Monday, May 31, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 244...pack it up!...

pack it up! Let's get ready to HIT THE ROAD! oh my goodness...I don't think I've been this excited in a long time...

I woke up this morning, even with the constant sinus headache, I managed to smile and think, "tour is almost here!" I seriously have the best job ever. Its not even a job in my book, but an extreme blessing of a privilege! Seriously! Who gets paid to travel on the road with seven other talented, Jesus loving musician servants, show up to camps and say, "Hey, yeah, we're that band called Well Spring, but whatever you need, we're here to do it..." simply amazingly awesome right? I know! and I get to be a part of it! blows my mind...

Today I took a quick shopping trip to Brighton (I don't recommend it on Memorial Day, traffic is bonkers on Grand River) and managed to keep me and the car in one piece! First stop was JoAnn Fabrics to grab some crafty stuff for the road. I really enjoy knitting, and it keeps me from getting car sick, but still able to talk to those around me, unlike reading where its just you and the story world, ignoring the amazingness in the van...not good! After the creative-ness in me was satisfied, I drove across the street to Target...found some modest length shorts and a nice tank top for hot van rides...awesome luck if I don't say so myself!

So now I'm back. and its time to PACK IT UP! I'm trying to fit in a smaller suitcase this summer, only take what I know I'll need, and just a few emergency items. I'm also debating on whether to take my laptop, I probably will anyway, but it would be nice to not have to keep track of it. I do have this commitment of blogging everyday, but I could use Marc's to post up what I've written when I can...I'll have to think about it.

After I finish packing, I want to finish cleaning the house, and double check everything I'm bringing. Then I just want to have a relaxing evening at home with my family. I am going to miss them so much! I am leaving tomorrow morning, early, so I can visit my fantastic boyfriend Zachariah for the day. It will be fun, but it means that this is the last time I will see my family for a while!

well, I've got plenty to do, and not a whole lot of time to do it in! Here's to praying while I work!

cm

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 243...the family...

I am super blessed. I say it all the time, but I'm super thankful I don't have a huge family that I get lost in. There are always only eight of us at family events. That includes, my parents, my brother, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle and myself. Now I'm sure things would be different if my other grandparents were alive, we would probably have two events that were similar in size and occasionally come together for things...

anyway, they came over today to celebrate my brother's and my birthday. We share the date, three years apart :) super cool. wasn't so much when we were in grade school, but I wouldn't have it any other way. So, they arrived after we got back from church. Cooking lunch/dinner ensued. Then we ate, and went outside. My father has requested the wood chips get used...so off we went, pulling weeds and spreading chips. My aunt and uncle were cracking jokes like, "where's the salsa to go with these chips?" in their funny fake mexican accents...I played along, somehow we got on the topic of Blue Hawaiians, and how they are alcoholic (don't ask, I don't remember how we got on this subject!) then I said, "So, I'll know who's an alcoholic," My uncle, asked, "what?" I shot back, "Well, they'll be blue..." and they laughed, my uncle said something to the effect of 'you've been hanging out with us too long,' and he smiled. Inside I'm sure he's back pedaling, trying to figure out when I became able to match wits with him! They used to make fun of me so bad, I'd cry, now not so much! take that Uncle Bryan! :)

well, now its time for the Coke 600. It still amazes me that the teams can build a machine that runs for 600 miles, BUILT BY HAND, and runs flat out, on the floor the entire 600 miles. WOW. that's really something. I'm off to enjoy the race...

cm

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 242...breaking the silence...

have you ever just sat, let your mind go blank, and let God speak? I confess I don't do this very often. I know I should definitely do it more. I seem to get so much out of it, why would I not take the time to do it? That's just it, it takes time, and A LOT of it...

The passage of Samuel 3:8-10 says, "God called again, "Samuel!" -the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, "Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am." That's when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak God, I'm your servant, ready to listen.'" Samuel returned to bed. Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, I'm your servant, ready to listen.'"

I love this example of seeking counsel to discern God's voice. I've never heard an audible voice I've defined as God, as young Samuel did. I have just had impressions that have run straight through my heart. I think its imperative that every Christ follower have a spiritual confidant and mentor. My mother and now my University Chaplain are big spiritual mentors in my life.

I challenge you, as I do myself, to find a quiet place today, sit and listen. Let your mind go blank, allow God to speak to you.

cm

Friday, May 28, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 241...paying attention to the stranger...

Have you ever considered how God pays attention to the stranger? Of course everyone is not a stranger in God's eyes, he has created and loves them all. I mean the strangers and aliens in your life....those people you don't know, or just don't quite "fit in" to their surroundings. Have you ever considered  how God provides for them, just as much as he provides for you?

Sometimes we can get stuck in our particular "bubble" of friends and family, and we forget to reach out to others. We overlook the girl or boy sitting alone at the lunchroom table, or if we are that person, we wallow in our loneliness instead of reaching out to the popular group of kids. The same scenario happens in the workplace, just because we graduated, doesn't mean we have grown up socially, be honest, this stuff still happens at the age of 30...

anyway, I read a couple of passages in Ruth today, that's where my daily devotional has taken me for the time being. It's Ruth 3:1-18

Naomi makes a suggestion, a move to have Ruth, her foreign daughter in law, taken care of. Sometimes I think as Americans we claim to "protect our own" when truly we are supposed to protect the widow, the orphan and the oppressed, not just our own flesh and blood. I admire Naomi's love for Ruth, and in turn I admire Ruth's love for Naomi. Its a beautiful mother-daughter relationship that I desire in my own life. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving mother.

So, just as Naomi has taken care of Ruth, I challenge you to look around you. Consider how God is taking care of the strangers in your life. Ask him what you can do to be apart of it, becoming an agent of peace, joy and love...

cm

Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 240...saying goodbye...

I'm not any good at saying goodbye's. I simply just don't like them. at all. not one bit. Today I spend the afternoon with my fantastic boyfriend, Zachariah Deitrich. He's one awesome guy. I love him. He makes me so happy, and we have so much fun together. Next week I return to campus and embark on an eight week road trip with my Well Spring team...I'm very excited and super blessed to be doing this, but I'm also sad. I'm sad to leave Zachariah for eight weeks, TWO MONTHS, of not getting to look deep into his eyes and hear those blessed words, "you're beautiful" and "I love you,"

But I know that God has called me to do this. I am on Well Spring for a reason. Yes, okay, so I'm musically inclined, I know that makes putting up with me a little easier for my band mates, but I am just so passionate about pursuing Christ. I want to love and serve everyone around me. I desire to be used by God in any and every way possible. God has chosen to use me in Well Spring.

So. *sigh* I can't do this. That's the best news yet...I can't do this. I can't go two months without seeing Zachariah. But the good news in that, is Jesus can, and will give me the strength to endure the separation. He will continue to love me, unfailingly and completely, he will continue to be my source of power and strength.

This is just a way for me to draw closer, to walk closer than I've ever before, with my savior, with my Jesus :)

There will be moments where I will miss Zachariah terribly (like right now) but I will endure, and I will remain joyful despite my longing. I will see him again in August, and then we will begin our time as RA's in the fall...how exciting.

Now, I do not look ahead to August. I look ahead to this next week of preparation. I look ahead to this weekend with my family. I hold on to the promise that Jesus will be my strength, and I hold on to the promise of this coming August. I chose for it to not be my focus. My focus is Christ, to know him, to know him crucified.

cm

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 239...talking with God...

my daily devotional, SOLO by Eugene Peterson (the makers of the Message // Remix) had me lie face down this morning to talk to God. It instructed me to ask God for further instruction about something in my life...

I loved it. At first I was a little weirded out, I was supposedly "praying to heaven" and I was staring at my carpet, it felt a little out of whack. Then I began to realize that I could be praying or just "conversing" with God right in my room. I could be transported to his throne room, and fall face down, asking for his advice. As I began to let this become a reality, that I was in the presence of God, not just "phoning in" I began to really enjoy humbling myself before him.

I never really thought I would enjoy humbling myself before him, but as I have allowed him to change my heart, and as I have really run after the life of a servant, I have begun to rejoice in being humble, and rejoicing in the fact that I CAN'T DO IT ON MY OWN! Hallelujah! I can't do it on my own!

So I prayed about Well Spring. I prayed for each team member and the camps we are headed to. I asked God for further instruction about it. I kept getting, humble, humble, be a servant, love them as I love you. I am very excited for this. Thanks Lord.

cm

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

The Adventure Called Life day 238...imperfect...

In my life I have chosen to dwell on my imperfections. I have chosen to define myself (to myself, internal dialogue) by my short comings. I guess I thought this was being humble. Today God spoke to me about being humble, but being confident in who I am in Christ.

I am currently reading in Joshua. In Joshua 24 we find the Israelites again pledging themselves to worship Almighty God simply because they desire to do so...in verse 19, "Then Joshua told the people, you can't do it; you're not able to worship God. He is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He won't put up with your fooling around and sinning."

wow.

talk about a wake up call. Now, I realize this is the Old Testament, so truly I am able to worship God, but only if I am reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ I recently posted the song, Where You Go I Go, by Jesus Culture, and there's a line that is perfect for this exact principle.

How could I expect to walk without you?
when every move Jesus made was in surrender...

Thank you Kim Walker :) but really, how can I expect to worship God on my own? I am unholy, I am dirty, but "For God the Just is satisfied, to look on Him and pardon me." (Before the Throne of God Above). This goes back to the daily decision to "...Know Christ and him Crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2. 

I pray that you will begin to find peace in who you are in Christ. You are a new creation, a bearer of the Image of God, a vessel of honor and power, a vessel of the Holy Ghost. 

cm

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 237...the reversal of brokenness...

I really enjoy going to Sunday Night service. I was especially glad to go to service last night since there was a missionary speaking who is heading to Tel Aviv, Israel with his family. I find foreign missions to be extremely admirable. I am called to America, but I am still called to me a "missionary". 

I firmly believe that I am called here to America. I also believe that every Christian who truly wants to follow Christ is a missionary, regardless if they are on "foreign soil" or not. We are really always on foreign soil, as Heaven is our Home, Earth is not. anyway, I got this vision of how I am to live that calling out.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 says," When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom and I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified," Paul is talking about entering the city of Corinth. When you would enter the city, you would see hundreds, maybe thousands of people hung on crosses being crucified along the road. The Romans were exhibiting power by causing brokenness. Paul came to show that power could be found IN brokenness, and the ultimate reversal of it. Jesus Christ is that reversal. 

I have often wondered if I am truly following Christ. I now believe that if I live each day to know Christ and him crucified, I will begin to be an agent of the reversal of brokenness. I will truly follow Christ. I am not expecting perfection, but I am expecting power. I am expecting God to move. Without expectation is to doubt God. I am expecting God to come through on his promises to heal, to come and send power, to always love and be there. I am expecting God to be everlasting, to be my strength always. 

cm 

Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 236...as is...

Have you ever thought about how Jesus called his disciples? Today in service, my Pastor, Dr. Bradley T. Trask, presented the idea that Christ is an "as is" Savior. I was intrigued by the title, and even more interested as he broke it down.

His main point was that Christ should be the center of your life. He also stressed how Jesus called his disciples. He called Matthew very simply. He didn't ask Matthew in so many words to "give up everything, leave behind what you want and follow me," He just simply said, "follow me." Have I answered that call? truly answered it? Of course I'm a "follower" of Jesus Christ, but am I following him the way that Jesus would have me? probably not. I have began the journey of giving up my personal wants and desires and replacing them with God's own. I desire to truly please him, to know Him intimately and have a deep relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Its very exciting.

The last verse of the passage, Matthew 9:9-13 really stuck out to me. (vs 13) it says, "But go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners." I love this. so. much. The idea that Jesus doesn't want our fluff and our work, he just wants US. He wants to do the work, the chiseling, the reconstruction. We sing it all the time, "He is jealous..." He truly is. Do we believe it? Do we believe that God desires US above anything we could ever think, say or do?

I thought that the song by Jesus Culture, "Where you Go I go," went very well with this idea.
below is the link to the youtube video enjoy.

Where You Go I Go - Jesus Culture

Lord,
I lay aside everything. I follow you and you alone. Lord, find me where I am, meet me here and show me mercy. God I long to know you and your ways. Reveal to me your face. I search for you O God. Where you Go I go, what you say, I say. What you pray I pray. I love you.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

cm

PS. just a little reminder to be praying for all the Well Spring teams. We head out back to campus for training then out to camps next month. Thanks :)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 235...room switch-a-roo....

today I had the brilliant idea to switch my entire room. I mean the entire room has been flip flopped. I am very tired. But I am glad that I moved things around. My bed is now away from the door and my desk is facing the room rather than the wall. I love it.

anyway. I just by chance stumbled upon David Crowder's Like a Lion today on youtube. My Well SPring team played it on the road at a revival we were a part of last month. I loved it.

now its time for bed. I have been taking time each day to pray for my entire wellspring team. I will continue to do that tomorrow. Its been really good. thanks Jesus!

cm

Friday, May 21, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 234...garage sale...

how odd is it, that as Americans we complain because we have so much "junk" in our lives, and yet we go to garage sales. hmmm. something seems rather odd to me about that...

Grandma had a garage sale today for Royal Family Kids' Camp. Because of the rain and poor advertisement, we only had about six customers. Regardless I had a pretty good day. I awoke at 8 am on the dot, got ready and left the house around 9 am with my mom to go to Grandma's house in South Lyon. We arrived and I took out the book I was reading, recounted my adventure with Zachariah on Wednesday for them, and finished the second book in the House with a Clock in its walls trilogy. I started the third before Grandpa and I went out to get a few things at the store for lunch. Grandma made tuna burgers, one of my favorites. Then after lunch I kept reading, and we had a few more customers. At about 2:30 Grandma decided to go get the signs. So when three o'clock rolled around we were almost packed up. Mom and I left around 3:30 pm.

Now I'm back at the house, and I just finished putting up the curtains I got out of Grandma's sale. They're really pretty. All flowery and such. I should take a picture and put it up in the post....hold on a minute...


There. I hope you can see it okay. I had the white curtains already, I just got the beige and flowery ones today. aren't they pretty. thanks to my macbook you can see them :)

well. I am going to start dinner, and then keep reading in the third book of the series that I started this afternoon.  after dinner I think i'll go outside again and enjoy the evening out there...you have a wonderful evening as well!

cm

Thursday, May 20, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 233...adventure reflection...

as promised in my last post, here is the reflection of Zachariah and my adventure yesterday...

Yesterday I made the 90 mile trek to Marshall, Michigan. Its a beautiful small town that is home to the fantastic Deitrich Family. Zachariah is their eldest son, and my boo. Goodness I'm happy about that :) anyway, I arrived in the quaint little town around 9:30am after an 1 and a half hours on the road. The drive was beautiful, hardly any traffic to speak of, and I just plain love to drive. such a win - win.

We hung out and caught up for a couple of hours, then packed a lunch around noonish. Then we headed out to Stuart's landing. It was very sunny, hardly a cloud in sight. We spread out a blanket and ate our sandwiches, crackers and apples in the glorious sunshine. I had asked Zachariah to find a basket before we left his house to find a picnic basket. After some searching in the basement, he found a multi-colored easter basket. :) it was perfect, despite it being overly festive, I found it to be very cute and just what we needed. It was silly, and I need more silly and light heartedness in my life. Zachariah does that pretty often, he'll make me smile, not just on the surface, like, that's funny or whatever, but it usually goes straight to my heart :) anyway...

After lunch we walked the river walk. Its a path that has been constructed to follow the Kalamazoo River that runs through Marshall. Its beautiful, we sat at the waterfall for awhile, just enjoying the peace. He told me a story of the time he ran the trail for cross country. I guess he had lost a contact lens, and somewhere along the way a deer jumped out at him. I laughed, but that must have been terrifying! 

after our relaxing walk by the Kzoo river we headed across town to the thrift store. I found two tops, and a picnic basket for our next adventure. It was a WHOLE dollar :) totally worth it! Then after our thrift store stop we headed back home for a quick dinner before Micah's baseball game. 

Zachariah's Dad has coach baseball since Zach was a little kid. He coaches Micah's team. Zachariah served as the bench coach, wore a ball cap, carried a clipboard, he looked really official. it was super cute. I sat in the stands near by, and Drew, he just turned ten, sat next to me. I asked him what book he was reading, and He showed it to me rather proudly, and proclaimed that it was a Percy Jackson and the Olympians book. I asked him if he had read the first one, confessing that I had not. So, to help me out, Drew proceeded to recount the ENTIRE book. You think I'm kidding, no, this kid knew his stuff. He went through the entire story with great detail, percy discovering his powers, to his meeting Anabeth, daring sword fights which looked like a gun fight to the mortal policemen, so pretty much the entire thing. Needless to say, I don't need to read the book now, but boy do I want to! I can remember wanting as a child to share with someone what I was reading, and that's why I just turned to Drew and let him tell me the whole tale. of course it "ruined" the book, but in my eyes it made it so much better. Its not everyday that you get to hear Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the lightning thief recounted by a super smart ten year old kid. It was awesome. 

Micah's team didn't win, but they did play quite well considering the rule changes that they are getting used to! It was fun to revisit that part of my childhood. It was good to see that families still devote time to their kids recreation and team building experiences. We returned to the Deitrich house with my heart rejoicing. Zachariah got his guitar out and immediately Ariel, the second oldest, and fellow dancer, requested How He Loves. I adore that song, and I enjoy singing it. After figuring out chords, we played it, Ariel just had to record it too :) She's simply a doll. Zach tells me she's a journalist for the school newspaper. I admire that. I tried my hand at writing for the Pulse (our SAU school news publication). I may just do that again in the fall :) Then we sat and enjoyed the last half hour alone. I didn't want to leave, but I wanted to make curfew at 10:30 pm (i know its early, but i had been gone since 8 am) 

I returned home and called Zachariah to announce my safe arrival. We talked for another 40 minutes. I just can't believe it. I didn't mean to talk that long, but the world seems to stop when I'm in conversation with him. I usually don't have any sense of time with him at all. This is a good thing, I hope. At least my Mom tells me it is...

today My Aunt Jan, my mom and I all went out to lunch and shopping. My birthday is in June. I will be on the road with Well Spring, so she wanted to get me some things for my birthday. Of course I found a great pair of shoes. They have a tiny heal, but they're really strappy and cute. Usually I can't buy the strappy kind of sandals because my arch is so high, so when put in a heel, my instep (the top of your foot) is really high. Having high arches is great for dance, but not so great for fashion.

well now its almost 7:30, Im a little tired, but I think I'll head outside and read some. I'll bring my cell phone just in case the boo calls...garage sale at Grandma's tomorrow morning. That should be fun :)

cm

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 232...180 miles...

that's how much I drove today. and im exhausted. ugh.

but the 180 miles were no sweat. I got to go to MARSHALL. I miss my boyfriend Zachariah so much. and I just spent twelve glorious hours at his house. It was amazing. I love that boy. There, I said it. I do. I love him <3

well, I will have to re-count my visit sometime tomorrow. It will be a reflection of our adventures of the day. I am exhausted. I'm going to sleep.

cm

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 231...psalm writing revisit...

I've been trying my hand at writing songs from the Psalms. Now I know they are originally written as songs themselves, but I wanted to try to put melodies to the words, so they change a little bit to become singable in our "modern musical pallet." Today I looked back at a song I wrote a month ago. Its for piano, not guitar because of all the awkward open fifths and ascending arpeggios.

Psalm 34:1-8
Chorus:
My life is
to extol the Lord
evermore
my heart is
to exalt the Lord
forever
my soul is
to magnify the Lord
always

verse 1:
pour in my sorrow
i call out to you
send your angels
redeem me in your love

bridge:
your goodness is sweet
honey on my tongue
may i be satisfied
in you forever
amen

I worked on it some today, exactly one month from when I first penned it. I like it so far, but I'm sure it can use some improvements.

Here is another that I looked at again today:
Psalm 118:17-18

verse 1:
my mouth be filled
eternally proclaiming your goodness

chorus:
I am not dead
but in your promises alive

verse 2:
your judgement has cut me deeply
rescued from death
i am alive in you

chorus:
I am not dead
but in your promises alive

I discovered this video today on youtube. Its a Shane Bernard masterpiece. click and enjoy <3
Shane Bernard - Psalm 145

cm

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 230...skype...

so. I've discovered SKYPE. and how much fun and weird it can be. Zachariah says that its only weird because he is weird. he's wrong. It would only be weird if I were on it, so its gonna always be weird.

anyway. I think it spent the least amount of time in the library I have ever spent in one trip. A total of a half hour between Cromaine and Crossroads from my door and back. I looked for a House with a Clock in its walls because I've been wanting to read it since I saw the house in Marshall with Zachariah on our almost date. So I found the second book and the third book at the first branch. All I did was come into the library and go straight upstairs to the children's floor. There five stacks back is the section where John Bellairs' books are located, seven shelve sections in, on the bottom shelf. I sat my almost twenty-one year old self and proceeded to look at the books. I found the figure in the shadows and the lion the witch and the ring. they didn't have the first books so I drove across town to the Crossroads' branch. There I found it! A House with a Clock in its Walls.

I went outside and read for a little bit, called Britta, then went back outside only to be forced in an hour later because of the cold wind. *sigh* its may and I was still wearing shoes and a sweatshirt! usually its barefeet and a t-shirt. oh well.

tomorrow I might go and renew my license. that will be just a grand time.

cm

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 229...two weeks...

that's how much time I have on my hands.

two weeks.

I should be happy about this. i should be really happy to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for two entire weeks.
and yet, im frustrated. already. great. :) Today is Sunday, that means, church, have lunch, sit down watch the NASCAR race for a little bit, get up do something around the house, come back and check the race, go back outside, listen to the race on the radio, come in and watch the last 30 laps, then make/have dinner, go to church again, come home, watch some television with the family, write/read, go to sleep.

That's exactly how this day has gone. and I love it. Of course I miss a certain someone, but maybe that's why I'm dreading these two weeks without anything to keep me busy from thinking about Z. Well, here's to staying busy so my heart won't think too much...

two weeks. and I'm on the road again. If you would, I would love your prayers about our team, the kids and camps we're going to be a part of. that would be fantastic. Thank you. so, here's to an uneventful two weeks!!

cm

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 228...let's go racing...

Let's Go Racing!!

Its the first day of Summer break, and I'm headed to the race track! awesome. The only thing missing is that silly man in the orange umbrella hat that im decidedly dating...LOL...

I'm excited to go racing. Its a little bit different, since Tim isn't driving, Troy is, but Its all good. Troy has a Pro Late Model car, and Tim raced a Street Stock. We're technically a class up from the Street Stocks, but I loved that division, as tough and stressful as it was, the Pro Late guys can be a bit snobbish...no offense guys,  but this is SATURDAY NIGHT, leave your prissy fire suits and attitudes jobs at home...

well, I've got a couple of more things to do before my Dad gets home. Oh, I've added another movie to the movie list Zachariah and I are going to accomplish within our lifetime...

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!

great, great film. I love it!

Let's Go Racing!!!

cm

Friday, May 14, 2010

home sweet home

here I sit. on my awesomely large full size bed (hey its a castle compared to that XL twin i crash on every night of the semester) and im simply exhausted.

home sweet home.

Its a place where I have 11' X 16' square feet ALL TO MYSELF. Although I have this space, I don't have as many people to fill it with. I am going to work on being thankful for and using the "alone time" on the horizon. I am leaving around 1pm tomorrow with my Dad, my brother and the race team for Owosso Speedway. Since its going to be down right chilly at race time, Mom has opted out of going with us. I don't blame her, it does get cold, but I LOVE IT. end of story.

anyway, so we'll get there around 3, unpack, get some new tires, run some hot laps, qualify, race, and then race the feature race, load up and go home. It will be a late night, but there's no place I'd rather be. I love the race track. Zachariah came with us the last time we went (two weeks ago) and I wish he was coming with us this time. Its not supposed to rain like it did, so hopefully we will actually race!!

back to home sweet home.

I'm only here for two and a half weeks. I want to make them count. I want to take care of myself, spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. I need rest, and I need quiet time. I will miss my boyfriend terribly. There have been plenty of instances tonight where I was laughing about or at something and the thought ran through my head, "where is Zachariah?!" I miss him already. *sigh* sorry for you who read my blog regularly. Its just going to be a fact of life. I will miss Z, but I will be just fine. I've got my Jesus, and there is such things like skype, cell phones, facebook and twitter to make the three and a half month separation a tiny bit easier :)

well, im exhausted. and im going to go to bed pretty soon. I'll probably write for another hour then collapse to sleep. I've got some chores to do, some boxes to move and some clothes to organize before we go racing tomorrow! gnight everyone. sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!

cm

The Adventure Called Life Day 227...school's out for the summer...

This is my last post of the semester! Its time to head on home to Hartland land, unpack, sleep and then go to the race track, so excited!

i am sad to leave this place. Its been three years, six semesters of fun, laughter, tears, friendships, music, hard work, sweat, stress and peace. Its been a wild ride. I still have two more years to go. I'll be starting the journey as the Resident Assistant of Beta 1 in the fall. I am nervous, but very very excited. I anticipate loving community living. I know I did freshman year, and I had a senior RA then. It looks like I've just switched roles.

anyway, Julie, my RA will be here in a few minutes to check me out for the summer. I better do another "one over" off all my stuff just to make sure I have it all.

so this is it. This is Carolyn Marie signing off from Spring Arbor University for the school year of 2009-2010. Have a wonderful, restful and blessed summer!

cm

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 226...where the lines overlap...

this is my last official full day on campus. I move out tomorrow afternoon. The only things left are my Chemistry Exam, packing and finalizing the choral library. 

this means its my last night on campus :( Im excited to go home, unpack and SLEEP.

I am forcing myself to go grab lunch, and review for about 40 mins before my final at 1pm. Then my parents are coming to pick up the sectional. I hope to give a lot of stuff to my parents to take home and pile in my room until I get there tomorrow. I'll spend the evening reorganizing and putting everything in its place before we go racing on saturday! oh! I'm excited for that...

anyway, I pray all of you SAU students are experiencing a peaceful finals week, at least as peaceful as finals week can be! I have had a wonderful time here at the arbor this past year, and I'm excited to be reporting, once again from the road this summer. I'll post before I leave tomorrow to officially sign off from the campus of SAU for the semester! the Lord be with you!

cm

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 225...between a rock and a hard place...

so. i've got two days, one night left on campus. my parents are coming tomorrow to pick up the black leather sectional in our living room, and im supposed to have everything packed and ready by then. My brother has a softball game that night, and I would like to be there to see him play. I'm only going to be home for two weeks. I'm still considering sticking around until friday. It would be nice to spend an evening with Zachariah in which we didn't have to study. We're both done with exams tomorrow :) He does have a song writing paper to write, but I could just write myself while he does that. We could spend a cozy evening in the library, writing away...*sigh* but I should go home. really, my little brother would love that. I just hope I can get the choral library in order before then...i have LOTS to do today. study chemistry, make a veggie tray, pack, and finish up the choral library. I am thinking I should just stay and do the choral library on friday. I can see Kevin play next week. I'm so glad you guys get to experience my thoughts and how I just go around and around in circles. lol...I'll make it home for dinner on friday. so that's the plan.

today, study for chemistry, make veggie tray for WAVE. tomorrow, exam, pack, study, study, study, exam, pack up the couch, dinner, finish packing. friday, choral library, turn in keys, go home :)

cm

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 224...so much to do, so little time...

i know its a lame excuse. but its finals week. give me a break ok? at least i posted. :)

so much to do, so little time

Lord,
give me the strength to get through this week. amidst the busyness and all the chaos, allow me to see you, to work with you as you go about retrieving the objects of your desire in my life. I love you.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

cm

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Adventure Called LIfe Day 223...surprise! happy baby...

tonight the SAU Music Department had their end of the year banquet. The theme this year was to honor Shaun and Jamie Tichmer. They are having a baby!! That is so exciting! Its a girl! Abigail Grace. very sweet name <3

The meal is catered, and we get all "dolled up". I wore the dress that I bought for Doug and Kate Wright's wedding. I actually wore it also on friday when I sung in lab. wow. i've gotten a lot of use out of a $16 sale rack dress from my favorite store, Dress Barn. awesome.

anyway, I've been not doing any homework all day! YAY! okay, so that's a lie. I did some homework this afternoon after lunch while Zachariah went to english class. I need to memorize Philippians 2:1-16a PRONTO! excuse me while I go cram these verses into my head...

cm

Sunday, May 9, 2010

The Adventure Called LIfe Day 222...surprise...

today i drove to South Lyon after River Tree and the lunch we were invited to. Andy's parents had us all over for steak and potatoes to thank us for our time and sacrifice for River Tree. I hope someday to repay them for all the work and the blessing they have been in my life.

Mom wasn't surprised. at all. turns out that she overheard me on the phone with dad. I'm really loud. BIG surprise. lol.

well the good news is that im done with my final video! YAY. also, I just have to draw up the storyboard and im completely done with VID 202. awesome. Chemistry is also done except for the final exam on thursday. I have a CMI 344 paper to write, but other than those few things, only organizing the choral library and packing stand in my way to get out of SAU for two weeks.

time to draw up a story board and get some work done on my CMI assignment. *sigh* almost done

cm

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Adventure Called LIfe Day 221...blustery, lazy day...

okay, so it isn't extremely lazy, but boy is it blustery outside!

It stormed last night im sure, but i sure didn't hear it! I slept for about ten hours. Then I woke up, got something to eat, watched an episode of Criminal Minds, now I have laundry in at the apartments. Zachariah is supposed to stop by on his way through Parma towards his home town. Now I'm working on my chemistry papers, and watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It astonishes me how polite little Harry Potter is. Very peculiar really. He is treated so awfully as a child in his aunt and uncle's home, you would think he would be a rude little bugger. but no, he's a polite little fellow. goodness I sound like Hagrid! lol...

well, time to get back to my papers, and anxiously await Zachariah's little visit :)

tonight we're going to the Like Jonathan Concert! Woot! Woot!

cm

Friday, May 7, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 220...and the thunder rolls...

mmmMMMmmm. I love thunderstorms. although i like them better when experienced either in bed with the windows open so you can feel the strong gusts of wind and almost feel the lightning as it flashes in the darkness, i do think they would be quite enjoyable experienced curled up on the couch, staring into the nothingness with a certain someone.

for once he's being responsible. thats just great :) leaves me all alone on a friday night. didn't think that would happen when I became "unsingle"

oh well. I guess some time to myself wouldn't hurt. I could watch a movie, paint my nails. I just finished taking a shower, shaving my legs. I do have to find something to eat. hmmm. maybe I'll just go get subway down the street...Zachariah has a core even tonight. and like the nice girlfriend I am, even on our "one month" he's going to it. no really, it is truly fine, i find it admirable that he enjoys spending time with his core. I sure wish I had had that experience. He is also leading worship tonight. :) that makes me smile. Don't know if I'll see him later, that would be nice, but he does need sleep, and so do I. but.

no one is as lucky as us.

happy one month dear!

cm

Thursday, May 6, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 219...one week...

I move out next week. one week from today. AH!

crazy. just plain crazy. Three years. POOF!

its gone.

good thing i've got two more years....YIPEE!!!

*big silly smile*

for some reason, amidst the stress, I feel ridiculously joyous. PRAISE THE LORD.

in addition to Jesus...it must be this boy I know...

seriously. He's given me a chance. I have had this unyielding desire to love someone, to make them as happy as I can. and Ta-Daa! Here's Zachariah!

*sigh* I'm so happy.

Lord,
Let me remember this day. When I feel like the world is crashing down, let me remember how strong you are. That your JOY is forever my strength. Thank you. I love you.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

cm

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 218...distance...

hmmm.

I know relationships are work. and I'm just plain awful at this. I care for Zach so much. He is such a wonderful person, He understands me, notices me. Then I go and question my heart.

can I truly love someone, when I can't love myself?

I'm afraid the answer is no. It really is.

The good news is that I am learning to love myself more and more everyday.

the reason?

well, of course my relationships with Jesus Christ is at the core of this journey. The human side is, you guess ed it...

Zachariah.

yup. He's great. really stressed, and really sleep deprived, but all he does is want to make me happy. Who ever thought I would find someone who wanted to make me as happy as I want to make them? funny eh? yup. its just plain grand.

so is distance the answer? is it the best way to allow each other us to get things we need to get done? or is there harm in enjoying each other's company while we go about scrambling like maniacs to get things done for the end of the semester. We both pride ourselves in doing good work and turning our assignments in. But can't we also pursue each other as we pursue Christ and our studies?

well, here's to flying by the seat of our pants in this relationship. You guys all know I've never done this before. We will just have to see where this goes...

Lord,
remain the center of my life. strip away the distractions from you. I love you. Be with Zachariah as he finishes up the semester.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

cm

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 217...hard day's night...


ugh. double ugh. life is truly great right now, i just feel exhausted. its been a hard day's night. ugh.

well, Zachariah and I are doing well. He's stressed out, and so am i. I guess we're just like two little peas in a pod. how delightful. lol...

anyway, Its late, this post is going up late, but i don't really care. Our choir concert went well. thats something to smile about :) I feel bad, we forgot to get Dr. Livesay a gift and also Renee something. We'll have to remedy that for the banquet which is on monday. I'm super excited, I get to wear a pretty dress and go with Zachariah. that will be fun.

I'm singing in lab on friday. I'm going to keep listening to some recordings of the song, hopefully get the rhythm of the second half down better. I practice with Susanna tomorrow afternoon.

well, goodnight. i have to be up early to print off my paper before chem lecture tomorrow. also, really thinking about not going to chapel..im such a heathen. yeah, right!

cm

Monday, May 3, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 216...getting ahead...

whoa. back up.

getting ahead?

did i read that right?

oh yes :) welcome to the last week of the semester. and because Jesus is awesome. I am now ahead. I have two papers done. That means I can start on my last paper due this week tomorrow. Edit the two papers I wrote today, and turn them in all polished and nice on Wednesday. Then I can finish shooting my video and begin editing my video on Wednesday. I'll finish the paper I started on tuesday on thursday, turn it in on friday and use friday for a final video day. This officially rocks. Thanks Jesus, you're awesome. I haven't been getting enough sleep, I know its only His strength that has brought me through.

it also helps I have someone so amazing by my side. Zachariah is a great boyfriend. He is wonderful, loving, compassionate, and he is a hard worker, just like yours truly.

well, looks like I can relax a little bit before bed. awesome.

PRAISE THE LORD!

cm

Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 215...the line between life and death...

for some odd reason, I had the desire to go strolling through the Marshall Cemetery. I hope Zachariah didn't think im too morbid or weird. I feel very at peace in a cemetery.

Sometimes the reminder that I am just a breath, that I'm no more than a blink of an eye in eternity is a great reminder. It tends to put things into perspective.

well. now here we go. the last mad one-week dash of the semester. after that is exam week. oh joy :)

goodnight!

cm

Saturday, May 1, 2010

The Adventure Called Life Day 214...rain, rain, go away...

so. we went to the race track. and it rained just as we were starting feature races :( boo.

now im back at home. getting ready for bed. Zach and I are going to his church in the morning. we're leaving my house at about nine.

goodnight!

cm