from the midwest to the bayou...

i love my friends.

2008-12-03T13:30:00.001-08:00

current temps...

2008-11-11T11:39:00.000-08:00

Today's temps. for the following places:

Fort Wayne, Indiana: 40 degrees

Hillsdale, Michigan: 36 degrees

Ocean Springs, Mississippi: 75 degrees, I can't believe I live here...

what makes me proud...

2008-11-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

I just continue to be saddened by the words I hear through the media and through people around me. It does not make me proud to be an American when all I hear is people constantly bashing our current President. George W. Bush is not perfect. Eight years ago, we the people of this country elected a man into the greatest office in our nation. Our next President will not be perfect either...he too is just a man. I'm not saying that I'm happy with the way our economy is and other issues effecting our country today...but I also know that none of us really know the whole story. None of us know how hard it is to be the leader of the most powerful and successful country in the world. President Bush has faced incredibly hard situations. I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to receive the kind of negative feedback the media has given him. It's a shame. For all of those who were so proud of the change that our country will take with the election of Barack Obama...I also encourage you to step back and have some compassion for another man who has led our country, no matter what your opinions are. I did not vote for Mr. Obama on Tuesday. But I stand behind him as our next President. I am praying for him and his family as they make this transition. On Tuesday night, when I watched John McCain give his final speech I did feel sad because the man I thought supported my Christian worldview the closest had lost. In that moment I turned to the Lord and asked him to give me peace in the next man that He had willed to lead our country. I ask the Lord to give me something really positive to pray about to support our next President and not to dwell on my disappointment. So, I prayed and waited until President-elect Obama's speech came onto the television...and I realized what I could specifically pray for. It was when I saw his two young girls flash upon the television screen. What beautiful girls. I will be praying for the change and transition in their lives and for their protection, safety and peace as they begin this journey with their parents.

I'm not proud to be an American when I hear others bashing those they have different opinions from. And when I hear only the negative about our countries leaders. Our great country was designed for us all to have different opinions. I am proud to be an American when I see us showing respect to one another and compassion. I am proud to be an American when I see citizens not just talking and writing about change, compassion and equality--but making that the actions of their daily lives. This is the change that I am praying for and I'm thankful that my trust in this change does not lie fully in our President elect, but in my Heavenly Father.

the election of 2008

2008-10-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

What a crazy year this has been as far as the changes in our country and the race that is leading to our next President. People are really passionate about seeing change. I understand that--many families are struggling and going through hard financial times, health scares, and are concerned about the well being and future of their children. It's scary to see gas prices so high and then read on the news how much oil companies are making in profits...

I'm going to vote on Tuesday and I know who I'm going to vote for. But here is what I'm not going to do---I'm not going to put all my trust and hope in that person I vote for, I'm going to pray for that candidate and I'm going to pray for the other candidate too...but my trust and hope will remain in the only One who can give me full security, hope and peace...my Father in Heaven. He is in control of our country--wholly. He has a plan, and whoever wins this election will be His will. I've seen so much hatred between these two political parties over the past few months...my prayer is that instead of trusting in men--who will let us down no matter who they are because they are MEN, fallen, sinners...that our trust as a nation would turn to the Lord. If we became a nation trusting in His plan and way I think we'd see the change our country is so boldly crying out for...I don't know what is instore for me or for the country I live in...all I can do is strive to serve the One who has given me hope...a hope that reminds me that its not all about this life--thank you, Father for rescuing me.

"Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of LIGHT. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us unto the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossions 1:12

survived gustav...

2008-09-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

We sure did have a crazy week last week...Ocean Springs, MS did have a scare with Hurricane Gustav. My best friend Natalie was here and we evacuated up to Jackson for the rest of Labor

Day weekend...but no major harm came to OS. Most families in the church here stayed and actually enjoyed a weaker hurricane, with a few days off of school.

Baton Rouge, LA however was not as fortunate. There is a Presbyterian Church there that our youth group here in OS has established an awesome friendship with and they really welcomed me with open arms since I arrived in MS in July. I spent last Saturday in Baton Rouge helping with cleaning up from Gustav...and it's hard to believe the power of that storm. It seems every other house has a tree on it and the power lines all over town are a mess. Please pray for the people of Baton Rouge as the begin the long process it will take to recover from Gustav.

I am praying that Hurricane season is coming to an end soon...it looks like Ike will most likely not effect us here in MS--keep the people of Texas and Mexico in your prayers as they prepare for a crazy couple of days. Having never had to worry about a hurricane before, it is a waiting game and one that causes a lot of stress and worry wondering what will happen. Over the past two weeks, I've tried to do my best to find peace in the Lord's will for me and for us all.

first presbyterian ocean springs: youth house!!

2008-08-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

here are some photos of the youth house--this is the facility for the students of first presbyterian here in ocean springs...i've had fun getting it ready for our fall programming and adding some of my own touches to it--what a special place! we are so blessed to have it! So here's a little piece of my world down here in ocean springs...

a view of the main room...(that's my chair & stand where all the magic begins on youth group nights...) :)

   here's a view from the outside...
   fireplace...that is no longer a fireplace...
   youth director's get to put together bulletin boards too! :)
   a side shot of the main room...kitchen is attached in the back
   the entry way...given a little steph touch...

exciting news!!

2008-08-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

I've had some success finding some free lance writing work...I have to send in a few samples, but it seems promising...prayers are appreciated though, nothing is a sure thing set! But this is really encouraging! :) Happy Friday! It's a beautiful one here on the Coast!

playing catch up...

2008-08-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since my last post...I'm not the best blogger...So my apologies to anyone who has checked this...maybe all 3 of you. :)

Since I last posted, I've spent a week a junior high camp...a long, but very fun five days...have been working a lot, enjoyed a visit with some friends who came into Ocean Springs to see their son/brother Tim who lives here...they let me tag along with them all week, & have made a few trips to the beach...finally!

Saturday evening it finally hit me that I now live by the ocean. I have been so busy with the new job and doing all the things that are necessary yet nobody likes to do when moving...(car insurance, renters insurance (in case of hurricanes...scary, I know), etc.) Ocean Springs is right along the Gulf of Mexico...the beach isn't really the main draw, as the water isn't as clear here as it is in other parts of the Gulf Coast...but being from the Midwest, I'm still in awe of it. When I was in high school we would all hang out at coffee houses, friend's houses, etc...here it's the beach. Pretty amazing. I'll have to take some pictures and figure out how to post them on here.

In other news...as lovely as the beautiful beach life is...it is also expensive. I'm praying about whether or not I should try to find a cheaper place to live...I can afford it, and the location is amazing being so close to work, the beach, and the awesome downtown of OS...but the electricity is expensive with the air conditioning & if I moved into an apartment I could at least start saving significantly...so we'll see...I'm turning it over to the Lord. He found this great house for me in the first place. I had my first Ocean Springs haircut yesterday. Also expensive. The joys of adulthood.

Today is the first day of school for all my Ocean Springs teens! They start early down here because they get a week off for Thanksgiving and Mardi Gras...so Sunday will be our big youth group kick off. I'm excited. I don't want to give away the plans I have for our big night, hopefully I'll have some pictures to share...but it does involve the beach. :)

I've also decided to start freelance writing again. I miss it. I sent some e-mails out this morning to see if there are any openings through the ministries I've worked with before...we'll see. Keeping busy is the key to not missing my friends & family back in Michigan, Indiana, & Washington D.C.

Although, I do miss ya'll... a lot. That's all from Ocean Springs, for now.

blessings from the bayou: the vera bradly girls..

2008-07-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

I'm finding how hard this move really is. It's very difficult to be so very far away...from everyone I know and love. However, it is important to always see the joy that the Lord gives us in each and every day. Last night, I had a little jr. high girls movie night planned at the Harbor House (the youth house...which really is a blessing too--an amazing facility), it was suppose to start at 6p.m.. and my greatest fear was that no one would show. Due to the craziness of summer, I have had a hard time connecting with students about when we will be meeting, etc. Anyways, I sat on the couch of the youth house feeling tired and lonely and in true Stephanie form began to cry. And then I began to pray. There's a huge window in the youth house, and I was just crying/praying and looking out this window...all of the sudden, I see these 4 little blonde heads running up the brick path to the youth house...all carrying their little Vera Bradley purses...I started to pull myself together, and find the the crazy/fun youth pastor deep within me instead of this crying mess that was waiting for them by the window. As they burst into the house, the first little 6th grader said to me: "Miss Stephanie, I'm so sorry we're late...but we wanted to show you our Vera Bradley purses!"

Precious. It's all about the little blessings. Thank you, Lord. :)

new address...new car...new furniture..

2008-07-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

   my beautiful new chair.
   the family room, new couch and chair
   my new silver honda crv...i love it!

I am very blessed with some very amazing parents. My Mom and Dad treated me with this new car and the means to buy myself some new furniture...my first real adult purchases. :) The house is still a work in progress...but I'm having a fun time starting to piece it together. My house is about a 2 minute walk from all the fun little shops of down town Ocean Springs...so it's been a lot of fun to window shop and find a few little things to help make the house feel more like home. Come visit! As a church member said to me on Sunday...It may be hot, but atleast we have the ocean to cool off in! :)

We made it!

2008-07-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

I've been in Ocean Springs 3 days now. The parent's are here until Saturday morning. I am so enjoying these days with them here--and I'm not ready to think about them going back to Indiana...which will be soon. The First Pres. church family has out done themselves in the southern hospitality department...we have been very blessed by all their love and how they have welcomed me the past few days.

I'll write more after mom and dad go back home...details on the house, new car, etc. are to come. :)

I began this morning by reading Isaiah 40. What a great reminder that my Heavenly Father is in control and will give me everything I need...as long as put all my hope in Him. I'm praying He continues to give my heart peace as I have already started to miss family and friends...and as I begin this new adventure in youth ministry here in Ocean Springs.

Here it is...

2008-05-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

A new chapter...I'm going to try and write some of my experiences down that will come from this new adventure to share with all my dear friends in family sprinkled all over the country...

Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.