I Have Something to Say

I love Jane Austen.

That’s all.

So I’m an Intern…

Life has been incredibly and ridiculously crazy for the last month or so. I knew I’d be busy as an intern/student/barista, but I had no idea I’d be this busy. Let me explain what busy is…

I wake up no later than 7am Sunday through Thursday to be at the church by 8:30. On Sundays and Wednesdays I’m at the church til 10 pm-ish; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays til 5pm-ish. On those same three days I generally go straight to Starbucks and work til between 10pm and 12:15am (yuck).  On Fridays and Saturdays I hope to always work 8 hour days, and then I try to get caught up on laundry and homework. Some nights I end up staying out later if I’m hanging out with the other intherns

I know that having no extra time is a hidden blessing though… If I had too much extra time on my hands I’d be way more homesick than I already am I’ve always thought that I was immune to homesickness… but, being the emotional girl that I am, here I am, crying at least a couple times a week because I miss my family. *Sigh* just 20 more months to go!

God has been doing incredible things though. All of the interns help out with the youth ministry (Fusion). All that is, except for me. I am the designated as the children’s intern. Big surprise, I know.

Truth be told, I’m kind of sad that I’m not a youth intern. I’ve never had the chance to work with that age group. I know God is using me in the areas that He wants me to go though. I love all of the kids I work with on both Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. And they love me Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face (and heart) than to hear 5th grade girls pray out loud, asking God to let me be in their class every week.

And then there’s the other interns. Wow… None of us could have put together a better group of young people. There are 6 girls and 4 guys. Amazing people! Not a day goes by that I’m not encouraged and uplifted by these amazing people. I instantly felt like I belonged! I feel I’ve known them for years, not just a month! I know I’ve made some lifelong friends, surrogate brothers and sisters!

So, life is good – God is good! I’m learning more and more about myself through Him everyday. The fog of my future is slowly clearing, and I’m becoming steadily more sure of myself as time goes one. I’m so appreciative for those who keep me in their prayers. They are not going unanswered

If there is anything else those of you would like to know, ask away… I need things to blog about

And no, there is no guy…

Unfinished

I have this problem with finishing things.

I started these leg warmers over a year ago – had great intentions, but eventually put them into a plastic bag and forgot about them. Sure, I’ll take them out every 4 or 5 months, admire the pretty yarn, maybe even knit and purl a few stitches, but after pondering how nice it would be to have an adorable pair of leg warmers this coming winter, they slide back into the oversized Urban Outfitters shopping bag. I’m sure I’ll finish them when I have more time…

In less than 24 hours I’m moving back over the mountains to take care of some unfinished buisiness – God’s calling on my life.

For the next two years I will be attending the school of ministry at Bethel Church in Chehalis, Wa. my dad was the youth pastor at this same church for the first eight years of my life. I’m so excited to become once again a part of the church that has had such a big impact on my whole family.

It definitely hasn’t been clear sailing over the last few weeks. I sent in my application the day I left for creation in faith that whatever came of it would be what was meant to be. I didn’t know if I would be even eligible because of my educational background, I didn’t know how I was going to come up with the almost $3000 per semester, and I didn’t know where I was going to live…

Just because you don’t know the answer doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask – or dive into the unknown.

I’m fully convinced that God has something spectacular in store for me. The evidence of his had has been so evident in just the last week – it has blown me away! I love it

So now I’m moving forward – I’ve taken the leap of faith and ironically, I’m not falling. It’s as if I’m climbing higher – but not by my own abilities, I guess you could say I’m soaring high – like I’m on the wings of eagles.

So since I’m on my way to this productive mountain top, maybe I should pack those unfinished leg warmers. It wouldn’t hurt to finish more than one thing at once!

People

I have been incredibly blessed in my life to be surrounded by extraordinary people. I’m thankful every day for this – who knows where I would be today, if not for them!

First and Foremost, my parents. They have set a superb example for my siblings and myself. They’ve touched countless lives through their ministry. I remember farewell service in Chehalis nearly 12 years ago – the youth choir sang these lyrics, “Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a Life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave”. Even at the age of eight, I was impressed with them – with the life that they willingly offered up in service to their Lord and savior.

Those years in Chehalis and at Bethel have left a big imprint on my life. Even though I was so young when we left, there are a few families that I still admire to this day. I look forward to each and every time I encounter them. Namely, they are: The Detricks, the Judds and the Collins. All of these people have left such an incredible impact on my life – I know I will appreciate them for years to come. It’s kind of funny – each of these couples has a daughter that I admire a lot – Jana, Tricia and Megan. I really like seeing all of these women – I look up to them more than they probably realize.

I don’t say it often enough, but I thoroughly appreciate my siblings. Every day I am challenged my them to be more outgoing. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of them from time to time. I believe they have inherited the ‘loved by all people’ genes from my parents. They are both so outgoing and original – just once I’d like to know what it’s like to know what that feels like… maybe I’m just a late bloomer

I haven’t yet mentioned some of my favorite people – those to whom I am forever indebted. These people let me have a part in the lives of their children – some of them let me start when I was eleven! I love all of them so much – words can’t begin to express how I feel. Though initially I loved them for their children, some of them have become some of my dearest and most beloved friends. The influence they have had on my life I hope will someday make me a great wife and mother. Amber, Trisha, Keola & Melissa – I am honored to have known all of you!!

More people to come… this post is getting a bit too long

Random Ponderings

It’s almost comical to watch other drivers on the freeway during a downpoor in Spokane. You’d think the world was coming to an end.

I wish I knew what I was going to be doing 3 months from now!

last year I had issues with impulsively buying music… this year it’s DVDs… not good.

I haven’t gone to the same church two weeks in a row for over 5 months.

I don’t even have a home church.

I’m currently feeling politically apathetic.

I wish I could have ‘my’ dog with me… I miss him

In the recent past I’ve discovered that I can have guy-friends… novel concept!

I really love Jane Austen, but I’m kind of a hypocrite fan… I’ve only finished two of her books (Pride & Prejudice and Northanger Abbey) I’ve started Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma and Mansfield Park though… I’ll let you know when I’ve finished any of them.

I miss being a full time nanny. I didn’t know how good I had it!

I love the people I work with, and the customers I work for, but I’m currently not thrilled with my actual job… I’m always sore and tired. I don’t like feeling that way.

I love my sister, but sometimes she is weird. I take that back… she’s weird most of the time.

My future is getting clearer, though vision is yet to be 20/20. Somehow I doubt the plan laid out for me will ever be made completely known.

I’m no longer waiting for my prince charming. I’m waiting for my Austen hero. Slightly more realistic

More ponderings to come… I have to get goin’!

A – B – C …

A–Attached or Single? Single (sigh)
B–Best friend? Melanie…
C-Cake or Pie? Lemon Cupcakes
D–Day of Choice? Any day I get to go home… usually Sunday
E–Essential Item? Lime-aid Lip gloss
F–Favorite Color? Most definitely Green
G–Gummy bears or worms? White Gummy Bears
H–Hometown? Sultan
I–Indulgence(s)? Sephora, Anthropologie
J–January or July? September
K–Kids? Miss them 
L–Life is incomplete without? Laughter
M–Marriage date? Haven’t we already established this? I don’t like this question
N–Number of siblings? One far away brother and one ridiculous sister
O–Oranges or apples? Mangoes
P–Phobias or fears? Never getting married & having kids…
Q–Quotes? ”It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice 
R–Reasons to Smile? I have a new book
S–Season? Autumn – I yearn for it nine months of the year
T–Tag 5 people? It would be silly for me to do this… the only people who read this have already done it!
U–Unknown Fact? Sometimes I secretly wish I was Elizabeth Bennet… I’ve read that book way too many times!
V–Very Favorite Store? Anthropologie
W–Worst Habit? Prolonged dreaming
X–X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound.
Y–Your favorite food? Thai – especially if it has a lot of ginger
Z–Zodiac? Taurus

The Inspiration For My Name

I’m not great at blogging a lot. It’s not like I’m super busy or anything, it’s just not on the top of my list of things to remember to do! But I figure it’s about time for me to record some thoughts.

My blog name seems kinda weird from a distance. Life of Wonder. A little different. I’m actually surprised no one has asked about it – not that I have a lot of readers

It actually originated from a couple of quotes I copied from one of my favorite books, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I’ll share them with you now.

“Too much of our time is spent trying to chart God on a grid, and too little is spent allowing our hearts to feel awe. By reducing Christian Spirituality to formula, we deprive our hears of wonder.”

“At the end of the day, when I am lying in bed and I know the chances of any of our theology being exactly right are a million to one, I need to know that God has things figured out, that if my math is wrong we are still going to be OK. And wonder is that feeling we get when we let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. I don’t think there is any better worship than wonder.”

I love how God doesn’t expect us to get everything right. He must sit up there in Heaven and chuckle at our silliness sometimes. We as humans have this ridiculous mindset that we have to figure everything out.If we could figure everything out God would have no meaning in our lives. He loves being a ‘wonder to behold’.

Here’s how the dictionary puts it

1 a: a cause of astonishment or admiration : marvel <it’s a wonder you weren’t killed> <the pyramid is a wonder to behold> b: miracle

2: the quality of exciting amazed admiration3 a: rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience b: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty

I believe that God is awesomely mysterious. I am constantly astonished and full of admiration for His never ending love for me. He knows I don’t deserve it, yet He gives it freely anyone.

Thus my name – Life of Wonder.

Plus it just has a neat ring to it, doncha think?

Waiting For Leopold

        This is something I wrote on my myspace blog nearly a year ago, and it still holds true to this day.

This evening I watched ‘Kate & Leopold’ with my parents. I love Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan, although her lips can be slightly distracting!

I realized while watching this film that Leopold is the kind of guy I want. A guy that isn’t concerned about his own welfare, but wants what is best for me! is know that may sound selfish, and I guess it is, but who can blame a girl?

You have to realize that all of this is coming from a girl who has never so much as held hands with a guy, let alone have a boyfriend. I’ve always known that my ‘prince charming’ wouldn’t just waltz into my life on my 16th birthday and sweep me off my feet.  I don’t regret  any of the decisions I’ve made in the past, but sometimes I wonder if I’ve passed up ‘the one’.

I know, I know. I can’t get myself worked up about this kind of thing. I’m only 18… it’s not like my life is half over. I know God has the most amazing guy in the world planned for me… I just wish he could slip me a paragraph and a picture – that way I would at least know a bit about the man I will eventually spend the rest of my life with… but God doesn’t work that way, does He? His perfect plan doesn’t involve telling me every little detail about my future.

I think all of this started with 4 people in my life have become engaged or married in the last 6 months. That’s a lot of romance for a single/never been kissed eighteen year old to take in. But the youngest of those ladies is 20… Maybe I’ll only have to wait 18 months, or maybe longer. Only God knows, and I have no reason to believe He can’t be trusted!

So for now I’ll be waiting (and praying!)for my Leopold. Maybe he’s as curious as I am