I was thinking/writing today about it being the end of the year and almost the beginning of the new year and all the other endings and beginnings going on in my life.
It was a time of mixed emotion. I had my last day at Pathway last week, and although it wasn't the most exciting job and I wasn't there long, I did enjoy it for the most part and got to know some of the other employees. Today is my last day at Cook's. I have worked here (I say here because I am at work as I am typing this) for almost 2 and a half years. Although I sometimes get bored here and lack social interaction, it has been a great job for me, especially while I was in school. It also allows me time to read and get stuff done (like blogging).
We are definitely going to miss many people from His House. It's been great being part of the ministry for the past 4 1/2 years and we are sad to go. We are looking forward, though, to the ministry we will be joining in Ohio and the people we will meet and everything.
We will also miss being close to our families in some ways. However, it is nice to know there are some friends and family near Painesville.
I was also thinking about all the changes that have happened in my life this past year, including graduation, marriage, first apartment, some new friends, new job, etc.
God is doing so much in our lives and I am grateful that he cares about each one of us enough to make such an intricate plan for us full of opportunities for excitement, adventure and serving him.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Got the job!
Yay, I got the job in Painesville, OH. Kassie got a job at the church too. Wohoo. You all probably already know this. If not, feel free to ask me more about it.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
leaving
I think I have a hard time leaving people.
I also think I tend to make myself hardened to that.
We are probably leaving Mount Pleasant soon, which means leaving His House, which means leaving many people I have known for 0-4+ years.
It's pretty tough.
Last night Kassie went to hangout with some old roommates and I was wandering around, visiting some people and stuff. I eventually went to the library and checked my email and realized the worship team was hanging out at the church at 8. When I noticed this it was 8:48 but I decided to check it out anyway.
I walked along the windy, icy paths and made it to the church a little after 9 to find Joey V., Matt Martin, Jesse V., and Kristen Klenkster on the stage.
Interestingly, when I was thinking about the people I would miss the most, or at least the people I have spent the most regular time with this past semester, I thought of the worship team (for some reason that didn't remind me that there was a worship team hangout).
So, we were sitting and eating and talking. Joe was telling us some things he has been learning and thinking about lately, and he ended it by having us reflect/listen/pray/meditate for 10 minutes while listening to music.
As I was laying on the stage, between the speaker and the REAL Christmas tree, I was thinking about how much I would miss the church, being able to go there and worship with people and jam or just go and spend time alone with God or practice piano or whatever.
The church we are most likely moving to doesn't own a building. While it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, I am going to miss having a church building.
I am going to miss many things and especially many people. I guess without hardening myself to the sadness of leaving, I need to learn to say goodbye while also looking forward to what God has planned for the future.
I also think I tend to make myself hardened to that.
We are probably leaving Mount Pleasant soon, which means leaving His House, which means leaving many people I have known for 0-4+ years.
It's pretty tough.
Last night Kassie went to hangout with some old roommates and I was wandering around, visiting some people and stuff. I eventually went to the library and checked my email and realized the worship team was hanging out at the church at 8. When I noticed this it was 8:48 but I decided to check it out anyway.
I walked along the windy, icy paths and made it to the church a little after 9 to find Joey V., Matt Martin, Jesse V., and Kristen Klenkster on the stage.
Interestingly, when I was thinking about the people I would miss the most, or at least the people I have spent the most regular time with this past semester, I thought of the worship team (for some reason that didn't remind me that there was a worship team hangout).
So, we were sitting and eating and talking. Joe was telling us some things he has been learning and thinking about lately, and he ended it by having us reflect/listen/pray/meditate for 10 minutes while listening to music.
As I was laying on the stage, between the speaker and the REAL Christmas tree, I was thinking about how much I would miss the church, being able to go there and worship with people and jam or just go and spend time alone with God or practice piano or whatever.
The church we are most likely moving to doesn't own a building. While it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, I am going to miss having a church building.
I am going to miss many things and especially many people. I guess without hardening myself to the sadness of leaving, I need to learn to say goodbye while also looking forward to what God has planned for the future.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
More than a road trip
This weekend I am excited to hangout with some friends and family in Shaker Heights, OH.
I am excited to get out of Mount Pleasant more than 40 miles, out of Michigan even.
I'm looking forward to a great road trip and an adventurous weekend.
Along with that, Kassie and I have the opportunity to visit a church in Painesville, OH, called Crossway Christian Church.
This part of the trip is very exciting to me. You might be wondering "Why would you be so excited about a random church in Ohio? Is it a large church? Is the pastor famous? Is the David Crowder Band going to be playing there?"
Those are all valid questions; let me explain. First of all, it is not a large church, I don't think the pastor is famous, and the David Crowder Band won't be playing there this weekend as far as I know.
It all started in the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth (or maybe even before that), but let me skip ahead to last Saturday. I was doing some online searching for worship leader positions, and I came across a church in Ohio. It looked like I church I might fit well with, so I emailed the contact person with my resume.
He responded within a few hours with an encouraging message but also a warning that they are not able to provide a full salary, and we would need other jobs to support ourselves.
I let him know that I would be willing to do that if this is what God wants. Also, Kassie made the suggestion that we could visit their church this coming weekend when I mentioned that it isn't too far from Shaker Heights, so I let him know about that possibility and told hiim I would call on Monday.
Kassie and I were immediately excited about the prospect of ministering at this church, for whatever reason, even though it is in Ohio, a State neither of us had ever really thought of moving to and even though it wouldn't provide a living wage.
During Sunday and Monday, we both talked and prayed about it together and individually. I talked with Michael Rice(from the church-elder or pastor) that night and grew more and more excited as the conversation went on and we talked about what they are doing with missions, possibilities for ministry among the population of Painesville, etc.
I think both Michael and I left the conversation thinking it would be a great match for Kassie and I to minister there. He did not say as much, although he did express his excitement at several points throughout the conversation.
Kassie and I have continued to be excited about it. I think that God has had his hand on this and that it is the right thing. We are going to be meeting with Michael on Sunday after the service, and hopefully can get things moving forward from there. Nothing is official yet, but we would appreciate your prayers especially for the meeting on Sunday and whether this is what God wants for us.
If you want more details of just want to talk, feel free to call me. 989 488 7378
I am excited to get out of Mount Pleasant more than 40 miles, out of Michigan even.
I'm looking forward to a great road trip and an adventurous weekend.
Along with that, Kassie and I have the opportunity to visit a church in Painesville, OH, called Crossway Christian Church.
This part of the trip is very exciting to me. You might be wondering "Why would you be so excited about a random church in Ohio? Is it a large church? Is the pastor famous? Is the David Crowder Band going to be playing there?"
Those are all valid questions; let me explain. First of all, it is not a large church, I don't think the pastor is famous, and the David Crowder Band won't be playing there this weekend as far as I know.
It all started in the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth (or maybe even before that), but let me skip ahead to last Saturday. I was doing some online searching for worship leader positions, and I came across a church in Ohio. It looked like I church I might fit well with, so I emailed the contact person with my resume.
He responded within a few hours with an encouraging message but also a warning that they are not able to provide a full salary, and we would need other jobs to support ourselves.
I let him know that I would be willing to do that if this is what God wants. Also, Kassie made the suggestion that we could visit their church this coming weekend when I mentioned that it isn't too far from Shaker Heights, so I let him know about that possibility and told hiim I would call on Monday.
Kassie and I were immediately excited about the prospect of ministering at this church, for whatever reason, even though it is in Ohio, a State neither of us had ever really thought of moving to and even though it wouldn't provide a living wage.
During Sunday and Monday, we both talked and prayed about it together and individually. I talked with Michael Rice(from the church-elder or pastor) that night and grew more and more excited as the conversation went on and we talked about what they are doing with missions, possibilities for ministry among the population of Painesville, etc.
I think both Michael and I left the conversation thinking it would be a great match for Kassie and I to minister there. He did not say as much, although he did express his excitement at several points throughout the conversation.
Kassie and I have continued to be excited about it. I think that God has had his hand on this and that it is the right thing. We are going to be meeting with Michael on Sunday after the service, and hopefully can get things moving forward from there. Nothing is official yet, but we would appreciate your prayers especially for the meeting on Sunday and whether this is what God wants for us.
If you want more details of just want to talk, feel free to call me. 989 488 7378
Monday, November 9, 2009
Up in the Air
I am still working toward finding a worship leader position. I haven't sent out much to churches yet. I have sent resumes to a couple churches though. We'll see if anything comes of that. God opened me up to the possibility of moving anytime, whereas before we had planned on staying in Mount Pleasant until the end of the school year.
I don't know what's going to happen.
On the other side of things, I got another job here. It's just a temporary thing, though. I am going to be working at Pathway Christian Books in Midland for the month of November, filling in for somebody who had a family emergency. It should be a good experience and will provide a little more income. It could turn into something more than just the temporary position. We'll see.
I also had an interview with Staples that seemed to go well. They said they would be making calls soon for a second interview.
So, that's kind of an update on the whole job thing. Thanks for all of your prayers and support.
I don't know what's going to happen.
On the other side of things, I got another job here. It's just a temporary thing, though. I am going to be working at Pathway Christian Books in Midland for the month of November, filling in for somebody who had a family emergency. It should be a good experience and will provide a little more income. It could turn into something more than just the temporary position. We'll see.
I also had an interview with Staples that seemed to go well. They said they would be making calls soon for a second interview.
So, that's kind of an update on the whole job thing. Thanks for all of your prayers and support.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Preparing for the Future
Well, I think my last post was pretty depressing.
I didn't really know what to do with my life, but God has given me some direction. I am currently looking for a worship leading position. God has made it clear to me that worshipping him through music and leading others in doing so is a passion he has given me.
He has given me some ideas about recording some music and probably some type of video resume type of thing as well as creating a new blog with links to these things to allow churches to see who I am and what God has gifted me to do.
Moreover, I am blessed to have the encouragement and support of one of the pastors at His House (I could probably have the support of others but haven't really told them about it) and today we started doing some preliminary recording.
If anybody reading this has any resources or knows anybody that has resources that could be useful for recording music, making a video resume, making a "regular" resume, or something else that might be helpful, let me know. Also, if you know of any pastors or churches or people who might know of pastors or churches who might be looking for or know of somebody looking for me to be used by God to lead their family (church, congregation, etc.) in musical worship, let me know.
This process has been good for me for several reasons. It has given me a sense of purpose for my life now, has allowed/motivated me to connect with people that I wouldn't normally take the initiative to connect with or ask for help, and it will allow me to improve my musical, technical (sound,video, etc.) and other skills. Praise God!
I almost forgot, so this is a reminder to me as well as you that prayer is definitely a necessary part of this process, and I am asking you to pray, enter into God's plan, as I will do the same and cool things will happen.
Also, I started helping out with Crave, the youth group at Mount Pleasant Community Church and it has been cool to connect with some high schoolers as well as reconnect with people I met when I first came to Mount Pleasant who help out with Crave. Moreover, I have learned that the youth group people seem to start off every meeting with a meal. mmm.
I didn't really know what to do with my life, but God has given me some direction. I am currently looking for a worship leading position. God has made it clear to me that worshipping him through music and leading others in doing so is a passion he has given me.
He has given me some ideas about recording some music and probably some type of video resume type of thing as well as creating a new blog with links to these things to allow churches to see who I am and what God has gifted me to do.
Moreover, I am blessed to have the encouragement and support of one of the pastors at His House (I could probably have the support of others but haven't really told them about it) and today we started doing some preliminary recording.
If anybody reading this has any resources or knows anybody that has resources that could be useful for recording music, making a video resume, making a "regular" resume, or something else that might be helpful, let me know. Also, if you know of any pastors or churches or people who might know of pastors or churches who might be looking for or know of somebody looking for me to be used by God to lead their family (church, congregation, etc.) in musical worship, let me know.
This process has been good for me for several reasons. It has given me a sense of purpose for my life now, has allowed/motivated me to connect with people that I wouldn't normally take the initiative to connect with or ask for help, and it will allow me to improve my musical, technical (sound,video, etc.) and other skills. Praise God!
I almost forgot, so this is a reminder to me as well as you that prayer is definitely a necessary part of this process, and I am asking you to pray, enter into God's plan, as I will do the same and cool things will happen.
Also, I started helping out with Crave, the youth group at Mount Pleasant Community Church and it has been cool to connect with some high schoolers as well as reconnect with people I met when I first came to Mount Pleasant who help out with Crave. Moreover, I have learned that the youth group people seem to start off every meeting with a meal. mmm.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Update on jobs
Well, I think that God either doesn't want me to find a job, is trying to teach me perseverance or has something else up his sleeve.
Whatever the reason, I have not gotten a job. It started with a couple months of applying with no more than a phone call from a company asking for more info about me.
In the past month I have had 3 interviews, none of which have been fruitful.
I think I have applied for about half of the places in Mount Pleasant and a few outside of MP.
I could use prayer that God would guide me in this time of joblessness. Also, it would be nice to know for sure if he doesn't want me to have a job right now, or what his plan is for this time.
This has been kind of discouraging. I know I am over-qualified for most of the jobs I have applied for, but for whatever reason, they haven't wanted me.
God has been teaching me some things, and we have had a pretty good relationship lately, but it seems to me like we could maintain that relationship even if I had a life.
Whatever the reason, I have not gotten a job. It started with a couple months of applying with no more than a phone call from a company asking for more info about me.
In the past month I have had 3 interviews, none of which have been fruitful.
I think I have applied for about half of the places in Mount Pleasant and a few outside of MP.
I could use prayer that God would guide me in this time of joblessness. Also, it would be nice to know for sure if he doesn't want me to have a job right now, or what his plan is for this time.
This has been kind of discouraging. I know I am over-qualified for most of the jobs I have applied for, but for whatever reason, they haven't wanted me.
God has been teaching me some things, and we have had a pretty good relationship lately, but it seems to me like we could maintain that relationship even if I had a life.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Little things, big things, and sleepy things
First of all, Kassie and I are sleepy things because we got back from the His House Fall Retreat today. Despite our 3+ hour nap this evening, we are both still sleepy.
Do you ignore the Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel/act like prayer is powerless? Do you have a boring and/or unfulfilling life?
Those are all things God has been dealing with me about lately. Bryan, Ashley, Kassie and I have been doing a weekly Bible study/hangout/dinner thingy for a few weeks. Each week we pick scripture to focus on and part of that to memorize. Last week the scripture was Romans 8 and the memory verses were 26-27.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And the one who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
That was written from memory and I didn't check it so there might be a couple mistakes but the overall idea is there.
Also, last week I took a bunch of books from my parents, and I read The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge. It had some good stuff about prayer and the Holy Spirit, including times when David asked for specific signs to discern His will and stories of heroin addicts asking for the Holy Spirit and being filled, speaking in tongues, and becoming free of addiction.
Other things have happened too that have made me think things like, "maybe the Holy Spirit is an awesome part of the trinity who I need to know in order to really know God," and "maybe God can do stuff without me, much bigger stuff than what I can do."
I know those thoughts are a little bit shocking, profound, and revelatory. the most significant part for me is that they weren't just thoughts, they were realizations; not mental acknowledgments but actual realizations that can make a difference in my life.
As we were driving home from the retreat today and I was getting some of my thoughts out to Kassie, some things became clear and other thoughts became more complete. Based on those recent realizations, it became clear that seemingly mundane actions can be eternally significant. Take for example going to class. We might think that is boring and unfulfilling and seemingly insignificant, but God can do some great things with it if we are tuned to Him and living purposefully. To us it might not be a big thing to smile to somebody on our way to class, but I have heard stories of just a smile preventing a suicide. Maybe talking to somebody before class could lead to inviting them to church or talking about God or becoming friends or who knows what. Maybe the way you pay attention to the professor rather than slouching and drawing could show them that you care and make them feel better about themselves or something. The point is, God can take little things and make them into big things, especially if we are tuned into the Holy Spirit and have that daily, even moment-to-moment connection with God.
We aren't expected to change the world. We aren't even expected to change one life. God just wants us to be seeking him and listening and obedient. God is the one who changes lives, and I know he can definitely do that better than I can.
A couple more things:
Don't be discouraged by thinking about the times when you might have done the opposite of what God wanted and could have ruined somebody's life. Again, God's in control and he wants what's best for us. I don't think he would let our little mistakes ruin a person's life. Second of all, I messed up this weekend. It was our "quiet time" at the retreat on Saturday morning and I was reading and praying and there was a lady not too far away who was crying, seemingly broken by what God was teaching her and doing in her life. I felt like I should go pray for/with her. I didn't. Instead, I sat there for about 10 minutes trying to focus on what I was reading while really thinking about reasons not to go over and pray with the lady or ways to go about it. She eventually left, and I prayed for her by myself feeling guilty for not going up to her. I prayed that God wouldn't let my mistake keep her from finding him or getting baptized or something. That night, sure enough, the very same lady was one of those who gave their lives to Christ and got baptized.
That definitely showed to me a few things. First of all that my mistakes won't necessarily ruin a person's life. Secondly, God can do work without me being present, without anybody being present. Along with that, God has definitely set in me a desire for unreached people groups to be reached. While I am obviously not among those groups right now, I can pray for them. It's hard for me to pray sometimes without seeing results, or even if I do see results, not actually seeing the one I am talking to is difficult for me. However, God has been giving me some good reminders that he doesn't need me to be present in order for him to do work. He doesn't even need to pray anything eloquent; The Holy Spirit can interpret my silly humanness. He doesn't even need me to pray; He can do anything. But he does want me to pray; he wants me to seek him and develop my relationship with him and know that my prayers are powerful and effective.
Do you ignore the Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel/act like prayer is powerless? Do you have a boring and/or unfulfilling life?
Those are all things God has been dealing with me about lately. Bryan, Ashley, Kassie and I have been doing a weekly Bible study/hangout/dinner thingy for a few weeks. Each week we pick scripture to focus on and part of that to memorize. Last week the scripture was Romans 8 and the memory verses were 26-27.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And the one who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
That was written from memory and I didn't check it so there might be a couple mistakes but the overall idea is there.
Also, last week I took a bunch of books from my parents, and I read The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge. It had some good stuff about prayer and the Holy Spirit, including times when David asked for specific signs to discern His will and stories of heroin addicts asking for the Holy Spirit and being filled, speaking in tongues, and becoming free of addiction.
Other things have happened too that have made me think things like, "maybe the Holy Spirit is an awesome part of the trinity who I need to know in order to really know God," and "maybe God can do stuff without me, much bigger stuff than what I can do."
I know those thoughts are a little bit shocking, profound, and revelatory. the most significant part for me is that they weren't just thoughts, they were realizations; not mental acknowledgments but actual realizations that can make a difference in my life.
As we were driving home from the retreat today and I was getting some of my thoughts out to Kassie, some things became clear and other thoughts became more complete. Based on those recent realizations, it became clear that seemingly mundane actions can be eternally significant. Take for example going to class. We might think that is boring and unfulfilling and seemingly insignificant, but God can do some great things with it if we are tuned to Him and living purposefully. To us it might not be a big thing to smile to somebody on our way to class, but I have heard stories of just a smile preventing a suicide. Maybe talking to somebody before class could lead to inviting them to church or talking about God or becoming friends or who knows what. Maybe the way you pay attention to the professor rather than slouching and drawing could show them that you care and make them feel better about themselves or something. The point is, God can take little things and make them into big things, especially if we are tuned into the Holy Spirit and have that daily, even moment-to-moment connection with God.
We aren't expected to change the world. We aren't even expected to change one life. God just wants us to be seeking him and listening and obedient. God is the one who changes lives, and I know he can definitely do that better than I can.
A couple more things:
Don't be discouraged by thinking about the times when you might have done the opposite of what God wanted and could have ruined somebody's life. Again, God's in control and he wants what's best for us. I don't think he would let our little mistakes ruin a person's life. Second of all, I messed up this weekend. It was our "quiet time" at the retreat on Saturday morning and I was reading and praying and there was a lady not too far away who was crying, seemingly broken by what God was teaching her and doing in her life. I felt like I should go pray for/with her. I didn't. Instead, I sat there for about 10 minutes trying to focus on what I was reading while really thinking about reasons not to go over and pray with the lady or ways to go about it. She eventually left, and I prayed for her by myself feeling guilty for not going up to her. I prayed that God wouldn't let my mistake keep her from finding him or getting baptized or something. That night, sure enough, the very same lady was one of those who gave their lives to Christ and got baptized.
That definitely showed to me a few things. First of all that my mistakes won't necessarily ruin a person's life. Secondly, God can do work without me being present, without anybody being present. Along with that, God has definitely set in me a desire for unreached people groups to be reached. While I am obviously not among those groups right now, I can pray for them. It's hard for me to pray sometimes without seeing results, or even if I do see results, not actually seeing the one I am talking to is difficult for me. However, God has been giving me some good reminders that he doesn't need me to be present in order for him to do work. He doesn't even need to pray anything eloquent; The Holy Spirit can interpret my silly humanness. He doesn't even need me to pray; He can do anything. But he does want me to pray; he wants me to seek him and develop my relationship with him and know that my prayers are powerful and effective.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Office Has Taken Over
Kassie and I have been watching the show The Office way too much lately. We have been going through all of the season consecutively, although we recently also caught up on the current season online.
It doesn't help that our good friends Bryan and Ashley happen to have seasons 1-5 on DVD. We are on season 4 right now.
I have noticed that everything that happens in real life has been reminding me of an office episode. For example, if anybody says the word "false" it of course creates a direct link in my mind to Dwight.
Also, you know how when you spend a lot of time with somebody, you tend to pick up some of their mannerisms? Yeah, it's bad. Sometimes, I make a Jim face but then realize there is no camera there. Moreover, while in my head I realize I am making a Jim face, it probably looks nothing like Jim in reality.
You thought I was done with that? Nope there's more. I have been kind of frightened (maybe not quite frightened...disturbed? concerned?) at how excited Kassie has been about Jim and Pam's wedding. We watched it today, so that might be over. We'll see. Sorry if I spoiled that for anybody, but honestly if you care at all about The Office you would have known anyway.
We do actually have real lives, apart from The Office, but I think I've written enough for now.
It doesn't help that our good friends Bryan and Ashley happen to have seasons 1-5 on DVD. We are on season 4 right now.
I have noticed that everything that happens in real life has been reminding me of an office episode. For example, if anybody says the word "false" it of course creates a direct link in my mind to Dwight.
Also, you know how when you spend a lot of time with somebody, you tend to pick up some of their mannerisms? Yeah, it's bad. Sometimes, I make a Jim face but then realize there is no camera there. Moreover, while in my head I realize I am making a Jim face, it probably looks nothing like Jim in reality.
You thought I was done with that? Nope there's more. I have been kind of frightened (maybe not quite frightened...disturbed? concerned?) at how excited Kassie has been about Jim and Pam's wedding. We watched it today, so that might be over. We'll see. Sorry if I spoiled that for anybody, but honestly if you care at all about The Office you would have known anyway.
We do actually have real lives, apart from The Office, but I think I've written enough for now.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Connections: Small world and all that jazz
Yesterday, I was working at Cook's and a lady came in. As is encouraged, I asked the lady if she was or would like to be on our customer list. After her affirmative response to the latter, I noticed that her address was on Dover Rd in Clare, the same road my in-laws live on. So I asked if she knows the Bays or Ricolos. She asked which Bays, and I clarified. She informed me that she is family friends of Kassie's grandparents and also knows Kassie's mom. So, that was my excitement for the day at work.
Today, Grant(one of my men's house roommates both years I was there)'s parents were at church and they came up to me excitedly and explained that they were looking at Kassie and my wedding pictures on facebook. Grants dad was looking at them, for whatever reason, and got excited and called over his wife. As it turns out, he worked with my Grandpa Max for several years in Royal Oak. Pretty crazy. What a mind-blowing or maybe world-shrinking weekend.
*Bonus*
That's right, you get extra credit for reading this story, or something like that. It's about a dream it's real life correlations. I will start with the dream as well as I remember it:
I was sitting on a brick wall, a short terrace wall (like the ones going down to the lake at the cottage, except taller, for those who know the cottage), talking to somebody and I saw one of my SpringHill campers in a mass of people in front of us. She then left and went over to a field where people were partying and stuff. Soon after, I followed her to the field to see if I could find her, but most of the partiers had left. I was surprised, though, to see me friend Kristen kicking a soccer ball with somebody (not that she can't kick a soccer ball, but I just wasn't expecting her to be in the field or to be kicking a ball in the field). I asked her what she was doing there and if she was going to come to ____. I don't remember what event I was asking her about or inviting her to, but she informed me she would not be going because was about to go eat. I asked her why she was eating so late and she told me it was because she had been making a fake mustache earlier and hadn't had time to eat.
Connections with real life: I had been at Hot Dogs last night sitting on the swing on the men's house porch talking to Katie Bennett overlooking the mass of people getting hot dogs, playing lightning, talking, etc. I noticed one of my SpringHill campers there and saw her leave with a couple people and then come back. When I was leaving I looked for her but didn't find her. I also saw Kristen at hot dogs, but I don't know where the soccer ball or fake mustache come in. Also, last night I was walking home and had some kind of thought that I thought was nightmarish, so I prayed that I wouldn't have nightmares but would instead have a good dream that I would remember. So, I guess that was it. Cool
Today, Grant(one of my men's house roommates both years I was there)'s parents were at church and they came up to me excitedly and explained that they were looking at Kassie and my wedding pictures on facebook. Grants dad was looking at them, for whatever reason, and got excited and called over his wife. As it turns out, he worked with my Grandpa Max for several years in Royal Oak. Pretty crazy. What a mind-blowing or maybe world-shrinking weekend.
*Bonus*
That's right, you get extra credit for reading this story, or something like that. It's about a dream it's real life correlations. I will start with the dream as well as I remember it:
I was sitting on a brick wall, a short terrace wall (like the ones going down to the lake at the cottage, except taller, for those who know the cottage), talking to somebody and I saw one of my SpringHill campers in a mass of people in front of us. She then left and went over to a field where people were partying and stuff. Soon after, I followed her to the field to see if I could find her, but most of the partiers had left. I was surprised, though, to see me friend Kristen kicking a soccer ball with somebody (not that she can't kick a soccer ball, but I just wasn't expecting her to be in the field or to be kicking a ball in the field). I asked her what she was doing there and if she was going to come to ____. I don't remember what event I was asking her about or inviting her to, but she informed me she would not be going because was about to go eat. I asked her why she was eating so late and she told me it was because she had been making a fake mustache earlier and hadn't had time to eat.
Connections with real life: I had been at Hot Dogs last night sitting on the swing on the men's house porch talking to Katie Bennett overlooking the mass of people getting hot dogs, playing lightning, talking, etc. I noticed one of my SpringHill campers there and saw her leave with a couple people and then come back. When I was leaving I looked for her but didn't find her. I also saw Kristen at hot dogs, but I don't know where the soccer ball or fake mustache come in. Also, last night I was walking home and had some kind of thought that I thought was nightmarish, so I prayed that I wouldn't have nightmares but would instead have a good dream that I would remember. So, I guess that was it. Cool
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Livemocha
Well, I am not sure how many of you I have already told, but I think I should get paid for how much I advertise the site livemocha.com. It is a language learning site. You can take some free lessons, connect with people from all around the world who are trying to learn English and other languages, correct people's submissions in their lessons, and so on. It seems to be a great way to learn languages. I have been brushing up on Spanish. I also started to learn a little hindi but then decided to go for Mandarin Chinese instead since I have four Chinese conversation partners this semester, plus a good friend from China I met last year.
Speaking of Ou, he came over to have dinner with Kassie and I tonight. I tried out some of my Chinese on him. He had some laughs and helped me out a bit. It turns out, funny sounds an awful lot like tall, and strong sounds a lot like poor.
Since my chinese is limited, I was trying to say I am tall and poor. he thought I was full of myself, saying I am funny and strong. I also learned from him how to call Kassie pretty, which she seems happy about. When I asked him how to say crazy, Kassie warned him not to, so Ou just fed me the word for pretty again. Smart guy.
Life is going pretty well. I think this week has been a foreshadowing of the winter to come, kind of dark and cloudy. This tends to dampen my mood somewhat, and there were also a couple things to bolster that feeling.
On the positive side, though, I tried to stay positive about things and have noticed Kassie having a positive attitude as well. This has been very encouraging. It's much easier to stay positive when there is somebody with you who stays positive too.
It's also very helpful to focus on God, which we have done, in small ways, more lately than we had for a while.
I resumed my job search this week after about a week off. So far, I have applied to about 3 places this week. We'll see if anything comes from it. I know God's got our back and everything (literally everything...you know that "He's got the whole world in his hands" kind of thing).
Praise God!
Speaking of Ou, he came over to have dinner with Kassie and I tonight. I tried out some of my Chinese on him. He had some laughs and helped me out a bit. It turns out, funny sounds an awful lot like tall, and strong sounds a lot like poor.
Since my chinese is limited, I was trying to say I am tall and poor. he thought I was full of myself, saying I am funny and strong. I also learned from him how to call Kassie pretty, which she seems happy about. When I asked him how to say crazy, Kassie warned him not to, so Ou just fed me the word for pretty again. Smart guy.
Life is going pretty well. I think this week has been a foreshadowing of the winter to come, kind of dark and cloudy. This tends to dampen my mood somewhat, and there were also a couple things to bolster that feeling.
On the positive side, though, I tried to stay positive about things and have noticed Kassie having a positive attitude as well. This has been very encouraging. It's much easier to stay positive when there is somebody with you who stays positive too.
It's also very helpful to focus on God, which we have done, in small ways, more lately than we had for a while.
I resumed my job search this week after about a week off. So far, I have applied to about 3 places this week. We'll see if anything comes from it. I know God's got our back and everything (literally everything...you know that "He's got the whole world in his hands" kind of thing).
Praise God!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Life, Love, and Happiness, and then the Hoy Ghost
Well, I am talking to Amy right now about some things that are going on in my life and decided to share them with whoever reads this.
I still havent found a job. I am trying to continue to trust God with that. In fact, I am taking a little break from looking at the job websites and stuff to get my focus in the right place, depending on God rather than myself. I know that I can't just expect God to do everything for me, but I feel like he is telling me to do this.
Other things are starting to pick up a little bit. the Drama ministry started on Friday and I went to that meeting. I don't normally consider myself much of a drama person but I think I will enjoy it. Kassie is one of the leaders, and I had fun at the meeting on Friday.
Also, Kassie and I started Financial Peace University, a finance course by Dave Ramsey that is offered through His House. It should be good to start a budget and stuff.
I was assigned to two international students as a conversation partner through the English Language Institute at CMU.
So, those are some of the things going on in my life. I also just finished a book called Bruchko about Bruce Olson, a missionary to the Motilone tribe in South America. It was a really good book, and now I am reading In The Gap about missions which is pretty convicting.
Kassie and I are trying to figure out where we are going to go from here. Kassie will be finishing her Associate's degree in the Spring. After that we plan on moving away, anywhere from New Orleans to New Zealand. In other words, we're not sure where.
I have thought of the possibility of teaching English in another country, such as Korea of China, or just moving to a developed english speaking country, such as New Zealand and getting some type of job to pay of loans and such.
You can be be praying for us now, as we have completely different schedules or lack thereof and for the future. Thanks.
I still havent found a job. I am trying to continue to trust God with that. In fact, I am taking a little break from looking at the job websites and stuff to get my focus in the right place, depending on God rather than myself. I know that I can't just expect God to do everything for me, but I feel like he is telling me to do this.
Other things are starting to pick up a little bit. the Drama ministry started on Friday and I went to that meeting. I don't normally consider myself much of a drama person but I think I will enjoy it. Kassie is one of the leaders, and I had fun at the meeting on Friday.
Also, Kassie and I started Financial Peace University, a finance course by Dave Ramsey that is offered through His House. It should be good to start a budget and stuff.
I was assigned to two international students as a conversation partner through the English Language Institute at CMU.
So, those are some of the things going on in my life. I also just finished a book called Bruchko about Bruce Olson, a missionary to the Motilone tribe in South America. It was a really good book, and now I am reading In The Gap about missions which is pretty convicting.
Kassie and I are trying to figure out where we are going to go from here. Kassie will be finishing her Associate's degree in the Spring. After that we plan on moving away, anywhere from New Orleans to New Zealand. In other words, we're not sure where.
I have thought of the possibility of teaching English in another country, such as Korea of China, or just moving to a developed english speaking country, such as New Zealand and getting some type of job to pay of loans and such.
You can be be praying for us now, as we have completely different schedules or lack thereof and for the future. Thanks.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Gifts
I think sometimes I avoid the topic of spiritual gifts. People seem to have different ideas about them, and I don't know what to think about them. Plus, they aren't generally tangible things like you might receive for your birthday.
Although, my sister, Kelsey, claims to have the spiritual gift of buying slushies for people. I haven't seen that one listed anywhere, although it could, in rare circumstances, fall into the broader gift of contributing to the needs of others (Romans 12:8).
Today, though, I was reading in the beginning of 1 Corinthians and I came across 1.7 which says, "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." One thing I have wondered about is whether people can have only one or a couple spiritual gifts or if everybody could have all of them at different times.
I looked at some different scriptures:
1 Cor. 12.6 - seems to say that everybody can have all of the gifts.
.7-11 - different gifts are given to different people
.31 - some are greater than others. interesting to note that it says "eagerly desire the greater gifts" right before going into the love chapter.
1 Cor. 14 - "eagerly desire". everybody should seek the gift of prophecy which is better than the gift of tongues. also that gifts should be used to build up the church.
Romans 12.6 - different gifts are given according to grace given us
In conclusion, I think it is interesting and must be significant that Paul says at least twice to "eagerly desire" the spiritual gifts. I don't think I often do that. The basic idea I got from studying this topic today is that we should desire the spiritual gifts and the Spirit will choose which gifts to give which people at which times. It is not up to us to decide the spiritual gifts. Rather, we should ultimately seek to love each other and glorify God, and the gifts will be manifest in our means of doing so.
Along the same lines, I was struck by something Paul said in chapter 4 of 1 Corinthians. In verse 7, he writes "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"
To me this speaks not only of pride but also jealousy and competitiveness/comparison. I often compare myself and "my" abilities with others, but "my" abilities are only what God has given me. So, instead of comparing, I should be praising God for what he has given to each of us. When complimenting somebody or receiving a compliment, I should be mindful that God is the creator and giver of all things.
I said "along the same lines" because this can definitely apply to spiritual gifts. Rather than comparing our spiritual gifts, we should be using whatever gifts we are given gratefully and lovingly.
These were some good reminders to me and I hope they will be to you as well.
Although, my sister, Kelsey, claims to have the spiritual gift of buying slushies for people. I haven't seen that one listed anywhere, although it could, in rare circumstances, fall into the broader gift of contributing to the needs of others (Romans 12:8).
Today, though, I was reading in the beginning of 1 Corinthians and I came across 1.7 which says, "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." One thing I have wondered about is whether people can have only one or a couple spiritual gifts or if everybody could have all of them at different times.
I looked at some different scriptures:
1 Cor. 12.6 - seems to say that everybody can have all of the gifts.
.7-11 - different gifts are given to different people
.31 - some are greater than others. interesting to note that it says "eagerly desire the greater gifts" right before going into the love chapter.
1 Cor. 14 - "eagerly desire". everybody should seek the gift of prophecy which is better than the gift of tongues. also that gifts should be used to build up the church.
Romans 12.6 - different gifts are given according to grace given us
In conclusion, I think it is interesting and must be significant that Paul says at least twice to "eagerly desire" the spiritual gifts. I don't think I often do that. The basic idea I got from studying this topic today is that we should desire the spiritual gifts and the Spirit will choose which gifts to give which people at which times. It is not up to us to decide the spiritual gifts. Rather, we should ultimately seek to love each other and glorify God, and the gifts will be manifest in our means of doing so.
Along the same lines, I was struck by something Paul said in chapter 4 of 1 Corinthians. In verse 7, he writes "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"
To me this speaks not only of pride but also jealousy and competitiveness/comparison. I often compare myself and "my" abilities with others, but "my" abilities are only what God has given me. So, instead of comparing, I should be praising God for what he has given to each of us. When complimenting somebody or receiving a compliment, I should be mindful that God is the creator and giver of all things.
I said "along the same lines" because this can definitely apply to spiritual gifts. Rather than comparing our spiritual gifts, we should be using whatever gifts we are given gratefully and lovingly.
These were some good reminders to me and I hope they will be to you as well.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Exploding grape juice
This morning Kassie and I went out to the car as I was taking her to work and found that one of the bottles of sparkling grape juice had exploded. Fortunately it was in the back part of the car and not the front.
After I dropped her off, I came home and got some cleaning stuff before going to teach Moses a guitar lesson. I was able to clean most of it up. It seemed to come out surprisingly well. Although maybe when it is dry it will reappear or something. We'll see.
Then I was planning on going to the beginning disc golf class that Brooke is taking, but I had some extra time so I stopped at Target.
Then I went to the disc golf course and talked to a guy before brooke came. I guess I am not good under pressure...I am not the greatest disc golfer anyway, but when there is a whole class watching me, I do worse. So I had a bad first shot, and then my third shot went into the water. Brooke's first throw went into the water along with our instructor's. Mine was somewhat close to shore, unlike Brooke's, so I decided to wade in and get it.
Well, it turns out it was a little deeper than expected and I went about up to my shoulders. I did find it though, even though I couldnt see it, by feeling for it with my feet. Brooke and I might go back later.
As we rounded the bend of the course, Brooke and I decided to break off from the group as others had already done, so we continued, successfully (without going in the water) around the pond while the instructor and others continued the actual direction of the course.
It was a good time and Brooke and I might go disc diving later. Unfortunately, my phone got a little wet and isn't working quite right, but Brooke said putting it in rice dries it out, so I am trying that.
Fun times. We'll see what more is in store for this afternoon!
After I dropped her off, I came home and got some cleaning stuff before going to teach Moses a guitar lesson. I was able to clean most of it up. It seemed to come out surprisingly well. Although maybe when it is dry it will reappear or something. We'll see.
Then I was planning on going to the beginning disc golf class that Brooke is taking, but I had some extra time so I stopped at Target.
Then I went to the disc golf course and talked to a guy before brooke came. I guess I am not good under pressure...I am not the greatest disc golfer anyway, but when there is a whole class watching me, I do worse. So I had a bad first shot, and then my third shot went into the water. Brooke's first throw went into the water along with our instructor's. Mine was somewhat close to shore, unlike Brooke's, so I decided to wade in and get it.
Well, it turns out it was a little deeper than expected and I went about up to my shoulders. I did find it though, even though I couldnt see it, by feeling for it with my feet. Brooke and I might go back later.
As we rounded the bend of the course, Brooke and I decided to break off from the group as others had already done, so we continued, successfully (without going in the water) around the pond while the instructor and others continued the actual direction of the course.
It was a good time and Brooke and I might go disc diving later. Unfortunately, my phone got a little wet and isn't working quite right, but Brooke said putting it in rice dries it out, so I am trying that.
Fun times. We'll see what more is in store for this afternoon!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Being and Doing
I read "The Shack" in the past two times I worked at Cook's. It is an interesting book. I really liked it for the way it made me think about God and my own life and love.
There are some things in the book that are quite controversial, and I don't think I agree with everything in it, but it does bring up some interesting concepts.
One thing I got from it is something that I have been learning in many different ways, and still not quite understanding or living. Basically it is about loving God and others before myself, thinking of what I can do to love rather than what I should/could/"need" to do for myself.
It is hard to think like that. I am so accustomed to thinking of myself and my agenda and my needs, along with my body reminding me of needs for food and water and stuff. It's pretty cool when people actually put others first.
God is good. He gives us all we need. Rather, he Is all we need.
There are some things in the book that are quite controversial, and I don't think I agree with everything in it, but it does bring up some interesting concepts.
One thing I got from it is something that I have been learning in many different ways, and still not quite understanding or living. Basically it is about loving God and others before myself, thinking of what I can do to love rather than what I should/could/"need" to do for myself.
It is hard to think like that. I am so accustomed to thinking of myself and my agenda and my needs, along with my body reminding me of needs for food and water and stuff. It's pretty cool when people actually put others first.
God is good. He gives us all we need. Rather, he Is all we need.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Yesterday seems so far away
Actually, yesterday doesn't seem that far away, but this post IS about yesterday.
I got up pretty late after staying up somewhat late the night before.
I spent some time with God and Kassie called me saying she was on her 75 minute lunch break. I decided to go visit her. I took some cards and we played two handed euchre.
I stopped by the men's house afterwards and talk to matt monroe a little bit.
Then I was heading home, or so I thought. God prompted me to go downtown, so I thought, not really sure if it was God's prompting or just a thought in my head, I would at least take that route to get home. As I was riding my bike down main and closing in on broadway I noticed some asian women looking somewhat lost and I deduced that they were probably Korean teachers on the downtown scavenger hunt (there's a group of Korean teachers at CMU taking some classes and doing activities in the afternoons and stuff).
so I went up to them and asked if my assumption was correct, which it was. I helped them find the place they were looking for, in the opposite direction of where they were headed and we talked. then they were going to go to sit down at a coffee shop so I was going with them and they met up with another group. I answered some of their questions and then my mom called.
As I was talking to my mom, the Koreans were standing on the corner trying to decide where to go next and Julie, one of their facilitators, came up. The Koreans went off to find their next destination and Julie stayed with me as I finished my phone conversation, distracted from what mom was telling me.
I had met Julie in the Spring due to my leadership of the international ministry at His House and her position as an ELI instructor at CMU. We talked for a little while and then met back up with some of the Koreans and they wanted to take pictures of me with bare feet. I had bare feet not only because that's how I like to be, but also because I had forgotten my flips at the men's house.
As we were taking pictures and talking, my friend James, from SpringHill/South Bend/Honduras(I met James at SpringHill, his family lives in South Bend, and he teaches English in Honduras) came out of Max and Emily's with Sandra Russel. I am not sure exactly why James was in MP. He had been up earlier this summer and I got to see him but I didn't expect to see him again. It was a great surprise. He started talking to the Koreans who were excited to meet somebody who taught English in another country, and I talked to Sandra. And guess what! ..... Did you guess? ... no, she was not wearing a purple and pink striped skirt ... she lives right across the street from Kassie and I!
So then I bid James and Sandra farewell as they went to eat and the Koreans went on with their activity. I talked to Julie more. We were talking about jobs and God and life and such when I got another phone cal...from an unknown number...who could it be???...it was a guy from Wendels!...I had forgotten that I had called them about a job posting I saw. So he asked me some about myself, and then informed me he would give somebody else my information and they would contact me. Wendels used to be on the corner of Pickard and Mission and I thought it was great because I had a friend nicknamed Wendel, and I like that name. but I think it upgraded and moved down further on Pickard and became Wendel's Home Furnishings. Anyway, hopefully I will get a job there and it will be good.
Anyway, there was more that happened in the day but that was kind of a crazy cool afternoon.
What's going to happen today? I guess I will soon find out, and you might find out later. God already knows, so maybe he would tell you sooner. mystery.
I got up pretty late after staying up somewhat late the night before.
I spent some time with God and Kassie called me saying she was on her 75 minute lunch break. I decided to go visit her. I took some cards and we played two handed euchre.
I stopped by the men's house afterwards and talk to matt monroe a little bit.
Then I was heading home, or so I thought. God prompted me to go downtown, so I thought, not really sure if it was God's prompting or just a thought in my head, I would at least take that route to get home. As I was riding my bike down main and closing in on broadway I noticed some asian women looking somewhat lost and I deduced that they were probably Korean teachers on the downtown scavenger hunt (there's a group of Korean teachers at CMU taking some classes and doing activities in the afternoons and stuff).
so I went up to them and asked if my assumption was correct, which it was. I helped them find the place they were looking for, in the opposite direction of where they were headed and we talked. then they were going to go to sit down at a coffee shop so I was going with them and they met up with another group. I answered some of their questions and then my mom called.
As I was talking to my mom, the Koreans were standing on the corner trying to decide where to go next and Julie, one of their facilitators, came up. The Koreans went off to find their next destination and Julie stayed with me as I finished my phone conversation, distracted from what mom was telling me.
I had met Julie in the Spring due to my leadership of the international ministry at His House and her position as an ELI instructor at CMU. We talked for a little while and then met back up with some of the Koreans and they wanted to take pictures of me with bare feet. I had bare feet not only because that's how I like to be, but also because I had forgotten my flips at the men's house.
As we were taking pictures and talking, my friend James, from SpringHill/South Bend/Honduras(I met James at SpringHill, his family lives in South Bend, and he teaches English in Honduras) came out of Max and Emily's with Sandra Russel. I am not sure exactly why James was in MP. He had been up earlier this summer and I got to see him but I didn't expect to see him again. It was a great surprise. He started talking to the Koreans who were excited to meet somebody who taught English in another country, and I talked to Sandra. And guess what! ..... Did you guess? ... no, she was not wearing a purple and pink striped skirt ... she lives right across the street from Kassie and I!
So then I bid James and Sandra farewell as they went to eat and the Koreans went on with their activity. I talked to Julie more. We were talking about jobs and God and life and such when I got another phone cal...from an unknown number...who could it be???...it was a guy from Wendels!...I had forgotten that I had called them about a job posting I saw. So he asked me some about myself, and then informed me he would give somebody else my information and they would contact me. Wendels used to be on the corner of Pickard and Mission and I thought it was great because I had a friend nicknamed Wendel, and I like that name. but I think it upgraded and moved down further on Pickard and became Wendel's Home Furnishings. Anyway, hopefully I will get a job there and it will be good.
Anyway, there was more that happened in the day but that was kind of a crazy cool afternoon.
What's going to happen today? I guess I will soon find out, and you might find out later. God already knows, so maybe he would tell you sooner. mystery.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Oldest Mini Golf Course in Michigan...or so they say
Yesterday, Kassie and I went up to Alpena for the wedding of our friends. It was a nice little road trip. It was kind of drizzly all day, so we didn't really know what to do between the wedding and the reception...
Interruption by random though: we went through Atlanta, MI. First of all, I didn't know there was an Atlanta, MI until some ladies came into Cook's a few days ago and said that's where they're from. And then I went through it. What a coincidence, or something like that. Secondly, it is supposedly the eld capital of Michigan and we didn't see any elk, just some horses and cows.
End of interruption.
So, when we were driving around, either to find the wedding church or the reception church, we noticed a few things.
1. We noticed there were people setting up for live music at a bandstand near the lake (Lake Huron-the greatest of the Great Lakes...not really, but I grew up near it).
2. I noticed a music shop.
3. Sometime in there we noticed a 7-11 and got a slurpee, not as good as the 7-11 on CMU's campus, but good nonetheless ( I like the word nonetheless because it is three words in one...it kind of reminds me of those band names that are similar-two or three words put together.).
We decided to go the bandstand and check it out. It was in some kind of a park which had a sign for restrooms, which we were both in need of...actually we were hoping the 7-11 would have restrooms, which it didn't, at least not for public use. so we were looking for the restrooms but only found some portable toilets which were actually rather nice. they even had a thing next to them that had faucets and soap to wash your hands.
the band hadn't started playing yet, and it was kind of drizzly and stuff, so we didn't really feel like hanging out too long...
Interruption #2, special news anouncement from Kassie:
She wants to officially become part of the family by joining the blogging fellowship, so you can read her blog at kassiehill.blogspot.com.
end of interruption.
we decided to go to the music shop because it would be indoors and we could look around and maybe jam on the instruments or something. we found it and it turned out to be a pretty bustling place. it wasn't very big and there was a lesson going on in part of it and another guy just playing a guitar for fun and stuff. so we looked around for a bit and then left.
with about an hour left before the reception, we found a mini golf place outside of the music shop. it cost 3.50 per person and was a decent looking course, so we decided to go for it. I looked in my wallet and found only $6 and some change. we looked in kassie's wallet and in the car for more change and eventually came up with 6.89, 11 cents short. We decided to ask the guy if the both of us could play for 6.89 and he readily agreed.
it was a pretty sweet course. it had some cool holes, including one with a chip shot...yeah, there was actually a wedge hanging by the tee of the hole to use for the first shot of the hole. you had to go over a water hazard and to a green which also had a water hazard on the far side.
there was also an eccentric dog. according to his owner, the guy working at the place (possibly the owner of the place) without any training, the dog found out that if he sat in between two humps on one of the holes and set his tennis ball down on the top of the first one, it would roll to the tee of the hole. then he would wait there until somebody bounced or threw the ball to him, so that he would get off the green and they could complete the hole.
the owner also informed us that the course was supposedly the oldest mini-golf course in Michigan, with very few alterations, and was probably the only one with a chip shot, and maybe the cheapest one to play.
We had a good time and took some nice pictures that I may post at some point. We decided that we would like to go back to that mini golf place and are thinking about going camping up in that area for that reason, along with it being quite pretty up there.
Interruption by random though: we went through Atlanta, MI. First of all, I didn't know there was an Atlanta, MI until some ladies came into Cook's a few days ago and said that's where they're from. And then I went through it. What a coincidence, or something like that. Secondly, it is supposedly the eld capital of Michigan and we didn't see any elk, just some horses and cows.
End of interruption.
So, when we were driving around, either to find the wedding church or the reception church, we noticed a few things.
1. We noticed there were people setting up for live music at a bandstand near the lake (Lake Huron-the greatest of the Great Lakes...not really, but I grew up near it).
2. I noticed a music shop.
3. Sometime in there we noticed a 7-11 and got a slurpee, not as good as the 7-11 on CMU's campus, but good nonetheless ( I like the word nonetheless because it is three words in one...it kind of reminds me of those band names that are similar-two or three words put together.).
We decided to go the bandstand and check it out. It was in some kind of a park which had a sign for restrooms, which we were both in need of...actually we were hoping the 7-11 would have restrooms, which it didn't, at least not for public use. so we were looking for the restrooms but only found some portable toilets which were actually rather nice. they even had a thing next to them that had faucets and soap to wash your hands.
the band hadn't started playing yet, and it was kind of drizzly and stuff, so we didn't really feel like hanging out too long...
Interruption #2, special news anouncement from Kassie:
She wants to officially become part of the family by joining the blogging fellowship, so you can read her blog at kassiehill.blogspot.com.
end of interruption.
we decided to go to the music shop because it would be indoors and we could look around and maybe jam on the instruments or something. we found it and it turned out to be a pretty bustling place. it wasn't very big and there was a lesson going on in part of it and another guy just playing a guitar for fun and stuff. so we looked around for a bit and then left.
with about an hour left before the reception, we found a mini golf place outside of the music shop. it cost 3.50 per person and was a decent looking course, so we decided to go for it. I looked in my wallet and found only $6 and some change. we looked in kassie's wallet and in the car for more change and eventually came up with 6.89, 11 cents short. We decided to ask the guy if the both of us could play for 6.89 and he readily agreed.
it was a pretty sweet course. it had some cool holes, including one with a chip shot...yeah, there was actually a wedge hanging by the tee of the hole to use for the first shot of the hole. you had to go over a water hazard and to a green which also had a water hazard on the far side.
there was also an eccentric dog. according to his owner, the guy working at the place (possibly the owner of the place) without any training, the dog found out that if he sat in between two humps on one of the holes and set his tennis ball down on the top of the first one, it would roll to the tee of the hole. then he would wait there until somebody bounced or threw the ball to him, so that he would get off the green and they could complete the hole.
the owner also informed us that the course was supposedly the oldest mini-golf course in Michigan, with very few alterations, and was probably the only one with a chip shot, and maybe the cheapest one to play.
We had a good time and took some nice pictures that I may post at some point. We decided that we would like to go back to that mini golf place and are thinking about going camping up in that area for that reason, along with it being quite pretty up there.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
If I were an elephant...
I think I am going to write about one of my recent dreams. I enjoy dreams and sometimes write them down when I remember them.
Sometimes they are meaningful. Maybe they are always meaningful but I just don't figure out the meaning. Feel free to offer interpretations of the following:
I was in a store, like Goodwill or something, except I dont remember clothes there, just the other random stuff. I was shopping with Kelsey and we were getting some things. Except, in this dream I think Kelsey was a mix of Kassie and Kelsey or something, like two people in one. On one hand, we bought some stuff together for our apt. On the other hand, she was buying some stuff for her Kelsey self separately. Then she was gone from the dream and Mom came in. I think I was expecting Kelsey to come back at some point but she never did. I showed mom some of the stuff we were getting and I think I had picked something out for Kelsey after she had left, just because it was orange, or something like that.
Mom wanted to learn how to bowl and I was going to show her. There were some bowling balls in the store but none of them fit my fingers so I made a poor attempt of showing her with a ball in each hand how to swing it, while Amy pointed out (I don't know if she was physically there or just a voice in my head) that I am not that great of a bowler anyway and probably shouldn't be giving lessons.
Giving up on the bowling thing, we were going to check out. So we saw that people were at the checkout desk but then noticed another checkout desk way in the front, too far away to actually be in the store. In fact, it wasn't really inside at all, with only a wall directly behind the person at the desk. The wall being about as long as the desk allowed sight of some kind of town square or big shipping yard or pier or boardwalk or something behind it. The Asian lady behind the desk said she had to go see her family before she could ring us up. To our chagrin and despite our protests, she left to do so as we waited. Fortunately she was quick in seeing her family and returned shortly to ring us up. My total came to $9.46 or something like that, which was much less than I expected, although I couldnt recall anything I was buying to figure out how much it should cost. I was pulling out a 10 and somewhere in the transaction I woke up or switched to a different dream or something.
Let me know what you think.
Sometimes they are meaningful. Maybe they are always meaningful but I just don't figure out the meaning. Feel free to offer interpretations of the following:
I was in a store, like Goodwill or something, except I dont remember clothes there, just the other random stuff. I was shopping with Kelsey and we were getting some things. Except, in this dream I think Kelsey was a mix of Kassie and Kelsey or something, like two people in one. On one hand, we bought some stuff together for our apt. On the other hand, she was buying some stuff for her Kelsey self separately. Then she was gone from the dream and Mom came in. I think I was expecting Kelsey to come back at some point but she never did. I showed mom some of the stuff we were getting and I think I had picked something out for Kelsey after she had left, just because it was orange, or something like that.
Mom wanted to learn how to bowl and I was going to show her. There were some bowling balls in the store but none of them fit my fingers so I made a poor attempt of showing her with a ball in each hand how to swing it, while Amy pointed out (I don't know if she was physically there or just a voice in my head) that I am not that great of a bowler anyway and probably shouldn't be giving lessons.
Giving up on the bowling thing, we were going to check out. So we saw that people were at the checkout desk but then noticed another checkout desk way in the front, too far away to actually be in the store. In fact, it wasn't really inside at all, with only a wall directly behind the person at the desk. The wall being about as long as the desk allowed sight of some kind of town square or big shipping yard or pier or boardwalk or something behind it. The Asian lady behind the desk said she had to go see her family before she could ring us up. To our chagrin and despite our protests, she left to do so as we waited. Fortunately she was quick in seeing her family and returned shortly to ring us up. My total came to $9.46 or something like that, which was much less than I expected, although I couldnt recall anything I was buying to figure out how much it should cost. I was pulling out a 10 and somewhere in the transaction I woke up or switched to a different dream or something.
Let me know what you think.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Transliteration...I am not really sure what enabling it does other than make my titles turn into question marks, but I am pretty sure that's what the
...problem was. I just wanted to see how long a title could be. I was looking through my titles and noticed that they tend to be once word, so I wanted to go with something longer this time.
When I was changing the colors of my blog, I was looking at the settings and stuff and decided to enable transliteration, mostly because I didn't know what it was and didn't really think it would affect anything unless somebody tried to translate the page or something.
It did affect something other than that, though. It made my title into question marks.
Today was a lazy day, and I am trying to figure out if that is good or bad.
Kassie and I did not really do much today. I got up to go for a research study I am taking part in. I had to sit in a 90 degree chamber for a while and then do some exercise in it and get pictures taken and stuff. I go two more times to do the same thing at different temps. I get paid for it, so that's nice.
Anyway, after that, I went to the library to take back a couple movies (we can check out movies from the CMU library for free; they don't have a large selection but they have some interesting movies, including quite a few foreign films.) and check out a couple more. Then I came home and woke Kassie up...she doesn't work on Mondays, and I rarely work on mondays (rarely work in general, although I have gotten more hours this month than previously and one employee is about to leave because she got a different job so I might get more hours).
After that we were just lazy around the apartment all day, spent some time with God, made some food, watched one of the movies I got, took a nap, watched the other movie, got a slurpee, etc.
On the one hand, I felt lazy and bad for not really doing anything productive.
On the other hand, I think my mind is often in a productivity mode that is not necessarily good, and I think it was good for us to spend some time together without worrying about the things that need to get done and stuff.
I guess I am still trying to figure out God's will in some ways. It has been nice just getting back to spending quality time with him and getting to know him again, but I often feel like I should be "doing" more.
Well, I should probably sleep soon since I have to wake up tomorrow for the research thingy.
When I was changing the colors of my blog, I was looking at the settings and stuff and decided to enable transliteration, mostly because I didn't know what it was and didn't really think it would affect anything unless somebody tried to translate the page or something.
It did affect something other than that, though. It made my title into question marks.
Today was a lazy day, and I am trying to figure out if that is good or bad.
Kassie and I did not really do much today. I got up to go for a research study I am taking part in. I had to sit in a 90 degree chamber for a while and then do some exercise in it and get pictures taken and stuff. I go two more times to do the same thing at different temps. I get paid for it, so that's nice.
Anyway, after that, I went to the library to take back a couple movies (we can check out movies from the CMU library for free; they don't have a large selection but they have some interesting movies, including quite a few foreign films.) and check out a couple more. Then I came home and woke Kassie up...she doesn't work on Mondays, and I rarely work on mondays (rarely work in general, although I have gotten more hours this month than previously and one employee is about to leave because she got a different job so I might get more hours).
After that we were just lazy around the apartment all day, spent some time with God, made some food, watched one of the movies I got, took a nap, watched the other movie, got a slurpee, etc.
On the one hand, I felt lazy and bad for not really doing anything productive.
On the other hand, I think my mind is often in a productivity mode that is not necessarily good, and I think it was good for us to spend some time together without worrying about the things that need to get done and stuff.
I guess I am still trying to figure out God's will in some ways. It has been nice just getting back to spending quality time with him and getting to know him again, but I often feel like I should be "doing" more.
Well, I should probably sleep soon since I have to wake up tomorrow for the research thingy.
कुएस्शन marks
for some reason, my title keeps turning into question marks. once I complete a word in the title and put a space the word becomes question marks...
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Change
You may notice some obvious differences in the colors of my blog.
However, the title refers not only to those changes but also to what I read today.
As I believe I mentioned in the previous post, I am reading Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. I have found that the letters offer great insight into the human mind as well as the spiritual battle for our souls.
Screwtape, a demon writing to his nephew, writes that the "Enemy" (many things in the book are somewhat "backwards" in the book because it is from the perspective of evil - from this perspective, the Enemy is God) has created in the human mind a desire for monotony which co-exists with another God-given desire for change, which must be held in some sort of balance.
Often, we exaggerate the need for one or the other in order to serve our purposes.
The book gives an example of how evil uses the desire for change to distract humans from what is important, by creating fads and vogue which call for us to utilize our resources on fitting in, which is also related to materialism.
Anyway, along with these ideas, one thing that stuck out to me is that it said, "For the descriptive adjective 'unchanged' we have substituted the emotional adjective 'stagnant'(Lewis)." Again, this is from the perspective of a demon, saying that evil forces have affected society in this way.
I think I am so often caught up in a need for change that I don't realize the value of the present, which leaves me unable to do anything useful, namely praise God, serve others, etc. This coincides with a broader understanding that if we are focused on ourselves and what we need to do or on the future and what we want to happen or even what God might have in store, we are not focused on what God desires for the present.
In conclusion, I really appreciate this book and recommend it highly.
However, the title refers not only to those changes but also to what I read today.
As I believe I mentioned in the previous post, I am reading Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. I have found that the letters offer great insight into the human mind as well as the spiritual battle for our souls.
Screwtape, a demon writing to his nephew, writes that the "Enemy" (many things in the book are somewhat "backwards" in the book because it is from the perspective of evil - from this perspective, the Enemy is God) has created in the human mind a desire for monotony which co-exists with another God-given desire for change, which must be held in some sort of balance.
Often, we exaggerate the need for one or the other in order to serve our purposes.
The book gives an example of how evil uses the desire for change to distract humans from what is important, by creating fads and vogue which call for us to utilize our resources on fitting in, which is also related to materialism.
Anyway, along with these ideas, one thing that stuck out to me is that it said, "For the descriptive adjective 'unchanged' we have substituted the emotional adjective 'stagnant'(Lewis)." Again, this is from the perspective of a demon, saying that evil forces have affected society in this way.
I think I am so often caught up in a need for change that I don't realize the value of the present, which leaves me unable to do anything useful, namely praise God, serve others, etc. This coincides with a broader understanding that if we are focused on ourselves and what we need to do or on the future and what we want to happen or even what God might have in store, we are not focused on what God desires for the present.
In conclusion, I really appreciate this book and recommend it highly.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Which Book?
Well, today, I was tempted to play online games again, as has become a habit in the past few days. maybe not a habit, but a daily activity. today, however, I decided instead to write in my blog and do some other things.
List:
1: I have become a gardener?
yesterday I stumbled upon a farmer's market as I was riding my bike through downtown (related to #2, if I choose to number it that) and into Island Park. Kassie and I have talked about having plants in our apt and we have quite a bit of space on the large window sills which are about 10" deep or so, and we have pretty wide windows, too. so I got a Parsley plant because I was looking for something that could be useful and the lady said Parsley would be good for growing indoors. So I planted that and also got some green onions and carrots and stuff.
I was thinking maybe i could replant the green onions too, or at least part of them, and sure enough, I looked on the internet and found that you can use the end with about an inch of the white stuff and the roots to regrow the scallions if you just put it in a dish with water and sunlight. I tried it, and voila, today they started growing enough to notice, but not really enough to cut off and use in a meal today.
(that ended up longer than I had originally planned)
2: Youth Ministry:
In the process of looking for jobs, my parents informed me they met a guy who happens to be an elder at a church here in Mount Pleasant that may be looking for a youth director and/or worship leader. I happen to be interested in both and thus submitted my interest to the man using the contact info from my parents. He sent my info on to another guy, the current youth director who is leaving, who informed me that they are not really sure what they are going to do about the open positions yet but that I should talk to the pastor (actually an associate pastor who will be staying...the head pastor left this past winter) in a couple weeks.
I was also told by another company with a possible position that they wont be making decisions for a couple weeks.
During this waiting period, God has opened me up to realize that I do have a passion for youth ministry, specifically working with high schoolers. He has also been leading me towards doing some things while looking/praying/waiting for a job.
One thing, a couple days ago as I was biking home from the men's house, I felt God leading me to downtown to possibly talk to people who were around. I basically told him I didn't plan on going up to anybody to talk to them and he basically told me that he would send them to me.
So, I went to where there is kind of a park with a flag pole and benches and stuff on the corner of Main and Broadway (downtown). After noticing a group of teenagers hanging out by a tree, I sat by an opposite tree and read the newspaper. Not too long into my reading, a couple girls came over an started talking to me. Soon, one of them said she had to go (conveniently) leaving me with the other one (I am pretty sure it was a setup). So, I talked to her for a while and she told me about her life, depression, not getting along with her stepfather, her grandma and her best friend dying, etc. I really wanted to do something but didn't know what I could or should to, especially under the circumstances of how we met and stuff. Anyway, that was a big part of what made me realize that I want to work with high schoolers, get to know them, show them the purpose they have in God, give them something productive to do, etc.
(that was also quite a bit longer than I meant it to be)
3. Title:
The reason I titled this which book is because in the past two weeks I have read two Ted Dekker books, mostly at work. I have realize that it takes a little more than a half day and a full day of work to read one of his books because that is how much I have worked each of the past two weeks and I have almost finished a book each time, causing me to take it home to read the rest.
This week, again, I work a day and a half (1/2 day today and full day tomorrow, so I will probably read another Ted Dekker book)
I did not really mean to ask y'all what book I should read, but if you have any suggestions (especially a Christian book that might be at the store I work at, and doesn't necessarily have to be Ted Dekker) let me know.
I have also been reading Screwtape Letters by Clive Lewis and have gotten alot out of it but I have already written to much. Maybe I will just make a new post and write about it when I am at work or something.
List:
1: I have become a gardener?
yesterday I stumbled upon a farmer's market as I was riding my bike through downtown (related to #2, if I choose to number it that) and into Island Park. Kassie and I have talked about having plants in our apt and we have quite a bit of space on the large window sills which are about 10" deep or so, and we have pretty wide windows, too. so I got a Parsley plant because I was looking for something that could be useful and the lady said Parsley would be good for growing indoors. So I planted that and also got some green onions and carrots and stuff.
I was thinking maybe i could replant the green onions too, or at least part of them, and sure enough, I looked on the internet and found that you can use the end with about an inch of the white stuff and the roots to regrow the scallions if you just put it in a dish with water and sunlight. I tried it, and voila, today they started growing enough to notice, but not really enough to cut off and use in a meal today.
(that ended up longer than I had originally planned)
2: Youth Ministry:
In the process of looking for jobs, my parents informed me they met a guy who happens to be an elder at a church here in Mount Pleasant that may be looking for a youth director and/or worship leader. I happen to be interested in both and thus submitted my interest to the man using the contact info from my parents. He sent my info on to another guy, the current youth director who is leaving, who informed me that they are not really sure what they are going to do about the open positions yet but that I should talk to the pastor (actually an associate pastor who will be staying...the head pastor left this past winter) in a couple weeks.
I was also told by another company with a possible position that they wont be making decisions for a couple weeks.
During this waiting period, God has opened me up to realize that I do have a passion for youth ministry, specifically working with high schoolers. He has also been leading me towards doing some things while looking/praying/waiting for a job.
One thing, a couple days ago as I was biking home from the men's house, I felt God leading me to downtown to possibly talk to people who were around. I basically told him I didn't plan on going up to anybody to talk to them and he basically told me that he would send them to me.
So, I went to where there is kind of a park with a flag pole and benches and stuff on the corner of Main and Broadway (downtown). After noticing a group of teenagers hanging out by a tree, I sat by an opposite tree and read the newspaper. Not too long into my reading, a couple girls came over an started talking to me. Soon, one of them said she had to go (conveniently) leaving me with the other one (I am pretty sure it was a setup). So, I talked to her for a while and she told me about her life, depression, not getting along with her stepfather, her grandma and her best friend dying, etc. I really wanted to do something but didn't know what I could or should to, especially under the circumstances of how we met and stuff. Anyway, that was a big part of what made me realize that I want to work with high schoolers, get to know them, show them the purpose they have in God, give them something productive to do, etc.
(that was also quite a bit longer than I meant it to be)
3. Title:
The reason I titled this which book is because in the past two weeks I have read two Ted Dekker books, mostly at work. I have realize that it takes a little more than a half day and a full day of work to read one of his books because that is how much I have worked each of the past two weeks and I have almost finished a book each time, causing me to take it home to read the rest.
This week, again, I work a day and a half (1/2 day today and full day tomorrow, so I will probably read another Ted Dekker book)
I did not really mean to ask y'all what book I should read, but if you have any suggestions (especially a Christian book that might be at the store I work at, and doesn't necessarily have to be Ted Dekker) let me know.
I have also been reading Screwtape Letters by Clive Lewis and have gotten alot out of it but I have already written to much. Maybe I will just make a new post and write about it when I am at work or something.
Friday, July 3, 2009
writing
I decided today that I should write more
I havent been writing much lately, but I think writing is good for me
It is a good way for me to make sense of thoughts and stuff...maybe I haven't been thinking as much lately either.
My prayer journal is something I write in quite frequently but I want to write in it more and make it more sincere rather than writing I want to pray for this person and this person and this person.
Anyway, speaking of reading, I read a fiction book this week. I don't read fiction very often but I "worked" all day Tuesday and had 5 customers in the 8.5 hours I was there. I decided to read Adam by Ted Dekker. It was a good book and I realized how much fiction tends to suck me in. maybe not all fiction but Ted Dekker is a good writer, i would say. I finished the book last night after reading more at work yesterday afternoon and then checking the book out to take it home and read last night.
I wasn't sure about reading fiction, whether it would be a productive use of my time or not, but I think it was. It was an interesting experience. As I said it sucked me in. One thing I got from the book was a renewed appreciation for the spiritual realm. as the book said, it's easy for people to forget there is a spiritual realm or to not believe in it at all, but it is very real and I think it is good to be aware of.
well, I am kind of not sure what my life is doing right now, but I know God has plans for me. sometimes I get tired of doing the daily things and the other things that we have to get done and I just want to do what God wants me to do, but I am trying to remember that what God wants for me is at least just as much about my attitude as it is about what I am actually doing "do everything without complaining or arguing" "be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances" etc.
I havent been writing much lately, but I think writing is good for me
It is a good way for me to make sense of thoughts and stuff...maybe I haven't been thinking as much lately either.
My prayer journal is something I write in quite frequently but I want to write in it more and make it more sincere rather than writing I want to pray for this person and this person and this person.
Anyway, speaking of reading, I read a fiction book this week. I don't read fiction very often but I "worked" all day Tuesday and had 5 customers in the 8.5 hours I was there. I decided to read Adam by Ted Dekker. It was a good book and I realized how much fiction tends to suck me in. maybe not all fiction but Ted Dekker is a good writer, i would say. I finished the book last night after reading more at work yesterday afternoon and then checking the book out to take it home and read last night.
I wasn't sure about reading fiction, whether it would be a productive use of my time or not, but I think it was. It was an interesting experience. As I said it sucked me in. One thing I got from the book was a renewed appreciation for the spiritual realm. as the book said, it's easy for people to forget there is a spiritual realm or to not believe in it at all, but it is very real and I think it is good to be aware of.
well, I am kind of not sure what my life is doing right now, but I know God has plans for me. sometimes I get tired of doing the daily things and the other things that we have to get done and I just want to do what God wants me to do, but I am trying to remember that what God wants for me is at least just as much about my attitude as it is about what I am actually doing "do everything without complaining or arguing" "be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances" etc.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sleep less to be less tired
Lately I have been feeling tired all the time. I am pretty sure I am not sick or anything.
I tended to not get much sleep during the school year, or maybe for the past few years with working at various places during the summer and school throughout the year.
Anyway, this past semester was pretty crazy busy, but then after graduation and the wedding and stuff i started sleeping quite a bit for a couple weeks.
Generally, when I get alot of sleep, my body likes it a little too much and wants more, so I am now trying to sleep less to be less tired. Or maybe it's just that when I sleep less, I have an excuse for being tired, but when I sleep alot and am still tired it seems like something must be wrong.
Anyway, life is good. I am reading a book called Servolution which is pretty sweet. I am currently trying to get back my relationship with God and also learning how to lead "our" (Kassie and I) relationship with God. and I am kind of trying to find some purpose in my life right now
it's not that I think my life is worthless right now but I feel like I should be out doing something. I know it is good to spend some time working on marriage and stuff, but it seems like there should be something more...
I think part of it is not having a job or anything and reading these books about people doing sweet stuff and serving in cool ways with big faith and everything.
Right now Kassie and I are memorizing Philippians 3. Ask me about it sometimes..
Catch you kiddos later...(kiddo is my new word for people for some reason)
I tended to not get much sleep during the school year, or maybe for the past few years with working at various places during the summer and school throughout the year.
Anyway, this past semester was pretty crazy busy, but then after graduation and the wedding and stuff i started sleeping quite a bit for a couple weeks.
Generally, when I get alot of sleep, my body likes it a little too much and wants more, so I am now trying to sleep less to be less tired. Or maybe it's just that when I sleep less, I have an excuse for being tired, but when I sleep alot and am still tired it seems like something must be wrong.
Anyway, life is good. I am reading a book called Servolution which is pretty sweet. I am currently trying to get back my relationship with God and also learning how to lead "our" (Kassie and I) relationship with God. and I am kind of trying to find some purpose in my life right now
it's not that I think my life is worthless right now but I feel like I should be out doing something. I know it is good to spend some time working on marriage and stuff, but it seems like there should be something more...
I think part of it is not having a job or anything and reading these books about people doing sweet stuff and serving in cool ways with big faith and everything.
Right now Kassie and I are memorizing Philippians 3. Ask me about it sometimes..
Catch you kiddos later...(kiddo is my new word for people for some reason)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
married
I just remembered I have a blog.
I am married now.
It's pretty exciting. It's nice to have a little time right now, without school and the wedding and everything. I am looking for jobs and catching up on things and trying to get my life somewhat organized or something like that.
It has also been good catching up with God. I kind of let other things come before him for a while, but this past week has been really good. I read a book called Reckless Faith. It is mostly stories told by a woman of God's work in and around her and her family as they live and serve in Mexico.
The apartment has been pretty good. We got the gas turned on, most of the screens in, most of the stuff somewhat organized, etc.
I like the summer and being married and being done with school.
I am married now.
It's pretty exciting. It's nice to have a little time right now, without school and the wedding and everything. I am looking for jobs and catching up on things and trying to get my life somewhat organized or something like that.
It has also been good catching up with God. I kind of let other things come before him for a while, but this past week has been really good. I read a book called Reckless Faith. It is mostly stories told by a woman of God's work in and around her and her family as they live and serve in Mexico.
The apartment has been pretty good. We got the gas turned on, most of the screens in, most of the stuff somewhat organized, etc.
I like the summer and being married and being done with school.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Summer
Well, it finally feels like summer. This week I am not too busy. I am just trying to get some stuff done, get ready for the wedding, etc.
I am a little more busy than expected. I got called yesterday about working tomorrow morning for April who has to take her mother to a doctor's appt. This morning, I got called by April at 9 30 to open the store for another lady who had to take her daughter to the hospital. so I got there about 9 45 not knowing how long I would be there. brenda showed up about an hour later saying her daughter, who had an allergic reaction to something, was going to be fine. so I went to the park.
after spending some time with God in the park I came home to find fire trucks and people across the street outside of Grawn. Chris informed me that some bushes outside of grawn were on fire so they evacuated the building and some classes were cancelled and stuff.
I'm thinking about trying to become more of a handyman. I know some things here and there. Right now I am working on refinishing a stool. I haven't refinished anything before, but I don't think it will be too hard. I am just sanding it down right now, and it seems to be going pretty well. I also want to build a book shelf for our new apt. we'll see what else comes along and what I actually get done.
I am realizing that part of the gap I've been feeling between me and God has come not only from the way I have or havent spent time with him, but also with others and talking about Him and stuff. community is important.
so long
I am a little more busy than expected. I got called yesterday about working tomorrow morning for April who has to take her mother to a doctor's appt. This morning, I got called by April at 9 30 to open the store for another lady who had to take her daughter to the hospital. so I got there about 9 45 not knowing how long I would be there. brenda showed up about an hour later saying her daughter, who had an allergic reaction to something, was going to be fine. so I went to the park.
after spending some time with God in the park I came home to find fire trucks and people across the street outside of Grawn. Chris informed me that some bushes outside of grawn were on fire so they evacuated the building and some classes were cancelled and stuff.
I'm thinking about trying to become more of a handyman. I know some things here and there. Right now I am working on refinishing a stool. I haven't refinished anything before, but I don't think it will be too hard. I am just sanding it down right now, and it seems to be going pretty well. I also want to build a book shelf for our new apt. we'll see what else comes along and what I actually get done.
I am realizing that part of the gap I've been feeling between me and God has come not only from the way I have or havent spent time with him, but also with others and talking about Him and stuff. community is important.
so long
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Dumpster Diving
I have never been dumpster diving before. I have always been somewhat bothered at the end of the year when people throw stuff that is good in the dumpsters.
so, today, I decided to do something about it. well, actually, I have been thinking about doing it for a while. Kassie went with me today. We went to several dumpsters and got some good stuff, including a couch, a chair, a traffic cone, some pans, some garbage cans, etc.
it was fun. I want to do it more but probably wont soon because I have to work all day tomorrow and after that most of the stuff will probably be gone.
we'll see
anyway, we have some good stuff for our apartment, assuming we get an apartment. we also got a chair from a friend of the Ricolo family and can get a table from the Ricolo rents.
I am looking forward to moving into an apartment. We have one that we are probably going to rent, but we need to meet with the landlord when he gets back from a trip somewhere.
so, today, I decided to do something about it. well, actually, I have been thinking about doing it for a while. Kassie went with me today. We went to several dumpsters and got some good stuff, including a couch, a chair, a traffic cone, some pans, some garbage cans, etc.
it was fun. I want to do it more but probably wont soon because I have to work all day tomorrow and after that most of the stuff will probably be gone.
we'll see
anyway, we have some good stuff for our apartment, assuming we get an apartment. we also got a chair from a friend of the Ricolo family and can get a table from the Ricolo rents.
I am looking forward to moving into an apartment. We have one that we are probably going to rent, but we need to meet with the landlord when he gets back from a trip somewhere.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
News
Thursday, April 23: I finished my senior research project, handed it in, and got email confirmation that it is finished!
Friday, April 24: last internship class and handed a bunch of stuff in, including a 16 page paper I wrote the day before.
Sunday, April 26: 7 weeks from today I am getting married! which takes me back to Friday which was a beautiful day spent mostly with Kassie and we picked out a wedding location.
Still looking for an apt, have a few possibilities currently
Have approximately 15-20 pages of papers to write within the next two weeks
6 more classes plus exams to complete my undergrad.
Want to be in a band...possibly playing in a community band this summer, but I also want to do more with music: jazz combo, rock band, street performance, or something
other stuff.
learning about resting and trusting in God, among other things.
Friday, April 24: last internship class and handed a bunch of stuff in, including a 16 page paper I wrote the day before.
Sunday, April 26: 7 weeks from today I am getting married! which takes me back to Friday which was a beautiful day spent mostly with Kassie and we picked out a wedding location.
Still looking for an apt, have a few possibilities currently
Have approximately 15-20 pages of papers to write within the next two weeks
6 more classes plus exams to complete my undergrad.
Want to be in a band...possibly playing in a community band this summer, but I also want to do more with music: jazz combo, rock band, street performance, or something
other stuff.
learning about resting and trusting in God, among other things.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday Night
It's another Sunday night. I like Sundays, especially when I do the sabbath thing. Today I spent some much needed good time with God. I also went to a couple jazz concerts, one with my wonderful fiance.
That one had quite a few people we know in it, which was pretty sweet. I like listening to jazz and watching them play but it makes me want to play too, kind of like watching soccer.
I also went to a life group to talk about missions. it was pretty good. we had an interesting discussion afterwards. it made me think about some things.
I think I am going to go read a little bit.
Sundays...by the way, Kassie and I are getting married on a Sunday...May 31. Sorry if you are finding that out from this blog and feel like you should have found out a different way.
Small wedding, just a few people.
That one had quite a few people we know in it, which was pretty sweet. I like listening to jazz and watching them play but it makes me want to play too, kind of like watching soccer.
I also went to a life group to talk about missions. it was pretty good. we had an interesting discussion afterwards. it made me think about some things.
I think I am going to go read a little bit.
Sundays...by the way, Kassie and I are getting married on a Sunday...May 31. Sorry if you are finding that out from this blog and feel like you should have found out a different way.
Small wedding, just a few people.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Sleep
I am here, alive.
I don't really feel like writing but feel like I should for whatever reason.
Lately I have been making progress on my research project. I have noticed it is negatively correlated with the amount of sleep I get. (more progress=less sleep)
Today I am really tired and thinking that maybe the best way to be able to serve God would be to take a nap. I have stuff I would like to get done. I can be quite productive when I am tired, but I don't think I honor God as well. So, realizing which is more important, I should probably take a nap. I might have a meeting in about .5 hours though, so I might wait until after that.
God is good.
Really good.
All the time.
Forever.
I don't really feel like writing but feel like I should for whatever reason.
Lately I have been making progress on my research project. I have noticed it is negatively correlated with the amount of sleep I get. (more progress=less sleep)
Today I am really tired and thinking that maybe the best way to be able to serve God would be to take a nap. I have stuff I would like to get done. I can be quite productive when I am tired, but I don't think I honor God as well. So, realizing which is more important, I should probably take a nap. I might have a meeting in about .5 hours though, so I might wait until after that.
God is good.
Really good.
All the time.
Forever.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Up in the Air
Fly away
like a dog
with pixie dust
and positive thoughts
Run home
like jack
playing baseball
With pirates
Never grow up
Like lost boys
Living in trees
Eating no food
I don't know
How this post
Ended up being
about Pan and Hook
like a dog
with pixie dust
and positive thoughts
Run home
like jack
playing baseball
With pirates
Never grow up
Like lost boys
Living in trees
Eating no food
I don't know
How this post
Ended up being
about Pan and Hook
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Punch to the Face
I was going to title this post "The End" referring to being almost done with school, but then was thinking that what it is also about is a new beginning. Then I thought it is also about how the combination of those are hitting me in the face. So, I ended up with Punch to the Face, which I think might be a quote from Nacho Libre when Nacho is reprimanding the kids for wrestling to look good for Incarnacion when really he wants to be wrestling too.
Anyway, I feel like a lot of things are hitting me recently, like i need to fnish my senior research project, i need to figure out what I am doing with my life after college, am I going to be in Mount Pleasant, for how long, looking for an apartment
looking for a job
wedding plans
pre-marital counseling,
internship stuff
regular class stuff,
what should I eat,
sleep? (my roommate matt doesnt think I sleep but said I rejuvinate by making noises or something)(honestly, I do sleep, but maybe not as much as is generally advised, and I don't think I make that many noises)(okay, maybe I do make noises)
things God is teaching me
discerning between God's and my will
living in the Men's house
loving others,
basically, I am trying to make this list seem overwhelming because it is kind of overwhelming me, but I think in a good way that I am forced to rely on God and to live one step at a time and enjoy the journey. those are always good reminders.
these are basically the reasons I haven't posted recently. I haven't been on the internet as much lately as in the past.
I think I am going to go to the prayer room for a little bit. I love you all.
Anyway, I feel like a lot of things are hitting me recently, like i need to fnish my senior research project, i need to figure out what I am doing with my life after college, am I going to be in Mount Pleasant, for how long, looking for an apartment
looking for a job
wedding plans
pre-marital counseling,
internship stuff
regular class stuff,
what should I eat,
sleep? (my roommate matt doesnt think I sleep but said I rejuvinate by making noises or something)(honestly, I do sleep, but maybe not as much as is generally advised, and I don't think I make that many noises)(okay, maybe I do make noises)
things God is teaching me
discerning between God's and my will
living in the Men's house
loving others,
basically, I am trying to make this list seem overwhelming because it is kind of overwhelming me, but I think in a good way that I am forced to rely on God and to live one step at a time and enjoy the journey. those are always good reminders.
these are basically the reasons I haven't posted recently. I haven't been on the internet as much lately as in the past.
I think I am going to go to the prayer room for a little bit. I love you all.
Monday, March 2, 2009
EDT
Estimated dinner time. Our dinners on monday nights are generally 6 30 but it's going to be a little late tonight due to some cooking complications. I don't cook tonight but I am assuming it will be late since it is already 6 31.
Mid term week. This week is pretty busy because it is the middle of the semester and the week before spring break.
I am excited for spring break. it will be nice to forget about all the stuff going on here and spend a week loving and serving God and others.
2 Peter 1:5-9 Think about it.
Mid term week. This week is pretty busy because it is the middle of the semester and the week before spring break.
I am excited for spring break. it will be nice to forget about all the stuff going on here and spend a week loving and serving God and others.
2 Peter 1:5-9 Think about it.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Drinking Flowers
Drinking flowers
That's what this tea is like
from a guy at English conversation hour
He said it is some of the best tea in China
I am excited to get to use my tea jar
I am not too picky about tea
I like this tea
That's what this tea is like
from a guy at English conversation hour
He said it is some of the best tea in China
I am excited to get to use my tea jar
I am not too picky about tea
I like this tea
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
U Cup
Sitting at the U Cup.
U Cup is short for University Cup.
The University Cup is short for coffee shop just off campus.
Just off campus is short for almost the corner of Franklin and Bellows, across Franklin from the SBX.
SBX stands for Student Book Exchange.
Exchange doesn't start with an X.
Back to the U Cup.
Never bought anything here.
Two things from here bought for me by others.
Pretending to get stuff done.
Apparently, this blog post is something I am getting done.
There is so much to do.
I am not really doing it.
Breaks are good.
Kassie called.
Going to hangout.
If this was an acrostic poem, it would spell SUT JSEBN'T PAT IBKG (spaces and apostrophe added at will).
SUT JSEBN'T PAT IBKG stands for "Each of you are one of God's beautiful creations."
Think about it.
U Cup is short for University Cup.
The University Cup is short for coffee shop just off campus.
Just off campus is short for almost the corner of Franklin and Bellows, across Franklin from the SBX.
SBX stands for Student Book Exchange.
Exchange doesn't start with an X.
Back to the U Cup.
Never bought anything here.
Two things from here bought for me by others.
Pretending to get stuff done.
Apparently, this blog post is something I am getting done.
There is so much to do.
I am not really doing it.
Breaks are good.
Kassie called.
Going to hangout.
If this was an acrostic poem, it would spell SUT JSEBN'T PAT IBKG (spaces and apostrophe added at will).
SUT JSEBN'T PAT IBKG stands for "Each of you are one of God's beautiful creations."
Think about it.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Oh, Joe
I just said that: "Oh, Joe," referring to my roommate Joe Vercellino who is doing math homework and made some kind of pun or something like that,
I am not really in a blog writing mood.
I am writing mostly because I am unmotivated to do anything else.
You should all read the book "Serve God. Save the Planet." It is really good. It is very challenging. I like challenging books.
Sometimes I don't step up to the challenges as much as I would like.
I know that I am making some changes though, slowly but surely.
When I was a young wart hog. Is that one word or two? because warthog looks like you would use the th sound but it really should be two separate sounds.
I am not really in a blog writing mood.
I am writing mostly because I am unmotivated to do anything else.
You should all read the book "Serve God. Save the Planet." It is really good. It is very challenging. I like challenging books.
Sometimes I don't step up to the challenges as much as I would like.
I know that I am making some changes though, slowly but surely.
When I was a young wart hog. Is that one word or two? because warthog looks like you would use the th sound but it really should be two separate sounds.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Weekend
This weekend is the His House winter retreat. This will be the first winter retreat I will miss since i have been at His House. I was planning on going but God had other plans. Basically, I was automatically signed up because I live in the men's house.
my friend and prayer partner for the Atlanta trip, Gabe, mentioned wanting to go but not having money, a few days ago. I did nothing at the time, and I think it was too late for him even if I had given him the money. today at the service however I saw him and he said something to somebody else about wanting to go.
so, I thought about it and decided to give him my spot. I think it was God's choice. God has been teaching me alot lately and I think I just need to reflect on it and figure out ways to act on it. I think Gabe will be able to get more out of the retreat than I would.
He seems to be really growing in his faith and I think this will be a good step for him. I think it might be his first His House retreat.
Anyway, I was thinking about what I would do this weekend and I thought about maybe volunteering at the soup kitchen some, spending alot of time with God, and getting some stuff done. Then, as always when I have free time or just get overwhelmed or something, I thought about taking a trip. My first thought was to visit Amy.
I think she would like it, although I don't know what she is doing this weekend. But I think if I did it, it would be more for me than for her. I think I really just need to stay around here and follow the "original" plan of volunteering at the soup kitchen, spending time with God, getting stuff done.
I love God.
my friend and prayer partner for the Atlanta trip, Gabe, mentioned wanting to go but not having money, a few days ago. I did nothing at the time, and I think it was too late for him even if I had given him the money. today at the service however I saw him and he said something to somebody else about wanting to go.
so, I thought about it and decided to give him my spot. I think it was God's choice. God has been teaching me alot lately and I think I just need to reflect on it and figure out ways to act on it. I think Gabe will be able to get more out of the retreat than I would.
He seems to be really growing in his faith and I think this will be a good step for him. I think it might be his first His House retreat.
Anyway, I was thinking about what I would do this weekend and I thought about maybe volunteering at the soup kitchen some, spending alot of time with God, and getting some stuff done. Then, as always when I have free time or just get overwhelmed or something, I thought about taking a trip. My first thought was to visit Amy.
I think she would like it, although I don't know what she is doing this weekend. But I think if I did it, it would be more for me than for her. I think I really just need to stay around here and follow the "original" plan of volunteering at the soup kitchen, spending time with God, getting stuff done.
I love God.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Mud
Just to clear things up.
I didn't make it obvious.
My last post was titled "Pavarotti."
When I wrote it was when I should have been doing homework.
Pavarotti was part of my homework.
For my singing class.
We had to watch five singers our prof gave us.
On youtube.
And write two paragraphs about each.
Pavarotti was one of them.
Goodnight.
I didn't make it obvious.
My last post was titled "Pavarotti."
When I wrote it was when I should have been doing homework.
Pavarotti was part of my homework.
For my singing class.
We had to watch five singers our prof gave us.
On youtube.
And write two paragraphs about each.
Pavarotti was one of them.
Goodnight.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Pavarotti
I have been kind of overwhelmed by everything going on in my life lately, but I am trying to remind myself to take it one step at a time and focus on God.
I think I am getting better at the one step at a time thing, but I still need more work on focusing on God.
Today I read about David's mighty men. They did some sweet stuff. They were devoted.
We took out trash for people tonight. It was really cold but also rewarding. It was cool to meet people. They were a little surprised at what we were doing but were overall very welcoming.
We took out trash at apartments with mostly international students both to serve them and to invite them to a thing we are starting next week. Tomorrow we are doing the same thing exceppt at a dorm with international students instead of apartments.
I realized how easy it is to serve people. We just had to take a couple hours out of hour schedule, get some trash bags and go from door to door asking people if they wanted their trash taken out and it was a good way to serve and to meet people. I hope to look for things like that more often rather than focusing on all of the stuff i "need" to do.
Speaking of stuff I need to do, I should be doing homework right now, so I guess i will do that.
Have a wonderful night.
I think I am getting better at the one step at a time thing, but I still need more work on focusing on God.
Today I read about David's mighty men. They did some sweet stuff. They were devoted.
We took out trash for people tonight. It was really cold but also rewarding. It was cool to meet people. They were a little surprised at what we were doing but were overall very welcoming.
We took out trash at apartments with mostly international students both to serve them and to invite them to a thing we are starting next week. Tomorrow we are doing the same thing exceppt at a dorm with international students instead of apartments.
I realized how easy it is to serve people. We just had to take a couple hours out of hour schedule, get some trash bags and go from door to door asking people if they wanted their trash taken out and it was a good way to serve and to meet people. I hope to look for things like that more often rather than focusing on all of the stuff i "need" to do.
Speaking of stuff I need to do, I should be doing homework right now, so I guess i will do that.
Have a wonderful night.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A New Semester, My Last ; )
Well, this looks to be an interesting semester. I am looking forward to it...well, I guess I am already in it, but looking forward to the rest of it.
I am mostly looking forward to being done with my senior research project. I have been able to motivate myself to do little pieces of it each day, which seems to be working out well.
I need to get used to doing that with my other school work as well.]
a few stories.
I only have classes in the afternoon, mondays and wednesday from 1-3 15, and tuesday and thursday from 2-4 45, along with my internship which I need to meet with Eric about and the class meetings for that on 5 fridays throughout the semester.
Monday-
Spent time with God and Kassie in the morning, walked Kassie to her noon class, got lost because she didn't know the room number but eventually found it.
on my way to the library to do some things before my 1:00 class I met up with Chris Cadogan who was lost because he didn't know where the ET building is, so I took him there
I then got lost because I couldn't remember numbers 5 seconds after reading them. In the music building I went to the classroom next door to the one I was supposed to be in for both of my classes. the first one a girl came in and asked her friends who were already there if it was the woodwind tech classroom, and they said yes to which she replied that she was in the right place and i realized i was not. so I slipped out and went to the classroom next door where i found Matt Harris, my old roommate in in the class with me, along with Joe V., one of my current roommates. I need to pick out a song to sing for that class tomorrow.
the second class i was off by one number but then looked at my sheet before actually going in. that one I entered to find that there are only 4 people, including the professor and I, in that class. when we introduced ourselves and were supposed to mention something fun about break I told the class that I got engaged. the prof said he hopes I did it better than him. he then told us his story. it's a pretty good one so if you want to hear it, let me know.
so then I went and met with Brooke and we talked in the Rotunda because the rest of the UC was really busy and then went to her house where she cooked me a delicious vegan mexicanish meal.
today, I had family studies classes, both with my friend Carla, one also with Ashley Sneary. that was interesting and mostly fun.
I felt kind of popular in the first one because our prof was going to split us into groups and allowed us, if we wanted, to choose one person that we would like to be in our group. I decided not to choose anybody and leave it up to the prof but both Carla and Jaime (sp?) chose me.
since then I have been hanging out with Kassie between classes. I met her in the UC as I was going by on my way home and decided to walk with her to class. then I decided to work in a computer lab on my SRP while she was in class so I could hangout with her in the 40 minute break between the two classes and also get some stuff done on my SRP.
so then we hungout and she went to class and I came back to the lab to do some more work and now I am taking a break and decided to write something here.
it is getting long now.
anyway, God is great and I am excited for what he is doing/will do this semester
I am mostly looking forward to being done with my senior research project. I have been able to motivate myself to do little pieces of it each day, which seems to be working out well.
I need to get used to doing that with my other school work as well.]
a few stories.
I only have classes in the afternoon, mondays and wednesday from 1-3 15, and tuesday and thursday from 2-4 45, along with my internship which I need to meet with Eric about and the class meetings for that on 5 fridays throughout the semester.
Monday-
Spent time with God and Kassie in the morning, walked Kassie to her noon class, got lost because she didn't know the room number but eventually found it.
on my way to the library to do some things before my 1:00 class I met up with Chris Cadogan who was lost because he didn't know where the ET building is, so I took him there
I then got lost because I couldn't remember numbers 5 seconds after reading them. In the music building I went to the classroom next door to the one I was supposed to be in for both of my classes. the first one a girl came in and asked her friends who were already there if it was the woodwind tech classroom, and they said yes to which she replied that she was in the right place and i realized i was not. so I slipped out and went to the classroom next door where i found Matt Harris, my old roommate in in the class with me, along with Joe V., one of my current roommates. I need to pick out a song to sing for that class tomorrow.
the second class i was off by one number but then looked at my sheet before actually going in. that one I entered to find that there are only 4 people, including the professor and I, in that class. when we introduced ourselves and were supposed to mention something fun about break I told the class that I got engaged. the prof said he hopes I did it better than him. he then told us his story. it's a pretty good one so if you want to hear it, let me know.
so then I went and met with Brooke and we talked in the Rotunda because the rest of the UC was really busy and then went to her house where she cooked me a delicious vegan mexicanish meal.
today, I had family studies classes, both with my friend Carla, one also with Ashley Sneary. that was interesting and mostly fun.
I felt kind of popular in the first one because our prof was going to split us into groups and allowed us, if we wanted, to choose one person that we would like to be in our group. I decided not to choose anybody and leave it up to the prof but both Carla and Jaime (sp?) chose me.
since then I have been hanging out with Kassie between classes. I met her in the UC as I was going by on my way home and decided to walk with her to class. then I decided to work in a computer lab on my SRP while she was in class so I could hangout with her in the 40 minute break between the two classes and also get some stuff done on my SRP.
so then we hungout and she went to class and I came back to the lab to do some more work and now I am taking a break and decided to write something here.
it is getting long now.
anyway, God is great and I am excited for what he is doing/will do this semester
Friday, January 9, 2009
In Love
These past few days have been pretty great.
I came back to Mount Pleasant on Sunday, and since then I have been spending more time with God each day than I did for much of the break and it is pretty sweet. I hope to continue to be excited about getting to know him more and seeing how he works in and around me.
I am in love with God.
I am also in love, in a different way, and with a love that comes from God, with Kassie. I am very thankful for her in my life and the honest conversations we have had lately and the ways we have been able to encourage each other love God together.
I have been reading Captivating for my senior research project. I can't say the research is the only reason I was interested in reading the book. There are definitely parts of it that I don't like, parts that say things like boys don't do this or all women need this or things like that. I don't like generalizations, in general ;)
However, there are also definitely some good thigns in it. I haven't gotten very far but one thing I read today was talking about beauty and how beauty is part of who God is and is definitely something he values. It mentioned that we often get caught up in accomplishments and other things that could be good or bad that we don't spend time enjoying and appreciating God's beauty. I think it is also possible to get too focused on beauty, but maybe the problem isn't the amount of focus but it is what the focus is on, maybe not real true Godly beauty but what the world has called beautiful. Anyway, I thought it was interesting and it made me want to play guitar and sing because I think music can be a beautiful way to express my love for God, not that the music I make is beautiful, but I know that God thinks it is beautiful when I use the gifts he has given me as a way to worship him.
Another thing cool I thought about God today was how he orchestrates things. It is definitely plain to me that God has orchestrated, in many ways, my relationship with Kassie. That is something I think about often. Today, however, I was talking to Katie Bennett and realizing how God has orchestrated my relationship with her, as well. This made me think a little more, or made me think about it differently because while it is common for me to think about the things God has done between Kassie and I, it is less often that I think about friendships.
As Katie and I were talking today, we were both realizing how cool it is that even though we don't spend much time together or talk to each other regularly, there are certain times when we "randomly" meet and have a really good conversation. Last year we spent quite a bit of time together for some of the year but then kind of just stopped hanging out after a while. Now, it is sweet how we can have great conversations so "randomly." We know each other to a certain extent from the time we spent together last year. And it is also cool that there are no obligations and no hard feelings, for example, if I forgot about her birthday or something, it wouldn't be a big deal and we would still be able to talk like nothing happened after that.
Anyway, I think that type of friendship is cool and I also think it is quite rare.
God does some pretty amazing stuff. It is kind of sad how much we miss of what God does when we don't focus on him. I often have the problem of focusing on myself. But it's the times when I focus on God that I realize how good he is and how much he is doing.
I came back to Mount Pleasant on Sunday, and since then I have been spending more time with God each day than I did for much of the break and it is pretty sweet. I hope to continue to be excited about getting to know him more and seeing how he works in and around me.
I am in love with God.
I am also in love, in a different way, and with a love that comes from God, with Kassie. I am very thankful for her in my life and the honest conversations we have had lately and the ways we have been able to encourage each other love God together.
I have been reading Captivating for my senior research project. I can't say the research is the only reason I was interested in reading the book. There are definitely parts of it that I don't like, parts that say things like boys don't do this or all women need this or things like that. I don't like generalizations, in general ;)
However, there are also definitely some good thigns in it. I haven't gotten very far but one thing I read today was talking about beauty and how beauty is part of who God is and is definitely something he values. It mentioned that we often get caught up in accomplishments and other things that could be good or bad that we don't spend time enjoying and appreciating God's beauty. I think it is also possible to get too focused on beauty, but maybe the problem isn't the amount of focus but it is what the focus is on, maybe not real true Godly beauty but what the world has called beautiful. Anyway, I thought it was interesting and it made me want to play guitar and sing because I think music can be a beautiful way to express my love for God, not that the music I make is beautiful, but I know that God thinks it is beautiful when I use the gifts he has given me as a way to worship him.
Another thing cool I thought about God today was how he orchestrates things. It is definitely plain to me that God has orchestrated, in many ways, my relationship with Kassie. That is something I think about often. Today, however, I was talking to Katie Bennett and realizing how God has orchestrated my relationship with her, as well. This made me think a little more, or made me think about it differently because while it is common for me to think about the things God has done between Kassie and I, it is less often that I think about friendships.
As Katie and I were talking today, we were both realizing how cool it is that even though we don't spend much time together or talk to each other regularly, there are certain times when we "randomly" meet and have a really good conversation. Last year we spent quite a bit of time together for some of the year but then kind of just stopped hanging out after a while. Now, it is sweet how we can have great conversations so "randomly." We know each other to a certain extent from the time we spent together last year. And it is also cool that there are no obligations and no hard feelings, for example, if I forgot about her birthday or something, it wouldn't be a big deal and we would still be able to talk like nothing happened after that.
Anyway, I think that type of friendship is cool and I also think it is quite rare.
God does some pretty amazing stuff. It is kind of sad how much we miss of what God does when we don't focus on him. I often have the problem of focusing on myself. But it's the times when I focus on God that I realize how good he is and how much he is doing.
Friday, January 2, 2009
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