odds and ends

so what can i say about my week?

crazy!

some how i've managed to work more hours than one person desires to, keep up with my studies lectures, and do more booking and planning for one voice. how has it all happened?

BY THE GRACE OF MY FATHER!

Thank you Abba for being my stength or carring me through the busyness!

freshmen stuff has been typical -- you see herds of confused and strange faces - you ask the same questions: what's your name, where ya from, how did you choose Geneva? this time of year is so much like the movie groundhog's day - i feel like the only thing that changes are the styles and the faces.

but for the most part it's been good. i've met some very good contacts such as sam, a miliarty kid who seems to be a loner - he's a computer geek type - very friendly and so just wants to have meaningful conversations with. then there is grace - she injured her foot/leg while working at camp this summer - hasn't had time to go to a doctor -- i sympathized - memories of my broken leg/cast and geneva were flooding back. so, i loved on her - hugs and all - and i hope she takes me up on the offer to take her to a dr.'s office.

and of course there are the returning students you reconnect with - such as noah, marlin, kate, and so on -- and with the new interns -- it's been a new experience for laura and i to just sit back and let things happen -- in some ways it's been good and in some ways i feel like i'm sherking on things -- i should be the one doing the tasks and encouraging them to go out and mingle and meet. but i guess there will be time after the forced fun of orination week is over. each year i struggle with this whole week -- i so enjoy and am honored that we are able to be part of the whole experience -- we are invited to do anything and be part of everything - we even get free food and all. but really - how many "real" contacts/encounters can we have? they are having so much info. shoved at them - but the name and brand recogization is just as important as the relationship building.

and this whole team thing. . . all i can do is continue to lay this at the throne of my Father and trust Him -- i don't have the answers - but I do know what God desires to do -- to reign healing, surrender, and His holiness all over our campus! and i know He desires to use us - but that can't happen if we are not a team - if we don't trust each other - if there isn't real and mutual respect for each other - cuz there will be no unity - and thus, we are not effective and usable as God desires. so, I trust You God - I know you are working even when I can't see it.

i do see postive things -- i do see movement to change - so, You are working Father - please teach me to be patient and to trust you more!

in other things related to life, love, and all things Francie. my church is almost all a light pumpkin color :( i so feel like my opinions as a member of that body is not being heard -- i feel like my pastor and his wife want to change everything -- and i know change can be good - but how much is too much change at once - and how much is man's change and not God's? the paint job is not the only change - but it's the one that's frustating me this week. - the issue i have is nothing matches - orange walls, blue chairs, and grey carpets -- makes for a lovely worshipful evinorment!

my confusion from sunday and monday is still there -- an upcoming conversation will hopefully help -- i've been really seeking direction - i don't want to fall back into the same trap of following my emotions and letting my feelings control me over God controlling me - God doesn't deserve my selfishness -- i don't want slap Him in the face with His Grace. this time - if i have to let go to see God change and transform another - that's what i need to do. i can't be the girl this time - i need to be out of control and let God lead.

okay - this is long enough - i don't get to sleep in tomorrow like i had hoped. but one day i'll get to sleep and rest - say. . . when i'm dead!

see ya
francie