A Glimpse Inside

No pictures, Lots of wedding, Hold the schoolwork, please?

2008-04-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

Since I've been gone...(with Kelly Clarkson's song resonating through my brain!) :D

I have been to VA, TX and back.
Mason got the job and we are headed to Fort Worth, TX in June!
We forgot my camera on the plane back from TX--SADNESS! (It has yet to be recovered)
Less than two months until our wedding and everything is falling into place (some things more smoothly than others, but that is to be expected).
Schoolwork has tapered off and become more manageable since Sr. Sem. is over--Praise the LORD!
I am getting more excited and having to watch my adrenaline levels everyday now that graduation and our wedding are so close!
Mason and I have received guidance, wisdom, and much practical advice for ministry that is invaluable to us at this point.
Mason and I have also been asked to minister to the teenage MKs at the BBFI Missionary Retreat this summer--talk about a busy summer!

And last, but certainly not least (or a recent development) I love you all and can't wait to be graduated, married, and settled in TX in our new church!

Another few weeks

2008-03-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Recap
Senior Seminar was truly the never-ending marathon course! Mason and I just finished the last assignment on Friday. It was the 11th of February that we had 700 pages of reading and 20-30 (depending on who you ask) essays due. Then, by February 29th at midnight we had to complete 1500 pages of reading and a 3-5 page summary paper. Thankfully, I was able to count all of my book research from my project: that totaled about 550-600 pages!

Looking back at my two month marathon, I am now only a few days from our "study trip break." This year is so different as I am not going on the study trip. I am excited to rest and I am not stressed or pressured about this break at all! Mason and I are headed to Texas to candidate in a church, and then will be enjoying some time in Virginia with his family. This will be my first break with no schoolwork since the summer, so it should be quite relaxing!

A look back to Valentine's day :)
Mason took me to Plaster Fun Time where we both picked out plaster molds and painted them!

Here is Mason working on priming his truck, and my "S" is in the foreground.

and he caught me priming my "S" (hopefully to hang in our home one of these days)

All primed and ready to be painted...

and the truck is ready to be painted too!
mid-way on the "S"
...no more on the painting because we had to run to catch out reservation at P.F. Chang's! YUM!

at the end of the night, all that was left was this...

they read: "Happier days are definitely ahead for you." &
"Be both a speaker of words and a doer of deeds."

and I had to have at least one picture of us...

-Marla

The last two weeks

2008-02-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

For two weeks my life has been nothing but ADD/ADHD research and Bible study...so this is where I lived:

You've probably heard the saying, "It always gets worse before it gets better!"

...

It did... (here's the progression)

My glasses became my best friend! :)

and the absolute worst... (note the pillow brought in for lumbar support!) :D

And finally, at the end of 12 pages and 2 appendices, I finished the paper! (finally a sense of order was restored!)

and lastly, My happy face: "I'm FREE from the paper and presentation!"

-mri

Christmas Break: Part II

2008-02-04T10:09:00.000-08:00

While we were in VA, we spent an evening with Mason's Father, Robin, and the girls (Grace and Lydia)

Here's Grace!

and Dad showing us a fun model engine

not the same one, but this one actually runs and spits out smoke like a real one! How cool is that?!

Grace is showing me a very small person that goes in the "train town." :)

and Ms. Lydia!

Grace had to show us her toys.

Mason lounged on the couch with the girls for a while
she is a sweetheart!

Mason and Grace cheesin'!
and I couldn't leave Roxy out--she was such a sweet puppy, but not much of a little puppy anymore. She was so excited to see us!
All three are enthralled in Toy Story 2, but Roxy wants attention. I particularly enjoy how Lydia is reading a magazine, watching her movie, and ready to go out in the cold!

-mri

Christmas Break

2008-02-02T21:24:00.000-08:00

Let's see...

we logged over 2500 miles driving from Boston to VA, all over in VA, to Florence, SC...
then headed back to VA for a few days and then back to Boston.

And now I am kicking myself for not taking more pictures! Next time I will have to determine to fill my memory card, because then for sure we will have sufficient pictures.

But, what I do have...

We spent "Christmas Eve" with Mason's mother's family (at Memaw and Pepaw's house) after doing some last-minute shopping earlier in the day. After dinner Mason and I headed out to take a walk and Mason and his cousin Jeremy ended up playing with the remote-controlled car.

so I wandered off and played with my camera :) I took this behind the house.

another shot from the backyard

this leaf just intrigued me...

the REALLY old swing-set in the backyard, and the sun setting over the hill.

from the side that's the back of the house and backyard.

Mason finally came around and then decided to climb a tree! :) But, my hands were freezing by this time and with that and my camera not doing so well with the sunset lighting, it came out a little shaken.

we had to take advantage of the red wall :)
Silly Faces! (I went to kiss his cheek and he stuck his tongue out! How does that make sense?)
That's better! :D
Mason and his Mom peeking in on Memaw and the sisters

...more to come later.
-mri

One down, One to go

2007-12-17T05:26:00.001-08:00

I completed editing my paper yesterday evening a little past ten and slid it under my professor's door. It was a wonderful experience to finish it knowing that I could go to my room and just rest. I had no exams or major projects looming before me for today. It was so surreal that, even though part of me wanted to celebrate by watching a movie or staying up extra late, I continued in my regular routine of getting ready for bed and settling in for the night with a little reading. Considering my roommate had an exam this morning at eight, this was probably a good choice since I did not keep her up too late!

Off to work on my presentation for tomorrow and then my Emily Judson paper.

-mri

Ecstatic

2007-12-13T13:17:00.000-08:00

My classes were officially finished at 10:15 this morning! As soon as I walked into chapel I found that my afternoon class had been canceled so I was thrilled to have the time off. Not only that, by 1pm it was snowing furiously so I didn't have to work since the boys had an early dismissal. So, now I am down to a presentation and two papers...off to accomplish some of it!
-MRI

So close!

2007-12-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

I am one week, three days of classes, two presentations, an outline, two papers, and an exam from temporary freedom! :D It is so close that I can smell it; but I persist in finishing the semester. It will be a wonderful thing when, two weeks from now I will be sitting in VA with Mason and his family celebrating the birth of our Savior! Yes, I did just experience a sense of blissful peace! It is so good to stop in the midst of the pre-Christmas bustle to reflect on the genesis of "Christmas."
Christmas is such a different time for me this year. The Lord has not allowed the same income in years past, so the gifts will be smaller, maybe even more scarce--however, I am finding that this Christmas I understand just a trifle more of the depth of God's sacrifice for each of us. Every gift that I give is an act of love, not just from me, but in remembrance of God's ultimate gift. To truly give not just from our fat or abundance, but from our hearts, our souls, our very sustenance. That is closer to the true meaning of Christmas.

Well, I had no intention of rambling on about Christmas, but that's alright. Just a hint of what God is teaching me this year.

Merry [early] Christmas!

-MRI

Thanksgiving Break

2007-11-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

Finally, we have a few days to rest during the semester. This fall has been the most strenuous, stressful semester for both Mason and myself. One semester left--We are so looking forward to graduation in May!

Here's what we did Saturday evening to celebrate our time off...to Boston!

our superb but frigid spot in front of GAP to watch the tree lighting

the horse pulling Santa's carriage

after the tree was finally lit!

time to go--we were still cold even after eating dinner and visiting stores

waiting on the T to arrive

our toes were still cold!

-mri

Round Two

2007-11-12T16:48:00.000-08:00

I had typed out an entire post including quotes and a fun update, but then the internet went out. Thankfully, our internet is working again and I can blog carefree.

I have completed my music paper (due Thursday) and I am in the middle of my Youth Strategies and Adolescent Spiritual Development papers (due Friday). I have had the luxury of some extra time so I was able to work with intermittent breaks--such a blessing!

4 days remain until Thanksgiving Break and Mason and I are so excited for it. The Lord opened a door for Mason to get some extra work over the break, so we will be staying local, working, relaxing, catching up on schoolwork (me-told ya' I couldn't catch up!), and enjoying the break.

Off to write some more...
-mri

November

2007-11-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

I cannot express in type my joy that November is finally here. This month signifies 7 months until Mason and I are married. Not just that, but in two weeks we will be on Thanksgiving Break! This brief vacation is much-needed. My class load is quite heavy this semester, and I am anxious to put it behind me. I have reached a point where I must purpose to think about wedding details because I am so engulfed with school and studying.

I have missed my family so much this year--not going home is pretty rough. Mel turned 13 today (yesterday in Korea) and it is very exciting. Mom and Dad are working on their fourth teenager. As I have said before, they will be well-qualified to write a book on parenting teens when all of theirs are out on their own. ;-)

Back to my homework...
-mri

Vomit story...A Fresh Start!

2007-10-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

Our session began with Mason's tale of chronic appendicitis and my record of 6 years without throwing up. Not your typical start to pre-marital counseling for sure. We had such a beneficial hour with the Sawyers though, and I am so thankful that God has allowed for their counsel and mentorship throughout the last few months of our engagement. They were challenging, encouraging, and loving--precisely what Mason and I need at this point.

-mri

Fall in Boston

2007-10-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

I think this is the longest I have gone without blogging! 6 weeks too long for certain. I don't know how consistently I will be back, but Arthur (my laptop) is back in full working order so I should be able to frequent my blog.

In the last 6 weeks here on campus much has happened:
Mason's 24th birthday (he's officially past the cool factor age of 23 now)
Boston Baptist College's Presidential Inauguration (of which I was the marshall--usually you have several for these types of ceremonies; which means that I stood there, looking pretty, and telling everyone what to do, where to go, and when to do so.)
BBFI National Fellowship Meeting (three days of preaching, fellowship, and traveling back and forth to Providence, RI)
Mason and I began Pre-Marital Counseling (with Joe and Karen Sawyer, our counselors, mentors, and friends)
and lastly, if I am remembering the highlights, today our campus is right in the middle of Rev Days (high school students from New England churches are visiting BBC, getting a taste of college life, and many are considering attending here in the future.)

Needless to say, between all of that, classes, and work, I have been so busy. God has been teaching Mason and I both so much as we work through wedding plans, future dreams, and the reality that we have no guarantee of tomorrow. God is our strength, and He is providing and making ways for us to walk. We are foreseeing needs that we will have, and are constantly reminded to live today, and trust that the Lord will provide for those needs when they are present needs.

-Marla

Mid-way Birthday Bash

2007-09-10T17:37:00.001-07:00

So, I convinced Mason to go with me on celebrating our birthdays together. Mine was two weeks late, his two weeks early. We ended up inviting Nicole to join in since hers was nestled in there too. We gathered a group of friends and went to Firefly's "Bodacious Barbecue and Southern Fare." It was quite tasty and enjoyable! We had a great time just hangin' out with our friends.

It was so good to be reunited with Jenn and Lauren (two of my future bridesmaids). :)

Some of the guys: Tommie, Jeremy, Mason, and JP

Twins: Jeremy and Jenn, Myself and Mason

-mri

Blitz! [CAUTION: this blog is catching up on the last several weeks and will be excessively long. Do not read if your eyes tire easily. :)]

2007-08-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

School Begins
I cannot express my excitement over this blitz. It is not only my last chosen blitz, but it is focused on one of my favorite subjects--expression through writing. This also happens to be one of my weaknesses. It is only the third day of the class, but already I have struggled to reach through my writing and grab the reader. That's what I want to happen when someone reads my work. I want them to feel like I am sitting next to them relaying personal events and the feelings aroused within me.

I have so many passions in life...
ministry
music
missions
mks
writing
family
church
...it makes me wonder how God is going to use them all.

New Roomie
I am now sharing a cubicle with Jessica, one of my new favorite people in the world! :) She is so interesting and mature, which would make sense since she took a few years after high school to get her hair license and pursue professional work. She is much like me in that we both come from ministry families and have struggled and been hurt as a result. I am looking forward to the craziness that is sure to ensue once we settle into the semester.

22
Another birthday! Yes, I am 22 now; I realized that I am not just barely beyond being a teenager. There is no going back. However, I had a wonderful birthday. Birthday calls began at 12:03am with Megan. I had received a card from her over a week before, and was quite restrained in not opening it until my birthday. So, when she called I opened it to find a hilarious card, and a GAP gift card. :)

*NOTE* The card says: "'GUESS WHAT?' 'chicken butt'!" :)

My entire day on Friday was enjoyable--sleeping in, a yummy brunch complete with cheesy eggs, bacon, and biscuits complements of Dusty. Mason and I were able to fit in hanging out at Walloston Beach with a whole crew of other BBCers for an hour or so. Really it was just enough to drain me and nearly cause me to pass out from heat exhaustion because it was so stinkin' hot! But, we still had fun. I got to take Jenn to the airport for her CA trip so I had some girl time as well, and when I got back from the airport I had just enough time to clean up for my "birthday" date with Mason in the evening.

He worked so hard at keeping it a surprise for me and it really was a surprise! Several months ago I found out that Rascal Flatts was going to be here on my birthday, but between the original cost of tickets and then the sudden "Sold Out" state of the box offices, there was no possible way we could go unless we somehow managed to win them in a contest. Since I was already spending several hours in my car every day this summer, I determined to catch a concert and win. However, the country station didn't begin to give tickets away until the weekend prior to the concert, which just happened to be the weekend that I moved back on campus and was no longer near the radio. I even tried listening online and that was not meant to be either. I still don't know how to get the station streaming online!

Mason and I finally faced the facts that we could not go to the concert, yet, part of me held out hope that somehow we would be able to get tickets and go. Because of a couple unintentionally dropped hints, I wondered if Mason was not able to secure tickets of some kind. Trying not to get my hopes up and then show drastic disappointment, I dressed for a nice evening out. When I headed to the car to leave, I saw Mason in his rugged khaki cargo shorts, plaid pearl snap button-up shirt, and "COLLEGE" cap. He had said dress casual but nice, so I was wearing a cute tank top and white linen skirt since it was so blazing hot. I knew immediately that I was overdressed for whatever we were doing. Mason reassured me that I looked fine, to just relax and enjoy myself. So I did. Well, I tried to.

He took me to Friday's and we had a delicious dinner. I was informed that during dinner I was not allowed to ask where we were going after or what we were doing. I focused in on my steak and steamed broccoli. The steak was cooked to perfection. :) Mid-way through our meal, Mason leaned intently across the table, looked me in the eyes, and said, "Marla, I don't want you to get your hopes up. We're not going to the concert." I assured him that I had already faced this reality, and not to be worried about my disappointment. I told him that had I been confident that we were attending the concert, I would have dressed entirely differently.

Back in the car, Mason told me to close my eyes and as is becoming his tradition, he retrieved his gift from the trunk. I opened my eyes to see a card addressed to: "To My Future Wife." Part of me instantly thought that he had concert tickets the entire time and had lied to me for several months. Yet, when I opened the card, nothing fell out. I resisted the temptation to vigorously shake the card!

Suddenly a bright blue package bound with blue painter's tape was in my view, and written on the top was: "It's what's on the inside that counts. Now how it's wrapped!" As I suspected, all four Rascal Flatts albums were inside! (I didn't think he would give me these since we weren't able to go to the concert--how cruel would that be?) Mason had arranged the cds in chronological order and as I was going through each one to admire them, I found concert tickets taped to the fourth album.
I flipped out and thought that he had them the whole time, until I saw the VIP across the end of the tickets. It just so happened that some friends of ours had won VIP tickets, and didn't care to go to the concert! They found out that it was my birthday and I desperately wanted to go, and they passed the tickets to Mason. :)

Prep for the Year
Last week was quite busy between Spiritual Life meetings, moving on campus, a little work, two registration days, and running random errands. Our Spiritual Life meetings, planning and activities were very encouraging. The vision that Liz, Jenn, Annette and I caught a glimpse of was one in which RA's and SLD's would work as a team, building each other up and actually working together to better campus life. I was ecstatic to finally see a team of campus leaders functioning as one. Also, the batch of incoming students is phenomenal. They have displayed positive attitudes, eagerness, and a willingness to be stretched. It's going to be an incredible year!

Missionary Retreat

2007-08-24T04:35:00.000-07:00

I made it there and back! Like I said, my original flight connecting in Chicago was cancelled, so I was put on the next flight out of Boston mid-day. This allowed me some time to fellowship with some good friends who put me up for the night in Boston; instead of having to leave at the butt crack of dawn, I got to hang out with Ian and Dawn. :)

I caught the next available flight early Sunday afternoon, and when I got off the plane in Chicago every sign was bad. Not only did I have to walk the maze of corridors to the furthest gate, but as I approached the cluster of gate numbers in which my gate should have been, I saw a sign pointing down a flight of stairs. Now, by this time the temperature is 20 degrees warmer than anywhere else in the entire airport and the closest Starbucks is about halfway back on the trek I just finished.

Glancing at the departure times listed on the scattered "Airport Information" screens, I realized that my connecting flight had already been delayed by a half hour and that I had plenty of time to make it to Starbucks and back; however, there was another time listed closer to the original flight time. I know, it confused me too. The only thing I was sure of at that point was that I did not want to sit down in the bunker with 300 other hot, sweaty people until they called for the puddle-jumper flight to Fayetteville, Arkansas. I managed to get a grande raspberry mocha frappuccino light with no whip cream and casually sipped it as I made my way back through the corridor.

I went downstairs to finish my drink and to make a few phone calls before the flight. I called Dad for his birthday, and then called a friend to touch base. I thought that I heard them say something about my flight, but there was no sign of active boarding or a formed line--nothing that would indicate to the average flyer that the plane was trying to leave! Finally I realized that they were about to call people by name to get their attention for the flight so I quickly approached the desk and was allowed to proceed directly to the tarmac. The state of disarray suddenly made sense to me--the entire exterior of the terminal was under construction.
We ended up sitting on the runway for another 45 minutes due to thunderstorms. I felt really bad for my ride, who did not get the message that my flight was delayed by about an hour; he sat there and waited nearly the entire time!

We had an incredible week and all of the mks seemed to have a great time ice skating, go-karting, playing soccer, and just hanging out playing card games. The group had fused in such a unique way within the first day that they ice skated in a herd around the rink. It was a phenomenal sight. I also loved ministering with the Trills, which enabled us to pull off a skit picking on Dennis Jennings at the end of the week. Everyone was laughing so hard, and Dennis took it so well. Apart from the fun and games, we were able to dig into God's Word and discuss some practical issues that each of the mks were facing.

I was right, it was one of my favorite weeks of the whole summer. :) I am hoping that Mason will be able to experience something like this with me at some point.

-mri

FRIDAY!

2007-08-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

I don't know that I can fully express how wonderful it is to finally be living this evening! This week has been NUTS!
MONDAY: Overslept the alarm (thought I hit snooze, but evidently hit dismiss) so I didn't get to shower in the morning and worked all day-in the afternoon Jason went to a friends', so I mainly had Brian and we played lots of games and I whooped up on him in Trouble and Sorry! :)

TUESDAY: I didn't have to work at the Y, but ran errands and then worked in Milton and Jason had a friend over so I was a little bored because both the boys were occupied. Also found out that I wouldn't be working the next morning because the family I work for had to attend a funeral.

WEDNESDAY: Slept in a little since I didn't have to work early, and then went for a haircut since I had the time and I hadn't had my hair cut in 3 months, so it was about time. Even though I really liked the length my hair had reached, I knew that losing that inch would be better in the long-run. So I am back to a slightly awkward length, but by the time school starts in a couple weeks it will be back to normal.

Anywho, I drove down to Milton, picked up the boys, and Jason went over to a friends' house. It was a fairly normal day aside from Brian's pity party (he wasn't too happy with the enforcement of the limited sugary snack rule). On the way back up the highway the car decided to freak out. I had just gotten on the highway and a few minutes into my drive I noticed that my steering was extremely tight and both my brake light and battery light had come on! Needless to say it freaked me out and I was praying that I would just make it back to the house without having to stop or getting in an accident. I had to use all of my strength to make the 90 degree turns off the highway and on the back roads to the house, but [Praise God!] thankfully I made it back without the car dying or anything like that! I knew that I couldn't drive it to work the next day, so I let my boss at the Y know that I wouldn't be in first thing in the morning. This was going to be tough because Thursday was scheduled to be our largest attendance day this week and we were already short counselors.

THURSDAY: Thankfully, Larry and Cindy were such a blessing and helped me take the car to a nearby shop they usually use. Since they were leaving the same morning for a few days of their family vacation, Larry let me use his car so that I could drive to work since I didn't know when my car would be fixed. Anyway, I drove down to Reading/Wakefield to work and as soon as I got there Mike (our boss) was called to go drive another group of kids somewhere and wouldn't be back until 11, so nobody got any breaks on Thursday and we shuffled around all day trying to stay within ratio (1 counselor per 10 campers). I got off at about 1 and found out that my car was finished. I realized that since I had to work late that evening and then had to work the entire next day I should try to go back and pick up the car. So, I called Cindy's neighbor (who I had never met) and asked if she could drive me to the shop. Thankfully she had time and was heading out to run an errand anyway so I drove back up to the house, picked up the car, switched my stuff from car to car, and then drove down to Boston! Not only that, it was a 90+ degree day and this was the heat of the day so I was dying from the heat.
I spent the late afternoon and evening with the boys which was actually enjoyable and fairly uneventful! :) David told me that one of the boys had a doctor's appointment the next day so I didn't have to come down to pick them up-YAY for Fridays!
I left their house to drive back to Tewksbury and everything was fine until I went to turn onto Main Street and I don't see any lights on at the four-way intersection. Usually it is all lit up by the gas stations and signs around, and of course the actual stop-light. However, this night there were no lights and a line of cars at each of the four points, so the stop was being treated as a 4-way stop. I turned onto Main Street thinking that the light was just out and then realized as I drove down that the ENTIRE street was out. Even the side street the house is on was out and it was all dark and quiet. Since I didn't have any candles, matches, or a flashlight, and didn't want to risk killing myself by trying to take a shower, I hopped back in the car and ran to Wal-mart to pick up a few things. I got back and the lights were still off so I tried to clean up by the light of my cell phone! haha-if only I could see myself shuffling around the house with my cell phone as a candle! It was so dark, quiet, and hot that I tried to just lay still and sleep but I wasn't relaxed and couldn't get there. I had almost fallen asleep a little after 11 when the electricity came back on! I was jolted awake by the sudden whir, buzzing, beeping, and a bunch of lights flashing on. So, I ran around half-asleep turning everything back off and hoping to fall back asleep. I still didn't sleep well...

FRIDAY: I had set my travel alarm clock just in case my cell phone died during the night, but it never went off the next morning. Thankfully I woke up about the time I should've and I spent the next ten minutes thanking God for waking me up! I was so tired, but was thrilled it was Friday and my last day at the Y. I was opening camp, so I was the first one there that morning. They have been doing construction and milling work on the street in front of the church for the past week or so, but we haven't had a major problem with it because they never shut the street down. (this street is the ONLY way in/out of the church as it is located on a cul-de-sac)
Not long after I weaved my way through the trucks and obstructions they blocked off the ENTIRE street. Not only did they close it off, but they began laying new asphalt so everyone was late coming in, and most people had to park a ways away and trek half-way around the lack to get there! Mike and Costa ended up driving over the hot tar to get in, ticking a policeman off in the process. It was a crazy start to the 100 degree day.
Since it was nearly 100 degrees, staying inside sounded like a good option until our not-so-wonderful air conditioner sucked all the tar fumes into "the big room" where we keep about 30 kids for most of the day. The kids were supposed to have free swim time in the morning, but since they were laying the new asphalt the bus wasn't allowed to drive out to take them to their scheduled swim time. :( We ended up going outside to the playground and constantly sending the kids to the water fountain for drinks--it was better than being cooped up in the heat with all the fumes! Thankfully a portion of the road was finished in time for Mike and I to leave after lunch-he was headed out on vacation and I only worked until 1pm anyway. Since I didn't have to work in Boston, I came back to the house, turned on the AC and relaxed.
It was a beautiful Friday afternoon to tie up such a strange week! :)

Sunday I am headed to AR, and my original flight has already been cancelled and I have been re-booked on a later flight, so who knows what the next week will entail! God Bless!

-mri

Nearly August

2007-07-31T17:06:00.000-07:00

This week is dragging along, and I cannot wait for it to be over. Not only is it my last week of balancing 3 jobs, but several other students are coming in over the weekend for the A-term and next week I get to go away. Mason comes back on the 8th, so that is another plus for next week as well. I think that I have about reached the point of being ready to return to school. And I am definitely sick of the humidity, although I have no reason to complain--the humidity in Korea is so much worse than it is here!

-mri

Ahhh...Saturday

2007-07-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

I did not realize it had been so long since I posted. So here goes my attempt to bring all of you up to speed.

My visit with Mom, Mel, and the rest of our relatives in Washington went very well. We were able to relax and enjoy ourselves and eat, laugh, shop, swim and play pool. I even got to see a few cousins that I hadn't seen since before I was a teenager! We had a lot of time to cover in just a few days so a lot of time was spent visiting.
Mom helped me find a wedding dress and it was too perfect to pass up. (one more item checked off my list!) It was fun to shop with her, Gram, Mel, and even my Aunt Jodi on the last run. I carried it back on the plane and had quite the time balancing it with my laptop and other luggage. It was well worth it though!
I only have one week left at Camp Quannapowitt and then I am off to Arkansas for the missionary retreat. I am so excited for that week, not just for the retreat, but Mason flies back in the middle of that week as well! I am anticipating a great week of ministering with Pastor Trill and his wife, working with the teens, and hopefully renewing some ties with the missionaries and missions office staff. I always enjoy the fellowship and encouragement even while ministering.
Well, that's an overview-I am off to do laundry and enjoy my Saturday with no plans! haha-I have been working and driving so much between jobs I have no desire to get back in my car to go anywhere.

-mri

A new monday

2007-07-09T16:50:00.001-07:00

Ah yes, a fresh start on a new week. Sunday services were so good, Pastor "Ant" was talking about King David and how he turned into a control freak, thus turned his life into complete chaos. Through denying his sin, and trying to control every resulting detail because of his lack of repentance, he ended up practically driving himself crazy. And this was the man who took after God's heart?! Incredible when you realize all that was going on. Note: people's actions in the Bible do not justify repetition of their actions, but represent the reality that none of them were "spiritual giants" either; rather they, like each of us today, were human beings alive spiritually by God's incredible grace!

Today was a stellar day. I was up bright and early (practically with the sun) and my body did NOT want to wake up this morning. I pulled out onto the main road in the wrong direction, told myself I had turned the wrong way, went to turn around, and then doubted myself. I was right the first time, in that I was wrong. :) I did make it to work on-time though. Work was insane as we were back up to capacity with kids, had new kids starting with no medical paperwork on file (thus they have to be turned away until we have confirmed documents), and we were short-staffed so nobody got any breaks at all. To make it even more interesting, the weather was uncooperative this morning and the kids couldn't go outside because of the thunderstorms and sporadic drenchings. Lastly, we had 2 Korean kids start at the camp today! The 4th grader understands a good bit, but doesn't speak very well, and the younger doesn't understand or speak hardly at all. Their mom was very pleased when she found out I spoke enough Korean to help them out, and I must say I enjoyed getting to talk to them a little bit. I so rarely get to use my Korean and am losing it quickly.

And another Korean moment-just a five minute walk down the street from the church (where the camp is) I found a small sandwich/drink shop run by a Korean couple! I thought they were Korean right off the bat when I saw them, and was convinved as soon as she took my charge card from me. For those of you who may not know what I am getting at, she used the traditional posture of receiving with the right hand, and gracefully bracing the right arm with the left hand. It was a dead giveaway, and the conversation which was sparked seemed to bring joy to both of our days!

I am off to relax before I crash for the night as I am opening at camp again tomorrow morning.

-mri

TGIF!

2007-07-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

This just goes to show how mixed up I am! I took this Yankee/Dixie Quiz and this is what my score was. [79% (Dixie). That is a pretty strong Southern score!] I laughed. I was born in PA, lived there for a good 3 years, and only technically lived in the "south" for 2 years. I guess I can blame my Dad being from TX, but that still doesn't add up right. :)

I had a wonderful 4th of July when I spontaneously decided to go visit with some friends. It was well worth the drive for all of the laughs Lauren and I shared and the quick shopping trip we fit in. I tried on a few more "bridal" dresses, but none of them were right. They all seem too expensive or just the wrong style.

Work at "Camp Quannapowitt" is going well and I am enjoying the kids. My other two jobs are good too. Brian and I have taken up basketball in the afternoons before his mom gets home, and while I usually beat him, yesterday we agreed that I should shoot from further out because of my height advantage, so were were both lacking in baskets made! It was still fun though.

I am looking forward to seeing Mom and Mel next week, as well as (hopefully) many other family members! It should be a good time catching up.

-mri

Overwhelmed by my Father's blessings

2007-06-29T14:07:00.001-07:00

God is so good to me!!! He has provided a week off of work, and all of the finances I would need to go work with MKs for a week in August. This retreat has been a highlight of my summer since I was 13 and God used it as a tool to completely change my life! I have been privileged to volunteer my time and energy the last few years as a counselor with the teens and I could not imagine a summer without doing this--it is what my dream-life would be if I had all the finances in the world to do whatever I wanted. I would just spend time with missionaries and their kids and love them, challenging them to grow more in love with God and to serve Him faithfully.

I have been praying that if the Lord wanted me to go He would work out all the details, and let me tell you, He has provided for everything! He continues to bless and bless and bless. Lord, may I ever serve you faithfully.

-mri

Praise Him for His Provisions

2007-06-25T17:11:00.001-07:00

Once again, God has provided for me. I spoke with Mike Tinney (from GSBC) yesterday at church and he mentioned the possibility of a job under him at the Y (where he is a supervisor?). He called me today and was able to secure a job for me. I will be working in the mornings to lunch time/early afternoons and it will work perfectly with my other nanny schedule and I will be able to start next week! (God is so good, isn't He?) It will be less hourly pay than my typical nanny jobs, but is still sufficient and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work in a new environment. I will be headed there tomorrow to fill out the paperwork and get on the payroll. YEAY! I am also starting to work one day a week with a family in Boston to help them with some organization, late spring cleaning, and household management stuff. Thank you all for praying!

-Marla

Finally

2007-06-20T10:41:00.001-07:00

I know; it has been so long since I have been able to update! I have many excuses like time, lack of internet, work, and travel. I'll spare you the details and get to the fun stuff. :-)

Mason and I went to VA for a long weekend and I was able to meet his family. I met two sets of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters, high school friends, and even a few high school acquaintances we happened to run into. (It happens in a small town.) We were both able to relax and enjoy ourselves, even with all of the driving and running from place to place. We didn't take nearly enough pictures, but we are determined to do better come holiday time when we will have more opportunity to.

The picture on the right is nearly all of the Stanley side of Mason's family. They were gathered for "Grandpa Stanley's" 71st birthday. I must say, they were one of the most ornery bunch I had ever encountered! Yet, thankfully, they were so busy picking on each other they were able to avoid me for a bit. They were very loving though, and did make me feel at home. Even though it was Grandpa Stanley's birthday, Mason and I received a few engagement gifts--It was like Christmas in June!

Allow me a quick flashback to May to showoff my big sister. She graduated with her M.A. in Education!

This is her being recognized for a scholarship she received and getting her hood!

She finished before he did...it may be a sore spot, but he was still proud. :-)

That's all for today.

-mri

I think I can, I think I can...

2007-05-31T07:29:00.001-07:00

7 hours of class remain and I will be finished with my summer semester. This week has been crazy with the bulk of our class work in a matter of three days plus a field trip which did not even relate to the book of Acts. (at least it broke up the monotony of the course) We took our 2nd exam today and then have the final tomorrow morning. None of us are motivated or have any energy--truly it is God carrying us through these courses!

I am excited to move out of the dorm this Saturday; I will be packing up and cleaning and moving all of my summer necessities to Tewksbury, MA where I will be living for the summer. I am truly grateful to my church as they are reaching out to me and caring for me this summer. Not only that, the family I am living with has a pool in the backyard! (Can ya' tell I'm excited?) In what spare time I will have from working, reading, planning, and doing missons stuff for church, I plan to enjoy that pool to the fullest extent.

Mason and I will also be going to VA in less than a week! I will be meeting my soon-to-be in-laws and a good portion of Mason's family. I am looking forward to it, and the time off from school, work, and Boston. God is so good to allow us this downtime both for him to have a brief break before departing for Korea, and for me to be able to meet at least his parents and some family members.

I have recently been re-reading from "Abide in Christ" by Andrew Murray. It has been a great tool through which the Lord has been reminding me to keep a calm spirit and rest in Him, trusting His sovereignty in all things. Especially now, I am wanting to use what time I will have this summer to plan our wedding so that I will not have to during the school year. However, with the college administration making major changes to the Spring academic calendar, plans cannot be made--we can't set a date until they tell us when our graduation will be. Truly, reading about what it means to be grafted to Christ's vine, and pruned to produce fruit has come at an appropriate time.

May I just state, "I am officially sick of school." Thank you.

-mri

Great Monday

2007-05-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

How often do you get a great monday? (well, I could be anal and say that every monday the Lord blesses us with is great, and it is, but the way most people think about it they are rare.) :-) My day today was very good, blessed, happy, sunny, and just joyful!

It started out cool and windy, but between the beginning of a new class, a fire alarm to interrupt the class for a Dunkin' run, and a gradually warming afternoon. Aside from that, I had a wonderful chat with my best friend; because of God's incredible love and grace, we are able to have a glorifying relationship, even when it is tough. Praise God!

I am feeling much better overall: a few sniffles and a little sinus pressure remaining, but my bad headaches, body aches, and fever are gone!

Have a blessed week!

-mri

Kickin' Tail

2007-05-19T19:45:00.001-07:00

I would love to be able to say that I have been kickin' some tail, but it seems that I have been kicked a little. Well, not truly. :-)

One course down, one to go until my summer reprieve. However, I have acquired some type of cold/flu bug and my high hopes of packing, cleaning, and organizing went straight out my first floor dorm windown into the mud and rain that is Boston today.

God is so good though; even with the weather and so many people away from campus, He still provided for my needs when I have only been half "with-it." And, to top it off, Dad left a whole season of NCIS and I have been enjoying a few episodes while I am resting.

Dad's gone again. I really enjoyed having him here, but had to adjust to really sharing him. I was still working these three weeks though, so I really had to crunch my time. (maybe why I have been hit so hard by this cold.)

-mri

1 Down

2007-05-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

The first week of blitz is coming to an end. I have nearly completed my assignment due by midnight tomorrow night. I did this slightly early so that I do not have to worry about it when I travel tomorrow--Dad and I are flying south to see Megan receive her Master's Degree!

I am excited to see her and Sam. Not only is she graduating, but this week also holds both of their birthdays. (We are tackling three events with one trip down!)

Off to finish my outline, pack for the trip, and hopefully paint my toenails too! :-)

-mri

PS-Rascal Flatts is coming to MA on my birthday!

Another Blitz

2007-05-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

Summer classes started today. I am really going to enjoy this class. It has already taught me things on a personal level, made me aware of how I am influenced by the culture and mindset of Northeast Asia. It is quite interesting.

The weekend went well. Mason and I traveled with Dad to western MA and visited in two churches. We stopped in at the O'Hara's for the afternoon for a home-cooked meal and some relaxation. I am anxious to truly relax--looking forward to summer courses being over.

-mri

Engaged!

2007-05-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is completely true (yet still so surreal in my mind). I am engaged to marry Mason Conrad Stanley! God has blessed us both and truly taught us (and continues to teach us) what His love is. Please pray for us as we plan for not only our wedding, but as we prepare to live together as husband and wife. It is such an exciting time, and God is truly at work to continue to mold us to be more like Him.

more details to come... :-)

-Marla

Monday

2007-04-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

Dad is here.
God blessed me with extra work and abnormally obedient children to watch. I love that God blesses me sometimes in my tired state with an easier day at work.
I am 2 exams and 130 pages of reading from being finished with this semester!

PRAISE GOD!

-mri

4.5 hours left

2007-04-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

By 2:30 this afternoon, my last to papers will be finished and submitted. My last presentation will have been completed. I am looking forward to the weekend reprieve and Dad arriving on MONDAY! :-D Yes, this daddy's girl is ecstatic!

Okay, back to my expo...

-mri

Another Beautiful Day

2007-04-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

Every day that the Lord chooses to bless us with is truly a beautiful, good day. We don't always perceive each day to be "good," but I am convinced that each day that we are given is good. What happens during that day might be difficult, painful, and most certainly challenging; yet, God is good. He is the Creator not only of you and I, but of that day. Praise God for every day that we have to live, move, breathe, and be conformed to His image!

The following verse has been brought to my mind so much recently. Anything I do in and of myself is worth nothing. Only by God's power in my life are my efforts worthwhile! "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." -Galatians 6:14-15

-mri

Senior-itis

2007-04-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

I officially have the worst case of senioritis EVER! I need to write three 5-page papers on various topics relative to New Testament Backgrounds (Funeral & Burial Practices; Housing in the First Century; Contraception, Abortion, Childbirth, & Child Exposure), finish an exposition on a portion of Titus, and do a group project for Social Work. I have no motivation or desire to do any of it! I am attempting to plug away at it, but it is so much more tempting to shove it off, enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather we are being blessed with, or even go to work.

Yes, it was nearly 80 degrees today! Thank you, Lord! I was so excited to enjoy the radiance of the sun.

Church was encouraging, as was practice for First Wednesday service. Gregg has picked a great mix of old and new songs that have beautiful harmony!

Dad should be here in 1 week! (Thank God, I am really looking forward to him being here.)

-mri

New Beginning

2007-04-15T17:35:00.001-07:00

I think I just got bored with Xanga--I am going to try this out for a while and see how it is. If I prefer xanga, I might return, but it's worth trying out for a bit.

This week and weekend have been incredible. I have been busy, but the Lord has given me some great encouragement. I have been blessed by the visit of my dear friend, Dennis Jennings. The Jennings family and my family have been friends since before our families were fully families--God is incredible to orchestrate lives like that! It is such a wonderful thing to have older, wiser friends in the ministry who are not only able, but willing to laugh together, cry together, listen to your hurts and dreams, and just allow God to use them in your life.

I have been free to be myself the last few days, and thanks be to God that I was able to rest this weekend. My schoolwork was shuffled around so that I had a breather at the very time Dennis was here--Praise God!

I am looking forward to school being out in just a few weeks, summer courses for the month of May, and then working for the summer. I am praying for doors to be opened for not only housing, but ministry opportunities during the summer months. God is good, and I look forward to growing in Him in the coming months.

-mri