I managed to find a few minutes while waiting for an intake to show up at OHSU. (That sounds so professional!) I have been here at the Behavioral Health Clinic for about a month and a half now, and it has been great. I am still buidling up clients and I have quite a few no shows. I still get to walk with people through their issues every day. My fellow interns are great. It is nice having others who are in the same scary boat that you are. I have been trying to learn the balance between being a counselor at work and a friend every where else. I find that I don't want to be everyone elses counselor, but my natural inclination is to fall into that mode. It can be very tireing. I am learning though. I have started using the phrase, "I am not your counselor" in hopes that people won't ask me to be. Being a friend,  a good friend, is differently than being a counselor. Hopefully one of these days I will be able to explain the difference. Let me know if you have suggestions.

I have evaded the common cold until yesterday. Everyone around me was sick and it finally caught up with me. Having to wake up early to catch a bus it not quite as enjoyable when you want to remove your throat. :) Maybe it was being out until 4 in the morning last friday or maybe it is my busy lifestyle. Whatever it is, I am now faced with the effects of the cold. Hanging out with friends though is worth the cold.

As a side note, if any one reads this, what is your opinion on dating co-workers?

I will leave you with that. . .

I realize that I have not posted in quite a while, but for the first time since I don't know when I have free time.

About a week ago, I watched the file "What Dreams May come" starring Robin Williams. I have previously heard strange things about the movie, but upon seeing it, I was amazed with the story of the gospel. (Granted, there were some complete flawed theological ideas about heaven, but none the less, the gospel was found in the film.)

Picture the story of a man who desperately loves his wife that he ventures into hell to find her. She is lost within her own mind, consumed with despair, and doesn't even realize that she is dead. She dwells in a place that resembles her earthly home, but now is mared by her despair. Her husband, Christopher, (who she calls Christy) finds her in this state and with all his love decides to join her in that despair. He is willing to give up his own sanity to be with her. The fact that he joins her is the one thing that saves her from her mental blindness.

What amazed me was that the movie not only included the story of the gospel, but it was not trying to. The film tried to depict a heaven and hell that included many religions and ideas (as least the ones that talk of heaven and hell), but was unable to tell the story without the gospel. The Gospel narrative is so engranged in us that it even defines our film making.

This is just food for thought. The film is quite artsy and worth a few moments of pondering.

There are times when we realize how small we are. There are times when we realize that life is not as easy for most people. Finally, there are times when we realize that others are so small they are not even heard when the most tragic happens.

I recently went to a film screening for a film called "Invisible Children." The film is a documentary about the children of Northern Uganda. We often hear about the troubles in Africa and sadly too often turn a deaf ear to the sadness. This film was more than just a tragic explanation of their state. This film showed what evil is and that is does exist. In case you don't know the circumstances in Northern Uganda, here is a brief history. About 20 years ago a war was started by what is not known as the Lord's Resistance Army. This war has raged on as the LRA tries to over throw the government. That is tragic in and of itself, but the situation now is astonishing. Since the people are so tired of war, the LRA cannot get enough adults for the war efforts. Therefore, the leader is abducting children and forcing them to fight his war. They are ranks filled with children who only know about killing and bloodshed. In light of that, most of the children commute every day from city to city in order to escape abduction. They can't stay in the home towns and so thousands of children travel with no else, but other children every day. It is considered the second worst humanitarian crisis today. (Second only to the Congo.) My heart was shattered watching this film of devastated children, most who have forgotten what it means to cry.

After the screening the people of the organization encouraged everyone to join in with a Global Night Commute. In 150 cities across the US people will travel to a selected location on April 29th and sleep their for the night. If you are interested in checking out their website go to  www.invisiblechildren.com. You might find yourself amazed.