Dear Thailand

I'll see you again soon.

Shriners Circus and Autumn Rides

The Nashville photos just don't stop coming. Here are some from a really awesome off-brand Shriner's circus we went to where Spiderman rode and elephant and The Great Asante overcame his embarrassment of not being able to juggle, and balanced himself on chairs.






We spent a lot of time riding bikes, too, and went over to Bailey's friends' house to hang out. They are SOOOO much fun, and made our weekend even more amazing. Pumpkin ice cream, 3-D movies, the Office, masks, pianos, coffee. . they have it all.












We also went to a really great not 24hr bookstore, where Sarah found some treasures.






Pretty much Nashville + Friends + bikes + Autumn= an AMAZING time. JUUUUSSSSSt.

pumpkin patch!

And more to come.

Nashvegas!

The last two days I have been in Nashville visiting my wonderful friend Bailey, who goes to Bellmont for bango. She's so great! We've also gotten to hang out with our friend Greg, who is also great, and also goes to Bellmont.

We've done a lot of bike riding (schwwinn), eating barbeque, downtown music, and I'm listening to Bailey play bango while it's storming outside. Kind of really amazing. Tomorrow we are going to a pumpkin patch and circus, so there is much more to come. Here are so pics to start.

oh, college

john 6:68

Impact.

I just wrote this in a paper, then reread it and realized that it must have been God saying something to me through my keys.

"Often people find it difficult to allow God to be the one who saves, as it is in our nature to do the work God has already chosen to do in us."

How often do I try to do things for myself that have already been done? My vain motives to make myself pure, to create some kind of human goodness, or to guide myself when my paths have been made before me. So often there is this striving to do something myself, for me. Who am I? Who is God? What is God doing? Shouldn't the focus be on Him and His work being completed?


"It's all about me." -God

sometimes you need to know you're normal

The longest backward motorcycle ride was 93.21 miles.

I'm not sure if backward refers to the person or the bike. .

so much (words to picture)

The last two weeks have been so interesting, impactful, and exciting, but I unfortunately have about ZERO pictures to post about it. Mostly because I wasn't allowed to bring my camera to the last two weekend events. So here is a word recap.

First of all, not only was I accepted as a team leader to Thailand, I now have a co-leader, potential team members, and an approved trip. There are 6 groups going out this winter, and two leaders (guy and girl) for each trip. Last weekend we went on an initiation sort of retreat to Wats. The area is known for it's poverty and mostly violence. We stayed at a church where we spent the evenings in service and worship with the congregation (including a Spanish prayer vigil), and the day on Saturday serving the pastor by helping renovate and clean up the park area and after-school program building. The pastor was SOO awesome. What a model of a real pastor, sheparding and serving his people! He worked right along side of us, and when he wasn't it was because he was with the kids encouraging and teaching them. There was so much that happened that weekend, but basically I saw the hope being spread by an amazing church in a trial filled area, and bonded in an amazing group of student leaders.

This weekend I went with a class to Skid Row for urban research. Also a crazy experience. Among other things we panhandled, ate with guests (what the missions call the homeless that come in) at the LA Rescue Mission, got coffee at a 5 star hotel (in sweats), and slept at the Mission on Skid Row. We also took a tour of the Union Mission on Skid Row. It was amazing to see all that they are doing.

From East LA I took the Metro to North Hollywood and walked, blanket and backpack in hand, to West Hollywood where I met up with Shannon to find out how I will be helping out with a photographer editing photos. A job!

So, pretty much. Crazy. That's just some of the major things, too.

Learning is good. I recommend it.