grace_given's Xanga

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Sun, 05 Mar 2006 22:45:08 GMT

so, here it is...today. it's really a beautiful day because 1) the weather is perfect 2) i'm on spring break 3) it's kirbi's birthday!

happy birthday kirbi =)

so because i'm not with kirbi today, i can't physically give her a present, and i thought it might be good to give her a xanga post. if you don't know this about kirbi--she's one of the most loyal people to the xanga world. she hasn't got caught up in facebook or myspace or anything of the sort, and she posts fairly often. and i...am not this way. i rarely post on the xanga world anymore...although i usually read other people's posts. and every so often i hear kirbi exclaim, "nobody posts [comments] on xanga anymore..." and to hear the disappointment in her voice is heartbreaking...and makes me question whether or not is okay that sometimes i leave internet land.

so with that being said, i really hope that kirbi's day is spectacular. kirbi is a beautiful, gifted woman who lets her light shine very brightly to those around her. she plays drums like a rock star, is a great rugby player and the most fun teammate i've had. kirbi is willing to do what God challenges her to do in her ministry--whether that's lead women's ministry or go on a summer project. she is a great friend who listens and sympathizes, holds you accountable, and shares in your joys. kirbi--i love you so much and am so thankful that you're in my life. you've been a rock when i've needed support and have never failed to give me a smile. i admire you so much and i hope your day is great! peace out.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 23:19:14 GMT

so i've been out for about a week after wisdom teeth surgery. i got really tired of not being able to do anything...and i miss eating food too. ah well, this pain can't stay forever, right? (although it seems like it). christmas was great being with family and the timberlake staff christmas party was great fun.. quinn and halie have been to see me...great friends.. and i get to see more friends the rest of this week.. i love break =)

i finished reading Reedeming Love. i got it for christmas and read it in about a day. it was so good. i know that everyone says that about this book and i've been meaning to read it for about half a year. and i knew it was going to have a good story, and retell the story of Hosea... an amazing portrayal of our (my) unfaithfulness to God, and the power of his gift of redemption. but the way God used the author to effectively communicate the themes of sacred romance and God's outpouring of love and control was pretty incredible. i loved the story...getting so mad at the prostitute who runs again and again away from real love. it's such a real picture of me rejecting the same love and my distrust of the Father... my wanting to play God, keep my pride, and refuse to surrender. Not until i acknowlegde my unworthiness and still ask for understanding, put full trust in Him, and allow Him to fight for me will i ever really experience what living Power there is in redemption from my loving Father.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 02:08:49 GMT

so lately i've had a birthday, took a hamlet test, moved into an apartment, congratulated newly engaged couples (ben reis, ben crabtree and erin norenberg, kaylene and kyle), registered for classes next semester (only 12 hours), had consistent quiet times, won a flag football championship, played bunco, watched some zelda with kirbi, planned a bachelorette party...

i'm looking forward to thanksgiving this week, being done with the semester, dcc, katie's wedding, christmas, more good times with friends...

so life is good, busy, and there is much to be thankful for.

by the way, this entry is dedicated to brian gall

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Sun, 23 Oct 2005 22:58:49 GMT

just got back from fall break...actually got back at 5:00 this morning, but then i slept until about 4:30 this afternoon so i feel like i just got back. the weekend was...good, i think. it really was pretty good--halie and i figured we spent about 17 hours in the car together with no one else. that's a lot of time, but we never ran out of things to do. we memorized some shawn mcdonald songs and discussed spiritual warfare in the early morning hours. it was good times.

we went to a nav retreat in cedar falls, iowa and i got to see a lot of people from the summer which was so nice. i hadn't seen most of them since july and it was nice to catch up even if only for a short time. and it was good to hang out with God a lot too. The speaker was entertaining and spoke out of John 15:5. we went over what the true vine is and what it means to remain in it. we also went to some sweet seminars and got to go to a host home for supper last night. it was great to meet this couple and hear their story. umm..

so now it's time to get going for school again. it's about time to really get going with some crusade stuff: DCC fundraising and promoting and such. there's also a bridal shower for katie this week, a costume barn dance, our book group(going over captivating), awana, my quest study group (four girls and I get together once a week going through the same study), intramural flag football playoffs this week--we're undefeated going into the first round--women's ministry, work, classes, catching up on email, phone calls, and letters.....well, i guess the break was nice for awhile. =)

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 03:25:38 GMT

so it's crazy that the weeks keep going by as fast as they do. every week and weekend are completely filled. we just got done with crusade and then we went mud-sliding. it had hard-core rained so we found some big puddles and got completely drenched. so much fun, and i love the fact that there are girls here to join in the crazy awesomeness.

the katrina trip two weekends ago was so good. it was really hard--the work was hot and gross, and God was teaching me a lot about the body of Christ working together. but the prayers were felt and i truly believe were the reason that the trip went so well. we had to be flexible at all times and be willing to do anything. it just proves that God will use us if we simply make ourselves available. i loved being able to work "as for the Lord and not for men". our group of students came back with a shared experience of God revealing Himself to us. now if we would just remain as willing to do His work on this campus.

the fellowship has also been really awesome in Wayne lately. i really feel like we're striving towards real community. it's amazing to experience God at work in Wayne. i love it

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 03:18:59 GMT

so this is short because i still have a lot to do tonight, and i'm getting up early tomorrow... but just asking for any prayers as a big group of crusaders are heading down to louisiana tomorrow. pray for safe travels and that God puts a hedge around us as we work for His glory. it's going to be so physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining... promise i'll post when we get back on Sunday... or sometime next week. thanks, dear family

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 17:42:52 GMT

so i'm just sitting in benthack waiting for some business cards to print on an extremely slow printer...and i'm so hungry my head is going to fall off... oh well, i guess it gave me a chance to update on xanga...

so lots of people are getting married! congrats to nick and katie, jaron and anna, and kyle and kristin... i didn't know that i could get so excited for other people, but i am. really excited =)

intramurals have started which means i'll have fun playing, and i'll get paid for being a ref.
yay for money.

i love my friends who are here, but miss the ones who aren't... luckily God is here all the time. "draw near to me and i will draw near to you..." Lord i pray that i am constantly drawing near to you

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 22:06:24 GMT

so i've decided i might do this xanga thing again...for a while i wasn't sure i was cool enough to keep posting. i'm still pretty sure i'm not cool enough...but then i realize, this is a non-discriminating company. they have no idea who they're allowing to keep an online journal. i didn't have to take a test or anything to have access to infinite sites and people's thoughts. so here i go again...hopefully i'll be able to visit y'all soon. thanks xanga...i owe you so much...

Friday, July 22, 2005

Fri, 22 Jul 2005 01:11:25 GMT

so i guess it's that time again. time where I hurry through a post and pretend i can relate to people what i'm actually experiencing.... well only about a week left of STP. have a date night tomorrow, six more days of work, an employers' lucheon, a formal banquet, a day on the beach, bible study, one more nav night and workshop... and a long trip back. can't exactly say when i'll be home in nebraska, but i know when i do, it'll pretty much be non-stop until school. last tuesday was such a good night for me. one of the girls on dana p.'s team got to have an SUV limo for the night free from her employer, so her team (along with each bringing a friend --i was dana's friend) got to take it for a drive. we dressed up and went to PF Chang's, went shopping, and drove around looking at palm trees and the city of Jacksonville. seriously such a fun time. great time enjoying my friendship with dana.

i think i'm always posting about events other than what i'm actually learning... but i think that's all i can do right now. just doing a lot of processing and re-learning. it's amazing what God has been revealing to me and i pray that i will put all this knowlegde to good use in my heart so that it may affect how i actually live. i am getting really excited to come back though, except i know i'll miss the environment of healthy relating, intense bible study, and being of same mind with so many others.

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Sat, 09 Jul 2005 04:01:18 GMT

i leave for nebraska in 4 hours... i'm excited to go to my cousin's wedding. if you're related to me, i get to see you. if you're not related to me, i'll just be wishing that i can see you. i'll post sometime when i get back... ha... what a vague disclaimer to the inconsistency of my posts...