not your typical friday night.

i literally cannot remember the last time that i did absolutely nothing on a friday night. i've been so consumed with upcoming finals, projects, and a lovely little 8 page paper for a certain history class, that what was happening this friday night was the last thing on my mind. tonight ive sat in my bedroom by myself and i have had quite a lovely time, if i do say so myself. sometimes i forget how necessary it is for me to have a little alone time every once in a while. tonight ive been able to collect my thoughts and in a way, regroup. my mind had finally caught up to the place my heart has been trying to take me these past couple weeks. now that my heart and my head are on the same page i am ready to take on the last couple weeks of 2009.

ive even had a few unexpected surprises this evening

tonight i

-finished quite a bit of homework, can you say childrens theatre reading reviews, i can, but id rather not

-finally wrote out my finals schedule for next week, yikes

-nearly starved to death, but then after my only hope, also know as my mother, informed me she was just leaving a long day at work and was exhausted, for good reason, i made some toast, which id forgotten could be so tasty

-had three visitors at my bedroom window

the first i was somewhat convinced was the 'up burglar' right outside my window, goodness gracious aaron scott

the second and third were my parents!! surprising me with presents in the form of dinner, and treats from starbucks =]] seriously what parents take the time to do that, freaking great ones, to be more specific, mine.

-laughed at my dad when he managed to step in two fairly deep puddles, in his slippers mind you, on the short walk out to the car

-listened to the giggling and loud music from the lovely ladies at the bachelorette party in the apartment above mine, who later so generously presented me with a delightfully shaped gender specific cupcake. tasty.

-found an online luganda phrase book, my heart did a little dance. gotta keep all the things i learned this summer fresh, im convinced my minimal knowledge of the language of uganda will come in handy someday

-got accquainted with carrie underwood and justin bieber, thank you kayla

also...

someday in the future i'll be able to sing this song to my mom, and i love that.

mama's song

these are a few of my favorite things

well for now at least

1. mars hill podacsts Luke's Gospel: Investigating the Man Who is God
2. ESV journaling bible (can you say christmas)
3. over the knee boots
4. textured tights
5. blazers
6. martha stewart living crafts and recipes
7. keeping up with ugandan news, thank you cnn

also...

i went to YULE

this is my prayer

Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

what IS good exactly? all i know is that good is absolutely not; accidentally sleeping through my alarm, waiting until the last minute to do homework, letting myself become overwhelmed, and focusing my prayer time mainly on 'i need' rather than 'Lord, your will be done'. lately i have been tired. coming back from this amazing, refreshing, challenging, and encouraging trip to Seattle, (which i will blog about soon) and diving back into my life that unfortunately i couldn't just hit the pause button on while i was gone. my first semester of my junior year is over in two weeks, which means final and projects galore. christmas is coming, the decorations and cheery music in every store is a constant reminder. i am so thankful for the promises in the word of God.

Phillipians 4:13 "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

how can i get tired of doing what is good, when i have strength in Christ. and on top of that i have the promise of a 'harvest of blessing'. shoot, that sounds pretty nice to me. all i have to do is continue in diligence and wait for 'just the right time' and honestly, i dont want anything but Gods perfect timing.

also...

sleepovers, hiking hollywood, christmas lights, trips to the mall, YULE, and some time to be quiet and wait on God. thank you weekend. it has been such a huge blessing.

today

• pikes place
• fresh flowers and produce
• doughnuts the size of my face
• the very first starbucks
• beechers
• practically getting hired at the flying fish place =]
• walking to pier 54
• IVARS fish bar
• sarah getting her finger bit by a ravenous mobster seagull
• spilling vinegar and spicy sauce all over myself and becoming human fish 'n chips
• antique shopping
• finding the perfect vintage dress for yule, fits like a glove, pure magic
• some crazy man screaming at lesley in the street
• 'all ways' crosswalks
• egg nog lattes from uptown espresso
• laughing with my teammates, but then sharing about what we've learned
• an awesomely uplifting thanksgiving service at mars hill west seattle
• the hotel spa

and all this on two and a half hours of sleep.

today has been splendid, cant wait to pour my heart out about everything ive learned so far.

also...

one word, incredible

and then i went to seattle.

this is a long post, i know. but i am seriously over flowing with joy from the things God is doing in my life. so get yourself an eggnog latte, grab a blanket, get comfortable, and prepare to rejoice with me.

so, i've been bitten by the missions bug, or so it would seem. i spent a month in uganda this summer. and now being back at CBU one of our first chapel services was all about ISP/USP trips, which i have never participated in. this was my year, but when or where i did not know. i put USP as one of my choices on my application, got called in, had my meeting, and magically was on the team. YIPPEE. well, the next step was to raise two thousands bucks, no problem right. i mean who doesn't have friends and family who would love to support them. well, i do indeed, however, they all just showered me with love for my summer trip. i decided to step out in faith, if it was God's will for me to go, come time, i would be on that plane. four incredibly fun weekly team meetings later, it is finally time to pack, and tomorrow around 3pm i will be boarding a plane to seattle.

oh but there's so much more...

tuesday i received an email from my team leader stating that those of us who didnt have at least a thousand dollars wouldnt be able to board the plane two days later. we were all aware of the stipulation, however what we werent expecting was the next line, which mentioned only 2 out of 6 team members currently had the funds to go, me not being one of them. well shoot. boy did that put a damper in my day. coming up with a thousand dollars in a day and a half is no easy task when you have no job, a non existent savings account, and a lack of wealthy and eager family members. i was stuck, nowhere to go. there was nothing within my power to make things different. this was up to God. my prayer had remained the same since i submitted my application, "Lord, if it's your will for me to be on that plane, I know that by your miraculous provision, I will be on it" I am one who knows full well God's ability to provide financially, not only have i seen it in my family, but i personally, a twenty year old, have seen in my own life how God can provide. There was a song that kept looping through my head "He will make a way, when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me". My mom came to get dinner with me last night, we talked about the email and discussed how if God was shutting the door, that He would also give me peace about the situation. Well I waited for it, and prayed for it, but i did not have any peace about not being a part of this trip. At around 2pm today I met with my leader to break the news so to speak. I could do nothing else, so unless I got a check for a thousand dollars in the mail thursday morning, it looked like i would spending thanksgiving with my family. like a good leader he encouraged me to pray and 'do all i could'. i literally walked up to my apartment when i got the call from my leader urging me to come back to his office. i turned around and prayed as i walked, i had no idea what to expect, reprimanding perhaps? instead i find coffee, lots and lots of coffee. through the confusion i hear a command, "youre going to sell this" to which i reply, "okay, yes...what is it?"

well it just happens to be some fair trade coffee from rwanda, liz.

wait fair trade you ask, why yes, one of the concepts our IJM campus chapter is trying to raise awareness about on campus. and yes wednesdays are our meeting days, just perfect.

i have mentioned before how tremendously blessed i've been to be a part of IJM this semester. the people i have had the pleasure to work side by side with are simply incredible. i shared with them my opportunity to sell this coffee for fundraising. when i asked if maybe anyone would be interested in purchasing a pound, i watched the entire room of about twenty people nod their heads yes in response. i was floored, well not literally, i was sitting in a swivel chair, but i was speechless. 24 pounds of coffee later, i have enough funding to get me on that plane tomorrow at 12pm. im cutting it close, but i'll be there. all of us on the team have in some way worked out funds in order to go serve these next ten days.

how anyone can doubt God, is beyond my understanding. His timing is intentional and His ways are so intricate. He didnt just provide for me to be on the trip, He allowed me to exercise my trust in Him, something we've been working on. Not only did he MIRACULOUSLY provide, but He personalized the provision. God could have easily put it on someone's heart to write me a check for a large sum of money like i had prayed for, but He didnt. God one up-ed me, and im totally fine with that. this coffee just happened to have been very recently donated to ISP, and they just happened to let me sell it. it just happened to be coffee, something quite practical and most people would buy anyway. but not just that, it just happened to be fair trade, something i am passionate about and involved with, and it just so happened to be given to me on the day i had my IJM meeting.

i just so happen to serve a God who is my provider. He is faithful, unchanging, and capable of more than i can imagine.

please pray for my team and i these next ten days as we immerse ourself in the urban culture in seattle and work with mars hill church, building relationships throughout the community.

a letter to a lovely fall day

dear thursday,

you have been full of lovely and wonderful things. your cool weather and gorgeous clouds set the mood for the much needed fall weather, it is november after all. and surprise number one of the day, a bit of rain. i was quite delighted to walk out of pick up stix, after a joyous dinner with my USP team, and stop for a moment to catch a few drops of rain. my lunch date with sam, while not a surprise, was equally as delicious. dont get me wrong, i meant that in regards to the company and absolutely not the caf food. my mid day choir rehearsal was rejuvenating as usual, allowing for a time of worship in the middle of a busy day. as i was about to say goodnight to you thursday, was when the most unexpected thing of all occurred, a knock at the door. with a note reading "liz, go to the clock tower". i ladies and gentlemen, am going to yule. thank you thursday for not being ordinary.

yours truly,

elizabeth anne hild

also...

i leave for cattle call tomorrow!

=]]

its late and of course, im being super productive.

and by productive i mean having roommate time on the couch, singing along to annie and eating snowflake shaped ritz crackers with peanut butter for brookie and almond butter for me. this relaxing time tonight has been much needed, since i've been all systems GO since thursday. i need an extra day this week just to catch up on sleep, God, if youre reading this, id really appreciate it, just this once.

i found this ritz cracker that was baked sorta folded in half. it made my night, i had a photoshoot with the little guy.

also...

i really want to start doing some sort of consistent physical activity. whether it be running, some sort of ridiculous work-out video, or rollerblading. just something. i need to find me a physical activity accountability teammate of sorts, or p.a.a.t. paat. i need to find a paat.

justice seeker and romantic poet

just two of my many recent attributes

being involved in IJM has proved to be such a blessing. i love being involved in this cause and also thrive on planning, preparing, organizing, decorating, etc. we had the privilege of hosting a quite successful event on campus this past sunday night, showing the newest film put out by IJM, At the End of Slavery. Then tonight, we had an event on campus called 'World of Hurt' where we set up a neat little booth, if i do say so myself. i am so incredibly blown away by the team we have, everyone has such a willingness to lend a hand where needed and we work together quite well. we were able to share with students information about IJM, but mores specifically we were asked to educate about local human trafficking. here are some of the points i shared with students tonight

• Orange County is one of the top places human trafficking is found in the US
• Human trafficking is legally defined as: anyone who is forced, frauded, or coerced into a situation (i.e. employment or giving services)
• Human trafficking is most commonly found in

-Massage Parlors

-Fields (agricultural industry, farming, etc)

-Labor

-Homes (private servants)

please, i urge you to keep this in your prayers. become aware of your surrounding. choose to not be ignorant to the world around you, instead, educate yourself.

please pray.

as far as the 'romantic poety' goes, its just practice i suppose. for that lucky suitor in my future.

for the record, i didnt plan on rhyming goes and suppose. thats what you call natural talent

here is a little example

Elizabeth

youre lovely

and lovey

and love

you are love

10:39pm

Ruthie

i love that you just started your message with such proclamations of love

thanks dear

and i return said feelings

towards you

i mean from you

towards me

which in turn i turn back to you

...

10:39pm

Elizabeth

towards another, from each other

into one that cannot be

poetry

i adore thee

and also do i adorn thee

with my love

and tokens of such

that mean so much

10:41pm

Ruthie

of course

and a horse

i feel no remorse

so ill use the force

also...

i am currently obsessed with listening to mars hill podcasts

the end.

yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is what my college education requires of me.

There’s a Monster in My Tummy!

(BOOM!) Ashley slammed the door and stormed into the kitchen. (THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD) (GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE) (AHHHHHHH) Ashley screamed, “Oh no, not yet!” she thought. (CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK) High heels quickly clicked down the hallway. She knew this sound all too well. Her mom slowly opened the door to the kitchen (CREEEEAAAAKKK) “What are you up to young lady?” asked mom. (GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE) “Just doin’ my homework Mom!” answered Ashley a little too quickly. “Mhmmm, sure, just remember, no chips before dinner!” (CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK). (WHEEEWWW) Finally, the coast was clear. She flung open the cupboard (SQUEAK) and grabbed a bag of chips, trying her best not to make too much noise. (CRUSCHK) Oh the lovely salty smell was almost too much to handle. Patience was key. She reached her hand in the bag, making sure to only touch that one chip. (GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE) “Hold your horses, im trying” she assured. She placed the chip on her tongue and (CRUNCH) slowly, carefully, as not to not make too much noise (CRUNCH). (MMMMMMM) “There, happy now?” Ashley asked, a bit impatiently. (GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE) “Oh no!” as she looked down at the already opened bag of chips, it was near impossible to stop it. Before she knew it she was shoveling chip after chip in to her mouth, (CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH) (CREEEEEEAAAAAAKK) The door to the kitchen swung open “Ashley!!!!” screamed mom. (CRUNCH CRUNCH) “Sorry mom, the monster in my tummy was hungry” said Ashley timidly.

date night.

what ashley and liz do on 'blogging date nights'

1. order kids meals or specifically 'callin' in kids meals'
2. find dates to yule. NOT.
3. watch worlds strictest parents
4. write stories about each other, complete with sound effects, thank you CBU education
5. search eric's apartment for change
6. walk to the doughnut shop with eric
7. get way more doughnuts than we paid for
8. get scared by the abandoned house
9. sing pokemon
10. hang out in an apartment with the door wide open
11. have CANDY WARS, and leave candy all over the floor to prove it
12. finally learn how to skateboard, PUMP IT, thank you ashley
13. record a song on ben's computer, 'ashley and liz are incredible musicians, live it, love ittt'
14. laugh way too much, like WAY too muchh
15. oh and most importantly, wait to blog until our date is over

this weekend has been great, like so great and fun and great.

also...

i just found out that next weekend i get to go to cattle call.

this is becoming a tradition!

so great right now.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!

One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God

man, oh man.

these words are so incredibly real to me at this very moment, and this has nothing to do with the face that im typing while partially asleep, a new talent i've acquired.

also...

a good friend of mine shared a little piece of wisdom with me today.

when God brings you through something momentous, you need to make an alter, as a constant reminder of what you have been through, what you no longer are, and the potential you have for new things in Christ.

and as a result, i currently have a piece of paper with the words 'and, one point liz.." tacked to the wall above my desk.

stand in awe of god.

that is what the first half of ecclesiastes chapter 5 is titled in my bible. which, strangely enough happens to be a men's devotional bible. this title caught my eye this morning as i was thumbing through trying to get the scripture my devotion was based on, so i paused and read, and as i did i felt as though i had been smacked in the face.

no, but really.

you know how when people get into hysterics and they have to get smacked in the face to snap out of it and calm down. i feel that recently i have been allowing myself to remain in a state of some sort of silent, inward, hysterics. recently ive allowed myself to worry about the future and feel uneasy about all the changes going on around me. this far from gentle reminder was just what i needed.

verses 4&5 stuck out to me the most

⁴ When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. ⁵ It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.

whether or not i consciously realized it, i have been 'delaying' in my follow-through. yikes.

when i tell God, 'i surrender my will' or 'my trust is in you' i am relinquishing my control in situations. my actions however have not been recently as consistent as they could be. well thats about to change, time to start being intentional.

⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

also...

i want this bag, my roommate just got one, it is supporting an incredible cause that is quite near and dear to my heart.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/mend/collection

well hello again

its been quite some time now since i've ventured onto this little thing.

but i, elizabeth anne hild, vow to be a committed blogger. wheeewww.

since march quite a few things have changed, and changed again, so we'll skip that.

right now, on november 3rd 2009, i am a twenty year old, who has learned a lot more than most people my age, but still has quite a bit to learn. i find such beauty in the fact that we never stop learning, and growing, and changing, keeps life exciting. but there are a few things that will never change

1. jesus christ is my lord and savior.

2. i literally never stop singing, sometimes i just do it in my head

3. i laugh, probably more than most people i know

currently God is bringing me through a 'season of change' which, understandably, has such a negative connotation. while some things are difficult and some unexpected, all i can do is cling the things ive been promised.

recently, i have found such encouragement in galatians

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

also...

right now my roomate's chinese music is playing louder than the tv show im watching, typical. she's adorable.

hmm.

if only i had something substantial to write about in a new post.

BUT WAIT.

i totally do. i, ladies and gentlemen, am going to (drumroll please).....AFRICA

wow, didnt think those words would ever come out of my mouth, or fingers rather. but it is true, and let me tell you, i am filled to the brim with emotion each and every time i think about it. sometimes my feelings fluctuate, from the realization of it's severity or the even just the excitement of it all. but one thing remains prevalent, and that is my amazement at how God is proving Himself faithful, in every way.

lets start at the very beginning, ive heard thats a pretty good place to start.

on a sunday, sometime after worship, as i sat in a chair bolted to a concrete floor, i watched the faces of children, each evoking a different emotion. some children exuded joy, which amazed me, considering they were orphans, living in Uganda. something inside of me longed to share in their joy, for the understanding of being content in having so little, resting in things far more important than the convenience of starbucks, or my favorite philosophy face wash. in a way, i felt lacking. other faces were full of despair, a pure lack of hope. and at this my heart broke. i am so blessed, and the same love that i feel each and every day from my God, is the same love available to these children. why shouldnt i be the one to share it with them.

and that was it. God quickened in my heart a desire i never knew would exist so fervently, and with such urgency. i knew, i needed to be there. all i had to do was wait. eventually i made my interest in serving at welcome home known to my dear friends Jerry and Barbara Northcutt. they were the ones who traveled to Jinja and brought back the stories and pictures that triggered this entire thing. they so graciously contacted the operator, who's home is in orange county, and the next thing i knew, i had an opportunity to go with the Northcutts to talk about my potential trip to Uganda. let me just tell you i was blown away with how God was already making a way for the trip to be possible. i absolutely adored Luke and Mandy, the passionate Austrailian couple who operate the welcome home ministries in Jinja.

since that meeting in november, the ball has just been rolling. from what things look like at the moment, i will be traveling on the 6th of july and returning the 30th. all of the little details where God have shown Himself to be faithful, and my provider, have been overwhelmingly encouraging, and i somewhat selfishly hope and pray that they will continue, guiding me through this journey.

pslams 31:14-15 "But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying "You are my God!" My future is in your hands."