My Week Away

It almost feels like a dream. Day  one of getting back into the swing of a normal routine is over halfway over. I keep finding myself thinking back on the last week of my life, looking through pictures or videos, and remembering funny stories. I think about the people I went with, the ones I met for only a day, or had the privilege of spending the whole week with in NYC. 

I've been on many mission trips as a youth myself, but this was the first one that I was able to go as an adult chaperoning the youth I've been around for the past 3 years. I've been with these young people since the 6th grade and so I thought I knew what kind of youth I'd be in charge of for 8 days. I was wrong. Once arriving in Harlem my idea of what i was about to experience changed. I watched youth that never volunteered for anything take  initiative and have the "no problem" attitude we as leaders encouraged them to have. They jumped in and helped when anyone would ask them to, loved on children that probably don't get loved on often, and were always ready for the next task that was ahead of them. They amazed me and that was only during the day. But during our evening sessions where a Biblical lesson or challenge would be placed before them mixed with a worship service, I witnessed hearts being open to the molding and transformation that The Spirit had for them. I saw them cry out unashamed and hand lifted high for the Spirit to pour into them. I witnessed them praying for one another, for the leaders, and for God's will to be done in their lives. I saw The Spirit convicting them of certain sins and in the same moment the confessing and repenting of those sins. I was humbled in those moments that The Lord Almighty would allow me, a lowly sinner, to experience a great movement with the upcoming freshmen class of Westside Church. 

It was confirmed in my heart that Youth Ministry at Westside Church is where I'm suppose to be. That in times where I may feel that what I'm doing isn't important that I'm reminded of  this week.

To all who prayed for our safety, for the movement of the Spirit, or for just an overall great experience, Thank You. I wish there was a word that could mean more because Thank You just isn't enough. I know this blog only scratched the surface of what the week away meant to me, but I hope it gave you at least a little glimpse of what Father, Son, and Spirit can do if we just offer ourselves.  

Lessons I've learned

Here I sit just a 2 months away from turning half way to 50. I know that majority of my friends have already hit that mark but I want to take the time and share with you all some of the inside scoop that I've gathered in theses 24 years &10 months of life. I know for most of you, you could careless about what I'm about to say but for those of you looking to kill some time, this is for you. These lessons arn't in any particular order and some may be more important than others but all are worth learning.

1) Life changes. All kinds of changes. Jobs, relationships, addresses, cars, and even you. Once you really grasp the idea that everything normally ends up changing and life does eventually go back to a somewhat normal state of being, the change becomes that much easier. People get different jobs and move away. People just move away because nothing is really anchoring them to the place they are. Trust me, you learn to handle the changes like a champ and the feeling that your whole world has been completely shaken doesn't last as long as the last time. 

2) It takes two to make or break a relationship. I say relationship because this lesson holds true for every relationship you are apart of. I once thought of this, in order for a relationship to with stand it all you have to allow the other person to be as selfish as they allow you. I know that relationships aren't suppose to have selfish foundations but hear me out for a minute. We have all had that friend that we can't spend more than one mealtime a month with because its always about them. They never allow you to be the topic of conversation. It's always them and what horrible thing is happening to them. Something is always wrong. But then think of the friends that you enjoy to e around the most. It's easy peasy to talk with them, to share your struggles, to tell them what's really on your mind and visversa. 

3) Don't waste your time that the good Lord has given you. Invest in other people. Learn an instrument. Do the spontaneous adventures that someone suggest. Just don't sit around wishing you were doing something, do it. 

4) Have "me" time. Take yourself on a date to a movie by yourself. Go to the park alone and nap or read a book under a tree. You need to discover who you are without others around. Those of you know me, know I most of the time love people. But for those of you that REALLY know me know I love my "me" time just as much. Learn to do things alone and I think you will become someone that does group settings even better. 

5) Have friends of all ages. There is something about befriending a youth. They keep you young and they think you are super cool. We all need that ego boost every now and again.  Befriend someone at least 10 years your senior (ten years older). There is knowledge that they can give you that you won't read about in a book. 

6) Drama is stupid. Surround yourself with people that engage in it daily and it will eventually wear you down.  Positive people have more fun anyway. 

7)Find a band on noisetrade and download their music based solely on the cover art. You may just find your next favorite band. 

8) Last but not least, learn the little things about people. Their favorite fountain pop, ice cream flavor, candy, or coffee order and one day when they text you the middle of the day and tell you that they have had a crappy day, surprise them with it. It's the little things that add up to be the bigger things. 

In my many days of living I've learned a lot more than this but these are just a few things I thought I would pass on. Thanks for reading. 

Its the Little Things

I decided that today I was going to make a list of all the little things in life that make me happy.

Daddy's morning Bible Verses
Sleeping in til 7
Roommate
Coffee
Drive to Work
Excitement from the Kids when they see my car pull up
Hugs & Kisses upon my arrival
Morning Walks
Preschool Time
Diet Mnt Dew
Playing Outside
Daily Jokes from Ben
151
Westside Church
Facebook
Boyfriend Stories
God's daily Grace
Meeting New People
Road Trips
Being told you are Loved with out saying it first
Skype
Gmail Chat
Music
Sweet and Spicy Chips
Honey BBQ Wings
Drive with someone you haven't spent much time with lately
Naps
Fall
Tennessee
Random picture text from my Mama
Pictures of Baby Greening
DVR
Maui
My Job
Cookies
Ice Cream
Knitting
Sitting outside til early hours of the morning
Talks with your crush
Tosh.0
The Office
Spending time with the closest of friends
Phone calls with MaryAnn
When Hannah Johnson answers my calls
Finding the right Bible Verse for the right moment
When a friend(s) come home for the weekend
Learning a new song
Picking up and Instrument after not playing it for a while
A friend that tells you when you are out of line
New Babies
The hum of a fan
Sleeping with the windows open
Living on my own
Pursuit
Midweek
Sunday Lunches
Hearing from an old friend
Laci Stories
Scary Movies
Popcorn
Spending time with my Grandma Irene
Being told you are pretty
Pay days (not the candy bar)
The weekend
Tennis Shoes
Chacos
Taco Bell Round Tables
Raspberry Diet Mnt Dew on Mondays
Podcast from Dr Curt Dodd
Essay text

These are just a few. There are more I'm sure. Ill add to it later.

Blessings

Fireworks

With Independence's Day being tomorrow I have to say that the amount of fireworks that are being shot of in Omaha is amazing. Something that I really love and have always loved about July is the fact that first there are fireworks and second its my birthday. But since my birthday is not til the end of the month I will talk about the fireworks.

I find them so interesting. People pay massive amounts of money for them each year to bring a little bit of happiness to the people around them. I think that guys really get into the spirit of the 4Th simply because they get to play with fire. I however, love to watch them. There is just something to be said about a wonderful firework show. I think for me it takes me back to the day when I was little and I got to say up for the fireworks and I thought I was a big deal because I was out past my bedtime. :)

However, now that I'm old enough to decide when I get to go to bed I still love staying up to watch the fireworks. Every night for the past week or so you can find me out on my deck between 9:30 to 11. Its amazing the amount of fireworks you can see from the 3rd floor of an apartment building in Nebraska. I seriously can watch anywhere from 8 to 15 firework shows at one time.

This is another reason why I love living in Nebraska. :)

Home Body and Random Thoughts

Its been awhile since the last blog and I have to say it's because I just really haven't had time. Between going home for 10 days, driving back in one whole day, coming home and having to start a new job along with trying to get settled into my wonderful new apartment with my super cool roommate. It's been crazy but now I'm settling down and relaxing. Watching Glee of course but its perfect. It's a Saturday night and I'm sitting at home and don't mind one bit. I have become the old lady. I have been out 2 times since I have been back to Nebraska and although I fully enjoyed being out with the people that I was spending time with I can honestly say that my apartment is where I was excited about heading when the night life was over.

Also I have become a "cook". I was super proud of myself tonight. I just looked in the freezer and found something to make. I was so good. I made chicken Parmesan and I have to say that it was boom boom good! I knew I always had it in me but I never gave it a shot. I can't wait to see what else just pops in my head and I get to create.

Something else that happened today is my parents and I ended our contract with AT&T and moved on to Verizon with the rest of the world. I'm super excited about this move. However, I had to do this move mostly by myself. My friend Austin is a Verizon man and helped me out so much. I felt like a big girl so much when making that decision for me and my parents. In a way I kinda felt as if I was helping my elderly parents get a cell phone plan. :)

Also I'm super pumped. I'm sure you are asking yourself why? Its because in 4 weeks from this very day I will be going with Jessica Hudson and Samantha Wolz to see Justin Bieber. Yes, you read that correct... Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston. I can't wait. Its going to be one fun night!

Also we are waiting on pins and needles for the arrival of baby Greening. I wore my Kstate shirt in hopes that he would show up on Thursday but it didn't work. Oh well. I guess I'm just waiting for that text that says Kelley is in labor and that she is headed to the hospital. Actually I doubt that I'll get one that says she is headed there but waiting on one that says she is having the lil' guy. Phone is turned up and on. :0)

Something that I would like to share is the awesome-ness of having a great roommate. Something that we both decided to do was get each other "house warming" gifts. I got her 2 seasons of a TV show that we both really like but her gift was a little more thoughtful I think. She restrung my guitar. I was super excited to return from Tennessee and find my guitar with brand new strings on it. It was perfect and playing it has been wonderful therapy for me.

I went to see Prince of Persia last night and I have to say I wasn't impressed. It could go back to the fact that I wasn't a big pirate's fan. But Jake was boom boom good looking. The movie had snakes in it and I wasn't a fan.

Okay with all those random thoughts and you learning about me becoming a home body. So if you have Verizon and/or if Gretna is in your path just stop by. Chances are I'll be home. :o) Hope you have had a good Saturday!

My Cup is Overflowing!

THANK YOU JESUS!!! That's all I can really say right now. I'm so excited about the next two months. My cup is full. Anyone who has been around me can testify that I have a ray of emotions running through me. Excitement, sadness, joy, etc... you name the emotion I'm sure I have felt it. Instead of writing about my blessings just in the next two months I thought that I would share pictures so you can see their happy little faces too. Jesus is good to me!

This is Bethany. She is my new roommate and has become one of my closest friends. I CAN NOT tell you how excited I am that God has blessed me with her and is going to allow us to share a two bed and two bath in Gretna! I'm sure that there will be other posts with her in it so stay tuned for those.

This is Hodge and Tiffany. Tiffany and I have been friends for what seems like a lifetime and like any friendship you go through bad relationship with them. But in the end you get to see the one that God had for them all along. Hodge and Tiffany are joining hand in hand this month and I wish them the best.

My family!! I get to see them for a whole week this month and I can't wait. Laci and I will enjoy a whole day of me and her and Mama and I will get to spend some good time together! I have been blessed with getting to go home and see them every other month this year. I guess what they say about absences makes the heart grow fonder is very true. I have found a different love for my family.

Along with my every other month trips home this is someone else that I have the blessing of being around. MaryAnn aka BFFE is one of the dearest friends that God has placed in my life. Under seeing my family this girl is on the top of my list of people that I get most excited about seeing. We never seem to have a dead moment and I don't have words that express my love for her and her family.

This is my best friend! She has lived and served Jesus for the past 20 months in the Dominican Republic. While I'm in Tennessee for the 10 days at the end of this month I will get to go with my family to pick her up at the airport for her to move back home. I'm super stoked that I get to be there to hug her neck when she gets off the plane. I will get to spend the first 15 hours that she's home but then its time to get back to Nebraska. However, the fact that I can pick up the phone and talk to her without it costing either of us a boat load of money is comforting and she is going to come see me at the end of July! Please pray for her move back.

This little guy with be the first of the two exciting things that are happening in June. My dear friends Wade and Kelley are having their first born! He is going to be spoiled by this girl. I'm super excited about becoming this lil' man's Aunt Stephy. I hope he holds off his arrival into the world until I come back from my trip to Tennessee.

What's crazier than having one close friend get married? Having two close friends get married with in a month of each other. I can't not say how happy I am for Jennifer and Nathan. These two have become two of my best friends here in Nebraska and they are due to be wed on June 25th. I can't wait to see where God leads these two with their life together. I'm so happy for them and honored that they have asked me to be apart of their big day.


These are only the big things that are happening in the next two months. I also will be starting a new job June 1st and I can't tell you the excitement that I have. I don't have a picture of them or I would have posted it. I'm sure that you will get stories of them too. Please take the time to step back and see the blessings God has in store for you too.

Seeing God

Awhile back I was callenged to start finding God in ways that you have never seen him. To look for Him in the small things as well as the big. Things that don't even have anything to do with God on the surface but how everything can tie back to Christ. I try whenever I remember to do this action. To look for God in places that He is not 100% showing Himself and He wants you to seek Him. However, this time I wasnt looking for it when it appeared right before me.

A week or so ago I was out on a morning walk with the twins, Sam and Milena. While strolling past the grade school that Dylan attends I couldnt help but notice a father dropping off his daughter. Now don't get me wrong I have watched many parents drop off and pick up children in my day. But this time was different. This man and daughter had walked to school instead of the easy drop off at the sidewalk and go about your marry day. I watched as this man and daughter laughed on their way to school hand in hand. And when it came time for them to part and for her to cross the bridge and walk into the school I could help but see God. Actually see Christ in the way that He sees me. Ive always been told that Jesus thinks you are beautiful and that to Him you are one of the most beautiful if not the most beautiful thing He has ever made. No Im talking about myself personally but as women in general. But back to the father and daughter. When the seprated their hands and she went about her way the dad kissed her one the head and let her go. It was sweet because as she was walking away she would turn, figure out where he was, and then wave. He would stop where ever he was and do the same. It was comforting to see Christ in this way. Let me explain. We walk hand in hand with Christ and sometimes we think its time to let go just enough to figure out what's on the other side of the bridge. And like the father that I had the honor of watching that morning, he just released her enough for her to go. Now I know that he had to let her go to school but like I said Im suppose to find God and figure out what He is teaching me. As we decided to venture out and "try and figure things out on our own" no matter when we turn around God is going to be there standing waiting for us to wave at Him. To give Him a smile.

Now Im pretty sure, judging by the fact that a kidnapping in my neighborhood was not reported, the litte girl got back safe and held her daddy's hand yet again. And You can bet there was a hug involved and he more than likely picked her up too. How comforting to know when we cross that bridge and we can still see God and we wave at Him he waves back. How when we want to come back over the bridge he is there to greet us with open arms and to hold our hand again. For me, I actually saw how God sees my relationshp with Him that morning. Praise be to the Lord that even in something as small as a parent walking their child to school God teaches me.