Things are starting to happen, lots of them actually. My next steps, reading and feeling inspired, better weather, great friendships (ones I for sure cherish), busy schedule. A lot of stuff is going on and it just feels great!
Currently Reading: The Justice Project by McLaren, Padilla, and Seeber
I joined small group from NBMC and I'm liking it so far. We haven't gotten too far into the book we're reading because we've just started but I'm really excited to ready about Justice and God and how they are intertwined. So far I've read just the introduction and first chapter or essay. I'm already thinking about how God's work and justice go together and how my life fits into that category as well. Younger, I've always wanted to do missions. As an adult I chose Social Work as a field. How perfect? I'm not trying to force feed Jesus or God to anyone, I just like the idea of helping another person in need like Jesus did for so many. He didn't criticize, he accepted and loved everyone. Sometimes I don't put all that together. Sometimes, I just stop with God is love and perfect, I only see the "good stuff" I don't think about all the other things he encountered. Then I think where have I been? I'm not that 7 year old that still goes to Vacation Bible School and almost always seems to hear about the same stories over and over again. I'm an adult who's living in the real world and who has to deal with the struggles of real life. I can't stop someone from using cocaine or heroin anymore. I can't convince an individual with schizophrenia that they'll be okay if they stay here for the night. I can't do that. And in those big moments of helplessness, what am I suppose to do? I hope
The Justice Project will give me some advice. I know it probably won't answer all my questions but as long as I get an idea of where I should be going, that's all I can really ask for.
Also I'm reading
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I haven't gotten too far, but I've enjoyed it so far. It's one of those read before you go to bed types. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.
Current Thoughts:
I have lots of these. One thing that's keeps reoccurring in my mind, mainly because I never did it, is a question my aunt asked me. She asked "Why did you become a Christian?" She had a whole paragraph about how their church is doing this bible study and along with why their faith story, they answered this question. And I never did it mainly because I have no clue how to answer it. Why did I become a Christian? Something to ponder.
My job has been pretty painful at times, but currently it hasn't been too bad. Something I constantly complain about is how some clients don't stay for very long. I was talking with someone who's working on getting her masters in social work and has been counseling me (more for support due my stressful and sometime depressing job). I expressed this feeling to her and she gave me great advice, comforting actually, it's obviously them not me. Many of these people have been so unstable and insecure about who to trust and give respect to, how can they begin to create a stable life and trust others. They've been taken advantage of and are so emotionally fragile, how do we even help? Where do we begin to give support and encouragement?
I've learned not just within this year but in general how impersonal-able I am. It's not that I can't relate and get along with people, I'm not socially awkward. It's the first time meeting a person. I may come across as intimidating and overly confident that is a total front and completely fake! The bad part is that I don't realize I'm doing that until the moment has past and gone. I realize that I'm not friendly to strangers, maybe that's my introverted way. I'm a hypocrite. I hate how churches don't accept people for stupid reasons but here I am, I can't even say a nice and polite "Hello, my name is Kristin. I don't think I've met you before...." How pathetic am I? Then I think, maybe it's because where I grew up? Maybe it's because I still feel the preppy obnoxious person I had to be back in high school. That must change. I must work on that.
March Madness is on the verge of beginning. I am so excited. I just hope there will be lots of exciting games like last year again this year, I think that's why I'm soooo excited about watching the games. I love basketball. It makes me all happy and giggly inside. If only I didn't have to work and I could watch them all day long. I can multi-task!
Friends are constantly on my mind. I miss some of those old friends. And I'm excited about the next few months and I get to see many of them. How exciting? I'm looking forward to May and going to National Retreat. Ah.....can't wait!
One last thought...have I told you my cousin is getting married? Well she is. I'm happy for her and I get to go to Jamaica for the beautiful wedding. It shall be quite a time. And I get to take a friend. Ah....Betha and I are going to have such a splendiferious time. I can't wait, unfortunately, we have to wait a WHOLE year before this shin-dig will even happen. Suck a duck. I want warmth and cold drinks now! But it will come soon and I'll be in heaven. Ah imagine with me now, the sand between toes, exfoliating the skin. The warm sun beating down. The waves crashing. Long walks along the beach. The sun burn, but who cares I'm in paradise, it will fade.
Movie Choices I've made within the last four days:
Friday--Alice in Wonderland in 3D. Amazing. I sat at a bad angle but absolutely loved it. It reminded me of Chronicles of Narnia. I loved that movie too.
Saturday--Went to movies with Melissa and saw Valentine's Day. Once again, I loved that movie as well. I knew I would even thought Kara told me I would love it, I truly did! Then when we got home, I watched Top Gun. Great classic! Love it also.
Sunday--Watched Precioius. Ugh..good but it's right up there with Seven Pounds. I'll watch it once but probably never again. It was very disturbing and unfortunately probably something that happens to many people. What a horrible world, I do recommend Precious to anyone who's interested. It's very good, yet very disturbing.
Monday--I watched Post Grad. This was another one of those sappy girl movies that I LOVE!! The movie was ok, definitely not a favorite but definitely liked it. Michael Keaton is probably one of my favorite actors. He's really good, very funny!
What can I say, the weather has been crappy and it's apparent considering all I've done is watch movies. Unfortunately I could have found better things to do with my time, but movie watching is way better on rainy, cloudy, miserable days like this last weekend. But sunshine and warmth is in our near future here in Baltimore. YIPPEE!!
Current Music selection:
Most of my music selection has consisted of the "trashy" type lately, as my fellow MVSer likes to call it. And unfortunately no matter how trashy and inappropriate it is, I still like it. I go through phases and currently this is my phase, the "trashy" hit music world.
Well until next time. Sorry this got soo long. Hopefully I'll be able to define why I chose to be a Christan? Something to eventually look forward to and reason number one to keep reading my blog, right? haha
Love from BMore
Tonight was good closure. The four of us went out to dinner and hung out with the few (just two) remaining LVCer's. It felt like good closure as of right now and I've received the best gifts ever. A journal and a book about MVS Baltimore. Both necessary in life!! 
