It's Christmas time again. For me, Christmas tends to be bitter sweet. I love the decorations, the cheer in the air, the cookies, the snow, all of it. But, Christmas brings with it a host of other emotions, sadness, worry, grief, anger. You see, Christmas for me has almost always looked different. My Christmas story is unlike ones you'll typically read, but the ending is really what matters.
I grew up in what looked like a typical home. I had a mom and a dad and a sister. When I was little Christmas was always this great day, full of happiness and presents. I remember the Christmas before my sister was born, I had so many presents I got sick of opening them all! Sometimes we'd visit family in Colorado, sometimes we'd stay home, but I always have fond memories of those times.
After my parents divorced, things started to change. My mom started to sleep more and more, and her moods were hardly predictable. She couldn't hold down a job, and before we knew it she'd start sayings things like "the voices are telling me to kill myself." It wasn't long before I became the parent. And, really it might have not been so bad had my dad been around more and present. You see, about this same time he was in and out of jail on drug charges and struggling himself.
From 6th grade on Christmas was far from the picture I always loved to remember. We'd get presents from the church, but my mom wouldn't ever get me gifts. Kimi always got them, but I was always "too hard to shop for" or I "wouldn't like anything I got and it'd be pointless anyways." After awhile the church ones didn't matter either, because my mom would put what she wanted instead of things I did. Christmas morning would come, I'd open a few gifts and she'd go, "oh that's for me."
The day had a typical patter too, we wake up, I'd open a gift or two and watch everyone else open theirs. I'd then go to my room cry, my dad would come in, apologize for not being able to do more and hand me $20. The rest of the day I'd just sit in my room.
My last Christmas at home was my senior year of high school. Once again it was another gift less year. Once again I'd go to my room to cry and my dad would come in with $20 and then after I went to a friend's house to spend the remainder of my day. When I came home that night my mom and I began to fight over the events of the day. I was once again "too hard to shop for." But it didn't end there. My attitude was out of control, I was sucking my mother dry and ruining her life, at least that's what she told me. "Out, I want you out of this house!" And just like that, I was kicked out. It didn't matter that I was paying a large chunk of her bills, that I was only a senior in high school planning on college. Just like that, I was on my own.
I stayed the night at my friend's house and the next morning her mom told me I wasn't going home and to plan on staying there. I stayed with them until they moved in May and then moved into another families house. I'd like to say that my Christmas's were happily ever after from there, but there's still more to the story.
I went off to college, and when I came home for break I learned that things had not been easy with me coming and going from where I was living. While it was under no fault of mine, it just wasn't working for the family, I needed to find somewhere new to live after break. A year after I had been kicked out, I was once again facing the dilemma of where to live. Christmas came and went, but when I got back to school I was suddenly hit with a realization. I had no home to come back to.
That semester was the hardest semester of my life. I was suddenly having to deal with feelings and emotions I had managed to bottle for over a year. That semester I struggled through depression more fiercely than I ever had. Getting out of bed was a struggle, going to class was a struggle. Doing anything was a struggle, because over and over all I could think about was the grief I was swallowed in. But, I made it.
Looking back at that semester, at Christmas's past all I can see is one clear theme, that I wouldn't have made it through had Christ not carried me.
I tell you this story, not so that you feel sorry for me, but that you can clearly see what Christ has done in my life. While those are struggles I would not wish on anyone, through them, I was able to learn a side of God I never would have known. There's a difference in knowing God is and knowing God as. I knew God is a provider, but now I know God as provider. I knew God is my strength, but now I know God as my strength. I knew God is my father, but I now know him as my father.
It's not always easy, I see girls shopping at the malls with their moms and I wish I had that. I wish I could depend on my parents and go to them for advice. I yearn for those relationships, and while I don't have those. I'm also blessed by what God has given me instead. He didn't leave my out to dry with nothing. He provided me wonderful families who love me, who let me stay with them, who let me be part of their families. I don't have just one family, I have many. God has blessed me far more than I could ever imagine!
I know God is real without a shadow of a doubt, because of how he's worked in my life. How he's worked in the lives of those around me, how he's provided me with more than I could ever imagine. I'm not bitter, I'm not resentful, and while I don't know the whole picture, I know that I had to go through this for whatever that God wants to accomplish in my life later. You see, he has a plan, he has a plan for all of us. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!" Jeremiah 29:11.
Whatever trial you may be facing this holiday season, never lose hope, because while in the midst of it, it seems endless and painful, in the big picture, God is weaving a beautiful story.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Complacent Politics
When did we become so complacent in politics? When did it become ok for someone to breach our security and leak our classified information?
In class today I learned about the Wikileaks that took place. Basically what happened is a man from Australia was able to hack into our security, take our classified information and then put it all over the Internet. Our response? Well we finally admitted it was an attack...that's about it.
Is anyone bothered by this?
Someone was able to breach our security and take classified files! Yet, we're just sitting back, doing practically nothing. This whole thing is an excellent testimony to what the Obama administration is doing. And really, America in general.
I think we as Americans have grown complacent. We sit back in our comfortable lives and let our leaders do the work, and for the most part, we don't even vote. Then, we get mad when things don't go our way. I'm sick of people not caring what's happening in our country today. I'm sick of uneducated voters. As Americans I believe it's our responsibility to be educated and to be involved in politics. Men and women everyday lay down their lives so we can vote, so we can have a free country and do we care? No.
Republican, democrat, I don't care. Just do something! We need to stop sitting around and watching our country go down in flames. Get involved, write congress, get EDUCATED!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6yLQRF-cEU
In class today I learned about the Wikileaks that took place. Basically what happened is a man from Australia was able to hack into our security, take our classified information and then put it all over the Internet. Our response? Well we finally admitted it was an attack...that's about it.
Is anyone bothered by this?
Someone was able to breach our security and take classified files! Yet, we're just sitting back, doing practically nothing. This whole thing is an excellent testimony to what the Obama administration is doing. And really, America in general.
I think we as Americans have grown complacent. We sit back in our comfortable lives and let our leaders do the work, and for the most part, we don't even vote. Then, we get mad when things don't go our way. I'm sick of people not caring what's happening in our country today. I'm sick of uneducated voters. As Americans I believe it's our responsibility to be educated and to be involved in politics. Men and women everyday lay down their lives so we can vote, so we can have a free country and do we care? No.
Republican, democrat, I don't care. Just do something! We need to stop sitting around and watching our country go down in flames. Get involved, write congress, get EDUCATED!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6yLQRF-cEU
Monday, November 29, 2010
Love Everyone?
Today in Criminology there was a presentation on domestic violence. There was a statistic in particular that really stuck out to me. That was this, 90% of children who die due to domestic abuse are under the age of 10. Over 50% of that number are under the age of 2.
Just let that sink in. If you're at all like me, you just want to push that thought away as much as possible. Our professor told us that in all reality, parents killing their children is far more prevalent than you would ever believe. In 2007 1,760 children died from domestic abuse.
As I wrestle with these statistics I'm also struck by the fact that these people too, are loved by God. That in God's eyes, sin is sin no matter what. That I sit in the same boat as a man who beat a murdered his children and wife. That I'm in the same boat with someone like Ted Bundy.
Not only that, but that we're called to love these people. We're called to visit these people, to tell them about Jesus. That one day when we get to Heaven, these very people could be there. I once heard that Ted Bundy accepted Christ before he was executed on death row. If that's true, Ted Bundy's in Heaven.
While I think about these things there are two things I'm struck by. The first being that I think we as Christians tend to put levels on sin. We think sins like lying and gossip really aren't that bad compared to those of murder. We even put little nice phrases on them to make them sound not so bad. We lie and defend it with, "but I didn't want to hurt their feelings". We gossip, but we call it a "prayer request". And then we go before God and say, "well at least I never stole" or "at least I never killed someone". It's like we think that God's going to give us some reward for never committing the "big" sins. But to God, sin is sin. God equates hate with murder. We lose sight of the fact that God is a Holy God, one that doesn't tolerate any sin. That while we may have just gossiped about someone, in God's book, it's as bad as if we killed them. Our human minds can't comprehend the fact that all sin is the same.
The second thought I'm struck by is that while we are these terrible sinners, God still offers his forgiveness. For some reason beyond me this beautiful, holy God looks down on us horribly sinful people and says that He loves us. Not only does He loves us, but that while we deserve Hell, He offers His son so we don't have to go there. Jesus takes our punishment for us. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and ask Him into our hearts, our sins are gone. Jesus' blood was powerful enough to cover not only my sin, not only Ted Bundy's sin, but the world's. Just sit on that for a second.
God loved us that much. God loves Ted Bundy that much. God loves the person who beat and killed his children that much.
If God who is this incredibly holy God can love someone so unlovable that much, shouldn't we?
As Christians isn't it our duty to pray for those people? To minister to those people? The Christian life isn't easy. In fact, it's messy. We as Christians, myself included, like to stay where it's nice and clean in our buildings and very rarely want to venture out into the messiness of the world.
I know this is a lot to take in, I'm still wrestling through it myself. I'd love to hear your thoughts, because I don't have all the answers. But, that's just what I've been wrestling with today.
Just let that sink in. If you're at all like me, you just want to push that thought away as much as possible. Our professor told us that in all reality, parents killing their children is far more prevalent than you would ever believe. In 2007 1,760 children died from domestic abuse.
As I wrestle with these statistics I'm also struck by the fact that these people too, are loved by God. That in God's eyes, sin is sin no matter what. That I sit in the same boat as a man who beat a murdered his children and wife. That I'm in the same boat with someone like Ted Bundy.
Not only that, but that we're called to love these people. We're called to visit these people, to tell them about Jesus. That one day when we get to Heaven, these very people could be there. I once heard that Ted Bundy accepted Christ before he was executed on death row. If that's true, Ted Bundy's in Heaven.
While I think about these things there are two things I'm struck by. The first being that I think we as Christians tend to put levels on sin. We think sins like lying and gossip really aren't that bad compared to those of murder. We even put little nice phrases on them to make them sound not so bad. We lie and defend it with, "but I didn't want to hurt their feelings". We gossip, but we call it a "prayer request". And then we go before God and say, "well at least I never stole" or "at least I never killed someone". It's like we think that God's going to give us some reward for never committing the "big" sins. But to God, sin is sin. God equates hate with murder. We lose sight of the fact that God is a Holy God, one that doesn't tolerate any sin. That while we may have just gossiped about someone, in God's book, it's as bad as if we killed them. Our human minds can't comprehend the fact that all sin is the same.
The second thought I'm struck by is that while we are these terrible sinners, God still offers his forgiveness. For some reason beyond me this beautiful, holy God looks down on us horribly sinful people and says that He loves us. Not only does He loves us, but that while we deserve Hell, He offers His son so we don't have to go there. Jesus takes our punishment for us. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and ask Him into our hearts, our sins are gone. Jesus' blood was powerful enough to cover not only my sin, not only Ted Bundy's sin, but the world's. Just sit on that for a second.
God loved us that much. God loves Ted Bundy that much. God loves the person who beat and killed his children that much.
If God who is this incredibly holy God can love someone so unlovable that much, shouldn't we?
As Christians isn't it our duty to pray for those people? To minister to those people? The Christian life isn't easy. In fact, it's messy. We as Christians, myself included, like to stay where it's nice and clean in our buildings and very rarely want to venture out into the messiness of the world.
I know this is a lot to take in, I'm still wrestling through it myself. I'd love to hear your thoughts, because I don't have all the answers. But, that's just what I've been wrestling with today.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
My Favorite Things: Hair Edition
My Favorite Things is going to be a new little segment on my blog. I'm going to try weekly to update it with all the things I like at the moment. Each week will have a different theme so that way we can really explore together the products and the trends. :) This week is all about hair products and styling tools! Feel free to leave comments as well with the things that you've found to be great!
I'll start with my absolute favorite products!
First off is Chi Iron Guard
I love this product! I have thick curly hair that's hard to style, but with this spray it turns out sleek and smooth every time! It's not heavy, so it's not weighing down my already heavy hair and it smells amazing! Priced around $14, it's reasonable, and it lasted me about 4 or 5 months using about 4-5 times a week.
I know for the mall I work at, some salons give mall employee discounts on products as well. Regis in the mall I work at gives 20% . If you work in a mall look into deals like that. Also, Ulta is an excellent place to get hair products! They are always running deals and specials! Last time I bought this, I got it from Ulta for less than $10, what a steal!
Another product I love it Biolage's Thermal Setting Spray
Now, as far as hair sprays go, I've got two that I swear by. Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Hair Spray and Tigi's Bed Head Hard Head Hair Spray.
Both of these sprays provide an excellent hold and last quite awhile! Big Sexy Hair is priced around $17 and Bed Head is priced around $15. For as long as these sprays have lasted me, it's money well spent.
There's another product I love to use, Big Sexy Hair Root Plump Plus.
I think I use this product differently than most people, but it provides excellent results when making a bump. What I do is separate the section I plan on teasing and then spray a little of this at the root before I tease it. It provides an excellent hold all day! My bumps never fall! Also priced around $17, but since little product is needed it lasts quite awhile.
I'll just do a brief over view of the shampoos and conditioners I swear by, because that could get long, but keeping in mind my incredibly thick hair, I have to be picky on what I use. These products have always given me excellent results and it bought at the right time of year can be found at excellent prices. Ulta is one place that regularly has liter sales on these shampoos and conditioners. The following are Tigi Bed Head's Dumb Blonde, Biologe's Color Care and Redkin's Fresh Curls
Now onto styling tools!
HAI Convertable Ceramic Flat Iron
This straightener is by far the best I have ever found! I think it works better than Chi's flat irons. It's reasonably priced $75 from folica.com http://www.folica.com/tools/flat-irons/hai-convertable-ceramic-flat-iron I have yet to find this brand in stores, but can easily be found online.
This flat iron also has an excellent warranty. While the website and even the papers say that it's only one year, according to the manufacturer's site, it's 3 years! I had to replace mine after 3 years and only had to pay $8 in shipping to replace the straightener.
It heats up quickly and stays hot, it has great heat distribution. Plus, I'm able to straighten my crazy thick and curly hair with ease!
For curling irons I recommend Hot Tools Titanium 1" Curling Iron.
This curling iron heats up quick and stays hot! It provides beautiful curls and is soups easy to use. The cord swivels so that it never gets twisted. It's priced around $40, but I found mine brand new on ebay for $25. If you look around you can find a great deal on this curling iron!
Well that's all for now! I hope you find this helpful and informational!
Love,
Sandra
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Hey Jude....Where'd ya go?
I love music. I always have. Growing up I was raised on Classic Rock and 90's Country (classic rock from my dad and the country from my mom). I've been to too many shows to count. I've seen everyone from The Who to Reba live. From Point of Grace to Colbie Callait. I know every Journey song by heart.....and every Backstreet Boys song.
That being said, I feel like I can say this, what happened to quality music? And talent? I feel like every song now is made up of auto tuning and surrounds some form of getting crunk and and shooting up the block. And while I do enjoy T-Pain, don't get me wrong, I'm not sure if that's the music I want my generation remembered by.
Long gone is Paul McCartney singing to Jude and Elton John with his candle in the wind. It's as if the 90's was the last era of music where actual talent and substance was required. And by that I mean, anyone can be famous now. Get on youtube, get on American Idol, and there's fame and a record deal.
When I look back I hope my generation is known for something more than songs about getting shwasted and setting the house on fire.
That being said, I feel like I can say this, what happened to quality music? And talent? I feel like every song now is made up of auto tuning and surrounds some form of getting crunk and and shooting up the block. And while I do enjoy T-Pain, don't get me wrong, I'm not sure if that's the music I want my generation remembered by.
Long gone is Paul McCartney singing to Jude and Elton John with his candle in the wind. It's as if the 90's was the last era of music where actual talent and substance was required. And by that I mean, anyone can be famous now. Get on youtube, get on American Idol, and there's fame and a record deal.
When I look back I hope my generation is known for something more than songs about getting shwasted and setting the house on fire.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Camp and Such
With the Camp on the Rock retreat fast approaching, I thought I'd dedicate a blog to that. I've been sitting in Caribou for the past hour (while unsuccessfully trying to get a blog template to load) thinking about what COTR has meant to me over the years.
As the Christmas music has been pouring into my ears, I've thought about my long history with COTR, but to be completely honest, I'm not really sure where or when it started. Honestly, looking back, I barely remember what even possessed me to get involved.
I remember the first time I ever visited the Kellogg Youth Group which is probably where it all began. I was in freshman in high school and my neighbor invited me. I went with a friend and well, I just kept coming. It was on Sunday nights, which didn't at all conflict with my Wednesday youth group at my home church and I found it so different. At first, I really didn't know what to think, just that I liked it.
About a year after that, the summer before my junior year of high school I was invited to come to camp as a huddle leader/staff.
It was so scary and intimidating, but exciting to get to be in a leadership position like that. The first year was so fun, but kind of awkward. I was just getting to know the other staff who was pretty much all related, but it was just so fun.
The messages were always good, they do a reenactment of the Crucifixion which was so incredibly powerful, and as staff we were able to see kids' lives change.
I was involved the next two years after, and then the summer after my freshman year of college I took a year off so I could work, and I really just didn't have time.
This past May, as I had mentioned, I broke my ankle. The brake was pretty serious (broken in 3 places) it required I have surgery and was stuck in a cast for two months. During those two months I couldn't work, I couldn't do so much for myself. Honestly it was so frustrating. I'm an incredibly independent person, I have to be. Not being able to work, having to let people and even depend on people to help me almost killed me. But, during that time I think what God was doing was slowing me down. Getting me alone, and preparing my heart for what he had in store.
While I was still in my cast I contacted Crystal about being involved with camp that summer and she was more than willing to have me back (injury and all) and I started preparing for the end of the summer.
Once my cast was off I was faced with a whole new realm of challenges, such as walking. I literally had to learn to walk again, I wasn't able to work for quite some time, but at least I was somewhat mobile. The cast was off early July and a month later I was on my way to camp.
I was so nervous going into this summer. Literally the night before as I laid in bed all I could think was "Someone in my cabin's going to puke. How can I get out of this? What was I thinking? I haven't worked with these people in so long, I'll be so out of the loop. It's going to be awkward" and so on. I literally was wondering if I had gone temporarily insane. I might of, that's possible haha.
Anyways, from minute one when the staff met at the camp, we just meshed. The whole staff just had this dynamic and friendship, it was so exciting. There was a buzz about what God had in store. But, before the kids got there, we needed to prepare. We spent hours talking about things me might encounters, situations, the campers, and then we began prayer. We spent so much time in prayer that night, and then we worshipped. After worship we prayed in a circle and the staff was given words. When it was my turn I got in the middle and I just thought, well I'll probably get like trust, because I need to work on that or something else. Or maybe I won't even have one. We begin praying and Jennie gives me my word, and it's.....shine. Shine? Then someone else speaks, he says he's getting talents. Shine....talents....and someone else speaks...."It's like you're a treasure chest!"
I almost fell over. We finished shortly after and dispersed for some individual prayer time, and as I sat there praying, I felt how deeply the father loved me for the first time in my life. You see, for me growing up, kind words weren't often spoken. And while some people may not like to hear what I'm about to say, often from my parents is where those words came from. Yes I was told I was loved, but it was often overshadowed by words such as fat and ugly. On more than one occasion was I told, "You've ruined my life." While I've tryed to combat those things with God's truth, often I'd read and pray, "God I know that I'm your daughter, I know that those words are for me, but those words are for everyone else too. I want something for just me." And right there, those words, those were for just me! It wasn't just "Sandra you need to learn to trust me" or "Why do you always doubt me?" but that to Him I was a treasure chest, that I had something to offer. And while those other things are so true, He didn't feel the need to remind me of my shortcomings, but where He had gifted me.
If that just seems like it's the best part of the week, it wasn't. There was so much more. The kids got there, and we learned about what we had ahead of us. Our Sunday night worship, which typically is very awkward was what we normally expected for a Thursday night. These kids were full out worshipping like I've never seen before. As the week unfolded I learned that so many of these kids had come from parents like mine, and while their stories just broke my heart, I was also able to relate to them in ways I hadn't planned. And some of their stories reminded me of just how good of a life I've had. These kids were just so resilient in the face of horrible circumstances.
I've never seen God move more powerfully than what I did that week at camp. Not just in my life, but those around me. I'm so excited as I'm getting ready to embark in more responsibilities when it comes to camp and gearing up for our retreat. I'm excited to see the kids again, to be with the staff again and to see how God's going to move. Along with that, I'm so excited for next summer.
If anyone wants to get involved with COTR let me know, we're always looking out for more staff! There's my plug, but seriously. And, by that I mean, if in anyway you'd like to offer support by getting involved, or sending your kids or becoming staff let me know!
As the Christmas music has been pouring into my ears, I've thought about my long history with COTR, but to be completely honest, I'm not really sure where or when it started. Honestly, looking back, I barely remember what even possessed me to get involved.
I remember the first time I ever visited the Kellogg Youth Group which is probably where it all began. I was in freshman in high school and my neighbor invited me. I went with a friend and well, I just kept coming. It was on Sunday nights, which didn't at all conflict with my Wednesday youth group at my home church and I found it so different. At first, I really didn't know what to think, just that I liked it.
About a year after that, the summer before my junior year of high school I was invited to come to camp as a huddle leader/staff.
It was so scary and intimidating, but exciting to get to be in a leadership position like that. The first year was so fun, but kind of awkward. I was just getting to know the other staff who was pretty much all related, but it was just so fun.
The messages were always good, they do a reenactment of the Crucifixion which was so incredibly powerful, and as staff we were able to see kids' lives change.
I was involved the next two years after, and then the summer after my freshman year of college I took a year off so I could work, and I really just didn't have time.
This past May, as I had mentioned, I broke my ankle. The brake was pretty serious (broken in 3 places) it required I have surgery and was stuck in a cast for two months. During those two months I couldn't work, I couldn't do so much for myself. Honestly it was so frustrating. I'm an incredibly independent person, I have to be. Not being able to work, having to let people and even depend on people to help me almost killed me. But, during that time I think what God was doing was slowing me down. Getting me alone, and preparing my heart for what he had in store.
While I was still in my cast I contacted Crystal about being involved with camp that summer and she was more than willing to have me back (injury and all) and I started preparing for the end of the summer.
Once my cast was off I was faced with a whole new realm of challenges, such as walking. I literally had to learn to walk again, I wasn't able to work for quite some time, but at least I was somewhat mobile. The cast was off early July and a month later I was on my way to camp.
I was so nervous going into this summer. Literally the night before as I laid in bed all I could think was "Someone in my cabin's going to puke. How can I get out of this? What was I thinking? I haven't worked with these people in so long, I'll be so out of the loop. It's going to be awkward" and so on. I literally was wondering if I had gone temporarily insane. I might of, that's possible haha.
Anyways, from minute one when the staff met at the camp, we just meshed. The whole staff just had this dynamic and friendship, it was so exciting. There was a buzz about what God had in store. But, before the kids got there, we needed to prepare. We spent hours talking about things me might encounters, situations, the campers, and then we began prayer. We spent so much time in prayer that night, and then we worshipped. After worship we prayed in a circle and the staff was given words. When it was my turn I got in the middle and I just thought, well I'll probably get like trust, because I need to work on that or something else. Or maybe I won't even have one. We begin praying and Jennie gives me my word, and it's.....shine. Shine? Then someone else speaks, he says he's getting talents. Shine....talents....and someone else speaks...."It's like you're a treasure chest!"
I almost fell over. We finished shortly after and dispersed for some individual prayer time, and as I sat there praying, I felt how deeply the father loved me for the first time in my life. You see, for me growing up, kind words weren't often spoken. And while some people may not like to hear what I'm about to say, often from my parents is where those words came from. Yes I was told I was loved, but it was often overshadowed by words such as fat and ugly. On more than one occasion was I told, "You've ruined my life." While I've tryed to combat those things with God's truth, often I'd read and pray, "God I know that I'm your daughter, I know that those words are for me, but those words are for everyone else too. I want something for just me." And right there, those words, those were for just me! It wasn't just "Sandra you need to learn to trust me" or "Why do you always doubt me?" but that to Him I was a treasure chest, that I had something to offer. And while those other things are so true, He didn't feel the need to remind me of my shortcomings, but where He had gifted me.
If that just seems like it's the best part of the week, it wasn't. There was so much more. The kids got there, and we learned about what we had ahead of us. Our Sunday night worship, which typically is very awkward was what we normally expected for a Thursday night. These kids were full out worshipping like I've never seen before. As the week unfolded I learned that so many of these kids had come from parents like mine, and while their stories just broke my heart, I was also able to relate to them in ways I hadn't planned. And some of their stories reminded me of just how good of a life I've had. These kids were just so resilient in the face of horrible circumstances.
I've never seen God move more powerfully than what I did that week at camp. Not just in my life, but those around me. I'm so excited as I'm getting ready to embark in more responsibilities when it comes to camp and gearing up for our retreat. I'm excited to see the kids again, to be with the staff again and to see how God's going to move. Along with that, I'm so excited for next summer.
If anyone wants to get involved with COTR let me know, we're always looking out for more staff! There's my plug, but seriously. And, by that I mean, if in anyway you'd like to offer support by getting involved, or sending your kids or becoming staff let me know!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Derivatives, Hedge Funds and Potter
Today has been an incredibly mixed feelings day. Here's the bright side, and the not so bright side.
Bright Side
* My hair looked excellent this morning
* New boots
* The little pictures I drew on my test to explain what I was saying
* 3 hour nap
* Watching Harry Potter
* Dinner with Allison tonight
Not so Bright Side
* Ice all around causing the perpetual oh no I'm going to break my ankle again thought
* Falling asleep in Christian Theology
* Incredibly hard test that requiered drawn pictures to explain what I was saying :(
I mean honestly, know one understood some of the concepts on that test. The Financial Reform act of 2010 versus the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. What? The website he gave us for the information didn't even explain either of those acts. And, I kind of know what a hedge fund and a derivative are, but ughhhhh.
Anyways. That's all!
Love,
S
Bright Side
* My hair looked excellent this morning
* New boots
* The little pictures I drew on my test to explain what I was saying
* 3 hour nap
* Watching Harry Potter
* Dinner with Allison tonight
Not so Bright Side
* Ice all around causing the perpetual oh no I'm going to break my ankle again thought
* Falling asleep in Christian Theology
* Incredibly hard test that requiered drawn pictures to explain what I was saying :(
I mean honestly, know one understood some of the concepts on that test. The Financial Reform act of 2010 versus the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. What? The website he gave us for the information didn't even explain either of those acts. And, I kind of know what a hedge fund and a derivative are, but ughhhhh.
Anyways. That's all!
Love,
S
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Well.
This is the beginning. The very beginning. Of my blogging career that is. I guess maybe I should tell you a little bit about myself. Well, I'm a Criminal Justice major. What am I going to do with that? Good question. I like law, so my current idea is to be a lawyer, but I tend to change my mind at least once a week. Oops.
I work at American Eagle, which as it turns out, I kinda sorta like a whole lot.
I just bought some soups cute new boots for winter, and a sweater dress, and a new top. I like clothing.
I also love Jesus. He is my Savior, my source of comfort and joy, the love of my life, He's my everything.
I play guitar.
I am addicted to coffee in the worst way.
I break cars. A lot. I'm 7 in at this point.
I'm an unashamed Twilight fan. And by that I mean, I'm a little ashamed, I have a Jacob shirt, but I'll never wear it.
I like to run, but I never make time to do it. Therefore, I kind of suck at it.
I broke my ankle in May. That's a good story, I'll put it on here sometime.
Well, I guess that's all you need to know for now. Thanks for reading my awkward first blog :)
I work at American Eagle, which as it turns out, I kinda sorta like a whole lot.
I just bought some soups cute new boots for winter, and a sweater dress, and a new top. I like clothing.
I also love Jesus. He is my Savior, my source of comfort and joy, the love of my life, He's my everything.
I play guitar.
I am addicted to coffee in the worst way.
I break cars. A lot. I'm 7 in at this point.
I'm an unashamed Twilight fan. And by that I mean, I'm a little ashamed, I have a Jacob shirt, but I'll never wear it.
I like to run, but I never make time to do it. Therefore, I kind of suck at it.
I broke my ankle in May. That's a good story, I'll put it on here sometime.
Well, I guess that's all you need to know for now. Thanks for reading my awkward first blog :)
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