The Weirdness of Everyday Life

So, a blog is about writing about your everyday life, right? Okay, so my everyday life. I cannot remember if I mentioned the new project we are doing in micro. We get a tube with two unknown bacterial cultures in it. We have to isolate them and then identify them based on different tests we perform in lab. And because I am weird, I have decided to blog about it as I go. He he...maybe some poor soul will be inspired to be a medical technologist.
So, first we take the tube and use a loop to streak out on an isolation plate. The point of this is to get colonies to grow. Theoretically, each colony is a pure clone and we can separate the two bacterial types. Well, there are several of us in lab that have grown colonies but can see no difference in colony morphology. Hmm...The solution has been to take a few random samples of the colonies, look at them under the microscope and hope they differ up close. So, I did that and I believe I have a gram positive and gram negative both rod shaped. Gram negative and gram positive are distinguished by a method called gram stain. The difference comes about because of the cell wall of the bacteria. Anyway, I took these colonies and streaked them out on separate TSA plates, so my gram negative and gram positive-once again theoretically-are on separate media. From here, I can do my tests to determine the classification. I plan on going in early tomorrow morning before class and trying to get this done.

As far as "normal" life goes, I am studying for a physics test. Wait, I take that back. I am blogging when I should study for a physics test. :) After that, the agenda includes studying for a biochemistry test and doing micro homework. Talking about all of that inspires me to get off the internet and get down to business. :)

By the way, I think life would be way cooler if I was in a middle eastern country like someone I know..... :)

Trust and a Highlight

"Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hoped in his leaner and weaker days".
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

Trust. That is a big one I am currently learning. I have no idea what the future holds and this requires a trust that He is capable and will provide. Not only that, He knows exactly what the future holds and is ready to tell me about it as I need to know.

So, my guy left last night. It was a slightly quiet and unusual day since I didn't hear from him at all. I was very happy to get on Facebook and find out that he ended up getting internet while they were in Ireland-yes, I said Ireland-on their way to Iraq. I don't think I'll ever get over being jealous that he was in Ireland.... :)

Raffle!!!!!!!!

HELP DANIKA GET TO YWAM (YOUTH WITH A MISSION)

AMISH BENTWOOD ROCKER RAFFLE

LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR SOMEONE OR WANT A ROCKING CHAIR FOR YOURSELF?

1 TICKET FOR $5 OR 3 TICKETS FOR $10!!!!!

EMAIL ME AT TWINKIESAREGROSS@GMAIL.COM

DRAWING ON DECEMBER 11TH, JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

Also, if anyone is interested in helping me out by selling tickets, that would be most amazing. :)

Tests and Stuff. What's New?

Two tests down for the day! I had my microbiology exam and environmental toxicology test today. I wish to forget about them until I have them handed back to me in a few days. So, that is all I will say about that....

So, fascinating thought. What is it that keeps us from truly entering into the presence of Jesus? It is not just sins or struggles that we have, but more specifically sins and struggles that essentially make us who we are. I have to recognize these things and allow God to take them away. Him taking these things away is much more painful than many other things due to how "incorporated" into me it is. I am realizing that the thing holding me back from this deeper relationship with Him is my plans. My drive for accomplishment and the plans I've had for forever and a day and the selfishness that comes along with that hinders what He truly wants for me and the peace that comes with surrendering to that.

Time to go. Physics lab is in a few minutes. Looking at electromagnetic waves today. Hmmm, well, I only have six more labs. Wahoo!!!!!

The List and YWAM Update

Okay, I am back in a sane state of mind. That last post was written at approximately 2 am after a week of very little sleep and a very crazy conversation. In any case, God is good, and my mindset is where it should be.

Progress report: Yard sale on Saturday went well. I officially have nothing in my room except textbooks, my bed, and clothes. It is beautiful! Thank you, Jesus, for great weather and amazing friends who helped me out. My next order of business is likely going to be a raffle. I should get that organized and have it set up in the next few days....I will keep everyone updated. Additionally, I got the first "real" e-mail from my DTS leader talking about some of the details of what will be going on. We will have 12 weeks of training, 8 weeks of outreach, and 1 week of debriefing. That e-mail really hit me upside the head. Whoa! I can hardly believe I am seriously doing this....I will admit that I have never been away from my family for more than a month, so this is going to be a new experience for sure.

My To-Do List for Tuesday:
-Study for the Microbiology test I have tomorrow.
-Study for the Environmental Toxicology test I have tomorrow.
-Work on the extra credit for Environmental Toxicology which has something to do with reading labels on everyday household products.
-Do my physics homework. Or the stuff I can figure out.
-Work on enzyme kinematics homework for biochem
-Study for the biochem test that is coming up in the next week or so.

What is there to say?

It feels like I'm never going to sleep again. For once in my life, I legitimately have something to be afraid of, and I am not sure how to handle it. Obviously, internalizing it doesn't work. I wish I could provide the reassurance, but there is none. I wish I had answers, but there are none. One minute I am so happy that something great has happened to me. The next minute I wonder why it happened, because it is so close to walking out the door.

Sure, anyone can say that they trust God. Anyone can say my life is in His hands. Or someone else's life is in His hands. It is whole different ball game to have to actually do it. That feeling of helplessness is endlessly frustrating. I'm torn between trying to be a source of strength, knowing I can't be and wanting to shrink and be five again to not think about these things, knowing I can't do that either.

Hmm....

So, once again, I can't sleep. This is weird coming from the person who worships sleep. Religiously gets at least 8 hours every night. Nine preferred. So much to think about.

I am getting everything ready for my yard sale. I realize how much the treasures of this world really are junk. I strove so hard to get these things that I thought were so important. I realize now that most of those things end up in a closet forgotten. I like this feeling of selling basically everything I own and really having no worries or ties to objects. I will keep what I need to survive along with some of my favorite kid toys and notebooks of my years of scribbling and leave the rest.

Graduating in 9 weeks. What am I going to do with my life? How is the real world going to be? I'm excited to meet it, but also a little afraid. Woo hoo for owning one plate, a fork, and a sleeping bag. Bring it on, baby! :)

So, I feel like I finally got used to being a few thousand miles away from L and communicating through texting and phone calls. Suddenly, in 13 days that will once again change. Letters and the occasional phone call. Which is fine. I am excited for both of us. God has a plan for the adventures that we are about to go out on. I have a lot of thoughts in my head about the situation, but don't really know what to say. I could think for hours about it. But if you asked me what was in my head, I couldn't give you an answer.

Yard sale on Saturday!!!! Just to remind anyone who is interested in coming. ;) I can give the info to anyone who is interested.

In Other News....

Random Happenings or Updates:

-I have my ticket to Hawaii.

-I am doing a yard sale this Saturday to raise money for YWAM. If you are interested in coming, I can give you the location!!!

-Today's quote: My friend: "Hey, geek". Me to friend: "Hey, nerd". Friend: "Burn!!!". Ha, I win. ;)

-Another physics test is checked off the list successfully. This one was on currents, resistors, and magnets. Ohms? Yes, Ohms. I should know if the topics were really as interesting as I currently think they are when I get my test back....

-So, myself and some of my friends are going to go to homecoming this Thursday night at school. A pulled a Sadie Hawkins, trying to find some guys to go with us. My opinion of going by ourselves won out. Ha! So, three girls are gonna go crash the homecoming dance. Woo hoo!!!!


Realizing there are things in my heart that are put before God. Only when I take these things off the throne of my heart and put Him on it can I experience His presence fully. I am taking the leap and asking Him to weed the things out that are too important to Him. It is going to hurt in the midst of it, but I know the result will be a relationship with Him that is worth the pain and frustration.

Aaron Shust and Watch Over Me

The Gaping Black Hole of Senioritis

Struggling to keep my mind where it should be: rooted in the blessings He has given me in the present. I have a tendency to constantly look at the future and the next big thing. Finding out that I got into YWAM has only made my case of senioritis worse. Rather than something I had to beat up on an hourly basis, it is a gaping hole of nothingness I can't run away from. :) I am trying to find a balance between doing my best and working hard and enjoying this part of life that is about to end. What a weird thought...

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

On this vein, I have chosen to call my Friday evening homework at 4 or 5 hours and end the night watching a movie. :) He he...

I'm going....

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Beginning in the summer of 2006, God revealed to me His heart for the people of the world—specifically the orphaned and widowed people of the world—when I was able to work with orphans in Kenya and Uganda. I have a burning desire to be His hands and feet to these people. A huge door has opened for me to pursue this passion. I will be graduating in December of 2008. I have been accepted to YWAM’s Discipleship Training School (DTS) which begins January 1^st, 2009 and runs through May 29^th, 2009. YWAM is the second largest missions organization in the world, training and sending out numerous people to serve Him all over the world.

My particular training base will be located in Kona, Hawaii. The first weeks of the school are weeks of training in which I will be taught how to know God and how to make Him known to the world through such topics as God’s heart for the poor and needy, missions and evangelism, listening to God, and spiritual gifts.

The second part of the DTS consists of a field assignment. The field assignment will take us into the heart of cultural and national conflicts. We will be working alongside fellow Christians who are working to bring reconciliation in places of conflict. The exact location is still unsure, but it will be based on which location is the safest at the time and where God leads each individual. Some of the places that DTS students travel to include Cambodia, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Uganda, and Morocco.

I am writing this letter to ask if you would be willing to support me in this adventure. Whether it is through a one time donation, monthly support, or battling for me in prayer, I would sincerely appreciate it.

361 Evelyn Drive

Canon City, Colorado

81212

(719)429-6252

May God bless and keep you!!

Cali Weekend

Yes, I want to a ball. A really fancy ball. I wore a dress that had like 3 parts and like 27 zippers. And I had on hanging earrings, makeup, and did my hair. Shocking, yes. Even more shocking? I actually did really enjoy it. I can try to hide it by making fun of dressing up, but it was great. :)









One of the best parts of the weekend? Being on a jetty, looking for cool ocean creatures. All of a sudden while I am looking at the shore, not looking at the ocean, I am suddenly soaked. Yup, the tide was coming in. Very suddenly. Without warning. I was dripping basically. That was great....






I am very thankful I got to see L. Kinda random that I actually got to go out, and it was definitely God that put it together. Now I have lots of good stories and am once again counting down the days until I get to see him again. :) Just kidding. Taking it one day at a time. I keep hearing it will be here before I know it. We'll see... :)




On a random side note, I should know whether I am accepted in the Kona DTS by Thursday. On pins and needles currently, obsessively checking my e-mail...

Adios!

So, I am currently wasting time until I drive off to Denver to fly off to California, to chill in an airport, to SEE L!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo hoo! I'm basically off the face of the planet until Sunday night unless I get home Sunday night, realize I have so much to do, do it, and then don't actually arrive on the internet world until Tuesday. Hmmm, I suppose it is a possibility. Anyway...I will post-hopefully-pics when I get back. Until then, have a great weekend! :)

Oh, boy...

"What we ask reveals what we consider important. What we consider important determines what we find out. What we find out informs what we choose to say or do. If we aren't asking the right questions, we can't even imagine what we ought to say. If we are asking the right questions, it gives body to whatever we're thinking of saying next."

God, give me wisdom to ask the right questions. Ask the ones that are actually important. Give me wisdom in this situation and show me how I can best glorify You.