The Right Focus

Today, as I was returning from a trip to Indy, I realized something...my Dad should have been a NASCAR driver.
I realized this as I tried to keep pace with him on the highway.

Having joined the family in a quick visit to my aunt's house, we were now headed back to Cincy at this point.
I had come another route and had no clue how to get back from their house, so I was following...this is never the ideal place to be with Dad.

Several months ago I took it upon myself to become a (mostly)law abiding citizen and follow the speed limit at all times(this was due to a certain infraction of this new chosen lifestyle that will remain undisclosed).

Now I found myself faced with the options of flooring it to keep up or, making Indiana my new home. I tried the whole "middle ground" thing and would keep him within view. This didn't work either though, due to his constantly changing lanes. Cruise control was definitely not an option!

Finally we managed to get a semi normal pace and make it home, but as this all was unfolding, God created a metaphor for me.

Every time my Dad got out of sight I became alarmed, thinking I was lost. I wouldn't make it, I couldn't do this on my own...

...then, I would get my eyes back on him
and my world once again was right. I knew I was safe, and not on my own.

In fact, every now and again, when I could no longer see him,
I would get a telephone call asking me how far back I was.
They were checking up on me...

How much more does this apply to my life with my Heavenly Father...?
He's had to call to check up on me so many times.

And what about when I'm afraid that I've taken a wrong turn, and won't be able to correct my mistake?
He's always waiting with the directions I need.

God is such a good Heavenly Father, and He never fails to remind me of that...

I long to have God be my true focus, to make Him the only one I worry about keeping in view.

*Red Friday

The term "Black Friday" has been changed(on my authority) to "Red Friday". This is due to shopping store officials witnessing large amounts of blood being drawn by their customers.

I was almost one such customer my first yr. joining this sport. I was minding my own business, when out of no where a little old lady attacked me! She literally shoved me out of her way and grabbed something in front of me. Crazy woman!

This yr. I realized I have become practiced in the art of dodging, grabbing, running, diving, swerving, and many other "secret" techniques used for this hallowed American tradition. I am quite proud of my process and success in *Red Friday proceedings.

I was able to cross six ppl off of my proverbial list. I feel like a conqueror. I prevailed! I am the ultimate shopper...OK, not really, but I had fun. (And bought myself a few new things as well. ;)

Tis' the season...I guess

Today I shopped.

I bought a fake, red metal, Christmas tree...

And a candy jar with snow flakes on it.

Along with two snowman figurines...

And a stocking for my door.

I suppose I accidentally got ahead of myself w/Christmas joy.

Nite!

(Oh, and I will be adding Christmas music to my blog soon...if not tonight actually.)

What I'm doing for my heart...

My freshman yr. in college I was privileged to attend the spring missions retreat. This took place in Gatlinburg, and was a ton of fun.

One of the highlights were the daily devotionals we had as a group w/Andrea Whitman. We had one in the mornings, and then an evening devotional as well. This was an exciting time of renewing and refreshing from God and a time to bond w/my fellow students.

Andrea spoke on several key topics, but one of the ones that I'll probably never forget was on taking care of your heart. Now, she didn't mean physically caring for it as in eating right and exercising, although she mentioned those things in passing.
Basically, she explained that we all have needs, whether they're emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual. Sometimes we allow ourselves to get completely overloaded and we forget to take care of those needs.
(Not that we should always keep ourselves the center focus, but there should be a balance between both.)

Her challenge to us was that we purposefully find a hobby -- reading, fishing, jogging, or something else we enjoyed -- and actually make sure we plan to do it. She explained how this was protecting our hearts from burnout. The other stipulation to the challenge was that we find a person in the group that we could check up on a couple months after the retreat, and then have them do the same for us.

I thought this was an interesting idea, and decided to keep it in mind, but lately I've realized just how hard this can be. I keep myself so incredible busy that I don't have time to stop for much of anything. In fact, even my "leisure time" is usually busy to the max.
I'm getting better slowly, but it's harder than I expected.

For instance, I love to read, but since coming to college that has almost become a none existent hobby. Only in the last two weeks have I really latched on to the idea that I could still enjoy reading if I wanted to, and that I would just have to make time for it...so I have.

And I love it! I had forgotten how much I missed it. It's like being back w/old friends. Right now I'm simply rereading some of my favorites, and that is plenty good enough for me.

So let me ask you...what are you doing to take care of your heart?

Follow up to 4:42

Well, I went to sleep finally...at almost 6! Completely messed up my whole Saturday!!! Wanna know why? I'm so sure you do.

I haven't been getting enough sleep lately at all, and I knew I didn't have anything pressing to do today so I could sleep as long as I wanted -- which mean I set no alarm. *sigh*
I finally ended up coming to at 3:49!!! Only ten hrs of sleep, but still! My day is gone! Oh well, I feel much better.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday!

4:42

I can't believe it's 4:42 and I'm wide awake! Grr. My plan was to go ice skate, then come back and crash...maybe sleep til 10 or 11. Now I have no reason to be awake, I just am. It's quite frustrating. I haven't been free to just sleep, and to sleep as long as I want, for several weeks now. Of course since I can now I can't get to sleep!!! *sigh*

What a nuisance...

Always amazed...

I serve the coolest God! I'm continually amazed at how fast He works sometimes, and at how clearly He uses ppl to help us learn about Him.

Today I had an appointment.

I was supposed to meet with an advisor for an "advice session" on my future internship. Last week I went to ask for this advice, and he requested some time to think it over. Knowing this was a good way to get good advice, I agreed.

Meanwhile, I began praying that God would either use him to show me what I hadn't factored in yet, or to reaffirm my own plan.

From praying this I began to think about all the pros and cons myself. God showed me several things I hadn't thought of, or been willing to acknowledge yet. He was dealing with me slowly, and patiently.

God used this advisor to completely reaffirm my new thoughts concerning this internship and my future, and to challenge me to face some fears and unknowns with God's help.
Amazing! Once God started changing my own ideas, I wanted reassurance about the changes...and He did just that through this advisor.

***********************************************************************

After my appointment, I headed off to chapel to think through all that had been discussed, and to try to process it and see where that left me standing...

God, in His perfect timing, had a guest speaker there, to share a little about Gideon. He talked about the exact feelings, concerns, and fears that I'd just argued, questioned, and cried about concerning my future.
I walked into chapel this morning praying that God would continue to talk to me, and He did.

I am so blessed!
God took the time to reassure my feeble mind, and questioning heart, and to tell me that He is in control...I simply have to trust Him. *Thank You Heavenly Father*.

Memory Lane...

Today I took a trip down memory lane. I have been having random songs from the musical Annie pop into my head the last few weeks, so I decided it was high time I bought the soundtrack.

I found it this afternoon at Joseph Beth Books, and oh the excitement. I drove back to school singing Hard-Knock Life and Tomorrow at octaves no one should have to endure. (I only do that when I'm alone...see I'm thoughtful like that) Anyway, it brought back fun memories, and happy feelings. Everyone should own a copy...

Pilgrims

I was flipping through radio stations as I headed back to the school one evening last week, and finally decided to listen to a drama of the pilgrims unfolding. I must say I have never really been a huge fan of radio drama, but this one sounded interesting.

As the story unfolded the speaker brought out some interesting points I have never given much thought to. He talked about the pilgrims unwavering faith in God to protect them in this new, and strange land. They knew going into this that hardships would follow, but their faith and determination held them steadfast in their decision. Many, actually most, lost at least one loved one, if not more, and the other trials they faced must have seemed insurmountable, but they pressed on.

I am proud to say that our country's roots are in the Christian faith, although we daily have grown further from this. I want to look at this Thanksgiving holiday with a different point of view. I am choosing to be a pilgrim in today's America. I will pursue the faith of my heritage, and with God's help show others the way. I am thankful.

How entertaining...

This weekend, my life's featured events were as follows:

1) Fun "kung fu" movie night -- Kung Fu Panda & The Forbidden Kingdom w/Jackie Chan and Jet Li

2) Crazy, rainy day shopping(fun also) -- w/Britt

3) Amazingly fun trip to the Arnoff center -- H.M.S. Pinafore

4) and finally...Kids club chaos -- no other words discribe

It was a very entertaining weekend to say the least. I rather enjoyed myself. Hope yours was a winner...

Oh! and just a side note: Check out Nichole's new blog at http://practicallypublished.blogspot.com/

The Balancing Act...

I'm becoming an expert on the trapeze. College is a green house for these kind of skills...

Classes, work, ministry, social life, but above all...God and His Word. These are what I'm learning to balance.

My advice: a good night's sleep, a schedule to follow, a snazzy outfit, and maybe some coffee.

Photo courtesy of: www.soapboxmedia.com

A look at my thoughts...

Today as I worked my mind kept drifting from one thing to the next. There was a conversation that I'd had with a friend that just keep replaying in my mind.

I had a long and emotion draining day last Fri. and I decided to ignore the little voice telling me to pray about it. Instead I sent a message to a good friend via Facebook. In it I vented, and oh the venting I did! Now I'm quite embarrassed at how childish, selfish, and pathetic I sounded, but at the time it all seemed so true and I didn't care if I was whining.

There were many things discussed in this message, one of which was how I felt about the roles of friendships in my life, or you could say the expectations I have concerning friendships. What I received back was so true, but reading it felt like taking a knife to my gut. My friend told me very nicely, without sugar coating it, that my expectations of a friend were unreasonable. Then preceded to explain their meaning. Wow! Not what I'd expected...but there I went again expecting things. In thinking about excerpt of our conversation I've realized just how right this person is. I expect way to much from my mere mortal friends.

Why do I expect the things I know to be true of God, to be true in my human relationships? Here are just a few thoughts that ran through my brain...

* God is always with me -- my friends can't be at my beck and call 24/7...neither should they be.

* God knows exactly how I'm feeling all the time and when I need His presence most -- my friends can't read my emotions to know the highs and lows every time, and foresee them coming...they can't know exactly when I want them to be there for me.

* God can provide anything I will ever need -- my friends can't take care of all my needs, they are limited.

* God always has my best interest in mind -- my friends want me to be happy and successful, but probably not at their own expense.

* God sent His only Son to redeem my soul -- my friends don't even come close on this one...

Basically, I realized that if my friends met all the criteria that I was trying to impose on them, I wouldn't need God. He would be just like all my other friends. This thought astounded me. While I've been busy looking at the errors in my human relationships, I've missed many opportunities to marvel at God's perfectness and lack of errors. He fulfills what I'm looking for so perfectly, and yet I manage to overlook that day after day.

God forgive me...and thank you for being all I need in a friend.

Ba Hum Bug!

So Halloween is over...big deal!!! Let's wait just a bit ppl for the Christmas cheer. I hate walking into a store, any store...specifically Walmart and seeing Christmas lights, trees, decorations of every shape, size, and color, and yet it's only 12:01 AM on the 31 of Oct. OK, maybe it's not quite that bad yet, but it's close, very close! I mean, come on, the candy is still be stored in the plastic pumpkin bucket!

Oh, and the music! Can't we just celebrate Thanksgiving first then progress from that point? Do we really need Christmas music this early? Even I understand the whole "Christmas in July" effect...but it ain't July!!!

*Sigh* Along w/this rushing of holiday cheer comes the cold weather, and this too causes me much grief. See, I enjoy a well balanced climate...one where I can wear a single outfit -- instead of three and calling it "layering".
Not to mention this chill in the air brings forth the invariable roasting of the female dorm students. (Actually many still complain that their rooms are freezing, while others of us open windows, pack away our blankets, and turn on fans throughout the winter months)

I suppose I am the campus "Scrooge" and will be completely disagreed w/on this subject, but I don't care. Scrooge stood alone(until the end of the story where he had to go and change his point of view!), and so shall I!

And don't even get me started on snow...grr

Mid Semester Blues...

OK, so I'm to that point in the semester where I'm tired, and good grades and being on time to class are no longer my highest priority. In fact they have both drastically dropped on my Importance Ranking Scale.

If only I'd followed my gut instinct a few months ago and applied for my passport...it'd be adios amigos! But alas this cannot be, I am a captive in my own country...er Bible college?

OK OK...enough procrastination...I am getting off here and...checking my facebook :) Nite!