Out with the old, in with the new

I thought I would miss "home" more than I do this summer. Maybe for the mere fact that I know I'm not the only not there. No summer can compare to last summer, but I'm slowly forgetting about it. There are new interns there and they are experiencing new things everyday and seeing what Dad has in store for them there. I'm seeing it for me here? There is slight disappointment here with a few, but for the most part it's been amazing and fast. Two classes already behind me and I actually enjoyed accounting...it could possibly be my major if I didn't hate financial so much. New friends of some sorts made thus far. All in all no summer can compare to last summer but each summer can hold a joy of its own.

Blue Like Jazz

"Self-discipline will never make us feel righteous or clean; accepting God's love will. The ability to accept God's unconditional grace and ferocious love is all the fuel we need to obey Him in return. Accepting God's kindness and free love is something the devil does not want us to do. If we hear, in our inner ear, a voice saying we are failures, we are losers, we will never amount to anything, this is the voice of Satan trying to convince the bride that the groom does not love her. This is not the voice of God. God woos us with kindness, He changes our character with the passion of His love."
Donald Miller-Blue Like Jazz

So, I'm re-reading Blue Like Jazz and it's amazing...I recommend it, even re-reading it.

iGosia

Why is it every time I go to iGosia I come back different? There is no way to describe the past 24 hours...I mean I wasn't even there a full 24 hours, but it was the most well spent time I could have asked for. On my way to Rockwall, I saw a crazy man run across I-30, there were seriously angels protecting him all the way across, because I-30 was insane yesterday. Then I start across the lake and kept just wanting to stop and not go to iGosia, but when I got there it was totally worth it. So I finally get out to the ranch and see some long lost friends and a long lost brother. They were all getting ready to head to Japan and Germany...how weird that a year ago that was me. So I got dressed up in iGosian custom wear (ok, just old dresses and stuff from other countries like Ethiopia and China). So we sent the 53 students and adults through customs, train stations, bus stations, etc. and it was great getting to be on the other side. Later that night after the disgusting dinner they had to eat, I just sat outside in Father's presence and read more than maybe I have this whole past semester. I also got to spend some time with Nat town which was great, because how often do I see her and get to have her wisdom poured into me? I love it! I love the life-long friends I have from iGosia and beyond. Here's a few iGo pics:Oh and if you are confused about iGosia, it's for sure made up, it's base camp for students going overseas through iWitness Ministries...

Summer '07

Well here I sit at home in Amarillo...summer has hit yet again. But, this time it looks a little different. I will be in Waco doing summer school ALL summer...I was supposed to work at Kanakuk this summer, but unfortunately things haven't fallen that way for me. But, I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me this summer in Waco, TX. I have friends in Kenya right now and I can't wait until they get back and I get to hear their stories. My best friend Kristin is heading back to Japan yet again this summer and I can't wait to hear her stories. Kate is in Yosemite all summer and I know she is going to be blessed enormously. This summer is a summer of growth in so many different areas and I'm excited to see what's in store.

The start of a glorious summer...

You know summer has begun when you see Chacos and bracelets from Hills!
Also when you get to see some of your best friends...
And when faces like these are made numerous times...

silence. i watched rob bell's nooma noise today for the first time since this summer and wow did God wow me. how easy is it to put so much more in front of him than we should. i have a cell phone, ipod, laptop, tv, cable, etc. and i get so easily distracted. i don't just sit in silence in front of the Lord, what am i doing with my life? i feel that sometimes it is even more important to just sit with Father than to even dive into the word, the Lord speaks to us in the silence when we allow him to, when we are distraction free. how often are we distraction free? silence.

2006 in Review

Wonderful friends. Common Grounds. Eden. Hot Hearts in Lubbock. Chonko project :(. Random Austin trips. Dallas trip with the best friends. Kill the Mammoth. The Bear Pit. Spring Break in South Carolina with the girls I babysat in high school. Baseball games. JSI Retreat. Island Party times two. Smoking receipts. Emo Park. Snow in April (that was a bust). X's all over campus in one night. Global Night Commute. Chi chi prom. Tornadoes in Waco. End of a great freshmen year. Home. 4 girls and their luggage packed in the backseat and trunk of a Jeep. Base Camp. LONG flight overseas. Jordan. Kelli. Linley. Chelsie. Tara. Damaris. Laura. Sara. Anna. Gina. Taylor. Lara. Jenn. Jessica. Caleb. Josh. Wes. Matt. Spenser. Tony. Pops. Rassi. Kat. Marcus. Jeff. Chris. Shannon. Julie. Julia. Rainey. Doak. Germany. No sleep. Artesia, NM. Prague. Falls Creek Oklahoma. Super Summer Global. Belgium. Postcards from Edgeu. Living room/Kitchen/dining room talks in our two bedroom/one bath apartment for 5 girls. Weltmeister (World Cup). Kyoto. Weird talks in the bathroom with all 5 girls. Weber. Waack. Moradi. Has anyone seen the key to Kyoto?. Bucheim Herler Strasse. Köln Deutz Hostel. Duisburg. Aachen. Sandwhiches everyday. Mulheim. Aachener Weiher. St. Gereon's. Goodbyes in a rush. Culture Shock. Back to Baylor. Eden. Football games. God's grace. Visits from Jordan like every other day. I hate Accounting. iGosia Reunion. Surprise Birthday Dinner. New Frienships. A&M with the best friends. Mexican Parade on 12th Street. Floods right after it. Chi chi shirts. Suprise Party for 3 great friends. Bike rides to campus and around Waco. Product (Red). Love God, embrace beauty, Live life to the Fullest. Halloween. UBC Fall Retreat. Dallas with Tara to eat at Chick-fil-A. Starbucks. Shane and Shane. Bethany Dillon. Random pictures in front of the tree on campus. Finals. Snow in Amarillo. Cult Christmas Party!. Good times. Best Friends. Yummy Christmas meals. New Years Cocktail Style. Spending the end of 2006 watching the Da Vinci Code?.