retract

I have to apologize for the last post. In no way was it meant to seem like a lame attempt for encouragement or compliments (not that I want to sound ungrateful for the ones I received at all, I love you all too!), I broke in a moment of frustration and needed an outlet instead of hoping that the wall would respond.
I am grateful for everyone in my life, it's just reality that sometimes everyone doesn't see things from my perspective..... wow, what a thought! I need to be better about facing rejection graciously when it is for the betterment of a group, friends I do care about a lot.
Although, sometimes it scares me that my immediate thoughts are "forget them!" "I don't need them" "I can go about my life without them, on my own" "Obviously, they don't need me, or think they don't" "Wait til they realize what I do for them after I won't do it anymore!"
I know these are crazy and irrational thoughts. Clearly, if you know me, you know those ideas last about five minutes... or until that next meeting or phone call. "Manda, can you...... ?"
I just don't want to be turning into someone who is guarded about getting involved in people's lives, supporting things I love, and pouring my passion into something or someone for fear of rejection. This is an issue I had never thought about until these last few years but I know it all comes around to this fact: Yes, people do let you down, but if you know you are serving and showing Christ in everything you do, your trust in God and His plan will carry you through and should be your source of fulfillment and happiness. So don't stop!
Well, that was may more than I intended to say. But I have a Greek midterm today and it's Spring Visit this weekend, so it makes perfect sense that I am finding time to type a blog. Must work......

Go buy the means CD today!!!

hhmmmmmm

So, it sucks when you've created a pocket of friends that you knew you didn't really fit into anyway, somewhat because everyone around is younger, (everyone my age is either too busy and exclusive or married, or maybe it has something to do with my job). But that's the thing, I'm friends with these people because it's my job, my passion, my ministry.... and their fun. I thought they must think I'm kinda fun too....

.... So I find out they don't really understand that job, passion and ministry and don't want me around....... awesome

Why does no one GET me? gggrrrrrrrrr

What does your church really think?

Two quotes from this weekend's read for my Small Group Ministries class:

"We're on the inside, you're on the outside. We're right, and you're wrong. If you want to come inside, then you need to be right. So just believe right, think right, speak right, and act right, and we'll let you in."

or

“We are a community bound together and energized by faith, love, and a commitment to Jesus Christ. Even though you don’t yet share that faith, love, and commitment, you are most welcome to be with us, to belong here, to experience what we’re about. Then, if you are attracted and persuaded by what you see, you’ll want to set down roots here long-term. And even if you don’t, you’ll always be a friend.”

Which church would you like to belong to?

Thanks, Brian Mc! (More Ready than you Realize, Zondervan, 2002)

Ketchup!!

Just kidding, I mean catch up!! I have been getting razzed for not writing a blog in a long time (even by Tim Furry, that has to be bad)... so I will now do so in point form (I always loved jot notes instead of paragraphs).
Since last post:
-flew to Sante Fe, NM in a 14 seater plane in a snow storm
-spent New Year's in Angel Fire, NM
-spent a week in Colorado Springs at the National Conference for Youth Ministers (you should check it out sometime) hanging out with OC kids, my Youth Ministers (ones who work in my territory), promoting OC, and visiting with my Acappella friends
-got back to OKC
-started my second semester of grad school
-became single again
-was asked to help with New Reign auditions on the same day (bittersweet)
-gained perspective on life (www.jinjamissions.org)
-sat through a weekend of Small Group Ministries class and didn't learn much (I was a little distracted)
-experienced two ice storms, so severe this Canadian will admit I've never seen anything like it
-went to Los Angeles/Bakersfield/San Diego and saw 16 applicants in 3 days
-came back for class
-went to Phoenix, AZ, drive across the border in Mexico to renew my work visa (explain that!), went to a Phoenix Coyotes game and saw WAYNE, and hung out with kids for a Super Bowl party
-came back for class and a weekend off
-bought a 2007 Hyundai Elantra on Valentine's Day (how's that for theraputic shopping??? it's a condition I inherited from my mother)
-went to Denver for Winterpeak and to hang out with CO kids
-came back for meetings and class
Now I'm sitting here procrastinating from translating John 12 and writing 2 papers before Thursday. It will be a long week! For details on any of this, you are going to have to email me.
BTW, if you aren't with it yet, Facebook is the new myspace, or shoutlife if you want to find a "Christian" myspace.
Also, if you are looking for reasons come to visit me (that SHOULD BE enough) check out this church that has blessed my with just a few visits. www.bridgewaychurch.com Home of Charlie Hall and soon a free concert with Derek Webb! Good times!

delayed.... episode 2

So, we got to Albuquerque last night, circled, and came back to Denver. It was 2am by the time we got back, through customer service, and found a place to lay down. There is not a row of seats in this airport that does have an arm rest on EVERY seat. Try to sleep there! So, after 3-4 hours of broken sleep, I moved down to the furthest away from life gates and froze for two hours waiting for a stand by seat! The 9:45am flight today was cancelled. So, I have a confirmed seat on the 1:10 flight this afternooon. Seriously people! Albuquerque has never had 12 inches of snow EVER EVER!
so if you read this and have my cell #, feel free to call me! i'll give you the update. funny thing is, i could have driven to new mexico faster than this... from REGINA!

delayed.....

So Jeremy was giving me a hard time on Wednesday about not updating my blog enough, so here I am. I'm in the Denver airport, been here since 3:00, and I'm hoping to get on this 9:45 flight. I hate bad weather when I'm trying to travel. Tucker and I barely got through Hwy #1 yesterday before they closed it down in Maple Creek. Anyway, I'm ready to be in Albuquerque, NM, that's for sure!
So, since my last blog, I've been in Regina for four days, back to OKC, finished out the semester with a pretty good grade in Greek, travelled to St. Louis, Missouri, then Detroit Lakes, Minn., home again for Christmas, Calgary yesterday, and now I should be in Angel Fire, NM for a few days before coming back up here to Colorado Springs for five days, then back to OKC next sunday. Are you confused yet? HA
SO THAT'S WHY I HAVEN'T WRITTEN A BLOG, JERMS!
I don't have anything profound or encouraging to say right now. Probably because I have been catching up on work emails for four hours. I had so much time for reflection during all my driving hours, but I don't know if I have anything that I can really share. Life is just weird sometimes.
So, here is my encouragement to those I have visited with in the last two weeks:
Surround yourself with positive people!
Life isn't about choices that make you feel good and satisfy your own desires. It's about searching for what God wants through Jesus, and our means to do that is by reading about His life (the Gospels) every day! A disciple knows their teacher almost better than they know themselves.
If you or your friends are making poor choices in life, stand up for what is right. Chances are someone who is making poor choices with you is wishing they had the strength to make the right ones. You could be that strength for each other!
Once again, I love Regina, but I also love it in my rearview mirror! (Or Andrew's, as the case may be!)

Looks like I'm boarding....

Leaving!

We are leaving in a few minutes! remember, there is a Young Adults/ whoever else come and go/potluck/just come say HI at the Slywka's Thursday night. Phone there or ask Brittany for details! I'll be there all night, so come see me. Love you all!