Some pictures...

My 25th birthday breakfest w/ Charis and Ricky.
At the Blue Monk Jazz bar for my 25th!
Later that night at Fernando's salsa club. My amazing pretend little brother who is Saudi Arabian! Abdullah

This is Shafi another Arab friend, he attempted to teach me arabic, oh man...lol, it didn't go well.

nowuh days

Well life has taken massive turns and the Lord has lead me to new places in heart, mind, spirit and body. I am now working!!! Praise the Lord! I work at Shepherds Door, which is the women and children's arm of the Portland Rescue Mission. I am on the pastoral care team. My job is building relationships w/ the women and speaking into their lives while walking with them in their program. After being there I have realized that it is a sort of starting position, and I would like to move up and out of it eventually, according to God's plan alone of course. It is a year live in recovery/transformation program for homeless women coming out of drug and alcohol addictions. It is humbling to be apart of the work that God is doing there. There is a level of intensity and is heavily emotional right now though, causing my body much tiredness. They have me taking classes that rip open my past, heart and character defects. So that has been laden w/ much heartache, but rich fruit as well.

My most thankful transition is the one that has taken place within my heart. God has been kindly and gently bringing my gaze to Him, putting the joy of belonging to Him in my heart. I dance w/ gratitude and delight before my Father. It has been incredible, to feel and see the difference of continual pursuit of His ripe truth and the passion of His heart is penatrating to the core of my very being. Finding myself lost in the heart of God changes knowing ABOUT God to simply and beautifully KNOWING God. There is a HUGE difference! Daily my desire is to be in conversation and communion w/ Him, talking to Jesus is the object of my affections. Yesterday I read Psalm 125:2 which says "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so God surrounds you, from this day forth and forevermore." that's me, I am the "forevermore"! Man, the Word of God lights my heart...my life, it is wondrous and transforming. My spirit sings as I read the truths and autobiography of my creator.

I am for the first time realizing and confronting the hole in my heart that being fatherless has left. It is painful and vulnerable. But God is really taking me through this intentionally and He continues to talk me through it. It has been a gift so far and I know it will continue to reveal more as time goes on. Addressing these things is a passion of mine. The mind, body, spirit health is vital for growth in my opinion. So as rough as this is, the beauty is limitless, fertile continual sprouting of wild and lush greenery will only spread wildly as I release all things to the working out and healing of Christ.

I suppose that is all for the time being. I really do hope to become more regular w/ this thing...all in time, I guess.