IT'S NOT SILLY...

We all go through life experiencing a lot of things that we never thought would be possible. But what about those other thoughts, and dreams; the ones you deemed silly, and flat out ridiculous? Well, I’m telling you they're not!

Go for it…
Do it…

Here’s mine:

I want to ride a bicycle through an open field in the rain--nothing else. I picture this huge open yellow field, with tall grass. Not too tall, maybe a little above your knees. Then, there would be this small muddy path that runs straight through. I want to get drenched in the rain…absolutely drenched, and not worry about hair or clothes.

I just picture this as a one of the greatest ways to experience God here on Earth…a silly way—yes, but that’s just me…what’s yours?

Happy Birthday to ME and President Obama

Congratulations, America! You have witnessed the birth of a new president along with the 22nd celebration of my own birthday. I know that Obama being elected in a landmark election is nothing compared to my big day - yes, I'm being sarcastic. However, I want to personally thank every one that called text’d or wrote on my wall. I’m so blessed to know everyone of you and have you be apart of my life.

My day was great, and I got to spend it with good people, and doted on the beauty and grace of the Lord. The whole time I kept wondering, “why am I still here?” I could be anywhere…but I’m here…well…and alive…but alive in a way where it is unexplainable.

After a life spent with years of wandering….I find myself following now.

….I think you all know who it is I follow =)

Yes, I was in the ER

My Morning:
I think I figured something was seriously wrong with my eye when I couldn't open my eyes to any type of light. It's been hurting for a while, but it got seriously painful this morning. So, I left after my morning class in center city and walked down to Chestnut to the Jefferson ER.

I think my walk down 10 blocks was the most dreadful, and embarrassing. Since my eye was extremely sensitive to light, it kept tearing tremendously, and with that came a lot of awkward stares from passersby. I got a couple of, "are you okay's?" A few whispers of, "I think she was crying..."

By the 5th block, I decided to walk and smile to have people not feel bad for me. Maybe then people wouldn't assume I had some awful break-up or fallout with friend. I don't think that worked out to well, because now, I'm walking, smiling, and crying all at the same time. Instead of people having pity on me for a bad day, I think they were starting to think I was crazy....If I saw me, I think I would be crazy too!

Four hours in any ER is enough to get any person irritated. Luckily, I had my trusty mac, and Jeff has wireless, which was awesome news! I wonder if the other people in the ER felt jealous? I mean, here I am watching the Desperate Housewives episode I missed last Sunday, and they have to sit there and watch Days of Our lives. Well....in this case, I'm just thankful to God that I have some sort of entertainment.

Diagnosis: Well, people, I have an inflammation in both eyes. Possibly due to oxygen deprivation from my contacts. It doesn't make sense, because I do take good care of my lenses, and I never sleep in them. Still, it had some type of bacteria in them. The doctor said it was good I came in now, or else, they would have turned into a full blown infection. Looks like the Lord's been lookin' out!

Thanks: For all the people that called text'd and facebook'd me to see how I was. I feel very special, even if Ashley (ny) thinks I could have set off all the pacemakers in old people (which I still don't get...). You're an odd one....you know that? BUT....bottomline is...I'm okay! THANKS GUYS!!! I love ya, and God Bless each one of you! You can all call me four eyes for the next month or so....how do you like these pairs?

I think I make glasses look COOL! hahaha....

Hero For A Second

Story Occurred: Thurday, October 9, 2008

When crossing a busy intersection, the rule is, every man for himself/herself. Being a dedicated believer in that concept, I crossed the Broad and Cecil B. Moore intersection with nothing but me on the other side in one piece in mind. In my rush, I noticed an old African American man from the corner of my eye with a walker, making it slowly across the street. I remember thinking that he’s crazy for crossing, and he should seriously think about hurrying up if her wants to live.

Standing on the sidewalk, I urged myself not to look back, but I did, and there he was…just walking…slowly, with a billion cars heading towards him. I stared at him for a split second, and next thing you know, I’m throwing out the little that’s left of my starbucks latte as I jump (literally) into Broad Street. (I wish some took a picture of this)

“What the heck am I doing?” I thought as I walked toward him. “I’m going to die for this dude I don’t even know!”

My mind was talking, but my body moved up to the man in the street, and there I was, in front of speeding cars, and bunch of people watching.

“Do you need help sir?” I said as I grabbed a hold of his shoulder.

This is the moment that the courage of Christ took over, and through Him, I became a Hero for a second. With the dozens of people who saw this man cross, not one stopped to help.

The Holy Spirit is so powerful that it takes whatever ideologies and fear you have and throws it out the window. I’ve learned that in that moment I leaped onto Broad to help. This is how Christians should be set apart. When no one wants to go into the fire….go….you go! As the entire world watches….go, and show the love of Christ! When people let fear take over, the Lord has no more room in their lives. Let Him be the flood that drives itself into the blood, that same blood that gives you courage to ward off any kind of fear.

…Be a Hero, Be His Servant!

TAKE A BREATHER...

Photo Edit: Litty Samuel

COLLEGE DAY ON THE PARKWAY
Litty Samuel
Culture, Concerts, and Cool Kids, “oh my!” It’s time to take a study break, so slide your books under the bed and get out of Kansas, Dorothy! The City of Philadelphia, and Campus Philly welcomes back the thousands of students returning and entering another year of college.

So, before classes start to really break your back, head down to the Parkway, and enjoy a day full of new meet and greets, concerts from bands like Cool Kids, Twelve Twenty, Armor for Sleep, Victor Victor Band, and more.

No cash…No worries! Admission is free with your college I.D.
College Day at the Parkway is expecting around 15,000 students from all over Philadelphia for this one-day event, so don’t miss out on the fun.

WANT MORE INFO...?
http://www.campusphilly.com/collegeday/

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Photo Edit By: Litty Samuel

Successful Chef-Owner Bruce Cooper takes an interesting route when it comes to casual American dining with his second restaurant, Cooper’s Brick Oven Wine Bar. With an open kitchen placed in the center of the dining area, customers look on and take a whiff of chefs preparing fresh pizza in the brick oven.

Grab a seat on the side of the restaurant to find yourself immersed in warm natural light from the floor to ceiling windows, which gives you a full glance onto Main Street. Order a slice of one of Cooper’s interesting blends of flavors on a pizza. Try this combination of ham & egg, Benton’s ham, baked egg, spinach, onion, and bourbon maple.

If you’re not so much in the pie mood, try the smoked salmon, which is smoked trout, watercress, cucumber, apple, and lemon-dill aioli. The food is affordable, and filling where lunch and dinner will be served every day. Breakfast will be served on the weekends

LOCATION: 4367 Main Street in Manayunk

A "GOOD FEELING"

It happens once in a while, where every hot blooded human is struck with an unexpected “good feeling.” There is not direct definition of a “good feeling” and therefore, I will describe it for you.

LITTY'S DEFINITION:

A good feeling is an emotion that is brought on by a thought or a moment from one’s life. One can think about it, analyze it, and then if it is a fond recalling of moments, then it results in a demure side smirk smile, which is unnoticeable to any passerby. A true “good feeling” is quiet, and modest…if you are overly excited…then I think that might be a “great feeling!” Haha…

LITTY'S "GOOD" FEELING" EXPERIENCE:

I was walking up a bustling 12^th street in the middle of Temple University, Philadelphia. Through my over-sized charmingly named “bumblebee” sunglasses, I glanced over to Anderson Strip (an outside eatery at Temple), and noticed it was just about dinner time.

“Jeezz….I’m old!” I thought

I didn’t recognize a single person out of the possible 100 who were waiting, and eating on their food. I thought about how lucky these freshmen are to have a “fresh” start to their college degrees. To have four years to decide on whom they’d want to become before being thrown out into the real world.

• I thought about how much I struggled with a major…
• How much I messed up…
• How I was so indecisive…
• All this, before I heard the still voice of the Lord

• I remembered how much I HATED BIOLOGY…
• How I was so persistent to stay in there…
• How I felt so trapped…How the Lord LITERALLY had to drag me out…

Thoughts were swarming all around inside, while I composed a steady walk, behind huge shaded glasses, up a never ending 12^th street. Crossing the street I glanced, in passing, to my left at the Bio Life Building. Suddenly, everything seemed to travel in slow motion…

“My goodness, I don’t have to go in there anymore,” I thought to myself. “I’m free…I’m free…I never have to look at another chromosome, bacteria, plant chlorophyll, or stupid dead pig and identify its crappy, slimy duodenum!”

I quickly turned to the front with my unchanged, steady pace, and let out a sigh of relief. I bowed my head slightly to the ground, looked at the floor, and gave a small unknowing side smirk, which I caught about 5 seconds later.

“God is so good to me,” I thought.

And All I could Whisper was, "I love you...”

ANOTHER GOOD FEELING...

WELCOME TO THE WORLD KAYLA GRACE OSBORN!

"A New Beginning" (UPDATED)

Ajit and Elizabeth

Every little girl grows up dreaming about their picture perfect wedding. Details are planned out and perfected as years go by, from the invitations to the isle runner; nothing is left untouched. The wedding gown might go from white to ivory, from Princess cut, to A-line. Color schemes might change a million times before the perfect pair, or triple are chosen. Yet, the idea of being a bride remains joyful, and exciting throughout a lifetime.

Miss Elizabeth Varghese, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had the opportunity of finally fulfilling every image she had of a wedding on Saturday May 3rd 2008. She married Ajit David, from Chicago, Illinois on a cloudy Saturday morning, which burst into sunlight by the early afternoon.

Holy Trinity Church on Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, hosted the wedding of the two joining families. Guests slowly started to arrive by 9:30A.M. Quick conversations of “congratulations,” and “it’s been a while,” covered the ambience of the church, while ushers diligently worked to get arriving guest seated in time to start the ceremony.

The church was dome like in structure, and beautiful paintings, similar to the renaissance encompassed the ceiling taking guests back to a more romantic era. Taking in all the beauty was calming enough, but just to ease the tired soul, a worship team of five family friends were singing Christian worship songs.

“We just want to usher in the presence of the Lord,” says Bessie Abraham Mathew. “Elizabeth wanted this day to belong to God, and so we’re singing a few praise and worship songs.”

As the songs were finishing up, it was just about time for the wedding procession to begin. The bridesmaids came down donning a beautiful bold orange skirt with a gold mesh top with hints of green. The color was very warm and inviting, as seemed to be the theme for the entire wedding.

While Pachelbel's canon in D Major begins its soothing melody, guests accordingly rise to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride to be. As Elizabeth cheerfully glides down the isle with her father at her side, her smile could not have even been hidden by her pure white veil.

The ceremony continued in an Indian MarThoma wedding order, which consisted of traditional chants, and hymns. To modernize the ceremony, contemporary Christian songs were sung by friends, family and loved ones in between the worship order.

Once the priest had finished with the thirty-five minute ceremony, he announced the new Mr. And Mrs. Ajit David, while guest clapped and cheered for the new union. Immediately after the wedding ceremony was concluded, guests were packed into three shuttle buses, which took them to the Crystal Tea Ballroom at the Wanamaker building. There, the reception continued where guest munched on crackers, and small portions of pasta as appetizers. A lot of mingling, and surprised “hello’s” took place as guests moved around the lobby area.

Once the Reception hall was ready, guests slowly started to find their way into the hall, and began to find their seats for the program to begin. Toward the beginning of the reception were the typical...speeches...speeches...and more speeches. However, by mid-afternoon the reception took a turn for the better as the hilarious MC’s made their way onto the floor. “Corny” but welcoming jokes were thrown around in Indian accents, which resulted into a burst of laughter from their audience. The dance floor opened up as the evening began to unravel. Ironically, it was not only the youths or the singles that stepped out to dance, but instead it was their parents and elderly that completely began to “tear up” the dance floor. I guess you can call the dancing part of the entertainment also, because it was definitely amusing to watch, and a great way to end a new beginning.

MUSIC REVIEW - - -"I Will Wait for you There"

"I WILL WAIT FOR YOU THERE"
Phil Wickham

I think when a person can finally close their eyes and dream without falling asleep, is the result of inspiring music. Such is the case with Phil Wickham’s “I Will Wait for You There,” which can be heard on his 2007 second album Cannon's. Even though eyes shut can bring about a shade of darkness, there is a small glow of light that can’t be seen, but can only be felt when giving a listen to Phil Wichkam.

Wickham takes it easy on the lyrics and plays the “simple card” while he brings, “I Will Wait for You There” back to a more familiar place. He sings about a place that is a home away from home, a world apart from this word…a place called “there.”

“…It’s about finding that secret place, that quiet place that we can meet with God in the midst of a crazy, loud, and violent world,” says Wickham on a youtube clip.

Like a soft lullaby, the unique voice of Wickham lures in listeners to share in lyrics sung with true emotion. The song’s chorus, in a time line goes from a plea to an anthem by the time it hits the third chorus. Wickham is passionate and makes a voiced statement about waiting on God.

Well, wherever “there” is…it is definitely far from this world. I would love to be “there” also…

GIVE AN EAR AND TAKE A LISTEN?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc4603p8bIE

A Heart Ache....

How can you stare into the faces of these children, and not break....?

There are no words I can say, but my heart aches to be here....

Photos By:
Roby Mathew
Tibetan Border Mission

If a picture is worth a thousand words...then why am I so speechless???

My Unexpected Love

Photo By;
Litty Samuel



Honing a song for God is....something for sure! You want it to be perfect for Him...Not just some words your smacked together, hoping that it would make an ounce of sense. I mean...how do you write a song for a God who never completely makes sense anyway?

The following lyrics are to a new song I just completed...deservingly called, "Unexpected Love." The words came to me like...out of no where. I was trying to describe what the Lord is in my life right now, and he IS my unexpected Love...no doubt.

It definitely has been a couple of months since I've written a song. I mean...I've written a whole slew of them over the passing months, but this....I felt a yearning in my heart to share with everyone. And through the life of a struggling Christian...I wrote this...

I must tell you, I did write this song in my closet. It is kind of unusual that a 21 year old, who has a Physics final on Monday, would drop everything to sit in a lit closet writing love songs to God...

Music will be uploaded to FB soon...

Unexpected Love

Verse 1:
Break the silence
Hold me closer
You are the one that I rely on
At your alter
release all my worries
that I may never ever falter

Chorus:
And my whole life is changing
The world I know is fading
Your...
You’re my unexpected love
You’re my unexpected love
You’re my unexpected Love
You’re my unexpected Love

Verse 2:
Set my mind free
From all the voices
Calling me in ways I cannot go
let the world know
my place is with You
There’s no where else that I’d feel home but here

A Thought for the "Everyday"

Photo By: Litty Samuel
"...Here's my glimpse"

It's funny that we focus so much on the glory of God just here in Earth. We're just a spec of dust in this VAST Universe. I look out into the waters, and gaze up to the sky, and wonder," what other paintings have You etched out with Your very own hands?"

He could have had us live anywhere...the life of an "alien" on a desert planet. But instead, He placed us here with a purpose to love Him, calls us HIS CHILDREN, with a chance to see Him with every opening of our eyes! I can't begin to imagine a world more beautiful than this...But, my eyes have only caught a glimpse of His glory. If I was able to grasp the complete beauty of the Lord...my eyes would go blind by its own sight.

...The Universe is endless and unimaginable much like our Savior. We can explore it, observe it, and test it all we want, but there is still more to it. There is no time, no balance, but a mystery beyond a BILLION stars that are embedded within a thick blanket of...."I don't knows'..."

....But one thing I do know, results in a God...who IS..

A Chicago Experience

So recently, my cousins and I took and unexpected road trip to Chicago, Illinois. Unexpected because we decided to go 2 days before. Yes, everything was rushed, but the unplanned planning was the best part. We had no idea, what were were doing....scary? yes! Exciting? Also, yes! It's funny how two opposite things can come together, and be okay. We call ourselves humorously, the "CRU," which stands for Cousins R Us. However, a few of our younger cousins weren't able to join us because of classes. The people that went consisted of Jiji, Bessie, Jincy, and Myself.

To give you guys an idea of what we did......here a just a few pictures...

@ Navy Pier

Trying to take some "artsy" pictures by Millennium Park

Jiji and Bessie on their segway scooters near another park


And That's all FOLKS!!!

. BUT....before you leave, check out this clip that we took by the Planetarium

"Life Saved to Life Saver"

Profile: Dante Moore
By:Litty Samuel

Groups of teenagers and young adults gathered in tight crowds in anticipation to see the gospel rap performance of the Broken Vessels, led by their lead rapper, Dante Moore. When the beat dropped, the crowd began to move in motion to the rhythm and mouthed the lyrics that were sung by the group. It was here, as he sang words of struggle, passion, and the love of Christ, that Moore realized his true purpose.

Dante Moore, 20, is a third year business student currently studying at Widener University. Even as a full-time student, Moore has time to participate and organize various ministries throughout the city of Philadelphia. One such ministry is the music ministry accomplished through gospel rap group named Broken Vessels.

“I have learned a lot of things in my life so far, but when your in music ministry, you save a lot of time by realizing it is not about you but about Him,” Moore said.

Moore attended Northeast High School in Philadelphia, and there he had the opportunity to meet his now best friend of six years, Siby Varghese. Varghese, who had recently been saved, which is to accept Christ as your personal savior, persuaded Moore to attend a few of his fellowship meetings at his church, the Indian Pentecostal Church (IPC) located in Philadelphia.

“I was in the world and had no regard for wanting to change my life. I always made up excuses, saying that I have nothing to wear,” Moore said laughing.

Varghese was persistent, and Moore eventually gave in and attended one meeting at IPC. Moore stopped attending after the first meeting, but came back a month later to continue attending IPC due to more persuasion by Varghese.

“One night, I was so taken in by the music, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and I felt the Lord move through me,” Moore said smiling coyly. “That night I was saved, and my life after that night changed dramatically: my friends, outlook, speech, and all that jazz.”

“Dante was always the class clown, not really caring for much of his life,” Varghese said. “He has come a long way from where he was, and now, he is definite and sure of the cause God has placed in his life.”

In high school, Moore heavily relied on music to get him through his rough days. Moore mainly listened to rap and R&B. Lyrics from Biggie Smalls, Ludacris, Eminem, and Drew Hill were just a few of the artists who influenced Moore’s life. Since music has played an important role in Moore’s life, he now uses it toward his new found religion. The lyrics of Biggie Smalls were replaced by lyrics in praise of a 2000 year old carpenter. Moore’s passion for rap was replaced by his passion to lead worship and sing at his church, IPC.

“The one thing that helped me stay alive was my music,” Moore said. “I was just drawn to it: the rhythm, the beat, the sound. I took what the Lord had given me, and I went from relying on music to relying on Him.”

Moore had never thought of going into gospel rap because he had always seen himself as a singer, and not rapper. A few months later, a couple of Moore’s friends got together in Moore’s basement and started talking about their walk and struggle with religion.

“The conversation got so deep, and we became so high off the Lord,” Moore said. “In the background, there was a secular hip hop beat playing, and we just started rapping about the Lord.”

The group consisted of four young men, Dante Moore, Steve Samuel, Phil Lewis, and Gabe Santiago. After establishing the idea of a gospel rap group in their minds, the next step was to decide on a name.

“At first we were actually called God’s De-light, because we worked the lights at IPC during the church service,” Moore said laughing.

Later on, the group decided to drop the name God’s De-light and take on the name Broken Vessels.

“We looked at Psalms 51:73, which talks about humility and coming to the Lord broken, and we became broken for the Lord,” Moore said.

Moore had entered that rap scene as an amateur, but seemed to get the drift and progress in his style of writing lyrics. As Moore proceeded in his ministry, he continued to change as a person and it showed in his lyrics.

“My lyrics come from all over,” Moore stated. “Rap can be anger, defensive, violence, and in my case worship.” “I remember listening to the pastor one time and writing lyrics. My inspiration comes from all over, at all times.”

Moore had also been given the opportunity to go and proceed with his ministry at many places, such as churches, schools, and other events. Each place that he had attended was a different and new experience for Moore, and his lyrics and style changed as he continued to venture to new places.

“I write to certain crowds, because it pricks them,” Moore stated. “Jesus told parables to certain people. Right?”

At one point in his life, Moore was asked to perform at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, in Philadelphia, and he began to write lyrics to a particular song called “Relationship.” It speaks about how a person should not get caught up thinking that they’re a “Christian,” but instead, to first establish a relationship with God.”

“When I wrote, it came out so heavy, and I felt as if I was pleading with them,” Moore said. “My main hope was that if you do not leave blessed, then please leave informed. God gave me that song.”

After a couple years in the gospel ministry, Moore decided to take a different route in serving God. Last year, 2006, Moore started planning charity work in Philadelphia. Project 215 is a mission field set up here in Philadelphia by the members of Broken Vessels.

“I only had two visions from the Lord: I was to create ministry, and the other was Project 215,” Moore stated.

The name Project 215 was taken from the area code of the Philadelphia region. Moore takes up a leadership position, for he is the one to organize a lot of the projects, people, and the places.

Project 215 is made to benefit people who are struggling from poverty. The members set up lines for booths of clothes, shoes, and food. They passed out gospel tracks at the same time and even offered prayer for those who are in need.

“My dream is not to rap my whole life, but to help people, and I am going to continue to be an advocate for Project 215,” Moore said. “We are a powerful force, and we should go into the city of brotherly love and show the same love we proclaim in church. This will draw people to Christ...your silent love,” Moore concluded.

"A Wedding Story"

"Elizabeth and Ajit"

Every little girl dreams about their perfect wedding day. From the dress to the invitation, ever detail is planned out to a tee, and perfected as the years go by, and as preferences change. Your gown might go from White to ivory, from Princess cut, to A-line. You color schemes might change a million times before the perfect pair, or triple is chosen. Yet, the idea of being a bride, remain joyful, and exciting throughout a lifetime.

Miss Betsy Varghese had the opportunity of finally fulfilling every image she had of a wedding on Saturday May 3rd 2008. She Wed Ajit David, on a cloudy Saturday morning, which burst into sunlight by afternoon time.

On entering the Holy Trinity Church on Rittenhouse Square, I noticed there were ushers diligently working to get arriving guest seated in time to start the ceremony. The church was dome in structure, and beautiful renaissance like painting encompassed the ceiling taking guests back to a more artistic era. Taking in all the beauty was calming enough, but just to ease the tired soul, a worship team was singing Christian worship songs.

Just as the songs were finishing up, it was just about time for the wedding procession to begin. The bridesmaids came down dawning a beautiful bold orange skirt with gold mesh top with hints of green. The color was very warm and inviting. As the ceremony continued in a MarThoma wedding order, it also consisted on songs from loved ones.

Once the wedding was over, guest were packed into 3 shuttle buses, which took them to the Crystal Tea Ballroom at the Wanamaker building. There, the reception continued, where guest munched on crackers, and small portions of pasta as appetizers. There was a lot of mingling, and surprised “hello’s” as guest moved along the lobby area.

Once the Reception hall was ready, guest slowly started to find their way into the hall, and began to find their seats for the program to begin. The program was the typical...speeches...speeches...and more speeches. However the hilarious MC’s made the afternoon a bit more enjoyable, and fun. As corny but funny jokes were thrown around in Indian accents, the night began to unravel in the dance floor. Where it was no the kids or the teens that began to dance, but the parents began to completely “tear up” the dance floor. I guess you can call the dancing part of the entertainment too. It was definitely funny to watch...

The Triple "W"

"Welcome Warm Weather..."
April has finally brought something else with all that lousy rain...it dragged in some fabulous sunshine! With Thursday and Friday hitting above 70 degrees, everyone was out and about.

Temple University looked absolutely radiant, with a fresh application of glow to her old self demeanor....I guess you can call it an "age like beauty!"

It was only fit that my friend Sarah and I make the best of it...
So we did a Mortal Kombat Fight scene...check it out below!

C:\Documents and Settings\Litty S\Local Settings\Temp\FightOne.gif

"Sarah and I.....enjoying the grass"