So, I just remembered it has been forever since I posted on here, so I thought I would update the small world on where I am at. This semester is wrapping up here as I prepare for GRADUATION! After 13 years of Schooling, I get a diploma that can help me to get a job at a fast food restaurant. haha
Though now days, the diploma doesn't mean much, I am happy to finally at least have that under my belt as I prepare to leave for NET this summer. I am trying to figure out how I am going to write these final papers in time. I really am cramming :( School has been busy, along with work. I have been serving now for almost 2 months or so, and I really like it! It certainly can be hit or miss some nights, but I love interacting with my guests and making connections with them. Whether we go to the same church, or both been to the same state, it's fun to meet and here stories from some truly amazing guests!
NET has been wild as I fund raise and attempt to get all of the $4,200 raised. I think I am about half way funded, but I know I have a ways to go still. I have some letters yet to send out, and I am hoping they will work out good and bring in some prayers and possibly financial partnership support. I really think it's hard to ask for money though, but not everyone can give up 10 months of their lives, but by donating, they in some sense are doing it! Right now I am looking into getting into NET's music training, though I am iffy about being a Team Music Leader, I really think the training would be helpful on my team to have and really help me to advance as a guitar player.
Thanks for reading, God bless :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Save A Life
So I have started fundraising for NET! 100 letters stuffed, stamped and addressed. Only thing I have left is to personalize each one with a letter, which might take me a little while. Just wanted to ask anyone reading to please pray for Nichole, Carl, David and Mitch as they apply and interview with NET Minstries in these upcoming months. I would be so honored to have these men and woman as brothers and sisters on NET next year, and they could not be more amazing or more perfect for it, assuming it's Christ's will. So please keep them in your prayers.
In other news... I cracked open a fortune cookie, mainly to eat the cookie, and out popped a message totally from God, in my opinion:
"The current year will bring you much happiness."
Could that not be more true? With Graduation, Camp, then leaving for NET this year is sure to be one of the best, most difficult, yet rewarding years of my life. I love it how God seems to work in the strangest of places sometimes, and give me such hope, peace and just fatherly care, He's so amazing! AH!
Anyhow, concerning the title of this blog post, I'm still trending having them all start with an S, I donated blog today, and let me tell you, it didn't cease to be boring!
Nichole and I went into the Parish Center to donate today at the reasonable time of 4:30pm and it was all fine and dandy til the blood started flowing! The nurse stuck my arm right away and I was at 1/3 a bag before Nichole, after much struggle, had the needle in. Unfortunately, Nichole Almost Made a Difference (sort of an inside joke), poor girl, they couldn't get enough blood out of her to fill the bag. Me, on the other hand filled it within about 10 minutes and, as the kind nurse proceed to remove the needle, I couldn't have felt more faint, dizzy or squeamish. It was a nightmare, they had me breathing through my nose, better yet, one nostril and then gave me a paper bag to get some CO2 in me. Next thing I knew my stomach was in a bind and, well after losing the better half of the sandwich I'd ate earlier, recovery took 10 minutes and I was walking and pinker. I hope I never feel like that again, but I think I would do it all over again if I knew I could save just one persons life. Someone remind me next time to have a lighter lunch!
God bless! :)
In other news... I cracked open a fortune cookie, mainly to eat the cookie, and out popped a message totally from God, in my opinion:
"The current year will bring you much happiness."
Could that not be more true? With Graduation, Camp, then leaving for NET this year is sure to be one of the best, most difficult, yet rewarding years of my life. I love it how God seems to work in the strangest of places sometimes, and give me such hope, peace and just fatherly care, He's so amazing! AH!
Anyhow, concerning the title of this blog post, I'm still trending having them all start with an S, I donated blog today, and let me tell you, it didn't cease to be boring!
Nichole and I went into the Parish Center to donate today at the reasonable time of 4:30pm and it was all fine and dandy til the blood started flowing! The nurse stuck my arm right away and I was at 1/3 a bag before Nichole, after much struggle, had the needle in. Unfortunately, Nichole Almost Made a Difference (sort of an inside joke), poor girl, they couldn't get enough blood out of her to fill the bag. Me, on the other hand filled it within about 10 minutes and, as the kind nurse proceed to remove the needle, I couldn't have felt more faint, dizzy or squeamish. It was a nightmare, they had me breathing through my nose, better yet, one nostril and then gave me a paper bag to get some CO2 in me. Next thing I knew my stomach was in a bind and, well after losing the better half of the sandwich I'd ate earlier, recovery took 10 minutes and I was walking and pinker. I hope I never feel like that again, but I think I would do it all over again if I knew I could save just one persons life. Someone remind me next time to have a lighter lunch!
God bless! :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Speechless
After one of the most amazing weekends of my life, I am now having one of the most amazing days of my life. Today, I got a call from NET MINISTRIES!
I looked at my phone in between classes today and all of a sudden, half way through the school day I see a notification that I have a message in my Inbox on my phone. It doesn't even tell me what number it is though, so I wasn't sure who it could be. Class had already started though so there was no way to just listen to it so I sneakily weaved my ipod head phone up one of my jacket sleeves and leaned over, sticking it in my ear and plugging it into my phone before I called my voice mail. The number read off slowly, it sounded like NET's number, but I could only smile as I heard Allie Egan explaining that she was from NET and asking me to call her back soon.
I could barely contain my excitement! I had to call them back, only, being me I couldn't wait til class was done. So, I snuck out for a "bathroom break" and called from a empty classroom down the hall that had service! Allie Egan soon was on the line and asked me how my retreat went, how I was doing and it seemed like forever (with me pacing back and forth) before she finally told me the news I hoped her phone call concerned, that I was accepted onto NET!
I am so joyful, peace filled and so happy I can barely contain it! It really feels so unreal and just incredible because God has just confirmed the calling he placed on my heart. I know that next year is going to be amazing, even if I hadn't of made it on to NET. God is good, all powerful, all loving and all wonderful. For anyone who is discerning NET, or those who maybe were told to wait a year or 2 or that they aren't right for NET, know that for every no that God gives, the Lord has planned for you an even bigger and better yes! Know it, believe it, and keep praying. God loves you, God loves you, God loves you, you can never be told enough!
Who knows though, God could be calling you for something Amazing right now! Whether it's NET or not, discern it and if your interested more in NET, you can find out more at www.netusa.org/
In other news... I learned some new chords in my guitar class! It's a lot to remember, but I am getting a hang of it! :) God is Good!
God Bless!
~Future NETter: Lauren Myers
I looked at my phone in between classes today and all of a sudden, half way through the school day I see a notification that I have a message in my Inbox on my phone. It doesn't even tell me what number it is though, so I wasn't sure who it could be. Class had already started though so there was no way to just listen to it so I sneakily weaved my ipod head phone up one of my jacket sleeves and leaned over, sticking it in my ear and plugging it into my phone before I called my voice mail. The number read off slowly, it sounded like NET's number, but I could only smile as I heard Allie Egan explaining that she was from NET and asking me to call her back soon.
I could barely contain my excitement! I had to call them back, only, being me I couldn't wait til class was done. So, I snuck out for a "bathroom break" and called from a empty classroom down the hall that had service! Allie Egan soon was on the line and asked me how my retreat went, how I was doing and it seemed like forever (with me pacing back and forth) before she finally told me the news I hoped her phone call concerned, that I was accepted onto NET!
I am so joyful, peace filled and so happy I can barely contain it! It really feels so unreal and just incredible because God has just confirmed the calling he placed on my heart. I know that next year is going to be amazing, even if I hadn't of made it on to NET. God is good, all powerful, all loving and all wonderful. For anyone who is discerning NET, or those who maybe were told to wait a year or 2 or that they aren't right for NET, know that for every no that God gives, the Lord has planned for you an even bigger and better yes! Know it, believe it, and keep praying. God loves you, God loves you, God loves you, you can never be told enough!
Who knows though, God could be calling you for something Amazing right now! Whether it's NET or not, discern it and if your interested more in NET, you can find out more at www.netusa.org/
In other news... I learned some new chords in my guitar class! It's a lot to remember, but I am getting a hang of it! :) God is Good!
God Bless!
~Future NETter: Lauren Myers
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sing Praise!
Oh The Lord is my Joy! I feel completely set ablaze! This was honestly one of the best weekends of my life. It started out so anxious, I think all of us were practically shaking in our skin in anticipation and nerves. The interview questions themselves weren't terribly difficult but some of them really shocked me! It was so hard because the people interviewing us tried to be so serious about it, I felt at first like they really didn't like me, but I was SO amazed, as the weekend went on how much more down to earth and 'real' they became. They were, in some sense, just like us, only they had this light within them that was so warm and I know they were and are blooming!
The first night we really just tried to bond as a group, 17 total (4 men, 13 women) and just learned more about the facts of NET. Saturday was, by far, the BEST night. We had amazing talks that day and after mass at St. Joseph's, we really got to bond getting dinner and then ice cream, it made us closer. Our small groups, with Alicia were so great too, it really seemed like all of us girls fit together well! Then that night, we had the most amazing night of prayer! So much it reminded me of team prayer with the NETters when they were in our parish. I remember watching Natalie dancing and Katie putting up her hands and just singing and everyone so in love. Saturday night was like that and after receiving beautiful prayers from some of the Supervisors (I prayed with Alicia), and, I tell you! I could barely contain my joy and peace in my heart. 11:00pm was suppose to be lights out, but, after some fun and laughs with everyone (and goodbyes), the men went back downstairs to their floor and the women got together and talked until 1am! We were so filled with Joy and the Holy Spirit that sleep seemed impossibly because of our excitement. Then, after 1am a few of us left and went to praise God in the Chapel some more! Heather brought her guitar, and Laura, Claire, Erica, Abbie and I all sang our hearts out! We used the Chapel blue books and sang until our exhaustion began to really be more evident! I believe it was at least 3am when we got back and I had little trouble falling asleep. I think we spent around 5 hours in the chapel at least! I slept well those few hours until we woke up around 7am!
Now today, the leaders of this retreat, by the will of God, decided and are deciding who will be serving on NET next year. God's will be done Lord, truly I can't contain my joy, but I feel that my heart is even more called to NET after this weekend. Who knows though, Christ could have other plans! And though I am so exhausted from the small amount of sleep, I could sing of His love forever!
The first night we really just tried to bond as a group, 17 total (4 men, 13 women) and just learned more about the facts of NET. Saturday was, by far, the BEST night. We had amazing talks that day and after mass at St. Joseph's, we really got to bond getting dinner and then ice cream, it made us closer. Our small groups, with Alicia were so great too, it really seemed like all of us girls fit together well! Then that night, we had the most amazing night of prayer! So much it reminded me of team prayer with the NETters when they were in our parish. I remember watching Natalie dancing and Katie putting up her hands and just singing and everyone so in love. Saturday night was like that and after receiving beautiful prayers from some of the Supervisors (I prayed with Alicia), and, I tell you! I could barely contain my joy and peace in my heart. 11:00pm was suppose to be lights out, but, after some fun and laughs with everyone (and goodbyes), the men went back downstairs to their floor and the women got together and talked until 1am! We were so filled with Joy and the Holy Spirit that sleep seemed impossibly because of our excitement. Then, after 1am a few of us left and went to praise God in the Chapel some more! Heather brought her guitar, and Laura, Claire, Erica, Abbie and I all sang our hearts out! We used the Chapel blue books and sang until our exhaustion began to really be more evident! I believe it was at least 3am when we got back and I had little trouble falling asleep. I think we spent around 5 hours in the chapel at least! I slept well those few hours until we woke up around 7am!
Now today, the leaders of this retreat, by the will of God, decided and are deciding who will be serving on NET next year. God's will be done Lord, truly I can't contain my joy, but I feel that my heart is even more called to NET after this weekend. Who knows though, Christ could have other plans! And though I am so exhausted from the small amount of sleep, I could sing of His love forever!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sun Rise - 24 Hrs.
Waiting since October for this retreat to finally materialize before my eyes has been a long wait, but at the same time I can't believe it's here! 24 hours stand between me, and the beginning of a retreat that will change my life for the better. Whether the outcome brings an invitation to be on the 2011-12 Teams, or offers me another, possibly needed year, to finish my work here and continue to grow, it's still 24 hours for it to begin.
Right now, I am preparing to leave for the NET Center and with so much anticipation, excitement, butterflies and nerves, I can't wait for it to begin (I sure hope I can sleep tonight)! I feels like I have been waiting forever now and here it is, right before me, the weekend I have been waiting for since this summer. In just a few weeks, or less, I will know what I will be doing come Fall. I really have no idea, other than I feel like God wants me to serve him deeper, to grow, to get out of comfortable, to change the world a little bit and I feel that he's calling me to do this with NET.
In these past few months I've begun to realize how truly large a part the National Evangelization Teams have had on my life. My youth minister served on NET. We had 2 NET Teams at my parish for 2 years. I have friends who have served on NET. Have a Youth Group in many ways similar to NET (structure and retreat wise). Attend Lifeline's run by NET. Got to Prom at the NET Center and so much more. I never really thought about how big in my life it played a part, but it does, and it is good.
The thing is though, I don't want to serve with NET because they are already a big part of my life, I want to serve because I want to do the Lord's will. I can't help but feel called to this in my heart of hearts. Giving up everything but a suitcase and a backpack. Giving up a bed, sleep, television, computer, "comfortability", school and a life back at home isn't something easy, but at the same time, after seeing the changes in so many, it's hard to imagine someone serving without gaining so much more than they give. Luckily, NET discerns a lot about the interviewee's and determining who is actually going to serve. I know that there would be sacrifices, but I so want to grow! I feel like right now, this very instant, I am waiting for the sun to rise! I can see the light beams peaking over the horizon. I can feel the slight warmth building in the air, but the sun is still tucked down beneath the land. Maybe that's of my own accord, probably is, but I feel like the Lord is calling me to take that leap, to jump, to let myself grow with the Sun so that always I maybe be open to the light and focused on it. I want to flourish and bloom in my faith like a flower meeting the sunrise! I want to follow the Son and right now, I feel like jumping into a van and following the Sun/Son to the ends of the earth and back again! :)
Right now, I am preparing to leave for the NET Center and with so much anticipation, excitement, butterflies and nerves, I can't wait for it to begin (I sure hope I can sleep tonight)! I feels like I have been waiting forever now and here it is, right before me, the weekend I have been waiting for since this summer. In just a few weeks, or less, I will know what I will be doing come Fall. I really have no idea, other than I feel like God wants me to serve him deeper, to grow, to get out of comfortable, to change the world a little bit and I feel that he's calling me to do this with NET.
In these past few months I've begun to realize how truly large a part the National Evangelization Teams have had on my life. My youth minister served on NET. We had 2 NET Teams at my parish for 2 years. I have friends who have served on NET. Have a Youth Group in many ways similar to NET (structure and retreat wise). Attend Lifeline's run by NET. Got to Prom at the NET Center and so much more. I never really thought about how big in my life it played a part, but it does, and it is good.
The thing is though, I don't want to serve with NET because they are already a big part of my life, I want to serve because I want to do the Lord's will. I can't help but feel called to this in my heart of hearts. Giving up everything but a suitcase and a backpack. Giving up a bed, sleep, television, computer, "comfortability", school and a life back at home isn't something easy, but at the same time, after seeing the changes in so many, it's hard to imagine someone serving without gaining so much more than they give. Luckily, NET discerns a lot about the interviewee's and determining who is actually going to serve. I know that there would be sacrifices, but I so want to grow! I feel like right now, this very instant, I am waiting for the sun to rise! I can see the light beams peaking over the horizon. I can feel the slight warmth building in the air, but the sun is still tucked down beneath the land. Maybe that's of my own accord, probably is, but I feel like the Lord is calling me to take that leap, to jump, to let myself grow with the Sun so that always I maybe be open to the light and focused on it. I want to flourish and bloom in my faith like a flower meeting the sunrise! I want to follow the Son and right now, I feel like jumping into a van and following the Sun/Son to the ends of the earth and back again! :)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Seven Days!
It is amazing to think that in one week, seven days, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes, and 604,800 seconds (give or take a few), I will be walking into the NET Center and into an interview. As I feel like I have repeated so many times, I feel so blessed! Nearly 6 months ago, I didn't imagine myself ever even applying for NET, but here I am, one week away from interviewing.
I know now, after all God has given me, showed me and laid on my heart, calling me to NET, I just need to let go and trust. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5
So, it's really in their hands (NET Ministries) to finish this beautiful discernment for me, I know where my heart is so all I can do is be myself, smile and pray so hard that God is overwhelmed! Or at least I could make a good attempt!
Right now I have been working a lot, staying involved in youth group and doing a ton of school work. I can't even begin to describe how very busy and crazy my life feels, but I know that I am where I am suppose to be. I am currently taking Intro to Logics, Astronomy, History of Comedy and a Guitar class which seems to be moving at a pretty fast pace. After this semester, I'll graduate, I'll have finished my MnTC, and I'll be making big decisions. I can't believe in a few months I could be ready to transfer to a 4 year college and I haven't even picked a major or basic area of study to go for! I just want to make sure it's where God wants me and he isn't exactly ready to tell me yet. :)
I got a new job too! I am now working 2 jobs, and work part-time now at a Lutheran Church Nursery watching infants between 2-12 months old and oh my are they cute! I can definitely say with the ut most honesty that I always have my "baby-fix" as I am always getting to feed, cuddle and snuggle little babies at my new work. The only upside is that it makes me sleepy and the drive is much longer and during hours when the roads truly are "rush hour" but I love it and I get to work with Emily Shovelain so I don't have much to complain about. :)
Life really has been good to me, besides the constant busyness! Haley is getting CONFIRMED in the Catholic faith tomorrow and I am so happy and honored to be her Sponsor! She is really excited and I know that this is really going to open her up to receiving so many more graces from Christ. I know when I was confirmed, it felt like heaven was raining down and kissing me, I could hardly contain my excitement. Now I just feel SO excited for her, I can't wait for her to be kissed by heaven! God is good!
So... to the friends and family reading this: Please pray for my sister, Haley, tomorrow on her Confirmation day, that she may be lit on fire for Christ and be open to any graces Christ may have for her. Also, please keep me in your prayers, especially for me to have trust in God's will, whatever it may be, and for the NET staff in their discernment of selecting, through Christ, the 2011-2012 NET Teams.
Thanks and God bless!
I know now, after all God has given me, showed me and laid on my heart, calling me to NET, I just need to let go and trust. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5
So, it's really in their hands (NET Ministries) to finish this beautiful discernment for me, I know where my heart is so all I can do is be myself, smile and pray so hard that God is overwhelmed! Or at least I could make a good attempt!
Right now I have been working a lot, staying involved in youth group and doing a ton of school work. I can't even begin to describe how very busy and crazy my life feels, but I know that I am where I am suppose to be. I am currently taking Intro to Logics, Astronomy, History of Comedy and a Guitar class which seems to be moving at a pretty fast pace. After this semester, I'll graduate, I'll have finished my MnTC, and I'll be making big decisions. I can't believe in a few months I could be ready to transfer to a 4 year college and I haven't even picked a major or basic area of study to go for! I just want to make sure it's where God wants me and he isn't exactly ready to tell me yet. :)
I got a new job too! I am now working 2 jobs, and work part-time now at a Lutheran Church Nursery watching infants between 2-12 months old and oh my are they cute! I can definitely say with the ut most honesty that I always have my "baby-fix" as I am always getting to feed, cuddle and snuggle little babies at my new work. The only upside is that it makes me sleepy and the drive is much longer and during hours when the roads truly are "rush hour" but I love it and I get to work with Emily Shovelain so I don't have much to complain about. :)
Life really has been good to me, besides the constant busyness! Haley is getting CONFIRMED in the Catholic faith tomorrow and I am so happy and honored to be her Sponsor! She is really excited and I know that this is really going to open her up to receiving so many more graces from Christ. I know when I was confirmed, it felt like heaven was raining down and kissing me, I could hardly contain my excitement. Now I just feel SO excited for her, I can't wait for her to be kissed by heaven! God is good!
So... to the friends and family reading this: Please pray for my sister, Haley, tomorrow on her Confirmation day, that she may be lit on fire for Christ and be open to any graces Christ may have for her. Also, please keep me in your prayers, especially for me to have trust in God's will, whatever it may be, and for the NET staff in their discernment of selecting, through Christ, the 2011-2012 NET Teams.
Thanks and God bless!
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