Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Finishing what I started

So, I think I was talking about Friends on the post below (I started a post and didn't finish it below. You should read it)

But school is ok. I am ready for the academic part of it to be over with. My Research Methods class is the worst class ever. I have to get a C in it though, so pray that I can endure. I like all of my other classes which is really good. If I didn't, I would be miserable. 

One thing that is definitely is YOU GROW. I am really enjoying doing that with Lauren and Brandon. We are seeing the students growing which is cool, and we are establishing relationships with them. Ministry is definitely what I am called to, and I stuff like this really seems to suite me. Needless to say that I am really enjoying it. 

Well, that is all for now. I will talk to you soon.


Update on Life at OU

Well things are going pretty well. School is starting to totally take over my life. Travis and I have tried to lay down some ground rules for the both of us before we start doing things that aren't important. 

The first is to not watch more than two episodes of Friends a day. Why, because we have been watching it way too much. One night we stayed up 'til 1 a.m. watching a whole disk. It has become a distraction. But we really don't have anything else to do or watch a majority of the time. We have a TV but no channels, and Travis is a huge Friends fan, and I think it is funny, most of the time. It really is a very harsh show. But when we have nothing better to do or just need a break we watch it. But then we are like, "what happens next?" so we watch it some more. But by saying only 2 episodes a day, we are trying to remove that distraction to a degree.:) Plus, we need to be active. We are 22 and 20 and somewhat lazy at times. So if we don't have any homework to do we are going to go play basketball or tennis or something other than Friends.

I am on the phone with Lauren. So, I am going to finish this later.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Engagement

Well, it has been a while since I last posted. Sorry about that. School has started, and I rarely think about things outside of school, church/ministry, Lauren, friends and family. That is pretty much my life right now, except for engagement!

Engagement is a lot of fun. I mean seriously... there is not a whole lot of things more exciting to think about that get married to the woman of my dreams! It is cool. But it also comes with its trials.

Things have not always been easy... for sure. Little things that weren't a big deal before are now. But we are both learning and trying to rejoice in the things we are learning because it is better for it to happen now than later. So we are really glad for that. 

This semester has been good so far. I desperately need and want a job. Braum's didn't work out because it was just stressful for me. I don't know why, but working fast food does not go well with my soul. I have had some things that I thought would work out fall through, and some other things be offered, but probably won't come close to what I need. So I am still looking, and hopefully by the end of the week I will have a job. At least that is the goal. Fortunately Lauren and I have and are going to donate plasma and get paid for that once a week which has helped. So pray that I get a job soon!

Classes are pretty good. My research methods class is by far the worst. But other than that one I like all of my classes. I have been able to rent books from the library for all of my classes which has been a huge blessing. 

That is just kind of the school and engagement part of my life right now. Other than the engagement stuff I didn't think you would care how everything else was going as much as what I am going to talk about now. So sorry for the brief, abrupt paragraphs.:)

God has been really good to me as far as my living and ministry. Living with Travis has been a lot of fun. I am learning the guitar, able to safe a ton of money, and have really been able to build another strong relationship. Travis is a servant, and I really appreciate that about him. Plus Todd, Aaron, and Trey come over all the time to play in our studio that Travis has made. That is one of the most fun things that I do. I love music, but in all honesty when we just are playing around... it's hilarious. We are actually kind of good at a couple of songs: Carry Me by Jars of Clay, and No One Like You by David Crowder. Those are our best ones by a mile. Travis is really good at electric guitar, and Trey does pretty well at drums. Todd is learning the base, and catching on quickly, and I sing, but I sound weird on the mic. I just need to get used to hearing myself I guess. Aaron is learning the drums. It is definately the most humorous when he plays because he bobs up and down to the beat as he plays. It is great. 

God has really blessed me with ministry this year. I am doing a Bible study with Lauren and her brother called YOU GROW. Lauren and I are teaching together, and we have 23 people in our group from the ages of 14-21. It is a really good time of fellowship, worship, and teaching. I am really excited about what God is going to do over the next year in the lives of the students as well as Lauren's and myself. 

I am discipling a guy named Andrew from YOU GROW, and that is going really well. He really wants to be discipled and do the right thing. I am really trying to be a leader and not go with the crowd. He is definately capable of doing that. I am also meeting with Preston Kunz, whom some of you know, and Kyle Burke from OU. They are both great guys, and I am really blessed to meet with them. 

I am really shocked that God has allowed my ministry to grow as much as it has. Not only am I meeting with these 3 guys one on one, but I am also getting to have lunch with other people every once in a while. I have really prayed that God will just let me be an encouragement to those who need it, and He has allowed me to do just that. 

God has really been teaching me a lot about pondering the way that is blameless. Psalm 101 talks about doing this, and I have through that chapter verse by verse and really applied them to my life. It is amazing! Memorizing some of the Psalms has really lifted my spirit and pointed me towards the path that is blameless. Today I started memorizing Psalm 119: 11, 16-17, and I have been working on Psalm 86:11-13, as well as the beattitudes. I would really encourage you all to read these verses and just praise God for all that He has done. He is truly amazing.