Well, well, well.....it has been a long time (if you look back, I said the same thing a year and a half ago). But no seriously it has.....

I left Liberty today and closed the book on my junior year.
I am now a senior.
I am now officially starting to get scared about the reality of life - it is coming fast.
I am excited about this summer and the potential it holds.
I am interested to know what God is going to teach me for the next few months.
I realized today once again, just how awesome my God is...
I am still confused and somewhat hurt.
I have a sense of peace...unexplainable, Providential peace.
I have killer friends.
I have been taken care of.
I am grateful.
I am tired.
I am going to bed.

Good night.

Frustration. Not knowing what to do. Confusion. Hurt. Despair. Anger. - just overall Pain. Life is definitely not a bed of roses. Sometimes it is absolutely terrible. But now is the time for me to fall on my face and go to the One who cares the most........that is definitely the most comforting thought......and the only one that I can cling to.

I love Next Level Church.........I swear I have never seen anything like it. I have never seen such unity, such great focus, such passion, such enthusiasm, such vision and such a strong desire to keep the Lord and his desires first.

I think I have found my church of the future. I think God is calling me to Charlotte, North Carolina. Thank you Father for just being "You".

Working with Jared Kirk is.........(think of whatever adjective you so choose and stick it here.)
Having him as your youth pastor can be just as interesting.

For all who may not have had the privilege to meet "his eminence", let me fill you in on who this man really is. Jared A. Kirk is a 23 year old graduate, from the University of Miami, with a degree in biomedical engineering. The stereotype that follows those kinds of people doesn't really apply to Jared. He definitely is not afraid of anything fun, daring and sometimes very stupid but that is why we love him.

I have the privilege this summer of interning with this man, who has become a great friend of mine. Throughout this summer Jared has decided to impart pieces of wisdom to me in the form of what he likes to call, "intern moments". They go something like this:

"Girls are like the Bible." (I can't remember what he said after that, I just thought that statement alone was pretty profound)

"It is more important that we teach kids how to minister, than that we have an excellent service"

"Just remember that sometimes Sundays don't always go as planned and things happen and we mess up. We might not do something the way that we want. We might always think that we can do something better. Remember that God has a plan for everything."
I reply by saying, "Why are you telling me this, bro?"
He says, " I just told you all this because.........this Sunday's gonna suck."

I just recently said, "Hey Jared, do you remember any of your intern moments from the last few weeks?"
He replied, "Of course not!!"
I asked him why and he said, "Because they are just moments........it's hard to remember those."


I'm going to do my best to post these every time I receive wisdom from the man. It'll be for my own good and for great laughs down the road.

I love Next Level Church.

Wow......it has been to long. Muchas apologios!

So what's the reason for the newfound blogging interest for the umpteenth time? It's this lady who has adopted me as her son......in every possible way except legally. I call her Mama Rene. Great lady - if you don't know her, you should make it a point to meet her.

Seriously though, I just got back today from summer camp at Myrtle Beach. Let me just say that I am in love with Next Level Church and the people there. It is one happenin' place, if you know what I'm saying. God is at work in people's lives and He has blessed us tremendously. I really believe I have found my church.

This summer has been great. A lot has happened. God is directing my steps and my life's "jigsaw puzzle" is coming together. God is good. God is great.

Stay tuned - many more posts to come.

BLAAAAHHHHHH............that's my blogging for the day.