We Walk Into the Old, With Character and Simplicity We Found.

As the seasons, change has come to Lynchburg. The spring flowers have begun to unfold like a deep breath of fresh air, contrary to its prior state of hiding under the shiny white snow. It gladdens me that with those flowers I can now clearly see the sterling smiles of those who I have come close to cherish. This past Saturday three amazing people and I walked the streets of downtown Lynchburg. I could not help but feel the untold stories that the old building so blatantly screamed. The sun shined on the old red bricks as if they had just been laid. So the advenure began with just a few picture of three Canadians that were truthfully a little cold...Joshua Reynolds,Rylie Eisbrenner, and Danielle Morrison. --->

As we spent time together walking and talking I wanted to catch every picture, every spoken word, and every smile and put it in my pocket or hide it in my heart so that the memories would never escape but rather be spoken of with a memorizable grin of the great time spent laughing and letting our imaginations run wild. In this photo below my camera was not intended to be on, -<----but when I turned around it surprisngly took a picture. If I might say so myself it is my favourite picture of that day.

I would like to elaborate a little more on my reasoning for mentioning that I spent this saturday morning with three amazing people...lets begin.

Joshua Reynolds. A kind and beautiful hearted young man with a hug that will make any cloudy day go away, and I truly mean that. At my school Liberty University we have something called convocation (an hour long service), as a student who lives off campus we are not required to attend these services, but I secrelty admit that other than coming into Gods presence with excitment..I look foward to Joshs' hugs. His character and the way he carries himself with such dignity and respect is encouragment to me even though it is something I do not share as often as I should. His presence makes you want to smile and later on a sure laugh.At heart he is a big brother. I hope to have these encouragments and hugs as long as the Lord allows.

Rylie Eisbrenner. This amazing girl came into my life unexpected. I had heard from other people, upon my return to Liberty, of what a great person she was. I would like to report that the tales were true.With excitment I tell you of her. When you walk into a room you can't help but see these precious almond shaped eyes, thus they seem to gleam at every lights glance. Her excitment is toxic, her faith is transparent, and her joy in the Lord is written all over her face.She holds on to truth and sincerity tightly with both hands. Is it possible for someone to inspire you in such a short time? I say...yes.

Danielle Morrison.life at her fullest. This is my definition of this "my cup is half full!" kind hearted girl, or might I say young lady.Her smile makes you forget of the bad and reminds you of the good. Her heart and smile just draws you in and her genuiness,You, just desires to be kept there in her presence.Everytime I have a sad face or a storm hits head on I secretly say to the Lord " Give me her unfailing smile." Her laughter is intriguing in the most precious of ways. Sunshine all the time,even when it is the hardest and I admire that. All about a God who loves people and within that sweet heart is a fire that is burning like a roaring fire.Have you ever met a person that you just know in your heart is special, and you cannot exactly say the right or justified words to describe them? well this is Danielle. A friend that sticks close.

I have been gracefully blessed and nothing less. Life is to be lived and shared with others, I try to tackle that everyday. So this is my story and some of the incredible people in my life.

I conlude Happiness is only real when shared.

Live Out Loud

Gio Marcela

He Ran to Him.. and Was Filled with Compassion!

This is a portrait painted by, my favorite artist, Senor Rembrandt Van Rijn also known as just " Rembrandt." This painting is called " The Prodigal Son " some say that Rembrandt secretly disguises himself as the son kneeling at his fathers feet. This story is my favorite parable that Jesus shared. This is my story, your story, our story and maybe soon enough you will recognize it. This young man was so mesmerized with the unattainable things of this earth that he could no longer wait so, he asked his father to give him his inheritance early. But if you read into it what the son was indirectly,but directly, saying was " I hope you could just take your last breathe, because I would really like my inheritance.. thank you." So the father without a fight,and considerably a broken heart, gives his son the inheritance and on his way the the son went. The story later on says that the son went on into a far away country and there wasted all his money on riotous living. In other words partied it up all day everyday day till he ran out of all his worth, like sand through an hour glass. Just as fast as his money disappeared his "friends" did as well. Just as time had it a great famine spread throughout the whole country and this young man was in need. So he went out to find a job and the only thing he could come across was hiring himself out to a farmer who sent him to the fields to feed and practically live among pigs. Now what we didn't know is that in the Jewish belief the pig is considered unclean and considered a sin if ate. He not only lived amongst the pigs but ate with them, this is as disgraceful and low as a jewish young man could be. Finally the young boy came to his sense and decided that he would set out and go back to his father. On his walk there he prepared a speech that would hopefully win his father back and it went a little something like this " Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."

So I am going to set up the scene here for you upon the sons arrival. The Bible does not say how long the son was gone for, it could have been five, ten, or thirty years. So the father is on his front porch just swaying back and forth on his rocking chair when we slightly sees his son. Scripture tells us that " while the son was a long way off his father saw him and was filled with compassion! he RAN to his son and threw his arms around him and kissed him. PAUSE to see an old Jewish man just pick up his robe and run towards his disgraceful son is a big no no in the Jewish belief. There is a huge sense of respect for a father; to which a father does not respond to emotion but rather, as we like to say, "acts calm" at all times, but this father humbled himself before his son, his servants, and his wife. Play .." Then son obviously gave his prepared speech, when the father interrupted him and said to his servants " Go and get the best clothes, best shoes and we will have a feast! For this son of mine was dead and now alive again; he was lost and is now found!" Some say this is a story about the lost son, but I think it's a the story about a loving father displaying his furious love. Sound familiar yet?

Live out Loud

Gio Marcela

The Fear of Never Moving

“This extremity of comfort that has become normality, I fear, has hardened our hearts towards humility and may forever more interfere with our desire to assist a fellow man.” I have sat in a stadium, on a mountain top, with lives of which seem to be taken for granted. I hear full voices speaking of there “daily calamities” (sarcasm greatly intended) with impatience in my heart I catch my emotions unfold within me. Is there something I have missed? Why am I here? Instead of with the oppressed, wanting earnestly to hear the sound of an orphan singing a song of how he was found. One would laugh if I said I do not want the American dream, but rather live among those who will never have it. I have been given just a mere visual taste of poverty. I have no claim on this earth but Christ and His furious love for justice. We see a gentleman holding out his hand, on a street corner, asking for change but we walk by with the assumption that he will use it for cigarettes or alcohol? Who are we to judge as if we are any better? When we ignore the oppressed it is as if we actually add to their pain, somehow continue to entrap them, and rob them of their human dignity. We (I) see the news of chaos occurring somewhere in the world and we sympathize for the situation thus for a mere second, but then we change the channel and continue with our day. It’s not hard to see that there is a great imbalance. With a heavy heart I come.
Live Out Loud
Gio Marcela

Walk it Well

My heart is overwhelmed from the old faces that have rushed back into my life like a roaring fire. I have caught myself gazing at these old faces with excitement and wonder. Has change come upon them? Has a year of beautiful absence made me an outsider of who they are or have become? I can sincerely say that with eagerness and anticipation I’m looking forward to finding out. The past memories seem to be a step in the sand, slowly being washed away by the oceans rhythm. I find it in me to look towards new steps that God willing will be walked well. I’ve been blessed beyond measures upon my return to blue skies, mountain tops, cold feet, and the wisdom of my teachers. Being still is something I wish to master, during my time here. To listen with application, purpose and direction towards those who speak to me. Many folks seem to set goals at the beginning of every year, I am one of them. As quickly as we set them we seem to forget them, as if words spoken into the heavens are brushed away by the wind. As this New Year comes to its beginning I hope that words promised will not be broken. That we may look forward to the day when the wars and violence cease, and all creation lives in peace. That our journeys would be focused and profitable on the city that waits for us.

Live Out Loud
Gio Marcela