My Vacation

I have returned! It's interesting how being away last week felt so good, but now that Im back in the office and "real life" it feels like I never had a vacation. Just cant win in this world...

But I did want to share a fun photo of my time in Colorado. Typical day for me: hiking, eating, and sleeping! God did use those days for His glory. I loved Sunday service at Rocky Mountain Calvary in Colorado Springs...wow, what a powerful place of worship. I love learning straight from the Word of God. The Word literally broke me to tears, and Im so thankful for Laura and her listening, forgiving heart. (She's in the picture here) Other days, I had some sweet conversations with my friends, I got to see the Air Force Academy once again and walk the property. It's a whole other world out there! Spent some good time at Nav Headquarters. And the whole time my head was in the clouds....

I desire greatly to be in full-time ministry. Yikes, my heart SCREAMS out for it! Last week really spurred Marcus and I on into conversations about seriously taking action with our lives. What are we doing? What are we living for? We have come to a few decisions that will be beginning in 2006. We are praying and desiring God to move us forward. He definately inspires our hearts in adventurous ways...so watch out! I will have updates in the next few months.

Mwah! Laura, that's an e-kiss, my friend. I love you and miss you! :)

Off to Colorado!

Yee-haw!

Im off to Colorado for the next five days! After graduating in May, four of my greatest friends moved to the same city in Colorado, not all living together or even working together. What are the chances? So I decided I must make the most of this opportunity; I'll get to see so many friends at one time - it's worth it!

So in the meantime, enjoy Thanksgiving week! And note to all: don't "gobble-gobble" all the turkey at once...I hear it makes you sleepy. ;)

Until next time...

More Pics of Germany...

Oooh, and here are few more awesome, scenic pics to feast your eyes upon!

Let's Take a Trip to Germany....

Okay, do these picture remind anyone else of the movies "Heidi" or "The Sound of Music"? Because they sure make me think of them! I cannot claim credit for these photos...props go out to my good friend Becky!

Becky is student teaching in Germany right now (she's the one on the left), and I just got some pictures from her. She is a great friend, so I wanted to dedicate my entry today to her. Since she's on my mind, now she can be on yours too, faithful reader!

I hope one day I will have the awesome opportunity of exploring another country. In the meantime, I am going to live vicariously through all my friends (aka Hilary, Allison, Laura, soon-to-be Joanna, and more to come).

In the meantime...yo, home to Belaire! (nah, not really).

Dreams...

I have been having many, many more vivid dreams than I remember having in the past. I think Im going to start writing them down and saving them so if ever I find myself in a situation, or talking to someone else in a situation, and my dreams MEAN something - I can help.

Your thoughts? Why do we dream? What do they mean? I have heard opinion upon opinion of how to "read" dreams, but none have ever proven to be completely true in all cases. Often, I just find myself believing that God can still speak to us through our dreams as He did to people of the Bible.

So my most recent VIVID dream, you ask? I had a dream early this week that I was preparing for a cross country match, like when I used to run in high school. I was pulling my hair back and noticed that it was thinning at an incredible rate. When I had pulled my hair into a ponytail, I stepped out of the locker room and heard screams and one of the girls pulled me over to a mirror. Along the left side of my head (my left side) under my hair you could see the scalp. I took my ponytail down, lifted the hair up on that side, and was shocked to see two gaping holes in my head. They werent holes, more like craters, with a dark space in the middle, but they were DEEP. And they hurt. Everyone ran away from me. I went to another room to see the nurse, but she left while I was still in the waiting room. Finally, other girls started to come in, and it ended up actually being a prayer room, and gals I'd known in college were on their knees and praying in the darknes. I joined them and fell on my face...

And that's mostly what I remember. Wierd, huH? I have my own explainations and fears of what it all means, but I will trust the Lord and write it down for now.

Food for thought...

New Look

Hey everyone! If you've been visiting my log frequently, it's pretty obvious that I've got a different look. I wanted to do something outta my box, learn some more about sweet computer tools, like using links and stuff. So this is my new blog site! You will find that everything is the same as it always was, with only a few minor adjustments. I've got a "Links" portion, which Im diggin. I've included a couple things I really like and will hopefully learn how to make cooler things for ya'll to check out.

Peace out!

The Reasons Why

Have you ever wondered WHY we have to experience heartache, loss, grief, or pain? I have often wondered why, especially when those feelings are so fresh and very real. Well I think I have discovered the reason (even if you dont agree with me!), and I'd like to share briefly.

Last night I was talking with my good friend Sarah-she's the gal on the left in the picture-as we often do every other week or so. Sarah and I have known each other for about 2 years now, and I cant remember a single conversation with this woman that I didnt experience a flashback with. Let me further explain: almost all that Sarah has talked about, experienced, thought, and felt during these last couple years, I myself have been through at one point or another. Last night, as I listened to Sarah talk of the aches in her heart and the longings in her soul, I felt Sarah, not physically, but somehow I really felt what she was going through. Because I HAVE BEEN THERE TOO.

That's when I fully realized that maybe, just maybe, a lot of what we go through has two-fold purpose. First, I believe God intends for suffering to draw us nearer and closer to intimacy with Himself, to teach us to walk as Christ walked (that's a whole other thought). Secondly, I believe God mysteriously connects us with people later on in life who will need someone to understand them. Not just to sympathize with them, but to really know because of experience. Maybe we are intended to feel these aches not to hurt us or bring us down, but instead to prepare us to HELP SOMEONE ELSE when they are in a time of need, going through the same aches and pains.

Sarah-I have said it before, and I will say it again in prayer "GOD WILL YOU PLEEEEEEASE KEEP GIVING ME TOUGH SITUATIONS TO GO THROUGH IF IT WILL MEAN I CAN RELATE TO WOMEN LIKE SARAH. " My life is full of much more purpose and grace and understanding towards others when moments like that happen. I am so very thankful for your vulnerable heart, and Im grateful God would grace us and ordain our footsteps just right so that we met at college and have the friendship we have. What a might God we serve. I pray I will have this outlook every time life gets hard. It's worth it, girl. It's worth it.

Psalm 119:25-32 Constantly reminds me of you, friend...
"I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

What Book of the Bible are YOU?

Check this out! I am Ephesians, and WOW. Who woulda thought? I'd love to know what othes are! I got this offa someone else's blog. It's pretty cool.

Click on the title of this blog for a link to the quiz.

Adios!