Where does the time go…..

2 weeks ago, my mentor and former Sunday School teacher (Old Man G as we call him) had us over to his house to enjoy a BBQ, Old Man G style, like we used to have them.  After stuffing our faces and catching up with one another, he took a couple minutes to reflect on how busy things have gotten. I truly do not think that someone livng in Northern Viriginia with at least the minimal aspirations of life could deny this.  Its TRUE, there is no time for important things nowadays and as my priest always says, “Never let something that is important go undone for something that seems urgent”. 

My wife and I have noticed this in our first year of marriage that we have to make deliberate plans to spend quality time with each other and are constatnly staying no to things that seem to be urgent or useless to life in general.  I’d like to echo Old Man G’s comments and remind everyone to be diligent and WISE with your time nowadays, because you never know when that hangout with a friend or conversation you’ve been putting off with a loved one could be the last.  DO important things first so that they don’t become urgent.  Also listen to Father Anthony Messah give a talk about putting big rocks in first.  You’ll love it.  http://orthodoxsermons.org/sermons/amazing-race-part-4

 

Just a thought, not a sermon.

Twittering at Church? (IT-503)

So I just read this article titled “”Twittering” encouraged at Seattle church” by Deborah Feldman at KING 5 News. So many people are trying to really assess how much we really depend on technology these days and I have even heard the question posed several times “Where will it stop?”. I believe this article answers both. First, every industry is realizing how they can reach out and grasp the attention of their audience from the vary convience of their own home. In this case, the pastor fell ill yet needed to deliver the Sunday sermon. All he did was que up his powerpoint presentation and set up online streaming so his congregation can feel like he is actually present. Now, keep in mind, you need to have one very impressive IT staff to make all this happen, however it is not as rare as it used to be. I can personally attest to that by watching my church’s IT staff and initiatives grow over the years. Very impressive (check out www.stmarkdc.org) Secondly, to answer the question of where will it stop? The answer is truly “who knows”. It parishoners can give instant feedback to friends while listening to the sermon about how they are impacted and getting their reaction almost immediatley…I say the possiblities are ENDLESS!

A True Lesson on Diversity

I am now sitting in an office in Lieden, Holland with a Belgium speaking disco funk lovin technician since they do not have any space for visiting auditors. Meanwhile, in the background, my young technican friend is listening to Dr. Dre /Mariah Carey remix of “What’s love”. At the same time, he is speaking Dutch with his Hollandish friend in which they are talking about going to a Spanish Tex Mex Restrauant later this evening in dowtown Rotterdamn. Meanwhile, I am reading a French document that has been translated into English for my audit of my Belgium based company. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, this morning, I met a Bangaledesh Indian man that speaks 6 launguages and an Asian woman who is in charge of the IT Security department who has adopted 4 different nationalities of kids.

Ok, this may seem very hard to believe but it is absolutely true. I couldn’t help but sit here and laugh inside at how sometimes our American stereotypes of what is “normal” is so different from the rest of the world. I just wanted to share this thought. See you when I get back, God willing.

By the way, I’m going to watch a huge soccer (football) match tonight at a “American Sports Bar” that apparently serves Miller Light HAHA……”It wasn’t me” by Shaggy just came on the radio.

TIME flies

Well, as many bloggers come to find out, it is hard keeping up with a blog.  I am writing as part of my assignement for my managing IT class for IT-503 for my MBA.  However, my plan is to truly keep up with this thing from now on.  Here’s an update since the last time I wrote.  FIRST and foremost, I got married to the love of my life, Arlinda, in October 2008.  It was an amazing wedding, but honestly, the more I think about it, it could’ve just been a piece of cake, a priest, and Arlinda and I and I would’ve been satisfied.  As luck would have it, Arlinda’s family is huge and we have a lot of friends on our side so we had over 300 + people at our wedding.   After that we went on a honeymoon to Fiji for 2 weeks (thanks mom and dad) and have been living the dream since. 

In other news, the U.S has elected the first African American president, very historic moments in history.  On a very bad note, the US economy continues to be in ruins and there is no end in sight.  Other than that, same old news, different days.  Is it just me or does time LITERALLY fly by nowadays? Is it possible for time to actually go by quicker than it did years ago? Now that is something to ponder. “Cheers” as they say in FIJI.

Wow….they weren’t kidding

Alright, its been almost a year since my back surgery.  My friends weren’t kidding when they said it is hard to committ to the blogosphere community.  My back surgery was successful and a blessing in disguise.  Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and prayers

Praise Report

As Jesus commanded us to give praise and witness to him I have great news to report.  It is evident, after nearly 4 weeks of surgery that the surgery was successful.  The shooting pain that would go down my left leg after standing for a while is now GONE!  I was numb and in pain, and now I feel.  Praise be to God, the Great Physician. 

Above all

Praise be to God for His infinite care.  Its been three and half weeks since my back surgery.  My personal lesson learned is that God is in control of everything.  No matter how minute the detail, God cares. Its just a simple lesson in life that I have to learn and not forget.  Its also amazing that God knew how much support I would need after my surgery and gave me an abundance of love from family and friends.  God knows mine and your needs….so let go and let God. 

Irini Pasi. 

All or Nothing….

I’ve been compelled to write for a while and haven’t really been inspired till today.  I’ve truly been able to hear God’s voice lately through a major decision I have to make.  I’m having back surgery in less than a week and half and need to decide whether to have a very severe one or a less severe one.  I’ve never known anxiety like I have in the past 2 weeks.  I’ve really been trying to hear God’s voice in this decision and can’t seem to make out what I’m supposed to do.  It took me a while, but I realized that God has given me so many tools and people around me.  I just have to make a decision and trust in him.  There’s a quote that says “If you’re going to pray, don’t worry.  If you’re going to worry, don’t pray.” God has really given me the peace to just go forward and make a decision and TRUST IN HIM……like I say I do. 

 Holy is the Lord and magnificent are His ways. 

AHHH…relax!

Today, God has made me glad.  He’s the definition of good and faithful.  My personal message today is nothing compares to the greatness of knowing God. 

Day 1, July 23rd, 2006

Well, here I am.  I’ve finally collapsed and joined the blogging community.  I’ve never really understood the true benefit of blogging until recently.  I’ve spent some time reading some friends blogs and have really been spiritually fed by them.  I have to made, it made me a believer in blogging. 

Alright, I pray that God gives me the committment and strength to stick to this blog.  I really want to practice what the Bible tells us about giving account of our faith.  Also, giving God glory for the continous blessings he gives me.  Its simply too much to keep to myself and not share. 

This weekend, I was able to attend “Global Poverty Awareness Night” at my church.  I have to say, it was truly eye opening.  Merely due to the fact that I believed myself to be an “enlightened” person when it came to world issues and issues existing out of our “comfort zone”.  Little did I know, I would be educated that night about how truly bad it is.  Of course, as God would have it, the sermon said today by Father Bishoy in church, really drove the point home.  So much so, that the Mother Theresa quote, stating that it is injustice for one to die for me to live in luxury.  I can’t seem to get that thought out of my mind (which I’m thankful for) that someone is dying right now, so that I can type this blog on my high speed internet connection in the comfort of my home.  I also really liked the comment made during the sermon regarding the reality of me walking around calling myself a Christian.  ONE DAY, I will stand before God and give account for the way I conducted my life and NO excuse will stand.