Ottumwa and IHOP

I had some much needed time away from Des Moines this weekend. I love DSM, but seriously, I get so worn out here. I don't know if it's work, school, stupid drama, or Des Moines itself. Maybe all of the above? I don't know, but let me tell you... leaving for 2 days was absolutely wonderful!

I drove down to Ottumwa, Iowa to stay with my friend Abby. I had never been to Ottumwa, so I was quite excited to see what this place was about. I've made some new friends from there over the past few months, so being able to step into their territory was refreshing. It's about an hour and fifteen minute drive and I always feel bad because they always drive out here to hang out... so instead, my friend Steph and I went to them.

While the three of us were hanging out at Abby's, another Ottumwan, Levi, came over. I'm a big fan of Levi. He's quite hilarious if you ask me. But, he also makes me laugh at things that I probably shouldn't laugh at... like if people heard me laughing at the things I was laughing at Friday night, I don't think people would think I was a very nice person... ANYWAYS, it was fun hanging out and talking with three wonderful people.

Here's where things got interesting... Levi had left and Steph was asleep... Abby and I were sitting in her living room talking. Out of no where, a bat comes flopping (yes, flopping) out of her kitchen and into the living room. My first reaction of course is to scream and run to the other side of the room. Abby, being the brave one, throws a blanket on top of it to trap it. For about five minutes we stood there, panicing, trying to figure out what the heck to do. Finally we (aka Abby) take a tennis racket, smacks the top of the blanket to stun the stupid thing, where it then begins to screech and squeal. She quickly lifts the blanket and forces the tennis raquet on top of it. It's trapped, but we watch this thing slither around underneath the racket. We knew we had to kill it somehow, so I suggested get a knife and stab it, but instead Abby took a curtain rod, and smashed it's head. Finally dead, we get it in a plastic bag, took it outside, and I decide to take a hammer to it... just in case the first blow to the head wasn't enough to kill it...

The next morning, Abby and I made out way down to the IHOP (International House of Prayer) in Kansas City. GOD was moving in big ways while we were there (but then again, when is He not moving?!). I've been dealing with a lot the past month and a half, so I had a pretty good amount of stuff to lift up. Graciously, the LORD answered my call and He confirmed a few things for me. I recieved some affirming and encouraging words from my brothers and sisters who were there to speak on GOD's behalf... I even had a 12 year old boy speak GOD's truth over me. It was incredible. The whole time I was there (and still even now) I have been soaking in a Love that I feel like I've been missing for the past month and a half. My heart is glad... and I'm joyful and ready... my passion for Him has erupted at a new level.

I need Him, and only Him. But it's amazing what I have to go through to remind me of that...

Praise God.

It's been a while...

Why hello out there!... not really sure if anyone [still] reads this, but I felt it was time to make a reappearance on the good ol' blog. It's been a while, as this summer has brought a lot of new/exciting/crazy/busy things.

I've pretty much been spending every weekend since the beginning of May back home in Chicago. Yet now I'm back to DSM for the rest of the summer, or at least until the end of the month when I head back over to the Windy City, which by the way, Chicago is actually called the Windy City because of the amount of people that flow in and out. Yes it is actually windy there, but that's not the main reason it was labeled "The Windy City." Just a little insight for ya.

Work, classes, volunteering, and a new... friend?... has been taking up all the time that I haven't been in Chicago. I'm only working 24 hours a week, but I'm already sick of it. I miss summer's without work... though I know I need to bring in some income. Classes just started and it's reminded me how much I truly hate school. Or at least hate taking classes that will do nothing for me. I've also started volunteering more with a ministry called Freedom for Youth. This ministry is doing HUGE things in the city and my heart speeds up with excitement thinking about what else GOD is going to be doing. Manual labor for F.F.Y. will begin and I couldn't be more stoked! And my new friend... it came out of no where, totally random, but it's been good. He's a great guy. But, I'll just leave it at that for now. More later as/if things develop.

GOD has been quiet with me lately. It's hard not to associate HIM as a feeling sometimes. I am well aware that my Father has not left me stranded, but instead HE's silenced Himself around me. Though I don't know exactly what, HE's definitely up to something...

I hope to have more time this summer to update this thing with exciting happenings and [hopefully] insightful thoughts, but with more traveling, weddings, more school, etc. I can't promise anything... I always thought summer would bring me more free time, but boy was I wrong...

I pray that your heart is gladdened today. That the Joy of the LORD would rise up within your body and you find yourself doing nothing but singing praises to HIM.