That Lovely Time

It is that time of year again. Yes...that time of year when I get brownies and milk sent up to bed with me, a bubble bath, and relaxation. Aunt Sandi and Uncle Jim have spoiled me rotten once again.

This weekend was a perfect weekend to getaway. Many people were leaving campus and lately I have had enough of Portland. The city is always wonderful and my friends bless me everyday, but these last couple of weeks I have felt heavy. Many things cross my mind and there are a lot of "to dos" on my list. So, what is the perfect getaway? Aunt Sandi and Uncle Jim's. If  you can describe the most relaxing and comfortable place, picture it and multiply it by ten. This morning I slept in until about 9:30, had a Bible study of Acts 11-15, and walked downstairs to a warm cappuccino. Not long after my delicious cup of love, Uncle Jim started making orange Halloween pancakes.  We ate together as a family and embraced conversation. I was able to catch up on homework, family time, stories, and movies. I love this time of the year. I love my family. I love this feeling; warm, comfortable, relaxed, and free from worry.

On my phone I have an app called "Inspiration." Everyday I wake up to a new inspirational quote and I love it. 

Today was "Little minds have little worries, big minds have no time for worries." 

That fits life right now to the T. Lately, I have realized that my mind moves a million miles per hour, and it seems that the faster my mind moves, the less I get done. This is because there are so many things that need attention to be completed and when I have little parts of my mind in so many different places, only a little of everything gets done, leaving nothing accomplished. My goal for not only this week, but honestly for the rest of my life, is to take a deep breath, be realistic with what is going on around me, and go with the flow. I don't want to worry about a million different small things or even one really big thing. I want to breath, pray, and let things be. This weekend that is exactly what I did. I watched movies with my Aunt and Uncle, ate my brownies and drank my milk, took a nice hot bath (with bath salts of course!), and let go of my worries. I enjoyed the moments with my family and did not let the worldly worries take away from the time I have right now, in this moment.

Philippians 4: 4 

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Thank you Jesus, for blessing me with such an amazing family.

Uncle Jim's famous pancakes. Today, they were orange for Halloween :)

Sometimes you just need to put on fuzzy socks (thanks to Aunt Sandi!), love life, and eat brownies before bed! I know that there are brownies waiting for me every visit. It has become a tradition, and it is one of my favorite traditions.
2013

2012

Routine

Today, I think back to my freshman year of college. About three years ago, I was essentially doing the same thing as I am now, just on a different day. I did not start blogging until my sophomore year, but I remember as a freshman having open time around 10:00 a.m. and treating it the same way as I am now. I just opened the blinds to my apartment, had some tea, and started to write. I remember my freshmen year when I would go to the dorms after class, open my curtains, drink some tea, and also write. I am definitely a creature of routine. Even as time passes, I realize certain things that I do that have not changed since my freshmen year. 

Now that I am a senior, I still:

Drink green tea

Wear black leggings with long shirts

Write during my free time

Go to coffee shops to do homework

Drink hot coco whenever I can

Open the blinds or curtains in rooms because I love natural light

Call family between classes to say hello

Live with one of my best friends (my first roommate coming into college!)

Run track

and I am still addicted to my planner

...there are so many little things that keep me who I am.

But there are also things that have changed that keep me growing:

Mentoring people around me

Have the ability to just have fun with something and not constantly be competitive

Learning that even though my routine may break, doesn't mean that my life is ending

I can live on my own timeline and not everyone else's

Confidence in my work

Growth in my learning

Thinking outside of the box

Taking a deep breath and letting go of situations

and of course learning how to do laundry in a fast, timely manner.

All of these things are a part of growth.

Yesterday, I was at track practice. As a team, we were working on block technique and speed. To track athletes this is normal, but to people who don't run track, seeing someone bend over into medal pedals, raise their butts into the air and try and run out of the medal pedals as fast as possible looks a little crazy. I realized that there was an older man watching us practice blocks. When I realized that he wasn't only sitting there to wait for someone, but he was watching us run, I smiled to myself. I smiled at the fact that maybe he was remembering when he was a track athlete. Maybe he was remembering when he could run blocks, or how much the sport of running has changed....or maybe he just thought we were a little nuts :). For a period of time during practice, I just felt a little frustrated. I wasn't being explosive, I didn't feel fast, and on top of that I had to be cautious because of a recovering sprained MCL. But then I saw him. I saw a 70 year old smile while he watched us run as fast as we could out of our blocks. He nodded his head and just admired. In only a couple of seconds, my frustration was gone and he looked over to smile at me. Why wasn't I enjoying this moment? Why wasn't I in admiration that my teammates and I are able to perform the technique and speed that our bodies allow us to do? I think it was because I was so used to be competitive and being so focused in the moment that track wasn't fun, it became something I just had to do. After he smiled, I turned to my blocks for my last two block starts. This may sound like a "sappy movie ending," but out of all honestly, I let go of my frustration, thought about the old man's smile, and had the best two block starts of the evening. Before practice was over, the old man had left. I wanted to ask if he ever ran track or if he was just watching us because he thought we were crazy for running out of "medal pedals." 

But he was not there to ask.

Let me just say, I don't think those kinds of things happen out of the blue. I think those things happen to keep us going. 

Pay attention to the small things throughout your day, or even week. You may be surprised at what you notice.

2010
Freshmen year, this was my very first track practice. All I can say is that I got used to not wearing makeup :)

FearLESS

Let me just describe the setting of my Sunday morning. Pink blanket, couch, Bible, notebook, hot tea, and silence. Yup, this is what I love about Sundays. When homework is not over bearing and Sunday mornings are able to be enjoyed, I take advantage of every second. I'm in my pajamas, I have a messy bun on the top of my head and it's almost noon. That's what weekends are for!

Tonight will be the second night that Freedom Church is open to the public. I am so excited. Eight people from my school are coming and I can't wait to share Freedom with them. Lets see if we can beat our attendance of 72! God is just moving through lives and I am so happy to be apart of his plan. 

     What has been on my heart lately has been the topic of fear. Humans have a tendency to worry and fear, and I am completely guilty of both of those things. Let me just say, that I don't believe worry, fear, or guilt are from God. I don't think that our spirit is meant to hold on to feelings that bring us down. Think, when you feel upset about something that is happening in your life, when do you ever want to talk to someone about how amazing God is. I know for me, when I am distracted by my own thoughts, I can't seem to escape them. Usually, a drive or just alone time for myself is needed to just get my thoughts under control. This world has a tendency to overcrowd, control, and produce situations in our lives that are not necessary. Control is something that humans tend to thrive for and when we feel that everything is out of line, then it seems that everything around us falls apart.

     But here is the amazing thing about God. When everything seems to be falling apart, he has the power to put things back together. When everything seems to feel out of control, God is in control. Have you ever heard the saying, "what's done is done?" Well, no matter what is "done," God has forgiveness and the power to "re-do." I think that we have the tendency to hold on to what is out of control, and we tend to forget that God is the God of all knowing. He knows what we fear and he knows the mistakes we have made. A lot of the times we forget that he's already forgiven us for things that we have done, but it's a matter of the forgiveness from ourselves that we seem to not let go of. 

     This last Friday, two friends and I had a Bible study. It was pretty darn awesome! We went through 1 Peter and spoke about how in the midst of Christians being killed for following Jesus Christ, Peter wrote a letter telling others to be strong in there faith. He wrote about how there is a place, Heaven, that is waiting for those who keep their faith in Jesus. He inspired them to stay strong and that their hard times of trials are only tests from this world. His life was out of control, but Peter never lost site of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Maybe Peter wasn't fearless, but he feared less than others. I think if he can can stay strong in the midst of the battles around him, we can stay strong with whatever battle is happening inside (and outside) of us. 

1 Peter 1:6-7

So be truly glad. there is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 

The Lessons of Life:

-chicken noodle soup needs more flavor than chicken broth, noodles, and chicken...something that was once a healthy idea has turned into a very salty, unhealthy idea. BUT still better than some other choices!

-a couple of chocolate kisses in the morning after breakfast isn't always bad :)

-dating Jesus is amazing. He is definitely challenging me and showing me areas of my life that is needing strength; trust in him and living out my faith. He is growing my faith and providing me with so much support. 

-Cooking chicken in water instead of olive oil prevents grease stains on my clothes (Thanks Jess!)...and wearing an apron prevents grease stains too :)

-learn from mistakes, don't hold onto them.

-the feeling of getting clothes laundry done AND bed sheets/blankets done in one day is the true feeling of accomplishment!

 

Cheers to the beginning of another week!

Embrace the Sweetness

Do you ever have those mornings when you wake up and say, "today will be a productive day!" Well, that definitely happened about 48 hours ago, but I ended up being productive in relaxing...with no homework being completed. So what am I doing today? 

Homework at the coffee shop :)

My morning went a little something like this...

Woke up to my alarm at 5:15 a.m. to then attempt wake up to my 5:30 a.m. alarm (waking up in 15 minute increments helps me a lot!). Well, this morning was the first time this year that I don't remember turning off my second alarm for 5:30...yes, I overslept. It probably didn't help that my roommates and I were dancing around the house at 1:30 in the morning and I needed to be up bright and early. I work the weight room on campus from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Fridays, so this is the reason I am awake right now (I don't have class on Fridays and right now is fall break for midterms. Crazy huh?!) Now, I am working and blogging. I love that I am able to do both. 

What is next? I am off of work in about 30 minutes. I plan on sleeping (again), running (I am now approved by my chiropractor to start running again this week since I sprained my MCL), and will then go to a coffee shop to work on homework. In the large scheme of homework for the semester, I have two large essays and two group projects. When I look at it that way it seems to be a piece of cake! 

So I will embrace the sweetness :) 

I love coffee shops. Yesterday, a friend and I went to this lovely place. I learned that I am not alone with being one of the slowest eaters in the world,. I also learned that my friend is an amazing writer. I love discovering beautiful things.

If you haven't tried Greek Yogurt YOU SHOULD! It is so yummy. With adding dark chocolate protein granola, it satisfies for an amazing dinner. Thank you to another amazing friend for showing me this healthy treat :)

2 Timothy 1: 7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Stepping Around the Cracks

     Remember the game "don't step on the crack." Well, I remember it perfectly. In grade school it was "step on the crack and you'll break your mother's back." All of us as children jumped from one step to one step, trying not to step on any cracks. We tried so hard to keep our heads up to see where we were going, but looked down at our feet at the same time to make sure we didn't break our mother's back! As we looked up, we made sure we weren't going to run into anything (or anyone in that matter) to buy time to look at the ground again to reassure ourselves that we were jumping around the cracks and not on them. We tried so hard to prevent from breaking our mother's back, hypothetically. Now, I am an adult, and this game of "don't step on the crack" seems to be a lot more real. There seems to be cracks that are unavoidable,. 

     Being a senior in college, I'm growing up. I'm not only learning about financial techniques and how to grocery shop, but I'm learning about people. People from different places and different cultures. People who don't agree with some of my decisions and thoughts and people that do. I'm growing up to learn that as I grow, I can see my younger self in someone else. I want to just tell them, "don't try that because it won't work" or "there is an easier way out to this" but of course, I can't. Even if I did they won't listen. Why? Because they need to encounter the situation on their own and learn from it. Without experience there isn't any growth. Within letting myself let other people grow, I am also learning that I also need to continue growing.

     With growing there is a process. You watch someone else go through something and maybe say, "I won't do that." Or, maybe you see someone do something that you like and think, "I'd like to try that." Either way, people grow by observation and experience. But what about there is something that you aren't sure about? What about there is something that is more intuitive than told? That is when there is a leap in faith. 

Throughout life, I have found myself not trying to step on a lot of cracks, but there are times I feel that when I try to not step on one crack, I stumble onto an even bigger one. Sometimes, we can focus so hard on the small cracks and forget to look where we are going to soon find out that there was an even bigger crack ahead of us. We can't revolve our steps around cracks in life, mainly, because we can't avoid all of them.

     So where am I going with all of this? Why am I talking about childhood games, growing up, and tripping over cracks just to trip onto a bigger one? The reason is because right now, I am finding myself tripping over cracks that I shouldn't worry about. I'm stumbling on cracks that are being created. I'm not being confident with where I am walking, when I truly should be. The amazing reality, is that I should be able to walk around the cracks blind folded, because the Holy Spirit of Jesus guides me through every obstacle. The feeling of intuition comes from God. He speaks to us in ways that we can't explain, but it's so easy for this world to be too loud so that we don't hear him.

     For the next six months,  I have decided to dedicate my time to dating Jesus. I know, that may sound a little different, but it's actually amazing. I get to have five dates a week with God, and he treats me to the Bible every day. So I am putting on my blind fold, I am walking forward, and I am taking my leap of faith to grow in the way he wants me to grow. I'm not listening to the world, I'm being confident in the decisions I make, and I'm walking around the cracks while looking towards God for guidance. 

Prayer requests:

-A dear friend has lost her grandmother. I ask for prayers to be sent her way as she is experiencing a hard time.

-My Grama Sharon had knee surgery and is having an amazing recovery. I ask for prayers that continue her strength.

The Adult Life

     Right now, I just finished up eating lunch. This isn't just lunch, this is lunch I cooked. This is a lunch that I spent my own money on. This is a lunch that I earned. I have learned that this is a big difference from lunch at home than lunch that I have as a college student. Yes, I am a senior in college BUT the last three years I have been on my school's meal plan. So now, I grocery shop with my own income on the weekends and plan out my meals for the week days. Why am I talking about how I spend my own money and cook my own food? Because I'm not only learning about how to budget and spend, but I'm learning about myself. I'm now starting to live a single, independent life and I'm learning new things every day. Of course, I know myself but I read the other day that one's mind can measure up another individual in a time of ten seconds and can't measure up themselves their entire life. In a psychological sense, this means that someone else can know another human better than themselves within their life time. Not every believes this theory, but to me it makes some sense. I can swirl into an entire blog about the mind and theories but I won't get started with using my psychology degree right now :)
Some fun facts that I have learned this morning:
-sometimes, it's easier to just cook in a sports bra to avoid getting stains on a white shirt
-when two washers are open, wash two loads of laundry (common sense right? Well, it took me a second walk to the laundry room to realize that both washers were open...)
-when you have a delicate white shirt, put it inside a white pillow case to prevent tears from the washer or other clothes (just make sure to tie the top of the pillow case)
-when you miss home, make something that reminds you of it. What did I make? Sweet tea...who would of thought?
-I like Winco better than Walmart.
...and it's only 2 in the afternoon! What other fun facts will I learn?!

On a more serious note, God is working in my life in amazing ways. He is teaching me to be still. He is teaching me to let things be. He is teaching me how to live...in his ways, not mine. With my life group at church right now, we are studying the book of Luke. Luke 1:19-20 (in "The Message" Bible) an angel is speaking with Zachariah, telling him that his wife will be able to give birth to a son. The angel, Gabriel, says "Every word I've spoken to you will come true in time--God's time." I love this. I'm learning this. I can relate to this. I think everyone can. I look around me and see that the American society is ran by time. Everyone rushes around trying to finish what they need to finish; rush to work, rush home, rush to bed, just to rush to do the same thing the next day. But this is not how I want to live. I don't want to "rush" through life, living each day for the next. I want to be on God's time clock, not mine. It's the beginning of my last year in undergraduate school. Everything this year seems to be new. I have a couple of new roommates (who are amazing), new track coaches (who are also amazing) and it's a new school year.

So cheers to the new year, cheers to the new times, and cheers to the adult life!

P.S. Tonight, Freedom has our first service ever in our new rented building! Remember when our church only included seven people? We have grown to 40!

Luke 1: 20: ...For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper timing. 

The Sweet South

Let me just say, North Carolina was beyond amazing. I met so many family members and saw a different way of living. Now I am back to a different kind of living as well...the college living! Yup, it's that time of year again when I am all packed up away from home and living at my "other" home. I am settled in my new apartment and ready for my senior year of college to start. Before the life of college takes over, I will take you back to the Sweet Southern memories that I will forever hold and let you glimpse through my glass.

*I wish I had a Southern accent.
*Thunder storms in North Carolina are unbelievable. I was mesmerized, but to the locals it was completely normal to have a lightning storm every night. Everything is green and wet there. The South is humid, and when I came back to the West I felt like a fish out of water!
*Grits are not my favorite food, but everyone says that they grow on you.
*Frog legs literally taste like chicken (Yes, I tried frog legs. I saw it so many times on Duck Dynasty that I had to take a bite!)
* Every Avery will have some sort of storage unit holding stuff that are dear to them (I already have two vehicles and things in my Gramps and Granny's basement...I am off to an early start).
*Meals are very important in the South.
*Hush puppies are delicious!
*Homemade ice cream is the best kind ice cream.
*The Pasquatank River is one of those "heart stopping views." Maybe I am a little bias because of family memories, but it sure stopped my heart.
*Blue crabs are pretty yummy fresh off the river, but it's a little different when I am talking to one of them one second and eating it 30 minutes later.
*Boogie boarding in the Atlantic Ocean must happen again. The water is soooo warm.
*Climbing the tallest light house in the nation was definitely a site to see at the top. After 257 stairs up, the view was beautiful.
*The Wright Brother's National Park was way interesting to see. I was able to see where the first flight was successful.
*Kayaking in the swamp was really relaxing. I don't know if the cotton mouthed snake was too happy we were near his home, but he swam away real quick...thank you Jesus for that!
*Sayings I picked up from the South are "youngins, fussin, favors, and you all"
*And my favorite, sweet tea can be ordered everywhere...including the Wendy's. What a life :)

Here is a small something I wrote that may give a little bit more of an understanding of what the South is like. I hope that you can feel a little bit of what I felt on this day.
August 3, 2013
     In the South, at least in North Carolina ("Carolinar"), everything moves slow. As I sit in the white rocking chair on the porch, I watch as the thunder clouds roll in and they even seem to take their time. Oh, and the thunder is rolling. The sun peaks into the world every so often and then lets the clouds be.
     I sit here in this white rocking chair (as almost everyone has one on their porch) to write. It's the only way I know how to capture the moment. Maybe that's why everyone here has the white rocking chairs, because they see life moving here. Gramps told me it is because back in the day, no one had air conditioning so everyone sat on their porch for cool air, but maybe there is another look onto that. And maybe they are white to check for the bugs on the chair. I know I checked for them, especially ticks...the white must be easier for them to see! At least that's my idea :)
     "Now" is so much different compared to "then." I've heard so much about everything; blanchin', shellin', pickin' corn, sortin' berries, adding salt when cannin' and not owning a microwave. Aunt Mary mentioned that in 1985 one was given to her for Christmas, "big ol' thang" she said it was. Time sure passes quickly. As for now, I will sit back, and watch the storm sweep through on this white rocking chair, so that it as well, does not quickly pass me by.

What's It to You?

     I feel like I have been using the word "it" quite a bit lately. Not purposefully, but IT is just something that is on my mind. Now what is it? It is different for every single person. Anything can be it.
     To fill you in, these are how the next couple of weeks are going to go. I will leave to North Carolina day after tomorrow, be there for about a week and a half, fly back to Boise, and then leave to Portland four days later. Talk about about a whirl wind of things happening! I love it and I am so excited, but what I want to focus on is being present in the moment. I want to take advantage of each experience that I have because North Carolina is a once and a life time experience, at least for a visit like this. Remember back in November when I posted about my great grandfather passing away? Well, I am meeting all of his relatives. All relatives I have not met. I will be able to see family property that has been passed down from generations to generations. I am so prepared to be called sweetie and honey in a southern accent while sipping on southern sweet tea. I want to see North Carolina thunder storms and enjoy every moment of it. I don't want to take the moment that God has granted me, focusing on what is going on in my life in Boise and what is to come in Portland.
     The other night, dad and I were cleaning the barn to prepare to buck hay the next day. Bucking hay is just another word for saying that we took bails of hay off of a pasture and stacked them inside of my barn. This is said in simple terms. Come out and help, and after 56 bails in the 102 degree weather you will be saying some words that normally don't come out of your mouth ;) Sooo now that that is cleared up, after dad and I prepared the barn, I sat on my fence and watched the sunset. I know that sounds cliche, but I was completely in the moment. There was a calm breeze on my face as the bright pink sky faded behind the foothills, and I was left to my thoughts. I closed my eyes and just listened to what was around me. I opened them to see my horse and two goats, and realized that this is IT. This is what I want. I want this moment. I want the feeling of this moment. I love this peace. When people talk about where God is and how he talks to people, I think this is a perfect example. God is everywhere, all the time, but when the earth turns a bit slower for people to pause and understand what they are feeling, such as me sitting on my fence, God is a lot easier to feel.

     So my question to you is this. What is IT for you? 

     If someone were to ask me this a couple of days ago I would response, "I don't know. I have an idea, but I don't have one solid answer." IT comes in the moment. I don't know if someone can "make" IT happen. I don't think people can find IT. I think IT finds people.

I think God uses IT to become closer to our hearts, leading us farther along into our journey. 

Papa, I finally get to see your North Carolina.

When You Least Expect IT

Yesterday I was exhausted. Yesterday I had hit my limit. Do you know that feeling when you are so emotionally and physically drained that you want to just sit and cry, but there is no real reason to? You hit a red light, so you want to say things that are not usually used in your vocabulary. You are sitting on the couch and the dog wants out and all you want to do is say, "can't you let yourself out?" Okay, so these are just everyday situations that seem so easy to handle, but when being tired is in the equation, these situations seem so much more difficult. Why am I bringing this up? Because yesterday was this kind of day.
After running on 4 hours of sleep, I got ready for a 10.5 hour day of nannying. Now, I don't want to give off the wrong impression. I love my job. I adore the child I watch and I am so blessed to be such a big part of his life. The reason I was tired was because working out, working, taking care of my animals, spending time with family, filling out papers for my senior year in college, researching master school programs, and trying to have a social life kind of brought me to a tired state of mind. I was physically and emotionally wiped out.
I went to work after my 6:45 AM workout. I played all morning, took care of the 11 week old puppy, and then got ready for swim lessons. I did not put on my swimsuit, instead I decided to take a day off from swimming with the child I am watching and let him play with other kids. After about 10 minutes following swim lessons, he comes up to me and asks, "Christi...can you swim with me?" How could I say no? "Of course," I said, "come with me to change into my swim suit. After I was ready, we went into the pool and we swam. In the middle of the pool are small fountains the kids can play in. The little boy ran into the fountains and said, "CHRISTI! LOOK LOOK!" as he was trying to grab the water. A sudden change in my spirit occurred. Life is so precious. He loves life, and a small bit of water makes his life even better. Innocence is beautiful, and his life is only beginning.
Why am I wasting time by being upset with hitting a red light? Why am I upset when I need to get up off of the couch to let my dog out? In reality, I need to sleep, and psychologically there is fact to that. But, I can control my attitude. So today, after my 5:45 AM workout, I was tired. But the difference between yesterday and today is that I am tired, as well as happy. When I least expected something positive during my day, my spirit recognized how precious life was, and I want to take advantage of every precious moment.
So today, I love.
Tomorrow, I can only be excited for.

Tomorrow I have a visit at a master's program! Wish me luck :)  

Learning, Faith & Living

As I wrote a few blogs ago, I am incorporating a blog into a class of mine. I will dedicate this blog to how I integrate learning, faith and living in my life :) 

Where would I be without family?

Learning

Faith

Living

Sometimes You Just Need to Embrace

The word embrace is so broad.

I typed into the search of pinterest the word "embrace" and quotes, pictures, and even bras appeared. It's something that I have been challenged with these last few days. "Embrace each moment and live to its fullest." "Embrace life because you don't know what is to come." "Embrace people with love." 

So what does it really mean to "embrace?"

Maybe people embrace the wrong things. What I am learning is that if I embrace God, I embrace life. When I embrace and seek Jesus in what I do, I embrace everything around me. 

Today is Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday. Next week is dead week (the week before finals; we call it dead because everyone runs around at night getting work done and are zombies the next morning in their classes). Here is the cherry on top to finish my junior year: 

Next week is dead week.

May 5th is my birthday. 

May 6th is the starting of finals. 

May 10th and 11th are conference.

Mom will be here for Conference on May 9th. 

Nationals?

Challenge of the day!

What are you embracing?

Happy Tuesday :)

Boston

My prayers go out for Boston.

Story and updates at http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/15/explosions-near-finish-of-boston-marathon/?hpt=hp_t1

What kind of a world do we live in to be surrounded with fear? A world that needs prayer. As an update from Yahoonews says, there is a moment of silence at 6:30 pm tonight for the victims of the two explosions. 

Pray for Boston.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Tables May be Turning

These last couple of days have been feeling new. I think there are a couple of reasons for this "new feeling." 

1. There are three more academic weeks left of school. I always get anxious when this time comes. Anxious in such a way that I roll around in bed not able to sleep. I have things to get done, track meets are coming to an end, and something that really keeps me from being settled is knowing that I won't be sleeping in the same place in a matter of time. I know this is a silly thought, but it is how my mind works. Remember, change is not my favorite thing, and when I know that the end of the year is coming, I also know that a new apartment is coming as well, only to leave my old apartment behind. 

2. Summer is soon! Even though change is not always my favorite time of life (which is silly because it is ALL the time. Honestly, it's one of the things that is actually promised for everyone.) it means that seeing Kelsey (my horse), my goats, family, friends, and home soon. That does mean I leave my home here for a temporary time as well. The "new" feeling is technically a "transition" feeling. There is nothing new about what is happening, only what is to come after the transition. 

3, 4, 5, 6...I'm not sure of the other reasons at the moment, but I am sure when I stop writing I will think of many more :) 

Today is Saturday and I did not have a track meet. It has been such a weird season. Indoor Nationals created a short outdoor season for me, but it sure has been fun. Yesterday, the team and I traveled only 20 minutes down the street for a fun, relaxing relay meet. I only ran two 100 meters in two relays and I high jumped FOR FUN. My friend Deb and I made a deal. Deb said, "if you high jump, I will run a 200 meter dash." Well, there is no way I would pass that up, because she defiantly got the hard end of the stick! I jumped 4'4" (not too shabby for never jumping!) and Deb ran her way to the finish line of the 200. The first thing out of her mouth while she laid on the ground was, "why would anyone ever do this for fun?!" It was a great memory. My 4x100 relay team ran a 49.99 seconds. That is a season record, so lets see if we can make another season record. Nationals is in the low 48s. 

Meet Deb :)

Fast Flashback: Three minutes after the parents left all of the new freshmen at college in 2010, Deb and I were standing alone wondering, well...now what? We were in a new place, we knew no one, and our parents had just left back to their states. I was wearing a track sweatshirt. Deb tapped my shoulder and asked, "do you run track?" 

It all started from there. 

Listening in life is a key component to where someone wants to go, and where they will go. I believe that God speaks to people in so many different ways; dreams, signs during a day, gut feelings, conversations, anything. I bring this up because I feel like God is doing something in my life that I wasn't expecting. I need to pray about it, see what he is up to, and when I find more out I will share. I am sharing this small glimpse because I think that thinking before speaking is important. Sometimes God wants you to only listen to him, and other people's opinions may not be from God. I can't wait to share what is going on within my life.

Happy Saturday everyone! 

I treated myself to a pedicure today. What will you treat yourself with? 

You deserve it!

Accomplishments

Today I feel accomplished.

I woke up early to come to the library, printed two papers, finished five pages of notes, and even have time to blog! 

This weekend was filled with fast flying days and some good memories!

Saturday I had a track meet. Both of my relays took second place and I took 3rd place with a 12.89 in the 100 meter dash. Considering that was my second time running an open 100 this season, I am excited to see where my time will end. Nationals is 12.20 so lets see if I can go to outdoor nationals.

Sunday at Freedom Church we had 29 adults and children. We are outgrowing a one car garage and we are now looking for a facility to rent. Freedom Church is growing, and I am so blessed to be a part of its foundation.

This last week my head coach announced that he is not returning next year. What does that mean? That means that there is a potential for an entire new team of not only athletes, but coaches. Talk about a change. For my senior year I will be looking into graduate school, working toward my psychology degree, and ending my track career with an entirely different coach. This will be a new experience for me, but we grow from experiences. Right now I will focus on today, and only think about tomorrow (I have a problem of worrying about tomorrow).

What challenges me on a daily bases is the future. Yesterday, I found myself in one of the best stores. It is called World Market, and it's amazing! Alija and I had a fun time exploring all of its authentic treasures. I was looking at table cloths, beds, pictures, plates, matching dish mats, cups, tea mugs, anything and everything I wanted for my future home. I was matching colors, imagining where a deck would go in my back yard, placing summer dish mats on the covered patio, and this went on and on in my mind. Then I realized and had a small fear of when that will come. What if it doesn't come when I need it to? What if my plan doesn't work out the way I want it to? That's the funny thing about life that I am learning (I have always known plans don't always work, but now as I get older it's becoming more apparent), life will just happen. Whether we like how it happens or not, tomorrow will come. I guess where I am getting at is this...try to not worry about the small things. Have fun with matching dish mats and patio chairs, because one day it will most likely happen. Most of the things we worry about don't happen, so why not think about what we want to happen? When we focus on fear, it can undertake our thoughts and over take our emotions.

Focus on all of the good, thank God for all the days that come, and know that when God changes your plans (my plans) that he is protecting us from something that is less than the best. 

4 more Mondays left of school...and that even includes the Monday of finals week!

Forgive any errors as usual. After two papers and five pages of notes, my brain does not want to think, its just wants to do!

Today Can Mark Everyday

Happy Easter Everyone! :)

Today was started at 6:50 AM arriving at a theater to set up for church. Freedom Church had about 55 people our service in the theater. This is a big step for us, considering that we meet every Sunday in a garage with about 28 people. Our small church is slowly growing, and today was only a small glance of what is to come in our future. We are growing, and it is amazing!

Today marks the last day of spring break, and tomorrow is the first day of the last 6 weeks of school. WOW! Summer, here I come. 

One of my best friends, Mariah came to Portland for spring break. She was here for a week and 3 days. Talk about having a blast! We did "all the things" in Portland. She said one of the best quotes I have ever heard. So simple, but so amazing.

"I am made in God's image. I'm a little crazy, so God must be a little crazy."

Isn't that great? I love it :)

Last night I had dinner at a professor's house. He and his wife cooked a wonderful dinner for Alija and I. Sitting at the table, we talked and talked. At their home, people can just be. We are truly human beings, not human doings. The most amazing conversation grew at our table (meals grow lovely friendships). Between 3 Christian's and 1 Muslim, we all talked about God. We talked about love, grace, Heaven, people, creation, wonders, questions, prayers, family. We all talked about how amazing he is, how amazing our creator is. He created nature. Without the sun trees would not exist and without God we would not exist. Lets just say, it was an amazing dinner. I felt God in the room, watching us. One moment I felt his presence, and you know what? He was proud of us. One of the largest topics in the world that causes so much fighting and confrontation was being talked about in love. 

Now I will put away my computer, lay in the sun, and enjoy the 70 degree weather. 

Today is beautiful.

Lately

Timeline Time!

Here has what has been going on within the last three weeks.

I am back from nationals, starting outdoor track, and trucking through school.

I miss my horse like crazy, and life is full of decisions. 

Geneva, Ohio was where nationals took place. I can say that I am the 24th fastest girl in the 60 meter dash in the nation for the NAIA. My goal time was not met, but I was there. I worked hard, learned so much, and now it is time to work hard for outdoor. 

The last two weeks I have only ran the 4x100 meter relay.

Lately, it might seem that I have posted all about track...that is because lately that is what my life has consisted of. Here is the 4x100 meter relay team competing at University of Oregon last Saturday. We took fifth place, and will compete again this weekend. Lets see if we can have a season best and work towards nationals!

Right now I am working through decisions and changes in life. With small decisions and large decisions, each one takes places in my future. I read an amazing story in a book last night for an assignment. I really want to share it with you...

An American tourist found himself in India on the day of the pilgrimage to the top of a sacred mountain. Thousands of people would climb the steep path to the mountaintop. The tourist, who had been jogging and doing vigorous exercise and thought he was in good shape, decided to join in and share the experience. After twenty minutes, he was out of breath and could hardly climb another step, while women carrying babies, and frail old men with canes, moved easily past him. "I don't understand it," he said to an Indian companion. "How can those people do it when I can't?" His friend answered, "It is because you have the typical American habit of seeing everything as a test. You see the mountain as your enemy and  you set out to defeat it. So, naturally, the mountain fights back and it is stronger than you are. We do not see the mountain as our enemy to be conquered. The purpose of our climb is to become one with the mountain and so it lifts us up and carries us along."

When All You Ever Wanted Isn't Enough

By Harold S. Kushner

I share this because lately, tasks and decisions have been a battle. I have had the mentality of conquering and mastering just to work toward my future, when in reality, I should really be enjoying each moment and letting life carry me where it wants me. 

God has his plan. I just need to live it. 

Challenge of the day: Notice how many times you say "I or me." Ask questions, and listen to those around you.

Devotion: 

I speak to you from the depths of your being. Hear me saying soothing words of peace, assuring you of my love. Do not listen to voices of accusation, for they are not from me. I speak to you in love-tones, lifting you up. My spirit convicts cleanly, without crushing words of shame. Let the spirit take charge of your mind, combing out tangles of deception. Be transformed by the truth that I live within you. 

The light of my presence is shining upon you, in benedictions of peace. Let my light shine in you; don't dim it with worries or fears. Holiness is letting me live through you. Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or situations, giving my spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living. I want to inhibit all your moments...gracing your thoughts, words, and behavior.

Romans 8: 1-2; Colossians 1: 27; 1 Corinthians 6: 19

Jesus Calling

by Sarah Young

Remember

As of right now, I have ten minutes before my first class this morning, eating sausage and eggs for breakfast in my school cafeteria. Today is Thursday, and in six days I will be leaving for Ohio for Indoor Nationals Track and Field for the 60 meter dash. NATIONALS!! I will flash back this picture...

Remember this? :) 

Well, my hard work is finally paying off. 

I read a quote the other day that said, "don't give up. The moment you want to stop, is only a few moments before a miracle is about to happen."

Well, the other day I felt like giving up. I was tired. And I was tired of being tired. I was tired of being busy. And I was tired of feeling stressed. With the help of Mom talking some sense into me, tears turned into laughter and the feeling of being tired became a motivation.

Indoor Nationals 2013, here I come.

60 meter: 7.80 (qualifier)
200 meter: 26.4

Bless + Love People

Tonight, I was humbled.

There were two major rules; do not give people money and have significant conversation. Three groups of four left to bless the Portland community with a budget to spend on needs for others. Whether this be handing out bags of food to a homeless man, or buying hot chocolate for someone who was eating alone at Starbucks, our mission today was to show people that they are loved. We prayed, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us to where ever we needed to be. Taylor, Lindsay, Josh and I started out by going to Fred Meyers off of 82^nd to see if anyone needed groceries. After being turned down by a family, we left the store and went across the street to the Value Village. Again, not having any luck, we left the store. We walked out into the rain, wondering what we were doing. We had money in our pocket for people to be blessed with, but there was no one that was needing, or sometimes wanting, it.  We walked out saying, “God, we are in the right place, but we are finding nothing.” As we started to walk down 82^nd towards the bus stop, we see a woman standing next to grocery basket full of cans and glass bottles. This was it; she was who we needed to see.

We approached her explaining that we wanted to help her with whatever she needed. Whether it is clothes, food, or shelter, we would provide it. Soon we learned that she was mostly deaf and her boyfriend of 12 years was inside. He was physically disabled. He came out and we explained what we were doing. They asked, “Are you serious?” We were absolutely serious. We made our way to the Fred Meyer across the street to buy them groceries, a meal, a gift card for future use, and a hotel room. Walking over to the store, the man says, “A lot of people don’t like the homeless, but we haven’t always been this way.” While Taylor and I were inside shopping with the couple, Josh and Lindsay stayed in front of Fred Meyer with the cart full of bottles. The first thing the man said as he stepped a foot into the store was, “Honey, we are sleeping inside tonight!” This would be the first time in years they had slept inside of some kind shelter. They were grateful with tears.

Over time, we heard their story of how they became homeless and their life struggles. The man’s son was in a car accident about a year ago and died, suffering from a two week coma. He told us that he dreams of his son every night. He and his girlfriend had been together for 12 years, and are trying to live there life being grateful for every moment. They took advantage of nothing. They also knew love. He told his partner to get whatever she needed; he only needed her to be healthy. He turned to Taylor and me and said, “I used to be able to do this for her, and someday I will be able to again. All I can tell you guys is thank you, and I hope to do this for someone else in the future.” After we shopped, Taylor and I drove them to their hotel, while Josh and Lindsay pushed their shopping cart of bottles about half of a mile to where they were staying. Before we left, the couple wanted to pray for us. The six of us held hands and came together through God’s grace.

            Tonight, instead of stressing out about homework and worrying about how much sleep I will get, I will stop; no matter what my stress is, someone may be grateful for it. I share this with you so that you can catch a glimpse of this humbling moment. All I can say is that God is so good. 

Encounter

Encounter. 

What does it mean?

How do you perceive this? 

Can you experience without encounter?

Welcome to my everyday life of being a psychology major. I have been, and still am learning the true meaning of experience. One must perceive something in order to encounter it. Once it is encountered, that person may experience what they are encountering, and they then realize what they are experiencing through what they are sensing. 

At least I think that is the order. I don't have my notes with me right now, but it is along those lines. Right now I am sitting in Starbucks working through 278 pages of a book called, "Why I Believe What I Believe" by Andrew Newberg; very interesting. Surrounding me is three different languages and an empty tall decaf white chocolate mocha! (I am starting to take pictures of my cups to see how many different ways they spell my name. It's quite entertaining) But, the reason I am informing you about encountering is because I realized that I want to encounter the Holy Spirit. There is a difference between believing in the Holy Spirit and encountering, living through, the Holy Spirit. It's actually quite amazing. I am still learning, but at my church, Freedom, Robbie asked in his message...

Are you living through your own strength? Or are you living through God, the Holy Spirit's strength?

Pray for encountering. It's amazing what may happen during your day. I know my encounter was :) 

Kristy

This Year to Come

     It is a new year, 2013, and a new time. Wow, I am heading into my second semester of my junior year as a college student and I can hardly register that I am a junior in college! I have had a wonderful break. From Thanksgiving until now was a non stop life time; the life clock did not give one break. Thanksgiving break was wonderful, then came the news about Papa's resting, following with my first indoor track meet, followed by finals, then a cherry was added on top when I had a flight home. Now, say that all in one sentence without a breath :) 

     As I rode Kelsey today, I had a moment of realization. I realized that we need to take every moment for what it is worth. I have the tendency to look forward to things ending so more things can come. For example, I couldn't wait for finals to be over so Christmas could come. Sometimes I can't wait for track practice to be over so dinner can come. Other times I can't wait for class to be over so a Starbucks date can come. But what I have realized, is that the faster I wish those moments to go by quickly, the faster my life passes and the faster the memories I wish to adore quickly slip away. 

     So what have I done for my month long break out of school?? Actually, just enough. I say that because it is balanced. I have seen friends I have wanted to see, spent quality time with people in my life that I love, and feel that I have taken each moment for what it is worth. 

     Nonnie is here from California for the holidays and I am so blessed to spend this time with her. Tonight, Nonnie, a friend, and I went to dinner and watched a movie. It was so good. It's not every day that things like that can happen, and these are the kind of nights we will look back on. One memory I won't ever forget from tonight was when we were sitting at the dinner table looking at the menu. We were searching through the food and I saw all of the wine (this was a very nice restaurant that was known for their wine) and I asked Nonnie, "are these numbers next to the wine their dates?" She laughed and responded, "No, Honey Bun, those are the prices." I haven't laughed like that in a long time. 

    Now, track, I have been working out but under different terms and conditions. Today was a whopping 6 degrees. The other day I made a terrible decision to run in the cold weather while it was snowing, windy, and 16 degrees with only a pair of sweat pants, two long sleeve shirts, no gloves, and no ear warmer. Lets just say I learned my lesson and I won't be doing that again. What I did realize is that sometimes, you need to push your body to the limit to make it realize what hard actually is. Was running in that weather and conditions hard? Absolutely; my body was numb and I couldn't breath! But what will I remember when I get into my blocks for a race or finish the 4x400 relay? I will remember when it was so cold that I thought that I couldn't move and guess what...I still moved forward. Sometimes you need to remind  yourself what you are made of. 

    Tonight I rest, and tomorrow morning I make pancakes for Nonnie and I (everyone is gone for the weekend except for us!)