GoG 98: The Jeremy Hendricks

Friday, April 9, I went to see Sing Love, Sing at one of their shows in Indianapolis. My friend, Jeremy, plays in a band called Sing Love, Sing. I hadn't seen him in a while ... we hadn't had a good talk in a while ... and in addition to just wanting to support him, I was hoping for a good, long chat with the guy.

I've been really wishy-washy with Jeremy for quite some time. The story is complicated, so I will spare you the details (ha!), but that night, I told him that I will NOT be wishy-washy with him anymore ... and we agreed to be real friends ... to get to know each other better.

What I know of Jeremy thus far is that he is in love with Jesus, passionate, fun, talented, incredibly patient and kind, slow to anger, honest, responsible, incredibly and entirely patient, gracious, has a great sense of humor, is low key in the best sense of the phrase, a leader, has a good head on his shoulders, loves playing the drums and is really good at it, amazingly humble, and incredibly, incredibly patient (and yes ... I said he was patient 3 times!).

He's one of the most amazing guys I've met in my 23 years ... and I don't even know him half as well as any of my other guy friends.

Well, I say all of this about Jeremy to say ....

Ha. I was gonna say simply chatting with him that night was my glimpse of grace .... but really, HE is my glimpse of grace. Jeremy Hendricks in my glimpse of grace for Friday, April 9, 2010. He's been a glimpse of God's grace in my life several times in the past ... but that night, talking to him was grace ..... but he, himself, is grace.

Ha! That is great! See ... isn't God cool. He gives grace in writing about His grace. That's entirely awesome. Thank you, Lord.

GoG 97: The Rest

GoG 97:

I had an evening all to myself ... to relax and rejuvenate from a long week. And oh, it was nice.

I heated up some chicken noodle soup, popped some popcorn, and made some sweet tea ... cuddled with my old, smelly, stained, favorite blanket and my Pooh pillow and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakel ... all by myself. :)

Mmm ... "veg" nights sure are God's grace in action. He allows us to rest. :)

GoG 96: The Passion

Wow. I can't believe how behind I am! This is the worst it's been all year! Two weeks behind with my GoGs???? What????!!!

GoG 96 ....

A week ago Wednesday, I want to Living Word Baptist Church on the Eastside of Indy with a friend from the after school program. It was a prayer meeting of sorts with the preacher's sermon at the end. Ha! It was so great. If you've never been in an all black church before, you need to go. It was so great to see their passion.

I'm a fairly charismatic person deep down. Sure, I'm energetic and outgoing and somewhat of a spaz ... but I mean charismatic (however you spell that). I mean getting excited about Jesus and letting it show. I mean raisin' your hands in worship as the Spirit leads. I mean praying out loud, shouting or at least speaking out loud praise to God .... dancing! Voicing that you agree with the pastor when he says somethin' really good. Gosh! I want to do that ... I don't usually .... because not many people in my church do ... not many people I know, in general, do.

But don'tcha ever just wanna shout for joy unto the Lord? Dance in His presence? Shout an "amen" or a "mmm hmm!" or a "that's right" or a "preach it, pastor!" during some really good scripture reading or a convicting/encouraging message the pastor preaches from the pulpit? Don'tcha? DON'TCHA!?? .... Oh, please say yes. I know I do!

And that's what they were doing at this church. They were "mmm hmm'in" and "that's right'in" and singin' and shoutin' at times that night at this church. And I wanted to join right in with them. ... It was God's grace in action to see their passion. I might just shout a "mmm hmm" or wave my hand at Pastor Roger the next time he preaches a good word! Man, it's good stuff, yo. Spread the passion!!!!

GoG 95: The Walk in the Park

My friend, Jarrod, and I took a walk in the park today. I don't think we've had a better conversation - ever. It was good to talk with him for nearly 2 hours ... and just get to know him better. I understand better why we are good friends after our chat today. And ya know, that is grace. I've written before about how friendship is grace. Confirmations of friendship is also grace. Finding out things we have in common, laughing about ridiculous things, growing in friendship ... it's just a cool thing. Thank you, Lord ... for dear friends.

The Get To Know You Quiz ... yet another one

I really like these kinds of quizzes. You may not have time to fill these questions out, but if you do ... at some point in time ... answer 'em, and send 'em back to me ... or just put 'em on your own blog! :)

Here are my answers ....

The Get To Know You Quiz :)

Why were you given your particular name?

Ha! This question is asked of me all the time ... and until recently, I never knew what to say. I'm sure I've asked my mom why my name is Mical before just recently ... but I must've forgotten. So here's the story.

Michael Landon Jr. Heard of him? He's directed some things. The man who played Charles Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie - his son .... married a woman named Mical. My mom thought it was cool. So that became my name.

How many brothers and sisters do you have?

I have one younger brother. He is exactly two years younger than I am because we have the same birthday - March 6th. Cool, huh? :)

What is your favorite thing to do?

Go to church! I love my Calvary family ... and being with them, worshiping God together, getting into His word together, talking with them, loving on them and on the kids/youth ... oh! It's my favorite!!!!! By far!

What is your favorite food?

Potatoes - baked, fried, mashed .... ooo, yummy!

What is your favorite book?

My Bible.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Candy bar - The Crunch Bar ... Candy - M&Ms

What is your favorite cookie?

Double Chocolate Chip!!!

What is your favorite sport?

To play? Volleyball. To watch? Football.

What is your favorite kind of music?

Southern Gospel, fo sho!!!! Bring on the Gaither Vocal Band, yo! Well .... when David is in the band! ;)

What is your favorite song?

Wow! That is a tough thing to narrow down. At the moment, Funky Jesus Music by TobyMac is my favorite!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Someone who honors Jesus. .... More specifically? Working with kids and youth in pretty much any capacity.

How many kids do you want when you get married?

At least 4. I wouldn't mind having 6 or 7!!!

What is your favorite temple?

Temple? What a weird question. What kind of temple? I'm a temple of the Holy Spirit. Calvary could be considered a temple. Umm ... ???

What place you would like to know about?

The Church where my future husband grew up ... and then the church where my future husband is faithful to.

What place would you like to visit?

New Zealand!!!! Oh, yeah!

What is your favorite thing about your mom?

She perseveres probably more than anyone I know.

What is your favorite thing about your dad?

He is incredibly selfless.

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

I am faithful ... to any and every job, person, thing - big or small.

Do you like to sing?

Oh, yeah!!! All the time!

Do you like to dance?

Oh my, yes! A lot!

Do you like to play a musical instrument?

Yes. I'm just not very coordinated with the guitar .... or rather .... I struggle with rhythm.

What musical instruments can you play?

Piano and guitar ... only a little though.

What is your favorite type of art?

Music!!!!

Have you ever seen a broadway musical? Do you like theater?

Nope ... and Yes.

Do you like building things?

Small things like crafts, as my SoZo kids like to call 'em.

What would you like to learn about cars?

How to change the oil.

What would you like to teach others about?

Being faithful to Jesus, how to encourage people every single day :)

What are three adjectives which describe you?

Faithful, passionate, energetic

How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you?

Outgoing, excitable, loves Jesus

In five years, what kind of person will you be?

Someone who honors Jesus with her life ... an overcomer, content, a stronger encourager

In ten years, what kind of person will you be?

All of the things above at a deeper level ... a sage.

What do you want to be doing in five years?

Beginning/continuing a family ... starting homeschooling ... loving my husband ... continuing to grow deeply in Jesus

What do you want to be doing in ten years?

The same as above at a deeper level ... continuing a family (maybe be done having kids, maybe not - ha!) ... loving my husband even more than 5 years ago ... growing even more deeply in Jesus than 5 years ago

What are your favorite subjects in school?

Physical Education and Choir .... and English class too. ;)

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?

Take a nap, check my mail, watch an episode of Chuck, listen to music

What is your favorite church movie?

Church movie? Does Fireproof count? ... To Save a Life was good too. ... If that's what you mean by "church movie."

What is the strangest thing you ever did?

Camp alone for 2 nights and 3 days .... does that count for strange? People told me I was crazy for doing it! ... I can't think of anything else.

What is the strangest food you ever ate?

Sushi is probably the weirdest thing I've eaten ... or something from Dim Sum ... a very authentic Chinese place. Gross.

GoG 94: The Rain

Ahh ... today's glimpse of grace was probably the most prominent of any other this year. Thank you, Lord! .... I went for a walk at the park today, and as I started walking, the rain clouds started accumulating. I didn't know we were supposed to get rain today. But we did. And it was glorious!

I really like rain. Gosh, it's cool stuff. God knew what He was doing with that one. :)

So as I walked and saw the clouds forming, I thought, "Ooo, rain would be a great part of this walk. I would LOVE to walk in the rain for a bit." I started walking ... I took the trail across the bridge, across from the park ... decided I would walk that loop three times and then cross the street and head up the hill towards Old Farm. It was a pretty lengthy walk, and I was pretty excited about it. On my third lap around that wooded, grassy trail, it started to sprinkle. Then it actually started raining. Just a light rain, wouldn't soak ya through by any means. And I started feeling it cool down a bit - a wonderful thing that happens when the rain comes! And I stood there ... I lifted my hands, and I lifted my face ... and I smiled really big. I kept walking ... and as I walked I said to God, "Ya know, I wouldn't mind if it poured right now." And smiled heavenward. A few seconds later, it started raining harder ... and then harder, at which point I thought it had started to hail, and I said, "Oh no, Lord! No hail though, please." And started laughing. It wasn't hail, just big rain drops. And I continued walking as it started raining harder. And I kept laughing. And laughing. Thankfully, no one was around 'cause they probably would've thought I was a crazy person. I just couldn't stop laughing. I was awed at the grace I found in that moment.

Again, I love rain. I think it is one of the THE coolest things ever.

So I kept laughing, lifting my hands and my face to the sky in praise of my Lord who sent the rain on my walk in the park. I'd like to say that the rain was just for me ... but It probably wasn't. ;) .... But I do think God WAS answering my prayer for rain today. It was an incredible blessing!

And as the rain came pouring down, I prayed, "Lord, just as the rain is pouring down on me, shower your Holy Spirit on me today." And He did. I experienced the Holy Spirit today in such a refreshing way. Oh, it was beautiful. Thank you, Jesus!!!

GoG 93: The Tugging of the Heart (Part 2)

Lots of changes are a comin' for me. It's hard to tell what they are. But I feel God tugging at my heart in different ways - in jobs, in relationships ... ect. ect. :)

Yesterday, I "made" a fairly specific decision that I'm working through slowly. I'm keeping it on the down low for now ... so sorry this is vague. But God's tugging is my glimpse of grace for yesterday. It's cool when God works on your heart in certain areas and brings you to your knees either literally or in figurative yet specific ways or in certain areas of your life. I put "you" in there hoping that y'all have those moments/minutes/days/weeks/ect. of your lives as well. And when God brings us to those places in our walk with Him, it makes us re-evaluate things and strive harder after Him for answers and direction. And because He wants us to change - to be more like Himself - He gives us grace to re-evaluate, make decisions, seek His face, ect., ect. Good stuff, indeed.

And it's all by His grace.

GoG 92: The Lullaby

I hung out with the McRoberts kids tonight while Tim and Keri went to the Butler game. (The McRoberts are one of my favorite families at Calvary ... and one of my favorite families in LIFE!) .... They have four kids - Lucy is 7, Caleb 6, Will 4, and Sam is about 4 months old. What a good time! The older ones mostly watched Monsters vs. Aliens, played the wii, and we played a couple of board games ... while I hung out with little Sam. 4-month-olds need nearly your undivided attention so that they don't fall off the couch when you sit 'em down for a minute ... I'm sure there are other reasons why little babies need our attention, but that's the best one right now ... I was constantly afraid he was gonna fall over or fall off of something and ... well ... die. Yes, I'm a dramatic one. ;)

Well, my glimpse of grace came from little Sam ... well ... from God through little Sam. :) ..... Some time between 8:30 and 9 tonight, Sam started getting really fussy ... he kept rubbing his eyes ... and those little blue eyes of his were having a hard time staying open .... but like most babies, he fought and fought. He wasn't gonna go to sleep without an all out war against me, his bottle, and his head and eyes that kept falling without his permission. He wouldn't let me sit down. He must've known I was trying to get him to fall asleep, so he fussed and cried all the more with every "sit down" on the couch I took. I stood and held him, swaying back and forth slowly, trying to persuade him into slumber. Keri is in the weaning process .... she's trying to stop breastfeeding ... and trying to get on with the bottle! Sam is not a big fan of this plan as of this day in time. He fought and fought. So I continued swaying slowly .... speaking gently in his ear - "You're doing great, Sam. You've got it, little guy." On and on. He would drink a little and fuss a little, drink a little and fuss a little. And finally ... his eyes couldn't take it anymore .... he plopped his head right on my shoulder and started calming down. The sucking of the bottle became less and less. And once I started humming a lullaby, he was out like a light. I continued humming for a few minutes, slowly inching the bottle out of his mouth .... and as I swayed and hummed, I closed my eyes, praising God for that moment. And then tears came to my eyes as I thought about my own children someday. In that moment, in this evening, I had a lot of love bottled up for that little guy. I knew that I would give my life for little Samuel McRoberts. So can you imagine how much more I would love my own son ... or daughter ... my own child??? Could I imagine it? Wow. All the emotions and wonderings showered me in that moment .... and tears came to my eyes.

Ahh yes ... grace in my arms in the form of a little red-headed baby named Sam. :)

GoG 91: The Lack of Vulnerability

Yesterday, I was reminded to be vulnerable.

I have been hurt in the past ... some of it was my fault; some of it was not. Hurt happens when you live your life. Period. You MUST move on from EVERY hurt so that you can LIVE your life. .... But I've been reminded a few times in the past couple of weeks that I have NOT moved on completely from past hurts. And I MUST move on.

My mom told me that I've put my guard up.

"And rightly so ... to some extent. But I think your guard is up a little too much."

And I needed to hear that. I don't know these things in and of myself. God's been bringing people into my life to show me my weaknesses (my lack of vulnerability in this case ... and hanging on to things that don't matter anymore as well). And what a good thing! God cares about me enough to keep pushin' on those tender spots of my heart. By His grace, He wants me to move on and LIVE my life to the fullest ... that ABUNDANT life He talks about in John 10:10. Praise the Lord!

And His little pushes are His grace at work in my life.

Addin' to the Bucket once again .....

Well, I haven't accomplished too many things on my bucket list .... but I keep adding to the list!
Swing dancing lessons? Check. I had a few lessons during my ballroom dance class last spring.
3-day solitude trip? Check. I went to Turkey Run a year ago March for 2 nights and 3 days of camping all alone. Oh yeah!
Other than that? Nada.

But here's my list ... and here's what I've added. :)

MICAL'S BUCKET LIST (not necessarily in this order)

#1 Hike through New Zealand!!!

#2 - Run a mini marathon.

#3 - Read through the Bible AT LEAST 3 times ... once in my NIV, once in an ESV, and once in my wide-margin NASB.

#4 - Learn to play bar chords on my guitar.

#5 - Take swing dancing lessons.

#6 - Marry and oober godly guy!

#7 - Have at least 4 kids and homeschool them.

#8 - Take a 3-day solitude trip!

#9 - Visit my sponsored child in Bolivia.

#10 - Read all of Mere Christianity.

#11 - Take a BBF trip to the Bosom Buddies Cottages in Canada with Emily!!!

#12 - Be a waitress.

#13 - Visit all 50 states!

#14 - Go to a Gaither Vocal Band concert.

GoG 90: The Tugging of the Heart

Ahh. And today ....

To expand on "The Callings Chat with PM," I will say that God is BIG. He if FAITHFUL. And He has a MIGHTY calling for my life.

I don't know what that calling is exactly. I've been searching it out for a while. It's been changing for a while. And getting better all the time ...... BECAUSE God is so big and faithful and has such mighty plans. :)

Over the past couple of years .... since the 6th or 7th time of failing the Praxis .... I've been feeling a tug on my heart. I haven't been exactly sure what it is. I've been pretty sure it was God for quite some time. But not exactly sure what the tug meant and continues to mean beyond that. All I am pretty confident about is that it's BIG! I KNOW that God has a big calling for my life. That BIG calling could be staying in Danville, leading SoZo, working two or three part-time jobs. That is BIG. Working with my SoZo kids is a MIGHTY calling! But that tug has been there all this time ..... and I think it's God preparing me for something different.

Over the past couple of years .... since the 6th or 7th time of failing the Praxis .... I've been feeling a tug on my heart .... as if God is going to call me away from Danville ... away from Calvary ... away from SoZo ... my home ... my friends ... my comfort zone. And this tugging is growing stronger as the months go by.

I don't know what it all means. But I'm excited! And I'm seeking God for His direction and provision. .... And that tugging is God's grace in my life. .... He has created me for great things! He CAN and WILL use me! I don't deserve to be used. I CAN'T be used without His power working in me!!! And yet He chooses to love me and mold me and use me! Praise the Lord!!!

Lord, continue to have your way in me.

I

AM

YOURS.

GoG 89: The Cory and Mikey, Trayvon and Johnea

A few of the adults from after school pulled together to plan an afternoon with some of the kids at the park yesterday .... seeing as they were on spring break and all. We piled 8 inner city kids into our cars yesterday afternoon and headed to Garfield Park for an afternoon of peanut butter and jelly, flamin' hot cheetos, swings, slides, rollin' down hills, soccer .... and fun.

We drove all over creation to pick up the kids .... 42nd and Post Road ... the corner of 16th Street and Brookside Park ... Eastside Church of the Nazarene off of Gladstone ... aaalll over. Whew! But half the kids rode with me ... and it was a good time! I had Trayvon, Johnea, Cory, and Mikey in the car with me. Cory and Mikey are little black boys ... 4 and 5 years old ... brothers ... and way too cute for their own good. They strapped themselves in their seat belts in the back seat while Trayvon sat in the front seat with me, jammin' to my iPod and dancin' .... and callin' my friends on my cell phone. Then we picked up Johnea, who took Trayvon's seat in the front. Johnea is my favorite. You're not supposed to have favorites in ministry, but you do. You can't help it. Johnea is 13 .... and I haven't seen her since last summer. I've missed her. She is a ton of fun! ..... And seeing these little people was a huge blessing! God's grace, too - how does He allow me to work with the loves of my life - KIDS!!!!! :D By His grace .... that's how! :)