Here We Go

So, this life is getting pretty crazy peeps. God is so good, and I am more in love with Him than ever.
CCT is going swimmingly. I love my little minis. They are quite a fun little bunch. And right now, they are mostly boys. Haha. Imagine me, teaching a group of 5 year old boys about theater. Yeah, I'm laughing too. And the doors are opening for more students and the possibilities are simply endless! God is just exploding this all in such a good way. We are already shopping for props, costumes, and sets for the other classes. Besides my class, I am production assistant for a 13+ class that is doing "Through The Looking Glass" as their play. The 8-12 class is performing "Cinderella." So excited for both of those classes. Even now, costumes are coming together. Please be praying for musical directors! We need one for each class. We have a few requests out now, but we really need people who can commit and be there for all our rehearsals, and all 3 performances. If anyone knows anyone who loves playing piano and would be available on monday nights, please contact me! Its a great opportunity, if you like to serve musically.

Basically, I'm LOVING Goodwill right now. Seriously, every time I'm out, I'm like, "where's a goodwill? I need to see if they have anything I need." Yeah, I'm addicted. It's a problem. But one that is not breaking the bank. I got a good start on my fall wardrobe last Saturday, and found some gorgeous plaid, polka dot silks, a velvet belt, jewel-tone florals, and a nice bright "boyfriend" style shirt for under $40. I'm very happy. That is what I consider a successful day. :)

Friends, God is so amazing. Sometimes I just need to be reminded of just how loving and near He is. Last night, I was catching up with a friend, and just to hear his testimony of God's faithfulness in his life made me look at the faithfulness in my own life. He is always there for us, even when we are unaware. He cares more than any man or woman will ever care for you, love you, cherish you, or protect you. The Lord has just been impressing on me this fact lately: He is the One who fulfills, and ONLY He can satisfy my deepest need. He alone has taken care of my deepest need, and He alone loves me unconditionally. What a wonderful truth!! Wow. It slays me.
I'll leave you with a song I was listening to last night. It is beautiful. May the truth of this song be with you today. :)

"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Oh the deep, deep love.
All I need and trust
Is the deep, deep love of Jesus."

A New Adventure

Hello world!

I've been so busy guys! Life is great, work is busy, and I'm going crazy. Haha. What else is new.

At work right now, I'm in intensive training to become a manager. Scary, right? Yeah. And I knew the whole manager thing would be coming for a few months now, but it might be actually happening in the next 2ish months. They've asked our general manager if he would move to another store. That would move an associate manager up to gm, and me to associate manager. Honestly, this is not where I wanted to be at 21...but things are falling into place for this. I don't know if it's God's leading, or what, but I'm going with the flow. I'm obviously in prayer for all this, but I think I know what my answer will be when they ask me if I want to be a manager. I have a plan for the next 3ish years, and this seems like it will help that.
You ready for it?

Ok. As a manager, I would be on salary. The plan is to work there for a year or so, save every penny and get money together to attend Aveda next fall, maybe spring. Go to Aveda, work in the evenings, and graduate one year later. After that, I want to get a good job either overseas or in California, because my heart is to work with this ministry called the A21 Campaign. They work with human trafficking victims and help them escape their enslavement. They have homes in Thessaloniki, Greece, with admin offices in Sydney, Australia and an upcoming office in Costa Mesa, California. I have been in contact with the Australia office via email, and it appears that they have a TON of volunteer opportunities. This ministry has been on my heart for 2 years, ever since I heard Christine Cain speak at a church in Clayton, NC. She spoke about the sex trade and how girls are kidnapped, and forced to work as prostitutes, lured in by promises of jobs. It broke my heart, and I've had a vision to work with them since then. I guess I would just volunteer at one of their offices, with the goal of working with them full time. But as I said, these are just my plans. We'll see what God has in mind. I do know that having these goals is so wonderful! Something to look forward to and seek to achieve. I know the Lord will lead me and direct me. No doubts there. "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." psalm 118.8 That's what I'm gonna do.

As for the present time, when I'm still just a key-holder in Gastonia, NC, I am looking forward to starting a theater class. My mother is starting a youth theater program, and I'm going to be teaching the 5-7 year olds. Yeah, it's gonna be fun. :) I think I should be scared, but I'm just excited about what God's gonna do. I'll also be helping with the older class, 13 and ups, doing choreography and general class assistance. I'm so excited! Please pray with me as I try and secure monday nights off at work permanently. *sigh*

My best friend, sister, and roommate of many years moved out last week. And it's been weird without her right there when I need her. But, I did get my own room and I am loving that part of the transition. I miss you, Cait, but I know that God has us where we are right now for a reason. Maybe one day we can be apartment mates? love you!

Thats pretty much it for me. Until next time.

Oh Gracious!

Evening, folks.

I totally said "oh gracious!" the other day, then laughed at myself. My grandma said that. haha. It was amusing. :)
Basically, I got another promotion at work! What?! Yeah, it was crazy the way it happened too...if you don't remember how I got my last one, it was because a manager got fired and some people moved up. Well, that happened again! And I'm the key-holder, just one measly position away from manager. Scary, I know. I've been at this store over nine months, and I've gotten 2 promotions since September! God is working, I think.

So, my new hair is amazing!! Here, I'll let you judge. :)
from the side:



and this is from the front...


I mean, I'm a fan. :) The girl that did my hair is AMAZING!! She's my life-time hair stylist now that I've found her, and a very good new friend. I love her. When she did my color, she said she couldn't wait til it washed out so she could re-do it. haha. she's just awesome like that. :)

Life has been throwing me some curve balls lately, I'm not gonna lie to you all. But the thing that I keep clinging to is the fact that God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. How awesome is that?! How about the fact that He not only keeps it on our level, but He promises to be with us every step of the way. Have you ever known God to go back on His promise? No, neither have I. Such a comfort.
I'll leave you with a final thought, something I read tonight in Psalm 18.7-8: "Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand...(the best part!->) Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." Did you see that?! That means that you and I are already the apple of God's eye! How wonderful is that truth?? Ah, the goodness of the Savior. Sleep in the good of that promise tonight.

A New Semester

Hey Blog World!!
So sorry it's been so long. I'm really bad at this blogging thing...haha.
Happy late new year! Life is awesome in the QC. I'm working full time and loving my church. We started M28 BIG meetings up again last week. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed going to all the meetings and hanging out with everyone until we had a month long break for Christmas and New Years. Christmas was relaxing and wonderful. We just spent time together as a family and it was really fun. :) I love us.
Its been fun getting to chill out with people again and meet new people, coming in after the long break. I am also participating in the open discussions on campus this semester. Talk about scary! I had no idea what it was...haha. Way out of my comfort zone, let me tell you. This is what we do: we knock on dorm doors, and if they open, we invite them to the second floor, in this case, and tell them what we are talking about. That may not sound too scary to you...before this, I had never been in a college dorm! That was fun. :) The first time I went, when we were on a guys floor, there was this Nerf war going on, only they had tipped the darts with thumb tacks!! Brutal, just brutal. It's been kinda cool, to be a part of the discussions, and to be evangelizing people my own age, in their element. I'm excited to see what God is going to do this semester. It's gonna rock my socks, I just know it. :)

Besides that, I'm singing in the Sunday morning choir. Which I love!! So much . It's fun. I totally thought I was gonna be super nervous...by God's grace, I wasn't at all the first time, and I am very comfortable up there now. We've been getting the schedule set, so I've been singing a lot...like, every week for a month. After tomorrow, I get a three week break. It will be nice to have a break.
I'm about to get a hair make-over by my fabulous new friend, Marissa Moses. I can't wait!! I'll post pics, most definitely.
That's all folks. Be blessed!!

Give Me a Passion

I think fall is officially here. Which makes the always-cold part of me shiver in anguish, and the favorite season part of me shout with joy. :) I am divided. Today was soo cold and windy. Haha. When I think about the weather in other places of the US, where the snow is already falling and it's really cold, I know myself for the weenie that I am. I know, it's sad.

So, the Lord has really been pressing me with the desire to be more passionate in my relationship with him. I am sick with myself, and how I have been preoccupied with other things, other people, when He alone is my reason for being. He is the One who holds me together, causes the breath to flow in and out of my lungs...yet I find myself seeking other things before him. Why is that?? Why, with all that He's done for me, can't I just seek him? My sinful heart is why! I continually give into the temptation and fall into the self-sufficient mindset, leaving Him behind. Through the girls retreat, various sermons, and worship for all the above I have seen my lack of passion for Him. I had my pastoral interview for membership into Crossway yesterday, and I was telling Nick *the pastor I was meeting with* about this lack in my walk with the Lord. I am becoming more aware of it daily...and I wonder, is it a new occurrence? Am I just now lacking, or is this something that has been going on for a while? Well, whichever the case may be, I am working through it now. God is faithful to reveal an area that needs work, and is always there when I cry out to Him for the strength to change. How amazing is that?! Wow. I stand in awe of His power and might, His love and grace. I want to love Him more, to be hopelessly lost in His love. He wants my romantic love, not just my general love. I think before, I had this "God" love...you know. He created me! Of course I love him. But I realize now he wants my passionate, whole-hearted, recklessly abandoned love. The kind people get strange looks for. This is kinda' crazy to think about! He is jealous for our affections.
We have been singing this song at the college meetings, and I want to share it in closing. This has helped me realize the depth of His love for me, and how much more I need to be loving Him.

"He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

That he loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves

He loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves."

Its by Jesus Culture band. Youtube it.
Be blessed this week. Remember how he loves us.

Autumn Reflections

So, it's been a while. So sorry!! Haha. Things just get away from you when you get into a routine. But I have awesome news: I got full time work!! Yay! Praise the Lord!! I am soo blessed right now. It's at the deli, McAlisters and it's kinda crazy how it's all come about. The manager that hired me, got fired this last weekend. Yeah, and it was a crazy reason! But anyways, the key-holder person moved up to manager. The girl next in line got key-holder, and I got that girl's full time hours!! Yay!! I just hope the transition is smooth and things go alright. Phew! It's all so exciting. :) I couldn't stop smiling last night when I got the call. So, all that exciting-ness begins on Thursday.

I have been really tested these past few weeks as I was seeking the Lord on what to do about work. My hours were getting steadily worse. I have been completely at peace with God and my circumstances at times, then at others I'm in the depths of despair and I can see no way out of my situation. But through it all, whether on the mountain or seemingly in the valley, God has been the only constant thing in my life. Jobs waver and are lost; cars...well, they don't last either. He is faithful, no matter what happens. I can trust Him with my life without fear of rejection, or that He'll let me down. I know for me, I tend to impose human characteristics on God. Why? Because I am sinful, first of all. And second of all, I would understand a little bit of why He does what He does. As it stands now, I understand nothing...nor will I ever, at this rate. He is so wholly unlike us in every way. Perfect, Holy, Righteous and Just in all His ways. Like He would ever reject me?! I am so stupid sometimes, I amaze even myself. But seriously, think about that for a sec: do you place God in a box of your own dimensions? I know I do and I seeking the Lord's help to change me.

That's my big thought for the week. I'm going on a 2 day retreat this weekend, and will have tons more tidbits of stuff to share. See you on the other side. :)

And So It Continues...

Life is going on.
I am loving my family and having them here every morning when I wake up. I love to have family dinner every night, even though we have gone vegan. Yes friends, we have gone to the dark side, and now eat only veggies. Haha. I am hoping that this will help my numerous and very uncomfortable headaches. And allergies. And aches and pains. Mom is convinced that eating this way will help, plus, we have a history of cancer and heart disease in both sides of our family. So, I think it's a good idea...it just gets a little bland at times. If it doesn't help my headaches...we'll have to move that mountain when we get there. I'm giving it a month, then I'll see what else I can be doing to help them. I have been getting them really bad lately, and more often. *sigh* Please pray that they will ease as I get more into this eating vegan.
Soo, I am still looking f0r jobs...and it's going pretty well, actually. I have several leads, and am waiting to hear from them. I am going tomorrow to apply for a front desk job at a Sport Clips in the area....they really need someone, and I would love to work somewhere that will help me on my career path. Or at least be conducive to that. Haha. I believe and am praying that I will be attending cosmetology school in January, 2010. Please, please pray that all this works out and that things will fall into place. I believe that this is what I am supposed to do...the execution is just a little slow in coming. The Lord has really been teaching me patience and faith in him, no matter how long things take to fall into place. And he has been faithful...of course. I don't know why I expect him to not come through, or to forget about me or his promises to me. But, as he is perfect and sovereign and the God of the Universe, Creator of Earth, he is faithful and always will be. I am just a stupid sheep. :) But the coolest part is, he still loves me, despite my stupidity and sinful disbelief. He is too good and kind.
That's what's been going on. We are settling into the church life here and I am loving it. It's soo different, but awesome. I love the worship!! It's jamming. I can't wait to get into the college ministry and make more friends. The meetings are on campus this year, so we'll see if I can even find the meetings! Haha.
Well, I am signing off for now. Have a wonderful week!!!
Love ya!