Saturday, June 30, 2012

While angels in His presence sang, until the courts of heaven rang

We've had a couple days of summer this week, and it's been really nice. The best part of this week has been re-connecting with so many people. I got to have a wonderful, Jesus-filled lunch with Miss Cortney, picnic'd with my favorite Brittney, spontaneously went downtown with Shannon (I love that I don't see her very often, but whenever I do, it's like we haven't ever been apart), visited the farmer's market with Heather, and yesterday I went downtown again with Jill and Shannon (oh yeah, Jill is back from India for 2 weeks. This is awesome).

I wasn't planning on blogging today, but I've been thinking. :) It all started this morning when I realized I don't really have anything to do, so I can go to a park and hang out with Jesus, my journal, and maybe the book we never finished reading. I realized I've never really sat down and gotten back into "quiet time" since I've been back. I also neglected finding a community of Christians to do life with because I didn't want to make friends and then move for a job. This excuse completely disappeared when Heather told me to come to their community group. Thus, I am going. 

Then, a friend posted this link on Facebook. The thinking continued. I've heard the modest talks a million times. I know in my head that wearing certain things is just not okay. But I rarely actually think about why. Why is it that even Christian ladies feel the need to show off their bodies? Why I wear certain things? I've always battled with the idea of what it means to find complete identity in Jesus. So maybe, indeed, we do what we know we shouldn't because we don't understand that Jesus is everything. I don't need to be attractive to guys...Jesus can fill that void. Now I just need to figure out how to put that thought into practice.

Monday, June 25, 2012

I never heard a sweeter voice, it made my aching heart rejoice!

My take-away from church this week: no matter where you're at, it's a good time to be talking about how amazing Jesus is. For me it's been easy to ignore the fact that I'm at a really nice transition phase right now. Instead of being thankful for the time I get to spend with my family, cooking new recipes, and working out, I've just wanted to get a job. But I'm going to choose to focus on how awesome Jesus is for helping me pass all my dispatcher tests, for giving me an opportunity to get back in good shape, and for my new little car!

Speaking of cooking, today I made Cheese Stuffed Everything Pretzels:
They're yummmy!! I think in the future I would like them to be a bit smaller...more of a snack size. But other than that they turned out really well! Pretty easy to make, too. 

I'm off to prep for my oral board tomorrow!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Foooood

I've had all these recipes on Pinterest for a while, but at school we don't really have the ability to make them. I mean, I could go out and buy a ton of supplies but then I'd have left-overs. What does a college student do with a box of corn starch? So since I'm at my parents' house, they already have the ingredients and help me eat whatever I make! Win-win. 

Two weeks ago I made these. They were AMAZING. And delicious. And super easy!

This week, I made Cheesy Pesto Pull-Apart Bread. Again, pretty delicious and easy. I'm not a food photographer, but this is what it looked like.


I'm still trying to decide what to make next. I mean hey, when else am I going to have free ingredients and time to make yummy food!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Oh the love that sought me!

We sang this at church. I think it's my new favorite worship song obsession:


In Tenderness


In tenderness he sought me
Weary and sick with sin
And on his shoulders brought me
Back to his fold again
While angels in his presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang

Oh the love that sought me
Oh the blood that bought me
Oh the grace that brought me
To the fold
Wondrous grace that brought me
To the fold

He washed the bleeding sin wounds
And poured oil and wine
He whispered to assure me
"i've found you, you are mine,"
I never heard a sweeter voice
It made my aching heart rejoice

He pointed to the nailâ©prints
For me his blood was shed
A mocking crown so thorny
Was placed upon his head
I wondered what he saw in me
To suffer such deep agony

I'm sitting in his presence
The sunshine of his face
While with adoring wonder
His blessings i retrace
It seems as if eternal days
Are far too short to sound
His praise

So while the hours are passing
All now is perfect rest
I'm waiting for the morning
The brightest and the best
When he will call us to his side
To be with him
His spotless bride.



In other news, I have a car now. Yay! I'll introduce him formally in another post. And I'm going to try to make one new recipe per week. Most of them I've found on Pinterest and look scrumptious. Stay tuned for reports on those endeavors.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

School's out for...ever!

It's over. I've moved the tassel to the left side. Pending good grades in all my classes, I'm a college graduate. I don't think it's hit me yet. I'll be honest, the ceremony was long, freezing, and slightly boring. I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. I was more stressed than I wanted. Now I wait. And re-pack. And do free laundry. :)

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Oh, listen to the music

God is so good. Praise and recognition really means a lot to me. My challenge to myself this quarter was to do my job for the Lord, not for attention or competition. But, at the end of the college career, it means SO much to me to know that everything I've done for the past 2 years has been noticed. Recognition is just God's way of telling me "hey, you're doing alright!"

Now, I use this blog for two main reasons: to chronicle what's happening in my life because I tend to forget what life used to be like, and to keep my bestie who's in India right now apprised of what's happening in my life. The rest of this post is going to be mainly the first reason...so if you don't like people talking about themselves, now would be a good time to stop reading.

Still here? awesome. In the past few weeks I've received the following:
  • Dean's Scholar
  • Graduating Magna Cum Laude
  • Com Department Excellence in Research award
  • Lovely poster from RHLC
  • RHA/NRHH Outstanding Leadership Pin 
  • RHA cords
  • Programming Hall of Fame
  • West Basetties Program of the Year award
  • Hats off to ya' award
Dean's Scholar--this ties in directly with graduating Magna Cum Laude. Basically, I had decent grades while I was here at CWU. Because of said grades, I'm graduating not only with honors but as one of 34 people in the entire College of Arts and Humanities to be a Dean's Scholar. I'm blown away. I think grades are the factor that determines who is awarded this, but one of my good friends, Eli, has great grades and didn't get Dean's Scholar.....so not sure exactly what factors in to the decision.

Com Excellence in Research--Since I'm doing original research for my senior thesis, I received this award. Apparently, receiving an award at the Com banquet is a big deal. Not everyone wins something. I have worked my behind off on my thesis, so it feels wonderful to see that my professors recognize the work I put in.

RHLC poster--several of my residents wrote not just little "have a good year" notes, but full paragraphs about how much they appreciate me. One said something to the effect of "if I could create an RA from scratch, they would be just like you." As an RA, there are people who just won't like you. And that's tough for me to deal with, since I live with them every day and try to have a positive relationship. To hear that kind of thing, makes this job SO worth it.

RHA/NRHH Outstanding Leadership Pin--this is the one that brought me to tears because I was not expecting it in a million years. RHA is the Residence Hall Association. NRHH is their sister organization. Basically, we plan programs, help residents, spread the word about things, etc. I've been an advisor this year and part of last year as an RA. Every year the executive boards can award a total of 8 outstanding leadership pins and 8 bronze pins. Out of everyone at RHA and NRHH, Brett chose to pick me for his outstanding leadership pin. This is a huge honor. He said "I was surprised this person hasn't been recognized at this level yet. She has an incredible community and just spreads joy wherever she goes. Even though she isn't part of NRHH, I would like to award this pin to Anna..." I think the coolest thing about this is that I don't really know Brett. So apparently, the light that Jesus has allowed me to be is spreading beyond what I realize.
with Brett after being awarded the OL pin


RHA cords--basically, it's honors cords for all the work I've put into RHA. Considering I've led several RHLC meetings by myself, and helped with a ton of little things (when no other staff members consistently did), I'm super excited to be graduating with the support of RHA.

Programming Hall of Fame--basically I did a lot of programs. A lot. Only Khylee and I ever got that from Beck. This year.

Program of the Year--The Green Dot program that Nicole, Andrea, and I worked so hard on, and got such great staff and student participation received campus-wide recognition!

Hats off to ya'--this is another one that almost brought me to tears. One of the people I admire the most here  is one of our Assistant Directors of Housing, Jenna Hyatt. She is an incredible woman of faith and is genuinely sweet and caring. She said she has gotten to award this for 15 years, to 3 people on the housing staff team each year. 3 out of over 120 staff. She awarded one to me and her words were: for integrity, outstanding leadership, and said "I could tell you 1,000 stories of why this person deserves it." I am just blown away by how much of an honor it is to receive recognition from such a wonderful woman.

That's been my last few weeks. Every day I'm just so blessed. I feel like God is looking down and saying "you did well." And the best part is that hopefully some of these people know, like I've told my boss, that I don't compare myself to others. I hold myself to a standard of excellence because I'm doing my work for Jesus--not for other people.

As of now, there are 7 days until I graduate.

VIRGIN Jell-o shots with my girls (Nicole, Riley, and me)
3rd floor RAs....we're just THAT epic

Straight thuggin' at the Bassetties BBQ