One of those days...

Well hello! Yesterday, I had a wonderful day! And I also realized if I want to get anywhere with this blog then I have to write all the time, not just when something "profound" happens.

Well, something profound happened yesterday.

First, I went to a talk about the Invisible Children hold-out in Oklahoma...which was awesome! I have the highest respect for the Sewanee students who went. They are truly some of my hometown heroes. Not only was it amazing hearing them tell us about the experience and everything else that was going on, but the director of the documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So," came to tell us about his new documentary and to applaud the students who held out in Oklahoma.

Daniel G. Karslake is the director of the documentary. His newest film he is working on is called "Every Three Seconds." When he came into talk to us, he said that he wanted to show that one person could make a difference. I am a firm believer in the fact that one person can make a difference.

A few weeks ago in one of our Whistler Society meetings, we were talking about this very thing, and how challenging it is for us to fully grasp. It is something that is difficult for me to keep thinking. After time, one just begins to think..."I can't do this on my own...what can I possibly do on my own?" Lord, I can't even being to think how much I've been there. I am not saying that one person is the way to go. People are definitely powerful in groups. However, one person can accomplish something that seems astonishing and wonderful. One single person. One idea. Crazy huh? I think so.

So here is idea. I am going to make an etsy shop online called "crafts4thecongo." I am going to make bags and whatever else I can manage to sew and knit up this summer. 100% of the proceeds will go to non-profits who help the Congo. This is my idea. And I am going to work hard to let it happen. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Although, I could just be one person. But like I said, one person matters :)

Small Change

Well, in response to my previous post, the Sewanee Whistle Society went out door to door on the Sewanee campus to ask for spare change or dollars to help out Falling Whistles. In all, we got about $1000!!! AWESOME!
The coolest thing about it though I think is the fact that we had $110 just in spare change that was collected. We had a debate when we were sorting coins about pennies and change in general. Personally, I am pro penny. And this shows why. Over time change adds up, just like over time groups build momentum and membership. Right now our small Whistle Society, which only has about 10 regulars, may seem like a penny. It may take us time to build up to nickle or even golden dollar status, but one day we will be something useful. I just know it. And I sure hope that I get to be a part of that

Turn This Thang Around

Hey guys!
Well, I realize that I have not posted in a very long time and I'm sorry for that. I have been thinking about things that I am able to do myself that can change the world and it has been a struggle. I realize that not everyone is on the front lines acting and fighting but I am trying to find my role. This is what I have realized...
I love. I love people and I am compassionate. I will educate the young minds that will grow up to be great things. And I will love them. I will work with children, adults and elderly. And I will love them. I will love and support and fight. I may not be on the front lines, but I will be on the sidelines cheering.
It took some work to get to this point. And I was not always happy with the results. This is who I am though and I will do nothing but embrace it!

Tonight I learned that the organization that I support, http://www.fallingwhistles.com/splash/index.php, the founder, Sean Carasso, is running out of money to live off of. 100% of the whistle sales go to the rehabilitation of war affected children in the Congo. Him and his staff, continually putting their heart and money into this, do take any out and are living on nothing. They need help to keep Falling Whistles going. Here is where you and I can help. I have decided to start a story on the popular "webstore" etsy.com, where people can sell their homemade goods. I am going to make tote bags and 100% of the profits will go into not only Falling Whistles, but any other organizations as this one.

I've been looking for a place to help out...well...looks like I've found one! I'll keep posted on trying to start an online business and be a college student!

update and the joyous U2

Hello! I know that it has been a while since my last post, I'm terribly sorry, but I want to update my journey.
Well, I am a part of the Sewanee Whistle Society, which is through the program Falling Whistles that I talked about in earlier posts. Whistle Society is honestly one of the most amazing things that I have ever been a part of at Sewanee. It's a group of people who yes, want to end the war in Congo, yes want to remove the children from the front lines, but we want to save the world. We want to be a part of the change and drive it. It is an amazing group of people who meet every week under the stars (for now, until it gets too cold) and talk about the current situation in the Congo and other parts of the world, and issues that we feel necessary to bring up and discuss. Each week, people bring things that have either inspired them or challenged their thinking in the last week. We then put those items into a box, which will be shipped to Falling Whistles. During the first Whistle Society meeting, I was nearly brought to tears. I felt so thankful for the people in the group who thought that I could be a part of something larger than myself, a change.
And where does U2 it into this? Well, last night I went to the U2 concert, honestly, one of the most amazing things that I have ever experienced in my life. And to be cheesy, but fair to circumstance, Bono almost made me cry. Bono is very envolved in the ONE organization and the current situation in Burma. During the end of the show, the overhead screen showed this clip of a speaker talking, saying things like how the same people fighting against prejustcie in the US were the same people fighting against the apartheid in South Africa, who are the same people donating their time to non-profits, etc. As cheesy as this may sound, listening to Bono, the speaker on the screen and the music, I truly felt as though Bono was telling me that I could change the world. He was assuring me that I could be a part of something big, this nearly made me cry.
I encourage you to go where the streets have to name

Look For The Signs

Hello!
As I attended the contemporary service at school tonight, a key phrase stood out from the speaker's story..."look for the signs." She was talking about how when she was abroad doing community service, it was easier for her to see what God wanted her to do in order to help those around her. However, when she came back to the states, and most importantly, came back to school, her vision became clouded and confusing.
I have to trust God that He will send me a sign, send me a sign for me to act on. Whether it is small, medium, or large, I will do my best to use his guidance in my life. Right now is the best time for me to shape the direction of my life. I just hope that I can see the signs when they appear.
"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your path"
This is one of my favorite verses. We, myself completly included, are afraid to trust God with our lives and decisions. I know that I am. I am going to have to learn how to trust Him more. Especially if I want Him to lead my life completly right now, this MUST happen. I'm going to write this verse in my room, so that I can see it. I'll put it by the door so that when I leave, I will be reminded to look out for the signs. Look out for the signs to lead my life.

What Happened To Turn This Around

Hey guys! Well, I said on my last post that something had happened to me, to turn me around, the event that I had been hoping for. Here it is.
After going through a difficult year, I struggled with my self identity. I longed to do something with my life. I wanted to show people what I could do. I felt like I had potential, but I had no idea how to channel that power.
This year, I have been seeking Christian ministries on campus. On Sunday, I went to a contempory service on campus and I was over-flowing with emotions after it was over. I have not felt such a sense of community in a while, and when we served communion to the person next to us, it was over whelming. During the service, Sean D Carasso, the starter of the non-profit "Falling Whistles," talked to us about his organization. It was amazing to hear him speak, so I went his official presentation a few days later.
His presentation, hate to sound cliche, but, spoke to me. It was exactly what I was looking for in my life. He talked, in addition to his organization, about the power in all of us. The power for us to stand up and be whistle blowers; to be whistle blowers for peace, for the end of the war in Congo, for change in the world. I was so inspired to be a whistle blower. For the first time, I felt like I had the ability to change the world. I felt like I could be part of a great movement, with people my own age, to change the world. This is what I am going to do. I plan on being a part of this movement in any way possible. I will be a whistle blower.

New Direction

Hello everyone!
I will have to write more later, but I just wanted to share the blog's new direction.
I want to be a part of the change in the world. Our generation has so much power and potential, and I want to be a part of it! I want to jump in and help in any way possible. This blog is going to be a story of my journey in search of helping the world, finding my place, and being a part of that change.
My greatest hope is that God will work through me and allow me to see the possibilities of what can be.