A message from the coffee-aholic.

To the Sojourners Abroad,

My life right now consists of two things mostly and the one that makes me laugh the most is just this: COFFEE. This quote from You've Got Mail makes me laugh:
"The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino."

I like to think of coffee as a hobby these days. Its not just my job, its a little bit more than that. Coffee gives me something to laugh about. People come in spending more money on something they think they know when essentially they could get it cheaper if they would just change their order. For example, a regular lady comes in wanting a 3 shot machiatto. To her, machiatto means fill the whole cup up with foam and pour my shots. Shes a wee bit of a nut case too, and I cant say that I would say that about a lot of people either.

Secondly, working at a coffee shop allows you to meet the teenagers who are in that "cool" stage but really...they are just teenagers thinking a cup of joe is so awesome. These two girls the other day were sitting out on the tables and were talking and laughing. Basically having a grand ole time, while i was doing a Trash run (AKA: cleaning every garbage can in the area, thats like 6 cans). I hear from them "hey you should ask her, she looks like shes done it before".

Im no dumby but I have to admit I was extremely curious, and were they even talking about me. 2 seconds later: "Hey can I ask you a question"? More giggles. I lean up. "Sure. Whats up"? They look at each other hesitantly. One of them is slightly more pressing than the other. "Umm have you ever eaten jello with your hands tied behind your back and whip cream on top?" What do you even say to that? Yeah all the time cuz I have so much free time? "No. I cant say that I ever have. Why do you ask?" More giggles...great.

"Well we just did it". umm what a way to leave me hanging there. "As in just for kicks and giggles or was this for some dare?" smiles. no giggles this time. Just flat out smiles. "No. we were really bored and we needed something to do." I couldnt help but laugh, ok, maybe more like chuckle. I cant be rude. "Maybe you guys should stick to reading some books or watching movies". They look at me like I was from the stone age. Really? Am I that old already? Im pretty sure Im still young..."Well the reading books thing not so much but we should do movies".

I finished up doing my trash run thinking this shift could not get any more bizarre. Only later do I realize that I stuck chai in someones mocha frap...for the second time. Im thinking of labeling the chai pump in big bold letters. Yeah...that sounds good.

The second thing my life consists of right now is school. School and music. Its a simultaneous thing basically. I cant study without music and well actually I can listen to music while studying. Summer vacation has been non-existant and I cant wait for the two week break to start before I head into another semester of school. Theres not much I can say about school except for the fact that I am horrible at it, despite whatever smartness I may have acquired. seriously? me and smart. Its more of a joke. I like to think that I am just...well blessed. I am a total clutz and sometimes not the brightest light in the room. I cannot debate or communicate to persuade thousands of people to take my lead. The one thing I think I do well is write, ok and read, but even those subjects are up for major debates. :]

So the summer has been eventful...extremely. but memorable? mmmm...who knows.

Corrine Pilar

This Crazy, Madness sort of Love

To the Sojourner abroad,

I just finished a book called "Madness" by Jossy Chacko. He was a born and raised South Indian who felt that missions were only for the "white" man. The Lord drastically changed his heart and he is now the head of a ministry that trains and sets up native Indian men to plant churches in India and abroad. The book is truly amazing. Now I am working on finishing Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Its incredible because lately I have been hit with these books that are calling people to step up to action. Not just any people. Believers.

Jossy at the end of his book states, "Imagine if every Christian prayed every day. 'Lord help me see everything in light of eternity'. We could Capture the World!"

Its coming on one year almost since I have been to Mexico where my whole mentality of missions was completely changed. I learned that in Mexico missions is a lifestyle rather than a choice of going abroad or not. I had this preconceived notion that some people were the senders and other people just went abroad. How wrong I was! Missions is definitely a lifestyle and we all have the calling.

Some of us are called to stay in the United States while others are called to Africa. Some go to the ends of China and others are right in L.A.. Is the man who goes to Africa any greater than the middle class man who works in L.A. giving the gospel to his co-workers? Absolutely not. Both of them are fufilling the great commission by spreading the Word to the non-believers.

Its a tendancy we have isnt it? We tend to see the man in China a hero. Why not? The man risks his life to deliver a Bible into the hands of those are thirsty. We tend to see the man in India as revolutionary. Why not? The man enters a hostile, mostly Hindu country bringing forth medical assitance and the Gospel at the point of risking his life. We tend to see the man in Africa as empowering. Why not? Hes helping cure aids, provide food to a nation that is in more poverty than most Americans could never dream of happening.

So what happens to the man in L.A.? or even Utah? what about New York? Is he not fufilling the great commission because he is sharing the Gospel with non-believers? Is that not what advancing the Kingdom of God is all about? Living for Him which then sprouts this different lifestyle that is put on display for all to see?

Somedays like today I just want to get up and walk into another country and just wham share the Gospel. Somedays I feel like I have a disadvantage because of all the training I need before I can walk into a country like India to share the Gospel. There are days like today although that I realize that I am an American with the greatest advantage of them all. I live in a country where I have the freedom of speech to share the truth about the one living God.

I like at the end of Madness Jossy says he is training Great Commissionaries rather than missionaries. The idea of missions is greatly misconceived in our culture. Its so much more than going abroad. It starts with living your life as if you are called where you are at now, knowing that your home is Heaven. We need not to focus our whole direction on where we want to go in the future but where Jesus wants us to share now.

This notion of missions has been on my mind lately. Maybe because the books Im reading right now are action calling books. I suggest reading these books, but first to read the Bible. It is the source of eternal life. It is the one way and only way.

with love,
Corrine

Dancing in the Street

To the Sojourners abroad


There is something about dancing that is just so exciting and makes me smile....

This definitely was random enough and it took this guy 14 months to make. 40 different countries.
I want to dance for Jesus in 40 different countries. Seriously.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

Love Corrine

So this is Life...

To the Sojourners abroad,

I had spent 2 hours writing a post for an online British Lit class. I was putting some finishing touches on the assignment when i accidentally pressed a button that took me away from my post. I pressed every button you could think of to get the post back. I was on the verge of tears. You know those weeks? The ones where everything possible that could go wrong does usually go wrong? Yeah that was this moment.

Unfortunately I didnt have time to retype the assignment and submit it in time. I had to take a 0 on something that I had truthfully done. It was one of those moments when I realized something my dad has always said to me about grades. That putting your whole self into the assignment and trying your hardest was all that really mattered to my parents. In the end was one post really going to advance God's Kingdom? Not so much. So I took the zero and I pray that I can remain faithful in not being silly fingered and stupid in this way again.

Just one of those random food for thought things.

Love,
Corrine

Allow Me to Introduce You

To the sojourners abroad,

Allow me to introduce you to something that has been building up in my body since Junior High. Apparently I am allergic to all over the counter pain medications. It is not a fun aspect nor do I look forward the many researching and testing ahead. I should start from the beginning. When I was in Junior High I took some Ibuprofen and spots appeared on my back and arm. My parents took me to the doctors and I was diagnosed with eczema. To us this made sense because eczema runs on my dads side of the family.

I don't really remember having any more reactions to pain medication until I went to the hospital my senior year of high school for a cyst. My mom gave me Tylenol to go with the lovely heavy drug I was given at the doctors. A pretty decent reaction came forth and we ceased the drug taking process. I've had the spots come back but I did not really put two and two together until I caught a cold over Spring Break.

My Spring breaks are not spent in Cancun partying it up with friends nor taking lovely adventures to see my boyfriend. They are quite the opposite. I usually spend them in bed because I am sick. This spring break has not differed. I took an Excedrin to help my headache while I went bridesmaid dress shopping for my friends wedding. I took another when I got home because we were having company and was experiencing that same headache. In the evening I was in my parents room and could not figure out why it was so hot. The itchiness and lovely pain of hit all hit soon after. Looking in the mirror I could not believe what I saw. It was not just bumps but they were all over my back and neck.

The next day I woke up and it was ten times worse. It hit my face and arms. I was swollen and totally out of it. My mom being the brilliant woman that she is made a connection to the medicine being the cause. So basically I am allergic to ALL over the counter pain killers. I took benadryl for two weeks and whenever I stopped they would come back.

I finally after spring break and went to see a doctor. I dont think I have ever seen so many mouths drop or tell me how rare it is. I have always been one to say that I like being unique and classic. Well this is definitely unique and so Classic Corrine. I went to see an allergist and said hes only seen one other person with this case ever. So while uniquely and classic Corrine is going to a lab on Friday to start a lengthy process of testing to find some kind of pain medication she is sitting over here praying that there is no need to ever take pain medication until this is resolved.

I will tell you that its been a good reminder. My Pastor has been going through the Attributes of God in church and I remember during one of the sermons he told us that to question why God has placed certain things in our lives is not fully trusting in His Character of who He is. Especially since we know that scripture tells us that He does not give us anything we cannot handle. So in all actuality I am laughing at the circumstances, because not only do I know that my God is control and knows all things that are happening and going to happen in my life, but I know He has a sense of humor. And to me this is quite humorous. Maybe its just me. :]

With love,
Corrine

Its time to take a stand.

To the sojourners abroad,

This is a little bit overdue. Funny thing life. You know we get so busy that we just forget other things that are going on. When we get busy our lives become so "me" oriented.

I've been reading this book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I would tell some of you its another Christian book but it is far from that. It is a calling. A calling to live a life that is set apart from that oh so well known stereotype Christians are associated with. I will admit I have a hard time reading "theological" books. Not because I dont like reading about my faith and sucking up anything new, its just they are hard to get through.

This book is different. Francis is practical but very straight forward. I appreciate that about him. My dad was explaining that the book is not really a book. My dad stated its a "calling to action". I am steering away from the "train" scenario mostly because these are just my thoughts lately. See Francis states "Because we dont often think about the reality of who God is, we quickly forget that He is worthy to be worshipped and loved. We are to fear Him".

It hit me. Life is interesting on this side of California. I live with 13 people. Have an Amazing boyfriend (including his family who have been there for us) of a year and couple months. Fantastic friends who amazingly still check in on me when I have seemingly fallen off the face of earth. And for the sake of kicks and giggles, a dog who is only alive because its my moms dog. I am surrounded by people who cover me with their love. Yet I forget about my first love?

Francis says it is an easy thing to do. To forget about the God who came down in the form of a man. Who lived a life I will NEVER meet and then died a death that my brain cannot grasp, not only physical but taking on MY sin and I have the decency to forget Him? I have screwed up many a times. Maybe not the big stuff most people think like drinking and the such a like, but I've done my fair share of screw ups. (Ask the family of 13 over here, they got some doozies and so does the boyfriend). Yet Jesus forgave me on that cross. Incredible.

Funny. I was just reading my journal and RC Sproul states "Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God".

I have no clue where this post was going. My thoughts just flowed out of me like a waterfall. I have learned a lot already from 10 pages of Francis' book. My intentions are not to be idle with this new knowledge. A couple of years ago my mom tried her hardest to make a Bible study for the three of us kids. We started to walk through Proverbs. I suppose thats always been pressed on her heart because I remember starting it at least 3 different times with her, and each time learning something new. I remember one thing specifically and it was the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

I remember sitting at the table of our apartment and she telling us that knowledge is only in our heads and will never be enough until it is put to action. I say this because Francis' book is more than that "good Christian" book. My goal is to put it to "action" as my dad phrased it. If there are two things I could leave with you one would be this quote from the book.

"God is the only Being who is good and the standards are set by Him. Because God hates sin, He has to punish those guilty of sin. Maybe thats not an appealing standard. But to put it bluntly when you get your own standards. When we disagree, lets not assum it's His reasoning that needs correction".

I guess it makes sense to me to have God as an authority figure in my life. Let me correct that. THE authority figure in my life. life is not easy and our plans are not our own. I have learned this the hard way and still am.

Secondly, I leave you with this verse.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

Love always,
Corrine

Back to Where We Started

Looking in retrospect upon our travels thus far, there is one thing that must also be addressed. When traversing this great land of wonders and opportunity, even for the most seasoned traveler, at times we deviate from our travel plans. We jump on one train too quickly, or sometimes we choose to simply go in the complete opposite direction than specified. We are not faithful to follow the guidelines outlined for us, we mistake the wisdom of the only One to fully complete the journey and rely on our own wits or intuition. Perhaps we simply do not like the idea of where our journey is leading, or we simply have a change of heart as to where the most favorable destination lies.

Whatever the cause of the deviation matters not, only that we are deviated from the Master Traveller and Conductors plan. There is one truth that links any deviation from this Master Plan, no matter how far we travel away from Him, there is always an end to the line. It’s almost as we are travelling to get to San Diego from Augusta, Maine. To get to San Diego one does not travel north or east but rather south and west. Somewhere along our route we see that the immediate scenery in the north and east directions are more appealing hoping somehow there is a connecting line to bypass the desert we need to pass through to get to our destination.

However, after an hour of travel or so we see that our lush scenery has turned to death and destruction and we wish we had simply gone in the right direction from the start.
There is no connecting line to get you back on route, you simply hit a dead end and have to go back to where you started from. At this point we realize how foolish we were to waste our time and resources on such an empty pursuit, however, we are now headed back in the right direction.

It’s a long train back to where we started.

Usually at this time, there us much remorse and sorrow and regret for deviating from the main travel plan. And at this point in time we also realize how much farther towards the final destination we could be had we not had to back track. But there is always a helpful and loving Friend to accept us after we return from our deviation. The Master Conductor is always a gracious and supportive leader. He does not care where you have been so much as you are back on the right train headed in the right direction.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we
have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word
is not in us." 1 John 1:7-10

Nehemiah was a great man who was the Lord’s leading man in getting Israel back on the train in the right direction. One of the greatest things in all that he did though was to admit that he had sinned just as much as any other member of that rebellious nation. Reading through the book
of Nehemiah we can see that getting Israel back to where they had started was not an easy route. Day and night the men of Jerusalem built and guarded, building with swords and spears in hand, ready to protect the Lord’s city as well as their brothers.

When we look at the southwest train through the desert and scorching heat, there is one thing to remember: though for a short time there is oppression, we will soon reach the promised land, the final destination, the Lord’s abode, Heaven.

I hope that through reading this you began to realize the same thing our good friend Clive did when he wrote:

"But the great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His
love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; and,
therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of
those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever
cost to Him." C.S. Lewis.

What we do know is that God is ever faithful when we are not. He is always to help us back to where we started and in progressing onto the final goal. He is gracious and merciful is He not?

Love Always,
Matt