2 Days

Chris read this verse in church today, and it just really resonated inside of me, particularly concerning India. I thought I'd share!

"My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.'" Haggai 2:5-9

This verse just gets me excited. I don't even know if I have anything else to say about it. God is shaking up the nations!! The glory is going to be greater than before! Also, the mention of treasures, silver and gold reminded me of a movie I watched recently. It's a documentary called "Finger of God." The two videos underneath are the first two parts of it. I'm warning you- It is VERY stretching, but try to have an open mind about it all. Why can't God work this way? When it comes down to it, what reason do we have to question? As Chris said today, never trusting what God is doing in other peoples lives only leaves you judgmental and miserable, and I've found that to be so true in my life. That's all for today. Enjoy the videos!

Ninety to Nothing

Wow... I'm straight up exhausted, but God is good. The South Asia team came over today.. Or at least the girls did. I had a blast with them. They are truly such a blessing. They're fun and uplifting. I couldn't ask for a better family for the time I'm overseas. I've been moving so fast the past few days. I'm not even sure what I've done!! Mom woke me up this morning to drive up to Guthrie where a girl from LA was having an estate sale. She had some super cute stuff that I was able to get for not much money at all. Anything ranging from antique/vintage linens to copper pots to a bed for my new house! This is it...



I'm pretty happy about it. There's just so much to get done before I go! Some of it is needless stress, I'm sure. I had a friend challenge me today to take an hour the day before I fly out, go out into the woods without any electronics or anything, and just BE. A great suggestion if you ask me. In fact, you can guarantee I'll be doing that very thing. I watched Slumdog Millionaire tonight. So much to take in... I'd seen it before, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you're preparing to go there. I can't wait to be there. Lord, use me! God just laid this verse on my heart...

"'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.' Then I said, 'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.' But the LORD said to me,
'Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.' Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms... to build and to plant.'" Jeremiah 1:5-10

One of Satan's favorite lies during times like these, is to tell me that I'm not doing a good enough job-- that I'm not capable of doing a good enough job and that I'll always fail. This verse has long been one that has meant something to me, but as I prepare for one of the most life-changing experiences, I know that He is speaking this over me. Pray for boldness and trust. He's consecrated me. He's set me apart. He's put His words in my mouth. He's sent me to build and to plant. Lord, may Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven...

Response to "Real Men Watch Chick Flicks"

So, my cousin Michael asked me to write a response to a blog post of his to explain what I meant by a comment I posted on his blog. His blog (http://findingmanhood.wordpress.com) comments on various aspects of what makes a man. One of his recent posts reads...

A real man is willing to see a chick flick with his wife and/or his daughter.
He realizes that just because he’s a real man, it doesn’t mean he can’t sit down with the woman he loves or the daughter who adores him and enjoy an activity that they like from time to time.
A real man doesn’t complain about watching the chick flick either. I’m not saying he has to be enthusiastic about it, but he does show a genuine appreciation to be spending time with the important women in his life.
Now, like all great axioms, this characteristic of a real man does come with a caveat of sorts. While a real man is willing to see a chick flick with his wife and/or daughter, it is OK for him to not be willing to see the same chick flick with a woman who is merely his girlfriend.
In fact, it is recommended that he NOT see a chick flick with a woman who is not either A) wearing a wedding ring that he purchased or B) the product of his relationship with the woman who is wearing a wedding ring that he purchased (see scenario A above).
A man who sees a chick flick with a woman who he has not yet made a lifetime commitment to is treading on thin ice. There are just some things in life that are best reserved for the sacred bonds of marriage.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with chick flicks, once a man starts sitting down to watch them with a woman who he has not yet committed his life to, he is on a slippery slope. If he’s not careful, it won’t be long before he’s wearing a mud mask facial, getting a pedicure, while a petite woman in a white smock waxes his upper lip… all the while daydreaming about the next opportunity he’ll have to tune in for a Lifetime movie.
So… the next time your wife or daughter wants you to go a see chick flick, if you want to be a real man, just do it. Not only will you get to enjoy quality time with someone who is very important to you, but (selfishly) you’ll also be accruing points for the next time you want to take her to a football game, the bowling alley, or a remote stream for a little trout fishing.
Along those same lines, the next time a woman who you have yet to take the vows of holy matrimony with suggests that the two of you watch a chick flick together, you’ll be doing yourself and the relationship a favor if you kindly (remember, a real man is kind) but firmly decline. To preserve diplomacy in the relationship, you might even trying following with an offer to try an activity together that’s a little more gender neutral. Something like skeet shooting, or bowling, or trout fishing.

There are parts of this I agree with and others that I don't. Now granted, I know that the whole post is peppered with sarcasm, but here are my thoughts regardless. First, I must say that he didn't take it where I expected him to. I agree that it is good to do things that the other wants to do. Love puts others' desires before its own. Plus, as he mentioned, what goes around, comes around. But chick flicks are a category all of their own. A category, which I might add, I would never want to share with my dad no matter how much I adore him as I wouldn't feel comfortable watching it with him. Chick flicks are an interesting genre. I've heard them called pornography for women, and I have to say that I see the validity in the accusation. They give girls false ideas of what a relationship will look like emotionally, which, as we all know, is the where the female is prone to struggle. However, perhaps some girls can stay away from the mindset that love will actually play out like a chick flick, yet still, are chick flicks healthy to watch? As a single, 19 year old girl, I've recently cut back on the amount of chick flicks I watch. They just don't promote a healthy mindset for me. They cause me to live in the future instead of today. And I'm not even getting into the sexual aspects of chick flicks. That's a whole OTHER ballpark-- one that should probably be addressed but I don't know how I feel about doing it over a blog.
Now I come to the topic of boyfriends watching chick flicks with their girlfriends. This is where the blog took an unexpected turn. When Michael called it "a slippery slope," I agreed. Watching a chick flick while dating could be considered a bad idea. Like he said, perhaps not inherently bad, but definitely a slippery slope. What kind of mindset and environment does a chick flick create? It's no secret that some boys use chick flicks for this very purpose. Those who are more respectable, may not be intending on this, but it can definitely create an atmosphere of vulnerability. So boys, I suppose it depends what sludge puddle you're more afraid of sliding into. I highly doubt that watching a chick flick is going to result in your girlfriend expecting you to take a spa day with her so I wouldn't be worried about that. The bigger concern is whether you are going to lead in protecting your relationship. Are you going to encourage vulnerability or try to strengthen the purity of a relationship? Perhaps that is the slippery slope an unmarried, yet taken, guy should be more worried about...
As for those who are married, while watching a chick flick with your wife may be thoughtful, try doing little things to make her feel like she is living in a chick flick (in a non-cheesy preferable). I can guarantee it will mean more in the end, and grow your relationship more... Not to mention that then you can skip the movie all together!

6 Days!

Well, I leave for South Asia in 6 days and I CAN'T WAIT. Today was the final day of our retreat. It was pretty chill which was much needed as we were all pretty worn out. We are currently $11,000 short of what we need for the trip. While that may SEEM like a lot, you must consider a few things. First, in the last week it has dropped from $20,000 so that's pretty stinkin' awesome AND the trip ended up costing about $16,000 more than originally budgeted thanks to the volcano and its effects on airfare costs. REGARDLESS we are confident that God is going to provide the last chunk. Be praying!! We're already thanking Him for the crazy way it's going to come in. I also ran some errands for the trip with my team and later with my mom today. As a team we are taking a bag full of foods and such that the long term team there have requested. My group was in charge of yeast packets and Honey Nut Cheerios? Hey.. Whatever makes them happy!! My mom and I went to Sam's where we began the process of making a bomb first aid kit for the trip, then Backwoods where my mom bought me some verrryyy useful stuff for the trip. So thankful = ). ALSO, I started packing today. Crazy, huh? You can call me Chandler = ). It actually feels super good to pack this early! I'm trying to condense as much as possible. I wanna travel light. Lastly, I took my first malaria pill today. That means the trip is CLOSE! Woohoooo!! Just be praying against the enemies attacks on our group. I got a picture today of our team in a circle but slowly we were spreading out more and more. I believe it was a warning that Satan sees how we are building unity and wants to try to make us feel isolated, judged, and insecure. He wants to prevent unity and trust, but we say none of that = ). So now for a few days to recoup before heading out. Have I mentioned I'm excited... Yes, I have. Sorry = ) I finished "Humility" by Andrew Murray yesterday, and I loved something he wrote at the end. SO, I will share it. Enjoy = )

"It is only in the possession of God that I lose myself. As it is in the height and breadth and glory of the sunshine that the smallest speck dancing in its beams is seen, even so humility is taking our place in God's presence to be nothing but a speck dancing in the sunlight of His love. How great is God! How small we are! Lost, swallowed up, in love's immensity!"
-Andrew Murray

Jeremiah 17...

Wow... Sometimes God is just so obvious. Allow me to tell a sub-story of my past semester. Beginning of my semester was rough-- no secret. Jeremiah 17:5-8 was really involved with the whole situation. While the passage had previously been a favorite of mine, I got to the point that I didn't even really want to open up the book of Jeremiah. I felt betrayed by God. I felt like He'd used it against me. Vessel #1: Allison Harms texted me one day and said she felt like I was supposed to read Jeremiah 17:7-8. She felt like it'd be encouraging to me. I remember saying, "That's funny because..." Vessel #2: A few weeks ago I received a letter from Lana Kelley. Part of the letter was a drawing of a big tree with roots with Jeremiah 17:7-8 written under it. She explained how she saw it playing out in my life. She also had no idea the irony of it. Vessel #3: Tonight during India training we were with the Equip team. Ashley Lynch came up to me and said that she had been asking God what He wanted her to share with me and she had heard Him say, "A verse in Jeremiah. It's underlined." It wasn't her usual Bible, so when she flipped through, the only verse underlined was Jeremiah 17:7-8. Uncanny, huh?? When I heard the reference come out of her mouth I started laughing and crying at the same time. She said that I had deep roots in Him, and as I go into India, He will be my refreshment. He's going to continually pour Himself upon me. He will overflow onto me! I explained the significance of the verse in my life and we both just started laughing. We talked about what God might be wanting to show me through the verse and she prayed clarity concerning it over my life. Man, it was so weird. I also had some other great words spoken over me that were so encouraging but this is the one that left me thinking the most. Father, what are you wanting me to glean from this?? I ask for more refreshing water of life and I pray that I may indeed have fruit even in the midst of a desert. You are GOOD! Thank you for renewing this part of Your love letter to me in a way no other could...



“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8

8 Days

I leave in 8 SHORT DAYS. That's such a crazy thought!! Today we start our group retreat. There are 16 of going: Blake, Heather, Madison, Shana, Jenny, Jake, John, Rachel, Julie, Nicole, Caitlin, Lauren, another Lauren, Kelly, Stephanie, and me. Now you have all of our names to be praying for = ) So anyway, we are hanging out in Norman for our retreat to save money. We'll be watching films such as The Finger of God which I'm SUPER excited about, as well as having roommate dinners, treasure hunting, and joining the Equip team for their weekly meeting tonight. I'm really excited about all of it actually. It will be great to get to know everyone better before leaving and just get pumped up. I've been reading a lot in preparation for the trip. We are required to read "Humility" by Andrew Murray and "Words of Knowlege" by Randy Clark. I haven't read the second book yet, but "Humility" has been FANTASTIC. I'm surprised at what an easy read it is since it's pretty old (it was written in the 19th century). It's been very applicable. On my own I've been reading "From East to West: God in the Shadows" by Ravi Zacharias. It's shed so much light on the culture I'll be going into. There's a little update. I'll have more to say no doubt after the retreat. I'm also wanting to put the Creation to Christ story on here for you all to read. It's what we will be using to share the Gospel while in South Asia. I haven't gotten it all memorized quite yet but I'm pretty pumped. I'm really just excited all around. Man, God is so so good! I can not WAIT to see Him move!!! I'll leave you with a little quote I read in "Humility" that I loved...

"God created the world out of nothing, and as long as we are notion, He can make something out of us." -Martin Luther

Literati and Art on a Rainy Day

Today was so full. I truly enjoyed it. The morning started off a bit rough, but it got much better. I met Koby to go to the Literati Book Fair of local authors and publishers downtown. While, I didn't buy anything, it was interesting to see how it all works, talk with publishers about how to buy their books wholesale, talk to authors about their works, and get the inside scoop on the underground culture. I get the feeling there are all kinds of exciting underground festivals of sorts that take place in Oklahoma City. You can guarantee that I'll be seeking them out from now on. I bet I could meet so many interesting people at them! On our way out we saw a poster for an exhibit at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. It looked interesting so Koby and I headed that way. SO incredible. Not only did I get to see costumes from Audrey Hepburn films, the original Atonement dress along with many more awesome original cinematic costumes, but I FINALLY got to see the blown glass exhibit which has always so intrigued me. Let me say, ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. One hundred percent worth my ten dollars. Here are some pictures I took there...






And my absolute FAVORITE...

Can my ceiling please look like that??!

If you have never been to the OKCMoA, I highly suggest it. Enjoy your community! See what it has to offer!!

Contemplations from an Evening Walk

During my time at OU, I've grown to really enjoy walks. Now that I'm home, I still want to go on them. They're so relaxing. They provide the perfect time for praying and just letting God overwhelm me. Today I took my first walk at home. Here are some pictures I took as I walked and thoughts they inspired...

My walking buddy...


"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103





"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost

Freshman Year Is Over

Tonight is my last night in Norman for the year. My last night in a dorm. My last night in Adams Muldrow 506. So much has happened this year... Man, it's absolutely insane when I look back at it. To think of where I was in August, where I was in September, where I was in December, where I was in January... Where I am now. I've been to the depths and back, and all I can say is GOD IS FAITHFUL. So here's my tribute to Freshman year of college... Everywhere I've been, people I've met, the places God is still taking me... This took a whole lot of narrowing down.. In fact.. I think I'll just have to limit this post to new friends I made this year...


Koby and Sam... You guys were my first new friends at OU. I can't imagine where I'd be if God hadn't put you two in my life. Your friendship means the world to me. Thank you for being there for me so many times that I couldn't even begin to count. I can't wait to see where God takes our friendship... There is MUCH to say... But I'll leave it at that for now...


To my lifegroup girls (and this is just from last semester!). You all are AWESOME. Thank you for teaching me about community!


Chesh and Travis... We've been friends for a few years now, but you two have truly become my brothers. Thank you for loving me and being there for me. Thanks for Skype dates, long walks, talking until 3 in the morning, and just being a true brother in Christ. You both are mighty men of God and I can't wait to see where God takes you!!


Cruiser.. You've made me smile on so many days when I felt like I had nothing else to smile about... I just love you and Dax to the moon and back. Thanks for letting me be your Wendy = )



Boys... Hahaha you're just funny. That's about all I have to say about you three


Cassi and Rachelle, you girls are adorable. God is going to use you in mighty, might ways. Be usable; He's gonna use you two!!


Children of Antioch... Thank you for your picture of joy and acceptance. It blesses me...


Caitlin- thank you for always laughing with me about things at Lifegroup that no one else catches. Your uniqueness and passion is inspiring. Robin- You are an incredible listener and a sweet spirit. People feel at home around you. Your hospitality is one of a kind, truly.


Steph (how sad is it that this is my only picture of you?!) You are SUCH an inspiration. Your dedication to God's call upon your life and your schoolwork is unlike any I've seen. You have a sweet spirit. We have so much in common, but there are many things about you that I admire and aspire to become. Keep on keeping on!!


Rachel- you are steadfast in your commitments and relationships. You seek God's will always. You have amazing perseverance which I aspire to obtain. I can't wait to share a house with you and Koby next year!!


Other Antiochers... Man I just love you guys... Where to even begin, seriously. Community is beautiful. Finding unity in what we have in common... Acts 2:42-47. Revival is coming friends...


Lauren and Alex hahaha I LOVE you two. Watching you guys play off of each other seriously cracks me up. Lauren- I love your hunger for the Lord. Watching your faith grow is such a blessing to me. God's gonna bless your hunger. Alex- you're a leader. Don't forget it. You're also an encourager. Don't forget that either. I love watching you lead!


Lindy, I am so blessed to have been your roommate. I'm so glad our friendship grew rather than diminishing through this experience. Thank you for putting up with me and all my little crap. You're a great friend haha! This may be the end of an era for us, but our friendship is gonna keep on going. I love you and am always here for you even if we aren't gonna share a room anymore = (


Abba... Thank you for loving me and not forsaking me. You never give up on me. Everything you do screams "I love you." Thank you for Your inerrant plan. I love walking each day with you knowing You will never lead me astray. I look forward to where You'll lead!! Thanks for walking through the depths with me this year. Thanks for putting up with my pounding screaming. I know You will never hurt me. I believe You make all things new. You've been SO good to me. Thank you. Thank you. Oh.. And thank you for things like stars to remind me how much You love me. Thanks for creating them just for me = )

Happy Birthday Chandler!!

Today's my little sis's sweet sixteen... Well technically I guess it was yesterday as it's almost 2 AM but you know. I love her to death. I wish I could have spent more time with her, but can't wait to be home with her in a few days. Here's a little photo montage to celebrate sisterhood = ) Love you so so SO much Chan. You're growing into such a woman of God and it's a blessing to watch. Keep on following Him = )

Packing

My packing has begun. I desire to see something picturesque and say something worth reading, but I'm all out of words. I move home a week from today. For now I'll just enjoy life... Laissez faire...

Another Day at College...

Here are two videos from today! Enjoy! Hah

We All Have Our Godot

We've been studying Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" in English literature and today someone said something really beautiful. The play is all about two guys waiting day after day for Godot to show up. He never does, but the play centers around them trying to pass the time while waiting. A girl in my class raised her hand and began saying, "We all have our own Godot. We're all waiting for something-- whether it's a degree or marriage or kids or some goal, we're all waiting and just trying to pass the time until it happens." That's SO true, but I don't want it to be true of my life. I don't want to spend my life waiting. I want to take advantage of every moment, every opportunity. God open my eyes to the things unseen! Help me to seize the day!

Conclusion I've Reached

The longer I'm on this journey, the more I realize that God is a God of paradoxes. Yet still His Word says that He is not a God of confusion but a God of peace. How? Trust. I think that the world, the Word, and God Himself are full of paradoxes to remind me of my finiteness. My understanding is so incomplete. He is God. I am man. His thoughts are not my thoughts and His ways are unlike mine. He creates so many seemingly confusing concepts to remind us to trust. He doesn't contradict Himself. My mind just can't always comprehend. He hides things asking us to trust Him. He reminds us that He has a plan. This concept is something that has taken me years to reach. It's so simple, but it took me so long to reach this conclusion. I am nothing, but still You love me. Remind me daily that You are God. You are holy. You are good...

The End... Of the Beginning??

My Baby's Come Back...

My Nikon 18-105 mm finally made it home after an almost two month triop to the Nikon factory.



I COULDN'T be happier = )