Just for the record.

One year ago, we were settling in and starting our project in China. In fact, we had just returned from visiting the world-famous terra-cotta warriors of Xi’an (the first link is a photo gallery I found; the second is Xi’an’s location within China).

It’s pretty evident to my friends who read my Facebook updates or blog posts that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about both the past and the future (this one says it all). Compared to last summer, this year’s break is much less action-filled and busy.

I’ve thought a lot about what my purpose is for these couple of months. (On second thought, a more apt question may be: what’s God’s purpose for me?)

Hungry?

In the same weekend, I fasted for 30 hours, and I received a 16-lb. box of organic junk food—could the contrast be greater?

My youth group, as part of World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine, fasted and prayed on behalf of hungry and needy children around the world, specifically the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. (I predict next year’s Famine will help victims of the tsunami that just hit Japan.)

In the months leading up to the Famine, we raised funds—$7,853.52 in all—for use in rebuilding Haiti and taking care of basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.

A key passage is found in Isaiah 58:6-8:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
   and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

We officially started at 1 pm on Friday and broke the fast at 7 pm on Saturday. We met together at 5:30pm that evening and went to a concert by Jay and Nett, who travel the nation, raising “awareness and financial support for children suffering from poverty all over the world.” Then we slept at our youth building and spent all of Saturday together.

We were split into five groups representing regions in Haiti: Cité Soleil, Cavaillon, Pétion-Ville, Carrefour, and Lascahobas. (The beautiful French names belie the desolation of these areas.) During the Famine we did TRIBE simulation activities to put ourselves in the shoes of earthquake victims, like racing to collect the most water. In “tribal councils” we met to discuss Bible passages and pray together.

In the morning, we did a prayer walk around a couple neighborhoods in my town; later we split up into three groups: one collected canned goods and blankets, one picked up trash along a road, and the other did some landscaping and cleaning for senior citizens.

Throughout the day, we sent many prayers up for hungry people all over the world—those who hunger both physically and spiritually. To me, the experience really emphasized that prayer is a powerful tool.

We were able to drink apple juice and chew gum throughout the time; and I drank a full 24 oz. bottle of water every few hours. But imagine if there was no end in sight, as well as no clean water or mint gum, no friends and no warm sleeping bag. On Friday night, we were in kinship with the one billion people who go to bed hungry at night, but for us, it was just one night. We American teenagers found it difficult to go 30 hours—I can’t imagine what a lifetime of hunger would be like.

The Famine is over, but you can always contribute to World Vision. Your money will not be wasted.

Photo credits © World Vision

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some fun stuff. (hello summer.)

I know, with a title like that, you’re just dying to read this post. However, I’m deliberately deviating from my first-born tendencies and breaking all the blogging rules! Well… maybe not all of them. But it’s definitely a boring title, a no-no for blog writing. Maybe if this was my personal journal, then that would be acceptable. But, I must remember that I am acceptable no matter how stupid the post title. (Notice the rambling? I must be really losing it!)

So. I’ve been posting a lot about food and recipes and such – ready for a break?

graduation.

Don’t you love it when you can’t remember what day of the month it is? I’ve been like that since Tuesday (June 8 ) – I took my Biology exam and I was out!

 My teacher doing last-minute review before the Biology exam.My school bus – I went home as a 9th-grader for the last time!My friend and track buddy Jake and I before my exam – the last day.

The class of 2010 graduated on Saturday (June 12), but I am not the class of 2010. I am the class of 2013—I have my sophomore year of high school to look forward to now. I survived a quarter of high school! Praise the Lord!!

Peter found opossum.

It’s just a baby. (Catch the wordplay in the title?)

left to right: my brothers Ray + Peter

Calvin’s last baseball game

The second oldest of the family, my brother Calvin, bunts the ball
in a Waxhaw Athletic Association game – good hit!

friends.

I feel like I’ve been doing nothing but blogging since school got out—I’ve had so much inspiration—but I’ve been enjoying life, too. This past Friday I went to an amazing cook-out (yes, I ate a hot dog, and I liked it!) with almost all of my best friends. Imagine a bunch of teenagers running around playing ping-pong, badminton, pool, Frisbee, Ninja, and our version of zombie tag (I won the first game!), as well as torching marshmallows, eating and talking for four hours. That is what I call a good night.

Now you have been introduced to some of my family and friends!

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Springfest and Yard Sales

Cheap but quality clothes? Kitchen tools? Books? Produce? I know where they are. No, technically I don’t need any of it, but I find it a very enjoyable way to interact with my community. Buy local!

Saturday morning.

7:30 am – bike ride.

Smell of honeysuckles = bliss.

8:15 am – Neighborhood yard sale.

Now I can organize my shoes, among other things.

9 am – Waxhaw Farmer’s market.

I bought rainbow-colored Swiss chard, spinach, and peas, all from The Specialty Farmer.  The passionate growers, Donna and Bill, offer high-quality organic produce. Everything is very fresh, picked either that morning or the late the night before.

This young lady plays the violin for donations, so that she can see Ireland.

9:15 am – Attic sale.

This garlic roaster and keeper from Norpro costs me 50 cents, compared to a retail of $10 and $8 on Amazon. The sellers didn’t even know what it was.

9:30 am – Free kittens.

A lady was giving away a litter of kittens rescued from the floods in Tennessee.

9:45 am – Relaxing at Crossroads.

I read my book and enjoyed a “Salty Garlic Knot” from Flanagan’s Bread (from the Waxhaw Farmer’s Market – also sold at the market in Charlotte). The salt was delicious and obviously high quality, and the soft, white yeast bread hinted with garlic. Rustic.

10 am – Waxhaw Springfest.

The Springfest is a 2-day outdoor family fun festival held in historic downtown Waxhaw. It goes from 10 till 6 on Saturday and 12 till 6 on Sunday. I like the vendors.

Free samples from Sandy Creek Herb Co., producer of gourmet salt, dip and seasoning mixes, rubs, and teas.

Not free… I wish.  Their salts included Himalayan Pink, Alaea Hawaiian, Pure Atlantic, Applewood Smoked, and Hickory Smoked.

Tupperware.

You know I don’t drink soda. But anything homemade interests me… I asked for a free sample of root beer, and this kind man (not Bob, FYI) happily obliged.

Sweet, actually refreshing, mildly carbonated. The carbonation in commercial sodas bothers me. This soda earned a review on a healthy living blog because the man was very kind, thus improving my emotional health.

11 am – Friends of the Library used book store.

Special Springfest storytime. I’ve mentioned this place before; volunteers manage the shop and all the donations help the public library system in Waxhaw.

This particular visit, I took advantage of their BOGOF (buy one, get one free) paperback sale, purchasing The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (possibly this year’s required summer reading) and a book on analyzing handwriting. It costs me a total of $1—they are really giving this stuff away.

11:45 am – Sweet Repeats.

This is a consignment shop in Waxhaw that sells both children’s clothing, and recently, juniors-sized clothing. It’s competitively priced against Plato’s Closet, another re-sale clothing store for teens.

Afternoon – Plato’s Closet

Incidentally, later in the day I visited Plato’s Closet for some spring clothes and “travel jeans” that Teen Missions requires for my missions trip.

I love buying a shirt for $4 that has the original price tag of $24.50!

I highly recommend these stores and products. I am not getting money or exclusive free samples (with the exception of Bob’s soda, but he didn’t know it was for a blog), so this is simply my opinion! Any bias comes from my love of Waxhaw.

Do you enjoy yard sales and local vendors? Does your town host any interesting festivals?

Family Birthdays: Ray turns 5!

Ray had his Golden Birthday - he turned five years old on February 5! Last year he celebrated his fourth birthday at Monkey Joe’s. This year he is going to a monster truck rally! But that is next week…

He had a Superman cake made by Mom.

His favorite present, I think, is a Hot Wheels monster truck track. I guess he likes monster trucks now!