Neat Second Chance Story

Minnesota, how I love you! General Assembly, how I love you! New friends, how I love you! But most of all GOD!!! I LOVE YOU! I just wanted to take the time today to do one of my favorite things... write, and I figured that I could kill two birds with one stone and update my loving friends and family and blog. I had a bit of a break today (unfortunately I really need sleep) and figured, why not? General Assembly has been an absolutely amazing experience, mind you, stressful, but amazing!!! My brain is fried, my body is tired, my spirit is stretched to limits I didn't know it could begin to reach, but I feel amazing! I will update much more about my experiences here later but today I really just want to write about one thing. That one thing is a story, so here it goes...
In the late 1800's and early 1900's Northeastern Minnesota's main industry was lumber. Many of the local lakes were used as a way to transport logs to the mills. Some of the logs became water logged and sunk to the bottom of the lake. After 100 years or more of sitting on the bottom of the lake, some of the logs floated back to the surface. These logs are known as "Deadheads" because only one end of the log is visible and they are a great hazard to water craft. A few of those logs have now been harvested by a wonderful pastor named Bill and his wife Sherry. They named them Second chance logs. Just as jesus died on the cross and gave us a chance, these logs are representative of that love. The wood is otherwise useless. Bill sends them to another man who makes them into beautiful crosses. I wear one on a leather lanyard around my neck and will probably wear it forever. If anyone is interested in one of his crosses, he gives them away for free in any number. He doesn't want money, he just wants the crosses to be distributed to the world so that more people are hearing the word. Let me know if you are interested and I will give you his email to get into contact with him or you can let me know what you want and I will email him for you.
I will update everyone on how the trip is going in another post sometime this week or when I get back. I love you all! Fireworks were great! Mall of America was great! But I promise more updates will be coming.

You cannot go outside of A and Z in the realm of literature; likewise Christ Jesus is First and Last of God's new creation, and all that is in between; you cannot get outside of that.

-T. Austin Sparks

Healer, encourager, friend

I know after my post yesterday you may or may not want to hear my sentiments towards anyone or anything today, but this is different. For those of you that have had the pleasure of meeting my brother Ben (Benny) Mendoza, you will know just how true my words are. For those of you that haven't met him, you are missing out greatly and need to meet him. The reason I am writing about him today is because I know that he knows I love and appreciate him but I don't think he knows how much. From the time we were small children (from the time I was born really) Benny has been like a caretaker for me. He is my best friend and just overall amazing. He would be there for anyone that needed him at the drop of the hat and somehow always seems to know what to say to make your problems seem a little less hard to tackle. I just know he is going to make the most caring and awesome doctor the world has ever had the chance to see. It seems like he has this sixth sense to notice when I am having a rough day. On those days that everything seems to be going wrong, I get a phone call from the one and only brother of mine. We talk as often as we can (we both have insanely busy schedules most of the time) but when something is bothering me he can tell and before I know it, I am ranting my entire story in tears and he listens patiently. When I am done explaining the situation he generally says something that blows my mind. Just yesterday in fact, I was pretty upset about something and he told me that he knew I could get through this because he has learned that if I get knocked down, I always find a way back up, even if that means I get knocked down four more times. Wow! I didn't know he thought I was that strong, and to be honest, yesterday I was feeling pretty down on myself. His words made me stop crying and get back up, just like he had faith that I could do. Ben is an encourager, a healer, a great listener, an amazing brother, and most of all the best friend I have ever had. I don't know if he has time to read these but if you do Bens I love you and appreciate you.

One more quick update on my life and all things Vae, I am still searching for a job and am going to start applying to places in the food industry which I have wanted to avoid but at this point I can't be choosey so wish me luck and send me all the love and prayers you can. I appreciate it very much! I don't know how many people actually read these but thank you! Even if I only have one reader, thank you. I love writing and will be doing this blogging thing a lot more because it helps me to continue to write for myself and not because I have to. I forgot just how much I enjoyed blogging until yesterday so expect lots more from me. Have a wonderful day! If you could, if you are reading this, you should leave me a comment. It makes me so happy to hear from all my friends and family and anyone else reading this by pure chance. Love you all!

A brother is a friend provided by nature.

-Legouve Pere

America=Faith?

So I was driving in the car today listening to a song called gotta be more like falling in love. The song basically talks about how having Faith has to be more of a deep feeling. It can't be tangible because that isn't faith, but rather a desire so deep that it penetrates your very soul much like love but only stronger and even more beautiful (at least thats my interpretation of the song). Anyway, I'm driving down the road listening to this song and a thought pops into my head. Forgive me if its far fetched, but here's a glimpse into how my brain works:

Having a faith in God is like believing in one's country. Someone else established that this area we live in is called America and we have been told since we are young children that we should have pride in the USA. None of us were alive when the declaration of independence was signed. "Yes but Revae! What about the fact that we can visibly see the land we walk on, we can go to the edge of the country and feel the water! Doesn't that prove that America exists?" Well, yes and no. It proves that we have land to stand on, it proves that we have oceans, it proves that we are occupying a space, but it does not prove that we live in America. Someone had to come and identify it as so and the teachings have to be passed down. This is like believing in God. We are standing on this land we call America, and guess what?! It was made by God! Jesus came to be our messenger, to remind us and teach us of our loving God. Stories are passed down to our children, and the history is taught. We just have to believe and have pride in our God. Granted yes it is much more powerful a feeling and a much more beautiful relationship, but it works. Its a beautiful thing isn't it?

A quick update on GA, I have had a lot of reading to do, but todays was super exciting. Today we found out what the YAAD event is going to be. *Drumroll please!* We are going to Mall of America! Not only that but its sponsored by COLA so we get to do all kinds of neat stuff! There are opportunities to ride the amusement rides, a backstage tour of the facilities, shops, a ropes course, mini golf, scavenger hunts and much more! Dinner is included and when the mall closes we get to gather in the Great room for a performance by Comedy Sports a well-loved local improv group! I can't wait!!

I guess thats all for today, sorry its kind of a short update :)

Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.

-Helen Keller

Old Endings and New Beginnings

Wow! A lot has happened since I last blogged! Lets see, where to even begin? I suppose with the biggest change :D I am now moved out of my mom's house in an apartment with two of my friends, Ashley and Zach. So far the change has been a good one. I do miss seeing mom every night, and my puppies and such but I really believe that this will help me to continue to grow. We live in an apartment complex near the University so that is a plus! They are extremely nice!! It seems like everything has fallen into place too! Everyone has been so gracious to us, supplying us with furniture and the like. I will keep you updated on how things are going!
Spring is upon us! It's about time too! I always find it weird that the SPRING semester ends, just when spring is fully here. I am currently on the tail end of my finals and am relieved that the semester is over. So far I feel like my tests have gone really well, and I have one remaining. Unfortunately this is the most difficult of my tests but I still think it should go over smoothly. It is my Medieval Art Final Experience/quiz as my prof puts it. He doesn't like the words exam, final, or test. He thinks students do better if he calls it a quiz or an experience. Either way, it is a series of 34 pictures in which we have to identify the title of the work, the author, the patron, and the style. Then we have to answer some questions about some of the vocabulary. The pictures are the heaviest weighted though and I know the vocab well.
I received my roommate assignment for General Assembly this last week. Her name is Hannah (or is it Heather?) Morrison. I have no idea where she is from :) all I have is a name, but because I got that, I am now super excited! I should be getting my committee assignment soon too!
Lets see... what else? Hm... I guess its time for breakfast now, if I think of anything else then I will add it later lol but for now toodaloo! (Is that how you spell that?)

“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.”-Flora Whittemore

Utah, Egg dye, and more!

I know... I said I would blog every Sunday during lent... But hey! I've been so dedicated to this no technology thing that I haven't even logged on to do that (and a little bit of the busy/laziness factor don't help). But now look! I am blogging!! Essentially I want to take the time to fill you in quickly on what I have been up to.
Week one of the no technology bit was difficult. I had more time on my hands then I knew what to do with. I pulled out old instruments that I hadn't picked up in years, I did a lot of walking (0r more like bored pacing) around the house, I cleaned and did laundry, I packed stuff... I basically found any form of entertainment that I could.
The later weeks became more and more simple. In the beginning I would reach for the knob to turn on the radio in my car by habit but as weeks continued, I no longer felt the need for the radio. My mom and I even drove all the way to Colorado Springs without the radio, using only our own silliness to entertain ourselves. I have now found that I don't need technology to keep me going, life is passing me by quickly and all I can do to enjoy it is to live every moment. I'm not saying I will never go back to technology but to go back to as heavily as I was using it would be a mistake. I will say that I like having it back though, just for those few times that I've got nothing to do.
Anyway, this is the portion of this post that I have been looking forward to... My mission trip to Provo, Utah! I was an adult helper on the LUVLife (Let Us Vibrate Life, high school youth group of First Presbyterian Church Pueblo) mission trip to Provo/Orem. Overall there were ten students ranging from the 8th grade to seniors in high school. Four of them were females (Emily, Sarah, Rebecca, and Janie) and the other six were male(Ben, Drew, Bryce, Rudy, Daniel, and Brian). We had three adult helpers including myself, Bob Yarberry (Janie's Father) and Rene Morrissey (The youth pastor). Rene oversaw everyone at a broad level and made sure everything went smoothly on the trip, while I monitored the girls a bit more closely and Bob handled the boys. My group of the girls had a separate project from the boys group.
While the boys worked on landscaping a habitat for humanity group, we volunteered in a daycare for special needs and low income families known as Kids on the Move. It was amazing watching the girls work with the kids, and working with them myself was a rewarding but also an emotionally demanding experience. I absolutely adored the kids and felt myself becoming extremely attached to them. (This is why I could not work with that age level, my need to nurture is too strong).
One little boy in particular captured my heart. His name is Eric and he is the sweetest little boy I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Each day he brought a smile to my face and has even given me the desire to one day have a son of my own. Granted it may not be for a while but one day :D.
Each of the kids were absolutely adorable and unique. Some were more difficult emotionally then the others due to different special needs, but they were all lovable in their own ways. This experience was rewarding and wonderful.
The only bad thing is that little kids like to share, and not the fun stuff like toys, but rather a bad cold. I unfortunately brought the cold home to my mom so now she is ill too. Its definitely not a fun cold!
With Easter around the corner, mom and I are going to dye eggs for the first time in years! It was a spur of the moment decision but I can't wait! It will be fun to have an activity to do with mom and will bring back memories!
A quick update on church things, I was officially elected as a deacon and am ordained May 9. We had an amazing Good Friday event at the church yesterday that really allowed me time to reflect and relax. It was ran like an open house type of thing with several stations including a labyrinth, a cross in which you could nail a prayer, music, and much more. It has to be one of my favorite things the church has done.
Hope you all are well and have a wonderful easter!!

Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, "Christ is risen," but "I shall rise." ~Phillips Brooks

Just a quick update!

For those who did not see via facebook twitter or some other way... "Goodbye technology community. Today is my last day for a while. I'm going silent for 46 days during the time of lent (not really for lent just for my own growth which I happened to decide to do during lent). I'm ridding my life of all the noise of technology to spend more time working on my faith with God. Being that the Olympics are on currently I will allow some tv time for that and email for work and school as well as typing out blogs I will prewrite on Sundays. If you need to get a hold of me please email call or text. Wish me luck"

So what does this mean for blogs? Well thats simple really, throughout the week I will write down things that I find important or that I deem blog worthy and on Sundays I will type them out on here. SO don't worry, there will still be blogs (quite possibly more regularly this way anyway).

Being that its not Sunday and almost midnight on the day that I go silent, this update will be short. Today was a good day, I had work which was nice because I got to help out with appositives, and then homework and finally a Mardi Gras party. That party was super fun! Instead of the traditional way of getting beads we made a game out of it. We each started with 8 beads, and while we played Settlers (Which I finally learned Ben and Jord so watch out!) we made a rule that we could not say any words that started with the letters G or M for mardi gras and if you did then whomever caught you got one of your beads. If you caught yourself before anyone else noticed then you didn't have to give up beads. It turned out to be extremely difficult and between the rules of settlers and focusing on the words said, we had to think a lot. It was a total blast though and I enjoyed every minute of it. I was so glad to spend time with my friends and just have laughs and an overall good time!

In honor of the short blog, I have chosen two quotes for the day:


At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
--Jean Houston


A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.
--Dwight L. Moody

We Are The World Foundation