Andrea: LOST

So- I would like to echo Karla about how this community is extremely supportive when you're feeling overwhelmed. This week I have been feeling so exhausted with life: it breaks my heart to imagine saying goodbye to my grandma anytime soon. And nothing about being a senior in college is particularly reassuring. Between internship hunting, wedding plans, and regular college stuff I've been a stressed out mess this week.

Last night, however, was different. Christine introduced me to salvation from stress... in the form of seasons 3-5 of LOST. we spent the whole night sewing crafts and watching LOST. Eventually our party grew to include Judah, Jason, and Ben Siebert. Then, our marathon continued, but got even better because Devon and Kristen got home from their date and had ginger beer and cherry soda... and they made cookies!

The moral of the story is that no matter how sad you are, or unfair you think life is: you are still living days and minutes of your life. You get to pick how you want to spend them... and last night I wanted to spend them watching LOST until my brain turned into mush with my good friends.

thanks, guys.

Karla: Loving Community

It seems as though I too have been forgetting to blog...you aren't the only one Ethan! So as I sit here and think what I should write about, all I can think of is what a great support this community is. Last semester I was not around very much because it was my fiancé’s last few months of living within driving distance. As of now he is living 8 hours away in Catasauqua, PA and beginning our new life out there. I thought this semester might be pretty dull and lonesome, but in fact this is not the case. I have created so many memories within this last week alone that have either made me blush like crazy or laugh for a LONG time. One such incident was when I modeled Andie's skirt for under her wedding dress. I decided it would be fun to try on this skirt that made me 4 feet in diameter with my new kicks...some pretty sweet Air Force 1's...haha. So I showed some of the girls and they ooo'd and aw'd at my ensemble and then we noticed that it was completely see through and Andie should note NOT to wear striped underwear under her wedding dress. So then I continued my modeling career into the kitchen where Jennifer and Jason were preparing some food. The girls followed me in and told me to show them the best part (they were thinking about the shoes) but without thinking, I turned around and stuck my butt out...seconds later I realized what I had just showed Jason and I ran out with a cherry red face. I still can't believe that one....
Later that night, I wanted to let my roommate Kristen relive the event. SO, I went and put that skirt back on. Well when I finally took it off again, everyone was to bed. I decided it wasn't worth putting my pants back on to walk through the hall when Devon (Kristen's fiancé’s) came through with Kristen's laundry. Let's just say that I am lucky that skirt was big enough to hide behind! Good times. I hope this entry can make people smile, 'cause I am still laughing about it!

On a serious note...my Grandpa Stuckey is having major surgeries tomorrow morning. The doctors will start with clearing out his carotid artery followed by at least a double bypass if all goes well. Pray for the doctors as they do their work and pray for peace of mind as we await the doctor's news. I got to talk to my grandpa today. He said "I'll see you later!" I am praying so... about 5 years ago he had complications with a colonoscopy where he had a great amount of internal bleeding. It is a miracle he is alive today. I am grateful for the time I have had with him...I am praying I get some more.
Karla

Ethan: Time

I am Ethan, and this is my first blog post ever even though I've been in this community since the beginning of the school year. I kept convincing my self that I didn't have time to blog; I needed to write this paper, I needed to read that book, I needed to do anything other than read or write to take a book from this paper and that book. I've started realizing as the year has gone by, though, that the other members of the community were finding the to blog somehow. Sure, I have a workload that would have made my high school self curl up in a ball and sing Journey songs as I cried, but that's because I hadn't learned to manage time at all. I'm getting better every single week which leads to more free time which I'll admit I've mainly wasted. I've decided that it's high time to value my, um, time and not just throw it away. While there is a time for alone time, there is also a time for community time and a time for blogging time, and a time to see how many times I can use the word time in a sentence. Alas, there is also a time to end a blog, and I think this is almost it. Expect more updates from me soon, I kind of have an entire semesters worth to make up.

Shawn: Inadequacy

Its unreal to think of all the tragedy that has hit Haiti in this last week...as if they weren't beat down already and struggling through life with few willing to lend a hand. But amid all the problems that have befallen them i have looked for practical ways that involve for than giving monetarily. I want to get actively involved but have not the time nor the resources. And if i focus my time and effort on Haiti, what about the people i know in Lima and Peru and all the others around the globe that are also struggling to make ends meet. How does it seem fair that i focus on some but not others?

It would be impossible for me to allocate all my time to serving everyone who has some sort of need. So the simple answer is prayer. But is it really that simple? If we really with a sincere and passionate heart for our brothers and sisters in need, God will hear us and hopefully, as in the Old Testament with Moses, be pushed to action and spare those who cant help themselves.

So I guess my whole thought process this weekend (weekend retreat in Cinci) has been geared toward prayer. When you feel inadequate its because you are. But God isnt and if you trust him and show you trust him, he can move in powerful ways that even money and physical effort (however important) fall remarkably short.

Jennifer: Welcome back

Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day! We're watching "The Bachelor" and eating "Momma Arnold's" pumpkin bars to celebrate. As Christine would say, "Yes, we're that pathetic." But I would argue that we're pretty cool. Where else do you see eight friends hanging out just cause? You can learn a lot about people by watching "The Bachelor" together. For example, most people might not guess Judah has this really sarcastic, dry sense of humor at the same time he mends his pants. Or the way that Andie is currently interrogating the girls about their kissing history making fun of the show. And Kelsey trying to study but paying more attention to the texts from her sister clueing us in to what's apparently going to happen at the end of the episode. Downstairs some of the guys are watching WWE...I think I prefer The Bachelor, haha. If anyone ever wants to come joing our Monday evening tv parties feel free to come on over to Riley Court :)

Andrea: Earthquake in Haiti

I'm sure by now most everyone has heard about the earthquake in Haiti last night. If you haven't here's a link to clue you in a little:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/13/haiti.earthquake/index.html

This is a place that is very close to my heart; I have seen Port-au-Prince and it's urban terrain with homes built nearly on top of each other. A 7.0 earthquake would damage any city, but the structural damage incurred by a city with so many buildings made of scrap metal, and held together by other insecure materials is nothing short of devastating. Please be in prayer for my friends who live there and have given their lives to loving and serving the Haitian people.

I'm so thankful for the fundraiser we were able to have for the Haiti Water Project- hopefully that money will be able to help them continue their mission in the midst of this horrible disaster. I'm currently searching for ways that we can help out, and please know that I'll be inviting you all to join in the effort as soon as I formulate a practical plan of action.

Thank you for all your support of me and this country I love so much- I'm so glad I have you guys.