Lonely People

The Mall of America: A symbol of the nation's grandeur and progression. Also a great place for people-watching (in a completely non-creepy way). I look at all the lonely people, trying to impress, striving for success, rushing about with superficial goals in mind. Babies cry, cranky families rush by, young teenage couples hold hands, grandparents out for the day. Wheelchairs, strollers, shopping bags, moving feet, colorful shoes, never stopping in one place for long. Welcome to America.

Flaming Kabob

Alternately Titled: The Best Place to get Middle-Eastern food when you don't have easy access to the actual Middle-East.
I feel like a very large Arab man right now.... Tzatziki, gyros, chicken shawarma, tabouli, tahini sauce, kabobs, humus and pita, all finished off with chocolate frozen yogurt.
http://www.flamingkabob.com/

Legacy of Love

I have many fond memories of cafeteria lines, sandcastles in volleyball pits, playing games involving an inflatable globe and a little felt board with cutouts of unrealistically white, bearded men in robes riding donkeys or holding palm branches. I guess you could say it was something I was born into: I was two years old at my first Candidate School, and virtually every summer after that we would all tag along with Dad while he helped people go share Jesus in faraway places; that much didn't concern me: I just enjoyed being with all the kids. But I always understood, on my own level, the importance of what was going on, and in my mind, it was a given that Candidate School would always be apart of my life.
Last week, I took part in what is probably something along the lines of my tenth Candidate School. This is my fourth year as part of the Kids' staff, and I loved every bit of it. Working with babies is my passion, and these two weeks I have been allowed to use my abilities and love for these children. These are the children that will soon be living in new countries, hearing foreign languages, and following their parents' calling to bring others to their Savior. They are too young to understand now, but they do understand love. It is out of love for the families yet to hear of Jesus that these people completely surrender their lives and decide to obey the callings God has for them and their own children, as well as the children without a father to tuck them in, provide for them, protect them. They go to tell of the One who will never abandon them, the one that is waiting to scoop them up in His arms and hold them for eternity. They go to bring love to these children. I am blessed to be able to love and be apart of this. Complete surrender, blind trust, willing sacrifice. They have no idea what they're getting into, but they know its going to be something huge. And to me, that's beautiful.

Cappuccino Sunday

My lunch. Contrary to popular belief, I do actually do more than just eat fancy looking foods. Like listen to Broadway music. And read American classics (currently The Grapes of Wrath). And play with babies. And make cupcakes. Okay, that is pretty much it.