Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Look what I made...
I am taking a 3D Rhino rendering class (a software class that teaches you how to build small objects on the computer). And here is the first item I choose to try - a spool of ribbon. Yay!
Saturday, September 05, 2009
What I said...
To my studio professor and classmates last week....
After saying my name and undergraduate background I spoke about my experience with architecture. Since I can't remember my exact words I'll summarize:
In the four years I worked as an interior architect, I found that 80% was about details such as roofing, water protection, structural connections, stud wall construction, and hours upon hours of drawing tiny details. I hated it because it was so boring. The 20% I loved was about design - how people interact with space, concept development, programming - understanding human needs... In four years I decided that the 80% I hated wasn't worth enduring for the 20% I loved. I longed for a job where the ratios were flipped and wasn't ready to give up searching for it. I had taken product design classes in undergrad and really enjoyed them. I decided to invest in developing that interest to see where it leads. I am in grad school, not necessarily to be torn down and rebuilt, but to find my life's questions in the pursuit of industrial design. I am going to CCA to help uncover these questions - these questions that I will spend the rest of my life working out. (At this point I referenced the reading he had asked us to do this summer - Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees - a book about the artist Robert Irwin. I LOVED the book so I couldn't help but bring it up. I looked like a total suck up... be seriously I just loved the book.)
My professor asked me, "How will you know when you've found them?"
I replied, "You just know. It's the thing you keep coming back to. You know when you've found something worth living for. Something worth waking up for. Something that energizes you - that compels you - that makes your heart beat. You just know."
Upon further reflection, I wish I would have added that, as Robert Irwin said, it is about a combination of logic and intuition. Logic evaluates measurable data, the science. Intuition is linked to a sense of spirit, of being, of understanding beyond words. You can limit yourself to just logic - but still be wrong because life doesn't always work in logical ways. The unexpected happens, people change their minds, emotions shift. That is where intuition is key... the key to discerning the stuff not measured by logic or science. The combination of the two is where confidence and faith are found.
That is how "you just know." And now you all know why I think I am in grad school :)
After saying my name and undergraduate background I spoke about my experience with architecture. Since I can't remember my exact words I'll summarize:
In the four years I worked as an interior architect, I found that 80% was about details such as roofing, water protection, structural connections, stud wall construction, and hours upon hours of drawing tiny details. I hated it because it was so boring. The 20% I loved was about design - how people interact with space, concept development, programming - understanding human needs... In four years I decided that the 80% I hated wasn't worth enduring for the 20% I loved. I longed for a job where the ratios were flipped and wasn't ready to give up searching for it. I had taken product design classes in undergrad and really enjoyed them. I decided to invest in developing that interest to see where it leads. I am in grad school, not necessarily to be torn down and rebuilt, but to find my life's questions in the pursuit of industrial design. I am going to CCA to help uncover these questions - these questions that I will spend the rest of my life working out. (At this point I referenced the reading he had asked us to do this summer - Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees - a book about the artist Robert Irwin. I LOVED the book so I couldn't help but bring it up. I looked like a total suck up... be seriously I just loved the book.)
My professor asked me, "How will you know when you've found them?"
I replied, "You just know. It's the thing you keep coming back to. You know when you've found something worth living for. Something worth waking up for. Something that energizes you - that compels you - that makes your heart beat. You just know."
Upon further reflection, I wish I would have added that, as Robert Irwin said, it is about a combination of logic and intuition. Logic evaluates measurable data, the science. Intuition is linked to a sense of spirit, of being, of understanding beyond words. You can limit yourself to just logic - but still be wrong because life doesn't always work in logical ways. The unexpected happens, people change their minds, emotions shift. That is where intuition is key... the key to discerning the stuff not measured by logic or science. The combination of the two is where confidence and faith are found.
That is how "you just know." And now you all know why I think I am in grad school :)
You are quite eloquent.
Last week, upon introducing myself to my studio professor and explaining why I am here in grad school... he simply raised his eyebrows, looked down at his notebook, and said "You are quite eloquent."
Today, I looked up the word in the dictionary - though I know exactly what it means I was looking for some hidden meaning...
Here is a little blurb from dictionary.com:
Eloquent, fluent, articulate, expressive are adjectives that characterize speech or speakers notable for their effectiveness. Eloquent suggests clarity and power.
Clarity and power.
Love it.
Unfortunately, it took four years of thought to express those four sentences to my professor. If only I could be eloquent with less time!
Today, I looked up the word in the dictionary - though I know exactly what it means I was looking for some hidden meaning...
Here is a little blurb from dictionary.com:
Eloquent, fluent, articulate, expressive are adjectives that characterize speech or speakers notable for their effectiveness. Eloquent suggests clarity and power.
Clarity and power.
Love it.
Unfortunately, it took four years of thought to express those four sentences to my professor. If only I could be eloquent with less time!
Friday, September 04, 2009
Even more construction...
Photos from the latest construction site visit... occupancy is still set for January but it looks like it is coming together quite quickly. I regret not being able to be there during completion - but know grad school is an opportunity I couldn't afford to wait on. Thankfully, my ex co-workers are pretty great about keeping me in the loop!
The waiting room... the ceiling grid is up and the panels about to be installed!
A view down on of the corridors. I put color changing LED lights in the soffits - right now the hospital is trying to decide how to use them. I really focused on the lighting fixtures in the design due to the fact that this space has no access to daylight at all (it's in the basement of the hospital like all xray departments typically are).
And the "special feature" aka. light display at the end of the corridor is ready to be set up!
The waiting room... the ceiling grid is up and the panels about to be installed!
A view down on of the corridors. I put color changing LED lights in the soffits - right now the hospital is trying to decide how to use them. I really focused on the lighting fixtures in the design due to the fact that this space has no access to daylight at all (it's in the basement of the hospital like all xray departments typically are).
And the "special feature" aka. light display at the end of the corridor is ready to be set up!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
It all began with Barbie...
A video I composed sharing a short story about myself as part of grad school orientation. We had two and a half days to compose the video and then spent an evening viewing each other's stories. Class starts this week (tomorrow!)... this was just a simple "get to know you" exercise :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Into the "Older Than"
Just finished grad school orientation... two days full of long meetings and lines. So far so good. I've been trying to meet as many people as I can remember. I have to be careful b/c at some point I start to lose track of names or they all start to blend together. Despite my introverted self, I've managed to meet quite a few people and learn some interesting characteristics about my design class.
There are 48 of us.
We are...
...Primarily female.
...Mostly under the age of 25
...Not likely to have held a "professional" job
...Over half have experience/education in graphic design
...All but three of us have iphones (I am one of the three)
...Diverse in that our class has the most international students than ever before
...Single (I have yet to meet another married student in my year)
I was sitting around at a table with five other classmates and they were announcing their age and relationship status. The combination of my age, experience and marriage make me feel so much older than at least half of my class. For the first time in my life, I realized I was now in the category of life called "Older Than"... where the world is slowly starting to get younger and younger as I get older.
I have no doubt that these students are incredibly talented, creative, and intelligent regardless of age and relationship status. I am in no way "above" them... the only thing I am is increasingly unable to let myself use the excuse of "oh I'm just young". But in grad school, and possibly in life, we all have one thing in common - we are here to learn and grow - and that alone makes age irrelevant.
There are 48 of us.
We are...
...Primarily female.
...Mostly under the age of 25
...Not likely to have held a "professional" job
...Over half have experience/education in graphic design
...All but three of us have iphones (I am one of the three)
...Diverse in that our class has the most international students than ever before
...Single (I have yet to meet another married student in my year)
I was sitting around at a table with five other classmates and they were announcing their age and relationship status. The combination of my age, experience and marriage make me feel so much older than at least half of my class. For the first time in my life, I realized I was now in the category of life called "Older Than"... where the world is slowly starting to get younger and younger as I get older.
I have no doubt that these students are incredibly talented, creative, and intelligent regardless of age and relationship status. I am in no way "above" them... the only thing I am is increasingly unable to let myself use the excuse of "oh I'm just young". But in grad school, and possibly in life, we all have one thing in common - we are here to learn and grow - and that alone makes age irrelevant.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Vertigo
Tonight a few friends and I went to watch the Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo at the Cal Berkeley Pacific Film Archive. I did not know anything about the film aside from a short trailer I found on YouTube. The film's plot completely surprised me - I am not an "old" movie fan so my response could be purely naive - but I was very impressed with the cleverness of the writing, directing, and acting. Nearly two hours after watching the film, I am still recovering from shock over the ending.
Aside from the things already mentioned - I also noticed how much HASN'T changed since the 1950s - like pumps (high heeled shoes) and business suits, wallpaper designs (large patterns are all the rage right now), blankets with satin or silk edging, stainless steel teapots, etc. The most noticable change (filming technology aside) was the automobiles. In general, it seems that behaviorally people seem pretty consistent - but technology seems to cause the greatest amount of change in the least amount of time. Technology and jeans. Everyone in the film wore a suit, slacks or dress/skirt because jeans hadn't become mainstream yet. Oh how jeans have transformed our day to day clothes!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dune - revisited
Now I’m serious…
About this whole sci-fi thing.
I’ll prove it.
I read Dune – “considered by some to be the greatest science fiction novel of all time.”
Was it?
Sure… I don’t think reading one (or a handful) of sci-fi books really makes me qualified to judge though. I like this science fiction genre – speculations on the future based on actuality (to put it simply). It helps to compare it to fantasy which is not based on reality or any relation to it. So here we have an entire genre devoted to exploring an imaginary yet probable vision of the future. Who could resist the curiosity it induces?
Mere curiosity?
Of course not – my real motivation is always design based. I want to know what could be – and study fantastic and elaborate interpretations of the future in hopes of expanding my limited perspective of the now.
Take Dune for example – I LOVED the stillsuits – a technological innovation of the sand dwellers that enabled them to reclaim their body moisture. From the moment they were first introduced I can’t get them out of my head – I’ve spent several random distracted moments thinking about them and how it would actually work. Could we use these now? What about developing countries with limited or no access to water?
Always wondering…
About this whole sci-fi thing.
I’ll prove it.
I read Dune – “considered by some to be the greatest science fiction novel of all time.”
Was it?
Sure… I don’t think reading one (or a handful) of sci-fi books really makes me qualified to judge though. I like this science fiction genre – speculations on the future based on actuality (to put it simply). It helps to compare it to fantasy which is not based on reality or any relation to it. So here we have an entire genre devoted to exploring an imaginary yet probable vision of the future. Who could resist the curiosity it induces?
Mere curiosity?
Of course not – my real motivation is always design based. I want to know what could be – and study fantastic and elaborate interpretations of the future in hopes of expanding my limited perspective of the now.
Take Dune for example – I LOVED the stillsuits – a technological innovation of the sand dwellers that enabled them to reclaim their body moisture. From the moment they were first introduced I can’t get them out of my head – I’ve spent several random distracted moments thinking about them and how it would actually work. Could we use these now? What about developing countries with limited or no access to water?
Always wondering…
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Bible as Human Literature
KV and I have been discussing this on and off for the last few years - especially since he went to seminary and learned more about the authors of this ancient text. One of leaders he respects recently wrote a blog post about this subject. It was so thought provoking I had to pass it along. What do you think?
"The Bible is only human literature.
Breathe.
I have a question I want to consider, and I have asked this question at the end of this post. But let’s begin with this lesser question:
Why does embracing the Bible as human literature disorient some of us?
Perhaps it is because many of us are so used to being told that the Bible is a book written by God — The Bible is God’s word. But the Bible is not written by God. It is written by humans.
Having said that, does claiming that the Bible is only human literature mean the Bible is false? Of course not.
The New York Times is also produced by humans. Does that mean it is false? Of course not.
The Bible is only human literature, but it is based on true stories. Yes, the stories are so unbelievable in parts that it is up to each reader to sort out what lies behind it all. That’s where the danger lies. The danger is not that each reader must determine for herself what lies behind it. The danger is what lies behind it. In a sense the Bible is like the shadow of the invisible. Enter the shadow at your own risk."
Click HERE to see the full article written by Alex McManus.
"The Bible is only human literature.
Breathe.
I have a question I want to consider, and I have asked this question at the end of this post. But let’s begin with this lesser question:
Why does embracing the Bible as human literature disorient some of us?
Perhaps it is because many of us are so used to being told that the Bible is a book written by God — The Bible is God’s word. But the Bible is not written by God. It is written by humans.
Having said that, does claiming that the Bible is only human literature mean the Bible is false? Of course not.
The New York Times is also produced by humans. Does that mean it is false? Of course not.
The Bible is only human literature, but it is based on true stories. Yes, the stories are so unbelievable in parts that it is up to each reader to sort out what lies behind it all. That’s where the danger lies. The danger is not that each reader must determine for herself what lies behind it. The danger is what lies behind it. In a sense the Bible is like the shadow of the invisible. Enter the shadow at your own risk."
Click HERE to see the full article written by Alex McManus.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Food, Inc.
Probably one of the best "social justice/cause specific" documentaries I've seen in its clarity and thoughtfulness.
Some specific highlights:
- a closer, more personal, look at the relationship between corporations and individuals
- highlighted the importance of consumer choice (motivating large corporations like Walmart to change) and how we vote at least three times a day with what we choose to eat, buy, etc.
- approached deeper issues such as motivation and purpose behind the development of food
- challenged the idea of cost in a holistic way
- covered multiple issues surrounding the industrialization of food including world hunger, labor, etc.
Great movie - I'd definitely see it again or host a screening!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Goodness Gracious...
Great balls of fire. Holy Fire that is. I recently finished my first novel by Bruce Sterling - a science fiction author known for his futuristic visions. This book had genetically and electrically altered dogs that served as animal companions as well as machine servants. It is set in the 2090s - to a place where science and biology have progressed into mind boggling (but not altogether surprising) ways. Life extension treatments are available to those that can afford them - treatments that "rejuvenate" blood cells, organs... that extend life well into the triple digits. Most people eat scientifically composed food like substances that deliver just the exact amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients required - animals and plants only consumed by those less fortunate or far less educated. Buildings have lighting systems that imitate the sun. People can build virtual palaces to store their memories, experiences and wealth. Translators in the form of earrings and necklaces allows people to speak their native tongue to all and understand any language...
Though the book had impressive and believable technological innovations (it was written in 1996) - the plot failed to impress me. It had so much potential - an elderly lady undergoing a life extension treatment that gives her a second chance to re-live the youth she never dreamed of... yet I found it's actuality to be surprisingly underdeveloped and shallow. I forced myself to finish reading it - my curiosity unrelenting even as it approached unavoidable disappointment.
I am hoping his latest book, The Caryatids, is far more developed. One of my favorite blogs, Worldchanging, says "The Caryatids is my favorite of Bruce's novels since Holy Fire, and frankly one of the best science fiction books I've read in years. It's a book redolent with not only the future, but the concerns of a particular kind of future that is very much of interest to those of us engaged with worldchanging work."
Hum... We'll see. I am trying to add some futuristic sci-fi into my non-fiction mix before grad school completely takes over my brain. Any suggestions??
Though the book had impressive and believable technological innovations (it was written in 1996) - the plot failed to impress me. It had so much potential - an elderly lady undergoing a life extension treatment that gives her a second chance to re-live the youth she never dreamed of... yet I found it's actuality to be surprisingly underdeveloped and shallow. I forced myself to finish reading it - my curiosity unrelenting even as it approached unavoidable disappointment.
I am hoping his latest book, The Caryatids, is far more developed. One of my favorite blogs, Worldchanging, says "The Caryatids is my favorite of Bruce's novels since Holy Fire, and frankly one of the best science fiction books I've read in years. It's a book redolent with not only the future, but the concerns of a particular kind of future that is very much of interest to those of us engaged with worldchanging work."
Hum... We'll see. I am trying to add some futuristic sci-fi into my non-fiction mix before grad school completely takes over my brain. Any suggestions??
Sunday, June 07, 2009
June Garden Lessons
My favorite part of the garden so far... snow peas.
So exciting to see things actually growing! I can't believe it - they are still alive! (Snow peas and bell pepper shown below.)
Broccoli - what a waste! A massive plant for a tiny bit of broccoli. I decided to uproot them to give the other more productive plants more room to grow.
The whole garden - those tomatoes are growing so tall! The cauliflower is growing on the left - we have yet to see what will happen with these. Hopefully they will be more successful than broccoli!
So exciting to see things actually growing! I can't believe it - they are still alive! (Snow peas and bell pepper shown below.)
Broccoli - what a waste! A massive plant for a tiny bit of broccoli. I decided to uproot them to give the other more productive plants more room to grow.
The whole garden - those tomatoes are growing so tall! The cauliflower is growing on the left - we have yet to see what will happen with these. Hopefully they will be more successful than broccoli!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
This is what I've been talking about...
...or at least trying to. Missional small groups. How do mission and community work together? This short 16 minute video by Matt Carter from Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas gives a much better explanation than I've been able to communicate.
Mosaic just relaunched Freeform (aka. small groups) with a general outline/goal of what we hope they look like. The primary purpose, of course, is to build community while on mission. We encouraged Freeform groups to meet once a week - and dedicate at least one week a month to "serving others creatively". Unfortunately, we launched in June - during the summer, when attendance tends to be low and fickle. We just couldn't wait though - and hope this sets the foundation for an even stronger launch in the fall.
Listen to Matt and be inspired and encouraged - what we are trying to achieve can be difficult to visualize but is well worth our effort and pursuit... all for the sake of Berkeley!
Mosaic just relaunched Freeform (aka. small groups) with a general outline/goal of what we hope they look like. The primary purpose, of course, is to build community while on mission. We encouraged Freeform groups to meet once a week - and dedicate at least one week a month to "serving others creatively". Unfortunately, we launched in June - during the summer, when attendance tends to be low and fickle. We just couldn't wait though - and hope this sets the foundation for an even stronger launch in the fall.
Listen to Matt and be inspired and encouraged - what we are trying to achieve can be difficult to visualize but is well worth our effort and pursuit... all for the sake of Berkeley!
THE SHOW - for May 19, 2009 - Guest Matt Carter from Todd Rhoades on Vimeo.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Why do you care?
Why do you care about other people?
I want to investigate what really motivates people to give their lives away to others (aside from any other religious training/explanation). I was reflecting over my life - trying to remember the first time I really cared about somebody outside of myself (or my immediate family) and my thoughts kept returning to the day we first welcomed my brother Josh into our home.
I was 8 years old and it was 3:00 in the afternoon. School had just let out and I was searching the playground for my mother. I finally saw her, walking up the hill, with a bundle of blankets in her arms. I was too young then to really realize what that meant or why... but the little baby she carried in her arms would forever change my life and the way I experienced and gave love. That day I become Josh's oldest sister - not because I had to, but because I choose to.
Though the Colorado court system would officially recognize Josh as part of the Williams family three years later, I was his sister from the moment I saw him - a small and strange little baby needing a home. The amount of love I experienced for someone I had never met before shocked me. I realized I had the capacity to care for others in ways I never imagined or dreamed of before.
I care because Josh showed me I could. Before that, it was just an idea - something my parents and Sunday school teachers talked about endlessly. I have spent the last 18 years (since the day I met Josh) following this love - searching for it, longing for it, hoping for it. This love, that I now call Jesus, is what motivates and drives me. Though I can't always (and often don't) embody it - He is with me.
This is a much better answer than the one I gave to the person who asked me last week!
I want to investigate what really motivates people to give their lives away to others (aside from any other religious training/explanation). I was reflecting over my life - trying to remember the first time I really cared about somebody outside of myself (or my immediate family) and my thoughts kept returning to the day we first welcomed my brother Josh into our home.
I was 8 years old and it was 3:00 in the afternoon. School had just let out and I was searching the playground for my mother. I finally saw her, walking up the hill, with a bundle of blankets in her arms. I was too young then to really realize what that meant or why... but the little baby she carried in her arms would forever change my life and the way I experienced and gave love. That day I become Josh's oldest sister - not because I had to, but because I choose to.
Though the Colorado court system would officially recognize Josh as part of the Williams family three years later, I was his sister from the moment I saw him - a small and strange little baby needing a home. The amount of love I experienced for someone I had never met before shocked me. I realized I had the capacity to care for others in ways I never imagined or dreamed of before.
I care because Josh showed me I could. Before that, it was just an idea - something my parents and Sunday school teachers talked about endlessly. I have spent the last 18 years (since the day I met Josh) following this love - searching for it, longing for it, hoping for it. This love, that I now call Jesus, is what motivates and drives me. Though I can't always (and often don't) embody it - He is with me.
This is a much better answer than the one I gave to the person who asked me last week!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Accepted
It's official - I am going to grad school. You can click on the above logo for more information about the school and program but to summarize: I will be in a two year program to get a masters of fine arts in design (with a focus on industrial design). At the end of August I will transform into a design student once more in hopes of launching into the field of consumer products. I was so excited to get accepted. I heard only 15 of 2oo+ applicants get in and I was flattered to be one of them. Post acceptance, however, has been a different story. I've had a few anxiety/panic attacks thinking about all the financial aid we just accepted and wading through my self-doubt and insecurity. Thankfully Kevin has been unwavering in his confidence of me and this direction. It is a ginormous risk - to move from merely dreaming about being a product designer to actually attempting to become one. Let's just say I've left plenty of space for miracles to happen :)
Back in March Kevin and I were walking through the Denver International Airport and I was in awe of the ceiling and design. I love it! I also love that in a few months it is quite likely I will never have to design interiors again - no more carpet, paint colors, tile patterns, space flow diagrams... I can't wait. Finally my appreciation for architecture will be set free to be just that - appreciation.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Under Construction
Yesterday I went to see one of my projects that is currently under construction - the renovation of the x-ray/imaging department of a hospital in Oakland (7,271 SF). The steel studs and electrical are all in - in June all the drywall goes up. Occupancy is set for January 2010. I can't wait! My first project (from start to finish) is only months away from completion.
Are Cheerios Healthy?
An article by The Daily Green reported today:
"Just weeks after Kellogg agreed to stop a national advertising campaign that misleadingly claimed its Frosted Mini Wheats boost kids' attention spans, General Mills has been ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to scale back its claims about what Cheerios can do for your health. In essence, General Mills had been claiming that a box of Cheerios is a powerful drug designed to lower cholesterol, fight heart disease and high blood pressure, when in fact ... it is a breakfast cereal.
This is a strong reminder to consumers that the health claims on food packaging can often be misleading. A varied, balanced diet, with more plants than meat, and fewer processed foods, is the most commonsense diet for most people. Cereal can be a part of that diet, for sure, but we shouldn't think of fortified cereals or processed whole wheats as the solution to our health problems, or the key to losing weight."
Yet another reminder to never underestimate the power of marketing - it is pretty tempting to believe it is actually good for your health when you walk down that massive cereal isle!
What do you think - what cereals are actually healthy and why? I try to avoid them altogether and stick to oatmeal. I get tired of trying to read all the labels and discern the truth behind all the compelling words.
"Just weeks after Kellogg agreed to stop a national advertising campaign that misleadingly claimed its Frosted Mini Wheats boost kids' attention spans, General Mills has been ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to scale back its claims about what Cheerios can do for your health. In essence, General Mills had been claiming that a box of Cheerios is a powerful drug designed to lower cholesterol, fight heart disease and high blood pressure, when in fact ... it is a breakfast cereal.
This is a strong reminder to consumers that the health claims on food packaging can often be misleading. A varied, balanced diet, with more plants than meat, and fewer processed foods, is the most commonsense diet for most people. Cereal can be a part of that diet, for sure, but we shouldn't think of fortified cereals or processed whole wheats as the solution to our health problems, or the key to losing weight."
Yet another reminder to never underestimate the power of marketing - it is pretty tempting to believe it is actually good for your health when you walk down that massive cereal isle!
What do you think - what cereals are actually healthy and why? I try to avoid them altogether and stick to oatmeal. I get tired of trying to read all the labels and discern the truth behind all the compelling words.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Chase the Lion
“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
Grab life by the mane.
Set God-sized goals.
Pursue God-ordained passions.
Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.
Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God.
Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.
Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.
Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.
Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God.
Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not.
Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the lion.”
Mark Batterson: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.
‘Lion Chasers Manifesto’:
Grab life by the mane.
Set God-sized goals.
Pursue God-ordained passions.
Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.
Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God.
Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.
Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.
Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.
Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God.
Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not.
Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the lion.”
Mark Batterson: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.
‘Lion Chasers Manifesto’:
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Leaving the country yet again...
At the end of May, my husband and a small group of volunteers from Mosaic and the Bay area are heading to Sudan. At this time last year, Kevin met a man named Michael - a Lost Boy from Sudan sent by the Clinton administration to the United States for an education. Displaced from his home in Sudan due to war, Michael walked several thousands of miles to safety in a neighboring country. Getting an education was his only hope to escape a lifetime in refugee camps. Fortunately, some of those in the U.S. government felt the same way and helped pave the way for some of the young boys to come to the United States. Now, years later, Michael wants to use his education to help those still living out the consequences of war. With the help of Kevin, Mosaic, and EMI (Engineering Ministries International), Michael will return to his home village, Jalle, this May with a team of dedicated and talented engineers and architects. This team will help the village assess its needs and help the local community move towards solutions they might not have had access to previously.
Please visit the website, Rebuild Sudan, for more information about the Lost Boys or to see how you might be a part of rebuilding this community.
Photo: Michael reunited with his mother after a 20-year separation.
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