Thursdays = Office Parties :)

So... if you know me, you know I LOVE being with people. Constantly. And I love hanging out with friends and having new people join the party.

With this being said... I had a BLAST watching The Office on Thursday in N Building. Not only was Thursday's episode amazing... yay for PB & J (Pam Beasley and Jim, thank you Monique), it was just a really cool time of meeting new people and simply "being" around them. No need to perform. No need to have anything rehearsed come out of my mouth. No need for attempting to achieve anything. We all were able to "be" with each other. I like that.

Each Thursday is going to be an Office party. Show up around 9ish and be ready to "be" with people. It'll be a good time. (except for this Thursday... the Vice-Presidential debate will be on)

When you have to walk through the hard things.....

This year is going to yet again be an interesting one. Once again, God is on the move and working in my life. I love that we have a big God who does big things. These big things amaze me because they are always for His glory. We get to see our Precious Lord work, change, refine, reshape... everything. Its not always easy, but its always good.

With that being said... I'm in a really hard time of change right now. I'm trying to cling to truth as every day seems to throw another curve ball at me. Or at least a ball I hoped that wouldn't be thrown my way. Today's news... I'm not going home to Cincinnati anymore. The trip is postponed and I know its for the best. I have personal and ministry things to work through at the moment. I don't exactly feel like bearing all kinds of detail here on my blog at the moment... but if you are interested in finding out what all is going on, please personally contact me.

I guess by writing this, I'm asking all of you to pray for me. Even if you don't pray... just toss up something for me. See how the Lord works. Pray that I would hear truth and remain in it. Pray also that I would continue to praise the Lord because He is good in ALL things. Pray that I would continue to boldly walk through the challenges God is setting before me. Please pray for my comfort. I can't turn to anything else, but the Lord. Also, pray for freedom. Pray that I would feel free from the tendency to perform and act as if I have it all together; freedom from putting myself under incredible amounts of pressure that NO ONE has asked me to be under; freedom from standards that are voiced and unvoiced; freedom from sin.

Earlier this year... possibly March, God gave me Isaiah 43. I wrote in my bible that it's my new favorite chapter. v. 2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." I believe the water refers to times of taking significant steps of faith for the Lord. The Children of Israel had to do this when the crossed the Red Sea and when they crossed the Jordan River. In both cases, there was incredible uncertainty but a desperate need for trust. When there is mention of fire, all I can think about is how fire refers to refinement. There is a purification when things are put into the fire; all of the things at are supposed to last, will. Throughout these two incredibly challenging processes, the Lord promises that He will be there. He makes mention of how these things are challenging, but they are for the good. In Romans 8:28 Paul says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."



If you lead me Lord, I will follow. Where you lead me Lord, I will go. Come and heal me Lord, I will follow. Where you lead me Lord, I will go. I will go.... even if that means through the water and through fire. Take me. Refine me. Use me for your will. Amen.

Don't Stop Believing

Wow... end of summer? Already??

I'm shocked that tomorrow school starts for CSULB. I spent this evening hanging out at the Joshua House (Ben, Ernest, Dane, Dan, Dan and Shawn) and met TONS of new people. Some were new freshmen and others were previous friends who hadn't had the chance to reconnect. Its cool to watch people come together and spend time with one another. Fellowship always amazes me. Its also refreshing to be around people who care about one another and the Lord. I needed this time as well. I feel like right before the school year starts or some big event happens, I'm always under some spiritual attack. This time... its my keys. I've lost my car keys and my house key. I spent an amazing day, yesterday, with some very special girls from ASU. After running around together, hanging out at different beaches and exploring southern California a bit... I realize that keys are NO WHERE to be found. I've checked everywhere. I'm trying to not be distraught and upset... but its so frustrating.

So my reminder tonight was the simple fact that God is God no matter what. He's continually in control and He will provide in whatever way possible. My role is to continue to praise Him...even when it hurts or when I'm super frustrated. The easy way out/way to quit is to just throw my hands in the air and claim to be finished. I've noticed that in these past couple of weeks, I've been hearing that I should just give up. I should just give in and claim that I'm no good and neither is God. Then I'm reminded of how much Christ gave for me and how much the disciples suffered for Christ. My struggles are light and momentary. There are bigger things to focus on...like people who need to hear some Good News.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13,14)

Another reason for why I do what I do.

I press on for the glory of Christ because He endured the cross on our behalf.


Some prayer requests:

*Pray for me as I continue on this quest for my keys.
*CSULB and the start of a new school year
*The survey tables outside of the dorms: Parkside and Residence
*For my sister who welcomed precious Michael Jay Young into the world 12:58est Sept 1. He weighed in at 8lbs 15oz!!! As Monique called him... "He looks like a little turkey dinner!" I can't wait to meet him.