And in this one, I just tagged people:
One more; this is something that happens often:
Monday, January 28, 2013
Photos
Okay, so these are croppings of the best photos I have of everyone, so you can meet them. :)
My core group! (left to right) Front: Maria, Bailee, and Jenny. Back: Sharon, Sam, Lindsey, Estefania, and Meredith.
And in this one, I just tagged people:
One more; this is something that happens often:
This is my outside-the-prayer-room normal. Have fun thinking about that.
And in this one, I just tagged people:
One more; this is something that happens often:
Thursday, January 24, 2013
A few of my new friends
So, I thought I'd do a brief introduction to a few of my new friends, just so I can use names later without you all going, "Huh?"
Roommate:
Bailee is my roommate. She's the only one I have, but our ACL (Assistant Core Leader) is in the same apartment. She is the awesomest roomie ever! We get along really well. She's really funny, and if I don't survive OTI, it's because she made me die laughing.
Core Leader
Sharon is our CL. She's a lot of fun just to be around. I can't figure out who she reminds me of, but when I figure it out, you'll probably find out.
ACL:
Sam is our ACL. She lives in the same apartment as Bailee and me, but she's in a different room. Between her IHOPU classes and our OTI classes, we just about only see her at our core group meetings and house meetings (where our core group gets together in our apartment; our core group has two apartments, mine and the one across the hall).
Core group (#8):
The other girls in my core group are Meredith, Lindsey, Maria, Estefania, and Jenny. (There were two others who were supposed to be in with Bailee and me, but they didn't show up.) Meredith is by far the most enthusiastic of all of us. She really has a passion for God and a desire to grow. Lindsey has the most infectious smile I've ever seen. She's also adorable. Maria is probably the toughest. She's part Filipino and ran track in high school. Estefania and Jenny are international. Jenny is from England but she's originally German; I don't remember what country Estefania is from, but she's Latin American. I should probably also note that we're all 18 because they group us by age, and I'm the oldest.
Others I've hung out with:
Okay, first I should note that the girls all tend to clump together with their core groups, so it's really hard to meet new girls. That said, I am starting to get to know one, named Pamela, but I don't know her well yet. The guys are far more open to meeting new people, and Bailee, Maria, and I are all working on "breaking the wall" between guys and girls (aka, we're getting to know quite a few of the guys and trying to pull other girls into the mixed tables). The guys we've hung out with most are Gabe, Luke, and two Joshes (no idea if I pluralized that correctly or not). We call Gabe "Rabbi" because he has an awesome long, untrimmed beard. He just turned 25 yesterday. Luke is really hyper. If Bailee doesn't kill me, Luke will. The first Josh is really talkative and into psychology. The second is just sort of...there. He's really quiet. I've also had a few conversations with a guy named Peter. He gave me an Anthem Lights CD, so yeah, he's awesome.
And that's about it so far. I'll write about more people as I get to know them.
Bye everyone!
PS. Oh, and the family I stayed with my first night here, their son is one of the worship leaders. So it's kinda cool to be walking down the sidewalk and stop for a conversation with a worship leader.
Roommate:
Bailee is my roommate. She's the only one I have, but our ACL (Assistant Core Leader) is in the same apartment. She is the awesomest roomie ever! We get along really well. She's really funny, and if I don't survive OTI, it's because she made me die laughing.
Core Leader
Sharon is our CL. She's a lot of fun just to be around. I can't figure out who she reminds me of, but when I figure it out, you'll probably find out.
ACL:
Sam is our ACL. She lives in the same apartment as Bailee and me, but she's in a different room. Between her IHOPU classes and our OTI classes, we just about only see her at our core group meetings and house meetings (where our core group gets together in our apartment; our core group has two apartments, mine and the one across the hall).
Core group (#8):
The other girls in my core group are Meredith, Lindsey, Maria, Estefania, and Jenny. (There were two others who were supposed to be in with Bailee and me, but they didn't show up.) Meredith is by far the most enthusiastic of all of us. She really has a passion for God and a desire to grow. Lindsey has the most infectious smile I've ever seen. She's also adorable. Maria is probably the toughest. She's part Filipino and ran track in high school. Estefania and Jenny are international. Jenny is from England but she's originally German; I don't remember what country Estefania is from, but she's Latin American. I should probably also note that we're all 18 because they group us by age, and I'm the oldest.
Others I've hung out with:
Okay, first I should note that the girls all tend to clump together with their core groups, so it's really hard to meet new girls. That said, I am starting to get to know one, named Pamela, but I don't know her well yet. The guys are far more open to meeting new people, and Bailee, Maria, and I are all working on "breaking the wall" between guys and girls (aka, we're getting to know quite a few of the guys and trying to pull other girls into the mixed tables). The guys we've hung out with most are Gabe, Luke, and two Joshes (no idea if I pluralized that correctly or not). We call Gabe "Rabbi" because he has an awesome long, untrimmed beard. He just turned 25 yesterday. Luke is really hyper. If Bailee doesn't kill me, Luke will. The first Josh is really talkative and into psychology. The second is just sort of...there. He's really quiet. I've also had a few conversations with a guy named Peter. He gave me an Anthem Lights CD, so yeah, he's awesome.
And that's about it so far. I'll write about more people as I get to know them.
Bye everyone!
PS. Oh, and the family I stayed with my first night here, their son is one of the worship leaders. So it's kinda cool to be walking down the sidewalk and stop for a conversation with a worship leader.
PSS. And yes, I am starting to get a southern accent all ready.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday Night EGS (Encountering God Service)
Wow.
That is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of last night's EGS. I did not get to stay for the whole thing (OTI's, or One Thing Interns, had to leave two hours early that night only), but it was incredible.
We opened with worship; I am not sure for how long, because I did not exactly spend much time looking at my watch. At the end of the first worship set (music kept playing the whole time, though) the first ministry time began. People who needed prayer for discouragement and people who wanted prayers for physical healing were asked to raise their hands so others could pray with them. I raised my hand because my back was really hurting.
I have had a couple of spots in my back for a long time. One was in my lower back, where I had a disc that was worn thin. Being too thin meant that every time it got shifted out of place, a nerve got pinched and sent pain up and down my back whenever I tried to move. I also had a spot between my shoulder blades that I hurt when I was about twelve.
Three girls came over to pray for me. As soon as they started praying, the pain in between my shoulders disappeared (and believe me, I noticed). Then I felt a pressure in my lower back, and when it went away, my muscles started getting sore and my spine felt stretched. I could feel the full disc in my back.
Yes, you read that correctly. I COULD FEEL THE FULL DISC IN MY BACK!
So one of the girls told me I should go tell my testimony to the people collecting them. The lady I spoke to asked me to tell what happened on stage, and after I shared my testimony, the man on stage (no idea if he is a pastor or not) asked everyone with a back injury to stand so we could pray for healing. When all this was done, I went back to my seat.
Less than a minute after I got to my seat, an elderly lady with the Simeon Company (an IHOP internship for people 50 and older) came up to me and told me her friend said I should pray for her. I asked her what was wrong, and she explained that she had scoliosis and something in her lower back that made her legs tingle. I prayed for her for about 45 seconds, then asked how she felt. She said she still hurt, but the pain had changed. I explained that if the pain had changed, that meant her back had straightened, but her body was not used to it being straight. I told her she would probably be sore for a few more days while her muscles got used to how they are supposed to be, and then she would feel fine. (For those who do not remember, I was healed of scoliosis on my mission trip to Ecuador; that is how I know about all of this.) She was filled with joy. As she thanked me, she was practically glowing.
And that was less than half of the night.
It is impossible to explain everything that happens in an EGS to someone who has never been there. Honestly, I think coming to IHOP would be worth it for anyone just for EGS, but then, I also haven't started my prayer room hours yet; those start tomorrow. IHOP webstreams their EGS services, so if you can, you might want to try to stream it some time. (Yes, I know internet in Dutch is horrible.) You can find it through ihopkc.org. It might be on the same webstream that the Global Prayer Room (GPR; I have so many abbreviations to learn) is normally streamed.
God bless you all as He continues to do for me. 'Til next time.
That is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of last night's EGS. I did not get to stay for the whole thing (OTI's, or One Thing Interns, had to leave two hours early that night only), but it was incredible.
We opened with worship; I am not sure for how long, because I did not exactly spend much time looking at my watch. At the end of the first worship set (music kept playing the whole time, though) the first ministry time began. People who needed prayer for discouragement and people who wanted prayers for physical healing were asked to raise their hands so others could pray with them. I raised my hand because my back was really hurting.
I have had a couple of spots in my back for a long time. One was in my lower back, where I had a disc that was worn thin. Being too thin meant that every time it got shifted out of place, a nerve got pinched and sent pain up and down my back whenever I tried to move. I also had a spot between my shoulder blades that I hurt when I was about twelve.
Three girls came over to pray for me. As soon as they started praying, the pain in between my shoulders disappeared (and believe me, I noticed). Then I felt a pressure in my lower back, and when it went away, my muscles started getting sore and my spine felt stretched. I could feel the full disc in my back.
Yes, you read that correctly. I COULD FEEL THE FULL DISC IN MY BACK!
So one of the girls told me I should go tell my testimony to the people collecting them. The lady I spoke to asked me to tell what happened on stage, and after I shared my testimony, the man on stage (no idea if he is a pastor or not) asked everyone with a back injury to stand so we could pray for healing. When all this was done, I went back to my seat.
Less than a minute after I got to my seat, an elderly lady with the Simeon Company (an IHOP internship for people 50 and older) came up to me and told me her friend said I should pray for her. I asked her what was wrong, and she explained that she had scoliosis and something in her lower back that made her legs tingle. I prayed for her for about 45 seconds, then asked how she felt. She said she still hurt, but the pain had changed. I explained that if the pain had changed, that meant her back had straightened, but her body was not used to it being straight. I told her she would probably be sore for a few more days while her muscles got used to how they are supposed to be, and then she would feel fine. (For those who do not remember, I was healed of scoliosis on my mission trip to Ecuador; that is how I know about all of this.) She was filled with joy. As she thanked me, she was practically glowing.
And that was less than half of the night.
It is impossible to explain everything that happens in an EGS to someone who has never been there. Honestly, I think coming to IHOP would be worth it for anyone just for EGS, but then, I also haven't started my prayer room hours yet; those start tomorrow. IHOP webstreams their EGS services, so if you can, you might want to try to stream it some time. (Yes, I know internet in Dutch is horrible.) You can find it through ihopkc.org. It might be on the same webstream that the Global Prayer Room (GPR; I have so many abbreviations to learn) is normally streamed.
God bless you all as He continues to do for me. 'Til next time.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tomorrow is happening because of...
Tomorrow.
That is when I fly down to Kansas City.
I wanted to post before leaving because I do not know when I will be able to post again. I hope to get internet every Thursday, or at least every other Thursday, but that will depend on transportation and all that good stuff.
So on the eve of my life changing radically (other than the emotional havoc leaving my family is causing), I wanted to take a few minutes to just say thank you to a few of the people who have really shaped me during my childhood. I wish I could get everyone; some of you would no doubt be surprised how much you have impacted me. For the sake of actually getting to bed tonight, and not drowning my laptop, I can only thank a few individually.
Dad - you have always been my hero. As a little girl, I could always be Cinderella because you showed me there are princes in the world. I love you.
Mom - you always held me when I cried. Because of you, I always knew that whether or not anyone really understood, someone wanted to because you love me. I love you so much.
Cassie - my beautiful little sister and my best friend. I am so blessed to have you as my sister. I will miss our crazy conversations in person, but look forward to having them through email and on the phone. I love you, little sis.
Beth Whitaker - my beautiful inspiration. You are a wonderful role model and friend. Thank you for the privilege of working with you and the blessing of being your friend.
Sue Honan - you opened for me a world of music I never guessed would become my passion. I had no idea when you started teaching me guitar that it would be my calling. Thank you so much for the blessing you gave me when you said yes to those lessons.
Marita Kirchhofer - I have been inspired many times by your patience with the kids and your wonder at God's creation. I have prayed many times for God to give me both of those after spending time with you. Thank you for being such a good friend.
Julie Herrmann (and you have no idea how much I love using your new last name!) - we are so different, yet we managed to always be close. So much has changed for both of us, but I will always treasure our relationship. God bless you.
Ariel Gustafson-Shapsnikoff - you came into my life later than everyone else on this list, but somehow you have made more impact for the time I have known you than anyone other than family. Whenever the devil tells you that you are a bad role model, poke him in the eye. ;) You have a beautiful heart for God and a passion to become more like Him. Any kid that catches that from you will change the world like you have done and will no doubt keep doing. God bless you, and rock on!
Ali Murray - you scare me in a good way. :P Never forget how beautiful you are or how much I love you. Friends till friendship no longer exists!
Well, I cried a lot more during that than I expected. And now I need to go to bed. Big day tomorrow!
Goodbye, old life.
Kansas City, ready or not, here I come.
PS. Before they get mad at me for not including them, thank you to my honorary little brothers, Ethan Mahoney and Jacob Miller, for making everything funny. You guys are awesome. :)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Just to catch you up...
So, what I've been up to lately...
I have not actually blogged about this for a couple of weeks, so I am not going all the way back.
On Wednesday, I got up around 2 a.m. so I could say goodbye to my daddy. He flew out of Anchorage around 6 a.m. Then Mom and I drove back in and slept for a little longer. After getting up, I finished packing and played guitar for about half an hour with Cassie playing percussion. (The Empty Water Bottle: the ultimate percussion "instrument"!) Our plane flew out around 6 p.m.
Thursday morning I went to the emergency room of on of the many hospitals in Seattle. (Emergency room because I did not have an appointment.) After getting checked out, I had some medication prescribed and am now feeling much better. Thank you to everyone who prayed.
Friday was a hang out in Seattle and see how much better I would feel day. I improved enough that yesterday, Saturday, we (now referring to Mom, Cassie, and I) drove out to Neah Bay. We visited my grandma for a few minutes, then continued on to where we are staying and kinda crashed.
So now it is Sunday, and I am up and alert earlier than I have been in a long time. The bed is really comfy memory foam, and I slept pretty well. Now I need to go get ready for "home church." Later people!
I have not actually blogged about this for a couple of weeks, so I am not going all the way back.
On Wednesday, I got up around 2 a.m. so I could say goodbye to my daddy. He flew out of Anchorage around 6 a.m. Then Mom and I drove back in and slept for a little longer. After getting up, I finished packing and played guitar for about half an hour with Cassie playing percussion. (The Empty Water Bottle: the ultimate percussion "instrument"!) Our plane flew out around 6 p.m.
Thursday morning I went to the emergency room of on of the many hospitals in Seattle. (Emergency room because I did not have an appointment.) After getting checked out, I had some medication prescribed and am now feeling much better. Thank you to everyone who prayed.
Friday was a hang out in Seattle and see how much better I would feel day. I improved enough that yesterday, Saturday, we (now referring to Mom, Cassie, and I) drove out to Neah Bay. We visited my grandma for a few minutes, then continued on to where we are staying and kinda crashed.
So now it is Sunday, and I am up and alert earlier than I have been in a long time. The bed is really comfy memory foam, and I slept pretty well. Now I need to go get ready for "home church." Later people!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Remember This Always
2 Kings 6:8-17
Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After
conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such
a place.”
The man of God sent word to
the king of
Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down
there.” So the king of Israel
checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in
such places.
This enraged the king of
Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me
which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
“None of us, my lord the
king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel,
tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
“Go, find out where he
is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came
back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he senthorses and
chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the
man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and
chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant
asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with
us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked
and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Chris Tomlin - Whom Shall I Fear
"I know Who goes before me, I know Who stands behind: the God of angel armies is always on my side. The One who reigns forever, He is a Friend of mine. The God of angel armies is always by my side."
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