Week 2 of Gathering Prep

Romans 12:13

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

A lot of the aspects of the gathering remind me of practicing hospitality. But one thing that sticks out to me most about sharing with God's people is an opportunity that anyone at the gathering will have: donating hair.  There will be people at the gathering who will give a haircut for anyone who would like to donate their hair for Locks of Love.  Remember when I chopped off my hair?  I'm really excited that people at the gathering will have an opportunity to share with children who are fighting cancer.  I think that donating hair is a great service that anyone can do and be proud of what they are doing.  Again, I'm thankful for all of the people who have put together the gathering and all of the opportunities for service and worship.

Recycled Crayons!

I found this little gem of a project on Pinterest.  I knew my mom had a silicone pan that would work and I knew I had a bunch of crayons leftover from when I was little! So, this weekend, I found something to keep me busy.  :) 

If you'd like to make them, it's really simple! 

You chop up a bunch of crayons into smallish pieces (I used a hand chopper).

Then you put them in a silicone pan and set the oven to 250º.  Let them melt for 15 minutes and then cool them.   I put them in our porch so that they'd cool faster.

I'm totally satisfied and can't wait to share with friends!

Life

This semester I'm taking a few courses that I really enjoy.  Actually, the majority I enjoy. They include the Intro to the Hebrew Bible, Intro to Women's Studies, Concepts of Stars and the Universe, Communication Studies and Race in America.  I'm still in the women's choir too! Some of them are challenging which I really enjoy.  I like to learn! So spending quality time with my books and computer is great.  I hope the rest of the semester keeps busy! 

How is your life?

Week 1 of Gathering Prep

Philippians 4:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus


There are a lot of things about the gathering that I'm worried about.  I have never been to a national gathering, only synod gatherings.  I know they operate in similar ways but on a larger scale.  I'm a little nervous about my placement and who will be at the hotel that I'm volunteering at.  I hope that at least one group of people that I'm familiar with is there.  But if not, it will all be fine.  


I'm also worried about getting there and anxious to make my travel plans.  It's a possibility that I may drive with a friend of a friend but it's all still up in the air.  If you know me at all, you'll know that I'm a planner.  I like to have everything worked out well in advance.  I just keep reminding myself that I have to relax, pray and trust that everything will work out.  


Sometimes, it's really hard to trust things that are happening out of my control.  I'd rather figure out everything on my own but I know that God is always next to me, helping me plan.  I like to think of him as a "behind the scenes" guy.  He's always making sure that things run as smooth as possible.  So! I guess that I'll make it through all of the worry.  Prayer is key.  

Beauty and the Beast 3D!

For the first time since I moved to college, and for the first time in probably seven months, I went to the movie! It was great.  I went after my choir retreat with some girls from choir.  We saw Beauty and the Beast in 3D.  Yes, we did sing along.  Sometimes, I'm really excited that there are things that can ground me back to childhood.  Things were a lot more simple then.  But, growing up isn't all that bad.  I'm thankful today for great friends to enjoy a movie with! 

The Perfect Friday Breakfast

I'm totally glad that Friday mornings occasionally

involve chocolate croissants from the bakery!

My new schedule allows me to go out on baking 

days and not have to rush back for class which is

really nice.  This morning, I decided to make some

coffee and  do some reading for class.  It's nice

to be learning about things that I'm engaged in

and want to learn about! So this morning, was a 

definite win.  

ELCA National Youth Gathering

This summer, I will be volunteering for the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans! I am totally excited.  Some of you may know that I was on the Lutheran Youth Organization Board for NWMN Synod during my junior and senior years of high school.  Through that time, I learned that service is my passion, especially for youth.  

Last summer, I applied to be a Community Life Volunteer.  I was excited to be accepted and am now mentally preparing for a week of ministering with other young adults to thousands of high school students who will be in New Orleans for the gathering.  

Through out the next couple of months, I will occasionally blog about my thoughts on the gathering and I will update you while I am there and give a recap after I get home.  

I would love it if you were able to support me with prayer and, if possible, through donation for my air fair.  

You may notice that I have added a donation button to the blog, if not, look to the right! 

Instead of doing a fundraiser selling stuff that no one really wants or needs, I have decided to ask for your support through donations.  

Thank you all! I hope you're having a fabulous week! 

Safety First!

My birthday was on Wednesday.  Since I live off campus, I've been biking to school.  Minnesota is going through a weird phase. Amazingly enough, after being able to ride to school ALL of last semester, I can still ride tomorrow.  So strange.  Anyway, last semester, halfway through, my helmet broke.  So! My lovely sister and brother-in-law got me a fancy new helmet for my birthday.  Is it weird that I'm excited to ride just so I can wear my new helmet?! 

Happy Sunday!

Winter Break 2011

I'm horribly sorry for the temporary hiatus.  I left my memory card reader at school-home and didn't have it.  I wish I would have so I could have shared all of the awesomeness that was winter break! So instead, you'll get a lot of pictures in one post! Hooray!

Nothing is better than reading by the Christmas tree.  It's so peaceful.  I wish all year involved pretty lights, warm socks, and a good book.  

I got to see one of my best friends who goes to school way too far away from me.  We had our traditional Zorbaz date in DL.  What I would do without her, I have no idea.  I love that friendships can  just pick up right where they leave off, no matter what.  Conversation is a lovely thing.  

Then, I got on a plane and went to Denver! Huzzah! I had been looking forward to that trip since May. I'm a planner, what can I say?  Plane rides are awesome.  I have no idea why I like them.  I think I must be abnormal considering the amount of people who dislike flying. 

Denver led to Breckenridge.  What is Colorado without spending time on the mountain?  It was a fantastic two days.  The first day happened to be my birthday! Whoo! Best birthday ever.  Spending it with my older brother was amazing. I'm so glad I got the chance to go out and visit him for a week. 

The mountains were amazing.  This was towards the top of my first black diamond.  Mind you, I did the black diamond on my fourth time skiing EVER! It was an accident but I'm glad that I did it.  I only fell twice on it, accounting for all of my falls that day.  Whoo!

Again, mountains.  There's nothing better.  Minnesota is boring in comparison.  

I have no idea what this was supposed to be.  I'm pretty sure I fell... and Nate saw it as a perfect photo opportunity.  I'm glad his friend could help make the picture.  

The three of us together. This is a photo that commemorates the best birthday ever.  I can't imagine doing anything better, and with better people.  

Second day skiing.  Seriously, the background is unbelievable.  I *really* did not want to come back to MN. 

Sunset wrapping up my birthday on the mountain.  

This is the best energy drink on the face of the planet. It is only sold in Colorado.  So, Nate filled my suitcase with a supply.  Seeing him and getting more Go Fast are definite excuses to go back to Colorado.  

Overall, break was amazing.  I did get my wisdom teeth out on my first real day of break. It was horrible but I'm glad that it's over with.  I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my first winter break of college.  Hopefully Colorado will remain an annual trip.  Or perhaps become my new home? 

I hope you all had a lovely three weeks and a great break!