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July 27, 2006
Thoughts, Ideas, and Events as of Late
I'm back on after loosing power for a while! The following are some random thoughts, ideas, and events, that have been in my mind for a bit.
Tongue
My old tongue was on the loose the other day. This small, pink, strawberry textured, body part loves to spread and smear sin. My pastor in Grand Rapids, Michigan used to warn us about the destructive nature of this seemingly innocent piece of flesh. Once, he had us stick out our tongues so he could pray for them. I wish I'd remembered his heed and prayer before my tongue rattled away hurting two friends...
Moving
I'm getting ready to move across town. My new apartment is located right across the street from Turtle Park which, I think, is exciting. Last night, my parents and I were talking about what we would do in the case of an air-raid. Mom suggested crawling under one of the massive, concrete turtles which will soon be in close proximity...
Lebanon/Israel
The business with Israel and Lebanon is horrible, and to be honest, hopeless. Without the eradication of radical groups that exist on the side of Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel (etc..) there will be no peace-- just hatred, revenge, and violence. I never remember to pray for the hearts of groups such as Hamaz and Hezbollah. Along with the innocent people who are being killed, I want to ask God to change the hearts of these fanatics...
Social Justic Group
My brother and I are wanting to get a Social Justice Group started. We're meeting Sunday, July 30th to brainstorm with some folks. The point of this group is to discuss issues happening both in our local community as well as in the international world. Here is what we are thinking so far:
We want to meet once a month (for now) and have different people in the group choose topics, research, and present. A few issues Jake and I have brain stormed so far are as follows.
Local Issues
1. Information local candidates' political platforms
2. The shape of health care in St. Louis
3. The St. Louis Public School crisis
4. Treatment of the Immigrant in St. Louis
5. Recycling/waste management
International Issues:
1. We were thinking of trying to link up with either Bread for the World or Amnesty International as a way to connect with international issues.
2. Some of the ministries across the world people at New City are involved with: The Hatches in London, Maggie in Nepal, etc...
If anyone is interested in joining us we are planning to meet at Mocabees (if that's how it's spelled) on South Grand, around 2:00 p.m. We will be brainstorming so come with ideas.
Posted by larawalk at 01:55 PM | Comments (3)
July 15, 2006
Trailblazing Into Narnia Through Spilled Polish, Rubber Frogs, and Z107.7!
AmeriCorps is officially over. We had a closing ceremony at the Regional Arts Commission yesterday as a way of commemmorating the year. Surprisingly, I received an award that had to do with Lewis and Clark--something to do with being a trail-blazer. I was so shocked, when I heard my name called, that for a second I thought I was delusional in my hearing. Somehow I managed to m stumble up to the front in a perplexed, 'are you sure' trance.
The award was an ironic one for me as I consider myself some what of a home-body. Seriously, when I travel I usually get extremely homesick and begin talking to anyone and everyone about my family. Maggie is the one who is the true trail blazer. Go twin!
In other news, The H.E.L.P program at my church finishes in a week. I'm gonna' miss these girls, even though I count the number of days I have left with them. It's funny, some of the most memorable moments of this summer have occurred in the car on the way home with the chilins'. Take this past Thursday for example:
I picked them up around 9:30. Nearly 5 minutes into the car ride, Salamatu (13-14 year old Liberian girl) spilled bright red nail polish all over her blouse, not to mention my PARENTS CAR. Later, after the polish had dried, with a twinkle of laughter in her eye, she accused me of shedding her blood.
A few moments after the nail polish episode, the kids discovered a bunch of rubber frogs in the back of the car (don't ask me what they were doing there). They threw them around and began attacking each other with them. Haja , (Liberian and also drama queen) was so "scared" she started screaming with blood-curdling force. I nearly had to stop the car.
While all this was happening, I was trying to keep my eyes on the road and listen to a lecture Jerram Barrs had given about Narnia. Well, my choice of "tunes" didn't go over very well with Haja, who, as normal, begged me to flip the station to Z107.7. Thankfully, a dull, talking program was on at the moment so I told them it wasn't an option--is it just me or does this radio station seems to completely counteract everything I am trying to teach these kids?
After switching off the radio, Salamatu asked me, in her little, high-pitched voice, If we could listen to the "preacher man" again. Wow, maybe she had been listening to him all along, even in the midst of the nail polish and flying frogs. Maybe there was something about Jerram's kind, wise, voice she liked, and maybe, just maybe she longed to step through into the wardrobe he was discussing? I couldn't be sure but it made me wonder and smile. Oh, I really want these kids to enter Narnia. I wonder how they would get in!
Hmmm..Maybe I am kindred with Lewis and Clark after all. Driving these kids around this summer has definitely given me some experience with the new and unforseen. Also, unlocking the world of Narnia for these kids is exciting. I kinda' like this trail I'm on-- or I suppose I should say blazing!
Posted by larawalk at 11:33 AM | Comments (8)
July 03, 2006
Awkardness
This extreme emotion/feeling/state is sometimes near impossible to get rid of. For example, Once upon a time, there lived a boy who I was fascinated by (okay, I had a crush on him). Every time I talked to him I felt COMPLETELY AWKWARD. Literally nothing intelligent came out of my mouth, to the point of where I didn't want to hang out with him because the embarrassing energy that clung to the scene. Uhhhhhhhhh, Why does this happen? It's can be darn frustrating and humiliating!
Here are a few ideas:
1. I had formed the guy into an idol. I liked the idea of him (he was an amazing writer, kindred spirit etc..) more then the real him, who I actually new very little about.
2. I was more concerned with getting him to like me ( and impressing him ) then I was about actually getting to know him. So, when I talked to him I started thinking about how I was coming across.
3. Awkwardness is a huge part of romance -- you can't cover it up like in the movies!
4. Maybe God used these negative emotions to close the door on my wish for a relationship with him?
Any thoughts from you guys?
Posted by larawalk at 11:08 PM | Comments (0)