Getting to Know You...

I'm kinda bored at work, so thought I would entertain myself with questions and then share...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15 a.m., then wished it was Saturday

2. How do you like your steak? Medium-Rare.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Awesomeness

4. What is your favorite TV show? Gilmore Girls, Chuck, The Office, or How I Met Your Mother.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Europe, but have all my family and friends there and the mentality of Texans… is that possible?

6. What did you have for breakfast? I actually had a jalapeno sausage kolache, diet coke, and coffee.

8. What foods do you dislike? Hmm, it’s a texture thing: oysters, mayonnaise, and mushrooms.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? Anywhere with good friends and good food. (basically, too many to name)

10. Favorite dressing? I like to change it up, but ranch is always a go-to dressing for me.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Toyota Corolla Sport.

12. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and sweatshirt or long-sleeve shirt. Nothing is better!

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? New York, Seattle, Hawaii, Turkey, Israel, Greece, and South Africa.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? It depends on my mood. Lately, half empty.

15. Where would you want to retire? Close to friends, family, and ministry.

16. Favorite time of day? Evening, nighttime.

17. Where were you born? Galveston, Texas.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football. No Doubt.

19. Bird watcher? Never went “bird watching” but appreciates interesting birds.

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night person! Not a nice person in the morning.

21. Do you have pets? My mom stole my dog, so no. (and she didn’t steal it, she just acquiesced her when I went overseas and our other dogs got attached and my mom fell in love).

22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Nope.

23. What did you want to be when you were little? Astronaut.

24. What is your best childhood memory? Ohh… so many.

25. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog Person. Don’t like cats.

26. Are you married? Not yet.

27. Always wear your seat belt? Absolutely.

28. Been in a car accident? Yes, fender bender in 2003 in Galveston.

29. Any pet peeves? People who jingle change in their pockets, eat with their mouths open, keep their turn signal on for a long time after they change lanes or turn (how can’t they hear the clicking), people who talk really loud on their phones while they are waiting in a checkout line, and there are more, but I’ll stop with that.

30. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Cheese.

31. Favorite Flower? Either Roses or something random.

32. Favorite ice cream? Cookies N Cream, Peppermint, or just swirl soft-serve.

33. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chic-Fil-A.

34. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Zero.

35. From whom did you get your last email? Mom.

36. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target.

37. Do anything spontaneous lately? I tend to start singing Broadway musical tunes a few times a day.

38. Like your job? No comment

39. What was your favorite vacation? Cruise with the Family to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Mexico.

40. Last person you went out to dinner with? Donna for some wings and beer. Yummy.

41. What are you listening to right now? Guster.

42. What is your favorite color? Black.

43. How many tattoos do you have? None right now… working on it.

44. How many are you tagging for this quiz? None.

45. What time did you finish this quiz? 9:37 a.m. Back to work…..

Chase the Lion!

So, I have a blog post in progress, but haven't finished it yet.. it's a work in progress.. like all of us. :)

Here is a great quote that I did not write, but really enjoyed and is a good challenge right now to me... as I am trying to figure out a "dream" or "visions" or "calling" or whatever cliche word you want to use.. i'm trying to figure this out...



"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion!"

happenings.. or lack thereof

"The best way out is always through"

-Robert Frost

This quote speaks to me right now. I am at a very much "in between" time. Not quite sure of where God is leading. All I know is that He's preparing and refining me for something. I'm going to a Beth Moore study called "Believing God" and she said that "God gives us depth before He gives us breath to move forward."

I really liked that. There are so many images and cliches that come to mind: gotta deepen the roots, before bearing real big heavy fruit.. etc... But I'm in one of those seasons right now.

Joshua 1:5-9
"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."


I will write more later, but wanted to update my blog at least once this month before April begins.

Single Awareness crap

I did get a valentine. From my Mom. And this is what it was.

and... if there was any question to where my weird sense of humor comes from, this should answer it.

Amateurishaciousness

It's my very amateur attempt at spending some time outside and taking some photos on a gorgeous day this past Saturday when I went to Houston. :)

I'm trying...

Gloomy = Creativity?

It's very gloomy, cold (for Texas), icy, sleety (if that's a word), and an all around dreary day.... and I LOVE it! The sun hasn't been visible since mid day yesterday, and that is A-OK with me. :)

But what about the gloominess makes me want to blog? Even though I shouldn't because I am at work and I don't have any of my pictures because they are on my computer at my apartment? and it isn't the most glorifying thing to do anyways? But why is that?

Oh well, you'll at least get a little snipit and I will upload some of my Christmas pics to my blog, to keep my loyal few updated.

I had a great Christmas in Galveston county. Enjoyed sleeping in and spending time with the crazy Wilsons! Went waaaay too fast, but was rejuvenating. New Years consisted of hanging with my bible study at a house (because I hate driving on NYE) and having some good wine, Wii tennis, trivial pursuit, and good company. And ringing in the new year with new friends (and I'm not going to comment on what I was doing on the stroke of midnight). I'm excited to see what God is going to do in 2009!

I will post some pictures soon.

I hope all of you had a blessed time with our Savior this past month and pray we all seek Him more during 2009.

Thanksgiving? Gulp!

I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving.... I will even thoroughly enjoy the next week leading up to Thanksgiving... the recipes.. the shopping.. the coldness.. the friends.. the family.. the switching recipes... parades... leaves.. football.. ah!!! i get excited just thinking about it!

I know it's not Thanksgiving YET; however, my sister reminded me of a very deep and eloquent song that I wish to share with you:

Love to eat turkey

Love to eat turkey

Love to eat turkey

'Cause it's good

Love to eat turkey

Like a good boy should

'Cause it's turkey to eat

So good

Turkey for me

Turkey for you

Let's eat the turkey

In my big brown shoe

Love to eat the turkey

At the table

I once saw a movie With Betty Grable

Eat that turkey

All night long

Fifty million Elvis fans Can't be wrong

Turkey lurkey doo and

Turkey lurkey dap

I eat that turkey

Then I take a nap

Thanksgiving is a special night

Jimmy Walker used to say Dynomite

That's right

Turkey with gravy and cranberry

Can't believe the Mets traded Darryl Strawberry

Turkey for you and

Turkey for me

Can't believe Tyson Gave that girl V.D.

White meat, dark meat

You just can't lose

I fell off my moped

And I got a bruise

Turkey in the oven

And the buns in the toaster

I'll never take down My Cheryl Tiegs poster

Wrap the turkey up

In aluminum foil

My brother likes it With baby oil

Turkey and sweet potato pie

Sammy Davis Jr.

Only had one eye

Turkey for the girls and

Turkey for the boys

My favorite kind of pants

Are corduroys

Gobble gobble goo and

Gobble gobble gickel

I wish turkey Only cost a nickel

Oh I love turkey on Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

What are YOUR Thanksgiving plans? and what are YOU thankful for?

Weekend recap....

I know it's already Tuesday, and I meant to post on Sunday, or at least Monday, but alas, it's Tuesday. Sorry.


First, I broke up with my boyfriend on Thursday night. sucks, but it's aight.. not an amazing way to start my bday weekend.


I got into my office on Friday morning and found this from my boss:

So, I thought that was fun. Friday went pretty freakin slow. Didn't do anything on Friday night b/c the plans I had had, was with the bf, and no bf no mo, so just waited for trick-or-treaters, but didn't get any. But that's ok... because....

I went to College Station on saturday for the game!! Whoop! My friend Ty got my tickets (on the student side) to the A&M v Colorado game, and since I am scared that we were going to lose the rest of the games this season, I was pleasantly suprised to win 24-17; however, the Ags are NOT playing well. We played one really good quarter (3rd) but other than that, it was pretty annoying. It's been 4 years since I sat on the student side (when I was a student) and it was my first game this year. Even though our team isn't the grandest right now, still gotta enjoy aggie football!!

Sunday was my birthday. Wasn't amazing. But that's ok. Year 26 hear me roar!

PS- like the new layout?

cold... SNAP!

oh snap.. it's the first cold day of the season! Oh how I love this day! I look forward to it all year long. Truly! The first morning where you have to wear a jacket or sweater or cardigan or whatever...

It started coming into Dallas around 2 pm today... take a look from my office window (and yes, i am blessed to have an office with a window )

Oh yes, you see the clouds rollin in... in college, my roommate and I would wake up early on this day. make a big batch of coffee.. wake up much earlier than we needed to (or wanted to) just to enjoy this first cold front.. It creates excitement within me. it makes me happy. makes me want to light all my peppermint and pumpkin candles and make pumpkin bread and chai tea all day long! It makes me smile!

In light of this first cold front, I made a soup tonight. a soup from my amazing friend Lelo. 2x4 soup started out as 1x4 soup, then made it into a conglomerate of 5x4 and 1x4 soup.... it was spicy, it was hearty, it was tasty, it was WARM! I might've added a few too many (2 more than it says) HOT Rotel cans, but it made us warm and cleaned out all of our sinuses!

take a look:

yes, i'm sure it is tooo much cheese, but it was still amazing...

Yes, it was great. And of course, i prefer it with a good Cabernet, versus a yucky ale like my comrades were drinking. but we all enjoyed the soup and sinus clearing all the same...

there is no great dinner without cleanup. i don't like pictures of me, but i do love laughing, so here you go... a little of both..

I'm sure I'm sticking out my tongue for a great reason, or non at all.. it's just how I roll..

Thank you Lelo for a great recipe. It was amazing. You are such a blessing. And another blessing is a woman whom is in need of a mental health day.. no.. hour.. no minute... yes, Tyne.. i pray for a mental health minute for you!

Have a great Thursday. I think I have stuck out my tongue to all of yall at one time or another!

*update: I absolutely did NOT wake up early this morning and had my annual coffee porch time. My bed was wayyyy too warm and comfy!

Hump Day

No.. I'm not being dirty. Wednesday. The horrid day that isn't Monday and fresh off the weekend, or Thursday when you can start breathing the weekend... but Wednesday. BLAH!



I haven't been sleeping well (I know, shocker!). So this morning when I woke up, I was dreading the day. And everyone knows I'm not a morning person (unless morning starts at 10), so mornings are not the best part of my day. I was contemplating calling in to have a mental health day (because everyone who knows me understands my mental health needs). I decided to be a responsible adult (it happens every once in a while) and I got my lazy butt out of bed and dressed all corporate and got on the road. My commute is anywhere from 30 minutes to 80 minutes (depending on how stupid drivers are being). So.. not so much fun.


I'm driving around DFW airport (my daily route) and all of a sudden I look to my left and see this:

The pictures aren't great because they are from my iphone, but still.. look at that rainbow. It is suppose to rain today, but this gorgeous full (coudln't fit it all in the frame as i'm driving 70 mph) rainbow. Wow! The sign of God's provision and covenant with man! I was completely humbled and in awe of His creation and His provision.

Then a few minutes later, I glance over and see something more:

Again, not the best picture in the world and these pictures don't give it justice, but it's a DOUBLE RAINBOW! Not only does He provide, but He provides abundantly!

Genesis 9:16
"When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Just my story for the day. Humbled by His Might and Creation! We serve a great Creator.

The Valley of Vision

The Valley of Vision is a book of Puritan prayers. The prayers in this book are drawn from the largely forgotten deposit of Puritan spiritual exercises, meditations and aspirations. There are about 200 prayers in this book. I need some encouragement and I think so do you:

The Great God

Destroy in me every lofty though,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds,
Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;
Then can the Father take up his abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in his touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to they glory.
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath they smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance,
for thine dwelling.
Nothing exceeds thy power,
Nothing is too great for thee to do,
Nothing too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for
sinners repenting,
prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed,
Satan's captives released,
blind eyes opened,
broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered,
the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.

Have a great weekend,

rach

Introducing Agent Orange...

With a packet of $5 knives.... a round pumpkin.... a creative mind... and a little free time.... I created Agent Orange... here is what happened...

The blank slate...

The goal...

At work....

And.... may i present.. AGENT ORANGE:

Agent Orange is already dead... a few days in the Texas heat.. He will be missed....

Do I have a blog-worthy life?

This is a question that has plagued me as I religiously check all my friend's blogs. Friends in Texas, from college, from overseas, my family, friends from all over... Babies are always a fun thing to blog about because so many memories are missed, so blogs are basically a high-tech scrapbook that you can look back upon and remember. Babies also allow friends and family to constantly check up, without actually bugging the family (which I know is a hidden reason for some of my friends). But me currently, no babies. (except my occasional mood)

Marriage is also a reason people start blogs. They are at a new season in life and usually move and have a lot of newness that they are working through and want to share and rejoice in. Awesome. Great to see what God is doing and how the new adventures in marriage are going. But me currently, no marriage.

And I crack myself up when someone doesn't post for a week or so... I judgingly get annoyed. Why aren't they blogging? Where are the pictures? Where are the antidotes? Entertain me when I'm at work! I wanna stay connected to you. But this connection is very much one-sided. Obviously no one really checks my blog because I never post. It's been almost 3 months and nothing. nada. nilch. nechevo.

I guess I could post some of my pictures. But I post the ones I think are news-worthy on facebook. I keep my status and pictures somewhat updated. But it's not the same.

I have some poetry and recipes (like amazing Lelo) that I could add to the blog. But does that make my life blogworthy?

So, with all of these ramblings. I'm going to try to be a more devoted blogger. My life cracks me up at times (or maybe people just laugh at me) and I can be entertaining at times. I'm going to attempt not to judge when my fav blogs don't post and I'm going to attempt to blog more.

Movin on up... to the DFW area..

After trying to move to the DFW area for quite a while, God has blessed me with a job in north Dallas area. I'll be working near the Galleria as a Legal Assistant for a small law firm. I'm excited about moving and starting a new job and having friends and fellowship that I already have up there and new ones I will make.

I did find this picture from a Pet Cremation place in DFW.... yeah.. if you need info on that, just let me know.

So, as of August 2nd, I'll be a non-Houstonian. Finally!

More to come...

A little about me...

I actually stole this from a friend's blog, but i think it has some good questions... and i really doubt anyone actually looks at this anymore, so this is actually an attempt to use up some time at work during my lunch hour. :) so.. here we go...

What is your favorite TV show?
The Office, Grey's Anatomy, and Gilmore Girls

What food do you crave?
Chips, salsa, and queso (i could eat this everyday and be happy)!

Where did you go on your last vacation?
Cruise to Jamiace, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel

How many pets do you have, what are they and what are their names?
3 mutts from the SPCA- Cassidy (13 year old Black lab/greyhound mix), Angel (7 y-o Novia Scottia Duck Tolling Terrier mix[random i know, look it up]) and Daylee (3 year old Harrier/retreiver mix)

What is your favorite order at Starbucks?
matters on the mood, lately cuz it's getting hot I order a Iced Venti No Water No sweetener Half Green tea half passion tea... and yes, i have to say it a few times, but it's amazing with 2 splenda!

How many Bibles do you have?
plethora

What was your favorite childhood toy?
hmm.. teddy rupskin

If you could be a crayon, what color would you be?
oohhh... black, grey, red, or a complex blue

If you could have one superhuman ability, what would it be?
to fly and/or teleportation

Where were you born?
Galveston, Texas

What do you do with your other hand while you’re brushing your teeth?
try to clean the rest of the sink

Who would you most like to have dinner with - living or dead?
Jesus, Martin Luther, my grandfather, or Reagan

What’s your favorite season of the year? Why?
late autumn/early winter- cold fronts, bustin out the fun winter clothes, sweatshirts!, changing colors, the crisp air, and spending time outdoors without sweating.

What song did you dance to at your wedding?
umm.. doesn't apply..

If you were in a talent show, what would be your talent?
attempt to remember my ol' piano days.. or just do something to make people laugh

Would you amputate a body part for $100 million dollars tax free?
maybe... possibly.. it would never happen, so i won't ponder this question for too long

What is your favorite ride at the amusement park?
anything that gives me a rush... fast, going upside down, sudden drops, and makes me scream!

Describe yourself in 3 words
sarcastic, unique, and jovial

Who will play you in a movie of your life?
norah jones.. cuz i think she could act if she tried and that's the only celeb who people have said i look like in any way or form

What is your favorite appliance in your house?
toaster oven (just got one and never used it before and never knew the joy of one)

Aight.. that's it.. any more questions? leave them in the comments..

I'm sorry I suck

I'm sorry I have been so lackadaisical about posting.. Not saying my life has been boring, but just I’ve been a slacker. Plus, when I have blogs to read like Ruth’s (www.randomnessofruth.com) and other friends, I feel a little intimidated. But I will try. But you do need to check Ruth’s blog out, it’s pretty amazing!

Vacay... Island hopping... sunning... snorkel.. waterfalls

Check my sister's blog (ruthwilson.blogspot.com) to see pics from our vacation. Or my facebook page has an album of pics as well. Call me lazy, but Ruth has already taken the time and energy to put the pics on her blog... and she did it so well.

Ok, I am being lazy. School has me moving pretty quickly these days and doesn't allow me to have much time to relax. But I will try to blog more often.

xoxo,
rach

and.... IT'S STARTING!!!

After a LONG sports season in the past 8 months.. it's finally here! Finally! Tonight, starts the COLLEGE football season... which basically is my favorite time of the year!

The Aggies first game is against Montana State on Saturday at 6 (can't watch it because I'm going to the Incubus concert, but will be TiVOing it!)!

Life update... i know, get excited!

So... God is funny. That is all I have to say. He is hilarious!

So, I'm living in a cute apartment in Seabrook, which is on the north side of Clear Lake, which is on the south side of Houston, which is in Texas, America, etc. Other than having a stupid cat named Jack whom I am not a big fan 0f, not just Jack, but cats in freakin general, my apartment is really fun.

I am starting grad school at U of H in the fall, pursuing my double masters in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration. I am really excited about it, not only for the educational and academic future, but getting more and more in debt in the next few years! Whoop! :)

I'm working as a Pipeline Analyst at an Engineering firm, which is a lot of gibberish that I can't explain to normal folks like you. I'm not assuming you're not smart, I didn't know anything regarding what I do until I started and it was a rude awakening. Anyways, I will be working full-time and going to grad school full time starting August 20th, so it'll be a challenge and I will basically have no social life, but hey, what's new?

That's a lil update for you. And you, how are you doing?

DeMotivating is the way I roll...

I always get annoyed when I go to blogs that I read pretty regularly and they haven't had any new posts. It really aggrevates me. Like, come on! Give me some entertainment. Then I realized that I am being a hypocrite. And I don't like being a hypocrite (most of the time at least), so I'm going to start being more regular with my posts. So my apologies that I haven't been more committed and my apologies that you are reading this.

I tend to get really restless at work around the time I get there... but mostly in the afternoon when there are about 2 or 3 hours left and I just want to be outside or punching someone. And my friend found me a great website where you can create your own DeMotivating Posters, like those cheasy posters that have a group of people rowing into the sunrise at dawn with the lake completely still and simultaneous movement of the stupid people then it says perfectly "Teamwork". Whatever. Here are mine! Enjoy! I promise to update my blog more!

Black story..

Today a guy from work came into the office with some skuff marks from a incident on a motorcycle last night. He's ok, but it just brings me back to a time when I used love to ride motorcycles. And here are the pictures to show it. :)

The first picture shows me the next morning. And yes.. it hurt.

And me trying to smile. :)

And four weeks later. (No, i'm not a squirrel, those are my cheeks).

Moral of the story: i heart motorcycles (when i wear a helmet).

I'M BAAACK!

OK... so blogspot let me back in to my blog, so I will be able to start posting stuff again.

More to come!

it's been a while...

So I thought i would post some more pictures.. and I'll write when i have time! I promise!
Here is the single crew at Longship, our fav pub. There are five (5) nationalities between 8 of us (and 3 Texans)!

This is me kicking butt at pool!! It's a little different in UK (hence the color of the pool balls), but it's still fun!

Good Times

Thought I would post some pictures of the past few weeks...




Here are Rachel (my flatmate) and I. See how nice and angelic and sweet I look.. Two seconds later, here we are:

I'm a Fightin Texas Aggie, what can I say? I guess that is why they call her the "nice blonde British Rachel" and I'm the "other Texas Rachel"

Last weekend, I went to Farne Island, which is a Bird Sanctuary with over 200,000 birds nest and mate.. pretty pictures..

These are puffins.. super cute little birds.. look like superman when they fly

These are some cute grey seals we saw on Farne Islands. There were some really cute pups, and there were a ton surrounding our boat (in a good way) and they were adorable..

This picture is taken from our boat. This is Bamburgh (pronounced Bramburough) Castle, one of the most beautiful in the Northumbria Coast. This castle was believed

to be the original site of Lancelot's castle of Joyous Garde, being built in the 5th or 6th century. It has been used as a stronghold, capital, fort, castle, and much more throughout the last 1500 years. It is absolutely magnificient.

My new home!

Here's my new ship I'll be on! This is the Anastasis. Now, I know you can't quite see her, so I'll have to post another picture, but this will be my home starting 7th of June. She'll be ported in Tema, Ghana!

I hope we'll do well together! Eck!

Daylee Dog and Fam

This is my family! Ryan, Steph, and Daylee. Isn't my dog just so adorable!! I'm talking about Daylee, not Ryan! This was taken at Steph's and my house on Richards, where we lived for three (3) years. I miss yall!

Aggieland

Oh how I miss my Aggieland, let my count the ways! The longer I stay in England, the more I see it is somewhat overrated and I miss my Texas. England has many amazing attributes, but there is nothing like hanging out at Research Park, or going to a Fighting Texas Aggie Football Game (whoop!), reading at Sweet Eugene's, going and hanging out at Fox & the Hound on Thursday nights, or just driving around with friends at night!
This is a picture of our infamous football game after 9/11. Can you see me? I'm on the 2nd Deck in the white!

Gary Stephens and I

Gary Stephens, the brother of Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships, and I had a great time when he came to Newcastle for a few weeks this past month. He called me "cheeky" and I called him "old", so we got along great. Here we are at Kensington Gardens, about to go into the Orangery (where Princess Di always had afternoon tea). Just kinda fun!

We had a proper afternoon tea at the Orangery with gross salmon sandwiches, cream filled fruit scone thingy (too sweet), and then cheesecake with lots of tea. I had coffee (cuz that's how I roll).

Thanks to Gary, he saved me from getting arrested about 2 hours after this picture was taken near the Israeli embassy.. but that's another story.

ruins

Living in the UK has been a big history lesson. I’ve seen the pub where Charles Dickens used to write, seen Shakespeare Globe Theatre, seen where Henry VIII lived, a pub called The Mayflower made from original parts of the Mayflower ship (apparently it looks like a ship inside), seen where Harry Potter was filmed (it’s not historic, but really fun), seen jewels from British royalty from 14th century, seen fortified city wall from 10th century where people took refuge. I’ve seen many castles, cathedrals, and tombs which I learned about in college (that Medieval Europe History class has been quite useful)! I’ve seen castles used as forts in battles. I’ve seen city gates from the 11th century. I’ve seen defensive structures made by William the Conqueror. I’ve strolled down roads laid by the Romans. Seen buildings and blocks destroyed by the 1666 London Fire. I saw city ruins from the 4th century. But what are these things now? They are all ruins, gently touched, looked upon by afar, and carefully walked upon tourist attractions.

I’ve seen a distinct theme throughout of the historical sights that I’ve seen: old forts, walls, shelter, and strongholds. What are these things?

A fort- a place of protection or defence; a fortified defensive structure showing strength and power
A wall- refuge safety, a “safe place”, shelter from danger or hardship
Shelter- structure providing protection from danger
Stronghold- a fortified place; a place of security or survival

What are these structures use for now? They are ruins and tourist hot spots. They don’t serve their purpose anymore of security, protection, rescue, comfort, rest, and safety.

All of these manmade structures do not bring about these feelings anymore, just good photo ops. What are these sentiments that were the purpose of these structures?

Rest- peace of mind or spirit, remain at constant state or rest, rest from weariness
Comfort- freedom from danger or risk of harm; to give strength and hope to; to ease the grief or trouble
Safety- free from danger or risk of harm
Rescue- free from harm or evil
Security- state of being free from danger, fear, or anxiety, guarantee that an obligation will be met; the quality or state of being secure.

People throughout the ages have been fleeing pain, danger, discomfort, worry, disappointment; harm, risk, evil, fear, anxiety, and built structures that made them feel safe. Made them feel comfort, rest, and security. Yet everything they built for safety against wars, attackers, and for defence against any harm has turned to dust.

In 2 Samuel 21, David had several wars with the Philistines, actually four (4) descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David (2 Samuel 21:22). He knew something about being pursued, about being under attack. He knew what it felt like to be in constant battles and constantly being pursued by the enemy, and yet he was victorious. Was it because he had amazing strategies, or an unstoppable sword, or did he build a spectacular faultless fort? No, this is what David says:
(2 Sam 22:2-3)
“The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer; My God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge, My Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold and my Refuge; My Saviour. You save me from my violence.”

In view of some of the definitions I have above, I’m going to expound on this verse.

The Lord is my Rock (God was is my (David’s) chief hiding place, where I took my shelter) and my Fortress (in which I was safe and thought myself so) and my Deliverer (struck at, shot at, no matter what), My God (my One True God), my Rock (my Foundation on which I stand), in whom I take refuge (my shelter from danger and oppression) , My Shield (when pursued, He will protect me), and the Horn of my Salvation (strongly protected, frequent emblem of power and strength efficiently exercised), my Stronghold (literally “Tower” or “High Place”, beyond reach of danger), and my Refuge (my One True Safe Place); My Saviour (rescues me out of the hands of those that seek my ruin), You save me from violence (nothing I can try to do will suffice, God alone can save me).”

David was a man who was constantly in the quite near to distress and trouble. He saw that all he needed and could desire in his present distress was His Rock, His Fortress, and David uses this imagery repetitively in the Psalms: (18:2, 31:3 71:3, 91:2, 144:2, 46:1, 46:11, 46:7, 18:10, 9:9, 16:1).


We have safety in God’s protection, security in His strength, gladness in His presence, when times are hard and fearful; He is our only true source of comfort. Even though there is trouble, God’s people can know joy, protection, security, and peace. All these things come from His constant presence with us. People throughout history have yearned for this type of protection, yet we receive it eternally with just trust.

We aim to get to a state of peace and security and we try to attain through different channels to attain that: our job, our friends, our ministry, our car, our appearance, our church, our future being set in stone, our relationships or marriage. Yet as you see in the picture above, all will fade, all will turn to dust and ruin.

No fire, war, worry, life’s obstacles, sickness, or death can separate us from our safety of our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

Let us draw close to our True Rock that will never break, our Fortress that will never ruin, our Shield that will never fall, our Salvation that can never be shaken, our Refuge in pain and discouragement, and our Saviour who died in Calvary for my sins and rose again so that we could truly experience peace, safety, comfort, shelter, and security.

For His Name Sake!

safety

while doing some research, this is somethingi wrote. It's kinda long, not very good either, but just some thoughts of mine..

Safety

Is safety an illusion?
A mind state without delusion
A well built building
One of strong steel unyielding
Is it a place of security?
A place with no obscurity
Is it the arms of the one You love
Is it the absence of clouds above?
Is it a person you truly trust?
Is it something you do that you must?

Is safety the comfort of your house?
An absent cat to a mouse
Surrounded by a bunch of friends
An iron rod that doesn’t bend
Being in control of my car
Or having wars that are very far
No destruction through wind or rain
Feeling safe in my personal pain

Is safety the absence of fear?
A load you know you can bear
Is it in the walls I build around me?
Is it the feelings I let no one else see
Safety in the way I’ve always been
Safety in the hidden little sins
Safety in the control I think I possess
Is it in the job I have or way I dress?
Safety in where I am standing now
Even if I don’t know why or how

Is it built upon a firm rock?
Is it just one key to a lock?
Is safety only a fraud?
Or is it kept by the power of God
Do we connect safety with things seen?
On rubbish things in which we can lean

Safety is not a fort around a city
Or being confident that you’re pretty
Safety is truly from the one above
Who formed us in His perfect love?
Safety is the assurance of the cross
Safety in abundance or loss
Safety can be completely relative
Maybe in a way one careless may live

No, I choose to put it elsewhere
I choose to put upon something that can bear
I will put my safety in the Creator of All
Even though we deserve to fall
He picked us up and gave us grace
He stared the devil in the face
He alone is the way to safety
Even if others inevitably hate me

Safety in the Lord of Power
He alone is the Faultless Tower
Security that will never fails
The safety that was shown through nails
The nails of purpose, sacrifice, and pain
How people must’ve thought He was insane
I will always stay safe at His side
I will feel safe when I painfully abide
Lord remind me of my place
Where I belong, yearn for, and face

There are things in this world that make me doubt
Even when I want to be fervent and devout
Make me strong by only Your Hand
Don’t make me sink in the world’s quick sand
Let me hold tightly to Your cord
To hope in the only true love of the Lord


Lord I am your beloved and chosen
You melted the ice when I was frozen

I plan things in my life that are amazing and grand
Yet, Nothing I build can withstand Your hand
There is nothing away from His touch
No love we can feel so much

Let me rest in the only foundation firm
Everything else in the earth will surely burn
Be assured of our place in His heart
Place of safety that won’t ever depart
When I ail, you will be the suture
You are the one, past present and future