Currently Listening Howl Howl Gaff Gaff By Shout Out Louds see related

Dimes, Bunnies and Stars

I just spet about an hour and half with my housemates.  We do this pretty much every Tuesday.  Sometimes it's a Bible study or we just talk and catch each other up on our lives.  It's always good.  Tonight was simply amazing.

We walked up to the park a couple blocks from our house (Shafor Park). We wanted to swing.   It was great! The sky was clear so we could see the stars and it's about 60 degrees here. So that made it perfect.

I love these girls.  This year has been really difficult at times and they have always been my consistent love, my blessings from God.  Mel included, I miss her a lot (first semester roomie).  I don't think that I have ever really grasped what Christian community is until this year.  When you live in it, you just get it.  I wake up in the morning to people who I can talk to about what I read during my quiet time or what I prayed about as the my day was beginning.  And when I come home, there they are, my support system...my family.

Tonight, as we laid in the middle of the park looking at the stars, we talked about life and what plans we have for the summer or our future (Tricia and Andrea).  We talked about ambitions and dreams and quirky facts about ourselves and the constellations we were looking at and how we want to go camping together and how great it'd be to have Tricia and Andrea in Cinci next year (please God).  Much better than writing my two papers or any other school thing I could be doing.

Point of the story.  I have learned that God puts people in your life who will know exactly what you need when you need it and they are called your friends.  It's taken time to really have those 'friends' here in Dayton.  It was easy at home because we grew up together and so we had to be close.  But here, those true, stay-up-all-night, i'll come get you from that party/airport/road where you car broke down/big scary house, friends haven't really been present...until now. 

Now that I have them, and will forever, I'd encourage others to not lose hope for those deep get to know you friends.  It'll happen...in God's timing.

I should write my papers now.  Goodnight world!

because of Him----dev

ps- Only 6 more days of classes!! well, for UD kids!

Currently Reading NASB Thinline Bible By Zondervan see related

Life is funny to me.  God amazes me. Not sure what to think really.  The past month or so has been a complete overload of lessons.  I'm trying to process and when I do, I'll possibly regurgitate it on here if I feel it to be relevant.  There are some things that have happened this week that have made me smile though, and are worth sharing.

When you need a kick in the "pants" God will give it to you.

1. My Grandma, who I love so incredibly much and is quite possibly the coolest lady I'll ever meet, had heart surgery this week.  I didn't find out until the day of because my mom didn't want me to worry.  When I finally did get to talk to my Grams this is what she said:  "Well Devee darling (she always says my name and darling together) they told me that if I didn't have this surgery that I wasn't going to be able to teach my line dancing class anymore.  Now what, was I supposed to do? I can't very well give that up."

***My Grams is 78 and has more of a social life than people who are in their late 20s early 30s and so on...I want to be just like her!!***

2. My dad is having surgery this week and didn't even tell me because he also didn't want me to worry.  It's not a huge deal, he says, but it's neccessary.  I'm worried but I get to see him on Friday so it's okay. (Prayers appreciated)

3. One of my best pals from project got in a really bad car accident last weekend and is really shaken up still and hurt.  She'll be okay but her car was totalled and now she has a lot of difficutly concentrating and is very emotionally drained.

4. Someone who has been a big part of my life for the better part of two years now, here at UD, is transferring next year.  We've been through a lot together and I can't say that it's the easiest thing to come to terms with.

Why am I telling you all of this? Why did I say it makes me smile? Do I need a pity party? No.

I smile because it is so evident that through everything that God allows to happen, He is glorified.  These have been my "kick in the pants" events to realize that God can, and will, take from you what He wants, when He wants.  I have been such a punk in my relationship with Him lately and I have come to the realization, slowly, that my life without my faith, is worth nothing.  It's about time I put that realization into practice.

I pray that you are able to see God in everything. May He bless you.

love you- Dev

Currently Listening All the Right Reasons By Nickelback Savin' Me, and Far Away see related

Ode To Godly Men

I just got back from listening to Donald Miller speak.  It was amazing. One of those really cool things to do in life.  It made me think a lot and I found a lot of affirmation in his words.  It was cool.  He's a very gifted writer and speaker.

So what has been impressed upon me?  Well in the Q&A session and the last reading he did from his book To Own a Dragon: Reflections on Growing up without a Father he touched on the subject of men.  It helped me to put some things into perspective.  I realized how much I cherish a friendship with a truly godly man.  A man that strives to live up to his calling and his potential.  I think I am blessed to have a few great examples of that here at school and at home.  Guys get a lot of crap for being guys and doing things that annoy, frustrate, irritate, etc. girls...naturally. 

I think that one of the most encourgaging things in my walk of faith has been seeing the men in my life step up to the plate of responsibility.  Becoming that pillar of strength that they were made to be.  I saw it a couple years ago on project, I see it in my best friend who, for the past six years has been a testament to godly men, and as I looked around the room tonight I saw multiple faces of guys that I am so grateful to have in my life. 

It's been quite the learning experience as a female to let them take that role, and run with it.  So to the godly men who strive to live like Jesus and be the men that they were made to be...thanks.  As a woman of the Lord, it means a lot.

goodnight, dream sweetly- dev

ps-this should not confuse anyone into thinking that i cherish male fellowship above time with my girls...because that is obviously not true.  just a shout out to the guys that deserve it.

Currently Listening The Night's Bloom By Pinetop Seven see related

Basically everything about my life has changed in the last week.  Its been hard.  I think I've run the spectrum of emotions in the past 6 days and that was quite a trip indeed. 

I'm excited about what God has in store for the future yet sad that things have to come to an end in some aspects.

I've had the privledge of getting to know some amazing people through the ministry that I have been involved in over the past (almost) 3 years.  I love those people, it takes a lot to do what they do.

The stream of recent events has caused me to wonder how those relationships will end up.  I know it's early to tell.  But over the past couple days it has been good.  A mending a time to understand and hear each other.  I'm sure it will get rocky again and confusing.  That's okay though as long we continue to follow the Lord.  I cling to Him night and day now.  I wish I could say that I did before, but I didn't.  I rather like it here though, in the comfort and protection of His arms. Not the, "I'm safe everything will always be flowers and beautiful music and will never hurt or be tough" kind of comfort....but the "No matter what happens He is in control and knows way more than I ever could or will and has His plans already set for my life and His will" kind of comfort.

It's times like these when I realize, truly realize, how much I love being the daughter of The King.  Of The One that will fight for His children always and draw them close and test them to grow them even closer.

Things are going to continue to change and will be different for awhile and hard.  But Faith and Trust and Hope in the Lord is the sustenance to know that things will be okay.

God shows Himself to you everyday, regardless of whether or not you believe He exists.  I pray that you can see Him today, in everything, blessings and trials.  He wants you to know what it is to rest and to have peace and to have joy.

Grace and Peace to you my friends.

because of Him- dev

Currently Listening Any Time Now By O.A.R. see related

Okay Nathan, I'll play your little game...

TEN FIRSTS:
First Best Friend: Megan, when i was in pre-school, we lived across the street from each other and she had cool barbies
First Screen Name: the one i have now
First Pet: two cats, boots and skittles
First Crush: hmmm, zach...when i was 7, he was my 'boyfriend'
First CD: "Hot Stuff"...a compilation of country music that my mom gave to me...because she didn't want it...thanks mom!
First Car: '97 Toyota Camry...still have it...121,000 miles and still going
First Love: Hmm, interesting...my frist real sense of True Love...Jesus...everything else was a poor substitute

stuffed animal: lamb chop...had it in the crib when i was born...then it was replaced by mr. pickle at age 3...wonder where those ever went...

NINE LASTS:
Last Alcoholic Beverage/Beer: christmas break with my family...coffee and bailey's irish cream...the irish really know what's up...
Last Movie Saw: DVD:since i'm babysitting...we just watch wallace and grommit, pretty good really...last movie in a theater...Christmas break with the crew...that really bad holiday movie with sarah jessica parker...what was it called again??
Last Phone Call:  amy from apex.
Last CD Played: NickleCreek...thanks Andrea!
Last Bubble Bath: wowwwww...i dunno, but boy does that sound good
Last Time you Cried: Christmas Break...when i realized how blessed i was to have stayed connected with people who know my ins-and-outs like no one else does...thanks homies!
Last thing you thought of: well, the last question made me think of home...and the last time i spent a lot of time there with those people...does anyone remember the summer after senior year...wow

3. prayed
4. read my Bible
5. asked Kitch to be my valentine...she said sure but we'd have to spend most of the night working the Marycrest front desk together...doesn't sound like much of a date...
6. had a 5 year old tell me i'm really good at cuddling...it was cute...really cute

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS YOU LOVE IN ORDER
1. Jesus.
2. family
3. friends
4. adventure
5. playing.

FOUR PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ALMOST ANYTHING TO
1. Jesus.
2. Catherine/Linds/Timmy/Rich

3. i think that covers it for now
THREE CHOICES
1. Black or white: white
2. Hot or Cold: cold
3. Chocolate or Vanilla: vanilla

TWO THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE
1. hmmm...fall in love
2. have a family of my own

ONE THING YOU REGRET
1. "forget regret, or life is your's to miss..." (yes nathan...i'll steal this from you, b/c you're totally right on with it!!)

hope you enjoyed guys! have a great one! gotta go wake the boys up so we can go see 'Curious George'...i'm pretty excited...

God bless you- dev