Saturday, November 08, 2008

in addition..

Oswald Chambers:

"The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and his apparently free choices are God's fore-ordained decrees. Mysterious? Logically contradictory and absurd? Yes, but a glorious truth to a saint."

election & a pick-me-up

How can I blog without mention of the recent election? No matter your party, your views, your opinion of the candidates, your race, your interpretation of politics according to the Bible... God was, is, and always will be. I think Derek Webb says is well- that we, as believers, serve a King & a Kingdom. Our Father in Heaven is in all and above all. So, where is all this anger coming from?

Whether who you voted for lost or won, trust ultimately lies in our Creator, not in one of His creatures.


On another note, this verse has spoken volumes to me this past week. Someone passed it on to me, so I figured I would share it with you:
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 68:19

The verse has been powerful for many reasons, so it's great to rest assured that I am not alone. My Savior daily carries the weight that I try to carry on my own. Every day, He is there, ready and willing to take on my cares, my issues, my mess. I am not alone. I can cast all of my anxieties on Him because He cares for me. Praise be to the Lord, to God my Savior, who daily bears my burdens!!

Friday, October 17, 2008

stealing computers

think about this with me. how many times have we left our computers unattended in a public place, or seen someone else do it? (this is not a rhetorical question)

confession: i just did it. i set my computer bag in a booth at panera and went to the bathroom. my justification upon doing it was that all the guys around my booth were on their own computers.

once i entered the bathroom, the thought crossed my mind that one of those guys might be a computer stealer: someone who camps out at places like panera, coffee shops, & other free wifi joints, waiting for an trusting individual (like myself) to leave the computer for a short time. then, as soon as the victim walks away, the predator packs up his own stuff and on his bolt out the door, grabs the lonely computer!!! the culprit simply used his computer as a guise.

final thoughts:
i believe it's absolutely absurd that i left my computer out in the open, and i could blame it on the fact that i never used to lock my house or car until college... but i won't. what can you blame it on?

Saturday, September 27, 2008

in the spotlight

IN THE SPOTLIGHT is a new feature i'm adding to my blog.... it will feature a piece of art by me that tells a story or has a story behind it. i hope you look forward to these!

first, i wanted to spotlight the photo at the top of my blog page.

it's only a fraction of one of my favorite photos of all time! it was taken when i studied abroad in granada, spain-- in a plaza (i forget which one right now) that i really loved. it was so lively; live music all the time, tons of florists' shops bordering the square, and people talking and eating outside. a true european experience! i just happened to get a shot of this little child crawling in the sunlight. i couldn't have planned this if i wanted to.

here is the original:

Monday, September 22, 2008

the robot

what i'm into now:



isn't this amazing?!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

so, i think i can dance

looking at my previous few posts, i realized that they have been pretty intense. and as we all know, that just isn't my life at all. i have moments of intensity, yes, but i figured that my silly side needs to come out in my blog more.

so, lately, i've been trying to dance better. i'm trying to perfect a few moves at a time. so far, i feel as if my "walk it out" has gotten to a level where i'd do it in public settings. my robot, however, isn't so great, but i still do it because who really does it all that well anyways?! i'm not naturally a great dancer. thankfully, i got the rhythm gene from my mother, so i can stay on beat for the most part. however, i really have to be taught how to dance, how to put moves together, etc. i learned how to "walk it out" via youtube instructions (you can make fun of me) and that proved successful, so that may be my main mode of learning to dance.

this is how i learned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMHblX16TSA

Friday, September 12, 2008

when i am weak, then i am strong

I just got back tonight from a jam-packed week in Philly. I'm still processing a lot of the info given to me, but I wanted to write a little before I hit the sack.

Being in a "class" or group with some amazing others was definitely a highlight of the week. It was really encouraging being around those with similar career paths. Hearing their life stories and all that God has done for them further convinced me that this is where My Father wants me right now. I felt so loved by the WHM Office/Sending Center the entire week, and I couldn't ask for a more prayerful group of people! From the food to the car rides, foosball games to Betsy's iced caramel lattes, conversations to homemade dinners every night... I cannot describe to you the love and care I feel from the people I spent time with.

I am so moved and thankful for everything. I feel this constant bear hug around me right now.... haha!

And to make things a little more clear, I am now beginning to raise support for my time in Spain. Prayer would be greatly appreciated and needed, because I cannot do any of this on my own, and I am hoping to depart in March (which means not very much time to raise funds!) I am holding strongly to the verse when God speaks to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).

Then, Paul continues with, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

thanks for your prayers and i'll keep you posted along this journey.


Monday, September 01, 2008

getting the ball rolling

This afternoon, I spoke with a missionary couple serving in Granada-- Tom & Jane Wills. I felt like it was a good initial conversation with them. I hope to be having many more. I'm also ready to be over there.

I am nervous about next week when I have Assessment & Orientation Week up in Philadelphia. I had to fill out a few tests, and I will be receiving my results from them, so it should be interesting and informative. Now that I think about it, excitement trumps my anxiety.... I get to meet some new people who will be doing the same thing as me for the next couple years! I hope I am able to really connect with at least one other girl while I am there. Additionally, I will be living with a family for a week, so that will bring new experiences!

More about the convo with Tom & Jane: Like I was already praying, they told me that an ideal scenario would be for me to be in Spain by March. I was thrilled with that news! What's difficult about that, though, is less time being around the family. It's tough to even talk about leaving for Spain, because I know it's difficult for my family. I think it's hard to understand what I'm doing when one hasn't felt a calling like this before. On the other hand, it's hard for me to understand where my parents are coming from because I don't have children. Two years isn't that long, though!! While in Granada, I feel like I'll have my hands in many different things... I like the idea of meeting people, building relationships, sharing the gospel, learning Spanish, living in community, working alongside of a team, planting a church, and meeting any other needs.

I know that support-raising is a faith-building process, but I'm already worried about doing it. It's such a blessing that for the past few summers I haven't had any problem raising funds, and I've had the most amazing support team. However, this time I'm gone for much longer and already feel alone. In the past, several friends and I raised support simultaneously and I was in school around all my friends. This time is just different, and I'm going to start praying for my support tonight. I would really love to be gone by March..... maybe spend another birthday at the beach in Nerja?? :)

Monday, August 25, 2008

last week living in charlotte

i've considered charlotte my home for the past 4 years now. although i've taken 2-3 month sabbaticals living elsewhere, i always come back to charlotte. this next week will technically be my last week living here in the Queen City.

it's not that i haven't come to love living in charlotte (finally), but i've decided to pursue missions in granada, spain instead. if you know me, you probably know some of my passions include loving & serving others, building relationships, living in community, church-planting, speaking spanish, learning about different cultures, traveling, and trying to live out the Great Commission. and that's what lies ahead of me in granada. it would be crazy for me to not run hard after this opportunity.

as of right now, i attend World Harvest's evaluation week September 7-12. then after that, i hope to begin raising support and working part-time somewhere!



i am this excited!!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

encouragement

a verse the Lord showed me tonight....


Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
"This is the way; walk in it."

isaiah 30:21

Sunday, August 03, 2008

unwinding, debriefing, reflecting, evaluating, introspecting.....

while doing those things listed above, i generally allow music to minister to me. this song below seems to line up with a lot of what i've been thinking and what the Lord has been revealing to me lately.

Loving a person just the way they are, it's no small thing
It takes some time to see things through
Sometimes things change, sometimes we're waiting
We need grace either way

Hold on to me
I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through

There's a lot of pain in reaching out and trying
It's a vulnerable place to be
Love and pride can't occupy the same spaces baby
Only one makes you free

Hold on to me
I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through

If we go looking for offense
We're going to find it
If we go looking for real love
We're going to find it

sara groves, loving a person

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

peace & deliverance

i cannot believe the summer months have almost passed. it feels as if i'm in the eye of the hurricane-- like everything around me is up in the air, like i should be a basketcase or really chaotic myself-- but i'm not. props to God! that sounds corny, but seeing as how i'm watching opportunities pass on by, yet feel at peace where i'm standing, is a sheer act of His supernatural power!!

i'm beginning to realize that all i have to offer is my life, my service, myself-- to the Lord. He wants me to follow Him no matter what, where, who, when, why, or how. His plan is way bigger than i can even begin to imagine for myself. we're all a part of something greater than our little worlds. i'm believing He is preparing me for something wonderful and befitting, even if it's not even on the radar right now.

i have decided to live in Charlotte indefinitely. i'm living with some friends in the university area and working rent-paying jobs. i hope to become more involved with my church, especially its youth, and, God-willing, take some sort of educational course. i also want to continue making art and will work on putting together gallery-worthy pieces.

i will now leave you with lyrics to a song i can't stop listening to lately. although it's a couple years old, mat kearney's "girl america" won't quit knocking on my heart's door. here are a few lines:

My girl America, can't you see
It's not the circumstances that determine who you're gonna be
But how you deal with these problems and pains that come your way
It's for you that I pray with hope for a brighter day
So I say, your deliverance is comin'


Monday, July 07, 2008

nothing profound

per request of my mother, i'm going to write a bit.

both a lot and a little has been going on lately. allow me to explain.

it's been almost a month since my last post unfortunately. here are some highlights from that uncharted time....

june 10: my cousin, shaul, graduated from ministry school.

june 13: free movie on the lawn at freedom park

me & meghan

june 14: bridal shower for natalie & fun out on the town with megan



june 21: klif & amanda wommack's wedding on hilton head island with jessica as my date!


june 26: got to hang out with nana at the beach for a day

june 27: douglas & kaitlin rose's wedding in charleston/kiawah!

july 2: brickhouse dinner with the fam for jacob's bday


july 3: pops in the park (symphony at freedom park) & FIREWORKS!!


july 4: mamaw & papaw's for cookout & FIREWORKS!!





lastly, here's a little fruit from the garden i'm tending...


more to come....

Monday, June 09, 2008

i'm still alive

i'm hopeful. been thinking a lot. i have a lot of time to think.

i like watering plants, watching them grow. watching tomatoes ripening daily inspires me.

human birth has also been all around me lately. from newly pregos to newborns, i love being around new life!

i also sold my first painting saturday. i'm actually quite thrilled about it, because it was a decent-sized one and it gave me some much-needed confidence.


the painting which sold!


Saturday, May 31, 2008

multi-tasking creatures

let me tell you, i have really been enjoying the weather lately. it all started when my a/c broke in my car about 2 weeks ago and i've been driving with the windows down all the time. i love experiencing the sounds of the street, people, cars, and music drowned out by the wind. (i've actually missed my turn several times because i'm so distracted). seeing people walk down the street, staring at the driver next to me at the stoplight, city lights, and watching the blurry trees whip past me. what i noticed most tonight was the smell. the smell of wind, of humidity, of the country versus the city, and of the italian restaurant's dinner menu.

the crazy thing, though, is that we can listen, see, and smell (as well as drive and think) all at the same time. we're innately multi-taskers. God made our bodies to perform countless functions simultaneously. i don't understand what goes on internally, but i am so thankful we are complex creatures. it's all a part of God's mystery.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

i'm lazy

my sweet mother came over to my place for a solid 5 hours to help me pack up my apartment. first of all, i have too much stuff. way too much stuff. i desire to lead a much simpler life than i do.

by the end of the packing time and as we were talking afterwards, i realized that i am very lazy. the reason i buy gifts or cards and don't end up sending them to people is because i'm lazy. wow, i've never called or considered myself that, and it really makes me angry. so, i want to fight this and become a harder worker. i'm praying through a few verses that will hopefully encourage me to not be lazy.

"For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread."
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

"A lazy man does not roast his prey, but the precious possession of a man is diligence."
Proverbs 12:27

"Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."
Romans 12:11


Sunday, May 25, 2008

get ready....

i think something big is about to happen. i feel it in the air. the Spirit is moving. i just had to share that i feel it. it's thick.

i'll let you know when something happens.

until then, here are recent photos from my trip to DC (Annandale, VA). i mostly visited and hung out with Graham & Nicole and their friends. the Davis' were so loving and hospitable. i soaked in all their love and rested a ton. i wish i could see them more!

also, mark beavers took me to my first MLB game! the Nationals lost to the Phillies by 1 run in the 9th.
me, coley, kim

the davis'


only six months behind... or ahead

The first of June is just around the corner, and I decided that I want to once again attempt to read the Bible in a year. I figured that writing this on my blog would naturally keep me accountable. I'm kind of excited about it. The furthest I've made it is through Esther a couple years ago. This time, I plan on reading some OT, some NT, some of a psalm and some of a proverb. I believe this approach will be better for me because it offers variety. We'll see!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

ramblings of a novice

novice
noun
a person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation

I realized this evening that I am, indeed, a novice. That's a much nicer-sounding word than newbie, beginner or rookie. Novice sounds like I'm going somewhere, have direction, am educated and sophisticated yet lack experience because of my age.

Words mean a lot more to me than I've previously thought. This is supposedly one of the toughest transitions of my life-- at least that's what everyone is telling me. And I believe them. How can I argue when I have never gone through it? I'm not sure why I would want to argue either, considering how many people I know who are going through this transition or have just gone through it... and it was so difficult for them.

Even as hard as it may be, I would like to keep a record of my feelings during this period. I'm not really sure what to call this season of my life yet-- hopefully some hip, cool and clever name-- but I will nonetheless write about my experience as a recent college graduate, who hasn't any clear direction of what to do with her life. Please follow me while I learn to live independent of external financial help (parentals) and dependent on God.

I assure you this will be entertaining, messy, and most of all a learning experience...

Saturday, May 10, 2008

i'm graduating today


today, i'm graduating. it's 4am, i just finished everything i had to do before i sleep, and now i can't sleep.

but i'm graduating today, so sleep is pretty much irrelevant.

i'm having a killer graduation party with BBQ tonight, and i can't wait for all my friends and family to meet. it'll be fun. i'm making guacamole. and i made tons of brownies. mmm..... my faves!

¡felicidades!