Produce

Well, I'm back at school and things are getting into full swing. It's going to be quite the year, a year full of changes and miracles and hardships and joy.

Today, I decided to take some time alone to pray and read my bible instead of going to church. It seemed like a good idea to be alone, and just have time to recharge.

I'm studying Philippians right now, and for my first day, I finished with chapter one, verse 11.

(I'm particularly fond of the "God's Word" translation, so that's what I'll share with you.)

¹¹Jesus Christ will fill your lives with everything that God’s approval produces. Your lives will then bring glory and praise to God.

So, now I'm wondering, what is it that God's approval produces? I can come up with some stereotypical answers: blessings, happiness, the usual. But what is it that we receive by earning God's approval.

We already have his love, but by earning his approval, we gain something different, and I'm curious to what you think that is. Fill me in!

Our Deal

I've been listening to Best Coast's "Our Deal" on repeat the last couple of days. Just has that bittersweet summer feel that I'm floating in right now.

I was feeling a little creative, and thus, made myself a background for my computer.

Voila! Have a favorite song for the summer?

Seasons

Hello friends!

After a busy completion to the school year, I spent one week at home, one on Catalina Island at "Chapter Camp" and then 5 weeks having one of the most life-changing experiences I've ever had.

While I would be happy to fill you in totally on my five week cultural exchange, this is not the medium to do so in, so please, let me know if you would like to talk about it! But what I will talk about here is the changes that happened in my mind, in my heart and in my relationship with God.

While my semester was full of really fantastic and fun experiences, I was also struggling with maintaining a long distance relationship, though the distance was not the real issue. This came to a head at the end of the school year, and my boyfriend and I took a 'break' (which is essentially having space to think and process without dating other people). Then, I left for the exchange.

On the trip, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with God and with people who challenged me to follow and know God more fully. I spent a lot of time in scripture and worship. All in all, it was really inspiring and challenging trip, and some big things changed in my life.

So, the essentials:

Then: I thought I would graduate and then apply for the InterVarsity internship (which would still be awesome!) at my chapter.

Now: I really have a heart for global ministry, and hope to be preparing to move out of the country this time next year.

Then: I thought that I would be married to my boyfriend this time next year.

Now: I realize that our relationship was not all that it could have been, and our differences both in communicating and in our goals led to me ending the relationship.

Then: I was vulnerable in conversations or ways that made me seem like I had it all together.

Now: I'm real. I'm not perfect and I don't have to be. It's all good.

All in all? This summer is the best I've ever had. Can you believe it?

How is your summer so far?

Long Time

No talk?

Hello readers! Are you still around? I hope so. If my friends' consensus is any indication, this semester is the hardest we've ever had, so that has a lot to do with my absence and perhaps yours.

Today, just some musings.

Recently, I've heard several people say that they don't need other people or a big building for a church. That they can have church, and be with God just as well on their own at home alone. While I don't see anything wrong with occasionally skipping out on church, lately I have come to realize the true and irreplaceable value of community.

I've experienced two specific instances of this lately.

Last weekend, some good friends of my were baptized at a local church. I've never been to a "baptismal service" before, like this one, where 6 people baptisms were interspersed with worship and prayer, but let me tell you, I'll never miss one again. Not only is it beautiful to see someone you care for show their obedience to God through baptism, but the community and sense of family experienced that night was magnificent. At one point, we were able to gather around and put our hands on the newly baptized people and just pray for them; that God would bless them in their obedience, praise God that he had led them into joy so far, and that their lives would be an example to others. It was electric. It was the first time in a long time that I have experienced real joy.

Last night I had another great community experience. After our InterVarsity large group, about 12 of us got together to watch a cheesy movie, had some delicious hot wings and once our movie was over, just talked and enjoyed each other's company. We spent probably an hour, which involved some great head and shoulder massages, just talking and laughing and being together. It was exactly what I needed.

So as far as I know, you can say that you are closest to God on your own, but I know that there is nothing quite like the love and joy you get from living your life with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

First Day of School

You know how on the first day of class, your teachers always made you share some fact about yourself? Well, in every class for 3 years, I said that the Fray was my favorite band. People got tired of it.

But, I still love them.

If you've never listened to it, look up Vienna.

Here are some of my favorite lines:

Maybe in five or ten, yours and mine will meet again

Straighten this whole thing out

Maybe then honesty need not be feared as a friend or an enemy

This is the distance

This is my game face

Their first album really was stellar. I would have posted a youtube video, but the selection was lame.

Cheerio!

100 in 2010: Progress Four!

As you might have noticed, 2010 has ended...

But I slacked off a little on getting my list updated! I have in fact done many of the things on the list, so I figured this post could start to sum up the things that I did manage to get done before this year began.

I did complete #1, buy board shorts. Not really complicated, but let me tell you, Old Navy had some really cute ones!

I finished #3, make an entire dinner on my own! I borrowed Jordan's delicious recipe and made it for my family. It was so good. (Have you seen her Community video?) (I'm shameless.)

Knocked out #7 though I actually started spending money more responsibly this semester, not last year. I canceled my meal plan ($1690 per semester!) and I've been tracking my spending and saving receipts. It's actually quite satisfying.

I'll leave it at that for now. Don't want to overwhelm anything!

Any lists of your own to complete?