I can't believe I forgot to put this yesterday...one person got saved after I preached!  I freaked out!  WOW...someone got saved because God used ME! 

I wish I could write a deep, thought-provoking post.  I read dozens of sites that make me think or laugh.  I just don't think I have it in me.  I read a few sites tonight with much controversy over the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  My opinion really doesn't matter.  Read this website: http://www.family.org/teenguys/breakmag/features/a0018699.html
It's amazing.  LOTRs isn't evil.

I love you all and love Texas.  Everyone should live in Texas!

Christen

I helped my aunt pick out a bridesmaid dress today for her wedding!  It's really great!

I think yesterday went really well preaching.  I was SO nervous.  I thought I was going to throw up all morning.  During the actual message, my voice quivered, and I could have cried at any moment.  Oh well, I made it through.  Lots of people told me it was exactly what they needed to hear; that made it all worth it!

I can't believe I go back to Illinois on Saturday. It's too soon! UGH  Oh well, I love Masters.  I love you too!

Christen

Christmas rocked!  I have the best family in the entire world.  I went to an awesome concert of my super cool cousin's band Lukas Hollow.  I hung out with friends tonight.  I preach tomorrow! YEA!

Christen

Merry Christmas Eve!  Being home has been wonderful.  Yesterday my brother and sister-in-law came into town.  We had our family Christmas last night.  It was splendid.  We ate Mexican food, opened presents, ate Christmas cake and then watched "It's a Wonderful Life."  Welcome to Carter tradition. I got some wonderful things.  But overall, it was wonderful being with my family.

We leave in a few minutes to go to my Grandmother and Papa's house. (My dad's parents)  We will eat and open presents.  It will be wonderful.  Then we go to my Nannie and Granddaddy's house.  There we will spend the night while Santa comes down the chimney.  Much fun and excitement.  Tomorrow (Christmas) we will see Santa's presents and then open many more.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!  I hope you all have a VERY Merry Christmas. I love you!

Christen

I'm home!!  Saturday was frustrating because I had to arrive at the airport 4 hours early and then my flight was delayed for another hour and a half.  Oh well, by 7:15 that evening, I got to see my family.  Mom, Dad, Scott, Mark, Nannie, Granddaddy, Aunt Kim and Aunt Angie all came.  It was WONDERFUL to see them.  Oh yeah, so I didn't wear the face mask because when I finally got on the flight, I didn't have the guts.  hehe

I'm preaching this coming Sunday at my church.  However, I just realized that I left my notes in Illinois.  Wow, I'm pretty dumb. Oh well, I'll figure it out.  I'm just glad to be home.

I love you all!

Christen

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I go home tomorrow!!  It's 12:20 right now, and I'm about to go to bed.  Then tomorrow at 8 am, I begin my adventure home.  I go to the bus station at 9 am, I'll get to Midway Airport around 11.  Then my flight doesn't leave til 2:55 pm.  Yes, I realize there is a very long time between these times, but I tried every other resource!!  It doesn't matter.  That will give me an opportunity to do my make up and junk like that. Hehe, get this.  The doctor told me I need to wear a mask on the plane because I'm sick.  He said if I don't, I'll get everyone elses germs since my immune system is already low.  I think it's funny.  I'll be the scary, weird girl who's all alone.  hehe

I love you all.  I can't wait to be back in Texas tomorrow!  YEA!

Christen

I'm sick.  I went to the doctor, and I have tonsilitis.  It hurts so bad.  I can swollow okay but breathing the cold air hurts.  I left Master's after lunch today to see the doctor.  I'm not going tomorrow cause I feel like crap.  Plus, I need to pack, get things organized, go to Walgreens, and check on a ticket for the shuttle to the airport.

Y'all, I fly home on SATURDAY!  I can't believe it's finally here.  I'm be home in no time.  I love you all, and for my Texans, I'll see you in 2 days!

Christen

Christmas Vacation: 1 day

Tonight at 12:03 I get to see Lord of the Rings!!!!  YEA!  Rockford's theater is having a sneak preview beginning at midnight, and I, Christen, hold a ticket.  I have waited a year, and tonight I will find out who Gollum was talking about when he said "she" at the end of the 2nd movie.  YIPPEE!

I'm a little sick right now.  Ugh.  I have a head cold...stuffy/runny nose, headache, sore throat, swollen tonsils.  I wish I could just sleep for a long time.  As long as I'm well by Saturday, I'm okay with it.

Christen

Christmas vacation: 3 1/2 days!

Woke up, ate Subway, talked to God, worked out, ate pizza, showered, watched C-Life basketball, drank Starbucks, finished homework.  It was a good day.  I love you!

Christen

Christmas vacation: 7 days!

God rocks.  This morning I had one of the best quiet times I've had in my entire life.  Wow, He blows my mind with His love, His plans for my life, and His overwhelming grace.  Today in chapel we talked about the Common Hours, which are the days when you aren't praying for a special event, i.e. Fall Retreat, out reach, school focus night, or nothing huge is happening in your life.  Common Hours are normal days that seem hum-drum to us.  However, God sees these days as HUGE opportunities to prepare us for the day we will face our Goliath.  David didn't pick up a sling shot for the first time when he killed Goliath; he had practiced for years.  Why should we pray for months or years of annointing in our crisis hour when God's given us months or years to pray for it?  Just think about it.

Well, I love you all.  I feel that it's only fair to begin the Christmas vacation countdown.  It's only 8 days, so don't freak out.

Christmas vacation: 8 days!

Christen

p.s. All I want for Christmas are some props and comments.

Today is the day of new beginning.  Today we had girl split-off at Master's, and we talked about overcoming our pasts.  Megan asked us what from our pasts we were dealing with and wanted to be able to get over.  It was exactly what I needed.  Today I wrote a super-short email to my ex boyfriend and told me we would not be speaking anymore.  Then I deleted his email and blocked his address.  I know God will honor my efforts to stop my thought process about him.  God is healing me just as I knew he would, but He really does do things in His timing.

Well, a new restaurant opened in Rockford today, Panera Bread.  For my fellow Texans, you may not have heard of it, but it's wonderful.  We ate lunch there today!

God rocks.  What would I do without hope in Him?  Life would be so meaningless.  Oh, I'm not sure I told yall this.  I'm preaching at my home church on December 28.  I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to speak on: a little of my testimony and then Renewing the Mind.  Obviously I've got a lot to do, but I'm excited.  Love yall!

Christen

I feel like a freakin rollercoaster.  Up, down, up, down. I'm working on the whole coasting thing.  My last post sounded a little anti-guys.  Sorry guys!  I love you; I promise.  I'm doing better, prayer and a really cool aunt have helped a lot.

This weekend was super fun.  I went to Shaumberg (a suburb of Chicago) on Friday and shopped.  I had a blast with some of my fellow Master's and did some Christmas shopping.  Then Saturday night I went to the heart of Chi-town. I went with my small group and ate down town by the river on Michigan Avenue.  It was a B-L-A-S-T!  My small group kids called me Mom all night cause I wanted to walk behind them and make sure everyone stayed together.  Then on the L (which is the subway) I made them all get in first.  It was funny.  They are hilarious.

This morning at church the kids had their Christmas Choir performance. This one kid was dressed as a donkey and was still behind the curtain.  My friend Brent was waving at him just being nice.  Donkey kid made a really mean face then slashed his finger across his neck like pretending to cut his head off.  Brent stood up and was like "What kid?"  Oh my gosh, it was hilarious!  Then Donkey kid forgot his lines and Brent started laughing.

Well, tomorrow we have Missions Day.  It's like missions trip team building and conditioning.  We have to be at the church at 7 am.  AGH!

Gotta go!  Love yall!

Christen

Let's talk.  If you and your significant other break up, don't wait 8 months to say you screwed up royally.  The likelyhood is they have moved on, they are okay with their life, they don't want to hear from you.  Yes, appologize, but do it like within a month.  Then let them have closure, let them be at peace.  I'm sorry to be on a soapbox, but I'm not getting off.  Today I got an email from the guy who broke my heart.  He wanted me to know he was sorry.  And, you know what, I genuinely appreciate it, but I was doing just fine without it.  I really had closed that part of my life and was going on.  It definitely brought things back.  It's like a scraped knee that's just about healed.  You think it's okay to scratch off the scab, but then it starts bleeding and the whole process starts over for the healing.  Why on earth would he wait 8 months?  God, help me forgive him.

Christen

Okay, this is super exciting.  Today I was setting up my computer in my apartment to look at something, and I noticed that the little green light on my wireless card blinked to green.  Meaning...I have wireless connection in my apartment!  YEA!  I'm not gonna tell anyone (here) because I'm not sure if I'm supposed to have access to it.  They have wireless in an office across the street from me.  Super cool though, huh? 

I guess I'm be getting on Xanga more, which of course is cool.  Peace out my brothers!

Christen

We just got in from our Fall Retreat. You know your youth group is huge when only 10th-12th graders go on a retreat and there are 400 people.  It was awesome.  They don't have traditional services.  Friday night and Saturday night they have praise and worship and then a drama.  They rock!  Saturday night's was called "Bleachers".  It was about this football team from like 10 years prior.  Their coach had died so they all came back for his funeral.  It was so awesome because they had done a bunch of filming ahead of time which flashed back to their high school days.  It was like an hour long; like a movie!  Anyway, the retreat rocked.

Thanksgiving was pretty cool.  I went to my friend Steph's house.  We stuffed our faces with her family.  Illinois food is pretty much the same as Texas except they have acorn squash, weird dressing and rice pudding.  Otherwise food rocked!

I go home in 2 weeks and 6 days, but who's counting.  I can't wait til Christmas. Oh yeah, my aunt and her fiance decided on March 6 for their wedding for sure, AND I get to be a bridesmaid!  YEA! 

I love you all!  Christen

Life is good.  Master's is good.  God is EXCELLENT!

Get this...we do Bible college classes through correspondence. Okay, so on our first test, I made a 100.  Not to brag, it's just that the study guide was pracically the test.  But this is it...some girls in my first year class got mad at me!  They, in round about ways, asked me if I cheated.  Remind me, did I just warp back to junior high?

Besides that, everything is wonderful.  My small group kids rock!  I just love them to death!  IT SNOWED TODAY!  Not like blizzard, can't see where you are going; actually there were just a few flakes, but it was still cool!

Well, my fellow Texans, I fly home in less than a month!  I love you all!

Christen

Hey go see my brother's new Xanga site!  He rocks!  Bartimaeus

The House of Horrors is OVER, OVER, OVER!  YEA!  We finished up last night about 1 am.  I'm so glad.  Life can become normal again.  They haven't given us an official number yet, but they said around 12,000 people came through this year.  Wow!  God really moved.

Well, I'm going to a Jeremy Camp concert tonight.  Yea!  He's hot, yet engaged to a girl in Benjamin's Gate.  That's really too bad.  hehe!

BYE

Christen

Hey!  Life's still going great!  Three more days of the House. Friday night (Halloween) is gonna be HUGE! This past Saturday night we had 1700 people come through the house! WHOA!  I can't wait til Friday, there are going to be so many people coming through.

I'm sorry I haven't had more of a chance to post on here!  Once the House is over, I promise I'll be here more often!  I love you all!

Christen

Y'all rock!

House of Horrors is going great!  We've had dozens of people getting saved.  God rocks!

I'm doing good.  I'm so busy though.  We had the day off today, but I'm still busy trying to get odd things done.  Anyway, I love you all!

Christen

Hey yall!

Things here are great.  We are working on our version of Hell House...The House of Horrors.  It's awesome!  It's a lot of hard work, but I don't care!  I can't wait til we open.  ONE WEEK!

Please write me comments.  I love hearing from people!

Christen

UPDATE!

I have wireless internet now.  Yeah, be impressed!  The only draw back is I have to bring my laptop to the church to use it.  It's a little bit of a hassle but 100 times better than going to that community college.  I'm check my email pretty frequently and update this as much as possible.

I love Rockford, Illinois!  I'm definitely where God wants me for this year.  We've been going through a lot of orientation so far.  It's been awesome though.  The #1 thing they are teaching us right now is the power of prayer.  We have an hour and 15 minutes for quiet times every day.  At first I was like, whoa!  I'm never going to be able to do that.  But God's definitely proving me wrong.  Each day he shows me things that need prayer.  Today I made it through the whole time without running out of things to say.  However, honestly, I'm still at the stage where I'm really relieved it's over though.  However, I know God's going to grow in me that desire and hunger for prayer!  I'm not worried. 

We start our version of Hell House TOMORROW!  I'm so excited.  God's really tested our faith.  Usually they start around September 25 on it, but we only got a building for it today.

Rockford is a whole lot like Longview.  It's got all the main restaurants, a mall, a downtown, a ghetto area, etc.  I feel like I'm at home.  

I'm living in a MC apartment.  It's 3 bedroom.  There are four other girls living with me.  It's 2 bath, kitchen, double car garage, big living room, wash room.  It's awesome.  I really like it.  Plus, I got one of the garage so I don't have to scrape ice off in the mornings.  :)  Everybody here is so cool and really love the Lord.  They are real people...not like Leaders on a Spiritual power trip.  Anyway, I just love it.

Well I love you all!

Christen

Hey yall!

I'm Illinois and still alive! I'll write more when I have time.  I'm almost late so I've got to go.

Oh yeah, I have to come to a community college to check email or write on this.  So be patient with me!  BYE

Christen

I have one more day in Longview!  I can't believe it's here.  IT'S HERE!  I'm packing as we speak.

This is my final word until I get internet hooked up in Illinois.  =.-(   I just can't believe I'm leaving for nine months in like 36 hours.  It's craziness.

Anyway, I love you all very much, and don't give up on me, eventually I'll get internet and come back!

Master's Commission/BIRTHDAY: 4 days!!!

bye!

Christen

Tonight I had my birthday party at my grandparent's house.  It was GREAT!  We ate spaghetti and then had cake.  I opened my presents then we sat on the back porch.  I'm really gonna miss sitting on the back porch.  After I got bit by about 20 mosquitos, we went inside and played Shang-Hi.  I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Master's Commission/BIRTHDAY: 7 days!

Christen

Isn't there a generally accepted rule that after your high school graduation, your old teachers are not allowed to call you and ask for favors?? 

Keep in mind that I was a 2002 graduate.  I got a phone call today from my high school newspaper sponsor.  I was the editor for 2 years.  She wants me to come help her set up a few pages!!  Anybody else seeing the problem here??  I've been gone for a year and a half!!  GET SOMEONE ELSE!

Christen

Lonely days at home.  Now that I'm through working, I don't really have anything to do.  My parents are at work all day so I usually just sit and watch TV.  However, the last couple of days I've been working on a project.  My best friend Alesha and I have the same birthday.  So every year we exchange presents, and they are usually pretty generic gifts...pajama pants, clothes, cute trinket type things.  This year I'm making hers.  Hehe!  I can't tell you about it yet incase she reads this.  But she'd better like it!  J/K  Well, that's about it. BYE!

Master's Commission/BIRTHDAY: 10 more days!!!

Christen

Today begins the BIRTHDAY countdown!  *Shut up, you know you love your birthday too!*

BIRTHDAY: 13 days!

I'm going to Master's Commission this year, and I sent out support letters to raise the money.  Well, I'm only a few hundred dollars short now!  My tuition is $6700.  SO, YEA for God!

Oh yeah, I should probably have a Master's Commission countdown too, huh?  Oh wait..it starts on my birthday!!  YIPPEE for birthdays!  Ok..I'll re-do the countdown:

Master's Commission/ BIRTHDAY: 13 days!

Christen   :)

I'm home.  What a week!  Warning:  Don't cram 3 vacations into ONE week!  I went to PK retreat last weekend: exhausting.  I went to SAGU Monday-Wednesday: great friends.  Then I went to OKC to see Mark and Sheila: GREAT family!  I'm exhausted. (I just used 3 acronyms in one paragraph.  YEA!)

I was supposed to work this week and my (insert mean word) manager didn't put me on the schedule at all.  He said he thought my last day had already passed.  BOO!

Tomorrow is church.  I have 12 days of Longview, Texas left. OH MY GOODNESS!

Christen

I have a whole week off from work!  I'm using this week to visit people before I head off to Illinois.  I'm going tomorrow to Waxahachie to see my SAGU friends then Wednesday to Oklahoma City to see my brother & Sheila.  Then, 6 more work days, and it's OVER! 

I really love Diet Coke!

Christen

I don't know why I'm so nocturnal.  I just can't bring myself to go to bed before 12 even if I'm tired. 

Christen

I decided I would be super-co-ed-softball-player last night and slide into 3rd base.  BAD idea!  I did it all wrong and fell flat on my back.  I knocked all the air out of me and now have a bruised back.  Ugh, the things a competitive spirit makes us do!

This weekend I'm going to PK Retreat. For the uninformed, that is Assemblies of God Preacher's Kids Retreat.  This will be my 8th year! Holy Cow!  Scott, my little brother, is going for the first time!  AWW!

Christen

I'm in a very philisophical mood, but I don't think anyone else would care what I think or think about.

I just randomly read a dozen or so Xanga sites.  People are SO different and yet very similar.  I found lots of girls who have dealt with the same "boy problems" as me.

I feel sorry for any waiter or waitress who does that as a profession.  I am only content in the fact that I know I'm quitting in 2 weeks.

Love hurts, but love is the reason we live for another day.

Christen

I gave plasma twice this week.  It was a very weird experience. If you want to read about it, continue to the next paragraph;  if you don't, skip down to the ***.

Alesha & I decided we'd make a couple of extra bucks by giving plasma.  So, we made an appointment and went.  They told us it would take 3 hours the first time...right!  We went in and filled out some paper work then waited.  Then they weighed us, took our blood pressure and temperature, and then asked us a million questions about stuff.  Then, we waited...FOREVER!  Finally, Alesha got to go and have her physical.  Then what seemed like 20 years later, I got to go.  They asked a bunch of questions but when they asked if I had any new piercings, I gave the wrong answer.  I told them I had gotten my ear pierced back in November.  Well, they HAD to have documentation of it.  I had to drive ALL the way to the mall and then convince this girl to fill out the form for me.  I drove all the way back and then WAITED!!  Alesha was already donating when I got back.  I walked through the door and the lady told me it would be a while because they had a sick client.  I automatically thought Alesha.  Nobody would tell me who it was.  Finally, this guy that works there, Roger, walked out and I asked him.  He said it wasn't her.  So, they had to call an ambulance because this guy giving plasma passed out and wouldn't wake up.  They said it wasn't serious though.  Yeah, that's assuring.  Well, after waiting another hour, I finally finished my physical and got to give.  That part took like 45 minutes.  It didn't really hurt at all.  I just sat there and read magazines.  It only hurt like the last 5 minutes.  It was GROSS!  They fill up like a 24 ounce bottle with straight plasma!!!  It's yellow like pee.  Then, when I was through, I walked up to this window and they handed me 20 bucks.  I got a little light headed and had to sit down.  Ended up, Alesha got a little sick, but it wasn't a big deal.  We hadn't eaten enough.  All in all, we were there 5 1/2 hours!!!  It was ridiculous.  However, they told me the 2nd time was $30 and only took 45 minutes.  So, I went back Thursday and it only took an hour.  It was TONS better the second time.

***

Today I worked a double shift which sucked big time!  Tomorrow I work lunch.

My friends are leaving for college tomorrow.  Kory is going to A&M Commerce and Ryan's going back to SWT.  Alesha and I are all alone now.  However, I leave in less than a month! YEA

I love you all!

Christen

Guess what I got to do last night?  PAT GREEN concert!!!  YEA!  For those that don't know me well, I am a hard core country music fan.  Last night, Kory, Alesha, Ryan & I went to our 2nd annual Pat Green Concert in Athens at the rodeo!  Yes, I am a Texan through and through and went to the rodeo!  Anyway, it was loads of fun!

oh yeah, I wanted you all to be proud of me...I finally deleted Robbie's phone number from my phone.  He moved to Oklahoma, so now I can't contact him. (Not that I would.)  It was really, really hard, but I'm proud of myself.  It was like the last string that had me attached, and now it's gone.  I really think I can finish healing now.  :)

Tomorrow morning I leave for Washington D.C.  I've never been so I'm pretty excited!  I still have to pack and it's 1:30 AM!!  Hehe.  Well, I'll be gone for like 12 days!  YIKES...with my family.  I think it'll be alright though.  Well, say a prayer for me if you think about it.  I'll be doing a lot of traveling.  I love you all and hope yall have a great couple of weeks!

Christen

I'm home and had a GREAT time.  I love family.  I got to spend 72 wonderful hours with Mark and Sheila.  I couldn't have asked for a better sister-in-law!!  We had "girl time" while the boys golfed.

I can't believe I leave for Illinois in less than two months!  I have to check-in exactly 2 months from today.  The closer it gets, the more real it's getting.  Nine months in Rockford!  People like to remind me that it's REALLY cold up there.  This is a typical conversation:

Person: "So when do you go back to school?"  Me: "Oh, I'm not going back this year; I'm going to Master's Commission in Rockford, Illinois."  Person:  "Really?  Doesn't it stay in the single digits up there?  You're going to hate that."

Positive people!  Come on!

Christen

Tomorrow, I am Oklahoma bound. YEA!  Before my brother moved to OK, I'm not sure I'd ever intentionally been to OK.  I get to see my brother and sister-in-law tomorrow!  YEA YEA YEA!

I work out at this place called Curves.  It's a women's only workout place, and it's SO funny.  I'm by no means "in shape", but these older women that are real over-weight are always saying stuff like, "I wish I had that much energy." (Talking about ME!)  It makes me laugh, but I like that there are no guys there!

Tonight is church.  YEA!

Christen 

Tips.  It's not a hard thing.  People, don't eat out unless you go prepared to tip atleast 15%!!!  If you need help, ask.  The waitress will gladly help you figure 15%.  $1 is not the universal tip for people under 20.  Waiters make $2.50 an hour.  Tips are completely necessary!

Sorry guys, I just needed to get that off my chest.

Christen

I need excitement in my life!  I am such a boring person.

Today was fun.  Alesha and I ate lunch then went shopping.  Shopping makes me smile.  I got some REALLY cool black pants for 50% off!!!!  A girl asked me to work for her tonight.  I really didn't want to, but I'm glad I did: $85!!!

Christen

Work is as unpredictable as a girl's mood swings.  I worked lunch yesterday and made $20.  Then I worked today's lunch and made $40.  It wasn't much different as far as busy-ness.  I just don't understand.

I have a double-header tonight for my church co-ed softball team.  We kinda stink, but we're getting better.  It's SOOO HOT outside!

This weekend was so fun! My parents, me, Scott, and Mark and Sheila went to Six Flags Thursday.  It was SO hot but a blast.  I did the SKY COASTER!!  YEAA!!  It was awesome.  Then Friday my parents and I went to the Ranger's game.  The fireworks after the game were AWESOME!  Tonight I worked.  It was really slow then BAAMM!  We had a million people.  I made decent money though. Goodnight

Christen

Tonight was my first night at Chili's.  I loved it.  It's hard work but rewarding. I enjoy the people up there too.

My very first friend in Longview, Sara, got married today.  It was a beautiful wedding.  I didn't get to go to the reception because I had to go to work.  I felt bad, but I'm sure she didn't even notice.

I just finished a grilled cheese sandwich made especially by my little brother.  He's quite the chef.

Christen

Time flies when you're really busy.  My life is running away with me.  JUNE 29!!!  I thought I had all summer to finish projects, work, and hang out with my friends, and now it's half over.

My heart's really heavy.  One of my best friends in the world is going through a very sucky time in her life.  Please pray very hard.

Christen

For those of you who care, I am ok.  I promise I'm not like screwed up forever!

Tonight I went to Sara Canter's bachelorette party.  She was my very first friend in Longview.  She gets married on Sunday!  I'm so very happy for her.  We ate at Olive Garden then went to Jennifer's house and played games!  It was a blast.

I haven't really started work yet.  I finished training Sunday but haven't picked up a shift yet. I will definitely work Sunday.

Summer gets really boring.  I sleep late then feel like I waste the whole day.  I slept til 1 today then watched tv and washed my car.  By then it was 6 o clock and time to get ready for Sara's party.  My whole day was shot.  Oh well, it's summer and I'm young!!

Christen

Today was a very hard day.  I went to my friend Angie's wedding in Terrell.  (Yes, this is the 5th wedding I've been to this summer.)  I'm an emotional wreck.  Angie was on Robbie's (my ex-boyfriend) basketball team, 3 of her bridesmaids were on the team and two of the other girls from the team showed up.  Everything about today reminded me of him.  I was there the day Angie announced her engagement to the team.  Even though Robbie didn't come, I thought about him the whole time.  Everything about our relationship went wrong.  My heart is still broken after 3 1/2 months.  I don't know how I will ever be able to give my heart away again.  This next year in Rockford is going to be an incredible time of healing; that I am sure of.

Christen

I hate boring days.  I feel like I waste a whole day of my life doing nothing.  I worked today for like 6 1/2 hours, but since I'm still training, I don't get to keep tips or anything so I'm not motivated to be "Super-waitress."  Now I'm watching my usual:  Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Friends, Raymond, Spin City, then Just Shoot Me.  I'm such a sucker for late night comedy.  I don't always watch them all, but I'm working on a scrapbook (NO, I'm NOT finished yet) and have nothing else to do.

Tomorrow I don't have to work.  Maybe I'll do something constructive like wash my car.  It's a whole day filled with wonderful possibilities!  Bye

Christen

Work, work, work.  It'd be a lot more fun if it wasn't...well...work.  I have done 2 days of training so far.  I like it a lot.  It's soooo much different than Little Italy but in a good way.  I have had 2 very boring days.  I've been working on my high school scrap book.  No, you don't need to point out that I've been out of high school for a full year now.  It's almost done and will be a masterpiece.

Christen

Three weddings in one week.  I really don't think I'm going to be able to handle it!  I went to a wedding today that was very laid back and simple but beautiful.  Then one of my best friends, Chesley, gets married Saturday.  I went to her bachelorette party tonight.  It was so much fun.  I don't think I've ever laughed so much about sex in my life...wait I don't think I've ever talked about it that much in my life.  Hehe It really was fun.

Christen

Tonight I went to a lingerie shower for a girl in my youth group who gets married tomorrow.  It was a lot of fun.  We played some silly games.  All of it makes me want to be married, but then I sit back and think I really don't know that I want to be all that much right now.  Yeah, I'm confusing.

I saw Finding Nemo today.  It was really cute. I would recommend it to all you die-hard Disney fans!!

Christen

For those of you who were really worried, yes I am still alive.  These last couple of weeks have been insane but good.   My brother Mark got married Friday night!!  It was a beautiful wedding.  Sheila, his now wife, asked me to coordinate everything at the rehearsal and wedding.  Wow, talk about stress!  It went great though.

Good news!!  I got a job!  YEA!  I got hired yesterday at Chili's.  I think I start Saturday!  Wow, I'm so happy.

I love you all!

Christen

If I ever told you I loved the dentist, I take it back!  Today was definitely a first.  I went to the dentist to get some work done...like 2 teeth sealed, my gums pushed away from my wisdom teeth and some bonding fixed on my front teeth.  So the first....I cried!  I was fine through the shots and all that, but he started drilling on my tooth, and it hurt soooo bad.  Tears were streaming down my face.  I couldn't help it.  So, needless to say, I left not very happy.  That is the only time I can ever remember not liking the dentist.

Tomorrow's Friday!  Yea

Christen

Man, to be able to impart wisdom to everyone would be amazing.  Labeling is so shallow.  In high school, there were so many people I never talked to because I was "cool."  But now, those people I never talked to are the people I keep in contact with and say hi to when I see them.  My "cool" friends have no substance.  Labeling is only a means of making yourself look better (in the same way cutting people down works).  With age come maturity and with maturity comes acceptance.  As you grow older, the line separating "punks" and "preps" grows really blurry.

One of my best friends gets married in 3 weeks, Chesley.  It's crazy; we graduated together.  I just don't feel like we are old enough...but we are.  My other good friend from high school, Sara, is getting married the last weekend of June.  We are growing up and don't even see it.

I'm so glad to be home for the summer.  This is the first summer in 3 years I didn't work at the camp in Dallas.  I've got to find a job, but I really don't mind.

I'm exhausted!

Christen

Happy Memorial Day!  My entire family came over today.  We grilled hamburgers then went to Scott's baseball game.  It was a very good day.  I really enjoy my family.  My aunt is kinda dating this new guy, and I got to hear all about him. It's really exciting!!

I need a job.  I don't really want to work though before Mark's wedding.  AHH We'll see!

Christen

Great day.  I found the dress I'm going to wear to Mark's wedding and got to spend the whole day practically with my mom.  I ate lunch with Alesha then went shopping with Mom.

For anyone who was going to go see The Inlaws, be warned that it's weird.  Weird doesn't necessarily mean bad, just random yet funny.  I haven't quite decided if I liked it or not.

"I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did i choose to love? Did i point to You enough, To make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering. A child of mercy and grace, Who blessed your name, unapologetically, And leave that kind of legacy."
~Nichole Nordeman

I'm officially home for the summer.  Besides Mark's wedding and youth camp, I'm home!  Today was highly emotional, and for anyone who knows me at all, I am NOT an emotional person (minus those few months of ex-boyfriend confusion..they don't count).  When I left OKC, I almost cried.  I am going to miss my brother SO much!  I stayed with him for 2 full weeks and had the chance to hang out with Sheila for a few days. Then on the way home from OKC, I hit horrible traffic, and I was trying to get home for Alesha's graduation, which brings me to my next point.  Alesha (best friend) graduated tonight.  I got there RIGHT when the graduates were walking in. WHEW!

Boys.  Why does my heart and head scream at me in two very separate directions?  I'll leave it at that.

2 a.m.  I find myself thinking strangely at this kind of hour.  I question things like life in general.  Things that seemed SO life altering 4 years ago mean nothing today.  Who cares about who I dated or why we broke up?  It doesn't matter at all.

Goodnight.

I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long.  I'm still in Oklahoma and having a blast.  I haven't had access to a computer until today.

Mark is all moved in to his new apartment. It's so great!  They saved up some money and got a new sleigh bed, couch, oversized chair and tons of other stuff.  Mark and Sheila are truly blessed! God has his hand on their lives.  Sheila was here this past weekend, and we arranged the kitchen and all the furniture.

Anyway, I gotta go...Mark needs his computer!  I love you all!

Christen

This past week has gone really fast.  I went to Oklahoma and only missed that big tornado by like 5 miles.  It was really great to hang out with my brother though.  I'm going back tomorrow.  I went to Dallas Friday and Saturday for a wedding on Saturday for my friend Laurie.  It was very beautiful.

Good News (for me atleast): I got accepted to Master's Commission in Rockford, Illinois, which means I'm going!  I'm really, really excited!

Last thought- Mavs lost tonight.  It was pitiful!  Oh yeah, and sign up for Xanga, I want some sites to read besides my own!!! Bye

Christen

Home!  I'm home! No more finals or boy problems or late night papers or gross food or curfews!!  YEA! But now I miss my friends and my roommate and goofing off and chapel and pictures!  Man, college is a crazy thing.  It has some really wonderful points and other things completely stink!  I'm going to Oklahoma Wednesday to keep my brother company for a couple of weeks!  Everyone should have a brother!

Gone With the Wind...I never thought I'd be saying this, but I love that movie.  I watched it for the first time yesterday.  It's super long, but great.  Yes, even boys would like it!

Bye, Christen

Today my brother Mark graduated from college!  WOW! It seems like yesterday I was at his high school graduation.  We had quite the shin-dig afterwards.  He and 7 friends had a party.  They had Mexican food, GREAT desserts, and a jazz band.  It was really fun but sad.  I've become really good friends with a lot of Mark's friends.  We all took pictures and just hung out.  I'm really going to miss all those guys.  Well, I love you all.  I've got to finish packing tonight and study a little.  Bye

Christen

Today was the last chapel service of the year.  We took communion to end everything.  It was a very sentimental day.  Everyone was hugging and laughing and taking pictures.  Tonight at 9:30 we had "Brain Food Breakfast" because finals start tomorrow.  I took so many pictures.  Man, I'm going to miss my friends this summer.  I never realized back in August that I would come to college and make brand new friends.  The same way I didn't want to leave my friends at home; I don't want to leave these people.  I'm so blessed.  God bless!

Christen

5 days!  I move out of here Saturday!  I can't believe my semester is almost over.  I have 2 exams on Thursday and 2 Saturday!  YEA!

I've come to realize EVERYBODY has their own opinion of me thinking about Master's Commission.  Some people are praying I don't go, some people think it will be good for me, some people think I should go to one closer to home.  When I first started considering it, Aaron Bradley (my leader in Los Angeles) told me that I would hear voices from every direction, but I had to decide what was right for me.  That's what I'm trying to do right now.  I pray that God will open doors where they need to be open and shut doors where they need to be shut.  I am completely confident that if I'm supposed to go, I'll go.  I'll have a complete peace about it, but if I'm not, I won't. 

I have an interview tomorrow at 3:30.  It's a phone interview.  Part of me is nervous, but I know that whatever happens is going to be God's will.

Master's Commission is a 9 month internship where you live in dorms/apartments and 7 days a week you are discipled and develop a servant's heart.  I have applied to the one in Rockford, Illinois.  I've heard wonderful things about it and feel drawn to that one. It's one of the biggest in America, but I've heard there's still lots of one on one discipleship.  You get to travel across country for school assemblies and mission trips. It starts at the end of September, you get 2 weeks off for Christmas, and end the last week of June.

Anyway, who knows where I'll be in the fall.  Only God.  God bless each one of you and I love you all.

Christen

Have you ever noticed that the days you are really tired are your busiest days?  Today all I wanted to do was sleep, but I did SO much.  At church this morning, I was informed that our young adults ministry was going to a Ranger's game for $3.  How was I going to turn that down?  So like 35 of us from church went.  It was fun but kinda boring.  It was boring because I was so tired, and we were in the severe nose bleed section!  Anyway, then we went and ate pizza at our young adult's pastor's house.  It was fun, but I left somewhat quickly.  I came back to school expecting to shower and then sleep, but I realized the Mavericks are on and if you know me at all, I'm a HUGE basketball fan. After the game, I wrestled like hardcore with my friend from back in the day, Oscar Jackson.  I think I broke something!  Hehe  Now, I'm finally getting ready to go to bed.

Encouragement:  You are here for a reason.  God hasn't and never will forget about you no matter how forsaken or betrayed you really feel.  God made you so, so special!

Christen

Well I'm one day closer to summer!  At the end of my hallway in my dorm, there is a dry erase board that has a count down.  Today I woke up and it said 9 days.  SINGLE DIGITS!  I can't believe my first year of college is over.   I feel like it was just yesterday I started high school.  Wow, time flies...life flies.  This has been such a weird year in my life.  I've loved every second of college, but at the same time, I can't wait to get away from it.  I look back to a year ago.  I was a week away from my senior prom and a month away from graduating.  I had waited my whole life to graduate high school, and now it seems so meaningless.  Nobody here cares what I did in high school.  I spent hours upon hours on my high school's newspaper and in the student council office, and now, no one really cares about it.  My past is just that.  My past.  I've got to live everyday for the future because that's all I've got now.  Today is gone.  Yesterday is gone.  Who knows if I'll have tomorrow.  Well, I'll get off my little soap box now.  God bless!