Holy [Insert Word Here]!!

I can't describe it.
I just can't describe this feeling!

I just can't believe all the wonderful, crazy, stressful, amazing, adventurous 2010 I've had.

January: Was the start of my last semester at Sierra Community College
February: Was the 4th anniversary of my grandfather's passing
March: My mommy's birthday and last midterms of community college
April: Easter Break and getting to spend time with my grandmother before my move
May: Graduation from Sierra Community College with 2 AA Degrees (Deaf Studies and Liberal Arts with Music Emphasis); and having a going away family party
June: Getting ready for my first move to Idaho; spending time with all my friends and another going away friends/church party
July: Awesome 4th of July party at my uncle's house and my big move to Idaho
August: A quiet, boring, slow end to summer. (Yay for the peace before craziness!); First day of Northwest Nazarene University on the 31st
September: One year since I had been depressed. Most people don't really know this about me, but for whatever reason in September 2009 I was very, very depressed. The only reason why I had to get up and do anything was because I had to. I had to go to school, I had to go to work. (The best parts of that month were the kids at Emmaus Church!) This was also the part of the semester when I got really, really sick and all I wanted was to hear my mom's voice....so I called her....it made us both cry. And this was when my grades started to slip
October: First midterms at Northwest Nazarene, and my grades continued to slip because of overloaded schedule of school and work. I don't recommend 18 hour days. Halloween was fun. I decorated my grandmother's house and dressed up like a vampire and passed out candy
November: I stopped working for Target to try and save my grades. Although I quit work, I still don't know where those hours went to, because it seemed like I didn't have an extra 22 hours of nothing...I was really glad that I was able to quit and focus on school. Also, Thanksgiving was awesome! Just about everyone from my mom's family was there and my parent's and my sister came up to celebrate!
December: December is always my favorite time of the year. Not only because my birthday is during this month, but because Christmas and the cooler weather and all the memories of my childhood always come back to me. I turned 22 this year. :O I couldn't believe it and it was the first time I wasn't celebrating with my twin sister. Also, first finals of Northwest Nazarene....I hope I did okay.....I just barely passed my classes before the semester ended and I studied as much as I possibly could have on my finals......Having 5 finals takes a lot out of a person.
Also, I got this amazing opportunity to volunteer for CB (Commissioned Believers) Deaf Ministry to be their Adoptions Coordinator and Facebook Manager and I accepted it! I am SO excited and I can't wait until I officially start with the ministry!

I am also going to start an American Sign Language Club at Northwest Nazarene and work toward raising money for different deaf schools and orphanages in Africa that are being sponsored by CB Deaf Ministry.

During this time of Thanksgiving and Christmas I am just so excited to share this with you!

Merry Christmas and have a WONDERFUL 2011
God Bless
Cody Marie Bolton

A Time of Reflection

I can't believe that this is the last week of school, then finals. :O
The time here has flown by I can't even being to believe that!
I am very excited to be going home for Christmas to see family I haven't seen in what seems like a very long time. I am also excited because I am going to start volunteering for CB Deaf Ministry in between school (which won't be much, but I'm looking forward to it!)


Merry Christmas everybody!
Cody Marie

CraZY!

Wow. I had totally forgotten about this blog since school and work started :/ I'm totally slacking.

To quickly catch up:

I am already half way done with my first semester at Northwest Nazarene University.

I am quitting my job at the end of next week because I can lo longer do all my homework and school and working... I will miss Target, but it is time to move on.

I am going to be starting an American Sign Language Club at NNU, and there are a few interested people already. Our first "formation" meeting is going to be on November 2nd (yes mid-term election day) and we are going to figure out the vision for the club. :D This is very exciting and I am so glad that I am going to be able to do something worthwhile with the time here at school :D

Official: 1 Month in Idaho

Technically, that was yesterday....but thats okay. :)
Each day I am here, I get more excited about what God is doing here. :D

Yesterday, I called Stone, Hunter and Lori (if you don't know, Stone and Hunter are the boys that I mentor through Emmaus Church, and Lori is their AWESOME mom!) Anyway, it was so awesome to hear their voices! And I can't wait to see them around Christmas!
And I was able to talk to Kathryn, Emmaus' Children's pastor!! So great to connect with people I "ditched" for the Work of God.
It's also so great to hear my parent's voices....:) I miss them *HUGS to you mom and dad*

And I hope I will be able to call more people tomorrow...I have such great intentions, but some never get done....like calling people....
God help me to remember to call the people I need to call for, and help me to remember to read the Bible too. In Jesus' name. Amen.

I probably should be blogging more, but I've been lazy about it.

Life right now has been slow....no work, no school, just doing whatever whenever with my grandma until my schedule of work starts in a week. It's been so relaxing and I am SO greatful that God has allowed me some time for doing "nothing" although I should be studying the Bible more than I am...it's been a slow process studying the book of 1Sam. I am enjoying it a lot. :) And I can't wait until I get into 2Sam.

Idaho is an awesome place! (And for those who said "Why Idaho?" Because Idaho is awesome, that's why!)

For the first time in my life, I get some freedom and privacy like I never have before. (Some days I have been using it better than others) Although, I can say I have been doing a lot more talking/meditation to God lately. :)

And I know why God called me to Idaho, specifically:

Not so much to mentor/minister to the Deaf here, like I originally interpreted, but to be here for my grandmother, to show her God's grace and compassion by serving her and going to church with her (she is not saved, but goes to church and Bible study).

My grandmother's heart is softening, and I am so glad to see that. :)Because she never stepped inside a church when I was younger.

And I am getting connected to the church my grandma, her sister (my great-aunt) and my great-uncle go to. :) Grace Bible Church is a great church, very welcoming people and staff and I am going to start helping them with their children's ministry. :) Kids are awesome!! All kids are awesome!!

My NNU is all figured out, I just need my finalized schedule and then I'll know what books and stuff I need.

My work transfer finally came through, altough there was a hiccup with that. The person I needed to keep in contact with during the process went on a two week vacation, but that's okay, this extra time of quiet is a really great thing.

:) I just can't say enough about Idaho...

But I do miss my family, they called today, and I was really great to hear their voices and I do hope my dad gets his pilot's license back so they can visit more ;)

God Bless you guys! And thanks for reading and for the prayers!
Cody Marie