No, not the killer spider. I'm talking about Sonya Thomas, the "Black Widow" of the Competitive Eating circuit. This chick can EAT! She's 5'5", weighs 100 pounds, and currently holds 27 world records. I've been following her for several months now (via the Offbeat news on usatoday.com), but just found her official website at www.sonyatheblackwidow.com.
Her impressive records include:
--8 lbs, 2 oz. of Chili Cheese Fries in 10 minutes
--44 soft shell lobsters in 12 minutes
--46 dozen (552) oysters in 10 minutes
--52 hard boiled eggs in 5 minutes
--48 soft shell chicken tacos in 11 minutes
*professional use only. this not to be attempted at home.*
Oh my gosh, I think I'm gonna be sick...
Now before you think this is just a typical "fatty American" sport, let us not forget to mention the king of all eating, Japanese competitor Takeru Kobayashi. Check out his all-time hot dog record at www.watchmeeatahotdog.com.
You see, folks, you can really do anything. The sky (or your stomach) is the limit. When you climbed up on your grandfather's lap at 3 years old and he said you can be anything you want to be, it was really true!
Wednesday, June 28
Monday, June 26
a shout-out to my peeps!
I have to literally shout-it-out to tell you how much I loved working with these guys during Edge orientation. (yes! i'm still talking about the Edge!)
This was the Edge staff for the week. About eight of us in this picture are full-time at PI, and all of the others are volunteers - *star* volunteers, I might add. (We call them O-Staff.) Most O-Staffers went on Edge trips in the past and came this year to help with all of the logistical behind-the-scenes dirty work like putting notebooks together, cleaning rooms, making copies, running the powerpoint, helping the kitchen staff, hauling mattresses all over campus (thanks Tropical Storm Alberto), etc. The best part, though, was watching the O-Staff connect with students - encouraging them and praying with them for the mission journey they were about to embark upon.
My main responsibilty for Edge orientation was to oversee this awesome crew. They really worked hard...going non-stop from 6:30am to midnight with multiple responsibilities, constant smiles, and great excitement! We all were super blessed by them. Personally, I wasn't feeling very well and everyone was so kind to pray with me and maybe even fetch me a few smoothies. :)
I really enjoyed hanging out with Genavieve, Jessica, Jennings, Andrew, Danny, Alissa, Katie, and Jonathan. Their journeys of faith are so unique and awesome to hear. All are on the road to missions in some capacity, so it's invigorating to hear and share in their vision and passion.
At the end of a long week, we played at the beach for an afternoon. Miss you guys! May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. With great expectation, I look forward to hearing how God draws you closer to His heart and sends you forth into the nations!
This was the Edge staff for the week. About eight of us in this picture are full-time at PI, and all of the others are volunteers - *star* volunteers, I might add. (We call them O-Staff.) Most O-Staffers went on Edge trips in the past and came this year to help with all of the logistical behind-the-scenes dirty work like putting notebooks together, cleaning rooms, making copies, running the powerpoint, helping the kitchen staff, hauling mattresses all over campus (thanks Tropical Storm Alberto), etc. The best part, though, was watching the O-Staff connect with students - encouraging them and praying with them for the mission journey they were about to embark upon.
My main responsibilty for Edge orientation was to oversee this awesome crew. They really worked hard...going non-stop from 6:30am to midnight with multiple responsibilities, constant smiles, and great excitement! We all were super blessed by them. Personally, I wasn't feeling very well and everyone was so kind to pray with me and maybe even fetch me a few smoothies. :)
I really enjoyed hanging out with Genavieve, Jessica, Jennings, Andrew, Danny, Alissa, Katie, and Jonathan. Their journeys of faith are so unique and awesome to hear. All are on the road to missions in some capacity, so it's invigorating to hear and share in their vision and passion.
At the end of a long week, we played at the beach for an afternoon. Miss you guys! May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. With great expectation, I look forward to hearing how God draws you closer to His heart and sends you forth into the nations!
Friday, June 23
yeah, can't stay away from the pics. Here are some fun teams serving our God overseas this summer. Now you see some of the faces I see...pray for them!
teaching ESL and helping with an orphans/widow project in south asia
teaching ESL and discipling youth in croatia
surveying new areas and learning from african missionaries in ghana
camps and outreaches in greece
getting to know university students in island southesast asia
hiking to new areas in east asia reaching nomads
teaching ESL and building relationships with university students in Thailand
teaching ESL and helping with an orphans/widow project in south asia
teaching ESL and discipling youth in croatia
surveying new areas and learning from african missionaries in ghana
camps and outreaches in greece
getting to know university students in island southesast asia
hiking to new areas in east asia reaching nomads
teaching ESL and building relationships with university students in Thailand
Thursday, June 22
words
I really want to put up more pictures, but I should write some words. What do you think?
It is such a privilege to be a part of the sending force of missionaires all over the world. I realize that I often take my job for granted. Sometimes I want to complain about my desk responsibilities. I often sit longingly wondering when it will be my turn to move overseas. In rush hour traffic, I wonder why I drive so far to my office.
But then I see faces. I see Indonesian faces, I see Kazakh faces, I see Kenya tribal leaders, I see the eyes of Afghan women through their burqahs, I see crazy colored hair framing Bosnian faces --- and I hear their cries for truth, their searching for hope, and their longing to be loved. There are more faces. There are faces of second-career folks, mommies and daddies with young families, and singles just out of college. These faces look different; they have an eagerness to go and live among the other faces. They have an eagerness to share truth, give hope, and love the unloveable. And then, like last week, there are the fresh faces of students who are highly teachable with a keen sense of questioning - asking, "is this what God wants me to do with my life?"
Ooooh, I love those faces. All of them. They are why I'm here in this cubicle typing emails and sending out information packets and talking on the phone. Somehow, God has allowed me to have a small part in impacting the nations because He is worth it!! He is worthy to be praised from every nation, every language, every culture. I really, really want to GO one day, but for now, my role is to SEND. Maybe that impact is even bigger?
Thanks, God, for allowing me to be a part of this whole grand story you're writing. You are worth it.
It is such a privilege to be a part of the sending force of missionaires all over the world. I realize that I often take my job for granted. Sometimes I want to complain about my desk responsibilities. I often sit longingly wondering when it will be my turn to move overseas. In rush hour traffic, I wonder why I drive so far to my office.
But then I see faces. I see Indonesian faces, I see Kazakh faces, I see Kenya tribal leaders, I see the eyes of Afghan women through their burqahs, I see crazy colored hair framing Bosnian faces --- and I hear their cries for truth, their searching for hope, and their longing to be loved. There are more faces. There are faces of second-career folks, mommies and daddies with young families, and singles just out of college. These faces look different; they have an eagerness to go and live among the other faces. They have an eagerness to share truth, give hope, and love the unloveable. And then, like last week, there are the fresh faces of students who are highly teachable with a keen sense of questioning - asking, "is this what God wants me to do with my life?"
Ooooh, I love those faces. All of them. They are why I'm here in this cubicle typing emails and sending out information packets and talking on the phone. Somehow, God has allowed me to have a small part in impacting the nations because He is worth it!! He is worthy to be praised from every nation, every language, every culture. I really, really want to GO one day, but for now, my role is to SEND. Maybe that impact is even bigger?
Thanks, God, for allowing me to be a part of this whole grand story you're writing. You are worth it.
Tuesday, June 20
part II
(Editor's note: it seems as though at the end of the post below, I was no longer authorized to post pictures. I was cut off. How rude. See current post for the continuation of that exhilarating picture story. Thank you.)
Is God asking you to give up something for the summer? Nail it to the cross.
Praying for the nations - I chose this spot on the dock as my station focused on praying for the island nation of Indonesia
Last minute preps by Joe on his session about security
More tomorrow!
Is God asking you to give up something for the summer? Nail it to the cross.
Praying for the nations - I chose this spot on the dock as my station focused on praying for the island nation of Indonesia
Last minute preps by Joe on his session about security
More tomorrow!
the Edge - 2006
Woo Hoo! 101 more to the nations this summer...look at their beautiful feet! How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News. (Okay, so their faces aren't bad either..)
Wow, I have so much to write. But I'll give you a snapshot of my last week in pictures.
Arriving in Tropical Storm Alberto's fury
Lots of luggage...piled up to be weighed (we're not paying excess fees!)
Registration with lovely Autumn. Welcome to PIONEERS!
Worship Band "2:8" - can you tell me where they got their name?
Worshipping together - love it!
Team Building activities - getting everyone from one board to another
Saturday, June 10
Um....what?!?!
What is this?! It's too early! Pray for us...this tropical depression looks like it's going to hit on Monday. If you were keeping track - this is the day about 85 students are flying in to Orlando for their PIONEERS training before going overseas for the summer. The rain would seriously mess up airport arrivals! (And the fact that the students are sleeping in tents...at this rate, probably soggy tents.)
But, God's not surprised. So PRAY with us that we would be flexible, God would be glorified in our attitudes, and all of our students would arrive safely.
THANKS, FRIENDS!
Friday, June 2
I'm back!!
...14 days later, as pointed out by one of my readers. Below might be what you know, what you thought you knew, or most likely, what you don't care anything about.
Ten years ago: I was gladly leaving the homeschool scene and starting high school through an Algebra 1 summer course at Winter Park High School. I wasn’t so impressed with what I saw there, but was looking forward to finally getting cool in high school. I really didn’t know anybody at my first day of private school, but I had a pretty popular brother who was a junior (and a great red Ralph Lauren dress for my first day), so I felt safe. This was the date of my last perm – wooh, we’re glad those days are over – and I still had brown hair (the highlights didn’t start for another year).
Five years ago: Survived my freshman year at UCF and I think I was finally happy to be in Orlando. Was enjoying the late nights, creative hang-outs getting to know the boys, and regular chick-flick movie nights with Sheryl, along with fast-food meals and studying-on-the-way-to-class mornings that college brought to me. Decided to change my major to Law. Spent the summer working at the law firm and coordinating fashion shows for JCPenney – that was fun! Hung out a lot with Neal & the gang. Found out I was going to be an aunt!
One year ago: Finishing the hardest semester yet in grad school (wow – 2 classes! But ask about the classes…) and getting ready to start another wild and crazy summer at work. Was getting ready to move into a new house. OH! Was about to start “the summer of weddings” – 4 good friends getting hitched in one summer, part of all four wedding parties. Exactly at this time, I was on vacation at the beach. Very much enjoying the bachelorette life.
Yesterday: Worked…attempted to lead worship…meetings…sadly learned there will be more goodbyes in my world (sigh – the life of missions). Then actually had a date! Yeah, imagine that. Enjoyed good company and sushi. Came home and hung out with Angela and Neal stopped by for a while. Thoroughly enjoyed Angela and Neal’s enthusiastic debate about the emerging church movement sometime around 11pm.
Five snacks I enjoy:
Cheese-Its! all the way
Cheese and crackers
Apples slobbered with peanut butter
Pepperoni
Ice cream
Five Songs I Know All the Words To
A Whole New World – Disney version
Lets Call the Whole Thing Off – Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald
Turn Me On – Norah Jones
Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
Five things I would do with a million dollars:
Two words, friends: Trust Fund.
So hit me up with one of those for Japan and also for my nieces. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. And then I would travel around the world to visit all my friends and see the cool places where they live. Then I would invest some for my future and invest another sum as a contingency fund to give to the redemption of the Kingdom in all kinds of other ways.
Five places I would like to run away to:
Australia
Maldives resort
My family beachhouse at New Smyrna Beach
Egypt
Somewhere hidden in the mountains
Five things I would never wear:
Spandex
a jumper
highwaters
Any kind of jewelry with my name spelled out
generally anything unfeminine
Five favorite TV shows:
Full House
Saved by the Bell
Law & Order (original version)
What Not to Wear
Grey’s Anatomy
Five bad habits:
Living out of my car
Makeup, eating, studying - anything while driving
Not eating healthy or often enough (I need like 6 meals a day)
Overcommitting
Being perpetually tardy..but getting better!
Five biggest joys:
Hanging out with my nieces and hearing them say I love you
Doing life in Japan
Sitting around the dinner table (home-cooked meal) extra long, chatting, laughing, and telling stories with friends and/or family
Stupid stuff that makes you laugh until you cry
Full-on worship (music)
Five favorite toys:
ITunes
My Lemonader :)
Okay, really anything in the kitchen
My car
My cell phone
Five fictional characters I would date:
Mr. Darcy – Pride & Prejudice
Mr. Knightly – Emma
Bob Reuland – Return to Me
Aladdin
Gilbert – Anne of Green Gables
Ten years ago: I was gladly leaving the homeschool scene and starting high school through an Algebra 1 summer course at Winter Park High School. I wasn’t so impressed with what I saw there, but was looking forward to finally getting cool in high school. I really didn’t know anybody at my first day of private school, but I had a pretty popular brother who was a junior (and a great red Ralph Lauren dress for my first day), so I felt safe. This was the date of my last perm – wooh, we’re glad those days are over – and I still had brown hair (the highlights didn’t start for another year).
Five years ago: Survived my freshman year at UCF and I think I was finally happy to be in Orlando. Was enjoying the late nights, creative hang-outs getting to know the boys, and regular chick-flick movie nights with Sheryl, along with fast-food meals and studying-on-the-way-to-class mornings that college brought to me. Decided to change my major to Law. Spent the summer working at the law firm and coordinating fashion shows for JCPenney – that was fun! Hung out a lot with Neal & the gang. Found out I was going to be an aunt!
One year ago: Finishing the hardest semester yet in grad school (wow – 2 classes! But ask about the classes…) and getting ready to start another wild and crazy summer at work. Was getting ready to move into a new house. OH! Was about to start “the summer of weddings” – 4 good friends getting hitched in one summer, part of all four wedding parties. Exactly at this time, I was on vacation at the beach. Very much enjoying the bachelorette life.
Yesterday: Worked…attempted to lead worship…meetings…sadly learned there will be more goodbyes in my world (sigh – the life of missions). Then actually had a date! Yeah, imagine that. Enjoyed good company and sushi. Came home and hung out with Angela and Neal stopped by for a while. Thoroughly enjoyed Angela and Neal’s enthusiastic debate about the emerging church movement sometime around 11pm.
Five snacks I enjoy:
Cheese-Its! all the way
Cheese and crackers
Apples slobbered with peanut butter
Pepperoni
Ice cream
Five Songs I Know All the Words To
A Whole New World – Disney version
Lets Call the Whole Thing Off – Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald
Turn Me On – Norah Jones
Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
Five things I would do with a million dollars:
Two words, friends: Trust Fund.
So hit me up with one of those for Japan and also for my nieces. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. And then I would travel around the world to visit all my friends and see the cool places where they live. Then I would invest some for my future and invest another sum as a contingency fund to give to the redemption of the Kingdom in all kinds of other ways.
Five places I would like to run away to:
Australia
Maldives resort
My family beachhouse at New Smyrna Beach
Egypt
Somewhere hidden in the mountains
Five things I would never wear:
Spandex
a jumper
highwaters
Any kind of jewelry with my name spelled out
generally anything unfeminine
Five favorite TV shows:
Full House
Saved by the Bell
Law & Order (original version)
What Not to Wear
Grey’s Anatomy
Five bad habits:
Living out of my car
Makeup, eating, studying - anything while driving
Not eating healthy or often enough (I need like 6 meals a day)
Overcommitting
Being perpetually tardy..but getting better!
Five biggest joys:
Hanging out with my nieces and hearing them say I love you
Doing life in Japan
Sitting around the dinner table (home-cooked meal) extra long, chatting, laughing, and telling stories with friends and/or family
Stupid stuff that makes you laugh until you cry
Full-on worship (music)
Five favorite toys:
ITunes
My Lemonader :)
Okay, really anything in the kitchen
My car
My cell phone
Five fictional characters I would date:
Mr. Darcy – Pride & Prejudice
Mr. Knightly – Emma
Bob Reuland – Return to Me
Aladdin
Gilbert – Anne of Green Gables
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