tomorrow a new point of view...

in a us history lesson, i showed my students where north carolina is located on a map.

directly east of california. on the "other" coast. far far away.

and this is where i am typing!

what a great trip it has been so far. i keep feeling like i have to leave tomorrow. i don't know why that is. humm...

this week we are planning on looking for apartments and registering. this should be fun.

to state, i am so thankful the sharps made it home safe, and also i am thankful they were not effected (physically...but i am sure you were affected personally) by the recent quake which hit last night in Indonesia. thank you for your ministry. i love you guys. i know it is on your hearts and minds to return, so my entire work staff and school are praying for your forthcoming decisions. let me help you if i can.

so upcoming update...i have be contemplating what will my ministry look like when i move to an unfamiliar city...and jasen has just informed me of an upcoming service organization. endlocalpoverty.org is what i believe it will be called...but i could be mistaken. it is not up and running yet...but i feel so passionate about it...and i hope i can be used to help bring unity and community into a place that holds nothing familiar...

....we shall see...

Posted by aca at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments

today was the first day i was able to catch up on many of blogs...

humm...

the first blog i come to is jasen's. and i it saddened me.

it's hard to listen to how "perfect" life is in north carolina. how many connections he is making...how much he enjoys church. and i all i could focus on was the word "i". and i thought to myself...what about me? why am i missing all of this? why am i upset now?

then i read ryan's blog. and i feel guilty.

because i am so bloody selfish i could puke.

here am i...worried about how i will pay for a wedding...when there these lovely people are in Thailand wondering how they will take care of their families.

here i am saddened by jasen's have a great life without me...when these lovely people are living life without half their families for good.

why don't i use my time better? why don't i care about people more? why don't i listen to God more often?

thank you ryan and holly. thank you for being used and serving. you are a true example to me what life and chrisitanity are in this real world. if you move...well we will talk.

jasen...I love you…and I know you would have it differently if you could.

Posted by aca at 6:49 PM | Permalink | Comments

last night i attended a second grade sleep over. 8 "ice princesses in the making" were made up in hair and makeup...and dresses to be pranced around yorba linda...in every 8-year-old girls fantasy... to be a princess.

these girls let me tell you were a riot. tiny little things in these leotards and "fancy dresses" made everyone stop and look at how cute they were.

first stop. the movie ice princess. where the girls were loaded with candy and popcorn. they sat in the "best seats"...the front row. until they were asked to come back with us...so they wouldn't go blind.

man old people suck.

after the inspirational movie...we fulfilled their dream with actual ice-skating. so you could imagine...8 little girls in heavy make up and "princess" costumes...we were the talk of the evening. man i forgot how fun ice-skating really is...and right here in yorba linda.

yah boy.

when we arrived back at school...junk food and karaoke.

oh man what i night.

why can't i be 8 again?

...but for a night...i think i was.

Posted by aca at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

check him out...The Pope's "Unoffical" Blog.

Posted by aca at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments

so you might not check the wedblog yet...don't feel guilty...

but a student of mine handed this to me this morning...and i just had to share it.

Posted by aca at 8:07 PM | Permalink | Comments

it's easy to give advice...but so hard to take it.

why is that?

lately...i have been struggling with finding the greater good...the bigger picture. instead of what i should be thankful for...i am cursing all that consumes me now.

and i don't like myself.

i haven't read anything enlighting. i haven't read at all. i try and stay with my one-year bible...but i can't.

and makes me feel guilty.

i envy those who seek a greater purpose. i envy those who think and explore and can be still.

i know i have a greater purpose...a greater good. but i am too tired to invest my time in something that requires more than answers from a grade book.

but i do love God. is this enough?

i don't think he calls us to a life that doesn't have room for him. does he understand i will be right back? does he understand that i love him, and try to serve him...but right now...i can't find the time?

why is it like this?

did i make these choices? am i choosing an earthly existence and personal gain over an intimate relationship with my maker?

is this ok for now?

i help teach children to obey and love God. their innocence astounds me. they try to do what is right...and then are repentant and sincere when the stumble.

and i am blessed with authenticity. i know it. and i know i need more...and it shows.

so those who have the opportunity for more...i envy you.

i hope someday soon..you and i will be able to share in this together, so for now...

i will pray for you. it's all i can give right now. but please share what you are reading...experiencing.

cause things will be getting better. soon.

Posted by aca at 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

a parent gave me this picture a while back from our thanksgiving feast at school...

...and now that i have a scanner in my class...

well...we ALL will be having more fun.

Posted by aca at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

i went to the doctor yesterday for him to tell me i am suffering from "tension" headaches...

$40 dollars later.

i could have told myself that i am under too much "stress".

his anecdote...relax.

if only i had the option.

uh...can i have my money back?

so now... i live with the headaches and survive on ibuprofen. my head hurt so bad last night that i was afraid to fall asleep.

my doctor also noted on my record that i was in need for blood work...

so i get in line...pay more money for a big man who speaks no english to steal my blood. i asked him why..and he mutters..."me no understand...me no doctor." "you needa to aska him..."

what i need was someone to hold my hand. i was a nervous wreck.

so since everyone was super pissy at the hospital...(and i even was funny! no one laughed!) i walked back to my car and cried for a while.

i hate feeling alone. i hate sickness. i hate that i hate.

i remember there was a time when i used to be an optimist. what happened?

this is the best season of my life. more amazing things have happened this year...then practically my whole life.

and i suffer from "tension" headaches...

what is this i have become?

and where is amanda?

and why are people at the medical buildings so angry?

Posted by aca at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments