I'm still not sure about the title for this post. I couldn't seem to find the right phrases to capture the essence of this post. I would never let myself title is Home Sweet Home. I thought about working in something about the home front, but let's face it that would be lame. My personal favorite was Homeward Bound (ah, those movies are terrible) but then I realized that I'm already here, so I would either be lying or making a statement that I was trapped here. Anyway, I'm sure you're just dying to see what exactly this post is going to be so let's get on with it.
I didn't know just how much I enjoyed spending time with my new friends until they were all so far away. We've seen each other almost every day for the past few months that I think I'm going through withdrawals. However, I have enjoyed getting to see my old friends. I had a lot of catching up to do with a few people and I really miss them. I still have to get around to hanging out with some more people, which I haven't been working at as hard as I should have (some days I have more conversations with people in other states than my friends here...oops).
The freedom of college life is fun, but there isn't much better than home cooked meals and a nice bedroom all to myself. Plus, I get to build fires all the time (well, when it gets cold enough...stupid Texas weather). I'm enjoying a fire right now in fact.
Christmas is coming up pretty slowly. I'm used to getting out of school with only two or three days until Christmas, so I'm having to get used to this. Trying to eat healthy...healthy-er at least...is pretty difficult right now with all the toffee, popcorn stuff, and other treats that seem to just pour in over the holidays. I mean, I'm an Anderson and we know how to snack.
I'm sort of boring myself with this post now so I hope it hasn't been that way for you. Since I'm pretty sure that only my family reads this thing there's no need for a cheesy Merry Christmas ending or anything because I'll be seeing you then anyway.
Adios
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
One down...
Wasn't I just moving into the dorm a few weeks ago? How is the semester over already? This semester has flown by and it has been more fun and more exciting than I ever thought it would be. I think it's time for a highlight reel (except in words and not film). We'll do this in a Top 10 format just to build up some suspense. Some of these things are going to be events, some of them are going to be just thoughts, and some are whatever I want.
10. I'm really thankful for Midway. This semester has been a breeze and I know that I have the AP program at Midway to thank for that. If only the rest of my college career could be so easy...
9. I'm increasingly grateful for the gifts that God has given me, especially my family. I have been blessed with generous parents and sister who feeds me.
8. I've been able to read a lot more than I have in the past year. I like books.
7. The Presidential Scholarship people are considering removing the on-campus living requirement. What more do I have to say about this?
6. Last year was rough without my two best friends at home. Now I get to see them all the time. Sometimes our schedules conflict but we always make time. I love them so much.
5. Seekers of the Word is the greatest thing in the world. God is showing me so much about myself and about worshiping Him. I'm gaining such great experience for youth ministry.
4. Seekers performed at Middleton prison (as you know from the previous blog) and it opened my eyes to the power and grace of God. He truly is our savior and He is EVERYWHERE.
3. I miss Kayla and Darby so much. Seeing them over Thanksgiving was awesome and I can't wait to see them for Christmas. I love you two. That being said, having Hannah here has been so great. I didn't realize how much I really missed seeing her crazy red-headed self in the halls at school and at home until I got out here. Needless to say, I meet a lot of people because of her. I love my Hankie and I'm glad we still have one more semester here together.
2. I love all of my Seeker friends. We are the most unique group of people that I have ever met and it's great. I'm getting closer to the ones I already knew and building new friendships with everyone else. We do almost everything there is to do, from a 12 hour Lord of the Rings marathon to murder mystery parties. That's just one more way that God has blessed me through Seekers.
1. I love my fellow freshman Seekers. We really started hanging out a few weeks ago, but those few weeks have been the most fun I've had in a long time. We determined that we've spent about 43 hours out of the past 72 together. That's ridiculous. In one day we went to the zoo, gathered and ate pecans on campus, went to four fast food restaurants (in a sort of progressive dinner thing that we made up), and watched a double feature at the drive-in. They are awesome friends and I'm going to miss them over the break.
This doesn't really cover everything from this semester (I have to save some for stories over the break) but, as I said, it's the highlights. The main thing that has happened this semester is I have grown in my faith and feel more blessed than ever before.
10. I'm really thankful for Midway. This semester has been a breeze and I know that I have the AP program at Midway to thank for that. If only the rest of my college career could be so easy...
9. I'm increasingly grateful for the gifts that God has given me, especially my family. I have been blessed with generous parents and sister who feeds me.
8. I've been able to read a lot more than I have in the past year. I like books.
7. The Presidential Scholarship people are considering removing the on-campus living requirement. What more do I have to say about this?
6. Last year was rough without my two best friends at home. Now I get to see them all the time. Sometimes our schedules conflict but we always make time. I love them so much.
5. Seekers of the Word is the greatest thing in the world. God is showing me so much about myself and about worshiping Him. I'm gaining such great experience for youth ministry.
4. Seekers performed at Middleton prison (as you know from the previous blog) and it opened my eyes to the power and grace of God. He truly is our savior and He is EVERYWHERE.
3. I miss Kayla and Darby so much. Seeing them over Thanksgiving was awesome and I can't wait to see them for Christmas. I love you two. That being said, having Hannah here has been so great. I didn't realize how much I really missed seeing her crazy red-headed self in the halls at school and at home until I got out here. Needless to say, I meet a lot of people because of her. I love my Hankie and I'm glad we still have one more semester here together.
2. I love all of my Seeker friends. We are the most unique group of people that I have ever met and it's great. I'm getting closer to the ones I already knew and building new friendships with everyone else. We do almost everything there is to do, from a 12 hour Lord of the Rings marathon to murder mystery parties. That's just one more way that God has blessed me through Seekers.
1. I love my fellow freshman Seekers. We really started hanging out a few weeks ago, but those few weeks have been the most fun I've had in a long time. We determined that we've spent about 43 hours out of the past 72 together. That's ridiculous. In one day we went to the zoo, gathered and ate pecans on campus, went to four fast food restaurants (in a sort of progressive dinner thing that we made up), and watched a double feature at the drive-in. They are awesome friends and I'm going to miss them over the break.
This doesn't really cover everything from this semester (I have to save some for stories over the break) but, as I said, it's the highlights. The main thing that has happened this semester is I have grown in my faith and feel more blessed than ever before.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Tale of Two Posts
It seems that I'm not that great at keeping up with this blogging thing yet. I'll get there eventually (though hopefully not to the point of obsession as is the case with one sister of mine...ahem...Kayla). Anyway, I have really two different events and topics but I don't want to post two times in one day because that is a little excessive. Which means that you, the lucky reader, will now receive two posts for the price of one.
Post #1: Now and Later
This post has nothing to do with that candy. It's disgusting and I hate it. That said we'll now move on to the actual topic.
Last weekend I went with a few friends from Seekers to help out with a Disciple Now weekend for Mansfield Bible Church (hence the Now part of the title). It was an awesome experience. There I was going in to be a group leader for complete strangers not knowing what age group they were or how many of them there would be. Needless to say I was a little nervous. When we got there I found out that I would be leading a group of senior high boys and that most of them were juniors and seniors. My first thought was, "These guys are pretty much my age. They're not going to want to listen to me. They don't even know who I am." Right before I got in the car with the youth intern Cody to go to my host home where the boys would meet us I found out that the other group leader who was supposed to be helping me would not be coming and that Cody would help out a little but he also had to "float" from group to group. It's at these moments that I can almost hear God chuckle and see him wink at me with a smirk that says, "Hey, you're the one who thinks he wants be a youth minister." Cody starts to tell me about the group of guys that I'll be leading. They've all grown up in the church and haven't really struggled with big things like drugs and sex. They're problems are more with the fact that the God they worship is their parents' God. They haven't taken their faith into their own hands yet. I told him that what he just explained was the story of my life. At this point God says, "See how I did that?" Well when I met the guys for the first time I realized how much a few months of college changes a person. Sure, I felt a little disconnected with these high school boys, but I also felt the maturity and capability that I've gained. The weekend was amazing. I had such a great time with those guys and they asked me if I would come back next year. I honestly hope that I can. God showed me that this really IS my purpose in life, both right now and in the future. I caught a glimpse of the joy and humility of serving God's youth.
Post #2: Looking for God in All the Wrong Places
The title is a little harsh on the other places that will be mentioned. I have felt God in those places, but not with the same clarity and assurance as the place that I'll focus on. Enough vague prefacing, on to the post.
Surrounding me were many dressed in white. They sang over and over the same praises to God their Father, King, and Redeemer. John's descriptions of heaven in Revelation are moving, but I didn't expect to find a scene that was so similar to those passages of scripture anywhere on earth. Not only did I find such a scene, but I found it in such a place that makes so much sense when I look at how God works. I'm talking about worshiping with the inmates of the prison in Middleton. This semester I have been noticing more and more that it is much harder for me to find God in the conventional places than it used to be. Now when I say "find God" what I really mean, of course, is that it's harder for me to open up to Him. Sunday and Wednesday worship at Southern Hills is good, but it lacks the power that worship used to have. Freshman Devo has gone the way that most scheduled devotionals go: worship, prayer, speaker, worship (repeat as necessary). I was excited at the prospect of Seekers performing at the prison. Most of the older Seekers said that this was their favorite performance. I was ready for God to work through me, but I didn't suspect that He had plans to work ON me. We performed and then sat down to take part in the rest of the service with the men. Seven inmates were baptized while we were there and the worship was truly a celebration. Each song that we sang was sung at least three times through, but the enthusiasm never died down. We could have sung the same song the entire night and everyone would have been perfectly alright with that. The words coming from the lips of these men were not simply meant to rhyme and flow well with the song. They were singing to the one that set them free. These men knew what it meant to be redeemed. They danced, yelled, sang, clapped, and did anything and everything to show God just how much they loved Him. That's when it hit me. God isn't about schedules and routines. God simply wants whatever we can give and He wants and deserves it all. Church was never the place to find God. He's everywhere. Inside that prison I caught a glimpse of heaven on earth and I know that there will be no greater party than the Judgment Day after party. I can't wait to praise with those men again. They already have their white clothes and they know how to worship, they're just waiting to go home.
Post #1: Now and Later
This post has nothing to do with that candy. It's disgusting and I hate it. That said we'll now move on to the actual topic.
Last weekend I went with a few friends from Seekers to help out with a Disciple Now weekend for Mansfield Bible Church (hence the Now part of the title). It was an awesome experience. There I was going in to be a group leader for complete strangers not knowing what age group they were or how many of them there would be. Needless to say I was a little nervous. When we got there I found out that I would be leading a group of senior high boys and that most of them were juniors and seniors. My first thought was, "These guys are pretty much my age. They're not going to want to listen to me. They don't even know who I am." Right before I got in the car with the youth intern Cody to go to my host home where the boys would meet us I found out that the other group leader who was supposed to be helping me would not be coming and that Cody would help out a little but he also had to "float" from group to group. It's at these moments that I can almost hear God chuckle and see him wink at me with a smirk that says, "Hey, you're the one who thinks he wants be a youth minister." Cody starts to tell me about the group of guys that I'll be leading. They've all grown up in the church and haven't really struggled with big things like drugs and sex. They're problems are more with the fact that the God they worship is their parents' God. They haven't taken their faith into their own hands yet. I told him that what he just explained was the story of my life. At this point God says, "See how I did that?" Well when I met the guys for the first time I realized how much a few months of college changes a person. Sure, I felt a little disconnected with these high school boys, but I also felt the maturity and capability that I've gained. The weekend was amazing. I had such a great time with those guys and they asked me if I would come back next year. I honestly hope that I can. God showed me that this really IS my purpose in life, both right now and in the future. I caught a glimpse of the joy and humility of serving God's youth.
Post #2: Looking for God in All the Wrong Places
The title is a little harsh on the other places that will be mentioned. I have felt God in those places, but not with the same clarity and assurance as the place that I'll focus on. Enough vague prefacing, on to the post.
Surrounding me were many dressed in white. They sang over and over the same praises to God their Father, King, and Redeemer. John's descriptions of heaven in Revelation are moving, but I didn't expect to find a scene that was so similar to those passages of scripture anywhere on earth. Not only did I find such a scene, but I found it in such a place that makes so much sense when I look at how God works. I'm talking about worshiping with the inmates of the prison in Middleton. This semester I have been noticing more and more that it is much harder for me to find God in the conventional places than it used to be. Now when I say "find God" what I really mean, of course, is that it's harder for me to open up to Him. Sunday and Wednesday worship at Southern Hills is good, but it lacks the power that worship used to have. Freshman Devo has gone the way that most scheduled devotionals go: worship, prayer, speaker, worship (repeat as necessary). I was excited at the prospect of Seekers performing at the prison. Most of the older Seekers said that this was their favorite performance. I was ready for God to work through me, but I didn't suspect that He had plans to work ON me. We performed and then sat down to take part in the rest of the service with the men. Seven inmates were baptized while we were there and the worship was truly a celebration. Each song that we sang was sung at least three times through, but the enthusiasm never died down. We could have sung the same song the entire night and everyone would have been perfectly alright with that. The words coming from the lips of these men were not simply meant to rhyme and flow well with the song. They were singing to the one that set them free. These men knew what it meant to be redeemed. They danced, yelled, sang, clapped, and did anything and everything to show God just how much they loved Him. That's when it hit me. God isn't about schedules and routines. God simply wants whatever we can give and He wants and deserves it all. Church was never the place to find God. He's everywhere. Inside that prison I caught a glimpse of heaven on earth and I know that there will be no greater party than the Judgment Day after party. I can't wait to praise with those men again. They already have their white clothes and they know how to worship, they're just waiting to go home.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
College Life
I sit here watching Fun with Dick and Jane on the good old TBS and I think to myself, "What better way to spend my time than create a blog like my sisters."
I assume that the way to begin a blog is to describe the circumstances under which the blog was created. The simple description is that I am in the dorm and bored.
The first months of my college experience have been amazing. Despite the slightly-less-than-appetizing Bean Food (don't believe the rumors, it's still not great) and having to get used to living in the same room as another person, I have been having the time of my life. Obviously, I miss my family and friends but I know that ACU is the place for me.
The biggest change in my life has been Seekers of the Word. I don't think that I have ever felt more at home with any other group in such a short time. Throughout my experience in high school theater there was always a part of me that was dissatisfied with the program (even before politics and annoyance crept in). I see now that the piece that was missing was ministry. I now have the means to use the talent and passion that God gave me to directly serve Him. Seekers has been a huge time commitment with all of the practices and trips, but I can't think of anything more fulfilling that I could be doing with my time.
The biggest surprise in my first semester has been my increasing gratefulness for Midway. I am so thankful for the education and the level of challenge that I received there because it has made my classes seem so much easier in college. I know that my classes will get increasingly more difficult but it's nice to start out with this pleasant surprise.
Well, I have no idea if this is in any way entertaining or informative or whatever these things are supposed to provide to readers, but it's my first post so cut me some slack.
I assume that the way to begin a blog is to describe the circumstances under which the blog was created. The simple description is that I am in the dorm and bored.
The first months of my college experience have been amazing. Despite the slightly-less-than-appetizing Bean Food (don't believe the rumors, it's still not great) and having to get used to living in the same room as another person, I have been having the time of my life. Obviously, I miss my family and friends but I know that ACU is the place for me.
The biggest change in my life has been Seekers of the Word. I don't think that I have ever felt more at home with any other group in such a short time. Throughout my experience in high school theater there was always a part of me that was dissatisfied with the program (even before politics and annoyance crept in). I see now that the piece that was missing was ministry. I now have the means to use the talent and passion that God gave me to directly serve Him. Seekers has been a huge time commitment with all of the practices and trips, but I can't think of anything more fulfilling that I could be doing with my time.
The biggest surprise in my first semester has been my increasing gratefulness for Midway. I am so thankful for the education and the level of challenge that I received there because it has made my classes seem so much easier in college. I know that my classes will get increasingly more difficult but it's nice to start out with this pleasant surprise.
Well, I have no idea if this is in any way entertaining or informative or whatever these things are supposed to provide to readers, but it's my first post so cut me some slack.
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