Current Tunes: Eye Alaska
Current Plans: movie and ice cream, like the good old days.
Current Excitement: Going home for Christmas on Sunday! Until then: WORK.
Hola gentes.
As of last Friday, I have officially finished my 1st semester out of high school, and my first semester at IHOPU. Is it bad that I refuse to call it college? This.... is not college. When other IHOPU students who have not been to an actual university call this college, I want to shake them and proclaim, "You are incorrect, sir or madam!" Because. This whole semester was a BREAK from life. The 'homework' never took me more than 30 minutes to finish, the quizzes were only challenging if I didn't look over my notes, and the classes were just sermons! But I am told that starting next semester, classes will actually require brain power, so I'm pumped.
Speaking of next semester, HOLY COW, I WILL HAVE LITTLE TO NO TIME TO BREATHE. So I registered for classes and got my schedule a few weeks ago, and every time I look at it now, I get really nervous. The good part: no more 6AMs! Which, I will kind of miss. But my days won't start earlier than eight, which means back to my normal sleep schedule! No more going to bed between 8:30-9. So yeah, I've got PR hours (24ish a week), keys class, choir, prophetic singing, music theory class, theology class, practicum, chapel, church, and some other stuff I'm probs forgetting. On top of all of that, I have to somehow fit in 12-16 hours of work a week... So I'll be swamped. I'm talking back-to-back activities, no breaks, for like 12 hours a day. At least I'll have free weekends, from what I can tell. So.
In a few days, I'll be back on that familiar road home. I. Can't. Wait. Fireplace, friends, cake, mommy&daddy, BABY, my disorganized room (aka reading cave), etc. And Christmas! Which is forever my favorite holiday. I'm kind of terrified for the drive, though, because snow+me+my car= disaster waiting to happen. Not kidding. Not only is my car horribly unreliable and unsafe, but I, for some reason, never got the Driving in the Snow gene, and am ever fearful of losing control of my vehicle. Which I did once, and it was the scariest and slowest thirty seconds of my whole life. BOO SNOW. I'm moving to Cali. Or Italy. What would it be like to live somewhere where it NEVER snowed?? I can't even imagine. The inhabitants of those places have no idea how lucky they are. Granted, they probs have other problems like hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, volcanoes, etc. Well boo on nature then. BOOOO trying to kill us all. THE POINT IS. I am going home.
And for those of you curious, my home-going schedule is as follows: Drive home Dec 19th, drive back to KC the 28th for onething, drive back to MN the 1st or 2nd, hang out hang out, then drive back to KC on the 16th to start my new semester the 17th!
Most of the above ^^ was for the benefit of my mother, who I'm sure is wondering why I haven't called in awhile. Well, mum, there's all you needa know.
Okay, so if you know me, you know that sometimes I get lost in my brainthoughts and follow a bunny trail as far as I can. The bunny trail I've been on lately is-- gear up for it-- homosexuality. I won't go into it just yet, because ... I just won't. I do, however, want to talk about some brainthoughts I have acquired whilst doing all my research and reading lately.
TRUTH. Is the keyword here. What is truth? Who defines truth? Is truth relative, subject to change, or subject to our emotions?
As a Christian, y'all know what I believe: Jesus is the [one] WAY, the [one] TRUTH, and the [one] LIFE. So basically, I believe what He says, goes, and errythang else either lines up with Him and is also true, or conflicts with Him and is therefore untrue. Furthermore, I believe the BIBLE is the living, breathing Word of God, and I believe that JESUS is also the Word of God. I believe Jesus is the Word made flesh. So by the transitive property, I believe that the BIBLE is also the ultimate TRUTH.
I have been told recently by a few sources that the Bible, being written by mere humans, is subject to interpretation and can be interpreted many different ways. This is partially true ( I believe that the Bible was written by GOD through human beings, but that's not the direction I care to go right now), however, some of the people I received this ambiguous claim from were the very same who were not simply 'interpreting' but rather 'editing' the WORD. And I'm not sure that interpretation= twisting, changing, or editing God's WORD. In order to correctly interpret the WORD (aka the TRUTH), one must have a) a foundational theological understanding of the nature and enduring character of God, b) access to different versions of the Bible, as well as a word-for-word straight from the Greek interpretation (here's a helpful site for this) and c) the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is the one who guides us into truth. He's kind of like our conscience in that way. RE letter a of this list, what I mean to say is that if you don't understand that the God of the Old Testament is the SAME, EXACT, UNCHANGED, and UNCOMPROMISED God/Jesus of the New Testament, you might have a tendency to disregard the Laws and 'stories' of the OT because of legalism, fear, ignorance, etc. However, I recently dug my heels deep into the first five books of the Bible, and aside from having like, a million questions that need answers, I realized that it is a VERY good thing that we are covered by the blood of Christ, otherwise we would all be smited, right now. And that God, that same God who killed Aaron's sons simply for starting the wrong kind of fire in the temple (ask me for the reference if you need it, I'd have to go get my Bible), is the same God that I still worship today. Crazy, right? The one thing that's changed between the early tribes of Israel and us is that WE'VE been redeemed (granted, they too have been redeemed in retrospect, but still).
I'm getting a bit off topic, and that's to be expected when you're as deep in the mire as I have been lately, however. What I mean to say is that just because we desperately want to believe that "God wouldn't do this" or "God would never do that" doesn't make it true. Yes, God is a God of love and forgiveness, however, I don't believe He's a God of tolerance or blind acceptance! SIN and DARKNESS cannot stand in His presence. It is His very nature to DESTROY the things that insult His extreme righteousness. Think about that for a minute. That's the God you worship. Now, I don't mean to be all doom and gloom about God. I mean, He's a good guy and I'm rather fond of Him. I just think the Church and society in general needs a reality check and a right view of who God is, and why it's so important we strive to live holy. Furthermore, it's NOT up to US to decide what's a sin and what's not. Sin is, by nature, fun, pleasurable, easy, and addicting. So we may try to push the boundaries and say, "Well, I'm not hurting anyone else, so this can't possibly be a sin." PEOPLE. READ THE OLD TESTAMENT, I DARE YOU. Find out the kind of seemingly petty things that people died for, then try to justify your sin before God. It ain't gonna happen.
To tie this up, please understand that there is a GOOD part to this story of smiting and holiness: JESUS CHRIST. Because of Him, we get second, third, and fifty thousandth chances to make ourselves right. We have the grace and the RIGHT to stand before the throne of God with BOLDNESS, because we've been adopted into His family!!!
Speaking of adoption, I don't know if I've mentioned this yet, but the button to the right ---> is a picture of my soon-to-be nephew waiting for us in Eastern Europe. If you can find it in your heart (and wallet) to donate to the cause of BRINGING HIM HOME, please click on the button to find out how. Please. At any rate, please pray that the process goes off smoothly. Find out more on my sister's blog.
Okay, that was plenty for tonight. If you made it through all of that, congratulations! I would high five you, but I'm in bed. So. Please, please, talk to me if you have questions, comments, concerns, arguments, or love to share.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
In which I recount
Current Tunes: Barlow Girl "Home For Christmas" ;D
Current Plans: watch Boy Meets World, rrrread, SLEEP!
Current Excitement: 20 days till I'm home again!
Hola ustedes!
So last time I blogged, I was prepping to go to California!
Well. That happened. Threeish weeks ago by now, although it seems like it was just yesterday. Man, going to California was definitely a highlight of my life. Not only did I grow a lot closer to my IHOPU brothers and sisters, I also made some pretty neat new siblings out at Biola! I <3 Biola.
What was Jesus up to in LA?
Wellllll. Lotsa stuff. ;D I was with a group of about 40 students/leaders from IHOPU who were distributed in Brea, California, which is in northern Orange County. We stayed with peeps from this prayer house called the Firehouse [ http://www.firehouseofprayer.org/ ]. They were gracious, wonderful hosts, and we all got along capitally! I was lucky enough to be housed in a home that was being housesat by one of the directors at the Firehouse, so seven of us girls got the run of the place with Anita as our mama! Our home was homebase for the Brea group so there was always something going on! We were blessed to experience Firehouse-style prayer meetings and prophetic moments.
We also partnered with Revive ministry [ facebook page here ] a ministry on Biola's (Bible Institute of Las Angeles, if you haven't heard of it) campus. Basically we just creeped about and offered prayer and encouragement to our brothers and sisters. We also joined the Revive leadership team in crying out for revival on Biola's campus. It was awesome, and I heard lots of great testimonies of healings and fire-stirrings from the two days we were on campus.
The week ended at the Fight conference and the first-ever StudentCall at the Glory Church in LA. It was an intense few days of prayer, intercession, worship, and teachings from some of the most passionate intercessors and missionaries of our time.
Another highlight of the trip was the Revival Tour-- aka 250 IHOPU students and leaders being herded around LA like cattle to various points of historic value from the Jesus People Movement of the 60's and 70's. Lou Engle was our tourguide, and he had many insightful and provoking anecdotes and stories about the past revival. This day also included looooots of prayer. It ended at the Azusa St Plaza, which was dreamy. Revival broke out at that very location in the early 1900's...1906? I believe. All kindsa crazy stuff happened at that time, so it was surreal to be back 100 years later, praying for the Spirit to be poured out over SoCal. So. Much. Of the BOMB.
After a 40 hour bus ride back to KC (I don't wanna talk about it...), I slept for 6 hours, woke up and unpacked, and then went back to bed. Then we had just a few days of classes and were off for Thanksgiving break! How thrilling! But first! A visit from my bestest pallies, Kendrason and Wilson! Will was a surprise, but most welcome. What followed: Applebee's, IHOP, sleep, Waffle House, the Plaza, nap, church, sleep, Waffle House, PR, Higher Grounds, and then they left me. :( But it was okay! I worked a few days and then drove back to MN myself!
So then it was Thanksgiving break. I did some cool stuff. Like skidded around on a snowy Co Rd J. Visited with Marissa! Had some mashed potatoes and pickles for Thanksgiving dinner with the WHOLE fam (including the CUTEST nephew that I currently have). Watched Will nap on my couch while I gleefully hacked his FB. Hung out with Kendra, Will, and Jeremy, and had a new experience ;). Saw some high school pallies, and ate McDonald's with my soulmate. And saw Harry Potter 7pt1 in IMAX at 11:40 the night before I drove home. Why, you ask? Well. I don't know. I still don't. ;P
Now I am back.
I would like to leave you with some genious revelation, some life lesson, or at the very least some Bible verses or clever song lyrics. But at this point, all I can say is:
"The Girl" by City and Colour.
Look for more in the future. ;D
Yes, I did use excessive emoticons in this post. So sue me. ;P
<3
Current Plans: watch Boy Meets World, rrrread, SLEEP!
Current Excitement: 20 days till I'm home again!
Hola ustedes!
So last time I blogged, I was prepping to go to California!
Well. That happened. Threeish weeks ago by now, although it seems like it was just yesterday. Man, going to California was definitely a highlight of my life. Not only did I grow a lot closer to my IHOPU brothers and sisters, I also made some pretty neat new siblings out at Biola! I <3 Biola.
What was Jesus up to in LA?
Wellllll. Lotsa stuff. ;D I was with a group of about 40 students/leaders from IHOPU who were distributed in Brea, California, which is in northern Orange County. We stayed with peeps from this prayer house called the Firehouse [ http://www.firehouseofprayer.org/ ]. They were gracious, wonderful hosts, and we all got along capitally! I was lucky enough to be housed in a home that was being housesat by one of the directors at the Firehouse, so seven of us girls got the run of the place with Anita as our mama! Our home was homebase for the Brea group so there was always something going on! We were blessed to experience Firehouse-style prayer meetings and prophetic moments.
We also partnered with Revive ministry [ facebook page here ] a ministry on Biola's (Bible Institute of Las Angeles, if you haven't heard of it) campus. Basically we just creeped about and offered prayer and encouragement to our brothers and sisters. We also joined the Revive leadership team in crying out for revival on Biola's campus. It was awesome, and I heard lots of great testimonies of healings and fire-stirrings from the two days we were on campus.
The week ended at the Fight conference and the first-ever StudentCall at the Glory Church in LA. It was an intense few days of prayer, intercession, worship, and teachings from some of the most passionate intercessors and missionaries of our time.
Another highlight of the trip was the Revival Tour-- aka 250 IHOPU students and leaders being herded around LA like cattle to various points of historic value from the Jesus People Movement of the 60's and 70's. Lou Engle was our tourguide, and he had many insightful and provoking anecdotes and stories about the past revival. This day also included looooots of prayer. It ended at the Azusa St Plaza, which was dreamy. Revival broke out at that very location in the early 1900's...1906? I believe. All kindsa crazy stuff happened at that time, so it was surreal to be back 100 years later, praying for the Spirit to be poured out over SoCal. So. Much. Of the BOMB.
After a 40 hour bus ride back to KC (I don't wanna talk about it...), I slept for 6 hours, woke up and unpacked, and then went back to bed. Then we had just a few days of classes and were off for Thanksgiving break! How thrilling! But first! A visit from my bestest pallies, Kendrason and Wilson! Will was a surprise, but most welcome. What followed: Applebee's, IHOP, sleep, Waffle House, the Plaza, nap, church, sleep, Waffle House, PR, Higher Grounds, and then they left me. :( But it was okay! I worked a few days and then drove back to MN myself!
So then it was Thanksgiving break. I did some cool stuff. Like skidded around on a snowy Co Rd J. Visited with Marissa! Had some mashed potatoes and pickles for Thanksgiving dinner with the WHOLE fam (including the CUTEST nephew that I currently have). Watched Will nap on my couch while I gleefully hacked his FB. Hung out with Kendra, Will, and Jeremy, and had a new experience ;). Saw some high school pallies, and ate McDonald's with my soulmate. And saw Harry Potter 7pt1 in IMAX at 11:40 the night before I drove home. Why, you ask? Well. I don't know. I still don't. ;P
Now I am back.
I would like to leave you with some genious revelation, some life lesson, or at the very least some Bible verses or clever song lyrics. But at this point, all I can say is:
"The Girl" by City and Colour.
Look for more in the future. ;D
Yes, I did use excessive emoticons in this post. So sue me. ;P
<3
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
In which I am still alive.
Current Tunes: The chatter and prayer of fellow IHOPers in Higher Grounds.
Current Plans: Go home, nap, go to D-group, go to work, pack, shower, sleep, go to CA.
Current Excitement: CALIFORNIA!
Hey all. So clearly, I survived the the illness that knocked me out. On the plus side, I got to stay in my room and not talk to anyone for five days. On the down side, I had to stay in my room and not talk to anyone for five days. But I am all better! For the first time since moving here, I think. And I intend to stay healthy! As much as I can. Gotta eat like... fruit or something.
Anyways. So as you may or may not have heard, I'm headed to SoCal tomorrow morning! It's exciting. It'll be like a 30+ hour bus ride. In those nice coach buses. 300+ IHOPU students will be strategically placed at universities throughout Southern California. So I'm not exactly sure where I'll be yet. BUT! I do know that on Nov. 11th, we'll all be converging on LA to support the Fight Conference and get people reeeaallyyyy stirred up for revival. I'm super excited because of prophetic words that have been spoken for a coming revival, as well as just to BE in CA for the first time in my life and be able to share all this love that I've been receiving for the past few months.
So I'll be getting back the 15th of November. Then I'll have a few days of classes, and then it's Thanksgiving 'break.' My BFF KennyLendra will be visiting ME for the first time, and we'll shop and sing and hug and have a gay olde time. Then I'll work work work and then get my bum on home for some eats. And then it's back to KCMO for a few more weeks, and then CHRISTMAS. And then ONETHING. And then... January! Woot. Time skipping stones.
In my spirit, Jesus has really been giving me a lot of revelations in the past two weeks about how He sees me. Much of this was supplemented by a study we did on Song of Solomon in class. Before hearing Shelley and Allen teach on it, I was majorly skeptical about this book, what it meant, and what God intended it to mean. But the Holy Spirit softened my heart towards it and opened my eyes to all the different interpretations and meanings. And what I found there was in-credible. I encourage you all to download Mike Bickle's notes on Song of Songs from mikebickle.org or get some other commentary on it. It's really eye opening, the way that God feels about us.
Also He's been engaging my mind with some Deep Theological Issues. About who He is, what the Bible is and what it means, etc, etc. Stuff I'd like to divulge on eventually, but not currently. I've been in some situations recently that really caused me to think about GOD. Like, why He created us, how He's involved in our lives, what He expects from us, and what it is to be holy. And how holy, how like Him can we become? It's great. I just like to think about Him. And I'm realizing that much of Christianity is missing the point.
In Romans 1 & 2, Paul talks about God's righteous judgment against sin and sinful people. And he has a pretty harsh description of evil people: greedy, envious, murdering, slandering, wicked, depraved, etc, etc. And our first reaction, of course, would be to say "That's not me; I'm certainly not THAT bad. I'm not a murderer or a slanderer. I try not to gossip and I don't steal...." But then at the beginning of Chapter 2, he says "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things" (NIV). Whoa. We KNOW, because Jesus said, that if we even feel angry towards one another, we have murdered each other in our hearts. So we can't assume that we are perfect simply because we wouldn't describe ourselves so harshly. Maybe, just maybe, someone else WOULD. Maybe, from the perspective of the Most Holy, we ARE tarnished and sullied.
He goes on to talk about the law for several chapters, and much of his conversation is expounded on in Galations. Basically, my heart is just sorrowed for those in the Church who think they are saved simply because they go to church, repeat the prayers and hum the hymns. Church! The Bible, the living, breathing, WORD OF GOD says we are not saved unless we are right with God!! Even if we do not follow the Law, we are still saved if our hearts are right with Jesus. However, if we were somehow Holy Superheroes and followed the Law to the letter and never sinned, but yet still had no relationship with Him in our hearts, we would STILL go to Hell. Do you see what God thinks is the most important??
There's just been so much resting on my heart lately about this, and I'd love a soapbox and an audience of my loved ones to share it with. I have loads of Scriptures to support the above argument, but I'm without my Bible at the moment to quote verses at you. However, if you must be immediately satiated, check out Romans 1 & 2 as well as the book of Galations 3 to start with.
Please pray for me and my friends while we're in CA! See you on the other side. :D
<3
Current Plans: Go home, nap, go to D-group, go to work, pack, shower, sleep, go to CA.
Current Excitement: CALIFORNIA!
Hey all. So clearly, I survived the the illness that knocked me out. On the plus side, I got to stay in my room and not talk to anyone for five days. On the down side, I had to stay in my room and not talk to anyone for five days. But I am all better! For the first time since moving here, I think. And I intend to stay healthy! As much as I can. Gotta eat like... fruit or something.
Anyways. So as you may or may not have heard, I'm headed to SoCal tomorrow morning! It's exciting. It'll be like a 30+ hour bus ride. In those nice coach buses. 300+ IHOPU students will be strategically placed at universities throughout Southern California. So I'm not exactly sure where I'll be yet. BUT! I do know that on Nov. 11th, we'll all be converging on LA to support the Fight Conference and get people reeeaallyyyy stirred up for revival. I'm super excited because of prophetic words that have been spoken for a coming revival, as well as just to BE in CA for the first time in my life and be able to share all this love that I've been receiving for the past few months.
So I'll be getting back the 15th of November. Then I'll have a few days of classes, and then it's Thanksgiving 'break.' My BFF KennyLendra will be visiting ME for the first time, and we'll shop and sing and hug and have a gay olde time. Then I'll work work work and then get my bum on home for some eats. And then it's back to KCMO for a few more weeks, and then CHRISTMAS. And then ONETHING. And then... January! Woot. Time skipping stones.
In my spirit, Jesus has really been giving me a lot of revelations in the past two weeks about how He sees me. Much of this was supplemented by a study we did on Song of Solomon in class. Before hearing Shelley and Allen teach on it, I was majorly skeptical about this book, what it meant, and what God intended it to mean. But the Holy Spirit softened my heart towards it and opened my eyes to all the different interpretations and meanings. And what I found there was in-credible. I encourage you all to download Mike Bickle's notes on Song of Songs from mikebickle.org or get some other commentary on it. It's really eye opening, the way that God feels about us.
Also He's been engaging my mind with some Deep Theological Issues. About who He is, what the Bible is and what it means, etc, etc. Stuff I'd like to divulge on eventually, but not currently. I've been in some situations recently that really caused me to think about GOD. Like, why He created us, how He's involved in our lives, what He expects from us, and what it is to be holy. And how holy, how like Him can we become? It's great. I just like to think about Him. And I'm realizing that much of Christianity is missing the point.
In Romans 1 & 2, Paul talks about God's righteous judgment against sin and sinful people. And he has a pretty harsh description of evil people: greedy, envious, murdering, slandering, wicked, depraved, etc, etc. And our first reaction, of course, would be to say "That's not me; I'm certainly not THAT bad. I'm not a murderer or a slanderer. I try not to gossip and I don't steal...." But then at the beginning of Chapter 2, he says "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things" (NIV). Whoa. We KNOW, because Jesus said, that if we even feel angry towards one another, we have murdered each other in our hearts. So we can't assume that we are perfect simply because we wouldn't describe ourselves so harshly. Maybe, just maybe, someone else WOULD. Maybe, from the perspective of the Most Holy, we ARE tarnished and sullied.
He goes on to talk about the law for several chapters, and much of his conversation is expounded on in Galations. Basically, my heart is just sorrowed for those in the Church who think they are saved simply because they go to church, repeat the prayers and hum the hymns. Church! The Bible, the living, breathing, WORD OF GOD says we are not saved unless we are right with God!! Even if we do not follow the Law, we are still saved if our hearts are right with Jesus. However, if we were somehow Holy Superheroes and followed the Law to the letter and never sinned, but yet still had no relationship with Him in our hearts, we would STILL go to Hell. Do you see what God thinks is the most important??
There's just been so much resting on my heart lately about this, and I'd love a soapbox and an audience of my loved ones to share it with. I have loads of Scriptures to support the above argument, but I'm without my Bible at the moment to quote verses at you. However, if you must be immediately satiated, check out Romans 1 & 2 as well as the book of Galations 3 to start with.
Please pray for me and my friends while we're in CA! See you on the other side. :D
<3
Thursday, October 21, 2010
In which I am really sick.
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.
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 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.]]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)