Life at the International House of Prayer

Im here. In Kansas City. Craziness i tell you. I cant believe im here. And honestly, it hasnt hit me i'll be here for 3 more months. And im not looking forward to the day it hits me, even though i already love it here. I have so many wonderful people back at home that i'll be missing. Some people dont understand that, but its ok. Words cant explain how much they mean to me.

So far its been so good though. Switching my schedule completely around to being up all night and sleeping during the day has been pretty easy. I love the night, and it just makes sense to me. Getting settled in and finally getting over this cold thats hung around for a week now. Living with 4 other girls has gone surprisingly good so far. I share a room with one other girl, then the master bedroom the other 3 girls are staying in. So we lucked out considering they told us that there would be 4 to a room. I cant imagine having 2 more girls in our room. Lord knows i probably wouldnt have made it. Im learning how much time i spent by myself at home. And enjoyed it. But i enjoy living with these girls. Having someone to always talk to, borrow their clothes, etc etc. One of the girls in our apartment, her names Suejin, we've really clicked. She reminds me of my best friend Jenn so much. So its been awesome. Today is our day off so we went to a park this afternoon to play guitar. Were not allowed to play guitar in our apartment (we broke that rule like the second day, along with like everyone else) because of the people above or below us. But if you think about it, its not any louder then playing music. So thats how we've looked at it, and until the Lord convicts us we'll probably continue to do it. I made Suejin work out with me today too. She didnt really want to at first, but she got into it then. So its our plan to continue to every day. Its so nice to have someone to do it with.

As far as the rules go, there taking some time getting used to. Were not allowed to have any one on one conversations with guys, and that includes texting, emailing, facebooking, everything pretty much. I thought we were allowed to at least write letters to guys back home, but it turns out that were not allowed to unless you were in a dating relationship before you came. I know the rules are all there for a reason and to only make our time here more profitable. And honestly, you could probably break most of them without anyone finding out. But i've decided that since im here anyways im going to give it my all and not let this time be in vain.

The Lords already doing so much. I feel like i've learned so much since i've been here. But i have so much to learn. I just keep praying for revelations, because i need it. I can read a passage of scripture a million times, but if He doesnt give me a revelation of it it wont do me any good. Its overwhelming at times. I feel like a sponge trying to soak it all in, and make sense of it all. But its like a friend reminded me, it takes time. So i'll wait. And be faithful to continually seek Him. Knowing He'll take me deeper. I just want to fall madly in love with Jesus. The One who gave His life for me. But i've realized that i cant love Him the way He desires till i truly encounter His love. So im praying He would do that. And i know theres a spot in His heart that only i can fill. Which completely amazes me as well. Its all to much for my little pea size brain to wrap around. But He is good.

I have 2 more hours until our apartment meeting, so i think im going to head back to the apartment and do some cleaning before our apartment leader gets there. I dont think the trash has been taken out since we got here. Then after the meeting im going to bed, trying to catch up on sleep when i can. So to all of you who are reading this, good night. Or for most of you, good morning.

Be blessed.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." -Anais Nin


Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; and behold, new things have come. 1 Corinthians 5:17

I am thankful for new seasons, new beginnings, new creations. But with those new seasons come excitement and fear...excitement for the future, but fear of the unknown. But in every season one thing will always be true.....

......You, O Lord are good.

Be blessed.

Hannah

This is my wonderful friend Hannah. I had the privilege of taking some senior pictures for her today. I was happy with the way they turned out, i think they really express Hannah and her personality. Which is my goal as a photographer...so mission accomplished there! The greatest part though is that she was so so so happy with them. Which is another one of my goals. So it was a very successful day.

Be blessed.

To all my fellow bloggers...i have failed. I set a challenge to post a picture every week and didnt get one done last week. But, i do have some good excuses if you want to hear them. But you probably dont, so i'll spare you. But needless to say, im running out of subjects around my house and inspiration is running dry. Im so ready for a change of scenery, and a change in climate would be nice as well. I need to find new places to explore outside of Phila. But until it gets warmer im afraid i'll just have to deal. But i've been told that when you dont have a subject, use yourself. So this week is a self portrait. Up until now i have been picking words and then looking for something to describe the word. This might change as i go, im not sure. Because the week i skipped was simply due to lack of being able to find a word. So i might just start posting pictures...we will see.

Week: #4

Word: Intricate.

Intricate: "very complicated or detailed".

This may be a funny word to use for a self portrait, but i think it fits perfectly. I am complicated. Half the time i cant even figure myself out, or how my body, soul, and mind all function. Detailed? Check out your hands. I picture God up in heaven with a smile on His face as He holds a little tool in His hand and says to the angels, "watch how i design this hand print, it will be like nothing I've ever created before".

I truly am "fearfully and wonderfully made".

Be blessed.

Photo: #3

Word of the week: Exquisite.

Exquisite: "extremely beautiful and, typically, delicate.

I've been watching these wonderful icicles grow along the back of our house and oh how i love them. As each new water drop runs down over it, it grows. I cant remember a year where we've had so many and so big. I just want to break one off and lick it like a pop-icicle. But i fear where that water has been, and also breaking one off might bring down all our spouting considering there's some that are so big. I know everyones getting tired of winter and all this snow, but simple things like icicles bring me joy.

If you look close in the drop you'll see little black things, there actually a reflection of our pine tress in our backyard. And there upside down cause your looking through water. I was pretty excited about this.

Be blessed.

Photo: #2

Word: Mesmerizing.

mesmerizing: "hold the attention of (someone) to the exclusion of all else or so as to transfix them."

Considering all the snow we got, finding something that was mesmerizing wasnt all that hard. When you look at all the snow, its easy to forget about the millions of little snow flakes making up the piles we see. But yet, each one is different. Each one unique. Hand designed by a Creator that loves us more then we can imagine. As i stand in wonder of it all, i am...mesmerized.

Be blessed.

Devalued

Photo: #1

Word of the week: Devalued.

devalued: "reduce or underestimate the worth or importance of".

I came across this word, and it caught my eye. And so i started thinking...what have i devalued in my life? What do i underestimate the worth of? My mind went to Haiti, and the thousands of people who are without water, food, homes, clothes, the list can go on and on. So as i was exploring and deciding what i would use as my subject, and all the different ways i could express this verb, i thought of my legs. Something i dont think of often. Something i dont understand the importance of. But what if i didnt have them? How life would change. Simple day to day tasks would no longer be possible as they are now. Legs, valuable, but devalued. Im sure someone who is without them could teach me a lesson or two. So today as you read this, i hope it reminds you not to take the little (and big) things in life for granite. But be thankful for everything the Lord has given you....even your legs.

Be blessed.

*I will be doing new posts every saturday for the word that was that week. Sorry this one didnt get posted till today, my weekend had some unexpected changes.