update

That's about me...except I'm not that cute. lol.

I missed last week, not because I was sick but because I was too busy...which I'm almost 99.5% certain is the reason I'm sick. My body has finally said.."ENOUGH!". I don't have much of a runny noise, but I've got an annoying cough and most times I talk, I can't get two sentences out without a mini coughing fit or without the raspy-not-so-sexy hoarse voice. :)

I think we all can relate to the saying "when it rains, it pours". Well, that's been me the past month or so (not the month of June, but the past 4 weeks or more). Its the end of the semester, which means data collection is in full drive. One set of demands.

Its also marks the beginning of the summer period for students, and a part of my internship is assisting with the training for summer youth camp instructors. Those trainings begun about 3 weeks ago and although very fun...its a lot. Did I mention that we have 4 days of training back to back this week? not sure how I'm going to present (while coughing with a raspy voice) but we'll figure something out.

Then to top it all off, we are STILL moving. like seriously? I NEVER imagined this would take this long or be this tedious. I've moved before...a couple times but what I underestimated was moving to a place that was not "move-in" ready. Our new abode is my childhood home, and outside of the flooding that occured almost island wide 3 weeks ago, we also learnt of a leak in the roof and then had an entire week of non-stop rain. Our landlords were gracious to give us an extra week, which is why I'm probably still sane, because if we had to leave as planned for May 31st...well, it would not have been cute.

I know what you are thinking or screaming: SLOW DOWN WOMAN! BUT No need for alarm. Outside of the cold/cough that I've developed, I've been keeping hydrated, resting each night (well when heartburn or acid reflux doesn't keep me up) and overall, I feel good...I'm keeping it balanced. This is just a season. If all goes well, by next Monday's blog post, I should be passed the "moving" and having some fun with getting the nursery set up. I'll also be done with data collection and will be just sorting, organizing, "processing" all the data (which is done at my own pace)and all of the trainings should be done. I say *should* because we may have to add another round..but without the other demands, the workshops/trainings become almost kind of fun. ;)

Before I close, I do want to add, that despite that crazy I feel juggling physical demands- emotionally/psychologically and spiritually, I feel fine. In fact, I feel great.  For the past almost 2 weeks, most mornings I would wake up singing:

I want the joy of the Lord to come now

I want the joy of the Lord to fall now

I want the joy of the Lord in my life

I want the joy of the Lord lift me

I want the joy of the Lord change me

I want the joy of the Lord in my life

Its time I started dancing over all these graves

Its time I gave you all my God the highest place

Its time I lift my voice

and beg for His blessing to fall (Lyrics from eLyrics.net)

What's kept/keeping me....JOY. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I hear joy and I automatically think of that Pageant scene from Coming To America...say it with me...JOY!!!!!

Just in case you don't know what I am talking about....check this out (the JOY comes right before the first minute mark).

Grace peace love and JOY,

Gia

Rejected

As I spoke to my bestie one morning, she was relaying a story to me and the part that stuck out to me was a statement made...someone had commented that a particular church had a bunch of rejects and losers. The parent who made the statement was concerned about their child being in that atmosphere.

Now normally, I think I would have kinda agreed. You know after all, if an eagle is raised with chickens, it will be raised to NOT fly, even though its in the eagle's nature to not just fly but to soar. BUT rather than this thought, this scripture came to mind.

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." -Psalm 118:22

And that began my musings for yesterday morning.

Our role model (if you are a Christian) is Jesus and He was the ultimate example of rejection (Isaiah 53:3). The "who's who" of that day literally called Him everything EXCEPT the son of God. It was even said that his authority was from the prince of demons (Matthew 9:34;12:22-25). And despite his humble beginnings, despite the fact that His own people rejected Him, despite the fact, that He really wasn't "much" as it relates to socio-economic status, the fact remains that this man was a revolutionary. Some 2000+ years later, his followers are still the largest group of all religious and/or civic groups. This rejected one, became the foundation, the head stone, by which Christianity was built.

If that revelation wasn't enough to keep me thinking, I then read this scripture in prayer later that evening:

"Behold! God is mighty, and yet despises no one nor regards anything as trivial; He is mighty in power of understanding and heart." - Job 36:5

So what's my point: There is a difference between those who are unmotivated, under-achieving, and settling for less than their potential (eagles with a chicken mentality) from those who may be in a particular position (e.g. temporarily unemployed, victim of abuse, divorced) and may not be of a "good" status by society's standards.  Both groups of people could be considered losers, and if we aren't careful, its easy to cast judgment, scorn, or fully reject them..

Does this mean that we have license to reject one while providing a pass for the other? NO! The MIGHTY God doesn't despise them, so why should we? I guess in the end, this post is a call to compassion, very similar to what I talked about last summer (see here).  A second or even third look at those who are different would go a long way for us as we manoeuvre through life and attempt to live it intentionally, purposefully, and with an impact beyond the grave. 

Grace, peace and love,
Gia

Note: I do apologize for the late entry and the missing entries- life is super hectic now and in prioritizing, blogging fell to the bottom of the list. Thanks for your patience. :)

guess who's featured?!?!

On my sister's blog Annis bubble, I've been included as a guest blogger and I think its uber cool.

Why is it cool?
1.My sister is blogging and creating her own space in cyberworld and its a super cool, friendly and welcoming space for women, especially mommies!
2. I get a new audience.

So go on over and check her out!!! Click HERE

Grace peace and love,
Gia