Xapa to the World

  • Bullets of Awesomeness: Pennsylvania Edition

    The much anticipated, Bullets of Awesomeness, from Lanna and my recent Pennsylvania roadtrip.  Let the games begin!

    • Sarah makes an illegal left turn…before we’re even out of Ohio…or Cincinnati, for that matter.
    • Lanna’s universal symbol for dancing
    • Rapping the “Fresh Prince” theme song together when we saw the sign for Bellarie
    • Sarah falls off sidewalk while walking through neighborhood…Lanna laughs at her.
    • Pap offers to scrub Lanna’s back
    • Lanna trying desperately to get the pillow out of the pillowcase, only to find that she’s holding the wrong end!
    • Super Panda (’cause when I think Pittsburgh, I think Super Panda – Lans)
    • Driving through the tunnells of forbidden joy (Lanna’s spelling)
    • Random guy doing pushups at the rest stop on turnpike.  FUNNY!
    • “It’s just more cushion for the…oh, grandparents” – Lans
    • “Lanna!  Look at his sock!” – Sarah
    • Scampers!
    • There’s some sort of lifeform in that foliage.
    • Climbing and sitting on top of a mountain. (Sarah in her flip-flops) Hardcore.
    • Finding the local St James…and St James Street – In Schuylkill Haven, and Philadelphia
    • Schuylkill Haven – “The little town that could”
    • Happenings in Scranton
      • Mumbling Italian waitor at Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe
      • Had lunch at Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe…not Pizza by Alfredo
      • Every sentence ending with, “…in Scranton”
      • “What’s there to see in Scranton?” “Uh…what?  Nothing”
      • Had dinner at Farley’s
      • Lanna is hit on…by the 25-guy…in Scranton
      • walking 3 1/2 miles around Lake Scranton, one of us wearing 3 1/2 inch heels…no names mentioned…Lanna
      • Seeing Sarah’s cousin Caleb after…how many years again?
      • Squirrels
      • “Get thee behind me Satan!”
    • Blimpie!
    • Togash
    • per Lanna – “Bald things happen here” – (Photo Journalism…photo to come later)
    • Sarah: “Do you hear that?”  Lanna: “The airplane?”  Sarah: “No.”  Lanna: “The footsteps?”  Sarah: “No…the squacking”  Lanna: “The geese?”  Sarah: “Yeah…great observational skills!”

    I am better than you ever have or ever will be.

  • “Costly Grace” by Bonhoeffer

    So, here’s the latest jewel that’s been tossed my way.  I felt like I should share it with you as well:

    “Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has.  It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods.  it is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck ou the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.

    “Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.

    “Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.  It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.  it is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner.  Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us.  Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us.  Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.

    “Costly grace is the sanctuary of God; it has to be protected from the world, and not thrown to the dogs.  itis therefore the living word, the Word of God, which he speaks as it pleases him.  Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus, it comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the contrite heart.  Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow Him; it is grace because Jesus says: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.

    “The grace [Luther] had received was costly grace.  It was grace, for it was like water on parched ground, comfort in tribulation, freedom from the bondage of a self-chosen way, and forgiveness of all his sins.  And it was costly, for, so far from dispensing him from good works, it meant that he must take the call to discipleship more seriously than ever before.  It was grace because it cost so much, and it cost so much because it was grace.“

    Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  “The Cost of Discipleship.”  pp. 45, 49

  • PA Road Trip!! – Latrobe (Pitts), Scranton, and Philly

    Heck YES!!!!   In one week, Lans and I will be embarking on our second annual road trip!  And we’re going on a Pennsylvania tour!

    Here’s some highlights of our trip for you to salivate over:

    We’re first going to stop off at my grandparent’s home in Latrobe, PA, just southeast of Pittsburgh (ahh…Steelers…how I miss thee).  Black and Gold!  All the way!  Ok…just some information…Mr. Rogers was lived in Latrobe, and donated a bunch of money for a children’s park in the city.  The Steelers also have their training camp near there.  🙂

    During this time, we will be attending a tiny Evangelical Methodist church, Super Panda (Chinese buffet), and visit with my grandparents, uncle, and hopefully my cousin Rachel.  It will be fun and relaxing…before our few days of bliss…which will include:

    We’ll travel out to Schuylkill Haven, PA (The Little Town that Could), to lodge at a friend of the family’s home.  We’ll be visiting Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, then shooting up to Scranton, PA.  Here we will check out Steamtown National Historical Site, and have dinner at Farley’s Eatery and Pub.  Yes, Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) has visited there, and they have a “Michael Scott” Burger.  A couple weeks after we’re there, they are having a “The Office” convention…so, I’m sure we’ll see lots of cool things about the show in preparation for the event.

    From there, we will go to visit Philadelphia!!!!   We are planning to visit the Philly Museum of Art and run up the stairs (of course).  Then, we’re going to the Italian Market in South Philly (ah…familia!)  After that, we’re going to see Old City…etc.  We’re also going to go on a haunted tour through the mile called the “Spirits of ’76.” 

    I know, I know!  You’re so jealous!  Go ahead, shake our hands the next time you see us.  🙂

    As a parting grace, let me sing to you the state song:

    Pennsylvania, my native state
    To you we pledge our devotion.
    Pennsylvania, our loyalty
    Is steady as the ocean.

    Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
    Strong and true (2-3-4)
    Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
    Here’s our song to you

    There is beauty in your mountains
    There is peace upon your hills
    And where e’er I roam
    My only home is
    Pennsylvania! (trumpets)

  • *Grin

    I’m going to human trafficking information conference tomorrow!  I’m super-jazzed about it!!!!!!   Ahh!!!

    Ok…but seriously…how amazing is God?  Silly question, but my reasoning:

    I just finished reading “Not For Sale.” – a book that details the global slave trade.  It has touched my heartstrings and inspired me to get involved in the fight against human trafficking.  But not only that, throughout my life, I’ve always been one to jump up for the underdog…the one being treated poorly by someone else.  I was the kid who beat up the bullies at the bus stop for beating the younger kids. 

    God eventually wooed my heart towards the mission field.  I have becoming increasingly interested in China, but have a desire to work in any part of Asia at this point.  Starting in my junior year of high school, I began meeting people who felt they could confide in me about sexual abuse they had experienced at young ages.  My heart broke and I questioned God’s reasoning for bringing this pain into my life…but now I believe I’m witnessing the reasoning.  I have a passion for languages, and in the vocation of teaching English as a Second Language for free, I will be able to gain a foothold into the international community, here in my own hometown.  With that, I can have a hands-on experience in fighting for those held in bondage.  And not just bondage brought on by other human beings, but the bondage of a sinner, lost from the arms of Christ. 

    “Praise God! He’s got a plan, understanding isn’t my place.” – in the words of Sanctus Real

  • Tell Me…

    Should I keep putting up my poems?  Should I keep putting up all of them indiscriminatly…? or just the ones that I deem as “good?”

    Let me know, oh you many readers….  🙂

  • Ruth Bell Graham – In Poetry

    Test Me

    Test me, Lord, and give me strength
    to meet each test
    unflinching, unafraid;
    not striving nervously to do my best,
    not self-assured, or careless
    as in jest,
    but with Your aid.
    Purge me, Lord, and give me grace to
    bear the heat
    of cleansing flame;
    not bitter at my lowly lot, but mete
    to bear my share of suffering
    and keep sweet,
    in Jesus’ name.

     – Ruth Bell Graham –

     

    Never let it end, God
    never – please –
    all this growing loveliness,
    all of these
    brief moments of
    fresh pleasure –
    never let it end.
    Let us always
    be a little breathless
    at love’s beauty;
    never let us
    pause to reason
    from a sense of duty.

     – Ruth Bell Graham –

  • Poem: The Words

    May 22nd, 2007

    I need words
    That hold a chorus of thoughts,
    Expressing gratitude for the good You’ve done.
    For me, this little girl,
    Still wide-eyed
    And unaware of each blessing.
    Oh, if I only have the words!
    To speak of the joy welling up,
    Bubbling over inside me
    At each “kiss” You give me –
    The moon, the stars, the fog,
    A voice, laughter, Melodies,
    Clouds, the wind, everything.
    Yellow describes but one side.
    Giddy labels another,
    But for the five hundred more,
    Who could name them?
    Who, but You who made them!
    Ah, the words of love and devotion,
    And the care of my Papa.
    “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.”

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Cold Winter 6

    6
    February 17th, 2007

    The dark engulfs me and the trees surrounding.
    The moon is bright behind the branches
    Causing the limbs to look other-worldly
    Refracting through the ice encased around them.
    Oh I’m warm in my little car,
    But cold is lurking outside,
    Wishing to take me aside and introduce me
    To this Martian foliage of glass and light.
    But I know if we become acquainted
    It would spell certain death to me.
    Yes, to know these beasts, to be intimate!
    I can’t even imagine.
    Such a look of wonder presides on my face
    As I stare out the window at the trees.
    Can they be real? Or,
    Maybe they are in my mind,
    With their vibrant illumination.
    Hmm, I cannot tell.
    They must be real, but I’m sure they would
    Break if I stare much longer.

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Musings of a Romance

    December 28th, 2006

    I was meant to be a lover,

    If only to watch others forge trails through another’s heart.

    My own heart leaps at a tale of romance –

    One steadily sought by an unabashed suitor –

    Denial, realization, and acceptance after humility.

    I’ve tried to project myself into these witting trifles

    But I feel as though they don’t fit properly;

    Like a square peg in a rounded hole.

    Perhaps my tale will wax as a trapezoid

    With more bends and angles and darts.

    I’ve already seen the path grow dusty,

    Rained upon and heavily trampled. 

    Yet, there still remains a part of the road

    Unlaid and untraveled, a solid frontier,

    Where one will gently walk with me.

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: The Heavy Moon

    December 11th, 2006

    The night is falling around me,

    As the colors of the sun sink below the line of trees.

    My spirits are down tonight,

    Thinking of unfulfilled dreams and distant goals.

    Inability and incapacity weigh my heart in the evening.

    Feelings incapability and stagnation are deadening.

    I sigh, and turn around the car to drive back home.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a light.

    Natural and serene, but present just the same,

    I toss my glance to the side and see the moon.

    My old friend. 

    He is fat and plump stationed in the sky.

    He has the color of a pumpkin aging gently.

    Seeing him makes my heart leap,

    For he is a dear friend and a messenger from God

    Reminding me of His love and care. 

    The world around me seems to melt away,

    Then suddenly it fills back in like the light of the stars,

    Or waves crashing on a rocky cliff. 

    I thank my friend for his delivering the message

    And kiss at the sky to my Papa

    And drive home feeling lighter than the heavy moon.

    Sarah ><>