Where can I find him?!

The Man's Guide To Love #356 from themansguidetolove on Vimeo.

you are not your own.

Isaiah 44:5

"One will say, 'I belong to the LORD';

another will call himself by the name of Jacob;

still another will write on his hand,

'The LORD'S,'

and will take the name Isreal."

Someday's you'll find, you really don't know people the way you thought. Someday's you'll surprise yourself, discovering capabilities you never knew you had. And someday's, someday's, you'll feel compelled to grab the person's hand next to you, and let them know they're not alone. We're all His. We're all in this together. Hand in Hand. Heart in Heart.

Seaside for the Weekend

Ah, the beach. I can't even begin to explain how just a simple weekend away can brighten up my life! Saturday morning a bunch of us piled into a service taxi that brought us to Limassol, a seaside city full of travelers, even despite the forecast of rain. Although when we first arrived it was pretty cloudy, the sun still peaked out from time to time. The breeze, the waves crashing against the rocks, the sand under our feet... it made it all picturesque, still. Apparently there was a sandstorm in Egypt that carried it's way to the coast of Cyprus, causing the sand to blow us off the beach and into a nearby restaurant, Taps, where we all got the British breakfast for only 2 euros. The six of us who were staying together then proceeded to our hotel room, which had a balcony view of the city, and another view of the ocean. We pushed all four of our beds together and napped. I could seriously get use to this! It was hard to not wish that this was where I would be spending my semester abroad, but I'm sure with the beach and all it entails, not much "studying" would have gotten done. Later that evening, we went back to the same restaurant, Taps, because it was their first ever night of Karaoke, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. It's just so entertaining and fun, especially for someone like me who loves to dance and has always fantasized about being able to sing [and maybe someday I'll be good at it, but until then, making a fool of myself doing Karaoke is just fine with me!]

Sunday morning we all woke up to a beautiful, double rainbow outside of our window, and set off for the race... Yes, I signed up to "run" a 5k, solely because it was beachside and I'dbe in good company! On our way there, it began to downpour. Running in the rain? Looked like it! However, by the time the race began, the skies cleared to a magnificent blue, and the ocean glittered with specks of sunlight. It was absolutely beautiful. As the race started, it was confirmed that I'm a much better cheerleader than runner, so a group of us walked in the back and cheered on everyone that passed. One of the guys in our group actually got awarded first place! [It was all because of our cheering, right Matt? ;)] Then, with "Windows Are Rolled Down" by Amos Lee on repeat, we journeyed back home to Nicosia... but don't worry beach and blissful seaside, we'll be back soon enough...

let's all find each other & have a coffee.

What Does Love Look Like?

So it's Valentine's Day. I spent my morning walking all over Nicosia with my friend Carolyn trying to pick up a package my Momma sent me. First, we went to the wrong post office [where they insisted we go in the back storage room and literally sort through the packages just to make sure it wasn't there.] Then, I called a cab... didn't know where I was, so some random guy outside the gas station had to tell the driver on the phone... told him something in Greek, hung up, and handed the phone back to me. At this point I had no idea if a cab was coming, all I knew was that I had 40 minutes to get to who knows where before they shipped my package back to the US! Oh dear. Well, we finally made it, and it was totally worth it. It is by far the greatest Valentines package ever [teddy bear, chocolates, cards, the works!] Thanks Momma... you're the best :)

But back to Valentine's Day...

My cab driver today brought up the holiday, and when I asked if he had a Valentine, he responded, "One flower, because we only have one heart." What a beautiful response. One heart... One love. Love. And there it is... the real reason for this holiday. The cab driver asked me if I had a Valentine. I laughed.. "No." He asked why not... "I haven't found anyone that lives up to any of my expectations of what love really is." And isn't that the truth? Because we've been told the greatest love story of all time... how can anyone live up to that?

This is one of my favorite songs ever... and it is the most beautiful, perfect description of a love story of all time...

“What does love look like?” is the question I’ve been pondering

“What does love look like?” is the question I’ve been asking of You

I once believed that love was romance, just a chance

I even thought that love was for the lucky and the beautiful

I once believed that love was a momentary bliss

But love is more than this

All You ever wanted was my attention

All You ever wanted was love from me

All You ever wanted was my affections, to sit here at Your feet

Then I sat down, a little frustrated and confused

If all of life comes down to love,

Then love has to be more than sentiment

More than selfishness and selfish gain

And then I saw Him there, hanging on a tree, looking at me

I saw Him there, hanging on a tree, looking at me

He was looking at me, looking at Him, staring through me

I could not escape those beautiful eyes

And I began to weep and weep

He had arms wide open, a heart exposed

Arms wide open; He was bleeding, bleeding

Love’s definition, love’s definition was looking at me

Looking at Him, hanging on a tree

I began to weep and weep and weep and weep

This is how I know what love is, this is how I know what love is

And as I sat there weeping, crying

Those beautiful eyes, full of desire and love

He said to me, “You shall love Me, You shall love Me

You shall love Me, You shall love Me”

With arms wide open, a heart exposed

With arms wide open, bleeding, sometimes bleeding

If anybody’s looking for love in all the wrong places

If you’ve been searching for love, come to Me, come to Me

Take up your cross, deny yourself

Forget your father’s house and run, run with Me

You were made for abandonment, wholeheartedness

You were made for someone greater, someone bigger, so follow Me

And You’ll come alive when you learn to die

Bring it on, God.

My parent's started going to a new church this past year, and in November, I finally gave in and tried it. Previous to this, my sister and I referred to it as the "crazy church" because people there speak in tongues and give prophetic words. Both of these things can seem very strange indeed if you've never experienced them, however, it wasn't as "crazy" as I had thought. It was actually kind of awesome. After the service, anyone can talk with one of the prophetic leaders, and they listen/relay things about yourself that God has done/is doing/will do in your life. Anyways, I thought I'd do it. I talked to a lady

who told me incredible things, but there was one thing that began to haunt me. She told me she "saw me on a college campus leading a Bible study." Woah. What? That was entertaining. I mean, I've attended plenty of Bible studies and such, but never have I led one. And I couldn't possibly imagine leading one at Akron. So, I brushed this aside. Until... I came to Cyprus. College Campus. Me. Oh boy. I suddenly had flashbacks of what this lady had told me. And for about a week, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Well, Kendall. Here ya go. God brought you out of Ohio, took you completely out of your comfort zone, placed you halfway around the World, surrounded you with people you've only known for a couple weeks, and He's. Calling. You. Out. Remember Jeremiah? Remember what God said to him?"

Jeremiah 1:4-8

The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I anointed you as a prophet to the nations."

"Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Aye yi yi. Good thing I've been reading Jeremiah recently to prepare myself for these types of moments.

Fast-forward to present day:

Just led my first Bible Study. There we're eight of us. I gave my testimony and played one of my favorite songs by Misty Edwards [Arms Wide Open]. Now, let me tell you. When God calls you to do something... you better do it, because He gets what He wants, and He does not care whether or not you think you can handle it. We can't do anything on our own, and if we try, well, then we just end up lookin' like fools! So God gives us challenges so huge that we have no choice but to [freak out] and look to Him! And, honestly, it wasn't even that scary. I did it. God did it. Ahh sigh. :)

Current outlook on life:

Bring it on, God. Let's see what we can do.

College Life [in Cyprus]

Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling. McDonald's. Party at the Italian Ambassador's guest house. Dancing the night away. Tacky 80's Valentine's Day Prom party [to which I wore a one-piece, metallic silver, sparkling jumpsuit. Teased hair, walk-man.. the works. And I rocked it, if I do say so myself.] Putting mattresses on the living room floor and having slumber parties that last for days [tomorrow:fort-building.] Yah, just doing the usual "college" thing. Only... in Cyprus. I've realized that just saying "in Cyprus" makes everything I do sound 10x more awesome. And in reality, it is. I'm enjoying life way to much right now, and it's only going to get better!

ask.

He said to me, "You are my [daughter];

today I have become your Father.

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession."

Psalm 2:7-8

all we have to do is ask...

POSTCUP.

I finally figured out my mailing address for those of you who've asked for it....

REGULAR MAIL:

Kendall Myers

c/o GLI Global Learning Institute

P.O. Box 27931

CY-Engomi, Nicosia 2434

Cyprus

My Momma sent me a package today, and decided to be very truthful in telling the guy how much everything cost inside of it... therefore, I have to pay taxes on everything! Haha. So, as much as I would LOVE all of your wonderful care packages, a letter will do just fine!

[or a post-cup like this one.. I could accept that, I suppose ;)]

DON'T STOP THE BEAT: Another [MATT JOHNSON] Film.

Untitled from Matt Johnson on Vimeo.

Just another [manic] Monday

Slept in this morning. Read my devotional for the day and Acts. Journaled. Watched the latest episode of Glee. Washed my clothes [in the sink, because it costs 4euro to wash and 4euro to dry your laundry here!] Did the dishes. Swept and mopped the apartment. Attempted to clean the bathroom [which is when I got tired and quit the cleaning spree, but Momma-aren't you so proud?!] Went to the grocery. Did the Insanity workout video with Jenalee. Made breakfast/lunch. And am now going to shower and go to my Photography class! I think I'm going to really start liking Mondays :)

From snow to sunshine, we got it all.

Today is BEAUTIFUL! I'm currently sitting outside on my balcony, in a t-shirt, enjoying the 64 degree sunshine. Citizen Cope is blaring from the roof next door, where I'm only assuming someone is up there sun bathing. On a Sunday, where nothing in town except for the bakery and ice cream shop is open, it's a perfect day to relax!

On a completely different note, yesterday we went on a day trip to Troodos, the mountain range near by, and the Village of Kakopetria. Troodos reminded me of a little ski village. It had a small outdoor market with lots of free samples, a hiking path, but best of all... it had SNOW! [I've been determined to wear my UGGS and winter parka ever since we got here, just to justify myself for having packed them!] It amazes me how diverse the climate is here, and Cyprus is only about the same size as the state of Connecticut! It's crazy how today is warm and sunny, and yesterday I was only an hour away, walking through pine trees and snow. Ah, I loved the Troodos. I love snow. I love mountains. What am I doing here on an Island where the temperature can get up to 100 degrees? I don't know what it is, but the winter scenery just makes me feel so at peace and extremely happy. I'm definitely going to have to move to Colorado after I graduate. [did you hear that Michelle? did you hear that Kelsey? we're going! we must!]

After the Troodos, we went to the Village of Kakopetria. It was very quaint and hilly. A few friends and I found a little, empty restaurant where a very Greek cook was beckoning us in. She brought us fresh bread and olives before insisting on what we all should order. [My friend, Colleen, tried to order spaghetti, but the lady wasn't having any of it. "No, no. You eat spaghetti at home, I make you this. You will like, it's very good." ...and she was right.] The food was amazing. Probably the best I've had yet. My new favorite this is the Moussaka. It's a layer of potatoes, ground beef or lamb, eggplant, and then bechamel sauce. Sounds strange, but it's amazing. Everyone go try it!

Tonight, well really "today" is the Super Bowl back at home. However, being 7 hours ahead of Ohio time, it won't come on till at least 1:30am. Is a bar down the street going to stay open so all of us American's can watch? You bet. Do I not have class tomorrow until 6pm? Why, yes. Do I even know what two teams are playing? Absolutely not. Oh well. It's more of a social things anyways, right?

It's funny, the things you miss when you can't have them anymore. Watching an American sport all the way across the Ocean brings back a nice sense of "home."

"Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it- memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey."

— Tad Williams

A Cypriot Smile: Video made by this really cool kid, Matt Johnson.

Untitled from Matt Johnson on Vimeo.

"...that mean the most."

Sometimes I think we get so wrapped up in the big scheme of things that we forget to notice the subtle, pretty gifts of the day to day. Recently, I've been so excited about all the trips I get to go on soon, planning them and making agendas, that I became super bored with the right now. But then, something little would happen, to make me smile or laugh, that would send me right back to the here and now.

A few examples:

• Finding pastel, orange M&M's in my Peanut M&M's bag. [Such a prettier color than the one's we have in the US!]
• Playing "scare" Hide and Go Seek with my roommates and the boys room on our hall because everything is closed on Sundays.
• Having a dance party in celebration of booking our Spring Break.
• Not doing anything all day, yet staying in to have amazing talks with my roommate, Jenalee, on just about everything in life.
• Sitting on the porch, laughing about nothing.
• Answered prayers [the first day here I literally prayed for more blankets... "Dear God, how am I ever going to sleep with just this comforter and a sheet? Please, please let my Mom send me another one." ...a week later, I just so happened to find an extra, unused and unclaimed comforter in Scott's room that I proceeded to steal. I think God approved ;)]
• Spontaneously starting a rap battle that made us 30 minutes late for a lecture.
• Grocery shopping with Jessica and almost falling down the escalator/moving ramp/scariest thing ever- because our rolling baskets were pulling us down, then laughing hysterically and having all the Cypriots look at us like "those Americans"
• Consistently being woken up by my friend Morrill ringing the doorbell 9 million times then flinging herself on my bed. [Way better than waking to an alarm clock]
• Kit-Kats with Nutella
• The fact that the sun continually rises and shines through my windows each morning, making it impossible not to be happy when I wake up.
• Skyping friends and family back home, and miss them, yet being able to know that I am completely content right here. right now.

It's the little things. The smile from a stranger. The laughter that begins a friendship. The birds that sing outside. The warm sun and a cool breeze. The tingly, heart-pounding feeling you get when you realize you love someone, you miss someone, or when you find out you mean the world to someone else. Take a second to notice these things and be thankful, because these make everything else worth it.