all according to plan…

So this week was the week of DG PASCON.  I LOVE volunteering at conferences!  It’s probably one of my favorite things to do…. I just feel in my element : ) Well, anyway It was a busy week already and I was really involved in volunteering.  Monday  was a great first day and I came hope worn out.

The next day however was not the best.  Had a great morning, headed to class and I fell.  It was probably a hilarious site actually, but not a very graceful one.  Long story short my foot stayed planted, but my whole leg/body twisted resulting with a large POP…. Barb Waldemar was so gracious and took me to the urgent care to get it x-rayed.  Thankfully, nothing is broke… the doctor thought their might be slight muscle and ligament tearing (which can be worse than broken bones sometimes).  As a result I get to wear and AWESOME brace.  It’s pretty cool, I must say.

Yesterday, I was starting to get down about this whole thing.  I had been hitting it hard at the gym the week before, and now I can’t workout for at least 2-3 weeks.  Then I started seeing so many things in a day that I have to use just one foot for.  Getting into the shower, putting on jeans, getting out of the car… just stuff you don’t even thing of…

But suddenly I was really encouraged.  I realized that every day we go through the same things, and don’t even realize we are sustained.  Sustained through everything by Christ.  (1 Cor 1.8).  We don’t even know what it feels like when we are alone, because we always have an advocate.  Always.

So after these last couple days, I realize that even if you think your plan is ruined God’s plan isn’t.  Everything happens in order to point to him, even if it’s spraining your ankle.  : )

Did you know…

…that it is still illegal to eat peanuts while in church in Massachusetts.

…that a woman in India can marry a goat.

…that it used to be illegal to sing while in a bathing suit in Florida.

…the word pogonophile means ‘one who likes beards’.

…that in New Brunswick it is illegal to pretend to be drunk.

results of playing balderdash tonight : )

Happy Birthday Ben!

Today is my brother Ben’s birthday.  He’s my oldest brother, in fact he’s 10 years older than me!  I’m so thankful for him in my life!  He is someone who I can always talk to, get an honest opinion from, and of course new good music : )

Some favorite memories (to name a few) with him include: night fishing at Harlan, Regina Spektor Concert, Working on his houses, breaking into our hotel room in FL, our late night Scrabble games, 007 on the N64, him bringing his puppy chief home for the first time, of course guitar hero, and metal marines.

One of the most special things between us is his nick-name for me, Tink.  He’s called me this ever since I remember… and still does today

He also dances with me (we’re both really bad)

AND He’s one* of the best pump men I know

I love you Ben!  Happy Birthday!

amazed.

So I’m sitting here this cold, rainy January morning amazed.

Amazed that God chose to change my heart 2 years ago and propelled me on this amazing journey.  Amazed that I get to study all my subjects through a God-centered, bible-saturated school.  Amazed that a friend from high school has told me how God has changed their heart.  Amazed that I have friends here that point me toward Christ and not myself. Amazed in just the fact that I’m sitting here, breathing.  I don’t deserve this, any of it.

I just pray that this amazement will never stop and that my heart will always be captivated by the Glory of the risin king, Jesus.

“Not to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3.20-21

Its been a while…

So I don’t think that this blogging thing and I work out.  It seems that with me its hit or miss

But lets just do a quick run down… Last time you heard from me I was in the middle of finals.  But hey!  I made it through, I survived only by God’s grace.  I’m happy with all my 1st semester grades too.  I went on Christmas break and got snowed in in Nebraska, twice.  Makes for an interesting break.   But one of the best things about my break was most defiantly the surprise waiting for me when I got there.

My brother got a puppy!!! His name is Abe, I love him.  It was such good therapy after one of the most tough weeks at school.

Long story short, we got a lot of snow in Nebraska and I was snowed in delaying my return to the wonderful state of MN about a week.  But hey, I’m here now.

Second Semester is under full swing.  I’m taking 18 hours, again this semester.  My classes include Biblical Greek, Communication, Christian Thought, Environmental Science, and The History of Christian music.  They are all great, but I can tell there will be a heavy work load.

So yeah, I guess thats a quick update on my life.  Hopefully you will hear from me sooner than later..

[beautiful] verses

I Love when my church sings traditional Christmas hymns/carols in the advent season.  One of the things is that I have been so blessed by are the verses that you don’t usually hear.

Taken from The First Noel

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.

Taken from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth

They are beautiful verses that speak such truth and what this season is all about.  That Christ made himself nothing being born in the likeness of men, making himself a servant he humbled himself to the point of death on a cross.  (Phil 2)

break. break. break.

That is what I need right now. A break. Goodness. These last weeks have been so busy. Papers papers papers. I’ve been writing a paper on Science and the Trinity. An Exegetical Paper on Acts 13.44-53. And a literary analysis on Fahrenheit 451.

Greek final on Tuesday. By the time thursday rolls around my brain is going to be fried. But my mom is going to spend the weekend with me and drive the 8 hours home with me, which will be great.

I’m so excited to be in NE for a couple weeks. It will be much needed down time. But I will miss my minny family, but I will soon return

lights, cabs, and sore calves.

Over Thanksgiving break I traveled to New York City to visit my friend Karissa Kresge who attends Kings College.  I have traveled to other major cities over seas–this was my first trip to New York.  I have always wanted to go and this seemed like the perfect time.

Karissa lives right on 34th st and 6th Ave.  Right in mid-town.  On the same block as the Empire State building.  Right across from Macy’s.  So to say it in only a few words, there were a lot of people.  But when we would walk 3 blocks in any direction the people seemed to disappear.

Karissa showed me around like a real New Yorker.  We walked every where!  Oh man.  My legs hurt. But it was good for me.  One day we walked from her place (34th) up to the Met (82nd) and then across Central park and then back.  Goodness that was a long day.

We got to see a show A Steady Rain with Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman.  It was really intense.  I was only the two actors on stage, with two chairs.  For 1.5 hours.  Intense story that was told.  But it was good.  Afterward, we of course had to stop and get their picture.

My time with my dear friend was good.  It reminded both of us how much we missed being in class together and studying together in the good ol RC.  But I’m so thankful that God has Karissa where she is, learning what she is learning to further his kingdom!

knitting

so guess how long I’ve been trying to work on this scarf.

2 years. thats right. I’m in desperate need of time to do nothing else but knit.

I’m determined to get it done.  That means, watch more movies.  ha.  this is ridiculous.

I really love my roommates…

So God has blessed me with 2 wonderful women for my roommates this year.  Raquel Mendez and Emily Mortvedt.  We have learned so much from each other just in these first couple months.  It’s hard to believe that this might only last a year.  But there is no doubt that it will be a good one

Emily and I

Raki and I

(Yes, It has snowed here in MN already)