I am so excited to share that I am entering the next phase of preparation to return to Ukraine as a missionary with World Gospel Mission, I am officially beginning Homeland Ministry Assignment (HMA) on September first. HMA is a time of traveling to churches and homes to share God's story in my life, His call, and the building of a support team for ministry in Ukraine. During this time I will also be finishing my final year at Kentucky Mountain Bible College and the ministries God has given me here.
If you do not receive my updates and would like to, please email me - 2shushan@gmail.com
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Birds
Okay, for those who do not know, I am afraid of birds. I know it is an irrational fear - I have had people on more than one continent tell me that it is not normal. Okay, I can live with that. I don't know where the root of this fear is from, seriously no idea, maybe I watched a movie I should not have as a child or saw something in real life, maybe subconsciously I was traumatized by Big Bird, seriously, I have no real idea, but I am honestly afraid of birds. Can they hurt me? NO. Have I ever been hurt by a bird? NO. Does the sound of their flapping wings make me want to crawl out of my skin? YES. Never been a fan of aviaries, never liked the bird show at the zoo, walk purposefully around them on the sidewalk or beach. Honestly, it has very little impact on my day to day life, but today this has impacted my life and surroundings.
A bird is living in my dryer vent. I heard the silly thing this morning when I was in the bathroom, but I pretended like it was nothing. This evening when I heard it again, I realized that it was not outside, it was really truly inside my bathroom (admittedly it is trapped in the dryer vent). As brave as I am, I immediately left the bathroom, shut the door, and called one of the maintenance men here on campus. He said he would come in the morning. Hmmmm, clearly not as important to him as it is to me. Okay, so I can shower somewhere else tomorrow morning. In the midst of all of this I have made a spectacle of myself. Girls in the dorm are wondering why I am freaked out by birds. Most startling is the fact I have to "bird hunters" that want to catch the bird. So, right now, I am locked in my bedroom while Stephanie and Hannah are taking apart the vent.
Seriously, wierded out by the whole thing!
A bird is living in my dryer vent. I heard the silly thing this morning when I was in the bathroom, but I pretended like it was nothing. This evening when I heard it again, I realized that it was not outside, it was really truly inside my bathroom (admittedly it is trapped in the dryer vent). As brave as I am, I immediately left the bathroom, shut the door, and called one of the maintenance men here on campus. He said he would come in the morning. Hmmmm, clearly not as important to him as it is to me. Okay, so I can shower somewhere else tomorrow morning. In the midst of all of this I have made a spectacle of myself. Girls in the dorm are wondering why I am freaked out by birds. Most startling is the fact I have to "bird hunters" that want to catch the bird. So, right now, I am locked in my bedroom while Stephanie and Hannah are taking apart the vent.
Seriously, wierded out by the whole thing!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Blog about blogging
True story - I like to ramble! Not a huge suprise to anyone who has ever met me. Most often I speak the words in my head, but I also enjoy putting them down on paper (or computer as the case may be). I love being able to go back and read things I wrote, the words remind me of the thoughts and feelings I was having at the time of the writing. Somehow it is fuller and deeper than a regular memory.
I am reading the book, Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman. In his discussion of written word as more than an echo of the spoken word, but that it has its own voice and in writing we are talking to no one and everyone at the same time.
It is vastly interesting and it causes me to want to write more. So more attention to the blog!
More another day, but that is all for now.
Shushan
I am reading the book, Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman. In his discussion of written word as more than an echo of the spoken word, but that it has its own voice and in writing we are talking to no one and everyone at the same time.
It is vastly interesting and it causes me to want to write more. So more attention to the blog!
More another day, but that is all for now.
Shushan
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
abilities
God has given me so many gifts, I am so thankful for my personality, for my love of people, for my ability to get things done, I am a brain stormer, I am full of ideas, I think quickly, I am a multi-tasker. God has worked in my heart and life and he has built character in me that reflects Him more and more.
There are some skills I do not have, I would like to have them, but am unwilling to invest the time in them. I would like to play the piano, I would like to sew, I would like to read and understand Greek and Hebrew, I would like to read all the classic literature, I would like to be able to pull vault (I mean that is a crazy skill), how amazing it would be to be in the Olympics, to do some of those sports - bobsledding, ice skating, diving, gymnastics, I would like to garden, milk a cow.
There are other skills that I do not have and to be honest, I really don't want to be able to do them, I don't want to be able to drive and pull a trailer (or a boat or really anything), I don't want to do accounting and budgeting, I don't want to be good with direction or read maps, I don't want to know how to plan for retirement. Silly things really, the realities of life some times are not fun. Praying God will help me to do the things I need to be able to do whether I am skilled or not, whether I want to or not.
There are some skills I do not have, I would like to have them, but am unwilling to invest the time in them. I would like to play the piano, I would like to sew, I would like to read and understand Greek and Hebrew, I would like to read all the classic literature, I would like to be able to pull vault (I mean that is a crazy skill), how amazing it would be to be in the Olympics, to do some of those sports - bobsledding, ice skating, diving, gymnastics, I would like to garden, milk a cow.
There are other skills that I do not have and to be honest, I really don't want to be able to do them, I don't want to be able to drive and pull a trailer (or a boat or really anything), I don't want to do accounting and budgeting, I don't want to be good with direction or read maps, I don't want to know how to plan for retirement. Silly things really, the realities of life some times are not fun. Praying God will help me to do the things I need to be able to do whether I am skilled or not, whether I want to or not.
Sang this hymn the other day in chapel and it has stayed with me. It is by David Elton Trublood
Thou, whose purpose is to kindle, now ignite us with Thy fire; while the earth awaits Thy burning, with Thy passion us inspire. Overcome our sinful calmness; rouse us with redemptive shame. Baptize with Thy fiery Spirit; crown our lives with tongues of flame.
Thou, who in Thy holy gospel wills that man should truly live, Make us sense our share of failure; Our tranquility forgive. Teach us courage as we struggle in all liberating strife; lift the smallness of our vision by Thine own abundant life.
Thou, who still a sword delivers rather than a placid peace, with Thy sharpened Word disturb us; from complacency release! Save us now from satisfaction when we privately are free, yet are undisturbed in spirit by our brother's misery.
Thou, whose purpose is to kindle, now ignite us with Thy fire; while the earth awaits Thy burning, with Thy passion us inspire. Overcome our sinful calmness; rouse us with redemptive shame. Baptize with Thy fiery Spirit; crown our lives with tongues of flame.
Thou, who in Thy holy gospel wills that man should truly live, Make us sense our share of failure; Our tranquility forgive. Teach us courage as we struggle in all liberating strife; lift the smallness of our vision by Thine own abundant life.
Thou, who still a sword delivers rather than a placid peace, with Thy sharpened Word disturb us; from complacency release! Save us now from satisfaction when we privately are free, yet are undisturbed in spirit by our brother's misery.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
confessions of an extrovert
True story, I confess, I - Shushan Marie Richardson - am a complete extrovert! For one of my classes we took personality test. Completely balanced was 0 and you could go 100 points to introvert or 100 points to extrovert - I scored an 89 on the extrovert side. To me this means that there are other people who are more extroverted then I am, but others act like it is off the chart. I really do love being with people and I really do love people. I also really loved my extrovertedness.
As we were parting today a friend mentioned that he needed some time alone and when I agreed, he didn't believe me. There are lots of things I like to do all alone, I like to read alone, though I am equally happy to do it with another person too. Study, I do study better by myself, but I perfer to study with other people. Okay, I admit that usually just turns into talking. I like to sleep and well, sleeping really is about 1/3 of the day, honestly that is a lot of time alone!
As we were parting today a friend mentioned that he needed some time alone and when I agreed, he didn't believe me. There are lots of things I like to do all alone, I like to read alone, though I am equally happy to do it with another person too. Study, I do study better by myself, but I perfer to study with other people. Okay, I admit that usually just turns into talking. I like to sleep and well, sleeping really is about 1/3 of the day, honestly that is a lot of time alone!
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