Merry New Year!

Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii!

Finals Are Here

It's finals week! This means my first semester of college has come and is just about gone. I can't believe it. It flew by.

This last semester has required a lot of change. And I am not the same Brittany that walked onto campus 4 months ago, that is for sure. My mind has been stretched, my heart has been enlarged, and my hands have gotten dirty. I've been apart of some really amazing things. The process, the in between, the messy, the tension, the struggle, these are the things I embrace, the things I love. The days when I didn't want to be here, when things didn't make sense, that's when I was able to lay back in the arms of God and know that I was where He wanted me to be.

Following Jesus is an adventure, a really beautiful adventure.

Thanks for all your love this past semester, I am ridiculously thankful for you guys.

The Vase

Turkey Day in AZ! What a rad family.




Lately, I picture my life. Where will I be, what will it look like, what will I be doing? And in my hands, I now have my vase. It is shaped to my liking, it has sweet designs carved in, and holds really vibrant flowers. It is an excellent piece of work I have to admit. Very fancy shmancy. Everyone will be super impressed. And that's really the scary part. Because it's pretty good. So, I'm content.

And in the next sentence I bow my head humbly and say, God, not my vase, but yours.

Here's the thing, while in my mind a "good" vase might look like very tall, smooth, and useful, God is on a different page. He is thinking something else. Because my vase, as "good" as it might be, was still created by me. And there lies the problem. I want a vase created by God.

Check out these crazy verses.
"Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to a lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." (Habakkuk 2:18-20)

Seriously, as shiny as my vase is, it can't breathe, it can't speak truth, it cant guide. But to sit at the feet of Jesus in complete silence, this is where my vase is brought to life. It moves and lives when I stop being the creator and let the God of the universe do that. Pretty scary, really. Because more than likely my vase is going to look kinda small and kinda lumpy. It will probably keep changing, while God keeps molding. It's going to be a process because I might start to add my own pieces some days. And that might mean God will have to wipe out what I made and start over. Nobody likes to see their work of art be destroyed, so I'll probably be pretty stubborn about it. When I give in, it's probably going to hurt. But when I sit with Jesus everyday, more than anything I want Him to see His beautiful work of art, not mine.

Thankful for Justice

NorthPark is unique. Here, students are bringing Jesus into real life places, deep dark places that a lot of people aren’t willing to go. It’s really a beautiful thing. Sadly, so many are consumed. They are consumed with the injustice this world offers everyday. And it’s real. There is a lot of debate here on campus on how to tap into that injustice. What does it mean as a follower of Jesus to help the poor and give to the sick, to be generous to every stranger and give forgiveness to those who don’t deserve it. What does it look like for us to tap into the injustice of cancer taking innocent lives everyday or precious children suffering from lack of nourishment worlds away? I feel overwhelmed just thinking of it. Of course people are consumed with these things, they are huge. They seem so impossible to solve. Students here are searching for solutions, they are making a difference and making things happen. But so many are discouraged. Their minds and hearts are flooded with injustice that seems never to go away, however much they believe in it.

So, just like everyone else in America, this past week I’ve been thinking to myself, “Brit, what are you thankful for?” And while I think to myself, I slowly gaze up to see a God above me that encompasses all that is. I stand before Him in awe, speechless. There, I can see the end to all injustice and I am no longer overwhelmed with the twisted world we live in. His judgement, His justice overcomes it. You know, it already has. Justice came. Jesus. And this I am thankful for. God’s sovereign judgement. Because injustice has lost, it has already lost.

I can be concerned, but I don’t have to be consumed with the causes of this world. Global warming, AIDS, poverty, war, and even deeper than all these things, my heart. My own sin that encompasses my mind everyday. These things have been conquered. Peace lives within me and I can live in complete justice.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:22





A little photo and art I have been up to.

Leaf Jumping Extreme

I went leaf jumping for the first time today! For those of you who are new at this, like myself, it means you kick or pick up and bring a bunch of leaves (foot note: during fall leaves change colors, like red and orange and yellow, and then...you wouldn't believe this, but they fall! They gather themselves on the ground and leave the trees very naked, ready to go for winter. It's something called..uh...oh ya....seasons! Maybe you already knew, but it's news to me. ) so back to the leaves....you get them together in the same pile, until it makes a gigantic pile, and then BAM! you jump! Holding firm to the faith that you didn't kick or pick up a piece of trash (like a bottle, plastic fork...etc.) or a large stick. Leaf jumping is a very dangerous sport....so I have learned.







Did I mention it is getting quite chilly around here....I can do it, I can do it, I can do it....bring on the windy cold Chicago!

Happy Happy Orange and Black

Sometimes you just have to leave your pride aside and dance around like a crazy person. Last Friday night we had a costume party at the church, and I'm pretty sure I creeped out everyone there. It was hilarious. You see the group of us who have been starting small groups around campus and a young adults group during the week decided we could not play the "cool card" at this party, but we had to be the weird ones. You see, then no one would be intimidated by what we had to offer. And therefore, would come hang out with us for future get togethers. I am pretty sure I accomplished this goal with flying colors. The pastor's wife (Savannah) and I were matching, creepy, awkward, dorky, old men. And the costume did not end there. Along with the ridiculous outfits we went ahead and got 2nd place in the costume talent contest. Yes, the talent contest. Impressive, I know. We choreographed a dance to "Everybody Dance Now" and pretty much blew everyone away. (Just to clarify, we should've gotten 1st but the contest was rigged. We were mature enough to let it go. We know we really got first.)



Things are going really well around here. Midterms ended well. I got to go home for a few days and see my beautiful family. We had a blast together. I have already registered for classes next semester, and am looking forward to that. I look forward to tutoring each week (the after school program with refugee kids around the neighborhood). The girls I get to hang out with are so beautiful. They bless me and teach me so much. The girls I work with are from Burma (right above Thailand), Guatemala, and Mexico. They are between 10 and 13. Anyways, I love them. The people downtown on lower Wacker are also a huge blessing and I always look forward to the intriguing conversations with them. West Ridge community is growing. Like I mentioned earlier, we are building small groups that are pouring into the church. Really exciting to see. We have started guy and girl small groups and then a young adults group during the week where we all get together and have a good time. I am also on the creative planning team for services and have gotten to be apart of the worship on Sunday mornings. God's Spirit is really being seen! Keep praying for all the changes we are going through as a church restart. Some are still reluctant to all the change. We are really starting to move forward though because the launch date is getting closer! So, we are beginning to put things in place and starting to see them function!

Being the church has brought on an even newer meaning to me in the past few weeks. Seeing what it looks like for me to live and breath as a church outside of any building has so many implications in my world and it impacts the way I do life. Really it means that the church I bring to people I encounter everyday needs to be pouring out love, giving community, and full of grace. It is really liberating and I know it is what God is calling me to, to be the church. (you too actually)

On that note, I will talk to you guys soon! And update you on any exciting news. Happy Halloween :)

Rich or Poor

The fall days are beautiful here. Leaves are falling. (Cactus don’t do that.) I love it.

I went down with about 20 other students last night to a street known as Lower Wacker. This is a place where most park their cars, throw their trash, plug their nose, and drive through as fast as possible while not making eye contact so they won’t be shot (really a very irrational fear). What is rarely seen is the really beautiful community of people who call it home. I was blessed this week by a new friend named Lonzelo, a 58 year old man who lives on the streets of downtown Chicago. Lonzelo and I had a divine moment last night down on Lower Wacker, he touched my heart, and made an impact on my life. He stirred in my mind this question: What does it really mean for me, someone who follows Jesus each day, to be poor?

Let’s start at the beginning. Lonzelo brought up a question, and asked me why it is that nobody wants to die, but everyone wants to go to heaven? Really great question I thought. He wasn’t wasting anytime for sure. Well, before I could actually give an answer, he had one for me, which was good news because all I could think of was a David Crowder song that goes “everybody wants to go to heeeeeeaven but noooboddy wants to dieeeee.” Really great song, but probably wasn’t what he was looking for. Anyways, Lonzelo’s answer to his question. (Kind of an advantage to being homeless I think is having the time to think about very profound things in this life that no one has time for.) He started with the conveniences. How no one wants to die because they would have to lose all their things. And people like their things more than anything. The conveniences that so many are consumed by. The emails, the cars, the shoes, the phones, and the shelter. Things I rarely take a second look at. And it’s true, I would be very reluctant to give up any of those things at any given moment. And then what seemed to be a pretty light-hearted conversation took a turn when he said, “Brittany, would you rather be rich or poor?” (sort of implying that of corse my answer would be rich, which it wasn’t.) And in my head, there was a split second of ‘don’t kid yourself Brit, be honest’, but really the bottom line was that I would rather be poor. And my heart said to me, ‘You are called to something so much more than being rich.’ And in the very moments of putting an answer together that deserved a lifetime to figure out, he was very shocked to hear me say, ‘You know what Lonzelo, I would rather be poor.’ He looked at me and laughed, ‘You are crazy girl, who are you? Did your momma teach you anything?’ (Don’t worry mom, I defended you :) But it’s true, I would rather be poor. Against all human desires in me, I desire more than anything to be poor and humbled and simplified and content and broken and needy. Because I know that in this life, living for anything that is seen will die, but living for the unseen, that is eternal.

So right when I think I have some sort of basis for why I am choosing to be poor, Lonzelo hits me again. He looks at me with his very heavy, deep, and tired eyes and points over to a dirty corner on the sidewalk, and he says, “Why would anyone choose to lay on the concrete?” At that moment something in me felt very heavy. Because in some sort of way, I could feel Lonzelo’s hurt, I could see the weight of his loneliness, and I felt sad. I wanted to fix it, but I couldn’t, and I felt helpless. The words that kept flashing in red letters through my mind were - POOR IN SPIRIT - POOR IN SPIRIT - POOR IN SPIRIT - over and over. But here’s the thing, all of a sudden I had no idea what those words really meant. I know that Jesus said to be poor in spirit, I know that He was poor in spirit, I know that I want to be poor in spirit, and I know that it isn’t the first thing my spirit jumps in line for. So what do I do?

Matt 5:3
Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Proverbs 22:2
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

At this point I am left in the arms of God’s sovereignty and humbled by His love. Because I think in a sense, we all deserve to be on the concrete. Jesus took my poverty, and bared it in place of me. What makes Lonzelo different than me? Well, a lot physically. Because as I drive away to go home, his night in Lower Wacker never ends. He made really crappy decisions (he actually told me that himself), but so do I. In a mysterious crazy way, last night I felt equal with Lonzelo. As a human being, and in God’s compassionate eyes, I am. Lonzelo holds the same desires, the same needs (physically and spiritually), and the same broken heart that I do. So we both are in equal need of God’s grace on our lives. We both desperately need Jesus to take away our poverty. And that is so beautiful.

Whether I physically ever sleep on the concrete, we will see. But I know that in my heart, I want to sleep on the concrete every day.

Midterms & Others

"Personal liberation is inseperable from becoming turned outward to the liberation of others." - Stanely Grenz

I am in awe of the things God is teaching me from day to day. While I am adding to my story with God, adding to my experiences in God, and adding to my understanding of God, it becomes clear that it has much much more to do with others. I get smaller each moment. Lately, God has been taking me to new places and then giving me endless opportunity to share. The second I learn something, someone walks past me who needs to learn the same thing. And I get to tell. It's so beautiful to see God's kingdom in movement.

Midterms are here. Crazy, crazy.

Lecture & Dreaming

Woah, it's October. God is moving here. I am writing to you in the middle of a lecture about irrelevant data - just to clarify I am not saying this lecture is irrelevant - it is actually titled "Irrelevant Data". But I wanted to check in and say hi.

I have been thinking about what cool things I could tell you guys about. There are a lot, by the way. But, instead I am going to share a little something right from my journal. It's raw. Nothing fancy, just authentic conversation with God. It is what's on my heart. I hope that it can stir you to press on.
Love you guys, I'll post again in a few days.


October 1,2007
... God, I dream. A lot. I think of crazy things, think through endless possibilities and I think I have
started to do it alone. Dreaming alone scares me. I start to feel inadequate and begin to fear my own
ideas because they seem ridiculous. You dream too don’t you? I have been dreaming on my own and
then presenting my ideas to you and hold them against Your Word, Your Spirit. But what if you want
more than that. What if you want to dream with me? You want to think of crazy ideas with me, crazy
scenarios. And that means, that I am not inadequate to dream, but ridiculously powerful to. Because I
am not doing it alone, I can dream with you. Next to you. It’s the only way...

Pops, Promises, & Sparkle

Dad has been here keeping me company the past few days. We have been having a lot of fun together. Saw the Cubs play. They won. That was so sweet. People are out of their minds about their cubbies. I took him downtown and we had fun eating at random resturants you would only see around here. He came to church with me and got to meet people in my new community! I was really excited about that. So, it has been really awesome getting to share what's been going on with me with him. School is chugging along and I can't believe it's already the end of September! Time is flying by!


THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
God remembers. In the Old Testemant God comes through over and over again. Right before He takes action in a situation the Bible says, "And God remembered." And then something huge happens, God moves. He fulfills His promises. He is always faithful. And this same God has come through for me. He has remembered me. He has remembered us. He sent His Son, the only one He ever had, to live here with us. To walk and breathe and start His Kingdom here on earth. Through Jesus, God's Spirit lives here with us. We can not only tap into, but live through the Spirit of God everyday. I am in awe of the faithfulness of God. His Spirit here is a sign of this convenant between us and God. I am made complete before God through His Spirit. I hope in these promises daily and put my life in His hands so that I might be redeemed. A dove has been a symbol of this faithfulness. It represents God fulfilling His promises through His Spirit living here with us. It reminds me that there is more. That I am forever God's and He is always faithful to remember, even me.


(Just as a sidenote her name is Sparkle)

Building C-C-Community

Community is an inherent characteristic of God. Being made in the image of God leaves me with this same ache for community. Relationship with God, relationship with people around me, relationship that runs deep. Apart from other aches I feel as a human, this one is a result of perfection not imperfection. This is so great, what a concept. Things that I deal with like shame, grief, hunger, pain, and the list goes on, are all because of sin, my sin, my brokenness. But not lonliness. This is unique because this comes from the ache for community. No one wants to be alone, and that is because we weren't created to be. Before sin even came into the picture God said that it was not good for man to be alone. This is in the midst of perfection. Community, integrated into who God is, is integrated into who we are. We are meant to live life together, alonside one another.

I became a part of a church community this past week. God has called me here to this church (Westridge...the one I was telling you about) and I am so stoked to be a part of what is happening there and what is going to happen. I have made some awesome friends and just can't wait to build more on these new relationships. I also entered into a few other communities this past week. One being a homeless community that is found on a street underground down in the city. Being around these, just awesome people, I was instantly taken in. There are genuine, long term relationships going on down there. (and as a side note - who doesn't want friends named Gus, Squeaky, Big Joe, and Footsie?)

School is moving forward and that means I get to learn more about a person then their name, hometown, and major. Woopee! This is for sure an exciting thing! (I happen to be sick of telling everyone those three things too by the way. I was starting to get creative.)

All this to say, I am beginning to embrace community around here. It's so relieving. God is bringing friends. I am getting to spend quality, authentic time with people. People who I get along with, people who I can learn from, people from different cultures, people I can encourage. And all of these which are searching for genuine community, just like me.

Miss You

It has been 24 days since I left home, and I miss it. It being family and the community and Mesa. I pray this feeling pushes me forward rather than keeping me back. But to whatever degree, as of yesterday I am officially homesick. Which I know is where God wants me. At a place where I am totally dependent on his strength instead of my own. He is in control, and I am not.

School is going well. I really am enjoying most of my classes. Math I could do without, but that's life. I am in a communication class that is really interesting to me. Learning about theories and more theories about why we have theories, it's good. It intrigues me. Which I think is a good thing, since I am a communication major. That's probably a good sign. I have great Professors. They all seem down to earth, except for math of course. Poor guy. I have had more work in the past two weeks then I have had in a long time. At first this was somewhat of a downer, but my perspective changed when I realized how much time I had to do it all. The ridiculous amount of extra time I have is still new to me.

I am in love with the city. The diversity is so awesome. People from every culture, every background, every ethnicity. It is great. I have been down there any chance I get. There is a train stop 2 blocks from my school, and on that it is about a 20-30 minute ride downtown. My friends are beginning to realize that if they can't find me, I'm downtown. (not by myself...don't worry mom.) The Chicago Jazz Festival was last weekend, checked out the Art Institute a few days ago, and the next adventure is Shedd Aquarium, which is supposed to be a blast. In between those things I have been checking out all the great Chicago food and shops. All of it is music to my ears. Something about the city that makes my heart beat fast.

The weather has been beautiful the past few days. Sunny, but still a breeze, high 70's, green grass everywhere, I could dig that for a while. But I am told to embrace it now...because there is a cold winter ahead of me that won't be as beautiful. Hopefully the nice days last longer than everyone is anticipating.

There are a few things I am starting to get involved in surely but slowly around campus and around the community. An after school program for elementary refugee kids is the first stop. This week I will have my orientation and then next week I will get started with that. From what I know without experience is that we hang out with the kids, play games, get to know them, and then get assigned to two or three specifically to help with homework. Most to all of the kids are refugees of immigrant families who are trying to build a life for themselves here in America. There are also some homeless ministries that I will be a part of downtown. A group of us from NorthPark go down to a well known homeless community in the city and get to hang out with them, hear their stories, and eat food! There are some great people down there to learn alot from. I should be starting up a small group here anytime, just waiting to hear back from the coordinator on which one I will be a part of. That should be a great way to go deeper in relationships with girls on campus. Also, I will be helping out with the chapel planning team and getting to be a part of what they are doing there.

The big news is a possible church to start being committed to. Westridge Community Church. It is a church plant about 15 minutes from campus and is turning out to be pretty legit. There are some awesome people there and God is doing really exciting things through them. There is a possiblity of me leading worship with the band there - which would be more then I could ask for. It's all still in motion and not any solid decisions have been made yet. Please join me this week in praying for what God might be asking of me. The worship pastor is a student here at NorthPark and we will be meeting this week to talk more about the vision he has for worship and for the church. We will see! I will keep you posted on how it all plays out. I am just excited to be a part of what God is already doing in this community.

Miss you guys!

Quote for the Day

"Paul didn't know where he was going, but he did know why. His compass was the heart of God. He was fueled and driven by the passion and urgency that God had placed in his heart - to take the life and freedom that comes in Jesus Christ to every person on the face of the earth. What God makes clear is that when we're committed to seizing His divine moments, He'll make sure He gets us to the right place at the right time. What God can do through a person who's willing to act is limitless."
-Erwin McManus, Chasing Daylight

Unicorns & Cucumbers

This weekend me and Ash got to talking about the clouds. I know, profound huh? Well, you might be surprised to know they can be. Imagine with me for a second. When you were younger and laid in the green grass starring at the clouds for hours trying to see their shape. First you see a cucumber, then a unicorn, then a hand, then back to the cucumber, and then a plane. It is fun trying to keep up with the ever changing shape of these clouds. But here's the downfall. If you aren't thinking and keeping your mind open to what could be next, you'll miss it. When you see the unicorn, you have to convince the person next to you what you see. Because they aren't looking for a unicorn, they are still looking at the cucumber. You can stare at the cloud looking for a unicorn, but you can't see it because it's now in the form of the cucumber. You miss the excitment the new shape brings because your mind is set on the first thing you saw. Same cloud, just different shapes.

Well, I am convinced God is this way. When we decide for ourselves what God looks like in our life, and are only looking for Him in that form or shape, we will miss Him! Because he is moving in new ways and in ways we didn't know were possible. We have to keep our minds open to the limitless God we serve. He comes in so many ways that we can't limit Him to the way we would choose. We can pursue new ideas and new ways of seeing Him in our lives, knowing that whatever is about to come is going to be good, and we don't want to miss it. We have to transform our minds to see God. Just like we have to transform our minds to see the clouds.

Jesus leads us to God and opens new ways for us to see Him everyday. I wonder how I will see God today? I don't want to miss it.

Overwhelmed & Unfamiliar

I know from the title of this blog you are worried already. But to save you from that I will tell you both being overwhlemed and unfamiliar are beautiful things to be a part of, because I have found rest in each of them.

We will start with unfamiliar. The second I think I understand where I am I make a wrong turn and before I know it I am 3 hours away from where I wanted to be. This has to do with much more than me being a crappy driver (although I am and I will be the first to tell you it's all because I am a girl...it's just inevitable...so I embrace it) But you see, this seems to be the story of my life the past week. And it is so frustrating because I can't stand not knowing and understanding what's going on around me. North, West, Southeast, turn left on the crooked side street - how am I supposed to know any of this? Get on the corner of the street over there and have money ready, but the exact amount, because they don't give change, and then you will lose all 20 dollars, and you don't want that to happen. So right after you figure that out be ready to get off at the stop that is written in another language just for kicks and then transfer to the blueorange line 45 from the turqoisebrown train 967 then turn around 4 times give the guy on the corner a sub sandwhich and tada! you are downtown! Wait a second....what's a train? See the problem? I am in a very foreign atmosphere to say the least, and until a few days ago I was determined to change that. Chicago and Mesa have very few things in common. Lets just say they are both cities and have people in them. And that is about the extent of that. So there are these verses in John chapter 10 where Jesus is talking about being the Shepherd. It says, "He (talking about Jesus) calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, (ah I love this part) and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." AH! I do know something! I know His voice. Finally something familiar. These verses have cleared up alot of the unfamiliar feeling -not made it disappear by any means - but explained to me how to handle it and how to embrace it. This is by knowing what is familiar to me, no not the color train, but my Shepherd's voice. I know that through this process of seeking God, I know Him. He is not expecting me to go into any of this blindly, but right behind Him, while He is showing me the way. I may not be familiar with where I am and the people around me, but I do know my Jesus' voice, and that brings me peace. God isn't calling me to be a shepherd in this adventure alone, but He has called me to be a part of the sheep, who know and listen to His voice and then follow His lead. Now that I can do. (Psalm 23 has been a great thing to dwell on too :)

And in that truth, some of my heart. Being ridiculously overwhelmed. Change that is so stirring, so stimulating, and so exciting is leaving me exhausted. It is putting me in this place where I can't do anything else but indulge myself in who God is. And in this, I am so taken back by God's (deep breathe) immense love. His grace that I don't deserve. His strength. It's intense and I fear it. His comfort that sneaks under me when I need it and grabs a hold of me so tight I can't even move. This peace that I don't understand in the midst of frustration. It's huge. And it overwhelms me. It leaves me completely speechless. There is a song that I have been listening to this past week alot, it's called The More I Seek You, and this is the chorus:

I want to sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay ack against You and breathe
Feel Your heartbeat
This love is so deep
It's more than I can stand
I melt in Your peace
It's overwhelming

To dwell on this vastness of God's goodness is an endless pursuit that I want to strive after with all of my heart. Because it is so fulfilling and satisfying and pure. And my heart longs for it everyday.

I will apologize now for slacking on keeping this thing updated the past week, so to make it up to you, I will write everyday or so this next week. So...keep checking in! I am waiting for something funny to happen, and as soon as it does you will be the first to know. (Don't be dissapointed if it doesn't - there's only so much control I have over that)

Here are some pics from the birthday weekend! Ash was here. What an angel she is and I love her. My adventurous friend and I had way too much fun being spontaneous and we managed to get a nose pierced (hers), two ears pierced (mine), and a crazy hair cut (mine again). Can I get a woohoo for being random!?

Well, like I said I will be updating my posts a ton this week so I will talk to you soon. Thanks for thinking of me and all the prayers. They are being heard! Keep em coming!

Nervous & Awkward Freshman Welcome

The first day of my life at NorthPark has come and gone before my eyes. And I am still waiting to take a breath. There are so many new ideas already growing in my head I don't know where to start, or what to tell. I am embracing the joy and the sorrow. I am embracing the change, or trying to. And that is not an easy thing to wrap your arms around. There are new opportunities every second I turn around. I am getting to focus on people and new relationships that are being built. Like the girl 2 floors down, and Scott the Manager of the Starbucks across the street, Mercy who is trying to make a life for herself all the way from Africa, my RA who has a twin, the Russian maintence women (I can barely pronounce her name - why try to spell it) who cleans our floor, and the 500 + nervous and awkward freshman who walk around hoping they don't trip and fall in front of everyone (and off the record I am up to 3 embaressing falls myself). The diversity and culture around me are giving me a new perspective already.

During one of the many long and ridiculous lectures I have been sitting through for orientation - something spoke to me. A lady named Judy, the pastor on campus, was talking about seeing God speak through the ordinary moments and not just the nice, shiny, polished ones. While that sat in my brainbox some more, I started thinking about Jesus (cool guy) and what an ordinary life He chose to live. Yet in His day to day life, He was completely holy. Meaning He wasn't ordinary. That Jesus understood what it meant to hear God and seek God, being divine and perfect, in every day regular moments. So, instead of just stopping at the thought that God speaks though regular people in regular places - it hit me that what you find in those things are anything but ordinary. That Jesus sought out the holiness of God in everyday life pushes me to seek that same holiness in every moment - even when it seems like the most mondane thing. Because I know that God is in those moments, and in the ordinary God shines through and there is a glimpse of the extraordinary.



1 - me and my momma in my room



2 - me and my new roommate



3 - me and some new friends!

School starts Monday! I can't wait for that to get going!

Armadillos & Uncertainty

No turning back, I am in Chicago.
Mom and I made it through our very long, long, drive and are happy that's over with. After making it out of Arizona, we hit up New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and finally Illinois. Real quick.

New Mexico = teepees, plateaus, route 66, meteorite site, and moccasins.
Texas = the world's largest cross, and a nap (sorry I was tired).
Oklahoma = sticky, heavy accents, dirty McDonalds filled with dead bugs, and tolls.
Missouri = weird towns like Cuba, Lebenon, and Miami (all very original), Busch Stadium, The Arch, and more tolls.
Illinois = corn, corn, soy biodiesel farms, and some more corn.

I will spare your time and just give you the highlight of the trip - armadillos! Towards the end of Texas, through Oklahoma, and a TON in Missouri, we counted 33 dead armadillos on the side of the road! All flipped over on their shells with their little feet in the air. Can you believe it? It was the weirdest thing! Apparently none of them passed onto their friends the memo that when you walk out into the road, you don't come back. Bummer for them, highlight for us.

The past few days I have been given lots of time for reading (even outloud - which mom loves) , and wanted to share something out of a book I am going through called Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus. In this chapter, he is talking about uncertainty. He writes, " I know this may be a real stretch, but it is always right to do what's right, even if it turns out wrong. There are times God calls us to do the right thing, knowing that others will respond in the wrong way." What a confidence in God's character that sort of perspective has. Having a faith that doesn't depend on the outcome, but believing in God's capacity to work even through horrible results. This is a challenge for me. I know that thoughout the day I make various decisions about what to do even in the littlest situations because I know the outcome. And because what I decide ends in good, I assume what I did was good. I am realizing that when I do what is right and in line with God's will, it does not guarentee a good result. And that takes faith. Not no-risk faith, but dangerous faith. Faith like Jesus had when He decided to do what was right and be killed for it. I don't know about you, but I don't see that as a good outcome. But what I am sure of is God's character, and what He does promise. He promises that He will be there with us before, during, and after when the result isn't so easy to deal with (Joshua 1). So in that truth, I am willing to do what is right, even when it turns out wrong.


We move in on Tuesday. Just enjoying the city, the rain, and each other until then.

Preparation & Wisdom

Less than 2 weeks and I will officially be starting a new chapter of my life in Chicago! I am anxious to see what God has been preparing for me. Yet, as I think back on this summer and what God is doing in my life here in Mesa, I am in awe to see what God has for me at THIS moment, right now. I know that God has a will for my life at NorthPark, but he has a will for my life this very second! And I don't want to miss it!

I have been reading through Proverbs for some wisdom and insight and instantly have been overwhelmed with the direction and guidance God is giving to me.

"For attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for aquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young -
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidence -
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Proverbs 1:2-7

Right away I am hit with the thought that wise people seek more wisdom. They refuse to be satisfied with what they already know. They refuse to believe that they have already obtained all the knowledge they can. They seek more. And more importantly they seek the Lord. Because He is the start of all knowledge. That is a mind-blowing thing to tap into. ALL KNOWLEDGE! Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

So, I have committed myself to learning. I refuse to become apathetic and comfortable with what I already know. I commit myself to keep my mind open, to continually learn, to ask questions, and to gain wisdom from those around me who have experienced more than me. And most of all, search out more about who God is. He is the beginning of all to know and all that is....and if there is anything I want to be a part of, it is that Truth.