Tale as old as time...

I promised a report on my thoughts of the play, so here ya go!

Sunday night I attended "Beauty and the Beast" at the Gammage theatre with some friends. It was my first time getting to see the Gammage (which was quite stunning!), and my first time in a long time seeing a professional production. Suffice to say, I was very pleased! The scenery, costumes, acting, singing, live orchestra - EVERYTHING was beautiful!

We shared a lot of laughs and had a great time.

Being on a practically non-existent, college-student budget, we got the cheapest tickets available ($27), which ended us up in the highest seats available (what a drop!). It was pretty crazy! And even though the actors much resembled ants to us, the show still ROCKED. I can't imagine what it must have been like for the front-row seaters. Still, we had a view that a lot of other people didn't get, which really made me appreciate all the choreography, scene placement, and scene changes. They did great! I would definitely go see another show there if anything comes up that I think I would enjoy.

Outside Temp: 78°F

Countdown till end of school: 46 days! (I'm going to make it!)

Verse of the Day:

Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Deuteronomy 7:9

My Life

I could hardly believe it when September was coming to an end, and now we're already halfway through October! Time is really flying by, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing... In fact, I'm rather glad of it, because with each day that ends I'm just that much closer to graduating! FREEDOM IS CALLING MY NAME!

To the right is an image that basically depicts my life right now. I'm taking 5 classes to finish up my two-year degree, working at chick-fil-a (which rocks), keeping personal time with the Lord a top priority, and also trying to throw in a little fitness (in the form of weights, jogging, and biking).

I keep myself on a pretty tight schedule, but I've actually found this to be my most stress-free semester yet! Which seems

weird because my course load is the biggest its ever been, and I added a job on top of it! But it just goes to show that the joy of the Lord truly can be our strength if we choose it, and I believe that as I've gotten deeper in my relationship with God, He's matured me in so many ways, and given me more ability to cope with the demands of life. I still have my struggles - not denying that - but even amidst them I now have this peace that I really hadn't experienced before. It's wonderful!

Aside from school and work I DO still have a personal life too, believe it or not. I enjoy spending what free time I have with friends and family, even if it is brief. Our college bible study group is having a get-together this friday night to watch "How to Train Your Dragon," play games, and go to a christian concert in town, which I'm definitely looking forward to.

Also, I'm VERY excited to be going to see the "Beauty and the Beast" play at ASU with a friend on Sunday night.

It's been so long since I've seen a live production, and Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories! I'll be sure to report my thoughts on it after we go.

Something else I'm excited about is the prospect of transferring to Calvary Chapel Bible college next year (fall) to get my bachelors in

Biblical Studies. I still haven't applied yet, but the more I look into it and pray about it, the more it seems like this may be where the Lord wants me next year. I'll be honest, I don't really want to leave home...but I can also see how it would be a good experience and maybe just what I need to do. Not to mention there are TWO chick-fil-a's within 10 minutes of the college campus. Coincidence? I think not.

Outside Temp: 65°F

Countdown to end of semester: 52 days!

Verse of the Day:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

I'm Lovin' It

I'm not really sure if it's....right to use the McDonald's slogan to describe how I feel about working at Chick-fil-a, but it's exactly how I feel! I'M LOVIN' IT! Getting this job has been such a wonderful opportunity, and I really enjoy going to work! Not only are the people I work for nice, but the people I work with have been great too. It's a very positive, encouraging atmosphere - which is exactly where I want to be. So far I've gotten to do a little bit of everything: front register, drive-thru, dining room service, desert-making, cleaning at closing, etc.

The only place I'm not employed in is the kitchen, which I am very thankful for, seeing as I can't really cook! And definitely not at the speed that these orders come in. Making ice-creams (chick-fil-a calls them icedreams) and milk-shakes is hard enough. It seems like it would be so easy, but it actually takes some skill! It almost took me the whole night to finally be able to make a decent cone, but now I feel pretty proficient in it! So...altogether I've worked 4 days, which is how long the store has been open. Another GREAT thing about Chick-fil-a is it's closed on Sundays, which means I don't have to miss church to go to work! I am very excited about that, plus everyone needs a rest sometime. It's important. And I think it helps the business more than hurting it, actually, which is awesome.

So I just wanted to get the good-word out for Chick-fil-a! If you haven't tried it before, I highly recommend going in and trying our #1 combo meal to start out, or the #6 combo meal! And if you have been to a chick-fil-a before, I hope your experience was as great as a guest as mine has been as an employee. I can't wait to keep going back.

Outside Temp: 99°F

Countdown to end-0f-school semester: 83 days! (That actually doesn't sound that long!)

Verse of the Day:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

James 3

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement..." (vs 1)

Leadership forces responsibility. If we are in a position of authority or influence over anyone, the greater our responsibilities will be, and we will be held to a higher standard. Just something to be aware of!

"Look also at ships: although they are so large, and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how a little fire kindles a great forest!" (vs 4-5)

This is something I've struggled with a lot. I've prayed continually for God to help me guard my tongue, so that I will speak good things and not destructive things. Sometimes I have the tendency to want to speak before I think about the implications, and I've really been learning to hold back and consider. I don't always get it right, but the power of the Holy Spirit is working in me in this area! The tongue is such a powerful thing. It can defile our whole body, and it can steer the course of our life! It is not something to be taken lightly.

"Out of the same mouth produce blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so..." (vs 10)

To me this speaks so clearly of inconsistency. So often our lives just don't match up! We bless God one moment, but the next we are cursing others. Maybe not literally cursing someone, but so often what we do and say is not reflective of Christ...even though we claim to follow Him. When did we become so divided? We can't keep jumping back-and-forth over the fence. We're either for Him or against Him, no in between.

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom..." (vs 13)

The Bible clearly instructs us to be be slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to listen. We should be doing good works in humbleness, and seeking divine wisdom from the Lord DAILY. The Word says that those who have bitter envy, are self-seeking, and boast and lie against the truth are confused an evil. Their wisdom is from the world. Wisdom from above is what we should be seeking. This wisdom is: pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, merciful, bearing good fruit, showing no partiality, without hypocrisy...

"Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace..."

Saying Goodbye to...

As of today, September 1st 2010, I have decided to give up drinking soda for another year. This includes every type of soda, even Root Beer (AHHH!). I did this "soda fast" last year from May 1st 2009 until May 1st 2010, and I felt great! But ever since being back on soda over this summer, I just really feel like it is something I want to give up again. I'm definitely not a health-nut, but I truly felt a difference when I was off soda, and living in the desert...I need all the water I can get! So I'm doing it again, and feel free to join me if you want! Or maybe you have something else you'd like to give up for a year, or even 6 months? I know it sounds crazy, but there's a lot of fulfillment that comes from making a commitment and then sticking to it. There's so many things to choose from!

Anyway, I just wanted to get this out there so that I'd have some accountability, and maybe encourage you to try something different, too!

Outside Temp: 92°F

Countdown till Chick-fil-a: 15 days!

Verse of the Day:

As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him prosper. ... But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction.

2 Chronicles 26:5b,16a