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[Jan. 2nd, 2008|05:22 pm]
Well, Christmas and New Years was amazing!
I'm so glad that I was able to spend time with some of the most wonderful people in my life.
The Middle School Youth Gathering was a blast. Those junior high kids were full of energy, and extremely excited about learning... I'm glad that I was able to be there. However... being there... I caught some of the bugs from them! So... I went to the doctor today, and it turns out I have both strep and bronchitis. Bah! 

New Years at camp was so needed. We had a bible study, and then had worship. We worshipped through the new year... 11-12:45am... I think Dan said it best when he said that we ended 2007 being cleansed, and began 2008 as clean and ready to go! :D After that, we danced for a while, and then it was time for dodge ball! I wasn't feeling well, so I sat and watched... but still really enjoyed myself. We went to bed at 2:30am... and I woke up for breakfast, and a little bit of TV/football/Parade watching. We just kind of hung out all day. It was great. 

Anyway.. I'm back at school, getting ready for J-term. I only have class on MWF, so I don't start til Friday... so tomorrows rest will be wonderful!

I hope you all had an absolutely wonderful Christmas and New Year's Celebration!
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[Nov. 23rd, 2007|12:05 am]
R.I.P.  Mama Nielsen....

I am so thankful for your time spent here on Earth... and I am so thankful for all of the amazing things you've done in so many lives. 

You will never be forgotten...

<3

November 22nd, 2007
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[Nov. 6th, 2007|04:26 am]
So...
I recorded some music today for my Youth Encounter audition, and I have put it up online. 
Check it out!

It's the same music on both sites.. so... yeah! :)

http://www.myspace.com/joyaugustine  ;
http://www.purevolume.com/joyaugustine
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[Oct. 24th, 2007|11:06 am]
Tech week has officially begun. 
We had "fall break" on monday and tuesday...
I wish that the musical cast actually got a fall break. We really could've used the time off... just to re-cooperate and regain some energy... But I guess that is the life of a theatre kid... busy busy busy!

The show is going pretty well. I'm really proud of everyone... we've been working our asses off... and it shows! It'll be a great show.

I'm afraid though.... I see a lot of potential burn-outs right now... and my fear is that by friday, opening night... we won't have any spirit left in us to do a great show... 
So, if you could... pray for.... non-burnoutage! :P

Hope to see you all there this weekend or next!!
<3
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[Oct. 22nd, 2007|12:53 pm]

Thank you all so much for your prayers, kind words, and hugs the past couple of days. I've been so lucky to have support from you all.
My dad came home last night. they still don't know what is wrong with him... and he's still in pain, but they weren't doing anything for him at the hospital.. and they didn't want to waste our money anymore. So... he came home. He has a doctors appointment on Friday, with his diabetes doctor. The hospital doctors think that it could've been the onset of a diabetic coma or something... I don't know. 
What I do know, is that my dad can still use your prayers! He's still experiencing pain, and it's really hard for him to focus on anything but the pain. I'm heading home shortly to see him and help my mom out with some casseroles for the two of them... and then I'm heading back up to school for rehearsal.
Please keep my family in your thoughts!!

Thank you all again!

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[Oct. 21st, 2007|07:13 am]
 
I came home friday night late, and spent the night at my house. I was planning on spending the day with my parents, but my dad was experiencing a lot of pain. Around 3:30pm Saturday, he decided he needed to go to the hospital. He said he was having sharp pains in his chest, and that he was worried it might be a heart attack.

My mom took him to one of the mini-hospitals near our house, and I stayed home. As my dad was making his way to the car, he stopped me, and started crying. He grabbed a hold of me, and started saying things like..."I'm sorry I wasn't the best father to you growing up. I'm so proud of who you are today. You are an amazing woman... and I'm so glad I've been able to be a part of your life. I love you." So... if you know anything about my father... this was a pretty scary situation for us.

They got to the hospital, and couldn't figure out what was going on. They thought that he wasn't getting enough oxygen to his heart, and that he might have some blood clotts, but they couldn't do the tests at the mini-hospital. So, they transfered him to Clarkson Hospital, and that is where he remains.

The doctors can't find out what's wrong with my dad. He's in a LOT of pain, and no one really seems to know what's going on. They even put him on morphine, to take away the pain, and it didn't work... so yeah...

I have to go back to Blair this morning for Church, and for Tech-Sunday for the musical... so I won't be in Omaha to be here for him, or my mom.... I will keep everyone updated... but if you could please be praying for his health, my mom, brother and I... that would be wonderful.

I love you guys...

Joy
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[Oct. 7th, 2007|10:47 pm]
Procastination is such a bad thing...
I have a paper due tomorrow morning...
I haven't even started...
my thoughts...?
oh well. I'm tired... and I'm going to go to bed!

Ha! I've never been this bad in my life.
Gotta love senior year!
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[Sep. 24th, 2007|10:07 am]

Why can't the weekends be longer?!

I don't want to do my homework (Especially my senior sem. paper).
I don't want it to be Monday!

I wish that weekends were... 4 days long, instead of just two. Why couldn't we have a 9 day week... Monday-Friday weekdays... and Saturday, Sunday, Kinsday and Newsday be the weekend? Yeah... I just made those two names up... don't give me crap about them. lol. I want more! 

K. now that I'm done with that....

I had an amazing weekend!! :)
<3

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"Is this Home....?" [Sep. 21st, 2007|04:20 pm]

I get to go home tonight!!
I moved into school on August 10th, and I haven't been home since! You have no idea how hard that has been for me!

I told my parents that I made homecoming court, and my mom flipped out and demanded we go shopping. So, tonight, that is what I'm going to do! lol. After my mom and I are finished shopping, I'm going to Sean Tylers 21st b-day party! Woot woo!! And then... I'm going to go home, and sleep in my own bed!

Hopefully after this weekend, "I" will be back. I realize that "I" have been gone a while... and I'm thinking that all I need is a little home... a little love from my 'rents, and I'll be back! :D

Muah!

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[Sep. 20th, 2007|02:14 am]

Tonight is the first night in a very long time that I've experienced "complete silence."
After church duties were over this evening, I sat outside the L.i.f.e. center at church, and... stopped. I just listened. Kirk was going around shutting off the lights, and in the darkness, I sat... completely consumed by the absolute quietness that surrounded me. It was beautiful.

There was nothing... not a cricket, not the "white noise" of electronics...  nothing...

That sheer emptiness was perfect....

I need to listen more often....

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[Aug. 29th, 2007|12:30 am]

I have never in my life felt like that before...

It was overwhelming...

I went in to sing my audition... and came out, realizing that was the LAST time I would be auditioning for anything at Dana College. And... that was the LAST time I would ever be auditioning for a show...

While I was singing, I started thinking about the words of the song...

"Is this Home? Is this what I should learn to believe in? Try to find something good in this tragic place?... .... Must I stay here forever? Shut away from the world until who knows when? Oh but then, as my life has been altered... once, it can change again... Build higher walls around me, change every lock and key...nothing lasts, nothing holds all of me... My hearts far, far away... Home and free."

Dana college has been my home for the past 3 years. I am coming into my 4th and final year here... Thinking back on the past three years, I searched for something good in this tragic place. I cried out... "I DONT WANT TO GO BACK! TO THAT PLACE!" so many times I can't even count... But ultimately, Dana has been my home. It has changed my life in so many ways that I could've never imagined for myself. Dana may be my home... but this place cannot hold me any longer... I am so ready for bigger and better things... 

I can't wait for this year, and all of the joys that it has to offer. I pray that this year is one I learn more about self-control, more about loving others, and more about myself... 

I pray that this year is one that I will never forget... and not for negative reasons... but for the love that I gave, and the love that was given to me...

I have the best friends in the world... and they make this place my home, for now. 
I couldn't ask for better people to love me.. and let me love them!

I'm a senior!! 
I can't wait for life to begin!

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[Aug. 23rd, 2007|06:03 pm]
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive...
These are the moments I'll remember all my life... 

:)
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[Aug. 17th, 2007|03:42 pm]

I am truly blessed...
Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to be alive and living the life that I am.
I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I have been this past week. 
I never thought such a different group of people could get along so well. I'm so thankful for the experiences I've had with them... and the ones that will come! 

God...
You are one amazing God.
:)

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[Aug. 5th, 2007|04:16 pm]

I tried to paint you a picture, the colors we're all wrong
Black and white didn't fit you, and all along
You we're shaded with patience, and strokes of everything
That I need just to make it, and I can see that...
Lord knows I've failed you, time and again
But you and me are all right

We won't say our goodbye's, you know it's better that way,
We won't break, we won't die, it's just a moment of change
All we are, all we are is everything that's right
All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi

I walked a minute in your shoes, they never would have fit
I figured there's nothin to lose, I need to get
Some perspective on these words, before I write them down
You're an island and my ship has run aground
Lord knows I'll fail you time and again,
But you and me we're alright

We won't say our goodbye's, you know it's better that way,
We won't break, we won't die, it's just a moment of change
All we are, all we are is everything that's right
All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi

And every single day that I can breathe,
You change my philosophy,
I'm never gonna let you pass me by

So don't say our goodbye's, you know it's better that way,
We won't break, we won't die, it's just a moment of change
All we are, all we are is everything that's right
All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi (x2)

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!!! [Jul. 29th, 2007|03:37 pm]

I am so excited...
In about an hour I am leaving omaha to go to... Okoboji! :) I am spending the week there and then going to Jen's wedding on Friday/Saturday! I can't wait!
I'm also excited to say that Kirk is coming with me! He's coming up to "experience" a different style of camp. Woot!

If you need me, call the cell!!

I can't wait to see all of my favorite people!! <3

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Working out=Worship?! :) [Jul. 18th, 2007|12:50 pm]
This summer has been one of many new experiences...
but one that I am so excited about is my new working out attitude.

I'm fat. :) It's just kinda... who I am. Right...?

I realized this past year, and especially this summer that I am hiding behind my weight... allowing it to just, "be okay." I've always been comfortable being who I am, no matter what body I am in... but I'm not healthy. I'm not happy when I should be, because I'm not healthy... and when I'm not happy... life sucks!

I joined 24 Hour Fitness when we got back from Europe, and have been doing my best at working out as much as possible. Last week, I got my wisdom teeth out, and actually... MISSED working out...

Why you ask?

I have learned to worship God while working out. It's the most amazing form of worship I've felt so far. My body is God's temple... and I wasn't respecting that. I wasn't showing God my love for him by taking care of myself. And now, eating healthily, exercising regularly... is a worship.

The most amazing feeling is walking into a gym, full of people I don't know... getting on a machine... putting my I-Pod in my ears... and running to the rhythm of Christian music. Music that encourages me when I feel like giving up. Music that continually tells me that there is a reason for me running, sweating, turning beet red, and running out of air!

As I was leaving the gym this morning, I was approached by an older gentleman. He said that he couldn't stop watching me while I was on the eliptical (sp?) because I was singing out loud, and smiling to big with my eyes closed so tight. He said that he could tell I was some where else. I told him it was God.. and that when I focused on Him, working out didn't seem so tough. He responded with a "Thank God there are still young people in the world who have faith. I was beginning to lose hope." He gave me a hug, and we went our seperate ways.

God has been teaching me so many ways to minister to people this summer...
I thought that summers were only filled with CAMP miracles... and CAMP ministries... lol. God is so much bigger than that... and I am so lucky! I am so fortunate to have His love... and be able to share it no matter where I am.

So, if you are feeling like wearing your faith on your sleeve isn't working... just look around... Someone is always seeing His grace, and His power. :)
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[Jul. 14th, 2007|03:16 am]

Well....
This week has... sucked. lol.
I was supposed to go to Carol Joy Holling this weekend for a retreat, aka Operation I.D.E.A.... but... no such luck :(
I got my wisdom teeth out on tuesday... and the teeth areas are healing perfectly... but-- my jaw is not. The dentist seriously screwed up my right lower jaw.... 
I'm bruised, still swollen... and in serious pain.
I only have 4 more doses of pain meds.. and I'm worried b/c it's still hurting like hell! 

I'm bored... because I've been in my room for 4 days straight...
I can't drive.. b/c I'm on drugs... so I can't go anywhere...
I can't stay away for more than 3 hours b/c I'm on the pills...
and I'm bored! 

I realize I'm complaining.
I'm done now!
<3

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[Jun. 15th, 2007|09:53 pm]
My summer thus far has been wonderful. 
Almost a month has gone by since school ended for me... and I feel like it's only been a week or two. 
It has been difficult for me to be here this summer though... 

I've realized that keeping myself busy is the best thing to do... because then I don't think about what I'm missing... 
camp. I'm "camp-sick" like none other. It's even more tough now that I'm back from Europe... because the one thing that initially kept me from working at camp this summer... is done and over with. No more Europe excuse...

I'm spending next week at Camp Carol Joy Holling with the First Lutheran Youth. We held a lock in at Dana for the Junior High of F.L. this past semester, and I really enjoyed the girls I got to spend some time with. I'm pretty excited. I feel really at home with the people of First Lutheran, and now I'm going to be able to get to know some of the kids even better. But... it's still not going to be Okoboji or Ingham....

I am officially mad at facebook... lol. It keeps telling me when some of my friends from past summers are putting pictures of camp up!... and... so... I look at them! :( And it makes me even more campsick! Kirk called me this evening... right in the middle of a "camp-sick fit" and could tell something was wrong. I just said... "I'm going through some stuff..." b/c I know that he'd give me crap like always. "You know that if you visit camp, you aren't going to leave... right?" Well... I know! lol.

I know that I am going to visit camp a couple of times this summer... but it still won't be the same. I won't be a camp counselor... I won't know the new staff... but... camp has been my home for two years... I can't go with out it!

I'm pretty excited b/c today Melissa Rahe told me that she's carpooling with Kyle and I to Jen's wedding in August!! :) Yay!! I've been working on Jen's song today... trying to write it out from my Itunes. It sounds fairly close to the recording... even though I'm a girl... and it's done by guys! :) It's a gorgeous song though... "The sun and moon," by Mae. I wish I could play all of the instruments at the same time... and sing the other harmonies too... but... I'm doing my best! :)

I miss Devon... so much. It's really tough not being able to just get up and go see him... I don't think there's been a phone conversation where I haven't cried.. at least a little bit... due to the fact that I just want to be with him. Alaska is so far away! But... I'm glad he's there, b/c it's a great experience for him. I'm hoping to go visit him sometime this summer too... if all my cards play out, that is! :)

Sara has invited me to go to Floridia for a week or so sometime this summer too. Hopefully I will be able to work on that tan I so desire-- b/c the "camp tan" is not in store for me. heh.

Anyway... I've got a date with a book. 
It's kind of nice being anti-social sometimes.... 
It's a friday night, and all I have is my book! 
:)
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Europe... Wow. [Jun. 14th, 2007|01:22 am]

May 30th, I left the United States with 24 other students, and 8 adults. 
I was very excited, but at the same time, very worried.
The Dana College Chorale was touring Europe for 10 days, and I was worried and full of anxiety about the events to come. 

We were told numerous times on this tour that we were the best tour group in the time of Dr. Palmer-- due to responsibility, and respect for the group. 
There was only ONE night during the singing days of the tour that became an incident. 
On past tours, the alcohol/staying up late/abusing voices speech had to be made every evening... while on this tour, it was made once. 
The two free days in Copenhagen were really nice. We finally had a chance to just go out, and have fun. And surprisingly enough... we weren't even that crazy compared to the Europeans around us. Copenhagen is a pretty wild place. I don't think I'd go back there... lol.

We made some beautiful music together....
and the audiences appreciated it so much more than Americans appreciate choral music.
We were literally treated like famous people... and we were respected so much that we met basically every major of every city we were in. 
We were wined and dined every place we went...
and all because we made beautiful music together.

We saw some beautiful places too...
I love how many different shades of green I saw with in a block in Denmark. It is an absolutely beautiful country. 
One of the host homes Sara and I were blessed with, was a dairy farm. They had tons of cows, and... lived in a VERY beautiful area. One of our host girls took us out for a walk after dinner and we got a tour of the town. 
P.s. I adore how everyone walks/bikes everywhere! I know, I'm a fat kid... but... I loved it! :) 

Wow...
What an experience. 

I'll probably write more when I get a chance.



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[May. 15th, 2007|04:23 am]

what the crap is wrong with me?!
it's 4:30am!
and I'm awake...
finals start in less than 4 hours...
what the hell am I doing awake?!

stupid body...
go to sleep!!

lol

I hope everyone's finals are going/went well.
Good luck! :)

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