The Challenge Explained and A Big Announcement...

Big announcement first:
I'm an SAGU cheerleader!!! Yep, we had try outs today for next semester, and I made it! I cheered for 6 years, back in the day, but it's been a while. I'm really excited about it!

The Challenge:
(I mentioned several months ago that I was participating in a challenge.)
August 30, 2005- I made a phone call to LA Weight Loss to inquire about their program. Little did I know that my life was about to change.

I know it can be weird to talk about weight loss on here, but people have been asking/noticing/commenting, so I thought it was time you heard it from me. Last summer, I made the decision to lose weight, mainly for health reasons (the connection between obesity and cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. is SO scary) but also just to feel better about myself. I had tried everything in the past, it feels like, so I was determined to find something that worked and was permanent. Three lovely women in my life were on LA Weight Loss (LAWL) and had been tremendously successful, so I thought I'd check them out.

This company basically provides one-on-one consultation to determine your personal needs, likes, and dislikes. They guarantee 2 pounds a week. They teach you to eat healthy and correctly. You buy all your own food, eat what you want, plan your own meals, etc. The only things I buy from them are protein bars (chocolate!! so good!). I check in 3 times a week to weigh in and go over my food diary (I write down EVERYTHING). They also do blood work, blood pressure, measurements, etc. The way it works is food groups and portion sizes. Each day, I get: 2 proteins, 2 starches, 3 vegetables, 3 fruits, 1 dairy, 1 fat, and 2 protein bars. A portion size is pretty standard: piece of chicken, small bowl of cereal, small salad, apple, cup of yogurt, tablespoon of butter. So, within those boundaries, the options are limitless.

Bottom Line: They are hardcore, and I love it. I have lost quite a bit (if you would like specifics, just message me...I'll tell you). I'm nearing my goal, which is super exciting. : ) I feel great. My body likes me more. haha Now, if I can just start exercising...

I don't really have any "before" pictures, but here are a couple from last semester:



And here are a couple of recent pics:



Christen

To my RMC Family, I am at a loss for words to encourage or help.  I'm sorry.     I cannot imagine what you are feeling.

To those unfamiliar, Rockford Master's Commission lost two very precious girls yesterday in a car accident.  I never had a chance to meet these two young ladies, but they were still part of my extended family.  MC is a very unique experience because for 9+ months, you live life day in and day out with 100 other people whom you have never met.  You share life, and they become a part of you forever.

I wish I could be there for you.  I love you all so very, very much.

Christen

Holy crap, we're having a house built!!

So what began as this distant dream to all live together post-graduation (my last semester cause I'll be 23) in a cute little apartment grew to a dream to buy a house, which has now grown to the reality that we are having a house BUILT for us. No joke. Down payment for the lot was made today. Basically, Karissa's dad is footing the bill to have it built, then we are paying him rent. Amazing.

I visited the model home (obviously we won't have all the lavish decorations) and HAD to share pictures with you. It's bigger than my parents' house. Out of control is basically what this is.

Great room:

Another angle of the Great Room:

Kitchen (with Karissa pretend cooking):

Master Bedroom (holy crap):

Game room/ Study:

2nd Bathroom:

Bedroom (obviously we won't have little kid stuff):

The Lot (yep, smack dab in the middle of those two houses will be OUR house!!!):


Yep, I'm excited/scared/nervous/ecstatic about it. I can't wait to be a real adult, but bills scare me. This is my reality in August!! AHH!!

Christen

Random

I'm glad you and I are not hanging out right now. I'm grumpy. I've been sitting in front of this computer for hours now pretending to write a paper. Sure, I add a few sentences now and then, but I haven't made any kind of significant progress. Plus, I just found out it's not due tomorrow anymore (it's due Thursday), so I have lost all motivation to work on it, but I can't put it off because I have another paper due Friday that I haven't started. : ( Sorry for my complaining.

On a brighter note, my brother and sister-in-law are coming to SAGU on Thursday for Campus Days, which means...da da dah...I get to see my little Eli!!! I miss that little fellow more than anything. I never knew that a heart could love so much. How is it that a 4 month old child can make me cry, laugh, and sing?

I've got a lot going on in my head right now. I wish I could share it all with you, Xanga, and let you sort it all out for me. *Sigh*

Shelby said something tonight about growing up very legalistic. I can't decide if my parents are "legalistic" exactly, but I do believe I grew up in the church world that is very much legalistic. Life is taking me down a road right now that is challenging those thoughts. I'm realizing that I don't agree with some of the things that I have always believed (not theological things about God, just daily life situations). Hmm...

I have so many dreams and thoughts and desires for my life, and yet I'm desperately trying to wait on the Lord.

For those that care, I plan to share all about "The Challenge" (I mentioned it a while back) within the next week. Sorry for keeping y'all in suspense (haha), but I wanted to make sure I accomplished it before sharing. I didn't want to tell you all about it in the beginning then fall flat on my face. You understand.

Sorry this is so extremely random. Guess it goes with my mood. haha Love you dearly friends.

Christen

Don't you love how I talk to you like we're old friends?  I guess for the majority of people who read this, we are.  Well, old friend, I will say that I'm disappointed that I received no comments on the last post.  I poured out my little heart to you, and nothing.  : )  It's okay.  I love you despite it.

Yesterday was another one of those days where I love my life.  After getting 8 + hours of sleep, I was awakened quite pleasantly Friday morning.   Then I decided to skip chapel and have some "me" time.  While my favorite blanket tossed in the dryer, I ate breakfast and watched The Price is Right.  Then I pulled my blanket from the dryer and immediately wrapped up in it (it's so cold out).  I snuggled up on my couch and finished reading Blue Like Jazz.  Simply amazing.

I am in awe of what the Lord is doing in my heart.  Things are changing, and I'm really okay with it.

Christen

Being fully known...

Do you ever just want to be known? I'm talking fully and completely known without being judged or catagorized or shoved into a mold. I think I'm at that place where I'm tired of being part of the crowd. I don't want to necessarily look or act or sound like anyone else. No, I don't want to be a complete stranger, but I don't need to fit in anymore.

So that leaves me wanting to be understood. I want someone who will listen to my thoughts, hear my heart, know my intentions, and see my motives. I'm thinking differently than I ever have before, and it scares me. I don't need it to scare someone else.

I guess that's one of the many beauties of God. He is all these things. I don't have to justify my thoughts to him. He understands. When I can't put into words my deepest thoughts, he knows. I find myself trying to explain to God what I'm thinking, and I laugh because he already knows. Sometimes I'll just say, "Oh you know what I'm trying to say."

I started reading Blue Like Jazz tonight. I can already tell it's going to mess with my head. Donald Miller is speaking my language. He writes as if he is your best friend and is telling you a story. I sat in Hastings grinning from ear to ear because for the first time I thought to myself, this author gets me. Those thoughts about Christianity, religion, church, relationships, etc., that I think but cannot, and many times will not, express...he hits the nail on the head.

Are we doing church correctly? Think about it. I'm serious. Take a good look at the New Testament and how Jesus spread his message. How often did he "preach" to large crowds in a way that resembles our church services? Very rarely. I'm not saying that Sunday morning church is ineffective or wrong, but I do think it has become a convenient fix to our religious quota. I believe small groups are more on the right track. Jesus met with groups of people, mainly friends, over supper, in their homes. He built meaningful, loving relationships. Think back to your salvation (or someone you know who is saved). Did you go down to an altar at a church where you knew no one? Possibly. But more likely, someone who cared about you and devoted time and energy into your life led you to the Lord or brought you to church.

We were created for relationships. With God. With each other. What a concept.

Oh being the daughter of a pastor...and the randomness of my life

So spring break was fun, right?  I really enjoyed seeing my Austin friends, home friends, and tons of family.  I did everything: watch basketball, shop in 3 different malls, drink Starbucks, cook dinner, attend a concert, go rollerskating (I'll come back to this), watch movies, go to a baby shower, and hang out in a hot tub.  But yesterday ended my spring break with...well...a bang.

So, I'm sitting in church, listening intently to my father's wonderful sermon about the need of seeing other people get saved, when he wandered down a bit of a bunny trail.  I don't know where it started; I wish I could put my finger on it.  Maybe it was his story about praying for his family before the Philippines trip, maybe it was the story about praying for Sheila to be Mark's wife.  BUT...he continued to tell the entire congregation that he's praying for me to find my future husband and is taking applications.

Yes, I already knew the prayer part was true.  Oh, but now everyone knows.  Needless to say, I was slightly, if not entirely, embarrassed.  But I'm okay; I'm very used to my father telling the church everything concerning our lives.  It's a rule of thumb to not tell Dad something private without numerous times insisting that it's a secret.  Anyway, I should not have been surprised.  Later he told me that some dads in the church told him they wanted to submit apps for their sons.  Oh crap.  haha

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Anyway, Friday night, the very cool Scott Carter had a show with his band Myrohna.  It was at a skating rink which I thought, "No one will skate.  I'm good."  But no, my cousins and their girlfriends decided we would skate!  I'm sore, but I didn't fall.  I was proud.  haha  The show was great!!  I was so proud of my awesome little brother.

Okay, here we go. This is Scott rockin' out. He's the screamer/lead singer/keyboard player. All things to all people, right? haha He did an amazing job:

Love you, friends.

Christen