So, I had thought about writing in a separate "travel" blog, but that's kind of stupid. So I'm just going to write here haha. I just arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina yesterday morning to visit my sister for 2 weeks! She's been living here studying abroad through her school (Pepperdine) this semester, and I'm finally getting to see her life down here! So fun. I slept for I think 12 hours last night (after not sleeping hardly at all on my overnight flight), but I'm still kinda wiped out. Today we took the Subte (like a subway) to Puerto Madero - a port area by the river here, similar to the Thames in London - and had lunch at the oldest cafe in Buenos Aires, called Tontoni. It was neat, I feel overwhelmed with all the Spanish and not feeling like I can say ANYTHING, even though I know I can if I need to. My sister is making me anyway. It's fun, it makes me wish I had studied Spanish. Actually, it makes me REALLY wish I had studied abroad. I feel like I wasted my college years haha. Anyway, we spent the afternoon walking around and enjoying the city (in spite of the crazy riots and fireworks going off, etc. in the center of the city). Now we're at "The Casa" - Pepperdine's home base for the students here; it's a big beautiful house that they turned into their school and hang-out area for the students - with the rest of her friends who are still here and haven't gone home yet. Most of them went home last night, but there's a fun handfull of them left. They leave in a few hours. I think tonight we're going to Brittany's favorite place, Ateneo, a big beautiful bookstore somewhere in teh city. I think her friend Peter is coming with us, which is fun! We don't have much planned out for this week haha, but lots of fun ideas! I guess we'll have to see how it goes :)
Much love!,
Erica
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
John Mayer Says
"... it might be a quarter life crisis". 23 is past a quarter life if you're the average American. And I just turned 23. Hm. I guess it's up to me whether to turn it into a crisis or a springboard. But I will say it feels pretty stinkin' old. I mean, as per my life thus far. Not in the big picture, of course. But all the other numbers just sort of felt like, yeah, this is youth, and now I'm 16.. 18.. 21.. but 23, that changes the game. Anyway, here's to adulthood, living at home, and unemployment!
I had a lovely birthday. My sweet boyfriend got me 23 pink & white beautiful roses to start the day, and later he surprised me with an adorable handmade bag I had pointed out that I liked, filled with all kinds of wonderful things - my 3 favorite candy bars (Reeses, 3 Musketeers, & Milky Way for inquiring minds), a pair of earrings (from his sweet parents), and a Starbucks Card. All wonderful, all way more than I deserve! My parents got me Photoshop, my sister got me a really rad sweater from Peru, Chad's sister got me an aaaamazing necklack/locket that I LOVE, and my sweet sweet friend Kali got me neat earrings that happen to match the necklace. And I got a few really sweet cards, and just all kinds of love that I'm so thankful for. Oh and endless texts & facebook messages! I have such wonderful, sweet, kind-hearted, intentional people in my life, and I am SO thankful. I've always thought it was pretty appropriate to have my birthday on or near thanksgiving, because that's how I like to celebrate my birthday - honoring and being thankful for the people in my life who have raised me, supported me, shaped me, challenged me, and loved me.
So, thank you. For making me who I am! I'm so so blessed.
I'll have to get some photos of my sweet & fun gifts up on here soon!
Blessings,
Erica
I had a lovely birthday. My sweet boyfriend got me 23 pink & white beautiful roses to start the day, and later he surprised me with an adorable handmade bag I had pointed out that I liked, filled with all kinds of wonderful things - my 3 favorite candy bars (Reeses, 3 Musketeers, & Milky Way for inquiring minds), a pair of earrings (from his sweet parents), and a Starbucks Card. All wonderful, all way more than I deserve! My parents got me Photoshop, my sister got me a really rad sweater from Peru, Chad's sister got me an aaaamazing necklack/locket that I LOVE, and my sweet sweet friend Kali got me neat earrings that happen to match the necklace. And I got a few really sweet cards, and just all kinds of love that I'm so thankful for. Oh and endless texts & facebook messages! I have such wonderful, sweet, kind-hearted, intentional people in my life, and I am SO thankful. I've always thought it was pretty appropriate to have my birthday on or near thanksgiving, because that's how I like to celebrate my birthday - honoring and being thankful for the people in my life who have raised me, supported me, shaped me, challenged me, and loved me.
So, thank you. For making me who I am! I'm so so blessed.
I'll have to get some photos of my sweet & fun gifts up on here soon!
Blessings,
Erica
Thursday, September 24, 2009
So Long Astoria
I'm currently sitting at the end of an old pier across from the tiny downtown of Astoria, Oregon. It's the most beautiful day - just like the weather the one time I visited San Francisco - sunny & warm with a crisply cool fall breeze rustling the trees around and keeping you on your toes. It's lovely. That's the perfect word for it. Lovely. There are seagulls floating around on the air coming in from the sea (this little fishing town is on the Columbian River, but close enough to feel the ocean air) and I can hear the "ding ding" bell of the little red trolly that putts along on the shoreline tracks. The town is so small & cute. Kind of quirky. There are 6x more coffee shops than anything else, which I love. I stumbled across a funky little gypsy store with fair trade bags from all over the world & shelves of jars filled with herbal tea mixes, most claiming to cure some ailment or have
a certain effect if you drink them. I almost bought some, but I don't have the right kind of tea pot. Maybe I should anyway & just bring it to Teagan's with me. She has a cute right-kind-of teapot & very nice tea. I really like her. Not because of her tea of course.
I've never been to Oregon before. But I said to a friend earlier, I think it's safe to say this isn't nearly the last time I'll be here. It won't surprise me in the least if I end up living here actually. It's just so lovely! It makes my heart feel alive.
Yesterday we went to the beach. It was cold, dreary, and misting. And I loved it! My sweet aunt & uncle & I took the dogs & hiked through dense forest of all kinds of pine trees covered in fuzzy moss. It was so beautiful. Reminded me of Tennessee actually. Anyway we walked along this soggy path & chatted with fellow dog walkers on the way. Every so often a surfer would brisk & politely nod. Funny to see a surfer in the woods. They all had backpacks & flannel shirts or hoodies & didn't look at all like they were about to head into the ocean, besides the surf board under their arm. But then the forest cleared & the magnificent dark ocean was there, scattered with surfers & dogs running around & little camp fires up against the cliffs. It was completely enchanting.
Now I'm leaving Astoria & the whole time I've been in Oregon I've had an old Ataris song stuck in my head about Astoria & the Goonies that reminds me of some of my favorite times in life. High school days with the girls who have been your best friends since elementary school, driving around together with the newfound freedom of a summer with driver's licenses & the music turned up as loud as it goes. I miss those days sometimes. We seemed to have the best times doing nothing at all besides the picture I just painted. Just being together. "So long Astoria, we've found a map to buried treasure, and even if we go home empty-handed we'll still have our stories...". Things that make you smile :).
Love,
Erica
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sink or Swim
It's crunch time.
Sink or swim.
Honestly? I feel like sinking. It's so hard for me to get the motivation to finish this race when I honestly don't believe that I can do it. I'm not trying to sound like an Emo 13 year old here, I'm just being honest. I feel like I'm too behind, I don't have enough time, my professors are out of grace, and I don't have the skills to pass every class. When you're taking 24 units (10 classes), it's not too hard to let yourself think this way. It doesn't help that it's the time of the month and everything feels like it's the end of the world on top of the fact that it almost is.
Maybe I can do this. But I know it's on my shoulders. That's the thing. As much as I want to and tell myself to, I just can't muster up the kind of determination I need for this. What I should do is stop writing this and get down to business. But it's kind of releasing to get your feelings out on paper. Or type. Whatever.
I guess I should just say pray for me. Pray hard. That I can figure out how to motivate myself while asking for God's strength. 'Cuz I know that's the only way I'm going to pull this off.
Pray for me.
Love,
Erica
Sink or swim.
Honestly? I feel like sinking. It's so hard for me to get the motivation to finish this race when I honestly don't believe that I can do it. I'm not trying to sound like an Emo 13 year old here, I'm just being honest. I feel like I'm too behind, I don't have enough time, my professors are out of grace, and I don't have the skills to pass every class. When you're taking 24 units (10 classes), it's not too hard to let yourself think this way. It doesn't help that it's the time of the month and everything feels like it's the end of the world on top of the fact that it almost is.
Maybe I can do this. But I know it's on my shoulders. That's the thing. As much as I want to and tell myself to, I just can't muster up the kind of determination I need for this. What I should do is stop writing this and get down to business. But it's kind of releasing to get your feelings out on paper. Or type. Whatever.
I guess I should just say pray for me. Pray hard. That I can figure out how to motivate myself while asking for God's strength. 'Cuz I know that's the only way I'm going to pull this off.
Pray for me.
Love,
Erica
Friday, April 24, 2009
I Feel Like I Live On An Airplane
I'm back on another plane. As if flying for 22 hours a few days ago wasn't enough, right? This time I'm staying in the country. (Insert southern accent here:) I'm a goin' turkey huntin' with ma daddy and ma uncle. In Texas.
My dad keeps joking that I'm not going to know what hemisphere I'm in anymore. Let's not even get into time zones.
I think I would count myself as an expert flyer at this point. I should try to count how many times I've been on an airplane. Maybe that's what I'll do during this flight.
Or go through my 4000 Africa pictures. Or both.
Love, Erica
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Test
Here's some of our South Africa team in the airport before we left!:
Sunday, March 29, 2009
South Africa
I started a little travel blog in light of my upcoming trip to South Africa so that people who are interested can follow along the journey. I posted a link to it on the sidebar here, but this is it if anyone wants to check it out! :)
http://ericachristinestravels.blogspot.com
Love, Erica
http://ericachristinestravels.blogspot.com
Love, Erica
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
25.
The latest Facebook trend has been this "25 Things About Me" thing floating around. So, I thought I would put it in here. My aunt told me she hoped I had a way of keeping that thing so that I could look back on it in years to come. This probably isn't the best way, but maybe if it winds up in two places I'll run across it again.
So, here are 25 random things about me and my life, in no particular order.
1. I love photography. I love taking photos, looking at other peoples photos, learning as much as I can about photography, working at getting better, capturing time and moments and people and history... I just love everything about it.
2. I loooove to travel!! I thrive on being in new places and learning about someone else's culture. I really enjoy seeing things from history (like the Coliseum in Rome or castles in England!) and knowing I can touch and see and experience the same things that people hundreds or even thousands of years before me did! And I just like adventures :).
3. I have lots of best friends (I think Ashley said this too!)... they are all best in their own way or category, so I think it's fair to have them share the title. But when it comes down to it, my sister is my very best friend. I couldn't live without her. She knows everything about me and understands me better than sometimes I understand myself. If I lost every other friend I had, but still had her, I would be okay. She inspires me to live radically, to follow my dreams, to stand up for what I believe in... she is wild and free and totally weird, and I love every piece of her. She is the greatest lifetime gift I could ever receive.
4. I am crazy in love with Chad Craig McNicol. Now, he is my best friend too, but since he's also the love of my life, Britt takes the cake on that one. ;-). I love everything about this man and have learned so much from him about life and love and how to be myself and justice and grace and being a follower of Christ. He changes me for the better every single day and I will be eternally thankful to have him in my life and knowing my heart like he does.
5. I love my family! Even though we are dysfunctional, like every single family on the planet (except maybe the Lynchs haha), we fit together. We have so much fun together doing stupid things like putting together puzzles or going out to the shooting range. We're unique and weird and love each other endlessly. I'm so blessed by parents who have brought me up to know Jesus and who have done their best to provide for me and teach me about life.
5b. (Is this cheating?) - Don't forget my extended family! I have the greatest aunts and uncles in the universe. Seriously, not one of them is weird or distant or... I don't know, they're just great! They've all invested in me in different ways, but have all been so supportive and impacting and just wonderful. And I’ve had so much fun in the past few years getting to know my cousins again. We’ve always been so far apart in age that it was hard to feel like we could connect to be friends – because we couldn’t, really. But now that age gap doesn’t seem to matter much, and I’ve found wonderful friendships and incredible people in my cousins that I’m really just barely learning about. It’s been so fun and I hope that continues into the kind of lifelong friendships that my parents have found in some of their cousins! Oh, and I completely adore their kids. Adore.
6. I love being Canadian. Not necessarily because I love Canada (although I do!), but mostly because of what's there. More family!! The cousins I'm closest to in age live there, and we have grown up doing summers together our whole lives. My cousin Karen is at a close second behind Brittany for the best friend slot! And Janice is getting up there as she gets older :). The closest people that I have to siblings are Jess & Mike, who I couldn't live without. They truly are like my sister & brother, and I have more memories with them than probably anyone else I know. They will always be so important to have in my life and I love them SO much (and their Dad!!). My summers in Canada are my favorite memories; I've been there every summer of my life, just like my Dad! And I hope my kids will get to be there every summer of their lives, too. It is such a wonderful place. The people there are who I can truly be 100% myself with and feel so safe and loved for exactly that.
7. I don't want to grow up. Okay, maybe I do a little bit, but I love still having a little bit of childlike wonder in my heart. Which might be why I love Disneyland so much, or cry so hard when I watch the Polar Express, or get absolutely giddy when I see little kids delight in the small and beautiful things that grown ups don't even see. I miss those things.
8. I really enjoy writing. The problem is that I'm way too detailed (if you can't tell already by the ridiculous paragraphs this stupid thing has turned into!). I've enjoyed having my writing critiqued and "honed" as I've ventured through college, and I wish I had taken more opportunities to better it as I've been here.
9. I love being outside. I love hammocks and swings and picnics and lakes and all of those wonderful things. I like hiking and fishing and camping (although I don’t know how, because I never grew up doing those things!). Sometimes I wish I lived somewhere that was more outdoors-y, but then again I know that I have plenty of places around me that I just don't take advantage of.
10. I love the ocean! Doesn't everybody??? I love surfing even though I'm really not good at it, and my fingers and toes go numb every time, and a lot of times I get frustrated and just give up... but the feeling afterward is like nothing else. You feel so at peace but like you could conquer the world at the same time. It's really great for my spirit.
11. I’ve had so much fun being an Impact leader this year! My high school girls are truly amazing people, and I’m loving learning more and more about them each time we’re together. It’s fun to watch them go through high school and slowly grow up and learn about themselves and the world. We had a blast together at winter camp! Where, coincidently I was strongly reminded that I'm in the midst of learning how to trust God with my life. I think I'll always be in the midst of that, but right now it seems to be especially prominent. There are a lot of big intersections coming up for me, and letting go of control sounds like the worst idea ever. But I know it's the only way I'm going to survive this crazy thing called life :).
12. I've loved every day of going to Biola. I've learned SO much about myself, the world, being a Christian, making new friends... it's going to be so hard to leave this community that I've completely fallen in love with. I don't want to think about that day approaching so quickly. There are a few select guys, and a group of 8 plus a small handful of specific girls that I am especially thankful for (some of them don't even go here anymore! Teagan & Kristin, and Katherine didn't for a bit!) and am definitely a better person because of. They're the kind of friends that you hold tightly to :).
13. I am having the time of my life being a bridesmaid!! I'm so honored that I was asked to be in weddings of some of my dearest and most precious friends, (in order of wedding date!) Lisa, Whitney & Amy - I just can't even get over it. I know and love all of their future husbands, too, which makes it even more wonderful! I'm trying to be a good bridesmaid and help however I can, but it’s hard that two of my brides live far away! It’s fun watching how differently people do wedding planning and figuring out what I’ll be like doing it someday. I think I’ll love every second and every detail of it, like my sweet Amy Kristen.
14. I really love reading. I love getting lost in other peoples’ stories and worlds that have been created in someone’s mind. It’s a release for me, but I also think reading is really important to expanding worldview and perspective and even writing skills and vocabulary. It’s healthy to read and I’m so thankful for all of the books I’ve been introduced to in my life. To name a few: Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Harry Potter, Twilight (I know, those 3 are so typical!), Le Petit Prince, Redeeming Love, Captivating, The Chronicles of Narnia. Curling up with a good book in front of the fireplace on a rainy day at my Canada house might be my favorite thing in the world.
15. A huge part of my heart is rooted in music. I started played the piano when I was around 6 years old, and it’s something I’ll always be so thankful for. There’s something about playing that makes me feel so alive and joyful. It makes me think of that movie, Chariots of Fire, when he says, “when I run, I feel His pleasure.” … I think when I play music, I feel God’s pleasure. It’s a great part of who I am. One of my goals in life is to play with an orchestra for a movie score. We’ll see!
16. Speaking of, I love movies!! Sometimes I really wish I had been a film major. I really enjoy not only watching movies, but also learning about how they were made, what all went into them, etc. I’m really interested in the film industry as a whole, and what a huge team of talented people it takes to make a movie. Plus I just love curling up and watching a movie anytime I get a chance ☺.
17. I have 3 amazing roommates! We are the CREW (Cassi, Rebecca, Erica, Whitney) and we love to cook together, watch movies and Friends together, and have sleepovers in our living room every Thursday after Family Dinner ☺. Seriously! We bring all of our mattresses out onto the living room floor and fall asleep to a movie. It’s my favorite part of the week! I’m so glad we came up with the idea of doing Family Dinners. Every Thursday we open up our apartment to whoever wants to come (yes, that includes you!) and we make a home-cooked meal for everyone. It’s so much fun! We get to spend time with the people we love, sometimes playing games or Rock Band or just chatting about life.
18. There are two crazy groups of friends back in Phoenix that I love and miss. One is from high school and the other is from... well, I don't really know. A big mix I guess of high school, church and mutual friends. But I have had the greatest times with these crazy people and I miss them all a ton! It's always a fun time when we get together over breaks :)
19. I am so excited to be going to South Africa this coming April!!! I’m going with a team of 4 other leaders, 14 high schoolers, and 6 young adults/college students. We will be near Cape Town for two weeks, teaching at an Academy for orphans of AIDS and running a week-long Bible camp for elementary age kids from the townships surrounding the camp. I can’t wait to finally go to Africa (God’s put it on my heart for a long time and I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity to go) and to see what God does with our team while we’re there! Be praying for us ☺ rhccsa2009.blogspot.com
20. A group of us go to Mammoth every year for a weekend snowboard trip to the Knickerbocker’s condo and it’s one of my favorite parts of the whole year. It is SO fun to go on a trip with friends you love, and to be up in the snow all together – whether we just stay inside by the wood stove and watch a movie while it snows outside, go sledding in the middle of the forest, or shred it up on the mountain, it’s always been the greatest time. I’m so thankful that Peter invited me to come that first year and that his family is so generous to let us stay at their place every year!
21. I have a lot of fun going on hunting trips with my Dad and uncles and cousins. I don’t especially adore the killing part, but I love the bonding that goes along with those trips, and the chance to be out in the middle of nowhere with no ties to anything and no agenda… I think I’ve learned in the past few years that I really love the outdoors.
22. I loooooove the Phoenix Suns. I’ve been a true fan of them since I was in kindergarten and I will continue to be loyal to my team for as long as they are a team! I don’t care if they’re great and up for the championship (they really should have won a couple years ago) or they’re mediocre and getting back in the groove (like this year), I will always love them.
23. I love my dog, Meg. I don’t know what I will do when she leaves this earth. Honestly, it will be the most tragic thing. I can’t imagine. Even though she’s gotten pretty sassy in her old age, she is still the most sweet and loveable dog I’ve ever come across. And she is a great hunting dog!
24. There are people in my life that I’m not always in great contact with, but I will always be thankful for and want in my life. People I’ve grown up with and have the best childhood memories and inside jokes with, like Liz Malinski, Amy Baker and Emily Runyan. Or people I spent every day of junior high and high school with, growing into the person I am now and learning so much together about life and hurt and what it means to be a great friend, like Melissa Mollica, Monica Rawlings and Stephanie Burke. It’s like that song from Wicked about being changed for good, just because you knew this person. That’s how I feel about these girls. And there are a few more recent girls who are quickly growing into those kind of people in my life as well, like Amy Lynch, Kali Lynch, Teagan Mercer and Tara D'Arcangelo. These girls are changing me for the better.
25. The only reason I can love or be any of these things is because of my great and wonderful God. He is everything to me – He is the one who knows my heart in it’s entirety and loves me in spite of how ugly it can be. He is the creator of the universe, all powerful and knowing, yet also the lover of human hearts, compassionate and gentle. He is more than I will ever understand or be able to put into words. I am forever thankful that Jesus gave up his life in order that we could be forgiven and know God the way we can. I want to live each moment of each day of my life honoring Him and giving Him glory He deserves.
So, here are 25 random things about me and my life, in no particular order.
1. I love photography. I love taking photos, looking at other peoples photos, learning as much as I can about photography, working at getting better, capturing time and moments and people and history... I just love everything about it.
2. I loooove to travel!! I thrive on being in new places and learning about someone else's culture. I really enjoy seeing things from history (like the Coliseum in Rome or castles in England!) and knowing I can touch and see and experience the same things that people hundreds or even thousands of years before me did! And I just like adventures :).
3. I have lots of best friends (I think Ashley said this too!)... they are all best in their own way or category, so I think it's fair to have them share the title. But when it comes down to it, my sister is my very best friend. I couldn't live without her. She knows everything about me and understands me better than sometimes I understand myself. If I lost every other friend I had, but still had her, I would be okay. She inspires me to live radically, to follow my dreams, to stand up for what I believe in... she is wild and free and totally weird, and I love every piece of her. She is the greatest lifetime gift I could ever receive.
4. I am crazy in love with Chad Craig McNicol. Now, he is my best friend too, but since he's also the love of my life, Britt takes the cake on that one. ;-). I love everything about this man and have learned so much from him about life and love and how to be myself and justice and grace and being a follower of Christ. He changes me for the better every single day and I will be eternally thankful to have him in my life and knowing my heart like he does.
5. I love my family! Even though we are dysfunctional, like every single family on the planet (except maybe the Lynchs haha), we fit together. We have so much fun together doing stupid things like putting together puzzles or going out to the shooting range. We're unique and weird and love each other endlessly. I'm so blessed by parents who have brought me up to know Jesus and who have done their best to provide for me and teach me about life.
5b. (Is this cheating?) - Don't forget my extended family! I have the greatest aunts and uncles in the universe. Seriously, not one of them is weird or distant or... I don't know, they're just great! They've all invested in me in different ways, but have all been so supportive and impacting and just wonderful. And I’ve had so much fun in the past few years getting to know my cousins again. We’ve always been so far apart in age that it was hard to feel like we could connect to be friends – because we couldn’t, really. But now that age gap doesn’t seem to matter much, and I’ve found wonderful friendships and incredible people in my cousins that I’m really just barely learning about. It’s been so fun and I hope that continues into the kind of lifelong friendships that my parents have found in some of their cousins! Oh, and I completely adore their kids. Adore.
6. I love being Canadian. Not necessarily because I love Canada (although I do!), but mostly because of what's there. More family!! The cousins I'm closest to in age live there, and we have grown up doing summers together our whole lives. My cousin Karen is at a close second behind Brittany for the best friend slot! And Janice is getting up there as she gets older :). The closest people that I have to siblings are Jess & Mike, who I couldn't live without. They truly are like my sister & brother, and I have more memories with them than probably anyone else I know. They will always be so important to have in my life and I love them SO much (and their Dad!!). My summers in Canada are my favorite memories; I've been there every summer of my life, just like my Dad! And I hope my kids will get to be there every summer of their lives, too. It is such a wonderful place. The people there are who I can truly be 100% myself with and feel so safe and loved for exactly that.
7. I don't want to grow up. Okay, maybe I do a little bit, but I love still having a little bit of childlike wonder in my heart. Which might be why I love Disneyland so much, or cry so hard when I watch the Polar Express, or get absolutely giddy when I see little kids delight in the small and beautiful things that grown ups don't even see. I miss those things.
8. I really enjoy writing. The problem is that I'm way too detailed (if you can't tell already by the ridiculous paragraphs this stupid thing has turned into!). I've enjoyed having my writing critiqued and "honed" as I've ventured through college, and I wish I had taken more opportunities to better it as I've been here.
9. I love being outside. I love hammocks and swings and picnics and lakes and all of those wonderful things. I like hiking and fishing and camping (although I don’t know how, because I never grew up doing those things!). Sometimes I wish I lived somewhere that was more outdoors-y, but then again I know that I have plenty of places around me that I just don't take advantage of.
10. I love the ocean! Doesn't everybody??? I love surfing even though I'm really not good at it, and my fingers and toes go numb every time, and a lot of times I get frustrated and just give up... but the feeling afterward is like nothing else. You feel so at peace but like you could conquer the world at the same time. It's really great for my spirit.
11. I’ve had so much fun being an Impact leader this year! My high school girls are truly amazing people, and I’m loving learning more and more about them each time we’re together. It’s fun to watch them go through high school and slowly grow up and learn about themselves and the world. We had a blast together at winter camp! Where, coincidently I was strongly reminded that I'm in the midst of learning how to trust God with my life. I think I'll always be in the midst of that, but right now it seems to be especially prominent. There are a lot of big intersections coming up for me, and letting go of control sounds like the worst idea ever. But I know it's the only way I'm going to survive this crazy thing called life :).
(This is only 6 of the 13!)
12. I've loved every day of going to Biola. I've learned SO much about myself, the world, being a Christian, making new friends... it's going to be so hard to leave this community that I've completely fallen in love with. I don't want to think about that day approaching so quickly. There are a few select guys, and a group of 8 plus a small handful of specific girls that I am especially thankful for (some of them don't even go here anymore! Teagan & Kristin, and Katherine didn't for a bit!) and am definitely a better person because of. They're the kind of friends that you hold tightly to :).
13. I am having the time of my life being a bridesmaid!! I'm so honored that I was asked to be in weddings of some of my dearest and most precious friends, (in order of wedding date!) Lisa, Whitney & Amy - I just can't even get over it. I know and love all of their future husbands, too, which makes it even more wonderful! I'm trying to be a good bridesmaid and help however I can, but it’s hard that two of my brides live far away! It’s fun watching how differently people do wedding planning and figuring out what I’ll be like doing it someday. I think I’ll love every second and every detail of it, like my sweet Amy Kristen.
14. I really love reading. I love getting lost in other peoples’ stories and worlds that have been created in someone’s mind. It’s a release for me, but I also think reading is really important to expanding worldview and perspective and even writing skills and vocabulary. It’s healthy to read and I’m so thankful for all of the books I’ve been introduced to in my life. To name a few: Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Harry Potter, Twilight (I know, those 3 are so typical!), Le Petit Prince, Redeeming Love, Captivating, The Chronicles of Narnia. Curling up with a good book in front of the fireplace on a rainy day at my Canada house might be my favorite thing in the world.
15. A huge part of my heart is rooted in music. I started played the piano when I was around 6 years old, and it’s something I’ll always be so thankful for. There’s something about playing that makes me feel so alive and joyful. It makes me think of that movie, Chariots of Fire, when he says, “when I run, I feel His pleasure.” … I think when I play music, I feel God’s pleasure. It’s a great part of who I am. One of my goals in life is to play with an orchestra for a movie score. We’ll see!
16. Speaking of, I love movies!! Sometimes I really wish I had been a film major. I really enjoy not only watching movies, but also learning about how they were made, what all went into them, etc. I’m really interested in the film industry as a whole, and what a huge team of talented people it takes to make a movie. Plus I just love curling up and watching a movie anytime I get a chance ☺.
17. I have 3 amazing roommates! We are the CREW (Cassi, Rebecca, Erica, Whitney) and we love to cook together, watch movies and Friends together, and have sleepovers in our living room every Thursday after Family Dinner ☺. Seriously! We bring all of our mattresses out onto the living room floor and fall asleep to a movie. It’s my favorite part of the week! I’m so glad we came up with the idea of doing Family Dinners. Every Thursday we open up our apartment to whoever wants to come (yes, that includes you!) and we make a home-cooked meal for everyone. It’s so much fun! We get to spend time with the people we love, sometimes playing games or Rock Band or just chatting about life.
18. There are two crazy groups of friends back in Phoenix that I love and miss. One is from high school and the other is from... well, I don't really know. A big mix I guess of high school, church and mutual friends. But I have had the greatest times with these crazy people and I miss them all a ton! It's always a fun time when we get together over breaks :)
19. I am so excited to be going to South Africa this coming April!!! I’m going with a team of 4 other leaders, 14 high schoolers, and 6 young adults/college students. We will be near Cape Town for two weeks, teaching at an Academy for orphans of AIDS and running a week-long Bible camp for elementary age kids from the townships surrounding the camp. I can’t wait to finally go to Africa (God’s put it on my heart for a long time and I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity to go) and to see what God does with our team while we’re there! Be praying for us ☺ rhccsa2009.blogspot.com
20. A group of us go to Mammoth every year for a weekend snowboard trip to the Knickerbocker’s condo and it’s one of my favorite parts of the whole year. It is SO fun to go on a trip with friends you love, and to be up in the snow all together – whether we just stay inside by the wood stove and watch a movie while it snows outside, go sledding in the middle of the forest, or shred it up on the mountain, it’s always been the greatest time. I’m so thankful that Peter invited me to come that first year and that his family is so generous to let us stay at their place every year!
21. I have a lot of fun going on hunting trips with my Dad and uncles and cousins. I don’t especially adore the killing part, but I love the bonding that goes along with those trips, and the chance to be out in the middle of nowhere with no ties to anything and no agenda… I think I’ve learned in the past few years that I really love the outdoors.
22. I loooooove the Phoenix Suns. I’ve been a true fan of them since I was in kindergarten and I will continue to be loyal to my team for as long as they are a team! I don’t care if they’re great and up for the championship (they really should have won a couple years ago) or they’re mediocre and getting back in the groove (like this year), I will always love them.
23. I love my dog, Meg. I don’t know what I will do when she leaves this earth. Honestly, it will be the most tragic thing. I can’t imagine. Even though she’s gotten pretty sassy in her old age, she is still the most sweet and loveable dog I’ve ever come across. And she is a great hunting dog!
24. There are people in my life that I’m not always in great contact with, but I will always be thankful for and want in my life. People I’ve grown up with and have the best childhood memories and inside jokes with, like Liz Malinski, Amy Baker and Emily Runyan. Or people I spent every day of junior high and high school with, growing into the person I am now and learning so much together about life and hurt and what it means to be a great friend, like Melissa Mollica, Monica Rawlings and Stephanie Burke. It’s like that song from Wicked about being changed for good, just because you knew this person. That’s how I feel about these girls. And there are a few more recent girls who are quickly growing into those kind of people in my life as well, like Amy Lynch, Kali Lynch, Teagan Mercer and Tara D'Arcangelo. These girls are changing me for the better.
25. The only reason I can love or be any of these things is because of my great and wonderful God. He is everything to me – He is the one who knows my heart in it’s entirety and loves me in spite of how ugly it can be. He is the creator of the universe, all powerful and knowing, yet also the lover of human hearts, compassionate and gentle. He is more than I will ever understand or be able to put into words. I am forever thankful that Jesus gave up his life in order that we could be forgiven and know God the way we can. I want to live each moment of each day of my life honoring Him and giving Him glory He deserves.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Beginning of the End
Well, somehow it has come down to the last semester of my college career. Hopefully. It seems to be hard to get a straight answer out of anyone when it comes to graduating on time. But I definitely don't want my family to pay for an extra semester at Biola. So, we'll see if I can pull this off. 24 units is a lot!
It's been a long time since I've written anything on this thing. I guess I'll kind of just give a brief update on what's going on in my life.
Like I said, I'm taking 24 units. 18 at Biola and 6 online. It sounds like a heavy load, but I think it's going to be fine. I enjoy my classes so far, which is always a good sign.
I'm still leading a high school small group, although I have a class on Wednesday nights that I have to take, so I can't go to normal youth group. This is the first night that I won't be there, and honestly it's sad. I don't like it. But hopefully we'll be able to meet a different day and still be together!
I went to Winter Camp with the youth group a few weekends ago up at Alpine near Arrowhead. It was a total blast! We played in the snow and listened to a great speaker, Dan Perkins (the college pastor at RHCC). I got to know my girls who were there so much better, and also got to know a lot of the other kids I had never met before. There were a lot of injuries (including me separating where my ribs connect to my breast plate and inflaming my rib cage!), but the tube sled run was really fun! All in all it was a great weekend, and I'm bummed that I have to be kin of separated from the group now.
Something else in my life related to RHCC is that I'm co-leading a mission trip to South Africa in April! I'm so excited about this!! The other leaders for the high school team are my boyfriend, Chad McNicol, a really close friend of mine, Whitney Vidlock, and a new friend & really neat guy, Jordan Munde. We have 14 high school team members, as well as a college/young adult team of 6 students and one leader, Ronnie Marinkovich. It is such a solid team and we're really excited about our trip together! We've just begun meeting regularly and really planning things out. It's going to be a lot of work but we're really looking forward to seeing what God does with this team and our time there. Be praying for our preparation and that we can get the sufficient funds in time! This is our blog if anyone is interested in checking it out...
www.RHCCSA2009.blogspot.com
It's been a long time since I've written anything on this thing. I guess I'll kind of just give a brief update on what's going on in my life.
Like I said, I'm taking 24 units. 18 at Biola and 6 online. It sounds like a heavy load, but I think it's going to be fine. I enjoy my classes so far, which is always a good sign.
I'm still leading a high school small group, although I have a class on Wednesday nights that I have to take, so I can't go to normal youth group. This is the first night that I won't be there, and honestly it's sad. I don't like it. But hopefully we'll be able to meet a different day and still be together!
I went to Winter Camp with the youth group a few weekends ago up at Alpine near Arrowhead. It was a total blast! We played in the snow and listened to a great speaker, Dan Perkins (the college pastor at RHCC). I got to know my girls who were there so much better, and also got to know a lot of the other kids I had never met before. There were a lot of injuries (including me separating where my ribs connect to my breast plate and inflaming my rib cage!), but the tube sled run was really fun! All in all it was a great weekend, and I'm bummed that I have to be kin of separated from the group now.
Something else in my life related to RHCC is that I'm co-leading a mission trip to South Africa in April! I'm so excited about this!! The other leaders for the high school team are my boyfriend, Chad McNicol, a really close friend of mine, Whitney Vidlock, and a new friend & really neat guy, Jordan Munde. We have 14 high school team members, as well as a college/young adult team of 6 students and one leader, Ronnie Marinkovich. It is such a solid team and we're really excited about our trip together! We've just begun meeting regularly and really planning things out. It's going to be a lot of work but we're really looking forward to seeing what God does with this team and our time there. Be praying for our preparation and that we can get the sufficient funds in time! This is our blog if anyone is interested in checking it out...
www.RHCCSA2009.blogspot.com
Here's those of us who went to Alpine:
Well, that's a good update for now. I'm sure there are lots of other things I could talk about, but I have to head off to class now.
Oh, last thing! I'm really sick right now. So for whoever reads this, if you could pray for me, I would appreciate that :).
Love,
Erica
Oh, last thing! I'm really sick right now. So for whoever reads this, if you could pray for me, I would appreciate that :).
Love,
Erica
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
