#1: The speed of Missouri trains.... it's amazing!!! "Unstoppable" speed!!!
#2: The Plaza lit up in Christmas lights!!
* i work on the plaza.... and last night I started my shift at 4 (when it was still light outside)... and in Friday night funness...we stayed pretty busy and my section was in the back of the restaurant away from any windows... towards the end of the night, I went up to the host stand to see if we were to cut to the closing servers... and I looked out the window and the sight was breathtaking... The lighting of the Plaza was Thanksgiving evening which I heard so many incredible things about, but I chose to enjoy the night with my roommates instead...) All of the building covered in colored, gold, and white Christmas lights... gorgeous!! It was like one of those Christmas towns that people use to decorate their homes brought to life... it was beautiful!!!
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That is my list thus far.. however, perspective really does make all the difference *smile*...
twenty-four days until I get to go home for Christmas!!! I am excited beyond words!!! I miss my family and all of my quality friends!!! I can't wait to just be with them, love on them, hug them, and share all of my family's quirkily incredible traditions!!! *smile*... these traditions are so quirky, but I love them and look forward to sharing them with my family... well, except for my sister, Ericka, because she is being a goober and staying in Texas instead of coming home for Christmas.
CHURCH adventuring update.... (11.06.2011)
* a few weeks ago, I went to a Methodist church for the first time... " The Church of the Resurrection Methodist Church" ... apparently it is the largest Methodist church in the country. The churches campus was huge! However, I did find a parking space relatively simply... walking inside, I was taken in with the excellence put into the atrium area. A book table, coffee shop, children's wing complete with what seemed like an incredible security sign in area, brochure/pamphlet happy plastic tower... walking into service, there were lovely people welcoming everyone inside... Everyone seemed quite mellow... I wasn't sure if that was due to the early morning hours, even though it was about 930 in the morning. Once the worship part of the service started, I realized it was part of the Methodist culture. It was quite heartfelt, but no-one moved and stood in place rather still and serene-like. I knew 2 out of the 4 songs that were done and it was led with an acoustic guitar, piano, and a few singers. The Rev. Adam Hamilton then greeted us dressed in a full robe. He began to share about the missions adventures that the church was involved with including Haiti which generated crazy excitement within my heart... and then shared and presented a video about what the church is doing to empower other Methodist churches around the county. Hearing that was so refreshing to my spirit....seeing the beauty of unifying as the body of Christ instead of competing. Books were passed down each row of seats where each person was asked to fill our their names and information. One side of the book was for members and the other side for first time guests. Rev. Adam Hamilton informed that once the books went down the row, to send it back down once again so that everyone could see who was sitting in their row with them. So, the sermon was the last week of their financial peace series "The Secret of Happiness"... The main points encompassed: 4 things that bring happiness...
#1: Relationships (quality of their relationships)
#2: Gratitude (regularly counting their blessings)
#3: Acts of Kindness
...he gave an interesting inspirational thought: 90% is how you respond to your life, only 10% plays a part in your happiness based on your current situation
#4: Generosity
"You make a living by what you get, you make a life out of what you give."
-Winston Churchill
One thing I thoroughly enjoyed about the sermon was that he talked about my tattoo: hessed!!!! Love it!!! Inside of the bulletin was a foldout called a "GPS: GROW. PRAY. STUDY. It is equipped with a deeper study of the text that the sermon touched on... each day has a passage to read, thought provoking questions, and one day (Saturday) even contains a family activity. In the GPS is a prayer journal: a scripted prayer to be prayed all week and on the flip side of the bookmark like addition is my favorite part of the GPS: "Lifting Up Our Church Family in Prayer" are names of people that need "prayers for health and healing... church family undergoing long-term medical treatment...prayers for comfort... and prayers for the military" ...love it!!
It quite interesting how I came in and left and not one person said hello or greeted me... I understand the why. Just interesting. I don't see myself becoming a Methodist, however, one key element that I found truly inspirational about the Methodist denomination is their intentionality (methodical elements) of going after God. Combined with a passion for God and seeing the heart of God for intimate relationship could be incredibly nuclearly powerful!!!
Well, I've decided that this Sunday I am going to go to a Catholic church. The majority of my extended family home in Cleveland are from the Catholic denominations, so, I have been to quite a few Catholic weddings and funerals. My parents were both from Catholic backgrounds... my Dad even shares about being an altar boy, and my Mom shares about how she would come in and grab a program and skip mass *smile*... but, I actually have never been to a mass. I do know some of the responsive prayers.. I learned that I knew this at an Aunt's wedding when I knew how to respond because of one of my favorite movies: "While You Were Sleeping"... so, this weekend, I am going to attend St. Thomas Moore's Catholic mass. *smile*
