MORE BOXES / more hours dedicated to the folding, stuffing, and taping of my belongings---they're used to it by now.  I'm not.



& it feels like I just arrived in San Diego, like the summer just started and there are so many adventures left to be lived.  Yes, much was accomplished these past two months: I spent 100 hours on my internship, slaved away at 30+ hours of homework, ran around San Diego & it's lovely beaches, and enjoyed the friendship/hospitality of my aunt.

Much was left to be desired  //  I missed summertime memories with my family, surviving Kansas heat with Kansas friends, & most of all, my home church.  Now, I see more clearly how the call for believers in Christ to be involved in the local church cannot be ignored.  I can serve people everyday for the glory of God, but I miss being able to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday and throughout the week.  I am really thankful for Live-Stream, the technology that made it feel like Pastor Rick was practically in the room every Sunday morning (I love hi-def!)

Thinking about another country, another timezone, another bed, another long-distance relationship, & another group of companions...can I look to God and be thankful for these opportunities in all circumstances ?

For anyone who has ever struggled with "moving on"

these words by John Piper forever changed my outlook:

And the question rose in my heart – almost like a cry of rebellion – Lord, is this all that life is – the accumulation of memories? The closing of one chapter after another? And as we move to the end of our lives, more and more life lies behind and less and less lies before, so that the closing of every chapter becomes more and more painful?

Or does this very ache in our heart – this reflex of rebellion against the closing of chapters – signify that we are made for something more? Something future? Something permanent? Has God, as Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "set eternity in [our] heart"? Is this immense longing in my heart to experience something precious and deep and true and beautiful and personal and satisfying that is permanent and not passing away – is that longing just an evolutionary, chemical development with no more personal significance than an upset stomach?

And at that moment, standing on that porch, I rejoiced that God has made known to us in his Word, the Bible, that we can belong to a kingdom, and a family that is permanent, and that not even death will separate us from him and from all those who trust him, and that his mercies will be new every morning forever and ever, and there will be no more sense of loss. No painful endings anymore.

Read the rest of John Piper's story here:

Thank God for the Mercies of Christ

This last weekend was an extravaganza. I realized just how thankful I am that the Lord created food, and gave us the additional blessing of fresh.organic.homecooked.meals.

Not only that, but I come from a rich heritage of excellent cooks, who understand that garden fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits can forever alter your tastebuds.

Here is a visual tasting session from Saturday's menu :::



& yes, this was all consumed in one evening.  it was a very long evening.

created for: my business man [Jon] as he strides forward into a new phase of life.
wind/movement in the picture: our favorite lyrics, verses, whispers of the past, deja vu.
materials: canvas paper, fine-point Sharpie, love.

[caption id="attachment_99" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="" 'growing forward' ""][/caption]

just a story to accompany the picture :

Jon inspires me. Tonight, we enjoyed a delectable meal of tapas at Cafe Sevilla in downtown SD.  Sitting beside our cozy table was an older couple, who saw us eying their squid-ink paella and offered us some.  That was the start of a 45-minute conversation with this southern duo who had taken a 2,200 mile train ride from their texan home to explore LA and SD for their 25th wedding anniversary.  My favorite part: I was able to share about India with these complete strangers.  Our conversation covered a wide realm of topics (soccer, neighbors, international travel, teaching, knee surgery) and in each one, the door was open to talk about Christ.  So we did.  And they listened. Which made me realize [once again] that God is always holding open the door, I just have to be willing to step through.  So thanks to Jon for boldly taking the step with me, and praise be to Christ for not only saving us, but giving us the chance to be at that restaurant and to meet George & Carla and to share [not only squid-ink paella & mussels] but eternal truth. I wish I could've stepped inside our waiter's mind as he refilled our Diet Coke ten times and wondered when his cheapest customers were going to stop talking to other tables and leave!

people have the ability to inspire because they are glimpses of the creative mastermind of God

My music preferences are ever-evolving.

Regardless of whether they are new or oldies, here's my current summer beats...for this week, that is.

[caption id="attachment_93" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="MGMT. Greek Theatre. 2010"][/caption]

City of Black & White. Mat Kearney

Sleephead. Passion Pit

Not Myself. John Mayer

Captains of the Sky. Sky Sailing

Liztomania. The Phoenix

King of Anything. Sara Bareilles

Knees to the Floor. Francis & the Lights

Monsoon. Delorean

Beg, Steal, or Borrow. Ray LaMontagne

Electric Feel. MGMT

Heaven's Song. Phil Wickham

Currents. Sleeping At Last

Disclaimer: some of these songs, I didn't like until the 3rd [maybe 5th] time I heard them. Give them a chance?

So it's been a while.  I have been wanting to write, but choosing just one topic was a daunting task.  My time here in San Diego reaches the 2-week mark tomorrow.  I love the time I've had here to reflect on India and to be alone with my thoughts and the Lord.  I've already had lots of important visitors ( keep 'em coming ) and been so blessed by the lessons God is teaching me about money, priorities, and relationships.

Another thing, I firmly believe the "firsts" in life only end when you become complacent

in my time here,

I have

Visited the beach by myself // on a cloudy day

On the same occasion, wore my beautiful India shirt // & a bird had loose-motion all over me

Tried to run for the first time in a month // gigantic hills are the wrong place to start

Browned mushrooms in butter // to.die.for

Learned how to check & add oil to my car // trying to make Grandpa proud

Been towed at Malibu beach // talk about ridiculous parking restrictions

Tried the Indian food in America // tip: never eat fast food "Indian", especially after going to India

Attended a summer concert in LA // danced the night away to MGMT

Given my mother a henna tattoo // too bad it wore off in a day

Made Dahl by myself //  started a minor kitchen fire [paper towel]