Thursday, September 16, 2010
The New Girl's Attempts at Being Faithful
I haven't blogged in forever, but part of my new job description is to contribute on another blog. I posted today, and it gives a pretty good update on my life. It's the K-West blog of Kanakuk Kamps. Check it out!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Win a prize if you help me find the answer to #2
Honestly, I can’t believe it’s 2010. Where did this year go? Wow, I officially sound like a 50 year old woman (i.e. my mother!). This has been quite an eventful year in my life. I have:
-Graduated college and left getting to spend every day with some of my best friends
-Created an entirely new set of friends at the Kanakuk Institute that I get to spend everyday
-Attended my last OSU sporting events as a collegian
-Witnessed two of my best college friends get married
-Made one of the craziest and best decisions of my life to go to the Kanakuk Institute
-Welcomed the first baby from my group of friends
-Had my favorite summer at K-West up to this point
-Learned more in three months at the Kanakuk Institute than my entire life prior
-Watched my family grow immeasurably in the last year and am excited to see what 2010 holds
Wow! When you sit back and reflect on the things that have happened over the span of a year, it really puts what is important in life into perspective. I must notice and remember on a day to day basis that I did not include any of my life’s trivial pursuits.
As I’ve been home these past two weeks (I had the opportunity to go skiing at Copper Mountain in Colorado with six of my Institute friends the week before Christmas cutting my time at home a little shorter), the most asked question has been, “How is the Institute?” Second most asked: “What are you going to do when you get done?” Well, I still have no clue what I’m doing post-Institute besides the fact that I’m working at camp again this summer (side note: If I don’t have a job lined up post camp, I’m legitimately considering moving to Colorado…If you know of any job opportunities or housing connections, let me know!), but I will answer the first question here for anyone that cares.
Short answer: The Institute has been great.
Longer answer: The above answer does no justice to what has been happening in my life, and I’m not sure that anything I could say or write can but I’ll try. The Institute has been great. I have learned more in the last three months than my entire life put together (exciting and frustrating all at the same time). Living in Branson has been a blessing in disguise. I have so many fun activities at my fingertips because I live in a tourist town (come visit and I’ll show you around!) but don’t have to enter the touristy part on a normal basis. The families that I get to hang out with, especially the Rapp’s, are teaching me things about marriage, family and life that I never anticipated. My 69 other classmates have been the biggest blessing of the last three months. I essentially live in a form of sorority life only there are boys and more morals (this is not a knock on real sorority life’s morals). We live life together. I am encouraged and challenged daily by these people in ways they aren’t even aware. I have made friends that I get to add to a group of people who will be in my life forever. I don’t know what I expected going into this experience, but it has surpassed whatever expectations I had. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else this year. With all of the good that it has been, it has also been hard. Everything I came into the Institute believing or thinking has been changed, challenged or solidified. While this is a great process that needs to happen, it is still hard. This part has truly added to the reasons the Institute has been great. While the Institute, the people and the teaching have been great, I must constantly remind myself that these things are great because the Lord is using them to change me from the inside out. The Institute, friends, Kanakuk, knowledge or anything else are not God and cannot be substituted for what is happening in my life this year. With all of this being said, the answer to your question is, the Institute is great.
2009, thank you for the memories. I’m looking forward to what 2010 holds and to finding the answer to question #2 (prayers and suggestions are welcome!). Happy New Year to all; may this year find us all seeking the Lord more and more.
-Graduated college and left getting to spend every day with some of my best friends
-Created an entirely new set of friends at the Kanakuk Institute that I get to spend everyday
-Attended my last OSU sporting events as a collegian
-Witnessed two of my best college friends get married
-Made one of the craziest and best decisions of my life to go to the Kanakuk Institute
-Welcomed the first baby from my group of friends
-Had my favorite summer at K-West up to this point
-Learned more in three months at the Kanakuk Institute than my entire life prior
-Watched my family grow immeasurably in the last year and am excited to see what 2010 holds
Wow! When you sit back and reflect on the things that have happened over the span of a year, it really puts what is important in life into perspective. I must notice and remember on a day to day basis that I did not include any of my life’s trivial pursuits.
As I’ve been home these past two weeks (I had the opportunity to go skiing at Copper Mountain in Colorado with six of my Institute friends the week before Christmas cutting my time at home a little shorter), the most asked question has been, “How is the Institute?” Second most asked: “What are you going to do when you get done?” Well, I still have no clue what I’m doing post-Institute besides the fact that I’m working at camp again this summer (side note: If I don’t have a job lined up post camp, I’m legitimately considering moving to Colorado…If you know of any job opportunities or housing connections, let me know!), but I will answer the first question here for anyone that cares.
Short answer: The Institute has been great.
Longer answer: The above answer does no justice to what has been happening in my life, and I’m not sure that anything I could say or write can but I’ll try. The Institute has been great. I have learned more in the last three months than my entire life put together (exciting and frustrating all at the same time). Living in Branson has been a blessing in disguise. I have so many fun activities at my fingertips because I live in a tourist town (come visit and I’ll show you around!) but don’t have to enter the touristy part on a normal basis. The families that I get to hang out with, especially the Rapp’s, are teaching me things about marriage, family and life that I never anticipated. My 69 other classmates have been the biggest blessing of the last three months. I essentially live in a form of sorority life only there are boys and more morals (this is not a knock on real sorority life’s morals). We live life together. I am encouraged and challenged daily by these people in ways they aren’t even aware. I have made friends that I get to add to a group of people who will be in my life forever. I don’t know what I expected going into this experience, but it has surpassed whatever expectations I had. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else this year. With all of the good that it has been, it has also been hard. Everything I came into the Institute believing or thinking has been changed, challenged or solidified. While this is a great process that needs to happen, it is still hard. This part has truly added to the reasons the Institute has been great. While the Institute, the people and the teaching have been great, I must constantly remind myself that these things are great because the Lord is using them to change me from the inside out. The Institute, friends, Kanakuk, knowledge or anything else are not God and cannot be substituted for what is happening in my life this year. With all of this being said, the answer to your question is, the Institute is great.
2009, thank you for the memories. I’m looking forward to what 2010 holds and to finding the answer to question #2 (prayers and suggestions are welcome!). Happy New Year to all; may this year find us all seeking the Lord more and more.
Monday, November 16, 2009
What comes before death....Plague 9!!!
Oh, what an interesting, fun, challenging, growing month it has been since my last post. I’m sure that you have been on the edge of your seats just waiting to hear what I have to say, so without further ado…..
Between now and my last post tons has happened. OSU football won three games and lost to Texas. Balloon boy was lost, but later found in a closet…his parents have now pleaded guilty to the hoax (crazy world we live in). The sad reality of the Ft. Hood shootings took place. Taylor Swift won entertainer of the year at the CMA’s; let’s be honest, she swept the show (whoo Tay Tay!!). The health care bill passed through the House of Representatives (not sure how I feel about this one, but thankfully this isn’t a political blog). Finally, maybe the biggest news of them all, Kappa Delta Sorority at Oklahoma State University won Freshman Follies (props to you guys because I don’ think KD had won a show in at least nine years prior to this).
Some exciting things have happened in my life as well.
-OSU Homecoming: I drove 10 hours with three of my friends from the Institute to make it back for my first OSU Homecoming as an alum. Being back in Stillwater for walkarounds was a blast and totally worth the ridiculous amount of time we spent in the car. I got to see almost everyone that I was hoping to and at least say hi and give them a big hug (if I didn’t see you, don’t feel bad about this comment…you’re one of the ones I failed to see J). Showing off my university to friends that don’t know anything about OSU was a fun experience as well. Blast of a road trip that allowed me to put into perspective how blessed I was during my undergrad as well as how blessed I am to be at the Institute currently.
-Institute Homecoming/Powderpuff football: Possibly the most fun, organized event here thus far. Four teams comprised of pretty competitive girls; boys filling the roles of coaches, trainers and mascots. Team name: Plague 9. Cheer: What comes before death?! PLAGUE 9!!! (reference to the 10 plagues that came upon Egypt in Exodus J)We lost in the finals. I relived my football frenzy days from college and pulled my back while playing…definite sign of old age. Worth it…every minute!!!
-Parent’s Weekend: Mom and Dad Rother came up to Shady B last weekend…it was an absolute blast. In true fashion, they were the center of many of the weekend’s laughs. Basically, every ridiculous story from my childhood was disclosed to my friends here (thankfully, they haven’t disowned me yet…I gave myself two months to prove myself before introducing the rents…J). In all honesty, it was a phenomenal weekend where Mom and Dad got to see for themselves a little bit of what I’m actually doing here. They got to meet my friends and hear about what we’re learning from their perspectives rather than just mine. Hopefully, they left with a little better insight and understanding as to what I’m doing with my life here and how God is at work in all of our lives.
-Silver Dollar City: If you get the chance to come to Branson near the holidays, do it. SDC is claimed to be one of the top 10 places to go for holiday décor or something like that…I vouch for it. I got to go with my K-Life kids a few days ago, and it is gorgeous. Word on the street is that there are four million lights. It’s awesome and totally worth attending.
Here’s just a quick update into what I’ve been doing the past few weeks. I’ve only been here a little more than two months, and I can’t believe how close I have become with the people here. Legitimately, these people are shaping who I am and who I am becoming. I wish that all of my worlds could collide and meet one another…maybe one day (like if I get married!!!). While I’m making great friends here, I am realizing how many great friends I have outside of this place. It has been a challenge keeping up with everyone, but I cherish the times I get to chat with each of you. Looking forward to Thanksgiving break and the opportunity to catch up and see some of my friends from home and school. A real update on what I'm learning coming soon! And remember…what comes before death….PLAGUE 9!!!
Between now and my last post tons has happened. OSU football won three games and lost to Texas. Balloon boy was lost, but later found in a closet…his parents have now pleaded guilty to the hoax (crazy world we live in). The sad reality of the Ft. Hood shootings took place. Taylor Swift won entertainer of the year at the CMA’s; let’s be honest, she swept the show (whoo Tay Tay!!). The health care bill passed through the House of Representatives (not sure how I feel about this one, but thankfully this isn’t a political blog). Finally, maybe the biggest news of them all, Kappa Delta Sorority at Oklahoma State University won Freshman Follies (props to you guys because I don’ think KD had won a show in at least nine years prior to this).
Some exciting things have happened in my life as well.
-OSU Homecoming: I drove 10 hours with three of my friends from the Institute to make it back for my first OSU Homecoming as an alum. Being back in Stillwater for walkarounds was a blast and totally worth the ridiculous amount of time we spent in the car. I got to see almost everyone that I was hoping to and at least say hi and give them a big hug (if I didn’t see you, don’t feel bad about this comment…you’re one of the ones I failed to see J). Showing off my university to friends that don’t know anything about OSU was a fun experience as well. Blast of a road trip that allowed me to put into perspective how blessed I was during my undergrad as well as how blessed I am to be at the Institute currently.
-Institute Homecoming/Powderpuff football: Possibly the most fun, organized event here thus far. Four teams comprised of pretty competitive girls; boys filling the roles of coaches, trainers and mascots. Team name: Plague 9. Cheer: What comes before death?! PLAGUE 9!!! (reference to the 10 plagues that came upon Egypt in Exodus J)We lost in the finals. I relived my football frenzy days from college and pulled my back while playing…definite sign of old age. Worth it…every minute!!!
-Parent’s Weekend: Mom and Dad Rother came up to Shady B last weekend…it was an absolute blast. In true fashion, they were the center of many of the weekend’s laughs. Basically, every ridiculous story from my childhood was disclosed to my friends here (thankfully, they haven’t disowned me yet…I gave myself two months to prove myself before introducing the rents…J). In all honesty, it was a phenomenal weekend where Mom and Dad got to see for themselves a little bit of what I’m actually doing here. They got to meet my friends and hear about what we’re learning from their perspectives rather than just mine. Hopefully, they left with a little better insight and understanding as to what I’m doing with my life here and how God is at work in all of our lives.
-Hoedown Throwdown: I’ve now attended two of these…the most recent was a 16 year old birthday party, and I must say: it was an absolute blast! Caller Bob, the 65 year old DJ, inevitably used me as his demonstration dancer throughout the night and referred to me as Vana White. Hysterical. Truth of the matter: I’m a better two-stepper today than I was yesterday. Also, all the work/time that I spent learning Hannah Montana’s Hoedown Throwdown this summer: definitely worth it!! Thank you Kathleen Tucker!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Two week hiatus in a nutshell (but, I'm long-winded)
I never thought I would be busier or more consumed by my surroundings than I was in college. I thought wrong. The Kanakuk Institute has changed my life. That might be a little bit of an overstatement, but my view of the world, the Bible, relationships, and God have all changed in the past month. I could leave this place today, and the month I’ve spent here would have been worth it. That is the power God’s Word has on lives and has had on mine thus far. I’m not done learning yet by any stretch of imagination (and won’t be until the day I die), but the past month has changed my entire life. The way I will live as a single woman, a wife and a mother (Lord willing), a daughter, a friend and a Christ follower have all changed or have at least been refined. For the first time in my life, I have realized the importance of being grounded in truth, which is the Word of God.
It has been an eventful couple of weeks since my last post, and there is no way for me to fill you in on everything, nor would you want me to. Extremely exciting news to my life…I got my computer back after a two week hiatus! She was having some major issues and needed some repair, so I have been computerless. Thankfully, I have great friends here that let me borrow theirs when needed for school, but I haven’t had one for much extracurricular activity. Case in point: lack of blogging. I apologize if anyone has been checking daily to see if I had updated on my exciting life….Here’s a quick rundown:
Funny/Random happenings:
1) This is probably the highlight of my hiatus: About 40 of us went camping. Let’s just say, I had never been camping before…ever (if you don’t count the fact that I live essentially outdoors in a cabin for three months every summer). Deprived childhood…I know, I’ve already talked to my parents about it, and they apologized! This was full out cook food on a fire, sleep in a sleeping bag kind of camping. Not to mention, the main part of our adventure included a 22 mile canoe trip (never done this either…How I was athletic director at camp this summer, I’m not sure). Well, within two miles of our trip…you guessed it…Laine (great new friend of mine from the ‘Tute) and I are headed straight for a stump in the middle of a rapid. We hit it, the canoe is perpendicular in the river, I attempt to steady it, but there is no hope. We flipped the canoe! I was sucked underwater and washed down river. I finally got my feet under me and our paddles, dry bags, really everything is floating past me. I wade through the river, grab our stuff, look back and thankfully Laine has the canoe (mind you, she is only wet waist down because she somehow made it out of the canoe safely). We finally get resituated and head down the river again, but at this point we are freezing (It’s already in the 40’s here at times). Long story short, we survived and got warmed up at the camp site, but we were one of only two canoes on the entire trip to flip. Miserable body temperature the rest of the way, but it was hands down worth every minute of it. It was hysterical, and made the trip that much more memorable. Missouri countryside is gorgeous, the next day was perfect weather and we didn’t flip our canoe day two. It was a weekend of firsts for me, and I loved them all. I’m not saying that I’m becoming some outdoors girl, but I would definitely do it again, and I want to go camping with my family when I have one.
2) Sunday brunch at Starvin’ Marvin’s (Starvin’ like Marvin, girl….line from some old school rap song)All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet with Brooke and Caroline (two of my funniest friends from the ‘Tute). Driving down the Strip of Shady B, see a billboard saying it’s only $4.99, and immediately whipped into the parking lot. Surprisingly great food. Even better company. Definitely visiting again.
3) Every student gives two talks throughout the year here in order to prepare us to speak in a large group setting. Never fear: reverse ABC order=my talk was the first week (actually thankful it’s out of the way)! In honor of the Greatest Homecoming Celebration in the nation, OSU, I related studying the Bible to pomping. Who would have ever thought those countless hours would have come into use later on in life?!
4) For those of you who know me, I have a tendency to be pretty honest in the majority of life situations. It’s official: I’ve been labeled brutally honest!! Firmly believe it’s one of the biggest blessings and biggest curses in my life…I’ll keep you posted on which one wins out.
5) Pyrotechnics convention invaded Shady B, which resulted in me witnessing the biggest and best fireworks show of my life. People of this world: thank you for having strange hobbies that allow me to enjoy myself…especially free!!!
Ok, a bit more serious happenings in my life:
1) Made an A on my first JBU assignment. I don’t say this to brag. I say this to say, if I can make an A in a master’s level class, then anyone who wants to go to grad school can! Be encouraged!
2) Favorite part of the Institute so far: Bible overview. Newsflash….the Bible is one book made up of 66 individual books…but guess what? They all fit together. There’s logic to the order. Nobody tells you these things growing up. Better newsflash: it’s not rocket science to understand at all. I already understand things in the Bible that I didn’t before simply because I can now grasp the big picture of the Bible in its’ entirety. Interested in gaining this knowledge? Read Max Ander’s 30 Days to Understanding the Bible and Mitch Mahor’s Clarifying the Bible.
3) I have been here for one month…I have learned more this month than most likely my entire life combined. This excites me, but the fact that I grew up in church and didn’t learn much at all both upsets me and breaks my heart. Lord, let me be a woman who knows Truth and teaches it to others. Let our churches be places that teach Truth and lead their congregations well. Please don’t let us continue to drop the ball. We must know what we believe to really believe it. Seek out Truth because it’s probably not going to be handed to you.
4) On Sunday, I attended the most uncomfortable, doctrinally unsound church I’ve ever attended. I was warned that it was going to be before I went, but I wanted to be able to discern for myself what this looks like in order to be aware of it when I am living on my own next year looking for a church. I don’t exactly know what the prosperity gospel is, but that is what I would have equated this church to. It was all based on works, giving and essentially making ourselves our own god. Jesus was mentioned but the need of a Savior was not; Scripture was used but it was out of context; it was “church,” but these people were being led astray and wholeheartedly buying into it. My heart was broken for these people. This idea of needing to know Truth and apply it to our lives is once again a theme in my life. I want and need Truth for a variety of reasons, but one of them is to discern whether or not what I am being taught is true. Is the church that you are attending teaching Truth? It’s scary to think how easily one can get sucked into lies and false teaching without knowing Truth.
5) We had to write our vision statements for our lives this week. Considering I don’t have a clue what I want to do after the Institute, this was a difficult task. I have been wrestling through it for a week and still don’t have my final product, but I’ve decided that my vision shouldn’t be determined by my career. What I do with my life doesn’t define who I am…Hopefully who I am will change the way I do life. I simply want to be a legit disciple of Christ and know and live out the Word of God. I then want to teach others the Word (specifically college-aged women). I can do this on a daily basis, with or without the perfect career. So, Mom and Dad, I know you’re wondering if I’m ever going to get a job…I will eventually! But, my vision for the way I will live my life will not have to do with the career that I end up doing.
That was a ton of information summed up very briefly, but, to an extent, this is where I am. I am having the time of my life, but I am also being challenged daily. My hope is that maybe one of you will be challenged by something that I am challenged with. Looking forward to what lies ahead for sure. This week is marriage and family week…who knows what I’ll take away from this. Oh and if you care, I’ve finally decided that I’m coming to walkarounds for Homecoming on Friday, and I’m bringing some of my Institute friends!!! After doing my talk on OSU Homecoming, I decided I couldn’t miss my first Homecoming as an alum. Can’t wait to see any of you that will be there!
It has been an eventful couple of weeks since my last post, and there is no way for me to fill you in on everything, nor would you want me to. Extremely exciting news to my life…I got my computer back after a two week hiatus! She was having some major issues and needed some repair, so I have been computerless. Thankfully, I have great friends here that let me borrow theirs when needed for school, but I haven’t had one for much extracurricular activity. Case in point: lack of blogging. I apologize if anyone has been checking daily to see if I had updated on my exciting life….Here’s a quick rundown:
Funny/Random happenings:
1) This is probably the highlight of my hiatus: About 40 of us went camping. Let’s just say, I had never been camping before…ever (if you don’t count the fact that I live essentially outdoors in a cabin for three months every summer). Deprived childhood…I know, I’ve already talked to my parents about it, and they apologized! This was full out cook food on a fire, sleep in a sleeping bag kind of camping. Not to mention, the main part of our adventure included a 22 mile canoe trip (never done this either…How I was athletic director at camp this summer, I’m not sure). Well, within two miles of our trip…you guessed it…Laine (great new friend of mine from the ‘Tute) and I are headed straight for a stump in the middle of a rapid. We hit it, the canoe is perpendicular in the river, I attempt to steady it, but there is no hope. We flipped the canoe! I was sucked underwater and washed down river. I finally got my feet under me and our paddles, dry bags, really everything is floating past me. I wade through the river, grab our stuff, look back and thankfully Laine has the canoe (mind you, she is only wet waist down because she somehow made it out of the canoe safely). We finally get resituated and head down the river again, but at this point we are freezing (It’s already in the 40’s here at times). Long story short, we survived and got warmed up at the camp site, but we were one of only two canoes on the entire trip to flip. Miserable body temperature the rest of the way, but it was hands down worth every minute of it. It was hysterical, and made the trip that much more memorable. Missouri countryside is gorgeous, the next day was perfect weather and we didn’t flip our canoe day two. It was a weekend of firsts for me, and I loved them all. I’m not saying that I’m becoming some outdoors girl, but I would definitely do it again, and I want to go camping with my family when I have one.
2) Sunday brunch at Starvin’ Marvin’s (Starvin’ like Marvin, girl….line from some old school rap song)All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet with Brooke and Caroline (two of my funniest friends from the ‘Tute). Driving down the Strip of Shady B, see a billboard saying it’s only $4.99, and immediately whipped into the parking lot. Surprisingly great food. Even better company. Definitely visiting again.
3) Every student gives two talks throughout the year here in order to prepare us to speak in a large group setting. Never fear: reverse ABC order=my talk was the first week (actually thankful it’s out of the way)! In honor of the Greatest Homecoming Celebration in the nation, OSU, I related studying the Bible to pomping. Who would have ever thought those countless hours would have come into use later on in life?!
4) For those of you who know me, I have a tendency to be pretty honest in the majority of life situations. It’s official: I’ve been labeled brutally honest!! Firmly believe it’s one of the biggest blessings and biggest curses in my life…I’ll keep you posted on which one wins out.
5) Pyrotechnics convention invaded Shady B, which resulted in me witnessing the biggest and best fireworks show of my life. People of this world: thank you for having strange hobbies that allow me to enjoy myself…especially free!!!
Ok, a bit more serious happenings in my life:
1) Made an A on my first JBU assignment. I don’t say this to brag. I say this to say, if I can make an A in a master’s level class, then anyone who wants to go to grad school can! Be encouraged!
2) Favorite part of the Institute so far: Bible overview. Newsflash….the Bible is one book made up of 66 individual books…but guess what? They all fit together. There’s logic to the order. Nobody tells you these things growing up. Better newsflash: it’s not rocket science to understand at all. I already understand things in the Bible that I didn’t before simply because I can now grasp the big picture of the Bible in its’ entirety. Interested in gaining this knowledge? Read Max Ander’s 30 Days to Understanding the Bible and Mitch Mahor’s Clarifying the Bible.
3) I have been here for one month…I have learned more this month than most likely my entire life combined. This excites me, but the fact that I grew up in church and didn’t learn much at all both upsets me and breaks my heart. Lord, let me be a woman who knows Truth and teaches it to others. Let our churches be places that teach Truth and lead their congregations well. Please don’t let us continue to drop the ball. We must know what we believe to really believe it. Seek out Truth because it’s probably not going to be handed to you.
4) On Sunday, I attended the most uncomfortable, doctrinally unsound church I’ve ever attended. I was warned that it was going to be before I went, but I wanted to be able to discern for myself what this looks like in order to be aware of it when I am living on my own next year looking for a church. I don’t exactly know what the prosperity gospel is, but that is what I would have equated this church to. It was all based on works, giving and essentially making ourselves our own god. Jesus was mentioned but the need of a Savior was not; Scripture was used but it was out of context; it was “church,” but these people were being led astray and wholeheartedly buying into it. My heart was broken for these people. This idea of needing to know Truth and apply it to our lives is once again a theme in my life. I want and need Truth for a variety of reasons, but one of them is to discern whether or not what I am being taught is true. Is the church that you are attending teaching Truth? It’s scary to think how easily one can get sucked into lies and false teaching without knowing Truth.
5) We had to write our vision statements for our lives this week. Considering I don’t have a clue what I want to do after the Institute, this was a difficult task. I have been wrestling through it for a week and still don’t have my final product, but I’ve decided that my vision shouldn’t be determined by my career. What I do with my life doesn’t define who I am…Hopefully who I am will change the way I do life. I simply want to be a legit disciple of Christ and know and live out the Word of God. I then want to teach others the Word (specifically college-aged women). I can do this on a daily basis, with or without the perfect career. So, Mom and Dad, I know you’re wondering if I’m ever going to get a job…I will eventually! But, my vision for the way I will live my life will not have to do with the career that I end up doing.
That was a ton of information summed up very briefly, but, to an extent, this is where I am. I am having the time of my life, but I am also being challenged daily. My hope is that maybe one of you will be challenged by something that I am challenged with. Looking forward to what lies ahead for sure. This week is marriage and family week…who knows what I’ll take away from this. Oh and if you care, I’ve finally decided that I’m coming to walkarounds for Homecoming on Friday, and I’m bringing some of my Institute friends!!! After doing my talk on OSU Homecoming, I decided I couldn’t miss my first Homecoming as an alum. Can’t wait to see any of you that will be there!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Glimpse into my first 2 weeks...
If these pictures don't do it justice, I'll go ahead and tell you...I'm loving this place. The people are great, and more importantly, I'm learning a ton. My computer is JACKED up right now, so I apologize for the delay in posts (if anyone even reads this)! Just a bit of a glimpse into my first two weeks in Shady B...more depth to follow soon!
Some of my new friends at Skate World!!
Laine and I at the Homecoming Dance...yes, that's a sequince(sp?) shirt!
Spotted at the Branson Landing...couldn't resist this picture!
Some of my new friends at Skate World!!
Laine and I at the Homecoming Dance...yes, that's a sequince(sp?) shirt!
$5 Tacky Formal...I got to spin...check that off my bucket list!
All the girls before our dance party....theme $5 Tacky Formal...It's a constant date party at this place, and I love it!
Branson High School Homecoming Football game...Whiteout Willard!
Alot of dancing thus far...right up my alley...Salsa dancing lessons!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Who will you serve?
On Thursday, I spent three hours sorting through the junk in my life and getting right before the Lord. I don’t even know exactly what getting right before the Lord means, but I simply rolled with it and asked myself a ton of tough questions backed with Scripture and deeply examined my life. The truth of the matter is that the Institute staff can ask me to focus, to learn and to check my heart as I am beginning this journey, but it means nothing unless I choose to focus, choose to learn and choose to examine my heart before the Lord. So, I chose to take our assignment seriously and really let it change my heart rather than simply going through the motions, and my prayer is that I will choose to learn, seek and change daily from here on out. The way we live our lives is a choice: a daily one. Who will we serve? “…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15. I pray that I will choose to serve the Lord daily, and I hope that you will as well.
We were given a packet that went through a series of topics and within each topic was a group of questions. It would have been easy to half-heartedly answer the questions, but I truly tried to answer honestly. I’d like to pose a few of the questions to you. Taking them seriously or not is up to you, but do with these what you will:
-How does grace affect the way you live? Ephesians 2:8-9 (What is the actual definition of grace?) I love how verse 10 goes on to talk about the good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We are not saved by works at all, but works accompany our salvation because of our heart change. If I’m honest, often times, grace doesn’t affect my life. I take it for granted all the time when in reality it is the greatest gift of all.
-What are your top 10 priorities? WOW…convicting. Where do you spend your time because I know I waste a ton of mine? Go back through and write what you want your priorities to look like and actively pursue changing them. Matthew 6:33.
-Are you struggling with anything that no one can see but you?
-Are you treating your body as God’s temple? Do you eat right? Get enough sleep and exercise? Are you being self-disciplined? Do you need to be dressed up to feel good about yourself? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
-Do you love the present world more than you love the eternal things that belong to God? Colossians 3:2, 2 Corinthians 4:18
-Do you find yourself so busy that you don’t have adequate time to meet with the Lord daily? How do you need to adjust your priorities in order to accommodate God? I need to wake up earlier, but in order to do that I need to start by going to bed earlier.
-Are you careful with the things you say with your mouth? Are you sarcastic? Ephesians 4:29 I think I possess the spiritual gift of sarcasm, so this is definitely one I need to keep an eye on!
-How do you respond to correction or criticism? Romans 13:1-5
-Have you committed each member of your family in prayer to the Lord daily?
-Is there anything that you need to confess before the Lord? Proverbs 28:13
I was challenged. I hope that you are as well. But remember: it’s a choice as to whom we will serve each day.
On a lighter note, I’ve LOVED my first week here. We’ve played softball and flag football, had a costume skating party, learned to Salsa dance and then had a huge dance party, seen the Chinese Acrobats and gone on a scavenger hunt through Branson. We’re in the process of hearing one another’s stories about how we came to know the Lord and how in the world we ended up in Shady B. We are building community and unity daily. I’ve met some solid people and look forward to becoming friends rather than acquaintances. Most importantly and the most exciting, the Lord is already teaching and challenging me, and I’ve only been here for a week. Tomorrow begins the search of finding a new church home. Here’s to week one of the Institute!
We were given a packet that went through a series of topics and within each topic was a group of questions. It would have been easy to half-heartedly answer the questions, but I truly tried to answer honestly. I’d like to pose a few of the questions to you. Taking them seriously or not is up to you, but do with these what you will:
-How does grace affect the way you live? Ephesians 2:8-9 (What is the actual definition of grace?) I love how verse 10 goes on to talk about the good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We are not saved by works at all, but works accompany our salvation because of our heart change. If I’m honest, often times, grace doesn’t affect my life. I take it for granted all the time when in reality it is the greatest gift of all.
-What are your top 10 priorities? WOW…convicting. Where do you spend your time because I know I waste a ton of mine? Go back through and write what you want your priorities to look like and actively pursue changing them. Matthew 6:33.
-Are you struggling with anything that no one can see but you?
-Are you treating your body as God’s temple? Do you eat right? Get enough sleep and exercise? Are you being self-disciplined? Do you need to be dressed up to feel good about yourself? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
-Do you love the present world more than you love the eternal things that belong to God? Colossians 3:2, 2 Corinthians 4:18
-Do you find yourself so busy that you don’t have adequate time to meet with the Lord daily? How do you need to adjust your priorities in order to accommodate God? I need to wake up earlier, but in order to do that I need to start by going to bed earlier.
-Are you careful with the things you say with your mouth? Are you sarcastic? Ephesians 4:29 I think I possess the spiritual gift of sarcasm, so this is definitely one I need to keep an eye on!
-How do you respond to correction or criticism? Romans 13:1-5
-Have you committed each member of your family in prayer to the Lord daily?
-Is there anything that you need to confess before the Lord? Proverbs 28:13
I was challenged. I hope that you are as well. But remember: it’s a choice as to whom we will serve each day.
On a lighter note, I’ve LOVED my first week here. We’ve played softball and flag football, had a costume skating party, learned to Salsa dance and then had a huge dance party, seen the Chinese Acrobats and gone on a scavenger hunt through Branson. We’re in the process of hearing one another’s stories about how we came to know the Lord and how in the world we ended up in Shady B. We are building community and unity daily. I’ve met some solid people and look forward to becoming friends rather than acquaintances. Most importantly and the most exciting, the Lord is already teaching and challenging me, and I’ve only been here for a week. Tomorrow begins the search of finding a new church home. Here’s to week one of the Institute!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Next Life Stage...Living Riskily!
Last weekend I attended my beloved Cowboys football game against the Georgia Bulldogs. While the football game was fantastic (this weekend with Houston was a little bit of a different story), I found myself observing the crowd during all the media timeouts. What a great place to people watch I might add. When did OSU become a dress wearing football school?! Everywhere I turned, there were girls in some variation of black, white and orange dresses. I felt like I was in the South…maybe at Auburn, Weagle, Weagle…where for whatever reason, girls wear dresses regularly to football games. I actually enjoyed the fact that dresses have become commonplace at OSU football games, but ladies, do me a favor…don’t wear the same dress as your best friend. Let’s strive for some individuality in our wardrobe…rock the dress, but find one that every other girl on campus doesn’t have. Looking forward to rocking a dress to the next game I attend as an alumna!
Now, you may ask, why does the wardrobe of OSU female students have anything to do with your blog? Well, when I got home, I started packing for the Institute and realized how much stuff I have. The amount of “stuff” that I have is RIDICULOUS. I began to process how much emphasis I place on material things. I spent as much time observing stupid dresses as I did watching a Big 12 team, my alma mater, defeat a great SEC team. Who does that? Yes, I want to dress cute. Yes, I want to have nice things. But, does looking cute and having “things” really matter in the scheme of life? The dresses at OSU allowed me to see how much importance I place on “things.” I still over packed for the Institute, let’s be honest. I still place WAY too much value on clothes and shoes, but I’m learning little by little.
Last Sunday, I think I got to hear one of the best, at least one of my favorite, messages that I’ve heard at church in a while. More than anything, I think that the message met me where I was at and challenged the crap out of me. If you can spare 30 minutes of your time, watch this. I don’t care if you are the most spiritual person I know or the person that could care less-THIS WILL BE WORTH YOUR TIME.
http://www.lifechurch.tv/message-archive/watch/stop-acting-like-a-christian/2
I want to live a “risky life,” and “stuff” doesn’t determine this in my life. I want to be involved in our broken humanity. I don’t want to sit on the sidelines in my Christian bubble with my Christian friends and my biblical knowledge being busy doing religion and watch our broken world. I want to meet the needs of our broken humanity because my heart longs to serve others because Christ serves me. I think that often times we are scared to get involved with our lost and broken world. I know I am. When we sit on the sidelines, we are missing it. Life is risky, and I have decided to discover how I can live it that way. I’m praying that this time in Shady B is only the beginnings to living risky. Let’s be honest though, this is still pretty comfortable. I don’t know what this looks like, but I have been challenged. Hold me accountable on this. My prayer is that I wouldn’t just gain knowledge of the Word, but that I would live the Word, and I think that a good start to that is by engaging in our lost and broken world.
On a lighter note, I have officially moved into the Kanakuk Institute in Shady B. I am settled into my cabana (I got the crib of a bed…literally it is an adult crib); I have my roommate (she’s 24, grew up a missionary’s kid in South Korea, and just finished her second year of teaching in Turkey…talk about different personalities and backgrounds being paired up). We are very different, but I think it’s going to be a good thing and that I’m going to learn a ton from her. I went to my first morning of class today. Good stuff, but I have a feeling that sitting for four hours is going to be a daily challenge. I’m definitely sick of having the same conversations over and over…you know, the recruitment small talk (what’s your major, where are you from, what’d you do in high school?) and the first days of staff training week (what school do you go to, what year are you, and oh, do you know so and so?). Nevertheless, I can already tell that there are some really neat people here, and I can’t wait to truly get to know them. I have officially begun my next life stage. Here’s to finding ways to living it riskily.
Now, you may ask, why does the wardrobe of OSU female students have anything to do with your blog? Well, when I got home, I started packing for the Institute and realized how much stuff I have. The amount of “stuff” that I have is RIDICULOUS. I began to process how much emphasis I place on material things. I spent as much time observing stupid dresses as I did watching a Big 12 team, my alma mater, defeat a great SEC team. Who does that? Yes, I want to dress cute. Yes, I want to have nice things. But, does looking cute and having “things” really matter in the scheme of life? The dresses at OSU allowed me to see how much importance I place on “things.” I still over packed for the Institute, let’s be honest. I still place WAY too much value on clothes and shoes, but I’m learning little by little.
Last Sunday, I think I got to hear one of the best, at least one of my favorite, messages that I’ve heard at church in a while. More than anything, I think that the message met me where I was at and challenged the crap out of me. If you can spare 30 minutes of your time, watch this. I don’t care if you are the most spiritual person I know or the person that could care less-THIS WILL BE WORTH YOUR TIME.
http://www.lifechurch.tv/message-archive/watch/stop-acting-like-a-christian/2
I want to live a “risky life,” and “stuff” doesn’t determine this in my life. I want to be involved in our broken humanity. I don’t want to sit on the sidelines in my Christian bubble with my Christian friends and my biblical knowledge being busy doing religion and watch our broken world. I want to meet the needs of our broken humanity because my heart longs to serve others because Christ serves me. I think that often times we are scared to get involved with our lost and broken world. I know I am. When we sit on the sidelines, we are missing it. Life is risky, and I have decided to discover how I can live it that way. I’m praying that this time in Shady B is only the beginnings to living risky. Let’s be honest though, this is still pretty comfortable. I don’t know what this looks like, but I have been challenged. Hold me accountable on this. My prayer is that I wouldn’t just gain knowledge of the Word, but that I would live the Word, and I think that a good start to that is by engaging in our lost and broken world.
On a lighter note, I have officially moved into the Kanakuk Institute in Shady B. I am settled into my cabana (I got the crib of a bed…literally it is an adult crib); I have my roommate (she’s 24, grew up a missionary’s kid in South Korea, and just finished her second year of teaching in Turkey…talk about different personalities and backgrounds being paired up). We are very different, but I think it’s going to be a good thing and that I’m going to learn a ton from her. I went to my first morning of class today. Good stuff, but I have a feeling that sitting for four hours is going to be a daily challenge. I’m definitely sick of having the same conversations over and over…you know, the recruitment small talk (what’s your major, where are you from, what’d you do in high school?) and the first days of staff training week (what school do you go to, what year are you, and oh, do you know so and so?). Nevertheless, I can already tell that there are some really neat people here, and I can’t wait to truly get to know them. I have officially begun my next life stage. Here’s to finding ways to living it riskily.
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