Learning

The days are actually getting easier as they are going by, I guess that's because i'm finally over jet lag now. Today was a lot of painting.
We went out to McDonalds last night. I've put McDonalds under the "last resort" list as far as fast food choices, but that's in the states. European McDonalds rock my socks!!!!! McCafe hot chocolate is most excellent!! Yes, there is a coffee place in Mckee D's here. (at least in Kiel)
I'm going to put up a list of things i've learned here on the Logos Hope. This is mostly so i can remember them, but i'll let ya'll enjoy as well. Like any one else reads this. I'll bet this blog would bore stalkers away. Anywho, the first item to go on the list is "i care to much about appearances". This, coming from the guy who spent a good two hours painting a section on a pipe that no one will probably ever see again. But to get all serious on ya, i have written too many people off at first, based solely on how i think they look, or present themselves. I think there is a certain amount of truth in this, at least, as far as in how people present themselves, but i definitely do not need to judge people before i know them. Wow, i sounded like shrek right there. I guess that's in the Bible too. The thought hit me when we were walking around town here. No one on the ship here, excluding myself maybe, puts that much value on what they look like. Just going around town; in the 'real' world, people spend how long making sure they look like how they want? Here, surrounded by people who want to do nothing but serve God, it's not that important. It just put things in the proper perspective.

So, in case i don't make it......."after three days of labor: "moral is good, opportunities abound"

jump

I'm not sure, but i think just about everyone who reads this already knows i'm going to Germany for three weeks. If you didn't know, consider yourself told. The long story is; my dad used to work on a ship (called the Doulos, part of Operation Mobilization ministry) after college that went around the world spreading the gospel. He's wanted to take us onto the ship to participate in what he did, so now my parents, sister and I are going to be in Kiel, Germany for three weeks. We are going to be helping prepare the new Logos Hope ship for service. I have no idea of what we'll be doing beyond that description.
I would appreciate any prayers anyone could offer. I will be missing so much at school (i got cleared with the teachers since it's a missions trip and i go to the best school in the world, but i'm bringing all my books with me.). Not just the regular work, but stuff like sprirt/spiritual emphasis week and stuff like that. I've never trusted God with so much before. This is probably the biggest leap of faith I've ever taken, to date. (I'm not sure how you measure that btw). I hate letting anyone down, but i'm trusting God will teach me a lot these next few weeks.

Tomorrow: 8AM-4PM: getting to Philly, 6PM-eight hrs later: get to Frankfurt, Germany (not sure of our flight times or how to measure the time difference (6hrs ahead) into calculating time)
Sunday: take the scenic route to Kiel. The scenic route being by way of the Rhine river, a castle or two, and the concentration camp where Anne Frank was killed.


I will blog as often as i can while i'm there.

God is funny. I was kinda nervous this morning, thinking about going to Germany, and then we read this verse as an introduction to the passage, in chapel this morning:

Matthew 8:23 "Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him."

Oh ya.... (thoughts on abortion)

(*note before reading* The below statement was typed as recalled from my memory and is accurate except for where noted.....but i could be wrong somewhere. If you disagree, do your research and come back to me)

Friday was a super busy day, so i forgot to mention what an awesome chapel we had that morning.
Our principal and vice principal showed us a documentary about the Roe v. Wade lady. The lady's (Roe) actual name was something else (i can't remember), but it was just one lady who had a few previous abortions and wanted to make it legal so it would be easier, and that's what she believed: that women should have a choice.....at the time. The documentary showed how her primary abortion clinic was located right beside a small church, and that church would witness to her and everyone that went into the clinic. "Roe" eventually let Jesus into her life and, as far as i could understand, was last seen trying to reverse the law she helped put in place. It also showed how effective an ultrasound machine is. A majority (i can't remember exactly what the numbers were) of women that wanted an abortion and saw their baby in the womb, changed their mind and delivered the baby.

Then after it was done (and all quiet) our principal led an alter call to pray for God to work in this dilemma. I have never seen that many people respond to an alter call at my school. It was an awesome time before God.

"Now my thoughts":
It was just one person that changed the laws, it was just one person that changed eternity, don't tell me you can't do anything. (see Philippians 4:13 for details. Note the "all" part)

And this is the quote that jogged my memory:

"Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born."
- Ronald Reagan

calm

It was the best surprise to get a phone call after school reporting that the Lilleys were coming through!! Only one night, but alas.....they were present.


Hot chocolate is nice. Real nice!


So now i'm sitting here wondering what in my mind i have to say that the world needs to hear.
I'm glad i have Monday off.

Road trip pics

"TGIF" took up most of my thoughts today. I guess the teachers were making up for lost time this week. Ugh.

I've realized lately: For the longest time, i've thought i have no idea what i'll be doing after high school. But...duh...God has laid out the path for college, time for direction, people to help and comfort. It's not like i'm graduating and then looking for something to do. God is already setting up the next part.

So that's that, here's this: (61 pics, if you're wondering)

That Awesome Road Trip

Our Road trip: it was the best. pix to come soon to help explain. oh, and i can cross "greyhound" off the "things to do before i die list" (yes, i know, aka: 'bucket list') I'm glad my tunes stayed with me the whole way.




(the following is in no way related to the previous statement)
so ya, uh....life:

it's.....quick(?).

i'm inconsistent.

It seems like no matter what i do or don't do, i still feel like i'm missing out or messing up. (Why is it easier to tell everyone something when no one's listening?)

when.....