Short Rows

A farming term my dad shared with me the other day was "short rows." Supposedly, the farmer uses this term when he or she is near the end of the harvesting (because the shorter rows are typically at the end of the field). So that's where I sit...and continue to plow, admist the short rows. I'm getting near the end of my time at JMU, but I still have a few weeks of plowing to go. The growing cry in me wants to declare..."who cares"...just let me pass, so I can be done. But I know this is not the appropriate response, and who would want to eat the crops of a half-hearted farmer? So as I continue to plow through directed research, case studies and finals, may the rows grow shorter but still be performed accordingly in front of the auidence of One.

So once this farmer has gotten to the end of the last row, which field does he go to next?? Depending on the season, he might go to the wheat field or the cotton field...but what if for some reason he has no clue what the next season would be or would bring?? My favorite line of Tom Petty..."the waiting is the hardest part"...rings true right now because this waiting keeps my mind going back to future thoughts instead of these last few rows that I must finish (for some reason I can't get away from this analogy...Thanks, Tru!). I once again find myself not knowing what I want to do and seeming like the decision is in someone else's hands...mainly the employers'. Thankfully, God's given me some fairly memorable stones to look upon and remember His faithfulness. I remember thinking during those past uncertain/crazy/confused/freakishly chaotic times how I thought I'd never finish the row (haha, there I go again)...but it got done and it all worked out (Rom. 8:28). So somehow, some way, I want to trust that... not what the next step is, but the Maker and decion-maker of the next step.

Spring Break '06

Six of us made the trip down to Kill Devil Hills, NC for the weekend. I know from the name you wouldn't expect this place to be the hopping spring break '06 destination...and it wasn't hopping, but it was a great place to get away for the weekend. We stayed in a huge house that had a hot tub...this was definitely a requirement since it didn't get above 50 degrees the whole weekend. We were at the BEACH...but we were inside a lot and played many games of pool, catch phrase, battle of the sexes, and watched movies.

Roarrry and Maddy, the future Boseks, sporting their navy and yellow attire at Mako Mike's. Mako is a type of shark. This was my first experience with makos...I tried the blackened Mako...tasted like chicken, I probably should of stuck with tuna.

I don't know if any of you have seen Shark Tales...but this was not a vegetarian shark. It was a close call, Roarry might have some permanent damage...he's just glad to still be alive...good thing he's friends with me!

Getting prepared to go in for a "polar bear swim" at the Outer Banks...it was 45 degrees and there were some killa waves...but we successfully accomplished the mission.

(After the swim)...The rules of the swim include: sprinting from the sand till you are fully submerged in the ocean, after you have successfully completed the submersion you can go back to the sand...but if it's windy you might as well stay in the ocean.
I recommend everyone should experience this at least once in your life...but you might want to make sure there is a hot tub near by to prevent hypothermia...

"Where the streets have no name"

Unbeknownst to me...Bono, U2's lead singer, spoke at the national day of prayer breakfast at the White House on February 2nd. How cool!!! I wish him and Laura Bush would have broken out in song, but here is a copy of what he said.
http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php

"Setups"...love them or hate them??

It's one of the joys and woes of being single. Yep, you know what I'm talking about. One of your married friends who has completely forgotten what it's like out there in the dating world has this "perfect" friend that she wants you to meet. (This story is told from the woman's point of view...I'm not really familiar with the guy's side of all this).
So she talks to him and she talks to you and works out a "casual" meeting place. You know, a place like Barnes and Noble for coffee or Panera for lunch. The good thing about meeting somewhere is that you do have a way out (ahhh, I've got to go to the waterpark tonight- it was nice meeting you), and it saves you from the awkward do I wait for him to open the door/walk me to the door/make a mad dash for the door scenarios. However, the meeting can be potentially awkward, let's face it the expectations are high. In the back of your friend's mind she's picking out what color she wants the bridesmaid dresses to be (True story- my brother had a friend who was trying to set him up with one of her friends and on her friend's myspace page she literally put what color she wanted the dresses to be...crazy!). Meanwhile, your mind is floating from the extremes of..."maybe this will at least be a little hydration in the desert"...to..."he does sound great, maybe this could be IT."
So after the time and the meeting place are set, the day finally comes, which could potentially be many weeks after this whole idea was brought up...so expectations can be even higher. On "setup" day when you're getting ready you try to look the best you can but in a way that looks like you spent minimal effort doing it. You wear something casual, but straighten the hair, brush the teeth...twice...you know the little things.
The meeting is all about keeping the conversation flowing...if you find something in common stick with it...milk that for all it's worth...avoid awkward silences at all costs!!! Even if it requires talking about wrestling matches or big dogs.
Coming to a close...it's best if you do schedule something later on that you do have to get back for...like I'm meeting my roommate tonight for karaoke... A. it shows that you some personality, especially if you have something cool planned and B. it gives you something to bring the convo to a close with..."well, have fun singing 'Sweet Child of Mine' tonight" (what you have already alluded to as your "go to" karaoke song).
Lastly, as Tom Petty says "The waiting is the hardest part"...if it went well, you wonder what he thought, if it didn't go well, you wonder when you'll find that someone...so the cycle continues...

2006 Olympics

(my Olympic Crush)
I normally don't get consumed with the Olympics like I have for the past two days...maybe the snowstorm and the rather quiet weekend has had something to do with my fascination this year. I just can't get over the risks that these athletes take...whether it's going down the luge at 85 miles an hour and that's a minimum (not too mention the attempts of "grandma luge"- the sole Virgin Island athlete who is well over 50...unfortunately she had to withdraw due to a bad crash into the wall of the luge...ouch!) or going over mogules at 35 mph that leads you to a ramp in which you have the option to do a freestyle move while in the air. The obstacles these athletes overcome can also provide that extra motivation to get up and workout...the male for the Japanese pair figure skating team suffered an achilles tendon rupture last summer (and made a comeback in 6 months...that pretty impressive for this type of surgery) and a US skier has come back from not one but two broken ankles that caused her to pass out from the pain. These guys and gals will do anything to be on the podium. Even though NBC has a tendency to be over dramatic on some of their storytelling, I think hearing the stories and then seeing these athletes live their dream is the best part about the Olympics.
In the book The Call, Os Guinness says that "heroism has fallen on hard times in the modern world." One reason he gives to this crisis is the fact that there are fewer heroes--"because the role of the press and media in creating the modern celebrity and widening the gap between fame and greatness, heroism and accomplishmet." Fame can come instantly these days from winning a singing competition or falling in love with a Bachelor...but heroism is linked to the honor of accomplishment, of having geninuinely accomplished an achievement with sweat, cost, and dedication. I think some of these athletes hint on a truer definition of "heros" than what we normally see the media covering...over and over again.
The final reason Os Guiness gives for the "crisis of herosim" is the so-called death of God in Western society or what should be termed more accurately "the drowning out of the call of God in modern life." Ernest Becker recognized this problem as well and described being a great human being was to be "a knight of faith." He describes this type of man so well, I just have to include it:
"This figure is the man who lives in faith, who has given over the meaning of his life to his Creator...He accepts whatever happens in this visible dimension without complaint...no task is too frightening to be beyond his courage. He is fully in the world on its terms and wholly beyond the world in his trust in the invisible dimension."
Wow...these definitely are beautiful and challenging ideals, but thankfully "one cannont give the gifts of the knight of faith without first being dubbed by some Higher Majesty."
So back to the Olympics...I think my connection or the point of bringing these two thoughts together is that for two weeks we get to see people so caught up in their dream, passion and their eyes so fixed and focused on the goal of their life...that it inspires, drives and guides them to incredible feats. We'll get to see these athletes live out their dreams, and I hope these visible pictures of perseverance will be used to encourage me (and you) to walk out our faith...in the midst of whatever obstacle we may be facing.

" Mary J. is in the spot tonight..."

I had an unexpected blessing on Wednesday. It had been a pretty long day, and when I got home my roommate was watching Oprah (I'm not particularly an Oprah fan so my initial reaction was...why is that on the TV). Mary J. Blige was Oprah's guest and I immediately got glued to the TV as I listened to her story. I didn't know much of her story...but here's a brief outline.
She was raised by a single mother in a New York housing project. She was sexually and physically abused beginning at the age of five. Mary's description of the abuse in her family was that: "It's a vicious cycle. You look at the way your mother is being treated and you think this is the way you're supposed to be treated." Mary turned to drugs and alcohol at an early age. The music industry's partying lifestyle accelerated her downward spiral. "No one was telling me the truth," Mary says. "I had someone say to me, 'Girl, it's okay to drink and be promiscuous.' It was a lot of me just not loving or respecting myself and not thinking I deserved anything better."
But (praise God!) there was a "Breakthrough" (her new album title). Mary says her turning point came in 2001. After the loss of a close friend, her grief was compounded by the death of fellow hip-hop star Aaliyah on August 25 and the 9/11 tragedy. Of course Oprah tried to keep shifting the focus to "Mary J's self-discovery"...but Mary J. kept saying God opened my eyes to who I really was. Mary said from that point on she stopped blaming others for everything (the drug, addiction, etc) and saw herself as who she really was...a sinner. She described how painful that process was and how many of her "friends" left her and called her a "God-freak." But God was continually opening her eyes to the power of forgiveness. Referring to the abuse she endured as a child, Mary said, "I blame (my mother) for nothing, but I forgive her verything." Oprah selected this quote to go in her book of quotations (maybe one day Oprah will understand how Mary J. could make this bold statement...I think it's such a testimony to the power of Jesus' forgiveness in Mary's life).
Mary J. also shared how "grateful she is to God for bringing her husband into her life." The part about their story that really was surprising/encouraging to me was that at first she was disappointed that the marriage alone didn't heal the insecurities that she still battled. "I was looking to my husband to make me feel good about myself," she says. So not only was her husband a blessing because He is a fellow believer to walk with, but he also was used by God to show her that (and she didn't use these words on the show...but I'm hoping this is what she was thinking) Christ alone can meet her needs and defeat her insecurities.
Anyways- Her story was encouraging to me because it just reminded me how important it is to speak Truth into others' lives (even when you think they might not be listening). It made me realize how blessed I am because God has used so many people to speak Truth in my life. I was also thankful that God can use any instrument...even the Oprah show (let me know if you think that's blasphemy!) to speak beauty and Truth into our lives...may we continue to pray for open eyes so that we don't miss the blessings of those moments!!!

Now only a GA peach at heart

So Saturday night I went to watch the UConn basketball game with some other athletic trainers at a sports grille. I should have known something was wrong when the waiter continued to stare at my id. I had to ask myself..."I am legal, right??"... (haha...guess I don't get out much). Then the waiter told me that my license had expired. Not only did my 24th birthday bring a new year, but also the need for a new driver's license...woops! Who knows how long I would have been driving with an expired liscense if I had not ordered that drink!! Now it is official. I have a Virginia license, this is the last step of my Virginia citizenship (but in order to continue driving legally I had to take these desperate steps). No worries...I still claim Georgia, but I will be able to legally drive in Virginia for the next 6 years!

Note to self

Mk, always check your class schedule.
No matter how many times you've taught the lab or been going to school...Always double check your class schedule.
Having your lab assistant call you to tell you all the students are at lab, but there's no lab instructor is...humbling (but I definitely need moments like this). I know you thought the lab started at 7pm (like last semester), but it started at 6pm. It worked out fine; you only showed up 23 minutes late, and it was the first lab-so it was short. Woops! Learn from the mistakes and keep going...

Latest Intramural update

A group of us are still after the elusive IM championship t-shirt. An earlier posting was about our attempts at this prize through floor hockey. Those attempts were not reached...we lost in the first game of the playoffs, we never organized a flying V play, and I never got the whole team to chant "Quack, Quack, Quack."
Our failed pursuit at floor hockey has brought us to basketball- a sport that more of the members on our team are familiar with, so that's at least a better start. We had our first game on Sunday and we won (only by 5 points and the other team only had 4 players...but who's counting). I had forgotten the adrenaline that I get when I am in a real game. It's not the same feelings that I get when I'm playing a game of horse or just shooting around. When it came time to put the number on- I was out for blood. If we had a highlight video from the game, I'm sure I'd look pretty slow and missed more shots than I thought I did while I was out there. But while I was out there I felt great, had confidence, knew the foul shots were going in, and planted with boldness in such a way that drew the offensive charge.
I've been thinking about the emotions I had during the game on Sunday compared to the emotions I have during shoot around or HORSE. If God were the coach, I think He'd say something like..."play like every game was your last; life is not about just shooting around; it's a real game, a fight; your opponent is going to try to take the ball/your joy/peace/Truth/beauty away from you...so be ready; wake-up each day and prepare to be ready; have fun; encourage your teammates; be thankful for the opportunities you're given to play the game and remember who gave you the opportunities; go with your instincts/the Spirt I've given you; even though it feels awkward at times and you feel slower than you used to be or not quite on your A game...Trust Me; trust that this game will prepare you for the games ahead; Trust that I'm using these drills/plays/opponents to make you better/holy; Just do it/Trust Me."

Pics from my b-day

The Signature Sara Waz Funfetti Birthday cake...yum!

I was suppose to blow out my imaginary candles.

Me taking a big bite of the chunky chicken salad

Maddy's Queen of the mountain

24 Candles

In light of my 24th birthday, I've posted the lyrics of one of my favorite songs..."Twenty-four" by Switchfoot...let's all take a moment:

Twenty-four oceans Twenty-four skies Twenty-four failures And twenty-four tries Twenty-four finds me In twenty-fourth place With twenty-four drop outs At the end of the day Life is not what I thought it was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' And I'm not who I thought I was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' There's twenty-four reasons To admit that I'm wrong With all my excuses Still twenty-four strong See, I'm not copping out Not copping out Not copping out When you're raising the dead in me Oh, oh I am the second man Oh, oh I am the second man now Oh, I am the second man now And you're raising these... Twenty-four voices With twenty-four hearts All of my symphonies In twenty-four parts But I want to be one today Centered and true I'm singing 'Spirit take me up in arms with You' You're raising the dead in me Oh, oh I am the second man Oh, oh I am the second man now Oh I am the second man now And you're raising the dead in me Yeah I wanna see miracles To see the world change Wrestled the angel for more than a name For more than a feeling For more than a cause I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' And you're raising the dead in me Twenty-four oceans With twenty-four hearts All of my symphonies With twenty-four parts Life is not what I thought it was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' I'm not copping out Not copping out

Thanks for hanging in there with the song- This song has powerful lyrics...they'd make good prayers for anyone, whether you are 24 or not!

Here's a brief overview of my day...I wasn't over excited about the big day, but God really blessed me several good memories/blessings:
- a random dream that involved me going for a run and ending up at my parent's house- they cooked me a chicken so I would not have to cook supper on my b-day
- a real b-day run in the morning- I suggest this for everybody on their b-day
- a helpful meeting with my supervisor about my VATA presentation
- productivity at work...I know it sounds crazy, but this doesn't always happen in our office
- a beautiful day- clear and a high of 63 degrees, which is abnormal for my b-day even when I'm in GA-
- a short hike with a few friends and a picnic at the top
- trail mix
- 11 friends that would play board games with me
- Apples to Apples
- Sara Waz's signature brownies and funfetti cake
- phone calls and messages on facebook
Here are some pics...ok, well I don't know if they all were uploaded or not! If they did not make it on this post, I'll just try it again...

Duplication picture

Me and Whit-Dawg manning our station at Passion '06

The Seed

I got the opportunity to volunteer at Passion '06 from January 1st to the 5th. It was a great way to start the new year not only because it involved serving but also because some close friends got to share the experience with me. Passion is all about a generation coming together for the glory of God's name. What I love about the heart behind Passion is that it's not about a particular denomination, speaker or band...but it's about real people seeking and responding to the greatness of God. A quote from the David Crowder Band describe their experience this way, "when our depravity meets His divinity it is a beautiful collision."

This picture is from the art gallery that was in the GoCenter...where we served all week. It always struck me as I passed by, but I didn't notice the words until I took the picture. I thought it was pretty cool- and wanted to share it with you for your viewing pleasure. My favorite hidden line in the picture says "spreading your love to those hopelessly separate from God."

Anyways...to the part about the seed. The one talk that I got to listen to completely was Beth Moore's. She was doing a bit on Galatians 6:7-9. She was centering in on the promise in Galatians 6:9 which says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. " She used an amazing analogy which has been such a blessing to me. She and her husband were helping with some relief work in Africa, particularly distributing food to those in need. While she was there she was talking with one of the full-time workers in Africa, she learned about a problem that was going on with the people. They were so hungry that once they were given seed to plant, they ate the seed and did not take it back to plant it to enjoy the full benefit of the seed. This action struck her as similar to what we do as Christians...instead of planting the "seed" of the Word into the reality of our lives, we taste it and agree that it was good and then a month later we wonder why we're not full and where are harvest is. I think this idea is partially what keeps me from getting excited about conferences like Passion. Let me explain...in the past I have gone to events like this before where I'm moved by the Word but I come back to real life having tasted the seed- but life gets in the way and I lose track and before I know it I'm back to my comfortable sin pattern again. But thankfully God's Word is here to make us victors not scholar!! Beth encouraged us by saying that in order to reap a harvest we must get the Word into our experiences..."therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word inplanted, which ia able to save your soul . But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. " Jame 1:21-22- Beth says it better than I do- so chech out www.268generation.org and look under Louie's latest messages. It will be under Beth Moore Main Session 3.
So may we live as authentic victors in this new year!