These are a Few of my Favorite Things

Just for fun, I thought I'd post a list of a some of my favorite things...

- Bubble baths
- Sunsets
- Random acts of kindness
- A barefoot walk
- Swinging
- An honest talk
- Discovering a new song & falling in love with it
- Naps
- Chai tea lattes
- A good cry (especially tears of joy)
- Campfires
- Cool fall mornings
- Bursting out in random song
- Giving gifts
- Sand in my toes
- Dancing in the rain
- Blasting worship music in my car
- Freshly brushed teeth
- Gentle rolls of thunder
- Snuggling up in the warm covers of my bed
- Hugs
- Pairs of doves
- My TOMS
- Warm sunshine on my face

There you have it. Now you know a few of my favorite things...

I'll be posting some stories from India very soon. So stay tuned for that. But, here's a photo to tease you!



Peace!

A Drop of Inspiration

"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, 'Oh crap, she's up!'"

To India and Beyond...

As I promised, I am posting solely about Team India. The past few days with the team have been incredible. We had the opportunity to engage in “ropes training” with Global Infusion to help prepare us for our journey. This training put us through challenges that helped grow team unity and prepare us for situations on the mission field. The experience really helped us grow together as a team and it is so evident that God is going to do amazing things through each of these people.

Personally, I learned a great deal through ropes. Our biggest lesson learned yesterday was prayer. We have been encouraged to pray for India the past few months. It is so hard to pray for a country and a people that you have not yet experienced. But, yesterday India became real to me. The people became real. The poverty became real. And the injustice became real. God lit my heart on fire for the country of India and He broke it for the things that break His heart. My prayer has been that God would break my heart…and He broke it. Yesterday I wept for India. I didn’t just cry…I wept. My heart has been broken for each and every person in India and I cannot wait to see how God will continue to break my heart over the next 2 weeks leading up to my departure.

One thing that was said that really resonated with me actually came in the form of a prayer from one of the Global Infusion facilitators. He reminded us in this prayer that we should not be going to India if our hearts do not ache for India the way that God’s heart does. We have to be in love with the people of India…or else we should not be going. I am falling in love. My hearts aches for these people.

Also, to conclude our ropes training we underwent a "commissioning ceremony" last night. In this ceremony, a crown was placed on the head of each team member reminding us that we are royalty - children of our Lord and King. While this happened, the Global Infusion facilitators gathered around us and showered us with prayers all at the same time. It was an incredible experience to hear so many different prayers uttered over us all at once. What a moving experience and a testimony of the great power of prayer!

My teammates are incredible and they have blessed my life tremendously already. I can’t wait to see how we grow in relationship with one another as we become vulnerable with each other and spread love to India.

Team 1 headed out today…not without difficulties though! Read about it on our blog: toindiaandbeyond.wordpress.com. Pray for Team 1 as they continue to travel to their final destination in Ongole, India. Pray that God would make India real to them prior to them arriving. They are going to do great things there and lay a foundation for Team 2 to love on India too.

Here’s the faces of our team members! Please keep each of us in prayer. Team members include:
Melissa, Annette, Grant, Kendall, Adrianna, Rachel, Amber, Kelsey, Emily, Justine, Katy, Brittany, Greta, Adam, Ryan, Josh, Nathan, Daniel, and myself. Our fearless leaders are Josh and Melissa who will be staying in India for the duration of both trips (a.k.a. one month) as will Rachel, Grant, and Annette.

Specific prayer requests from the team:
- Boldness
- Renewal of spirits
- Strength in fighting spiritual warfare
- Health/rest
- To be conscious/aware of God
- Safety in travels
- That our hearts might be broken for India

Thanks for your love, support, and prayers. I will try to keep you updated over the next few weeks.

Peace!

My Life...In a Nutshell

I know it has basically been forever since I last wrote so I thought that it is probably about time for an update. That is if you are even still following my blog because you’ve most likely given up hope about me ever writing again. But, hey, life gets a little busy. Since I’m out of school officially now I actually had a moment to catch up, so here it goes…my top 5 recent life happenings in a nutshell…

1.I had a birthday. I am no longer a teenager anymore. I told my dad, “Hey dad! I beat teenage pregnancy once and for all!” He only found it slightly funny.


Shelby got me cupcakes from the TLC show, DC cupcakes. Greatest gift ever. Here's the whole family modeling a few of them.


2.One of my very best friends here at school who happens to be a Resident Director of one of the female dorms, not only got into a relationship with a Resident Director of one of the male dorms, but she also got engaged in the same month! Crazy I know…but they are pretty awesome and they are both going to be leading my upcoming India mission trip.


Here’s a picture of me and my lovely friend and bride-to-be, Melissa


Here’s Melissa surrounded by excited students on campus following her ring ceremony where she announced that she was engaged!


3.I got a boyfriend. Surprising, I know. But here he is. I kind of like him a little bit.


Scott and I – his hair isn’t this wooly anymore. He got it cut. Just so you know.


4.I have 2 new sisters that I never had before. The Stubbs’ family works here at the college and their two daughters Tressa and Taylor have recently become sisters to me. Through some crazy events (like a bridal shower that was held at their farm) and God’s incredible blessings, I have two more sisters I didn’t have before. Now combined with my other best friend/sister from school, Adrianna (who goes by the nickname “Baller”), we are a little family of four. We love hanging out at their farm and just being girls! I thank God every day for placing these wonderful ladies in my life.
Check out Tressa's blog at http://walkinginhispath.blogspot.com/ and Linda Stubbs' blog at http://prairieflowerfarm.blogspot.com/.


Here are my sisters - Baller, Taylor, and Tressa


This is the group of girls at the bridal shower at the Stubbs family farm


Baller and I


Tressa and I - Don't judge me. I have problems with squinting when I smile for pictures.


5.India. I leave in 19 days. Indeed, 19. I am pretty nervous but very excited. Prayers leading up to our departure and continued through my 2 weeks there would be greatly appreciated. I will post an update about the team and trip in a couple of days including specific prayer requests from the team. Just promise to be thinking and praying for us! We will be doing some incredible things for God’s Kingdom! Follow us on our blog before, during, and after our travels at: http://toindiaandbeyond.wordpress.com/


Here’s the team…or some of it. We have a few more and a few less members now, but at least you can be seeing some faces of who is going.


That’s all that I have for my top 5 recent life happenings in a nutshell, but I thought I would throw in a bonus story. It is a typical “unfortunate event in the life of Courtney” story. So Enjoy.

I was driving back to school from the Stubbs' farm. It was dark because it was late at night. I turned off my bright headlights because there was a car coming my direction. I thought the car had its blinker on. Actually it had its hazard lights on warning me of something I assumed. I kept my eyes open thinking maybe he had just hit a deer or seen a deer so I was very alert in checking the ditches. As soon as the car passed I turned my bright headlights back on to have just enough time to break and swerve from hitting a horse right in front of me. Yes, a horse. Not Yankee Doodle’s pony, a full sized horse. And it was just leisurely walking down the middle of my lane while I was speeding its direction at 60 miles per hour. I’m still not sure how I missed hitting the horse, but I’m glad I did. I think it makes for an interesting story though. No one is expecting you to say “I almost hit a…HORSE.” Sorry I don’t have a photo to go with this story. I hardly had time to react let alone snap a picture of this horse for proof of its happening.

That is all. Until next time…

Peace!

Life's Better When Lived on the Edge

Hello there! Yes, I’m still alive—no worries. I have just been consumed by obligations at school. People think that being an art major leaves a lot of free time for pleasure, but what they don’t realize is how many hours a week I spend in the studio working when they don’t even know! But, I am absolutely loving school and loving my major. So I guess that’s all that matters.

Sorry I haven’t updated in a while…I have been so busy. I even told my parents that if I posted a new blog post then they needed to sit me down and have a talk because I obviously don’t have my priorities straight. Luckily that was not necessary.

So the most eventful news in my life lately is that I am indeed still a klutz, but I can’t help what has been bred into my DNA. Back at the end of October I was working with the Marketing department at school on a photo shoot for the website. We were doing some jumping photos off of a set of stairs. After approximately 20 times, we were finally done and I realized that my foot kind of hurt. Well, I waited to get it checked out by a doctor for a whole month and by then my injury had become 2 stress fractures. So I was told that I had to wear this fancy Velcro walking boot for a month. A whole stinking month. A few days later I twisted my foot weird inside of the boot and heard a loud pop. That pop was one of the stress fractures becoming a full crack in the bone. Things were only getting worse. Now I had to use crutches. I’m doing better now though. I’m walking in the boot again and hopefully I get it off next week. But leave it to me, yes, leave it to me to fracture my foot jumping off of stairs. I guess that’s what I get for living life on the edge.

Here's a list of random facts I have recently discovered about myself:
1. All of my life I thought I hated popcorn. But, now I am officially addicted. I don't know if it is actually the popcorn itself that I like or the tasty seasonings and salt on the outside. Probably the latter.
2. Tater tots are my all time greatest comfort food. Sonic tater tots to be exact.
3. Playing the piano is very soothing. It brings my soul great joy.
4. Fireplaces make me think of Christmastime. And I really like Christmas.
5. I love smiling. Smiling is my favorite.

I have had an abundance of godsend in my life lately despite my little injury. God has recently nudged me on an overseas mission trip. Of all places, He is nudging me to go to India. I’m so excited to see God moving in my life in this way, not to mention a little bit nervous…it’s India…and, it’s my first overseas mission trip. I am ecstatic to begin the process of preparation with my teammates and learning about this new culture. I will be leaving on June 1st and will be gone for 2 weeks. Please keep me in your prayers during this time as I prepare for this newest calling in my life. I guess I'm all about adventure...and I seek to live my life on the edge!

Peace!

:)

The Start of Something New

As I sit here and write this long-awaited post, I am imagining myself typing this while laying on the grassy green lawn 2 floors below me, basking in the sunshine, and hearing the birds singing melodies to each other. The cool fall breeze is gently making my hair wave to students walking on the sidewalk nearby. Ideally, this is where I’d like to be.
In all actuality, I am sitting in my dorm room, surrounded by fluorescent lighting and the never ceasing hum of the ceiling fan.
Welcome to reality.
Welcome to college.

College really isn’t so horrible though. I have in fact had many-a-liberating experiences thus far this year. Let me fill you in, since I know you are dying to hear.

On only my second day here at school this year, two girlfriends and I decided that we wanted to get some good use out of our bikes, so we took a bike ride. Not just any bike ride though. We took an hour and a half long bike ride around the good old town of Sterling.
Let’s just pause for a moment and analyze this situation, okay?
We rode bikes for an hour and a half.
There are people who ride bikes across the state, or across the country at that.
And, I am sad to admit that I only rode for an hour and a half and yelped in pain when I wiped after going to the bathroom the next day.
Bikes equal pain.
Kudos to the cross-country bikers.
I don’t know how they do it.

The second experience happened midway through our bike ride. We took a break to rest our tired legs when I happened to see a little toad hopping across the sidewalk. Of course I couldn’t resist holding such a cute creature, so I chased it until I had captured it and held it captive between clasped hands. It was then that I had the brilliant idea of showing one of the girls my hostage. As I held the little toad by his ribcage, he suddenly decided to take a pee all over my hand.
I was not happy.
I continued to hold my captive while freaking out about the fact that my hands were soiled with toad pee.
It was then, that the toad decided to pee again. This time it was projectile pee. And it still got all over me.
Before I finally put my hostage back where I had found him, he peed on my fingers a total of three times. I sadly let my friend go, and complained the whole rest of the bike ride about how my hands were sticky. I guess that’s what I get for trying to pick on people.

My third experience is one in which I am quite proud of. I have left a legacy on this campus already. I decided that I would be really cool (and also really liberated) if I were to dye a chunk of my hair blonde and then put a color strip in it.
So I did.
I dyed a portion of my hair teal.
I thought I was so cool.
Unknowingly, I later found out that just one day before I had this brilliant idea, some girls had put magenta (they said it was pink, but I still think it was magenta) in their hair. These same girls saw my teal the next day and went crazy. They loved it.
So, that night I had a hair dyeing party in my 8 x 8 bathroom with 10 lovely ladies in which I gave them strips of teal in their hair to offset the magenta.
Yes, I was cool.

My final experience occurred with the same group of girls who I dyed hair with. All I’m going to say is this. Use your imagination:
6 girls.
The Arkansas River.
2:30 in the morning.
No clothes.
Liberating? I think so.

Well, I don’t have a ton as far as godsend goes, but I do want to mention how excited I am about this year and the ways that God is working on this campus. This year feels so different. There is such an incredible vibe around here and I love it. God has blessed me with some great friends who aren’t afraid to go deep in their faith, and I can’t wait to see where God is going to take them this year, with me as a mentor helping them along the way. My biggest prayer thus far has been to be able to experience God’s love so much each day that it overwhelms me. That I can experience God’s love so much that it spills on to those around me. That people who don’t even know that I am a Christian will know just by the way that I live my life and the way that I show love—the way that I spill love on to those around me. I encourage you to pray for this in your own life. If you do, life will never be the same. Believe me.

:)

The Finale to a Chapter...The Intro to Another

As my summer quickly comes to a close, I decided to do a little recap of the more interesting events that have happened that I failed to write about previously:

I recently had a check-up on my sinuses from my surgery in May. The doctor said that all looked good, but that he wanted to remove a “little bit” of crusting that had formed. He proceeds to stick two different instruments into my nostril and begins yanking on some foreign object in my nose. He then pulls out a “crust” that was a good inch long and a half inch wide. My reaction? “That’s the biggest fricking booger I have ever seen!”

Also this summer, my mom and I embarked on an adventure. Not just any adventure. This adventure was special. It was an adventure to find the best caramel sundae in the good ‘ol state of Kansas. Our journey took us all over the state to various locations including: Dairy Queen, Braum’s, McDonald’s, and many other various locations that I cannot seem to remember at the moment. We even made homemade caramel sundaes. The verdict? The best caramel sundae hands down was found at a little shack called the “Dairy Dump” among students and is located on the corner of Broadway and Garfield in the big town of Sterling. Yes, right in my own home away from home, I discovered the best caramel sundae in Kansas. I challenge you to try one. You’ll never find a better one. I swear by it.

My roommate will be proud of me. This summer I finally found a solution to my snooze-button addiction on my alarm clock. I have been known to "snooze" for up to an hour...and my ringtone is "Mamma Mia"...so you can imagine that that get a bit annoying after the first snooze. I pity my roommate...I really do. But, no worries, because after years of searching I have found a solution! I have tried everything in my repertoire of weaponry, including putting thumbtacks on my alarm so I could not push the snooze button. I have even tried putting my alarm across the room so that I have to get out of bed to turn it off. All of my attempts have failed...until now. I have discovered that if I drink a full glass of water before I go to bed, I will have to pee in the morning...quite badly in fact. And, I have trouble ignoring a full bladder. Problem solved...well at least until my newfound trick causes me to wet the bed someday...

Finally…all of my adventures led up to the biggest adventure of the summer—something that I have been wanting to learn how to do for years. During this very summer, my good friend Andrew took it upon himself to teach me to drive a stick-shift. And believe it or not…I didn’t do half bad. I think I impressed myself actually. I went several miles before I even killed it for the first time. And, my wonderful instructor, Andrew, was an expert at staying calm. If I were him I would have been a little bit nervous when his student started screaming, "Oh crap, oh crap! There's a car coming towards us! What do I do!?" on only my third mile of driving. He calmly answered, "Move to the side of the road..." What a great teacher! The only other traumatic incident occured when I thought I had the starting and stopping down and got a bit overconfident. I stopped at a stop sign and when I tried to start, I killed it a total of 8 times in a row, which landed me in the middle of the intersection with oncoming traffic headed my way. Yeah, I was freaking out. But again, Andrew saved me...he even realized at the end of our lesson that I had been driving the whole time with the emergency break on. THAT was NOT my fault...but, it does explain the strange popping sound we kept hearing... All in all I only killed it 30 times over the course of our 20 mile journey on the country roads—not too bad for a rookie! I guess it’s not too late to drop out of college and get into Nascar… After I finished driving though, I looked under my wet feeling armpits, only to find that I had sweat tacos—and, I was wearing a tank top—a.k.a. that is a LOT of sweat! I guess I was a bit more nervous than I realized.






For my godsend, I really want to spend a little bit of time reflecting. As I look back on my summer, I am forced to look ahead to my future as well. As this marks the end of a chapter in my life story, I am given the opportunity to be the author of the next chapter. And although I may be a sophomore this year, I realize that I am still going to very much be a freshman. A wise man whom I happen to call “dad,” always reminded me while growing up that I should not be afraid to be a freshman. We are always freshman. Every time we experience new situations or meet new people, we are freshman again. Even though I am not going to technically be a “freshman,” I have accepted that I am in fact a freshman, but I have no reason to fear the unknown because I have God guiding me through each new situation. I must be willing to give up my control and place all trust in Him. It is then that I can do all things.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” –Isaiah 41:10

It's All "Relative"...

Yesterday I had the chance to take part in a wonderful opportunity: a family reunion. You are probably laughing to yourself right now because society has turned the idea of families and family reunions upside down. But, let me tell you...honestly, it was wonderful. We had our reunion at a small lake of one of our relatives...and it was an absolute blast! It is just amazing to see the constant growth and branching out of our family. All in all, we had 43 attendees this year...and that is something to praise! The blessing of family and extended family is so amazing...and it is even more amazing that we are able to continue this in a society in which this kind of family closeness seems so rare. It's just great to see the kids growing up and to watch the torch of faith be passed down from generation to generation...it makes me wonder how much we could change the world if every family passed the torch to the next generation to the next, and the next. We would have such a large faith community--a faith family--that could do wonders in this world!

The best part of my day?...(aside from my skin getting its first look at the sun all summer)...was that I got to teach a fellow cousin of mine how to ride a jet ski. It was her first time on one, let alone driving. I drove first taking it easy since it was her first time. It was so fun to her her laughing behind me as we would bounce over the waves. Then it was her turn, and boy was that fun! She had quite the time figuring out the steering and keeping a constant speed, but that's what made it so fun...sometimes it takes the smallest things to give you uncontrollable giggles...and that's exactly what we had. We got to giggling so hard that she couldn't even drive. I just laid there on her back laughing harder than I have in a long time. By the time we brought the jet ski back we were grinning from ear to ear, despite the fact that our cheeks hurt so bad from smiling. It was a great time...and a much appreciated laugh!

Finally some godsend:

"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations." -Psalm 89:1

I ran across this verse today and found it very appropriate for my recent family adventures. It is a declaration of praise to the Lord. A praise so wonderful that we will shout out His faithfulness to all the world. We will pass the torch of faith to the next generation so that they might know of the Lord's great faithfulness. For me, this verse really spoke of the importance of family...without family, there would be no starting point to share and pass on our faith. Family is such a wonderful blessing and they have a special place in my heart and always will. Thanks to my family and extended family for passing the torch so that we might know of the Lord's great faithfulness and can sing of His great love forever! Praise the Lord!

:)

Don't Cry Over Spilled Coffee

5:00 in the morning is early...
It is too early for any normal living, breathing creature to be awake let alone stirring--it is a commonly known rule of life. Yet, I was up at the early hour of 5:00 despite this rule. I was up because I went to breakfast with my dad. What a joyous experience that was. It was totally worth getting up at an early hour. And it all worked out because my tummy was full of deliciousness and I then got to go back to bed for another hour before going to work.

On my way to work I had one of my typical "Courtney mishaps." I thought I would hold my thermos full of coffee in my lap today rather than in the cup holder due to the closer proximity to my mouth... Well, I'm sure you can guess what happens next, but I'll tell you anyways. Yes, I drive a bit like a race car driver (I get where I'm going okay?)..and I rounded the corner too quickly apparently because for whatever reason, when I made that corner this morning my coffee spilled over onto my beautiful pink scrub pants. I was a bit upset...not so much about my pants...I was more upset about the fact that I drive the same every day and my coffee doesn't spill when it's in the cup holder, but the one day I hold it in my lap it spills...go figure. Then I had to walk into work and explain to my fellow employees that the wet stain on the crotch of my pants was not a result of me tinkling my pants, but that it was in fact coffee. And to say the least, this whole coffee-spilling-in-my-lap didn't help the fact that I did in fact have to tinkle quite badly...

But, by the end of the day, I ended up having 3 different life-altering revelations:
1. Wearing scrubs to work is the equivalent of "pajama day" every day.
2. Excessive amounts of coffee do horrific things to the digestive system.
3. New razor blades equal massive leg trauma.

Also this week, I began my summer college class. I was shocked to find out that I am one of four students in the whole class who is under the age of 23. This was a new concept for me...for once in my life as a student, I was part of the minority in the classroom.

We have now come to the wonderful time of godsend in which I will share a bible passage with you and try to connect it to my life somehow...

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Even though the mishaps and troubles I experienced today were small, this passage helps me to see that even through experiencing small troubles, we are achieving an eternal glory. Instead of me letting those mishaps bring me down, I fixed my eyes on something greater--I fixed them on God. I let Him use those small instances to make me a stronger person, to help me learn to laugh at myself, and to help me realize that the only true power is in God. I couldn't even get to work in 5 minutes if He hadn't provided me with the opportunity to own a car...I couldn't even have poured my coffee in my mug this morning if I hadn't been blessed with the gift of arms. We take these things for granted each and every day, when instead we should be thanking Him for what we do have. We spend so much time grumbling about everything wrong in our lives rather than praising everything going right. Even if things suck now, no matter how big or small, He will use it somehow. The temporary pain is only temporary. Only God knows how He will use events unseen to us to bring Him eternal glory. That is something to really praise!...It almost makes me want to see how He will use tomorrow's mishaps to help shape me to be who He wants me to be...

:)

You Know You Are a College Student When...

Okay, so I was bored the other day, so I sat down and compiled a list of 30 things that stand out in my mind as part of my first year as a college student--what an experience that was!

You know you are a college student when:
1. Going to bed at 2:00 in the morning is going to bed “early”
2. Your underwear and sock count dictate when it is time to finally do laundry
3. Eating cheap consists of Ramen Noodles in their many multitude of flavor options
4. Learning to eat your lunch in 10 minutes becomes a competition
5. Breakfast consists of a Rockstar and/or coffee
6. Your trash is overflowing
7. You can make 20 dollars last you for a month
8. You wear flip flops in the shower
9. Going to the library is a social event
10. Your trash is STILL overflowing
11. You have mastered the art of entertaining yourself with a rolling chair
12. You don’t remember the last time you washed your car
13. Procrastination runs your life
14. A bowl of cereal can easily become breakfast, lunch, AND dinner
15. It’s a tossup in the morning between showering or getting an extra 20 minutes of sleep
16. Bicycles are the primary mode of transportation
17. Paper bowls, plates, etc. are the way to go because you are “too busy” to wash dishes
18. Finding out that a class is cancelled makes you almost pee your pants with excitement
19. Everything breaks when you desperately need to use it (printer, microwave, etc.)
20. ALL food can be prepared in the microwave
21. Jeans become considered a means of “dressing up”
22. Watching 'Say Yes to the Dress' is much more entertaining than New Testament homework
23. You get up for class 10 minutes before it starts
24. Sprinting to class is your daily exercise
25. Wearing the same pair of jeans for 5 days in a row is acceptable
26. You’ve been known to not shower for 3 days
27. You’ve pulled more than 2 all-nighters per semester
28. Class size is cut in half on test days
29. Naps are highly anticipated
30. You have plenty of homework or other productive things to do, but you’d rather surf facebook or read this blog

I don't exactly have any godsend that directly relates to this wonderful list...I just know that God has supplies us with humorous experiences to help bring us joy. I'd be surprised if this didn't bring you even a hint of joy, because chances are, this brings back quite a few memories about your own college days...

I will include some godsend though...

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." -Psalm 150:6

This particular scripture has been on my heart for the past week especially since I have dedicated myself to a Christ-like attitude in all that I do. I have realized that it is possible to praise God in everything whether it be happy or sad. We can praise the Lord in all things because He has control of our lives. Everything that happens, happens for a reason. We have no reason to fear...which, is why we should use our breath to praise the Lord each and everyday because He loves and cares for us. The least we can do is thank and praise and glorify His precious name.

:)