exciting

Well, plans are coming along smashingly. Just alittle frazzled b/c of the time shortage...things are so up in the air w/some of my plans, just b/c of other ppl though. Not-so-good things are happening to them, which directly affects me...
On a happier note, Laureen and I got up this morning and after she made brkfst, we did our devos and stuff. I just have to say that this book, Lies Women Believe, is awesome. We just finished the chapter on priorities (i have to work in 10min...mrr!) and it was awesome. It just explained our culture and how it affects families. I almost couldn't read, I wanted to cry. I don't understand why mothers compromise their families for themselves. I just couldn't do that. But yeah, we're only halfway through this devo book, and I am looking forward to the rest of it. God is blessing me so! Miss y'all!

Gotta keep singing.

So, I bought the MercyMe cd, "Undone." It's really cool. I love the variety on it and yet the way it continues to reflect a love and a passion for God. I have never heard these guys compromise their sound or thier music. Very refreshing. But I was listening to thier song, "Keep Singing" and it, well here are the lyrics:
Another rainy day/ I can't recall having sunshine on my face/ All I feel is pain/ All I wanna do is walk out of this place/ But when I am stuck, I can't move/ When I don't know what I should do/ When I wonder if I'll ever make it through//But I gotta keep singing/ I gotta keep praising Your Name/ You're the one that's keeping my heart beating/I gotta keep singing/I gotta keep praising Your Name/That's the only way That I'll find healing/Can I climb up in Your lap/I don't wanna leave/Jesus sing over me/I gotta keep singing//Oh You're everything I need/I gotta keep singing

Man, the more I hear this cd, the more I just love it. I love MercyMe....here's another one that's really good, "Where You Lead Me."
What is life/A thousand roads a thousand ways/and why am I/so afraid to move/I crossed the line/I'm stepping out so come what may/I'll give it all/Cause I'm drawn to You/As long as my heart is beating//Where You lead me, I will follow/Where You lead me, I'll give my life away/Where You lead me, I will follow/Forever and a day//I can't deny/ Your very presence is my life/And why would I/ever turn away/cause deep inside/I know that I can not rely/on anything/less than faith/as long as my heart is beating/this is all I'm dreaming of/to live completely in Your love.

I think that it's interesting that I can relate to all these songs, at this point in my life right now. I have sorrow and pain that I'm dealing with. I am also devoting my life to God and following Him wherever He may lead, no matter the cost, yet I am also praising Him and letting His love fill my soul. I just think it is amazing how many different emotions one can feel or how many different experiences can be happening all at once. Y'know? Maybe none of this makes sense. It's just what's on my heart right now. Buy this cd. It's awesome.

(this cd is sooooo good. Go get it! It's drenched in love for Jesus!)

Whoa doggy!

Hey y'all! Random thoughts for tonight:
Went to the wedding this last weekend at Maranatha. It was awesome! My friends Tim and Abby got married, whom I know from both camp and Briercrest. It was great to see them tie the knot and give such an amazing testimony to everyone there. She looked just gorgeous! I almost cried and I kept hitting my friend Kacy on the shoulder and saying, "They're getting married!" afterwards she kept saying, "they're married." She didn't hit me, but the effect was the same I think!
Laureen came with me to camp and everyone loved her! We fooled a few ppl who didn't know I was a twin and even though the weekend went by quickly, at the end of it, it felt as if she had been there forever. She mingled and joked with the best of them and even gave a few backrubs! It was great. I love her so much! God just blessed her by having her there also and everyone was like, "now next time Crystal comes in you have to come with her!" or "you'd better bring Laureen back with you next time you come by!" So that was awesome! Yeah!
We grew alot, even just this last weekend and we definitely grew closer! Yeah non-air-conditioned car-bonding! It was good times and i would do it again!
But, on another note, seeing Tim and Abby get married, seeing the way that Linnea and Jeremy are handling their first month of marriage and just summer experiences have made me convinced that, if you have the right person, marriage can be such a blessing and totally worth it. I wasn't convinced before. My family is huge on divorce and short relationships (extended family, mom and dad, and sisters' relationships). But yeah. God is really changing my heart and even though I rejoice(d) with those who are making the plans (yay for Jael and Zak!!!) and those who got married, I just see the joy and God alive in their relationships and it makes my soul very happy. So, invite God into your relationships please and allow Him to blow the sails of your loveship in His direction! ah, I do love imagery....ships on the sea of life, mrrmrrmrr!
Umm...Subway is good. I worked with Jamie tonight and her friend yesterday. Shared the gospel with the friend and Jamie knows it. I just wonder sometimes what keeps ppl from getting on the Jesus Train! Man it's the best train ride ever. It's a narrow path, but it's completely worth the fare. yeah....I love Jesus lots.
I like sleep too...I'd best get going. peace out my friends. Write me fun notes! I'll keep you up to date soon, eh?
P.s. Cleaning is going AMAZING! God is just so good and I think that I can totally fit all of my stuff into two car loads! Awesome! Oh yeah! Go Jesus! Go Jesus!

How old am I?

So, today was really, really good. I got alot done. I got a little cleaning done, I ordered a new social security card (lost mine after my 'rents gave me the original), talked to Scot (who told me that I need the SSN card...), made lots of cookies, got some more storage containers (for stuff I need!), picked up some groceries, got gas for the car, made dinner for the fam (mmm!), lounged a bit, packed alittle, ate some m&m's, donated some, well 4 big boxes of stuff to Amvets! yay!, donated some craft supplies (that I haven't used) to the church for junior camp next week (and some toilet paper rolls...), and did some other stuff. All in all, I'd have to say that it was a very productive day! Tomorrow I work, pack, see my mom, and head off to Nebraska! Oh yeah! I love Cornhuskers! So, most everything is worked out for my staying there for a year...I'm excited to be in God's Will! Yay!

Difficulty

So things are a little rough right now. Amidst all of this fun and "yay" stuff, I am literally surrounded by things that call my attention. It gets better everyday, but it gets so tedious going through the same boxes and drawers over and over again. That is the process I have to go through because each time I go through that space I am ready to get rid of something else. I am excited what God is doing in my life. This takes guts and time and strength. I'd like to think that I have all of these, but I probably don't. Yet God is being merciful on me. He's next to me every second and is helping me through this. I think I am making this sound so serious, but I guess it is. It's difficult going through memories and having to choose which ones get to stay and which ones need to permanently visit the garbage, the recycling, or someone else's home, y'know? Well, let's see what I can be thankful for instead eh?

Shoes. A job. A new job. A year in Nebraska. Scot got my budget. My budget is finished, after a few hours of recalculating, 3 drafts, and much mathematics, but it's done. I ate some good chicken today. I have until 6pm before I have to be at work. It's not raining. I have Jesus. I am saved. I am learning to let go. I am learning what is valuable. I am growing up. I am being stretched. Lots of people are going to be grateful to receive what I have to give (hopefully). I have amazing friends. My sister is coming with me to Nebraska this weekend. I may have a car to keep in Nebraska with me when I head out there. I have Jesus. I will be able to take lots of stuff with me to Nebraska to leave so that I don't have as much to take with me later! I woke up today. I got to do devos with Laureen. I get to work with my good friend Jamie tonight. I have cute feet. I have Jesus. The house will be emptier when I get some of my giveaway stuff outta here. I folded towels and did some packing today. Scot said he'd call me later regarding plans, I assume. I found a book of useable stamps yesterday! Oh Yeah! Did I mention that I have Jesus!

Yeah, I have lots more to be thankful for. Well, that cheered me up a bit. Ooo, and I have most of the day tomorrow to clean and pack also! Yay! Okay, I feel alot better. Things are good. I just need to lean more on God, eh? Do you ever get stuck in the lie that things are never going to get done? or that you aren't going to succeed? yeah. Mrr. Thanks again for listening. You are great! God bless you immensely, more than He has blessed me, eh? Mrr!

mm...mmm...good.

General: so, things are going REALLY really good.
cleaning is going smashingly. God is definitely guiding and stretching me. This is difficult stuff. If I ever have kids, I am going to try and help them not be like how I am now. But I am changing, whoo! Yeah for change (for the better that is...)
On another note: Do you ever ask God, "Can this really be happening to me?" (that's a positive question by the way... =)

movie motives

Hey hey again!
Didn't want to start over, so i started another one.
something else God has been working on is movies for me. i was convicted while i was at school. when i went to visit camp i would continually hear stuff that would remind me of movies and i would say, "hey, that's from this-or-that movie" and it really made me wonder, "do people see Jesus or the world in me?" cause if i listened to me, as someone else, i would think that i was in the world, in that sense. I don't want to do that anymore. so, when i got home, i went through my movies, again and got rid of alot...and i considered myself a movie buff....these are the movies that i have left. i have been getting rid of movies mostly through conviction; with the remaining ones, do you have any complaints? that sounds weird, but...yeah, what do you think?
i'd really like to know.

A League of Their Own/ Black Hawk Down
Windtalkers /We Were Soldiers/ Carousel
The King and I /Dean Martin: Celebrity Roasts w/Frank Sinatra
Jet Li: Once Upon A Time in China 3 /Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
UHF /The Wizard of Oz /The One
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within /Dead Poet's Society
That Thing You Do /Return of the Dragon- Bruce Lee
Muppets from Space /Swiss Family Robinson /Spirited Away
My Fair Lady/ Muppets Treasure Island /The Little Princess
The Princess Diaries /Cinderella with Brandy and Whitney Houston
Ever After /Iron Chef (oh yeah!) /2 additional kung foo flicks

Ahhh!

Hey Y'all!
wow, i finally found a constructive way to prop up this keyboard. I can sit tall and put my legs up, heehee!
weekend news: who's going canoeing tomorrow! Pick me! ooo ooo! Pick me! i might even get to use the kayak cause there aren't enough canoes for everyone, but we'll see, eh?
growing-up news: so, things, i think, are going VERY well. I can't even tell you all how much God is blessing me with right now. i am currently in process of cleaning out my room. being a recovering packrat is not something you want to go through. so, i'm fixing my problem now. i find that i can get rid of things a lot easier when i hand it all over to God. i tend to get emotionally attached to paper. believe it or not. you don't even want to know how much paper has been recycled since the summer started. yep, i'm a freak! and there's nothin' you can do about it! muhahaha! (that got a chuckle out of me at least. i can always count on myself for a good laugh! *wink*) but yeah, so cleaning is going REALLY, REALLY well. i am excited as i get rid of boxes and see more and more floor space. it's not that bad where i can't walk in my room, it's organized pileage...that's getting demolished one piece at a time! muhahaha!
in other news: i will be making my next trek to nebraska on the 14th or 15th to go see my friends get married. yay! exciting! especially since when i left nebraska, i didn't know if i was ever going back. sounds weird, huh? but that was my thought. but, hey, let the good times roll! (that's also the deadline for my room cleaning, goal: fit all of my stuff in one car-load...two at most...hey, the car's not gonna be that big...think....1986 regency oldsmobile, four door of course! that's the kind of car my sister has. it has a beautiful rebuilt engine...mmmm...it was once described that one could "sleep like a baby" on that engine. let the good times roll, oh yeah!) but anywho! my twin sista is going with me! YAY!!!!! that will be fun! she's gonna go back to Shasta in Cali beginning of August! oh yeah!
in further God news: God is really working things out for me and in me. that was the theme (Work it out- Phillipians 2) up at school this past year and i just think it's really continuing to impact me. i can feel the difference of Christ in my life and the impact and changes that He's making and doing in my life. Good stuff! laureen and i have also decided to learn more Scripture. so, b/c i already pretty much knew Psalm 23, i relearned it today! ask me to recite it for you, blessings for everybody! laureen decided to learn Psalm 139 and she's doing a bang-up job on it too! oh yeah! we have also been reading Scripture together and doing our "lies women believe" devos together also. it's really amazing doing it together and we will continue on until we are separated or start becoming too dependent on eachother to read Scripture...won't happen, but hey, gotta leave one eye open, eh?
well that's good for now. ooo ooo....one more thing,

YOU ARE THE STAR FOR WHICH ALL EVENING WAIT!
beautiful.

oh yeah!

God is Awesome!
It makes me wanna sing:
You're just too good to be true...can't take my eyes off of You!
You'd be like Heaven to touch, I want to hold You so much.
So at long last love has arrived,
and I thank God, I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of You.

Oh yeah....!!!!
I've been practicing, eh? eh?
Miss all y'all like crazee!

I'm nutz

So, y'all are going to think that I am crazy. So, the unpeace about culinary school was not a joke. I decided to go. At orientation, the lady said, "these 3 weeks IS your vacation." I went to Nebraska, fell in love all over, and realized what I am supposed to be doing. It is undeniable. I cannot even begin to tell you all of the things that the Lord did to get my attention. I don't know what He is doing, but this is going to be awesome. Peace is mine. Nervousness is mine. Yet, peace. Wonderful peace. I had to make a wrong choice so that God could redirect me. Now, things are looking so bright. I have an amazing privilege to....(2bcon...!) (I'll let you know more when things are more concrete...eh?)

In a God-filled space

Hello all! How are you doing? I would really like to know! Leave me a message, eh?
SO...I am here in Nebraska. So pumped that I was able to come out here and be with God and all of these amazing peeps. They are really amazing. So loving and gracious. So willing to be open and honest, and I had the privilege of working in the kitchen with some of the greatest people. So fun and amazing, genuine and caring. It's great. Sometimes I do wonder why God loves me to much. This whole trip was a God-thing and a blessing. He is so good to me. So great.
I went on a date with God today. I know that may sound weird to some people, but we went shopping, went to visit a church I frequently attended last summer, and spent some time chillaxin' together reading His Word. I am reading this devo, probably told y'all already, but...Lies Women Believe. It's so good. I have to admit that I have trouble trusting God. I want only what He wants for my life, but sometimes it's just so hard to let go, y'know? My only prayer is that, in the end, I am in His Will and just enamoredwith Him. I just want to love Him. That's all. Sometimes my heart hurts so much for Him that it makes me cry. I cried the other night in the kitchen with one of my amazing friends from here. We were listening to Lowana's cd and it just speaks to my heart so deeply. I just want to serve Him and be where He wants me to be. I pray that this will be your desire as well. Love and miss all of you! For those of you back home, who don't read this...I'll be home on Sunday. God and I are leaving on Saturday around 5 or 6, so Sunday we'll be home.
Pray for the world, that they will find Jesus.
Pray for safety for those on highways and going home.
Pray for Christians to be open to reaching out to those who are unsaved.
Pray for yourself, to have the strength to follow Christ all of the days of your life.
Thank Him for everything, even socks and Christmas lights, for without Him all things are dead.