Sunday

Oh my goodness I am behind. Just imagine how long my blog will be when I get back from Japan. A whole two weeks of not writting here (I'll keep my notebook so I will remember).

Sunday

Sunday I worked until about six and had an annoying customer that was there my ENTIRE shift. He isn't a creepy guy but he goes over board sometimes. For instance, on Sunday I told him that I am leaving for Japan on the 8th of June for two weeks. He got this extremely sad look on his face and said "What am I going to do without seeing your face for two weeks?". I told him that he was fine for the six months he went there before me. THEN he informed me that that was before he was "addicted" to me. Who is this guy? What is he going to tell me next, my love is his drug? Ridiculous.

Then I went on my lunch break and sat down with my tea and started to read. Well, he must of thought that I hadn't had enough of him and this was my code for "Hey, you should come and join me!". He must of failed Social skills 101 in school. So my work day was not exactly a fun one, it wasn't bad, just not my favorite.

After work I went to youth group in Bountiful where Matt was teaching about loving your enemy. He used the example of Osama bin Laden and asked the question "Did he deserve to die?". That was a hard question for me to answer, I felt wrong making the call on someone's life, even if they are evil. But then we investigated some more and realized that he deserved death and eternal damnation. But as we read further we started to realize that so do we... so do I. Romans 3:23 says "... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Now, I know that comparing myself to Osama bin Laden sounds harsh; but I don't disagree with it. I have also sinned, I have commited murder in my heart and have destroyed people with my harsh words. I am a liar, cheater, and a theif. I do, and always will, fall short of the glory of God.





Here are some other verses:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall lover your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:43-48

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister 'Raca' (idiot) is answerable to the court. Anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."
Matthew 5:21-22

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us" Romans 5:8

The greatest commandments are to Love God and Love everybody else. I admit to breaking both of these. I learned that because of this, we should be humbled and repentant.


"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles."
Proverbs 24:17

Little did I know...

So it turns out, keeping up on this blogging stuff is tougher than I thought! Kudos to those of you who stay on top of it!

I'm trying to look back on what I did yesterday and I feel like it was a whole lot of nothing. I had the day off and zero motivation to do anything. So I sat home, ate, and watched Hey, Arnold for about three hours. But I did end up driving out to Bountiful to visit Matt. I was finally able to take him out to eat, which was a really great feeling because over the past four months I have been struggling with money. I have also noticed that I have become a lot more responsible with my money and am not spending on silly things that I don't need. I am starting to learn the concept of "It's God's money first", althought I don't claim to have mastered it quite yet ;)

As for today, I had a pretty frustrating morning. I lost my contact lense and don't have anymore backups. Which means I might not have contacts when I go to Japan. I REALLY hope I can get an eye appointment in soon so they can order me some more. It ususally takes a little bit to get here so I'm hoping that I have just over a little bit of time until I leave. Work was slow today so I was pretty thankful when it was over (no, that isn't my one thing of thankfulness). I don't know... today hasn't been a bad day, but it also hasn't necessarily been good either. I did notice a lot of pan handlers today walking aroun the junction in Ogden. They always ask for money but when any of us offer to buy them food they get mad at you. I really hope that they kind find out that they are worth more than what they are addicted to. I am thankful that I don't have to deal with what they are dealing with. But I also pray for the strength to show them love, because I have noticed that I really struggle with that.

The middle

Today was full of great things. First of all I had the day off, which means I got to sleep in, and I also was paid today. I ususally estimate in my head about how much I will get in my next paycheck so I know how I want to budget it. I ended up getting a little bit more than I was expecting (which I didn't mind one bit).

I did splurg a little bit and bought myself a pair of Chaco's (I budgeted for them)








They will be perfect in Japan.

That's another thing that is great about today. Exactly two weeks from today... I will be leaving for Japan!! I can't wait to be there and see everything I can. I am thankful that I get to help others in need and pray that when we need help, God will send others to us.

Slacking

Well, it would seem that my life has been very hectic and have failed to get online. But the truth is that I have just been lazy. All of this rain is draining my motivation, a terrible excuse I know, but I will use it anyways ;)

Ok, so let's recap:


Sunday:

I was having seizures Sunday morning which is usually really depressing for me, but I haven't had them in so long that I am feeling really good about it. I understand that my medicine won't make them dissapear but will control them. I was able to go to work later that day and we had a really busy day which always brightens up my day. Meeting new people and talking to them about their lives is something I was never really able to do at another job. It seems that this coffee shop really suits me! After work I went to youth group in bountiful and was able to talk to one of my old friends about when we were younger and reminisce. So, Sunday I was thankful for bringing the realization how long it has been since I have had seizures. I also appreciate how many people I have gotten to meet in my life already and am excited to see how many others I will meet and how our lives will touch each other. Exciting!


Monday:

I went to work Monday morning and recieved my tips for the previous week and was able to have some friends over that night and buy pizza. It was great to hang out with some of my closest friends before a few of them left to China for the summer. I'm going to miss those little stinkers. Monday I realized how blessed I was for the people in my life and what great things they will be doing.

Tuesday:

Today I went to work and we became extremely busy so I was able to stay an extra hour to help out. I really love my job so it wasn't a pain at all and I get more money out of it. I also was able to get my friend a job at my work and am SUPER excited to be able to work with her. I am thankful that I love my job and that I get to be surrounded by people I enjoy. There is nothing worse than going to work and hating every moment you are there. I've been doing that for the past year and am SO glad I don't have that feeling anymore.

The start of it all

Well I suppose today is the first day of my thankfulness project (even though I shared yesterday). I honestly didn't struggle at all trying to think of something I was thankful for because the weather was SO lovely. I'm sure that everyone felt thankful today. I know that we were hating all that rain but it honestly made everything so green and so spectacular. Utah, no matter how many negative comments people make, is beautiful. I am truly blessed to live in a place that looks pretty in all seasons.

Eat your heart out.

365 days of thankfulness

How many times do you wake up, go about your day, and go to bed without thinking of a single thing you are thankful for? I have realized that I do this on a regular basis and have decided to do a little project. Every day for one year I will account for what I am thankful for that day and explain to you why. This isn't necissarily for anyone but myself but I thought if I shared it then I might inspire someone else. I am hoping this next year will be a growing experience and that I will learn a lot about the people and the world I am surrounded by and realize the blessings I have even in the most difficult days.






As for today, I am thankful for the relationship I have with Matt. Today we both had the day off so I went to Bountiful and helped him do laundry and clean up his appartment. That sounds like such an awful chore and is honestly one of my least favorites but I enjoyed spending time with him. We also made dinner and lunch together, something we should do more often.

After we ate dinner, we went down to the weekly comedy improv show that is held at a community church/ coffee shop in Ogden. We usuallly take pictures for them but this week we forgot his camera and had to drive back to Bountiful only to turn around and come to Ogden. We were gone the entire show but I was suprised how much I enjoyed it. We talked for the entire time and never turned on the music. Which then made me realize that we never play music in the car when we are together because we are continuously in a conversation. Once again, I am thankful for the relationship I have with Matt and what a blessing he is to me.

Helping in Japan

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope you are having a good first few weeks of spring. I am about to start my first year of college this fall and have been living on my own for about eight months now. However, I am looking for a real change of pace this summer. This past year I have been planning on going to Japan on a short-term mission this June organized by my church here in Ogden.

Our original plan was to teach Japanese people to sing Black Gospel songs in English and participating in a concert by a Japanese Black Gospel choir of about 300 to 400 people. Black Gospel music is very popular in Japan. Many people want to learn to sing this style and even more are interested in improving their English. These choirs give many Japanese their first exposure to a Christian church and their first chance to have a Christian friend. But now they have a different need.

As many of you know, Japan has been struck by a major tragedy and many lives have been effected and destroyed. I have been praying a lot lately about what God is calling me to do. After reading in my Bible for more answers I saw a verse that said “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. I know that our team can offer them our encouragement in their struggles and receive encouragement from them as we support them in this time of need.

I would appreciate prayers for my team and I as we prepare for this ministry and during our time in Japan. We will definitely be out of our personal comfort zones and will need to trust God for his strength and guidance. The financial need for me to be able to go is $2,300. I am thankful for any contribution, your five dollars might be the reason I get to go and help the people in Japan. If you do decide to contribute you may send your check to Washington Heights Church, 1770 East 6200 South, Ogden, UT 84405. Please make your check to the church and on the memo line write my name and the word “Japan”. If you prefer to be anonymous with your giving, write the word “Confidential” on the top of your check and our church will honor this. Thank considering helping me to go and help Japan.

I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him in another culture. I look forward to sharing the love of Christ with the Japanese people while meeting a practical need. Thank you for your prayers and your friendship as I experience what it truly means to be a servant for Christ.

Joyfully serving Him,

Aleesha White