A new love:
"Best Days" by Graham Colton
2.25.2008
2.24.2008
Walking Home In Joy.
Friday, after Mission Center, carrying Kathleen home (who is six or seven), we were talking about joy...what the kids learned about that night. And we had the following conversation:
Me: So what did you learn about tonight, Kathleen?
Kathleen: Um...joy.
Me: So what's joy? Is it the same as being happy?
Kathleen: No... it's different than being happy. It's like... it's like a happiness that only God can give that doesn't go away.
Me: Do you have that joy?
Kathleen: Yes.
Then we practiced saying Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit verses (that's the series we are doing with the kids at Mission Center). So we said it together normally a few times, and we said it as quickly as we could, and we said it as quietly as we could. And she tried saying it, and did fairly well. More practice will come, but pretty good for week three of learning it.
It made my heart so happy that she paid attention, and listened, and was learning the memory verse. I remember last year she was so quiet... would only talk to Marci, pretty much. But now, she runs around, playing tag, listens during the lesson. I usually carry her home, and we always talk. I love her.
I love seeing how she's growing. All of the Mission Center OBUers feel the same way.
Me: So what did you learn about tonight, Kathleen?
Kathleen: Um...joy.
Me: So what's joy? Is it the same as being happy?
Kathleen: No... it's different than being happy. It's like... it's like a happiness that only God can give that doesn't go away.
Me: Do you have that joy?
Kathleen: Yes.
Then we practiced saying Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit verses (that's the series we are doing with the kids at Mission Center). So we said it together normally a few times, and we said it as quickly as we could, and we said it as quietly as we could. And she tried saying it, and did fairly well. More practice will come, but pretty good for week three of learning it.
It made my heart so happy that she paid attention, and listened, and was learning the memory verse. I remember last year she was so quiet... would only talk to Marci, pretty much. But now, she runs around, playing tag, listens during the lesson. I usually carry her home, and we always talk. I love her.
I love seeing how she's growing. All of the Mission Center OBUers feel the same way.
2.18.2008
People.
Sometimes doing the right thing is awkward. Sometimes it makes you really vulnerable, with a really high chance of getting hurt. But I think that most of the time, it's worth it.
Restoring relationships after a lot of hurt is difficult. It's hard putting yourself in a position to say, "Hey, let's be better"... especially when you know the other person might blow you off and not care about it. It's hard when you were the person who used to not care.
It's funny how those things change.
Ecclesiastes says that nothing is new under the sun... that everything has happened before and will happen again. The only thing that changes is people. Therefore, the only change we can affect is in people, in making disciples and developing lasting relationships that are irreplacable. Pastor Tom says that people are the only things we can take to heaven with us. And it's true.
Life has to be all about people - how to minister to and love them unconditionally. It's only through people that we can really make changes.
That's hard.
But worth it.
I hope.
Restoring relationships after a lot of hurt is difficult. It's hard putting yourself in a position to say, "Hey, let's be better"... especially when you know the other person might blow you off and not care about it. It's hard when you were the person who used to not care.
It's funny how those things change.
Ecclesiastes says that nothing is new under the sun... that everything has happened before and will happen again. The only thing that changes is people. Therefore, the only change we can affect is in people, in making disciples and developing lasting relationships that are irreplacable. Pastor Tom says that people are the only things we can take to heaven with us. And it's true.
Life has to be all about people - how to minister to and love them unconditionally. It's only through people that we can really make changes.
That's hard.
But worth it.
I hope.
2.15.2008
Africa
Also - I sent in my application, passport copy, and deposit for the trip this summer. It feels very near and possible, which is crazy after wanting to go for soo long. Like, wow. It could be real.
Let It Rise.
I just talked to Cari for an hour and a half at the desk... something that has never happened before. But it was... good. It was cool.
We talked about a lot of stuff:
- our first "Boyfriends"
- our most recent/current boyfriends
- our siblings and how hard it is to seem them grow up and make choices in their own lives.
- adopting kids
- prerequisites for husbands (like butchering pigs and making canoes and such)
I've missed having conversations with that.
This last week was long... tiring... emotional roller-coasty. I'm so ready for the weekend.
I had a great one on one with Jessica today. Talked about something I have to do tomorrow... talking to a resident about a problem. And we talked about a lot of other random stuff. I'll miss Jessica.
The conversation tomorrow will be hard. I am very unaware of how to deal with it. But I know I have to do it.
Right now, I am strongly reminded of the time when Hannah and Kristina and I went to the Tree 63 concert, and we took a picture with them. That was fun. I still have it. I know it is in a scrapbook, but I thought I had another copy of it somewhere. I should find it and bring it back to school with me. I like it a lot.
We talked about a lot of stuff:
- our first "Boyfriends"
- our most recent/current boyfriends
- our siblings and how hard it is to seem them grow up and make choices in their own lives.
- adopting kids
- prerequisites for husbands (like butchering pigs and making canoes and such)
I've missed having conversations with that.
This last week was long... tiring... emotional roller-coasty. I'm so ready for the weekend.
I had a great one on one with Jessica today. Talked about something I have to do tomorrow... talking to a resident about a problem. And we talked about a lot of other random stuff. I'll miss Jessica.
The conversation tomorrow will be hard. I am very unaware of how to deal with it. But I know I have to do it.
Right now, I am strongly reminded of the time when Hannah and Kristina and I went to the Tree 63 concert, and we took a picture with them. That was fun. I still have it. I know it is in a scrapbook, but I thought I had another copy of it somewhere. I should find it and bring it back to school with me. I like it a lot.
2.12.2008
2.11.2008
I Want It More Than Breath.
I have the opportunity to go to South Africa this summer to work in an orphanage for ten days.
I want this.
I want this more than I want to be a teacher.
I want this more than I want my relationship with my brother to be better.
I want this more than I want to go to OBU, more than I want to go home, more than I want anything in the world.
And I say that knowing that it is completely true.
I want this so much that it hurts when I think that I might not have it.
I want this so much that my stomach has butterflies and I might cry.
I want this so much that I am willing to do almost anything to have it.
And that kind of passion...it doesn't come from me. It can't come from me. It is too big, too overwhelming, too thick to come from me. Which means it can only come from God.
And that kind of scares me.
To think that God would give me the passion...He must have something in store.
I want it.
I want this.
I want this more than I want to be a teacher.
I want this more than I want my relationship with my brother to be better.
I want this more than I want to go to OBU, more than I want to go home, more than I want anything in the world.
And I say that knowing that it is completely true.
I want this so much that it hurts when I think that I might not have it.
I want this so much that my stomach has butterflies and I might cry.
I want this so much that I am willing to do almost anything to have it.
And that kind of passion...it doesn't come from me. It can't come from me. It is too big, too overwhelming, too thick to come from me. Which means it can only come from God.
And that kind of scares me.
To think that God would give me the passion...He must have something in store.
I want it.
2.06.2008
15 Minutes Of Fame.
I was just on the radio. :D
I was listening to a station where the hosts were talking about what guys should get girls for Valentines' Day, so I called in.
Because really...
rather than flowers...
or jewelery...
or lame presents
I'd rather have a love note. A nice note saying, "Hey, you are beautiful and amazing and lovely."
Because really, girls just want to know that we are valued and special. And having it written down like that... it's nice. Much better than just saying it everyday.
I was listening to a station where the hosts were talking about what guys should get girls for Valentines' Day, so I called in.
Because really...
rather than flowers...
or jewelery...
or lame presents
I'd rather have a love note. A nice note saying, "Hey, you are beautiful and amazing and lovely."
Because really, girls just want to know that we are valued and special. And having it written down like that... it's nice. Much better than just saying it everyday.
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