I have finished my application for STINT! All of my references are in, and everything else is in too! I can't wait to hear back if I have been accepted so I can begin the process of seeking out my financial and prayer supporters. They said that it could take 4 - 6 weeks before I hear a decision. So if you could be praying that would be awesome! I'd really appreciate it, the waiting is the hardest part!
I have been in contact with the staff that is already there, and it is only increasing my desire to want to go! I'll keep ya posted if I hear any news.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A New Mission - STINT
Mission: STINT - Short Term International
Destination: Montpellier, France
Agent: Laura Abbott
Okay now let's be serious. The above is completely true! God is calling me to go to Montpellier, France (southern coast of France) for one year of my life, starting after graduation, so August 2011 - July 2012. I am so excited! And terrified. I was at Fall Getaway this weekend, and God clearly opened my heart and showed me that his desire for me was to go to France for a year of service after graduation. I have been thinking about STINTing for almost a year now, praying seriously about it for the last few months, and now it so clear it is almost as if God put a plane ticket in my hand and said GO!
Part of this realization spurred from a few passages that I read this weekend.
John 15:7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you."
AND
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
These two passages both reminded me that if I am seeking God's wisdom and truly believe that He will give us what we ask for, He will.
If you would like to be a part of this new adventure in my life, please let me know. I am desperately seeking prayer warriors who will support me with constant requests to God.
I will keep updating as God provides me with more and more details about this new adventure. Stay tuned!
Destination: Montpellier, France
Agent: Laura Abbott
Okay now let's be serious. The above is completely true! God is calling me to go to Montpellier, France (southern coast of France) for one year of my life, starting after graduation, so August 2011 - July 2012. I am so excited! And terrified. I was at Fall Getaway this weekend, and God clearly opened my heart and showed me that his desire for me was to go to France for a year of service after graduation. I have been thinking about STINTing for almost a year now, praying seriously about it for the last few months, and now it so clear it is almost as if God put a plane ticket in my hand and said GO!
Part of this realization spurred from a few passages that I read this weekend.
John 15:7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you."
AND
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
These two passages both reminded me that if I am seeking God's wisdom and truly believe that He will give us what we ask for, He will.
If you would like to be a part of this new adventure in my life, please let me know. I am desperately seeking prayer warriors who will support me with constant requests to God.
I will keep updating as God provides me with more and more details about this new adventure. Stay tuned!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Procrastination
Why is that when we have the most to do, we always want to just relax?? I have an insanely busy week coming up this week. French test, working till 11 pm on Monday, Media Law test, work till 11 pm on Tuesday, and Research Method test on Wednesday. But I am definitely looking forward to next weekend, it is FALL GETAWAY!! I am so excited to get up to Fall Getaway and just have an awesome weekend learning about God, reconnect with friends that I haven't gotten to see much lately, and just spend a weekend away from campus and work. I just wish that a few of my friends were going to Fall Getaway, but they have graduated and are busy in their new lives outside of SD!
So I am just going to push through the next three days, which will suck but I can do it with God's strength. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM! If you think of me over the next few days, through up a prayer for me.
Time to get back to work.
So I am just going to push through the next three days, which will suck but I can do it with God's strength. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM! If you think of me over the next few days, through up a prayer for me.
Time to get back to work.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Minor Decisions
Sometimes minor decisions feel like major ones.
What I am saying will make more sense as I tell you about the week I've had. Three days ago I received my graduation audit, a must-do for anyone thinking about graduating in the next year! I wasn't looking at it all that closely but noticed that they had my specialization listed incorrectly. Because of this mistake, I called over to the registrar's office. Once connected with the woman in charge of audits, she informed me that I am also required to seek a minor to graduate. Seeing as how I am supposed to graduate 8 months from now, one more semester after this one) that is a bit of a problem. My 'minor' problem has turned into a major one.
After speaking with her for a few minutes, I hung up and shot off an email to my adviser. Last year when meeting with him during registration he informed me that I was not required to seek a minor, so I had not pursued this. I was on the verge of freaking out, and ran into my favorite professor. She did her best to calm me down and offered to become my new adviser since I was a bit frustrated with my former.
After class (Thursday) to which I had a bit of a hard time focusing, I went to talk to my professor, she told me that we could look at my records to see which minor I would be the closest to receiving. I didn't have a lot of time because I was leaving for Sioux Falls to speak to some people about WSN and to learn more information about STINTing for a year with Campus Crusade after graduation. This may be one of the best parts of this story.
On Friday afternoon I met with a full-time academic adviser. She and I looked at my transcripts and mutually decided that the only real program I was close to was a French minor. 3 additional courses were needed after the one I am taking this fall. That may not sound like a lot, but these are not necessarily the easiest courses. She and I tossed around some ideas, sent out some emails to the heads of different departments, and waited. And waited. And waited.
I still have not heard back from her about decisions or what for sure we are going to do with my 'minor' dilemma. But over the last two days of soul seeking and praying, God is warming my heart towards the idea that French may be the plan that he has for me.
I am not committing to anything at the moment, but ever since Thursday afternoon, I have been wondering if God is calling me to minor in French, so that I will go to Montpellier, France to work for a year with Campus Crusade. I have always been drawn to the French language, as difficult as it may be for me to learn, and have wondered why. Why was I not inclined to study Spanish like my sisters? Why did I hate the semester of German that I took? Is Montpellier the city that I will potentially call home next year?
I could use your prayers over the next few months as I seek God's will for my life and what His plans are for me. Pray that He gives me a clearer understanding of what the next step in my life will be.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
What I am saying will make more sense as I tell you about the week I've had. Three days ago I received my graduation audit, a must-do for anyone thinking about graduating in the next year! I wasn't looking at it all that closely but noticed that they had my specialization listed incorrectly. Because of this mistake, I called over to the registrar's office. Once connected with the woman in charge of audits, she informed me that I am also required to seek a minor to graduate. Seeing as how I am supposed to graduate 8 months from now, one more semester after this one) that is a bit of a problem. My 'minor' problem has turned into a major one.
After speaking with her for a few minutes, I hung up and shot off an email to my adviser. Last year when meeting with him during registration he informed me that I was not required to seek a minor, so I had not pursued this. I was on the verge of freaking out, and ran into my favorite professor. She did her best to calm me down and offered to become my new adviser since I was a bit frustrated with my former.
After class (Thursday) to which I had a bit of a hard time focusing, I went to talk to my professor, she told me that we could look at my records to see which minor I would be the closest to receiving. I didn't have a lot of time because I was leaving for Sioux Falls to speak to some people about WSN and to learn more information about STINTing for a year with Campus Crusade after graduation. This may be one of the best parts of this story.
On Friday afternoon I met with a full-time academic adviser. She and I looked at my transcripts and mutually decided that the only real program I was close to was a French minor. 3 additional courses were needed after the one I am taking this fall. That may not sound like a lot, but these are not necessarily the easiest courses. She and I tossed around some ideas, sent out some emails to the heads of different departments, and waited. And waited. And waited.
I still have not heard back from her about decisions or what for sure we are going to do with my 'minor' dilemma. But over the last two days of soul seeking and praying, God is warming my heart towards the idea that French may be the plan that he has for me.
I am not committing to anything at the moment, but ever since Thursday afternoon, I have been wondering if God is calling me to minor in French, so that I will go to Montpellier, France to work for a year with Campus Crusade. I have always been drawn to the French language, as difficult as it may be for me to learn, and have wondered why. Why was I not inclined to study Spanish like my sisters? Why did I hate the semester of German that I took? Is Montpellier the city that I will potentially call home next year?
I could use your prayers over the next few months as I seek God's will for my life and what His plans are for me. Pray that He gives me a clearer understanding of what the next step in my life will be.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Leaving London
It is hard to believe that I go home in 3 days. My time here has gone so fast. While this trip has had its ups and downs, overall I think it has been a good experience. I got to go and see Ireland, which was probably my favorite place I've seen so far. I also went to Germany last weekend to see a friend, also a lot of fun.
Today we went to the US Embassy and met with the officer of cultural affairs for the State Department in London. He talked to us for almost 2 hours about what he does, how to get into doing what he does, the pros and cons of life in another country. He has worked in Brazil and in Iraq for the state department. I think that I would like to do what he does. He makes sure that the Embassador for whichever country he is working for has correct knowledge and understanding of the cultural affairs of said country, and works on increasing morale for the United States. Basically it is PR for the United States. I think that I would really like to do that.
Tonight I am going to meet up with a friend that I met while in Ireland, Ariel, and we are going to go out with the other girls in our group for awhile. Should be fun. It is so crazy how quickly the time has gone since I got here 3 1/2 weeks ago, but I am ready to go home. I miss everyone back home.
Today we went to the US Embassy and met with the officer of cultural affairs for the State Department in London. He talked to us for almost 2 hours about what he does, how to get into doing what he does, the pros and cons of life in another country. He has worked in Brazil and in Iraq for the state department. I think that I would like to do what he does. He makes sure that the Embassador for whichever country he is working for has correct knowledge and understanding of the cultural affairs of said country, and works on increasing morale for the United States. Basically it is PR for the United States. I think that I would really like to do that.
Tonight I am going to meet up with a friend that I met while in Ireland, Ariel, and we are going to go out with the other girls in our group for awhile. Should be fun. It is so crazy how quickly the time has gone since I got here 3 1/2 weeks ago, but I am ready to go home. I miss everyone back home.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
LONDON!!
Oh my goodness! I love London! There is so much to do here compared to little old Vermillion. It's amazing! I have only been here for 2 days but I love it! Yesterday we went to the London Eye, which is like a big carousel that shows you amazing views of the city and today we just explored a little bit. The college I am at is absolutely beautiful. 400 acres of park surrounds us. It's gorgeous. Why can't USD look like this place?
We got all of our travel stuff booked for our Ireland trip! Flight, hotel, and even our tours! I am so excited! We are going to have so much fun!! I am also getting to see Mom and Grandma this weekend which is pretty cool. Get to explore more Northern England.
My class here is kind of a joke I feel. He doesn't feel like we should have to sit through lectures, because we could have done that back home, so we just get to experience London. It is absolutely amazing! I am happy that that is how he feels.
So far everyone that I have met is really nice. Most of them are really into drinking though, which kind of sucks. But I think that we will get along just fine and have a good couple of weeks! Some of the girls I feel like I have known them for a long time rather than 2 days. Today was a nice day we just went to a little shopping area, had a nice batch of fish and chips and relaxed.
Well I should go to bed, I am still exhausted from the jet-lag. Cheers!
We got all of our travel stuff booked for our Ireland trip! Flight, hotel, and even our tours! I am so excited! We are going to have so much fun!! I am also getting to see Mom and Grandma this weekend which is pretty cool. Get to explore more Northern England.
My class here is kind of a joke I feel. He doesn't feel like we should have to sit through lectures, because we could have done that back home, so we just get to experience London. It is absolutely amazing! I am happy that that is how he feels.
So far everyone that I have met is really nice. Most of them are really into drinking though, which kind of sucks. But I think that we will get along just fine and have a good couple of weeks! Some of the girls I feel like I have known them for a long time rather than 2 days. Today was a nice day we just went to a little shopping area, had a nice batch of fish and chips and relaxed.
Well I should go to bed, I am still exhausted from the jet-lag. Cheers!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Take 5
Take 5 to Pray.
This was the topic of the sermon given at church today, and it made me think. Sure I pray every day, mostly. But do I take five minutes to pray when I'm running out of time or energy on an assignment due tomorrow? Probably not. Why is it that it is so easy to text a friend and seek fellowship, but with our Almighty Father who is always with us we are always lacking in seeking His fellowship.
Colossians 4:2-6 "2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Devote yourself to prayer. Wow. Powerful stuff. The word devotion has three great definitions; profound dedication, consecration, and earnest attachment to a cause or purpose. We devote ourselves to a lot of things. School, family loyalty, friends.
But when you really think about it, do you always take 5 and pray?
This was the topic of the sermon given at church today, and it made me think. Sure I pray every day, mostly. But do I take five minutes to pray when I'm running out of time or energy on an assignment due tomorrow? Probably not. Why is it that it is so easy to text a friend and seek fellowship, but with our Almighty Father who is always with us we are always lacking in seeking His fellowship.
Colossians 4:2-6 "2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Devote yourself to prayer. Wow. Powerful stuff. The word devotion has three great definitions; profound dedication, consecration, and earnest attachment to a cause or purpose. We devote ourselves to a lot of things. School, family loyalty, friends.
But when you really think about it, do you always take 5 and pray?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Worship
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17
Last night at Bible Study we talked about our spiritual pathways, how we best connect to Christ My top was tied between Relational and Worship. Not a big surprise for me. I've always thought that the best way I connect to God is through music. But something that I haven't thought about before is that worship does not need to be music-related.
According to Dictionary.com the term "Worship" means - reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.
No where in that definition does it include anything about music. So why do we always think of music, praise songs, hymns when we hear worship??
I read this verse in Colossians this morning. It made me think again about how everything you do in your life can be a form of worship to the Lord. If we wake up each day with the mindset of 'I'm going to worship God in everything I do today'. We would.
As Amy said last night, it isn't about the how or where that you worship, it's the why. We worship because God delights in it, and it just feels good for us to do so.
Last night at Bible Study we talked about our spiritual pathways, how we best connect to Christ My top was tied between Relational and Worship. Not a big surprise for me. I've always thought that the best way I connect to God is through music. But something that I haven't thought about before is that worship does not need to be music-related.
According to Dictionary.com the term "Worship" means - reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.
No where in that definition does it include anything about music. So why do we always think of music, praise songs, hymns when we hear worship??
I read this verse in Colossians this morning. It made me think again about how everything you do in your life can be a form of worship to the Lord. If we wake up each day with the mindset of 'I'm going to worship God in everything I do today'. We would.
As Amy said last night, it isn't about the how or where that you worship, it's the why. We worship because God delights in it, and it just feels good for us to do so.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Psalm 139
Isn't it amazing how by who you around, your attitude can either be uplifted or crushed. I've noticed over the past few days that even if I am in a great mood when I wake up in the morning, if I am around someone who is crabby, I become crabby. But why? I should wake up rejoicing in how God created me.
Psalm 19:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I am fearfully and wonderfully made. That is so cool to think about. We were known by God before we became known to our family and friends. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13.
This is something we talked about at Bible Study tonight. It was so interesting to think and ponder. God created us in his likeness, he knows every thought that we will have before we have it. He knows the number of hairs on our heads (which in my case must be hard to keep track of. Mine keeps coming out!) He has laid out the plans for us ahead of time.
Just something to think about.
Psalm 19:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I am fearfully and wonderfully made. That is so cool to think about. We were known by God before we became known to our family and friends. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13.
This is something we talked about at Bible Study tonight. It was so interesting to think and ponder. God created us in his likeness, he knows every thought that we will have before we have it. He knows the number of hairs on our heads (which in my case must be hard to keep track of. Mine keeps coming out!) He has laid out the plans for us ahead of time.
Just something to think about.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Laura's Marketplace
So here I am, trying to sell off some stuff. I've listed below what I am looking to sell off right now. If you are interested in buying anything let me know. Of if you know anyone that is, send them my way.
Wii System - $650
(Includes Wii Console and Receiver, Wii Balance Board, Wii Fit Game, Wii Fit Plus Game, Wii Sports Game, Mario Kart Game, Mario Party Game, 4 game controllers with grips, 4 numchucks, 1 wheel, and controller chargers.) Worth over $750 if bought individually.
Gilmore Girls Complete Series (1-7) - $115
I prefer to sell them together, but am willing to sell individual season. $20 a season if sold separately. Save $25 if you buy them all together. This is worth over $300.
I may add more later on. But this is what I am looking to sell for right now.
Wii System - $650
(Includes Wii Console and Receiver, Wii Balance Board, Wii Fit Game, Wii Fit Plus Game, Wii Sports Game, Mario Kart Game, Mario Party Game, 4 game controllers with grips, 4 numchucks, 1 wheel, and controller chargers.) Worth over $750 if bought individually.
Gilmore Girls Complete Series (1-7) - $115
I prefer to sell them together, but am willing to sell individual season. $20 a season if sold separately. Save $25 if you buy them all together. This is worth over $300.
I may add more later on. But this is what I am looking to sell for right now.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Spring Break
It's hard to believe that Spring Break is almost over. It has been a pretty good break, not very productive. But I slept a lot, hung out with the family, and did a little homework. All in all it was pretty good. I should have gotten more homework done, but instead I just hung out with my family and relaxed.
So for some exciting news, Lindsey got engaged last night! She called me right after it happened, which is awesome! I am so happy for her! I haven't heard all the details of how he popped the question. I am sure she will tell me on Tuesday when we hang out. I can't wait to hear all about it. He was with her back home in Spearfish
So now that Lindsey is engaged, I wonder how long it will take before they tie the knot? Jessica is getting married in a month. Anna is getting married at the end of the summer in August. And I think that Jessica W is getting married this summer too. So many weddings, it'll be a fun summer with all of them.
So for some exciting news, Lindsey got engaged last night! She called me right after it happened, which is awesome! I am so happy for her! I haven't heard all the details of how he popped the question. I am sure she will tell me on Tuesday when we hang out. I can't wait to hear all about it. He was with her back home in Spearfish
So now that Lindsey is engaged, I wonder how long it will take before they tie the knot? Jessica is getting married in a month. Anna is getting married at the end of the summer in August. And I think that Jessica W is getting married this summer too. So many weddings, it'll be a fun summer with all of them.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Spring Fling!
So it is official. We are having a Spring Fling dance for Cru in April. It is going to be a lot of fun! We still have lots of things to plan before this happens. We had planned on having a Sadie Hawkins Dance, but quite a few people were not keen on the idea of the girls taking the lead and asking the guys. Both girls and guys both. So we are having a Spring Fling dance! It will be country-themed.
I need 3-4 people to join my team and help me get it planned. We have lots of things to plan and do to get ready for it. We think that we are going to hold it in Heather's Grandmother's barn out in the country, should be a sweet spot! With a DJ we are going to make it a campus-wide outreach event.
I need 3-4 people to join my team and help me get it planned. We have lots of things to plan and do to get ready for it. We think that we are going to hold it in Heather's Grandmother's barn out in the country, should be a sweet spot! With a DJ we are going to make it a campus-wide outreach event.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Amazing Race! (Cru Style)
So its finally here. The Amazing Race. One that will take you around the MUC and Library and back again! It is going to be so much fun. I am actually a little sad that I am helping plan it so that I am not able to participate. But that is okay I suppose. It will be fun to watch all the same. For those of you who don't know what the Amazing Race is, I'll explain.
Tonight at 8 pm we are having a game, mimicked by what CBS puts on on Sunday nights. But instead of racing around the world as a team, we will race around campus in the Library and the MUC. I would like to do this next year before the weather gets bad, so that we can have it outdoors, and around campus, make it two hours long and have people literally running around campus. But I digress. Last week everyone broke into teams of 5, and their first task was to double the size of their groups from 5 to 10. If they were successful in doing this, they receive one point towards the total of 8 points.
Each team will be dismissed and have one hour to complete the remaining 7 checkpoints. They must decipher the clues to know where to go, and then complete the task at hand. It should be a very fun night! I will post later tonight to tell you who won and how it went.
I also have other exciting news about another amazing upcoming Cru social event. It has not been approved by Dusty yet, but as soon as it is, I'll give you the scoop. Lets just say, its going to be a swingin' good time!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Excitement!
I am getting so excited about going to London. Only 84 more days! I was just researching a little bit about our weekend excursion options, so many to think about. Amsterdam, Milan, Rome, Tuscany, Paris, etc! I cannot wait until it is here and I am traveling around Europe. It will be so awesome to have my good friend Nici with me too! I can't imagine a better traveling companion! We will just have to narrow down our plan as to what we would like to do, because there are only so many days that we will be there!
I am finding it hard to focus on doing my homework. As Nici and I call it, we have Euroitis! Similar to Senioritis but in regards to going to Europe! We can finally use our passports again. I will be able to have some stamps in my new passport, as my other one expired. It is going to be so much fun! Nici and I are getting together tonight too, to talk about it, think about where we want to go, how we are going to get there, what to do when we get there! I'm stoked!
Anyone else want to come? :) James said he wanted to see the Eiffel tower. And so do I!
I am finding it hard to focus on doing my homework. As Nici and I call it, we have Euroitis! Similar to Senioritis but in regards to going to Europe! We can finally use our passports again. I will be able to have some stamps in my new passport, as my other one expired. It is going to be so much fun! Nici and I are getting together tonight too, to talk about it, think about where we want to go, how we are going to get there, what to do when we get there! I'm stoked!
Anyone else want to come? :) James said he wanted to see the Eiffel tower. And so do I!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Praise the Lord
Oh I just wanted to say that God is so good! I have been praying for a few weeks that He will provide me with great roommates and a great place to live. Well yesterday Heather and I were looking for apartments and found an awesome, brand new 3 bedroom 3 bath apartment for $870 a month! Yay! And the landlords are an amazing Christian couple. Praise the Lord. He really does provide for all of our needs if we just trust that He will!
Oh and my Mom and Dad are talking about coming to Europe at the end of my London trip to spend a week or 10 days with me traveling around. And if Nici comes it will be so much fun to have the 4 of us traveling around Europe together! Yay! God is sooo good!
Oh and my Mom and Dad are talking about coming to Europe at the end of my London trip to spend a week or 10 days with me traveling around. And if Nici comes it will be so much fun to have the 4 of us traveling around Europe together! Yay! God is sooo good!
Home
So I'm home for the day. I have a bunch of homework and papers to get written this weekend, because I won't have time the rest of the week. So I came home, so that I could be productive, see how well its working? :) But I think I will still be able to get more done here than I would back in Verm. So 2 papers, 3 reports and 8 chapters to read. Hopefully I can get all that done today and tomorrow afternoon. Because tomorrow night I am going to a friends for Disney Movie Mania as I am calling it. 6 hours of pure Disney! Yay! I love Disney!
Have a wonderful day!
Have a wonderful day!
Friday, February 5, 2010
A Colossians Day
Colossians 3:1-2 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Where do I place the treasures in my life?
These are the verses that really stood out to me tonight. At Cru we were reading Col 3:1-11 and verses 1 and 2 really zoned in on how I think God is moving in my heart right now. I find myself focusing entirely too much on what is going on in the world around me, in my life, in my friends' lives, and not enough on what God wants and wills for my life.
He made this apparently clear last night, when a friend told me something that I did not want to hear. I knew that when she told me this, she had no idea what I was actually think about that specific topic of conversation but I felt God closing that door in my life for the time being. I have no doubt that someday He will give me the full desires of my heart, or adapt them to better fit His plan in my life. I do not doubt that someday it will happen for me and that it will be the best I have ever experienced, but in His timing. And right now, I am having a hard time being patient. I know this is a little like I am skirting around the issue, but hey, I don't want to go into too many details, or put in names.
Colossians 3:5-8 "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity. lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."
Wow. That is quite a collection of verses. I like how Paul didn't write this in a gentle way saying 'oh just don't do those things as much' or 'well just try to change, if you can't its okay'. He said "put to death" that is quite a statement to make. Death is such a finality. Once something is dead, it cannot be brought back. I think this passage is fantastic! It poses so many questions, thoughts and convictions that I had never thought of before. Sometimes I think there is nothing more fascinating to read than the Bible.
One other passage I was reading today was in Genesis. Genesis 19 the story about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. I have heard that story before, Lot's wife turns to a pillar of salt, the city is destroyed etc but I never fully understood why the city had to be destroyed. After reading verses 19:4-8 I understand. The men of the city wanted to have sex with the angels of God. And while Lot said no, he offered to give his 2 virgin daughters over to the men. Then after fleeing the city his two daughters slept with their dad and got pregnant. Why did God not have wrath for Lot? Or his daughters? Lot offered to sacrifice his daughters to those evil men, and the girls weren't much better. I don't understand this passage at all.
So I know that this post was a little intense tonight. But I had a lot on my mind. I got some more London stuff taken care of today. So that means I have only 100 days until I leave! Oh my goodness. It is going to go so fast!
Au Revoir!
Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Where do I place the treasures in my life?
These are the verses that really stood out to me tonight. At Cru we were reading Col 3:1-11 and verses 1 and 2 really zoned in on how I think God is moving in my heart right now. I find myself focusing entirely too much on what is going on in the world around me, in my life, in my friends' lives, and not enough on what God wants and wills for my life.
He made this apparently clear last night, when a friend told me something that I did not want to hear. I knew that when she told me this, she had no idea what I was actually think about that specific topic of conversation but I felt God closing that door in my life for the time being. I have no doubt that someday He will give me the full desires of my heart, or adapt them to better fit His plan in my life. I do not doubt that someday it will happen for me and that it will be the best I have ever experienced, but in His timing. And right now, I am having a hard time being patient. I know this is a little like I am skirting around the issue, but hey, I don't want to go into too many details, or put in names.
Colossians 3:5-8 "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity. lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."
Wow. That is quite a collection of verses. I like how Paul didn't write this in a gentle way saying 'oh just don't do those things as much' or 'well just try to change, if you can't its okay'. He said "put to death" that is quite a statement to make. Death is such a finality. Once something is dead, it cannot be brought back. I think this passage is fantastic! It poses so many questions, thoughts and convictions that I had never thought of before. Sometimes I think there is nothing more fascinating to read than the Bible.
One other passage I was reading today was in Genesis. Genesis 19 the story about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. I have heard that story before, Lot's wife turns to a pillar of salt, the city is destroyed etc but I never fully understood why the city had to be destroyed. After reading verses 19:4-8 I understand. The men of the city wanted to have sex with the angels of God. And while Lot said no, he offered to give his 2 virgin daughters over to the men. Then after fleeing the city his two daughters slept with their dad and got pregnant. Why did God not have wrath for Lot? Or his daughters? Lot offered to sacrifice his daughters to those evil men, and the girls weren't much better. I don't understand this passage at all.
So I know that this post was a little intense tonight. But I had a lot on my mind. I got some more London stuff taken care of today. So that means I have only 100 days until I leave! Oh my goodness. It is going to go so fast!
Au Revoir!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Caution: Long Week Ahead
Well God is definitely testing my patience and diligence this week. I feel more overloaded with activities, projects, tests, homework, and working than ever before. I know that there must be a plan for all of this hard work, but as of right now, I just can't see what that is. Here's a little glimpse of my schedule this week.
Monday:
Work.............10:00 - 3:00
Strategies mtg... 3:15 - 4:00
IDEA mtg......... 9:15 - 10:30
Tuesday:
Classes.......... 9:30 - 3:15
Presentation #1.11:00 - 12:00
Presentation #2. 2:00 - 2:15
Presentation #3. 3:00 - 3:15
Wednesday:
Work.............10:00 - 3:00
Psych Study...... 3:00 - 3:45
Prayer Group..... 4:00 - 5:00
Crosswalk........ 8:00 - 9:30
Thursday:
Classes.......... 9:30 - 3:15
Test............ 9:30 - 10:45
U.Envision....... 7:00 - 8:00
Cru.............. 8:00 - 9:30
Friday:
Work.............10:00 - 3:00
Appeals Court.... 3:00 - 4:00
Saturday:
Work.............10:00 - 4:00
Womens' Time..... 6:00 - 10:00
Sunday:
Church...........10:45 - 12:00
Super Bowl Party. 4:00 - 8:00
So that is my week. And in between all these events I have to be reading and doing homework and still finding time to hang out with Jesus, and my other friends too. I don't know how I am going to get all of this done. I know that God is above all but right now I just need prayer to make it through this week. Luckily next week looks a little bit calmer. And last week was a pretty calm week as well, but it was atypical of my normal weeks. Sometimes I wish it was the summer already. Then I would be on my way to London and not dealing with so many things monopolizing my time all at once.
Countdown to London: 103 days!
Monday:
Work.............10:00 - 3:00
Strategies mtg... 3:15 - 4:00
IDEA mtg......... 9:15 - 10:30
Tuesday:
Classes.......... 9:30 - 3:15
Presentation #1.11:00 - 12:00
Presentation #2. 2:00 - 2:15
Presentation #3. 3:00 - 3:15
Wednesday:
Work.............10:00 - 3:00
Psych Study...... 3:00 - 3:45
Prayer Group..... 4:00 - 5:00
Crosswalk........ 8:00 - 9:30
Thursday:
Classes.......... 9:30 - 3:15
Test............ 9:30 - 10:45
U.Envision....... 7:00 - 8:00
Cru.............. 8:00 - 9:30
Friday:
Work.............10:00 - 3:00
Appeals Court.... 3:00 - 4:00
Saturday:
Work.............10:00 - 4:00
Womens' Time..... 6:00 - 10:00
Sunday:
Church...........10:45 - 12:00
Super Bowl Party. 4:00 - 8:00
So that is my week. And in between all these events I have to be reading and doing homework and still finding time to hang out with Jesus, and my other friends too. I don't know how I am going to get all of this done. I know that God is above all but right now I just need prayer to make it through this week. Luckily next week looks a little bit calmer. And last week was a pretty calm week as well, but it was atypical of my normal weeks. Sometimes I wish it was the summer already. Then I would be on my way to London and not dealing with so many things monopolizing my time all at once.
Countdown to London: 103 days!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Winter Wonderland
Today is day one of my life as a blogger. And I spent it trying to stay warm while the wind and snow howled outside. Instead of studying and reading up for my classes tomorrow, I worked, hung out with a friend, ate dinner, and watched The Bachelor. All in all it was a good day.
God has been doing so much in my life right now. He is finally bringing quality people into my life to bless me and provide the type of friendship I am looking for. Changing schools was a blessing in disguise.
God has been doing so much in my life right now. He is finally bringing quality people into my life to bless me and provide the type of friendship I am looking for. Changing schools was a blessing in disguise.
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