Blindside

I just finished watching the Blindside for the first time and absolutely loved it!! Sandra Bullock is such an amazing actress and the story was so beautiful. Watching the tale of Michael unfold was breathtaking and only made me even more determined to work in missions when I graduate.

As I have previously mentioned, I led a missions trip to Mississippi through my school this past spring break to the organization In His Steps Ministries. They help the surrounding area of Canton, MS and try to provide a faith-based vocation and work ethic. I was honored and blessed to get to know the people that I did and God truly showed me His glory through the new friends that I met. If I could go back tomorrow, I would not hesitate to say yes.

Watching the Blindside reminded me of what I saw in Mississippi and the feeling I got as we drove through the Saw Mill Quarters, which is a poverty stricken area in Canton full of violence, addiction, and negativity. My heart beat through my rib cage and ripped out of my chest at the sight of people sitting on their porches or crowding around street corners. God left His mark on me that day and I will never be the same. Watching this movie only reminded me once again of the gapping hole in my chest, reminding me that my blood was pouring out for these people. I could not gasp enough, I could not stop the bleeding, it was like the love could not be held back. I left a part of my heart in Mississippi and I count the days until I can return.

Missions is not just a phase sort of thing that I am interested in for the moment. This is a lifestyle and I want to live it. I want to give all I have to all the people I can. Sandra Bullock's character reminded me of what it was to be sacrificial and self-less. She was extremely blessed and used her blessings to help Michael in any way she could. She believed in him! She believed in a boy that no one else believed in. And because of her faith, he grew and flourished. I feel as though in Mississippi, some people feel as though there is no hope, there is not way out. But, there is. I believe in the people of Mississippi. I believe that if I can impact at least one person, I have done something right. Just by belief alone, one can move mountains. The people of Mississippi can escape the cycle they find themselves in. They can break free.

What I want to share is compassion. Compassion is not easy and compassion is not always pretty. But compassion is strong and compassion is tough. It looks a challenge in the face and accepts, no matter what. Compassion drives us to do crazy things. Compassion is LOVE.

We must love the people we do not know. We must care for those that do not know what we do. There is always hope and there is always a better way. I love Mississippi because I have so much hope for it. Any area that is looked down upon, I have hope for. Where others see disaster, I see beauty. I am blessed to go down to Mississippi. And I am blessed for all I have. I want to share what good gifts God has given me and build up what everyone else wants to tear down.

I see the beauty in negative spaces and oh, it is glorious.

Ball and Chains

I am beginning to realize that I miss Assisi a lot. I miss the carefree culture and the simple way of life. I never used my cell phone... I mean, I really couldn't because it isn't compatible internationally. But I really enjoyed being away from my phone! It was nice to not be constantly checking it and seeing if anyone left me a message or I missed a call. I felt so free and open. No chains could bind me down to... people?

Now I have a new phone and once again, it is right by my side like a faithful companion. Only problem is that I really do not do well with this faithful companion. It's clingy. I can't really deal with that all the time. I have to be independent and free, not attached to my phone.

I used to neglect my phone actually. My manager at my first job would try and call me to let me know about my shifts and I always seemed to have my phone somewhere else. Now that I'm in college though, I always seem to need my phone on me just in case. I mean, I am the one with the car. You never know when someone is going to need a Starbucks run. And in that case, I am not one to argue. That means it's serious.

We are so dependent of technology in America. In Italy I did not feel that pressure to be constantly checking my facebook, email, phone, etc. Ugh... way to much. I got to it when I got to it, no questions asked. Italy was a place to free fall. I could just BE. I could just absorb the culture and soak in the beauty without my phone interrupting me. How fantastic it felt. I do miss Assisi, Rome, Italy in general. And I am going to go back someday. There is no doubt. I love it and a piece of my heart will always belong there. I fell in love the moment I got into Assisi. Absolute love. America is my house, but Italy is my home.