Fly Fishing-- Fish Charming Here I Come

So I got to go fly fishing for the first time yesterday. All I can say is A-Mazing! I think if I could become a professional fly fisher I would. One because its just the coolest past-time ever. Two cause I get to wear adorable waiders and boots. Lastly, cause frankly I'm good at it. 10 and 2, 10 and 2. Yes I know what a leader is and how to put it on.
Kelly and I had a blast. After fishing on the Poudre we decided to cross the raging rapids to the other side and mountain climb to a beautiful rock pile. Then after collecting some neat rocks we crossed the river again and went back to the car cause I needed to get to work. As we were driving back through the canyon, we saw Ray's car so we stopped and walked down the river to find him and his dog Venus (such a cool dog name) but he was really far down so we turned back so I can get to work on time. When we got back to the car, we saw Ray and Venus walking back so we said hi and then went to La Luz for nurishment. Then I went to work which I ended up being 25 mins late anyways. Punctuality is way overrated! ;)

Tribute to my Postman

This is a tribute to my amazing postman! He never ceases to bring my mail between the hours of 12 to 1pm everyday (except for Sundays). Each day he walks up to our door, in his official uniform. No matter what temperature it is, he has on his shorts (yes even in snowy, cold days), button-up blue collared shirt, white Safari hat (why he wears this is beyond my understanding. Perhaps he is planning to shoot a Zebra during his route), knee high white socks, lace up boots below the knee, and his messanger bag. Plus this guy is about 60 or so... in shorts in the dead of winter... I know he will never get to read this blog, but postman "Props to You!" Thanks for delivering my mail in a timely matter and in great fashion(no pun intended). In fact when I get packages he will ring my door bell and give me my mail in person. If you haven't thanked your local postmaster, take the time today and wrtie him a thank you note. Or perhaps give him a cold water bottle on a hot day. Maybe even a gift card during the Christmas season.

You're Everything

Four weeks and my soul is becoming weary. Losing the fight to keep sane. Sadness of losing everything to gain something new. I'd rather lose it all to gain my King but why is it so hard? Why don't I ever reach the mark but fall flat on my face?
My soul is also starting to stir. Can't keep the excitement inside. Joyful leaps to begin again in a new environment. I know that sacrifice will be rewarded. Maybe not in this lifetime but someday.

When my day is hard, I find some comfort in one of my favorite bands. Lifehouse's song "Everything" is such a beautiful song about our whole beings acclaiming the need for our Father. A place of peace, safety, strength, hope, our EVERYTHING!

Find me here, and speak to me. I want to feel you, I need to hear you. You are the light that's leading me, to the place where I find peace again.
You are the strength, that keeps me walking. You are the hope, that keeps me trusting. You are the light to my soul. You are my purpose...you're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest. You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall. You steal my heart, and you take my breath away. Would you take me in? Take me deeper now.

Cause you're all I want, You're all I need. You're everything, everything. You're all I want your all I need. You're everything, everything. You're all I want you're all I need. You're everything, everything. You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.

Three things God has blessed me with today:
*Blue Sky's community... all praise and glory fall to you my God for providing such a place.
*Beautiful day of sunshine
*Time to spend getting errands done today.

The Little Things

Five weeks to go... When I think about moving, I start to reflect on what things will I miss here in Colorado. Sure I will miss my family and friends but there are many things in Colorado that won’t be in the East Coast.

• Wearing sandals in the snow, go Chacos and Tevas
• Actually knowing what a "fourteener" is (There are 54 in CO and I have done 5)
• You switch from Heat to A/C in one day
• Your sense of direction is: towards the mountains and away from the mountains (there are only "Hills" on the East Coast)
• April showers bring May blizzards.
• SPF 90 is not out of the question (oh the white pasty people of the North East)
• Skiing in July (not that I have, but I know you can)
• 'Rocky Mountain Oysters'
• The altitude advantage
• 'The Crack'- real Coloradoans know what this is and yes I have done it
• Living in a town where Valentines Day is bigger than Christmas (Go Loveland)
• Know what REAL snow consists of and can actually ski in powder
• Dry weather in the heat and cold (no humidity)
• Hiking... enough said
• Elk serenading in Estes
• Camping, camping, and more camping
• National Western Stock Show
• Long drives in the mountains with good company
• Palisade Peaches
• And perhaps the corn as well
• Casa Bonita (or not)
• River rafting
• Buffalo Bill's Grave (yes I know where it is)
• Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Steamboat Springs, and RMNP
• Garage Sales in the dead winter at about 10 degrees with Garage Sale WIERDOS knocking at your door 30mins before it starts! (got that one out)
  

I don't know what else to put! There is so much! If you had to leave your state what would you miss?
PRAISES:
*Got four supporters today! My total is up to six... praise God for His continued grace and His faithfulness to provide.
*One and a half weeks till finals!
*Got my loans deferred for a year.
PRAYERS:
*Continued prayer for finances to come through
*My health will continue to improve
*Another roommate to take my spot here at school
*Strength to stay focused on God

Addicted

Yes, I have a severe addiction that must be treated immediately. It’s the newest addiction out there. After one trial, I was hooked. I have to wait until my morning class to get my fix. Spending about 20 minutes a day doesn't seem to quench my thirst. So instead, I shell out a few extra dollars and buy the hard core stuff that keeps my mind twisted up for hours.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have fallen into the Sudoku craze. Every morning I grab my local paper and complete the puzzle at ease. It's just not enough and I have to get the hard stuff; the books with up to five stars and a diagonal addition. When will the madness end?
Yeah, I could get addicted to chocolate, baseball, or “Grey's Anatomy” but Sudoku has caught my soft spot.
What things are you addicted to?

All in God's Hands

Six weeks left to go till I am officially a Connecticutan- such a strange word... I'm really excited, however a bit scared. All my letters are out, now I must sit and wait for God's hand to move. Waiting patiently for God to provide is soooooooooooo hard. I tend to lean towards the impatient side. God draw me near and guide my thoughts to fulfill your will. I got my first letter of support Thursday. Praise God, one step closer to relief! I'm in His hands as he is guiding me. I read a neat quote the other day that I would like to share.

"Stop interfering with God's plans and with His will. Touching anything of His, mars the work. Moving the hands of a clock to suit you, does not change the time. You may be able to rush the unfolding of some aspects of God's will but you harm His work in the long run. You can force a rosebud open, but you spoil the flower. Leave everything to Him, without exception. 'Not what I will, but what you will'(Mark 14:36).
-Stephen Merritt

All in the Family- "We are FAMILY"

So my dear friend Kristi and I have decided to spend our Sunday mornings on a mission. Since we attend Blue Sky on Saturday nights and as much as we love to hear Joe twice in the same week (sorry Joe!), Kristi and I have decided to use our time wisely and become... Church Spies. Yes, Sunday mornings will be spent visiting other local churches of other denominations to view their worship styles, visions, sermons, and etc. So stay tuned for updates...

Church visit number one was Christ's Church of the Rockies (we think it is a Four Square Church), and may I note it is right next door to BSC in our former location. Being the ambitious souls we are, Krisit and I, with smiles, walked in and were greeted immediately by the worship singer lady (name can't remember... I know I have failed already). As she started to introduce to us, it became clear that it was no ordinary congregation... "This is my uncle Bob and his wife Betty, my mom, sister-in-law, cousin, my son, my nephew, oh these two people aren't related, my 2nd cousin and her husband with their kids, more uncles, cousins, and people with some type of blood or marriage relation. With about 40 people in total I swear that 30 of those people were related (hence the title "All in the Family" Thanks Bennett) There are three pastors all are which related... big surprise. Worship was fine (kinda like a Twila Paris concert lol) with this cute old man singing and grooving to the music, offering (its interesting to see how different churches handle offering), a trio song with the key phrase (get this) "the snow was ANGEL PILLOW FIGHTS" (best part of the visit) and a sermon.

Oh the sermon... really wasn't bad except for two things. First off the pastor (the children's pastor of the three) started off with a story. Now most pastors do but this one was odd in its context and purpose. He stated and I quote "There was this boy running around the church one day. I asked what he was doing and he said he was looking for a cow. I asked him why he was looking for a cow and that he said he was looking for the cow cause he wanted to give it a karate kick (or a round off kick to the face... go Chuck Norris). Why? Cause the boy had this idea that the cow sat on his head." And he just continued on this tangent for a while and then changed courses. Second bad thing was that he misquoted scripture. Ouch! Only once though.

Funny story that goes along with the second exception. Kristi was looking up the verses that the pastor was referencing (which were wrong). When we finally think we found the right passage, it wasn't. So Kristi turned to me and said "I don't think that they use the same bible." As we sat in shock and contemplated leaving for about 30 seconds, Kristi figured out we were one chapter ahead! Ha Ha!!!

I'm excited for other visits to different churches in the next month.