February 27, 2004
Ah, the possiblities...
Okay, so I am a noted extrovert, but I am excited today at the upcoming weekend. I have the house to myself. Now, I am sure that my weekend will fill with plans and such, but sometimes it's nice to look forward to Sunday afternoon and no one around but you.
And, well, I have to admit something. NO, it's not about my roommates. I love them dearly. But, I realize that by saying what I am about to say, I could get dubbed a lot of things. But, it's time to fess up. I love to clean, I mean really clean, and to really clean (or really do anything) I have to be alone...with no distractions. Ah, the possibilities of lonely house....
This weekend is also Relay for Life, and I am getting up at 4:30 Sunday morning to set up, so we'll see how much happens. But, my hopes are high.
Posted by Angelina at 05:31 PM | Comments (2)
February 26, 2004
The Passion
I went to the movie last night. My day did not go at all as planned, and I didn’t really feel prepared to experience the story. But, God is amazing. I simply prayed that it would be real to me…and it was real. I found myself shaking in response to all the emotion. Even today it’s hard to sort through…there are so many complexities to the story, the real life experience, what it means for my life, my response to experiencing it in sight...and sound.
I think the hardest part for me was the beating, and the ridicule of Jesus. It was completely unnecessary. The two criminals next to Jesus were blood-free except their wounds from being nailed to their crosses. I forced myself to watch, keep my eyes open as much as possible, but even the sounds of the instruments used to beat him were piercing to my heart. It was for me, for my sins that he endured that pain. It was out of love, that I would not be separated from Him for eternity, that He endured that suffering. It was for me, it was for all of us.
I was reading in Purpose-Driven Life today (I’m a little behind) and Rick made this comment when talking about how we are shaped for serving God and His power in our weaknesses: “God wants you to have a Christ-like ministry on earth. That means other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.”
I don’t think the term ‘Christ-like’ will be the same in my mind again…will I lay my life down; will I truly ask that the Lord’s will be done, and not my own; will my life leave en eternal impact on those around me; will I reflect even the smallest bit of Christ? I can only hope, I can only press on toward the mission…
Posted by Angelina at 03:41 PM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2004
Hmmm...dating
Let's face it, I'm a girl. I think about the topic of dating, courtship, marriage, "GCM approved" or otherwise a lot. But when I boil it down, it's all pretty simple.
I've always taken relationships seriously. I went on a few dates, ones my friends set me up with, but it never made sense to me. I've always thought that I got to know people a lot better by living life around them. I guess I figure that married life is going to be a lot like the life I live now (apart from the boy roommate thing), and I'd rather know somebody from real life experience than from a series of planned interactions.
If I am ever to marry, my husband will be my leader. As I trust that God will lead me through my pastors now, I trust that God will lead me through my husband in the future. That makes a lot of things crystal clear for me now...I am to wait. God will lead through the man I am to marry. He will initiate with me in God's timing.
It's not easy living by these beliefs. I'd much rather be able to act on my impluses, to try to win the attention of the man I'm attracted to at the given time. I think that I'd rather be "in control." Sometimes I'd rather tell people that I'm not interested in men than try to explain the whole God thing to them, but really, I don't want it to be any other way. I know that I must be patient, and that I must trust in God. And, that is this life here anyway, so I can use the practice.
Posted by Angelina at 08:51 PM | Comments (1)
Priorities
So, I had some thoughts I was going to spend some time thinking through and blog about tonight. I am, however, not going to be able to do that. Life is hard and I need to spend some hard core time with God tonight.
A friend referenced this psalm to me tonight...so I'll leave you with that as I'm going to be with God.
Posted by Angelina at 12:02 AM | Comments (3)
February 19, 2004
Mary vs. Martha
No, it's not some sort of death match, just a battle in my heart today. I think it can be so easy to be caught up by life and this project or that project, to see your value in serving and doing a good whatever that it becomes completely lost whether or not you are connecting with God on a real level. Above all else, I should be able to sit by his side and breath deep knowing that all will be taken care of. As soon as anyone figures out just how to do this, let me know. Until then, I'l be fighting the fight to find the balance...
Posted by Angelina at 10:08 PM | Comments (5)
February 18, 2004
Surreal Life Experience
My childhood best freind had a baby today. Strange...very strange. My sister and I went to see them tonight at the hospital, and it was a surreal experience for me. I can remember meeting Amanda back in girl scouts...now she has this little boy.
Somewhere along the way we grew up, and I don't know when it was. Being in college ministry has seemed to slow down my life in some ways. So often I feel like th 19 yeor-old I was back when I first started getting involved. But, life has changed, circumstances are changed.
It's funny 'cause I used to think that I had a perfect picture of what my life was going to look like when I was going on 24. I always thought that I'd be two years out of college, married, ready to have a family of my own. But, that's what you dream when you are a little girl, you can't wait to be swept off your feet and settle into 'the life.'
Instead, I'm getting ready to move back into a huge household of women and start beauty school. It's different than I would have dreamed, but there's an excitment in not knowing all that lies ahead of me that I kind of like. I wonder what God is going to do and what lies ahead...
Posted by Angelina at 09:56 PM | Comments (5)
Random insignificant Seattle Trivia...
In honor of it being 24 days until we will probably leave on our Seattle outreach, I thought I'd share so random did you knows.
Seattle's Name:
Seattle's original name was "Duwamps".
Seattle's Police:
Seattle Police Department was the first ever to sport cops on bicycles.
Seattle Center:
The largest section of the Berlin Wall is at the Seattle Center.
Book on Seattle:
Annie Dillard put it best in her novel The Living "It was not quite raining, but everything was wet.
Sun in Seattle:
July 26 - most likely day to be sunny in the Puget Sound.
Seattle Movies:
Seattle has the largest movie going population in the country.
Seattle Music:
Jimi Hendrix hated Seattle, but we honored him by building a museum. You've got to experience the Experience Music Project at Seattle Center!
Posted by Angelina at 01:07 AM | Comments (3)
February 16, 2004
My Obnoxious Day
Let's face it...a good day is a good day, but when it follows a stream of bad days, and happens to be a really good day, it's even better. Today was one of those such days.
I got to pray with Becky Gribble this morning on the way to work. Together we asked God to be in today, I prayed for strength at work, and for God to use the time. And, God came through in huge ways. Probably because I have been so desparate for it...but anyway this is my day:
Three people from the Rock ate at McD's today (which means I got to see three encouraging faces)
I got to talk to my co-worker Vanessa about how she loves my roommates...apparently they are not only nice but funny as well. It's nice to hear someone praise people you love.
Two of the specifically rough situations at work were completely reversed.
And, I got to talk to all but one of my co-workers today about The Passion of the Christ. I was able to tell three of them that I believe Christ died on the cross for my sins, and the sins of the world, that He was raised to life, and that because He died I will be able to live with Him in eternity. (this was to my catholic boss, nominal christian co-worker, and a muslim co-worker) I got to explain my reasons for being "excited" about the movie.
I got in a random conversation with the other two about the movie (instigated by one of them) and got to talk about it some more.
Then, I came home...
Mara, Holly, Becky and I got coffee, and viisited Tammy at work. Then, we read the Bible together...though I WAS being obnoxious with my random outbursts. (I try SO hard not to talk.)
Then, I got to talk to Mandy Powers (she's a cool chick)
Then, I had life group...and it was awesome, 'cause the women in my life group are awesome.
And, I got to hang with my fellow ministry team leaders. We got to talk and pray about our upcoming spring break trip, and just share our lives.
Plus, I got to watch the Mel Gibson interview (thanks to videotape).
To cap it off, I am going to finish this blog, read a good book, and go to bed.
You know how some days of full, and they drag on? This wasn't one! It's just like everything kept building on the thing before to add up to one heck of an encouraging day.
I was thinking about Exodus 33, and the great comission and how God has given me this promise that He will be with me to the end of the age. But how much more powerful will His presence be in my life if I am truly desparate for it. I can't wait to get up tomorrow, pray expectantly and see what God does.
Posted by Angelina at 11:53 PM | Comments (2)
February 15, 2004
Prayer "Meeting" and my brothers
I went to this prayer "meeting" tonight. It was awesome!
Chad gave me a heads up, and asked me to share about osme of the stuff with work and all. It's amazing number one how true it is when you share a burden it gets reduced by half and number two how God can surprise you every time.
I've been able to talk with quite a few people over the weekend about my work situation, and every time I feel more and more of the burden go away. Work tomorrow will be tough, but I am not dreading it half as bad as I once was.
But, the thing that really hit me tonight was a surprise. I went thinking that the "meeting" was going to be quite usual, but I was wrong. After sharing about work and stuff, people took time immediately to pray for me. And, it was these brothers in my life who I've been close to over this year. I was stunned, and so thankful.
You see...one of my love languages is encouraging words (the other is touch) and there has always been something incredibly encouraging for me to hear other people pray for me. It hits me hard, everytime. To think that someone would care enough to talk to God about something in my life.
In light of this weekend, and the Rock's annual Valentine's event, I guess that the specail event is nice, but it's when we get down to the dirt of fighting the fight for the faith I am blown away by the things that my brothers in Christ do for me in the usual events...like tonight.
Beyond tonight, and the guys praying for me there's...
Micah stopping by back in August to see what was up, and carrying a table down from the attic, and helping me set it up.
Rose and Biang diggiing out this huge bar in the attic and lugging it down so we could us it at the Rock.
Drew figuring out how to physically install my wireless card (who knew those little plastic pieces were useless?)
Pat caring enough to lecture Autumn, Julie, and me about being safe. (just like any of our 'real' brothers would)
Dan L. and Paul listening to me when life's been tough.
Wagner picking on me...EXACTLY like my own brother did when we were kids.
The list goes on...there are many specific examples. If there are any girls out there, help me out here...How have the guys encouraged you?
Posted by Angelina at 11:04 PM | Comments (6)
February 14, 2004
God and My Job
Exodus 33:14-17 (NLT)
“And the LORD replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.’
Then Moses said, ‘If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that we are your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know that we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?’
And the LORD replied to Moses, ‘I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend.”
I was reading this the other day as I was thinking and worrying about my current job situation. Things are going roughly, and I’d like to find a new job. I was headed out to fill out some applications and realized I first needed to spend some time with God. I was thinking about this at first as: wow, I really need God to be with me in this application process. If he doesn’t go before me, no one is going to set me apart from any other people applying for a particular job…especially ones listed in the newspaper.
As a couple days have passed, I begun to realize that this job search may take some time, and even more, I need to be dependent upon God to be with me at my job because otherwise people are just going to see me as this little miss perfect Christian type. My life will mean nothing and I will accomplish nothing for the Kingdom if God isn’t with me in how I do my job and relate to customers and the people I work with.
Anyway, I’m just trying to figure it all out…
Posted by Angelina at 02:24 PM | Comments (2)
February 13, 2004
The Hotcakes Guy
I’ve worked at McDonald’s for a year and a half now. And, along the way, there have been many customers, both amazing and appalling. You have the usual witty people asking to “Biggie Size” their meal, order a “whopper,” or, even ask for a big ‘n nasty(like I haven’t heard THAT before). And, you’ve got the strange requests like syrup to dip a breakfast burrito in, or the person who wants three double cheeseburgers plain, no bun, in a box, all together. Yes that means: six pieces of meat, six pieces of cheese smashed in a box, and eaten (presumably) with a fork. Or, the two-cheeseburger meal with no meat on the cheeseburgers, with extra ketchup and mayo that is really more of a condiment burger than a cheeseburger.
But, you can never and will never beat the regular customers. They have them everywhere; some are good…some not so good, not so good at all. This is the story of the Hotcakes guy.
Seven o’clock in the morning rolls around, and while most people your age are sleeping in, you are opening McDonald’s. Barely awake, you are trying to roll some breakfast burritos, or trying to manage not getting yogurt all over the place as you are scooping it into little cups. One or two poor souls come by, providing the first human contact of the day. And, then, you see him.
He’s an elderly gentleman, with an accent, an engineering man. And then, he speaks. Think of Jack Nicholas from “As Good As It Gets,” but give him a Swedish accent…yeah that’s this guy. He orders the same thing, hotcakes twice cooked with syrup that has been heated for at least a half an hour under the warmer. If both the syrup and the hotcakes are not sufficiently heated, they ‘quickly’ go cold before he can set himself down, arrange his table, and eat them.
He left for Switzerland for a month, and came back to Mickey D’s this week. Strange this is…now he orders an Egg McMuffin, with a slice of cold, not melted, cheese. Hmmm…it's curious.
Posted by Angelina at 12:45 AM | Comments (5)
February 12, 2004
The First
Okay, so here we go, the first blog. I can’t make any promises to be witty, or to be profound, I will probably never write about politics…you can talk to Pat about that. I can only say that I am, in fact, a girl, and I will blog as the girl that I am, so I’m sure you’d better prepare yourself.
Posted by Angelina at 03:01 PM | Comments (6)