wow...I never blog. I'm not even sure why I have this thing. I do like writing and find it therapeutic at times. That's probably why. Anyway, a couple of updates since I wrote 2 MONTHS ago.
*Garrett & I celebrated 1 year of wedded bliss on July 25th! We went to Memphis for the weekend, stayed in a shady little motel. It had definately not been updated in at least 20 years. It could have been used to film the movie "Clue" if you know what I mean. However, it was an adventure, and we got to go to the American Idol concert and go backstage and see Kris and Katie.
*On August 7th my brother married Megan Davari. So now there is another Megan Ghormley in the world..or one to replace me:) haha. Except that she hasn't changed her named yet...and may never change it.
*Elevation started back in August.Our team served like crazy before the "kick-off" service, moving freshmen into their dorms, passing out waterbottles and gatorade to students, organizing ultimate frisbee games and arm wrestling tournaments! The kickoff service was the best it's EVER been. We have an incredible leadership team this year and lots of volunteers. The atmosphere has definately changed @ elevation. Were doing things differently,we have fresh ideas,& leaders that are REALLY passionate about students. It's wonderful and exciting! Thank you JESUS!
*I started my Practicum @ the UCA counseling center in August as well. This is where I REALLY start counseling people. So far I have only had 1 client, but I LOVED it. I love working @ the counseling center. I learn new things every day. Classes are ok. My favorite is Marriage and Family therapy.
*I'm not a small group leader anymore:( However, I get to attend an AMAZING small group led by my very own parents. It's called the Truth Project. They had a passion to lead a small group for elevation students to help give them a Christian worldview...so they did. It's fascinating. We talk about deep things like Philosophy and world events and how they shape the way we see the world as beleivers. (Wed night @ 7 for anyone who is interested).
*Garrett spoke last Sunday. He killed it. I thought for a little while that my husband had turned over a new leaf as a comedian while he was up there. It amazes me when I stop to think sometimes that Garrett is 23, and speaking to over 400 students on a Sunday night.
*One of my best friends Erin Conner and her husband Craig moved back to Conway a couple of weeks ago. I am elated. She is almost 7 months pregnant and ridiculously adorable.
*I read one of the best books I have ever read this past tuesday when I was sick. It's called "The Same Kind of Different as Me" by Ron Hall and Denver (something). I read it in less than 24 hours. I'm telling you, read it and it will change your life! I've never cried reading a book. I think Garrett thought I was crazy.
That's all the updates for now! As you can see I am a pretty blessed girl. I will leave you with a quote Jason shared with our leadership team last night that really convicted me.
"Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."
— Jim Elliot
As blessed as I am, often I am sitting at work, feeling bored out of my mind and wishing my day away. Every moment of every day is precious and it is our choice to redeem it and live it "to the hilt" for the glory of God!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Modeling this feather headband for Amanda's website.
My friend Amanda Muse (that I met through my job at the UCA Graduate School office) makes these incredible headbands! She also makes barretts with feathers and jewels and will customize fancy hair clips for weddings and special occasions! Check out her blog at http://www.thingsmuse.blogspot.com/ Oh and photography is done by none other than Cecilia Lambert!
1st post in 4 months....
So I'm clearly not very good at this "blogging" thing. I can't figure out how to get a cute background (which drives me insane), and uploading pictures is hard for me to figure out. The biggest reason though is the pace of my life. However, I really want to try to be better at my updates. It's therapeutic for me to write my thoughts down even if no one reads them:) So here is what has been going on the past 4 months in my life...
In March, we went on a Spring Break vacay with the Kimbrows to Branson. We stayed in a condo that the conner's hooked us up with for free! 1 week prior to going on vacation I had a dream that my best friend Erin (conner) was pregnant. The dream was very vivid and I remember there were about 4 people in the dream she was announcing it to. The walls were white with floralish patterns.
Anyway, so the week we were in Branson Erin and Craig come over one night and have a big announcement "WERE PREGNANT!!" I immediately was creeped out because it was deja vu from my dream! The walls in the condo were white and it had floral accents,the announcement was to 4 people, even the way erin said it was exactly the same as in the dream! It was so strange. My mom has always thought my dreams were prophetic at times. I guess she was right. Erin is now close to 6 months pregnant and recently found out that the baby is a boy! His name will be Ethan Ascher. So cute. I love being able to watch people close to me go through big life experiences before I do. I learn so much and am able to know the reality behind those experiences(like lots of my friends getting married before I did). I'm definately learning from Erin during this season.
As soon as we got back from Spring Break Ben proposed to Megan Davari. Wow...there are alot of hilarious stories about the proposal and all the mishaps but it turned out perfectly! (and yes she will take my former name..Megan Ghormley..still getting used to that one).
In May, we took a trip to Kenya, I think I will wait to write details on that trip and make it a whole blog post with pictures. It was an incredible trip to say the least. We worked with the local church there, did street evangelism, taught English, worked feeding stations, visited orphanages, etc.
In June, immediately after I came back from Kenya I started summer classes. Psychopathology and Learning and Cognition. Thank the Lord those are over, summer classes are never fun. There is something about taking classes in the summer that is not right, plus the campus is so dead it feels creepy. Like the rapture has happened or something.
We began July with a trip to Milwaukee. Garrett grew up in Milwaukee and so his 4 aunts live there and his Dad and all of their old friends. Milwaukee is a GREAT city. I am going to write an entire blog post on that one too. His relatives planned out every day what we would do,what we would eat,activities we would partake in, where we would sleep. We felt like royalty being served all the time.
So now it's back to work after our wonderful vacay. This month will hold lots of wedding activities considering my brother is getting married August 7th, my 24th birthday, garrett taking a team from elevation to baton rouge to work in the dream center for 5 days ( i have to stay and work..pooee) our 1st wedding anniversary and 3other weddings we will attend.
I'm enjoying not being in class this term and hope to get lots of gardening and house cleaning done on my days off work. (cool..when did i get so boring that what i look forward to in my time off is cleaning and gardening??)
Next month it will be back to grad school. I will be starting my 2nd year of classes and my first practicum. I am really lucky to have gotten a practicum position at the counseling center at UCA. ( i don't have to drive to russellville or little rock!)My practicum will consist of me starting to actually counsel people. SCARY!! I have learned alot in class and feel like I can talk to most anyone with relative ease, but it's still different than doing a "real-life" therapy session. I'll be doing that 10 hours a week, taking 9 hours of classes, and working as a GA in the graduate school for 20 hours a week. Whew, my life just keeps getting busier!
So that's a quick(not really) update on my life. Look for Kenya and Milwaukee updates coming soon!!:)
In March, we went on a Spring Break vacay with the Kimbrows to Branson. We stayed in a condo that the conner's hooked us up with for free! 1 week prior to going on vacation I had a dream that my best friend Erin (conner) was pregnant. The dream was very vivid and I remember there were about 4 people in the dream she was announcing it to. The walls were white with floralish patterns.
Anyway, so the week we were in Branson Erin and Craig come over one night and have a big announcement "WERE PREGNANT!!" I immediately was creeped out because it was deja vu from my dream! The walls in the condo were white and it had floral accents,the announcement was to 4 people, even the way erin said it was exactly the same as in the dream! It was so strange. My mom has always thought my dreams were prophetic at times. I guess she was right. Erin is now close to 6 months pregnant and recently found out that the baby is a boy! His name will be Ethan Ascher. So cute. I love being able to watch people close to me go through big life experiences before I do. I learn so much and am able to know the reality behind those experiences(like lots of my friends getting married before I did). I'm definately learning from Erin during this season.
As soon as we got back from Spring Break Ben proposed to Megan Davari. Wow...there are alot of hilarious stories about the proposal and all the mishaps but it turned out perfectly! (and yes she will take my former name..Megan Ghormley..still getting used to that one).
In May, we took a trip to Kenya, I think I will wait to write details on that trip and make it a whole blog post with pictures. It was an incredible trip to say the least. We worked with the local church there, did street evangelism, taught English, worked feeding stations, visited orphanages, etc.
In June, immediately after I came back from Kenya I started summer classes. Psychopathology and Learning and Cognition. Thank the Lord those are over, summer classes are never fun. There is something about taking classes in the summer that is not right, plus the campus is so dead it feels creepy. Like the rapture has happened or something.
We began July with a trip to Milwaukee. Garrett grew up in Milwaukee and so his 4 aunts live there and his Dad and all of their old friends. Milwaukee is a GREAT city. I am going to write an entire blog post on that one too. His relatives planned out every day what we would do,what we would eat,activities we would partake in, where we would sleep. We felt like royalty being served all the time.
So now it's back to work after our wonderful vacay. This month will hold lots of wedding activities considering my brother is getting married August 7th, my 24th birthday, garrett taking a team from elevation to baton rouge to work in the dream center for 5 days ( i have to stay and work..pooee) our 1st wedding anniversary and 3other weddings we will attend.
I'm enjoying not being in class this term and hope to get lots of gardening and house cleaning done on my days off work. (cool..when did i get so boring that what i look forward to in my time off is cleaning and gardening??)
Next month it will be back to grad school. I will be starting my 2nd year of classes and my first practicum. I am really lucky to have gotten a practicum position at the counseling center at UCA. ( i don't have to drive to russellville or little rock!)My practicum will consist of me starting to actually counsel people. SCARY!! I have learned alot in class and feel like I can talk to most anyone with relative ease, but it's still different than doing a "real-life" therapy session. I'll be doing that 10 hours a week, taking 9 hours of classes, and working as a GA in the graduate school for 20 hours a week. Whew, my life just keeps getting busier!
So that's a quick(not really) update on my life. Look for Kenya and Milwaukee updates coming soon!!:)
Monday, March 16, 2009
my morning in court
I was having an amazing dream when my alarm went off at 6 this morning. Unfortunately I was not getting up to work out or have a fantastically long queit time, I was waking up to go to court. It sounds so scary right? I thought so too. Garrett and I had my mom's Avalon passed down to us when we got married, and because we never received a notice that our tags were out of date, I got a ticket about a month ago. When we went to the revenue office to renew the car the lady told us to take our paperwork to court and try to get out of it.
So that was my goal this morning, to talk my way out of a 170 dollar ticket. I got there and realized that it wasn't just traffic court but the same court that people that have committed some pretty scary offenses go to. Garrett and I ended up waiting for almost 3 hours to have the "M's" called, and it turns out I would have had to make another court date to plead my case. So I gave up and paid the 170 dollars ( which was frustrating after waiting 3 hours.)
Really thats not the point of this post though, while I waited for 3 hours(with nothing to do) I listened to all the reasons why these people were there as they stood before the judge, confessing their crime and pleading guilty, or not guilty. It was a really sad and sobering experience to watch these broken people explain why they were on their 4th DWI, or why they were caught with cocaine, or why they were charged with domestic abuse.
It opened my eyes to the people that live in our community, that for whatever reason are driven to commit these offenses. You could see the pain and emptiness in many of their eyes, and my heart broke for them. Especially the ones that were toting around 1 or 2 babies with them.
When I was about to have my turn with the judge I was behind a guy that was possibly about to go to jail for 2 weeks. It made me feel pretty good about myself for only having a ticket for expired tags.
Thinking back about this experience as I sit here now the parallel struck me. Before the true and righteous judge (God the Father) we are all guilty. No matter what we have committed in our life, but it's so easy to feel good about ourselves because we don't think were struggling as much as the person next to us. I am just as broken and sinful as the people I sat next to in the courtroom today. That's a humbling thought.
I'm so removed from the pain of what really goes on in the world. Not just in the world but in my own community. It's strange how there can be such disparity when these people could live down the street from me.
When you have an experience where you can discern oppression and darkness, it makes the light of Christ so much more apparent. It brings one of my favorite passages, Isaiah 61 to my mind, and the mandate we have as believers....
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to preach
the good news to the poor. He has sent me
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
freedom for the captives and release from
darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the
year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance
of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide
for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a
crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair."
So that was my goal this morning, to talk my way out of a 170 dollar ticket. I got there and realized that it wasn't just traffic court but the same court that people that have committed some pretty scary offenses go to. Garrett and I ended up waiting for almost 3 hours to have the "M's" called, and it turns out I would have had to make another court date to plead my case. So I gave up and paid the 170 dollars ( which was frustrating after waiting 3 hours.)
Really thats not the point of this post though, while I waited for 3 hours(with nothing to do) I listened to all the reasons why these people were there as they stood before the judge, confessing their crime and pleading guilty, or not guilty. It was a really sad and sobering experience to watch these broken people explain why they were on their 4th DWI, or why they were caught with cocaine, or why they were charged with domestic abuse.
It opened my eyes to the people that live in our community, that for whatever reason are driven to commit these offenses. You could see the pain and emptiness in many of their eyes, and my heart broke for them. Especially the ones that were toting around 1 or 2 babies with them.
When I was about to have my turn with the judge I was behind a guy that was possibly about to go to jail for 2 weeks. It made me feel pretty good about myself for only having a ticket for expired tags.
Thinking back about this experience as I sit here now the parallel struck me. Before the true and righteous judge (God the Father) we are all guilty. No matter what we have committed in our life, but it's so easy to feel good about ourselves because we don't think were struggling as much as the person next to us. I am just as broken and sinful as the people I sat next to in the courtroom today. That's a humbling thought.
I'm so removed from the pain of what really goes on in the world. Not just in the world but in my own community. It's strange how there can be such disparity when these people could live down the street from me.
When you have an experience where you can discern oppression and darkness, it makes the light of Christ so much more apparent. It brings one of my favorite passages, Isaiah 61 to my mind, and the mandate we have as believers....
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to preach
the good news to the poor. He has sent me
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
freedom for the captives and release from
darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the
year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance
of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide
for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a
crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Well I was kidding...my blog didn't crash...I just can't work computers apparently. I already knew that. I was trying to put a really cool template on and I cannot figure out how to do that for the life of me! If anyone can help me please let me know!
While I'm at it, I will do a quick update on my life. I say quick because I really should be studying. I have 2 tests on Monday, a test on Tuesday, and a project thing due on Wed. Why do they decide to pile up all of the tests, quizzes and projects in the same week in grad school??
However, if I can get through next week I have a very exciting weekend waiting for me! You see, I have always loved history, especially Roman and Egyptian history. The first time I read about King Tut's extensive tomb treasures I was mesmerized. I have always wanted to see them. Next weekend I am going to Dallas with my parents. (while Garrett roughs it camping with the guys for Garrett Peters bachelor party)The reason we are going is to visit family but mainly to see KING TUTS TREASURES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am ridiculously excited about this. I'll tell you a couple of other things I'm excited about in my life right now....
1. Going to Kenya this summer with Elevation! I think about this trip every day. We are taking 21 people to Kenya to work in orphanages and partner with some churches over there doing ministry. I have always wanted to go to Africa so I can't wait. On a deeper level I can't wait to see what the Lord does on this trip. Seeing what the Lord is doing overseas is always so inspiring. It's unlike any other experience to see the body of Christ work together for a common purpose.
2. I'm loving leading a small group again. I haven't led a small group in about 2 years and I have missed it. It's not even about leading it, because I really don't do that much. It's about the fellowship and how the Lord speaks to me through every one of the girls in my group.I love the girls in my group. They make me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts.It's amazing how a group of people that didn't know each other 1 month ago can be so close and transparent so quickly. Again, I have never experienced this kind of bond so deeply and quickly outside of the body of Christ.
3. I've been thoroughly enjoying watching American Idol this season, for obvious reasons. Every tuesday we go over to my parents house and cook dinner all together and then watch the show. This is a new thing for my family. We have never been big television watchers but it's really fun to "follow" a show.
4. Being married. It's a blast, I'm excited every night to come home to Garrett. He's my best friend. However, marriage is WAY harder than I ever imagined it would be, and yet the most refining thing I have ever experienced. Maybe I'll blog about that next time.
While I'm at it, I will do a quick update on my life. I say quick because I really should be studying. I have 2 tests on Monday, a test on Tuesday, and a project thing due on Wed. Why do they decide to pile up all of the tests, quizzes and projects in the same week in grad school??
However, if I can get through next week I have a very exciting weekend waiting for me! You see, I have always loved history, especially Roman and Egyptian history. The first time I read about King Tut's extensive tomb treasures I was mesmerized. I have always wanted to see them. Next weekend I am going to Dallas with my parents. (while Garrett roughs it camping with the guys for Garrett Peters bachelor party)The reason we are going is to visit family but mainly to see KING TUTS TREASURES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am ridiculously excited about this. I'll tell you a couple of other things I'm excited about in my life right now....
1. Going to Kenya this summer with Elevation! I think about this trip every day. We are taking 21 people to Kenya to work in orphanages and partner with some churches over there doing ministry. I have always wanted to go to Africa so I can't wait. On a deeper level I can't wait to see what the Lord does on this trip. Seeing what the Lord is doing overseas is always so inspiring. It's unlike any other experience to see the body of Christ work together for a common purpose.
2. I'm loving leading a small group again. I haven't led a small group in about 2 years and I have missed it. It's not even about leading it, because I really don't do that much. It's about the fellowship and how the Lord speaks to me through every one of the girls in my group.I love the girls in my group. They make me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts.It's amazing how a group of people that didn't know each other 1 month ago can be so close and transparent so quickly. Again, I have never experienced this kind of bond so deeply and quickly outside of the body of Christ.
3. I've been thoroughly enjoying watching American Idol this season, for obvious reasons. Every tuesday we go over to my parents house and cook dinner all together and then watch the show. This is a new thing for my family. We have never been big television watchers but it's really fun to "follow" a show.
4. Being married. It's a blast, I'm excited every night to come home to Garrett. He's my best friend. However, marriage is WAY harder than I ever imagined it would be, and yet the most refining thing I have ever experienced. Maybe I'll blog about that next time.
Monday, February 9, 2009
25 things about me.....
I don't care that I'm being a follower writing this because we all know that everyone loves to read them...(or maybe I just love them..whatev)
1. I LOOOOVE to travel. If Garrett and I ever make alot of money...I'd rather live in a small house and drive "sub-par" cars than not be able to travel.
2. While I'm still on the travel topic..Garrett and I made a "Bucket List" the other night on our date and two of the items on the list were 'travel to Peru and hike to Macchu Picchu' and 'Backpack Europe (specifically go to Greece,Croatia,Spain,and Scotland)' We would also love to go to Japan!
3. I'm in graduate school pursuing a counseling degree. I wan't to do counseling because I am fascinated by people and love listening to their stories and helping in whatever way I can.(and I want to be able to point people..if they are open to it..to Christ. duh.)
4. I am ridiculously close to my family. I talk to my Mom every day...and my brother and my Dad several times a week. They are all my best friends, along with my wonderful husband.
5. I am a dreamer, in the literal sense. I have weird dreams ALL the time. I love it. Except lately I've been dreaming that my brother has almost died several times and by the end of the dream I end up bawling my eyes out and screaming " your my best friend Ben! I've never known life without you!! You can't leave me!!" Sad huh?
6. I have the best husband I could ever ask for. Before we met I had a list of the things I wanted in a "future husband" and the only one he didn't meet was that I wanted him to be a musician. It's ok though...he sings for me all the time..and better yet..dances for me!! He makes me laugh every single day and we have a blast living life together.
7. I am on staff with New Life Church. I love my church and never imagined I would be on staff one day. Probably because I NEVER wanted to be a pastor's wife. I even told my friends that on several occasions...I just never wanted to have the pressure of being in the spotlight and being scrutinized for how spiritual I was. Turns out, it's not like that at all...and I love it!
8. I love to run. One of the greatest accomplishments of my life was running the Marine Corps Marathon with my Dad and brother. I haven't been running as much lately but with the Spring weather returning I'm rediscovering this passion of mine.
9. I love to read, specifically fiction. If I am reading a good book, I kind of find myself getting lost in that reality. I think about the story when I am not reading it and really identify with the characters. I would rather read a good book than watch a movie any day. I realize that I'm a dork. Sometimes I walk around on campus reading whatever book I am into not even looking at the sidewalk, and surprisingly I have never tripped.
10. I love to cook. I aspire to be one of those women that can cook dishes of all types. Asian, Mexican, home-made pizza, italian, etc. I'm learning how to cook Cuban food from my mother in law. For Christmas eve dinner we had a Cuban feast!
11. I love missions and mission trips. I've been going on mission trips with my family to Honduras since I was ten. I've also been to Nepal and am going to Kenya this summer. It's the best experience and always broadens my view of the world and what God is doing among different people groups.
12. I love politics. I didn't always...but recently, in the past couple years I've developed a love for the news. Not necessarily just politics but what is going on in the world. Every morning the first thing I do as I eat breakfast is read foxnews.com. I used to watch the news but Garrett and I don't have cable.
13. If I could have any job in the world, I would love to be in foreign relations working for the government. I'm not sure what the exact title would be but doing peace agreements or helping develop other countries.
14. I love being warm. If I had my way our thermostat would always be at 72. In the summer sometimes I don't even turn the air on in the car because I love the feeling of climbing into a hot car.
15. I am a creature of habit and could probably eat the same food for years before I got tired of it.
16. Although I am pursuing a degree to be a therapist, I am not always aware of my own emotions. It takes me a long time to process and to think of why I am the way I am. This frustrates my husband to no end because he is alot more self-aware than I am.:/ ( I'm working on it)
17. I love to sing. I would try out for the worship team if I had the time but I don't.
18. I love my parent's dog Simeon. He is a labradoodle, and is the funniest, most clumsy, adorable dog I know.
19. I love baths and hope to have a claw foot bathtub in our next house.
20. I was very accident prone as a child and was a big tomboy. This resulted in me having 7 sets of stiches and at least 2 broken bones.
21. I love deep conversations about philosophy, theology, anything about the Lord or Christianity and Religions, politics, why people are the way they are, anything...where there is some sort of debate or two sides...
22. I have a newfound love of Macaroni and Cheese, more specifically shells and cheese, since I have been married( and poor). This is probably because growing up my family ate VERY healthy food and I was never allowed to even entertain thoughts about Macaroni. Every morning my mother would put green seaweed called spirulina in our orange juice. I gagged almost every time.
23. I love accents. Specifically scottish, australian or new zealand accents.
24. Marriage is alot harder than I expected. I am an eternal optimist and didn't really think it would be that hard. I've learned SOOOO much through being married. 1) how selfish I am 2) How healthy relationships take ALOT of communication and upkeep every single day. 3) How true it is that no one else can fulfill you but the Lord.
25. Last but certainly not least, I love being a follower of Jesus. The more I live the more I realize.... how empty everything in life is apart from Him...how much I have to learn about him and grow in Him....and how thankful I am that I don't have to wander through this life blindly, hoping I am doing something that matters. Having the assurance that I have the creator of the universe loving me and guiding me daily is the most peaceful thought I could ever imagine.
THE END!!!!!
1. I LOOOOVE to travel. If Garrett and I ever make alot of money...I'd rather live in a small house and drive "sub-par" cars than not be able to travel.
2. While I'm still on the travel topic..Garrett and I made a "Bucket List" the other night on our date and two of the items on the list were 'travel to Peru and hike to Macchu Picchu' and 'Backpack Europe (specifically go to Greece,Croatia,Spain,and Scotland)' We would also love to go to Japan!
3. I'm in graduate school pursuing a counseling degree. I wan't to do counseling because I am fascinated by people and love listening to their stories and helping in whatever way I can.(and I want to be able to point people..if they are open to it..to Christ. duh.)
4. I am ridiculously close to my family. I talk to my Mom every day...and my brother and my Dad several times a week. They are all my best friends, along with my wonderful husband.
5. I am a dreamer, in the literal sense. I have weird dreams ALL the time. I love it. Except lately I've been dreaming that my brother has almost died several times and by the end of the dream I end up bawling my eyes out and screaming " your my best friend Ben! I've never known life without you!! You can't leave me!!" Sad huh?
6. I have the best husband I could ever ask for. Before we met I had a list of the things I wanted in a "future husband" and the only one he didn't meet was that I wanted him to be a musician. It's ok though...he sings for me all the time..and better yet..dances for me!! He makes me laugh every single day and we have a blast living life together.
7. I am on staff with New Life Church. I love my church and never imagined I would be on staff one day. Probably because I NEVER wanted to be a pastor's wife. I even told my friends that on several occasions...I just never wanted to have the pressure of being in the spotlight and being scrutinized for how spiritual I was. Turns out, it's not like that at all...and I love it!
8. I love to run. One of the greatest accomplishments of my life was running the Marine Corps Marathon with my Dad and brother. I haven't been running as much lately but with the Spring weather returning I'm rediscovering this passion of mine.
9. I love to read, specifically fiction. If I am reading a good book, I kind of find myself getting lost in that reality. I think about the story when I am not reading it and really identify with the characters. I would rather read a good book than watch a movie any day. I realize that I'm a dork. Sometimes I walk around on campus reading whatever book I am into not even looking at the sidewalk, and surprisingly I have never tripped.
10. I love to cook. I aspire to be one of those women that can cook dishes of all types. Asian, Mexican, home-made pizza, italian, etc. I'm learning how to cook Cuban food from my mother in law. For Christmas eve dinner we had a Cuban feast!
11. I love missions and mission trips. I've been going on mission trips with my family to Honduras since I was ten. I've also been to Nepal and am going to Kenya this summer. It's the best experience and always broadens my view of the world and what God is doing among different people groups.
12. I love politics. I didn't always...but recently, in the past couple years I've developed a love for the news. Not necessarily just politics but what is going on in the world. Every morning the first thing I do as I eat breakfast is read foxnews.com. I used to watch the news but Garrett and I don't have cable.
13. If I could have any job in the world, I would love to be in foreign relations working for the government. I'm not sure what the exact title would be but doing peace agreements or helping develop other countries.
14. I love being warm. If I had my way our thermostat would always be at 72. In the summer sometimes I don't even turn the air on in the car because I love the feeling of climbing into a hot car.
15. I am a creature of habit and could probably eat the same food for years before I got tired of it.
16. Although I am pursuing a degree to be a therapist, I am not always aware of my own emotions. It takes me a long time to process and to think of why I am the way I am. This frustrates my husband to no end because he is alot more self-aware than I am.:/ ( I'm working on it)
17. I love to sing. I would try out for the worship team if I had the time but I don't.
18. I love my parent's dog Simeon. He is a labradoodle, and is the funniest, most clumsy, adorable dog I know.
19. I love baths and hope to have a claw foot bathtub in our next house.
20. I was very accident prone as a child and was a big tomboy. This resulted in me having 7 sets of stiches and at least 2 broken bones.
21. I love deep conversations about philosophy, theology, anything about the Lord or Christianity and Religions, politics, why people are the way they are, anything...where there is some sort of debate or two sides...
22. I have a newfound love of Macaroni and Cheese, more specifically shells and cheese, since I have been married( and poor). This is probably because growing up my family ate VERY healthy food and I was never allowed to even entertain thoughts about Macaroni. Every morning my mother would put green seaweed called spirulina in our orange juice. I gagged almost every time.
23. I love accents. Specifically scottish, australian or new zealand accents.
24. Marriage is alot harder than I expected. I am an eternal optimist and didn't really think it would be that hard. I've learned SOOOO much through being married. 1) how selfish I am 2) How healthy relationships take ALOT of communication and upkeep every single day. 3) How true it is that no one else can fulfill you but the Lord.
25. Last but certainly not least, I love being a follower of Jesus. The more I live the more I realize.... how empty everything in life is apart from Him...how much I have to learn about him and grow in Him....and how thankful I am that I don't have to wander through this life blindly, hoping I am doing something that matters. Having the assurance that I have the creator of the universe loving me and guiding me daily is the most peaceful thought I could ever imagine.
THE END!!!!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
the judgment seat
This past Sunday was an interesting day in church for me. I met Garrett at the 11:45 service and we sat up towards the front like we always do since he was POD(pastor on duty). Anyway, after worship we took part in the "meet and greet" time like normal. Behind us was sitting a very friendly older couple..not that old..like mid 60's I would say.
After we sat down as Rick was announcing that Kris Allen was on American Idol and everything I decided to turn my phone on silent like all good church-goers do....when suddenly a hand grabs my shoulder and this man is speaking very forcefully into my ear(the old man from behind).
and he said "Unless you’re talking to Jesus on that you need to put that up!! That is disrespectful and it is time to worship!!" Garrett and I were both shocked...we thought the nice old man was going to lean up and whisper some encouraging words in our ears or ask a question. Not at all the case.....clearly.
I was shocked by the way I reacted to this situation....first of all..I felt like I was about five years old, and like I was a completely disrespectful and rebellious kid that needed correcting. On a deeper level, my spirit was kind of crushed, and frustrated. It may seem like an overemotional response to this man's harsh words....but I just couldn't help it. I even started to cry a little...pathetic huh? What was even worse was that I heard nothing that Pastor Rick was preaching about because the whole time I sat there in fear that the old man was going to jump over the seat and chastise me for putting on lotion or my chapstick! Plus, I was just not in the mood to hear anything spiritual after my experience with this man.
After church I was in no mood to hang out and "chat" with people about my weekend. All i wanted to do was go home and be alone, and get out of church as soon as I could. I was really annoyed that this short encounter with this man had caused such a reaction in my spirit.
As I drove home I asked the Lord why in the world I was reacting in this way. What a waste of a perfectly great Sunday morning. What He showed me was invaluable to me.
I've grown up in church my entire life. My parents have always been elders in the church or at least in a position of leadership where everyone knew my last name. I felt accepted, if not important. I rarely walked into church feeling uncomfortable or like the "other." This was the lens through which I saw the church and Christians in general. I was one of them. I never understood why people (believers or unbelievers) judged Christians or church on one bad experience. It seemed juvenile to me that someone would base an opinion off of a single experience.
On Sunday I knew for the first time what that felt like. The emotions that came along with that experience shocked me because I am a fairly un-emotional girl, I feel like I have my head screwed in pretty straight and typically don't take random experiences like that to heart. With that said, I had such a bad taste in my mouth after this experience that I really think if I didn't come from the background that I do, I would have easily walked out of church and maybe never come back. To that church at least. Even though that seems like an overzealous reaction, people do that. People that are not used to church process in ways that are not always rational. As do we all....and sometimes all we have is one chance to show them the love of Christ.
So Sunday I got a little taste of what it could feel like to be the "other" in church. It made me realize that I need to really take advantage of every opportunity that I have with people. Whether inside the church, or outside of the church. It convicted me that as Christians, we need to be known for our extravagant love and acceptance of people instead of what we are against (abortion, homosexuals, blah, blah, blah) our opinions or our judgments. After all, Christ says that it's by our love that the world will know that we are from Him. (John 17)
So thank you, old crazy man, for letting me have that experience. It opened my eyes and allowed me to have a little taste of what people experience when they encounter believers that for whatever reason, have allowed judgement to get in the way of love.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
my new year's resolution
May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Something that I have been very aware of lately is the words that I speak...and the thoughts that I think. That may sound really obvious...like...aren't we all aware of the things we speak about and think about on some level?? Yeah, of course, but I've just been more aware of if the words I am speaking out are negative or positive, and then a step deeper...whether the thoughts that go on inside my head are positive or negative. In Mimi Ghormley's language these would be called "words of life" and "words of death."
Things I speak out I am alot more aware of than the thoughts I have(obviously)...because most of us temper what we say according to the people were around. I was convicted the other day after reading this verse that I often am not speaking out "words of life", about people, situations, frustrations, etc. I find it common, especially in Christian circles, that it's easier to talk about people if we preface it with something like, "your the only one I'm really confiding this in" or "I just want you to know so you can pray" or "I'd like to get your wisdom on this situation." I realized that more often than not I don't really need peoples wisdom because I already know what I think and then how the Lord wants me to handle a situation. I'm not saying that I never think it's ok to confide in people or get wisdom in confidence if those are truly your motivations, but they are not always mine.
When I have conversations in which I speak negatively about something or someone I just walk away feeling icky. I don't wan't to be that kind of person. I want to see the best in situations and people. I want to speak life over peoples lives and over my own. The bible says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. I've just decided I need to take that seriously.
Thoughts are an entirely different ballgame. However, I want my thoughts to be pleasing to the Lord as well. I wan't to be really aware of the things that go on inside my head, because they frame the way I see situations and people. For example, I've been dreading going back to Grad School. Sometimes I just don't enjoy reading and taking tests and always working on assignments. Instead I've decided to think positive thoughts and be thankful I can even be in school. This may seem simple, but I think if I apply this verse to my life in these areas, I will not only speak life over peoples lives and my own, but my thoughts will be pleasing to the Lord and will in turn frame my life in his viewpoint.
Psalm 19:14
Something that I have been very aware of lately is the words that I speak...and the thoughts that I think. That may sound really obvious...like...aren't we all aware of the things we speak about and think about on some level?? Yeah, of course, but I've just been more aware of if the words I am speaking out are negative or positive, and then a step deeper...whether the thoughts that go on inside my head are positive or negative. In Mimi Ghormley's language these would be called "words of life" and "words of death."
Things I speak out I am alot more aware of than the thoughts I have(obviously)...because most of us temper what we say according to the people were around. I was convicted the other day after reading this verse that I often am not speaking out "words of life", about people, situations, frustrations, etc. I find it common, especially in Christian circles, that it's easier to talk about people if we preface it with something like, "your the only one I'm really confiding this in" or "I just want you to know so you can pray" or "I'd like to get your wisdom on this situation." I realized that more often than not I don't really need peoples wisdom because I already know what I think and then how the Lord wants me to handle a situation. I'm not saying that I never think it's ok to confide in people or get wisdom in confidence if those are truly your motivations, but they are not always mine.
When I have conversations in which I speak negatively about something or someone I just walk away feeling icky. I don't wan't to be that kind of person. I want to see the best in situations and people. I want to speak life over peoples lives and over my own. The bible says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. I've just decided I need to take that seriously.
Thoughts are an entirely different ballgame. However, I want my thoughts to be pleasing to the Lord as well. I wan't to be really aware of the things that go on inside my head, because they frame the way I see situations and people. For example, I've been dreading going back to Grad School. Sometimes I just don't enjoy reading and taking tests and always working on assignments. Instead I've decided to think positive thoughts and be thankful I can even be in school. This may seem simple, but I think if I apply this verse to my life in these areas, I will not only speak life over peoples lives and my own, but my thoughts will be pleasing to the Lord and will in turn frame my life in his viewpoint.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
So I decided to start blogging.....
I've been debating about doing a blog lately. Obviously I decided to do it. I know that alot of people avoid blogs, and facebook, and texting and twittering because they don't wan't to give into the latest craze. I used to be like that, but it wasn't because I didn't want to follow a trend. Rather, it was because I am technologically illiterate. Now that I realize that blogs are so simple, maybe I should have done it earlier...oh well.
The main reason I decided to blog was because I process things well when I write them out. Lately I have been too lazy to take the time to journal things....unless they are really significant. I just get wrestless after like a page of handwriting things. So this blog is more to help me process my life than it is to impress people with the deep things that I can write about or the important things that go on in my life. It's also to help me attempt to stay in touch with my emotions. Garrett and I have figured out that I am great at assessing other people and helping them work through emotions but I forget to assess my own emotions about things. Then they get overwhelming and I break down. Not a fun process.
It's kind of sad how technology has taken the place of things like letters. I used to love getting letters in the mail, from my pen pals. haha. Seriously, I had so many pen pals...I can still remember some of their addresses by heart. The other day my mom ( sweet mimi ghorms) found a letter my grandmother had sent to me. ( the reason she sent it was b/c i was collecting stamps at the time.....dork) Anyway, it was from a soldier writing during world war 1 home to his girlfriend. He had beautiful cursive writing, and used GREAT words, and he was really witty. It was interesting just to see how times have changed.
Well, thats all for now folks.....
The main reason I decided to blog was because I process things well when I write them out. Lately I have been too lazy to take the time to journal things....unless they are really significant. I just get wrestless after like a page of handwriting things. So this blog is more to help me process my life than it is to impress people with the deep things that I can write about or the important things that go on in my life. It's also to help me attempt to stay in touch with my emotions. Garrett and I have figured out that I am great at assessing other people and helping them work through emotions but I forget to assess my own emotions about things. Then they get overwhelming and I break down. Not a fun process.
It's kind of sad how technology has taken the place of things like letters. I used to love getting letters in the mail, from my pen pals. haha. Seriously, I had so many pen pals...I can still remember some of their addresses by heart. The other day my mom ( sweet mimi ghorms) found a letter my grandmother had sent to me. ( the reason she sent it was b/c i was collecting stamps at the time.....dork) Anyway, it was from a soldier writing during world war 1 home to his girlfriend. He had beautiful cursive writing, and used GREAT words, and he was really witty. It was interesting just to see how times have changed.
Well, thats all for now folks.....
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