Zombie Walk

So Halloween is probably my favorite holiday because of all the fun and silliness. Tonight the same guys who hosted the Pillow Fight and Zomb organized a Zombie Walk downtown. Our goals was to beat the current record, held by Pittsburgh, of 1350 participants. I think we easliy blew past this.

Emma and I got there right as the walk started.

Bree and Tiff from the.element last year!

Poor people who tried to drive where we were walking. One older lady looked so freaked out. Most cars ended up with smeared hand prints on them. One unfortunatly driver got their car rocked by a horde of Zombies.

News Story!

ZOMB - Take II

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday, simply for the fun factor. Last night another game of Zomb took place and this time Ben, Pat and Parker (Ben's roommates) came to play. The facebook group advertised that the Discovery Channel would be there filming and tons of people showed up. Probably close to 700. We quickly joined up with a group of Pat's friends. I acted as the token female player. Playing with guys is a lot more fun, because they tend to take their mission seriously.

As the game stated we found ourselves as humans defending the high ground. "Hold the hill," came the order from our leaders and Ben and Pat decided to take this literally and bent down to grab a hold of the ground. Pretty soon the Zombies rushed us and in a flurry of black clothes most of our comrades had fallen. Pat and I found ourselves standing a lot the further most boundary watching the chaos. Out of nowhere some jerk decided to rush us, tackled Pat, grabbed my sweatshirt and we crashed on the ground, with me ankle twisting at an odd angle. "I got both of you," he declared, bouncing off. Yes, well done. You successfully tackled a girl. JERK! To set the record straight, there is no tackling. You become a Zombie with a two-handed touch.

Now that all of us were Zombies, we picked up with the horde and searched for humans. At one point we lost Parker and then Pat and then found Parker again. For the most part Ben and I stuck together. After an epic Zombie-Human battle, the human group thinking they had shot all of us, started retrieving their ammo. One guy yelled to the remaining humans, "Alright, two minute ammo retrieval." He bent down to get his dart, thinking Ben and I were humans, and then I tagged him. My crowning moment.

After that Ben, Parker, and I kind of went renegade from the group and trapped some humans on a hill. We needed backup and they came a few minutes too late, after we had been shot (by nerf darts). Shortly after we unfroze (after 2min), a guy came around looking for his shoe. Ben and I helped him find it and then the kid asked, "You guys are humans right?" A scuffle ensued and I ended up hitting a fence with my teeth. Although I'm pretty sure I two handed touched him, he ran off the rejoin his human friends.

All and all a pretty fun game, but I realized after I stopped running that my foot really hurt. I had developed a limp. After getting out of the car back home, the limp grew worse. Today it's pretty sore and I can't put much weight on it. I think it's severely bruised.

To him who is able to keep you from FALLING

and to present you
Before his glorious presence without fault and with great JOY—

to the only God our Savior be

glory,

majesty,

power

authority,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 1:24-25

My friend Katie is a publicist for Baker Books. Yesterday I received this email from her:

See that book? That's my book. I'm the publicist for that book the pope
is holding.

What up.

Connecting

I can spend hours online (shamefully it's true). Blogs, facebook, email, news sites. Cycling between. Very little time is actually spent doing what I need to get done on the internet, but rather searching, scanning, looking for news. For a way to connect. Connect to others (even if in a false sense), connect to the world (please do not let me be this small). Seeking, searching for that connection.

It gets this way mostly at night. With every intention of journaling, I go to bed early, only to open up my laptop to "just check my mail." Before I know it, my bed is calling me and I have no time left for journaling. As I lay down to sleep, a small whisper, "What about me." I promise tomorrow there will be time, but tomorrow is just like today.

This connection, seeking, searching, comes from a perceived need. A need I'm searching for a news story to fill or someone's daily account to fill, but really under it all, is a need much deeper then anything one or thing could fill. I'm hungry for God and trying to mask this hunger with other things. Starving for God. It's that realization that whispers for me to stop, close the computer, and pray. Connect, search, seek God.

I feel drained in every possible way. These hurdles are becoming harder to jump and as much as I want to say, "look at me and my accomplishments", the Amanda glory-fest has come to an end.

You know that thing about God teaching me something soon? Well today's the day. He brought me to a place where the next hurdle can only be cleared through him. He will figuratively (literally ?) have to lift me up over this obstacle. He is the only one who can.

It's much like the story of the disciples on the boat. Storms from every side and they could not imagine the outcome other then disastrous. They feared that God had left them. Yet, there God was on their very boat. He had not abandoned them or forgoten them. He was right there. We need to be confident in this God. He has our best interest in mind. Though it is so easy to allow Satan to have victory over us with fear and panic, we need to reclaim that glory for God. Just when we have no idea how something could possibly work out is about the perfect time to go to God asking for Him alone to do what we are powerless to do aside from him.

Thanks in part to Becky for that reminder. I hope it blesses you, like it did me.

Alright, God. What are you up to?

I like to kid around with God like that. I think he must have a superb sense of humor (he did create it, after all) and sometimes I think I'm the butt of his jokes in an, "I'm just kidding," kind of way. All in good natured fun. I feel him joking with me a lot or at least I find myself chuckling at just what he might be up to.

God's seems to be reveling himself to me in surprising spurts. Opportunities that seemed to have not come to fruition, suddenly popped up again. A month ago where I seemed to have so much time on my hands and now every night has something. A new church opportunity and after the first Sunday, I'm serving in a ministry I love! Why so many blessings at once?

God is truly amazing in this good time and many he is preparing me for what he's about to do. Under the surface I can feel it. God is getting ready to break me open. I'm not sure how, but I can feel the Holy Spirit begin to work in my heart. He's whispering to me and sometimes I cannot decipher it, but I know that whisper become a shout. There is something that is not lining up with God, but I can't quite put my finger on it. But my prayer is that soon all will be revealed and God's redemption and restoration will work on that part of my life. It's all very strange to be aware that there is brokenness in your life, but not to know what specifically that is.

Going Home

For me fall is epitomized in the walking down of a country road on a clear, blue October morning. The corn's been cut and there are traces of your breath on the air. Fall is being alive in a place that holds so many memeories.

Soemtimes God blesses you with unexpected joys. This Saturday when I stopped to visit Mari, I had no idead what a blessing it would be. Mari and I have the kind of friendship that can pick up from anywhere. Because of our schedules we rarly get to see each other more then three-four times a year, but after visiting another friend I stopped by to see her.

Mari works in the kitchen at the camp I grew up. This weekend happened to be a fall family fun day of some sort and after talking for some time, I found myself in the kitchen helping Mari prepare for the evening meal. To serve int his capcity gives me great joy!

The event brought out so many I had not seen in quite some time. An old camp director I worked with. An old co-worker. An old and new minister. Everyone blessed me in some way. I left that evening feeling God.

It a strange thinging getting older. At first you rebell from wence you came from. Learning new ideas and growing so much, one suddenly becomes attached to the new place they are at and shirks off the old. Then you begin to compare the too. Slowly the pendulum is swing back into a balanced position and the old and new are lining up in way I never could have protected. I'm glad my roots are in country soil and I'm thankful for the experience of living in such close community in the city. Both have influence then person I am and the person I am becomming.

Super Bubble

Someone stocked our office with Halloween Candy. The kind that comes in big bags and is usually generic. Suckers, Jaw Breakers, Sweet Tart. This bag apparently catered to the no chocolate crowd. Although it seemed like a equal mix, one candy made it's presence know over the others: Super Bubble. You know. The kind that comes in red, yellow, and blue packaging. The one, whose smell is so strong that you can initially taste when eating any other candy it's come in contact with. For some reason this brings back memories of classroom parties in the 4th grad. Why the 4th grade? That was probably the year I figured out the candy hierarchy. The cool kids brought Snickers, or Milky Ways. Some kind of candy that everyone knew. The uncool kids got stuck bringing one-lick suckers. I tried to fill in the middle with Nerds or Runts. Anyway no matter what kind of party it was, Super Bubble always seemed to make an appearance. This is also the gum you were likely to find when cleaning out your desk at the end of the year. Stuck way in the back and even though it had become hard as a rock, you still tried to chew it, because let's face when is Super Bubble not hard as a rock?

Running the Race

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Recently the race has been through a stretch of hurdles. I clear the first one, but now another one looms and I have a feeling there are more ahead I cannot see. I imagine a track set up for a race and I show up not knowing that this specific part of the race would require the extra training in hurdles, so I'm learning as I go. At times it's painful as I attempt to clear one and miss. Questions, scares, growth; all a part of the race I didn't know I'd be running. But maybe as I get beyond these points, certain hindrances are left behind. A strong faith and askowldgement that I'm not in control. God is growing me...breaking me...brusing me. I am broken and in desperate need of God.

I'm having a conversation with Greg at OM tomorrow. Prayers would be appreciated as we will be talking about faith. This shouldn't seem like a stressor, but unless I clear this conversation my application won't countinue on the process. I wait for God and listen.

Maybe these hurdles aren't something to be clears, but something to stop me. Pray please!

Falling

Creativity

Rhythm. Art. Beauty. Love. Creativity. Seeing the divine in the ordinary.

Friendship: Michigan Style

Finally some time to update on this past weekend. Friday I took work off to meet Jes and Jeremy half way in Ohio. Jeremy had worked the night before, got off at 7:30ish, and planned to drive him and Jes 8 hours to MI. I said NO. After grabbing some lunch, we hit the road back to MI, where Jes and I saw a dead deer strapped to the trunk of a little white car. We got our traditional Chinesse Food and went back to my place. We spent the night hearing new music from Jeremy at the park that overlooks the city and then some warm drinks at The Bitter End.


Saturday:
We all slept in my room. Jes and I shared a bed as tradition dictates, but the air mattress we had was not comfortable AT ALL. We met Katie for breakfast at Marie Catribes, a resturant in East Town. I was glad to introduce my GR friends to my Ireland friends. After breakfast we went to Meijer and purchased Nerf weapons for the impending Zombie game later that night and then on to Robinette's. Then a walking tour of GR and dinner at San Chez. It's a tapas (small portions) resturants and I loved sharing this experience with my friends.

Jes took these next few.

ZOMB
Saturday night we bundeled up and headed to Cascade Park to do battle against a Zombie horde. This game was organized on Facebook and about 200 people showed up to play. OBJECT: to survive. We started out as humans trying to survive, but our team got picked off pretty fast and so we joined the Zombie horde and took as many humans down as we could. Unfortunatly we didn't get any picture of this. After the game we headed to the park that overlooks the city. We sidewalk chalked and looked at the stars.



Sunday:
I made apple fritters for the guys and then we headed to Mars Hill. Although Rob wasn't teaching, he introduced the guest teacher and Jes and Jeremy were pretty excited to see him. After church we drove to Holland State Park. Neither one had seen Lake Michigan before. We kababed it up and fed seagulls pieces of onions.



Sunday night we relaxed and watched Hot Fuzz!


Monday
We hit the road around 9am. Once in Ohio I started to drag about not needing directions. Half an hour on the wrong exit I ate my words. We got to Upper Sandusky around 2p, ate some Steak and Shake, and said our goodbyes. :( Jes and Jeremy still had about 8 hours to go to get Jes back to Virginia by her midnight cerfew.


We'll see each other agin in Novemeber. We're meeting up for a concert in Jeremy's hometown. These two are wonderful!

Setting Sail for Adventure

Deep down I feel I will always regret. I'm 23 and waiting for my life to start. I'm tired of it. Maybe it's time to complete that Peach Corp application. Maybe it's time to move. I don't want to reach retirement and still be waiting. God, give me adventure. Please don't make my life ordinanry.

~September 17, 2007

These feelings prompted the application process for Impact Ireland. Over a year later, I have taken another step to live a life less ordinary for God. I've applied to the Operation Mobilization Ships. It's a 2 year program, ministering around the Pacific or Europe. Because of school debt, my departure would be around Jan '10. That's right 2010. The application process just started and I'm sure there are more question then answers, so here's the website. Check it out. I'm seeking God in this and just because I've started the process, doesn't mean the timing is right...but what if it is. What if this call is real and I have the oppurtunity to teach others about Jesus; to show them Jesus.

It's all very exciting and as much as I'd like to share this with everyone face to face, I wasn't sure how or when to do this. Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to fill you in. Right now I'm waiting for my app to be reviewed. Then it's a matter of gather references, getting a physical, and attending a conference in Atlanta. I'll countinue to update on the process.

I have so much updating to do, but by the end of the night I'm wrecked and cannot formulate sentence like I want to. I've been wanting to post this for a while, so until I have day light to post again, I'll leave you with this from Stuff Christians Like.

Have you ever doubted your purpose in life? Have you ever thought, “What am I supposed to be doing?” Or why am I here? Why don’t I have a mission in life?

I have, with increasing intensity these last two weeks. I’ve been wrestling with the question, “What’s next God?” I’ve been reading books about purpose and listening to great sermons like Craig Groeschel’s “Warrior” series. I started asking God, “What do you want me to do? What would you have me do for you? What did you put me on this earth for? What is my cause?”

I wanted him to tell me to start a ministry or be a spiritual warrior in faraway lands on a faraway adventure. I wanted him to give me a big cause so that I could do big things for him in big ways. But last Monday, in the midst of working through the weight and burden of feeling like I didn’t have a cause, I felt like God reminded me that he doesn’t think like I do. Maybe, when he hears me crying out for a cause, when he hears me asking him to transform me into a spiritual warrior, he wants to cry back:

"You want to be a warrior? Be a warrior of need and surrender. Make fighting for a relationship with me your greatest cause and see what other causes come out of that. See what other causes I put in your path. I can bring you adventures, but those things are small. Those are tiny compared to the cause of surrendering your heart and soul to me. That's your cause right now. Daily, hourly surrender of your heart and soul to me. You are on an adventure, make no mistake, but the real adventure, the big one that I cheer loudest about from the bleachers of heaven is for your heart. The adventure that begins every morning. That is the adventure I care about. Don't miss that one."

And I do, I miss it all the time because I focus on "what's next" instead of "what's now." I get so lost thinking I need to “do something for him” instead of “be in a relationship with him.” Like it says in Revelation 2:4, I forsake my first love. Repentance. Forgiveness. A minute by minute, all consuming need for God.

I don't want to miss that adventure. I don't want you to miss it either. God has big, crazy things planned for all of us. But the biggest adventure, the greatest cause, the grandest purpose, is the one that starts in our heart.