'Ello

What's new since I blogged last?

1.) Finished up two more classes :) and have started two more - Old Testament and Christian Ethics in the U.S. (four more classes to go, and I will finally be done).

2.) Turned 26 (I am super old now), and I celebrated the day by going to work, which is how I know that I'm old.

3.) I had an awesome summer...I mowed the yard a lot, which was therapeutic in so many ways! I read books that were on my "books I must read before I die" list. I went to Philadelphia for the first time and saw all the typical touristy places. I went to several weddings, worked a lot, spent time with my youth groupians, and soaked up the rays in the back yard pool. I also got to catch up with friends, family, and on my sleep :)



4.) I began to attempt house-sitting professionally as a side gig so I can buy a nice car and travel more without having to sell a kidney. I have had mixed results, but I'm not giving up cause I would really like to keep my kidney! :)

5.) I watched a lot re-runs of The Office because it is the best show on television.

6.) I finally updated my blog with a lovely new background, and now you can officially follow my blog. Notice that no one is following it :) That's okay. I still love you.

7.) Oh yeah, I also became an aunt...and that is pretty much the best thing that has ever happened to me aside from Jesus.

Random Thoughts from the Queen of Awkwardness

So, since everytime I blog I spend most of it apologizing and subsequently filling people in on my life from the last time I blogged, I am gong to refrain from doing that tonight. I just need a place to hash out my thoughts...I'm not even sure where to begin because there is so much swimming around in my head.

The last week or so, I've been sad, lonely, and just unlike my normal positive self. I thought maybe it was just because work and school had been so busy, but then when my business ceased, I realized it was just me. See, I've just been feeling stuck lately. Not that good things aren't happening...that's just it, I feel like God is doing awesome things right now. Youth group has been amazing. We are seeing huge growth, both in numbers in what God is showing to our awesome kids! God has also been speaking to me personally...however, I still feel like I just need something new. I've been here in this same place for what seems like forever, and I keep telling myself that I need to be content, but I'm just so frustrated. I know that God has me here for this season of my life, but I just feel like I need a new adventure.

I hate to tell people this issue because naturally they think that all of my problems could be solved if I would only get married...ugh! At least, that's what most of the people in my life say.

And that brings me to my next issue, seriously people, I don't want to be set up with the really nice single guy that you know. Yeah, I know you think that there is nothing wrong with a 30 year old guy that lives in his parent's basement, but there probably is something wrong with him. But, I digress. The thing is, a long time ago, I made a promise to God that I wouldn't date just to date. I don't think I need to put my profile on EHarmony, or Match.com., and I certainly don't need a blind date to find the guy God has for me. I trust that if God wants me to get married, then He'll work it out. I trust Him. I've tried things my way before, and I know that doing things God's way is so much better. Enough said.

P.S. If you are single and think there is something wrong with you, it's okay. Being single is a good thing! I promise!

So, all of that to say, I just want a new adventure. So today, Pastor Burt felt like God had given him this message about breakthrough. I sensed the Holy Spirit simply say, "Listen." There was a lot of awesome stuff packed in the message which came from Judges 6, dealing with Gideon. The one point that really spoke to me was that sometimes God brings us to a new season, a season of breakthrough, and we don't even recognize it, just like Gideon couldn't see that the Angel of the Lord was his breakthrough moment and instead of recognizing it, he argued with the Angel. Conviction! I know I need to be content where God has me, in this season, for however long that takes...

Lord, I don't want to argue with you...take me where you want to take me. Help me to sacrifice where I need to sacrifice, and to choose You and Your ways in every situation that I encounter because Your ways are so much better and higher than my own. Thank you for Your ability to break me through—You can break me through loneliness, sadness, despondency, and lethargy because You love me. Thank you for that!

So, what has God been speaking to you these days? I'd love to hear from you.

Still Alive

I have been meaning to blog for about the past 6 months, I promise. I wish that I had more time to blog. Even now, I should be studying for my Political Science mid-term, but I find the exhilaration of writing to be much more exciting than figuring out what I am going say about European politics in my essay exam on Tuesday. Some people suffer from Senioritis - I would be one of those people, and sadly, I have had the disease my entire life :) I long for the day that school is over with, and I no longer have the constant pressure of tests, homework, and papers...that day will come—I know. Lord, give me patience.

So, I am going to try to give you an update on the past several months:

My best friend got married in September (congrats Misty & Adam)!
I had such a ball with the shower, the bachelorette party, the wedding on the beach, and the two receptions that followed (one in Georgia and one in Ohio). Such sweet times with old friends, new friends, friends that are more like family...it was a beautiful couple of months.

I am still plugging away at school and work. We just finished our big fall weekend, and everything seemed to go without a hitch.

But the most exciting thing that has been happening is youth group...these past few months I have witnessed so many miracles—the blessings of God—answered prayers—forgiveness—healing—it has been inspiring. While there have been rocky moments (quite a few actually), it is apparent that God is at work in the lives of the teens, and I am so happy to be a part of it all.

Well, this is just a quick update. If you want to see any current photos, check out my facebook.

Be encouraged that God is at work. Something that I have been thinking about a lot lately is a verse in 1 John. To paraphrase, it basically says that our hearts are deceptive at times and it can make us doubt our salvation or who we are in Christ, but it goes on to say that God is bigger than our hearts. Sometimes we psych ourselves out, believing that we can never overcome choices that we have made, but God is bigger than any mistake we have ever made; He is bigger than who our heart says we are.

Panera Ponderings

I just dropped my best friend off at the airport and am now sitting at Panera, one of my many guilty pleasures. Is there anything better than drinking a chai tea while people watching and enjoying the benefits of free wi-fi? If you can tell me something I might like better, I dare you to leave a comment :)

This has been quite the week. My best friend came home from Georgia because she is finally getting married. As the maid-of-honor, I knew I needed to throw her a shower and perhaps a bachelorette party...it makes life a little tricky living so far away from each other, but it all worked out. We had an amazingly fun and productive week. It is always so good to catch up, but more than just catching up, I realized this week that there is so much beauty in the traditions leading up the pinnacle day-the glorious, and hopefully once-in-a-lifetime day. This year, I have been surrounded by failed marriages, and it has left me very cynical. I have spent much time in sorrow by how broken we have become. I have found myself questioning things like divorce and remarriage and everything that goes along with it. I have wondered if it is possible to truly be able to stay married in this crazy, messed-up world.

I know the answer is yes, but there are times when I have been afraid that no one will be able to succeed in what seems to be an increasing impossibility. In the end, this week has helped to restore my faith in the beauty of marriage—the beauty of what God created. Maybe it seems strange that a week with my best friend did that, but I have watched her figure this thing out with wisdom and grace. If anyone can make it, I know it will be her.

I realized the beauty of the human spirit in the traditions of weddings. The coming together of those you love. People really do care about your future. They do all they can to prepare you for a new life and to succeed at that life - gifts to set your house up, advice for everything from cooking to kids, and making you feel like the most important person until the wedding day.

What a good week. I am grateful for my dear friend; I am grateful that my big job is over with :) (other than writing that pesky wedding toast); and I am most grateful for the people in my life who have worked hard at marriage and made it work forever. They are my heroes.

To Mike - we miss you but are so glad you are in paradise...

He won’t let you go the moment that you say,
“Come and live in me, just take me all the way.”
Cause what he said is true: no He will never leave you
Forever by your side, oh, it’s true.

He won’t let you go though the seasons change
He’s never been so close—no He’s just a prayer away.
When you hear the Father’s call, when He’s calling to you,
Just run into His arms, no don’t hesitate to do it.

Cause He won’t let you go—He’s forever by your side.
He wants you to know Jesus has paid the price.
He wants you to go forever in paradise.
To give your heart to Him is really all you have to do.
Even when you die, He will still be by your side.

He won’t let you go, His love will never change.
Let Him hold you close, closer every day.
He would have died for you had you been the only one,
So don’t you ever doubt, no oh, it’s true.

He won’t let you go—and He’s forever by your side.
He wants you to know Jesus has paid the price.
Cause He wants you to go forever in paradise.
Give your heart to Him is really all you have to do.
Even when you die, He will still be by your side.
Give your heart to Him is really all you have to do.
And then even when you die, He will still be by your side.

He will never let you go this I know He will never let you go oh no
Through the ages time after time ooh this is true
He will never let you go
No He won't let you go, time after time.

-The Kry

Quarter of a Century's Wisdom

Today is my b-day, as Michael Scott would say. I can't believe I am 25 years old...

On Tuesday in youth group, Pastor Burt had the teens contemplate their journey with Christ. Have they moved in their walk? Are they moving? Where are they at?

In thinking about my own journey with Christ, it seems appropriate, on this occasion, that I take a moment and assess the things I have learned in my 25 years here on earth. What have I learned? Am I growing? Do I like who I am becoming? Have I changed?

Below is a list of 25 things that I know I have learned—some are old adages that we have heard a thousand times, some are straight from the Bible. I have found all of these to be true and am still working on them:

1.) You get what you pay for.

2.) When you feel like isolating yourself, don't.

3.) The greater the risk, the greater the reward.

4.) Good is great's worst enemy.

5.) Friends are the family you make for yourself - treat them well!

6.) Stop and smell the roses - enjoy the simple things in life.

7.) If you have the opportunity to travel, do it.

8.) Don't go to college for the sake of going to college. It will always be there waiting for you.

9.) Live like Jesus - be a servant, and you will find joy in the smallest tasks.

10.) If you really want something, it's okay to splurge, just don't splurge all the time.

11.) Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth - No one likes a bragger.

12.) Make time for people, even if you aren't the best of friends...people matter.

13.) Wherever you are, be all there.

14.) No matter what you are doing, do your best.

15.) Honor your parents so your life will go well.

16.) Greedy people try to get rich quick but don't realize they're headed for poverty.

17.) Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing.

18.) Learn how to be content in all circumstances.

19.) You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you as you are to them.

20.) It's okay to indulge your guilty pleasures every now and then if they are harmless. Chocolate and showtunes - need I say more?

21.) It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.

22.) Every moment is a second chance at starting over.

23.) To have a thankful heart, a good rule of thumb is to list five things a day you are thankful for.

24.) To live a life of self is death, but the death of self is life.

25.) Life is worthless until you understand the reason for existence - Jesus.

The "Sommer" Chronicles

Summer is lurking around the corner. I know this because:

a.) For the first time this entire year, I was hot.
b.) Memorial Day is two short days away.
c.) School's out!!!

Woohoo! One more semester done - 6 more to go = 3 more years until I can wash my hands of homework...unless I decide to commit mental suicide and get a master's degree. Ahhhh!

So, what's been happening? Well, I finished up both of my English courses at the beginning of May. They were some of the best classes I have had since my time at Muskingum. I loved every second of them. Well, that might be stretching the truth, but aside from the exams and papers, the books were incredible!

After my English finals, I faced some classes that I have been dreading - my required PE activities. When I think about physical education, my mind drifts back to those years of suffering through field day at school....what horrible memories! When you are a short, chubby nerd, who would rather spend an entire summer reading than just about anything else, PE becomes your worst nightmare. You know, some people are natural born athletes--they can run fast, fly high, or swing a club like it's second nature. Then there are those who might not be natural athletes, but they have a deep appreciation for athletics, and because of that appreciation, they can hold their own when it comes to sports. And last but not least would be the category I fit into - those who have always been clutzy, uncoordinated, and suffer from feelings akin to hatred where sports are concerned. Let's just say that these past few weeks have caused me to remember why I never got involved in organized athletics.

Now that the dreaded PE courses are over, I find myself at the brink of summer, eagerly anticipating a break from school in general. This weekend I am catching up on things that have been ignored for the past 3.5 months at my house. Menial tasks like making a trip to the DMV, cleaning, filing, painting, working on the car, and trying to prepare myself for three months of warmth - warmth of friends, family, and fun!

Recently I've been reminded of the series of verses in Colossians chapter 3, where Paul reminds us to think about heaven. He warns us to not just dwell on earthly matters - our life now, but to be mindful of heaven - our true home. I am guilty of getting so caught up with things here - the day to day grind - but I am praying that this summer, God helps me - helps us - helps his bride to let heaven fill our thoughts so that we might become who He was longed for us to become.

What are you up to this summer?