So, I've decided to revamp this blog, and start chronicling my experiences of living in a very unique place-Isla Vista. It'll look differently every week, just based on whatever happens during the week, and if you're interested, it'll usually be updated on Mondays.
I decided to title this week's entry 'Hope'. My firs few months living in IV has had many, many ups, but has not been without its downs. Recently (about two weeks ago), during a prayer and worship session we sang a song that I had never heard before entitled "Song of Hope". Now, despite the sinusoidal nature of living in IV, I have realized that there is never no hope. One of the downs has been that I really have not much to no home to go back to where I grew up, unlike most people. It makes the future really uncertain and it is, at times, a bit stressful when housing comes up, especially in regards to the future, and that past next quarter.
Compared with most people here, I lead a relatively humble lift, but compared with most people globally, I am unbelievably blessed. I've come to realize that it is all about perspective. I was in Vietnam War class earlier and ultimately the message of the speaker was Hope, saying that no matter what we have been through, Hope is always still available.
I think that it is a message Isla Vista need remember and keep in mind. With all of the partying and the hurt and the pride that is so prevalent in IV, Hope needs to prevail, Hope in the One who created Hope. It is my desire that Hope should be the driving force in IV, that all of the hurt in IV would be replaced by Hope, that Isla Vista would be as exposed to Hope as I have in the past week or so. Those with Hope survive, those with Hurt fade. Pray for IV, Pray for Hope.
`IV Restaurant of the week: McMaster's Steak and Hoagie-Great service, great food, ok prices (decent for IV).
~Good Luck and Good Eats
Cody
