Professional Wood Chopper ;)

As I begin to get settled in here in beautiful, I can't forget how I decided to join this organization. It blows my mind away that I didn't even plan on this six months ago! God is GREAT and Faithful.
My first full day was fun. It was Susie's 18th birthday and so we made a big breakfast. Many people came to wish her blessings at breakfast at the Keatings.
In the afternoon we went to the Rocky Neck National Park aka the beach! My favorite place to go :) The sand was so soft, the weather was amazing, but the water was freezing. After spending four hours at the beach we all went home for "home groups." Since the season finale of American Idol was on, we didn't have bible study. I enjoyed meeting women from the church. I'm excited to get to know them better. Yesterday was a semi-normal day. We all met at the office at 9am for devotions, a lesson on a country, prayer for that country and whatever else needs prayer, and projects for the rest of the day. I found out that Sonya and I are in charge of writing chapel sermons for Camp Gilead this year. Um... HELP! Not only that, but we have to create fun activities within the sermon and ideas for the Missions Class. After working for a little bit the server went down and we couldn't get it back up. We went back to Yurihn's house for lunch and watched the camp video.
Ok so now for the fun part... guess what I spent the rest of my day doing. You guessed it, Wood Chopping! Yes I took an ax and chopped wood. I was ok at it; Vanne was the best out of us four girls (Susie, Vanne, Vanessa, and I plus three guys Chris, Jordan and Jr.) We also tore down a shed... That took a while and a few truck pulls before it was finished. That shed was built very well. The reason we were doing all of this work is because a man Bob from our church is paying us money to go towards our trip to Mexico. There are a total of 14 people going, mostly Jr. High kids.
Today we will be working on camp stuff again.

Prayer Requests:
-A creative mind for designing camp chapel services and the missions class
-Continued prayer in financial support
-Discipline with my Lord
-Getting back into the Spanish speaking groove

Three things I'm thankful for:
-Meeting people from Hillside
-Continued increase of health
-Patience from Vanne and Vanessa in helping me with my Spanish

I'm here... FINALLY!

Well ladies and gentlemen, I have finally made it to the luscious green state of Connecticut! I am so tired still (time change is two ahead Colorado time). This is how yesterday went down. I got up at 4am so we could leave my house at 4:30am. Around 4:25am I felt very sick... why? Don't get travel immunization shots the day before you travel, especially yellow fever, hepatitus A and typhoid. So needless to say the restroom was my friend for most of the day. My mom and I arrived at DIA around 5:45ish. None of my bags weighed over 50 pounds!!! I said goodbye to my mom (so sad, I love you and miss you mom) and went through security. Nothing beeped and my big bag of magic tricks did not raise any suspicion. The first flight left at 7:20 and arrived in Midway Chicago around 10:20am. I had a couple hours to kill so I ate half a sandwitch and watched the local news. At 12:50ish my flight took off for Hartford. During the flight a gentleman named Dane sang us a song about how much he loves Southwest Airlines. Now its been a while since I have flown SWA but for the most part it is pretty good. The only thing that I dislike is that there is no assigned seating. Because of this, everyone stands in front of the gate like cattle in there sections of either A,B or C about an hour before departure. I just want to say people should relax and not worry where they are sitting. I was at the end of the B section each time and I still got a window seat.
Yurihn, her little daughter Anna, and Suzie picked me up at the airport. We gathered my bags and went to Yurihn's house. the rest o of the evening was relaxing and getting to know part of the group. I met Vanne, Vannessa, Abby, Terry, Yurihn's mom and Melissa from the church. Today is Suzie's 18th birthday so we are going to have breakfast together, possibly go to the beach if it is warm (it was freezing yesterday!!! Its May 24th!), and watch last years camp video so we can start planning this years Camp Gilead.

Cyclone

Do you hate packing? Cause I loathe it! Its all I did yesterday and I'm still not done. Someone save me from this disaster! If anyone were to start a professional packing service I would be the first to use them. (This is NOT my room but you can just imagine my mess. In fact my mess consumes two rooms completely, plus the storage and laundry room. Needless to say my mom is less than pleased with my territory overhaul...)

I need REST!

SO tired! I can't even start to express my exhaustion.

Tuesday was fun! I got to wash my puppies (well one is small but the other is a beast!). I love washing them; the way their coats feel and smell brings back good memories.
My step-dad Greg and I went downtown to see the Body Works exhibit of Plasticized human bodies. Very neat- anyone who loves biology, museums or weird things in general should take the time to see it.
Oh, then I got to go to my last TNL experience for awhile. The band played the song 40 by U2. While I was singing the song, I had a conversation with God.
The lyrics go like this:
I waited patiently for the Lord He inclined and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit. Out of the miry clay. I will sing, sing a new song. I will sing, sing a new song. How long to sing this song? How long to sing this song? How long...how long...how long...How long...to sing this song?

God(to me): Sing a new song
Stacey(me): How long my Lord?
God: As long as I call you.
Stacey: But how long must I sing.
God: My child, just sing and find joy in Me.

Going to Connecticut will require a new song. What kind of song? Well it depends on the season (Ecclesiastes 3) which won’t be revealed for a while. However I think it will be a song of the present. Being joyful for the 24 hours of today; nothing more, nothing less. I know I need to be present on what is at hand. I tend to think ahead way too much. God help me “be present.”

Mute Math was pretty much AMAZING! Loved it! Thanks Bennett for bugging me enough to go. The drummer is sick! He is so crazy he has to tape his head phone to his head. Afterwards, the gang and I walked down SCARY Colfax to Pete’s Café (I don’t recommend sitting on the porch if you are allergic to cig smoke).

I didn’t get home till almost 2am so least to say I was late for my 11am teeth cleaning. I bought stationary and stamps at Michael’s where my sis works. That evening my best friend/mentor Desera and I made cards for people and chatted. I am really going to miss her!

Well I need to pack and then I am having dinner and chilling with Rachel Love.

Three things God has blessed me with today:

• A brand new hair-do (it’s short but cute!)
• I got to visit my sister Steph at her apt. and see her kitties
• Getting to hang with Rachel

One More Week... Saving Goodbye Stinks!

One more week of Colorado Bliss and then I’m headed off to the East. Sorry for not blogging much this past week; life gets crazy as we can all attest to.

Lets recap this past week…

• I moved out of the Greeley house and back in with the parents
• Finished my last day of work at Crow Creek on Wed.

  

• Saw Nick’s last TNL gig
• Had dinner with Robin
• Attempted to fly fish but ended up hanging out in Old Town Ft. Collins due to cold weather
• Spent my last night at Natalie’s house for gal’s bible study
• Had the most amazing Going Away Party at the Asher’s home (Thanks John, Veronica, Jake and Austin… I am blessed to have you)
• Sadie's first Bridal Shower at the park
• Went to Blue Sky Saturday night for my last time till I return
• Spent Mother’s Day at Cherry Hills, the Outback, and watched Extreme Makeover: Home
• Edition, Desperate House Wives, and the season finale of Grey Anatomy.
• Had coffee at Starbucks with Bree and Shamus O’Brian
• Saw Mrs. Yancy and let me tell you, she looks fabulous!
• Shopping and funny pics with Kowalski (Good times, good times)
• Visiting Jake and Austin at DU (I am going to miss these boys badly!)

Today will be washing the dogs Sammie and Porsche, going to see the Body Works Exhibit with Greg, TNL, and Mute Math.

Three ways God has blessed me this past week:
-Friends who love me and care what’s going on in my life
-Family who supports my decisions
-Quality to spend with my loved ones

Prayer Requests this Week:
-Packing- The basement is a mess and I can’t figure out what to keep and leave behind
-Finances- I’m a 1/3 way there! Thank you to all who are in this with me! Praise God!
-Saying Goodbye- peace and comfort

1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 Sometimes, I feel looked down upon because of my age. According to most, my ripe age of 19 years and 317 days means ignorance, irresponsibility, and laziness. Some of my good friends that are only a few years older than me, treat me like a child and tease me. I am all for joking around, but when people insinuate that my young age automatically equals stupidity, I feel offended. Unfortunately, I know what its like to grow up fast. I learned a lot of things at a young age, when most children are sheltered. I'm thankful for my trials and experiences. I would not be who I am today if it weren't for them. However, the young are the future. If the youth aren't invested into or even listened to for that matter, this world is going to be a scary place. I must take heed though and listen to the second half of the verse by setting an example- surpassing the norms of college students. Showing others my maturity through my actions, thoughts and words. I love being young but hate being treated like I'm five. I long to be thirty- that in between stage of youth and mid-age. Perhaps that is why women always say they are 29. However, I will wear my age with pride. Yes, everyone I'm almost 20 years of age(48 days to be exact from 5/12... not 40 Bennett). I'm single, in college, and taking every opportunity I can for the Lord. I do long to graduate, get married, have a family, pursue some type of career, but my work with the Lord comes first. Maybe I will never finish college or say "I Do" but living under the will of the Lord is the only place I want to be. Thanks to all my friends young and old who look past my age and determine my value through my actions, words, and thoughts.

Dreams

Our minds tend to wander in our sleep. You dream taking a ride on an elephant through your living room, while your best friend sings "Danny Boy" and juggles three cats... (No I haven't dreamed this one yet). Sometimes I believe that our dreams are way deeper than that. There are real ones; dreams I believe that God speaks to us in. Right before I got contacted by Hillside, I had a few dreams where I know the Holy Spirit was talking to me. They are partly the reason why I am so dedicated to moving to CT. Lately I have been having more dreams. The most recent has occur a couple of times. In my dreams, I befriend very influencing individuals like diplomats, politicians, and even Saddam. I know, dreaming about being Saddam's friend is wacko and strange but my dreams occur but with different people each time. I don't remember names or countries; all I know is that I befriend them, advise them, and preach the gospel to them. Hmmm... God can speak through dreams. Just look at David. He even interpreted them! To have that gift would be amazing.
Do you think any of your dreams have come from God? Have you done anything in result of your dreams?

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

Three weeks till moving day... Crazy stuff man!! I thought I would blog on my church Blue Sky Church, located in the heart of downtown Loveland, CO. Amazing community of people; a mix of everyone can be found there. Its a place of Godly reality- be free to be yourself, no need to be a fake Christian. In the book of Romans it commands us to confess our sins to our brethren. It also says to "rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and morn with those who morn." Yesterday was awesome. as a church we got to celebrate the newest addition to our community and staff- Nick and Kristi Carelton! Nick is our new worship leader and his lovely wife will hopefully find her groove back into student ministry at Blue Sky. I love them both and wish them the best. They have both made a HUGE impact in my life and I am grateful that they both helped me in my walk with God in high school. I'm so sad to leave Blue Sky. They are like my family who accepts me as I am. Joe asked me to share with others about my internship and request for prayer. Scared as I was I made the attempt to share my exciting adventure and request prayer for strength in the Lord and finances. Joe asked me two questions when I was up there. First one was... "What are you most looking forward to this next year?" Hmmm... good question. I think the biggest thing that I am looking forward to is seeing God work in parts of the world that most people don't get to see. Especially Central Asia where boarders are opening up and allowing the gospel to be preached. The School of Mobilization (check out the link on the right hand side) is another thing I am looking forward to this year. I know that Hillside has been working several years on this project and it is getting closer to completion. In fact the day I get to Connecticut, Kris and Bob are going to Mexico to distribute the curriculum to the community down in Chihuahua. Second question was "What do you fear the most?" So many fears... not fitting in, finances, adjusting to culture, missing familiarity, safety, but what I fear most is falling from God. I pray that I will continue to stay strong, dependent on Him, being disciplined in His word and teaching, not allowing Satan to DISCOURAGE me. Discouragement I believe is what I am battling. Please pray for encouragement! Back to Blue Sky... If you are looking for a church, come visit Blue Sky. I will truly miss them but I know I have their support and love while I am gone.