Well, I have made it safely back to MI and I've been wading through my bedroom-- I haven't quite got everything in its place. There are boxes and containers and stuff that needs to be tossed...for the last few nights I had been sleeping on our couch...and finally - I was able to clear away the stuff on my bed and sleep well! And...I must say...I really enjoyed the blessing of having a bed of clean sheets and new comfy padding below...thanks to Mom.
As much as I love adventure, the segues that lead to change do have interesting affects on me. Already, it has been nice to be reminded that God's love embodies the blessings He sends. There are certain things that comfort me at home - laughing and being goofy while watching movies with my sisters, taking long drives with Dad, being goofy with Mom - and the conversations that surround those things. But, when you are living with others, you get the good, the bad, and the ugly. Although this sounds so juvenille and naive, living life with people can get messy.
I hadn't anticipated the change it would be- at least the emotions that it would bring to move home again. With finals that kept me busy, I hadn't taken the time to mentally prepare to live at home again. It is an adjustment - and at times - I would like to be finished here in MI. However, God is teaching me to be thankful in all things. So, I am drawing on His power and strength. I want to live victoriously no matter where I am - I do not want to have a "form of godliness" - I want to live in the grace that God provides daily, along with His mercies that are new each morning.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Giving Thanks...
~the weather was wonderful today! It was at least 75 degrees out and there was a lovely breeze!
~God's goodness during this last week. I get to spend this weekend with Christina, and today Dena and I had a chance to be goofy together in the midst of crazy finals.
~My finals were finished yesterday, and I just have to finish the details of a paper and binder and turn them in tomorrow. Yay! What a great feeling it is to be done! It feels so weird to not have any pressing - and I mean PRESSING - responsibilities. Today was a day of odds and ends and I felt like I could really and truly relax!
~School has been wonderful this year - ahh...so many great memories! so many great times of victory! so many times that tried the soul, but valuable lessons that were learned. Its been good and thats all there is to it!
~I get to stay for graduation! I was praying and hoping that I would - and it just so happens that I am able! Yay! Christina and I are going to spend the night with some of our friends and then leave after graduation on saturday. Relaxing with a kindred spirit sounds great!
~I get to read for fun this summer!
~God's peace has truly been with me in regards to everything changing today. I am thankful and I want to continue to be thankful for His grace and blessings to me over the past four years. He really is so good - in the midst of it all. He is my God, He has created all things, He allows seasons in our life to come and go. I pray that I will be found praising Him - regardless of the good or bad.
~My emotions have stabilized...for now. :) hehehe....
~God's goodness during this last week. I get to spend this weekend with Christina, and today Dena and I had a chance to be goofy together in the midst of crazy finals.
~My finals were finished yesterday, and I just have to finish the details of a paper and binder and turn them in tomorrow. Yay! What a great feeling it is to be done! It feels so weird to not have any pressing - and I mean PRESSING - responsibilities. Today was a day of odds and ends and I felt like I could really and truly relax!
~School has been wonderful this year - ahh...so many great memories! so many great times of victory! so many times that tried the soul, but valuable lessons that were learned. Its been good and thats all there is to it!
~I get to stay for graduation! I was praying and hoping that I would - and it just so happens that I am able! Yay! Christina and I are going to spend the night with some of our friends and then leave after graduation on saturday. Relaxing with a kindred spirit sounds great!
~I get to read for fun this summer!
~God's peace has truly been with me in regards to everything changing today. I am thankful and I want to continue to be thankful for His grace and blessings to me over the past four years. He really is so good - in the midst of it all. He is my God, He has created all things, He allows seasons in our life to come and go. I pray that I will be found praising Him - regardless of the good or bad.
~My emotions have stabilized...for now. :) hehehe....
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Earthquake!!!
This morning, I awoke half-conciously to an earthquake! It had hit in West-Salem, Illinois and all around - we felt the aftershock (along the Wabash Valley Fault Zone)! It was reported that people in the loop in Chicago felt it and even a building in Louisville was damaged because of it. Crazy! I have never been in an earthquake!
I thought it was a dream - so I went back to sleep thinking it was nothing. Then, I got up and checked statuses on facebook - people left comments like "felt the quake at 5:30", etc. Then, I went to the student center and heard people talking about it, too! It was real! Wow! People in CA would be laughing at me, but hey! I survived my first quake! Yippie!
So, finals are next week. Dad reminded me last night on the phone to praise Him for everything - to be thankful in "all things." So, although my best friends are graduating and I will be a fifth year, I am thankful -- so thankful-- for the time we were allowed to have. It has truly changed my life. They are my best friends - my kindred spirits - my sisters. I am thankful, because God has used them greatly in my life.
And, I need to be thankful for my work load. God has allowed me to study - something I LOVE - and even though I can get really overwhelmed at the stuff left to do, God will enable me to accomplish it. And for those things, I will praise Him, because I know that I cannot do them on my own. I am thankful for the last two papers, notebook, and two tests I have to study for and complete. I am thankful - because He has allowed all of it. Thank-you, Father.
Take up the shield of Faith and Fix your eyes on Jesus - the author and perfecter of our Faith - He will not let us down.
I thought it was a dream - so I went back to sleep thinking it was nothing. Then, I got up and checked statuses on facebook - people left comments like "felt the quake at 5:30", etc. Then, I went to the student center and heard people talking about it, too! It was real! Wow! People in CA would be laughing at me, but hey! I survived my first quake! Yippie!
So, finals are next week. Dad reminded me last night on the phone to praise Him for everything - to be thankful in "all things." So, although my best friends are graduating and I will be a fifth year, I am thankful -- so thankful-- for the time we were allowed to have. It has truly changed my life. They are my best friends - my kindred spirits - my sisters. I am thankful, because God has used them greatly in my life.
And, I need to be thankful for my work load. God has allowed me to study - something I LOVE - and even though I can get really overwhelmed at the stuff left to do, God will enable me to accomplish it. And for those things, I will praise Him, because I know that I cannot do them on my own. I am thankful for the last two papers, notebook, and two tests I have to study for and complete. I am thankful - because He has allowed all of it. Thank-you, Father.
Take up the shield of Faith and Fix your eyes on Jesus - the author and perfecter of our Faith - He will not let us down.
CHINA IS OFFICIAL!
So, I got the official word that I am moving to China for two months to complete my student teaching! I cannot tell you how excited I am. I have been waiting for those words of confirmation for so long! Finally, when they arrived -- ahhhh!!! I think I jumped three feet in the air at the email I received confirming everything! So now the long process of preparing will take place - but I am so excited. I am thrilled to prepare - to read, to learn, to save -- yay!
Already, it has been so neat to see how God is preparing me. Earlier this semester, God put it on my heart to speak to my church about what He has done and what He is doing. A few days ago (last week, I think), I just got so excited as I was journaling - I began to practice what I would say! It is such a testimony that God's presence is all-encompassing. He is before me, beside me, above me, behind me, in me - for it is God who works in me "both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). I will be in Tianjin, China - which is southeast of Beijing on the coast, a train ride away. I am preparing myself to go alone - I don't think I will have any roommates from school that will be placed in the same town. I will probably have other Christian roommates...but only God knows.
This is real! It is going to happen! I am seeing this bud of a dream start to open up and blossom! At first, it was this vast country - China. Now, it is an international Christian school in Tianjin. I now know how to pray specifically and who to pray for. I have the names of my co-op teachers and principal. I am excited and a little nervous (even though it is months away). Ahh! The excitement and reality that it will be a job, not just a trip - is also rising. I am excited to meet my students and to learn about their culture and to see God in a different place.
Praise God with me, today. Praise God with me, today!
Already, it has been so neat to see how God is preparing me. Earlier this semester, God put it on my heart to speak to my church about what He has done and what He is doing. A few days ago (last week, I think), I just got so excited as I was journaling - I began to practice what I would say! It is such a testimony that God's presence is all-encompassing. He is before me, beside me, above me, behind me, in me - for it is God who works in me "both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). I will be in Tianjin, China - which is southeast of Beijing on the coast, a train ride away. I am preparing myself to go alone - I don't think I will have any roommates from school that will be placed in the same town. I will probably have other Christian roommates...but only God knows.
This is real! It is going to happen! I am seeing this bud of a dream start to open up and blossom! At first, it was this vast country - China. Now, it is an international Christian school in Tianjin. I now know how to pray specifically and who to pray for. I have the names of my co-op teachers and principal. I am excited and a little nervous (even though it is months away). Ahh! The excitement and reality that it will be a job, not just a trip - is also rising. I am excited to meet my students and to learn about their culture and to see God in a different place.
Praise God with me, today. Praise God with me, today!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Giving Thanks...
~the SUN is shining today! We have our apartment windows opened and it is beautiful!
~a wonderful night of rest...*sighs*
~time to get things done!
~God's presence - I rest in the fact that I only have to live for right now, rely on His grace for me right now, love people right now. Looking into the future can be so overwhelming and distracting - the enemy has used it to steal my joy and peace. Don't let him! You have enough grace for today! My friend, Sara, posted on her blog "Every now and again I feel like I am living in limbo, I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, where I'm going, or what I should be doing. I know that I'm not actually living in limbo, I'm actually living by Faith. Because I know that Jesus is the Lord of my life, I know that my life and circumstances are all in His hands and plans. I do not need to worry about what's happening tomorrow. I just need to focus on what's happening today. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. I am certain that God is in control right now, even through I feel like I have no clue about what's happening around me.Tonight I was having coffee with a good friend who reminded me to live with the eyes of faith. Live as though Christ is going to intervene and make a way. She reminded me about Moses as he was called upon to lead the Israelites. Little did she know that God has spoken to me in so many ways through the life of Moses. I am also reminded of Peter, who had to step by faith as he stepped out of the boat, onto the water, towards Jesus. Right now I must keep stepping toward Jesus one day at a time. Each step by faith, knowing that He is who He says He is, I am who He says I am, He can do what He says He can do, I can do all things through Christ, and His Word is alive and active in me. I need to get back out of the boat again and try out my sea legs a bit more." That was so encouraging to me...I just need to rely on God's goodness for today.
~the SUN is shining!!! YAY!!
~a wonderful night of rest...*sighs*
~time to get things done!
~God's presence - I rest in the fact that I only have to live for right now, rely on His grace for me right now, love people right now. Looking into the future can be so overwhelming and distracting - the enemy has used it to steal my joy and peace. Don't let him! You have enough grace for today! My friend, Sara, posted on her blog "Every now and again I feel like I am living in limbo, I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, where I'm going, or what I should be doing. I know that I'm not actually living in limbo, I'm actually living by Faith. Because I know that Jesus is the Lord of my life, I know that my life and circumstances are all in His hands and plans. I do not need to worry about what's happening tomorrow. I just need to focus on what's happening today. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. I am certain that God is in control right now, even through I feel like I have no clue about what's happening around me.Tonight I was having coffee with a good friend who reminded me to live with the eyes of faith. Live as though Christ is going to intervene and make a way. She reminded me about Moses as he was called upon to lead the Israelites. Little did she know that God has spoken to me in so many ways through the life of Moses. I am also reminded of Peter, who had to step by faith as he stepped out of the boat, onto the water, towards Jesus. Right now I must keep stepping toward Jesus one day at a time. Each step by faith, knowing that He is who He says He is, I am who He says I am, He can do what He says He can do, I can do all things through Christ, and His Word is alive and active in me. I need to get back out of the boat again and try out my sea legs a bit more." That was so encouraging to me...I just need to rely on God's goodness for today.
~the SUN is shining!!! YAY!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Hosanna
Verse 1
I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing
Chorus
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Verse 2
I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees
Bridge
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing
Chorus
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Verse 2
I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees
Bridge
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
Savior King
Verse 1
And now the weak say I have strength
By the spirit of power that raised Christ from the dead
And now the poor stand and confess
That my portion is ? and I'm more blessed
Pre-chorus
Let now our hearts burn with a flame
A fire consuming all for your Son's holy name
And with the heavens we declare
You are our king
Chorus
We love you Lord, we worship you
You are our God, you alone are good
You asked your Son to carry this
The heavy cross our weight of sin
I love you Lord, I worship you
Hope which was lost, now stands renewed
I give my life to honor this
The love of Christ, the savior king
Verse 2
Let now your church shine as the bride
That you soar in your heart as you offered up your life
Let now the lost be welcomed home
By the saved and redeemed those adopted as your own
Ending
I give my life to honor this
The love of Christ, the savior king
And now the weak say I have strength
By the spirit of power that raised Christ from the dead
And now the poor stand and confess
That my portion is ? and I'm more blessed
Pre-chorus
Let now our hearts burn with a flame
A fire consuming all for your Son's holy name
And with the heavens we declare
You are our king
Chorus
We love you Lord, we worship you
You are our God, you alone are good
You asked your Son to carry this
The heavy cross our weight of sin
I love you Lord, I worship you
Hope which was lost, now stands renewed
I give my life to honor this
The love of Christ, the savior king
Verse 2
Let now your church shine as the bride
That you soar in your heart as you offered up your life
Let now the lost be welcomed home
By the saved and redeemed those adopted as your own
Ending
I give my life to honor this
The love of Christ, the savior king
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