A gift

My mom's mom passed away when she was 8 years old on December 5. This was tragic. But let me tell you how amazing our Creator is. After we had moved from Colorado to Rancho Cordova, California, my parents met an amazing couple, Don and Faye, that would become like parents to them and grandparents to their 4 children.

I remember wanting sucking my thumb forever because it was so comforting. Grandma Faye and Grandpa Don wanted to help me stop. They said that when I decided that I wanted to be a "big girl," they would take me out for a "big girl" dinner. I think I was 8 and my younger sister Kendra was promised the same incentive. Well, Kendra stopped first and so I had to soon follow.

They would come to our musicals, visit at the holidays and invite us over for Sweedish hot dogs. What was swedish about them you ask? I don't know but I remember that the ketchup and mustard were never in bottles but in glass bowls with small spoons to spread.

They, for the past 50 years, have been actively living out their faith in Sweden and parts of Africa and Saudi Arabia. Talk about some amazing stories. I love listening to their stories. It's funny because she is a outspoken, confident woman and my grandpa is intelligent, mild mannered and composed. Their interactions are humorous and a pleasure to be around.
When I graduated from high school, they gave me this:

It is from Saudi Arabia and one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.
This couple has loved my family and been there for my parents when their parents were sick or passing away. They've helped me to get to other countries so that I can have my own stories to tell. Grandpa and Grandma is what they've been.

My dad has been undergoing so traumatic nerve problems because he has a herniated disk in his neck. He is going to have to have surgery and they are going to take a piece of bone from somewhere on his body to help the disk- or something like that. It could go well, mediocre or he could be paralyzed for life. His surgery is on December 5. My mom and I were talking last night about how this day is a sad one, and why is it that his surgery has to be the same day, even though it is years later.

Well I know a little more about what love is. He redeems us beyond what our situations are. Love suffers long and He is always cheering on life and peace. So I am going to let love take care of my dad. Love has given us my grandparents Don and Faye for just one example about how much he cares. Love will take care of us and we will love back because He's done the lovin' first.

Something true...

I have been doing research for Dr. Shoup for that last year and a half, reading many books, journals and periodicals. In my time reading these things and learning to ghost write for him, I usually am interested in the material but rarely inspired. Well, today I was creating a power point presentation on the Four Principles of Enduring Success by Christian Stadler from the Harvard Business Review.

I came across this quote and it has inspired great perseverace for my senior recital. Take a gander and chew on this for a while:

"To people who have never reached a national or international level of competition, it may appear that excellence is simply the result of practicing daily for years or even decades. However, living in a cave does not make you a geologist. Not all practice makes perfect. You need a particular kind of practice—deliberate practice—to develop expertise. When most people practice, they focus on the things they already know how to do. Deliberate practice is different. It entails considerable, specific, and sustained efforts to do something you can’t do well—or even at all. Research across domains shows that it is only by working at what you can’t do that you turn into the expert you want to become."

Stumbled upon this one...

14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[c] so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 9:14

Sometimes my emotions get the best of me. You know the feeings of guilt after you have realized a mistake and you wish that it could be taken back or disappear? A couple of weeks ago I was in this predicament and I wish that I had found this point of truth then. The beautiful point is that when God allowed Jesus Christ to pay the retribution for sins on the cross with his unblemished blood, He satisfied His own need for reparation and I am the beneficiary of that painful sacrifice. It was not done for me, but for the Father's satisfaction. The reason why I try not be a liar, a cheat, a coward aren't just because getting caught womps, but that those things breed death. gobs of death. Rather than allowing my conscience to become infested with these mistakes, serving the living God means choosing life over death. Confession sets these acts to the freedom of forgiveness. This is life. Community brings these up through accountability. This is life. And greatest of all, the Holy Spirit's lively voice becomes louder than all other competitors; truth empowers the servant. ahhh. So this is Life.

I <3 mom

My mom is the best. I know you might think that yours is, but mine tops all moms. My mom inspires me to care about people and love them even when it is not easy. She shares everything she has and inclusively loves each of her children. She spoils us and takes care of us, even when we are adults. My mom brings life and happiness to those around her. I just thought I'd let you know how great she is.

and she's pretty hot...

I can't sleep...

Ever have one those disheveled days and wonder what it is that is so unsettling? I don't know what it is but today but that description cetainly provides accuracy to my thoughts and feelings. My heart feels unkept but I don't know what it is that it needs. Last night I cried for some time to my best friend matt about how I don't see how I can work as a receptionist for much longer, but we really need the money just to get by. There is something about art, innovating, and culture that awakens me. Something that minimum wage and secretarial duties cause me to search for the previous.
So I decided to see what other people are creating by reading their blogs. I was pleasantly encouraged by my dear friend Leah. I can finally say it world: "Leah and Rob are pregant!" I have been so excited about this one and waiting for everyone to know. She had an eloquent way of announcing her happy news that I must recommend you immediately go and read here blog at http://leahmarievis.blogspot.com/
Thanks friend :)

Mr. Tricky Prof.

So Thursdays are my long days. I work from 8-5 at the School of Education and then I attend Intro to Linguistics from 6 to 10:30pm. Last week was my first class and it was an unusual "first class."
So I walk cutting it close to start time after engulfing some dinner and sit down at 5:57. I gaze around the room and notice that there are about 25 women and 2 men. Oh Cal Baptist. One, sitting behind me, is already falling asleep and the other looks middle aged with a receding hairline and a gold watch a chain. Oh yeah, he's 1990's cool, I comment to myself, kind of like this guy:

People begin to start talking, "hi, how are you, oh you want to be a teacher too?" and then the epic topic of conversation moves to b***s-ing their way through the papers. Then Mr. 90's gold chain says, "Have any of you looked through the book? It looks easy. Man, I could teach this

Actually, I am going to teach this."

Mr. '90's gold chain and receding hairline is my linguistics teacher. ha ha.

and He showed up...

Since the Holy Spirit dwells within those who yield to Jesus Christ, do you ever wonder when He is going to move and shake us up? It is on the days when there are visable aclaimations of the personal interaction between the spirit of God and His bride that refuel me. I don't know what it was about the worship we offered up on 7/8, but Sandals seemed to be stirred in a way that reflects kingdom activity. Upon further thought, is it really that He showed up, or did we just finally notice the sin that had so easily entaglled us?

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12

During worship I could not stop from repeating this in the moments I was not being the awesome back-up singer I am. Outward sin is noticed by all but the inward sin in my own heart matters just as much. Hmmm...caught red handed...and it feels good...

A Gem

It's a foreign thing to be having my sister come and stay with my husband and I. Hannah's visiting isn't new because I have to be the best big sister I can be. After all, who can resist painting nails and shopping with their favorite 14 year old girl? "You see, it is just weird that there is a man under the same roof" says Hannah. I am still getting used to all of our quirks (you find these out when you get married, even your own. Ex: When I walk, it's heel toe. On the second floor it can be loud sometimes. It's the thundering herd in me)
What have we been up to? My sister is an artist. We made this, tasty, tasty breakfast:

Then, because we are poor, we shopped at Target and mooched off of their ac during the peak heat hours. It's a little trick that the fickle find favorable. Hannah is a gem to put up with us tonight as well. She is so helpful and just enjoys being around us. For example, a generous couple, the Shomas', donated a desk to the "Brittany still has one last semester" fund. Some go to the movies and make-out on Friday nights but we live on the edge! We shred on Fridays. Paper that is. And file. And organize. Hannah enjoyed the entire Season 1 of The Office during this adventure.
The moral of the story: Don't get mad, get glad! (At Target when it's hot)

Long time, no blog

Since my last post, quite a lot has changed including my last name. Hello world I am no longer bling, Single-Lingle, or sing me a jingle lingle. I am now Mrs. Richey-rich. Isn't it funny how whatever your last name rhymes with becomes your new nick name? Well, I won't be combining B and Richey (like the old B and lingle which gave you bling) in fear of a nasty word. I like being Mrs. Richey though. I get to hang out with my best friend, make grilled cheese in new ways and decorate our new apartment with all of the money and fun things that people have donated to the "new lovers" fund. And no, our motif is not literally hanging money. I know that this next portion of my journey will be a learning one, but I am excited. No more boundaries or thoughts of "did we make-out too long/far." I get to love my husband with sex in worship of the one who has created us to love. I am better able to understand the relationship that Jesus has with the church, his bride. I get to learn to trust :)
Thanks God.

Vegas

Vegas was so much fun. I can't remember the last time that I consistently laughed that hard. I can't help but love the connections I have with these girls!



Bri got bored in traffic and went for an adventure on the freeway. She is not afraid of making people laugh!



Lynzy knows how to work it..


Sam reads my mind, I read hers...


And we love the water show at the Belagio. tear.

The end.

Girls night out!

I will be heading out of town for a 24-hour road trip to Vegas with my girls, Lynzy, Sam and Bri. I am excited. Matt gave me 2 suggestions: Don't stare at the ground: "boobie alert" and don't accept flyers: "boobie alert." I am glad he trusts me.

Blessings

Silly as it may seem, God took care of me today on the phone. You see, I got an Amazon credit card because they had this promotion that if you were approved, they would give you a $30 credit. The item I purchased was about $80 and so I figured it would be nice. My total was 48.60. It was nice until I tried to pay the bill. Two charges for returned payment fees, 2 frustrating phone calls with heavy Indian accent, and hours of wasted time on the phone left me with no solutions and 126.60 due. So, today I spent sometime going through my list of things to do: take care of this card issue. I sent a quick prayer to God, saying it would be so helpful to speak to someone that I could understand. This kind southern woman answers and after a few "oh honey!" and "man your account is so messed up!" and "is this your first credit card" she says to me, "geerrl, I'll teech ya how ta work this thang." It was not that I didn't have the money in the bank, but I had entered my account number instead of my checking route number. Details, details! I am not so good at those things, but in 5 minutes God took care of me. He is here and cares about the big and small things of our lives. I know he also wants our obedience in the big and small things as well.

blast from the past

Yahoo! I have finally figured out how to blog. My blog wasn't updated to beta and I was struggling...
but I still had posts in mind, and so here is one:

Feb 2
Today has been filled with blessings and thanks be to God! What I am wondering is though people used to build altars, sacrifice animals and such, right? Well what does it look like to build an altar of praise today, February 2, 2007? Do I write a check, a song or what? I really do not know what it is to build an altar. I can tell that the Lord is orchestrating things to work out beautifully for my wedding. The beautiful dress just came in the mail. I took a huge risk and trusted that what it looked like on eBay would be what I received. I can show you how I thought that I was going to be short this month, but the money I had set aside to pay for my taxes isn’t needed anymore; I am $135 in the green! I can exclaim that through much hard work and prayer, I made it through my music history test today with a 91, that I thought I wasn’t going to pass. Through all of this, I believe that as much as God wants us to pray and plead for his will, more so does he want us to use the gifts he has already given us to succeed. This reminds me of the times I have received kind words that are so precious. When someone says something so nice to me, like my mom, I sometimes wish that she would keep that thought for the moments when I am not so great. Maybe this is a reminder that God cares about the covenant Matt and I will be making. The Lord wants our unrequited service and I know that we will fully submit ourselves to him. His kindness is a reminder that he cares for us in our joy and suffering. There were in fact many moments that I agonized about taking these risks. However, in those moments when we have to make tough decisions that required remembering the altars that we have made, we must remember the promise that God loves himself and us, uniquely enough to completely trust Him. It is in these moments that altars are so helpful. Lord, how wonderful you are and deserving of an altar, not just for the way you have orchestrated today, but how you have already composed a master piece of eternity.