Europa 2

Stay tuned!! Lots to share... :)

Happy Birthday Hunter David!!

Thats right I am an Auntie again.. this time to a healthy baby boy!!

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.

Craig and Cindy Corrie. The parents of the human activist of Rachel Corrie who was killed by an Israeli military bulldozer in Gaza as she tried to prevent a home demolition of a Palestinian family. After her death the Corries have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of justice and peace in the Middle East. Seeking accountability and to challenge the Israeli Government, the Israeli and U.S. court systems, and the corporate headquarters of Caterpillar Inc.

 
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.

Amer Shurrab is a Palestinian peace activist from Gaza. After the devastation that struck his family during a military assault on Gaza in 2009 has been calling for justice and for all victims of Israeli assaults. Both his brothers and his father were shot, not because they posed a threat, but from driving from working at their farm, home one morning. His story is one that will stick with me the rest of my life, and I thank him for telling us his story.


Jad Isaac, who I wasnt able to get a picture with at dinner is an environmental expert and applied promotes research, technology transfer, sustainable development and self reliance of the Palestinian people through greater control over their natural resources. He spoke on the freedom of movement of Palestinians in a land that is called Israel.

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.

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!!

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, 21^st from 12-1:30.

May the grace of God be with you everyday.

Love,

Sara Elin Avadarian

An ode to my Vilhelmsro peps!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwsV2f1ZggM

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.