Exciting!

At the moment I can't think of a better word for the weekend than: "exciting" (although I should probably expand my vocabulary).

Yesterday my mom took me shopping... it was a fun mother-daughter event. I got my dress for the Marine Corps Ball (and no I'm not saying what color it is because it's going to be a surprise!), I need to find some shoes still, and alter the dress a bit, but it's very pretty! ...scary and a bit overwhelming part of the day involved looking at ring settings, and realizing just how big my grandpa's diamond really is, did I mention the fact I was looking at ring settings, as in wedding ring settings! Yikes. I ended up having to call Quinn, and he told me not to freak out on my mom or worry too much about it. He always seems to calm me down =)

Today was so intense, but I loved every minute of it. Former Marine Captain Mike Riddle did a whole Answers in Genesis Conference at our church. There were four sessions: 9am "America: Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow" 10:45am "Do You Have a Biblical World View?" 6pm "Apologetics 101" and 7:30pm "Cloning, Stem Cells, and Life."

I have so much information stirring around in my head right now I don't even know where to begin talking about what I learned today. I will mention that this country began as God fearing and Biblically based, we must give our minds to the Lord, the earth WAS created in 6 days and evolution is a bunch of crap, stem cell research isn't bad as long as it is adult cells not embryonic! I also really want to go to the Creation Museum ...too bad it's in Kentucky =(

I find it hilarious that everywhere I go the talk of marriage comes up... this evening at church it came up when I asked to see Linda's wedding ring. Then Mrs. Riddle wanted to see a picture of Quinn in uniform (her husband being a former marine and all...my mom even told her I might be a future marine wife!), and finally I talked with Pastor Orr and he said he has three things he tells men during pre-marital counseling (I hope I remembered them right!):
1) Your love for God should always surpass your love for your spouse
2) Celebrate the differences you have, because that's what makes you work so well together (he said he and his wife made a list of their differences and it was 432 items long!)
3) Initiate praying together

Growing up sure is interesting.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:9

Student Life '08 (+growing up)

Okay, I figured I should update this BEFORE I leave for the Women's Retreat Tomorrow... considering I'll probably have something to write about afterwards!

Student Life Camp 2008-
I pretty much think the attack I wrote about happening the Monday prior to camp was because of camp. I didn't know what I was truly getting myself into when leaving on this trip, I worried the kids wouldn't respect me, I wouldn't be a good leader, etc. I ended up becoming more aware of my own spiritual growth, my true desire to be a leader, and a mentor (I am hoping to do a one-on-one with a Junior or Senior high girl this coming fall). I also realized that despite age differences, people can really understand where you're coming from... I loved getting to know the other leaders, and they have told me they appreciated me being there.

One of my favorite lessons from the entire camp was about "growing up," Hebrews 5:11-12 says: "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!" ...basically, describing people who are shallow in their faith, their God thought, and in the Truth. Simply put: Baby Christians by choice because it is a constant decision to follow the Lord. It needs to be made DAILY, it's not a ONE TIME choice. We must become rooted in Christ (Colossians 2:2-8). David Nasser was an amazing speaker, and Jeremy Riddle an amazing worship leader.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to be a Family Group leader and daily interact with the kids, it was always interesting when I got them to voice their opinions. I was also given the task of running the prayer gathering for our kids... the last day together I had them write a letter about their experiences at camp. Here's the kicker... they addressed the envelope to themselves. Every year kids come home from camp on fire for Christ, but 3wks later it never fails that life kicks back in. Our youth leader will send them out prayerfully from 3wks-3mo from the end date of camp. These are to serve as a reminder of where they were, and where they want to continue being. (I wrote one too!)

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Speaking of growing up, I cannot believe how fast it is happening. Just today I went to a birthday party for some of the Chi Alpha boys (HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL, JAMES, and JASON!)... I picked up Krystle and we started talking about our relationships. It seems like everyone I know is... in a serious relationship (like getting ring sizes, haha), engaged, or already married! ...and yes I know that's over-generalizing. However, I absolutely love being able to talk about "grown-up" stuff, and the future, don't get me wrong it still scares me a bit. I ended up talking to Hallie tonight, she and Dustin are taking marriage counseling through Central Christian, that is so cool to me. Starting a relationship off with God, is always the right way to begin!

...5 months until I begin my internship.
...10 months until I graduate ASU with my B.S.
CRAZY!

Don't dance with the Devil alone...

This morning when I woke up I was feeling terribly overwhelmed, there was no apparent reason for it at all. I felt like I had a huge weight that I had to carry around, and I wasn't sure why. As I went through my morning routine it continually got worse, by the time I got in my car to leave for work my entire body felt it.

The drive to work is 30min long, a lot can happen in 30min... everything negative you could think of went through my head:

"You're not beautiful, you're not even pretty..."

"Why are you so worried about finishing school, you're not going to get a good job anyway..."

"What's the point being with Quinn, it's not going to last..."

"You think you can be a leader? You better look at your life..."

At this point I started freaking out, I didn't believe these things, yet they kept going through my head. I had to consciously say out loud: "Taylor this is not you!" I remembered reading about things like this in the book Wild at Heart, I started praying, asking God to give me the strength to reach out for the Truth. At this point the stereo volume had been turned down and as I turned it up my CD rotation was on Casting Crowns, the song playing was "The Voice of Truth."

"But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story,
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth."

Music has always seemed to reach out to me, and at that moment this was exactly what I needed to hear. When I arrived in the parking lot at work, I whispered a prayer thanking God for never leaving me alone, especially when the Evil One is attacking.

I will be taking this experience off to camp with me... I leave at 1am Wednesday morning and will return Sunday by 10pm. Please pray for the 6 adult leaders (myself included) the 28 Junior-Senior High Students that we are taking, the worship band, and the rest of the camp staff!

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but
of power and of love and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7

Havasu +and more!

So I'm running a bit behind these days, please forgive me! The family (+Barry) went to Lake Havasu June 22nd-27th. We had a blast, the weather was hot, but the water temperature was AMAZING. We skied, wake boarded, tubed, swam, dove, snorkeled, and enjoyed our time at "the dock." When it was too unbearable outside we hid in the dark coolness of the movie theatre and enjoyed "The Hulk" and "Get Smart," both of which I recommend! This may have been my last Havasu trip, makes me kind of sad.

[Havasu '08 Photo Album]

In other news...

My first week of teaching STOMP at work proved to be a success! The kids enjoyed all the lessons, rhythm games, and art activities I planned =) That was a relief. We also had stuffed animal day this past week, where all the kids got to stuff their own animals. After an intense covert operation, I managed to get a panda skin, dinosaur skin, tiger skin, monkey skin, and a bag of fluff hidden in my room. I made the panda, he's SO cute! The other three were for some of my friendly co-workers. hehe.

Yesterday I decided it was time to grow up... I ripped apart my room, literally. I cleaned out my closet and ended up with a bag of clothes for goodwill. Then I cleaned out my drawers, got rid of all those silly toys, and things I had been saving for who knows what (Cousin Leigh, prepare for a box later on!). After this I moved on to my dresser/desk areas... I got rid of tons of knick knacks and things that just took up space. My room looks more open, maybe even a bit bigger.

Fourth of July was fun, I spent it with my LLT, whom I definitely need to hang out with more! We went over to the Mesa Country Club to enjoy their private fireworks show, I know I know "high class" ;-p. We hung out by the pool, had some good conversations, stole *ahem* found some golf balls to donate to Tena, and avoided getting drenched by the sprinklers. Before the fireworks started the wind picked up, it sprinkled on us, and dropped about 20 degrees, all the way down to 90* just in time for the 9pm start time. Gotta love AZ =) During the show they played one of my favorite songs, Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." (one of those that can bring tears to my eyes).

I'll be packing again soon, this Wednesday at 1am I am off for Durango, CO to Ft. Lewis College! The 9th-13th should be an intense but amazing five days, I am a counselor for my churches youth group while attending Student Life Camp. Pray for me.