An Ode to Autum

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.
-Elizabeth Lawrence

Autumn is crisp days and cool nights, a time to curl up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book.
– John Sinor

This park has become one of my favorite places to go the last couple weeks. There is a mall not to far from my flat and they just got a kiosk that has to go coffee! I was very excited about it! Especially since they have mochas because most coffee shops don't serve mochas. Anyways, I love getting a to go coffee and then going to this park and walking through the leaves, breathing in the smell of autumn, and then sitting and watch people pass by. It very peaceful and reminds me of Oregon.

In The Name of Jesus

On Friday we had our day with the Lord for October. It was much needed! I ended up reading through the book, "In the Name of Jesus," by Henri Nouwen. I definitely recommend it. He states;

God loves us not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love and has choosen us to proclaim that love as the true source of all human life.

It is easy for me to get caught up in efficiency and accomplishments and start acting like I'm saved by works and not by grace. Being here, I have had to let go of my relevant self and realize that God has called me here and He isn't going to use me based on my accomplishments or competence, but He is going to use me in my weaknesses, because this is where His power is perfected in my life. This is where true success is found.
I am here to love these people and share with them Jesus Christ and Him crucified. To offer what has been given to me; love, grace, mercy, peace, freedom.......

The mystery of ministry is that I have been chosen to make my own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God.

ALPHA COURSE!

Last week Tiana and I started an Alpha Course in one of the dorms here. I can't tell you how exciting that is! Two girls signed up, saying the were interested in doing an alpha course, but I didn't really think they knew what they were signing up for. It is a 10 week course on the basics of Christian faith so surely these girls that we just met don't understand what they are getting into. :) Me of little faith! The first night was amazing! We had it in the girls dorm room and they invited their suite mate. They are just the sweetest girls and so much fun!
The topic was "Christianity: Boring, Untrue, Irrelevant?" The discussion that followed the DVD was fantastic! The girls are thinkers and had some great questions and insight.
I am so excited about this week! The theme this week is "Who is Jesus?" Can't wait to see what God does tonight!
We had some fun on the Mac! :)