A Lovely Weekend December 19th-21st

Saturday December 21st:  I wrapped presents with my mom, and we got most of them done.  That night I went to a Christmas party at Lizzy and Anna's friend Alyssa's house in West Bend.  Once everyone arrived at the party we went to Regner Park where there was a Christmas light show going on. (Enchantment in the Park).  There were around 17 of us so some of us walked through the park, and the others drove.  I thought it would be more fun to walk through.  I had never been to a Christmas light show before.  Even though it was very cold that night, and I had thighsicles by the end, I loved it.  I was really excited at the beginning. Lizzy, her friend Stephanie and I took a lot of pictures. Including:

We took some more pictures, but these were the ones that turned out the best.  Once we got properly frozen we decided to go back to Alyssa's house for some apple cider and punch.  We then played Christmas Charades and Catch Phrase.   I usually somehow ended up on the team that won :D Except for one game.  Before playing Catch Phrase there was a crazy sock contest.  I thought I would win because I had hamburger socks that Hazuki had given me, but sadly it wasn't enough to win. :P The night was finished off by the movie "Elf"  I was actually wearing my "Elf" shirt that day ironically. 

Sunday December 20th:  I woke up early to drive down to Racine to go to church and visit Mike, Laurette, and Trae.  Mike would be in town as well.  The church message was about Christmas, but the speaker, Dustan put a funny twist on it.  It was probably the most interesting talk I have heard on Christmas.  I also liked how he had slides of what Christians think happened during the Christmas story, but how we can't actually be sure of it.  Like in "The Bible" it says there were three gifts that were given to Jesus, but never if there were three wise men.  There could of been more or less wise men.  He also talked about what the manger could of looked like, and how Mary got to Bethlehem.  None of these things are really described in the story of Christmas.  During the break Jeremy's sister visited.  Her church gets out when Living Light is having a break between worship and the message.  She talked about how her brother had performed in a play at her church as a shepherd in a musical version of the Christmas story.  (So cute!).  Trae also discovered Mike and I, we were trying kind of to surprise him.  He noticed us before we could sneak up behind him.;D It was nice to catch up with him.  I also got to meet the lovely Arwin (a little girl that goes to our church, that apparently made the best fort with Trae :P).  

    After church Mike and I picked up Laurette and we all went to lunch at Main Moon restaurant, which is a Chinese place in Racine, and caught up with each other.  Then Mike had to leave, so Laurette and I went to a coffee/tea shop.  It was really fancy actually.  They had coffees from all around the world.  They also had tea diffuser things, where they put the flavoring and leaves in then they give you a timer so you know when to push down the leaves.  (Some of you probably have seen those before and probably think its funny that I was so intrigued by it).  I had a herbal chamomile lemon tea.  I have so much to learn about teas yet.  Still trying to decide if I'm a tea person.  After the coffee/tea shop it was time for Laurette to go to work.  I looked around her place of work for a bit (CVS Pharmacy) then headed home.

    Before I went home I went to my brother's new house which is actually about a mile down the road from us for a Packer Party.  It was the third quarter when I got there.  It was the first time I sat down and relaxed at that house.  It used to be my dad's mom's house.

Monday December 21st:  Met up with Christian at Starbucks this afternoon for coffee and sandwiches, while we had a great hour and a half talk, catching up on things.  Christian is doing so many things it's crazy.  He is so genuinely happy though.  I'm so happy about that.  He says that he can't wait to be grown up, and is excited to see what exciting things happen for all of his friends. (I don't know how often, if ever I've heard a college kid say they're excited to grow up/adult) :P  It seems like college is going really well for him.  I love seeing him so positive about things.  High school really stops you from being who you really are.  I'm glad college has let the real side of Christian and I come out.  :) I'm glad that he's in my life still, even though our colleges are so far apart from each other.  Some people you just lose contact with after high school.  

God's Blessings

For Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought I would honor God, and list off some of the blessings that I'm thankful for.  :)

1. Thank you God for taste buds.  God you could of made our food bland.  Food is just meant to give us nutrients, and fuel our bodies, but instead you let us experience and enjoy it God.  You didn't just give us one flavor, but so many flavors so all the foods we eat our unique!  
2. God Thank you for sweaters.  They are so comfy and warm to wear during the coldness of winter!
3. God thank you for nature.  The nature around us is so beautiful and enjoyable.  Nature causes sunsets every night, and yet we are fascinated every time we see one.  
4. Thank you that I have a car, so I can go to different places at anytime.  
5. Thank you God that you are so loving, and not a God who's far away.  You're a God that sees everything, and that you actually are interested in having a relationship with all of us.
6. Thank you God that I can have conversations with you, and you actually listen and speak back,
7. Thank you for a supportive family and group of friends
8. Thank you God that you actually bring a lot of strength in times of suffering.  That suffering is actually a part of your purpose of bringing in your kingdom.  That you teach us, and make us stronger and mature us.  
9. Thank you God for always giving me hope in times of struggle.  Whenever I thought I couldn't go forward, you always gave me the hope to keep going.
10. Thank you that you actually want us to look like and be like you Jesus, and actually give us the power to do so.
11. Thank you Jesus that we don't have to be afraid because you are the center of everything.  You are all-knowing Jesus.  You have the keys Jesus, and Satan has no power over us.  He can only react to the things you do, he is not an initiator.  That in your presence the demons actually shake and tremble in fear.  We as Christians are untouchable to then because we are your property God.  That we actually are your treasured property.  
12. Thank you Jesus that you took the weak people and made them strong.  That when you picked your disciples you didn't pick the best people or the strongest, but you picked average men, and turned them into conquerors, and that you turn us into conquerors as well.
13. Thank you that you have given us new life. when we were born-again.  
14. Thank you for Thursday mornings God, that I get to worship you with a group of great friends, and your presence is always there with us.
15. Thank you Jesus, that we are never alone that you are actually there with us in every situation.
16. Thank you God for dogs that they are such loving animals that are so full of joy and compassion.
17. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross, so that my sins could be forgiven (the greatest blessing of all)
18. Thank you God that you continually provide growth in my walk with you, and feed me and continue to blow my mind.
19. Thank you God that you are such a good father!
20. Thank you God for providing my a church I really enjoy going too God, and a fantastic, caring church community God.  That I actually enjoy going to church that every Sunday morning gives me such a strong feeling of excitement.
21. Thank you God for the gifts you have given me.  The gift of patience, compassion, love for others,humor, tongues, and prophecy.
22. Thank you for music God, that we can relate to others through the lyrics, and the beats and rhythms are beautiful to listen to.
23. Thank you God that you encourage rest, you don't insist on overworking us.
24. Thank you God that you are a comforter and you comfort our fears.  

 God their are more than 10,000 reasons to be thankful! :)  Thank you for all the blessings you give your children God.  

To end:  A link to the song 10,000 Reasons- Matt Redman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

A Week of Encouragement November 1-7 2015

Sunday:  Church was held at Mahone Middle School for a Joint Meeting.  The 5th meeting in a row to take place there.  Usually we have a joint meeting once a month, but this month was different.  God had the need for us to become one Living Light body for multiple weeks, which each week focusing on something different.  Afterwards I took Mike to Commongrounds.  (I knew he liked Chai Tea, and Commongrounds has really good Chai Tea.) He would drink it within two minutes before we got back to our table.  Before we left the church meeting Mike asked me if we should have Trae come with us.  Trae is the type of person you need to plan with advance because hes usually really busy or meeting with someone else, but he wasn't and came with us. I was pulled over for the first time ever on the way there for not stopping at a yield sign.  He let me go with just a warning.  Trae got to Commongrounds before us, and was shocked.  I told him how I had gotten pulled over. I guess Kenosha is a really common place to get pulled over.  Once we settled in Trae gave a ton of encouraging words to Mike, and shared stories from bringing the Holy Spirit on people when he went out to Oregon during the summer.  It was nice out as well so we took a walk along a boardwalk by Lake Michigan, and talked some more.  This little trip made me feel so inspired the rest of the day.

Tuesday:  Tuesday was really fun.  Tuesday night my friends an I piled in a car and took a trip to Wisconsin Lutheran.  My friend Ethan would be performing an acoustic guitar show.  To show support as a fellow child of God, I went.  Spending the night with Christians who are strong in their faith is super uplifting.  A girl named Haley came with us too.  She is a local musician who gets quite a few views on YouTube. Most of her videos have a couple hundred thousand views.  Ethan and Haley both are such humbling people.  Ethan connected with the people in the crowd, and just loved him but he never let it go to his head.  He's one of those people I never thought I'd ever be more than acquaintances with, but as I've gotten to know him more this semester it just makes sense.  His genuine love of people has shown through.  Before the show the people putting on the show provided us with Chinese food and we made an impromptu song about Broccoli, and Butterfingers.  The song was created after Aaron kept trying to get us to eat the rest of the cooked broccoli in his meal, and Trae asked how many calories were in a Butterfinger. It was a really great show and I'm really glad I got to go.

Wednesday:  Got breakfast with Felcia, Trae, Ethan, and Courtney at Bob's Diner.  We think if we go enough times they might but our picture on their wall.  Meals are half-priced on Wednesdays. Courtney tried to make butter by shaking the tiny cups of half-and-half, very determined it would work.  It didn't.  Most of the breakfast Courtney and I just observed Ethan.  He does the weirdest things, but they're overly funny, especially when your tired because you have yet to be fully awake.  I had to cut the breakfast short though, because I had to get back to class for a Spanish test.  Trae and Ethan obsess over Bob's diner.  Bob's also has a wide selection of animals you can get prepared in a skillet.

Thursday: Today I got up at 6a.m. in the morning for a morning adventure to the Pleasant Prairie Living Light. Trae and I had set up for Mike to be prayed over, because he was in need of encouragement, and also to help him out with his fight of brain cancer.  We decided to meet in Pleasant Prairie, because one of the prophets of our church had, had his body filled with cancer and it miraculously went away.  Trae thought it'd be good to have him there to pray over Mike.  Pleasant Prairie has prayer meeting every Thursday morning starting at 6.  We started off by singing a worship song then Trae, Ethan, and I along with all the people at the prayer meeting laid hands on Mike and prayed over him.  Mike got baptized by the Holy Spirit as well as prayers to help fight the cancer.  (He goes in for an MRI sometime this month).  After the prayer meeting Mike wanted to go to Commongrounds once again. I followed Ethan's car not knowing exactly how to get there.  When we got there Ethan made fun of me for driving really slow.  I told him I had just gotten pulled over near there a couple days before, and he reminded me I could still get pulled over for going under the speed limit.  This time Mike ordered three (Large) Chai Teas. Ethan started out as his normal self this time he kept trying to throw something into the trash bin and missing so he kept doing it over and over until he finally got it.  Him and Trae had gone back to Bob's for dinner where Ethan had ordered a kangaroo skillet.  Trae then told us how once him and his friend or just him? caught a snapping turtle, cooked and put Buffalo wings sauce on it.  The second half of the conversations we had were lead by the Holy Spirit.  Things we would of never known on our own.  Mostly about how we can't rush things or rush into things.  That we need patience, and God will let us know when the time is right.  Too many people in society today rush into relationships because they think they should be in one.  A lot of people rush into them without thinking about it, and that just makes the relationship unfruitful.  After this conversation I was so joyful, and so blessed and thankful for God.  I just felt God's love so much.  On the way back to campus the Holy Spirit would speak through me to Mike.  That afternoon after classes, My friend Cynthia and I met up with Milly at The Buzz Cafe in Kenosha, and talk about Chinese culture, as well as Milly's job.  With Milly's job she gets to travel to different countries evangelizing or attending conferences through Living Light.  I really want to do something like that as a job.  Talks with Milly are also always inspirational.  After meeting up with Milly I would think I was getting a cold, because I got a sorethroat and felt gross.  I still made it to the Thursday night bible study on campus where we discussed handling things in love, and dealing with anger.

Friday: My 1st week in 3 weeks I had actually been on campus.  After classes I had Mike over, feeling the need to share some Living Light podcasts with him for encouragement, while having hot chocolate.  One about spiritual maturity and the other on the Importance of Rest.  We talked for awhile after that. About Apologetics, and knowing God is really there, and the sadness that comes with someone who doesn't believe.  I also showed him all the Twenty One Pilot Debate videos.  

Saturday:  Picked up Tyler at 10:30 to meet Anna and Lizzy at a Park and Ride in Racine.  They would be taking us down to Chicago to celebrate Anna's 21st birthday.  They edited the post that told us to meet them at 10:45 to 12:15, and I was totally unaware of that.  Until it was around 11:45 and they still weren't there.  Tyler and I went and got Starbucks, and came and waited some more when he saw the post.  A little before 1 they finally arrived, and we made our way down to Chicago.  We first stopped at the Shedd Aquarium.  (With your student ID you can get in for $5!) At the Shedd Aquarium they have dolphins...what?  I wasn't expecting to see dolphins in Illinois.  After spending a bit there and taking pictures of the beautiful skyline we went to Chinatown.  At Chinatown we went to a restaurant that served roasted duck.  (Cynthia has said it was her favorite Chinese food) so I ordered it and it was only $5.  It was pretty good too.  I also got a kiwi smoothie.  There were 13 of us in total to help celebrate Anna's birthday.  We took there family 14 person van down to Chicago.  :p (13 Christians. so more encouraging conversations were had.) 

  

Spiritual Encouragement

  Here are a couple of teachings that were held at my church in Racine that encouraged me and taught me a lot.  I hope they can encourage you all as well.

• Spiritual Growth and Maturity (Scott Goodwill): http://www.onechurchministries.com/?powerpress_pinw=3991-podcast
  
• The Power of Words (Joey Papa): http://www.onechurchministries.com/?powerpress_pinw=3587-podcast
  
• The Important of Rest (Scott Goodwill): http://www.onechurchministries.com/?powerpress_pinw=3471-podcast
  
• Spiritual Gifts in Action (Milly Garvin): http://www.onechurchministries.com/?powerpress_pinw=3645-podcast
  

Realization After the 6 Week Evangelism Training

   A lot has happened since I last posted (before yesterday's post).  Tonight was the last Evangelism Training of the 6 week class taught by my friend Milly.  Tonight was all about debriefing about what had happened during those 6 weeks, and things to make the class better, as Milly is going to take the Evangelism class to the other cities with the other Living Lights as well.  (Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie, Cadillac, Taughton, Wellington, and Germany).  A flood of realizations came to my head that I thought I would share.

   During the summer as stated in a previous blogpost, God told me to get more involved with my church, and the people of the church.  I asked God for an opportunity to do this, and on the second week I went to church after summer break, Milly's Evangelism Training class was introduced,  I knew this is what God wanted me to do.  That day was the first time I officially met Milly, after I had heard so much about her.  Now being that the class is now over, I realized I have gotten to know a group from the church so much better, and they have been so encouraging to me.

    It was so great to be taught about genuine evangelism.  On the first night Milly taught us that Evangelism shouldn't be boxed in.  There are so many ways to do Evangelism, and you shouldn't follow a certain technique.  Evangelism should be lead by the Holy Spirit.  The way we had been taught to do Evangelism with Cru (Christian group on campus) is to do spiritual surveys, or to share a a booklet called a KGP (Getting to Know God Personally).  I feel like the use of the KGP and surveys are more like forced Evangelism rather than genuine Evangelism, all though they are easier to use if you don't really know how to start an evangelistic conversation.  I just think it's more fruitful to have the Holy Spirit lead you in the conversation, and gives you away to talk about God.  In the class it was kind of also taught that  God will lead you to who you should talk to, you shouldn't go up to people randomly.  In Cru we were taught to just walk up to random strangers and start talking to them.  Of course God wants everyone in his kingdom, but he also knows when they're ready to hear it.

   Through these 6 weeks there has also been an immense growth in my walk with God, even being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I used to have an open-mind about all the Christian topics, but I feel like God has given me a strong opinion on things so I can talk to other people confidently without doubt that I'm saying something wrong to others, and has just made me way more bold as a person.  If I feel lead to do something, I just do it.   I without hesitation share my testimony, and my faith.  I can talk about things that usually I'd feel uncomfortable talking about with people, and was given knowledge to be able to answer other people's questions that they may have.  Through having such a strong opinion on faith though I have been discouraged.  A few people have definitely disagreed with me, and thought that by me having such a strong opinion that I was actually putting myself above them.  They thought that I thought that I was more spiritually strong then them.  This doesn't matter though.  We are all children of God, therefore equal, but all of us are in varying stages of our faith with God.

   I have been also exercising my faith muscle.  I've been praying over people, and trusting that the images I see or the words I am given are prophetic.  You won't always be right of course, but you need to keep trying, because God "is" talking to you!  I asked God to show me the world differently and he sure did in such a wonderful way.  I thought this post would be longer.  I was inspired to write it last night but got discouraged so I don't know if this is all I wanted to say, but I'll add to it if I think of anything.

Things I've Learned This Semester so far

1) Don't rely on one person too much, this will keep you from growing.

2) Being alone is comfortable, I don't need to be with someone 24/7 (I can eat meals alone comfortably)

3) There's no need for me to feel insecure

4) I can easily befriend cute guys, and they'll like hanging out with me too.  (This isn't high school)

5) Prayer is so powerful.

6) Take my problems to God first instead of other people.  

7) Yik Yak should never be downloaded ( I didn't gain anything from it, except for one day when someone let me in the dorm when I forgot my keys.) Everything is so negative on there. 

8)  Since being alone is comfortable to me, so is me being single

9) Making goals is helpful.  I made a goal to get more involved with my church, and I have met so many wonderful people this year through it.  

10) I like talking about God, I could keep talking about him, and my life for hours.  

11) Things might be awkward when you first meet someone, but you'll get through it

12) Don't do too much 

13) It's impossible to eat healthy on campus, and I'll probably gain 10 pounds.

14) I'm glad I chose Parkside.

What happened in September?

September 1st-4th:  Read my first week of school summary blogs.

September 5th:  Went to Buffalo Wild Wings with Laurette, and hung out at Regency Mall.

September 6th: Joint Church meetings.  (All three Living Lights in the area met at one place for a message and worship)

September 7th: Went to Waukesha with Chris and Robert to pick up supplies for the Freshman Kits we were making for the Org Fair.  Stopped and got lunch at the Soup Depot, the later put the kits together.

September 8th: First Cru Meeting of the year.  Met up with Aly for our first Discipleship time, and caught up over dinner at a stir fry place.  Only a few new people.  Talked to Mike and Jeremy for a long time.

September 9th: The Org Fair took place under the bridge on campus.  The Cru stand was placed by the icecream stand, which provided more traffic but also attracted bees.  A lot of surveys were filled out, and "Jesus Without Religion" books were taken.  I walked around myself, and got a ton of free stuff including like 7 CDs.  That night we sorted all the people into piles by if they were interested in a bible study or not, and who to follow up with.  Snoopwhale was reborn.

September 10th:  Went and did a survey followup in the dorms, was only able to meet up with three people.  There had been a fraternity/sorority gathering/party in the Den that night.

September 11th:  A day filled with nothing and relaxing?

September 12th:  Got frozen yogurt and talked with Christina.

September 13th: Went to church, and got to meet two of Trae's friends.  We met up at Starbucks afterward where we had spiritual discussions.

September 14th:  Went to an Advising Meeting for Cru with Jeremy.

September 15th: Had Discipleship with Aly where we went through part of the Cru Doctrine.  A lot of people showed up to Cru this week, my roommate Christina being one of them.  We all went to Varsitea Flatts afterwards where we were provided free food and drinks, and got to know each other.

September 16th: After classes I went swimming with Kelsey and a few other Intervarsity people.  We played a game where we through a water bottle in the pool, and had to go find it. (The water bottle was completely invisible under the water).  We also played Sharks and Minnows, and just hang out in the water.  Afterwards I met up with Felicia at a pizza restaurant in Racine before our first Living Light Evangelism Training which took place afterwards.

September  17th:  Met another one of  Trae's friends, and hung out with a few Living Light people in the morning.  That night saw the "War Room" with Nicole, Jared, Mike, and Jeremy.  Which is almost the exact people that were in my car on the way to the Brewers Game.  After seeing the War Room went to Culvers for icecream where it began to downpour, so much so there was a Flash Flood Warning.  We eventually got back to campus after deciding to bear the rain after it wouldn't slow down.  Once we got back to campus hung out with Jeremy and Mike for a little bit.

September 18th:  I went home for the weekend,

September 19th;  Relaxed at home, mom took me to Walmart.

September 20th:  Circumstances brought Amber back to Allenton so I was able to hang out with her.  We went to a pumpkin farm, got icecream at Dairy Queen, and painted pumpkins.  :)

September 21st: Got my blood drawn, then went to my first IV meeting.  Jeremy decided to make it his first IV meeting too.  After the IV meeting they were giving out Liquid Nitrogen icecream.  It really good. Door got jammed so I had to wait out in my apartment living room, drained after giving blood and 5 hours of classes. Did tie-dye that night with Jeremy at the Art Club tie-dye event.

September 22nd: Another Cruesday.  I felt super overwhelmed with all the work I needed to do, so I canceled discipleship.  Turned out it wasn't as bad as I thought, and I was able to work on most of it and get things done.  Only a small amount of people came to Cru, including my friend Felicia from church who seemed skeptical about the whole message.  I honestly think Trae did an immensely better job describing Grace last year then the speaker did tonight.  Hung out in the den afterwards.

September 23rd: Had another Evangelism Training.  Before I went to that I washed the tie-dye shirts, and worked on homework.  At the Evangelism Training we discussed cool things that had happened during the week, then watched Holy Ghost.  Holy Ghost is a documentary about Evangelistic Miracles.

September 24th: I was suppose to meet up with Milly today, the leader of the Evangelism trainings today, but my door decided to be jammed again right before I needed to get my keys to head out so we had to cancel.  My roommate bought us a pet fish.  He is a pure white Beta fish with an orange mark on his head and bright blue eyes.  Went to the first bible study of the year.  The bible studies are divided by genders now.  Only one other girl showed up at the girls bible study, and I guess the guys had 6.  Made myself Orange Chicken.

September 25th:  Had an interview at 9am for a Spanish tutoring position at the tutoring center.  Then went to Kelsey's bible study at 2pm.

September 26th:  Went to Milwaukee with Tyler and Jeremy to meet up with Lizzy and Anna, (I have a separate blogpost of details of that adventure.)

September 27th:  A bunch of my friends came to Living Light with me today.  We all hung out after church: going to Applebees, a corn maze, and making caramel apples.  (Also have a separate blogpost for this one to.)

September 28th: Went to my 2nd Intervarsity meeting (the other Christian group on campus) Met up with my friend Milly at Starbucks after my classes were done to get to know each other better and discuss spiritual things.  Trae ended up going to Starbucks that day too even though it was his day off and creeped/took pictures of us from inside.  Once I got back to campus Nicole did my makeup.  Too bad like no one got to see it. :P

September 29th: Tuesday Crusday: Had a small breakdown after the busyness of the last 3 days, I was overly tired,  Tuesday nights always seem to be overwhelmed with homework.  Cru's message tonight was about joy and God's promises.   Hung out in the den afterwards, I basically had a whole meal there.  No one able to stay in the den the full time, which is good because I don't really like missing out on anything, but had to study for a test.  Jeremy has the same problem, Kyle basically had to drag him away to do homework tonight.

September 30th:  Another Evangelism class, this time everyone was split into two groups and we went out to dinner.  This would give us the tools to evangelize in a realistic setting if the opportunity arose.  My group talked to a lot of people, but weren't really given any opportunities to share our faith.  The other group got to share their testimony, and relate one of the girl's tattoos to the Bible.