Day five is just about over now...
Not gonna lie, I do miss Facebook a little. Okay, a lot. I guess it's just because it's just become a habit to check it every day. At the same time though, I'm very glad I'm breaking that habit as a result of this covenant. It's also really nice, cause when I find myself wanting to procrastinate from studying or doing the productive tasks I should be doing, I would normally just waste time on Facebook...but that's not an option now!
Right now I'm at a place where I feel somewhat overwhelmed with life. I'm trying to not only figure out what I'm going to be doing with my life over spring break, and summer vacation, but week by week, day by day as well. Attempting to figure out my schedule, how it fits in with my social life... find time to rest, read for leisure (ha!), clean my room, and apply for scholarships fit in. I miss my family, and am trying to become the person God wants me to be, as well as survive and feel rested as I live my crazy life.
I believe one thing God really wants me to work on right now is worry and stress. I need to just relax, chill, and enjoy life. I need to take things one at a time, and not worry about the rest. I'll get it done. And if not, it either wasn't that important, or God has other plans, and will help me when it's time.
Speaking of rest....I'm exhausted. The anticipation of the close game between the Steelers and the Packers, while watching the Packers win an outstanding victory was quite exhausting emotionally. Maybe that's why I'm so tired? Probably a combination of that, along with that crazy life of mine I was talking about. Either way, I'm going to sleep. :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
LifeStyle
This challenge isn't about just changing my habits with people in youth group, and around Church. It's not just about learning to live without Facebook for a month.
This challenge for me, is about creating a new lifestyle. I've realized how much sin I have allowed to be in my life and become part of me, that I wasn't even aware of anymore. This covenant is about changing my lifestyle in all areas, with all the people in my life. It's about becoming the person God wants me to be.
I'm excited to become more like the person God wants me to be, and begin to work hard at getting rid of the things that my Savior isn't pleased with me.
Lord, thank you for this relationship covenant, and that through it I've become aware of some things in my life that I need to change. Thank you God for this challenge to help me get started with the destiny you have for me.
Father, I also pray that you would be with each of my friends in youth group that are also partaking in this challenge. Help them to have the discipline and desire to become more like you, that they may be stretched in their faith.
In your name I pray, Amen
This challenge for me, is about creating a new lifestyle. I've realized how much sin I have allowed to be in my life and become part of me, that I wasn't even aware of anymore. This covenant is about changing my lifestyle in all areas, with all the people in my life. It's about becoming the person God wants me to be.
I'm excited to become more like the person God wants me to be, and begin to work hard at getting rid of the things that my Savior isn't pleased with me.
Lord, thank you for this relationship covenant, and that through it I've become aware of some things in my life that I need to change. Thank you God for this challenge to help me get started with the destiny you have for me.
Father, I also pray that you would be with each of my friends in youth group that are also partaking in this challenge. Help them to have the discipline and desire to become more like you, that they may be stretched in their faith.
In your name I pray, Amen
Friday, February 4, 2011
Days 2 & 3
Due to some necessary college cramming for an exam I had this afternoon, I wasn't able to post last night. I apologize. But all of you reading this that have experienced or are experiencing college now, will understand where I'm coming from. If you're not yet at that stage in life, trust me, one day soon, you too, will understand.
First, let's talk about day 2.
Yesterday was Thursday, which was the climax of my extremely busy week. Even though I could have been stressed out with my messy room, test to study for, etc. etc. I decided to enjoy the beautiful sunny day, take advantage of class being cancelled, and spend the majority of the day with my beautiful friend Coco. It was her last day in Salem before heading up to her current home in Washington, so I took advantage of an opportunity of having some quality girl time with her. As I spent time with her I realized that life doesn't have to be complicated. It's okay to just enjoy it for what it is; putting off the stresses and worries for a while, and just having fun. I quite often forget that, and I think God really wanted to remind me about that.
Day 3- Well, today was my exam, so I spent the majority of my morning studying hard core for it. (it went alright by the way, in case you were wondering. :-)
This evening I went and saw the play "Facing the Giants" performed by a local Christian youth theater program. My cousin Justin has the main role as the Coach. My cousin Jordan also has a role in the play, as well as many other friends. I couldn't be more proud of all of them! The performance was absolutely incredible! It made me both laugh and cry, and they couldn't have done a better job! Having the opportunity to go and both support all of them, and be moved by the story they told, was in itself, a gift from God.
This week, one of the things I am focusing on, is time management. I haven't been finding enough time in my day to spend one-on-one with God. I'm beginning by writing out my day, and seeing how I spent my time. Also noting the things I did that weren't as productive, and I could/should replace with time of mine that God definitely deserves.
Today, I received a challenge email from Pastor Joe. It challenged us to write a hand written letter to someone in our youth group, and mail it out Monday.
I was very excited to receive this challenge, because over the past two weeks or so, I have actually been thinking about beginning a routine to write two or three encouragement cards to different Crosswalk students each week, and give them to my friends at mid-week Crosswalk. I think this may be God telling me that would be something that would glorify Him, what do you think?
First, let's talk about day 2.
Yesterday was Thursday, which was the climax of my extremely busy week. Even though I could have been stressed out with my messy room, test to study for, etc. etc. I decided to enjoy the beautiful sunny day, take advantage of class being cancelled, and spend the majority of the day with my beautiful friend Coco. It was her last day in Salem before heading up to her current home in Washington, so I took advantage of an opportunity of having some quality girl time with her. As I spent time with her I realized that life doesn't have to be complicated. It's okay to just enjoy it for what it is; putting off the stresses and worries for a while, and just having fun. I quite often forget that, and I think God really wanted to remind me about that.
Day 3- Well, today was my exam, so I spent the majority of my morning studying hard core for it. (it went alright by the way, in case you were wondering. :-)
This evening I went and saw the play "Facing the Giants" performed by a local Christian youth theater program. My cousin Justin has the main role as the Coach. My cousin Jordan also has a role in the play, as well as many other friends. I couldn't be more proud of all of them! The performance was absolutely incredible! It made me both laugh and cry, and they couldn't have done a better job! Having the opportunity to go and both support all of them, and be moved by the story they told, was in itself, a gift from God.
This week, one of the things I am focusing on, is time management. I haven't been finding enough time in my day to spend one-on-one with God. I'm beginning by writing out my day, and seeing how I spent my time. Also noting the things I did that weren't as productive, and I could/should replace with time of mine that God definitely deserves.
Today, I received a challenge email from Pastor Joe. It challenged us to write a hand written letter to someone in our youth group, and mail it out Monday.
I was very excited to receive this challenge, because over the past two weeks or so, I have actually been thinking about beginning a routine to write two or three encouragement cards to different Crosswalk students each week, and give them to my friends at mid-week Crosswalk. I think this may be God telling me that would be something that would glorify Him, what do you think?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
28 Day Challenge- Crosswalk Relationship Covenant. Day 1
During the month of February, my youth group and I are participating in a challenge called the "Crosswalk Relationship Covenant".
Over the past three weeks in youth group we've been learning about "Active Love". And what it means to live it out.
In the following 28 days, each evening I will be posting a blog about my experience, what the Covenant is all about, and I will go more in detail about what Active Love is.
I will post about the things I'm learning, and the things that are stretching my faith. I will also talk about what I am working on, and how I see God using me through out each day.
To begin, I will tell you the seven basic things of which our Crosswalk Relationship Covenant consists:
1. Love my friends with action not words alone.
-1 John 4:18
2. Love my friends with words no more destructive posts, updates, or tweets.
- James 1:26; 1 John 4:18; Ephesians 4:29
3. Confront sin in love, one on one, not through social networking, texts, gossip or slander.
- Matthew 18
4. End gossip by refusing to listen to it, repeat it or pass it along.
-Proverbs 16:28; 26:20
5. Promote unity by logging off Facebook for the month of February and making "face-to-face" the new norm.
- Phillippians 4:2-3
6. Offering forgiveness even before someone asks.
- Colossians 3:13
7. Giving God's grace by using my gifts to serve others during this month.
- 1 Peter 4:9-11
Please go to www.icrosswalk.org to watch a video from my youth Pastor describing this Relationship Covenant, and what it's really all about. Who knows, maybe after you hear it, you'd like to hop on board and do the covenant along with me!
Over the past three weeks in youth group we've been learning about "Active Love". And what it means to live it out.
In the following 28 days, each evening I will be posting a blog about my experience, what the Covenant is all about, and I will go more in detail about what Active Love is.
I will post about the things I'm learning, and the things that are stretching my faith. I will also talk about what I am working on, and how I see God using me through out each day.
To begin, I will tell you the seven basic things of which our Crosswalk Relationship Covenant consists:
1. Love my friends with action not words alone.
-1 John 4:18
2. Love my friends with words no more destructive posts, updates, or tweets.
- James 1:26; 1 John 4:18; Ephesians 4:29
3. Confront sin in love, one on one, not through social networking, texts, gossip or slander.
- Matthew 18
4. End gossip by refusing to listen to it, repeat it or pass it along.
-Proverbs 16:28; 26:20
5. Promote unity by logging off Facebook for the month of February and making "face-to-face" the new norm.
- Phillippians 4:2-3
6. Offering forgiveness even before someone asks.
- Colossians 3:13
7. Giving God's grace by using my gifts to serve others during this month.
- 1 Peter 4:9-11
Please go to www.icrosswalk.org to watch a video from my youth Pastor describing this Relationship Covenant, and what it's really all about. Who knows, maybe after you hear it, you'd like to hop on board and do the covenant along with me!
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
After my stressful week of finals, I boarded a plane in Portland and headed down to Thousand Oaks, California for four amazing days with my friends from Bethany Church. I enjoyed four amazing days hanging out with my wonderful friends there. Of course, it would be raining the entire time I go to visit, but that didn't stop us having fun! It was fun to hang out with the youth group, and get to know people that I didn't know very well; that hadn't been to Mexico before. We had fun watching movies, going to Christmas parties, puddle splashing, going to basketball games, eating delicious bread sticks, music videos, Crossfire, getting soaking wet, Church, watching Modern Family, going to Sky High, and much much more. It was so great to spend time creating more unforgettable memories with my dear friends in California.
After my time in California, I began my journey down to Autlan, Mexico. The emotion and anticipation as I spent the day on the plane and in the airport, was almost unbearable! I hadn't seen my family since October. I received six of the best hugs as I finally arrived in Guadalajara. Christian said to my mom before I got there that it was "the best day of his whole life". So cute!I was able to spend three absolutely incredible weeks with my family in Autlan. It was great to be able to spend quality time with my family again. I had missed them so much! We got to spend lots of time just joking around, watching movies, etc. It was great! I don't know what I would do without them!
The night after I arrived to Autlan, Morgan had a gymnastics performance in the center of town. It was so fun to watch her do her routine!
We had lots of Christmas parties the first week I was there, where I got to eat lots of authentic Mexican food. I had missed that a lot as well!
The first week in January, we took a family vacation to the beach, which was a blast! We hung out at the pool all weekend, went and saw Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, played games, and enjoyed soaking up the warm, Mexico sun.I was also blessed with being able to be reunited with my friends down in Autlan, and get to spend some time catching up with them as well. I spent a lot of time with the Silva family, who has become a special family to my family's hearts in Autlan. Rosa, Chavo, and Vicente Silva are three of my best friends in Autlan. Seeing how Chavo and Rosa have been growing closer in their walk with Christ since I left in August, was so encouraging!
I got to spend an afternoon at the Migrant Worker camp, playing with the kids, whom I had missed immensely! I got to see Justiano, a little boy who lives at the camp, and stole my heart this summer. He is so adorable, and I had missed him so much! I got the best hug and smile ever from him! If I could, I would adopt that him in a heartbeat. But for now, praying for him each day and enjoy the times I do get to go and visit him will do. :)
Also seeing Barbara, Josselyn, the Clark family, Isai, and so many more, was just amazing. I am so thankful and so blessed that God provided the way for me to spend my Christmas break in a country that is so special to me, with people that are very special to me as well.
I'm so thankful for all my family did for me to be there as well. I love you guys!!!
College Christmas break number one- SUCCESS!!
But now second semester has begun. Which means homework loads, professors in bow ties, pop quizzes, and the crazy life of a college student is in full swing!!
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