525,600 minutes. 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes. How do you measure, measure a year. This year has been compelty crazy for me. I graudated college, high school, had a wonderful relationship, ended a great relationship, had the best and worst dates of my life, moved out, had some of the toughest times, and some of the best, was a camp counselor, went to Cali, was interrigated by the cops, and so much more. So simply for my own statisfaction I think it's important to go through 2010 and reflect on what life has been. Where I have come from and where I am now. Hope you'll join me on my journey. (oh yeah... TOTAL bonus points if you read the whole thing :D)
January:
I welcomed this new year in at Ephraim Church of the Bible. We were all sitting in the seats singing "Jesus, lover of my soul". It was an amazing way to start the new year off. During the month of January there were several milestones. I lead children's worship.This was one of the best things I have done in my life. Singing with the kids every sunday just brightened my day and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was asked to a dance for the first (and only) time in my life by my best friend ever. He came to my house with a bag of balloons. I popped each of the balloons and each one had a word inside. They spelled out "Will you go to senior ball with me?" I said yes and had the most amazing time at a fun dance. I attended sports games just to see the gorgeous guy playing the drum. I sang several solo parts in my school's Night on Broadway including "Seasons of Love" which is one of my favorite songs ever. I saw Phantom of the Opera for the first time and all I can remember is Ali Rosquist drewling over Gerard Butler. I started my own Bible Study. I even snuck out of the house to go on a date for the first time (while taking my parents car). My best friend (not going to say boyfriend) and I went 80 miles or so away from home to go see a movie. Got in huge trouble when we got home and while I wouldn't ever recomend doing it, it was still fun.
February:
February was a pretty packed month. I attended a chili cookoff. I discoverd I am TERRIBLE at tie dying when the girls at youth group made shirts for everyone to wear to a youth rally. I went to a youth rally in provo where I discovered I am TERRIBLE at bowling. (I had already kind of discovered this when Daniel took me bowling for our senior ball date) I sang at a Haiti Benifit Concert with Alex Boye. I broke my foot AT the concert that night so I hobbled on to the stage in extreme pain and had to learn how to drive with my left foot so I could get home that night. I recorded a couple of radio adds with the Esteem Team to promote "through with Chew week". I attended a death by chocolate party. I auditioned for NS Idol and got in. I even lead worship for a Teen Sunday. This month was much fun but also a struggle. It was the start of quite a few problems in my life. But I had so many fun times that it all makes up for it.
March:
March was even more fun than february. I got pulled over for the first time. I was running late to pick up Keegan for our double date to prom. I was going about 85 miles in a 65 mile zone. I cried and had a panic attack and ended up with no ticket. I attended prom for the second time, this time with a better date. (Not that I don't love Dominick, but we were never a couple) I got in trouble for brining a friend's date back late. (Sorry Kim!) I went to a Barlow Girl Concert with some of my BEST FRIENDS EVER. I served at a Murder Mystery Dinner. I went to the "Shave n' Cream" for the first time EVER to celebrate Katherine Elisabeth Fullmer's 16th birthday. I competed at region solo and ensable where my duet and trio did well and my solo made it to STATE! I ushered for the easter choir preformacne. I even played my first game of fugative with the best people EVER in ephriam. I had a lot of fun nights with my best friend and a lot of "Story Times" with my girlfriends. We even started "wading" ;)
April:
April was a pretty crazy month. There were a lot of up points but it was pretty much an emotional rollar coaster for everyone. I started out this month by going to Subway with a now great friend Stormy Dorsey to talk. So glad I did that. Some upsides of this month were occasionally getting "stuck in traffic", surprising my twin best friends with a great birthday with tons of presents and a trip to Denny's, stargazing, Region Large Group competition where my chior was cleared to go to STATE, and getting lost on random backroads that just happen to lead to Manti. I also started teaching paino lesssons, attended a choir tour, competd at State Solo and Ensamble with strep throat so I didn't do too well but I didn't do badly either. I am going to save the last few good notes until after the bad notes. On the 9th of this month an amazing woman was diagnosed with breast cancer. This woman happens to be the mother of my twin best friends and has become pretty much like an aunt to me while I have been in Utah. We all took it pretty hard. I spent the rest of the month dealing with it, just being with my friends who were going through so much more than I could imagine, and helping them get thier house repaired so that thier mom could come home. However it wasn't all bad. God is good throughout every circumsance and while things were REALLY hard, we still had a servant auction to raise money for our missions trip, my best friend went with me to my college graduation and I even graduated college this month. It was a rollarcoaster but there was good and bad.
May: During May the stress and initial shock had died down a little and I was able to do some pretty fun things. This was my last month of high school so I was going to make it memorable. I worked with my T&Ters for AWANA sunday. I was second in command for "North Sanpete's Prevention Night for Families"which was night for everyone in town to come and learn about the dangers of tobacco. I had my last chior concert. I competed at state chior and got the BEST SCORE POSSIBLE with my amazing high school choir. I saw Iron Man 2 twice. I got my car stuck in a ditch. (Which is a very fun story I would love to tell you about, so just comment if you would like to know) I went camping for the first time. (It's amazing the things you will do when you like a boy) I thought I would hate camping but I ended up loving it. I went on an 11 mile hike.I never thought I could do that but I did. I also fainted on the hike because I forgot to eat. I saw Robin Hood. I decorated for and attended a senior recognition night at church. I ran a booth at our school carnival. I saw my grandparents from New Hampshire who I hadn't seen in years. They came out for my graduation and it was one of the best times in my life. I went to the symphony instead of accepting my S-Award. S-Awards are VERY prestigious here in North Sanpete and are given out for the students who have done the most in their 4 years of high school to help our school. For a student to get one after only attending the school for 3 years is AMAZING. Looking back the Utah Symphony was AMAZING but I wish I had gone to the awards ceremony. I graduated high school. I even had a couple graduation parties. This month was one of the most memorable of my life. It was the closing of a chapter, somethign I will never do agian. I will always miss it but I look forward with open eyes and expectations.
June:
June was my only real month of relaxed summer. This month was still filled with fun though allthough their were some pretty hard times. To start off the month I was diagnosed with TMJ. This is a jaw problem that hurts really badly when I sing and means I can't open my mouth super wide. It sucks. I went stargazing with my best friend. I competed in a bigger or better contest. I played fugative. I went to Bryce Canyon with my family. This was really special because I got to drive my grandma around in her wheelchair and show her things she had never seen in her life. I am so glad we were able to do that together. I attended an Esteem Team BBQ even though I wasn't part of the Esteem Team anymore. I said goodbye to a dear friend as he started on his LDS mission. I had the best date of my life. Daniel set up a TV and couch in his backyard, lit it beautifully and we snuggled up and watched a movie. It wasn't anything super special but to know that someone cared about me to go through that much effort meant and still means a lot to me. I went to Temple Square with Chip Thompson. I went rafting. This was my second time camping and I loved it. We were on the river for 8 or so hours and while Daniel made it fun, the day still ended with several bruises and scratches and cuts, and a 2nd degree burn which I had to go to the doctor for and get treated. I still have 3 scars from that trip. But it was worth it. I was attacked by fire ants while watching the A-Team. (Note to self: DO NOT LET BOYS SET UP THE BLANKET IN THE DARK) I had an amazing day at the lake with some great friends. And even though the month ended up with a "break up" (remember that best friend i've been talking about through this whole thing that you thought I was dating but I didn't say that. Well we broke up here) It was still a good month with some fun times.
July: This month was pretty much FILLED with ministry, as well as some fun celebrating the holiday. I attended leadership camp. Since I had developed a knack for camping earlier in the year I decided to volunteer with Grace Haven Bible Camp over the summer. I broke my foot... AGAIN. This time I was playing Army, Navy, Spy at camp and fell into a hole and broke my foot. I wore a ducky hat. I was in a parade selling rubber duckies to raise money for the town of Mount Pleasant. I made my foot worse while being pushed into a pool. I also had Nedly take apart my phone to dry it because I was pushed in the pool WITH my phone. I threw an ax at a tree while buying fireworks with Keegan and Daniel. I saw fireworks with a bunch of wonderful people. I went to a teen bible camp for the first time. I met up with friends at the drive in and saw Toy Story 3. I was a camp counselor for 5 8-10year old girls. Emily, Abigail, Ana, Rachel, and Alex. I love them all and it was one of the best nights of my life. I went on a missions trip to California. Nikao Youth Ministries took it's first ever missions trip to California where we helped with an organization called Micah House. It was a great time and I would love to do it again. I even lead the 3rd-5th grade group for our church's VBS which was "The Pirates who Don't Do Anything". It was great fun and had me saying "AVAST!" for weeks. I loved this month and hope to have a month like it each summer. It was nice to have a purpose and do some ministry before I had to head back to school.
August:
August was a month full of stress and milestones. I had my first (and only) voice lesson. This was more fun because I got to see all of my old friends. I went to a worship night. My friends from connecitcut came to visit. I went to the Utah Aquarium which is not nearly as good as any New England aquariums but some things are ok. I was interrigated by the cops. I had been playing a game of fugative and my baby brother Zac had fallen into a hole and gotten a pretty nice punture wound in his chest. His shirt was soak in blood and things were pretty gross. So I grabbed my handy purse first aide kit and started to patch him up. There had been a robbery at Maverick that night and a cop came up and talked to me. Asked me questions and took down my phone number. Thankfully, Zac was ok and the cops never called me back. I had a camp reunion where Nedly learned that some things are appropriate for college games and not so much for high school. I attended my last youth group. I went to a church swim party and said goodbye to all of my firends. I started a bible study with the girls at church which only lasted for about a month but were good for us. I went to a concert at the Solid Rock Cafe with Tyrone Ioane and Josiah Tompson. I started my junior year of college. And I finished the month off by going to the drive in with my best friend to see Inception (which is a very strange movie) This month was good and a nice way to end my summer.
September:
This months was super packed. I attended a Colbie Cailet Concert.My 3rd cousin is one of her backup singers and got my aunt, cousin, and I free VIP tickets. It was a lot of fun. I went to a college retreat in Wyoming. This really affected me for the better. I rode horses, played on ATVs, and laid my heart down at the cross. I bought a car. I used A LOT of gas to get the 60 miles one way to school each day. I went to a college group in American Fork with my cousin. I met my cousin. I stayed with a girl I met at camp to try to save me gas. They were the nicest family I have ever met. I turned 18. I watched a movie about polygamy. I attended a dear friend's funeral. Bryce, Rest in Peace. We all miss you more than you could imagine. I got a job substitute teaching. I went to a homecoming game. I even went to a wedding that changed my life (which I wrote an entire blog about). Thank you Adam and Elya McKinley.
October:
My life was headed in a whole different direction this month. I moved to Springville. I spent my fall break at the Zedicher home.Living in the city was taking a tole on my life and I needed a break from it all. I took a tour of the county jail and had a panic attack. I attended the Ephraim Church of the Bible Harvest Party. I started volunteering at the Family Support and Treatment Center in Orem, UT where I played with kids and tutored them after school. I went to a David Elijah Concert which also starred the Ephraim Church of the Bible worship team. They all played well and then we partied it up at IHOP after. I stayed with Sarah Smith for the first time and even attended a reformation party where I had the first caramel apple of my life. It was a good month where God spoke to me and told me where I needed to be, and Springville was not that place.
November:
November was a month mostly full of school. However there were some fun times. I attended a Sixteen Cities Concert in Ephriam, UT. the band was full of some of the nicest guys ever and I really enjoyed thier music and just hanging out with them. We all went to the Solid Rock Cafe after the concert and grabbed a cup of coffee and watched a movie together. I saw North Sanpete High School preform "Into the Woods" the musical.I was actually surprised at how good it was. I went to a girls movie night at the place that I now live. We watched about 8 movies. I had two thanksgiving dinners, one with my family and one with my church family. I even joined Ephraim Church of the Bible as we walked in the Manti light parade. We had "Mary" and "Joeseph" in the front with the donkey, a float full of angels and sheperds, and the three wisemen in the back, with the song "Jesus, Light of the World" playing all throughout the streets of Manti, UT. It was an amazing way to kick off the holiday season.
December:
December is the month I am in now, which is just a crazy month of transitions. I completed all of my school finals. I saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 3-D. I went to Ephraim Church of the Bible's Christmas Party. I made crab rangoons for the Solid Rock Christian Club's Christmas Party and no one could put them down. I said goodbye to Sarah Smith as she left for Indiana. I went to lunch with my best friend. I attended another dear friend's funeral. I had a great family night with my best friends family and a bunch of christmas carolers. I decorated cookies with Amanda's kids. I played with a bunch of little kids as they celebreated the first Snow Day that Sanpete County has ever seen in 25 years. I was snowed in Sanpete for an extra day. I went out to dinner with the Zedichers, Swapps, and my parents and shared a table with Allie, Emily, and Abby. I had the Swapps and Zedichers come over for lunch. I put together a christmas eve service and performed in it for everyone. I went sledding, swimming, and had some great time with friends.
So this is a look at my year. Had alot of firsts, a lot of milestones, and a lot of other things. Not that you cared. But yeah :-)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
An Update... on an update.... on an update
So to all who care:
Torri now has two blogs! :) This one (which you obviously know how to access) shall tell you all about my random life. Now that I am moving away from home and pretty much starting out my new life (and who knows where that will lead me) this blog can keep you updated.
My other blog is lovethattrancendsallbounds.blogspot.com. (that's love that trancends all bounds . blog spot. com) That's pretty much where you can find the innerworkings of my brain (scary place, just a warning) Things like insense spiritual epifinies, how i'm feeling, ect. will and have already been posted there.
And just incase you are wondering what I did today... I'll tell you: (Saturday Oct. 30)
6:30 - I woke up and got ready to go to class. Showered, ate breakfast, the usual morning stuff.
7:30 - I left my house and drove to college for my classes.
8:00 - My first class started. Social Work 1010. Pretty Fun Class.
10:30 - I switched over to my second class. Statistics for Psycology. Not near as fun. But I did get a B+ on the last test I took :)
12:00 - I drove home from college
12:45 - I drove my little brothers over to a friend's house
1:00 - Ate lunch with my mommy and did some laundry. At this point I chilled and watched TV as well
3:00 - I left my house to go down to Sanpete for the weekend.
4:10 - I arrived in Ephriam and helped Sarah (a wonderful girl from the college ministry who is my friend and is letting me crash at her place this weekend) clean up her apartment
4:45 - Nedly (a great guy from the college ministry here who happens to make really good cornbread.... oh and yes, is also my friend) arrived and the cooking began!
5:00 - Stormy (one of my bestest friends :D) made Red Lentil Soup and Ned made his cornbread and Sarah and I helped. It was wonderful
6:00 - Eating of the Red Lentil Soup. YUMMY :D
7:00 - Eating of the Cornbread. It was like desert cornbread.
8:00 - The four of us decided to go over to the cafe to watch a movie
8:30 - We watched the Ultimate Gift :) Super good movie
11:45 - Movie over. We said goodnight to Nedly and headed back to sleep at Sarah's
12:47 - I've been blogging but now I am done.... So goodnight world and I hope you liked the update.
Torri now has two blogs! :) This one (which you obviously know how to access) shall tell you all about my random life. Now that I am moving away from home and pretty much starting out my new life (and who knows where that will lead me) this blog can keep you updated.
My other blog is lovethattrancendsallbounds.blogspot.com. (that's love that trancends all bounds . blog spot. com) That's pretty much where you can find the innerworkings of my brain (scary place, just a warning) Things like insense spiritual epifinies, how i'm feeling, ect. will and have already been posted there.
And just incase you are wondering what I did today... I'll tell you: (Saturday Oct. 30)
6:30 - I woke up and got ready to go to class. Showered, ate breakfast, the usual morning stuff.
7:30 - I left my house and drove to college for my classes.
8:00 - My first class started. Social Work 1010. Pretty Fun Class.
10:30 - I switched over to my second class. Statistics for Psycology. Not near as fun. But I did get a B+ on the last test I took :)
12:00 - I drove home from college
12:45 - I drove my little brothers over to a friend's house
1:00 - Ate lunch with my mommy and did some laundry. At this point I chilled and watched TV as well
3:00 - I left my house to go down to Sanpete for the weekend.
4:10 - I arrived in Ephriam and helped Sarah (a wonderful girl from the college ministry who is my friend and is letting me crash at her place this weekend) clean up her apartment
4:45 - Nedly (a great guy from the college ministry here who happens to make really good cornbread.... oh and yes, is also my friend) arrived and the cooking began!
5:00 - Stormy (one of my bestest friends :D) made Red Lentil Soup and Ned made his cornbread and Sarah and I helped. It was wonderful
6:00 - Eating of the Red Lentil Soup. YUMMY :D
7:00 - Eating of the Cornbread. It was like desert cornbread.
8:00 - The four of us decided to go over to the cafe to watch a movie
8:30 - We watched the Ultimate Gift :) Super good movie
11:45 - Movie over. We said goodnight to Nedly and headed back to sleep at Sarah's
12:47 - I've been blogging but now I am done.... So goodnight world and I hope you liked the update.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
My New Blog
For everyone who actually looks at this I switched blogs. My new blog can be accesed at
lovethattrancendsallbounds.blogspot.com
:-)
lovethattrancendsallbounds.blogspot.com
:-)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
My little rant on women of the church
First off... I love you! But I have noticed a SERIOUS problem lately. EVERY time I walk into a group of women (this is mostly about the women I interact with everyday, the ones in my church but I am 100% sure that this holds true to all the women of America) they are always talking about how fat they are. It doesn't matter if they are 300 or 92 pounds, it's always the same. I swear that between every woman in the church, EVERY fad diet has been tried. And it's just a little aggrivating.
Now I am not against being healthy. If you feel run down, tired, and you think that eating a little better or excercising would help that than PLEASE do that. But honestly you guys are so obsessed about numbers and pants sizes that no one can ever feel happy.
I mean I am four times bigger than all of you and I am fairly sure I have a healthier body image. I love the way that God made me. And do I want to be healthier, yes. But my goal is not to lose 20 pounds or something, it is to be able to go on the hikes up that I love to do without getting short of breath or sick. I want to be able to enjoy God's creation.
In short, I am saying that we as christian women are called to a higher calling than this world. There are SO many young women out there who stuggle with anorexia or bullemia, infact I bet many of you have as well. But worse off than weight or health is the poor self image that America is feeding people. The idea that you'll never be good enough can lead to depression, self harm, and thoughts of suicide.
I say this becaue I have been there. I have had to find my identity in Christ no matter what I look like. Being healthy and taking care of what God has given you is one thing but being dissatisfied with it is another.
Look at it this way, when you walk into an old run down house do you think "This house is HIDEOUS! I can't believe that it looks like this!" Then do you run out and get new paint and get angry while you fix it up? When you're finished do you say, "Finally! This looks presentable." Or do you look at that run down house and see potential?
If you were to take in a foster child would you be mad at them and punish them until they behaved how they should? Or would you love and nurture them as God made them in to who they should be? How you treat yourself should be no different.
God made you and he knows every part of you head to toe. He knew that your hairline was going to be too far back, your toes too long, your thumbs not symetrical, ect. But He loves you just the same.
What message are you sending to your daughters, or the girls who look up to you? And I am the biggest hypocrite too, going on a fad diet that my mother is convinced is not healthy just because eveyone else at church is doing it. But what i'm saying isn't don't diet or something like that, I'm saying.... Infact I am daring you:
Don't say ANYTHING bad about your body for one week. Don't even entertain a thought about it. It's a dangerous road. One that I know too well.
Now I am not against being healthy. If you feel run down, tired, and you think that eating a little better or excercising would help that than PLEASE do that. But honestly you guys are so obsessed about numbers and pants sizes that no one can ever feel happy.
I mean I am four times bigger than all of you and I am fairly sure I have a healthier body image. I love the way that God made me. And do I want to be healthier, yes. But my goal is not to lose 20 pounds or something, it is to be able to go on the hikes up that I love to do without getting short of breath or sick. I want to be able to enjoy God's creation.
In short, I am saying that we as christian women are called to a higher calling than this world. There are SO many young women out there who stuggle with anorexia or bullemia, infact I bet many of you have as well. But worse off than weight or health is the poor self image that America is feeding people. The idea that you'll never be good enough can lead to depression, self harm, and thoughts of suicide.
I say this becaue I have been there. I have had to find my identity in Christ no matter what I look like. Being healthy and taking care of what God has given you is one thing but being dissatisfied with it is another.
Look at it this way, when you walk into an old run down house do you think "This house is HIDEOUS! I can't believe that it looks like this!" Then do you run out and get new paint and get angry while you fix it up? When you're finished do you say, "Finally! This looks presentable." Or do you look at that run down house and see potential?
If you were to take in a foster child would you be mad at them and punish them until they behaved how they should? Or would you love and nurture them as God made them in to who they should be? How you treat yourself should be no different.
God made you and he knows every part of you head to toe. He knew that your hairline was going to be too far back, your toes too long, your thumbs not symetrical, ect. But He loves you just the same.
What message are you sending to your daughters, or the girls who look up to you? And I am the biggest hypocrite too, going on a fad diet that my mother is convinced is not healthy just because eveyone else at church is doing it. But what i'm saying isn't don't diet or something like that, I'm saying.... Infact I am daring you:
Don't say ANYTHING bad about your body for one week. Don't even entertain a thought about it. It's a dangerous road. One that I know too well.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me :)
What God taught me:
To put it basically God taught me that there are people who love and care about me, that HE cares about me, that sometimes people let you down, that you could never plan it as well as God could, and that in the end; all the Glory goes to GOD.
So today was my 18th birthday. When you think birthday you think cake, presents, ect.... but let's start this story the day before. I was up north visiting my cousin Desi (introduced in the last post). We had spent the whole day hanging out and dress shopping. That night she invited me to college group with her. So I went.
I got there and everyone was so nice. I felt at home and by the end I couldn't have asked for a better night. But the night was about to get better. Matt (the leader/intern) got up and started singing Happy Birthday to me. Then all of a sudden Desi was in the back with a huge cake and ice cream for me. I was so surprised. Everyone ate and had fun. This probally wasn't a huge deal to most people but I have never had a birthday surprise...EVER. Plus I haven't even known Desi for that long and she already did that for me. It was amazing.
After that we all went to Denny's and I partied for my birthday. I technically turned 18 at midnight on the ride home.
Tonight on my birthday we had a small party for family and friends. This time it was the presents I did and didn't get that God used to teach me. Let's start with the good. I recieved way more than I should have from both family friends that came. One of my best friend's Stormy gave me a beautiful purse and journal. Each gift had a gorgeous letter with it that almost made me cry. And that was when I realized that the one friend I was counting on a gift from, the one who had promised me a gift, simply bailed. Not blaming, not being negative... It was just hard for me to wrap my head around a broken promise because it's somethign I have been blessed enough not to ever really have to experience. But before I could get unrightfully bummed I recieved the cutest gift ever.
Kaleb (3) and Tiffy (5) made thier own present for me. They worked very hard (their mother said that they had been working for two days on the present) at coloring three large peices of wood for me. They are so cute. They even made a hat for one of the blocks of wood and Tiffy took her time to write out her best ABCs on a card for me (which is an accomplishment considering she just started Kindergarten) It totally blessed my heart to see them so excited and put in so much effort. It truly proved to me... It's the thought that counts.
So basically I learned that people love me. God loves me so much that He let's me feel amazing joy even in simple things like colored blocks of wood.
It's funny how the people you count on always disapoint you but the people you never expect to do anything make your life amazing. And it's all so God get's the glory. So grieve the loss of the ones you love, enjoy your time with the ones you would never expect, and just praise God.
To put it basically God taught me that there are people who love and care about me, that HE cares about me, that sometimes people let you down, that you could never plan it as well as God could, and that in the end; all the Glory goes to GOD.
So today was my 18th birthday. When you think birthday you think cake, presents, ect.... but let's start this story the day before. I was up north visiting my cousin Desi (introduced in the last post). We had spent the whole day hanging out and dress shopping. That night she invited me to college group with her. So I went.
I got there and everyone was so nice. I felt at home and by the end I couldn't have asked for a better night. But the night was about to get better. Matt (the leader/intern) got up and started singing Happy Birthday to me. Then all of a sudden Desi was in the back with a huge cake and ice cream for me. I was so surprised. Everyone ate and had fun. This probally wasn't a huge deal to most people but I have never had a birthday surprise...EVER. Plus I haven't even known Desi for that long and she already did that for me. It was amazing.
After that we all went to Denny's and I partied for my birthday. I technically turned 18 at midnight on the ride home.
Tonight on my birthday we had a small party for family and friends. This time it was the presents I did and didn't get that God used to teach me. Let's start with the good. I recieved way more than I should have from both family friends that came. One of my best friend's Stormy gave me a beautiful purse and journal. Each gift had a gorgeous letter with it that almost made me cry. And that was when I realized that the one friend I was counting on a gift from, the one who had promised me a gift, simply bailed. Not blaming, not being negative... It was just hard for me to wrap my head around a broken promise because it's somethign I have been blessed enough not to ever really have to experience. But before I could get unrightfully bummed I recieved the cutest gift ever.
Kaleb (3) and Tiffy (5) made thier own present for me. They worked very hard (their mother said that they had been working for two days on the present) at coloring three large peices of wood for me. They are so cute. They even made a hat for one of the blocks of wood and Tiffy took her time to write out her best ABCs on a card for me (which is an accomplishment considering she just started Kindergarten) It totally blessed my heart to see them so excited and put in so much effort. It truly proved to me... It's the thought that counts.
So basically I learned that people love me. God loves me so much that He let's me feel amazing joy even in simple things like colored blocks of wood.
It's funny how the people you count on always disapoint you but the people you never expect to do anything make your life amazing. And it's all so God get's the glory. So grieve the loss of the ones you love, enjoy your time with the ones you would never expect, and just praise God.
Monday, September 6, 2010
What God taught me through a Study Bible, a Worship CD, and a Tounge Ring.
(This post is actually from events of last Wednesday, I just didn't have computor access until now. )
I have a cousin named Desi. I have known her for about 8 days total. But she has taught me some amazing lessons.
1) The Study Bible
This girl was so excited to show me the Bible that her college group had bought for her. She is a new believer and seeing her face light up as she showed me all of the cool features of the study Bible and the joy she had of having a Bible of her own showed me just how much I take for granted.
2) The Worship CD
Desi also loved listening to worship music. She till likes the basic radio music like all teenagers do but she spent like twenty minutes trying to find the song "Here I am To Worship" in her CDs. The song and the words ment so much to her. For those of us who have always been to church we have never really experienced anything like that. We take the "classics" for granted and they lose meaning after awhile. We forget the beauty and the grace of God.
3) The Tounge Ring
Desi also has a tounge ring (which I personally think looks good on her) and a rough past. But she is 100% transparent about it. She is so excited to share about what God has saved her from. She knows that God loves and accepts her for who she is, and she isn't trying to pretend to be anything different.
Moral of the story: Remember your first Love.
I have a cousin named Desi. I have known her for about 8 days total. But she has taught me some amazing lessons.
1) The Study Bible
This girl was so excited to show me the Bible that her college group had bought for her. She is a new believer and seeing her face light up as she showed me all of the cool features of the study Bible and the joy she had of having a Bible of her own showed me just how much I take for granted.
2) The Worship CD
Desi also loved listening to worship music. She till likes the basic radio music like all teenagers do but she spent like twenty minutes trying to find the song "Here I am To Worship" in her CDs. The song and the words ment so much to her. For those of us who have always been to church we have never really experienced anything like that. We take the "classics" for granted and they lose meaning after awhile. We forget the beauty and the grace of God.
3) The Tounge Ring
Desi also has a tounge ring (which I personally think looks good on her) and a rough past. But she is 100% transparent about it. She is so excited to share about what God has saved her from. She knows that God loves and accepts her for who she is, and she isn't trying to pretend to be anything different.
Moral of the story: Remember your first Love.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
What God Taught Me Through Cards, Circumcission, and Colbie Cailat tickets
Hi everyone. So the title really fits this blog but not in the stereotypical way. Basically from last night to today God has completely flipped my life around. Today has been great. But to fully appreciate it you need to hear about last night.
So last night I was kind of down. I had spent the day in classes and at home alone later and I was acting really depressed. It didn't seem like I had any friends. I was just kind of out of it. I was even debating about going to church (and if you know me, that's a big deal). I cried and then spent the whole night thinking about all the people in my life who have let me down. And I was dead sure that today was going to be the same thing.
This morning I woke up and dragged myself to church. I didn't want to, but for some reason I did. Honestly most of the time when I was there I was just thinking about the youth group I used to belong to and how I seriously miss each of those kids but I have been banned and they don't really want me around anymore. But at some point during the sermon it kind of got through to me. (ONLY Rodney [and God still worked a huge miracle with this one] could make a sermon on circumcision mean anything spiritual to ANYONE). Basically it was all about me stopping being so stubborn and to open my heart up to God. So I decided to do it.
After church I decided that sitting around being sad about no longer being apart of Nikao I was going to step up. Even if I wasn't going to Snow College maybe they would let me join the college group. So I went and talked with the leader. She welcomed me in and told me about all these things they were doing lately and she invited me over to the Thompson's for lunch (Which they do every sunday for the college kids. The Thompsons are wonderful). So I went. I hung out with some great friends and had lunch. Then all the girls went to go watch "The Last Song" (not worth it if you are a Nicholas Sparks fan) and then I stuck around with Stormy, Meris, Sarah, and her mom and we played hand and foot for awhile. Ned even joined in. It was just a great time.
When I got home I went over to Lacie's house and got to play with the kids (and the puppies) for a little bit. I went home and did some homework. Then I got a phonecall from my cousin (second actually, but we are friends anyway) Desi and she asked if I wanted to go see a Colbie Cailat concert on Wednesday. So guess what I'm doing :D. Anyway... know that you have my life story there is a good chance you are pretty confused at my point. After all my title was pretty interesting, but I bet you are wondering... "So Torri, What exactly did this whole life mess teach you?"
Well here is your answer:
1. God taught me to hang in there
No matter what you are goign through or what you are feeling like at a certain time... it is simply not true if it is not from God. Last night I thought I had no friends and that no one actually wanted me around. I learned today that I do have great friends and while I do still have to invest some time with some people to form close friendships... I have people who care about me. I was being fed lies straight from Satan. Which leads me to my next point.
2. God taught me that Satan attacks the strongest right before God works the strongest
I have learned this so many times. Satan doesn't bother attacking people who are sitting still. But when God is goign to work big time... Satan is on the attack. You can't let him get to you.
3. God taught me to trust Him
This one is pretty basic. Trust God. He provides. Things better than you could have thought. For example:
a) I have a free ticket to go see Colbie Cailat on Wednesday.
b) I am going to a retreat in Wyoming on Friday with the college group.
c) A great friend actually made the effort to say that we better hang out before I move at her apartment. I don't think she knows it but she completely made my day.
God is good. No matter what. No matter what, God's love NEVER FAILS.
So last night I was kind of down. I had spent the day in classes and at home alone later and I was acting really depressed. It didn't seem like I had any friends. I was just kind of out of it. I was even debating about going to church (and if you know me, that's a big deal). I cried and then spent the whole night thinking about all the people in my life who have let me down. And I was dead sure that today was going to be the same thing.
This morning I woke up and dragged myself to church. I didn't want to, but for some reason I did. Honestly most of the time when I was there I was just thinking about the youth group I used to belong to and how I seriously miss each of those kids but I have been banned and they don't really want me around anymore. But at some point during the sermon it kind of got through to me. (ONLY Rodney [and God still worked a huge miracle with this one] could make a sermon on circumcision mean anything spiritual to ANYONE). Basically it was all about me stopping being so stubborn and to open my heart up to God. So I decided to do it.
After church I decided that sitting around being sad about no longer being apart of Nikao I was going to step up. Even if I wasn't going to Snow College maybe they would let me join the college group. So I went and talked with the leader. She welcomed me in and told me about all these things they were doing lately and she invited me over to the Thompson's for lunch (Which they do every sunday for the college kids. The Thompsons are wonderful). So I went. I hung out with some great friends and had lunch. Then all the girls went to go watch "The Last Song" (not worth it if you are a Nicholas Sparks fan) and then I stuck around with Stormy, Meris, Sarah, and her mom and we played hand and foot for awhile. Ned even joined in. It was just a great time.
When I got home I went over to Lacie's house and got to play with the kids (and the puppies) for a little bit. I went home and did some homework. Then I got a phonecall from my cousin (second actually, but we are friends anyway) Desi and she asked if I wanted to go see a Colbie Cailat concert on Wednesday. So guess what I'm doing :D. Anyway... know that you have my life story there is a good chance you are pretty confused at my point. After all my title was pretty interesting, but I bet you are wondering... "So Torri, What exactly did this whole life mess teach you?"
Well here is your answer:
1. God taught me to hang in there
No matter what you are goign through or what you are feeling like at a certain time... it is simply not true if it is not from God. Last night I thought I had no friends and that no one actually wanted me around. I learned today that I do have great friends and while I do still have to invest some time with some people to form close friendships... I have people who care about me. I was being fed lies straight from Satan. Which leads me to my next point.
2. God taught me that Satan attacks the strongest right before God works the strongest
I have learned this so many times. Satan doesn't bother attacking people who are sitting still. But when God is goign to work big time... Satan is on the attack. You can't let him get to you.
3. God taught me to trust Him
This one is pretty basic. Trust God. He provides. Things better than you could have thought. For example:
a) I have a free ticket to go see Colbie Cailat on Wednesday.
b) I am going to a retreat in Wyoming on Friday with the college group.
c) A great friend actually made the effort to say that we better hang out before I move at her apartment. I don't think she knows it but she completely made my day.
God is good. No matter what. No matter what, God's love NEVER FAILS.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Be Still
Honestly... right now my life is in shambles. God gives and he takes away... but then He just gives again. Right now everything is in transition. It's like I am not allowed to move forward but I am not allowed to stay back with the old gang. I don't have a place to belong. Right now I can do nothing. I am powerless to get what I need. There is nothing I can do.
Earlier today I was throwing a fit about this. I don't like not being in control. I was lashing out at God asking, "Why arn't you providing!?!" Then in the middle of my three-year-old temper tantrum God smacked me in the face with two truths.
The first: Does any of this sound fammiliar? This same time of year three years ago I was yelling these same things. I had moved completely across the country. I had no friends, nothing to belong to or be a part of. I was throwing a fit and God completly provided. Three years later my life in Sanpete had become the best part of life I had known. Full of family, friends, and everything was always taken care of. I was blessed with deep relationships which I can only pray do not go away with time. God is good. His timing may not make sense but it is always perfect. Once this truth sank in another one just slammed me to the ground.
The second: SHUT UP! I mean honestly, Torri, just be quiet. How loud can you get. How is all that yelling going to help. Throwing a temper tantrum is not going to help. I know that you are hurting. I know that it is killing you that you arn't in control. I know that right now you think you are completely alone in the world. But just be quiet. I even opened up my Bible and read 1 Timothy 2:11, "A woman should learn in silence with full submission" (I have no desire to get into the women and speaking/leadership debate. God just used this verse to smack me into reality) That reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Be still and know" which reminded me of the verse Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted among the earth." Which lead me to Zephaniah 3:17. "Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy."
My favorite part of Zephaniah 3:17 is "He wil quiet you with His love." I was sitting there SCREAMING at God and he was just quieting me with His love. He is doing the talking for me. He is delighingting over me with shouts of joy. I don't need to talk. I just wanted to end this post with the lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's song:
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is Holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
and know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that He is GOd
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is our Father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love
Beating for his little ones
Calling each one of us to come
Be still, Be Still
Be still, Be speechless
Earlier today I was throwing a fit about this. I don't like not being in control. I was lashing out at God asking, "Why arn't you providing!?!" Then in the middle of my three-year-old temper tantrum God smacked me in the face with two truths.
The first: Does any of this sound fammiliar? This same time of year three years ago I was yelling these same things. I had moved completely across the country. I had no friends, nothing to belong to or be a part of. I was throwing a fit and God completly provided. Three years later my life in Sanpete had become the best part of life I had known. Full of family, friends, and everything was always taken care of. I was blessed with deep relationships which I can only pray do not go away with time. God is good. His timing may not make sense but it is always perfect. Once this truth sank in another one just slammed me to the ground.
The second: SHUT UP! I mean honestly, Torri, just be quiet. How loud can you get. How is all that yelling going to help. Throwing a temper tantrum is not going to help. I know that you are hurting. I know that it is killing you that you arn't in control. I know that right now you think you are completely alone in the world. But just be quiet. I even opened up my Bible and read 1 Timothy 2:11, "A woman should learn in silence with full submission" (I have no desire to get into the women and speaking/leadership debate. God just used this verse to smack me into reality) That reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Be still and know" which reminded me of the verse Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted among the earth." Which lead me to Zephaniah 3:17. "Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy."
My favorite part of Zephaniah 3:17 is "He wil quiet you with His love." I was sitting there SCREAMING at God and he was just quieting me with His love. He is doing the talking for me. He is delighingting over me with shouts of joy. I don't need to talk. I just wanted to end this post with the lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's song:
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is Holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
and know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that He is GOd
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is our Father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love
Beating for his little ones
Calling each one of us to come
Be still, Be Still
Be still, Be speechless
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A Prayer for School
Hi everyone. For the majority of people reading this you are starting school tomorrow or sometime fairly soon after that. Whether it is jr. high, high school, or college.... things arn't going to be easy.
I have seen God do some amazing things this summer. He has healed people in so many ways, physical and emotional, and has bascially rocked some people's hearts. But this is what I have noticed:
Summer is the time for spiritual highs. There are thousands of Bible Camps, Missions Trips, and Youth Retreats. You can choose exactly who you hang out with and are around. You can chose what you listen to and do. This summer I have surrounded myself with the body of Christ. I simply didn't hang out much with non-christians friends (not because I don't love them but things just didn't work out) and I practically lived with my youth group for a month. I didn't have anyone saying that I was wrong or that something else was true. Even on the missions trip where we did face rejection and persecution... there was always the christian body to fall back on.
As the school year is coming in.... highs are dying down. You are back to the normal swing of things, all the old friends, all the teachers saying things that may or may not coincide with your beliefs, all the old habits; it all comes back. We get stressed out, we get into things we shouldn't (like gossip or cliques or swearing or simply being ashamed of God) and we fall back. I have seen this time and time again. At the begining of the year we say, "Ok God. I've got this one. It was a great summer but these guys don't know you and.... I don't want to seem different. I'll come to you if I have a problem but for now I think I've got this one." By the middle of the year we have stressed ourselves out beyond belief, worked ourselves into bad relationships, and have a breakdown and turn back to God.
A friend of mine posted this to facebook a few days back, "God isn't running away from us and neither is His love. God is like a love struck teenager who wants the last text at night to be from you and the first text in the morning to be from you. God has never run away from us. He is always there, so why do we continue to shove Him out of our lives? Why don't we welcome His love with open arms? We would rather go offline and never talk to him. He is the only thing left when the world has turned it's back on you. Why do we feel that the world is our only way out? Why do we feel the world has all the ansers? Why do we believe the world when they tell you to turn your back on God because He is a "nerd"? It's like God is the only one asking you to prom but you keep telling yourself to hond on because the world is going to ask you any minute. But the crazy thing is that God is the Captain of the Football Team nad the world is the 40 year old guy on the internet who really wants to meet you. Why do we continue to eat the cow manure when we have prime rib right in front of us!?! God has been waiting and waitng and waiting. He keeps throwing pebbles at your window, when are you going to open that window because He is ready to catch you. All we have to do is open the flippin window." All we have to do is open up to God.
So this is my prayer:
Dear Holy Holy Holy GOD,
I thank you so much for what you have been doing in my life this summer. I have seen you work SO mightily in so many people's lives. I have seen you heal broken hearts and make people whole again. I see people falling in love with you left and right and I pray with all my heart that that continues. School is coming up soon, Father, and we both know what a stronghold Satan has there. Kids are taught things against you, have to deal with social issues, and overly just forget about you. I pray that you would not allow us to self destruct. I pray that our hearts would stay close to yours. I pray that no matter what life throws at us we will be able to band togetehr and say that GOD IS IN CONTROL. God I pray that you would bring life wherever you are. I pray that you would help us all to realize our mission and that being cool or accepted is not a part of us. I pray that we would follow you and be a light in our communities. I pray that nothing would break us and that YOU WOULD BE IN CONTROL. I pray that you would make yourself prominant and slap us everytiem we try to push you into the background. I love you God and pray that you would not let me falter.
In the name of Jesus, God who became flesh to allow me to speak freely to You,
Amen
I have seen God do some amazing things this summer. He has healed people in so many ways, physical and emotional, and has bascially rocked some people's hearts. But this is what I have noticed:
Summer is the time for spiritual highs. There are thousands of Bible Camps, Missions Trips, and Youth Retreats. You can choose exactly who you hang out with and are around. You can chose what you listen to and do. This summer I have surrounded myself with the body of Christ. I simply didn't hang out much with non-christians friends (not because I don't love them but things just didn't work out) and I practically lived with my youth group for a month. I didn't have anyone saying that I was wrong or that something else was true. Even on the missions trip where we did face rejection and persecution... there was always the christian body to fall back on.
As the school year is coming in.... highs are dying down. You are back to the normal swing of things, all the old friends, all the teachers saying things that may or may not coincide with your beliefs, all the old habits; it all comes back. We get stressed out, we get into things we shouldn't (like gossip or cliques or swearing or simply being ashamed of God) and we fall back. I have seen this time and time again. At the begining of the year we say, "Ok God. I've got this one. It was a great summer but these guys don't know you and.... I don't want to seem different. I'll come to you if I have a problem but for now I think I've got this one." By the middle of the year we have stressed ourselves out beyond belief, worked ourselves into bad relationships, and have a breakdown and turn back to God.
A friend of mine posted this to facebook a few days back, "God isn't running away from us and neither is His love. God is like a love struck teenager who wants the last text at night to be from you and the first text in the morning to be from you. God has never run away from us. He is always there, so why do we continue to shove Him out of our lives? Why don't we welcome His love with open arms? We would rather go offline and never talk to him. He is the only thing left when the world has turned it's back on you. Why do we feel that the world is our only way out? Why do we feel the world has all the ansers? Why do we believe the world when they tell you to turn your back on God because He is a "nerd"? It's like God is the only one asking you to prom but you keep telling yourself to hond on because the world is going to ask you any minute. But the crazy thing is that God is the Captain of the Football Team nad the world is the 40 year old guy on the internet who really wants to meet you. Why do we continue to eat the cow manure when we have prime rib right in front of us!?! God has been waiting and waitng and waiting. He keeps throwing pebbles at your window, when are you going to open that window because He is ready to catch you. All we have to do is open the flippin window." All we have to do is open up to God.
So this is my prayer:
Dear Holy Holy Holy GOD,
I thank you so much for what you have been doing in my life this summer. I have seen you work SO mightily in so many people's lives. I have seen you heal broken hearts and make people whole again. I see people falling in love with you left and right and I pray with all my heart that that continues. School is coming up soon, Father, and we both know what a stronghold Satan has there. Kids are taught things against you, have to deal with social issues, and overly just forget about you. I pray that you would not allow us to self destruct. I pray that our hearts would stay close to yours. I pray that no matter what life throws at us we will be able to band togetehr and say that GOD IS IN CONTROL. God I pray that you would bring life wherever you are. I pray that you would help us all to realize our mission and that being cool or accepted is not a part of us. I pray that we would follow you and be a light in our communities. I pray that nothing would break us and that YOU WOULD BE IN CONTROL. I pray that you would make yourself prominant and slap us everytiem we try to push you into the background. I love you God and pray that you would not let me falter.
In the name of Jesus, God who became flesh to allow me to speak freely to You,
Amen
Friday, August 20, 2010
What God Taught me from a Laptop, a game of Scatagories and "The Mummy Returns"
Today God taught me about family and how truly blessed I am to have people who love and care about me. I have realized that there are three types of family (Biological family, Church family, and friend family) and they are all so amazing and I have been blessed to have an amazing family in all three catagories. :)
The Laptop:
Earlier today (when I finally dragged myself out of my downstairs dungeon and up into the sunlight) I found my two brothers just watching tv. So I plopped down next to them. After a little bit Zac and I went in another room to watch our favorite tv show (Bones) in a quieter place. As we were just sitting there, me messing with his fro ... just the usual stuff; I realized just how blessed I am to have a special relationship with each member of my biological family. I honestly don't know of another family that has this. I can have deep converstations with each member of my family and we each have special things that we like to do together. There is no favorite, we all just love each other. I mean yeah we have disagreements but I never really realized how blessed I am to have good relationships with my family until today.
Scatagories:
So tonight at church was the ladies game night. For once I wasn't actually the youngest one there (Meris came :) ). Anyway we started playing scatagories (after eating large amounts of apetizers. I swear that is what makes a ladies game night ten times better than any youth game night... The FOOD. Ladies can cook :D) and that game really tells you a lot about people's minds. But I was amazed at how little discrimination there was. No matter what you answered or what you said or anything.... everyone was together. This is when I realized what church family is. No one judges you. And there was no age gap. The 60 somethings and the teenagers were treated the same. No one looks down or up or anything.... It's just awesome. I know that no matter what I can come there and find a loving home.
The Mummy RETURNS!:
Lol. No there is not some big life lesson in this movie (Unless you find one.... then tell me). After game night I went over to my best friends' house to just hang out. This is where I encountered friend family. It's all about the nights that turn into mornings with the friends that turn into family. I realized that friends become family when you know that you can just wander in the front door. When you can hold a conversation with your friend's parents just as much as you can your friend. When you can start cleaning the house and no one cares, your just family and no one is going to stop you from cleaning. :) (I know that sounds weird but I have REALLY weird urges to clean like always...mostly dirty things but still) So I just sat on the couch and we all talked (the mom, 17 year old twins and the 11 (or 12) year old boy). When the rest of the family went to bed the twins and I stayed up to watch a movie. And I realized that family is when you can curl up on someone else's couch, not caring that you are taking up your best friend's sitting spot because you know he would just push you out of the way if he cared. I have always heard about friends being this close and tonight was just really the night when I realized... I found it.
So in conclusion... I PRAISE GOD. GOd has blessed me so much. I have an amazing biological family that is with me no matter what. I have a church family who love and accepts me and better friends than anyone could ask for. God thank you so much for working through your people and allowing them to be the arms of Christ to me. I pray that you would help me to be like that to them as well.
The other night in youth group we played word association with people. Brolin would say someone's name and you would have to say the first word that popped into your head. When my name came up people said stuff like, "God" "Faith" and "Mother of the Youth Group". And I was seriously set back. How on earth can people be saying stuff like this about me. Are they on drugs or something? I am nothing, I am dirt, I am lower than dirt, but yet God is still allowing himself to shine through me to these people. It's like God is whispering in my ear, "If you keep seeking me, I promise I won't let you mess this up". I have made so many mistakes but God loves me so much and I am so blessed.
Challenge: It's not just me who God loves. God loves you more than you could ever imagine. No matter what is goign on in your life, God loves you and will bless you if you seek Him. God promises that he knows the plans that He has for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future (Jerimaiah 29:11) I dare you to name atleast 10 things you are truly thankful for today and to just spend a few minutes praising God for them. Then just go out and enjoy them. Right now I am thankful for electricity, a computor, a bed to sleep in, family that loves me, and yummy nachos to eat :).
"Would you DARE, would you DARE to believe that you still have a reason to sing? Because the pain that you've been feeling doesn't compare to the joy that's coming. So hold on and wait for the light. Press on and just fight the good fight. Because the pain that you've been feeling, It's just the dark before the morning"
The Laptop:
Earlier today (when I finally dragged myself out of my downstairs dungeon and up into the sunlight) I found my two brothers just watching tv. So I plopped down next to them. After a little bit Zac and I went in another room to watch our favorite tv show (Bones) in a quieter place. As we were just sitting there, me messing with his fro ... just the usual stuff; I realized just how blessed I am to have a special relationship with each member of my biological family. I honestly don't know of another family that has this. I can have deep converstations with each member of my family and we each have special things that we like to do together. There is no favorite, we all just love each other. I mean yeah we have disagreements but I never really realized how blessed I am to have good relationships with my family until today.
Scatagories:
So tonight at church was the ladies game night. For once I wasn't actually the youngest one there (Meris came :) ). Anyway we started playing scatagories (after eating large amounts of apetizers. I swear that is what makes a ladies game night ten times better than any youth game night... The FOOD. Ladies can cook :D) and that game really tells you a lot about people's minds. But I was amazed at how little discrimination there was. No matter what you answered or what you said or anything.... everyone was together. This is when I realized what church family is. No one judges you. And there was no age gap. The 60 somethings and the teenagers were treated the same. No one looks down or up or anything.... It's just awesome. I know that no matter what I can come there and find a loving home.
The Mummy RETURNS!:
Lol. No there is not some big life lesson in this movie (Unless you find one.... then tell me). After game night I went over to my best friends' house to just hang out. This is where I encountered friend family. It's all about the nights that turn into mornings with the friends that turn into family. I realized that friends become family when you know that you can just wander in the front door. When you can hold a conversation with your friend's parents just as much as you can your friend. When you can start cleaning the house and no one cares, your just family and no one is going to stop you from cleaning. :) (I know that sounds weird but I have REALLY weird urges to clean like always...mostly dirty things but still) So I just sat on the couch and we all talked (the mom, 17 year old twins and the 11 (or 12) year old boy). When the rest of the family went to bed the twins and I stayed up to watch a movie. And I realized that family is when you can curl up on someone else's couch, not caring that you are taking up your best friend's sitting spot because you know he would just push you out of the way if he cared. I have always heard about friends being this close and tonight was just really the night when I realized... I found it.
So in conclusion... I PRAISE GOD. GOd has blessed me so much. I have an amazing biological family that is with me no matter what. I have a church family who love and accepts me and better friends than anyone could ask for. God thank you so much for working through your people and allowing them to be the arms of Christ to me. I pray that you would help me to be like that to them as well.
The other night in youth group we played word association with people. Brolin would say someone's name and you would have to say the first word that popped into your head. When my name came up people said stuff like, "God" "Faith" and "Mother of the Youth Group". And I was seriously set back. How on earth can people be saying stuff like this about me. Are they on drugs or something? I am nothing, I am dirt, I am lower than dirt, but yet God is still allowing himself to shine through me to these people. It's like God is whispering in my ear, "If you keep seeking me, I promise I won't let you mess this up". I have made so many mistakes but God loves me so much and I am so blessed.
Challenge: It's not just me who God loves. God loves you more than you could ever imagine. No matter what is goign on in your life, God loves you and will bless you if you seek Him. God promises that he knows the plans that He has for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future (Jerimaiah 29:11) I dare you to name atleast 10 things you are truly thankful for today and to just spend a few minutes praising God for them. Then just go out and enjoy them. Right now I am thankful for electricity, a computor, a bed to sleep in, family that loves me, and yummy nachos to eat :).
"Would you DARE, would you DARE to believe that you still have a reason to sing? Because the pain that you've been feeling doesn't compare to the joy that's coming. So hold on and wait for the light. Press on and just fight the good fight. Because the pain that you've been feeling, It's just the dark before the morning"
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
What God Taught Me Through A Job Application, A Debit Card, and A Coke Machine
An epic day requires an epic post... or atleast that is what I have concluded. Today started off by all of us heading up north to deal with school stuff. We first arrived at Springville Jr. High which it turns out my brothers will NOT be attending. Then we drove over to Mapleton Jr. High. They sent us over to Nebo School District in Spanish Fork to check with the district if the boys could go to school there since we don't technically have proof of residency because we don't technically live in a house as of now. (Oh the joys of red tape) So after about four hours of driving ALL around Utah county... the boys found out that they would be attending Mapleton Jr. High but they would have to wait to register until the day before or the first day of school. And now we were off.... to my errands to run.
Lately I have been in desprate need of a job. As a college student and all, a job is pretty much nessesary to pay for everything that I need. I have been applying pretty much everywhere (ok so not really everywhere, I am still looking for somthing I would enjoy) I sent my resume to a bunch of places and got a call this morning to come and fill out a job application for Mountainland Head Start (a pre-school program for underpriveledged kids). This was the first real job application I had ever really filled out. I am very excited to return it tomorrow and pray that possibly a job would come out of it because honestly... this job would be ideal.
Then again... I suppose whatever job God has in store for me is the idea job for me, so I'm just praying that He allows me to find it soon. Anyway... After a stop at my first potential job site I went over to UVU (Utah Valley Univeristy... the college I attend) to pick up my student ID card. I left UVU with my first ever Debit Card that doubles as my campus ID card, Bus Pass, Library card, ect. (well I guess that is more than double but...) I think that it is totally worth it though.
( I would like to take a moment now and apologize for the lack of pictures. For some reason blogger has some insane oppisition to inserting my pictures into this blog)
Ok, now on to the God part which is why I am assuming most of you are reading this (if any of you are reading this. I very well could be writing this to the voices inside my head...interesting...)
ANYWAY... When I got home from up north I realized I had about a half hour until my LAST night of youth group ever was to occur. Every wednesday night for seven years I have been attending youth group and now it was the last one I could ever go to. So Zac and I got ready to go and headed over to pick up Daniel and Shauna (a weekly tradition... Ok... so a little more than weekly. I love them. They are like family) and we head over to youth group. Tonight... Brolin teaches the lesson that I need to hear ( for my last night of course).
We open up with the word; "Gospel". Honestly I have kind of been opposed to this word for years. Not so much beacuse of what it means but beacuse it always sounds like a really "Christianese" word to say. And as is the case with most christianese words, never really had a clear definition in my head. But after tonight I have come to a clear definition. The Gospel is God's love story.
This might sound kind of dumb but after I realized that the Gospel has been around before Jesus died (I mean the Bible says that Jesus himself PREACHED the Gospel) and that the Gospel is to be preached to both christians and non-christians alike; God just made it click in my head. The Gospel is God' great love story for us. A love sotry that centers around Jesus but that is continually poured out for us over time. God's love is so amazing that essentially the Gospel, the Good News, is basically just a telling of God's great love for us.
After youth group the four of us (Me, Zac, Daniel, and Shauna) went to McDonalds to get drinks. I was basically going to relive as many old memories as possible tonight. So we went on another one of our epic backroad adventures. (Earlier in the year Daniel and I had adventured to see how many backroads there were in Sanpete and travel pretty much all of them and we found a backroad that lead from Ephriam to Mount Pleasant) We made a quick rest stop at Maverick (which turned into a candy stop.... why does candy have to be so cheap and delicious?) and were off. This is where the coke Q(i just killed a VERY large spider that was on my floor.... I love summer when all the spiders are out... Now I will totally be able to sleep).
Sorry... where was I. Oh yes. This is where the coke machine comes in. (Sorry about the length. I promise I will be wrapping things up shortly). While we were driving and having very... interesting (just ask the girl who was working at McDonalds that night ;) ) converstations we found a random coke machine on the side of the road. So what did we do... use our best secret agent moves to park the car, sneak up to it, take a wacky picture in front of it, and then run away as fast as we could. Then we drove Daniel and Shauna home. I said goodnight to my two best friends (who I sadly won't get to see much anymore) and came home to start this blog.
So what did God teach me through all of this?
1. I am a grown up now.
I can deny it all I want but it's time to grow up now. I am getting a real job, a real debit card, a real college education, a real car, and learning that I can't be a kid forever
2. Last times are the best
You know that saying, "You don't know what you have until it's gone"? Well it is so true. It's not until you realize that you are losing something that you realize it's true value. I realized the value of my youth group family and what they see in me, Broliln and his amazing lessons that always reached me, The other leaders and their dedication to seeing me grow, My baby brother (I'm not losing him... I just love him), Late night car rides, back roads, my two best friends, a shoulder to lean on, Sanpete County, and so much more. But I enjoyed them all to the fullest tonight and I am so thankful for that.
3. God's Love is the Center
I was goign to say that God's love is the glue... But then I realized that God's love is so much more than that. God is the nucelous, the core of my being. Nothing else moves unless directed by the nucleous inless the cell (ME) is seriously sick. Right now my life is looking pretty scary. In just 6 days I start school, 23 days I turn 18, and in about 9 days I move for the 7th time in my life. But it's God's love that has always caried me through no matter what. And it has always blessed me far beyond what I could imagine. Before I moved to Utah I thought I would never make good friends. But I have made better friends than I could have ever asked for (you know who you are) and my family in Christ is so wide and well bonded that it stretches from coast to coast. Without God's love I would be nothing. Without God's love we would all be nothign. But God knows the best for me and wants to bring it to life. I love God.
I love God so much. End of Story.
(If you want to see pictures to narrate this story please go to my facebook. The last four photos in my "Random Summer Photos" Album narrate this story well :D )
Lately I have been in desprate need of a job. As a college student and all, a job is pretty much nessesary to pay for everything that I need. I have been applying pretty much everywhere (ok so not really everywhere, I am still looking for somthing I would enjoy) I sent my resume to a bunch of places and got a call this morning to come and fill out a job application for Mountainland Head Start (a pre-school program for underpriveledged kids). This was the first real job application I had ever really filled out. I am very excited to return it tomorrow and pray that possibly a job would come out of it because honestly... this job would be ideal.
Then again... I suppose whatever job God has in store for me is the idea job for me, so I'm just praying that He allows me to find it soon. Anyway... After a stop at my first potential job site I went over to UVU (Utah Valley Univeristy... the college I attend) to pick up my student ID card. I left UVU with my first ever Debit Card that doubles as my campus ID card, Bus Pass, Library card, ect. (well I guess that is more than double but...) I think that it is totally worth it though.
( I would like to take a moment now and apologize for the lack of pictures. For some reason blogger has some insane oppisition to inserting my pictures into this blog)
Ok, now on to the God part which is why I am assuming most of you are reading this (if any of you are reading this. I very well could be writing this to the voices inside my head...interesting...)
ANYWAY... When I got home from up north I realized I had about a half hour until my LAST night of youth group ever was to occur. Every wednesday night for seven years I have been attending youth group and now it was the last one I could ever go to. So Zac and I got ready to go and headed over to pick up Daniel and Shauna (a weekly tradition... Ok... so a little more than weekly. I love them. They are like family) and we head over to youth group. Tonight... Brolin teaches the lesson that I need to hear ( for my last night of course).
We open up with the word; "Gospel". Honestly I have kind of been opposed to this word for years. Not so much beacuse of what it means but beacuse it always sounds like a really "Christianese" word to say. And as is the case with most christianese words, never really had a clear definition in my head. But after tonight I have come to a clear definition. The Gospel is God's love story.
This might sound kind of dumb but after I realized that the Gospel has been around before Jesus died (I mean the Bible says that Jesus himself PREACHED the Gospel) and that the Gospel is to be preached to both christians and non-christians alike; God just made it click in my head. The Gospel is God' great love story for us. A love sotry that centers around Jesus but that is continually poured out for us over time. God's love is so amazing that essentially the Gospel, the Good News, is basically just a telling of God's great love for us.
After youth group the four of us (Me, Zac, Daniel, and Shauna) went to McDonalds to get drinks. I was basically going to relive as many old memories as possible tonight. So we went on another one of our epic backroad adventures. (Earlier in the year Daniel and I had adventured to see how many backroads there were in Sanpete and travel pretty much all of them and we found a backroad that lead from Ephriam to Mount Pleasant) We made a quick rest stop at Maverick (which turned into a candy stop.... why does candy have to be so cheap and delicious?) and were off. This is where the coke Q(i just killed a VERY large spider that was on my floor.... I love summer when all the spiders are out... Now I will totally be able to sleep).
Sorry... where was I. Oh yes. This is where the coke machine comes in. (Sorry about the length. I promise I will be wrapping things up shortly). While we were driving and having very... interesting (just ask the girl who was working at McDonalds that night ;) ) converstations we found a random coke machine on the side of the road. So what did we do... use our best secret agent moves to park the car, sneak up to it, take a wacky picture in front of it, and then run away as fast as we could. Then we drove Daniel and Shauna home. I said goodnight to my two best friends (who I sadly won't get to see much anymore) and came home to start this blog.
So what did God teach me through all of this?
1. I am a grown up now.
I can deny it all I want but it's time to grow up now. I am getting a real job, a real debit card, a real college education, a real car, and learning that I can't be a kid forever
2. Last times are the best
You know that saying, "You don't know what you have until it's gone"? Well it is so true. It's not until you realize that you are losing something that you realize it's true value. I realized the value of my youth group family and what they see in me, Broliln and his amazing lessons that always reached me, The other leaders and their dedication to seeing me grow, My baby brother (I'm not losing him... I just love him), Late night car rides, back roads, my two best friends, a shoulder to lean on, Sanpete County, and so much more. But I enjoyed them all to the fullest tonight and I am so thankful for that.
3. God's Love is the Center
I was goign to say that God's love is the glue... But then I realized that God's love is so much more than that. God is the nucelous, the core of my being. Nothing else moves unless directed by the nucleous inless the cell (ME) is seriously sick. Right now my life is looking pretty scary. In just 6 days I start school, 23 days I turn 18, and in about 9 days I move for the 7th time in my life. But it's God's love that has always caried me through no matter what. And it has always blessed me far beyond what I could imagine. Before I moved to Utah I thought I would never make good friends. But I have made better friends than I could have ever asked for (you know who you are) and my family in Christ is so wide and well bonded that it stretches from coast to coast. Without God's love I would be nothing. Without God's love we would all be nothign. But God knows the best for me and wants to bring it to life. I love God.
I love God so much. End of Story.
(If you want to see pictures to narrate this story please go to my facebook. The last four photos in my "Random Summer Photos" Album narrate this story well :D )
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Welcome to the Start of my Life
Hi everyone. Welcome to the start of my blog. In exactly twenty six days I turn eighteen. I am starting my junior year of college in eight days. (That makes me sound like some sort of crazy weird antisocial homeschooled kid who is super smart or something. I promise, I am lucky, not all that intelligent.) I am applying for my first real job, moving to a brand new city, and basically starting off my life. I figure that with leaving basically everyone I know, some of you might like to keep up with me. As of right now I don't really have any super exciting stories but I'll be sure to keep you all updated as they come. Sorry for the short post but I randomally decided to start a blog at two in the morning.... what more can you expect.
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