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| MSU Shadows |
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Beautiful Day for Football
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Julie and Ryan
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| Julie, Ryan and I at Pablo's |
I recently rekindled my friendship with Ryan and Julie. We've always been excited to see each other and I've seen and gotten to know Ryan a lot better, but I mostly was good friends with the Laurens on the trip. But R, J and I all have a group message and we tell each other about our days. They are the most encouraging people, and I always thought they were crazy but they're awesome. We make each other laugh, constantly say good luck on whatever someone is doing, console each other if a test or application doesn't go as well as planned, etc. I am so happy I'm becoming better friends with these two. So much laughter and love. Ok I'm done. It's so fine :)
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Homelessness
I went to another Least of my Brothers and Sisters meeting last night. This time it was about homelessness in Lansing. I really did not know how prevalent it is in the greater Lansing area but it's something close to 4,000 people don't have homes. A lot of the men stay in shelters and families try to stay at Haven House but often can't. It really tears families apart. The reasons for homelessness vary and all kinds of people stay in the shelters. They said even people who have PhDs and multiple graduate degrees sometimes end up there. Otherwise anger, drugs, alcohol, other bad behavior, lack of a job, lack of money to keep their homes, etc. The list goes on.
There was a guy named N (I'm just going to call him that) who was in his mid 20s who came to talk to us. N was badly bullied as a child, got into drugs, alcohol, and violence at an early age and was in prison by the time he was 15. He was in and out of rehab, prison, jail, school, and often burned bridges with his family and friends. He became addicted to heroin and that became his only drive in life: to get high and get more heroin. He didn't care about the diseases associated with sharing needles (Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS) but just needed to feel better. He has a daughter who he loves but hasn't seen since she was a baby. He was very violent and has a hard time finding a job. People tried to help him but he simply did not want help. He did not want to be alive. He was homeless sleeping on the streets for 3 years in all kinds of weather. He would sleep under some bushes near the river. One day it clicked for him that he needed to get help. He also realized he needed to find God. 7 months ago he went to the mission downtown and has been in a program to get better ever since. It's very structured on prayer, chores, and helping others. I never would have believed the things he talked about because he looks like he's doing really well. Last week, N apparently started thinking about his future, not dwelling on his past. He might want to go to college and get a job. It's amazing to see. He was very mild mannered and said everything he does goes to God.
We also talked a lot about homelessness in general. A lot of people have mental illnesses that the state really doesn't care about so they end up homeless. The people who hold cardboard signs only want money, generally to pay for their drug and alcohol addictions. People are sick, hungry, and some are out of chances to get better in life.
If you see a homeless person, here are a few things you can do:
-Say hi!
-Smile :)
-offer to get them a sandwich or burger,
-never give them money
-talk to them, everyone wants someone to talk to and acknowledge their presence
-also, volunteering anywhere is a great way to help out. Tutoring kids and giving them a dream that they can be doctors, nurses, astronauts, firemen, police officers, etc and inspiring them to get an education and not end up on the streets is huge. Every kid you can help saves a life, and all it takes is your time.
I really want to help these people.
There was a guy named N (I'm just going to call him that) who was in his mid 20s who came to talk to us. N was badly bullied as a child, got into drugs, alcohol, and violence at an early age and was in prison by the time he was 15. He was in and out of rehab, prison, jail, school, and often burned bridges with his family and friends. He became addicted to heroin and that became his only drive in life: to get high and get more heroin. He didn't care about the diseases associated with sharing needles (Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS) but just needed to feel better. He has a daughter who he loves but hasn't seen since she was a baby. He was very violent and has a hard time finding a job. People tried to help him but he simply did not want help. He did not want to be alive. He was homeless sleeping on the streets for 3 years in all kinds of weather. He would sleep under some bushes near the river. One day it clicked for him that he needed to get help. He also realized he needed to find God. 7 months ago he went to the mission downtown and has been in a program to get better ever since. It's very structured on prayer, chores, and helping others. I never would have believed the things he talked about because he looks like he's doing really well. Last week, N apparently started thinking about his future, not dwelling on his past. He might want to go to college and get a job. It's amazing to see. He was very mild mannered and said everything he does goes to God.
We also talked a lot about homelessness in general. A lot of people have mental illnesses that the state really doesn't care about so they end up homeless. The people who hold cardboard signs only want money, generally to pay for their drug and alcohol addictions. People are sick, hungry, and some are out of chances to get better in life.
If you see a homeless person, here are a few things you can do:
-Say hi!
-Smile :)
-offer to get them a sandwich or burger,
-never give them money
-talk to them, everyone wants someone to talk to and acknowledge their presence
-also, volunteering anywhere is a great way to help out. Tutoring kids and giving them a dream that they can be doctors, nurses, astronauts, firemen, police officers, etc and inspiring them to get an education and not end up on the streets is huge. Every kid you can help saves a life, and all it takes is your time.
I really want to help these people.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Love
Today the message was all about LOVE. Love others as you want to be loved. Treat others with love always. Show your love to them.
That was the message at church today. The priest then went on to say something along the lines of "When people come to marriage counseling with me, there are two kinds of people. People who hate each other but just need some help. Or there are people who are apathetic toward each other and should find a nice divorce lawyer because apathy is the opposite of love. But for those who need a little water or fertilizer to make their love grow again, I encourage them to find those ways to do that. Sometimes fertilizer is all you need. (*cue giggles from everyone in the church*) Oh, you guys you know what fertilizer is? You need to have a LOT of fertilizer." I think this was the funniest that church has ever been. But I absolutely love this message. Communication, some fertilizer in whatever form you want, and a mutual understanding that this is what you both want is all you need to cultivate the love we all deserve.
So go out and love someone. Love them with all your heart, all your soul, all your spirit, all of your being. That's what we're supposed to do. Love yourself and then show that love to others. Put them first in happiness, well being, and life. And when you do that, you love them.
I know who I love. I could not be more thankful even though I'm bad at showing it sometimes. I try my best and that's all I can do. All you need is love...
That was the message at church today. The priest then went on to say something along the lines of "When people come to marriage counseling with me, there are two kinds of people. People who hate each other but just need some help. Or there are people who are apathetic toward each other and should find a nice divorce lawyer because apathy is the opposite of love. But for those who need a little water or fertilizer to make their love grow again, I encourage them to find those ways to do that. Sometimes fertilizer is all you need. (*cue giggles from everyone in the church*) Oh, you guys you know what fertilizer is? You need to have a LOT of fertilizer." I think this was the funniest that church has ever been. But I absolutely love this message. Communication, some fertilizer in whatever form you want, and a mutual understanding that this is what you both want is all you need to cultivate the love we all deserve.
So go out and love someone. Love them with all your heart, all your soul, all your spirit, all of your being. That's what we're supposed to do. Love yourself and then show that love to others. Put them first in happiness, well being, and life. And when you do that, you love them.
I know who I love. I could not be more thankful even though I'm bad at showing it sometimes. I try my best and that's all I can do. All you need is love...
Sandy
I really want to help the people affected by Hurricane Sandy. I donated $$ to the Salvation Army and am trying to get my Lansing area friends to help me send a box to someone (my friend Liz or a school I found that's accepting donations) of clothes, blankets, food, etc. It's really the least we can do since, you know, our houses and everything we own didn't get destroyed recently. Although, I kind of want to send something to Cuba or the Bahamas because those are the people who really need the stuff but I'll help however I can. I'd want a random college kid to help if I was in the same position.
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