Busy but Beautiful

I think that title is pretty much going to sum up my year this year.

I am currently just excited about life. These past few weeks, small group has been amazing and has continued to challenge me to grow in new ways. I think I'm going to work backwards.

Today was kind of a crazy day but it was Chelsey's birthday! I went to hang out with Katie at her house and then we met up with Chels for ice cream with Eric and Jamie. It was really fun.

Last night, I stayed up till about 4am. During small group, the thing that we talked about the most was whether or not truth with a capital "T" exists. There were many opinions in the group and this topic challenged every single person sitting in the room to search and never stop searching. 

I also found this verse. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, be thankful in all things for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesies; but test everything, hold to what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-21

I love this verse. It shows that God is bigger than any question or doubt we may have and that is not only relieving to me but it is also challenging to me. I am challenged to always continue to search, it's not about finding the answer, it's about continually looking for Truth. Crazy. Then Megan stayed after small group and we talked till about 2am and I finished all the homework I had to do around 4.

On Monday, I was just SO frustrated during worship band practice. I don't know why I was so frustrated but I definitely owe all the people that I work with an apology because I wasn't acting in a loving way. I think it was a combination of a lack of sleep over the weekend and having a million classes on Mondays. I also think that there was definitely temptation to be angry. That's no excuse but it's the only thing I can attribute to my terrible attitude.

Sunday was the Rock and the first corporate prayer night. Rob asked me to lead prayer and I'm kind of nervous because I don't feel like I am super mature in my prayer life. I know and trust that God will carry me through it and that He is going to continually teach me how to pray. I'm excited to see where that goes!

Saturday was Chelsey's golden birthday party!!! It was SO much fun! Daniel, Destin, Steven and Karissa came to visit and it was just one of the most fun nights I have had so far at ISU. 

Friday was Megan's birthday! We went out to McAlister's and bowling which was super fun! I got no strikes the first game and then three in a row the second game! That was really fun. 

I love my friends. I love my family. I love my God :)

Ignorant

This weekend was Labor Day Weekend. I went home and had a fantastic time. Saturday, I got to hang out with my family downtown at the Chicago Jazz Festival which was super fun. Sunday I got to hang out with Katie and see Kurt Elling sing. He encored my favorite song in the entire world (In the Wee Small Hours). I just about died. I also got to meet up with one of my friends I haven't seen since 5th grade, Corinthias. He is still such a gentleman and a genuine guy. It was so encouraging and refreshing to talk to him. Then on Monday, I my family had a BBQ and I got to see a bunch of my extended family which was fun.

Another great thing that happened today was the official start of the happy thoughts blog. Check it out and feel free to join if you want!
http://thinkhappywithme.blogspot.com/

The real reason I wanted to post right now is because I just received an e-mail from my Aunt Tonya. Apparently she went to the 8-28 Rally and she e-mailed everyone in our family what really happened rather than what the media says happened in D.C. that day. I was very excited she got to be a part of something she believes in but then I started to wonder...what the heck is the 8-28 rally? When I looked up what is was, I realized that this wasn't some random thing that my Aunt went to, it was actually a huge deal in America and in the D.C. area. It was at this point that I realized a huge mistake I have been making.

I think the media is ridiculous. I don't like that they use violence and politics for good ratings. Because I find the news to be increasingly depressing, I have stopped watching it all together ( I don't even have a TV in my room this year). By doing this, I feel in this present moment that I have actually hurt my cause - my want to become have a more worldwide view of the world and to learn about other people and cultures. It starts with my own backyard. How can I say I don't like the system if I don't know how to change it? How can I start to learn about other people in the world if I don't take the initiative to learn about them? I have not been practicing what I preach. Yea, I could use a million excuses because I really am extremely busy but I want to make this a priority, not just something I will do when life "dies down" a little. Life only gets crazier by the minute, I can rest when I die.

So here it is, in writing: I will no longer stand for ignorance. I promise that I will make a conscious effort to learn more about what is happening in my country and the world around me.


Signed: Kristin T. Olsen  September 7, 2010