Today has been a good day. It may have not had the best start but there were a lot of God things.
As I was driving along out of my neighborhood this morning I realized I got/had a flat tire. I do not know what exactly happened to it but it looked like someone could have taken a knife to it or it could have shredded when I started driving. I made it to the QT by my house and made the call to roadside assistance. This is after I texted my boss that I would be late.
First God thing of the day was deciding not to bring my tablet with me. I would have played games the whole time instead I read. One of the things for my HIM training is to read Cross Cultural Servant hood by Duane Elmer. I am rereading it from when I read it for one of my classes. However I have been getting distracted lately by other things and not reading, so this instance that I get to read was good. I finished the chapter I was on.
The guy came and went and let me go really fast when changed my tire (probably one of my better tire experiences when I am by myself) and I was off to work. Work was really fun today my class played outside and most of the kids had a long nap. God tested my patience with some things but it was still good. There was one kid that got picked up really late but he so cute that it hard not to have fun with him.
As I was waiting, I was reminding myself that I need to go by the post office to drop off a box of my letters (a bigger little box). I reminded myself that I need to go get a new tire because I have to drive to Edmond tomorrow. When I was driving back home, I remembered my bucket of patience. The next God thing, I got to see Bob Goff at the Children's Pastors Conference, I went to in January. He talked about a bucket of patience. He started to carry around a bucket where ever he went to remind himself that he chances to fill up his bucket of patience. This day seemed to come in a day that looking back I might need to start caring one around.
When I got home I started surfing YouTube, I watched a lot of classic (to me) Disney movie song clips: High School musical 1, 2 & 3, Camp Rock 1 & 2, and Starstruck to name a few.
As I was scrolling along I found this one trailer for a Christian Movie called "Princess Cut". Its about a girl and her family. Her name is Grace and she has not had the best chance at love. She is looking for the guy to give her the "Princess Cut" diamond. I watched the trailer and I decided to watch it. Its on YouTube.
This movie was my last God thing of today. I some times get discouraged by all the fairy tales that I love to read and see. Also by my friends who are recently married and are really happy. However this movie is a friendly remind that as much that I feel hopeless in the love department. Especially starting this new journey. That GOD has HIS timing, HIS place, and all I need is a bucket of patience and wait for HIS plan.
I highly recommend this movie. I included the trailer on the post. In my opinion, it is good for all people who often get discourage on waiting for God's timing.
Did you know what Jeremiah 29:6 says? I learned this from the movie. WHEN you look it up start in verse 4. I think it is really neat.
Love,
Your sister in Christ,
Evynn
P.S. WHEN you watch the movie tell me what you think.
There is a lot of things that are going through my mind tonight as I start to type this out. I have been feeling a need to write for a while but did not know exactly what to say. However today seemed to set me over the edge. Words pressed to my heart seemed to be needing to expressed and heard.
Let me lay down some context what is happening in my life right now. I am recently graduated from Oklahoma Christian with a Mission major. Currently, I am living at home in Broken Arrow. I am working at the Mothers day/ Preschool at my home church in BA. This time in Broken Arrow is temporary I am training to go into the mission field every week on Wednesday nights in Edmond. My mission field is going to Oklahoma City or the south-side of OKC at Capitol Hill Church of Christ. if you have been around me you may have heard me talk about it. Part of it is that I have to raise money and that makes me scared. This time is like transition for me and it makes my anxious heart a little more anxious.
Context aside there is things that happened over last week that confirm and show God goodness. Last Wednesday with the crazy weather in Tulsa. I could not just come back after my training session like normal and had to stay the night and drive back in the morning. With a pain and craziness becomes a blessing. When I could not drive back I got to stay for class at Memorial Road, “Plugged in” class, I got to eat Hideaway with some of my Capitol Hill people. It was nice time for fun and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I also got to see and stay with one of my other friends and chat with her. That was a great refresher of people I have missed.
Today, Sunday I finally got to see Brandon and Katie Price for the first time in almost maybe 3 years because I missed them last time they were in the states. Brandon taught the Sunday morning sermon and it was very convicting. He also read one of my favorite passages (Philippians 4:4-7). During this time he was talking about peace. In having this peace means not to worry or be anxious. There are parts of his sermon that brought tears to my eyes because of belief in other people in our God. It makes me question my own faith for him to provide for the support I need.
Tonight there was two different things that made me write this blog post tonight. The first thing is one of the guys from EEM. I have met this guy at OC Lectureships and preacher luncheons and discussed Ukraine. I have got many of Ukraine maps on their give the bible to everyone pledges to hang on my wall for my shrine to Ukraine. When he spoke it made my Ukrainian part of my heart happy but sad because I miss being there. I trust God and that he will bring me back when the time is right. There is something I seem to forget that God provides and opens people hearts. I have been having a back a forth battle having faith that God will provide the money for things that He has set to be done.
The last thing, something that I choose to do for myself. After church I went to see God’s Not Dead 2. Oh How I begged for you all to see it. It reaffirming hope that I know that God is good all the time and All the time is God. Some of the words I can not think of words to say but my brain is tired. There is just a lot of things that this week has confirmed my faith on. In the movie also had mulitiple times that will remind you that you need to have something that you can tell people about why you believe what you believe.
The lower Satan pulls you down, Have faith that God will lift you for HIS GLORY twice as far.
Let our lives be testament and play part in His ultimate story.
Good Night brothers and sisters,
Love,
Evynn
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
I am done with college. I graduated. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. God is good. I am back at home for a while. If you have a job to be done I would happy to help for a small fee. We all have something to rejoice in. Along with graduating I know what I am going to do with two years of my life. However I don't know when I will get to start. I have been commissioned to serve the Capitol Hill Church of Christ as an intern through the HIM program. HIM stands for Helpers in Mission. It's much like Sunset AIM program but it's for after you graduate. This is a mission outreach from Memorial Road Church of Christ, who pays for 40% of the support. I am so excited for the opportunity however since it's a mission internship there is fundraising for support. Fundraising is not my strong suit. I will be in Tulsa for awhile so if you need any odd jobs done I am available.
I have a job. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. Lord is near. I have been described as gentle in moments in my life. However there are times that I know I that I am not gentle. Life at Capitol Hill I have met some of the gentle souls, sisters in Christ that I know. I have already only been gone for a little over a week and I miss them. There is something about Capitol Hill that gets under my skin and I can feel the LORD IS NEAR. I cannot pinpoint the exact moment when I can feel the presence strongest. I don't know if it's when we are singing and a group of kids will repeat the last word of each line to certain songs, making praise their's. Or seeing the Grandmas' bring thier car loads of grandchildren to church and showing them the joy of the Lord. Or the moments I see strong women be gentle when they are talking to the kids about their choices and behaviors. Let your gentleness be known. In Star Wars Yoda has a line that I feel similar to how I feel about Capitol Hill, "The Force is strong in this one. "
I come from a line of worriers. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. If you have ever known me for a long period of time you may have seen me freak out on an occasion. There was a time in my life where I started to get panic attacks. I can remember two imes that they were very severe. The first was a week or so before I was supposed to take a month long trip to Japan and China. My anxiety brought me to realization that kind i could not go. I had a slight moments where I somewhere I knew that I could not go. I did not go and I owe my mother three money she spent on the trip . Second, panic attack I had the night before I broke up with my ex. I am not proud of my choices of how I did that but I was an emotional and spiritual wreck.I believe that God will use you in any situation but I also believe He will let you know if you are not fulfilling for the purpose he has for you. After those two instances of that summer, I had a beautiful summer and I learned that I cannot rush into anything. I also learned that I am a relational person. Everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. At the end of the summer I was part of my churches Dramatime for VBS. It was the story of Jesus, Jesus is Lord. The group became close over the month or so. The story of Jesus is very powerful and I learned more watching it acted out. I was thankful them and the relationship I built. I still worry however I have been trying to take it to God more.
I can finally read for fun again. No more chapters upon chapters for school such calming peace. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. The first book I picked up is Kisses from Katie, it's about a beautiful sister who was called to Uganda and how God has blessed her life since she moved. I am about halfway through her book and it is such a large encouragement to me who is going to start on her own journey of faith. Not only does she move to Uganda and worked with the children there she also has been in the process of adopting thirteen little girls. At a very young age I knew that it was on my heart to adopt and foster. Reading gives me such peace this sister is only two years older and God has used her for so much. Have you ever read a book and immediately you think of others you want to recommend it to? That is how I feel reading this book.
This passage has become something that is part of my life in each aspects. Much peace, love and prayers, brothers and sisters. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. Keep me in your prayers.
This is my manuscript for my Sermon that I gave on Monday Afternoon.
Artist: Cate Robbins, she calls this a self portrait with her shepherd.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(NIV biblegateway.com)
Introduction: On August 28, a new movie was released into the theater made by the Kendrick Brothers. Similar to other of their movies this movie has a lot of lessons the main one in this story is that God fights the real battle. The movie is War Room. If you have not seen it. I think it should be on the “Christian movie bucket list” that everyone needs to see. One of the character reminders me a lot of David who wrote this Psalm and the thankfulness the shared for their Shepherd.
Transition to move 1:
David had a lifetime worth of battles he faced but he always had faith that God was on his side.
Move 1:
In Psalm 23, David calls God his shepherd. One of the many great things about David is that he went throughout his life with not just one job but several. One of these was being a shepherd of his father sheep. Philip Kelly points out that David later in his life is called the shepherd king. David learned his lesson when and relied God after the enemy led him astray more than once. The character that in my opinion is much like David, Clara, she's a widow she's deciding factor in this move. She is a faithful prayer warrior her husband worked in the war room for the military. SHE doesn't fear like verse in 4 (read the verse) the trouble of this world. Miss Clara had the confidence that she was in God's hands. The best thing about miss Clara is she forces the audience to see the true enemy in this battle is the devil. Most of her day is sitting in her prayer closet and prays for every occasion in her life and has a wall of remembrance much like this Thanksgiving Psalm.
Transition to move 2:
David and fictional Clara brings thier battles to the Lord and find rest, what about us?
Move 2:
This Psalm has largely impacted my life and has been with me in some of the battles I have faced. My father was a gracious student of the Lord's book. One of the many verses he taught me to memorize was this very psalm. He also wrote many different verses and songs that go together and gave them to churches we went to for resources for a church devo. When I was 10 he pasted away from brain cancer. In the year or so that he was fighting it, I remember the trust that he had in the Lord! As young as he died my father do not let the devil take him down in agony during the fight. My dad was committed to know that if he died he was going to see his shepherd and find rest by his rod and staff. I hope we all have a chance of meeting some one like this who takes this Psalm 23 not just a Thanksgiving prayer for the battles that he has delivered us from but a comfort that he is our place of rest.
Transition to conclusion:
Times have changed in this world from when David wrote it till now main one being that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
Conclusion:
I given three prime examples of people who has brought their own story to intwined with the Psalm. I don't know about you if you seen War Room or not I think we all need to be a lot more like David and his dependence on the Lord Shepherd. For the enemy can sit at our table but the shepherd is on our side. Read along with me once more Psalm 23, the thanksgiving battle cry and I hope you embrace it in your own life.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
1
Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in
all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
This summer during a Memorial Road bible class, stopped in the middle of the prayer
to reflect on/ discussing what we were thankful for. People said
things that they were thankful for including: love, church, friendship,
Jesus, and the list goes on from there.
This made me get engaged on reflecting with the events that had happened that past week. I was realized even more how thankful that I was and am for my coworkers I worked with this summer. Even more this summer the group begin feeling like a family. That also includes all the members, I have in the Capitol Hill church family.
There are some that are called more volunteers, the members of church,
or working on just the staff but to me we are all the church family.
The
week at 4 of July was a very hard week for me. When I got home on the
2nd for my weekend I found out that my grandpa who I called, "bob bob"
passed away. We headed down to his house there that next day. I slowly
told people what was happening. It was a hard week. The funeral was on
Wednesday. I was in a sort of a funk during that time period. I might have snapped at one or two people.
Kyle (on the ladder), Zac, and Remi working on the hallway.
Later, the next week the class rooms got repainted on Monday and the next few days, Meredith (a beautiful person with a huge heart) was going up to paint decorations on the walls and groups came up with her on our time off to help her. These one of the times that I really enjoyed. During the days that we drew, painted, and decorated the rooms was a great days of fellowship (this helped me because Quality time is my strongest Love Language). There were other work days that we worked up at the building taking joy in our church. Like it says in, Jeremiah
29:7 "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have
carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers,
you too will prosper.” Relationships that share one common love can last a lifetime. These friends inspire me for all the love and commitment that they have to this community. I am thankful for the ways that they challenge me to serve and grow more.
Some of the multitude of school supplies given.
Starting in the last two weeks a few of us stood at tables to ask members of the surrounding churches to adopted a child from Capitol Hill to buy school supplies. This year, I felt challenged to adopted a teen because my love for the work and the need. I helped both times from giving out papers, to collecting, sorting the school supplies, and handing them to the van drivers/families. The support and the generosity of the surrounding churches who gave to this community inspired me. This was the taking joy in the city. I was thankful for God showing me in this community and the ways He is moving.
I am starting to enter a new season in life this week. I have started my last semester in college at OC. It is also a slowly realization that "bridge" that "I will cross when I come to it " is vastly approaching. I also have a birthday approaching quickly (anybody know the date?). The moments of things I am thankful for is something that I will take with me.
I am so thankful for the time I have spent with friends this summer and the times I know that I will spend with them in the future.
Love, Evynn
P.S. This is a poem I wrote about the morning prayers we shared before picking up the kids. One of my favorite times of the day.
One of my favorite times of the day
When the line of vans hit the highway
The trails gets shorter as the exits appears
For a short few miles we are united as one white line
At the exits it becomes a race on who will be the last
Moments from when we circled up to pray
One has made their first stop to pick up the precious cargo The community of the prayer for safety
Follows us as the vans become more full of children
Few have a long journey till the first stop
But that doesn't stop the wheels from moving
Minutes before we are waiting for the stragglers to fall in place
The space between us in the circle has become smaller
As the relationships have matured from acquaintances to friends even to siblings
For our purpose is not our own
We are bigger plan
The minutes that there is trail of vans
Falling one another is one favorite thing of mine
Uplifting and encouraging each other in a way we only could understand
Blessed interns of C-Hill
First, I am back at Capitol Hill for the summer as an intern. I have been loving spending time with both the kids and the adults especially my fellow interns. I post more to Facebook and Instagram than I do on here but I hope to do more of it as the summer goes on.
I am also planning on doing my Senior pictures sometime this summer since I never got around to it when I was in high school.
On July 11, I get to be a bridesmaid again for my Best Friend Wedding, Hailey. I cannot wait but then I can because that means she moving to Houston :'(
One of my other Best friend, Sarah just got back from Disney and I haven't gotten to see her yet but we both work during the week.
The last month has been insane but new revelations about myself, my relationship with God, and others around me. It all started January 29th when on my way to church I got in accident. By events that are now a little more fuzzy now. I had rear ended the person in front of me while sitting in traffic on I-235. When I hit the person in front of me, that car preceded to hit the car in front of them. The location that I had the wreck was so close to my destination that the frustration was numbing.
Earlier that day, I had not been feeling well and the only comfort that i had was that I soon would be at Capitol Hill. That has become my home church since the summer. My home church that is filled with amazing amount of kids, people who love to love, always feel free to give you love when needed, and those who will laugh with you when you or they do something stupid.
While I was sitting in my car trying to stay calm and praying for the Lord to guide in what I should do. Air1 was playing in the background for a while after my car was turned off. I waited for a long time and watched the cars pass by counting the vans I recognized. Wanting nothing more than to just leave and go to church. Right before church started I got the all clear to leave. I got back on the road. My car was drivable thankfully.
I got to the church while they were ending the song and started the prayer. I walked to a Sister I texted while I was waiting in the car that I need a hug. When she hugged me, that is when the tears started. She pulled me into the clinic and let me explain when I calmed down. While I was trying to pull myself together to go teach my class. She offered and taught my class that night.While I spent the day in the clinic listening and talking. There was two teens, who I love dearly, they stopped and hugged me. I could not wait to get to church and it was what I need that day, the encouragement I needed.
"9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
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Since that night to February 16, I had been slowly not driving my car very much. I got a ride once or twice to Capitol Hill. Most of the damage to my car was cosmetic damage aside from not able to (just in case) turning on the a/c or heat *Shiver*. I was trying to time it just right to get my car in. I also signed up to be part time in Spring Sing. :D On the night before I would have to drop off my car ice rained down from the sky while I watched the championship of the clubs basketball. It was a fun night. I had to leave my car put for the night because the ice was not budging. I got a ride back to the apartments.
The next morning while I was hoping we would have classes because I had a test that I would have liked to drive my car to in the morning. School got cancelled. I got my car and drove it very carefully off the parking lot that was only missing the ice skaters practicing for the Olympics from the sheet of ice across it. I drove around a little getting food and basking in the last few hours with my car and the freedom to drive. I feel the need to 'clarify' that I love my car. Eric Beels (named after the computer geek on NCIS: LA) is my baby and boyfriend. He has also been nicknamed Eric the Hedge Hog by little brother.
I finally dropped off my car. One of my really good friends/sister picked me up and we went to work on my part time costume. We got the box and made plans to work on it more the next day. (I will post a picture later).
Two days later, in a quick decision I decided to try Lent this year and see what would happen. Another clarification, I have never been into this and have never tried it but I thought it would be a nice journey of self discovery. I almost gave up in the beginning (mostly from forgetfulness) but it has become a nice exploration of faith and so far it has increased my prayer life. I also only have cheated once.
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In this exploration of giving something up for Lent has pointed something else to me, that has combined with my other thing of Lent. The new one was guys. It was not just the much of dating guys but more in the house of liking them. Satan has got me good with that one before.
Over the last few weeks some one else has been Satan's tool of trying to get me to stray of staying focus on just my relationship with God and his plan for me. I have been praying hard to just ignore them and most times I have been doing well.
One of the things that I have been doing is reading, Praying for your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn & Tricia Goyer. (I have always loved reading Robin Jones Gunn since my mom gave me the first volume of Christy Miller books one Christmas). When ever I feel weak or need to give up on this little crush and think about the true guy for me that God has plan for me.The book gives prayers and helps me understand more what to pray for. This is the verse below is one of the verse they use in their book.
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1
So now anytime I have problem with the second thing I crave the first thing. I am still waiting for my car to be fixed but in the end the time I spent with people that I would have not if I had my car. I am also very much thankful for the people giving me rides.
Comment Below... I would also love if you Prayed for me in this journey. Also Enjoy the snow...
Love,
Sister Evynn
P.s. The only really upside for liking a new guy is the poetry bug has struck again. Check it out! My Poetry Profile
You know that feeling when yesterday was last week or even last year. I have been doing some reflecting and moving through out the days. A lot has happened since I last blogged.
Some answers to those nagging question people always ask.
Are you getting along with your roommate?
but my roommate graduated and is getting married while I am incredibly excited for her. I also get to be in her wedding in less than two weeks. I miss having that friendly loving presence around. Positive outlook they are not moving out of country, state, or city any time soon.
So I am getting used to a whole new roommate. I have been lucky up to this point in having friends that put up with my wild behavior when I have been in all day and they come in and I scare them.
Have you been going to church?
Yes I have. I have been attending Capitol Hill Church of Christ in the south side of Oklahoma City. I love it there. I have also been volunteering by teaching 11 & 12 year old girls that worked with this summer. I love them but they are girls who are on the brink of adolescence and because that can be a test of patience.
Another reason I love Capitol Hill is all the kids. The church has a ton of kids that you watch grow up and who thirst for more knowledge.
There are also a large group of adults who all come and help that all love the kids. We all get along because we share a passion for the kids and the church.
How is it on the boy front?
Well there is no one in the picture and I haven't been in the dating scene.
However, I have been focus on me and God, waiting for his time....
You could say Jesus is my boyfriend in the strangest of terms like a nun says.
My favorite thing about Oklahoma City?
I love how God is moving in the city. To me at least the Devon Tower is a candle in the light sky saying "God we are here. Your children are in need of your presence."
From where the city has been to where it is moving to makes me so happy but I know his work is not done and I want to be part of God's mission not my mission but God's
School is good.
I really enjoy most of my class and I really enjoy spending times in the bible building and being surrounded by other Mission and bible majors. There is a really cool group.
Here is my catch up Blog post I will try to get back on soon to write some more but here are some thoughts.
Scrapes on my face are a BLESSING.....INDEED and a new lesson about myself.
It all started on Friday morning. Before 11:00 am I was just a regular girl in less an hour I would become a girl with scrapes on her face. I went to babysit as usual, went to chapel with Jessica and after this MJ asked us to go to lunch with her but disappeared. We went down the stairs of Scot's Chapel and stopped in the forum to wait and watch the chapel rush disappear. Giving up we walked up the stairs closed to the caf and walked past the doors and that's when I tripped. I don't remember what happened for sure but I remembered that right before it happened I was watching my Children Ministry Majors walk in to the student center.
Jessica got me and help walk a dazed me into the student center straight into the bathroom where I put some cleaned up the freshly skinned forehead and nose. We stopped at the grill for a water bottle and Jessica's food. I had decided I wanted sonic. On the way to my car we found MJ and she came with us. To speed up I got my Sonic and sat while I ate in my spot in the bible building.
I posted this picture on Facebook.
There were a lot of comments and a lot of questions. I went to class that day. My mind was all there but the pain was sharing the its presence. Some people were shocked that I went to class that day. My only explanation is that I really is that I need to be around people.
The story was that I got in a fight with MJ at least that what was going around the corner.
Later that day, I checked my Facebook and I saw these comments by family members. Ryan's comments is very much like what my Dad told me any time I got hurt on something. My Dad would pull me on his lap and tell the spot I fell over or "hit shame on it" for let me getting hurt. It was a blessing and a nice blast from the past
When I got back to my apartment. I end up passing out on my couch because I am tired emotionally
and physically.
Fast forward to the next couple days, scrapes on my face are hard to miss people have been asking me what happened.
On Saturday was a family reunion that I did not know about till that morning... "The Watson Family Reunion" MY dad's mom's side. I went and I am glad I went. I spent have the time laughing the time at Bob Bob.
I went to church on Sunday and answered the questions. My favorite response in CHill to my face was, "Whose this boyfriend that I need to talk to?" which I responded to "I don't have one and the concert"
Sunday was also the start of the lectureship. My face end up being a conversation starter with people. I was sitting and walking back forth from the Wishing Well OC booth. In one of my journeys back to my car and my apartment I stopped by the EEM Table because I really love the work that they are doing there. I spoke with him about Ukraine and he asked me about my face. Another thing that stood out to me is, "I saw you before and wondered."
I told him what had happened about how I face planted. I shared a story with him that I once face planted after crossing the road in Gorlovka, Ukraine. However that curb was much larger than the one I tripped over in this case. He told me, "No more face plants." Which I replied to, "I'll try not."
These marks on my face have been giving me a chance to talk to people. It has been a conversation starter in itself. When I was sitting at the Wishing Well booth and people are walking around the booths they may stop look at the merchandise on the table then up at me. The marks on my face were sudden and surprising to the people then they would stop and ask what happened then I would try to turn back to something on the table.
One of the nights I do not remember which night I had unbelievable pain
in my knee from the bruise that is on my knee from the fall.
This is the blessing side of it. The reflections will be below after I finish the narrative.
Monday, I woke up with the sniffles and went to babysat for Body and Soul and the Lectureship. I was getting to babysit from 8/9 to 12 pm longer than I done on a Monday morning. I really enjoyed it. I got to see a baby/toddler that I really enjoy however he was slightly fussy.
I went to the caf got my box of food and ate in the bible building. I enjoyed my time with my friends The bible building is my favorite place to be cuddling with my peeps. I am safe. When class time came I went and then enjoyed time outside in the bible corner and got a doughnut. After that I went back to my room curled up on my bed and watched Reign (the CW show). I stopped to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's for the quiz in History of Motion Pictures. Great movie.
I went to the lectureship that night at 7 pm to listen to Doug Peter speak and the Panel. After that I chatted and took down the Wishing Well booth. I also helped carry things for a friend and traveled back to my apartment. I slept on my couch that night but stayed up watching Reign (addictive).
The next day, Tuesday, I woke up with sniffles again and started my homework but I was exhausted. Trying to move my body off the couch was a long process. I ended up falling back to sleep skipped my first class and I was going to go to my second class.
When the time came around for my second class. I could not get up and moving around my body had it. My body told me, "you have worked us to the core you like to go go go. We can not take anymore" I finally started moving about but slowly when I gave myself time to rest and I went in small little burst. I had to take down the booth because of the end of the conference, pick up a package, and do laundry.
I was walking back from getting my package and I saw the EEM guy again but he was packed up in his car. He drove up to me and rolled down his window and said, "No more face plants." I smiled and replied, "I'll try not to,"then wished him goodbye.
At Wishing Well later that night I got a chair from one of the graduate classrooms. The comfy grey ones that roll so I could move it around in the front of the room. There are parts of the meeting that I were on my feet and I was running into things and almost falling over again. Jessica would say "please don't fall" or "oh your poor knees." I think we accomplished something at the meeting though. I am thankful for them.
Just before Wishing Well, I wrote notes to people in my life telling them things that had been pressed on heart. Even early in that day I was surprised in some of things I wrote as the Holy Spirit took control and worked in my life as she has all week in all these instances of this week and my life as a whole.
The chair that I had taken from one of the graduate classrooms was not taken back by me. I was taken back in it. Philip pushed me in the chair at a running pace back to the classroom to the chair, rightful spot. I got up from the chair and moved to the comfy couch cushion outside the door and waited till the rest came out. I stole Philip's phone and ended up disabling it trying to unlocking it. It was funny watching him freaking out over trying to figure out where he placed it.
And today on Wednesday, a child said my scrape on my face looked like a, "fish."
Reflection Time.... Please listen to this song as you read this section of the blog on repeat if you may.
A few weeks before I face planted into the concrent. I been feeling very alone and dragged down by the devil and his demons. I also felt a little bit forgotten about but that was mostly my fault because I was in my apartment and I never texted any body to do anything. Invitation unfilled or never gotten back to me. In the same time I have had the Noah Soundtrack in my car playing. This is my favorite song on the album. It is a reminder that my pillow is not just soft as cloud but his arms and his chest as my Father who created me.
Ever since my little trip I have been embraced everywhere I have been with people asking me how I am doing or commenting that my face is doing better. The scrapes on my face gave me an a point to stand out when I feeling very unnoticed. What I am saying is God pushed me over for my face to get scraped and my knees to be bruised. For me to learn a few important lessons.
God tends to do this to me when I have been rushing around do to many things at a time and I am thank for that. He makes that I have to physically slow down with some physical injury. Tuesday was my personal day of slowing down and praying for strength to get through the healing process. I am learning that I cannot expect myself to everything all day after a tramua of tripping over something. Body needs to heal. So I am becoming more stationary and using my mind less than my leg. You could say I am lazy person but I have been hurting this last week with physical pain. God can heel my Physical and Emotional pain for he is my rock. I love my community.
Please pray for me to heal and regain strength and I don't wear myself thin.
To end my long blog here is a passage from Psalm 62:7-9 (NRSV): "7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath."
This is the last few minutes of my birthday I write this birthday blog post about family and my hope for this year. I have learned very quickly in this year that I need to around my family. Not just my earthly family but also my spiritual one.
I have been blessed with a multitude of loved ones and friends people that I can call mine. God is my resting place. This year I want to be immersed in his Holy Spirit and surrounded by the people who love Him as much as I do my brothers and my sisters.
On the last two Monday's View 63 has been incredibly full that it almost feels like a safety hazard. A
comment I have jokingly made both times is that why wouldn't the best
place to die be surrounded by your brothers and sisters praising God. It
is always is an encouragement to me when I see my friends or people I
know at devotionals praising God with me. There is a sense of unity in
singing praise to our Lord. There are moments when I can get very
claustrophobic but moments like View 63 I am okay with being surround in
God's presence.
I was praying during one of the songs during View 63 and as the next song began it was Magnificat. It is Mary's Song, mother of Jesus. Now this song is very special to me and always brings tears to my eyes. On my first trip to Ukraine we sang this song to the women in the churches that we did the ladies day at. It is also Katie Price's favorite song. So as the rest of the chapel sang the song I prayed a hard for sweet Ukraine. I prayed for all of my loved ones and everything that is going on over there. Almost time I thought the song was going to end I thought I am not done. The chapel kept on singing. "My soul magnifies the Lord" I miss and love my brothers and sisters in that beautiful country. When I was finished with the prayer I finished the last line of the alto part with chapel and the song concluded.
During Women in Mission class on Tuesday, we learned about Resilience from Cherry Hart. She was a beautiful woman who accent was surprising and pleasant to the ears. She was a missionary in South Africa (cool). After her story about a girl and the lesson of the four ways the girl was strong and she pulled them to work in her life. Nancy gave the rest of the class and I a survey of the seven different categorizes that we did in class. I was surprised to see how some of them turned out. One of the highest one for me was my extended family, skill, and I forgot the other one at the moment. My extended family one, took me by surprised. The next thing to happentook me even more by surprise. This had to be a God thing because as I was going to walk out of the doors of the bible building I notice a relative that I knew. My cousin Ryan had come to OC for a meeting.
I got to see him and talk to him before my birthday but also about Wishing Well since our planning meeting was the same night. He also did not know that Wednesday was my birthday (Hahaha :D).
Skip to Wednesday
I slept in enjoyed my last Wednesday without having to work in the mornings before classes but I am excited to start working and see the kids that I babysat last year. However when I finally did feel my phone vibrate I knew there was no turning back on starting the day. When I went to lunch I enjoyed the fact that some of my friends did not know it was my birthday until I told them. It was almost like I had the upper hand at this moment (not a normal reaction). Before I left the lunch table most of my other friends left because of the fact they needed to do homework but I was enjoying being in their presence.
This is my groups descriptions of God
At church on Wednesday while we were singing I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for the life he has given me and the family that I have to share it with. I have learned while I have been in college that my easiest times to pray is when I have people singing around me. This does not work with a CD of people sing but with real people.
For an experiment in our discussion at the Gathering. There were four different tables of people. We had circles at the table and on these circles we had to write descriptions, metaphors, and qualities of God. Each table had some creatives ones my favorite from our table was God is childlike. We got to sing a little bit more after the discussion and then we got ice cream and cupcakes because people had birthdays in that week.
In the last portion of the evening I got to go to Waffle House with my room mate, Jessica, Mat, and Chloe. I am so blessed in all these families and relationships I have in God. For even Jesus did not even have just one family. "Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:33-35 The best thing about being spiritual brothers and sisters we will always know each other in heaven. We will be connected together as one big family.
Thank you brothers and sisters for your birthday wishes they have been a blessing on my life. I hope you have a blessed year and we get to enjoy it praising God together in our time that we share together.
Part of this post was written on August 3rd but this was inspired to be posted by the week that I have been having. Last night, I went to the Gathering. This is a new version of Quail Springs Church of Christ's college small group and their Revel. This was the first devo, last night.
On August 3rd this is what I wrote.
"So I did it. I picked up a recesses off the middle of my cup holder. Rolling down my window and handed the candy to the man by 1-40 & Western. I took a different route today because I was early to church. I am done with the internship at Capitol Hill. And this is my last time before I go home. During the Summer, Averi and I would see the homeless people on the side of the road and talk about giving them something. For a couple weeks the youth group went out in two groups to give out sandwiches to the hungry men and women who stand next to the highway."
That was all of it that I got written. Last night at Gathering Dr. Rix spokes about the Mark 14:3-9.
I had a dream of taking the Capitol Hill kids to Ukraine.
It was a weird dream. My fellow Interns were with us too and Melia plus one of the guys who drive the van on Sunday and Thursday. It was the strangest things. I also was in one of the worst moods ever. I do not know exactly where we were it was like a mix between Donetsk and Kiev. We did scavenger hunts through the town.
Two things I love. Ukraine and Capitol Hill my heart feels a little torn right now with everything happening in Ukraine but I know in my heart that the outcome will be in God's Glory. For people can make their own decisions but God is in control of the battle. For it is his battle. The only news I will read is things that come directly from one of my close friends from Ukraine or someone who has spoken to one of them. The news just breaks my heart but is in my prayers.
This is the Party Week/Final Week of my internship at Capitol Hill
This is a painting that I created.
The borders is quotes from the other interns.
With Happiness is quotes...
(only missing two in that picture)
I am so glad that I got to experience this and I have found my church home finally in the 3 plus years of going to school at OC. This entire school I have been trying to find a church that has a great kids program and I was totally lost. But I have found it. I am also very happy. This week I have been giving out prints of pictures to some of the kids. Mostly I have been giving out my favorite photos of some of the kids. One of the youth guys told me that on his Facebook photos are one I have tagged him in. That made me smile the moment he said might have not been the best place to say it but it did make me smile.
My fellow interns have been great people to learn off and become friends with. I am sad to split up for the school year but its the path that God lays before us. Each of my fellow interns have been a blessing in my life in different ways. Some of the times I learned the most was from my fellow interns from talking in general to the way they talk to the kids when we are trying to discourage them from doing something. That group is the funniest when we are all hanging out.
It is not just the other interns my bosses have also been a huge blessing in my life and I have learned a lot from them as well. The love that they have for the kids and teens in that church is amazing. I hope to learn more as I continue to attend Capitol Hill. They have made wanted me to a better teacher, be healthier, be a better driver, and grow deeper in my walk with God.
I have a challenge for myself.
I love giving things to people that I love. However the major flaw in my life is that I suck giving to God on Sunday's in the Contribution. So I have challenged myself and I need your help because I have tried to challenge myself before and failed.
The Challenge is that I am going to carry change with me on every Sunday to give it to whoever I am sitting around and have a little for me to Give back to God.
I also want to do this to teach other kids to give like my parents taught me how to give but I haven't been doing the best job of it. For its one of things we are supposed to do.
Okay the last thing is completely random
I was looking up information on Tree Nut Allergy and ran into the allergen and College life. The reason I looked up is I have said Tree Nut Allergy. That part of my life kind of suck especially if I wanted to become a health nut. Tree Nuts is in almost everything.
However I came across this video and I dont know why but it struck me funny. I guess it is because of my lack of dating experience but this was informative, a little awkward, and funny. Have a watch.
I really cannot believe this summer is coming to a close. I have so much work to do but then its so hard to pack my things and I leave on Monday for Tulsa.
I need to go to sleep. Good night, wonderful readers.
At around 4:30 am I woke up and washed my scalp by myself. This is only because I woke up with my dandruff was being annoying and I could not sleep.
The song above haunted me before the summer began because it was almost exactly what I was going to be away from a ton of people I knew. However the reality is not as bad as it seems but I am not completely on my own yet. My mom still financially supports me.
I have gotten very tired of driving by myself but I embrace it with listening to Air 1 on the radio in my car to keep my spirit up and I am always singing along.
When I am work and the kids are there I never feel alone. I am surrounded by those kids who are my favorite kind of medicine. I still dislike the song Ain't it Fun but I can enjoy it a little more.
Sometimes I really hate my brain... or is it my heart?!?!?!?!
That part of the body that gives you so much grief when you feel anxiety. There has handful times on this job where i have felt anxious about doing beforehand but when I do it. I am just fine. A lot of times what drives me is the fear of missing something, an inside joke, a memory, or anything at all.Just for an instance, I never wanted to miss the youth events at church. So this made it difficult to see my grandparents.
However some things will knock out that drive.
I sometimes consider myself an awkward person. That is not something that I pride myself on and when I get into these awkward moods I try to avoid awkward situations. Example if someone is mad at me I would try avoiding that person. Do not make eye contact with the beast (or the person that dislikes you). I have personal rules for a reason.
This is especially disconcerting when I am in need of human contact and I am knocked out of that drive. Today, I could have done something with some of my friends but I was thrown off by someone in the same general area. This avoidance was not only for my own well being but the well being of others. However I am regretting the decision because of missing out on that great love ones who were there.
During this Internship, I have learned how to step out of my shell more and more when it comes to teaching and disciplining. I have also learned a little bit more about how not to make promises.
I still dislike the limelight in front of a ton of people i.e. when singing chicky chicky getting called up to the stage or if I am called up for the front to pray for something. I may try to shrink back or stand beside the stage.
In some cases with people that dislike me tend to glare and gives me more limelight than I want. There has been times when I have been Passive Aggressive and just go and where the dislikers are.
I pray for guidance on these things and pray that I won't let fear or anxiety rule my life for people will not like me in the future. I might have to even work with some.
In other news I have finished reading my copy of When Helping Hurts.
So it is up for borrowing if you want to read it. I highly recommended it. It is one that I am going to be reading now and again. Just let me know in the comments below.
I am so very tired, emotionally tired of being alone. My job is amazing and I love all my kids. God is teaching me things about myself and life that I want to live.
But thing I know for sure is I can never live alone or be by myself for a long period of time. I can last longer than I used to but it drains me and I become depressed. Bad things happen when I am alone.
Examples:
Summer 2010 death of Timothy McGee, my first car and my impala. Driving the day after I got back from a conifer mission trip. I limped away with a right sprained ankle and several bruises.
Fall 2012 A slip down the stairs in the library staircase landing my left in a boot and my right foot majorly bruised and a toe or two broken.
While reading Gary Chapman 5 love languages, I learned that two of my stronger love languages was quality time and gifts. So I am house sitting/ my temporary roommate is gone. In the time she is gone I have been traveling from house to MRCC to pick up kids then to C'HILL. Feeling in need for human contact like a child again.
Before I begin I suggest you go and read my friend's team internship blog about their work in Bulgaria. The link is right here. Bulgaria Mission 2014
During literacy time, my girls and I have been listening to Espranza Rising. A story about a young Mexican girl in who has to flee from Mexico to the US after her father dies during the time from the Depression.
They have to heat up water for thier baths back and forth they run in the story. When I was in Ukraine the university would only have hot water at certain times. While others part if where we were water was turned off during day. The church where we work would fill the tub before it was cut off. A cup would be filled up to flush down the toilet.
I am thankful for Living in a country with access to water all day and hot.
As I was driving along out of my neighborhood this morning I realized I got/had a flat tire. I do not know what exactly happened to it but it looked like someone could have taken a knife to it or it could have shredded when I started driving. I made it to the QT by my house and made the call to roadside assistance. This is after I texted my boss that I would be late.
