Love can change the world

Bring on the day!!

2008-01-26T21:00:00.000-05:00

I no longer have any doubt in going to Colorado, nor am Ireally nervous anymore. I am excited and to the challange I say...BRING ON THE DAY! Why the change in heart? God. He works in mysterous ways and always for the good.

I just got back from a NOW, or Night of Worship service at church, where I guess you could say I've had a change in heart. Tonight God really focused my attention on the fact that He is all present, no matter where I go. I can move to Denver, travel the country and live on my own, but I will not be alone. God is always there. Here. God is always here, with me. It may take a little extra trust, especially when times get difficult, but thats what this relationship is about...putting ALL of my faith and trust in God.

OH CRAP...STRESSED OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-24T18:51:00.000-05:00

Yup...It's about that time...time for a stressed out breakdown!!!oh man did it ever happen today. And once again it was over nothing important, or at least nothing that was worth breaking down over. The doctor ordered a 2 month supply of meds instead of 10 months, the eye doctor forgot to order my contacts, I can't find some things taht I want to take, I still have a lot of odds and ends to tie up before I leave...you know...the usual. and...now I am laughing about it. some upbeat music can do wonders, and so can this:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:25-34).

Yup...good 'ol God...He can really knock some sense into me when I need it most. This is how I know everything will be okay this year. God provides!

churches

2008-01-22T10:51:00.000-05:00

So with 12 more days before I leave for the A, I have been doing a little online research and looking at churches in Denver. This is a little scary for me because I have nothing to go by besides the websites, and i will only be spending a little time actually in denver. This means I have to find a church quickly. Hopevale was easy for me because I had Megan to introduce me to it, and before I went, she already thought I would like it. She was right. Now I am looking for a very similar church...nondenominational, contempory worship with biblical teaching. Sounds simple, but for me it is difficult. I guess this is what it means to be on your own...to make these kinds of decisions.

Finding a church is going to be a big thing for me throughout the year. AmeriCorps is going to present so many different opportunities and experiecse that I know I am going to need the consistance and refreshment that comes from the Word of God and a community of believers.

Happy 2008!!

2008-01-02T19:48:00.000-05:00

Well, it's 2008...the BIG year. 2007 was good...in fact, I loved it! this year has a lot in store for me though, beginning with AmeriCorps. There are 32 days left before I leave, but it feels like 2. time is flying by so fast. I am incredibly nervous to halt my life and begin a new one, but i know it will be exciting! There's not much to say right now, so I will leave with a picture:

I'm really gonna miss these girls.

My Favorite Christmas Song

2007-12-17T19:15:00.000-05:00

"It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God can be so small
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Son of God, servant King
Here with us,
You're here with us

It's still a mystery to me
How His infant eyes have see the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel symphony
But Mary still had to rock her saviour to sleep

You're here with us

Jesus the Christ, Born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save
To save the souls of man

You're here with us."

Just a little reminder of why we celebrate this season that is upon us. It is so easy to be consumed in the perfect present, the perfect tree, the perfect outfit, and the general consumerism of it all. Let's not forget that it is we who have recieved the perfect gift of all, a baby born to save, to save the souls of man.

love.

2007-11-15T00:10:00.001-05:00

I love my friends more than they will ever know. I don't want to leave them.

halloweeny turkeys!

2007-11-06T18:10:00.000-05:00

Updating my blog is the last thing I have time to do this week, but i am going to use this time as a much needed break. Well folks, winter is nearly upon us. Halloween has passed and although it was rainy, I managed to have fun. THe annual college group halloween barn party was the Thursday before halloween (I can't believe it was almost 2 weeks ago!), and Megan, Jandrew, Aaron and I were the Ninja Turtles!! Not to brag or anyhting, but we had the best homemade costumes, and on a college budget at that. Each costume cost about 5 dollars to make and looked SA-WEET!!

( Sisters on halloween, ninja turtles!)

This past sunday we had an event night for the High School group at church, and somehow managed to pull off an AMAZING turkey hunt. Groups were formed by grade and gender, and then divided up to fit in cars. We had about 25 groups, or about 150 students in all. To begin the turkay hunt (which was set up like a scavenger hunt/video game), the groups had to PUSH the cars, with the leaders in them, out of a coned area in the parking lot. Then we got you first set of clues, and headed off. The object was to earn 'power cubes' (caramel candies) to trade for attempts at hunting the live turkeys which were at the end of the hunt. After driving around saginaw and completing our tasks, my group headed to the final destination for the night to take our shots at hunting. We were all under the impression that we were going to have to shoot these poor turkeys, and it turned out to be TRUE!!! We were shooting live turkeys, but we were actually shooting 2 college guys, dressed up in padded turkey costumes, with paintball guns!! It was quite the suprise to all of us...even the leaders. At the end, we all headed back to church to enjoy a feast of pizza, jimmy johns subs and cookies! Everyone that was involved has a blast...leaders, parents, students, and even those turkeys Troy and Josh.

(picture with a pizza delivery boy, team picture in a bath tub, and Bri taking a shot at the turkeys)

And not to forget Mckaylah!!! My cousin, McKaylah Jo Adams, made it to cross country states this past weekend AS A FRESHMAN!!!! I am so proud of her...and excited that I could make it to her meet on Saturday!

I went to CANADA on Sunday for the first time ever...

2007-10-24T14:50:00.000-04:00

...and I went on FOOT!!! not many people can make that claim. I can because I ran into Canada for the Detroit Half Marathon...half marathon numero dos! The race course went over the Ambassador bridge (miles 3 and 4) int canada, and through the Windsor Tunnel (miles 8 and 9) back into the states. It was a thrill for sure!

I do have to say that the Traverse City Half was a more comfortable race all around. There were 200 runners total in that one, but in Detroit there were over 19,000 runners. It never thinned out the entire time I was running. The weather was nicer too. TC was low to mid 60' s and sunny, while Detroit was in the 50's with wind gusts reaching 30 mph! My time this time around was 2 hours and 33 minutes...23 minutes slower than last time. I only had to stop once to go to the bathroom and I didn't pee my pants this time!! That was exciting!

the best part of the weekend was Megan coming with me. It took us awhile to find the expo and the hotel, but we eventually found it.We had a great evening of pools, jacuzii's, and pot (the game, not the substance.)

Here are some pictures of pot:

Let me explain pot. It is a simple game played with friends and a digital camera. To play, you must find a flat surface and set the camera on it. Then , set the self timer. Once the timer is set, resume your position with your friends and JUMP!! The results are HILARIOUS pictures that will make you and your friends laugh, cry and possibly pee your pants. Thus the name 'Le Pot'...which is also known as the potty in french. Variations can be played anywhere...in a pool, on a trampoline, on a hotel bed as seen here, or anywhere else desired!

Although it was a hard race, and probably my last half marathon, Megan made it more fun!!

Fall

2007-10-11T17:25:00.001-04:00

Today, it smelled like fall when I was leaving Delta. The sky was so dramatic, and the air was crisp, cold, and refreshing. It is a perfect day for apple cider and cider doughnuts, or hot chocolate. And tonight, I am going to wear a scarf. I love scarves!

this weather is CRAZY!!

2007-10-09T21:18:00.000-04:00

What is up with this weather? 90 degrees one day and 70 the next...dropping into the 50's later this week? Only Michigan...I will definatly miss the craziness of it all.

Running today was difficult. It felt like I was running against the wind the entire time. And my abs are sore.

I really like listening to James Taylor. I listened to his CD twice on my ipod today and I love it!

I do not want to switch from Verizon to Alltell. Mom wants us to and I think we are going to soon.

Detroit half marathon is in less than 2 weeks. 10/21/07. I think it will be harder than the first one. I feel undertrained for this one. I think I will try running with a pace team to shave off a few mintes from Traverse City.

Doctors appointment tomorrow... :-/

That is all of my randomness for all.

Nearly 19...reflections on the eve of my birth...

2007-09-27T22:24:00.000-04:00

Ha...that is a thoughtful title. This post isn't really thoughtfu, but reflective. As I think about the day of turning 19 (yes, as Drew will never let me forget, I AM still a teenager...he turned 20 yesterday) I think about all that has happened this year. So here is a year in review:

College group Girls night

We <3>

Middle school retreat leaders

New Orleans trip #1

Bible Camp 2007

New Orleans trip #2... Megan and I in N.O.

I <3 my job!

Mural Project

Megan came home!!

Traverse City Half Marathon!

HSM2 party...'le pot'

High school retreat

Sorry to bore you all with pictures, but they are obviously part of my life. It has been a good year...I ran a half marathon, overcame a liquid tumor, laughed, cried, took 2 trips to New Orleans, found out what I want to do in my life, became a leader, fell in 'like', fell out of 'like', ran a bazillion miles, applied to AmeriCorps, got accepted into AmeriCorps, loved, was loved, learned about love, became independant and enjoyed my life. It was a pretty sweet year...19 has quite the year to follow!

see ya'll on the flip side...

the church

2007-09-14T08:40:00.000-04:00

I was running yesterday, listening to the Mars Hill CD on my iPod,when this came on.

"Jesus calls his church to be a compelling force for good in the world. God uses people as agents of change, to relieve suffering and fight injustice, living out the transforming message of the ressurected Jesus. At Mars Hill, we believe that the church is at its best when it serves, sacrifices and loves, caring about the things that God cares about."

This is what I hope, strive to live out. I want to be a compelling force for good in the world. I want to do nothing but serve, sacrafice and love.

I love Mars Hill.

Saturday...a day to rest? hardly...

2007-09-08T16:54:00.000-04:00

Today has been crazy. Since classes started up again, I haven't had time to do much at home. Because we are moving to our new house hopefully before I leave, there is a to do list a mile long. I kinda thought I would just be able to relax a little, but i didn't and it was my choice. After getting up at about 8:30, I cleaned my room, priced three boxes of stuff for a garage sale, and started packing summer clother up that I don't think I'll take next year. I also made 15 dollars from taking the popcans back (BONUS!!), did two loads of laundry and took apart my camera. I am a little bummed because it is broken and it will cost at least 200.00 to get it fixed. I'd be better off just buying a new one, but this would be my third camera in three years.

Anyways, that has been my crazy day thus far. When I am done with this, I am going to do my accounting homework and go running. I'm back in training...running the detroit half marathon on October 21st.

I getting super pumped for AmeriCorps!! I have a huge list of stuff I need to get before I leave, and I just keep thinking about everything that I will want to take. Time is flying and before I know it, it will be time to leave!!

it's about that time...

2007-08-08T12:34:00.000-04:00

...for an update! Not much going on. I am working nights this week, and I actually like it! Summer is drawing to a close. On Sunday a few of us went to Sanford and went to the beach and had a picnic...it was fun :)

It was fun, but that was the most exciting thing that has happened lately.

later.

2007-07-12T19:06:00.000-04:00

I am in New Orleans right now, waiting for Megan to get out of the shower. Today we did the dirtiest, mundane, disgusting work, but I loved every minute of it. We spent the afternoon at the New Orleans Mission, a homeless shelter for men. Today and Saturday we are renovating it. We started out working in the bathroom. First we had to prime the walls around the urnals to be painted. DISGUSTING!! These walls were soaked with pee and we, girls that didn't really have a part of the mission, had to clean it up. Then we moves on to the floors. We had to crawl along the floors, scraping gray paint off the cement. Only to prime this too. Later we moved onto the backyard, tearing it apart in order to build a garden on Saturday. That backyad probably hadn't been touched since the hurricane, so I will leave it up to you to imagine.

Why, you might ask, did I do all this work? Why did I take a week off work without pay, pay 500 dollars for a plane ticket, and come down here to work for free? Because I love it. It is a way that I acn make a difference in Gods Kingdom. I can do this work back at home, but when I'm there, I feel like I have the wrong motives. Like I'm doing it for personal gratification, with the people that I know all around me. In New Orleans, the only person I know is megan...and we share this love of service.

(The previous part was written in New Orleans, but the following was written in Saginaw.)

When my hands are dirty, don't give me funny looks. When my clothes are covered in paint, don't ask me what I was doing. I was working. When I'm quiet, it's because I am thinking, reflecting. See, I am just a servent. I am a servent who is after Gods own heart, and if it takes scrubbing pee soaked walls to help me find it, then by golly, that is what i'm going to do.

do you wanna know something?

2007-07-04T11:33:00.000-04:00

welp! Summer is flying by my friends! I can't believe that it is already July. A few things have happened since my last post:

1) Today, I ran my first 10k race. I've run 5k's and even a half marathon, but nothing inbetween. It was fun...the race of choice was the Volkslauf in Frankenmuth because it is HILLY!!! I was up for the challange.

2) I cut my hair off for locks of love. 10 inches! It is SOOOO short now...like to my chin. I do not think my hair has ever been that short.

3) this news is BIG! I got into AmeriCorps NCCC for the winter class...January thru November 2008. And I told my parents. I am officially moving in January!

Short post, I know, but I have to pack. I'm going to New Orleans again on Saturday!!

Picture time:

This is me with my little group of first graders at Bible Camp. We all like to make silly faces!

from left to right: Joey, my helper Kayla, Emma (you can't really see her), Noah, Sydney, Kaitlyn, me and Laren. What Fun!!

see y'all on the flip side!

summer adventures

2007-06-23T09:50:00.000-04:00

I am in love with summer. I love the weather, the time, the activities, everything. This summer started out a bit of a letdown with having to work everyday, but that is not the case anymore. I love my job. It is probably the best summer job in Saginaw county.

Katie Seager and I have fun at the park...

Besides work, I have been super busy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The nights and weekends are filled with bon fires, bike rides, runs, rollerblade excursions, ice cream and slurpees, road trips, swimming, dancing and races. This weekend (well, thursday and friday), four of us traveled to Ann Arbor to hang out with two other friends. We hung out, ate amazing food and they even took me dancing for the first time. It was so much fun! I love those girls!!! Soon, I hope to plan another camping trip...camping trips are the true defination of summer. And I will also be traveling to New Orleans to work and visit Megan.

Ann Arbor road trip... (from picture to picture)...Whitney and I, Whitney and Mallory, cassi and Kristin

p.s. The CD of the summer is Jack Johnson if anyone cares...It is AWESOME!!

when it rains, it pours...

2007-06-04T21:10:00.000-04:00

It is currently raining right now, but the title of this post has nothing to do with this rain. Well, I guess it does, it a way. This is the story of what happens to me when I have to work a 12 hour shift at Mosquito Control. So in short, when it rains, it POURS

"Adventures in Mosquito Slaying- chapter two"

I had to work a 12 hour shift today. Nothing out of the ordinary...everybody has to do it. Every week we rotate, in no particular order. On Mondays and Wednesdays, we work 12 hour shifts and on thesdays and Thirsdays, we work our normal 8 hour shifts and then get Fridays off, giving us our 40 hours of work.

Tonight, it was my night to set traps in Maple Grove ant St. Charls. I left at 4:30 and headed for my first house in St. Charles and all went well. The same happenes at the second house. The Third location for a trap was not so pleasent. I had to put a trap at the dead end of Ryan Road, which just happent to be in the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, a place where we are not allowed to treat the mosquitos. THis was BAD news for me because I am ALLERGIC to mosquitos!! Seroiusly, mosquito bites on me look like red golf balls. I drove all the way down Ryan Road, expecting to find a turnaround or something to place the trap, but when I got to the end, the road just stopped. there was no IDEAL location to set the trap anywhere (we like to put them by trees or other plants that produce shade). ALL that I saw forever was waist high grass. Since there was no was to turn around, I walked into this grass, about 500 feet awat from the road and set the trap. My only wish is that it is easy for me to find tomorrow. When I got back to the truck, I realized that I would have to drive in reverse all the way back to the main road...about 2 miled. It was horrible because it was a two track dirt road and it was all muddy. Eventually I made it and headed out to Maple Grove.

The forst house in Maple grove was fine...it waw the second house where it "poured," both literally and figurativly. Bill wanted me to set a high trap here, which means that I have to throw the rope into the tree and raise one of the traps up about 30 feet. I thought it would be easy because the house was in the middle of what seemed like a forest. I drove up to the house and the entire time I was hoping that there was a turn around when I go there. There wasn't. The driiveway was once again a muddy, winding two track that I would once again have to reverse to the road on. I shrugged it off and went to set the trap. On my first throw of the rope, I missed my target branch and got the weight stuckin another tree. In order to pull it out, I had to walk through puddles and I was only wearing my tennis shoes. It was bed. I pulled and pulled on the rope, but no matter how hard I pulled, I couldn't get it out. After 45 minutes of fighting with the rope and the tree, I went back to the truck to look for the scissors and to regroup. I didn't find the scissors. I tries one more time and although I still couldn't get the rope down, I managed to get another rope and manuver the two ropes together to set up the trap. this enoter time it was pouring rain and I was soaked. I was also missing a contact because I got something in my eye while shaking the tree, which caused me to rub my eye, which caused my contact to fall out.

As I went to leave, I started to calm down a little bit...that is...until I got the truck stuck in the mud. The rain had caused the driveway to get muddy and of course the trap truck doesn't have 4 wheel drive, so I got stuck. I tried to radio for help, but I was out of range and I tried to call home and Megan, but no one answered. I was doing the whole forward, reverse thing that a person does when they are stuck, but i wasn't going anywhere. All of a sudden, when I was in reverse, the truck moved! RIGHT INTO A TREE. Thats right, I backed up into a tree. The truck moving had taken me so much by suprise that I didn't have a chance to turn my wheel, which, on this WINDING driveway was more necessary than ever. So I hit a tree and dented the trap truck. And that my friends, was the end of the most gray sky day one single person has had at Mosquito Control all season. That is why it poured on me today.

I couldn't wait to go home, take a shower and wash the horrible day away. Now I have to see what tomorrow will bring. Bill was gone when I got back to base, so he doesn't know what happened. now, I will sleep the night away and hopefully I will dream of thing other than trees, traps and ropes.

I RAN A FREAKIN' HALF MARATHON!

2007-05-27T22:33:00.000-04:00

Wow...i can't really believe I did it. yesterday morning Beth, Alli, Jessica and I ran in the Traverse City Bayshore Half Marathon. I finished with a time of 2:11:02, just 30 seconds behind Beth and Alli. I am slightly sore today (actually, my legs and back KILL), but it doesn't matter...I finished!

People ask my why I run and why I LIKE to run and usually I don't know how to answer them. I respond with " I don't know...I just do." Yesterday, while we were running along the edge of the grand traverse bay, around mile 9, I realized why I like to run. When I run, I feel connected with God. Even though

I was with people, and even running with Beth and Alli, I felt so connected with God. He created me, and He allows me to run. He created the beautiful creation that I was surrounded and amazed by. He gave me the ability to move, breathe, and feel pain. It was a great time to feel this connection because it was aroun the ninth mile that I started to hurt.

I also like to run because I like the feelings that are associated with the activity. I love being drenched with sweat on a warm summer day, knowing that I just successfully completed another run. I love feeling my muscles work, how my legs propell my body forward. I love feeling totally exhausted and yet feeling like I could run forever; being exhausted past the point of pain or even feeling in my legs and yet continuing on with the race. I enjoy the steady rhythym of my breathing once i find my pace. I love feeling like I am in control...I can stop or go, speed up or slow down, run three miles or ten miles.

This marathon was quite the experience. It was perfect weather and I was running with my friends. The scenery and the spectators were anything but a letdown. We ran at a solid consistant pace and even got medals at the end. It only encouraged me to run more! I ended the race with 6 blisters and a little chafing on my back, but thats okay...I RACED 13.1 MILES!!!

Psalm 119 verse 32 says "I RUN in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart FREE." This is how I felt while I was away this weekend. FREE. Like I didn't have a care in the world. That is why I run.

Just to let everyone know, I am running in the Detroit 5k race for the cure in June, the 10 mile CRIM in August and the Grand Rapids Half Marathon in September. I am not done running.

I am blessed.

2007-05-08T22:30:00.000-04:00

I was thinking today about a lot of different stuff and I came to the conclusion that I am very blessed. This is not a new conclusion, but rather one that came and "hit me" at a good time. My life is VERY busy and while I was riding my bike home from work this afternoon, I became absorbed in the world of my own thoughts. they went a little like this:

I have a solid job that allows me to learn and have fun. I have a family to go home to everynight that loves me UNCONDITIONALLY. I have amazing friends who love me and support me. I am able to move my body freely. I am currently pain free! I have oppertunities that I have not even dreamed of yet. I am a dreamer. I can be spontanious and so things on impulse. i have the ability and opportunity to ride my bike to and from work. I am able to convey emotion. I can play a three hour game of wiffle ball on a Tuesday night if I want to. I know a God, my God, who loves me more than I can even fathom loving him. I can make my dreams come true. I can get an education if I want to. I can stay up all night. I AM FREE! I can creat things. I can destroy things. I live in a country where opportunity is in abundence. I have food to eat, a place to live and clothes to wear. I can change peoples lives. Other people can change my life. I can RUN until my lungs are ready to explode. I can read. I can sit on my computer at 10:30 at night and post my thoughts on the internet for everybody to read. If I dont like something, I can change it. I can clean my room, or I can have it a mess. I can listen to music. I can love. I can lay in my yard at night and look up at the sky. I can breath. I can think for myself. I can be amazed. I AM ALIVE!

There is so much that I have that others do not. I am truly blessed. What are some of your blessings?

p.s. No picture tonight...just thoughts.
p.s.s- this is a song I heard at Mars Hill in Grand Rapids and it only seems appropriate for this post:
"I have been blessed – now I want to be a blessing
I have been loved – now I want to bring love
I’ve been invited – I want to share the invitation
I have been changed – to bring change, to bring change " -"Changed" by Aaron Nyquist

Adventures in Mosquito Slaying - chapter 1

2007-05-02T19:35:00.000-04:00

The following is the ongoing story of a college students view of her not so typical summer job at the Saginaw County Mosquito Abatement Commission. It will be updated periodically throughout the mosquito slaying season to tell the world about the adventures of the biology lab technicians. While it is not always the most desirable job (what job is?), it proves to be interesting to say the least.

Chapter 1- "All in the first three days"

"Instead of coming in at 8 on Monday, we are asking all employees to come in at 7 am, can you do that?" WHAT?? 7 am? I am not even awake at 7 am on days that I have 8 am classes. "Yes, I will be there at 7" I replied. What was I getting myself into?!

The first day started out slowly, doing the basic 'lets get acquainted to the job' type info, but it quickly turned exciting when Bill, the head biologist said we were going to do a little field work. "First, you will need THESE" Bill said, holding up a pair of hip waders..."and they only come in men's sizes." YES!!! After searching for nearly a half hour, the four of us (biology technicians) climbed into the back of a Tahoe,with Bill driving, wearing hip waders that were up to 4 sizes too big and headed off into the unknown. We arrived at our destination after taking a slight detour into the east side of Saginaw. As we got out of the car, Bill explained how we were going to be dipping for mosquito larvae. Excited because of this new skill, we all got to work dipping and collecting samples. "UH ...Bill?" Vanessa said, "Where are you?" I looked up and realized that there was smoke around us that was so thick I couldn't see my hand in front of my face! We were at Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge, and they were in the process of doing a controlled burn! "Okay girls...follow my voice back to the truck and cover your mouth and nose" Bill yelled. we followed him and got the heck out of there, leaving our specimens behind. We drove back to base and called it a day because Bill didn't know what else to do with us. Team -1, Bill -0.

DAY 2-

"Ha!! we wont have to do anything today because of the rain. And, its too cold outside. they probably will send the day crew home" said Vanessa, the only returning technician this year. Well, she was only half right. they did send the day crew home, but since they were gone and flooded woodlots still needed to be checked, the lab techs had to do it. Bill walked in -"Vanessa and Katie, here are your maps. take truck 18. Liz and Beth, here you go. Take truck 4. and you all might want to grab some waders and rain gear on the way out...its a wet one out there. And be back here by noon." WHAT!!! I had NO idea what was going on at all. We had to drive the trucks? I don't know how!! Thankfully Vanessa did!

It turned out that we were going to go to flooded woodlots around Saginaw township and collect samples like we tried to do the day before. This way, we would get our first specimens to study. We braved the wind and the rain, soaked and freezing from head to toe, all morning. Oh the things we do for mosquito's. On our first site we found nothing, but at the second site, we found the scene of a horrible car accident...a three car pileup with twisted metal and tires all over, and even dead bodies buried under the mess. Or at least that was the story we made up about the site. What we REALLY found was 13 tires (three car pileup), crushed tin cans (twisted metal), and animal holes (obviously the places where the bodies were buried!). It was enough to entertain us for the rest of the morning and even spook us a little bit. We preceded through the morning, making up stories about all the different woodlots we visited. When we got back, we reported the second site to Bill, and he actually believed us for a second!! Team-2, Bill-0

The third day was slightly less eventful than the first two, but only because I was all alone all day. I had the wonderful opportunity to drive around the county and check woodlots in peoples yards. After getting the truck stuck twice, getting lost in Fremont township and being chased by dogs, I am exhausted. Oh yeah...and my walkie talkie was dead when I left base.

These first three days were just a tast of what the crew will be experiencing all summer!!

Megan left this morning. She took a full time job in New Orleans for the summer. This means for sure that I HAVE TO go down there again! I hate saying good bye to my best friend. I hope this is not a regular occurance.

Here we are together: Megan, me, Liz, and Tracy at the college retreat.

Dooonnnnneeeeeee!!!

2007-04-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

It is official...I am done! After taking my last final this morning, I am done with my freshman year of college. After this summer, I will have junior status with all of my credits. My last day at Kumon was today as well. So what am I going to do now you ask? Study mosquitos of course! And to celebrate school being done, Megan and I are having an "ALL NIGHT SCRAPBOOKING EXTRAVAGANZA" tonight! I'm pumped for this!! The last time we tried, We went to bed at 6 am...but not this time!!

That is about it for now...the last few posts have been so long that I won't bore anyone with anymore nonsense (yet!) But...from now on, every post will have a picture so here goes:

This was our most recent 3 am vandalizing adventure...we duct taped some boys in their apartments. 2 apartments in all, targeting 5 different boys. At this one, we were at SVSU and people were watching us and offered to take a group pic for us! P.S. it was FREEZING!!

Thats it for now...see ya'll on the flip side!

alright, here we go....

2007-04-04T13:15:00.000-04:00

I have some awesome quality hang out time with a few people in the last week or so, and I love it. College group, vandelizing, going to the play, Beef O Brady's, and movies...it all makes me happy and reminds me of summer. I cannot wait for summer. Oh wait, I will not have one this year cause I will be WORKING. oh well, Megan, Liz and I all in the biology lab...WATCH OUT MOSQUITO CONTROL!! and...I just got word that Luke is working the night shift; this means that our shifts will overlap by like an hour! The lab is the place to be this summer...:)

This week has been crazy. I registered for summer classes Monday, Fall classes today, put in my 2 weeks notice at Kumon on Monday, and had 6 papers due in 5 different classes in a span of 4 days. WOAH!!

It reminds me of a Mae song..."We are gaining speed, I can barley breath, 'cause I'm caught in suspension." That is such a good song.

My room is a disaster right now and it really bothers me. But I have no desire to clean it up because I can think of so many other thisng that are more important. Like planning service projects.

When I was thinking about going to New Orleans, someone encouraged me to take an idea and RUN with it. He said to never give up and he wouldn't let me. I was scared. I am not a leader, nor do I LIKE to be a leader, but I listened to him. This little (big?) New Orleans experience encouraged me in so many ways. Apparently I am seen as a leader in college group...I was actually given a title. whether I like it or not, I am the leader of Convey, the service and missions team. Well, I do like it, becaue it spurs me on to do what I love even more and to get others involved. I planned another project. We are painting dugouts at lillte league fields in 2 weeks!! yay!

speaking of New Orleans...here is a picture:

I think it is an awesome illustration of community and teamwork...and it was taken on accident.

Easter is coming up and I am excited! I like Easter. and family. and food. and spring. I am probably going away soon...either in October or January. I just have to wait to find out when. I HATE waiting :(

This is probably the most random/choppy thing I have ever written, but I love it. It is most likely because my fingers are freezing. And I just looked at them...they are white. I have to go warm them up now.

Katie.

2007-03-29T12:48:00.000-04:00

okay...that last post was slightly out of character of me, so I feel the need to clarify.

Stuff happens...its just a fact of life. I found out some things recently that didn't make me happy, so I got discouraged. The thing is, it seemed like a big deal at the time. Now it is not. it doesn't matter...things always have a way of working themselves out.

shaken confidence...

2007-03-27T17:29:00.000-04:00

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."-Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This is a quote I used to live by but now I'm not so sure of it. I am a dreamer and I follow most of my dreams, but lately life has been a little different. Life. It just rolls by, and as it does, I live it. I was starting to "figure things out." I was confident and comfortable with what i was doing and where I was going to go. I had lived out dreams and had many more that were still just dreams. and then...BAM...I hit a road block. it wasn't too major, but it definatly didn't make me happy. But I got over it, or at least I thought I did. Until the very next day when BAM! I hit another one. this one was a little tougher to process and I still haven'd gotten over it. Two days later, which happened to be yesterday, it happened again. BAM...but this time it wasn't a road block, it was a crushed dream. Literally, my dream ended. I don't know what to think, and to be honest, I don't want to think about it at all, but it consumes my thoughts.

The problem with this crushed dream is that it has shaken me up. I know have very little sense of where I was going on the road I was headed down. This dream wasn't just a dream...I was trying to make it a reality. It was plan A and there was no plan B. this was going to be it.

As I sit and write this post, I can't help but get so angry. I don't know what to do now... I don't have any ideas at all. This was the only option and this was the right option. I am so sure. This was the life I had imagined.

Maybe this was what the people around the gulf coast felt like. They had dreams that were crushed in a matter of minutes. It's different, but it is so much the same. It is a crushed dream.

woohoo...

2007-03-22T15:22:00.000-04:00

College retreat this weekend!!! I am way excited! I get to play octaball and PAINTBALL! but first...

1) I get to make my New Orleans video tonight :)
2) I have to be trained and take a test to be certified by the Michigan department of Agriculture in the application of pesticides. whatev.

and then ...COLLIDE!!!!!! I like retreats

new orleans

2007-03-12T12:22:00.000-04:00

Pure destruction left from Hurricane Katrina

I know people are waiting for this post, but I don't think I am ready to write it. But as we said in New Orleans, I will "boy it up" and try. to get things started, I am changed forever. I thought our group did a really good job preparing for what we would encounter when we got there, but we soon found out that nothing could prepare us enough. The hurt and devistation are still so greater than most people know.

Tearing down walls

Our first work order was to work gutting a boxing gym/community center. This is sort of a long term project that every team works on for at least one day. when we arrived on the site, the coors of the center had been spray painted and said "We will box again." that was encouraging because it showed a little bit of the hope that the city still had. The gym was on a street called "community," but the entire street was vacent. Just driving to and from our work site every day, I felt physically sick. It was so much to process and I couldn't get over how bad things still were after a year and a half. The problem is that people think New Orleans is being rebuilt faster than it actually is, so they stop coming to help. This thinking is not true. Now, more than ever, does New Orleans need volunteers to gut and rebuild houses, and just to be there and show support for it's people.

Hope after Hurt

Our second work order for the week was to gut an entire duplex that hadn't been touched since the hurricane. The lady that lived in this house hadn't been back yet because it was just too much for her. I called her the day before we started her house and she met us there for the first time. She originally told me (I was the team leader) to save whatever was salvagable and that she would take it, but se ended up leaving empty handed because the memories were too much. She was an amazing person to talk to and it helped me so much from an emotional standpoint just to put a face on new orleans.

Sharon, the home owner

Gutting literally means that we take everythin out of the house and strip it down to the studs. This was so hard for us because we had to pull out matresses, kids school books, clothes and even dishes that had made it through the storm. It was then that we realized that this wasn't just an abandoned house, but a home that people lived in...a home that was full of memories, both good and bad. After pulling out everything that we could, we entered the house armes with hammers, crow bars and sledge hammers to knock out the walls. This was the most satisfying work because we were able to literally take out all of our anger and frusteration on Katrina.

Our team after gutting the entire house...out gut pile was about 12 feet tall

Our third and final project was to help a man move into a FEMA trailor. This was more of the compassion side of what the organization we worked with did. This man, Michele, had survives the hurricanes on his house roof for 5 days before he was rescued. He then moved in with a friend when that house was destroyed by the recent tornados. With a broken arm from the tornados, he had been living in a hotel room that had been donated, without any food or anything, for the past three days. We moved him into a FEMA trailor park, gave him the little bit of food and drinls that we ha left from the day, and then he asked if we could pray with him. He told us that before this day, he was ready to give up. After meeting us and praying with us, he had hope. We gave him hope.

Michele after we helped him move into a FEMA trailor

I'm sorry this is so long...and I still haven't touched on so many other things that are so important. All of you still faithfullreaders can expect the next couple of posts to be about New Orleans. I absolutly fell in love with that city. There is no way that this trip satisfied my longing to continuously make a difference...I will be going back at every chance I get. Hopefully, the next chance will not be far away.

Our bunkhouse...we stayed with about 75 other girls each night

a real post?

2007-02-25T18:14:00.000-05:00

well, this is the middle of chaos. This weekend was SnowDoubt, the high school retreat, and I am so glad I got to experience it as a leader. It was an awesome weekend and I got to see thisgs from a totally different perspective than I did as a student. It was great to just connect and engage with the kids. Thankfully, I am becoming more and more comfortable with being in a leadership position, because New Orleans is next week! I got to lead a group of 11th grade girls, and loved it!!

The theme for this retreat was > (greater than). We has sessions that talked about how God is greater than our biggest fear, our biggest hurt and our biggest need. It was great to see the girls open up and grow closer to each other as a group. Probably my favorite part of the whole weekend was the worship music. I was hesitant at first to really engage like I normally do because I wasn't a student anymore. By Saturday night though, well, it was just amazing.

We did my FAVORITE song..."Love can
change the world." I like it so much for these lines...

"May we never stop this dreaming for a better world. May we never stop believing in the impossible." It's just a good song.

Next weekend is the middle school retreat and I have 3 hours inbetween the time I get home from that and the time we pull out of the parking lot for New Orleans. It will be amazing.

Captions:

1. me with 2 of my girls...Heather and Kristin

2.11th grade leaders-me, cassi, Katie H. and Danielle

3. 11th grade girls talent show skit...it was an oreo licking contest

4. Megan and I before one of the sessions. she was a 9th grade leader.

2007-02-14T20:33:00.000-05:00

Soon, I will have time to make a real post. Maybe.

beautiful.

2007-02-05T20:40:00.000-05:00

simply

amazing.

"They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds." -Psalm 145:6

wow...

2007-01-21T15:40:00.000-05:00

I am amazed. I wanted to go to New Orleans for spring break this year and I was starting to get frusturated because I didn't think anyone else wanted to go. I spoke to the whole group about it on Thursday at college group and right not, I have the names and contact information of 21 other people who want to go. This is REALLY exciting!! With the help of a few other people, I am planning and organizing the entire trip. 22 college kids WANT to spend their spring break rebuilding a city that was destroyed...this makes my heart want to EXPLODE! What a mission! Please pray...pray for direction as I plan this trip, pray for everyone who is going, that all our eyes and hearts will be opened and that we will do what God wants us to do...serve Him by serving others. Guys, I'm really excited about this :)

changes

2006-12-17T19:10:00.001-05:00

I think everyone already knows I'm not one for change. I've actually done pretty well with all the changes in my life in the past few weeks/months, but now, unfortunatly, i believe it is time to face reality. reality can be so harsh because it means stepping out of our little bubbles, out of our comfort zones and facing truths that we don't want to face. i don't like it-i don't think anyone does.

I feel completly disconnected from people sometimes. I know I'm a little spacy, but thats not what i'm talking about. I've "lost touch"-i guess you could say- with people that i care very much about. I don't like it at all. I'm not sure why. Well, I know a little of it has to do with the fact that we are not all in the same situations we have been in in years past, but theres more to it than that. i just dont know. it makes me sad.

does anyone even read this anymore?

2006-11-27T21:36:00.000-05:00

Now that thanksgiving is over, I can get really excited for christmas. I am pretty much excited all year round because christmas is by far my favorite time of year. I love how joyful everyone always is ans how much time I get to spend with all of my family. And the music...I am usually pretty reserved about it because I listen to christmas music all year, but after Thanksgiving I get to really bust it out. I even get to sing it and people won't give me dirty looks. I love the snow (although I hate the cold), hot chocolate, christmas lights, movies, fires in the fireplace, mittens and fleece blankets. I know, I know I'm chiche, but there's just something great about the whole holiday season, Thanksgiving through New Years.

This whole post is very random, but I just want to say that I have ideas. I am very content with my life. I finally know not only what I want to major in, but what I want to do and what I am supposed to do with my life. I am going to double major in sociology and business. this pretty much covers all my bases for what I want to do...to help people. In whatever way is needed, I want to help those in need. Basically, I want to be a philanthropist. I am not for sure what I will do, but I will serve needs that arise. Thats all part of my plan...TO STOP MAKING PLANS!!!
I make too many plans and the problem is, God is the one who really knows my plan. I have so much comfort in philanthropy that I just KNOW that this is the way to go. I just know in my heart. It's kind of funny to declare this to a computer screen and to be honest, I don't know why I do it. But I did. I'm a nerd.

Why am I so crabby?

2006-10-22T20:11:00.000-04:00

I am upset so I thought I should share some pictures that I like:

Beth, Michelle, Ashley and I on our camping trip...it was an interesting night!

Katie Seager, Marla and I at my grad party- I love them!

Senior Girls small group...I love them all so much!

Megan and I at Bennigans for my 18th b-day

Bible camp 2006-the best group ever!

I built a house with Habitat for Humanity

Alicia and I at prom 2006

Sophia and I play the jumping game when I babysit.

good times!

<3>

My desire

2006-09-24T13:52:00.000-04:00

My desire- Jeremy camp

You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
You want to be someone laying down your pride
You want to be someone someday
Then lay it all down before the king

You want to be whole, you want to have purpose inside
You want to have virtue and purify your mind

You want to be set free today
Then lay it all down before the king

This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire to be used by you

You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
And I know my heart is to feel you near
And I know my life
It's to do your will
It's to do your will

All my life I have seen
Where you've take me
Beyond all I have hoped
And there's more left unseen

There's not much I can do to repay all you've done
So I give you my hands to use

^^^
This song is my prayer. I want to be used by God.

2006-09-12T21:48:00.000-04:00

I am learning so many things in college, but mostly I am learning about myself. I am learning how far I can actually push myself toward the breaking point without going over. I am also going over the breaking point. I am pushing and being pushed past my limits physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and I'm not sure I like it any more. I like the new definition of my limits, but exactly how far is too far?

I am becoming an independent person, but I am still so dependent on other people. I'm not necessarily talking about my parents...I mean my friends and mentors. I see my coaches everyday and I have really grown to love them. They talk about everything with us from softball to school to social lives. I love my friends dearly and as busy as I have been, I realize how much I depend on them everyday. It's hard not to see them all the time.

update

2006-08-03T13:07:00.000-04:00

I like playing tennis even though I'm really bad at it. Alicia and I tried to play last night but we were interupted by lightning. It was so beautiful because it was just a heat storm...there wasn't any rain or thunder.

soon many people will be leaving for college and this makes me sad. I want to go with them.

I want to ride bikes. and rollerblade on the rail trail. and swim. and have a game night. and a movie night. and play tennis. and go back to ignite. and play in the rain. and go up north. and read. and never go back to work. the summer is just too short. I have to buy my books on monday. school starts on the 28th. softball started forever ago.

I just updated my blog.

p.s. if any of the above mentioned activities sound appealing, lets do them!

2006-07-14T08:59:00.000-04:00

CAMPING OR BUST!!!!!!!!!!!

techno dance party on the beach.
delicious orangeade.
*wath out for posion ivy
wear sunscreen
hobo pies
friends

CLEAR LAKE HERE WE COME!!!

this is a sa-weeet pic...

2006-06-21T09:53:00.000-04:00

so while getting ready for my grad party a while back, I discovered this picture...

guess who... it's from semp. I think they were trying to copy this picture:

the end.

2006-05-15T20:15:00.000-04:00

You know the song "final countdown?" well, thats what this week feels like. the end of school. four more days. then three. then two. then one. within those days, we have spring fever and a service project day so really there are two real days of school left. I like it!

"...ITS THE FINAL COUNTDOWNNNNN...."

Prom on Friday was an all around good time, despite the rain. Now that prom is over, graduation is the only thing left.

this weekend (yes...bright and early the morning after prom) I did a service project at a senior center in bridgeport. It was the pre work to what we will be finishing on thursday...we painted walls, hallways, doors, and ourselves! two days before that I got to work at the soup kitchen for a day making meals and cutting extra onions for later use. This is why I love force so much! I like to serve.

finally

2006-04-18T13:44:00.000-04:00

I think spring is finally here!

2006-03-15T21:14:00.000-05:00

Okay, something happened Sunday night. I'm not really sure what hit me, but all of a sudden I knew where I was supposed to go to college. I wasn't even thinking about it, but somehow, I just knew. I called Megan on my way home, knowing that she would keep me accountable to my choice. I am content with my decision... a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

2006-03-04T14:45:00.000-05:00

Calvin is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

snowdoubt

2006-02-26T19:51:00.000-05:00

so im not really going to talk a lot about snowdoubt, but I will share a little about how I feel right now:

convicted
vulnerable
exposed
happy
in shock
amazed
in awe
wowed
tired
small

...and yet despite all these feelings, I feel kinda numb. I definatly need time to let things sink in.

2006-02-18T19:18:00.000-05:00

I'm at grand valley right now. Man, I really like it here! Im pretty sure I could see myself here next year, but we'll see. well, I'm gonna go take a nep right now. bye!

my legs are sore

2006-02-10T21:39:00.000-05:00

Well, I was accepted to Delta today. I applied early admission to calvin and Grand Vayyel and heard back within a month and I applied to delta YESTERDAY and got a letter today. its funny.

yesss...

2006-02-04T17:15:00.000-05:00

My mom is home!! Only 8 more weeks until things are back to normal!

2006-01-27T16:18:00.000-05:00

Alright, I need to know what other people think about college. I know I talk about it a lot, but thats because its the number one decision I need to make right now.

These are my thoughts:The choices are Calvin, Grand Valley, and Delta (apparently). It used to be just the first two, but lately it seems like everyone that I talk to says "well, what about delta?"

Calvin: I was accepted.I like the atmosphere a lot and I like the idea of going to a Christian school. I thought it would help "stay strong" in my faith, but some people pointed out that I dont need a christian school to do this. It is also very expensive, but their biology department is great. I love Grand Rapids, and had thought I wanted to get away, but i dont know about this anymore.

Grand Valley: I was accepted here too. I really dont know much about the school at all, except that it is much cheaper that Calvin. I have still not visited there, but I will soon. Im pretty sure it is the lack of information that is holding me back from making a decision about Grand Valley.

Delta: People are trying to persuade me to go here and every time they talk about it, it seems like the logical choice. When I think about it on my own, I say "No, I do not want to go to Delta." So far, Pastor Mike, Liz, Mr. Blaine and my counselor have said something to me about it (Mr Blaine said something to our whole class though, not me specifically). I have not applied here though.

The thing is, I used to want to go into biology (as my major), but now I dont really know. I just cant seem to see myself doing that for the rest of my life. I dont know why, but I just cant. Since I am not positive about what I want to do, many people think I should go to Delta for at least the first year to give me more time to make decisions. I just dont know though...it kinda seems like I have worked too hard in high school, taking ap classes, making sure I get good grades and have a high GPA to "settle" for Delta. I know I'm probably being biased, which is why im asking for other opinions.

So what does everyone think? If it were your choice, what would you do and why?I'm so indecisive right now that I'm not really even leaning toward one more than the others.

love, katie

p.s. please pray for my mom...her surgery is on wednesday and we are all worried about it. thanks.

Will someone please tell my WHY?

2006-01-19T20:22:00.000-05:00

Why do things have to happen at a difficult time? Things are going wrong and I try to be strong but its not working. Im so overwhelmed. Why? Why now? Oh man...

its january and its RAINING!?!?!?

2006-01-13T20:34:00.000-05:00

Today was fun. I met Beth at 12 after school to celebrate that her exams were done. To celebrate, we went on a three mile run in the rain,but we had to make a pit stop at chris callahans house to use the bathroom. Kyle Stark was there and we said hi and then continued our run. When we were done (and soaked!) we went back to Beths to change our soaking wet clothes and then headed to the new Crumbs because I have never been there. We had broccoli and chedder soup and mochas and they were delicious! Props to Troy for that. Next we went to a FORCE thing and then I had to go babysitting. For the most part it was a good day. Sorry I had a breakdown though Beth :(

We were busy girls last night (this morning)

2005-12-30T18:45:00.000-05:00

So Beth said I had to post these from our "Adventure"...It was great fun! If only Megan didn't have to leave...

This one was for Drew Piechke (sp?)

Merry Christmas Adam !!!

Megan did the shaving cream!!

Uhh...I dont even know what to say about this one...

She is my best friend.

It was awesome.

University of Destruction

2005-12-28T00:22:00.000-05:00

Okay, I just finished reading my second book while on break. The first was Invisible Man (for school), but the second one was one Megan lent to me the other day, University of Destruction. Has anyone else ever read this? It made me think a lot. There are so many things that go into choosing a college...a lot more than I imagined.

christmas

2005-12-26T20:01:00.000-05:00

Since Xanga said I couldn't post anymore pictures this month, I made one of these. It doesn't mean I will be able to keep it up though. Christmas was nice, but Im glad it's over. It just makes me really tired. This is what my house looks like when christmas explodes...

Yeah...It was a mess! My favorite gift was the gift from the Morris' ... Mr. Morris made it. I guess im a sucker for homemade gifts. All in all, I had a great christmas. I love seeing my family and friends too!!!!