Thursday, March 31, 2011

Legos

My sister called and left me a voice mail today...

Monday, March 28, 2011

Surf Kailua

Today's surf spot can viewed on The Latest Episode of Hawaii 50

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Number 33

Today I saw a double rainbow.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Great Expectations

When I was in high school I was assigned to read the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

I can't remember at all what the book was about, but I do remember talking to my Dad about the text, and him telling me that he didn't like the book - that he had all these great expectations going into reading the book, only to be disappointed by its content. I'd imagine that I was less than satisfied with the book as well, but I don't think I had any expectations going into the read. It was English class, so if anything, I expected to be bored.

Tonight I posed on my facebook status the question, if God asked you the question, "what do you want me to do for you?" (mark 10:51), how would you reply?

It got me thinking, that more often than not, we don't pose our requests and hopes to God. I think, for fear that we'll be let down. Perhaps we subliminally think that if we place no expectations, than we'll be safeguarded from disappointment.

But what if we're missing out on more that God has and wants to offer us - because we didn't ask.

The thing is, with God - the God of the universe - we should have Great Expectations. We should be expectant.

On Sunday my pastor posed the questions:
As we enter the season of Lent, what are your expectations of Jesus?

What are you hoping for in him?

How can our lives be different because of him?

Monday, March 14, 2011

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Japan

Friday morning New York City woke up to the tragic news of the earthquake that shook Japan.

When I stepped off the elevator in the Empire State Building, in front of me, a television screen shone with images of the devastation.

I paused only for a moment, to take it in; after all, I had a meeting I had to get to. (We always have something more seemingly pressing - don't we?)

And so I started my walk down the long hallway to the meeting room, and as I did, I passed by a coworker that I know only by name. We exchanged polite hellos. But after he passed 5 or 6 steps, he turned back around to continue the conversation saying, "You know, I keep running into ****"

To which I replied, "Oh really?"

"Yeah. He told me to tell you that he says hello."

"Oh, well thanks."

We continued on in our separate directions.

And I considered, maybe he hasn't forgotten about me after all.

I entered the conference room and the facilitator of the meeting started by saying, "Let's take some time to pray for Japan."

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Jury Duty

I'd like to think that yesterday was a rather successful day.

Reason being: I successfully got out of jury duty.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tulip Ceremony

Location: Empire State Building, the 15th floor

I find it rather fascinating that the students that I work with in NYC established tonight a tradition comparable to a tradition that I left behind in California. This evening the girls I work with held what they called the Tulip Ceremony, honoring those who have been nominated for student leadership positions for the following year.

And so tonight I am reminded of a story that I posted on facebook nearly two years ago. But when I posted that story, the thought had not yet crossed my mind that maybe the stranger in the story was actually an angel. I can't say that I'm 100% sure that he was; however, I'm inclined to believe that it was an angel that I crossed paths with that day.

However, I'll let you decide.

The Day I Got My Rose:

My final Saturday at CBU I was out for a run, and on my way back to campus there was this man standing on the side of the sidewalk, evidently waiting for me. As I neared him, he extended out in front of me a single, wrapped, red rose. I turned down my headphones and stopped running to see what the rose was all about.

“This is for you. I want you to have it.” He placed the rose in my right hand and sealed his gift with the words, “God Bless.” To be honest, I was rather dumbfounded, yet deeply moved by his gesture. I mean, I’ve been running for years now, and never before has anyone tried to give me a rose while I’ve been out for a jog.

And for me, a rose isn’t just a rose. So I ask, “Did God lay this on your heart to give to me?”

And he replies, “I saw you running. And I thought you were beautiful, so I went and got it for you. I just wanted you to have it.” There was a sincere gentleness in his presence and in his words; there was nothing shady about him.

On the verge of tears, I tell him, “Thank you. It really means a lot to me. It really does.”

“Well, have a good day. God Bless.” He didn’t try to prolong the conversation or try to get my phone number; it was clear, the rose was not an attempt to hit on me. He turned one way and started on his way, and I turned the other way, looking down at the rose. And I started to weep.

And the tears continued to roll gently down my face as I jogged the rest of the way back to campus holding the red rose in my right hand.

Because for me, a rose isn’t just a rose. It is so much more.

You see, four years ago my RAs started this tradition called the Rose Ceremony - inspired by The Bachelor - to welcome the incoming RA staff. Dressed up, both staffs meet at the gazebo in the James Courtyard for the ceremony. There is an air of excitement as each incoming RA is called forward to accept a rose from a current RA, repeat a set of vows, and is then pronounced Miss 1D, 3B or whatever hall it is that they will be taking over the following year.

In that moment, when they receive their rose, there is great anticipation of what lies ahead. And although it there is much unknown and much uncertainty, there is also much confidence that God has great and beautiful things in store.

So for me, a rose isn’t just a rose. Receiving that rose on that Saturday was one of the most intimate, and personal encounters I have ever had with God. It wasn’t about getting a rose from some guy, but rather it was about God extending his love and care for me in a real and tangible way, and assuring me that there are great things to come.

Throughout my faith journey there have been times that I have questioned this so called “personal” relationship with God. Not that I have ever doubted what Jesus did on the cross for me, but rather there have been times where my relationship with God has felt rather impersonal. But let this story be a testimony – the God of the universe loves you and cares about you – deeply and intimately.

Friday, March 4, 2011

City Nights

You know you're out with a good looking guy when a gay man checks out your date and exclaims, "Wow."

The evening started at

http://www.russianturkishbaths.com/

From there we headed to 338 East 6th Street
Awash: Fine Ethiopian Cuisine

And then to a pub in East Village called The Edge located at 95 East 3rd St where we joined his coworkers for a birthday celebration.

And that's where this girl sought me out of the crowd and said, "Hi, you must be _____'s girlfriend. I'm _______. I recognize you from the pictures."

Girlfriend - eh? That's news to me.
I didn't think I was his girlfriend. Nor did I think that he thought that I was his girlfriend.

He didn't hear the girl say the "G" word, but the next person we ran into asked him, "So is this your girl."

He replied by saying, "Maybe."

So I had no choice but to pull the girl card on our walk to union station. I needed to know what the heck we were.

And so we clarified that no, I am not his girlfriend and he is not by boyfriend.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Sidewalk Chalk

This evening (well, make that yesterday evening - it's currently 3:30 AM EST as I write) as I was running through Central Park, the pavement caught my attention.

The words Become Your Dream were spelled out with sidewalk chalk on the paved pathway leading up to the boathouse. I had to stop to read the words because only the words Become and Dream were horizontal. Like in scrabble, or a crossword puzzle, the word "your" connected the two words together. The y just above the o, spelling down to the r in dream.

As I continued on so did the writing. The words repeated themselves over and over.

Become Your Dream.

Become Your Dream.

Become Your Dream.