IOWA CITY - Here I Come!

Hey Hey Ya'll. I'm off to the thriving metropolis of Iowa City for the weekend! Joanna, I will faithfully give hello's and kisses to all your peeps you left behind there. I may even show off this fabulous picture of you - just to find out how many people you've impacted in that city! :)

And - I just wanted to share this picture of my favorite friend with the rest of my blog family. Cause you just look so dang cool. And Hawkeyes Rule.

Adios Amigos! Adios Amigas! Hasta el Lunes! Buenos Noches! Les veo a Lunes. Muwah! (beso)

Life at 14,433 Feet

mt elbert

Okay, so I was reminded of this *Majestic* mountain through a fellow blogger's site. AHHH! Isn't he gorgeous??? And we climbed it. All the way to the peak. Before sunrise! What a glorious moment that was.

Mountains and the climb up make me think about life so much more quickly. Anything that's worth seeing or experiencing is WORTH THE PAIN AND WORK that it takes to get there. Seriously. I hope I never forget that lesson. I think the greatest thing pushing Marcus and I to climb them all is the lessons learned and the wisdom and understanding gained from the experience up the mountain.

PS-Get this. Apparently there's a peak (might be Lincoln) in the long list of 14ers that is privately owned. Apparently the owner is closing down the mountain! I didnt even know this could be done. The government is trying to get to the oil or something natural that has to do with this mountain. On one hand - good, let's preserve nature. On the other hand, any one of us going for the goal of climbing all 14ers might be cut short by this one.

What's That Out West?

We're about to get smashed! Spring is finally here! Thunderstorms, rain, hail, tornados...

BRING IT ON! SPRING IS HERE!

Guess I'm Not Spoiled!

*Personal Note: I dont agree with this quiz. I mean, just because I was on the honor roll or just because I eat a home-cooked meal does not necessarily make me spoiled! But I thought it was fun anyway...

If you have over 40, you ARE spoiled.

own cell phone
own phone line
own bathroom
own room
pool
guest house
game room
tv in your room

Total=3

queen-size bed
more than 20 pairs of shoes
10+ things from a designer store
good grades
expensive sunglasses
ipod (I've got the Shuffle)
xbox 360
ps2
mp3 player
nintendo
sega

Total=3

basketball hoop
scooter
rollerblades
air hockey table
pool table
ping pong table
foose ball table
trampoline
live near/on a lake or pond
own a pair of skiis
own a snowboard

Total=2

has a boat
has a jet ski
has a beach house or cabin
only child
stereo in bedroom
dvd player in room
100+ dvd's
gets $50+ for allowance each month
goes shopping every month
shops at abercrombie or hollister

Total=2

goes snowboarding or skiing every week (end)
2+ family cars
perfume/cologne
aim
msn
yahoo
5+ trophies/medals
own digital camera
walk in closet

Total=4

electric scooter
dirt bike
4-wheeler
guitar/drums
hammock
been on a cruise
traveled out of the country
graduation gift
personal fit trainer
expensive jewelry
owns prada/coach
met a celebrity

Total=3

straightener/curling iron
gets hair done/nails/spa
son/was on a team for school
own batting cage
$100+ in wallet/purse right now
own savings account
been to the carribean
been to europe
been to hawaii

Total=2

been to new york
shopped in seattle
eaten at the space needle in seattle
been to mall of america
spent $500 or more in mall of america
been on the eiffel tower in paris
been on the statue of liberty in new york
been on honor roll for 2+ years
went on a trip for a sweet 16 birthday
license
moved 3+ times

Total=4

hot tub
pet
ranch
verizon/sprint/cricket
cingular/t-mobile
virgin mobile
us cellular
been to 5+ states in the u.s
have a job
100+ buddies on messenger

Total=3

alarm clock
home cooked meal almost every day
ate out almost every day
been in a limo
computer
own laptop computer
own desktop computer

Total=4

Grand Total=30

Have You Noticed...

I'm going a little crazy. I'm trying to make my blog look cool. I really love this layout - but I'm having a hard time changing the size of the photo in the upper-left corner. Any of you computer-saavy people have any suggestions or comments?

Thanks for your patience as I strive for a "new do" for the spring season.

The Great Battle

Another thing on my mind today...I've been doing a study on the names of God. It's one of the greatest studies I've ever gone through. Anyways, the most recent part I've been going through talks about the sovereignty of God, El Elyon - God Most High. And the study went through a few chapters in Job. In these chapters is seen something that I've never considered, and it's POWERFUL. It's changed my perspective and understanding of the enemy's place in my life. I'll post the verses and give my "insights" to follow:

Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-10
1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." 12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD...

2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 3 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason." 4 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face." 6 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life." 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he(Job) took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die." 10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Okay folks. These passages are POWERFUL and full of Truth! Here are a few things I noticed:

• The enemy had to enter into the presence of the Lord each time.
• God spoke to satan first in each meeting...he was not able to speak to God unless spoken to first.
• GOD was the one who suggested Job to satan, as one whom he might "consider", or pay some attention to.
• Satan had tried to attack Job before - but it says Job "turned away from evil". Even the enemy noticed and realized the hedge of protection the Lord placed around Job and all that he had and all those in his family. The enemy had never been able to penetrate God's protection!
• Have I already said this? God is the one who put the idea of Job into the enemy's plans...
• God is the one who gives permission - He gives permission - to the enemy to attack Job and all that he has. But Job's life is never at stake...God still has ownership of his life.
• When the enemy returns to the presense of the Lord, he is not able to pose an arguement or to boast or to get angry with God - he must realize God won the first battle!
• Satan's reply in chapter 2 is pretty much that Job is just trying to save his own life - he wants Job to feel the physical, personal pain - surely THEN, in all his heartbreak and pain, he will turn against the Lord.
• And again, GOD GIVES PERMISSION to the enemy to inflict pain upon Job's body. But his life is still in God's hands...God is ruling of Job's life and death.
• His wife was acting as a foolish woman. Even the one person, most close and intimate to Job, the one he probably loves and trusts more than any other person, incites him to turn his back on God.
• His response is amazing - "shall we receive good but not evil?"

WOW people!!! This passage is POWER! The enemy has to ask permission from God to do ANYTHING. All things are controlled by God, even the schemes, tricks, deceptions, horrific, terrible, and aweful things that the enemy performs. God is the one that speaks our name to the enemy - the one who suggests who the enemy pay attention to. Is it to test our faith? Is it to display to the enemy God's power? And we must see the bigger picture - there was great PURPOSE in God's allowance of these things. In the end, Job revered God in a greater way than he had in chapter 1; the enemy walks away as defeated, once again; the list goes on and on.

In my own life, I get so discouraged and run-down when I feel "attacked". I have never had something tragic or horrific happen very close to me or in my own life like Job faced, but I am exactly like Job - I have a choice to make. When faced with pain, trials, suffering, and hardship, do I give credit to the enemy and cry "Woe is me! Why me? Why this? Why now? What is happening? What did I do wrong?" and etc. Or, do I instead seek God and say "You have chosen this to happen to me, Lord. Teach me to stand strong; teach me to seek your will and to wait on you for the outcome. What would you have me learn? Display your healing and your love in my time of weakness and suffering. Show me HOW GREAT you are."

I am having a hard time expressing in words how huge this passage is to me. Basically, I have a new perspective on God's power, and a new perspective on the enemy's ultimate weakness. I see God's control, and I see the enemy's great lengths he will go to just so we turn our backs against God. And I see that in Christ - there is ALWAYS victory in the end, and always a certain defeat of the enemy. So much so that he has no way of fighting back - no way of convincing God for another chance. He must move on and try something new.

In every war, there is life and death. Some die fighting; some are casualties-innocent people who've done no wrong. There is victory and there is defeat. There are wounds. There are life-long scars and memories that never fade. And there are lessons learned. Many soldiers walk away stronger than when they first set foot on the battlefield. In this battle - in the battle between eternal Life and eternal death - I must see that God always, always, always gets the victory. And no matter the things I see, the pain I feel, the ways I suffer or the loss of life around me, I must choose to see God has a greater plan than any I can imagine.

Crop Circles

So, last night I was flipping through channels on TV while trying to recover from a fire-hose-feeding of a weekend. I saw a show about "crop circles" - you know, those mysterious shapes and designs showing up in wheat crops in England and random places in Europe. It was interesting - so many people had their own speculations, some saw flashes of white light and then the designs appeared almost instantaneously, some sighted shapes in the sky. As I sat there I couldnt help thinking "Lord, what will it take to get our attention?"

Personally - I believe God is either creating them or allowing "something" or "someone" to make them, all to get our attention. Why do people try and attribute strange and freaky happenings to aliens, creatures, animals, people? It's so easy to freak ourselves out. And for most of the world, it's difficult to realize there are two sides vying for our time and attention. There is a real battle going on, a real spiritual battle. There exists God's army, and there exists evil. It is REAL!

Any thoughts? Anyone have a pressing opinion about the creation of these intricate designs and patterns?

Food for thought, on a Monday morning.

Chords of Blue

Numbers 15:38-40
38 "Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments 39 And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. 40 So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.

Last summer I did a study with my good friend Mal. We went through the topic of Faith with Beth Moore in her study "Believing God." To begin the book, she gave us this verse to think about and consider as we began the study, and as we began to live a life where we Believe God for what He says, for who He is, and for what He can and will do. Holiness is a big topic...but this verse captured my heart, especially.
Last year was a hard year for me spiritually. Leaving college left me empty-handed in some ways: no friends, no church, no discipleship, no accountability, nothing but the Lord. Though a difficult transition, it was PERFECT. God used last year to strip away all the things I'd clung to, all the things I thought gave me the perfect equation of knowing God. But do you know what equation really works for me? Kelli + God. Nothing else. Same for you! __ + God. All it takes. All the things/people I had in college were so good- and it was so very needed. But it is NOT what my relationship with Jesus stands on. I was trying to make it Kelli + Stacy + Deb + Bible study + Leading Bible study + daily hours in the word + hours of prayer + retreats or conferences + + + = Relationship with God. Man, my faith has been brought back to it's organic, simple roots. Thank God for training in all those things - it's now foundational in me. But if I dont have them every day, I'm still okay because I KNOW JESUS!

Okay, that was a tangent. Anyways...back to last summer's study. One morning Mal and I decided to make blue chords of our own - we made bracelets! These were to serve the purpose of reminding us to question: am I following the commands of the Lord, or am I seeking my own desires? Am I running after holiness or am I whoring (strong language - but it's definately true) after things that lead to my ruin?

Well, Mal - the bracelet still stands strong. I think there is a REASON it has not fallen off my wrist yet. I'm not saying it will fall off only after my life is "perfect" - that will never happen on earth! I'm just thinking perhaps it's still there to remind me of my original commitment, my desire for holiness, and my commitment with and to Mal.

The bracelet is hanging on by threads. In the same way, I will be beaten and battered by life, and my tassels in the end will be torn and withered away. But my hope is that my Spirit will remain strong, that my Spirit will be growing in holiness, and that I will be a walking, living, and one day dying testimony of God's power in a life.

Joshua 3, 4

Joshua 3
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3 and commanded the people, "As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before." 5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." 6 And Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. 7 The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'" 9 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God." 10 And Joshua said, "Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13 And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap." 14 So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

A few years back, I heard my pastor in Boone speak about this passage. It was powerful. So powerful. He encouraged us to close our eyes and put ourselves in the place of these men and women. All of the people were sleeping in their beds the night before - knowing that the next day they were to cross the mighty Jordan River. You know what I heard? I heard rushing water; I heard the roaring rapids and imagined the depth of the center of the river. The river was high in this time, overflowing its banks because of the season. That's a lot of water to cross! And God was going to get me through it??? YES.

This passage is one of my favorites. All we have to do is FACE OUR FEARS. Face hardship, just dip our toe into something overwhelming, something that may seem impossible. Because to God, nothing is impossible. He can DO it. He wants to do it in our lives! All these priests had to do was dip their toes in the water, just give it a try, trusting in what they could not had never had seen before. And up the waters rose. They crossed on dry ground.

The thing I keep thinking is "We've heard this story before." Yes, in Moses' day, the waters of the Red Sea were parted in order that the Israelites might pass in front of their enemy on dry ground. Did they die? Did anyone drown? Not a single one but their enemy. And again here...the waters certainly rose a second time, in a new place, in a new situation. And the people once again crossed on dry ground. Not one lost his life. What makes us think that this time in life is any different? Why are we so afraid of trials, of persecutions, of suffering, of pain? Why do we think it's the end of all? Why do I keep my eyes so focused on the overwhelming reality of the situation and forget - FORGET - that God has made the waters rise before? He will certainly do it again!!! This passage gives me great confidence that even though it's not a physical river or sea that we face, these very real situations and experiences and calling we face - no matter how overwhelming or scary or painful they may seem - God intends for us to dip our feet into it. He desires we step fully off the safety of the bank and walk into the water. Our feet may be wet at first, but we will certainly walk through on dry ground.

Joshua 4:20-24
20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' 22 then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."

What is the purpose of walking through deep waters in life? I believe it is so we leave a legacy...not a legacy of stories of trials we've overcome, but trials God has taken us through in order to display His mighty power and His name unto the world.

I have a newfound passion and desire - I want to seek out the members of my family. Those whom I know are still alive - my grandparents, my great aunts, my parents, my cousins...and I want to make a record of the hardships they faced and the story of walking through them on dry ground. I want to make a legacy of how God has worked in my family. Even though these stories may come out of the mouths of unbelieving family members, I know that it has been GOD in my family. What a beautiful thing! And I dont want to miss it. The days are getting shorter, lives are too precious not to ask these questions now. I want to set up my own 12 stones and may they be a legacy and a testimony for my children, for my neighbors, for anyone who comes by and asks "What do these stones mean?" To God Almighty be glory and praise and honor.

The Unexpected

I have the greatest friends in all the land. I love my friends!

One in particular sent me the greatest gift ever. I walked up to my doorstep last night after work and saw this box sitting there. We noticed it was Fresh Cuts - flowers. Both my husband and I thought for sure it was for his parents (we live in the lower level of their house). After the funeral last week, it just made sense.

Until we noticed the name on the package said "Kelli Burrier!"

After pestering my husband and realizing no, he really didn't send these flowers to me, my mind was racing! Who would have done such a wonderful thing???

We opened the flowers to find the most beautiful, elegant looking bouquet inside. Eventually we realized there was a note attached to the packing slip! They were sent from my good friend Jo in Japan!!!!

And you want to know the reason she had for sending these? To simply say how much she valued my friendship.

WHO DOES THAT?

Even my husband was like "Wow, she's making me look bad!" :) He meant it in a good way, because the gesture was so sweet and unexpected.

So Jo - I wanted to share your gift with the rest of my blog family. You blessed me indeed, my friend. Our friendship is unlike anything else. Who knew that we'd spend more time talking and relating and helping each other through life when we were NOT together! We really have only spent 10 weeks of our lives and various miscellaneous weekends in the same city. The rest of our friendship has been long-distance, and yet you bless me greatly and deeply. I want to say THANK YOU friend, for making me feel so very special.

In closing, I am most confident that no distance is too great to further a friendship. I am touched by the depth of understanding, grace, mercy, beauty, and honesty you display in our conversations and everyday life. Thanks for faithfully staying in touch with me. Thank you for staying up late into the night so that we can chat online when I get to work in the morning. Thank you for obeying the Lord and going to Japan, even if it feels uncomfortable, foreign, lonely, and overwhelming at times. Thank you for walking in obedience and walking in FAITH - stepping out of a "comfortable" circumstance and out into the deep waters where you can not see what is ahead of you. How great your reward will be for not choosing the "good" in your life but instead trusting God's "best" that is yet to come. The promises of God are great, my friend.

I am trusting the Lord for big things in your life, for BIG things. For things our hearts longed for at SMR 04 when we talked to Drew. For things we're scared to ask for. For the everyday miracles and for the miracles of salvation. God is MIGHTY to save. Thanks for giving your life to something greater than the American dream.

Love you. Thank you. You are a blessing in my life.

Lessons From Others

Seriously, I'm beginning to think we are ALL in community with each other. All us who read each other's blogs, who gain information, insight, respect, knowledge, and anything else from the words on the pages of others.

I wanted to list some things I'm thinking/learning as I did my "daily reading" of my long list of blog and xanga spots today:

• Joshua 4:20-end of chapter. How can I set up stones in my house? I want to leave a family legacy. I have an itch to speak to each member of my extended family
• Japan - I stumbled upon a new blog spot today. Man, my heart is ALIVE for that country. To read about the souls of people, the loneliness and double lives people live, the heartache and desire for God that lives within each of us, to see the alleys and streets of towns where children rummage through garbage...could God have a future for us on these streets?
• What does it really mean to live as "Christ in me"? I've been challenged to face lies I never even knew I was believing...might post more on this one later
• Read more C.S. Lewis books...even though challenging - man, that guy had a heart of expressing things in ways that catch my soul and spirit...
• Make a goals sheet and stick to it. Last year, my friends Nicole and Jen let me in on a little secret endeavor they were partaking in. We created posterboards with every week of the year on it and split the weeks into new goals. I want to create logical, realistic goals for myself that I can reach in hopes of getting healthy again and doing the things I say I want to do but never take initiative in: walking, drinking enough water in a day, reading, praying for people, trying something new, etc.
• "It's easier to be an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful." - Oswald Chambers. I've been challenged about life in general. Sometimes, God gives us drive and passion and we run after something with our whole hearts. It's awesome! Things happen! And other times in life, God intends for us to work hard at what we're doing, to faithfully give ourselves in the little things, even when nothing seems to result from our efforts. It is so much easier to do the first than the latter. But I want to be good in both, with Christ's power in me.
• The war in Iraq is real - lives are at stake, people are dying, and I want to know more. I dont want to complain or make statements without knowing what's really going on. I want to have empathy for people serving there, and I want empathy for people who want this war to end.
• I want to take another roadtrip. Thanks, Holly, for sharing your pictures. I love Southwest America...seriously.
• Heartbreak is worth it. Thanks a.n.s. and j.k.s. for faithfully obeying the Lord and walking in obedience - to end relationships that are not helping you, for walking by FAITH that there could be something better out there...

Alright. Enough of my random thoughts. Thanks for reading.

For Fun...

My sisters are FUN. I miss them, miss hanging out. But I'm glad for the random times we spend together. Here's a few "for instances" of a time in January when they dropped by. Good times, Good times...

Life Takes Its Toll

Today I am emotionally drained. I have disconnected my feelings from my normal everyday experience. I feel empty, yet full. I feel full of Truth and Love, full of Jesus. Yet I feel so empty from the weekend.

No better way to say it; I must create a list and move on with my day:

• My grandpa's cancerous tumors are growing, and it made me weep all night Saturday
• The youngest kids in my family (my cousins, etc) come from broken homes. I wish I had the capacity to parent them all or have the ability to find stability for them and for the women who labor in taking care of them alone
• My husband's uncle died and the visitation/funeral was this weekend. It was hard not to transfer my fears of my grandfather's life ending to the present situation. I am fearful for his death
• Tom's life has come to a tragic end, and yet the family does not reconcile but continues to further the gap of hurt and unforgiveness that resides in the depths of many hearts. My heart broke for so many people involved.
• Sometimes I wish I didnt "feel" so much - that I didnt feel so many people's burdens, sadnesses, pains, etc. But that's the way God made me! With the gift of mercy. I must embrace and move on.
• Last night I had a vision when I shut my eyes that there was a dark "creature" flying around my head, sort of like a bat would. I knew it was the enemy. I had to pray mightily and speak Jesus' name aloud - in order for it to leave. And it did. It scared me a lot, made me realize even more that the spiritual battle is REAL. Our eternities are at stake, our daily lives are at stake, but Christ WILL get the victory. Wow. That was a powerful thing.

I hope to post on a more positive note soon. But as my friend Al says, "Dont stuff it - feel it and express it". Thanks for bearing with me in my sadness today.

SIDE NOTE: Okay, I couldnt let this go without telling some of the greatest parts of my weekend:

Meeting new cool people Friday night * playing Ninjas and other silly games until my guts were ready to bust from laughing * Spending a few days with Miya - she's a gem * Swimming! * Pride and Prejudice - LOVED it. Absolutely LOVED it. * My sisters, HuHott, Apple Store, I Spy.

All In A Day's Work

Today has looked nothing like I'd expected it to look. I love the random events one day here can bring! Today started with some sparkling cider, red carpet, a hollywood star, and a director's chair. What-the-heck-for, one might ask. Well, one of the guys I work with entered a local "48-hour film" contest back in the summer of '05. In just 48 hours after drawing their genre from a hat, him and his friend set out to create one of the funniest 4-7 minute movies I have ever seen. It was hilarious! Mimes of the Prairie, it was called. Anyways...they won the local contest and entered a second film for the next round. Then it came time for the National 48-Hour Film Festival held out in San Jose, California. So he flew out there, and who would've thunk - his video about the mimes won FIRST PLACE! Out of hundreds and hundreds of videos...totally awesome. So we suprised him with a little welcoming party this morning.

Then I spent at least 2 straight hours talking to my good friend. More "typing" online, but I'd still call it a conversation. Is it bad that I didnt get a thing done? I dont feel too guilty about it. And what is my "work" in this world anyway? I would hope it's to take care of people, to have my real giftings of encouragement and mercy - my spiritual gifts - be used instead of my gifts of "attention to detail" and etc. Sometimes, people in need who are on the verge of things and who are breaking down emotionally just take a little more precidence than displays and money. That's my opinion though. It was the sweetest conversation.

And then I had an epiphany. (sp?) All this time I sit here at work just dreaming and yearning for the "big adventure" my heart feels called to participate in. To get out of this office and get into LIFE. But today I realized, LIFE is happening. I'm alive! I'm experiencing others' experiences through their stories and pictures. And I get to be a part of the GRAND ADVENTURE that pulls us all together into one great story. For example, today I got to be a part of film, of a niche someone has out there, a talent of story-making and picture. It is awesome! I got to "meet" Jerry Rice - well, I didnt, but I heard the story and felt like I was right there with him! And I get to experience another culture b/c of the stories I hear from friends over there and the prayers I pray for people I will never even meet. Same goes for students in Colorado, Iowa, Arizona, and all over the country - just b/c I am involved in someone's life and their stories. And I get to be a part of a family right here. I get to watch my niece grow up. I get to celebrate and mourn the life of a man everyone loved and lost. I get to see my sisters on vacation. I have so much! And everyone around me has so much to offer, and each person whether they know it or not, changes and challenges me to grow, and we all run together in the "bigger picture" of what God has created for our lives. I may be out there a bit - but I just feel such a deep peace about my life. God is in control. I might sit on the sidelines and cheer everyone else on doing things I might dream about doing - but I am no less a part of the big adventure. I believe that to be true. And when God calls me to get in the game in a new way - to take a new position, I will praise the Lord for every moment. I'll eat it up, I'll endure the pain and struggles of it because I have gotten to watch and see what a privelage it is to PLAY. Lord I want to play! I want to play in this game of life. I pray you make me stronger, build my spiritual muscles, build my convictions and root truth in my life. Then, when it's time, call me out Lord. Put me in position and give me another task. I will DO it, Lord. I will Go where you send me. Thank you for sending me here. The lessons I'm learning in this season are priceless...I could not learn them doing what I would have chosen for my life. Thank you Lord. Thanks for this Great Adventure.

My date of Birth Means What???

Your Birthdate: December 26

You lucked out the the skills to succeed in almost any arena. Put you in almost any business or classroom, and you'll rise to the top. You're driven and intense, but you also know when to kick back and cooperate. Your ability to adapt to almost any situation is part of what's going to make you a success. Your strength: Your attention to detail Your weakness: You can be a little too proud of your successes Your power color: Turquoise Your power symbol: Arrow pointing up Your power month: August

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

So, this pretty much describes me to a T! Except I dont know what the arrow pointing up means...

My Vocab Analysis

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

15% Upper Midwestern

10% Midwestern

5% Dixie

5% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

1 Year

We made it! This Saturday, my husband Marcus and I celebrated our ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! It's super-hard to believe it's been a whole year. It's flown by. Fast. But it's so exciting! My life has changed at a rapid pace since 2004. Just goes to show we never really know what God may have in store for us. I can try and plan out my life, even the next day - but it never goes exactly as I plan. I'm learning that as I keep my hands open and my grip on my life loose, God moves in amazing, mysterious, and intricate ways.

For the enjoyment of myself and any others who may read this, here's a list (incomplete) of some fun and not-so-fun things about our weekend away! Enjoy!

The "Not-So-Good's":
1. Driving a truck with bad gas mileage and paying more for gas in big cities
2. The internet makes hotels look greater than they really are - dont be deceived by photos!
3. The pool-a joke. 2 or 3 people, and there was no more room for others.
4. The scent of old man lingering in our room
5. No complimentary breakfast
6. The long drive home when you just wanna be home

The "Yay!-This-Was-Good's":
1. "Modern" furniture, though small and rigid, is actually very comfortable!
2. IKEA! I could spend all my money there...classy items for a great price
3. R.E.I. and the new member of our family - the Hubba Hubba three-season tent! 2 vestibules, great colors, 4 pounds and it's great for hiking. We scored a deal with our yearly dividend, 20% discount, and giftcards from Christmas!
4. Irish Dance Studios - we saw a sweet performance on Saturday at the Mall of America. Makes me fall more in love with other cultures/people in this world.
5. Forever 21 - clothes that cover me and make me feel good about who I am for a discount price!
6. Big Cities - I love Minneapolis!
7. Greater Diversity - I love Minneapolis b/c of the many faces from around the world you can meet, all over the place. We saw/conversed with people from France, Japan, Korea, etc. Many people live in the city now, but it's just so great to be in that crowd again!
8. Rollercoasters! There's a new one at the MOA, and Marcus actually rode it with me. It was AWESOME! It was that or the log-ride (we could only afford one ride) so I think we made the best choice. :)
9. SHARKS! I faced my greatest fears: drowning and sharkbites. Sure, we were protected by the glass of the aquarium. But yikes! They are so freaky. Just freaky.
10. My husband and making memories. It's fun to go somewhere new together. I'm glad we can laugh until we cry. I'm glad I can cry in front of him w/out feeling foolish when Sara Groves sings to my soul and makes me weep. I'm glad we can share intimacy with each other and the Lord. I'm glad we can respect each other's need for alonetime. I'm glad to discuss thoughts and truths and build each other up. I'm glad for "The Treasure Principle" and "Organic Church" and for the ways God stretches our understanding of giving and the church. I'm glad for forgiveness. I'm most of all glad for the last 52 weeks of our life. We are surely blessed.

That's it. Until next time...

Isn't God AMAZING???

This email came to me this morning. A story to encourage you as you pursue/are pursued by God today:

Kelli,
I'm not sure if you ever knew this, maybe you did. I can't remember if you did or not. :) Well, I was just reading through your blog and the last thing you said was that you regreted not being an RA long enough. Well, I just wanted to encourage you with something. The person that took your spot was Amanda Walston. Before she was an RA, she was not a believer. But because of the people that were in her life and lived across the floor from her (Laura Meyer and Amye Anderson) she came to know Christ the first year she was an RA. I was her small group leader this year at the women's retreat and let me tell you she has had a radical transformation. She told me on the way to the retreat (we carpooled together) that she had taken your place. She didn't know who you were, but she had found out later that you had prayed for the next RA that would be in that room. Well, hun, you're prayers for the next RA in that room were answered mightily! She is such a huge blessing and beautiful woman in the Lord. If you had become an RA the next year, Amanda would not have gotten the experience to live next to those two girls and work with Jade who encouraged her to go to Main Event, where she ended up giving her life to Jesus. So, you may regret not being an RA for a second year, but Praise God that you didn't because God used that decision in a way to bring someone to Himself.

I know that this was a really random email, but I really wanted to email you and here's my excuse! :) So let me know how Monday night worked out when you have the time! I'll talk to you later!

your sista,
Sarah G

Sarah - your words could not have come at a more perfect time. Thank you for sharing - I never, ever, ever knew that! Wow. God is so much greater than me, so much in control of even the intricate pushes and hesitations in my spirit, and He has a plan that far exceeds my greatest thoughts or desires! When I was praying for the next RA to take my place, I prayed God would make His home in that room, that His spirit would invade the life and heart of that woman. God is FAITHFUL and I want to shout it from the rooftops today!!! PRAISE GOD! I am sooo humbled, so humbled by the Lord today. That our prayers would be heard, that He would move His hand in such a mighty way...I want to pray fervently forever, even though I may never hear stories like this, of how God connects our prayers and makes reality happen in the hearts of men and women around us.

You've blessed me indeed. I love you deeply, friend. I'm glad we can live this life and share in our experiences of God together, even from a distance.

TOP TEN....9...8...7...

Ten Firsts:
First best friend - Courtney
First screen name - ellikbrown
First pet - Toby, toes
First piercing - ears
First crush - hmm..Eric Moffitt
First kiss - Scott Little
First CD - Bryan Adams
First car - Ol' Blue - my great grandpa's Bonneville
First stuffed animal - my teddie! I've had it since I was born. Still sleep with it!
First broken bone - is it morbid that I wish I could break a bone? i've always wanted a cast!!!

Nine Lasts:
Last beverage - water
Last car ride - to work this morning on I-80
Last movie seen - Constant Gardener
Last phone call - talked to Jo yesterday morning!!! From Japan!
Last CD played - Bethany Dillon
Last bubble bath - a week ago. Mmmm, yeah. I like bubble baths
Last time you cried - This weekend at the retreat
Last time you laughed - This morning when Mike scared me at my desk and I said "That made me tingle down to my toes" and Sheryl thought I said "You made me tinkle down to my toes!"
Last time you fell - Tripped off the sidewalk the other day...

Eight Shows you like
1. Survivor!
2. CSI the originals
3. Project Runway
4. Bachelor
5. Friends
6. MXC - the asian "Dont Get Eliminated!" show. Hilarious!
7. The Office
8. ER

Seven Things You Are Wearing
1. My black puffy vest
2. A long sleeve shirt
3. The necessary unmentionables
4. Jeans
5. Socks
6. Payless shoes
7. My wedding ring

Six Things You've Done Today
1. Ate Cinnamon Life cereal
2. Brushed my teeth
3. Didnt take a shower
4. Laughed b/c people thought I peed my pants
5. Blogged
6. Emailed

Five Favorite Things
1. Ice cold water
2. Writing
3. Swimming! I'm like a fish outta water
4. Grilling
5. Sitting outside under something while watching a summer thunderstorm/rain.

Four People You Can Trust With Anything
1. Marcus
2. Joanna
3. Stacy B
4. Laura

Three Choices
1. Hot or cold - hot weather, cold drinks
2. Black or white - black skies, white lights
3.Chocolate or Vanilla - vanilla!

Two Things You Want To Do Before You Die
1. See my Japanese roomate again and know she's in love with Jesus
2. Travel

One Thing You Regret
1. Not being an R.A. for a longer period of time. I gave up too quickly.

It's My Turn To Be Tagged

Here are four items from each category:

Four Jobs I've Had in My Life:
1. Project Coordinator for a small P.O.P. business
2. Library Acquisitions/Cataloging at Rod Library - UNI
3. Resident Assistant/Office Assistant in dorms - UNI
4. Patient Registration-Boone County Hospital

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over:
1. Sleepless in Seattle
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. Count of Monte Cristo
4. Gladiator

Four Places I Have Lived:
1. Pleasant Hills, IA
2. Ames, IA
3. Ankeny, IA
4. Cedar Falls, IA

Four TV Shows I Love to Watch:
1. CSI - the old stuff. I'm hooked!
2. Project Runway-I want to be a fashion designer now
3. Survivor - yeah! it never gets old...
4. Friends

Four Places I've Been on Vacation:
1. Dubuque, IA to the Hancock House Bed and Breakfast
2. Colorado!!! CSprings, Denver, SMR, Winter Park, Estes Park, all over!
3. Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona to my great aunt Lois' house
4. Las Vegas, Nevada - I got a coin cup from each and every casino - yeah!

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
1. Jo's Blog, really like 41 blogs...I like to meet people!
2. Gmail
3. Uline or McMaster Carr
4. MSN

Four Favorite Foods:
1. Vanilla ice cream with M&M's
2. Subway's Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwhich
3. HuHott's Beef&Noodles with Bold Flavor - yummy!
4. Mongolian Beef and steamed rice at Hy-Vee Chinese

Four Places I Would Like to Visit:
1. Hachioji, Tokyo Japan
2. Kyoto, Japan
3. Europe - all over. I want to backpack Europe.
4. Appalachian Trail in Eastern USA - I want to hike the whole thing continuously. Start to finish.

Four People I'm Tagging with this Meme:
1. Nobody
2. Anyone
3. Whoever hasnt posted it
4. Random Strangers

It's my fave! 

Thoughts/Updates

Thank you to all who have posted a comment about church. I am full of thoughts and challenges to my mindset, and I'm looking forward to reading a book coming my way (I'll let you know if it's a recommend-read, and give some of my thoughts), reading and praying through the Word about Christ's intentions for the church, and hopefully learning more from people like you who have depths and volumes of information/opinion/experiences to share with me. I value your thoughts and even though I can be stubborn, I value how God challenges me to think outside of the boxes I create.

In the meantime, I think I'm just going to post some pictures and random "tags" for awhile. I sense I need to quietly seek Him about things I've written, and experience God's truth about church.

So enjoy!

EDIT!

To all or any who've read my post -

I accidently used the word "relevancy" when I meant "relativity".

Thanks.

Church Today-Your Thoughts?

I'm wresting with this post. I just wrote 4 paragraphs and erased it all. I've decided that this post will not be about what I think - I would rather gather the input of anyone reading my blog. Im wrestling with the topic of "church". My husband and I have talked about it nearly daily lately, and it's become a topic of controversy and opinion in many ways. In a world today where relativism and mediocrity bite at us for our devotion day in and day out, what should churches and the body of Christ look like? I read an interesting article today (the link is available with the title of this entry - click to read more), and have chosen to post the following:

In a recent seminar I learned that in order to double one's Sunday School class size the teacher should avoid presenting a lesson that has too much depth. It was felt that if the lesson was too deep that new visitors would feel overwhelmed and would be less likely to return. This really bothered me. Are we to strive to water down the Word of God in order to obtain members with a shallow faith who, when faced with the trials of life, have no root to stand in adversity? I'm sure there is a place for a class devoted to seekers but I think we should all be striving to grow past the milk and obtain the more meaty substance of God's Word. What part does the seeker-sensitive service/class play in today's world?

This hit home with me. It's a topic at the center of our confusion and seemingly endless search for a church that we long to become a part of. We've run into many churches in our area that live by the seeker-sensative model, and I guess my desire is to hear your opinion, to hear your take on church. Here are a few more paragraphs of interest I read and re-read:

“The desire to be overly seeker-sensitive is pulling us away from proclaiming the hard truth of the Gospel. The Gospel is an offense! A righteous man was nailed to a cross. There was a beating involved, and blood shed. We must not water that down. We cannot compromise the reality of the Gospel under the guise of relevancy. Relevancy is earned when churches –- Christians –- acting as the hands of Christ, touch the wounded hearts and souls of those around them. When Christians act like Jesus, bear the burdens of others like Jesus, suffer with others like Jesus, then we will be more effective in verbally sharing the pointed truths of the Gospel with them like Jesus. What’s more, the lost will drink in the message like a thirsty man wandering in a desert drinks in cool, clean water.”

John MacArthur recently decried the seeker-sensitive movement as: “The push within churches across the country to make worship services more "relevant" and therefore more attractive to the world. It's the driving force behind the marketing ploys and high-tech entertainment gimmicks churches use to promote growth. As you read this, you may be asking, ‘What's so dangerous about trying to attract unbelievers to your church?’”

MacArthur goes on to call seeker-sensitivity "deadly" for churches. And he makes a compelling, if not paradoxical, argument. For if seeker-sensivitity truly buffers the church roll (and why do it if it doesn't?), why would it be dangerous?
Because the Word in all its truth is not taught, and according to 2 Corinthians 4:2, anything other is "shameful and underhanded." It also takes an important job out of the hands of believers:

“I just heard MacArthur preach this week that we too often think of church as the "place of evangelism." Instead, he taught that the church was where members gathered to worship, be taught, hear the preached Word of God, and equipped to do evangelism in the world. If every meeting of the church is turned to "seeker sensitive," I wonder-- and I mean this sincerely -- when will the saints be equipped?”
“Witnessing activities outside the church are great but the church is for Christians not for unbelievers. Unbelievers need the truth not sensitivity.”

And a few more here:

But if that ideal is geared so to equip Christians to evangelize and minister out in the world, we must honestly ask ourselves why we’re missing so many who are lost and yet seeking a spiritual path. There has to be a way to find balance: Discipleship and training for the committed. The message of salvation, the truth, and a genuine sense of love from the congregation for visitors and seekers.

For more, please feel free to read the article. I guess the biggest thing I'm looking for is answers! I know that none of you can give that to me, and I know that there's really no 1-way to lead a church. It's going to be from God alone where I get my answers. My heart just cries out for depth, for truth, and for something greater than the watered down gospel and truth I've heard recently. I also want to stop questioning why even go to church. This has been a question in my mind- why go, on sundays, if I can get deeper teaching, meat of the word, and truth of challenge in my faith that I can get meeting with someone one-on-one or in a small group? And I want to stop comparing every church to the one I know back home, the one I grew up in. It's stinkin awesome! But there's something wrong when I leave that place and I'm SO FULL FROM TRUTH AND YET LONGING FOR MORE OF GOD AND TO BE MORE IN CHRIST, and every time I've left other church attendings recently I think "I wonder what's on TV today/Which restaraunt should we choose for lunch?" Seriously! That's my struggle. If I, someone who loves the Lord and has walked with him for quite some time now, leaves church instilled with either a passion and zeal in my faith or a sense of "what's next" - how much greater the complex when someone young or new in their faith, or who doesnt know the Lord but is exploring, leaves the church every week??? We're talking about making disciples of Christ or making people who sit and listen but do nothing with their lives and crave the mediocre! So many Americans refer to themselves as "christians" but would those same people really say they love Jesus Christ?

Okay. My ranting is done. Comments, please? I'm open and I want to listen to all sides.

One More Thing Before I Go...

Hey All,

One more thing...check out this website when you get a chance and watch the video. One of the coolest, most inspiring things I've seen or heard about in a long time.

It's worth it...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2348397

Enjoy!

Peace and Victory for YOU, Joanna!

Hey Sister!

I miss you. A whole bunch. Is it sad that every day I check my email I am either elated or totally bummed for an hour afterwards from no email from you?!? No pressure. It's just I love ya and am always curious about your life and experiences!

So today Im dedicating some pics to you. I wanted to give you a "Japanese style" hello!

And this other picture - totally rad. So, I was playing around taking pictures, and I went to pose for this shot and snapped the pic. Then, as I was going through my photos later, I looked closely and noticed that a bird/duck/goose was flying by JUST as I pointed up to the sky! How awesome of timing was that??? Totally cool. I talked about it all night. So I wanted to share it with you.

I miss you. I love you. I hope you have a SuPeR great day. Enjoy the pics.

Im out!