Mackenzie Standing

Today is my 20th birthday. While in the grand scheme of life, birthdays really aren't a big deal, I still like the opportunity they give to reflect on where God has taken me. And so, since I love lists and today is kind of all about me, I present to you a list of the top twenty things I've learned over the last twenty years: 1. Twenty years is really no time at all. 2. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life--for me and for you. My life is so much better with Him as priority number one. 3. After Jesus, family is the most important thing. 4. Sometimes, you get really lucky and have friends that become family. 5. Popcorn over the stove beats the microwave stuff everyday.       6. Oftentimes, God calls you to participate in His plans in ways that you really don't want to. However, oftentimes you find yourself liking what He's called you to much more than expected. Which leads me to... 7. Montana's not as bad as it seems. 8. Travel is fantastic, but th...

There's a book that goes almost everywhere with me. The pink cover is decorated with textured swirls and a brown pleather stripe; my name is embossed on it in shiny silver letters. Its life of travel is evident by the way the edges are slowly turning gray, some pages more crinkled that they were previously. They testify to a life of getting packed in purses and backpacks and thumbed through around campfires and in classrooms. It's a book that brings so much peace and joy, yet one I do not love nearly enough. Open it up and you'll find many stories. There's the story of my life as told through the mementoes tucked into the pages. A paper crown from a Christmas cracker. A letter from a dear woman of God written after she prayed for me. A notecard full of all of the InterVarsity announcements I presented sometime months ago. A square with Ephesians 2:10 printed on bright green card stock, passed out at church to remind us that we are, most definitely, God's masterp...

One of the greatest blessings of this past semester has been this woman right here: My roommate, Bri, is one of the best people on this planet. She's compassionate, listens to me when I need someone to talk to, and brings the spunk to our roommate relationship. I've so loved growing closer to her this last semester. She says some darn funny things, too, which I've written down to blackmail her with. Or, at the very least, add to my toast at her wedding. There were too many to wait until the end of the year to post them, and so, without further ado, I present to you the Fall 2013 Roommate Quote Book (with some commentary from other awesome members of our community): Bri: You know what I need? I need practice wearing a corset. Just “huaugh” and that’s it. I’m going to go order one. I just need to learn how to breathe properly. Or improperly; whatever it is. Bri: And don’t try to undress me, because that’s not cool. Mac: I’ve had so much Emergen-C today, I ...

I love being home. There's something about Wenatchee that is so inexplicably Wenatchee. Maybe it's the years I've spent, maybe it's the memories I've formed, maybe it's the people that plant their lives deep here and become as great a part of the landscape in my mind as the Columbia River and Saddlerock--probably, it's a combination of all three--but there is something here that makes me never want to leave. I come home and feel like I'm wrapped in a warm brown hug that smells of sagebrush and tastes like Stemilt apples and Caffe Mela coffee and looks a whole lot like love. It's in an attempt to counteract tonight's warm gushy feelings, though, that my pessimistic head lets other emotions creep in: Dread. Doubt. Sadness. I don't want to leave; I never do. I'm 36 hours from having to say goodbye and yet my heart is already protesting the pain; I'm only in Bozeman again for two weeks and yet somehow that seems like forever. Maybe it w...

First of all, let it be known that I never want this blog to just be a venting space, because my life is by no means terrible. In fact, it's been pretty awesome lately-- so much so that in writing this post, I'm interrupting another draft about how much I love my friends and all they've been teaching me. However, sometimes life just seems a little more complicated, and a little more overwhelming, and I just need space to think. I'm an introverted internal processor, but sometimes even I can't figure out what I'm thinking. Tonight is one of those nights where my head is wrapped up in tangled messes of mushy spaghetti and I'm having a hard time grasping onto just one noodle. Sigh. And so here, my friends, is my attempt to make something organized out of chaos--or pasta. The noodles that I know: 1. My emotions and I have been on a joyride this last week. Sometimes we were up, sometimes we were down, sometimes we took very random and unexpected turns that res...

For those of you that don't know, today is Canada's Thanksgiving holiday. And for those of you who also don't know, there are three things I love in this world: Canada, Thanksgiving, and turkey. Okay, so that was a little tongue-in-cheek, but I do  really love Canada, and after Easter, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Since my pastor's family is Canadian, and since I have so many Canadian friends, I frequently celebrated the holiday in Wenatchee and continue to lovingly force my friends to celebrate with me in Bozeman. Today I thought I'd honor the day with a list of things I'm thankful for. Some are serious, some are more trivial, but believe me, I have an entire alphabet full! A) Apples. I love  apples- partially for the taste, but mostly for the small way that they transport me home. I might just be an apple snob who refuses to eat anything but extra-fancies from Washington (I might. Or I just am). B) Bri! I seriously have the best roommate ever. I ...

MSU has deemed this year "The Year of Engaged Leadership." On the website , this is described as a year that "highlights the many events and activities of the university that help develop the leadership skills of students, faculty, staff and community members... Each month will focus on a single characteristic of leadership, including commitment to personal growth, listening, empathy, awareness, healing, foresight, conceptualization, stewardship, persuasion and building community." In a nutshell, it means our school is bringing in many, many speakers and activities to try and... well, get us engaged in leadership. The joke's on MSU, though, because I had already planned on spending this year in "engaged leadership." No, that does not mean I'll be attempting a "ring-by-spring" ploy, despite the fact that I recently received a four page text message describing how to catch a boyfriend (which was quite hilarious, but still). Instead, it me...

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...

It's Holy Week, and here in blog-land I want to celebrate that! Check out the posts on Palm Sunday , righteous anger , and service  if you missed them. In the tale of Christ's death, I am the antagonist. I am Peter. In the moments when I should stand up for my faith and defend all that Christ is, I stay silent. I claim that I will never fall away, but when push comes to shove, the rooster crows and I've disowned Him three times. I am Judas. I spend personal time with Jesus and think I know Him really well, yet there are still times when our relationship is strained. It's then that I turn him over to be arrested for a measly thirty silver pieces. Hey, it seemed right at the time. I am Pilate. I give in to peer-pressure and conform to the crowd, both denying Jesus and saying that it's not my fault. I am the governor's soldiers. I mock Jesus--maybe not out loud, but sometime in action. I spit on Him. I strike Him. I divide up His clothes and cast them out...

It's Holy Week, and here in blog-land I want to celebrate that! Check out the past posts on Palm Sunday and righteous anger if you missed them. It's been beautiful here in Bozeman the past few days. We've had blue skies, temperatures in the 40s-50s, and tons of sun. This can only mean one thing: It's Chaco season. The first day of the year that I whip out my Chacos is always one of my favorites. It almost feels like a challenge to me. Yes, the weather may still shower me with snow, but in my heart of hearts I know  that deep down, it's really spring. I have proof; I wore my Chacos. Here's the thing, though: much as I love my Chacos, they're not the cleanliest of shoes. I don't know how often you wear sandals (and rest assured, I'm from the Pacific Northwest, so I am well accustomed to people strutting around in all their socks-and-sandals glory) but if you're anything like me, you tend to wear them everywhere  during the summer--I'v...