Graduate School - applications, examinations, palpitations...

OK, I crack myself up, its true. But actually, while my heart isn't racing right now, I do have a little case of the nerves.

Tomorrow I take the GRE. I don't feel especially prepared. I have spent this week studying math and not practicing the verbal or essays because I've done OK on the practice verbal tests, but not as well on the math. The problem is that even if I do "ok" (i.e. 75% right) I still only make it into the 49th percentile. Yes, you read that right. I will need to score 85% correct to get enough above the 50th percentile to be noticed! So I've been studying.

Things I know well:
Odds/Evens (what happens to them when you +, -, x, /)
Positives/Negatives (what happen when you +,-,x,/,2, etc)
Basic Algebra
The interior and exterior angles of a triangle...

Things I don't know well:
Probabilty/Factorials.....

But that is the last time you'll hear me say it, as I plan to speak positively from this point.

As the song says, "You have to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative.. don't mess with mr. in-between." and so, that's what I plan to do. Smile.

The book above is the one I have used the most to study for the test. Its a good book, I recommend it to you as you prepare for the GRE.

In related news, I'm working currently on three applications: Baylor University, Abilene Christian University and Azusa Pacific University. All are great options and I'm looking forward to the opportunities that are presented by their programs.

My hope is to have the application process for all three done early next week (Azusa is due on the 31st) and to then focus on being fully present in my community here while I wait for decisions. I'll hopefully fly to Dallas in early March (right before Leah's wedding) for interviews for graduate assistantships at Baylor, and we'll see from there.

So that's the news from here. If you are the praying sort, please remember me tomorrow at 12:30 central time. The test takes about 4 hours....

Love to you and yours!

More Weddings and Trips to Seattle!

LARINAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Wow. This is an email that I have been longing to write. And now I get to.....

LARINA IS ENGAGED!

Larina is one of my dearest friends. She was in my small group during my second year of BSF - the study of Matthew. I remember how precious she was then, how insightful but not confident about her ability. I remember the leader's meeting that fall when Greg was talking about the requirements for leadership and I heard "Larina" out of the air, and I knew it was the Lord telling me that she was my pick. I wrote her name down on my pad and made it my goal to find out if she was willing. The next night she and I went to a party together and I asked her some questions and by Monday I was ready to tell Verla about her. Verla said, "YES!" immediately and I approached Larina. She wasn't sure about leading. But after praying about it and talking to her dad, she and I sat on the steps of the church and she said - wonderfully candid - "My dad says that if God wants me to do it, then I can't say no; so I'm willing to do it, even though I don't think I can."

Since then she has become one of my best, most stalwart friends in the faith of Jesus Christ. She has been an EXCELLENT leader, from whom I have learned (even though I trained her, initially). We have struggled through many things together, with our discussion groups, with dating and being single, with her perpetual slowness in making purchases for her condo (smile); we've shopped, read, prayed, cryed together. She listened as I went through the freedom experience and eagerly asked questions and watched with excitement as I changed into who I am today.

At Thanksgiving she called me and told me that she had started dating this fella recently (he's a Canadian citizen, interestingly) and that he was "the one". I cried.

When I think of the times we've talked about this, the prayer times we've had, the phone calls and e-mails.

I can only rejoice in the grace of our Lord, and of his provision to my friend.

Larina's engaged.

Her wedding is in June, and I get to be a bridesmaid. When she called and sounded so urgent I was afraid something was wrong. But before I called her back I thought.."oh, I hope that she's getting engaged!" and then I thought, "this is one of the times* that I desire with all my heart to stand up next to a friend and bless her marriage" - don't get me wrong. I am always blessed and glad to be asked to be in a wedding. I'm in Leah's wedding this spring and its a joy!! But I never expect to be asked, and I am OK if I'm not asked (not offended). Sometimes its nice to not be in the wedding - then you get to see the whole thing!

But this time its a labor of love. Larina is like one of my "kids" - one of the first women who I mentored into leadership and who I partnered with in BSF, who was under my wing. And now she's getting married.

My joy is like after giving birth (is that weird?). After the struggles, the labor of the days that we wept together - here it is.

OK, enough. I'm just so excited and wanted to share it!

* [Barb and Rob were one of the times like this - after 7 years they were getting married, after knowing Barb for more than 1/2 my life; Anne and Shawn, too, - after all they had been through, in 5 years, seeing them grow while apart and grow even more while together, to see them triumph in relationship together]

JESUS MINISTRY CONFERENCE '06

If you haven't heard of this conference....
if you are a regular reader of my blog/friend of mine/acquaintance....

YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE.

The teaching that they are doing at this conference in Tacoma, WA is teaching that has transformed my life and been one of the top two greatest spiritual influences in my life. I first learned about Jesus Ministry from one of my mentors (and my former boss), Scotty Kessler. He taught the Fergason's, Jared and then me about the spiritual realm, spiritual warfare and how to fight with the full armor of God. Through these experiences the Holy Spirit enabled me to be "clear" in my head - where the bible was interesting but not very understandable before "freedom" (as I would call it), it was AMAZING afterward. I was in BSF at the time, and my comprehension of bible truths, apprehension of theology and memory of verses BEGAN really after learning how to pray and seek God.

My life has been transformed primarily by God through three teaching vehicles - the first was Campus Crusade for Christ in college, where I met God and realized that I was without Him and I didn't want to be; Bible Study Fellowship which taught me almost all of my bible knowledge up until 2003 and "Restoration Ministry" (or Jesus Ministry) which made it all glue together. I am the woman I am today because of these things and how the Lord has used them.

SO all that to say, if you can take a week in August, and if you can get to Tacoma WA (I know a lot of people and can work on housing for you if you need help, and if you live in Seattle, you could commute to it daily) - YOU NEED TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE.

Here's the link:
http://www.jesus-ministry.com/index.html

Its $175 for those who register before July 1st, and that includes conference materials and 5 days of teaching. It does not include meals, but you can bring a snack and sack dinner if you like, but its also fun to use those dinners to make new acquaintances. Last summer the classes began in the afternoon (1pm) and ended around 9 or 10pm.

One of the best parts (and this relates to dinner) was the opportunity to meet people from all over the US and the rest of the world as well. I met women who I hope to see again at this year's conference and renew our friendship. You really get to experience the global body of Christ.

In conclusion... what can you expect from this conference?
Vibrant worship (in song, prayer and teaching)
Honest fellowship
Clear teaching
The presence of God

May God bless you as you consider your attendance at this event.