humblelove's Xanga

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:16:11 GMT

I am enjoying my new life as a full time graduate student and a part time mother's helper. It's a little strange waking up and having no where to go all morning. I am a little lonely sometimes, but I have to remind myself how blessed I am to have such a relaxed schedule. No more late nights, no more feelings of way to much to do and not enough time. I have just the right amount of time and it's wonderful.

Things have been a little crazy over the last two months - new job, new home, a trip to Michigan, Houston, and Pennsylvania, oh and of course school. I am ready for a little bit of normal, but I am enjoying the ups and downs.

Life changes

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:03:47 GMT

Well, Teen Mania has once again layed people off. I will be honest and say that it is emotionally difficult to bare. We all love TM so much, but can't help feeling betrayed and hurt. I've spent a lot of time praying and reading scripture and choosing not to be bitter, only to have words come out of my mouth and tears well up in my eyes that leave no doubt that the process is not over.

I am very thankful that Nate still works there. Still, I find myself having to fight to be fully supportive. I have come to the conclusion that my trust must be in the Lord. I want to be nervous for Nate, to be skeptical and guarded, and have a plan B - but I've met people that live their lives like that, I don't want to be that person. In truth, we must rely on the Lord to lead us. He is faithful and He has drawn Nate to TM and He drew me there, and He knows what He is doing.

I have seen His provision in my life and in the lives of my friends. His plan is going forward, unhindered. It is wonderful to watch and stand in faith and know He has it taken care of.

I will be starting a wonderful job in a few days. It pays well, so I will be able to work very part time and concentrate on school. Classes start in a few days and I am excited to get started again. I can take an extra class, and if things work out, finish a whole semester earlier than if I had stayed with Teen Mania.

I have had 3 weeks with no work. At first I didn't think I would be able to bear the loneliness of being home alone all day. But, with the layoffs increasing, my friends now have plenty of time to hang out. And, my dear friend Jen Salsgiver is staying here until she can find a job and apartment. I love her company and it could not have come at a better time.

Lord Jesus, we trust you. Please complete the work you have begun in our hearts. May this next season be just as you have planned it and desire it to be.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:38:58 GMT

I cannot believe it has been so long since I posted! I guess the truth of the matter is that although I love the simplicity of life - reports on my day might be boring. I went home for my sister's wedding and was able to visit the kids I used to nanny for. While I have no desire to be a nanny again, I do miss being able to post about the funny things they do and say. Below are pictures from the wedding. Enjoy!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:12:35 GMT

10 comments!!! Hurray!!!

I have no idea why they were talking to oranges, but I'll look into it. Oh, I miss you all so much. I want to reply and spend the whole night on xanga, but I need to write a paper so I can go to a Jason Upton concert tomorrow. I'm just posting now because I want to share my joy with you.

My brother is home from war! I'm so happy. Praise the Lord.

Roads week

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:33:19 GMT

The week of roads - when the whole campus goes crazy in attempt to sort out who should stay next year. People who want to stay as core advisers have to carry an egg around all the time. My assistant, a current CA, stole a girl's egg that sits near by (she had abandoned it temporarily and that is against the rules). Hid it, then painted one of my plastic easter eggs with white out and showed it to her. That's where the fun began....

Earlier today I noticed a guy talking to an orange like it was a cell phone. Then, another girl was doing the same thing. Then, the cafe was filled with people talking to oranges. Someone said that it was "the roads" and that seemed to make everything ok - like it wasn't abnormal at all that people were talking to fruit.

The kicker, however, came when this email was sent out to the staff:

There is some confusion from our participants on the BCOM roads…

Some think they can not use both arms and hands in their MP… but they can and should. It is with the rest of their day that they are to focus on not using an arm ( eating, showering, getting dressed and so on). So in MP, they should be using both arms, both hands, and all 10 fingers. Lord help us all.

Thanks,

Director of the Graduate Interns

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:00:47 GMT

Thu, Feb 28, 2008 -- Welcome to week two!

Welcome to week two of COUN 502: Human Growth and Development. Don't get behind!

Warmly,

Dr Ralph

Well, I have a giant paper and a test due at the end of the week, so I really shouldn't be posting, but I thought that greeting was funny.

In other news, I spent Easter in the snow, and it was wonderful. I am getting an A in COUN 501! I got a 100 on my first test and was soo excited I called my parents.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:42:09 GMT

It was 70 degrees today
My husband and I went for a walk without coats
My homework is done
Denver fixed the format on the volunteer page
I spoke with Emily Coleman and my dad
and have just finished a giant chocolate chip and reeces pieces cookie
fresh out of the oven
with mint chocolate chip ice cream on top
It has been a good day.

In other news, I slowed the car down to look at a cow that was standing by the fence watching th cars go by. Nate rolled down the window and mooed at it and the entire heard, standing off in the distance, looked up and mooed back at him. Yep, that pretty much sums up life in East Texas.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:58:45 GMT

It snowed on Friday! None of it stuck to the roads, but we had a light dusting on the grass for several hours. As a result of the "storm" Dallas completely shut down and schools were closed. I braved the conditions and still went to work. Some of the interns have never seen snow, so they were all outside throwing snowballs at each other and taking pictures. I even saw two people with umbrellas!

I'm halfway done with my first class! This week I had a post, a two page paper, and a test. They are all done and I think they went well. My second class starts in one week and I'm very excited and a little nervous about the increase in work load.

We have almost met our "functional" goal for volunteers for every most of the events. Considering I was told by two previous managers that I shouldn't expect to meet our goals, I'm feeling pretty good. I have named my team the Believers because we just have to believe and trust the Lord for the volunteers we need. I feel that we are truly co-laboring with Christ everyday trying to get volunteers. I know reporting on numbers is not nearly as entertaining as my Karina stories, but my team just can't compete on that level.

We did steal Reggie the dinosaur from the registration girls upstairs. We took pictures of him creating havoc in our office and being fought off by plastic Indians. I thought it was hilarious, but they didn't think it was very funny, so we gave him back and went back to work. Oh, well.

Gabe Agular came for a visit this week. Gabe's studying to be chef, so we ate lots of amazing food. I'm very full. It was wonderful to see him!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:18:43 GMT

ATF Volunteers now has a myspace and is on facebook!
Tell your friends, we need more volunteers.
http://www.myspace.com/atfvolunteers

http://vccs.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8251279654&ref=mf

Here is a picture of a couple of my girls volunteering in Baton Rouge. We went as a team two weeks ago.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:34:23 GMT

Work: Constantly trying to come up with new ideas, new ways to promote volunteers. I like it, but we've hit a slump and have been facing large drop rates. I hate telling the staff that we have enough, only for them to get to the event and have half of what I said show up. I just have to keep thinking of what to do to fix it, and keep praying against it.

Life: I'm busy with school, but I like it. Just trying to stay balanced, which is a challange. I'm already thinking that adding a second class in two weeks will be a mistake. I need to do two classes at once, but I have no idea how that is suppossed to fit in the schedule. Still, this year is going so much better than former experiances of college and Teen Mania. I go to bed on time. Nothing has been last minuet. I'm on top of it, largely thanks to Nate, and it feels wonderful.

Random thoughts: I pass about 100 cows on my 10 minute drive to work. Today I was watching them and saw two try to eat the same piece of grass at the same time and one of the cows got mad and head butted the other cow and rammed her away from the grass. The funny thing is they were surrounded by a huge field of grass. Made me think about my own selfishness. Sometimes, I just forget about the other grass, forget that I am being provided for by the Great I AM. Sometimes the inner thought is just, "Hello, I'm trying to advance the Kingdom, don't eat my grass!"