Today I learned what this phrase means when used in an oral surgeon's office. Nothing with my mouth/teeth can ever be easy. My surgeon had to do a "procedure" today to remove infected tissue that had tucked itself away in the place where my wisdom teeth used to be. Hopefully the infection's completely gone now, but in the meantime, I'm stuck with a swollen face again.
Thanks to the G20 Summit taking over Pittsburgh (its roads, in particular,) my class was canceled today. Sooo, instead of class, I visited RTCS for the weekly Chapel service. My friend and fellow graduate, Alena Landon, was also able to visit today. I've really enjoyed being able to visit RTCS since graduating in June. It's so amazing to me that I spent 13 years in that school, yet God perfectly prepared my heart to leave it. I don't feel any sort of strong attachment or "need" to be there (as a student again) when I visit. I felt very peaceful and as if I had completed all the work He had for me at RTCS when I graduated. I was really nervous that I'd have a hard time with not returning this year, but the Lord has been faithful. All I feel is simple encouragement when I return there. The teachers are just as caring and loving as they were before and the students are just as fun and like family. It's encouraging to me when I'm surrounded by worldliness (whether it's at school or work) to remember the amazing work God is doing at RTCS in the lives of the students, staff and families. I was reminded of that work today--by hearing a teacher's testimony and singing along with my former classmates. I'm so overwhelmingly thankful for God's provision for RTCS and I know that He has provided so abundantly because of the faithfulness of the people there.
ps. On a more ridiculous note, I used the teachers' stall in the restroom today and felt really rebellious (students aren't permitted to use it.) haha. I promptly informed Mr. Wirebaugh (the headmaster) that I broke a rule because I can't get in trouble anymore. haha. :)
Yep, you read correctly. Go green protesters attempting to chain themselves to the West End Bridge. In my opinion, the only "go green" people that have a right to protest here are the ones that walked to Pittsburgh. Think of all the fuel being used by thousands of protesters traveling to Pittsburgh by car, bus or plane. People are silly.
I'll be sure to post anything "exciting" that happens. I'm hoping to get some photos of the traffic craziness, too.
I'm a music nerd at heart and this brings joy to my soul. Kudos to my friend, Alena, for sending me the video. {Warning: he swears a little at the end.}
ps. I still love Canon in D....but I love cellos more.
"...But all this introspection was really designed to serve no other purpose than to create a people who had no thoughts of their own...."
This is a statement I just read in Wild Swans, a memoir of three generations of Chinese women. I'm about half-way through the book and LOVE it. The author, Jung Chang, paints an intricate picture of what life was and is like in Communist China. She begins the book with the life of her grandmother--a concubine to a warlord general, and continues the family history with her mother--a committed worker for the Communist party. At my current place in the book, Jung is about thirteen years old (1966) and living on a compound for Communist officials and their families.
This book has already immensely opened my eyes to the reality of Communism and the effects it has had on the Chinese people. As a "sheltered American," the descriptions of the cult of Mao and the overwhelming propaganda that had overtaken the country send shivers up my spine. From Jung's point of view (in the quote above,) you can see how the deception of the government in its lust for power essentially "brain washed" the people into believing anything decreed by Mao.
Once I finish the book, I'll write a more thorough post on my thoughts and impressions. Until then, you can be reminded (along with me) to be praying for the Kingdom work being done in China. All nations are in the Lord's hand and I know that He will be faithful in the lives of His Chinese children.
Hello and welcome to my new online home! My Pilgrim Photography days are over (at least the official part,) but I decided to start a new blog as an attempt to keep all those who've moved away (and I suppose those who are still here) updated on my life. For right now, my posts will be somewhat random and coincide with my daily life and thoughts. I'm hoping in a few months it will take a little more specific direction, but I'll share more about that later. :)
The title that I've chosen for my blog comes from one of my favorite hymns, 'To Christ The Lord Let Every Tongue." You can read the lyrics here. It's a beautiful hymn with chilling words that deeply resonate with me. I thought the phrase "survey the beauties" was very fitting to describe my purpose in writing and sharing. I'm offering you a "survey" or brief overview of my daily life and in that, I hope you will see the beauty of the Lord's work in my life. I also love the phrase "on His glories dwell." I hope that this blog will serve as a way for me to reflect and dwell on the glory of the Lord and encourage you to do so as well.
So....what is my life like right now? --I'm currently a freshman at CCAC (Community College of Allegheny County.) This was not my first choice in school (and I don't feel the need to explain all the details,) but I feel confident that the Lord's plan for my life (including my college career) is perfect and far better than anything I've attempted to plan myself. --I'm taking four courses this semester--three of which are online. (If you're curious, I'm taking Astronomy, Intro to Sociology, American History 1 and English 101.) I attend my basic English Composition class two times a week and the rest of my class work is done via the internet and textbooks. --That being said, I spend about 80% of my week in coffee shops. I'm able to stay focused and get a lot more done by doing school work away from home. I'm definitely loving this aspect of my life. Sitting in a coffee shop with a book, a latte and good music playing in head phones is my idea of a fantastic day. For the most part, you can find me at Niko's Coffee House. --I've also kept my job as a barista at the Barnes & Noble Cafe (I really do live and breathe coffee right now.) It's hard to believe I've worked there two years already! I enjoy my job and I've gotten to know some of the people I work with really well. --The other 20% of my week: I'm a member of my church's choir as well as a WONDERFUL ladies ensemble called LVOP (Ladies Voices of Providence.) I've also gotten involved with a small group that meets at the University of Pittsburgh through RUF (Reformed University Fellowship.) It's a great group of believers and I'm thankful I can be a part of it.
While my life doesn't sound terribly exciting on paper, I'm hoping I can come up with some fun and exciting things to share. We'll see how it goes. :)
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