The Novel's Hero

So I've finally started reading a little bit more again. This was sparked by my recent flight to Atlanta where it was just really helpful to have something of distraction for the three hour flights to and from my destination. Now three hours to the average person probably doesn't seem like all that much in the big scheme of things but my brain is constantly seeking something to distract it during this entire time. I'm used to being able to look something up on my phone (internet), read my email (internet), search for new music (internet), etc. You catch my drift. I'm basically craving some internet access here during my short time of 'sitting still'.

I've realized this internet craving gets filled almost all the time while my craving for a good, sit down, book, doesn't. Why is this? Why has our world become so used to using, needing, or wanting the internet all the time? Or is it just me? I mean I've even chosen to start writing in a blog that's online rather than my typical pen and paper (well, sometimes my hand just hurts from typical writing...).

Anyways, back to my original purpose of this post. I've started a book recently that multiple people recommended. Of course, as I go through chapters of the book I'm on edge trying to figure out how this could possibly end. The thing about books is that when you know there's a second, or even third book already written, you sometimes have an idea about what's going to happen to this main character. But pushing that thought aside I got to thinkin...

Have you ever put yourself in the main character's shoes? You know this character already has such strong qualities and will likely come out on top. (Hey, they wouldn't be a main character without these then, would they?)But really, you start to put yourself in this predicament that the character is having and thinking 'is that what I would do?'. The upcoming battle will require some skill, wit, off the cuff decision making, yet we all know this character's got it all. But do I? What if I had to live this out and make these same decisions? Would all of my weaknesses come through and I'd end up being the side character that the main character demolishes in battle? Or if I was this main character, would all my strengths shine through and I'd save the day?!

Just think about it next time you're reading one of your addicting novels. Now that's my random tidbit for the day.

Until tomorrrow...

Welcome Back!

I spent the last weekend with family in Atlanta, Georgia celebrating that my cousin will soon be a new mom! It was such a great time with family. During the visit there were numerous mentions of my cousins blog that shares the adventures of transitioning into motherhood. I felt suddenly motivated and reminded of my blog that I started almost two years ago. I feel continuing and making more of an effort in my blogging adventures could really be fun. I'm sure my blogging skills will never compare to my cousins great ways of sharing stories with her audience but I'll at least use this as a way of sharing thoughts and stories that I really wanted to do over the past year.

I left you all off with my last post talking about the upcoming adventures of moving to a new city all the way across the country. Well that adventure turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I spent a year volunteering at a non-profit and building community with a house of strangers. The life lessons learned could never be replicated.

As I've transitioned into a thing we like to call 'real life' and out of a community, it's been a bit of a struggle to find that connection with people in which I valued so very much over that year.

One theme I have really been in 'pursuit' of has been that community. Those people I can surround myself with weekly or daily; those that really challenge someone to grow and become a better person. I know through life communities come and go (just as people do) but I continually hope there's one in my life.

Until next time...

the wild west.

Wow! So it's been quite awhile since I last posted. Go figure...I become inconsistent with this thing already! :) So I would say today is the first official day that I'm set on moving to Colorado! My heart has most definitely been set on it for quite awhile but my placement was accepted today. Speaking of my placement, I'm so incredibly excited about it! I have been accepted as an intern (volunteer) at Energy Outreach Colorado, or EOC. I will be helping educate other non profit organizations and residents in the Denver area about ways to become more energy efficient in attempts to reduce costs of energy. Along with this task I am going to get to analyze this cost savings while applying some of my weather knowledge :)

I know this experience will begin to open up completely new doors for me. I was just telling a friend today that things have sort of fallen into place so easily that it's almost as if it's just meant to be. When I originally applied to be apart of Urban Servant Corps a couple of months ago, I was applying with the thought of working with women and children in a lower income part of Denver. Now this opportunity alone really excited me. This is a whole new world that I have little experience with. But another door was opened for me. During my interview with Urban Servant Corps, Enery Outreach Colorado was breifly mentioned. This year was their first year with a volunteer and it's a fairly new 'internship'. As I have proceeded in the steps to become apart of USC for 2010-2011 year, I was also accepted to be apart of Energy Outreach Colorado!

Anyways, so today I'm officially placed. My paperwork comes this week and coincidentally enough Man vs. Food is playing on the travel channel and is an episode all about food in Denver, Colorado. mmmmm :)

As of August, I will venture out west to start a completely new chapter of my life. Six months ago I never would have been able to tell you this is what lies ahead for me.

Broken

I don't think there is a better place in existence that displays our state of brokeness than facebook. I mean, think about it. It's so easy to get caught up in reading through status update after update. It's a place people can express some thoughts we may not know if it weren't for facebook. But have you ever really thought about the negativity some people display on their facebook?

So as I was reading through facebook status updates tonight with friends, it kinda crossed my mind that our brokeness has been put on display for the world to see. I know things about people who I haven't even seen or talking to in over 5 years. But I know exactly how they were feeling tonight.

What makes a person post some of their innermost thoughts? It is so the all of their friends can see or simply so they can share their current emotion or activity? I really do think it's a mix of both.

Anyways, that's my random thought of the night. Goodnight.

Rise!

What a glorious day it was in Ohio! The weather was nearly perfect. The perfect day to be with family and celebrate together what Christ did for us. Christ died for us on the cross but then He also rose again! It's so hard to ponder and wonder WHY in the world would anyone die for us? What LOVE He must feel for His creation!

A few months ago I was apart of a Life Transformation Group with a group of girls. We spent a few hours each week talking about our lives and discussing the scripture we had read throughout the week. As we went through the Gospels, I remember reading about Jesus as He was nearing His time on the cross. Reading through John this morning at church, my exact thoughts resurfaced. My thoughts kept coming back to Pilate.

Imagine being in this man's shoes. What a decision he had to make!

Recopied below is John 28-40, just after Jesus had been brough to Pilate.
28Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"

30"If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."

31Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."

"But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

38"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

40They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.


When I read this conversation between Pilate and Jesus, I can't help but think Pilate is desperately trying to find out why these people so badly want him killed. In verse 31 he tells the people to take him and judge him themselves. Put yourself in Pilate's shoes. Your people are chanting for you to execute this man while you can't find one reason to do so.

Of course in verse 40 we find that the people would much rather a criminal, Barabbas, be released to them than the "King of the Jews". Now put yourself in Pilate's shoes 3 days later. The man you had just allowed to be put to death is claimed to have Risen! I don't know why I find myself pondering Pilate so in depth. Probably because if I was placed in his shoes, I worry I would have acted the same way. I feel a bit of pity for him as I read through his conversation with Jesus as it seems Pilate is really trying to let this man go while his people just won't have it. Then three days later to find out this man you had allowed to be crucified has Risen.

I wish someone of that time would have had a modern day 'CNN Update' and went back to Pilate with an in depth sit down interview asking how he felt and how his decision had affected his life. Can you imagine what this man must have felt having the fate of our Savior placed in his hands? Just a thought...

Hello :)

So Day #1 of this brand new blog. I'm not gonna lie, I have no idea how to really even blog to make it semi-interesting for people. I've found though that lately I've just had an itch to write some things down. I've been told my mind is in constant motion. This can be a good or bad thing. But regardless of which it is, I've chosen to try and make it a positive and blog those mind boggling questions and thoughts. I've really thought hard about what a good 'title' would be for this blog experience. "Pursuit" was the best title I've come up with so far. I believe it occured in the shower one morning (where ALL best thoughts are born, I might add). I've come across blogs of others who are dealing with really tough life situations and although I'm unable to be apart of those people's lives, I was still able to share with them a little part of their journey on this earth.

We all experience a wide range of circumstances as we walk this life. It's very easy as an outsider to any other persons life to view their life as 'perfect' or 'different in a better way' than one's own. It's easy to miss that deep inside of that person, they are built and wired by the same engineer, the same carpenter, the same builder. Although created in our own individual and unique way, we all take part in one similar thing; life. Each of us handles the same exact situation in much different ways. We all fall down and pick ourselves up much differently.

Anyways, this is just an introduction to where I'm really going with this blog. Until tomorrow... :)