Sunday after dropping some kids back to their houses I decided to write down part of the conversations to let you know what you are missing if you have never made it out to Sunday morning pancakes.

Kid 1: ¨I watched on the news this morning that dinosaurs didn´t die, they were sent to the future to year 2026.¨

We then started talking about time travel and aliens.

Kid 2: ¨If I see an alien when I am 80 I would move.¨

Then we started talking about youtube videos.

Kid 1: ¨I set my hand on fire for a youtube video.¨

Then we talked about that the rest of the trip home.

Peace

It is amazing how God puts you in situations, places and relationships that to an outsider may seem strange, or dangerous but throughout that chapter in life you have this unexplainable peace that his hand is in it. In hindsight you may even consider what you did as crazy or dangerous but deep down you know that God was guiding you the whole time. Since moving into the neighborhood I have found myself in many situations that in hindsight probably weren´t the safest but they have allowed me to build trust and friendship with people I may not normally meet in my social or professional circle.

I have been spending some time with a Guatemalan family that I met at a park near my school. I have been able to tutor the mother in English, learn how to cook some Guatemalan dishes, transport them to get food and clothing that they need, and practice my Spanish. This started as a conversation in a park and turned into a deep friendship that I hope will last for years to come whether she decides to go back to Guatemala or stay here. I have been blessed through this family and have been reminded of how God can use me when I am open to stepping outside of my routine and scheduled events.

In having my summers free I have been able to spend more time in the neighborhood and have been able to deepen some of those relationships as well. It is amazing how giving a neighbor some extra banana pudding you can`t finish can break down walls and barriers. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the need around me and feel as though there is nothing I can do. I know that God is using me and has been using me to reach the people in my life. I just have to continue to be open to stepping out of my routine to see where he wants me to be whether it appears crazy or unimportant.