::Fall Break::

I knew coming into this fall break that it had the potential to be rather boring because I had chosen to be on duty (as an RA). That meant four days with no one at the dorms to amuse me. But I was wonderfully surprised that this break has been anything but boring. I feel like I have done tons of fun stuff, while being "stuck" in the dorms. I've gone out for sushi, picked and carved pumpkins, made puppie chow, and played phase ten for hours. Really, it hasn't been too bad. And the fun continues tonight as myself and some friends dive into the land of Quelf (you just have to experience it for yourself). So thank you to all of the lovely people who made this weekend full of festivities.

::Pride Commeth Before the Fall::

For those who know me well, they will have a great understanding on how independent I am. I like to do things on my own, and really don't need help. I think this can be a great part of who I am and the motivation that I need at times. But this is also can be manifested negatively through Pride. This weekend was just one way that I noticed this. So we, some friends and I, got the great opportunity to go see the Mighty Mizzou Tigers battle it out through some football against OSU. Mind you this is the first time I have ever been to a college football game. So I thought I was being smart by wearing "comfortable" shoes (aka flip flops), little did I know that there was a mile and a half walk to the stadium. To make a long story short, I got some really nasty blisters on the bottoms of my feet (bad enough where I was close to tears, and I hardly ever cry). But where my prideful self came in was when we were leaving our "spots" at the game. For those who know the stadium we were on the hill (and when I say hill I mean it....it was steep). So having really sore feet and attempting the hill was a joke. I tried my hardest to get up it and while trying to avoid falling into people, refused all help to get up the hill. Until a young man who will remain nameless offered his hand (for the second time, mind you) I swallowed my pride took his hand and got to the stairs. Why do I refuse help? Because I assume I can do it. Sometimes I feel like I do this to God. I tell him, "I don't need your help, I am fully capable of doing it myself." But in reality, I am so broken and need His direction, mercy, and love, and more often then not his discipline. So I will leave you with this, in hope that I will learn the same.

"When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them." Proverbs 11:2-3.

::Fireproof::

I feel like I haven't written in forever, I apologize.

Today, I got the chance to get away from everything and saw a movie with a couple of friends.

This movie, Fireproof, was such a refreshment to my eyes and ears. Often in movies we are bombarded with negativity and sadness, but this despite a few tears from happiness left you with hope. It begins with a loveless marriage in which both people want out. But Caleb (Kirk Cameron) is given a challenge by his father that literally changes his life.

It is not often that you hear bible verses, Christian music, and especially the Gospel message in a movie. I highly recommend this movie to all people, not just those who are married.

Happy Viewing!

My "Ebert and Roeper" Score: Two thumbs up

::Four Books a Month::

My Parents have been very charitable lately as they paid for the NANC conference and they also paid for any books that I wanted from the conference. So I picked up a couple....Okay, more like 4. Four amazing book that I need to finish in a month....that is a challenge considering I have at least 8 books for my 6 classes that I am taking this semester. But here are the books that God has challenged my mind and heart to read....

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elizabeth Elliot  

Spiritual Disciplines By Donald S. Whitney

Pleasing People By Lou Priolo  

Damsels in Distress By Martha Peace 

::NANC conference::

My parents approached me a couple of weeks ago about attending a conference that my church was holding and said that my pastor said that it would be a good conference for me. I told them that I would look at my schedule and if I could do it, I would be interested. Well my schedule did allow it and tonight was the first part of the conference. This is a NANC (National Assicaition of Neuthetic Counseling) conference which is a three weekend conference on Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. Over the next three months I will gain around 30 hours of Biblical counseling training. Tonight, we learned the foundation of Biblical Counseling and I was very engaged as it was building on many terms I have heard in my religion classes. And this concept of Biblical Counseling is simply focusing on the application side of the foundation of theology. 

Tomorrow's sessions start at 8 am, which is insane for a typical college kid....I suspect lots of coffee will be consumed tomorrow. 

::>2 believers=He will be there::

I feel the need to brag, not on my abilities but on Gods. Over the summer He has brought some fantastic women into my life that encourage, love, and keep me accountable to what God expects. They have been there when I have been sad, glad and upset. They are great examples of women who love God and want to see others grow. Each one of them are very different and are in the same but various parts of their life. They are all important parts of the University and I thank God for allowing them to be a part of my life. Now we are continuing our summer small group into the school year and I cannot wait to see how God moves each one of us. 

::An amazing evening with Shane and Shane::

A week or two ago Kelly surprised me with a ticket to tonight's Shane and Shane concert at Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church. So we got there half an hour before the doors opened thinking that there was going to be a huge line, well there wasn't so we just walked in and found out that the band (Shane & Shane and Bethany Dillon) had just got there. So we offered to help set out shirts or whatever needed to be done, and then walked in this lady with a stroller who looked a little frazzled. She then said her name was Kelly and wanted to know if we could help her. We said yes, and then she asked us if we could take her small adorable daughter, olive, to the green room and entertain her. Kelly and I are not really children type people but said yes. We then realize that Kelly is Shane Everett's Wife and Olive is his daughter. So we are trying to play with a 1.5 year old and in walks bethany dillon, she is so down to earth and just starts chatting with us. Both Shanes now enter and we all sit down and eat dinner together. This was the coolest thing ever. We then go out to the auditorium and pick a front row seat to watch the sound check before the doors even open. 

The concert was absolutely incredible but I was a little distracted from the events just prior. Kelly and I were in awe that we had just met the people who created the music that we woke up to everyday over the summer. Who knew all of the perks of babysitting?