I'm redirecting my efforts to a new blog, entitled,
"I [blank], Therefore I Am"
Check it out:
iblankthereforeiam.blogspot.com
"I [blank], Therefore I Am"
Check it out:
iblankthereforeiam.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I've Been Accepted!
I had my phone interview with the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) last night. I'm in! Yay!
That's a great thing to know; I'm glad I don't have to worry about that anymore. BUT... there are so many things left to worry about still!
Okay, so I know worrying won't help anything, but at least I'm honest enough to admit I do it. lol
What am I worried about? Many things, but here's the biggest on my mind at the moment: MONEY. Where is it going to come from? I need to get a new job, maybe two jobs, and even then it doesn't look possible. But God's paying for all this, and He has plenty of money, so there's really no reason to fret.
It'll all work out. Always does.
I'm looking at working at either a dental supply company or a Purdue factory. The second pays better, I think, but I'll probably never be able to eat chicken again. lol
That's a great thing to know; I'm glad I don't have to worry about that anymore. BUT... there are so many things left to worry about still!
Okay, so I know worrying won't help anything, but at least I'm honest enough to admit I do it. lol
What am I worried about? Many things, but here's the biggest on my mind at the moment: MONEY. Where is it going to come from? I need to get a new job, maybe two jobs, and even then it doesn't look possible. But God's paying for all this, and He has plenty of money, so there's really no reason to fret.
It'll all work out. Always does.
I'm looking at working at either a dental supply company or a Purdue factory. The second pays better, I think, but I'll probably never be able to eat chicken again. lol
Friday, June 13, 2008
U-Turn
The last sixteen days of my life have been crazy.
Well, "crazy" doesn't seem to be the right word.
That's an understatement.
Where should I begin? Hmmmm...
Well, it all started on a Wednesday (May 28th) a couple weeks ago. The youth Bible Study, which was held at Pastor Nate's house that night, was incredible. God hit everyone hard. Especially me.
We were watching the revival (Todd Bently, Lakeland, FL) on GODTV's website. Todd was giving a good message, but nothing was really happening. None of us were being touched or getting into it. Who could blame us? The laptop screen we were watching it on was tiny and the signal was incredibly bad that night. But God wasn't interested in moving thru the revival at the moment. At least, not for us.
That's when it all started...
Sitting there on the couch half listening to Todd and half listening to the small talk in the room, if I had known what was about to happen I probably would have ran away, fast. But I didn't...
Fred looked up from his guitar and back toward the people in the Pastor's small living room. Up to that point, he had been quietly strumming and plucking at the strings, not really paying attention to the preaching or the quiet conversations. "I really feel like we need to start praying."
The conversations stopped abruptly and all eyes were on him. Fred hesitated. "I keep seeing confetti scattered all over the room. I guess the confetti is prayers or power or something. And I see someone standing in the middle of the room, with everyone else is picking up the confetti and tossing it over him."
Pastor Bob jumped up from his seat in the recliner, understanding the word immediately. "Alrighty, Fred. You're first."
Within moments, Fred was in the middle of the room and all hands were on him. As soon as I stood up to start praying, the power of God began to wash over me. Being touched by God is a hard thing to describe, but I encourage you, if you ever get a chance to experience it, do. It's always different depending on the person and the time and place. That night, I couldn't stop laughing. It wasn't just random laughter either, but somehow everything seemed incredibly funny.
Fred was getting plowed, the people praying were getting plowed... Everybody was! I can't remember how long we prayed for Fred, but as soon as his turn was up Pastor Bob pushed me in the middle. I didn't even really notice him doing at the time, I was pretty "drunk" by then, and I hadn't even been prayed for yet. After that, it was pretty much a blur. I can only remember bits and pieces of what happened.
Later that night, when almost everyone had gone home a few of us stayed chatting until late. Still a bit drunk, I found myself saying something without realizing it.
Laurie gave me a strange look. "Wait a minute, say that again."
I repeated myself, this time actually listening to what I was saying. "When I get in the presence of God, the idea of joining the Navy disgusts me and I feel like I should go to Bethel. The Navy totally doesn't seem like His will. But when I'm not in the presence like this, it makes perfect sense in my mind."
Laurie raised both hands in an exasperated "duh" motion. "Well, Bre, what on earth are you joining the Navy for?"
That caught me off guard, because the Navy did "make sense" from a logical point of view. I had the next seven years of my life planned out with a good, solid career ahead of me, and it seemed like the only option I had.
"If God says 'do this' than do it."
I looked up at her, "But, it can't be that simple..."
"Why not?" Laurie still had that don't-be-so-stupid expression on her face (in a loving way, of course).
"But, I..."
"No buts. If God says 'go to Bethel,' than go to Bethel. It really is that simple."
"But what about the money?"
"It's God's money. He has plenty of it."
"But what will my parents say? Dad'll kill me."
"They're His too. Why don't you trust Him?"
"I do trust Him, it's just..."
"Good. Than you're going to Bethel?"
"Um..." I knew the answer, but I was terrified of telling the world. I was totally overwhelmed with... everything. Confusion, excitement, fear... I didn't know what do say...
That was just one of the many things that happened to me that night. But I'll have to save the rest for a later date. (This post is getting to be a novel.) So, as of today, I'm out of the Navy and I've applied to the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. I'm on a totally different road than I was two weeks ago.
I was looking at a long, lonely road away from family and friends. Now I'm looking ahead to the study of ministry with two of my best friends. (Fred Westwood and Joseph Bantel are going to Bethel as well.)
God's plans might turn your life upside down, but they're always better than yours.
Well, "crazy" doesn't seem to be the right word.
That's an understatement.
Where should I begin? Hmmmm...
Well, it all started on a Wednesday (May 28th) a couple weeks ago. The youth Bible Study, which was held at Pastor Nate's house that night, was incredible. God hit everyone hard. Especially me.
We were watching the revival (Todd Bently, Lakeland, FL) on GODTV's website. Todd was giving a good message, but nothing was really happening. None of us were being touched or getting into it. Who could blame us? The laptop screen we were watching it on was tiny and the signal was incredibly bad that night. But God wasn't interested in moving thru the revival at the moment. At least, not for us.
That's when it all started...
Sitting there on the couch half listening to Todd and half listening to the small talk in the room, if I had known what was about to happen I probably would have ran away, fast. But I didn't...
Fred looked up from his guitar and back toward the people in the Pastor's small living room. Up to that point, he had been quietly strumming and plucking at the strings, not really paying attention to the preaching or the quiet conversations. "I really feel like we need to start praying."
The conversations stopped abruptly and all eyes were on him. Fred hesitated. "I keep seeing confetti scattered all over the room. I guess the confetti is prayers or power or something. And I see someone standing in the middle of the room, with everyone else is picking up the confetti and tossing it over him."
Pastor Bob jumped up from his seat in the recliner, understanding the word immediately. "Alrighty, Fred. You're first."
Within moments, Fred was in the middle of the room and all hands were on him. As soon as I stood up to start praying, the power of God began to wash over me. Being touched by God is a hard thing to describe, but I encourage you, if you ever get a chance to experience it, do. It's always different depending on the person and the time and place. That night, I couldn't stop laughing. It wasn't just random laughter either, but somehow everything seemed incredibly funny.
Fred was getting plowed, the people praying were getting plowed... Everybody was! I can't remember how long we prayed for Fred, but as soon as his turn was up Pastor Bob pushed me in the middle. I didn't even really notice him doing at the time, I was pretty "drunk" by then, and I hadn't even been prayed for yet. After that, it was pretty much a blur. I can only remember bits and pieces of what happened.
Later that night, when almost everyone had gone home a few of us stayed chatting until late. Still a bit drunk, I found myself saying something without realizing it.
Laurie gave me a strange look. "Wait a minute, say that again."
I repeated myself, this time actually listening to what I was saying. "When I get in the presence of God, the idea of joining the Navy disgusts me and I feel like I should go to Bethel. The Navy totally doesn't seem like His will. But when I'm not in the presence like this, it makes perfect sense in my mind."
Laurie raised both hands in an exasperated "duh" motion. "Well, Bre, what on earth are you joining the Navy for?"
That caught me off guard, because the Navy did "make sense" from a logical point of view. I had the next seven years of my life planned out with a good, solid career ahead of me, and it seemed like the only option I had.
"If God says 'do this' than do it."
I looked up at her, "But, it can't be that simple..."
"Why not?" Laurie still had that don't-be-so-stupid expression on her face (in a loving way, of course).
"But, I..."
"No buts. If God says 'go to Bethel,' than go to Bethel. It really is that simple."
"But what about the money?"
"It's God's money. He has plenty of it."
"But what will my parents say? Dad'll kill me."
"They're His too. Why don't you trust Him?"
"I do trust Him, it's just..."
"Good. Than you're going to Bethel?"
"Um..." I knew the answer, but I was terrified of telling the world. I was totally overwhelmed with... everything. Confusion, excitement, fear... I didn't know what do say...
That was just one of the many things that happened to me that night. But I'll have to save the rest for a later date. (This post is getting to be a novel.) So, as of today, I'm out of the Navy and I've applied to the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. I'm on a totally different road than I was two weeks ago.
I was looking at a long, lonely road away from family and friends. Now I'm looking ahead to the study of ministry with two of my best friends. (Fred Westwood and Joseph Bantel are going to Bethel as well.)
God's plans might turn your life upside down, but they're always better than yours.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
MEPS
My recruiter said that the hardest part of anyone's military career is getting through MEPS (the Military Entrance Processing Station). I'm not sure if I totally believe that (I've heard horror stories of boot camp), but it certainly was difficult. Well, let me rephrase that: not "difficult," but "time consuming."
Getting processed at MEPS generally means taking the ASVAB test around 2 pm and spending the night at a hotel, then coming back the next morning at 3 am to begin the second day (and, thank goodness, the last day) of processing. That day includes...
Getting processed at MEPS generally means taking the ASVAB test around 2 pm and spending the night at a hotel, then coming back the next morning at 3 am to begin the second day (and, thank goodness, the last day) of processing. That day includes...
- An extensive physical (this portion of the process takes around 6 hours)
- An interview
- A background check (getting fingerprinted)
- An interview with a counselor (you choose your job - based on availability, your ASVAB test scores, and other qualifications - as well as choose your "ship date," which is the day you leave for boot camp)
- And, finally, swearing in.
The night before I swore in I spent at a hotel with a bunch of other people from MEPS. It was great; I finally got meet some people who didn't think I had lost my mind.
"You're joining the Navy? What in heaven's name for?!"
Yeah, that's the response I was used to hearing. Either that, or the person would say, "Well, that's nice," and walk away timidly (almost as if they were suddenly afraid of me or something).
To tell you the truth, the main thing that kept me from enlisting sooner was that I was afraid I'd be "alone.” I would be leaving my family and friends behind, and entering the world as a person most people (civilians) couldn't relate to. It was at MEPS that God showed me that wouldn't be the case.
"You're joining the Navy? That's awesome... Me too."
I could live with that kind of answer.
Dannie, my roommate at the hotel, was hoping to get the same job as me (MP: Photography, Journalism, Television Production, and Radio Broadcasting). We both knew that the chances of getting into that particular field were slim, so we both had back-up plans. She was going to look into Intelligence, and I was going to see if I qualified for Cryptology. Neither one of us got that either. In fact, while I was talking to the counselor about my job options, I asked her about the Crypto. She said that someone had just taken the last slot available a few minutes ago. There are many MEPS stations around the US; it could have been anyone anywhere.
I settled for Air Traffic Control - something that seemed very boring at the time, but I'm glad I'm in it now that I know more about it. I'm actually really looking forward to it. My "A" school is in Florida (and it will be during the winter).
While I was in the waiting room near the end of my processing, a girl I had met the night before walked by. I snagged the opportunity to talk to her even though I could see she was heading toward a much-awaited meal (the food isn't all that great at MEPS, and anything from the outside world is highly sought after). "What job did you get?"
"Oh, I'm doing Crypto," She said. "In fact, they told me I took the last seat."
So you're the one... I thought to myself.
"That's cool," I said, not disappointed at all. Cryptology seemed pretty boring after all. "What job did Dannie get?"
"She didn't get the job she was hoping for, but I think she's happy anyway."
I already knew that she didn't get the job. They had told me there hadn't been openings in that field for a while. "Yeah, but what job did she get?"
"She's doing Air Traffic Control."
Yeah, that's the response I was used to hearing. Either that, or the person would say, "Well, that's nice," and walk away timidly (almost as if they were suddenly afraid of me or something).
To tell you the truth, the main thing that kept me from enlisting sooner was that I was afraid I'd be "alone.” I would be leaving my family and friends behind, and entering the world as a person most people (civilians) couldn't relate to. It was at MEPS that God showed me that wouldn't be the case.
I could live with that kind of answer.
Dannie, my roommate at the hotel, was hoping to get the same job as me (MP: Photography, Journalism, Television Production, and Radio Broadcasting). We both knew that the chances of getting into that particular field were slim, so we both had back-up plans. She was going to look into Intelligence, and I was going to see if I qualified for Cryptology. Neither one of us got that either. In fact, while I was talking to the counselor about my job options, I asked her about the Crypto. She said that someone had just taken the last slot available a few minutes ago. There are many MEPS stations around the US; it could have been anyone anywhere.
I settled for Air Traffic Control - something that seemed very boring at the time, but I'm glad I'm in it now that I know more about it. I'm actually really looking forward to it. My "A" school is in Florida (and it will be during the winter).
While I was in the waiting room near the end of my processing, a girl I had met the night before walked by. I snagged the opportunity to talk to her even though I could see she was heading toward a much-awaited meal (the food isn't all that great at MEPS, and anything from the outside world is highly sought after). "What job did you get?"
"Oh, I'm doing Crypto," She said. "In fact, they told me I took the last seat."
So you're the one... I thought to myself.
"That's cool," I said, not disappointed at all. Cryptology seemed pretty boring after all. "What job did Dannie get?"
"She didn't get the job she was hoping for, but I think she's happy anyway."
I already knew that she didn't get the job. They had told me there hadn't been openings in that field for a while. "Yeah, but what job did she get?"
"She's doing Air Traffic Control."
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
I'm a Sailor! Yay!
It's official now: I'm a Sailor!
I swore in today (Tuesday, January 29th, 2008).
I didn't quite get the job I was expecting, but I'm certainly not disappointed. I'm an AC (Air Traffic Controller), and the job seems right up my alley. If I really like it, there's definitely a career ahead of me. Everyone I've spoken to tells me that ACs are paid well and treated well, and there are plenty of openings at bases around the US.
In the military, I'll be spending my time on both shore bases and Air Craft Carriers. I'll have opportunity to be stationed overseas if I wish, as well. My "A" school is in Florida, and I'll be there during the otherwise cold winter months.
I wasn't expecting to do such a job as this, but I'm impressed with how God orchestrated everything. I'm not disappointed, I'm excited! Sure, I'm scared to death of Boot Camp (which starts in September), but I'll get through it.
While I'm preparing for Boot Camp, I'm working on advancing in rank before I even get there. (Anything to get the name "Seaman" out of my title. lol) One thing I'm working on is getting four people to join, listing me as their referrer. So, if you're reading this blog and are thinking you might want to join the Navy, make sure you contact me and let me refer you. I'd appreciate it. Besides, I'm always up for a chat. I just went through the process of choosing a branch and getting in, so I could probably offer some helpful advice.
I swore in today (Tuesday, January 29th, 2008).
I didn't quite get the job I was expecting, but I'm certainly not disappointed. I'm an AC (Air Traffic Controller), and the job seems right up my alley. If I really like it, there's definitely a career ahead of me. Everyone I've spoken to tells me that ACs are paid well and treated well, and there are plenty of openings at bases around the US.
In the military, I'll be spending my time on both shore bases and Air Craft Carriers. I'll have opportunity to be stationed overseas if I wish, as well. My "A" school is in Florida, and I'll be there during the otherwise cold winter months.
I wasn't expecting to do such a job as this, but I'm impressed with how God orchestrated everything. I'm not disappointed, I'm excited! Sure, I'm scared to death of Boot Camp (which starts in September), but I'll get through it.
While I'm preparing for Boot Camp, I'm working on advancing in rank before I even get there. (Anything to get the name "Seaman" out of my title. lol) One thing I'm working on is getting four people to join, listing me as their referrer. So, if you're reading this blog and are thinking you might want to join the Navy, make sure you contact me and let me refer you. I'd appreciate it. Besides, I'm always up for a chat. I just went through the process of choosing a branch and getting in, so I could probably offer some helpful advice.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
How to Contact Me
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Introduction
Welcome to my blog! What you'll find here is the personal journal of some girl in America. Yeah, I'm sure that sounds pretty boring, but perhaps you'll dig a little deeper and see that there's more to this girl that meets the eye. I hope that my crazy life and (mis)adventures will, if nothing else, give you a laugh or two.
When I first considered blogging I wasn't so sure about it. I wanted to, but I just didn't think I had anything to write about. But eventually I realized that my life is interesting, and someone somewhere just may get a kick out of this Hobbit-girl from America.
The main purpose of this blog is to post my personal opinions and thoughts online and to keep in touch with friends and family back home... wherever life takes me. And who knows where that might be. Right not I'm planning on enlisting in the US Navy and then later attending the New York Film Academy. After that, only God knows...
So, once again, welcome! Enjoy! Who knows what could happen in the next half-hour...
When I first considered blogging I wasn't so sure about it. I wanted to, but I just didn't think I had anything to write about. But eventually I realized that my life is interesting, and someone somewhere just may get a kick out of this Hobbit-girl from America.
The main purpose of this blog is to post my personal opinions and thoughts online and to keep in touch with friends and family back home... wherever life takes me. And who knows where that might be. Right not I'm planning on enlisting in the US Navy and then later attending the New York Film Academy. After that, only God knows...
So, once again, welcome! Enjoy! Who knows what could happen in the next half-hour...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)