Easter :)

So I'm doing things a little bit backwards... but I've been wanting to post some pictures of my family and friends on Easter!

Matt and I getting ready to ski! (Notice his new jacket... a very special Valentine's Day present!)


With my best friend.

Decorating Easter eggs with the fam! :)

Being creative with our family photos


Sisters :)

Poor Lilly, ha!

Not looking forward to my flight back to the city that evening....

Megan's Visit :)

Some photos with Megan (and Joy) in the city!!! :)

Outside the New York Times

This is where I walk to the subway every morning... on Saturday they were having a little festival with a bunch of tent shops! .. Shopping... YAY!!! :)

In a 60s glasses botique

Megan outside Coyote Ugly (the bar from the movie "Coyote Ugly")

Natural History Museum

"Dumb Dumb wants Gum Gum"... isn't that what he says in the movie Night of the Museum?

Don't we look like Mermaids sitting in that shell!?? :)

In the apartment getting ready to go out!

Dancing with Joy and her friend Dave! :)

Joy and I had to take a picture with this guy... he was dressed like a mine (even with makeup on) and dancing like crazy with this funny face (I'm trying to mimic him) ha.
Anyway, we had a fun night out dancing till late in the night on the West side! :)

My first famous person!

So this afternoon it was 75 Degrees and Joy and I wanted to go for a run along the river. And you'll never guess as we were running down East 4th at about Ave C, we ran right by Chrstian Siriano (winner of project runway)!!! So, I made Joy turn around with me and follow him back to his apartment, which just happens to be... ON MY STREET! haha. CRAAZY! Anyway, after our celebrity siting we, we ran almost all the way up to 42 street on the bike path along the river (on the East side). So here's a photo of that... (see below)
Anyway, tonight when I got home, I looked him up and found his myspace and actually sent him a message... like an "I think we're neighbors" message. Ha. I'm going crazy! But anyway, just one more reason why I'm so glad to be living in NYC!! :)

Texas

I haven't posted in a while because during my February break, I went to TEXAS to visit my bff AMANDA!!! :) El Paso, Texas was where I was originally planning to move before I ended up getting a job in NYC. It was cool to see where I could have lived... and boy is it BEAUTIFUL! Amanda's apartment is huge, she even has her own washer and dryer... and the poool, it's beautiful and Amanda is absolutely amazing!! Anyway... I LOVED Texas, but I know God had a reason for me to come to NYC- so I'm happy to be here. But, I am certainly glad that I had to opportunity to check it out and see Amanda!!! :)
Here's some pictures of my trip!!!

Matt and I on the plane for TEXAS!!!

Welcome to EL PASO!!

One of the first things we did was lay out! Ahh the weather was BEAUTIFUL!!!

I cannot imagine living like this every day!

Matt and I hiked up this mountain to a cave

Amanda and Wes standing outside her apartment

Standing outside a Mexican restaurant

A beautiful spot...

My best friend :)

Beautiful...

Matt and the sunset

Manda and I at the ranch/restaurant

Mwah!!!

Seeing Myself as a Missionary

Today after church I took a walk...
...We learned about about what it really means to be a Christian in church today, how important it is that we see ourselves as a missionary in our city- the most influential cities in the world...
...I ended up at Herald Square, a little park next to Macy's on 34th Street. (See picture) The sun was shining perfectly at this table, so i sat down to spend some time with the Lord.
I started to pray- worshiping God for how great He is- HE is my provider and I am so blessed! There are days that I feel so alone in this big city, but God is always with me and HE can fill that void.
Then I started to pray that God would change me. I want to be a missionary in this city. Did you know that only 1/20 people in NYC actually call themselves a Christian? That means that when I walk in a subway car, I am most likely the only person in that whole car that is actually saved... WOW!
I want to serve my city- I want to be a missionary.
Pray for me- would you?
Pray that God will use me here- Pray that I will make a difference in this city for as long as the Lord keeps me here!

Matt and some cool photos :)

Union Square- Matt wanted to see it because I am always here shopping and this is where I babysit. Matt bought a picture on the street and we got free Pepsi teeshirts.

Matt and I in Little Italy, where we ate a FABULOUS meal. The guy at the restaurant took this pic... we told him we'd eat at his restaurant only if he took our picture first!

New York City Firemen!!!

Taking a break from skating... yup, Matt took Joy and I ice skating in Central Park! :)

Here's the most complete T-Rex skeleton in the world in the Natural History Museum.

At "The Bean". Matt's favorite coffee shop a block from the apt.

Eating at an amazing Greek restaurant in Greenwich Village. (We ate a ton the whole weekend)

Kissing on 6th ave. :)

Sunday Sermon

As you all know, I've been attending the Journey (on 34th btw 8th and 9th ave) since August. It's been super easy to get involved there... I have already become a member, I'm in the worship team and co-leading a bible study group this spring semester.
Anyway, this Sunday, Pastor Nelson and Kerrick preached together. I thought they did a really good job, and I wanted to share a little from their sermon with you! :)
The series they are doing is titled: Embracing my City. New York City is the most influential city in the world... if we could change NYC, we could change the world. How do we change NYC? We need to change the hearts of the people here. As apart of the Christian church it is MY responsibility to take part in the changes that need to happen to change the world. I am a missionary.
The title of their sermon was called: "Taking Responsibility for My Spiritual Growth". Pastor Kerrick talked about how there are three types of people who sit at the table (metaphorically speaking) in our church. Those three types are: those who are not yet followers of Jesus, those who are new followers of Jesus, and those who are growing followers of Jesus. Those who ARE growing followers of God have a special responsibility. We don't need to be fed constantly by others (like a baby christian would)... but we need to serve those who still need to be "baby fed". I think he has a good point here, because so many times we, as mature Christians, expect others to feed us and take no responsibility for our faith! We need to be able to feed ourselves spiritually, take responsibility for our spiritual growth, AND serve our fellow believers who are new in their faith!
So, how do we take responsibility for our spiritual growth?
1. We need to see spiritual growth as a life changing relationship. My relationship with God should be the most important growing relationship in my life. I need to do whatever will help me grow in my relationship. For some people, they wake up an hour before they have to do devotions or pray in the morning. Others will just breathe multiple prayers through out the day. Some will commit to reading the whole Bible multiple times in a year, while others read just one section at a time and really ponder on what it means to them. Other Christians may find that they can grow closer to God by doing some sort of service, joining a Bible study group etc. Whatever it maybe... Pastor Kerrick encouraged us to not fall into the trap of routines. I know for me, reading my Bible every day has become a routine instead of something that is helping me grow closer to the Lord. I realized that I need to keep myself in check every day... that what I do, whether in devotions, prayer, service, etc... at the end of the day, I need to ask myself, "Am I closer to God?"
Anyway, I'm writing a book here.. and I only got to #1, but I will share the last three points and end it at that....
2. Search for people who will help me grow.
3. Stay faithful to God in the small things. (don't base your relationship on the big stuff, like mission trips, conventions, etc... focus on the little things you can do every day to grow)
4. Start taking responsibility for my growth TODAY!

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him." -Philippians 2:13