Prayer, please?

Can I ask those of you who read this to pray for me, please? I have been sooo distracted this week. It's funny that I think this is a good distraction, well, I know it is. I am SO excited about this summer, sharing the gospel with more kids this summer, and trying to live for Him more. I try to sit here at school and study and for some reason, I just don't get as excited about that (sense the sarcasm?). Please pray that I would glorify God in all things, even through studying. I have to finish the semester out strong, but I am not going to lie- it is so hard when I know this summer will be amazing!!

Love y'all!

I Am Blessed

I had a very moving hour tonight. I've noticed that I have decreased in the amount of time I reflect on my life. I haven't stopped and just thought about the relationships that are being built each day. Tonight, at our small group meeting, I cried for a good 20 minutes, and if you know me... it is very hard for me to start crying in front of people I don't know. But you know something? I found that I do know the people I cried with tonight. It was a good cry, too.

We used to play "Hot Seat" in our youth group (Steph, you remember this). It was one of my favorite things that we did because it forced us to a) recognize the goodness in the relationships that have been built, and b) bring ourselves to understand what others truly feel about us. It can be a very moving moment, especially if you doubt that you have had an impact. Well, I just joined MLC this past semester. To be honest, I was scared when I joined. I was scared of being the new girl because I'm shy enough as it is. Well tonight we played "Hot Seat" and it was so wonderful. I enjoyed hearing what people had to say about me, but I loved finding out what I thought was admirable in others. I never really stop and say "This person is so ____" It's kind of a subconscious thing. I want to "stop and smell the roses". I value friendships so much but I never actually tell the people I value how much I value them. I've noticed I can be a bit protective of my thoughts. Things have changed, and I want to fix them. I want to be forward with people and let them know the impact they have in my life. "Carpe Diem". It's funny that I forget most of the things people say they admire in me, but I remember what I say to others. I love my friends. We all influence eachother (in good ways) and I love it. I love the fact that we all love Jesus and can share what He is teaching us. I am excited about next year and seeing where God leads us all. I'm excited that His hand is upon all this, and He finds each one of us as admirable. I strive to be that for Him everyday, and I just want to feel Him smiling upon me.

We are truly blessed.

One of the best movies ever..

So after surprising Lauren for her bridal shower, we watched what is now one of my favorite movies. I think I can watch it over and over again. I'm planning on reading the book this summer. Can you guess what it is? Pride and Prejudice. It was such a great movie, but I'd have to say that my favorite scene was the last one. It was the most romantic thing I have ever seen. I strongly suggest you seeing this movie if you have not. It is great!

Mr. Darcy: "And how are you this evening, my dear?"

Elizabeth: "Very well, only I wish you would not call me 'my dear', For that is what my Father calls my Mother when he is cross at her.”

Mr. Darcy: "Ahh, and so then what should I call you?"

Elizabeth : “Well let me think. Lizzy for everyday, my pearl for Sundays, and my divine goddess for every other day."

Mr. Darcy (laughing): "And what am I to call you when I'm cross? Mrs. Darcy?

Elizabeth: "No, you may only call me Mrs. Darcy when you're completely,perfectly and incandesantly happy."

Mr. Darcy: "And how are you this evening, Mrs. Darcy?"

Mr. Darcy: Mrs. Darcy...(kisses her left cheek)

Mr. Darcy: Mrs. Darcy...(kisses her nose)

Mr. Darcy: Mrs. Darcy...(kisses her right cheek)

Mr. Darcy: Mrs... (kisses her on the mouth)

The Old Days

Awww, so I DO miss the drumline every once in a while. My friend Tamara sent me a picture of me and my friend Nick when we were about to perform. I think this was during our break:



I don't even remember this! It is so cute though. I kind of miss those moments!

Wow!

I can't believe there is only 1 week of classes left and then FINALS! This is crazy! It has been a good past couple of days. I've been pretty on top of things, I think. I haven't slept through any classes, but I have come pretty close. Yay for my talents of waking up just in time! I also completed my 10 page paper of John Donne for English over the weekend. Now, my only task before FINALS is to complete a paper in Baptist History over Fundamentalists and Moderates. I'm actually, not too worried about it! Tomorrow is PLAY DAY which gives me plenty of time to work on it.

I'm pretty excited about going home for a month before I start my new job as the Children's Intern this summer. 2 weekends will be weddings for two people in my life that I treasure so much. I am so happy for them, the time is drawing near! Wow, crazy stuff there.

Finals should be good. After this Friday, I'll be studying it up for Doc Martin's Exam. I have to make a good grade! So hopefully my study techniques are better!

I hope everyone is doing good. I love all of ya'll!

I'll leave ya'll with a verse that's been on my heart lately:
"You shall be holy, for I am holy." -1 Peter 1:16

Invisible Children

Okay, so I really want to do this. I'm pretty sure my parents are absolutely against me going alone. Has anyone heard of the invisible children? This is important. If you have not heard of them, go to www.invisiblechildren.com . Their voices need to be heard. After you do that, click this. If you want to do this, comment. Even if I don't know you. I want to go to Waco and help. Anyone? Please respond before April 29th. Atleast 3 days in advance. Thanks! Even if you can't go to Waco, this opportunity is happening in a lot of places!

A False Idea

So, going to the school I go to, there are always engagements and the such going on. And yes, if you know me, you know I try my best to remain as strong as I can and be happy for everyone, yet I still wonder when "my time" (doesn't that sound selfish, in the grand scheme of things?) will come. Well, I've heard many girls say that once you've reached that point in your relationship with God where you just love Him so deeply, then He will bring "that person" into your life. Pardon me, but this is NOT TRUE! And I'm not saying this to be bitter, but to cast out that dumb belief. This idea makes girls feel as if they are not truly loving the Lord! I see a TON of friends around me that are unattached and have such a deep passion for the Lord! We love the Lord with all our hearts, and people want to say "Oh, when you truly love the Lord, you'll meet him." Okay, what about those that are called to singleness? What about those that become Christians after they are married? True, everything is in God's plan, and He does have a time for everything, but it is not true that He brings a partner into our lives once we have "truly loved Him". We have been talking a lot about marriage and singleness in my class, "The Early Pauline Epistles", because we are currently studying Corinthians. Not to offend any of you married couples out there, I know your relationship is built on Christ. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35:
"I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried and betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about wordly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord."

Okay, so the whole idea that God brings that "special someone" into our lives when we fully love the Lord- no! Why would God say, "Okay, you "fully" love me, let me present this one in your life so that your love for me may be divided." Being married is awesome, from what I hear. It is a gift from God and it should be based on God. But I disagree with the idea floating around in everyone's heads that we are not on fire for the Lord if we are still single. If anything, when we are single, we are loving the Lord with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds. All of it. So, please take this idea out of your head, girls. God will bring this "special someone" into your life if that is in His will. This magical formula: Being passionate about God and loving Him = Finding my soulmate, brings room for false motives. There is no magic formula. God examines our hearts. So, lets cast this idea out!

Randomness

Does anyone have any good recommendations for books on Apologetics? I specifically want to read one on the authority of the Bible, as I have a friend who is a Christian and doesn't think the Bible is authoratative. I looked on Amazon.com and so far I am looking into R.C. Sproul's Defending the Faith.

Anyhoo. Lots of things running through my mind. Going to go read though, and catch up on those Z's....

Oh yeah, and go here :)

:) Good news/suspense

So, I won't find out until the 30th, but there is possibly some very good news concerning Children's Ministry. I don't want to say it on here unless it comes true, but ah- don't you love the suspense?! Haha, if I have to wait, so do you readers of the blog. :)

Haha, and yes, that's all this post was about ;)

"My Brain Hurts!!!"

Man, oh man. It has been a good weekend. My children's ministry kids are going to be in the Easter Pageant, so I started off the day by pickign them up for practice. Then, I went garage sale-ing with Amy, and I got a beautiful quilt for $2.00!! Yes, I know, we are good. Then, I came back to school, picked the kids up and dropped them off, and then I left with Amy to look at her new house. Her and a couple other girls are renting a house starting in May and it was very exciting to see!! I think it will be fun because we are all really growing up. Some of us in apartments, and then some of us in a house!! That's pretty insane.

I came back to the dorm and then left to go babysit. It was an interesting night. Anna just got taken of the pacifier so she was a bit antsy. It took her a while to fall asleep. Nathan was just so funny last night. I knew he would end up stalling before bedtime, because he does that every night. Well, last night was no different, but I loved what he tried to pull with me. He got up to use the restroom and I knew he didn't have to go, but I let him anyways. Then as he was getting in bed, he says "Miss Krista, I feel so bad, I feel sooo bad." "Oh? What's wrong Nathan??" "My... my.. my brain hurts..." At this point I almost laugehd out lout but I knew that would crush him so I played along and said "I'm sure your brain won't hurt if you go to sleep!" and he gave me this very adult look like "I really don't want to go to bed!" It was really funny, but finally, after a lot of talking, he went to sleep. I then started on some homework and then fell asleep. They always told me I could go to sleep, but I never actually have. Well, they came home at one, and I didn't hear them walk in, so when she said my name to wake me, I jumped and was very scared. There's something about sleeping in a place you don't normally sleep. It was really funny and scary, but then I left for home.

It was an interesting Saturday! I hope yours was, too!

Crazy Feelings

Hey everyone,

I gave ya'll the URL to this blog because I knew ya'll, so I'm going to let ya'll know how I have been feeling lately.

God has been so good to me. He has given me a great family and great friends. He has reminded me of his love daily. The last couple days have been kind of hard for me though. As I think all of ya'll know, my dad is going back overseas soon. I have been blocking my emotions to this for some time because I can get extremely upset sand sad about it. I can't say that that has helped. Today was my dad's last day at his civilian job, and thought brought the reality home. I can't tell you how much this stinks. And I know that no matter how I feel about this situation, it will never change. Please pray for me and my family though. It is one of the hardest things anyone can experience. It feels like a big gamble on someone's life when they go "over there". Please pray that my dad is wrapped in God's arms and that he feels the comfort that comes from the Father. Please pray that all of his unit is protected as they go on missions. Please pray that they will all see Christ through all of this. Please pray that the families back at home are comforted also and that we will remember that this is all in the Lord's hands, and not turn our hearts cold to Him. It's very easy to lose sight of Him in the midst of this. Please pray that we will all encourage eachother and be joyful even through this. Please pray that we will love eachother and encourage one another.

It has been hurting me lately to think about it. I don't want to hurt anymore.