And God said...And God saw...

I had a perfect Sunday afternoon today just getting to drive out on the gravel roads in the wide open spaces, and then relax in the shade of a huge old tree for a while. God speaks to me the most through nature. Maybe its just because that's where I've learned to listen to Him the most. I just feel so close to God, and so focused when there is nothing but the beauty of His creation around me. We had a good long chat about life and my hopes and dreams. I have an amazing dream that I believe God has placed in my heart to help guide my preperation for the future, but for right now its our little secret and its kind of fun keeping it that way :)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands. Psalm 19:1

The first attribute of God that we see in the Bible is that he is creative. Gen 1:1 "In the beginning God created..." And, we all are made in His image and His likeness (Gen 1:26)...therefore we all have that creativeness in us too! I wish more people would open up and let their creativity come out, whether through painting, drawing, writing, cooking, building, making music, dancing, taking pictures, sewing... it is all a part of God being released into our world. When we make a beautiful creation, or take the time to observe one, it can be a time of deep communion with our Lord that will not just stop with us but continue on to those we share with. So from one girl who is longing to experience more of her Savior, to a world of creative souls I beg you to create, don't be afraid to try, open up so we all can let God arise.

"You make everything glorious...and I am yours..." David Crowder Band

Albert

There is a tarantula that lives on my deck...it might not be a tarantula but it is very large and very harry.  It comes out every night to visit us so we thought it was appropriate to give him a name.  His name is Albert, and tonight albert was on the railing which is closer to the door than he has ever been before.  If he comes any closer he might get squashed. The End. 

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Triathlon training is underway.  Official times as of 8.26.08

1 mile run: 9.44 min

5 mile hilly bike: 20 min

300m swim: 6 min

51 1/2 more weeks of training...SWEET!

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Deut 6:4-6

Oops, did I swallow a glow worm?

  

 Somebody told me I was glowing today.  Of course it was immediately followed by, "you got a man in your life?"  It made me laugh.  God has just been so amazingly good to me over the past few days I can't stop smiling.  Love is a great thing!

   

   I have this new bike, and I was trying to wait for my helmet to come in the mail before I road it, but I couldn't wait any longer.  So I road it tonight...I almost got hit by a boy in a truck, my water bottle holder dropped my water bottle in the middle of the intersection, my chain came off and I almost hit a groundhog.  I'd say it was a successful ride.

   I think I'm having delayed reverse culture shock.  If you ever travel for a long period and then return home to a jam packed schedule you don't really notice the change.  But as soon as things slow down you look around and realize you're surrounded by a huge crowd of white people, you're craving chicken foot soup and no one can understand you when you say "mi wan nyam a tastee."   I miss Jamaica.

   We had 400 people show up for the CCH outdoor worship service today.  They thought they were over estimating when they planned for 350.  There is nothing I love more than singing to the King under the wide open sky.  God is going to do huge things this year, its going to be great!   

Classes start in 11 hours and 25 minutes, I'm kind of excited.  The sooner I start the sooner I finish!

TRI

Attending the Republic Tiger Triathlon today marked the beginning of training for my first trialthlon! In one year I'm going to be swimming, riding, and running my heart out in the beautiful Ozarks! I'm so excited!!! Be watching for me in the 2012 olympics! London all the way baby! HaHa!

"You Must go Through the Valley to Stand Upon the Mountain of God"

If you want something valuable to offer a King it won't come to you freely. I want to live a life that is a gift worthy of being offered up to the King. The only thing is, I can't get that life on my own. God has to do the refining. And boy has he been hard at work in me over the past year. It was hard, hurtful, and wonderful all at the same time! Its never easy to have to face our pain from our past and to recognize where we are not up to par presently. But, without this evaluation of life we continue pushing on day by day thinking we're doing ok, when we could be doing so much better.
Sometimes I can enter into a time of refining with joy, knowing that I will be a better person in the end. Other times God has to tie on a rope and drag me through. The cool thing is that in the end there is always a light, a joy, a "mountain top high" that comes in knowing that we are one step closer to being the perfect masterpiece God originally created us to be.
As I enter into my 6th day of my 22nd year of life I can smile and say, "I am blessed!" I feel complete, I know I'm loved unconditionally, and the joy of watching Jesus at work in my life is overflowing. After being robbed this summer I had a few needs to be able to start a new school year. My God was amazing, when I needed a blanket he sent 8, when I needed an alarm clock, lamp, and money for shoes he sent that too, but it didn't stop there. He continued to bless me with an amazing roommate, an ipod, a laptop, and a shark shaped cookie jar that makes noise :) things that I obviously didn't need. God does not only take us through the valley to be refined, he also pulls us back up. And he has done more than just restore me he has taken me beyond any joy I've known before.