- News Flash -

Life has been crazy.
I love the theatre.



Someday I'll have time to actually write something here.

That's all.

Until then....

Wonder what it's like with Red Bull.....

As you may have observed, it is very late..... or rather, very early.

I am finding sleep elusive, and thought writing might help.

This doesn't seem to be so. C'est la vie.

Anyway, restlessness has gripped me for a variety of reasons, but one of the happier, larger ones is the fact that my -- uh, seminarian intern/acting youth pastor/hero -- is FINALLY returning to Southern California this week!!! He has been gone for over two months -- two months! -- and is coming home tomorrow -- today (??? : time is beyond me at the moment). We are very excited (by 'we', I do not refer simply to the voices, but also to real people: the youth group).

Reminding myself of why he was away has been quite helpful. I'm very happy that he went -- he was doing the Lord's work in South America, working with churches, orphanages, schools, villages, etc. and sharing the Gospel. It is selfish to wish him back, considering all that wonderful things that happen down there. However, sometimes it feels unavoidable. Sigh.

Looking at the pictures and hearing the stories, the happenings in Argentina and Peru are truly amazing. Churches are being formed, people are being saved, hope is being spread, and lives devoted to Jesus are being built. It is when I think of these everyday, incredible miracles, that I am given a new hope -- a hope in Christ.

Hope. Such a fantastic word.

As college looms ahead, I am thrilled by the vastness of opportunities to spread the Good News, but also fixated and frustrated by the challenges of doing so. It is a seemingly simple thing, a joyous celebration of Christ's gift, and yet there seems to be a growing difficulty for Christians to be listened to/agreed with in certain college situations.

Another issue is finding a calling. What if you enjoy many areas of study? If you find multiple doors open, which do you choose? Ack!!

As these thoughts grow more stressful, I am ever reminded of what God has told us, and am grateful -- though I cannot help feeling a bit stupid for forgetting.

I feel so human, and Jesus' holiness is, thankfully, not discouraging by any means, but comforting and hopeful. If we simply put all of our trust in Him, He will give us the strength we need to carry out His will.

And it hits me: when we truly surrender, it is then that we are truly free.

Free from worry, from burdens placed on us by others or by ourselves. Free from sin. Free from all the problems of this world. When we surrender our lives to the Redeemer, He gives it more abundantly, and opens up great expanses of ways to live for Him -- there is no hesitation in sharing the Gospel, in carrying out the teachings of Jesus.

We must die to the world in order to live for God.

What a wonderful life!!

Learning to let go,

Ari

This past weekend, I went on a retreat called AYM (Anglican Youth Ministries) High. It was a very emotional and inspiring weekend that helped me to grow in my relationship with Christ. I saw the Lord do some absolutely amazing things over those couple of days. Something, though, has been repeating in my head. They are poignant words, and were part of the weekend that changed how I view things. They are lyrics from a Jars of Clay song, and I would like to share them with you.

I am the only one to blame for this

Somehow it all adds up the same

Soaring on the wings of selfish pride

I flew too high and like Icarus I collide

With a world I try so hard to leave behind

To rid myself of all but love, To give and die
To turn away and not become

Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves

More deeply than the oceans,

More abundant than the tear

Of a world embracing every heartache
Can I be the one to sacrifice

Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow

To love you - take my world apart

To need you - I am on my knees

To love you - take my world apart

To need you - broken on my knees

All said and done I stand alone

Amongst remains of a life I should not own

It takes all I am to believe

In the mercy that covers me
Did you really have to die for me?

All I am for all you are

Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart
And I pray,

To love you - take my world apart

To need you - I am on my knees

To love you - take my world apart

To need you - broken on my knees

I look beyond the empty cross

Forgetting what my life has cost

And wipe away the crimson stains

And dull the nails that still remains

More and more I need you now,

I owe you more each passing hour

The battle between grace and pride

I gave up not so long ago

So steal my heart and take the pain

And wash the feet and cleanse my pride

Take the selfish, take the weak,

And all the things I cannot hide

Take the beauty, take my tears

The sin and soaked heart and make it yours

Take my world all apart

Take it now, take it now

And serve the ones that I despise

Speak the words I can't deny

Watch the world I used to love

Fall to dust and thrown away

I look beyond the empty cross

Forgetting what my life has cost

So wipe away the crimson stains

And dull the nails that still remain

So steal my heart and take the pain

Take the selfish, take the weak

And all the things I cannot hide

Take the beauty, take my tears

Take my world apart, take my world apart

I pray, I pray, I pray

Take my world apart

Worlds Apart.

Hello world!

Well, it seems that I have somehow managed to set up this blogthingamabob. So, here it is! I am quite excited to add my ramblings to the seemingly never-ending stream of words here on the information super highway. We shall see how this goes....

Oh, I do love the April weather; what beauty God has bestowed!

Peace,

Ariana