Oh Manhattan, how I love thee!

So, it's August 24th and I'm kinda sad.

Manhattan will always play a special role in my heart Yes, the people I knew in Manhattan during my 4.5 years at college play a more important role, but I can't negate my feelings for the city itself.

It's full of freshness. Full of inegenuity, excitement, exploration, discovery, passion, love, joy, pain, sorrow, this city of mine. I don't know what it is about Manhattan, but I just can't let go. Maybe it's because that's where God changed my life so much, where he gave me his very great and precious promises, where he gave me true, lifelong friends, where he showed me that he is powerful and mighty to save, where he showed me that he loved me...deeper than I can even fathom, with more power that I could ever imagine, and with more grace than I deserve.

I love Manhattan, yes the city, but more, I love Manhattan for what it symbolizes. That city is one place where I planted myself. That is why it is so hard to leave. Too many times in my life have I just "squatted" in one place, Manhattan was different. I planted myself there, made great quality friends and memories.

That's why its so hard to leave....that's why I'm still going through withdrawls more than 8 months after I left.

But luckily, I get to go back whenever I want because:

1. My best friend still lives in Manhattan
2. My brother still lives in Manhattan
3. A lot of my close friends still live in Manhattan
4. Football Games!!!

So, all in all...I'm greiving but rejoicing in the fact that I experienced Manhattan. I'm also trying to find a way to make this big city (KC) feel a little more like Manhattan!

It's been a while...

I've become a fan of bike riding these days and was reminded of a beautiful analogy while riding my bicycle on a curvy trail through a beautiful wooded area this evening.

Following Christ is a lot like riding on a tandem bicycle. Christ wants us to pedal in tandem with him, trust the path he has us on, to trust the pace at which he's going and to just pedal. When he's leading in the front position we get the joy of looking around and observing all the beautiful things on the path with him. We get to enjoy the journey with him; all the while he is looking out for the dangers that lie ahead, he is the one that responds and reacts to those situations and prepares us for the things that lie ahead on the road of life. It's a beautiful thing to be in the back seat and to let him lead through different circumstances on the road of life.. the beautiful scenery, the rocky terrain, the dark valleys and the curvy, never-ending road of eternal life.

Now to put this in the perspective of marriage. I'm trying to liken this analogy to being married. I imagine that it's another bike ride...just a different one. Instead of being on one bike, you and your husband are each on your own bike. You ride next to each other enjoying each others company and marveling at the beauty all around you. However, there are times that you cannot ride two abreast, and one must take the lead. One must make the decision of where your path goes next; one must "pedal-up" and lead. The other must be willing to follow. She must be willing to let her husband lead her and trust that he will lead her gently and safely.

One can only imagine what disaster lies ahead if one is not willing to follow the other. The ride doesn't become enjoyable, at worst it could become dangerous and some one could be injured. I'm learning that the same is true with my walk with the Lord; I must be willing to follow and trust him.To not take over and be in control, but to rest assured and know that he has my best in store and that he sees and knows it all.

The Kenner Family Elf'd

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a lot can happen in 2 weeks time

These past two weeks have been some of the best two weeks of college for me. Let me just give you a taste of what they have involved.

I:

• Have seen how crucial healing and restoration is in my walk with the Lord
• Talked to Larissa on the phone during Thanksgiving break while her family made fun of her for always being on the phone!
• Had an amazing conversation with my brother about our walks with the Lord and about life in general on the way home for Thanksgiving break.
• Have spent time with friends that I will move away from all too soon.
• Had Mandy Call stay on our futon for the 2nd time this semester!!
• Helped put up the Christmas tree in our living room
  
• Am watching my best friend start a relationship with an awesomely, hilarious dude!
• Am learning to depend on the Lord as he draws me nearer to him during a time of transition
• And last but not least, I am seeing all that the Lord has done for me, in me and through me over my 4.5 years of college and only being able to praise his name, not my own. This is the most beautiful thing...ever...
  

Update on my life!

So, what have I been up to you ask?

Well....

1. I'm GRADUATING in December!!! December 13, 2008 at 12:00pm to be exact!
2. I'm MOVING to KC to do a spring internship with an accounting firm called BKD!!!
3. It hasn't hit me yet how different my life will be in 5 short weeks.
4. I'm leaving my best friend in Manhattan...just thinking about that hurts...a lot...
5. Amber and I were Rob and Big for Halloween....take a look...we were a hit

Lastly, I am having a hard time imagining my life after college. As much as I dislike the constant busyness and the difficult class load, I will severely miss college. I will miss living with my best friend, being an RA, road trips, the constant change, the football games, the purple, the late nights studying in Hale, everything....I will miss it all...

BUT...for now I'm trying to live in the moment and enjoy what's left.


"Is is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

A look back

A little bit of my thoughts from this morning:

How could I even think about running away from that which gives me so much life? Not in a super spiritual way, but honestly; Jesus is life. The words he speaks brings hope to my wretched sould

I love seeing pages filled with red. The words he speaks fly off the page as if he's trying to catch my attention: "These words you can trust my dear." The black words are good, but the red ones...oh the red ones....I'm beginning to love you again.

I've learned a lot this semester......one that just was brought to the forefront of my mind today is this:

"Coming to the Word with an agenda does me nothing....I must come, begging my Lord to have mercy on me...to even allow me to understand an inch of the limitless depth of His word.

That's all friends...thanks for being patient with me!

Excerpts from "The List"

So, I've been thinking lately about a lot of different things, and one thing that has come to mind is some things that I want to do during my life. I thought I'd share just some of the things that I desire to do:

• Visit all 50 states in the U.S.
• Go on a short-term missions trip
• Travel to Europe and explore the old cities
  
• Read 12 books in one year (this is a feat!)
• Go a year without having a television in my home

This is just a few of the things, but I find freedom in just writing these things down. It's like saying to Him: "here they are...now do with them what you desire...." Oh Lord...please do with them as you desire...

Until next time....