the quick run-down

Hey friends-

I am officially overwhelmed. Yep- it's true. I am leaving the country May 7 and have 1 and a half weeks left at KSU then I am done with EDGE here. For anyone who hasn't heard, I am going to be on staff at UNL next year. Woo hoo! There are a lot of details that need to get worked out before I leave. Moving is a lot as well as leaving the country for a little over a month.
Mer just reminded me today that I need to pay my cell phone bill while I am out of the country. Crazy things to think about. I kind of like it though because I have a freakish enjoyment of structure and administration!

As for how I am doing, i think I am doing well otherwise. The end of the year has been fun but it is going to be sad to leave Manhattan. I have made some neat friends and had an amazing year of ministry. This place definitely goes on my map as a place that I have seen God's faithfulness.

My family is not so good. My grandpa is still very sick. He has had 3 TIAs since the last. Pray for me that I may have an opportunity to share with him and that he won't die before Clay gets to come home on leave this summer. Clay seems to be doing alright in Iraq but his wife is having a hard time. My parents are also having a hard time with my grandpa being sick. So sad news there. Sorry.

Well that is about all I've got. The highlight of the last month has probably been the group date my FC study got asked on by Ben D's study. We went to a Royals game in KC and they cooked breakfast for us in the morning (Ben's study that is NOT the Royals). We also played ultimate frisbee at midnight in the Plaza. It was rocking awesome!

That is all I have for now. I may not post again until after my trip this summer.

Congratulations to those graduating: Jake, Cora, Phil and Sonya!

Grandpa Update

My 87 year old grandpa had a stroke yesterday. He couldn't speak yesterday and was really out of it. From what my parents tell me, he is better today a bit. I think I am going to go down there to see them this afternoon. I am doing alright but I still fear for his soul and my mom is pretty upset. So that is the news.

Update: I went to Lincoln and it was difficult. I did get to mention Christ and salvation to my Grandpa but the stroke (or TIA) that he had yesterday has severely impaired his mental faculties. I am doing alright though all things considered. :)

Spring Break Update

Hey all! Spring break has been good so far but somehow I slipped into being stressed out. I do have some things that NEED to get done this week that have not and I don't see when they are going to unless I cancel some of my social engagements. These things include: taxes, 1 Peter Bible study for Monday and memorizing 1 Peter 2. I also have some things to do for East Asia: Prepare my visa application, get shots. It stresses me out to even think about these things.

Thanks for listening. :)

title of my blog and next years decision

If you have any idea of what to call my blog let me know. Maybe I think too much but I thought it better to define myself, my blog by who I am and who I know and not what I do.

UMM... also I have decided what I am going to do next year for the most part. If you want to know soon call me or email me.

Spring Break

I am on Spring Break! woo hoo! I am really excited to be at home with my family and some friends. Last night, I went up to Lincoln and went dancing with Ray, Dana, Nancy (From KSU), Jake, Nkem, and Amy Hatcher. It was a blast! I also ran into a lot of old friends from Burr. Nancy commented that I seem to know everyone. She referred to me as the Mandy Call of Nebraska. What a compliment. It did make me think though- it was fun (and a little overwhelming) to be in a place where I did know a lot of people. I also realized how quickly I forget names- eek!

Spring Break will hold a lot of fun things and a few that are stressful. First of all, I have already seen Taylor, Evie, Sonya, Whitney,the above mentioned and my family -- these are fun. I will continue to see Evie, Taylor, Whitney (my new sister), Molly, my family and Jill (Woo hoo-its been too long). On the stressful side, I really need to meet with some people about what I may do with my life next year and do my taxes. One event that will probably be both emotions is seeing my dying grandpa. I really want to share Jesus with them. My grandpa is FULL of questions so pray for me that God may open a door and that he may soften Grandpa Paul's heart to the gospel.

I also have a few administrative things to do (admin= taxes, memorizing 1 Peter, and doing 1 Peter Bible stuy).

In other news, I am excited to be home but I am having a hard time "detoxing" from the stress of school. I find the girls on my heart a lot and I find myself feeling guilty when I have nothing to do or no one to see - BUT it is really good to settle down. I feel refreshed already.

no title

I wanted to write and tell yall hi! I had a great weekend last weekend. I went to a retreat with my church here and that was probably the first time I have felt any significant sense of belonging to a community since I have moved here. It was an encouraging time.

In personal news, I have not officially made a decision about EDGE corps for next year yet. Please pray for me. I have no idea what I want to do. I change my mind daily.

Spring break is next week and I am excited to have some time off!

life

I really just want to post today about life. The things that are normal and just plain everyday. This week was very good. I enjoyed "work" and God very much. We had an awesome speaker at the Key Laborers Retreat last weekend. His name is Paul Washer and the Lord used him in some awesome ways in my life. I have been thinking a lot about waht it looks like to boast in my weaknesses and thus put the focus on God. Good stuff. I like to have it all together and be the best at everything.

Alright enough of the deep. I am presently at Java (actually the name is now Bluestem Bistro and it is a coffee shop in Aggieville -the bar section of Manhattan) feeling like a college student all over again. I am posting on the blog to avoid doing Bible study because it feels too much like work. I am excited to spend time with God but not to do anything responsible. Do you ever have moments like that? It is very prevalent when you only have one day off a week. How will I ever handle it when I have two days off? I will probably feel like I have all the time in the world!

I am planning on going to the Dollar Tree and buying some cheap lip gloss followed by washing my car. It is a beautiful day but not because I am going to the dollar store (although I think it is my favorite place to shop). But presently I am chilling at Java with Jesus and Emily O (a friend from high school- woo hoo!).

Tommorrow a friend is coming up this Sunday. I am excited!

Yesterday I had staff meeting. Afterwards I had plans to go out to lunch with Brandi. She called and cancelled which I really was alright with. Well all of the sudden I had free time- AMAZING! What ever will I do with myself? Get this: I decided to go get my shots for East Asia this summer. I figured it would be easier to just suck it up and go instead of having to worry about it for days before I go. It was a ridiculously stressful drive over there. My pulse quickened and I had to convince myself that I should not be acting as scared as I was. Honestly, shots don't scare me so much or at least they didn't used to. I think somehow I have picked up other people's phobia. Anyway, I got over to the health center and found out that they close at 12 on fridays. Junk! So I drove home (a bit relieved might I add). Then I cleaned the bathroom, spent time with Jesus, did accountability with Evie and left to hang out with the staff.

The staff went to Chiptle (read Chip ot el- I say it funny). Afterwards we played Taboo. It was funny to watch Joel lose (but sad too because he was on my team) because he is really competitive. And finally we watched Napoleon Dynamite. That was really fun. We have really become friends.

Well that is about all I can piece together for ya. Hope you enjoyed it!