So, once again, it's been a while since my last post.  I just rarely feel like I have anything worth your time.  Today is really no exception, but I felt like writing so here goes.  :)

In an update from former posts, I finally got a job about two weeks ago... yay!!!  I love it, too!  I work at Mardel and the people are wonderful.  There are a few technical difficulties, however, mainly the fact that I am driving approximately 45-minutes each way in full-size pickup to only work about 20 hours a week at a seasonal job that I might not even have in a month or two if they decide not to keep the seasonal employees on staff (this depends a lot on if other employees leave to go back to school, etc.).  Otherwise, it's been good.  I've never worked retail before so I have enjoyed learning a new skill and getting some "cash-handling" experience. 

I have applied and interviewed for a position on campus that I think would be great, but I've learned the hard way too many times to get my hopes up about it.  I should (hopefully) hear something back from them this week.  At first I was very intimidated by the position, Accounts Payable Clerk, and wondered why in the world they were asking me to apply.  I didn't feel like I was qualified at all, but after the interview and hearing what it really is I don't think it will be too difficult at all.  I've actually already done a lot of what would be required with some of my past employment.  The ladies that interviewed me both seemed VERY sweet and they sounded like they enjoy working there so who knows?!  :)

In other news, God has really been working on me a lot lately.  Showing me a lot of flaws in myself that I didn't know I had and/or didn't want to admit.  He has also shown me a lot about who He is (note the book I'm reading) and it has been challenging, frustrating, exciting, and encouraging all at the same time.  It has definitely been a humbling and eye-opening read.  I recommend it to EVERYONE!!!  I have one more chapter left, which is rather bittersweet.  I am not sure what I'll read next.  Probably a book for my upcoming Hermeneutics class.  If not one of those, then possibly "Desiring God" by John Piper or a Ted Dekker book... we shall see.

In conjunction with reading "The Holiness of God", I've been working my way through the Bible at a much quicker rate than I'm used to and it's also been tough, but totally worthwhile.  My friends challenged me (not directly, but God definitely used them to convict me) to read through the Bible in 90 days.  If you want to be stretched give it a try!  There have been days when I would have rather been punched in the face than read (and a few days when I didn't read at all, sad to say), but it's been an incredibly rewarding experience.  I should finish up right around the time school starts back up, but I am going to try to start it again... we'll see how well that works out when the time comes.  One of my friends is reading through in chronological order and another friend is reading it in the order it was in the Hebrew cannon.  Both of these methods intrigue me so maybe I'll give one of them a shot this next go round.

Today has been a great, yet unusual, Sunday.  I help out with our college group at church and our leader is on vacation this week so one of my friends and fellow seminary students/ LifeGroup members filled in this morning.  He did a great job walking the group through 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.  So... great job, Jon B!!!  Then in "big church" we've been doing a series on worship and it has been extremely powerful.  Today was no exception.  They ended the service by giving each person a small card that said "Laments" and it was numbered 1-5.  Our pastor then asked us to each write on our card what it was that kept us from truly worshiping and then to lay our cards at the altar as a symbol of putting those distractions/ sins/ etc. behind us so that we could focus on the King in all His glory.  It was a wonderful, yet once again humbling, experience.  I'm pretty sure God is teaching me humility.  That seems to be the story of my life these days.  Haha!

After church I came home and ate some lunch then started baking stuff for LifeGroup tonight (it's my week to bring snacks).  Since it's T-Down's and Mr. Yankey's birthday, though Aaron won't get to enjoy it since he's out of town, I made chocolate cupcakes... which I need to go ice soon.  I am also making a "mock apple pie".  It tastes just like an apple pie, but it's zucchini instead of apples!  It's craziness, but my dad made it recently and you really can't tell it's not apple!!!  My parents had a TON of zucchini from their garden so they sent some home with me so I decided to give it a whirl.  I hope mine turns out like his did!  I'm also taking ice cream tonight so there will be a plethora of snacking options.  Haha!

Welp, I need to go ice those cupcakes and pull the pie out of the oven so I can make it to the "England Trip Share Time" at church this evening... it promises to be a wonderful night of hearing what God did while our group was there and saying some bittersweet farewells to the lovely Britts that have graced us with their presence the last few weeks!  I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Give your self 11 e-props for reading this entire post!  :)
<C><

They’ve heard it all a hundred times
But no one lived it before their eyes
The hypocrites have had their day
And everyone else is left to pay

My barrier is shattered, to pieces it fell
There are too many lost with stories to tell
Of how life has been cruel, daunting, unjust
And how they despise those saying, “Just trust”

I admit I’ve been jaded, unscathed by their plight
I’ve been vile and selfish, hiding the Light
As life’s realities come crashing down
There’s nothing left but to just ask “How?”

How can I not fall on my face
And cry out to God for His mercy and grace
To fall from the skies on each one of these
As the sun and the rain fall on the trees?

How do the tears not come streaming down
As a bride with blood staining her gown?
And how can I sit in undignified bliss
As they lie broken by my own remiss?

The King, I know, is opening my eyes
Do I long to see or is He having to pry?
What He will show me I don’t fully know
But wherever He leads, there I must go


"Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice. "
~ Psalm 51:16-17 (The Message)



God has been showing me a lot lately.  On Spring Break I went with my church to Mexico where I learned about true service and had my first experience of a truly international worship service and it's amazing.  The song "How Great is Our God" took on a whole new meaning as I joined my voice with a group of people who are also singing it, but in a different language.  Also, I have realized that I have opportunities to share (even though I'm in the "seminary bubble") and that I had better start taking advantage of those opportunities.  I have learned to be less judgmental and more broken towards the lost.  I thought I knew this already, but my life didn't reflect it like it should.  I am learning about prayer and preparing for revival (check my previous post) and praying that revival falls on Youth Ministry Lab this weekend.  I am also learning to trust God.  I have been unemployed since the first week of February, but God has continually supplied all that I need.  And now I might have finally found a new job (it's not 100% certain, but it's definitely a step in the right direction).  But mostly, I am learning to be completely broken before the Lord.  Sometimes it's painful, but the light inside shines through the cracks of a broken vessel so I pray that God is being seen and glorified through my brokenness and I trust that He will put the pieces back together as He sees fit.   I pray that you all (if anyone still reads this) have a wonderful weekend!

In Christ,
<C>< 

1. God is absolutely amazing and exciting.

2. This semester is going to be exponentially better than last semester.

3. Coldplay's "Fix You" is the most soothing song on the planet.

4. True laughter really is the best medicine and good for the soul.

5. Friendships must be cherished.

6. Satan is like the little poppers on the 4th of July... loud and everywhere, but powerless.

7. Life's tough... get a helmet and enjoy the ride!

8. Revival is coming and I want in on it!!!

9. I have to trust God... even if deadlines are coming and numbers aren't adding up (but it's actually getting exciting to know that He is going to provide.  I can't wait to see how He does it!).

10. Normandale Baptist Church is amazing.

11. It's a bit chilly in el apartmento at the moment.

12. I REALLY need to improve my Spanish skills ASAP!

13. I am sooo blessed.

14. Youth Ministry Lab is going to be amazing.

15. I've never been so excited about an 8 a.m. in class in my entire life.

16. I want to learn to drive a stick and I want to take a self-defense course of some sort.

17. Odd numbers bless my soul.

18. If I couldn't be random I would probably have a mild stroke.

19. It feels weird not running solely on adrenaline all the time.

20. Accountability is a precious gift.

21. Milk is pretty tasty.

22. I want to stop taking things for granted (I'm sure this will be an easy task).

23. I need to go to bed.  :)

Goodnight, all!  Sleep well and have a beautifully blessed weekend!

In Christ,
 <C><