Night Vision 2K6

This last week at camp was AWESOME! I had such a good time worshiping, praying, hanging out with young people, hanging out with my friends, getting water ballooned, hearing from God............. the list could go on and on. I didn't really have a specific job responsibility this year, which I am so thankful for because it gave me a lot of room to do the things that no one saw to do and hang out with the young people and just to be with God. It was such a great week! I didn't want to leave!
Worship was a whole new level this week! I can't even begin to tell you all what was happening, and how much we were used in worship. Not just singing but really praying and stepping in the gap for the young people that weren't willing to give things up. It was heart breaking to see the ones that wouldn't let go and give their problems up, they just wanted to hang on and be stubborn. It broke my heart to see a couple leaders the first few nights who seemed to be off in their own world not really connecting, but by the last night God had a hold of them too! It's such an awesome feeling to have discernment and ask a leader to go pray for someone and then see that person receiving something from the Lord. It's like, "wow, it wasn't really me at all, I heard the Lord."
There were a few things that really stuck out to me this week, lot's of memories, but precious moments that really stuck out. One was when we prayed for siblings and I saw 2 brothers that don't get along very well praying for each other and talking through the stuff. Another time was on Wednesday night during worship. We had just about finished our set list and during one of the slower songs Josh heard a word from the Lord and started singing it out. It was awesome! There was so much peace in the room, God's presence was so thick! I can't begin to describe what it was, it was such a sweet spirit. Talk about being proud of your friends. I was so proud to see him surrender and let himself be used. Taylor did an awesome job too. He was so faithful to pray for the young people. I can't tell you how many times I saw him praying with his brothers! It was awesome to have all 3 of them there this year. Noelle taught during one of the day sessions. It was great! She really ministered to the girls! She taught on society's impact on us and that we were to be set apart from the world.
God really showed me His faithfulness. No matter how many times we fall short or fall away from Him, He loves us just the same. No matter what tries to hold us back from Him, He is faithful to stay at our sides, or in some of our cases, holding us up so that we don't fall down. When we would pray for things at camp most of the things that came to mind to pray for was faithfulness, that the kids would understand just how faithful God is in their lives. And to keep pressing in, just when you think you can't go any further, keep going! Another one was to wait on Him. So often we get something special from God, His plan for us, and we're so eager to make it happen ourselves that we don't think about the fact that it's in God's time. He's really worked on me in this area alot lately. Lot's of awesome things are happening and will be happening in the next year. Someone told me on Sunday just before I left for camp that there will be lots of great changes in the next year. He said "Just wait, by this time next year lot's of changes, August 1st of next year." I don't know exactly what he had in mind, but I trust him and I don't want to read into it. I know God has alot to change in me, habits, discipline, etc etc...
I'm so excited for this next year and where God is taking me! I pray you are touched by God like I was at camp. Just think your everday life can be a camp experience if you have a real relationship with God and let Him speak to you! Love ya'll!

Summer Camp 2K6

Off to Summer Camp we go tomorrow! Keep us all in your prayers! God has alot for the young people, pray they have open hearts to receive!

Love ya'll! I'll make sure to post pics and blog about it when I get back :)

Happy Birthday to You! And other exciting things too!

Ok, so I know that Mary, Jessica and Olivia's Birthdays aren't until Tuesday the 11th, but I figured I should probably blog it now! (Ya'll know how I am about blogging on time!) :)
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA! I love you guys! I am so proud of all three of you and know that God has some great things in store for you in the next year! I'm happy to be your friend!
So, if you haven't already heard or read about it, you need to visit Derrick and Emily's blog to find out how awesome out God is! Derrick was HEALED on Friday afternoon! Make sure you read it! I have a link on the side of the blog, GO READ IT! It will encourage you! God is AWESOME!
This weekend has been alot of fun. Karon, Justin, Kurt and Mary are visiting, and I got to spend sometime with them. Jessica's birthday party on Friday was alot of fun! Today was Karon's baby shower! I still can't believe she's having a baby! I can't wait to see little Isabella Sophia Carpenter! Can't wait to see little Judah John Von Eschen either though!
Well, I have to go for now! I'll try and write more in the next day or so. I saw a few of you fellow bloggers today and you were anxious for me to tell what's been on my heart lately, so I'll make sure to fill you in soon! Love ya'll!!

Crazy!

No, I'm not going crazy, but that's how life has been lately! So much going on, but not much to talk about. Work has been busy, I've been working the morning shifts alot lately, so it's been nice to have the evenings available to do stuff with friends. But as most of you now, I'm not so much of a morning person, so it's hard for me to go to bed in time to get 8 hours of sleep. But, such is life, and it's worth it right now.
Karon & Justin and Kurt & Mary will all be here this coming week and I am so excited to see them! I can't wait to see their pregnant bellies! I can't wait to see Grace either! When I was down there I got to spend time with her and really appreciate just how sweet she is. I also got to Daddy's girl that she is!
I have tomorrow off!! Woohoo! So exited to have a Sunday off! And I just found out I have the 4th of July off! So excited! And I get to go to Jess' party and Karon's baby shower! God is sooooo good! I've had alot of favor lately with my schedule, so can I just say how cool my boss is!
Yeah, so I was hoping to blog more, but I'm at work, so I can't :) Love ya'll!

Worship!

I found this picture of Kurt on the Gathering's website and just wanted to share it with everyone! You can tell he is in his element there! I'm so proud of Kurt and Mary for stepping out and doing God's will! We could all learn a lesson in trusting in God from them both!

Love you guys!

Memorial Day Family BBQ- 5/28

Just wanted to post up some family pictures that we took today. Plus, I realized as I was talking to someone at church today, alot of people don't know that I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. The first two pics are of me and Stephanie, my niece. Isn't she cute!! She's getting so big! The third is my mom, me, Tammy, Lacey, Renea and Stephanie. Lacey is the younger girl with pink on, she's Tammy's daughter. Tammy is the oldest of us sisters, actually of all the siblings. The fourth picture is Renea, Tommy (her fiancee') and Dylan, Renea's middle child. He's my Dyl-Pickle. I've called him that since he was a baby! The last picture, from left to right, is Tammy, me, and Renea. People always think I'm older than Renea, but she's 5 years older than me. It just so happens that it was her Birthday yesterday too. Oh, by the way, I am taller than both of them, but the way the ground is there at my parents I was at their level. YES! I did it on purpose :) I wanted to get the whole family on here, but the computer at my parents was being slow and not everyone got their picture taken. I'll have to take more next time.
So, now you've seen my family and my naked teeth- as Andrew is calling them!

Woohoo!!

My braces are off now! Woohoo!! I'll make sure to post a picture soon, I promise!

15 HOURS!!!

Ok, so I know that I am lame, but only 15 more hours until my braces come off!!! Woohoo!!

Salish Lodge, Social life, Someday

Ok, so I've worked at the Salish now for (stopping to count on fingers) 8 months now! Can't even believe it. I've stayed there 2 times, gotten 3 massages and 1 facial in that time. In my opinion, not enough, but it adds up! I'm so thankful for my discount, let me tell ya! Right now I'm training a new person. We're getting like a million new people for the summer. Ok, not really a million, but quite alot of new people. Just found out last Monday that our "trainer" is quiting to work for another company and so they have decided that I will train people. I really hope this means I'll get better hours. When I first started I loved starting in the afternoon, but it has really affected my social life. (What social life?!) Exactly!
I've blogged a little on my MySpace, and due to encouragement from my awesome friend Karon, I have started writing again. Maybe I'll post them on here. Not sure yet though. When I was in Junior high and High school I used to write poems, but as I got into adult-hood I started getting writers block, so to speak. I would really love to write worship songs. Someday.
Someday. That word seems to come up alot lately. I wanted Just Like Heaven again the other day and really made me think about what I'm doing with my life. It seems like I'm alot like the main character on that movie, where she "saves" her life for later. I'm tired of doing that. I want to live a full life now. Any suggestions on where to start? Last year I did something I never thought I would do. I zip-lined from a Volcano in Nicaragua. That's living life fully. I got a tattoo last year! That's being crazy and spontaneous. I wish I wasn't such a thinker, so that I would do more spontaneous things, but I'm always trying to plan everything. As my friend Chris would say "Stop thinking about it!" I wish I could. There are things coming up that I just need to not thing about and let God take control. Maybe I'll start using "just do it" as my motto.

Clark's Engaged!

Yesterday Clark proposed to Dina! Congrats guys!

Day off, Braces off!

Finally a day off today! I've been working 6 days a week lately, luckily not in a row. I love overtime! Well, at least the pay off of overtime! Sunday will be a full day of overtime, so I'm excited about that! God's really blessed me lately with my finances. He's giving me more wisdom with what to do with it. For once I have money in my savings account! It's sad that it's taken me this long! But we all have strengths in different areas I guess!
Tomorrow I go in for my first appointment to get part of my braces off!! I'm so thrilled! I just can't wait! I get the rest off on May 23rd! It's finally happening! I can't wait! (Sorry, already said that!)
It's such a beautiful day today! It's supposed to be in the mid-60's. I'm going to go for a walk sometime today. I love Seattle on days like today.
Hope you all are doing great! Let me know if you need prayer for anything!

Quick pic!

Just a quick note to add this pic, courtesy of Mary, of when I was down in Sparks! I'll post more when I get my film developed. Although, I think most of the pics will be of Grace, because she's so photogenic! Sweet Grace!

Thanks Kurt, Mary, Karon and Justin for being such great hosts while I was down there! It was awesome to hang out with ya'll again! And like Mary said it felt like we just left off from when they moved. I miss them all very much, but I know God has His plans :)

Trip

Well, my trip to San Fran and Reno was really great! Too short a time in Reno, but I am already starting to plan my next trip :) I'm so thankful to have friends like Karon, Mary, Justin and Kurt! They are incredible people! I miss them already!
Today I had coffee with an old friend from Elementary school. I hadn't seen him in 16 years! Even though we've lived near each other for the last 15, it took me going to Reno to get to meet up and hang out with him. Good times.
I can't write much right now, long day tomorrow! Pray for me, I was nominated for Employee of the Quarter, and tomorrow I find out if I win!! I hope so!
Lots of decisions ahead of me, I pray that God will open my eyes to see and ears to hear what it is that He would like me to do. So many roads to chose from, so to speak!

Suzy's Engaged!!!!

Suzy and Matt just got engaged on the Today show today!!

topic? title? blank?

Usually when blogging I try to find a topic that will go with what I'm going to or want to talk about, but I can't think of anything. Which leads right into my next sentance. I haven't been able to blog anything fun, witty or otherwise comical for quite sometime now. I find that the more I think about blogging, the more my mind draws a blank lately. I could talk about work, and how my schedule is driving me nuts because last week was one of the first weeks that I had a Sunday off and when I do have to work I haven't been able to stay for the whole service because they have me start at Noon! Ok, enough ranting! :) I'm better now.

I've really felt lately like I'm coming up short with my relationship with the Lord. I want to get back to that spot where I'm praying without ceasing, where I can't get enough of the Bible, where all I can do is worship Him. I really want to get back to that place. I can almost pin point when it all started. I had an argument with God and I didn't realize I was in the wrong. He was basically telling me to do something, which would have been for my own good, but I didn't want anything to do with it. I have since repented of course, but I still feel bad for it. I know He's forgiven me, but I'm such a thinker and sometimes I don't let things go when I should. I feel though, that since I've acknowledged what's going in my head that I CAN move forward, it's just getting the people around me to recognize that I have changed, for the better, and not to treat me as though I'm a back sliding heathen. I wish I could set them down and talk to them, but I hate confrentation, it's definitely not in my nature, and I'm a chicken to do it. I can't believe I'm writing all this out. I think Marcie inspired me when she was writing one day about a few things she was dealing with and said something about at least now someone should hold her accountable for the changes she'd like to make. So, if any of you would like a challenge :) Also, if you have a suggestion of how I can become more disciplined in my walk, please comment.

I love you all! Have a blessed day!

Community College or University?!?

Hey all! I'm sorry it's been so long since I wrote. Life has been busy, as usual! I'm so excited, the beginning of the month marked the new beginning of my 2nd raise!! Woohoo!! Let's just say I love our Managers!
So, it's official! I bought my tickets for California and Nevada, and I have less than a month until I'm there! I'm so excited to go see everyone! I haven't seen Amy in like 3 or 4 years and I am so happy for her! (The pic is of Amy and Nate) Adawna will be down there, she's in the wedding. I'm helping with the Guest book.
This week I work 6 days, next week I work 6 days and I'm housesitting starting next week for the Ostrom's. I'm so excited about that! I think it'll be for like 12 or 13 days! This time I'm bringing Jerome with me, because he gets mad when I'm gone that long.....poor baby!
So, I can't decide if I want to start at a Community College or at Northwest University yet. What do ya'll think? I haven't been in school for 8 years! Crazy, huh! That makes me feel old!
Well, I have to go for now. Hope to have comments from everyone :) Love ya'll!

Just stuff

Well, nothing really new to talk about. Oh, except I did buy my plane tickets to San Francisco and Nevada! I'm so excited to go down there! See Justin, I am coming to visit! I get to see a bit of California too, because I land in Oakland at like 12:30 and the wedding isn't until 7:00pm, so I'll be going to my hotel in San Francisco and go from there to whatever, that will be interesting!
On the College front, I just got my SAT Prep book, OOOHHHH MY! It's so big! I'm a bit intimidated by the SAT's! But I know that I'll do great! :) (I hope!) I applied for FAFSA and of course they say I make too much to get the Pell Grant, but luckily God has blessed me with incredible Grandparents who have offered to pay for College. I still need to talk over specifics with them though, because I need to figure out if I'm going to attend fulltime or part time. My dad asked me tonight if I was ready to go to a University or if I should start at a Community College. I'm not sure, I've asked myself the same thing. What do ya'll think? Community College or University?
Anyways, I gotta go for now, I just got home from my niece's 4th Birthday Party! Yup, Stephanie is already 4!!

School, work, trips, etc

Lately I've been getting things together so that I can go to school next fall. I'm so thankful to see even just a glimpse of what God has planned for my life. I'm such a thinker that most of the time I think that I have to have it all figured out before I can take a step or make a move, but God's really challenged me asking me if I really trust Him and I've come to realize that in the last 7 years that I've been saved I heard of His faithfulness and I saw His faithfulness in action, but I never trully believed His faithfulness until this last month or so. That still small voice wasn't loud enough most of the time to break through the thoughts that normally run a muck in my head. Until finally it happened! As I was at the GU conference in Portland during worship God said, Stop arguing with me, stop fighting what I have for you, stop thinking so much! I am faithful, I am here, Don't you know ME by now? What makes you think you have to have it all figured out! Don't you think I know what I'm doing?
It's amazing how much clarity you receive when God speaks! I went from living life, going to work, hanging out with friends to having a real purpose, a real meaning, I finally understood why it is that I'm different from the rest, why I always end up in the secular world. He's placed me there to touch my generation, to show those that have walked away from Him that He's faithful.
I'm so excited to go to school this fall! I think that it's the beginning of a great career, not for a career's sake, but for Ministry sake! He needs more Christians in the Business world. Christians that will not be afraid to stand up for what is right, not be afraid to love someone for who God sees them to be and not their actions.
That reminds me! I'm so tired of Christians that say "love the person and not the sin", yet the second Friend #1 has a problem and doesn't know how to get out of it, Friend #2 leaves them behind only to say that they have "back-slidden". I'm tired of people going to their friends and saying "we see this thing that you're doing wrong, that you are obviously not where you should be," yet instead of helping to find the solution, they become part of what the problem was in the first place by treating them as if they're a horrible person, taking things away that they once loved.
Ok, I'm done ranting! Sorry, I started out all excited and happy, only to have that thought take over my post (see I think too much!). It's true though, there are so many Christians out there like that.
Well, it's been a busy few months with work. I still love my job! 4 out of the 5 months that I've worked there I've had the highest revenue out of the whole team. God is good!! Oh, so one of the things that I'm going to school for is Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. I was talking to the McAlpine's after I got back from Portland and I came to the realization that I'm, as Ed put it, Management material! The things that I enjoy, the things that drive me at work, yeah, pretty much fall under the management area. My boss, who is the Revenue manager, always calls me the future Revenue Manager of the Salish :)
Nothing in the man department. People are always saying that they have someone in mind for me, but they never step up and take the effort of introducing us. That's ok though. I have more of myself to work on first, God wants me completely, and that's what I want right now too!
Hope everyone is doing well! So excited to go see Kurt, Mary, Karon and Justin in April! Yup, I've found dates that work for my schedule, their's and the airfares are rockin' right now!! California and Nevada here I come! Watch out!

Carson Kitty!

I totally forgot to add this picture to my Blog! How could I forget such a cute cat!? So everyone, this is Carson Kitty! He's my new cat! I got him back in October, but he's lived with my parents since Thanksgiving since I live with the McAlpines. There's a funny story about him! I originally thought he was a she! So, for a long time he was known as "Missy" because "she" had such an attitude and was so crazy, it just totally fit! Until one day, my mom called me and said "we have bad news...... your cat............ is.......... a boy!!!!" I was so mad! It's easy to come up with girl names! Boy names are so hard for cats! (Hello...Jerome! Who does that anyway??) So, he finally has a name! He didn't for a long time! I didn't know what to call him, then finally one day I was looking at Babynames.com and came across the name Carson and thought, Carson Kitty, it's a play on words for Carson City! Anyways, just wanted to show off my new man! :)

Portland!

I say this every year, but man, the conference was incredible! God showed up in such a major way! Life as I once knew it is completely different for me now! God is so good, faithful, strong, awesome, incredible............gosh, I could go on and on! He's really challenged my thinking and the way I perceive myself! I'm so thankful that I went down there, the speakers and Pastor's were so on! Words can't even begin to describe how awesome it was! I'm finally starting to understand part of the vision God has for my life and getting it in my head that it's a process and it's not my timing but His!

Here's a word that Jessica emailed the worship team today and it encouraged me so much! She sent this after I wrote what I did in the top part of this blog message, God is so good!! I wanted to share it because it's awesome! So, here ya go:

"In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you. I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land. Give it everything you have, heart and soul! Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you are going. Don't for a minute let the Word of God be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going, then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid, don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take!" Joshua 1:6-9 ish (The Message)