Re-dial

I love Christmastime. I just love it! Love me some holiday songs, hot chocolate, wrapping presents, warm jackets, a nice fire in the fireplace, and unbiblical metaphors from pastors who make stuff up to sound good. Just kidding about that last one. That actually really irritates me. Here's what happened:

My brother and I went to the 11 pm Christmas Eve service at one of the largest churches in Houston. Doesn't matter which one, I won't be going back for several reasons. The worship leader was camera mugging way too much. He would actually look for the camera with the red light and then start playing to the camera. I hated that I kept judging him, but he was more interested in his face on the big screens and seeing himself up there than he was on the words he was singing. It was so incredibly distracting. Also, the seriousness and the messages of the songs we song were turned upside down when they were immediately followed by really silly-stupid videos that were supposed to be entertaining. The reason of Christmas was completely lost. The worst part was the teaching. The pastor was saying things and making up metaphors that I don't think can be found in the Bible. I can't remember some of the things, but I just kept thinking: "Um, hello? Have you read the Bible?" Am I wearing my "I'm stoopid" face? This is a MEGA church (I mean several thousand attenders), and this is the kind of teaching that people are receiving? No wonder everyone and their mother is jumping into a seat there. It's a sugar-coated wonderland that is full of garbage. Where's the truth? Where's the conviction? Where's the honest devotion and adoration of God? I keep thinking that maybe I should email the pastor and ask him to please explain what he said with references from the bible. I haven't had constant internet connection since I left Austin, but maybe I'll take time and do that...

On another note: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a great movie. I actually walked out of the theater trying to remember where the I was. (Answer: Brandon, Mississippi). It was just that good. I'm not even sure what was so magnificent, but it really just takes you through a good story. And for once lately, the previews didn't give away the good parts. There was also a preview for a new Gerard Butler movie. Love him.

Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas!

Hold the phone! Another update??

Today, I pulled out the big guns. The Big Bertha of kitchen blenders. All 26 lbs of it. I don't know why, but this blender is so un-believably heavy. But I suppose it's worth it. Mine is white, but this was the only picture I could find on google. I never use it because as I mentioned before, it weighs as much as a toddler. But it was a fun day. I made my Secret Recipe Peanut Butter Cookies and some Snickerdoodles that I changed up a little bit. I've never made Snickerdoodles before, but hello! These are delish. They should be making an appearance at the class Christmas party, but there is a slight chance that my roommate and I (mostly I) will devour them before Thursday ever comes along.

I know myself well enough to know that I can't leave the peanut butter cookies out. So I wrapped them up as soon as they cooled and threw them in the freezer. Those things are like crack (I'm supposing- they have a very addictive quality).

Sweet dreams Blogland.

Holla back East Side! It's ya fave girl: E-money

I AM the worst kind of blogger out there. This time around it has been closer to a year since I last updated. Bad. So very bad! If I believed in New Year's Resolutions I would make updating my blog a goal. As it is, I will commit today, Sunday the Something-something of December, to be a better blogger. (Laugh now, it will be 3 months before I think of this again).

I am so very thankful for the year 2008. You could not pay me enough money to re-live it, but all-in-all, I think it was a good year. Not an easy year, you understand, but I think I can look back on it all and say that it was full of lessons, hardship, loss, and growth. I'm looking forward to 2009. It seems silly, but I'm hanging on to the idea that a new year will mean new things and that I will be able to move on. And blog-land, moving on is important. I feel like I've been standing still for so many months now and the world is moving on. But I think I'm ready to start moving now too.

SPEAKING of moving: We're moving! I think everyone knows that now because in my excitement I have told the entire world. Now that finals are over and I can detox from stress overload, I'm going to spend the next week packing and getting things ready. We're crossing over from the East side. I think I'm actually really going to miss it. It's forced me to be more aware of my surroundings and give more thought to safety. It's really not a bad area of town, just different. Actually I'm going to miss it a lot. We've had some good times in this house... We've had the chance to meet and speak to a lot of interesting individuals.

I'm also going to be baking in this next week. I was thinking that maybe I would make a plate of cookies for each house of friends. We'll see if I get that far, but I did already buy the plates, so I guess that's some incentive...

This Christmas, or after Christmas, my family is going to Mississippi. We chose to forgo the trip at Thanksgiving because we were all too busy, so we are making room in between Christmas and New Years. I'm trying to think of fun things my family can get out and do instead of sitting around watching TV while in MS. Thus far I have come up with the following list:

-Bowling


That's it. I was also thinking maybe ice skating, but I don't know if they'll have a rink out there. Anyways, something to think about over the next few weeks...


I know this post is getting long, but I was just re-reading my last post and had a few thoughts. 1) Still broke (broke) [Not really. God has blessed me. But I did end my relationship with Kanye]. 2) God is still preparing me for ministry. Even though the girls' ministry didn't work out the way we had hoped, God still worked in that and revealed much. I don't know where or what I'll be doing in the future, but I know that career-wise, I will probably do something service oriented. If God sends me back to Africa, I will probably pass out from excitement. My heart beats for that place and it would fulfill one of the deepest desires of my heart to see all of those beautiful faces and the red dirt there again.

Is it weird that I get anxious before I post something? Obviously I don't do this often enough...

I'm limited

Forgive me blogger, it has no been almost four months since my last update. I am undisciplined in my updating. I am the worst type of blogger because I usually forget that I even have a blog. My reasons for this are that I keep a journal. I update that regularly and I usually have a lot to say. The idea of a public journal is a little intimidating I think. In blogland there is no 'private' option. I think I liked that about livejournal, but even with livejournal I never updated regularly. I suppose the things I feel like writing about are of such a personal nature that I don't feel secure in posting those thoughts and insecurities for all the world to see. I should keep this updated though on what God has been doing. On that I have a lot to say.

The hardest part is deciding where to start. I think I'll make a quick update about what is happening now. In summary:

1. I am broke(broke). (SN (side-note): I think I am ending my relationship with Kanye. He's foul, although his jams can be so good!)
2. God is preparing me for ministry


1. I am a poor, broke, job-less college student. Woe is me... Not. I have always thought that the amount of money in my bank account has dictated whether I was rich or poor. Sometimes I am overjoyed because my bank account seems full. Other times I am depressed and suffer from anxiety attacks because there is less that $20 in my account. What I have realized, and am ashamed to admit I didn't realize this sooner, is that regardless of what my bank account says of me, I am indeed a very wealthy woman. You see, sometimes God blesses me financially and money pours into my checking account. Sometimes God allows me to live off of mere pennies. Whatever the state of my checking account, God is always in control. He always provides, He always fills my needs. There are times when I question His will because it is financially painful to trust Him. But I can thank him throughout all situations because He is a God with a plan. And He is faithful. So very, very faithful. He is good; through the good and the bad times, He is always good.

2. My fantastic roommate and I are teaming up under God's direction and are preparing to step into ministry. It was such a wonderful part of His plan bringing us together in an unusual way. It was terrifying for a while to realize all of the things that we have in common. He has given us both a passion to work with junior high girls, and he has provided an opportunity to serve Him in our own neighborhood. This will not be easy. If I start thinking about and dwelling on the fact that I am beyond incapable of doing this I begin to panic. Because I am BEYOND ill-equipped for this. I am terrified. The glory of this situation is that I'm not supposed to be able to do this. This is where I can step out in faith and let God use me. I don't have the words or wisdom to give to these girls. I come from such a different background. It is a blessing to be able to turn to God from the start and say "ehhh, You're in control. I'm terrified, but I trust you. I'll move when you move." I will try to keep this updated because I have much more to say and I know that God is preparing to do something in a big way. I am truly excited to see Him work! To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.