sunday reflections- lots of 'em!

today i've had an abundance of thoughts that i'd really like to blog--but don't know if i really have that much energy right now. so i'll see what i can do.

i woke up this morning excited about going out to summit for church, but something- just something- told me that maybe i should go to the methodist church instead. after all, i have really missed things there. when i think about the real differences b/w summit as a non-denom, evangelical church and s.l. methodist as a protestant, rather contemporary church, i have to say that--surprisingly--i find God in the methodist church more than at summit. and i never thought i'd say that. i mean, at summit, it's all praise and happiness and praise and a neat powerpoint to supplement the message and more praise. it's wonderful, no doubt. great people--great opp to just worship God. but i realized so much more this morning-- is that really what i want? it's great, yes, and i wouldnt complain if that was my only option of church for the rest of my life, but given the option... i'll take the methodist church (in this case, up here at school). wow- this morning showed me so much of what i'd really been missing. the children, the diversity in ages, the Lord's Prayer, communion--and an actual explanation of what communion really is (which i find is often left out of more evangelical churches' communions-- and to me, that's really taking away the sanctity of communion)... bev's message was absolutely wonderful, too-- now i've really enjoyed summit's messages, but there's just something about bev's... especially today. it's not about being showy. it's about so much more... something i just can't put into words. the music, even-- definitely isnt lacking-- there are singers, guitars, keyboard-- and great praise songs. and to sit by jody-- just so many reasons why i knew i should go this morning, and i definitely wasnt let down. thank You, God, for showing me these things.......

i've gotten a lot of homework done today. not that i had a LOT to do-- but still. i even took about an hour and a half break to go work out-- i ran, lifted some, stretched quite a bit, ran some more... did some crunches... it felt really good to just exercise. while i was on the treadmill, the most disturbing television show was on, but i'm not sure what the name of it was. basically, things were all wrong in it. kids- barely teenagers- were kissing, and a couple (probably juniors in high school, or seniors, it looked like) "got a place" for a night so they could... well, basically, "do it" for the first time. ok, first of all, everything perturbed me about this. the girl- how misled she was- how she basically talked her boyfriend into thinking "it was right" when he was doubting it- horrible!!! it was truly a scene of misguided CHILDREN succumbing to the pressure of the world, saying that "sex equals love." why does television have to show this so, so much!? AND- second of all- the "place" the girl found was her dad's church-- she'd stolen the keys-- and she'd laid down a "bed area" and made a room all seductive and such. in her words, "i covered up all the weird pictures of Jesus." i was appalled... so, somebody please remind me again why i don't watch television? i am again reminded of how thankful i am that i've not given in to the pressures of the world. my virginity belongs to my husband. i'd sure appreciate it if women- esp. young women like on the tv show- would realize what they're doing to themselves and to their guys... the very last scene of the show showed them laying down- ever such the typical scene w/ his shirt off, her covered up, w/ her head on his chest, and she looks up at him and says "i'm so glad we did this." the look on his face though... he looked like he regretted it horribly... and she chose not even to care. selfishness. that's what it is. lust. so, so sad to me... although i've not been there, i know people who have-- and i just wish other people would save themselves the emotional pain of "the first time" by waiting until they're REALLY w/ the "right one" (spouse, basically). but of course TV wouldnt show sex scenes of married couples. no, that's not exciting. what's exciting is those extramarital affairs, those teenagers, those strangers at a party. thoooooose are the scenes that people want to see. well i'm sorry, tv, it's not what leisha wants to see. once again. why i choose not to watch television. but- stepping off the soapbox-

i talked w/ jason tonight, my friend from georgia (originally from excelsior springs-- we both went on the chicago mission trip a couple of summers ago). he claims he's already met his future wife, and he just has to get her to move from iowa-- (basically, it's me)--so he thinks he'll take me on a carriage ride and pop the question when we meet at the plaza right before christmas (since he'll be in town). i said "oh, yes, be still my heart." this guy cracks me up. somehow i don't think any of that will be happening (aside from meeting at the plaza- i think we will be doing that-- and hanging out at tomfooleries!)... but he can dream. heck, i don't blame him. look at me! ow, owwww! *cat call* ;-)

dad called tonight, to say thanks for the card. i loved hearing his laugh-- (it was a funny card)-- and i told him about the mws concert. it was nice to tell him first instead of mom-- since i usually tell mom everything first. it was wonderful to talk w/ him- definitely improvement from past years. it was nice to talk w/ mom, too. i am always thankful for their phone calls... since i really don't get many calls anymore. :-S

the most awesome thing happened tonight. well, a few things-- like talking w/ one of my mentees about mexico and getting to translate an email from one of his mexican friends, and hanging out w/ autumn for a little while in the rec center (but there was this guy there- and apparently he downed 38 beers and a half bottle of jack daniels a few nights ago over the course of 5 hours--- ok, there are no words for that except "WHY!?")... but the most awesome thing was having britt (one of my residents) come in my room and give me a christmas present. it was the passion of the Christ!!!! the video!!!! i was shocked to have received something from a resident- but it was from her and her roomie... i told her i was just so, so thankful for it. she said she hasnt even seen it yet, and that she'd like to watch it w/ me... so i REALLY look forward to doing that! i look forward to seeing it again, just in general. i saw it twice in the theatres- what a very strong effect it had on me, both times...

welp, i'm done w/ rounds for the night, so i think i might just get on to bed. it's been a good day. tough at times, but good for the most part. God's taking good care of me. i wouldn't expect anything less. psalm 34:18-19-- michael dick gave me this verse yesterday- so i wrote it up on a post-it note and put it on my desk so i can always see it. check it out.

have a good night, friends...