vacaciones

It's Friday again. . . funny how that happens about every 7 days.

I did put my notice in on Monday to leave Allied . . . everyone was great, they were understanding and knew it was "just a matter of time." Wednesday I interviewed for the part-time position at SAFMC as well as talked about doing an internship there, that was a good conversation, very encouraging, it looks like at least the internship is a go, and I'll work on setting it up when Doug Blume gets back from his missions trip. We'll see what happens with the other job.

This morning was the last morning I spent with Moogie (see above), the Kriesch's dog. I was running really late for work, and I had just called my office to let them know I was leaving the house. The last thing I had to do was take the trash out to their garage. . . I go out, and Moogie had, once again, made his escape. They have an outside kennel he stays in during the day, and it's connected to a hole in the garage with a cage made out of wood boards on the inside of the garage. Earlier this week he had finally made enough progress in chewing through one of the boards to break out (this was during a dinner I was eating with some of my friends and one of them quietly asked, "Should the dog be sitting on the porch?"). We nailed another board in its place. . . and this morning I found Moogie running loose in the garage, wreaking havoc, having completely chewed through the new board. Thankfully Robbie and Maria are going to go and try and fix the kennel tonight since I am heading out of town for vacation tonight.

Ah, just another confirmation of the fact that, despite what I might feel about getting one, I do not want the reality of having a dog right now in my life.

I'll be in Wisconsin visiting my mom's family next week. . . so if you don't hear from me -- Go Brasil!! Think of me as I'll be trying to listen to the world cup game Saturday, hopefully able to pick up a radio station that carries it. Or think of me eating copious amounts of wonderful cheese.

tidbits

And here are some things that have piqued my interest lately:

Roadtripsummer -- Kat and Alisha, some friends from SAU, are taking a dream road trip across the U.S. -- this is their story! I absolutely love it!!

Imagens Do Mato Grosso -- a blog by a Brazilian photographer, the pictures are from the same state in Brasil that I've visited

Fox Sport's World Cup page -- links to scores, a Match Tracker where they post each play, etc.

"Dealing with the Quarterlife Crisis" -- a MSN Encarta article

Chapel -- Spring Arbor University -- you can now listen to the past year's chapel services online, as well as subscribe to the Chapel podcast. So far, I recommend listening to Ken Brewer and Mary Darling's chapel messages.

Romania VISA trip 2006 -- SAFMC's Romania trip updates

SAU Masters in Spiritual Formation and Leadership -- in case you were wondering what that's all about

what is up

Welp (to quote the great Lisa Rowland) . . .
Man, so much has happened in the past few weeks, too much to detail out -- but here's the rundown.
I recently started meeting with Ken Brewer, an SAU prof and an informal mentor, and another SAU student, for inner healing prayer sessions -- long story, but some things kept coming up that made it clear I needed to do this, it's something I'd wanted to do for a while but was too scared to start doing for a while. Anyway, on our June 14 session there was a HUGE breakthrough, which could be the subject of its own blog all by itself, but the basic gist is, there have been some evil spirits oppressing me for years and years, and I was freed from them that night. This wasn't totally a surprise as God had pretty much showed me a few months ago that could be going on, but it was weird, to be honest, although done in a completely biblical manner, which I have always trusted Ken with doing. There is way more I could say, and I welcome any questions or comments as this can be a controversial topic, but I just mention this not to try and get attention, but as a way to praise God for the amazing change He's brought to my life (which has happened in so many ways, again, too much to tell here) and involve you, my friends, in sharing my joy.

So that's the biggest thing that's happened lately. . . other topics worthy to mention include:
Dog-sitting for Ben and Kristin Kriesch -- see my Flickr link for pics of all the fun we've had while they've been away. Their dog Moogie is officially my new best friend, and I am loving having a whole house to myself.
Maria and Robbie are back -- and it has been great hanging out with them. They are so goofy in love!! And are great at coming up with random things to do such as karaoke and watching the harness racing at the fairgrounds.
Quitting -- I put my notice in at my job with Allied yesterday. I am pursuing setting up a part-time internship with Spring Arbor Free Methodist, as well as looking to start the Masters of Spiritual Formation and Leadership online through SAU this fall. And consequently will be looking for a part time job. These are all things I had been mulling over for quite some time, but I got really discouraged and distracted for a while from God's leading and wasn't being very obedient to where He was guiding. I am excited about the new changes, and have so much peace about the decision, but I am also sad to be leaving great co-workers and bosses.
Challenges -- concerns I have for various friends, car repair needs, and general life -- but boy do I have a different attitude towards all these!! I am definitely learning the power and necessity of prayer in all things, and God is giving me the strength and peace to leave those concerns with Him.
Vacation -- next week I'm going with my family to Wisconsin. This will be the first family vacation I've gone on in 4 years -- and the first actual vacation I've taken in about 2 years. Needless to say, I'm excited for the chance to rest and for a chance to see my mom's family.

Consider yourselves updated.

a whole new meaning

From Psalm 30:1-2, 11-12 (just had to post it twice since it's true in a new way for me)

I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me. . .
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.


Isaiah 60:1-3 (the passage Jesus quotes in Luke 4 about Himself)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

plan S revealed

Well, it is finally time. . . I had mentioned "Plan S" (which again you have to speak as being Spanish and not English even though it's spelled the same). Well, on May 20, after one month of secretly taking lessons from a friend. . . I went to Tanya's going away dance at Ann Arbor, and actually danced. . . salsa!!

(Sorry it's blurry, it's a picture of a picture) Carlos Mauricio and I are doing some sort of turn there.
This was a pretty big deal for me . . . sometime a few months ago I decided I finally wanted to learn how to dance, which is something I've never gone out with our friends and done before. There was a lot of pressure to dance, which I didn't like, and it's also hard for me to allow myself to be vulnerable socially like that. There are also a lot of potential temptations and drama involved many times when people go out to dance, which I largely try to steer clear of. And I just didn't have much desire to dance anyway!! But, when I finally started wanting to, I prayed about whether or not I should and it seemed like it was ok, one of our friends who took salsa lessons and is great, Carlos Mauricio, agreed to teach me (and his girlfriend Rachel graciously agreed to let him). Tanya had taught me the basic steps, and then she went with me when I took a couple of lessons a week for a month, and we got a routine down. And there you have it -- I surprised myself and can do pretty well for a beginner. I have always liked salsa music (as opposed to other latin styles that I don't really care for) and it has been so fun to work on a secret project like this. And I also surprised a lot of our friends who were always trying to understand (unsuccessfully) why I wouldn't ever dance.

So, there you have it. I still am not a big fan of going out to dances all the time, that whole scene is becoming even less appealing as time goes on, and I am intentionally limiting how much I go so I don't fall into habits I will later regret, but I think I would like to keep taking classes either from Carlos Mauricio or in Lansing. And I can practice some on my own. It's really helped me learn how to enjoy myself and have fun, something I struggle with at times. I also learned some good lessons from the first dance about the value of relationships vs. ability in Hispanic culture. And it would be fun in the future if I ever date to (maybe) have someone else to learn with.

blogging

This article sums up a lot of things that go through my mind when I read some blogs, especially ones that are devoted to a certain topic/forum (i.e. Christianity Today's Out of Ur and other polictical, scholastic, and religious blogs). Most frustrating thing that often occurs? I like to call it "blog rage".
Anyway, I thought this was a good article.
"Goodbye, Blog"
http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2006/003/17.36.html

words to hold on to

It's been a tough week or so. . . I've definitely been holding on to these words for dear life.

Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Psalm 30:11-12 (NASB)
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

another good date

I like these fun numerical dates. . .
happy

06-06-06 !!

adios, adios, que te vayas bien

Yesterday was a bittersweet day. . . we saw the FMWM Chile DREAM team off to the airport. There are 12 young adults heading off to Chile until August 4 to work with local church planters in Santiago -- what an exciting opportunity!

It was harder for my friends and I to watch our roommate and one of our best friends, Tanya Metzler, leave for the trip. Tanya is also going to Chile, but once she returns, she'll be home for about 10 days and then will leave again to go to Tacna, Peru for 18 months as a VISA missionary. It's hard to watch someone you've lived with, worked with in ministry, and had such a good friendship with, leave for that type of trip. We'll see her again in August, but as she said, "it's just a visit" this time, and her room in the house is now bare and lonely.

Please pray for Tanya as she is raising the last of her support and as she is on the Chile trip and preparing for Peru. And pray for our circle of friends -- it's been a big week of changes with Maria getting married and moving out, and with Tanya moving out and a number of our other close friends being gone on the Chile trip as well. It's good change but hard change.