Saturday, February 28, 2004
God is good. For no particular reason, my heart is really soft and stirred at the moment. It's kind of a feeling of not wanting to be around people, just wanting to get with the Lord. I feel tender in a way that I could cry at any moment, but in a healty way, not overly sensitive....just right, I'd say. And if I were to cry, it would be for good reasons, such as God's goodness and sweetness and faithfulness. I'll probably get into the Word some, and maybe do some ATS homework. But first I thought I'd catch up on some blogging...
Book Signing
On February 4, a Thursday, Floyd McClung came and spoke in ATS, as this is what the World Mandate speakers do each year. I like Floyd a lot--He's a big, bear of a man, and is just real fun to listen to. Anyway, while he was talking, he mentioned a book he had written, and if we wanted to buy one, we could at the break. So I went and got one, and then went up to him to have it signed. He was kinda chatting w/me and my friend w/me and before he started to write in my book, he said, "Amy, right?" I was impressed he had remembered my name from when I had asked him a question earlier during the class. He started signing, and exclaimed "Argh" or something to that extent, having clearly made a mistake. "I'm sorry, I'll get you another one," and he turned to go get another book. I didn't know what he had done but I said, "No, leave it, it'll be fun!" After seeing I was serious, he finished writing, and held the cover open in front of me to show me what he had written: "To: Floyd McClung" (that's what he had written before the "argh") "From: Amy :)" (what he wrote after I asked him to keep it). I love it!! We laughed quite a bit over it, he gave me a nice, big, side bear hug and I went and sat down. I told him he increased the value of my book by signing it that way. :) too fun.
More updates to come...
Book Signing
On February 4, a Thursday, Floyd McClung came and spoke in ATS, as this is what the World Mandate speakers do each year. I like Floyd a lot--He's a big, bear of a man, and is just real fun to listen to. Anyway, while he was talking, he mentioned a book he had written, and if we wanted to buy one, we could at the break. So I went and got one, and then went up to him to have it signed. He was kinda chatting w/me and my friend w/me and before he started to write in my book, he said, "Amy, right?" I was impressed he had remembered my name from when I had asked him a question earlier during the class. He started signing, and exclaimed "Argh" or something to that extent, having clearly made a mistake. "I'm sorry, I'll get you another one," and he turned to go get another book. I didn't know what he had done but I said, "No, leave it, it'll be fun!" After seeing I was serious, he finished writing, and held the cover open in front of me to show me what he had written: "To: Floyd McClung" (that's what he had written before the "argh") "From: Amy :)" (what he wrote after I asked him to keep it). I love it!! We laughed quite a bit over it, he gave me a nice, big, side bear hug and I went and sat down. I told him he increased the value of my book by signing it that way. :) too fun.
More updates to come...
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Confidence in Christ
Thank you, Pukester, for your faithful accountability! :-D I am here, ready to write. Don't know how far I will get today, but I'll make a dent at least. I'll begin with my day yesterday...
Yesterday was a good day at ATS. I met with AG afterward, and every-other-Wednesday thing, we had lunch, I shared some things the Lord is doing in my heart, and that was that. Good times. I was home by 2ish and didn't have anything planned until 5, which is when our girls' house night (Chica Noche) begins. After spending some time with VS, I came upstairs to take a nap...it was around 3 by this time. At about 3:30, I woke up to BL crying out loud for her cat, Bailey, just about frantic. She had come home with the back door wide open, and couldn't find her cat. BL crumpled in the hallway in tears, and Bailey walked out of the prayer room to greet her. We were relieved. But then we realize Hampton, VS's dog, is missing. We search for him in and around the house. No Hampton. I call VS at the church, where she works, and she immediately comes home. VS in her car and BL and I in BL's, we drive around the neighborhood, searching for Hampton. BL and I are driving along, and we see a dog laying down on a lawn, soaking in the sun! I could not believe Hampton could be so non-chalant about being so far from home! BL stops the car and gets out, and I begin to call VS's phone. But this little white dog starts yipping at BL, and she stops in her steps. It's not Hampton. *sigh* We keep driving and soon get a call from VS saying she found her dog. Craziness. We all go back to the house.
By this time it's about 4. I laugh a little about how my nap was interrupted and how my afternoon ended up being more active than I had planned. I was hoping I could sleep a little bit more before Chica Noche. VS starts to head out the door to go back to the church, and "Violet" is at the door. VS comes back to us to ask us if we could get Violet a broom...she can't help her b/c she was on her way out. I don't know much about Violet, except she's a poorer person that's around our neighborhood at times, and she comes by our house occasionally. As a house rule, we don't give money to people, but sometimes if she needs a ride somewhere one of my roommates will give her a ride...We may have given her food before, I'm not sure. Anywho, she was still standing outside when I brought her a broom, and I noticed she was a little teary, but since the world revolves around me (gag), I tried to brush it off, and was like "have a good day" or something terrible like that and started to close the door. Before I did close the door, though, Violet asked if anyone else was home, and asked if they could pray for her. My heart sunk. I obviously hadn't presented myself as a caring, praying person. I've had very little interaction with her compared to some of my roommates, so she doesn't know me well, but I wouldn't really want to pray with me either if I were her at that point. I just wanted to go get my nap. Anyway, I invited her in, and went to get BL so we could pray for her together.
She began to cry a bit more, so it took a little while for her to say what she wanted prayer for. We had her sit down, and she shared that she was really scared, and that people were after her life. Her sister had recently jumped her, trying to get money out of her pockets, so Violet reported it, and her sister was briefly put in jail, but that stirred up people a bit. She shared a little more, and I had no idea what to do, or how to pray, but I prayed nonetheless. She said all the clothes she had was what she was wearing at that moment. So I ran upstairs and gathered a few things that I thought might fit her (she's bigger than me). I gave her my BHS sweatshirt, along with a couple others, sweatpants I bought in Afghanistan, a black and brown striped shirt NH gave me a few years ago (this was the hardest thing to part from), and a blanket. We got her a couple other things, and by this time WS was in there with me bug BL had left. Violet shared a bit more with WS, and then WS asked me if I would be willing to take her car and take Violet home. It was 4:35 at this point. I was excited about taking her home. WS was really good with making sure it was okay, as it could have potentially been a tough situation, but i was at complete peace, and was confident in the protection of my Father, who "happens to be" the Creator of the world. :o) Being in the car with Violet wouldn't have been a problem, but the only caution in my spirit was the people that could be at her house.
So I was cautious, yes, but I didn't sense any fear in me at all, which was encouraging. She directed me to her house, a couple miles away, and I parked in front, where a handful of people were, her relatives perhaps? I got out of the car to help Violet take the things we gave her into the house. I greeted the people in front, and followed Violet in. We went through a narrow entry and then came to a door on our right, closed with a padlock locking it. Violet pulled out a key, telling me one of my roommates had given her the padlock, and we went in. She stays in a very small room, not much bigger than her bed. Very poor. She showed me a couple things, we hugged each other goodbye, and I walked back out. As I walked out, one of the guys said, "Aw, you mean you're not taking her with you?!" My heart broke in somewhat of a "holy anger." I responsed "No, she's great! You ought to want her here!." And he said "Are you kidding me?" and I said "No, really, she's great." And I said "goodbye" and drove off. I was FULL of the joy of the Lord. I was just praising God. I felt like a rock. Not a fear in me, which is 100% God, b/c I'm a scaredy cat. I felt I had full authority to look that man in his eyes and say whatever I needed to say.
All of that, especially taking Violet home, was the highlight of my day yesterday. I just loved it. I am so sick of how self-focused I am. I was so close to missing all of that. Pray for Violet right now if you have a minute. She's living in a tough situation. She may be a "druggie" and may off a little mentally....she just reallly needs Jesus. And I believe she knows Him to some extent....there are just still major strongholds. Lord, bless that woman.
Okay, I still have that list of things to write on....keep reminding me. Maybe later today. TTFN :o)
Thank you, Pukester, for your faithful accountability! :-D I am here, ready to write. Don't know how far I will get today, but I'll make a dent at least. I'll begin with my day yesterday...
Yesterday was a good day at ATS. I met with AG afterward, and every-other-Wednesday thing, we had lunch, I shared some things the Lord is doing in my heart, and that was that. Good times. I was home by 2ish and didn't have anything planned until 5, which is when our girls' house night (Chica Noche) begins. After spending some time with VS, I came upstairs to take a nap...it was around 3 by this time. At about 3:30, I woke up to BL crying out loud for her cat, Bailey, just about frantic. She had come home with the back door wide open, and couldn't find her cat. BL crumpled in the hallway in tears, and Bailey walked out of the prayer room to greet her. We were relieved. But then we realize Hampton, VS's dog, is missing. We search for him in and around the house. No Hampton. I call VS at the church, where she works, and she immediately comes home. VS in her car and BL and I in BL's, we drive around the neighborhood, searching for Hampton. BL and I are driving along, and we see a dog laying down on a lawn, soaking in the sun! I could not believe Hampton could be so non-chalant about being so far from home! BL stops the car and gets out, and I begin to call VS's phone. But this little white dog starts yipping at BL, and she stops in her steps. It's not Hampton. *sigh* We keep driving and soon get a call from VS saying she found her dog. Craziness. We all go back to the house.
By this time it's about 4. I laugh a little about how my nap was interrupted and how my afternoon ended up being more active than I had planned. I was hoping I could sleep a little bit more before Chica Noche. VS starts to head out the door to go back to the church, and "Violet" is at the door. VS comes back to us to ask us if we could get Violet a broom...she can't help her b/c she was on her way out. I don't know much about Violet, except she's a poorer person that's around our neighborhood at times, and she comes by our house occasionally. As a house rule, we don't give money to people, but sometimes if she needs a ride somewhere one of my roommates will give her a ride...We may have given her food before, I'm not sure. Anywho, she was still standing outside when I brought her a broom, and I noticed she was a little teary, but since the world revolves around me (gag), I tried to brush it off, and was like "have a good day" or something terrible like that and started to close the door. Before I did close the door, though, Violet asked if anyone else was home, and asked if they could pray for her. My heart sunk. I obviously hadn't presented myself as a caring, praying person. I've had very little interaction with her compared to some of my roommates, so she doesn't know me well, but I wouldn't really want to pray with me either if I were her at that point. I just wanted to go get my nap. Anyway, I invited her in, and went to get BL so we could pray for her together.
She began to cry a bit more, so it took a little while for her to say what she wanted prayer for. We had her sit down, and she shared that she was really scared, and that people were after her life. Her sister had recently jumped her, trying to get money out of her pockets, so Violet reported it, and her sister was briefly put in jail, but that stirred up people a bit. She shared a little more, and I had no idea what to do, or how to pray, but I prayed nonetheless. She said all the clothes she had was what she was wearing at that moment. So I ran upstairs and gathered a few things that I thought might fit her (she's bigger than me). I gave her my BHS sweatshirt, along with a couple others, sweatpants I bought in Afghanistan, a black and brown striped shirt NH gave me a few years ago (this was the hardest thing to part from), and a blanket. We got her a couple other things, and by this time WS was in there with me bug BL had left. Violet shared a bit more with WS, and then WS asked me if I would be willing to take her car and take Violet home. It was 4:35 at this point. I was excited about taking her home. WS was really good with making sure it was okay, as it could have potentially been a tough situation, but i was at complete peace, and was confident in the protection of my Father, who "happens to be" the Creator of the world. :o) Being in the car with Violet wouldn't have been a problem, but the only caution in my spirit was the people that could be at her house.
So I was cautious, yes, but I didn't sense any fear in me at all, which was encouraging. She directed me to her house, a couple miles away, and I parked in front, where a handful of people were, her relatives perhaps? I got out of the car to help Violet take the things we gave her into the house. I greeted the people in front, and followed Violet in. We went through a narrow entry and then came to a door on our right, closed with a padlock locking it. Violet pulled out a key, telling me one of my roommates had given her the padlock, and we went in. She stays in a very small room, not much bigger than her bed. Very poor. She showed me a couple things, we hugged each other goodbye, and I walked back out. As I walked out, one of the guys said, "Aw, you mean you're not taking her with you?!" My heart broke in somewhat of a "holy anger." I responsed "No, she's great! You ought to want her here!." And he said "Are you kidding me?" and I said "No, really, she's great." And I said "goodbye" and drove off. I was FULL of the joy of the Lord. I was just praising God. I felt like a rock. Not a fear in me, which is 100% God, b/c I'm a scaredy cat. I felt I had full authority to look that man in his eyes and say whatever I needed to say.
All of that, especially taking Violet home, was the highlight of my day yesterday. I just loved it. I am so sick of how self-focused I am. I was so close to missing all of that. Pray for Violet right now if you have a minute. She's living in a tough situation. She may be a "druggie" and may off a little mentally....she just reallly needs Jesus. And I believe she knows Him to some extent....there are just still major strongholds. Lord, bless that woman.
Okay, I still have that list of things to write on....keep reminding me. Maybe later today. TTFN :o)
Monday, February 16, 2004
Reminder to myself (and for you to keep me accountable) of topics on which I need to write...
Book signing
Joppa dream
World Mandate
Ground dream
Vday
:o)
Book signing
Joppa dream
World Mandate
Ground dream
Vday
:o)
Saturday, February 14, 2004
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
I woke up this Valentine's Day morning to a blanket of snow outside my window! :o) How fun is that? Yay. I think I'm going to go eat some. Mmm.. :) I will be having a very mellow Valentine's today. I'm just hanging around the house like any other Saturday, reading, finishing getting out newsletters (for my ATS outreach), etc. Then tonight the eight of us roomies, plus one other girl, are going to an Italian restaurant and then coming back here to play games and such. I think it will be a good day, overall. More than anything today, may you know the love of the Father that is lavished upon you. Happy Valentine's Day!
I woke up this Valentine's Day morning to a blanket of snow outside my window! :o) How fun is that? Yay. I think I'm going to go eat some. Mmm.. :) I will be having a very mellow Valentine's today. I'm just hanging around the house like any other Saturday, reading, finishing getting out newsletters (for my ATS outreach), etc. Then tonight the eight of us roomies, plus one other girl, are going to an Italian restaurant and then coming back here to play games and such. I think it will be a good day, overall. More than anything today, may you know the love of the Father that is lavished upon you. Happy Valentine's Day!
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Night crawlers
J, my roommate, just came to ask me to rescue her from an "ugly bug" on her bed. I'm glad to be known as one able to handle bug issues. :o)
J, my roommate, just came to ask me to rescue her from an "ugly bug" on her bed. I'm glad to be known as one able to handle bug issues. :o)
