A four letter word...

...KIND. So simple. I read this word everywhere in the Bible, but something hit me the other night in house church: I've never really thought about its meaning. What does the word "kind" mean? Am I "kind"? Do I exhibit kindness?

My first response is no. I don't think of myself as first and foremost a "kind" person. So, what is a kind person? I think I've always thought of someone who just seems to be sweet all the time to everyone. But I think it goes beyond that.

As a group of us discussed it, some good points were shared. Kindness is not just a feeling, but must be manifested into action. You can't just feel kind...you must BE kind. And someone must receive your kindness...you can't be kind into the air, but you can be kind to someONE. Also...kindness entails valuing people. When I think about Jesus and how He displayed kindness, its easy to see that what pushed Him to kind actions was His love for people...He valued them because He saw the potential in everyone.

So...there are some thoughts that have been swimming around in my head the past few days. Hopefully these thoughts will turn into actions as I open myself up to God showing me how to be kind, when, and to whom. Maybe I'll be able to share some cool experiences soon!

I'll leave you with some quotes about kindness:


Eric Hoffer:
Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.

Abraham Joshua Heschel:
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.

Albert Schweitzer:
Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.


http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_kindness.html (for more quotes)

A tech miracle...could it be?...

...I can't believe I'm going to blog yet again about technology. But I have to express the joy I am feeling right now. I truly am in shock about the fact that I am sitting here in my room in my apartment using my own laptop to write this...wireless internet!! Its really a man-made (God-blessed for us) miracle! Some of you have heard me complain for months and months about all our internet troubles...I mean, who hasn't had internet troubles at one point or another. I know I've had my fair share. But for the moment, I am smiling. After many months of saying mean things to our former computer and sighing over and over again around my teammates, Scott from my team blessed our apartment, specifically Ali, with a new computer. Its a Mac that he used to have before he got a new one. So, out with the old and in with the new. This started the process of getting a new modem...one that actually works with computers that aren't as old as who knows what. So...after much patience from Ali, 4 visits to the France telecom store (3 different ones), and a salesman that actually revealed to us a secret plan...we ended up with not only a new modem, but a wireless router...for even cheaper than expected! Amazing. Truly a miracle. And thanks to Scott again, after hooking everthing up for us in our apartment, I am sitting in my room, on my laptop, typing this. Amazing. You can't know what a relief and joy it is to have internet with a computer that will actually work and not have to be restarted an average of 10 times per day! So, thanks again to everyone who was a part of this amazing process that has revolutionized mine and my roommates' lives: Scott, Ali, Paulette, and the salesman at France telecom. I look forward to many more months of emailing more, blogging more, and sending out updates more frequently!

Lots of laughs...

...Although the visit ended with a few tears, it could hardly be classified as a sad or disappointing one. My best friends, Leah and Tatum, came to see me last week and we had sooooooo much fun. Of course, what should else should I expect from the two of them. Anyone who knows them both and has been around them together can testify that life gets pretty silly when both of them are around...you know what I mean! And that's exactly what I needed! I didn't even realize how warn out and tired and serious I had gotten from living in the city for 7 months. As they put it..."you're just more reserved here." That's definitely true and partly because of the culture here...but also partly because I'm just more tired here. I can't explain it, but if you've lived in a big city then you understand. Anyways...they were such a blessing of refreshment for me. I need times of complete silliness to relax and have fun and let go of everything I had been holding onto. This couldn't have been represented more perfectly than by our last night. They invited me to join them in a hotel suite where we ordered pizza in, watched the French version of American Idol (Nouvelle Star), and ate 3/4 of a cake (chocolate with cream cheese icing)!!! Not to mention, Tatum became photo artiste and took about 40 pics with different objects that we aptly names the "box pictures". So...as you can see, silly it was! Thanks for an amazing time girls!! Tatum...you're next...it will be mine and Leah's treat!

Technology again...

...So, once again I'm amazed at technology and feel as if I've jumped 100 years into the future into come time that I used to watch on television...like on the Back to the Future movie. On Saturday, I talked to my friend, Stephanie, who's in China, through the internet. I sat with a laptop in front of me and a headset on and talked to her as if it were a phone. It was so weird at first. I really felt like I was in a movie. But it was really amazing. To think that I can talk to her when she's so far away so easily (and it was free!). So...thanks technology and all those who are constantly discovering new things!!! And thanks for a fun talk Steph!

Happy Birthday Caden!

I would like to say Joyeaux Anniversaire to my little nephew, Caden, who is turning 1 !!!! Its his first birthday and I am very sad to miss celebrating it with him...but I heard the party was a blast. My big sis always knows how to throw a good party:o) I love you Caden and I'm giving you a big hug and kiss from Paris!!