Reflection #5: "Depression, suicide"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WA8P1zamI

This video nearly put me to tears. Its a story that uses pictures and a song, to explain depression and what causes it and the out come which is that of suicide. This video is sad because of what society and the world has said about people. This video was good, the song, the words, the pictures they all did a good job at explaining the meaning behind the video.

It crazy how far people can go with words that can be so destructive and hurtful to others, we are all one body of christ and we should all be accpeted for who we are. This story was such an eye opener to what really goes on in this world. It was a very well directed digital story that has so much potential in changing a lot of people hearts when it comes to bullying, and judging a book by their cover.

This video really hit me. And it made me sad because we all have said bad things about someone before, we have all gossiped before, how far does the line need to be drawn? Does it need to be a result of someone life ending? No! We need to step up and share the love of Jesus Christ.

Reflection #4: "Breaking Free"

http://www.storycenter.org/stories/

This story is an example of how some families can be different. And the reason why some people are so hurt and they do things, is because of what their past is like. You cant judge a book by its cover because you never know what may be going on in someones life. This guy tells his story about how he was abused and left without a mother because she left them. He was seperated fro his siblings and one after one he was losing everything he had in his life. His family was ripped apart and he struggled for 9 years without no one's help. He tried to rush his own death because everything in his life died. Life is short and it doesnt care for no one you havev to care for yourself he soon learned.

But just because you lose one thing it doesnt mean its the end of the world is what he said in this story as well. He lived a rough life but he got his life back by helping kids who are going through exactly what he was forced to go through. This story was very good but sad.

The beauty of this story is that he didnt fully give up, and he is now helping kids who are struggling and who are going through the same pain he has went through. He can be a light in the world he thought would kill him.

Reflection #3: "Tanya"

http://www.storycenter.org/stories/

This was an inspiring story about friendship! I really enjoyed this one, it was about a friendship that was strong but a friendship that even though one past away, their friendship still remained. It never died. The only thing I didnt really like about this story was the fact that it was very short, I think a compelling story of love and friendship should be expressed in more detail and words. As well as more pictures. I think that her voice should have been practiced for this as well. She sounded bored and out of it, I think more enthusiasm should have been expressed although it is a sad story I understand why you could hear the sadness through her voice.

In conclusion to this story, I think it is a compelling and inspiring story of love and friendship but I think it should have been portrayed in a better way.

Reflection #2: "Out of Africa"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIf2x6kZ2-s

This story was a good story, about a guy who went to africa and didnt expect it to the be way it was until he was actually living it, and he could actually see the pain and hurt in peoples lives.
It was about him being close to his own death and then thinking about the kids, the women and the peope in Africa who have lived so close to their own deaths for a long time, some for all their life, just waiting for someone to die or just waiting for themselves to die because they have lost hope. His story was good, and very inspiring.

I liked it because it shouted out a lesson. You need to always remember that nothing is certain in this life, and our time here is not certain, we are not given an expirery date. We dont know how long we have here so we need to live each moment knowing that it could very well be our last. I liked this video because it speaks truth.

Reflection #1: "Sofas"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSd7b6gPuQI

This digital story really inpacted me, and really made me look at somethings differently.
It was about a man who was homeless and the only life he knew was moving from sofa, to sofa to sofa. The only life he knew was that sooner or later his sofa was going to get ruin, and eventually leave him, like everyone else in his life. His mom past away, and his dad he doesnt not know anything about. The only thing he is used to is the sofa he waits to hurt him. His sofas brought him to different and new places, and to new sofas. He refers his life to a bunch of sofas. This is so profound. His story is so life changing, and his story could help a lot of people.
This digital story really hit home for me, and dug something in my heart. There are people in this world who are alone, and abadoned. There are people in this world that the only closest thing they have to them is their sofa, and that sofa is something that continually changes.

This story was well spoken, and the pictures were so suitable and perfect for this story. They affected his story in such a good way. This is such a touching story and I absolutely loved it, and was very impressed with this mans story and how he related his story to a sofa. This mans story I believe can inpact many people.

Family;

Every family is different, my family is different. I know that everyone lives different lives but sometimes theres people in this world who are living the same life as you to an extent.
My family has always been here for me, my close family. My Papa Pete, Grandma Shirley, Brother Shane, Twin sister Danielle and my Mom Dianne.

I know that without them I wouldnt be where I am today.
I was never raised in a church, but later in my elementary school years I was invited to a church with my mom, brother and sister. I knew that there was something more to this life, and I found it here. My dad I very rarely see, and he hasnt been very much a part of my life for the last 10 years. Having a church community and a supportive close family has eliminated that pain.

My family has their ups and downs, like every other family. We fight, we make up. We cry, we laugh. We teach each other and we learn from each other. I have an awesome strong mother who would do anything for us/her kids. She is the stronghold of our family. But God is the glue that has kept our family alive, and that has kept us together.

Family isnt finding someone to just love, and to recieve and give love to. Family is a safe place, but it can also be a scary place. With family sometimes we may feel we cant get hurt so when we do it kills us inside. Family isnt what society has made it out to be. Family can be hard, it can be lonely, it can be anger and frustration but the beauty of family, is no matter what this life brings us at the end of the day, its your family who can help you through it. It was my close family who have helped me through it.

Family is different for everyone though.

an over flowing love'

Honestly, you may find this bizzar and very unusual, but if I could thank anyone I would thank my father in heaven, I would thank my God.

I've grown up and 10 years have gone by since my dad made a cruel decision to chose alcohol over me. I thank my Jesus because he has been here through everything in my life, he has been my father in heaven who has never let me go, and who has always been my anchor all through life's storm. God has never let me drift so far away in life's raging seas where I cant find the strength to get back, his love is my anchor that has kept me near, and though sometimes I have drifted, and walked away, his anchor is so strong and it has never and will never let me drown in this life. I thank him because he is the one treasure in my life that I can trust with all of my heart, he has never walked out on me, he has never yelled at me, he has never dissapointed me and he has never made me feel like Im worthless. He has forgiven me everytime that I have fallen, and he has been the strength that as picked me up.

I thank him because in my times of sorrows and pain, he has given me love and peace. I thank him because in my times of fear and weakness, he has given me hope and strength.
I thank him because in my times of darkness, he has shown me light.

He has shown me that 'a loss in this world, is just another gain in the kingdom.' He has given me words that I will always hold onto, and knowledge that will never leave me.

The thing about God, is that there is nothing certain in this life, except for him and his love. Anyone can hurt you here, we are human we hurt each other and we stumble period. But God sees through all of that, and he never runs out of chances for us. He died for us, he died for us.

There is nothing more beautiful than being able to have something to be certain about.
I thank him because he gave me gifts, gifts I am supposed to use to show the world him; I paint and I did not create this ability on my own, he gave me this ability.

I thank him because he never leaves me. There is a verse in the bible, and it really digs deep for me; "There is surely a future hope for you, and that hope will not be cut off.' You've never gone to far, you've never run out of chances, and God never lets you go.

All of the times I have walked out on him, I've slammed the door shut on him, he waited for hours, days, weeks and months in that doorway waiting for me to turn my direction towards him. He waited for me to turn around and notice the door has not been shut all the way. My god waits for me, and doesnt make me deserve his love. He has waiting in the doorway for me to run to him, to open the door and close what is meant to be close. He has never closed the door on me, he has never shut me out. No one on this earth would ever forgive me the way he does, they would never wait for me to run back, they would never show an over flowing cup of love, no one on this earth could do those things, because we are all human. But God, he can show you a way, he can show you the light, and he can give you answers.

So if there is one person I can thank in my life, It would be my Jesus, My God, my heavenly Father. Without him, I wouldnt be here, and without him I would be lost.

packing away my life'

I dont think there is another feeling in this world, than your arms being weighed down with a little bit of your life, and your mouth filled with gum as you walk in with a ticket in your hand, and the destination of a place better than one you've been in. At least not for me.

I've been on many trips, and been to many different places, but if there is one that I can share with you, it would be the most beautiful, calm and clean glass aired place; Tahiti.

I can remember the plane ride to tahiti and the eagerness to enter a paradise where nothing else matters, and what you have lived in the past few days, weeks or months can be tucked away in your suitcase as your sunscreen, swimsuits, and sunglasses come out. Its like you tuck away for a while who you have been, and you enter a new world where its almost like you can start over.

I went to tahiti a little while ago, and the water there is so beautiful, it was such a beautiful shade of blue, and the waves were like an award winning song that ran through my head for days. This song still plays in my head sometimes, especially the days where getting out of this town is all I need. This trip to tahiti was an amazing adventure, walking around the island, buying food and renting a car to drive was a new experience in a different world. Driving a stick shift car up a mountain, well that I wouldnt suggest to anyone. Wakeing up in a new world and a new place is supposed to be scary right? Tahiti wasnt, everyone was so friendly there, and they all had an enormous stretch of a smile permanetly across their face. This trip was a trip of a life time, And I got to pack up my bags and take my life with me to this world, this wonderful world and I am blessed to have had that expereince. So I packed my life away in a suitcase for just a little while, I was able to refind myself in a different world, and I could breath again. Going back to reality is hard sometimes, but the best part about it, is your going back to your regular life, your unpacking your amazing trip and your unpacking a suitcase full of memories.

I dont think there is another feeling in this world.