"A GIRL'S HEART SHOULD BE SO LOST IN GOD, THAT A GUY NEEDS TO SEEK HIM IN ORDER TO FIND HER." (unknown)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Things I Do...!
So, I hope you are in need of a laugh, cause I just did something quite entertaining, or so I thought!
I went jogging today, as I try to do most days. Today I went in a neighborhood that I love to jog in. I park at a local church, and then just start and go where I will. Today I went past old TRBC, and back and then I wove in and out of neighborhoods. Well, I went a LOT farther than I planned, or had the energy for. It is just that I kept thinking the block would open out on the street to take me back to my car, but it kept winding around the OTHER direction. Finally after a couple of miles (honestly, and I was power walking by this point, but still enjoying my iPod) I found a street that looked like it would take me in the direction I wanted to go! I was exhausted by this point and just wanted to sit down for a minute. So I say this church up ahead, or at least the steeple. I jogged to it, and saw this nice lawn and just crashed.
After a couple of minutes, I looked around and figured I should probably get up and head back to my car, now that I knew where I was...I turned my head to the left and two feet away from me was a headstone!!! Yep, I had crashed and was laying down in a little church CEMETARY!!!
It was a nice day, and it was quiet, but I didn't like the thought of laying down in cemetary, I'm not ready for that yet, I want to have kids first by gosh!!! So I got up (rather quickly) and went back to the road and power walked/jogged the mile back to my car.
After I was in my car, I drove around to see how far I had gone today, and going in and out of neighborhoods (and up and down a few hills, ugh) I managed to power walk/jog 5.8 miles!!! I think that deserves some ice cream!!!
I went jogging today, as I try to do most days. Today I went in a neighborhood that I love to jog in. I park at a local church, and then just start and go where I will. Today I went past old TRBC, and back and then I wove in and out of neighborhoods. Well, I went a LOT farther than I planned, or had the energy for. It is just that I kept thinking the block would open out on the street to take me back to my car, but it kept winding around the OTHER direction. Finally after a couple of miles (honestly, and I was power walking by this point, but still enjoying my iPod) I found a street that looked like it would take me in the direction I wanted to go! I was exhausted by this point and just wanted to sit down for a minute. So I say this church up ahead, or at least the steeple. I jogged to it, and saw this nice lawn and just crashed.
After a couple of minutes, I looked around and figured I should probably get up and head back to my car, now that I knew where I was...I turned my head to the left and two feet away from me was a headstone!!! Yep, I had crashed and was laying down in a little church CEMETARY!!!
It was a nice day, and it was quiet, but I didn't like the thought of laying down in cemetary, I'm not ready for that yet, I want to have kids first by gosh!!! So I got up (rather quickly) and went back to the road and power walked/jogged the mile back to my car.
After I was in my car, I drove around to see how far I had gone today, and going in and out of neighborhoods (and up and down a few hills, ugh) I managed to power walk/jog 5.8 miles!!! I think that deserves some ice cream!!!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
To all the men and women (and their families) of the US Armed Forces: thank you for all that do for our country each and every day. America wouldn't be such a wonderful place to live if it wasn't for your dedication to her.
I think it is important for our country to have days set aside where we focus on our military and all that the troops do for us. More than that though, I think it is a shame that more Americans only think about the military on military holidays, like today. Military persons put their lives on the line everyday, they make sacrifices everyday for this country, and they do it willing.
Not to mention that, but to think of the sacrifices the families make as well. Women wondering if their husband is going to make it home at night. Children without Dad or Mom to tuck them into bed, to answer their questions, to play football with. Mothers and fathers burying their children. Not to mention the day to day stress. Being in the military as a member or a family member is not a light calling, it is a higher calling.
America has come a long way since 1776, it amazes me just to think about it. America began as a rag tag group taking on the most highly skilled and trained military in the world. It would be like Puerto Rico fighting the USA and WINNING! The colonists were not supposed to win, or so logic would claim.
To go from a rag tag bunch that had nothing but grit, determination and an unwillingness to loss, to being the world's only superpower is amazing. I take so much for granted each and every day. I can drive my car anyway in this city and feel safe. I get to vote, to own land, to remain single, or to choose a husband. I can wear whatever I want, watch whatever I want to watch on TV or the Internet. I live in such a blessed nation.
So, for all that America means to me each and every day, and for all the sacrifices that have been made to secure America's place and to keep us free and blessed I want to say THANK YOU not only to everyone involved in the armed forces, but more importantly to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, America would not be who she is today. So, THANK YOU!!!
I think it is important for our country to have days set aside where we focus on our military and all that the troops do for us. More than that though, I think it is a shame that more Americans only think about the military on military holidays, like today. Military persons put their lives on the line everyday, they make sacrifices everyday for this country, and they do it willing.
Not to mention that, but to think of the sacrifices the families make as well. Women wondering if their husband is going to make it home at night. Children without Dad or Mom to tuck them into bed, to answer their questions, to play football with. Mothers and fathers burying their children. Not to mention the day to day stress. Being in the military as a member or a family member is not a light calling, it is a higher calling.
America has come a long way since 1776, it amazes me just to think about it. America began as a rag tag group taking on the most highly skilled and trained military in the world. It would be like Puerto Rico fighting the USA and WINNING! The colonists were not supposed to win, or so logic would claim.
To go from a rag tag bunch that had nothing but grit, determination and an unwillingness to loss, to being the world's only superpower is amazing. I take so much for granted each and every day. I can drive my car anyway in this city and feel safe. I get to vote, to own land, to remain single, or to choose a husband. I can wear whatever I want, watch whatever I want to watch on TV or the Internet. I live in such a blessed nation.
So, for all that America means to me each and every day, and for all the sacrifices that have been made to secure America's place and to keep us free and blessed I want to say THANK YOU not only to everyone involved in the armed forces, but more importantly to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, America would not be who she is today. So, THANK YOU!!!
Monday, May 12, 2008
EVERYTHING Has a Cost
So, I am a single woman in 21st century America. With singleness usually comes a greater freedom to go where I want and do what I want (provided I can get the time off work). Guess what!?! When you are in seminary that is not the case!!! Part of being in seminary means that you are BROKE. Insufficient funds, in the poor house, etc. Yet, there is so much that I still want to do.
I want to be able to travel. I'm not talking about going to Europe for two months, or Australia, or forming a expedition to scale Mt. Everest. I am talking about being able to afford to go home once in awhile, go to WDW or even to spend time in Hawaii with people I love. Unfortunately all that costs money, and with the price of oil going sky high the price of travel increases as well.
For all of you that have been listening to me talk about writing my book for years now I have good news. I have a deadline to have it finished... July 7, 2008. It is going to be finished and a few copies of the manuscript will be printed!!! Exciting I know. Especially for me. I am praying that I can get it published and that the Lord will bless it, and just maybe I could use some of the proceeds to do some of this travel I want to do. Not to mention income from a book (which if u r not John Grisham or James Patterson it is hard to live off that income) would help pay for school (Dad will be happy).
Not to mention buy groceries! The cost of food is getting worse! Man alive! I don't mind not having all the disposable income that Paris Hilton has, or Bill Gates, but it would be nice if milk was not white gold. Get real!!! EVERYTHING is getting to be so expensive these days.
Maybe I will go live in the mountains with a cow (for milk) and some chickens! Ok, ok, that isn't realistic...too far from DC for this chick!!! Have a great day!
I want to be able to travel. I'm not talking about going to Europe for two months, or Australia, or forming a expedition to scale Mt. Everest. I am talking about being able to afford to go home once in awhile, go to WDW or even to spend time in Hawaii with people I love. Unfortunately all that costs money, and with the price of oil going sky high the price of travel increases as well.
For all of you that have been listening to me talk about writing my book for years now I have good news. I have a deadline to have it finished... July 7, 2008. It is going to be finished and a few copies of the manuscript will be printed!!! Exciting I know. Especially for me. I am praying that I can get it published and that the Lord will bless it, and just maybe I could use some of the proceeds to do some of this travel I want to do. Not to mention income from a book (which if u r not John Grisham or James Patterson it is hard to live off that income) would help pay for school (Dad will be happy).
Not to mention buy groceries! The cost of food is getting worse! Man alive! I don't mind not having all the disposable income that Paris Hilton has, or Bill Gates, but it would be nice if milk was not white gold. Get real!!! EVERYTHING is getting to be so expensive these days.
Maybe I will go live in the mountains with a cow (for milk) and some chickens! Ok, ok, that isn't realistic...too far from DC for this chick!!! Have a great day!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Paths We Take
Your past really does yank you into the present and alter your future. It really does. As much as we would sometimes like to escape the past that is a no can do request. It is impossible to change the past. If it was, I would be overjoyed. There aren't many things that I regret. I find regret to be a waste of time. I can't change what happened so regret it? Why not use whatever it is and learn from it, grow from the experience and let it make me into a better person? That is my goal. To always be learning; be it in a classroom, church sanctuary or just from living. I am a life long learner.
It amazes me to think sometimes how one event can so drastically alter the course of one's journey. One event. The event I'm thinking of took no more than 1 minute, but that minute really has changed my outlook, sometimes better, sometimes worse. No, I'm not going to disclose what happened. Suffice it to say it wasn't cool.
I will say this, I'm a proud graduate of the Montana State University system. But, no school is perfect. Every school is made of humans so it is doomed to imperfection. For me that is how I was treated when one of my best friends and I reported a crime that happened to our person's on to the campus police.
One thing that all college students know is: if something happens on campus, call the CAMPUS police and they will handle it. Now, it is all well and good to have campus police. And the night in question I was very grateful for them. They responded quickly and professionally. But, let me tell you a secret...Schools like to handle things themselves. So, what happened that night was never prosecuted in court, and my friend and I were sent to a session where we had to face our attacker. Now, there was another adult present mediating, but still why should a victim of an abusive crime have to face her attacker outside of court.
I can understand if I was testifying in a court room, that is different, but in the Student Gov't meeting room? That has always struck me as a little weird. And to have the school not really do anything, and to have it not prosecuted by the DA's office I find to be wholly unsatisfactory in the extreme. There isn't anything I can do about it now, but pray and work within the government for changes.
I don't care that the crime happened on campus, it happened and that should be enough for the DA to get involved. Schools should not be allowed to handle things internally, because normally that means SQUAT! And now, I hear that the guy is free to roam the streets and travel (he was incarcerated 8 months later for a separate crime- same thing to a greater degree of severity, and it happened off campus, so when the girl reported it the crime was prosecuted).
I think this is why I like shows like CSI, SVU, NCIS, Forensic Files, etc. I like them because it shows the police going after the bad guys and the bad guys going to jail. I like a happy ending!
Here is the thing. The first time I am brutally attacked (and I've never shared all the deets with people about that night, nor do I plan on it. Suffice it to say I would never wish it all on the evilest creature) I chose not to report. The second I was attacked, and yes it was much less severe, and there were witnesses as well as a 2nd victim, but I was attacked and I reported to the authorities I was told to. I do what I am supposed to do, and what happens??? Not only is he NOT punished but Sue (name changed) and I are forced to face in some mediation meeting to sort things out!!! HE WAS DRUNK AND ATTACKED US!!! WE HAVE A WITNESS!!! what is there to mediate??
I went from feeling protected by the 2 officers that responded (and I knew from having worked in the campus police office... long story there...!) to being told nothing was going to happen and that he claimed he didn't touch us, so we were going to meet to figure it all out.
Yeah, cuz he had no incentive to lie! It was the word of 2 student senators (Sue and I) and 1 other student that was in the room against him. Not to mention that 5-6 other students saw him drunk and upset (and he was known to be a mean drunk) and head our way, not real pleased with my humble self (why is not an issue really, suffice it to say he didn't understand that what it meant to be broken up-or he was in denial), and he knew where Sue and I were. Let me see, who would I believe??? Two girls that were known to be honest, or some student that was known to abuse alcohol and hurt women??? Hmm... I think we need Einstein or someone here to figure it all out for us!!!
Ok, so I'm upset. I just want to say that things need to change on college campuses. Students need to feel that they are going to be taken seriously and that if something happens on campus there will be justice, and the campus is NOT a law free zone. I have done my research and I have found out, that MT is not in a minority here. Way too often a crime happens on campus, a legit crime, and it is NOT dealt with by the gov't. If more parents were aware of what goes on, I think there would be changes.
I know a LOT of partying goes down on campuses nationwide, but that is not an excuse for schools to do NOTHING. Calling campus security should have the same repercussions as calling 911. There should be no difference in how the perp is dealt with. NONE. People wonder why more students don't report what happened, because the likelihood of it being dealt with properly is not in their favor, it favors the perp. So what if the student is put on academic probation? That is not a huge deal, for most students that doesn't affect their futures as much as an official mark on their rap sheet, or time served.
America puts a LOT of people behind bars, and for a variety of reasons. I am not saying that I think jail time was necessary, but something should have happened. And the silly excuse for a meeting we were forced to attend (by the way it was mandatory. In essence I was given the same punishment for being attacked as my attacker was given!!!) Come on now! The victim is NOT responsible for being attacked. I don't care if I was wearing a neon shirt that flashed and screamed "Come get me thug... I'm all yours!" (I wasn't. I was in an extra large t-shirt and flannel pants and slippers).
The attack started and was over quickly, but that one minute changed the course of my life. I wouldn't be where I am right now, if those events hadn't occurred. Sometimes I wonder where I would be. But, the what if game is useless. I am here, and I am excited that I here. Right here is a good place for me. I doing what I want to be doing (at least I am studying to do what I want to do) and I love where I live. So, it isn't a bad outcome, it is just different.
Isn't that how all of life is though? Each decision we make effects us in ways that we might not realize at the time. Some for good, some for bad. The secret is to have the Holy Spirit living within you to guide you, so that you make the decision that best honors the Lord and His will for your life. If you are grounded in the Bible and prayer and you are listening to the still, small voice, than your life will go down a path that brings glory to the Savior, and joy to your soul because you will know that you are living within His will, and that is precious indeed.
-GOODNIGHT ALL-
It amazes me to think sometimes how one event can so drastically alter the course of one's journey. One event. The event I'm thinking of took no more than 1 minute, but that minute really has changed my outlook, sometimes better, sometimes worse. No, I'm not going to disclose what happened. Suffice it to say it wasn't cool.
I will say this, I'm a proud graduate of the Montana State University system. But, no school is perfect. Every school is made of humans so it is doomed to imperfection. For me that is how I was treated when one of my best friends and I reported a crime that happened to our person's on to the campus police.
One thing that all college students know is: if something happens on campus, call the CAMPUS police and they will handle it. Now, it is all well and good to have campus police. And the night in question I was very grateful for them. They responded quickly and professionally. But, let me tell you a secret...Schools like to handle things themselves. So, what happened that night was never prosecuted in court, and my friend and I were sent to a session where we had to face our attacker. Now, there was another adult present mediating, but still why should a victim of an abusive crime have to face her attacker outside of court.
I can understand if I was testifying in a court room, that is different, but in the Student Gov't meeting room? That has always struck me as a little weird. And to have the school not really do anything, and to have it not prosecuted by the DA's office I find to be wholly unsatisfactory in the extreme. There isn't anything I can do about it now, but pray and work within the government for changes.
I don't care that the crime happened on campus, it happened and that should be enough for the DA to get involved. Schools should not be allowed to handle things internally, because normally that means SQUAT! And now, I hear that the guy is free to roam the streets and travel (he was incarcerated 8 months later for a separate crime- same thing to a greater degree of severity, and it happened off campus, so when the girl reported it the crime was prosecuted).
I think this is why I like shows like CSI, SVU, NCIS, Forensic Files, etc. I like them because it shows the police going after the bad guys and the bad guys going to jail. I like a happy ending!
Here is the thing. The first time I am brutally attacked (and I've never shared all the deets with people about that night, nor do I plan on it. Suffice it to say I would never wish it all on the evilest creature) I chose not to report. The second I was attacked, and yes it was much less severe, and there were witnesses as well as a 2nd victim, but I was attacked and I reported to the authorities I was told to. I do what I am supposed to do, and what happens??? Not only is he NOT punished but Sue (name changed) and I are forced to face in some mediation meeting to sort things out!!! HE WAS DRUNK AND ATTACKED US!!! WE HAVE A WITNESS!!! what is there to mediate??
I went from feeling protected by the 2 officers that responded (and I knew from having worked in the campus police office... long story there...!) to being told nothing was going to happen and that he claimed he didn't touch us, so we were going to meet to figure it all out.
Yeah, cuz he had no incentive to lie! It was the word of 2 student senators (Sue and I) and 1 other student that was in the room against him. Not to mention that 5-6 other students saw him drunk and upset (and he was known to be a mean drunk) and head our way, not real pleased with my humble self (why is not an issue really, suffice it to say he didn't understand that what it meant to be broken up-or he was in denial), and he knew where Sue and I were. Let me see, who would I believe??? Two girls that were known to be honest, or some student that was known to abuse alcohol and hurt women??? Hmm... I think we need Einstein or someone here to figure it all out for us!!!
Ok, so I'm upset. I just want to say that things need to change on college campuses. Students need to feel that they are going to be taken seriously and that if something happens on campus there will be justice, and the campus is NOT a law free zone. I have done my research and I have found out, that MT is not in a minority here. Way too often a crime happens on campus, a legit crime, and it is NOT dealt with by the gov't. If more parents were aware of what goes on, I think there would be changes.
I know a LOT of partying goes down on campuses nationwide, but that is not an excuse for schools to do NOTHING. Calling campus security should have the same repercussions as calling 911. There should be no difference in how the perp is dealt with. NONE. People wonder why more students don't report what happened, because the likelihood of it being dealt with properly is not in their favor, it favors the perp. So what if the student is put on academic probation? That is not a huge deal, for most students that doesn't affect their futures as much as an official mark on their rap sheet, or time served.
America puts a LOT of people behind bars, and for a variety of reasons. I am not saying that I think jail time was necessary, but something should have happened. And the silly excuse for a meeting we were forced to attend (by the way it was mandatory. In essence I was given the same punishment for being attacked as my attacker was given!!!) Come on now! The victim is NOT responsible for being attacked. I don't care if I was wearing a neon shirt that flashed and screamed "Come get me thug... I'm all yours!" (I wasn't. I was in an extra large t-shirt and flannel pants and slippers).
The attack started and was over quickly, but that one minute changed the course of my life. I wouldn't be where I am right now, if those events hadn't occurred. Sometimes I wonder where I would be. But, the what if game is useless. I am here, and I am excited that I here. Right here is a good place for me. I doing what I want to be doing (at least I am studying to do what I want to do) and I love where I live. So, it isn't a bad outcome, it is just different.
Isn't that how all of life is though? Each decision we make effects us in ways that we might not realize at the time. Some for good, some for bad. The secret is to have the Holy Spirit living within you to guide you, so that you make the decision that best honors the Lord and His will for your life. If you are grounded in the Bible and prayer and you are listening to the still, small voice, than your life will go down a path that brings glory to the Savior, and joy to your soul because you will know that you are living within His will, and that is precious indeed.
-GOODNIGHT ALL-
Monday, May 5, 2008
Finals Thoughts
Well ya'all in 24 hrs I will be finished for the semester. My 2nd semester or 1st year of Seminary will be concluded. Now I have before the task of deciding to want to continue on the path toward the M.Div or do I will I be content with a M.A.P.C (Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling). Right now I am 98% for the MAPC. I am ready to be out of school and on to the work of the Lord, but then I wonder to myself... What opportunities are out there for a Baptist girl with an MAPC???
Realistically it might be hard to find the job that I really want. I want to work in a church with a focus on women and children, and especially with an outreach focus toward women and children that have been abused. I am not exactly sure what is out there is that arena. I've been some research, but most counselors are licensed. So, I realistically should pursue state licensure in counseling, but that is a LOT more money in school, and quite frankly I am ready to be donating to my retirement fund, and my vacay fund, and my "1991 Honda will not last forever so I should probably think about getting a Fit" fund. Oh the joys of adult hood!!!
So, there is a lot on my mind right now, that I could use prayer for. Deep down in my heart I want to be a stay at home Mom, who works out of the house as a counselor. But for that I need a hubby, so I can't put all my apples in that basket! (Aaron Rodgers hasn't called lately... and he better cuz Spring Training and Mini-camps are going to keep him busy soon, and I'm not getting any younger...).
Have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo. I celebrated the holiday by drinking a bottle of Sarspirilla! I know I know, I should lay off the hard stuff... But just think I could have gone for Birch Beer or Root Beer...! Ciao!
Realistically it might be hard to find the job that I really want. I want to work in a church with a focus on women and children, and especially with an outreach focus toward women and children that have been abused. I am not exactly sure what is out there is that arena. I've been some research, but most counselors are licensed. So, I realistically should pursue state licensure in counseling, but that is a LOT more money in school, and quite frankly I am ready to be donating to my retirement fund, and my vacay fund, and my "1991 Honda will not last forever so I should probably think about getting a Fit" fund. Oh the joys of adult hood!!!
So, there is a lot on my mind right now, that I could use prayer for. Deep down in my heart I want to be a stay at home Mom, who works out of the house as a counselor. But for that I need a hubby, so I can't put all my apples in that basket! (Aaron Rodgers hasn't called lately... and he better cuz Spring Training and Mini-camps are going to keep him busy soon, and I'm not getting any younger...).
Have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo. I celebrated the holiday by drinking a bottle of Sarspirilla! I know I know, I should lay off the hard stuff... But just think I could have gone for Birch Beer or Root Beer...! Ciao!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)