im moving in with my best friend's husband...

and my best friend. and another couple and their cute baby boy. and perhaps some other people. oh and a dog. yep. for now we have 6 people (including the baby) who are passionate about this communal living thing. im really excited. we are moving into hannah's parents house, and hannahs parents are moving to the mountains. so fun changes for everyone. i just pray that the lord will teach us and grow us together and that we can just love in his name.

acts 4:32 all the believers were one in heart and mind. no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. with great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the lord jesus, and much grace was upon them all. there were no needy persons among them.

if you know anyone else who wants to come live with us or needs a place to stay at any point, let me know.

(oh and the title of this post is from a similar title of an article in relevant magazine a while back...clever)

so this is the new year...and i dont feel any different

happy 2009! time goes by too fast.
new years eve is one of my least favorite holidays. you always feel like you have to be doing something really cool or else your whole next year is gonna suck.
this year was fun though, i went to hannah and josh's and josh made some yummy enchiladas! mmm. we played games and snuck in the hot tub and it was a great new years eve.

i am all about setting goals and making lists...so here are some resolutions (they are pretty similar every year...shoot)
1. complain less
2. eat healthier
3. spend less at starbucks
4. run more
5. become a yoga master (yoga bible study?)
6. visit 5 new countries
7. start a commune
8. read more classics
9. join a bible study
10. substitute teach
11. go back to school maybe
12. own less
13. give more
14. love deeper

almost unbelievable

for god so loved ME that he gave his one and only son...for ME. so that i WILL NOT perish, but i will have EVERLASTING life with my savior.

like my nephew dante would say...thats AWESOME!

thank you lord for sending your son. for me.

to spend or not to spend

my friends and i have been pondering the meaning of christmas. and how it relates to the way most people celebrate it. getting together with family - good. eating yummy food - good. worshiping jesus - good. but there is so much more that we (my friends and i) have been consumed with. consumerism.
i thought this video/website was interesting.

top 5 christmas songs

what are yours?

here's mine.

1. please come home for christmas by the eagles
2. oh holy night
3. carol of the bells
4. baby its cold outside
5. oakridge boys christmas

soooo good....

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!


Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

b uti wi llm iss u

you are everything i want. and nothing i need.

and so it is...

giving more than 'thanks'

i just got home from the gym and i think the people there probably think im mean or mad. i just tend to think a lot when i work out and today my thoughts were confusing and disturbing...and thus the outlook on my face. oh well.

'tis the season for these familiar thoughts.

this morning while i was having breakfast with my nephews, delicious sausage and some yogurt, a commercial came on for some hot wheels. my nephew's (age six) eyes light up (like they do anytime he sees A toy) and he gets excited about the 29 day count down till christmas (aka the day he will get many presents). he goes on to express his excitement by signing:
'happy birthday to...dante!'
whoa whoa whoa. back up back up...who's birthday are we celebrating?, i ask
again,
happy birthday to dante?
um actually its JESUS' birthday, you know - the reason for the season?
OH YEAH!, he remembers. and starts the song again this time, 'happy birthday to YOU - during 'you' he points up (towards heaven i presume).

it was quite comical but made me think at the same time. are these holidays even real or is it just an excuse to consume? giving and receiving stuff. stuff that i want and feel like i need.

later while i was working out, CNN informs us that there are terrorist attacks going on in mumbai whilst i am on the elliptical. i feel a burden - that i am not grateful enough for being safe, for being born in a safe country. for not showing my thanks by giving more. who am i to have all that i have? and who are they (they being anyone living in poverty) to not have enough?

a commercial plays. its a commercial for starbucks, which is rare. it was about how they have partnered with the 'red' campaign (in the war fighting against aids). it asks questions like "what if its not about ME, what if its about WE." it was actually a really good commercial. i mean, it ALMOST justifies spending $4 on a coffee (which i am completely guilty of).

i pray that our country will be burdened with the weight of our 'stuff' that we are challenged to give more, but spend less. not be consumed by what the media makes of this season. make it clear to me Lord where i should spend my time and energy and money. thank you for blessing my life. remind me to not be too comfortable. stretch me and use me. i pray that the situation in mumbai will be under control soon and i pray for those who are scared. use that situation for good somehow.