VLT Rally

This weekend at church we had the Vinyard Leadership Training Rally.. (VLT Rally). And I have to say that it was uberiffically fun! It definately was a boost after having a not so great day at work and it was just nice being around other christian folk. Friday evening began with me talking with some friends and trying to figure out what the whole Rally experience would intale. Finally at about 7-ish or so, they corraled us into the smaller sanctuary where we spent time going over anouncements, having a small lecture, worshipping the Lord, and then ministering to one another. Worship was amazing. I love those kinds of worship. What makes the difference is that everyone who was there, was really there to focus on God. The Spirit immediately fell and it was just awesome! It felt so good to be in the presence of the Lord, all of us in once accord, worshipping. Just awesome! Afterwards, Laura and I prayed. We're going to be helping lead Bob and Kelley's Small group since they will be busy for the next few weeks. We're really excited. We're also making plans to multiply from the group and start our own small group. Laura has some great vision on what she wants to do and it's really exciting. It's a little different from what I've been wanting to do with a small group, but that's ok. I'll see how it goes with it and I think I could be effective in where she is being lead. But yeah, we're totally hyped. I can't wait to find some time to get started. I've started simply by praying for one another and for the people in Bob and Kelley's small group now. That will help me get into a pattern and build my spirit to prepare for what is to come.Saturday morning they served breakfast. Not only were there wonderfully delectable bagels and doughnuts, but they had exquisitly divine strawberries as well!! It was quite exciting. We gathered together after breakfast for a short worship and info session and then dispersed to our chosen workshops. I went to Learning how to lead great Ministry Time and How to balance Life and Ministry. They were pretty good sessionis. Learned a couple of valuable things, met some very nice people, and got even more pumped for leadership. I even got a new book for free. Yay! It's called, "Thank God It's Monday".. hahaha. Yeah. We'll see how it does. Anyways.. I'm excited about what I'm seeing God do in my life spiritually. I know He's got something really awesome planned for me. Something big. Something phenominal! It's just around the bend!

Quote of the Day

"Do what stirs your heart, with all your heart, in a way that moves the heart of God." - Brad Hart.

Hello to all my lovlies out there in this great big world. Just had a little bit 'o' inspiration. This is originally from that sermonette that Brad gave to us at 703 the other night and I though it might encourage you all as well.

Talk with Katie

Katie came over tonight so we could talk and we could discuss what went down between Clint and I. At first we talked about Tracey and my's new fish, Freddy and the plant Freddy was living in, which I think we should name Esteban. Hehehe.

She asked me what happened that night, to clarify and get my perspective. I told her all that happened, what I'd said, what he's said. I gave her the full report so she could see it in it's context. Then she let me know some things that she and Brad had talked about. Where they felt Clint was coming from, his thoughts, his reactions and stuff like that. Some of it I understood and at the same time some of it confused me. So I explained to her the day/evening when Clint and I had become "official." There was a lot of confusion as to what we were. Apparently Clint had meant that he had wanted to get to know me better, but wasn't ready for a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. But when we had talked about it the things he said made me feel that that is what he meant. I told this to Katie and we concluded that he had said the words but probably hadn't processed the ramifactions and reality of those words.

I have to say, it was really refreshing. I am able to lay aside my anger and frustration now. I'm not saying that it is O.K. what happened or what Clint did. But I'm able to forgive him and see things slightly better from his perspective. Also, she assured me that Clint really does care about me and that it's not that he cares for me any less he is just confused. And it is not me perhaps that confused him, but his own feelings. Clint grew up in small town Illinois. His views of the 'woman' he'd someday end up with is certainly nothing like me in dress, personality, knowledge, or alot of that. The idea that he could possibly end up with or fall for someone not like his 'idealized' girl, freaked him out.
Clint has a lot of growing up to do. He has a lot to learn about relationships and women. For now, we can be friends. Not in the pursuit that we might someday date again, but just to get to know each other and build a friendship. Maybe someday we can try it again. Maybe not. Who knows? I sure don't. But we both need to grow. I've learned a lot about myself through this experience and there probably is a lot of healing and soul searching that I need to do till then, especially when it comes to the idea of having children. Till then, I have plenty of things to occupy my time with. There is this looming thing that I like to call the Spanish Double Opera. Heh. Oh.. and I'm going to go dancing tonight. That'll be fun. Yay no sleep and working your butt off!

Our Purpose

At 703 last night, Brad spoke the message instead of Tony. I've only heard Brad 'preach' or 'teach', whatever you want to call it, once before. Since then I can see the gradual improvements. What he talked about last night though was really amazing and really touched my heart.

Brad spoke about "Our Purpose." What is the reason why we are here and what is it that we are supposed to do with our lives. He began by defining what the secular world has said that our purpose is. In a world where there is no supreme being or creator and life and everything merely happened by accident.. *BANG*.. the purpose for which we exist is our job, our occupation, our career. What we do defines our purpose. However, the reality is that we exist in a world where there is a God who created everything around us, including us.

Colossians 1:15-16 "He [Christ] existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. 16Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him."

It is then not what we do, as in our job, that defines us, but how we do it. Because I am an artist, a Costume Designer/Technician and student. This does not assign my purpose. I was not born to create art or sew costumes. It is something that pleases me and something I am passionate about. My purpose is to do what I do for the Glory of God. My purpose is to being glory to Jesus in whatever it is that I do. Whether some day I decide to get married, to have children, to travel the world, to write a book... whatever. In all that I choose to do, I am to do it to the best of my ability for the pleasure and glorification of the Father.

I have to agree with Brad. There is an amazing freedom in knowing this. I can do basically whatever tantilizes my little heart and the Lord will back me up as long as I remember to bring him glory through it. I am filled with an awesome sense of power and confidence.

Brad closed his message for us with a short story. It's about a young boy who's father took him to the beach one day. The little boy was so excited and loved his father very much. He wanted to express this by building his daddy a sand castle. So with all his energy and creativity, he set out to make one. He worked away at it creating not quite perfect walls or towers. Yet he was pleased with what his tiny hands were making. The father watched his son with love and fondness, knowing that the little boy was trying with all his might. A few yards away, a young man came out onto the beach and decided he'd make a sand castle as well. He built a beautiful castle with tall towers, perfected walls, and intricate patterns. People were so impressed that they began to take notice and watch the young man at work. He signed it and flaunted about his masterpiece. Then, the sun began to set and the tide began to roll in. Slowly it inched its way up the shore towards the two sand castles. The young man became frantic about losing his wonderful creation. He furiously dug trenches and moat to keep the ever rising ocean at bay. Yet the waves continued to come and little by little what once was this young man's hard spent time, was little more than a mound of wet sand. He was left amidst the rubble, covered in the mess created by clumps of sand and ocean water. Not to far away, the little boys castle was being washed away as well. The little boy however, sat back on the beach away from the reach of the lapping tide. He watched in contentment as the sand castle he had built for his father drifted into the ocean. He watched the sky turn and shine with the brilliance of a beach sunset. And when it was all over, his father took him by the hand and lead him home.

Birthday Festivities

Twenty-three years ago today, the world was blessed with a wonderful gift. Something so rare and beautiful, like nothing ever before. Well, perhaps not so much a something as a someone. That person, was.. and is.. me. Miss Anna Marie. A bundle of love, craziness, hilarity, and pure genius all rolled up into a beautiful package and wonderful person that is me.

Wow.. that sounds really arrogant. Yet, so true! lol. Is someone a little narsistic? I think so! Mwa ha ha!

So to celebrate my 23rd birthday I took myself out last night for a night on the town. I had dinner at Panera, one of the best bakery shops ever, and had myself a lovely chicken pesto sandwich with a warm bowl of broccoli and cheese soup. Divine. Afterward, I then treated myself to a movie. I hadn't seen anything new in a couple weeks and I wanted to see the new Underworld: Evolution. It was really a pretty decent movie. Vampires and Vampire stories always fascinate me. Lots of action, a little bit of love, and of course, Vampires! hehehe. When the movie ended, my roommate and I went to The Office, a local bar and had ourselves a drink. We talked a bit, I informed her about the whole Clint situation, and just chilled for a bit. It was a nice evening, relaxing and fun.

This morning, on my actual birthday day, I slept in. I had all intentions of getting up and going to church, however, when I woke up, I came to realize that I slept too long. But I haven't slept enough in weeks. Then I went to lunch with my friends Alison and Kelly. But as it turned out, it wasn't with only them. Tracey and a bunch of people from church came too. I was happy and it was such a treat. So all together there was Alison and Kelly, Tracey, Brad and Katie, Mickey and his girlfriend, Andrew, Geoff, and Mike... oh yeah, and me! It was uberifically fun. We went to Chili's. I love Chili's. It really made me feel loved and cared for. That all these people would come and spend time with me.

Later tonight I'm going to go to church and when I come home, I'm going to call my Daddy. Afterwards, a full evening of "Firefly" episodes. They've been calling my name. hehehe. It's a good day. I am exremely blessed.