As I Went Down in the River to Pray...

i had a lot of time to think this weekend. maybe that time should have been spent doing more homework, but alas, it wasn't.

>i'm extremely selfish. that's not a fun discovery. with God's help, i'm working on that. trying to be more loving, more of a servant, and the witness that God calls me to be in this world.

>i really need to stop biting my nails.

>jokes really are fun...i think some of you might agree.

>this weekend is going to be monster-fun. after too-long-an-absence, i'll once again be gracing the lovely city of nashville with my presence. on tap for the weekend...[1] new tattoo? [2] music city half/marathon. [3] laughter and threats. [4] a misfit reunion for the ages. [5] the pantry? [6] ringing doorbells and doing my thing. [7] church with friends. [8] fellowship, encouragement, and storytelling. [9] staying up late. [10] partying like it's 1999.

>the closer camp gets, the more i panic.

>the closer camp gets, the more excited i get.

>over the last few weeks i've learned a lot about me. self-discovery is exciting and terrifying all at once.


in other news:

So Much to Say, So Much to Say...

@less than a month until i'm out of illinois and onto north carolina and south carolina for training and camp. and less than a month to get everything that i have to do...done. today i realized just how much i have to do, and just how little time i have to do it. oh my...what have i gotten myself into?

@i was so close to taking a quick trip to nashville today and tomorrow to visit sarah and her friends while they are on spring break--of course, i just couldn't swing it...and that just broke my heart.

@i really need to stop biting my nails.

@i scream ATTENSHUN whenever i want.

@i recently bought a new pair of toms. and they are sweet. when you buy a pair, toms sends a pair to a child in need of a pair. it's a sweet deal. check 'em out.

@i really hate homework. and i'm an excellent procrastinator. not a good combination at all.

@plus side: door decorations for camp are done. i've finished going through the Bible study...and it's good. i think this summer is going to be a great one for students connecting to what God has for them by way of exodus.

@i know i'm not necessarily the best friend all the time, but i refuse to let someone tell me that i'm a bad friend...when they are an even worse friend, if you could really even call them that. consider that one city in that one state blown up for good.

@the cardinals lost carp to the 15-day dl. no good...they just got him back.

@i've got lots of tricks up my sleeve. so watch out.

@i'm going to get a new tattoo soon. on my left wrist. before or after camp? i'm thinking before.

@luis, from bossier city, louisiana just sent me a flat stanley. flat stanley woke up one morning to find that he'd been flattened by a bulletin board, but he was completely fine [besides being flat]! flat stanley did all sorts of neat things. anyway--luis sent his flat stanley to me, and i'm showin' flat stanley the sights. today we went to a soccer game and met some of the high school kids. tomorrow, we're going to visit good ol' Abe Lincoln at the courthouse for some photo opps...and flat stanley is even going to come to dinner and class with me...stay tuned for flat stanley updates and photos.

He Rose and Conquered the Grave

everyone needs compassion
a love that's never failing
let mercy fall on me
everyone needs forgiveness
the kindness of a Savior
the hope of nations

Savior, he can move the mountains
my God mighty to save
He is mighty to save
forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

so take me as You find me
all my fears and failures
fill my life again
i give my life to follow
everything i believe in
now i surrender

Savior, he can move the mountains
my God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave


[may these words speak to your life. may God be mighty to save. may He be your author of salvation. take heart friends, Sunday has come. He rose and conquered the grave!]

Put Me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play

Baseball is back!





GO CARDINALS!!!