Growing Up

I think I just experienced a "growing up" moment tonight while grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. My roommate and I had an idea to get a month's worth of groceries and try eating "in" more than we eat "out" in order to save money. Well, after spending about 2 hours in the grocery store, we end up $100 more than what we thought we were going to spend. So basically, we thought it was going to be cheaper, however, the final price was not at all cheap. I loved the car ride home, though, when we tried to convince ourselves that it was worth it, and try and calm ourselves down before we just freak out. It was funny! I guess in a month I'll let you know whether it was financially wise or not. I sure hope so!

Technologic

You know, one of the perks of going to a wireless campus is the free laptop. **the laptop is not free but included in the tuition.** However, it was nice to not worry about buying one before I headed off to college about 4 years ago. Since then, OC's campus has just grown in the technology world. I think it has something to do with image. You see, we're ranked in the top 10 schools among technology magazines and newspapers. We've received recognition for having such an advanced state of education. Personally, I think it's great! And this past year, we all upgraded from DELL to Apple! I am now a proud owner of a MacBook Pro and a new iPhone! It's been the best buy in all my life, and I don't think I'll ever regret the purchase. Here's a picture (taken from my new iPhone):

Let's just say that I'm just so STINKIN' excited!! Also, new on the table is an opportunity to go to China and teach English about a year from now. I'm not saying I'm committing, but I'm considering it. It'd be pretty far from home, but I've always wanted to head over there and visit. If I did go, I wouldn't just be a tourist, but helping and working. **I could also pay my loans off in about 2-3 years**

I picked up The Shack the other day and started the first 5 chapters last night. Let's just say I'm already captivated. Please, no spoiling... but I sure hope it gets even better than what I read last night!!

Home again

I'm back on OC's campus for my last semester of undergraduate work. Let's just say I'm both scared and excited about it. I'll most likely fake excitement if anyone asks me about it, just FYI. I also got my new Macbook Pro this morning. I've been playing on it for about 3 hours now. I'm starting to feel unproductive so as soon as I finish this post, I'm out of here.

About a week or two ago, I started thinking about Moses. (You know, the guy who led the Israelites out of Egypt [with God's power] and wandered with whiney people for 40 years in the desert?) Yeah, that guy. In particular, I have been thinking a lot about the time the Israelites spent near Mount Sinai. I mean, what was it like for Moses to go up on the mountain time after time with God and in His presence, and just descend to a complaining community? I wonder what it was like for Moses to go through that. To me, I think it's very similar to the feeling I get after coming back from Camp Blue Haven. However, this past summer it was just different. I spent 10 weeks with God, yes, but I also spent 10 weeks with Christ living through others I worked with. Incredible doesn't even begin to describe the experience I had there this past summer. And now, as I came down the mountain, I can't help but wonder and worry about how God is going to use me. At the same level as I was used at Camp Blue Haven? That's the exciting part! I am now looking for areas here in the "world" to reach out to those who need Christ's love and example shown to them. I sure hope He reveals it to me quickly though...

What do you do with your time?

I wish I had a neat trade. I just finished watching Billy Elloitt (which I would recommend to only those who can take 2 hours of English accents and curse words every other sentence), and I really would love to pick up a new trade. I love to read, so maybe I'll join a book club or something. I read a couple good books this summer (mainly for entertainment reasons) but, nevertheless, they were quite interesting.

The first book I read was called "Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliott. Now, before you go raising your eyebrow on why I was reading this book, my old roommate, Kelsey, let me have it and told me to read it about a year before I actually did. Out of guilt, I opened it up and read a few pages every now and then. It wasn't until this summer that I really began to the read the book -- and it's very good! Elizabeth Elliott was the wife of Jim Elliott, a famous missionary (ever seen End of the Spear?). It's the story of how these two met, waited, and married each other within an 8 year time span. It's really good, and as one who is being surrounded by friends who are engaged, married, or just about to be, it was a beneficial read. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to get married -- whether you've met the "One" or not.

The second book I read was called "This Beautiful Mess: Practicing the Presence of the Kingdom of God." I can't remember the author off the top of my head, but I did enjoy the read. At camp, we studied the book of Mark and the life of Jesus. It was a great study, and this book really opened up my eyes to idea of God's Kingdom. Using different parts of Jesus' ministry and call to live in the Kingdom of God, this book was a great way to realize what kind of world we as Christians are actually in. You see, our King is a perfect King. Our leader is not corrupt, selfish, impatient, ignorant, or prideful. He is perfect. Coming from a world where government is corrupt should only make us long to be in Heaven one day in that glorious Kingdom. But the Kingdom is here on earth as well. It's what we're called to do --"on earth as it is in Heaven..." Anyway, this is a great read. I don't agree with his theology or boasting about how "good" his church is (by the way, it was written by a preacher...), but the thoughts he presents are interesting.

So, maybe I will read some more interesting books this fall. I'm hoping to get on that job search for the semester... any ideas?

Eanie, Meanie, Minie, Moe...

I'm taking a break from unpacking all of my camp gear and junk. First, I've learned I don't like to throw away anything. I believe I've gained this wonderful habit from my grandmother. There's just a little part of me that cringes every time I throw away a note or a pack of water balloons. I know, I know... I'm a little out of control, but I guess that's just me.

I'm starting my last semester of my college career in a little over a week. I'm enrolled in 12 hours (which is the smallest I've ever had in one semester at OC), but 3 hours I've already taken I'm just enrolled in the course so that I'm not a part-time student. So basically, I have 3 3-hour courses on Tuesday and Thursday giving me the chance to find a full or part-time job to save up some money for when I graduate. What am I doing after graduation? Wow... good question. I don't even know the answer. I have a few options to explore, though:

1. HIM program: 2 year commitment to work with missionaries in another country. I'd train in the Spring in Edmond, then possibly leave May, mid-summer or August.
2. Move to Lubbock, Grand Prairie, or Abilene and find a full-time job until the summer or fall.
3. Enroll in a spanish course at a university in Monterrey, Mexico. To prepare me for teaching Spanish in the middle school level.
4. Be a bum...


Haha, ok that last option doesn't ever happen. Anyway, over the next month or so I'm going to be making some important decisions for my life. I'm praying hard that I will allow God to lead me to the right place, however, I'm one that believes that God gives us choice and then will work through us in whatever we choose. Usually, I hate making choices, and I'll make a decision based on a coin-toss. I'll just close my eyes and whatever I point at, that's what I'll do. Not so with this... however, as scary as it is to think about, I'm going to try and enjoy myself for a little while before I begin to choose. Because just thinking about it stresses me out too much. For example, I'm already stressing out about it now...

Sparkling Streams and Soft Winds

If you haven't noticed I've been away from the internet for the past couple months. This summer I got the chance to work as a camp counselor at a church youth camp called Camp Blue Haven in the mountain ranges of New Mexico. Since so much happened while I was out there I'll update you with a quick Top 10 list... I might have to make it Top 20.

20 Best Moments of Camp Blue Haven, Summer 2008:
1. Counselor Training Week First Aid video
2. 2nd Session Blue Haven Players
3. SHC 2nd and 4th Session
4. 5th and 6th grade All-Day Hikes (Old Camp Blue, Echo/Lookout Point, Grindstone Springs)
5. Camp session banquet meal: poppy seed chicken!
6. 6th session Early Christian Worship prep
7. The entire cabin of 2nd session
8. Climbing the dining hall roof 4th session
9. Hobo dinners. cookouts, and rice krispie treats!
10. My new girls 5th session!
11. Christmas in July!
12. CBH Staff 2008 Closing Camp Retreat
13. Mattberly (hee-hee)
14. Daft Cabin 11
15. Telling the mountain lions to "Go to sleep!"
16. 6th session sleep out nights (both of them!!)
17. Michael Crouch, Luke Connally, Leland Rose, Matt McCall, Grant Tosh, Nathan Goodnight, Greyson Holt, and Devin Calhoun
18. Britni Johnson, Micah Bayles, Shari Vance, Kasey Dobbs, Leah Pursch, Jenna Burton, Kim Powell, Kathryn Warder
19. The Fab 5 -- The Camp's, McCoy's, Dobb's, Wiggain's, and Brunson's
20. Date nights 6th session


Alright, so I think I could go on for another 10 more, but I'll spare you. But simply put, God just made the entire summer about Him. For 10 weeks I spent every day with God -- walking with Him, talking with Him, crying with Him, and seeing His power in all the nature, worships, lessons, people, and staff I came across this summer. Thanks to all who were praying for me while I was out. I wish that I could sit with each and every one of you and tell you in detail exactly what I'm feeling about the summer. But for now, I ask that you pray that I can focus on this next semester and that God will guide me in the next 3/4 months.