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smilin_andrea
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Name: Andrea Louise Mason
Interests: the never ending mystery of Jesus. laughing and smiling. learning about love and beauty and grace. running. horses. journaling about what is learned and about what is dreamt. people. the water. culture. music. newness.
Expertise: being lavished in grace!
Message: message me
Member Since:
10/29/2003
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| "For in HOPE we were saved. Now, hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we wait for what we do not see, we wait with patience."
Romans 8:24-25 Within these times the Lord is calling us to renew our hope in HIM! Even though everything around us looks grim, depressing and difficult, I believe that He desires us to be refreshed by His Spirit. So much of me is writing and processing here because my own spirit needs it so badly. And even as I write -- I'm reminded of this verse, that we have heard time and time again... "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth (!). He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eages; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:28-31
Praise God that HE will not grow tired and weary, but that he knows we undoubtably will at certain points on this journey! The past few months, I have been applying to Resident Director positions left and right to institutions that I've been in agreement with and could see myself supporting, working for and collaborating with. The institution my husband and I are currently waiting to hear from, whether I will be offered the position or not, is Mount Vernon Nazarene University near Columbus, Ohio.
Since March, I've had several phone interviews and the one on-campus interview at MVNU. My husband, Aaron, and I have been believing that this is the next step for us and the Lord continues to encourage us in this step -- but we have yet to recieve an offer. We are standing with the Lord in FAITH for this position, and at the same time know that He has His best in store -- no matter what. I'm positive that there are many people in my position -- waiting, hoping and expecting a job offer. BUT, I can't imagine being one of those people who don't know the Lord, as He is humbling each and every one of us, showing us that we cannot rely on our own strength, knowledge, etc. Hopefully this lengthy post brings some encouragement to you, remembering how GOOD our God is. That He is mighty, strong and paving the road for us -- regardless of how we feel about economic struggles, family distress and relational/personal issues. If you read through these thoughts, thank you. I needed this to be able to process and be reminded of the Word! Blessings galore, friends. I would love to hear how YOU are doing if you have a chance to update! | | |
| Hello Everyone! Well, I am averaging one post for every 2 months -- that is absolutely awful! But hopefully, if we're a daily part of each other's lives, you already know what I'm about to post next. I am so happy to announce and let you know that Aaron Mason and I are engaged! We got engaged about two weeks ago, and are planning a lovely fall wedding :)
The Lord has been surprising me and freeing in beautiful ways these past seven months...
and I'm absolutely stoked, surpised and excited about this season we are embarking on. Hope your soul is well and at peace :) Love and hugs!
-Andrea | | |
| Hello everyone :)
Here is a quaint little, powerful quote that I thought I'd share with you regarding Christ and the Church, and the involvement within pop culture, and the role we could, should, play.
“We were created beings before we were redeemed
beings. God’s benediction on creation has not been entirely erased by the Fall.
Jesus himself is not only divine, but human. Does He enjoy it, or simply endure
it? Until our bodies are made new, like the body Jesus now enjoys, our calling
is not to simply escape fleshly
existence, not to sanctify culture,
but to so influence our culture as to make it more consistent with the created
nature of man, and to sanctify our own lives, because we are also living in the Spirit, with our minds set on the
things that are above."
The book is called "All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes, Christians and Popular Culture" -- Kenneth A. Myers
hope your soul is well!
hugs and love, andrea
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| Hello everyone, after over two months of updating! I hope that this finds you, and that it finds you well, enjoying time with family, old friends and new ones, that you are learning and loving, enjoying this season regardless of the circumstances of life.
I'm sitting in this coffee shop called The Whistlestop (yes, I live in the country :) hehe), and it is so peaceful and wonderful to be in a neutral atmosphere... however, silly music is playing on the radio so I have my very ghetto and super old headphones over my ears listening to calming, older Shane and Shane! I'm sure I look a bit ridiculous.... good thing I welcome that :)
The last time I wrote, I was headed into a new relationship, nervous and freaked out about it, wondering what the Lord was doing and had in mind. Since then, I have continued to be nervous, fearful and freaked out at times, but more excited than anything, more and more anticipating what the Lord has in store, excited to see how and where it unfolds, still wondering what He has in mind... slowly, very slowly :) This man that I am growing to love is patient and real with life, where he's been, where he's wanting to go, and is eager in seeking the Lord about what he thinks that means, and what he thinks the Lord means. :) He is a listener, a giver, a learner, honest within his humanness, soft hearted, and is such an example of being moldable and accepting of change. I adore these different characteristics, and pray more and more that the Lord would use us to compliment each other, and advance His Kingdom -- however that looks, whatever that means, whether together or not, but I am completely in favor of the togetherness :)
Other than that, the holidays have been more stressful that peaceful, but it has been full of learning, love and change... which really is always good I think, regardless of how life feels. Throughout all of this, the Lord just keeps reminding me that I need more time with him... more, more, more -- and more time in prayer. That I need to grow to not just like prayer, but to LOVE prayer and to love interceding for my family, and global family. I was reading Psalm 106 today, and it is just all about the children of God acting out in rebellion, and how Moses and Phinehas (hadn't heard much of him either... ;)) interceded for them, and the Lord saved them and was merciful... and the chapter just ends in how the Lord remembered his covenant... how beautiful and wonderful and loving and life giving! But, because of the obedience of these men interceding, and the Lords goodness and mercy, He saved them from plagues and complete destruction. We are always on His mind and He is always interceding for us... so good. Sometimes, most times, I forget that...
Gosh, as I look forward to this year, graduation is coming quickly, an internship for the summer (if you have any ideas within the area of writing, I'm completely open to them :)), paying for bills and hopefully an income come to mind... this freaks me out a bit, but gosh -- the Lord is completely preparing specific places and people for us, and us for them. Exciting and scary and so much more... :) I'm writing this because I need to remember these things... and maybe you do, too :)
I hope YOU are doing well! I haven't talked to so many of you in so long, but I'm thankful for you none the less... and hope to see you when I can, and pray the Lord reminds us of each other! I would love to hear how you're doing, whether that is a comment or a phone call, an email or facebook post... :)
Loving thoughts, thankful memories, missing you oodles and oodles!
- Andrea
(ps -- new profile pic is of the boy and me!) woo hoo!
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| ah. my life has just turned controversial -- not that following Jesus and His will isn't controversial
enough for most people -- but, really a lot controversial through certain actions.
i'm dating a boy! a guy! a man! holy tamoli. and he is really wonderful -- and i know the 'new'
aaron -- but gosh, lots of people don't necessarily know this new man that i'm now in a relationship
with... they really know the old aaron. this is what is controversial -- that some people will really
support me within this decision -- and that some people really will not support this decision that i've
made -- a decision the Lord has given me great peace about.
anyhow -- i'm trying to sort through and understand how this next week will go... how to sort
through people opinions, and understand how important and essential they are -- obviously not to
be naive, which i don't think i am by any means -- but to walk in wisdom, love and peace -- to walk
with Jesus, to be aware of His nearness... forgiveness, grace and love! bah! so mind blowing.
if you have any advice! or thoughts! or encouragement! -- i'd love to receive it.
this is a beautiful thing - a beautiful season. i'm honored by this man who is passionately seeking after
the heart of Jesus -- in a state of vulnerablitily and simply... hungry for knowledge and God's presence
and blessing upon his life!
in other news! -- shane claiborne, who wrote "The Irresistible Revolution," is speaking at spring arbor
tonight and tomorrow for chapel! real excited to hear what the Word and love of Jesus and being active
within that Love has done in his life lately.
AND -- Valerie TOM! is probably visiting soon! so stoked for that and for her presence... praise the Lord!
ah. He's so good. ugh, all the time. praise the Lord.
ah! and beth, allie and rob are all visiting.. so stinking good. so so so good. !
hope this week is refreshing and beautiful and just... lovely.
miss and love you, andrea louise stephenson
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