Week 19, Day 7

I can't believe the holiday is over! It flew by! This break was good for me. I spent my time at my family's house in Indiana. I was able to catch up with my friends from high school, which is always a lot of fun. I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving as well! Here are some things that I'm grateful for:

1. My friends from high school: The other day, my roommate said something about how it was really awesome that I still kept in touch with my friends from high school. Then, I really stopped to think about it, and I guess that's not an extremely common thing. I honestly can't imagine not keeping in touch with these friends. The thing is, we've been through a lot together. Some ups and downs- really low downs. Yet, we've become even closer through those times. My family's home in Indiana has become a reunion center for us. My mom knows that when I come home, my friends will end up at home probably attempting to play Mafia and other crazy fun games. Melanie, Mike, Stephanie, Liz, Joe, Rachel, Anita, Scott, Kate, The Neths, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Emily, Megan, Everett....and the list goes on. We've seen some of the worst and the best, we've been there through some major life changes, and we love each other like family. I am truly blessed by this family.

2. My church family: A little over 3 years ago, I started to attend The Salvation Army in Mt. Greenwood thanks to my wonderful friend Linda. Immediately, I loved the people, the church's mission, and got involved with the youth group. At this church, I met friends that I will have for a lifetime. My pastors and their children are like family to me. They opened their home and hearts to me. Jen is one of my best friends- we get each other, she is a big support in my life, we love the same things, people consistently ask if we are sisters....I love her a lot. My other pastor, Josh, has a heart of gold. I have NEVER seen him turn someone way without help. Never. Now, we are in Blue Island, and God has been doing amazing things. The church members are also like family to me. My friend Ryan who always supports me, challenges me to see things differently, doesn't judge me even though I can be crazy at times, holds me accountable. My friend and roommate Rebecca who helps me to see things in a different perspective, supports me, understands me. I am blessed to be part of the prayer ministry team with three other amazing women- Martha, Nancy, and Abby. We meet to pray for the church and its members, and we also confess to one another and pray for one another. We've had our ups and downs together, but it is clear that God is working in and through us.

3. My Trinity Gals: First, I am so blessed to have received such an awesome education at I college that I loved. Trinity will always hold a special place in my heart as well as Colleen, Anita, Danielle, and Linda. You probably couldn't find 5 girls that are more different than the 5 of us, yet somehow it works beautifully. The 5 of us went through college together, laughed, cried, did stupid things, and silly crushes on guys, gave these guys code names (don't judge us), had random dance parties, ate peppermint by the handfuls to help us concentrate, told each other things that we'd never before said out loud, forgave each other when we hurt one another...now we are all over the place: Alaska, Dominica, Blue Island, Chicago area. Yet, when we all get together, it's like nothing had changed. I'm so grateful for these friends, these sisters.

4. My home: I am SO blessed to have a roof over my head. I am blessed to have such wonderful land lords. I am blessed to have such wonderful roommates: Rebecca and Amber. God has blessed us with a home where we can invite people over for dinner, play Settlers of Catan for hours, have dance parties, watch movies, bake Amber's infamous peanut butter cookies, have heat to keep us warm, a bed to sleep in...There's so many people who do not have this. God, I'm so sorry for the times I've taken this for granted. It warms my heart when my home is filled with people that I love, eating and sharing life together.

Week 19, Day 4

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was great- full of family and food! Since I didn't post yesterday, here are two things that I am so very grateful for.

1. My family: It is such a blessing to be able to come home to a family full of people who love me. This past week, about 300 middle school students came through The Salvation Army to do team building activities. We played a game called "The Line Game" where I asked some questions, and if they answered yes to that question, they would step up to the line on the ground. Basically, it made the kids take ownership and be honest about these things in their life that they are going through. I asked tough questions like: Who has never met their mother? Who feels unloved by their parents? Whose parents are addicted to drugs? My heart broke as students stepped up to the line in response to these questions. These things are not true for my family, and that is a blessing. Both of my parents are still together, my parents and siblings love and support me, we all get along, and if I ever need my family they are always there for me.

2. My salvation: I don't really know where my life would be without God. I accepted Christ July 26, 2007 at Cedar Lake Ministries where I was a camp counselor for the summer. My life completely changed after that. I grew up in the Catholic church but had no idea what a relationship with God looked like. I went to church, tried to be a good person, yet something was missing and it started to become more and more evident that I just wasn't getting something. I thought that if I did enough "good" things, that I would get to heaven. Then at camp, I started to here people talk about how you are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. It was simple- a free gift. I am a sinner (we all are), I needed someone to save me (Jesus), and now I go to Jesus asking for forgiveness and then with God's strength, turn away from those things. I praise God that He saved me, that I live my life for Him, that I am able to share this message with the world, and that I'm still a work in process, yet He has a wonderful plan for me (and you!). My prayer this Thanksgiving is that if you don't know God, that you would today. He's been pursuing you, He loves you, and He wants you to come home to Him. It's your choice. If you'd like prayer or have questions- just ask! e-mail me at Amanda.Keene@trnty.edu

Week 19: A Week of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! I hope that you are all looking forward to the Holiday and that you all will be spending time with people that you love.

Harry Potter week was awesome! I saw the newest movie this past week with friends, and it was AMAZING! I loved it. For those of you who haven't seen, you should : )

This week is simple. Here's the thing, whenever it gets close to Thanksgiving people start talking and thinking about the things that they are thankful for, myself included. Why aren't we doing this all the time? Just think about how different our attitudes and lives would be if we were thankful everyday. Here's the hard thing- finding ways to be grateful in hard situations. It's easy to be grateful for good things that come into our lives, but how about being grateful for the struggles we go through?

This week, I will write every day this about something/someone for which I'm grateful. Since today is Tuesday, I will write about two things since I didn't post yesterday.

1.) My job: My job is difficult, it's stressful at times, my pay got cut, and many times I feel like my job is my life, but I am SO thankful that I have a job. And I am thankful that I have this particular job, a job where I can pour into the lives of youth in the community, a job where I get to form meaningful relationship with people, a job in a Christian environment, a job where my bosses and co-workers are amazing, and I could go on and on. When I'm in the midst of the stress and chaos, it's hard to be grateful but I am so unbelievably blessed to have a source of income and a way to use my gifts and talents.

2.) My best friend Lisa: Do you have one of those friends who has been through the worst and the best of times with you? Lisa has seen me at some of my weakest moments. She was my roommate for two years in college, so she definitely saw the good, bad, and the ugly. I have hurt Lisa in the past, yet she didn't give up on me. God speaks and acts through Lisa, and our friendship is centered around God. I don't know any one who understands me more than Lisa does, and I think that's because we are so much alike. I am thankful for the crazy/silly times we've had together....if you are reading this and you've witnessed Lisa and I together, you know how silly it can get! One of our favorite past times in college was to be stealthy ninjas with blankets over our heads and sneak up on our other roommate (center of the picture). Yep, we're dorks. This picture gives you just a glimpse that that silliness (Lisa's on the right)! And I'm grateful for the honesty and openness that we share. I can be 100% of who I am with Lisa, no judgment. I feel so deeply loved by Lisa, and that has been a huge blessing in my life.

As we approach Thanksgiving, really do think about those things that you are grateful for. Actually, don't just think but show that thankfulness. If you're thankful for a person, then tell them. Praise God and thank Him for what He has done for you and given to you. Don't just think that these things in our lives are just coincidences, because they aren't. They are blessings from God! And when Thanksgiving is done and over with, continue to be thankful.

Week 18: Harry Potter Week

Hello, everyone! Organization Week went very well. I definitely was able to get pretty organized. I do realize that I still need to put up a before and after picture of my office, which hopefully I will do sometime tomorrow. It looks completely different which is exciting, and I can actually sit in my office and work instead of having to swim through the piles of junk and not be able to sit. I was able to clean out my room which was definitely needed. Yay!

This week, week 18, is Harry Potter week! Yes, I'm a nerd, and I absolutely love Harry Potter. I have read all of the books, and I've seen all of the movies. Of course, the books are a billion times better. In case you didn't know, part 1 of the 2 part final Harry Potter movie comes out this Friday. I am so excited, and I'm seeing it at midnight on Thursday/Friday morning! This week will pretty much be dedicated to Harry Potter. On this past Saturday, a few friends and I started watching the movies starting with the first one, and the rest of this week will be dedicated to watching the rest of the movies and then reading the last book of the series. This is really just a fun/silly week, and I'm completely ok with that! So all of you Harry Potter fans, enjoy this week leading up to the movie and as Professor McGonagall would say: get ready for some "well mannered frivolity!"

Week 17: Organization Week

Good morning! Can you believe that it's already November? Random, but I went to the store the other day, and the store had Christmas music playing. CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Halloween had just ended, Thanksgiving hasn't even happened, and people are already decorated for Christmas and playing CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Crazy.

Last week was a good week. It's funny because there were definitely things that came up last week that could have brought up some fear and doubt if I would have let it, but I didn't. This is something that I will now adopt as a lifestyle change. There's really no need to fear, doubt, or worry- God's got in under control. So week 16 was a success!

So, just in case you didn't already now, I really don't like when things are messy or disorganized. It actually tends to stress me out when things are like that. If I get home and I had a bad day, you can tell because I immediately start cleaning and organizing. Ask any of my previous roommates- they will tell you it's true. My life right now is very disorganized. My office at work looks like a cyclone hit it (no joke) and so does my bedroom. These places are both a mess because they are the two places in which I spend the least amount of time. I have my own office and it has the potential to be a beautiful office, but I spend the least amount of time there because I'm either out in the community, making thousands of copies downstairs, meeting with people, or doing something else that requires time out of the office. This means that any time I am in my office, it's to throw something in there or take something out, thus resulting in a mess. Same thing with my bedroom. Clothes all over, papers everywhere...

My goal this week is to get organized! Tomorrow I will take a picture of my office and put it up as proof. We'll do a before and after picture. My friend has agreed to help me- I don't think he understands how bad it is : ) I'm excited to get organized, and I am bound and determined to keep it that way once it's done! So if you find you need some organization in your life, join me!

Week 16: War Against Negativity, Doubt, and Fear

Hello, friends!! I hope that as you all read this, you are doing well and that you had a wonderful Halloween weekend! My week last week went ok, but I have to admit I wasn't able to enjoy fall activities as much as I was hoping. I planned and ran a Fall Fest for families and then teens at The Salvation Army, which was fun but A LOT of work. That really took up most of my week. It was, however, awesome to see all the families and teens dressed up and having fun together. About 180 people came out for the fests which far surpassed my expectations! God is good!

On Saturday, I was able to go to my favorite nature preserve and enjoy a nice walk. It was beautiful outside, and I found a piece of nature that was super picture worthy, but I didn't have my camera. This week, I need to go back and take a picture. I will upload it to the blog sometime this week. Also, I had one goal for Halloween...and I achieved that goal. It was to watch Hocus Pocus! I love that movie...don't judge me : ) I had a lovely Halloween. Church friends came over, we ate candy, acted silly, and had a bunch of fun! Here's a picture:

Totally unrelated to Halloween, I spent a good portion of the afternoon/early evening in the prayer room with my fellow prayer ministry team members. It was my "Freedom Day," and God did just that- freed me. Without going into details, I had been struggling for a while with insecurities, I confessed beliving lies for so long and took in the truth. It was an amazing day, God has changed me, and with His perfect grace and strength, I am moving forward daily.

This week I decided to do a war on negativity, doubt, and fear. Here's the thing: I know what God has called me to do, but I am still worrying about how everything is going to turn out. You know what I mean? You have all these questions floating around in your head, and you keep worrying about what's going to end up happening, is everything going to work out, how am I going to do this, what will I have to give up to pursue God's calling....the questions are endless. But the thing is, there is no use in worrying about all this stuff, doubting God, being negative. Being negative- how many times do I sit there and complain? How many times do I have a negative attitude towards things. No more. This week will be interesting : ) Who's with me in this? I DARE you to join me!