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PrincessTristalore
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Name: Trista
Country: United States
State: Illinois
Birthday: 9/25/1982
Gender: Female
Interests: Lots of things... (in no particular order), chilling low key with friends, movies, nursing, kids, cooking, quilting, guitar, all kinds of music, mda summer camp, cfc-youth, singles for christ, Jesus, traveling, meeting new and interesting people, gawad kalinga....
Occupation: Nurse
Message: message me
AIM:  seaweedtriscuits
Yahoo:  seaweedtriscuits
Member Since:
4/7/2003
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| So it's been forever since I have posted here. Oops. But I just wanted to post something I've been reflecting on since I have been here. It's something that came to me during my prayer time over Easter. Looking back at the people that I served with at Loyola, I’m one of the few that has continued in the community. Some may see this as a failure, but if you look closer, many are now youth ministers, many have given a significant part of their life to volunteering; many are entering religious life, and others who have a “regular” job are very active in their church. I’d hardly call this a failure. This all got me to thinking. Is our goal in community really to bring people to Christ, or do we focus solely on bringing people into our community? (when I say “we” I am definitely including myself in this) In a lot of cases these two things are the same. We bring people into our community to help them grow closer to Christ. And this happens a lot of the time. But how often do we consider it a failure if that person decides not to be in our community? Even if they are still pursing their faith in another way? We still showed them the love of Christ. One of the best talks I have heard, was a last minute session we had with one of the GK full time workers. He told us about his work for the poor in Muslim areas. He told us that in those areas, you can’t go around saying you are Christian, because you will get killed. But in going to these places you are being Christ in their lives because of the way you love them. People who would normally never trust a Christian, are welcoming them into their homes. The goal is not to convert, but simply to love. Most of Jesus’s work on earth, was not going around telling people who he was, but showing them through loving people; loving all people. It didn’t matter if they followed him or not. I was challenged by the statement, “Don’t be a boring missionary. You lead 10 CLPs this year? That’s boring!” So what is my work as a missionary? It’s not about CLPs and Youth Camps and conferences, it’s about being Christ to others. It doesn’t matter if they ever join the community, it doesn’t matter if they never become Christian. God has just called us to love. | | |
| I forgot to tell you how I did on my New Jersey list! Well I did ok it, but it was an awesome last few weeks in New Jersey! I really miss it there, but I'll be back! Jan 29th! See the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza This is the only one I was kind of sad I didn't get to see. Booo Daily mass at all my favorite churches 
St. Lucy's is definately my favorite! Anything touristy (statue of liberty, ground zero)  
I got to see Ground Zero and the UN! Korean BBQ 
I got to go there twice!!! I don't have a pic at the Korean BBQ place, but this is us at Rice to Riches after going there the first time Scortinos! 
I didn't actually go there, but Sheri brought me a care package! Dinner at any restaurant that is only in NJ Does Grey's Papaya at 10am count? It's in NY but it was pretty cool! See some show in NY, I don't even care what it is. Nope, but it's ok, I saw the nutcraker in Chicago over Christmas! This is a long shot, but a trip to any New England state I have not yet been to. I went to upstate NY? So pretty much I did everything I wanted to do and more! God is great! | | |
| So I'm leaving New Jersey in 10 days. Not sure when or if I will be coming back, so I wanted to make a list of things I want to do before I go. These are in no particular order. See the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza Daily mass at all my favorite churches Anything touristy (statue of liberty, ground zero) Korean BBQ Scortinos! Dinner at any restaurant that is only in NJ See some show in NY, I don't even care what it is. This is a long shot, but a trip to any New England state I have not yet been to. Ok, well I'll let you know how I do after I am home. Wish me luck. Pray for me! | | |
| Esta la generación,
vivimos por tu nombre, oh Dios.
Esta es la revolución,
El mundo vamos a cambiar. -La Revolución, Hillsongs United God is Good!!!!!! Wow Costa Rica was amazing! I was so inspired by the missionaries there. Hearing their stories really made me want to go on mission, serve God everwhere, and serve to the best ability all the time. I have seen a glimpse of the new world (or Nuevo Mundo). SFCers from all over the western hemisphere worshiping together. It didn't matter that some of us didn't speak the same language, it was proven that serving, loving, praising has no language. 
Latin American Missionaries 
Spanish/English Class- We had a conversation with one of the Latin American delegates but could only use the language we didn't speak 
New Jersey delegates at the Volcano 
Drinking some Costa Rican Coffee at a Coffee Plantation 
With Sean from Trinedad and Tobago, with some Trinedad Money 
I love the Latamaries! Prayer for Evangelization Loving God, You called us each by name and gave Your only Son to redeem us. In Your faithfulness, you sent the Holy Spirit to complete the mission of Jesus among us. Open our hearts to Jesus. Give us the courage to speak His name to those who are close to us and the generosity to share His love with those who are far away. We pray that every person throughout the world be invited to know and love Jesus and Savior and Redeemer. May they come to know His all surpassing love. May that love transform every element of society. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Mary Mother of the Church, Pray for us. St. Paul the Apostle, Pray for us.
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| When I was a NICU nurse and people would ask me how I liked my job, I would always respond "I love it". I did. I loved taking care of the babies, seeing them get better, and even just caring and loving those babies who didn't get enough love. In my first few months of missionary life, when people would ask how I liked it, I would always respond "It's different", "It's interesting" or "It's cool, I get to travel a lot", but never I love it. I was passionate for the work and the ministry, but I didn't love it. It was rough getting used to a new way of life, a new place to live, new people, and a whole new kind of trust in God. I was excited about my new life, but also completely petrified at the same time. There's so much more at stake and no instruction manuals.
In my first few months, my hesitation to say "I love it", made me doubt my calling. Why am I doing this if I loved my job in the NICU and I don't love this? Can I learn to love it? Does it just take getting used to? Am I supposed to love it? If I love God, why don't I love this life?
But lately, I think God has been revealing to me, that I don't love it less than being in the NICU, but that it's a different kind of love. A love that challenges me, stretches me, sends me on roller coaster rides of emotion, but still at the end of the day, I have complete peace.
I'm having an "I love this life" moment tonight. I'm sitting in our Portland host family's house, the only one awake after watching a movie, replaying in my mind some of the scenes of my last 6 months as a missionary and I thought, "I really love this life". I love all of the amazing people he has put in my life, I love that I have family everywhere, I love when someone you are pastoring opens up, or gets excited about faith, I love all the everyday miracles you witness, I love that people trust you and look up to you, I love that there are amazing people around me all the time to trust in and look up to, and most importantly, I love God more.
So as much as I may get caught up in the work, or the drama, or the challenges, I truly do love this life. I pray that this will be my new conviction, as I jump out of the conference season bubble, and get back to the battle grounds.
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