The first few weeks of student teaching have been a total blur! I'm starting to see how hard it is to manage life as a mom of 2 with a husband who doesn't have very flexible schedule while teaching essentially full time. It is exhausting to say the least!
I have really enjoyed working in both of my placements so far, although I am also becoming more aware of my own weaknesses as a teacher. One of my biggest stressors has been trying to fit all of the content into the lessons that I've planned. As a teacher, I really enjoy connecting to the kids and being able to have 2-way conversations so that they can share their own thoughts and feelings.
There are definite positives to allowing students to share, is it helps me to understand them better, and allows them to become more invested in the lesson. It also has the benefit of activating whatever background knowledge a child has on the topic that we will be discussing. My problem as a teacher though, is that I get caught up in the conversations and lose time that I needed to spend on working through new content or time that they needed to spend writing to show what they learned. Language Arts is my favorite subject to teach, as I'm able to weave in a lot of social studies and engaging literature with the kids.
I'm in a 3rd class this year, and am definitely struggling with how academically challenging the math content that we are using is! We're using the math lessons from Engage NY, with some adaptations, and there are so many pieces that were mostly unfamiliar to me. Now I'm becoming more competent teaching using tools like number bonds, tape diagrams, and arrays. I was skeptical at first, and there are still some elements of the lessons that aren't really developmentally-appropriate for our class, but I am seeing how the different visual representations connect with different learners in the room.
This week I'll be co-teaching more math with my Cooperating Teacher, as well as having my first observation in my ESOL placement. Its a busy week, so I'll leave this post short for now.
Thank your kids' teachers for all they do, its definitely the most challenging job I've ever had, and I get to leave the take-home parts of the job for my CT, such as grading and planning assessments!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Student Teaching. . . Exhausting, yet Exhillirating
Its been too long again since I've posted anything. The end of summer was super busy with me finishing my last round of summer classes, taking a trip back to Minnesota to visit family and friends,and my last round of pre-service tests before getting my teaching license.
I passed all my tests, including the Middle Level Language Arts and ESOL, so now I am officially a student teacher. Yay!
The program I'm in is unique in that it has 2 semesters of student teaching. One is part time, and the other is full-time. My part-time is also combined with my ESOL endorsement practicum, so it really feels full-time to me! During our second semester we also have to do an EdTPA, and are the first year of students to do so in Oregon, boo!
I'm split between 2 different schools, so I spend 3 full days at one school, and one full day at the other. The 2 schools are quite different from each other, but they're both full of great kids who I'm honored to be getting to know and being trusted to teach. I'm also blessed to have 2 amazing CT's (Cooperating Teachers), so I know that I'll be equipped with what I need to be successful by the time I finish this semester.
My elementary placement is in an elementary school on the outer fringe of the Portland metro area, in an area that is culturally mixed between more rural and suburban. For this reason, it definitely has the benefit of more parent and community connection than many of the other schools I've spent time in. So far, I can also see that the staff have good relationships, and it feels like a very positive work environment in my experience so far.
I'm in a 3rd grade class that currently has 36 kids in it! Fortunately, the teachers were just informed by the district that they will be adding a third class that will be a grade 2/3 blend, which should take my classroom down to less than 30 students.
It was the students first week of school, so I got to see how they're adjusting to a new teacher, routines, and procedures. They're a great bunch of kids, so we didn't have anything out of the norm as far as behavior is concerned (as you might imagine, 3rd graders love to talk!).
One of the highlights for me this week was coming for a meeting with my CT and University Supervisor right at the end of the school day on a day that I wouldn't normally have been there. Most of the class said hi, and a couple of the little girls ran over and gave me a hug-and this was only after spending one whole day in their class. Kids are amazing!
Another thing I really enjoyed was being able to help my CT make some time to get the kids started with an art project in the middle of a busy week.
The kids read Nasreen's Secret School, and connected it to a standard about books and reading around the world.
For their art project, they each created a self-portrait using painted paper on a background that depicted our own environment here in the Pacific Northwest. They made accordion-folded pages that looked like books, and created their own symbols above the book to represent the things that they had learned from reading.
It was fun to see the uniqueness of ideas that some kids had, and note how some of them struggled, and chose to copy an idea from a peer (so many of them chose to represent math symbols after my CT used it as an example).
The projects were a success, and I'm so glad that they'll have something to show the parents for the open house next week.
In the coming weeks, I'll have to start planning lessons with the curriculum and teaching instead of being more of an assistant, so now is the time for me to believe that I can do it and make it happen!
I passed all my tests, including the Middle Level Language Arts and ESOL, so now I am officially a student teacher. Yay!
The program I'm in is unique in that it has 2 semesters of student teaching. One is part time, and the other is full-time. My part-time is also combined with my ESOL endorsement practicum, so it really feels full-time to me! During our second semester we also have to do an EdTPA, and are the first year of students to do so in Oregon, boo!
I'm split between 2 different schools, so I spend 3 full days at one school, and one full day at the other. The 2 schools are quite different from each other, but they're both full of great kids who I'm honored to be getting to know and being trusted to teach. I'm also blessed to have 2 amazing CT's (Cooperating Teachers), so I know that I'll be equipped with what I need to be successful by the time I finish this semester.
My elementary placement is in an elementary school on the outer fringe of the Portland metro area, in an area that is culturally mixed between more rural and suburban. For this reason, it definitely has the benefit of more parent and community connection than many of the other schools I've spent time in. So far, I can also see that the staff have good relationships, and it feels like a very positive work environment in my experience so far.
I'm in a 3rd grade class that currently has 36 kids in it! Fortunately, the teachers were just informed by the district that they will be adding a third class that will be a grade 2/3 blend, which should take my classroom down to less than 30 students.
It was the students first week of school, so I got to see how they're adjusting to a new teacher, routines, and procedures. They're a great bunch of kids, so we didn't have anything out of the norm as far as behavior is concerned (as you might imagine, 3rd graders love to talk!).
One of the highlights for me this week was coming for a meeting with my CT and University Supervisor right at the end of the school day on a day that I wouldn't normally have been there. Most of the class said hi, and a couple of the little girls ran over and gave me a hug-and this was only after spending one whole day in their class. Kids are amazing!
Another thing I really enjoyed was being able to help my CT make some time to get the kids started with an art project in the middle of a busy week.
The kids read Nasreen's Secret School, and connected it to a standard about books and reading around the world.
For their art project, they each created a self-portrait using painted paper on a background that depicted our own environment here in the Pacific Northwest. They made accordion-folded pages that looked like books, and created their own symbols above the book to represent the things that they had learned from reading.
It was fun to see the uniqueness of ideas that some kids had, and note how some of them struggled, and chose to copy an idea from a peer (so many of them chose to represent math symbols after my CT used it as an example).
The projects were a success, and I'm so glad that they'll have something to show the parents for the open house next week.
In the coming weeks, I'll have to start planning lessons with the curriculum and teaching instead of being more of an assistant, so now is the time for me to believe that I can do it and make it happen!
Thursday, July 16, 2015
New Blog! (still not giving up on this one though)
I was looking through my old posts on this blog and getting nostalgic. Does anyone else remember how much fun we used to have blogging and commenting? I enjoy other social media, but I miss the thought process that goes into blogging vs. the immediate sharing on Facebook or Instagram.
I just wanted to let you guys know that I started a new health and fitness focused blog. I'm setting it up mostly for my Challenge groups that I run on Facebook to give them information about workouts, meal plans, and my own recipes. I'd love you to visit me there, but stay tuned on this page for more frequent updates!
I just wanted to let you guys know that I started a new health and fitness focused blog. I'm setting it up mostly for my Challenge groups that I run on Facebook to give them information about workouts, meal plans, and my own recipes. I'd love you to visit me there, but stay tuned on this page for more frequent updates!
AlluringBody Nostril Pin
As I get older, I find that I care more about the quality of my jewelry. In the last few months I've gotten some nice older jewelry that belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother, which made me think about the fact that I don't own any jewelry of value other than my wedding rings.
I've had my nostril pierced for quite a few years now, and I'd been thinking about switching from a nostril screw to a nose bone or pin.
The downside I've heard about these is that they can be difficult to remove because the ball at the end is a slightly larger gauge than the body of the pin.
My old nostril screw was just a generic CZ in an 18 gauge stainless steel setting. It was ok, but I didn't like how high the bezel setting stuck up on my nose.
I had some other screws that were sterling silver, but I didn't like how quickly the metal became tarnished and was afraid that it would cause staining on my skin. I'm also completing a teaching degree this year and want to have something that looks professional and is of high quality and practical for basically all occasions. I decided that I was looking for a 20 gauge nostril pin in 14k white gold with a diamond setting, and came across Alluring Body. They have a lot of different gemstones and several sizes of colorless diamonds. The smallest is a 1.2mm "tiny diamond." I opted against this one because I have some large pores in my nose that are probably close to a 1.2 mm! The next size up is the 1.6mm "perfect diamond," which I think was a great choice for my situation. Granted, $85 is a lot to spend on a small piece of jewelry, but I love the idea that I can basically leave this in and not buy another for the foreseeable future. To be honest though, I'll probably be buying an emerald or a bigger diamond at some point.
Alluring Body is a small business, and I was really happy with the quick shipping. The packaging was also just beautiful.
As you can see, the nostril screw was HUGE compared to the pin. I was glad that I had an 18gauge in, the pin slipped right in, but now that it has sat for a couple of days, the pin is tight enough that there's no way it would fall out. I love the difference in feeling, I don't notice the pin at all, but sometimes the nostril screw would bother me because it took up so much space inside my nose!
Here's the final effect. I'm really happy with the size, its small, but sparkles enough that you can still notice it. The workmanship is what makes it worth the money in my opinion too. It has a prong setting, but I haven't had a cotton ball or towel get stuck to it, unlike my cheap prong settings from Claire's!
I had some other screws that were sterling silver, but I didn't like how quickly the metal became tarnished and was afraid that it would cause staining on my skin. I'm also completing a teaching degree this year and want to have something that looks professional and is of high quality and practical for basically all occasions. I decided that I was looking for a 20 gauge nostril pin in 14k white gold with a diamond setting, and came across Alluring Body. They have a lot of different gemstones and several sizes of colorless diamonds. The smallest is a 1.2mm "tiny diamond." I opted against this one because I have some large pores in my nose that are probably close to a 1.2 mm! The next size up is the 1.6mm "perfect diamond," which I think was a great choice for my situation. Granted, $85 is a lot to spend on a small piece of jewelry, but I love the idea that I can basically leave this in and not buy another for the foreseeable future. To be honest though, I'll probably be buying an emerald or a bigger diamond at some point.
Alluring Body is a small business, and I was really happy with the quick shipping. The packaging was also just beautiful.
As you can see, the nostril screw was HUGE compared to the pin. I was glad that I had an 18gauge in, the pin slipped right in, but now that it has sat for a couple of days, the pin is tight enough that there's no way it would fall out. I love the difference in feeling, I don't notice the pin at all, but sometimes the nostril screw would bother me because it took up so much space inside my nose!
Here's the final effect. I'm really happy with the size, its small, but sparkles enough that you can still notice it. The workmanship is what makes it worth the money in my opinion too. It has a prong setting, but I haven't had a cotton ball or towel get stuck to it, unlike my cheap prong settings from Claire's!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Creating a Fitness Habit
I've tried and failed so many times in life to create and maintain a habit or commitment to my health and fitness. I've had the best and most consistent results in the last 3 years or so, even during my last pregnancy. So, what worked for me?
Accountability:
There are so many different ways that you can accomplish this. One that I've liked is to be a part of a Challenge Group. It is so helpful to keep company with like-minded people, or people who have similar goals. On those days you don't feel like working out, you know that someone from your group will notice your absence, or that your coach might give you a call or text to check in! If you are having problems or feel like you're failing, let your coach or partners know, that's why you're a group!
Many programs also come with a Workout Calendar, or you can create your own. I love having a physical calendar where I can cross out my workout for the day and see those X's adding up over the course of the weeks! When I consider skipping, my obsessive personality is bothered by the fact that the day will have a blank.
Combine Fitness with Nutrition:
This one is HUGE for me! When my workouts are in line, I am less likely to fill my body with things that aren't going to fuel me for my workouts and specific goals. I'm not talking about deprivation, but making sure that you're choosing wisely. I've always felt that I eat healthy, but realized that I often come up short on vegetable and protein portions when tracking them for my workout goals. I have also been using Shakeology for several months now, and have noticed a huge energy boost and reduction in cravings for junk!
One of my favorite incentives is to choose the workout that I will accomplish next and buy it for myself as a reward.
My reward for finishing Insanity Max 30 this Friday is 21 Day Fix Extreme.
People often choose to buy a specific piece of clothing that they are hoping to fit into by the end of a particular workout program.
Another incentive that works well for me is to have workout outfits that I enjoy wearing. Rather than throwing on those old running shorts from the bottom of the drawer, choose something new to go with a new workout, or reward yourself with a new pair when you've stayed on track for a set amount of time.
Consistency:
It is hardest in the beginning to develop a new habit. When I started Insanity Max 30, I decided to switch my workouts from evening to morning. I am most definitely NOT a natural morning person, but I love the feeling of accomplishment when I've finished something of worth so early in the day.
It was extremely hard to make myself do my workouts when I felt so lethargic, but now my dependence on caffeine is gone, and I feel strange if I have a schedule issue that makes it impossible to work out in the morning. Creating consistency takes the most work for the first few weeks, but with the other steps, you will have a habit that becomes as normal as making that morning coffee!
Accountability:
There are so many different ways that you can accomplish this. One that I've liked is to be a part of a Challenge Group. It is so helpful to keep company with like-minded people, or people who have similar goals. On those days you don't feel like working out, you know that someone from your group will notice your absence, or that your coach might give you a call or text to check in! If you are having problems or feel like you're failing, let your coach or partners know, that's why you're a group!
Many programs also come with a Workout Calendar, or you can create your own. I love having a physical calendar where I can cross out my workout for the day and see those X's adding up over the course of the weeks! When I consider skipping, my obsessive personality is bothered by the fact that the day will have a blank.
Combine Fitness with Nutrition:
This one is HUGE for me! When my workouts are in line, I am less likely to fill my body with things that aren't going to fuel me for my workouts and specific goals. I'm not talking about deprivation, but making sure that you're choosing wisely. I've always felt that I eat healthy, but realized that I often come up short on vegetable and protein portions when tracking them for my workout goals. I have also been using Shakeology for several months now, and have noticed a huge energy boost and reduction in cravings for junk!
Solomon and I enjoying our Greenberry
Create and Use Incentives:One of my favorite incentives is to choose the workout that I will accomplish next and buy it for myself as a reward.
People often choose to buy a specific piece of clothing that they are hoping to fit into by the end of a particular workout program.
Another incentive that works well for me is to have workout outfits that I enjoy wearing. Rather than throwing on those old running shorts from the bottom of the drawer, choose something new to go with a new workout, or reward yourself with a new pair when you've stayed on track for a set amount of time.
Consistency:
It is hardest in the beginning to develop a new habit. When I started Insanity Max 30, I decided to switch my workouts from evening to morning. I am most definitely NOT a natural morning person, but I love the feeling of accomplishment when I've finished something of worth so early in the day.
It was extremely hard to make myself do my workouts when I felt so lethargic, but now my dependence on caffeine is gone, and I feel strange if I have a schedule issue that makes it impossible to work out in the morning. Creating consistency takes the most work for the first few weeks, but with the other steps, you will have a habit that becomes as normal as making that morning coffee!
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
My Favorite Workouts
My first introduction to intense at-home workouts was Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred, which I completed in summer of 2008.
I was very happy with the results from this workout series. Most workouts marketed to women weren't nearly intense enough, and I wanted to get good results!
I stuck with Jillian after this, and have done her Ripped in 30, 6 Week Six-Pack, No More Trouble Zones, and Yoga Meltdown. Yoga Meltdown and Ripped in 30 are my favorites of everything she's created.
I still do some of Jillian's workouts occasionally, but I've found some new workouts that I love even more. A friend of mine had gotten some awesome results doing Turbofire and invited me to join one of her Clean Eating Challenge groups on Facebook. I needed some accountability to get eating healthy again after having my son in 2013, so I joined. She was recovering from a knee injury at the time and couldn't do workouts with any jumping, so she posted about a new Beachbody workout called PiYo. Its a Pilates/Yoga hybrid strength workout with Chalene Johnson, and let me tell you, its my favorite workout series ever! It includes the same kind of strength/yoga combinations as some of Jillian's programs, but Chalene is such a fun trainer! The program also includes so many more workouts that Jillan's program, so its a lot harder to get tired of it!
I still felt like I needed to make some gains in the muscle department, so when another friend started posting about Insanity Max 30, I decided to do something crazy and order the Challenge Pack with Shakeology. I'm finishing the 60 days this Friday, and the results have been amazing so far! I can do pushups and burpees like nobody's business!
What's my favorite overall? I'd have to say that PiYo has been the most fun, its the workout I most genuinely look forward to doing, and my flexibility has improved tremendously too! I was also inspired to sign up as a Beachbody Coach, so that I can inspire others in their journeys toward wellness and a full life.
What are your favorite workouts? Are there any challenges to your health that you would like to improve through better fitness and nutrition?
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Monthly Meals Week 2
These are actually a bit out of order since I haven't posted in awhile, but these are the meals that I will make starting on Friday.
Maybe you'll find some new favorites!
Maybe you'll find some new favorites!
Mon: Alfredo Pasta with Sausage
Tues: BBQ Meatballs
Wed: Salmon Burgers (from Costco)
Thurs: Beef Hot Dogs and Mac & Cheese (from Costco)
Fri: Creamy seafood pasta or pesto pasta
Sat: Homemade pizza
Sun: leftovers
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Insanity Max 30-Day 2
I started this workout yesterday and maxed out at only 4 minutes in. . . and I thought I was in pretty good shape!
After doing a lot of Jillian Michaels' workouts in the past, I get the whole concept of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), and I'm totally sold on it as the best way to get fit quickly. Knowing that won't get you through these workouts though!
I love the combinations of moves Shaun-T includes in the workout, and I absolutely love his demeanor as a trainer, he's much less annoying than Jillian!
There were a few things in the second workout that I had to modify, mostly the pushup sequences since I broke my elbow as a kid and have a hard time keeping proper form. I also got interrupted several times by the littles, which is also to be expected!
I'll let you guys know how everything goes as a continue, I'm loving it as the moment and hope that the newness doesn't wear off anytime too soon.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Monthly Meals: Week 1
I've always prided myself on being able to cook and plan meals on the fly and use up the last of my ingredients in an economical way. As I'm getting closer to student teaching and eventually working, though I've realized that this way won't always work for us!
I thought it would be great to do one of those once-a-month cooking type ideas, but quickly realized that most of the meals aren't the sort of thing we actually like.
Our family isn't picky, but most crockpot meals that include vegetables turn out too soggy for us, and I wanted to be able to reuse side dishes for multiple meals. Cooking meals and freezing them also isn't appealing since they have to be frozen in bags, microwaved, and re-served.
We are also Eastern Orthodox, and so have a lot of fasting days through out the year, including every Wednesday and Friday. The traditional fast is vegan, but we have a blessing from our spiritual father to gradually ease into fasting more fully. That said, we probably include more vegetarian days that your typical American family, so I'm working on getting more new recipes in my repertoire.
Here's our first week of dinners, which started on Friday:
I thought it would be great to do one of those once-a-month cooking type ideas, but quickly realized that most of the meals aren't the sort of thing we actually like.
Our family isn't picky, but most crockpot meals that include vegetables turn out too soggy for us, and I wanted to be able to reuse side dishes for multiple meals. Cooking meals and freezing them also isn't appealing since they have to be frozen in bags, microwaved, and re-served.
We are also Eastern Orthodox, and so have a lot of fasting days through out the year, including every Wednesday and Friday. The traditional fast is vegan, but we have a blessing from our spiritual father to gradually ease into fasting more fully. That said, we probably include more vegetarian days that your typical American family, so I'm working on getting more new recipes in my repertoire.
Here's our first week of dinners, which started on Friday:
Mon: Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala with leftover Somali Rice
Tues: White Chicken Chili with chips and Salsa
Wed: Cheese Quesadillas and guacamole
Thurs: Honey Garlic Chicken
Fri: Chicken Gyros with pita and tzatziki sauce
Sat: Tacos (at a friend's house)
I also keep a running shopping list in Google Docs so that I can access it when I'm on the run. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction toward feeding a family in a busy world!
Friday, January 2, 2015
Easiest Chicken Gyros Ever!
The Easiest Chicken Gyros Ever
Ingredients:
Start with about a pound of frozen chicken breast.
Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and slice into very thin strips (this is easiest to do if the chicken is still half frozen).
1 medium onion, julienned
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 lemon, juiced
1 cup of kalamata olives (optional)
1/4 cup of olive oil 1TB Penzey's Greek Seasoning
Allow ingredients to marinate for at least an hour (overnight is better) and saute until onions are translucent and chicken is cooked through.
Serve with your preferred pita bread and tzatziki sauce (I buy mine at Costco).
Tabbouli and hummus both make a great side dish!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The Cup of Suffering, The Cup of Salvation
Today a close friend posted a heartfelt cry for God to heal her son from his recently diagnosed illness. As I read her post, my thoughts immediately connected to Christ's own words as he suffered in the flesh, "Father, if it is possible, take this cup from me."
The cup of suffering is one that none of us desires to bear. Not only do we want to avoid it ourselves, but we want to remove it from those that we love. What parent desires to see the suffering of their own child? None that deserves the title mother, or father. We pray for healing, because we want healing, and also know that God is the healer of both physical and spiritual ailments.
What if, though, our suffering in the flesh is exactly what is needed for our own salvation, or the salvation of another?
In the case of Christ Himself, it was necessary that God Incarnate suffer in the flesh, because God's own entrance into death was necessary to destroy its power over humanity.
As it is summarized so beautifully in the liturgy:
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; For the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm; He hath trampled down death by death, and became the first-born from the dead; He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy!
-Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 3
Thinking about this suffering reminded me of an article I read today about the kidnapped Orthodox nuns from Ma'aloula, Syria. A new video recently surfaced, which shows that, Alhamdulillah, the nuns are alive. Raymond Ibrahim commented upon the fact that in the video they were no longer wearing their crosses that are part of the monastic habit. They were presimably forced to remove them by their captors, but if they hadn't they may have been martyred already.
Ibrahim comments, reflecting on the words of St. Paul about the cross:
"'But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world' (Galatians 6:14). You removed the cross from the nuns' breasts. Remove it! We do not rely on the visible. But know that the cross is firmly planted in the hearts of each and every one of those nuns."
It is not that the image of the cross holds no value, Christ came to redeem both the physical and spiritual realities from corruption and death, and this is exactly the truth that we proclaim as Orthodox Christians through the use of icons.
The point of Ibrahim's comment is that the truth of the Incarnation and the reality of life in Christ will not be impeded by the lack of a physical cross on the nuns' clothing.
We pray for God to see fit to preserve the nuns lives and to see them released from captivity, but to return to the first point, if their suffering is effectual for salvation, either their own, or the souls of their captors, it becomes something completely glorious when removed from the context of our earthly temporal existence. Suffering, while completely devoid of pleasure, can be a means to enter into God's own business of uniting humanity to himself, one soul at a time.
"We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
-Romans 5:3-5
The cup of suffering is one that none of us desires to bear. Not only do we want to avoid it ourselves, but we want to remove it from those that we love. What parent desires to see the suffering of their own child? None that deserves the title mother, or father. We pray for healing, because we want healing, and also know that God is the healer of both physical and spiritual ailments.
What if, though, our suffering in the flesh is exactly what is needed for our own salvation, or the salvation of another?
In the case of Christ Himself, it was necessary that God Incarnate suffer in the flesh, because God's own entrance into death was necessary to destroy its power over humanity.
As it is summarized so beautifully in the liturgy:
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; For the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm; He hath trampled down death by death, and became the first-born from the dead; He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy!
-Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 3
Thinking about this suffering reminded me of an article I read today about the kidnapped Orthodox nuns from Ma'aloula, Syria. A new video recently surfaced, which shows that, Alhamdulillah, the nuns are alive. Raymond Ibrahim commented upon the fact that in the video they were no longer wearing their crosses that are part of the monastic habit. They were presimably forced to remove them by their captors, but if they hadn't they may have been martyred already.
Ibrahim comments, reflecting on the words of St. Paul about the cross:
"'But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world' (Galatians 6:14). You removed the cross from the nuns' breasts. Remove it! We do not rely on the visible. But know that the cross is firmly planted in the hearts of each and every one of those nuns."
It is not that the image of the cross holds no value, Christ came to redeem both the physical and spiritual realities from corruption and death, and this is exactly the truth that we proclaim as Orthodox Christians through the use of icons.
The point of Ibrahim's comment is that the truth of the Incarnation and the reality of life in Christ will not be impeded by the lack of a physical cross on the nuns' clothing.
We pray for God to see fit to preserve the nuns lives and to see them released from captivity, but to return to the first point, if their suffering is effectual for salvation, either their own, or the souls of their captors, it becomes something completely glorious when removed from the context of our earthly temporal existence. Suffering, while completely devoid of pleasure, can be a means to enter into God's own business of uniting humanity to himself, one soul at a time.
"We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
-Romans 5:3-5
Monday, February 17, 2014
Haunting Images, Central African Republic
The images coming out of Central African Republic are haunting and ghastly. . . they remain in my mind long after I click out of the window. A country far from me geographically weighs heavily on my heart. It makes me shudder to consider the levels of depravity that humans are capable of while completely consumed by the sinful passions.
The conflict is cast as sectarian violence, Christian militias murdering Muslim citizens. These murderous mobs crushing limbs and skulls are most definitely not Christians. Such violence was condemned by Christ himself, who adjured his followers to "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies." In my world, my Muslim neighbors are not my enemies, they are my beloved friends. I pray that given a similar situation, I would find the strength to reach out in love and protect my neighbors, humans created in the image of God Himself, who reached down into our world to release us from the curse of death and the grip of sin through his Incarnation, death and resurrection.
Sometimes when I lie in bed awake with my sweet nursing baby, I pray for all the people and situations in the world that are on my mind. . .of course there are too many for it to be possible to address each individually. I do though believe in the power of the intercessions of the Church on behalf of the whole world. Tonight, I am most especially praying for those in Central African Republic, both the Muslims fearing for their lives, and the so-called Christians whose atrocities demonstrate that they are lost in the dark of sin themselves.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. . . upon me and upon the whole world.
The conflict is cast as sectarian violence, Christian militias murdering Muslim citizens. These murderous mobs crushing limbs and skulls are most definitely not Christians. Such violence was condemned by Christ himself, who adjured his followers to "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies." In my world, my Muslim neighbors are not my enemies, they are my beloved friends. I pray that given a similar situation, I would find the strength to reach out in love and protect my neighbors, humans created in the image of God Himself, who reached down into our world to release us from the curse of death and the grip of sin through his Incarnation, death and resurrection.
Sometimes when I lie in bed awake with my sweet nursing baby, I pray for all the people and situations in the world that are on my mind. . .of course there are too many for it to be possible to address each individually. I do though believe in the power of the intercessions of the Church on behalf of the whole world. Tonight, I am most especially praying for those in Central African Republic, both the Muslims fearing for their lives, and the so-called Christians whose atrocities demonstrate that they are lost in the dark of sin themselves.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. . . upon me and upon the whole world.
Monday, December 31, 2012
What do you really need for baby?
My dad has always teased me for being a minimalist. My husband, on the other hand appreciates the trait, because it's saved us a lot of money over the years! If you have kids already, its pretty obvious that there are a lot of unnecessary baby products out there. Since I've already done this once with Layla, I'll share what we decided to acquire for our second baby, and how we saved money on what we did buy.
This list is probably adequate for the first 6 mos. or so, then your list for safety items especially will vary depending on how your house is laid out once baby gets mobile.
Clothes:
As you're buying or looking through hand-me downs, make sure you select clothes that will be season appropriate. For example, if you're due in January (winter here in the northern hemisphere), your 12 mos. outfits should be winter weather appropriate. For the first 6 mos. or so, keep most of the outfits comfortable. Since babies aren't really getting around at this point, don't have more than a couple stiff dressy outfits for pictures. Most babies hate them! You'll probably end up changing your baby back to a sleeper right as the event or picture session ends (at least that was my experience).
The core of your baby's wardrobe should be onesies and sleepers, with more sleepers if the weather is cool.
For the newborn size, I think we ended up with around 7 sleepers and more onesies, which is more than adequate since they spend so little time in this size. We have more 0-3mo. outfits, with probably closer to 15 ourfits and more onesies than that. Most of our clothes were gifts or hand-me-downs.
Diapers:
Last time we ended up doing mostly cloth, so that's the plan this time as well, but I do like to use disposables for travel, or for babysitters who don't like cloth. We started this time by going to a local resale shop and stocking up on covers and prefolds, as well as a few all-in-one diapers (these are more expensive). We spent about $80, then got a few more prefolds and covers as gifts. Some of the smaller covers will only fit until he reaches 13/14lbs, but they can be resold at the same shop, so we can use the trade in value to buy bigger covers! The prefold diapers can be used with bigger covers, so you only need to buy these once. The only caveat is that you will need some smaller inserts or thinner prefolds for just the newborn stage. Some people just use washcloths or the inserts from pocket diapers. Another option is to use disposables until baby reaches about 10lbs and the prefolds with covers fit better.
My husband is not a fan of cloth wipes at all, so we plan to just buy disposable wipes. For the messy diapers, I suggest just rinsing baby off in the sink rather than using 10 wipes to get the job done!
I think that cloth diapering works best if you only have enough diapers to last 2-3 days at the most, that way you won't procrastinate on washing them. The covers can often last through a few changes, so if you have 10 total in each size that should be more than enough. I managed with only 5 covers when Layla was small, but ended up handwashing a cover and using a blowdryer more than a few times!
You also need something to soak dirty diapers in until washing. For this, we got a couple detergent buckets from a neighbor. Since we have 2 bathrooms now, we will have one upstairs and downstairs. Don't waste money on a diaper genie! Any bucket/large container with a lid will work just fine! I like the container or bucket to be small enough that it can be dumped straight into the washer.
A waterproof pad or travel kit for diaper changes is also handy.
Bathtime/Health:
Thermometer-This is one item I would buy two of, simply because a high fever can become dangerous quickly for a young baby and you don't want to discover that the battery is dead just as your baby is sick.
Nail clippers-I found that regular ones work fine for a baby. The baby clippers with the plastic guard were actually harder to use because they're so bulky at the top.
Soap-You can use something designed for a baby, my favorite here would be something like Burt's Bees baby wash, or another brand that doesn't have perfumes or sodium laurel/laureth sulfate.
Babies need less soap than you think, and their skin can get dry if you're sudsing them up all the time! I wouldn't use soap on their scalp more than once a week.
Raw coconut oil-This is seriously good for so many things! I used it both as a diaper rash cream and for any cradle cap or dry skin areas. I liked it better than any lotions out there, and it doesn't have any chemicals or scents that your baby could be allergic to. It also absorbs into the skin better than liquid oils, such as olive.
A baby bathtub and towels are nice, but not really essential. I did like the thin hooded towels better because our regular towels are really bulky. We got a bathtub for free this time, but if we hadn't, I would have probably skipped getting one.
Sleep:
Last time we had a crib handed down to us, but ended up mostly co-sleeping, so we just got a Pack-n-Play with the bassinet insert this time. It will be right next to our bed, then we will probably move him to his own room once he's 6 mos. old or so. Specifically marketed co-sleepers that attach to an adult sized bed are also nice, but the Pack-n-Play is much cheaper if you end up buying new.
Travel:
Baby carrier-These are a must, especially if your little one tends more toward being fussy. This time we have a Moby wrap and an Ergo, both of which can be used from birth until at least age 2. The Ergo needs an infant insert if you're using it for a baby under 12lbs. Some people also like slings, but I prefer a carrier that disperses the weight more over my hips and both shoulders evenly. Layla lived in the Moby until she was 2!
Carseat-Don't waste the money on an infant-only seat! Most convertible seats are designed for 5lbs and up, which means you can use a single seat from birth until around age 3. I would just recommend an infant head support for the first 6 mos or so. Carrying a baby in the seat is horrible for your back, and since you should already have a carrier, its easy enough to pop baby in there as soon as you get them out of the seat.
Remember, current recommendations are to keep your baby rear-facing until age 2, and always remove bulky coats or snowsuits before strapping baby in!
Stroller-I would highly recommend buying used again in this category. Strollers are relatively easy to find cheap when they're used, but are quite expensive new. I didn't use one right away, but they are nice for the city dweller who likes to walk to the grocery store with baby and doesn't want to use the carrier while toting several bags of groceries!If you will be storing the stroller in your car, using it on public transit, or flying with it, make sure it is lightweight and folds small enough to handle easily.
Feeding:
If you're breastfeeding, it is still helpful to have a couple bottles and a manual breastpump. Unless your baby will be in someone else's care for quite a few hours each day, you probably don't need to invest in a double-electric pump. However, if your health insurance will pay for one, I highly recommend it!
Pacifiers-Many people have a love-hate relationship with these. I didn't plan to use one with Layla, but when she had doubled her weight in 2mos and still wanted to nurse constantly, it saved my sanity! Some current research also supports pacifier use as beneficial to the breastfeeding relationship. I would definitely say that a pacifier is preferable to a thumb because it is more sanitary, and can be taken away whereas a thumb is always available. Pacifier clips are also handy, but I only liked the ones with a metal clip because the others would never stay attached to baby's clothes.
Comfort:
Swing or bouncer-We got both of these as hand-me-downs this time, so only $20 total was invested. Since the covers can be washed, I would highly recommend used. You may find that your baby doesn't like the type that you bought, so it makes more sense to try something out from friend or neighbor rather than investing a ton of money. They are also making more swings that use electric rather than batteries again, which will save money in the long term. This item isn't truly essential, but it is nice to have a safe place to set baby down, especially if your home has more than one floor. We plan to keep the swing downstairs since our bedrooms are on the second floor.
Things you don't need:
Wipe warmer
Infant carseat
Shoes (worthless until they can walk)
Diaper bag (just use a backpack or large purse you already have)
High chair-I prefer the space-saving type that straps onto a regular chair. Plus, you don't need one until around 6mos when you introduce solid foods.
Changing table-I found that the travel changing kit/pad was more handy since I preferred to do changes wherever I was at the time.
Burp cloths-Cloth diapers double as cleaning rags for whatever messes might occur!
Let me know what your essentials and non-essentials were!
This list is probably adequate for the first 6 mos. or so, then your list for safety items especially will vary depending on how your house is laid out once baby gets mobile.
Clothes:
As you're buying or looking through hand-me downs, make sure you select clothes that will be season appropriate. For example, if you're due in January (winter here in the northern hemisphere), your 12 mos. outfits should be winter weather appropriate. For the first 6 mos. or so, keep most of the outfits comfortable. Since babies aren't really getting around at this point, don't have more than a couple stiff dressy outfits for pictures. Most babies hate them! You'll probably end up changing your baby back to a sleeper right as the event or picture session ends (at least that was my experience).
The core of your baby's wardrobe should be onesies and sleepers, with more sleepers if the weather is cool.
For the newborn size, I think we ended up with around 7 sleepers and more onesies, which is more than adequate since they spend so little time in this size. We have more 0-3mo. outfits, with probably closer to 15 ourfits and more onesies than that. Most of our clothes were gifts or hand-me-downs.
Diapers:
Last time we ended up doing mostly cloth, so that's the plan this time as well, but I do like to use disposables for travel, or for babysitters who don't like cloth. We started this time by going to a local resale shop and stocking up on covers and prefolds, as well as a few all-in-one diapers (these are more expensive). We spent about $80, then got a few more prefolds and covers as gifts. Some of the smaller covers will only fit until he reaches 13/14lbs, but they can be resold at the same shop, so we can use the trade in value to buy bigger covers! The prefold diapers can be used with bigger covers, so you only need to buy these once. The only caveat is that you will need some smaller inserts or thinner prefolds for just the newborn stage. Some people just use washcloths or the inserts from pocket diapers. Another option is to use disposables until baby reaches about 10lbs and the prefolds with covers fit better.
My husband is not a fan of cloth wipes at all, so we plan to just buy disposable wipes. For the messy diapers, I suggest just rinsing baby off in the sink rather than using 10 wipes to get the job done!
I think that cloth diapering works best if you only have enough diapers to last 2-3 days at the most, that way you won't procrastinate on washing them. The covers can often last through a few changes, so if you have 10 total in each size that should be more than enough. I managed with only 5 covers when Layla was small, but ended up handwashing a cover and using a blowdryer more than a few times!
You also need something to soak dirty diapers in until washing. For this, we got a couple detergent buckets from a neighbor. Since we have 2 bathrooms now, we will have one upstairs and downstairs. Don't waste money on a diaper genie! Any bucket/large container with a lid will work just fine! I like the container or bucket to be small enough that it can be dumped straight into the washer.
A waterproof pad or travel kit for diaper changes is also handy.
Bathtime/Health:
Thermometer-This is one item I would buy two of, simply because a high fever can become dangerous quickly for a young baby and you don't want to discover that the battery is dead just as your baby is sick.
Nail clippers-I found that regular ones work fine for a baby. The baby clippers with the plastic guard were actually harder to use because they're so bulky at the top.
Soap-You can use something designed for a baby, my favorite here would be something like Burt's Bees baby wash, or another brand that doesn't have perfumes or sodium laurel/laureth sulfate.
Babies need less soap than you think, and their skin can get dry if you're sudsing them up all the time! I wouldn't use soap on their scalp more than once a week.
Raw coconut oil-This is seriously good for so many things! I used it both as a diaper rash cream and for any cradle cap or dry skin areas. I liked it better than any lotions out there, and it doesn't have any chemicals or scents that your baby could be allergic to. It also absorbs into the skin better than liquid oils, such as olive.
A baby bathtub and towels are nice, but not really essential. I did like the thin hooded towels better because our regular towels are really bulky. We got a bathtub for free this time, but if we hadn't, I would have probably skipped getting one.
Sleep:
Last time we had a crib handed down to us, but ended up mostly co-sleeping, so we just got a Pack-n-Play with the bassinet insert this time. It will be right next to our bed, then we will probably move him to his own room once he's 6 mos. old or so. Specifically marketed co-sleepers that attach to an adult sized bed are also nice, but the Pack-n-Play is much cheaper if you end up buying new.
Travel:
Baby carrier-These are a must, especially if your little one tends more toward being fussy. This time we have a Moby wrap and an Ergo, both of which can be used from birth until at least age 2. The Ergo needs an infant insert if you're using it for a baby under 12lbs. Some people also like slings, but I prefer a carrier that disperses the weight more over my hips and both shoulders evenly. Layla lived in the Moby until she was 2!
Carseat-Don't waste the money on an infant-only seat! Most convertible seats are designed for 5lbs and up, which means you can use a single seat from birth until around age 3. I would just recommend an infant head support for the first 6 mos or so. Carrying a baby in the seat is horrible for your back, and since you should already have a carrier, its easy enough to pop baby in there as soon as you get them out of the seat.
Remember, current recommendations are to keep your baby rear-facing until age 2, and always remove bulky coats or snowsuits before strapping baby in!
Stroller-I would highly recommend buying used again in this category. Strollers are relatively easy to find cheap when they're used, but are quite expensive new. I didn't use one right away, but they are nice for the city dweller who likes to walk to the grocery store with baby and doesn't want to use the carrier while toting several bags of groceries!If you will be storing the stroller in your car, using it on public transit, or flying with it, make sure it is lightweight and folds small enough to handle easily.
Feeding:
If you're breastfeeding, it is still helpful to have a couple bottles and a manual breastpump. Unless your baby will be in someone else's care for quite a few hours each day, you probably don't need to invest in a double-electric pump. However, if your health insurance will pay for one, I highly recommend it!
Pacifiers-Many people have a love-hate relationship with these. I didn't plan to use one with Layla, but when she had doubled her weight in 2mos and still wanted to nurse constantly, it saved my sanity! Some current research also supports pacifier use as beneficial to the breastfeeding relationship. I would definitely say that a pacifier is preferable to a thumb because it is more sanitary, and can be taken away whereas a thumb is always available. Pacifier clips are also handy, but I only liked the ones with a metal clip because the others would never stay attached to baby's clothes.
Comfort:
Swing or bouncer-We got both of these as hand-me-downs this time, so only $20 total was invested. Since the covers can be washed, I would highly recommend used. You may find that your baby doesn't like the type that you bought, so it makes more sense to try something out from friend or neighbor rather than investing a ton of money. They are also making more swings that use electric rather than batteries again, which will save money in the long term. This item isn't truly essential, but it is nice to have a safe place to set baby down, especially if your home has more than one floor. We plan to keep the swing downstairs since our bedrooms are on the second floor.
Things you don't need:
Wipe warmer
Infant carseat
Shoes (worthless until they can walk)
Diaper bag (just use a backpack or large purse you already have)
High chair-I prefer the space-saving type that straps onto a regular chair. Plus, you don't need one until around 6mos when you introduce solid foods.
Changing table-I found that the travel changing kit/pad was more handy since I preferred to do changes wherever I was at the time.
Burp cloths-Cloth diapers double as cleaning rags for whatever messes might occur!
Let me know what your essentials and non-essentials were!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Back again (hopefully for good)!
Hello out there! (if there's anyone still reading)
I know that I keep doing this, but I really do miss blogging and the little informal community that developed out of it. Can I keep updating regularly this time? I'm going to give it one more try!
So, what's new with me you might ask? Layla is finally getting a sibling, who should be born in mid to late January, and documenting the end of my pregnancy as well as birth and the early days of his life is a big motivator for starting this again.
In that vein, expect a lot of posts on pregnancy exercise, midwifery, and how to take care of baby on a student budget. I am also finishing my MA in Biblical Studies this year, so there will be a fair amount of posts related to my studies as well.
With all that said, here is a picture of me yesterday, at 30 weeks with baby number two:
Here's to staying in touch!
I know that I keep doing this, but I really do miss blogging and the little informal community that developed out of it. Can I keep updating regularly this time? I'm going to give it one more try!
So, what's new with me you might ask? Layla is finally getting a sibling, who should be born in mid to late January, and documenting the end of my pregnancy as well as birth and the early days of his life is a big motivator for starting this again.
In that vein, expect a lot of posts on pregnancy exercise, midwifery, and how to take care of baby on a student budget. I am also finishing my MA in Biblical Studies this year, so there will be a fair amount of posts related to my studies as well.
With all that said, here is a picture of me yesterday, at 30 weeks with baby number two:
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Pacifier Queen. . .
A pic from the same trip as the sleepless wedding
I definitely didn't plan to have a daughter who still uses a pacifier at almost 3. In fact, I didn't want to give her a pacifier at all.Basically the problem started when she wanted to nurse literally almost every 30 min. all night long, and I couldn't get any sleep. The pacifier bought me at least a couple hours of sleep at a time, which made the difference for me in those early months.
Over the months, it became something we used to allow my husband to put Layla to bed and a convenience for me at night and in the car.
I realized how severely addicted she was to the thing when I took her to a Somali friend's wedding in Dec. 2008. She was a little over a year old at the time. I forgot the pacifier at the family's house, so she went without it until 5 am. Somali weddings are very late affairs! She would normally go to sleep around 9pm, but on this night, she literally stayed awake until 5am. I tried nursing her to sleep in one of the girls' rooms at the hotel. It didn't work. I tried walking with her in the Moby wrap, it didn't work. I tried getting her to suck her thumb, it didn't work. She didn't cry much that night as long as I held her, she just wouldn't go to sleep.
We've tried taking the paci away a few times. All of them resulted in her being awake way past her bedtime and me eventually giving up.
Fast forward to today: I bought Layla a Dora comforter for a birthday gift to give her next week. We planned to give it to her and have her trade the pacifier for it. We started talking to her about it tonight to start preparing her mind. She immediately ran upstairs and said, "I want to throw my binky away, I want a Dora blanket." I couldn't convince her otherwise, so I decided to do the switch tonight.
I think the husband wanted to wait until last week to do the switch, so I'm not sure he'll be a lot of help during the night.
So far its 1hr past the time I put her to bed, and she is still awake. She has gone to the bathroom once and asked for cuddles and water twice. She also asked to nurse even though she has been weaned for a few months now. There wasn't any milk, so that didn't last long :-)
Pray that I at least get a little sleep tonight!
At least I don't have anywhere to be early tomorrow morning.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Speak Babylonian?
I saw an article on BBC today about a new online poetry archive that is bringing ancient Babylonian writings to the public. The language is known in academia as Akkadian, and it ceased to be a living language about 2000 years ago. As a student of Hebrew and Arabic, related Semitic languages, this was obviously of huge interest to me. The article also links to the archive of the poetry, and if you speak Arabic or Hebrew you will recognize some of the words and forms.
The Professor in the interview about the archive has also released a book designed to a person to teach himself Akkadian. I might pick this up since I'll eventually study other Semitic languages if I go on to Ph.D. studies someday.
The product has only been released in the U.K. so far, but it will be out worldwide sometime soon.
Complete Babylonian: A Teach Yourself Guide
For some reason, I just love learning dead languages!
The Professor in the interview about the archive has also released a book designed to a person to teach himself Akkadian. I might pick this up since I'll eventually study other Semitic languages if I go on to Ph.D. studies someday.
The product has only been released in the U.K. so far, but it will be out worldwide sometime soon.
Complete Babylonian: A Teach Yourself Guide
For some reason, I just love learning dead languages!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A real Interfaith Moment
A friend posted this on Facebook and I just had to share. In my opinion, this is how all Christians should be living out the teachings of Jesus. The saying "love your neighbor" comes from the story of the Good Samaritan.
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[c]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[d]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
-Luke 10:25-37
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[c]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[d]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
-Luke 10:25-37
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Pray for Pakistan
As you are praying today, don't forget about the whole country of Pakistan, which has been devastated by monsoon flooding. I read today that close to 900,000 homes have been destroyed, which means that millions are now homeless. About 1/5 of the entire country is currently flooded.
This means that there will be huge risks of waterborne disease, as well as people lacking food, clothing and other basic necessities.
I'll let you guys know if I see any links for organizations that are going over there to help. In the meantime, send your dua's. They need it!
This means that there will be huge risks of waterborne disease, as well as people lacking food, clothing and other basic necessities.
I'll let you guys know if I see any links for organizations that are going over there to help. In the meantime, send your dua's. They need it!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Travel, moving, and Friends, Oh my!
Hello everyone! I feel like it's been entirely too long since I posted. There have been a lot of things in the news and such that I've wanted to comment upon, but I've just been too preoccupied as of late.
The trip to Minnesota went great. Even though we didn't have the cord to the mini DVD player for the car, Layla was awesome and behaved almost perfectly for those long days of driving. It was 28 hrs. each way. We took 2 days to drive on the way there, and 2 and 1/2 on the way back.
Layla got a lot of time with her grandma, aunt, and uncle. We also got to hang with old friends, walk around near where we used to live, and eat a lot of yummy food. I definitely got my Somali fix while we were there!
I got to visit my friend Idil who moved to Grand Forks, ND and hang out with her and the family for a few days. Her sweet brother Abdisalaan offered to drive 5hrs to Minneapolis to pick us up! Her son is the little boy Layla is throwing rocks with in the picture. Their family basically adopted me quite a few years ago.
There was so much scenery on the drive there and back, but the drive is brutal. You lose your appreciation for beauty once you're in the car for a few hrs.
Once we got back, we had one day to relax before we had to start moving to our new place. It took 3 days to move, but now we're living in the best possible place for us and Layla too.
We are living in family housing townhomes for the school that I will be attending in the fall for my MA program. There are tons of kids near Layla's age, and the houses have a fenced courtyard in the center where kids can play. It has been really easy to meet people and start making friends. I will also be able to walk to my classes, and it will be super easy to find babysitters on campus to watch Layla.
We have a week or so to relax now, then my parents and brother are coming to visit!
The trip to Minnesota went great. Even though we didn't have the cord to the mini DVD player for the car, Layla was awesome and behaved almost perfectly for those long days of driving. It was 28 hrs. each way. We took 2 days to drive on the way there, and 2 and 1/2 on the way back.
Layla got a lot of time with her grandma, aunt, and uncle. We also got to hang with old friends, walk around near where we used to live, and eat a lot of yummy food. I definitely got my Somali fix while we were there!
I got to visit my friend Idil who moved to Grand Forks, ND and hang out with her and the family for a few days. Her sweet brother Abdisalaan offered to drive 5hrs to Minneapolis to pick us up! Her son is the little boy Layla is throwing rocks with in the picture. Their family basically adopted me quite a few years ago.
There was so much scenery on the drive there and back, but the drive is brutal. You lose your appreciation for beauty once you're in the car for a few hrs.
Once we got back, we had one day to relax before we had to start moving to our new place. It took 3 days to move, but now we're living in the best possible place for us and Layla too.
We are living in family housing townhomes for the school that I will be attending in the fall for my MA program. There are tons of kids near Layla's age, and the houses have a fenced courtyard in the center where kids can play. It has been really easy to meet people and start making friends. I will also be able to walk to my classes, and it will be super easy to find babysitters on campus to watch Layla.
We have a week or so to relax now, then my parents and brother are coming to visit!
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