My Testimony

So, I had to write my testimony for something that I am applying for... I figured it'd be a fun post!

Written Testimony-Krista Michelle


Looking back on my childhood, I remember sitting in the backseat of my parent’s car, looking out the window at everything that was passing by and wondering what it would be like if “nothing” existed. I couldn’t grasp the thought of “nothing” ever existing, and that is when I began to wonder about how everything in the world came about… Did it just appear one day? No. Well who put it here? It had to have been someone…
About 5 years later, my grandma, who was a devout Catholic, lived with my parents and me, and she slept in my room. Every night she would read her Bible and pray prayers. I became very inquisitive about this, because I knew what she was doing had some sort of purpose; she was so devout in this every day. I began to ask her many questions, but I still really didn’t understand anything about God and who He is. My perspective of God at the time was only as an imaginary friend, and I saw “only” because I had many imaginary friends (a completely different story). I used to push the chair out for Jesus at the dinner table, and I very much simply imitated my grandma- I thought that by having the necklace (the rosary) the my grandma did, that somehow I was doing something right, while still having no idea what I was running towards.
In middle school, my best friend Debbie invited me to her church, but I never accepted the offer because I was too scared that I wouldn’t be allowed to because it was in the late evening. It wasn’t until my freshman year of high school, when my friend Kristen invited me to her youth group that my life tremendously changed. I accepted, and when I arrived, I was greeted by a loud band, a bunch of people hanging out in a living room, and the youth minister, Garfield. After a warm welcome, he gladly did a back flip, and I couldn’t believe that we were actually laughing and having fun. I really had no idea what to expect. Well, after that, we had bible study, and I kept hearing about the “good news” and the “gospel”, and I just sat there pretending like I knew what everyone was referring to. I eventually learned more about it from Garfield and his wife, Stephanie, and that is when I learned about Jesus, and why I always saw him on a cross in pictures. I finally knew about His purpose, that He came to die for us, and that He loved me, and He wanted me to devote my life to Him. I finally realized that God is more than just a god that people pray to, but a God that actually loves us, by giving His Son for us, and by giving us the gift of eternal life through His Son. I finally understood that I could have a relationship with Him, and that He would change my life.
My salvation was very gradual- but altogether moving. I began to pray, and truly ask God to come into my life. My mom bought me a Bible, and I would eagerly go home to read it, to see what God was all about. I was later baptized on April 15th, 2001. That event is something I will never forget. God surrounded me, telling me that He loved me. I felt weightless, without a worry in the world. Ever since my salvation, I have had an inner joy that reaches to all the depths of my soul; this joy is indescribable. I still have daily struggles in my goal to daily serve Him, but He keeps reminding me that my satisfaction can only be found in Him.

Phoneathon

So, I'm doing this on-the-side job 3 nights out of the week. It's only for 3 weeks, but it's been going good. It's called the Alumni Phoneathon. I have been calling alumni and asking them for money. Some people tell me I'm crazy, but who knew my telemarketing skills from high school would help me make money in college? It's so much fun doing this, because I'm not selling credit cards, and most of the alumni are extremely generous! Last night I talked to one lady, and she donated $200! I think that's amazing. We had a good conversation about my bassoon playing days and her music career. She lives just down the road and goes to a church right around the corner from mine! It's such a small world, and she really was a sweet lady. I also talked to a guy that graduated in '03 and met his wife here. They are now expecting a baby! That's crazy! We knew the same people, so it felt like talking to a friend I've never met. They were a sweet couple! I sold the 2nd most last night, so I got a gift certificate to the movies!

I'm just really excited about it because it's fun doing that.

I also had my Spanish test today. I did great! I'm really learning more Spanish and I am excited! Mrs. Arnold is a great teacher!

I hope everyone is havign a good week! :)

New Job :)

I already blogged about this, but I never had the chance to write about how it has been going so far! Well, just to let you know- I love it!

I have appointments set up with students already, and I am very excited for the first one! I'm brainstorming right now on how I will help them learn their information. If you know me, you know that I will always use flashcards- forever and ever. Well, I'm going to have flashcards for the students. I am also going to buy a dry erase board so it will be easier to erase, and the constant use of paper and pen won't be frustrating for them.

Isn't God just great? He totally placed this one in my lap. It's perfect because when I am not tutoring, I get to sit in the computer lab and do my own thing, and just enjoy some alone time. If you know me, you know I like 'alone time'.

:) I hope everyone is doing great!!

Night Owl

I have been staying up until 1:00 a lot lately. It has been good, though.

Me and Courtney ran through the sprinklers last night. It was so much fun. I love those moments.

Please pray for me. Something is not good, and I can't quite put my finger on it... Those are the worst. :(

Do you ever feel...

like you have God all figured out?

I do that. A lot. I try to always be 2 steps ahead of Him, trying to predict His next move. I realize that this is totally the wrong way to live.

Sometimes I think I know what He's going to do next FOR me. Why do I do that? Maybe it is a lack of satisfaction? Trust? Both? I need to be rooted in Him with complete satisfaction. I need to trust that He can satisfy my every desire and need.

I have been struggling lately with this. Why can't I just accept His blessings and leave it that? Why do I always have to think there is more?

God,
Teach me to be content with what You have given me. Help me to not look to other things or people for this. I know that You are truth and that there is no other way. Help me to not worry about money, or clothes, or grades, but to completely know that it's in Your hands. To know it and live by knowing it. Not just half-know it. I can determine my steps, but You direct my path LORD. Thank You for adjusting my vision.
Love,
Krista

English! (and other things)

Guess what! I'm going to be an English Tutor... for COLLEGE STUDENTS! I'm excited, and I know you may think that I'm a nerd now, but guess what- I like it!

I really needed a second job, and this is just a huge blessing because not only is it- a) doing what I love (one of the things I love- English!), b) Opening up an opportunity to get to know more college students.... but I don't have to drive anywhere for this! It's an on campus job, and I am sooo excited!

I'm not going to quit babysitting- I love doing that :) I am not putting too much on my plate, either ;) The tutoring job also presents opportunities to do my own homework while I wait for people that need to be tutored!

Anyways, I thought I'd update y'all on that- it was a big deal to me today!

As far as other things are going, they are good. School is very easy this semester, but it's going to get harder. I planned this semester to be my easiest. :) I am enjoying apartment life more and more now, it's starting to become a lot more homey (is that how you spell that? is it even a word? I guess I should know this, being an English tutor and all).

FOCUS was awesome. Matt Chandler was our speaker, and God really used him. (He's going to be our speaker at Revival!!) It was about how as Christians, we shouldn't stay in our little Christian circles. That has been very convicting for me because I somehow assume that everyone here is a Christian, when some are not. How blind can I be? It really convicted me to engage more in conversations and invest in others, and accept people for who they are while showing them the love of the Lord. Another thing we talked about was just loving God. Not thinking we have to do certain things -don't get me wrong: reading, worship music- it's all important-but, our worship should flow into all of our lives, to where we have a true relationship with God and not just some act. An act only makes you think you are in tune with Him, when you are really just deceiving yourself. It's not about action, it's about heart. Now, I know that doing things is important, but it's all in vain if you don't know the Lord. I'm really excited about what the Lord has laid in my heart and it is my desire to live that every day. I don't want to just pass through life doing what a Christian does, but I want to BE it. To some that can be confusing, but think about it.

Anyways, I'm going to go study for my math test tomorrow!! Everyone have a great weekend!

~KQ

P.S.
Please continue to pray for my dad and his unit!

FOCUS

Please pray for myself, as well as the other students in Texas that are attending the Focus Conference ( http://www.focus2k6.org/ ). I know God will be present and I hope to learn something!
Thanks!

SO, about that cooking and baking...

Okay, maybe some of you more experienced cooks can answer my question...

I know in my last post I had a short ramble of my newly found hobby of baking and cooking. Now, "Shake 'N Bake" has to be one of the easiest things you can do, right? (Give me a break, I'm a college student, and I had to do it before my night class tonight ;) Well.. me and Brittany were baking our chicken drumsticks, covered with shake n' bake crumbs, and I opened it up, just to take a peek... Well, these drumsticks were GUSHING with blood. I'm sorry if that makes your stomach twist. Yes, it was disgusting.... but... it was disgusting. Not knowing what to do, I called my mom, and her suggestion was to cook them longer, because they obviously weren't done. Well, we did, got them out, they were still gushing. ;) What do we do? We cook them longer, meanwhile eating the sides: rice and corn. Well... we took them out, cut 'em open, and I thought they looked fine. So, I ate one, and avoided the gushing part... Let's hope I don't die tonight...

So, can anyone solve the bloody drumstick mystery? Did I do something wrong? I bought them at Wal-Mart, which could mean something... or was the chiken just bad?

Any suggestions?

Confused and wondering,
Anti-Bloody Chicken

How Things Are Going...

I think life is good.

I got my first ticket the other day. At first I was very angry, and bitter, but now I'm just taking it for what it is. (It was not a speeding ticket, I supposedly ran a stop sign :( ) I go to defensive driving with Rachel, because she got a ticket a while back, so we're going to Golden Corral and we get to eat while we take the class. Hey, that's nice!

Anyways... School has started and it has to be the easiest semester yet. I'm taking 15 hours and I have one night class. It's fun.

We are in our apartment and I cook and bake. It is amazing, let me tell you. To be able to cook your own food, that almost makes me a real adult!

Seriously, all I have after this is next year and then I'm a teacher. That's crazy. Hopefully these next couple years prepare me.

Well, I know this is boring.... so I think I am done. :)

Wonderful Things

Yes, wonderful.

We had our Children's Ministry meeting last Thursday, and it was a good turn out. We had about 10 students show that were interested. We went out to the apartments so they could meet the kids, and it was soooo good. The kids loved to see them, and I am so excited about this year.

3 of the kids accepted the Lord over the summer, and I am so happy! That was such good news. There is more to the story, too. Their mom, who is in prison right now, acceptedc the Lord was well- because her kids were so excited about God, and she wanted that.

Praise God!