One thing that I love about Monday's is that it's the beginning of a new week; a time to start afresh and begin a new. I'm not one to work out like there's no tomorrow but I don't mind exercising. SO this morning I got up a couple hours before work and walked alongside of the beach for about 45 minutes. AND...it was raining. Usually I'm not a fan of being outside in the rain but it was very refreshing this morning. This time enabled me to think on the goodness of the Lord, something I never do enough.
Things are getting busier at work. Students are beginning to move in early and want to talk about life. One thing that is SO valuable that I learned from my Youth Ministry minor is that so many young adults just want to be heard because they have no one to listen to them, no one to glean wisdom from, no one to wrestle through the serious issues of life. I think one of the greatest mistakes many parents make is not letting their children's voice be heard. Yes, a parent has the right to set guidelines and rules and standards and requirements but a child needs to have the freedom to respectfully express what's going on in their head without being cut off and thrown to the side like what they say isn't worth a penny, let a lone a dime. All that to say, I see my job as not only a job, but a ministry and I'm excited for what God's going to teach me and how he'll use me.
On a lighter note, my boss played a trick on me today by putting some flash drive in my computer to make the mouse go crazy and move about without me even touching it. SOOOOOOooooooo.....while he was at lunch I drenched his office in the scent of Amber Romance and then I even had a chance to spray his neck (and ear-but that was an accident). The funny thing about it, he didn't even smell anything until 3 hours after I sprayed everything down. Laughter is good for the soul. Until next time.
JGB
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Post 12
Today I've been feeling a little down. I think it's partly because I'm exhausted (and it's only the beginning of August, what am I going to do when the students get here?).
I miss human touch (it's my 2nd love language). So I'm asking the Lord to wrap his arms around me. So I've decided to take myself out to dinner tomorrow.....and maybe I'll buy myself some flowers.
Well I'm going to go get some shut eye so I'm not in the same place around this time tomorrow. But before I go, I've been doing some online shopping lately and you know how there's now a customer service rep. ready to "chat" with you help you with any of your questions? Well at the end of our little session I've begun to tell people about Jesus. Usually the rep. signs off rather quickly and doesn't respond to what I'm saying. But even though I haven't been receiving any responses I think I'm going to continue because if one person starts to search for the truth, it will be 100% worth it. Until next time! :)
I miss human touch (it's my 2nd love language). So I'm asking the Lord to wrap his arms around me. So I've decided to take myself out to dinner tomorrow.....and maybe I'll buy myself some flowers.
Well I'm going to go get some shut eye so I'm not in the same place around this time tomorrow. But before I go, I've been doing some online shopping lately and you know how there's now a customer service rep. ready to "chat" with you help you with any of your questions? Well at the end of our little session I've begun to tell people about Jesus. Usually the rep. signs off rather quickly and doesn't respond to what I'm saying. But even though I haven't been receiving any responses I think I'm going to continue because if one person starts to search for the truth, it will be 100% worth it. Until next time! :)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Post 11
Guess what?
I am writing this blog while sitting at my very own table!!!!!!!!! I ordered a Barista Table from Target and it took me about 1 week to put it and the chairs together. But I absolutely love it! I'm just hoping that the screws don't fall out since I'm not the strongest woman in the world.
Now it is time to tell you one of my stories. There's a pastor that I heard on the radio a few Sunday's ago and I decided that I wanted to check out his church. I don't have a car so I figured out how to take public transportation to get to the church (well, so I thought). So I hopped onto the "T" and then took the bus to this church. Well google maps told me that I would only need to walk .4 miles to the church from where the bus stop was. BUT....the only way of getting to the church from where I was located was to walk on the interstate. While I do consider myself somewhat adventurous, I just thought that that would be an awful way to die so I ignored those instructions and attempted to walk around the interstate. And I kept walking....and walking....and walking. An hour later I find that I am VERY close to the church, but guess what? I had to walk up a ramp and there was no way around it (who decides to build a church off of the interstate???). So I asked the Lord to surround me with his angels, I opened up my umbrella and stretched it out to my left (so people would see the umbrella before seeing me) and walked up the ramp. So I finally get to the church (I was 1 hour and 15 minutes late) all hot, sweaty, and tired and I walk in. And guess what kind of welcome I get? Some woman, trying to show off to some man that she just met (at least that's what I concluded) told me that my dress was too short and I needed to pull it down. Since when did a knee length dress become too short (the woman didn't even say "hello" Suppose I wasn't a Christian and that's the welcome I received)? But I tugged on it, turned around and dragged my feet up the stairs to the sanctuary. And.....come to find out that the pastor that was preaching was a guest preacher and guess what? The service was practically over. So after the service was over, I found a random lady and asked her if she knew if there was a bus stop near by. And she told me where one was and when I was almost out the door she came up to me and told me that she could just take me to the train station (the "T"). Now normally, I don't accept rides from strangers but she was older and alone, and I figured she must not be too awful if she just sat under the preaching of the word of God; not to mention that my feet, back, and hips were hurting (I wasn't prepared to walk all over the place) so I accepted. So she drives me to the station and I made it safely back home and I passed out on my bed and fell asleep. And there you have it! I must say that I am VERY thankful for the lady that helped me out. My state isn't midwestern or southern so being nice to strangers isn't exactly normal, so praise God she trusted me and I trusted her. Thankfully, I have a friend who told me that she would go with me to church this next Sunday and maybe we can figure out the predicament of the interstate being in the way of safe walking. ;) That's all for now!
I am writing this blog while sitting at my very own table!!!!!!!!! I ordered a Barista Table from Target and it took me about 1 week to put it and the chairs together. But I absolutely love it! I'm just hoping that the screws don't fall out since I'm not the strongest woman in the world.
Now it is time to tell you one of my stories. There's a pastor that I heard on the radio a few Sunday's ago and I decided that I wanted to check out his church. I don't have a car so I figured out how to take public transportation to get to the church (well, so I thought). So I hopped onto the "T" and then took the bus to this church. Well google maps told me that I would only need to walk .4 miles to the church from where the bus stop was. BUT....the only way of getting to the church from where I was located was to walk on the interstate. While I do consider myself somewhat adventurous, I just thought that that would be an awful way to die so I ignored those instructions and attempted to walk around the interstate. And I kept walking....and walking....and walking. An hour later I find that I am VERY close to the church, but guess what? I had to walk up a ramp and there was no way around it (who decides to build a church off of the interstate???). So I asked the Lord to surround me with his angels, I opened up my umbrella and stretched it out to my left (so people would see the umbrella before seeing me) and walked up the ramp. So I finally get to the church (I was 1 hour and 15 minutes late) all hot, sweaty, and tired and I walk in. And guess what kind of welcome I get? Some woman, trying to show off to some man that she just met (at least that's what I concluded) told me that my dress was too short and I needed to pull it down. Since when did a knee length dress become too short (the woman didn't even say "hello" Suppose I wasn't a Christian and that's the welcome I received)? But I tugged on it, turned around and dragged my feet up the stairs to the sanctuary. And.....come to find out that the pastor that was preaching was a guest preacher and guess what? The service was practically over. So after the service was over, I found a random lady and asked her if she knew if there was a bus stop near by. And she told me where one was and when I was almost out the door she came up to me and told me that she could just take me to the train station (the "T"). Now normally, I don't accept rides from strangers but she was older and alone, and I figured she must not be too awful if she just sat under the preaching of the word of God; not to mention that my feet, back, and hips were hurting (I wasn't prepared to walk all over the place) so I accepted. So she drives me to the station and I made it safely back home and I passed out on my bed and fell asleep. And there you have it! I must say that I am VERY thankful for the lady that helped me out. My state isn't midwestern or southern so being nice to strangers isn't exactly normal, so praise God she trusted me and I trusted her. Thankfully, I have a friend who told me that she would go with me to church this next Sunday and maybe we can figure out the predicament of the interstate being in the way of safe walking. ;) That's all for now!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Post 10
You know you're an adult when......you wake up (On Your Own) at 7am, on a weekday, and mop the floors and clean your bathroom-before work). I must say that I surprised even myself and have no idea why I did such a thing. ;)
I'm all settled in my new place.....living "on my own" is interesting, but I enjoy it. I don't come home to a husband, a child, a sibling, a parent, a dog, a cat, a bird, a turtle, a fish, or a grasshopper (my brother's and I used to capture them as pets way back in the day). Even though I enjoy "living on my own" I do not have the desire for it to remain this way for forever as it does for many. Thankfully I have the Lord and since I have him, what can man do to me? I am slowly beginning to understand why it would be hard for someone who has lived on their own for awhile, to suddenly adjust their way of life (habits and schedules) for another. I sometimes come home feeling as though I don't want to talk to anyone yet other times I have all the energy in the world!
Last week I was able to fly out to OH and be in a dear friend's wedding. It's so nice when you have those friends that are more than friends and defines what it means to be apart of a family. Another good friend that was in the wedding as well, is moving over seas for a few years to teach at a school. How can three individuals be so close, to suddenly be scattered across the globe, doing things that have no relation to one another yet have an invisible bond that will never be broken?
All that to say, life is changing; for me, for them, maybe even for you. Ready or not, the present is here and I must embrace it and ask God for wisdom when it comes to figuring out how to drive through it. Until next time......
I'm all settled in my new place.....living "on my own" is interesting, but I enjoy it. I don't come home to a husband, a child, a sibling, a parent, a dog, a cat, a bird, a turtle, a fish, or a grasshopper (my brother's and I used to capture them as pets way back in the day). Even though I enjoy "living on my own" I do not have the desire for it to remain this way for forever as it does for many. Thankfully I have the Lord and since I have him, what can man do to me? I am slowly beginning to understand why it would be hard for someone who has lived on their own for awhile, to suddenly adjust their way of life (habits and schedules) for another. I sometimes come home feeling as though I don't want to talk to anyone yet other times I have all the energy in the world!
Last week I was able to fly out to OH and be in a dear friend's wedding. It's so nice when you have those friends that are more than friends and defines what it means to be apart of a family. Another good friend that was in the wedding as well, is moving over seas for a few years to teach at a school. How can three individuals be so close, to suddenly be scattered across the globe, doing things that have no relation to one another yet have an invisible bond that will never be broken?
All that to say, life is changing; for me, for them, maybe even for you. Ready or not, the present is here and I must embrace it and ask God for wisdom when it comes to figuring out how to drive through it. Until next time......
Monday, July 4, 2011
Post 8 (this one is a little longer than the others....)
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Around this time last year I was in VA at Aletheia Springs counseling Intermediate Girls Week, eating watermelon, playing with fire crackers, and singing patriotic hymns. Hopefully the same thing will be able to take place next year.
Have you ever wondered how the desires of your heart are "prioritized" (for lack of a better word)? I also sometimes wonder which desires are good and of God vs. just good. For an example, there are some people who want to travel the world, telling people about the good news of Jesus. And while there is nothing wrong with that desire and is a "godly" desire, God might have other plans and would rather that person just stay put where they are and love on the people that are put in their path.
Here are some of my desires: work with troubled youth, get a MA in counseling, continue being a bridge that brings different cultures together, especially when it comes to the church, get married, adopt children, yearly be of some kind of service to Aletheia Springs, move to Montana in my old age, and travel the world. YET! If you had asked me what my desires were 5 years ago everything would have been nursing related and the only things that would have stayed the same would have been Aletheia Springs, Montana, marriage, and adoption. If you had told me three years ago that I was going to graduate with a B.A. in Organizational Communication (and this doesn't mean I'm organized. Think of it as Business + Communication Arts = the boring side of Communication) I probably would have laughed. And if you would have told me 6 months ago that I was going to be moving to MA and working as a Resident and Program Director, I wouldn't have laughed but at least one of my eyebrows would have been raised.
And for all I know I may not go back to school and get a Master's (and I would honestly be 100% fine with that). And if I do get married, maybe I won't even get married until I'm 40 (granted I personally wouldn't want it to be THAT long but who am I to choose when things take place). I guess the conclusion of it all is that everything that takes place now is preparing you for something in the future. And as one wise person once said, everyday is important and in the Christian life, no day should be taken off. And as I always say, make sure you learn to get along with your enemies on earth because God might surprise you and make them your neighbor in heaven. Wouldn't THAT be funny. Until next time!
Around this time last year I was in VA at Aletheia Springs counseling Intermediate Girls Week, eating watermelon, playing with fire crackers, and singing patriotic hymns. Hopefully the same thing will be able to take place next year.
Have you ever wondered how the desires of your heart are "prioritized" (for lack of a better word)? I also sometimes wonder which desires are good and of God vs. just good. For an example, there are some people who want to travel the world, telling people about the good news of Jesus. And while there is nothing wrong with that desire and is a "godly" desire, God might have other plans and would rather that person just stay put where they are and love on the people that are put in their path.
Here are some of my desires: work with troubled youth, get a MA in counseling, continue being a bridge that brings different cultures together, especially when it comes to the church, get married, adopt children, yearly be of some kind of service to Aletheia Springs, move to Montana in my old age, and travel the world. YET! If you had asked me what my desires were 5 years ago everything would have been nursing related and the only things that would have stayed the same would have been Aletheia Springs, Montana, marriage, and adoption. If you had told me three years ago that I was going to graduate with a B.A. in Organizational Communication (and this doesn't mean I'm organized. Think of it as Business + Communication Arts = the boring side of Communication) I probably would have laughed. And if you would have told me 6 months ago that I was going to be moving to MA and working as a Resident and Program Director, I wouldn't have laughed but at least one of my eyebrows would have been raised.
And for all I know I may not go back to school and get a Master's (and I would honestly be 100% fine with that). And if I do get married, maybe I won't even get married until I'm 40 (granted I personally wouldn't want it to be THAT long but who am I to choose when things take place). I guess the conclusion of it all is that everything that takes place now is preparing you for something in the future. And as one wise person once said, everyday is important and in the Christian life, no day should be taken off. And as I always say, make sure you learn to get along with your enemies on earth because God might surprise you and make them your neighbor in heaven. Wouldn't THAT be funny. Until next time!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Post 7
Fact 1: Guess what? In exactly seven months and two days my favorite time of year will be here......CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
Fact 2: Ladies, if you're looking for a good book to read this summer, check this out (men, you can read it too but it's geared toward women) http://www.goingbeyond.com/blog/life-interrupted.
Fact 3: FYI, my mom sells something called Shaklee. The organization sells vitamins and enviornmental friendly cleaning products. The cleaning products are really good if you have asthma (like I do) in that the smell isn't choking like bleach or ammonia. Some of the products are a little pricey but you get your money's worth. So check out the website: http://zen.myshaklee.com/us/en/ and if you have questions, let me know!
I'm slowly, but surely getting prepared for the big move. I keep forgetting that I need to buy things like a mop, a broom, cleaning supplies, trash cans, trash bags, and all of those small things that you would think would automatically come with a new dwelling environment.
My last work day at Barnes and Noble is coming up in about a week. I am very thankful for the experience and provision but I must say my heart will always belong to the library. Which! I hear is still suffering from low government funding, so remember to support your local library.
God has been reminding me of how important it is to share my faith with those I run into. So, I've been praying that he would open up doors for me. And he has! I have made two friends via public transportation and have seen one of them twice. One guy works in the same strip mall that I do and the other guy was from Morocco and just seemed really excited to be alive and talk with someone. He didn't speak much English so he didn't know what I meant when I asked him if he believed in God or was of a particular religion. But I was able to give both of the individuals a Gospel of John track/booklet. The guy that I saw twice told me that he was able to read it and the other guy will be "looking" for me in the days to come. I sometimes worry that I won't have answers to questions but in the end, all I can do is speak what I know and how God has changed my life.
That's all for now! Another update will be coming within the next couple of weeks or so.
Fact 2: Ladies, if you're looking for a good book to read this summer, check this out (men, you can read it too but it's geared toward women) http://www.goingbeyond.com/blog/life-interrupted.
Fact 3: FYI, my mom sells something called Shaklee. The organization sells vitamins and enviornmental friendly cleaning products. The cleaning products are really good if you have asthma (like I do) in that the smell isn't choking like bleach or ammonia. Some of the products are a little pricey but you get your money's worth. So check out the website: http://zen.myshaklee.com/us/en/ and if you have questions, let me know!
I'm slowly, but surely getting prepared for the big move. I keep forgetting that I need to buy things like a mop, a broom, cleaning supplies, trash cans, trash bags, and all of those small things that you would think would automatically come with a new dwelling environment.
My last work day at Barnes and Noble is coming up in about a week. I am very thankful for the experience and provision but I must say my heart will always belong to the library. Which! I hear is still suffering from low government funding, so remember to support your local library.
God has been reminding me of how important it is to share my faith with those I run into. So, I've been praying that he would open up doors for me. And he has! I have made two friends via public transportation and have seen one of them twice. One guy works in the same strip mall that I do and the other guy was from Morocco and just seemed really excited to be alive and talk with someone. He didn't speak much English so he didn't know what I meant when I asked him if he believed in God or was of a particular religion. But I was able to give both of the individuals a Gospel of John track/booklet. The guy that I saw twice told me that he was able to read it and the other guy will be "looking" for me in the days to come. I sometimes worry that I won't have answers to questions but in the end, all I can do is speak what I know and how God has changed my life.
That's all for now! Another update will be coming within the next couple of weeks or so.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Post 6
It's time to take out a fresh sheet of paper and entitle it: Chapter 22, Years Spent in New England.
I had an interview last week at a small Christian college located in (you got it) New England! This is somewhat broad but if you desire to know where the location is, then ask me and I will tell you specifically. I don't want to be stalked by anyone. But! I have been offered a postion in their Student Development Office and I am VERY thrilled about it (two staff members have already told me that I HAVE to come over for dinner). :) So much so that I was late getting to work at the bookstore because of car troubles and wasn't stressed or worried that I was going to be fired because in the back of my mind I kept saying: I have a job! Thank you JESUS!
I have this saying that all the paths in your life eventually come out to join one main road leading to eternity. So many small things lead to this job, things that the Lord was doing before I even met individuals who were instruments in leading me to it. No one can know the mind of God. He is unsearchable and his ways are past finding out. And I am so thankful that he takes care of me, constantly providing, protecting, and showering me with love.
I ran into two "angels" the other day. I've never seen this couple in my life. But I started chatting with them and before we parted, they shook my hand and put a $100 dollar bill in it. Every time I experience something like this, I ask the Lord to increase my sensativity to his Spirit so that when I come accross someone who needs a helping hand, who needs to be loved, or who may not "need" anything to keep my heart opened and be willing to be used by God, even for a brief moment. "I will bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name."
I had an interview last week at a small Christian college located in (you got it) New England! This is somewhat broad but if you desire to know where the location is, then ask me and I will tell you specifically. I don't want to be stalked by anyone. But! I have been offered a postion in their Student Development Office and I am VERY thrilled about it (two staff members have already told me that I HAVE to come over for dinner). :) So much so that I was late getting to work at the bookstore because of car troubles and wasn't stressed or worried that I was going to be fired because in the back of my mind I kept saying: I have a job! Thank you JESUS!
I have this saying that all the paths in your life eventually come out to join one main road leading to eternity. So many small things lead to this job, things that the Lord was doing before I even met individuals who were instruments in leading me to it. No one can know the mind of God. He is unsearchable and his ways are past finding out. And I am so thankful that he takes care of me, constantly providing, protecting, and showering me with love.
I ran into two "angels" the other day. I've never seen this couple in my life. But I started chatting with them and before we parted, they shook my hand and put a $100 dollar bill in it. Every time I experience something like this, I ask the Lord to increase my sensativity to his Spirit so that when I come accross someone who needs a helping hand, who needs to be loved, or who may not "need" anything to keep my heart opened and be willing to be used by God, even for a brief moment. "I will bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name."
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