Week In Review

Hey all, it is 11:00 at night and I still have to do Cornerstone homework, but I figured I would give you all a "quick" update. Ummm.....the quick list for the week is that one of our wing girls got married, another had a birthday (we went to dinner on Tuesday for her and did not get to do our eleveator stunt, and we can't next week because there is a Toga party in Culver :( ) and we lost our powder puff game. Oh, I don't have any realy funny stories I can think of, ut we did make another video and it's even funnier. Yes, the Backstreet Boys live in my wing. Oh, one quick story is that Esmy, who got married, is in the video and we were showing it to her family after the wedding and when Sarah came on (she is in a green jersey with a bandana), the best man goes "Es a mujer!?!?" ("It's a woman!?!?"). I think he got embarassed when a couple of us busted up laughing, but it was hilarious, and even more so in spanish.

On a more serious note, I went on the Christian Ministry retreat this weekend. I did not want to go, but it's part of my grade for my Intro to Christ. Min. class. I rode the late bus and got there at 1 Saturday morning (we were up in McCall). The two guys who sat in front of me were blown away because I fell asleep with my head tucked in the corner between the wall and the back of the seat, and then my knees were by my nose. Seriously, every time we had a meal or something, they brought it up. It was pretty funny. That aside, the retreat wasn't that bad. The food and fellowship was really good. At one point we had small group discussions that I was nervous about (that was the grade thing) but basically it was just testimonies and they were really encouraging. ACtually, that was probably one of my favorite parts. The "sessions," on the other hand, left something to be desired. Not to dis anyone or anything, but there was very little real spiritual food up there. They focus so much on stories and personal testimonies (which are great, but not for every sermon as the whole sermon) and so little on the word of God. (quick sidenote, the Nazarenes are against dancing and drinking any wine, yet both are done in the Bible. However, you can ordain women, which is clearly against the Bible......IDK, it just baffles me) We did take communion though, which I have not had the chance to do in a long time, and that was really neat. The absolute best thing, though, was that I did get a little time to myself to study and pray. If you think of me, pray for me. In so many ways God has been so good, even as He continues to reveal areas of weakness and struggle and sin in my life. The two biggest are pride and selfishness. I can run away and get distracted here at college, but the truth is that I just see more and more of how undeserving I truly am. But, God is faithful. It was so good to pour my heart out to HIm. Pray that He would grow me and that He would be number 1 in my life. I truely desire to serve and love Him, just pray I would not lose focus. Back to the retreat, the only oher really cool thing was on the bus ride home where we spent over an hour singing hymns and praise and worship songs. It was so encouraging to worship in song in that setting; you'd have ot be there to fully appreciate it.

Sort of changing gears, I did get to go to college group tonight. That, on the other hand, is probably the one place I feel spiritually fed regularly here in Nampa. Man, the people are incredible. It is so good to fellowship with like minded believers who genuiney care about eachother. There is a unity and a joy there that you can not find outside the church. A number of people noticed I hadn't been in church today and wondered why. That really means a lot one month into attending The Rock. Unfortunately, the messages are usually short and more application than Bible Study, but they are Biblical (which is rare from my experience here). But, again, God is good. He really did bless me with finding this church and people who give me rides every week. I love seeing how He worked everything together those first couple of weeks to get me there. I can't express how encouraged I was today, how at peace there. I love my wing mates and all, and I respect the people who have different views on the Bible and stuff (not that I agree with them, but God judges the heart so I'll leave it to Him), but there is always something lacking that can only be filled by people who share your convictions. Anyway, I'm sure you get it. I am not, again, trying to dis anyone or whatever, I simply wish you could understand how blessed I feel here and at the Rock and I want God to be glorified for it.

So, that is about it from my end. I will write again soon, hopefully. I would love to hear from you all, prayer requests, life, stories, whatever. Call, write, email....Yeah. Love you guys.

AK