Hello to you all again. I hope all is well since I last blogged. Let's get to the nitty gritty...
I want to start by saying that never in all my years did I think that there could be any noodles in the world that taste worst than Ramen. I was sadly and humbly mistaken. They're called Maggi and Grennland noodles. They're cheap, but they're terrible, especially when you've had about 50 packs of them.
I also would like to say that I found Justin Vagle while I've been here. Except that he's from Baton Rouge, just graduated from LSU, can't jump out of the gym, and doesn't have a voice that can make Celine Dion crap her pants. It was very crazy how similar this guy was to Justin. Same facial expressions, sense of humor; it was nuts. "I freakin' preach!!!" Weiss, you remember.
I went to Milford Sound on Sunday, and it was incredibly beautiful, but to be very honest, it was a little bit of a letdown. I was expecting to fall to my knees in amazement, but I did no such thing. Like I said, it was stunning, but I've seen much more beauty in the faces of the family and friends in my life. (that's biblical too).
I also met a Jehovah's witness on the trip up to Milford Sound. It was interesting to say the least. But I may or may not have told this girl that she was "messed up!" J/k. "Give me a bible and pulpit..." Matt, you know what I'm talking about.
Good news people...I bought flip flops the other day cause I forgot to bring mine out here. So I can start saying good-bye to the warts that I've gotten on the bottom of my feet from the showers. Just kidding...but seriously, I said good-bye. Speaking of feet, Shannon J. loves it when people touch her with their feet. It's her favorite!
Today, I just got back from River Surfing and it was maybe one of the coolest things I've done in a long time! I'll explain more about it when I'm back, but it's basically white water rafting on a body board!!! It was sweet!! Reminded me of rafting in Colorado for sure! Good times!!
JUst wanted to say that my back is doing great and that it is amazing what the body of Christ can do when they come together. Thanks you so much. I've been thinking about how much I took for granted the amazing Believers in my lfie that support, shoot me straight, and encourage me everyday. It's refreshing whenever I meet other followers of Christ out here, b/c they're few and far between. God is showing me a ton of things that He wants me to do with my life, but He's also showed me that I can't do it by myself. And even when there is a great community of believers, it doesn't substitute for solitude with Him. My days filled with God breaking me down and building me up. It's amazing to think that He has choosen to use someone like me to be apart of His kingdom, but I can't think of doing anything else with my life then being apart of His plans for me.
A great verse I've been going after while I've been here is Revelation 2:3-5, "You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." That's what I want to get to. That's where my heart longs to be. But I can honestly say that my heart has been awakened and alive since I left. Can't wait to tell you guys more. I'll see you soon. Love you all so much.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Lost In Awe
It's me again. Hope life is just peachy back in the States. A few things have happened since the last time I wrote...So let's just get down to it shall we?
On Friday, I went to a movie (or as in English call it, "the cinema.") in town, and it was really cool. Not so much the actual movie, but the theatre we were at. Instead of individual seats they had old couches that people donated to them and they even had an old beetle car for people to sit in and watch the movie. Oh and Justin, I just got a great new idea that we're gonna steal from these guys. Midway through the movie, they have a "halftime." It's genius!!! People not only get up and stretch, and not piss their pants from the holding it till the end, but people are able to buy more food during the break!! Brilliant!! Justin, we go 50-50. I need someone to run the day-to-day operation and you're my guy!
On Saturday, I went on a huge hike (for me) it was about 8 hours total! We walked along this river that came from a glacier, but it was so steep! I almost killed myself like 10 times! If I would've started falling I wouldn't stopped for like 1/2 mile. WE WERE HIGH!! But not like marijuana, like the height. Nevertheless, it was easily the most beautiful thing I've seen yet. Mountains on everyside, river coming down between the mountains, with a glacier on top. Who said God is not the Creator? He does all things well.
I watched, in my opinion, the best Super Bowl yet on monday. It was 12:00 p.m. on a Monday when the game started, and I went to a local bar to watch it. I think most people thought I was some raging alcoholic at first. What a great game!! I was going crazy down the strech! I was one of like 5 people in the bar watching and screaming. Great game!
While I was watching, this guy from Germany named Robi came up to me to watch the game. He told me he was biking for about 35 miles, came to the bar, and ordered a huge pitcher of beer. I asked him why he didn't get some water instead, and he looked at me like I was a freak. Then he left a biked another 35 miles back to where he came from.
Mom, Justin, and Silk, I think I've probably lost like 5 lbs (or 2.5 kg) since being here since I only eat when I'm hungry, and I buy the cheapest stuff too. But don't you worry about me, me and my ham sandwiches are just fine. You hear that Palmer? HAM!!!
Probably the biggest thing I need from my friends and family back is to be praying for me. As most of you know, I like to workout and I was running yesterday and I think I threw out my back. It's my lower back and I have been in a lot of pain. It's gotten better. But I can always use the prayer. Before I left, my Grandma gave me a verse to hold onto while I'm here, which is Isaiah 40:31. It's given me so much strength, but also verses 29-31 have given me hope as well.
"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
There's no doubt that this is the verse of my trip. "Even youths will become weak, and tired." Wow, that has been me quite a few times, btu especially now. I realize that God is in control, but I will keep putting my trust in Him, because He's the One that renews my strength.
I love you all, and I pray for you everyday. Can't wait to see you.
On Friday, I went to a movie (or as in English call it, "the cinema.") in town, and it was really cool. Not so much the actual movie, but the theatre we were at. Instead of individual seats they had old couches that people donated to them and they even had an old beetle car for people to sit in and watch the movie. Oh and Justin, I just got a great new idea that we're gonna steal from these guys. Midway through the movie, they have a "halftime." It's genius!!! People not only get up and stretch, and not piss their pants from the holding it till the end, but people are able to buy more food during the break!! Brilliant!! Justin, we go 50-50. I need someone to run the day-to-day operation and you're my guy!
On Saturday, I went on a huge hike (for me) it was about 8 hours total! We walked along this river that came from a glacier, but it was so steep! I almost killed myself like 10 times! If I would've started falling I wouldn't stopped for like 1/2 mile. WE WERE HIGH!! But not like marijuana, like the height. Nevertheless, it was easily the most beautiful thing I've seen yet. Mountains on everyside, river coming down between the mountains, with a glacier on top. Who said God is not the Creator? He does all things well.
I watched, in my opinion, the best Super Bowl yet on monday. It was 12:00 p.m. on a Monday when the game started, and I went to a local bar to watch it. I think most people thought I was some raging alcoholic at first. What a great game!! I was going crazy down the strech! I was one of like 5 people in the bar watching and screaming. Great game!
While I was watching, this guy from Germany named Robi came up to me to watch the game. He told me he was biking for about 35 miles, came to the bar, and ordered a huge pitcher of beer. I asked him why he didn't get some water instead, and he looked at me like I was a freak. Then he left a biked another 35 miles back to where he came from.
Mom, Justin, and Silk, I think I've probably lost like 5 lbs (or 2.5 kg) since being here since I only eat when I'm hungry, and I buy the cheapest stuff too. But don't you worry about me, me and my ham sandwiches are just fine. You hear that Palmer? HAM!!!
Probably the biggest thing I need from my friends and family back is to be praying for me. As most of you know, I like to workout and I was running yesterday and I think I threw out my back. It's my lower back and I have been in a lot of pain. It's gotten better. But I can always use the prayer. Before I left, my Grandma gave me a verse to hold onto while I'm here, which is Isaiah 40:31. It's given me so much strength, but also verses 29-31 have given me hope as well.
"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
There's no doubt that this is the verse of my trip. "Even youths will become weak, and tired." Wow, that has been me quite a few times, btu especially now. I realize that God is in control, but I will keep putting my trust in Him, because He's the One that renews my strength.
I love you all, and I pray for you everyday. Can't wait to see you.
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