A sweet surprise

I had some daisies waiting at the front desk. A sweet addition to my boring desk at work. Well, at least for a couple of days!!! Thanks, I appreciate it!!! You can send one every week if you'd like!! :)

Jesus doesn't just wipe your slate clean; He throws away the slate.
-- Tim Keller

Missed my plane but its all good!!

Ok, so I went to the wrong airport to catch my plane to VA beach. I pulled a Sajini on myself. Yes, I am known to go to the wrong airport to pick people up. Thanks for the funny messages y'all left me. I'm glad you guys got to laugh at my expense. So anyway, I took the Amtrak(yuk!!) all the way down. I feel real crappy after spending a long time on a train.
But my time in VA was really nice. It almost made me forget about my 8 hour ride on the train each way.
I am going to bed. I think I need a vacation from my vacation.

Cute baby


No one showed up to my wedding

An Interview on Dr. Phil Ryken's life and ministry.. so far..

Here's an interview Mark Dever had with Dr. Phil Ryken. I first heard pastor Ryken 6 and half years ago. He is a prolific writer and a gifted expositor of God's Word. It was around that time I was introduced to solid Christian preaching and pastors who were teaching the congregation the Word of God and the Salvation that they have in Christ. Coming from a church where a good portion of the time I was being fed watered-down, Anything-Goes so Here's-A-Big-Hug messages, I was loving the God glorifying and convicting messages at Tenth and the ministries. So, all you far away Tenth folks, take some time to hear this interview. It is an hour long. I hope it brings back some great memories as it did for me. And all you non Tenth folks who are interested in hearing the interview, here's a brief overview of the interview( Forgive me, I dont remember everything he spoke about).

1- Ryken's background
2- Best book/recommended authors
3- The Vision of the church for the future of the ministry at 10th Presbyterian Church. (Meredith, We'll have to chat about this one)
4- Ministering in an urban area( some good stuff).
5- Balancing work and life within the ministry

There is more but this is all I can remember.

Easter in LI

I had a fabulous blessed ressurection day. I decided to stick around here to enjoy the festivities. Great service, great lunch and a great italian dinner with the Barbuti family. How was your Easter?

A song of gratitude
Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb

Awake and Sing

"Awake and sing for joy, O dwellers in the dust" (Isaiah 26:19)

Last night, I got to check out a play called Awake and Sing. The story is about a Jewish Family who is trying to survive the Great Depression. They are all crammed into an Apartment in the New York City's Bronx and share the primary activity of struggling for life in the most pathetic conditions. The story is humorous as well as heartbreaking. If you want to read more on the play, go to this site. There was one part of the play that stuck with me. It was when tough guy Moe Axelrod went from trading loud insults with Henny to turning into a poet telling her "you're home for me, a place to live!" and not to "gimme ice when your heart's on fire." All this happened in a matter of 30 seconds. Hah!! Of course, I held my laughter till after the play. I did not want mean looks from people. But those early to mid 1900 love scenes always crack me up. You slap a guy and he kisses you. I wonder how well that works nowadays!!!

So, after the play, my friends and I waited around to meet some of the cast. And we met Mark Ruffalo. He played Moe Axelrod. He was in some mainstream movies like 13 going on 30, Collateral and Just like Heaven.We met others too but they werent too eager to talk to us. I dont blame them. It was getting late and they must have been tired. Anyhow, it was a good night considering Bebo Norman and Caedmon's Call are'nt coming. Ok, I'll stop complaining !!!!

Sad Day Indeed!!!

I am sad. I go this morning to pick up my Bebo Norman/Caedmon's Call tickets from this church in Lond Island. When I got there, the guy said the concert is cancelled. I asked if this was some kind of joke because I called yesterday and the venue was still on. The guy said that the group or whoever in charge of the tour called last night and cancelled. When I asked why, he said "It was a business decision." Well, whatever that means, this is sad. I have waited 6 years or so to see Bebo Norman. I guess I'll have to give in to the fact that NYC isnt a place where a lot of Christian bands come out and go out to one of those bible belt states to see these christian bands. :(

Sonya's Birthday

It's one my favorite girl's birthday. She is one fabulous friend. A proverbs 17:17 kinda gal. She is charming, really loving and a praying friend. She has the best jokes and does really good impersonations of indian parents. But dont try to fight her. I tried it once and I got knocked out with just a tap. Anyhow, happy birthday best friend. I dedicate this song- Maahi Ve for ya!!

Day 2- NYC

I dont know how my friends live out here on the island and then go to school or work in the city. It is a combined 1 and a half commute not counting where in the city you need to be at. Well, I did walk around quite a bit. I give mad props to you guys and girls who do this every day. You guys must really love the city.

So, I did a lot of walking, a little shopping for somebody's birthday and bought a new lip gloss for myself. Do I know how to treat myself or what? I walked across the brooklyn bridge finally. I also met up with my crazy dear Stacey during her break from class. She is going to be one great lawyer. Hang in there girl. Only a year and 2 months left!!

I took a lot of interesting pictures all the way from downtown to uptown. I even got a phone call from a dear friend and the topic of our conversation revolved around how lately certain people in our community just loves to push their convictions on us. Well, thats a whole other post!! Anyhow great like yesterday. ALRIGHT, I'LL SAY IT. I RATHER BE IN SEATTLE AND IN THE MOUNTAINS SKIING WITH JOSH AND TSAGANISH. This family engagement I will be attending this weekend better be fun.

I am still learning to take good pictures. So, out of the 100 or so pictures I took and after some serious cropping, here are some I like.

Memorial writings/poems/pictures for 9 11

I just cant think of a caption


Hey, the famous Heywood building!! Ok its not famous.

Blackbird taking a dip in Union Square park

Spring is here, Almost!! Union Square Park

I thought of the Superman Movies when I saw this clock

Either its art or someone had a lot of time on their hands


And I walked all around the city in this!! Who am I kidding? I had to stop and buy some cheap sneakers. I never learn!!

Day 1 of vacation

I am off for the rest of the week. Today was laundry/pay my bills/clean out all the junk in my room day. I am glad it snowed today. It definitly made doing all my errands at home easier. I also worked on my not-so-good-right now article for The Beacon(Pentecostal newsletter). Its almost done Leema.

But the highlight of the day was talking to my dear friend Meredith in Germany for 2 and half glorious hours. We had to get off because she had to go make dinner for her fabulous husband Detlev(we need more Detlevs in this world). Bah humbug to the time difference. But I praise God for the invention of the telephone and phone cards. I think we covered most of my favorite topics like church, family, theology, food, vacation spots and my frustrations on the topic of women in church. Above all, I was encouraged, loved, rebuked(with love) and challenged. Thank you Meredith for repeatedly reminding me of what it means to live a Gospel-saturated life. I still have 8 hours left on my card!!

Tomorrow-roaming around NYC

Random Sunday Stuff!!

Well, we had a celebrity sighting at Redeemer tonight. It was none other than the hilarious Robin Williams. Hmm, I thought he was Jewish but turns out he is Episcopalian. Anyhow, hope to see him again!! Also Betsy and her special friend Walter Kent came down from Philly for the service. Its always a blast with these kids.
Also, I just wanted to introduce 2 new people to the blogging world.
Meredith Riedel- One of my dearest friend who lives too far away from me. She is also one of the smartest people I know.
Andrew Hammil- Cool kid...He's got a great heart and some good news(So I heard)... :)
Both these friends are really down to earth. They have great thoughts and insights in just about anything. Check them out!!

Fun shots from dinner