I love Brussels Sprouts!

Well, Christmas is over but I must say what a splendid time I had so here goes, "I had a splendid time!" I got the best presents! Mostly clothes and clothes and more clothes. But I did walk away with the fifth season of 24- Party at my house! Although I have to admit that the best gift was not my brand new coat from Macys that I have been longing for FOREVER, or Tysons and Evans ipods, Davids laptop or Hunter's guitar. I think for me one of the best presents was being with all of my family: my many bros, dad, mom, uncle, aunt and papa as we watched the snow fall down outside on CHRISTMAS!! It was definitely the cherry on top of a very very large sundae. And then top it off that night with a rousing game of speed scrabble followed by the ten pound prime rib and creamy mash potatoes and gravy...and might i add, delectable, delicious brussel sprouts. And I just walked upstairs after watching Jason Bourne conquer the world in our very own copy of the Bourne Ultimatum- only the best movie series EVER! So it was indeed a wonderful wonderful day. There is absolutely nothing as magical, as special or anticapated as Christmas. It unifies an entire nation. This morning I even heard Jessica Simpson singing a heartfelt rendition of "The Christmas Song" with a full gospel choir. I did wonder a few times if she actually knew what she was singing about...but I figure she could have been singing Santa Baby or What are You Ding New Years Eve...All songs I enjoy but to proclaim the glorious birth of Christ on channel 4 by Jess Simpson- now thats a miracle. Tomorrow I am going downtown Seattle with the fam. I have things to buy and money to spend...I just love that feeling! And then after thats its back to real life...work, school and then God help us all....the fast!!! I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas as much as I did and everyone be sure to go to Starbucks to get one of the last holiday red cups of the season!!! [had to put a plug in there somewhere]

if you read this then you know I love you...i truly truly do...especially YOU!



I got fuzzzzzzzzyyyy gloves and a cool pink hat...i got five hats actually over the time
My dad can beat uo your dad!


Hunter with his new geee-tar...um when are lessons?

I painted this for my parents because they always complained they never got any of my art

I was having fun with my uncles camera and despite it being a tad blurry- I like it

We are His

"We Are His...Chosen sons and daughters of the Most High God, called to carry the heart of our fathers to the children who will come. With clean hands and a pure heart, we will fight to see the generations restored. We are the drummers, heralding the prophetic cry of our generation. We are the warriors, fighting for life. We are the victors, captivated by His dreams and standing on His promises. We find our true self in Him; this is our identity...

For such a time as this, we have been born, to stand for life and purity. We are committed to seeing victory in one another’s lives for the generations to come. We will fight in such a way as to win. Overcome by His love, we will spend ourselves for the Almighty God, the Great I Am, Immovable Rock, the Omnipotent Powerful and Awesome Lord, Victorious Warrior, Commanding King of Kings, Mighty Conqueror." - MC 2006 Class Covenant [intro and end]

I was reading my MC covenant today and was overwhelmed by the call God has placed on my life and many other peoples lives. It reminded me of what it is we are fighting for. I know for myself, sometimes I get so focused on what my life is going to look like, what I am going to be doing in the next few years, or whether or not I fulfill my destiny. And those are great things to think about, they keep the vision real. But sometimes I forget that the vision is a lot bigger than myself...its a whole generation...its a country...its a world. I get so wrapped up in the my world that I don't make myself available to the real world. Its a big, scary place out there...but if we are all to afraid to reach out then how are we ever going to make a difference. We can pray...that helps...but sometimes prayers need feet. I want to be known as a fighter for my generation. I want to fight to see it restored and brought to the Kingdom. What would it look like to see an entire generation set on fire from Christ...thats a big thought. It seems impossible to me...is it? I dont know. I now the correct answer is "nothing is impossible with God" but I seem to not believe that in several areas of my life. Am I just a drummer...heralding the prophetic cry of my generation, or am I doing somethings about it? I would hope that I can make a change in this world, that I can make an impact for Christ...isn't that why we are all living anyways? I want to be a superhero [ ;) Kaylee....] but what does that really mean...I know that when I paint I can paint America in its present state, I know that I can paint the trials of my generation. When I paint I can speak to someone in need. But can I paint something into existence? Can I paint a revival before it happens? Can I paint life and then watch my painting take form? It is a backwards Kingdom right? So I think I could paint change...

Shout out to my girl...

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

I am in a state right now where I am wondering how deep is the change that is inside of me? What is real, what is not? What is performance and what is genuine? I KNOW that God has done a lot in me over this past year, but how much more could He have done? Where have I resisted His working in my life? I don't mean for this to be sobering...its just real...

I have realized that at the end of any year comes the time to look back on advancements or victories over the past year...its also the time to make "resolutions" for the next year. I always smile when I hear people say "I am going to work out everyday" because I have worked at athletic clubs before and I know just how long that actually lasts. It takes discipline to resolve to something...it takes sacrifice. One of my resolutions is going to be working out...yes in the physical but also in the spiritual...I am going to strengthen myself in the Lord. I once heard that a Christian should always be "content but not satisfied." We should be content in all situations, in all areas, in who we are but we should never be satisfied with just a little bit of the Lord...we should always want more, we should always want to go farther. Phillipians 4.10-13 in the Message says, "I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am."
I really want that to be my cry...God I am content in You but don't take Your hand off of my life because I am not satisfied!! I want the Lord to be able to dwell in me, not just in a small cottage but I want Him to make a mansion out of me. That means I might not understand where He is working all the time, and why but I am trusting that whatever He is doing in my life will only be to my benefit. Thank You God that You see the big picture and I don't.

I am alive to burn for God. I am alive to make Him known.

Along with the rest of my church body, I have been reading Strengthen Yourself in the Lord. I am sure that this book is changing my life. It is changing the way I see life and the way I respond to life. It is so good that I thought I would leave some of my favorite parts here so you all can be inspired...

"David’s schooling for kingship was based on testing his ability to believe and walk in the Word over His life, even when the circumstances seemed to completely oppose and deny His destiny.

If you want to kill giants follow a giant killer!"

"You cannot escape Gods love for you but you have to grow in favor. Jesus modeled that each of us must grow in favor if we are gong to fulfill our destiny in God. But favor, because it is so glorious is a weighty thing. Thus God in His mercy gives you favor in the measure your character can handle, taking you from glory to glory, faith to faith and strength to strength"

"You become what you behold"

[I have recenty stopped indulging myself in so much tv for this reason alone. I used to watch tv every night, every day for a couple hours...it fed absolutely nothing in me except the desire to be lazy and do absolutely nothing- not to mention what it was doing to my spirit. I made a deal with myself- for every minute I spend beholding worldly things I must spend two minutes beholding the Lords face...]

"The enemy uses lies to make problem appear bigger than the solutions we carry"

[I think that sometimes we wish God wasn't big enough to solve our problems so that we could have a reason to sit in them. Why is it harder to say no to a lie than to believe in the truth...]

"If we are not convinced of our purpose then we will entertain the enemy’s lies and invite His destruction into our lives"

[I am a daughter of Christ, called to bring His Kingdom and set others free. He has created me to be an artist, mirroring Gods creativity- I know that I know those things about myself...I have a purpose because God didn't create me and then put a dream in me...he built a dream and then created me to fit that dream...]

"The difficulties in our lives expose the degree to which we really believe that God is for us and that His words about our destiny are true"

"As you become more and more convinced that you are a person with a great identity and purpose, that you are prepared for the moment you’re standing in, and that all of Heaven is waiting to back you up as you choose to be faithful to your purpose, your perception of which forces are the most operative in your life will shift It is our assignment, privilege, and joy to see impossibilities and problems bend their knees to the name of Jesus"

"In worship, the sacrifice is no longer physical expression or verbal declaration. We are the sacrifice. Fire always falls on sacrifice. And when we are the sacrifice, we cannot help but be changed."

[I am convinced that worship is the key to victory in our lives, in the lives of people around us and in situations we face]

"We can't be with Him without having our heads lifted to see Him. You can't behold God and then look back at your circumstances with the same perspective. You can't experience the realm of His glory without receiving a measure of His race and strength.


Pretty much, we cannot be the same once we know who the Father is. He changes us when we desire to be changed. As long as we put ourselves into a situation where He can touch us, then He will touch us. God help me believe that with You nothing is impossible. God help me to trust you more and listen to the enemies lies less. I love You Lord!

I feel the most alive when I am walking in the presence of the Lord. I could be making my morning latte, taking a shower, going to class, working or attending a church service- everything has life when I have the life of the Lord...

This life is such a great discovery, its such a great adventure. Whoever said the Christian walk was a boring walk was sadly mistaken because my life with Christ is pretty darn awesome. And the best part of it is I know I am not alone in this- there are other people I get to surround myself with who love the Lord and long to see His Kingdom come as much as I do...So lets party...

Seasons of life...

Whats your favorite season? ... Mine is right now. It's right before Christmas when its cold outside, with the hope of snow, when you can just cuddle up by the fire with good friends or a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. It's when you start conspiring about what gifts to give people, figuring out who is at the top of your gift giving list, and what would mean the most to the specialist people in your life. Its about encouragement, hope, life, love and feeling like anything is possible. Its about cutting down that Christmas tree and decorating it with ribbons and bows and ornaments. Its about the presents wrapped with care under that tree. Its about waking up in the morning, when its still dark and cold, and seeking the Lord like you have never sought Him before- because He is the reason for the season right. Honestly I have never loved the Lord more than I do right now. I want to seek Him and I want Him to be real in my life. I am moving from a stage where if I miss a time with Him in the morning, I don't feel guilty because I can't check off a box too a new thing- I am truly sad because I don't get to fellowship with Him. So right now is my favorite season because it is in the right now that I love the Lord more than anything. With Him even the coldest day is warmer and the bleakest situation bright. He truly is the hope for the rest of this year and the year to come. The great thing is that today is my favorite day becuase He is in it, but tomorrow will also be my favorite day...and the day after that and the day after that....because with the Lord everyday should be the best day of our lives, every season should be our favorite season. I am confident that when I am on the beach this summer, digging my feet into the sand, listening to the waves crash down on the rocks it will be my favorite season because only God could be cool enough to create such an awesome place in the universe. But until then...NOW is slipping away- are you making sure its your favorite NOW that you've ever had. Really our lives are all made up of small moments of time. Our life as a whole is defined by what we did in the small moments. So make each moment your favorite and live life with no regrets. Thats my plan. As my favorite song says "I dont have time to maintain these regrets...when I think about...the way...He loves us, Oh how he loves us...."

I am very excited, however, to start making my Christmas gifts for people...I am going to make them all this year. A Morgan original creation. I just have to figure out how I am going to ship some of them...hmmmm....Time to rack my brain about that one...

Love you all...truly...aren't you all glad we live a life of hope. Lets enjoy it together!

In a blogging mood...

So this is my second blog today but really who's counting? I am just bursting with thoughts and emotions and I have to write them somewhere or I am going to explode....so here's some more thoughts on random things [because I love random]....

Dreams...

Dreams are limitless. They have no bounds. The power behind knowing the Creator is the ability to create. If I say to myself "I want to create such and such..." and I have the touch of the Creator, nothing can be done except to create that thing. We have more power than we think. Because of whose we are we cannot be stopped. Oh, we will tried to be stopped, but that obstacle can only accomplish instilling fear in us. If we can rise above fear, we are powerful, more powerful than we know. When fear is eradicated our words can move mountains, our actions can usher in glory and our love can change lives. Love, unhindered by fear, will change this world. [And you know I am all about changing this world]. Love cannot be stopped, it is contagious, it is infectious. Love is the most important gift of all. Because of love we can live in hope and because of love we desire to create life. We can create an atmosphere of life. Death is not welcome. Hate is not welcome. We are conduits of life and love. We are guilty of living too fully and loving too deeply. We seek change and believe intensely that change is possible. If a man, a nation, a world can change for the worse, then isn't the opposite also possible. It is not impossible to fight for what is true, it is not a worthless battle. Those who fight for truth and are wounded, they are rewarded. Our reward drives us because the reward is Him and knowing Him. He is my passion, He fuels my passion, He is my fuel. Without Him, what am I? Who am I if I am not His? Where am I going if I don't go where He is? Why do exist if I don't exist for Him? I am His, there is no other option- at least no other option worth considering. May my thoughts always dwell on Him and may my life always reflect His. I am in love with my Father. He is my hope, my life, my desire. I am complete Him- I am found in Him.

And those are my thoughts...


...and this is a pretty flower

Remember Me...

I have been thinking a lot about one of the commands Jesus has given us. The one that contains the mystical idea of healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and cleansing the unclean- yeah that one. With the increase in concentration lately on treasure hunts and healing people, I have realized that when upon reading the Word of God, I can no longer treat it as a fairy tale. I always have believed that the Bible was true. Obviously I believe that Jesus died, rose again and saved us from a life of no hope. But I am just beginning to realize that when the Bible says, "Greater works you will do than I have ever done" Jesus was serious. He wasn't like, "Hmmm...I'm going to tell these imperfect vessels that they can do greater things than I did, and then watch them run around in circles trying to catch there tail." No, he wasn't joking, He was serious and I don't think He is enjoying the fact that the majority of us are scared to death to pray for someone in a cast.

Whenever I see someone in a cast I freeze. Whenever I see someone limping I start sweating and getting really nervous. Whenever I hear someone might have cancer, I would rather run fast the other way. Why is that? Why do I get afraid to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. We have been given authority over sickness, we have been given authority over death, we have been given authority over broken hearts, we have been given the authority to break chains, bondages and despair over our generation. We are called to bring hope, life and restoration. Why am I scared to bring life to someone? That makes absolutely no sense. But it is the enemies greatest tool. Comfort and the desire to "fit in" is the quickest way we will lose credibility with unbelievers.

We weer talking about this at homegroup last night. What is the difference between me and my unsaved co-worker. Is it that I go to church and they go to a bar, and thats what makes us feel good about ourselves. Or is there something truly different. Is Jesus' Kingdom IN me? Is the desire to see Him rule in every aspect of my life, including the part of my life that touches the sick and the unsaved, bigger than my desire for comfort? How do I want to be remmebered? As the Christian girl who was the same as an unsaved girl or as the girl who dared to be different because she prayed for people who were sick and they were healed! I think I am going to live the life of trust and risk. I am going to trust Jesus that if I risk He will come through, and even if I pray and no one gets healed, whats the worst that could happen? Someone I pray for will get healed, they will experience a miracle and if I pray and "fail" on thirty people, it is all worth the freedom that will come in just one persons life. But if I pray for no one, then no one gets to experience the freedom I enjoy. Here's to unselfish, unchicken, brave , courageous, and on fire Christians!

May it be said of all of us that we burned so brightly that everyone around us was lit on fire too.

Change my Perspective!

Its long but its good...

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something
for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. It was the last essay he ever wrote.
Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin
found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High
School . Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately
wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and
teachers, his homework.
Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He
was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off
Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He
emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and
was electrocuted.
The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the
family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a
point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,"
Mrs. Moore said of the essay.

Brian's Essay: The Room...



In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in
the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall
covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in
libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.
But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly
endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near
the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read
"Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards.
I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names
written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I
was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog
system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment,
big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder
and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began
randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and
sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I
would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have
betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird
"Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes
I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness:
"Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things
I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My
Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes
fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I
had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill
each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card
confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each
signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I
realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed
tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the
file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by
the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill
run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to
test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An
almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one
must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to
destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't
matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at
one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a
single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it
as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.
Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying
sigh.

And then I saw it... The title bore "People I Have Shared the
Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer,
almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than
three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it
contained on one hand.



And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they
hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my
knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it
all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one
must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched
helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't
bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to
look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have
to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the
room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that
didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and
began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could
have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with
me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at
one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign
His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I
could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name
shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich,
so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with
His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began
to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so
quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file
and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I
stood up, and He led me out of the room.. There was no lock on its door.
There were still cards to be written.

It's About Time...

I must repent to all my devout readers for my lack of engagement on my blog recently. A lot has been happening that time has not allowed the devotion I would like to spend. So? You ask- what has been happening in my life since my last post about the beginning days of school? I will tell you- section by section.

School has been going great, well almost great. I found out I am still not a mathematician, or an English Major- but anything having to do with Art has been a blast. I am definitely getting the feel for what it is like to be a college kid. I have also made the realization that our generation needs Jesus. ALOT. And I am working up the courage to give it to them. But school has been going great and I am looking forward to the next three and a half years :)

Work has also been a lot of fun. I now am a master at coffee drinks, which is really the only reason someone gets a job at Starbucks right? But it is a great company to work for and there are a lot of great people there. Its been fun shattering peoples perspectives of "Christians." I was walking to my car with my assistant manager the other day, a self proclaimed agnostic, and she asked me why I was twenty and only in my first year of college. I proceeded to tell her I had been doing a program at my church. At that she looked at me kind of strange and asked, "Are you devout." It took me by surprise a little but I answered "Yes, you could say I am devout." And then she said "Hmm, I never would have guessed." At first when she said that I was like "Oh no! I have become of the world! People can't tell I am a Christian!!" And as all the horrors that come with that flashed through my head she rescued me from my despair when she said. "Your not a mean Christian...you don't wave your religion in people's faces and argue with them all day long. I really appreciate that." And with that my foot was in the door and I believe that slowly and surely Christ's light will shine through me enough to shatter the darkness that she walks in.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the impact that I want to make in people's lives, both saved and unsaved. The Lord has really given me a passion to see broken hearts healed and hope restored in people. I love the look in peoples eyes that comes right after they have received a new hope there life. I have seen how a simple, "God loves you" can change a life. I am confident that if we are willing and obedient to be God's vessels, to be His mouthpieces, our generation will be transformed. I feel like we are on the brink of something huge. Like the Lord is holding a giant water balloon over our heads and we are feeling the pressure coming down on us as we wait with eager anticipation for it to explode all over us. Who wants to dance in that rain??!!!?? I do.

But I think its time for some pictures....These are just random pictures but I think that every blog is perfected by pictures. I dont have many because...well I dont have a camerabut what I have I give to you....they are completely random...some are even form MC tour...but fun nonetheless

SCHOOL!

SO I started school on Monday. Good ol' BCC. Its crazy to be a college kid. It feels a little surreal. I think its going to take a few weeks until I feel like I belong here. Its a little different than the Academy and Masters Commission. I didnt realize how fast the professors talk. Before you even start taking notes on the thing they just said they move on to a completely different subject. Its insane. And something else I noticed that I am not used too- I am the only one in my class of 50 who has a laptop. I didnt realize how yuppy preppy we were in the Academy but we were. There was definitely not a lack of laptops. Now I am shocked when I take out my beautiful Mac baby the cynical looks I get from people around me. I can just hear their thoughts, "Oh she's one of those...."

I am taking English 101 online, I dont think I ever will take an online class again, a little to confusing for me. Math 98, which turned out to be a Math lab where we are taught by computers. Its actually pretty ridiculous becuase they gave us these cds that we have to load onto our home computer to do the class- except the cds only work on PCs with just Windows 98. liek who still lives in the stone age anyway? Then I am taking an intro to Interior Design. All I can say is field trips, lots of field trips- so if any of you ever want to go to the museum with me, i am open.

Well...got to go to class. I will put pictures up later of some very fun things

I have found a new obsession with life. SPEED SCRABBLE!! I LOVE SPEED SCRABBLE. Like seriously I feel like a little kid who just found enough money under the couch cushions to go buy her favorite color lollipop. I am so thrilled with this new game. I despise normal scrabble- it takes so long and generally leaves me feeling royally stupid but speed scrabble is entirely different. You dont have to be smart just fast [i sound like the ikea guy on backwards "you dont have to be rish just smart...haha] I can be fast and in the being fast i feel smart. Its a wonder. I am utterly positive that God makes games available for the smart people and the not smart people. I love God. He's so cool. Everyone gets to have fun not just the people who know how to put letters together in a real articulate way...but everyone. Even me. I am fascinated. So one of these days I am going to have a speed scrabble party. Its going to be huge. Theres gonna be skittles, and m and ms, and lollipops, and popcorn, and the really good onion chips that come in the purple bag, and sour patch kids, and sour patch watermelon, and recess pieces, and ice cream, and brownies, and those cute little cucumber sandwiches. parT.

I FIXED IT. Thank you Ashley for bringing it to my attention that only bloggers could comment. Now it is fixed so that Ashley can tell me how much she loves me :p

I will post a real post soon.

I just got back from girls night at the McCuen household that was so so fun. We did some pretty crazy things that we wouldnt normally do I think [I am sorry Christian] :). It was a lot of fun. But I must admit you cant go wrong with great food, great movie, great music and most importantly great girls. I am convinced that the gentleman species got the lower end of the deal cuz I just can't picture them having as much fun as we had without doing something quite unruly- without having to go into details, I think you know what I mean.

We watched "The Ultimate Gift"which I am pretty sure is one of the better movies out there. Generally "faith" movies absolutely suck. But this one pretty much rocks me. My favorite part is when Jason and Emily are sitting in the chapel and she is talking about butterflies that God paints with his fingers and she breaks down crying because what eleven year old girl should ever have to suffer through that kind of pain. And they look of a statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched and Jason says "I don't know much about God or Jesus but I do know that those arms were meant for you". Its such a strong visual picture for me I love it. Its a keeper thats for sure.

Two more days till a lot of my friends go back to school, one more week til I start work, one more month til I venture into the land of interior design. I am truly excited for what the Lord is going to do. This life is truly an adventure, one meant for dreams and fulfillment of those dreams. And I have learned that that is not question its a promise.

so i just found out something that has really radically changed my life.  It may be a small feat for some but for me i marks a changing of the tide, a blowing over a new leaf, a turning of a new page in a favorite book-- ok get the idea? I just found out that more than one person read my blog.  So this is a shout out to Ashley and Morgan [my namesake ;)]- thank you for enduring this blog and maybe, just maybe, your eyes landing upon this thoughtful page might provoke me to write just a little bit better.  

i love all my friends

I got a JOB i got a JOB i got a JOB WOOOOOHOOOO YEAH. Its official come Sept 12 I will be a barista. I will devote as much time to coffee as it has delighted to give me over the past years. I am not sure whether or not I will enjoy it to the fullest or not, I'll have to try it out but I am excited to be making money. Money is good. Coffee is good. God is good. Life is GOOD. So I have a few more weeks to lie around and do absolutely nothing but come end of September I will be crazy busy doing all the crazy college things to do-- you know parties and all that stuff ;) I heard there are some pretty bumpin ones around these parts.

But none the less I am most excited about working at Starbucks for this reason and this reason alone [although there are plenty good reasons- like free coffee, discounts, chonga bagels, making friends and being about 10 steps from the beach] the main reason is that I, Morgan Gilbert, will get to hold in my hand Starbucks RED Christmas cups the MOMENT they come out- I won't wait in line, NO, I won't buy one, NO- I will simply walk to the box they are so fragily kept in and then TAKE IT. HAHAHAHAHAHA. YESSSSSSSSSSS.

So please feel free to visit me Kati [as you are the only one that reads this blog] and we will go to the beach together. Now you may comment...

Its Official

I am no longer able to consider myself an "MC". Its done, its over, two great years of my life now officially behind me. I am actually over taken with quite a bit of joy and anticipation thinking about what the Lord is going to do in these next few years. They officially graduated us yesterday but I think everyone completely forgot, including myself, that we graduated upon receiving the delightful news that Jeff and Elise are courting. I was beyond shocked- I can't even describe accurately the astonishment that overwhelmed me. I new that they were going to be an item but never, in a million years, thought that they would be courting so quickly. And the even more crazy thing was that its Elise. My lifelong friend, she's the first....the first to go in the direction of marriage- not saying that that will happen definitely but the steps are there, and it makes me wonder if I too am closer to courting then I thought. It scares me a little to think that way, aren't we still to young to be doing adult things? DO we really have to grow up so fast? Life is changing and it is good, really good. I am just bracing myself.

LAST DAY OF EXTERNING

Yes it is true....today was my very last day going to the church as an extern. I graduate on Sunday which is like, five days away. I can hardly believe it. Next year I move on...into, dare I say.....the WOOOORLD- duh duh duh duuuuh. The term "world" has become the nemesis of every Christian kid who has grown up in the church- its evil, its bad, only those fully equipped with all super hero powers can even dare face it and come out alive. The really successful superheros go on to train other kids about the evil ways of the "world"- they don't say much about it though [after all it is "the thing we don't speak of"] but what they do say is horrible enough to keep even the best of us away. I have had friends who have gone out into the "world" and at first we mourned their moving on but awakened only to see them rip off their pedestrian, college kid, coffee shop aprons etc.. and became what we know as the "REVIVALISTS" duh duh duh duuuuh. But a word of silence please for the few we have lost along the way, they let the kryptonite of this age get to them. But as for me...I do not fear the "world". It is the lot of some to fear what they do not know, the lot of even more to fear what has caused others to fall, I cast my lot where the fear of the Lord is the only thing that holds me back for I too wish to one day be known as a revivalist.

Start of Something New

So I definitely am not one of those qualified as the "faithful blogger" perfectly demonstrated by my dear friend Kati...but nonetheless, I am gonna try.

My days as a dear MC are almost over which comes as a very bitter-sweet taste in my mouth. With less than a week left I think it appropriate to recount all the good times that have made these past two years a highlight of my life. My first year as an MC student was irreplaceable. And as I think more and more about- I can't believe how privledged I was to spend that year with some of the most amazing people I have ever met. There is nothing like advancing the kingdom of God then with some of the people who are most on fire for the Lord. I will never forget the first few car rides in Gumbi with Todd, Ricky and I- Ricky sitting in the front seat not saying a word staring at me and Todd like we had lost our minds as we played our favorite disney tunes, or driving to class that first day and realizing that after seeing cow after cow- we were probably not going the right direction, or Ricky and Dustin being "lost in the woods and dancing" or Larissa's fascination with elbow skin, or after every hard, tear jerking discussion me and Kati running down to Fred Meyers to get lost in a Ben and Jerrys pint of our favorite ice cream, or the awesome talks I had with Elise at the dreadful character building outreach known as Avondale, or Dustin McCuen singing the robin and the sparrow song during worship, or terryiaki and a movie night at my favorite home away from home family the Stevies, or spring break on Todds trampoline and me and Elise screaming out of his moonroof, or having Lou Engle all to ourselves for a whole week and then meeting him at the nations capitol for a life seige or so real, not forgotten, playing a more than interesting character in confessions with Aime [which did build our relationship :)], somethings missing, here is our king, girl america and our infamous class dance with a wonderful rendition of "Hail, Hail Lion of Judah" or all those other memories I am forgetting at the moment or just dont have the time to put down becuase they were far to good. And then there was this year, as an extern, where the Lord tested me in taking me away from most of my closest friends and having me seek after Him for a whole year. It was very hard and at points very very frustrating. But in the end God had His way because it too has been one of the best years- one of the hardest but one of the best. I can say that I have never been more confident in who I am in the Lord than right now and its awesome to feel like that. I have started prophetically painting- which is my new favorite form of worship. Its like when I paint, its what I was born to do. I amazed at how with each one God majorly comes through. I love it. I love beauty and creating beauty with my hands. I see it as a major priveledge every time I bring a paint brush to the canvas. I love worshipping God through it.

The year is almost done and then I am off to BCC to start my journey as an interior designer. I feel very ready to go out and start that phase of my life. I am really passionate to bring a little revival to that campus. I want to definitely see healing miracles happen next year- ALL THE TIME. I love seeing that happen for Gods glory and I feel very confident. Where does fear of man come from anyhow? It is the silliest thing that plagues man. My goal is to one day be able to say that I fear nothing except disobeying the voice of the Lord. Those who are the people who will shake this world and bring heaven to earth. I will be one of those people, I am becoming one.

May this one day be true of us...

The Vision

Written by Paul or Peter Grieg

The vision is JESUS obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.
The vision is an army of young people. You see bones? I see an army.
And they are FREE from materialism.
They laugh at 9-5 little prisons.
They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.
They wouldn't even notice.
They know the meaning of the Matrix, the way the west was won.
They are mobile like the wind, they belong to the nations. They need no passport.. People write their addresses in pencil and wonder at their strange existence.
They are free yet they are slaves of the hurting and dirty and dying.

What is the vision ?

The vision is holiness that hurts the eyes. It makes children laugh and adults angry. It gave up the game of minimum integrity long ago to reach for the stars. It scorns the good and strains for the best. It is dangerously pure.

Light flickers from every secret motive, every private conversation.
It loves people away from their suicide leaps, their Satan games.
This is an army that will lay down its life for the cause.
A million times a day its soldiers
choose to loose
that they might one day win
the great 'Well done' of faithful sons and daughters.
Such heroes are as radical on Monday morning as Sunday night. They don't need fame from names. Instead they grin quietly upwards and hear the crowds chanting again and again: "COME ON!"
And this is the sound of the underground
The whisper of history in the making
Foundations shaking
Revolutionaries dreaming once again
Mystery is scheming in whispers
Conspiracy is breathing
This is the sound of the underground
And the army is discipl(in)ed.
Young people who beat their bodies into submission.
Every soldier would take a bullet for his comrade at arms.
The tattoo on their back boasts "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain".
Sacrifice fuels the fire of victory in their upward eyes.
Winners.
Martyrs.
Who can stop them ?
Can hormones hold them back?
Can failure succeed?
Can fear scare them or death kill them ?
And the generation prays
like a dying man
with groans beyond talking,
with warrior cries, sulphuric tears and
with great barrow loads of laughter!
Waiting. Watching: 24 7 365.
Whatever it takes they will give:
Breaking the rules.
Shaking mediocrity from its cosy little hide.
Laying down their rights and their precious little wrongs,
laughing at labels, fasting essentials.
The advertisers cannot mold them.
Hollywood cannot hold them.
Peer-pressure is powerless to shake their resolve at late night parties before the cockerel cries.
They are incredibly cool, dangerously attractive inside.
On the outside? They hardly care.
They wear clothes like costumes to communicate and celebrate but never to hide.
Would they surrender their image or their popularity?
They would lay down their very lives - swap seats with the man on death row - guilty as hell.
A throne for an electric chair.
With blood and sweat and many tears, with sleepless nights and fruitless days, they pray as if it all depends on God and live as if it all depends on them.
Their DNA chooses JESUS. (He breathes out, they breathe in.)
Their subconscious sings. They had a blood transfusion with Jesus.
Their words make demons scream in shopping centres.
Don't you hear them coming?
Herald the weirdo's!
Summon the losers and the freaks.
Here come the frightened and forgotten with fire in their eyes.
They walk tall and trees applaud, skyscrapers bow, mountains are dwarfed by these children of another dimension.
Their prayers summon the hounds of heaven and invoke the ancient dream of Eden.

And this vision will be. It will come to pass; it will come easily; it will come soon.
How do I know? Because this is the longing of creation itself, the groaning of the Spirit, the very dream of God.
My tomorrow is his today.
My distant hope is his 3D.
And my feeble, whispered, faithless prayer invokes a thunderous, resounding, bone-shaking great 'Amen!' from countless angels, from hero's of the faith, from Christ himself. And he is the original dreamer, the ultimate winner.

I like Jesus! Hollar!

So I was thinking today...which isn't completely unusual, but still I was. And what I was pondering was this: what would my life be like without Jesus? Seriously. I can see me now- on one hand I would probably be working for the CIA and have easily saved the world with my bare hands countless times, or I would be a very bad kid- trying to destroy the world any way possible. I would definitely not be the person I am now. And some people might look at me and say my life is boring- well, ok- if they want to think that they can. But the Christian life really is fun. I mean- where else can you get completely "drunk" and not experience the worst hangover in your life? Where else can you find people who love you more than anything else, even when they see your many flaws every day? Where else can you wake up at 4 in the morning, go to bed at 11 and not be dead tired the next day because you are riding on the grace of God! I mean come on. I watched Amazing Grace recently [and if you haven't seen that movie then you must] and a quote that got me is this- "Two things I see clearly, I am a great sinner but Christ is a great Savior" and I will amen that for the rest of my life. God saved me when I was to young to know I needed to be saved, and everyday I thank God becuase I know that right now I am in a better place then I could ever hope to be. I love my life, I love the people in my life, and I love having Him rule my life! Hollar for all the Jesus freak who aren't afraid to be labeled as such, hollar to all those who aren't afraid of the gospel and preachin it as loud as you can, hollar to all those who give up their Saturday nights, Sunday mornings, and every other day of their lives because He is worth it. Those are the type of people who will change the world forever. You guys are my role models!