Reflection

Over the past couple of weeks I have found myself in a state of reflection. This state of reflection has been the result of having my 25th birthday, the Holiday season, the thought of a new year and finishing my first semester of Seminary. I have been thinking of where I was at this time last year, what God has done and really what has happened over the past year. Here is a little reflection...
-I began a life of partying
-I quickly ended a life of partying.
-I began a Masters program in American Studies
-I met an amazing guy.
- I did well in my first semester of Grad School, but hated it.
- I realized that it wasn't what God had for me.
- I taught PE
- I realized that PE wasn't for me.
- I became very broke very quick.
- I realized how far I had walked away from God and realized that I needed to let go and let Him work.
- I ended up with a boyfriend
- I thought about moving to Riverside.
- I thought about moving Churches and ministries.
- I found a closeness with God that is amazing and still growing.
- I dropped out of Grad school.
- I found a new ministry and new Kids that blew me away.
- I realized that Student Ministry is where God had me to go.
- I applied to Seminary and was accepted.
- I stopped teaching.
- Had a relationship, that taught me alot about myself and how people should be treated.
- Grandma went to the hospital.
- Grew amazing friendships.
- Stopped talking to my mom.
-Started talking to my mom again.
- Broke up with my boyfriend.
- Experienced heart break for the first time in my life.
- Fell on my face before God.
- Found a new peace in my life.
- Learned that I am beautiful.
- Started seminary.
- Went back to IHOP.
- Left IHOP.
-Started an Internship
- Love being in ministry.
- Stared another job at Lakeshore.
- Loved the new job at Lakeshore.
- My brother got married.
- My sister talked about getting married.
- friends got married and moved away.
- Went to Seattle.
- Remembered why God has placed amazing friends in our lives.
- Grandma went back to the hospital.

In all alot has happened this year. It is amazing to me how much can happen in one years time. Looking back on the past year it is amazing to see what God has done in my life and in the lives of others. Yeah, some of the things haven't felt all that great and life hasn't been sunshine and roses, but God has worked in those times and shown me so much this year. It is amazing to realize what God has done. I can honestly say that God has grown me in amazing ways over the past year. I am now more confident in myself and in God, knowing that He ultimately has a plan and even if my plan makes sense, it may not be His will. I have to deal with that. I have learned to be at peace with where God has me here and now and to allow Him to do the rest. It has been an amazing year and I can't wait to see what happens over the next one.

sleep

I have been having issues getting to sleep. I don't know why or how I got into this sleep pattern, but it needs to stop because I need to get onto a regular schedule again. I need to be able to function on all cylinders. It needs to stop. help.

Washington

Over the past week I have been in Washington and have really realized how much I really love it here. I know that I have said over and over that I would love to live here and am now realizing more and more that this is the type of place for me. Not to say that I am leaving now, but I would love to live up here. I love the trees and the atmosphere and I have to admit that I have really missed Nell and Dave.

Now, I do enjoy CA, but I don't think that my heart is here. I did find out that I can ride my cruiser along the river trails here and there is so much to do outside. I can hike and bike and just enjoy God's creation in its true form. Not the concrete jungle of Orange County. I don't know maybe the change would be good for me something new. Something that isn't the same for my whole life. I don't know, just a thought, just a comment, maybe something I would act on.

Honestly the only thing that would hold me back are my amazing friends in OC. It would give them a place to go visit though. It would be exciting and a change. Oh and the guys out here are kinda cute, and not all the girls look like little size 0 rich girls. I feel free to be me here and not try to fit into stereotypes. OK, I need to stop talking about it and go.

I'll be home on Monday.

Youth Specalties

The convention has been amazing. I am really realizing that Youth Ministry is definitely where I need to be. I feel so at place there. Even going to this by myself hasn't bothered me. I feel at home learning about kids and how to deal with them. I feel at home with the people and I feel so excited.

I have learned so much about ministry and how to improve the ministry God has placed me in. The speakers have been amazing!!! I have learned the right way to discipline the kids, how to work with apathetic kids, how to engage my jr highers and so much more. It is so exciting!!! I can't wait to get back and try out some of this stuff. I have truly come to the full realization that this is where God has placed me and I am so excited about that.

Just a side note. I am super excited to leave for Seattle tomorrow. I can't wait to see Nell, Dave and the kids. It is going to be an awesome time. It is really exciting. And I am supposed to meet this guy Michael when I get back. I don't know about this yet. But I guess I can at least meet him and see what happens. I thought that I was good to meet other people, but now I am kinda content with being me, God and youth right now. I don't know.

Anyway the convention has been amazing. There is one more day and it is going to be awesome.

Harvest Festival

Alright, So the harvest festival on Halloween was alot more fun than I thought it was going to be. I really didn't want to go and be with the kids, when I had other things to do. It was good though. I was excited!!! Gab and I were waldo and the kids had to find us and when they did we gave them candy. We kinda forgot, though that kinds nowadays have no clue who waldo is, so we just started giving them candy. It was ok, though they still enjoyed it.

the only bad part was creepy dad. He really freaked me out. He got me cornered in the candy room and started telling me how thin I have gotten and how much more beautiful I am now than before and how couldn't believe that was possible. Ok kinda freaky. He needs to go away now. I know that he is lonely and stuff, but he isn't attractive, wears short shorts and has a son in 7th Grade. He is taller than me for crying outloud.

In all it was a good night. Gab and I had fun. Chad and Greyson played well and Tim looked awesome with his black eyeliner...Good look I think.