The first week of school is pure chaos. No established routines. No "normal". I hate it. Two days down. Three to go.
I should currently be sound asleep... I have to be awake in ~7.5 hours. But... my mind has been going a million miles a minute for the past 48 hours. Classes. Schedules. Homework (already?!). Learning a new job. Friends. Cru. Ahhhh.
But then... when I suck it up and pull myself out of my own little Grand Valley bubble, I'm instantly reminded that no matter how insane my life gets, I'm living easy. College should be the least of my worries. My grandma is in the hospital. My cousin's vehicle got hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan (he's doing ok... but two guys in his unit didn't make it).
These are REAL problems.
Reading 3 sections for physics? Who cares.
God, I know that we all have our issues to deal with, but help me to constantly be reminded that I don't need to stress over the little stuff. Be with grandma, be with Timothy. Comfort them, Lord. Give me the strength and energy to get through these next 3 days. I love you, Lord.
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."
Psalm 62:5-6
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The View.
Campus View, that is.
I've been back in Allendale since Sunday. I'm so happy to be back... living on my own, being so close to all my friends, and being able to do my own thing. But being back is in a single word, weird. The only Grand Valley I've ever known is the Grand Valley with my brother and all of his friends here. Having them not be here is just weird. I have a feeling the first few weeks of the school year are going to be a tough adjustment. However, people graduate and move on with their lives every year, so I know I can too.
Getting past my debbie-downer moment, this year is going to be spectacular. My roommates are wonderful. My friends are the best a girl could ask for. In the few short days I've been here, a cake was baked, rotting chicken was disposed of, a dance party occurred in my kitchen, and there have been plenty of laughs. And some of my best friends aren't even back in Allendale yet... so things are only going to get better.
Bring it on, Fall 2010. I'm ready.
I've been back in Allendale since Sunday. I'm so happy to be back... living on my own, being so close to all my friends, and being able to do my own thing. But being back is in a single word, weird. The only Grand Valley I've ever known is the Grand Valley with my brother and all of his friends here. Having them not be here is just weird. I have a feeling the first few weeks of the school year are going to be a tough adjustment. However, people graduate and move on with their lives every year, so I know I can too.
Getting past my debbie-downer moment, this year is going to be spectacular. My roommates are wonderful. My friends are the best a girl could ask for. In the few short days I've been here, a cake was baked, rotting chicken was disposed of, a dance party occurred in my kitchen, and there have been plenty of laughs. And some of my best friends aren't even back in Allendale yet... so things are only going to get better.
Bring it on, Fall 2010. I'm ready.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Star Creator.
Stars.
Summer.
Simple beauty.
They said on the news tonight that it was the Perseid Meteor Shower. One of my absolute favorite things about summer is stargazing. And, since I live in the middle of nowhere, my own yard is the perfect place to see TONS of stars... no city lights to interfere! So, I grabbed some bug spray and a blanket and went to lay on the hood of my car. I only was outside for about 30 minutes, but I was able to see nine shooting stars!
The whole time, I couldn't help but think about the sheer amazing creativity that God must possess. I can't wrap my mind around it. He created all of those stars in that beautiful, clear August sky, and he knows each and every one by name. And the part that really gets me? That very same creative, all-knowing God... he cares about me. How cool is that??
God, thank you for your creativity and for the blessing of the beauty of your creation. Thank you for loving and caring for me - one tiny little piece of this universe. Remind me daily of that love, Lord. Amen.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Mountain maker, ocean tamer
Glimpses of You, burn in my eyes.
The worship of heaven, fills up the skies
You made it all, Said "Let there be"
And there was, all that we see
The sound of your voice, the works of your hands
You do all things well, You do all things well, You do all things well
Star creator, wind breather
The strokes of Your beauty, brushed through the clouds
Light from the heavens, touching the ground"
--Chris Tomlin
Summer.
Simple beauty.
They said on the news tonight that it was the Perseid Meteor Shower. One of my absolute favorite things about summer is stargazing. And, since I live in the middle of nowhere, my own yard is the perfect place to see TONS of stars... no city lights to interfere! So, I grabbed some bug spray and a blanket and went to lay on the hood of my car. I only was outside for about 30 minutes, but I was able to see nine shooting stars!
The whole time, I couldn't help but think about the sheer amazing creativity that God must possess. I can't wrap my mind around it. He created all of those stars in that beautiful, clear August sky, and he knows each and every one by name. And the part that really gets me? That very same creative, all-knowing God... he cares about me. How cool is that??
God, thank you for your creativity and for the blessing of the beauty of your creation. Thank you for loving and caring for me - one tiny little piece of this universe. Remind me daily of that love, Lord. Amen.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Mountain maker, ocean tamer
Glimpses of You, burn in my eyes.
The worship of heaven, fills up the skies
You made it all, Said "Let there be"
And there was, all that we see
The sound of your voice, the works of your hands
You do all things well, You do all things well, You do all things well
Star creator, wind breather
The strokes of Your beauty, brushed through the clouds
Light from the heavens, touching the ground"
--Chris Tomlin
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Safe.
I've been at camp the past 6 days. Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya. On Stony Lake. AKA My safe place.
We (support staff) have talked a lot this week about how camp is a safe place... for some people, it is their only safe place. I have other safe places, but camp is by far the best one. You're free to be yourself here at camp... people here are more real. More accepting. More willing to lend a listening ear, a hug or a good laugh. I can run around like a fool half the day, be cranky for a little bit, or have a serious conversation. All of these things are part of who I am, and I am totally free to be me (ala Francesca Battistelli haha). Shower? Haven't in two days. Make-up? Ha. Scrubby gym shorts, t-shirts, and hair all a mess? Yep. But who cares. Cause it's camp. And people here love me anyways.
I go home in approximately 9 hours. And I don't want to leave. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE my parents and friends at home... but everything here at camp is so much more simple. Unfortunately, I'm growing up. I know that in the future, I won't be able to spend as much time here. I hate it. In my heart, I wish that camp could be year round. But in my head, I know that would make it less special. Camp is something I look forward to all year long. I've been coming here every summer for 12 years. I have literally grown up here. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Forget Campus View. THIS is my second home.
This week has been amazing. Laughing hysterically. Cooking. Dutch Blitz. Glozell. Swimming. Kayaking. Making new friends. A Swinger engagement. Spending time with God. Living life in it's most simple form. Being safe.
Father God,
Thank you for this time here at camp. To renew and be filled with You. To build relationships. To laugh and enjoy the little things. Thank your for this place. For making it as amazing as it is. My life wouldn't be the same without it, and I thank you for that.
Amen.
We (support staff) have talked a lot this week about how camp is a safe place... for some people, it is their only safe place. I have other safe places, but camp is by far the best one. You're free to be yourself here at camp... people here are more real. More accepting. More willing to lend a listening ear, a hug or a good laugh. I can run around like a fool half the day, be cranky for a little bit, or have a serious conversation. All of these things are part of who I am, and I am totally free to be me (ala Francesca Battistelli haha). Shower? Haven't in two days. Make-up? Ha. Scrubby gym shorts, t-shirts, and hair all a mess? Yep. But who cares. Cause it's camp. And people here love me anyways.
I go home in approximately 9 hours. And I don't want to leave. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE my parents and friends at home... but everything here at camp is so much more simple. Unfortunately, I'm growing up. I know that in the future, I won't be able to spend as much time here. I hate it. In my heart, I wish that camp could be year round. But in my head, I know that would make it less special. Camp is something I look forward to all year long. I've been coming here every summer for 12 years. I have literally grown up here. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Forget Campus View. THIS is my second home.
This week has been amazing. Laughing hysterically. Cooking. Dutch Blitz. Glozell. Swimming. Kayaking. Making new friends. A Swinger engagement. Spending time with God. Living life in it's most simple form. Being safe.
Father God,
Thank you for this time here at camp. To renew and be filled with You. To build relationships. To laugh and enjoy the little things. Thank your for this place. For making it as amazing as it is. My life wouldn't be the same without it, and I thank you for that.
Amen.
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