Forever I Am Changed

Wednesday, 08 July 2009

  • Grand Adventures

    Before I start blabbing on about recent things, lets go back in time. The LPGA was 2 weeks ago! I had so much fun. I met tons of people. The best parts - being outside (though we got lots of rain), talking to people all day, and the food. The food was incredible... daily. Each of the 4 days for the tournament I worked roughly 10-4:30. It was nice. Saturday at night, was also the Hillside Charity Auction, which I worked from 5:30 - 11:30, it was a long crazy/amazing day.
     
    Recent conversations with friends and thoughts have been revolving around topics like: worship, fellowship, His church vs. our church, etc. It's been good and challenging.
     
    Sunday involved one mini-awesome road trip to Grand Island to surprise and meet up with some friends. We (Becca, Jason, & I) showed up to the church they were at to share in an incredible church service. After the service the Pastor invited us all over to his house for lunch and fellowship. Wow. We all walked away blessed, encouraged, challenged, and excited. Fellowship like that doesn't happen too often.
     
    So. God is good. Things are going really well. Becca is moving to Boston for a year and I don't like that, but God is working in all of us, wherever we are.
     
    Currently
    Touch
    By delirious?
    My Glorious
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009

  • LPGA here I come

    2 days after my post about working the Gala at the LPGA, I was asked to actually work at the LPGA! For those of you outside of Rochester and have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, let me tell you:

     

    The LPGA is the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Every year in June a tournament is held at a country club here in Rochester. Wegmans is the main sponsor; therefore the tournament is called the Wegmans LPGA. Wegmans does all the food, all set up, the webcast, they’ve even put up temporary buildings and tents for different food venues (I was able to check all this out last week during my tour of the grounds). All the news stations around will be there, even ESPN.

     

    I’m very excited about this opportunity to work the whole tournament (Thursday through Sunday)! I will be the concierge at the Corporate Villa. Besides directing people and answering questions I’ll be allowing (or not allowing) people into the Corporate Villa. This is the place where all the VIP go to eat, drink, relax, and get out of the sun. Once inside it’s all you can eat & drink – for free. Some people have paid for this privilege, and well others, just get it. So I’ll be there – checking passes and the guest list, letting people in… or not! I’m stoked, it will be great to have a break from the office, do something different, and meet some important people!

     

    Saturday will be the busiest day, working 10-4 as the Concierge, and then probably 5-10+ at the Hillside Gala and all I have to say is: bring it on! Did I mention how well I’ll be eating all week, as most of the chefs (especially in the Villa) I know or work with…? Lovely.

     

     

    Currently
    Far
    By Regina Spektor
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Monday, 15 June 2009

  • It's all in His hands.

    It seems that most days and weeks not too much is happening. And then, all of a sudden 5 things are happening at once! Right now it's the latter of the two.

     

    Thursday at staff meeting, I was asked by the head Event Services department to work at the Hillside Gala at the end of the LPGA (June 27th)!! It's a black tie event, I'm not exactly sure what my job(s) will be, but I am excited nonetheless! I love opportunities to do new things, learn new things, and have a change of scenery. God is so good!

     

     

    Not only did I finish a book last week called Redeeming Love that made me cry and laugh and cry and smile, but I also had something else to deal with - a bit of a prideful heart, it snuck in without my realization. Tuesday night I went for a run to get out some frustration & clear my head... I came with a corrected heart and peace. I laid in the yard under a tree thinking about how that tree was fulfilling it's purpose. It was created for a purpose. I prayed God would show me where He wants me and give me the ability to do what He's calling me to.

     

    And constantly I find comfort in His words:

    Psalm 13:6 - "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

     

    Psalm 16:11 - "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

     

     

Friday, 05 June 2009

  • Maybe Just a Little Bit Longer

    Like wildflowers pushing up through the snow in early spring, I'm ready for winds of change and a new adventure. I've been a bit antsy lately to spread my wings and fly, but to where? God knows. I'm being patient, I'm trying anyway, seeking Him in His word and prayer.

    As much as I want to be leaving, that much of me wants to stay.

    Over the past [almost] 4 years of walking with Christ there has been a predominant theme of waiting on God. The waiting has always paid off and resulted in God's plan and not mine. His is better anyway. I would never have thought I'd be going to Spain after I graduated, but I did, it was His plan, and it was incredible. Same with Dominican, and getting a job after returning from a summer of traveling. I never knew what would be next but God knew, and it was better.

    I feel like once again I've been in a waiting period, but maybe it won't be much longer that I'm clueless about the next plan. God knows what's on the horizon for me, even if I don't. And my heart says: just keep praying...

    Currently
    Undone
    By MercyMe
    When You Spoke My Name
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Saturday, 30 May 2009

  • A little bit broken.

    I've been reassured that this season won't last forever. I've been told that I will not always face the same trials and heartaches. I've been told God has great things for me. I've been reassured.

    God gives me peace.

    The recent state of my room slightly reflects my mind. littered.... a mess, just too much stuff! I've had so much on my mind it's hard to keep it straight. I've been unmotivated to clean and purge the unneeded things.
     
    A lot of changes are happening in the lives around me and though I feel like mine isn't changing at all... their changes are effecting me. Change can be good - a challenge, a chance to grow & learn. After all, trials draw us closer to God.

    God's word reassures me as well:
     - The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9
     - The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. Psalm 145:17
     - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
     

    I'm praying for direction (if you'd like to join me). Not that there needs to be a "what's next", but I want to make sure I'm always where God wants me... not just where I want me. I don't want to become comfortable and miss His leading me somewhere new. Exciting things could be on the horizon!


    Currently
    Kari Jobe
    By Kari Jobe
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Monday, 18 May 2009

  • A Day of New Things

    Last night 7 friends gathered in Christ's name. The fellowship was so sweet, so deep, and full.
     
    Last night 7 friends sat in a park on a blanket, covered in blankets. The air was cold & crisp, but our hearts were full.
     
    Last night 7 friends prayed. We prayed for a hunger, a desire, and a passion for God. We prayed for guidance, direction, friends, family, the future. We prayed for a renewed faith. We prayed a lot.
     
    Last night 7 friends sought God together and enjoyed a fellowship that only believers can understand. It was an incredible, challenging, and encouraging night.
     
     
    I want a taste sweeter than honey
    I want a touch softer than a breeze
    I wanna see the purest of beauty
    I wanna hear the voice of Jesus calling me

    I keep asking for this Ghost to come haunt the soul inside of me
    To fill up all the empty places in my heart
    To be my eyes where its too dark to see
    . The Ghost of Jesus . Scott Phillips .
    Currently
    Next Stop Willoughby
    By Scott Phillips
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Friday, 08 May 2009

  • Of Life, Music, & a Broken Heart

    It always amazes me, the things I'll do when God breaks my heart for a cause, fills me with a passion, or lets me see things through His eyes. I step out of my comfort zone. I do something I don't think I'm good at, He always gets the glory. He fills me with unexplainable joy.
     
    My head & heart are filled with thoughts, ideas, questions, and often... lots of confusion. I'm thankful that when I'm clueless God knows exactly what's going on.
     
    And this is all vague.... very vague, just deal with it.
     
    There are times when God tells me to hold something deep down in my heart, keep it in prayer, and wait. So that is what I'm doing.
     

    Last night Scott Phillips played at Access (the college group at a church nearby). When I got saved my Aunt let me borrow a bunch of cds of Christian artists, two of them being Scott Phillips cds. I've been a big fan for over 3 years and was just a little bit excited about hearing him live last night... ok ok I was wicked excited!

    Scott Phillips works with World Vision, he shared testimonies about his faith & travels. And after he played, I got to talk with him about mission trips, World Vision, and the children who need sponsors. Children who were orphaned because their parents died of AIDS. Children who are raising their younger siblings. Children who have no idea what good news is.
     
    My heart is breaking for the things around me.


    Currently
    Love and the Like
    By Scott Phillips
    I Can't Sleep
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Monday, 04 May 2009

  • To See Their Hunger.

    2 weeks ago my Aunt started a bible study for 7th & 8th grade girls. That friday night we had 3 girls. Fast forward to our 2nd meeting 2 weeks later and much to our delight... those 3 multiplied to 8! At church last night my Aunt mentioned 2 more people should be coming this friday.
     
    It's a foundation course, a group of girls I'm praying will become great friends, a chance for them to see just how much fun it can be to study God's word on a friday night. It's an opportunity for their hunger to grow for the things of God, and to see 3 leaders who share that desire.
     
    3 weeks ago I found myself very easily giving up my friday night at RIT for InterVarsity with my friends. I was saying no to something good, to say yes to something right. 3 nights ago I realized I wasn't just participating in a bible study, but participating in the discipleship of young girls. Wow.
     
    At times I feel so ill-equipped for such a task, but thankful for the challenge to step up & out of my comfort zone to meet the call of God.
     
     
    Currently
    Broken and Brave
    By Holyfire
    Everything to Me
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Monday, 27 April 2009

  • The Days of Old

    My mind was very distracted at work today, but after the weekend I had I think I have an excuse. And who doesn't love a good excuse or two!?

    Being in my favorite little town, a tiny speck on a map, always makes me think of the time when I was there... all the time. A time when I saw those friends & family, weekly or even daily. I was always blessed, encouraged, strengthened, and challenged by those around me. I'm trying to decide if there was a time over the last [almost] 4 years that I was stronger in my faith than my senior year...

    During my last year at CU my faith was always on my tongue, I knew God was in control of every step I took, any direction I headed, and that He would provide for all my needs. Not only did I trust Him, I had confidence in Him. He sent me to Spain and the Dominican Republic and then provided the job He wanted me to have.

    I had a hard time readjusting to life at home when all of that was over, and without wanting it to happen or realize it was happening, I wasn't as close with God anymore. My relationship is stronger now, but I've realized it's not like it was when I was in Potsdam. And I want it to be.

    I spent time while driving up and home memorizing some passages in the Bible. Wow, what an incredible way to use a 4 hour (one way) drive. I want His words to be what I speak. The testimonies I heard this weekend challenged me and encouraged me immensely. Asking a friend about how school was going turned into a challenge in my heart to continue to pray fervently for those I desire in my family to be saved. God changes hearts, not man. I want to sing His praises, all the days of my life.


    "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man" Psalm 118:8