Sneaking Away, Moving Away, Flying Away, GETTING AWAY

Tuesdays are my only day off during the week where I don't have any commitments. No school. No church. Just time to do whatever my heart pleases. Typically, Tuesday becomes my recovery day. I sleep half the day away, make a to do list for the week and do homework. Between doing all those things, there is not a lot of time to just do whatever I want because Wednesday comes awfully fast.

On my run today it started pouring down rain. It's July and I was in a downpour of Oregon rain. Not exactly what I expected but it was kind of nice. I was on a secluded trail by a stream and I decided to pretend that I was in Hawaii because it was warm out but raining a ton. This was fun for a little while until I really got thinking about going on vacation. I would so totally love to get away right now! I don't even need Hawaii, the Oregon coast would do just fine! (side note: I love watching the ocean, I could spend hours watching the waves crash against the shore.)  So as my run continues, I start scheming this get away in my head, what days I could go, who I would take with me (if anyone), where I would stay, how long I would stay and what I would do. Then this little summer get away becomes this thought of 'What if I just move away? After all, things have been pretty crazy, people have been getting on my last nerve and I just feel kind of like sneaking away from it all would be kind of nice.'

And I stop this thought right there and ask myself it that would really be the best thing to do. Of course I come to the conclusion that running away from things when they get tough and people get annoying is not the best option.

When I started working at Branches, I was given a model airplane. It was the kind that came all boxed up and shrink wrapped. The kind that I have to build, something I have never done before. This plane was supposed to be symbolic of when things get rough, our tendency is to want to fly away but it is worth it to stay and fight the good fight. My boss explained this to me and I didn't really think anything of it at the time. I took the plane home and just let it sit on the shelf for a while. I eventually got around to building it and it didn't turn out half bad! So now here I am on this dreary afternoon, just a little while after this plane was given to me, contemplating what it would be like to just fly away. 

But then then I am reminded that I am not the only person in the world to have ever felt this way and instead of sneaking away, moving away, flying away, what have you; the best option would be for me to stay and fight the good fight and possibly book my self a hotel at the coast for a night!

Oh, and here is what my plane turned out like! Bombin', I know!

Big Responsibility

It is now officially summer and that means I should post a blog update! Summer term of college started this week and it is just different. There is actually parking spots available and the campus just has a real laid back feel. Summer term is like a double edged sword, nice and chill but at the same time it's hard to focus because there are just soo many fun summer activities that could be occupying my time. That's alright though because I am now making it possible to graduate with my Bachelors degree in 3 years or go to Peru! Time will only tell how these plans will unfold.

My summer employment is a looking quite a bit better than last year! I was recently hired by Branches Church! My official title is the Director of Guest Services. I will continue in this role even after summer is over to that is a plus! There was lots of change ups in the past few months and somehow I was asked to take on this role. At first I was very apprehensive because I am soo young and I just felt inadequate but I do know that God gives us what we need to make it through. I am learning so much and am really excited for this opportunity. It sure beats working at Bob's Sporting Goods!

So this summer is becoming a balancing act of a new job and school full time. It is shaping up to be busy but still enjoyable! I am blessed with a big responsibility.

Favorite Quotes & Ramblings

*When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.-Proverbs 18:3

We're not doubting that God will do the best for us, we're wondering how painful the best will turn out to be-CSLewis

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character."

"Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman, I tell you. It won't be long before the Master will put this person in charge of the whole operation.But if that person only looks out for himself, and the minute the Master is away does what he pleases—abusing the help and throwing drunken parties for his friends—the Master is going to show up when he least expects it and make hash of him. He'll end up in the dump with the hypocrites, out in the cold shivering, teeth chattering."-Matthew 24:45-51

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. -James 1:2-4

If we get better, our customers will demand that we get bigger.

You reach a goal, but experience a win.

Birthday Blogging

So I am about a month late posting this but it is much needed!

For my birthday, my super awesome friend Rachael put together a surprise birthday that started the moment I woke up! My small group all stayed the night so they were there in the morning.  She invited Andy, Alex & Dustin who are our friends and also very talented musicians to wake me up by playing music! I can say this was a total surprise.  

And this was my reaction...

It was very nice of them to come over early on a Saturday, but I was just really unprepared and I am not a big fan of a surprise that big. All in all, it was pretty cool.

After the nice morning music serenade, we went to my favorite coffee shop(Insomnia Coffee Co.) and had breakfast. I of course ordered a Real Carmel Latte and it was delicious!

This is Christina and myself waiting for our food.

Next came the only part of the day that I got to plan, an 8 mile run! It was a fantastic workout with my sister and Paige. (sorry no pictures)

When we arrived back, Rachael and Katy had a fabulous lunch prepared. Then I got the clue that we were going to go to Saturday Market in Portland, a place I love.

While at the market, I got a clue telling me to travel to Benson High School for a live concert. Our churches worship band was playing there. I enjoyed the concert until this old gospel singer took over the show. It was all down hill from there. It was still fun & my mom met up with us there.



It was on to Macaroni Grill for dinner with my dad, Rhonda, and some other special people in my life. To my knowledge, this was the end of the night. I was happy and content. It had really been a great day! But then I got talking with a friend that was there and she spilled the beans that we were going back to someone's house in Scappoose. I just thought we were going to have dessert but really, there was a surprise birthday party for me!!! As if the entire day wasn't surprising enough!

My night ended late but it was way worth the fun. It was truly a memorable birthday! Thanks a million Rachael.

A Spring Time Serenade

Well Spring term is in full swing and wow! I feel BUSY! Not just with school but lots of church stuff too!

I can say that I am now settled into the new (well actually very old) house in Scappoose and I love it here. One of the biggest blessings of living in a small town again is the ability to go for beautiful runs. I have been training for Hood to Coast for about 5 months now. On my birthday, I ran 8 miles. Never in my life did I ever think I would want to run that far but it was amazing. Every time I run I feel so close to God. I don't know if it is because I am out in His beautiful creations or if I just have a lot of time to think. Probably a combination of both. Yesterday afternoon, I noticed how incredibly beautiful of a day it was, so I stopped and snapped this picture...a true testament to how creative God is.

Even though at times I have felt very overwhelmed lately, I am also growing even closer to the Creator of the universe and that is a good feeling. I find it crazy how when you let God lead your life, you'll get to experience some pretty amazing things. All in all, I am growing in the Lord like the daffodils on my front yard.

Life Lessons From the Big White House (Post 3)

It's been one month since we moved into this house and I love it. There were times when I thought we were crazy to want to live here, actually, there are times when I still think we are crazy to want to live in this old house, but I really do enjoy where we are. I love being around people that I know or am getting to know. I love the small town feel and just being able to know someone when I go to the grocery store. Being in community with people in the best part about moving to this house.

The most recent life lesson has been that things break. It's true. Things get broken. For instance, our upstairs bathtub had a broken pipe that caused a leak. And it leaked for a while before we ever noticed it. It just dripped onto a ceiling tile and one Saturday morning I woke up to find the living room looking like a hurricane had ravaged through it. There was water and crumbled ceiling tile everywhere.  Quite nasty actually. Anyway, you get the point, broken pipe=nasty mess.
(And if you were wondering, the pipe did get fixed and is functioning quite well.)

This is after the mess had been somewhat cleaned up and the leak contained.

So, back to my point, things break. Many relationships in life have breakdowns. Breaks in my relationships often happen in my poor communication. I think this is true for a lot of people. And just like the broken pipe equaled a nasty mess, my poor communication has caused some pretty nasty messes that need cleaned up. The best part is that I know it needs cleaning up, so I can fix it. Just like that ceiling tile that shattered on the living room floor, are my poor ways for communicating.

Good news is that I have God on my side to help me clean up all the messes I have made in this life.