Well today was my interview at bethany. I actually made it there this time, and it was easier and closer then i thought. The agency is too cool. I love being in that environment. Everyone was really friendly, and the building was a lot bigger than the old one that was in fort washington. The lady i met with was really nice and actually seemed really interested in me. She asked me about school, my spiritual life, what i want to do, and about the china trip. Since they dont accept undergraduate interns, and the only undergrad internships they really offer is pregnancy counseling, i am on a volunteer basis. and thats totally fine with me. Its mostly administrative things, putting packets together, copying, filing..all that fun stuff. That is what i expected. I told her that's fine and i am willing to do anything, i just wanted to give back to the place that gave us so much. (she really liked when i said that) She said let her know when i can start. Its pretty exciting
As i was driving there i kept getting really excited about life. i am just so passionate about what i am doing and learning. i have a couple more years of school left but i cant wait for it to be over so i can actually start working and do it! Its hard to have this feeling and still be in school. I want to volunteer my time and give to people and help people and do outreaches in philly with my school, but right now my life is my school. I cant fulfill any of the dreams i have for myself if i dont succeed in school. I guess thts why i feel so good about just volunteering once a week for a couple of hours. It temporarily satisfies my soul for the passion i have for helping others. It will have to do for now.
February 25, 2009
February 23, 2009
a case of the mondays
It is monday and i already want the week to be over. My room mate said before the semester even started that there is always a time where everything is due all within the same week. This week is it for me. The professors love to pile on homework before any sort of long break. Spring break officially starts in 11 days and cant come soon enough. But before i get to enjoy my relaxing break i have 1 paper, 2 mid-terms, 1 presentation, 1 interview, 3 social work assignments and a partridge in a pear tree due all next thursday. My paper has to be 5 pages long which isnt terrible at all, im just having a hard time doing it. Since all these things are due close together its hard for me to decide which is the most important to do. you are probably thinking, If you have so much work to do, then why are you blogging. Well i have the answer for you actually right here. I have been doing homework since 1pm this afternoon. It is now 9:38pm...that is 8 hours, count it, 8 hours and 38 mins of homework/studying/ brain melting time so i think it is fair to say that i deserve a break.
One of my assignments is actually really awesome though, its actually considered graduate level work. For my community mental health class my prof. assigned us case studies of mental illness. We have to read them and write down symptoms, then go through the DSM and see which symptoms fit the disorder on the different Axis. Its pretty cool, i love things like that.
My bethany interview (take 2) is on wednesday at 1pm. I plan on actually making it there this time. I have been studying the map for weeks in case my GPS decides to break again. i am ready for it... the interview i mean, not for my garmin to break again.
I still cant believe this time last year i was in china..china...how i miss thee. Though we were more than ready to come home at this point. I think in fact i was sick..i was sick like the last 2 days we were there...i got to miss out on some sweet shopping at the pearl place and some photos too, like eddie giving a homeless man a hamburger. man i bet THAT would have also won the photo contest at my school...i can see the pic in my minds-eye..too awesome. he is too cool of a guy that eddie is.
this weekend has been good. its the first time i didnt want to come back to school since it started. i wanted to stay home and just be with my family. Well...3 more days and then i get to see them on friday. In fact i have to watch the jonas brothers 3-d movie on friday for gabriellas 8th birthday party. I need to drive her and some of her little girlfriends to the movies. OH JOY.
One of my assignments is actually really awesome though, its actually considered graduate level work. For my community mental health class my prof. assigned us case studies of mental illness. We have to read them and write down symptoms, then go through the DSM and see which symptoms fit the disorder on the different Axis. Its pretty cool, i love things like that.
My bethany interview (take 2) is on wednesday at 1pm. I plan on actually making it there this time. I have been studying the map for weeks in case my GPS decides to break again. i am ready for it... the interview i mean, not for my garmin to break again.
I still cant believe this time last year i was in china..china...how i miss thee. Though we were more than ready to come home at this point. I think in fact i was sick..i was sick like the last 2 days we were there...i got to miss out on some sweet shopping at the pearl place and some photos too, like eddie giving a homeless man a hamburger. man i bet THAT would have also won the photo contest at my school...i can see the pic in my minds-eye..too awesome. he is too cool of a guy that eddie is.
this weekend has been good. its the first time i didnt want to come back to school since it started. i wanted to stay home and just be with my family. Well...3 more days and then i get to see them on friday. In fact i have to watch the jonas brothers 3-d movie on friday for gabriellas 8th birthday party. I need to drive her and some of her little girlfriends to the movies. OH JOY.
February 20, 2009
February 18, 2009
and the winner is...
Hey all!
Over the weekend my school had a fund raiser called the HeArt of Missions. The missions committee wanted students to enter their art work with the theme of "How God wants us to view the world" All proceeds went to our missionaries in residence who work with human trafficking. Anyway i was really hesitant to enter the photo just because i felt like if it didnt win then i would look at myself as less of an artist. Eddie(who is the one in this photo) really pushed me to do it, and so did my mom so i just did. Turns out i won for best photo! So excited. There were like 4 or 5 other photos, including 2 from the president of our school..and i won. I am pretty excited since i've never won anything before..and it goes to show that i AM a good enough artist. Here is the photo i entered..
Funny how a photo i took in china came to be judged and won a prize exactly a year later.
Over the weekend my school had a fund raiser called the HeArt of Missions. The missions committee wanted students to enter their art work with the theme of "How God wants us to view the world" All proceeds went to our missionaries in residence who work with human trafficking. Anyway i was really hesitant to enter the photo just because i felt like if it didnt win then i would look at myself as less of an artist. Eddie(who is the one in this photo) really pushed me to do it, and so did my mom so i just did. Turns out i won for best photo! So excited. There were like 4 or 5 other photos, including 2 from the president of our school..and i won. I am pretty excited since i've never won anything before..and it goes to show that i AM a good enough artist. Here is the photo i entered..
Funny how a photo i took in china came to be judged and won a prize exactly a year later.
February 16, 2009
procrastination
hello readers!
Im actually really excited that people read my blog. Often i feel like when i blog im talking to dead air. Now that i know people actually check in with me makes me feel good. Well happy (almost) gotcha day to our china girls! I cant believe its been a whole stinkin year! Where does the time go. I looked at gracie today and said "Grace if you only knew..." Not only did our lives completely change last year but so did hers. That girl has experienced more in her (almost) 2 years of living then i probably ever will. She was born, abandoned, found, placed in an institution with strangers (and some cutie baby friends) for 10 months, taken out of that environment, given to crazy loud strangers, then taken to america to meet more crazy loud strangers that slowly became family. I just stop and think (and i encourage you to do the same) and close my eyes and try to place myself in her shoes. Who did she see, what did she get abandoned in..what were some of the sights, sounds and smells she came to know when she was alone? I just close my eyes and put myself in her place, on her back looking up towards the sky, or ceiling..what did she hear? Was she just waiting for us..I honestly believe in my heart she knew we were coming for her, and thats why she survived as long as she did. We all know gracie is a strong willed baby girl she is a fighter to have made it out alive in that orphanage because she knew when we'd get her we would love her and fatten up her skinny little legs to match all of our not so skinny italian ones. Okay enough sentiment.
To touch a little more on my last post, God has just been revealing to me daily what grace means. I was doing a homework assignment for Biblical Theology tonight and the whole chapter was about Genesis. How grace was used for the first time in the story of Noah. The author of this book says " It will become clearer the Gods grace is the cause of sinful people becoming righteous. Grace then is an attitude of God for the good of those who do not deserve good. This book is blowing my mind, well just this chapter i guess. The author put the story of adam in eve in such a way that was never taught to me before. Adam and Eve ate the fruit because they wanted to know the difference between good and evil right? Well the author says that Adam and Eve could have learned the difference between good and evil by rejecting evil and remaining good and pure, but instead they rejected the good and became evil. Isnt that mind blowing? That through all of our muck and evil 'humanness' God remains faithful with his love? I wonder what God is trying to teach me because hes been revealing all these different messages of Grace to me the past couple days.
This week will fly by, since i had no classes today- and tomorrow is already tuesday. Next thursday i already have a midterm. I cant believe it, where is the semester going!? I need to start studying soon. I am not being as studious as i had hoped. Me and my room mate joke and call it pre-mature senior-itis. I have all these things on my to-do list and its just not getting done. I used to get things done weeks in advance...not so much anymore. And its not even like i am not doing it cause i want to go out and have fun, because its not-and i dont. I go to bed super early most nights (well for a college student)...i dont know what it is. i blame senior-itis.
Im actually really excited that people read my blog. Often i feel like when i blog im talking to dead air. Now that i know people actually check in with me makes me feel good. Well happy (almost) gotcha day to our china girls! I cant believe its been a whole stinkin year! Where does the time go. I looked at gracie today and said "Grace if you only knew..." Not only did our lives completely change last year but so did hers. That girl has experienced more in her (almost) 2 years of living then i probably ever will. She was born, abandoned, found, placed in an institution with strangers (and some cutie baby friends) for 10 months, taken out of that environment, given to crazy loud strangers, then taken to america to meet more crazy loud strangers that slowly became family. I just stop and think (and i encourage you to do the same) and close my eyes and try to place myself in her shoes. Who did she see, what did she get abandoned in..what were some of the sights, sounds and smells she came to know when she was alone? I just close my eyes and put myself in her place, on her back looking up towards the sky, or ceiling..what did she hear? Was she just waiting for us..I honestly believe in my heart she knew we were coming for her, and thats why she survived as long as she did. We all know gracie is a strong willed baby girl she is a fighter to have made it out alive in that orphanage because she knew when we'd get her we would love her and fatten up her skinny little legs to match all of our not so skinny italian ones. Okay enough sentiment.
To touch a little more on my last post, God has just been revealing to me daily what grace means. I was doing a homework assignment for Biblical Theology tonight and the whole chapter was about Genesis. How grace was used for the first time in the story of Noah. The author of this book says " It will become clearer the Gods grace is the cause of sinful people becoming righteous. Grace then is an attitude of God for the good of those who do not deserve good. This book is blowing my mind, well just this chapter i guess. The author put the story of adam in eve in such a way that was never taught to me before. Adam and Eve ate the fruit because they wanted to know the difference between good and evil right? Well the author says that Adam and Eve could have learned the difference between good and evil by rejecting evil and remaining good and pure, but instead they rejected the good and became evil. Isnt that mind blowing? That through all of our muck and evil 'humanness' God remains faithful with his love? I wonder what God is trying to teach me because hes been revealing all these different messages of Grace to me the past couple days.
This week will fly by, since i had no classes today- and tomorrow is already tuesday. Next thursday i already have a midterm. I cant believe it, where is the semester going!? I need to start studying soon. I am not being as studious as i had hoped. Me and my room mate joke and call it pre-mature senior-itis. I have all these things on my to-do list and its just not getting done. I used to get things done weeks in advance...not so much anymore. And its not even like i am not doing it cause i want to go out and have fun, because its not-and i dont. I go to bed super early most nights (well for a college student)...i dont know what it is. i blame senior-itis.
February 13, 2009
365 pt II
My heart aches for it. I miss china so much. Its just so cool to eternally feel a connection to China because of Gracie. I wonder if she will feel that as she gets older and starts to realize her lifes story. I know i certainly think about it everyday. Her country, and where she would be, and what she would be doing if not in america. I was thinking the other day how her tiny little life is physical evidence of God and the sheer meaning of the word Grace. Grace..what it is it? Simply put it is Gods unmerited favor. Its probably my favorite thing in the world. We dont deserve it. We dont deserve these blessing in life, and even Gods love. He just gives it to us. Grace. Why did she get chosen from the orphanage when there are thousands of other babies that will never know a family, never feel love, or even physical touch. Why does Gracie get to experience all these things. Grace. His Grace alone brought her to america, to a forever family and to bring so much indescribable joy to all of our lives. She is a walking testimony for His grace. I hope and pray when she becomes a young adult, or even a young teen, that she will use her story to reach the nations. To be an example of Gods grace and love and show the people of the world the things that he has bestowed upon her and her life.
Anyway, this time last year we were STILL in the plane to head to china. We were for another 8 hours. Im pretty sure we landed around 6am our time. What a journey of a lifetime that was. I wouldnt have traded it for anything. Even though i am going to graduate college a semester late because of that trip, its okay. People sometimes get really caught up about that stuff, but i dont really mind. College years are suppose to be the best years of my life anyway right? So another semester of 'the best years ever' wont really bother me....
Speaking of which, i need to start looking at graduate schools. Already. i KNOW its so crazy. I need to take 3 summer classes this summer to be considered a senior in the fall. Im going to try my best to do so.
After the disastrous interview day on wednesday, i didn't let that discourage me. I set up another interview for the 25th at bethany. I also set up another interview at an agency closer to home for summer time. It was the agency we were going to use for the second adoption. Im pretty excited about this summer. It should be a great time. As far as my broken GPS goes...Not only did best buy replace it right there on the spot but they upgraded me to a better model! They stopped making the one i bought in the summer so i got the next model up. So cool. God is so faithful, he knew i couldn't afford to get it repaired so he just gave me another cooler one. Sweet deal.
This blogging thing isnt a bad deal. Its sort of relaxing in a way. I just have to be careful not to over-share. I never know who is reading... ;)
Anyway, this time last year we were STILL in the plane to head to china. We were for another 8 hours. Im pretty sure we landed around 6am our time. What a journey of a lifetime that was. I wouldnt have traded it for anything. Even though i am going to graduate college a semester late because of that trip, its okay. People sometimes get really caught up about that stuff, but i dont really mind. College years are suppose to be the best years of my life anyway right? So another semester of 'the best years ever' wont really bother me....
Speaking of which, i need to start looking at graduate schools. Already. i KNOW its so crazy. I need to take 3 summer classes this summer to be considered a senior in the fall. Im going to try my best to do so.
After the disastrous interview day on wednesday, i didn't let that discourage me. I set up another interview for the 25th at bethany. I also set up another interview at an agency closer to home for summer time. It was the agency we were going to use for the second adoption. Im pretty excited about this summer. It should be a great time. As far as my broken GPS goes...Not only did best buy replace it right there on the spot but they upgraded me to a better model! They stopped making the one i bought in the summer so i got the next model up. So cool. God is so faithful, he knew i couldn't afford to get it repaired so he just gave me another cooler one. Sweet deal.
This blogging thing isnt a bad deal. Its sort of relaxing in a way. I just have to be careful not to over-share. I never know who is reading... ;)
365 days
Its hard to believe that a year ago today, at this very moment i was on a 15 hour plane ride to china. I cant believe it was a year. Things move so fast. I miss it, and everyone we met. Ok i dont miss the 15 hour plane ride but it didnt seem that long when it was taking place. I like looking back on my blog posts to remember the trip since it seemed like such a blur when we actually were there. in 4 more days its the anniversary of Gotcha day. Our girl has been with us for a whole entire year. Its been so fun to watch her change and grow like a little flower. She just blooms more and more everyday. Someone said it takes a full year for an adopted childs personality to start to truly show.
I will never forget the trip, what it meant, the friends i've made and the places i saw. I still say i will go back one day. Dont know when, but i know i will. Maybe when i do, i can bring gracie with me.
more to come when im in a more contemplative mood....
I will never forget the trip, what it meant, the friends i've made and the places i saw. I still say i will go back one day. Dont know when, but i know i will. Maybe when i do, i can bring gracie with me.
more to come when im in a more contemplative mood....
February 11, 2009
Murphy's Law
Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. The story of my life.
Ive had a really good past 2 days so of course when i have a very important meeting to go to, guess what doesnt work. My GPS. Ive never been into Philadelphia before so there was no way i was driving there by myself on a whim. I should have been better prepared i guess, but even my printed directions weren't right. I got lost going around the block. I figure i'd rather not go then go and get lost in a foreign city then really be screwed. I called the social worker i was suppose to meet with and asked if we can reschedule....i haven't heard back from her yet. So now i have a broken gps, no internship, and no way of getting anywhere.
Ive had a really good past 2 days so of course when i have a very important meeting to go to, guess what doesnt work. My GPS. Ive never been into Philadelphia before so there was no way i was driving there by myself on a whim. I should have been better prepared i guess, but even my printed directions weren't right. I got lost going around the block. I figure i'd rather not go then go and get lost in a foreign city then really be screwed. I called the social worker i was suppose to meet with and asked if we can reschedule....i haven't heard back from her yet. So now i have a broken gps, no internship, and no way of getting anywhere.
February 9, 2009
accepted!
Things have been pretty busy around here. School has been ok. Today i had no morning classes because there was a counselor here who sits on the board of social work accreditation. It turns out we will be an accredited program in 2 years, and up for candidacy in june. woo! Good news. also in other good news, im pretty sure i got the internship (or volunteer as they call it) spot at bethany! WOO. im so excited. This is something i've dreamed about for a while and its finally happening. I am so excited. I finally feel like my life is picking up. I am where i want to be. Its a weird feeling though. I felt like an adult today with all these responsibilities its scary, but in a good way. I have an interview with them on wednesday that im pretty excited/nervous about. The only downside is that the drive is 45mins one way..its kind of far but im not really thinking about it because its worth it to me. So funny, a year ago i was in china, and now i am interning at the place that sent us to china. so wonderful...today was a good day. I will update on wednesday after the interview.
February 1, 2009
whats so super about it?
I am sitting here in my apartment, watching the superbowl. I cant help to feel sadness because i remember where i was, and what i was doing this time last year. I was with my family at my grandparents house watching the Giants and probably the most exciting superbowl ever. NOt only was i with my family, but we were preparing to, in 13 days, fly across country to get little gracie girl. I just can not believe it has been a year. Its so crazy how fast life moves, and how quickly things change. I still remember how i felt when we left..the night before and even 13 days previous, as we were watching the game. Everything at that time was "this is the last time we ________ (fill in the blank) without gracie!" And that was indeed the last time we watched the 'big game' without the final member of our family. Though she didnt care for it much today...she didnt have a nap and fell asleep at 4pm for about a half hour..
This weekend home was good. I cant believe its February already! Where does the time go. Classes have been good..its still quite hard to get into a routine though but im getting there. This weekend at home i emailed Bethany Christian Services (gracies adoption agency for those readers who dont know) and i asked them if they were accepting interns. I would love to intern/work there someday. It would just be so cool if it could come full circle like that. It was such a life changing thing and i just want to be part of it. So i have been praying that i can do some work there! Also the exciting event that happened this weekend was that my grandparents came to stay over. It was nice to see them. I felt like we were all down the shore again. I also tried aunt debbie and uncle blaises church. They were having a youth conference this weekend so there was a pretty sweet worship team there this morning. The message was great too, its just what i needed to hear. Its weird how at a bible college you still have to go to church on sunday to get fed. I have to be careful that i dont grow complacent and that my heart doesnt get hard from being in chapel and being 'in church' everyday, and i need to look at the bible as the word of God and not just another textbook...it can be hard sometimes...
I am waiting for the game to end so i can watch an hour of the office, then go to sleep and get started on my week...i wonder what this week will bring..excitement i hope.
Eddie you will be excited to know that i plan on doing some shooting this week. Its been a while since i picked up my camera..i need to blow off the dust and go exploring around my campus. I think there is a basketball game at my school this week, so that should be pretty interesting to shoot...
This weekend home was good. I cant believe its February already! Where does the time go. Classes have been good..its still quite hard to get into a routine though but im getting there. This weekend at home i emailed Bethany Christian Services (gracies adoption agency for those readers who dont know) and i asked them if they were accepting interns. I would love to intern/work there someday. It would just be so cool if it could come full circle like that. It was such a life changing thing and i just want to be part of it. So i have been praying that i can do some work there! Also the exciting event that happened this weekend was that my grandparents came to stay over. It was nice to see them. I felt like we were all down the shore again. I also tried aunt debbie and uncle blaises church. They were having a youth conference this weekend so there was a pretty sweet worship team there this morning. The message was great too, its just what i needed to hear. Its weird how at a bible college you still have to go to church on sunday to get fed. I have to be careful that i dont grow complacent and that my heart doesnt get hard from being in chapel and being 'in church' everyday, and i need to look at the bible as the word of God and not just another textbook...it can be hard sometimes...
I am waiting for the game to end so i can watch an hour of the office, then go to sleep and get started on my week...i wonder what this week will bring..excitement i hope.
Eddie you will be excited to know that i plan on doing some shooting this week. Its been a while since i picked up my camera..i need to blow off the dust and go exploring around my campus. I think there is a basketball game at my school this week, so that should be pretty interesting to shoot...
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