Busy, Busy, Busy!

What a fun week! 

I spent the last week in San Fran learning about evangelism and practicing what I learned on the streets. Telling people about Jesus = not actually my strength, so this week was challenging but good to hear about and grow in. Anyhow, I have quite a few good stories, as I was staying in the Tenderloin - the part of town that is occupied by the majority of the city's homeless people (and a tiny bit sketch :) ). I didn't really realize that the weather would be primarily wet and cold there, but it was kind of fun to wear the same things over and over again, and probably good practice for outreach. (The weather reminded me a lot of Portland/ home, but let's be honest, I like PTOWN a lot better :) ). Seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, that one curvy road, and Ghirardelli Square (yum!) was really fun, and I'm so glad I got the chance to spend the week there for sure.

I got back from San Francisco on Friday night, and my parents were here! Cheers!

We had a ton of fun together hiking Montana de Oro (a BEAUTIFUL beach with mountains, cliffs, etc.), walking around downtown San Luis Obispo (a nearby town), playing games at their hotel, walking Pismo Pier, hanging out with my friends here, and just spending time with each other. The weekend went by so fast, but it was a HUGE blessing to get to see them and love them.

I'm working on getting back into the normal routine here this week and looking forward to that. (I may have changed in some areas, but I still love my routine. :) ). Thanks so much for your prayers - here are a few pictures from my week!

Ooh la la! A new blog post! Doing this sounded like fun in my head, but when I got to the computer and only have 15 minutes before we leave, well, not so fun. :) I just wanted to write a tiny update on here, because we are leaving for San Fran today (to have lectures and do evangelism with homeless people/ etc. there) until Friday, and my parents will be here when I get back...horray! Mostly, I won't be updating this for another week probably, so thats why I thought I would pop on. 

This week we learned about Discipleship (aka following Jesus) in lectures...it was so challenging/ new/ exciting to hear. Some quick points that stood out to me are:

-Discipleship means dying to your desires, dreams, and rights.

-Discipleship will cost you everything.

-Discipleship is the difference between a good life and a God life.

(But being a disciple is the best possible thing you could do with your life.) This was super challenging, as I had to sort through all the things that I hold so close (my family, future, etc.) and let God do what he wants to do with them. 

Also, the speaker this week was the guy who founded this base and was SO cool. He was super wise, honest, and humble, and someone I look up to a lot. 

OK...I'll be back in a week or so - thanks for reading!

Blessings,

Mary

P.S.  I went surfing at sunrise yesterday morning - so fun! I love the ocean!

P.P.S. Here is a little video of the sun setting in Pismo so you can enjoy the beauty right from your computer. :)

Let's pretend its Sunday, yes?

It turns out that my regular habits are returning to me. Last night I was DETERMINED to finish editing some pictures, so I stayed up until 2:00 AM to do so (instead of updating this blog that I have neglected a little (oops! sorry!)). So want to just pretend it is Sunday? (I sat outside in the sun yesterday and wrote this update on scratch paper that I really want to get out.) If so, keep reading. And if not...well, you are a tiny out of luck. :)

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Happy Sunday, everyone!

I am beginning to love this day of rest more and more as my life here gets busier and busier.

This week we learned about Worldview and Biblical Worldview in lectures. It went a tiny bit over my head, but thats OK because it turns out God had a ton to teach me in my day-to-day life anyway. He went into the soup of my soul and stirred the pot, and suddenly all these chunks of me that I didn't know or want to be there surfaced. Like that I am kind of a horrible, prideful person. 

Luckily, God taught me so much about His crazy love last week that I understood that dealing with these things isn't supposed to be a wallowfest of depression or about getting down on yourself. It is supposed to be joyful amazement and thanksgiving of his grace and mercy. Who knew? That was a really cool realization because I have spent a lot of time in the past few years dealing with my weaknesses far less healthily. 

OK. Sorry for the deep blog - just wanted to let you all know what I am up to!

P.S. Fun fact - I had ice cream 5 times this week, which was a dream come true! Because I actually LOVE that stuff!

P.P.S. Fun fact #2 - I was walking down the street with a friend on Saturday doing a photography assignment, and a guy came out of his house with a PARROT. And he let me hold it. And it talked.