P.S. I'm going to Nashville!

Well, I didn't want to tell people, because I wasn't sure if I would be accepted, but I have good news again. I applied/auditioned for the Fine Arts Summer Academy in Nashville, TN, and was accepted. In July I will be traveling to Tennessee and participating in the Christian summer camp for two weeks, provided I can fund my way there. Even though $2,000 doesn't sound like much, it is to me. I should have enough by the time tuition is due. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do this and nervous too. I just hope I can exceed their expectations, as well as my own. I don't know exactly what God is planning to do with the gifts He's given me...it's so odd because I don't even consider myself a good singer.
A cute mom from church came up to me while I was at work and told me that, though she couldn't tell who I was because her eyes had steadily become worse, she had heard me singing at Mass and she asked her husband who I was. She said that my voice touched her so deeply that it moved her to tears. She then proceeded to tell me that I needed to go on American Idol :) I'm not mentioning this so that I can get responses or sit high on my horse, it just doesn't seem to match with my perception of what my voice is like. Perhaps God desires to heal that misconception of, not only my voice, but how I see myself. 

So...

God...

Take my voice.

Take my heart.

I surrender.

Keep Holy the Sabbath Day

I don't know about you, but I have always thought that I keep the Sabbath pretty well. I always considered going to work on Sunday to be something to avoid, while yard work was easy to get out of on a Sunday because I could always pull the "But Mom, it's a day of rest" card.  Now I'm not so sure if have "kept the Sabbath" all that well. 
For the Jews, the Sabbath was Friday evening until Saturday evening. After Jesus rose from the dead, the early Christians began to worship on the eighth day: Sunday. Some will argue that the New Covenant replaces the Old Covenant, so the Sabbath is  described in the Old Testament, but Jesus explicitly states that He didn't come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Christians consider Sunday to be the Sabbath of the New Covenant. So why am I thinking about all of this?
I asked God to show me something this morning that I needed to improve in myself and I immediately felt like I needed to read a part of Deuteronomy. What I found this morning really struck me. I had read this many times before, but it struck a chord in me. Read this slowly once or twice.
Take care to keep holy the sabbath day as the LORD, your God, commanded you. Six days you may labor and do all your work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then, whether by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or ass or any of your beast, or the alien who lives with you. Your male and female slave should rest as you do. For remember that you too were once slaves in Egypt, and the LORD, your God, brought you from there with his strong hand and outstretched arm. That is why the LORD, your God, has commanded you to observe the sabbath day.
Deuteronomy 5:12-15

God commanded His people to reserve a day to rest. These Jews were once slaves and were driven people. We all know people like this-- those who are so focused on what they are doing, they have no interest in the blessings and joy around them.While the Jews were free in a physical sense, perhaps their work ethic enslaved them, distracting them from the purpose of why they were in the desert. When God puts us in the desert, it is so that He can teach us something. He allures us into the desert so that we can hear His whispers in the silence of the wilderness. 
The reason why I was so struck by this verse was because we live in a society that is more enslaved than ever. We are addicted to work, addicted to fun, addicted to ourselves. On Sunday, let us remember to rest and think about what we are enslaved to. When you pray, what distracts you? Often times, what distracts you in prayer is a good indication of what consumes your life too much. Sunday should be the time we get our spiritual lives in order by connecting even more with God. 

His Spirit Within Me

 

I am unfolding gently beneath
your loving touch
Becoming
I let wholeness breath my
petals free
Awareness
Sweet fragrant Spirit touching
senses into life
Wisdom
Giving beauty back to the universe
Knowing
Each petal, sweet miracle of life
Oneness
We are hues of color, yet one
in Spirits blossom.

Poem by Ellie LeJeune 

New Pope!

Cardinal Jose Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is now Pope Francis I.

 

Hey ya'll. We have a new pope!  I will update later on him!!!!! :D

My Letter to CBC

Every year my school has what is called Safe Sex Awareness day. This was my first year hearing about it and after much thought, I decided to write to them. I ended up sending it to about 12 different authorities on campus. I expected no reply, and that is exactly what I got. Not a single person responded or even acknowledged that I sent the letter to them. I had a few people tweak it and give their opinion on it before I sent it. I'm not posting this because I consider it to be extremely well written, but rather because I want to encourage ya'll to stand up for the faith in this world and to not be afraid to give your opinion in a peaceful way, even if it isn't a popular idea.

Dear Columbia Basin College,
I was quite surprised when I received the information that the college would be providing condoms and lollipops in the Hub this Thursday. I seriously do not think that CBC is being wise by endorsing a device that is used during sexual intercourse for several reasons.
First of all, I realize that not everyone is going to have the same principle of saving sex until it is in the safest form—in marriage. As someone who has acknowledged sex as an extremely bonding and personal experience that is meant for one man and one woman, I also have other reasons for my belief. I do realize that CBC is concerned with the health of its students and that unplanned pregnancies or illnesses can be detrimental to a person’s education, but I do not think that condoms are the most effective way of dealing with these problems. There are emotional factors that go into having sex with people too.
When a person abstains from sex, relationships can be built on things other than physical intimacy. Things like intellect and character traits are taken into account. Unfortunately, many people don’t even have a personal relationship with someone and end up having what is commonly known as a "one night stand". Condoms are made to protect from pregnancies, STDs, etc., but do students know that they don’t protect against many viruses? By providing condoms, I feel that you are disregarding the well-being for both women and men. Abstinence is 100% effective and won’t break, fall off, or be physically uncomfortable.
Also, I find it repulsive that both lollipops and condoms will be offered together. I was speaking with some of my friends and they felt that this pairing was disgusting. One of my friends said that she thought it was encouraging oral sex. Whether or not this was purposeful, I think that by giving out lollipops and condoms in tandem, ASCBC is poking fun at a very intimate and personal part of life. Lollipops are a childish candy and sex is not for children, so what was ASCBC’s intention in doing this? I felt that this combination is treating sex casually and encouraging others to treat it similarly. Sex is not meant to be casual. It is so much more than just an act.
If CBC wants to effectively bring STD or pregnancy rates down, there should be other measures taken. Natural Family Planning is an alternative way that women can plan pregnancies. It looks at a woman’s cycle and works collaboratively with her partner. I’ve talked to numerous couples who have used this system and the overwhelming consensus was that, not only was it completely free of devices and pills, but also increased overall respect for each other. As I said before, abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancies and STDs. Why would CBC offer me condoms, which don’t always work, instead of offering me classes on how to use NFP with my partner and my body, which is not only effective, but physically and emotionally healthy as well?
Whether or not CBC takes any of this into account, I thought it was repulsive, unnecessary, and disgusting for CBC to allow condoms to be handed out. Many of my friends, who are students at CBC, are of the same opinion. It makes me hesitant and obstinate in wanting to allow my younger siblings to attend CBC.
Thank you for your time.
Elizabeth Andersen

Last day!!!

Hey everybody! 
I know I was horrible about posting stuff about the Bare Face Challenge, but I just wanted to say that today is our last day of the challenge! One more day of going bare face...Congratulations to all the girls who stuck to it! I'm not sure what I'm going to do after this, but I definitely got completely comfortable with my face towards the end. More to come when I get more time :)

Bare Faced Gorillas...uh....Girls.

Three bare faced beauties got together for a sleepovahhhh! Models for tonight's shoot: Danielle Andersen, Elizabeth Andersen, and Gabbie Rehder. 

We are weird. 

The end :)

Pilgrim's Paths

I am a poor wayfaring pilgrim traveling through this world below
There is no sickness or no danger in that bright world to which I go
I'm going there to meet my father I'm going there no more to roam
I'm just going over Jordan I'm just going over home
I know dark clouds will gather o'er me I know my pathway is rough and steep
But golden fields lie out before me where weary eyes no more shall weep
I'm going there to see my Saviour who shed for me his precious blood
I'm just going over Jordan I'm just going over home

Connie Smith 

This is my favorite one...

Dear World:

Dear World:
I just wanted to let you know that God has done it. After years of doubting and then strengthening of faith, years of praying and wondering, He has followed through. I always knew He would, but there are those times when waiting and waiting can make you guess whether He really did mean what He was saying or if He was just speaking figuratively. 
I have been accepted for a position on Reach Youth Ministry's team. 
It is an interesting feeling to be accepted because this is as far as the plan goes in my life. I have no idea what I'm going to do after Reach, but I'm oddly at ease with the idea of having no plan. I am really looking forward to enjoying my time with Reach for what it is and not clouding the experience with worries for the future. 

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. "Ah, Lord God!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the Lord answered me, Say not "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 1: 5-8

Remember this, O Jacob, you, O Israel, who are my servant! I formed you to be a servant to me; O Israel, by me you shall never be forgotten: I have brushed away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Isaiah 44:21-22

God will not allow your foot to slip; your guardian does not sleep. 
Psalm 121:3

Happy are those who fear the Lord, who walk in the ways of God.
Psalm 129:1


Friends, please pray for me and for the future Reach teams. We have some hard times ahead of us and we really need intercession to our Father. Money is the big thing on my mind right now, but also spiritual preparation for the things I will encounter. I love the feeling of knowing that I'm doing the right thing-- that this is where God wants me. For so long I've waited for this, and now it's finally happening. Crazy.

Sushi Pictures

Here is the evidence of my brave adventure with Brandon Thursday night. He was kind enough to take a few pictures. Thanks Bran!
His Beloved,
Elizabeth
 P.S.
Update on the AMAZING trip I had this weekend coming soon! 
P.S.S
I just wanted to draw attention to the fact that makeup didn't touch my face and I was still confident enough to go out to dinner on Valentine's Day. 
P.S.S.S
For all those who thought I was going to wear makeup in Montana-- I didn't. I didn't break it! It was lovely to not wear makeup this weekend, though my face broke out pretty bad before, so it was tempting...
More Montana update later.

Me attempting to look happy before I eat raw fish...I was actually pretty excited to try it though!

A not very flattering "in action" shot of me trying some sushi! Just for evidence sake.