A friend is a friend to the end of the end...that's forever

So I don't post very often on this thing at all...shame on me, considering I have a lot more time on my hands since I only work and don't go to school anymore...but anyway, that's beside the point. I want to share about  a person that is near and dear to my heart and is about to make a pretty big life change, so hopefully she will get to read this and know that it comes from the heart. I know that a lot of people can claim to have several best friends, I have found this to be true in my life simply because I keep up with a lot of people (or at least try to) so I would say I have several best friends. However, there has been one who has stuck by my side through thick and thin, through long distance and right down the street, through rain and shine, etc. etc. Her name is Stacie Lynne Homeyer.

When I first met Stacie, we were in 1st grade at Lake Country Christian School. She had just moved to Fort Worth from Nebraska, her dad was a pilot, her mom was a teacher (just like my mom) and we became instant friends. Stacie would claim that my "signature thing" from when we were growing up was the big bows my mom used to always put in my hair (but really, what 8 year old has a signature anything?) Anyway, we would play on the playground together and always included other people in our adventures (we continue to do that today.) That's one of the things I love about Stacie--she is so great at including everyone, even the awkward people that no one can understand. I learned that from her especially once we got into middle school, the awkward phases when people are figuring out their bodies, emotions and acne. Stacie always sought out the people who were sitting alone at a table or who felt excluded by being picked last in a kick ball game. She was never afraid to say, "hey, let's all play this together" (or something to that effect.)

One of the things I remember most about her in middle school was how we went to church together every Wednesday night. Her church was awesome and I loved having a friend to go with, so we did that together which only helped our friendship grow. Something that she probably doesn't remember much but that I have very fond memories of was when we made a singing group called the Criztals (yes, its spelled with a Z because we thought we were cool back then) We even made a recording of the classic kids church song "Pharaoh, Pharaoh," hand motions and all. We even had an older sister be our manager, oh how we had such big dreams...
Speaking of middle school, specifically the summer before 8th grade, was the year that I was in a boating accident. Her church had a lake day, and we decided it would be fun to go and it was conveniently very close to my house. We were having a good time and it was our groups turn to go on the banana boats. Stacie had a lot of other friends at the church, so I didn't get to sit behind her on the banana boat, and I was very sad about that and I (regretfully) sat as close to her as I could, infringing on the girls space in front of me, but I didn't care because I wanted to be close to my best friend. The boat started going and we hit a big wave and I don't remember much after that...I remember waking up in her mom's car with a bag of ice on face, feeling that two of my teeth had been knocked back into my mouth, still attached. I was so close to the girl in front of me that her head came back and hit me in the face--how's that for trying to sit close? So they called my parents and long story short, I had to have a wire put on my teeth and a few root canals...but the thing I remember was that Stacie came to see me the next day after it happened and had an I love lucy card, back when those singing cards had first come out, and it sang a funny little song and said get better...I tell that specific story just to demonstrate how much of a friend Stacie was, because she would also call almost every day to check in on me since she couldn't drive herself to come see me, we were only 13 after all.

Then came high school, which had its ups and downs, dealing with jealousy of each other having boyfriends or getting a role in a musical or play or getting a better grade on a test. It became about comparison with each other, and one thing I've been taught over the years is that comparison is the thief of joy (so true!) and we experienced that the hard way. I compared myself to her a lot, and I don't know if she even knew I was doing it because I was really good about covering it up. Being the overachiever that I was in high school, I'm sure she had times of comparison too. I would put myself in literally anything I had time for, no matter how packed my schedule was. Looking back now, I have no idea how I managed to still have a social life and get good grades, but the Lord knew how much I could handle. He also knew that I would need a best friend to help through all of that. So despite our comparison of each other, we put that aside and chose to stay besties (not to say there werent hard times, but we always worked through them and figured them out together.) And we were able to enjoy high school with our other friends, as well as making time for each other.

Of course, we went to 2 totally different colleges, her to Azusa Pacific in LA, California, and me to OU in Norman, Oklahoma...and despite that distance, we were still able to maintain a "bestie" status with one another. That was the thing that truly tested our friendship though, being able to see each other when we were home for holidays, catching up on skype or on the phone, and writing occasionally to one another just for a check up. We went through different classes, dated different guys, studied 2 different majors and realized the different gifts God had given each of us as well as taught us new things about ourselves.

I know that I have merely scratched the surface of what all we went through in our friendship with each other, but she really knows me. She knows my fears, my dreams, my hurt, my joy and oh so much more. She has been a faithful presence in my life and I don't know how I would've made it from first grade to now without her. She is wise beyond her years, she understands me when I fail to tell a story right, she is forgiving, she is beautiful inside and out, she has constantly pushed me toward the Lord my whole life and has always been a great encourager, she is an excellent listener especially when I call her at 2 in the morning her time, she's the best new years eve date ever (we spent many a new years together), she's so much fun to be around, she's a wonderful accountability partner (which she would deny) and she has a beautiful heart...and on top of all of that, she is marrying her other best friend this weekend and I am so excited and happy for the both of them and know that the Lord is going to do awesome things in and through them both. He may be her other half, but I get the lucky role of being her best friend for life. Stacie, I will always cherish our friendship and encourage you the best way I can. Know that you can call me any time day or night to laugh, to cry or just to have a good conversation. You have been such an important part of my life and I can't wait to see what happens in these next few years for the both of us! I love you bestie!

All that to say, make sure your best friend knows that you appreciate them. I know there have been times when I've taken her for granted and that makes me sad, but I hope she knows now how much she means to me.

Cheers!
~Amber

Mediocrity is not cool

Mediocre: to be moderate or inferior in quality; average

Ouch, that definition is kinda harsh when you think about it. No one likes being told, "Hey, that was an average job" or "Way to be moderate"....um, no! We want to be told, "That was an awesome job! Keep it up!" I'm sure there has been a point in everyone's life where they have felt mediocre...whether its a test they don't really study for, not really doing the dishes, not fully investing their time into something they are presented with, and the list goes on and on...

The truth is, it is really easy to get sucked into a life of mediocrity, which sucks itself because living an average life is not how I want to live my life. And I feel like its a neverending cycle that we can get caught up in, because we can go through the motions of life: going to class, work, church and Bible study...but there's a difference in going through the motions and purposefully living out your life and putting your best foot forward when it comes to a relationship with the Lord.

But wanna know the best part? The Lord knows this about His creation, and that's why He gave His Son...He knew that we would struggle in this depraved world with sin and struggle, but we can be covered by His constant grace and perfect peace, if only we accept Him. It says in John 10:10-"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I love this verse, because it shows the reality of sin and how the only thing the devil wants is for us to fail and not accept our Heavenly Father...but He sent His only Son in human form to come so that we could not only have life, but live it abundantly! I don't know about you, but that's quite possibly the greatest encouragement I could ever realize!

So even when I feel like I have messed up royally, or fallen from the path, or whatever else may come up, the Lord is faithful and constantly molding His children into who they are meant to be. He has a perfect plan for each and every one of us. I am still constantly learning this, just from thinking about the future and how uncertain it is, but I know that the Lord will reveal what He has for me when I need to know. He is good like that.

I hope this has been an encouragement, and I'm sure more will come as I continue to grow and learn from my Heavenly Father who is constantly breaking down my pride and reminding me that I am His beloved daughter.

With gratitude and His grace,

Amber G.

Pine Cove Shores Edition

I realized how long its been since I've posted a blog...a lot has happened since then, I'm kind of shocked. The Lord has been moving in my life and it is so evident. My last semester flew by. One of my dear friends graduated and is now studying at SMU law, I'm so proud of her, accomplishing one of her life goals. My other dear friend has still been here with me, but she is graduating this month to go student teach and live in Tulsa...not too close to Norman, but still Oklahoma. They have both been and truly are loved and missed, and I'm sorry if I never tell the two of you that, but you have meant a lot to me over my time at college. Thank you!

After I finished the spring semester, I went and worked at Pine Cove Shores for a third summer, this time as a lifeguard/band member...I can honestly say it was one of my favorite summers I worked at PC. I made lasting friendships, got to pour in to more campers, got to be out in the sun for 5+ hours a day (and for those of you who know me really well, you know I get dark in the summer). Besides all that, the Lord moved in my life. I figured I would learn the same old thing, like I had from previous summers...but I was definitely wrong. It was there I realized how much I had missed leading worship, having fellowship with other believers, having deep conversations while star gazing, talking about real life issues and how the Lord brings us through the good and bad times, being able to pray fervently without any distractions, being able to bless those around me because I had been blessed...for my fellow PC staffers, you know what I'm talking about...despite all the craziness of camp, (jumping up and down, doing the birthday rap, the awesome cheers, the count 'ems, never stop jumping up and down, ropes, the lake, the pool, never ever stop jumping up and down, club, Pit 'n' Palace, etc.) there was one thing that remained...and that was the Lord moving in each and every camper that came through. It wasn't because there were so many amazing, Godly college kids working there or because of the ridiculous stuff we were doing. We just let go, and let God...

Needless to say I am going to miss Pine Cove Shores, but I have learned so much from being a staffer there...after all, it is where I re-dedicated my life to Christ my freshmen year of high school, its where I found dear friends who will encourage me and aspire me to be better than I am because of the Lord, its where I was able to lead worship and literally get to watch kids worship on their knees to bring praise to our Heavenly Father...It was a life-changing experience, and I never will forget it.

There will be more posts to come with specific stories from camp...but I'll offer a verse that has been an anthem in my life

Philippians 4:6-"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God."

We are blessed, so we can be a blessing...

Cheers,

Amber

When things don't go the way we plan

Jeremiah 29:11-"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I'm sure all of you have heard this verse at some point or another. Teachers, mentors, pastors and parents quote this verse before you ever make a big decision in life, like choosing a college. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me this verse during my senior year of high school, I would be a freakin billionaire.

This verse has begun to have a whole different perspective on me since being in college. Now I have to think about my future even more...what job I will have, who I'll marry, where I'll be living, what I'll be doing after college...The sucky part about the future? You can't predict it.

Wanna know the cool part about the future though? God already knows what's supposed to happen, when it's supposed to happen and how it's supposed to happen. We may not always know why things happen the way they do, but He has a plan.

That is ultimately what it comes down to...my own selfish desires, my own wants, my own PLANS do not even COMPARE to what God has for me...so what? weekend plans get ruined, I accept it and move on, knowing that God has something even greater planned, though I don't know what those plans may be for the time being. As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion. So I fully intend on embracing that mission this weekend and be the best encourager I can be, and love the people who are around me.

God is sovereign in all He does. I take HOPE in that fact, that He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give hope and a future for me...

so what are YOU putting your hope in? Your own ambitions or God's ambition for you?

Cheers,
~Amber

I think I'll go to Boston

What a catchy song by Augustana...

Ponder this...Living in the here and now and taking one day at a time...How often do we tend to rush things and want everything to work out how we plan and on the time schedule that we have created? I tend to do this too much. The Lord has been working with me on this, because He knows how much of a planner I am. He knows the hairs on my head and He ordained me before I was even created. That thought alone floors me everytime I hear it. I mean, think about it...the Most High God cared about YOU and me enough to intricately and individually design us so that there is no one else like us because He loves us that much...whoa!

While on that topic, have you ever thought about how we even came into being as Christians? Because God sent His one and only Son to die for us, we are able to live with Him in eternity in Heaven if all we do is accept Him. Living, He loved me, Dying, He saved me, Buried, He carried my sins far away, Rising, He justified freely forever that one day He is coming...Because a Sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me...that last line always does it for me. God sent Jesus to die an excruciating death on the cross for my sake, and He pardoned my sin for it...I'm sorry, what? What was God thinking? I am worth nothing, yet He still loves me that much. God just blows my mind. I feel that I will never be able to fully comprehend just how significant that is

Oh how He loves us...

Let me know your thoughts

Cheers,
~Amber

Will you join my wolfpack?

So it's Rush time at the Delta Gamma house. Quite fun to be with my DG sisters and enjoying all the perks about it. I've finally been reunited with my roommates, which has been great because they are some of the greatest girls I know.

Being in charge of skits has definitely been a challenge, but so much fun at the same time. It has given me the opportunity to get to know some younger girls that I probably never would have been able to get to know.

I think the thing I am most looking forward to about the school year is the chance to be more intentional with people. I am going to be bold to those people around me and chat it up with them. I am tired of being stuck in this rut that I always seem to find myself in at school. I am going to climb right out and share my faith. I am also looking forward to being a junior...I know, it's strange that I'm already half way done with college, but I may go on to get my masters...who knows? All I do know is that God is in control of my life and is going to show me where I am supposed to be going, despite the fact that I do not. I take great comfort in that, knowing that He is going to guide and direct my steps, even when it seems an impossible task for me.

Anyway, more posts to come about how work week unfolds.

Cheers,
~Amber
2 Corinthians 4

It's been a great 11 years

Well, I am sad to say that my grandparents sold their 44 foot Carver Boat. it was basically a small yacht, with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room and so much more.

The weird part was that it has been on the market for 2 years, and while my family and I were here, this family who decided to buy it was close to the same age as one of my sisters and has a baby with the same name as one of my nieces. He stayed and watched us unload the boat, which had so much stuff in it, but we successfully packed everything from a soap dish to towels to noodles and lifejackets, all under 2 hours.

The hardest part was the fact that I have been on that boat every summer since I was 9. That is a long time, filled with a lot of memories. There are days that I would never trade being on that boat. I remember the first time I stayed the night on that boat. I watched African Queen with Humphrey Bogart in the living room with my grandparents and I thought it was so cool to be able to watch tv on the water. After all the upkeep and cleaning of the boat, it was still so rewarding getting to hang out on the lake with my grandparents and the rest of my family. I also loved loved loved to drive that boat. I remember sitting in my Papa's lap as a 9 year old driving this huge boat! I thought I was so cool and special because I was driving. I also remember the first time I jumped in the water off of the side in Garrison/Kester cove in the Lake of the Ozarks. The water was perfect temperature and I had to hold my nose because it was such a high jump (in reality, its probably about a 7 foot drop, but it was a big deal as a kid). I landed in the water and when I stuck my head back up, my grandparents were there, clapping for my accomplishment. Yes, those were the good days. Meals at the boat were the best too. We had whatever kind of drink we wanted, had tuna salad, some fresh fruit and good sandwiches. There were always good chips and delicious Oreo's to finish off the meal.

I'll never forget my years on the boat, especially the times I got to go with my parents, sisters and brother in laws. What an awesome way to spend my summer vacation, chillin' on the lake with the people I love and care for the most. I am only sad I will not be able to share that same experience with my husband. But ya know, maybe my family will have something else in mind for our crew when I'm married. Who knows?

Well, it's been a fun ride! Cheers to 11 years, filled with lots of Precious Moments!
~Amber