Life on This Side

New Book to Read

2010-07-14T10:56:00.003-05:00

Here I am, 26, and finally starting a career. At least what I hope will be a career. After consultations with God, my husband, my parents and others it has been decided that my ministry is going to take place in the public school system of America. I don't know how or why but that is that. I will begin teaching Science to Jr. High students in the very near future, about a month from now. I'm excited.

It's like getting a book but not getting to read it yet. I've had this book sitting on my shelf for about 7 months and have just now had the opportunity to sink my teeth into it. There were a lot of other things going on that required my attention: grad school, graduation from grad school, getting married, training to be a teacher, getting a teaching job, that kind of thing. But alas now I am reading it.

I must say when I bought it I had no idea what it was about. "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" isn't the kind of information giving title that makes you jump out of your seat to read it. However it was intriguing enough to buy, not to mention the latest from Donald Miller (the Blue Like Jazz guy) who writes as if he were having a conversation with you across the table. So far so good. Really makes you want to jump into a story <- read it to better understand that.

So, I feel like I am doing that. Jumping into a story. I'm going to be a science teacher. I have worked hard, and been through hours of training sessions to get to this point but I feel as though it was all the preface. Chapter 1 is finally starting. It the part where I find out I am completely unprepared to teach science to Jr. High students and yet if I could start today I would. It's the chapter when I express all my fears about wanting to be liked and if my name on my social security records will get changed in time for my first pay check and insurance. It's the section of the book where all the anticipations and expectations are laid out, as if there was a lesson plan for the year and I am checking things off. It's the part where my husband and I embark on a new life adventure, together, for the first time. It's a love story, a fairy tale and a reality show. It's chapter 1. Welcome to my story. Hope you find it as good a read as I am.

The Neighbors

2010-02-09T11:32:00.002-06:00

Jason is off all day today, which naturally means he would be up all night playing games or watching movies. And, that's exactly what was happening (so I'm told) until about 1a.m. Around that time he heard some music and quickly discovered it was coming from the neighbors. He went out to ask them to turn it down in an attempt to prevent Jeremy or me from waking up prior to our 5 a.m. alarms. Turns out the music was coming from the car and the girl apparently has today off too and wanted to stay up and do her thing. After a little discussion about the music she turned it down or off and then began to attempt to put the car in the garage or closer to the house. I'm not really sure b/c I didn't get all the details.

none the less, she couldn't start the car b/c the battery was dead. Jason ask her if she needed jumper cables and she responded that her roommate was getting some and he would be back. So Jason comes back inside and watches through the window as the girl tries to move the truck around the car tearing up the yard- on their side. OUR SIDE IS FINE MOM PLEASE TELL DAD THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

Eventually she comes to the house and ask Jason if they can borrow some jumper cables. I'm guessing we are at 1:30-2 a.m. at this point. Jason has some and take them over and help the roommate jump the car and they get it started. At that point they invited Jason to play darts in the garage, knowing he is off today considering they have had plenty of time to talk. Jason accepts and the girl goes inside at some point leaving Jason and the guy, whose name I believe is Jason also, stay outside and talk.

Amazingly the conversation turns toward God. My Jason responding to a question. He tells the guy he talks to God everyday. Jason 2 is feeling lost and stuck in his job and says he's been praying about what to do. My Jason tells him maybe God is trying to tell him he should move on.

The conversation progresses into My Jason telling Jason 2 about my and Jeremy and our church. My Jason said no one has it all together but if we let God in he will work on us. He also told him about American Idol at our house tonight.

I don't know if they will come but I think we are gonna take measures to build on the door God probably opened a long time ago and that Jason finally walked through for all of us.

Jason was so excited he stayed up until 5 when I got up and told me this morning. After that he promptly passed out. lol That's my boy!

Thank you God for late nights and jumper cables.

Far too long

2009-11-04T17:09:00.002-06:00

I can't believe that I have only posted once this year. That is ridiculous! So here we go. Let's play catch up in a few sentences as possible.

I am living in Cleburne with mom and dad, trying to save money and finish school. It's been fun but I'm ready for mom to come home. Jason moved back to Belton in March so that has been hard to but 1 1/2 hours is a lot easier drive than 2,000 miles.

I will finish my masters in May thanks to a miss communication about my degree plan. I'm at peace- it's 3 field ed. hours so it'll be alright. I have one research paper and one group paper left for the semester. I will have my comps on the 16 and I've already passed my EBE so at the end of this semester the hard stuff is over. Hopefully.

I an working on a teaching certification. Right now I am trying to get a job preferably in Middle school english or social studies.

My baby sister is getting married Saturday and I am super excited! It is going to be a wonderful wedding.

Jason and I will celebrate 2 years of dating on November 24th and I an super excited about that as well.

Jeff and April had their third kiddo- Ali May in May and Ty started Kindergarten in August. Where does the time go?

My only remaining college roommate got married in June. It was wonderful to be back with everyone.

ACU Used my face for the job fair for the 5th semester in a row.

And finally, I have not started playing Christmas music yet because Sonic doesn't have their holiday cups.

Maybe I'll be inspired to keep up with this better but If I were you, I wouldn't hold my breath.

5K training

2009-04-26T19:20:00.001-05:00

So I know it sounds silly to train for a 5k but if you hate running as much as I do and have zero desire to do it then a regime is perfect. I started today and so far so good. It's a three week training with the weeks following the third being the same until the 5k. Wish me luck!

Absolutely Absurd Alliterations and HSM3 and CHRISTMAS MUSIC

2008-11-03T21:50:00.004-06:00

So I was sitting at Fuddrucker's Sunday night eating dinner with a few of the coolest Middle Schoolers I know and we started talking about alliterations. Apparently my 6th graders are learning about them in school. On of them said that his teacher was dancing around to one she made up "Billy's booty bumps Betty." The kids laughed and then I challenged them to make up a longer sentence that began the same way. This is what they ended up with, "Billy's booty bumped Betty because Bobby's bicycle bumper bounced between Beck and Bo." Not bad...

The next challenge was an alliteration with the letter "P"

"Petunia's pencils poked Paul's pickled pretzels while Peter prestigiously piled pretty pink pigs."

That one doesn't quite make as much sense but I got a kick out of listening to them make it up.

I am enjoying my last few weeks in Belton. It has been such a joy to spend time with the teens. It will be hard not to see them on a regular basis.

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I went and saw High School Musical 3 with three of the Middle School girls on Saturday. If you know me at all you know that when it comes to TV and Movies I have the same taste as a teenage girl. I love cheesy movies, sappy movies, and made for TV movies so when HSM3 came out I was totally pumped. I thought it was a great movie. Loved the music, the dancing and of course the love story. I recommend it to any of those who find your taste identifying with mine.

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All I will say about Christmas music is that it is time to get in the holiday spirit and that means a little bit of decking the halls and jingling bells. :o)

Seriously!

2008-10-30T20:52:00.002-05:00

Ok so for the third year in a row my face is the advertisement for the ACU Graduation fair BUT I finally got to see the poster hanging in the campus center. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a little picture. So here it is for the first time... Me and Me...

Watch out Sarah Palin

2008-09-11T22:13:00.005-05:00

A few highlights from vacation. It was great! I love the last picture. I was born to be on Capitol Hill!

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Metro Mission Update

2008-07-23T08:58:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone. I am here in Houston with the best group of 6th-9th graders in the world and while we are missing home we are doing some great things for the church here in Alvin.

Monday we spent the morning at a Retirement Center. We sang lots of songs and met some really sweet men and women. In the after noon we took turns painting and working outside around the church building pulling weeds and such.

Tuesday (Yesterday) we had a FREE carwash. We got rained on a little bit but we successfully washed the cars of the brave residents of Alvin, Texas. We also painted in shifts yesterday.

Today we are painting and cleaning. You didn't know we had such artist in our group did you? The painting we are working on is a mural the length of the children's hallway. The walls walk through the story of the old testament from Adam and Eve to Jonah and most stuff in between. There is also a "Jesus Wall" that is snapshots of the life of Christ, the highlights if you will.

The pictures you are going to see are just a few of the things we are doing. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to put up pictures of met goals.

Our kids are doing great and we are pumped about a great day today.

WEATHER UPDATE FOR OUR PARENTS: Hurricane Dolly is way south of us. We are watching the doppler closely and if we are in danger we will come home and call you on our way, however right now we are fine and the forecast here is simply rain. We have let the kids know that it is going to rain and maybe pretty hard but we are safe. They also know they can ask us if they need to call home and to tell us if they are scared. I assure you your children are in good hands and we will keep you posted. If you need to call you have our numbers.

Two weeks and counting

2008-06-08T23:57:00.002-05:00

So this summer I have the unique opportunity of directing the camp i grew up going to. I would have never thought in a million years I would inherit this amazing job but I am so blessed to have the opportunity to do it.

It is a lot of work and as the days count down and camp gets closer I am finding there is more and more to do. It's great to get to work with a team like I have. All the youth ministers and preachers in the area as well as some amazing members of our churches and some old friends. It's great!

I am excited but really busy so this post is mostly to solicit your prayers as this next month promises great things. Thank you for praying for me and the staff of Camp Koinonia and I'll keep you posted!

Yeah...Yeah..

2008-06-05T18:26:00.003-05:00

It's been a while. I know. I'm not apologizing. It's crazy busy. I hope everyone is doing ok. We are gearing up for the summer here in Belton. It's gonna be great and filled with great things to do but more importantly great ministry opportunities. I am really pumped about it.

Tonight is Belton High School Graduation and Saturday is Temple High School Graduation. I am really excited for our kids who are finishing High School at 8 pm tonight (which is pretty late). Maybe I'm old but I hope I can stay up all the way through Wardell. I think thats the last one I know.

Anyway. here are a few pictures of some of our graduates. enjoy and have a great evening.

Easter Weekend

2008-03-23T21:00:00.007-05:00

Here are some pictures from the weekend...

This is Val eating a chocolate thing with wine inside...she says it was good but this face says otherwise

Ava...

This was a Free Matthew West concert at Chick-fil-a in Pearland
Brantley...

I love this picture for a few reasons.... April and Ava are precious but Dad in Hilarious in the background...
Matthew is a pretty funny guy...

He's married ladies!
I was messing around with the effects on my new computer
It was as awkward as it looks...
Easter Egg hunting

This is my favorite one of the two of them...

I love how full his mouth is.

In our Easter dresses

I will post now Jonathan Paul!

2008-03-12T13:01:00.006-05:00

So life has been kind of busy. I finally have an intern and it has been amazing this last week and a half how much help she is. Just being able to delegate some things out has relieved me quite a bit. Currently the projects going on here at the Belton Church of Christ consist of Retreats-one for high school and one for middle school (that the one Sharon is doing!), the every present Sunday morning and Wednesday night classes, and of course camp! Camp is a lot of fun but it is a lot of work.

In the meantime here are some pictures from Sing Song back in February and From the FOG's (Fellowship Of God - the singles group) Murder Mystery Dinner.

I call this one..."What is church like?"

Murder Mystery Dinner

Have a Magical Day...

2008-01-28T10:59:00.003-06:00

I know I know...

2008-01-14T11:55:00.000-06:00

It's been a while. I get it. Lots of things have happened in my life since last I blogged. For starters, I am a full time youth minister! I am officially a youth minister at the Belton Church of Christ. Pretty cool.

I have my own apartment. I love it! It has been a blessings to live with the people from the church but it is also a blessing to have the funds to have my own place. Here are a few pictures of that.
My niece Ava is growing up and is beautiful. She has a lot of fun with her big brother. For more pictures of them you can look at Jeff and April's blog.Other than that things have been flying by. I had class in Abilene last week. Christian Spiritual Formation with David Wray. A wonderful class. Rich in content and spiritual practice.

Got to see lots of people over the holidays and enjoyed every minute I got to spend with them.

I hope things went well for you over Christmas.

Be Blessed!!!

Better Life Challenge

2007-10-20T09:28:00.000-05:00

Well, when people haven't blogged for a while there is generally this paragraph at the beginning of the "come back blog" that apologizes for not writing and thanks the readers for continuing to be loyal and read the blog (even though there is nothing there). I will not do this. I will not apologize for not blogging. I will not fall to the pressure to keep you all entertained with my witty words and useless comments on the world that surrounds us...BUT I will say thanks for still reading-you must be a lot like me and have nothing better to do OR be avoiding something you need to do but don't want to do; if you are in one of these positions-enjoy my mumblings.

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The Better Life Challenge- This will be the last challenge of the year and will carry me and whoever decides to join me through the new year hopefully creating a habit thus continuing beyond the time period set and developing a better way of living.
Here's the challenge:
Floss once a day: Some of you do this anyway but I have recently become aware of how very important for the well being of my teeth, as well as my wallet, it is to floss. I don't like to do it. It hurts, it takes time, and it makes me bleed but the doctors say "the more you do it the less it hurts and the less it bleeds." Whatever-we'll just have to see-I've been flossing for a week and I still bleed!
Remove contacts 4 times a week: I am one of those people who does EVERYTHING in my contacts. I don't like to wear my glasses so I don't take my contacts out. This is bad. I got an eye infection back in March because of this and have been doing better since then but still-I wear them too long-so I will take them out.
Work out 4 times a week: I like to work out but I'm not consistent so I'm going to try to be. I know 4 times isn't that much for most people but really...do you know me?
Drink more water:I don't drink enough water. Back in the 64 for 64 I felt so good and I think it was because I was so hydrated all the time so I'm gonna try to do better about that.
Veggies, eat them: I'm gonna try, don't judge me. Just for a little history on veggies in my family growing up I will quote my sister-in-law concerning trying to get Jeff (brother) to eat vegetables: "Delicious , it has tons of recipes that all sneak in puréed veggies so kids never suspect the foods they are eating taste good and are good for them. Actually I most excited about this for my oldest child…Jeff:)just kidding:) Who worse then Ty about eating his veggies. He even “fake” eats them trying to trick Ty so he will eat them.…Seriously folks it’s that bad!!"

So anyway, there it is. The Better Life Challenge. It will not officially start until November 1 and it will run until December 31, two months. The delayed start is simply because I will need to make a chart to keep track of all of these things. If you are interested in a copy of the chart so that you may take part in the Better Life Challenge let me know and I will email it to you once I get it finished. So until November 1....

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Ethics.....What should a graduate level class centered on Ethics consist of? I have my own ideas and it was nothing like my class so I am interested in whether I am justified in my disappointment. Let me know...

It was good to see some of you that I have seen in a while this weekend...
Chris and Stacey-God's blessings on your continued work in Bryan
Chris and Becky-God's blessings on your work in SA and on you weddings plans and marriage
Bordo-Keep letting God use you at FC. Those kids are so lucky to have you and your family there. He will bless you.
Austin-Work hard and figure out what to do with your life...(I like the skiing thing)
Clint-God's got amazing plans for you and I feel truly blessed to share a friendship with you. Thanks for letting me be a part of your life. Come see me.
Deanna- I love so much what we have and I thank God for you. You are always in my thoughts and prayers and especially as you look for a job. I love you (but not your cat-no offense)!

For all the rest of you...Be Blessed!!!

Vegetarian update...

2007-09-08T22:50:00.001-05:00

I failed! I lose! I did not complete the Vegetarian diet and I am proud of it. My body needs meat. I blame it on Adam and Eve.

Be blessed!!!

In Response to an inquiring mind...

2007-09-04T16:36:00.000-05:00

Today is day one of Meat Free Week times 2. Yes I know what you are thinking- 14 days Mandy? Seriously is that a challenge? The answer is YES IT IS! I eat meat every day like most people, what I do not eat every day are vegetables, unlike most people. So the goal of this 14 day challenge is not only to abstain from eating meat for 14 days, but also to learn to like some other things like salad and any vegetable that's not corn or green beans.

That said- here I go. If you have any recipes for vegetarian meals you would like to send me you can email them to msnelson06@gmail.com OR leave a comment with it there.

The no meat eating began as of 12:00 a.m. September 4 and will be complete 12:00 a.m. September 18. I already long for that day.

B e blessed!!!

The Crafty Shack

2007-09-01T08:52:00.000-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen with baby girls:

This just in:
You can buy cute little bows for your baby girls hair for really cheap.
I know this might be a pathetic little plug but I looked at the bows and they really are cute. April Nelson, my sister-in-law, has worked hard on these bows for her baby girl and has decided, after much encouragement, to put them out there in case anyone is interested in ordering them.

Click on the link to the right titled "The Crafty Shack" or just click here to go check them out!

Be Blessed!!!

A Jersey and a Diamond Ring

2007-07-29T23:17:00.000-05:00

I went to the Astros game Friday night with Alison and we had a blast. We were walking around the 4th level concourse (where our seats were b/c I'm a youth minster) and we saw this really cool deck outside. I started thinking and we started talking about how cool it would be to be proposed to at a baseball game. My personal preference would be a 'Stros game but I suppose any team would do (except the yanks!). I told her the guy that proposes to me at a baseball game with an Astros jersey in one hand and a diamond ring (a little one) in the other would win my heart. Like most of you would she laughed at me but nonetheless-it's true.

Besides even if he didn't win my heart I would say yes long enough to get the jersey and run! :o)

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On a different note. I only got three suggestions for the next challenge and they were all from the same person and they were all pretty good. For a list of them click on the comments link from the previous post and look at Chris Fields comment. Chris- I think I am gonna try the vegetarian thing but I don't know that I could do it for a month. I might go for two weeks and see where I get. I don't really like veggies so even 14 days will be really hard. I haven't made a decision yet. I am shooting to have the next challenge ready by mid-August so look for details then. I am still taking suggestions so let me know if you have one!

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I hope all is going well with every one. Leave me a comment-I would love to know what you are up to and what I can be praying about for you!

Be Blessed!!!

Today is the Day!

2007-07-12T10:51:00.000-05:00

First I would like to say thank you to those of you who still check and see if I have written. As you have probably suspected I have been kind of busy. The last two weeks I have been at camp Koinonia-The camp I grew up going to and now have returned to with my youth group. It's a good camp. I might write more about that on Convicted later. Anyway-Thank you for still believing that I exist somewhere in this vast expanse.

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Now for some very exciting news that most of you already know...My niece was born on July5. She is precious! Here are some pictures.

Her name is Ava Michelle Nelson. She weighed 9lbs. 5oz. and was 21 inches long. She has a full head of hair as you can tell and her big brother loves her very very much. It was fun to go down and see them! Yay for babies!

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And the last topic for the day but certainly not the most important nor pressing is the 64 for 64. Today is the last day and I cannot tell you how excited i am. The adventure has been long and challenging but with the help of the Lord God Almighty in Heaven I have persevered. It was harder to keep up with the challenge when I was in town because when you're at camp and you only get one soda a day and that's at dinner, it makes it easy to choose the path of truth and light. But alas, i am not sad to see this one come to an end. Diet Dr. Pepper in the morning is a Mandy necessity. Some drink coffee. Some drink tea. Some eat donuts. I have even know people to go straight to the source and down a couple of packets of pure sugar in the mornings. For me it's Diet Dr. Pepper. Oh tomorrow will be a great great day!

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What's next? I have deemed this the year of challenges. I started with the iPod challenge and went to completion. Then came the 64 for 64 water challenge which is almost over. What now? I have an idea but I am open to suggestions. Anyone have a grand challenge idea? Let me know!

Be Blessed!!!

Committed

2007-05-23T15:36:00.000-05:00

I am committed.

I am committed to dutch chocolate ice cream.
I am committed to 24 and Jack Bauer even when the US Government, who owe Jack Bauer the world, is not.
I am committed to my kid in Tanzania (Charles Richard Shahanga)
I am committed to coloring the entire picture once I start it.
I am committed to American Idol.
I am committed to learning something new about one of my kids every time we meet.
I am committed to being confident in whatever it is I decide to put on that day or how I decide to fix my hair.
I am committed to the Houston Astros-to the bitter end.
I am committed to watching the entire season of LOST no matter how rediculous it gets.
I am committed to doing better in graduate school than I did in undergraduate school.
I am committed to staying in contact with my dearest friends from ACU.
I am committed to finishing the Chronicles of Narnia series; to being the best Aunt and Sister I can; to making my parents proud; to making God proud; to following my call to Youth Ministry; to my friends and family and someday I will be committed to a man.
I am committed to never doing anything halfway; to viewing people with God vision; to putting Jesus and others before me; to teaching Jesus and to being Jesus.
I am committed to loving people and finding joy in all areas in my life.
I am committed to never letting Satan rule my life and to doing everything in my power to never let Satan rule the lives of the people I love.
I am committed to my kids, that when I leave this place they will know Jesus better than they did before I got here; that they will love Jesus more than they did before I got here and that they live Jesus louder than they did before I got here.

I am committed. I like to finish what I start but I am learning that in this profession being committed usually means jumping in to the journey God starts, and letting him finish it.

Life is not a coloring page, or chocolate ice cream, or a book, but it is a journey with God to draw near to us. I am committed to being near to God.

The challenge in the challenge

2007-05-22T15:31:00.000-05:00

OK so drinking water has been great. It's healthy and really 64 ounces of water a day is not a whole lot-UNTIL you have to drink ALL 64 before you leave the house in the morning.

The water in Belton has gone bad. Maybe it's my overactive taste buds, maybe it's "all in my head," maybe I am actually right but no matter the water in this town is not drinkable. If you are gonna have a glass of water from the faucet in Belton, you might as well go outside, fill your glass with dirt and drink that. DIRT! it all taste like dirt.

Now not all agree with me and most think I'm crazy and/or wrong but not matter I cannot stand the grainy feeling in my mouth after taking a gulp. My solution to this problem up to this point has been to drink all 64 ounces of water before I leave the house in the mornings (it's Temple water-another debate for another day) but I think I have decided to just suck it up and go to wal-mart. I have to get a calculator so why not get bottled water while I'm there?

Be blessed!!!

64 for 64

2007-05-09T14:09:00.000-05:00

This is the new challenge and anyone is welcome to join. 64 for 64 is in reference to water. Good ol' H20!

64 oz. of water for 64 days. Here are the rules:

1. You must drink at least 32 oz. of water BEFORE you have caffeine (Diet Dr. Pepper in my case).
2. After your first caffeinated beverage (of up to 44 oz.) you must drink the remaining 32 oz. before anymore caffeine can by swallowed for the day.
3. You can have all 64 oz. at one time and then you are free to drink as much caffeine as you want for the rest of the day.
4. The beginning date is May 9, 2007 and the ending date is July 12, 2007 (if the math is wrong let me know and don't be surprised-I'm bad at math.)

The goal of this challenge is not to drink less Diet Dr. Pepper but to increase the H20 intake of my body. So far so good, day one has been successful. There are two on board let me know if you want to jump in on the challenge. It'll be fun!

Be Blessed!!!

The End is Here!!! AHHHH!!!

2007-05-02T11:11:00.000-05:00

No not the end of the world. Not the end of the school year. Not the end of the spring youth calendar. Not EVEN the end of American Idol or 24. What I am talking about has been a much more significant journey than any of these things. A journey some thought would be unsuccessful. Some thought it would take too long but most thought I would give in and not complete the task at hand but I am here to tell you that I can smell the sweet aroma of victory over what seemingly could not be done.

If you have not yet guessed what I am talking about I will tell you now. The iPod challenge. It has been a long road and tiring at many times, especially after 5 versions of Amazing Grace with 5 more to go, but in the words of a great man...IT IS FINISHED. Ironically the last song I listened to in this challenge was Zip-a-de-do-dah! What a great song and a great way to end this odyssey of lyrical talent and not-so-much talent at times.

The journey was littered with my favorite artist, my kids who have recorded things, my friends who have shared their talent with me and those "singers" who I endured for the sake of the cause.

I feel accomplished. What's next?

All is right with the world

2007-04-19T15:01:00.000-05:00

If you know me at all or have read any of my blog postings since January you know I am a huge fan of American Idol. I absolutely love that show. I love that show even more now that Sanjaya is off. Praise Jesus!

Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against him personally but he doesn't deserve to be on the show this late in the game. He's creepy, had a weird child molester mustache last week, can't sing country worth a flip and while some might find it attractive-his smile is a bit on the stalker side of life. He isn't attractive-not that that's what it's about but it helps- his hair was a joke to get votes-that worked for a while- he cried last night AND he doesn't have the eyes. Nick Pedro-had the eyes. There are few people who do, at least that I have encountered and Sanjaya is not in the minority. He should have been gone a long time ago and I am convinced that the applause last night was because he was leaving and NOT because Lakisha is staying, but I'm glad she's still around.

Now my whole life doesn't revolve around AI so there are other reasons the world is right today. The weather is great today, makes me want to play outside. The youth calendar is almost done. The sonic lady gave us a good laugh this afternoon. My desk is fairly clean. I finished a good book and started another good book this week. Flew on 4 different planes this week and am still alive. Still don't know what to do with my life but I am loving not knowing.

It's a good day! Hope yours is awesome too!

iPod update: 3,225/3,523

Being happy

2007-04-02T11:34:00.000-05:00

I love to be happy. I have been pretty happy lately. I enjoy the company of people who are happy and like to laugh.

I think God likes to be happy too. If he didn't he wouldn't have made monkey's because let's face it, hardly anyone can look at a monkey and not at least smile.

I talk in my "Convicted" blog about how sometimes I feel like God is smiling on me, thinking of me, and loving me. In theselast few weeks here are a few of the things I feel like God has specifically put in my life for me to be happy and enjoy...

- Disney movies with a group whose average age is probably around 28
- Hearing the moans of a groan man in pain :o) (pun intended)
- Breakfast with the boys
- Dinner with the OTHER boys
- A kid falling back in his chair while trying to eat a chip (he wasn't hurt)
- Free Astros tickets
- Going to the game with a great guy
- Walking a million miles to and from the car next to a kid with a bum ankle
- Rain
- High School kids and paint
- Girls night out
- Late night phone calls
- Text message conversations
- Perfect weather
- Shopping
- Bad Weather
- Postponements
- Friendships
- Hugs
- BASEBALL

...just to name a few. I love life.

Be blessed!!!

iPod Update: 2499/3523 (some songs were added..i know bad plan)

Forgotten

2007-04-02T11:23:00.000-05:00

One thing that I have come to realize in the last couple of weeks is that it seems one of the biggest fears we have a humans is to be forgotten. You hear it in songs like the one by Carrie Underwood titled "Don't forget to Remember Me" and we see it in the things we do when people leave, such as giving gifts and throwing parties.

I have begun to wonder if we say good-bye because the person is leaving or because we want to be remembered and it is our last chance. I suppose the sentiment is right regardless but it has been on my mind lately.

I want to be remembered, not because of myself but because of Christ. I know some of you are probably thinking "how cliche` Mandy" but it's true. I want people to see Jesus when they see me and I want them to experience Jesus when they are with me. I want to treat people like Jesus would and more importantly I want to love people like Jesus. There are times when I have truly felt the love of God in my life. Those are the times when I look up at the beautiful blue sky while laying in the grass listening to music and think-God is smiling on me. If you have never felt like God is smiling on you I hope and pray that one day you do.

On the days you feel like no one will remember you, look up to the sky and know that I will, and that God will and he is smiling on you.

A Poster Child

2007-03-23T13:47:00.000-05:00

The rumors are true and I have come to accept my fate of being the current poster child of ACU I don't know why I am on the flyer, or why it's all over campus or why they felt the need to make a campus center banner out of it (which I have only heard about and cannot confirm it's existance) but I have moved from being completely freaked out to thinking it's kinda cool. So for those who have not seen it and for those who just can't get enough of my school spirit-here it is!

Be blessed!

iPod Update: 2127/3514

Mexico

2007-03-22T11:43:00.000-05:00

Well, our group went to Mexico for Spring Break and I have come back more refreshed then I have been in a long time. It it less and less of a wonder to me as I get older, why Jesus went away to pray. Grant it, I wasn't in Mexico alone but there is something amazing about being in a different place with no distractions and the only thing on the agenda being to serve God in anyway.

I have learned a lot of lessons since graduation and I have avoided learning lessons as well. God worked on me in Mexico and to be perfectly honest he made it very clear some of the things I needed to see. People, conversations and observations were all injected with a huge dose of God and grace.

Just a taste of what we did in Mexico:

-Tripled the size of the Medical clinic

-Built a play scape

-Put a fence around the entire property

-Spread about a million piles of dirt (which is more work than it sounds like

-Poured a concrete floor for the part of the building we added on to

-Got up at 5:30 every morning :o)

All in all it was a wonderful trip and God really did some amazing things in my life and in the lives of those around me.

I want a life full of God. I want to be around people filled with his Spirit. I want to overflow the joy of the Lord to those who know me and even to those who don't. Praise God from who ALL blessings flow!

Enjoy the pictures!

Why I am the greatest...

2007-03-08T12:26:00.000-06:00

It's because I have the same phone as Chloe O'Brian on 24. Now granted, she does not have the greatest social skills on earth but her loyalty is out of this world. Not to mention she has THE BEST scene in season 5.

Let me remind you...

Chloe is sitting in the little coffee shop bar thing- because she is wanted by the government for helping Jack- and this guy comes to hit on her. She totally fakes him out like she is interested in him and then ZAPS him with her tazer! You go girl! A couple of minutes later as the guy wakes up she zaps him again! Sweet!

Chloe rocks the 24 world...i mean seriously, without Chloe, Jack would be in some pretty hot water...

and that is why I am the greatest...because Chloe and I have the same phone.

Thank you that will be all.

iPod update: 1697/3514

Walking Wisely

2007-02-28T11:09:00.000-06:00

This weekend we had our Middle School Spring Retreat: Walking Wisely. We talked about what it means to seek wisdom in decision making and how to make good decisions. Here are some snapshots of the weekend WITH caption because some people just HAVE to know who the people in the pictures are. Enjoy!

Emily, Hannah, Sarah and Suzanna before the retreat kick-off

Kylie joined in on the Knock-Out game!

Hannah, Emily, Kelsey, Andrea, Chris and Drew supportin' the Aggies in the Corner game

The Cheese Stands alone! Ashlie standin' her ground in the Corner Game

Drew, Ranger and Gibbs sharing their "Daily Decisions" list

Emily

Hannah, Candace and Kelsey

Ranger and Gibbs

Greg, our speaker for the weekend

Steve and Denver

Brianna

Drew

Cute little Girlie Girls!

The Meeting Time

Steve with the Talking Hat kicking off our meeting/planning time.

Me with the talking hat

Denver with the talking hat

The girls in a Deer Stand

The girls

Drawing in the Sand....like Jesus did :o)

The group on the Hay Ride

Sarah, Ashlie and Suzannah on the Hay Ride

The Back of our T-Shirts

iPod Update: 1,384/3514

Goodness

2007-02-28T11:04:00.000-06:00

I feel good today. I have a fresh feeling over me, like when you are baptized and come out of the water a new person. That's how I feel, baptized.

God shows up when we need him most and when we close our eyes he shines brighter. God blessed me with good conversation yesterday and encouraging company.

I am grateful for the people God has allowed my path to cross while I have been here in Belton and I am beginning to feel the anticipated sadness of having to leave in a few short months.

But not yet. For now I am here. I am all here and God is all good!

Song Update

2007-02-27T20:59:00.000-06:00

I will write more tomorrow but an update on my iPod song listening is here. I am on

1,359 of 3514.

There is an explaination there were songs on my iPod that weren't actually there-meaning, the title was there but there was no music SO with those songs deleted there are on 3514 instead of 3529 or whatever it was before.

Happy Listening!

Pictures

2007-02-21T15:36:00.000-06:00

Just some pictures from Sing Song:

Surprised but not shocked at all..

2007-02-12T13:25:00.000-06:00

So I guess that those who really know might not be surprised to find out that I am a conflict avoider. In my class a couple of weekends ago we took about four test to find out our conflict management styles. I am an Avoider-until I am confronted then I am an Accommodator.

Now I understand this the more I think about it but at first I was a little surprised to be classified in this way. At first I thought it was just because I am not really afraid of conflict but the more I think about it-I was surprised because it seems like I am always in it! Now that either makes the test wrong OR the test is right and I'm just no good at avoiding! Beats me!

-----------------------------------------------------------

I feel independent today. I found a flaw in my online banking so I called the bank and got it all settled. I also called the glass company and the insurance company and got everything worked out for me to get my windshield replaced on Wednesday. All of this was done before, long before, any conversations with my dad took place.

I would by no means classify myself as independent-recalling a conversation from the weekend in which I offered to pay my dad to take care of getting my tires fixed as long as he didn't ask me any question. But for today I have tasted the free life which I am not so eager to enter anymore!

------------------------------------------------------------

iPod update: 522/3,529 for those who care.

A New Adventure

2007-01-30T13:56:00.000-06:00

Some of you may already be aware of my current adventure. It began yesterday around 9:30 a.m. and the end is yet to be told. This adventure is like none other I have ever embarked on and has presented itself as a challenge from the powers that be.

I will listen to every song on my iPod in alphabetical order. Maybe this does not seem like much of a challenge to many of you but let me clue you in on the rules of this engagement.

1. Any time spent in my car driving will be accompanied by music from my iPod.
2. The iPod may travel outside the car for further listening but must maintain it's song # status.
3. I must listen to every song until all 3,529 have been heard.
4. At the bottom of every blog post there must be an update concerning the song number I am currently on.

Those are the rules. Simple. 3,529 songs. Not too bad-until you begin to think about how many versions of How Great is Our God that I will listen to in a row.

Currently: 42/3529

It's Good

2007-01-25T12:48:00.001-06:00

Trevor C. FINALLY wrote a new blog post. Go read it. It's worth your time.

Blogger what???

2007-01-18T11:07:00.000-06:00

So I am completely aware the I am Blog A.D.D. I love to blog but I go through spurts where it happens everyday then won't happen for a while. While I would like to offer up some grand excuse for the reason there has not been a post worth reading in far too long, I will refrain (mostly due to the fact that I have no good excuse and simply trying to make one up is far too much work and would take away from my time to talk to you about the latest blog inspiration). That said-moving on.

American Idol

I like watching American Idol. While I am not the AI fanatic- like I am with Jack Bauer and 24- I enjoy a good singing competition.

AND while we are all thinking about Jack Bauer let me just say that 24 is still the greatest show. I had a discussion with a friend about Keifer Southerland and Jack Bauer. Upon seeing a commercial for the premier I exclaimed "Jack Bauer!" He said "His name is Keifer Southerland." This simple comment from the unknowing, less than fanatic, 24 viewer began a conversation that ended in the simple statement "When Jack Bauer was born, Keifer Southerland died." While I cannot take credit for this very true statement, nor can I give credit where credit is due because I don't know where it's due, I can say with confidence that I used the statement at just the right time, ending the conversation and provoking a thought for those who might be thinking about becoming a T.V. star who kills people and breaks the law and is pretty much the coolest person ever. But I digress...

This post is a bout American Idol. It premiered this week. I didn't watch it. I did however discuss the voting on AI from last year; this prompted from making the statement that my mom paid for all of the people in her family to text their votes in for Taylor Hicks last year. Jordan and I were talking about how crazy it is that more people voted for the American Idol last year than voted for the president. That's Nuts! and LAZY LAZY LAZY.

I'm completely convinced that the only reason a vast majority of Americans who are eligible to vote, don't is because they don't want to get up and do it. Seriously though, if Americans could text in their presidential selection, I would put money on it that the voting numbers would quadruple-at least.

I don't know maybe I'm wrong. I think we should test it though. I mean we have already screwed up every system of voting so we are completely aware that none of them will work perfectly so why not just go with one that will bring the most votes?

OR...we could just quit being lazy and go vote. I'd rather text though. :o)

Worship

2007-01-07T21:42:00.000-06:00

"'Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert and
speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards
and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

'In that day,' declares the Lord, 'you will call me "my husband"
You will no longer call me "my Baal."
I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;
no longer will their names be invoked."

~Hosea 2.14-17

Today Toby's sermon was on the topic of worship, focusing on confession and the true state of our hearts in worship. Toby wasn't preaching though, it was God. It was as if God was standing there using Toby to deliver a message that so many of us need to hear. I can only imagine what it would be like to be chosen by God to deliver a message to his people like that. I suppose today for the first time I saw a little bit of the struggle the prophets must have endured in the messages they carried to the people of Israel on behalf oh the Lord.

Throughout all the prophets we read of Israel's struggle to remain faithful to the God that delivered her. Each prophet cries out to the people to turn back to God and in each story Israel dances between God and the Baals. Over and over we see her turn her back on God.

It is easy as an outsider to say, "Can't Israel see how God has delivered her? Can't she understand what God has done for her?" Yet when we examine our own lives how often do we ask ourselves this same thing? "Mandy, can't you see how God has delivered you? Mandy, don't you understand what God has done in your life? Look around you Mandy, God is here! God is everywhere! How can you call on the Baals?"

When I struggle, the first place it shows up is in my worship to God. As I sing praises to God it is my personal conviction to sing with my whole heart and to listen to the words coming out of my mouth and the mouths of so many around me. Often times I am touched to tears by the statement I make, we make, as the body of Christ in the words we sing. But when I cannot sing the songs of praise, I have learned it is because I am not living to glorify God. Something in my life is not pointing to God; Satan is attacking and has gotten to my heart; I am not praising God I am worrying about me.

God has called me out of this. God has bigger plans for worship. God has bigger plans for me.

"I will allure her. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her."

I love this. When I cannot, God can. God can, and God will. God is going to allure me, you, us back to true worship. Worship for him. Worship in different key's, worship with off-beat claps, worship with instruments, worship without instruments, worship in pews, in a circle, indoors, outdoors...true, broken, pure worship.

God,

Break our hearts and convict us of our Baals. Show us again what you have done for us and how you have delivered us and may we respond in true, broken, pure worship to you.

Amen.

Nothing to do

2006-12-27T11:40:00.000-06:00

I'm sure everyone got lots of great things for Christmas. I love the stuff that I got, especially my brown and pink luggage! It's so cute! I think my favorite thing however is my black P-coat. I love it!

So here the question...what is your favorite thing you got for Christmas?

My Grandaddy

2006-12-15T14:16:00.000-06:00

Sometimes it is so very obvious to me that God is God.

Last night was one of those times. An event that may seem little and unimportant to most of you but for me it was 2 seconds of time that quickly shot to the top of my most faithful moments in my life. As I was driving home last night around 11:00, I turned the radio on to a country station that I fequent. While turning and curving with the road, a song played that I have not heard in months but one that means so much to my life. Written below are the words to a song that I heard for the first time after my Grandad died last December.

In the midst of all the things going on in my life I managed to put off thinking about the one year anniversary event for a while but last night as I drove and this song played there was no escape. I was glad. I cried as hard as I have cried before for my Grandad and as I sang the words along with the radio I smiled in anticipation for the day I would again see my Grandad.

As I was smiling and singing and crying the coolest thing happened. I looked up at the sky only to be met by the brightest shooting star I have ever seen. I laughed and thought what a wonderful sign from God that things are gonna be ok and that he loves me.

When I Get Where I'm Going (click the song title to go to my myspace and hear the song)
By: Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.

So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.
But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.

Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.

May your life be blessed!!!

My Prayer

2006-11-30T21:07:00.000-06:00

My prayer is to want to want what God wants.

Let it Snow!

2006-11-30T09:38:00.000-06:00

Stuck in Abilene for one more day. It's snowing, the roads are icy and the temperature is only supposed to reach 30 degrees today. If I didn't have a paper to finish, I would plug in the Christmas tree, put on some Christmas music and dance and play all day! Everyone enjoy the last day of November!

Some Days

2006-11-14T18:29:00.000-06:00

Some days are better than others. In my week, Tuesdays are long. Meetings all morning lunch with the staff which is always great conversation and fun. With all of the events of the day, I don't usually get to start working until 2ish. Seriously!

I say that to tell you this. Today was one of those days. Long and tiring. I feel the most exhausted when I haven't been productive all day. Today when we got back from lunch-remember this is around 2- I got on the phone with Dell because my computer wouldn't load my profile settings. That is bad news. I have two papers due in the next 15 days and all my stuff for them is on my laptop. So this one hour phone conversation ended with good news and bad news. Good news was we were able to restore my profile and I was able to access all of my files and get the stuff I need for my papers. The bad news is after I back up all of my files I have to reformat my harddrive. Lose everything by choice in order to gain full function of this machine back.

Craziness. I am fully aware that this post is less entertaining than usual. I'll try harder next time

Christmas Music

2006-11-09T11:41:00.000-06:00

Since it has been the topic of a side conversation via the comment area of my blog, I'm gonna just go ahead and throw it out there. When is it ok to begin playing Christmas Music?

I originally went with Nov. 1. After Halloween is over it's time to get into the holiday spirit. Because the weather of our great state generally does not allow the seasons emotions to hit full force typically until after the holidays have past, I think the earlier the better. This in no way undermines Thanksgiving. Many people have persecuted and accused me of forgetting the holiday without chance to explain. Thanksgiving is part of the holiday season. Christmas music helps with Thanksgiving too. Really it does! Besides it's not like there are a lot of Thanksgiving songs out there to get you in the mood- if you know of any please submit them.

No matter. I have become aware of just how offensive this can be to people- playing music starting Nov. 1 that is. That said I have changed my idea of when I think it's ok. I now claim that It is ok to start playing Christmas music when all of the following three things happen.

1. When you see the first commercial selling Christmas decorations and accompanied by a Christmas song.

2. When you decide to get the Christmas decoration down while putting up the Halloween decorations because you don't want to get back in the attic.

AND

3. When Sonic has switched over to the "Holiday Cup" which ever so sneak-i-ly advertises what a GREAT idea it is to give someone a My Sonic card for Christmas (which by the way is a great idea).

Considering these three things (and being immune to number 2)-I now deem it ok for myself to play as much Christmas music as I want!!!

Be Blessed!!!

Director's Spot Filled

2006-11-01T11:09:00.000-06:00

So I might have a potential director for my movie. I am really thinking that someone needs to step up and decide to write my script because We need to get started making this movie if it's gonna come out in October.

Also, there have been no official commitments but I believe we may have a leading male actor as well.

Y'all have a great day and Be blessed!!!

(check out the new post MIRACLES)

Miracles

2006-11-01T09:53:00.000-06:00

I have been bothered by something lately. Miracles. We read about them in the Bible, we believe them because we have faith, we pray for them when people are sick, we pray for them people have "gone astray" and we even pray for them when people's spirits have been burned. If we don't believe it why do we pray for it?

I have come to see something for the first time concerning miracles. We believe it can happen BEFORE it does, we believe it happened when it's OVER but where the heck is our faith in the midst of it? I'm not talking about the sick person who over night seems to be getting better, it's easy to believe God is part of that because we can write it off if we need to. A miracle disguised in natural processes. I'm talking about the people pray specifically for someone to be free from a certain sin when there is no explanation as to why anyone should know about the sin in that persons life. I'm talking about the people who seem to always be in the right place at the right time to save people. I'm talking about believing what we pray for. Having an expectant faith.

If we would have an expectant faith, would we then be more of a people who see the bread breaking as the 5,000 are being fed, who see the footprints on top of the water as Jesus is walking out to us and who watch the woman at the well spread the word of Christ, or would be still be the people we are, who pray but do not believe until the result is showcased?

I don't know where I fall into all of this. I fear that skepticism has taken over expectation for far too long in my life. What I am finding now, is that in the midst of a miracle my passion for people to believe in Him and my desire to expect God to complete something he has started in the people I care about has fed my spirit in a way that fires me up about my faith! Our human nature drives us to the cynical prayers. No doubt those prayers will always be around but how long do we go on sitting and letting Satan jog around our faith, every now and then poking at it planting seeds of doubt and skepticism in our lass than expectant faith. I'm done with it. For now I will stand strong in the expectant faith God calls me to and I will have no doubt in my mind that God will fulfill his promises in my life. I will expect God to finish what he started.

Calling All Writers

2006-10-30T15:04:00.000-06:00

I'm ready for Christmas time! I want to play the music, I want to wear sweaters, I want to drink Hot Chocolate on a regular basis! I want Christmas.

Because of this desire to warp time I have come up with a plan. I need someone to write a script for my movie. It will be released in October and will be the "Movie of the Year" The critics will rave about it, everyone will love it and all the money can go to Tanzania for Christmas for the kids there. Sound like a plan?

The only thing I have is a tag line to promote the movie. No script, no director, no actors just a tag line. Here it is:

"It's NEVER too early for Christmas!"

Like it? I do. Suggestions on if it should be a comedy or a drama?

Help! Anyone?

The Truth About Guys

2006-10-23T14:38:00.000-05:00

Let's face it. Guys are weird! We all know it-even the guys know it. This weekend Chad Eastham spoke at the Revolve Tour and said something that I really liked. He told the girls to ask themselves what their sign says. Are they a Treasure or are they a Target.

All girls want to be treasures. You would be hard pressed to find a girl that desires to be taken advantage of. No girl wants to be a target; yet more often than not that's what our signs say. We say one thing and then dress, talk and act in ways that only confuse guys making them see our target and not the treasure.

Maybe it's just because I'm a girl but I got some power from his talk. We are beautiful. We are treasures and we need to believe it and act like it. We are a little piece of the bomb!

Basically the message was, girls, you have to believe you are a treasure and treat yourself like that. Only then will a guy see that you truly are a treasure and treat you likewise.

Amen Sista!

Be Blessed!

For real

2006-10-23T14:31:00.000-05:00

The word for the day is authentic. I love this word because it's so freeing. Be who you are, whereever you are. Be real. If we were real we wouldn't ever have to worry about trusting each other. We could know that what someone tells us is the truth and that what they tell us lines up directly with how they act and treat us.

I want to be real. I want people to know that I am who I say I am. Not only that but I am who HE says I am. HE says I am beautiful. HE says I am loved. HE says I am worth it and I believe him. I want to act that way in all aspects of life. May you be so blessed this week that you will believe what HE says and in that, find a way to be free; for real!

New Blog

2006-10-10T16:59:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone. I just wanted to let you all know that I am starting a new blog. I will continue this one because it has become a sort of release for me, however, I have been convicted of some things recently that I would like to throw out there. I am going to invite my Youth group kids, and all of you, to read it and comment as often as you want. It is more on the serious side but I think it will be a great avenue to use to see what my kids think about some topics God puts on my heart. Take a look if you like. It's under the links section titled Convicted.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Be blessed!!!

New Blog

2006-10-10T16:59:00.000-05:00

I have AIDS

2006-10-10T16:44:00.000-05:00

Well, I don't but a girl named Olivia in Africa does. I stepped into her life this weekend. For 20 minutes I listened to the sounds of Olivia's world and experienced some of her emotions. I waited for the results of the blood test and I was stamped with the 'X.' I have AIDS. Olivia has AIDS.

For 30 seconds I experienced hopelessness. No friends, no family, only an 'X' and a quarantined bench to sit on. I waited. I waited for a "clean" person to reach out and offer hope. Hope came and so did the tears. I listened to how Olivia's life turned out. She has chosen the road less traveled and has become an advocate for AIDS Awareness. She has started a support group in her own community.

My heart cried for her and so many who are like her living in the humiliation of this disease. Sin has caused such great pain for the children of God. I believe in the cause now. I only regret that it took me so long. Pray for the many many out there who struggle daily to see how a God who is good and loving can allow family member after family member to die in front of them of this awful disease.

For Clint...

2006-10-02T11:37:00.000-05:00

While I appreciate the kudos for a great run of games, I could have done without the sarcastic 150 games comment. Lucky for you, dear one, I call you friend, thus entitling you to 12 sarcastic comments about the Astros a year. I am pretty sure your total has been exceeded but since I didn't start counting until right now you have 11 left. So my word to you young grasshopper, is spread them out, use them wisely and make them good.

See ya in a week!

Crunch Time!

2006-09-21T10:33:00.000-05:00

Well, it's coming to an end. We can still do it, it is technically possible. For those of you who don't bee-lieve, shame on you! With the classics on the field it can happen! Don't give up hope yet! I'm not!

On a different note: A Minor offense! My family went to the game Tuesday night for my sisters birthday. They lost but that's ok. The minor offense occurred after a 12 mile trek. My cousin and I were searching for an Astros shirt with a name and number on the back. What better place to get one then the park right? WRONG! There were plenty of them in XL! The smallest shirt (like the one I was looking for) in the whole park was an XL. Whatev! So I bought ice cream in one of those little helmets instead!

A Day Like Today

2006-09-11T15:30:00.000-05:00

What do you do on a a day like today? Some people want to talk about what happened 5
years ago. Some don't. Some would be content watching the television all day and hear the
news. Some want to be as far away from a TV as they can get. Some want to be with their families. Some can't be with their families. Some are praying, others a crying, some have forgotten but most remember. Some never knew-what are they thinking? Some are too
young to know, some are so old they remember this and more. Some are fighting and
remember why, some have fought and not made it out. Wherever you are, whatever you
are doing, say a prayer, because even if you aren't hurting anymore, a lot are, and they need
the comfort of Christ.

When I sit and think my mind tends to wonder towards songs. The words of songs peirce
my heart and reach down into my soul. Today I think of all the songs that are written about 9/11 but my mind keeps playing a song over and over that was written before 9/11. One
that I have know for as long as I can remember and one that has established itself in my
heart as a song of hope. Here are the words:

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to youand defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

God bless you all.

New Age

2006-09-05T15:04:00.000-05:00

Well, it has finally happened. The machines are taking over. I went home this weekend for Labor Day only to find my mother, now employed by Macy's, fascinated with the newest thing in the store. I'm not talking about a new clothing line or a new hairstyle on the manikins (although those are worthy of their own blog). I am talking about a machine that will cut your purchase time in half.

This machine sells you IPods and IPod accessories. It is an IPod VENDING MACHINE!!! You put your credit card in, tell it what you want and an arm comes out and grabs it off the shelf! WHAT??? It's true! Made me want to buy one just to see it work.

The world is being take over! It's true and it's starting at Macy's!

24

2006-08-29T11:48:00.000-05:00

Just in case you are one of those folk who kindly protest award shows because you feel that those who receive the awards already get enough recognition by all the people of the world and there is no reason anyone should own a trophy that cost more than your house and car put together let me be the first (or maybe not) to inform you that Keifer Southerland and the crew of 24 went home happy. They took home two trophies (best actor in a drama series, and best drama series) that proudly proclaim that even though they killed off half the original crew in season 5 they can still maintain domination over the united states of america! Jack Bauer will remain number one. Chuck Norris better watch out. His place in history is being jeopardized as we speak!

The Government

2006-08-23T14:06:00.000-05:00

I hope that our government is not as messed up as it in on 24. However, if it is I hope there's a real Jack Bauer out there.

Float Trip

2006-08-18T14:56:00.000-05:00

We are taking our Jr's and Sr's on a float trip this weekend. If you think about it say a little prayer for our safety and for God to work through our encouragement of them this weekend.

Be Blessed!!!

Robbing God

2006-08-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday in staff meeting Allen read something that has stuck with me since then. I was a testament from a violin maker who claims that God needs him. He says, God has commissioned him to help Him buy giving him the ability to make violins. He also says that if he is not doing his best to make the violins then he is “robbing God.”

Have you ever thought about that? God has commissioned you. The gift he has given you is not just for you to enjoy. The gift is God asking you to help Him with His mission. What would it look like if we truly believed this statement: If we are not doing what it is God has given us to do, and doing it the best we can, we are robbing God. Wow! I do not want to rob God. I want to use the gifts that God has given me. I want to challenge the kids that I meet. I want them to reflect on their beliefs and I want them to make a faith of their own and if I am not striving to do that on a daily basis then I am no doing any favors to anyone, AND I am robbing God.

If I believe this, then how can I stand in the way of others who are using their gifts to glorify God? Who am I to tell you that you cannot do something that God has gifted you to do? Who am I to rob God for you?

Maybe I’m preaching, maybe not. Maybe you completely disagree with me. I don’t even know that my brain has completely thought through all of this but I do know that I do not want to rob God and I do not want anyone else to rob God because of me. Just thinking….

Summer is done before it's done

2006-08-11T16:19:00.000-05:00

Well, school starts Monday for Belton ISD and I presume this start date is not too far off from those in your area. It's crazy that summer is already over and kids are now feeling the rush of finishing their summer reading in time and all that jazz. What I really don't get though it the fact that summer ends about two weeks before it actually ends. What I mean is, The band kids, football kids, swimmers and so on and so on actually start practices 2 weeks before school starts. What is with that? As if school isn't enough stress on it's own, let's go ahead and make the extra stuff longer! Whatever man! I'm out!

___________________________________

Although school is starting and people already feel like they are back we were able to have a great time with our high schoolers last Sunday evening. There is a girl in our group who is in the hospital from a car accident, in ICU, and we went up there and spent time talking with her mom and sister and then we sang and prayed with them. Now if you know me, you know my heart is easily touched by the words and melodies of songs and last Sunday was no different. As we were singing I was watching Sabrina (the mom), and I looked around the waiting room. The man watching TV got up, turned the TV all the way down and bowed his head. Maybe he was praying maybe he was just listening but either way he was hearing God. The two ladies in the corner were holding hands praying with each other and the family in the hall stopped in the doorway and joined in the singing. God was working and moving in people. I was great to be reminded of God supreme glory and everlasting faithfulness.

___________________________________________

I have had a good week. We have been really busy this week but I have been encouraged by people this week. Lots of good conversations, lots of tough conversations but lots of God in all the conversations.

I want to mention one thing really quickly. Most of you know I am doing a Youth Residency in Belton Texas. I am living with a family from the church here and I don't think I have mentioned a whole lot about them. Let me take a sec to tell you about them. The Dad works up at the offices and does a great job of keeping things in order. He is the glue that holds things together around here. The mom stays at home and does a wonderful job of looking out for her family, for me and for all of her friends. I rarely meet people who are so proactive in their relationships with other people and it has been neat to watch her intentionally develop those this summer. The daughter is a a Jr.. in High School and she is lovin' life. She's one of the Drum Majors and has worked a lot of Band this summer. She has a great heart for people and to minister to people where she sees a need. God is going to use her in great ways these next two years I know. And The son. I don't even know where to begin. Most of you will understand the phrase "The little brother I always wanted." Well that's him. He keeps me on my toes that's for sure! I have enjoyed my time beating him up and such and I'm sure he has equally enjoyed pushing my buttons. No matter, he's a great kid! This family has been such a blessing to my life this summer and even though I will move out in a couple of weeks, I will still call it home, and it will always be in a way.

Be Blessed!!!

Phrases

2006-08-03T16:59:00.000-05:00

My brother has said some the the best things I can think of. He has a gift for talking before he thinks and that gift is put to great use in his attempts at story telling. It is not uncommon for Jeff to say things like:

"How do the deer know to cross there?" After seeing a deer crossing sign.

A gift.

This gift has had it's 15 minutes of fame in the past but I would venture to say that it was magnified to it fullest and thrown in the spotlight this last week.

Jeff and I were eating lunch together Monday while he was in Belton. He started talking about his teeth and told me he had a filling that fell out. As he wondered if fillings were lifetime guaranteed and if he could go back to the dentist and get another one without paying, I laughed a little bit understanding the desire for things to be done the right way the first time.

As he continued I heard something come out of my brother that I thought I would never hear. This is what he said.

"I would just like to go back to that dentist office and tell that guy, 'hey Mr., you gave me a bad filling years ago."

Now if you didn't laugh about that, go back and read it outloud. It's hilarious. If you still don't laugh at it then go look at the pictures on Ryan's blog of his new apartment because I got nothing left!

Have a great day and Be Blessed!!!

Pictures

2006-07-27T11:17:00.000-05:00

Ok so I found three camers in my car and decided to get them developed having no clue what was on them. Here are just a few I'd like to share. Enjoy!!!

This is me and my roommate Deanna at our club's Christmas social. Yay! Roommate! She's gonna kill me!!

This is from a pledging activity this last fall. I was not a pledge I was an officer. Hardly seems fair that I'm blind folded don't you agree?

This is a picture of Reid, me, Kaitlin and Wade at our clb grub this last september. The theme was "Prefect Pairs: Can't have one without the other!" Kaitlin and Wade were Fred and Daphne and Reid and I were Jack and Jeanene Reese. Out outfits came complete with name tags, mask taken from a photo of the real Jack and Jeanene, a BIG Bible and a piece of luggage. You had to be there! It was fun.

Be Blessed!!!

Summer

2006-07-20T17:14:00.000-05:00

Well, a lot has gone on in my life in a very short amount of time. The last week of June and the first week of July was Camp Koinonia. This is a camp I grew up going to but returned this year for my first two weeks as a Staff member. Yes I was adorned in the White STAFF polo! Only 19 more years as a staff member before I graduate to the Blue polo. Hum...

Anyway. Camp was a great experience. The theme was "Follow Me: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus." Our lessons came out of the Sermon on the Mt. and out of the gospel of John. Daily themes were "No Excuses," "No Fear," "No Doubt," "No Reserve," and "No Retreat." I think my favorite phrase of camp came from the No Doubt day when we boldly proclaimed that "Jesus is EXACTLY who he says he is, and he will do EXACTLY what he says he will do!" I love that. Camp ended well and we finally go everything put back into sheds and such (today).

After Camp was over, most of you know I took a spontaneous trip to Houston to grieve and comfort some of the people that are so precious and dear to my heart. Thank you all for your prayers for myself and for my kids in Houston. As we learn more about the murder more emotions rise so please continue to pray.

Upon returning from Houston, I took off with our Middle School kids to Ft. Worth to work at the Fortress Church of Christ for a couple of days. We had a lot of fun and there was service for the Lord that took place there. Our kids were great and worked hard. Yesterday we rewarded those kids with a trip to Hurricane harbor for the majority of of the day and then we headed back to Belton.

So as you can see my last month has been jam packed with God stuff and has encompassed most emotions the body is capable of experiencing. I have caught up on sleep- at least I hope I have, and my body is beginning to heal emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Thanks you all for keeping up with me this summer via my blog and please continue to check for updates.

Be Blessed!

~Mandy

Ashton Glover

2006-07-11T23:46:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to request your prayers for the First Colony Youth Group, church, family and friends of Ashton Glover. Ashton was one of my first youth group kids my first two internships of college. She went missing friday night and her body was found Monday morning and confirmed Monday afternoon.

I am currently in Houston right now doing whatever I can to help. There are tenative plans for a funeral but we are still waiting on the confirmation of when it will be.

These kids are so dear and precious to me and to see them hurting and dealing with this pain hurts my heart so please be in prayer for the kids, the ones that are on my mind are Steve, Bryan, Kat, Sara and Kenna.

If you want to read more about what is going on you can go to www.click2houston.com and it will either be on the front page or you can search Ashton Glover.

Somehow and someway may you all be a blessing.

a few pics

2006-06-15T14:19:00.000-05:00

Check the slide show on the right for some pictures of New Orleans. You can go to myspace to see the pictures bigger. The link is on the right.

Nawlins Reflections...

2006-06-13T14:22:00.000-05:00

Well, we are back from our trip and I can honestly say that this last week was the hardest manual labor that I have ever done. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find on of the guys on this trip that would not agree with me. Tearing down a house is no simple task and when you add on top of that, heat, humidity, and no bathrooms it's even harder.

I cannot even begin to describe the impact June, Suzy, Harold and Brenda had on my life. Working side by side people who lost everything. Here are some things I wrote down in my journal last week while we were in New Orleans (pronounced Nawlins by the natives).

"I wish I could describe to you what it's like here. It's aweful. Nobody has anything. The houses are destroyed. Water flodded so many people's homes. People were picked on only to be dropped off on a bridge and left for 3 days.

Every time we drive around I think, 'God where were you when these people were drowning? When they were looking for shelter? Where were you when these people showed up one and two months later and saw their home completely saturated?'

These questions haunt me because as a Texan away from all of it I can say 'Well, God was there when the boat showed up before the house went under. God was there in the warnings and evacuations. God was there through the FEMA, Red Cross, Hilltop, Project Blessing and countless other organizations that now call New Orleans ground zero.

Being here, taking a sledge hammer to walls, fishing for burried memories and gazing into the faces of June, Harold and Brenda I feel God. He's not just a presence but God is hope. God has raised up his army and has sent them to New Orleans, LA.

Once a thriving city now littered with piles of trash as high as the house it came from. Among the trash pictures of grandkids and parents. Scarves, statues and a million more memories from thousands of people. Where is God? In us. In the hope that we bring to the June's of New Orleans who only want to find a statue of Mary and Jesus. God is in the hope we bring to the Harold's who were able to save their 91 year old mothers from being swept away by water.

God is in the people who continually call us angels. The people who have been praying for someone to come demolish their house. The people who at the end of the day have littled compared to before the storm and still praise God.

It really is a different world. It's not the thriving New Oeleans I came to years ago, but you know what? It's home. For some it was home for 2 months and for some it was home for 60 years. It's home. Tearing down to build up."

The last house we did was the house of a couple who had 9 children, all grown and one still living at home. 10 Rooms, 5 Bathrooms and a shed full of old pipes because the man was a retired plumber. The daughter who was still living there was a musician so it only seemed fit that our last house would be the place of the most powerful devo I experienced all week.

"This is Holy ground. We're standing on Holy ground and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on Holy ground."

God, may I never forget what I saw, smelled, heard and experienced this week. Forever change my heart to be more likes yours and bless your people in New Orleans. May they shine their light in the dark city. Amen

Tearing down to build up....New Orleans: Day One

2006-06-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

That was the hardest work I have ever done. The heat, humidity, smell and everything else you can imagine along with the emotional instability of the home owner was almost too much to handle. We "Mucked a house" today. Basically that means that we went through all the stuff in the house and saved what we could and trashed everything else. We also had to tear out the sheet rock and basically just clear out the house of everything.

The deal now in New Orleans is that if these people don't have their houses gutted in the next three months, the city puts a lean on their property and they lose it. Some are trying frantically to get things done while others have given up hope of saving anything.

I fear I would be one of those people who would give up. With what we did today I don't know that I could stand in the back ground while a bunch of kids took sledge hammers to my house. Now grant it, these people signed up for this, but my first thought would have been to bulldoze it and start over.

June and her husband Craig were grateful for the work we did today but as June and I talked throughout the day I found myself fighting off tears she had cried many many times. Today, I experienced a ministry I have never encountered.

"Tearing down to build up." Easy to say, hard to swallow. Ripping down a life time of memories to begin to build new ones while harboring a fear that your new ones may last only a very short time.

Remember how blessed you are an Bless others.

Since last I blogged...

2006-06-01T22:04:00.000-05:00

which wasn't too long ago. memorial day proved to be as fun and unpredictable as you would expect. We had cloud cover, a pretty mean rain and then 90+ degree heat. On the lake all day, attempting the wake board for the first time- unsuccessful- and taking my turn on the tube of death.

Tube story: as some of you may be aware of, I am the most graceful person on the face of the planet. My attempt at jumping on the tube the first time resulted in the bruise you see here and further proof that no one looks as good as I do missing the tube and whacking my leg on the propeller (it was off don't freak out). I am very proud of the array of color that now adorns my leg. kinda pretty I think. :o) I had a blast. I got to hang out with my precious nephew, I lost my phone, I got a new one and I had the day off. I haven’t really worked long enough to need a day off but I took it with no complaints.

On a different note, I saw something today that I fear very few will ever see in their lives. A limo pulled into sonic in front of me. I thought at first it was an accident but as I followed it around the drive I realized this thing was here to stay. As it pulled into the parking spot to order I though it too good to pass by so I took a picture! Enjoy!

I hope everyone is feeling as good about life as I am. I’m busy but I can’t help but to thank God for the opportunities he has given me this summer. I am working with a youth minister who has an amazing leadership of encouragement about him. My fellow intern/resident is a great man of God and amazes me at every turn with his spiritual leadership. The ministry assistant is a wonderful lady who loves to laugh as much as me! It’s gonna be an awesome summer and we are hitting it at full speed!

Be Blessed!!!

Go Mavs!

First Logos

2006-05-25T15:54:00.000-05:00

Here's the first logos I made on the logo creator. What do you think?

ten2one is the new thursday activity we are doing with the jr. High group. We are going to alternate thursdays doing an activity like putt-putt one time and cleaning up a park the next. It will be great!

Here's the other one.

Chick Chat if the High School girls lunch and prayer time we are doing on tuesday's.

So what do you think of my first attempt at logo making? Is the logography in my future?

Be Blessed!!!

The beginning of the first...

2006-05-24T11:02:00.000-05:00

Well, I am proud to present to you my first BCOC Student Ministries paraphernalia. I am fully aware that most people who post things they are proud of include pictures, as have I. I am also fully aware that most of the things are living and breathing, or tend to be events or emotions. While this sweatshirt is not a living breathing thing, nor was it some grand event accompanied by a parade and music, I am proud to be the new owner of this sweatshirt (this is actually a stand in, the original was tired and worn out from the move). Nevertheless, you can bet that once the weather gets even a little cool, or if I just feel like it, this will be the first sweatshirt broken out to fight the dropping temperature!

Be Blessed!!!

BCC

2006-05-22T18:08:00.000-05:00

Well my first official day in the office proved to be a good one. I had a lot of fun meeting the staff and learning how to use everything and where things are. It's also bee fun officing--is that a word?--with Bryan. We have started planning our trip with the 6-9th grade to Fortress this July. It's called Metro Mission Trip. It's gonna be fun. The best part-we are staying at North Davis! Yay!!!

Yesterday was a great introduction to the church. I spent the class time with the 8th graders who were great. One girl even thought I was just another student. I don't quite know what to do with that but ok. Then I spent the evening with the High School kids. We had a "Big Red" party. I found out what this was last night. They all brought stuff to the party for me that was red. Amongst my favorite gifts were the sticks of Cherry Laffy Taffy and the Boy's Doubles 1st Place Consolation Tennis Trophy I got from one of the guys. The kids are great and I am really looking forward to a great summer and a great school year!

Here's to Belton, Tx!

Be Blessed!!!

Life starts on Sunday

2006-05-16T22:53:00.000-05:00

Well, life actually is a continual process but when I say it starts on Sunday I mean that a new chapter of life will begin on Sunday. A chapter that will be full of joys, pains, fun, happiness, challenges and much much more.

I am excited about going to Belton but I am sad to leave behind my life for the past four years. I love my friends and I am sad that seeing them on a daily basis will no longer be an option. I enjoy soaking in the knowledge my professors would dispense and I am sad about not being able to experience the ups and downs of being in class with them 2-3 times a week.

God has blessed me with great people in my life the last four years and no words I could think of would do justice to what all of the people have meant to be but for those who I was closest to you will be missed. Clint, Jonathan, Lauren, Rachel, Lance, Deanna, Ashley, Alan...you all are so dear to me and best wishes until we meet again!

Be Blessed!!!

Let the Celebration Begin!!!

2006-05-12T13:33:00.000-05:00

So I officially graduate in 21 and 1/2 hours! I am totally pumped! People are coming into town, people are moving out of town, people are setting up tents and big huge blow-up things in the middle of campus. It's gonna be a great party! I can't wait! Happy Graduation to us!!!

Reflections...

2006-05-08T00:45:00.000-05:00

There are so many things I want to blog about and reflect on but time, and the desire not to do too much at one, will hinder me from pouring my heart out tonight. I do however want to share with you what I wrote during church this morning.

This is in reflection of the charge that Jerry Taylor issued to us this morning. One thing I will forever remember is his reflection of Joshua and the Wall of Jericho. He marched! It wasn’t his job to explain away the reason they were marching he just had to march, God did the work. God does the work. We need to get busy marching!

“We are leaving. We are going out to join God in his work. He has a vision and we are in it. We can go and be a part of His plan. With His help we can change the world. We can change the world is we see the vision. We have to leave this place with our Kingdom goggles on.

Sometimes our goggles will be dirty, caked with mud, foggy or even broken but the reality of the good news is that there is one who can fix them. He can clean them. He can repair them because he made them.

If we will commit to wear them we will never be blind. I pray that all of my friends will leave this place with kingdom goggles on. I pray they will seek out opportunities to join God’s work. I pray for divine appointments at the right times. I pray God will fill there hearts with overflowing joy and love and that the words that pour from their mouth reflect the promise and hope of eternal life.

I pray that my friends will leave this place wearing kingdom goggles and that they will see people as Jesus does. I pray as they work they will encounter a new kind of Jesus, a different Jesus.

Praise God for a new chapter in our lives. Let us be change agents. Let us leave here Changed agents.”

My Vocation is love

2006-05-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

First I just wanted to say we won our softball game today.
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Today I submitted a 12 page paper on three people who had an impact on Christian Spirituality. Believe it or not this was my favorite paper to write all semester. I love reading the writing of the three authors I chose.

First I wrote about Bernard of Clairvaux and his four degrees of love. My last writer was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who I thoroughly enjoyed writing about and reading about his life. The second person I wrote about was Therese of Lisieux. She was my favorite.

I love Therese’s view on the world. She was very young when she died, in her mid-twenties. Through all the struggles in her life, the death of her mother and emotional turmoil, Therese wrote some very profound words in her autobiography. These are some of my favorites.

Here Therese is talking about how it was shown to her why some people suffer and others don’t, why some are rich and some are poor, why some make it and others don’t .

“the splendour of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.”

Just because people experience different things does not mean they are less love by God.

This is from a section titled “My Vocation.” Therese is struggling with what to do and to be. She has so many professions that she wants to do and all of them to bring glory to God. She finally came to this realization:

“I realized that love includes all vocations, that love is all things, and that, because it is eternal, it embraces every time and place….I cried, ‘Jesus, my love! At last I have found my vocation. My vocation is love! I have found my place in the bosom of the church and it is You, Lord, who has given it to me. In the heart of the church, who is my Mother, I will be love.’”

I love this. “I will be love.”

God,
I pray that everyday I live, with every breath I take and every step I walk my vocation will be love. May I glorify you in everything I do and everything I say. I will be love.

Amen

I will not give him the chance...

2006-04-25T22:52:00.000-05:00

Satan pulled a number on me today. Lousy test score, bad attitude about it, long confrontation, lost volleyball game, lost soccer game and a friends lost soccer game. All minor things in the big picture but for today these things were life and Satan used them to color my heart.

But tonight I was reminded of real life. A life that proclaims God as sovereign and supreme. A Life that will not allow Satan to have a foothold and denies him the chance to even penetrate the heart. Praise God for friends who I can worship with, laugh with and pray with. Praise God for this reminder of the awesome nature of free life in Him. Praise God for this community that acts as a shield against the powers that be.

On the way home I heard this chorus by ZOEgirl:

I may be misunderstood cause I wouldn't ever fake it
You're the only one who understands my pain
It doesn't matter what they do, what they think, what they say
At the end of the day I'm okay anyway
Cause Lord, You get me.

At the end of the day I'm ok. Praise God for the end of the day!

Be blessed!!!

New Song

2006-04-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

Just a side note: We won our first softball game yesterday-the other team didn't show up :o)
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Song for right now. If you click on the song title it will take you to the page where you can listen to the song. Here are the lyrics.

"Stand"

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright

[Chorus:]
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand

Life's like a novel
With the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon
With only one way down
Take what you're given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on

Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place

******

I really like this song. The message of this song is powerful. The bridge at the end is what really gets me. I have never really thought about what it means to your character when you persevere. I have always admired people who have been through great adversity and come out on top but I never thought about what that means for me. When I am faced with trials, big or small, pushing through them builds my character. I feel stronger. Things fall into place. I fall into place. I like this song. I will always stand!

Be blessed!!!

Too small...

2006-04-24T13:38:00.000-05:00

...so I had a whole post written out but now I'm frustrated that it got erased.

hope you have a good day and may all your post be published successfully!

Be Blessed!

The Sentinel

2006-04-22T08:40:00.000-05:00

This is a still shot from Kiefer Southerland's new movie The Sentinel, co-starring Michael Douglas. I went to see this movie last night with a couple of friends and some guys from the youth group at Highland. We had fun eating and watching the movie. I think the general consensus was it was an Ok movie but it was no 24.

regardless of the movie, we had a lot of fun hanging out. There is a picture further down of all of us before we ate. I have no explanation for the men in this picture.

In other news, life is going well. Graduation is about 3 weeks away. I'm excited about it but also cherishing the times I get to spend with my friends. We have had a lot of fun the last four years and have experienced life together so these last three weeks are going to be important to spend together.

Life is Good. God is good. Love God and love his people.

How can it be?

2006-04-15T23:00:00.000-05:00

Life as an undergraduate student is almost over. How can it be that the life ahead of me can be so exciting and so scary at the same time? I can't wait to go to Belton and meet new people and allow God to guide me as I embark upon a new group and a new adventure. I'm nervous about life beyond college. What will it be like with out all of my friends around all the time? What will it be like to only hear about the relationships they develop and not get to observe them and encourage them in those? What will it be like to move past the "college desires"i.e. a relationship, a mentor, late nights with roommates, etc.? Scary. What does the world hold for me? What does God have in store? I don't know. I'm excited. I'm scared! It's gonna be a grand adventure, life. I can't wait!

Be Blessed!!!

2 Down 5 to go...

2006-04-13T08:36:00.000-05:00

What a great book. I just finished The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. It's like entering a whole different world when you start reading these books. I often find myself caught up in the action of the words on the page, as if it were this grand adventure that I have been invited into. Traveling with the characters and experiencing the unknown as they do. Maybe you think I'm being silly, but I would invite you to read the book. If you will let yourself you could also experience the world of Narnia as if you were a little kid hearing of the Great Lion and the White Witch and the Kings and Queens and the rivers and mountains and battles and so much more. Try it....

On of the great things about this book, in my opinion, was the conversation between Lucy and Susan toward the end. After they won the battle with Aslan's help, and after Edmund had been healed, this is what the girls say...

"Does he know," whispered Lucy to Susan, "What Aslan did for him? Does he know what the arrangement with the White Witch really was?"

"Hush! No. Of course not," said Susan.

"Oughtn't he to be told?" said Lucy.

"Oh, surly not," said Susan. "It would be too awful for him. Think how you'd feel if you were he."

"All the same, I think he ought to know," said Lucy.

If you are not familiar with the book, or the movie, then you might not understand this conversation. You see the girls are talking about Edmund and whether or not he should be told that Aslan gave himself in Edmund's stead.

This book is littered with biblical references but here is one that, for whatever reason, connected with me this morning.

If you didn't know the story you wouldn't understand the sacrifice. How much more important is it then for us to tell the story. As Christians we preach the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf, but with no background, no history, no frame of reference the meaning is faded and lacks impact. We have to tell the story for those who don't know to understand.

At the same time, we have to tell of the sacrifice. For Edmund to have known Aslan gave his life on his behalf makes the victory that much sweeter. It brings the story to life and makes it personal. The story that we tell connects to the sacrifice and together the two halves make a sweet song.

Be Blessed today!!!

Bits and pieces

2006-04-11T15:31:00.000-05:00

Well I'm in class holdin' up the D row alone. Don't you worry. I got it! We are talking about Therese of Lisieux. I like her. She wants it all. I'm down with that.

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We lost our game last night. It was a good match up. We went into Rally Scoring in the middle of the 2nd game. If you know anything about Volleyball rally scoring usually happens in the first 5 min of the 3rd game if you get that far. It was fun but disappointing.

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I got new pictures of Ty in my email this morning! PRECIOUS! I love that baby boy! I have been working on slide for my Lynay Senior Speech today and I have the cutest slide of Ty Baby! If you have any pictures of me with you or a group of people send them to me! I would love to have them. Also the slide show has been updated.

Shower of Blessings...

2006-04-08T15:08:00.000-05:00

Thursday afternoon and evening easily made it into the top 5 best days of my life. It was such a joy to share stories and games, to love and be loved on, and to simply enjoy some great moments with friends and professors. This Senior Blessing experience has truly shown me that ACU is the best place I could have gone to school. Senior Blessing was the ACU difference. Calling Professors by their first names, playing games and sharing stories of successes and mishaps in ministry. Reading letters that brought tears to my eyes and hearing stories that did the same. I am so excited about life right now. I am living with this grand anticipation of what God is doing in the lives of my friends. So many great dreams and goals were shared and I love to see and hear how God is working. With this graduating class I know the kingdom is going to be blessed.

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I got to talk with a good friend last night. It had been a while but I loved hearing his story and his future plans. His story only added to the many I heard on Thursday. He will be spending the majority traveling around Europe and in Africa having fun and serving the Lord with one of his best friends. Please keep these two in your prayers as they prepare to be a modern day Paul and Silas.

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It was a race and I forgot about it. Go check out the lyrics of the song My Wish on Jonathan Paul's blog. I hope they will bless and encourage you as they did me.

Be Blessed

Never was a Cubs fan...

2006-04-06T08:23:00.000-05:00

...until Tuesday. I got the pleasure of watching Ben Mills play little league baseball a couple of days ago. What fun it was to see the sea of blue uniforms scurry around the field not quite sure where to throw the ball, and assuming they did know where to thrown it, not know if the time spent playing catch with dad would prove muscle enough to get the ball across the field. They were precious. There are some pictures in the slide show to the right.

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Last night in our 8th grade class we hit a hard topic. Abortion. This is our second time to discuss this topic-sort of an annual thing. It went really well. We had a small group of girls and they ask some really good questions. The whole point of talking about it is to prepare their hearts, minds, and speech for difficult situations that may not be a reality now, but as they go to High School and get older it will be very real. I got to engage in some role play with the girls a little bit. I was the friend who was going to have an abortion and we just conversed over how they would react to that situation. They are smart girls and I could tell they were thinking about it.

God, as these girls enter into a world that is so tainted with worldly decisions and the consequence they bring, keep our kids safe. Protect them from the temptations of Satan and shield them from situations like this. God I pray that if you do chose to allow them to be in this sort of situation, be the words they speak and the love they show. Give them the courage and faith to do the right thing and the strength to endure the race. Thanks you for your love God and help them to show that love to all their friends no matter what situation they find themselves in. Amen

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TMB made my day! Senior Blessing later! It doesn't get better than this!

Be Blessed!!!

Game Stats:

2006-04-04T00:08:00.000-05:00

We played hard we got close but didn't pull it out this time! We'll get them next week.

Game 1
Kai-O: 12 Kojie Pink: 15

Game 2
Kaio-O:15 Kojie Pink: 17

I hurt my neck so pray that it's just a little pull and will get better really soon.

Be Blessed!!!

Alive...

2006-04-03T00:17:00.000-05:00

What a great weekend. Got to see a bunch of awesome teens that I hadn't seen in a while in Arlington, got to watch Bree's team in a playoff game for soccer, got to hang out with Elizabeth for a while, got to see my summer family again, got to spend some time with my new friends fellowshipping and praising God, got to take part in an awesome devo, got to play some volleyball with some great girls and finally, I got to see God in a hundred different ways this weekend! Here's two things from this weekend that really resonated and continue to surface in my thoughts:

"Sometimes we sing our theology better than we say it and live it." -DP

I like this because I have always thought that music says things we can't find the words to say. One song in particular that I think about is Shield About Me. I love the imagery in the line "your my glory, your the lifter of my head..." I love the picture of me sitting in God's lap and him taking his mighty hand and gently lifting my chin up, looking into my heart through my eyes and sending his love.

The other quote is: "Jesus had dirty feet." -JP

So simple but so loaded with truth.

What a great day to be alive!

Be Blessed!!

What a great day!

2006-03-31T12:26:00.000-06:00

I have absolutely nothing at all to complain about today. Woke up early and got ready for a test, which may have turned out alright. I don't really know. Hung out with Clint in MacZ and watched the GSP guys on The Price is Right. That was so cool. Went to chapel and was blessed to see some great friends and by the music of The Ministry! Man those kids can sing! Lunch with Reid and now work. The weather is awesome. The pod is playing and God is good! What a great day!

Be Blessed!!!

Happy Bubbles...

2006-03-30T09:54:00.000-06:00

Quote of the day...

Dad: Why are you late for work Carolon?

Mom: Well, I was happy and I just didn't want to get ready!

I love my mom!

Waiting

2006-03-30T08:11:00.000-06:00

That's what I am doing. Waiting. This morning I got the privilege of experiencing my first Thursday Morning Breakfast with the University Youth Group. It was fun to get to see some of the kids from the retreat and to meet a lot of new faces in a casual setting. I am grateful to the girls for inviting me and I hope to be able to come consistently until I graduate.

So what does that have to do with waiting? Well, for a long time I have waited for God to present me with an opportunity to meet new people and sort of spark a new fire in my life. At lunch with some friends on Tuesday the question was proposed, What does being on fire for God look like in your life right here and in the now? What a great question to process and answer. In the last two weeks I have felt like I have been very intentional in looking for opportunities to minister and God has been faithful in delivering these times. With the UCYG kids, with Soul Force and even in my group of friends I have had the chance to process, fellowship and love. I still feel like I'm waiting though...

I don't know what for. Maybe it's personal, maybe it's just between me and a friend, maybe it's public. I don't know but this sense of anticipation and urgency has come over me in the last couple of days and I don't exactly know what to do with it. Have you ever felt that? Man!

So here I am waiting on something to happen. God, whatever I am waiting for prepare me for it.

Be Blessed!!!

Soul Force

2006-03-28T09:22:00.000-06:00

As most of you know yesterday ACU was visited by a group called Soul Force. You can go to their website: www.equalityride.com and read up on their visit here and their journey so far.

Personally I was encourage and heartbroken for a good chunk of the day yesterday. I forgot the Equality Riders were going to be here and so I was thrown in to a minor frenzy when I walked into the campus center after my 9 o'clock class. There was no protesting or rioting like some anticipated, but there was a lot of talk. People just chattering about the presentation. Some in agreement and some not but it was definitly the talk of the campus.

In an impromptu decision I decided to go to the 10 o'clock presentation. I was glad God put it on my heart to go because it helped prepare me for what happened next. But first the presentation.
It was all about violence against homosexual, transgender and bisexual by Christians. It was heartbreaking to see and hear these stories of people, real people who align themselves with Christ, beating and mocking and killing. No one deserves that kind of ridicule, no matter who you are. I do not agree with the beliefs of the Soul Force group but I do believe that they deserve the same respect that any other human deserves. Anyway, the presentation was to raise awareness on the violence issue.

After the presentation I made my way to chapel stewing over some of the things that were said by soul force and by our administration here at ACU and when I got to chapel I met Dr. Mattis and chatted for a minute before he introduced me to his friend, Jaime. Jaime was a rider. I didn't really know what to do at first because, well, I was kind of thrown into the conversation, but I am so grateful I was. I was able to meet Jaime and talk to her about their journey. I got to hear about her life a little bit and some of the struggles she is having. Most of the conversation wasn't even about being gay it was about struggles as a human. Praise God for showing me in a very real way how to love someone so very very different from me. You can read a little bit more about Jaime here>Jaime St. Ledger. In our 20 minute conversation I never felt the need to "confront" anything. All I knew what that she was struggling and putting herself out there to a total stranger who she knows disagrees with her, and that I needed to love her like Christ would love her.

What a blessing for us as Christians to be confronted with the hard issues. I am thankful that our campus handled this situation with tact and class and I hope and pray that the violence will stop and that as Christian brothers and sisters we can begin to have peaceful conversations about what the Bible says about the issue at hand.

If you have any questions about my experience yesterday I would love to talk to you so leave me a message and let me know. The feelings of yesterday cannot be described in words very well at all but I hope you were able to catch a glimpse of the conversation and are maybe evening mulling over these things yourself.

Be Blessed!!!

About time!

2006-03-27T13:12:00.000-06:00

This weekend was amazing! Things were planned to a T. Times, places, devos etc. and yet nothing happened the way it was supposed to. I say nothing, what I really mean is that things got shifted back and forth and thrown out completely in the course of the retreat. Our work with Central Dallas Ministries fell through Friday afternoon and so we were stuck with nothing planned for 4 hours of our trip, but that did not stop God from revealing himself.

The goal of the trip was to see something bigger. To see ministry in different lights. To see God working in the rich and poor, in the well off and the struggling. To see more. There is more.

These kids are precious. They have hearts of gold and real struggles and real pains and in the midst try to serve God and others. One of the girls this weekend really got it. Her words were, "it's just so unbalanced." She saw the message of God revealed this weekend. I pray that as the kids talk and reflect on their experiences in impromptu prayer they will all see a glimpse of this message.

I think I got as much out of this weekend as the kids did. I got to hear all of Buddy's motivational talks and they really pumped me up. As I talked with my mom and my friend last night I got excited about life and about the direction God is leading me. It had been a long time since I have met a whole new group of people and this weekend was a fresh start for me. I was glad to be there and in the midst of the learning and the lessons.

Saturday night was my own personal throw down with God. I call it a throw down because that's what it was. My head buried in my pillow and my mind being frustrated and at times just mad at God. It was no holds bar between the two of us and I am so thankful for that freedom and the liberation felt Sunday morning when I work up knowing that I was finally 100% real with God and that he could now begin to settle my frustration and really lead me.

I don't know if you have ever felt that or if you ever will. I don't know if I shared too much or not. I do know that God has refreshed my heart and my mind. He has refocused my vision to align with his. I have seen how God is in control and I am thankful for that.

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On a separate note but of the same color, I got to spend some great time observing an old friend doing what he was made to do, and doing it well. I got to get to know a great guy who has college and the world ahead of him to mature his spirituality and to continue to lead kids to Christ. I got to view an amazing woman of God in a new environment, though you would never know it, doing everything she knew to do to love and lead. I got to meet a youth minister who loves God with his whole being and radiates his glory. So many others who I now know and call friend came out of this trip and I praise God for his work in to=hose relationships as they continue.

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For fear that there are only 5 of you who made it this far in the blog, I will quit, but tomorrow I am going to write about a great experience I had a chapel today with a friend Jaime who is here with Soul Force on their Equality Ride.

Be Blessed!!!

Tower Experience

2006-03-23T08:55:00.000-06:00

Well, on Tuesday in class we talked about Thomas a Kempis and Martin Luther. I was really engaged in class for the first time in a while and something that really caught my attention was Martin Luther's Tower Experience.

Luther lived as a monk trying to do all the eight things. He practiced all the spiritual disciplines and lived his life dedicated to serving the Lord but Luther didn't find fulfillment. Luther didn't find fulfillment until he realized that he could never do enough. He found freedom in realizing that God's grace. This tower experience of his changed his life. My favorite quote from his writings we read is "A Christian is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone."

I love it!

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I love Remember the Titans!

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Be Blessed!!!

It's a good day...

2006-03-21T08:27:00.000-06:00

I woke up this morning refreshed and ready to conquer the day. Maybe because I went to bed early last night but I think mostly because God provided me good friends to hang out with yesterday and rest for my soul.

I am totally pumped about the UYG retreat this weekend. Meeting new people and spending time with some good friends getting to know them and watch God work all over the place! I can't wait.

I woke up this morning to a song called "It's a Good Day" Here are the words:

However long our feet have walked on this world
We've all lived long enough to know
That sometimes life will go our way
And other times it won't
But still I've got this joy inside of me
With each new dawn I do believe to

Say hey, it's a good day
Even if things aren't going my way
Jesus is Lord and I am saved
So, say hey, it's a good day

Circumstance and situations change
You know life can turn on a dime
But there's a constant hope and peace
That I have come to find
And it's all because of who God is
And that He is live and I am His, so

We are all as happy as we make our minds up to be
I have just decided that nothing's gonna take this joy from me

I love the Lord and this attitude he has given me this morning! Praise God!

Have a great day and Be Blessed!!!

Unexpected meeting...

2006-03-19T05:25:00.000-06:00

This was the title of one of the chapters of the book I just finished. In the Magician's Nephew (the first of the Narnia series) the kids are trying to obtain the fruit Aslan sent them after when they run into the Witch, a woman they knew well at this point. Unexpected meeting. I felt like that last night. Maybe it was a mixture of the tiredness of my body and the passion I feel in music but regardless, I unexpectedly met my feelings last night. Upon hearing a song I had heard many times before and allowing my mind to reflect on times spent with my Granddad, I felt as though I was fighting a war to keep the river of emotion from flowing out of my eyes.

I was with people, we were driving home, I didn't want to cry. Luckily God sent laughter into my life at just the right time to hold off the tears momentarily. I called a time out in life last night (I also called my mom), retreated from my current atmosphere for a minute and allowed my body to cleanse itself as it so eagerly desired to do.

Cleansed but not refreshed. Not yet at least. God speaks to my heart through his music and he has reminded me of something lately.

You are mine, you are loved
You have always been thought of
When you hurt I feel it every time
You are mine, you are loved
And I'm never giving up
Till I've dried all the tears you cry
Long before you took a breath
I took your pain upon my chest
I knew your name, I heard you call
It was worth it all
It was worth it all
You are worth it all

This is the chorus of a new FFH song called Worth it All and it's written to be sung from God to us, to me. Last night God sung this song to me.

Thank you Lord for drying my tears, taking my pain and loving me. Cleanse me. Cleanse my heart and my soul. Rest my body and refresh it. Help me to wake up each morning and sing to you. It is worth it all. -Amen

A&M

2006-03-17T00:24:00.000-06:00

Watched the A&M and Syr. game tonight with Mark and Dave. They were hilarious! A&M won in case you were wondering. I think I would watch a lot more bball if the people I watched with acted like those guys! That was fun!

Baby Face...

2006-03-16T18:55:00.000-06:00

I promised them and here they are. The faces of Ty.

This is Silly Ty

This is Crazy Ty
You can't see it but he is wiggling his legs and arms too.

This is Cheesy Ty. When you tell him to say cheese for a picture this is what you get.

This is Scary Ty. Imagine him rolling his eyes back and forth and then laughing. This is the least scariest face I have ever seen. It's precious. If you do this face back to him he laughs. It's cute.

So there you have it. Here are the faces of Ty. Here's one last one that doesn't have an official name but it's just so cute I had to include it.

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So I am back at school now working and sleepin' and trying to get ahead on school while I have the chance. I miss my little Snickerdoodle but I will see him again soon enough. I am getting really excited about going to Belton. And I am even getting excited about going to Grad School which I honestly never thought would happen. Speaking of Grad School I need to finish my application essay so I can turn it in on Monday.

Have a super evening everyone! Be Blessed!!!

I know nothing about soccer!!!

2006-03-13T23:00:00.000-06:00

Ok so funny story of the night was at the soccer game. I went to watch Drew play with a bunch of church people. It was his birthday so we went out there with a sign and a banner. I realized that I know nothing about soccer because 3/4 of the time I had no idea why the ref blew his whistle. Hum... The best part of the game, outside Drew's score, was the kid on the other team who kneed the ball into his own face!!! If you will just close your eyes and imagine this cocky high school kid kneeing the ball into his face I'm sure you would laugh. It was great. I also enjoyed the dramatic line judge (I guess that's what they call um). Every time he threw up his flag it was with passion and vigor!

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So I have been home the last couple of days visiting the family. Jeff and Ty are here and I have throughly enjoyed hangin' out with my little snickerdoodle. I love calling him that because he will say it back to me and it comes out less than perfect. That's what I love about Ty right now. He can't always say the whole word or phrase but what he says is so much cuter than what you tell him to say. It's precious. Right now Ty has these faces that he does. There are four and at some point I will post them. We have, Crazy Ty, Happy Ty, Smiling Ty and Scary Ty. They are too too cute!

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The Chronicles of Narnia. I am half way done with The Magician's Nephew and I love it. I want to finish it before I get back to Abilene so I can read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe before Spring break is over.

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Easter. Mom wants me to come home and sing again. This will be the third year in a row. I don't know who with or what song but I'm sure she will tell me with two weeks to learn it and perfect it. Last year was fun. Remember that? Takin' the keyboard out to Will Hare park and watching the sunset while learning this new song! So many things about that trip were awesome! (Easter shorts) I am so grateful to God for giving me awesome friends to make incredible memories with. Life is good! Praise God for that!

I think it's time to call it quits. It is my mine and my dads nightly ritual (when I'm home) to watch Law and Order: CI or SVU until there are no more to watch, then go to bed! It's on!

Goodnight friends!!!

Be Blessed!!!

Waiting...

2006-03-09T09:49:00.000-06:00

Not that "right here waiting for you," Richard Marx, waiting on your love waiting. This is that, huddled in a corner in a dark room, alarms going off, army men strolling the halls with guns sort of waiting.

Now I am well aware of the over dramatization of that previous statement, but I do however feel as if I am waiting for a bomb to go off. The timer is set for 3:00 p.m., place Bible Room 103, 2nd chair, back row, left side (looking at the room of course). The test will not be an easy task and promises to be a forceful attack with the enemy pulling out all the stops. Advantage: We get to use the play book! Praise God for that, and for the lessons learned about open book test in the past. For this I am thankful and for the essay portion this soldier feels adequately prepared. It's the 50 people and 30 identifies I am struggling with-this part is not open book.

Waiting.......and waiting.............and studying.............and waiting.

Be Blessed!!!