One more thing

Thursday night, I played a two hour game of guys-against-girls capture the flag/manhunt.  My feet have cuts and my legs are still sore.  I hated it because we were losing and had such a fun time outrunning the guys who were chasing me.  It was awesome.  Definitely a highlight of the summer.

One more thing

Thursday night, I played a two hour game of guys-against-girls capture the flag/manhunt.  My feet have cuts and my legs are still sore.  I hated it because we were losing and had such a fun time outrunning the guys who were chasing me.  It was awesome.  Definitely a highlight of the summer.

What else could I expect when He has wisdom far beyond our own?

God has slung some really hard curveballs at me, and I'm not a very good catch.  Multiple things (4+) in multiple areas have come up that have made me cry and yell and scream at God.  I haven't been "standing" on the promises of God, I've been clinging to them for dear life.  I would be completely lost without the promise of His unfailing love, supreme wisdom, and perfect orchestration.  There's one other thing I know for sure that makes things easier and more difficult: it's not about me.  It's about furthering His kingdom.  I have no right to be selfish and no right to have what I want.

I have the responsibility to put God first, others second, and myself last.

You know, the funny thing is, just a couple days over a week ago, I had a major discussion with God.  I realized that I've been a lukewarm Christian all my life and that this has got to change.  I was initially nervous about talking to anyone about this because I didn't know what God was going to do, what others would think, and what kind of expectations I would be setting up for myself by telling about it.  Well, it's no use now.  I think it's obvious that God is doing something, and it's had me very, very, very frustrated that I have no idea about what it is!

These things are apparent:  God is true, God is faithful; God is kind.  He's also mysterious and strong and sure.  Yes, I would rather have a God like Him than like any other, but, man do I need more understanding and patience and less selfishness and cowardice!

It's taking all I have and all He can give me to surrender my anxiety and anger and frustration.  It's so dang hard.  Frankly, I don't know what's going on.  But He IS constant.  In HIM I will trust, not in my own ideas of what should be happening.

I'm praying for understanding and patience and wisdom and, above all, that I will grow closer to Him and point others to Him.

What else could I expect when He has wisdom far beyond our own?

God has slung some really hard curveballs at me, and I'm not a very good catch.  Multiple things (4+) in multiple areas have come up that have made me cry and yell and scream at God.  I haven't been "standing" on the promises of God, I've been clinging to them for dear life.  I would be completely lost without the promise of His unfailing love, supreme wisdom, and perfect orchestration.  There's one other thing I know for sure that makes things easier and more difficult: it's not about me.  It's about furthering His kingdom.  I have no right to be selfish and no right to have what I want.

I have the responsibility to put God first, others second, and myself last.

You know, the funny thing is, just a couple days over a week ago, I had a major discussion with God.  I realized that I've been a lukewarm Christian all my life and that this has got to change.  I was initially nervous about talking to anyone about this because I didn't know what God was going to do, what others would think, and what kind of expectations I would be setting up for myself by telling about it.  Well, it's no use now.  I think it's obvious that God is doing something, and it's had me very, very, very frustrated that I have no idea about what it is!

These things are apparent:  God is true, God is faithful; God is kind.  He's also mysterious and strong and sure.  Yes, I would rather have a God like Him than like any other, but, man do I need more understanding and patience and less selfishness and cowardice!

It's taking all I have and all He can give me to surrender my anxiety and anger and frustration.  It's so dang hard.  Frankly, I don't know what's going on.  But He IS constant.  In HIM I will trust, not in my own ideas of what should be happening.

I'm praying for understanding and patience and wisdom and, above all, that I will grow closer to Him and point others to Him.

This is just cool.

I should make one.

(From inhabitat.com)

This is just cool.

I should make one.

(From inhabitat.com)

Observations

Apparently...
I need to learn some wicked high-speed car tricks so that I can impress the guys.
My family hasn't changed.
All girls should wear skirts while swing dancing.
It's difficult for me to play hymn music on the piano
God cares for me like no other and more than I could ever imagine.
The best churches play The Avett Brothers and Postal Service while the congregation is leaving.
Microsoft Office 2010 just has more bells and whistles and is kinda confusing.
The "screamo" Chrsitian bands hit the nail on the head more than the stuff on the radio (see We Came as Romans).

I am still a night owl after graduating from college.

---

My family's going to Yellowstone in a week for another Family Adventure (MFA) with some cameras and team shirts.  I'm really excited about our trip, but I know to expect some rough times, too, when attitudes and stress get in the way.  We should come back with lots of pictures, adventure stories, and new family quotes and we'll probably be sick of the license plate game for a good while.

(Photo from wildnatureimages.com)

---

That's all for now.  Intimidation and uncertainty keep me from writing more.  :)

Observations

Apparently...
I need to learn some wicked high-speed car tricks so that I can impress the guys.
My family hasn't changed.
All girls should wear skirts while swing dancing.
It's difficult for me to play hymn music on the piano
God cares for me like no other and more than I could ever imagine.
The best churches play The Avett Brothers and Postal Service while the congregation is leaving.
Microsoft Office 2010 just has more bells and whistles and is kinda confusing.
The "screamo" Chrsitian bands hit the nail on the head more than the stuff on the radio (see We Came as Romans).

I am still a night owl after graduating from college.

---

My family's going to Yellowstone in a week for another Family Adventure (MFA) with some cameras and team shirts.  I'm really excited about our trip, but I know to expect some rough times, too, when attitudes and stress get in the way.  We should come back with lots of pictures, adventure stories, and new family quotes and we'll probably be sick of the license plate game for a good while.

(Photo from wildnatureimages.com)

---

That's all for now.  Intimidation and uncertainty keep me from writing more.  :)

Running

"When you run make sure you run to something and not away from[...]" - Avett Brothers ("Weight of Lies")

I want to be running, and I want to be running in the right direction.  We'll see what happens.  Our God is an awesome God, and He's got awesome plans.

Running

"When you run make sure you run to something and not away from[...]" - Avett Brothers ("Weight of Lies")

I want to be running, and I want to be running in the right direction.  We'll see what happens.  Our God is an awesome God, and He's got awesome plans.

Family adventures

I enjoy being eco-conscious, and I've been given my family a lot of flack for not being more conservation-minded.  "Save the whales!" I say and flip off all the lights, change the thermostat, and shut off all the computers.  Dad picks on me a great deal for this, all in good fun, of course.
So Dad and I are in the kitchen and he brings this up.  He says, "It's not just the whales, though, you care about all of those... marine... sea creatures."
"Well," I reply, "Except for hagfish.  I don't like them."
"Oh, so save the whales, but kill the hagfish?!"
"Sure.  They're ugly."
"Well I bet the mommy hagfish don't think that.  They go to the hagfish grocery store and put little pink bonnets on their girl baby hagfish and little blue hats on their boy baby hagfish and say, 'Oh, they're so cute!'"
"I don't think so, Dad..."
"Doesn't it say in the Bible somewhere 'Thou shalt not hate thy hagfish?'"
"Ha, I'm pretty sure no."
Then, Dad starts to sing, to the tune of "Be Thou My Vision."  I wish so badly that I had been recording because it was hilrious.  This is what I remember:
"Be kind to hagfish...  ...Don't make fun of hagfish until you've swum a mile in their gills.  Or fins!  Or scales!"  I laughed to hard.

For you hagfish enthusiasts out there, here's a link that will help you make your very own hagfish cootie catcher.

Family adventures

I enjoy being eco-conscious, and I've been given my family a lot of flack for not being more conservation-minded.  "Save the whales!" I say and flip off all the lights, change the thermostat, and shut off all the computers.  Dad picks on me a great deal for this, all in good fun, of course.
So Dad and I are in the kitchen and he brings this up.  He says, "It's not just the whales, though, you care about all of those... marine... sea creatures."
"Well," I reply, "Except for hagfish.  I don't like them."
"Oh, so save the whales, but kill the hagfish?!"
"Sure.  They're ugly."
"Well I bet the mommy hagfish don't think that.  They go to the hagfish grocery store and put little pink bonnets on their girl baby hagfish and little blue hats on their boy baby hagfish and say, 'Oh, they're so cute!'"
"I don't think so, Dad..."
"Doesn't it say in the Bible somewhere 'Thou shalt not hate thy hagfish?'"
"Ha, I'm pretty sure no."
Then, Dad starts to sing, to the tune of "Be Thou My Vision."  I wish so badly that I had been recording because it was hilrious.  This is what I remember:
"Be kind to hagfish...  ...Don't make fun of hagfish until you've swum a mile in their gills.  Or fins!  Or scales!"  I laughed to hard.

For you hagfish enthusiasts out there, here's a link that will help you make your very own hagfish cootie catcher.

Lessons learned

Notes to self after Europe tour:

• Always check if the jar of Nutella is open before you pack it.
• Expect to hear Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga no matter where you go.
• New experiences are best shared among great friends.
• I finally figured out why so many elevators have mirrors!  So I can take pictures of my friends and remember when we tried to get to the highest height in Chicago and when we [rebelliously] broke away from our group in the Heathrow airport!
• I can do just fine without a hairdryer.
• Tea should steep only 1-2 minute(s).
• The British sure do like Obama and are surprised to hear of Americans who don't.
• I need more Owl City in my life.
• I'm not as good at haggling as I think I should be.
• It pays to look cute and pitiful when asking waiters from the restaurant on the street if you can use the restroom.  Or maybe you just need to look like a stupid American.  I haven't figured this one out yet...
• A lot of the cool stuff in Europe looks just like the cool stuff in America.
• Journal every day because, when you fall behind, it's very difficult to catch up again.

Lessons learned

Notes to self after Europe tour:

• Always check if the jar of Nutella is open before you pack it.
• Expect to hear Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga no matter where you go.
• New experiences are best shared among great friends.
• I finally figured out why so many elevators have mirrors!  So I can take pictures of my friends and remember when we tried to get to the highest height in Chicago and when we [rebelliously] broke away from our group in the Heathrow airport!
• I can do just fine without a hairdryer.
• Tea should steep only 1-2 minute(s).
• The British sure do like Obama and are surprised to hear of Americans who don't.
• I need more Owl City in my life.
• I'm not as good at haggling as I think I should be.
• It pays to look cute and pitiful when asking waiters from the restaurant on the street if you can use the restroom.  Or maybe you just need to look like a stupid American.  I haven't figured this one out yet...
• A lot of the cool stuff in Europe looks just like the cool stuff in America.
• Journal every day because, when you fall behind, it's very difficult to catch up again.

Thanks, Mrs. Patrick

Mrs. Patrick, my English teacher, had us memorize poetry in high school.  I was going through some old stuff in my room.  I came upon this poem and decided to post it here.

My Advocate
Martha Snell Nicholson

I sinned. And straightway, post-haste, Satan flew
Before the presence of the most high God,
And made a railing accusation there.
He said, "This soul, this thing of clay and sod,
Has sinned. 'Tis true that he has named Thy name,
But I demand his death, for Thou hast said,
'The soul that sinneth, it shall die.'
Shall not Thy sentence be fulfilled?
Is justice dead?
Send now this wretched sinner to his doom.
What other thing can righteous ruler do?"
And thus he did accuse me day and night,
And every word he spoke, O God, was true!


Then quickly One rose up from God's right hand,
Before Whose glory angels veiled their eyes.
He spoke, "Each jot and tittle of the law
Must be fulfilled; the guilty sinner dies!
But wait -- suppose his guilt were all transferred
To Me, and that I paid his penalty!
Behold My hands, My side, My feet! One day
I was made sin for him, and died that he
Might be presented, faultless, at Thy throne!"
And Satan flew away. Full well he knew
That he could not prevail against such love,
For every word my dear Lord spoke was true!

Thanks, Mrs. Patrick

Mrs. Patrick, my English teacher, had us memorize poetry in high school.  I was going through some old stuff in my room.  I came upon this poem and decided to post it here.

My Advocate
Martha Snell Nicholson

I sinned. And straightway, post-haste, Satan flew
Before the presence of the most high God,
And made a railing accusation there.
He said, "This soul, this thing of clay and sod,
Has sinned. 'Tis true that he has named Thy name,
But I demand his death, for Thou hast said,
'The soul that sinneth, it shall die.'
Shall not Thy sentence be fulfilled?
Is justice dead?
Send now this wretched sinner to his doom.
What other thing can righteous ruler do?"
And thus he did accuse me day and night,
And every word he spoke, O God, was true!


Then quickly One rose up from God's right hand,
Before Whose glory angels veiled their eyes.
He spoke, "Each jot and tittle of the law
Must be fulfilled; the guilty sinner dies!
But wait -- suppose his guilt were all transferred
To Me, and that I paid his penalty!
Behold My hands, My side, My feet! One day
I was made sin for him, and died that he
Might be presented, faultless, at Thy throne!"
And Satan flew away. Full well he knew
That he could not prevail against such love,
For every word my dear Lord spoke was true!