plain excited

OK so I admit it, I'm completely one of those crazy kids who needs positive reinforcement. I wish it wasn't true, but having things to look forward to seriously motivates me.

The beginning of the semester was a little rough with my 2 best friends gone and graduated and moving far away from Waco. Fortunately, this week one of them is returning to me!!

My dear friend Katie is flying to Texas tomorrow after sitting for the horrendous CPA exam.

I'm so looking forward to drinking coffee with this precious girl and talking about life's little eccentricities. Amidst the uncertainties, it is so good to sit with a friend who simply knows you.

I've named friends like Katie "lifers" because they are the people I want to travel, learn, and grow with for the remainder of our time here on earth. They are the strong, brave and humble who I admire, aspire with, and who God has let me know as a special blessing.

I just cannot wait to hug this girl!!

"to do" Sunday

My to-do list for today before I reconsidered my priorities:

• watch All the President's Men and write a review referring to the journalistic elements presented.
• study 6 short stories in Spanish along with the subjunctive verb tense.
• read Dickens Bleak House by Wednesday.
• rest.
• pray.

Definitely reversing this order right now!

Antioch had an awesome sermon this morning about how to impact the world for Jesus. Jimmy, the pastor, did a great job of empowering us to live fully using our gifts to go out into the community and minister for God's glory. Just think of the movement that could occur if believers embraced their work places and homes as their mission field! It makes so much sense to engage in work with that perspective. I've been thinking of all of the people, parents, and especially the kids that I work with everyday. God has blessed me with the opportunity to instill value in each child I meet, that they might know that they were created by God and deeply loved by Him. I miss so many of those opportunities.. thankfully my Father gives plenty of chances to tell others about Him!

I'm excited to start volunteering as a tutor this week. Until graduation, I'll be going to a low-performing elementary school in the heart of Waco for 4 hours a week to help 2 teachers with reading stations. Ironically, one of the classrooms that needs help is a bilingual 1st grade class and I'll be teaching Spanish. To Mexican children. Yes, I the gringo, who is struggling in my last semester of Baylor's Spanish will be teaching reading and writing.. in Spanish. I love the Lord's sense of humor! Fun stories are destined to develop from this experience!

Have a lovely week!

my dusty life

views of my beautifully chaotic, mismatched and DUSTY life (well, my bedroom)

thoughts that keep you up at night

This lovely Wednesday evening roomie and I headed for the good ol' $1 theater in Waco to relax in front of cheap entertainment.
We chose Seven Pounds with Will Smith.. because it had him in it of course.
Wow.
I haven't cried so hard in... um... I can't even think of a time!
If you haven't seen it, I think you should.

It made me think of the value of life. And opportunities to live remarkably.

I have been thinking about organs for the past hour and how precious it is to be able to donate the gift of life.

This is why it is 1a.m. and I can't fall asleep.

help wanted?

May 2009 marks the date of several events- graduation, moving across the nation, and resettling into my parent's home in Escondido, CA.

This transition holds the promise of many exciting new life ventures, but also the practical fear of the unknown.

Basically, I really need a job. I'm graduating with a BA in English with a Religious studies minor. I have training working at restaurants, stores, and offices, with youth and children programs (both public and private organizations), overseas experience, as well as recent experience working with publications and reporting for mass media.

Since I am graduating at a time of economic instability, I am prepared to face the reality that the ideal job will not appear at my doorstep.

Does anyone know of anyone who is hiring in the San Diego area around May 09, or even this summer? I'm looking for a full-time position with health benefits.

I'm pretty much willing to do anything and work really hard.

Please let me know if you hear of anything!! THANK YOU!

St. Valentine

I've never really been excited about Valentine's Day. At least not since elementary school when everyone handed out those precious cartoon love notes in class. Those were fun.

But, today was a great day!

i miss my family

simple peace

A month of neglect, and this page looks so foreign to me.
I suppose the only way to breech the awkward break is to simply write.

Life in Texas forges on a hint sweeter than before, probably because I know that my time here is drawing to a close. The comfortable walk to and around campus feels shorter this semester, the weather cooler, the local places sadly more familiar. Baylor has been a surprising place of transformation and growth, and therefore a priceless experience (although it did come at a hefty price!).

In conversation with Jesus, I am relearning the power of prayer. I can see how God takes the base and ugly within me to produce something of value with His breath of life. He asks me to surrender everything, to relinquish all control. I have to loosen my grasp every morning. Today I feel His transcending peace wash over my anxious soul. And I now am beginning to understand His gift of peace, which surpasses all comprehension, to guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (var. Phil. 4:7).

be still my soul

Be still and know that I am God.. Pslam 46:10

I'm awful at this. I always want to go.. and do.. and go some more. I'm a planner. An organizer.

Lord, why can't I just rest in your presence?!

I'm in Palm Springs with my family for a few days, and as silly as it sounds, I would almost rather be home! Besides looking forward to numerous tennis matches with my dad and brother, I am dreading all of the down time. I want this little vacation to be a beneficial time of solitude, focused on waiting on the Lord for direction.

Holidays have a funny way of illuminating one's singleness, and it bothers me to be discontent over something like that. There are many places in my heart that I thought I had given up to God to let Him fill- only to realize that I held onto those desires more fiercely and quietly than before.

Will the day of rest and contentment ever come? Why won't I let myself be satisfied in Jesus alone?

the happiest holidays

This Christmas has been particularly special because a missionary friend, who I met in Thailand, was able to spend the holidays with my family. In one week, I've dragged Leinie around San Diego trying to accomplish all of the things she's never done before! So far, we've played in the snow in Julian, gone ice skating at Horton Plaza, been to Coronado, explored tide pools in La Jolla, visited with family friends every night, and played every game in my house! Now I am just being still. Waiting on the Lord. And the quiet feels so good!