Amy's Oasis

Carol-Lee, I did this just for you. Enjoy . . . I have never done this before and probably never will again. :)

1. FIRST NAME? Amy

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No . . . I think my parents just liked the name and the meaning: "beloved".

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Ooh, that's a hard one. Does just having a tear in your eye count? Because yesterday I definitely felt a lot of emotion when a woman in the community group I lead shared her story and told us that her husband accepted Christ two weeks ago. If the angels in heaven were joyful, I think we must have been doubly so.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Wow, slightly random. I think ham wins.

5. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Um, no. I would stay as far away as possible. :)

6. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Totally!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? With certain people when I'm in a certain mood . . . that would be a yes . . .

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yup, but not my adenoids

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Yes! Who wants to go with me?

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I actually forget what it's called . . . but it's something involving bran flakes, oat and honey clusters, and raisins. :)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No . . . let's just say it's part of my time management plan.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? In body? I think I'm fairly (averagely?) strong, yes. I also have an inward strength that is both annoying to some and beneficial at times.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? I love Chocolate Chip Mint

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I think their eyes and their current emotions. Eyes and facial expression tell you a lot about a person. I also notice immediately and mostly subconsciously what they are wearing.

15. RED OR PINK? I love deep red . . . kinda like the color of this blog. :) Not that i have anything against pink.

16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Wow, there's a lot. I miss probably a good chunk of the people who are reading this blog. I miss Steve, but he's coming to visit me in two days, so that's not so bad right now . . . and I miss my family a lot and my friends . . . hugs to all of you!

17. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Funny you should ask. I have my bright baby pink pajama pants on (they're warm), and bare feet (those are not so warm).

18. THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Um . . . a mint from Susan.

19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The warm air blowing into my room

20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple

21. FAVORITE SMELL? Hot chocolate, food cooking (especially things involving tomato sauce), lilacs, warm kitten fur, babies, clementines, green growing things

22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Geoff, last night, when he woke up in a panic wondering if I was safely home. Yes, we were in the same house. :)

23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Carol-Lee? Absolutely!!!

24. FAVORITE DRINK? Hot chocolate

25. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? I've never really watched sports that much . . . do synchronized diving and figure skating count? If not, probably hockey . . . especially if I'm watching with a bunch of cheering guys/cousins

26. HAIR COLOR? Brown

27. EYE COLOR? Blue

28. FAVORITE FOOD? Anything involving chocolate or tomato sauce I think . . . (seems to be becoming a theme here)

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Well, I like some plot, but come on, it needs to culminate in joy of some kind!

30. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Green t-shirt with pink p.j. sweatshirt overtop

31. SUMMER OR WINTER? Seasons in general . . . but I'd have to say summer. Bring on the blue sky and sunshine!

32. HUGS OR KISSES? As my experience has been limeted, I'd have to say that hugs are very, very nice.

33. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hmm . . . I'd have to say my mom's fruit salad is very good.

34. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Off the top of my head . . . The Bible, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, by Paul Tripp

35. FAVORITE SOUNDS? This may sound incredibly sappy . . . the sound of Steve's voice and my dad's, laughter, baby kittens, soft rain, music, birds, the crackle of a campfire

36. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Hmm . . . that's a hard one.

37. THE FARTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Mexico.

38. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? In Orono.

So, I am once again huddled up under my electric blanket like the little old lady I am after living in my coat all day at school and still shivering . . . but hey, it's all worth it - I saw snow today!! Huge, feathery, beautiful flakes - and so many that after walking outside my hair was wet! I kid you not - every window I came to on my way down to the library computer lab I had to stop and be mesmerized once again.

10 things you may not know about me . . .

1) I do not fear the dark, spiders, or any of those things people normally fear, but I am probably scared of you.

2) I have finally found the definition of "normal" that I have been looking for all my life. It is simply a cycle on the washing machine. If anyone can come up with a good definition of "strange" for me, I would be most grateful.

3) I have always wanted my own Lion . . . or rather, to be owned by a Lion and to ride on it's back. Ever since the Narnia books, I think . . .

4) According to some people, I am destined to have a brown wedding dress, a toilet car, earn a very little amount of money, and marry various unmentionable people. (You can ask Jacinda about this one . . . I'm pretty sure it was always set up.)

5) Climbing out of windows and climbing trees has always been a favorite pasttime with me, it seems - especially when it involves my sister Maria . . . or Chrissy . . .

6) I was, in fact, called "Miss bird" all summer long by my boss . . . ask me what my last name means. (Other explanations include that I "sing in more ways than one", that I "flit and float", all of which have various shades of meaning.)

7) I am fascinated with words. In every shape, form, sound.

8) A good life's lesson to learn: dancing and doing various other unmentionable things in the dead of night behind a Wendy's that just happens to have a window in the back door where the employees can be duly entertained unbeknownst to you . . . is most likely not a good idea. (Again, you can ask Jacinda or Maria about this one.)

9) Yes, I know it looks funny to pelt down a city street at full speed, and yes, I have done it. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do . . .

10) The most wonderful invention in my books: the printing press.

Hugs

Friends

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies made by a brother who has actually admitted he misses me! (What exactly is happening to my family while I am gone!!!) Joshie, I ate about three on the spot and it was like coming home!

"Real food"- also sent to me by my considerate family

Love notes and little thoughtful gifts from those I love (i.e. my family)

Long talks with those who know me best

Pianos and singing & playing praise and worship songs in a mall

Seeing the amazing works of grace in your life in whole new lights!

Music, worship, seminars

Forgiveness

Chrissy, Jacinda and Brad - amazing, godly young people!!

E-mails

The precious word of God

Knowing people who are famous and write books and are incredible counselors

Is. 41: 9&10

Being at a full-time, year-around conference!

I could go on . . . and on . . . and on . . .

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,

Because His passions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,

Therefore I hope in Him!"

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

For the salvation of the LORD."

Lamentations 3:22-26

I spent my weekend playing mommy -- which means, in effect, that I sacrificed my clothing to baby drool, my voice to reading/telling stories, my body to wrestling and tickles, and my brain to . . . everything. I love these boys so much. They are all incredibly sweet, and they all have their own special characteristics.

Garrison is my absent-minded professor. He and I have conversations on the wonders of flora & fauna, fantasy books such as Narnia and The Princess and the Goblin, and the Bible. He is incredibly smart and also incredibly unaware of the world around him. This is an example of a conversation involving Garrison, occuring when he was seven:

Susan: "I took baby Clay to the doctor's today, and he said that he's already fourteen pounds!"

Garrison: "Oh, that is about the size of an average adult fox!"

That's my Garrison.

Sam is my sweet conversationalist. He often comes to me and talks . . . and asks a ton of questions . . . or else asks me to sing or draw for him. He is one of the only boys I know who remembers exactly what everyone wore in a day and he often tells me I look pretty or asks me to do things like putting a ponytail in my hair. He is a strong leader and is very creative at the same time. He will grow up to love a woman with all his heart and have lots of kids -- which he will teach to draw horses.

Henry is a very energetic, mischievious four-year-old. He and I spend a lot of time working through just why he felt the need to hit Clay or take the pillow from behind the baby just as he was falling. Henry is learning to read and is very proud of the fact that he can spell my name! Tickle-time is bonding time for us, as well as discovering all the intricacies of the heated matress pad that his Grandma sent him.

Clay is my self-proclaimed little buddy. Every time I walk out the door, he yells, "NO! Don't go! Stop!" and when I come back he exclaims happily, "I missed you!" Trucks are his obsession, and we spend a lot of time with them together. Clay's aspirations are to be an orange truck when he grows up.

Ezra is the most incredibly happy baby I have ever seen in my entire life. He wakes up smiling, and smiles throughout his waking hours. Ezra has just discovered the wonders of learning to sit on his own as well as the power of his own voice. He spends a lot of time keeping me warm and falling asleep on me.

It is amazing to me that God has not only given me a place to learn, but also a place to be of service! I cannot imagine what it would be like to live on my own with nothing other than my books and assignments for company, living only for myself and my education. God has provided me not only with friendship in Geoff and Susan & the boys, but also with opportunities to help others and give of myself! Scripture states that God always knows what we have need of before we even ask it. My life is a continual picture of this -- of grace in action.

"Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel." Is. 44:23

Fun facts about Philadelphia:

~ Philadelphia was once the capitol of the United States! I think that the intentions were always that it would move to Washington, but nonetheless . . .

~ Philadelphia houses the famous Liberty bell. Although a crack ended its ringing days and it had to be taken down, it is still on display as a symbol of Liberty in America.

~ Philadelphia means "city of brotherly love" which is ironic as it is also rated as the most hostile city in the United States.

~ Philadelphia was founded by William Penn, who was a committed Christian. The first colony here was made up of Dutch people! :D

I love the country, and I can't deny it. I love wide open spaces, the woods, trees, the smells of earth and plants. I love animals and bugs and flowers. And yet, I am so glad to have this opportunity to be living in the city, experiencing things I'd only ever read about. There is beauty here as well, an energy and a sense of competition for survivial. It is challenging. I have to crane my neck to see the sky.

Granted, cities are dangerous. Ever since the fall, people have wanted to make a name for themselves, and ever since the tower of Babel, cities have been the places of confusion, where people fight to make those names known. And yet, God commanded us to subdue and fill the earth and promised us a new city -- a place to fellowship and flock together and be at peace cooperating with one another! We will find our names and identities in God, and in Him we can have true peace, even now. In Him, we can "both lie down in peace and sleep . . . for you alone, Oh Lord, make [us] dwell in safety!"

One day . . . gunshots and perversion and homelessness will be a thing of the past, barely remembered, infinitely paltry. One day, the vision of John will become reality.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There willl be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'" Rev. 21:5a

Lord Jesus, come quickly . . .

Considering that my blog stats say that over 100 people looked at my blog today, I can only come to the conclusion that certain people are very eager to hear about my weekend . . . am I right??

Well . . . Steve and I had a great time. We did so many things that it all seems like a happy blur now. It was kind of crazy and overwhelming to have him here, to be in Philadelphia of all places, to be going out with him of all people. But it was good. It was good to be getting to know each other better, to be laughing together, to be praying together.

Favorite memories?

- going to feed the homeless with some people from the church and being totally humbled and broken by the Lord

- sitting by the huge fountain in center city enjoying the lights

- showing him around campus and having him come to one of my classes

- reading together and being unable to keep from laughing at . . . certain sentences

- doing devotions together

- walking in the woods and unsuccessfully trying to take pictures of ourselves

- going to church . . . and hearing the awe-inspiring music at 10th Presbyterian church

- taking over the second floor of a piano store and playing praise and worship music together

- eating lobster for the first time in chinatown

- rollerblading . . . *choke, cough . . . or attempting to- and the priceless look on an elderly gentleman's face as I came careening down the bumpy sidewalk, trying to stop myself, with Steve close behind- also trying to stop me

- supper with the Bradfords

- thanksgiving dinner just before he left for home

- etc, etc.

God is so good. I hope you all had a good thanksgiving! It is so incredible that God would give such good gifts to His children! How can we not be joyful, when we serve such a God?

I know I should be writing a paper right now, but I just had to share my incredible, ecstatic excitement. I was excited yesterday, too (which partly accounts for the wild and totally immature post), but I feel like God just keeps piling blessing upon blessing on my life, and It's almost too much to handle!

Reason #1: I just read Ephesians all the way through. It never hit me so hard as today how much joy is contained in those words! " . . . blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as HE CHOSE US in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love . . . For He himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation . . . Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God . . .Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called . .He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things . . .be renewed in the Spirit of your mind . . . For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light . . . Put on the whole armor of God . . . praying always . . . Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

Okay, so after all that, this pales in comparison, but is still making me incredibly happy:

Reason #2: All these people are coming to visit me!!!!!! First of all, Steve is coming up in a week from today and staying for Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for! And, in November there is a conference at my school, which more and more people keep telling me they may want to come to! I can't wait to see my dear friend Jacinda again, and talk about all the things God is doing in our lives, not to mention my cousin Chrissy who totally made my day today by telling me that she is signing up as well! There are also a few other people coming as well, and who knows who else the Lord might bring Philly's way! I can't wait to have all these wonderful people share in the exciting things that I am learning and growing in.

So, anyone else want to overflow my cup still more by signing up? Free room and food (for those of you staying at my house, at least!), being able to carpool together, as well as a wonderful time of growth in the Lord and learning- who could refuse? :)

Can't wait to see you guys!

I miss . . .

I miss my family, my friends. I miss big open spaces, jogs in the golf courses with just me and the stars and the soft grass under my feet. I miss being able to be alone outside at night. I miss my little brother and sister coming out to meet me with cries of "Mamy's home!!" and their little hugs. I miss our church. I miss the feeling of knowing someone so well, you are able to read their thoughts. I miss Heather V.O.'s laugh and talks with Naomi and eye contact with Hammy, and a million different things about every single person in the youth group. I miss playing the piano. A lot. I miss the kids I babysit. I miss talks with people at work. I miss the sight of a truly beautiful bunch of flowers. I miss the sound of the country- with no gunshots, sirens, screams, or constant roar of traffic marring the silence. I miss petting cats. I miss sharing a room with my sister . . . in a way. I miss the shoes and clothes I forgot at home.

And yet-

I love . . .

I love new experiences, new challenges. I love my new family. I love experiencing city life, exploring. I love seeing new kinds of people- am fascinated by the accents and expressions all around me. I love being able to experience a different church, and fellowship with different believers. I love the things that God is teaching me. I love my classes, my teachers, my assignments. I love the feeling of being exactly where God wants me to be. I love feeling secure, even at night in a train station with creepy guys and a busy street (and pepper spray! :P) for company. I love trying out new foods. I love making new friends. I love seeing the incredible hand of God in my life. I love the fact that my room is neat! :P I love the feeling of really good talks on the phone and e-mails. I love being able to have really good, spiritual discussions. I love learning to counsel people. I love seeing people's jaws drop when I tell them about myself. I love not having a busy schedule. I love my new little African-American friend next door- Tyrell.

I love the fact that God is the same- yesterday, today, and forever.