Thoughts on a Sunday Night:

I am such a random rambler - in my thoughts and in my verbal processing. . .here is some of what's on the mind tonight for you all to enjoy:

- doesn't feel like fall and I'm still okay with that, did have my first pumpkin cookie this weekend though!

- saw a great pair of suede boots at a consignment store on Solano Ave. this afternoon. . .hoping they're still there when the price drops on Oct 19th

- excited to make a banana-blueberry smoothie tomorrow. . .as of today I finally own a blender

- sadness that Cal lost yesterday, but we'll go for a big win against USC on Saturday!!!(?)!!!!

- a hometown/college friend came to visit for the weekend, such a lovely time showing her the campus, introducing her to the wonders of Indian food, and enjoying the beauty of my bay area surroundings - so refreshing to see things from her perspective

- this friend shared some of her email organization skills with me, so I spent part of the afternoon deleting about 8,000 emails. . .definitely took me down memory lane - there are aspects of things I got to experience in the past that I miss but am still thankful for where the Lord has me right now

- It seems as if God is allowing me to be on the brink of something very exciting - I think a ministry to Greek (Fraternities and Sororities) students will about to take off and I have a front row seat, please be praying - I'll keep you posted!

- Going home for my dad's birthday on Friday afternoon, he's doing well considering what his body has been through the past 2 weeks or so, pray for a full recovery!

- Working on taking a trip to a far away place to visit a dear friend around Christmas time. . .wondering if, and how, it's all going to come together. . .

- ok, that's all you get for now! I hope you have a most wonderful week!

Thanks!

Wanted to let you know that I so appreciate your prayers. . .always!

My dad's surgery seems to have gone well. He is still in the hospital recovering, but will hopefully go home tomorrow. Pray for patience and perseverance as he begins the 2-3 month recovery process. God is good!

Today's weather was gorgeous - I was afraid that fall, if not winter, had decided to come early with the weekend rain. . .but no! Didn't make it to my painfully early class at the gym, but had a good workout on my own none the less. Then headed out to meet with a friend/student before she heads off to DC for an internship. We walked around Lake Merritt, surprisingly beautiful considering it's in the middle of a city. Beautiful scenery, beautiful conversation.

I met with 2 student leaders today, we talked about God's missionary call on our lives. . .and that if we opt out of this call (described in the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20) we are living in disobedience. It was sweet to sit on campus; dreaming, praying, and acting in faith together to see God's work be accomplished here and around the world.

When I remember the bigger picture I am so encouraged! Talked with a friend who recently got back from doing ministry in Ethiopia, she told me about Muslims who are coming to know the Lord and then preaching the Gospel in their mosques. Powerful! God really has not forgotten His people or His plan of redemption as we await His return!

And now I'm working on my talk (about the Holy Spirit) for the weekly meeting tomorrow - hum, you can be praying for it to come together. . .don't have much yet. But I know that God knows exactly what He wants to say! Hoping to also catch a bit of "So You Think You Can Dance" and do some cleaning - a friend is coming to stay for a few days tomorrow. Yay!

Sunday

Not being very creative with the titles of these posts right now. . .

Church was so encouraging today. A missionary couple was visiting from Northern Africa where they reach out to Muslims. Dave spoke about following Jesus, quite impactful, eye-opening, and refreshing. How great is our God!

I slipped out a little early to go surprise my dad at the Civic Center Farmers Market that he was working at in San Rafael. . .it worked, although he said he had a feeling I might come. Fun! I can remember going to this market as a little girl, my family has been doing it for over 20 years. Other vendors at the market remember me, definitely makes me feel loved - especially when I'm given beautiful free flowers (that just scream God's beautiful creativity) simply because I'm Walter's daughter. He won't be doing that market again (he's found a sub though, the business must go on :)) for a few months because he's having surgery on Tuesday. Please keep him in your prayers (my mom too. . .and my brothers too while you're at it) and if you want to know more just let me know.

The Cal game was a blow-out indeed yesterday. . .they won big time in terms of points (59-7) but not in terms of quality of play. They made Eastern Washington look decent, hopefully they'll clean things up a bit because this was their only super easy game of the season. I'm speaking at the weekly meeting on Thursday night - on the Holy Spirit, but I want to start with a video clip of the highlights of the game. . .some school *spirit* can be a fun transition to talking at the Holy *Spirit*!

Please be praying that some freshmen guys start coming around to our meetings. We're becoming girl heavy (9 guys and 23 girls at the last weekly meeting) and that's going to be really unhealthy down the road. Thanks!

Ok - off to our apartment complex BBQ soon - sad the weather isn't better but the fellowship will be lovely!

Saturday

Hi friends!

I suppose I've been MIA, missing in action. There has been a lot going on with the start of the new year, I'm sure you can say the same - it's rare to find a time where we're not busy.

Ministry has had it's ups and downs, so sweet to continue to rely on Jesus as my unchanging source of love, hope, and joy. I am so thankful to do what I've been called to do though! Pray for me, and Dan and Deb - they're expecting their second addition to the family on October 4th, an exciting time with lots of unknowns.

I am taking a "New Testament Survey" class, something that all new staff are required to do. Such a blessing! One of my goals this fall is going a better job of setting aside the personal development time needed to really learn and grow - I'm supposed to set aside 5 hours a week for this class and I also have "New Staff Training" curriculum that I'm hoping to keep plugging away at a few hours a week (began this as an intern, made slow progress though - it's good stuff in regards to God, self, ministry).

Another goal this fall is to intentionally set aside time to workout consistently. It's so easy to let that go as well but I really don't want to burn out of ministry, and therefore need to have healthy boundaries that allow me to do things that refresh me. Can't say I always feel refreshed while working out, but I know that it's of some value (For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Tim 4:8) and I'm looking forward to becoming a healthier me in this way. I was a good week in this area!

Today I went for a run to "Indian Rock", this huge rock in the middle of homes in North Berkeley. It was a challenge! Not so much because of the distance (just under 4 miles) but because of the steep hills. . .definitely had to do some walking on the way there. I think I'm going to make it my Saturday workout, it'll be fun (hopefully!) to be able to run more and more of it as time goes on.

Also, went to the grocery store this morning - one of my favorite things to do. Still so excited for the Trader Joe's to open a block from my apartment - they're making slow and steady progress but it may still take a while. I'm hard-boiling some eggs right now because I have too many and don't want them to go bad. Watching the movie "Julie and Julia" was inspiring indeed, but it's really hard to be motivated to cook (and clean up the mess!) for one person - still working on that.

I'm planning a babyshower for Deb, my first one - exciting! Let me know if you have any game/food ideas or tips, I'm a little clueless but looking forward to bless Deb and baby boy Goodson in this way! Ah, such a different season of life then I'm in - but such a sweet one to be a part of.

Well, off to another Cal football game! Went to the season opener last Saturday against Maryland - it was so awesome! Today's supposed to be another blow-out against Eastern Washington, Cal is #10 in the nation right now - Go Bears! My neighbors have tickets that they offer me from time to time, so great because I probably wouldn't go if I had to pay, I guess the big-time gets pricey!

Hope you're having a lovely Saturday!