I had to post this one. It's by my Flickr contact, Rebekka. I love horses! If I knew a little more about photography, I would comment on why this shot is so great. However, I don't really need to. This world and the creatures therein are simply breathtaking and beyond me, and this photo captures just that. I think that's all I need to know...
On a personal note: Sometimes, when I'm feeling lost and confused, all I need to do is sit down and talk to someone about it. Someone who will listen well enough to help me sort through my thoughts. I had a chance to do that twice this evening, and I feel a lot better now. On my own, I just drive myself crazy, and as my friend Kelley would say, that is no bueno. Oh, me...
It's a new day.
- Yultuz
Where I've been. Where I'm going. Yahximusiz! I received an email from one of the students I met in China (XJ) last summer. He informed me that my former roommate would be participating in the summer program again this summer. Since my roommate doesn't know much about using the internet and sending emails, I've had to get updates about her through a mutual friend. He said that she tries to send me emails, but they all come back to her. I asked him to help her the next time she tries to send me an email because I really want to get an update from her. There's so much that I want to tell her, too. The students are about to go on vacation soon, so I'm hoping that she'll have some time to get in touch with me.
I can't believe a year has gone by. If someone asked me to drop everything and go back to China to be with the students from the summer program, I wouldn't turn them down. It would be a dream come true if I could reunite with my roommate and witness how she has changed over the past year. She certainly changed me, and I'm reminded of that daily. The whole experience of being in another country and witnessing a culture that I knew nothing about around this time last year was life-changing altogether. It was a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to being there once again, if all goes well. It's not an easy task, but I believe that it will happen someday. Right now, my goal is to make it back before I commit to grad school, so keep me in your prayers. I'll certainly be praying for the day that I make that trip. Thanks for reading. Hox!
- Yultuz
Hi! I want to start posting some of my favorite photos from my contacts on Flickr. Maybe I'll have a 'photo of the week' or something. Here's one by Rebekka. I've been keeping up with her photos for about two years now and I must say that they are amazing. Follow the link from the photo to read how she got such a great shot. Look at some of her other work while you're at it...
Source:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebba/
On a personal note: I had a really hard time sleeping last night. My fickle heart was at its worst -- begging me for things that I cannot provide on my own, wanting what seems like the impossible right now, and holding on to dreams that my mind says are long gone or will never come true. Oh, the pessimism.
I'm not sure whose side I'm on tonight. That of my heart or my mind. I just want to get some sleep...
- Yultuz
OK, I was looking around on StumbleUpon just a few minutes ago. I decided to click on some of the links that had been added to a list of love and relationship websites. Someone posted a link to this image:
The image got about 120 reviews. For the most part, people appreciated the message and wrote the words 'I love you, too' back to the person who posted the link. One person shared how they sent the link to someone sitting across from them via AIM and it put a smile on their face...
Here's where I started to laugh: I read a few more comments and some of them were really cynical. One girl wrote: 'This makes me hate life'. Someone else wrote: 'It's not mutual', followed by another comment that read, '...but not enough to use a fresh pad of paper' (tee-hee). There were worse, but I won't go there. Then I came across this comment that has a link to another image. It read: 'This one's better'.
[Click on the link]
HA HA HA! I couldn't help looking at that picture over and over, laughing! If the person who posted the original image didn't feel bad, I hope he or she cracked-up just as much as I did. In all honesty, the message that the second image sends is totally not in the spirit of me. Or maybe it was for that brief moment. HA HA!
Source [of my laughter]:
Psalm 31:1-5
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
2 Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Mom -
I appreciate your confidence in my judgment, but I am not so confident --
especially when it involves matters of the heart.
Please tell me when I am:
1. Sacrificing too much of myself | I may never recover
2. Living outside of reality | I'm not so wise
3. Heading for a fall | I bruise easily AND
4. Holding my heart out too long | I believe in love.
Then, I'll go from there.
Thank you for your support & l o v e.
- Teri
I've always said: "Someday it will be my turn..."
Still, there's so much to consider.
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 6:17
You Alone Are God by Hillsong United (Mighty To Save)
I confess my hope
In the light of Your salvation
Where I lose myself
I will find You're all I need
Sing my soul
Of the Saviour's love
Sing my soul
Unto God alone
I will meet You here
In the life we call surrender
Let the world I know
Be the glory of Your grace
Sing my soul
Of the Saviour's love
Sing my soul
Unto God alone
(repeat)
You alone are God
You alone are God
We declare the glory of Your name
Reign in all the earth
Reign in all the earth, Jesus
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
~~~~~~~
broken heart.
"Humans can be tough creatures. Attack my health, and I can recover. Attack my job or finances, and I can find a way to pull through. Attack my pride and I grow thicker skin.
But wound my heart, and you leave me devastated.
Few things in this world hurt like a broken heart. It's the blow that you never see coming: a longtime friend turns their back on you. Someone you love rejects you. Somebody you've let into the deepest, most private corners of your heart says or does something to hurt you where you're most vulnerable.
Maybe somebody hurt you out of spite, and you're reeling from the betrayal. Or maybe a heart-wrenching breakup or the loss of a loved one has you feeling empty and alone.
Painful as it is, the broken heart is here to stay. It's part of being human, and it's a sometimes bitter reminder of how important our relationships are to us. Our need to connect with other people is hardwired into us. And that's the heart of the problem--we're forming relationships with people, who sometimes make mistakes, act cruelly, or just go away.
So is the solution to avoid other people altogether, to harden our hearts against relationships that might disappoint or hurt us? Are we willing to throw out the joy that relationships can bring to avoid the possibility of pain down the road? Is it possible to experience love without the fear of loss and hurt, without the fear that we'll be let down in the end? Can we find love that doesn't have strings attached?
That's the heart of the question, isn't it? So what's the answer?"
Source:
Gospelcom's http://guidance.gospelcom.net/
Not On Our Watch
Raise Awareness
Educate yourself about Darfur and the world's other most urgent crises. Talk to your family, friends, and colleagues about these crises and what we can do to help end them.
Raise Funds
Make an individual or family donation to humanitarian, human rights, or advocacy organizations (you can find a list of these organizations on our Resource list). Organize a fundraiser in your community.
Write a Letter
Write letters to your representatives to take specific actions for Darfur and other crises. Sign or start a petition calling for greater accountability for those responsible for genocide and other crimes against humanity
Call for Divestment
Research your investment portfolio to see if you have investments in companies that are targeted for divestment. Join a group that is pushing for divestment at your university (or alma mater), your municipality, and your state.
Join an Organization
Learn about organizations working for positive change (such as those we list). Volunteer and attend meetings. Start your own organization.
Lobby the Government
Find out your representatives record on Darfur. Visit www.darfurscores.org to learn about each member of Congress' individual voting record. Visit city council members and state and national representatives and push for more action.
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Contact the White House: (202) 456-1414 (Yes, this is the right number.)
You can find more info on the book site. READ THE BOOK. I'm going to as soon as I get a copy.
Sources:
