a life of passion, not of mere efficiency

Finally!! A new post!!!

2008-07-31T19:47:00.000-07:00

So many things have happened that it's hard to know just where to begin.

Well, first off I graduated college on May 3rd! Wow, how exciting! However, this is not the end, just another milestone. I still want to go to grad school and have already been accepted to where I believe that God wants for me to go to school. I can start as early as the Spring.

Then, of course, I got married!! Wow, how that went by fast. But, a good fast. When I first graduated, it felt like it was just dragging along. Like we would NEVER get there. Then, all of a sudden, I had to make final decisions on EVERYTHING. fyi - planning a wedding is hard. There is a whole lot of little things that have to be done that took a lot of time and I still don't remember where all of my time went. But, in the end, everything went beautifully. Our prayer was that God would be glorified in our wedding, and I believe that He was. I really believe that people went away not just merely attending a wedding, but worshiping God through what He has done.
It was a special blessing that Jonathan (aka Taylor Martin) was able to sing at our wedding. I told him like a year ago that whenever I got married that I wanted him to be the "special" music. He, of course, did a marvelous job. Jonathan, you are very talented and your gifts have matured so much in just a few years.

So, for our honeymoon, we went to BELIZE!! It was so much fun. We went to the island of San Pedro - about a tweny minute plane ride from the mainland. The amazing thing was that someone from Green Acres Baptist Church (where Jeremy has been working the past year and a half) owns a condo on the island. A NICE condo. And, they gave it to us for a week. FREE! All we had to do for our honeymoon was pay for our plane ride and our meals. It was such a blessing. We came back home with money!

Now, after 2 weeks of setting up house and going through the lengthy process of getting my legal name changed, I am on the job hunt. I had a promising interview today, but I don't know what God wants, ya know? Like, it's a great opportunity, and I think that I'll like it...I just don't want to make the wrong move and then another offer come up and I'm like "argg....I'm locked into this one." But then again, won't life always be like that? You never know what tomorrow may offer, but we just have to make the best choice for today.

Love,
Brittany

If only I could give you a digital hug

2008-02-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

I wish I could write something encouraging today. I wish I could tell anyone who reads this blog something that would reach out, beyond the words on the screen that warms them to the innermost part of their being. I guess I can tell you that you aren't who you are going to be yet.
We are in a constant state of growing, and that is exciting to me that I won't be where I am forever! I have the potential to grow more and more as a person everyday, and my failures don't define me.
That is something that God has taught me - you are not defined by one moment in time. That your one, two, or maybe even a year's worth of mess-ups don't define you. You are not who you are because of your mistakes. There is more to life. You have more in this life than past regrets, or trying to live up to standards or expectations. Allow yourself to think beyond your past, or beyond what others expect for your life. You do have a purpose to breathe in and out. You have a reason to live. YOU have a reason to live.

It's been a while...

2008-02-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!
I'm so sorry that it's been so long. I feel as though I'll never be a frequent blogger, and I'm OK with that! lol
Life has been crazy great! I think that most people who will read this already know that Jeremy and I are engaged!! He asked me while we were in Durango, Colorado on December 18, 2007. (Wow...it's already February of 2008!) It was literally perfect. Like out of a Disney movie perfect. The only thing that could have made it better would if Jeremy would have just slain a dragon or something. Anyways, it was on this beautiful snow covered cliff edge at sunset. It overlooked the city and you could see the river in Durango winding in and out of the city and houses while families were turning on their Christmas lights. Yeah. Amazing. It was the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen. I could be a little partial, but seriously, it was beautiful, no picture could do it justice.
So, we have quickly begun to plan a wedding, but more than that, a marriage!
My thoughts on this are kind of weird right now. Weird in the way that I am not panic-y, or having all kind of doubts. I thought that when that day came in my life I would be typical Brittany - freaking out. I kind of just see this as the next step in our relationship. Like, it just feels so natural as though this is exactly what is supposed to happen. It's a great feeling. I'm almost embarrassed to tell you how happy I am because for so long I was always ashamed when I even thought a guy was cute. I think somewhere down the line I had it drilled into me that relationships were a private affair. Now, I feel that our relationship is anything BUT private! lol . We are constantly answering questions about how "he did it" and what our plans are, and suprisingly, good intentioned ladies want to tell me what to expect after we've been married for a long time. I'm just like "hey, let me enjoy my ignorance and think that it's gonna be like a fairy tale!" lol. Seriously though, I want our relationship to honor God, and to be an inspiration to others who are watching us.
The plans are coming together pretty quickly and with great ease. God has really worked great things out for us, especially financially.

If you want something to pray for us about, please pray that God will protect us and provide for us. I really want to have a GOOD job lined up for post graduation. I want to have that safety net of knowing when I graduate that I will have a great job waiting for me to start very soon.

I love y'all and am happy to see that most of you have joined facebook! :)
Brittany

My Birthday!!! and music

2007-11-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!
I have to say life is going well right now. I just had my birthday on Monday which was lots of fun and we've been celebrating since last Friday! lol
I have a family party on Saturday which I am really looking forward to. I just want a day with my extended family (well, Lufkin side) where we can all hang out and not have the TV on. That'd be awesome.
Brent is doing well. His next surgery is scheduled for Nov. 15. I'll let y'all know more of what happens once it's over because sometimes they do more than what they say they'll do which is great!

I love to sing songs about praising God in the good times and in the bad times too. Because sometimes it's easy to cry out to God in the "bad times" of our life. This of course is a natural response and I believe that God allows the storms of our life to call us back to Him and to remind us that He is still good and in control, no matter how the seas of life shake us. However, it is easy for me to forget to praise Him during those times unless I think of "WWJD" - What would Job do.
However, it is equally as hard to remember to praise God during the "good times" without it feeling superficial. It's so easy to live in the feel good times and forget that we live in a broken world that desperately needs us to be aware of what is actually going on.
So, when I hear songs that remind me of praising God when we are on mountain tops, or in the valley, it's like a warm fuzzy blanket of truth wraps around me. I remember where I've been, who I used to be and that God still loves me and wants to give me second chances ("Our God is a God of second chances!" - Veggie Tales). The other part is that even though I've messed up, or I've gone through trying times, God still lets me experience the "mountaintop" feelings before the trials come again. He owes us nothing, yet offers us everything. We deserve Hell, yet He gave us the gift of Eternal Life with Him! He would still be a just God if we were never offered a way out of the sin that we chose. Yet I am grateful that He allowed me to be born in a generation, and in a place that has taught me about the Creator God who hand-crafted me and called me unto Himself. ...It's been a great birthday.

Life is like....the back of a math book?

2007-10-19T22:20:00.001-07:00

Remember at the back of a math textbook that the answers for the odd numbered problems are written in for you?
Every now and then, I wish life were like that.
It's not that I want the answers, but when I'm working on the even numbered problems, it's good to have a similar problem to look back on and have that answer. It always made me feel more confident when I would finish the even numbered ones.

What's new

2007-10-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
Well, some months have past, and my life has NOT been spent on the computer, as you can tell. In fact, I should be studying for a midterm tomorrow, but whatever.

Here's an overview.

July -
Worked
Went to San Antonio with my Mom on our annual mother-daughter get-a-away
Helped Davin (my friend) move back to Waco the same weekend we moved Brent in
Went to Costa Rica

August -
Got back from Costa Rica
Spent much needed time with my family
Packed and moved into school
Started my SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE (AHHHH!!!)
Started back at my position in the Admissions Office

September -
Started ministering as a kind of small group leader for new freshman through an organization called "Journey" which is under the BSM at school

Began to LOVE my roommates - for those of you who remember how painful of a year I had last year with roommate issues, this has been nice. I never realized you could actually have roommates who were clean, you get along with, and spend time with outside of just bumping into them while brushing your teeth!!!

Worked at Tiger Day - a preview event that the Admissions office puts on. We had to get up really early...on a Saturday! lol

October -
Went on a "date" with my 3 roommates plus another friend. We watched a movie called Sydney White - I totally recommend it for a group of girls to go and see. It's like a current day version of Snow White, and it's very funny! Not for young girls, just because of some of the jokes.

Met more of Jeremy's family at a family shin-dig

I know that's a lame overview, but I just wanna catch y'all up on what's going on.
Oh, Monday afternoon, Jeremy came up and suprised me! He took me to Walmart to get groceries, and then we went to IHOP. That was SOOO much fun! I really enjoy just spending time with him. Whatever we're doing, it doesn't matter, we just enjoy being together.

Here's a pic!

love you guys,
Brittany

Oops! Sorry so long since I've last blogged...

2007-07-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
Sorry it's been so long (thanks Jimmy for reminding me week after week).
Well, I'm not doing much right now except for working at Livewell and gettin' ready to travel at the end of the summer.
It's been wonderful to see all of my friends again. To be able to spend time with people who know you inside and out and love you anyways is so...freeing. I love my friends from home. I really do.
One thing this summer is that SOOO many people are getting married!!! lol
I think between me and Jeremy we had something like 7 weddings to go to, 2 of which we were in, and another 2 we are supposed to be helping for.
So, it's been cool to be able to see Jeremy too and not have to worry about studying for a test. We've been able to actually spend time together!
It's also been good to see my family and spend time with them. It's been awhile since me and Brent have lived in the same house, but it's been good this time around!
Well, I'm on my way to go see Ratouille (or however you spell it) with one of the little boys I babysit. Robert (my friend who has been keeping the kids since I've been at ETBU this last year) is taking the older one to Transformers. We wanted to take them out for a movie night and it just happened that today is the parent's anniversary so now they can get some time to go on a date!
Well, I hope to blog soon and I hope that everything is going well in your lives!!!
I love you all.

What's the big deal with sports on tv?

2007-05-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

I've realized that I really don't like watching sports on tv. Seriously. I like playing some sports sometimes. But even then, I get too competitive. So, it's better for me if I play only for fun! For example, this semester I had to take two kinesiology classes, so I took tai chi and racquetball!! I had so much fun! There was no pressure to win (at racquetball, tai chi isn't competitive!! hehehe) and I loved it.
I will however watch the big games like the superbowl or the basketball championship game, only for social reasons though. It's fun to watch them with friends, but just to sit down and watch a game on tv is not my idea of a great way to pass the time.
Final note, I do like to watch sport games in person, if someone I know is playing! Like when the kids I babysit play in their games, or when Brent used to play.
Ok, I'm done.

Brent's surgery this morning

2007-04-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been a while, I'm finally feeling better!! Yeah!!! Monday morning was the first time in over two weeks that my throat didn't hurt. Wow, it's great to swallow without pain.
Also, Brent had sugery this morning. They started at about 7:30am and finished up a little before 2:00pm. The doctors told my parents (and those in the waiting room) that they took out the jaw brace, did a bone graft - they took a piece of bone from his ribs and put it under his left eye where that bone was shattered. They also said the did some work on the bridge of his nose because he didn't have one anymore.
God is so amazing! The doctors said everything went great. God has totally taken care of my family and I just want to thank all of you for all of your prayers.

lots of news!

2007-04-11T11:52:00.001-07:00

So...lots to catch up on...
1. Last Friday Jeremy and I went fishing at my Auntie and Uncle Max's pond!! Lots of fun!!!

Oh, and I got to drive the tractor!!!

2. It snowed in Lufkin!! I laid down for a nap, and when I woke up, it was almost like I had fallen into Narnia. Before I went to sleep, it was April, when I woke up, it was...well, more like Christmas than Easter! lol

3. I have strep throat. Yuck!! I've been feeling bad all weekend, infact I even missed Easter Sunday. When I went to the doctor on Monday, he diagnosed me with strep. Apparently it's going around.

4. This week is crazy. I had two tests, three papers and an assignment due. Good thing is that one of my papers is only a rough draft and she has pushed it back until Friday. I have almost finished the others and I just finished one of my tests...so, yeah!

Ok, so, I think the end of my semester should come around May 2 which is very exciting! Then, hopefully, I'll have the summer to work and save up.

this wknd

2007-03-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

I'm about to leave for a mission trip in Houston for this weekend!!!! (Lord willing, of course...)
Please pray for us.
I love you all
Britt

a day of surprises

2007-03-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

Today was a wonderfully marvelous day!!!

I stayed up until 3:00am and got my paper finished (praise God for keeping me up and alert that late!!!).

Then, this afternoon, Jeremy showed up at school just to surprise me! He was in Longview for a check-up, post-wisdom teeth being pulled last week and got done WAY early, so decided to come and see me (a mere hour out of his way!) and drive back just in time for his night class. He ended up being a little late for it, but I think it was well worth it! lol

Tonight I had a VERY SMALL induction ceremony for Alpha Chi (an honors society) and told my Mom about it. She also surprised me by showing up to it!

Today was just a great day. God really blessed me today, and the great thing is that I didn't even ask for any of it. Sometimes it's the blessings that you get from God without asking for that mean the most. It's like today was a gift from The One who truly loves me the most. He knows exactly what I need, even when I didn't know I needed it.

Thank you Lord for days like today with lots of sunshine, beautiful flowers, and special surprises in the form of some people that I love the most in this world. Help me to bless others in your name, and help me to show my love and affection back to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Research papers should be put to death...

2007-03-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm writing a research paper for Specific Phobias right now and this is horrible! It's taking me forever to find the information that I need, and when I find it, the journals are SOOOO long and they go on and on about nothing! Are these psychologists getting paid by the word or what? I just want to know what research they did, what they found, and what it means. I don't need to read 4 pages (two-columned pages) of useless information, half of which I don't understand anyways, on how they decided to research this topic.
Get to the point man!

But sadly, my opinion won't change anything. Maybe one day, when I'm all grown up, I'll show them how it's REALLY done...ya...

Over and out.

Spring Break begins

2007-03-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

Well, my Spring Break began with a "bang"! Jeremy and I worked a Disciple Now this weekend at Providence Baptist Church, here in Hudson. It was great. God really did move in some of the kids lives. For a lot of them it seemed like they just didn't know about some things. For the girls, we really focused on how God created them beautiful, the power of that beauty, and also modesty. Jeremy actually made them a video just expressing his heart on this, and also from a guy's point-of-view on the issue. The girls really responded to that! Most of the girls were shocked that some of the things they had been wearing, and some of the ways they had been acting were sending the wrong message and I guess they just finally came to an understanding of the power of their beauty.
The HS guys talked about pornography, alcohol, sex... Jeremy told me that a lot of them became aware of the fact that just because you don't get caught by the law or your parents doesn't mean that it's ok. They were basically living double lives and had to come face-to-face with it this weekend.
I know that for some of these students that these will only be weekend promises, but I really do feel like a few of them 'got it.' My hope is that there will be leaders that will step up in the youth group, because I really saw that missing in this group. They are just kind of letting each other be complacent, and it's time that some of them step up and lead out. They really need that.
Final note: God really laid it on my heart to give Brent's testimony, and so I did so on Saturday night. It was so hard. I knew it was what God wanted, but just having to relive some of those memories was difficult. I actually had a girl come up to me after it was over and talk to me about some things and I was so encouraged that Brent's testimony was able to help her out.

I love all of you guys and I hope to keep you updated on what's going on in my life.

- Brittany

a change of pace

2007-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

First of all, thank y'all so much for those of you who commented on my blog. It is really encouraging to know that my friends out there support and love me. We all know that we love each other, but it's nice to be told it too, ya know?

So, for a change of pace since last blog...

I work in the Admissions office here at school. It's SUCH a God-send! I absolutely love it. Well, one of the Admission counselors told me of a website called dunderball.com which has a whole lotta cool THE OFFICE stuff like quotes, and episodes. I just started reading the quotes and couldn't stop laughing!!! Thank you Jason and Rachel for getting me hooked on this show! It's SOOOO funny! And let me tell you...it feels so good to laugh!
So, here's one from the episode "Ben Franklin":

Michael: [at his George Foreman grill] Look at that. Nothing like grilling in the great outdoors.
Ryan: Is this the same grill you grilled your foot on?
Michael: No…yes…but I got all the foot off of it.

Ok, and a few from the episode last night, "Cocktails":

Michael: Ready? Comon’ guys! Early worm gets the worm.
Jim: Another worm? Are they friends?

Jim: I don’t like talking paper in my free time…or my at-work time.

Dwight: You know that line on top of the shrimp? That’s feces.

Jan: I am taking a calculated risk. What’s the upside? I overcome my nausea, fall deeply in love, babies, normalcy, no more self-loathing. What’s the downside? I date Michael Scott publicly and collapse on myself like a dying star.

Hope you've enjoyed a few quotes from THE OFFICE!

And now, back to reality...lol

so...i think i'm back

2007-02-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've been hibernating for a while. I guess I just wasn't at a point where I felt like I could express myself just kind of openly to everyone.
I have trust issues.
I'm human.
I recently heard that when you love someone, you trust them. You let them in, and not just on your terms. Even as I'm writing this, I'm learning. I'm just kind of letting my hands do the writing for my heart because if my mind has a part in this, ya, it will be just like the past few months.
So, not on my terms, I want to let you in.
Brent's suicide attempt really took a toll on me. I love my brother. Even though we haven't really been involved in each other's daily life in a while, I still think about him and can't imagine a life without him being there.
Another one of my emotions was anger. When I first found out, I was in a state of shock and I couldn't really comprehend it. About an hour later, I finally got a hold of Jeremy, and as soon as I had to tell him it hit me. Like a punch to the chest. I couldn't do anything but cry. A few moments later, though, I had to be with my grandma and I didn't want her to have to take care of me, so I put on my amor and became strong once again for the family. The last thing I felt like they needed was the other Compton kid to have to worry about. Brent needed all of their focus, all of their prayers, and the last thing I needed to do was be a basket-case. When Jeremy found out, he immediately came to the hospital and met us there. He was definitely a God-send. He was able to let me cry and let me hurt without my feeling guilty. Because, he was there for me. He was there to help me through it in a way that no one was able to.
So, back to my being angry.
Brent called me that night (and I hadn't heard from him in a few weeks) and we talked about meaningless things. I even got him to help me out with some homework. It was definitely not "last words" kind of talk. Ok, so of course I was mad at him for trying to take my brother away from me (a TOTALLY normal reaction with suicide attempt family members) but I was also so mad at myself that I almost missed my chance to tell him how much I love him. How much he means to me, and how I would miss him. I'm not ready to lose him, not now. We still have so much of life to live!
Not long after that (within like 2 weeks) our family was hit with another tradgedy. Two of Dad's employees were killed in an automobile accident. The person responsible was actually street racing someone and didn't slow down fast enough.
When I found out Ken was killed, I was hit again. This is someone that spent so much time with my family, that I saw like everyday when I worked at livewell during the summers. The thing that I missed with Ken is that I never got the chance to tell him how much he meant to me. I don't know why he did, but while Brent was living in Waco, he kind of adopted me as a little sister. I still remember the last time I saw him and it makes me so sad that I can't go back to that moment and tell him. Tell him that I really did care about him and that he was someone special in my life, even though it was only for a season.
It's not that he was my best friend, it's just that I never got that chance. I missed it. I miss it.
So, as I'm sitting here typing this blog, I'm crying, my throat is starting to hurt, and I hope that I haven't taken too much time out of your day. I guess I just needed to let it out.
To Whom it May Concern:
I love you and you mean something to me.
Brittany

what's actually happening

2006-11-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,
I'm sure by now that you have heard some things that have been going on in my life. I was waiting until things kind of settled down to tell everything, but there have been crazy rumors going around, so I thought I'd clear a few things up.

So, a few weeks ago I had a grand mal seizure. It was crazy random and I am scheduled for an MRI tomorrow at 2:00pm. I feel fine but I am, by state law, forbidden to drive for one year.

Ok, this past Monday God spared my brother's life. I don't really want to give the details on my blog, but I want everyone to know that he is still very much alive, and in stable condition in the ICU. They are looking at putting him into his own room very soon, pretty much as soon as one opens up in the hospital he is in.

There will be a long road for my brother and family and friends to travel but my prayer is that right now, even as he is lying there, God will just kind of pull up a chair in His heart and just talk with him and be with him. Please pray with us that God will heal his body and heart and that God will recieve all of the glory from Brent's testimony.

If you would like to do something for Brent or my parents, contact Harmony Hill Baptist Church (www.harmony-hill.org) and they can direct you how to help.

I truly do love you all and thank you for the outpouring of love that many of you have shown my family.

Brittany

Fall Break

2006-10-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

So, we have fall break this weekend, which basically means that I don't have to come back to school until TUESDAY evening! YEAH!

Lately, I've been having a hard time desiring to come back to school. Like, the weekends that I go home, or to meet up with Jeremy, I just really don't want to come back. I'm not sure why. I have great friends, and I enjoy living on my own, but my desire to come back fades everytime I'm am getting ready to leave home. I don't really remember having this problem last semester. Maybe it's just because I'm so overloaded on homework and studying...I don't know. I still love psychology and ETBU, but for some reason I'm having a hard time wanting to stay in school. Hopefully, this will pass.

Thanks for reading about my ups and downs of life.

: (

2006-10-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

Inevitably, 2 days after I paint my nails, it starts to chip off. This makes me sad...

One Year!!!

2006-09-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

So, I've been blogging for one year now...I can't believe that I've stuck with it! Ok, ok...so there have been times that I've gone a while without blogging, but on the whole, I'd say I've enjoyed it. It's given me a way to keep up with friends, let out my feelings, and share with you what God has been doing in my life. God has really changed me over the past year. I've changed so much and hopefully you been able to see a maturity in me.

I've enjoyed letting each of you into my life and sharing the day to day adventures of what's going on!

I love you all,

Brittany

We got us another 'un

2006-09-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

So, Jeremy just joined in the blogging community for the purpose of telling about his trip! Just thought I would let you guys know because I kept writing updates on him, but now you can read what actually happened!! It's kenyajeremy.blogspot.com

Also, school is going pretty good, but, I just hit that point in the semester where I'm asking myself "Do I really need this?" I know that I need to get an education, but some days, I just feel to overwhelmed to keep going. I think what's really getting at me is that I was just home this past weekend and had a great time and just didn't want to leave. But, I really do want to go to seminary and so I have to get my bachelor's first.

It was good seeing everyone this weekend...and Jimmy...you're a punk! lol...

(Me and Jer)

one more thing...

2006-09-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

I just found out that DEREK WEBB (aka - Daniel's man crush) is coming to our school on Sept. 21!!!!! YEAH!!! I'm so excited!!!! ...and it's only $1 for ETBU students and $5 for general admission.

oh, by the way...check out:

isn't God cool?!

2006-09-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!!!

Ok, so, in my Christian Missions class our biggest project this year is to make a strategy on how to effectively and practically spread the gospel in a particular people group. There were 8 different people groups that we got to chose from and yes, the country that I went to this summer was on there!!! I mean, out of ALL of the countries, and ALL of the people groups, there was one from the country where I went with Jas and Rach. It's so cool to me that God worked that trip out and I now get to use my experience with the culture and talking to the people there on how God wants us to reach them!

I think that the coolest thing, though, is that this is not just a "class project", but once we've made our presentations (which is going to take all semester to work on) our teacher has either an organization, or other missionary friends of his (he was a missionary in Kenya and India for several years) that he sends them to so that they can use these strategies! A part of me is like "oh no, what if we mess up?", but that is where I just have to trust the Holy Spirit in his leading of us to come up with the strategy and to give the missionaries the wisdom on what to use.

I love you guys and I'm so glad that God has let me get to know each of you!

Blessings,
Brittany

1 week down...

2006-09-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

So...Happy Labor Day! ...for me, this really has been a "labor day"...I've been going at it all day long. I have so much homework ahead of me, and I just found out I have a test on Friday. My math class is pretty much all done on a program called SPSS, and I have no idea how to work it. I tried to, but I hope our teacher will show us how tomorrow in class, even though our homework is due...still not sure how that's gonna all work out...lol...

Ok, so, otherwise life's been going. Right now I am experiencing the joys of being back around girls ALL THE TIME and their...well, drama... I DID however finally get to see Jeremy!!! He came to Marshall and took me on a date! It was fun getting to spend time with him again.

So, also, the place where my car is at right now just called and said that they can't fix my car, and we're gonna have to find a way to tow it back to Lufkin to a dealer to figure out what's going on.

I love you all and I hope to hear from you all!!!

back at school

2006-08-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm finally back at school!
I moved in on Friday, of course with much difficulty... My car is having problems and is now in the shop here in Marshall-America. But, God did give me a safe trip all of the way! I got all of my stuff moved in to my room, made it beautiful with the help of my Mom, and then today filled the kitchen with good stuff to eat. It was a good day, today. It went by so quick!! It was cool being at school NOT worrying about homework or tests or anything.

Everything is going pretty good so far. God is just really blessing me right now, though I can feel I'm in the middle of some spiritual tests and trials. I have to hold onto James 1, ya know.

I'm also reading "Wild at Heart" and I can't put it down! It's so amazing. I am glad that I read "Captivating" first, however. I'm glad because now that I know about ME, it's easier to know about THEM (or Y'ALL for my male readers...).

I really don't have any deep insight for this post. I wish I had words of wisdom to say, but all I can do right now is just keep praising my God for everything He's doing for me, and everything He's done, but more than that, just for who He IS. I'm learning a lot about God and the Trinity right now which is blowing my mind. It's more than words can describe, or can even do justice. Though, my biggest struggle right now is trying to balance my life of 'stuff to do' and of studying and spending time with God.

Brittany

Randomness

2006-08-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday at Chick-fil-a I met a guy from Nigeria... He was really cool and we ended up talking about the religious conflicts in the country between Muslims and Christians. I love meeting people from all over and just listening to what they have to say about their own country. I don't know that I have a lot to say about mine except "Watch Super Size Me!"

Arts and Crafts

2006-08-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well... I've recently re-discovered my love for arts and crafts. It's so amazing to just let go and express myself. I've been quilting, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and now painting! Me and Davin painted pictures and God showed us verses that went perfectly with them! It was so... well, spiritual! I loved being able to express myself without worrying about a grade.
(Davin's picture is the beautiful highway, and mine is the pink flower!)

WOW!

2006-08-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, so, things have been really hard lately. I've been under a lot of spiritual attack, and I've been going through a lot of tests...it's been tough. And yet, good at the same time. I've been going through all of these attacks because my spiritual walk has been growing so much! I've been learning how use spiritual gifts and the power of prayer.
SO, Jeremy has been good for two and a half weeks now, and I've not heard anything from him personally, which I knew would happen. UNTIL a few minutes ago!! I couldn't believe it!

My cell phone rang and had a weird number on it that I didn't recognize but I answered the phone anyways. And I heard a "Brittany... can you hear me?" My heart jumped. It was Jeremy, the guy I've not been able to stop thinking about for weeks, and have been praying for fiercly. We talked for 2 minutes, 13 seconds. He told me that he could feel my prayers and that God was answering them. He told me that he couldn't wait to see me and that he misses me. And that was the gist of our conversation.

Hearing his voice and hearing that he could feel my prayers was a gift from God. Like I said, I've been under so much spiritual attack, and God just really used Jeremy to tell me "Hey, I hear you and I've got it under control my dear." My God is in control and loves me more than I even realize and He loves to give me gifts that He knows will bring me delight. Now, I feel encouraged to continue to pray for Jeremy and his mission team. It's like getting that adrenaline rush during the middle of the basketball game when you know you need it the most because you're a few points behind, you've been playing your heart out, and that little push gives you the strength to make it to the end of the game. It's up to you to make the shots and play good defense, but God just gives you the fight inside of you to keep going and let you know He's there and He's rooting for you.

So... two weeks and 2days down, two weeks and 2 days to go.

2006-08-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it's August...

I can't believe that by the end of this month I will be back in Marshall-america. A part of me is excited, while the other part is trying to wring the last bit of fun of out life before I start this next CRAZY semester of 18hrs! Yeah, so 18hrs, living in an appt. (so that means cook my own meals and cleaning), having a long distance relationship, and on top of it all, I'm still trying to get involved and meet people at school. I feel overwhelmed and I haven't even gone back. I really need to give this to God...I know. I guess I'm protesting myself BECAUSE I have had an amazing summer full of adventure and learning and seeing the Holy Spirit move in ways I only used to read about in the Bible. I have truly seen the Church of Acts come to life! I've seen and heard things that I only HOPED were still alive! God has been so gracious to me to let me see these things. I'm so excited to see what God will do this next semester with me at school and being able to minister to girls. That's my desire right now: to see the Holy Spirit setting girls at ETBU free from their past pains and seeing a Father God and Jesus who PASSIONATELY loves them! I hope that God uses me in ways I'd only imagined. That's a scary statement because I'm not sure what that will mean for me. Please just keep praying for me.

Ok, that's all for now. I love you all and keep praying for Jeremy too! ( he's in Kenya 'till the end of August)

Brittany

College group - wed july 19th

2006-07-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

WOW!

Last night at college group was AMAZING again! God just really opened up to us last night! My friend, Davin (who just got back from Lebanon 5 days before all of this started) said that the service reminded her of the Acts 2 church. It started off with us praying over each other, then we had an amazing lesson that lead to God breaking people and us praying for them. We also annointed someone and laid on of hands, then seriously it was AMAZING! God was speaking through people giving words to them...people that they didn't even know! It was really the first time in a while that I have seen prophesy so openly practiced, and CONFIRMED! It was amazing to see God just moving in that place. It was so.... liberating!!! It was amazing to see God even just giving us a GLIMPSE of His awesome power! Please continue to pray for our group and for our church. Pray that God will continue to do even MORE amazing things through us as we continue to seek after Him.

So, about my friend Davin. WOW, it's so amazing to have her back in my life. We got to spend like 3 whole days with each other before she left (and then I left) for our trips and it was SO great to have such an amazing Christian girl in my life to encourage me and continue to challenge me to grow closer to God. WELL, yesterday we went to Starbucks and then to church and it was just SOOOO amazing to again be with her and be encouraged by her. I'm so glad that God is developing our friendship again. She has come SUCH a long way in her life and God has such an amazing call on her life. Pray for her, too, because she is heavy hearted for her friends that she made that are in Beruit.

God is blessing me SOOO much right now! Thank you all for being such amazing friends... I LOVE Y'ALL!

I need to vent...

2006-07-18T23:36:00.000-07:00

OK, so I did some My Space surfing of my own (see Jason's blog entry called "rant") and I have to say that I feel the same way about a specific friend of mine. AND to be honest, I don't feel like showing them grace and love right now. I feel like just ignoring them and wishing almost vengence on them which is TOTALLY not the kind of person that I am. I've never been quite this...well, I guess I feel betrayed by this person. Not that they did anything to me PERSONALLY, at least not that I know of, but I feel betrayed in thinking that the friendship is fake, and was not based on who I was as a person, but on what they could get out of me. If I think of the friendship as just one counseling session after another, then I wouldn't be upset. BUT, when I see the friendship as just that, a FRIENDSHIP, I feel like crap. I feel like I don't want to be used anymore. I feel like NOT showing grace, not showing love, even though I KNOW that God has freely given this to us, when we DEFINANTLY don't deserve it. I want to desire to show love and grace to this person. But then why do I feel so...hurt?

2006-07-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

ok, so, I just played the game that is on Jason's blog..and yeah, placing the states in their proper place was MUCH harder than I thought. Once you get past the first 15 or so, the rest just kind of becomes like a puzzle.... you really don't have to know where it exactly fits because you can kind of figure it out. BUT I didn't know where most of the eastern coast states where and most of them ended up being like several hundred miles off!!!! lol
So, here's my score
Average Error: 47 miles
Score: 78%
Time: 324 seconds

YEAH!! I passed!! hehehe

back from Africa

2006-07-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

ok, so... I've been away for a while!
I made a B in my spanish class... I was really wanting an A, but I'm pleased with a B considering I took the final a week early which brings me to my next point..... I went to North Africa! For about a week and a half. It was definantly very different than what I expected. I learned so much about the Islamic faith and how it effects the lives of people, or rather, the lack of effect it has on people. There is so much corruption, so much abuse towards women, and oppression of women, and so much lack of peace. It made me see MY faith in Jesus in a whole new way. I realized the power of His love and grace through a whole new, or rather a better, pair of eyes.

After the trip I stayed with Jason and Rachel in Maryland for 5 days! It was SOOOO much fun!
I saw D.C., part of Pennsylvania (which was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!) , a little bit of Baltimore, and other amazing places around Carroll County! Me and Rach spent an afternoon at Morgan Run, an amazing hiking trail unlike anything I've really seen before. As I was splashing in a creek Rachel saw a snake in the water and it scared the mess out of me! That stupid snake ruined what was otherwise a perfect afternoon. Though, God did teach me a little lesson out of it. I also got to babysit the Burch girls one night, and that was SOOOOO much fun!

I had a great time and now I've gotta start getting ready for going back to college...
I'll keep ya posted!

dreaming in spanish...

2006-06-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, last night I woke up and I think that I was dreaming in Spanish... that's only happened one other time (and is was this past semester!). I'm not saying that I was speaking fluently, but it was weird because some sentenses that I were dreaming about were in Spanish... it was cool!
I can't wait until one day I will (hopefully) be fluent in another language.

Oh, did I mention that I am taking a summer spanish class at AC? Maybe that's why I dreamt in Spanish. The other time it happened, I had just taken a HUGE spanish test, and this time, I am spending every morning in Spanish... I'm really tired right now so I'm gonna try to read and then go to bed.

ok, hope to see everyone at either solomon's porch on wed, or cleft on thurs...

bc

whop whop! (I have not idea what this title should be....lol)

2006-06-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

WOW...

So... guys are...a mystery. Sure, they LOOK simple on the outside, but they are full of layers of complexity. Either that, or I am just overanalyzing them and they REALLY are as simple as they seem to be.

BTW, It looks as though I will be going on a mission trip this summer!!! Yeah to Jesus... I'll keep y'all posted, and if anyone wants to donate to the fund... let me know! Please pray for us and if you want more details than this vauge paragraph, come find me in person and I'll tell you about it.

I love you all, and I would love to go hang out with my friends (and new friends at the church!!!) anytime, just give me a call por favor!!!!!

Brittany

Summer news...

2006-05-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

Well, so far, this summer has already had it's ups and downs...

So, as many of you know Brent and Mindy (my brother and sister-in-law) lost the baby. This was their second child, a girl, and she was 8 months old. I'm still not sure what happened, but we know that everything works for God's glory and we have that to fall on.

I'm still looking for a summer job, and I had an interview today that ended with "well, since you aren't going to be back in the fall, we can't offer you a position right now..." This is now the third time this has happened. Other places haven't even bothered to call me back, so at least this place gave me the consideration of an interview. It's hard not to get bummed out, but I have faith that God will open the door that He wants for me to walk through. Maybe this summer something AMAZING wil happen that had I have had a summer job, I wouldn't have been able to experience it...I don't know. I could sit here and speculate all day, or I could just have faith that God is in control, and rest in His timing.

Also, I just went to Jonathan's concert (featuring Natalie and Jennifer) last night, and they were just so amazing! Both bands, and everyone involved just did a phenomenal job! It's so cool to see how everyone has grown up SOOOO much and just how amazing God is!

Not much else is going on except that I finally heard from Jeremy today and he said that the camp asked him to help out at the Texas camp instead of going to the Oklahoma camp. Oh...real quick recap... Jeremy was supposed to work at the Sky Ranch camp branch in Ok. until July 8th, then come back to bullard for 2 weeks, then off to Kenya, again with Sky Ranch for a month.....He just called me this morning and told me that after the training is done at the main camp in Texas (before the workers for the other camps go off to Ok. and Co.) they have asked him to stay at the Texas camp in Van instead of the previous plan to work in Ok. This is cool for us because now MAYBE on his breaks during the weekend we can try to meet up in Tyler or something and actually SEE each other. So, we'll see what happens, but I guess just knowing that the possibility of getting to see him and him being only 2hrs away instead of 8.5hrs makes me feel a little better. Definantly a gift from God. He is still planning on going to Kenya and I'm am so excited to see how God is changing him, and his heart for missions...

Well...it looks like I'm off to do...whatever...lol. If anyone of you know of anyone who needs a babysitter, let me know!

For His fame,
Brittany

woooo...a long time!

2006-04-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Sorry that it's been sooooo long since I've written (thanks to Jonathan for reminding me...big hug for you friend!! hehehe) It's also been a long time since I've read any blogs, so I need to get caught up on everyone else also.

Ok...here's the run down again....

1. I'm entering my last week of school...finals! I should be done and moved out of my dorm room by May 4th.

2. Still hoping for a summer job...and looks like I'll be taking a summer spanish class at AC if anyone is interested in taking it with me! :)

3. I am in a relationship! I never thought I would be in one so soon... I've actually been running from this for a while now....but, God had other plans, and I am really enjoying the relationship. Many of you probably know this guy...it's Jeremy Jones (the guy that was my middle school boyfriend!)....this is what makes the relationship even more unlikely...I never thought that I would be back with Jeremy. It is long distance (he's at UT Tyler) and this summer it's gonna be even more long distant because he's taking a job at a camp out of state, and then going on a month long mission trip (as long as nothing gets cancelled or anything like that...). So...we'll see what God does. I'm really excited for the amazing opportunity that he has but at the same time, I'm sad for me because he talks about how excited he is about this mission trip and I'm like 'yeah...this is the first summer in a while that I'm not going on a mission trip in a while' so I'm feeling that hunger to go. It has never really left me, that desire for missions, but now it's just like really overpowering.

4. Brent and Mindy are supposed to be having another baby in June, but there have been some complications, so it looks like the baby will have to go into surgery immediately when she is born. Please pray for the baby and Mindy.

5. I love and miss all of my friends and I hope that I get to spend some quality time with each one of you at some point during this summer.

God bless everyone of you...have an amazing day!
And to all of the Brazilian readers....I love you all and I miss you terribly...you have no idea how badly I WANT to come back to Brazil and see you and continue the work there... I miss you all (saudade...right? lol)

well...I was doing good for a while...

2006-03-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone! I keep getting behind on my blog...
here's the run down...

1. Just got back from spring break - me and the parents drove to Colorado (yikes! long...) and I learned how to snowboard. It was amazingly fun, but unfortunately, I got a sunburn, including on my eyes and I had to go to an eye doctor in that town and finally, after a couple of days, the swelling in my eyes went down and my face peeled an entire layer of skin...ewwww....

2. I have 6 weeks of school and finals

3. I feel behind in school and in my personal studing of the Word...I feel like I can and should be studying the word more, but everytime that I start, I feel overwhelmed and it's like the more I learn about the Bible, the more I realize I don't know and how much there really IS to know...

4. God has put a certain special someone in my life... it's crazy to see how God is working in this relationship and just how random and crazy it is (I'll give details later to show you what I mean). I don't want to jinx anything, but I feel very excited and at peace about what is happening and what God may bring forth out of this. SO, even though I have been anti-dating/guys for a while, it looks like I may have found an exception...hehehe

5. I may be trying to get a job at Target this summer on top of my usual afternoon nanny job.

I love you all and I hope to hear and see a lot of you soon. I'm sorry that I haven't written in a while (thanks for the message to remind me jonathan!) and I hope to catch up with everything and everyone soon.

Brittany

A Great Weekend

2006-02-28T13:51:00.000-08:00

Well everyone. I had a GREAT weekend. I had a chance to hang out with some of my very best friends at a Louie Giglio, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin concert in Tyler. It was AMAZING. Louie did his speech like what we saw at the "Passion" conference in Nashville this past January (the one with the pictures of the stars) and it was soooooo great to see that again. Also, I just love Matt Redman and I found out that Chris Tomlin is from Tyler! - Crazy small world that we live in. Also I got a chance to hang out with my grandparents on Saturday and Sunday and it was amazing to get to see them again and spend time with them. I realize how much I look up to them and my grandma is such an amazing woman. She relaly helped me to see a lot of things about myself that I never knew was there. She opened my eyes to see the kind of Godly woman that I want to be. I don't know if that makes sense, but basically, my grandmother is my role model. I am so much like her, and I want to be so much like her. She's amazing.

Also, a big thanks to everyone that commented on my blog last time! It made me feel SOOOOOOO special!!!! I love you all and I hope to continue to hear from everyone.

Sorry it's been awile!!!

2006-02-18T21:50:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!
Well, I've survived my first weekend here by myself at ETBU! I had to stay because I have been sick since Wednesday, (Friday, I was so fatigued, I was really afraid of driving home) and also the road were supposed to be really bad this weekend. I have been taking LOTS of tests, had two papers to turn in and pretty much a lot of other stuff too! The whole being sick and dizzy (from a sinus infection) for the past few days has really keep me in bed and behind in things that I should be doing...but that's life. God allowed me to get sick before anything major was coming my way.
A few things...
one - our intermural basketball team got 2nd place!
two - I told Dr. Johnson that I wouldn't be going on the Greece and Turkey trip that I've told some of you about...the doors just didn't open like I'd hoped.
three - me and my friend Amy (she lives across the hall from me) got to hangout and do crafts today!!!
four - I got a call back from Target last weekend which means I may have a summer job (they told me to re-apply closer to when I actually wanted to start working).

FIVE - I REALLY need a SNOWSUIT for our trip we're supposed to be taking for spring break (me and my mom and dad)....PLEASE let me know if you have one that I can borrow!! I'm very responsible and would love you FOREVER!!!

Ok...that's my life right now...have a great day!
Stay strong with God
Brittany

VALENTINE'S MESSAGE!

2006-02-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I should say something very meaningful on this blog, or quote John 3:16 or something and tell how much God loves you....but then that seems like I am just telling about the love of God only because today is a day to remember love. Instead, my word of encouragement is to live out everyday as though it were Valentine's Day: showing the LOVE of GOD to others all around you as often as you can.

(note: I do realize that the love commonly celebrated on this day is romantic love, and not agape love, but hey, who's to say we can't change that?)

Happy...LOVE...Day

Brittany

YEAH!!!

2006-02-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that the disease has passed!!! Ain't God great!

Ok, so, more drama has arrived into my life, and I've been super busy with it. Nothing major, just some stuff with a really good friend of mine, and with some people at school... you know, basic 'my first time away from home' type stuff.
I really miss everyone, but God is still teaching me SOOOO much here, and I am definantly sure this is where God wants me.

One last note, I went and saw "End of the Spear" on Saturday night, and after it was over, I just kind of sat and cried, and died a little death to myself...again. God is showing me that to really do mission work (and to be a Christian), I WILL have to suffer for the Faith. And my Middle Class American mindset is rearing it's ugly head. God is showing me in small amounts what my future holds should I follow Him, and I feel like I have so long to go. One part of me is like "let's go!" and the other part of me is like "no, God still has a LOT of work He needs to do on me."

stupid boyz

2006-01-26T20:26:00.000-08:00

I think I've contracted the infamous disease at ETBU: the love bug.
It's so stupid... give it two weeks...I think it will pass.

I have a web page!!!

2006-01-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

hey everyone! I just wanted y'all to know that I created a web page for a class project (using Microsoft Publisher...my first time) and I want y'all to critique it for me please. I have until Thursday to make any changes.
Thanks!
I love you

http://www.etbu.edu/it/Computing/personal_webpages.htm?InPath=2
(click on my name)

hm....

2006-01-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

I found this while doing research on missions outreach in Brazil.
http://www.30-days.net/email03/day19.htm

Read it...

What's your thought???

2006-01-18T20:59:00.000-08:00

Real Christianity produces Radical Faith...

wow....

2006-01-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

So, this past weekend I had the opportunity to lead a middle school girls group for our church's D-Now weekend. It was amazing. God totally recieves all of the glory for everything that happened. One of the best things to happen was on Saturday night after the big city-wide rally (that all of the churches in town who were participating in D-Now were at). God just led me to tell the girls not to speak on the way home and to be in prayer instead. When we arrived to our host home we gathered in the living room and continued in silence and prayer. The whole way home Satan was on the move, but so was the all consuming God. I kept praying that God would just show His glory and that many girls would be healed from sins that night (talking about confessions of sins and if any girls weren't 'saved') and the more I kept praying the more Satan attacked. It was so crazy, but so amazing at the same time. At the house, God just led us girls to pray for one another and then I explained to the girls about the process of confession of sins as God directed me to. OH MY! God totally broke down the girls, and ME to confess things that were going on and let me tell you, there was MUCH HEALING that night. God totally cleaned house!!! I got to see first hand some amazing things that God wanted to do in the lives of these girls and because of His grace, He let me be a part of it.
In chapel today, I finally understood a concept that had really been confusing to me. It was about faith ( a topic that God continually explains to me and I'm still learning about). If I understand this correctly, Christianity is not about how MUCH faith we have, but rather the OBJECT of our faith ('faith of a mustard seed' and such).
Well, Saturday night, I definantly put my faith in God and he TOTALLY showed jus a sliver of a sliver of a sliver of some of His incredible glory!!!! The more I see of his glory, the more I want to see and to experience. It's like for the first time in my life I am actually YEARNING for God...it's a great feeling.
I hope this all makes sense and thank you for letting me share in my joy.
Have a great day!

here in Tigerland

2006-01-09T19:33:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...
Soooo, Passion was AMAZING!!!! God continued to show me more and more things about Himself and also about the Christian walk. I love God and I am beginning to actualy 'yearn' for Him like all of the time... I don't know how else to explain it. I am constantly wanting to read His word, and talk about Him and just be with Him. All around me people are medicating themselves with all of these empty wells and I am just praying that God will show Himself to them, using me and all of the other amazing Christians that MUST be here somewhere. Otherwise school is great and I really miss my 'family group' from Passion. They were such amazing people and I can't wait to see them again either in life, or at THE Party.
Oh, yeah, I'm finally moved into ETBU, and I think that there is something in the water, because it seems like either everyone is dating, engaged or married, or wanting to be dating, engaged or married. Pray for me. (lol)
I love you all and I'll try to post again really soon!

WOW!

2005-12-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

SOOOOO....
last night I 'met' my new roommate on the tele (short for telephone). She seems to be really nice and pretty laid back. I'm excited to meet her in person.
Today, I FINALLY got to see Edwin. It's been WAY too long. (Right Edwin!) So, we just hung out at my house for a little while, and I think that he's supposed to come back a little later tonight with some of our friends.
Otherwise, I don't have much else to say except I LOVED the movie version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe! I told my family that I loved it, and I ended up getting two book sets of the Chronicles of Narnia. I also got two John Eldridge books that I'm excited about reading as well.
I don't have much else to say, so I hope that everyone has a great new year!

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, I've got nothing cute to say, so I'll just be very generic, but sincere...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

well, I did emphasize using color, a little, so do I get some sort of credit for trying?
Have a great day and drive safe!
- Britt

wow...it's been over a month!!!

2005-12-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been like over a month since I last wrote, but I've been SUPER busy!
Let's see....I had school, then finals (oh the joy), finished my last day of nanny work (for now), been to Marshall a few times, registered for classes, dealt with various confused offices at ETBU (I had many issues that came up with my AP and transfer credits, also I had a mishap with my and Mindy's info getting confused because both of our last names are "Compton" so they assumed that we were both Nursing majors, though I am Psych...), got bangs, and bought most of my Christmas presents. I still have a LOT of stuff to do before I'm ready to go off, but so far God has really been blessing me and working everything out.
Random thougt...where did all of the bluejean overalls go? About like 5-8 years ago they were REALLY popular, you couldn't go into an Old Navy store without seeing rows of them, and now all of a sudden, they aren't popular anymore. What happened? How is it that fashion has become so fickle?? and..who decided that it should be that way? What there a committee or some sort of meeting that I missed out on? because, I would rather have just some fashion, and it be popular for a longer period of time so that I can save my money. (Not that i really keep up with fashion anyways.)
Ok, as you can tell, I can't focus right now, I'm really tired, and all I can think about is who is supposed to die on Smallville in January, who coined the term "Spanglish", and how messy my room is.

Have a great day everyone!!!

It's me again - I keep forgetting that I am not blogging as often as I think I do

2005-11-14T20:43:00.000-08:00

Hey, this is Brittany,
Okay....so life is way to busy! I can't believe that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK! I feel like my days are just kind of flying by me, and I'm not really getting anything of lasting importance done. I feel like I'm just moving along, getting swept up by the river of time, capsizing in my boat of lonliness, fighting the currents of 'good grades' and 'efficiency' that are made by the rocks of college-and-homework. I want them to be out of my way so I can get to my destination: the campgrounds of a 'real job' (...right...). I feel like I complete one task just to find I have another task waiting for me. I feel like school will NEVER be over and I've really just started...and I'm planning on getting my masters!!....and I CRAZY???
I think I just want to go live on some island somewhere, learn the language and tell them about God...oh...with Juliana*...and I really miss her right now. I haven't been able to talk to her in a long time, and we've never gone this long without communication. We keep missing each other...I got a message from her on my answering machine for my birthday, and I almost cried.

I know I sound really pathetic, but I'm being real with how I truly feel....I think I'm just understanding something that CS Lewis said about heaven being our true country or something.......it's one of those 'right brain' moments: no words to describe.

(*one of my greatest friends that lives in Brazil....we met on a mission trip...and I hope that our mansions are RIGHT next to each other...I love to worship with her...we're like long lost twins or something)

leave a message at the beep.............

BEEP

Birthday GIRL!!!!!

2005-11-05T14:37:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone.....today is my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm finally 19 years old.... (big smile)

The totally weird thought to me is that next year...I'll be (20)!!!.......It's scary to even type!

Well, so far, not an exciting day, but yesterday I got to see my grandparents in Lindale (north tyler) and then on the way home, I stopped by a good friend's house and had a great time. Today, I went to breakfast with my parents, and then to various events with the kids I babysit. Right now, my dad and bro just left to go to Waco, and so it looks like it's just me and mom for my big birthday bash which will probably include a movie at home and maybe go to a store or something. Yeah, no big plans. It's alright...I just feel like I'm getting really old and I don't need a party, but something would have been nice...but I just didn't know what to do. I hope everyone had a great day, and I love you all!!! Thanks to everyone who has called today.....it made me feel SOOOO special!

What to do, what to do....

2005-11-01T15:24:00.000-08:00

Hey. It's my birthday this saturday (nov. 5). I'm gonna be 19!!!!
Anyways...I have no idea what to do for my birthday....

Any Ideas?????

(PS - I love gifts if anyone wants to celebrate my birthday with me!!! lol)

- Britt

Weekend Fun!

2005-10-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Sorry it's been so long since I've last said anything, BUT that's because I've been out of town.
On Thursday afternoon I finally took my first road trip driving by myself!!! This is a landmark, I assure you, in my life. My parents have never let me drive past Nac., but, this has changed now. I got to drive to ETBU!!! Granted, the drive was only to Marshall, but it was great...it was...freedom. I got to Danielle's place (where I stayed for the weekend), met her roommates Jordan, Katie, and Michelle, and at about 6:30pm and then went to Brent's basketball practice with Jennifer Conn. That night Michelle made us a GREAT dinner and then me and Danielle went to the 9:00pm showing of Wallace and Gromit. When the movie was done, we went to the 'float barn' where various clubs and organizations were working on their floats for the Saturday morning homecoming parade. We, of course, did not do any actual work other than observe others hard at work, or not so hard at work.
Friday I went to 2 classes with Danielle (both of which were AWESOME!!! I'm SOOOO excited about transfering) and I also got to meet all of the psychology professors and then had lunch with my big bro. That afternoon, Danielle showed me around Marshall and we went to Walmart, a book store and two antique shops. That night, me and the girls (minus Katie) went to Longview to eat at this really great restaurant. We got back home and met up with Danielle's friend Lori. THEN we went to a bonfire which was basically a gathering for single Baptist college kids to take pictures and try to find their soul mate, I assume. Though, there was this one guy who played some rap music and had a rather large gathering at his vehicle...he was so proud. Saturday was the official homecoming day. There was a parade at 11:00am (very cool) and Jordan and Michelle were in it. They were SOOOOO cute! Then, I randomly re-met two brothers that I knew when I was little (one of them graduated from ETBU, and the other is currently attending). Oh, and finally the BIG GAME!!!!! I sat by Lacy Reed and Jennifer Conn for the first half, and then I left during the third quarter. The game was kind of exciting, but when I left they were winning, and some how by the end, they lost. Oh well, life goes on. I had to leave ETBU by 4:30pm because I had a mandatoroy concert at 7:30pm I had to go to for a class. The drive home was just as relaxing and beautiful as the drive up and I made it in 1:45hr (did I write that right?).
Well, that's about it....I had a GREAT weekend! It was fun, and makes me REALLY excited about transfering in the spring. The girls that I stayed with were SOOOO nice and they really made the weekend so enjoyable and I felt so at home with them. Thanks to all of you who prayed for me. God truly blessed me.

Off to a ......start....

2005-10-16T21:36:00.000-07:00

Well, about a month ago, Natalie and I (or is it ' me and Natalie' ...I'm horrible at English stuff like this...) were asked to start a middle school girl's book study on Sunday afternoons. So, we both prayed about it and felt like good about doing this. SOOO, last week the youth girls had like a make-up / nail polish party and me and Nat were supposed to be there to kind of tell the girls about the new group, and telling them when we were meeting and stuff like that. WELL, today was supposed to be the first day of our group, and out of the 15 girls who signed up, only 2 of them showed up. This was only ONE of the many things that have gone wrong. Others are...Me and Nat didn't get our books until a few days ago, the 2 girls that showed up didn't get to get their books because they were moved somewhere else than where they were put Wednesday night, there was no announcement this morning to remind the girls about this afternoon (which is probably the reason that they forgot to come), and then the room that we were supposed to meet it was locked.....And the list goes on. BUT, ironically this gives me hope, BECAUSE if satan is trying THIS HARD to get us discouraged, then hopefully that means God wants something awesome for this study.
Anyways...I've had a lot of weird and funny things happen to me lately, and I hope that I get to write about them soon.

More about the adventures of what is called 'life'

2005-10-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

I wish I were better with words, and better at expressing myself in writing...but, for now, you'll just have to suffer through my "you know what i mean" and "I hope this makes sense" statements.

So, these past few days, I really have been feeling like God has been speaking to me in the little things in life...those moments that seem pointless at the time, but when you look back on them, they seem to just scream at you 'PAY ATTENTION.'
1. I went to Applebee's with some casual friends late at night (when the bar is full, and the restaraunt is not), and I totally felt like I was all alone.
2. I was walking around Angelina College feeling like I have no real 'friends' that I can actually find, so I went to my mom's office just to hang with her during my break so I wouldn't be alone.
3. I went to Brookshire Bro.s down the street today...the whole time I was there, I kept running into people I knew that go to Hudson and all I could think was "I don't wanna be here."
4. I don't like going to Livewell during the day because a lot of people are there, and so to NOT be rude, you have to make meaningless smalltalk, so I just go late at night when the club is almost empty.
But, the ironic thing is that I've actually enjoyed not being around people so much lately. I am totally finding myself in these types of situations quite often, when I just really want to be alone, or with my mom. For me, this is a TOTALLY 180 (degree) turn around from my normal outgoing self.
So, these "pay attention" signs......I feel like what God is trying to show me is a few things.
1. I don't have to have people in my life to make me happy....I can totally just be alone, and I'm ok with myself. I don't find my identity in other people.
2. We weren't meant for this earth......we were created for another home, another country I believe that's the way that C.S. Lewis describes it.
So, of course I feel 'alone' and out of place here on earth because we were created for another place. But, this feeling surfaces especially at places where I feel like I am being spiritually oppressed, and definantly where there are spiritual battles occuring that God is letting me feel their presence. I know that I am not alone, because the Holy Spirit and Christ are within us, but alone in the sense of not having another Christian friend to be there for us to lean on each other.

I'm not sure why I'm experiencing this kind of desire to be anit-social, but it doesn't matter...I just wanted to write out my feelings and to let you all know if I seem kind of stand-off-ish, it's nothing personal, it's just what I'm going through right now. I just really have no desire to make small talk, but usually when I get into good conversations, they end up to be spiritual and very deep.

PS -
OK, just as I was reading over this, I realized how ridiculous this sounds, I mean, all of these were opportunities I could have taken to share the love of Christ......so why didn't I?

good movies

2005-10-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

Hey, I just saw two really good movies this week.

One) - The Interpreter.......it's filled with LOTS of action, and the story line is very intriguing and I really haven't seen another movie like it. There is like one part that they could have left out (like most movies) but it's a great movie that is, for the most part, fast-paced and very entertaining. It's totally my kind of movie. (It's out on video and DVD.)

Two) - Wallace and Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit........Wallace and Gromit actually have a few shorter films out already. They are completely clay-mation which makes for an interesting film watching experience. I believe that these are the same people that made "Chicken Run" which came out after the original Wallace and Gromit videos. The movie was a cute adventure story of a quirky scientist (Wallace) and his faithful dog Gromit( who can drive, make pancakes, and understands English fluently....) and how Wallace gets himself into some sort of predicament (as usual) and Gromit to saves the day. There were a few obvious insinuations, but otherwise a great movie. (The short clip before the movie was with the penguins from Madagascar. ) (Just came to theaters today!!!!!)

Enjoy!

Tonight, I finally saw that babysitting is a ministry.

2005-10-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am a part time nanny. I pick up two kids, Steven (11) and Seth (5), about 3 times a week from school and I take them to their house and stay with them until one of their parents gets home from work. I also keep them every other weekend and every now and then on a Sunday night. I love my job. But I've always just seen it as a job, and I love the kids and their family, but I've never before seen it as a ministry. Tonight, I had the opportunity to babysit for a two little boys that I had never met before. Long story short, they are from New Orleans and are living here with their mother at her cousins' house in The Settlement. She needed a babysitter so that she could go to a Beth Moore simulcast at our church. I planned on keeping these kids free of charge and paying for whatever we were gonna go and do (God's been teaching me how blessed I am and that He has given me money so that I can bless others, and not be selfish with HIS money). When we were loading up my car with the kids, she was trying to hand me some money and I said "don't worry about it...this is my ministy"... It was one of those moments that God was meaning those words more for me to hear than for this lady to hear. It totally suprised me that I said that, and after I said it, God just really revealed to me that keeping kids is more than just a way to earn money, it's actually a way for me to minister to families. I mean, for hours at a time, people actually trust me to keep their kids alive, feed and safe, and they even trust me with their houses and possesions. I have sole responsiblity over these kids for a part of their day, and for a person who doesn't even know me to feel at ease with ME keeping their kids really made ME feel blessed! Because, I know that it's nothing I have done, but rather what God is doing through me. So, tonight I finally started to understand another aspect of that verse about 'whatever you do....do it for the Lord'. Because I am not just keeping these kids because the 'suchandsuch' family asked me to, but because for whatever reason, God CHOSE me too.

A great day...

2005-10-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

Hey all!
Today was a great day. My classes went really well (though I almost fell asleep in American lit watching a documentary about Edgar Allen Poe) and also, I started taking piano again this semester after taking a 2 year break in high school, and so far I'm picking everything back up pretty quickly! It's really encouraging to see your hard work pay off. Then, when I got back home from my REALLY long day at school, I got to take a NAP!!! (I feel like I'm in kindergarten or something, because like I'm always wanting to take a nap.) When I woke up, I did some homework and watched Gilmore girls with my mom (tonight's episode was kind of slow) and then went to Livewell and ran on the tredmill. For those of you who don't know me very well, let me tell you a secret...I do NOT like to run at all. I don't mind if I'm running for a sport like basketball, but to just go and 'run' is SOOO not fun for me. But, tonight, I totally had a GREAT time! It was really weird. It was like I was able to run off all of my stress from the past few days, and just kind of clear my mind (well, while listening to a sermon on my mp3 player). It was really weird that I actually enjoyed the 2omin run, so maybe I'll give it another try sometime soon. And, just now, I really some really cool blogs and some really kind comments that y'all wrote me, and that totally made me feel great. I am so thankful that God blessed me with such awesome friends that encourage one another and pray for each other and that truly LOVE God, and seek after HIM and don't just settle for trying to have a 'covenient Christianity'

(PS- this is a shout out to Jenn Conn for being such a sweet person and calling me today, and also to Danielle for opeining up her dormroom to let me to come and hang with her at ETBU in a few weekends..I'm SOOO excited chica!!!! I love you both!!!)

A response to "More! Give me more!" by Susie (www.alifenotwasted.blogspot.com)

2005-10-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

I just read a blog entry that Susie wrote on faith. This is a subject that God has REALLY been teaching me for the past year now. It's like everything that is going on in my life and every lesson that I am learning is about faith, and what it is.
Last year, at a church camp (that Neil McClendon and Billy and Cindy Foote were leading) God began to reveal to me that I didn't really know what having faith in Him was. One night at camp, God moved me to go and talk to Neil and tell him what was going on in my life. Neil suggested that I do something "radical," it was to not read my Bible for a month and actually LIVE OUT what the Bible teaches, and not just 'sit and soak'. When he said that I was like "that's craz.......huh....that's so weird that you say that because I'll be in Brazil on a mission trip 2 weeks from now, so I wouldn't be able to read my Bible the whole time I'm there." So, I prayed about it, and that night, I stopped reading the Bible for a month. It was the greatest learning experience I think that I've ever had. During that time, I learned to rely on God, and not on my intelligence, I also learned that I do not have a relationship with the Bible, but with it's author. While I was in Brazil on the mission trip (we worked through local churches and interpreters going on home visits everyday to explain who Christ is and the plan of salvation, or to explain some things they may not understand about the Bible, and other things of this nature) I remember a specific house visit where I was like quoting scriture to her that I didn't even know I knew!!!! I truly believe it was God talking through me and showing me that I have the WORD inside of me! (John 1) Because Christ is the WORD, and the Bible is just the written account of the WORD. God was also showing me that I have faith in Him, and not in my ablilty to find a scripture at the drop of a hat...He is powerful enough to speak through us for HIS own glory.
So, since that time, it has been a little over a year and God is still putting a desire in me to understand more about faith, and exercise that faith so that it may grow. For sure, that scripture is true (james 1:2-4) because it is through trials that we gain endurance for the harder times to come.
So, Susie, thanks for the words of encouragement and wisdom. We all should continue to seek after Christ for our source of life. I love ya!!!!

So I thought, "ok".

2005-09-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well...A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine suggested that I start a blog so that my friends who have moved off could have a way to keep up with me. I tried the MSN my space, and I didn't really like the format, so I kind of just gave up on it. But, then when another friend of mine said I should try this site out, so I thought, "ok". I really hope that this does not become just another fad for me that will last for like 2 months (like wearing tie-dye in 4th grade...though, that fad NEEDED to go) , and then I get to "busy" (or lazy!).
So, a few things before I get started. 1. I am NOT computer savvy....A few weeks ago, Jason gave me a crash course in what I needed to know for getting a good laptop while we were at the Lufkin Best Buy (like a week before he left) and that's about all I know on how a computer works (big cheesy smile). 2. I try to sound smarter by using big words, but unfortunately, this is not my forte. Also, something else I need to admit is that I cannot spell very well. So, if there are spelling errors that get past the SPELL CHECK (my best friend) please do not, I repeat, do NOT take your anger out on the computer screen in front of you. It did nothing wrong...it doesn't deserve it!!
Well, I hope that you enjoy future blogs (...blog entries?...blog thoughts?....what do I call it? LOL) and my true hope is that God will use me to bless you, and encourage anyone out there who feels down, or lost. E-mail me anytime.
I love you guys!!!

- Brittany