This week promises to be an exciting and joyful one for me. Tomorrow, I have work and worship team as always but then after worship team I'm driving to my aunt and uncle's house - and meeting up with them and my parents! My parents are coming into town for a week for Thanksgiving time. Huzzah!
I'm so pumped to see them, I've been talking about it for a long time without much stopping. I'm really, really excited. It should be a relatively low key week, but I have to work Thanksgiving morning. Our older band plays at a local homeless meal on Thanksgiving morning. It's a lot of fun though, and my parents are going to be able to come so it should be pretty cool. I'm really looking forward to having them around.
I've been thinking this week about giving thanks and such and I just wanted to point out that we usually remember to be thankful on thanksgiving day... but it should be every day and every hour that we are thankful for what we've been given. We are so blessed! Let's never forget that.
I hope all of you have a wonderful and happy week with friends, family or whomever you may be with. And if you are alone, remember you always have Someone with you.
God bless to all of you!
Cheers,
Em
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Unable to think of a creative title....
So my creativity is a little stifled. Sorry. :)
It's been a very long 10 days since my last post. I can't believe it's only been that many. Feels like a million.
The silent retreat went well. I had a good time just sitting there, being with God, no complications. It did, I admit, get rather boring at times. But in all, I think it was a very positive experience for me.
While I was there, I spent a bit of my time writing because I was preaching Saturday night at the Lighthouse. I think that went ok. I had some people tell me they enjoyed it, but you all know how critical I am of myself, so I really don't know. I did, however, manage to incorporate some dramatic elements in the form of a scripture pyramid. (For those of you who don't know what that is, it is a type of reading scripture that builds the words upon themselves in reverse order. It also incorporates aspects from "audience participation". It's really pretty cool. You may not get it at all, but believe me, it's cool.) I think in all I did pretty well, but I also believe that it's really just up to God. I hope God used me well.
Monday at our weekly meeting the worship team met with some pastors and worship leaders of a local church. Honestly, though, that doesn't quite get there. The reality of the situation is that it is a mega church, mega with five campuses all over the county. It's mega in so many ways... schools, services, bands, pastors, etc. They bring in over $80,000 a Sunday. Seriously. In reality, I haven't liked this church any time I've been to any of their campuses, and I'm skeptical of their mission and the way they approach the gospel. But all the same, they have a knack for bringing in people and have a lot of money. So Monday night, we the worship team, met with some of their staff to discuss potential partnerships. We have been talking with them for many months, but things have never really come to a resolution. Well on Monday night, to put it simply, a resolution did come. We resolved not to work together. I think it's the best outcome.
Thursday, I had an amazing day. Richard and I went to a local correctional facility. We have been trying to set up a volunteer opportunity to play a concert at a prison for quite some time and finally a meeting with a chaplain had materialized. We went, and it was a wonderful thing. I'm pleased to say that we are able to go in a month or so and play for the inmates. Everything we learned about was fascinating.
Friday was community day and my housemates and I went to the Miami Book Fair, which has been going on this week. The MBF is really famous and HUGE. It was a lot of fun, but unbearably hot (over 90 and maxed out humidity) and a few of my roommates and I decided that the Thai Food booth would be the wise choice for lunch so we added hot, spicy food to the mix.. Ha, that was smart.
After the book fair I drove (accompanied by my roommate Rachael) to Florida City and picked up Lily. This weekend we had music school and band practices and church, of course, but we also had a gig earlier today (Sunday). The important thing is though, that the races were in town today! Three races this weekend at Homestead/Miami racetrack, including the final race of the Nascar Sprint Cup series (this race determines the winner of the season, essentially). So traffic in Florida City and Homestead was terrible. So Friday I picked up Lily (Zoraida was coming up Saturday morning on her own and Nahomi is out of town). It took 3.5 hours to go down, pick her up, and bring her back. Long day.
Saturday was a good day with lots of good students and fun. I'm really enjoying the theatre class and my students in it. I'm proud of them and think they are doing well.
Today, we played at a local church. In fact, it's the one that my aunt and uncle attend. It was a lot of fun, and I thought it went well. But now, I'm exhausted. I'm here at Richard and Heidi's watching football and working on a grant that is due tomorrow. Heidi and I are working on it now, and we will be again tomorrow, before we go hand it in at five pm.
No rest for the weary! :)
Oh well. I'm enjoying myself though. Things are going well.
I guess it's off for now. I'm going to watch the rest of this game and then head home.
Cheers,
Em
It's been a very long 10 days since my last post. I can't believe it's only been that many. Feels like a million.
The silent retreat went well. I had a good time just sitting there, being with God, no complications. It did, I admit, get rather boring at times. But in all, I think it was a very positive experience for me.
While I was there, I spent a bit of my time writing because I was preaching Saturday night at the Lighthouse. I think that went ok. I had some people tell me they enjoyed it, but you all know how critical I am of myself, so I really don't know. I did, however, manage to incorporate some dramatic elements in the form of a scripture pyramid. (For those of you who don't know what that is, it is a type of reading scripture that builds the words upon themselves in reverse order. It also incorporates aspects from "audience participation". It's really pretty cool. You may not get it at all, but believe me, it's cool.) I think in all I did pretty well, but I also believe that it's really just up to God. I hope God used me well.
Monday at our weekly meeting the worship team met with some pastors and worship leaders of a local church. Honestly, though, that doesn't quite get there. The reality of the situation is that it is a mega church, mega with five campuses all over the county. It's mega in so many ways... schools, services, bands, pastors, etc. They bring in over $80,000 a Sunday. Seriously. In reality, I haven't liked this church any time I've been to any of their campuses, and I'm skeptical of their mission and the way they approach the gospel. But all the same, they have a knack for bringing in people and have a lot of money. So Monday night, we the worship team, met with some of their staff to discuss potential partnerships. We have been talking with them for many months, but things have never really come to a resolution. Well on Monday night, to put it simply, a resolution did come. We resolved not to work together. I think it's the best outcome.
Thursday, I had an amazing day. Richard and I went to a local correctional facility. We have been trying to set up a volunteer opportunity to play a concert at a prison for quite some time and finally a meeting with a chaplain had materialized. We went, and it was a wonderful thing. I'm pleased to say that we are able to go in a month or so and play for the inmates. Everything we learned about was fascinating.
Friday was community day and my housemates and I went to the Miami Book Fair, which has been going on this week. The MBF is really famous and HUGE. It was a lot of fun, but unbearably hot (over 90 and maxed out humidity) and a few of my roommates and I decided that the Thai Food booth would be the wise choice for lunch so we added hot, spicy food to the mix.. Ha, that was smart.
After the book fair I drove (accompanied by my roommate Rachael) to Florida City and picked up Lily. This weekend we had music school and band practices and church, of course, but we also had a gig earlier today (Sunday). The important thing is though, that the races were in town today! Three races this weekend at Homestead/Miami racetrack, including the final race of the Nascar Sprint Cup series (this race determines the winner of the season, essentially). So traffic in Florida City and Homestead was terrible. So Friday I picked up Lily (Zoraida was coming up Saturday morning on her own and Nahomi is out of town). It took 3.5 hours to go down, pick her up, and bring her back. Long day.
Saturday was a good day with lots of good students and fun. I'm really enjoying the theatre class and my students in it. I'm proud of them and think they are doing well.
Today, we played at a local church. In fact, it's the one that my aunt and uncle attend. It was a lot of fun, and I thought it went well. But now, I'm exhausted. I'm here at Richard and Heidi's watching football and working on a grant that is due tomorrow. Heidi and I are working on it now, and we will be again tomorrow, before we go hand it in at five pm.
No rest for the weary! :)
Oh well. I'm enjoying myself though. Things are going well.
I guess it's off for now. I'm going to watch the rest of this game and then head home.
Cheers,
Em
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Silence is golden...
Now that the election is over I'd like to say a big thanks to everyone who went out and voted. Horray! Also, let's all pray for the new President-Elect- he's got the worst job in the world right now and needs our support.
This week I feel like I've gotten a lot done. I think having that talk with my boss about what specifically is needed of me and how he can relay that has been beneficial.
Today I'm going to a local organization to recruit for the music school. It should be exciting because these are young people who could really use a direction for their life and some of them have already indicated an interest in music. I'm hoping to be able to get three to four new students. That would be great. But, as my boss points out - you go, you talk, you recruit - then leave it up to God. If they don't come, don't worry.
Tonight I'm going with my housemates on a silent retreat. Hmm.... silence? You bet. The idea is that after dinner tonight we simply shut down all talking and spend time alone. No tv, no phone calls, etc... Reading, reflecting, writing is encouraged. We can go on the lake (freshwater so no gators!) in one of the small boats, go swimming, etc. My site director said that we should all have one or more of these "an idea, a question, a struggle or a boat load of happiness" and that's what we should focus on.
We've been studying solitude and silence recently in our learning of spiritual disciplines. We've studied many more, of course, but this one in particular is right now. I'm actually looking forward to this retreat.
My boss informed me on Monday that I am preaching this Saturday so I think I'll be spending most of my time Saturday coming up with what I want to preach on and writing my notes. :)
I'm asking you all to pray for me this weekend- I want to have a good time in silence for a full 24 hours (we can talk again at dinner on Friday) and then really let God's wisdom come from me when I preach. Pray that I really put forth what God wants everyone to hear!
I've got a fair bit of work to do before I head off tonight, so that's all for now. Let's hope that silence is golden for me tonight.
Cheers,
Em
This week I feel like I've gotten a lot done. I think having that talk with my boss about what specifically is needed of me and how he can relay that has been beneficial.
Today I'm going to a local organization to recruit for the music school. It should be exciting because these are young people who could really use a direction for their life and some of them have already indicated an interest in music. I'm hoping to be able to get three to four new students. That would be great. But, as my boss points out - you go, you talk, you recruit - then leave it up to God. If they don't come, don't worry.
Tonight I'm going with my housemates on a silent retreat. Hmm.... silence? You bet. The idea is that after dinner tonight we simply shut down all talking and spend time alone. No tv, no phone calls, etc... Reading, reflecting, writing is encouraged. We can go on the lake (freshwater so no gators!) in one of the small boats, go swimming, etc. My site director said that we should all have one or more of these "an idea, a question, a struggle or a boat load of happiness" and that's what we should focus on.
We've been studying solitude and silence recently in our learning of spiritual disciplines. We've studied many more, of course, but this one in particular is right now. I'm actually looking forward to this retreat.
My boss informed me on Monday that I am preaching this Saturday so I think I'll be spending most of my time Saturday coming up with what I want to preach on and writing my notes. :)
I'm asking you all to pray for me this weekend- I want to have a good time in silence for a full 24 hours (we can talk again at dinner on Friday) and then really let God's wisdom come from me when I preach. Pray that I really put forth what God wants everyone to hear!
I've got a fair bit of work to do before I head off tonight, so that's all for now. Let's hope that silence is golden for me tonight.
Cheers,
Em
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I voted - that's the way it should be!
Election Day!
I'd just like to take the time to post that I hope all of you have or are going to vote.
Sometimes I still marvel at how our government lets us make a large part of this decision. There are so many places around the world where the citizens are subject to someone else choosing their leader. Let's realize how fortunate we are to live in an area with free elections.
I still don't understand people who don't vote. Why would you not? One of my roommates didn't this year and I honestly don't know why. I don't think my roommate does either. If it is a matter of being lazy, there are ways around it. If feeling like you don't matter at all, well, then.... you obviously don't understand our privilege. It breaks my heart that people just don't care enough about it. Even if the reason be because they choose to follow God and not politics, I still have trouble with that justification. Are we not, as those entrusted to the care of this earth and life of others, therefore required to vote? We can help choose those that will protect, love and care for the earth, the people in it, and all of God's creation. We can help do so many things by carefully and thoughtfully choosing whom to vote for. Not voting is to give up your God-given duty to do what we can for the world.
So please, go vote! And if you have already, thank you. You've done a wonderful thing. Thanks on behalf of me, our country and our world.
Regardless of how this election turns out, we should all be praying for our leaders - past, present and future. None of this is easy - especially right now. It is our job as those who trust in God to ask the Lord to bless those who have stepped up to lead. They need wisdom, courage, guidance and safety.
Cheers,
Em
I'd just like to take the time to post that I hope all of you have or are going to vote.
Sometimes I still marvel at how our government lets us make a large part of this decision. There are so many places around the world where the citizens are subject to someone else choosing their leader. Let's realize how fortunate we are to live in an area with free elections.
I still don't understand people who don't vote. Why would you not? One of my roommates didn't this year and I honestly don't know why. I don't think my roommate does either. If it is a matter of being lazy, there are ways around it. If feeling like you don't matter at all, well, then.... you obviously don't understand our privilege. It breaks my heart that people just don't care enough about it. Even if the reason be because they choose to follow God and not politics, I still have trouble with that justification. Are we not, as those entrusted to the care of this earth and life of others, therefore required to vote? We can help choose those that will protect, love and care for the earth, the people in it, and all of God's creation. We can help do so many things by carefully and thoughtfully choosing whom to vote for. Not voting is to give up your God-given duty to do what we can for the world.
So please, go vote! And if you have already, thank you. You've done a wonderful thing. Thanks on behalf of me, our country and our world.
Regardless of how this election turns out, we should all be praying for our leaders - past, present and future. None of this is easy - especially right now. It is our job as those who trust in God to ask the Lord to bless those who have stepped up to lead. They need wisdom, courage, guidance and safety.
Cheers,
Em
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sunday Afternoons
Today I'm relaxing and watching some football. It's a comfort for me right now. Lately I haven't been feeling the best and am looking in many places for some respite.
I'm dealing a lot right now with being very lonely. As you all know, I'm an extrovert (understatement to put it that way!). I love being around people. I gather energy from people. I am happier when others are around.
But, guess what? I work alone. By myself. With no co-workers, no office mates, no nothing. I work at home, in my bedroom, by myself. I can't even go anywhere that is MY own to work. So I spend all day alone until around 430pm. When my housemates get home, they are all burned out and exhausted from work, or else have had a lot of interaction with people and are looking for some solitude. So, I sort of miss out on this even when they are home. It's nobody's fault it is just the nature of the beast.
But a beast it is, so I am dealing with this. At first it was no big deal, but now it's getting hard. I could go to a coffee shop or something - but then I'd be tempted to spend money. I could go to the library, but it's still not my place. I'm a visitor and that's not really what you want out of work everyday. And the people at those places aren't my coworkers, and I won't necessarily get to know them the way I would someone I work with. So, understandably, I'm having a tough time.
Hopefully though, some sort of solution will come out of the woodwork. Please, pray for me! I'd really appreciate it.
Otherwise, I think things are coming along ok. I'm finally able to dig into the drama aspect of my job and am directing and acting in a play in December. My students in drama are doing well too and I'm pumped about that.
I'm learning the ins and outs of communicating with a large group of people that you live with too. That is definitely interesting.
Right now I'm in a bumpy phase but things are still good on the whole. I'm enjoying my time here and am eager to keep exploring the things that are coming my way.
I'm volunteering for the Obama campaign in Miami on Election Day and am really excited.
Please pray for me in all of this, but also celebrate with me that I'm here doing what I am so happy to be in the midst of.
Cheers!
Em
I'm dealing a lot right now with being very lonely. As you all know, I'm an extrovert (understatement to put it that way!). I love being around people. I gather energy from people. I am happier when others are around.
But, guess what? I work alone. By myself. With no co-workers, no office mates, no nothing. I work at home, in my bedroom, by myself. I can't even go anywhere that is MY own to work. So I spend all day alone until around 430pm. When my housemates get home, they are all burned out and exhausted from work, or else have had a lot of interaction with people and are looking for some solitude. So, I sort of miss out on this even when they are home. It's nobody's fault it is just the nature of the beast.
But a beast it is, so I am dealing with this. At first it was no big deal, but now it's getting hard. I could go to a coffee shop or something - but then I'd be tempted to spend money. I could go to the library, but it's still not my place. I'm a visitor and that's not really what you want out of work everyday. And the people at those places aren't my coworkers, and I won't necessarily get to know them the way I would someone I work with. So, understandably, I'm having a tough time.
Hopefully though, some sort of solution will come out of the woodwork. Please, pray for me! I'd really appreciate it.
Otherwise, I think things are coming along ok. I'm finally able to dig into the drama aspect of my job and am directing and acting in a play in December. My students in drama are doing well too and I'm pumped about that.
I'm learning the ins and outs of communicating with a large group of people that you live with too. That is definitely interesting.
Right now I'm in a bumpy phase but things are still good on the whole. I'm enjoying my time here and am eager to keep exploring the things that are coming my way.
I'm volunteering for the Obama campaign in Miami on Election Day and am really excited.
Please pray for me in all of this, but also celebrate with me that I'm here doing what I am so happy to be in the midst of.
Cheers!
Em
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