Saturday, May 7, 2011

And when you stop looking...

From "The Path of Loneliness" by Elisabeth Elliott

"If we love someone more than we love God, it is worse than inordinate - it is idolatry. When God is first in our hearts, all other loves are in order and find their rightful places. If God is not first, other lovers, even those which are in no sense sexual, easily turn into self-gratification and therefore destroy both the lover and the beloved" p. 60

"How can we be sure not for thy harms is true? How shall we fix our eyes on things unseen? There is no answer but faith, faith is the character of God himself. That and no other is the anchor for our souls" p. 63


Thursday, April 28, 2011

Farewell, Michael Scott.

Tonight was the last episode featuring Michael Scott as the Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. I will not tell you that I didn't cry, because I did. Like a baby. You'll be missed, Michael Scott.

In other news, I was offered my first full-time job today. You just read that correctly! A full-time job! 40 hours a week, salary, and benefits. I can't believe it! It's crazy how the Lord has really worked in my life even over the course of a few weeks.

I will be living in Ardmore, OK as soon as the summer is up - which, isn't the big city... but I'm looking forward to getting involved and finding community. I worry, sometimes. I fear that I'll hate the city... but I know without a doubt that this is where the Lord has placed me for this season in my life. I know that I am to be fruitful in Ardmore, OK even if it is not China - where my heart is.

Please be praying for me as I make a very quick transition from graduating to working full-time in a place where I know no one. Please pray specifically for:

-Community
-Friends
-Opportunities to share my faith
-A Church Family that I love
-International People to be placed in my life

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Wednesday Favorites!

I decided to take a post and dedicate it to three of my favorite things. I will begin doing this weekly.


Cuties. So tasty, juicy, and easy to eat. These have become my breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. They're good and easy to grab on the go!

Diet. Green. Tea. With. Citrus. I don't know where to begin with this drink - it's amazing.... the best one out there. I never thought any drink could take the place of blue powerade - but I think this one did. I was skeptical at first because I'm not a huge green tea fan, but this stuff is bomb-diggity.


This devotional has really taught me how to live in the presence of the almighty God. The Lord daily speaks to me through this. If you struggle with reading your bible, or figuring out how to listen to the holy spirit - I encourage you to pick this book up... It's great!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

I would be happier living overseas.

I would be so much happier living overseas. I understand there is an aspect of spiritual darkness, but I think allowing myself to be a light in a dark place would bring me joy and peace. Last night, I told a few of my close friends my decision to turn down an offer in Asia. My friend Rachel, said to me, "I think you'll be blessed for it. I'm proud of you for being so brave".

I don't know when staying in America became the brave thing for me to do. But, it did. My heart is clearly not here - and really not for these people. I love Asia, Asians, and especially rice. Those things are not commonly found in America (well... real asians, real rice, and ... well.. Asia).

That was just an extra thought for last night - you don't even have to pay for that... it's totally free.

Friday, April 22, 2011

change of scenery

Just a few days until I graduate college. Your read that correctly. Days. As in... 20. Which is 10 days less than a month. Wow. I'm growing up. Sometimes, I feel as if I should just be beginning college again - start the whole process over. Maybe go further back than that - maybe go and enjoy my senior prom once more.

But, I'm excited about what Father is going to do in my life. He's providing - in ways that I wanted Him to work otherwise.

I've learned lately that we can have really great God-glorifying passions that aren't necessarily His plans for us. It's cliche but... "I know the plans I have for you - plans to prosper, not to harm you - to give you a hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

This has been a battle to me desiring to spend time overseas. For some reason, Father has called me to stay here. Which, I won't lie: is frustrating. I ask God, "why do you have me stay when there are so many who need you over there?". I guess Father is slowly teaching me how to minister here. He's teaching me to dwell in his quiet, tender presence... and that's nice.

I'm going to miss college - but I'm ready to embark on a new Journey in my life. Granted, I'm prepared for the wilderness. I don't want to be there yet again - but I'm prepared for it. As I take on this new journey - of a single lady living in a town where I know only a few - I can listen to the quiet, tender, and passionate thoughts from my Abba.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Reminiscing.

Well, I graduate college in a mere two months. Can you believe it?

So, in lieu of my reminiscent attitude.... here are my top 10 favorite memories during my time in college [that I can share to the world wide web]: (in no particular order)


1. OBU Hut Staff 2008 - this was literally the best summer of my life.... and it would take something pretty amazing to steal the title. I met some of my best friends; and I worked with people I call family even today. (Love you, Eager Kev, Hypochondriac & Grande) Somehow during the summer, we created a 'gang', won a 'most likely to revolt award', got our golf-cart privileges revoked, and invested in students lives. Gosh. What a good time of my life!

2. Pledging Theta Sigma Chi - I did not want to be in a social club. People told me not to join, and it wasn't the coolest thing to do at the time. But... today, my sisters in Theta are by far my closest friends on the planet! It's true. I was once hazed......... and it was fun, then we got in trouble. Now I have a story to tell.

Oh, I also got tackled for stealing a pledge book from another sorority. BOOM SHACKA LACKA.

3. Information Gathering & Research - This was my most time consuming and hardest class. I spent the entire semester researching and writing about how a victim of Human Trafficking can initially begin a journey of recovery to a safe house - you can read my paper here.

4. Vandalizing Kevin & Kyle's apartment.... we broke in and moved everything around.... they got us back by dumping mountain dew on us.... fun times.

5. Being so involved - In high school, I wasn't involved at all. In college, I've been involved & co-chair of practically everything. It was my only goal for college, and I achieved it!

6. Living in WMU - we had a party everyday. We played nertz until 3 AM... we laughed together, cried together... it's where I pulled my very first all nighter.

7. My first TWIRP date - boy, was i swooning over that boy or what!? ha! We went out to eat at Hideaway (I paid, of course!... because The Woman Is Required to Pay) and then we went to my house and tye-died shirts. It was a fun night. I then dated the boy my freshman year.

8. Spring Break 2010.... I traveled across the US with two friends. We went looking at Grad Schools, went to the beach, and lived life.

9. Realizing through a series of unfortunate situations that Jesus is all I need. It literally took stripping me of my desires, and my best friend... which was hard. Through the process, I was molded into a completely different person. I'm thankful for that.

10. Friday Night Traditions with my Roomies of aPARTYment 10.