BFS Updates

I thought I'd take this time, the end of week one of 2008 approaching quickly... to update my blog with my big, fun scary year updates. I need to remind myself of what I'm supposed to be working on [and anyone who may be reading this... I might need a push now and again!]

The Big...

I've been keeping up with Engage the Journey and it's such a blessing to me! Reading what everyone is gathering from the text each day is incredibly helpful and causes me to think more about what I've read and how it applies to me. We're currently in Job, reading about a man who suffered so much and still remained faithful, and it's just amazing to see what could happen in my own life and how I can be better.

As far as getting my work displayed at Starbucks goes, I grabbed a card at my nearest place and am going to e-mail soon to see what I'll need to do to make that a reality. It's exciting and big, of course, so I'll keep you updated with what happens. =)

Walking my dog hasn't started yet... it's been so cold! But tomorrow it's supposed to be warm so I may just have to go for a little walk to start myself off on the right foot.

The Fun...

My sister and I keep talking about the South Carolina trip, which is great because I'm excited to do that. Since we have friends there, it'll be fairly reasonable for us to just go. So that'll be this summer sometime, if all goes well.

My blog has, obviously, been started and I feel like I'm doing fairly well with updates so far. As time goes on, the frequency of the updates may dwindle. But as long as it doesn't get too far down, we'll be good.

The next thing I want to do on the fun list is get my Bethany Dillon website up and running again. It drives me crazy that it's just sitting there! Unfortunately I've got some things that I really need to do first, but I'm hoping that I'll get some time this weekend to work on it and get the second half finished and talk to my co-web about helping me fix a few things that need tweaking. =)

The Scary...

I have been accepted to two schools so far-- the University of Evansville and Hallmark Institute of Photography. I need to call someone at the admissions office of Antonelli College because that's a real possibility for me at this point. The chances of me affording Hallmark are slim and I need to decide what I'm doing before it's too late to do what I really want to do. So if you would, pray for that. I need a clear decision made soon, so I'm hoping it'll just hit me like a ton of bricks soon. I feel like I may know... but it's barely there. I have to act if I'll be able to finally decide. Wish me luck... =)

I've been looking into area photographers to see about second shooting a wedding. There are a few that I may be able to ask, if nothing else. This goal may be harder to meet than some of my others, but what's the point if you don't have something to really reach for, right? =)

Engage: Rest.

Day one of Engage the Journey.
Genesis 1-3.

It impresses me, causes an awed smile to cross my face, to read that the Spirit of God was moving on the formless earth [Genesis 1:2]. There's just something about hearing that God is and was moving that touches me. I think it's the fact that I can see Him moving in my own life, then turn around and hear what He's doing in someone else's life as well. God was moving. God is moving.

After creating the world... the heavens and earth, light and darkness, sun and moon and stars, animals and humans, the ones made after Him... God rested. He finished a task and then He stopped and rested. I think that this is one thing that I struggle with... a lot. I'm a busy person, and I feel like I almost always am a busy person. But I hate to not do anything after doing everything. I get ideas that I want to run with and I start running. Then as I run, I spot something of interest. I decide to run more so I can do both. Then the projects and ideas and obligations and concerns pile up. I enjoy them, mostly, so I don't mind. But what about being still? With all the noise how am I to reflect? To evaluate clearly? I don't think I can without resting. Seeing that He rested- God, the Creator of all, rested- (and obviously wanted me to know He rested or it wouldn't have been recorded) well, that would mean it's okay for me to do that same, now wouldn't it? So amidst my busyness, my list of things to do and see and be... I have to remember to rest. To "be still and know" that He is God. Rest.

Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. [Gen. 2:23] I heard someone say once that those words weren't romantic... that they were very 'manly' and not something that a woman would hear and appreciate. I don't think that's true. It's like poetry... it's like saying 'You're a part of me. Heart of my heart. Spirit of my spirit.' And I think that is lovely.

Hiding from God is something that I think most of us can understand if we think about it. I mean, haven't we all done something that we've been ashamed of? Something that we don't want to acknowledge happened, but hide under some fig leaves and hope He didn't see? Of course it never works... He sees it all. And He loves us anyway. So why try to hide? I don't want to hide. Honesty has become something I value a lot... hiding isn't being honest. I guess you could say that to hide is to lie. So I want to try to break away from dressing in my fig leaves after I've sinned and know God wants to speak to me... I want to be like Him. And I have to willingly show Him what He already knows I am, give up my pride and my shame, and let His love and forgiveness wash over me. Cleansing. Renewal. No leaves. Just me and Him.