Freezing?

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted!

I was just in my car and the radio announcers said that it is officially freezing and that temps are steadily dropping into the 20's today! Sheesh! It's only October and it's already freezing...

Let me just say this much...I hate winter. I hate when it's so cold you can't feel your toes. I enjoy the coolness of fall...fall cold is a crisp cold. But winter cold is a bitter cold! I don't like bitter cold! Ick.

So, stay bundled up and drink lots of hot cocoa! Yumm!
~Lola~

Blessed

A lot of times, I look at all my problems and I get REALLY overwhelmed. But, there are some things that I am sooo thankful for!

First, I am extemely grateful for my small group! It includes Ken and Kara (and Kaden), Mary and kristy, Andy and Julie...and of course....me. We laugh and joke and discuss some important things. My small group gives me something to look forward to and it gives me a chance to interact with th "big kids"! lol. I know they're there for me when I need them! They rock!

Second, I am thankful for my junior highers! They are not only uniquely awesome, but I also enjoy just getting to know them and getting to ask them how they are. My girls rock and God has really blessed me with them!

Third, I get to start classes in January! Yay! Some people are like...school? why areyou excited about school? But lemme tell you something! I have wanted to go to college for as long as I can remember. And when I graduated and didn't get to go to college (and all my friends did) I felt useless and dumb and like a failure. Knowing I will get to learn and expand my knowledge...well, there's not much better than that!

Well, just wanted to tell ya'll about the good things God has done for me. It's important to thank Him for His blessings and gifts. Plus, it gives us (or at least me) something good to focus on when life gets overwhelming!
~Lola~

IZ

Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) (pronounced [kaˌmakaˌvivoˈʔole]) was a Hawaiian musician.

He became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", which was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and commercials.

Kamakawiwoʻole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his admirers. He was described as always cheerful and positive, and he was best known for his love of the land, people and food of Hawaii. Through his consummate ukulele playing and incorporation of other idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawaiʻian music over the last 15 years.[1]

Wiwoʻole means courage or courageous in the Hawaiʻian language. Ka maka means the eye, the center, the outlook, to see.

Throughout the later part of his life, Iz suffered from severe obesity and at one point carried 758 pounds (344 kg) on his 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) frame. He endured several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38.[3]

The Hawaii State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo'ole)



~Lola~

Sungha Jung...Boy Wonder

God has given some peope amazng talent! This 12 year old Korean kid ha been playing guitar for 2 years! He's awesome. This is all him...check it out!



~Lola~

Need You More by Shaun Groves

I just want a place to rest
Look out on a day’s sunset
Someone there to share it with
A hand to hold when this world turns

Lord I want so many things
What I need has never changed
No matter what I chase and crave
I need you more
I need you more

I just want to live in peace
Pass without an enemy
With a smile laid on my face
Without a cause to bend my brow
Lord I want so many things

What I need has never changed
All this wanting only makes
Me need you more
I need you more

I just want to cling to grace
That has filled my empty place
And my heart with gratitude
For so much more than I deserve
Lord I want so many things

What I need has never changed
Teach my wayward heart each day
No matter what I chase or crave
That all this wanting only makes
Me need you more
I need you more

Nick and Noras Infinite Playlist

From page one it has been a conglameration of beautiful words.

"I am punctuating and I am puncturing and I am punching the air with my body as my fingers press hard into the chords. Sweat, malice, and hunger pour from me. This is release, or maybe it's just a plea for release."

"I throw the chords at them, I drench them in the soundwaves, I am making time so loud that they have to hear it. I am stronger than words and I am bigger than the box I'm in, and then I see her in the crowd and I fall apart."

How's that for beautiful writing?!
~Lola~

Ways To Praise: Art!

This is the second installment in my mini-series, Ways To Praise. I found some amazing examples in which people use art to praise God!


"Praise" by MC Disco on Flickr



"Life Abundant" by Krista Bowker on Flickr



"The Power Line That Won't Fail You" by Danny Crossman



"Creation" by Krista Bowker on Flickr



"Heart of Worship" by myemanna on Flickr



"Worship" by Krista Bowker on Flickr



Untitled by Tim Morgan's Small Group


"Our small group worshiped through art. We weren't sure what that meant when we started, but this is what came out of it. Everyone got their fingers dirty by painting on a large poster board. I think it's quite beautiful, and will always remember that day."
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timothymorgan/539992257/?addedcomment=1#comment72157607444526636

This next one is my favorite!


"Divine Within The Ordinary" by Krista Bowker on Flickr


God doen't require something extravagant or necessarily beautiful...He just wants ou obedience and our hearts. Just doing the dishes or laundry or cleaning your rom an be worship to Him.


I hope these have inspired you as much as they did me.
~Lola~

What would your sign say?

What wuld your sign say? Leave a response telling whatGod has done in your life...




~Lola~

Ways to Praise: Dance!

One way that people can honor God and praise Him is through dance! I found some videos on YouTube that show different ways that people use dance...

This first video I couldn't embed, so I here is the website.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKPQmFzyAjI&feature=related

This video shows classic ballet dance but it is done by kids. You are never too young to praise God!



This next video shows a man doing breakdance to the Casting Crowns song, Voice of Truth.



This final video is a group does the Korean version of Every Move I Make. No matter what nation you are from or what language you speak, you can praise God!



So, I hope you enjoy these videos and I aso hope they inspire you to try something a little different when you praise God. Maybe you should start break-dancing in the aisles of your church! lol.
~Lola~

Praise...

I am going to start a new sort of blog series that will show the many faces and styles of Praise. Here are a few verses I found that I thought fit very well...

Isaiah 29:13---"The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."

God wants our hearts. Praise is something we offer to the Lord from the overflow of the love He gives us. In other words, He loves us sooo much that we MUST praise because it's the only response that makes sense. God wants our unbridaled praise...praise that comes from our own unique hearts. And because our hearts are unique, our praise styles are unique! You can praise Him ANY way you want as long as it comes from your heart!

Psalm 45:11---"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."

I like this one cause it's like God loves us sooo much...thinks we are sooo special and beautiful that he is ENTHRALLED by us! Wow! And the second part is just so matter-of-fact...honor Him for He is your Lord. Period.

Psalm 34:3---"Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together."

Amen! Let us exalt his name TOGETHER! We were not designed to be alone...rather, we were design to be in community...praising God in a community!

So, I will start to post about the diffeent ways that people worship. It will probably be a lot of videos...so, please, take the time to watch them. It will be worth it!

Thanks!
~Lola~

Albertine

I was watching a few Brooke Fraser videos on YouTube and I saw this one! It's amazing! Ugh I love it...



Also, did anyone catch that she has her tongue pierced? Yeah...makes me like her even more!
~Lola~

A whole new meaning...

Sunday morning, I heard a great sermon by Brian Bill (from Romans 9:1-5) entitled "Connecting People to Jesus". I got a lot out of it, but there was one thing I found perticularly interesting. Here is a clip from the sermon...

2. Sorrow. Beth and the girls like to tease me about how easily I cry when we watch a movie together. They can watch moving moments without tears while I blubber my way through them. In fact, sometimes I cry during commercials! But my tears are nothing like Paul’s anguish. In verse 2 he shares some pretty intense feelings: “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” While sorrow refers to heavy sadness, anguish is deep consuming personal pain. Some commentators believe that sorrow is an intense inner feeling while anguish is the outward expression of it.


We could all stand to have more sorrow for the unsaved. Listen to these different passages.

When the psalmist sees a disregard for God’s law, a faucet of tears cascade down his cheeks as he writes in Psalm 119:136: “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.”
Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, writes these descriptive words in Jeremiah 9:1: “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.”
In Matthew 9:36, we see that Jesus was moved deeply when he saw people in distress: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Later, when Jesus came up to Jerusalem for the final time, He broke down in Luke 19:41: “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” This word for “wept” literally means that he “convulsed uncontrollably.”
And in Acts 20:31, Paul recalls the tears he shed in Ephesus: “Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

Where are our tears for those who transgress God’s laws? Why don’t I cry for the unconverted? When will I stop being so selfish and start really caring for non-Christians?

A man said to his friend, “I hear you dismissed your pastor. What was wrong?” The friend said, “He kept telling us we’re all going to hell.” The first man then asked, “What does the new pastor say?” The friend replied, “The new pastor says were going to hell, too.” “So what’s the difference?” asked the first man. “Well,” said the friend, “the difference is that when the previous pastor said it, he sounded like he was glad about it; but when the new man says it, it sounds like it breaks his heart.”

In a previous post I commented on the meaning of names and how my self-bestowed alias, Lola, means sorrowful. At first thought, 'ugh! That's kind of a stinky meaning to my fave name!' But after listening to the sermon yesterday about how Paul was so torn up about the fate of the people around him, I realized there was suddenly a new meaning to my name. Sorrowful...God calls us to be sorrowful for the people around us who are on the wrong path.

It's like a personal reminder to me that God did not intend for us to sit in our comfy little lives and admire our comfy little possessions. He wants us...me...to care so much about other people that my heart breaks and I am filled with sorrow. And...hopefully...through that sorrow I will feel the need to DO SOMETHING!

~Lola~

P.S.---To check out the whole sermon, go to http://www.pontiacbible.org/index.php?/sermons/more/connecting_people_to_jesus/

Yada Yada Prayer Group

I love to read a good book. The best kind of book, in my opinion, is te kind that makes my heart swell...the kind that inspires, provokes tears, and makes me wanna dance! Well, I've been reading this series called "The Yada Yada Prayer Group". It's about a group of extremely diverse women who attend a women's conference in Chicago. They get thrown into a small group together and, following a series of events, they continue to meet long after the conference has ended. Their prayer group represented different worship styles, backgrouns, cultures...a plain-old melting pot! I just finished the third book and...ugh!...lemme tell you!...I can't wait to read the next one!


As I think about our church, I realize that we don't have a very diverse group of people...at least as far as race is concerned. When it comes to backgrounds, however, we are like a regular U.N.! lol.

Someday, I hope to be able to lead a small group for junior high girls. Reading these books has given me such a different view on the potential of this small group. These books have created a new vision...a group of girls from assorted backgrounds, friends groups, schools, and steps in their walk with God. We could not only study various scriptures and/or books, but we could share our days, pray on each other...actually WORSHIP and PRAISE together. Oh, what a beautiful thing that would be!

I pray that God would continue to grow me and equip me to fulfill His amazing plans. Cause...lemme tell ya!...I'm finding more and more that my God is a crazy God! He's got a sense of humor like no other! Just when you think you've got it figured out...haha! Not anymore! But, luckily, He says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." and "I know the plans I have for you." Thank God for His promises!

~Lola~

Laminin

Thanks to Jeff for this amazing video. Watch this and try not to get goose bumps!



~Lola~

Name Meanings 2

I also decided to look up the meanings of the names I have picked out for my kids. Here they are...

Asreal Michael
Asreal...from Isreal-"wrestled with God"
Michael..."Who is like God?"

Asher Lee
Asher..."Blessed, happy"
Lee..."sheltered from the storm"

Anna Katherine
Anna..."gracious"
Katherine..."Pure"

Aberlyn Jo
Aberlyn...a form of abigail-"God is joy"
Jo...a form of Josephine-"God will increase"

~Lola~

Name Meanings

I'm reading this book and in it the main character uses the meanings of her third grade students' names as a project. So, I decided to look up the meaning of my name. Now, I had already heard that "Allison" meant "to tell the truth"...not exactly always fitting of me. lol. But then I tried it again tonight. The results were different. This time it said Allison meant "of noble birth". Huh! Well, maybe not naturely but seeing as I've been born again into the Kingdom of God...I guess I AM of noble birth! Pretty cool!

I also decided to look up my alias, Lola. "Lola" means "sorrowful". Hmmmm. Well, if I was truthful, I would have to admit that I tend to be sorrowful. What with all the horrible things in this world! Sheesh! Who wouldn't be? But, eh, I guess God gives me the hope to look beyond the sorrow, right!?

Well, just thought I'd share that. I also decided to include the names of SOME of my friends...see if your name is on the list.

Michelle..."Who is like God?"
Jeff..."Gif of Peace"
Katherine..."Pure;virginal"
Brian..."strong one"
Kara..."sweet melody"
Maxine..."greatest"
Ken..."handsome"
Abbey..."God is Joy"
Barak..."lighening"
David..."beloved"
Jenn..."white wave"
Joe..."God will increase"
Lori..."crowned with laurel"
Tim..."to honor God"
Milt.."from mill town"

http://www.name-meanings.com/search.php

Okay, well there ya go. Enjoy!
~Lola~

New Bible and the chance to play mommy...

Hey everyone!

I recently got a new bible...well, it's not really new, but it's new to me. I got it from my friend Michelle. Unfortunately, my lovely Bible has become too fragile to carry around anymore. I got it from my cousin...secondhand!...and I've had it for at least 5 years if not longer. It has a ton highlighted and it smells like flowers from this scented bookmark I used to have. I love it some much! It's been by my side through my cutting years, my mom's second divorce and third husband, my move to fairbury then back to Pontiac, and sooo much more! But, like I said, it's too fragile to carry around...not to mention it's a little thick.

So, Michelle gave me a bible that was sitting at her house. A thinner New King James Version...not exactly my prefered translation but it'll do. I think for Christmas I may ask for a nice leather-bound NIV Bible...WITH my self-bestowed nickname on the bottom---LOLA. Aaahhh... But, I can't imagine my mom getting THAT for me! Oh, well. Maybe someday.

As for other news...I get to play mommy tomorrow night! Michelle has a cousin-ish person who has a baby (she's 15) and we volunteered to take the baby overnight so she can have a little alone time. So, we will have Tacie...that's right, Tacie...overnight! Yay! I am sooo excited cause I love babies! Children are so special...God's gift to melt our hearts. Pray that everything goes smooth enough! lol. Yay diapers!

Well, that's all for now. Church tomorrow...nap...and baby! L8R, ya'll.
~Lola~

Happy song...

This song makes me happy every time I listen to it. Just listen and think about how blessed we are...it's a beautiful day!!!




~Lola~

Believing Prayer

I've decided to start including some devotionals that are available at www.jesusfreakhideout.com. I find that they are sometimes exactly what I need. So, here ya go...this is one I liked a lot.



Believing Prayer

"But Jesus was matter-of-fact: 'Yes--and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats...but also triumph over huge obstacles. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God."
- Matthew 21:21-22 MSG


Hannah was the mother of Samuel, one of the greatest prophets of Israel. But there was a time when she was childless, and because of her barrenness, she was often taunted unmercifully. Her misery eventually became so great that she became depressed and lost her appetite for food. Then one day, she poured her heart out to the Lord in His temple, asking Him to bless her with a child of her own. What's most interesting to me in this passage is that right after she offered up her prayer, her entire outlook changed. The Scripture says that she "went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad." (1 Samuel 1:18 NKJV) Hannah didn't wait until her circumstances changed to leave behind her sorrow, but she left it behind right after she poured her heart out to the Lord.


What made the difference? Hannah's "believing" prayer. As Hannah made the decision to put her trust in God, and in His willingness to act on her behalf, she immediately began to be filled with a fresh sense of hope. And Scripture bears this out. Romans 15:13 (NKJV) says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Hannah became filled with so much hope, joy, and peace that it actually changed her appearance and her actions. These changes were proof that she truly believed that the Lord had heard her prayer, and that her answer was on its way. How many times do you and I seek God in prayer, without it ever changing how we behave or look? Do we really think that this kind of prayer can move mountains?


The Bible says, "For we which have believed do enter into rest." (Hebrews 4:3 KJV) One way that we can tell if we're praying in faith is that we'll sense our whole being entering into an indescribable "rest." We'll notice that we're not talking about our problem so much anymore, or even thinking about it. And if it does come to mind, we'll often dismiss it with--"God's taking care of that for me. I don't have to worry about it anymore." There are times when something is causing me so much worry that I have to stop and say, "Lord, help me to enter Your rest in this matter." That's a prayer that He's eager to answer when we're doing our part to live free from worry, by walking in close fellowship with Him on a daily basis.


Jesus said, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24 KJV) As the Savior teaches us about mountain-moving faith, He instructs us to believe that we receive the answers to our prayers "when we pray." Jesus doesn't want His followers to have a worldly attitude that says, "I'll believe it when I see it." On the contrary, He wants us to have a mindset that says, "I'll see it when I believe it." What is it that the Lord is challenging YOU to believe Him for today?

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You've given me a "measure of faith," so that I can pray "believing" prayers. (Romans 12:3) Teach me how to exercise my faith, so that it will continually increase. Make me sensitive to Your Spirit's leading, so that I can pray Your will in every situation. Thank You that as I believe when I pray, I will experience Your peace, joy, and rest!



- J. M. Farro

I love this song...it's my prayer. Just take a break, calm yourself, and listen to this. Think.




Search me...

Know me...

~Lola~

Appreciation...

I would like to post about my appreciation for another artist...Ayeisha Woods. She is talented, hard-working, respectable...and she ROCKS MY FACE OFF!

Watch this dance to her song Crazy!



And this is her song Big Enough...it's so true!




And this is m favorite song of hers...it makes me wanna dance!



Enjoy!
~Lola~

Aisha!!!

I found it...the boy looking for his Aisha!



~Lola~

Daddy's Little Girl by Frankie J

I found a video though it's not the real one. The website I put on my previous post is the real video but here is another one (I couldn't embed the other one).



~Lola~

This World....

This world makes me cry! I was watching vidos on YouTube today and somehow I got onto Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel". By the end of that video my eyes were starting to tear up. All the people who can't have kids (who want them soooo bad!) and then people have kids and don't take care of them or love them. It's heartbreaking and....unthinkable! I then found a video that had me sobbing. Watch this!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1aHlS_bThM&feature=related


This video hits home in soo many ways! Dads are sooo important in a girl's life. The divorse part has been mirrored in my life but the part about the girl and her sick father connects painfully too. Working at nursing homes, you see so many family members with their parents on their death beds. It's hard to watch.

Anyways, this song is for all those little girls whose fathers aren't (or weren't) there! You have a Dad that wll never leave you...when you feel lonely, just called out to Abba!
~Lola~

Krystal Meyers Rocks!!!

Here are a few of her songs that are my favorites...







~Lola~

Giving It Up...sort of

The other night, my friend and I were eating supper together and we were talking about some potential options in life. I was so excited about the things that could happen so I prayed. i said, 'God, please, let your will be done...but if you can, let this happen." As soon as I looked back up, I realized the stupidity of what I had just prayed. "let Your will be done, but..." Like, God I want your best but not if it's different than what I want. It's so foolish. The plans I have for myself can't compare to the amazing things that God may have for me. So, why do I continue to want less. maybe because it's easier because I know what my plans are...I don't, however, know what God's plans are.

So, after thinking about all this, I bowed my head again and prayed that God's will be done...period. And that is my continuing prayer...

~lola~

Hey, Girl, Hey!!!

Howdy! I am back from Tennessee....ughh! I'm exhausted. I'm sunburnt. My back hurts from the bus ride. I'm sweaty. I've had an "interaction overload". And...I thank God for it! The trip was amazing...no hitches until the end. Lack of sleep but comfort in Christ. Yep. It was good. We served with Open Hearts, Empty Hands and Feed The Children. We attended an insanely cool lock-in. We went to the Opry Mills Mall. We hung out and worshiped with some pretty cool Tennesseeins. We white water rafted. And sooo much more. I'll prolly post some stories tomorrow but for now I'll just post what I learned. Here goes...

~ Learning someone's name has an amazing impact on the way you interact with them.
~ Tennessee sweet tea rocks my face off!!!
~ A southern accent is almost impossible to not pick up.
~ God's love has no limits. It permeates social, financial, and racial bounderies.
~ White water rafting is freakin' sweet ya'll!
~ My heart is meant for student ministry...nothing gives me as much joy or satisfaction as seeing students mix and mingle, open up, and learn to love each other.
~ The best kind of worship occurs when there is total abandon.
~ God's plans for my life are just beginning...it's gonna be crazy.
~ Going into this trip, there were a few people that I thought I was gonna have trouble getting along with. But I decided that instead of going at it with a predisposition, I would just love 'em and let God handle it. Lemme tell ya'll...it was fine. I atually connected in different ways with each of them.

I just pray that God would continue to work with this group of students...they are something special!
~Lola~

Do I really have to choose?

Some of you my know that I grew up with my mom. My parents divorced when i was 6. So, I went through most of my life without a good, stable father-figure. It was hard and I cn see the impact that has had in my life.

But, I was lucky enough to have been able to make things right with my dad recently. I am thrilled and I feel more whole and content now. My sister and I, as a sort of commemeration, got matching "Dad" tattoos. I love it! But I wasn't sure how my mom would handle it because she spent so much time and energy trying to keep me away from my dad. So, I decided not o tell her. She, of course, found out. And she's not happy. She didn't speak to me for a long time...

She told me all the reasons that I will regret it and how I shouldn't trust my dad (who is a good guy). Anyways...I just really wish there wasn't so much pressure to...choose.

Do I really have to choose? Pushing my dad aside would put me back in good graces with my mom but I love my dad. He doesn't really pressure me to choose but my mom sure does. I want to have good relationships with both my mom and dad...but how it that possible?

Ugh! Idk. Things will work out I guess.
~Lola~

The Temple Gate Called Beautiful

"Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”

So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”"
~Acts 3:2-6

I was reading this today and for some reason this story just really stands out to me. There is something about the name of the gate...Beautiful. It's almost as if he can only be just outside beauty...never quite attaining it. And he was hoping...begging...for some money. He wanted things of this world...things that would never truly make him happy. John and Peter knew, however, about something (or someone) that was worth sooo much more than anything on this earth. So, this is the metaphorical picture I get...

This man was born imperfect, unworthy compared to the world's standards. So he spent his day sitting just outside the gates of Beauty and yearned, reached, begged for something that could bring him closer to the beauty and acceptance he wanted. He yearned for things that would never satisfy him.

Of course, then John and Peter come along and share the truth with him. He didn't need to beg for worldly things because he could be healed and completed by the One thing that really mattered.

Idk, maybe I'm reaching a little too much with this one but I just get this picture in my head every time I read about it. All too often we tend to feel inferior and ugly...but God makes us beautiful. We wait outside and strive for a way to get into the inner realms of "Beautiful" but it's God that takes us there. His sacrafice for us is so completely beautiful that it overflows onto us when we enter his gates of love.

The Jeff Doll Prototype...courtesy of Grant Armstrong

This is sooo hilarious!!!

The Jeff Doll...

We decided that we're going to make a Jeff doll and you can press it's paw to make it say things. When someone is feeling down and depressed, you can just hand them the Jeff doll and it will cheer them up with one of it's many saying...including:

"The purpose is in the process!"

"Jeremiah 29:11!"

"It's okay to not be okay!"

"SHAME...should have already mastered everything."

"Don't say sorry!"

"There were two penguins...."

You think it'd sell???
~lola~ (and Me. Chelle.)

Yay!

It's my birthday! This song is for me from me...enjoy!




~Lola~

The Amazing David Meshow!

This guy beatboxes the entire thing. It's crazy cool!!!




~Lola~

The Need to be Bad???

A friend and I were talking the other day. We shared our backgrounds (which are surprisingly similar) and our dreams. We came to an interesting conclusion. We talked about how we both come from families largely impacted by alcohol, fights, bad decisions, etc. And we have come up with this theory...our genetic backgrounds make us want to be bad.

Yep! I've always felt this opposing force inside me...good and bad. I want to be good...but I also want to be BAD! It sounds dumb and illogical, but it's true. Our backgrounds are riddled with wrong things and so somehow we each feel the need for that lifestyle. I can sometimes imagine making certain decisions that everyone around me says are bad...and feeling good about it. But then I come back to my senses and remember what the Bible says about how I should live my life.

It's just interesting though...hhmmm...
~lola~

Hola mi amigos!

Como esta, mi amigo? I am here at Me Chelle's again. Hhmmm...what have I been doing...hhmmm...

Well, work has been okay...a little crazy.

I've been thinking a lot about college. I was really considering going to school for my LPN license. Idk tho...there are so many things I would like to do. I wanted to be an art therapist...but that has kinda gone down the drain. I also considered studying special education. Idk. I have time yet tho.

Church tomorrow! I can't wait! I feel like I haven't been there in forever. Oh happy day!!!
~Lola~

Broken

This movie rocks! And this song is amazing...if only I had her voice...

No Internet

A sad thing has happened....my internet (or rather the internet of whom I was mooching off of) isn't working. I don't know why, but because of it I can't get online anymore in my apartment. In other news...

I finally got my tattoo. It is of the word "Dad" in cursive with two blue roses around it. My sister got a matching one! It didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would, and I am sooo ready for another one!

Well, I'm off to work. Just thought I'd leave a little update. Soon I will leave a longer post.

~Lola~

Charismatics vs. sympathizers....together in harmony

As I was introduced to this "ordinary radical" theory, I began to feel a fire. I wanted to be part of the movement...I wanted to be out there doing more. And I wrote about how we shouldn't be fooled into thinking that a check to a charity is enough. I had a friend kinda get upset about that because she believed that her check was okay. At first I thought, 'See! that's what I'm talking about!" I believed that she was somewhat...twisted...in her thinking. I thought,"What's her problem!? Everyone should want to hop on this crazy train!" I looked at her somewhat differently for being reluctant to what I was so enthusiastic about.

But, recently, I read a part in The Irresistable Revolution about charismatics and sympathizers. Here's what it says....

"One of the things that has fascinated me about the days of the early church is how those who abandoned homes and possessions to follow Jesus lived in such union with those who opened their homes to them and the poor. Gerd Theissen called the two groups the "wandering charismatics" and the "local sympathizers". The wanderers were traveling apostles and relied on the support of the sympathizers. Both shaped the early church. They did not look down on each other. The sympathizers did not write off the wanderers as radicals or freaks, and the wanderers did not judge the sympathizers as sell-outs. They loved and supported each other."

Hhmmm...not exactly what I'd been doing, huh? I guess I never really stopped to think that not everyone has to sell all they have. Jesus had his disciples who left their old lives behind to follow him....but, he also had people like Martha who served Him from her home. Not everyone does the same thing...and that's okay. That's how God designed things. Like a puzzle...all the pieces different yet all working together to form His picture!

So, I would first like to appologize to my friend...I believe you know who you are by reading this. I'm sorry for being judgemental.

Second, I would like to encourage you. Whether you're a wanderer or a sypathizer...LOVE! Love each other and work together in harmony. And love your neighbors. Love your co-workers, parents, enemies...even that person in the lunchroom that no one talks to. Love 'em and show them God through that love.

Peace!
~Lola~

To Bring You Back

This is an amazing song! I heard it on shine.fm and I love it! Listen carefully to the words...



~Lola~

Communion

Pastor Brian shared this video during the mercy fund offering today (which they take every communion Sunday). It is an amazingly powerful video...



~Lola~

Ordinary Radicals?

As I have previously posted, I am reading the Irresistable Revolution. There are some more parts that I want to post on, so here goes!

When explaining the Simple Way--
"Poet Henry David Thoreau went to the woods because he wanted to live deliberately, to breathe deeply, and to suck the marrow out of life. We went to the ghetto. We narrowed our visions to this: love God, love people, and follow Jesus. And we began calling our little experiment the Simple Way.----- We hang out with kids and help them with homework in the living room, and jump in open fire hydrants on hot summer day. We share food with folks who need it, and eat beans and rice our neighbor Ms. Sunshine makes for us. Folks drop in all day to say hi, have a safe place to cry, or get some water or a blanket....We reclaim abandoned lots and make gardens amid the concrete wreckage around us. We plant flowers inside old TV screens and computer monitors on our roof....We see police scare people, and on a good day, we find an official who will play wiffleball with his billy club...We try to make ugly things beautiful and to make murals instead of violence."

How cool is that?! I can't imagine how awesome it would feel to be in total community! Later on he says...

"Most of the time, though, I think that if what we are doing seems radical, then that says more about the apathy of Western christianity than about the true nature of our discipleship. And this is why "radical" has to be coupled with "ordinary". Our way of life was so typical in the days of the early Jesus movement....Christendom seems very unprepared for people who take the gospel that seriously."

It is so true...

One point he makes earlier in the book is...what would our world be like if people stopped and said, "What if we lived like we believed Jesus really meant what he said?"

Why is it that we look at what they do and think...wow! That's sooo cool! But it should be ordinary...that should be how life is. Not just some group of radicals...ordianry people and everyday life.

How would this world be if we took what Jesus said seriously? What if we really did love our enemies? Or if we sell everything we have? How would things be changed?
Some things to think about...
~Lola~

The Man in The Hole

Quirky things about my job

Last night at work, I sat back and admired some very strange "quirks".

1.) We have two cats there...Memory and Al (short for Alzheimer's). They are usually cats...occasionally dogs...and last night---chickens!!! Yep! Chickens! They are whatever the residents want them to be.

2.) One lady there carries a doll around. And this doll is very special because it can change gender! That's right! Some nights she calls it Roger...other nights she calls it Emily!

3.) The residents don't tend to grasp the concept of hot/cold weather. So last night, one lady was wearing her winter coat, gloves, hat, and scarf! She apparently thought it was cold...

I do enjoy my job there! It is way better compared to other places I've worked. When I became a cna, I had hoped that I would be able to care for peoples' wholistic needs...not just physical but emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and mental. But up until now, it was been a whole lot of manual labor and not much interaction.

At this place, they are mostly independent so you are able to interact with them more. I'm able to sit down and fold laundry with someone...or play a game of cards with a few devout ladies...or pet the cats/dogs/chickens with them...or watch TV with them...or read with them...or care for Mama's baby with her.

I now have dance partners, too! There are two guys there who dance with me all the time. One of them has a guitar in his room, so I grabbed it and started playing a little...and while I did, he danced around the room. The other guy actually did a little swing dancing with me! It was great fun!

There is still the usual things I hate....drama between employees, stupid rules made up by higher-ups who are never on the floor to see how things work, unbearable heat (the residents think it's cold so we have to adjust the heat for them), and those people who have worked there forever and are really intimidating (though not so much here).

I've been trying to find a job that I could see myself at for awhile. I can definately see that here! Unfortunately, I think that I may be one of those people whose attention span is low and cann never stay at a job for long...my work history is crazy (I've worked at 5 different places within the last almost 3 years). But I pray all the time that God would change that in me and that I could be satisfied with this job.

Well, that's all for now. Later!
~Lola~

A verse I read today...

I read these verses today because there have been parts of it rolling around in my head for days.

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

-Acts 4:31-35

Some things I picked out of this...

1.) They prayed. And not only did they pray but they prayed it was powerful! The place was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit! How truely awesome would that be?!

2.) All the believers were one in heart and mind. All too often there's a lot of arguing and fighting within the body of believers. But that's not how it is supposed to be. 1Peter 3:8 says, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another..." The people of the church of Acts got along and, more than that, were one with each other!

3.) One thing that was said a lot in my house growing up was, "That's mine!" or "Mom! She has my ______!" We always claimed things for our own. Mine! Mine! Mine! But one thing that we can take from the church of Acts is how they SHARED what they had! No one claimed a possession for themselves! And later on, you see that no one among them was in need. If only things worked like that these days! Can you imagine how the world would be if those among us who are blessed with much would share it? How many less people would be in poverty? Wow! What a great example!

Well, I just wanted to share this. I hope that this would make you think...
~Lola~

The Irresistable Revolution

Today, someone gave me a book by Shane Claiborne called The Irresistable Revolution. Within the first few pages, I have already read some great things. Here is a part that really stood out to me...

"But we live in a world that has lost its appreciation for small things. We live in a world that wants things bigger and bigger. We want to supersize our fries, sodas, and church buildings. But amid all the supersizing, many of us feel God doing something new, something small and subtle. This thing Jesus called the kingdom of God is emerging across the globe in the most unexpected places, a gentle whisper amid the chaos. Little people with big dreams are reimagining the world. Little movements of communities or ordinary radicals are committed to doing small things with great love."
The Irresistable Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Bold added

~Lola~

I miss my sisters...

It's almost 2 a.m. and all I can think about is my sisters. I haven't seen 'em for a while and I want to hang out with them. It's so wierd...when I lived at home, I got so sick of them. But now that I don't share a room with them, I miss them so much!

Small things with great love...

What really stood out to me is where he says, "If satan can't steal your soul then he will keep you busy with meaningless church work!"



Celebrate!!!

Another Way...

I will never forget how, one day, I came home from working at Dairy Queen (e.i. hell on earth) in tears because there was a lady there who was absolutely hateful to me! I half-hoped that my step-dad would offer words of encouragement to me...but instead, he just cleared his throat and said, "Keep your head down and do your job and you'll have nothing to worry about." Some kind of encouragement!

We are taught to mind our own business (while keeping tabs on who's doing what and making sure everyone else knows about it) and to ignore all our taunters, a mother's safety net for advise, (while we plan the ultimate revenge). And that is just the christians...who can a lot of times be worse than non-christians. But there is someone else...someone who hates religion and rules. Someone who teaches a much more radical lesson.

Jesus Christ taught us to turn the other cheek (Luke 6:29). He taught us to share what you have and be hospitable (Romans 12:12-13). He taught us to love people, even if they aren't in our "social class" (Romans 12:16)

So how, then, did we happen to stray so far from this message that we are overseas killing people who may or may not have harmed us? What ever happened to turning the other cheek? Or living in harmony with one another?

How is it, then, that we have people starving all over the world when we have more than enough food for everyone? What happened to sharing with God's people who are in need?

And how is it that we sit in our offices and write checks to different charities and then go back to surfing the web for more things we don't need? We have distanced ourselves from the hurting. So much so that we can easily fool ourselves into thinking that that check is enough. What ever happened to being willing to associate with people of low position?

Satan sees those people who are hurting and laughs...then he sees those people with hearts yearning to do something, and he cringes. 'what can be done about this?', he asks himself. And so he sets to work, weaving a lie that more possessions will make us happy...painting a portrait that shows happy, smiling faces in big, luxurious mansions and whispers in our ears that this is the way. He dances us into a world of masks and fake laughs...a whirlwind of nothingness. All the while, outside our little clubs and groups, there are people wanting to be loved. And inside our groups, there are people wanting to love.

I say that we take back our lives...and that we LIVE them!!! That we revive that time-tested dance that Jesus Christ was crucified for! I say we dance without fear (for perfect love casts out all fear) and vow to become even more undignified than this! Go...you sons and daughters of the most powerful, majestic, and undignified King...go into your calcutta and love like it was your weapon against that evil snake! Because, technically, it is. Our love (the love God has for us and the love He gave us to give out) is something that Satan trembles at.

so, go...MAKE HIM TREMBLE!!!!

A little Update...

I started my new job this week. I am now employed at Evenglow Inn. It's really different than what I've done in the past. I still wipe butts, do showers, dress people, etc. But now I also do activities, housekeeping, laundry, and soon...cooking! I'm definately nervous about that last one....me? Having to cook for 30 people? Oh, my! All the people there have either alzheimers or age related dementia. That tends to make this job a lot more taxing on my mind because I have to stay ahead of the game. Sometimes I stop and look around and think...what am I doing here? I feel slow, lost, and in-over-my-head sometimes. But then moments like these happen...

There is a guy named Warren there. He has alzheimer's and you have to be slow and talk soft around him. If he feels threatened in any way, he may hit you. Basically, when you can get him washed up for bed, you'd better do it! No matter what time it is! So, my trainer Linda was getting him ready for bed tonight and I was watching TV with Warren's sister. All the sudden I hear "Help!" coming from his room. I get up and run over and Linda is holding his pajama pants and warren is in the corner holding tightly to his khakis! She said she needed a second person. So, we held his hands and pulled down the pants. He then proceeded to sit down so we couldn't do anything else. Linda looked stressed and I was thinking, "What are we gonna do? We have to get something on him?" As soon as I thought that, a plan popped in my mind! I told Linda to put a new pull-up and his pants on around his ankles. I got a rag and towel ready. As he stood up, we ripped off the old pull-up, cleaned him, pulled up his new one and his pj's. Success! Sweet success!

It is at moments like these that I feel ahead of the game! Woohoo!

So far, I've encountered wanderers (who like to walk around and hate sitting for meals), a southern drama queen, a woman we affectionately call Mama who carries a doll (named either Roger or Emily) and loves anything chocolate, a woman who has a hard time hearing herself so she yells all the time, people who LOVE to lay in bed, a person who hates to eat, and many more.

Here are some quirky things about alzhiemer's patients:

~they begin to hate water as their disease progresses
~they have a hard time with changes of color on the floor (they think it's a hole)
~they don't like loud noises
~towards the end (their death) they start to see kids or their parents

I feel really special when I work with these people! I'm excited about this job and I will keep you posted and tell you all funny stories.
~lola~

Criss Angel

Lately, I've been unable to go to sleep until late...in fact, it is 1:40 right now and I'm not tired. But, anyways, I've been searching on YouTube and I decided to look up David Blaine which then led me to Criss Angel. I have watched about 20 of his videos...including him with voodoo, being impaled by a fence, impaling a man with his arm, and swallowing a quarter and cutting his arm open and pulling it out through there. I have come to the conclusion that Criss Angel is satanic! This is no joke...Criss Angel IS SATANIC!!!
~Lola~

We'll never know...

There's a song that we sing all the time in worship. It's called Here I Am To Worship.

There's a bridge that says...I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross...

How true! One of our seniors mentioned that Jesus didn't just die for our sins. He had the wrath, the judgement...of all man-kind...poured out on Him. All that sin was given to Him and He was given the punishment of every one of those sins. And since sinners go to hell...

Jesus literally went through hell for us!!! Wow! I mean...wow!

And when you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, that means you really will never KNOW what it cost. We will never know hell...

I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.

Amen!
~Lola~
P.S.---Thanks Gideon.

My baseball bat

For so long, I've heard of the metaphorical baseball bat. God uses it when He really needs to get through to us. And this weekend, He used it....big time!

Friday night at Dare2Share, Greg Stier talked about some people who are one person at church and another during the rest of the week. And that was me...

For the past couple of weeks, I felt abandoned by God. I felt like He had just up and left. I wanted Him to tell me something and there was nothing but silence...at least I thought so. But, going on this trip, I thought that it was important that I at least fake it because as a leader you need to be an example to students. So, while I was talking about how amazing God was, I was feeling alone and angry.

Greg talked about choosing a side...about not being two different people...about living sold out to Christ. And while he talked, something shifted inside of me. His words went straight to my heart. That's when it happened....

WHAM!!!!

I got smacked upside the head with God's baseball. I waited so long for a sign...something, anything. And I got it! He told me to choose a side and stop jumping the fence. Follow Him fully or not at all. It was exactly what I needed to hear!

God is good! He will show you things...in His time. I've heard this so much but, only when I am lying on the floor praising God for His mighty blow, do I realize just how true it is. He loves you. He loves me. He's there and He will never leave or forsake you. And just when you need it, He's waiting...bat in hand if need be.

Before I part ways with you, I just want to thank the Good Lord that four people in our group surrendered their hearts to Christ. Congrats to Jamie Morse and Christine Eilts!!! Love you guys so much!
~Lola~

Dare2Share

I am so incredibly privelidged that I get to go tomorrow with a bunch of students to a conference up by Chicago. It's called Dare2Share. It's all about learning how to share your faith with your friends. There is great music, great speakers, and great students...I can't wait! Stay tuned for an overview of what happens.
~Lola~

Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley

Watch this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2NEU6Xf7lM&NR=1

My friend Michelle introduced this song to me. I found these guys singing it and I think they're amazing!

Marty Cotter gives his testimony...

Tonight at Crossroads, Marty Cotter will be giving his testimony. I've never heard it before, so I'm pretty excited! I think it has something to do with being a rodeo clown and an exotic dancer but that could all just be rumor. We will find out soon and I will let you all know...!

Pray for Marty! Also, pray for Lena (one of our junior-highers) because she is leading worship!

Also, I want to give props to Troy Watson! Last Wednesday he taught at the student-led crossroads. He taught on faith and it rocked! Lena led worship along with the other girls and everyone had a great time playing "fish out of water". Lydia Bill demonstrated her faith by falling into a waiting crowd and hoping they would be able to catch her. You guys all rock!!!!

Crossroads is our junior high ministry at PBC and I just wanna say that I am priviledged to be a leader there. We have an amazing group of students and some equally amazing leaders!

Thank you all,
~Lola~

Bands Worth Checking Out

I was searching the internet and checking out different bands last night and here are some that I really like...

Kings Of Leon

Kill Hannah

Arctic Monkeys

Yeah, yeah, yeah's

Modest Mouse

Franz Ferdinand

The Strokes

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

The Raincoats

And some classics:

Flock of Seagulls (I love 'em!)

Kansas

Night Ranger

David Bowie

Talking Heads


These are some of my newly discovered favorites! Go on YouTube and check 'em out!
~Lola~

Life and Getting Older

Lately, I've been noticing all the changes going on.

In about three months, I will be 19 years old. My sister will be 24 the month after that and my brother will be 21. I remember playing in the backyard with them and getting into trouble all the time. Now my sister is planning her wedding and my brother is getting really serious with his girlfriend. It's unreal to think that we are old enough for that. While growing up, it felt like the days drug on and on but now, as I look back, it seems like it was just yesterday that my sister and I were playing with dolls together. I know it sounds corny, but time flies!

Another thing that is unreal to me, is that Ken and Kara actually have a kid. We've always joked with them about it and then they were pregnant and it still didn't feel real, but now they are the proud parents of a very cute little boy and it is so wierd. Ken and Kara are parents! Wow! Freaky! But totally cool!

Things change so fast! Right now I feel really out of place and I know what I want but now may not be the time. One lesson that I've been able to learn is that, though I feel really uncontent right now and I feel like I want things to hurry up, time goes fast. As I sit in my dinky little efficiency apartment, talking to the wall and planning all the ways I could destroy this wretched building, I can take comfort in the fact that this will all be over soon. Time hides it's speed behind a mask of slow, crawing monotony. Joy!
~Lola~

True Love..

I have at last found my true love. <3>

~Lola~

The price of being a youth leader...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...well, check this out!









Lena and Jessi did my make-up...marilyn manson style. But then I got Jessi back! lol.

The girls made pizza, we did facials and make-up, played guitar hero and UNO, and watched some movies...oh, yeah, and we did a little karaoke! (we're soaring...flying)

Overall, it rocked! We will have to do it again.

~Lola~

Rainy days have come my way...

It's raining outside...well, sort of. It was raining, then it did some snowish stuff, now it's sleeting. I usually love rain but not when it's cold, too. For some reason it makes me feel lonely.

I had to get gas and it was either now or at 6:00 in the morning. I decided now was the best time. I went by the bank first just to double check how much I had in there and got a big surprise when it showed that I had about $60 less than I thought and it was not nearly enough to get me to work tomorrow and then to Jenn's...let alone to work everyday next week! Unfortunately, this happens a lot because I am really bad with money. I don't write down how much I spend...I just keep a ballpark figure in my head. Sometimes, I'll forget that I spent something only to go to the ATM and not have money anymore.

Starting in April, I am going to totally changing my spending habits (I hope). I will carry my checkbook around so I can record how much I spend, I will budget where my paycheck will go, and I will start saving.

As for now, I will just have to ask my mom for money....uuuughhh!

Well, that's all for tonight.
~Lola~

What This Means...

I've talked with some people today and the place that I wanted to live is not much of an option. I had found this place and if I lived there it meant that I could have my cat and not worry about getting caught with him. It meant I could have room to breathe. It meant that I could have a space that is "mine".

For so long, I've had this dream of going to college and meeting a cute guy and getting married and starting a family. That dream is what I held tight to when it felt like things weren't going to get better...whenever I felt like God wasn't there. Now, that dream is not happening because I am unable to go to college.

The place where I live right now...sucks! At first it was cool cause I was on my own but then I didn't like it anymore. I kept thinking, 'Don't stress. It's just for a little while. Soon you can go to college.' This was my stopping off place until I could move onto better things.

But what happens now? I want to leave this place behind! If only I knew a rich person that I could borrow the money from!

I don't know...

On the up side, I have a job interview on Friday for a better job! Wish me luck!


My Goals for The Rest of This Year:
* save as much money as I can
* get out of what little debt I have
* settle into my (hopefully) new job
* learn yoga or tai chi
* turn 19
* feel happier in my body

Well, that's all for now.
~Lola~

Girl's Slumber Party!

Woohoo! I am sooo excited because Friday night we will be having a sleepover at my friend, Jenny's house. It's for our junior high chat room and we invited a couple of our high schoolers. We're gonna eat great food, watch movies, do facials, paint our nails, and just all around have fun! Stay tuned a post on how it went.
~Lola~

Life, Love, And the Pursuit of Happiness

Lately I've been thinking a lot about changing my life. I'm at a point where things are just boring and not at all how I want them to be. So, I'm going to be learning how to manage my money better and I think I'm going to make some major changes in my diet. Also, I'm looking for a new place to live and a new place to work.

Sometimes, I lie in bed and think about my life. I picture a girl of average size who likes to dance and sing and just all around enjoy her life. She sits on her porch with a book and a cup of coffee or she sits on the floor in her room practicing yoga and meditating. Her life is peaceful yet exciting, calm and balanced, full of love and joy. She serves her God with her whole life and is a leader to younger girls.

This is who I want to be. But right now it feels like my life is spinning out of control! I am having money trouble, work is so stressful, I feel lonely and my body is nowhere near how I want it to be. My apartment is too small and it adds to my stress. As far as being a leader...well, unfortunately, I've been immature and irresponsible in the past. It's hard to change how I've been and other people still see me as I've been.

But, now I'm trying to change. I'm trying to take charge of my life and be who I want to be. Sounds fun, huh?! Lol.

Well, my peeps, that is what I have to say right now. Until next time I hope that you too will find your life, love, and pursuit of happiness. We all have an "inner self" (it is when who we are and who we want to be intersect) and we must find it and embrace it!
~Lola~

Introducing....

Hello! My name is Lola...well, not really. But that is what I go by these days. When you share the same name as someone else it gets confusing. So what did I do? I created a new identity of course! ; ) Well, this is my new "spot". This is where I will complain about my job, my apartment, and anything else I can. I will also question, protest, and take a stand. So, watch out! Keep an eye on this space and read what I have to say...because you know it's important.
~Lola~