We have a wedding date!!
June 21st, 2008.
Mexico City!
June 21st, 2008.
Mexico City!
miércoles, 20 de junio de 2007
lunes, 23 de abril de 2007
An interesting interview...
It's raining outside and it seems like it won't stop for the night, so I write... I have meant to write for a long time, and it is not till now that I do it. Forgive me friends if you've been anxiously waiting to read this blog (haha, I know that's all you could think about, right?).
Well, something interesting happened today. As many of you know, I am applying for a Masters in Family Therapy in the National University of Mexico (UNAM). Today, I was intervied by the lady that devised the program in this university. This is supposed to be the final step in the application process, I will find out on June 8th if I make it in or not.
As I went in her office this afternoon, she seemed cold and distant. I really didn't think much of it, she asked me to write a short essay, and as I was doing that, she stopped me and said: Wait, what are all these classes on your transcript? Acts of the Apostles? Youth and Family Ministry? What is this? Is it some sort of religious thing? I went on to explain that I had gone to a Christian College, and that I had received a degree in Psychology, but that I had also taken Bible classes. She seemed shocked. From that point on, EVERYTHING about the interview was about my christian faith. Forget about my experience in college, the motives to enter the program or my aspirations...She bombared me with questions: What would you do if you had a client that was thinking of aborting her baby? would you advise her not to do it? what about homosexuality? what does your faith tell you about that? What do you think about premarital sex? and how would you help people if you don't have that experience?
Her questions didn't surprise me that much. I answered the way I thought was appropiate and felt pretty confident about it. What surprised me was how bad being a christian and a psychologist was for her! You would think after all the experience she has working with families and individuals in the therapy field, she would be more flexible and less judgemental.
After the hour-long interview, I walked out of that room with mixed feelings. Fist, I was happy for not having felt insecure or attacked. I know why I believe in God, and I know my faith does not interfere with the way I look at the world. Rather, I look at the world through my faith in Jesus! and that makes it even more of a responsibility to help and give to others all that I am.
Yet the other part of me was thinking: The world is SO confused about "us" christians!
I am not trying to overgeneralize, but I wonder, why was this lady feeling so threatened at the idea of a christian woman becoming a family therapist? What has been her experience with christian people that makes her react like this? Why are so many others who feel like that towards or faith? Doesn't it make you wonder? Are we really teaching the truth in LOVE? Are we so commited to doing God's will, that we actually face situations around us with compassion and mercy? Or do we condemn and reject people in the name of our faith and sound doctrine? Are we enaging in God's mission because we LOVE people and because He LOVES people?
I realize that lady comes from a whole different worldview than mine. I know she didn't mean to humiliate me or make me doubt. I embraced her concerns as a reminder of why we as Christ followers are to engage our world with the responsibility of bearing God's trademark. Let us face God's mission with seriousness. Let us do it through love.
May He teach us how to love everyday, for the rest of our days.
Yuli
Well, something interesting happened today. As many of you know, I am applying for a Masters in Family Therapy in the National University of Mexico (UNAM). Today, I was intervied by the lady that devised the program in this university. This is supposed to be the final step in the application process, I will find out on June 8th if I make it in or not.
As I went in her office this afternoon, she seemed cold and distant. I really didn't think much of it, she asked me to write a short essay, and as I was doing that, she stopped me and said: Wait, what are all these classes on your transcript? Acts of the Apostles? Youth and Family Ministry? What is this? Is it some sort of religious thing? I went on to explain that I had gone to a Christian College, and that I had received a degree in Psychology, but that I had also taken Bible classes. She seemed shocked. From that point on, EVERYTHING about the interview was about my christian faith. Forget about my experience in college, the motives to enter the program or my aspirations...She bombared me with questions: What would you do if you had a client that was thinking of aborting her baby? would you advise her not to do it? what about homosexuality? what does your faith tell you about that? What do you think about premarital sex? and how would you help people if you don't have that experience?
Her questions didn't surprise me that much. I answered the way I thought was appropiate and felt pretty confident about it. What surprised me was how bad being a christian and a psychologist was for her! You would think after all the experience she has working with families and individuals in the therapy field, she would be more flexible and less judgemental.
After the hour-long interview, I walked out of that room with mixed feelings. Fist, I was happy for not having felt insecure or attacked. I know why I believe in God, and I know my faith does not interfere with the way I look at the world. Rather, I look at the world through my faith in Jesus! and that makes it even more of a responsibility to help and give to others all that I am.
Yet the other part of me was thinking: The world is SO confused about "us" christians!
I am not trying to overgeneralize, but I wonder, why was this lady feeling so threatened at the idea of a christian woman becoming a family therapist? What has been her experience with christian people that makes her react like this? Why are so many others who feel like that towards or faith? Doesn't it make you wonder? Are we really teaching the truth in LOVE? Are we so commited to doing God's will, that we actually face situations around us with compassion and mercy? Or do we condemn and reject people in the name of our faith and sound doctrine? Are we enaging in God's mission because we LOVE people and because He LOVES people?
I realize that lady comes from a whole different worldview than mine. I know she didn't mean to humiliate me or make me doubt. I embraced her concerns as a reminder of why we as Christ followers are to engage our world with the responsibility of bearing God's trademark. Let us face God's mission with seriousness. Let us do it through love.
May He teach us how to love everyday, for the rest of our days.
Yuli
lunes, 19 de marzo de 2007
¿Anillo Pequeño o Dedo Gordo? (Small Ring or Fat Finger?)
So, Lance decided to propose over Spring Break. . .He was ready for it, and I did not know anything about it. . . Didn't even imagine it!
Of course I was ready for it, are you kidding me? I've known I've been wanting to do that for a long time. Anyway, I arrived in Mexico City Wed. night the 7th of March for Spring break. It was Tues. the 13th of March that I proposed.
First we watched a video that He had made for me. . . it was so funny! He asked me to go out with him that Tuesday night and we went to the Latinamerican tower in downtown Mexico City. The city lights were wonderful! (If you have never been in Mexico City, you oughta come visit!) We prayed over the city for the work that is to be done. Then we gave thanks to God for our relationship.
I then asked her which side of the tower was her favorite. She replied is if it were rhetorical, "The side where my house is." And of course we noticed there was a telescope facing that side. I very gentlemanly-like deposited 2 pesos in it, so that she could get a clear view of her house from the center of the city. Upon which I knelt down on one knee to greet her turning around after she had said, "Ahhh, time's up." "¿Te quieres casar conmigo? (Will you marry me?)."
Of course I was so excited about seeing my house! I'm telling you, that telescope was pretty awesome! So, I turn around and I see Lance on one knee holding the ring box up. . . Oh my God! Lance, are you serious? Siii, siii, siiiiiiiii!, I said, GET UP! ( I was a bit embarrased because of all the people around us!). After that, I said Oh my God! a MILLION times! Then after like five minutes, I finally said: Wait, can I see the ring? hahaa. . . ( by the way, He got a size 5. I am a 5.5)
(Hey, it could have been worse-I could have gotten you a size 7!) After being sky high for the next ten minutes, we went down only for Yuliana to be graced with red roses and a trip to Bellini's (a revolving restaurant sitting on top of the World Trade Center.) It was a grand occassion indeed!
My ring fits after all. . . I just can't get it off of my finger without bursting a few blood vessels. But, what can I say? I am sooo very excited about our engagement! We have been together for over two years (Lance says three, -depends on if you count the first breakup-) and we have been truly blessed. I was sure of Lance being the man of my dreams mostly because I know of his love for God and his passion for his work. I think we make a great team together and I am thankful for the wonderful love that we share IN HIM.
This first entry is quite an exciting one. Yuli and I have decided to start this blog, inviting everyone to join us in our journey of life. I know especially our families will enjoy it. After all, since the engagement this past week, a lot of things have become more concrete. In August I will be moving to D.F. (Mexico City), and I hope that this blog will be a peek into our life and our ministry as we start the next chapter of our lives together.
Ok Mr. Lance, before we leave let me tell our wonderful readers about our blog title. We met through a passion we both shared for the Koine Greek language. Karis and Aletheia are the greek words for Grace and Truth. Today, after lots of studying and learning, we are convinced that our lives should be based on the integration of these two. Sometimes we realize He is more the thinker and I am more the feeler... and then again, sometimes I'm more the thinker and Lance the feeler! Still, we hope to always remember that there is more to our lives than just living for ourselves and that "Truth is not the whole Truth without Grace!" (Thanks Dr. Monte Cox for that one!).
We love you all!/Los amamos!
Buenas Noches from Mexico D.F!
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