Deep breath...

That's what I've been doing today.

I can really feel the stretch as the season is ramping up to Fall Kick-Off. I'm feeling it in my entrustments and my relationship w/Dusty. But, in the middle of it all, I'm spending more time with Jesus and learning to let Him love me and how to love Him more.

I really can't wait to move into the townhouse. I look forward to having a place where I can sit and spend time with Jesus on a regular basis. Right now it's hard to find a time and place where I can do that.

Oh, and yesterday I got out a shoebox filled with old notes from middle school and high school..it was hilarious! I found notes from friends and a note this boy wrote me when we were 14 (he wrote me a song about how he was in love with me and was crying, listening to the Backstreet Boys because I broke up with him) and some great encouragement notes. I am going to put them all together in a book for great coffee table entertainment!

On another note, Amy Roll came over for dinner last night and it was great...I told my dad and stepmom about how we prayed for a long time about who was supposed to live together this year and trusting Jesus to lead us. It was crazy. I'm never that bold. I was definitely borrowing courage from Roll With It. But yeah, that was amazing.

Well, now it's back to work. And tonight is Vision Night at church! I am looking forward to hearing what Pete has heard from the Lord. But I also need to have a few convos with some people, too. Gross.

Summer dress & pretty pink nails

That's what I'm wearing right now, and I love it.


Questapalooza 2008 is a little over a month away...it's crazy how quickly it's sneaking up on us! I really can't wait! I get to be on Meredith's team helping to clear the static so all of the teams can communicate really well! I still don't know what that looks like exactly, but I'm ready for it, whatever it is!

I also get to be on Shannah's team for Vision Night...which is crazy to me that I get to be a part of that in any way. Vision Night really has the potential to set people up really well and ready their hearts for what God has in store for our church in the near future! I don't know what He has in store, but I'm super excited because I know it's amazing.

I am ALSo on the bands liason team for QPZA '08...not sure what I'll be doing, but I'm up for it!

This weekend I moved out of my apartment with Becky and into my dad's dining room for a month...I really pray that I'll be able to really show them Jesus' heart really clearly in the short period I'm there. I want my dad to know Jesus so badly...gosh. I can't wait for that day!

I am really looking forward to moving into the townhome with the girls though! I want to paint and have fun hanging out and watching movies with my roommates! And COOKING in our big kitchen!!!!

I'm a full time UK employee now...weird. I'm a real adult. I still have to sign up for benefits and get my employee id made. I'm definitely feeling the stretch I asked for...and I know I'll only be able to feel it even more in 5 months when I'm paying for absolutely everything on my own. I really look forward to seeing how I have grown at the end of this.

As far as me and Dusty, things are great!

This whole being in a relationship thing is still crazy to me after 8 months. We're continuing to learn how to communicate well, and learning about each other and ourselves all the time. I love it.

Well, that's all for now. More updates to come!

Wahoo!

Jesus is so lavish.

This weekend was just filled with gifts...

Friday night Dusty and I went on a double date with Joe and Meagan to the Seabird cd release show in Cinci. We got to dress up and go out to dinner and have fun hanging out on a boat, listening to great music. It was lots of fun.

Saturday Dusty and I went to our friend Alison's baptism. That was beautiful...we walked down to a creek where it started to sprinkle. We said a prayer before Alison and Lauren got down into the creek, and as soon as Alison came up out of the water, the rain started to pour. We ran back in the warm rain, listening to the thunder and watching lightning strike miles away. It was an incredible experience. It was like God was holding back the storm and then he was like, "here, have this gift" and showered us with it.

Sunday's service was amazing...just trust God. He's there in the middle of the pain, and He wants to take care of it. So let him.

Then at lifegroup, I was surprised to find out that Meagan was placed with us! I was so freakin excited! She came to our pool party, and Frances came and had a lot of fun just hanging out with an awesome group of girls.

THEN, I got to talk to Meredith about what she heard regarding my living situation this next year...she turned it around and asked me what I had heard...and turns out, we heard the same things! SO, next year I will be living with Natalie, Meagan Wheeler and Amanda Jerner! We are going to look at the townhouse Thursday and hopefully sign the lease!

Wahoooo!

I'm excited.

Your list, not mine

This week our subgroup is supposed to be asking God what is on HIS list for us, versus our own list for ourselves. That's a little hard for me...I mean, I know He has an amazing list laid out, but I don't know what is on it! I know he wants to stretch me and grow me closer to himself, but aside from that I have no clue.

We made our own lists for our summer, and here's what mine looks like:
1. Go to the beach!
2. Get a new car
3. Go to the Gorge
4. Move into a new apartment
5. See Tommy & Jessi come to church
6. Go somewhere with just Mom
7. Hear those 3 words
8. Get a new phone
9. Get a haircut
10. Use my massage certificate
11. Take more pictures!
12. Matte, Frame, & Hang Photos in gallery

God wants to lavish us. Some of my list will align with His, but others are just my own desires. He may give me some of the things on my list as gifts, and he may say "wait" on others.

I'm in love

with Jesus.

He really is amazing...it's incredible how he works and how well a relationship can go when both people know Jesus.

Last night some stuff from my past came up with Dusty. It was a bit awkward, but I got to tell him honestly what happened 2 years ago that has been pushed aside for so long. There was suspicion, and his relationship with one of his best friends has been strained and uncomfortable for the last 2 years...but now it's out there. Dusty knows and now he gets to talk with Jesse and extend grace to him. I can't wait to hear about how their conversation goes.

And, Dusty and I have been dating for 6 months now! It's crazy...on one hand it seems like it's been longer than that, but on the other hand I can't believe it's already been that long! I pretty much love him.

Summer

It's hard to believe, but summer is here!

I'm a college graduate.
I have a full time job.
I'm in a great, God-serving relationship with an amazing guy.
My brother is married.

It's crazy to think about where my life is right now. I love it, and I'm excited to see where it's going.

We just started Imagine2 at church...over the next 3 years, God is going to stretch and grow me like I've never seen before. I have committed to giving a large amount of money to make room for more people. To make room for my dad. For my brother. My stepmom. My Stepbrother and sister-in-laws. For Jesse. For Rachel. For Allie. Jim. Debbie. Granny. I could keep going...I am not going to buy Starbucks for a year. I am going to eat at restaurants less. I am giving Jesus my future plans. My plans for how long my dating relationship will last, and my hope of marriage. That doesn't mean it's out of the question, it just means I'm letting Jesus lead it.

I pray that Jesus uses me at work. I'm surrounded by people who are just hopeless. I pray that I am used to shine light into their lives and offer them hope. I want to be fearless and I want to be used.

I want more than anything for my dad to know Christ. He wants to take me on a backpacking trip, just the two of us. It scares me. I want to go with him, but I want for him to see Christ through me. I pray that his heart is softened more and more each day, and that his walls are knocked down.

I'm excited about living with Natalie next year! I really can't wait. I love Becky, but I am tired of the apartment we live in. I'm ready to get out and into a new place, with painted walls and no mold. I look forward to Natalie's accountability and learning from her. She has grown so much over the last few years-she's a completely different person than who she was even a year ago. Living with her is going to be great!

I'm bored at work. I think I'm going to go walk around.

Later.

Why so down?

Why am I feeling like poop? All he said was "no metal spoon on that pan".

And no I'm in a bad mood.

What's the deal?