New Community

It is very rare that a church service will be in the front of my mind days after it happens. Granted, I listen and absorb from whatever pastor is speaking, but this service inparticular is still fresh on my brain.

I'm not good with names, but the pastor who started LifeBridge church spoke at Northwoods this past week. It wasn't your typical service, but it kept me attentive the whole time. He talked about Life's Interuptions. I felt as though he was talking right to me. Now we all go through interuptions which end up causing us to doubt God's involvement. There were four principles to in which we should not doubt God. But there are two I find helpful when things have been bothering me. The first is the fact that we shouldn't doubt the deliverer. God has delivered us from our past and yet we still show no faith and worry that he isn't there. If he has delivered us before why wouldn't he deliver us now? I love that! It serves as a reassurance that all we need to do is have faith. He used one of my favorite passages from the Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your might and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight."

The other principle that stuck right in my head was God will interupt your interuption. He knows exactly when to come in, and when you have had enough. I can remember becoming a new Christian and talking to my wonderful leader and her telling me this simple statement, "God will NEVER give you anything you can't handle." After the storm there is always sunshine, and seeds never grow if there is always sunshine, they'll burn up. So a storm is necessary.(my own view)


(I have been attempting to write this blog since Thursday, I finally got it finished!!!!)

POG to you!

Castaway Sunset...

Castaway

I've waited to post a blog on my latest trip to Minnesota. I don't know exactly how to explain it. This was my 5th summer heading up to this Young Life camp, and I honestly learn new things each time. This trip was different, I will admit. Not only because of the unexpected trip to Chicago in the middle of the week, but also the people that were there.

The AFT girls were amazing, (the girls in my cabin) and I don't think I could have picked a better group myself. We got down and dirty, and had fun in the sun. ;o) I learned so much about these girls that in turn allowed me to learn about myself. The weather was beautiful! Being the veteran of leaders really made me miss Summer and Kevin!!!!!

It was crazy the difference felt when I was pulled out of that God filled atmosphere to come home and be with my family. I had so much hate in my heart for the airline that screwed up my flight, and just people in general. As soon as I stepped foot on that land it all literally left. Its so easy to love and live while you are there. (The whole love part: Castaway is beautiful and will one day be the perfect place to fall in love)

There are things in my life that I'm holding onto. Parts of my past that make it hard to put my full focus on God. It was so easy to cast them away (haha Castaway..get it?) while I was there but yet came bombarding back once I got home. The things I learned from my girls, and other great people while I was there have been getting me through it all!!! I can't wait to go back!

POG to you all!! and AFT: "Two fingers out like a true playa.."

The loss of a great man.

A veteran, an athlete, a husband, a worker, a volunteer, a youth leader, an excutive on different boards, a loving grandfather......

Derald M. Schultz, or as I liked to call him "Gramps", passed away last Sunday from a battle with cancer. Words can't explain the feelings when I found out the news. He was diagnosed with cancer last November and has had a downhill battle ever since. God brought him home and took his pain. It was a relief. He was burried with military honors.

The hardest part of the whole funeral was watching my loving grandma lose the love of her life. They had been together over half a century. It was such an inspiration thinking of the situation at a whole. Both of my grandparents loved each other deeply and always practiced their faith. I know that it is out there now and I do not want to settle.

My grandpa was such an amazing man. I just knew him as my gramps, but the Tribune and Herald knew differently. Most obituaries are the final writings of a person but not for Gramps. In addition to a regular obit in each paper, an article was written in both the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald. Now that HAS to say something! In the rest of my years I hope to gain half of the respect and accomplishments that my grandfather had.

My sisters and I have been very fortunate in being at our age and not having to deal with a death of a grandparent. I know my life will be changed.

http://www.legacy.com/DailyHerald/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=18188753

POG to you! ;o)

Wally World

It's the day we leave for camp. Talk about FINALLY! So I was shopping around picking up a few last minute items. I decided to go to Target and Wal-Mart. Disclaimer, I love Wal-Mart almost as much as my nephew (who started crying when we told him he couldn't ride to wal-mart on his power wheels). I feel as though everyone and their mother needed to go to this Heaven on earth. I ran into not one but two of my YL girls doin the some last minute thing as I was. But the lines were crazy long, everyone was driving their carts like bats outta hell and it took me and another lady forever to try and find stupid bugspray. (it's in the way back corner of the store behind 12 boxes in case you needed some)

It was time for check out and since I only had a few items you better believe I was going to either the Express Lane or the self-checkout. I was weighing the items in everyone's carts in line and I tried choosing the best line. OF course I choose one where the lady has problems ringing up fishing lures. and she had a ton of them! So i switched lines to one I thought would be speedy. WRONG-O! It took forever and I kept scanning for quicker lines. People I'm talking I had 5 items! It would take me 5 minutes MAX! Oh man did I need patience today at all of the people who did not know how to use a check out!

So side note: For the first time I had Long John Silvers today and I was impressed. Minus the amount of grease, but it was actually worth it!!!! ANother side note: I will not be here for a week because I will be spending the best week of my life at Castaway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BE JEALOUS!!!!!


POG to you!!

Procrastination is like...

Well you know the rest of the saying. Lately thats all I have done. I have so much stuff to do before leaving on Saturday and I don't even have the desire to do it. My mom will be coming home while I'm gone so I have to tidy up the house too.

I wonder where you learn the habit of procrastination. I mean I know some people who are very organized, structured, and get things done right when they are assigned (homework for instance) and live their lives without worry. Me on the other hand wait until the last minute. Especially for homework. If I don't have a deadline that is near I don't see a point in doing it. It's like I have to physically MAKE myself do something. But my mom on the other hand is the organized type, get things done ASAP. What went wrong for me?

Another thing I am bad at is calling people back. I forget? But it's not the important phone calls that I forget, its just the common "lets chat" type of calls that I forget. I get to busy and it slips my mind. So for any of you whom I have forgotten to call back recently I'm sorry. I promise I'll work on it!

(Is this sad I'm laying in bed and heard the mailman open the box? I NEED TO GET OUT OF BED!)


POG to you.

PS: I leave for Castaway in 2 days. PUMPED!

My scar.

So this is my second post of the night but I needed to inform people of a miraculous (I dont even know if thats how you spell it) discovery. Tonight as I am preparing for bed I change and what not and you may think I'm crazy but I swear this happened. I had surgery on May 1st and due to that I have two scars. ONE OF THEM IS GONE! There used to be a bump underneath a bunch of skin and now there is just a slight difference in the color! NO bump!!!!! This happened today!!!!!! I just wish I had someone to call and tell who would have the same astonishment as I do! SO I decided to blog it.


But don't you worry, my scar in my bellybutton is still there. (I'll be able to sleep comfortably tonight feeling it.) I think maybe only one of you will know my appreciation for it. -DONT KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT.

My amazing friends

Tonight I didn't seem to be in the mood to hang out. I was able to ride for about 20 minutes on a really great bike and it put me at peace and I wanted to be alone. As I was leaving people decided to come to my mom's house. (No party...don't worry mom) Actually we played air hockey, old school Nintendo and just made brownies. (I owned Abel in airhockey) But it was the stimulating conversation that took place with only 5 of us left that made me love this night the most.

I thank God for the people He has put in my life. Some for years, some for weeks. But I don't feel as though I show appreciation. My longterm friends know me in and out and thanks to a new friend tonight I got the opportunity to get to know 4 other people on a deeper level. Words can not describe how much I needed this night. With my mom being gone and my friends living far away I have felt alone...even amongst a crowd. I usually push people away when I feel like this, just because I'm so used to this way of life and handling it alone. I don't want it to be that way anymore.

I know tonight I will definately sleep with the peace of God.

Hopefully you all will too!

That peaceful uneasy feeling..

I woke up this morning from having a blast with my girlfriends! Let me just tell you there is nothing better than dancing like an idiot, so everone is watching, and not having any cares. My girls and I went out last night and did just that. Everything was going great, I came home, went to bed, and my mom called me at 6:30 in the morning. (I had only had about 2 hours of sleep at this time) I woke up maybe an hour ago but suddenly everything isn't okay.

I have this uneasy feeling. Like something is wrong and I don't know what it is. I am trying to analyze everything thats been going on lately to hopefully come up with a solution. I've been talking a lot with people from my past. In this crazy world of dating it brings a temporary 'ease' to things. Just to know that people you cared and still care about feel the same way. It's a lot better feeling than putting yourself on the line and not having anything given back, thats for sure. Maybe I'm feeling guilty for just letting people out of my life? Who knows.

It could probably just be the fact that I forgot to water my moms flowers. ;o)

POG to you!

CASTAWAY is in 6 days!

Perfect Timing

Today has been such a crappy day outside, and the rain definately ruined my plans to go swimming and lay out...but as I lay in bed all day I thought to myself, "I haven't really slowed down in a while." I have been constantly on the go around other people and havent had time to myself. The rain couldn't have had better timing.

In the last 10 months God has put people in my life at the best times. Last fall I was struggling a lot with things and in walks my friend Roar. I was taking a break from leading and he randomly surprised me at work one night (he lives in Iowa). Spending the weekend with him and other friends made me realize what I was supposed to be doing with my life and that was exactly the opposite of how I was living. He has been such an amazing friend and a great accountability partner! Roar..if you read this thanks. I was blessed with another friendship about 5 months ago. I was going through some rough times and doubts about things and talking with him seemed to make them all dissapear. It was the same time that I built stronger friendships with the people I hang out with now. God Bless Mission Community! ;o) What perfect timing. I love you guys!!!

POG to you..

Castaway: a week from today!!!!!!!!!!

My week in a nutshell..

This week has been pretty up and down. And I have tried posting twice already but everytime the 'Blogger' goes down and it loses my whole post. So I'm recaping my week.

I saw The Break Up on Tuesday. I was let down. Granted it has it's funny quotes but the movie was too realistic. I thought when seeing a movie with Vince Vaughn (HOTTIE) in it I would walk away laughing not crying. But the movie did an excellent job portraying real life relationships and how they usually end. With everyone who has had a hard break up in their life, this movie will definately hit home.

Wednesday was just kind of laying out, church, then hanging out with the amazing people I love.

Thursday was when I really had a down day. I went out to Starbucks to meet with my friend Michelle to plan some things for our big trip to Castaway. As I was pulling out of the parking lot my car froze. Yep, I ran out of gas. (1st time EVER and I was heading right to the gas station)So like any girl does when they are in distress, I called my hero. Nic Hahn. (I think he's everyone's hero at times) He came and got me some gas and actually didn't make fun of me as much as I thought. Anyways so I got ready for work and the 8 hour shift was really not what I needed. There was a party upstairs in one of the suites hosted by some U of I basketball players and as I was walking out of the hotel a few attendees stopped me. One inparticular.

"Hey girl are you pregnant?" he yelled. Pissed off and tired from my long night at work I retorted, "Excuse me?!" "Your stomach is stickin out or something." he decided to clarify. At this point in time I didn't care who he was or what he was doing at my hotel I turned around and with a tone that would show him he chose the wrong person to mess with, "What did you just say to me". It was then he told me he just wanted me to stop and talk to him and was wondering if he could have my number because I was cute. I started to walk away to my car and he mumbled under his breath "Man thats rude." There was no way I was in the mood to let someone bad mouth me under his breath so I turned around and started walking and loudly saying, "YOu want to talk about rude, call a girl pregnant when that is clearly not the case." He backed down and I walked to my car with my head held high. Then he yells "maybe I'll just come see you at work if thats not stalkerish." I got in my car and drove off. Stalkerish, is that even a word? Talk about the WORST pick up line EVER!

Thursday night I couldn't sleep. When I would doze off I would wake feeling like I had slept for hours, only to see it was just for a short time. I woke up probably 10 times last night. I had a lot on my mind and I was struggling with God about if what is in my heart is what I want or what He wants. Sometimes you just have to let go when you want to hold onto something by even the littlest piece.

POG to you!!

Castaway Countdown: 9 days!

It all started at the garden..

My mornings at work have been pretty slow. Sunday and Monday morning went about the same (starting out at 7am!) Yesterday I decided to read a little bit. How I read a book is section by section so I have time to absorb the material. Unless however I am reading some trashy romance novel that I am sucked into and can't put the thing down (I recommend "Redeeming Love" not trashy, great love story based on the book of Hosea) Anywho.. I am currently reading a book by Donald Miller, author of "Blue Like Jazz" called "Searching for God Knows What". What a great referral by my friend Holly. My mom would be so proud I'm reading and who knew I could actually take away knowledge from a book, but there has been something running through my head all day.

Donald Miller's chapter in the book called "Naked" talked about two huge things that I have been struggling with lately. He talks about Moses' writings in Genesis and the creation of Adam and Eve. Well to sum it all up God created Adam well before Eve. Adam was alone for what could have been centuries naming all of the creatures on Earth. While this was happening Adam was lonely because he could not find the right companionship with the animals. So God took a rib and created Eve. But what I found most interesting was Miller's take on Adam's loneliness. If He would have given Adam his companion right away then Adam wouldn't have the appreciation, gratitude, or desire to love Eve. But because he went through the loneliness he can truely be greatful for God's gift of Eve. I know I have been struggling with the frustrations and asking God "why didn't this relationship work out" or "how can everyone else find love but me" and I have a peace now that God is working on my heart and molding me to be the person I need to be for the arrival of my husband.

Second main point comes with a great quote. Miller states, "All of the insecurity rises the instant you realize you are alone." Backtrack with me for a second. After the Fall was the first time Adam and Eve realized they were naked. Before they had the grace of God shining through their hearts and were genuinally duped into eating from the tree. As soon as they did this their connection with God was broken. So think about it. When you feel so close to God and surrounded by good Christian people doesn't seem as though everything is perfectly fine. But the busier you get, the faster things seem to slip away. The more negative things you feel about yourself. (or others) They realized they were naked and more self consious resulting in the wearing of clothes. Now I guess it would be weird now if we went to the movies naked...but let me just tell you if they never would have eaten from the tree I bet I would feel better personally about the topic of swimsuits.

Well that was my first book chapter analysis for a blog. I'm such a dork. I am only on the 6th chapter but I feel as though I will highly recommend this book as well.

There are only 11 days until Castaway!!!

Peace of God.

Free Bird

This weekend was amazing. Granted I had to work a lot, but it gave me a time to escape from the hustle and bustle and focus on the nitty gritty. haha. Okay so Friday night after work I drove to Bloomington because Saturday morning I was to babysit two of the CUTEST kids in the world. After my quality time with the babes were over I drove home. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and there was only one thing I felt I should do. So I strapped on my bandana, threw on my shades, and rolled down EVERY window in my car. I put my cell phone away and just listened to music as well as other things my whole way home. Let me tell you this trip seemed to last 10 minutes (and I ACTUALLY WENT THE SPEED LIMIT!) God was putting me at peace and has kept me there through the rest of the weekend. I wish I could have driven to California or something! -not with the gas prices though- I felt as though the wind was in my air and I had no worries in the world. It's been a while since I felt like that.

I realized tonight that Castaway camp is two weeks away. I don't think anyone knows how extremely excited I am for this! 5th year in a row baby!! I just know that God will continue working on me while I'm there and I get to hang out with some of the coolest people EVER! Life is great. I have great friends. Period.

Peace of God to you all!!