Monday, August 30, 2010

Such a small world

I was going to do some extra work across the street from my building and decided to get lunch from the cafeteria where I work. I decided to eat outside on the patio since it was a beautiful, sunny day. All the tables had someone at them, so I decided to ask if I could sit down with this lady who was on the phone. When she got off, we talked a little while till she had to get back to her office. She lives in Whittier and would like to move closer to work. She was heading to Pismo Beach this weekend. She almost got a job in San Luis Obispo, but decided to stay here. After she left, another gal came and asked if SHE could sit with ME. So we started chatting. She was Maria from Guatemala. If you know me well enough, you know I was adopted. I was born in Guatemala and my given name was Maria. SO weird. She also lives far away, but she takes the train which stops right at the crosswalk all us Raytheoners use to go back and forth from building to building.

I don't usually just go up to people and start conversing with them, but it just seemed right and natural and it was fun to meet new people where I work. Whether I see them again is another story. But I like how the Lord brings us together, if only for a few moments. I hope to see them again - another sunshine lunch maybe.

Friday, August 20, 2010

A Writers' Meme (from FaithWriters' blog!)

This meme started at the - FaithWriters' blog - and it looked way too fun to pass over!

OK…here’s how this works.
1. Copy and paste the following to the comments and replace my answers with your own.
2. If you have a blog, copy and paste these questions and your answers to your blog.
3. Challenge your readers to do the same on their blog.
If you don’t have a blog, skip #’s 2 & 3!
All of this week’s questions have to do with writing (hence, the title of this post: A Writer’s Meme)
Here are your questions (and my answers)

What’s your favorite genre of writing? Poetry, My life
How often do you get writer’s block? A lot...that's why I don't write a lot
How do you fix it? Facebook...reading others' stuff
Do you type or write by hand? Both - started out writing by hand and now it's just faster to use the computer
Do you save everything you write? Pretty much...I don't have all that much
Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it? Yes
Do you have a constructive critic? Not really
Did you ever write a novel? Never
What genre would you love to write but haven’t? Christian fiction, I guess
What’s one genre you have never written, and probably never will? Christian fiction
How many writing projects are you working on right now? Nothing, just trying to think of things to blog about - that's the extent of my writing now
Do you write for a living? Do you want to? I'd love to, but need training
Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper? For the youth paper at church - does that count?
Have you ever won an award for your writing? Was published in "World's Best Poets" (can't remember actual title)(seems like everyone got into that one)
Do you ever write based on your dreams? Not really
Do you favor happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers? Happy endings

And now it's YOUR turn! Respond below, put your answers on your blog, or both. Enjoy.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Matzah Bread


We use this for communion at Hope Chapel. Today, Pastor Jeff described it this way.
We share bread together to remember Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross. It's broken and we each take a piece.    
The bread is unleavened (without yeast or any leavening agent) reminding us that "but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)    
The bread has strips across it to remind us that "and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)    
The bread has holes in it to remind us that "but he was pierced for our transgressions." (Isaiah 53:5)    
I've heard this before, but it's a good reminder to remember what Christ did for ME and to share this good news with others. And to continue to fellowship and encourage those in the family of God "to love and good deeds...and all the more as you see the day drawing near."  (Hebrews 10:24-25)