The Update Post - Here comes CHANGE!!!

Dear Friend,

It’s that time of year again…an update! Sometimes, forgive me for my honesty I wonder if anyone really reads this. Of course I know that at some point we have crossed paths and that is how I know you. But oftentimes these letters get tossed aside without even being read. We glance at them when we have time and then throw them away in the trash, not that we don’t value that person, but they aren’t there in the midst, affecting our everyday. I admit I am not innocent of this.

I want to write to you because you affect my everyday. I want to write to let you in on what God is doing because at some point you allowed God to use you to love me in a way that I could never pay you back for. Your impact on my life whether it was a hug, a smile, Bible study or youth group, a retreat, a day event, Cutco demonstrations, letters, phone calls, Dairy Queen runs, gifts, or a visit, has been irreplaceable. You are a reason I am following this narrow road that God has laid out for me. I hope this letter can be a dedication of thanks to you and to my Lord who loved me enough to send you in to my life, if even for a short time. Know that you are thought of much more than I update you and that I give thanks every time my mind is with you for the energies you have put in to my life. You will never be forgotten and I am ever grateful, though these words never seem to be enough.

I am always wishing these letters could be longer, that I could describe every detail of my last year so that you would know the road on which I have treaded. Yet it is not to be, and it would probably be much more than you bargained for! My last year here at Maranatha Bible Camp has been more than I could have asked for or anticipated. I have learned more than I could ever convey and felt the arms of my Lord around me once again. I have taken many walks around the lake, spent afternoons writing on my favorite bridge, watched the stars late at night, and shared precious moments with friends. I have been blessed and I add them to the resume of people I have been privileged to share my life with.

This last year I can boast of having up to 5 roommates and many more during a sleepover (ah life at camp!), attended at least 8 weddings, seen the joy of many new little ones (and more arriving!), visited all over Nebraska, been blessed by a trip to Maui with my twin sister, Laureen, enjoyed co-leading River Run once again and completed my 5th summer as Maranatha Staff. I have also experienced deep loss with both my uncle and a very dear mentor passing away in January, within a week of each other during the anniversary month of my Grandmother’s death two years ago. I have also had to say goodbye not only to our summer staff for the 5th year, to several solid families by whom I have been loved, mentored, and included, but also to a young wife whom God deemed worthy to take home this last July. I am sure you are familiar with loss, and so I am in good company. I am so grateful to God for how He orchestrates what He knows I need the most even and most often, when I am not able to understand the why’s or I am aware of the need.

But now, it is my turn to move on and for a chapter to end. I have recently put in my “two weeks” here at Maranatha Bible Camp after a 6 ½ year relationship of being heavily involved (2004 – Baker; 2005-06 – Conference Center Manager; 2008-present – Kitchen Manager). After several months of prayer and gaining of wise counsel, the decision was made to leave come December. I have chosen to head to Shasta Bible College in California to pursue a Bachelors degree in Christian Professional Studies, emphasis has yet to be determined. After many choices were laid out, prayed over, and discussed, SBC came out as the wisest decision for this point in my life. I admit that this process has been one of the most difficult to traverse. I never thought it would be this heart-wrenching, but I deeply look forward to the workings of the hand of God as I trust Him.

He is ever faithful and my wish is to be loyal in return. So my prayer is that if God has something else, as I walk through this door, He would close it and lead me elsewhere. I am so excited for the future, even though there are so many unanswered questions and unknowns. I look forward to those people and circumstances He will bless me with to continue forming my character to look more like His Son. I know this is just one more step in the journey and I am overjoyed. Though I wonder….if God gives more to those who have been faithful in the small things, what could be bigger than being a kitchen manager at Maranatha?! Just a thought =)

Yours Faithfully,
Crystal

P.s. I got my ears pierced! Sorry!!!

Prayer Requests:
1. Good visit with family as I head home for Christmas!!!
2. Safety in travels
3. That I would be a blessing to my family
4. Finances for school (Needs $6,000)
5. Outside Job to help with bills
6. More work for my sister Laureen who just moved to Oregon
7. Good transitioning not only as I move locations but change job descriptions
8. That I would, everyday, be more transformed in to the likeness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
9. Maranatha would soon hire a new Kitchen Manager!
10. May God continue to bless you and show you His love!!!



New Address!!! If you need it, let me know!!!

Long time no write

It's been forever and I'm sorry, especially to Dalton! Sorry!!!
I will update soon...promise.

mrrmrrmrr!

THis is me. I'm back. Let's see if this works, eh?
Well, it works, so I can write more now! Woop woop!
I have signed up to run my second Backroad's HalfMarathon. I am excited to go do it again. Maybe I will run in to someone else again this year to run with.
I like trail mix alot. It's really tasty. I may have to go somewhere to get food, my friend and I were supposed to go out for lunch, so I did not pack one....plans changed, but I'm hungry. Hmmm.....
I am at school right now. It's going well and I am excited, though yesterday I was pretty meh about school. I think I get discouraged when I'm tired and when I don't finish my projects, both of which have been happening the last few weeks.
I have however visited MBC, this last weekend, and it was awesome. I loved it. I am also really excited about a possibility to go to Alaska next summer and work as a cook on a tourist train. Not sure what will happen after that, I seem to have a few options, one of which involves closing my eyes and pointing at any place on a map of the USA. Sounds like fun doesn't it?
I've definitely been learning quite a few things about myself these last few weeks:
1) I have a difficult time with change that happens quickly. Give me at least a few days, depending on the change and I'll be alright.
2) I am discouraged with consistent problems with execution.
3) I misjudge time and space.

I have some things to work on, and...I have decided to really make an effort towards discipline, in finances, health, school, and life. I'm excited but I had better write it down before I forget! *wink*
Much love to you who read this.

Always in Christ,
Crystal

P.s. Sorry this was long in coming, Dalton, I couldn't post, it was having a problem with the formatting or something...!?

whateva

I'm back. I'll try and be more consistent now. It should be easier. But if you know my e-mail, you can also look to myspace. Much love from CO.

So it's late. I have a few more poems to put up. Written after reading my yearbook, though you wouldn't think so. Life is so crazy. Changes happen just like that, though there are restorations and such, life is so different.
Today I got a very generous gift from a friend I made this last summer. Crazy. I cried, I laughed, I didn't know what to do with myself. I was lost for how to thank them, nothing seemed like enough, nothing ever will be enough. But it reminded me of Christ and how He works in our lives. He gives us gifts, b/c the soul purpose of a gift is to be enjoyed, cherished, and appreciated, not necessarily returned. It adds this connection b/c you realize through the gift that that person cares for you, they want to help you and give you what they can. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I always come back to Christ, which is not a bad thing, b/c He also provides ppl who do these things for you. He gives them their heart, He nourishes them, He saved them too, He is the one that they are listening to and that is so wonderful. Life is beautiful and must be lived. I have been feeding my mind with Christ, spending mornings with Him, though the rest of the day is stressful for me. Moving has not been easy at all. Not that I'm fighting it, but I've been told it's natural for girls to be more impacted by this move. In some fashion I am completely ready to move, wanting the adventure, anticipating the plans God has laid for me in Colorado, on the other hand, I am tired, I am restless, and I am physically alone, doing this by myself. I have many who are doing much through prayer, support, and calls. You wonder if others are just so busy with their own lives to care or help. Those are thoughts that have since drifted. It makes you realize that it's difficult to be a strong female on her own. Not even my father is near. But somehow I know that in the future there will be someone that I can help with this experience. Someone that i can lift up and be there for b/c I know the difficulties of doing this on my own. It's nice to know and understand that God uses all that we are and all we are going through for good. It's wonderful to be His and to always want to be near Him and to understand that above all things, He is there in the silence, through the tears and laughter, when you fall, fail, and are ready to let go, when you're happy and joyous and giddy with delight, in the bad times, in the good times, when you've made a huge mistake or even a small one. When the wisdom you've gained from Him, life, experience, and others comes in handy. When you've allowed yourself to drift from Him, when you've allowed yourself to fall at His feet and lie there for hours, days, years. When you can't help but sing out forever louder. When you're voice can't be found. When you feel so alone that it's unbearable, when you're in a crowded room, when you are on the mountaintop. He is always there, always. that is good. He is good.
I love Him.

this is my story and I'm stickin' to it...

With anticipation I gaze at the future and smile, knowing that God has something amazing in store for me, whether it be wonderfully exciting or in the seemingly mundane. As God consistently amazes and humbles me, let me share with you just a few things He has done and is doing in my life!

In a fortnight, my time here at Maranatha will be complete. I will be heading off on a 15-month adventure to the city of Denver to attend the Art Institute of Colorado. My dreams to become a Pastry Chef are coming to fruition as I head in a direction favoring such an occupation. God continues to abundantly bless me as I prayerfully and diligently make plans to venture forth to start this new chapter! God has graciously provided a car through the help of the Berean Church and MBC. It has been proclaimed to be a trustworthy car and as it is my first vehicle, I am nothing less than ecstatic. Loans and a few scholarships have come in to pay my first year school bill I will be befriending even after school is over; many of you probably understand this scenario! I also have been invited to stay with a family in Littleton (see new address below), which is about a half hour from the city and about 14 minutes from a Light Rail system (similar to the Loop in Chicago) that rides all around Denver. I hope to find a job in the Denver area to save money on transportation and use the car mainly to go back and forth to the Light Rail stop.

However, with the blessings ahead, let me enlighten you as well to the blessings behind that I was so fortunate to experience. The summer went extremely well. I was in charge of the conference center with the title, "Conference Center Manager." I felt a lot of responsibility as the summer continued. With a gym, classrooms, chapel, dining hall and our beloved link hallway to look after, there were many things to be delegated and given some TLC (tender loving care). I really enjoyed the leadership position though seldom did it feel that way. I had the privilege of working closely with two young ladies, Holly and Janelle, who inspired me with their work ethic and ownership of the dining hall, on which I joined them in the cleaning, maintenance, and guest service. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the kitchen staff and a number of the TNT's (Teen's In Training). It was a blessing beyond description.

The diversity of the work here proved sometimes to be overwhelming as I had to sacrifice Holly, Janelle, and even myself to the dishroom, kitchen, housekeeping, or recreation. It became a benefit as I felt more like part of the team joining other staff in the many vicinities where I would not have worked otherwise. I was satisfied through all the events and hope that an impact was made on those I worked with. My prayer throughout the summer was that through me Christ, not me, would be seen. A challenge that needs reminding of, oh about every few minutes or less!

Every day became something new to look forward to and at the end of the summer, though there were days that paralleled déjà vu, I must include that I look back and see differences in every day: different people that were encouraged, disciplined, loved, inspired, and changed, may it be a summer staffer, a full-time staffer or a guest. It was a full life here at camp in the summer of 2006 and I was privileged and humbled to be a part of it.

The biggest thing I learned this summer from God was an abundance of lessons in His provision. Through providing a bounty of help for all the tasks needing to be accomplished, the funds to come in to ease our 2005 winter debt, providing two additional ladies to come on as full-time staff to fill empty positions, giving us a weekend in the summer to rest, and many others. Yet, though the summer is but a memory, the gift of God's loving and careful provision endures. I have seen money, a car, work experience at a restaurant in town, housing, friends in Colorado, and job leads provided for me through God's hand. Never using my own strength, materials, or planning could I have obtained or orchestrated what God has already given me. I am excited about the future!

I add Maranatha to the list of places I have been blessed and honored to be: Chicago, Briercrest, Mexico, Belize, California, Maranatha Bible Camp, and soon to be Colorado. God has filled me, stretched me, and loved me like no one could. I am grateful to be a part of His family and a part of your life. Thank you for all you have done in my life: what you have taught me, shown me by your example, your generosity, and your heart. Through my gratitude, I understand how truly unworthy I am. May He show Himself to you in a mighty way and bless you abundantly.

Always and always in Christ,

Crystal



Jesus is more than I could imagine, more than I could ask and much more than I ever deserve. Amen.

I'm a turtle...

You are Leonardo...You are hardworking and posess strong leadership abilities. You can be a bit overbearing at times, but we still love you!

a spiffy and quick update

life is good. I am well. I have a week left of camp for the summer and about 6 weeks til school departure. 6 weeks til the half marathon and 2 weeks til I go home for a week.
No housing or car yet. God will provide.

1:my pastor's son is in a band...Greeley Estates...here's their video...
his son, Ryan is the lead singer-
http://www.recordcollectionmusic.com/GreeleyEstates/GreeleyEstates_LifeIsAGarden240.mov

2: Lowana Wallace just accepted Steve Porter on Sunday....Congratulations!

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Currently Listening Twentysomething By Jamie Cullum But for now see related Today.... has been pretty good. Many crazy things happened this morning and I had to get my attitude back together, but low-and-behold, by lunch I was happy and cheery again. It's nice to be my old self again. It stinks not being myself. Craziness. Tonights staff activity is watching Batman Begins in the chapel. I will probably go for a bit. Not sure if I'll stay. Not really in the mood to watch that right now, but we'll see, eh? Camp is going very well and the girls I work with are still pretty amazing. I submitted my scholarship and got two thumbs up for right now. I find out if I get a scholarship on the 1st of July! Eeee! I am anticipating the finalness. We'll see. I am back on track with my marathon training. Hoping it will work out. Though it's in Colorado and the elevation is a bit higher than here, so not sure if I need to change my training or do some special training to prep for it. I am excited to make the move to Colorado. I keep feeling peace about it through my aprehensions. I was able to go kayaking today. So nice. I read one of my books and tried to get some color on my whitey self. =) Oh...See the NEW PHOTOS in my gallery. the first one and the last two are my final scholarship entries. Tell me what you think! Peace out. Love and miss y'all like crazeee!

go to xanga.com/forslythia