Mackenzie Standing

It's August 26th, my friends. The first day of school is officially over. The last of my Wenatchee friends left this morning. Four of my five classes have syllabus-ed me to death. We had our first large group planning meeting and our first giant, spanning-four-tables-it's-so-big group dinner. I'm typing this in the dark because my roommate just headed to bed, about two hours before I'll call it a night. Reality has settled, and it's strange. In many ways, the transition to school has been much easier this year, and in many ways it's been harder. It's been easier because I have an idea of what to expect... And it's harder for the exact same reason. I know Bozeman and MSU is a place where I am stretched and I can grow, a place where I can serve and worship, a place where I laugh and sing and dance. I know it's also a place, though, where I always feel a little too different. A little too Washingtonian. A little too "Covenant", for lack of...

I'm currently sitting in Seatac airport, which can only mean one thing: It's time to say goodbye. I hate this part. Summer can't really be over, can it? It's been a phenomenal summer, though, full of great experiences and better people. I am so very thankful for it. I'm thankful for the chance to participate in big life changes, from weddings to baptisms to graduations. I'm thankful for days spent picking raspberries and curling up on the couch watching television. I'm thankful for many games of Phase 10 with one spunky 13-year-old. For lazy days full of books and movies. For great conversations over coffee with some of the most amazing people placed here on Earth. For 4th of July hikes up Saddlerock to watch the fireworks from the peak. For days spent watching girly shows on Netflix and spending much too much time planning far-off events on Pinterest. For little girls with great big eyes that made me laugh whenever I was around them, and...

Things I absolutely love about Kootenay Covenant Bible Camp: The location. I'm not always much for the outdoors, but even I never want to go inside when I'm here. Seriously- I don't think it's possible to get much prettier than this. Canada has all these tiny cultural differences that make my heart warm and jealous. Here's to runners, felts, and washrooms; the weird pronunciation of "sorry," "tomorrow," and "out;" grade four vs. fourth grade; and excessive and copious uses of the letter "u." Canadian candy. If America sold Caramilks, Aero bars, or Coffee Crisps I would never have any spending money. The kids. Holy cow, these were some great kids. I hope I loved them well. I honestly started tearing up at chapel on Saturday, because I think they are so special and I hope they know how much God loves them. I love that they get into flour fights and refuse to take showers after: Who says you can't hav...

There are places in our lives that are inherently special. The places where lives change and memories are made. The spots where the magic happens. Kootenay Covenant Bible Camp is one of those places for me. Jesus became real to me in a moment on the beach when I was thirteen. I've been back every year since--sometimes as a camper, others as staff. Even when it's a challenging week, it has always been a great experience for me. I love the times of laughter, of making new friends, of connecting deeply with the Lord. I love the chance to sit on that spot on the beach (or at least near to it, since it was underwater last year) and reflect on where God's taken me since that day six years ago. I'm not the same little girl, and I'm thankful for that. I'm so excited to be heading back this Friday for a week of ministry. Sarah Floyd, my dear friend Hannah (who I'm so excited to have join us!) and I will be meeting up with our fellow (Canadian) staff on Sa...

My little brother left today. He got in a white van with a nice recruiter and drove away. And that was all. Okay, well, maybe that wasn't all. Maybe there were hugs. Maybe there were "I love you"s and "I'll miss you"s. Maybe there were tears. Maybe there were lots of tears. That's okay--because I do  love him, and I will miss him. Most of all, though, I'm extremely proud of him, and I'm proud to call him my brother. So here's to you, Jarred. Here's to the brother so close in age it often felt more like we were experiencing the same milestones together, instead of me first. Here's to the brother I completed so many firsts with--my worship team band mate, my driver's ed partner, my Costa Rica buddy, my camp comrade. Here's to the brother who took belly dancing lessons at the Farmer's Market, who wore a dress to Katie Neff's "Fancy Nancy" birthday, who played army with stuffed animals in our backyard as a ...

I've never been a big fan of this day. Father's Day. I tend to regard it with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it's a day that brings out so much pain for me.  I honestly don't know if there's any day or any place that makes me feel so left out. I look around at all the smiling kids wearing "My dad rocks!" tee shirts and wish that, corny as it may be,  I could wear something similar. I sit through school concerts, award ceremonies and graduations and watch beaming fathers proudly cheer on their children, frequently longing for someone to fill that seat for me. I attend wedding ceremonies and start to panic, realizing I don't know who will walk me down the aisle or if I'll get to have that father-daughter dance. While most days I can handle it, brush it off my shoulders, smile and move on, on this day I can't. Father's Day blatantly reminds me of all that I'm missing out on, and it hurts. This Father's Day is particularly hard. T...

Anyone who knows me knows I love quotes. Movie quotes, inspirational quotes, obscure quotes, I like 'em all. I especially, however, love writing down quotes that people around me say so I can use their words against them later. I've been super blessed to have Bri as my roommate this year, and by golly do we say some interesting things. And so, without further ado, here is our 2012-2013 roommate quote book (also guest starring quotes from Bri's boyfriend Jonathan and stepsister Juji.) Bri: You know what they should really do for Survivor? Only get big, athletic, NFL guys and battle them out.  Mackenzie: OH MY GOSH?!?! How are we going to watch “The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”?!?! Bri: I don’t know! Mackenzie: Oh, wait a minute. We have cable... Jonathan: Here’s the thing about Twilight : How did Edward go to school for all those years and not find a cure for cancer?!? Bri: Which stuffed animal do I sleep with tonight? I need t...