A prayer of patience....

Sometimes, I think I'll need this more this year than anything....


Lord, teach me to be patient - with life, with people,and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much, and I push for answers before the time is right. Teach me to trust Your sense of timing rather than my ownand to surrender my will to Your greater and wiser plan. Help me let life unfold slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the bud and much of the beauty therein.

Instead, let me wait for all to unfold in its own time. Each moment and state of growth contains a loveliness. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life and all it holds. Amen.

Intentional Community...

Well-
I officially am THRILLED to be in Pittsburgh. Seriously friends, this place is for me! Throughout the past few days many things have been occurring to me... 1. I was made for a city. 2. I live with 7 women that are going to support, love, encourage, accept, laugh, learn, and live intentionally with me. How cool. What and incredible opportunity and experience. Yesterday after dinner we went to a place called the Shadow Lounge and listened to local musicians raise money for a local farm. Music about intentional communities, peace, love, Jesus... how exciting. In that hour and a half we already made connections through previous PULSErs, church goers, and just plain strangers. After our walk back to the house and many laughs, we set the coffee pot for the next morning and either fell into bed or added a few more touches to our rooms! It was an eventful day!

This morning we met at Chris's house down the road for our morning meeting. During this time, we drank coffee, had a small devotional time and discusses our finances, transportation, and more about PULSE. My favorite part of the morning was talking about Psalm 133. Relating this message to our Intentional Community and how we each are affected by each other was such an eye opening experience. I want to share Psalm 133 with you and let you think about it!

Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.

1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Today was a very productive day. We learned a lot, but most of all we learned more about each other! :) We sat and talked through random facts, bonded over Harry Potter and ended our night with Chocolate Cake and Cherry Wine! :)

"You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you."
- Frederick Buechner

Find Peace,
Anna

And so it begins...

Well, here I am, sitting in my room, typing away on my computer that is located on "my own" desk. I've never had my own room before... (other than in Ireland) but it is almost too big. I didn't bring enough stuff to fit in it, even though I brought a ton! Pittsburgh is a beautiful city. Today as our first day, we did alot of team building games. We walked to Highland Park and ran around in the grass. This afternoon we took on the local farmers market... and I will let you know now.. it will probably be one of my favorite places. There was fresh fruit, veggies, local businesses... etc. So incredible. I loved it.

Tonight is an optional hang out at this club where there will be live music, I can't wait! :)

Silly me, I left my camera at home, so once it makes it's way back to me I will take a ton of pictures and show you around the PULSE house! :)

Lots of love-
Peace,
Anna

I want to get closer...

I need a devotional-- I need to break myself down and figure out what or where I want my life to go... what direction? I know its crazy, me moving to Pittsburgh and all, but I want to. I know its right-- but somethings still feel off in my mind. I don't know if it is because I have yet to focus on the actual moving part because it feels far away, or because I need to "find" myself.

I want to pull an Elizabeth Gilbert in the book Eat Pray Love. Oh how I adore that book. I need to want that, right?! I feel like I'm on the edge of something that I need to dive deeper, but what? Gosh I get so angry at this "What" word. More pissed off than anything.

In just 2 weeks Ill be packing my bags and will be headed off on this journey, adventure, experience that I have no clue what it will bring. New friends? Gosh I hope so. New faith? Maybe a stronger one. A calling? Yes, please.

I want to draw closer... to life itself, love, and my God.

but where do i begin.

A Realization..

It is funny to me how life works. The goals that we want to live up to and the choices that we make.

It's one of those days today--- :)

"Hello World" -Lady Antebellum

Traffic crawls, cell phone calls
Talk video screams at me
Through my tinted window I see
A little girl, rust red minivan
She's got chocolate on her face
Got little hands, and she waves at me
Ya, she smiles at me

Hello world
How've you been?
Good to see you, my old friend
Sometimes I feel cold as steel
Broken like I'm never gonna heal
I see a light, a little hope
In a little girl
Hello world

Every day I drive by
A little white church
It's got these little white crosses
Like angels in the yard
Maybe I should stop on in
Say a prayer
Maybe talk to God
Like he is here
Oh I know he is there
Ya, I know he's there

Hello world
How've you been?
Good to see you, my old friend
Sometimes I feel as cold as steel
And broken like I'm never going to heal
I see a light
A little grace, a little faith unfurled
Hello world

Sometimes I forget what living's for
And I heave my life through my front door
And I'll be there
Oh I'm home again
I see my wife, little boy, little girl
Hello world
Hello world

All the empty disappears
I remember why I'm here
Just surrender and believe
I fall down on my knees
Oh hello world
Hello world
Hello world


Blessings of Peace to you,
ap

So many things.

Summer is flying by. Seriously. I can't get over that today is July 20th. I leave for Pittsburgh in a little over a month, but there is much to do until then!
On Wednesday July 7th, I made my way to Pittsburgh and the PULSE house to start the interview process for placements. Well! I fell in love with the city, the house, and the community. The skyline of Pittsburgh is breathtaking, seriously, beautiful. As an inexperienced driver in cities, I had my moments of panic, but I made it there! My mission the next day was to get dressed up to impress! Interviews consumed the entire Thursday, but good news is that I have my placement! I'm thrilled to know this already and I'm even more excited to see what it will bring for this upcoming year! :) I encourage you to look at this website and browse through! The Union Project is an incredible place and my future placement!

After my very eventful time in Pittsburgh, I am looking forward to this upcoming year. I'm ready for the struggles, challenges, and excitement that it will bring! What a world!

With 3 more full weeks of work, 2 weddings, and 1 week of vacation, Pittsburgh seems farther away than it actually is....

I better start making a packing list in my head! :)

Hello World...

Well- Here it is.. my first official Blog as a Bluffton Alum. Weird to say that.
Many of you know that after graduation I have been working at Bluffton still for the summer, but I will soon be packing my bags yet again and be off on another adventure. Pittsburgh, PA here I come! :)

I hope to keep this blog going throughout the next year about what is happening in the PULSE house and in Pittsburgh!! :)

Always Blessings of Peace-

Anna