a time to mourn and a time to dance

My first garage sale went amazing! i made almost $500! and i am having an even bigger one with more stuff this weekend (God willing, if it doesn't rain) The Lord has already done so much in favor of me going to Amsterdam; i have full faith that He will come through with everything. Sometimes i have to just not think about the fact that in less than a month i'll be in Amsterdam, cause i would start to freak out. Its totally not how i usually do things, i'm such a control list freak but when it comes to big life changes i have to simply not dwell on the fact that i'm leaving. So much to do such a short precious time left.

On a different note, i took my oldest (10 yo) niece to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader tonight. it was so good! and she is so precious. she is so funny and smart i love being her auntie. We shared some chinese food then got ice cream then i took her back home and she showed me her Jungle Book play songs and script... too cute. Then my 2 yo niece Lucy was going to sleep and took off her socks and placed them on her hands. when i walked into the room she says "hi! sock hands!" i am going to miss them the most when i leave.

New Beginnings

I love how no matter how much we think we know we learn more each day. I must admit this year has been a hard one. The hardest yet. I felt things i have never felt before and though i wish to never go through it again i'm glad i did and have now risen above it. I mustn't live in the past but continue on in the future. I'm letting go of things i have been squeezing in my palms. and know that once that release is completed i will have a new found, fresh freedom at my feet. It's perfect timing for this new season of my life. I am done with Bible College and now the Lord has spoken to me about going back to Amsterdam, in January, to work with the Lighthouse ministry. It's coming so fast and i don't feel prepared but i do know what i heard and must obey dispite my circumstances. The Lord has promised to provide for me in everything that i need, that is NEED not WANT. Two totally different things. All odds are against Him, but i know that God will come through, like He always does. For instance I am completely broke right now. I can't find a job, and if i do why would i get a job only to quit in a few months? But this is where my path led me so i'm trusting the Lord. If it was Him who told me to go then He will also provide a way. This morning my tire went flat and although i want to just break down into tears i see it as an opportunity to watch God provide and take care of me. If He can take care of me in the small things then of course He will in the big things. So i'm learning to fully surrender to Him. in ALL things. Being that I am a person who depends only on myself i am in for a rough, but inncredible and awakening ride.

I've finished strong

well as strong as i could. i graduated Bible College. i'm still overwelmed by much emotion but hopefully in a few years i'll be able to look back on all this and see more what God was in fact doing. i leave on Monday for Woodward.. im excited for the change and i've missed everyone so much. Then after that im planning to staff in the Coffee House in Murrieta for a semester.. then Europe? oh goodness i don't know when to go all i know is i must.

How the tables have turned!

well, as many of you know, i was very set on my plan of returning home then finishing my next and last semester in Murrieta. That is until Jordan (the director at CCBC Seattle) informed me of his mother Cathy's intention of making me her intern next semester. The second i heard the offer i knew God was up to something. it was right before Crew (which is the Sunday night service for College age kids) and i prayed right through the service and into the night. i knew God was telling me to stay but i am a stubborn one. i knew i had to be obedient to Him no matter how much i desired to be closer to home. Cathy and i chatted about her ideas for next semester and not only am i interning but she wanted to help train me in the ministry the Lord has called me to; being a vessel, lead by Him, to restore women's hearts who have been mistreated or have lived a horrid life, mainly in the sex trafficking and slavery, or just anyone i come in contact with. Cathy is going to teach me all she knows about restoring broken hearts to the Lord. how incredible is this?! Last semester as i prayed for guidance the Lord spoke very clearly saying "you could choose to attend Murrieta or Seattle, each school you will learn much and be blessed, however, in Seattle i will open a door up to you that will help you to further the ministry in which i have called you into." How could coming back up here not be from the Lord? I am astonished at His works! I made a little Rory Gilmore pro and con list and Seattle won by a long shot. In Seattle i will be taught life long lessons by the amazing pastor's wife, it will be better for me financially, all the classes i need to graduate are being offered to me, and good friends are also staying so i look forward to building stronger friendships. Calvary Fellowship has welcomed me like a family and i am so grateful for it. i miss mine terribly and look forward to seeing them for the next month until i come back up here.
God has truly been so good to me! Even in the midst of my car problems. My tire went completely flat while i was at my M1 in the Library last night. a man came in and asked everyone who the owner of the maroon Mazda outside was; because he had a little portable air tank with him and could help. he plugged it into my cig lighter and i foolishly didn't turn the car on fully so when i went to start my car later my old and worn out battery was completely dead. So i left it there and today my friend Joey put my spare on for me (my tire was already flat again!) and i went to get a set of new tires and a new battery. My parents have helped me beyond measure and i am astonished at their goodness and compassion. they are the most self-less people i know. and now my car is running better than it ever has all because of my new battery. i would not have know this to be the main source to my problems had my tire not flattened. i am truly thankful this all took place a week before i am to drive home, now i can go the long distance in peace. also my incredible teacher, Scott Vincent, is checking my brakes and fluids tomorrow to make sure i am 100 percent prepared. "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!" How true this song is! i know the rest of my fiances will be taken care of as well.. for i am in the Lord's hands and He has not let me down yet.

Maturity

The Lord has been opening my eyes to many, many great things, I am learning so much through Him! Seattle has been treating me very well. I absolutely love my roomates, we all get along so well its incredible! I need to remember to take pictures of the townhouse.
Anyways, my twenty-second birthday was on Saturday, it was such a good day! I got to sleep in, read New Moon (yeah whatever I got sucked into it), it rained :) my friends came over and we watched movies then my roomates threw me a party! It was all in all amazing! Here are some pictures:






Yeah it was rad!


Here is a picture of me and my roomates:


From left to right: Kristyn (our dorm mom), Amanda, Chelsea, Jennifer, Ashley, me :)

Everyday the Lord is showing me how He really truly wants me here and I keep getting more and more excited for what He has instore for me!

Weddings and Babies

I went to my friend Travis and Olivia Hartley's wedding yesterday with my best friend Angelina, her husband Dave and their two little girls; Claira (15 months) and Leah (2 1/2 weeks). so i was pretty much in heaven the whole time. i realized yesterday that i really do want to get married and have babies. they are too precious and even though you have to do the whole birthing things i hear its worth it - so bring on the pain!
Here are a couple pictures from yesterday [the 2 first ones are taken on my phone so quality is not too good]

Me and Little Leah


Lindsay Stone and I


She was so fun to hold!


Claira, me and Lindsay

Frankie Manning

The biggest contributor to Lindy Hop died at age 94 yesterday, a month before his 95th birthday. i am so sad i never got to dance with him, there was always work or something i had to do when he was in town. so depressing. i am so glad he was born, otherwise my most favorite hobby would truly not exist.