spider

I was driving to work this morning, windows down and enjoying the nice weather. I saw something out of the corner of my eye and realized there was a spider on my driver-side window. I immediately rolled up my window, panicking at the thought of it flying in and what if it flew in my mouth? I would have thrown up for sure, no question. Arriving at work, my unwanted friend was still clinging to my window, in no hurry to leave. Sitting in my car, I had the choice of getting out and risking it falling on me (I REALLY don't like bugs) or getting out on the other side. So I crawled over the gear shift and climbed out the passenger side (I'm so thankful a co-worker didn't see me). I don't know why something so small freaks me out. I'm going to chalk it up to being a girl and being okay with that :-)

twitter

Twitter is a fun way to fritter away any down time you may have. I joined Twitter back in October and am constantly surprised to see how popular it's becoming. It seems anyone and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and proclaiming that they're "twittering." I looked back over my updates and wanted to share some that made me smile when I sent them and make me smile now as well. Please enjoy :-)

* I really don't think church is the place to cuddle...

* Just because you're a guy doesn't mean you automatically have the right to strut around without a shirt; some restrictions do apply.

* Just saw a car covered in "fur" like the one in "Dumb & Dumber."

* Pet peeve #36: people wearing black & navy together (unless it's jeans & then you're fine).

* Washing cheese out of my hair...ew - gotta love fellow youth leaders :-)

* I've spent 1/4 of my calories for today on a box of Andes chocolate - it's been worth it :-)

* This is what i get for selecting 'play all' on my MP3 player: 'Mission 3:16' by Carman. MAJOR stroll down memory lane :-)

* Two coworkers are discussing the merit of 'Napoleon Dynamite.' Really?

* Currently fighting with the stapler...the stapler is winning.

always

In just a little over a week sixty-some teenagers and adults will head to youth camp for a week of fun and finding God. In preparation for what God is going to do, my youth pastor asked all of us to give something up in exchange for God to move in our lives. I'm starting to really miss what I sacrificed :-) Yet I keep thinking of what I'm needing God to do in my life and I keep hanging in there - I know He'll prove Himself faithful. I've been reading in Hebrews about all those such as Moses and Abraham who believed in what God had promised them though they didn't fully understand the means in which their answer would come. Waiting on God to move is not always easy - there's a lot of waiting sometimes involved but just as our forefathers in the faith realized, God always fulfills His promises. No, He may not answer when we want Him to but He will ALWAYS come through. So as I wrap up my fast, I'm looking forward to not only what God will do at camp but what He'll do between now and then as well.

halfway

I'm having a hard time believing the fact that 2009 is now halfway over. It seemed like just yesterday that we were ringing in the new year and now we will shortly we welcoming in a new one. I think the biggest thing is enjoying each day as is and not looking to sporadic "big" events in order to count them as worth celebrating. For example, in a few weeks I'm going as a leader to camp with around sixty teens. While I know those four days will be absolutely amazing, I can't keep wishing away the time I have right now in exchange for it to already be time to load the bus and head to camp. We have to make the most of every day and search for the potential that each day holds. So even though half the year is gone, I still have six more months to fit in lots of experiences and adventures. And once 2010 is here, I get to start all over :-)

on its way

A few weeks ago, I saw Hillsong United in concert. Hearing songs from those who wrote them that I listen to and being surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of people who are hungry for God is a beautiful thing. About halfway through the concert, the youth pastor for Hillsong Church came out and spoke (I'll admit I absolutely love their accent). He talked about the fact that he and his wife have a new baby at home. He said that they have decided to feed her "the old fashioned way," as he put it, leaving him completely incapable of feeding her. One day the baby was fussy and hungry, the youth pastor only able to offer what comfort he could while his wife was on her way home. He said he was holding his daughter close, rocking back and forth, trying to keep her pacifier in place - everything humanly possible to console her but it still wasn't enough. Though he couldn't give her what she needed, help was on its way. He said the same is true with us. God is holding us, comforting us as only He can, promising our answer is on its way. We're 'fussy' for whatever reason, all of us needing something different from God. "I love you. Hold on. Just a little bit longer," God says, rocking us back and forth. I like that idea. God knows what we need before we even ask which means we can be assured we'll have the answer at the right time.

rain

This morning started out sunny and warm but a few hours later, dark clouds loomed overhead. Sitting at my desk at work, I made the choice to leave my umbrella in the car though I knew a downpour was on its way. Leaving work, I savored the feel of rain on my skin, finding a little bit of freedom in not using an umbrella. In keeping with the theme of my last post, sometimes we need to 'leave the umbrella in the car' and just enjoy the simple things.

merry-go-round

I went to Nashville with some friends last weekend to see Hillsong United in concert (another blog post entirely). Before the concert we had some down time so we went to the mall and squeezed in some shopping. As soon as we walked into the mall, we were greeted by a merry-go-round. The other girls decided we should ride it - so we each purchased a ticket and waited in line. We opted to ride the spinning teacup so the three of us climbed in and for the next few minutes went round and round, laughing as we turned the wheel faster and faster.

Though such an act may seem childish and inappropriate for two teenagers and a twenty-something to engage in, to me it was a moment of throwing caution to the wind and having a little fun. I think sometimes we need to break tradition and remember the fun we had when little by swinging or riding on a merry-go-round. Life goes by so fast - sometimes we need to seek out the joy found in the simple things.