Friday, May 21, 2010

A thought.

"Women were made from a man's rib, not from his head to be superior, not from his feet to be walked on, but from his side to be an equal, from under his arm to be protected and next to his heart to be loved"

I love this quote... after working as "the first female stock person" I have a new respect for men. Not all men, but gentlemen. The work I am doing is hard. and I would like to quit everyday because it is too hard. So many times we hear that a men and women are equal and they can do the same things equally. Not true. I am fine being under his arm and being protected. (0: I know where I belong and I like it there. For now though- I will be a stock girl and try my very best at carrying things that are way too heavy for me and pretending im okay. God bless my husband (a man i have yet to meet) he will be much respected after this summer.

ohh they got me a pink box cutter at the pool store.... I'm not sure why but they did. To feel more feminine? Who knows? Everyday i come home to shower and want to wear a dress because I hate feeling like a boy at work.
really im not miserable it just makes me think about why men and women are different-- and what a great thing that really is!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Google Map your heart


Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it. What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God – the gateway to heaven!” (Gen. 28:16-18)

I got this idea from Brad Ruggles' blog...
Find the location on Google Maps where your heart has felt closest to God. Then paste the link (instructions) from the top right corner in a comment below and tell why.

Many of you could have guessed where my heart is...

Monday, May 17, 2010

Boy Meets World

Cory: "Mom, Listen, I haven't been together with Topanga for twenty-two years, but we *have* been together for sixteen. 'Kay, that's a lot longer than most couples have been together. I mean, when we were born, you told me that we used to take walks in our strollers together in the park. When we were two, we were best friends, I mean, I, I knew everything about this girl. I knew her favorite color. I knew her favorite food. Then we became six, you know, and Eric made fun of me because it wasn't cool to have a best friend that was a girl or even know a girl, so for the next seven years I threw dirt at her. I like to call those "the lost years". Then when I was thirteen, Mom, she put me up against my locker and she kissed me. I mean, she gave me my first kiss. She taught me how to dance. She was always talking about these crazy things and I never understood a word she said. All I understood was that she was the girl I sat up every night thinking about, and when I'm with her I feel happy to be alive. Like I can do anything. Even talk to you like this. So that's, that's what I feel is love, Mom... When I'm better because she's here"



Ohhh im in the mood for Boy Meets World. Thats all. No heart felt, deep thoughts today. Just in need of some Cory ,Topanga, Sean, and Eric.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charle

Summer reading

There is just something about books that intrigue me. I love the smell of a new book or even a library where all of the books have been read. There is just something about a book that excites my soul. I love stories. I love when people tell me stories, overhearing stories, and of course reading them. I remember sitting for hours on end listing to my Gram tell me stories from her childhood. I know the stories by heart, I could recite them but there is just something about hearing it from someone else. When I was teaching Kindergarten this year, I remember that my co-op always listened to the kids stories in the morning at circle time and finished the time up with reading a story. I love to read and want to pass that on to everyone. I think reading is one of my favorite things about summer. I create a list of books. Some are ones I never read and others are old favorites. I love having time to read other people's stories. Their stories impact me forever and remain a constant friend. One of my main goals is never lose the love of learning. Being a reader guarantees this. (0:
My list is in order of a book I wanted to read for spiritual growth/pleasure followed by a children's book to get acquainted with my classroom library that has been growing like wild fire.

1. Traveling Light -Max Lucado
2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S Lewis
3. Ruthless Trust - Brennan Manning
4. Edward Tulane -Kate Dicamillo
5. Passion and Purity - Elisabeth Elliot
6. Stuart Little - E.B White
7. Lineage of Grace - Francine Rivers
8. A Corner of the Universe -Ann Martin
9. In the Name of Jesus - Henri Nouwen
10. Harold and the Purple Crayon - Crockett Johnson

I'll most likely need more but ill add later if neccesary.

hello summer.

So the first day back in altoona- calls for my summer list:
1. Finish reading the Old Testament
2. Catch up with an old friend
3. Get involved
4. Serve the community of Altoona
5. Be intentional
6. Spend lots of time with the Foust family. (Anna!)
7. Play in the rain
8. Watch Elvis movies with Gram
8. Be still
9. Wait on God
10. Practice my spanish
11. Add to my teacher library
12. Make a blanket with my mom
13. Laugh more than I cry
14. Make a new friend
15. Run Run Run
16. Be a blessing
17. Support a Cause
18. Finish my summer reading list
19. Be outside more than I am inside
20. Find contentment
21. Have ruthless trust in God
22. Ask hard questions
23. Step out of my comfort zone
24. Write Write Write
25. Memorize all of the United States Presidents in order!

I'm sure that there is more, but thats what i have been thinking about lately. (0: I'll keep you posted!

Last week together


This is crazy but these are the girls I came into Geneva with. We have remained friends the whole way through the four years. We lived on the freshman floor Clarke 3 we had a bond like no other and will stay friends forever. Four years later it is crazy to see us graduating together.

Note the shirts WE ARE ALUM! Again, all of the girls are from my freshman floor. I love each and everyone on of them!


Krista<3 she was my room mate freshman and Sophomore year. We will always be room mates. She inspires me. love you.

--Caleb, is a friend that went to Mexico this year, he is great! we were talking about what I was feeling about leaving Geneva and the people I have come to love one night. The next morning I woke up to this poem. I didn't want to take credit for it. It is definatly Caleb's work and my feelings. Thanks Caleb!

why am i forced to leave everytime i find love?
whether location or person its taken from above

my father gives great gifts but often takes them away
to insure my faith in Him is always being displayed

i understand the reason for the taking of these gifts
but as they are passing I take some time and reminisce

its the little things that we will most fondly remember
like the girl from Haiti selling Hot coco in December

the comfort of knowing that home was people not just a place
and when my heart was broken youd wipe the tears from my face

the security of everyone being briefly in the same boat
diferent messages or stories but still in the same note

I realize some will stay and others will leave
best friends will lose touch its hard to believe

but i will not dwell on the difficulties of tomorrow
for that is pain for another day that i will not borrow

instead ill say a prayer for those whom are struggling
with the difficult life decisions that their now juggling

and ill thank Him for the strength that helped get us through
but above all else my dear friends i will thank him for you
Caleb Foust

Mexico Blog excerpt

March 11, 2010
Last Day in Mexico

...When we arrived back at Oasis we packed the van and the ladies were preparing lunch for all of us. Paola gave me a pack of tortillas to take home. I just feel like home when I am here. I watched the time closely so I would be able to spend as much time with Mario and Fernando the second they got home from school. I hate that, I had to leave them. I am always scared of people leaving me. It is probably one of my greatest fears in life, and I have to leave the people that mean the most to me. The people that I would never leave if I had a choice. Life is such a crazy thing. Anyway, Justin started getting a rash and needed some ointment out of my bag. We walked down the boys hallway from the living room past all of their bedrooms. At the end of the long hallway, the van was parked right outside of the door. With my back toward the main gate at oasis getting my bag. I heard "Andii!!" from the road. He came home early!! Mario drenched in sweat hugged me and was talking so fast-- translated, "We got out of school early so i asked my teacher to give me a ride. She drove me half way home and I ran the rest. I was afraid you would leave before I got out of school!" Aye! The school is a far distance away even half way is a long way to run. We got an extra bit of time before I had to leave him. I sat sat with him while he ate lunch while he kept asking me "Como estas?" I answered "mal". each time. I hate this part. When eh was finished eating, he motioned to go outside with him. Everyone was outside playing and saying their goodbyes. I loved it so much I was just starting to understand Mario's crazy fast spanish and now I have to leave. Please let me go back Lord. I feel most complete there, I am sooo out of my comfort zone but I love it. I need spanish, i know that you are going to show me the way to learn and be with the boys that I love so much. I'll never forget what You have done to my heart through the people in San Luis.




In case you didn't know,
My prayers have been answered. Following graduation in December 2010 I will be serving as an intern at Oasis boys home in San Luis. I could not be more blessed with this opportunity. It will be a growing and stretching experience but exactly where I am supposed to be.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Goodbye means forever, so I say until we meet again.

This week has been fantastic and horrible at the same time. We had our lasts together. I am a firm believer that its not over. Life long friends have been made and we will be friends forever. I am being realistic I know that we will be friends forever.

Dear Kaylee dont ever forget the past four years of your life-
Don’t forget c3.
Don’t forget arms 114.
Don’t forget Richardson House.
Don’t forget 119 boyd.
Don’t forget the forever friendships.
Don’t forget student activities and your passion for event planning.
Don’t forget the people who mentored you.
Don’t forget what it means to be on fire for God.
Don’t forget laughing until it hurt in in the activities office with some of the most incredible people you will ever meet.
Don’t forget the advice that was offered out of love.
Don’t forget what it feels like to be loved and love.
Don’t forget the feeling you get the first time that you signed up to go to Mexico.
Don’t forget late night conversations about everything in the book.
Don’t forget the room mates that were always there when you needed to laugh, cry, talk, smile, scream, or be put in place.
Don’t forget Catalyst conference and what it truly means to lead like Jesus.
Don’t forget maddog.
Don’t forget being baptized.
Don’t forget that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know that you are being called to do something you dont want to do.
Don’t forget sitting outside of skye to pass time.
Don’t forget knowing at least five people everywhere you went.
Don’t forget "God does not call the equipped, he equips the called"
Don’t forget "Whatever your 100% is, give it"
Don’t forget let people love you.
Don’t forget Beaver Falls.
Don’t forget the unpredictable weather.
Don’t forget that a smile can change someones whole day.
Don’t forget Te Veo.
Don’t forget the professors and how much they care.
Don’t forget your love for learning.
Don’t forget to ask Jesus to spend the day with you.
Don’t forget that "a woman's heart should be so wrapped up in Christ that a man should first have to seek him to find her"
Don’t forget Kairette.
Don’t forget Chapel and worshipping as a whole student and staff population.
Don’t forget the fruits of the spirit.
Don’t forget to wait on Christ.
Don’t forget Justice weeks.
Don’t forget Half past nines.
Don’t forget MGN. even better audition nights lasting till 3AM
Don’t forget hating vingball.
Don’t forget one-on-ones.
Don’t forget "If not now when? If not you then who?"
Don’t forget 4:10 bridge.
Don’t forget Daraja Children's choir.
Don’t forget road trips home.
Don’t forget visits to South Fayette.
Don’t forget visits to Chicago.
Don’t forget visits to Connecticut.
Don’t forget what community means.
Don’t forget 1PETER 4:10.
Don’t forget forgiveness.
Don’t forget the testimonies.
Don’t forget the life stories.
Don’t forget the opportunities that Geneva has given you.
Don’t forget the brig/alex's.
Don’t forget family dinners.
Don’t forget beyond the bend.
Don’t forget that God is Love.
Don’t forget the power of prayer.
Don’t forget Isaiah 6:8. Send me Lord, I'll go.
Don’t forget being out of your comfort zone is when you grow the most.
Don’t forget Germany.
Don’t forget Geneva College in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania.
Don’t forget that you are changed and set apart in Christ alone.