"Hey you the kid is back"

Hey everyone!

Been a long time since I've seen this blog! I never was able to get on and write updates about the summer. Time just didn't allow.

Wow what an incredible summer...oh and how is flew by! I still feel like is should be the middle but it's the end.
God did a lot of cool stuff out there this year with the campers. There were some rough spots but overall I had a pretty terrific summer. The girls i had were so much fun and I wouldn't have traded any of them. I grew up a lot this summer, made some pretty fantastic new friends, and found courage and boldness in places I didn't know were there.
I have to say I have a few new favorite people to add to my list. Out of all the new people i met this summer though, 2 of them really captured my heart. Delee Hall and Doug Waugh, these 2 people are two of the most amazing people I know and I admire them both for their leadership and endurance this summer. I don't know if either of you will read this but I am proud to call you guys friends. I am so happy that God brought you back the camp this summer even though I know it was really tough sometimes to stay.
I know this sounds for like a farewell speech but I just had to get that out. Saying goodbye to my new friends was one of the hardest things I've ever done even though most of them live pretty close by...with the exception of Doug and well I would never wish they he wasn't born in Scotland since that gives me an excuse to go there, I just wish it didn't cost your first born child to get there, but I will eventually.

"So, what are you doing now that you are back Kristen?" I'm glad you asked! Not that it's just that exciting or anything but i could use some prayer. I had been planning to go to school this semester but as of now i won't be able get the Pell grant money in time and i don't have the money to pay for my classes. I am still praying that something will come through with school. As far as a job goes i have looked around and from what I can see Going back to Goody's will be my most secure choice but i have not made any decisions.

I was talking to Nicki earlier today and I have felt so out of place since getting home this past weekend. I feel so unsure about my future right now and what is ahead. Actually, I have been on a mountain top for sometime now, and I get the feeling that God has a valley for me coming up if I'm not already in it. It's a weird feeling, knowing that this is a valley that God is leading me through. I've never been through a valley that was not of my own making. I don't know what He's got up his sleeve. I get the notion that he his going to teach me how to be a Joshua...a leader and someone that will not compromise not matter what.

So anyways, this week i have just been unpacking and sorting through everything trying to get back to normal life. I have to say it's been pretty boring going from have Kids around me 24/7 and not stop activities to coming home to silence. Though i have really gotten into my house work and getting every thing fresh, clean and organized.

Well for now I think I will sign off. Au revior!

My Summer

Well I never go around to writing that update blog.

For those that don't know I will be working out at South Mountain Christian Camp this summer. I leave for a 1 1/2 weeks of staff training tomorrow and then the first day of camp is on the 24th. I will be a Cabin director, which "basically" means i will be completely in charge of a cabin of hyperactive girls! I really am excited though I am nervous too. It will definitely be a new experience for me. It will be the first time I will have been in charge of kids for a day much less a week at a time. Many of the kids that come to this camp are from broken, poor, or abusive homes. It makes for some interesting spiritual warfare.
The theme for camp this year is "Agape Road Trip." Agape is the Greek word used to describe an unconditional type of love, the love that God has for us. The premise for the curriculum is how people will tell someone they love their dog and then turn around and say that they love God. Though, these are completely different types of love (or should be), we treat them as the same. The kind of love that God has for us takes a lifetime to discover and understand. It is a journey, hence, "Agape Road Trip".
It is really exciting to think that these kids will have the opportunity to learn about this as such an early age. God really has something up his sleeve this summer, and it is going to be soooooo good!

Just a few things I would like to ask for prayer on:
-All the Cabin Directors, that we can keep our priorities straight and really bless the socks of these kids.
- The kids of course that they will be receptive to the teaching so that their lives may be changed forever.
- For the safety of everyone and just for a lot of fun.
- We get a new group of kids every week so a lot of times by the time we really get to know them they are leaving. So just that we can form quick bonds and that the kids can feel comfortable with us so that they can get as much out of it as possible.

Those are just the essentials...

So I am going to be gone all summer pretty much. We get off on Fridays at 7ish, but with the drive home that doesn't leave much, then we are back at the camp on Sunday by 2pm. So I will be on the Internet some on the weekends and will bring updates as to how the summer is going(I'm sure I will have many stories). I appreciate all prayers, comments, and words that you may have!

So audios amigos!
Love you,

"doesn't even scratch the surface"

Is it possible to wear out a cd in less then a year????

well my Fold cd is not doing so hot, needs to be replaced ASAP.

Fo rizzle


On another note: I will be posting another update blog soon for those keeping up with the ever changing events of my life. once i get the time to site and write it. Hopefully tomorrow...err...I mean today. Before work, after work who knows!

heart

More christian artists need to make love songs!

Joy joy joy

My heart feels as though it will explode!

La la-la la-la

I am loving my new car...I miss the truck, I mean let's face it trucks are just cool, but I am also glad to have something that I can rely on. I am still amazed at the great car God blessed me with. I may be in debt now but, I know God will help me take care of that. Really, as far as the price I paid goes, I think that I really got blessed there too because they probably could have easily sold it for 2-3 more thousand than what I got it for.


Things I have discovered about my car in the last 48 hours that I did not know when I bought it:
#1: There is a sunglasses holder in the roof
#2: It has a 6 disc CD changer in the trunk. (though it doesn't have the CD cartridge)
#3: It has an alarm. (that's fun when you find out at 12 at night at Wal-mart)
#4: In 1997 (the year of my car) the Camry was the best selling car.
#5: It was the best selling Car 9 out of 10 years since 1997.
#6: Camry comes from the Japanese word Kamuri which means "crown". God is so cool.
#7: The glove box locks.
#8: The headlight turnoff when I open my car door. (Yea that is the one of the top best things about the car)

God has blessed me immensely with this car. I still can't believe that I have some times. When He told me to start praying for a car a couple months ago I had no idea it would be this soon that I would have it. I feel like God has been testing me in my finances to get me to be more frugal and less impulsive. To not be so careless with my money. Also, I think he did this to show and prove to me that he is my daddy even though I don't have an earthly one he is there to provide for me. He saw that I was nervous about the whole car buying process and He put Darren right there at "Watkins" so that I could feel safe and comfortable. I really feel I have passed something, like God gave me this car and said "Well done my daughter"...and it feels sooo good. I have been on top of the world all week and I still am. My God is amazing!

Basics:
How many jobs do you have? (If more than one, answer following questions for most demanding job.)	1
Where do you work?	Goody's
What is your job title?	Sales Associate
What is your job description?	Credit cards, Sell clothes, Credit cards,
What is the dress code?	Dress casual (no jeans)
How long have you been there?	2
Do you plan on staying for the next six months or more?	yes and no
Can you be promoted?	Yes
Green:
How much do you get paid?
How often do you get paid?	every other week
How many hours a week do you get?	15-25
Do you get time and a half for holidays?	Only if we are open actually on a holiday like 4th July
Have you gotten a raise?	Yes
Do you expect a raise?	Yes
Do you work overtime as much as you can?	Ha
Status:
Are there any certificates displayed with your name on them?	Nope
Are you respected by your coworkers?	Mostly
Would they rather work with you than others?	I've heard it said
Do your suggestions and comments carry weight with your supervisor?	Depends on the subject matter
How do new employees react to you?	they cope...haha
Do you tell others what they should, can, or cannot do?	I sugest...I am not the boss and I don't plan on acting like one.
Breaktime:
Do you remember to punch in and out for breaks?	Most of the time
Do you take longer breaks than you should?	Some times
Do you forget to take breaks on busy days?	It has happened
What do you do on your breaks?	depends on how long i get but usually I eat a meal or work on homework
Quality:
Do you talk on the phone or computer while on the clock?	No
Do things get done ahead of schedule when you're there?	Somtimes
Are you bothered when other people don't work as much or as well as you know they can?	If you only knew....
The Whole Point:
Do you love your job?	Love may be a little strong but there are many other worse places to work and it can be fun.
If you quit, what would be your reason?	Getting another Job
Take this survey or other MySpace Surveys at PimpSurveys.com

blugh

Wish I had what I needed
To be on my own
'Cause I feel so defeated
And I'm feeling alone

And it all seems so hopeless
And I have no plans
I'm a plane in the sunset
With nowhere to land

And all I see
It could never make me happy
And all my sand castles spend their time collapsing

And I feel stuck watching history repeating
Yeah who am I just a kid who knows he's needy

Let me know that you hear me
Let me know your touch
Let me know that you love me
Let that be enough

note

AND...13 days till my birthday :)

It's an open door, to live for something better....

OK, so a few posts ago I mentioned that I was considering starting tutoring with autistic kids.

Well I considered.

I went in last week in order to fill out an application at CNC access for a job. Then of course I waited. Then yesterday I got the call from Jolene saying that she had been authorized to hire me! YAY

So pending the results of a TB test, which I went and took this morning, I will be starting training soon. I can't wait. I have a client as of now but, I am not expecting the hours to be very much, so I am just praying that they will have another client that I can work with also. So that I don't have to remain part-time at Goody's and I can fully step away from there.

But at any rate just knowing I will be getting the one position is marvelous. I am so excited and I can't wait to get my paperwork done and start training.

On another subject I have been praying for a "new to me" vehicle and I almost have enough money to be able to fully pay for one and not have to make payments (or at least not very many) which is something I would really appreciate. Now it's just where am I getting the car from.

So many things are changing right now and it both scary and exciting. Mostly exciting.

End of school is coming and it is possible that I will be able to be finished at ICC after the fall semester. Which is sooner than I thought! That will put me starting at Limestone in the spring of 08 and that would rock!

So that is the update for those keeping up! thanks for any and all prayers.
OK homework is calling.

"Livin' life is fun and we've just begun to get our share...."

I have to say that I love my family...

We had a great time this weekend together. We had this chicken wing eating contest. There is this really good wing place in Columbia and they have this one flavor that is so hot, no joke, that you have to sign a waiver, when you buy them. Oh man they were Hot.
Then of course there is the usual family banter and joking. All the memories and good times.
Lately every time I get together with my family we get closer. It's such a cool thing.

Booyah!

This is an update from our missionaries in Mexico.....

Dear All,

Good news from El Monte! You may remember our shock when three men showed up on the doorstep and claimed that our property belonged to their community. You may not know that they later informed us that we had twenty days to cough up $250,000 U.S. dollars or they would send in squatters. You may recall our relief when our Christian lawyer found iron-clad evidence in the national land registry that the property did not, and never had belonged to them. And now...the rest of the story!

The other day we made an appointment with goverment officials at the state level to help arbitrate the matter. Shortly after we got to the office, the official called downstairs to the main desk to see if the men had arrived. Yes, he was told, they'd signed in and asked if we were really there. The official then asked that they be sent up for the meeting. After a few moments the guard called upstairs to explain that the men couldn't be found. Our enemies had run away! Hooray!

Psalm 37:9 says, "Evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land." Amen. Thank you for your continued prayers!

yap

Tell ya what's fun...

Talking in like 4 different accents at once

bring back these days in my mind like an eight track non-stop

That's still a yes on the Betty Ford

Still all around one of my fave vidoes had to share

all the above

Well I told God I was bored and He changed that. Now it's just the waiting. Waiting for Caroline to call about the job, that I really hope I can get. It's so tempting to just go and give Peggy my two weeks notice. Though Momma always said never count your chickens before they hatch. It also hard not to get cocky and prideful. Because I really do feel that this is a road that God is leading me down. Knowing that and then having to wait for it, just makes my attitude change to "I'm gonna be bustin' out of this joint." Doing my job the the best of my abilities becomes even harder. I want to tell people at work that I am leaving, partly because I am excited about it. Though it's also partly because I want them to be jealous of me and say ooooh and aaaaah. It's so Ironic that that in about 3 weeks time I have gone from being totally against the thought of doing things like ABA therapy to being completely set on doing it and even having to fight off the temptations that surround it. All night at work yesterday i found my thoughts going places thy shouldn't. For example Stephanie was showing me how to measure for tuxedos for the the first time in the 2 years since started working there. I kept saying to myself "oh yea great timing to start showing me this stuff" and "Why do I even need to pay attention to this?" I had to correct myself many times. But i am learning i believe that this waiting period is a test for me as well. Actually I know it is. I have been reading on being a "Lady in waiting" and controlling my thoughts instead of vice-versa is one thing that I have to work on. I can be very quiet in my speech, but when it comes to my thoughts they are very out going.

I can say though that I am feeling closer and closer to God everyday and I love it. I find myself being bolder and more willing. I was talking to Julia the other day and she was telling me about someone she has tried to witness to. I said that I hurt more now that ever not just for those that aren't saved but for those that are not living out there potential in Christ.

Well, in other news i am going to be in the market for a "new to me" vehicle pretty soon. I don't want to give up the truck, but even if i was able to pay for another vehicle with out getting some money off of it i would not be able to afford the insurance of both vehicles. So therefor it would just sit in the yard. And that would jut not be fair for a great truck such as that. I think that i am gonna for for something like a Honda or small Nissan car. So that if i do get this new job when i have to drive with kids they can be safe in a back seat. plus i just need something with better gas mileage that a truck right now.

OK so that is it for at the present time.

What's my direction?

Well, much has happened over the last couple weeks. I am heavily considering starting work in ABA therapy. In fact here in about an hour I will be on my way with Nicki to go to her clients house so that I can get my feet wet and really get a feel for what I could be doing.

ABA therapy has always been something that has scared me a bunch and therefore I have stayed as far away from it as possible. Though over the passed couple weeks since I was seriously approached about it I really have taken it into consideration. I have really thought about what the job involves and I actually worked through my fear with God instead of just shrugging it off.

I had gotten way behind on my biology. Instead of taking the losers way out i faced it and got the job done! that was a first for me.

I am now "doubting my doubts and believing my beliefs"
I am facing things in my self that I have always turned ways from and said "oh
I will deal with that later. and when I say later I mean never"

I am truly excited about where I am going and what God is showing me. He truly is amazing.

"This is the bomb that I've been waiting for living for. You finally lit the fuse that's in my head"

count em 1..2..10

How many people can say they rocked out with their Mom at a A switchfoot concert???

Goodnight

Good morningblue bird

Oh so early. Oh so little sleep. today we go to the Switchfooot but not tilll after we are awake all-day in asheville. pray for us (the drama team) at the Elida house this morning. Lot's oh warfare

Oh my.....

...God?