I've eaten so many of those deliciously minty candies today!
I finally got to talk to Meredith about some stuff that was going on in my heart. I'm anxious, but it was great to talk to her.
I will keep going to the MAT on Fridays- the Lord has a lot he wants to do in me & free me from...kind of getting rid of lots of baggage. I really can't wait to see what I look like at the end of this!
As for Dusty, I got to talk to Merda about lots of stuff:
-Frankfort...it makes me sad to think that I won't be able to go to service with Dusty. But, those times that I will get to will be great, and I know Jesus is using him and he's where he's supposed to be. I also know Jesus has plans for me here and this separation kind of frees both of us up to focus on those...
-Date Nights...we're not entitled to long date nights...we're note even entitled to a date night. It's hard to really receive that, but I know it's true. We're not going to be able to see each other nearly as much as we have in the past, and I don't think things will be slowing down for either of us. We have been given homework- to go on 2 good dates over the next 3 weeks. Dusty has to plan one and I have to plan the other. We have to have fun, play & connect.
-Marriage stuff...Merda said it doesn't feel out of the realm of possibility. She said she doesn't have a time line mapped out for what it should look like, but a lot of that timing depends on Dusty leading & taking initiative. (and of course, Jesus)
Fused Retreat is this weekend! Crazy! I can't wait! I really want Hannah to come & I would love to lead her to Christ!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Hot Coffee
Today has been strange.
Not that a lot has happened...
I've been at work, pretty much by myself all day long. I don't like it much. I don't like being alone for long periods of time. At least when I'm stuck in one place. If I could get out & drive around, that would be fine. But sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours is hellish.
I'm not particularly happy.
I tried to spend some time talking to Jesus, walking around campus. I heard some good stuff, but overall I am frustrated with myself and how selfish I am. I hate it. I hate how my thoughts and my eyes are focused on me; not other people. I wanted to cry when Jesus was showing me the people around me on my walk. He gave me a glimpse of how he sees them; how his heart breaks for them because they don't see him. He showed me a pile of leaves. There, in the middle of a large pile of brown dead leaves, was a bright red leaf. He said, "that's you. I put you here to be a bright, colorful leaf among the dying ones."
I don't know how.
I finished the chapter in IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT called "Walking on the water". At the end, there are questions for you to answer...and I kind of don't know how to.
-What am I doing today that I could not do apart from the power of God?
-How would you describe your faith these days? What might help you get to know God better?
-What is one step you could take today to expand your "spiritual comfort zone"?
-What one area of the world, or one cause, or one need that's bigger than yourself would you be willing to pray for over the next six months?
There was a story in the chapter about this guy named Bob, who prayed for Africa for 6 months...and he saw real miracles happen. He got to take a trip to Africa, which spurred him on to write a letter, which then got millions of dollars worth of medical equipment sent to the medical center in Africa. He was invited back & on his visit, made a comment to an important man that these prisoners should be released.
And then they were.
Organizations had been trying to get those prisoners released for years....and then one man makes a side comment, and it happens.
It's crazy. And it makes me wonder what God wants to use me for. I really want to have the courage to go all out with His plans. I want the confidence that I was meant for what He calls me to, and to just risk it all.
Things are changing, and it makes me excited and a little sad.
-Dusty is on the Frankfort launch team, which is awesome...and it means we won't get to go to service together but only once in a blue moon.
-I'm going to the MAT on Fridays, so we've had to move our date night...
-which means we only get 2-3 hours for our date instead of the whole evening like we've been used to.
-We've talked about where we are regarding marriage, and both of us are kind of wondering how you know it's even the right time to start thinking/talking about it...when is the right time to start meeting with Michael & Ginny Riensche as a couple? Then how do you know it's the right time to propose? Etc...
I feel like I've been so comfortable with how everything was going...not necessarily happy with it, but used to it... and now I'm feeling the way it's shifting, and it feels weird. I know Jesus wants to do work in me & Dusty. I welcome it, and it also makes me nervous.
So here we go.
Not that a lot has happened...
I've been at work, pretty much by myself all day long. I don't like it much. I don't like being alone for long periods of time. At least when I'm stuck in one place. If I could get out & drive around, that would be fine. But sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours is hellish.
I'm not particularly happy.
I tried to spend some time talking to Jesus, walking around campus. I heard some good stuff, but overall I am frustrated with myself and how selfish I am. I hate it. I hate how my thoughts and my eyes are focused on me; not other people. I wanted to cry when Jesus was showing me the people around me on my walk. He gave me a glimpse of how he sees them; how his heart breaks for them because they don't see him. He showed me a pile of leaves. There, in the middle of a large pile of brown dead leaves, was a bright red leaf. He said, "that's you. I put you here to be a bright, colorful leaf among the dying ones."
I don't know how.
I finished the chapter in IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT called "Walking on the water". At the end, there are questions for you to answer...and I kind of don't know how to.
-What am I doing today that I could not do apart from the power of God?
-How would you describe your faith these days? What might help you get to know God better?
-What is one step you could take today to expand your "spiritual comfort zone"?
-What one area of the world, or one cause, or one need that's bigger than yourself would you be willing to pray for over the next six months?
There was a story in the chapter about this guy named Bob, who prayed for Africa for 6 months...and he saw real miracles happen. He got to take a trip to Africa, which spurred him on to write a letter, which then got millions of dollars worth of medical equipment sent to the medical center in Africa. He was invited back & on his visit, made a comment to an important man that these prisoners should be released.
And then they were.
Organizations had been trying to get those prisoners released for years....and then one man makes a side comment, and it happens.
It's crazy. And it makes me wonder what God wants to use me for. I really want to have the courage to go all out with His plans. I want the confidence that I was meant for what He calls me to, and to just risk it all.
Things are changing, and it makes me excited and a little sad.
-Dusty is on the Frankfort launch team, which is awesome...and it means we won't get to go to service together but only once in a blue moon.
-I'm going to the MAT on Fridays, so we've had to move our date night...
-which means we only get 2-3 hours for our date instead of the whole evening like we've been used to.
-We've talked about where we are regarding marriage, and both of us are kind of wondering how you know it's even the right time to start thinking/talking about it...when is the right time to start meeting with Michael & Ginny Riensche as a couple? Then how do you know it's the right time to propose? Etc...
I feel like I've been so comfortable with how everything was going...not necessarily happy with it, but used to it... and now I'm feeling the way it's shifting, and it feels weird. I know Jesus wants to do work in me & Dusty. I welcome it, and it also makes me nervous.
So here we go.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Autumn 2008
I just realized how long it has been since I last wrote...let's see.
I looked back at past blogs & saw the 'summer list' I wrote at the beginning of the summer.
Here are the things I can check off the list!
-Go to the beach...well, I didn't really go to the beach, but I got to go sailing for a few hours!
-Get a new car. YAY!
-Go to the Gorge. Our Access leadership retreat was at the Gorge! I got to go hiking at Natural Bridge!
-Move into a new apartment. woo hoo!
-Hear those 3 words. Wow, this seems like it was so long ago! It must have been not too long after I wrote this list that he told me!
-Take more pictures! I didn't take too many, but I'm getting ready to take pictures at a wedding!
-Matte, Frame, & Hang Photos in gallery. What the HECK?!? My pictures from Spain are hanging at Common Grounds right now!
And the things I'm still hoping for:
-See Tommy & Jessi come to church
-Go somewhere with just Mom
-Get a new phone
-Get a haircut
-Use my massage certificate
Jesus is still stretching me like no other. Meredith & I are reading a book called "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat". It's killer. I can't wait to see where my heart is at the end of the book.
This Friday is Nick Child & Lauren Burgess' wedding! Crazy.
I want the weather to stay cool. I love when the leaves change colors.
I need new shoes.
That's pretty much everything on my mind right now.
Back to work.
I looked back at past blogs & saw the 'summer list' I wrote at the beginning of the summer.
Here are the things I can check off the list!
-Go to the beach...well, I didn't really go to the beach, but I got to go sailing for a few hours!
-Get a new car. YAY!
-Go to the Gorge. Our Access leadership retreat was at the Gorge! I got to go hiking at Natural Bridge!
-Move into a new apartment. woo hoo!
-Hear those 3 words. Wow, this seems like it was so long ago! It must have been not too long after I wrote this list that he told me!
-Take more pictures! I didn't take too many, but I'm getting ready to take pictures at a wedding!
-Matte, Frame, & Hang Photos in gallery. What the HECK?!? My pictures from Spain are hanging at Common Grounds right now!
And the things I'm still hoping for:
-See Tommy & Jessi come to church
-Go somewhere with just Mom
-Get a new phone
-Get a haircut
-Use my massage certificate
Jesus is still stretching me like no other. Meredith & I are reading a book called "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat". It's killer. I can't wait to see where my heart is at the end of the book.
This Friday is Nick Child & Lauren Burgess' wedding! Crazy.
I want the weather to stay cool. I love when the leaves change colors.
I need new shoes.
That's pretty much everything on my mind right now.
Back to work.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 21, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)