Current Tunes: Ejah and Sofi chattering away. :D
Current Excitement: ....maybe getting down some applesauce soon!
Current Plans: Lay in bed, watch Return of the King, edit some photos, read, nap, be really sick.
Bahhh. So. When I moved to MO, I was sick for eight weeks. Then, miraculously, I felt normal for almost two full weeks!
BUT THEN, yesterday I woke up and felt. like. death. Oh my goodness. I went to the PR and sat there for 30 minutes. But then I sneezed and decided to go back home and sleeeep. So I did. I woke up and went to class @ 10, and managed to stay alive for that. I couldn't really engage in the ministry time though... D: Anyways, I tried to go to my small group but my small group leader took one look at me and made me go home. I did, and I also called work and told them I wouldn't be coming in. I HATE calling in sick (esp when it's only my second week working there!!), but I was feeling so bad that every movement hurt. I figured I had strep or mono again. My throat hurt, but compared to everything else that was the least of the pain... I had body aches, a severe headache, ear pain, lethargy, and a general feeling of 'I am going to die right now.' So I napped a little off and on for a few hours. Then I tried to eat but couldn't get very much down... I watched Two Towers and tried to stay very still so my body wouldn't blow up. I called a clinic and she said I could go to Urgent Care that evening... So at five thirty I called them and made an appointment for 7:30. I got there at 7:30, in incredible pain. And didn't get called in until... 9:30! Yeah, it sucked. I cried.
My temperature turned out to be 102.3. I tested negative for strep, but doc said it was just too early to tell. He seemed really surprised by all of my symptoms and the fact that I had recently been sick for 8 weeks. He talked to himself for about 5 minutes about what drugs he should give me. He even suggested to himself that he give me narcotics! I was like, that would be AWESOME. Lol, but no. Just some antibiotic that he stressed 'tastes like metal.' Anyways, I don't know how I'll actually get them. I feel in no state to go to Walgreens right now. D: I haven't showered and I really don't feel like putting clothes or make-up on. Gahross. Maybe I'll feel more up to it in couple hours. I still have to call work later and tell them I won't be working this weekend, but I hope I'll feel better on Monday. I haaaate missing work. I don't want them to think I'm a flake. I need to take some painkillers, but I drank some water this morning and it felt like pins and needles all down my throat... so we'll see how THAT goes. BAH. Being sick is the pits, esp at IHOP where stuff never stops and it is 'unpleasant' to miss things.
Okay. Enough boring stuff about how miserable I am.
Let's talk about my VISIT HOME TO MN!
It was ... THE BOMB. Seriously I had such a good time. Every moment was precious to me. I kept reminding myself that I was home, home, home, where things make sense and I have a grip on reality! Anyways. I got home around 1:30 AM Friday. Slept for a bit... Then I went to Chapel at Bethel and had a TRUE BETHEL lunch with my soulmate, Matteo. I looove him. He showed me his dorm and it was really cool! Then I went home I think. And saw BRENNAN, Because he's the very best. Then I had Panera with Denika, which was tender. She is my favorite, and I love her, and I love her, and I love her. Afterwards I kidnapped William (not really though) and we did some photographing downtown and I tried my very first tea! So that was cool. On Saturday, I got some true quality Korsmoe...Zech....Meyer family time! We went to two apple orchards (heaven!) and had lunch at Famous Dave's. It was hilarious how full we all were afterwards. I loooove my people, I really do. Especially the smallest one, because he is funny. Anyways. In the evening time Will and I crammed a lot of super cool activities into the hours we had. I had my first Noodles & Co!! I had the mac and cheese (don't judge) and it was FANTASTIC. I'm already dreaming about going there again. And again. All in all it was a grrreat day. Sunday I saw my BFF Kendra (who I wish I had had more time with!!), we went to church, and I had my favorite lunch with my familia! Then I was off, back to KC with mixed emotions. Nobody ever said how hard this independence thing really is... D: But there was a gorgeous sunset over Des Moines that evening! I may or may not have photographed it whilst driving.
I've gotta type up a quick assignment for Practicum, maybe take a shower/eat food, and then it's back to lazing about and praying that Jesus makes me all better quickly.
'slata gatas.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
In which I describe a new job and a visit
Current Tunes: Josh Garrels
Current Plans: pack, PR, DRIVE HOME
Current Excitement: A Minnesotan weekend.
Hello friends!
Well I've been real busy lately!
I got a job at a local public library and I started on Monday and worked again yesterday evening. It looks like it'll be pretty much the same as my last job! Not a ton of hours and therefore not a ton of money, but it's SOMETHING and that's a start. I still want to have time to sleep and eat and breathe and pray, so a few hours was all I really wanted. This library is A LOT different from my last library and a lot smaller, but all the employees are really nice and I'm catching on to their [weird] system pretty quickly. I'll be working about three times a week from now on.
My aunt, sister, and nephew visited last weekend, and it was THE BOMB. I had such a good time with them! We went downtown to this shopping district called the Plaza, and I was in HEAVEN. The Forever 21 had me delirious. My beautiful aunt was kind enough to support my shopping habit and buy me lots and lots of cool clothes. We ate at Panera and then went home for some rest. I also took them to the Awakening so that was cool. I'm glad they got a chance to at least check it out before the meetings went on hiatus. The next day we went to IHOP (pancakes) and had a good meal. Brennan was really cute and I looooooved getting to know him again. He's like the biggest hole in my heart whilst I am in KC, true story.
I am soooo blessed to be learning beneath ah-mazing instructors who leave room for the Holy Spirit and really care about their students. Today I had a class with Shelley Hundley (who, by the way, shares my birthday! I got a chance to tell her and we hugged! It was a special moment. I want to be her when I grow up!!). We were talking about 4 different ways to pray in the Spirit and she told us two AMAZING testimonies of when the Holy Spirit released a language in her life. Once was in Brazil? I think, when she was supposed to preach but there was no translator to translate her Spanish into Portuguese. So she preached anyways, and EVERYONE in the room, both Spanish speaking and Portuguese speaking, understood her COMPLETELY. She told us how the Holy Spirit moved in that place that night. Her other testimony was a long story about how God gave her the gift of Italian, pretty much. She can now read it, speak it, write it, and understand it. Isn't that incredible? She never took any classes or anything. She just needed it to serve someone, she had faith, and went after it! So we had a short ministry time in class where we prayed for an increase in understanding of different languages to serve in other nations. It was incredible! I felt the Lord burning the Spanish language on my heart. I long to become more fluent (or have any degree of fluency, really) in la lengua de mi corazon. My desire is to be able to write songs in Spanish to bring with me to Latin America! Wooowww exciting.
Hmm, what else?
I'm going to MN! Tonight! The weekend's free [for the first time in 3 months], so I thought, "hey, I'm getting the heck outta here" I'm sooo excited!! I have plans with my dearest friends and with my fabulous family! Apple orchard! And I think my mom mentioned cake! Sooooo excited. Bah! I really should finish packing, because I've got PR time in an hour.
Okay, so that was just a little update on my life here in KC. It's going well, I'm happy I'm here, and I love Jesus!
<3
Friday, October 1, 2010
In which I don't really say anything at all.
Current Tunes: Justin Rizzo and his amazing team at the Awakening!
Current Plans: Um, Awakening, photoediting.
Current Excitement: It's the weekend...?
So it's been awhile. Sure. Stuff has happened, I guess.
I'm putting down roots here at IHOP more and more with each passing day. It's hard to blog about what's been happening here, because a) my brain is still processing all the changes and b) there's alot. of it. Basically every aspect of my life and personality is taking a Holy Spirit beating. Which is a good thing, although it sounds kind of not.
I still miss home and my MN people, but it's so clear that God wants me here in this season that the homesickness is manageable. I'm falling in love with IHOPU and its students. Oh jeese, my classmates are incredible. So loving, encouraging, friendly, and convicted for Christ! And the teachers do nothing but provoke me to love Christ deeper and deeper. And the Holy Spirit is all over this place. It's crazy.
Okay. Since I don't really know what to talk about, I'mma just do this up list-style. All numerical and stuff.
1) In early November IHOPU is going to Southern California on an outreach/missions trip. LA, here I come! And the best part? Jesus already provided the funds for the trip! I don't have to pay a dime. Yeah, you could say it's a coincidence... OR you could admit that it's miraculous that I asked Jesus for money and in a matter of days He gave me the money I asked for and then some.
2) Speaking of financial miracles... On Tuesday in class, Wes Hall felt the Holy Spirit wanted to give people financial breakthroughs. So we stopped class and began praying for one another for finances. Wes said that God was going to release muchos finances in the next 24 hours. The next day in class, he asked people with financial testimonies to come up and share. A bunch of people, like 10-15 came up and shared stories of how people had randomly handed them checks, how they found money, etc, etc. Someone totaled up all the money received, and not including money on its way in the mail, there was over $20,000 received. Miraculously, NOT coincidentally. GOD PROVIDES, period.
3) My birthday is soon, just saying.
4) I got a job! At Red Bridge library! Minimum wage and no more than 16 hours a week! It'll be perfect to keep me in food and gas!
5) On Saturday night, I decided that I felt like being in MN. So... at midnight I left and drove home! I got home at 7amish, slept for four hours, ate lunch, went to see MY BABY... went to Bethel, then went downtown and saw Kendra's dorm and had MESA. OMG. Then I slept from 10:30-6:30, and drove back to MO. I miss MN more than I thought I ever would, but I'm thinking that that ache in me is because of the intensity of everything I'm experiencing here and in my spirit.
The end. That is all. There is no more. Except there is. But there isn't. I don't know.
In summation, God is good! He loves us and wants to be our First Love. And that's what I want, too. soreadygoHolySpirit
Current Plans: Um, Awakening, photoediting.
Current Excitement: It's the weekend...?
So it's been awhile. Sure. Stuff has happened, I guess.
I'm putting down roots here at IHOP more and more with each passing day. It's hard to blog about what's been happening here, because a) my brain is still processing all the changes and b) there's alot. of it. Basically every aspect of my life and personality is taking a Holy Spirit beating. Which is a good thing, although it sounds kind of not.
I still miss home and my MN people, but it's so clear that God wants me here in this season that the homesickness is manageable. I'm falling in love with IHOPU and its students. Oh jeese, my classmates are incredible. So loving, encouraging, friendly, and convicted for Christ! And the teachers do nothing but provoke me to love Christ deeper and deeper. And the Holy Spirit is all over this place. It's crazy.
Okay. Since I don't really know what to talk about, I'mma just do this up list-style. All numerical and stuff.
1) In early November IHOPU is going to Southern California on an outreach/missions trip. LA, here I come! And the best part? Jesus already provided the funds for the trip! I don't have to pay a dime. Yeah, you could say it's a coincidence... OR you could admit that it's miraculous that I asked Jesus for money and in a matter of days He gave me the money I asked for and then some.
2) Speaking of financial miracles... On Tuesday in class, Wes Hall felt the Holy Spirit wanted to give people financial breakthroughs. So we stopped class and began praying for one another for finances. Wes said that God was going to release muchos finances in the next 24 hours. The next day in class, he asked people with financial testimonies to come up and share. A bunch of people, like 10-15 came up and shared stories of how people had randomly handed them checks, how they found money, etc, etc. Someone totaled up all the money received, and not including money on its way in the mail, there was over $20,000 received. Miraculously, NOT coincidentally. GOD PROVIDES, period.
3) My birthday is soon, just saying.
4) I got a job! At Red Bridge library! Minimum wage and no more than 16 hours a week! It'll be perfect to keep me in food and gas!
5) On Saturday night, I decided that I felt like being in MN. So... at midnight I left and drove home! I got home at 7amish, slept for four hours, ate lunch, went to see MY BABY... went to Bethel, then went downtown and saw Kendra's dorm and had MESA. OMG. Then I slept from 10:30-6:30, and drove back to MO. I miss MN more than I thought I ever would, but I'm thinking that that ache in me is because of the intensity of everything I'm experiencing here and in my spirit.
The end. That is all. There is no more. Except there is. But there isn't. I don't know.
In summation, God is good! He loves us and wants to be our First Love. And that's what I want, too. soreadygoHolySpirit
Saturday, September 4, 2010
In which I make lists
Current tunes: Prayer room archives. :D
Current plans: upload/edit photos, rest, call some people, Awakening, dinner?
Current excitement: a few quiet hours, The Call Sacramento, Independence MO
Hey all you friends and people I love and creepers.
So today I went to the Santa Cali-gon festival in Independence, MO. It's to commemorate the California, Santa Fe, and Oregon Trails which all began in Independence! There's loooads of history there- including The Truman Library and Museum, the Truman drugstore where he worked as a young lad, the jailhouse where all sorts of lowlifes were kept, and the original log courthouse from 1827. It's crazy how much old stuff there is there. I've been aching to go since I moved here. Anyways, IHOPU students were invited to volunteer at the fair, which is pret much a downsizing of the MN State Fair complete with a theme park. Why are they called theme parks, anyways? What's the theme?
So there were tons of vendors, booths, foods, people, stuff. IHOP had a couple of booths with facepainting, skits, healing ministry and dream interpretations... I volunteered to photograph. I had such a good time! I met a ton of other IHOPU students [let's hope I can remember all their names!] and took some gorgeous photos of people and historic buildings. So far, I've found that my camera has made more friends than me. :D Jk, but no really, my camera has been the best conversation starter/friend finder that I could think of. So praise the Lord for Maxwell. 306 photos, four hours, paint on my face, and a little touch of sunburn, and it's all good. ;D
There was a little bit of distress in the middle though... wanna hear about it? Okay. So coincidence of ironies, next to the three IHOP booths was a palm reading/psychic booth. And, well, they were NOT please to see us. They continually complained to the powers that be that we were too loud, distracting, and disrupting traffic flow. We were apparently also not allowed to evangelize because it was like we were 'hawking our wares' which is something they discouraged at the festival. So this woman who was in charge of the booths had to come and literally yell at us several times to.. idk, stay in our area? It was kind of scary. I mean, we're from IHOP. We just wanna spread the loooove, not cause a riot. But this woman and the psychics next door were all verrryyyy angry with us. So that was sad. We tried feverishly to comply and satisfy, but some people just refuse to be calmed. Seriously, I think this woman seeks out conflict in her life to give her a sense of purpose or whatever, I don't know. It was uncomfortable. But we all just kept praying so hopefully IHOP hasn't been shut down yet!
Got a package from my mama today! Including some newspaper comics from home and a National Geographic! Suhweet! Love you mama bear. You make everything better!!!!
So. Things I miss about home:
1. Mama and Papa Bears [and the rest of my family!]
1.5. Brennan William
2. Knowing where everything is and how to get there.
3. Having all my friends in one spot.
4. Having my papa kill spiders.
5. Letting my mom do my dishes & laundry
6. Having an income
7. Going out to eat with my amigos
8. My bedroom
9. Never stressing about finding parking
10. Bridgewood!
11. Not having to worry about buying food/eating healthy/being in charge of myself... does that make sense?
12. Using my mama's make-up
13. Having some sense of control over my life :D
14. Bethel
15. That homey feeling.
16. Mama hugs and cuddles. D:
17. Making cookies, eating cookies.
18. Good easy internet.
19. Nicer heating and cooling. [insulation]
20. Having my dad protect and care for my car.
Things I love about IHOP:
1. The community.
2. My fellow first years.
3. Studying under brilliant pr/teachers.
4. The worship.
5. The Awakenings.
6. The worship leaders.
7. The prayer room.
8. Higher Grounds.
9. The friendliness.
10. ALL JESUS, ALL THE TIME.
11. My rooooom.
12. My bed. [even more than my home bed]
13. The Larsons and their funny babies.
14. Accountability.
15. Integrity.
16. Making new friends.
17. Exploring a whole new city, lotsa good eats!
18. Encountering the Living God
19. Getting packages, fb videos, and phone love from my mama.
20. Skyping, all the time.
Stuff happens, things change, people move away and grow up. That's all that this is, and all this is is GOOD. F'reals. I'm glad God's brought me here, I wouldn't change a thing about how it all worked out. His dreams for me are better than my dreams for me ever were or ever could be. This God that I follow is bigger than my weak words and fallen actions. This God? He loves me, end of story. Forever.
[[End of the day edit: Overall, today was probs one of the best I've had here so far. There was the Santa Caligon festival, fulfilling my historic/social/IHOPUlove needs, there was Awakening, there was an awesome dinner/photoshoot with Colin Chesla y su padres, I met some new pallies... God spoke to my soul today. He's showering love over me, I just know it. I keep thinking, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. It hasn't even really started yet. I'm meant to be here, and there's an endless supply of love and delight in God for me specifically. Can you understand that?!? Praise to the Lord of all creation, who created me and my heart just the way He wanted. Who made me a singer, a photographer, a laugher, a worshipper, an interceder, a friend, a daughter, and a lover. Praise Him for what I am, for without Him, I would be nothing.]]
Current plans: upload/edit photos, rest, call some people, Awakening, dinner?
Current excitement: a few quiet hours, The Call Sacramento, Independence MO
Hey all you friends and people I love and creepers.
So today I went to the Santa Cali-gon festival in Independence, MO. It's to commemorate the California, Santa Fe, and Oregon Trails which all began in Independence! There's loooads of history there- including The Truman Library and Museum, the Truman drugstore where he worked as a young lad, the jailhouse where all sorts of lowlifes were kept, and the original log courthouse from 1827. It's crazy how much old stuff there is there. I've been aching to go since I moved here. Anyways, IHOPU students were invited to volunteer at the fair, which is pret much a downsizing of the MN State Fair complete with a theme park. Why are they called theme parks, anyways? What's the theme?
So there were tons of vendors, booths, foods, people, stuff. IHOP had a couple of booths with facepainting, skits, healing ministry and dream interpretations... I volunteered to photograph. I had such a good time! I met a ton of other IHOPU students [let's hope I can remember all their names!] and took some gorgeous photos of people and historic buildings. So far, I've found that my camera has made more friends than me. :D Jk, but no really, my camera has been the best conversation starter/friend finder that I could think of. So praise the Lord for Maxwell. 306 photos, four hours, paint on my face, and a little touch of sunburn, and it's all good. ;D
There was a little bit of distress in the middle though... wanna hear about it? Okay. So coincidence of ironies, next to the three IHOP booths was a palm reading/psychic booth. And, well, they were NOT please to see us. They continually complained to the powers that be that we were too loud, distracting, and disrupting traffic flow. We were apparently also not allowed to evangelize because it was like we were 'hawking our wares' which is something they discouraged at the festival. So this woman who was in charge of the booths had to come and literally yell at us several times to.. idk, stay in our area? It was kind of scary. I mean, we're from IHOP. We just wanna spread the loooove, not cause a riot. But this woman and the psychics next door were all verrryyyy angry with us. So that was sad. We tried feverishly to comply and satisfy, but some people just refuse to be calmed. Seriously, I think this woman seeks out conflict in her life to give her a sense of purpose or whatever, I don't know. It was uncomfortable. But we all just kept praying so hopefully IHOP hasn't been shut down yet!
Got a package from my mama today! Including some newspaper comics from home and a National Geographic! Suhweet! Love you mama bear. You make everything better!!!!
So. Things I miss about home:
1. Mama and Papa Bears [and the rest of my family!]
1.5. Brennan William
2. Knowing where everything is and how to get there.
3. Having all my friends in one spot.
4. Having my papa kill spiders.
5. Letting my mom do my dishes & laundry
6. Having an income
7. Going out to eat with my amigos
8. My bedroom
9. Never stressing about finding parking
10. Bridgewood!
11. Not having to worry about buying food/eating healthy/being in charge of myself... does that make sense?
12. Using my mama's make-up
13. Having some sense of control over my life :D
14. Bethel
15. That homey feeling.
16. Mama hugs and cuddles. D:
17. Making cookies, eating cookies.
18. Good easy internet.
19. Nicer heating and cooling. [insulation]
20. Having my dad protect and care for my car.
Things I love about IHOP:
1. The community.
2. My fellow first years.
3. Studying under brilliant pr/teachers.
4. The worship.
5. The Awakenings.
6. The worship leaders.
7. The prayer room.
8. Higher Grounds.
9. The friendliness.
10. ALL JESUS, ALL THE TIME.
11. My rooooom.
12. My bed. [even more than my home bed]
13. The Larsons and their funny babies.
14. Accountability.
15. Integrity.
16. Making new friends.
17. Exploring a whole new city, lotsa good eats!
18. Encountering the Living God
19. Getting packages, fb videos, and phone love from my mama.
20. Skyping, all the time.
Stuff happens, things change, people move away and grow up. That's all that this is, and all this is is GOOD. F'reals. I'm glad God's brought me here, I wouldn't change a thing about how it all worked out. His dreams for me are better than my dreams for me ever were or ever could be. This God that I follow is bigger than my weak words and fallen actions. This God? He loves me, end of story. Forever.
[[End of the day edit: Overall, today was probs one of the best I've had here so far. There was the Santa Caligon festival, fulfilling my historic/social/IHOPUlove needs, there was Awakening, there was an awesome dinner/photoshoot with Colin Chesla y su padres, I met some new pallies... God spoke to my soul today. He's showering love over me, I just know it. I keep thinking, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. It hasn't even really started yet. I'm meant to be here, and there's an endless supply of love and delight in God for me specifically. Can you understand that?!? Praise to the Lord of all creation, who created me and my heart just the way He wanted. Who made me a singer, a photographer, a laugher, a worshipper, an interceder, a friend, a daughter, and a lover. Praise Him for what I am, for without Him, I would be nothing.]]
Saturday, August 28, 2010
In which I fascinate you with an account of IHOPU and tattoo ideas
Current Tunes: Ingrid Michaelson
Current Plans: Eat, laze about, buy foodstuffs, edit?, PR tonight
Current Excitement: Living the dream. :D
Hey all.
I've wanted to blog for like a week. But there was internet issues, lethargy issues, and avoidance issues. But here I come!!
So. Two whole weeks of classes down already. Soooo much time with Jesus. Soooo many revelations of who He is and who He wants me to be. Too much for a blog post, so don't expect it. :D
On the practical side, classes are gonna be fine. Requiring a lot of reading/reviewing of notes, but that's easy peasy. Choir's gonna be the bomb, because JAYE THOMAS is my choir director. He's officially my favorite person at IHOP. We're gonna be sining at the Awakening at the end of the semester, so that's really exciting! Ummm...
Still treasuring the fact that I'm in a subculture that values honesty, integrity, honor, generosity, kindness, selflessness, joy, and purity. You don't really get a lot of that in the 'real world.' Everyone I've met so far has just drawn me in with their love of Christ. I want to make friends with everyone on campus right now, haha. Working on that goal. I just like being around people who are wholeheartedly kind and real... It's hard to explain, but it's so so delicious. There's no sniping, gossiping, judging, malicious speak, dirty jokes... It's like rated G but so much fun. It actually makes my heart break for all the people in the world who degrade themselves and their tongues for this kind of fun. Those people who toss their heart ceaselessly around in the hope that someone will hold it even if it's just for a moment. Here, you trust people with your heart. In a sense. It also makes me so sad to think of everyone who has to shoot up their bloodstream with artificial fun in order to feel like they're okay with being alive. Because I've seen the other side of the world- that simply by being genuine and surrounding yourself with people of integrity, you can receive the most pleasure. ENDRANT.
Today was SUPPOSED to be semi-productive, but for the first time I didn't wake up to the babies this morning, so I accidently didn't wake up until 10:30, which meant my day was doomed to be full of lethargy. So. Showered already, so that's a start. Working myself up to eat some lunch, do laundry? Maybe? Target can happen tomorrow or Monday, I'm not in any kind of desperation as far as food. Yeah, haven't done laundry yet and still pretty nervous about it. It just seems like if anyone could screw it up, I could.
OH. Man, this week I've been bitten by tattoo fever. Okay, so my whole life, I never really wanted a tattoo. I always wanted a nose piercing, like since sixth grade, but that's it as far as desired body modifications. But in the past year or so, I've seen so many unspeakably beautiful tattoos that are giving me a new perspective... And then you come to IHOP where like every other person and their mother has a tattoo. And suddenly I'm overwhelmed with the deep desire to have Godwords all over me. Idk.. I'll never be like, covered in tattoos, but suddenly I have a LOT of ideas for locations and words and stuff. I always promised myself that I would never get a tattoo that holds no deep meaning for me, so you won't see me getting frivolous, flowery, 'I got it cuz it was cute' tattoos, I promise.
The one I most want and the one I'll probs be getting first is the one on my collarbone. I'm not sure exactly how it'll look yet, whether it'll be around the collar bone, or in broken paragraphs on each side. The lyrics are "This is my call, I belong to You. This is my call to sing the melodies of You." If it's around the collar bone like a necklace it'll only be the latter half. Idk. I spent all morning looking at tattoo ideas online and I'm suuuper excited! Other places I'm thinking about are my right wrist, behind my ear, my neck, and my foot... which all seem to be the most painful places. But... my dream tattoo that will NEVER happen but would still be awesome would be an awesome tigre on the side of my ribcage. But anyways, other than the collarbone, they'll all be little things like one word, Bible verses, the like. I also would like to get a tattoo outline of MN someday just to remember where I came from and where the people I love are... Assuming I will not be living in MN for the rest of my life.
Wow. Okay that was a long and uncharacteristic rant about tattoos. Idk, I'll keep praying about it, but I've seriously been thinking about it SO MUCH in the last week. Haha. Excited.
Um, so I love living on my own... I love the people/staff here... I love the prayer room, mostly... I found a mall! Civilization! Me and my friend Jeff got Cold Stone there... And they don't have small sizes, so you get so much ice cream that you throw up, basically. Love it. Kind of wish I had a maid. And a job to pay for the maid... my salsa grew mold after one week and I don't know what to do about it now... I'm getting to be so ninja at killing spiders. :D
Today is an Ingrid/Adele/Maria Solheim/Alexi Murdoch/John Thurlow kind of day... Jeese, only 2.5 hours till I have to be in the prayer room again... If I could change one thing about IHOPU it would be that we could have a day, even a weekend off... God forbid we get to go home... D: But I love it still, flaws and incongruencies, and miscommunications and all.
Alright, I'm audi 5000.
<3
Current Plans: Eat, laze about, buy foodstuffs, edit?, PR tonight
Current Excitement: Living the dream. :D
Hey all.
I've wanted to blog for like a week. But there was internet issues, lethargy issues, and avoidance issues. But here I come!!
So. Two whole weeks of classes down already. Soooo much time with Jesus. Soooo many revelations of who He is and who He wants me to be. Too much for a blog post, so don't expect it. :D
On the practical side, classes are gonna be fine. Requiring a lot of reading/reviewing of notes, but that's easy peasy. Choir's gonna be the bomb, because JAYE THOMAS is my choir director. He's officially my favorite person at IHOP. We're gonna be sining at the Awakening at the end of the semester, so that's really exciting! Ummm...
Still treasuring the fact that I'm in a subculture that values honesty, integrity, honor, generosity, kindness, selflessness, joy, and purity. You don't really get a lot of that in the 'real world.' Everyone I've met so far has just drawn me in with their love of Christ. I want to make friends with everyone on campus right now, haha. Working on that goal. I just like being around people who are wholeheartedly kind and real... It's hard to explain, but it's so so delicious. There's no sniping, gossiping, judging, malicious speak, dirty jokes... It's like rated G but so much fun. It actually makes my heart break for all the people in the world who degrade themselves and their tongues for this kind of fun. Those people who toss their heart ceaselessly around in the hope that someone will hold it even if it's just for a moment. Here, you trust people with your heart. In a sense. It also makes me so sad to think of everyone who has to shoot up their bloodstream with artificial fun in order to feel like they're okay with being alive. Because I've seen the other side of the world- that simply by being genuine and surrounding yourself with people of integrity, you can receive the most pleasure. ENDRANT.
Today was SUPPOSED to be semi-productive, but for the first time I didn't wake up to the babies this morning, so I accidently didn't wake up until 10:30, which meant my day was doomed to be full of lethargy. So. Showered already, so that's a start. Working myself up to eat some lunch, do laundry? Maybe? Target can happen tomorrow or Monday, I'm not in any kind of desperation as far as food. Yeah, haven't done laundry yet and still pretty nervous about it. It just seems like if anyone could screw it up, I could.
OH. Man, this week I've been bitten by tattoo fever. Okay, so my whole life, I never really wanted a tattoo. I always wanted a nose piercing, like since sixth grade, but that's it as far as desired body modifications. But in the past year or so, I've seen so many unspeakably beautiful tattoos that are giving me a new perspective... And then you come to IHOP where like every other person and their mother has a tattoo. And suddenly I'm overwhelmed with the deep desire to have Godwords all over me. Idk.. I'll never be like, covered in tattoos, but suddenly I have a LOT of ideas for locations and words and stuff. I always promised myself that I would never get a tattoo that holds no deep meaning for me, so you won't see me getting frivolous, flowery, 'I got it cuz it was cute' tattoos, I promise.
The one I most want and the one I'll probs be getting first is the one on my collarbone. I'm not sure exactly how it'll look yet, whether it'll be around the collar bone, or in broken paragraphs on each side. The lyrics are "This is my call, I belong to You. This is my call to sing the melodies of You." If it's around the collar bone like a necklace it'll only be the latter half. Idk. I spent all morning looking at tattoo ideas online and I'm suuuper excited! Other places I'm thinking about are my right wrist, behind my ear, my neck, and my foot... which all seem to be the most painful places. But... my dream tattoo that will NEVER happen but would still be awesome would be an awesome tigre on the side of my ribcage. But anyways, other than the collarbone, they'll all be little things like one word, Bible verses, the like. I also would like to get a tattoo outline of MN someday just to remember where I came from and where the people I love are... Assuming I will not be living in MN for the rest of my life.
Wow. Okay that was a long and uncharacteristic rant about tattoos. Idk, I'll keep praying about it, but I've seriously been thinking about it SO MUCH in the last week. Haha. Excited.
Um, so I love living on my own... I love the people/staff here... I love the prayer room, mostly... I found a mall! Civilization! Me and my friend Jeff got Cold Stone there... And they don't have small sizes, so you get so much ice cream that you throw up, basically. Love it. Kind of wish I had a maid. And a job to pay for the maid... my salsa grew mold after one week and I don't know what to do about it now... I'm getting to be so ninja at killing spiders. :D
Today is an Ingrid/Adele/Maria Solheim/Alexi Murdoch/John Thurlow kind of day... Jeese, only 2.5 hours till I have to be in the prayer room again... If I could change one thing about IHOPU it would be that we could have a day, even a weekend off... God forbid we get to go home... D: But I love it still, flaws and incongruencies, and miscommunications and all.
Alright, I'm audi 5000.
<3
Saturday, August 14, 2010
In which I describe Orientation
Current Tunes: The Immersed album from IHOP
Current Plans: read the Word, watch some House, Awakening later.
Current Excitement: Starting classes in the new building on Monday!
Well, here I am, all settled in at my new dwelling place.
Move in was swift and virtually painless. I pretty much had everything settled and done by that evening, so that was a blessing! The Larsons left for vacation the night I moved in, so for almost a week now I've been living completely on my own. Normally, that would really super freak me out. A lot. I tend to be able to freak myself out really easily. Living alone in the attic of an unfamiliar house in a new city and state in an area with the reputation of not being the safest is like a perfect recipe for a panic attack. But by God's grace and provision alone, I have felt not one moment of fear in being here alone. Even last night, with a classic thunderstorm, lightening flashing every other second, coming home to a dark, presumably empty house didn't freak me out. If anything I was excited to just sit in my room and stare out my window at God's gloriousness. He's so good!
Although I didn't feel any fear for my physical safety, I must admit the transition to BEING AN ADULT and living on my own and figuring stuff out for myself was a little rocky. Okay, it wasn't so bad. It just felt a little overwhelming. I am blessed with a great, supportive family, and to suddenly be far outside the physical reach of that support system was a little disorienting. It took some getting used to-- realizing that I had to kill my own spiders, buy my own light bulbs, wash my own dishes, do my own laundry, plan out my own days. Granted, some of that I was prepared for, but it was still just... bewildering? To be ALONE. I kept reminding how it's something I've always wanted-- to be live on my own and make my own decisions. And now that I've settled in a bit, I really am enjoying it. It was just a process of transitioning, is all.
So orientation has actually been really fun. If you know me at all, you know I'm not an orientation type of girl. I hate that awkward small talk, awkward introductions, cheesy games and 'get to know ya' crap. But I don't know... Something about IHOPU students is different. I guess because we're all filled with a love of Jesus, we're all like, extra friendly, smilely, and excited. You can just sit randomly next to anyone, and they'll smile, introduce themselves, and comment on how great the Lord is. My thoughts are like, Man, I belong here!. No matter what time of day, or where on IHOP property you are, you can overhear a conversation of students or staff talking about Jesus like He was a part of the group. It's pretty freakin' awesome. People here aren't messing around; they're here to serve the Lord with faith and submission.
I've met a lot of new, beautiful people. I can't wait to form bonds with them during the next few years, or however long the Lord allows. When we're all worshipping communally, you just get this sense that we're a family. That anyone here would do anything for their neighbor, and vice versa. I don't know what that is, other than the bold love imparted by the Holy Spirit. Meow. I love it.
Orientation has consisted mostly of a few games, several instructional-type meetings, and plenty of worship/prophetic soaking/prayer room times. The Holy Spirit has been thick around here, and aggressive on His pursuit of my heart. He's been calling me out as His Beloved. He's also called me His star and His radical princess. I accept these names and long to live my life out beneath them.
Other cool things/observations so far: This house is beeyoootiful. Seeing musicians like Misty Edwards, Cory Asbury, and Laura Hackett worship everyday is something I don't think I'll ever get used to. I feel SO blessed to have this opportunity. I miss my MN peeps and think about them lots. Mostimes I wish they were here with me to drink deep from this Holy Spirit river. I think I'm going to be picking the prayer room track that says I have to be in the prayer room from 6-9:30 AM Mon-Wed, so that's... horrifying. I just think I should do it then so that the rest of my days'll be more relaxed and open. I can always determine a nap schedule. I get to test it out this week, so if it's really awful, I can always do the afternoon schedule. I'm interested in finding a job, so pray that the Lord opens up a good'un for me. If that's His will! It's really stinkin' hot here. Oppressive heat. The kind where breathing makes you sweat. Umm... there was something else... The new campus is a beautiful, awesome, fantastic facility. Complete with a cafeteria, library, coffee shop, lounges, classrooms, and a recording studio! We got to wander around it for a bit yesterday. COOOL.
That's all I can think of right now. So cheerio, mates!
Current Plans: read the Word, watch some House, Awakening later.
Current Excitement: Starting classes in the new building on Monday!
Well, here I am, all settled in at my new dwelling place.
Move in was swift and virtually painless. I pretty much had everything settled and done by that evening, so that was a blessing! The Larsons left for vacation the night I moved in, so for almost a week now I've been living completely on my own. Normally, that would really super freak me out. A lot. I tend to be able to freak myself out really easily. Living alone in the attic of an unfamiliar house in a new city and state in an area with the reputation of not being the safest is like a perfect recipe for a panic attack. But by God's grace and provision alone, I have felt not one moment of fear in being here alone. Even last night, with a classic thunderstorm, lightening flashing every other second, coming home to a dark, presumably empty house didn't freak me out. If anything I was excited to just sit in my room and stare out my window at God's gloriousness. He's so good!
Although I didn't feel any fear for my physical safety, I must admit the transition to BEING AN ADULT and living on my own and figuring stuff out for myself was a little rocky. Okay, it wasn't so bad. It just felt a little overwhelming. I am blessed with a great, supportive family, and to suddenly be far outside the physical reach of that support system was a little disorienting. It took some getting used to-- realizing that I had to kill my own spiders, buy my own light bulbs, wash my own dishes, do my own laundry, plan out my own days. Granted, some of that I was prepared for, but it was still just... bewildering? To be ALONE. I kept reminding how it's something I've always wanted-- to be live on my own and make my own decisions. And now that I've settled in a bit, I really am enjoying it. It was just a process of transitioning, is all.
So orientation has actually been really fun. If you know me at all, you know I'm not an orientation type of girl. I hate that awkward small talk, awkward introductions, cheesy games and 'get to know ya' crap. But I don't know... Something about IHOPU students is different. I guess because we're all filled with a love of Jesus, we're all like, extra friendly, smilely, and excited. You can just sit randomly next to anyone, and they'll smile, introduce themselves, and comment on how great the Lord is. My thoughts are like, Man, I belong here!. No matter what time of day, or where on IHOP property you are, you can overhear a conversation of students or staff talking about Jesus like He was a part of the group. It's pretty freakin' awesome. People here aren't messing around; they're here to serve the Lord with faith and submission.
I've met a lot of new, beautiful people. I can't wait to form bonds with them during the next few years, or however long the Lord allows. When we're all worshipping communally, you just get this sense that we're a family. That anyone here would do anything for their neighbor, and vice versa. I don't know what that is, other than the bold love imparted by the Holy Spirit. Meow. I love it.
Orientation has consisted mostly of a few games, several instructional-type meetings, and plenty of worship/prophetic soaking/prayer room times. The Holy Spirit has been thick around here, and aggressive on His pursuit of my heart. He's been calling me out as His Beloved. He's also called me His star and His radical princess. I accept these names and long to live my life out beneath them.
Other cool things/observations so far: This house is beeyoootiful. Seeing musicians like Misty Edwards, Cory Asbury, and Laura Hackett worship everyday is something I don't think I'll ever get used to. I feel SO blessed to have this opportunity. I miss my MN peeps and think about them lots. Mostimes I wish they were here with me to drink deep from this Holy Spirit river. I think I'm going to be picking the prayer room track that says I have to be in the prayer room from 6-9:30 AM Mon-Wed, so that's... horrifying. I just think I should do it then so that the rest of my days'll be more relaxed and open. I can always determine a nap schedule. I get to test it out this week, so if it's really awful, I can always do the afternoon schedule. I'm interested in finding a job, so pray that the Lord opens up a good'un for me. If that's His will! It's really stinkin' hot here. Oppressive heat. The kind where breathing makes you sweat. Umm... there was something else... The new campus is a beautiful, awesome, fantastic facility. Complete with a cafeteria, library, coffee shop, lounges, classrooms, and a recording studio! We got to wander around it for a bit yesterday. COOOL.
That's all I can think of right now. So cheerio, mates!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
In which I talk about packing and pre-moving out revelations.
Current tunes: Cory Asbury
Current plans: ... Undecided. Maybe a night at home.
Current excitement: Moving out this weekend.
So.
This is real life, man.
Haha... Well, I've spent the day packing my clothings (3 containers, one box, and one laundry basket FULL), jewelry (one spiderman lunchbox), cameras, cds, schoolstuff, and other miscellaneous odds and ends. I also COMPLETELY cleaned out my car. So I'm feeling pretty accomplished, but surprisingly not worn out. But as much as I'd like to go out and SEE people and DO things, I really, really am feeling a quiet night home.
I guess this week kind of surprised me. I didn't get a 'summer' this year, save a few sweet and short weeks. My summer was literally spent work, work, working. And not for a bundle of money, either. My body actually wakes itself up between 8 and 9 now... What the biscuit is that about?? Adulthood, I tell ya. Really all I want is like another week to sleep in past 10AM, be careless and silly, and spend time with my oodles of good friends. But Sunday's D-Day, and I'm out of here.
Mama and Papa are following me down there in the van, and I'll be moving in Monday, so sayeth THE PLAN. Gahhh, I have SO MUCH STUFF. Just stuff. It's verging on hoarder-status. I don't even know what half this STUFF is, or why in the world I'd ever want to save it. I hope Missouri can teach me a thing or two about simplicity.
How am I feeling about moving out, you ask? Well let me tell you: I am AFRAID. Last night was the first night I really let my brain process the fact that I am leaving my parent's home, and I'm not gonna lie, I felt like crying. I still do. But in a good, this is how it's supposed to be, and I can't wait to start the next part of my life sort of way. Plus, it's straight up Biblical, this 'leaving the house of my father to follow the LORD' deal. But I've never faced such a HUGE change before. New school, new home, new room, new state, new friends, new freakin' ZIP CODE (which I still have to memorize... dang.) I guess I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to feel. I'm excited, yes, totally-- because I know this is where God is leading me. And I promised Him that I would follow where He led me. And He promised me that He would not leave me alone, even for one STEP of that journey. So I trust that He'll be with me... But I also keep thinking of how achingly I'll MISS everyone. From my random friends, to my closest friends, my family, my churchfamily... even my coworkers! I have such a wide support system that I'm a little nervous as to how I'll do down south, without everyone physically with me... But then I remind myself that there are so many methods of communication these days that I won't have any excuse for missing anyone.
I'm also anxious that I'll forget something, or I'll do something really stupid, or that I'll be the least informed person there. So there's that... but like Kendra loves to remind me, GOD DOES NOT GIVE US A SPIRIT OF FEAR. So I'll be remembering that frequently.
Sooooo. I've been to Target like 10 of the last 14 days. Pretty sure. I'm buying up the store, I tell you. And I went to MOA/Ikea twice in three days, so that's kind of amusing. Purchased a table @ Ikea. What seemed impossible and improbable 8 months ago is now all coming together right before my eyes, and the astounding comfort and provision from the LORD are quite apparent. So praise His name, praise His name, praise the God of us.
also. Thinking of getting a tattoo that says "This is my call, to sing the melodies of You." They're lyrics from a Sixpence None the Richer song. But just thinking. I'm a poor college student now, so I may have to pass on the ink.
That's it for now.
<3
Current plans: ... Undecided. Maybe a night at home.
Current excitement: Moving out this weekend.
So.
This is real life, man.
Haha... Well, I've spent the day packing my clothings (3 containers, one box, and one laundry basket FULL), jewelry (one spiderman lunchbox), cameras, cds, schoolstuff, and other miscellaneous odds and ends. I also COMPLETELY cleaned out my car. So I'm feeling pretty accomplished, but surprisingly not worn out. But as much as I'd like to go out and SEE people and DO things, I really, really am feeling a quiet night home.
I guess this week kind of surprised me. I didn't get a 'summer' this year, save a few sweet and short weeks. My summer was literally spent work, work, working. And not for a bundle of money, either. My body actually wakes itself up between 8 and 9 now... What the biscuit is that about?? Adulthood, I tell ya. Really all I want is like another week to sleep in past 10AM, be careless and silly, and spend time with my oodles of good friends. But Sunday's D-Day, and I'm out of here.
Mama and Papa are following me down there in the van, and I'll be moving in Monday, so sayeth THE PLAN. Gahhh, I have SO MUCH STUFF. Just stuff. It's verging on hoarder-status. I don't even know what half this STUFF is, or why in the world I'd ever want to save it. I hope Missouri can teach me a thing or two about simplicity.
How am I feeling about moving out, you ask? Well let me tell you: I am AFRAID. Last night was the first night I really let my brain process the fact that I am leaving my parent's home, and I'm not gonna lie, I felt like crying. I still do. But in a good, this is how it's supposed to be, and I can't wait to start the next part of my life sort of way. Plus, it's straight up Biblical, this 'leaving the house of my father to follow the LORD' deal. But I've never faced such a HUGE change before. New school, new home, new room, new state, new friends, new freakin' ZIP CODE (which I still have to memorize... dang.) I guess I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to feel. I'm excited, yes, totally-- because I know this is where God is leading me. And I promised Him that I would follow where He led me. And He promised me that He would not leave me alone, even for one STEP of that journey. So I trust that He'll be with me... But I also keep thinking of how achingly I'll MISS everyone. From my random friends, to my closest friends, my family, my churchfamily... even my coworkers! I have such a wide support system that I'm a little nervous as to how I'll do down south, without everyone physically with me... But then I remind myself that there are so many methods of communication these days that I won't have any excuse for missing anyone.
I'm also anxious that I'll forget something, or I'll do something really stupid, or that I'll be the least informed person there. So there's that... but like Kendra loves to remind me, GOD DOES NOT GIVE US A SPIRIT OF FEAR. So I'll be remembering that frequently.
Sooooo. I've been to Target like 10 of the last 14 days. Pretty sure. I'm buying up the store, I tell you. And I went to MOA/Ikea twice in three days, so that's kind of amusing. Purchased a table @ Ikea. What seemed impossible and improbable 8 months ago is now all coming together right before my eyes, and the astounding comfort and provision from the LORD are quite apparent. So praise His name, praise His name, praise the God of us.
also. Thinking of getting a tattoo that says "This is my call, to sing the melodies of You." They're lyrics from a Sixpence None the Richer song. But just thinking. I'm a poor college student now, so I may have to pass on the ink.
That's it for now.
<3
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