Contentment?

This summer so far has been exactly what I have needed. I talked in this post about how i was scared to death of this summer - I thought I would be bored out of my mind. Surprisingly, I'm not. I've been staying busy, but I haven't been overworked and exhausted. It's been a perfect time for me to get to know God better, and see His calling on my life.

I feel within the past 3 months - my best friends are [literally] packing their bags, and leaving. I have countless friends who are moving on into another phase in their life, whether its marriage, seminary, moving, going overseas... I feel like several of my friends are saying, "peace out" while I'm stuck here in small-town, America. {Still content on being here, don't freak out on me}.

I'm kind of envious, in a way. I still have a year left of school, but I wish I could just go now. I'll get over it next year when it's my turn and cry like a baby because I don't wanna grow up.

I went to camp (the one I worked at) with my old youth-group last week. Talk about the most exhausting week of my entire life. I did, however, get a chance to tell my girls about the nations. Why they should pray & go, and what it meant to be SENT.

"As you SENT me into the world, so I have SENT them into the world" - John 17:18

What a wonderful reminder. However, It did make me not miss camp as much being in the heat and walking up and down hills. :)

Today, I went to the Asian Market to pick up a few things (the necessities, of course). [OH! And I finally found Lotus Root and I was way too happy... I didn't purchase today, though. It was expensive] and as I was walking around, I noticed a scent that I have smelled somewhere before... and I look over by the registers, and there is a man burning paper money! I was shocked! I remember seeing that when I was in Asia, but I have never seen that in America. It brought back some bad memories, and it made me want to quit my job, sell my stuff, and move to Asia and tell others about the Good News. I seriously have never felt so compelled or obligated in my life. I think I want to move there after I graduate...

Sometimes I worry...

Sometimes I worry that I will never be cool enough, artsy enough, quiet enough, loud enough, skinny enough, cultured enough for someone to even notice me.

I'm so thankful and humbled that my Savior would come down from heaven - and see me - Heather - as a more than average girl. He takes me - this girl who isn't artsy or crafty enough, who isn't skinny enough, and hasn't left the country more than 1 time... and He holds me in His arms. And He loves me.

{Thank you, Lord, for your provision. Thank you for loving this girl who feels so unloveable sometimes..}

before my battery dies...

I made a cute soap dispenser inspired by this blog.

another short one...

Well, when I get bored : I craft. I made this cute bulletin board today, and I am so, so, excited about it! I just need to add a coat of gloss medium for an extra vintage look... :) Here she is...

New Music...

lately, I've had quite a bit of time to listen and enjoy music (more than normal). I found this song on pandora, and I have grown a liking to it.



And also, this song:

Summa Time!!

God is showing me so many good, good things and giving me such great friends here in Shawnee. People I wasn't close to, I am becoming close to, and it is a really fun experience. I've had a lot of fun with my roomates [beth, tayler, megan], Emily, and Holly.

Before I left though, my friend Becca came to see me. we had a lot of fun... here are some pictures!

This is Casey, Julie, Becca, and Myself at Cuppies and Joe! One of my favorite coffee shops in the city. [Try the boom boom pow cuppie..]

This is me, Julie, and Becca! We went to this awesome park! they had tires for the gravel-stuff. It was insane... like a big rocket ship!!

In other news, here in shawnee, I've had a lot of fun! Holly, Beth, and myself spent an hour and a half at big lots yesterday sitting in their furniture. It looks like i'll be making quite a few friends at big lots. Beth and I have also considered buying a duck and keeping him on our patio.

This morning, we woke up early (Beth and I slept through our alarms...) and went to grab donuts, and then to a rummage sale at a local church!

There was a LINE to go in the church to buy rummage.

Holly about to go in the line..

Me, Holly, and Beth after our first purchases.

My purchases! I'm going to knock out the ugly picture/mirror and make them into bulletin boards, and then sell them at an event here at OBU called, "girls night out". Also, check out the vintage suitcase I got for ONLY $5. It would have been $50 or more at an antique store.

And finally...

Check out this awesome chair I got for $10!!!! Isn't it cute??

don't be skeered

[only real creek-ians will get/understand my title of this blog...]

I'm not going to start this post out with a lie [I never do, but I feel like this is a strong statement, and it's gaining your attention, am I right??]

This summer absolutely scares me. I've spent the last two summers at falls creek... the greatest place to spend your summer, the greatest camp, and the LARGEST christian youth camp in the world. Working at the FC keeps me busy: I get up and attend my first meeting at 7:45 AM... I get one lunch and one dinner break, and then I head up to my cabin at about 11:00 PM every night. So, very literally, working for about 15 hours a day. It's a tough, and sometimes rough job.

I had early anticipation of returning to 'the creek' this summer. I applied the day applications went online - November 1. I applied, went to a dinner for returning staff members, and then... well, I guess God clearly didn't want me there.

I was offered a job to be an ARD next year, and because I accepted that, I was asked to stay the summer to prepare for the next year. So, I'm living in Shawnee of all places for the summer.

I worry that I won't have much to do this summer, and I'll spend it being absolutely lazy [the exact opposite of what I've done the past two summers..]. I know for a fact though that God called me and chose me for the ARD job. Maybe this is just another step of the 'wilderness'. Maybe this is a summer dedicated on me just focusing on who my savior and my redeemer is. I'm really not sure why - but by the end of the summer, I hope to have enjoyed my 3 months of summer in Shawnee.

A verse that I've really been reflecting on for this summer [when i'm not bitter...] is:

Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in all the earth.

-Psalm 46:10

Despite my thoughts and feelings about my summer, He's called me here. Maybe for a new ministry, maybe to work on my spiritual life and growing with him. He will still be exalted in Shawnee, at Falls Creek, in China... and in the rest of the world... and that's what its all about! May God be exalted by these summer plans.. and may His plans become mine..