I've Moved!

Sorry for never updating, but I've been so busy with life now.  So many changes and new experiences... it's all so overwhelming and exciting at the same time.  Anyway, I've officially graduated WBC and moved into my own apartment with Colleen and Brandy.  I'm so happy there!  I also got a new car too... the "Blacksima" had to be retired since it was litterally falling apart.  It was slightly emotional to depart from, but I only got $50 for it... rust bucket. 

Well, that's it for my very brief update.  I regret to inform that I will be gradually putting my Xanga site to sleep since I have been converted to MySpace... sorry everyone.  However, please feel free to check on me there... I update MySpace alot more frequently. http://www.myspace.com/tisabrant

I love you all, and hope to hear how your lives are going.

Currently Reading The Enjoyment of Music: An Introduction to Perceptive Listening (Standard Version) By Joseph Machlis, Kristine Forney see related

GRADUATION!

Can you believe it... I'm almost done with College.  Aw... what a glorious day to finally be rid of frustrating all-nighters and endless papers.  True, I will be going back this fall to start the journey for my Masters degree, but I will only be taking one or two classes a semester.  It will only take me seven to fourteen years to graduate from that... but I need a break. 

Colleen and I got approved for an apartment in Crofton, but we are on a waiting list.  It will probably be sometime this summer or fall before we can move.  Its hard to believe but I look forward to working full time and making a rent payment. 

God has so blessed me... I have an amazing job doing something I enjoy and can be proud of, and making good money to support myself.  I have a good family that has supported me these past years through high school and college, and has helped me out when I struggled with growing up.  It has been really difficult to get here, but so life goes and God ALWAYS provides in the most unexpected ways.  Now if I could only pass these last few exams and finish all the papers, then I can finally relax. 

Thank you to all of my closest friends that have stuck next to me during the rough times.  Thank you for pushing me when I needed it, and for being a distraction when I had to have a break.  Thank you for your unconditional love when you had to put up with my "moments."  Thanks to all the people that I may not be as close to anymore (and there are a lot of you), but have had some hand in shaping me to be the person I am now... God had a purpose for you at that time in my life.  Thanks to all the new people in my life that may not understand me all that much, but stick around to see what happens next.

Thank you to my beloved boyfriend.  We've been through a lot in this short time we've been together, but I look forward to each day we can learn a little more about each other.  Your love for me is moving!

And to the two people that have had the most impact in my life.  You will never know the depths in which you are treasured in my heart.  It's hard to believe we've been so close for so long, but I am immeasurably grateful.  No one else knows me as well as you two, or had as much of an influence on me.  I am so blessed to have shared so many milestones of life with you both.  I love you Colleen and Mark!

Well, now that I'm all choked up with memories... I must drudgingly go to complete more papers in order for all this to come to fruition.

Hope to see you at Graduation!

Currently Reading Understanding End Times Prophecy: A Comprehensive Approach By Paul N. Benware see related

Someday I will update Xanga, and do something w/ MySpace... but until then...

HOMEWORK!

Thanks for understanding, all of you my dedicated fans.

Jesus ISN'T the reason for the SEASON.

Ok, I have to apologize for my rant on Ricky in my last post.  I shouldn't have put all his business out there, especially when I really don't know his business either.  I do hope he's happy and growing closer to Christ, but I just have no way of knowing those things.  I guess I was just hurt after seeing the picture of him holding the baby.  Something I had to remind myself of is that I don't need resolution from Rick... I have it in Christ.  Jesus' love IS sufficient for me and abundantly more so.  We can never know the true depths of His love for us. 

Hosea 2
"For she said, 'I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water... Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her so that she cannot find her paths.  And she will pursue her lovers, but she will not overtake them; and she will seek them, but will not find them.  Then she will say, ' I will go back to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now!'  For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil."

OH, HOW MY GOD HAS LOVED US!  How bitter that I would pursue my identity and satisfaction in man that has given me nothing, but only assists in my separation from my true Lover.  How stubbornly persistent I am to seek earthly love, when the King of Creation loves me eternally, and is the provider of all my needs even when I am unaware of it.  When man disappoints me or breaks my heart, how sad that it is only then that I turn towards my first Love.  Jesus is so amazing to seek us when we refuse Him.  My heart weeps to think of my sinfulness. 

So on this "Christmas" season, don't go to church or "give thanks" at the family meal because you "have" to.  No, but for the true gratefulness in you heart that we have food, family, warmth, and love... because it is ALL ONLY FROM HIM!  "For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6)."  What a privilege to have a deeply intimate relationship with Him who is far above us!

"Jesus isn't the reason for the season" and it doesn't make that phrase right just because it rhymes.  Jesus is the reason I breathe, the reason I laugh, the reason I can date, eat, have a tattoo, give/receive gifts, go to work, and hurt so bad after a full day of skiing.  God is the giver and sustainer of all life, and has given us to His son Jesus, because He is glorified when His son is worshiped.  I hope to be a reflection of the blessings He has given to me. 

I don't regret my last post, full of bitterness, because I am weak and human.  But I only hope that this post can glorify my Lord all the more, for when I am weak He is strong! "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong [in Him] (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)."

Tisa

Ok... a few points of talk for public opinion:

1)  Today Colleen was able to get Linus (her guinea pig) back from Canada, but her Mom is deathly alergic so Linus will be staying with me for a few days.  After that, Linus needs a good home... anyone got a referal?  I love this pig and would do it myself, but I'm seldom home and would be a terrible seregent mother.

2)  Last night, Colleen discovered my ex-boyfriend's (Ricky) myspace site.  I know he has a bad tendency of starting things like that and then never going to them again so I don't expect him to update it often.  Anyway, there's a picture of him holding his new girlfriend's baby, and it kinda makes me sad.  Two reasons: first, because of the obvious one... that was supposed to be me that he was so happy with and becoming a family with, and then he treated me like crap when i didn't deserve it (bitter much); second, because now he has a "ready-made" family with the girl who cheated on him and got pregnant w/ the boy she cheated on him w/ and then no one wanted her w/ a baby and so she moved to VA and sweet-talked Ricky away from me and now has a good father for the baby by a guy she cheated on him with!  That was a run-on and I know it but that's how it sounded in my head.  Basically, I'm worried about him and hurt by him still.  Ok so by now you all should now how much I CHERISH Dan, but the problem feels like I don't have a resolution from Ricky.  He apologized a while ago, but then he told me he wasn't mad at me anymore (I did leave him).  I tried to text msg him on T-giving day and also his B-day, but both texts got sent back unread to me.  He won't respond to me at all, and the worse part of it all... HE STILL HAS MY ORIGINAL NINTENDO SET THAT I WANT BACK!  (not really the worse part, but you get the idea)  So my question is... how do i get my nintendo back and how do i attain resolution from him if he won't respond to me. (argh feelings)

3)  Dan and I are going to NJ to have Christmas with his Dad and family.  I'm really excited to have this time of bonding and growth in our relationship, but nervous because I don't think they'll like me (cuz I think no on likes me), and a bit sad.  This is the first year that I won't be doing Christmas with any of my family (Dad, Mom, or Step-mom's family).  Good times, but different for me.

OK well now I must go so I can retrieve Linus and be a good mommy for a few days.  Let me know what ya'll think.  Thanks.

Tisa