unplanned

I like things neat and tidy. I like knowing what to expect and being prepared. Yet it's seeming that recently when things have come about unexpectedly, it's the spontaneity that makes it fun. For example, last week after being at church for choir practice, two of my friends were all "Let's go grab a bite to eat. Wanna come?" We ended up getting burgers and spending the next two hours talking about sooo many things. We laughed, had those "um...wow" moments and the occassional awkward-in-a-funny kind of way moments. When we all climbed into our cars to go our separate ways at the end of the night, I realized it had been a good evening. None of it was planned but it's in these times when we can find ourselves pleasantly surprised. Huh. May we all be open to "beautiful surprises" (remember that, Alicia?).

energy boost

"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us" (Romans 8:31-39 - the Message).

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.