I Want To Know

Your love has ravished my heart, and taken me over.

All I want is to be with you forever.

So pull me a little closer.

Take me a little deeper.

I want to know your heart.

I want to know your heart.

Because your love is so much sweeter that anything I’ve tasted.

I want to know your heart. 

I want to know your heart. 

-Bethel Music

Life Ramblings

Wow, its been a while since I wrote on this here blog. Thought I would break the silence tonight. I've been working evenings this weekend, which isn't bad, only 12-830. I'm a little tired but not too much. Today was an adventure. I spent some time in the west side, then moved on over to the east side. Then came back to tonawander. It rained on and off all day, but there was still a gorgeous sunset to be had. Then I went to North Blo lol I was everywhere today!
I'm contemplating a dream I had a couple nights ago. Didn't see anything, just heard, in one of my mentors wise voice, 'you will dream dreams.' L.O.L. I've been wanting God-inspired dreams for a long time, and I have one now and then, but I want one of those full color, me and Jesus are walking beside the sea of Galilee type dreams you know? I just find it ironic that even in my sleep God encourages me that it will happen. But man, you know what would be really encouraging? A DREAM lol. ::shrug:: Just more funny than anything.
So it is already October 20th. I'm not sure what to do with that. In the grand scheme of things, it's just another day. In my life, it means I've been home for almost 9 months, and working for almost 8. It means Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and only a little farther beyond, snow. I think time goes really fast when I don't watch it. Well, cheers to contentment in everyday life. Lol just gotta remember that I'm exactly where He wants me, when He wants me there. And I have enjoyed being home :)
So funny story! And then I'll be done :) I was driving on the 33 today and I took the grider exit, and it was raining, so there was a huge puddle/river! Taking it a little too fast, I parted that river like Moses parted the red sea. It was so fun!!! Lol quite the adrenaline rush. Should probably be more careful next time though ;)

Spoiled

Hello blooger world. Let me just start out this...omg I just noticed how I spelled that. I'm gonna leave it in, that is so funny!! Lol anyway, let me regale you with tales from my life.
So my last week was pretty crappy. Work was brutal, I wasn't helping, there were panic attacks, self pity and crying involved lol. I think I was learning some tough lessons. Hard to go into it now, but the jist is God is in control, I'm not, and I need to learn to let things go, compartmentalize, and go with the flow.
So this week, I feel like I'm getting super spoiled lol. I just want to thank God for this week. Work has been so much better. I'm learning how to handle my days, organize and trust that things are really ok, even when they don't feel like it. *ahem* innerhealing...cough.... And then I've been finishing work a little early, I have time to work out, I got to spend time with friends yesterday. And our neighbor made us venison steak today. So good! I love venison. And then I got to see my uncle who is visiting from Texas, and my aunt whom I haven't seen in a while. And my sister and her family!! To top this week off, I am going camping this weekend because my amazing roommate invited me to go with her and her family to this retreat thing near Corning. I am just so blessed. God knows how to give good gifts to his children, and there is only truth in that.

Creativity

So lately God has been speaking to me about creativity. He said go after the things that bring you passion and joy. Being creative with those things will really bring life, vitality and joy. It was really cool. Dave's message friday night also flowed with this theme. Dreaming in times when you don't see anything happening makes it possible for them to happen in the future. Imagination, creativity, joy. This sounds really good for me at this time, because I've been using my left brain a lot, and my creative right brain is shriveling a little. I need to pull out the paints again. And maybe song writing. It's been a while since I did that stuff, and I miss it. I think its time for a little exploration, to remember and cultivate those things that I like being creative with. Time for a little more life and fervor friends!

Storm

So. Good day all. I have the privilege of having my friend Sara stay at my place this weekend. Its good to catch up, she is an awesome person. She was my roommate while I was in China.

So I've been thinking a lot about warfare. And about how Gods timing is perfect. And how I have nothing to fear. I'm wondering how to make my emotions come in line with this revelation, and to trust Him, and rest in Him. It's hard. I want to. My emotions are so blah, so unpredictable, so based on circumstance and uncontrollable scenarios. I'm ready to throw in the towel today, and tomorrow I'll be swinging from the rafters, ready to conquer the world. I guess the trick would be to remain stable and steady through the emotional swings. To trust that I'm still standing on the Rock even when I feel like I'm under the waves. I choose to rest in this scripture tonight -

Ps 91 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord, He is my refuge, and my place of safety. He is my God, and I trust Him.

Sweet Saturday

Today was an amazing day. I ran errands I've been wanting to run for awhile. I bought 3 pairs of shoes :) And a good movie, Captain America. Awesomeness. I made lasagna. I painted my nails. I'm in the process of switching out the vertical blinds in my bedroom for purple, room-darkening curtains. This will help my sleeping very much lol. Now I'm sitting out on my deck, watching the evening fade into night. Its been a great day. Thank you God, for the little things in life.

Life Update.

Well, here I am again. Work is going well. It's most definitely a learning curve at this point. I learn new things every day and my brain is trying to catalog and store it all. I'm meeting new people, doing new things. I'm playing in a wedding tomorrow, which I am excited and nervous about. I'm sure it will go fine, I just want it to be good lol. I'm playing 'The Wedding Song' by Peter Paul and Mary. I've been practicing, so now its just a have fun and do it for Jesus kind of thing. The wedding is my coworker Roz's daughter. They're all very nice, I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun tomorrow. 

Lets see, what else is new. I really like life here right now. There are some frustrating things, but right now, I'm just enjoying life. Having a paycheck again, a nice place to live, great roommates. Having family nearby. Nice hot weather with a pool. I really am so blessed. But this blessed baby is falling asleep, so I'm gonna have to go now. I will leave you with this thought that I am pondering at the moment: 

'He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are you armor and protection.' -Ps 91:4 

My Brain Hurts...

Well, this week has been going pretty rough. Things are starting to pick up at work lol. I'm in a learning curve, trying to glean again the nursing skills I left behind for 2 years. Sometimes I can literally feel new paths being grown into my brain lol. At least that would explain the headache. But anyway, in time, I know it will get better. My roommate tells me this is just life. It's normal.
Something I'm really appreciating right now though is the new friendships that are growing in my life. It's been a long time since I've known these truly lovely people, and I like getting to know them again. People I do life with, laugh and cry with, hang out with. It's nice to be around family   :)

So whats next for me? Well hopefully, work recovery lol, from the 'I have no idea what I'm doing' feeling to 'I think I'm starting to understand.' Thank God I'm not alone. He sends the right encouragement along at just the right moment. Whether its encouragement to cry, keep going, laugh, or rest. Thank you Jesus. You are great :) <3

Oh, to see...

                                                                     Love this pic :)

Back In Grand Island :)

Well, England was amazing. Every single day was full to the brim with church meetings, worship and prayer, praying in the streets, sight-seeing, time with our host families, and sunshine. Thats right, England was cold the first day we were there and sunny 70s and 80s every day after. God is so good. I saw people get healed of sciatic nerve pain, ovarian cyst pain, and more. We got to prophesy over so many, and I saw them all touched by what God was saying to them. And we got to see London for a day!!!! Omg God is so good. We saw buckingham palace, and westminster abbey, and the tower bridge, and big ben. And get this--we saw the olympic torch!!! As it was going through Beudley on its way to London. SO COOL!!! And we got to take a steam engine train there. The sound alone was something I've only ever heard in movies and imagined as I read about it. England was so magical for me because so many of the stories I read as a child took place there. The Secret Garden, The Chronicles of Narnia, Pride and Prejudice. The first day I kept exclaiming over and over again, this is the place where the stories come from!! Lol so amazing. The only thing I could possibly complain about was our luggage being 2 days late after we arrived home. BUT that also meant I didn't have to pay for my bag being overweight! And boy was it over ;) Yeah shopping was fun too guys ;) So that was good for me anyway :)

I made a lot of friends while in Bridgnorth as well. These men and women are the greatest, so on fire for God and willing to learn and try new things. And the unity observed among the churches!! I've never seen it like this before. Now I know how to pray for the Grand Island churches, and all in WNY for that matter.

I also enjoyed getting to know my team better. I've been going to church with them for years, but being able to do life with them through the pressures of a missions trip was priceless. I got to know everyone better, and be myself more with them. It was just an amazing trip, one that I hope will often be repeated :)

Cheerio!

Well, I'm flying out to England tomorrow. I know, random. I've been settling into my new nursing job quite well. I like my co-workers, and I'm learning how to do my job well. And now I'm leaving again, but this time for 10 days, not 10 months lol. I'm excited! I'm going with a group of 9 to Bridgenorth, near Birmingham. We're going to encourage the churches there, have prayer and worship meetings and street evangelism. Yay! Lol this will be fun. And we get a day in London to be tourists! So I'm happy :) I'm almost packed, some little things to tie up tomorrow. Time for sleep. See you in 2 weeks! I'll come back with pictures <3

Life is like dessert...

Well, work is going well. I'm starting to see some patients on my own now, without my preceptor. I have a lot to learn, but I am doing well. I like it. Caring for people, driving from house to house. It's challenging and rewarding. I feel happy. And I get to go to England soon! This girl is a happy girl :)

New Life

Well, its begun lol. As if you couldn't tell. I haven't blogged for a month, meaning my job has started and life has gotten very busy. My job is going well. A few kinks to work out and things should go pretty smoothly there. I like being a nurse again. Its been so long! I like caring for people and feeling God working with me and being with me on the job. I miss though, the closeness I had with people when we had all the time in the world to be with each other. I miss the focus my life used to have on spiritual things. Where I am now, it doesn't mean I've lost connection with God. It just means we connect in different ways I think. We'll see how it unfolds lol. Right now, life is a big whirlwind of newness, confusion, and lots of grace. New job, new roommates, new life. Pray for me!! lol 

See you on the other side... 

Sunny Wednesday!

Well, work finally starts next week for me. I'm looking forward to it, I need something to occupy my time and my thoughts. I'm anticipating remembering what its like to be a nurse, and to help other people in that way. As for the last couple weeks, I've just been preparing to move in to our new place, which will take place in 11 days. !!!! Lots of change in the air. Scary, but still worth it. Just gotta put on my big girl pants I guess ;) And as far as my internship, its been great just catching up with my friends and leaders at the church. We've spent office hours together, as well as healing and prophetic classes, church services, worship practice, and prayer meetings. And just generally hanging out. I'm excited to see how we'll grow as a church in the next year. Nothing stays the same for very long.

Life Update

I need to write, or I'll probably never do it again lol. Since being home from school, I've applied for every job under the sun, and have been rewarded with a very good full time job that will start at the end of the month. I'm so glad to start up a life here. I'm ready to set down roots and get settled. I've been traveling for a long time, it'll be so nice to get established again. And have money lol. I'm also working an internship at my church, working with kids, playing on the worship team, and being part of things. I like this mix.
As for these next three weeks, I will be packing in order to move into an apartment April 1st!! With two most lovely roommates :) When something happens, everything happens lol. A job, a home, a church family. Thank you God for blessing me so much, so quickly. You are so, so good.

Home home :)

Good evening folks. Well, I'm finally home. I graduated from SOM last week, and attended a rather crazy after party. That weekend I stayed with Grace in Port Perry on an island. It's so beautiful there. We went for a night time walk and observed the stars. So pretty.

On Monday we headed down to good old Pennsylvania to go skiing!!!! It was my first time. The first day I tried skiing with no lesson. Bad idea, and I've got the bruises to prove it :P The second day was better though. I had a lesson and then practiced on the bunny hill for hours. After that I could make it down a green run without falling. I am extremely proud of myself lol. It was a lot of fun :) The ski trip was also spent with 17 other fabulous SOM people, my friends and family really. We all lived in one house, cooked our own meals and entertained each other for a few days. I will never forget in that game of freeze when Brayden 'climbed' up Andrew as a koala. O.M.G. SO funny. Anyway, good times :P

So now I've been home for a little while, just chilling and looking for a nursing job. A few prospects, we'll see how they pan out. Pray for me! After that it's internship time at my church on Grand Island. I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be a great learning experience for me. I'm crazy nervous too, not quite sure what I'm getting into lol. But it'll be a wild ride, and a fun one at that :)

Sweet dreams everyone.

Home from Finland

Hi everyone. Just came to share about Finland. And waste some time lol. I just spent 3 weeks in Finland on a missions trip with a group of awesome people. I came back changed, a bit more cultured and more free.
We spent a lot of the first week having meetings at Arkki, the free church in Jarvenpaa. We led worship, preached, prayed for people, and had a lot of fun just chilling. Finnish people are beautiful, fun to be around and very nice. They're honest about their culture lol. And the food is really good. We bought and cooked our own meals usually. Twas good.
The second week was spent in the schools. We taught religion classes, but mostly cultural lessons on our respective homelands. The kids were so good, attentive and excited. A lot of them responded with questions and input. We also got to visit a few other churches in the area. We saw the pentecostal side of things, and the Lutheran angle. God is definitely moving in Finland.
The last week we went to a home for the elderly, and visited some houses individually. Just spreading the love. The weekend before was camp, which was so fun. Two and a half days of meetings, games in the snow, sauna time, snow rolling, and just good times with friends. Camp was so fun.
I have been stretched, and treated to the best trip with the best group of people. One of the best things about the trip was just having fun with my team and getting to know everyone better. Life is good :)
Now that I'm home, I think some settling is in order. Being on a 3 week roller coaster ride can really take it outta ya lol. Its good to be here resting and letting God unravel it all :-)