I'm in Tahoe right now and I'm loving it. The weather is beautiful, the scenery is gorgeous and it's incredibly relaxing. This is my first time here, but I really don't think it will be my last. A few friends rented a house for the weekend so we've been hanging out enjoying the great weather, playing Tetris AND Mario (on the ORIGINAL Nintendo :) and spending some time in the hot tub at night.
Life is good.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Well Said Don...
Jamie posted this on her blog, After watching this video clip and reading the prayer, I felt encouraged. Check it out for yourself... I encourage you to read the prayer as you listen to it...
Here is the full text of the prayer:
Please join me for the next few moments in our Benediction.
"Father God,
This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.
We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.
Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.
Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.
Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.
Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.
Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.
Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.
We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.
Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.
A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.
Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.
Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.
Lastly, father, unify us.
Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.
And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.
God we know that you are good.
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.
I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.
Let Him be our example.
Amen."
Here is the full text of the prayer:
Please join me for the next few moments in our Benediction.
"Father God,
This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.
We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.
Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.
Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.
Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.
Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.
Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.
Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.
We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.
Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.
A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.
Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.
Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.
Lastly, father, unify us.
Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.
And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.
God we know that you are good.
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.
I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.
Let Him be our example.
Amen."
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
That's What I Said...
I discovered Wordie just a few days ago. It's awesome. Try it. Use it. Love it. This is what my blog has been saying lately..
Monday, August 25, 2008
But You Have To Remember...
I will be the first to admit that I really don't have the best memory. I wish I did--but I don't. I often forget if I've told people certain things or they swear they told me a story about something and I just don't remember. Bottom line--I will need to make sure I do a lot of Sudoku to keep my mind active when I'm old to make sure I don't loose the memory that I do have...
All that said, I often have to try hard to remember certain things. For the past few years, as each new season begins, I do a personal reflection of my life and the things that have happened over the past few months. I make bullet points both about the things I learned and the things I did. It's quite fun to now look back to when I was in college and read my reflections at the close of each semester.
The point of these reflections are two fold--one is to simply remember all of the fun and random things I did and two, to remember God's faithfulness throughout each season of my life. As I look back I am reminded of the things I learned through both really good and incredibly difficult times. Lucky for me, the good outweighs the bad, and in the end God was consistently faithful through it all.
It's good to remember God's faithfulness in my life. It's good to remember the difficult and painful times and to see how God walked me through it. It's good to remember that I don't stand alone in life. It's good to remember that no matter how many times I turn away, God relentlessly pursues me back to Him. It's good to remember that I am incredibly blessed by good people in my life who love God and love me. It's good to remember that love wins--and love conquers fear.
What things do you look back and remember? What things is God healing you from? By looking back, what has God taught you? These are all questions I'm asking myself too...
If I don't make myself remember....I will forget...and I don't want to forget this...
All that said, I often have to try hard to remember certain things. For the past few years, as each new season begins, I do a personal reflection of my life and the things that have happened over the past few months. I make bullet points both about the things I learned and the things I did. It's quite fun to now look back to when I was in college and read my reflections at the close of each semester.
The point of these reflections are two fold--one is to simply remember all of the fun and random things I did and two, to remember God's faithfulness throughout each season of my life. As I look back I am reminded of the things I learned through both really good and incredibly difficult times. Lucky for me, the good outweighs the bad, and in the end God was consistently faithful through it all.
It's good to remember God's faithfulness in my life. It's good to remember the difficult and painful times and to see how God walked me through it. It's good to remember that I don't stand alone in life. It's good to remember that no matter how many times I turn away, God relentlessly pursues me back to Him. It's good to remember that I am incredibly blessed by good people in my life who love God and love me. It's good to remember that love wins--and love conquers fear.
What things do you look back and remember? What things is God healing you from? By looking back, what has God taught you? These are all questions I'm asking myself too...
If I don't make myself remember....I will forget...and I don't want to forget this...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Chicken Fried...
I really like THIS song. I think the reason I like it so much is because of the simplicity of life that they sing about. Now, is it a little cheesy...? Maybe. But is there is a lot of truth in this song...? I think so. **Fair warning that this is a country song, so if you're not a country fan at all, don't say I didn't warn you (this warning was mainly for Lisa :)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Happy Birthday Jen!!
Today is Jen's 24th birthday.
We have now officially known one another and been friends for over half of our lives. Wow. As I thought about what I wanted to include in this post, lots and lots of memories began to flood my mind. This girl is more then just a friend...she is the one who knows me better than anyone else, can understand and describe how I'm feeling even when I can't. She's the one I laugh the hardest with, eat the most with :) and have shared countless conversations that have challenged, encouraged and brought both tears and laughter (often at the same time!).
There really are no words to describe how blessed I feel to have Jen in my life. Even though I count her as my best friend, she is family to me and my family. We are so different in many ways, but I think our differences are what makes us such good friends. She can speak into my life like no one else can and when she gives me "that look" and get serious I know I better listen up--and whatever advice she gives me, I gotta admit, she's usually right...
So today is YOUR day J.lo (and I can't quite remember when I gave you that nickname...but it sure has stuck!) so I hope you eat lots of good food, enjoy a few Funfetti cupcakes and know that I praise God for who you are and for the countless blessings you have brought to my life.
Here's to 24 and moving on...
143!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
I love when friends visit!
1. I love when friends visit
2. I love having a spare bedroom with an extra bed where they can sleep
3. I love catching up and being able to pick up right were we left off.
This picture below was taken my sophomore year of college. Chelsey (the one on my right) is from Oregon so when we were in college the four of us girls took a road trip over spring break to Oregon. Chelsey is in town because Courtney (the one on my left) is getting married today! We're driving to the wedding and meeting up with Kris there too (she's the one on the far right). I love these girls.
2. I love having a spare bedroom with an extra bed where they can sleep
3. I love catching up and being able to pick up right were we left off.
This picture below was taken my sophomore year of college. Chelsey (the one on my right) is from Oregon so when we were in college the four of us girls took a road trip over spring break to Oregon. Chelsey is in town because Courtney (the one on my left) is getting married today! We're driving to the wedding and meeting up with Kris there too (she's the one on the far right). I love these girls.
Friday, August 8, 2008
"You are worth dying for..."
I found this while going through a few of the "Thoughts From The Throne" writings that I did last year. I reread a few of them and this section stuck out to me. Young and old alike...sometimes it's hard to remember this...
You are good enough exactly as you are. Do you believe this? Because it’s true. You have limitless worth and value. If you embrace this truth, it will affect every area of your life. You are worth dying for. Your worth does not come from your body, your mind, your work, what you produce, what you put out, or how much money you make. Your worth does not come from what you do but from who God is. You don’t have to earn God’s love—you can’t. You’re already loved—deeply.
For some this idea of God’s infinite love can be hard to swallow. I encourage you to really think about how valuable you are in God’s sight and how His love for you will not change.
People will change.
Circumstances will change.
Life will change.
God’s love for you will never change.
Just think about it…
You are good enough exactly as you are. Do you believe this? Because it’s true. You have limitless worth and value. If you embrace this truth, it will affect every area of your life. You are worth dying for. Your worth does not come from your body, your mind, your work, what you produce, what you put out, or how much money you make. Your worth does not come from what you do but from who God is. You don’t have to earn God’s love—you can’t. You’re already loved—deeply.
For some this idea of God’s infinite love can be hard to swallow. I encourage you to really think about how valuable you are in God’s sight and how His love for you will not change.
People will change.
Circumstances will change.
Life will change.
God’s love for you will never change.
Just think about it…
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Campus Life Volunteer Reunion!
Friday night was the 2nd annual Youth for Christ Campus Life volunteer reunion. It started off with dinner at Shanghai and then moved to Derek's house for dessert and some classic Campus Life games (including "Big Booty" and a new game I introduced called "Trigger"). It was a great time, with lots of laughter, sarcastic comments (because Jesse, myself and Steve were all there!) and lots of shared memories relived. Throughout the night I was reminded how God uses us in different seasons of our life and takes us all in different directions. It really was a fun night....and I ate a really awesome ice cream sundae for dessert! Good people and good food...can't beat that!
The Whole Gang (at least those who could make it!) We're missing about 6-8 other volunteers!
Volunteers from when Jesse was the CL Director. Above includes Derek, Me, Jesse and Steve (we're missing Stacey!)
Volunteers from when I was the CL Director. Above includes Derek, Me and Steve...but we're missing J.lo and Sarah White :)
All five directors are present above spanning the years from 2000-Now. Ranae, Derek, Me, Jesse and Lisa.
Looking up to the ones who went before us!
The Whole Gang (at least those who could make it!) We're missing about 6-8 other volunteers!
Volunteers from when Jesse was the CL Director. Above includes Derek, Me, Jesse and Steve (we're missing Stacey!)
Volunteers from when I was the CL Director. Above includes Derek, Me and Steve...but we're missing J.lo and Sarah White :)
All five directors are present above spanning the years from 2000-Now. Ranae, Derek, Me, Jesse and Lisa.
Looking up to the ones who went before us!
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