School has started

So, I'm officially done with my third day of classes in my sophomore year of college...so weird.

My first day of classes, 3 of the 5 were cancelled! GOOD DAY! :)

My classes are good. I'm taking Intro to Sociology, Applied Movement Anatomy, Self Defense, Photojournalism, Voice Lessons, Choral Union, University Choir and Orchestra, Apologetics, Global Studies and Chapel. Full but awesome schedule.
I'm stoked about apologetics. We're going to read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis...and some others. I'm stoked!

<--These are my roommates and I on the first day of school :) Lauren is to the left and Rissa is to the right. So fun. Rissa and me -->

At Cal Bap, we have this thing called TWIRP week. It stands for: The Woman is Required to Pay. Lauren and I TWIRPed Michael and his best friend Jon to go to Magic Mountain with us. Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures of them but here's one of Lauren and I before the fact :)
<--


-->
And here's one of Michael and I after

Seas

6-6-08

Seas

Drowning in a sea of emotion
With these waves crashing overhead
Twenty feet under the surface
My heart has been left for dead
Clinging to a raft
A notion of a dream
Instead of letting go
And believing you rule the seas

I’m letting go of all my support
And holding on to love larger than life
Sinking into your depths
I find shelter from the strife
I long to hold on
To those things unseen
Fall captive to your grace
Must I walk on water to believe?

Call me up from this watery grave
Call me into the waves
Bid me to walk to you
You are the One who saves
I want nothing
But to lose it all to you
Find in your eyes
Strength to take me through

What's been going on...

So, I know that since I got this thing I haven't been very good about keeping you all very well informed so...where to begin.

SUMMER:

I began summer with choir tour. 3 weeks with a bunch of choir kids and not a lot of down time was definitely a stretching experience for me. I learned a lot about myself. God revealed new things to me every day, which was pretty amazing and kept me going. By the end of tour my voice was gone and my spirits were soaring as the plane took off for home. Finally I would have some down time...finally I could relax

Or could I?

I was accepted as the "Summer Servant" at the LIFEhouse Church. At first my job was to get ready for the new youth pastor. I spent the weeks doing whatever needed to be done for anyone who needed it done :)

Then came Hume Lake. One of the most stretching times of my life. The Lord forced me to rely on Him in everything that I did. I got amazing time with my girls and really began to understand the turmoil of this generation, which was hard for me to grasp, but also necessary if I want to teach high school in the future. I also got time to spend with our new youth pastor Brian Neuenschwander. I'll say this: everything I would have wanted in a youth pastor and everything that I could have every prayed for, he is and more...basically...I LOVE him and am so excited to see what he's going to do.

Also at Hume, I met people from my church down in SoCal. I go to the most amazing church, Kindred Community. It "just so happens" that one of the groups of guys from Kindred was on my team, led by a man named Michael Simons. More about him will come later :)

The rest of the summer was spent getting to know Brian and helping him get adjusted to Rocklin. I was truly blessed to be able to work under him and learn from him. I was drastically pushed to continue to make the Lord my Stay (my favorite name of God from Psalms).

SCHOOL:

I got back early for RA training. My parents helped me move in and went to church with me.

RA training was a lot. There wasn't a whole lot of time for down time. I love my group of girls though, and I got to know a lot of new people. I'm excited to see what God will do and I know He has been preparing me for this year.

MICHAEL:

Michael, from Hume had kept in touch with me and he came and helped me move in. He asked me on a date and then the next night...and the next night.

About a week later, he asked me to be his first girlfriend.

Now, men, before you get your shotguns ready, let me tell you about him :) He's basically amazing. We'll just make a list.
~He's 21
~Loves the LORD more than he could ever love anyone else
~Athletic
~Plays guitar, piano and sings
~Business major at Cal State Fullerton
~He's a man defined by his character
~His decisions aren't based or effected by emotion...like mine :)
~Patient
~Kind
~Self sacrificing
~Puts others before himself

And anything I didn't say...you can find out when we come home in September for my sister's birthday :)

Looking back

I set down my test. I've gone over it about 10 times already and now the time comes to turn it it.

I walk down the empty hall. Leaving the classroom for the last time in 4 months.

Why don't I feel different? School is done, accomplished, at least for now. I have nothing to do for 5 days before leaving for choir tour. I can sit, relax, enjoy friendships. So why don't I feel different? Why is there something still to be done when their is no work to be accomplished. No papers to write. No tests to study for. Why is there not a feeling of euphoria? What is there still weighing down my heart?

It's time to look back, to reflect on what I did wrong this year so I don't do it next year. Time to remember the good times and the funny pictures. Maybe then, I'll see everything that's accomplished. Everything that God has done. And then, maybe then, I'll be free.

Holly and I met. After a week of choir camp, we walked to Target in the burning hot, humidity, accidentally stole a shopping cart from Target ...and had a blast.
We started meeting people throughout the freshman orientation week. There were so many new faces, so many people we thought we were going to be best friends with. Some, we are best friends with still, and some we don't talk to much at all. But God brought so many people into our lives.



Then there was UCO. We struggled to learn all the music and got lovely dresses. But we had fun. Every night before a concert we had a curler tradition where we would do each other's hair in curlers while the other one read out of the Bible (Holly had a OT class, so we always read out of there). The most memorable one, Levi was helping us, more like sitting there laughing at us, but we got to the part in Judges where the Levite's concubine is raped and murdered and cut into pieces...

Speaking of Levi...
This is how I remember him first. He was the crazy, funny, sarcastic boy from across the lawn who forgot my name but remembered that I lived in Newcastle. As time went on though...he became the man that I couldn't get enough of. God taught me a lot through him and still is teaching me, lessons that I don't necessarily want to learn anymore.
My Opa's death came suddenly and without warning. God taught me so much through that time and I believe He was beginning to teach me dependence on Him. I've found I have a problem with placing my dependence in people instead of God...not really a good idea. I miss my Opa dearly, but I know I'll see him again.
Friendship bread was a good time. My cottage has been great. It's weird sitting here without anyone else around.

I know this is random. I know it doesn't really make sense. But that's how my mind is working now. Without the pressure of school I don't really know what to think about...but though I still have a pressure in my chest, I know God will use me for his glory. I'm ready to be used. I'm ready to be dependent on Christ alone.

God is so Faithful!

I'm overwhelmed right now. Let me tell you why
~The man that I love I can't be with for now, but God is faithful and my trust is in His name
~I was in so much pain and just prayed over and over "God take away my emotion, take away my emotion..." until I realized...God isn't glorified in my emotionlessness. He's glorified when the world sees me rejoicing and joyful through the pain :) And I am
~I'm falling even more in love with my Savior every passing day
~I can laugh and cry at the same time
~The girls that I'm living with next year are gifts from God.
We realized that we all compliment each other perfectly. Rissa and I are emotional and touchy. Holly and Lauren aren't very touchy. Holly and Rissa will both tell you how it is, Lauren and I don't like to hurt other people's feelings. Holly and I just both love people and we absolutely love the Word and we're athletic...and we've been roommates for the last year. :)
~We are all going through boy stuff right now. Rissa and I basically have the exact same problem and have been able to point each other back to God continually.
~We all have our own bits of wisdom that combined show each other the love of Christ in everything.
~Last night, Holly was having difficulties and so the Future Roommate Friendship (or FRF) were all praying for Holls...then Lauren left to deal with another boy issue...so the two remaining FRF, me and Rissa prayed for her and then hugged, holding each other for at least a minute while we laugh/cried...absolutely overwhelmed that God has placed us all together.
~God has been bringing random people back into my life.
1. A man that tore my heart out of my chest that I pray for daily but never thought I would talk to ever again emailed me out of the blue and since then has been talking to me at least once a day.
2. I've been able to reconnect to a dear friend from highschool that's athiest who sent me a bumper sticker on Facebook that said "In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength my song." I told her that she was worth the world and never to let a guy treat her like she wasn't and told her about Christ and how much hope I have found in Him. She wrote me that when I told her that, she felt power that she'd never felt before and that it meant so much more to her when I said it than her best friends!!! THAT'S CHRIST WORKING!!!
3. My intern who I dearly love and who brought me though so much is also back in my life. And I'm so glad God has given him to me for this time
4. Another high school friend that I haven't talked to for years is talking constantly to me
5. Another ex-boyfriend is also now my friend and he talks to me all the time

Seriously God. You are showing me so much joy through my pain. So much peace through my trails and I am so thankful that you are so faithful.

I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I'm holding on
I'm barely holding on to you

~Lifehouse

I'm so excited to see You work Lord God. Use me for your glory. I want nothing but you're name to be glorified over all the earth

His Pursuit

The pursuit of your heart
The redemption that you chose for me
Your love has set my soul free
You buy me back time and time again
When I prostitute myself to the world
You hedge me with the thorns that encircled your brow
Hiding me from those who would steal me away
You speak in a whisper that shakes the earth
Caressing me with your love
You win my heart back with words of grace
You touch me and my scars are healed
You hold me and I'm made clean
You touch my lips with burning truth
And cover my head with a veil of purity
In joy we dance among the stars
With a renewed heart I find myself at peace in you
You rise up against my enemies and protect me with arms of strength
Your eyes search mine
Searching my heart as well
You know every dark thought and deed
But long to redeem me with your love
You provide for my every need
You long for me with your life
The scars of my sin cover your body
But you love me all the more
When I grow weary your arms lift me over the threshold
You lay me among meadows
You shelter me from the storms
You are my shade in the heat
I'm overwhelmed by the love you show
I cannot fight your pursuit of me
You wait eagerly, patiently
Desiring to show me the secrets of your heart forever

Are you ready for battle?

Let me tell you a story.

A man decides early one morning to take his lawn chair out and watch the sunrise on the beach. He sits and watches...6:30 rolls around and he continues to sit on the beach, enjoying the morning...oblivious to the war raging around him.

The date: June 6, 1944
The place: Omaha Beach
The event: The Battle of Normandy.

So, is this story far fetched? Tell me dear Friend, did you realize that there is a battle raging all around you?

A battle for your time.
A battle for your attention.
A battle for your soul.

It's a battle that's classified with the UFOs and alien abductions, but this battle rages on.

The battle stems from one moment in time when one thought he was greater than God.
That one deceived many, and those many followed him to the depths.
That one continues to deceive many who follow him to the depths, but they don't work for him, they live an eternal death because of him.

This battle is masked. At times, the realm between physical and spiritual is crossed. At times, a glimpse of the spirit is seen...but for the most part, it remains anonymous. Just another reason to disclaim God and claim Christians as nut jobs.

The Bible calls us to be suited with the full armor of God, and there's a reason for that. We must be shielded since we aren't ready to see a spiritual realm. We aren't ready for the darkness, the terror...And that's why God doesn't let it happen. Some walk into it. Some taunt it. Some are pulled to it, but God protects us. He may remove His hand for a moment, but when we faint in fear, he's there to scoop us back up.

The Bible says, "The Eternal God is our refuge and under are His everlasting arms."
So I'll ask again...are you ready for battle? Because it's all around you.

Demons are fighting for your soul.
Will you let them win?

What to be...?

The world has a way of framing who a person should be. Holly, my roommate introduced me to the saying, "You're unique, just like everyone else," and it's true. Some people go to the extreme to try and be different, and yet others are always following their pursuit.

I'll give you a little example...

I decided in high school that I wanted to be different than everyone else. (This was before plaid was technically "back in style," aka the Dark Ages Two) I went thrift store shopping and found this amazing pair of plaid pants for $6...terrific...I know. So, knowing that no one else has plaid, I wear then with pride...Three months later, I start to spy plaid walking around my school...not on me...and I start to wonder what's going on. Before I know it, Mom's are pulling out the plaid they wore in high school and their daughters are wearing it because it's now "fashionable..." What?! That was MY plaid...

Now, I'm sure the fashion industry didn't see me walking around in my plaid pants and say, "Hey, plaid is rad" or "Don't get mad, get plaid" or "plaid ain't no fad," (I had a shirt my friend made for me that said "don't get mad get plaid, and he had to others that said the other two...) but for some reason, being different doesn't always work.

But the difference lies with the person. Or should I say, inside of the person. As a Christian to be unique is to be in Christ. To be unique is to be everything the world isn't. To be the same is to live with the world's standards. It's not what we do that makes us unique but who you have inside of you. And with Christ as the focal point, you have already been made different. The Bible says that you were wonderfully made and crafted by the God who also entered the womb to save you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and there is nothing in the world that will make you more unique than Christ.

To be unique is to be courteous.
To be unique is to be a virgin when you're married.
To be unique is to not come from a broken home.
To be unique is to give nothing out of selfish ambition.
To be unique is to be kind.
To be unique is to love your enemies.
To be unique is to have joy.
To be unique is to live selflessly.
To be unique is to live a holy life.

I want to be unique, just like everyone else.

Isaiah 6

My Opa died last week. It was fast. He was there and then he was gone, like a fleeting shadow swallowed by the Son.

The whole week before we were studying Isaiah 6. Isaiah stands before the throne of God.

The train of the LORD's robe fills the temple with smoke because of His glory.

The seraphim's voices cause the earth to shake because of their praise to God.

The unclean are made holy in the eyes of Him who is Holiness Itself.

My Opa is now standing in the throne room of God. He's now seeing the glory and majesty of God for the first time. His voice is joining that of the seraphim in praise to his Maker. He has heard, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

He's finally home, and knowing that, makes all the difference.