When the unthinkable happens...

Last night, our one and only reliable laptop crashed.  We did not plan for it to happen but it happened.  Considering, Ajo had this laptop for about  5 years and with all the wear and tear it acquired over the years, the crash was inevitable.  Ajo did back-up our data to an external hard drive about couple of months ago, but we may have some recent documents and pictures since then.

Whenever the unthinkable happens, there is a time period of havoc, hassle and halt. Ultimately, its a time when decisions have to be made. We have a couple of choices in front of us. We are debating, re-thinking, and weighing the pro and cons.

I am upset and more disturbed that the computer crashed while I was working on it. In addition to all the end of the semester deadlines for projects, papers, and presentations, that my truly beloved have to meet, now an added stressor comes to the scene. Life is full of unwanted surprises, unexpected events, and unforeseen challenges. Some are great, others are not so great.  Regardless, we learn from these experiences more than from books, lecture halls, and research.

Give Me an Addiction

A couple of weeks ago, the above statement came into my mind. I am not sure whether it was a petition, a prayer, a request or all of them. I pondered, I meditated, I analyzed as to what I was yearning for. In addition to all the worldly addiction that we hear about, which I myself am guilty about, what was I searching for?

I was petitioning for an addiction to the Bible. I realized that asking for an addiction for the Word will ultimately draw me away from all my other unwanted addictions. Was I asking for too much? Will He answer me?

After going through some rough roads this past week, I realized that God did answer my prayer. I do not want this addiction to stop, nor I want to quit ever.

Frozen Keyboard

 Mind is full but words are few. A tough week in Reno passed by, yet a tougher week ahead in Reno. Fear, grief, uncertainty, and grace all experienced concurrently. Praying for guidance for all, strength for the broken, and hope for the bereaved.

Was Jesus popular or unpopular?

I guess you may think that the answer here is obvious. His ways and His teachings were unpopular but He was sure popular.

Do you remember a special page in your high school yearbooks called "The Popularity Page"? The idea is people get voted into categories such as: most likely to succeed, best smile and the list goes on. If  a popularity contest existed in the 1st century, would Jesus have been voted in for something or other? Perhaps, yes, perhaps, no. Regardless, He was, is, and will be the "Most Influential person in History."

Jesus had a unique power of attracting a crowd around Him. The circumstances which led to the mob or multitude varied from preaching on the mountaintop, to a simple stroll down the road, to the final trial and crucifixion. One would say, Jesus had the most number of friends and most number of enemies in 3 years of His ministry. He had no music to gather a crowd nor did He perform magic to attract people. Even the rich and affluent waited to see Jesus.

Perhaps, it is no exaggeration to claim that almost every person in the Jerusalem area has seen this influential person at least once. There was no mass media, no newsreels, no newspapers to make him popular but it was solely through the word of mouth.

Sun is Back!

Sun is back in Reno today. You are right! I did get to do my laundry today. How exciting! I did get Ajo to help me out a little since he stayed home most of the day. For once, his obligations of being a student did not entirely engulf his whole day.

While I was folding my clothes which came out of the dryer, I find this: a tiny sock which was quarter the length of my regular sock.

First, I was not sure if it did belong to us and wondered if  the new dryer may have done this atrocity to my normal length sock. On a second look, I was able to conclude that it was definitely not ours. For some unknown reason, it may have been stuck in the dryer from a previous tenant. After taking a lovely picture, I returned the sock to the laundry room. Perhaps, a mom pairing her kid's sock frustrated to find a sock missing may return to search for the lost sock, or may be the other pair already ended up in the trash. Not sure. It's always worth a try.

Rainy Reno

It's raining in Reno after many days, weeks or may be months. Rain in the desert is uncommon and always welcome. Yet, I waited the whole day to see the sun or may even for the rain to stop just so that my personal plans may prosper. I could not do my planned laundry today, since I have to walk a few steps to get to the laundry room and needless to say, I didn't plan to get myself wet nor the dry clothes wet. Hence, I waited and waited. At this point, I have moved my chore to another day. I am not content yet I thank God, not just for the rain but for  small incidents like these teach me the frailness of man's plans.

Confessions about my Prayer

Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth taught his disciples a simple prayer called "The Lord's Prayer". Like a well- balanced diet, the Lord's prayer is well-balanced, and often we recite the prayer in a perfunctory manner and I am guilty of this many times. That is my first confession.

We use the phrases "Give Me, Help Me, Bless Me, Guide Me" too often in our personal prayers. Perhaps, the problem is not about using these phrases but we tend to only use these phrases. That is my second confession. Hence, I have made a decision to add these phrases, "Take Me, Mold Me, Use Me, Fill Me" to my prayers. The key difference between the phrases is that the latter conveys availability. Should I be waiting to hear the words "Follow Me" like the disciples heard at the sea shore or should I be like Isaiah and say, "Here I am, Send me" ?.

October Ornaments

October welcomes me in Reno with snow capped mountains at a distance, cool nights, sunny afternoons, and scarce but vivid fall foliage. Two among the above mentioned are my favorite - the snow capped mountains and the fall foliage. Why? Let me explain.

The snow capped mountains remind me of unembellished beauty, too far to attain yet close enough to desire. Fall foliage is not just an autumn trademark in Reno. It brings life to the desert as Christmas ornaments adorn a simple tree.

I start to appreciate vivid colors more now than ever now. Snow capped mountains at a distance depicts more than just approaching winter but a hope for abundant water in the desert.

Unfinished Work

On August 20, 2009, Ajo & I drove from San Jose to San Simeon to take a tour of "Hearst Castle". We love to travel and explore, hence we decided to take the trip to see this castle. William Hearst who inherited a ranch land from his family wanted to build a "little something", hence the building of this magnificent castle began. The castle stands in a hill which used to be called Camp Hill but now renamed to Enchanted Hill.

The dedication and toil behind the castle is worthy of applause since the labor behind building a castle on a hill is quite a complex and tedious task. The castle has 3 guest houses, one main house, one indoor pool, and one outdoor pool. If you are not impressed yet, here is what the castle as to offer -56 bedrooms, 41 fireplaces, 61 bathrooms, and 19 sitting rooms. That is huge. One man followed his dream to built a "little something" which turned out to be an enormous work of art, architecture and history.

Despite all the number of rooms he built for the castle, ironically there is only one dining room. It was during these meal times that Mr. Hearst met with his guests. Every one gathered together and dined around one table. Perhaps, there is more than a simple reason why the castle was designed with one dining room. Perhaps, the gathering around one table reminded him about his humble beginnings from tents and camp fires. Whatever the reason may have been, I feel that it highlights a character trait of a man who had much perseverance about building his dream.

This magnificent castle with all its splendor and charm still remains unfinished. From below the hill, the castle is perfect in every way but at the top of the hill, you notice the unfinished exterior. The construction had to come to a halt due to financial burden in 1947. More so, the dreamer left the castle to seek medical attention and the work of the castle never resumed. Hearst Castle stands as an embodiment of one man's dream and the unfinished work proves that no man can ever finish another man's dream.

Through the Eyes of a Child

Last Wednesday evening, Ajo and I attended a talk organized by UNR and a few other local sponsors in the Reno area. The talk was by Eva Kor, a holocaust survivor. Her one hour poignant speech amazed every soul in the lecture hall. Her ordeal and her survivor story was moving beyond words. Her childhood was not like any other childhood. Eva and her twin sister endured major road blocks in their life to survive. She said that though she got liberated from the camp on January 27, 1945, she was only able to liberate herself in the early 1990's when she decided to forgive. Forgiveness, what a powerful word! A word we often take for granted, a word we want to receive but not give, and a word that ultimately granted salvation through grace to every believer. Let us embrace our small blessings, value our life, and show gratitude to our existence.

Read more about Eva Kor at http://www.candlesholocaustmuseum.org/index.php?sid=26