Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Because this is how I feel right now...

Take me back to the time
When I was maybe eight or nine
And I believed
When Jesus walked on waters blue
And if He helped me, I could too
If I believed

Before rationale, analysis and systematic thinking
Robbed me of a sweet simplicity
When wonders and when mysteries
Were far less often silly dreams
And childhood fantasies

Help me believe
'Cause I don't want to miss any miracles
Maybe I'd see much better by closing my eyes
And I would shed this grownup skin I'm in
To touch an angel's wing
And I would be free
Help me believe

When mustard seeds made mountains move
A burning bush that spoke for You was good enough
When manna fell from heavens high
Just because You told the sky to open up

Am I too wise to recognise that everything uncertain
Is certainly a possibility?
When logic fails my reasoning
And science crushes underneath
The weight of all that is unseen

Help me believe
'Cause I don't want to miss any miracles
Maybe I'd see much better by closing my eyes
And I would shed this grownup skin I'm in
To touch an angel's wing
And I would be free
Help me believe

When someone else's education
Plays upon my reservations
I'm the first to cave, I'm the first to bleed

If I abandon all that seeks
To make my faith informed and chic
Could You, would You show Yourself to me?

Help me believe
'Cause I don't want to miss any miracles
Maybe I'd see much better by closing my eyes
And I would shed this grownup skin I'm in
To touch an angel's wing
And I would be free
Help me believe

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Random...

Best, Last, Today, Tomorrow, Favorite, Currently.

Best...
[1.] Male friend: Josh
[2.] Female friend: My Mom...but there are several others in the running. :)
[3.] Cousin: Lori.
[4.] Vacation: Cayman until it was cut short...
[5.] Time of Day: Evening
[6.] Day of the week: Friday!
[7.] Memory: oh my word...as of late it is the entire experience Saturday night at the haunted corn maze...definitely climbing the charts

Last...
[1.] Person you saw: sarah
[2.] Talked to on the phone: my dad
[3.] Text: Josh
[4.] Imed: Zach
[5.] Talk to over myspace: who knows...
[6.] To hug you: don't remember...probably Lauren
[7.] To kiss: really?

Today...
[1.] What are you doing now?: procrastinating
[2.] What are you wearing right now? striped pj pants, t-shirt, zippy shirt
[3.] Better than yesterday? i suppose

Tomorrow...
[1.] Is: wednesday
[2.] Got any plans: class.chapel.class.class.class.heather dinner. homework.
[3.] Dislikes about tomorrow: there are four classes and chapel...

Favorite...
[1.] Number: 23
[2.] Food: guacamole and chips
[3.] Color: green, purple
[4.] Season: fall.
[5.] Candy: dark chocolate
[6.] Flower: lilys
[7.] Scent: aqua di gio

Currently...
[1.] Missing: summer...
[2.] Mood: girly
[3.] Wanting: nah, not here.

Random...
Do you know anyone named David? a few, yes.

Ever kissed anyone with the name starting with a J? not yet.

Where is your cell phone? beside me

Say you were given a drug test right now. Would you pass or fail?
pass with flying colors

Are you taller than 5'6“? 5'9''

Ever drove into the ghetto to buy drugs? not to buy drugs...

Last restaurant you went to? cracker barrel.

What is the weather like today? colder.

What did you do yesterday? classes, worked, dinner, homework, gospel choir, hung out, homework...

How many hours did you sleep for last night? around 6 ish

If all of your friends were going on a road trip, would you? of course

Have you cried today? maybe.

Do you think that someone is thinking about you right now? i suppose it's possible.

Do you untie your shoes every time you take them off? not always.

What is the color of your bedsheets? Cream

Are you photogenic? not generally...

Do you have a tattoo? nope

Have you ever changed your clothes while in a vehicle? of course.

What were you doing at 2am last night? going to sleep.

Favorite Disney movie? cinderella!

What is the wallpaper on your cellphone? NYC from the Empire State Building at night

Have you kissed somebody in the last 2 weeks? nope.

Last beverage you had? Non-fat Sugar-free Mocha with Raspberry ;)

Monday, August 27, 2007

Interesting Article from J.K. Rowling...

Thought she had some interesting thoughts about the emphasis we, yes, myself included, put on appearance. Check it out and gain a little confidence. :)

For Girls Only, Probably...
-J.K. Rowling

Being thin. Probably not a subject that you ever expected to read about on this website, but my recent trip to London got me thinking...

It started in the car on the way to Leavesden film studios. I whiled away part of the journey reading a magazine that featured several glossy photographs of a very young woman who is either seriously ill or suffering from an eating disorder (which is, of course, the same thing); anyway, there is no other explanation for the shape of her body. She can talk about eating absolutely loads, being terribly busy and having the world's fastest metabolism until her tongue drops off (hooray! Another couple of ounces gone!), but her concave stomach, protruding ribs and stick-like arms tell a different story. This girl needs help, but, the world being what it is, they're sticking her on magazine covers instead. All this passed through my mind as I read the interview, then I threw the horrible thing aside.

But blow me down if the subject of girls and thinness didn't crop up shortly after I got out of the car. I was talking to one of the actors and, somehow or other, we got onto the subject of a girl he knows (not any of the Potter actresses – somebody from his life beyond the films) who had been dubbed 'fat' by certain charming classmates. (Could they possibly be jealous that she knows the boy in question? Surely not!)

'But,' said the actor, in honest perplexity, 'she is really not fat.'

'"Fat" is usually the first insult a girl throws at another girl when she wants to hurt her,' I said; I could remember it happening when I was at school, and witnessing it among the teenagers I used to teach. Nevertheless, I could see that to him, a well-adjusted male, it was utterly bizarre behaviour, like yelling 'thicko!' at Stephen Hawking.

His bemusement at this everyday feature of female existence reminded me how strange and sick the 'fat' insult is. I mean, is 'fat' really the worst thing a human being can be? Is 'fat' worse than 'vindictive', 'jealous', 'shallow', 'vain', 'boring' or 'cruel'? Not to me; but then, you might retort, what do I know about the pressure to be skinny? I'm not in the business of being judged on my looks, what with being a writer and earning my living by using my brain...

I went to the British Book Awards that evening. After the award ceremony I bumped into a woman I hadn't seen for nearly three years. The first thing she said to me? 'You've lost a lot of weight since the last time I saw you!'

'Well,' I said, slightly nonplussed, 'the last time you saw me I'd just had a baby.'

What I felt like saying was, 'I've produced my third child and my sixth novel since I last saw you. Aren't either of those things more important, more interesting, than my size?' But no – my waist looked smaller! Forget the kid and the book: finally, something to celebrate!

So the issue of size and women was (ha, ha) weighing on my mind as I flew home to Edinburgh the next day. Once up in the air, I opened a newspaper and my eyes fell, immediately, on an article about the pop star Pink.

Her latest single, 'Stupid Girls', is the antidote-anthem for everything I had been thinking about women and thinness. 'Stupid Girls' satirises the talking toothpicks held up to girls as role models: those celebrities whose greatest achievement is un-chipped nail polish, whose only aspiration seems to be getting photographed in a different outfit nine times a day, whose only function in the world appears to be supporting the trade in overpriced handbags and rat-sized dogs.

Maybe all this seems funny, or trivial, but it's really not. It's about what girls want to be, what they're told they should be, and how they feel about who they are. I've got two daughters who will have to make their way in this skinny-obsessed world, and it worries me, because I don't want them to be empty-headed, self-obsessed, emaciated clones; I'd rather they were independent, interesting, idealistic, kind, opinionated, original, funny – a thousand things, before 'thin'. And frankly, I'd rather they didn't give a gust of stinking chihuahua flatulence whether the woman standing next to them has fleshier knees than they do. Let my girls be Hermiones, rather than Pansy Parkinsons. Let them never be Stupid Girls. Rant over.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

My Slogans

Patrice found this slogan generator...I'm up late so why not type some of my favs?

"We'll leave the Cami on for you."

"With A Name Like Cami, It Has To Be Good."

"Only Cami can prevent forest fires."

"It takes a tough man to make a tender Cami."

"Tough on dirt, gentle on Cami."

"A day without Cami is like a day without sunshine."

"Lipsmackin' Thirstquenchin' Acetastin' Motivatin' Goodbuzzin' Cooltalkin' Highwalkin' Fastlivin' Evergivin' Coolfizzin' Cami."

"I'm only here for the Cami."

"Leggo my Cami."

"Think Once, Think Twice, Think Cami."

"Every Kiss begins with Cami."

"When the going gets tough, the tough gets Cami."

"Got a Cami? You're in luck."

"Ain't no party like a Cami party."

okay....can anyone tell I'm procrastinating on my resume! off to more work...here's the site if you're looking for a laugh and a time waster :)

http://www.thesurrealist.co.uk/slogan.cgi?word=cami

Monday, August 20, 2007

Dramatic Chipmunk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Y73sPHKxw

I'm sure a lot of people have seen this already...but I just can't
stop laughing at it. :)

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Life...and I'm liking it

the summer has ended.
i am not longer boss.
i am no longer coordinator.
i am no longer living in new hall.
in three hours, i am no longer in the
states!
YAY!
two days in chicago with the lovely lauren wrapped up and i went on my EARLY connecting flight to Ft. Lauderdale where i sit now waiting for my cayman flight...
i really don't know the last time i went on vacation...just vacation...no definite plans....no working purpose...no awkward situation... just relaxation.

sometimes i just wonder why i am so incredibly, overwhelmingly, and inexplicably blessed. this idea i've tossed around since reading a book entitled "the ultimate blessing." it evaluates this idea of what it really looks like to be blessed. when we say "God bless america, what do we really mean?" do i feel blessed because i am going to the caribbean? am i blessed for leaving school without loans? ...because I have amazing friends? ...because of a supportive family? ...because i am fed regularly? ...because I can get up and walk on my own any time i want? what defines blessed?
what happens if this trend ends? if after college God decides to use me among those in poverty and he allows all the material things in my life to fall to the wayside. he certainly did it for Job. was Job still blessed? would I still feel blessed?
and maybe it's not that i even need to "feel" blessed, but rather just recognize that i am. at what point in stripping things away do i become "unblessed." and maybe it's at these points that i am to truly embrace James 1:2 "Consider it PURE joy, my dear brothers, when you face trials of many kinds." i know i continue to grasp further the meaning of this as life passes on and i wonder how it is that my understanding of it will continue to develop.

wow...there was some stream of consciousness...haha...enjoy :)

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Why Not...

WRITE EXACTLY WHATS ON YOUR MIND, AND DON’T CHANGE IT"

1. Your ex and you = are about 2,500 miles apart
2. I am listening to = Friends on TV
3. Maybe I should = go to bed…
4. I love = vanilla bean ice cream
5. Chocolate = better when it’s dark.
6. I don’t understand = boys.
7. I have lost my respect for= Tom Cruise.
8. I last ate = popcorn at the movie with Krista.
9.The meaning of my display name is = about climbing…
10. God = overwhelming and amazing.
11. Someday = a big bag of “I don’t know yets”
12. I will always remember = July 10, 2003
13. Love seems to = turn up where I don’t expect it.
14. I never ever want to lose = my parents.
15. My MySpace is = not used often…
16.Tomorrow I will = work and go to my orthodontist.
17. I get annoyed when = I can’t find motivation.
18. Parties = I go to IWU…
20. Simple kisses = I miss them. (where is 19?)
21. Today I = started off not so great, but then got a cute new hair cut!
22. I wish = people loved more naturally.

IS YOUR / ARE YOU...

01. is your hair wet?:
Nope…I just washed it for the third time today and straightened it.

02. is your cell phone right by you?:
both of them (work/personal)

03. do you miss someone?:
definitely…probably more than they know

04. are you wearing chap stick?:
Burt’s Bees…I love that stuff!

05. are you tired?:
uh huh

06. are you wearing pajamas?:
yes I am

08. are you mad?
nah

09. are you upset?:
nah

HAVE YOU...
01. Recently done something you regret?
…maybe…

02. ever stuck gum under a desk?:
ew…no!

03. ever kicked someone?:
yes…ask Katee Gerber…

04. ever tripped over your own feet?:
yeah, seem to more when I’m wearing flip flops at IWU for some reason

TODAY HAVE YOU...

01. have you cursed?:
I don’t think so…

02. have you gotten mad at someone?:
nope

Q: person who is on your mind right now?
joy

Q: do you have any siblings?
nope

Q: do you want children?
absolutely

Q: do you smile often?
I try to

Q: do you untie your shoes every time you take them off?
No

Q: do you like your handwriting?
Yeah, it’s alright I guess

Q: are your toenails painted?
always

Q: are you a friendly person?
I try to be… ask my staff ☺

Q: what color shirt are you wearing?
Blueish

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Oh Summer

I've been reflecting on this summer. What I've really gotten out of it. I think I have mixed emotions about it. I've enjoyed what I've done, but I don't really know what I've learned from it. It'll be nice for the resume, but I wonder how I've really grown from the experience. It has been so affirming though. Maybe that's it. Just realizing that the leadership tasks that seem way too hard are really ones I've already been equipped for, not by my own power, but nonetheless equipped.

The next two weeks will be the proof I guess...two big conferences back to back. Two big 70 ish hour weeks back to back. Funny how everyday last summer I worked 17 hour days and now a few 12 hour days seem like a lot. Anyway I could use a lot of prayer to be sure my mind remembers the million and a half things I have to do. I know it will be fine, but I'm just looking forward to it being over. I've been so blessed this summer and I can't wait for all that is ahead in the next year.

Okay, now I'm not sure if this is even making sense...I'm exhausted...later :)

Monday, July 2, 2007

I really like this site...

26 million people in the world suffering every day as a result of human trafficking. I can't even wrap my mind around what 26,000,000 people
would look like. I do know that I'm called to be a part of it's abolition.
Which doesn't make me feel special, but rather almost insignificant. I am
so entirely small. But if I stay in that rut I will be insignificant. For
now I will press on in the ways that I know how...

Take a look at the site below...it supports fair trade and a logical way of
stopping human trafficking in India. Plus, there are fun bags at a pretty
reasonable price! :)

http://www.ashaimports.com/index.html

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Liked it...

"We are creatures of time, created to dwell in the present moment, and yet I know hardly a person who is able to accomplish that feat with much serenity. We are constantly straining at the seams of our confinement, trying to push out into the future or back into the past. We are either looking back at the 'good old days' or regretting what was or might have been. We are either looking forward in dread of what awful thing might happen or looking forward in anticipation of the great day when 'our ship finally comes in.' Either way-whether we are looking backward or forward-we are robbing ourselves of the only moment we can ever truly inhabit. The best way to embace our time-bound status is to surrender our yesterdays and our tomorrows to God, to freely put into His hands what is already there anyway-time!"

-Taken from "Dear Abba", by Claire Cloninger

Saturday, June 9, 2007

I love the "The Way I See It" quotes on Starbucks...

"Sixty-nine percent of all problems in relationships are unsolvable. They are about differences in personality or needs. They never change. When you choose someone, you have inherited the problems you will have for the next 50 years. Unfortunately, we pick people who are not as perfect as we are, so relationships work if you have wound up with perpetual problems you can learn to live with."

-- Dr. John Gottman
Author and scientific expert/researcher on marriage, relationships and family.


Your thoughts?

Friday, June 8, 2007

Oh life...

I'm really enjoying work still...but getting a little frustrated.

Tonight the housing rosters I had spent probably over 15 hours working on...were a complete disaster. It was really bad service, people were upset, and for some reason it just wasn't happening as it should. I'm not too upset about it, just dissapointed that it happened. That's life, right?

I'm hoping we can fix it all tomorrow. I am still seriously blown away at the smoothness of it all. God really protects and provides through every second of my day, truly amazing.

I should probably be sleeping now...gonna head to that soon. I'm really looking forward to the weekend! yay!

Monday, June 4, 2007

Another day...

Things I'm thankful for:

an amazing first event.
beautiful sunshine.
a tan.
rain.
puddles to jump in.
cloudy and starry night skies.
an amazing staff to work with.
new friendships.
people i care about.
people that care about me.
God's protection.
patrice and the cayman islands.
encouraging people.
people that "make my day." :)
hugs from my mom.
laughing, lots of laughing.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Comfort Food and Missing You...

Ugh, today was good but kinda long. I'm enjoying my job, but there are always frustrations throughout the day. God has seriously given me peace and a congnizance that I could just simply not even begin to claim as myself. I know that I have people praying for me and it shows up inumerable times throughout my day. If you are one of those people, thank you!

Still, all I wanted to do today was curl up and have comfort food. I just miss so many people...from last summer, Bluffton, home, my suites...just want to see people and laugh again. :)

Anyway, all is well, but I could use prayers for discernment and the right words for everything I'll deal with this summer.

Praises and praises to God for all He's done thus far!!

Sunday, May 27, 2007

I Have Never Loved You More -- Nichole Nordeman

Well, you could take a cup and fill it up
And just keep on filling til it all comes
spilling down the sides
That's what You do in my life

Or you could watch the sky at sunrise
And see the clouds turn shades I never
knew could make me want to cry
That's what You do in my life
Never mind moderation
You exceed my expectations

I have never loved You more
'Cause You have never loved me less
Than the day before, or the day before
I have never loved You more

Have you ever tried to count the stars way up past Mars?
It will blow your mind
Don't even try to think about infinity
But that's how You love me

Much more than I can contain
A balloon once tethered to the ground,
But could not stick around to stay
Free to fly away
Never mind moderation
You exceed my expectations

I have never loved You more
'Cause You have never loved me less
Than the day before, or the day before
I have never loved You more

I have never dared to dream
Beyond what I've already seen
The day before, or the day before
I have never loved You more

Exceedingly, abundantly more

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

me...right now

I am finally done with school for spring! yay! I liked the class a lot, not sure how well I did in it though. Now onto serving bold in a challenging job...i think i can, i think i can. Only with Him empowering me. :)

Sunday, May 20, 2007

All I know...

I don't know how the stars hang
Or how there's night and then there's day
I dont know how you spoke into the black
And made it all obey

All I know is the bleeding in my heart
And the healing in your touch
All I know is that you gave everything
So let that be enough
'Cause it's all I know

I dont know how your love works
How you cover me in grace
I dont know how you swallow all I am
When I can't stand my taste

All I know is the bleeding in my heart
And the healing in your touch
All I know is that you gave everything
So let that be enough
'Cause it's all I know

I can't explain your mystery
But I know the answer

All I know is the bleeding in my heart
And the healing in your touch
All I know is that you gave everything
So let that be enough
'Cause it's all I know

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Because I'm bored...

Went to work out and there are girls in the room so I'm waiting it out...why not use this, right?



-Is it cute when guys kiss you on your forehead?
always

- A big poofy dress or a short party dress?
Well...can I pick neither? I like dresses, but not so much short...and not usually poofy.

- What would you do if you received a long love letter?
Be very...very surprised.

- Group dates or single dates?
Depends on the situation...

- Do you hate it when guys act different around their friends?
than he does toward me...or what? I don't really want him flirting with his friends...haha.

- Are diamonds a girl's best friend?
no no...but they aren't an enemy ;)

- Is your hair up or down?
up right now...I like it down better though

- Do you straighten your hair?
Some days

- Whats your favorite girly magazine?
ummm...Glamour I guess

- Do you get your nails done?
nope

- Small or large purse?
medium...but I don't always carry one

- Jeans or skirts?
skirts for sure...they're more comfortable

- Do you wear clothes/shoes/jewelry that's uncomfortable?
at times...if it's that cute

- Do you text message a lot?
occasionally, not a lot

- What would you do if you got pregnant?
Now...declare it a miracle. Later in life...tell my husband and go out to celebrate!

- Whats your favorite color?
greens

- Heels or Flats?
flip flops all the way

- Did you ever cry during a romantic movie?
Yep.

- Would you ever leave the house without make-up on?
Yeah, I do a lot.

- Walmart or Target?
Target

- Do you wear collared shirts?
Sometimes

- Do you like preppy boys?
sure

- Are you spoiled?
I prefer well taken care of :)

- Do you think lip gloss is the best?
love it

- Do you own any big sunglasses
yep yep

- How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
depends...I've been known to brush teeth, shower, do hair, dress, and make up in 25 minutes if I really rush it. I generally couldn't even try to take over an hour though.

- Do you like to wear band aids?
what an odd question...i guess, if I'm cut...

- Do you like skater boys?
sure...I really don't "dislike" any clique of people...

- Do you often wish there was something you could change?
of course

- Gold or silver?
Silver

- Do you like to receive flowers?
yep yep

- Do you like surfer boys?
sure

- Do you dress up for the holidays?
a little

- Do you like to wear dresses?
yep

- On a scale of 1-10 how much do guys confuse you?
depends I'll go with 5

- In the past 24 hours have you hung out with a guy?
yes

- Do you wear lipstick?
nope

- Do you like ghetto boys?
sure

- What are your top two favorite stores?
Target/NY and Co.

- Which perfume do you wear the most?
Midnight Pomegranate

- Do you like to hold hands?
Yeppers

- What is the youngest aged person you would date?
20

- What is the oldest you would date?
29

- Do you like glitter?
show choir kinda ruined me of it...

- What is the best possible physical feature in a boy?
considerably taller than me

- Do you like eye contact?
hmmm, sometimes makes me uncomfortable

- Tropical drinks, or Starbucks?
Starbucks

- Did you ever picture your wedding dress and wedding?
I'm a girl, right? I wouldn't say I have colors picked out or anything, but we've
all thought about it.

Appearance
[] I have hazel eyes
[x] I have more than 3 scars.
[] I wish my hair was a different color.
[x] I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
[] I am self-conscious about my appearance.
[x ] I work out
[] I wear contacts.
[x] I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.
[] I have more than 2 piercings.
[] I have had piercings in places besides my ears.
[] I have freckles/ beauty marks

••Family//Home Life••
[] I've sworn in front of my parents.
[ ] I've run away from home.
[ ] I've been kicked out of the house.
[x] Biological parents are together.
[ ] I have a sibling less than one year old.

••Embarrassment••
[ ] I've slipped out an "lol" in a spoken conversation.
[ ] Disney movies still make me cry.
[x] I've snorted while laughing.
[x] I've laughed so hard I've cried.
[] I've glued my hand to something.
[x] I've laughed till some kind of beverage came out of my nose.
[] I've had my pants rip in public.

••Health••
[] I've gotten stitches/staples
[] broken a bone.
[x] I've sat in a doctors office with a friend.
[x] I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
[x] I've had surgery.
[x] I've had chicken pox.

••Traveling••
[x] I've driven/ridden over 200 miles in one day.
[x] I've been on a plane.
[x] I've been to Canada.
[x] I've been to Mexico
[x] I've been to Niagara Falls.
[ ] I've been to Japan (I want to SOOO badly though!)
[ ] I've been to Mardi Gras.
[x] I've been to the Caribbean. (going back again!)
[] I've been to Hawaii (Flew over it to go to NZ...I feel like that should count)

••Experiences••
[x] I've gotten lost in my city.
[x] I've seen a shooting star.
[x] I've wished on a shooting star.
[x] I've seen a meteor shower.
[x] I've gone out in public in my pajamas.
[x] I've pushed all the buttons on an elevator
[] Kicked a guy where it hurts
[] I've been to a casino.
[ ] I've been skydiving.
[] I've gone skinny dipping.
[ ] I've drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
[xxxxx] I've been in a car crash haha
[] I've been skiing.
[x] I've been in a play
[x] I've caught a snowflake or snow on my tongue.
[x] I've seen the Northern Lights.
[x] I've sat on a roof top at night.
[x] I've played a prank on someone.
[x] I've ridden in a taxi.
[x] I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[x] I've eaten Sushi.
[x] I've been snowboarding.

••Relationships••
[x] I like somebody
[] I've been the dumped more than the dumper.
[x] I miss someone right now.
[] I've been cheated on.
[] I've gotten divorced
[x] I've had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
[] I've told someone I loved them when I didn't.
[] I've told someone I didn't love them when I did.

••Sexuality••
[] I've had a crush on a teacher.
[xx] I am a cuddler. :)
[x] I've been kissed in the rain.
[x] I've hugged a stranger



...if you just read all that...I'm shocked

Monday, April 30, 2007

hmmm

Things I've learned from being in this room alone:

I don't see my family nearly enough.

I love living with people.

I love laughing with people.

I choose to have a lot of noise in my life.

I am learning to find beauty in silence.

I fill my schedule with a lot of frivilous things.

I love to read...lots of things, old novels, my bible in large portions, my journals, letters.

I miss a lot of people from... elementary school, high school, fairmount camp, youth group, voices of power, river terrace, new zealand, accesss, summit grove, yolijwa, pascagoula, bayou la batre, pine ridge, and new york city...

I have had an INCREDIBLE amount of opportunities in my life to go places and be exposed to the world.

I love long times of prayer.

I am so thankful for so many things I take for granted daily.

I need to tell more people what they really mean to me more often.

I am overwhelmingly blessed.

I want to learn more...

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Our Worship...

There was once a story told of a young group of people in China who gathered for a Bible study and as they sat in a small cold basement they tried to stay quiet so that no one from the street could hear them speaking. All of the sudden there was a break in of several communist soldiers ready to come against them forcefully, they kicked the Bibles from their hands and forced their heads to the open Bible saying, “If you’ll only spit on this Bible we will let you go and we won’t harm you.” One by one young adults came up felt the cold hard boot of the soldier on the back of their neck, spat on the Bible, and were released. Yet, there was one young girl at the back of the line that had her neck pressed to the Bible as well and she lifted her trembling hand, not to wipe her tears, but rather to wipe the spit off the Bible. After they shouted at her to stop, she quietly kept wiping it off was promptly shot in the head. Her blood was shed protecting the sacredness of worship.

Thousands of people across the globe know of Christ, and many cannot worship Him freely because of the way they are living. A girl who is only 14 and yet forced to sleep with several men a day just to survive and not be thrown away by the pimp that stole her from her family. Or we could take a glance at maybe a young man in Iraq who is immersed in the Islamic culture that would be cut out of his family for even the thought of worshipping this Jesus man. And then there is the picture of maybe an IWU student, or maybe the frustrated Pastor’s kid, or some one who had a bad experience in the church all three fighting to change what has happened to them, or the way that they believe worship to be.


Are we fighting for the wrong things?

Jesus’ fight was for worship to be available to all through the freedom that came by His death and resurrection.

Seems to me that it is probable that we should be fighting less for us to have worship the way we want it and just start
getting into the dirty of the world to fight for others to have the freedom to worship at all.


Your thoughts?

Monday, April 23, 2007

Finals...

Monday at 3 has FINALLY come!!! woohoo!

I had an exegesis and a math final and they were both well...okay.

But they are done. I praise God for getting me through my all-nighter.

Certainly wasn't any strength or words of my own.

I'm tired, but God is good. :)

Hooray for naps...this one will be more than amazing. :)



"Make yourself necessary to somebody. Do not make life hard to any." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Winding Down...

Oh how I have tangled myself in the procrastination web yet again...so so so many things to do and it all must be finished by 8 am on Wednesday. From the surface it sounds pretty simple, but I have three basic yet HUGE things to get done. All the while figuring out I am going to get my things out of the way for a couple other girls to move in here and get myself moved into another room...we'll see how that works.
I am looking forward to summer. My May Term class should be fun and I know I will be pushed in my job. I want to learn so much more...from God, about who I am, about how to grow more, about my abilities, about life in general. The two greatest things I can think of to do now are reading (for fun!) in the sunshine and laying under stars. What a huge blessing this weather has been!

Yeah, so nothing too important to post...just finishing an exegesis today and taking every shot I get at being outside! :)

Here's some thoughts I enjoyed from Oswald Chambers this week:
"Readiness for God means that we are ready to do the tiniest little thing or the great big thing, it makes no difference. We have no choice in what we want to do, whatever God's program may be we are there, ready. When any duty presents itself we hear God's voice as Our Lord heard His Father's voice, and we are ready for it with all the alertness of our love for Him. Jesus expects to do with us as His Father did with Him."

Friday, April 20, 2007

Here I go again...

Well, I used to have a blog on here and then I just all of the sudden quit with the posting on it. I think it's good
though because it seems to be the only way that I am disciplined enough to get myself to sit down and journal.
Hopefully this works out. Seems to be kinda a trend these days...I don't know how much I am into being trendy
but here it goes. :)

Life has been, well, pretty lovely lately. I think it's fitting that I just list some blessings in my life to start this out.

1. My Parents: Who could ask for two more incredible people to be placed in their life? Granted there were some
rough spots in my life, but they have only driven me forward. (<---due to an incredible God...I'll get to that) From
the time in sixth grade when I set my path toward IWU my parents have supported and encouraged me to follow
the path that God was leading me to. Know that I am the girl that says "yes, Lord...okay now what did I agree to?" so
they have been just amazingly incredible in situations where even I didn't know what I was headed into. They see
everything they do for me as an investment in the kingdom and I just could never be greatful enough for all they are.
Yeah, I love 'em. :)

2. My Friends: Looking back over my life thus far, there have been many friends who have come and gone, but each
of them shaped me in important ways. There are just so many people in my life right now that are contributing to
who I am and being supportive. Probably it's you, the person who took the time to click on this and read my ramblings.
For those of you that care about my rambling life...thank you. It means more than you know and I'm sure more than
I tell you.

3. My School: Cliche or something...maybe, but IWU has really been amazing to me. I have so many professors that go
out of their way on so many occasions to assure me and give me Godly guidance. I could never have imagined how
amazingly supportive they would be! The Religion Department has considerably overdone themselves in being there
for me...and it's not like I'm the only one. I am so greatful for the way that they care about each of us.

4. My Lord: There's a commonly used sermon illustration from the scene in Indiana Jones in which he is above this huge drop off and just steps out over it with his foot dangling and a rock appears underneath where he steps. I cannot count
how many times I've had my foot dangling over the ledge and He has not just put a rock there but also chose to pour
out blessing upon blessing in every moment of my life. No matter what this world is doing around me or if times are
amazing or amazingly tough He gives me the joy and strength it takes to keep serving Him. Oh that I could grow to deal
with others in the way He has dealt with me time and time again.

5. Other: My summer job-Conference Services Coordinator, nervous but I know I'll be used.
Going to the Cayman Islands in August!!!!! The amazing Patrice has invited me to her home to chillax on the beach, hooray!



That is all for now...but how about you...have any blessings you wanna share? Love to see your comments! :)

Live like you mean it...