Thanksgiving Day And Changing The World

First of all, happy Thanksgiving!!!

This year's approach to Thanksgiving has been different than the last year or so, and done so by Facebook and fellow co-worker Alison. God has used these in simple ways to really challenge me. "How" you say? I'm glad you asked.

Facebook- A few weeks ago someone posted a status update that said something like:

"There are many things to be thankful for. For the rest of this month, start your post with the phrase, "Today I am thankful for ___________." Then fill in the blank. Each day think of something new you're thankful for."

While I consider myself a decently thankful person, I don't know that I'm very thankful or very aware each day of how I am so blessed. I started posting this status update, and this simple update reminder helped put me in the frame of mind of thinking every day of different things I'm thankful for, and helped put things into perspective. A positive perspective. You know, not that I'm all great, but it's pretty hard to have a bad attitude if you're actively looking for the good in each day. So that's Facebook. Now Alison.

Alison- While at work Alison mentioned something that cought my attention. She basically stated the principle behind the above mentioned Facebook activity. It was again a reminder that being thankful is not just a day, but a way of life. It's an outlook, an attitude - not a day to eat turkey. Sure this is the day we set aside to acknowledge our many blessings and share them with others. But thanksgiving is also the way we approach life. It's an act of worship to God, and it changes the world around us when we live with an 'attitude of gratitude' instead of our (I'll admit it!) naturally selfish or self-centered ways. Isn't it neat to know that change really does happen in the world- and really can start with you? In such a simple way as taking on a thankful attitude...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Be blessed! Count your blessings! :)

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Boxing, Baseball, and Derby- Oh My! aka Aglow Int'l Conference Louisville, KY!

Dear blog readers,


Thank you for waiting oh so long for an update on Conference. The 2009 Aglow Int'l Conference was held October 22-25 in Louisville, KY. It was fantastic, and God moved in great ways!
Before I get into it, let me remind you about my blog- I'm writing this blog as part of the Generations page for Aglow Int'l. I'm not sponsoring anything, and they didn't tell me to write anything. But if you wonder why I keep talking about Aglow in my blog? Well- I'm hosted on their page.

And if you're wondering what Aglow is? Aglow is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization that ministers to people worldwide. It used to be open to women only (was called "Women's Aglow" for a number of years) but is now open to men and women. Questions? Just ask. Or check out http://www.aglow.org/. There. For all my personal friend readers, now you know why I talk about my internship so much. Now... Aglow Conference.....


Now, I'm not one to spend money to attend many church conferences. I know it's bad, but I don't have a lot of money to spend! Although yes- I could forfit a new sweater and shoes to go to a conference. But then- WHO do you go hear or see?

Here is a list:

Joyce Meyer - Yes.
Chip Ingram - Yes.
Christine Cain - Yes.
Aglow Int'l - YES YES YES.

Aglow has made my list this year. And quite honestly, I didn't know much about Aglow before I began interning, so save the comments please. ;) The conference (which happens annually and will be held in San Jose, CA next October) was packed full of exciting worship, great speakers, excellent teaching, and best of all- the presence of God just permeated the place.

The speakers this year were Jane Hansen Hoyt, Mike Bickle, Graham Cooke, and Asher Intrater.

Mike Bickle is the founder of the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. The IHOP is a House of Prayer based on Isaiah 56:7 which says, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." The goal of IHOPS is to have 24/7 prayer and worship. I could go on and on, but check out http://www.ihop.org/. Mike Bickle spoke about intimacy with God- how God loves us and wants our fellowship and love (which come through reading, thinking about, and speaking out God's word, talking to God- throughout your day as you go about your activities and in a specific prayer time, and singing to God).

Graham Cooke is a part of The Mission in Vacaville, CA. He was very funny while he spoke, but he also spoke about the relationship we can have with Jesus- how God really wants us to be in close fellowship with Him, to really know Him.

Jane Hansen Hoyt is the president of Aglow Int'l. Jane spoke about the role of men and women- that men and women are partners, co-laborers together here on the Earth. She spoke about how men and women in the church are to join hands together and accomplish God's work. This was a powerful message!

And Asher Intrater is the director of Revive Israel Ministries in Jerusalem. Asher's teaching/speaking session was so powerful that I don't even know where to begin! He spoke about Christians honoring their Jewish brothers and sisters in the faith- recognizing that we are grafted in the vine. This session especially was so powerful- there was such a love that was imparted for our Jewish brothers and sisters. Many, including me, left with a changed heart- a heart full of love for Jews, love to see them saved and restored into relationship with Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, Jesus Christ.

If any of the descriptions I have used here sound strange or unfamiliar, please feel free to write me if you would like me to clarify. I try to stay away from "christianese" when I write, but I may not have avoided it fully. Also, if you would just like to hear more about conference in depth, you are welcome to visit http://www.freshpublishing.com/ and order the Conference DVD, or CD's.

Perhaps most amazing about conference, was seeing Aglow members from all over the world. While Aglow operates in over 160 countries around the world, members from almost 105 countries attended the conference! Shown below are a few of my friends from Venezuela. They are fabulous women of God, and we became friends quickly! I am privilaged to know them.

I was fortunate to get time to walk around downtown Louisville and explore. Being the home of Mohammed Ali, The Louisville Slugger, and The Kentucky Derby, there were some fun things to explore and learn! Here is the beloved Rick, Rowena, and Oyin, on the steps of City Hall.

Louisville was a blast, and conference was awesome! I would honestly encourage you to make it a priority to attend the San Jose, CA conference this next year.

And last but not least- Boston. In my last post I said I would give some tidbits on Boston so here they are:

My friend and I were able to take a trip to Boston after the Aglow Conference. It was so much fun and such a blast! Here are some things we would highly recommend:

*Take a duck tour! So much fun, and what a great way to get a feel of the historic downtown.
*The Boston Commons. You may want to go here before you see the freedom trail....
*Go see Harvard. If not to see the beautiful grounds, then to take your best "Legally Blonde" picture... I mean...
*The Freedom Trail. This is the number one tour/trail/etc. you want to do in Boston. $15 for an audio tour track, and worth every penny.
*And if it's the season, take in a Red Sox game! "Let's go, Boston!!"

Again, I encourage you to comment or e-mail me if something I wrote about doesn't make sense- I would love to talk with you! Conference was fantastic, and Boston was a great time as well. I hope everyone is doing wonderful!

Welcome to my blog!

Hello faithful readers,

Thank you for following my transition from Wordpress to Blogger, via The Emerald City Chronicles. This is my blogging account of my experiences at Aglow and in Washington State, most specifically Seattle (The Emerald City).

I try to update about once a week, and I try to alternate posts so that you tend to get a spiritual thought and then a funny/life in Seattle thought every other week. Check back in a couple days and I'll update you on the Aglow Int'l Conference of 2009 - with highlights on Boston, to boot!

Oh yes. You don't want to miss it.

I Just Wanna Be With You

Post from early November:

I will eventually update on conference, but that might come in a later blog. First I thought I’d give a quick thought inspired by… my cat.

I’m visiting home and I am happy to see my cat again! She’s so cute and loveable, and I just miss her. But- I also have to work. So, I set up my computer and get to work, reading and typing away. My dad takes a seat at the table across from me and pulls out a book to read. All is well.

After awhile I notice my cat, sitting by my feet. She looks up at me, her eyes clearly begging for me to let her sit with me, but I’m working, so I just pet her and assume she’ll walk away and find something else to do. She does walk away, but only for a matter of seconds. I pet her again, and think she’ll move on- but again, she just doesn’t want to be away from me it seems. Finally, she jumps onto a chair and walks on the table. This is not smiled upon cat behavior in this house, and my dad looks at the cat and frowns. She walks over to my computer, and walks up to me- and I get it. She just wants to be with me. She doesn’t care where I am or what I’m doing. She just wants to be near me- and feel me near her. And I think to myself- that’s how I want to be with God.

I want to be SO in love with Him, that no matter what is going on in life, my first priority, my first want and desire, is just to be with God. To be near Him, be in His presence, every moment of every day. And isn’t that how God wants us? Not saying some long, rehearsed prayer ever hour because we have to or whatnot- but going about our day, thinking about Him, talking to Him, and listening for Him to speak into our lives.

Just a thought…

All You Need Is Love

October 2009

So I admit it, the title of this blog came from the song. But the subject matter is the same. Love.

What is love, when defined as a verb- an action? Is love more of a feeling, thought, or action? Does it matter? I think it can easily be all three, but the most important is the verb form- we must act out love in our actions.

How do you do that on a daily basis? As a christian we’re supposed to love as Christ loves. How do you (we) do that? I’m not asking to judge, I’m just trying to get thoughts flying. I think one way I tend to act in love is simple acts of consideration: holding doors open for people, picking up trash, or saying “good morning”, etc.

Just a few thoughts on my mind…. What do you think?

The couch: A moving story (and a must read!)

Hey everyone!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post. I wanted to let you know I am attempting to polish up a brand new blog site. I ran into some technical difficulties, so it looks like my blog might have a new address soon. I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, would you like to FINALLY hear the couch story?? What was that? “Yes” you say? Alright!!


Awhile ago my roommate and I moved into a great apartment in Seattle. We are on the third floor of a small complex with 2 bedrooms, a fantastic kitchen, and a beautiful balcony view. My roommate’s brothers and some friends came up for the day and helped move ALL of our furniture in to the apartment- yes. Aren’t they awesome? I think so, too. SO, before I explain this couch situation- there are a few bits of background information you should know:


1. At our apartment there are 4 flights of indoor stairs.
2. My roommate bought a WONDERFUL couch (It’s very comfortable), and so it is- well- our first very own couch!
3. My roommate, and her friends, are rock climbers.


So. Why does this matter? Let’s start at the stairs. Four flights, all indoors. First of all, if the stairs were a straight line of stairs it would be easier to carry heavy items up… buuuut ours are not. And outdoor stairs (open air stairs) don’t leave you with the possability of getting stuck in the stairwell. Or at least not as much… buuuut ours do. And also, the fact that it’s four sets of winding flights of stairs (ie. One set of stairs. Wall. Turn the corner. Next set of stairs. Wall… and so forth) make this moving thing quite tricky.


Moving on to the couch. It was the end of a LONG and packed moving day. We cleaned out two different houses in less than twelve hours and transported all the contents into our new apartment- and we were exhausted. The last thing to move it would be- the couch. Since too many cooks in the kitchen is a bad thing, I knew to let the guys handle the couch. I stayed in the apartment and cleared a walkway for the couch, and waited for the last bit of our moving to be DONE. Cant’ you just hear Ross right now? “Pivot!!” “PIVOT!!” If you can picture that, then you can see what went on with this blog.

3 guys, 1 girl, and 4 flights of stairs later, there are some sweaty guys and a giant couch making it’s way through the hallway to our door!!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE A COUCH!!! I step back, hold the door open, and watch as…..the couch doesn’t fit. They back up, turn around, and try again. NOPE. Back up, manuver the couch differently. No!! Could you tip the couch like a tree? Would you, could you diagonally? Would you could you back it up? Would you could you, nope… it’s stuck.


We did EVERYTHING. Our neighbor’s heard the commotion (by the way, it’s definitly evening now) and opens his door to let us back into HIS apartment and try to shoot the couch through our doorway.. same problem. STUCK. The guys talk. They think. They ponder. They try to take the legs off the couch. They decide. ….The verdict? The couch WILL NOT, is not, CAN NOT go through our apartment door. We have no couch. (And that also means no bed for one of us for the night).


AND THEN…. Someone get’s a brilliant idea.


Back down the stairs they go! The couch goes back down 1, 2, 3, FOUR flights of stairs, and 40 stairs, 2 guys, and 1 girl later the couch ends up in the parking lot. And here is where the roommate perks come into play. Since my roommate and her friends are rock climbers, what idea comes to mind? That’s right, you guessed it. The group downstairs begins tying rope around the couch. We will HOIST it up the balcony and take it into the apartment via balcony door!
It was a show for all. Our next door neighbors could see it. The downstairs neighbors were on their balcony ready to watch the couch float by… And I was on our balcony, with another freind, trying to video tape this event on my phone. If it hadn’t been dark outside I would have had the BEST video for you! So the guys downstairs finish tying the couch, and me and buddy on the balcony start hoisting it up. It didn’t take long, and YES the couch was safely up to, over, and on the balcony. YEA!!!!!!


We carried it through the balcony door, and voila ~ I am sitting on it as I type.
And that, dear friends, is my moving story. Couches and rock climbers. Gotta love ‘em.