busy times

I have a friend... wow, what a concept! lol! Yes, actually I have many friends, but particularly one has been after me to update my blog again. "It has been a WHOLE week!" I proceeded to show her several of my other friends blogs who haven't posted in two weeks and some others like a month or more! Anyhow, here ya go, B :P

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I survived YC and was happy to spend some time with my 'long-lost' friends and my cool sisters! I also enjoyed a Birthday party on Saturday for two of my friends (minus the sheep guts visual! lol) This week is equally busy because we are hosting Leadership Conference here at GBS. Dr. H.B. London from Focus on the Family is the main plenary speaker. Classes are canceled for two days so we can sleep in a little, (well, if you're not exercising) then go to sessions. Last night I had to miss the service in order to babysit, but heard it was a great message with good prayer time.

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This morning I was particularly excited.... I decided to stay up after exercising and do homework instead of napping until service. I headed down to eat a continental breakfast that is typical of M/W/F and was so excited to actually get real food! Eggs, biscuits and gravy, etc. Needless to say, it doesn't take much to boost my morning! I have had a better day because of the small change of 'norm'.

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Do everything without complaining or arguing. (Phil. 2:14)
Rejoice in the Lord always, and AGAIN I say rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)
Enjoy life! Laugh! Love! And have a great day!! :D

Good morning!....

...How are you? I am living well!

Today has been a Friday all day long, and I am not sure why! I guess this week has just been long. Once it started raining Monday afternoon, it seems it hasn't stopped! I like rainy days, but these have been three, long, cold rainy days! That is a little different! Anyhow. Before we know it, there will be snow on the ground! (confession... I've already been listening to a little Christmas music)

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Tonight we had another d-group meeting. I really enjoyed it. Mr. Miles prepared a short talk about the 'most important thing in life' having good relationships with God and with others; loving God and loving others as we love ourselves. After some good discussion and prayer, we ate a delicious snack!

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I have been doing some interesting collateral reading for class. One class in particular we are required so many points but can choose the books we want to read (within certain topics of course). I have really enjoyed this assignment. My most recent reading has been Too Close, Too Soon by Jim Talley, and Bobbie Reed. It is a relationship book that interestingly has been one of the closest to my own expectations and ideals of dating. Possibly one of the closest, of course, it is difficult to agree with any author completely on all topics.
Anyhow, one particular section stood out to me that affects not just dating but all of life . They discussed three sources of self-esteem: opinion of others, one's own opinions, and God's opinion. Already understanding the importance of God's opinion and trusting Him with my life, it wasn't completely new material, but there were a few things that sorta *popped* out to me! They gave four reasons why the opinions of others are unstable:
1. the perspective of others is not always correct
2. people are not always honest with you about their opinions
3. peoples' opinions are constantly changing to fit the societal norm
4. people do not always know the inner you, and so they are responding only to the public image you portray (page 80-81)

Anyhow, I thought I would share. It was a refreshing perspective in reinforcing my stand to not lean on people's opinion.

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I am looking forward to the end of this week! Although, I am not necessarily a 'youth' planning to register and stay at Youth Challenge, I will be going to a few services. I am especially excited to be seeing a few friends there (and my 'lil' sis) that I haven't seen in a really long time! Also, two of my classes were canceled for Friday! :D
--That will require a little extra discipline to get up early and still exercise! (Oh, by the way, this is week number 6 for me! So, I suppose it could be considered an actual habit! yeah!!)

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Well, there are many other things scattered in my head that may show themselves later, but I think this is long enough for tonight. I have a test tomorrow and would like to get some sleep :P Sweet dreams!

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no, this post did not take an entire day.... the beginning quote was from Dr. Pete Botha this morning in chapel, although I do not know the language he first stated it... so you have the english version :) it made me smile so i am passing it on!

People...

sure can't rely on them sometimes.
Communication can be challenging.
Something said invokes expectation and a smile.
Change brings disappointment and a sigh.
But even the change was falsehood, the original 'said' was wrong.
Communication on previous end was skewed.
Could have avoided disappointment by not sharing wrong information.
Oh well, that is people for you.
So glad I don't rely on them for daily support and strength.
...meanwhile, still dealing with the disappointment.

Thank you, Lord for your constant faithfulness, and for your comforting friendship!

Cheeriness

Just a quickie to exclaim my great joy in the recent change of weather! Since it is October the 90+ degree weather was not particularly enjoyable. Fall is supposed to be chilly, right?! Well, I'm excited because today I can wear my comfy hoodie :) I am sitting at work with the window cracked open a bit enjoying the weather and craving a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks!

Since the afternoon isn't too busy I should take advantage and study a little (yes, on the clock, but with permission lol) I have two tests tomorrow and a paper to finish and some other small assignments, but somehow they all add up quickly!

This evening will be our first official d-group meeting. I am looking forward to it! Our group this year has nine people including myself. Not too many, not too few, should be cool. It is my first time in a mixed d-group as opposed to all girls, we'll see!

Well, this has been very scattered! (Wait, is that anything new?? lol) I do wish my school papers were as simple to write as my silly blogs. Oh well, practice makes perfect or permanent... hmm. Ya'll have a good week and enjoy Fall! You know where my office is, if you happen to want to drop off a Starbucks coffee!!! LOL

Why wait...

for the weekend to blog? I have so many happy thoughts running through my mind I just wanna share a few real quickly!
(my happy cheesy self tonight lol)


1. I have had a very happy day, although nothing super exciting really happened! I actually took two tests, went to work and did homework and laundry! (praise the Lord for providing laundry quarters from a friend!)
2. I have attempted a life-changing habit! Wow, for those who know me well be prepared to be proud and pat me on the back! LOL okay not that pathetic, but anyhow... I have become somewhat of a morning person after much discipline and have been spending wee hours of the morning exercising with a faithful few friends. Today was the 14th day I think, (doesn't 20 times make a habit?) So I am excited about getting in shape and establishing new habits!
3. I received very cheery flowers from a very kind friend today! They brightened my evening so I decided to share.
(camera still broken, relying on my grainy cellphone shots)


4. Well, excuse the random ramblings, I think I should go study for my test now! Yes, another tomorrow, then another next week.... Mid-terms I think would be an appropriate title for this time period.

Have a great evening and comment, call, or email me! I love hearing from ya'll!!

Thanksgiving

"Yes, it is September. Yes, I do realize that Thanksgiving is in November."
That was my response to more than one person when telling them why I was leaving campus this past Friday.

This weekend was our Thanksgiving Retreat/Get-Together held out our campgrounds in Mode, IL. We have it this time of the year because of the weather and scheduling. It was such an enjoyable time! I was glad to relax, visit with friends, and sit around the fire. The food was amazing and the 'wacked' radio and Bible trivia was so much fun!

I also did a little homework and even managed to do some pleasure reading! I am now ready for book 3 in Ted Dekker's Circle series. I am not too sure how soon that will happen now that I am back to the grind of school and homework!

Red, the book I finished last night really gripped me. The allegorical implications refreshed in my mind the Crucifixion and what Christ did for us. He was innocent and yet accepted so much pain and betrayal even to death, just because He loved us! Wow! That is just another reason for Thanksgiving!

Well that wraps up my weekend. I am still sad about the state of my camera and the fact I don't have pictures to share. Hopefully, someone else took plenty this weekend and will share! (HINT, HINT!! lol)

Family

I am so thankful for my family! It was so good to see Ben for a short time a few weeks ago. Here is one of the pictures we had taken. (Thanks, Lora, they're awesome!)

last weekend

Well, since an entire week has passed, I have finally taken time to post some pix! Rhoda and I took a bunch of our friends home with us for the weekend. We had a blast! It was so relaxing and fun and we made lots of memories!

My mom (with everyone's help) made Indian Tacos! They were sooooo delicious! And very long over-due lol! We also played softball, sang around campfire, roasted marshmallows, went to church, had an amazing Sunday Dinner with all our church friends, and lots of other nice relaxing things.

I am thankful for our new house where we had room to entertain, thankful for my family letting us share all the space with so many friends, and thankful to all my Salem friends who welcomed more GBSers, everyone was so gracious and friendly!

the whole group of us :)




Megan and Chris are a lil too happy about their frybread! LOL



Wow! soooo yummy! (i couldn't finish it!)


Well, it is very late, tomorrow is our all-school picnic (oh yeah!), homework catch-up day, and 'do all the other things that got put off this week' day :) So tata for now!

Thoughts

Sometimes I get distracted. Push God down my list. Others take first place. Easy to lean on. They are tangible. One problem. Tangible things fade. They fall and break. They let me down. Why is it so hard to put God first?

Dear God, why am I so stupid? Thank You for reminding me. You created me with relationship in mind. You love me! You DIED for me. No one else has done that.

And You speak. I just have to listen. I can see results of Your work. Praise God! You are the center of my joy! I am excited to see the future You have planned for me! My life is in Your hands!


Reading over this and past blogs I realize I could be seen as wishy-washy. I hope not! I do tend to blog when I am 'dry'. I need to practice blogging my many happy thoughts.
But this morning I was thinking in my devotions, "Why is it hard to focus thoughts on Jesus? It seems I can sit and think and dream and wish life away." Then I started adding up things God has done for me and I got blessed! I will start directing those wandering thoughts to His character.
Wow, thoughts are powerful, they get me in trouble sometimes! :D

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

this picture is not great quality i actually took it on my cell phone from clear up in the balcony
(yes, my camera is still broken, sniff sniff)

Tonight was the first in a long time that I have been to the Music Hall downtown. A group of us went and heard the pops. It was a lot of fun! I enjoyed most of the music. There were three tenors singing selections from different musicals and some of them... well we will leave it at that! The arrangement of the Overture to Phantom of the Opera that they played was AMAZING!!!

It was also a 'strange' experience in some ways. Let me explain... other times of going to the symphony I have often observed people who would go and sit by themself. I tried to figure out their background, personality, and what would inspire them to do such a thing. I have thought of doing it myself just for the experience, but hadn't. Well, tonight, since we hadn't ordered the tickets ahead of time, we were all spread out. So, I finally got my chance to sit alone. I'm still not completely sure how I liked it. Interesting for sure, watching all the old couples sitting nearby, how cute lol!

Anyhow, so much for the randomness. After all the fun tonight, I need to do homework tomorrow!!! Everything is sooo busy already!

Oh, yeah, I can't tell you about the Pops without telling you about my ticket! Myself and this freshmen girl were standing in line to buy our tickets when this lady walked up and asked if we were waiting to buy tickets.... I figured she wanted to get in line too... we said yes, then she handed me this envelope and said, "Well, here are a couple free tickets, they are really good seats!" then she rushed off! Crazy! We were sooo happy though! We traded them in for ones nearer our friends.

well, it is getting late, and i am getting 'rambly' lol! leave me comments!

~until later :P