more often than not

more often than not, I find myself wishing I was part of a book club.

Yesterday, I went to my favorite bookstore in the whole world. (Wow, that was a bit of an overstatement, I think. Suffice it to say, it's changed my life). I went there to escape my house for a little while because I've been sick. Not dangerously sick or anything, I sensed your concern, just a cold. It is a little bit of a downer on Christmas holidays, but really, I don't have anything to do anyways And this cold gives me an excuse to sit at home and do basically nothing. Dangit, tangent. Anyways, I went to Lemuria and was startled and even a bit upset at first to see that there were 5 million people there. However, with my chai in one hand and a bucket of fierce determination, I stuck it out in hopes of finding a gem or two. And boy, did I. I found exactly what I needed for a good ole fashioned romp. For those of you struggling to find a true translation for the word 'romp', it's basically a rollicking good ride. Good luck translating my translation. I think it comes from the idea of reading non-challenging books whilst on holiday (even if most books I read feel like a challenge anyhow..) Perhaps next time I decide to write something on this here 'blog' (that word makes me nervous) those books I found can be something we can chat about. Once again, I wish I was part of a book club. Then people will be forced to listen to what I say about books.

more often than not, I wished I lived outside.

I know that sounds really unusual. And don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the ingenuity of man to create houses and electricity and running water (all given by God, by the way, just saying). But two days ago, my lovely neighbors and I went to their great tree in their front yard and played. You see, some of the leaves had fallen and we had a blast running around in the leaves, and lying in the leaves, and such. They even buried me in leaves. It was GREAT. I sat underneath that blanket of leaves and thought about how I really wouldn't mind sleeping outside with these leaves all the time. It made me appreciate God, again. He puts me in awe a lot. I'm glad He does. God is good. Pictures from our adventure:

she's a beaut. inside and out.

best frands.

what a wonderful little soul.

best neighbors ever.

more often than not, I find I have ZERO Christmas spirit.. and I don't know why.

Also yesterday (yes, yesterday was an eventful day for me), I got in a truck that we named 'the magical sleigh' and took off for Canton, the "city of lights". The rules for this sleigh ride were strict: 1. No talking about anything other than Christmas things 2. No listening to anything other than Christmas music 3. You must dip your candy canes into the steaming hot chocolate for the full effect 4. You must comment on every single blinking light out there. I knew before I went on this sleigh ride that I'm not one for Christmas spirit, but this year I decided to really REALLY try to get into the 'spirit' (that word also makes me nervous). This year I have honestly put a huge effort into working on my Christmas spirit. Hence, the sleigh ride, the continuous Sufjan Christmas album, etc, because my lack thereof concerns me. And here is my diagnosis: I am a horrible person. Because I have no Christmas spirit. Not one bit. I've tried everything. I've given every bit of the Christmas season a fair shot and nothing makes me giddy or makes me want to give everyone presents or stare at lights for hours. Is this wrong of me? Now, I'm talking simply about the commericial-ly part of Christmas. Not the Jesus part. I love that part. I WILL sing old hymns about Jesus being born in Bethlehem in exactly the wrong way, as seen by the Jews. They were hoping for this marvelous King that would save them from oppression to come in a way a little more... extravagant. But alas, Jesus does love to turn your thinking upside down. He came as a baby, in a dirty stable. With gross animals all around him. God came down from heaven and became man. Jesus was both GOD and man. At one time. This gets me every time. This changes everything. But that's another tangent. So, I take this time to think about that more, and that does make me excited, but those dadgum lights and ornaments and reindeer and fat Santa's do not. Sorry. So do I have Christmas spirit? Or not? What do YOU think?

I'm off to do some more wandering around. If you think about it, leave me a comment on this here thing. I wonder while I'm writing if anyone reads. Godspeed to you all, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

.m.p.d.

o ancient doors.

I have this job. 
It's probably the greatest job anyone could ever ask for. 
I have the best boss. The coolest coworkers. We work long hours together. This job will definitely be one of the main things I miss when I go to Belmont in the fall. 
We do stuff like: 
shoot wasps nests with giant slingshots and balloons full of wasp poison. 
lead an entire dining hall full of strangers in the Jai Ho dance.
drive giant tractors.
rescue people who have fallen out of their canoe into the lake.
drive around on golf carts dressed as a bumblebees, princesses, and generally, just idiots.
we answer the phone with "Twin Lakes, this is a Storm Trooper, how may I help you?"
tell folks about Jesus.
and also show them Jesus by serving them however we can.


I'm a Host at Twin Lakes Conference Center in (contrary to popular belief) HARRISVILLE.


One time, months ago, I was hosting with these two great guys named Aubrey and Ethan. I got off earlier than them and left them a note that greeted them as they walked in. It was Psalm 24. I left them that specific Psalm because it says "the LORD of hosts". And we're hosts! It just fit. 
They thought it was very clever and funny. We even approached our boss-man about putting it on our uniforms. It didn't work, haha.


I know that story was very anti-climatic. BUT. The moral of the story isn't the horrible climax. It's the Psalm. You should read it sometime. And just in case you'd like to read it now, I've left it for ya. Just thinking ahead, you know.


[a psalm of David]

The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
  for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
  He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
  He will receive blessing from the LORD
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
  Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
  Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle!
  Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
  Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory!
 (Psalm 24)


listen here. This is Nathan Clark George singing Psalm 24. I know this is a bad recording, but I really wanted you to see this guy. That's what's cool about this guy; he makes songs out of straight scripture, and it's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Once, I got to help Nathan pack up all his sound gear and everything, just him and me, and then he said "thank you!" What a great guy! It's kind of a shining point in my life. (side note little fact about me: I get incredibly star-struck). 


So listen to the Psalm. Or just read it. Whichever. But most importantly:
Let it soak into those bones. 
Let it carry you away.


Lastly, guys! He is the King of glory! The LORD, strong and mighty!


peace

:)

nowadays.

These past few days have been full of enlightenment, honestly. A few things:

1. I'm really seeing God show me a lot lately. He's showing me my sin (I've been praying for that). He's showing me how selfish I am... How I'd do anything not to be uncomfortable or inconvenience myself. I'm ridiculous guys... But thankfully, I have a Savior. Who, oddly enough, loves me beyond belief and saves me from that selfishness and all the rest of my sin even though I don't deserve it.. at all.  He's teaching me how to serve in a different way. What I mean is,

I've always known that I love serving people. I love ministry. God might even have that involved in my future in some way. But lately, in a bad situation that I didn't know the answer to and just wanted to give up, He's shown me that even though I'm not happy with where I am, I can still minister to the people around me. He's even placed people on my heart that I need to minister to. It's fantastic. God really does answer prays and has a plan for your life, if you were speculating. 

2. Nextly, I've pushed myself to be more social. Instead of hiding away in my room reading books (which I didn't think I did all that much, until the other day). I've got these new-ish friends. They aren't really new, because I've known them almost my whole life. But our friendship is pretty new. These are some awesome girls:

Kendall Kirk: artist, fashionista. 

&

Christine Bowman: dancer, a little piece of sunshine

We spent a whole evening together and I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard in my whole life. These two are wonderful. If you ever come across them, you'll never be the same, honestly. We talked and talked for two and half hours having a tea party at Aladdin. We took wayyyy too many pictures on Photo Booth at Kendall's. We watched Steel Magnolias at Christine's. I slept on the floor. Incredibly and undeniably content. It was a wonderful evening.

And last night, I had dinner with the wonderful Abigail Grantham. She's sooo much cooler than I ever imagined! I worked with her at Twin Lakes this past summer, but our paths didn't cross much. She's one of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met. We had dinner at Olive Garden then met up with her boy Michael and played ping pong and caught up with other friends I don't see often enough. I had such a great time with those Belhaven folks!

3. I worked at Twin Lakes today! I always love working at Twin Lakes. It's the place to be, inexplicably. I worked ropes, which I haven't in a long time. I love working on the 40ft platform because I love encouraging the people coming across the Spooky Tarzan. And Kristen Owens and I got to catch up while she took pictures! I just love her. 

Most importantly about today:

My incredible boss, Tuan, taught me how to drive the tractor!! This is a huge deal because since I've worked at TL, I've wanted to drive the tractor. It's huge! And it's a standard, so I feel super skillful to know how to drive it. A John Deere 5220 tractor, otherwise known as my dream vehicle.

These past few days.. words cannot describe how great they've been.

Thank you, Jesus.