This weekend was my last weekend in the CLV. As crazy as it seems I leave for school in less than two weeks. This weekend I finally grasped the concept that I really am moving soon. In Sunday School today we were all talking about leaving, and the reality is, we are all terrified. Thank goodness Trent had a pretty sweet lesson lined up for us because he was hoping we would say we were scared.
My last weekend here was pretty fun, I have to admit. I may not have gotten to go camping with my friends like I wanted to, but I still had a packed weekend full of fun. We had a soccer tournament here in town, which enabled me to camp. We didn't do as well this tournament, but its not a big deal because next week in Ohio we are going to bring it.
Growing up in church I've always heard the phrase come as you are...and I've always believed it, until today. I had a soccer game this morning and when it was over i went straight to church. All I had time to do was throw on a non-sweaty shirt and some tennis shoes. So much for come as you are, I got more rude comments and awful looks. Its funny that girls wear short skirts and tube tops to church but hardly get noticed, and I come in my soccer get-up and get some pretty nasty remarks. The people of FBC CLV weren't very open-minded today, it was pretty disheartening to spend my last Sunday here for a while like that.
However, other than that my weekend was great. The grand parents came in to "see me off". They took us to Mexican, which is of course my favorite. We hung out today and did the whole family scene. Then later Daniel and I went to Harry Potter! The second time was even better than the first!
Last night I wrote out a list of things I want to accomplish this coming school year:
-stay away from the freshman 15, I can't afford to gain that much weight
-keep my grades relatively high and still maintain a social life
-learn to dance! ( any of you that have been around Luci and I when there is music playing know that both of us love to attempt to dance, but just can't. so this year I am going to learn to rock it. I'm actually watching step up 2 as I write this.)
-stay in church even if it takes a while to find the right one for me
-call my home at least once every week to let them in on my life
-stay in touch with my friends from home. ( hannah, luci, krista, lauren, the whole gang)
-continue to strive for a closer relationship with the Lord
Eleven days until I leave, but subtract three because I'll be in Ohio. Its hard to fit in everything I want in the next eight days, but I'm going to try because I have to see everyone before I'm off to Union to play some soccer.
Elizabeth
3:14
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
18 is the magic number
The countdown begins! There are 18 days until I embark on one of the biggest journeys in life. August 6th I move into Ayers 1 at Union University. It is quite a bittersweet moment thinking about it. In a few short weeks I will be waking up in a strange room in a different city with people I hardly know. This past weekend I've been sick and had plenty of time just to sit and think alone, and WOW have I been thinking a lot.
Basically its time to start a whole new life. Recently I've lost my best friend/boyfriend of almost two years, but who knows, maybe it was just time to leave each other. I've realized you don't need a boy to make your life complete, so in a way this could be a good thing, I'm just not seeing that yet.
I've also noticed that I seem to be more patient than usual. I've started to slow down and actually see whats going on around me. I actually caught myself going under the speed limit the other day because I was just engulfed in my surroundings. If you were driving behind me you probably would have thought I was from out of town. I just seemed to be seeing everything in a new way. Not just in driving have I become more patient. I have really enjoyed slowing down the pace of my hectic life and taking in things I've always known, just in a different way.
This summer I read Redeeming Love, again for about the fourth or fifth time. I believe, however, every time I read it I learn something new. This past reading of it has shown me that I am obsessed with the word "beloved" I'm not sure why. Beloved is used all through the book and I basically fell in love with it, because for one I would love to have a husband like the main character in the book, and since he uses the word beloved a lot I'm guessing that's why I love the word.
As my summer is coming to an end I realize that this was probably the most packed summer I have ever had, but I have loved every second of it. I have met some pretty amazing people and grown closer to some friends that have touched me in different ways. From the 9 eighth grade girls that touched my life at Hillmont, to Maria my leader in New York and the random strangers I met on the streets there, to the hilarious people I met at YoungLife camp. Not only have I met new people, but grown closer to random people I never really thought I would hang out with. Every person I've come into contact with this summer has made and impact somehow on my life even if they don't realize it.
I'm excited and scared for the upcoming days. Its going to be a real struggle to change life as I know it and become an independent college kid. I know it won't be that bad, its just the pure thought of living on my own that terrifies me! And so the countdown continues...
Elizabeth
3:14
Basically its time to start a whole new life. Recently I've lost my best friend/boyfriend of almost two years, but who knows, maybe it was just time to leave each other. I've realized you don't need a boy to make your life complete, so in a way this could be a good thing, I'm just not seeing that yet.
I've also noticed that I seem to be more patient than usual. I've started to slow down and actually see whats going on around me. I actually caught myself going under the speed limit the other day because I was just engulfed in my surroundings. If you were driving behind me you probably would have thought I was from out of town. I just seemed to be seeing everything in a new way. Not just in driving have I become more patient. I have really enjoyed slowing down the pace of my hectic life and taking in things I've always known, just in a different way.
This summer I read Redeeming Love, again for about the fourth or fifth time. I believe, however, every time I read it I learn something new. This past reading of it has shown me that I am obsessed with the word "beloved" I'm not sure why. Beloved is used all through the book and I basically fell in love with it, because for one I would love to have a husband like the main character in the book, and since he uses the word beloved a lot I'm guessing that's why I love the word.
As my summer is coming to an end I realize that this was probably the most packed summer I have ever had, but I have loved every second of it. I have met some pretty amazing people and grown closer to some friends that have touched me in different ways. From the 9 eighth grade girls that touched my life at Hillmont, to Maria my leader in New York and the random strangers I met on the streets there, to the hilarious people I met at YoungLife camp. Not only have I met new people, but grown closer to random people I never really thought I would hang out with. Every person I've come into contact with this summer has made and impact somehow on my life even if they don't realize it.
I'm excited and scared for the upcoming days. Its going to be a real struggle to change life as I know it and become an independent college kid. I know it won't be that bad, its just the pure thought of living on my own that terrifies me! And so the countdown continues...
Elizabeth
3:14
Thursday, July 16, 2009
i know i still make mistakes, but You have new mercy for me everyday...
In the past week since I've been home I feel like I have learned more than I ever imagined learning in one week.
As soon as I got home from hillmont I found myself headed to Louisville for a 3v3 soccer tournament. There I learned that it is very possible to go to a tournament with only three girls, two fans, and no coach and still come out on top. Cassandra, Crystal, and I persevered through the heat and no substitutes to win the tournament. Also while there I learned that I hate having gross teeth and that those new colgate wisps are life savers.
In the last week I helped install a dishwasher. For starters I have no clue what any type of tool is called, which made for a difficult time. I was, what dad liked to call me, the plumbers assistant. Every time he asked for a tool it took me about three tries. However, I do believe now if you asked me for a wrench, any type of screw driver, or a nut I could find it. Installing the dishwasher was fun. We had to take a few extra trips to Lowes, but it was worth it because now we have a new dishwasher that works great!
Staying on the dad topic, I have a totally new respect of him. Since I've been home I have had to start back training for soccer. This time my dad has been coaching me in my running and some of my lifting. I don't know how he does it. He has done two Ironmans and is about to do a third one next June. For those that do not know what an Ironman consists of, it is: A 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run. All together that is 140.6 miles to be completed all in one day. I can't even imagine the pain your body must go through in order to finish! My dad and all his friends love it and train consistently for such races..most aren't as long. I however almost died when my dad made me run two miles and do sprints the other day. After running I came home and got on the stationary bike for about fifteen minutes before I was ready to pass out. I really earned a lot of respect for dad and all his friends, its hard to do what they do and I've never really even thought about it that way.
I've learned my clothing style has somewhat change. Wearing skirts are by far way more comfortable and I could wear them for the rest of my life. I'm all about comfort these days. A v-neck T, cotton skirt, and flip flops can go just about anywhere.
I am a huge nerd that loves to read. I play video games a lot more than you would think. I dressed up as Harry Potter for the midnight premier of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I'm decided to embrace being a nerd and have fun with it. I've learned you have to be yourself, and if that involves being different, then go for it.
Living in an attitude of worship is hard to do. Practically all summer I've been doing something that involved church and worship. Younglife camp, working Bible school, New York mission trip, and staffing Hillmont. This past week has been a test of all that I've learned and been through this summer. I've learned it takes more than just listening to worship music and praying. It takes actions and words to really proclaim what God is doing in my life. My actions show others my "inner man" ( Hillmont word!) and that inner man needs to stay clean by what I listen to, watch, and do.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will. (NIV)
As soon as I got home from hillmont I found myself headed to Louisville for a 3v3 soccer tournament. There I learned that it is very possible to go to a tournament with only three girls, two fans, and no coach and still come out on top. Cassandra, Crystal, and I persevered through the heat and no substitutes to win the tournament. Also while there I learned that I hate having gross teeth and that those new colgate wisps are life savers.
In the last week I helped install a dishwasher. For starters I have no clue what any type of tool is called, which made for a difficult time. I was, what dad liked to call me, the plumbers assistant. Every time he asked for a tool it took me about three tries. However, I do believe now if you asked me for a wrench, any type of screw driver, or a nut I could find it. Installing the dishwasher was fun. We had to take a few extra trips to Lowes, but it was worth it because now we have a new dishwasher that works great!
Staying on the dad topic, I have a totally new respect of him. Since I've been home I have had to start back training for soccer. This time my dad has been coaching me in my running and some of my lifting. I don't know how he does it. He has done two Ironmans and is about to do a third one next June. For those that do not know what an Ironman consists of, it is: A 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run. All together that is 140.6 miles to be completed all in one day. I can't even imagine the pain your body must go through in order to finish! My dad and all his friends love it and train consistently for such races..most aren't as long. I however almost died when my dad made me run two miles and do sprints the other day. After running I came home and got on the stationary bike for about fifteen minutes before I was ready to pass out. I really earned a lot of respect for dad and all his friends, its hard to do what they do and I've never really even thought about it that way.
I've learned my clothing style has somewhat change. Wearing skirts are by far way more comfortable and I could wear them for the rest of my life. I'm all about comfort these days. A v-neck T, cotton skirt, and flip flops can go just about anywhere.
I am a huge nerd that loves to read. I play video games a lot more than you would think. I dressed up as Harry Potter for the midnight premier of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I'm decided to embrace being a nerd and have fun with it. I've learned you have to be yourself, and if that involves being different, then go for it.
Living in an attitude of worship is hard to do. Practically all summer I've been doing something that involved church and worship. Younglife camp, working Bible school, New York mission trip, and staffing Hillmont. This past week has been a test of all that I've learned and been through this summer. I've learned it takes more than just listening to worship music and praying. It takes actions and words to really proclaim what God is doing in my life. My actions show others my "inner man" ( Hillmont word!) and that inner man needs to stay clean by what I listen to, watch, and do.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will. (NIV)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
God is good...All the time!
I know it is the middle of the summer and my last blog was during the school year, but I have been so busy I haven't found the time to update. Here goes. The whole summer, as I can remember!
A few days after graduation we had Hillmont training. We spent the weekend in Linden to connect with God and each other. Training was the first of many new activities I would attempt. We did a ropes course, and mind you, I am terrified of heights. I did it though. I was able to trust fall from eight feet off the ground and trust the other staffers would catch me, and I also was hoisted over a huge wall. Training was fun, I participated in my first ever phatdipping and learned a lot about myself and God.
After training I went to Windy Gap in North Carolina for YoungLife camp. Once again I was tested in things I never imagined doing. I did a high rope course. It was intense, but I conquered my fear of heights and completed it. We also went horse back riding, which I have never done before. I fell in love with my horse named Madonna. YoungLife wasn't all fun and games, I was really able to search my heart and learn more about our awesome God. I loved every minute of camp.
The biggest part of summer so far has been my mission trip to New York, which I just got back from a few hours ago. The trip was amazing and truly tested me. I had to step out of my comfort zone. The first two days in NY we were total tourists and saw everything imaginable and wandered around all of NY. On Sunday we had our own worship on a rock in Central Park. Talk about awesome. Whats greater than worshiping God in a park on a beautiful day. Sunday night was the kick off to City Uprising. Aaron Coe is a great preacher and Paul Ramey rocked it out. Throughout the week my group, the Green Manhattans, did different projects. Our leader was Maria, and she was hands down the best leader ever! On Monday we worked at Housing Works and helped ship books and do inventory for them. Housing Works is a very cool program that helps in HIV awareness. That afternoon we participated in the art carts. That was interesting! We asked random people in a park their age and had them draw a picture in however many seconds their age was. It was a whole lot of fun interacting with them. Tuesday we handed out HIV awareness cards in the Upper East Side and the South Bronx. Working in the UES was hard and really put me in a down mood. No one wanted to hear what we had to say nor did they care about HIV awareness. However our spirits were lifted in the South Bronx, where the people were very friendly and willing to listen to us and what we had to say. Wednesday we worked at the Salt art gallery. Drew and I walked to Home Depot to get materials they needed to help with the gallery. That was a trip in itself.
New York as a whole was a very eye opening experience. Being in a city for the first time is never easy, especially when the city as over 8 million people living in it! Every night we had worship, where I got to hear Freddy T again! It felt like old times in Doxa.
This summer so far has been the best ever. I have stepped out of my comfort zone more than I ever thought I would. I've learned God is always in control and when you truly let him take over, you are willing to step out more. Hillmont is in two days and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. I know it is going to be amazing. God is good! All the Time!
Elizabeth
3:14
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