Saturday, May 29, 2010

Array of Friends.

There are seven friends you should have, according to Collegiate magazine.

1. The crazy fun friend: one who will drag you out of your funk, make you laugh and the one you can adventure with. I like to think almost all my friends are fun, but the "adventure" part makes me think of Rachel (Owen) and Cierra.

2. The long distance friend: not a part of your daily life, can offer outside perspective. Definitely Ellie - though she is not a "part" of daily life, she definitely knows what goes on throughout my day.

3. The non-christian friend: gives a fresh perspective outside of our bubble of Christian friends. I do have these friends, but I don't consider them very close...

4. The opposite sex friend: gives solid advice and perspective that can't be given my same sex friends. Love my guys - Dino and Tyler (Sweeney).

5. The accountability friend: will call you out when needed, especially in matters of life. Especially after my Bible study this semester, I realize how important these are. I have so many that I know would call me out if needed - Lindsey, Angela, Allison...

6. The mentor friend: offers real and honest wisdom, guidance and insight. Two of the biggest mentors this year were Tiffany (Harris) and Angela.

7. The life friend: the one who has seen you through it all - and will always be there. Ellie for sure, and my sister. Although Angela and Allison haven't known me my whole life, I know we will always be sisters in Christ. :)

Monday, May 24, 2010

Artsy God.

I love reading Scripture that references art, or talks about us in the aspect of art.


Exodus 31:3 -- "...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts."

Ephesians 2:10 -- "For we are God's masterpiece."

Jeremiah 18:6 -- "As the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand."

Saturday, May 22, 2010

To Live Not for Myself.

God has just been weighing something heavy on my heart this past couple of weeks. Probably, because I've struggled with it my whole life.

I don't need the approval of people.
I shouldn't seek the approval or attention of guys.
The only approval needed, or person I need to please is Him.


The High Point Staff is doing a Bible study called "Exchange"... talking about how we don't live our Christian lives by ourselves, but through Him.

I love a line in this first lesson that says, "I think a lack of identity is related to alienation from God."

I was reading Ephesians 3 this morning, and verse 17 says, "Then Christ will make His HOME in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grown down into God's love and keep you strong." and 2 Corinthians 4 says, "Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day."

My identity is in Christ, He lives in me.... my life is His.

"If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." - Galatians 1:10.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Kept.

This week, I have just been reading a lot in Isaiah.

I was reading chapter 42, and verse 6 stuck out to me.

"...I will take you by the hand and keep you."

God never leaves me.
He's always beside me.
He always guides me.

But even better - He keeps me.
When everything else falls apart, He's right there.
He keeps me close.
When people push me away, I'm still kept by Him.

How great it is to serve and be loved by a God who always keeps me, never leaves me.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

101 Update.

4. -- Sell some of my art.
I had to make an illustration book, with 25 illustrations of one single animal. Did it, blah blah blah. Turns out, one of my friends that loves horses wanted the art. $20, thank youuu!

31 -- Have more A's than B's for one full school year.
Ballinnnnnnnnnnn.

90. -- Keep a school planner for one year.
That's how I kept my brain from going on overload!

97. -- Try Geocaching.
Did this just this week, in Santa Fe! I feel bad for dissing it for the past few years... because it was kind of fun! Don't think I'll pick it up as a hobby though...

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Eye-Opener.

The other night a bunch of us summer staffers went to the Plaza in Santa Fe. There's a lot of homeless people around there. I've never really been around homeless people before, so it was a real eye-opener.

One of our guys ended up giving a homeless man $5. That mere $5 caused the homeless man to cry because he was so grateful for our help. I love kindhearted and thankful this homeless man was, despite his circumstances. He was telling US about God, most of the time that he was talking.

I read something that night in my devotional that was about homeless people, ironically. I just thought on it for awhile, and remember thinking and praying for a spirit like them. To know that God is all I need. It was humbling just to see the homeless guy and talk to him, after I've been a little bit whiny about the condition of our rooms here at Glorieta.

It's been so amazing to see God work in just small ways in one week. :)

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Room.

Good news: One of my roommates is already here, and we are getting along fabulously :) We had a heart-to-heart last night. I can tell we're going to become sweet friends! It's just amazing how God brought us together... we come from different places and backgrounds, but we have the same heart on some things.

Bad news: The cover on the plug-in prongs for a lamp in our room doesn't stay on very well... and I went to unplug it this morning. Then, I accidentally touched the metal. Electrocution. Ouch. Guess there's a first for everything...

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Irony.

I'm in Glorieta! :)

For the last week I've been packing. Packing for three months is a lot harder than it sounds! On top of that, I was packing up my room... because I got an APARTMENT! I will move when I get back in August.

As I was leaving my dorm yesterday with my last-minute items, I realized how ironic it was the items I was carrying... kind of reflected my last year.

Laptop: always on it, for school and.... facebook. Among any other computer needs.

Bible: always in it, got me through the last year.

Jacket: ... I was always cold.

Smartwater: (cue cheesey statement) I learned a lot over the last year. And I drink a lot of water... ?

Toilet paper (kleenex were packed): a lot of tears were shed in that building.


Yes. I am just that cheesey. But I just found it very ironic. :)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

New Chapter.

I leave tomorrow for Glorieta.

I'm so ready.
for a break..
for what God's going to teach me..
for whatever.

Today's sermon in church was about priorities, where we spend most our time.
I'd like to think that my priorities are right, but I know they're not always that way.

But, I'm so... EXCITED to spend a few months just being focused and drawing closer to Him. Although, this should be all the time, and I do constantly work on my relationship with Him - but now there's no school to distract me. (And there will be limited internet time I believe.)

Check back for updates.
And if you'd like to mail me snail mail... let me know, and I'll send you an address.