So I have been so bad at keeping my blog updated.... most of you don't read this while I'm home anyway... but for those who might... I've had a busy month.
I have been staying with my friend Sarah, who thank God has allowed me to invade her life and her couch while I get certified to teach English. It's been long nights, and lots of lesson plans, but I did it!! I am done and have been applying for jobs in South Korea in hopes to leave ASAP... so hopefully November. I promise I will get better at this updating thing.
I have a lot to be thankful for. This month has gone by so fast it's hard to believe September ever happened. Sarah and I have gotten a lot closer and I am most thankful for that. Ryan got a new job, so not only will he be happier, but I will actually get to see him more often. I can't complain about anything, because well.. I've been really lucky.
Keep praying for me please... I need God to lead me into the direction that I am meant to go.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Does U.S Policy on Isreal/Palestine uphold our values?
April 18, 2010 the American Friends Service Committee who I do my internship with, put on a mock U.S congressional hearing asking the question, Does U.S. policy on Israel/ Palestine uphold our values?
Witnesses joined us from Israel, Palestine, and Washington telling us stories of their experiences relating to freedom of movement, military aid, and property rights in Palestine.
The listener panel asked questions that would have really stirred up the congressmen and senators if they had shown up. Why didnt they show up? Maybe they were scared that the questions asked would have been to hard to answer, or were they nervous that the personal stories shared would have really affected the way they vote in congress?
Well, I was given the most amazing opportunity of my life this Sunday. I got to not only hear the stories of these amazing, inspiring people, but I got to meet and talk with them after. These are exceptional people working for justice and peace in Israel/Palestine and anyone should be inspired to be in the same room as them.
Jeff Halper is the Coordinator of the Israeli Committee Against HOme demolition. He has led nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience against the Israeli occupation authorities.
Jad Isaac, who I wasnt able to get a picture with at dinner is an environmental expert and applied promotes research,
I am very great full to have been part of something so amazing, to have met some of the most amazing activists in this field, and an intern for an amazing organization like AFSC.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Friends
I have been blessed with amazing friends, friends that stick by me through it all. Even when I do stupid things they don't judge, they laugh with me instead! But no matter what I know who I can call to chat with or to cry to. I am blessed to know the feeling to have friends that are always there. There are times however, when I feel like there is no one. Like I am alone to deal with it all, that all those stupid things are too stupid... but the most exciting truth is that, I do!
I got a letter from one of the boys down in Oaxaca yesterday. He drew me the most beautiful picture and wrote me an amazing, very elaborately decorated letter.In the letter he tells me that his Christmas was great, but that school is not so good, and that he has no friends, and my heart dropped. I just want to hug him, and tell him NO!! You do have friends, if no one else you have God! He is always there to listen, to cry with, and to laugh with you when you do stupid things.
I need to find the words to write to him. I need to find the appropriate words to say. I want him to know that I am his friend, that God is his friend. But how do I say it??? How do I do that?
I pray everyday for him, I pray that God shows him that everlasting love that this beautiful boy is looking for.
Help me pray for him!
A very special, Thank you to Ryan, Greg and Angie for being the best friends that are always there, who support me, who laugh with me, and who do stupid things with me :)
I love you guys!!
I got a letter from one of the boys down in Oaxaca yesterday. He drew me the most beautiful picture and wrote me an amazing, very elaborately decorated letter.In the letter he tells me that his Christmas was great, but that school is not so good, and that he has no friends, and my heart dropped. I just want to hug him, and tell him NO!! You do have friends, if no one else you have God! He is always there to listen, to cry with, and to laugh with you when you do stupid things.
I need to find the words to write to him. I need to find the appropriate words to say. I want him to know that I am his friend, that God is his friend. But how do I say it??? How do I do that?
I pray everyday for him, I pray that God shows him that everlasting love that this beautiful boy is looking for.
Help me pray for him!
A very special, Thank you to Ryan, Greg and Angie for being the best friends that are always there, who support me, who laugh with me, and who do stupid things with me :)
I love you guys!!
Monday, January 18, 2010
A letter
“And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them” -Mark 10:16
It’s not often that we go on mission’s trips to expect to be changed, we go on these trips to help those in need, to do God’s work and to show love to those who may have never felt love before. I planned on sweating, blistering, and digging most of; if not all of the ten days I spent in Oaxaca, Mexico. God had much more planned for me in those ten days though. I for the first time, saw God, felt God, and heard God everyday.
I heard the stories of the children who were abused, neglected and abandoned sing the praises of God and thank him for what he has given them. I heard the testimonies of eight men in prison, who asked for our forgiveness, and who found God during what could be the worst time of their lives. I felt pure love from the children who don’t have mothers, and who just wanted to be held. I saw God in their eyes, heard his word from their mouths, and felt Gods love with every embrace. I ask that you continue to pray for those in Oaxaca.
If you are interested in hearing my story, what I have experienced and what I have learned, join me on Sunday February, 21st from 12-1:30.
May the grace of God be with you everyday.
Love,
Sara Elin Avadarian
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Bucket list
So this is actually kinda silly, but I promised someone
that this would go up in my blog...
It's called, The Bucket List.
These are a few things that I may have done in my lifetime,
those that I have, get an X. (X) Gone on a blind date ( X) Skipped school ( X) Watched someone die ( ) Been to Canada ( ) Been to Florida ( ) Been to Hawaii ( X) Been on a plane (X ) Been lost ( ) Gone to Washington, DC ( x) Swam in the ocean ( X) Cried yourself to sleep ( ) Played cops and robbers, swing and statue,TV
freeze tag,butts-up, or kick ball in the middle of your street.
( X) Learned another langauage
(X ) Recently colored with crayons ( X) Sang Karaoke
( X) Paid for a meal with coins only. ( X ) Been to the St. Louis Arch ( X ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't -
( X ) Made prank phone calls ( X ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans ( X ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came
out of your nose
( X) Been truly in love
( X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue ( x ) Danced in the rain ( X ) Written a letter to Santa Claus ( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe (X ) Watched the sunrise with someone ( X ) Blown bubbles ( X ) Gone ice-skating ( X ) Been skinny dipping outdoors ( X ) Gone to the movies ( ) Been deep sea fishing ( ) Driven across the United States
(X ) Traveled alone
( ) Been in a hot air balloon ( X ) Been sky diving ( ) Gone snowmobiling ( X ) Lived in more than one country ( x ) Laid outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
( x ) Seen a falling star and made a wish ( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Ole Faithful Geyser ( ) Seen the Statue of Liberty ( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle ( X ) Been on a cruise ( X ) Traveled by train ( X ) Traveled by motorcycle ( X ) Been horseback riding ( X ) Ridden on a San Francisco Trolley ( X ) Been to Disneyland (Disneyworld)
( X) Been Skiing or Snowboarding
( X ) Truly believe in the power of prayer! ( ) Been to the top of an active volcano and seen hot lava ( ) Been in a rain forest ( X ) Seen whales OR Dolphins in the ocean ( ) Been to Niagara Falls ( ) Ridden on an elephant ( ) Swam with dolphins A little more personal...
Do you have a nickname? Karl
Mother's name? Sherrie Favorite drink? Chocolate Milk Body Piercings? Ears How much do you love your job? Enough
Birthplace? Chicago, Il.
Favorite vacation spot? England
Do you want any kids? Yes, maybe 3
Ever been to Africa? Not yet Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? Yup Ever been on TV? Yeah.. I am kinda cool Ever steal any traffic signs? no Ever been in a car accident? no Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? none Can you drive a standard shift car? Maybe... sorta Favorite pie? Cheese cake.. I think that counts.
Favorite number? 10 though it's not lucky :(
Favorite Movie? Wow... I hate this question, I don't know. Favorite holiday? Christmas
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Sweden.
Favorite food? Pizza Favorite day of the week? Saturday Favorite brand of body soap? Dove Favorite toothpaste? Crest plus whitening gel Favorite smell? rain, fresh cut grass, baked cookies,the ocean
How do you relax? watch a girlie movie and eat cookie dough. How do you see yourself in 10 years? In a good,
happy place,God willing.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Resolution
So around this time of the year people are either keeping their resolutions, "A new year, A new Me!" while others are thinking... "How can I tweak my resolution?" of course there are those who say.. "Resolution... did I make one?"
Well my resolution is one I intend on following through with. I made this resolution after much thought, and not on January 1st, I made it right before the New Year.
Let me break it down a little first before I jump in and spill. So I am that person who you call, and if I don't pick up I will call you back promptly. I am the one who knows a lot of random information. So when you need something I can get it, and I am really good at problem solving. I help my friends with what ever they need, and don't expect much in return. I am there always, even if it's for a cup of coffee or to celebrate something. The people who are in my life I value greatly, and love them all.
The things I expect in return from my friends are what I think as basic things, friendship, trust and love. Having said that, I get hurt, a lot. I get stood up, I don't get called back, when I need someone often they are to busy, and I have been lied to by the people I love.
Now.. This is where my resolution comes in. I have forgiven many of them several times, maybe more times then some would say is deserved even. I am still that friend who is there and I usually don't complain. But now.. I am stopping it. I only want people in my life that I can trust, that I can call and they will answer, and people who don't stand me up!
I know this sounds harsh, but I have been thinking about why this happens, and the only thing I can think of is that they were not real friends to begin with so why be friends now?
Well my resolution is one I intend on following through with. I made this resolution after much thought, and not on January 1st, I made it right before the New Year.
Let me break it down a little first before I jump in and spill. So I am that person who you call, and if I don't pick up I will call you back promptly. I am the one who knows a lot of random information. So when you need something I can get it, and I am really good at problem solving. I help my friends with what ever they need, and don't expect much in return. I am there always, even if it's for a cup of coffee or to celebrate something. The people who are in my life I value greatly, and love them all.
The things I expect in return from my friends are what I think as basic things, friendship, trust and love. Having said that, I get hurt, a lot. I get stood up, I don't get called back, when I need someone often they are to busy, and I have been lied to by the people I love.
Now.. This is where my resolution comes in. I have forgiven many of them several times, maybe more times then some would say is deserved even. I am still that friend who is there and I usually don't complain. But now.. I am stopping it. I only want people in my life that I can trust, that I can call and they will answer, and people who don't stand me up!
I know this sounds harsh, but I have been thinking about why this happens, and the only thing I can think of is that they were not real friends to begin with so why be friends now?
Forgivness
Forgiveness is much harder then just staying mad. Many know this already, it’s not a new concept, and most will agree. As a Christian I have struggled with forgiveness. Forgiving those who don't ask for it, forgiving those who sometimes I don't think deserve it. God teaches us to forgive, and turn the other cheek.
Sometimes in my case anyway, forgiveness comes even when it's not asked for. I know that it’s, not holding onto that grudge or about moving on to better things. It's about loving the person even when they do things that are wrong, or when they do or say something I do not agree with.
The thing is, I am not always ready to forgive, I don't always want to. I want that person to know they have hurt me, before I can forgive them, not to just forgive and them not know they did anything wrong. I want them to say they are sorry, not because it would help me forgive them so that we can move past it, but because they are truly sorry for what they have done. That means sometimes showing me that they can change their ways not just saying it.
Of course, I have forgiven many of them and we have moved on. But I can't seem to forget any of it. I am still apprehensive, and scared about getting hurt again. I don't want to get to close. I don't want to reveal much of myself.
I pray that God will help me with this.
Sometimes in my case anyway, forgiveness comes even when it's not asked for. I know that it’s, not holding onto that grudge or about moving on to better things. It's about loving the person even when they do things that are wrong, or when they do or say something I do not agree with.
The thing is, I am not always ready to forgive, I don't always want to. I want that person to know they have hurt me, before I can forgive them, not to just forgive and them not know they did anything wrong. I want them to say they are sorry, not because it would help me forgive them so that we can move past it, but because they are truly sorry for what they have done. That means sometimes showing me that they can change their ways not just saying it.
Of course, I have forgiven many of them and we have moved on. But I can't seem to forget any of it. I am still apprehensive, and scared about getting hurt again. I don't want to get to close. I don't want to reveal much of myself.
I pray that God will help me with this.
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